BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a baby carrier or baby nursing supporter for use
in carrying a baby as supported therein.
[0002] Generally, two types of baby carriers (baby nursing supporters) are known, namely,
the band type and the bag type.
[0003] A band-type baby carrier, as described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application
Laid-Open No. 2-71359, is comprised of a plurality of bands provided in combination
and includes a crotch portion for supporting the crotch of the baby, a back portion
for supporting the back of the baby, and shoulder strings for the baby nursing person.
[0004] A bag-type baby carrier, as described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication
No. 4-17064, includes a bag-like nursing supporter body comprising a crotch cover
portion, a back cover portion, and a front cover portion for supporting the baby,
and shoulder strings for the baby nursing person.
[0005] The baby carrier of the conventional band type permits easy entry and egress of the
baby relative to the nursing supporter body, but has a drawback that the baby is not
supported at sides so that the baby may become inclined toward one side. This presents
the problem of lack of stability in the support of the baby. Especially in the case
of a baby who is not well steady in posture, such inclined posturing may often occur.
[0006] The conventional bag-type baby carrier provides good support stability not only in
forward and rearward directions, but also in lateral directions, thus enabling the
baby to be stably supported. However, the baby carrier of this type has a disadvantage
that the bag-like configuration of the nursing supporter body is inconvenient for
entry and egress of the baby relative to the nursing supporter body.
[0007] As such, with a view to overcoming aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art baby carriers,
there has been proposed a baby carrier having a carrier body comprising a front cover
portion, a crotch cover portion, and a back cover portion for supporting the baby
which are integrally formed in continuation (see Japanese Utility Model Publication
No. 61-25400).
[0008] However, this kind of baby carrier, in use, involves opening and closing of the carrier
body by means of a pair of tightening belts, which operation is rather cumbersome.
Another problem is that the carrier body may sometimes be irregularly tightened depending
upon the manner in which the tightening belts are manipulated in closing the carrier
body. This leads to the lack of stability in the support of the baby.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention has been developed in order to solve aforementioned problems
with the prior art, and accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide a
baby carrier which permits easy entry and egress of the baby relative to the baby
carrier and which can support the baby in a stable and accurate manner.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a baby carrier which can be adjustably
used according to the status of growth of the baby or the physical aspect of the baby.
[0011] Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following
description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012]
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a baby carrier in developed condition which represents
one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the baby carrier in developed condition;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a head support of the baby carrier;
Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line IV-IV in Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the baby carrier as adjusted in width by means of
a width adjuster;
Fig. 6 is a front view of a waist belt for the baby carrier;
Fig. 7 is a front view of the baby carrier in assembled condition;
Fig. 8 is a side view of the baby carrier in assembled condition;
Fig. 9 is an illustration exemplary of one aspect of the baby carrier in use;
Fig. 10 is an illustration exemplary of another aspect of the baby carrier in use;
Fig. 11 is an illustration exemplary of a further aspect of the baby carrier in use;
Fig. 12 is a view showing a modified form of the head support;
Fig. 13 shows another modification of the head support in fragmentary sectional view,
Fig. 13A showing a lateral projection in unextended condition, Fig. 13B showing the
lateral projection in extended condition;
Fig. 14 is a front elevation of a baby carrier in developed condition which represents
another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 15 is a rear elevational view of the baby carrier in developed condition (in
Fig. 14);
Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing a ring member and a buckle with a protective
cover which constitute a fastening unit at the shoulder belt side of the baby carrier
(Fig. 14);
Fig. 17 is a side view for explaining the engagement of the shoulder belt side ring
member with a back cover portion side hook member in the baby carrier (Fig. 14);
Fig. 18 is a front view of the baby carrier (Fig. 14) in assembled condition;
Fig. 19 is a front elevation of a baby carrier in developed condition which represents
a further embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 20 is a rear elevational view of the baby carrier in developed condition (shown
in Fig. 19);
Fig. 21 is a front view of the baby carrier (Fig. 19) in assembled condition;
Fig. 22 is a side view of the baby carrier in assembled condition (Fig. 21);
Fig. 23 is a front view of the baby carrier in assembled condition in the case where
the baby carrier is dimensionally reduced in the direction of thickness of the baby's
torso;
Fig. 24 is a side view of the baby carrier in assembled condition (in Fig. 23);
Fig. 25 is an illustration exemplary of one aspect of the baby carrier (Fig. 19) in
use;
Fig. 26 is an illustration exemplary of another aspect of the baby carrier (Fig. 19)
in use;
Fig. 27 is a front elevation of a baby carrier in developed condition which represents
another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 28 is a rear elevational view of the baby carrier in developed condition (shown
in Fig. 27);
Fig. 29 is an enlarged perspective view of a slip-off preventive device and adjacent
portion of the shoulder belt of the baby carrier;
Fig. 30 is a front view of the baby carrier (Fig. 27) in assembled condition;
Fig. 31 is a view for explaining the operation of the slip-off preventive device;
Fig. 32 is a view showing a modified form of the slip-off preventive device;
Fig. 33 is a view showing another modification of the slip-off preventive device;
Fig. 34 is a further modification of the slip-off preventive device;
Fig. 35 is a view showing a cover-equipped buckle prior to engagement;
Fig. 36A is a perspective view showing the cover-equipped buckle in a cover-released
condition, Fig. 36B being a side view thereof;
Fig. 37 is a view showing the cover-equipped buckle after being brought into engaged
condition; and
Fig. 38 is a view showing one example of application of the cover-equipped buckle
in which the buckle is applied to a baby carriage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] As Figs. 1 and 2 show, the baby carrier 1 includes a carrier body 2. The carrier
body 2 comprises a front cover portion 3, a narrow crotch cover portion 4, and a back
cover portion 5 which are integrally formed in continuation to respectively support
the abdomen, crotch and back portions of the baby. For the convenience of description,
upper and lower portions in Figs. 1 and 2 are hereinafter respectively referred to
as the upper portion and the lower portion, of the baby carrier.
[0014] A pair of downwardly extending shoulder belts 6, 6' are provided below the front
cover portion 3. The shoulder belts 6, 6' have respective wider portions 6a, 6'a formed
therein whereby the load applied to the nursing person may be reduced. The shoulder
belts 6, 6' are provided at respective upper portions thereof with one-touch buckles
10, 10' which constitute a fastening device. The shoulder belts 6, 6' are further
provided at respective lower ends with length-adjustable belt members 11, 11' and
the belt members 11, 11' have one-touch buckles 12, 12' mounted at their forward ends.
[0015] The shoulder belts 6, 6', at their upper ends, are interconnected by a connecting
band 13. This connecting band 13 serves to prevent the shoulder belts 6, 6' from slipping
off or becoming disengaged from the shoulder of the nursing person.
[0016] At respective upper ends of the shoulder belts 6, 6' are provided buckle covers 14,
14' for respectively covering the one-touch buckles 10, 10' after the baby carrier
1 having been assembled. The buckle covers 14, 14' are fitted respectively with locking
hooks 17, 17'. The shoulder belts 6, 6' are fitted at upper portions thereof with
locking hooks 18, 18', as well as 19, 19', so that the locking hooks 18, 18' are releasably
engageable with the locking hooks 17, 17' of the buckle covers 14, 14'.
