CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/400,602 filed on August 24, 2022 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/479,206 filed on January 10, 2023, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein, in their entirety, by this reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Baby carriers are used to allow an individual to carry a baby. Conventional baby carriers may be limited in the position in which the baby is carried and/or the size of the baby as the baby grows. Thus, users and manufacturers of fluid collection devices continue to seek new and improved baby carriers.

SUMMARY

[0003] Embodiments disclosed herein include baby carriers. In an embodiment, a baby carrier includes a body member, two shoulder straps, and a waist belt. The body member has an upper region, a lower region, two opposing slots disposed between the upper region and the lower region, and two buckles. Each buckle of the two buckles is disposed at least partially within a different one of the two slot. Each shoulder strap of the two shoulder straps has a first end region secured to the top region of the body member, a second end region opposite to the first end region, and an additional buckle member configured to detachably secured to the buckle in at least one of the two slots of the body member. The waist belt is secured to the lower region of the body member.

[0004] In an embodiment, a baby carrier includes a body member, a waist belt, two shoulder straps, a seat adjustment system, and a seat region. The body member has an upper region, a lower region, and two buckles. The waist belt is secured to the lower region of the body member. Each shoulder strap of the two shoulder straps has a first end region secured to the top region of the body member, a second end region opposite to the first end region, and an additional buckle member configured to detachably secured to a buckle of the two buckles of the body member. The seat adjustment system includes a plurality of coupling elements and multiple complementary coupling elements. The plurality of coupling elements are positioned longitudinally along the waist belt and include a first portion of coupling elements and a second portion of coupling element. The multiple complementary coupling elements are secured to the lower region of the body member. The multiple complementary coupling elements include a first complementary coupling element configured to selectively secure to any coupling element of the first portion of coupling elements, and a second complementary coupling element configured to selectively secure to any coupling element of the second portion of coupling elements. The seat region is formed between the first complementary coupling element secured to one coupling element of the first portion of coupling elements and the second complementary coupling element secured to one coupling element of the second portion of coupling elements. A width of the seat region is adjusted by increasing or decreasing a number of the plurality of coupling elements between the first complementary coupling element and the second complementary coupling element when selectively securing the first complementary coupling element to one coupling element of the first portion of coupling elements and the second complementary coupling element secured to one coupling element of the second portion of coupling elements.

[0005] In an embodiment, a baby carrier includes a body member, a waist belt, and two shoulder straps. The body member has an upper region, a lower region, and two buckles. The waist belt is secured to the lower region of the body member. Each shoulder strap of the two shoulder straps includes a first end region secured to the top region of the body member, a second end region opposite to the first end region, an additional buckle member configured to detachably secured to a buckle of the two buckles of the body member, an intermediate region disposed between the first end region and the second end region, a sleeve secured to the intermediate region opposite to the first end region, an adjustable end strap at the second end region and having the additional buckle member secured thereto, and a strap pocket disposed on the intermediate region at least proximate to the sleeve. The strap pocket is sized and dimensioned to hold at least a portion of the sleeve therein. Each shoulder strap of the two shoulder straps is selectively adjustable between a lengthened configuration and a shortened configuration. The lengthened configuration has the sleeve disposed outside the strap pocket and extending from the intermediate region towards the additional buckle member with the end strap extending through the sleeve. The shortened configuration has the sleeve disposed at least partially in the strap pocket and the end strap extending at least partially from the intermediate region and not disposed within the sleeve. [0006] Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation. In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar elements or features in different views or embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0008] FIG. 1A is a front view of a baby carrier when not being worn, according to an embodiment.

[0009] FIG. IB is a partial view of a body member of the baby carrier of FIG. 1A including a buckle disposed in a slot.

[0010] FIG. 2A is a top, front perspective view of the baby carrier of FIG. 1A being worn in a first orientation.

[0011] FIG. 2B is a top, rear perspective view of the baby carrier of FIG. 1A being worn in the first orientation.

