BABY CARRIER

Abstract

A baby carrier includes: a seat; a first waist wearable belt extending from the seat in a leftward direction when a user wears the baby carrier; and a second waist wearable belt extending from the seat in a rightward direction when the user wears the baby carrier. The first waist wearable belt includes a first length adjusting unit disposed near a seat side. The second waist wearable belt include a second length adjusting unit. The first length adjusting unit includes a first adjusting jig capable of performing a length adjusting operation, and the second length adjusting unit includes a second adjusting jig capable of performing a length adjusting operation. The first adjusting jig and the second adjusting jig are configured to respectively independently perform an adjusting operation of a length of the first waist wearable belt and an adjusting operation of a length of the second waist wearable belt.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a baby carrier.

BACKGROUND ART

When a person moves while holding his/her infant or when the person performs an operation while holding his/her infant, there has been known a baby carrier as a tool that safely supports the infant and reduces a burden imposed on the person (hereinafter referred to as “user”). The baby carrier can support a weight and a posture of an infant by a seat portion on which buttocks of the infant are placed, and a waist wearable belt that fixes the seat portion.

Such a baby carrier includes a fastening unit (corresponding to a length adjusting unit) for adjusting a circumferential length of the waist wearable belt when the user wears the waist wearable belt. The waist wearable belt is constituted of a first waist wearable belt portion and a second waist wearable belt portion, and the fastening unit winds a wire that connects the first waist wearable belt portion and the second waist wearable belt portion by an adjusting jig thus adjusting a length of the circumference of the waist wearable belt. The fastening unit is disposed such that the fastening unit is positioned on a center portion of the back of the user when the user wears the baby carrier (see patent literature 1, for example).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

• • PTL 1: WO 2020/122347 A1

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In the baby carrier described in the above-mentioned patent literature 1, the wire that adjusts a length of the waist wearable belt when the user wears the baby carrier is positioned at the approximately center portion of the back of the user. Accordingly, even when the waist wearable belt is fastened by operating an adjusting jig, a gap is liable to be formed between the waist wearable belt and an abdominal portion of the user near connecting portions between a seat portion and the waist wearable belt. Accordingly, the seat portion cannot be brought into close contact with the abdominal portion and hence, the seat portion is liable to stagger whereby the baby carrier cannot support an infant in a stable manner. In a case where the waist wearable belt is fastened strongly so as to prevent the formation of such a gap, there arises a possibility that the seat portion compresses the abdominal portion thus giving rise to a drawback that the user feels pain in the abdominal portion.

In using the baby carrier, two cases are considered. In one case, the user places the seat portion on a center portion of the abdominal portion. In the other case, the user holds an infant in a state where the seat portion is slightly displaced to the left or the right from the center portion of the abdominal portion, and performs a certain operation using his/her free hand. In the case where the seat portion is displaced from the center portion of the abdominal portion, the position of the fastening unit is also displaced and hence, it is difficult to bring the seat portion into close contact with the abdominal portion thus giving rise to a problem that an infant cannot be supported in a stable manner.

Further, the adjusting jig that adjusts a length of the waist wearable belt is disposed on one portion on a right side. For example, in a case where a user is a left-handed person, there arises a drawback that a length adjusting operation (a fastening operation) of the waist wearable belt by the adjusting jig disposed on a right side becomes cumbersome.

The present invention has been made to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it is an object of the present invention to realize a baby carrier that is capable of stably supporting an infant while reducing a burden imposed on a user, and is capable of easily performing a length adjusting operation (a fastening degree adjusting operation) of a waist wearable belt.

Solution to Problem

[1] A baby carrier according to the present invention includes: a seat portion provided with a seat surface on which buttocks of an infant are placed; a first waist wearable belt portion that extends from the seat portion in a leftward direction when a user wears the baby carrier, and a second waist wearable belt portion that extends from the seat portion in a rightward direction when the user wears the baby carrier; a first length adjusting unit that is disposed on a portion of the first waist wearable belt portion near the seat portion, and is configured to adjust a length of the first waist wearable belt portion, and a second length adjusting unit that is disposed on a portion of the second waist wearable belt portion near the seat portion, and is configured to adjust a length of the second waist wearable belt portion, wherein the first length adjusting unit includes a first adjusting jig capable of performing a length adjusting operation, and the second length adjusting unit includes a second adjusting jig capable of performing a length adjusting operation, and the first adjusting jig and the second adjusting jig are configured to respectively independently perform an adjusting operation of a length of the first waist wearable belt portion and an adjusting operation of a length of the second waist wearable belt portion.

