(12) United States Patent
`Yamazoe et al.
`
`US006257468B1
`US 6,257,468 B1
`Jul. 10, 2001
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) BABY CARRIER
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75) Inventors: Fumiyo Yamazoe; Kenzou Kassai,
`both of Osaka (JP)
`
`8150051
`
`6/1996 (JP) .
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(73) Assignee: Aprica Kassai Kabushikikaisha,
`Osaka (JP)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/239,465
`(22) Filed:
`Jan. 28, 1999
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jan. 28, 1998
`Dec. 24, 1998
`
`(JP) ............................................... .. 10-030556
`(JP) ............................................... .. 10-365900
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... .. A61G 1/00
`(52) US. Cl. ......................... .. 224/158; 224/159; 224/160
`(58) Field of Search ................................... .. 224/158, 159,
`224/160, 153
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`12/1991 Cordisco .
`5,071,047
`4/1993 ManZer .
`5,205,451
`9/1993 Dotseth.
`5,246,152
`11/1997 Kataoka .
`5,690,258
`6,045,018 * 4/2000 Onishi ................................ .. 224/158
`
`Primary Examiner—Gregory M. Vidovich
`Assistant Examiner—Maerena W. Brevard
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—W. F. Fasse; W. G. Fasse
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`A baby carrier 1 comprises a carrier body 2 having a front
`cover portion 3, a crotch cover portion 4 and a back cover
`portion 5, Which are integrally formed in continuation,
`shoulder belts 6, 7 extending upWardly from the back cover
`portion 5, one-touch buckles 12, 13 at the ends of the
`shoulder belts 6, 7, and cover-equipped buckles 20, 21
`beside the front cover portion 3 Which engage With the
`one-touch buckles 12, 13. Ababy carrier 1 further comprises
`hook members 31, 32 beside the front cover portion 3,
`annular members 28, 29, and 28‘, 29‘on the back cover
`portion 5 Which engage With the hook members 31, 32.
`Moreover, there are provided a head support 8 for supporting
`a baby’s head, and a head guard 9 for protecting the top
`portion of a baby’s head, Which is able to fold toWard the
`back side of a head support 8 and stand up toWard the baby’s
`side. Thereby, the changing operation betWeen a longitudi
`nal support type and a lateral support type of a baby carrier
`1 can be performed With ease, and a baby can be prevented
`from falling down When it is held laterally or sideways.
`
`23 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
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`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`Sheet 1 0f 17
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`US 6,257,468 B1
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`Sheet 3 0f 17
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`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 4
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 5
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 8
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 9
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 10
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`Sheet 10 0f 17
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`FIG.12
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`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`Sheet 11 0f 17
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`FIG.17
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`PRIOR ART
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`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 16
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`Sheet 16 0f 17
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`US 6,257,468 B1
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`FIG.18
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`PRIOR ART
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`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 17
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 10, 2001
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`Sheet 17 0f 17
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`US 6,257,468 B1
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`F|G.19
`PRIOR ART
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`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 18
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`

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`US 6,257,468 B1
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`1
`BABY CARRIER
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`The present application relates to copending, commonly
`assigned application U. S. Ser. No. 09/024,066, ?led on Feb.
`17, 1998, noW U. S. Pat. No. 6,045,018, issued on Apr. 4,
`2000.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a baby carrier for carrying
`a baby While holding the baby in the carrier. The invention
`also relates to a head support for the baby carrier for
`supporting a baby’s head.
`
`BACKGROUND INFORMATION
`
`A baby carrier With the functions of both lateral and
`longitudinal support is generally used, as shoWn in FIGS.
`17—20. These ?gures shoW the same baby carrier that can be
`used for lateral support of a baby, as shoWn in FIGS. 17 and
`19, and for longitudinal support of a baby, as shoWn in FIGS.
`18 and 20, by changing the connections of each support belt.
`The knoWn baby carrier 100 has a carrier body 101, Where
`a headrest portion 102 and a backrest portion 103 for holding
`a baby’s head and back, respectively, are integrally formed
`as one piece. The carrier body 101 is ?tted With belts A—G.
`When the baby carrier 100 is used for lateral support, as
`shoWn in FIG. 17, an end of the belt C is fastened onto the
`belt Aby a snap fastener and the buckle at the end of the belt
`G is engaged With the buckle at the end of the belt F. Then,
`the buckle at the end of the belt Ais engaged With the buckle
`at the end of the belt D to form the shoulder belt 104.
