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

The present invention is an improvement of infant carriers in that it provides a method for safely and comfortably carrying an infant on a back-mounted carrier from an early age, and while distributing the infant's weight over their head, back, or legs. The infant support assembly is cushioned and upholstered for the infant's comfort and to reduce physical shock. Additionally, the invention discloses a device that simultaneously ensures secure and comfortable distribution of the infant's weight and optimizes their position on the carrier. The infant support assembly is mounted on the carrier's central frame and can be adjusted to the bearer's body size, allowing for flexibility in positioning. Overall, the invention improves the design and flexibility of infant carriers while ensuring the safety and comfort of the infant.

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 known; the user instructions of infant carriers which hold the infant in an upright position commonly include advisories discouraging users from bearing an infant in the carrier until the infant has developed independent head control.

The same limitation of the upright infant seating position is known in infant carriers constructed of soft materials.

Despite these improvements, such devices nonetheless restrict a user to carrying an infant on the chest until the infant has developed independent head and neck control.

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