Child carrying device

Abstract

A child carrying device (2, 58, 60) comprises a front panel (4, 62) configured to provide a seat and a back support (106) for a child (30), two shoulder supports attached to an upper end (14, 16) of the front panel (4, 62) and configured for retaining the front panel (4, 62) on each shoulder of a user (46, 50), and a waist support (22, 80) attached to or integrated into a bottom end (18, 20) of the front panel (4, 62), wherein the front panel (4, 62) comprises a first lateral section (6, 64) and a second lateral section (8, 66) releasably connectable through an openable coupling device (28, 86) to form a continuous front panel (4, 62), wherein the coupling device (28, 86) extends through the waist support (22, 80) to selectively divide the waist support (22, 80) member.

Description

[0001] Child carrying device

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a child carrying device, in particular a shoulder carrying device for children.

[0004] Background of the invention.

[0005] Child carrying devices are pieces of equipment designed to facilitate the transportation of young children while maintaining the mobility of the user who is using the child carrying device to carry a child. Typically, these devices comprise a frame or structured fabric that safely and comfortably holds the child in place. The child's weight is evenly distributed on shoulder and waist straps. A large variety of these devices exists. In common child carrying devices, in which the child is carried in the front of the user, the user must apply several straps to their body, connect them to a front panel and adjust them before the child can be taken into the carrying device. The latter is typically accomplished by opening the front panel, folding it down to give access to the interior of the carrying device, holding the child in place while folding up and closing the front panel again.

[0006] Summary of the invention.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to propose an improved child carrying device that is easy to put on, and in which the child can easily be placed.

[0008] This object is met by a child carrying device having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further improvements may be gathered from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0009] A child carrying device is proposed, comprising a front panel configured to provide a seat and a back support for a child, two shoulder supports attached to an upper end of the front panel and configured for retaining the front panel on each shoulder of a user, and a waist support attached to or integrated into a bottom end of the front panel, wherein the front panel comprises a first lateral section and a second lateral section releasably connectable through an openable coupling device to form a continuous front panel, wherein the coupling device extends through the waist support to selectively divide the waist support.

[0010] The front panel is to be understood as an individual part that will be placed in front of the user when using the child carrying device. The front panel will be held in place on the torso of the user by the remaining structure of the child carrying device, in order to safely support the child to be carried. Preferably, the front panel comprises a fabric material that provides comfortable carrying conditions. It is sufficiently flexible to adapt its shape to the size and shape of the carried child and sufficiently tensile to absorb the weight of the child. Primarily, it may provide for a seating function and a back rest function when the child is placed with its back forward. However, the child may also be carried the other way round with its back rearward, leaning on the user and being supported by the front panel in the chest area. Then, the front panel provides for a seating function and a front support.

[0011] One end of each shoulder support is attached to an upper end of the front panel. The respective other end of each shoulder support may be attached to a back panel, to a side fastening member, to a lower part of the front panel or to another part or location of the child carrying device in order to provide a closed load-transferring structure with the front panel. The shoulder supports will be placed on the shoulders of the user. The two shoulder supports may be connected to each other behind the back of the user. Using a back panel attached to the shoulder supports is advantageous, as the child carrying device can be fit to a greater variety of body sizes.

[0012] At the bottom end of the front panel, a waist support is arranged. The waist support may be configured to ensure a snug fit with the user for an even distribution of the weight of the child. It may generally be belt- or strap-shaped. The waist support may be made of a material that is both durable and flexible, allowing for a combination of strength and comfort. The waist support is intended to be arranged or wound around the waist of the user to transfer weight loads into the waist of the user and to maintain the alignment of the child carrying device. Preferably, the waist support is configured to enclose the iliac crest, providing a stable anchor point that mitigates slippage and maximizes load transfer. The waist support may comprise a broader base at the lower back, tapering towards the front, to align with the natural contours of the body and enhance stability. For an optimum performance, the waist support may maintain a balance between rigidity and flexibility, enabling it to conform to the user’s movements while sustaining the weight load.

[0013] The shoulder support and / or the waist support may include padding or cushioning at pressure points to prevent skin irritation and to distribute pressure resulting from the weight of the child more evenly. They may comprise straps to allow a lengthadjustment.

[0014] The coupling device may be understood as a device that is capable of releasably coupling / connecting two parts of the child carrying device, i.e. the first lateral section and the second lateral section. Preferably, the coupling device is configured to safely maintain the achieved connection. The coupling device may particularly be configured to achieve a tension-proof connection of the two lateral sections.