[0012] FIG. 2C is a side perspective view of the baby carrier of FIG. 1 A being worn in a second orientation.

[0013] FIG. 2D is a front view of the baby carrier of FIG. 1A being worn in the second orientation.

[0014] FIG. 3A is a rear view of the baby carrier of the FIG. 1A when not being worn.

[0015] FIG. 3B is a partial view of a shoulder strap of the baby carrier of FIG. 1A with the shoulder strap in a shortened configuration.

[0016] FIG. 3C is a partial view of the shoulder strap of the baby carrier of FIG. 1A with the shoulder strap in a lengthened configuration.

[0017] FIG. 4A is a front view of the baby carrier of FIG. 1A with a seat adjustment system of the baby carrier in a narrow configuration.

[0018] FIG. 4B is a front view of the baby carrier of FIG. 1A with the seat adjustment system of the baby carrier in a wide configuration.

[0019] FIG. 4C a partial view of the waist belt and the body member of the baby carrier of FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to baby carriers configured to be adjustable to carry a baby either against the chest of the user or the back of the user. The baby carrier includes a body member, two shoulder straps secured to the body member, and a waist belt secured to the body member. The body member is sized to hold a baby therein or against the wearer. When worn, the baby is positioned over the either the chest/stomach or the back of the individual wearing the baby carrier.

[0021] FIG. 1A is a front view of a baby carrier 100 when not being worn, according to an embodiment. The baby carrier 100 is configured to allow a user to adjust between carrying a baby against his/her chest and against his/her back. The baby carrier includes a body member 102, two shoulder straps 106a, 106b secured to the body member 102 proximate to an upper region of the body member 102, and a waist belt 103 secured to the body member 102 proximate to a lower region of the body member 102, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the body member 102 is fixedly and/or adjustably secured to the waist belt 130 between a top edge and a bottom edge of the waist belt 130. Only a portion of lower region of the body member 102 is fixedly secured to the waist belt 130 in some embodiments, such that the lower region of the body member 102 is joined to the waist belt 130 along only a portion of the length of the lower region of the body member 102. The lower region (e.g., bottom edge) of the body member 102 may include a length or width that is less than a distance between the shoulder straps 106a, 106b where the shoulder straps are secured to the upper region of the body member 102.

[0022] The body member 102 may partially define a carrying region 111 (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C) to position the baby between the body member 102 and the user for carrying the baby. The waist belt 130 may be secured to the body member 102 to form a bottom or seat region 101 (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C) of the carrying region 111 when worn by the user. The body member 102 includes a movable flap 104 configured to cover an opening between the body member 102 of the baby carrierlOO and the user, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, the body member 102 also includes to side release buckles 122. At least a portion of the side release buckles may be disposed in a slot or pocket 120 on the body member 102. FIG. IB shows an example of a side release buckle 122 disposed at least partially in the pocket 120 on the body member 102. The side release buckle 122 may be adjusted or repositioned to be entirely disposed within the pocket 120. [0023] The shoulder straps 106a, 106b of the baby carrier 100 may be adjustable between a lengthened configuration and a shortened configuration. Turning to FIGS. 2A- 2B, when the shoulder straps 106a, 106b are in a lengthened configuration, the baby carrier 100 is typically used with the body member 102 of the baby carrier on the chest of the user, with the carrying region 111 being formed between the body member 102 of the baby carrier 100 and the chest of the user. In this configuration, the shoulder straps cross one another on the back of the user before buckling to a side release buckle 122 on the side of the body member 102 opposite to the respective shoulder strap 106a, 106b. In either orientation, at least a portion of the side release buckles 122 (e.g., all) may be disposed in the slot or pocket 120 on the body member 102 when the side release buckle 122 is secured to the shoulder strap 106a, 106b.

