Baby/infant carrier for water use

Abstract

A carrier for a baby or infant, especially for use in water, includes an adjustable shoulder strap system for wearing by an adult, which has a lower front terminus; and a basket seat for seating the baby/infant, attached to the shoulder strap system about its lower front terminus. A headrest may be attached to the carrier, notably through the shoulder strap system and the basket seat. The shoulder strap system can employ a criss-cross shoulder strap arrangement through an adjusting member, which can evenly distribute the weight of the baby/infant across the adult and provide for secure positioning of the baby/infant in water, and the shoulder straps and basket seat can be adjustable. An end of each shoulder strap may be releasably attachable to the basket seat, and provide for side entry by the adult. Various activities can be carried out with a child carried in the carrier, even water aerobics.

1 . A baby/infant carrier, especially for use in water, comprising an adjustable shoulder strap system for wearing by an adult, which has a lower front terminus; and a basket seat for seating the baby/infant, attached to the shoulder strap system about its lower front terminus.  
   
   
       2 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder strap system includes two shoulder strap elements, each of which is attachable about a first end of a respective shoulder strap element to a forward portion of the basket seat and goes over one or another shoulder of the adult, with the shoulder strap elements able to be crossed in the back of the adult when worn, through an adjustable stabilizer device, and able to be passed beneath the arms and around the sides of the adult and attached about a second end of the respective shoulder strap element to a rearward portion of the basket seat; and the basket seat has a looped locking system for securing the baby/infant in the basket seat.  
   
   
       3 . The carrier of  claim 2 , wherein the second end of the shoulder strap element and the looped locking system provides for releasable attachment, and side entry by the adult.  
   
   
       4 . The carrier of  claim 3 , wherein the shoulder strap elements are adjustable as to length in a first portion of the shoulder strap elements between the first ends of the shoulder strap elements and the adjustable stabilizer device, and in a second portion of the shoulder strap elements between the second ends of the shoulder strap elements and the adjustable stabilizer device; and the looped locking system is adjustable as to tightening of the basket seat around a baby/infant when the baby/infant is seated in the basket seat.  
   
   
       5 . The carrier of  claim 4 , wherein the releasable attachment is provided by quick release clips having male and female elements.  
   
   
       6 . The carrier of  claim 5 , wherein padding is provided for at least a part of the shoulder strap elements; and the shoulder strap system and basket seat include neoprene.  
   
   
       7 . The carrier of  claim 6 , wherein the padding includes providing a wide soft shoulder strap element, reinforced with a strong web along its length; and encircling padding around a front portion of the shoulder strap element, which front portion is a strong web, about or adjacent said first ends.  
   
   
       8 . The carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising fasteners for adjustment of size of leg openings for the basket seat.  
   
   
       9 . The carrier of  claim 2 , further comprising fasteners for adjustment of size of leg openings for the basket seat.  
   
   
       10 . The carrier of  claim 2 , further comprising a headrest attachable to the shoulder strap system and the basket seat.  
   
   
       11 . The carrier of  claim 10 , wherein the headrest includes a substantially flat, pliable body; a pair of horizontally oriented, opposing straps; a releasable locking element associated with said straps; and fastener elements for attaching the headrest to fastener elements on the basket seat.  
   
   
       12 . The carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the releasable locking element of the headrest associated with said straps includes quick release clips having male and female elements; and straps of the headrest are adjustable as to length.  
   
   
       13 . The carrier of  claim 12 , wherein the fastener elements on the headrest are fastened to fasteners useful for adjustment of size of leg openings on the basket seat.  
   
   
       14 . The carrier of  claim 13 , wherein padding is provided for at least a part of the headrest straps by encircling padding around a portion of said straps proximate the headrest body.  
   
   
       15 . A headrest for a baby/infant carrier, which comprises a substantially flat, pliable body; a pair of horizontally oriented, opposing straps attached to the body mounted in an upper area of the headrest body; a releasable locking element associated with said straps; and lower fastener elements useful for attaching the headrest to fastener elements on the basket seat.  
   
   
       16 . The headrest of  claim 15 , wherein the body includes neoprene; releasable locking element of the headrest associated with said straps includes quick release clips having male and female elements; and the straps of the headrest are adjustable as to length.  
   
   
       17 . The headrest of  claim 16 , having fastener elements on a lower part of the body.  
   
   
       18 . A method of carrying a child by an adult in or about a water environment, which comprises: 
 providing a baby/infant carrier, especially for use in water, comprising an adjustable shoulder strap system for wearing by an adult, which has a lower front terminus; and a basket seat for seating the baby/infant, attached to the shoulder strap system about its lower front terminus;    putting on and adjusting the carrier by the adult with its shoulder strap system over the shoulders and its basket seat in front of the adult;    placing and securing the child in the basket seat; and    with the child in the basket seat of the carrier, preparing to enter or entering the water environment.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein: 
 the shoulder strap system includes two shoulder strap elements, each of which is attachable about a first end of a respective shoulder strap element to a forward portion of the basket seat and goes over one or another shoulder of the adult, with the shoulder strap elements able to be crossed in the back of the adult when worn, through an adjustable stabilizer device, and able to be passed beneath the arms and around the sides of the adult and attached about a second end of the respective shoulder strap element to a rearward portion of the basket seat; and the basket seat has a looped locking system for securing the baby/infant in the basket seat; and    the adult puts on the carrier through side entry.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein water aerobics are carried out.