[2] In the baby carrier according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first length adjusting unit be configured such that a first moving portion is disposed at one end of the first length adjusting region of the first waist wearable belt portion, the first adjusting jig is fixed to the other end portion of the first length adjusting region, and a connecting member capable of adjusting a length of the first length adjusting region extends between the first moving portion and the first adjusting jig, and the second length adjusting unit be configured such that a second moving portion is disposed at one end of a second length adjusting region of the second waist wearable belt portion, the second adjusting jig be fixed to the other end portion of the second length adjusting region, and a connecting member capable of adjusting a length of the second length adjusting region extend between the second moving portion and the second adjusting jig.

[3] In the baby carrier according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first moving portion be disposed on a seat portion side of the first length adjusting region, and the second moving portion be disposed on a seat portion side of the second length adjusting region.

[4] In the baby carrier according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first adjusting jig be disposed on a seat portion side of the first length adjusting region, and the second adjusting jig be disposed on a seat portion side of the second length adjusting region.

[5] In the baby carrier according to the present invention, it is preferable that the connecting member be formed of a wire that extends between the first moving portion and the first adjusting jig and a wire that extends between the second moving portion and the second adjusting jig, the first moving portion and the second moving portion include a wire support portion that slidably movably supports the wire respectively, and the first adjusting jig and the second adjusting jig be configured to be capable of winding the wire respectively.

[6] In the baby carrier according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first adjusting jig and the second adjusting jig include a dial capable of being rotated by allowing a user to grip the dial by his/her fingers, and the first adjusting jig and the second adjusting jig be configured such that a winding direction of the wire in the first adjusting jig and a winding direction of the wire in the second adjusting jig are opposite to each other.

[7] In the baby carrier according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first adjusting jig and the second adjusting jig be configured such that, the first adjusting jig or the second adjusting jig is capable of winding the wire when the dial is pushed in a thickness direction with respect to the first waist wearable belt portion or the second waist wearable belt portion, and is capable of releasing the winding of the wire when the dial is separated by pulling in a thickness direction from a first waist wearable belt portion side or a second waist wearable belt portion side.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The baby carrier according to the present invention described above includes the first length adjusting unit and the second length adjusting unit that adjust the respective lengths of the first waist wearable belt portion and the second waist wearable belt portion that extend on both sides of the seat portion on which an infant is placed. The first length adjusting unit and the second length adjusting unit can, in the first length adjusting region and the second length adjusting region disposed respectively near the seat portion, perform a length adjusting operation of the first waist wearable belt portion and the second waist wearable belt portion. With such a configuration, the first waist wearable belt and the second waist wearable belt can be fastened in a laterally well-balanced manner near the connecting portion between the seat portion and the first waist wearable belt portion and the second waist wearable belt portion. Accordingly, it is possible to bring the seat portion into close contact with an abdominal portion of the user with an appropriate fastening force and hence, the infant can be supported in a stable manner while reducing a burden imposed on the user. “Near” expresses the positions closer to the connecting portions between the seat portion and the first waist wearable belt and the second waist wearable belt.

Further, in the baby carrier according to the present invention, the seat portion can be fastened in a laterally well-balanced manner simultaneously and hence, compression feeling that the user feels due to the seat portion can be reduced.

Further, when the user wears the baby carrier, the baby carrier includes the first length adjusting unit on a left side and the second adjusting unit on a right side. Accordingly, even in a case where the user uses the baby carrier by displacing the seat portion toward the left or the right, the first adjusting unit and the second adjusting unit are disposed at the positions where the first adjusting jig and the second adjusting jig can be easily performed. As a result, the user can easily perform the length adjustment of the waist wearable belts, that is, the adjustment of the degree of fastening of the waist wearable belts. Alternatively, in both of a case where the user is a right-handed person and a case where the user is a left-handed person, the user can easily perform the adjustment of the degree of fastening of the waist wearable belts.

As has been described above, the baby carrier according to the present invention can support an infant in a stable manner while reducing a burden imposed on a user, and can easily perform a length adjusting operation (a fastening degree adjusting operation) of the waist wearable belts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a baby carrier 1.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the baby carrier 1 in a developed state.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are explanatory views illustrating a length adjusting method of a first waist wearable belt portion 14.

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view illustrating a baby carrier 2 in a developed state.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, baby carriers 1, 2 according to embodiments are described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. The respective drawings illustrated hereinafter are schematic views where the scales and shapes of the constitutional elements differ from scales and shapes of the corresponding constitutional elements of actual baby carriers.

(Configuration of Baby Carrier 1)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the schematic configuration of a baby carrier 1. The baby carrier 1 is a piggyback string that allows a user to move while holding an infant in a stably holding manner. The baby carrier 1 includes: a seat portion 11 that includes a seat surface 10 on which buttocks of an infant is placed; a waist wearable belt 12 that is wound around a waist portion of a user; a body support portion 13 that is detachably mounted on a distal end of the seat portion 11; and a waist support portion 23 on which the seat portion 11 is mounted and with which an abdominal portion of the user is brought into contact. In FIG. 1, the description is made by setting a body support portion 13 side (a front side of the user) as a front side, a side opposite to the body support side 13 side (a back side of the user) as a rear side, and a side disposed on a left side as viewed in a frontward direction as a left side, and a side opposite to the left side as a right side.

