Baby sling

Abstract

There is provided a baby carrier comprising: a waistband capable of being stably secured to a user's waist, defining, in use, a closed path formed along a trajectory located on a transverse plane, and comprising a shoulder strap defining a surface formed perpendicular to the transverse plane along the trajectory; a support device comprising at least one rigid panel formed along a support plane; and a fastening device that fastens the waistband and the support device to each other in such a way that the panel can rotate relative to the shoulder strap about an axis of rotation formed along a portion of the trajectory defining at least a stable closed configuration in which the panel is in contact with the shoulder strap, and a stable maximally open configuration in which the panel is in contact with the shoulder strap. The panel has a stable, maximally open configuration in which the planes are substantially parallel to each other and / or the panel is closer to the shoulder strap, and a stable, maximally open configuration in which the planes are perpendicular to each other and the panel is farther from the shoulder strap, thereby defining a maximum angle of rotation between the planes about the axis of rotation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to baby carriers.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a baby carrier forming a baby seat, which can be attached to the body of a user, in particular at the waist or the pelvis. BACKGROUND

[0003] It is known that the use of devices such as baby slings allows the baby to remain in contact with the user's back or chest, which can cause the generation of a load applied vertically, which can be concentrated on the user's shoulders.

[0004] In an attempt to transfer the load to more comfortable areas, in recent years, baby carriers have been developed which comprise a waist belt to be worn around the wearer's waist and a support forming a seating surface for receiving the baby's hips, which is mounted on the waist belt and positioned so as to extend away from the wearer's abdomen.

[0005] Typically, the support is fixed or it can be opened and closed, i.e. it defines a closed position, in which it is substantially parallel to the abdomen and does not occupy the space perpendicular to the user's pelvis, and an open position, in which the support is oriented perpendicularly to the pelvis to allow the baby to be stably placed thereon.

[0006] The opening mechanism is typically formed by one or more hinges located between the waist belt and the support itself.

[0007] For example, such devices are described in patent documents KR-B-102205260, KR-B-102297120, KR-U-20100007127, US-B-10349754, KR-B-102205261, US-A-2024 / 180340 and US-A-20180296005.

[0008] The said prior art presents some significant drawbacks.

[0009] In particular, all the documents describe baby carrying devices whose support mainly implements two stable end positions. In particular, document KR-B-102297120 describes a support which can define a plurality of different stable intermediate positions between two determined end positions, in particular when the support is parallel to the surface defined by the waist belt and when the support is perpendicular to said surface.

[0010] Therefore, in fact, document KR-B-102297120 describes only one useful position for safely placing the baby on the support.

[0011] Therefore, the device described in KR-B-102297120, as well as all the other devices, are not easily adaptable to babies of different size and weight, nor are they suitable for use as the baby grows. SUMMARY

[0012] In this context, the technical task of the present application is to design a baby carrier which is able to substantially overcome at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0013] Within the scope of the technical task, one important aim of the present application is to achieve a baby carrier which allows to create a plurality of different stable support positions.

[0014] Therefore, another important aim of the present application is to provide a baby carrier which is easily adaptable to babies of different size and / or which promotes the growth of the baby.

[0015] The aforementioned technical task and specified aims are achieved by a baby carrier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] The features and advantages of the present application will be illustrated hereafter by describing a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 a schematic perspective view of a baby carrier according to the present application is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 a detailed longitudinal sectional view of a fastening device of a baby carrier according to the present application is shown;

[0019] Figure 3a a schematic side view of a baby carrier according to the present application in a closed configuration is shown;

[0020] Figure 3b a schematic side view of a baby carrier according to the present application in a first intermediate open configuration is shown;

[0021] Figure 3c a schematic side view of a baby carrier according to the present application in a second intermediate open configuration is shown; and

[0022] Figure 3d a schematic side view of a baby carrier according to the present application in a maximum open configuration is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In this text, measurements, values, shapes and geometric references such as perpendicularity and parallelism, when associated with words such as "approximately" or other similar terms such as "approximately" or "essentially", should be understood as there being a measurement error or inaccuracy due to production and / or manufacturing errors, and in particular a slight deviation from the values, measurements, shapes and geometric references associated therewith. For example, such terms, when associated with a value, preferably indicate a deviation of no more than 10% of the value itself.

[0024] Furthermore, terms such as "first", "second", "upper", "lower", "primary" and "secondary", as used herein, do not necessarily identify an order, a relationship of priority or a relative position, but can merely serve to distinguish different components more clearly.

[0025] Unless otherwise indicated, terms such as "processing", "informatics", "determining", "calculating", and the like, as shown in the following discussion, refer to the action and / or processes of a computer or similar electronic computing device manipulating and / or transforming data represented as physical quantities such as electronic quantities in the computer system and / or memory registers into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system, registers or other information storage, transmission or display devices.

