Umted States Patent [19]
`Linday
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,986,458
`Jan. 22, 1991
`
`[54] INFANT CARRIER
`
`2076636 12/1931 United Kingdom .............. .. 224/153
`
`55th St. 913,
`
`[76] Inventor: Linda A. Linday, 340
`New York, N.Y._ 10019
`[21] Appl. No.: 232,689
`-
`_
`'
`[22] mm"
`Aug’ 16’ 1988
`04
`[5
`Illt. CLS .............................................. ..
`[52] U_.S. CL ............................ .. 224/ 160; 224/ 216
`[58] Field of Search ......... .. 224/ 153, 158, 159, 160,
`224/161, 195, 197, 202, 206, 209, 213, 215, 216,
`224, 257, 259, 260, 264, 151, 157, 185, 196, 199,
`201, 204, 205, 207, 208, 211, 214, 253, 255
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[56]
`
`874,945 12/1907 Davey ............................... .. 224/216
`1,109,065 9/1914 Heath et a1.
`224/159
`2,550,851 5/ 1951 Nichols ......... ..
`224/151
`3,481,517 12/1969 Aukerman
`224/160
`3,536,237 10/1970 Greenman
`‘224/264
`Hathaway
`224/160
`4,139,131 2/1979
`224/160
`4,234,229 1 l/1980
`Arnold ...... ..
`224/ 160
`4,271,998 6/ 1981 Ruggiano
`224/160
`4,434,920 3/1984 Moore ....... ..
`4,436,233 3/ 1984 Hill et a1.
`224/ 159
`4,467,945 8/1984 Schaapveld .
`224/ 160
`4,492,326 I/ 1985 Storm ............ ..
`224/ 160
`4,836,428 6/1989 Evans et a1. ...................... .. 224/253
`
`.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1215795 4/1960 France .............................. .. 224/159
`2591135 12/1948 Switzerland .......... ..
`224/215
`6801 of 1888 United Kingdom
`224/216
`22099 of 1895 United Kingdom
`224/209
`449569 6/ 1936 United Kingdom .............. .. 224/ 161
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`snugly “Handbook” (1981)
`Gerry Escort Baby Carrier (date unknown).
`Advertisement Snugly Padded Infant Carrier (1988).
`Lookabout Carrier‘ advertisement-Sensational Begin
`(date unknown)
`Sam’s Ride Comfortable Carrie,- (1984)_
`Aviator Baby Carrier advertisement (1987).
`Advertisement-Papoose Baby Carrier (date unknown).
`Instructions for Papoose Baby Carrier (date unknown).
`Century Kangourou Package (1986).
`Baby Matey Literature (date unknown).
`Baby Carrier from Catalog Baby Bjorn (date unknown).
`Baby Bear Carrier advertisement-(Hearth Song Cata
`logue, Jan. 1988).
`Primary Examiner-Ernest G. Cusick
`Assistant Examiner-Robert M. Fetsuga
`Attorney, Agent, 'or Firm—-Ladas & Parry
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`An infant carrier having an infant supporting pouch and
`a harness permitting the carrier to be worn by an adult.
`The harness comprises adjustable shoulder straps and an
`adjustable girth strap so arranged as to enable the carry
`ing pouch to be switched from a position of frontal
`support to a position of side support while the harness is
`on a wearer and while the child remains in the pouch.
`The carrier may also be used to carry an infant on the
`back of the wearer.
`
`12 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1017 Page 1
`
`

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`US. Patent Jan. 22, 1991
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
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`4,986,458
`
`FIG!
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1017 Page 2
`
`

`
`US. Patent Jan. 22, 1991
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`4,986,458
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1017 Page 3
`
`

`
`US. Patent Jan. 22, 1991
`
`Sheet 3 of3
`
`' 4,986,458
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1017 Page 4
`
`

`
`1
`
`INFANT CARRIER
`
`5
`
`4,986,458
`2
`down and across said pouch to a location in the region
`of the left end of said lower edge at which the other end
`of said second strap is secured to said pouch, and
`wherein said girth strap means has opposite end por
`tions extending respectively outwardly from said lower
`edge of the pouch and cooperating coupling means
`operable to couple said opposite end portions whereby
`said pouch may be slung in selected positions, said se
`lected positions including on the front and on the side of
`the wearer.
