Dec. 2, 1969
`
`A. 1_. AUKERMAN
`INFANT CARRIER
`
`3,481,517
`
`Filed Feb. 23, 1968
`
`2 Sheets-Sheet l
`
`INVENTOR.
`FIG' 4'
`AGNES LUCILLE AUKERMAN
`
`"u, ff/ „e
`
`ATTORNEYS
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1015 Page 1
`
`

`
`Déc. 2, 1969
`
`A. L.. AUKERMAN
`
`3,481,517
`
``
`
`INFANT CARRIER
`
`Filed Feb. 23, 1968
`
`2 Sheets-Sheet 2
`
`INVENTOR.
`AGNES LUCILLE AUKERMAN
`
`ATTORNEYS
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1015 Page 2
`
`

`
`United States Patent O
`fr’
`ICC
`
`3,481,517
`Patented Dec. 2, 1969
`
`1
`
`3,481,517
`INFANT CARRIER
`Agnes Lucille Aukerman, R.R. 1, Box 6,
`West Alexandria, Ohio 45318
`Filed Feb. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 707,598
`Int. Cl. A47d 13/02; A61g 1/00
`U.S. Cl. 224-6
`
`10 Claims
`
`ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
`This invention relates to a “back-pack” type infant
`carrier that takes the form of a fabric pouch having ad
`justable padded shoulder straps and a belt. The main
`pouch is constructed to provide a full-length zippered
`opening at the back thereof along with side openings to
`accommodate the infant’s arms and legs. Inside the main
`pouch are detachably fastened both a bib and a zippered
`panty with leg holes specifically designed to accommodate
`the newborn infant as well as children up to a few years
`of age. This inner panty may be located in either of two
`positions inside the pouch depending upon the infant’s
`size or, in the case of the toddler, removed altogether.
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`It has become increasingly popular in recent years
`among younger mothers to carry their infant children
`“piggy-back” style upon their backs. There are a number
`of reasons for this trend, a few of which are deserving
`of specific mention.
`Probably the most significant advantage is the ease with
`which a child may be carried in this fashion and in com
`plete safety. Hikers and mountain climbers have long
`recognized the advantages of back-packs in carrying heavy
`loads long disances over diñicult terrain.
`Both hands of the mother are left free to undertake
`other tasks which, no doubt, explains the preference among
`the more primitive peoples for this method of carrying
`their children as most of the womenfolk had many duties
`to perform in addition to -tending their infant children.
`Carrying a child in the arms, of course, prevents one from
`doing much of anything else and, in addition, there is al
`ways the danger of dropping the child, especially if he
`or she squirms suddenly as they are wont to do.
`Probably the failure of the prior art back-pack type
`infant carriers to find wider acceptance among parents
`of young children is attributable in large measure to sev
`eral deficiencies inherent in their construction. For ex
`ample, many such devices have some sort of wooden or
`metal frame which is uncomfortable for both the mother
`and the child. Perhaps the most lserious disadvantage found
`in these prior art units is that they keep the child in a
`cramped position where he or she is denied unrestricted
`arm, leg and head movements. This is, of course, objec
`tionable from a medical standpoint as well as being a
`source of considerable concern to the parents. Yet another
`factor is the failure of the prior art carriers to provide for
`the rapid growth of a child at this age. A further disad
`vantage is that these units are extremely unhandy to use,
`especially with regard to access to the child for frequent
`diaper changes, feedings and the like.
`It has now been found in accordance with the teaching
`of the instant invention that these and other problems
`can, in large measure, be eliminated through the use of
`an “all-fabric” infant carrier that provides the child with
`unrestricted leg, arm and head movement. A specially
`designed inner “panty-type” pouch that is both adjustable
`to accommodate growth and removable so that the car
`rier can be used for toddlers, is a unique feature of the
`unit. A “snap-on” bib in the area of the child’s mouth
`absorbs saliva and regurgitated food so as to not soil the
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`main pouch or the mother’s clothing. Several such bibs
`can be carried and replaced as necessary.
`.
`Both the main and inner pouches open nearly all th
`way down the back and provide ready access to the child
`for the purpose of changing diapers. In so doing, how
`ever, the infant remains securely fastened inside one or
`both pouches until laid down ñat upon his or her stomach
`so that the zippers can -be opened.
`As far as adjustabilíty is concerned, both ponches are
`sewn to provide several darts along the top edge that can
`be removed to accommodate the growth of the child. In
`addition, the waist and shoulder straps are fully adjustable
`so as to iit the adult wearer. The shoulder straps are
`equipped with integral pads positioned beneath the
`buckles for the wearer’s comfort.
`The only metal parts are the snap fasteners, buckles
`and zippers, none of which can possibly injure the child.