[0015] The shoulder supports, the waist support and any other fastening members shall be positioned to allow for secure tightening without impeding movement or causing discomfort.

[0016] According to the invention, the front panel comprises the first lateral section and the second lateral section that can be connected to or separated from each other. The first lateral section and the second lateral section may thus form a continuous front panel when both are connected through the coupling device. The ability of dividing and connecting the two lateral sections allows to easily place the child into the carrying device or to take it out. Since the coupling device extends through the waist support, the front side of the child carrying device can be opened completely. Hence, it can be put on like a vest, without having to connect or attach loose ends of straps, when the coupling device is completely opened.

[0017] When the coupling device is not opened completely, i.e., when the waist support is not opened completely, the child carrying device is held on the user and allows to place the child into it. The front panel is open to a certain extent to give room for the child and without the user having to close several fasteners one after another to secure the child.

[0018] As will be apparent, shoulder supports, the waist support and / or other parts that may be adjustable, can remain in their adjusted state, as only one independent coupling device needs to be operated to take off or put on the child carrying device.

[0019] In this context, the “upper end” of the front panel may be formed by upper ends of both lateral sections. In the following the upper end of the front panel and the upper ends of the lateral sections are used as synonyms. The same applies to the “bottom end”, which may be formed by bottom ends of both lateral sections.

[0020] The coupling device may comprise a zip fastener. A zip fastener allows to reliably and safely couple the first lateral section and the second lateral section. Zip fasteners are available in a large variety of sizes and strengths. They allow to maintain a closed position of the waist support simply by letting a bottom part of it remain closed, while the remaining part of the zip fastener can be opened. By moving a zip pull all the way down to a completely opened position, the child carrying device can be put on just like a jacket or a vest. Closing the zip fastener can be done simply by pulling the zip pull into the closed position again. Zip fasteners are simple to integrate into the child carrying device and their color and appearance can be selected to conform the respective design of the front panel.

[0021] The coupling device may comprise buttons, Velcro, buckles, snaps, hooks, ties, drawstrings, laces or other fasteners. Substantially every kind of fastener may be used, and it depends on the type of fastener, how simple the child carrying device can be opened or closed.

[0022] The waist support may comprise a releasable locking device configured to prevent the waist support from dividing. The locking device, for example, may be arranged directly beneath the front panel, at the bottom end of the front panel, or an upper part of the waist support and reach over the coupling device. The locking device may follow one of various working principles. It may directly interact with the coupling device, for example by actively preventing that the coupling device can be opened at the waist support. However, the locking device may also provide an additional, independent coupling between two opposed ends of the waist support, such that they may remain connected independently of the state of the coupling device. Merely as an example, the locking device may block a zip pull from being pulled along the waist support.

[0023] The locking device may comprise a locking flap that is releasably attachable to both the first lateral section and the second lateral section at the same time. One end of the locking flap may be fixedly attached to one of the panel sections or one of the opposed ends of the waist support. The other end of the locking flap may be releasably attachable to the other one of the panel sections or the other one of the opposed ends of the waist support. The locking flap may comprise a dimension in the vertical direction that corresponds to a vertical extension of the waist support. However, it may comprise a vertical extension that is clearly smaller than that of the waist support. For example, it may be half the size, 1 / 3 the size or less. It may be attached with a fastener, such as a hook or a button, as stated above.

[0024] The skilled person understands that instead of a locking flap another type of locking device could be used, for example a buckle, a strap, a Velcro element and other.

[0025] The locking flap may be fixedly attached to one of the first lateral section and the second lateral section and may be releasably attachable to the other one of the first lateral section and the second lateral section, wherein the locking flap may be configured to locally cover the zip fastener to prevent a zip pull of the zip fastener from passing the locking flap to divide the waist support. By applying or removing the locking flap, the zip pull of the zip fastener is prevented from being pulled over the waist support, such that the waist support remains closed. A user, who puts on the child carrying device may, for example like a vest, closes the waist support by a zip fastener and applies the locking flap. Then, a child can safely be placed into the child carrying device. Afterwards, the remaining part of the zip fastener can be closed by pulling the zip pull upwards.