[0017] At a lower portion of the crotch cover portion 4 there are provided belt members
15, 15' extending therefrom in opposite lateral direction. These belt members 15,
15' are fitted at their respective distal ends with one-touch buckles 16, 16' which
are removably engageable with one-touch buckles 12, 12' disposed at the lower ends
of the shoulder belts 6, 6'.
[0018] Projecting obliquely upward from upper opposite ends (shoulder portions) of the back
cover portion 5 are side supports 25, 25' for supporting sides of the baby's torso.
The side supports 25, 25' are provided at their respective upper ends with obliquely
upwardly extending belt members 20, 20' which are longitudinally adjustable. The belt
members 20, 20' are respectively fitted with one-touch buckles 21, 21' which constitute
a fastening device, the one-touch buckles 21, 21' being releasably engageable with
the one-touch buckles 10, 10' of the shoulder belts 6, 6' respectively.
[0019] The side supports 25, 25' are provided with locking hooks 26, 26' which are releasably
engageable with locking hooks 27, 27' attached to the front cover portion 3 at opposite
sides thereof.
[0020] A head support 30 for supporting the baby's head from behind is provided on the top
of the back cover portion 5. Opposite side portions 32, 32' of the head support 30
are fitted with locking hooks 33, 33' at their respective distal ends. These locking
hooks 33, 33' are releasably engageable with the locking hooks 19, 19' affixed to
respective upper portions of the shoulder belts 6, 6'.
[0021] The head support 30, as Fig. 3 shows, comprises a surface cloth having a pad 40 of
three-layer structure therein. In Fig. 3, the side designated by character A is the
back side of the baby's head (rear side of the baby carrier 1), and the side designated
by character B is the outer side (front side of the baby carrier 1). The three-layer
structure of the pad 40 comprises, sequentially from the A side, perspiration absorbent
cotton (first cushioning material) 41 as soft cushioning material, medium cushioning
material (third cushioning material) 42, such as urethane material, and hard cushioning
material (second cushioning material) 43 , such as expanded polyethylene. At the exterior
side of the expanded polyethylene material 43 there is fitted a hard plate-like core
material 44.
[0022] In this way, by placing the three-layer pad 40 in the head support 30, it is possible
to obtain an advantage such that the cotton 41 can softly hold the back of the baby's
head and can alleviate any external impact of comparatively low level (any load involving
a comparatively long time period until a peak is reached). The expanded polyethylene
material 43 can lessen any external impact of comparatively high level. Further, the
urethane material 42 can lessen any external medium impact. By virtue of such arrangement,
it is possible to effectively protect the back of the baby's head against various
possible external impacts.
[0023] When the baby has grown to the stage that he or she can hold his or her head steady,
supporting the baby's head may not necessarily be required. Therefore, it may be arranged
that the head support 30 is removably attached to the back cover portion 5 by using
adhesive cloth means, locking hooks, or the like. Such removable arrangement of the
head support 30 permits the baby carrier 1 to be folded without being bulky.
[0024] A width adjuster device 50 for adjusting the width of the carrier body 2 is provided
at a lower median portion of the front cover portion 3. As Fig. 4 illustrates, the
width adjuster device 50 comprises a pocket cloth 52 and a pair of strings 53, respective
ends of the strings 53 being sewn, together with the pocket cloth 52, to face cloth
51 of the front cover portion 3. When the strings 53 are pulled in a flaring direction,
the face cloth 51 is contracted widthwise so that the widthwise dimension H of the
carrier body 2 can be made smaller (see Fig. 5). Thus, size adjustment can be effected
according to the chest measurements of the baby.
[0025] Further, by adjusting the belt members 20, 20' of the side supports 25, 25' in length,
it is possible to effect size adjustment thicknesswise of the torso of the baby.
[0026] Thus, by virtue of the width adjuster device 50 and belt members 20, 20', the baby
carrier 1 can be employed in nursing babies of different physical constitutions. Further,
the baby carrier 1 may be used for a comparatively long period of time with respect
to one baby from babyhood to infancy.
[0027] The crotch cover portion 4 is provided with a belt loop 55 which is adapted to be
removably fitted with a waist belt 60, as shown in Fig. 6, through openings at opposite
ends of the belt loop 55 (see Fig. 1).
[0028] The waist belt 60 comprises an elongate belt portion 61, length-adjustable string
members 62, 62' affixed to the belt portion 61 at opposite ends thereof, and one-touch
buckles 63, 63' fitted to the string members. By using the waist belt 60 it is possible
to spread the weight of the baby over a wider area thereby to lighten the load applied
on the nursing person. Further, use of the waist belt 60 can prevent possible lateral
deflection in position of the baby.
[0029] When receiving a baby into the baby carrier 1, necessary procedure is that with the
front side of the baby carrier 1 (Fig. 1) directed toward the nursing person, the
shoulder belts 6, 6' are first placed on the shoulders of the nursing person so that
the one-touch buckles 12, 12' at the distal ends of the shoulder belts are respectively
brought into engagement with the one-touch buckles 16, 16' of the belt members 15,
15' (as indicated by chain lines in Figs. 1 and 2). The shoulder belts 6, 6' are suitably
adjusted in length by means of the belt members 11, 11'. In this case, the rear side
of the baby carrier 1 (Fig. 2) is exposed to the outside.
[0030] In this condition, the nursing person will hold the baby in arm and, while raising
the back cover portion 5 of the carrier body 2 by one arm, the nursing person will
draw the baby, together with the back cover portion 5, closer to him or her. Then,
using one hand the nursing person will fit the one-touch buckle 21' of the side support
25' to the one-touch buckle 10' into engagement. Likewise, one-touch buckle 21 is
fitted to one-touch buckle 10 into engagement. Thus, the baby is received into the
baby carrier 1. In this way, assembling of a baby carrier is performed by means of
one-touch buckles. This permits easy assembling, and easy, uniform side tightening
of the baby carrier 1, thus making it possible to support the baby in a stable manner.
[0031] After fitting of one-touch buckles, buckle covers 14, 14' are wrapped around respective
one-touch buckles, being then fastened by locking hooks 17, 18 and 17', 18' (see Fig.
7). By so doing it is possible to prevent one-touch buckles 10, 10' from being exposed
on the baby side. In Fig. 7, buckle cover 14 only is shown.
[0032] In this case, the baby carrier 1 may be previously adjusted in size by using belt
members 20, 20' and/or width adjuster 50 according to the body size of the baby under
nursing, in order to ensure more accurate support of the baby within the baby carrier
1.
[0033] Subsequently, respective locking hooks 26, 26' of side supports 25, 25' are caused
to engage locking hooks 27, 27' of the front cover portion 3. Then, respective locking
hooks 33, 33' of side portions 32, 32' of the head support 30 are caused to engage
locking hooks 19, 19' at upper portions of the shoulder belts 6, 6'.