`Also, the whole unit is machine or hand washable.
`It is, therefore, the principal object of the present in
`vention to provide a novel and improved “back-pack”
`type fabric infant carrier which can be worn on either
`the front or the back.
`A second objective is the provision of an infant carrier
`of the type aforementioned that includes both an outer
`and inner pouch, the latter being both adjustable and re
`movable to accommodate rapid growth.
`Another object of the invention herein disclosed and
`claimed is to provide an infant carrier that allows the
`child a great deal of freedom of movement while, at the
`same time, keeping him or her securely fastened to the
`adult wearer’s body.
`An additional objective is the provision of a child
`carrying pouch that is fully-accessible for purposes of
`changing diapers and the like.
`A further object is to provide a pouch-like infant car
`rier that is comfortable to wear, safe, versatile, inex
`pensive, easy to use, sanitary, washable, rugged, trouble
`free and decorative.
`Other objects will be in part apparent and in part
`pointed out specifically hereinafter in connection with the
`description of the drawings that follow, and in which:
`FIGURE l is a perspective vi_ew showing a mother car
`rying her baby on her back by means of the infant
`carrier of the present invention;
`FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of the infant carrier to
`an enlarged scale;
`FIGURE 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of FIG
`URE 6, portions of the straps having been broken away
`«to conserve space;
`FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the
`shoulder strap, buckle and shoulder pad;
`FIGURE 5 is a rear elevation of the carrier;
`FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 except that
`the rear wall of the main pouch has been removed and
`shown in section to better reveal the interior construction;
`FIGURE 7 is a section taken along line 7-7 of FIG
`URE 5; and,
`FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing
`the adjustable mounting of the inner pouch on the front
`wall of the main pouch.
`Referring now to the drawings for a detailed descrip
`tion of the present invention and, initially, to FIGURES
`1, 2, 5 and 6 for this purpose, referen-ce numeral 10
`has been selected to designate the infant carrier in its en
`tirety which will be seen to include an outer or main
`pouch 12, an inner pouch 14, a pair of padded shoulder
`straps 16, a belt 18 and a detachable bib subassembly
`20. The main pouch 12 has an apron-like front panel 22
`resembling the upper portion of a pair of so-called “bib”
`overalls in that it becomes narrower in the area of the
`wearer’s shoulder blades, which portion together with
`the generally V-shaped cut-out 24 for the neck ycooper
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`Petitioner Ex. 1015 Page 3
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`ate to define one end 26 of the shoulder straps 16. These
`shoulder strap ends 26 are reinforced by cross straps 28
`extending therealong and sewn in cross relation to the
`front of front panel 22 as shown most clearly in FIG
`URE 2. One element 30 of the shoulder strap buckle is
`fastened to the free end of the aforementioned double
`thickness reinforced strap as is the shoulder cushion 32
`that projects beyond the end of the strap into position
`beneath the buckle. The bottom edge of the front panel
`22 is sewn to belt or waistband 13 along an area inter
`mediate the ends thereof.
`The front panel 22 is essentially fiat although, of
`course, it will conform to the back of the wearer; where
`as, on the other hand, the rear panel 34 of the main
`pouch is contoured to form a pouch as is shown most
`clearly in FIGURE 3. The lower margin of the rear panel
`is sewn to the belt and extends downwardly and rear
`wardly therefrom to define a seat portion 36 and thence
`upwardly again in spaced relation behind the front panel
`to a point roughly opposite that where the shoulder straps
`emerge from the latter. The upper margin of the back
`panel is narrowed by a series of “tucks” or “gathers” in
`the material which form a collar 38 that extends along
`the back of the infant’s neck as shown in FIGURE 1.
`The side margins of the rear panel join the correspond
`ing side margins of the front panel 22 so as to define a
`sack structure having a pair of armholes 40 spaced slight
`ly below the upper edge and a pair of leg holes 42 ad
`jacent the bottom edge. rThe sewn seam 44 along each
`side margin between each set of armholes and leg holes
`also fastens the other half 46 of the shoulder strap 16
`which passes underneath the wearer’s arm and up the
`front of the body to its point of attachment with the
`other end 26 of the shoulder strap atop pad 32 that rests
`on the shoulder.
`Thus, an examination of FIGURES 3, 5 and 6 will
`show that an infant of “toddler” size, say a year or two
`years old, can be placed in seated position in the bot
`tom 36 of the back panel 34 of the main pouch 12 with
`his legs extending out through the leg holes 42 and his
`arms extending out through the armholes 40. When so
`located, his head will emerge from the collar of the
`pouch thus formed and lie at approximately the level 0f
`the V-shaped cut 24 in the neck 0f the front panel 22.
