CHILD CARRYING DEVICE

Abstract

A child carrying device for carrying a child over a user's shoulders, comprising: a foldable support frame, a child seat support for seating the child into the carrying device, a user back harness for strapping the user onto the user's shoulders and torso, detachably affixed to the support frame by a load lifter mechanism, and a user hipbelt for transferring a portion of the carried weight or the child's weight onto the user's hip or waist which further comprises an attachment mechanism for providing adjustable adjoining location to allow the support frame to rest on or attach to, wherein the carrying device is configured to distribute the carried child's weight onto the user's shoulders and torso and the user's hip or waist.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a child carrying device for carrying a child by a user on the user's shoulders. More particularly the present invention relates to a carrier with a foldable support frame attached to a length-adjustable hipbelt capable of transferring and placing a significant portion of the carried child's weight onto the user's hip or waist, and the carrying device is designed to accommodate users of different torso length.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Child carrying devices have been developed wherein the child is positioned onto a user's shoulders using frame like structures strapped onto the user's back, however these existing carrying devices often have flaws and are less than optimum. Applicant herein realizes the following areas of improvements need to be addressed by an optimum child carrying device:

[0003] (1) Because seating the child on top of the user's shoulders places significant amount of weight and causes major strain on the user's shoulders, it would be highly beneficial if the carrying device is capable of distributing and transferring a portion of the carried child's weight onto the user's hip or waist.

[0004] (2) Different users may have different height and torso length, it is crucial that such carrying device is designed to accommodate different height and torso length.

[0005] (3) Users may frequently stop, carrying and unloading the child, such carrying device ideally should be easily portable and easily stored.

[0006] (4) Users may want to carry additional weight and an optimum carrying device should be configured to accommodate additional loads easily.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention relates to a child carrying device for carrying a child over a user's shoulders. More particularly, the present invention attempts to address the above identified deficiencies of existing child carrying devices.

[0008] In one aspect, the child carrying device for carrying a child may include the a foldable support frame adapted to provide a means to support the entire carrying device, a child seat support adapted to securely hold the child, a user back harness with a load lifter mechanism adapted to comfortably strap the carrying device onto the user's shoulders and torso, and a user hipbelt secured about the user's hip or waist and is adapted to provide a selectable adjoining location which lower ends of the support frame rest on or attach to, receiving and transferring a significant portion of the carried weight onto the user's hip or waist.

[0009] In one aspect, the foldable support frame comprises an upper and a lower portion joined by a folding mechanism, whereas the folding mechanism allows the upper portion of the support frame to extend away from the lower portion into a deployed state of the carrying device and allows the upper portion to fold towards the back side to meet the lower portion into a folded state of the carrying device. This allows the carrying device to transition between a deployed state and a folded state that makes the carrying device portable, easily stored, and conserving space when the carrying device is not in use. Further, in some implementations, the length of the lower portion of the support frame may be extendable to further accommodate users of different torso length. For example, extensions may be attached or screwed onto the ends of the support frame to extend the length of the support frame therefore to accommodate user with longer torso length.

[0010] In one aspect, the child seat support comprises a child back padding for supporting the child's back, a child seat padding for seating the child, and a length-adjustable child safety strap for securing the child into the child seat support. The child back padding may be attached to the upper portion of the support frame by removably enclosing the upper portion of the support frame, which allows a portion of the child's weight to be transferred onto the support frame. The child seat padding may be affixed to the child back padding, and the left and right extension portions of the child seat padding may be configured to rest on top of and be attached to a pair of user shoulder straps. This spatial arrangement may allow the child to be securely seated on top of the user's shoulders, and a portion of the child's weight to be transferred onto the user's shoulders and the support frame. In some implementation, the child seat support may comprise additional security strap to provide additional security. In another implementation, the child seat support may comprise a portable and collapsible sunshade removably attached to the child back padding and adapted to extend over the child's head.

[0011] In one aspect, the user back harness comprises a user back padding affixed to a pair of user shoulder straps for harnessing the carrying device onto the user's shoulders and torso, a pair of child leg restraints, a user sternum strap, and a load lifter mechanism adapted to detachably fasten the user back harness onto the lower portion of the support frame below the child seat support. The user back padding and the pair of user shoulder straps may be padded with breathable material or fabric to provide optimum comfort and ventilation to the user while using the carrying device. The pair of user shoulder straps may comprise a pair of child leg restraints adapted to securely restrain the child's legs to the front the user's shoulders and safely secure the child onto the child seat support. The user sternum strap may be attached to the pair of user shoulder straps and adapted to extend across the user's chest at an adjustable length restraining the pair of user shoulder straps from moving sideways.

