(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY(PCT)
`
` APO) ANONLAE00000
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`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 2006/116117 A2
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`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`2 November 2006 (02.11.2006)
`
`(51) International Patent Classification:
`AG6LF 5/00 (2006.01)
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`(21) International Application Number:
`PCT/US2006/015134
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`(22) International Filing Date:
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`21 April 2006 (21.04.2006)
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`(25) Filing Language:
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`(26) Publication Language:
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`(30) Priority Data:
`60/674,214
`
`English
`
`English
`
`22 April 2005 (22.04.2005)
`
`US
`
`except US):
`(for all designated States
`(71) Applicant
`[US/US]; 855
`MADAMAR PRODUCTIONS,
`INC.
`Village Center Drive, #103, North Oaks, MN 55127 (US).
`
`(72) Inventor; and
`(75) Inventor/Applicant (for US only): STATEN, Victoria
`[US/US]; 29 Pheasant Lane, North Oaks, MN 55127 (US).
`
`(74) Agent: YOUNG,Andrew; L.ackenbach Siegel, LIP, One
`Chase Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583 (US).
`
`(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`AT, AU,AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BW,BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN,
`CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI,
`
`GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU,ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE,
`KG, KM, KN, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV,
`LY, MA, MD, MG,MK, MN, MW, Mx, MZ, NA, NG, NI,
`NO, NZ, OM, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG,
`SK, SL, SM, SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US,
`UZ, VC, VN, YU, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
`GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM,
`ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
`European (AT, BE, BG,CII, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI,
`FR, GB, GR, HU,IE,IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, NL,PL,PT,
`RO,SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA,
`GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR,NE, SN, TD, TG).
`Declarations under Rule 4.17:
`as to applicant’s entitlement to apply for and be granted a
`patent (Rule 4.17(ii))
`as to the applicant's entitlement to claim thepriorityof the
`earlier application (Rule 4.17(iii))
`of inventorship (Rule 4.17(iv))
`Published:
`without international search report and to be republished
`upon receipt of that report
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid-
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the begin-
`ning of each regularissue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`(54) Tille: A HARNESS
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`
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`
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`
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`2006/116117A2IMMIINITTNANETAUTUNINCAITTTATA
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`(57) Abstract: A baby carrier unit is configured with a harness made from a single piece of material, a baby carrier releasably
`attachable to the harness at the front of the wearer and configured with top, intermediate and bottom regions, each of which is
`controllably adjustable relative to the harness, and a diaper bag releasably coupled to the harness.
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`WO 2006/116117
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`PCT/US2006/015134
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`A HARNESS
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`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
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`This application is based on and claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent
`Application 60/674,214filed with the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice on April 22,
`2005 and fully incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`This inventionrelates to a modular garment item configured with a baby carrier,
`diaper bag and harness detachably coupled to one another to provide an ergonomically
`constructed, easily assembleable and aesthetically appealing harness-type babycarrier.
`
`Related Art
`
`Child carriers, in one form or another, have been used by parents since ancient times
`and in all corners of the support strap. Generationsof child rearing have proven the
`usefulness ofcarriers for transportation, security, and hands-free convenience while
`keeping baby close. From primitive babyslingsto today's advancedcarrier frames and
`designs, the use of child and babycarriers have helped parents stay on the go for as long
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`as there have beenchildrento carry.
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`Carriers fall within three basic styles: front, sling and backpack. Generally, front and
`sling carriers are designed for newborns, infants and babies who cannotyet sit up by
`themselves (usually up to about 6 months). Backpack carriers are for older babies and
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`small children who can support themselvesin a sitting position and are still light enough
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`to be transported comfortably (usually up to 40 - 45 Ibs. depending on the manufacturer).
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`The advantageoffront style and sling carriers is the ability to keep a child close to
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`the parent and within easy view while the parent’s hands are free to shop, work around
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`the house or simply take a walk. In both cases, these infant carriers are comfortable, safe
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`and as many parents will attest, the best solution to multi-tasking with a babyin tow.
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`Front style carriers have the added benefit of providing greater support for heavier loads
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`and longer wear while safely securing the baby during the use of suchacarrier.