`Then, with the carrier mounted on an adult’s back and
`both shoulder straps 16 along with the belt 18 fastened,
`the child will be in roughly the same position as if he
`were being hand-carried “piggy-back” fashion.
`In FIGURES 2„ 4 and 5 to which brief specific refer
`ence will be made with regard to the shoulder straps 16,
`it will be seen that element 30 of the buckle assembly is
`non-adjustably fastened to the end of the reinforced sec
`tion 26 of the shoulder strap so that it will always remain
`in the same position relative to the pad 32. Element 48 of
`the buckle subassembly, 0n the other hand, is adjustably
`mounted on shoulder strap section 46 so that said strap
`can be lengthened or shortened in accordance with the
`needs of the wearer. Regardless of the position of buckle
`element 48 on strap section 46, it will always rest atop
`the pad 32 when fastened.
`FIGURES 2 and 5 show the belt 18 most clearly and
`it will be seen to have a plurality of snap fasteners 50
`spaced therealong that can be selectively interconnected
`to `accommodate different waist sizes. Obviously, other
`types of adjustable belts will function in this same man
`ner; however, the one shown is simple, quite inexpensive
`and can be washed along with the rest of the garment
`which makes it ideal for this purpose.
`Now, if that portion of the infant carrier just described
`were dimensioned to ñt an infant only a few months old,
`it is apparent that the child would outgrow the unit in
`a very short time. On the other hand, if it were en
`larged to carry a toddler-size child, it would be entirely
`too large for a baby who would have his head well be
`low the collar and` his legs spread=eagled into a most un
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`comfortable position. Accordingly, provision has been
`made for carrying the child through growth from the
`newborn through the toddler stage by providing the unit
`with the adjustable inner pouch 14 and removable bib
`subassembly 20. These items are most clearly shown in
`FIGURES 3, 6, 7 and 8 to which reference will now be
`made.
`Fastened in a horizontal row about half way up on
`the inside of the front panel 22 or, preferably, in two
`or more vertically-spaced horizontal rows, are a plu
`rality Of snap fastener elements 52 that selectively fasten
`onto a single row of mating snap fastener elements 54
`that are attached to the lower margin of inner pouch 14
`facing rearwardly. When the lower edge of the inner
`pouch is folded under as shown in FIGURE 8, snap
`fastener elements 54 can be fastened to fastener elements
`S2 in any one of the three rows thereof so as to adjust
`the height of the inner pouch seat.56, the upper margin
`58 thereof being sewn in more or less permanent posi
`tion to the rear face of the front panel 22 of the main
`pouch in spaced position above said fastener elements.
`Thus, with a newborn infant, the top row of fastener
`elements 52 would be used so as to elevate the seat por
`tion 56 to a level where the infant’s head would extend
`above collar 38. Then, as the child grows7 the middle, and
`finally the lower, row of fasteners 52 is used to keep the
`head at approximately the same level. Note also that the
`upper margin 58 of the inner pouch 14 is provided with
`a series of tucks 60 which can be let out to accommo
`date the increasing waist size of the infant.
`The inner pouch 14 is in the general form of a baby
`panty having reinforced leg openings 62, an open top
`64 sized to fit around the waist and open sides The in
`fant’s legs extend out through the openings 62 in the
`bottom of the inner pouch into the space between it and
`the bottom of the main pouch so as to provide relatively
`free leg movement. Under most circumstances, the legs
`and arms of a newborn infant will be too short to reach
`out through the leg and armholes in the main pouch as
`shown in FIGURE l; however, the opening are there
`if he or she can reach them. If not, relatively unrestricted
`leg and arm movement within the confines of the main
`pouch can, and does, occur. Once the child reaches the
`toddler stage and is too large for the inner pouch, it is
`removed altogether.
`Both the main and inner pouches have centrally
`located zippers 66 and 68 extending vertically all the way
`from top to bottom thereof. When it becomes necessary
`to remove or “change” the infant, the carrier is laid face
`down on a suitable supporting surface such as the
`mother’s lap, the zippers opened and the child’s needs at
`tended to.
`Infants up through the “teething” stage are wont to
`drool almost continuously and also regurgitate small
`amounts of their food or milk, especially following a
`feeding; hence, a detachable bib 20 is fastened to the
`rear of the front panel 22 of the main pouch immediately
`beneath the V-neck. A couple of snap fasteners 70 enable
`the bib to be changed whenever it becomes soiled. The
`bib is preferably made of some soft absorbent fabric
`which will not only protect the mother’s clothing, but
`will also prevent the child’s tender skin from becoming
`chafed by reason of its rubbing against the coarser fabric
`of the main pouch.
