United States Patent 15,
`4,009,808
`(11)
`Sharp
`[45] Mar. 1, 1977
`
`[54] BABY PACK
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor:
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Andrea H.Sharp, 2276 Kincaid St.,
`Eugene, Oreg. 97405
`July 7, 1975
`
`Primary Examiner—Albert J. Makay
`Assistant Examiner—Randolph A. Reese
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Francis Swanson
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 593,766
`
`USS, Cl. ssessesssssessosreisnavicrenaromessearenvsvesees 224/6
`euauayyaumasnsnena A47D 13/02
`
`Field of Search............... 224/6, 8 R; 297/385,
`5
`297/392
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`
`A carrying device for transporting an infant child is
`disclosed. The carrier may be worn on the user’s back
`or mayalternately be fitted to the user so that the infant
`is carried in front. The carrier includes a pair of adjust-
`able shoulderstraps to be worn by the user and also has
`an adjustable waist band. The outer jacket of the car-
`rier is formed of heavy fabric such as canvas ortwill
`and has an adjustable head support at its upper end.
`12/1964 Anderson ou... cceseseseseee 224/6
`3,162,343
`Inside the carrier is a seat-member which maybe low-
`
`3,197,100 7/1965=Thompson ........eeeeeteeeeeeees 224/6
`ered as the baby growstaller so that the child’s headis
`3,481,517
`12/1969 Aukerman .........
`ees 224/6
`always in a position for proper support.
`3,780,919 12/1973
`Hansson.....
`seve 224/6
`3,871,562
`3/1975 Grenier...ee 224/6
`
`
`
`FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS
`
`540,672 10/1941
`
`United Kingdom .................. 224/6
`
`7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Mar. 1, 1977
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`4,009,808
`
`

`

`1
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`BABY PACK
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`4,009,808
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`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
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`30
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`A principle object of the invention is to provide a
`carrier having an adjustable head-support member
`which provides physical support for the infant’s head
`from its shoulders along its neck to the base ofits skull
`and up to the back of the head nearthe child’s ears.
`A further object of the present inventionis to provide
`a carrier having an inner seat which is adjustable and
`removable to compensate for changes in a child’s body
`size as it grows.
`A further object of the present inventionis to provide
`a carrier having an inner seat which will provide full
`support for an infant from its buttocks to its shoulder
`40
`blades whenthe child is secured in the carrier.
`-
`Other objects and advantages of the present inven-
`tion will be apparentto those skilled in the art.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`2
`and bottom and having a narrow section (7) in the
`middle. The narrow section (7) and outwardly tapering
`wide bottom (8) of the seat (5) are secured to the
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`inside of the front member (2) with a plurality of
`1. Field of the Invention
`stitched seams (9), (10) and (11). A support strap (13)
`The invention relates to infant carriers in general and
`is sewn to the upper end of inner seat (5). Retaining
`more particularly those providing head support and
`rings (14) are sewn to the inner surface of front mem-
`which are adjustable to compensate for changes in
`ber (2) to provide adjustable fastening means used in
`body size as a child grows.
`conjunction with strap (13). A left underarm strap (17)
`3. Description of the Prior Art
`and a right underarm strap (19) are connected at oppo-
`Numerous child-carrying devices exist in the prior
`site edges in approximately the middle of the front
`art. Some simply comprise a rigid plastic seat with
`member(2). A left shoulder strap (21) having a fixed
`handles. These are used primarily for carrying very
`shoulder pad (23) and a right shoulder strap (25) hav-
`small infants in automobiles or over very short dis-
`ing a fixed shoulder pad (27) are sewn to and extend
`tances. They are generally unsuited to carrying larger
`from the upper end of front member (2). Shoulder
`children. Others have a rigid metal frame and are de-
`straps (21) and (25).are sewn to the front member (2)
`signed to be worn on the mother’s back. The baby is
`so as to cross each other and form an “X” configura-
`carriedin a fabric or plastic seat mounted on the metal
`tion. This adds strength and eliminates rip-out in this
`frame. The seat has a pair of holes through which the
`area when the packis being put on by the user. The two
`infant’s legs extend. Still others are made entirely of
`straps (21) and (25) form a “V” where they cross and
`fabric and have a pouchin whichthe infant is carried.
`are joined to front member(2). Underarm strap retain-
`Some of these carriers may be worn on the front or
`ing rings (29) are mountedat the outer ends of shoul-
`backofthe user’s body. Support is provided byapair of
`der pads (23) and (27). Headstrap retaining rings (31)
`shoulder straps. One such carrier is shown in U.S. Pat.
`are mounted on the shoulderstraps (21) and (25) near
`No.3,780,919.