[0034] Thus, a baby carrier 1 is assembled (see Figs. 7 and 8), and the baby is accommodated
in the baby carrier 1 (see Fig. 9). In this case, sides of the baby's body are supported
by the pair of side supports 25, 25'. Therefore, the baby can be stably and accurately
supported within the baby carrier 1.
[0035] Only when respective one-touch buckles 21, 21' of the side supports 25, 25' are caused
to engage respective one-touch buckles 10, 10' of the shoulder belts 6, 6', the carrier
body 2 can assume a bag-like configuration, and this provides for easy entry and egress
of the baby.
[0036] It may be arranged that side portions 32, 32' of the head support 30 are received
into pockets provided at the head support 30 as illustrated in Fig. 10. This arrangement
provides right and left fields of view for the baby. Further, in summer hot climate
condition in particular, such arrangement provides good ventilation for the head of
the baby.
[0037] When the baby has grown so that he or she can hold his or her head steady, head support
30 is no longer required. In that case, the head support 30 may be removed, as shown
in Fig. 11.
[0038] For the head support 30 in the above described embodiment, one of the type shown
in Figs. 12 and 13 may be employed.
[0039] The head support 30 shown in Fig. 12 differs from the one used in the previous embodiment
in that projections 32, 32' which project from the head support body 31 in opposite
lateral directions are larger in length than those in the previous embodiment, and
in that locking hooks 33, 33' are provided in pluralities (three each in the present
embodiment).
[0040] Locking hooks to be engaged by the locking hooks 19, 19' of the baby carrier 1 are
suitably selected from these sets of locking hooks 33, 33', whereby the size of the
space for housing the baby's head can be varied. Thus, it is possible to arrange for
size adjustment according to the difference between individual babies in head size
(physical difference) or the degree of growth of one particular baby in respect of
head size.
[0041] The head support body 31 is fitted at a lower portion thereof with locking hooks
34 for fastening the head support body 31 to the carrier body 2 of the baby carrier
1. For this purpose, the back cover portion 5 of the carrier body 2 is provided with
locking hooks for engagement by the locking hooks 34.
[0042] By using such locking hooks 34 it is possible to mount the head support 30 to a baby
carrier other than the baby carrier of the present embodiment. Through this arrangement,
therefore, a baby carrier having no head support can provide accurate support of a
baby's head by using a separate head support.
[0043] As is the case with the head support 30 in the previous embodiment, the one shown
in Fig. 12 has a head support body 31 incorporating a three-layer pad 40. By virtue
of this pad 40, therefore, it is possible to effectively protect the head of the baby
from various external shocks.
[0044] The head support 30 shown in Fig. 13 is identical with that of the previous embodiment
in that projections 32, 32' (projection 32 only shown in Fig. 13) are each provided
with one locking hook 33, 33'. However, it is different from the head support of the
previous embodiment in that the projections 32, 32' are each partially comprised of
an elastic bag-like rubber cloth 36. The rubber cloth 36 has a core material 37 incorporated
therein.
[0045] In this case, respective projections 32, 32' vary in length through expansion and
contraction of the rubber cloth 36 (see Fig. 13A, 13B) and accordingly the space for
accommodating a baby's head can be varied in size. Thus, it is possible to effect
size adjustment according to the difference between individual babies in head size
or the degree of growth of a baby in respect of head size. The elastic coefficient
of the rubber cloth 36 is preferably of such a small order that the rubber cloth easily
expands under the weight of the baby's head leaning against the head support 30.
[0046] Figs. 14 to 18 illustrate a baby carrier representing another embodiment of the invention.
In these figures, reference numerals or characters identical with those in the previous
embodiment designate like or corresponding parts.
[0047] As Figs. 14 and 15 show, baby carrier 70, as in the previous embodiment, includes
a front cover portion 3, a crotch cover portion 4, and a back cover portion 5 which
are integrally formed in continuation.
[0048] Respective shoulder belts 6, 6', provided at a lower site of the front cover portion
3, are fitted at their upper portions with generally D-shaped ring members 80, 80'
operative as fastening means. These ring members 80, 80' are respectively fitted at
their base portions with belt members 91, 91' extending in the direction in which
the shoulder belts 6, 6' extend. The belt members 91, 91' are fitted at their distal
ends with protective cover-equipped buckles 90, 90' operative as fastening means for
respective shoulder belts 6, 6'.
[0049] Protective cover-equipped buckle 90, as Fig. 16 shows, comprises a one-touch buckle
92 to which a distal end portion of the belt member 91 is affixed, and a protective
cover 93 for covering a manipulator portion 92a of the one-touch buckle 92. The protective
cover 93 is pivotally supported on a pin 94 which is inserted into the one-touch buckle
92, and is adapted to assume a closed position (position shown by solid line) for
covering the manipulator portion 92a and an open position (position shown by chain
line) such that the cover is pivotally moved away from the manipulator portion 92a.
The protective cover 93 has an opening 93a which is adapted to receive one-touch buckle
21.
[0050] It is noted that Fig. 16 illustrates only protective cover-equipped buckle 90 at
the belt member 91 side. The protective cover-equipped buckle 90' at the belt member
91' side is of similar construction, of which description is therefore omitted.
[0051] One-touch buckles 12, 12' fitted to the distal ends of belt members 11, 11' at lower
ends of respective shoulder belts 6, 6' are releasably engageable with respective
one-touch buckles 16, 16' at lower ends of obliquely downwardly extending belt members
15, 15' provided at lower sites of the crotch cover portion 4. The belt members 15,
15' extend obliquely upward from the crotch cover portion 4 to the back cover portion
5 and affixed to the crotch cover portion 4 and back cover portion 5. The belt members
15, 15' are fitted at their upper ends with one-touch buckles 21, 21' which are releasably
engageable by one-touch buckles 92, 92' of protective cover-equipped buckles 90, 90'.
These one-touch buckles 21, 21' are disposed slightly inward from the upper end of
the back cover portion 5.
[0052] At upper opposite ends (shoulders) of the back cover portion 5 are provided hook
members 81, 81' which are releasably engageable by ring members 80, 80'. As Fig. 17
shows, hook portion 81a of hook member 81 has an engagement clearance s which is slightly
smaller than diameter d of the corresponding ring member 80. Thus, for engagement
of the hook member 81 with the ring member 80, the hook portion 81a is subjected to
slight elastic deformation to enable the hook member 81 to engage the ring member
80. After engagement, the ring member 80 is not easily disengageable from the hook
member 81.
[0053] Further, the hook portion 81a is disposed on the nursing person's side (righthand
side in Fig. 17) so that lift of the lower end of the ring member 80 is unlikely to
occur which may otherwise be a cause of disengagement of the ring member 80.
[0054] Side supports 25, 25', projecting laterally from upper opposite ends of the back
cover portion 5, respectively have locking hooks 26, 26' which are releasably engageable
with locking hooks 27, 27' affixed to opposite sides of the front cover portion 3.
[0055] A head support 30 provided on the top of the back cover portion 5 incorporates a
three-layer pad 40 of the same construction as that of the previous embodiment so
that the head of the baby can be effectively protected from various external shocks.
The head support 30 is removably attached to the back cover portion 5 by means of
locking hooks, adhesive cloth or the like.