`Finally, it is significant to note that the entire carrier
`is washable to the same extent as other infant wear. None
`of the few metal ports have sharp edges, nor are any,
`with the possible exception of the zippers, located Where
`the child can come into contact therewith. Also, while
`the unit has been shown in FIGURE 1 as being =worn on
`the back, it is equally well-suited to be worn on the chest
`such as, for example, while riding in an automobile.
`When so worn, the child is supported in much the same
`manner as if held in the arms and, with the adult re;
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`Petitioner Ex. 1015 Page 4
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`6
`releasably interconnecting the adjoining free ends of the
`strained by a safety belt, the child is likewise protected
`fixed and adjustable shoulder strap sections.`
`quite adequately against accidental injury.
`3. The double-pouch infant carrier as set forth in claim
`Having thus described the several useful and novel
`2 in which: the fixed length sections of both shoulder
`features of the infant carrier of the' instant invention, it
`straps are provided with a cushioned pressure pad ex
`Iwill be seen that the several worthwhile objectives for
`tending forwardly therefrom underneath the buckle means'.
`which it was developed have been achieved. Although but
`4. The double-pouch infant carrier as set forth in claim
`a single specific embodiment has been illustrated, I rea
`2 in which: a second pair of ñxed length strap sections
`lize that certain changes and modifications therein may
`are attached to the front panel and the first-mentioned
`well occur to those skilled in the art within the broad
`fixed length strap sections as reinforcement for the latter.
`teaching hereof.
`5. The double-pouch infant carrier as set forth in claim
`What is claimed is:
`1 in which: at least two vertically-spaced horizontal rows
`1. The double-pouch infant carrier which comprises: a
`of fastener elements are attached to the inside surface
`front fabric panel sized to cover the back of an adult
`of the front panel intermediate the top and bottom margins
`wearer and extend upwardly therealong from approxi
`thereof; and, a mating set of fastener elements are pro
`mately the waist to the shoulders, a pair of shoulder straps
`vided along the lower edge of the inner panel adapted for
`extending from the upper corners of the front panel over
`selective releasable attachment to one of said first men
`the shoulders and down under the arms to a second point
`tioned rows of fastener elements.
`of attachment along the side edges of said panel, belt‘
`6. The double-pouch infant carrier as set forth in claim
`means attached to the lower margin of the front panel
`5 in which: the mating set of fastener elements is attached
`of a length adapted to encircle and close about the waist
`to the rear face of the inner panel adjacent the lower
`of the wearer, a loosely-bloused rear panel fastened to
`margin thereof so as to attach to said iirst-mentioned
`the front panel along the bottom and at vertically-spaced
`fastener set Iwhen said inner panel is folded under for
`points along the sides so as to cooperate therewith in de
`wardly.
`iining an open-topped outer pouch having arm and leg
`7. The double-pouch infant carrier as set forth in claim
`openings on both sides thereof, said rear panel being split
`1 in which, means comprising a cushioned pressure pad
`vertically down the center thereof to separate sarne into
`is fastened to the underside of each shoulder strap in
`a pair of openable flaps, first fastener means releasably
`position to rest atop the wearer’s shoulder.
`joining said flaps together, an inner loosely-bloused fabric
`panel having transversely-spaced leg openings adjacent
`8. The double-pouch infant carrier as set forth in claim
`1 in which: a bib formed of soft absorbent material is
`the lower edge thereof fastened at the upper corners and
`detachably fastened to the inside surface of the front panel
`along said lower edge to the rear face of the front panel
`adjacent the upper margin thereof.
`l
`intermediate the top and bottom margins thereof to form
`9. The double-pouch infant carrier as set forth in claim
`an inner open-topped panty-like pouch, said inner panel
`1 in which: the upper margin of the rear panel contains
`being split vertically from the top edge thereof to sepa
`a series of removable tucks cooperating to define an ex
`rate same into a pair of openable flaps, and second fast
`pandable collar.
`ener means releasably joining the flaps of said inner panel
`10. The double-pouch infant carrier as set forth in claim
`together.
`1 in which: the upper margin of the inner panel contains
`2. The double-pouch infant carrier as set forth in claim
`a series of removable tucks cooperating to define an ex
`1 in which: the shoulder straps each include a fixed length
`(cid:173)pandable waistband.
`section and an adjustable length section, the fixed length
`section emerging from the top corner of the front panel
`References Cited
`and terminating atop the wearer’s shoulder, and the ad
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`justable length section emerging from the side margins
`4/1944 O’Brien ____________ .__ 224-6
`2,346,989
`of said front panel and being adjusted in length so as to
`7/ 1963 Cunningham ________ __ 224--6
`3,097,773
`meet said iixed length section atop the wearer’s shoulder
`GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary’Examiner
`after passing underneath the arm; and, buckle means
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`Petitioner Ex. 1015 Page 5