US4579264A — Baby carrying device

Claim 1

Independent Claim 504 words

A baby carrier comprising: a. a flexible pouch having upper and lower ends and including first and second fabric panel portions joined near their upper ends to hold them in generally opposed orientation but leave an upper opening in said pouch, said panel portions meeting at the lower end of said pouch to provide a generally closed lower end, at least a portion of the upper edge of said second fabric panel being resiliently expandable for flexible retention of a baby carried in said pouch; b. a fabric seat member secured to the inner surface of said first panel portion to form therewith an inner seat pouch, said seat member having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, said first end portion having its end spaced from said intermediate portion secured to said inner surface of said first panel and vertically extending therefrom toward the lower end of said flexible pouch defined by said first and second panel members, said intermediate portion extending away from the lower end of said first end portion and said second end portion extending upwardly from said intermediate portion and having its upper end secured along its side margins to said inner surface of said first panel at points spaced towards said upper end of said first panel from the point of attachment of said end of said first end portion of said seat member to provide, in combination with said first panel portion, said inner seat pouch, the bottom of said seat pouch providing a crotch portion defined by the lower part of said first end portion and at least the adjacent part of said intermediate portion, the upper end of said second end portion of said seat member being unsecured to said flexible pouch between its marginal points of attachment and thereby providing a waist opening, said crotch portion and second end portion of said seat member also being unsecured along the side margins thereof to provide leg openings between said crotch portion and said marginal points of attachment, said waist and leg openings being sized to receive the waist and legs, respectively, of a baby supported in said inner seat pouch, at least a portion of the upper edge of said fabric seat portion being resiliently expandable at said waist opening for flexible support of a baby supported in said inner pouch, said second end portion of said inner seat pouch being of substantially greater width than said crotch portion and than the spacing between the points of attachment of its upper end to said first panel to provide a flared seat portion wider than said waist opening in its expanded condition to extend along part of the legs of the baby supported in said inner seat pouch and inhibit rearward motion of the baby's legs; and c. straps on said first panel portion sized to fit around the shoulders of an adult and adapted to be tied when disposed about the shoulders of the adult to secure said carrier to the adult.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 504 words

A baby carrier comprising: a. a flexible pouch having upper and lower ends and including first and second fabric panel portions joined near their upper ends to hold them in generally opposed orientation but leave an upper opening in said pouch, said panel portions meeting at the lower end of said pouch to provide a generally closed lower end, at least a portion of the upper edge of said second fabric panel being resiliently expandable for flexible retention of a baby carried in said pouch; b. a fabric seat member secured to the inner surface of said first panel portion to form therewith an inner seat pouch, said seat member having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, said first end portion having its end spaced from said intermediate portion secured to said inner surface of said first panel and vertically extending therefrom toward the lower end of said flexible pouch defined by said first and second panel members, said intermediate portion extending away from the lower end of said first end portion and said second end portion extending upwardly from said intermediate portion and having its upper end secured along its side margins to said inner surface of said first panel at points spaced towards said upper end of said first panel from the point of attachment of said end of said first end portion of said seat member to provide, in combination with said first panel portion, said inner seat pouch, the bottom of said seat pouch providing a crotch portion defined by the lower part of said first end portion and at least the adjacent part of said intermediate portion, the upper end of said second end portion of said seat member being unsecured to said flexible pouch between its marginal points of attachment and thereby providing a waist opening, said crotch portion and second end portion of said seat member also being unsecured along the side margins thereof to provide leg openings between said crotch portion and said marginal points of attachment, said waist and leg openings being sized to receive the waist and legs, respectively, of a baby supported in said inner seat pouch, at least a portion of the upper edge of said fabric seat portion being resiliently expandable at said waist opening for flexible support of a baby supported in said inner pouch, said second end portion of said inner seat pouch being of substantially greater width than said crotch portion and than the spacing between the points of attachment of its upper end to said first panel to provide a flared seat portion wider than said waist opening in its expanded condition to extend along part of the legs of the baby supported in said inner seat pouch and inhibit rearward motion of the baby's legs; and c. straps on said first panel portion sized to fit around the shoulders of an adult and adapted to be tied when disposed about the shoulders of the adult to secure said carrier to the adult.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 441 words