`the upperend of front member(2). A single piece waist
`band (33) is stitched into and integral with the seam
`which joins front member (2) and back member(3) to
`form the pack floor (4). It will be recognized to those
`skilled in the art that a two-piece waist band might be
`chosen as an alternate construction. A left arm strap
`loop (35) is mounted onthe left edge of back member
`(3) normally half way between the top and bottom of
`the back member(3). A similar right underarm strap
`loop (37) is mounted in a similar position along the
`right edge of back member(3). A head support (39) is
`joined to the upper end of back member (3) at seam
`(41). Head support (39) is formed of a single piece
`having a straight bottom edge (43). Support (39) is cut
`to form a thin left head support strap (45) and a right
`head support strap (47). Head support (39) gradually
`widens the outer ends of strap (45) and (47) toward
`the middle to form a broad center section (49) having
`a symmetrical curved upper edge (51). The head sup-
`port (39) is interfaced with strong,but pliable, material
`for added support.
`USE OF THE CARRIER
`
`35
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in
`place on the user’s back.A larger child is shown within
`the carrier and the figure is partially broken away to
`showtheinterior construction ofthe carrier.
`FIG. 2 is a plan view of the carrier as it would appear
`spread out on a flat surface. A small infant is shown
`positioned in the inner seat with the upper support
`strap in place.
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view as seen from a right
`frontal position showing the relation of the shoulder
`straps and waist band whenthecarrieris in place on the
`user.
`
`FIG.4 illustrates the use of the shoulderstrap retain-
`ing rings.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 2 shows a plan
`view of the carrier which is composed of a front mem-
`ber (2) and a back member(3). The front member(2),
`back member(3) and the single piece waist band (33)
`are sewn together to form a floor (4). On the inside
`surface of the front member (2) is fastened an inner
`seat (5). The inner seat (5) is made of heavy fabric and
`is nominally hour-glass shaped; being wide at the top
`
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`FIG. 2 illustrates the use of the carrier with a small,
`very younginfant. Thecarrier is placed on a flat sur-
`face, unfolded and spread out. The infant is placed on
`front member(2) and theinnerseat (5) folded over the
`child’s body. The support strap (13) is positioned
`across the infant’s upper back;in the figure, just below
`the arm pits. Strap (13) is now fastened to retaining
`rings (14). It will be appreciated that because of the
`nature of this construction, rings (14) and straps (13)
`may be adjusted to accommodate both large and small
`infants securely and confortably. It is contemplated
`that the back and buttocks of a small infant will be
`supported by the narrow section (7). However, as the
`infant grows larger, seams (9), (10) and (11) may be
`progressively removed so that an increasingly wide
`portion of the bottom section (8) becomesavailable to
`support the child’s buttocks and back as the child in-
`creases in size. As the child growstaller, this ability to
`adjust the seating position downward allows the head to
`always be properly supported by the cup-like head
`support (39). It will be appreciated that eventually the
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`parentthat the various retaining rings herein described
`inner seat (5) may be completely removed and the
`could be replaced with buckles or other clasps and
`child will sit on the floor (4). With the infant securely
`devices. Also, although the carrier is preferably made
`positioned in the inner seat (5), the back member(3)
`of a heavyfabric, it might alternately be made of plastic
`is folded up over the child. Head support (39) is posi-
`or have a meshinsert for warm climates. I claim as my
`tioned aboutthe child’s shoulders so that center section
`invention. all those modifications as come within the
`(49) extends upward along the child’s neck and the
`true spirit and scope of the appended claims.
`base of the skull. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, curved edge
`I claim:
`(51) is then at the back of the head nearthe level ofthe
`1. In combination, a shoulder supportedchild carrier,
`infant’s ears. This will vary somewhat with infant size
`10 including an outer jacket having a front memberand a
`and the position of the carrier on the user. Left and
`back member;
`right head support straps. (45) and (47) respectively
`a shoulder harness including first shoulder strap
`are then joined to head support rings (31) and adjusted
`means having strap retaining means thereon,said
`to a length suitable to provide proper support for the
`strap means connectedto the front memberof the
`child’s head.
`carrier;
`When properly: positioned, head support (39) pro-
`plural loop means on the back member;
`vides a strong, pliable cup-like structure which will
`second shoulder strap.means on the front member
`support the child’s head from his neck up the base of
`adapted to pass through the loop meansand engage
`the skull to the lower back of the head. Lateral support
`the strap retaining means;
`of the headis also provided by center section (49) and
`20 wherein the improvement comprises:
`straps (45) and (47). Head support (39) may be ad-
`a removable inner seat attached to the jacket com-
`justedto bring the child’s headclose to the user’s back.
`prising a wide upper portion having a strap at-
`Forlargerchildren, support (39) may be adjusted away
`tached thereto, a. narrow center portion and a
`from the user’s back to provide for extra freedom of
`lower portion tapering from the narrow center to a
`movement.
`wide bottom, the wide upper portion adapted to
`The shoulder. straps. are operatively connected as
`provide support to the back of a child carried
`follows. Left-underarm strap (17) is passed throughleft
`within the seat.and the narrow center and wide
`underarm loop.(35) and joined to shoulder strap re-
`bottom defining means for adjusting the seat width
`taining rings (29) locatedat the end of the left shoulder
`to provide support for the lower back and buttocks
`strap (21). Right shoulderstrap (19)is similarly passed
`of children ofdiffering sizes, said adjusting means
`through right underarm loop (37) and joinedto retain-
`also comprising a plurality of seams securing the
`ing rings (29) at the outer end of right shoulderstrap
`bottom of the seat to the outer jacket, said seams
`(19) as illustrated in FIG. 4. Underarm straps (17) and
`being selectively removable when the seat
`is
`(19) in conjunction: with loops (35) and (37) and
`adapted to hold a larger child.
