Unlted States Patent [19]
`Krich et al.
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] ' Date of Patent:
`
`4,469,259
`Sep. 4, 1984
`
`[54] BABY CARRIER
`_
`
`_
`
`[76] Inventors: Chllldl? A. K1161]; Keith Bnnton, b.0111
`of 203 Oak Ave, Woodland, Cahf.
`95695
`
`_
`
`,
`
`3,780,919 12/1973 Hansson .
`3,799,414 3/1974 Fiffer .
`
`3,871,562 3/1975 Grenier _
`4,009,808 3/1977 Sharp .
`4,037,764 7/1977 Almosnino et a1. .
`4,139,131 2/1979 Hathaway .
`4,149,687 4/1979 Nunemacher ..................... .. 224/159
`4,271,998 6/ 1981 Ruggiano .......................... .. 224/ 160
`
`[21] APPI- N°-= 474,430
`[22] Filed:
`Mm.- 11’ 1983
`
`[51] Int. c1.3 ........................................... .. A47D 13/02
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[52] 115- Cl- - - - - - - -
`
`- - - - - -- 224/160; 2213/3
`
`5564 of 1905 United Kingdom .................. .. 2/311
`
`[58] Field 61 Search ............. .. 224/158, 159, 160, 161;
`133/31; 132/25; D21/189; 2/309, 311, 312
`References Cited
`U_S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[56]
`
`Tatum .................................. .. D3/31
`
`3.
`D: 2551180 6/1980
`542,305 7/1395
`2,376,657 5/1945
`3,027,058 3/1962
`Z/
`3’331’54o 741967 Higuchi _
`3,421,670 1/1969 Hansson .
`3,481,5l7 12/1969 Aukerman ......................... .. 224/160
`3,575,326 4/1971 Chappell .
`
`'
`
`IYR
`
`' at
`
`I F
`
`Prim’? EmmiMF-Nhn N- Shoal’
`Attorney’ Agem- 0' F'""—LaI8°n and Taylor
`[57]
`ABSTRACI‘
`A baby carrier which carries a baby facing in or out
`with equal comfort has a pouch panel connected at its
`upper edge to a Shoulder strap and at its lower edge to
`11 waist strap. After passing over the wearer’s shoulders,
`the shoulder strap connects to middle straps which are
`attached to the sides of the pouch panel. The waist strap
`?ts snugly, entirely around the wearer, such that the
`lower portion of the pouch panel extends outwardly
`from the waist strap to form the bottom support for the
`baby
`
`9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures
`
`|<_ _
`
`i ‘
`
`1
`
`\IO
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1016 Page 1
`
`

`
`US. Patent Sep. 4. I984
`
`Shccl l of 2
`
`4,469,259
`
`haw
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1016 Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Sep. 4. I984
`
`shw 2 m‘:
`
`4,469,259
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1016 Page 3
`
`

`
`1
`
`BABY CARRIER
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ‘
`This invention relates to a baby carrier, and in partic
`ular it relates to a non-rigid baby carrier of the type
`adapted to be worn by the person carrying the baby.
`Baby carriers have been known heretofore for carry
`ing a baby on the wearer’s body, which carriers are
`formed of a ?exible material and lack "a rigid? frame‘.
`Moreover, certain of these previously known carriers
`are constructed to carry the baby against the front of
`the wearer. These include US. Pat. Nos. 3,229,873 to‘,
`Hath'ae
`Hershman, 3,780,919 to Hansson,“4,l39,l3l to
`way and 4,149,687 "to Nunemacher.
`However, these previous carriers, while satisfactory
`for their intended purposes, do not satisfy many require
`ments which the applicants herein have‘ found =to"be'
`desirable for a non-rigid baby carrier of the type
`adapted to be worn by the person carrying'ithe baby.
`For example, applicants have found it desirable to pro
`vide a baby carrier which will hold a baby facing in
`ward or outward, with equal comfort, ease of use and‘
`with the correct orthopedic effects for both the baby
`
`and the wearer.