`In this condition, a baby is placed on the carrier body 101
`and the shoulder belt 104 is placed at an angle onto one
`shoulder of a carrying person (see FIG. 19). Then, the belt
`E is Wound around the hip of the carrying person and the
`buckle at the end of the belt E is engaged With the buckle at
`the end of the belt B to form the Waist belt 105 for holding
`the carrier body 101 on the hip of the carrying person.
`On the other hand, When the baby carrier 100 is used for
`longitudinal support, as shoWn in FIG. 18, the end of the belt
`G is fastened to the belt Aby a snap fastener and the buckle
`at the end of the belt A is engaged With the buckle at the end
`of the belt D to form the shoulder belt 104‘.
`NeXt, With a baby placed on the carrier body 101, the
`buckles of the belts B and C are engaged With each other for
`holding a baby on the carrier body 101. In this condition, the
`shoulder belt 104‘ is placed at an angle onto one shoulder of
`a carrying person (see FIG. 20). Then, the belt E is Wound
`around the carrying person’s hip and the buckle at the end
`of the belt E is engaged With the buckle at the end of the belt
`F to form the Waist belt 105‘ for holding the carrier body 101
`on the hip of the carrying person.
`Thus, the conventional baby carrier is used either for
`lateral support or longitudinal support by changing the
`fastening conditions of the multiple belts. The belt changing
`operation betWeen lateral support and longitudinal support is
`very complex and troublesome. Furthermore, When a baby is
`supported sideWays, as shoWn in FIG. 19, it is merely placed
`on the carrier body 101, and thus, it may fall doWn.
`
`OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to solving the above
`mentioned problems. One object of the present invention is
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`to offer a baby carrier With a very simple changing operation
`betWeen lateral support and longitudinal support states.
`Another object of the present invention is to offer a baby
`carrier With a very simple changing operation betWeen
`longitudinal support and lateral support. In both instances
`the carrier must securely prevent a baby form falling doWn
`from both a baby’s head side and a baby’s leg side When it
`is supported sideWays or upright. Yet another object of the
`invention is to offer a head support for a baby carrier, Where
`a baby’s head can be effectively protected against an impact
`load. A further object of the invention is to offer a head
`support for a baby carrier, Which can securely prevent a baby
`from falling doWn from a head side of the respective carrier.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention provides a baby carrier for sup
`porting and carrying a baby therein and also provides a head
`support for a baby carrier for supporting a baby’s head.
`In one embodiment, the present baby carrier comprises a
`carrier body for receiving and holding a baby, a head support
`provided in the carrier body for supporting a baby’s head,
`and a head guard provided at the end of the head support for
`protecting the top portion of a baby’s head. When a baby is
`positioned in the carrier, the head guard eXtends aWay from
`the carrier toWard the top of a baby’s head.
`In a second embodiment, a baby carrier comprises a
`carrier body having a front cover portion, a narroW crotch
`cover portion and a back cover portion, Which are integrally
`formed as a one piece component, for supporting a baby’s
`abdomen, crotch, and back, respectively. When the present
`carrier is assembled, the front cover portion is folded toWard
`the back cover portion and the crotch cover portion is
`formed as a bag. The present baby carrier further comprises
`a shoulder belt provided at the carrier body, a head support
`provided at the back cover portion for supporting a baby’s
`head, and a head guard provided at the end of the head
`support for protecting the top of a baby’s head. In use the
`head guard eXtends from the top of the back cover portion
`toWard the top of a baby’s head.
`In a third embodiment, the present baby carrier comprises
`a carrier body having a front cover portion, a narroW crotch
`cover portion and a back cover portion, Which are integrally
`formed as one piece for supporting a baby’s abdomen,
`crotch, and back, respectively. A pair of shoulder belts are
`provided at opposite ends of the back cover portion. Further,
`the baby carrier includes ?rst buckles provided at the distal
`ends of shoulder belts formed by ?rst belt members, and
`second buckles provided at the opposite ends of the front
`cover portion by second belt members. The second buckles
`are releasably engagable With the ?rst buckles. Hook mem
`bers are provided at the opposite ends of the front cover
`portion for third belt members. At least a pair of annular
`members is provided at the back cover portion. The annular
`members are releasably engagable With the hook members.
`A head support is provided at the back cover portion for
`supporting a baby’s head. A head guard is provided at the
`end of the head support for protecting the top of a baby’s
`head. In use the head guard eXtends toWard the top of a
`baby’s head.