The waist wearable belt 12 is formed of: a first waist wearable belt portion 14 that extends in a leftward direction from the seat portion 11 when the user wears the baby carrier 1; and a second waist wearable belt portion 15 that extends in a rightward direction when the user wears the baby carrier 1. The first waist wearable belt portion 14, the second waist wearable belt portion 15 and the waist support portion 23 are formed as an integral body, and these portions are referred in a divided manner to describe the left and right configurations. The first waist wearable belt portion 14 and the second waist wearable belt portion 15 are configured to be wearable on the user by connecting jigs 16 in a state where distal end portions of the first waist wearable belt portion 14 and the second waist wearable belt portion 15 on a side opposite to the seat portion 11 overlap with each other. A first length adjusting unit 17 is disposed near a left side of the seat portion 11, and a second length adjusting unit 18 is disposed near a right side of the seat portion 11.

The first length adjusting unit 17 includes a first adjusting jig 20 that adjusts (shortens or shrinks) a length of the first waist wearable belt portion 14 in a first length adjusting region 19. The second length adjusting unit 18 includes a second adjusting jig 22 that adjusts (shortens or shrinks) a length of the second waist wearable belt portion 15 in a second length adjusting region 21. The configuration of the waist wearable belt 12, the first length adjusting unit 17 and the second length adjusting unit 18 are described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, the seat portion 11 includes a pedestal in a cloth-made bag body, and the seat surface 10 on which buttocks of an infant is placed is formed using a non-slippery material for making the posture of the infant stable. The seat portion 11 is fixed to the waist support portion 23 of the waist wearable belt 12 that forms a place with which an abdominal portion of the user is brought into contact by the cloth-made bag body when the user wears the baby carrier 1. An inner side surface of the waist wearable belt 12 is formed of a material that is non-slippery and having a favorable permeability including the waist support portion 23. The baby carrier 1 is configured such that the baby carrier 1 is mounted in a state where a front distal end side is inclined toward an upper side than an end surface of an upper portion of the waist wearable belt 12 before an infant is placed, and becomes substantially horizontal when the infant is placed. With such a configuration, it is possible to support the infant in a stable manner.

The body support portion 13 is provided for supporting a body when an infant is placed on the seat portion 11. The body support portion 13 includes: a support portion 30 having a planar shape that supports a body of an infant; and two shoulder straps 31 that can be put on both shoulders of the user. The body support portion 13 is mounted such that the support portion 30 is detachably mounted on a front side distal end of the seat portion 11. As a mounting method, for example, a buckle formed of an insertion part and a reception part, a slide fastener or the like can be used. A length adjusting jig 32 such as a buckle capable of performing the length adjustment for adjusting the length of the shoulder strap 31 is provided to each of two shoulder straps 31. Although not illustrated in the drawings, an infant can be more stably supported when the user wears the baby carrier 1 in such a manner that two shoulder straps 31 pass on a back side of the user in a crossing manner or another strap extends on a body of the user transversely. The baby carrier 1 can be used with the configuration where the body support portion 13 is not mounted and is formed of only the seat portion 11 and the waist wearable belt 12. That is, the baby carrier 1 is used in a so-called hip seat mode. Subsequently, the configuration of the waist wearable belt 12 is described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a state where the baby carrier 1 is illustrated in a developed state. FIG. 2 illustrates a surface of the baby carrier 1 that forms an outer side when the user wears the baby carrier 1, and the body support portion 13 is omitted. The baby carrier 1 is formed of the seat portion 11, and the waist wearable belt 12 that fixedly supports the seat portion 11. The waist wearable belt 12 is formed of: the waist support portion 23 to which the seat portion 11 is fixed, the waist support portion 23 being brought into close contact with a waist portion of the user (see FIG. 1); the first waist wearable belt portion 14 that extends toward a left side; and the second waist wearable belt portion 15 that extends toward a right side.

First, the configuration of the first waist wearable belt portion 14 is described. The first waist wearable belt portion 14 includes: the first length adjusting unit 17 that is disposed near a left side of the seat portion 11 and adjusts a length of the first waist wearable belt portion 14; and a receiving part 35 on one side of the connecting jig 16 that connects the first waist wearable belt portion 14 and the second waist wearable belt portion 15 at the time that the user wears the baby carrier 1. The receiving part 35 is a constitutional member of the buckle disposed on one side of the buckle. The first length adjusting unit 17 is formed of: a first moving portion 37 on the seat portion 11 side of the first length adjusting region 19; a first adjusting jig 20 that is fixed to the other end portion side; and a wire 38 that extends between the first moving portion 37 and the first adjusting jig 20 and functions as a connecting member. The connecting member is not limited to the wire 38, and a link mechanism or the like can be used. Further, it is possible to pull the wire 38 using a hand, and to fix the wire 38 at a predetermined portion.

