BABY CARRIER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 2006-099290, 2006-099291, 2006-099292, 2006-099293, 2006-099294, filed on Mar. 31, 2006; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to technology for baby carriers which are used for holding a baby.

2) Description of the Related Art

Generally, a person can hold a baby using a baby carrier in two different manners: a lying-position holding and an upright-position holding. In the lying-position holding, the baby is held in a horizontally lying position, while in the upright-position holding, the baby is held in a vertically upright position. As the baby grows, the manner of holding is usually switched from the lying-position holding to the upright-position holding. The baby whose neck is not strong enough to keep its head upright is usually held in a lying position. The baby whose neck has become strong enough to keep its head upright is held in an upright position.

In view of the foregoing, baby carriers which allow the user to switch the holding manners between the lying-position holding and the upright-position holding have been proposed. For example, one proposed baby carrier includes an upright-position holding seat employed for upright-position holding and a lying-position holding seat employed for lying-position holding, wherein only the upright-position holding seat is usable at a time of upright-position holding, and the lying-position holding seat is detachably attached to the upright-position holding seat and made usable at a time of lying-position holding (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laying-Open No. 2004-181268).

The conventional baby carrier has hooks attached to the backside surface (a surface to the side of the baby) and the side surfaces of the upright-position holding seat, and hooks attached to the backside surface (a surface to be in contact with the upright-position holding seat) and the side surfaces of the lying-position holding seat. The hooks are detachably engaged with each other when the lying-position holding seat is attached to the upright-position holding seat.

Further, to allow the user to hold the baby in the upright-position, the conventional baby carrier includes, for example, a main carrier body and a shoulder strap. The user places the baby in the main carrier body and suspends the main carrier body from his/her shoulders using the shoulder strap. The user can hold the baby in two different upright positions using such a baby carrier: one is a back-facing position in which the baby faces backward (i.e., toward the user) (back-facing front-loading); and another is a front-facing position in which the baby faces forward (front-facing front-loading).

While the baby is held in the back-facing position, the weight of the baby is transferred to the main carrier body mainly from the buttocks of the baby. Therefore, the main carrier body is required to securely support the buttocks of the baby with a portion (hereinafter referred to as leg-opening portion) which is in contact with the buttocks of the baby. It is particularly preferable that the leg-opening portion maintains its width to a size wider than a predetermined dimension so as to remain fit to the moving baby and support the buttocks of the baby comfortably even when the baby waggles from side to side. However, when the baby is held in the front-facing position, the inner thighs and their surrounding portions touch the leg-opening portion. The gap between the inner thighs or their surrounding portions is narrower than the gap between the buttocks. If the width of the leg-opening portion is the same for both the back-facing position holding and the front-facing position holding, the leg-opening portion may compress the inner thighs of the baby, and make the baby feel uncomfortable.

To solve such a problem, some structures have been proposed to adjust the width of the leg-opening portion. For example, one proposed structure includes a fastener attached to the leg-opening portion, and the fastener makes the width of the leg-opening portion narrow when the baby is held in front-facing position. Another proposed structure includes a cushiony member arranged inside the leg-opening portion. When the baby is held in the front-facing position, softness of the cushiony member reduces the pressure applied from the leg-opening portion to the thighs of the baby.

The main carrier body further includes a head support at the top. The head support serves to support the head of the baby and prevent the baby from leaning too far backward. The head support is a wide strap-like member and a head-support strap and a fastening member are attached to each end thereof. The head-support strap is connected to the main carrier body and the shoulder strap via the fastening member, thereby connecting the head support to the main carrier body and the shoulder strap.

The conventional baby carrier with the head support further includes a head-support cover to prevent the head-support strap and the fastening member from touching the baby. The conventional head-support cover is configured in a substantially flat plate-like shape, and arranged on a backside surface (surface to the side of the baby) of each of the head-support strap and the fastening member. Another conventional head-support cover is configured in a tube-like shape. The head-support strap and the fastening member pass through the tube-like head-support cover, and are covered substantially by the head-support cover.

Further, in some of the proposed head supports with the above configuration, the right-side length and the left-side length are adjustable. Specifically, the fastening member is configured with a ladder lock. The distance between the main carrier body and the head support is adjusted through adjustment of the amount of the head-support strap inserted into the ladder lock.

Further, the conventional upright-position holding seat includes a bridging strap and a buckle for coupling a right-side shoulder strap and a left-side shoulder strap. The bridging strap is configured in a belt-like shape, for example, and attached to one of the right-side shoulder strap and the left-side shoulder strap. The buckle consists of a female buckle attached to the free end of the bridging strap and a male buckle attached to another of the right-side shoulder strap and the left-side shoulder strap. When the male buckle is detachably attached to the female buckle disposed at the end of the bridging strap, the right-side and the left-side shoulder straps are coupled with each other via the bridging strap and the buckle. In the coupled state, the right-side shoulder strap and the left-side shoulder strap are kept at a fixed distance from each other. Therefore, the shoulder strap is rarely tripped off from the shoulders of the user and the user can easily put the baby carrier on. Further, since the buckle is configured as a side buckle, the user can disengage the female buckle from the male buckle to decouple the shoulder straps by manipulating an operating portion arranged on the side of the buckle.

On the bridging strap and the buckle, a buckle cover is arranged so as to cover the bridging strap and the buckle, and to prevent the bridging strap and the buckle from touching the baby. The buckle cover is configured in a sheet-like shape, for example. The sheet-like buckle cover can be folded into two, and the bridging strap and the buckle can be placed inside the folded buckle cover, whereby the bridging strap and the buckle can be covered in a non-exposed state. Further, the buckle cover has a fastener such as a hook and a surface fastener attached onto the inner side surface thereof. The buckle cover can be fixed to the bridging strap with the fastener which keep the ends of the buckle cover fixed with each other.

Conventionally, when the baby carrier is designed for babies whose back is not yet strong enough to keep them in the upright position, the baby carrier needs to hold the back of the baby with a relatively high rigidity. Therefore, the baby carrier is required to have a high rigidity with the use of a rigid member such as a hard board in the main carrier body. On the other hand, the baby carrier for babies whose back is strong enough to keep them in the upright position does not need to protect the back of the baby with a particularly high rigidity. Therefore, the main carrier body of such a baby carrier can be configured only with soft fabric and not with a hard board.

Further, there is a high demand from the user's side that the baby carrier be configured in such a manner that the user can fold the baby carrier into a compact shape and carry it when the use thereof becomes not necessary while the user is out. To meet such demand, a storing structure for storing the baby carrier has been proposed for the baby carrier designed for babies whose back is strong enough to support the upright position. Specifically, the baby carrier is integrally formed with a bag such as a waist bag, so that the baby carrier and the bag are on the front side and the back side, respectively. When the user holds the baby with the baby carrier, the user puts the baby carrier outside; when the user does not hold the baby with the baby carrier, the user reverses the structure to reveal the bag outside, folds the baby carrier into a compact shape, and tucks into the bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a baby carrier which can solve the problems of the conventional technique as described above.

To achieve the object, a baby carrier according to the present invention is configured as follows, for example.

A baby carrier according to one aspect of the present invention has a holding seat in which a baby is held in contact with the holding seat, and the holding seat has a contact portion at which the holding seat contacts with the baby and in which a buffer member is embedded, and the buffer member has a relieving portion which relieves buffer power of the buffer member.

A baby carrier according to another aspect of the present invention has an upright-position holding seat for holding a baby in an upright position, and a lying-position holding seat for holding the baby in a lying position, and the upright-position holding seat and the lying-position holding seat are attachable/detachable to/from each other with back side surfaces of the upright-position holding seat and the lying-position holding seat being in contact with each other, and the lying-position holding seat has a first fastener, one of the lying-position holding seat and the upright-position holding seat has a second fastener which can be fixed to the first fastener in a detachable manner, and the first fastener and the second fastener are made unexposed at the back side surface of the upright-position holding seat and at a front side surface of the lying-position holding seat.

A baby carrier according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a seat main body for holding a torso of a baby; a head support arranged at an end portion of the seat main body for supporting a head of the baby; shoulder straps for supporting the seat main body in a suspended manner; and a connector for connecting the head support to the seat main body or to the shoulder strap, wherein a front side surface of the connector is covered by a front-side cover substantially, and a back side surface of the connector is covered by a back-side cover substantially.

A baby carrier according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a seat main body which covers a torso of a baby; a pair of shoulder straps which is attached to the seat main body; a bridging strap for connecting the pairing shoulder straps with each other; and an attachment/detachment for attaching the bridging strap to the shoulder strap in a detachable manner, wherein the baby carrier further comprises a tube-like cover which surrounds the bridging strap and which extends from the bridging strap to the attachment/detachment to surround at least a portion of the attachment/detachment, and the cover is fixed to the bridging strap at a position near the attachment/detachment.

A baby carrier according to still another aspect of the present invention is a baby carrier for holding a baby, which includes a folder for holding the baby carrier, and a storage for storing the folder inside the baby carrier in such a manner that the folder can be taken out from the storage freely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a baby carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the baby carrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a state of a lying-position holding;

FIG. 4 illustrates a state of a back-facing front-loading upright-position holding;

FIG. 5 illustrates a state of a front-facing front-loading upright-position holding;

FIG. 6 illustrates a state of a normal back-loading holding (piggyback);

FIG. 7 illustrates a state of a back-loading holding with crossed straps;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an upright-position holding seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a back view of the upright-position holding seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of shoulder straps in which a fastener is in an open state;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged front view of the shoulder straps in which the fastener is in a closed state;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged front view of a portion around a head-support strap;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged front view of the portion around the head-support strap in which a back-side cover is flipped up;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged front view of the portion around the head-support strap in a decoupled state;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged front view of a portion around a bridging strap in a coupled state;

FIG. 17 is a front view of a rotating buckle;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the rotating buckle;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the rotating buckle in a detached state;

FIG. 20 is a front view of the rotating buckle in a pre-rotation state and a post-rotation state;

FIG. 21 is a front view of a leg-support strap;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a lying-position holding seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is a front view of the lying-position holding seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is a back view of the lying-position holding seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 25 is a vertical sectional view of the lying-position holding seat;

FIG. 26 is a front view of a portion around a head-support strap in the minimum length;

FIG. 27 is a front view of the portion around the head-support strap in the maximum length;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged front view of the portion around the bridging strap in a decoupled state;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged front view of the portion around the bridging strap in a state where a bridging strap cover is tucked;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged front view of the portion around the bridging strap in a middle of storage;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged front view of the portion around the bridging strap in a storage-completed state;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged back view of a portion around a leg-opening portion;

FIG. 33 is a vertical sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is an enlarged back view of the portion around the leg-opening portion in a deformed state;

FIG. 35 is a vertical sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is an enlarged vertical view of a portion around a movable portion;

FIG. 37 is an enlarged vertical view of a portion around the movable portion in a deformed state;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged back view of a portion around a weight-adjusting portion;

FIG. 39 conceptually illustrates a portion around a leg-opening portion in a conventional baby carrier;

FIG. 40 conceptually illustrates the portion around the leg-opening portion according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a front view of a fixing structure in a head portion;

FIG. 42 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion around a strap combiner in a combining state;

FIG. 43 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion around the strap combiner in a de-combining state;

FIG. 44 is an enlarged front view of a portion around a pocket in which a storage bag is stored;

FIG. 45 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat where the storage bag is taken out from the pocket;

FIG. 46 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat, illustrating a storage procedure of the upright-position holding seat;

FIG. 47 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat, illustrating the storage procedure of the upright-position holding seat subsequent to FIG. 46;

FIG. 48 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat, illustrating the storage procedure of the upright-position holding seat subsequent to FIG. 47;

FIG. 49 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat after the storage thereof is completed;

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the storage bag attached to a handle rail of a baby stroller;

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of the storage bag attached to a handle of a bag;

FIG. 52 is a vertical sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 44;

FIG. 53 is an enlarged front view of a modified example of the bridging strap;

FIG. 54 illustrates how the bridging strap is stored from the state shown in FIG. 53;

FIG. 55 shows the bridging strap of FIG. 53 in a storage-completed state;

FIG. 56 is an enlarged front view of another modified example of the bridging strap;

FIG. 57 illustrates the bridging strap of FIG. 56 in a storage-completed state;

FIG. 58 is a vertical sectional view of an upright-position-holding-seat main body, showing a modified example of a portion connecting a front side cloth and a back side cloth;

FIG. 59 is a back view of a lying-position holding seat according to a first modified example of an attachment/detachment structure;

FIG. 60 is a back view of the lying-position holding seat according to a second modified example of the attachment/detachment structure;

FIG. 61 is a back view of an upright-position holding seat according to the second modified example of the attachment/detachment structure:

FIG. 62 is a back view of a lying-position holding seat according to a third modified example of the attachment/detachment structure;

FIG. 63 is a back view of a lying-position holding seat according to a fourth modified example of the attachment/detachment structure;

FIG. 64 is a back view of an upright-position holding seat according to the fourth modified example of the attachment/detachment structure;

FIG. 65 is a back view of a lying-position holding seat according to a fifth modified example of the attachment/detachment structure;

FIG. 66 is a back view of an upright-position holding seat according to the fifth modified example of the attachment/detachment structure;

FIG. 67 is a back view of a lying-position holding seat according to a sixth modified example of the attachment/detachment structure;

FIG. 68 is a front view of an upright-position holding seat according to the sixth modified example of the attachment/detachment structure:

FIG. 69 is a front view of an upright-position holding seat according to a seventh modified example of the attachment/detachment structure;

FIG. 70 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat 10 where the storage bag is taken out, illustrating a modified example of the folder structure;

FIG. 71 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat, illustrating a storage procedure of the upright-position holding seat;

FIG. 72 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat, illustrating the storage procedure of the upright-position holding seat subsequent to FIG. 71;

FIG. 73 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat, illustrating the storage procedure of the upright-position holding seat subsequent to FIG. 72;

FIG. 74 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat, illustrating the storage procedure of the upright-position holding seat subsequent to FIG. 73

FIG. 75 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat, illustrating the storage procedure of the upright-position holding seat subsequent to FIG. 74

FIG. 76 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat, illustrating a modified example of the folder structure provided with a securing strap;

FIG. 77 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat, illustrating the modified example of the folder structure provided with the securing strap in a fold-completed state;

FIG. 78 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat, illustrating another modified example of the folder structure provided with a holding strap;

FIG. 79 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat, illustrating another modified example of the folder structure provided with the holding strap in a fold-completed state;

FIG. 80 is a front view of still another modified example of the folder structure provided with a button and a hook; and

FIG. 81 is a front view of the still another modified example of the folder structure provided with the button and the hook in a fold-completed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

Exemplary embodiments of a baby carrier according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Firstly, a basic structure of the baby carrier will be described, followed by a description of detailed structure of each portion of the baby carrier. Lastly, modifications of the embodiment will be described.

Basic Structure of Baby Carrier

Firstly, a basic structure of the baby carrier will be described. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the baby carrier, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the baby carrier. A baby carrier 1 is a holding device used for holding a baby. The baby carrier 1 includes an upright-position holding seat 10 which the user (e.g., a mother or a father of a baby) puts on, and a lying-position holding seat 50 which is detachably attached to the upright-position holding seat 10. In the following description, X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction shown in FIG. 1 will be referred to as rightward direction, forward direction, and upward direction, respectively, if not otherwise specified. Directions opposite thereto will be referred to as leftward direction, backward direction, and downward direction, respectively. A surface of the upright-position holding seat 10 and a surface of the lying-position holding seat 50 that are brought into contact with each other will be referred to as backside surfaces, and a surface opposite to the backside surface will be referred to as frontside surface. If necessary, a vertical direction and a horizontal direction may be referred to, respectively, as lengthwise direction and widthwise direction.