`Afourth embodiment provides a baby carrier according to
`the ?rst to third embodiments, Wherein the head support is
`releasably engagable With the carrier body or the back cover
`portion.
`A ?fth embodiment provides a baby carrier according to
`the ?rst to third embodiments, Wherein a belt piece is
`provided at the outside of the head support for guiding a
`carrying person’s hand.
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 19
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`

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`US 6,257,468 B1
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`3
`A sixth embodiment provides a baby carrier according to
`the ?rst to third embodiments, Wherein the head guard is
`?xed to the back side of the head support. The head guard
`forms a substantially convexly or concavely curved surface
`member Which stands up or rather extends from the head
`support toWard the baby’s head When the head guard is in
`use.
`A seventh embodiment provides a baby carrier according
`to the ?rst to third embodiments, Wherein the head guard is
`detachably ?tted to the head support. At the time of ?tting
`the head guard to the head support, the head guard extends
`from the front side of the head support that faces the baby’s
`head or the head guard is ?tted to the back side of the head
`support Whereby the head guard has a substantially convexly
`of concavely curved surface con?guration Which extends
`toWard the baby’s head When the head guard is folded
`toWard the front side of the head support. In both instances
`the head guard is capable of standing upright toWard the top
`of a baby’s head due to the folding along said curved surface
`and due to a core member inside the head guard Which is
`positioned outside said curved surface.
`An eighth embodiment provides a baby carrier according
`to the ?rst to third embodiments, Wherein the head guard
`comprises a ?rst sWeat-absorbent cushioning member
`placed on the front side of the head portion of the support
`Where a baby’s head comes to rest, a second cushioning
`member placed outside the ?rst cushioning member for
`absorbing outside impacts, and a core member inserted
`betWeen the ?rst and second cushioning members.
`Aninth embodiment provides a baby carrier according to
`the ?rst to third embodiments, Wherein at least either the
`head support or the head guard incorporates an air cushion
`ing structure. The air cushioning structure comprises an air
`reservoir forming a predetermined space, and a shock
`absorbing portion surrounding the air reservoir for absorbing
`outside impacts by leaking the air in the air reservoir at the
`time of a deformation of the air reservoir due to an outside
`impact.
`A tenth embodiment provides a baby carrier according to
`the ninth embodiment, Wherein the shock absorbing portion
`includes as by-pass port communicating With the air reser
`voir.
`An eleventh embodiment provides a baby carrier accord
`ing to the ninth embodiment, Wherein the shock absorbing
`portion includes a notch communication With the air reser
`voir.
`A tWelfth embodiment provides a baby carrier according
`to the ninth embodiment, Wherein the shock absorbing
`portion is composed of porous material.
`A thirteenth embodiment provides a baby carrier accord
`ing to the ?rst to third embodiments, Wherein at least either
`the head support or the head guard incorporates a cushioning
`structure. The air cushioning structure comprises a ?rst
`cushioning member having a plurality of ?rst through holes,
`and a second and a third cushioning member at the opposite
`sides of the ?rst cushioning member, said second and third
`cushioning members having a plurality of second and third
`through holes, respectively. The second and third through
`holes, Without facing each other, communicate With the ?rst
`through holes.
`In a fourteenth embodiment, a head support for a baby
`carrier comprises a head support body for supporting a
`baby’s head, Which is releasably engagable With the baby
`carrier, and a head guard provided at the end of the head
`support body for protecting the top of a baby’s head. The
`head guard extends toWard the top of a baby’s head.
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`A ?fteenth embodiment provides a head support accord
`ing to the fourteenth embodiment, Wherein a belt section is
`provided at the outside of the head support body for guiding
`a carrying person’s hand.
`A sixteenth embodiment provides a head support accord
`ing to the fourteenth embodiment, Wherein the head guard is
`?xed to the backside of the head support body and Wherein
`the head guard has a substantially convexly or concavely
`curved surface con?guration. The head guard extends to the
`front side of the head support body When the head guard is
`folded toWard the front side of the head support body.
`A seventeenth embodiment provides a head support
`according to the fourteenth embodiment, Wherein the head
`guard is detachably secured to the head support body. At the
`time of securing the head guard to the head support body, the
`head guard extends toWard the front side of the head support
`body, or the head guard is ?tted onto the back side of the
`head support body Wherein the head guard has a substan
`tially convexly or concavely curved surface. The head guard
`extends toWard the front side of the head support body When
`the head guard is folded toWard the baby’s head.
