One-piece garment having an integrated seat and support for carrying an infant

Abstract

A one-piece garment integrated with a seat and support for carrying an infant. The garment simplifies baby-wearing by eliminating the need for complex wrapping or adjusting multiple components. It provides a secure, ergonomic, and universally accessible solution for carrying infants safely and comfortably. The garment is designed to be worn like a regular shirt, with an integrated seat that cradles the infant's body. The design ensures proper positioning for the infant, reducing the risk of user error and promoting healthy development. The garment is suitable for newborns and infants of various sizes, offering a convenient and comfortable option for caregivers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A one-piece garment for carrying an infant, the garment comprising:
 a back panel;   a first front panel attached to the back panel at a first connection area and extending across the garment in a first diagonal direction to a first side seam;   a second front panel attached to the back panel at a second connection area and extending across the garment in a second diagonal direction to a second side seam, the second side seam being opposite the first side seam, the first front panel and the second front panel crossing over each other to form an overlapping structure and creating a seat configured to support the infant;   a third front panel attached to the back panel along the first side seam and the second side seam, the third front panel covering at least a portion of each of the first front panel and the second front panel; and   an elastic band attached to a rear hem of the back panel and defining a bottom opening of the garment.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the first front panel and the second front panel overlap for at least 10% of their length. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment further comprises a neck opening, the garment further comprising:
 a first plurality of eyelets located on the back panel on a first side of the neck opening;   a second plurality of eyelets located on the back panel on a second side of the neck opening;   a third plurality of eyelets located on the first front panel;   a fourth plurality of eyelets located on the second front panel;   a first cord threaded through the first plurality of eyelets and the third plurality of eyelets to couple the first front panel to the back panel; and   a second cord threaded through the second plurality of eyelets and the fourth plurality of eyelets to couple the second front panel to the back panel.   
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first cord and the second cord is secured with a loop toggle. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first plurality of eyelets and the second plurality of eyelets is located forward of a coronal plane of the garment. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the third front panel includes a bottom edge, the bottom edge of the third front panel having at least one of gathering, pleats, and ruching. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 6 , wherein the third front panel includes a bottom edge, the bottom edge of the third front panel having an elastic segment extending at least partially along the bottom edge of the third front panel between the first side seam and the second side seam. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic band includes at least one hook-and-loop fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic band includes a pocket. 
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first front panel includes at least one of gathering, pleating, and ruching at or proximate the first side seam; and   the second front panel includes at least one of gathering, pleating, and ruching at or proximate the second side seam.   
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the third front panel is lined with an interior panel, the interior panel providing additional support to the overlapping structure. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the first front panel and second front panel are connected to each other at a connection area within the overlapping structure using stitching, bonding, gluing, sealing, and/or welding. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the third front panel covers between approximately 10% and approximately 75% of the combined area of the first and second front panels. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the third front panel includes a reinforced section covering at least 15% of the width of the third front panel and at least 15% of the length of the third front panel. 
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each of the back panel, the first front panel, the second front panel, and the third front panel is constructed from a fabric that is nylon, Lycra®, neoprene, wool, cotton, hemp, linen, polyester, and/or microfibers. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pocket in the first front panel, the second front panel, the third front panel, and/or the back panel. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the first front panel, the second front panel, the third front panel, and/or the back panel is at least partially lined with additional materials. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using a garment for carrying an infant, the garment including a neck opening, a first armhole, and a second armhole, the method comprising the steps of:
 donning the garment by inserting a head of a wearer through the neck opening and inserting arms of the wearer through the first and second armholes, the garment further including a first front panel, a second front panel, a third front panel, a back panel, and a plurality of fastening mechanisms, the first and second front panels overlapping each other, the third front panel being over at least a portion of each of the first and second front panels;   securing the garment around hips of the wearer using a first one of the plurality of fastening mechanisms;   placing the infant into a seat formed by the overlapping first and second front panels; adjusting a fit of the garment using a second one of the plurality of fastening mechanisms; and   at least partially covering the infant with the third front panel.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the garment further includes a hip band, the hip band, the plurality of fastening mechanisms including hook-and-loop fasteners on the hip band. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of fastening mechanisms includes eyelets on each of the first front panel, the second front panel, and the back panel, and at least one cord configured to be threaded through at least some of the eyelets to provide adjustment of the fit of the garment.