[0056] When a baby carrier 70 of such arrangement is to be assembled, in the same way as
described with respect to the previous embodiment, the shoulder belts 6, 6' are first
placed on the shoulders of the nursing person so that the one-touch buckles 12, 12'
at the distal ends of the shoulder belts 6, 6' are respectively brought into engagement
with the one-touch buckles 16, 16' of the belt members 15, 15'.
[0057] Then, the nursing person will hold the baby in arm and, while raising the back cover
portion 5 of the carrier body 2 by one arm, the nursing person will draw the baby,
together with the back cover portion 5, closer to him or her. Then, the hook members
81, 81' of the back cover portion 5 are brought into engagement with the ring members
80, 80' of the shoulder belts 6, 6' (see Fig. 17). As a result, the carrier body 2
assumes a bag-like configuration so that the baby is accommodated in the carrier body
2.
[0058] In this case, the carrier body 2 is assembled into a bag-like configuration by causing
the hook members 81, 81' to engage (or hook) ring members 80, 80'. Therefore, the
baby carrier 70 is easy to assemble.
[0059] Then, respective one-touch buckles 92, 92' of protective cover-equipped buckles 90,
90' are caused to engage respective one-touch buckles 21, 21' of the back cover portion
5 (see Fig. 18). In this case, with protective covers 93, 93' held in opened position
(as depicted by chain line in Fig. 16), one-touch buckle to one-touch buckle engagement
is effected and upon completion of all engagement operation the protective cover is
returned to closed position (as depicted by solid line in Fig. 16). In Fig. 18, only
protective cover-equipped buckle 90 only is shown as being engaged.
[0060] In this way, when the carrier body 2 is assembled into a bag-like configuration,
manipulator elements 92a, 92'a of the one-touch buckles 92, 92' are respectively covered
with protective covers 93, 93', and this prevents the nursing person or the baby from
accidentally manipulating the manipulator elements 92a, 92'a.
[0061] By causing one-touch buckles 92, 92' to engage one-touch buckles 21, 21', it is possible
to have the baby drawn closer to the nursing person so that the baby is stably and
accurately supported in the carrier body 2. Further, by arranging for such double
lock condition, that is, engagement between hook members 81, 81' and ring members
80, 80' and engagement by protective cover-equipped buckles 90, 90', it is possible
to ensure that the back cover portion 5 will not easily disengage from the shoulder
belts 6, 6' when the baby carrier 70 is assembled.
[0062] When the protective cover-equipped buckles 90, 90' are in engaged condition, the
hook members 81, 81' and ring members 80, 80' are covered by the belt members 91,
91' from above (see Fig. 18). Through this arrangement it is possible to prevent the
hook members 81, 81' and ring members 80, 80' from being exposed to outside for possible
direct contact with the skin of the baby.
[0063] Next, respective locking hooks 26, 26' of the side supports 25, 25' are caused to
engage respective locking hooks 27, 27' of the front cover portion 3 to thereby complete
assembling of baby carrier 70. By virtue of these side supports 25, 25' it is possible
to ensure that the baby is stably and accurately supported in the baby carrier 70.
[0064] For egress of the baby from the baby carrier 70, the foregoing procedure may be reversed.
That is, the side supports 25, 25' are first disengaged from the locking hooks 27,
27'; then, while holding the baby in one arm placed on the back cover portion 5, the
nursing person will, by using the other hand of his or her own, remove the engagement
through protective cover-equipped buckles 90, 90' between the shoulder belts 6, 6'
and the back cover portion 5, and the engagement between the hook members 81, 81'
and the ring members 80, 80'. In this way, the baby may be allowed to have easy exit
from the carrier body 2.
[0065] In the above described embodiment, the ring members 80, 80' are provided on the shoulder
belt 6, 6' side, and the hook members 81, 81' are provided on the back cover portion
5 side. Conversely, it may be arranged that the hook members 81, 81' are provided
on the shoulder belt 6, 6' side, and the ring members 80, 80' are provided on the
back cover portion 5 side.
[0066] Further, in that embodiment, protective cover-equipped buckles 90, 90' and ring members
80, 80' are both provided as fastening components of the shoulder belts 6, 6'. However,
it is possible to omit one of these two types of components, that is, buckles 90,
90' or members 80, 80'. In case that either one is omitted, one of the two kinds of
fastening components of the back cover portion 5, that is, one-touch buckles 21, 21'
or hook members 81, 81', is to be omitted accordingly.
[0067] Figs. 19 to 26 illustrate a baby carrier representing still another embodiment of
the invention.
[0068] As Figs. 19 and 20 show, the baby carrier la includes a carrier body 2 having a front
cover portion 3, a narrow crotch cover portion 4, and a back cover portion 5 which
are integrally formed in continuation.
[0069] A pair of downwardly extending shoulder belts 6, 6' having larger-width portions
6a, 6'a are provided at opposite sides of a lower portion of the front cover portion
3. Each of the shoulder belts 6, 6' is fitted at an upper portion thereof with a one-touch
buckle 10, 10' and, at the lower end thereof, with a one-touch buckle 12, 12' through
a length-adjustable belt member 11, 11'. The top portions of the respective shoulder
belts 6, 6' are interconnected by a connector band 13.
[0070] At respective upper portions of the shoulder belts 6, 6' there are provided buckle
covers 14, 14' which are respectively fitted with locking hooks 17, 17'. Further,
the shoulder belts 6, 6' are fitted at their respective top portions with locking
hooks 18, 18', as well as 19, 19', such that the locking hooks 18, 18' are releasably
engageable with the locking hooks 17, 17' of the buckle covers 14, 14'.
[0071] At a lower portion of the crotch cover portion 4 there are provided belt members
15, 15' extending in opposite lateral directions which are fitted with one-touch buckles
16, 16' releasably engageable with the one-touch buckles 12, 12'.
[0072] At a top portion of the back cover portion 5 are disposed length-adjustable locking
belts 20, 20' which extend in opposite lateral directions. The locking belts 20, 20',
at respective one end thereof, intersect each other at an upper median spot of the
back cover portion 5, and at this intersecting point a fixing pin 28 is affixed to
the back cover portion 5 and extends through the locking belts. Accordingly, the locking
belts 20, 20' are pivotable about the fixing pin 28. Respective locking belts 20,
20' are fitted with one-touch buckles 21, 21' which are releasably engageable with
one-touch buckles 10, 10' of the shoulder belts 6, 6'.
[0073] A plurality of belt loops 38, 38' and 39, 39' (two pairs, right and left, in the
present embodiment) for passage of locking belts 20, 20' therethrough are provided
at opposite sides, right and left, of the back cover portion 5 in vertically spaced
relation. By selectively using these belt loops in any suitable way it is possible
to change the size of space for accommodating a baby for nursing within the baby carrier
la according to the size of the baby, as will be described hereinafter.
[0074] A head support 30 for supporting the head of the baby from behind is removably mounted
on the top of the back cover portion 5. The head support 30 incorporates a core material
40. The head support 30 is fitted at lateral extremities of its opposite side portions
with locking hooks 33, 33'. The locking hooks 33, 33' are releasably engageable with
respective locking hooks 19, 19' provided at upper portions of the shoulder belts
6, 6'.