The user of the baby carrier 1 can hold the baby in various manners. The holding manners can be largely classified into three categories, i.e., “lying-position holding”, “upright-position holding”, and “back-loading (piggyback)”. The “upright-position holding” can be further classified into “forward-facing holding” and “backward-facing holding”. The “back-loading” is further classified into “normal back-loading” and “back-loading with crossed straps”. In total, the user can hold the baby in five different manners. The user can select one of the five holding manners for holding the baby according to his/her needs.

Specifically, when the user holds the baby in the manner of “lying-position holding”, the baby is held in a lying position stretching the legs substantially horizontally in front of the user as shown in FIG. 3. When the user holds the baby in the manner of “upright-position holding”, the baby is held substantially vertically upright in front of the user. Further, in “backward-facing upright-position holding”, the baby is held facing backward (toward the user) as shown in FIG. 4, while in “forward-facing upright-position holding”, the baby is held facing forward as shown in FIG. 5. In the “back-loading”, the user piggybacks the baby on his/her back with the baby substantially vertically upright. Further, in the “normal back-loading”, the user puts a pair of shoulder straps described later, i.e., a right-side shoulder strap and a left-side shoulder strap (not shown in FIG. 6) as shown in FIG. 6, without making them intersect with each other, while in the “back-loading with crossed straps”, the user puts the shoulder straps making them intersect with each other as shown in FIG. 7.

Generally, the baby after the birth up to a few months cannot hold the head upright because the neck is not strong enough. Therefore, the baby is held in a lying position. After the neck of the baby becomes strong enough, the baby is held in an upright position. When the user uses the baby carrier 1 of the embodiment, the user can attach the lying-position holding seat 50 to the upright-position holding seat 10 only when he/she holds the baby in the lying position, and later he/she can remove the lying-position holding seat 50 and use the upright-position holding seat 10 alone. Thus, the baby carrier 1 has high versatility and is convenient.

Basic Structure of Upright-Position Holding Seat 10

Basic structure of the upright-position holding seat 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the upright-position holding seat 10, FIG. 9 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat 10, and FIG. 10 is a back view of the upright-position holding seat 10. The upright-position holding seat 10 mainly includes an upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, a head support 12, shoulder straps 13, a bridging strap 14, side straps 15, and leg-support straps 16. The head support 12, the shoulder straps 13, the bridging strap 14, the side straps 15, and the leg-support straps 16 are each attached to the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11.

The upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 forms a receiving surface to receive the lying-position holding seat 50, and at the same time, forms a holding surface for directly supporting the baby. The upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 is a basic structural member of the upright-position holding seat 10. As far as the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 fulfills the functions mentioned above, the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 can be configured in any shapes. The upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 of the embodiment is generally formed in an elongated, substantially flat plate-like shape. The upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 has a length substantially corresponding to a length of a portion extending from the neck to the crotch of the baby, and a width substantially corresponding to a width of the torso of the baby. It is preferable that the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 has sufficient flexibility to accommodate changes in the manner of baby holding, and to follow the movements of the baby. For example, the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 includes a cushiony member of a material such as urethane and a front and back surfaces of the cushiony member are covered with a cover cloth and a backing cloth, respectively (the cushiony member, the cover cloth, and the backing cloth are not shown in FIGS. 8 to 10). Of the cover cloth and the backing cloth, portions corresponding to the upper half of the body of the baby are made of mesh cloth which has excellent ventilation characteristics, to enhance the comfort of the baby and to improve the design of the baby carrier 1.

The head support 12 is a head supporter which receives the weight of the head of the baby and prevents the baby from leaning too far backward. As far as the head support 12 fulfills the functions, the head support 12 can be configured in any shapes. The head support 12 of the embodiment is formed generally in a horizontally long strap-like shape. The head support 12 has a height covering the neck portion up to the top portion of the head of the baby, and a width slightly wider than that of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11. The head support 12 is formed with a cushiony member covered by a cover cloth and a backing cloth of mesh material. Thus, the softness of the head support 12 is guaranteed, and the comfort of the baby and the design quality of the baby carrier 1 are enhanced. A lower edge of the head support 12 is sutured with an upper edge of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 along a suture line 17. The head support 12 can be folded at the suture line 17 to the front side. Therefore, at the time of forward-facing holding shown in FIG. 5, there is an open space above the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 and the face of the baby facing forward is not covered, whereby the comfort of the baby can be enhanced.

The shoulder strap 13 is a supporter that is put around the shoulder of the user so that the user can bear the weight of the baby applied to the upright-position holding seat 10 in a suspended manner. The shoulder strap 13 is provided both at the right side and the left side of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11. The shoulder strap 13 is formed in such a length that the shoulder strap 13 protrudes from the side of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, runs around the shoulder of the user, and reaches the chest or the back of the user. The shoulder strap 13 is formed to be slightly wider than the side strap 15 or the leg-support strap 16, so that the weight applied on the shoulders of the user is dispersed via the shoulder strap 13 so as to alleviate the weight felt by the user. Further, as shown in the enlarged front view of the shoulder strap 13 in FIG. 11, a fastener 18 is provided to a different side of each of the shoulder straps 13 near the center of the shoulder strap 13 in the lengthwise direction. Therefore, the two pairing shoulder straps 13 can be connected with each other via the fasteners 18 so as to form one wider strap-like member as shown in the front view of FIG. 12. When the user puts the shoulder strap 13 on only one shoulder at the time of lying-position holding as shown in FIG. 3, the wider shoulder strap 13 hardly falls off from the shoulder and is able to disperse the weight more evenly, whereby the burden on the user can be further alleviated.

Returning to FIGS. 8 to 10, the head support 12 and the shoulder strap 13 with the above-described configurations are connected with each other via a head-support strap 20. FIG. 13 is an enlarged front view of a portion around the head-support strap 20, FIG. 14 is an enlarged front view of the portion around the head-support strap 20 where a back-side cover 72 mentioned later is flipped open, and FIG. 15 is an enlarged front view of the portion around the head-support strap 20 in a decoupled state. The head-support strap 20 is a connector that connects the head support 12 and the shoulder strap 13 with each other, and is projected from each end of the head support 12 toward either the right or the left direction.

The head-support strap 20 includes a strap-like main strap body 21 projected from the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, a ladder lock 22 which is employed for length adjustment and arranged at a free end of the main strap body 21, and a hook 23 formed integrally with the ladder lock 22 and arranged at the end of the ladder lock 22. On the other hand, a ring 24 is arranged on the shoulder strap 13 at a position corresponding to the hook 23. When the hook 23 is detachably engaged with the ring 24, the head support 12 is connected to the shoulder strap 13 so that the weight of the head of the baby is supported via the shoulder strap 13, whereby the head of the baby can be even more securely held. Further, when the head support 12 and the shoulder strap 13 are connected in the above-described manner, the pairing shoulder straps 13 are kept at a distance therebetween at an upper position, whereby the burden on the shoulder of the user can be alleviated. Further, when an amount of the main strap body 21 inserted into the ladder lock 22 is changed, a length of a main strap body 21 portion protruding from the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 can be adjusted, and the distance between the head support 12 and the shoulder strap 13 can be adjusted, whereby the size of a space where the baby is received can be adjusted according to the age in month and the body size of the baby. When the head support 12 is connected to the shoulder strap 13, the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, the head support 12, and the shoulder straps 13 form an arm hole 25, which is an opening surrounded by these three members, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and the baby can put its arm into the arm hole 25 freely.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the bridging strap 14 is a connector that connects the right-side and the left-side shoulder straps 13 with each other (in FIGS. 8 and 9, the bridging strap 14 is stored in a pocket 90 described later). FIG. 16 is an enlarged front view of a portion around the bridging strap in a connected state. The bridging strap 14 is arranged near a position where one of the shoulder strap 13 (left-side shoulder strap 13 in the embodiment) is connected to the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, and is formed as a strap-like member extending from the one shoulder strap 13 to the other shoulder strap 13 (right-side shoulder strap 13 in the embodiment). A female buckle 26 is arranged at the free end of the bridging strap 14, whereas a male buckle 27 is arranged at a position corresponding to the female buckle 26 near a position where the other shoulder strap 13 (right-side shoulder strap 13 in the embodiment) is connected to the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 (in FIG. 16, the male buckle 27 is stored in the female buckle 26).

In the female buckle 26, a space (not shown) is formed to store the male buckle 27, and an engaging boss (not shown) is formed in the space. When the male buckle 27 is inserted into the space, the engaging boss is detachably engaged with the male buckle 27. Thus, the right-side and the left-side shoulder straps 13 can be connected with each other via the bridging strap 14 in such a manner that the distance between the shoulder straps 13 is maintained, whereby the burden on the user can be further alleviated. The female buckle 26 has an operating portion 26a. When the operation portion 26a is pressed to elastically deform the female buckle 26, the male buckle 27 is released from the engaging boss, and the shoulder straps 13 are released from the connection by the bridging strap 14.

Returning again to FIGS. 8 and 9, the side strap 15 is a connector that connects the shoulder strap 13 and the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 with each other. The upper end of the side strap 15 is connected to the end of the shoulder strap 13 via a rotating buckle 30 described later. The lower end of the side strap 15 is connected to a lower end of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 via a ladder lock 28. The user can adjust the distance between the shoulder strap 13 and the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 by changing the amount of a side strap 15 portion inserted into the ladder lock 28 according to the body shape of the user, thereby making the shoulder strap 13 fit to himself/herself. Further, a binding rubber 29 is provided near the lower end of one of the right-side and the left-side side straps 15 (right-side side strap 15 in the embodiment) as shown in FIG. 2. The binding rubber 29 is a circular elastic member. When the lower end of the other side strap 15 (left-side side strap 15 in the embodiment) is made to pass through the binding rubber 29, the lower ends of the right-side and the left-side side straps 15 are bound together, whereby the side straps 15 are prevented from hanging loosely by itself to disturb the user.

The shoulder strap 13 and the side strap 15 configured as described above are connected with each other via the rotating buckle 30 as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 17 is a front view of the rotating buckle 30, FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the rotating buckle 30, and FIG. 19 is a perspective view (partially exploded) of the rotating buckle 30 in a detached state. The rotating buckle 30 includes a male buckle 31 and a female buckle 32. One shoulder strap 13 (right-side shoulder strap 13 in the embodiment) and one side strap 15 (right-side side strap 15 in the embodiment) are connected with each other via the male buckle 31, and the other shoulder strap 13 (left-side shoulder strap 13 in the embodiment) and the other side strap 15 (left-side side strap 15 in the embodiment) are connected with each other via the female buckle 32. When the male buckle 31 and the female buckle 32 are connected with each other, the right-side shoulder strap 13 and the left-side shoulder strap 13 are connected with each other in front of the user, whereby the back-loading with crossed straps as shown in FIG. 7 is allowed, and the weight on the user can be further dispersed.

As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the male buckle 31 includes a base 33 and a tongue 34 formed as one piece. The base 33 has a ring 33a to which the shoulder strap 13 can be connected, and a slit 33b to which the side strap 15 can be connected. The tongue 34 is formed in a circular shape. An operation portion 34a is provided inside the circular shape of the tongue 34. When the operation portion 34a is in a non-pressed state, the operation portion 34a protrudes toward backside (toward the side of the user) slightly farther than the tongue 34. The operation portion 34a is elastically deformable toward the front side. On the other hand, the female buckle 32 includes a base 35 and a socket 36 formed as one piece. The base 35 has a ring 35a to which the shoulder strap 13 can be connected, and a slit 35b to which the side strap 15 can be connected. The socket 36 has a space 36a therein for receiving the tongue 34 of the male buckle 31. The tongue 34 can be detachably inserted into the space 36a. To the back side of the space, a ring 36b is arranged. When the tongue 34 is inserted into the space 36a, the operation portion 34a of the tongue 34 protrudes toward back side through a hole of the ring 36b, and is detachably engaged with the ring 36b. Thus, the male buckle 31 and the female buckle 32 are connected with each other. In the connected state, the male buckle 31 can rotate around the operation portion 34a relative to the female buckle 32 in a vertical plane (a plane extending along the chest of the user) within a predetermined range. The user can adjust the crossing angle of the shoulder strap 13 and the side strap 15 according to his/her body shape, whereby the baby carrier can be made fit to the user even more. FIG. 20 is a front view of the rotating buckle 30. In FIG. 20, a phantom line indicates the rotating buckle 30 before the rotation, and a solid line indicates the rotating buckle 30 after the rotation. If the user presses the operation portion 34a from the backside toward the front side while the rotating buckle 30 is in the connected state, the operation portion 34a undergoes elastic deformation to be disengaged from the ring 36b, whereby the male buckle 31 is released from the engagement with the female buckle 32. Since the operation portion 34a is arranged at the back side of the rotating buckle 30, accidental pressing of the rotating buckle 30 from the front side will not cause the disengagement of the male buckle 31 from the female buckle 32.

Returning again to FIGS. 8 and 9, the leg-support strap 16 is a connector that surrounds a leg portion of the baby and that connects the side portion and the lower end portion of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 to receive the weight of the baby transferred from the buttocks of the baby via the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 in a suspended manner. FIG. 21 is a front view of the leg-support strap 16. The leg-support strap 16 includes a leg-support strap main body 40 attached to the lower end of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 and a rubber-made stretchable strap 41 that connects the leg-support strap main body 40 to a portion near a position where the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 and the shoulder strap 13 are connected with each other. The stretchable strap 41, which stretches following the movement of the baby, can make the lower portion of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 always fit to the buttocks portion of the body of the baby. Around the stretchable strap 41, a strap cover 42 is arranged. The strap cover 42 covers the stretchable strap 41 substantially completely to bring it into a non-exposed state. Therefore, regardless of the stretched state of the stretchable strap 41, only the strap cover 42 is exposed outside, whereby the design quality of the baby carrier 1 can be improved. When the side portion and the lower end portion of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 are connected with each other via the leg-support strap 16, a leg hole 43 is formed as an opening surrounded by the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 and the leg-support strap 16. The baby can put its leg into the leg hole 43 freely.

Basic Structure of Lying-Position Holding Seat

Basic structure of the lying-position holding seat 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the lying-position holding seat 50, FIG. 23 is a front view of the lying-position holding seat 50, and FIG. 24 is a back view of the lying-position holding seat 50. The lying-position holding seat 50 includes a lying-position-holding-seat main body 51, a head guard 52, a holding strap 53, and a strap combiner 54. The head guard 52, the holding strap 53, and the strap combiner 54 are each attached to the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51.

The lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 forms a receiving surface which directly receives the baby. The lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 is a fundamental structural member of the lying-position holding seat 50. As far as the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 fulfills the functions mentioned above, the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 can be configured in any shapes. The lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 of the embodiment is formed generally in a vertically elongated, substantially flat plate-like shape, and has a length and width sufficient for receiving the whole body of the baby. It is preferable that the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 has sufficient rigidity to hold and keep the baby in a proper shape when the baby's neck is not strong enough to support the head. For example, the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 is formed with a hard board 55 as a core material as shown in a vertical sections view of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 of FIG. 25. The use of the highly rigid hard board 55 makes it possible to support the baby in a substantially horizontal position at the time of lying-position holding and to prevent the twisting of the back bone of the baby. Further, a foamed member 56 is arranged on a front side of the hard board 55 and covered with cover cloth 57, while a cushiony member 58 of a material such as urethane is arranged on a back side of the hard board 55 and covered with backing cloth 59, so that the comfort of the baby is enhanced. Ventilation holes 55a which are penetrating holes are formed at plural positions of the hard board 55, whereby the ventilation characteristic of the lying-position holding seat 50, and therefore the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced.

Returning again to FIGS. 22 to 24, a cut-out portion 60 is formed in a corresponding shape at a corresponding position to the arm of the baby at each of the right and the left sides of the lying-position-holding seat main body 51. Therefore, the baby can stretch its arms through the cut-out portions 60 to the outside, whereby the comfort of the baby can be enhanced. Further, since no members are arranged to the front side of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51, except for the holding strap 53, the front side of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 is an open space, whereby the heat of the baby can be efficiently let out while the baby is held in a lying position, and the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced.

