EP0995380A1

EP0995380A1 - "Side entry carrier"

Info

Publication number: EP0995380A1
Application number: EP99307430A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paul Fair; Cindy Nelson
Original assignee: Evenflo Co Inc
Current assignee: Evenflo Co Inc
Priority date: 1998-10-20
Filing date: 1999-09-20
Publication date: 2000-04-26
Also published as: PL336092A1

Abstract

An infant carrier comprising a main body portion. The main body portion (14) has a back (20) and a front (22) with a bottom portion (24) therebetween. The front (22) terminates in upwardly extending shoulder straps (26). The main body portion has sides with one edge (28) releasably coupled and with leg holes (32) located between the areas of coupling and the bottom portion. A back support (36) is formed in a U-shaped configuration and has its upper edges extending in an inverted U-shaped configuration for positioning over the shoulders of a child care provider and a waist band (40) at the lower end for positioning about the waist of the child care provider. The waist band (40) has free ends (42) with a separable buckle (44) therebetween and with the shoulder straps (26) terminating in releasable buckles (46) adjacent to a central section of the waist band. Further included is a buckle (74). The buckle has a fixed portion (76) coupled to the main body portion at a lateral edge and a movable portion coupled to the main body portion adjacent the front edge to effect the opening and closing of the main body portion adjacent one lateral edge.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a new and improved infant carrier system and, more particularly, pertains to allowing the lateral entry and egress of a child with respect to an infant carrier.

Description of the Prior Art

The use of infant carrier systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, infant carrier systems heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of allowing a child to be placed into an infant carrier and removed therefrom through known apparatuses are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
The prior art discloses a large number of infant carriers. By way of example, U.S. Patent Number 4,492,326 to Storm discloses a sling-type infant carrier.
U.S. Patent Number 5,246,152 to Dotseth discloses a baby carrier with head support.
U.S. Patent Number 5,522,528 to Petricola discloses a baby carrier apparatus.
U.S. Patent Number 5,609,279 to O^'Shea discloses a child carrier.
U.S. Patent Number 5,678,739 to Fisher-Price, Inc. discloses an infant carrier with harness and detachable shell.
U.S. Patent Number 5,690,258 to Aprica Kassai Kabushikikaisha discloses a baby carrier.
Lastly, U.S. Patent Number 5,632,425 to Hull discloses an infant carrier.
In this respect, the infant carrier system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing the lateral entry and egress of a child with respect to an infant carrier.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved infant carrier system which can be used for allowing the lateral entry and egress of a child with respect to an infant carrier. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of infant carrier systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved infant carrier system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved infant carrier system and methods which have all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a new and improved infant carrier system for supporting a child by a child care provider and for allowing side entry and egress by the child. The infant carrier system includes a main body portion. The main body portion is formed of an interior fabric and an exterior fabric with padding therebetween. The main body portion has a back and a front with a bottom portion therebetween. The front terminates in upwardly extending shoulder straps. The main body portion has its sides permanently coupled at one edge and releasably coupled at the other edge with leg holes. The leg holes are located between the areas of coupling and the bottom portion. A back support is formed in a U-shaped configuration. The back support has upper edges extending in an inverted U-shaped configuration for positioning over the shoulders of a child care provider. The back support has a waist band at the lower end for positioning about the waist of the child care provider. The waist band has free ends with a separable buckle therebetween and with the shoulder straps terminating in releasable buckles adjacent to a central section of the waist band. A coupling strap is secured to the main body portion with snaps thereon. The snaps are cooperable with snaps on the shoulder straps for the selective positioning of the main body portion to the back support. A vertically extending pad has a lower end coupled to the lower extent of the main body portion. The pad has lateral edges provided with snaps separably couplable to snaps on the main body portion. A fabric loop is formed at the upper edge of the pad with a padded neck support which extends through the loop. A buckle has a fixed portion coupled to the main body portion at a lateral edge. The buckle has a movable portion coupled to the main body portion adjacent the front edge to effect the opening and closing of the main body portion adjacent to the lateral edge.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved infant carrier system which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved infant carrier system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed for greater safety of the carried infant.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved infant carrier system which is of a durable and reliable construction with improved convenience to the child care provider.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved infant carrier system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a infant carrier system economically available to the buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is to allow the lateral entry and egress of a child with respect to an infant carrier.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an infant carrier comprising a main body portion. The main body portion has a back and a front with a bottom portion therebetween. The front terminates in upwardly extending shoulder straps. The main body portion has sides with one edge releasably coupled and with leg holes located between the areas of coupling and the bottom portion. A back support is formed in a U-shaped configuration and has its upper edges extending in an inverted U-shaped configuration for positioning over the shoulders of a child care provider and a waist band at the lower end for positioning about the waist of the child care provider. The waist band has free ends with a separable buckle therebetween and with the shoulder straps terminating in releasable buckles adjacent to a central section of the waist band. Further included is a buckle. The buckle has a fixed portion coupled to the main body portion at a lateral edge and a movable portion coupled to the main body portion adjacent the front edge to effect the opening and closing of the main body portion adjacent one lateral edge.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the infant carrier system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the buckle taken at circle 2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a rear elevational view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a rear elevational view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the neck support taken at circle 7 of Figure 3.
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Figures 1 through 8 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved infant carrier system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
The present invention, the new and improved infant carrier system, is a system 10 comprised of a plurality of components. Such components, in their broadest context, include a main body portion, a back support, a coupling strap, a vertically extending pad, a fabric loop and a buckle. Each of the individual components is specifically configured and correlated one with respect to the other so as to attain the desired objectives.
A new and improved infant carrier system 10 for supporting a child by a child care provider and for allowing side entry and egress by the child. The infant carrier system 10 includes a main body portion 14.
The main body portion 14 is formed of an interior fabric 16 and an exterior fabric 18 with padding 19 therebetween. The main body portion 14 has a back 20 and a front 22 with a bottom portion 24 therebetween. The front 22 terminates in upwardly extending shoulder straps 26. The main body portion has its sides permanently coupled at one edge 28. The sides are releasably coupled at the other edge 30. Leg holes 32 are formed in the main body portion. The leg holes 32 are located between the areas of coupling and the bottom portion.
A back support 36 is formed in a U-shaped configuration. The back support 36 has upper edges 38. The upper edge extends in an inverted U-shaped configuration for positioning over the shoulders of a child care provider. The back support 36 has a waist band 40 at the lower end. The waistband functions for positioning about the waist of the child care provider. The waist band 40 has free ends 42 with a separable buckle 44 therebetween. The shoulder straps 26 terminate in releasable buckles 46 adjacent to a central section of the waist band.
A coupling strap 50 is secured to the main body portion with snaps 52 thereon. The snaps 52 are cooperable with snaps 54 on the shoulder straps. This is for the selective positioning of the main body portion to the back support.
A vertically extending pad 58 has a lower end 60 coupled to the lower extent of the main body portion. The pad 58 has lateral edges 62 which are provided with snaps 64. The snaps are separably couplable to snaps 66 on the main body portion.
A fabric loop 70 is formed at the upper edge of the pad. In association therewith, a padded neck support 72 extends through the loop.
Lastly provided is a buckle 74. Such buckle has a fixed portion 76 coupled to the main body portion at a lateral edge. The buckle 74 has a movable portion 78. Such movable portion is coupled to the main body portion adjacent the front edge. Such portion functions to effect the opening and closing of the main body portion adjacent to the lateral edge. Further details of the buckle may be had by reference to U.S. Patent application Serial Number P-5758, filed concurrently herewith, entitled Soft Carrier Buckle, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference herein. This arrangement allows for greater convenience to the child care provider when placing the infant into the carrier and during the infant's removal while maintaining the child in greater safety and continued comfort when in the carrier.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