`An eighteenth embodiment provides a head support
`according to the fourteenth embodiment, Wherein the head
`guard comprises a ?rst sWeat-absorbent cushioning member
`placed at the side of the top portion of a baby’s head, a
`second cushioning member placed outside the ?rst cushion
`ing member for absorbing outside impacts, and a core
`member inserted betWeen the ?rst and second cushioning
`members.
`Anineteenth embodiment provides a head support accord
`ing to the fourteenth embodiment, Wherein at least either the
`head support body or the head guard incorporates the air
`cushioning structure. The air cushioning structure comprises
`an air reservoir forming predetermined space, and a shock
`absorbing portion surrounding the air reservoir for absorbing
`an outside impact by leaking air in the air reservoir at the
`time of deformation of the air reservoir due to an outside
`impact.
`A tWentieth embodiment provides a head support accord
`ing to the nineteenth embodiment, Wherein the shock
`absorbing portion includes a by-pass port communicating
`With the air reservoir.
`A tWenty-?rst embodiment provides a head support
`according to the nineteenth embodiment, Wherein the shock
`absorbing portion includes a notch communicating With the
`air reservoir.
`A tWenty-second embodiment provides a head support
`according to the nineteenth embodiment, Wherein the shock
`absorbing portion is composed of porous material.
`A tWenty-third embodiment provides a head support
`according to the fourteenth embodiment, Wherein at least
`either the head support body or the head guard incorporates
`an air cushioning structure. The air cushioning structure
`comprises a ?rst cushioning member having a plurality of
`?rst through holes, and a second and a third cushioning
`member at opposite sides of the ?rst cushioning member.
`The second and third cushioning members have a plurality
`of second and third through holes, respectively. The second
`and third through holes, Without facing each other, commu
`nicate With the ?rst through holes.
`When using the baby carrier of the ?rst embodiment of the
`invention, ?rst, a baby is received and supported in the
`carrier body. Then, the head guard is raised up. In this case,
`the baby carrier is used as a lateral support type. At this time,
`the back of a baby’s head is supported by the head support
`and the top of a baby’s head is protected by the head guard.
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 20
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`The head guard in this upright condition can prevent a baby
`from falling down from the upper portion of the baby carrier.
`When the present baby carrier is used as a longitudinal or
`vertical support, the head guard may be folded toward the
`back side of the head support, or the head guard may be
`removed from the head support as will be described in more
`detail below, whereby the back of a baby’s head is supported
`by the head support.
`Next, when the assembled baby carrier is switched from
`the vertical support to the lateral or horizontal support, the
`head guard is placed in a position extending away from the
`head support toward a baby’s head. In other words, the head
`guard that was folded toward the back side of the head
`support is raised up, or the head guard that was removed
`from the head support is fitted to the head support and raised
`up. In contrast, when the assembled baby carrier is switched
`from the lateral or horizontal support to the longitudinal or
`vertical support,
`the head guard that extended toward a
`baby’s head is folded toward the back side of the head
`support, or the head guard is removed from the head support.
`In this way, according to the invention,
`the switching
`operation between the longitudinal or vertical support and
`the lateral or horizontal support type can be performed easily
`by operating the head guard, and a baby can be prevented
`from falling out of the baby carrier when the baby is
`supported sideways.
`For holding a baby in the present baby carrier according
`to a second embodiment of the invention, first, a baby is
`placed on the carrier body. In this condition, the front cover
`portion is folded toward the baby’s torso and the crotch
`cover portion is opened as a bag. Thereby, the baby carrier
`is made ready for use.
`In use, the open crotch cover portion holds the baby’s
`crotch firmly and a baby is prevented from falling down
`from the lower portion of the baby carrier while the baby
`carrier is being used.
`When using the baby carrier as a lateral or horizontal
`support, the shoulder belts are placed on one shoulder of a
`carrying person with the head guard at the end of the head
`support in an extended position. At this time, the back of a
`baby’s head is supported by the head support and the top of
`a baby’s head is protected by the head guard. The head guard
`in this extended position prevents the baby from falling out
`of the upper portion of the baby carrier.
`In addition, when using the baby carrier as a longitudinal
`or vertical support, the head guard is folded into a non-use
`position. In other words,
`the head guard is folded back
`toward the back side of the head support, or the head guard
`is removed from the head support. In this condition, the
`shoulder belts are cross-hung on a carrying person’s shoul-
`ders. In this condition, the back of a baby’s head is supported
`by the head support.