[0012] In one aspect, the child seat padding is configured to rest on top of the user back harness, and the left and right extension portions of the child seat support may be configured to rest on top of and be attached to the pair of user shoulder straps. This spatial configuration between the child seat support and the user back harness limits and restrains the child's legs to the front of the user's shoulders, providing additional security while the child is secured into the seat.

[0013] In one aspect, a load lifter mechanism securely attached to the support frame is provided for detachably fastening the user back harness of the carrying device to the support frame of the carrying device. In some implementations, the load lifter mechanism comprises a left member and a right member that are securely affixed to the support frame. When the user is carrying a child using the device, the child exerts a downward gravitational force onto the carrying device, a portion of which is transferred directly on the carrying device's shoulders, and another portion is exerted onto the support frame. The portion of the downward gravitational force exerted on the support frame can be separated into two force components. One force component travels downward along the support frame to be counter balanced by a force exerted on the support frame by the user hipbelt. Another force component is directed towards the back and is counter balanced by a pulling force exerted by the user back harness via the load lifter mechanism. The load lifter mechanism may further contain a locking mechanism so that during its locked state, the user back harness is securely and safely fastened or hooked onto the load lifter mechanism by for example a strip, and during its unlocked state, the user back harness may be detached from the load lifter mechanism. The load lifter mechanism may be configured in such a way that it may be used as an attachment point attaching additional weight onto the support frame via an attachment mechanism such as a self-locking hook.

[0014] In one aspect, a user hipbelt is provided for receiving and transferring a significant portion of the carried weight from the support frame onto the user's hip or waist. The hipbelt may comprise an attachment mechanism affixed to the back side of the hipbelt for providing adjoining locations which allow lower ends of the support frame to rest on, and a safety strap affixed to the hipbelt for tightening the hipbelt about the user's hip or waist at an adjustable length. Notably, the attachment mechanism may contain multiple sockets, opening slits, or other similar attachment means that are vertically spaced on the hipbelt to allow users to selectively choose an adjoining location in order to accommodate users of different torso length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given below and from the accompany figures. The figures are intended to disclose but a few possible examples of the present invention, and thus do not limit the present invention's scope.

[0016] FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of an example child carrying device for carrying a child over a user's shoulders.

[0017] FIG. 1B illustrates a back view of the example child carrying device of FIG. 1A.

[0018] FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of an example foldable support frame of the child carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of the example foldable support frame of the child carrying device of FIG. 2A.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates an example folding mechanism of the foldable support frame of the child carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4A illustrates a front view of an example child seat support of the child carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4B illustrates a back view of the example child seat support of FIG. 4A.

[0023] FIG. 5A illustrates a front view of an example user back harness of the child carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 5B illustrates a back view of the example user back harness of the child carrying device of FIG. 5A.

[0025] FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of an example user hipbelt of the child carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 6B illustrates a back view of the example user hipbelt of the child carrying device of FIG. 6A.

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates the child carrying device in use by a user carrying a child.

[0028] FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of the child carrying device in the carrying device's deployed state with additional load in the form of backpack attached to the carrying device.

[0029] FIG. 8B illustrates a side view of the additional load in the form of backpack.

[0030] FIG. 8C illustrates a back view of the child carrying device in the carrying device's deployed state.

[0031] FIG. 8D illustrates a side view of the child carrying device in the carrying device's folded state.

[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the child carrying device in the carrying device's deployed state with additional load attached in the form of backpack.

[0033] FIG. 10A illustrates a back view of the child carrying device in the carrying device's deployed state.

[0034] FIG. 10B illustrates an additional load in the form of backpack that can be attached to the child carrying device.

[0035] FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the child carrying device in the carrying device's folded state.

[0036] FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the child carrying device in the carrying device's folded state with additional load attached in the form of backpack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIG. 1A illustrates a front view 100A of an example child carrying device for carrying a child over a user's shoulders. FIG. 1B illustrates a back view 100B of the example child carrying device of FIG. 1A. FIGS. 2 to 6 illustrate different components of the example child carrying device. More specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates a front view 200A of an example foldable support frame of the child carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2B illustrates a side view 200B of the example foldable support frame of the child carrying device of FIG. 2a. FIG. 3 shows an example folding mechanism of the foldable support frame of the child carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4A illustrates a front view 400A of an example child seat support of the child carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4B illustrates a back view 400B of the example child seat support of FIG. 4A. FIG. 5A illustrates a front view 500A of an example user back harness of the child carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5B illustrates a back view 500B of the example user back harness of the child carrying device of FIG. 5A. FIG. 6A illustrates a front view 600A of an example user hipbelt of the child carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 6B illustrates a back view 600B of the example user hipbelt of the child carrying device of FIG. 6A.