`According to a preferred embodiment of the inven
`tion there is provided an infant carrier adaptable to
`support an infant selectively and interchangeably on the
`front or on the side of an adult, said carrier including a
`child supporting flexible pouch and an integral harness,
`wherein the harness includes adjustable shoulder straps
`and an adjustable girth strap and said pouch has draw
`cord means for adjusting the con?guration of the
`pouch, wherein said adjustable shoulder straps includ
`ing ?rst and second straps respectively extending diago
`nally across the pouch from points of attachment proxi
`mate top and bottom left and right corners of the blank,
`and wherein a bottom edge of the blank is folded over
`to form a sheath slidably to accommodate the girth
`strap, said girth strap having complimentary coupling
`members adjustably located toward the outer free ends
`thereof to permit said girth to be coupled to provide a
`lower torso encircling loop.
`A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be
`described by way of example and with reference to the
`accompanying drawings.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The invention relates to an infant carrier of the soft
`type in which an infant is supported in a pouch which is
`then slung from the shoulders of an adult carrier. The
`infant is retained in an upright, usually sitting, position
`by virtue of the sling support depending from the carri
`er’s shoulders. However, the weight of the infant is
`distributed so that the majority of the weight is not
`borne by the shoulders which would not only be un
`comfortable but would readily impart fatigue to the
`carrier. Instead, the majority of the weight of the infant
`is borne by the lower torso, especially the hips.
`The infant carrier of the invention enables an adult
`comfortably to carry a child in a variety of circum
`stances, for example, around the house, when shopping,
`in fact whenever walking or standing is involved.
`Infant carriers are generally of two types, namely soft
`carriers and frame carriers. Soft carriers are known in
`which an infant is supported on the front, side or back of
`a wearer, whereas frame carriers lend themselves to
`supporting an infant on the back of a wearer.
`25
`While there are distinct advantages to each type of
`carrier, it has hitherto not been possible readily to
`switch from one carrying position to the other, particu
`larly while the carrier is in use with an infant. supported
`in the pouch.
`7
`US. Pat. Nos. 4,434,920 and 4,492,326 are examples
`of infant carriers in which the infant is supported in
`front of the adult carrier. U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,233 is an
`example of an infant carrier‘ where the infant is slung to
`one side of the adult and US. Pat. No. 3,481,517 is an
`example of a rear infant carrier.
`
`’ INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an infant carrier
`of the invention;
`FIG. 2 is a rear view of the carrier shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a front view of a person supporting the
`infant carrier slung in a frontal position;
`FIG. 4 is a rear view of the person shown in FIG. 1
`and;
`FIG. 5 is a front view of a person supporting the
`infant carrier slung in a side supporting position.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`The infant carrier of the invention comprises a pouch
`1 of fabric or like ?exible material. The pouch is advan
`tageously made from a blank of canvas, cloth or like
`material but can also be a fabric of synthetic ?bers. The
`pouch is shaped from a blank having an upper margin 2,
`a lower margin 3 and side margins 4 and 5. A girth strap
`6 extends laterally outwardly from the lower margin 3
`and has complimentary buckle portions 7, 8 attached to
`opposite ends thereof. The girth strap 6 is advanta
`geously encased in and extends through a sheath or
`sleeve 9 formed by folding over the lower margin and
`attaching the folded over portion to the main body
`portion of the blank by stitching. In this manner the
`girth strap is free to slide within the sheath permitting
`transverse movement of the pouch 1 along the girth
`strap 6. As will be explained hereinafter, this ?nds par
`ticular advantage when switching the infant carrier
`from a position of frontal support to a position of side
`support. Notwithstanding this preferred mode of at
`taching the girth strap 6 to the pouch 1, other means of
`attachment, such as stitching would be possible if some
`what less convenient in use.
`
`35
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`In addition to the prior art exempli?ed in the above
`identi?ed U.S. patents, infant carriers have been mar
`keted which are capable of carrying a child on the front,
`back or side of an adult carrier. However, although
`separate positions of support may be adopted, in order
`to switch from one position to another it has hitherto
`been necessary ?rst to remove the child from the carrier
`and then to rearrange the carrier as necessary before
`replacing the child in a carried position.