`
`.- '
`
`'
`
`~
`
`Hence, the applicants have found that a need existed
`for a new and improved baby carrier of the non-rigid
`type which achieves certain advantages which .could
`not be achieved with the baby carriers as known hereto
`fore.
`-
`
`25.
`
`30
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION '
`Hence, it is a purpose of the present invention to
`provide a baby carrier of the non-rigid type, and worn
`by the person carrying the baby, which achieves the
`new and improved results of holding a baby facing
`inward or outward, with equal comfort, ease of use and
`with the correct orthopedic effect for both the baby an
`
`the wearer.
`
`‘
`
`V
`
`The purpose of the present invention is achievedby
`providing a baby carrier having a pouch panel, a shoul
`der strap connected to the upper edge thereof,‘ a waist
`strap connected to the lower edge thereof, and interme
`diate straps extending outwardly from both sides-of the
`pouch panel and adapted to be connected to the shoul
`der straps after the shoulder straps have passed over the
`shoulders and back of the wearer. In this arrangement
`the waist strap ?ts snugly onto the wearer, around his or
`her entire circumference, such that the lower pouch
`portion extends forward from the waist strap to form a
`lower support for the baby, with the baby’s leg passing
`out over the sides of the lower portion, outward from
`the waist strap.
`.
`a
`.
`‘
`
`4,469,259
`2
`Since the pouch panel and all of the straps are of a
`?exible cloth material, the baby carrier is lightweight
`and easily foldable to a compacted size.
`In accordance with another feature" of the invention,
`the pouch panel is connected to the lower edge of the
`shoulder strap and to the upper edge of the waist strap.
`.With the above described features of the present
`invention, there is provided a baby carrier which can
`hold a baby facing outward or inward with equal com
`fort, ease of use and with correct orthopedic effects on
`both the baby and the wearer. Speci?cally, since the
`lower pouch portion curves-in under the baby toward
`the wearer before its attachment to the waist strap, said
`lower portion forms a support for the baby, permitting
`the‘baby’s legs to extend outward over the sides of said
`lower portion, outward from the waist' strap. Because of
`this‘ arrangement, the baby will be equally comfortable
`whether facing inward toward-the wearer or outward
`away“ from‘ the wearer. Such‘ ?exibility is ‘extremely
`advantageous ‘because a‘ very young baby needs to face
`inward for body and head support and emotional secu
`rity'while a slightly older baby needs to face outward
`fornstimulation and pleasure. In addition, with the pres
`ent‘baby carrier and with the baby facing inward, breast
`feeding of the baby may be accomplished. Whether
`facing inward 'or outward, the shoulder straps have a
`secopdary use as lateral head supports for the baby.
`" An ‘important feature of the present invention is that
`itgacliieves the above described advantages while hav-'
`ing correct orthopedic effects on both the baby and the
`wearer. Several structural features of the present inven
`tion contribute to this result. First, there'is a three-point
`connection to each side of the pouch panel. The upper
`two connections distribute the weight of the baby on
`thelwearer’s shoulders and upper back’ since the shoul
`der straps ‘are’ attached not to the lower waist strap but
`to theintermediate strap spaced above the waist strap.
`In cooperation therewith, the waist strap contributes to
`good 1: weight distribution since the waist strap ?ts
`snugly against the wearer around its entire circumfer
`encealn addition, the proximity of the baby to the wear
`er's ,body when facing inward, ‘and the breadth and
`contour. of. the pouch panel when thebaby faces out
`wad, ‘both allow the baby to assume a semi-seated posi
`tion with'legs wellapart, thus ensuring secure seating of
`the hip-‘joints, which is notachieved if the legs are al
`lowedtohang straight. The three points of attachment
`on each‘ side of thepouch panel ensure that a small baby
`cannotfall out of the side ‘of the carrier.