[0038] FIGS. 7 to 12 illustrate different states of the example child carrying device, with and without the carried child, and with and without additional load in the form of backpack attached to the carrying device. More specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the child carrying device while in use by the user carrying the child. FIG. 8A illustrates a side view 800A of the child carrying device in the carrying device's deployed state with additional load in the form of backpack attached to the carrying device. FIG. 8B illustrates a side view 800B of the additional load in the form of backpack. FIG. 8C illustrates a back view 800C of the child carrying device in the carrying device's deployed state. FIG. 8D illustrates a side view 800D of the child carrying device in the carrying device's folded state. FIG. 9 illustrates the side view of the child carrying device in the carrying device's deployed state with additional load in the form of backpack attached to the carrying device. FIG. 10A illustrates a back view 1000A of the child carrying device in the carrying device's deployed state. FIG. 10B illustrates an additional load in the form of backpack 1000B that can be attached to the child carrying device. FIG. 11 illustrates the side view of the child carrying device in the carrying device's folded state without any additional load attached. FIG. 12 illustrates the side view of the child carrying device in the carrying device's folded state with additional load in the form of backpack attached to the carrying device.

[0039] The example child carrying device 100 (shown in FIGS. 1A-1B) may include a foldable support frame 102 (shown in FIG. 1B), a child seat support 104, a user back harness 106, and a user hipbelt 108.

[0040] Foldable Support Frame

[0041] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an example foldable support frame 200A-200B that can be used as the foldable support frame 102 of FIG. 1B. The support frame 200A-200B includes an upper portion 202 and a lower portion 204 joined by a folding mechanism 206.

[0042] The upper portion 202 forms a U-shaped structure 208 having two ends, a first end 214 and a second end 216. In other implementation, the upper portion may be any suitable structure such as a solid board or padding with a U-shaped outer edge.

[0043] The lower portion 204 comprises two elongated tubular structures, a first elongated tubular structure 210 and a second elongated tubular structure 212, whereas the first elongated tubular structure 210 comprises a third end 218 and a fourth end 220, and the second elongated tubular structure 212 comprises a fifth end 222 and a sixth end 224. The length of the first and the second elongated tubular structures may be configured to be adjustable, in order to accommodate users of various height and particularly of various torso length. In one implementation, the first and the second elongated tubular structures may comprise a length-adjustable rod twisting either clockwise or counterclockwise to either extend or shorten the length of the first and the second elongated tubular structures. In another implementation, the first and the second elongated tubular structures may comprise attachable extensions at the fourth end and the sixth end to extend the length of the first and the second elongated tubular structures.

[0044] The folding mechanism 206 joins the upper portion 202 and the lower portion 204 of the support frame 200A-200B and allows the upper portion 202 to extend and fold from the lower portion 204. Specifically, the folding mechanism 206 comprises a first member 226 and a second member 228, joining the first end 214 of the upper portion 202 to the third end 218 of the first elongated tubular structure 210, and joining the second end 216 of the upper portion 202 to the fifth end 222 of the second elongated tubular structure 228, respectively.

[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates an example folding mechanism member 300 that can be used as a first member 226 or second member 228 of the folding mechanism 206 of FIGS. 2A-2B. The folding mechanism member 300 may comprise 1) a narrower-diameter portion 306, located at the first end 214 or the second end 216 of the upper portion 202 of the support frame 200A-200B; 2) a hollow recess 308 placed at the end 314 of elongated tubular structure 304, where the elongated tubular structure 304 can be the first elongated tubular structure 210 or the second elongated tubular structure 212 of FIGS. 2A-2B, and the end 314 can be the third end 218 or the fifth end 222 of the first elongated tubular structure 210 and the second elongated structure 212 of FIGS. 2A-2B, respectively; and 3) a pull-out unit spring 310, with its one end fixedly attached to the inner surface of the hollow recess 308 and with its other end fixedly attached to the narrower-diameter portion 306.

[0046] During the deployed state of the carrying device (as shown in FIG. 8A), the folding mechanism 300 is in its relaxed state, holding the pull-out unit spring 310 and narrower-diameter portion 306 within the hollow recess 308 of the elongated tubular structure 304, allowing the upper portion of the support frame to extend away from the lower portion of the support frame.

