Recumbent Infant Carrier

Abstract

An infant carrier which supports one or more infants in a recumbent position on the back of a user. The infant carrier of present invention includes a central frame upon which an infant support assembly is mounted for carrying an infant in a position which supports the head, neck and body of the infant, so that an infant without sufficiently developed head and neck control may be carried safely and comfortably. The carrier includes a removable canopy for protecting carried infants from the elements. Additionally, the infant carrier enables a user to attach a storage bag or other items selected by the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to Canada Patent Application No. 2,779,671, which was filed on Jun. 7, 2012.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT[0003]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX[0004]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0005]The present invention relates to child carriers, in particular to a type of child carrier which supports one or more infants in a recumbent position on the back of a bearer.[0006]Child carriers which enable transporting a child on either the bearer's front or back torso are popular for transporting a child or infant while minimizing mobility restrictions and physical strain on the bearer. One type of available carrier includes a rigid frame to be mounted on a bearer's back, upon which a supportive restraining device is affixed for hold...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The infant carrier includes an infant support assembly comprising a back, seat and inclined sides which assure the recumbent position and stability of an infant in the carrier. The back and seat parts of the infant support assembly are set at an incline which encourages a safe and comfortable sitting position for the infant. The back, seat and sides of the infant support assembly are cushioned and upholstered with fabric to assure the infant's comfort and reduce physical shock. The infant support assembly also includes a restraining harness to further assure the infant's security within the carrier.

[0012]The present invention is an improvement of existing infant carriers in that it discloses a method for safely bearing an infant who lacks independent body control, particularly head and neck control, on a back-mounted carrier, particularly that the infant is supported in a recumbent position. The applicant's novel carrier enables a user to bear an infant in a back-mounted configuration from an earlier infant age than other carriers permit, thus allowing a user to enjoy the comfort of a back-mounted carrier sooner than is otherwise possible. Given that the most comfortable time for carrying an infant is typically during early infancy (when the infant generally is of least weight), applications of the present invention are well suited to the period of their greatest demand.

[0013]The present invention

Problems solved by technology

A common limitation of these designs is the absence of adequate support for infants with limited body control, in particular infants from 0 to 6 months of age.

The upright infant seating position described in existing back-mounted carriers does not provide adequate head and neck support for infants who have not developed independent control of their head and neck position, thus creating an injury hazard to infants who are placed in the carrier before having developed the requisite body control.

This hazard is widely

Images