`When the assembled baby carrier is switched from the
`longitudinal or vertical support to the lateral or horizontal
`support, it is merely necessary to simply raise up the head
`guard that was folded toward the back side, or fit
`the
`removed head guard to the head support and raise it up.
`When the assembled baby carrier is switched from the
`lateral or horizontal support to the longitudinal or vertical
`support, the head guard is simply folded in the extending
`position toward the back side of the head support, or the
`head guard is removed from the head support. In both cases,
`the shoulder belts can be used as they are by changing their
`placements on the carrying person’s shoulders.
`In this way, according to the second embodiment of the
`invention, the switching operation between the longitudinal
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`support and the lateral support can be performed with ease
`by operating the head guard, and a baby is protected against
`falling out of the upper and lower portions of the baby
`carrier when it is held laterally or sideways.
`For holding a baby in the baby carrier of a third embodi-
`ment of the invention, first, a baby is placed on the carrier
`body. In this condition, the front cover portion is folded
`toward the baby’s torso and the hook members beside the
`front cover portion are engaged with the corresponding
`annular members on the back cover portion. Thereby, the
`crotch cover portion is formed as a bag to hold the baby’s
`crotch. Next, first buckles of the shoulder belts are engaged
`with the second buckles beside the front cover portion to
`make the baby carrier ready for use.
`In use, the crotch cover forming a bag holds the baby’s
`crotch firmly and it protects the baby from falling down from
`the lower portion of the baby carrier while the baby carrier
`is being used.
`When using the baby carrier as a lateral of horizontal
`support, the shoulder belts are bundled and placed on one
`shoulder of a carrying person while the head guard at the end
`of the head support is in the extended position. At this time,
`the back of a baby’s head is supported by the head support
`and the top of a baby’s head is protected by the head guard.
`The head guard in this extended condition prevents the baby
`from falling out of the upper portion of the baby carrier.
`In addition, when using the baby carrier as a longitudinal
`or vertical support, the head guard at the end of the head
`support is folded toward the back side of the head support,
`or the head guard is removed from the head support. In this
`condition, the shoulder belts are cross-hung on the carrying
`person’s shoulders. At this time, the back of a baby’s head
`is supported by the head support.
`When the assembled baby carrier is switched from the
`longitudinal or vertical support to the lateral or horizontal
`support type, it is merely necessary to simply raise up the
`head guard that was folded toward the back side of the head
`support, or fit the removed head guard to the head support
`and raise it up. When the assembled baby carrier is switched
`from the lateral or horizontal support to the longitudinal or
`vertical support, it is merely necessary to simply fold the
`standing head guard toward the back side of the head
`support, or to remove the head guard from the head support.
`In both cases, the shoulder belts can be used as they are by
`changing their placements on the carrying person’s shoul-
`ders.
`
`In this manner, according to the third embodiment of the
`invention, similarly to the case of the second embodiment,
`the switching operation between the lateral or horizontal
`support and the longitudinal or vertical support can be
`performed with ease by operating the head guard, and a baby
`is protected against falling out of the upper and lower
`portions of the baby carrier when it
`is held laterally or
`sideways.
`is
`that
`The head support may be a separate element
`detachable from the carrier body or from the back cover
`portion, and a belt piece for guiding a nursing person’s hand
`may be provided at the outside of the head support.
`Preferably, the head guard is fixed to the back side of the
`head support. For this purpose the head guard has a sub-
`stantially convex or concave surface configuration, and the
`head guard extends towards the front side of the head
`support when the head guard is folded forward whereby the
`top of a baby’s head is protected by this extended head guard
`when a baby is supported sideways.
`The head guard may be releasably engagable with the
`head support. In this case, the head guard is fitted onto the
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 21
`
`Petitioner Ex. 1076 Page 21
`
`

`
`US 6,257,468 B1
`
`7
`head support when the head guard is needed at the time of
`lateral supporting a baby.
`At the time of fitting or securing the head guard to the
`head support, the head guard is extending toward the baby’s
`head side or front side of the head support. Alternatively, the
`head guard is attached on the back side of the head support.
`For this purpose the head guard has a substantially convex
`or concave surface configuration, and the head guard
`extends toward the front side of the head support when the
`head guard is folded toward the baby’s head side or front
`side.
