One-hand fold handle for infant carrier

Abstract

An infant carrier includes a seat shell and a handle. The handle may be moved between a carrying position and a storage position by actuating, with only one hand, an actuator assembly provided in the handle. When actuated, an actuator of the actuator assembly disengages locking mechanisms associated with first and second ends of the handle where the handle is joined to the seat shell. The disengagement of the locking mechanisms enables to the handle to be rotated with respect to the seat shell.

1 . A carrier configured to be secured to a base of an infant seat, the carrier comprising: 
 a seat shell including an infant seating area and first and second handle mounts on opposite sides of the infant seating area;    a handle rotatably coupled to the seat shell such that first and second ends of the handle are mounted to the first and second handle mounts, respectively;    first and second locking mechanisms associated with the first and second ends of the handle, respectively, the first and second locking mechanisms being configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and    an actuator mounted to the handle, the actuator being configured to unlock the first and second locking mechanisms solely by moving the actuator from a locked position to an unlocked position relative to the handle.    
   
   
       2 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator slides in a direction parallel to the handle.  
   
   
       3 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator slides in a direction normal to the handle.  
   
   
       4 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator communicates with the first and second locking mechanisms via first and second cords, respectively.  
   
   
       5 . The carrier according to  claim 4 , wherein the handle includes a housing, and wherein the first and second cords extend through the housing to the first and second locking mechanisms, respectively.  
   
   
       6 . An infant carrier comprising: 
 a seat shell including an infant seating area, a first handle mount, and a second handle mount;    a handle rotatably coupled to the first and second handle mounts;    first and second locking mechanisms associated with the first and second handle mounts, respectively, the first and second locking mechanisms being configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and    an actuator assembly that is mounted to the handle, the actuator assembly being configured to engage and disengage the first and second locking mechanisms thereby enabling the handle to rotate with respect to the seat shell.    
   
   
       7 . The carrier according to  claim 6 , wherein the actuator assembly comprises an actuator that slides in a direction parallel to the handle.  
   
   
       8 . The carrier according to  claim 6 , wherein the actuator assembly comprises an actuator that slides in a direction normal to the handle.  
   
   
       9 . The carrier according to  claim 6 , wherein the actuator assembly comprises an actuator, a first cord, and a second cord, wherein the actuator communicates with the first and second locking mechanisms via the first and second cords, respectively.  
   
   
       10 . The carrier according to  claim 9 , wherein the handle includes a housing, and wherein the first and second cords extend through the housing to the first and second locking mechanisms, respectively.  
   
   
       11 . A carrier configured to be secured to a base of an infant seat, the carrier comprising: 
 a seat shell including an infant seating area and first and second handle mounts on opposite sides of the infant seating area;    a handle rotatably coupled to the seat shell such that first and second ends of the handle are mounted to the first and second handle mounts, respectively;    at least one locking mechanism associated with one of the first and second ends of the handle, the at least one locking mechanism being configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and    an actuator provided in the handle in a position intermediate the first and second ends of the handle, the actuator being configured to unlock the at least one locking mechanism solely by moving the actuator from a locked position to an unlocked position relative to the handle.    
   
   
       12 . The carrier according to  claim 11 , wherein the actuator slides in a direction parallel to the handle.  
   
   
       13 . The carrier according to  claim 11 , wherein the actuator slides in a direction normal to the handle.  
   
   
       14 . The carrier according to  claim 11 , wherein the carrier comprises first and second locking mechanisms associated with the first and second ends of the handle, respectively.  
   
   
       15 . The carrier according to  claim 14 , wherein the actuator communicates with the first and second locking mechanisms via first and second cords, respectively.  
   
   
       16 . The carrier according to  claim 15 , wherein the handle includes a housing, and wherein the first and second cords extend through the housing to the first and second locking mechanisms, respectively.  
   
   
       17 . An infant carrier comprising: 
 a seat shell including an infant seating area, a first handle mount, and a second handle mount;    a handle rotatably coupled to the first and second handle mounts;    at least one locking mechanism associated with one of the first and second handle mounts, the at least one locking mechanism being configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and    an actuator mounted to the handle, the actuator being configured to unlock all of the locking mechanisms solely by moving the actuator from a locked position to an unlocked position relative to the handle.