[0026] The child carrying device may comprise two side fastening members attached to opposite sides of the front panel beneath the upper end, wherein the side fastening members and the shoulder supports may extend from the front panel to a back panel, and wherein the side fastening members and the shoulder supports may be attached to the back panel. The side fastening members are preferably configured to reach around the torso of the user underneath the arms or shoulders to the back, where the back panel serves as an interface to the other side fastening member and both shoulder supports. The combination of side fastening members and shoulder supports allow a very safe and sturdy support for the front panel. The side fastening members may be provided in the form of belts. The width of these may be smaller than the width of the shoulder supports and of the waist support.

[0027] The side fastening members may be length-adjustable. Thus, the side fastening members are capable of adjusting the child carrying device to the torso of the user. Due to advantageous design of the child carrying device, the side fasteners may remain adjusted also after taking off and putting on the child carrying device again.

[0028] The waist support may be formed by a belt that is closable by the coupling device. The belt may be integrated into the front panel to form a lower part of it or it may be a separate part that is attached to the bottom end of the front panel. The belt shall be sufficiently wide and thick to establish a comfortable support of the child's weight while also allowing to wear the child carrying device comfortably. The belt may be continuous, i.e. closed, at the back side of the child carrying device and may be separable at the front side through the coupling device.

[0029] The waist support may be length-adjustable. A buckle may be used for adjusting the length of the belt by pulling or releasing a part of the belt through the buckle. The buckle may thus comprise a strap adjuster. A length adjustment mechanism may be placed at the front of the waist support such that it is easily accessible by the user when the child carrying device is already put on. If the coupling device is arranged in the center of the front panel, the length adjustment mechanism may be arranged off-center, i.e. lateral to the coupling device. The length adjustment mechanism may, however, also be arranged in the rear of the child carrying device. For comfortably adjusting the length of the waist support, the child carrying device may be put on back to front and the user may adjust the length by handling the length adjustment mechanism that is now in front of the user. When the length adjustment is accomplished, the child carrying device may be turned around again, such that the coupling device is arranged in the front of the user. In analogy to the side fastening members, the adjustment of the waist support may also remain after taking off and putting on the child carrying device again.

[0030] The first lateral section and the second lateral section may be mirror-symmetrical. This provides a harmonic appearance and an intuitive way of opening and closing the child carrying device. The user may be used to wearing jackets or vests in which a zip fastener is arranged in the center of its front. The user thus does not have to adapt to the use of the child carrying device. However, it is not ruled out that the coupling device does not symmetrically divide the front panel. For example, the coupling device may be arranged off center and / or it may be arranged inclined to a vertical axis. This may improve the process of placing a child into the child carrying device.

[0031] Each of the first lateral section and the second lateral section may comprise an upper extension, which may be independently and releasably connectable to form an upper head support. The extension may be opened separately / independently from the remaining part of the front panel. For example, the extensions could be opened for smaller children, as the head of the child might be located further downwards. The extensions may be used to increase the size of the front panel for comfortably carrying larger children.

[0032] The front panel may comprise leg supports arranged at the bottom ends of the lateral sections, wherein the leg supports may be configured to bulge outwardly to form a trough-like support surface for the upper thighs of the child, and wherein the leg supports may be laterally adjustable to accommodate different leg spans of children. The leg supports may be formed from padded or otherwise soft fabric elements that may be integrated into or attached to lower lateral edges of the front panel. The leg supports may be shaped to protrude outwardly from the front panel, creating a concave surface that cradles the thighs of the child. A lateral adjustability may be achieved by mounting the leg supports to be slidable or using adjustable fasteners such as buttons or hook-and-loop elements that allow the supports to be repositioned closer together or further apart. The adjustability enables the user to configure the leg supports to provide knee-to-knee support for smaller children or a wider seating base for larger children.

[0033] The front panel may comprise a neck support extending between the upper ends of the lateral sections, wherein the neck support may be foldable and securable in an upward or downward position, and wherein the neck support may be configured to support the neck of the child in both inward and outward carrying positions. The neck support may be constructed from a padded fabric strip that spans the upper edge of the front panel and that is attached to the lateral sections near the shoulder supports. It may be dimensioned to extend above the top edge of the front panel when unfolded, providing vertical support for the neck and head of the child. The foldability may be achieved by allowing the neck support to hinge or bend along a horizontal seam, and it may be secured in the upward or downward position using buttons, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, pockets or other elements. In the upward position, the neck support may provide additional height to the front panel for supporting the child’s upper back and neck, while in the downward position, it may be stowed behind the front panel or folded externally to accommodate smaller children or outward-facing positions.

