Baby carrier

Abstract

A baby carrier comprising: a tie panel; a first bandolier sling in which a baby may be held, the sling having two ends attached to the tie panel; and a second bandolier that crosses over the first bandolier sling and has two ends that are attached to the tie panel.

1 . A baby carrier comprising:
 a tie panel;   a first bandolier sling in which a baby may be held, the sling having two ends attached to the tie panel; and   a second bandolier that crosses over the first bandolier sling and has two ends that are attached to the tie panel;   wherein the tie panel comprises two pieces of material joined along edges to form a pouch into which the bandolier slings may be inserted.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the bandolier sling comprises a relatively stiff, central, longitudinal region extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the length of the bandolier sling. 
     
     
         4 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the stiffened region comprises a stay inserted into the bandolier sling. 
     
     
         5 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the stay is formed from a plastic. 
     
     
         6 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the stay is formed from a rubber. 
     
     
         7 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the stay is formed form a stiffened cloth. 
     
     
         8 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the stiffened region comprises a region of the bandolier sling impregnated with a stiffener. 
     
     
         9 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the stiffener comprises a starch. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein an end of at least one of the bandolier slings is attached to the panel by a fastener that enables the sling length of the bandolier sling to be adjusted. 
     
     
         12 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the tie panel is contoured to provide support for a wearer's back. 
     
     
         24 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the tie panel comprises a relatively soft material having inserts that provide it with a contour configured to support a wearer's back. 
     
     
         25 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the bandolier slings and tie panel are formed as a unitary piece. 
     
     
         26 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the pouch comprises the tie panel and a piece of material joined to the tie panel. 
     
     
         30 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the tie panel and the piece of material are joined by a zipper. 
     
     
         31 . A baby carrier in accordance with  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second bandolier slings comprises a marking that indicates a central, longitudinal region of the bandolier sling.