INFANT CARRIER

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/825,045, filed September 8, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to child carriers and more specifically to shoulder-supported child carriers.

[0003] Various forms of infant carrying devices are known to alleviate the need for a person to carry an infant exclusively with his or her arms. For example, strollers are well known and provide a convenient way for caregivers to transport children with minimal physical exertion. While useful, strollers can be cumbersome in certain situations. Infant carriers that resemble backpacks are also known. Backpack type infant carriers are often provided with a pair of shoulder straps that receive a person's arms and extend over the wearer's shoulders. A carrying pouch is adapted to receive the infant, generally in an upright position, by defining a pair of leg openings through which the infant's legs extend. Some backpack-type carriers are configured such that the infant is positioned in front of the person wearing the carrier, while others are configured with the infant in the rear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In some embodiments, the invention may provide an infant carrier including a pouch having first and second ends. The pouch may define an infant-receiving chamber, an opening that extends between the first and second ends for positioning an infant within the chamber, and a ventilation aperture that communicates with the chamber. The infant carrier may also include a strap coupled to the pouch.

[0005] In other embodiments, the invention may provide an infant carrier including a pouch having sidewalls and a bottom wall. The sidewalls and the bottom wall may together define a chamber, and the sidewalls may define an opening communicating with the chamber. At least one of the sidewalls may also define a ventilation aperture that communicates with the chamber. The infant carrier may also include a strap coupled to the pouch.

[0006] In still other embodiments, the invention may provide an infant carrier that includes a pouch having first and second ends. The pouch may define an infant-receiving chamber, an opening that extends between the first and second ends for positioning an infant within the chamber, and a ventilation aperture communicating with the chamber and positioned proximate the first end. The pouch may also include a resilient band that extends around the opening. The infant carrier may further include a strap coupled to the pouch, a vent panel extending across the ventilation aperture, and a privacy cover that can be coupled to at least one of the pouch and the strap to overlie the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an infant carrier.

[0008] Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the infant carrier of Fig. 1.

[0009] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a strap portion of the infant carrier of Fig. 1.

[0010] Fig. 4 is an alternate front perspective view of the infant carrier of Fig. 1.

[0011] Fig. 5 is a front view of the infant carrier of Fig. 1

[0012] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the infant carrier of Fig. 1 donned by a wearer and carrying an infant.

[0013] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the infant carrier of Fig. 1 with a privacy blanket in place.

[0014] Before at least one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring to Figs. 1-7, an infant carrier 10 includes a pouch portion 14 and a strap portion 18. The pouch portion 14 is configured to support an infant, and the strap portion 18 is adapted to extend over a wearer's shoulder for support of the pouch portion 14 therefrom.

The pouch portion 14 is formed of an outer fabric that defines an outer surface 22, and an inner fabric coupled to (e.g. by sewing) the outer fabric and defining an inner surface 26, the inner surface defining a chamber 28 that receives the infant. The pouch portion 14 includes sidewalls 30 and a bottom wall 34. The sidewalls 30 and bottom wall 34 surround the chamber 28, and the sidewalls 30 cooperate to define an opening 42 that communicates with the chamber 28.

[0016] The pouch portion 14 includes a first pouch end 46 and a second pouch end 50, and the strap portion 18 includes a first strap end 54 and a second strap end 58. In the illustrated construction, appropriate placement of the infant will result in the infant's head being positioned adjacent the first pouch end 46, and the infant's feet being positioned adjacent the second pouch end 50. The first strap end 54 is coupled to the first pouch end 46, the second strap end 58 is coupled to the second pouch end 50. The strap portion 18 extends generally across the opening 42. The strap portion 18 includes an adjustment buckle 62 (see Fig. 3) positioned between the first strap end 54 and the second strap end 58 such that a length of the strap portion 18 can be adjusted.

[0017] In the illustrated construction, the strap portion 18 also includes a strap pocket 66 (see Figs. 2 and 3) positioned adjacent the first strap end 54. When worn, the strap pocket 66 is positioned substantially adjacent a wearer's chest. The strap pocket 66 includes a closure in the form of a zipper 70. Other closures devices, such as hook and loop closures, buttons, snaps and the like may also be utilized. The strap portion 18 also includes a padded portion 74. The padded portion 74 is positioned along the strap portion 18 such that, when worn, the padded portion extends over a wearer's shoulder. In some constructions, the padded portion 74 includes a portion of foam rubber that is enclosed within outer fabric of the strap portion 18. In other constructions, the padded portion 74 may include a padded sleeve through which the strap portion 18 extends. These and other constructions are each intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0018] The pouch portion 14 also includes an elastic member 78 that extends around the opening 42. The elastic member 78 is coupled to both the outer and inner surfaces 22, 26, and resiliently draws the opening 42 inwardly. When an infant is placed in the chamber 28, the elastic member 78 is configured to draw the sidewalls 30 more closely around the infant (see e.g. Fig. 6). The pouch portion 14 also includes at least one pouch pocket 82 provided along the sidewalls 30 between the first pouch end 46 and the second pouch end 50. Like the

strap pocket 66, the pouch pocket 82 includes a closure in the form of a zipper 70, however other closure devices may be utilized for the pouch pocket 82 as well.