[0034] The waist support may be vertically adjustable relative to a back panel via a back strap, wherein the back strap may be configured to vary the vertical position of the waist support on the torso of the user to adapt the carrying height of the child based on its size or developmental stage. The back strap may be a length-adjustable webbing element that connects the waist support to the back panel, which is itself connected to or integrated into the shoulder supports and side fastening members. The back strap may be secured using a buckle and / or a strap adjuster that allows the user to lengthen or shorten the back strap. By adjusting the length of the back strap, the vertical position of the waist support on the torso of the user can be raised or lowered. This adjustment enables the user to position the child higher on the chest for newborns or lower on the abdomen for older children, without altering the fit of the shoulder or side fastening members.

[0035] In general, the child carrying device may comprise a fabric material that is breathable, thereby helping in regulating body temperature and maintaining comfort during extended periods of use.

[0036] Short description of the drawings

[0037] In the following description this invention will be further explained by way of exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings:

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a child carrying device in a front view.

[0039] Fig. 2 shows the child carrying device of Fig. 1 in a rear view.

[0040] Fig. 3 shows the child carrying device of Fig. 1 with modifications in a front view.

[0041] Figs. 4 and 5 show the child carrying device in use.

[0042] Fig. 6 shows a child carrying device in a front view with leg supports and a neck support in an upward position.

[0043] Fig. 7 shows the child carrying device of Fig. 6 in a rear view with a vertically adjustable waist support. Figs. 8 and 9 show the child carrying device of Fig. 6 in perspective views with the neck support folded up and leg supports extended.

[0044] Figs. 10 and 11 show the adjustment and release of a side fastening member of the child carrying device.

[0045] Figs. 12 and 13 show the process of putting on the child carrying device and inserting a child.

[0046] Fig. 14 shows the removal of a child from the child carrying device with the front panel partially opened.

[0047] Figs. 15 and 16 show the child carrying device in use with a larger child in an inward-facing position.

[0048] Figs. 17 and 18 show the child carrying device in use with a smaller child and the neck support folded down.

[0049] Fig. 19 shows the child carrying device in a rear view while worn by a user.

[0050] Figs. 20 and 21 show the child carrying device in use with a larger child in an outward-facing position and the neck support folded down externally.

[0051] Detailed description of the invention

[0052] Fig. 1 shows a child carrying device 2 in a front view. The child carrying device 2 comprises a front panel 4 that is configured to provide a seat and a back support for a child. The front panel 4 is made from a fabric material, at least for the most part. It may comprise stiffening or shape-defining elements made from wires or plastic that have a higher stiffness than the fabric material, but still remain deformable. The front panel 4 comprises a first lateral section 6 and a second lateral section 8. Merely as an example, both lateral sections 6 and 8 are symmetric and mirror- inverted. Two shoulder supports 10 and 12 are connected to an upper end of the front panel 4, i.e. at an upper end 14 of the first lateral section 6 and at an upper end 16 of the second lateral section 8 (shown with dashed lines). Their exemplary shapes are shown in more detail in Fig. 2.

[0053] A waist support 22 is attached to a bottom end of the front panel 4, i.e. a bottom end 18 of the first lateral section 6 and a bottom end 20 of the second lateral section 8. The waist support 22 has two opposed ends 24 and 26 at the front of the device 2. The waist support 22 is provided in the form of a belt. Exemplarily, it is padded to provide a comfortable fit to the user. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the front panel 4, and the waist support 22 can be divided by opening a coupling device 28, which is exemplarily provided in the form of a zip fastener. The coupling device 28 vertically extends through the whole front panel 4 and the whole waist support 22. It is configured to selectively open or close the front of the child carrying device 2 like a jacket or a vest. The child carrying device 2 thus can be easier put on than known child carrying devices, which require connecting and adjusting a plurality of belts and straps.

[0054] The coupling device 28 in the form of a zip fastener comprises a zip pull 30, which can be moved by a user of the child carrying device 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the zip fastener 28 is open when the zip pull 30 is in the lowermost position, and it is closed when the zip pull 30 is in its uppermost position. In Fig. 1, the zip pull is in an uppermost position, thereby connecting both lateral sections 6 and 8 as well as the opposed ends 24 and 26 of the waist support completely. Consequently, the child carrying device 2 is closed. A child, that sits in the device 2 is comfortably held on the body of the user and supported by the front panel 4.