`shoulderstraps (21) and (25) now form a pair of strong
`2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the inner seat
`supporting membersfor the carrier. When straps (17)
`is completely removableso that the carrier will accom-
`and (19) are drawn up they pull back member (3) in
`modate a relatively large child, the child then being
`toward front member(2) to form a secure outer pouch.
`supported within the jacketby the front and back mem-
`The user simply slips his arms through the harness
`bers of the outer jacket. -
`formed by these loops in the same manneras oneslips
`3. The combination of claim 1 whefein the shoulder
`on a jacket. Shoulder straps (21) and (25) may be
`harness includes means for drawing the front member
`adjusted by repositioning underarm straps (17) and
`and the back memberof the outer jacket together.
`(19) andretaining rings (29). When thecarrier is com-
`4. In combination,a shoulder supportedchild carrier,
`fortably in place, pads (23) and (27) will bear against.
`including an outer jacket having a front member and a
`.
`the user’s shoulders and distribute the load evenly
`45 back member;
`across the shoulder areas. With the carrier in place on
`a shoulder harness including first shoulder strap
`the user’s back, waist strap. (33) is tied around the
`meanshaving strap retaining means thereon, said
`user’s hips or upper waist and helps.to transfer some of
`strap means connectedto the front memberof the
`the weight of the carrier to the user’s hips.
`carrier;
`The position of the infant on the user’s back may be
`50—plural loop meansonthe. back. member;
`adjusted by shifting the infant’s weight and lengthening
`second shoulder strap means on the front member
`or shortening the underarm straps (17) and. (19) to
`adapted to pass through the loop means and engage
`elevate the position of the infant. Straps (17) and (19)
`the strap retaining means;
`are pulled further out through retaining rings (29). ‘To
`wherein the improvement comprises:
`position the infant lower on the user’s back, the reverse
`an adjustable head support including a pair of narrow
`is true.
`straps attachable to the strap retaining means so
`It is readily apparentthat the carrier may be worn in
`that the support surrounds a child’s lower head,
`front of the user’s body. To accomplish.this, the user
`neck and cheeks andfastensto the retaining means
`merely passeshis arms through the loops formed by
`in a substantially horizontal manner;
`joining shoulder straps (21) and (25) to underarm
` and.an innerseat adjustable in width to provide an
`straps (17) and.(19) respectively. The carrier is then
`increasingly wide seat base so that support for the
`lifted into place against the user’s chest and the waist
`lower back and buttocks of children of differing
`strap (33) is tied behind the user’s back at the hips or
`- sizes may be provided, the inner seat comprising a
`waist.
`wide upperportion having a strap attached thereto,
`Having described the preferred embodimentof the
`a narrow center portion, a lower portion tapering
`invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
`from the narrow center to a wider bottom, and
`that other modifications and arrangements may be
`adjustment means including a plurality of seams
`made without departing from the true scope andspirit
`securing the bottom of the seat to the outer jacket,
`ofthe invention. For example, it would be readily ap-
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`5
`said seams being selectively removable when the
`seat is adapted to hold a larger child.
`5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the first
`shoulder strap means comprises a pair of elongate
`bands having integral: padding within one end, the
`bands being attached to the front memberin angular
`relation to one anotherso as to define an acute angle at
`the top of the front member.
`6. The combination of claim 4 wherein the head
`support forms a cup-like structure fitting around a
`child’s neck and head to a point beyond the cheeks of
`the child’s face when the child is positioned in the
`carrier and when the support is attached to the strap
`retaining means so that the narrow straps, when at-
`tached, further provide lateral support to the child’s
`head.
`7. A shoulder supported carrier for children compris-
`ing:
`an outer jacket having a front member and a back
`member;
`a removable inner seat having a wide upper portion,
`a narrow center portion and a wider bottom por-
`tion for holding a child, the wider bottom portion
`being downwardly adjustable by selective removal
`of a plurality of seams connecting the seat to the
`
`6
`jacket to provide an increasingly wide buttocks and
`back support area with each downward adjust-
`ment, so that support for the back and buttocks of
`children of differing sizes may be provided;
`a waist band connected to the outer jacket;
`first shoulder strap means connected to the front
`.memberof the carrier;
`first and second strap retainers mounted on the first
`shoulder strap means;
`plural loop means on the back member;
`second shoulder strap means on the front member
`adaptedto pass through the loop means and engage
`the first strap retainers,
`and adjustable head support means defining a wide
`center section, the center section tapering to form
`a pair of narrow support straps, the straps option-
`ally connectable to the second strap retainers;
`the head support forming a cup-like pocket to sup-
`port a child’s neck and the lowerrear ofthe child's
`head and to further support the child’s head along
`the sides of the child’s face beyond the child’s
`cheeks, when the support straps are attachedto the
`strap retainers so that lateral support for the child’s
`head, face and cheeksis providedat all times.
`*
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