Child carrier harness device and system

Abstract

A child carrier harness that is adjustable to fit a wide range of child sizes yet is easy to use and comfortable for both the child and the wearer. The harness includes a running line for encircling a child's torso. A loop is disposed at one end of the running line. The opposite end of the running line may be fed through this loop to create a child tethering area for encircling a child's torso. The end of the running line opposite the loop is joined to the child carrier. The child tethering area can therefore tether the child (e.g., to the child carrier and thus the wearer) without encumbering the child's shoulders, arms, or legs or affecting the child's position within the child carrier. Additionally, adjustment of the running line allows the harness to fit a wide range of child sizes. A waist belt anchor portion may be used to provide the corresponding attachment point on carriers not provided with one.

1 . A harness system for a child carrier, comprising:
 a harness, comprising:
 a running line having a loop at one end and a harness attachment point opposite the loop, the harness attachment point for coupling to a corresponding carrier attachment point on the child carrier, 
 wherein a length of the running line is adjustable. 
   
     
     
         2 . The harness system of  claim 1 , wherein the running line comprises polyester webbing. 
     
     
         3 . The harness system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sleeve covering at least a portion of the running line.   
     
     
         4 . The harness system of  claim 3 , wherein the sleeve comprises ripstop nylon. 
     
     
         5 . The harness system of  claim 3 , wherein the sleeve comprises a padded material. 
     
     
         6 . The harness system of  claim 3 , may include a cinching portion near the harness attachment point where the cinching portion is not attached to the running line. 
     
     
         7 . The harness system of  claim 1 , wherein the harness attachment comprises at least a portion of a side release buckle. 
     
     
         8 . The harness system of  claim 1 , wherein the harness may tether a child by being placed around the child's torso, leaving the child's shoulders, arms, or legs unencumbered. 
     
     
         9 . The harness system of  claim 1 , wherein the harness engages only a torso of a child. 
     
     
         10 . The harness system of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the running line is adjustable to fit children of various sizes. 
     
     
         11 . The harness system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an anchor portion coupled to the child carrier, comprising:
 a length of flexible material; 
 a carrier attachment point corresponding to the harness attachment point for coupling to the harness attachment point; and 
 a set of fasteners for coupling the anchor portion to the child carrier. 
   
     
     
         12 . A child carrier system, comprising:
 a child carrier; and   a harness, comprising:
 a running line having a loop at one end and a harness attachment point opposite the loop, the harness attachment point for coupling to a corresponding carrier attachment point on the child carrier. 
   
     
     
         13 . The child carrier system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a sleeve covering at least a portion of the running line.   
     
     
         14 . The child carrier system of  claim 13 , may include a cinching portion near the harness attachment point where the cinching portion is not attached to the running line. 
     
     
         15 . The child carrier system of  claim 12 , wherein the harness attachment comprises at least a portion of a side release buckle. 
     
     
         16 . The child carrier system of  claim 12 , wherein the harness may tether a child by being placed around the child's torso, leaving the child's shoulders, arms, or legs unencumbered. 
     
     
         17 . The child carrier system of  claim 12 , wherein the harness engages only a torso of a child. 
     
     
         18 . The child carrier system of  claim 12 , wherein the length of the running line is adjustable to fit children of various sizes. 
     
     
         19 . The child carrier system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an anchor portion coupled to the child carrier, comprising:
 a length of flexible material; 
 a carrier attachment point corresponding to the harness attachment point; and 
 a set of fasteners for coupling the anchor portion to the child carrier. 
   
     
     
         20 . A harness for a child carrier, comprising:
 a harness, comprising:
 a running line having a loop at one end and a harness attachment point opposite the loop, the harness attachment point for coupling to a corresponding carrier attachment point on the child carrier; and 
 a sleeve covering at least a portion of the running line, 
 wherein a length of the running line is adjustable; and 
   an anchor portion coupled to the child carrier, comprising:
 a length of flexible material; 
 a carrier attachment point corresponding to the harness attachment point wherein the carrier attachment point comprises a portion of a side release buckle; and 
   a set of fasteners for coupling the anchor portion to the child carrier.