[0055] For taking out or putting in the child, the zip pull 30 can be moved downwards to gradually divide the lateral sections 6 and 8. The child carrying device 2 remains held on the body of the user when the waist support 22 is closed. The divided lateral sections 6 and 8 can be widened or opened outwards to gain access to the interior of the child carrying device 2. When the child has been taken out of the child carrying device 2, the child carrying device 2 can afterwards be taken off by completely opening the coupling device 28 to divide the two opposed ends 24 and 26 of the waist support 22. When the child has been placed into the child carrying device 2, the coupling device 28 can be completely closed to safely hold the child.

[0056] In addition to the shoulder supports 10 and 12 and the waist support 22, side fastening members 32 and 34 are provided. They are placed below the upper edges 14 and 16 approximately at a lower part of an upper third of the lateral sections 6 and 8, e.g. above a vertical center of the front panel 4. They provide additional support of the child carrying device 2 on the torso of the user, in particular in a lateral direction.

[0057] To prevent the waist support 22 from being opened inadvertently, a locking device 36 may be provided, which is shown in more detail in Fig. 4. In this exemplary embodiment shown there, the locking device 36 is designed in form of a locking flap, e.g. made from a fabric material, that is attached to one of the ends 26 of the waist support 22, and can be connected to a part near the other one of the ends 24. This may be done by a button 38 arranged on a lose end of the locking flap 36. When the locking flap 36 is closed, the user can pull the zip pull 30 only to a position where it reaches the locking flap 36. For example, when the zip fastener 28 is closed and the locking flap 36 is closed, the zip pull 30 can only be pulled down to the locking flap 36 and the waist support 22 remains closed. Thus, the locking flap 36 supports to maintain the connected state of the two opposed ends 24 and 26. For taking off the child carrying device 2 by completely opening it, the locking flap 36 needs to be detached by opening the button 38. When putting on the child carrying device 2 and after closing the waist support 22, the locking flap 36 needs to be closed to provide the protective function again.

[0058] Fig. 2 shows the child carrying device 2 in the rear view. Here, a back panel 40 is shown, which acts as an interface between the shoulder supports 10 and 12 as well as the side fastening members 32 and 34. The back panel 40 may be made from a fabric material that corresponds to the fabric material of the front panel 4. It may be sufficiently tensile to allow a transfer of tensile forces between the shoulder supports 10 and 12 and the side fastening members 32 and 34.

[0059] It is apparent that the side fastening members 32 and 34 are adjustable in length through buckle connections 42. The buckle connections 42 may comprise or be provided in the form of strap adjusters. Furthermore, the waist support 22 has a buckle connection 44 at its rear side, which allows to adjust the length of the waist support 22. For this, the user may put on the child carrying device 2 by closing the coupling device 28 only partly to close the waist support 22, turning the child carrying device 2 back to front, and pulling or releasing an adjustment belt 45 in the buckle connection 44. The buckle connection 44 may thus comprise or be provided in the form of a strap adjuster. However, the adjustment belt 45 may have a sufficient length to reach it when the child carrying device 2 is put on in the right orientation.

[0060] Exemplarily, additional fabric tabs 46 and 48 extend between the lateral sections 6 and 8 and the waist support 22. Exemplarily they are wider at the waist support 22 than vertically above. The fabric tabs 46 and 48 may support the shape and seating function for the child.

[0061] Each of the first lateral section 6 and the second lateral section 8 exemplarily comprises an upper extension 54 and 56, respectively. They may be folded down or up, depending on the size of the child to be carried. By connection them to each other, e.g. through an additional fastener (not shown herein) they form an upper head support. For smaller children they may be removed or folded down, while they provide an additional length for the lateral sections for larger children.

[0062] In Fig. 3, a child carrying device 58 is shown, which is similar to the child carrying device 2. However, the upper extensions 54 and 56 are replaced by lateral sections 6 and 8 that extend further upwards. For adapting the size of the front panel 4 to the child to be carried, the degree of closing the coupling device 28 can be chosen. In Figs. 4 and 5 it is shown how the child carrying device 2 can be put on and how a child can be placed inside. The illustration of the child carrying device 2 here slightly differs from Figs. 1 and 2.

[0063] Fig. 4 shows a user 50, who is putting on the child carrying device 2 like a vest. Each arm 52 of the user 50 is inserted between a shoulder support 10 or 12 and an associated side fastening member 32 or 34. The waist support 22 is closed through the coupling device 28 being partly closed. The lateral sections 6 and 8 remain divided to gain access to the interior of the child carrying device 2. The locking flap 36 can be engaged to secure the closed state of the waist support 22.

[0064] In Fig. 5, the user 46 places the child into the child carrying device 2 with the lateral sections 6 and 8 being divided from each other, while the waist support 22 is closed.