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`Despite a great number of designs of babycarrier, the requirements for optimal
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`design remain unchanged: improved ergonomics conduciveto the desired development of
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`the infant and maximumcomfort for both the wearer and infant, structural soundness and
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`simplicity associated with easy adjustment of the carrier’s components, safety of the
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`infant, and aesthetics.
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`A need, therefore, exists for a harness-type babycarrier that has a modularstructure
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`including easily assembleable components and allowing for securely holding and
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`supporting an infant.
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`Another need exists for a harness-type babycarrier that has a structure provided with
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`multiple position-adjusting means whichare easily operated by a wearerso as to adjust
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`the carrier in the desired position on the parent/wearer carrying an infant and safely
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`support the infant while the wearer is adjusting the babycarrier.
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`Still another need exisis for a baby carrier that has a simple yet cost-effective, easily
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`maintainable and aesthetically appealing structure.
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`A further need exists for a baby carrier that has multiple easily coupleable
`components at least some of whichpreserve their functionality and aesthetic appeal while
`being used separately from therest of the components.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`These needs are met by the inventive harness-type baby carrier proposed herein.
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`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the inventive baby carrier init is
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`configured with multiple individual components which include a harness, infant support
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`and bag. The inventive unit has a modular structure in which all of its components are
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`operative to releasably couple to one another.
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`The harness is configured from a single strap erectable to form two shoulder straps
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`which intersect one another at the back of the wearer’s upper torso and extend around
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`respective shoulders of the wearer so as to have the free ends of the shoulder straps
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`coupled to one another to form a continuous waistband. The infant support has upper and
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`bottom end regions attachable to the harness so as extend along the front of the wearer’s
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`upper torso. The upper end region is coupled to the shoulder straps, while the bottom end
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`region is folded over a front segment of the waistband of the harness and coupled thereto
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`so as to form a U-shaped infant seat for whichis flanked by two openings onthe opposite
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`sides of the seat for receiving respective legs of the infant.
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`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the inventive baby carrier unit
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`also has a first fastening assembly located betweenthe inner surface of the bottom region
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`of the infant support and the front segment of the waistband of the harness. Thefirst
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`fastening assembly is configured with a column of receiving formations configured to be
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`selectively traversed by the free end of one of the shoulder straps. Accordingly,
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`depending on the receiving formation traversed by the free end, the position of the infant
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`seat is controllably varied relative to the waist of the wearer. Concomitantly, engagement
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`between the traversed formation and the free end of the shoulder strap secures the lower
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`portion of the infant’s torso to the seat.
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`In accordance withstill another aspect of the invention, the baby carrier unit has a
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`second fastening assembly adjustably securing the shoulder straps of the harness to the
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`upper region of the infant carrier so as to support the upper portion of the infant’s body.
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`The upper region of the infant support includes upper and lower pairs of flaps operative
`to adjustably secure the top end region of the infant support to the harness.
`Tn accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the bag of the inventive unit is
`configured to be worn as part of the inventive structure or as a separate garment item.
`Configured with multiple engagement assemblies, the belt of the bag may be coupled to
`the harness at alternative locationsof the latter and, thus, the position of the bag can be
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`easily adjusted by the wearerin accordance with the wearer’s needs.