A baby carrier comprising: a. a flexible pouch having upper and lower ends and including first and second fabric panel portions joined near their upper ends to hold them in generally opposed orientation but leave an upper opening in said pouch, said panel portions meeting at the lower end of said pouch to provide a generally closed lower end, at least a portion of the upper edge of said second fabric panel being resiliently expandable for flexible retention of a baby carried in said pouch, resiliently expandable attachment means attaching the sides of said first and second panel members together intermediate said upper and lower ends thereof to hold said panel members together but accommodate limited movement of the baby carried in said flexible pouch; b. a fabric seat member secured to the inner surface of said first panel portion to form therewith an inner seat pouch, said seat member having a first end portion secured to said inner surface of said first panel and vertically extending toward the lower end of said flexible pouch defined by said first and second panel members and then extending away therefrom to provide a pocket of generally J-shaped cross section, the other end of said seat member being secured along its side margins to said inner surface of said first panel at points spaced towards said upper end of said first panel from the point of attachment of said first end of said seat member to provide, in combination with said first panel portion, said inner seat pouch, the bottom of said seat pouch providing a crotch portion, said seat member having an unsecured upper end thereof between its marginal points of attachment providing a waist opening, said seat member also having unsecured side portions providing leg openings between said crotch portion and said marginal points of attachment, said waist and leg openings being sized to receive the waist and legs, respectively, of a baby supported in said inner seat pouch, at least a portion of the upper edge of said fabric seat portion being resiliently expandable at said waist opening for flexible support of a baby supported in said inner pouch, said rear portion of said inner seat pouch having a flared portion wider than said waist opening in its expanded condition to extend along part of the legs of the baby supported in said inner seat pouch and inhibit rearward motion of the baby's legs; and c. straps on said first panel portion sized to fit around the shoulders of an adult and adapted to be tied when disposed about the shoulders of the adult to secure said carrier to the adult.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 441 words

A baby carrier comprising: a. a flexible pouch having upper and lower ends and including first and second fabric panel portions joined near their upper ends to hold them in generally opposed orientation but leave an upper opening in said pouch, said panel portions meeting at the lower end of said pouch to provide a generally closed lower end, at least a portion of the upper edge of said second fabric panel being resiliently expandable for flexible retention of a baby carried in said pouch, resiliently expandable attachment means attaching the sides of said first and second panel members together intermediate said upper and lower ends thereof to hold said panel members together but accommodate limited movement of the baby carried in said flexible pouch; b. a fabric seat member secured to the inner surface of said first panel portion to form therewith an inner seat pouch, said seat member having a first end portion secured to said inner surface of said first panel and vertically extending toward the lower end of said flexible pouch defined by said first and second panel members and then extending away therefrom to provide a pocket of generally J-shaped cross section, the other end of said seat member being secured along its side margins to said inner surface of said first panel at points spaced towards said upper end of said first panel from the point of attachment of said first end of said seat member to provide, in combination with said first panel portion, said inner seat pouch, the bottom of said seat pouch providing a crotch portion, said seat member having an unsecured upper end thereof between its marginal points of attachment providing a waist opening, said seat member also having unsecured side portions providing leg openings between said crotch portion and said marginal points of attachment, said waist and leg openings being sized to receive the waist and legs, respectively, of a baby supported in said inner seat pouch, at least a portion of the upper edge of said fabric seat portion being resiliently expandable at said waist opening for flexible support of a baby supported in said inner pouch, said rear portion of said inner seat pouch having a flared portion wider than said waist opening in its expanded condition to extend along part of the legs of the baby supported in said inner seat pouch and inhibit rearward motion of the baby's legs; and c. straps on said first panel portion sized to fit around the shoulders of an adult and adapted to be tied when disposed about the shoulders of the adult to secure said carrier to the adult.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 61 words

The baby carrier of claim 2 wherein said resilient attachment means includes a resiliently expandable loop provided on each side margin of said second panel member intermediate its upper and lower ends, said baby carrier further including means on said first panel for extending through said resiliently expandable loops on said second panel and holding said loops to said first panel.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 110 words

The baby carrier of claim 3 wherein said means on said first panel for holding said resiliently expandable loops to said first panel include loops extending from the side margins of said first panel and sized to extend through said resiliently expandable loops on said second panel, said straps on said first panel being sized to fit around the shoulders of an adult, extend through said loops on said first panel while said loops on said first panel extend through said loops on said second panel, and be tied in place, tying of said straps thereby holding said loops on said second panel to said loops on said first panel.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 52 words

The baby carrier of claim 1 further including loops on the side margins of said first panel member, said straps being sized to extend over the shoulders of an adult carrying the baby carrier, extend through said loops on said first panel, and be tied to hold said straps in said loops.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 50 words

The baby carrier of claim 5 wherein a plurality of loops is provided on each of said side margins of said first panel member, said loops being vertically spaced for adjustment of the fit of said baby carrier on an adult by changing the loop through which said straps extend.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 92 words

The baby carrier of claim 1 further including a fabric head-support member of generally rectangular configuration with upper and lower sides extending between opposite ends and having the side marginal portions thereof folded toward each other at the ends thereof to form longitudinal folds, said head-support member being stitched at the end portions thereof to hold the ends of said side marginal portions in their folded positions, said side marginal portions of said head-support member being free intermediate the ends thereof to permit formation of a cup-shaped support by said head-support member.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 58 words

The baby carrier of claim 7 wherein at least one end portion of said head-support member is folded upon itself to provide a transverse fold substantially parallel to said longitudinal folds, said transverse fold being held in place by stitching that is removable to release said transverse fold and thereby increase the effective length of said head-support member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

The baby carrier of claim 1 wherein said shoulder straps include shoulder-pad portions positioned thereon to be disposed at the shoulders of an adult carrying said baby carrier.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 79 words