`'
`. Hence,.it is an object of the present invention to pro
`vide a, new and improved non-rigid baby carrier of the
`typeiadapted to be worn ,by the person carrying the
`
`45
`
`50
`
`According to preferred features of the present inven
`tion, the connecting means for connecting the various
`straps together are simple rings such as pairs of “0”
`rings or “D” rings which can be easily connected and
`disconnected. These attachments can be easily tight
`ened or loosened by the wearer without removing the
`baby from the carrier. The pouch would preferably be
`made of a strong cloth material, such as canvas, denim,
`corduroy, or the like. The various straps are preferably
`relatively wide and may be formed of a strong webbed
`65
`material of the type used in a webbed belt, or they can
`be formed of the same material which forms the pouch,
`but padded and quilted for greater strength and-com
`
`55
`
`60
`
`fort.
`
`,
`
`»
`
`I
`
`baby‘ .
`
`.
`
`Itis'vanother object of the present invention to‘pro
`vide a new and improved baby carrier capable of carry
`ing ababy facing inward or outward with equal com
`fort and with favorable orthopedic effects.
`It is still another object of the present invention to
`provide a new and improved non-rigid carrier of the
`type described having a three-point connection on each
`side,.namely a shoulder strap which cooperates with a
`middle strap, and a waist strap, for properly orthopedi
`cally distributing the weight of the baby on the body of
`the wearer and for proper orthopedic positioning of the
`babyinthe carrier.
`‘
`_
`~.
`These and other objects of the present invention will
`become more apparent from the detailed description to
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1016 Page 4
`
`

`
`10
`
`which:
`.
`FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a baby carrier of
`the present invention, opened up into a flat state prior to
`its being mounted onto the wearer.
`FIG. 1A is a partial front elevational view, similar to
`FIG. 1, but showing a variation of the embodiment
`shown in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view taken along
`line 1B—1B of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the baby carrier
`of the present invention, mounted on the wearer, and
`illustrated in use supporting a small baby, facing inward.
`FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the baby carrier
`of the present invention, mounted on the wearer, and
`illustrated in use supporting a small baby, facing out
`ward.
`FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the baby carrier
`of the present invention, mounted on the wearer, and
`illustrated in use supporting a larger baby, facing out
`ward.
`FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing the baby
`carrier of the present invention mounted on the wearer,
`but with the baby omitted in order to show details of the
`invention.
`
`4,469,259
`4
`3
`follow, taken together with the accompanying draw
`of O~rings 18R and 18L, respectively. 17R and 18R are
`ings.
`of course located on the wearer’s right side while 17L
`and 18L are located on the wearer’s left side.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Referring to FIG. 2, it is seen that the shoulder strap
`There follows a detailed description of preferred
`portions 12R and 12L pass over the wearer’s shoulders,
`embodiments of the present invention which is intended
`crossing over on the wearer’s back. Hence, as seen in
`to be read together with the accompanying drawings in
`FIG. 2, the remote end of strap portion 12L is con
`nected on the wearer’s right side at O-ring 18R while
`the remote end of strap portion 12R is connected on the
`wearer’s. left side at O-ring 17L. The arrangement of the
`baby carrier, as mounted on the wearer, can be further
`understood by reference to FIG. 5 which is a side view
`of the baby carrier, as it would be positioned when
`holding a baby, but with the baby omitted for purposes
`of clarity. The crossover of the strap portions 12L and
`12R is more apparent in FIG. 5.
`In-the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, all straps are
`formed of strong web material as used in web belts. The
`middle strap may be formed by passing a length of web
`material through the interior of the layers of fabric
`which form pouch 11, such that the ends of this length
`project out the sides of the pouch panel 11 to form the
`middle straps 17R and 17L. Alternatively, as shown in
`FIG. 1A, the belts may be formed of the same material
`as pouch 11, as shown at 112 and 114 but preferably
`padded and possibly quilted, for strength and comfort.
`As is also shown in FIG. 1A, the middle straps 17L and
`17R (not visible in FIG. 1A) may be essentially triangu
`lar in shape with the narrowest portion provided at the
`connection of these strap portions 117 to the side edges
`of the panel 15. This modified construction allows the
`strap portions 117 to pivot vertically to better accom
`modate wearers of different heights without distorting
`the shape of the pouch panel.
`Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the waist strap
`14 ?ts snugly against the wearer about his or her entire
`circumference, and most notably at the front thereof.
