Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – Carrier for person
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-17
2001-02-13
Vidovich, Gregory M. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
Carrier for person
C224S159000, C224S270000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186381
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a carrier worn by an adult for carrying a child, and more particularly to a multi-function child carrier capable of supporting a child, in either a sitting or a prone position, at different locations on the wearer's torso, particularly on the chest and back.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is relatively fast, easy and convenient for an adult to carry a child on the hip. A baby or young child likes to be carried on an adult's hip with his legs straddling the adult. However, the adult often has to bend to a uncomfortable position to retain the child on the hip. Men, particularly, have a difficult time carrying a child in this manner.
As a child grows, the most convenient method of carrying the child changes with the size and weight of the child. For example, newborn infants, who are themselves unable to hold onto an adult, are often carried high up on the chest of an adult. Older toddlers may prefer to be carried on the adult's hip as described above, but this can be uncomfortable and even painful for the adult, especially as the child grows and gains weight. For still older, stronger children, a preferred method is to carry the child on the back, with the child holding onto the adult's shoulders.
There has been a need, therefore, for a device which assists adults in supporting and transporting children in the three modes described above. Adapted for use on the chest, hip, or back, such a child carrier retains its utility as the adult's or the child's needs change.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A child carrier includes a belt adapted for encircling the torso of the wearer and a selectively removable seat assembly. The belt is generally wider than three inches and includes means for attaching a seat assembly as well as an elastic portion providing longitudinal elasticity. The width and elasticity of the belt provide orthopedic support as well as abdominal support for the wearer, and the elasticity further enables the belt to expand with the wearer's chest so as not to interfere with breathing or cause discomfort.
In use, the belt is cinched about the torso, the seat assembly is engaged in the seat attachment means, and a child is supported on the seat. The child's weight, therefore, is distributed by the belt to a relatively large area of the wearer's torso. Suspenders may be included to distribute the child's weight further to the shoulders of the wearer, and also to prevent downward slippage of the belt.
While the seat assembly is conveniently removable independent of the belt, the invention also encompasses the selective attachment of a plurality of seat assemblies to accommodate multiple children simultaneously. Further, the invention also encompasses adjustable seat attachment means and suspender attachment means, such that the same size belt may offer versatility and accommodate wearers of greatly different sizes.
The seat assembly is capable of operating in two different modes, depending upon which side of the seat is facing upward. One side of the seat is adapted to support a child in a seated position, while the opposed side of the seat is adapted to support a child in a supine position. The seat assembly may be removed from the seat attachment means, inverted, and reinserted to accommodate a child in the desired manner.
The child carrier described herein is capable of being worn low on the torso, around the waist or hips, for carrying a child at the hip, and it is also adapted for use high on the torso, around the chest, for cradling a child in the arms or for carrying a child on the back.
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