The baby carrier of claim 9 wherein each of said shoulder pads includes a closed elongated fabric sleeve and padding material contained in said sleeve, said fabric sleeve being sewn on the bias to provide a comfortable fit, said shoulder pad further including a fabric insert sewn interior to said pocket of said shoulder pad and extending longitudinally between the ends thereof, the grain of said insert extending longitudinally of said strap to inhibit longitudinal stretching of said sleeve.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 488 words

A baby carrier comprising: a. a flexible pouch having upper and lower ends and including first and second fabric panel portions joined near their upper ends to hold them in generally opposed orientation but leave an upper opening in said pouch, said panel portions meeting at the lower end of said pouch to provide a generally closed lower end; b. a fabric seat member secured to the inner surface of said first panel portion to form therewith an inner seat pouch, said seat member having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, said first end portion having its end spaced from said intermediate portion secured to said inner surface of said first panel portion and extending vertically therefrom towards the lower end of said flexible pouch defined by said first and second panel members, said intermediate portion extending away from the lower end of said first end portion and said second end portion extending upwardly from said intermediate portion and having its upper end secured along its side margin to said inner surface of said first panel at points spaced towards said upper end of said first panel from the point of attachment of said end of said first end portion of said seat member to provide, in combination with said first panel, said inner seat pouch, the bottom of said seat pouch providing a crotch portion defined by the lower part of said first end portion and at least the adjacent part of said intermediate portion, the upper end of said second end portion of said seat member being unsecured to said flexible pouch between the marginal points of attachment and thereby providing a waist opening, said crotch portion and second end portion of said seat member also being unsecured along the side margins thereof to provide leg openings between said crotch portion and said marginal points of attachment, said waist and leg openings being sized to receive the waist and legs, respectively, of a baby supported in said inner seat pouch, said second end portion of said inner seat pouch being of substantially greater width than said crotch portion and than the spacing between the points of attachment of its upper end to said first panel to provide a flared seat portion wider than said waist opening to extend along part of the legs of the baby supported in said inner seat pouch and inhibit rearward motion of the baby's legs; c. straps extending from said upper end of said first panel portion, sized to fit around the shoulders of an adult, and adapted to be tied when disposed around the shoulders to secure said carrier to the adult; and d. a waist strap attached to the lower end of said flexible pouch and sized to fit around the waist of an adult carrying said pouch and to be tied at its free ends to help secure said baby carrier to the adult.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 488 words

A baby carrier comprising: a. a flexible pouch having upper and lower ends and including first and second fabric panel portions joined near their upper ends to hold them in generally opposed orientation but leave an upper opening in said pouch, said panel portions meeting at the lower end of said pouch to provide a generally closed lower end; b. a fabric seat member secured to the inner surface of said first panel portion to form therewith an inner seat pouch, said seat member having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, said first end portion having its end spaced from said intermediate portion secured to said inner surface of said first panel portion and extending vertically therefrom towards the lower end of said flexible pouch defined by said first and second panel members, said intermediate portion extending away from the lower end of said first end portion and said second end portion extending upwardly from said intermediate portion and having its upper end secured along its side margin to said inner surface of said first panel at points spaced towards said upper end of said first panel from the point of attachment of said end of said first end portion of said seat member to provide, in combination with said first panel, said inner seat pouch, the bottom of said seat pouch providing a crotch portion defined by the lower part of said first end portion and at least the adjacent part of said intermediate portion, the upper end of said second end portion of said seat member being unsecured to said flexible pouch between the marginal points of attachment and thereby providing a waist opening, said crotch portion and second end portion of said seat member also being unsecured along the side margins thereof to provide leg openings between said crotch portion and said marginal points of attachment, said waist and leg openings being sized to receive the waist and legs, respectively, of a baby supported in said inner seat pouch, said second end portion of said inner seat pouch being of substantially greater width than said crotch portion and than the spacing between the points of attachment of its upper end to said first panel to provide a flared seat portion wider than said waist opening to extend along part of the legs of the baby supported in said inner seat pouch and inhibit rearward motion of the baby's legs; c. straps extending from said upper end of said first panel portion, sized to fit around the shoulders of an adult, and adapted to be tied when disposed around the shoulders to secure said carrier to the adult; and d. a waist strap attached to the lower end of said flexible pouch and sized to fit around the waist of an adult carrying said pouch and to be tied at its free ends to help secure said baby carrier to the adult.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 39 words

The baby carrier of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of the upper edge of said fabric seat portion is resiliently expandable at said waist opening for flexible support of the baby supported in said inner seat pouch.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 46 words

The baby carrier of claim 11 wherein said first panel portion is sized to fit against the chest of an adult supporting said pouch, said first panel portion being reduced in horizontal dimension near its upper end at the position of the shoulders of the adult.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1989-03-31	1989-09-30	1990-04-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1993-03-31	1993-09-30	1994-04-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1997-03-31	1997-09-30	1998-04-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Baby carrying device

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