The head guard 52 is a holder which receives the head of the baby from behind at the time of lying-position holding. The head guard 52 is formed in a semi-bowl-like shape corresponding to the shape of the head of the baby, and is sutured to an upper edge of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51. The head guard 52 is configured with a hard board (not shown). Openings (not shown) are formed at plural positions in the hard board, whereby the ventilation characteristics of the head guard 52, and therefore the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced. The head guard 52 is manufactured separately from the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51, and sutured to the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 later. Therefore, the head guard 52 is structurally separable from the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51, and the deformation or the like of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 is not directly transferred to the head guard 52, whereby the deformation of the head guard 52 can be prevented, and a space for receiving the head portion of the baby can be secured.

The holding strap 53 holds the torso of the baby from above at the time of lying-position holding, and is attached to one of the right side and the left side (the right side in the embodiment) of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51. The holding strap 53 is formed in such a length that the holding strap 53 extends over the torso of the baby and reaches the other of the right side and the left side (the left side in the embodiment) of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51. As shown in FIG. 24, a male hook 61 is attached to the free end of the holding strap 53, while a female hook 62 is attached to the other of the right and the left sides (left side in the embodiment) of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 at a position corresponding to the male hook 61. When the male hook 61 is detachably engaged with the female hook 62, the holding strap 53 can be secured tacking across the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51. Thus, the holding strap 53 can hold the torso of the baby.

Returning to FIGS. 22 to 24, the strap combiner 54 is a combiner which binds the side strap 15 and the leg-support strap 16 of the upright-position holding seat 10 described above. The strap combiner 54 is formed generally in a substantially “T”-like shape when viewed from the front, and is sutured to the lower edge of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51. When the strap combiner 54 is folded into a tube-like shape, the leg-support strap 16 and the side strap 15 can be stored in a space formed by the tube-like shape of the strap combiner 54, as described later.

Detailed Structure of Each Portion of Upright-Position Holding Seat 10—Head Support Belt 20

Respective portions of the upright-position holding seat 10 will be described in more details. Firstly, the head-support strap 20 will be described. Returning again to FIGS. 13 to 15, the head-support strap 20 is covered with a strap cover 70. The strap cover 70 includes a substantially flat plate-like front-side cover 71 which extends from either the right or the left of the surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 like an integral portion of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, and a substantially flat plate-like back-side cover 72 which is attached to the front-side cover 71. The front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72 are formed substantially in the same shape. The head-support strap 20 can be stored between the front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72 as shown in FIG. 13.

Particularly when the head-support strap 20 is stored as described above, the front side surface and the back side surface of the head-support strap 20 can be covered respectively with the front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72, whereby the head-support strap 20 can be covered regardless of the folded state of the strap cover 70. More specifically, when the head support 12 is upright as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the back side surface of the head-support strap 20 can be covered with the back-side cover 72, so as to prevent the head-support strap 20 from touching the baby. When the head support 12 is folded as shown in FIG. 5, the front side surface of the head-support strap 20 can be covered with the front-side cover 71, so as to prevent the head-support strap 20 from touching the baby (in FIGS. 4 to 6, the front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72 are not shown). At the same time, the head-support strap 20 is prevented from being exposed to the outside, whereby the degradation in design quality of the baby carrier 1 can be prevented.

Various contrivances are made in the strap cover 70 to cover the head-support strap 20 more easily and securely. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72 are fixed with each other by suturing the upper edge of the back-side cover 72 to the upper edge of the front-side cover 71 along a suture line 73. The back-side cover 72 can be flipped open upward as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 from the suture line 73. Therefore, the user can expose the head-support strap 20 substantially completely only by holding up the back-side cover 72. The user does not need to perform cumbersome manipulations such as tugging the tube-like cover of the conventional baby carrier, and can operate easily simply by stretching the hand to the head-support strap 20. After the operation, the back-side cover 72 naturally falls back from the suture line 73 by its own weight when the user takes his/her hand off from the back-side cover 72. Thus, the head-support strap 20 is automatically covered as shown in FIG. 13. Even when the user forgets to secure with a female hook 71a and a male hook 72a described later, the head-support strap 20 can be prevented from touching the baby.

Further, plural female hooks 71a are provided in the lower end portion of the front-side cover 71 on the back side surface (surface facing the back-side cover 72) as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. In addition, plural male hooks 72a are provided in the lower end portion of the back-side cover 72 on the front side surface (surface facing the front-side cover 71) at corresponding positions to the plural female hooks 71a. When the male hooks 72a are detachably engaged with the female hooks 71a, the front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72 can be fixed with each other at their lower end portions, whereby the head-support strap 20 can be covered even more surely. Further, since the female hooks 71a and the male hooks 72a are arranged on the mutually opposing surfaces of the front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72, the female hooks 71a and the male hooks 72a are arranged inside the strap cover 70 when the front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72 are closed as shown in FIG. 13. Thus, the female hooks 71a and the male hooks 72a are prevented from touching the baby, and the exposure of the hooks, i.e., the degradation of the design quality of the baby carrier 1 can be prevented.

As described above, the amount of the head-support strap 20 portion protruding from the head support 12 can be adjusted by changing the amount of the strap main body 21 inserted into the ladder lock 22. FIG. 26 is a front view of a portion around the head-support strap in the minimum length, and FIG. 27 is a front view of the portion around the head-support strap in the maximum length. In the embodiment, the head-support strap 20 can be always covered by the strap cover 70 irrespective of the changes in the length of the head-support strap 20 by the adjusting structure. Specifically, the front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72 are formed to have a length exceeding the minimum length (L1) of the strap main body 21 and exceeding the maximum length (L2) of the strap main body 21. Therefore, even when the head-support strap 20 extends to the maximum length, the head-support strap 20 can be covered so that the head-support strap 20 is prevented from touching the baby surely.

When the amount of protrusion of the head-support strap 20 is adjusted as described above, sometime a portion of the strap main body 21 uselessly hangs around. Such a remaining portion 21a of the strap main body 21 might be folded back at the ladder lock 22, guided to the head support 12, and exposed outside the strap cover 70 as shown in FIG. 26. To prevent such a situation, the head support 12 has a bag-like strap pocket 12a near the attachment position of the head-support strap 20. The strap pocket 12a is a space formed at the end of the head support 12 and has a length equal to or longer than the maximum length (L3) of the remaining portion 21a. The strap pocket 12a has an opening 12b on a surface facing the head-support strap 20. The remaining portion 21a of the strap main body 21 can be inserted into the strap pocket 12a through the opening 12b. Therefore, even when a portion of the strap main body 21 becomes redundant, the remaining portion 21a can simply be inserted into the strap pocket 12a so as to be in a non-exposed state, whereby the remaining portion 21a can be prevented from touching the baby and the baby would not fiddle with the remaining portion 21a.

In the embodiment, a space 74 formed between the front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72 is made to communicate with a space 75 of the strap pocket 12a substantially seamlessly. Therefore, the remaining portion 21a of the head-support strap 20 stored in the space 74 can be smoothly inserted into the space 75 without being exposed to the outside, whereby the entire head-support strap 20 can be brought into a non-exposed state substantially completely.

Detailed Structure of Respective Portions of Upright-Position Holding Seat 10—Bridging Belt 14

The structure of the bridging strap 14 will be described in detail. FIG. 28 is an enlarged front view of a portion around the bridging strap in a disconnected state. As shown in the drawing, the bridging strap 14 and the female buckle 26 are covered with a bridging strap cover 80. The bridging strap cover 80 is formed in a tube-like shape from a cover cloth 81 (shown only in FIG. 30 described later) and a backing cloth 82. When the bridging strap 14 and the female buckle 26 are inserted into space in the tub-like shape, the bridging strap 14 and the female buckle 26 are surrounded by the bridging strap cover 80 and brought into a non-exposed state. Thus, the bridging strap 14 and the female buckle 26 are prevented from touching the baby. Specifically, since the female buckle 26 with the operation portion 26a is in the non-exposed state, the baby can be prevented from fiddling with the operation portion 26a. The end portion of the bridging strap cover 80 is open. When the male buckle 27 is inserted from the open end portion, the male buckle 27 can be detachably engaged with the female buckle 26. Since the male buckle 27 comes inside the female buckle 26 in the engaged state as shown in FIG. 16, the male buckle 27 can be covered by the bridging strap cover 80 together with and similarly to the female buckle 26.

When the user wants to engage the male buckle 27 with the female buckle 26, or operate the operation portion 26a of the female buckle 26 to disengage, the user can tug the bridging strap cover 80 toward the side of the shoulder strap 13 so as to expose the female buckle 26. However, when the female buckle 26 is simply covered by the bridging strap cover 80, the tugging of the bridging strap cover 80 is cumbersome. In addition, if the user forgets to return the bridging strap cover 80 to the original position after exposing the female buckle 26, the female buckle 26 may be left exposed. Hence, in the embodiment, the bridging strap cover 80 is made to be able to return to its original shape by itself so as to alleviate the inconveniences as described above.

Specifically, the bridging strap cover 80 is sutured to the bridging strap 14 along a suture line 83 near the female buckle 26 as shown in FIG. 28. When the user tugs the bridging strap cover 80 as shown in FIG. 29, the movement of the bridging strap cover 80 is restricted at the suture line 83, and only a portion from the end of the bridging strap cover 80 to the suture line 83 can be pulled out (in FIGS. 28 and 29, a movable range of the bridging strap cover 80 is indicated by R1, and an unmovable range is indicated by R2). When the bridging strap cover 80 is made movable only in a short range at its end, a repulsive force of the end of the bridging strap cover 80 can be increased. Hence, the bridging strap cover 80 returns to its original state naturally by its own repulsive force and covers the female buckle 26 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 28 when the user simply takes his/her hand off from the bridging strap cover 80. Therefore, the user can prevent the female buckle 26 from being exposed without performing any particular operation to return the bridging strap cover 80 to its original state, whereby safety of the baby carrier for the baby can be further enhanced.

Any engagement structure can be employed for the female buckle 26 and the male buckle 27. For example, a button hook or a side release buckle (SR buckle) can be employed. In the embodiment, a front release buckle is used. When the user presses the operation portion 26a arranged on the front side surface (surface opposite to the side of the baby) of the female buckle 26, the female buckle 26 can be disengaged from the male buckle 27. Since the operation portion 26a is operable only from the front side, erroneous operation of the operation portion 26a by the baby from the back side is prevented, whereby the safety of the baby carrier can be further enhanced.

In trying to engage the male buckle 27 with the female buckle 26, the user might twist the bridging strap 14 and insert the male buckle 27 with a wrong side out into the female buckle 26. To prevent such an event, the bridging strap cover 80 of the embodiment has an identifier to show which side is the front side or the back side. The identifier can be a mark placed on each of the front side surface and the back side surface of the bridging strap cover 80, for example. In the embodiment, the front side surface and the back side surface of the bridging strap cover 80 are covered by clothes of different materials so that the cloth material serves as the indicator.

Specifically, a mesh cloth is used as the cover cloth 81 of the bridging strap cover 80, while a cloth other than the mesh cloth is used as the backing cloth 82 of the bridging strap cover 80 (in the drawing, difference of the cloth materials is not shown). Therefore, the user can easily and visually distinguish the front side surface and the back side surface of the bridging strap cover 80, and is able to insert the male buckle 27 in the correct direction and make it engaged with the female buckle 26. Further, since the cover cloth 81 to the side of the baby is made from a highly breathable mesh cloth, the baby can remain feeling comfortable even when the cover cloth 81 touches the baby. Still further, since the backing cloth 82 covering the operation portion 26a is made only from relatively thin backing cloth, the user feels more comfortable when touching the operation portion 26a through the backing cloth 82, whereby the operability for the user can be enhanced. Alternatively, the male buckle 27 and the female buckle 26 may be formed in such a manner that the male buckle 27 and the female buckle 26 are engaged with each other only when the male buckle 27 is inserted in the right direction into the female buckle 26.

The bridging strap 14 with the above-described structure is employed only at the time of upright-position holding and not necessary at the time of lying-position holding. Therefore, the baby carrier 1 of the embodiment includes a storing structure to store the bridging strap 14 at the time of lying-position holding. FIG. 30 is an enlarged front view of a portion around the bridging strap in the middle of the storage, and FIG. 31 is an enlarged front view of the portion around the bridging strap in a storage-completed state. A bag-like pocket 90, in which the bridging strap 14 is stored, is formed in one of the shoulder strap 13 (left-side shoulder strap 13 in the embodiment) to which the bridging strap 14 is attached. Further, a bag-like pocket 91, in which the male buckle 27 is stored, is formed on the other shoulder strap 13 (right-side shoulder strap 13 in the embodiment) to which the male buckle 27 is attached. The pockets 90 and 91 are formed near the attachment position of the shoulder strap 13 to the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11. The pockets 90 and 91 have openings 90a and 91a on a surface facing the bridging strap 14 or the male buckle 27, respectively. As shown in FIG. 31, the bridging strap 14 or the male buckle 27 can be inserted into the pockets 90 or 91 via the opening 90a or 91a. Therefore, when the bridging strap 14 and the male buckle 27 are not used, they can be stored in the pockets in an un-exposed state, whereby the bridging strap 14 and the male buckle 27 are prevented from obstructing other operations and from touching the user and the baby.

It is preferable that the bridging strap 14 can be stored in the pocket 90 completely. However, when the entire length of the bridging strap 14 is longer than the entire width of the shoulder strap 13, as in the embodiment, the bridging strap 14 cannot be completely stored in the pocket 90 if the bridging strap 14 is inserted into the pocket in a direction orthogonal to the shoulder strap 13. Therefore, in the embodiment, the pocket 90 is formed as a rectangular space formed along the lengthwise direction of the shoulder strap 13. Specifically, the pocket 90 is formed in a length longer than the entire length L4 of the bridging strap 14 and extends from a portion around the base of the bridging strap 14 downward as shown in FIG. 30. The bridging strap 14 can be stored in the pocket 90 substantially completely as shown in FIG. 31 when the bridging strap 14 is folded so that the free end thereof is directed downward as shown in FIG. 30, and the end thereof is inserted into the opening 90a, and further push into the pocket 90 in a direction along the lengthwise direction of the shoulder strap 13.

Detailed Structure of Respective Portions of Upright-Position Holding Seat 10—Leg-Opening Portion

Detailed structure of a leg-opening portion 100 of the upright-position holding seat 10 of FIG. 10 will be described. The leg-opening portion 100 is a lower end portion of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, and holds the buttocks of the baby at the time of backward-facing front-loading shown in FIG. 4, while holding the inner thighs at the time of forward-facing front-loading shown in FIG. 5. Various contrivances are made in the leg-opening portion 100 to improve the flexibility of the leg-opening portion 100 in the embodiment, so that the leg-opening portion 100 can follow the changes in the portions, with which the leg-opening portion 100 contacts. FIG. 32 is an enlarged back view of a portion around the leg-opening portion, and FIG. 33 is a vertical sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 32.

Right and left sides 101 and 102 of the leg-opening portion 100 are formed in a curved shape so as to fit to the shape of the thigh of the baby. When the legs of the baby are supported by the curved sides 101 and 102, the baby can comfortably stretch the legs. As shown in FIG. 33, the leg-opening portion 100 is configured, basically similarly to other portions in the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, with a cushiony member 103 serving as a buffer member whose front side surface and back side surface are covered respectively with a front cloth 104 and a back cloth 105. The cushiony member 103 is a structural member which gives the upright-position holding seat 10 necessary rigidity for holding the baby, and at the same time, is a buffer member which is deformable following the movements of the baby so as to enhance the comfort of the baby.