The first adjusting jig 20 has a dial 39 that is rotatable in a clockwise direction, and is fixed to the first waist wearable belt portion 14 by way of the fixing cloth member 40. The first moving portion 37 includes cylindrical wire support portions 41, and the wire 38 passes through the wire support portions 41. The wire support portions 41 support the wire 38 in a state that the wire 38 is slidably movable in the wire support portions 41. The first length adjusting region 19 is a region of the first waist wearable belt portion 14 whose length is shortened or returns to an original length by the first length adjusting unit 17. It is preferable that the first length adjusting region 19 be covered by a cloth-made cover 42. One part of a flat fastener 43 that is formed of one part and the other part that form a pair is mounted on a back surface of a distal end side of the first waist wearable belt portion 14. The length adjustment (the adjustment of the degree of fastening) of the first waist wearable belt portion 14 by the first length adjusting unit 17 is described with reference to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B.

Next, the configuration of the second waist wearable belt portion 15 is described. The second waist wearable belt portion 15 includes: the second length adjusting unit 18 that is disposed near a right side of the seat portion 11 and adjusts a length of the second waist wearable belt portion 15; and an inserting part 45 that is the other side of the connecting jig 16 that connects the first waist wearable belt portion 14 and the second waist wearable belt portion 15 at the time that the user wears the baby carrier 1. The inserting part 45 is a constitutional member of the buckle to be mounted in the receiving part 35. The second length adjusting unit 18 is formed of: a second moving portion 46 on the seat portion 11 side of the second length adjusting region 21; a second adjusting jig 22 that is fixed to the other end portion side; and the wire 38 that extends between the second moving portion 46 and the second adjusting jig 22 and functions as a connecting member.

The second adjusting jig 22 has a dial 47 that is rotatable in a counterclockwise direction, and is fixed to the second waist wearable belt portion 15 by way of the fixing cloth member 40. The second moving portion 46 includes a cylindrical wire support portion 41 at two portions, and the wire 38 passes through the wire support portions 41. The wire support portions 41 support the wire 38 in a slidably movable manner. The second length adjusting region 21 is a region of the second waist wearable belt portion 15 whose length is shortened or is returned to an original length by the second length adjusting unit 18. It is preferable that the second length adjusting region 21 be covered by the cloth-made cover 42. The other part of the flat fastener 43 is mounted on a back surface of the second waist wearable belt portion 15. The length adjustment (the adjustment of the degree of fastening) of the second waist wearable belt portion 15 by the second length adjusting unit 18 is described with reference to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B.

(Method of Wearing Baby Carrier 1)

The method of wearing the baby carrier 1 is described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. First, the waist support portion 23 of the waist wearable belt 12 is brought into contact with an abdominal portion of the user. Then, the distal end of the first waist wearable belt portion 14 is made to overlap with the second waist wearable belt portion 15 to an extent that the user has the feeling of fastening that the baby carrier 1 does not slip down, and the overlapping state is provisionally fixed by the flat fastener 43. Next, the inserting part 45 is inserted into the receiving part 35 (see a portion indicated as the connecting jig 16 in FIG. 1). The inserting part 45 is mounted on a distal end portion of the fixing belt 48, and the other end of the fixing belt 48 is fixed to an area near the second adjusting jig 22 of the second waist wearable belt portion 15.

The inserting part 45 is configured to adjust a length of the fixing belt 48. By inserting the inserting part 45 into the receiving part 35 and, thereafter, by pulling an end portion 48a of the fixing belt 48, a fastening force can be adjusted to an appropriate value. In a case where a sufficient fastening force can be acquired by the flat fastener 43, the fixing belt 48 and the connecting jig 16 can be omitted. On the other hand, in a case where the waist wearable belt 12 is fastened only by the flat fastener 43 and the fixing belt 48, a gap is liable to be formed at connecting portions between the seat portion 11 and the first waist wearable belt portion 14 and the second waist wearable belt portion 15. Accordingly, after the user wears the baby carrier 1 on his/her waist, the waist wearable belt 12 is further fastened so as to suppress the formation of the above-mentioned gap using the first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are views illustrating a length adjusting method of the first waist wearable belt portion 14. The length adjustment of the first waist wearable belt portion 14 means that the first waist wearable belt portion 14 is fastened in advance for preventing staggering of the seat portion 11 when a user wears the baby carrier 1 and an infant is placed on the seat portion 11. FIG. 3A is a view before the length adjustment, and FIG. 3B is a view when the first waist wearable belt portion 14 is fastened.