[0024] Turning to FIG. 2C-2D, when the shoulder straps 106a, 106b are in a shortened configuration, the baby carrier 100 may be used with the body member 102 of the baby carrier 100 on the back of the user, with the carrying region 111 being formed between the body member 102 of the baby carrier 100 and the back of the user. In this configuration, the shoulder straps 106a, 106b do not cross one another before buckling into a side release buckle 102. Instead, each shoulder strap 106a, 106b wraps around a different shoulder of the user before buckling into a side release buckle 122 on the same side of the body member 102 as the respective shoulder strap 106a, 106b.

[0025] Returning to FIG. 1A, each shoulder strap 106a, 106b may include a proximal region 107 (e.g. , first end region) secured to the upper region of the body member 102, according to an embodiment, an end strap 112 opposite of the body member 102 (e.g., second end region), a buckle 114 adjustably positioned on the end strap 112 and configured to detachably secure to the side buckle 122, a sleeve 116, and/or one or more chest straps 110 detachably secured or securable to the shoulder straps 106a, 106b. For example, a different one of two portions of the chest strap 110 may be detachably secured or securable to a different one of the two shoulder straps 106a, 106b. The two portions of the chest strap 110 may be releasably secured or securable to one another between the two shoulder straps 106a, 106b. In some embodiments, each of the shoulder straps 106a, 106b may include a pouch 108, pocket, or other covered region in which the chest strap 110 may be detachably secured to the shoulder strap 106a, 106b. In some embodiments, the shoulder strap includes an attachment region 118 having multiple loops secured or otherwise formed within the pouch 108 or pocket on the shoulder strap 106a, 106b, and each portion of the chest strap 110 is configured to detachably secure to any of the loops on the shoulder straps 106a, 106b to allow the wearer to adjust positioning of the chest strap 110. The pouch 108 may disposed on a surface of the shoulder strap 106a, 106b that is opposite to the strap pocket 302, described below. [0026] Turning to FIG. 3A, the back side of the baby carrier 100 and the shoulder straps 106a, 106b is shown. The back side of each shoulder strap 106a, 106b includes a pocket 302 into which at least a portion of the sleeve 116 may be tucked when the shoulder straps 106a, 106b are adjusted to the shortened configuration. For example, in FIG. 3A, the sleeve 116 of the shoulder strap 106a is shown outside of the pocket 302 with the end strap 112 extending therethrough. The sleeve 116 of the shoulder strap 106b is shown tucked inside the pocket 302 such that the end strap 112 is not disposed within the sleeve 116. The length of the end strap 112 between the buckle 114 and the proximal region 107 also may be shortened when adjusting the shoulder straps to the shortened configuration.

[0027] More particularly, in some embodiments, each shoulder strap 106a, 106b may include an intermediate region disposed between the proximal region 107 (e.g., the first end region) and the end strap 112 (e.g., the second end region of the shoulder strap 106a, 106b). The sleeve 116 may be secured to the intermediate region opposite to the proximal region 107 of the shoulder strap 106a, 106b. The pocket 302 (e.g., strap pocket) may be disposed on the intermediate region of the shoulder strap 106a, 106b at least proximate to the sleeve 116. The pocket 302 may be sized and dimensioned to hold at least a portion of the sleeve therein. Each shoulder strap of the two shoulder straps is selectively adjustable between a lengthen configuration (shown in FIG. 3C) and a shortened configuration (shown in FIG. 3B). In the lengthened configuration, the sleeve 116 is disposed outside the pocket 302 and extending from the intermediate region towards the additional buckle member 114 with the end strap 112 extending through the sleeve 116. FIG. 3C shows the sleeve 116 extended with a portion of the end strap 112 extending through the sleeve 116, which may be used when the baby carrier is configured for wearing with a baby on the chest of the wearer (and the shoulder straps crossing on the back of the wearer). In FIG. 3C, the pocket 302 is on the underside of the shoulder strap 106a, 106b, and not visible. In the shortened configuration, the sleeve 116 is disposed at least partially in the pocket 302 and the end strap 112 extends at least partially from the intermediate region and is not disposed within the sleeve 116. FIG. 3B shows the sleeve 116 tucked into the pocket 302 on the shoulder strap 106a, 106b, which may be used when the baby carrier 100 is configured for wearing with a baby on the back of the wearer.