`It is an object of the invention to provide an infant
`carrier in which a supported child can be moved, at
`will, from a position of frontal support to a position of
`side support. At all times during such movement, the
`infant remains snugly and securely seated in the pouch.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide an
`infant support where the weight of a supported infant is
`properly distributed to cause minimal inconvenience or
`discomfort to an adult carrier.
`According to the present invention there is provided
`an infant carrier including a pouch having upper left
`and right corners and a transversely extending lower
`edge, and a harness attached to said pouch and includ
`ing shoulder strap means and girth strap means, wherein
`said shoulder strap means includes a ?rst shoulder strap
`secured at one end to said pouch in the region of said
`upper left corner and extending diagonally down and
`across said pouch to a location in the region of the right
`end of said lower edge at which the other end of said
`?rst strap is secured to said pouch and a second shoul
`der strap secured at one end to said pouch in the region
`of said upper right corner and extending diagonally
`
`40
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`45
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`Petitioner Ex. 1017 Page 5
`
`

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`0
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`15
`
`20
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`25
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`30
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`3
`Twin shoulder straps are provided, a ?rst strap 10
`being secured at or toward one upper corner of the
`pouch and extending diagonally downwardly toward
`the opposite lower comer and the second strap 11 being
`similarly secured at or toward the opposite upper cor
`ner and extending diagonally down toward the opposite
`lower corner. The shoulder straps 10, 11 are most con
`veniently secured at their upper ends by stitching as
`depicted at 12 and 13 whereas the lower ends of the
`respective straps may similarly be attached by stitching
`14, 15. As most clearly shown in FIG. 2 of the draw
`ings, the lower ends of the shoulder straps are attached
`toward the bottom corners of the pouch but above that
`portion of the sheath 9 within which the girth strap 6 is
`slidably mounted.
`As shown most clearly in FIG. 2 of the drawings,
`each shoulder strap has two parts, namely an upper part
`10A, 11A and a lower part 10B, 11B interconnected by
`adjustable fasteners 16, 17. The upper parts which in use
`pass over the shoulders of an adult are advantageously
`padded to afford greater comfort. In the preferred em
`bodiment each fastener comprises a double loop plastics
`buckle anchored to the upper part of the shoulder strap
`and an adjustable strap length comprising the lower
`part of the shoulder strap which is threaded through the
`double buckle in such manner that the free end of the
`lower strap parts may be pulled to tighten, and thereby
`shorten, the shoulder straps and will retain the tight
`ened position once the pulling force is relaxed. Loosen
`ing is effected by ?ipping up the edge of the buckle.
`Additional features of the infant carrier will be de
`scribed in the following paragraphs of this description.
`First, however, the donning and use of the infant carrier
`will be described.
`In order to don the infant carrier, the carrier is held
`or laid out substantially in the position shown in FIG. 2
`of the drawings. FIG. 2 is a rear view and the carrier is
`then suspended in an upside-down position in front of a
`wearer with the girth strap located at the level of the
`wearer’s waist. In this position the upper margin 2 of the
`pouch extends down towards the knees of the wearer
`and the front side (FIG. 1) of the pouch overlies the
`wearer’s thighs and the rear side of the pouch (FIG. 2)
`is directed away from the wearer. The girth strap is
`then led around the waist of the wearer and the cooper
`ating buckle portions 7, 8 are engaged and snapped one
`within the other to secure the strap around the waist of
`the wearer. Thereupon the pouch and shoulder straps
`are raised from the depending suspended position and
`the wearer inserts his or her head and arms through the
`crossed straps to assume the position most clearly
`shown in the FIG. 4 of the drawings. Having adopted ‘
`this position, minor adjustment of the adjustable shoul
`der straps and also girth strap is effected prior to seating
`an infant in the pouch after which ?nal tightening ad
`justment of the straps is effected.
