Baby carrier cover system

Abstract

Cover ( 10 ) for baby held in front-carried carrier ( 100 ; or car seat/carrier 200 , FIG. 8 , etc.) suspended at adult user's front including two, top, substantially triangular, front ( 70 ) sub-panels ( 21 ) forming, alternatively, sealing collar ( 21′ ) when positioned about baby's neck (FIG. 4 ), or hood ( 21 ″) about baby's head when pulled up and snap connected ( 22 , FIG. 5 ). The cover includes shoulder straps ( 31 ), front straps ( 41 ), stowing sleeves ( 42 ), waist straps ( 51 ) providing four-point carrier attachment, interior zippered pouch ( 61 ), cinches ( 75 ), side “pocket” slits ( 76 ) & elastic bands ( 77 ) in expandable, accordion sides ( 74 ). A central band ( 31 ) of heavy duty material provides structural support. Cover's rear ( 71 ) has “cut-out” ( 72 ) allowing cover to be slipped under front-carried carrier and over baby in carrier, with two, vertically spaced, strap sets connecting cover directly to carrier's body attachment straps (e.g., 101, 103 ) and not directly to user.

1 . A baby carrier cover system used by an adult user for a baby/child carrier and the like, comprising: 
 a cover having a bottom, a front panel, a rear panel and two side panels, one being a right side panel and the other side being a left side panel together at least partially forming a top, all of which are made of flexible material and are assembled into an integral body forming an interior into which the baby/child can be placed being of a size and configuration to encase and cover over a baby/child's body, with the baby/child's feet directed toward said bottom and his/her head directed up out of said top; and wherein—   said right and left side panels each includes at least one, inverted, box/accordion-like pleat, with said bottom being at least generally rectangular, allowing in combination enough material and “give” so that the baby/child can freely move his/her arms and legs within the interior of said cover, said side panels providing a side expandable interior resulting in added room for the baby/child to comfortably move about, flail about, kick and the like.    
   
   
       2 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 1 , wherein said cover has shoulder, front and waist areas; and wherein there is further included: 
 several, different, attaching strap sets attached to said cover, located at said shoulder, front and waist areas of said cover, respectively; said front straps being useable to prevent sagging and to distribute the combined weight of the carrier cover and the baby/child beyond said shoulder straps, while said waist straps allow the adult user to remove the carrier cover from the baby child, while still keeping said cover attached to the carrier via said waist straps.    
   
   
       3 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said strap sets allow an adult user to undo said shoulder straps and said front straps to remove the carrier cover from the baby/child's shoulders and torso, while keeping the waist straps attached so that the baby/child's legs remain covered.    
   
   
       4 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said shoulder straps are extensions of a horizontal, elongated band of heavy duty material extending at least from said right side panel to said left side panel, said horizontal band providing side-to-side structure and support to said cover.    
   
   
       5 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 2 , wherein the carrier has a body and attachment straps including shoulder and waist straps; and wherein: 
 said cover's shoulder straps and said waist straps in combination provide a “vertically” spaced carrier attachment, using preferably at least two, vertically spaced strap sets, said shoulder straps and said waist straps, to connect said cover directly to the carrier's body attachment straps, cover-shoulder-strap-to-carrier-shoulder-strap and cover-waist-strap-to-carrier-waist-strap, without needing any cover attachment directly to the adult user, resulting in a stable fastening of said cover to the carrier, vertically spaced a significant distance, of at least about six or more inches, and spaced side-to-side by the width separation distance(s) of the carrier's shoulder and waist straps.    
   
   
       6 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 1 , wherein there is further included: 
 at least one side slit pocket in said cover, providing an adult user with a way to keep their own hands warm and have easy access to the covered baby/child.    
   
   
       7 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 6 , wherein there is included: 
 an interior, storage pouch having its own interior and is located within said interior of said cover and in proximity to said side slit pocket, said side slit pocket providing access to said interior of said storage pouch by the adult user.    
   
   
       8 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said storage pouch has an access opening into the interior of said pouch of a size to allow access of an adult size hand and a closure device allowing said opening to be quickly and easily opened and closed.    
   
   
       9 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said front panel of the cover is topped by two, generally triangular panels, which form a divided collar which has the capability to be wrapped around the sides of the covered baby/child's neck and over the covered baby/child's shoulders to help seal out the elements and which, alternatively, may be reconfigured to be fastened together forming a hood fully surrounding the covered baby/child's head, including the child's head's sides.    
   
   
       10 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 1 , wherein said side panels include: 
 a cinching system which allows the adult user to adjust the carrier cover's effective length to accommodate a covered baby/child's particular height.    
   