Immediately after the user wears the baby carrier 1, the first adjusting jig 20 is in a free state. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, a tensile force is not applied to the wire 38 so that the wire 38 is slackened. Accordingly, no change occurs in the first length adjusting region 19 that is a portion of the first waist wearable belt portion 14 and hence, the first length adjusting region 19 is substantially in a stretched or extended state before the user wears the baby carrier 1. Then, the user temporarily wears the baby carrier 1 and, thereafter, the user rotates the dial 39 in a clockwise direction until the fastening force becomes an appropriate value that prevents the seat portion 11 from staggering.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, when the dial 39 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the first adjusting jig 20 winds the wire 38 thereinto. The wire 38 is connected between the wire support portion 41 and the first adjusting jig 20 annularly and hence, a distance between the first moving portion 37 and the first adjusting jig 20 is shortened (shrunken), that is, the first length adjusting region 19 is shortened. With such an operation, a length of the first waist wearable belt portion 14 that the user wears, that is, a length of the circumference of the waist wearable belt 12 that the user wears can be shortened. The length of the first length adjusting region 19 in the length direction is shortened due to the formation of unevenness in a vertical wrinkle shape in the thickness direction over an entire width.

The first adjusting jig 20 has a mechanism such as a ratchet mechanism that allows the rotation of the first adjusting jig 20 in one direction and does not allow the rotation of the first adjusting jig 20 in the reverse (opposite) direction. Although the illustration of the detailed configuration of the first adjusting jig 20 is omitted, the first adjusting jig 20 includes: a ratchet gear having teeth portions that are inclined in one direction, a pawl member that allows the rotation of the ratchet gear in one direction and prevents the rotation of the ratchet gear in the reverse direction, and the dial 39 that is capable of rotating the ratchet gear. The dial 39 is of a type that a user rotates by gripping the dial 39 with his/her hand (fingers).

Both ends of the wire 38 are connected to parts of the ratchet gear. When the dial 39 is rotated in the direction opposite to the inclination direction of the teeth portions, the pawl member is swung so that the ratchet gear becomes rotatable and winds the wire 38 whereby a distance between the first moving unit 37 and the first adjusting jig 20 is shortened. If the user attempts to rotate the dial 39 in a reverse direction, the pawl member enters between the teeth portions of the ratchet gear and hence, the pawl member prevents the reverse rotation of the ratchet gear. Accordingly, even when the user releases his/her hand from the dial 39, since the pawl member enters between the teeth portions of the ratchet gear, there is no possibility that the wire 38 slackens so that the first length adjusting region 19 returns to its original length. Accordingly, the slackening of the waist wearable belt 12 can be prevented with certainty.

The first adjusting jig 20 is configured to be capable of switching a mode where the ratchet gear is rotated between a mode where the first adjusting jig 20 can wind the wire 38, and a mode where the first adjusting jig 20 can loosen the wire 38. This switching can be performed by making the dial 39 and the ratchet gear engage with each other and by releasing the engagement between the dial 39 and the ratchet gear. In this embodiment, by pushing the dial 39 toward the first waist wearable belt portion 14, the dial 39 and the ratchet gear engage with each other so that the first adjusting jig 20 can wind the wire 38. On the other hand, the first adjusting jig 20 is configured such that, when the dial 39 is separated by pulling in the thickness direction from the first waist wearable belt portion 14, winding of the wire 38 is released. That is, the first adjusting jig 20 is configured to perform the switching operation in such a manner that the pawl member engages with the ratchet gear by pushing the dial 39, and the engagement between the pawl member and the ratchet gear is released by pulling out the dial 39. So long as the dial 39 is not operated, a state before the operation is maintained.

The second length adjusting unit 18 differs from the first length adjusting unit 17 in the arrangement direction with respect to the seat portion 11. However, the configuration itself of the second length adjusting unit 18 is equal to the configuration of the first length adjusting unit 17. Accordingly, the detailed description of the second length adjusting unit 18 is omitted. For example, the second length adjusting unit 18 can be described by replacing the first adjusting jig 20 with the second adjusting jig 22, replacing the first length adjusting region 19 with the second length adjusting region 21, replacing the first moving portion 37 with the second moving portion 46 and replacing the dial 39 with the dial 47.

However, the inclination direction of teeth portions of the ratchet gear of the second adjusting jig 22 is set in the direction opposite to the inclination direction of the teeth portions of the ratchet gear of the first adjusting jig 20. That is, the second length adjusting unit 18 is configured such that the wire 38 is wound by rotating the dial 47 in the counterclockwise direction so as to shorten the length of the second length adjusting region 21. Further, the second adjusting jig 22 is, in the same manner as the first adjusting jig 20, configured to be capable of switching a mode where the ratchet gear is rotated between a mode where the second adjusting jig 22 can wind the wire 38, and a mode where the second adjusting jig 22 can loosen the wire 38.