[0075] Next, the manner of use of the baby carrier la will be explained.
[0076] When receiving a baby into the baby carrier la, necessary procedure is that with
the front side of the baby carrier la (Fig. 19) directed toward the nursing person,
the shoulder belts 6, 6' are first placed on the shoulders of the nursing person so
that the one-touch buckles 12, 12' at the distal ends of the shoulder belts 6, 6'
are respectively brought into engagement with the one-touch buckles 16, 16' of the
belt members 15, 15' (as indicated by chain lines in Figs. 19 and 20). The shoulder
belts 6, 6' are suitably adjusted in length by means of the belt members 11, 11'.
In this case, the rear side of the baby carrier la (Fig. 2) is exposed to the outside.
[0077] In this condition, the nursing person will hold the baby in arm and, while raising
the back cover portion 5 of the carrier body 2 by one arm, the nursing person will
draw the baby, together with the back cover portion 5, closer to him or her. Then,
the one touch buckle 21 of the locking belt 20 is fitted to the one-touch buckle 10,
and the one-touch buckle 21' of the locking belt 20' to the one-touch buckle 10'.
Thus, the baby is received into a bag-shaped baby carrier 1a. In this way, assembling
of a baby carrier la is performed by means of one-touch buckles. This affords ease
of assembling.
[0078] After fitting of one-touch buckles, buckle covers 14, 14' are wrapped around respective
one-touch buckles, being then fastened by locking hooks 17, 18 and 17', 18' (see Fig.
21). By so doing it is possible to prevent one-touch buckles 10, 10' from being exposed
on the baby side. In Fig. 21, buckle cover 14 only is shown.
[0079] Subsequently, respective locking hooks 33, 33' of head support sides 32, 32' are
caused to engage locking hooks 19, 19' at upper portions of the shoulder belts.
[0080] In this way, a baby carrier 1a is assembled (see Figs. 21 and 22), and the baby is
accommodated in the baby carrier la (see Fig. 25).
[0081] When the baby has grown so that he or she can hold his or her head steady, head support
30 is not always needed. In that case, the head support 30 may be removed, as shown
in Fig. 26. By removing the head support 30 in this way the baby carrier la can be
made foldable without being bulky.
[0082] Next, the procedure for changing the size of space for accommodating a baby in the
baby carrier la will be explained.
[0083] When it is necessary to reduce the space for the baby, the lower belt loops 39, 39'
of the back cover portion 5 should be utilized, with locking belts 20, 20' being passed
through these belt loops. In this case, belt loops for the locking belts 20, 20' can
be easily changed because the locking belts 20, 20' are pivotable about the fixing
pin 28. Then, respective one-touch buckles 21, 21' of the locking belts 20, 20' are
fastened to respective one-touch buckles 10, 10' of the shoulder belts 6, 6'.
[0084] Thus, as Figs. 23 and 24 illustrate, the carrier body 2 is formed into a bag-like
configuration while being lifted upward. In Fig. 24, the chain line indicates the
contour line of the baby carrier la in the case where upper belt loops 38, 38' are
utilized. In this way, it is possible to reduce the size of space for accommodating
a baby while reducing the size of the space thicknesswise of the baby's torso (as
viewed in lateral directions in Fig. 24). By so arranging it is possible to support
a smaller baby in a stable condition.
[0085] Conversely, when the space for accommodating a baby is to be increased, as Figs.
21 and 22 illustrate, the locking belts 20, 20' are passed through upper belt loops
38, 38' of the back cover portion 5, and respective one-touch buckles 21, 21' of the
locking belts 20,20' are fastened to the one-touch buckles 10, 10' of the shoulder
belts.
[0086] In this case, it is possible to increase the size of space for accommodating a baby
while increasing the size of the space thicknesswise of the baby's torso (see the
chain line in Fig. 24). By so arranging it is possible to support a larger baby in
a stable condition.
[0087] In this way, by selectively using belt loops in any suitable way according to the
difference in physique between individual babies under nursing or the state of growth
of a particular baby, it is possible to change the size of space for accommodating
the baby or babies.
[0088] Furthermore, in the present embodiment the locking belts 20, 20' are adjustable in
length. Therefore, by suitably adjusting the length of the locking belts, in combination
with selective use of belt loops, the size of space for accommodating the baby can
be effectively adjusted.
[0089] For example, in the condition shown by solid line in Fig. 22, by increasing the length
of the locking belts 20, 20' the size of available space for accommodating the baby
can be further increased thicknesswise of the baby's torso. In the Fig. 24 condition
shown by solid line, if the locking belts 20, 20' are made shorter in length, the
size of available space may be further reduced.
[0090] In the case where a change is effected in the size of space for accommodating a baby
through selective use of the belt loops, the size of available space is subject to
a heightwise change (in vertical direction in Figs. 21 to 24) in corresponding relation
to the dimensional change in the thicknesswise direction of the baby's torso (see
the solid line and chain line in Fig. 24). In this case, the head support 30 may be
suitably used. Especially where the available heightwise space is made reduced, the
use of the head support 30 ensures positive support of the baby with respect to shoulders
and head in particular.
[0091] Figs. 27 to 31 illustrate another embodiment of the invention.
[0092] As Figs. 27 and 28 show, the baby carrier 1b includes a carrier body 2 having a front
cover portion 3, a narrow crotch cover portion 4, and a back cover portion 5 which
are integrally formed in continuation.
[0093] At lower opposite sides of the front cover portion 3 there are provided a pair of
vertically extending shoulder belts 6, 6 which have relatively wide portions 6a, 6'a.
The shoulder belts 6, 6' are fitted at their distal ends with one-touch buckles 12,
12' through length-adjustable belt members 11, 11'. One-touch buckles 10, 10' are
provided at the front cover portion side of the shoulder belts 6, 6'. The shoulder
belts 6, 6' are interconnected by a connecting band 13.
[0094] At locations adjacent the connecting band 13 the shoulder belts 6, 6' are provided
with buckle covers 14, 14' which are intended to cover the one-touch buckles 10, 10'
after the baby carrier 1b is assembled. The buckle covers 14, 14' are respectively
fitted with locking hooks 17, 17'. The shoulder belts 6, 6' are also fitted with locking
hooks 18, 18', as well as 19, 19', such that the locking hooks 18, 18' are releasably
engageable with the locking hooks 17, 17' of the buckle covers 14, 14'.
[0095] At opposite sides of the crotch cover portion 4 there are provided belt members 15,
15' extending laterally therefrom in opposite directions, the belt members 15, 15'
being fitted at their distal ends with one-touch buckles 16, 16' which are releasably
engageable with the one-touch buckles 12, 12'.
[0096] At opposite ends (shoulder portions) of the back cover portion 5 there are provided
side supports 25, 25' for supporting sides of the baby's torso, the side supports
25, 25' projecting obliquely upward from the shoulder portions. Length-adjustable
belt members 20, 20' extend from respective ends of the side supports 25, 25'. The
belt members 20, 20' are fitted with one-touch buckles 21, 21' which are releasably
engageable with the one-touch buckles 10, 10' of the shoulder belts 6, 6'.