[0019] Substantially adjacent the first pouch end 46, a vent panel 86 extends across an aperture defined by the pouch portion 14. In the illustrated construction, the aperture is defined by a first edge 90, at which the outer and inner surfaces 22, 26 converge with one another, and a second edge 94 defined by the elastic member 78. The vent panel 86 is coupled to the first and second edges 90, 94 and affords additional air flow into the chamber 28 adjacent to the first pouch end 46 (e.g., near the infants head when an infant is carried by the infant carrier 10, see Fig. 6). The vent panel 86 can be formed of any suitable fabric, such as a mesh or perforated material, having a sufficient number of openings or apertures to allow a relatively free flow of air from one side of the fabric to the other.

[0020] While the illustrated construction includes a single vent panel 86, additional panels or panels that extend along a greater extent of the pouch portion can also be provided. For example, an additional panel could be provided adjacent the first pouch end 46 but on the opposite side of the opening 42. Similar vent panels could also be provided adjacent the second pouch end 50. Alternatively, a single, substantially continuous vent panel could extend around the entire opening 42, such that the vent panel extends between and couples the outer and inner surfaces 22, 26 and the elastic member 78. These and other alternative configurations are each intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0021] The infant carrier 10 also includes a blanket 98 (see Figs. 1 and 7). The blanket 98 is stored in a blanket pocket 102 provided adjacent the second pouch end 50 of the pouch portion 14. The blanket pocket 102 is configured similarly to the pouch pocket 82 and strap pocket 66, but is sized and configured to provide storage space for the blanket 98. The blanket pocket 102 includes a closure device in the form of a zipper 70, however other closure devices (e.g. hook and loop closures, buttons, snaps and the like) could be utilized as well.

[0022] The blanket 98 is sized and configured to overlie and substantially completely cover the opening 42 of the pouch portion 14 when the blanket 98 is positioned over the opening 42. The blanket 98 and the pouch portion 14 are configured such that the blanket can be securely coupled to the pouch portion 14 and retained in a position in which the blanket 98 overlies the opening 42. Referring specifically to Fig. 4, the pouch portion is

provided with a pair of attachment members 106a, 106b. Each attachment member 106a, 106b is positioned at a respective one of the first and second pouch ends 46, 50. More specifically, the attachment member 106a is positioned substantially adjacent to where the first strap end 54 meets the first pouch end 46, and the attachment member 106b is positioned substantially adjacent to where the second strap end 58 meets the second pouch end 50. In the illustrated construction, each attachment member 106a, 106b is substantially T-shaped and is formed of a non-resilient deformable material.

[0023] The blanket 98 includes a first blanket end 110 and a second blanket end 114. Each blanket end 110, 114 defines an aperture 118 (see Fig. 7) that is configured to receive one of the attachment members 106a, 106b. To couple the blanket 98 to the pouch portion 14, the attachment member 106a is extended through one of the apertures 118 in the first or second blanket end 110, 114. The blanket is positioned to overlie the opening 42 and the attachment member 106b is extended through the aperture 118 in the other of the first or second blanket end 110, 114.

[0024] The T- shape and deformable nature of the attachment members 106a, 106b is such that the attachment members 106a, 106b can be manipulated to pass through the apertures 118, but the attachment members 106a, 106b will generally not release from the apertures 118 unless a wearer specifically manipulates the blanket 98 and attachment members 106a, 106b to do so. As discussed above, the blanket 98 is sized and configured to overlie the opening 42. In addition to overlying the opening to cover the infant, the blanket is also sized and configured, and can be therefore by utilized to provide privacy for a mother during nursing of her infant while the infant is carried by the infant carrier 10.

[0025] In addition to the padded portion 74 of the strap portion 18, the pouch portion 14 includes additional padded portions in the sidewalls 30 and the bottom wall 34. More specifically, the bottom wall 34 includes a padded portion extending along substantially its entire length, thereby providing cushioning for the infant if the infant carrier 10 is placed on a support surface with the infant positioned in the chamber 28. Additional padded portions can be provided adjacent the first pouch end 46 in one or both of the bottom wall 34 or the sidewall 30. The additional padded portion or portions can be positioned to function as a pillow that supports the head of the infant. Each padded portion can be stitched into the sidewall 30 or the bottom wall 34 between the outer and inner surfaces 22, 26. Additional or

alternative padded portions can be provided in the bottom wall 34 or sidewall 30 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0026] Although particular constructions of the present invention have been shown and described, other alternative constructions will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the intended scope of the present invention.