An opening 106 is formed in the cushiony member 103 at a portion around the center of the leg-opening portion 100 (a portion surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 32). The opening 106 is a buffer-power reliever that relieves the buffer power of the cushiony member 103. FIG. 34 is an enlarged back view of a portion around the leg-opening portion in a deformed state, and FIG. 35 is a vertical sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 34. Since the buffer power of the cushiony member 103 does not exist in the opening 106, an overall buffer power of the cushiony member 103 in the leg-opening portion 100 is relieved. At the time of forward-facing front-loading, the inner thigh portion, not the buttocks, of the baby touches the leg-opening portion 100, to push the leg-opening portion 100 in a direction of arrows shown in FIG. 34. Since the repulsive force of the cushiony member 103 is relieved by the opening 106, the cushiony member 103 can be deformed relatively easily. Therefore, the inner thigh portion of the baby is not compressed excessively, and the leg-opening portion 100 can maintain the width corresponding to the inner thigh portion. Further, the presence of the opening 106 further enhances the ventilation characteristics of the leg-opening portion 100 to increase the comfort of the baby. Specifically, since the front shape of the opening 106 is a trapezoidal shape matching with the shape of the thighs of the baby similarly to the leg-opening portion 100, the cushiony member 103 can be deformed into a shape corresponding to the legs of the baby, whereby the cushiony member 103 can remain to be well fit to the legs of the baby.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 32 to 35, movable portions 107 are provided at both sides of the leg-opening portion 100. The movable portion 107 is movable relative to the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 following the movements of the baby. As shown in FIG. 32, a suture line 108 is provided at each side of the leg-opening portion 100. The cushiony member 103 is divided along the suture line 108 as shown in FIG. 33, so as to form the movable portions 107. FIG. 36 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion around the movable portion, and FIG. 37 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the portion around the movable portion in a deformed state. Since the cushiony member 103 is divided, the rigidity of the cushiony member 103 is divided as well, so that the rigidity of the movable portion 107 is reduced. Accordingly, the movable portion 107 moves according to the pressing force applied to the leg-opening portion 100 by the baby, thereby maintaining the width corresponding to the baby. More specifically, since the suture line 108 is formed in a curved shape matching with the shape of the legs of the baby as shown in FIGS. 32 and 34, the movable portion 107 can move to be deformed into a corresponding shape to the legs of the baby, thereby remaining to be fit to the legs.

Still further, in addition to the weight-relieving structure as described above with the forward-backward movements, a weight-relieving structure with up-down movements is provided in the embodiment. FIG. 38 is an enlarged back view of a portion around a weight-adjusting portion. As shown in the drawing, the leg-opening portion 100 has a weight-adjusting portion 107a. The weight-adjusting portion 107a works by expanding the leg-opening portion 100 downward and transferring the tension generated by the application of the weight of the baby on the leg-opening portion 100 inwardly.

Specifically, the weight adjusting portion 107a is formed from an extension of the lower end of the leg-opening portion 100. The lower end of the leg-opening portion 100 is extended by a predetermined length downwardly while the structure of the leg-opening portion 100 is maintained. The extended structure makes the length L5 of the side of the leg-opening portion 100 longer, i.e., sum of the original length L6 of the leg-opening portion and the length L7 of the weight-adjusting portion 107a (L5=L6+L7). The formation of the weight-adjusting portion 107a has the following effects. Conventionally, the baby is suspended by the leg-opening portion 100 of the relatively short length L6 as shown in a conceptual view of FIG. 39. The buttocks and the inner thigh portions of the baby are held by the right and the left side of the leg-opening portion 100 in a suspended manner. The weight F of the baby is directly transmitted to the right and the left sides of the leg-opening portion 100, and might compress the buttocks or the inner thigh of the baby. On the other hand, the embodiment has the weight-adjusting portion 107a as shown in a conceptual view of FIG. 40. Therefore, tension applied on the right and the left sides of the leg-opening portion 100 in the suspended state is relieved in comparison with the tension in the conventional leg-opening portion 100, and the weight applied on the right and the left sides of the leg-opening 100 is reduced. Then, the point on which the weight F is applied moves to the center (inwardly) from the right and the left by a reduced amount. As a result, the compression force applied on the buttocks or the inner thighs of the baby can be reduced, whereby the comfort of the baby can be enhanced.

Attachment/Detachment Structure of Lying-Position Holding Seat 50 with Respect to Upright-Position Holding Seat 10

An attachment/detachment structure of the lying-position holding seat 50 with respect to the upright-position holding seat 10 will be described in more detail. The upright-position holding seat 10 and the lying-position holding seat 50 are generally fixed with each other at three positions, i.e., a position near the head, a position near the buttocks, and a position near the legs. Since the upright-position holding seat 10 and the lying-position holding seat 50 are fixed with each other at plural positions, the fixed state can be securely maintained over their entire length even when the user or the baby moves.

Firstly, a fixing structure of the head portion will be described. The fixing structure of the head portion is devised in such a manner that the fixing structure is not exposed to the side of the baby (back surface side of the upright-position holding seat 10 and the front surface side of the lying-position holding seat 50) no matter whether the lying-position holding seat 50 is attached or not. Specifically, an attachment unit 110 which protrudes to the side is arranged at a position near the upper corner of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 as shown in FIG. 41. The attachment unit 110 is configured with two protruding segments 111 and 112 overlapped with each other. The protruding segment 111 which is arranged to the front surface side has a male hook 111a on its front side surface, whereas the protruding segment 112 which is arranged to the back surface side has a female hook 112a on its back side surface. On the other hand, the strap cover 70 of the upright-position holding seat 10 has the female hook 71a of the front-side cover 71 and the male hook 72a of the back-side cover 72 at corresponding positions to the attachment unit 110.

When the attachment unit 110 is inserted inside the strap cover 70, the male hook 111a of the protruding segment 111 on the front side can be detachably engaged with the female hook 71a of the front-side cover 71, and the female hook 112a of the protruding segment 112 on the back side can be detachably engaged with the male hook 72a of the back-side cover 72. Thus, the upper portion of the lying-position holding seat 50 can be fixed to the upper portion of the upright-position holding seat 10. Particularly since the attachment unit 110 is inserted into the strap cover 70 at the attachment, the attachment unit 110 is covered by the strap cover 70 and can be brought into a non-exposed state on both the front side and the back side. Therefore, the male hook 111a and the female hook 112a can be prevented from touching the baby, and the design quality of the baby carrier 1 can be enhanced.

The fixing structure of the buttocks portion will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 has a surface fastener 113 arranged on the back side surface of the lower portion. On the other hand, the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 has a surface fastener (not shown) at a corresponding position and in a corresponding shape to the surface fastener 113 on the back side surface of the lower portion. Therefore, when the lying-position holding seat 113 is placed over the upright-position holding seat 10, and the lower portion of the lying-position holding seat 50 is pressed onto the lower portion of the upright-position holding seat 10, the surface fastener 113 and the surface fastener (not shown) are detachably engaged with each other. Thus, the lower portion of the lying-position holding seat 50 can be fixed onto the lower portion of the upright-position holding seat 10. Particularly since the fixing structure is realized with the surface fasteners, the fixing structure is relatively flat. Therefore, even when the baby is placed directly on the back side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 at the time of upright-position holding, the unevenness of the fixing structure would not cause uncomfortable sensation of the baby.

The fixing structure of the leg portion will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the strap combiner 54 is provided at the lower edge of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 as described above. FIG. 42 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion around the strap combiner at the time of fixing, and FIG. 43 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion around the strap combiner at the time of fixation release. The strap combiner 54 has a generally “T”-like front shape, and is sutured to the lower edge of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51. The strap combiner 54 has a male hook 54a on the front side surface (back side surface) at the left end, and a female hook 54b on the back side surface (front side surface) at the right end at a position corresponding to the male hook 54a.

While the lying-position holding seat 50 is fixed to the upright-position holding seat 10, the strap combiner 54 is inserted from the back side to the front side of the leg-support straps 16 and the side straps 15, the back side surface of the strap combiner 54 is brought into contact with the leg-support straps 16 and the side straps 15, and the strap combiner 54 is folded into a tube-like shape. Thus, the leg-support straps 16 and the side straps 15 can be stored inside the inner space of the tube-like form. The right end and the left end of the strap combiner 54 in the above-described state are overlapped with each other, and the male hook 54a and the female hook 54b are arranged at positions corresponding with each other. When the male hook 54a is pressed onto the female hook 54b and engaged with the female hook 54b, the strap combiner 54 can be fixed in the tube-like state as shown in FIG. 42.

Since the side straps 15 and the leg-support straps 16 can be bound together by the strap combiner 54, the side straps 15, the leg-support straps 16, and their remaining portions are prevented from being caught by the user, the baby, or the like, and the appearance of the baby carrier 1 is made more neat so as to enhance its design quality. Particularly since the strap combiner 54 is made from the front cloth and the backing cloth without the hard board inside, the strap combiner 54 does not give uncomfortable feeling to the baby. Further, when the strap combiner 54 serves to hold the leg-support straps 16, the leg-support strap 16 can be made to rise at a predetermined angle from the lower end of the lying-position holding seat 50 toward the front side, whereby the leg-support straps 16 are prevented from being pulled to the right or the left side or upward and inclining toward the baby's side. Thus, the receiving space for the baby can be secured.

Folder Structure of Upright-Position Holding Seat 10

The folder structure of the upright-position holding seat 10 will be described. As described above, the baby of age of a few months is generally held in an upright position. Therefore, the baby carrier 1 of the embodiment is designed so that the user can hold the baby only with the upright-position holding seat 10 at the time of upright-position holding. Specifically, the rigidity of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 for the time of the lying-position holding is secured with the use of the hard board 55, while the flexibility of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 is enhanced with the elimination of highly rigid material such as the hard board 55. Thus, the baby carrier 1 is made easy to handle for the user who carries only the upright-position holding seat 10. Further, to further enhance the portability of the upright-position holding seat 10, the folder structure is configured according to the embodiment so as to allow the user to fold the upright-position holding seat 10 into a compact shape and to easily carry the folded seat. The folder structure will be described below.

FIG. 44 is an enlarged front view of a portion around a pocket in which a storing bag is stored, and FIG. 45 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat 10 wherein the storing bag is taken out from the pocket. The upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 of the upright-position holding seat 10 has a pocket 120 at the lower edge position on the front side surface (at a position corresponding to the position between legs of the baby held in the upright position as shown in FIG. 4). In the pocket 120, a storing bag 121 is stored in such a manner that the storing bag 121 can be freely taken out therefrom. The storing bag 121 is a folder which stores the upright-position holding seat 10 in a predetermined storage state. The storing bag 121 can be taken out from the pocket 120 through an opening 120a of the pocket 120. The storing bag 121 is formed in a bag-like shape having a sufficient capacity to store the upright-position holding seat 10. For example, the storing bag 121 is formed in a substantially rectangular-solid shape. On one side of the storing bag 121, an opening 121a is formed. The upright-position holding seat 10 can be put into or taken out from the storing bag 121 through the opening 121a.

Since the storing bag 121 can be stored in the pocket 120 of the upright-position holding seat 10, the user is prevent from leaving the storing bag 121 when going out. At the same time, the user can easily take out the storing bag 121 to fold and store the upright-position holding seat 10 when the upright-position holding seat 10 is not used. Then, the user can carry the upright-position holding seat 10 in a compact shape by carrying the upright-position holding seat 10 stored in the storing bag 121. Particularly since the storing bag 121 is formed from mesh cloth, the storing bag 121 can be folded in to a compact shape so that its presence would not give uncomfortable sensation to the baby. Further, a string 121b is attached to the opening 121a of the storing bag 121 so as to open and close the opening 121a. The user can close the opening 121a by pulling the string 121b while the upright-position holding seat 10 is stored in the storing bag 121, whereby the falling off of the upright-position holding seat 10 from the storing bag 121 can be prevented. Thus, the upright-position holding seat 10 can be carried even more easily.

In particular, the baby carrier 1 of the embodiment adopts a structure intended to prevent the user from leaving the storing bag 121 on going out even more securely, and to further facilitate the storage of the upright-position holding seat 10 in the storing bag 121. Specifically, the pocket 120 and the storing bag 121 are connected with each other via a connecting strap 122. The connecting strap 122 has one end sutured and fixed with an inner surface of the pocket 120, and another end sutured and fixed with the storing bag 121. Therefore, the storing bag 121 is always carried with the upright-position holding seat 10, and the user is prevented from leaving the storing bag 121 behind even more securely.

An exemplary storing procedure of the upright-position holding seat 10 will be described. Firstly, the user places the storing bag 121 below the upright-position holding seat 10 as shown in FIG. 46. Then, the user folds the shoulder straps 13 of the upright-position holding seat 10 inwardly as shown in FIG. 47. The user folds the upright-position holding seat 10 across the lengthwise direction few times (for example, three times) as shown in FIG. 48. Then, the user can store the upright-position holding seat 10 inside the storing bag 121 as shown in FIG. 49 (in FIGS. 48 and 49, the upright-position holding seat 10 is indicated by a phantom line).

Once the storage of the upright-position holding seat 10 is completed, the user can easily carry the storing bag 121: for example, the user can hang the storing bag 121 from the shoulder using the string 121b; or the user can hang the storing bag 121 on a handle rail of a baby stroller using an S-shaped hook 123 as shown in FIG. 50. The S-shaped hook 123 may be fixed to the string 121b as to form one piece. Alternatively, an open/close hook 124 may be attached to the string 121b so that the string 121b can form a closed loop or an open loop which can be detachably attached to other member. The storing bag 121 can be hung from a handle of a bag, for example. Thus, the storing bag 121 can be made more convenient.

Additional contrivances are made to the storing structure of the storing bag 121 for the upright-position holding seat 10 in the embodiment. Specifically, as shown again in FIG. 44, the pocket 120 is provided on the front side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11. Therefore, the storing bag 121 does not directly touch the baby, whereby the presence of the storing bag 121 and the pocket 120 stored therein is prevented from giving uncomfortable sensation to the baby, and the comfort of the baby can be maintained. Further, the pocket 120 is provided at the lower edge of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11. Therefore, the pocket 120 is hidden between the right and the left legs of the baby and not noticeable from the front side at the time of upright-position holding. Thus, the baby carrier 1 can maintain the neat appearance. Still further, the pocket 120 is provided at the lower end of the upright-position holding seat 10 in the lengthwise direction. Therefore, the storing bag 121 can be easily arranged at the end of the upright-position holding seat 10, and the storage of the upright-position holding seat 10 can be made even easier

FIG. 52 is a vertical sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 44. As shown in FIG. 52, the opening 120a of the pocket 120 is formed in such a manner that one end 120b and another end 120c of the pocket 120 are overlapped with each other by a small amount. Since the opening 120a is closed/opened at the overlapped portion, the exposure and the falling off of the storing bag 121 from the pocket 120 can be prevented.

MODIFICATION OF EMBODIMENT

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Specific structure and elements of the present invention can be optionally modified or improved within the scope of technical concept of the present invention as recited in the claims. Some modified examples will be described below. An element which is not specifically described has the same configuration as a corresponding element in the above embodiment, and an element having the same function as that in the embodiment will be denoted by the same reference character as employed in the above description, when necessary.

Connecting Portion of Head Support

Firstly, a modified example of the connecting portion of the head support will be described. In the above embodiment, the head support 12 and the shoulder strap 13 are connected by the head-support strap 20 as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15. Alternatively, the head-support strap 20 may be employed to connect the head support 12 to the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11. Further, the structure of the connecting portion of the head support 12 may be applied to the lying-position holding seat 50 depending on the structure of the lying-position holding seat 50. The front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72 may be formed in any shapes other than a flat plate-like shape. For example, they can be cut in a draping manner so as to have three-dimensional shape. A structure for connecting the front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72 can be any structure other than that formed with the female hook 71a and the male hook 72a. For example, a surface fastener may be provided on each inner surface of the front-side cover 71 and the back-side cover 72, or on each of the inner and outer surfaces of the head-support strap 20. The strap pocket 12a in which the remaining portion of the head-support strap 20 is stored can be arranged at a position other than the position described earlier. For example, the strap pocket 12a can be arranged on the back side surface of the head support 12, or on the inner surface of the back-side cover 72. When the head support 12 and the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 are connected via the head-support strap 20, the strap pocket 12a may be arranged on the upright-position-holding seat main body 11.