When a user wears the baby carrier 1 on his/her body, the first adjusting jig 20 is disposed on a left side portion of the user, and the second adjusting jig 22 is disposed on a right side portion of the user in a state where the seat portion 11 is sandwiched between the first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22. The first adjusting jig 20 is rotatable in the clockwise direction, and the second adjusting jig 22 is rotatable in the counterclockwise direction. This means that, when the user wants to bring the seat portion 11 into close contact with the abdominal portion of the user, the user can bring the seat portion 11 into close contact with the abdominal portion of the user with an appropriate fastening force by rotating the dials 39, 47 in the same direction simultaneously. Since the first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 are disposed near the seat portion 11, for example, in a case where the user wears the baby carrier 1 in a state where the seat portion 11 is laterally displaced manner or irrespective of whether the user is a right-handed person or a left-handed person, it is possible to easily adjust a fastening force. Further, when a difference arises in degree of fastening between the left side and the right side, the user can adjust the degree of fastening either on the left side or on the right side.

(Configuration of Baby Carrier 2)

In the baby carrier 1 described above, the first length adjusting unit 17 and the second length adjusting unit 18 described above respectively arrange the first moving portion 37 and the second moving portion 46 on a seat portion 11 side of the first length adjusting region 19 or the second length adjusting region 21, and the first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 are arranged at positions away from the seat portion 11. However, as an opposite case, the configuration may be adopted where the first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 are arranged on the seat portion 11 side, and the first moving portion 37 and the second moving portion 46 may be arranged at positions away from the seat portion 11. This configuration is described as the second example with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view illustrating a state where the baby carrier 2 according to the second embodiment is developed. FIG. 4 illustrates a surface that forms an outside when a user uses the baby carrier 2, and a body support portion 13 is omitted. Hereinafter, the description is made by focusing on portions that make the baby carrier 2 different from the baby carrier 1. Constitutional elements of the baby carrier 2 having substantially the identical configuration as the corresponding constitutional elements of the baby carrier 1 are given same symbols. A waist wearable belt 12 is formed of: a first waist wearable belt portion 53 that extends toward a left side; and a second waist wearable belt portion 54 that extends toward a right side, when a user wears the baby carrier 2.

The first waist wearable belt portion 53 includes a first length adjusting unit 50 that is disposed near a left side of the seat portion 11 and adjusts a length of the first waist wearable belt portion 53. The first length adjusting unit 50 is formed of: a first adjusting jig 20 that is fixed to the seat portion 11 side of a first length adjusting region 19; a first moving portion 37 that is disposed on a right side end of the first length adjusting region 19; and a wire 38 that functions as a connecting member between the first moving portion 37 and the first adjusting jig 20.

The first adjusting jig 20 has a dial 39 that can be rotated in a clockwise direction, and is fixed to the first waist wearable belt portion 14 by way of a fixing cloth member 40. The first moving member 37 has a cylindrical wire support portion 41, and the wire 38 passes through the wire support portion 41. The wire support portion 41 allows the wire 38 to slidably move through the wire support portion 41.

In the first adjusting jig 20, when the dial 39 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the first adjusting jig 20 winds the wire 38 therein. The wire 38 is connected between the wire support portion 41 and the first adjusting jig 20 annularly and hence, a distance between the wire support member 41 and the first adjusting jig 20 is shortened, that is, the first length adjusting region 19 is shortened. With such an operation, a length of the first waist wearable belt portion 14 that the user wears, that is, a length of the circumference of the waist wearable belt 12 that the user wears can be shortened. The length of the first length adjusting region 19 in the length direction is shortened due to the formation of unevenness in a vertical wrinkle shape in the thickness direction over an entire width. As described above, the first length adjusting unit 50 has the same function as the first length adjusting unit 17 described above only except for the difference in positions of the first adjusting jig 20 and the first moving portion 37.

In the same manner as the first length adjusting unit 50, the second length adjusting unit 51 has the same configuration and the same function as the second length adjusting unit 18 described above except for the arrangement directions of the first adjusting jig 20 and the first moving portion 37. The inclination direction of teeth portions of a ratchet gear of the second adjusting jig 22 is opposite to the inclination direction of the teeth portions of the ratchet gear of the first adjusting jig 20. Accordingly, the second length adjusting unit 51 is configured that the second length adjusting unit 51 winds the wire 38 by rotating the dial 47 in the counterclockwise direction so that the length of the second length adjusting region 21 can be shortened. Further, the second adjusting jig 22 is, in the same manner as the first adjusting jig 20, configured to be capable of switching a mode where the ratchet gear is rotated between a mode where the second adjusting jig 22 can wind the wire 38, and a mode where the second adjusting jig 22 can loosen the wire 38.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, also in the baby carrier 2, it is preferable that the cover 42 (see FIG. 2) be provided to the first length adjusting unit 17 and the second length adjusting unit 18.