[0065] Fig. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment in the form of a child carrying device 60 in a front view. The device 60 has a front panel 62, which forms a seat and a back support for a child. The front panel 62 is primarily made from a fabric, but may include flexible stiffening elements as explained with regard to the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The front panel 62 has two lateral sections 64 and 66, which are designed in a mirror-inverted way. Shoulder supports 68 and 70 are attached to upper ends 72 and 74 of the lateral sections.

[0066] A waist support 80, which is realized in the form of a waist belt, e.g. a padded waist belt, is attached to bottom ends 76 and 78 of the lateral sections 64 and 66. Front ends 82 and 84 of the waist support 80 can be joined or separated using a coupling device 86, such as a zip fastener, which runs vertically through the front panel 62 and the waist support 80. This allows the child carrying device 60 to open like a vest, which simplifies the use of the device 60 compared to traditional carriers.

[0067] The exemplary zip fastener 86 comprises a zip pull 88, which closes the device 60 when pulled up and opens it when pulled down. To insert or remove the child, the zip pull 88 is moved downward, separating the lateral sections 64 and 66. The waist support 80 remains fastened, allowing access to the interior, but holding the child carrying device 60 on the user. After placing the child, the zip fastener 86 is closed again for secure support. In Fig. 6, the zip pull is in an upper section of a lower half of the zip fastener 86, keeping the waist support 80 closed, but an upper half of the lateral sections 64 and 66 open. In this state, a child may be inserted or removed from the device 60.

[0068] Side fastening members 90 and 92 in the form of side straps are located below the upper ends 72 and 74 for providing tension and adjusting the fit of the child carrying device 60 to provide lateral stability. To prevent accidental opening of the child carrying device 60, a locking device 94 is included. In this exemplary embodiment it is provided in the form of a locking flap 94 attached to the first lateral section 64 and has a button 96 configured to releasably connect the locking flap 94 to the second lateral section 66. When closed, the locking device 94 restricts the movement of the zip pull 88, as the zip pull 88 cannot pass the locking device 94 to the front ends 82 and 84 of the waist support 80.

[0069] At the first lateral section 64 and the second lateral section 66, just above the waist support 80, leg supports 98 and 100 are provided. The leg of the child may rest on the leg supports 98 and 100, which bulge outwards and form a trough-like support surface for the upper thighs of the child. If a small infant is to be carried, the leg supports 98 and 100 may be slid slightly inwards to ensure knee-to-knee support of the child. The leg supports 98 and 100 may be released by buttons 101 (see Fig. 17).

[0070] At the top of the front panel 62, a neck support 116 is arranged. The neck support 116 laterally extends from behind the shoulder support 68 to behind the shoulder support 70. The neck support 116 is shown in a folded-up position and secured with neck support buttons 118. Thus, the front panel 62 is extended in an upwards direction to accommodate larger children. It can, however, be folded down behind the front panel 62 to accommodate smaller children (see e.g. Figs. 17 and 18). The neck support 116 is exemplarily provided in the form of a padded with a length exceeding the distance between the shoulder supports 68 and 70 and the top of the front panel 62.

[0071] Fig. 7 shows a rear view of the child carrying device 60. The height of the waist belt 80 on the user affects how high the child sits. For newborns, the waist belt 80 should be placed high on the torso, above the hip bones, to keep the baby close and supported. As the child grows, the waist belt 80 can be worn lower for comfort. The height of the waist belt 80 can be adjusted by adjusting a back strap 102. The back strap 102 exemplarily extends from a back pocket 104, through which the waist belt 80 is fed through, to a back support 106, which may also be referred to as back panel 106. The distance between the waist support 80 and the back panel 106 can be adjusted by a strap adjuster 103, through which the back strap 102 is fed. The distance can be reduced or increased to alter the height of the waist support 80 on the user.

[0072] The waist belt 80 may have two rear ends in the form of waist belt straps 108 and 110, which are fed through strap adjusters 112 and 114, which allow to adjust the effective length of the waist belt 80. The strap adjusters 112 and 114 are exemplarily attached to or hidden inside the back pocket 104. The waist belt straps 108 and 110 can be adjusted to fit the user and then remain in their present state until further adjustment is required. Figs. 8 and 9 show the child carrying device 60 in two perspective views from different perspectives. Here, the neck support 116 is folded up and secured with the neck support buttons 118. The leg supports 98 and 100 are slid outwards. Thus, the child carrying device 60 is prepared to accommodate larger children.