[0047] During the folded state of the carrying device (as shown in FIG. 8D), the folding mechanism 300 is in its pull-out state, extending and exposing its pivot point 316 and the narrower-diameter portion 306 to the outside of the hollow recess 308, allowing the upper portion of the support frame to pivot towards the back side of the support frame to meet the lower portion of the support frame.

Child Seat Support

[0048] Better illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, the child seat support 400A-400B (e.g. child seat support 104 of FIGS. 1A-1B) of the child carrying device for holding a child, comprising a child back padding 402 for supporting the child's back, a child seat padding 404 for seating the child, and a child safety strap 406 that is length adjustable for securing the child into the child seat support 400.

[0049] The child back padding 402 further comprises an upper edge 408, a lower edge 410, a left edge 412, and a right edge 414. The child back padding 402 is adapted to support the child's back onto the child seat support 400 and transfer a portion of the child's weight onto the support frame 432. In some implementations, the child back padding 402 may removably enclose the upper portion of the support frame in a snugly fashion and securely transfer a portion of the child's weight onto the support frame 432 through the upper edge 408 of the child back padding 402. In another implementation, the child back padding 402 may be affixed to the upper portion (not labeled) of the support frame 432 onto its outer edges (including the upper edge 408, the left edge 412, and the right edge 414) and transfer a portion of the child's weight onto the support frame through the upper edge 408, the left edge 412 and the right edge 414 of the child back padding 402. In some implementations, the child back padding 402 may be made with breathable fabric, rigid enough to provide back support and soft enough to provide comfort to the child while seated in the child seat support 400. In some implementation, the child seat support 400 may comprise a pair of added security strap (not shown) attached to the left edge 412 and the right edge 414 below the child safety strap 406, adapted for the child safety strap 406 to loop around and to provide additional security. In some implementations, the child seat support 400 may comprise a portable and collapsible sunshade (not shown), removably attached to the child back padding 402, and adapted to extend over the child's head to provide coverage and shade during sun exposure.

[0050] The child seat padding 404, comprising an upper edge 422 and a lower edge 424, is adapted for seating the child and to transfer a portion of the child's weight onto the child back padding 402 and the user's shoulders.

[0051] The upper edge 422 of the child seat padding 404 is securely attached to the lower edge 410 of the child back padding 402, allowing a portion of the child's weight placed on the child seat padding 404 transferred to the child back padding 402. In one implementation, the child back padding 402 and the child seat padding 404 may be one uniform piece of material or fabric. In another implementation, the child back padding 402 and the child seat padding 404 may be two separate pieces of fabric or material affixed or sewed together.

[0052] The lower edge 424 of the child seat padding 404 may further comprise a left extension portion 416 and a right extension portion 418, forming an open space 420 in between the left extension portion 416 and the right extension portion 418, adapted to provide movable space for the user's neck. In some implementations, the open space formed between the left and right extension portion, 416 and 418, respectively, may be semi-circularly shaped to suitably fit around the user's neck. As further discussed below, the left extension portion 416 and the right extension portion 418 of the child seat padding 404 may rest on top of and be removably attached to a pair of user shoulder straps (504 FIGS. 5A-5B) as of the user back harness (500 of FIG. 5) at an adjustable length. This spatial relationship of the child seat support 400 with the user back harness 500 limits the child's legs to be placed in front of the user's shoulders thus providing added security to the seated child.

[0053] The child safety strap 406, comprising a first strap 426 and a second strap 428 capable of releasably engaged to each other, is adapted to securely strap the child into the child seat support 400 at an adjustable length. In one implementation, each of the first strap 426 and the second strap 428 is attached to and extended from the left edge 412 and the right edge 414 of the child back padding 402 respectively on one end, and releasably connected to each other on the other end at an adjustable length. In another implementation, the first strap 426 and the second strap 428 each may have a buckle member 430, where the buckle member 430 can releasably engage to each other. In some implementation, an added security strap (not shown) may be attached to the left edge 412 and the right edge 414 of the child back padding, adapted for the first strap 426 and the second strap 428 of the child safety strap 406 to loop around to provide added security.

User Back Harness

[0054] As better illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B, the user back harness 500A-500B (e.g. user back harness 106 of FIGS. 1A-1B) of the child carrying device, is adapted for comfortably strapping the child carrying device onto the user and may be affixed to the support frame below the child seat support. The user back harness 500A-500B comprises a user back padding 502, a pair of user shoulder straps 504, and a load lifter mechanism 506 for detachably securing the user back harness onto the support frame.