`
`In accordancewithstill a further aspect, the componentsof the inventive baby carrier
`unit have respective adjusting assemblies including a plurality ofD-rings, O-rings,
`buckles, snap-type connectionsandother fastening configurations. The adjusting
`assemblies are strategically located on the inventive unit to allow the wearer to adjustably
`couplethe unit’s components together and securely place the infant in the unit.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`The above and other features of the present invention will become more readily
`apparent from the following detailed description provided in conjunction with the
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`following drawings, in which:
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`FIG. 1 is an exploded rear-side view of the inventive baby carrier unit configured
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`with a harness, infant support and bag;
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`FIG. 2 is an elevated view of the harness having a single-piece strap which is
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`provided with a central lumbar support shown facing the upperrear torso of the wearer;
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`FIG. 3 is an elevated view of the harness similar to FIG. 2 shown with the central
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`lumbar support facing away fromthe upperrear torso of the wearer;
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`FIG. 4 is a front elevated view of the harness shownin an erected state and having its
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`waistband coupled to an inner surface ofthe bottomregion ofthe infant support;
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`FIGS. 5 and 6 are respective front and rear elevated views ofthe infant support;
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`FIG.7 is an elevated view ofthe bagillustrated with its halves unfolded;
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`FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an intermediate stage of assembling the inventive unit;
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`and
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`FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the assembled inventive unit provided with detachably
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`coupled harness, infant support and bag components.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`Reference will now be made in detail to several views of the invention that are
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`illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference
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`numerals are used in the drawings and the descriptions to refer to the sameorlike parts or
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`steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of
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`convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, rear and front may
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`be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be
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`construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words “connect,”
`“couple,” or “affix” and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not
`necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections
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`through mediate elements or devices.
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`FIG.
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`1
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`illustrates the inventive baby carrier unit 10 configured with three main
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`components: a harness 12, an infant support 14 and a bag 16. The components are
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`functionally and structurally associated with one another. At
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`the same time, each
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`componenthas its ownstructural inventive features and, as will be explained below, may
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`be used individually. The baby carrier unit 10 is constructed around harness 12 which
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`provides the structural basis for integrating infant support 14 and bag 16 to the overall
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`configuration of unit 10 characterized by its ergonomic functionality and aesthetics, as
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`will be discussed hereinbelow.
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`Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the harness 12 is preferably constructed from a single
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`strap 18 (FIGS. 2 and 3) that, as a result of certain structural manipulations discussed
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`hereinbelow, can be assembled to assume the form betterillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. As
`seen in FIGS. 2 and3, strap 18 is structured with a central support 20 and two shoulder
`straps 22 and 24. Advantageously, support 20 has a larger cross-sectional area than
`shoulder straps 22 and 24 and may havea variety of shapes. For example, support 20 is
`configured with a diamond cross-section seen in all of the referred to figures. However,
`
`as can be easily understood by those skilled in the art, the shape of support 20 can vary
`and have other polygonal cross-sections, circular, oval and other regular and irregular
`cross-sections. A relatively large cross-sectional area of central support 20 is particularly
`advantageous for providing a strong yet flexible support for the lumbar region of the
`wearer’s spine whichis typically exposedto substantial loads generated by the infant.
`In an alternative embodiment,
`instead of a one-piece strap, harness 12 may be
`configured from separate subcomponents including two individual shoulder straps and a
`support, or the support formed integrally with one of the shoulder straps which is
`provided with means for adjusting its length. The subcomponents may be coupled to one
`another by a variety of means, such as a snapping fastening unit, buckle unit, stitching
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`and the like, to eventually form harness 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.
`Each of shoulder straps 22 and 24 comprises an elongated band of material which
`runs fromalateral portion 26 (FIG. 2) of support 20. The shoulder straps 22 and 24 are
`not uniformly configured. One of the straps, for example strap 22, has a first strip of
`material 30 (FIG. 3) formed on oneofthe shoulder strap’s sides and being narrower than
`the width of the shoulderstrap. Thestrip 30 has its opposite ends attached to strap 22 so
`as to form a loop dimensioned to allow shoulderstrap 24 to run through this loop 30 for
`centering shoulder straps 22 and 24 between the shoulder blades of the wearer. A tether
`28 (FIG. 2), whichis preferably located on the same outer side of shoulder strap 22 in the
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`erected state of harness 12 or may be provided on the opposite inner side of shoulder
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`strap 22 between an end region 40 of strap 22 and loop 30, has one end fixed to the strap
`22 and the other end removably coupled to the strap 22 so as to form a further belt strap
`loop that, as will be discussed hereinbelow,is dimensioned to receive and engage the belt
`strap of bag 16 orthe buckle affixed to the straps’ end, as will be disclosed hereinbelow.