[0026] Unless otherwise indicated, the measurements and data reported herein should be considered to be made in accordance with the International Standard Atmosphere, ICAO (ISO 2533:1975).

[0027] With reference to the drawings, the baby carrier according to the present application is indicated in its entirety by the number 1.

[0028] The baby carrier 1 is substantially adapted to support a baby, i.e. an infant or a child, which is lighter or smaller in size compared to an adult, on the front or on the back of the torso of the user.

[0029] The baby carrier is therefore adapted to allow positioning of the baby in front of the abdomen or on the back of the adult user, preferably.

[0030] To this end, the baby carrier 1 comprises at least one waistband 2.

[0031] The waistband 2 is capable of being stably attached to the waist of the user. The waistband 2 therefore defines a closed path in use, i.e. when applied on the body of the user.

[0032] The closed path is formed along a trajectory 2a. The trajectory 2a is substantially a closed virtual line which defines the extension path of the waistband 2.

[0033] The trajectory 2a lies on a transversal plane 2b. The transversal plane 2b is therefore a virtual plane along which the trajectory 2a is defined.

[0034] The waist belt 2 thus comprises shoulder straps 20.

[0035] The shoulder straps 20 are low-thickness flat deformable elements. The shoulder straps 20 thus define a surface formed perpendicularly to the transverse plane 2b along the trajectory 2a.

[0036] Preferably, the shoulder straps 20 are finished elements, thus defining two opposite ends that can be connected.

[0037] To this end, the waist belt 2 can comprise connection means 22.

[0038] The connection means 22 can be of conventional type, for example comprising a buckle with pin and hole, or of other type, quick-release or known in the prior art.

[0039] The connection means 22, if present, are located at the ends of the waist belt 2.

[0040] Preferably, the connection means 22 comprise Velcro® nylon fasteners. This configuration allows quick fastening and unfastening.

[0041] Furthermore, the shoulder straps 20 can have elasticity, so as to be able to be connected tightly around the user's waist.

[0042] In particular, but not exclusively, in this latter case, the shoulder straps 20 can be closed elements, i.e. closed belts that the user can wear and that cannot be opened.

[0043] Furthermore, the waist belt 2 can comprise a plate 21.

[0044] The plate 21, if present, is rigid. It is mainly a two-dimensional element; the plate 21 is thus firmly constrained to the shoulder straps 20 and superimposed on them. To this end, the plate 21 can be removably constrained to the shoulder straps 20.

[0045] It can thus define a reinforcement of the waist belt 2, for example adapted to be arranged in the support zone of the baby carrier 1.

[0046] In fact, the latter also comprises a support device 3.

[0047] The support device 3 is substantially an element adapted to form a baby seat. The support device 3 thus defines at least one support for receiving the baby's hips.

[0048] To this end, preferably, the support device 3 comprises at least one panel 30.

[0049] Like the plate 21, the panel 30 is mainly a two-dimensional element. It is thus adapted to be made in a baby seat. The panel 30 is preferably rigid, i.e. it does not structurally deform due to the weight of the baby.

[0050] Of course, the panel 30 is not necessarily a uniformly distributed and continuous element. In fact, for example, the panel 30 can be a perforated support element, comprising one or more slots, also arranged in a grid.

[0051] Furthermore, preferably, the panel 30 extends along the support plane 3a.

[0052] The support plane 3a is a virtual element along which the panel 30 is mainly formed. Therefore, the support plane 3a defines a reference plane of the panel 30, but the panel can also have a contact surface with the baby's hips, which is flat, or even shaped like a hip and therefore curved.

[0053] The baby carrier 1 also comprises fastening means 4.

[0054] The fastening means 4 fasten the waist belt 2 and the support means 3 to each other. In particular, the fastening means 4 connect the waist belt 2 and the support means 3 in such a way that the panel 30 can rotate about a rotation axis 4a with respect to the shoulder belt 20.

[0055] The rotation axis 4a extends along the partial trajectory 2a. Therefore, the orientation of the rotation axis 4a is such that the panel 30 can be pressed against the shoulder belt 20 or opened with respect to the shoulder belt.

[0056] In fact, the fastening means 4 define at least one closed configuration and one maximum open configuration.

[0057] Both configurations are stable, i.e. defined by the locked fastening means 4.

[0058] In detail, preferably, in the stable closed configuration, the planes 2b, 3a are substantially parallel to each other and / or the panel 30 is closer to the shoulder belt 20. The term "substantially" means that the planes 2b, 3a do not necessarily have to be strictly parallel, but can be slightly inclined, as Figure 3a shown.