[0097] The side supports 25, 25' are provided with locking hooks 26, 26' which are releasably
engageable with locking hooks 27, 27' attached to opposite sides of the front cover
portion 3.
[0098] A head support 30 for supporting the head of the baby from behind is provided on
the top of the back cover portion 5. Side portions 32, 32' of the head support 30
are fitted at their respective distal ends with locking hooks 33, 33'. These locking
hooks 33, 33' are releasably engageable with locking hooks 19, 19' attached to the
shoulder belts 6, 6'.
[0099] When the baby has grown so that he or she can hold his or her head steady, it is
not always necessary to support the head of the baby. In that case, therefore, the
head support 30 may be arranged to be removably attached to the back cover portion
5. Such removable arrangement of the head support 30 permits the baby carrier 1b to
be folded without being bulky.
[0100] A width adjuster device 50 for adjusting the widthwise dimension of the carrier body
2 is provided at a median portion of the front cover portion 3. The width adjuster
device 50 comprises a pocket cloth 51 and a pair of strings 52, respective ends of
the strings 52 being sewn, together with the pocket cloth 51, to face cloth of the
front cover portion 3. When the strings 52 are pulled in a flaring direction, the
pocket cloth 51 and the face cloth are contracted widthwise so that the widthwise
dimension of the carrier body 2 can be made smaller. Thus, size adjustment can be
effected according to the chest measurements of the baby.
[0101] Further, by adjusting the belt members 20, 20' of the side supports 25, 25' in length,
it is possible to effect size adjustment thicknesswise of the torso of the baby.
[0102] Thus, by virtue of the width adjuster device 50 and belt members 20, 20', the baby
carrier 1b can be employed in nursing babies of different physical constitutions.
Further, the baby carrier 1b may be used for a comparatively long period of time with
respect to one baby from babyhood to infancy.
[0103] The crotch cover portion 4 is provided with a belt loop 55 which is adapted to be
removably fitted with a waist belt through openings at opposite ends of the belt loop
55.
[0104] The shoulder belts 6, 6' are provided with slip-off preventive devices 7, 7' for
preventing the one-touch buckles 21, 21' of the side supports 25, 25' from slipping
off the one-touch buckles 10, 10' of the shoulder belts 6, 6'.
[0105] The slip-off preventive devices 7, 7', as shown in Fig. 29, are annular members having
a generally D-shaped contour and have annular holes 7a, 7'a engageable by the one-touch
buckles 21, 21'. The slip-off preventive devices 7, 7' are supported by belt pieces
8, 8' attached to the shoulder belts 6, 6'. The one-touch buckles 10, 10' are supported
by belt pieces 9, 9' attached to the shoulder belts 6, 6'. Shown by 45, 45' are manipulators
for the one-touch buckles 10, 10'.
[0106] Next, the function and advantages of the present embodiment will be explained.
[0107] When assembling the baby carrier 1b, necessary procedure is that with the front side
of the baby carrier 1b (Fig. 27) directed toward the nursing person, the shoulder
belts 6, 6' are first placed on the shoulders of the nursing person so that the one-touch
buckles 12, 12' at the distal ends of the shoulder belts are respectively brought
into engagement with the one-touch buckles 16, 16' of the belt members 15, 15' (as
indicated by chain lines in Figs. 27 and 28). The shoulder belts 6, 6' are suitably
adjusted in length by means of the belt members 11, 11'. In this case, the rear side
of the baby carrier 1b (Fig. 28) is exposed to the outside.
[0108] In this condition, the nursing person will hold the baby in arm and, while raising
the back cover portion 5 of the carrier body 2 by one arm, the nursing person will
draw the baby, together with the back cover portion 5, closer to him or her. Then,
using one hand the nursing person will place the one touch buckle 21' of the side
support 25' into annular hole 7'a of the slip-off preventive device 7' affixed to
the shoulder belt 6' (see Fig. 31), then fit the same to the one touch-buckle 10'
into engagement. Likewise, one-touch buckle 21 is passed through the slip-off preventive
device 7 before it is fitted to one-touch buckle 10 into engagement. Thus, the carrier
body 2 is assembled into a bag-like shape (see Fig. 30), and the baby is accommodated
in the carrier body 2.
[0109] Now, assume that in this condition the one touch buckles 21,21' become disengaged
from the one-touch buckles 10, 10'. At this point of time, as Fig. 31 shows, the one-touch
buckles 21, 21' interfere with the slip-off preventive devices 7, 7', whereby the
one-touch buckles 21, 21' are prevented from slipping off the one-touch buckles 10,
10' to fall. In this way, preventive measures are provided such that the back cover
portion 5 will not easily become disengaged from the shoulder belts 6, 6'.
[0110] Next, after the fitting of the one-touch buckles, the buckle covers 14, 14' are wrapped
around the one-touch buckles, respectively, and held by the locking hooks 17, 18 and
17', 18', as shown in Fig. 30. Thus, the one-touch buckles 10, 10' can be prevented
from being exposed to the baby side. It is noted that Fig. 30 depicts only one buckle
cover 14.
[0111] Further, in this process, if the baby carrier 1b is previously adjusted in size by
using the belt members 20, 20' and/or the width adjuster 50 according to the size
of the body of the baby to be accommodated, the baby can be held in the baby carrier
1b with more reliability.
[0112] Next, the locking hooks 26, 26' of the right and left side supports 25, 25' are fitted
to the locking hooks 27, 27' of the front cover portion, in which state the sides
of the baby's body are supported by the side supports 25, 25'. Further, the locking
hooks 33, 33' of the head support side portions 32, 32' are fitted to the locking
hooks 19, 19' of the upper portion of the shoulder belt, whereby the head of the baby
is supported by the head support 30. In this way, the baby can be supported stably
in the baby carrier 1b with high reliability.
[0113] In the above-described embodiment, the slip-off preventing devices 7, 7' are supported
by belt pieces 8, 8' attached to the shoulder belts 6, 6' as an example. However,
the present invention is not limited to the slip-off preventing devices as shown above,
but may also be applied similarly to such slip-off preventing devices as shown in
Figs. 32 and 33.
[0114] Referring to Figs. 32 and 33, the same numerals as in Fig. 29 denote the same or
corresponding parts.
[0115] These slip-off preventing devices each have a configuration that a generally U-shaped
support 29 is attached integrally to the annular portions 7, 7' corresponding to the
slip-off preventing devices of the foregoing embodiment. Further, the support 29 is
attached directly to the one-touch buckles 10, 10' in the case of Fig. 32, whereas
the support 29 is held by the belt pieces 9, 9', respectively, together with the one-touch
buckles 10, 10' in the case of Fig. 33.
[0116] Also in these cases, like the foregoing embodiment, the one-touch buckles 21, 21'
can be prevented from slipping off, by the annular portions 7, 7' so that the back
cover portion 5 can be inhibited from being easily removed from the shoulder belts
6, 6'.