A new and improved infant carrier system for supporting a child by a child care provider and for allowing side entry and egress by the child comprising, in combination:

a main body portion formed of an interior fabric and an exterior fabric with padding therebetween, the main body portion having a back and a front with a bottom portion therebetween, the front terminating in upwardly extending shoulder straps, the main body portion having its sides permanently coupled at one edge and releasably coupled at the other edge with leg holes located between the areas of coupling and the bottom portion;

a back support formed in a U-shaped configuration having its upper edges extending in an inverted U-shaped configuration for positioning over the shoulders of a child care provider and a waist band at the lower end for positioning about the waist of the child care provider, the waist band having free ends with a separable buckle therebetween and with the shoulder straps terminating in releasable buckles adjacent to a central section of the waist band;

a coupling strap secured to the main body portion with snaps thereon cooperable with snaps on the shoulder straps for the selective positioning of the main body portion to the back support;

a vertically extending pad having a lower end coupled to the lower extent of the main body portion and with lateral edges provided with snaps separably couplable to snaps on the main body portion;

a fabric loop formed at the upper edge of the pad with padded neck support extending through the loop; and

a buckle having a fixed portion coupled to the main body portion at a lateral edge and a movable portion coupled to the main body portion adjacent the front edge to effect the opening and closing of the main body portion adjacent one lateral edge.
An infant carrier comprising:

a main body portion having a back and a front with a bottom portion therebetween, the front terminating in upwardly extending shoulder straps, the main body portion having sides with one edge releasably coupled and with leg holes located between the areas of coupling and the bottom portion;

a back support formed in a U-shaped configuration having its upper edges extending in an inverted U-shaped configuration for positioning over the shoulders of a child care provider and a waist band at the lower end for positioning about the waist of the child care provider, the waist band having free ends with a separable buckle therebetween and with the shoulder straps terminating in releasable buckles adjacent to a central section of the waist band; and

a buckle having a fixed portion coupled to the main body portion at a lateral edge and a movable portion coupled to the main body portion adjacent the front edge to effect the opening and closing of the main body portion adjacent one lateral edge.
The infant carrier as set forth in claim 2 and further including a coupling strap secured to the main body portion with snaps thereon cooperable with snaps on the shoulder straps for the selective positioning of the main body portion to the back support.
The infant carrier as set forth in claim 2 and further including a vertically extending pad having a lower end coupled to the lower extent of the main body portion and with lateral edges provided with snaps separably couplable to snaps on the main body portion.
The infant carrier as set forth in claim 2 and further including a fabric loop formed at the upper edge of the pad with padded neck support extending through the loop.