Bridging Belt

A modified example of the bridging strap will be described. FIG. 53 is an enlarged front view of the modified example of the bridging strap. As shown in FIG. 53, a rectangular-solid-shape pocket 130 may be provided in the shoulder strap 13 and arranged along the lengthwise direction of the shoulder strap 13 near the position where the bridging strap 14 is attached to the shoulder strap 13. Similarly to the above embodiment, the bridging strap 14 can be stored in the pocket 130 as shown in FIG. 55 when the bridging strap 14 is folded at the side of the shoulder strap 13 and inserted into the pocket 130 from the tip end of the bridging strap 14 as shown in FIG. 54.

Alternatively, two bridging straps 131 of substantially the same length may be attached to the right and the left shoulder straps 13, respectively, and pockets 132 may be provided in each of the shoulder strap 13 near the position where bridging strap 131 is attached. Then, the length of each bridging strap 131 can be made shorter than the length of the bridging strap 14 of FIG. 16, so that the length of the bridging strap 13 is within the width of the shoulder strap 13. When the bridging strap 131 is folded and inserted into the pocket 132 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the shoulder strap 13, the bridging strap 131 can be stored as shown in FIG. 57 substantially completely.

Leg-Opening Portion

A modified example of the leg-opening portion will be described. The leg-opening portion 100 shown in FIG. 32 has the opening 106 formed in the cushiony member 103. The shape of the opening 106, however, is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 32. For example, the opening 106 may have a slit-like shape, or a penetrating-hole-like shape. For the enhancement of deformability of the cushiony member 103, structures other than that with the opening 106 can be adopted. For example, one portion of the cushiony member 103 may be formed thinner than other portions. Alternatively, a member which is different from the cushiony member 103 and has a higher flexibility may be embedded into a portion where an enhanced deformability is desired in the cushiony member 103. Such a structure is applicable to other portion than the leg-opening portion 100. For example, when such structure is applied to a portion corresponding to the chest of the baby in the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 to enhance deformability, the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 can be made to smoothly deform according to the movements of the chest and the arms of the baby.

In the above embodiment, the portion where the cover cloth 104 and the backing cloth 105 are connected (i.e., suture line 109) is positioned to the side of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 as shown in FIG. 36. In this case, the suture line 109, which is relatively hard, may touch the legs of the baby so as to give uncomfortable sensation to the baby. To eliminate such inconvenience, the portion of the suture line 109 may be arranged on the front side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 as shown in FIG. 58. Specifically, the backing cloth 105 may be cut wider than the cover cloth 104, wrapped around the side of the upright-position holding seat 10 to appear on the front surface side, and sutured with the cover cloth 104 on the front surface side to form a suture line 133. Then, the suture line 133 is on the front surface side of the upright-position holding seat 10 and does not touch the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced. Further, the suture line 133 may be utilized to form the movable portion 107. Then, the portion where the cover cloth 104 and the backing cloth 105 are connected with each other matches with the suture line used to form the movable portion 107. Therefore, the formation of one suture line 133 allows for the formation of the movable portion 107 and at the same time prevents the contact between the sutured portion and the legs of the baby.

Attachment/detachment Structure

First to seventh modified examples of the attachment/detachment structure of the lying-position holding seat 50 with respect to the upright-position holding seat 10 will be described. Firstly, the first modified example will be described. FIG. 59 is a back view of a lying-position holding seat according to the first modified example. Male hooks 140a are provided on the back side surface of a lying-position-holding-seat main body 140 of the lying-position holding seat 50 at the positions near the upper corners. On the other hand, the female hooks 71a of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 shown in FIG. 14 are arranged at positions off from the left and the right sides corresponding to the male hooks 140a. When the lying-position-holding-seat main body 140 is placed over the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, and the male hooks 140a and the female hooks 71a are engaged with each other in a detachable manner, the lying-position holding seat 50 can be fixed to the upright-position holding seat 10. Further, the male hooks 140a and the female hooks 71a are covered with the strap cover 70, and would not be exposed to the front surface side of the upright-position holding seat 10.

A second modified example of the attachment/detachment structure will be described. FIG. 60 is a back view of the lying-position holding seat according to the second modified example, and FIG. 61 is a back view of the upright-position holding seat according to the second modified example. A fixing flap 141 is provided on the back side surface of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 of the lying-position holding seat 50. The fixing flap 141 is formed so as to cover the back side surface of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 from the upper edge of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 so as to reach approximately ⅓ portion from the upper edge. When the lying-position holding seat 50 is placed over the upright-position holding seat 10, and the fixing flap 141 is placed over the back side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 from the upper side of the head support 12, the head support 12 and the upper portion of the up-digit-position-holding-seat main body 11 can be covered with the fixing flap 141. In the covered state, the head support 12 and the upper portion of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 are sandwiched between the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 and the fixing flap 141. Therefore, the lying-position holding seat 50 is hardly detached from the upright-position holding seat 10, and the lying-position holding seat 50 can be thus temporarily fixed to the upright-position holding seat 10.

Here, the male hook 141a is provided on the front side surface (surface facing the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51) of the fixing flap 141 at a position close to the tip end. On the other hand, a female hook 11a is provided on the front side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 at a position corresponding to the male hook 141a. When the male hook 141a is engaged with the female hook 11a in a detachably manner, the lying-position holding seat 50 can be securely fixed to the upright-position holding seat 10. Since the male hook 141a and the female hook 11a are covered with the fixing flap 141, the male hook 141a and the female hook 11 would not be exposed to the front surface side of the upright-position holding seat 10.

A third modified example of the attachment/detachment structure will be described. FIG. 62 is a back view of the lying-position holding seat according to the third modified example. A fixing flap 143 is provided on the back side surface of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 of the lying-position holding seat 50. The fixing flap 143 covers a portion approximately ranging from the upper edge to the lower edge of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51. When the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 is placed over the upright-position-holding seat main body 11, and the fixing flap 143 is placed over the back surface side of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 from the upper side of the head support 12, the head support 12 and the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 can be covered by the fixing flap 14 substantially completely. In the covered state, the head support 12 and the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 are sandwiched by the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 and the fixing flap 143 substantially completely, whereby the lying-position holding seat 50 is hardly detached from the upright-position holding seat 10. Thus, the lying-position holding seat 50 can be temporarily secured to the upright-position holding seat 10.

The lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 and the fixing flap 143 are formed slightly wider than the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11. When the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 is placed over the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, the side of each of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 and the fixing flap 143 is projected farther to the side than the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 (specifically, indicated by the positions of the arm hole 25 and the leg hole 43 shown in FIG. 9). On the protruding side portion of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51, the female hook 51a and the surface fastener 51b are provided on the back side surface. On the protruding side portion of the fixing flap 143, a male hook 143a and a surface fastener 143b are provided on the front side surface (surface opposite to the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51) at the positions corresponding to the female hook 51a and the surface fastener 51b. When the female hook 51a and the surface fastener 51b are engaged with the male hook 143a and the surface fastener 143b in a detachable manner, respectively, at the side of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, the upright-position holding seat 10 can be sandwiched by the lying-position holding seat 50, whereby the lying-position holding seat 50 can be securely fixed to the upright-position holding seat 10. In the fixed state, the female hook 51a, the male hook 143a, and surface fasteners 51b and 143b are covered with the fixing flap 143, and would not be exposed from the front side surface of the upright-position holding seat 10.

A fourth modified example of the attachment/detachment structure will be described. FIG. 63 is a back view of the lying-position holding seat according to the fourth modified example, and FIG. 64 is a back view of the upright-position holding seat according to the fourth modified example. A fixing flap 144 is provided to the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 of the lying-position holding seat 50 so as to cover the upper edge to the back side surface of the lying-position holding seat 50. The fixing flap 144 has a pair of female hooks 144a and a pair of male hooks 144b on the back side surface. The female hooks 144a and the male hooks 144b are arranged line-symmetrically about a folding line 144c. A ring-like flap loop 145 is provided on the upper edge of the head support 12 of the upright-position holding seat 10 so that the fixing flap 144 can be inserted into the flap loop 145.

After the lying-position holding seat 50 is placed over the upright-position holding seat 10, the fixing flap 144 is made to pass through the flap loop 145. Then, the fixing flap 144 is folded in two along the folding line 144c, so that the flap loop 145 is sandwiched by the fixing flap 144. Thus, the lying-position holding seat 50 is hardly detached from the upright-position holding seat 10, and the lying-position holding seat 50 can be temporarily secured to the upright-position holding seat 10. In the folded state, the female hook 144a and the male hook 144b are arranged at mutually corresponding positions. Therefore, when the male hook 144b is engaged with the female hook 144a in a detachable manner, the lying-position holding seat 50 can be securely fixed to the upright-position holding seat 10. In this state, the female hook 144a and the male hook 144b are covered by the fixing flap 144, and would not be exposed on the front side surface of the upright-position holding seat 10.

A fifth modified example of the attachment/detachment structure will be described. FIG. 65 is a back view of the lying-position holding seat according to the fifth modified example, and FIG. 66 is a back view of the upright-position holding seat according to the fifth modified example. A pair of fixing straps 146 is formed on the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 of the lying-position holding seat 50 so that the fixing straps 146 extend from the left side and the right side toward the center on the back side surface. On the back side surface (surface opposite to the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51) of each of the fixing straps 146, a male hook 146a is provided. On the front side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 of the upright-position holding seat 10, a vertically-elongated, strap-like mesh cover 147 is provided. The mesh cover 147 is sutured to the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 only at the upper edge and the lower edge thereof, and the right and the left side edges form openings 147a which can be freely opened and closed. Further, a female hook 147b is provided on the front side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 at a position covered by the mesh cover 147 and corresponding to the position of the male hook 146a.

After the lying-position holding seat 50 is placed over the upright-position holding seat 10, the fixing strap 146 is made to run from the side of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 to the front side thereof, and further inserted between the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 and the mesh cover 147 through the opening 147a. Thus, the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 can be held by the fixing strap 146, whereby the lying-position holding seat 50 is hardly detached from the upright-position holding seat 10, and the lying-position holding seta 50 can be temporarily fixed to the upright-position holding seat 10. In the inserted state, the male hook 146a and the male hook 147b are arranged at mutually corresponding positions. When the male hook 146a is engaged with the female hook 147b in a detachable manner, the lying-position holding seat 50 can be securely fixed to the upright-position holding seat 10. In the fixed state, the fixing strap 146 and the male hook 146a are covered with the mesh cover 147, and prevented from being exposed at the front side. Further, since the female hook 147b is also covered with the mesh cover 147, the female hook 147b is prevented from being exposed at the front side even when the lying-position holding seat 50 is detached.

A sixth modified example of the attachment/detachment structure will be described. FIG. 67 is a back view of the lying-position holding seat according to the sixth modified example, and FIG. 68 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat according to the sixth modified example. A fixing flap 148 is provided on the back side surface of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51 so as to extend in the widthwise direction. On the front side surface (surface opposite to the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51) of the fixing flap 148, a male hook 148a is provided. Further, on the back side surface of the lying-position-holding-seat main body 51, the female hook 51a is provided at a position corresponding to the male hook 148a. On the other hand, on the back side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 of the upright-position holding seat 10, a mesh pocket 149 is provided. An opening 149a is formed on each of the right and the left sides of the mesh pocket 149 at positions corresponding to the fixing flap 148.

After the lying-position holding seat 50 is placed over the upright-position holding seat 10, the fixing flap 148 is made to run from the side to the front side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, and inserted between the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 and the mesh pocket 149 via the opening 149a. Thus, the mesh pocket 149 can be held by the fixing flap 148, whereby the lying-position holding seat 50 is hardly detached from the upright-position holding seat 10, and the lying-position holding seat 50 can be temporarily secured to the upright-position holding seat 10. In the inserted state, the male hook 148a and the female hook 51a are arranged at mutually corresponding positions. Therefore, when the male hook 148a is engaged with the female hook 51a in a detachable manner, the lying-position holding seat 50 can be securely fixed to the upright-position holding seat 10. In the fixed state, the fixing flap 148 is arranged at the back side of the upright-position holding seat 10, whereby the fixing flap 148, the male hook 148a, and the like are prevented from being exposed on the front side.

A seventh modified example of the attachment/detachment structure will be described. FIG. 69 is a front view of the upright-position holding seat according to the seventh modified example. The seventh modified example is similarly configured to the sixth modified example except in those structures specifically described. The seventh modified example is different from the sixth modified example in that a circular flap loop 150a is formed in the mesh pocket 150 on the front side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 of the upright-position holding seat 10. The flap loop 150a is arranged at a position corresponding to the fixing flap 148 of the lying-position holding seat 50 of FIG. 67, and can be bulged to the back side. After the lying-position holding seat 50 shown in FIG. 67 is placed over the upright-position holding seat 10, the fixing flap 148 is made to run from the side to the front side of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, and inserted into the flap loop 150a. Thus, the flap loop 150a can be held by the fixing flap 148, whereby the lying-position holding seat 50 is hardly detached from the upright-position holding seat 10, and the lying-position holding seat 50 can be temporarily fixed to the upright-position holding seat 10. Further, in the inserted state, the male hook 148a of FIG. 67 and the female hook 51a are arranged at mutually corresponding positions. Therefore, when the male hook 148a are engaged with the female hook 51a in a detachable manner, the lying-position holding seat 50 can be securely fixed to the upright-position holding seat 10. In the fixed state, the fixing flap 148 is arranged at the back side of the upright-position holding seat 10, and the fixing flap 148, the male hook 148a, and the like are prevented from being exposed on the front side.

Folder Structure

A modified example of the folder structure of the upright-position holding seat will be described. As shown in the embodiment, the position of the storing bag 121 is changeable when the storing bag 121 is provided and stored in the upright-position holding seat. FIG. 70 illustrates the modified example of the folder structure, and is a front view of the upright-position holding seat 10 from which the storing bag is taken out. In the modified example shown in FIG. 70, the pocket 120 described earlier is arranged on the back side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, and the storing bag 121 is stored in the pocket 120 in such a manner that the storing bag 121 can be taken out therefrom and put back therein freely.

In the modified example, the connecting strap 122 is fixed to the storing bag 121 at the opposite side from the opening 121a, so that the upright-position holding seat 10 can be even more easily stored in the storing bag 121. The reason for such arrangement of the connecting strap 122 will be described below along with the description of the storage procedure of the upright-position holding seat 10. Firstly, the shoulder straps 13 of the upright-position holding seat 10 are folded inwardly as shown in FIG. 71. Then, the upright-position holding seat 10 is folded along the lengthwise direction thereof a few times (e.g., three times) (in FIGS. 72 to 75, the upright-position holding seat 10 is indicated by a phantom line). In the folded state, the opposite side from the opening 121a of the storing bag 121 is in contact with the upright-position holding seat 10. The upright-position holding seat 10 is made to push the storing bag 121 at the contact position therewith from the side opposite to the opening 121a so as to reverse the storing bag 121 as shown in FIG. 74, and the reversed storing bag 121 gradually covers the upright-position holding seat 10. Thus, the upright-position holding seat 10 can be easily stored in the storing bag 121 as shown in FIG. 75. Further, as shown in FIG. 70 again, the pocket 120 is arranged on the back side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11. Therefore, no matter whether the baby is held in the lying position or in the upright position, the pocket 120 is not exposed on the front side, whereby the appearance of the baby carrier 1 can be maintained in a favorable state. Further, since the pocket 120 is formed of mesh cloth to have high ventilation characteristics, the comfort of the baby can be maintained.

Alternatively, the pocket 120 can be arranged on the back side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 near the buttocks portion, or on the front side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, or can be stored in the shoulder strap 13. Still alternatively, a fixing strap 151 serves to hold the upright-position holding seat in a folded state may be provided in place of the storing bag 121 as shown in FIG. 76. The fixing strap 151 is formed in such a length that the fixing strap 151 can bind the upright-position holding seat folded in three, and surface fasteners 151a are arranged on both ends of the fixing strap 151. The fixing strap 151 is taken out from the mesh pocket 120, and wound around the outer circumference of the upright-position holding seat 10 in three folds, and two ends of the fixing strap 151 are fixed with each other by the surface fasteners 151a. Thus, the upright-position holding seat 10 can be held in the folded state as shown in FIG. 77 (in FIG. 77, the upright-position holding seat 10 is indicated by a phantom line). Alternatively, the fixing strap 151 may be made from rubber. In this case, the elastic force of the fixing strap 151 allows the holding of the upright-position holding seat, and the surface fastener 151a is not necessary.