The baby carrier 1 according to the present invention described heretofore includes: the seat portion 11 provided with the seat surface 10 on which buttocks of an infant are placed; the first waist wearable belt portion 14 that extends from the seat portion 11 in a leftward direction when the user wears the baby carrier 1; and the second waist wearable belt portion 15 that extends from the seat portion 11 in a rightward direction when the user wears the baby carrier 1. The first waist wearable belt portion 14 includes the first length adjusting unit 17 that is disposed near the seat portion 11 side and adjusts the length of the first waist wearable belt portion 14. The second waist wearable belt portion 15 includes the second length adjusting unit 18 that is disposed near the seat portion 11 side and adjusts the length of the second waist wearable belt portion 15. The first length adjusting unit 17 includes the first adjusting jig 20 capable of performing a length adjusting operation. That second length adjusting unit 18 includes a second adjusting jig 22 capable of performing a length adjusting operation. The first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 are configured to respectively independently perform an adjusting operation of a length of the first waist wearable belt portion 14 and an adjusting operation of a length of the second waist wearable belt portion 15 (adjusting of the degree of fastening).

Due to the configuration described above, the baby carrier 1 can fasten the seat portion 11 in a laterally well-balanced manner near the connecting portion between the seat portion 11, the first waist wearable belt portion 14 and the second waist wearable belt portion 15. Accordingly, it is possible to bring an area near the connecting portion between the seat portion 11, the first waist wearable belt portion 14 and the second waist wearable belt portion 15 into close contact with an abdominal portion of a user and hence, the baby carrier can support an infant in a stable manner. Further, the baby carrier 1 can fasten the seat portion 11 in a laterally well-balanced manner near the connecting portion between the seat portion 11, the first waist wearable belt portion 14 and the second waist wearable belt portion 15 and hence, it is possible to alleviate a partial compressed feeling of an abdominal portion by the seat portion 11.

Further, the baby carrier 1 includes a first length adjusting unit 17 on a left side and the second length adjusting unit 18 on a right side. Accordingly, even in a case where a user uses the baby carrier 1 in a state where the seat portion 11 is displaced laterally, it is possible to easily perform the length adjusting of the waist wearable belt 12 that is, the adjusting of the degree of fastening. Alternatively, regardless of whether a user is a right-handed person or a left-handed person, the adjusting of the degree of fastening can be performed easily. Further, it is possible to adjust the degree of fastening on either a right side or a left side singly.

As has been described heretofore, the baby carriers 1, 2, according to the present invention can support an infant in a stable manner while reducing a burden imposed on a user, and the user can easily perform a length adjusting operation (an operation of adjusting the degree of fastening) of the waist wearable belt 12. The baby carrier 2 can also acquire substantially the same advantageous effects as the baby carrier 1.

In the first waist wearable belt portion 14, the wire 38 that is a connecting member is extended between the first adjusting jig 20 and the first moving portion 37 disposed on both end portions of the first length adjusting region 19 in the length direction, and the length of the first length adjusting region 19 is adjusted by the wire 38. In the second waist wearable belt portion 15, the wire 38 that is a connecting member is extended between the second adjusting jig 22 and the second moving portion 46 disposed on both end portions of the second length adjusting region 21 in the length direction, and the length of the second length adjusting region 21 is adjusted by the wire 38.

With such a configuration, on both sides of the seat portion 11, a gap formed between seat portion 11 and the abdominal portion of the user at the joining portion between the seat portion 11 and the first waist wearable belt portion 14 and the second waist wearable belt portion 15 can be minimized, that is the degree of fastening can be adjusted in a laterally well-balanced manner and hence, it is possible to stabilize the posture of the seat portion 11 when buttocks of an infant are placed on the seat portion 11.

In the baby carrier 1, the first moving portion 37 is disposed on a seat portion 11 side of the first length adjusting region 19, and the second moving portion 46 is disposed on the seat portion 11 side of the second length adjusting region 21. With such a configuration, it is possible to bring the first length adjusting region 19 and the second length adjusting region 21 closer to the seat portion 11. Accordingly, compared to the above-mentioned patent literature 1 where the length adjusting region is disposed on the back of the user, it is possible to bring the seat portion 11 closer to the abdominal portion of the user in a laterally well-balanced manner at the position closer to the seat portion 11. As a result, even when the user wears the baby carrier 1 in a laterally displaced manner, the posture of the seat portion 11 can be held in a well-balanced manner.

In the baby carrier 2, the first adjusting jig 20 is disposed on the seat portion 11 side of the first length adjusting region 19, and the second adjusting jig 22 is disposed on the seat portion 11 side of the second length adjusting region 21. With such a configuration, the first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 that form the fastening operation portions are arranged at positions closer to the seat portion 11 and hence, the user can more easily perform the fastening operation regardless of the position of the seat portion 11.

The first moving portion 37 and the second moving portion 46 have the wire support portion 41 that supports the wire 38 forming the connecting member in a slidably movable manner, and the first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 are configured to be capable of winding the wire 38. The first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 can easily adjust the length of the waist wearable belt 12 in the first length adjusting region 19 and the second length adjusting region 21, that is, the degree of fastening, by winding the wire 38.