`This draws the lower portion 16 upward toward its
`connection with the upper edge of strap 14.Conse
`quently, the lower tapered portion 16 of the pouch 11
`forms a lower support for the baby, permitting the
`baby’s legs to extend outward across the padded side
`edges of pouch portion 16, outwardly from the waist
`strap 14.
`FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the versatility of the present
`invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the present baby carrier
`carrying a relatively small baby facing inwardly. The
`baby’s arms pass under the strap portions 12R and 12L
`while these strap portions provide lateral head supports
`for the baby. As will be evident by referring to FIG. 5,
`the baby’s legs pass over the padded side edges of lower
`panel portion 16, forward and outward from the waist
`strap 14.
`FIG. 3 illustrates the present invention for use with a
`small baby similar to the small baby shown in FIG. 2,
`but with the baby facing outward. Once again, the arms
`pass below the strap portions 12R and 12L which pro
`vide lateral supports for the head while the baby’s legs
`passlgger the padded edges of panel portion 16. FIG. 4
`illustrates the present invention mounting a larger baby
`than that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this case the lower
`panel portion 16 performs the same function of support
`ing the lower portion of the baby with the legs extend
`ing over the padded edges thereof. However, in this
`case the arms pass over the strap portions 12R and 12L;
`and with a baby of this size, lateral head supports are
`not necessary.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`Referring now to the drawings, like elements are
`represented by like numerals throughout the several
`views.
`FIG. 1 illustrates the baby carrier 10 of the ‘present
`invention in its completely open essentially “?at” condi
`tion viewed from the front, i.e. as one would view the
`panel standing in front of the wearer. The carrier in
`cludes a pouch panel 11 having an upper, essentially ?at
`portion 15 and a lower inwardly tapered portion 16.
`The tapered shape is achieved by tucking, puckering, or
`darting 30 the fabric of the lower part of the pouch
`45
`panel so as to create a shallow convexity out of the
`plane of FIG. 1, the more securely to cradle the
`rounded body of a baby. Each edge of the lower, ta
`pered portion of the pouch panel 16 is preferable pad
`ded, as shown in FIG. ID with additional material be
`tween the layers of fabric of the pouch panel so as to
`create rounded edges 29 for the baby's legs to rest
`against. Along its upper edge, the panel 11, and in par~
`ticular the upper flat portion 15 thereof, is connected to
`the lower edge of a shoulder strap 12. The side of shoul
`der strap 12 which passes over the wearer’s right shoul~
`der is designated as 12R and the portion which will pass
`over the wearer's left shoulder is designated as 12L.
`The lower end of pouch panel 11, and in particular
`the lower end of tapered portion 16 thereof is connected
`along the upper edge of a waist strap 14. Once again, the
`portion of strap 14 which extends around the wearer’s
`right side is designated as 14R while the portion which
`starts to wrap around the wearer’s left side is designated
`65
`as 14L.
`Extending outward from each of the side edges of
`pouch panel 11 is a middle strap 17R and 17L, and
`connected to each of 17R and 17L is a conventional pair
`
`25
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`35
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`40
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`50
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`55
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1016 Page 5
`
`

`
`5
`As can be ssen from FIGS. 1 or 1A, the present baby
`carrier is relatively simple in its construction. This fea
`ture, coupled with the lightweight nature of the baby
`carrier permits the carrier to be folded up into a com
`pact light package for ease of transport when not in use.
`The versatility of the present baby carrier is such that
`it has been found to work satisfactorily for babies from
`birth up to approximately thirty pounds. Since there is
`no cloth between the wearer and the baby, the device is
`cooler and lighter, and moreover this makes it easierto
`place the baby into the pouch and remove the baby
`from the pouch when the carrier is mounted on the
`wearer. Pairs of rings such as “D” rings or “0” rings
`have been found to be advantageous as compared with
`conventional knots since the latter are hard to tie, hard
`to adjust and can come untied easily, especially if pulled
`upon by an older child, whereas “D” ring or “O” ring
`fastenings can be adjusted easily, with one hand, valong
`the entire available length of the straps. A sleeping baby
`can simple be laid down for a nap right on the pouch
`panel, and the connections can be easily opened without
`even awakening the baby.