[0055] The user back padding 502 forms the back portion of the user back harness and is securely and detachably fastened or hooked onto the load lifter mechanism 506 with for example a fabric strip, and the load lifter mechanism 506 is securely affixed to the lower portion (not labeled) of the support frame (not labeled). In some implementations, the user back padding 502 is padded with breathable material or fabric to provide optimum comfort and ventilation to the user while using the carrying device.

[0056] The pair of user shoulder straps 504 forms the front portion of the user back harness 500 and is affixed to the user back padding 502 at its upper edge (not labeled), adapted to harness the carrying device onto the user's shoulders and torso. The pair of user shoulder straps 504 further comprises a pair of child leg restraint 512 and a user sternum strap 516. The pair of child leg restraint 512 may be adapted for removably securing the child's legs onto the pair of user shoulder straps 504, and in one implementation, the pair of child leg restraint 512 may be releasable straps affixed to the pair of user shoulder straps 504 at its lower section (not labeled). The user sternum strap 516 may be adapted to extend across the user's chest at an adjustable length and restrain the pair of user shoulder straps 504 from sliding sideways. In some implementations, the user sternum strap 516 comprises a left sternum member 518 and a right sternum member 520, each connected to its respective shoulder strap on one end, and releasably connected to each other on the other end. In some implementations, the pair of user shoulder straps 504 is padded with breathable material or fabric to provide optimum comfort and ventilation to the user while using the carrying device.

[0057] The load lifter mechanism 506 comprises a left member 508 and a right member 510 that are securely affixed to the first elongated tubular structure (not labeled) and the second elongated tubular structure (not labeled) respectively, while the user back harness 500 may be securely and detachably fastened to the left member 508 and the right member 510 of the load lifter mechanism through for example a fabric strip.

[0058] As better shown in FIG. 7, when the user is carrying a child using the carrying device, the child exerts a downward gravitational force onto the carrying device, a portion of which is transferred directly on the carrying device's shoulders, and another portion is exerted onto the support frame. The portion of the downward gravitational force exerted on the support frame can be separated into two force components. One force component travels downward along the support frame to be counter balanced by a force exerted on the support frame by the user hipbelt. Another force component is directed towards the back and is counter balanced by a pulling force exerted by the user back harness via the load lifter mechanism. The load lifter mechanism may further contain a locking mechanism so that during its locked state, the user back harness is securely and safely fastened or hooked onto the load lifter mechanism by for example a strip, and during its unlocked state, the user back harness may be detached from the load lifter mechanism.

[0059] The load lifter mechanism may comprise a locking mechanism so that during its locked state, the user back harness 500 is securely and safely fastened or hooked onto the load lifter mechanism 506, and the locking mechanism is configured to prevent the user back harness 500 from unintentionally detaching from the support frame (not labeled). During the its unlocked state, the user back harness 500 may be detached from the load lifter mechanism 506 and thus be removed from the support frame. In one example, the locking mechanism may be a "J" shaped structure placed horizontally, the interior space of the tip of the "J" shape is so small that the fabric strip of the user back harness once hooked, cannot be removed without user intentionally detaching the strip from the locking mechanism. In another example, the locking mechanism may be a circular self-locking hook, where the opening faces the opposite direction of the pull, thus the strip of the user back harness once hooked and locked into the load lifter mechanism, cannot be removed without user's intentionally removing the strip from the locking mechanism. The load lifter mechanism may be configured in such a way that it may be used as a point of attachment for attaching additional weight onto the support frame via an attachment mechanism such as a self-locking hook.

[0060] The user back harness is secured to the support frame underneath the child seat support. The child seat padding sits on top of the pair of user shoulder straps. The left and right extension portions of the child seat padding lie on top of and may be detachably attached to the respective shoulder straps. This spatial relationship between the child seat support and the user back harness limits and restrains the child's legs to the front of the user's shoulders, providing additional security while the child is seated in the carrying device.

User Hipbelt

[0061] As better illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B, the example user hipbelt (e.g. user hipbelt 106 of FIGS. 1A-1B) of the child carrying device, secured about the user's hip or waist at an adjustable length for providing adjoining location 614 which the lower ends of the support frame rest on or attach to, and for receiving and transferring a significant portion of the carried weight from the support frame onto the user's hip or waist. The user hipbelt 600 comprises a belt 602 for securing about a user's hip or waist at adjustable length, attachment mechanism 604 for providing adjoining location which the lower ends of the support frame rest on or attach to, and a safety strap 606 for tightening and adjusting the length of the belt around the user's hip.

