GB2465844A

GB2465844A - Strap suitable for carrying a child's booster seat across the shoulders

Info

Publication number: GB2465844A
Application number: GB0822289A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brahim Kouba
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-08
Filing date: 2008-12-08
Publication date: 2010-06-09
Also published as: GB0822289D0

Abstract

A device for carrying a child's booster seat 26 across the shoulders 10 comprises shoulder strap (12 having a first end terminating 14 in an attachment 18 adapted to be secured the handle 24 of an infant seat and a second end 16 terminating in a handle 34. The handle may be plastic, leather or other material. A shoulder protector 28 made of padded strip material may be provided, connecting to the first end of the shoulder strap via loops of material. The shoulder strap may have adjusting clips 32. A forearm sling 36, stitched to the shoulder strap may be used instead of the handle. The device may be provided for left- or right-handed users.

Description

BACKGROUND OF TI-IE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a shoulder strap device to carry an infant seat. in particular an infant car or vehicle seat also used as a carrier.

It is well known that infant seats are used in vehicle to safely transport babies. An infant seat is typically secured to a vehicle seat with a seat belt or a separate base station before a journey. The infant is placed in the baby seat and secured to the baby seat with the safety belts of the infant Once the vehicle arrives at a destination, the option is available to a parent to remove the infant seat from the vehicle and to use the infant seat as a baby carrier and a portable baby seat. For this reason, infant seats are typically provided with a handle to carry the infant seat with the baby around. In this regard it should be appreciated the infant seats are specifically designed to prevent babies from slumping when sitting in the seats, thereby to babies with comfortable sitting postures. Some infant seats may also be adapted to be secured to baby;stroller.

It has been found that infant seats, when used as infant carriers, may be uncomfortable and too heavy to carry around for extended periods of time.

The present invention addresses this need and provides a device to carry a baby seat

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a shoulder strap device including a shoulder strap having a first end terminating in attachment means to removably secure the shoulder strap device to an infant seat, and a second end terminating in a handle to hold the infant seat in position and counter the infant seat's weight.

The shoulder strap device may further include a forearm sling to hold the infant seat in position and counter the infant seat's weight.

Advantageously the shoulder strap device may also include a shoulder protector attached to the first end of the shoulder strap, to provide the user with comfort and protection against abrasions from the shoulder strap.

Preferably the shoulder protector has a minimum width that exceeds the maximum width of the shoulder strap.

The shoulder protector may be manufactured from a padded strip of material.

The shoulder strap may have adjusting means to adjust the length of the shoulder strap.

The forearm slina may have adiustin means to adiust the lenQth of the forearm sling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWiNGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a person carrying an infant seat with a shoulder strap device according to the present invention: and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shoulder strap device according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to Figure 1 a shoulder strap device 10 for carrying an infant seat includes a shoulder strap 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16.

The first end 14 terminates in attachment means 18 shown in detail in the exploded view of Figure 1. The attachment meafs 18 comprises a connector with a T-shaped end 20 and a curved connector defining an elongate slot 22. To secure the attachment means 18, the 1-shaped connector 20 is rotated to allow the T-shaped end to pass through the slot of the slot connector 22. When rotated to its original position, the T-shaped connector 20 is held in place by the slot connector 22.

As is best shown in Figure 2. the attachment means 18 is used to releasably secure the shoulder strap device 10 to one corner of the handle 24 of an infant seat 26. It will be appreciated that any other attachment means may be used to secure the shoulder strap device 10 to the infant seat 26, provided that such attachment means are secure and releasable.

The shoulder strap device 10 further includes a shoulder protector 28 that comprises a padded strip of material to which the first end 14 of the shoulder strap 12 is connected via loops 30 of material, The shoulder protector is in use placed between the user's shoulder and neck and the shoulder stra�. to enhance the comfort of the shoulder strap device 10. ri particular, the shoulder protector 28 prevents the sharper side ends of the shoulder strap 12 to cause abrasions and discomfort to the user by pressing into the user's shoulder and neck when carrying the infant seat for extended periods of time. The shoulder protector 28 may be shaped and sized according to this requirement. In particular, the minimum width of the H shoulder protector 28 will typically exceed the maximum width of the H shoulder strap 12. It will therefore be appreciated that a left or right-handed shoulder protector 28 may differ in shape.

The shoulder strap device 10 has adjustment means in the fomi of adjusting clips 32 to adjust the length of the shoulder strap 12. These adjusting clips 32 are used to either lengthen or shorten the shoulder strap 12, thereby to customise the shoulder strap device 10 for a particular user.

It Will be appreciated that the comfort of the shoulder strap device is dependent on the length of the shoulder strap 12 extending next to the arm used to hold the infant seat.

The second end 16 of the shoulder strap 12 terminates in a handle 34 that is shaped and sized to provide a comfortable fit to a user's hand. The handle is typically manufactured from a durable plastic, but may also be manufactured from leather or any other material.

Adjacent to the handle 34 of the shoulder strap device 10 a forearm sling 36 is provided. The forearm sling 36 is stitched to the shoulder strap 12 and is typically manufactured from the same material as the shoulder strap 12. The forearm sling 36 also has adjusting means in the form of adjusting clips 38 to adjust the overall length of the sling 36. As mentioned before, the length of the forearm sling 36 will determine the comfort with which the infant seat is carried usina the shoulder strap device. H Figure 2 shows the shoulder strap device 11) as used to carry me ntant seat 26. The shoulder strap device 10 is secured to the handle 24 of the infant seat 26. The shoulder strap device 10 is then placed over the shoulder of the user, around the back of the user's neck, with the second end 16 of the shoulder strap device 10 extending adjacent the user's arm.

The shoulder protector 28 provides the user with protection against abrasions and a comfortable fit. The user carries the infant seat by stabilising the seat 26 with the users one hand and pushing down on the H shoulder strap devices handle 34 with the other hand. The infant seat 26 is thereby counterweighted with the weight pushing down on the handle 34.

This provides the user with a comfortable means of carrying the infant seat 26 for extended periods of time.

Alternatively, the user may place his or her forearm in the forearm sling 36.

With the user's arm in a bent position and pushing down on the sling 36, hp infint seat will be counterweiohted and carried with minimised effort.