   
       11 . A baby carrier cover system for use by an adult user to be used in association with a child carrier and the like, in which the carrier has shoulder and waist attachment straps for a baby/child in the carrier, comprising: 
 a cover having a bottom, a front panel, a rear panel and two side panels, one being a right side panel and the other side being a left side panel together at least partially forming a top, all of which are made of flexible material and are assembled into an integral body forming an interior into which the baby/child can be placed being of a size and configuration to encase and cover over a baby/child's body, with the baby/child's feet directed toward said bottom and his/her head directed up out of said top, said cover further having shoulder, front and waist areas; and    several, different, attaching strap sets attached to said cover, including shoulder straps, front straps and waist straps located at said shoulder, front and waist areas of said cover, respectively, and connected to the attachment straps on the carrier, said front straps being useable to prevent sagging and to distribute the combined weight of the carrier cover and the baby/child beyond said shoulder straps, while said waist straps allow the adult user to remove the upper portion of said cover from the baby child, while still keeping said cover attached to the carrier via said waist straps.    
   
   
       12 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier has a body and associated attachment straps, including shoulder and waist straps; and wherein: 
 said cover's shoulder straps and said waist straps in combination provide a “vertically” spaced carrier attachment, using preferably at least two, vertically spaced strap sets, said shoulder straps and said waist straps, to connect said cover directly to the carrier's body attachment straps, cover-shoulder-strap-to-carrier-shoulder-strap and cover-waist-strap-to-carrier-waist-strap, without needing any cover attachment directly to the adult user, resulting in a stable fastening of said cover to the carrier, vertically spaced a significant distance, of at least about six or more inches, and spaced side-to-side by the width separation distance(s) of the carrier's shoulder and waist straps.    
   
   
       13 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 11 , wherein: 
 said strap sets allow an adult user to undo said shoulder straps and said front straps to remove the carrier cover from the baby/child's shoulders and torso, while keeping said waist straps attached so that the baby/child's legs remain covered.    
   
   
       14 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 11 , wherein: 
 said right and left side panels each includes at least one, inverted, box/accordion-like pleat, with said bottom being at least generally rectangular, allowing in combination enough material and “give” so that the baby/child can freely move his/her arms and legs within the interior of said cover, said side panels providing a side expandable interior resulting in added room for the baby/child to comfortably move about, flail about, kick and the like.    
   
   
       15 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 14 , wherein said side panels include: 
 a cinching system which allows the adult user to adjust the carrier cover's effective length to accommodate a covered baby/child's particular height.    
   
   
       16 . A baby carrier cover system for a child carrier and the like, comprising: 
 a cover having a bottom, a front panel, a rear panel and two side panels, one being a right side panel and the other side being a left side panel together at least partially forming a top, all of which are made of flexible material and are assembled into an integral body forming an interior into which the baby/child can be placed being of a size and configuration to encase and cover over a baby/child's body, with the baby/child's feet directed toward said bottom and his/her head directed up out of said top, said cover further having shoulder, front and waist areas;    an elongated band of heavy duty material attached to said cover and extending at least from said right side panel to said left side panel, said horizontal band providing side-to-side structure and support to said cover; and    a set of shoulder straps attached to said cover at said shoulder area, said shoulder straps being extensions of said horizontal band.    
   
   
       17 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 16 , wherein there is further included: 
 several, different, attaching strap sets attached to said cover including shoulder straps, front straps and waist straps, located at said shoulder, front and waist areas of said cover, respectively; said front straps being useable to prevent sagging and to distribute the combined weight of the carrier cover and the baby/child beyond said shoulder straps, while said waist straps allow the adult user to remove the carrier cover from the baby child, while still keeping said cover attached to the carrier via said waist straps.    
   
   
       18 . The baby carrier cover system of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 said right and left side panels each includes at least one, inverted, box/accordion-like pleat, with said bottom being at least generally rectangular, allowing in combination enough material and “give” so that the baby/child can freely move his/her arms and legs within the interior of said cover, said side panels providing a side expandable interior resulting in added room for the baby/child to comfortably move about, flail about, kick and the like.    
   
   
       19 . A method of covering a child/baby with a cover by an adult user while the baby/child is in a baby carrier or the like, comprising the following steps: 
 (a) providing a cover having a bottom, a front panel, a rear panel and two side panels, one being a right side panel and the other side being a left side panel together at least partially forming a top, all of which are made of flexible material and are assembled into an integral body forming an interior into which the baby/child can be placed being of a size and configuration to encase and cover over a baby/child's body, with the baby/child's feet directed toward said bottom and his/her head directed up out of said top, said cover further having shoulder, front and waist areas, with there being included several, different, attaching strap sets attached to said cover, including shoulder straps, front straps and waist straps, located at said shoulder, front and waist areas of said cover, respectively;    (b) initially connecting said shoulder straps, front straps and waist straps; to attachment straps on the carrier; and    (c) thereafter the adult user undoing said shoulder straps and said front straps to remove the carrier cover from the baby/child's shoulders and torso, while keeping said waist straps attached so that the baby/child's legs remain covered.    
   
   
       20 . The baby covering method of  claim 19 , wherein there is included in replacement of step “c” above, the step of: 
 (c) the adult user undoing said shoulder straps and said front straps to remove the carrier cover from the baby/child's shoulders and torso, while keeping the waist straps attached so that the baby/child's legs remain covered.