Wearable carrier and method of carrying a child or animal

Abstract

A child or animal carrier and a method of carrying a child or animal on the user's body are described in this invention. The carrier has two loops 1, 2 joined together by a connecting device with an optional sash. The method of carrying the child or animal involves wearing the loops 1, 2 and placing the child or animal in the loops 1, 2 in a variety of positions. In certain positions the child is carried vertically on the front of the user's torso and either faces the same direction as the user or faces inward toward the user's torso; or the child is carried vertically on the user's back facing toward the user's back. In other positions, a child or animal can be fully or partially cradled in the loops 1, 2 . In another position, the child or animal is slung in the loops 1, 2 and carried against the user's hip or at the front of the user's torso. The connecting device allows the user to adjust the position of the loops 1, 2 for comfort and back support. In addition, the optional sash can be used to provide additional security for the child, and added comfort and support for the user and child. The carrier is easy to use and designed for the comfort of the user and comfort and security of the child or animal.

1 . A carrier for a child or animal comprising:
 a first loop;   a second loop; and   a connecting device, wherein the first loop and the second loop pass through the connecting device.   
   
   
       2 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the first loop is adapted to pass over the right shoulder and underneath the left arm of the user, and the second loop is adapted to pass over the left shoulder of the user and over the first loop at the front overlap region located on the front side of the user's torso and underneath the right arm of the user and over the first loop at the rear overlap region located on the rear side of the user's torso, and the connecting device is adapted to communicate with the first loop and the second loop along the rear overlap region. 
   
   
       3 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the first loop and the second loop are adapted to pass over a user's shoulder and underneath the arm opposite the shoulder. 
   
   
       4 . The carrier of  claim 2 , wherein the connecting device is adapted to adjust the position of the rear overlap region relative to the back of the user's torso. 
   
   
       5 . The carrier of  claim 4 , wherein the connecting device is a support band. 
   
   
       6 . The carrier of  claim 5 , wherein the support band wraps around the rear overlap region horizontally. 
   
   
       7 . The carrier of  claim 4 , wherein the connecting device comprises one or more apertures and is formed from metal or plastic. 
   
   
       8 . The carrier of  claim 7 , wherein the connecting device comprises four apertures, and the first loop passes through the first and third apertures, and the second loop passes through the second and fourth apertures and over first loop. 
   
   
       9 . The carrier of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a sash adapted to wrap around the user's torso and communicate with the front overlap region.   
   
   
       10 . The carrier of  claim 7 , wherein the first loop, the second loop, the connecting device, and the sash are each made from a fabric material. 
   
   
       11 . The carrier of  claim 8 , wherein the fabric material is cotton knit. 
   
   
       12 . The carrier of  claim 4 , wherein the width of the first loop and the width of the second loop is between 55 and 70 centimeters. 
   
   
       13 . The carrier of  claim 5 , wherein the width of the first loop and the width of the second is capable of stretching. 
   
   
       14 . A method of carrying a child or animal comprising the steps of:
 providing a first loop and a second loop;   connecting the first loop and the second loop with a connecting device;   wearing the first loop over the right shoulder and underneath the left arm;   wearing the second loop over the left shoulder and underneath the right arm, such that the second loop crosses over the first loop at the front overlap region located on the front side of the user's torso and at the rear overlap region located on the back side of the user's torso; and   placing a child or animal between the user's torso and front overlap region.   
   
   
       15 . The method  claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
 wrapping a sash around the torso of the user and the child or animal such that is passes over the front overlap region.   
   
   
       16 . The method  claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
 adjusting the position of the rear overlap region relative to the back of the user's torso using the connecting device.   
   
   
       17 . The method  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:
 placing the first loop across the child's torso, over one of child's shoulders and between the child's legs;   placing the second loop across the child's torso, over the other of child's shoulders and between the child's legs; and   wrapping a sash around the torso of the user and the child.   
   
   
       18 . The method  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:
 placing the child or animal in the first loop such that at least one of the child or animal's head, torso, and legs are supported by the first loop; and   adjusting the second loop such that the front overlap region corresponds to the region of the first loop that is in contact with the child or animal.   
   
   
       19 . The method  claim 14 , wherein the connecting device horizontally wraps around at least part of the rear overlap region. 
   
   
       20 . A method of carrying a child or animal comprising the steps of:
 providing a first loop and a second loop;   connecting the first loop and the second loop with a connecting device;   wearing the first loop and the second loop over one of the user's shoulders and underneath the opposite arm;   placing a child or animal in the first loop such that it is supported by the first loop and the second loop.