`
`Preferably, the head guard includes a first sweat-absorbent
`cushioning member placed to face the top of a baby’s head,
`a second cushioning member for absorbing outside impacts
`is placed outside the first cushioning member, and a core
`member is inserted between the first and second cushioning
`members.
`
`At least either the head support or the head guard pref-
`erably includes an air cushioning structure. The air cush-
`ioning structure may incorporate an air reservoir forming
`predetermined space and a shock absorbing portion, which
`surrounds the air reservoir and absorbs an outside impact by
`leaking air from the air reservoir when the air reservoir is
`deformed by an outside impact.
`The shock absorbing portion may preferably have a
`by-pass port or a notch that communicates with the air
`reservoir, or the shock absorbing portion may be composed
`of porous material.
`At least either the head support or the head guard pref-
`erably includes the air cushioning structure. The air cush-
`ioning structure may incorporate a first cushioning member
`having a plurality of first through holes, and second and third
`cushioning members at both sides of the first cushioning
`member having a plurality of second and third through
`holes, respectively. The second and third through holes,
`without opposing each other, communicate with the first
`through holes.
`In this embodiment, because the second and third through
`holes of the second and third cushioning members do not
`oppose each other, an air resistance occurs in the air flow
`that leaks from the first through holes of the first cushioning
`member to the second and third through holes when an
`impact load is applied to the head support or the head guard
`whereby the first cushioning member is deformed. As a
`result, the impact load from outside is effectively absorbed.
`According to the head support for the baby carrier of a
`fourth embodiment of the invention, the head support can be
`used as a lateral or horizontal support by raising the head
`guard at the end of the head support, whereby the back of a
`baby’s head is supported by the head support and the top of
`a baby’s head is protected by the head guard. The head guard
`in this extended position can prevent a baby from falling out
`of the upper portion of the baby carrier.
`When using the head support as a longitudinal or vertical
`support, the head guard is folded toward the back side of the
`head support, or the head guard is removed from the head
`support, whereby the back of a baby’s head is supported by
`the head support.
`When the head support is switched from the longitudinal
`or vertical support to the lateral or horizontal support, the
`head guard is placed in its extended position by folding the
`head guard from its back side position to its extended front
`side position, or the head guard that was removed from the
`head support is secured to the head support and raised up.
`When the head support
`is switched from the lateral or
`horizontal support to the longitudinal or vertical support, the
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`head guard is folded toward the back side of the head
`support, or the head guard is removed from the head support.
`In this way, according to the fourth embodiment of the
`invention, the switching operation between the longitudinal
`or vertical support and the lateral or horizontal support is
`performed with ease by operating the head guard, and a baby
`is prevented from falling out of the baby’s head side when
`the baby is supported sideways.
`In addition, a belt piece for guiding a carrying person’s
`hand may be provided at the outside of the head support.
`Preferably, the head guard is fixed to the back side of the
`head support. For this purpose the head guard has a sub-
`stantially convex or concave surface configuration, and the
`head guard extends toward the front side of the head support.
`Thereby,
`the top of the baby’s head is protected by the
`extending head guard when the baby is supported sideways.
`The head guard may be releasably connectable with the
`head support. In this case, the head guard is attached to the
`head support when the head guard is needed at the time
`when the carrier is used as a lateral or horizontal support.
`At
`the time of attaching the head guard to the head
`support, the head guard extends toward the front side of the
`head support. Alternatively, when the head guard is secured
`to the back side of the head support the head guard has a
`substantially convex or concave surface configuration which
`permits folding the head guard from the back side position
`to the front side position in which the head guard extends
`toward a baby’s head.
`Preferably, the head guard includes a first sweat-absorbent
`cushioning member placed at the side of the top of a baby’s
`head, a second cushioning member for absorbing outside
`impacts. The second cushioning member is placed outside
`the first cushioning member, and a core member is inserted
`between the first and second cushioning members.
`At least either the head support body or the head guard
`preferably includes an air cushioning structure. The air
`cushioning structure may incorporate an air reservoir form-
`ing a predetermined space and a shock absorbing portion.
`The shock absorbing portion surrounds the air reservoir and
`absorbs an outside impact by leaking air in the air reservoir
`when the air reservoir is deformed by an outside impact.
`The shock absorbing portion may preferably have a
`by-pass port or a notch that communicates with the air
`reservoir, or may be composed of porous material.
`At least either the head support or the head guard pref-
`erably has an air cushioning structure. The