(‘l2)UK Patent Application (19)GB (11)
`
`2 026 848 A
`
`Applicatlffn N0 7925440
`Date of filing 30 Jul 1979
`Claims filed 30 Jul 1979
`Priority data
`78/32553
`8 Aug 1978
`United Kingdom (GB)
`Application published
`13 Feb 1980
`INT CL3
`A45F 3/14
`Domestic classification
`A3V 9B2A
`Documents cited
`GB 678225
`GB 313822
`Field of search
`A3V
`Applicants
`Mothercare Limited,
`Cherry Tree Road,
`Watford,
`Herts,
`WD2 5SH.
`Inventor
`Marlene Ilse David
`Agents
`A. A. Thornton & Co.
`
`Improvements in or relating to
`(54)
`slings for carrying babies
`
`(57) A sling for carrying a baby com-
`prises a seat portion (2) for supporting
`the baby, having at one edge a band (9)
`which extends into shoulder straps (10)
`at either side. A waist band (4) for the
`wearer is also attached to the seat
`portion (2) and has rings attached to it
`at either end. A buckle (11) is provided
`to hold the straps (1 0) adjacent to one
`another in a region intermediate their
`length which falls at the centre of the
`back of the wearer in use, the ends of
`the straps (10) may then be passed
`through the rings (6) ofthe waist band
`(4) and tied behind the back of the
`wearer to support the baby in a carrying
`position.
`
`V81789Z0Z8'5)
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`Petitioner Ex. 1055 Page 1
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`Petitioner Ex. 1055 Page 1
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`2025848
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`3/3
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` C
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`Petitioner Ex. 1055 Page 4
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`SPECIFICATION
`
`Improvements in or relating to slings for carrying
`babies
`
`5
`
`15
`
`The invention relates to slings for carrying babies.
`The present invention provides a sling for carrying
`a baby, comprising a seat portion, two carrying
`shoulder straps each extending from the seat por-
`10 tion, adjustable buckle means for holding said
`shoulder straps substantially adjacent one another
`in a region intermediate their respective lengths, and
`a waistband attached to the seat portion for
`connection with the shoulder straps.
`In orderthat the invention may be well understood
`two embodiments thereof will now be described, by
`way of example only, reference being made to the
`accompanying drawings in which:
`Figure 7 is a perspective view of a sling laid out in
`20 an extended condition;
`Figure 2 is a partial back view of a wearer of the
`sling of Figure 1;
`Figure 3 is a partial side view of a wearer of the
`sling of Figure 1;
`Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative
`embodiment ofa sling laid out in an extended
`condition; and
`Figure 5 is a plan view of a buckle suitable for use
`with either embodiment.
`
`25
`
`40
`
`30 With reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings
`the sling 1 has a seat portion 2 formed from a double
`layer of textile material. One end edge of the seat
`portion 2 is attached to an elasticated strap 3 which
`is connected at either end to a respective side edge
`35 of the seat portion 2 such that a fold is formed in the
`seat portion 2 to provide a support forthe baby's
`bottom.
`A waist band 4 is attached to the seat portion 2 in
`the region ofthe fold formed in the seat portion 2.
`The band 4 is constructed from two layers of
`textile material with a layer of padding therebe-
`tween. The band 4 extends a short distance beyond
`the seat portion 2 at either side thereof. Loops 5 are
`provided at either end ofthe band 4. In this
`45 embodiment the loops are formed by folding the
`material ofthe band 4 over and securing the free
`ends by sewing. The loops 5 each accommodate
`a metal ring member 6.
`Two elongate openings 7 are formed in the seat
`50 portion 2 adjacent to the elasticated strap 3. The
`openings 7 are formed between adjacent side edges
`ofthe seat portion 2 when it is folded. The back edge
`8 of each opening 7 is provided with an elasticated
`insert so that the seat portion takes a generally
`concave shape.
