Recumbent Infant Carrier

Abstract

An infant carrier which supports one or more infants in a recumbent position on the back of a user. The infant carrier of present invention includes a central frame upon which an infant support assembly is mounted for carrying an infant in a position which supports the head, neck and body of the infant, so that an infant without sufficiently developed head and neck control may be carried safely and comfortably. The carrier includes a removable canopy for protecting carried infants from the elements. Additionally, the infant carrier enables a user to attach a storage bag or other items selected by the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An infant carrier for bearing an infant on the back of a user, the infant carrier comprising:
 a carrying frame assembly and an infant support assembly which supports an infant in a recumbent position generally perpendicular to the torso of a user,   
       wherein the infant support assembly is removably mounted to the carrying frame assembly. 
     
     
         2 . The infant carrier as recited in  claim 1  wherein the infant support assembly comprises a seating frame fitted with cushioning, upholstery and a restraining harness, and wherein the seating frame includes back, seat, and side surfaces which assure the stability of an infant set in the infant carrier. 
     
     
         3 . The infant carrier as recited in  claim 2  wherein the restraining harness comprises a plurality of belts secured to the seating frame in a multiple-point restraint configuration, and wherein a belt of the restraining harness is attached to the seating frame with an adjustable clamp that enables the belt to be extended and retracted, and that secures the belt in the selected position. 
     
     
         4 . The infant carrier as recited in  claim 3  wherein the carrying frame assembly comprises a shoulder strap assembly and a waist belt assembly attached to a central frame, and wherein a plurality of mounting positions on the central frame enable the respective positions of the shoulder strap assembly and waist belt assembly to be varied. 
     
     
         5 . The infant carrier as recited in  claim 4  wherein the shoulder strap assembly comprises a plurality of padded shoulder straps extending from a superior part of the central frame to an inferior part of the central frame, and wherein each shoulder strap of the shoulder strap assembly comprises a padded superior part and a woven belt inferior part movably joined by a buckle which enables the length of the shoulder strap to be varied by extending or retracting the woven belt inferior part within the buckle. 
     
     
         6 . The infant carrier as recited in  claim 5  wherein the waist belt assembly comprises a medial cushion and a plurality of waist belts extending from the medial cushion around the abdomen or pelvis of a user and meeting at a side release buckle near the front of the user. 
     
     
         7 . The infant carrier as recited in  claim 6  wherein a canopy is removably attached to the infant support assembly, said canopy comprising a plurality of supports fastened to the seating frame and between which supports a fabric panel is suspended for sheltering an infant set in the infant carrier from the elements. 
     
     
         8 . The infant carrier as recited in  claim 7  wherein a plurality of mounting points on the central frame of the carrying frame assembly enable the infant support assembly to be removably mounted to the central frame in a variety of positions. 
     
     
         9 . The infant carrier as recited in  claim 8  wherein an area of the central frame not occupied by an infant support assembly affords an attachment place for items selected by a user. 
     
     
         10 . The infant carrier as recited in  claim 9  wherein a storage bag is attached to the area of the central frame not occupied by an infant support assembly. 
     
     
         11 . An infant support assembly to be removably mounted on a frame carried on the back of a user, said infant support assembly comprising:
 a seating frame fitted with cushioning, upholstery and a restraining harness;   
       wherein the infant support assembly supports an infant in a recumbent position substantially perpendicular to the torso of a user wearing a frame upon which the infant support assembly is mounted. 
     
     
         12 . The infant support assembly as recited in  claim 11  wherein the seating frame includes back, seat, and side surfaces which assure the stability of an infant set in the infant support assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The infant support assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein the restraining harness comprises a plurality of belts secured to the seating frame in a multiple-point restraint configuration, and wherein a belt of the restraining harness is attached to the seating frame with an adjustable clamp that enables the belt to be extended and retracted, and that secures the belt in the selected position. 
     
     
         14 . The infant support assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein a canopy is removably attached the infant support assembly, said canopy comprising a plurality of supports fastened to the seating frame and between which supports a fabric panel is suspended for sheltering an infant set in the infant support assembly from the elements. 
     
     
         15 . A carrying frame assembly to be borne on the back of a user, said carrying frame assembly comprising:
 a central frame;   a shoulder strap assembly attached to the central frame; and   a waist belt assembly attached to the central frame;   
       wherein the central frame includes mounting points to accept an infant support assembly for carrying an infant. 
     
     
         16 . The carrying frame assembly as recited in  claim 15  wherein the shoulder strap assembly comprises a plurality of padded shoulder straps extending from a superior part of the central frame to an inferior part of the central frame, and wherein each shoulder strap of the shoulder strap assembly comprises a padded superior part and a woven belt inferior part movably joined by a buckle which enables the length of the shoulder strap to be varied by extending or retracting the woven belt inferior part within the buckle. 
     
     
         17 . The carrying frame assembly as recited in  claim 16  wherein the waist belt assembly comprises a medial cushion and a plurality of waist belts extending from the medial cushion around the abdomen or pelvis of a user and meeting at a side release buckle near the front of the user. 
     
     
         18 . The carrying frame assembly as recited in  claim 17  wherein a plurality of mounting positions on the central frame enable the respective positions of the shoulder strap assembly and waist belt assembly to be varied. 
     
     
         19 . The carrying frame assembly as recited in  claim 18  wherein an area of the central frame not occupied by an attached infant support assembly accepts the attachment of additional items for carrying on the carrying frame assembly.