[0073] Figs. 10 and 11 show the process of adjusting and releasing the side fastening member 90. The side fastening member 90 has a long strap 90a attached to a buckle 90c with an end piece forming a short strap 90b. The long strap 90a extends from the buckle 90c to the back panel 106 through a lug 91, and back to the buckle 90c, forming a loop to allow length adjustment through the buckle 90c. By pulling the long strap 90a (see Fig. 11), the child carrying device 60 is tightened. By pulling the short strap 90b (see Fig. 10), the side fastening member 90 is untightened. It is to be understood, that both side fastening members 90 and 92 are identical, but preferably mirror-inverted. To tighten the child carrying device 60, both side fastening members 90 and 92 are to be tightened. The child carrying device 60 should be comfortably tight, with the tummy and chest of the baby held close against the body of the user. To make space for the child as it is taken in and out, the side fastening members 90 and 92 shall be fully released / untightened.

[0074] Figs. 12 and 13 show the process of putting on the child carrying device 60 and inserting a baby. In Fig. 12, the user 50 has taken the child carrying device 60 on like a vest and is in the process of closing the waist belt 80 by advancing the frond ends 82 and 84 of the waist support 80 to each other to close a lower section of the coupling device 86. In Fig. 13, the lower section of the coupling device 86 is closed. To avoid inadvertent opening, the locking device / locking flap 94 is closed, too. The user 50 moves a child 30 into the child carrying device.

[0075] Fig. 14 shows the user 50 taking the child 30 out of the child carrying device 60 again. For this, the coupling device 86 is opened up to a position, where the zip pull 88 is just above the locking device 94. The child carrying device 60 opens sufficiently to comfortably handle the child 30.

[0076] Fig. 15 shows the child carrying device 60 on a user 50 with a larger child 30 in a front view. The neck support 116 is upward and supports the neck of the child 30. Fig. 16 shows a lateral view of this. The child’s legs being supported by the fully outward leg supports 98 and 100 is illustrated.

[0077] Fig. 17 and 18 show the user 50 with a smaller child 30 in the child carrying device 60, with the neck support 116 being folded in. This means that the neck support 116 is folded at a horizontal line at or near the top of the front panel 62 to be arranged beneath the top of the front panel 62, between the front panel 62 and the child 30. To accommodate the smaller legs of the child 30, the leg supports 98 and 100 are slid inwards. Fig. 19 shows the user 50 wearing the child carrying device 60 in a rear view. The extension of the back strap 102 as well as the waist belt straps 108 and 110 are clearly illustrated.

[0078] Figs. 20 and 21 show the user 50 with a larger child sitting in the child carrying device in an outward carrying position, i.e., the child 30 looks away from the user 50. This could be useful for children exceeding an age of roughly 6 months. Here, the neck support 116 is folded down on the outside of the front panel 62, wherein opposite lateral edges of the neck support 116 are inserted into support pockets 120 at the upper side of the front panel 62. For accommodating the legs of the child 30, the leg supports 98 and 100 are completely slid inwards.

[0079] Reference numerals

[0080] 2 child carrying device

[0081] 4 front panel

[0082] 6 first lateral section

[0083] 8 second lateral section

[0084] 10 shoulder support

[0085] 12 shoulder support

[0086] 14 upper end (first lateral section)

[0087] 16 upper end (second lateral section)

[0088] 18 bottom end (first lateral section)

[0089] 20 bottom end (second lateral section)