In the baby carriers 1, 2, the first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 includes dials 39, 47 that a user can rotate by gripping with his/her fingers. The first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 are configured such that the winding directions of the wire 38 are directed in the directions opposite to each other. Assuming the winding direction of the first adjusting jig 20 as a clockwise direction, the winding direction of the second adjusting jig 22 becomes a counterclockwise direction. By setting the winding directions of the wire 38 in this manner, when a user wears the baby carrier 1, 2 and performs a fastening operation, the user can rotate, using his/her both hands, the first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 with the same direction feeling from a viewpoint of human engineering and hence, the user can perform the fastening operation without being conscious of the left and right.

The first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 are configured to be capable of winding the wire 38 when the dial 39, 47 is pushed in the thickness direction with respect to the first waist wearable belt portion 14 or the second waist wearable belt portion 15. The first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 are also configured to be capable of releasing winding of the wire 38 when the dial 39, 47 is separated in the thickness direction from the first waist wearable belt portion 14 side or the second waist wearable belt portion 15 side. With such a configuration, the first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 can easily switch two modes between the mode where the waist wearable belt portion can be fastened and the mode where the belt fastening can be released. The first adjusting jig 20 and the second adjusting jig 22 respectively maintain two modes consisting of the belt fastening possible state and the belt fastening releasing mode even when a user releases his/her hand.

As has been described heretofore, the baby carrier 1,2 of the present invention can support an infant in a stable manner while reducing a burden imposed on a user, and can easily perform a length adjusting operation (a degree-of-fastening adjusting operation) of the waist wearable belt 12.

Claims

1. A baby carrier comprising: a seat portion provided with a seat surface on which buttocks of an infant are placed;a first waist wearable belt portion that extends from the seat portion in a leftward direction when a user wears the baby carrier, and a second waist wearable belt portion that extends from the seat portion in a rightward direction when the user wears the baby carrier;a first length adjusting unit that is disposed on a portion of the first waist wearable belt portion near the seat portion, and is configured to adjust a length of the first waist wearable belt portion, anda second length adjusting unit that is disposed on a portion of the second waist wearable belt portion near the seat portion, and is configured to adjust a length of the second waist wearable belt portion, whereinthe first length adjusting unit includes a first adjusting jig capable of performing a length adjusting operation, andthe second length adjusting unit includes a second adjusting jig capable of performing a length adjusting operation, andthe first adjusting jig and the second adjusting jig are configured to respectively independently perform an adjusting operation of a length of the first waist wearable belt portion and an adjusting operation of a length of the second waist wearable belt portion.

2. The baby carrier according to claim 1, wherein the first length adjusting unit is configured such that a first moving portion is disposed at one end of a first length adjusting region of the first waist wearable belt portion, the first adjusting jig is fixed to the other end portion of the first length adjusting region, and a connecting member capable of adjusting a length of the first length adjusting region extends between the first moving portion and the first adjusting jig, andthe second length adjusting unit is configured such that a second moving portion is disposed at one end portion of a second length adjusting region of the second waist wearable belt portion, the second adjusting jig is fixed to the other end portion of the second length adjusting region, and a connecting member capable of adjusting a length of the second length adjusting region extends between the second moving portion and the second adjusting jig.

3. The baby carrier according to claim 2, wherein the first moving portion is disposed on a seat portion side of the first length adjusting region, andthe second moving portion is disposed on a seat portion side of the second length adjusting region.

4. The baby carrier according to claim 2, wherein the first adjusting jig is disposed on a seat portion side of the first length adjusting region, andthe second adjusting jig is disposed on a seat portion side of the second length adjusting region.

5. The baby carrier according to claim 2, wherein the connecting member is formed of a wire that extends between the first moving portion and the first adjusting jig and a wire that extends between the second moving portion and the second adjusting jig,the first moving portion and the second moving portion include a wire support portion that slidably movably supports the wire respectively, andthe first adjusting jig and the second adjusting jig are configured to be capable of winding the wire respectively.

6. The baby carrier according to claim 5, wherein the first adjusting jig and the second adjusting jig includes a dial capable of being rotated by allowing a user to grip the dial by his/her fingers, andthe first adjusting jig and the second adjusting jig are configured such that a winding direction of the wire in the first adjusting jig and a winding direction of the wire in the second adjusting jig are opposite to each other.

7. The baby carrier according to claim 6, wherein the first adjusting jig and the second adjusting jig are configured such that, the first adjusting jig or the second adjusting jig is capable of winding the wire when the dial is pushed in a thickness direction with respect to the first waist wearable belt portion or the second waist wearable belt portion, and is capable of releasing the winding of the wire when the dial is separated by pulling in a thickness direction from a first waist wearable belt portion side or a second waist wearable belt portion side.