[0062] The attachment mechanism 604 comprises a left member 608 and a right member 610 affixed to the back side of the belt and is adapted to provide the adjoining location 614 which lower ends of the support frame rest on or attach to. The adjoining location which lower ends of the support frame rest on or attach to may be selectively adjusted to accommodate users of different torso length.

[0063] In one implementation, the left member and the right member of the attachment mechanism may each comprise multiple sockets or opening slits vertically aligned and affixed to the back side of the belt, and user of the user carrier may selectively insert the lower end of the support frame into any one of the multiple sockets or opening slits to adjust the distance or length of the support frame corresponding to the user's torso length. For example, the left member and the right member of the attachment mechanism may each contain three or multiple sockets or opening slits vertically aligned and affixed to the belt, with one socket or opening slit affixed on the higher end of the belt, one socket or opening slit vertically aligned and affixed on the lower end of the belt, and another socket or opening slit vertically aligned and affixed in between; user of the user carrier may selectively insert the lower ends of the support frame into the higher sockets or opening slits to generate a shorter distance or length of the support frame corresponding to the user's torso length to accommodate a user of a relatively shorter torso length; alternatively user of the carrying device may selectively insert the lower ends of the support frame into the lower sockets or opening slits to generate a longer distance or length of the support frame corresponding to the user's torso length to accommodate a user of a relatively longer torso length.

[0064] In another implementation, the left member and the right member of the attachment mechanism may each comprise location-adjustable sockets or opening slits which the lower ends of the support frame insert into to rest on or attach to, with the exact insertion point and adjoining location adjustable. For example, the left member and the right member of the attachment mechanism may contain vertical opening slits affixed to the belt with a zip-locking mechanism, and user of the user may adjust the length of the opening with the zip-locking mechanism to in order to adjust the adjoining location which the lower ends of the support frame insert into to rest on or attach to. Customizing the adjoining location to be higher on the belt may generate a shorter distance or length of the support frame corresponding to the user's torso length, to accommodate an user of shorter torso length, alternatively, customizing the adjoining location to be lower on the belt may generate a longer distance or length of the support frame corresponding to the user's torso length, to accommodate an user of longer torso length.

[0065] In some implementations, the left member and the right member of the attachment mechanism may contain length-adjustable extension screws which the lower ends of the support frame may screw onto and be attached to the hipbelt. In another implementation, the support frame may be configured to be extended in length, as discussed above. The extension may lengthen the support frame which is configured to further accommodate users of longer torso length.

[0066] The safety strap 606 is affixed to a distal portion of the belt at its front side at an adjustable length, adapted to extend across the user's abdominal and tensioning the belt about the user's hip or waist such that the provided tension secures and tightens the belt around the user's hip or waist at an adjustable length. In one implementation, the safety strap may contain a first strap and a second strap, each affixed to the respective side of the belt on one end and releasably engaged to each other on the other end.

[0067] FIG. 7 illustrates the example child carrier device in use by a carrier while carrying a. child. The child seat support 104 holds the carried child and is detachably secured to the top of the support frame 102. The carrier back harness 106 straps the device onto the carrier's shoulders or torso; and the carrier hipbelt 108 secures about the carrier's hip or waist, of which lower ends of the support frame attach and rest on to. When the device is in use with a seated child, the child sits back into the child seat support and leans into the support frame, exerting a diagonally downward force. The current carrier device is configured to transfer the carried child's weight to the carrier's shoulders, torso, and hip or waist, of which the below embodiment below further discuss.

[0068] FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate the child carrier device in the device's deployed state and folded state along with additional load in the form of backpack attached to the device. During the device's deployed state, the upper portion 202 extends away from the lower portion 204 of the support frame. During the device's folded state, the upper portion 202 pivots at the folding mechanism and folds toward the lower portion 204 of the support frame.