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`The end region 40 of shoulder strap 22 is provided with one or more male fasteners
`32, which are located closer to the outer edge of this strap, and female fasteners 44. The
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`fasteners 32 and 44 in combination with flexibility of material of shoulder strap 22 allow
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`end region 40 to be bent over so that male fastener 32 is operative to selectively engage
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`female fasteners 44 for adjusting the overall length of strap 22 in the erected state of
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`harness 12, in which strap 22 preferably runs around the left shoulder of the wearer and
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`further around the wearer’s waist. Finally, end region 40 of shoulder strip 22 has one or
`more D- or O-rings 34 surrounding the shoulder strap and freely displaceablerelative to
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`one another along end region 40 within a loop which is formed when male fastener 32
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`engages one of female fasteners 44. Upon erecting and adjusting harness 12 on the
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`wearer, D-rings 34 define one of the ends of waistband 42 (FIG. 4) of harness 12 and
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`serve as a coupling and decorative element.
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`The shoulder sirap 24 has an end region 46 provided with a tether 47 which is
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`configured to engage infant carrier 14, as will be discussed hereinbelow, and then to be
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`slipped. through D-rings 34 so as complete formation of waistband 42,
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`In addition, an
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`intermediate region of shoulder strap 24 has a second position adjusting assembly
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`configured with one or more fasteners 49 (FIG. 2) which are typically located proximate
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`to the hip of the wearer on the outer side of waistband 42. The fasteners 49 are
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`configured to releasably engage a complementary fastener which is provided on one of
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`the ends of the bag’s belt, as also will be discussed hereinbelow.
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`The lateral portions 26 of central support 20 are provided with respective assemblies
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`36, 38 each configured to guide and shape shoulder straps 22 and 24 as the wearer
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`converts harness 12 into its erected state, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. In accordance with
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`a preferred embodiment, each assembly 36, 38 includes a single D-ring coupled to lateral
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`portion 26. One of the structural possibilities of coupling the D-rmgs includes, for
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`example, stitching or adhering inner regions of shoulder straps 22, 24 proximal to support
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`20 to respective lateral portions 26 of support 20 so as to form respective loops limiting
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`displacement of assemblies 36 and 38 along respective shoulderstraps 22 and 24.
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`Referring to FIG. 4 in addition to FIGS. 2 and 3, the erection of harness 12 is initiated
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`by crossing shoulder straps 22 and 24, respectively, so that strap 24 is threaded through a
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`loop defined by tether 30 on shoulder strap 22. Further, end regions 40 and 46 of
`respective shoulder straps 22 and 24 are guided over the wearer’s shoulders and under the
`armpits back towards respective assemblies 38 and 36 through which free ends 40 and 46
`are slipped and further brought around the waist to define waistband 42. As mentioned
`above,the overall length of shoulder strap 22 and, thus, waistband 42 may be adjusted by
`selectively engaging male and female members 32 and 34 (FIG.2), respectively, formed
`on free end 40 of shoulder strap 22.
`In the erected state, harness 12 is ready to receive
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`and support infant support 14 and bag 16.
`Preferably, entire single strap 18 is decorated with a band of material 45 whichis
`coupled to the opposite sides of strap 18 and, thus, surrounds the continuous peripheral
`edge of this strap. Consequently, the perimeter of harness 12 is padded providing
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`maximum comfort to the wearer.
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`The erected harness 12 may have, thus, a shape resembling a butterfly and defined by
`two interconnected shoulder straps 22 and 24 which extend over respective left and right
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`shoulders of the wearer at locations proximate to the wearer’s chest and further run under
`the respective armpits back to support 20. As free ends 46 and 40 of respective shoulder
`straps 22 and 24 are being brought back and slipped through the respective D-rings, the
`wearer then guides the free ends around the waist and can engage them proximate to the
`left hip so as to form waistband 42. Of course, the configuration of the strap 18 may be
`slightly modified to have shoulder strap 24 formed with loops 30, 28 and a series of
`fasteners 32 and 44,as easily understood by oneofordinary skills in the art.
`Instead of the D-rings, assemblies 36 and 36 may have other fastening configurations.