`In the frontal support position shown in FIGS. 3 and
`4 of the drawings, the infant is seated and supported
`facing the chest of the wearer with the legs of the infant
`depending downwardly and bending comfortably at the
`knee. In the case of older children the legs of the child
`while ?exing at the knees will tend to wrap around the
`waist of the wearer thereby affording a comfortable
`support and freedom of movement to the wearer. In the
`case of extremely young infants, the infant can be ac
`commodated in the natural fetal position with the legs
`tucked in and covered by the pouch. In all cases the
`weight of the infant is primarily distributed about the
`
`4,986,458
`4
`hips of the wearer and the pouch and associated shoul
`der straps afford support in the carried position but
`transmit relatively small bearing weight to the shoul
`ders of the wearer. The padded upper parts 10A, 11A of
`the shoulder straps advantageously have sufficient
`width and length to distribute part of the weight not
`only on the shoulders but also across the back of a
`wearer. It will therefore be apparent that the infant
`carrier affords substantial comfort both to the infant and
`to the adult carrier.
`FIG. 5 of the drawings shows an alternative support
`position where the infant is slung to the side of the adult
`carrier and, again, the weight of the carried infant is
`distributed generally to the hip of the wearer. While
`FIG. 5 of the drawings shows the infant supported to
`the left side of the wearer, it will be appreciated that a
`mirror image can equally readily be adopted whereby
`the infant is slung on the right side of the adult carrier.
`A particular advantage of the infant carrier described
`in the preceding paragraphs and shown in the accompa
`nying drawings is that the slung carrier can readily be
`switched between the alternative positions shown in
`FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings while an infant is sup
`ported within the pouch. To do this, it is neither neces
`sary to remove the infant nor to unbuckle or otherwise
`disconnect the supporting straps. Transfer from, for
`example, the frontal support position of FIG. 3 to the
`‘side support position of FIG. 5 is effected simply by
`slipping the left hand shoulder strap 11 off the left
`shoulder and allowing the strap to dangle down the left
`arm of the wearer. Thereupon, the entire carrier pouch
`is slid laterally around the wearer’s body from right to
`left with respect to the wearer. That is to say, viewing
`the wearer from the front as shown in FIG. 3 of the
`drawings, the pouch 1 is slid to the right as shown in
`that ?gure. This lateral sliding is made possible due to
`the fact that the girth strap 6 can slide freely within the
`sheath 9 formed along the bottom of the pouch 1.
`When the pouch has adopted a position resting on the
`wearer’s left hip as shown in FIG. 5, the wearer reaches
`his or her right arm behind him or her and inserts that
`arm through the loosely dangling shoulder strap and
`lifts that strap up into the supported position shown in
`FIG. 5 of the drawings where both shoulder straps pass
`over the wearer’s right shoulder.
`The ease with which this transfer in position can be
`accomplished represents a striking advantage of the
`present invention and enables a supported child to be
`moved from a frontal supporting to a side supporting
`position, thereby affording the wearer unimpeded ac
`cess forwardly or, alternatively, the infant may be trans
`ferred from a frontal supporting to a side supporting
`position simply to adjust the supporting load borne by
`the wearer. The transition is so easy and smooth that a
`sleeping infant is not disturbed. Another reason for
`switching a child from a frontal support position to a
`side support position is to enable the child to see for
`wardly. It will readily be appreciated that by unslinging
`the right 'hand shoulder strap and swiveling the pouch
`to the wearer’s right hip, the infant carrier can be trans
`ferred from the frontal position shown in FIG. 3 to a
`position representing a mirror image to that shown in
`FIG. 5 in which the pouch is supported on the wearer’s
`right hip.
`Reference to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 and
`3, shows draw strings l8, 19 extending through slots
`within the pouch. The draw string 18 serves to adjust
`that portion of the pouch which supports the seat of an
`
`35
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`40
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`45
`
`60
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`65
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`Petitioner Ex. 1017 Page 6
`
`

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`10
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`4,986,458
`6
`5
`3. An infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
`infant seated within the pouch whereas the draw string
`?rst and second shoulder straps are arranged to extend
`19 may be drawn to tighten a head support ?ap 20
`both over the same shoulder of a wearer when the
`snugly to accommodate the infant. FIG. 3 shows the
`pouch is slung in a side position, said same shoulder
`head supporting flap in a drawn supporting position
`being the opposite shoulder from the side of the wearer
`whereas FIG. 5 shows the string slackened and the flap
`on which the pouch is slung.
`‘
`20 folded down. With the string 19 tightened, the head
`4. An infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
`flap adopts a supporting position whereas with this
`shoulder strap means is adjustable.