[0069] FIG. 9 further illustrates one implementation of the child carrier device 100A-100B of FIG. 1A-1B in the device's deployed state with additional load in the form of a backpack attached to the device. According to an embodiment herein, the additional load in the form of the backpack is attached to the child carrying device 100A-100B in the deployed state. FIG. 10A illustrates a back view 1000A of the example child carrying device 100 of FIGS. 1A-1B in the device's deployed state. In an embodiment, the foldable support frame includes an upper portion and a lower portion joined by a folding mechanism, whereas the folding mechanism allows the upper portion of the support frame to extend away from the lower portion into a deployed state of the child carrying device and allows the upper portion to fold towards the back side to meet the lower portion into a folded state of the carrying device. This allows the carrying device to transition between a deployed state and a folded state that makes the carrying device portable, easily stored, and conserving space when the carrying device is not in use. FIG. 10B illustrates an additional load in the form of backpack 1000B that can be attached to the child carrying device 100 of FIGS. 1A-1B. In an embodiment, the present child carrying device facilitates the users to carry additional loads and an optimum carrying device is configured to accommodate additional loads easily. FIG. 11 illustrates the side view of the child carrying device 100A-100B of FIGS. 1A-1B in the device's folded state without any additional load attached. The easy configuration of the carrying device allows the user to transition the carrying device between a deployed state and the folded state that makes the carrying device portable, easily stored, and conserving space when the carrying device is not in use. FIG. 12 illustrates the side view of the child carrying device 100A-100B of FIGS. 1A-1B in the device's folded state with additional load in the form of backpack attached to the carrying device. According to an embodiment herein, the additional load in the form of the backpack is attached to the child carrying device 100A-100B in the folded state.

[0070] In this description, the directional prepositions of upper, lower, upper edge, lower edge, left, right, left edge, right edge, front, back, front side, back side, downward, diagonally downward and other such terms refer to the direction of the carrying device from the perspective of a user wearing the carrying device. The prepositions are used for convenience only and are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the carrying device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0071] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and "at least one" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or contradicted by the context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0072] It is noted and anticipated that although the child carrying device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the carrying device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the intention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner.

[0073] While various embodiments have been described, other embodiments are plausible. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions of various examples of a child carrying device are not intended to be limiting, and any number of modifications, combinations, and alternatives of the examples may be employed.

[0074] The examples described herein are merely illustrative, as numerous other embodiments may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, while certain features of the invention may be described above only in the context of certain examples or configurations, these features may be exchanged, added, and removed from and between the various embodiments or configurations while remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A child carrying device for carrying a child over a user's shoulders, comprising: a foldable support frame; a child seat support for securing a child on a user's shoulders, wherein the child seat support is attached to the foldable support frame; and a user hipbelt to secure about the user's hip or waist, wherein the user hipbelt comprising an attachment mechanism for providing an adjustable adjoining location to allow the foldable support frame to attach to the user hipbelt to accommodate the user's torso length; wherein the carrying device is configured to transfer a portion of the child's weight from the child seat support to the foldable support frame, from the foldable support frame to the user hipbelt, and from the user hipbelt to the user's hip or waist, wherein the child seat support comprises a child back padding for supporting the child's back, a child seat padding for seating the child, and a length-adjustable child safety strap for strapping the child into the child seat support at an adjustable length, wherein the child seat support comprises a portable and collapsible sunshade removably attached to the child back padding, and adapted to extend over the child's head to provide coverage and shade during sun exposure.

2. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the foldable support frame comprising an upper portion and a lower portion joined by a folding mechanism; and the foldable support frame comprises a front side and a back side, wherein folding mechanism is configured to allow the upper portion of the foldable support frame to extend away from the lower portion into a deployed state and to fold towards the back side into a folded state.

3. The carrying device of claim 2, wherein the upper portion of the foldable support frame comprises a U-shaped tubular structure, and the lower portion of the foldable support frame comprises a first elongated tubular structure and a second elongated tubular structure.

4. The carrying device of claim 2, wherein the folding mechanism comprises a first member and a second member, wherein each member comprising (1) a hollow recess, (2) a narrower-diameter portion, and (3) a pull-out unit spring, wherein the pull-out unit spring is fixedly attached to an inner surface of the hollow recess at one end and fixedly attached to the narrower-diameter portion at the other end, and when at its relaxed state holds the narrower-diameter portion within the hollow recess, and when at its pull-out state extends the narrower-diameter portion to the outside of the hollow recess configured to allow the upper portion of the foldable support frame to pivot towards the back side of the foldable support frame.

5. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the user hipbelt further comprises a belt for securing about the user's hip or waist at an adjustable length, an attachment mechanism for providing an adjustable adjoining location to allow the lower ends of the foldable support frame to rest on or attach to, and a safety strap for securing and tightening the belt about the user's hip or waist at an adjustable length.

6. (canceled)

7. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the child carrying device further comprises a user back harness for strapping the carrying device onto the user's shoulders and torso.