[0059] On the contrary, in the stable maximum open configuration, the planes 2b, 3a are perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, preferably, the panel 30 is further away from the shoulder belt 20. Therefore, the panel 30 defines a maximum rotation angle a with respect to the shoulder belt 20, in particular between the planes 2b, 3a, about the rotation axis 4a.

[0060] As Figure 3d shown, the maximum rotation angle a is the widest opening angle between the panel 30 and the shoulder belt 20 from the closed configuration.

[0061] Advantageously, the fastening means 4 further define a plurality of stable intermediate open configurations. Even in the intermediate open configurations, the planes 2b, 3a are perpendicular to each other, each defining a different intermediate rotation angle b between the planes 2b, 3a.

[0062] Therefore, the intermediate rotation angle β is preferably comprised between 50° and the maximum rotation angle a.

[0063] The maximum rotation angle a is also advantageously different from each intermediate rotation angle β. Moreover, advantageously, the maximum rotation angle a is greater than 90° and less than 150°.

[0064] In other words, as shown in Figures 3b to 3d the fastening device 4 defines a plurality of different open configurations in which the panel 30 is open beyond the shoulder strap 20 of the waistband, so that, when the baby carrier 1 is in use, the lateral projection of the panel 30 towards the ground is located above the shoulder strap 20 with respect to the ground.

[0065] In a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, the fastening device 4 defines at least two intermediate open configurations. Therefore, the intermediate rotation angles β are equal to 90° and 110°, respectively.

[0066] Of course, the fastening device 4 can define additional intermediate open configurations in which the intermediate rotation angle β is equal to, for example, about 130°.

[0067] In this case, preferably, the maximum rotation angle a is equal to 145°.

[0068] From a structural point of view, the fastening device 4 can be implemented in various ways.

[0069] In a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, the fastening device 4 can comprise a first component 40, a second component 41 and a control mechanism 42.

[0070] The first component 40 is preferably fixed to the shoulder strap 20. If the plate 21 is present, the first component 40 is preferably directly connected to this plate; therefore, in this case, the fastening device 4 can loosely fasten the plate 21 and the panel 30 to each other.

[0071] In fact, the second component 41 is preferably fixed to the panel 30. Therefore, the second component 41 rotates with respect to the first component 40 about the rotation axis 4a.

[0072] On the contrary, the control mechanism 42 is configured to lock the first component 40 and the second component 41 to each other when in the open configuration, the maximum closed configuration and the intermediate closed configurations.

[0073] To this end, the control mechanism 42 can comprise, for example, a first slotted ring 42a which extends around the rotation axis 4a and which is integral with one of the first and second parts 40, 41. Furthermore, the control mechanism 42 can comprise a second slotted ring 42b which extends around the rotation axis 4a and which is integral with the other of the first and second parts 40, 41.

[0074] Furthermore, the control mechanism 42 can comprise a toothed slider 42c around the rotation axis 4a.

[0075] Thus, the slider 42c is preferably able to move along the rotation axis 4a according to a command. In this way, the slider 42c can define at least one coupled position and one decoupled position.

[0076] In the coupled position, the slider 42c engages along the rotation axis 4a with each of the rings 42a, 42b, so that they are locked in rotation with each other.

[0077] Thus, the slider 42c is at least in the coupled position in the different open configurations. Advantageously, therefore, at least one of the rings 42a, 42b comprises a recess which extends radially with respect to the rotation axis 4a only at the positions identifying the rotation angles a, b.

[0078] Conversely, in the decoupled position, the slider 42c engages along the rotation axis 4a with only one of the rings 42a, 42b, so that they are decoupled from each other in rotation.

[0079] To control the transition between the various positions, preferably the control mechanism 42 can comprise a counteracting device 43.

[0080] If present, the counteracting device 43 is elastic. Furthermore, the counteracting device 43 is configured to counteract the transition of the slider 42 from the coupled position to the decoupled position.

[0081] Of course, the control mechanism 42 can be implemented in other ways, including, for example, a one-way clutch, or an element which generates friction in the open configuration or even in other configurations.

[0082] Furthermore, the baby carrier 1 can comprise additional features.

[0083] For example, in order to cover, in particular, the fastening device 4, the support device 3 can comprise an enclosure 31.

[0084] The enclosure 31 can close and be connected to the waist belt 2. Thus, the enclosure 31 can encircle the panel 30 and the fastening device 4, so as to isolate them from the outside. The enclosure 31 can be openable and comprise, for example, a zip allowing access to the inside.

[0085] Furthermore, in order to improve safety, the baby carrier 1 can also comprise a tie firmly fixed to one or more of the panel 30, the shoulder strap 20, the plate 21 and the envelope 31 and also adapted to be additionally fastened to the user's shoulders or neck.

[0086] The operation of the baby carrier 1 described above from the structural point of view is as follows.