Further, as shown in FIG. 78, a pair of holding straps 152 may be provided on the sides of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 near the center in the lengthwise direction. The holding strap 152 is a holder to hold the baby in the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11, and at the same time serves as a folder to keep the upright-position holding seat 10 in a folded state. Specifically, the pair of holding straps 152 is formed in such a length that the holding straps 152 can bind the upright-position holding seat 10 in three folds, and a male buckle 152a and a female buckle 152b are arranged on two ends, respectively. When the holding straps 152 are wound around the outer circumference of the three-fold upright-position holding seat 10, and the two ends of the holding straps 152 are engaged with each other by the engagement of the male buckle 152a and the female buckle 152b, the upright-position holding seat 10 can be held in a folded state as shown in FIG. 79 (in FIG. 79, the upright-position holding seat 10 is indicated by a phantom line). Thus, when the upright-position holding seat 10 is held with the use of the holding strap 152 which is also employed for holding the baby, a member dedicated for holding the upright-position holding seat 10 is not necessary. Therefore, the upright-position holding seat 10 can be held with an even more simplified structure.

Alternatively, a hook 153 may be provided on the upper edge of the head support 12 of the upright-position holding seat 10 as shown in FIG. 80. On the front side surface of the upright-position-holding-seat main body 11 of the upright-position holding seat 10, a button 154, which can be detachably engaged with the hook 153, may be arranged at a corresponding position (position near the center in the modified example) to the hook 153 in the upright-position holding seat 10 folded in the predetermined manner. When the upright-position holding seat 10 is folded in three, and the hook 153 is engaged with the button 154, the upright-position holding seat 10 can be held in the folded state as shown in FIG. 81. Particularly when the hook 153 is made of rubber, the hook 153 can be elastically stretched so as to be engaged with the button 154, even when the position of the button 154 is slightly off from the hook 153. Therefore, the holding operation can be even more easily performed.

Problems and Effects

The problems to be solved by the invention and the effect of the invention are not limited to the earlier description. The present invention may solve problems not described above, or may have effects not described above. The present invention may solve a part of the problems described above, or may have a part of the effects described above.

For example, even when the leg-opening portion or the like cannot follow the movements of the baby perfectly, as far as there is an improvement in the range the leg-opening portion can follow and a capacity of the leg-opening portion compared with the conventional products, or as far as the present invention can bring about the similar effect to the effect of the conventional products in different means, it can be said that the problems are solved.

For example, even when the attachment/detachment structure of the upright-position holding seat and the lying-position holding seat cannot made completely unexposed, as far as a wider range can be covered in comparison with the conventional products, or as far as the similar effect can be obtained through means different from the conventional means, it can be said that the problems are solved.

Further, for example, even when the connector that connects the head support to the shoulder strap cannot be completely covered by the front-side cover and/or the back-side cover, as far as there is an improvement in the covered range or the operability of opening and closing the covers in comparison with the conventional products, or as far as the similar effects can be obtained through means different from the conventional means, it can be said that the problems are solved.

Still further, for example, even when the user cannot be perfectly prevented from forgetting to close the buckle cover, as far as the probability and the frequency of such incident is reduced in comparison with the conventional products, or as far as the similar effects can be obtained through means different from the conventional means, it can be said that the problems are solved.

Still further, for example, even when the user cannot perfectly prevented from leaving the folder behind on going out, as far as the probability of such incidence is reduced in comparison with the conventional products, or as far as the similar effect can be obtained through means different from the conventional means, it can be said that the problems are solved.

Others

The structure, dimension, material, or shape described above or shown in the drawings with respect to the embodiment and the modifications thereof are merely exemplary if not otherwise specified, and can be changed optionally.

Lastly, the effects and advantages of the embodiment and the modifications thereof described above will be described below summarily. Though the reference characters corresponding to the elements of the embodiment and the modifications thereof are shown in parentheses below, the present invention is not limited to the elements indicated by the reference characters, and these elements can be replaced with any elements having the same functions.

The conventional baby carriers such as the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-181268 are disadvantageous in that, the leg-opening portion is configured so as to be fixed with the fasteners, and the user has to manipulate the fasteners every time he/she changes the holding manner between the forward-facing front-loading and the backward-facing front loading. The manipulation of the fastener is cumbersome for the user and the user is likely to forget to fasten or unfasten the fastener. On the other hand, when the cushiony member is arranged in the leg-opening portion, the problems related with the fastener do not arise. However, the mere arrangement of the cushiony member does not guarantee sufficient widthwise deformation of the leg-opening portion.

According to the embodiment, the relieving portion can relieve the buffer power of the buffer member, whereby when the contact portion is compressed by the movements of the baby, the contact portion can be deformed relatively easily. Therefore, the baby carrier can maintain the shape corresponding to the body portions of the baby without unnecessarily compressing the body portions of the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced. Further, since the flexibility of the buffer member is enhanced by the relief of the buffer power, the deformed structure of the contact portion can be made without any special manipulation. Thus, the conventionally necessary operation, such as the operation to fasten the fastener of the leg-opening portion is not necessary, whereby the convenience for the user can be further enhanced.

Specifically, according to the embodiment, the relieving portion (106) can relieve the buffer power of the buffer member (103), whereby when the contact portion (100) is compressed by the movements of the baby, the contact portion (100) can be deformed relatively easily. Therefore, the baby carrier can maintain the shape corresponding to the body portions of the baby without unnecessarily compressing the body portions of the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced. Further, since the flexibility of the buffer member (103) is enhanced by the relief of the buffer power of the buffer member (103), the deformed structure of the contact portion (100) can be made without any special manipulation. Thus, the conventionally necessary operation, such as the operation to fasten the fastener of the leg-opening portion is not necessary, whereby the convenience for the user can be further enhanced.

The holding seat (10) may be configured as the lying-position holding seat for holding the baby in a lying position or as the upright-position holding seat (10) for holding the baby in an upright position. Further, the contact portion (100) can be any portions which can be touched by a body portion of the baby, but in particular, can be the leg-opening portion (100) which is touched by the buttocks portion or the inner thigh portion of the baby. Particularly with respect to the upright-position holding seat (10), the leg-opening portion (100) touches different portions of the baby at the time of backward-facing front-loading and at the time of forward-facing front-loading. Therefore, the increased flexibility of the leg-opening portion (100) of the upright-position holding seat (10) as described above is effective.

Further, the relieving portion (106) can be formed in various manners. For example, the relieving portion (106) may be an opening (106) formed in the buffer member (103). In this case, since the relieving portion (106) is formed as a space where the buffer member (103) is not present, the contact portion (100) can be deformed relatively easily when the contact portion (100) is compressed by the movements of the baby. Further, since the relieving portion (106) can be formed merely by forming the opening (106), the relieving portion (106) can be formed easily at low cost. Still further, the provision of the opening (106) can improve the ventilation characteristic of the holding seat (10). Thus, the comfort of the baby can also be enhanced.

Another forming manner of the relieving portion (106) is to provide a thin portion within the buffer member (103) as the relieving portion (106). In this case, the buffer member (103) is thinned at the relieving portion (106). Therefore, the contact portion (100) can be deformed relatively easily when the contact portion (100) is compressed by the movements of the baby. Further, since the buffer member (103) is thinned, the ventilation characteristic of the holding seat (10) can be enhanced, thereby enhancing the comfort of the baby.

It is preferable that the outer shape of the relieving portion (106) correspond to the outer shape of the contact portion (100) substantially. In this case, the contact portion (100) can be deformed to a corresponding shape of the outer shape. For example, when the outer shape of the contact portion (100) is formed in a corresponding shape to the leg portion of the baby, the contact portion (100) can be deformed from the corresponding shape to the leg portion of the baby, whereby the contact portion can remain well fit to the leg portion of the baby.

Further, the suture line (108) may be provided near the side portion of the contact portion (100), and the side portion (107) of the contact portion (100) may be made movable about the suture line (108). In this case, the side portion (107) of the contact portion (100) moves flexibly according to the compression of the contact portion (100) by the baby, so as to maintain the shape corresponding to the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be enhanced. Still further, since no special operation is necessary for moving the side portion (107) of the contact portion (100) according to the movements of the baby, conventionally required operation such as fastening of the fastener of the leg-opening portion is not necessary, and the convenience for the user can be enhanced.

Further, it is preferable that the back side surface of the contact portion (100) touching the baby be covered by the backing cloth (105), the front side surface opposite to the back side surface of the contact portion (100) be covered by the cover cloth (104), and the mutually connecting portion of the cover cloth (104) and the backing cloth (105) be positioned at the front side surface of the contact portion (100). In this case, the mutually connecting portion (133) of the cover cloth (104) and the backing cloth (105) can be prevented from touching the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced.

When the connecting portion (133) is arranged at a position on the front side surface of the contact portion (100), it is preferable that the connecting portion (133) match with the suture line (108) positioned near the side of the contact portion (100). Then, the formation of only one suture line (108) is sufficient for forming the movable portion (107), and at the same time the connecting portion (133) can be prevented from touching the legs of the baby. Thus, many advantageous effects can be obtained from a simple structure.

Further, the contact portion (100) may be provided near the lower edge of the holding seat (10) in the lengthwise direction, so that the contact potion (100) can receive the buttocks portion or the inner thigh portion of the baby, while the weight-adjusting portion (107a) is provided in the side portions (107) of the contact portion (100) as an element extending toward the lower end along the side portions (107) in the lengthwise direction, so that the weight applied to the contact portion (100) is transmitted inwardly along the direction substantially orthogonal to the lengthwise direction. Then, the tension applied to the sides (107) of the contact portion (100) by the suspension is relieved, and the weight applied to the sides (107) is reduced. The weight is transmitted to the center from the right and the left (inwardly) in the holding seat (10). As a result, the pressure on the buttocks portion and the inner thigh portion of the baby can be reduced, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced.

When the user employs the conventional baby carrier attaching the lying-position holding seat to the upright-position holding seat, the hooks arranged on the side surfaces of the seats can sometimes touch the baby; and when the user employs the conventional baby carrier using only the upright-position holding seat, the hooks arranged on the back side surface of the upright-position holding seat can sometimes touch the baby. Therefore, the conventional baby carrier can give the baby an uncomfortable sensation.

Further, though the lying-position holding seat is attached to the upright-position holding seat in the conventional baby carrier, various types of straps attached to the upright-position holding seat are not fixed to the lying-position holding seat. Therefore, the straps moves along the circumference of the lying-position holding seat without any restrictions, possibly obstructing the operation by the user of the baby carrier, or touching the baby.

On the other hand, the embodiment can prevent the first fastener and the second fastener from touching the baby, thereby further enhancing the comfort of the baby. Further, since the first and the second fastener are not exposed to the upright-position holding seat, the first and the second fastener can be prevented from being exposed on the front side of the baby carrier, whereby the design quality of the baby carrier can be enhanced. Still further, the straps and the remaining portions thereof would not be caught by the user, the baby, and the like, and at the same time, the appearance of the baby carrier can be made neat and the design quality of the baby carrier can be enhanced. Further, since the strap combiner binds the straps to allow the straps to rise from the lying-position holding seat at a predetermined angle, the straps are prevented from being pulled to the right or to the left or upward so as to be inclined toward the baby. Thus, the space for receiving the baby can be secured.

Specifically, the baby carrier (1) according to the embodiment includes the upright-position holding seat (10) for holding the baby in an upright position and the lying-position holding seat (50) for holding the baby in a lying position, and the upright-position holding seat (10) and the lying-position holding seat (50) are attachable/detachable with each other with their back side surfaces in contact with each other. The lying-position holding seat (50) has a first fastener (111a, 112a, 140a, 141a, 143a, 143b, 144a, 146a, 148a), and one of the lying-position holding seat (50) and the upright-position holding seat (10) has a second fastener (71a, 72a, 11a, 51a, 51b, 144b, 147b) detachably attachable to the first fastener (111a, 112a, 140a, 141a, 143a, 143b, 144a, 146a, 148a). The first fastener (111a, 112a, 140a, 141a, 143a, 143b, 144a, 146a, 148a) and the second fastener (71a, 72a, 11a, 51a, 51b, 144b, 147b) are made unexposed at the back side surface of the upright-position holding seat (10) and the front side surface of the lying-position holding seat (50).

According to the present invention, since the first fastener (111a, 112a, 140a, 141a, 143a, 143b, 144a, 146a, 148a) and the second fastener (71a, 72a, 11a, 51a, 51b, 144b, 147b), which serve to fix the upright-position holding seat (10) to the lying-position holding seat (50) with each other, are not exposed at the front side surface of the lying-position holding seat (50), the first fastener (111a, 112a, 140a, 141a, 143a, 143b, 144a, 146a, 148a) and the second fastener (71a, 72a, 11a, 51a, 51b, 144b, 147b) are prevented from touching the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced. Still further, since the first fastener (111a, 112a, 140a, 141a, 143a, 143b, 144a, 146a, 148a) and the second fastener (71a, 72a, 11a, 51a, 51b, 144b, 147b) are not exposed to the upright-position holding seat (10). Therefore, the first fastener (111a, 112a, 140a, 141a, 143a, 143b, 144a, 146a, 148a) and the second fastener (71a, 72a, 11a, 51a, 51b, 144b, 147b) are prevented from being exposed on the front side surface of the baby carrier (1), and the design quality of the baby carrier (1) can be improved.

One specific structure which realizes the above-described advantageous effects includes the first fastener (111a, 112a, 140a) arranged on the back side surface of the lying-position holding seat (50), and the second fastener (71a, 72a) and a cover (71, 72) for covering the second fastener (71a, 72a) arranged on the back side surface of the upright-position holding seat (10).

Since the first fastener (111a, 112a, 140a) and the second fastener (71a, 72a) are arranged on the back side surface in the present invention, the first fastener (111a, 112a, 140a) and the second fastener (71a, 72a) are prevented from being exposed on the front side surface of the baby carrier (1), and the design quality of the baby carrier (1) can be enhanced. Further, since the first fastener (111a, 112a, 140a) and the second fastener (71a, 72a) are covered with the cover (71, 72), the first fastener (111a, 112a, 140a) and the second fastener (71a, 72a) can be prevented from touching the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced.

To put it even more specifically, for example, the lying-position holding seat (50) is provided with a first protruding segment (111) protruding to the side, and the first fastener (111a) arranged on the back side surface of the first protruding segment (111), and the upright-position holding seat (10) is provided with a second protruding segment (71) protruding from a position corresponding to the position of the first protruding segment (111), and the second fastener (71a) arranged on the back side surface of the second protruding segment (71) at a position corresponding to the position of the first fastener (111a), and the back side surface of the second fastener (71a) can be covered with the cover (72) in such a manner that the cover (71) can be closed/opened. In this case, when the first protruding segment (111) is overlapped with the second protruding segment (71), the first fastener (111a) and the second fastener (71a) can be fixed with each other. Since the first fastener (111a) and the second fastener (71a) are arranged on the back side, the first fastener (111a) and the second fastener (71a) are prevented from being exposed on the front side of the baby carrier (1), whereby the design quality of the baby carrier (1) can be improved. Still further, since the second fastener (71a) is covered with the cover (72) in such a manner that the cover unit (72) can be opened/closed, these elements are prevented from touching the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced.