`For example, lateral portions 26 of these assemblies each may havea pair of elongated
`slits which, although not shown, are readily understood by one of ordinary skills in the
`art. Each of the slits is shaped and dimensioned to function similarly to the D-rings by
`guiding free ends 40 and 46of respective shoulder straps 22 and 24 in a mannerdisclosed
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`above.
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`Adjustment of waistband 42 can be realized by a variety of methods andstructures.
`First, the overall length of shoulder strap 22 can be reduced or increased by selecting an
`appropriate combination of engaging male 32 and female 44 fasteners (FIG. 2). Further,
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`free end 46 of shoulder strap 24 may be tensioned by applying a greater or smaller force
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`to it when the wearer slips the free end of shoulder strap 24 through D-rings 34 of
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`shoulder strap 22. Alternatively, one of free ends 46 and 40 of respective shoulder straps
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`24 and 22 can feature a buckle with a pin, whereas the other free end can have a
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`succession of holes each configured to retain the pin (not shown).
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`Still another
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`embodiment mayberealized by providing opposing surfaces of free ends 40 and 46 with
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`respective strips of Velcro®. Regardless of the particular implementation, it is desirable
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`that free ends 40 and 46 engage one another at a location proximate to the hip region of
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`the wearer since a central front region 48 (FIG. 4) of waistband 42 is configured to
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`engage the bottom end region of infant support 14, as will be disclosed in detail
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`hereinbelow.
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`Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, infant support 14 is configured to provide a baby
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`carrier worn by the wearer at the wearer’s front in a secured and comfortable manner.
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`The infant support 14, like harness 12, is preferably made from a single piece of material
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`and configured with a shell or body 50. The overall length of shell 50 is preferably, but
`not necessarily, uniform so as to facilitate a manufacturing process. However, shell 50
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`has numerousfastening and adjusting assemblies operative to controllably vary the length
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`between a top region 52 and a bottom region 54 of shell 50 im accordance with the
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`requirements of the wearer and, of course, the physical attributes of the infant, as will be
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`discussed in detail hereinbelow.
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`The shell 50, having a top region 52 and a bottom region 54, can be configured in
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`accordance with numerous designs. The bottom region 54 is provided with a first
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`position adjusting assembly including an interface 56 (FIG. 6) whichis located proximate
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`to a bottom edge 58 on the inner surface of infant support 14. The interface 56 is
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`configured to provide coupling between harness 12 and infant support 14 and to
`controllably adjust a distance between top and bottom regions 52 and 54, respectively, of
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`the infant support in the assembled state of the baby carrier unit. Adjusting the distance
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`between regions 52 and 54 allows the wearer to set the desired position of the infant, as
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`will be disclosed hereinbelow.
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`According to one embodiment, interface 56 includes a column ofindividual pockets
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`66 formed along bottom region 54 of infant support 14. Each pocket 66 extends between
`the opposite sides of shell 50 and is configured to receive tether 47 of shoulderstrap 24,
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`as clearly illustrated in FIG. 4. The pockets 66 may be formed from a single piece of
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`material having its spaced apart regions stitched to the inner surface of shell 50 so that
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`each pair of the adjacent stitched regions defines a respective pocket therebetween.
`Alternatively, the adjacent pockets may be spaced apart and each, thus, formed from an
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`individual piece of material.
`In accordance with a further embodiment,
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`interface 56 has a plurality of slits 60
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`formed in the inner surface of shell 50 and extending parallel to one another along bottom
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`region 54 between the opposite lateral sides of bottom region 54 of infant support 14.
`Theslits 60 each are dimensioned to allow tether 47 of shoulder strap 24 to slip through
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`it.
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`Regardless of the particular configuration of interface 56, multiple receiving pockets
`66 or slits 60 allow the wearer to select any particular channel and slip tether 47 of the
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`shoulder strap 24 therethrough. As the wearer guides tether 47 through the selected
`channel, bottom region 54 of shell 50 is being folded rearwards toward the wearer and
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`upwards in a direction of an arrow A (FIG. 5) to assume a generally U-shaped of J-
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`shaped cross-section. Consequently, the engaged portion of tether 47 is flanked between
`regions 70 and 72 (FIG. 5) of shell’s bottom end region 54. The area between folded
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`regions 70 and 72 of bottom region 52 defines an infant seat 74 and two openings 76
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`(FIG. 8) formedto receive the infant’s legs. Selection of pocket 66 orslit 60 located, for
`example, next to bottom edge 58 (FIG. 5) of infant support 14 determines the largest
`possible distance between bottom and top edges 58, 78 (FIG. 6), respectively, of shell 50
`and,
`therefore,
`the least elevated position of seat 74 relative to the wearer’s waist.
