Baby carrier and diaper bag system

Abstract

A multifunctional baby carrier and diaper bag apparatus that seamlessly combines at least two essential baby products - permutations of a baby carrier and a diaper bag. Such an apparatus allows a user to wear each of the carried products separately, if desired, or simultaneously using a multi-purposed, interchangeable shoulder strap system.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for carrying at least one of a baby carrier and a carry bag, the apparatus comprising:
 a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, each shoulder strap having first and second ends and outer facing and inner facing surfaces;   a plurality of releasable shoulder strap fasteners disposed on each shoulder strap, the plurality of releasable shoulder strap fasteners comprising a first releasable shoulder strap fastener disposed at the first end of each shoulder strap and a second releasable shoulder strap fastener disposed at the second end of each shoulder strap;   a baby carrier comprising a plurality of releasable carrier fasteners that are releasably connectable to at least the first and second releasable shoulder strap fasteners; and   a carry bag comprising a plurality of releasable bag fasteners that are releasably connectable to at least the first and second releasable shoulder strap fasteners.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a belt attached to a portion of the baby carrier, wherein the belt is securable around a torso of a user and comprises a belt clip assembly that is releasably connectable to a mating connector on the carry bag. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a third releasable shoulder strap fastener disposed on each shoulder strap. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each first shoulder strap fastener is disposed on the inner facing surface of the first and second shoulder straps and each second and third shoulder strap fasteners are disposed on the outer facing surface of the first and second shoulder straps. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the shoulder straps are padded. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a strap and clips for releasably connecting the first shoulder strap to the second shoulder strap. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the carry bag is a diaper bag. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap are individually detachable from either or both the baby carrier and the carry bag. 
     
     
         10 . A method of using the apparatus of  claim 2  for carrying the baby carrier comprising the steps of:
 connecting each first releasable shoulder strap connector of the first and second shoulder straps to a respective first mating fastener of the plurality of releasable carrier fasteners of the baby carrier; 
 positioning the first shoulder strap on a shoulder the user and the second shoulder strap on another shoulder of the user; 
 connecting each second releasable shoulder strap connector of the first and second shoulder straps to a respective second mating fastener of the plurality of releasable carrier fasteners of the baby carrier; and 
 securing the belt around the user's torso. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method of using the apparatus of  claim 2  for carrying the carry bag comprising the steps of:
 connecting each first releasable shoulder strap connector of the first and second shoulder straps to a respective first mating fastener of the plurality of releasable carrier fasteners of the carry bag; 
 positioning the first shoulder strap on a shoulder of the user and the second shoulder strap on another shoulder of the user; and 
 connecting each second releasable shoulder strap connector of the first and second shoulder straps to a respective second mating fastener of the plurality of releasable bag fasteners of the carry bag. 
 
     
     
         12 . A method of using the apparatus of  claim 4  for carrying both the baby carrier and the carry bag simultaneously comprising the steps of:
 connecting each first releasable shoulder strap connector of the first and second shoulder straps to a respective first mating fastener of the plurality of releasable carrier fasteners of the baby carrier; 
 positioning the first shoulder strap on a shoulder of the user and the second shoulder strap on another shoulder of the user; 
 connecting each second releasable shoulder strap connector the first and second shoulder straps to a respective second mating fastener of the plurality of releasable carrier fasteners of the baby carrier; 
 securing the belt around the user's torso; and 
 connecting each third releasable shoulder strap connector of the first and second shoulder straps to a respective third mating fastener of the plurality of releasable bag fasteners of the carry bag. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of connecting the belt clip assembly to the mating connector on the carry bag.