[0087] Basically, by means of the fastening means 4, a plurality of different open configurations can be obtained. In the different configurations, the panel 30 can be more or less close to the user's abdomen or back and therefore define different heights of the baby with respect to the body of the user who uses the baby carrier 1.

[0088] Therefore, the baby carrier 1 according to the present application achieves significant advantages.

[0089] In fact, as mentioned above, the baby carrier 1 makes it possible to achieve a plurality of different stable support positions in which the panel 30 defines different support heights.

[0090] Therefore, the baby carrier 1 is easily adaptable to different sizes of babies and / or promotes the growth of the baby, thus allowing, for example, the panel 30 to be stably lowered with respect to the body as the baby grows, i.e. moving the fastening means 4 from the maximum open configuration to different intermediate open configurations.

[0091] The present application is susceptible of modifications and variations within the inventive concept.

[0092] Within the scope of what has been described, all details can be replaced by equivalent elements, and the materials, shapes and dimensions can be anything.

Claims

1. A baby carrier (1), the baby carrier comprising: - A waist belt (2) capable of being securely fastened to the user’s waist, defining a closed path formed along a trajectory (2a) located on a transverse plane (2b) during use, and including a shoulder strap (20) defining a surface formed perpendicular to the transverse plane (2b) along the trajectory (2a); - Support device (3), the support device comprising at least one rigid panel (30) formed along the support plane (3a); and - A fastening device (4) that fastens the waist belt (2) and the support device (3) to each other in such a way that the panel (30) can rotate relative to the shoulder strap (20) about a rotation axis (4a), the rotation axis being formed along a portion of the trajectory (2a), thereby defining at least: - A stable closed configuration in which the planes (2b, 3a) are substantially parallel to each other and / or the panel (30) is closer to the shoulder strap (20), and - A stable maximum open configuration in which the planes (2b, 3a) are perpendicular to each other and the panel (30) is further away from the shoulder strap (20), thereby defining a maximum rotation angle (α) between the planes (2b, 3a) about the rotation axis (4a); And it is characterized by: The fastening device (4) further defines a plurality of stable intermediate open configurations, in which the planes (2b, 3a) are perpendicular to each other, and each of the plurality of stable intermediate open configurations defines a different intermediate rotation angle (β) between 50° and the maximum rotation angle (α) between the planes (2b, 3a), and - The maximum rotation angle (α) is different from each of the intermediate rotation angles (β), being greater than 90° and less than 150°.

2. The baby carrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The fastening device (4) defines at least two of the intermediate open configurations, and the intermediate rotation angles (β) are equal to 90° and 110°, respectively.

3. The baby carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The maximum rotation angle (α) is equal to 145°.

4. The baby carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The fastening device (4) includes: - First component (40), the first component is integral with the shoulder strap (20), - A second component (41), which is integral with the panel (30) and is rotatable relative to the first component (40) about the rotation axis (4a), and - Control mechanism (42) configured to lock the first component and the second component (40, 41) together when in the open configuration, the maximum closed configuration and the intermediate closed configuration.

5. The baby carrier (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The control mechanism (42) includes: - A first slotted ring (42a), formed around the rotation axis (4a) and integral with one of the first component and the second component (40, 41). - A second slotted ring (42b), formed around the rotation axis (4a) and integral with the other of the first and second components (40, 41), and - A toothed slider (42c), the toothed slider being about the rotation axis (4a) and capable of moving along the rotation axis (4a) according to a command, thereby defining at least: - At the engagement position, the slider (42c) engages with each of the rings (42a, 42b) along the rotation axis (4a), such that they lock into each other during rotation, and - Disengaged position, in which the slider (42c) engages with only one of the rings (42a, 42b) along the axis of rotation (4a), such that they disengage from each other during rotation; - At least one of the rings (42a, 42b) includes a groove formed radially relative to the axis of rotation (4a) only at a location such as that indicating the rotation angle (α, β).

6. The baby carrier (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The control mechanism (42) includes an elastic countermeasure (43) configured to counteract the transition of the slider (42) from the connected position to the disengaged position.

7. The baby carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The support device (3) includes a cover (31) which is connected to the waist belt (2) and surrounds the panel (30) and the fastening device (4) to isolate them from the outside.

8. The baby carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The waist belt (2) includes a rigid plate (21) fixed to and superimposed on the shoulder strap (20), and the fastening device (4) fastens the plate (21) and the panel (30) to each other.

9. The baby carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the baby carrier further comprising a strap integrally secured to one or more of the panel (30), the shoulder strap (20), the plate (21) and the cover (31) and adapted to further secure to the user's shoulder or neck.

10. The baby carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The belt (2) includes a connecting device (22) located at its end, the connecting device including a Velcro nylon buckle.

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