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`Accordingly, adjusting the position of seat 74 allows the wearer to select the desired
`position of the infant while carrying him or her in inventive baby carrier unit 10. A
`relatively large contact area betweentether 47 of shoulder strap 24 and bottom region 54
`of infant support 14 reliably secures the lower portion of the infant’s body to the baby
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`carrier unit.
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`The bottom region 54 (FIG. 6) of infant support 14 may be provided with male or
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`female fasteners, such as knobs 82, located at the opposite corners of bottom region 54
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`proximate to bottom edge 58 and configured to selectively engage respective rows of
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`engaging elements 80 provided on opposite lateral sides of the intermediary region of
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`infant support 14. This configuration ensures safety of the infant. The outer continuous
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`edge of infant support 14 is padded by a band of material 53 to provide comfort for the
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`infant.
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`The top region 52 of infant carrier 14 extends along top edge 78 (FIG. 5), which is
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`preferably arcuate, and has two cutouts 86 and 88 extending from the opposite sides of
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`infant carrier 14 towards one another and defining, thus, an upper pair of flaps 82 and 84
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`and a lowerpair of flaps 90 and 92. The cutouts 86 and 88 are dimensioned to receive
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`the arms of the infant upon attaching top end region 52 to hamess 12. The upper and
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`lower pairs of flaps each have a dual function. First, each of the four flaps engages
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`closest shoulder strap 22, 24 of harness 12 and, thus, secures top region 52 of infant
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`support 14 to harness 12. Second, each pair of upper and lower flaps has respective
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`engaging or fastening assemblies that provide for length adjustment of the flaps, which,
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`in turn, leads to securementof the infant’s rear upper torso and, depending on the design,
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`the cervical region of the infant’s spine and the back ofthe infant’s head.
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`The engaging system associated with upper flaps 82 and 84 includes a third position
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`adjusting assembly having at least one or more male elements 94 (FIG. 5), such as a knob
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`or buckle, and at least one or more female elements 96, such as a socket or receiving
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`buckle. The engaging assembly associated with lower flaps 90 and 92 includes two
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`tethers 98 one of which has a pair of D- or O-rings 100 suspended on the looped end
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`region ofthis tether which is formed after male and female engaging elements 94 and 92,
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`respectively, selectively engage one another.
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`Coupling between top region 52 of infant support 14 and harness 12 is realized by
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`looping the free ends of each of upper flaps 82, 84 around respective shoulder straps 22
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`and 24 at the front of the wearer and engaging a respective pair of male and female
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`fastening elements 94 and 96 to secure the wrapped flap to the shoulder strap. The free
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`ends of respective lower flaps 90 and 92 are similarly wrapped around respective
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`PCT/US2006/015134
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`shoulder straps 22 and 24 below the regions of attachment of the shoulder straps with
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`respective upper flaps 82, 82. The tether 98 of lower flap 92 then engages rings 100
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`associated with the other lower flap in front of the wearer’s chest
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`to support
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`the
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`midsection of the imfant’s rear torso, as shown, for example,
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`in FIG. 9.
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`Selecting
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`different combinations of male and female engaging elements 94 and 96 ofthe respective
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`upper flaps and the degree of tightening between the lower flaps allows the wearer to
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`adjust a position of the infant and safely secure him/herin the attached infant support.
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`To prevent the slippage of upper and lower flaps 82, 84 and 90, 94, respectively,
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`along the respective shoulder straps, the latter may be provided with stoppers 102 (FIGS.
