Reversible infant carrier

Abstract

A reversible infant carrier adaptable for selectively carrying the infant in the front or the back of the wearer with proper back and abdomen support includes an anterior support panel and a posterior support panel linked thereto. There is further provided a pair of adjustable shoulder harnesses attached to the anterior support panel, and a support belt slidably extendible through the anterior support panel including a lumbar support pad and an abdomen support sleeve.

1 . A reversible infant carrying apparatus comprising:
 an anterior support panel including a lateral sleeve;   a posterior support panel linked to the anterior support panel;   a pair of shoulder harnesses each defining opposed ends both attached to the anterior support panel to define a loop relationship, each shoulder harness being engageable to the posterior support panel; and   a support belt slidably extended through the lateral sleeve, the support belt defining a first connector end engageable to an opposed second connector end to maintain a looped configuration about the abdomen and back of a wearer;   wherein the anterior support panel, the posterior support panel, and the pair of shoulder harnesses collectively define a compartment within which an infant is supported, the compartment being alternately positionable on the abdomen and the back of the wearer.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the posterior support panel includes a pair of head support extensions and a pair of first body support extensions; and   each of the shoulder harnesses include a second body support extension engageable to a one of the pair of first body support extensions and a head support linkage strap engageable to a one of the pair of head support extensions.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the pair of first and second body support extensions are engageable to each other with hook and loop connectors. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a pair of first auxiliary body support straps each attached to a one of the pair of first body support extensions; and   a pair of second auxiliary body support straps each attached to a one of the pair of second body support extensions;   wherein each of the first auxiliary body support straps are removably engageable to a corresponding one of the second auxiliary body support straps.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the head support linkage straps are defined by a first segment attached to the shoulder harness and including a female connector, and a second segment attached to the head support extension and including a male connector removably engageable to the female connector. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of the shoulder harnesses includes:
 a primary segment including the second body support extension and the head support linkage strap; and   a secondary segment adjustably coupled to the primary segment with a buckle.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the primary segments of a left one and a right one of the pair of shoulder harnesses are arranged in a v-shaped relationship and converging upon the anterior support panel. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 first and second elongate, tubular shoulder pad sleeve selectively positionable along the primary segment of a respective one of the pair of shoulder harnesses and axially rotatable thereabout, the tubular shoulder pad having a cushioning material.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a selectively engageable cross connector linking the primary segments of a left one and a right one of the pair of shoulder harnesses.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lumbar support pad affixed to the support belt, the lumbar support pad being slidably engaged to the lateral sleeve of the anterior support panel.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the lumbar support pad includes a straight middle portion, and opposed outer portions angled to conform to the back of the wearer. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the support belt is defined by a first segment to which the lumbar support pad is affixed, and a second segment having a first end coupled to the first segment with a threaded adjustable buckle and a second end coupled to the first segment with a locking connector. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a tubular abdomen support sleeve selectively positionable along the second segment of the support belt between the first end and the second end thereof, the tubular abdoment support sleeve being sized and configured for slidable engagement within the lateral sleeve of the anterior support panel.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an adjustable length coupling strip linking the anterior support panel and the posterior support panel.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the coupling strip is defined by a proximal end fixed to the anterior support panel and a distal end fixed to the posterior support panel;   a proximal end portion includes a first element of an interlocking adjustment fastener and a first element of an interlocking auxiliary fastener;   a distal end portion includes a second element of the interlocking adjustment fastener engageable to the first element of the interlocking adjustment fastener, and a second element of the interlocking auxiliary fastener engageable to the first element of the interlocking auxiliary fastener;   the length of the coupling strip being reduced by the length between otherwise disengaged first and second elements of the interlocking adjustment fastener upon engaging the first element of the interlocking adjustment fastener to the second element of the interlocking adjustment fastener.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the interlocking adjustment fastener is a zipper and the interlocking auxiliary fastener is a snap button. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the posterior support panel further defines:
 an inner surface and an opposed outer surface; and   an intermediate section between the head support extensions and the first body support extensions, the intermediate section having a left edge and an opposed right edge.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a first cinching strap disposed in proximity to the left edge of the intermediate section on the outer surface and including a first interlocking fastener element;   a second cinching strap disposed in proximity to the right edge of the intermediate section on the outer surface, the second cinching strap including a plurality of second interlocking fastener elements arranged in a spaced relationship;   wherein the first interlocking fastener element is selectively engageable to any one of the plurality of the second interlocking fastener elements to reduce the width between the left edge and the right edge.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the outer surface of the posterior support panel includes a storage pocket. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the posterior support panel further defines a combination head support and bib portion separate from the intermediate section, the combination head support and bib portion being selectively attachable to the intermediate section.