[0090] 22 waist support

[0091] 24 one end of the waist support

[0092] 26 one end of the waist support

[0093] 28 coupling device

[0094] 30 zip pull

[0095] 32 side fastening member

[0096] 34 side fastening member

[0097] 36 locking device

[0098] 38 button

[0099] 40 back panel

[0100] 42 buckle connection

[0101] 44 buckle connection

[0102] 45 strap

[0103] 46 fabric tab

[0104] 48 fabric tab

[0105] 50 user

[0106] 52 arm

[0107] 54 upper extension

[0108] 56 upper extension

[0109] 58 child carrying device

[0110] 60 child carrying device

[0111] 62 front panel

[0112] 64 first lateral section

[0113] 66 second lateral section

[0114] 68 first shoulder support

[0115] 70 second shoulder support

[0116] 72 upper end of first lateral section

[0117] 74 upper end of second lateral section

[0118] 76 bottom end of first lateral section

[0119] 78 bottom end of second lateral section 80 waist support

[0120] 82 first front end of waist support

[0121] 84 second front end of waist support

[0122] 86 coupling device / Zip fastener

[0123] 88 zip pull

[0124] 90 side fastening member

[0125] 90a long strap

[0126] 90b short strap

[0127] 90c buckle

[0128] 91 lug

[0129] 92 side fastening member

[0130] 94 locking device / locking flap

[0131] 96 button

[0132] 98 leg support

[0133] 100 leg support

[0134] 101 buton

[0135] 102 back strap

[0136] 103 strap adjuster

[0137] 104 back pocket

[0138] 106 back panel / back support

[0139] 108 waist belt strap

[0140] 110 waist belt strap

[0141] 112 strap adjuster

[0142] 114 strap adjuster

[0143] 116 neck support

[0144] 118 neck support button

[0145] 120 support pocket

Claims

CLAIMS1. A child carrying device (2, 60), comprising: a front panel (4, 62) configured to provide a seat and a back support for a child, two shoulder supports (10, 12, 68, 70) attached to an upper end of the front panel (4, 62) and configured for retaining the front panel (4, 62) on each shoulder of a user, and a waist support (22, 80) attached to or integrated into a bottom end (18, 20, 76, 78) of the front panel (4, 62), wherein the front panel (4, 62) comprises a first lateral section (6, 64) and a second lateral section (8, 66) releasably connectable through an openable coupling device (28, 86) to form a continuous front panel (4, 62), wherein the coupling device (28, 86) extends through the waist support (22, 80) to selectively divide the waist support (22, 80).

2. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device (28, 86) comprises a zip fastener (28).

3. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling device (28, 86) comprises buttons, Velcro, buckles, snaps, hooks, ties, drawstrings, laces or other fasteners.

4. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the waist support (22, 80) comprises a releasable locking device (36,94) configured to prevent the waist support (22, 80) from dividing.

5. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to claim 4, wherein the locking device (36, 94) comprises a locking flap (36, 94) that is releasably attachable to both the first lateral section (6, 64) and the second lateral section (8, 66) at the same time.

6. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to claims 2 and 5, wherein the locking flap (36, 94) is fixedly attached to one of the first lateral section (6, 64) and the second lateral section (8, 66) and is releasably attachable to the other one of the first lateral section (6, 64) and the second lateral section (8, 66), andwherein the locking flap (36, 94) is configured to locally cover the zip fastener (28, 86) to prevent a zip pull (30, 88) of the zip fastener (28, 86) from passing the locking flap (36, 94) to divide the waist support (22, 80).

7. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising two side fastening members (32, 34, 90, 92) attached to opposite sides of the front panel (4, 62) beneath the upper end (14, 16, 72, 74), wherein the side fastening members (32, 34, 90, 92) and the shoulder supports (10, 12, 68, 70) extend from the front panel (4, 62) to a back panel (40, 106), and wherein the side fastening members (32, 34, 90, 92) and the shoulder supports (10, 12, 68, 70) are attached to the back panel (40, 106).

8. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to claim 7, wherein the side fastening members (32, 34, 90, 92) are length-adjustable.

9. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the waist support (22, 80) is formed by a belt that is closable by the coupling device (28, 86).

10. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the waist support (22, 80) is length-adjustable.

11. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first lateral section (6, 64) and the second lateral section (8, 66) are mirror-symmetrical.

12. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first lateral section (6, 64) and the second lateral section(8, 66) comprises an upper extension (54, 56), which are independently and releasably connectable to form an upper head support.

13. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front panel (4, 62) comprises leg supports (98, 100) arranged at the bottom ends (18, 20, 76, 78) of the lateral sections (6, 8, 64, 66), wherein the leg supports (98, 100) are configured to bulge outwardly to form a trough-like support surface for the upper thighs of the child, and wherein the leg supports (98, 100) are laterally adjustable to accommodate different leg spans of children.

14. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the front panel (62) comprises a neck support (116) extending between the upper ends (14, 16, 72, 74) of the lateral sections (6, 8, 64, 66), wherein the neck support (116) is foldable and securable in an upward or downward position, and wherein the neck support (116) is configured to support the neck of the child in both inward and outward carrying positions.

15. The child carrying device (2, 60) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the waist support (22, 80) is vertically adjustable relative to a back panel (40, 106) via a back strap (102), wherein the back strap (102) is configured to vary the vertical position of the waist support (22, 80) on the torso of the user to adapt the carrying height of the child based on its size or developmental stage.

Images