`string slackened and the head ?ap folded over as shown
`5. An infant carrier according to claim 4, wherein -
`in FIG. 5 an older child is able to see around with sub
`each of said ?rst and second shoulder straps is in two
`stantially unimpeded view.
`distinct parts, said parts being coupled intermediate the
`Adjustment of the straps is readily accomplished and
`secured ends by an adjustable coupling.
`facilitated by virtue of the fact that the ends of the straps
`6. An infant carrier according to claim 5, wherein one
`hang free from the adjustment buckles and are easily
`of said distinct parts is dimensioned to extend over the
`accessible.
`shoulder of a wearer and is padded.
`The readily adjustable shoulder and girth straps, as
`7. An infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
`well as the adjustable pouch size and head support, not
`girth strap means is a single strap longitudinally slidably
`only permit drawing the straps to a snug supporting
`accommodated in said sheath which extends trans
`position but also ensure that the infant carrier can be
`versely at least part way along the lower edge of the
`adjusted to the size of the adult carrier and, conse
`pouch.
`quently, one carrier is suitable for all sizes not only of
`8. An infant carrier according to claim 7, wherein the
`adult carrier but also of infant carried.
`coupling means on the girth strap includes a tongue
`From the foregoing it will be appreciated that both in
`adjustably mounted on one strap portion and a cooper
`the frontal and side support positions, there are at all
`ating receiving socket on the other strap portion.
`times two shoulder straps which impart both security to
`. 9. An infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein a
`the infant carried and comfort to the adult carrier.
`draw cord extends transversely through the lower re
`I claim:
`gion of the pouch.
`1. An infant carrier including a pouch having upper
`10. An infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein an
`left and right corners and a transversely extending
`upper edge of the pouch extending between the upper
`lower edge, and a harness attached to said pouch and
`left and right comers de?nes a head supporting flap.
`including shoulder strap means and girth strap means,
`11. An infant carrier according to claim 11, wherein
`wherein said shoulder strap means includes a ?rst shoul
`a draw cord extends transversely through the upper
`der strap secured at one end to said pouch in the region
`region of the pouch to adjust the head supporting flap.
`of said upper left corner and extending diagonally down
`12. An infant carrier adaptable to support an infant
`and across said pouch to a location in the region of the
`selectively and interchangeably on the front or on the
`right end of said lower edge at which the other end of
`side of a wearer, said carrier including a child support
`said ?rst strap is secured to said pouch and a second
`ing ?exible pouch, formed from a fabric blank, and an
`shoulder strap secured at one end to said pouch in the
`integral harness, wherein the harness includes adjust
`region of said upper right corner and extending diago
`able shoulder straps and an adjustable girth strap and
`nally down and across said pouch to a location in the
`said pouch has draw cord means for adjusting the con
`?guration of the pouch, said pouch being adapted to be
`region of the left end of said lower edge at which the
`slung in selected positions including the front and the
`other end of said second strap is secured to said pouch,
`and wherein said girth strap means is independently
`side of the wearer, wherein said adjustable shoulder
`straps including first and second straps respectively
`slidable within a sheath formed along said lower edge of
`extending diagonally across the pouch from points of
`the pouch and has cooperating coupling means operable
`45
`to couple opposite end portions of said girth strap
`attachment proximate top and bottom left and right
`means extending from said sheath, whereby said pouch
`corners of the pouch, and wherein a bottom edge of the
`may be slung in selected positions including on the
`blank is folded over to form a sheath slidably to accom
`modate the girth strap, said girth strap having compli
`front, back and on the side of the wearer, and whereby
`mentary coupling members adjustably located toward
`said pouch may be transferred from one selected posi
`the outer free ends thereof to permit said girth to be
`tion to another while it is supported on the wearer by
`coupled to provide a lower torso encircling loop,
`one of said shoulder straps and said girth strap, said
`whereby said pouch may be transferred from one se
`transfer being facilitated by the slidable relationship
`lected position to the other while it is supported on the
`between said girth and said sheath.
`wearer by one of said shoulder straps and said girth
`2. An infant carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
`strap, said transfer being facilitated by said slidable
`shoulder straps are arranged to extend one over each
`accommodation of the girth strap in the sheath.
`shoulder of a wearer when the pouch is slung in a front
`# i * i i
`or in a back position.
`
`65
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`Petitioner Ex. 1017 Page 7