`A band 9 is attached along the end edge of the seat
`portion 2 opposite the elasticated strap 3. The band
`extends either side of the seat portion 2 thus forming
`two shoulder straps 10. The band 9 and straps 10 are
`constructed from a double layer of textile material.
`Quilted padding is provided in the band 9 and
`extends along the shoulder straps 10 to just beyond
`those portions which pass over the shoulders in use.
`The straps 10 pass through an adjustable buckle 11
`65 which holds the straps 10 substantially adjacent one
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`GB 2 026 848 A
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`another in a region intermediate their respective
`lengths. The straps 10 are not padded in the region
`where they pass through the buckle 1 1. The straps 10
`are woven through apertures 16 in respective sides
`ofthe buckel 11. When the straps 10 are in tension
`the buckel 11 holds them firmly by friction in the
`selected position. Howsever when the tension is
`relaxed the position of the buckle 11 may be
`adjusted to a preferred position for the wearer.
`Side gussets 12 are provided between the side
`edges of the seat portion 2 adjacent the band 9 and
`the shoulder straps 10 where theyjoin the band 9.
`A reinforced head support 13 is provided. The
`support 13 is removably attached to the band 9 by
`means of two stud fasteners 14, one member of each
`ofwhich is mounted on the band 9 and the
`
`cooperating members therefor are mounted on the
`support 13. An additional pair of cooperating mem-
`bers 15 are also provided on the support 13 so that
`the position of the support may be adjusted.
`An alternative embodiment ofthe sling is illus-
`trated in Figure 4 and like reference numerals
`indicate indicate parts equivalent to those in the
`abovedescribed embodiment. In this sling the seat
`portion 2 has elastic inserts positioned along a part
`17 of each side edge to form fathers so that the seat
`portion 2 takes a generally concave shape. The waist
`band 4 is in this sling attached to one end edge ofthe
`seat portion 2. The leg openings 7’ are formed in the
`material of the seat portion 2 and are padded at their
`edges 18 to prevent chaffing of the baby's legs.
`To wear either sling 1 the wearer first adjusts the
`buckle to a suitable position such that when the sling
`1 is worn the buckle is comfortably located atthe
`back of the wearer as shown in Figure 2. The baby
`may then be placed in the sling 1 with his legs
`protruding through the openings 7. The shoulder
`straps 10 with the buckle 11 are then passed overthe
`head of the wearer so that the padded parts of straps
`10 rest on the shoulders of the wearer. The free ends
`of the straps 10 are passed through the rings 6 at
`either side ofthe waist band 4, which should be
`comfortably located in the region of the waist of the
`wearer. The free ends of straps are finally tied
`behind the back of the wearer as shown in Figure 2.
`It will be appreciated that the provision of the
`buckle 11 allows the straps 10 to be adjusted and tied
`without danger of the baby slipping.
`
`CLAIMS:
`
`1. Asling for carrying a baby, comprising a seat
`portion, two carrying shoulder straps each extend-
`ing from the seat portion, adjustable buckle means
`for holding said shoulder straps substantially adja-
`cent one another in a region intermediate their
`respective lengths, and a waist band attached to the
`seat portion for connection with the shoulder straps.
`2. A sling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
`buckle means comprises a buckle having apertures
`through which the straps are threaded, the straps
`being held by friction when said straps are in tension
`and being freely movable through the apertures
`when said tension is relaxed.
`3. A sling as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further
`
`130
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`Petitioner Ex. 1055 Page 5
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`Petitioner Ex. 1055 Page 5
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`GB 2 026 848 A
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`comprising a head support removably attached to
`the seat portion.
`4. Asling for carrying a baby substantially as
`herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or
`5 Figure 4 together with Figure 5 ofthe accompanying
`drawings.
`
`Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Croydon Printing Company
`Limited, Croydon Surrey, 1980.
`Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings. London,WC2A1AY,
`from which copies may be obtained.
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`Petitioner Ex. 1055 Page 6
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`Petitioner Ex. 1055 Page 6