Infant carrier

Abstract

An infant carrier includes a torso panel configured to be positioned adjacent to the torso of a wearer so as to support at least a portion of an infant's body therebetween, an adjustable waist band attached to a lower edge of the torso panel and configured to be secured around a waist of the wearer, and first and second elongated tie straps attached to the torso panel at opposite upper corners thereof and configured to be wrapped around the wearer and tied to one another to secure the infant carrier and infant in place. The torso panel includes first and second cinching adjustment mechanisms disposed on opposite sides thereof and configured to allow a height of the torso panel to be adjusted.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An infant carrier comprising:
 a torso panel configured to be positioned adjacent to the torso of a wearer so as to support at least a portion of an infant's body therebetween;   an adjustable waist band attached to a lower edge of the torso panel and configured to be secured around a waist of said wearer; and   first and second elongated tie straps attached to the torso panel at opposite upper corners thereof and configured to be wrapped around the wearer and tied to one another to secure the infant carrier and infant in place;   wherein the torso panel comprises first and second cinching adjustment mechanisms disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein the first and second cinching adjustment mechanisms are configured to allow a height of the torso panel to be adjusted.   
     
     
         2 . The infant carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second cinching adjustment mechanisms each comprise a webbing strip sewn inside the torso panel and configured to be pulled, secured, and released through a ladder lock. 
     
     
         3 . The infant carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongated tie straps each have a length of at least seven feet. 
     
     
         4 . The infant carrier according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of buckles configured to allow the infant carrier to be secured to a backpack accessory having complementary buckles. 
     
     
         5 . The infant carrier according to  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of buckles comprises a first pair of buckles disposed respectively on the first and second elongated tie straps and a second pair of buckles disposed respectively on opposite sides of the adjustable waist band. 
     
     
         6 . The infant carrier according to  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of buckles is at least partially hidden behind a corresponding fabric pocket. 
     
     
         7 . The infant carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the torso panel comprises a hood removably disposed within a hood pocket. 
     
     
         8 . The infant carrier according to  claim 7 , wherein the hood pocket comprises a zippered pocket. 
     
     
         9 . The infant carrier according to  claim 7 , wherein first and second hood hooks are disposed respectively on the first and second elongated tie straps, and wherein the hood comprises first and second fabric loops configured to be attached respectively to the first and second hood hooks so as to secure the hood in an open configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The infant carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongated tie straps each comprise a spreadable shoulder portion. 
     
     
         11 . The infant carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second elongated tie straps comprises a tapered end portion. 
     
     
         12 . The infant carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the infant carrier is configured to be usable from birth until about 35 pounds.