Alternatively, the lying-position holding seat (50) may be provided with the first fastener (140a) arranged on the back side surface of the lying-position holding seat (50) at a position corresponding to the side of the upright-position holding seat (10), and the upright-position holding seat (10) may be provided with the protruding segment (71) protruding from a position corresponding to the position of the first fastener (140a), and the second fastener (71a) arranged on the back side surface of the protruding segment (71) at a position corresponding to the first fastener (140a), and the back side surface of the second fastener (71a) may be covered with the cover (72) in such a manner that the cover (72) can be opened/closed. In this case, when the first fastener (140a) is overlapped with the protruding segment (71), the first fastener (140a) and the second fastener (71a) can be fixed with each other. Further, since the first fastener (140a) and the second fastener (71a) are arranged on the back side, the first fastener (140a) and the second fastener (71a) are prevented from being exposed on the front side of the baby carrier (1), whereby the design quality of the baby carrier (1) can be improved. Still further, since the second fastener (71a) is covered with the cover (72) in such a manner that the cover (72) can be opened/closed, the second fastener (71a) can be prevented from touching the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced.

Another specific structure which realizes the above-described advantageous effects may include the lying-position holding seat (50) provided with an extending portion (141, 143, 144, 146, 148) extending from the back side surface of the lying-position holding seat (50) toward the upright-position holding seat (10), and the first fastener (141a, 143a, 143b, 144a, 146a, 148a) provided on the extending portion (141, 143, 144, 146, 148). At least a portion of the upright-position holding seat (10) can be covered by the extending portion (141, 143, 144, 146, 148) so that the first fastener (141a, 143a, 143b, 144a, 146a, 148a) and the second fastener (11a, 51a, 51b, 144b, 147b) are fixed with each other.

According to the present invention, when the upright-position holding seat (10) is covered with the extending portion (141, 143, 144, 146, 148), the upright-position holding seat (10) can be sandwiched by the extending portion (141, 143, 144, 146, 148), so that the lying-position holding seat (50) is temporarily fixed to the upright-position holding seat (10), whereby the attachment operation of the lying-position holding seat (50) can be performed even more easily.

To put such a structure even more specifically, for example, the extending portion (141) of the lying-position holding seat (50) may be formed as a fixing flap (141) which substantially covers the top head portion of the upright-position holding seat (10), the first fastener (141a) may be arranged on the front side surface of the fixing flap (141), and the second fastener (11a) may be provided on the front side surface of the upright-position holding seat (10) at a position corresponding to the first fastener (141a). In this case, when the top head portion of the upright-position holding seat (10) is covered by the fixing flap (141) substantially, the lying-position holding seat (50) can be temporarily fixed to the upright-position holding seat (10). Further, since the first fastener (141a) and the second fastener (11a) are covered by the fixing flap (141), the first fastener (141a) and the second fastener (11a) can be made unexposed on both the front side and the back side, whereby the comfort of the baby and the design quality of the baby carrier (1) can be enhanced.

Alternatively, the extending portion (143) of the lying-position holding seat (50) may be formed as a fixing flap (143) which substantially covers a portion from the top head portion to the central portion of the upright-position holding seat (10) and which protrudes to the side of the upright-position holding seat (10), the first fastener (143a, 143b) may be provided on the front side surface of the fixing flap (143) at a position corresponding to the side of the upright-position holding seat (10), and the second fastener (51a, 51b) may be provided on the back side surface of the lying-position holding seat (50) at a position corresponding to the first fastener (143a, 143b). In this case, when the fixing flap covers the portion from the top head portion to the central portion of the upright-position holding seat (10) substantially, the lying-position holding seat (50) can be temporarily fixed to the upright-position holding seat (10). Further, since the first fastener (143a, 143b) and the second fastener (51a, 51b) are covered with the fixing flap (143), the first fastener (143a, 143b) and the second fastener (51a, 51b) can be made unexposed on both the front side and the back side, whereby the comfort of the baby and the design quality of the baby carrier (1) can be enhanced.

Still alternatively, the extending portion of the lying-position holding seat (50) may be formed as a flap (144) provided at the top head portion of the lying-position holding seat (50), the first fastener (144a) and the second fastener (144b) may be provided on the back side surface of the flap (144), and the flap loop (145) through which the flap (144) may be detachably inserted may be provided at the top head portion of the upright-position holding seat (10). The first fastener (144a) and the second fastener (144b) may be arranged at mutually corresponding positions when the flap (144) is inserted into the flap loop (145) and folded. In this case, when the flap (144) is inserted into the flap loop (145), the lying-position holding seat (50) can be temporarily fixed to the upright-position holding seat (10). Further, since the first fastener (144a) and the second fastener (144b) are arranged at mutually corresponding positions when the flap (144) is folded, the first fastener (144a) and the second fastener (144b) can be arranged inside the flap (144), so that the first fastener (144a) and the second fastener (144b) are made unexposed on both the front side and the back side, whereby the comfort of the baby and the design quality of the baby carrier (1) can be enhanced.

Still alternatively, the extending portion (146) of the lying-position holding seat (50) may be formed as paring fixing straps that extend from the right and the left sides of the lying-position holding seat (50) and that cover a portion of the front side surface of the upright-position holding seat (10). At the same time, the first fastener (146a) is provided on the back side surface of each of the fixing strap (146) and the second fastener (147b) may be provided on the front side surface of the upright-position holding seat (10) at positions corresponding to the first fastener (146a), respectively, and the cover (147) that covers the second fastener (147b) may be provided. In this case, when the pairing fixing straps (146) cover a portion of the front side surface of the upright-position holding seat (10), the lying-position holding seat (50) can be temporarily fixed to the upright-position holding seat (10). Further, since the first fastener (146a) and the second fastener (147b) are covered with the cover (147), the first fastener (146a) and the second fastener (147b) can be made unexposed on both the front side and the back side, whereby the comfort of the baby and the design quality of the baby carrier (1) can be enhanced.

Still alternatively, the extending portion (148) of the lying-position holding seat (50) may be formed as a flap (148) arranged on the back side surface of the lying-position holding seat (50), the first fastener (148a) may be provided on the front side surface of the flap (148), and the second fastener (51a) may be arranged on the back side surface of the lying-position holding seat (50) at a position corresponding to the first fastener (148a), and the flap loop (149, 150a), through which the flap (148) is detachably inserted, may be provided on the back side surface of the upright-position holding seat (10). The first fastener (148a) and the second fastener (51a) may be arranged at mutually corresponding positions when the flap (148) is inserted into the flap loop (149, 150a). In this case, when the flap (148) is inserted into the flap loop (149, 150a), the lying-position holding seat (50) can be temporarily fixed to the upright-position holding seat (10). Further, since the first fastener (148a) and the second fastener (51a) are covered with the flap (148), the first fastener (148a) and the second fastener (51a) can be made unexposed on both the front side and the back side, whereby the comfort of the baby and the design quality of the baby carrier (1) can be enhanced.

Further, in addition to the above-described structure, or in place of the above-described structure, the baby carrier of the present invention is configured with the surface fasteners (113), which are engaged with each other in a detachably manner, on the back side surface of the upright-position holding seat and on the back side surface of the lying-position holding seat. In this case, the lying-position holding seat (50) can be fixed to the upright-position holding seat (10) with the use of the surface fasteners (113). Particularly because the surface fasteners (113) are provided on the back side surfaces of the upright-position holding seat (10) and the lying-position holding seat (50), the surface fasteners (113) can be made unexposed on both the front side and the back side when the lying-position holding seat (50) is attached to the upright-position holding seat (10), whereby the comfort of the baby and the design quality of the baby carrier (1) can be enhanced.

Further, the baby carrier according to the present invention may include, in addition to the above-described structure or in place of the above-described structure, the upright-position holding seat (10) for holding the baby in an upright position and the lying-position holding seat (50) for holding the baby in a lying position, and the lying-position holding seat (50) is made attachable/detachable from the upright-position holding seat (10). The upright-position holding seat (10) has plural straps (15, 16) and the lying-position holding seat (50) has a strap combiner (54) which protrudes toward the straps 815, 16) and which serves to bind the plural straps (15, 16).

According to the present invention, since the plural straps (15, 16) can be bound by the strap combiner (54), the straps (15, 16) or their remaining portions are prevented from being caught by the user, the baby, and the like, and at the same time the appearance of the baby carrier (1) can be made neat so as to enhance the design quality of the baby carrier (1). Further, when the straps (15, 16) are held by the strap combiner (54), the straps (15, 16) are made to rise from the lying-position holding seat (50) at the predetermined angle. Therefore, the straps (15, 16) are prevented from being pulled to the right, left, or upward so as to be inclined toward the baby's side, whereby the space for receiving the baby can be secured.

To specify the structure even more specifically, the upright-position holding seat (10) may be provided with the side strap (15) which extends from a portion near the lower edge of the upright-position holding seat (10) to the side of the user, and the leg-support strap (16) which extends over the leg of the baby. The strap combiner (54) may extend from the lying-position holding seta (50) toward a portion near the lower edge, so as to combine the side strap (15) and the leg-support strap (16) at the position near the lower edge. In this case, since the side strap (15) and the leg-support strap (16) can be bound by the strap combiner (54), the side strap (15), the leg-support strap (16), and their remaining portions are prevented from being caught by the user, the baby, and the like, and the appearance of the baby carrier (1) can be made neat so as to improve the design quality of the baby carrier (1). Still further, when the strap combiner (54) holds the leg-support strap (16), the leg-support strap (16) can be made to rise from the lower edge of the lying-position holding seat (50) to the front side at the predetermined angle. Thus, the leg-support strap (16) is prevented from being pulled to the right, the left, or upward, so as to be inclined toward the baby's side, whereby the space for receiving the baby can be secured.

Further, as in the conventional baby carrier, when the head-support cover is arranged only at the baby's side of the head-support strap and the fasteners, and the head support is folded forward, the positional relation of the head-support strap and the fasteners, and the head-support cover is reversed, so as to possibly reveal the head-support strap and the fasteners to the side of the baby. Still further, when the head-support strap and the fasteners are covered with the tube-like head-support cover, though the exposure of the head-support strap and the fastener at the baby's side can be prevented, the user needs to tug the tube-like head-support cover up to a position near the fasteners to operate the fasteners. Therefore, the operation of the fasteners is cumbersome, and the user may forget to pull back the head-support cover to the original position after the operation of the fasteners. Thus, there is a possibility that the head-support strap or the fasteners are exposed to the baby's side, or to the front side, to degrade the design quality of the baby carrier.

Further, in the conventional baby carrier, the head-support cover is formed in a length matching with the average length of the head support. When the length of the head support is made adjustable via the ladder lock or the like and adjusted to the maximum length, the head-support cover is not long enough to cover the head support. Then, the head-support strap or the fasteners sometimes sticks out from the head-support cover. On the contrary, when the length of the head support is adjusted to the minimum, the fasteners are buried deep inside the head-support cover. Then, there is a possibility that the user has difficulties in reaching the hand to the fastener to operate, or the long remaining portion of the head-support strap sticks out from the head-support cover to be exposed to the baby's side.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, both the front side surface and the back side surface of the connector can be covered and made unexposed. Therefore, the connector can be prevented from being exposed to the baby's side (back side) regardless of the folded condition of the head support, and the connector can be prevented from touching the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced. At the same time, since the exposure of the connector on the front side can be prevented, the design quality of the baby carrier can be improved. Still further, since the remaining portion of the connector can be stored in the storage, the exposure of the remaining portion to the baby's side (back side) can be prevented, and the remaining portion can be prevented from touching the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced. At the same time, since the remaining portion can be prevented from being exposed on the front side, the design quality of the baby carrier can be improved.

Specifically, the baby carrier (1) according to the embodiment includes the seat main body (11) for holding the torso portion of the baby, the head support (12) provided at the end of the seat main body (11) to support the head of the baby, the shoulder strap (13) to support the seat main body (11) in a suspended manner, and the connector (20) for connecting the head support (12) to the seat main body (11) or to the shoulder strap (13), and is provided with the front-side cover (71) to cover the front side surface of the connector (20) substantially, and the back-side cover (72) to cover the back side surface of the connector (20) substantially. According to the present invention, since both the front side surface and the back side surface of the connector (20) can be covered and made unexposed, the connector (20) can be prevented from being exposed to the baby's side (back side) regardless of the folded condition of the head support (12), and the connector (20) can be prevented from touching the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced. At the same time, the exposure of the connector (20) on the front side can be also prevented, whereby the design quality of the baby carrier can be improved.

Any structure can by employed as a specific structure of the covering structure. For example, the front-side cover (71) and the back-side cover (72) may be formed in a substantially flat plate-like shape. The upper portion of the front-side cover (71) and the upper portion of the back-side cover (72) may be mutually fixed. The lower portion of the front-side cover (71) and the back-side cover (72) may be made mutually openable/closable. Further, the cover connector (71a, 72a) which connect the lower portion of the front-side cover (71) and the lower portion of the back-side cover (72) may be provided.

In such a covering structure, the front-side cover (71) and the back-side cover (72) are fixed with each other at the upper portion, and the lower portions thereof are left openable/closeable. Therefore, the front-side cover (71) and the back-side cover (72) hang down by their own weight so as to cover the connector (20) when the user puts his/her hand off from the front-side cover (71) and the back-side cover (72) after the operation of the connector (20). Therefore, even when the user forgets to fasten the cover connector (71a, 72a), the connector (20) would not be exposed on the baby's side (back side). Further, since the lower portions can be connected by the cover connector (71a, 72a), the front-side cover (71) and the back-side cover (72) can be even more securely fixed with each other, whereby the connector (20) can be prevented from being exposed to the baby's side (back side) even more securely.

Further, in such a covering structure, it is preferable that the cover connector (71a, 72a) is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the front-side cover (71) and the back-side cover (72). Then, the cover connector (71a, 72a) itself is covered by the front-side cover (71) and the back-side cover (72), whereby the cover connector (71a, 72a) is prevented from being exposed to the baby's side (back side). In this regard, as well, the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced, and the design quality of the baby carrier can be improved.

Here, it is preferable to provide length adjuster (22) for adjusting the length of the connector (20) and to make the length of the connector (20) on the front-side cover (71) and the back-side cover (72) along the connector (20) equal to or longer than the maximum adjustable length of the connector (20) which can be adjusted by the length adjuster (22). When the length adjuster (22) is provided, the distance between the head support (12) and the seat main body (11) or between the head support (12) and the shoulder strap (13) can be adjusted, whereby the size of the space where the baby is received can be properly adjusted according to the age in month of the baby. Even when the length of the connector (20) is adjusted to be the maximum length with the length adjuster (22), the connector (20) can be securely prevented from being exposed to the baby's side (back side) or to the front side because the front-side cover (71) and the back-side cover (72) are formed longer than the maximum length.

Further, the baby carrier (1) according to the present invention includes the seat main body (11) for holding the torso portion of the baby, the head support (12) provided at the end of the seat main body (11) for supporting the head of the baby, the shoulder strap (13) for supporting the seat main body (11) in a suspended manner, and connector (20) for connecting the head support (12) to the seat main body (11) or to the shoulder strap (13), and is provided with the storage (12a) for storing the remaining portion of the connector (20) in the head support (12), the seat main body (11), or the shoulder strap (13) in a removable manner. According to the present invention, since the remaining portion of the connector (20) can be stored in the storage (12a), the remaining portion can be prevented from being exposed to the baby's side (back side), and can be prevented from touching the baby, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced. At the same time, since the remaining portion can be prevented from being exposed on the front side, the design quality of the baby carrier can be improved.

Any structure can be employed as a specific structure of the storage (12a). For example, the storage (12a) can be provided at the end of the head support (12) at the side of the seat main body (11) or at the side of the shoulder strap (13). In this case, even when the connector (20) is made to extend from the head support (12) to the seat main body (11) or to the shoulder strap (13) and the remaining portion of the connector (20) is folded back to the head support (12), the remaining portion can be directly inserted into the storage (12a) provided at the end at the side of the head support (12) along the lengthwise direction of the folded remaining portion, whereby the remaining portion can be even more smoothly stored.

Further, it is preferable that the baby carrier has the front-side cover (71) covering the front side surface of the connector (20) and the back-side cover (72) covering the back side surface of the connector (20), and that the storage (12a) be formed as a space (75) communicating to the space (74) formed between the front-side cover (71) and the back-side cover (72). In this case, the connector (20) is covered in the space (74) and the remaining portion is covered by the space (75) communicating with the space (74). Thus, a continuous storing space structure can be formed covering the range from the connector (20) to the remaining portion, whereby the entire length from the connector (20) to the remaining portion can be made substantially completely unexposed.