8. A child carrying device for carrying a child over a user's shoulders, comprising: a foldable support frame; a child seat support attached to the foldable support frame, the child seat support comprising a child back padding for supporting the child's back, a child seat padding for seating the child, a user back harness for strapping the child carrying device onto the user's shoulders and torso; and a load lifter mechanism attached to the foldable support frame for detachably fastening the user back harness onto the foldable support frame; wherein when the child is seated in the carrying device exerting a diagonally downward force, the load lifter mechanism is configured to pull onto the user back harness horizontally, wherein when the child is seated in the carrying device exerting a diagonally downward force, the carrying device is configured to transfer a portion of the child's weight from the child seat support to the foldable support frame, from the foldable support frame subsequently to the user back harness through the load lifter mechanism, wherein the child seat support comprises a length-adjustable child safety strap for strapping the child into the child seat support at an adjustable length, wherein the child seat support comprises a portable and collapsible sunshade removably attached to the child back padding, and adapted to extend over the child's head to provide coverage and shade during sun exposure.

9. The carrying device of claim 8, wherein the load lifter mechanism comprising (1) a left member affixed onto a first elongated tubular structure of the foldable support frame, and (2) a right member affixed onto a second elongated tubular structure of the foldable support frame.

10. The carrying device of claim 8, wherein the user back harness of the child carrying device is detachably fastened onto the left member and the right member of the load lifter mechanism.

11. The carrying device of claim 8, wherein the user back harness comprises (1) a user back padding, (2) a pair of user shoulder straps, (3) a pair of leg restraints for restraining the carried child's legs onto the pair of user shoulder straps, and (4) a user sternum strap adapted to secure the pair of user shoulder straps onto the user's torso and to prevent the pair of user shoulder straps from moving sideways.

12. The carrying device of claim 8, wherein the child carrying device further comprises a user hipbelt secured about the user's hip or waist and comprising an attachment mechanism for providing an adjustable adjoining location to allow the foldable support frame to rest on or attach to the user hipbelt to accommodate the user's torso length.

13. A child carrying device for carrying a child over a user's shoulders, comprising: a foldable support frame comprising an upper portion and a lower portion joined by a folding mechanism; wherein the foldable support frame comprises a front side and a back side, and the folding mechanism is configured to allow the upper portion of the foldable support frame to extend away from the lower portion into a deployed state and to fold towards the back side into a folded state; wherein the upper portion of the foldable support frame comprises a U-shaped tubular structure, and the lower portion of the foldable support frame comprises a first elongated tubular structure and a second elongated tubular structure; wherein the folding mechanism comprises a first member and a second member, wherein each member comprising (1) a hollow recess, (2) a narrower-diameter portion, and (3) a pull-out unit spring, wherein the pull-out unit spring is fixedly attached to an inner surface of the hollow recess at one end and fixedly attached to the narrower-diameter portion at the other end, and when at its relaxed state holds the narrower-diameter portion within the hollow recess, and when at its pull-out state extends the narrower-diameter portion to the outside of the hollow recess configured to allow the upper portion of the foldable support frame to pivot towards the back side of the foldable support frame; a child seat support comprising a child back padding for supporting the child's back, a child seat padding for seating the child, and a length-adjustable child safety strap for strapping the child into the child seat support at an adjustable length, wherein the child seat support comprises a portable and collapsible sunshade removably attached to the child back padding, and adapted to extend over the child's head to provide coverage and shade during sun exposure; wherein the child back padding comprising an upper edge and a lower edge, the child back padding is adapted to removably enclose the upper portion of the foldable support frame and transfer a portion of the child's weight onto the foldable support frame via the upper edge; wherein the child seat padding comprising an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge of the child seat padding is affixed to the lower edge of the child back padding so that a portion of the child's weight placed on the child seat padding is at least in part transferred to the foldable support frame via the child back padding; wherein the lower edge of the child seat padding defines a left extension portion, a right extension portion and a semi-circular open space in between the left extension portion and the right extension portion, wherein the semi-circular open space provides a movable space for the user's neck; a user back harness for strapping the child carrying device onto the user's shoulders and torso and is detachably affixed to the foldable support frame below the child seat support by a load lifter mechanism affixed to the foldable support frame, wherein the user back harness comprising (1) a user back padding, (2) a pair of user shoulder straps, (3) a pair of leg restraints for restraining the carried child's legs onto the pair of user shoulder straps, and (4) a user sternum strap adapted to secure the pair of user shoulder straps onto the user's torso and to prevent the pair of user shoulder straps from moving sideways; and a user hipbelt for transferring a portion of the carried weight or the child's weight onto the user's hip or waist, the user hipbelt comprising a belt for securing about the user's hip or waist at an adjustable length, an attachment mechanism for providing an adjustable adjoining location to allow the lower ends of the foldable support frame to rest on or attach to, and a safety strap for securing and tightening the belt about the user's hip or waist at an adjustable length.