`Although the invention has been described in consid
`erable detail with respect to preferred embodiments, it
`will be understood that the invention is capable of nu
`merous modi?cations and variations, apparent to those
`skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and
`scope of the invention.
`We claim:
`1. A baby carrier for carrying a baby against the front
`of the wearer’s body, comprising a pouch panel, shoul
`der straps and a waist strap:
`said pouch panel formed of ?exible material and hav
`ing a generally ?at rectangular upper portion and
`an inwardly tapering lower portion, the inward
`taper of the lower portion continuing from its junc
`ture with the upper portion to its intersection with
`said waist strap adjacent the end of said lower
`portion, the respective ends of the pouch panel
`being coterminous with the ends of the upper and
`lower portions, the generally rectangular ?at upper
`portion terminating at a height which, in use, is
`generally midway between the wearer’s waist and
`neck, said generally ?at rectangular portion being
`short enough in width to form an opening between
`itself and the wearer’s body for passage of a baby’s
`arms out of the sides of the upper portion, between
`the side edges of the upper portion and the front of
`the wearer, the continuously inwardly tapering
`lower portion being short enough in width to allow
`a baby’s legs to extend out and over the side edges
`thereof, whether the baby is facing inward toward
`the wearer or outward away from the wearer,
`shoulder straps connected to the upper end of the
`upper portion and of suf?cient length to extend up
`and over the shoulders of the wearer, criss-cross on
`the wearer’s back and reach ?rst connecting means
`
`4,469,259
`6
`associated with the respective opposite sides of the
`pouch panel,
`said ?rst connecting means located on the side edges
`of the pouch panel substantially at the juncture of
`the upper portion and the lower portion for con
`necting each shoulder strap which has criss
`crossed over the wearer’s back to the opposite side
`of the pouch panel, each said ?rst connecting
`means being located at a height above said end of
`said lower portion which is high enough to allow
`the baby’s legs to pass out over the respective side
`edges of the pouch panel below said ?rst connect
`ing means, and also low enough to assure that a
`substantial portion of the baby’s weight is spread
`across the upper back of the wearer,
`the lower end of the pouch panel connected to the
`waist strap, such that said waist strap extends out-a
`wardly from the respective side edges of said lower
`portion, said waist strap including second connect
`ing means for connecting opposite ends of the waist
`strap to each other with the straps ?tting snugly
`entirely around the wearer’s body independently of
`the shoulder straps and the ?rst connecting means,
`such that the continuously tapering lower portion
`of the pouch panel extends outwardly from the
`wearer’s body to form a lower support for the
`baby.
`2. A baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
`side edges of the lower portion are padded.
`3. A baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
`pouch panel and all of said straps are of a ?exible mate
`rial, whereby the baby carrier is lightweight and easily
`foldable to a compacted size.
`4. A baby carrier according to, claim 1, wherein the
`pouch panel is connected to the lower edge of the
`shoulder strap and to the upper edge of the waist strap.
`5. A baby carrier according to claim 1, constructed to
`be opened up to an essentially ?at condition, with the
`pouch panel and all straps in a common plane.
`6. A baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
`shoulder strap is relatively wide, padded and quilted.
`7. A baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein said
`?rst connecting means comprises middle straps con
`nected to the side edges of the pouch panel and being
`relatively narrow at their respective connections to the ~
`side edges of the pouch panel, enlarging outwardly
`therefrom in width towards their outer ends, and being
`generally triangularly shaped.
`8. A baby carrier according to claim 7, wherein the
`?rst connecting means further comprises a set of rings
`attached to the outer ends of the triangular shaped mid
`dle straps.
`9. A baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein each
`of said ?rst connecting means comprises a strap extend
`ing outwardly from the side of the pouch panel, and a
`set of rings attached to each strap end, whereby the
`shoulder strap connected to the opposite side of the
`pouch panel, after passing around the wearer’s back, is
`connectable thereto.
`a:
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
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`45
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`55
`
`60
`
`a a:
`
`* a
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`65
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`Petitioner Ex. 1016 Page 6