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`8 and 9). The stoppers 102 each may be configured as a loop defined by a tether which
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`has either both its opposite ends fixed to the shoulder strap or one end fixed and the
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`opposite end detachably coupled to the strap, as shown in FIG.8.
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`In a further embodiment, infant support 14 may be provided with a receiving means
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`configured to store a variety of items. Strategically positioned, for example, at the outer
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`side of infant carrier 14, as shown in FIG.9, the receiving means may be configured with
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`a reservoir 150 for storing incompressible liquid, and a pneumatic pump (not shown)
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`which is actuated by the wearer and allowsliquid to exit reservoir 150 and be delivered to
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`the infant. The pneumatic pump is a well known configuration including a hand-held
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`body of flexible material, such as rubber or plastic, and operated by the wearer to
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`increase pressure inside reservoir 150 to the level sufficient for a steady and metered
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`delivery rate of the incompressible liquid to the infant. The reservoir 150 is removably
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`coupled to infant support 14 and has a plastic tube dimensioned to allow the wearer to
`conveniently place the distal end ofthe tubeinthe vicinity of the infant’s mouth.
`Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, bag 16 has preferably two halves 104 and 106 (FIG. 7)
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`foldable about a common top edge 108 and juxtaposed with one another in the folded
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`state, as shown in FIG. 1, so as to cover a plurality of compartments 110 (only oneis
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`shown). The compartments 110 may be used for storing various transportable items
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`associated with the infant, such as diapers, as well with other items associated with the
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`wearer. Accordingly, bag 16 can simultaneously function as a diaper bag and as a purse.
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`Each of the compartments may be zipped and tensioned to prevent undesirable
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`displacementof the stored items from the respective compartments.
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`Two belt straps 112 and 114 are attached to opposite lateral regions of bag 16 and
`dimensioned so that the wearer preferably can suspend bag 16 at his back next to the
`outer surface of harness 12 facing away from the wearer. One of the belt straps, for
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`example belt strap 114, runs over oneof the wearer’s shoulders proximate to the wearer’s
`collarbone region, as illustrated in FIG. 9. As explained above, tether 28 is configured
`with at least one detachable end that allows the wearer to unfasten this end, slip tether 28
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`through one or more D- or O-rings or hook-like fasteners 116 (FIG. 7) of belt strap 114
`and reattach the end oftether 28 to shoulder strap 22. As a result, shoulder strap 22 is
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`prevented from disengagement with harness 12. The other belt strap 112 is guided
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`around the hip or waist region of the wearer and has a plurality of engaging elements 118
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`configured to selectively engage fastening elements 49 (FIG. 8), which are formed on
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`waistband 42 of harness 12, to adjust folded halves 104 and 106 of bag 16 at the back of
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`the wearerin the desired position. The ends of respective belt straps 112 and 114 may,of
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`course, have other engaging configurations. One alternative configuration, for example,
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`allows for the use of two buckles — one on the end region ofbelt strap 114 and the other
`on shoulder strap 24 - having respective teeth meshing with one another (not shown). As
`can be understood, bag 16 may be used separately from the rest of the structure by simply
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`tying up the ends of belt straps 114 and 112.
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`Alternatively,
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`instead of fastening bag strap 112 to harness 12,
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`the wearer may
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`engage one or more fasteners 119, which are located on the side of belt strap 112
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`opposite the one with engaging element 118, to a receiving engaging elements 105,
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`whichis located on either of halves 104 and 106 and proximateto line 108, by displacing
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`strap 112 in a direction of anarrow B. The configuration is particularly advantageous
`when bag 16 is used in combination with harness 12, since attachment between otherbelt
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`strap 114 and harness 12 is sufficient
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`to securely hold bag 16 on the wearer.
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`Additionally, the outer surface of belt strap 112 or the border region between bag half
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`104 and this belt strap my be provided with a loop 107 improving the overall balance of
`bag 16 and serving as a supportfor relatively light objects attachable to loop 107. As
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`WO 2006/116117
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`PCT/US2006/015134
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`mentioned above, bag 16 may be used by the wearer separately from inventive unit 10.
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`In this case, the wearer slips the free end of belt strap 112 through D-rings or other
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`fastening configur