Variable position and orientation infant carrier and safety system

Abstract

A system for carrying infants safely and with flexibility with respect to position and orientation of a carried infant relative to a user. The system includes a vest worn by a user, the vest including multiple vest-side attachment means at various positions on the vest, and a corresponding infant carrier component having a multipoint restraint system and corresponding carrier-side attachment means for reversibly attaching the carrier to the vest in any of a number of positions and orientations on, and relative to the vest and its wearer.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An infant carrying system comprising:
 a vest configured for wearing user, and having a plurality of vest-side attachment means, at least one such vest-side attachment means being positioned on each of said vest's frontal and rearward faces; and   an infant carrier assembly having reversibly openable restraint means for admitting and removing an infant therein, and further including first carrier-side attachment means configured for reversible engagement with one or more of said plurality of said vest-side attachment means, and for supporting said infant carrier in a first orientation relative to said vest when engaged with said vest.   
     
     
         2 . The infant caring system of  claim 1  where in said plurality of vest-side attachment means are additionally positioned at alternative locations on said frontal face of said vest. 
     
     
         3 . The infant caring system of  claim 1  where in said plurality of vest-side attachment means are additionally positioned at alternative locations on said rearward face of said vest. 
     
     
         4 . The infant caring system of  claim 2  where in said plurality of vest-side attachment means are additionally positioned at alternative locations on said rearward face of said vest. 
     
     
         5 . The infant caring system of  claim 1  wherein said reversibly openable restraint means is configured, at least in part, of straps, in turn, configured as at least a four point restraint system. 
     
     
         6 . The infant caring system of  claim 5  where in said plurality of vest-side attachment means are additionally positioned at alternative locations on said frontal face of said vest. 
     
     
         7 . The infant caring system of  claim 5  where in said plurality of vest-side attachment means are additionally positioned at alternative locations on said rearward face of said vest. 
     
     
         8 . The infant caring system of  claim 1  further included garment attachment means for reversibly engaging said vest with an external stabilizing member. 
     
     
         9 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said one ore more of said vest-side attachment means and said o attachment means comprises rotational interface means for permitting a rotational realignment between said vest and said carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The infant caring system of  claim 1  where second carrier-side attachment means are positioned on said infant carrier for orienting said infant carrier in a second position relative to said vest when engaged with said vest. 
     
     
         11 . The infant caring system of  claim 1  where second carrier-side attachment means are positioned on said infant carrier for orienting said infant carrier in a second orientation relative to said vest when engaged with said vest. 
     
     
         12 . The infant caring system of  claim 1  where second carrier-side attachment means are positioned on said infant carrier for orienting said infant carrier in a second position and orientation relative to said vest when engaged with said vest. 
     
     
         13 . The infant caring system of  claim 2  where second carrier-side attachment means are positioned on said infant carrier for orienting said infant carrier in a second position relative to said vest when engaged with said vest. 
     
     
         14 . The infant caring system of  claim 2  where second carrier-side attachment means are positioned on said infant carrier for orienting said infant carrier in a second orientation relative to said vest when engaged with said vest. 
     
     
         15 . The infant caring system of  claim 2  where second carrier-side attachment means are positioned on said infant carrier for orienting said infant carrier in a second position and orientation relative to said vest when engaged with said vest.