GB2387334A

GB2387334A - A child carrier which can convert into a changing mat

Info

Publication number: GB2387334A
Application number: GB0208296A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Waldemar Piotr Tobolewski; Waldek Tobolewski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-10
Filing date: 2002-04-10
Publication date: 2003-10-15
Also published as: GB0208296D0

Abstract

A child carrier comprises an elongate base 12 and a pair of hingedly attached sidewalls 11/13 provided with fasteners 14 for securing the ends of the walls together which can be used as a carrier when the walls are raised and as a mat when the walls are lowered. The carrier may comprise integral or attached handles 15, a carrying strap 17 and an attachable hood 18. The fasteners may be zip fasteners, hook and eye fasteners or studs. The carrier may be formed of a sheet material, such as a wipe-clean plastics material to allow it to be folded into a compact form for transport and/or storage (fig 4, not shown). The carrier may be provided with a quilted inner liner which may form a mattress for the elongate base. The child carrier may be provided in combination with a pushchair comprising a wheeled frame to which the carrier is attachable or may form part of a swinging crib system, the frame of which may be either rigid or may comprise collapsible A-frames (fig 3).

Description

CHILD CARRIER

This invention relates to child carriers and in particular to a child carrier that can also function as changing mat.

It is frequently a problem when dealing with young children that a disproportionate amount of luggage must be carried in comparison with the size of the child. Among the more bulky items are the child carrier and the child changing facility.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a child carrier that folds flat to form a changing mat and also folds up into a compact form for storage and to be 10 transported.

According to the present invention there is provided a child carrier comprising: an elongate base having a pair of opposed edges; a pair of walls, each one of which extends from a respective edge of the base; and fastening means at each end of each of the walls for securing the end of the walls, such that when the ends are secured together the walls 15 are upstanding from the base to form a carrier and when the walls are unsecured the base and walls can form a flat mat.

Preferably the carrier will be configured such that when the ends are not secured together the base and walls may fold into a flat compact form.

Furthermore, handles may be attached or formed integrally with to the walls.

A hood portion may be provided for attachment to the free edges of the walls above one end of the base when the fastening means are secured.

A strap may be attached to the free edge of the wall in at least two places.

Preferably, the base and wall portions are formed from one continuous panel or sheet.

The base and wall portions may be formed of a wipe-clean plastics material and may further comprise a quilted inner liner that may form a mattress for the base.

The fastening means may take the form of zips, studs or hook and eye fasteners or the like.

Furthermore according to the present invention there is provided a swinging crib 30 system, comprising: a pair of collapsible A-frames; a carrier as defined above, and means for attaching the carrier, at the ends, to the A-frames.

In another embodiment of the invention the frame may be rigid.

According to a further example of the invention there is provided a pushchair system, comprising: a wheeled frame; a carrier as defined above, and means for attaching 35 the carrier to the frame.

An example of a carrier according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan of the carrier, unfolded, to form a changing mat; Figure 2 shows a side view of the carrier with the fastening means secured and also with a hood; Figure 3 shows a side view of the carrier used in combination with a pair of A5 frames to form a swinging crib system; and Figure 4 shows the carrier folded away for storage.

Figure 1 shows a carrier 10 formed from a woven or non-woven fabric material such as a synthetic plastics material, the figure showing the carrier 10 in its unfolded condition in which it can form a changing mat for an infant. Three distinct portions of the 10 mat, 11, 12, 13, are shown adjacent to one another, the portion 12, when the carrier is folded, forming a base and the portions 11 and 13 forming side walls as will be described below. Crease or fold lines 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 indicate lines about which the fabric can be folded when the carrier is assembled.

At each end of the portions 11 and 13, complimentary halves 14 of interlocking 15 tooth or zip fasteners are provided so that, on folding, the ends of the portions 1 1 and 13 can be fastened together, the corresponding ends of the base portion 12 being folded along the fold lines 33-35. (tzrm4) Alternative fastening devices, such as hook and eye (Velcro) fasteners or even a series of eyes that can fastened with a tie or string can be used instead.

The free edge of each of the side portions 1 1, 13 is folded over and sewn about the line 36 and an elongate rod or spar 37 is inserted, at each end the rod or spar 37 having an eyelet 16. Carrying handles 15 are connected to the rod or spar 37 to facilitate carrying of the carrier with an infant inside.

Figure 2 shows the use of a detactable hood portion 18 which can be attached to 25 the remainder of the carrier by suitable fasteners 19, and also a carrying strap 17 to enable an adult to carry the carrier on his or her shoulder. The ends of the carrying strap 17 contain hooks 39 for engaging the eyelets 16.

Figure 3 illustrates the carrier being held as a swinging crib, mounted on a pair of collapsible A-frames 21 attached to the ends of longitudinal spars 20, foldable stays 22, 30 23 being provided to stiffen the frame in use. The eyelets 16 are again used, together with short straps 24, to secure the carrier to the top of each of the A-frames.

Figure 4 illustrates the carrier with the fasteners 14 disconnected and the fabric folded for easy storage or transport.

Claims

1. A child carrier comprising: an elongate base having a pair of opposed edges; a pair of walls, each one of which extends from a respective edge of the base; and fastening means at each end of each of the walls for securing the ends of the walls, such that when the ends are secured together the walls are upstanding from the base to form a carrier and when the walls are unsecured the base and walls can be flattened to form a mat.

2. A carrier according to claim 1, formed of a sheet material to enable the base and walls to be folded into a flat compact form for transport or storage.

3. A carrier according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising handles attached to 15 or integrally formed with the walls.

4. A carrier according to any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a hood portion for attachment to the free edges of the walls above one end of the base when the fastening means are secured.

5. A carrier according to any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a strap attached to the free edge of the walls in at least two places.

6. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base and wall 25 portions are formed from one continuous panel or sheet.

7. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base and wall portions are formed of a wipe-clean plastics material.

8. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a quilted inner liner.

9. A carrier according to claim 8, wherein the liner includes a section that forms a mattress for the base.

10. A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means are elongate interengaging-tooth fasteners.

11. A carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fastening means are studs.

12. A carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fastening means are hook and eye fasteners.

13. A swinging crib system, comprising: a pair of collapsible A-frames; and a carrier according to any of claims 1 to 12, and means for attaching the carrier, at the ends, to the A-frames.

14. A swinging crib system, comprising: a rigid frame; and a carrier according to any of claims 1 to 12, and means for attaching the carrier, at the ends, to the frame.

15. A pushchair system, comprising: a wheeled frame; and a carrier according to any of claims 1 to 12, and means for attaching the carrier to the frame.