[0028] Returning to FIG. 1A, the waist belt 130 may include a first region 130 secured or securable to the body member 102 of the baby carrier, a second region 138 secured and/or extending from the first region 131, an end strap 140 distal to the first region 131 (with the second region 138 between the first region 131 and the end strap 140), a square ring 134 secured or securable to the first region 138 distal to the second region 138, a first buckle element 132 (e.g. , female buckle element) on the first region distal 132 to the square ring, and a second buckle element 136 (e.g., male buckle element) adjustably secured to the end strap 140 and configured to releasably secure to the female buckle element 132. When putting on the baby carrier 100, a user may wrap the end strap 136 around his/her waist, through the square ring 134, then back over at least a portion of the waist belt 130 before buckling the second buckle element 136 to the first buckle element 132.

[0029] In many embodiments, at least the first region 131 of the waist belt 130 that is secured to the body member 102 of the baby carrier 100 is multilayered. Turning to FIGS. 4A-4C, the baby carrier 100 may include an adjustable seat system configured to adjust the width of the securement between the body member 102 and the waist belt. At least one portion 403 of the first region 131 waist belt 130, typically a central portion, is fixedly (e.g. , sewn) secured to the body member 102. The waist belt 130 and the body member 102 may include complementary buttons or snaps or other coupling elements that may be selectively secured and released by a user.

[0030] In some embodiments, the seat adjustment system may include a plurality of coupling elements 406 (e.g., buttons) shown in FIG. 4C) positioned longitudinally along the first region 131 of the waist belt 130. In some embodiments, the plurality of coupling elements 406 may include a first portion of coupling elements and a second portion of coupling elements. The portion 403 of the first region 131 of the waist belt 130 fixedly secured to the body member 102 may be disposed between the first portion and the second portion of the plurality of coupling elements 406. In some embodiments, the first region 131 of the waist belt 130 includes one or more belt pockets 412, and the plurality of coupling elements 406 may be disposed within the one or more belt pockets 412. For example, the first region 131 of the waist belt 130 may include a first belt pocket having the first portion of the plurality of coupling elements 406 disposed therein and a second belt pocket having the second portion of the plurality of coupling elements 406 disposed therein.

[0031] The seat adjustment system of the baby carrier 100 also may include multiple complementary coupling elements 402 secured to the lower region of the body member 102. The multiple complementary coupling elements 402 may include a first complementary coupling element 402a configured to selectively secure to any coupling element of the first portion of coupling elements of the plurality of coupling elements 406, and a second complementary coupling element 402b configured to selectively secure to any coupling element of the second portion of coupling elements of the plurality of coupling elements 406. The complementary coupling elements may include buttons, pins, or magnets configured to detachably and selectively secure to the plurality of coupling members 406. In some embodiments, the multiple complementary coupling elements 402 are each secured to a tab of multiple tabs secured to the lower region of the body member 102. The seat adjustment system also may include one or more straps extending through the one or more belt pockets 412 (e.g. , the first belt pocket and the second belt pocket), and the multiple tabs may be slidably secured to the one or more straps.

[0032] The portions of the body member 102 including the tabs and complementary coupling elements may not be fixedly secured (e.g., sewn) to the first region 131 of the waist belt 130, such that a width of the lower region of the body member 102 may be adjusted. For example, the seat region 101 may be formed between the first complementary coupling element 402a secured to one coupling element of the first portion of coupling elements of the plurality of coupling elements 406 and the second complementary coupling element 402b secured to one coupling element of the second portion of coupling elements of the plurality of coupling elements 406. A width of the seat region may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing a number of the plurality of coupling elements 406 between the first complementary coupling element 402a and the second complementary coupling element 402b when selectively securing the first complementary coupling element 402a to one coupling element of the first portion of coupling elements of the plurality of coupling elements 406 and selectively securing the second complementary coupling element 402b to one coupling element of the second portion of coupling elements of the plurality of coupling elements 406.