[0117] Such a slip-off preventing device as shown in Fig. 34 may also be adopted. This slip-off
preventing device 65 is generally a box-shaped member having an opening on its bottom
surface side (a side of contact with the shoulder belts 6, 6'). The slip-off preventing
device 65 has side plates 71, 71 arranged on the right and left sides of the one-touch
buckles 10, 10', respectively, and a cover 72 connecting the side plates 71, 71 to
each other and covering from above the one-touch buckles 10, 10'.
[0118] A cutout 73 is formed at a lower portion of the cover 72, and the side plates 71,
71 are connected at their lower portions to each other by a connecting plate 74. Also,
at inner surfaces of the side plates 71, 71, a pivot 75 inserted through the one-touch
buckles 10, 10' is fixed by its both ends, whereby the slip-off preventing device
65 is pivotable about the center axis of the pivot 75.
[0119] In this case, for the fitting of the one-touch buckles 21, 21' to the one-touch buckles
10, 10', the one-touch buckles 21, 21' are fitted with the slip-off preventing device
65 pivoted upward, and thereafter the slip-off preventing device 65 is pivoted downward
so as to be restored to the original position.
[0120] Through this process, since manipulators 45, 45' of the one-touch buckles 10, 10'
are covered with the cover 72 and side plates 71, 71 of the slip-off preventing device
65, the baby-sitter or the baby can be prevented from misoperating the manipulators
45, 45' during the use of the baby carrier 1b. Also, even if the one-touch buckles
21, 21' are disengaged from the one-touch buckles 10, 10', the connecting plate 74
and the side plates 71 function in the same way as the slip-off preventing devices
7, 7' of the foregoing embodiment, so that the one-touch buckles 21, 21' can be prevented
from slipping off.
[0121] In Fig. 34, the pivot 75 has been attached directly to the one-touch buckles 10,
10'. However, the pivot 75 may alternatively be held by the belt pieces 9, 9' in the
same way as the slip-off preventing device shown in Fig. 33 is attached.
[0122] Figs. 35 to 37 show a cover-equipped buckle which is a modification of Fig. 34. This
cover-equipped buckle 100 comprises a one-touch buckle 83 attached at an end of a
belt 82, a one-touch buckle 96 attached at an end of a belt 95 and removably fittable
to the one-touch buckle 83, and a cover 85 which is openable and closable and which
covers a manipulator 84 of the one-touch buckle 83.
[0123] The cover 85, as shown in Fig. 36, has a pivot 86 on its base end side. On the other
hand, the one-touch buckle 83 has on its base end side a fitting recess 87 to which
the pivot 86 can be removably fitted. By the pivot 86 being fitted into the fitting
recess 87, the cover 85 is pivoted about the center line of the pivot 86, so that
it can be positioned into either a closed position to cover the manipulator 84 of
the one-touch buckle 83 (a position shown by solid line in Fig. 35) or an open position
to which the cover 85 comes through an upward pivoting (a position shown by one-dot
chain line in Fig. 35).
[0124] Further, the pivot 86 is fitted into the fitting recess 87 by a base-end-side end
portion 88 of the one-touch buckle 83 being elastically deformed. Thus, the cover
85 is prevented from being easily removed from the one-touch buckle 83 after having
been attached thereto.
[0125] The cover 85 has an oval-shaped opening 85a formed therein. When the one-touch buckle
83 and 96 are fitted thereto, a circular base portion 97 of the one-touch buckle 96
will be fitted into the opening 85a as shown in Fig. 37.
[0126] The cover 85 also has a rectangular opening 85b formed on its base end side. This
opening 85b will be located above a slit 89 (Fig. 36) provided in the one-touch buckle
83 for the insertion of the belt 82, when the cover 85 is brought into the closed
position. Thus, with the one-touch buckle 83 attached to the belt 82, the cover 85
can be moved to the closed position smoothly.
[0127] Such a cover-equipped buckle 100 may also be applied to not only the above-described
slip-off preventing device of the baby carrier but also, for example, the safety belt
of a baby carriage as shown in Fig. 38.
[0128] Referring to Fig. 38, this baby carriage 110 has the cover-equipped buckle 100 incorporated
as a safety belt at a place where a back pad 111 and a seat pad 112 of the seat interconnect
each other. With the use of the cover-equipped buckle 100 as such a safety belt for
baby carriages, the baby can be prevented from mis-removing the safety belt, with
a simple mechanism.
[0129] The cover-equipped buckle 100 may be applied also to belt-equipped products such
as bags, similarly.
[0130] It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that many different embodiments
of this invention may be made in the light of the above teachings and without departing
from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. It is further understood
that the foregoing embodiments, in all respects, be regarded to be illustrative and
not restrictive. Consequently, while the invention has been described with reference
to particular embodiments, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes
and modifications in construction and other details may be made within the spirit
and the scope of the invention.
1. A baby carrier (1), (1b), (70) for use in carrying a baby as supported therein, comprising:
a carrier body (2) having a front cover portion (3), a crotch cover portion (4), and
a back cover portion (5) which are integrally formed in continuation;
shoulder belts (6), (6') extending downward from lower opposite ends of the front
cover portion (3), the shoulder belts (6), (6') having at their respective upper portions
one-touch buckles (10), (10') or (92), (92') fitted thereto and, at their respective
lower ends, one-touch buckles (12), (12') fitted thereto, the one-touch buckles (10),
(10') or (92), (92') serving as fastening means;
belt members (15), (15') extending from the crotch cover portion (4) in opposite lateral
directions and having one-touch buckles (16), (16') fitted thereto at their distal
ends, the one-touch buckles (16), (16') being releasably engageable with the one-touch
buckles (12), (12');
one-touch buckles (21), (21'), operative as fastening means, disposed at sites above
or at upper opposite sides of the back cover portion (5) and releasably engageable
with the one-touch buckles (10), (10') or (92), (92') of the shoulder belts (6), (6');
and
side supports (25), (25') projecting laterally from upper opposite sides of the back
cover portion (5) for supporting sides of the baby's torso, the side supports (25),
(25') being removably engageable with locking hooks (27), (27') affixed to opposite
sides of the front cover portion (3).
2. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a head support (30) removably
provided on the back cover portion (5) for supporting the head of the baby, the sides
(32), (32') of the head support (30) being releasably engageable with locking hooks
(19), (19') affixed to the shoulder belts (6), (6').
3. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein the one-touch buckles (21), (21')
at the back cover portion (5) are fitted to length-adjustable belt members (20), (20').
4. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein the crotch cover portion (4) includes
a waist belt (60) removably attached thereto for attachment around the nursing person's
waist.
5. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein the one-touch buckles (92), (92')
which constitute the fastening means at respective upper portions of the shoulder
belts (6), (6') are fitted in position through belt members (91), (91') extending
in the direction in which the shoulder belts (6), (6') extend.
6. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fastening means of the shoulder
belts (6), (6') comprise one-touch buckles (92), (92') fitted in position through
belt members (91), (91') extending in the direction in which the shoulder belts (6),
(6') extend, and engaging members provided at base sites of the belt members (91),
(91');
the fastening means of the back cover portion (5) comprise one-touch buckles (21),
(21') adapted to be removably engaged by the one-touch buckles (92), (92') of the
shoulder belts (6), (6'), and engagement members adapted to be releasably engaged
by the engaging members of the shoulder belts (6), (6');
One of the engaging member pair and the engagement member pair is hook members (81),
(81'), the other being annular members (80), (80'), whereby the belt members (91),
(91') overlie the hook members (81), (81') and annular members (80), (80') during
engagement of said pairs of one-touch buckles.
7. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 2, wherein the head support (30) comprises a
first cushioning material (41) disposed so as to be positioned adjacent the head of
the baby for absorbing comparatively small impact force, a second cushioning material
(43) disposed externally of the first cushioning material (41) for absorbing comparatively
large impact force, and a third cushioning material (42) disposed intermediate the
first and second cushioning materials for absorbing impact force of medium order.
8. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 6, wherein the one-touch buckles (92), (92')
are fitted with an open/close switchable cover (93) for covering manipulator portions
(92a), (92'a) of the one-touch buckles (92), (92').
9. In a baby carrier for use in carrying a baby as supported therein, a head support
(30) for the baby carrier adapted to be removably provided for supporting the head
of the baby, comprising:
a head support body (31) for contact with the baby's head from behind,
jutting portions (32), (32') projecting from the head support body (31) in opposite
lateral directions and having locking hooks (33), (33') releasably engageable with
the baby carrier.
10. A head support for a baby carrier as set forth in claim 9, wherein the jutting portions
(32), (32') are each provided with a plurality of locking hooks (33), (33') in spaced
relation in respective directions in which the jutting portions project.
11. A head support for a baby carrier as set forth in claim 9, wherein the jutting portions
(32), (32') are each provided with a resilient member (36) which is extendable and
contractible in the direction in which respective jutting portion projects.
12. A head support for a baby carrier as set forth in claim 9, wherein the head support
body (31) comprises a first cushioning material (41) disposed so as to be positioned
adjacent the head of the baby for absorbing comparatively small impact force, a second
cushioning material (43) disposed externally of the first cushioning material (41)
for absorbing comparatively large impact force, and a third cushioning material (42)
disposed intermediate the first and second cushioning materials for absorbing impact
force of medium order.
13. A baby carrier (la) for use in carrying a baby as supported therein, comprising:
a carrier body (2) having a front cover portion (3), a crotch cover portion (4), and
a back cover portion (5) which are integrally formed in continuation;
a pair of shoulder belts (6), (6'), right and left, extending downward from opposite
ends of a lower portion of the front cover portion (3), the shoulder belts (6), (6')
having at their respective upper portions one-touch buckles (10), (10') fitted thereto
and, at their respective lower ends, one-touch buckles (12), (12') fitted thereto;
a pair of belt members (15), (15'), right and left, extending from a lower portion
of the crotch cover portion (4) in opposite lateral directions and having one-touch
buckles (16), (16') fitted thereto which are removably engageable with the one-touch
buckles (12), (12');
a pair of locking belts (20), (20'), right and left, pivotably mounted at one end
on a stationary pin (28) fixed centrally in an upper portion of the back cover portion
(5), the locking belts (20), (20') extending in lateral opposite directions and having
one-touch buckles (21), (21') capable of being disengageably brought in lock engagement
with the one-touch buckles (10), (10') of the shoulder belts (6), (6'); and
belt loops (38), (38') and (39), (39') for passing respective locking belts (20),
(20') therethrough arranged in plurality along opposite side edges of the back cover
portion (5) and in vertically spaced relation.
14. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 13, wherein the locking belts (20), (20') are
adjustable in length.
15. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 13, wherein a head support (30) for supporting
the head of the baby is removably provided on the back cover portion (5).
16. A baby carrier (1b) for use in carrying a baby as supported therein which includes
a carrier body (2) having a front cover portion (3), a crotch cover portion (4), and
a back cover portion (5) which are integrally formed in continuation, the baby carrier
comprising:
shoulder belts (6), (6') provided at opposite lateral extremities of the front cover
portion (3), the shoulder belts (6), (6') having at their distal end side one-touch
buckles (12), (12') fitted thereto and, at their proximal end side, one-touch buckles
(10), (10') or (83) fitted thereto;
belt members (15), (15') provided at opposite sides of the crotch cover portion (4)
and having at distal ends thereof one-touch buckles (16), (16') fitted thereto which
are removably engageable with the one-touch buckles (12), (12');
one-touch buckles (21), (21') or (96) provided at opposite lateral extremities of
the back cover portion (5) which are releasably engageable with the one-touch buckles
(10), (10') or (83) of the shoulder belts (6), (6'); and
the shoulder belts (6), (6') including slip-off preventive members (7), (7'), (65)
or (100) for preventing one-touch buckles (21), (21') or (96) of the back cover portion
(5) from slipping off the one-touch buckles (10), (10') or (83) during non-engagement
of the one-touch buckles (10), (10') or (83) and (21), (21') or (96).
17. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 16, wherein the slip-off preventive members (7),
(7') have annular portions (7a), (7'a) for preventing slip-off of one-touch buckles
(21), (21') of the back cover portion (5) and are supported by belt pieces (8), (8')
attached to the shoulder belts (6), (6').
18. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 16, wherein the slip-off preventive members (7),
(7') have annular portions (7a), (7'a) for preventing slip-off of one-touch buckles
(21), (21') of the back cover portion (5) and are fitted to the one-touch buckles
(10), (10') of the shoulder belts (6), (6').
19. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 16, wherein the slip-off preventive members (7),
(7') have annular portions (7a), (7'a) for preventing slip-off of one-touch buckles
(21), (21') of the back cover portion (5) and are supported by mounting belt pieces
(9), (9') for the one-touch buckles (10), (10') of the shoulder belts (6), (6').
20. A baby carrier as set forth in claim 16, wherein the slip-off preventive members (65)
or (100) are provided with covers (71), (72) or (85) for covering manipulator elements
(45), (45') or (84) for the one-touch buckles (10), (10') or (83).
21. A cover-equipped buckle (100) comprising a first buckle (83) fitted to a distal end
of a first belt (82) and provided with a manipulator element (84), a second buckle
(96) fitted to a distal end of a second belt (95) and releasably engageable with the
first buckle (83), and an open/close switchable cover (85) for covering the manipulator
element (84).
22. A baby carrier (1,1a,1b,70) comprising a carrier body (2) having respective portions
(3,4,5) which in use cover the abdomen, crotch and back of the baby being carried;
shoulder straps (6,6') extending from the abdomen cover portion and having fastening
means (12,12') at end portions thereof remote from the abdomen cover portion (3) which
are releasably engageable with cooperable fastening means (16,16') attached to said
body at, or adjacent to, said crotch portion; and further fastening means (21,21')
attached to said back cover portion (5) at locations remote from said crotch portion
(4) and on opposite sides of said back cover portion (5), which further fastening
means (21,21') are releasably engageable with cooperable fastening means (10,10';
90,90') attached to or adjacent to end portions of said shoulder straps (6,6') adjacent
said abdomen cover portion (3).