In the conventional covering structure, the hooks or the surface fasteners must be released from the fixation so that the buckle cover can be opened when the bridging strap is to be used. In addition, after the operation of the buckle cover, the buckle cover must be closed again, and the fastener must be engaged for fixation. Thus, conventionally, plural operations must be performed for the attachment of the bridging strap, and the attachment operation of the bridging strap is cumbersome. In addition, there is a possibility that the user forgets to close the buckle cover after the operation of the buckle. Still in addition, there is a possibility that the user twists the strap-like bridging strap at the time of attachment of the bridging strap, and the user may fix the buckle without noticing that the bridging strap is twisted, and use the bridging strap in reverse.

Conventionally, the side buckle is employed as the buckle. Therefore, when the baby is held in the upright-position holding seat, the baby might reach out the hand to the side of the buckle and release the buckle. Further, since the bridging strap is used only at the time of upright-position holding, unused bridging strap may hang in front of the baby or to the side of the baby at the time of the lying-position holding. Then, the bridging strap can obstruct the operation of the user such as the attachment of the lying-position holding seat, or the bridging strap may touch the baby.

On the other hand, the cover is fixed to the bridging strap at the position near the attachment/detachment in the embodiment. Therefore, the repulsive force of the cover at the end portion can be increased, and the cover naturally returns to the original position according to its own repulsive force to cover the attachment/detachment when the user simply takes off the hand from the cover. Therefore, the exposure of the attachment/detachment can be prevented without any special operation to return the cover to its original position, whereby the safety for the baby can be further enhanced, and the convenience for the user can be further enhanced. Still further, since the unused bridging strap or the attachment/detachment can be stored in the storing portion at the time of the lying-position holding, the bridging strap or the attachment/detachment would not hang over the baby or to the side of the baby. Thus, the bridging strap or the attachment/detachment can be prevented from obstructing the operation of the user such as the attachment of the lying-position holding seat, and the bridging strap can be also prevented from touching the baby.

Specifically, the baby carrier (1) according to the embodiment includes the seat main body (11) covering the torso portion of the baby, a pair of shoulder straps 813) attached to the seat main body (11), the bridging strap (14) for mutually connecting the pairing shoulder straps (13), and the attachment/detachment (26, 27) for attaching the bridging strap (14) to the shoulder strap (13) in a detachable manner, and is further provided with a tube-like cover (80) which surrounds the bridging strap (14) and extends from the bridging strap (14) to the attachment/detachment (26, 27) to surround at least a portion of the attachment/detachment (26, 27), and the cover (80) is fixed to the bridging strap (14) at a position near the attachment/detachment (26, 27). According to the present invention, since the cover (80) is fixed to the bridging strap (14) at a position near the attachment/detachment (26, 27), the cover naturally returns to its original state according to its own repulsive force to cover the attachment/detachment (26, 27) when the user simply takes off the hand from the cover (80). Therefore, the exposure of the attachment/detachment (26, 27) can be prevented without any special operation to return the cover (80) to its original state, whereby the safety for the baby and the convenience for the user can be further enhanced.

In the above structure, it is preferable that the attachment/detachment (26, 27) includes a first attachment/detachment unit (26) attached to the bridging strap (14) and a second attachment/detachment unit (27) attached to the shoulder strap (13) and engaged with the first attachment/detachment unit (26) in a detachable manner, and that the operation unit (26a) for the attachment/detachment operation of the attachment/detachment (26, 27) is arranged in the first attachment/detachment unit (26) and the cover (80) covers at least the first attachment/detachment unit (26). In this case, since the first attachment/detachment unit (26) having the operation unit (26a) is covered by the cover (80), the operation unit (26a) can be made unexposed, whereby the baby would not fiddle with the operation unit (26a).

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the operation unit (26a) for the attachment/detachment operation of the attachment/detachment (26, 27) is arranged to the attachment/detachment (26, 27) on an opposite surface to the seat main body (11). In this case, the operation unit (26a) faces opposite side from the baby, whereby the fiddling with of the operation unit (26a) by the baby can be even more securely prevented.

Further, in this case, it is preferable that the surface opposite to the seat main body (11) be covered only with the thin cloth (82). Then, the user can operate the operation unit (26a) only through the thin cloth (82), and can easily operate the operation unit (26a) without folding up the cover (80), whereby the convenience for the user can be further enhanced.

Further, according to the present invention, the cover (80) can be provided with an identifier (81, 82) for making the front side surface and the back side surface of the cover (80) identifiable. The front side surface is opposite to the seat main body (11) and the back side surface is to the side of the seat main body (11). In this case, the front side surface and the back side surface of the cover (80) can be easily identified according to the identifier (81, 82), and the bridging strap (14) and the attachment/detachment (26, 27) can be used in the correct orientation (front-back direction), whereby the convenience for the user is further enhanced.

Further, according to the present invention, the identifier (81, 82) can be formed from a first cloth (82) covering the front side surface of the cover (80) and a second cloth (81) covering the back side surface of the cover (80), wherein the first cloth (82) and the second cloth (81) are made from different types of cloth. The identifier (81, 82) can be formed by using different types of cloth, and a particular marking or the like is not necessary, whereby the front-back direction of the bridging strap (14) and the attachment/detachment (26, 27) can be readily identified based on a simple structure.

Further, in this case, it is preferable that the second cloth (81) is made of mesh cloth. When the second cloth (81) positioned to the side of the baby is made of mesh cloth, the ventilation characteristics and the feel of the cover (80) can be improved, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced.

Further, the baby carrier according to the present invention includes a seat main body (11) covering the torso portion of the baby, plural shoulder straps (13) attached to the seat main body (11), a bridging strap (14) for connecting the plural shoulder straps (13) with each other, and the attachment/detachment (26, 27) for attaching the bridging strap (14) to the shoulder strap (13) in a detachable manner, and the storing portion (90, 91) is formed in the shoulder strap (13) to store the bridging strap (14) or the attachment/detachment (26, 27) in such a manner that the bridging strap (14) or the attachment/detachment (26, 27) can be stored therein and taken out therefrom.

According to the present invention, the bridging strap (14) or the attachment/detachment (26, 27) that are not used at the time of lying-position holding can be stored in the storing portion (90, 91). Therefore, the bridging strap (14) or the attachment/detachment (26, 27) do not hang over the baby or to the side of the baby, whereby the bridging strap (14) and the attachment/detachment (26, 27) can be prevented from obstructing the operations of the user such as the attachment of the lying-position holding seat (50), and the bridging strap (14) is prevented from touching the baby.

Any structure can be employed as a specific structure of the storing portion (90, 91). For example, the storing portion (90, 91) can be formed as a bag-like element provided on the shoulder strap (13), and an opening (90a, 91a) may be formed on a side opposite to the other shoulder strap (13). The shoulder-strap (13)-side end of the bridging strap (14) or the attachment/detachment (26, 27) is attached to the inside of the storing portion (90, 91), so that the bridging strap (14) or the attachment/detachment (26, 27) can be taken out from the storing portion (90, 91) through the opening (90a, 91a). In this case, the bridging strap (14) or the attachment/detachment (26, 27) can be stored in the storing portion (90, 91) via the opening (90a, 91a).

Further, the storing portion (90, 91) can be formed as a rectangular-solid space extending along the lengthwise direction of the shoulder strap (13). In this case, the bridging strap (14) can be stored along the lengthwise direction of the shoulder strap (13) even if the width of the bridging strap (14) is wider than the width of the shoulder strap (13), whereby, the bridging strap (14) can be made unexposed over the entire length regardless of the width of the shoulder strap (13).

Further, the storing portion (130) can be formed as a rectangular-solid space extending along the lengthwise direction of the shoulder strap (13) at a position near the base of the bridging strap (14) on the outer side surface of the shoulder strap (13). In this case, as well, the bridging strap (13) can be stored along the lengthwise direction of the shoulder strap (13) by inserting the bridging strap (14) into the storing portion (130) provided on the outer side surface of the shoulder strap (13) even if the width of the bridging strap (14) is wider than the width of the shoulder strap (13), whereby the bridging strap (14) can be made unexposed over the entire length regardless of the width of the shoulder strap (13).

Further, the bridging strap (131) may be formed with a first strap (131) provided on one shoulder strap (13) and a second strap (131) provided on the other shoulder strap (13) and formed in substantially the same length as the length of the first strap (131), and the storing portion (132) may be formed as a space, in which the first strap (131) or the second strap (131) can be inserted in a direction substantially orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the shoulder strap (13), at a position near to the base of the bridging strap (131) in the shoulder strap (13). In this case, the bridging strap (131) is divided into the first strap (131) and the second strap (131) of the substantially mutually same length, whereby the width of each bridging strap (131) can be made shorter. Thus, even when each of the bridging straps (131) is inserted in the direction substantially orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the shoulder strap (13), each of the bridging straps (131) can be made unexposed over the entire length.

Further, in the conventional baby carrier adopted for the baby whose back is strong enough to keep the back straight, the baby carrier main body itself has a low rigidity. Therefore, the baby carrier main body and the bag can be configured as the front side and the back side of one piece, respectively. However, in the conventional baby carrier adopted for the baby whose back is not strong enough to keep the back straight, the baby carrier main body itself has relatively high rigidity. Therefore, the baby carrier main body itself is difficult to use as a bag as it is, and the conventional storing structure cannot be directly applied to such a baby carrier. Hence, when the user carries such a baby carrier, he/she needs to store the baby carrier in a separate storing bag he/she carries separately. Such requirement is cumbersome for the user and there is a possibility that the user forgets to bring the storing bag together with the baby carrier. In different cases, the user simply folds the baby carrier and puts it into a bag of the baby stroller, for example, without bringing a specific storing bag. Then, the baby carrier sometimes sticks out from the bag and is annoying.

On the other hand, in the baby carrier of the embodiment, the folder can be stored in the storage, whereby the folder can always be carried together with the baby carrier, and the user is prevented from leaving the folder behind. Therefore, the user can securely hold the baby carrier with the folder, and the convenience for the user can be further enhanced.

Specifically, the baby carrier (1) according to the embodiment is a baby carrier (1) for holding the baby and includes the folder (121, 151) for holding the baby carrier (1) and the storage (120) for storing the folder (121, 151) in the baby carrier (1) in such a manner that the folder can be stored and taken out freely. According to the present invention, since the folder (121, 151) is stored in the storage (120), the folder (121, 151) can always be carried together with the baby carrier (1), and the user can be prevented from leaving the folder (121, 151) behind. Thus, the user can securely hold the baby carrier (1) with the folder (121, 151) when necessary, whereby the convenience for the user can be further enhanced.

Any structure can be employed as a specific structure of the folder (121, 151). For example, the folder (121) can be configured as a storing bag (121) which stores the baby carrier (1). In this case, the baby carrier (1) can be stored in the storing bag (121) and carried.

Further, an attachment string (121b) may be attached to the storing bag (121) so that the opening (121a) of the storing bag (121) can be opened and closed at will. In this case, the opening (121a) can be closed with the attachment string (121b), whereby the falling off of the baby carrier (1), for example, can be prevented.

Still further, the folder (151) can be configured as a storing strap (151) which serves to bind the baby carrier (1) in a folded state. In this case, the baby carrier (1) can be bound by the storing strap (151) in a folded state and carried.

Still further, it is preferable that connector (122) to connect the folder (121, 151) to the storage (120) be provided. In this case, since the folder (121, 151) is connected to the storage (120) via the connector (122), the user can be prevented from leaving the storage (121, 151) alone, and the falling off of the folder (121, 151) from the storage (120) can be prevented, for example. Thus, the folder (121, 151) can be carried easily and securely.

The storage (120) can be arranged at any position, though it is preferable that the storing unit (120) be arranged near the end of the baby carrier (1) on its front side surface along the lengthwise direction. In this case, the storage (120) does not touch the baby directly, whereby the presence of the storage (120) and the folder (121) stored therein would not give uncomfortable sensation to the baby, and the comfort of the baby can be maintained. Further, since the storage (120) is arranged at a position near the end in the lengthwise direction, the storage (120) is not noticeable from outside, whereby the appearance of the baby carrier (1) can be kept neat. In particular, when the storage (120) is arranged at the lower end of the baby carrier (1) (i.e., at a position between the right and the left legs of the baby held in the upright position), the storage (120) is hidden between the right and the left legs of the baby and not noticeable from the front side, whereby the appearance of the baby carrier (1) can be kept neat. Further, when the storage (120) is arranged at a position near the end in the lengthwise direction, the storage (120) can be arranged at the end of the baby carrier (1) easily, whereby the storage of the baby carrier (1) can be made even easier.

Alternatively, the storage (120) can be arranged on the baby carrier (10) on a surface which is brought into contact with the baby. In this case, the storage (120) is positioned at the baby's side and thus made unexposed to the outside, whereby the design quality of the baby carrier (1) can be maintained.

Further, it is preferable that at least one of the folder (121) and the storage (120) is formed of mesh cloth. In this case, the folder (121) and the storage (120) can be formed thin, whereby these elements would not give uncomfortable sensation to the baby particularly when the storage (120) is positioned at the baby's side. Further, the ventilation characteristics of the folder (121) and the storage (120) can be enhanced, whereby the comfort of the baby can be further enhanced.

Further, an opening (120a) may be provided in the storage (120) so that the folder (121, 151) can be put into and taken out from the storage (120) through the opening (120a). The opening (120a) may be formed with a pair of clothes (120b, 120c) overlapped with each other and facing with each other, so that the opening (120a) can be opened/closed. In this case, when the pair of clothes (120b, 120c) are overlapped, the opening (120a) can be closed, whereby the unexpected exposure and falling off of the folder (121, 151) from the storage (120) can be prevented. In particular, since the open/close structure can be configured without any particular opening/closings such as a fastener but with an overlapped pair of clothes (120b, 120c), the open/close structure can be configured easily. Further, even when the open/close structure is arranged at the baby's side, it does not give uncomfortable sensation to the baby.

Further, the folder may be configured with a structure other than the storing bag. For example, the baby carrier (1) for holding the baby may include a holding seat (10) for holding the baby and a holding strap (152) for connecting the right side and the left side of the holding seat (10) with each other, and the holding seat (10) may be bound by the holding strap (152) in a folded state.

According to the present invention, the holding strap (152) can connect the right and the left sides of the holding seat (10) and at the same time can bind the holding seat (10). Thus, the holding strap (152) can have plural functions. Hence, a dedicated means for holding is not necessary, and the baby carrier (1) can be configured in an even simpler manner. Further, since the holding strap (152) is provided in the holding seat (10), the holding strap (152) can be always carried with the baby carrier (1), and the user can be prevented from leaving the holding strap (152), whereby the convenience for the user can be further enhanced.

Still further, the baby carrier (1) for holding the baby may include a holding seat (10) for holding the baby, first fastener (153) arranged on one end of the holding seat (10) along the lengthwise direction, and the second fastener (154) arranged on another end of the holding seat (10) in the lengthwise direction, and attachable/detachable to/from the first fastener (153), and the holding seat (10) may be made holdable in a folded state with the first fastener (153) and the second fastener (154). According to the present invention, the holding seat (10) can be held with the first fastener (153) and the second fastener (154), whereby the baby carrier (1) can be easily carried. Still further, since the first fastener (153) and the second fastener (154) are provided in the holding seat (10), the first fastener (153) and the second fastener (154) can be always carried together with the baby carrier (1), and the user can be prevented from leaving the first fastener (153) and the second fastener (154), whereby the convenience for the user can be further enhanced.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2006-099290	Mar 2006	JP	national
2006-099291	Mar 2006	JP	national
2006-099292	Mar 2006	JP	national
2006-099293	Mar 2006	JP	national
2006-099294	Mar 2006	JP	national

BABY CARRIER

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CPC

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Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (5)