[0033] In some embodiments, multiple (e.g. four) tabs may be secured to lower region (e.g., bottom edge) of the body member 102. Each of the tabs may include one complementary coupling element 402. Each of the tabs may be slidable or otherwise movable along the strap 404 secured within the first region 131 of the waist belt 130 between layers of the first region 131. A portion of the body member 102 between the multiple tabs (e.g., between the middle two tabs) may be fixedly secured (e.g. , stitched or sewn) to the central portion 403 of the first region 131 of the waist belt 130. In an embodiments including at least four tabs, the tabs are each spaced from one another.

[0034] In the smallest sized seat configuration, the multiple complementary coupling elements 402 are secured to the plurality of coupling elements 406 on the first region 131 of the waist belt 130 closest to the portion 403 of the waist belt fixedly secured to the body member 102. For example, the left two complementary coupling elements 402 may be buttoned or detachably secured to the two coupling elements 406 directly to the left of the portion 403 of the waist belt 130 fixedly secured to the body member 102 and the right two complementary coupling elements 402 may be button or detachably secured to the two coupling elements 406 directly to the right of the portion 403 of the waist belt 130 fixedly secured to the body member 102.

[0035] The seat adjustment system may be adjusted to increase a width of the seat region 111 by moving one or more of the complementary coupling elements 402 and/or securing one or more complementary coupling elements 402 to coupling elements 406 on the waist belt 130 having more space therebetween. For example, the left two complementary coupling elements 402 may be buttoned or detachably secured to two coupling elements 406 to the left of the portion 403 of the waist belt 130 fixedly secured to the body member 102, with a coupling element 406 on the waist belt 130 spaced between the two complementary coupling elements 402 secured to the waist belt 130. The right two complementary coupling elements 402 may be similarly buttoned or detachably secured to two coupling elements 406 on the right of the portion 403 of the waist belt 130 fixedly secured to the body member 130.

[0036] In some embodiments, the seat adjustment system may be further adjusted to increase a width of the seat region 111 by moving one or more of the complementary coupling elements 402 and/or securing one or more complementary coupling elements 402 to coupling elements 406 on the waist belt 130 having more space therebetween. For example, the left two complementary coupling elements 402 may be buttoned or detachably secured to two coupling elements 406 to the left of the portion 403 of the waist belt 130 fixedly secured to the body member 102, with a coupling element 406 on the waist belt 130 spaced between the two complementary coupling elements 402 secured to the waist belt 130 and a coupling element 406 on the waist belt 130 disposed between the complementary coupling elements 402 and the portion 403 of the waist belt 130 fixedly secured to the body member 102. The right two complementary coupling elements 402 may be similarly buttoned or detachably secured to two coupling elements 406 on the right of the portion 403 of the waist belt 130 fixedly secured to the body member 102. The left two complementary coupling elements 402 may be buttoned or detachably secured to two coupling elements 406 to the left of the portion 403 of the waist belt fixedly secured to the body member 102, with a coupling element 406 on the waist belt 130 spaced between the two complementary coupling elements 402 secured to the waist belt 130 and two coupling elements 406 on the waist belt 130 disposed between the complementary coupling elements 402 and the portion 403 of the waist belt 130 fixedly secured to the body member 102. The right two complementary coupling elements 402 may be similarly buttoned or detachably secured to two coupling elements 406 on the right of the portion 403 of the waist belt 130 fixedly secured to the body member 102. These configurations allow the seat adjustment system to increase or decrease a width of the seat region 111 formed by the baby carrier to properly carry a baby in the baby carrier 100.

[0037] As used herein, the term “about” or “substantially” refers to an allowable variance of the term modified by “about” by ±10% or ±5%. Further, the terms “less than,” “or less,” “greater than”, “more than,” or “or more” include as an endpoint, the value that is modified by the terms “less than,” “or less,” “greater than,” “more than,” or “or more.” [0038] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiment disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation. In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.