US20050168023A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20050168023A1
Application number: US10/999,148
Authority: US
Inventors: Shiva Gangadharan; Matthew Morgenstern
Original assignee: Graco Childrens Products Inc
Current assignee: Graco Childrens Products Inc
Priority date: 2003-12-01
Filing date: 2004-11-30
Publication date: 2005-08-04
Also published as: WO2005054001A1

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/525,849, filed Dec. 1, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/561,530, filed Apr. 13, 2004, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to an infant car seat including a foldable handle that may be rotated between a carrying position (in which an infant in the car seat may be carried) and a storage position (in which access to a seating area in the car seat is facilitated).

Rear-facing infant car seats generally include a base that can be secured to a vehicle seat and an infant carrier detachably coupled to the base. The infant carrier has a carrying handle so that a parent can carry a sleeping child from car to home without disturbing the child. The infant carrier also can be snapped onto a stroller to make a travel system. Thus, the infant carrier can play an important part in daily parental care of a child, and ease of use of the infant carrier is critical to parents.

When a parent wants to place a child in the carrier, the carrying handle needs to be away from the child seating area (i.e., in the stored position) so the child can be secured safely in the carrier. Carriers with handles generally have a handle lock on each side of the carrier, both of which must be released to rotate the handle away from the child seating area. Oftentimes, the handle is left in the up (or carrying) position. When the parent goes to place the child in the carrier, the parent cannot simultaneously manipulate the handle and hold the child. Instead, the parent must set the child down, away from the carrier, then use both hands to unlock and rotate the handle away from the child seating area, and finally lift and place the child in the carrier. This sequence can be awkward, frustrating, and time-consuming for the parent.

In light of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for an infant carrier with an improved handle release and rotation mechanism.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a carrier configured to be secured to a base of an infant seat. This carrier includes, among other possible things: 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.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an infant carrier that includes, among other possible things: 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.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a carrier configured to be secured to a base of an infant seat. This carrier includes, among other possible things: 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.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an infant carrier that includes, among other possible things: 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.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a child carrier, including a handle in a carrying position;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the carrier ofFIG. 1A but with the handle in a stored position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a connection between the handle and a seat shell of the carrier ofFIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a locking member engaged with the handle of the carrier ofFIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 4A is front view of the locking member ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4B is a rear view of the locking member ofFIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is an isometric view of a handle mount configured to receive the locking member ofFIGS. 4A and 4B;

FIG. 5B is a front view of the handle mount portion ofFIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is an exploded, isometric, partial cut-away view of a portion of the handle, showing the relationship between a conical portion of the locking member ofFIGS. 4A and 4B and a cord engagement member;

FIG. 6B is an end view of the cord engagement member and the conical portion of the locking member in a resting state;

FIG. 6C is a side view of the cord engagement member and the conical portion of the locking member in the resting state shown inFIG. 6B;

FIG. 6D is an end view of the cord engagement member and the conical portion of the locking member in an actuated state;

FIG. 6E is a side view of the cord engagement member and the conical portion of the locking member in the actuated state shown inFIG. 6D;

FIG. 7A is a break-away perspective view of a push-button actuator assembly provided in the handle of the carrier shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the figure showing that the push-button actuator is connected to a cord that, in turn, is connected to the cord engagement member;

FIG. 7B is an exterior, close-up perspective view of the push-button actuator shown inFIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a break-away perspective view of the push-button actuator shown inFIG. 7A, the figure showing that the actuator has sloped surfaces that, when pushed rearward, can force a cord connector to be pulled inward, thereby pulling the cord and, in turn, the cord engagement member;

FIG. 8B is a break-away perspective view, in partial cross section, of the push-button actuator ofFIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a break-away perspective view, in partial cross section, of the push-button actuator ofFIG. 8A, showing the push-button actuator actuated such that the sloped surfaces are driven into the cord connectors, thereby pulling the cord connectors toward the center of the handle;

FIG. 9A is a break-away perspective view of an alternative actuator assembly; and

FIG. 9B is a break-away perspective view of the slide-button actuator assembly shown inFIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. An effort has been made to use the same reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate aninfant carrier100 having anadjustable handle110 that can be folded with one hand according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Thecarrier100 includes aseat shell120, a paddedseating portion105 serving as an infant seating area, anadjustable handle110, ahandle gripping portion112, and ahandle actuator820. Thehandle gripping portion112, which extends along a substantial portion of the horizontal portion ofadjustable handle110, allows a person carrying thecarrier100 to grip thehandle110 comfortably at any point along thehandle gripping portion112.

Thehandle110 is connected to theseat shell120 at two handle ends118, each of which contains a locking mechanism200 (shown inFIG. 2) that is configured to releasably fix the orientation of thehandle110 with respect to theseat shell120. Specifically, thehandle110 is configured to be locked (by means of the lockingmechanisms200 associated with the handle ends118) in several distinct rotational positions including, but not limited to, a carrying position (shown inFIG. 1A) and a stored position (shown inFIG. 1B). In the carrying position, a parent may carry an infant seated in theseating portion105. In the stored position, in which thehandle110 does not impede direct access to theseating portion105, a parent can easily place an infant in theseating portion105 or remove the infant from theseating portion105.

Theseat shell120 and theadjustable handle110 may be constructed of any appropriate rigid material. For example, theseat shell120 and theadjustable handle110 may be constructed of metal or a high-strength plastic such as an injection molded plastic.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded isometric view of thelocking mechanism200 of thecarrier100. It is to be understood that although only onelocking mechanism200 is shown and described, lockingmechanisms200 are provided on both ends of thehandle110. Accordingly, the following discussion of thelocking mechanism200 is equally applicable to the locking mechanism at the other end of thehandle110. Thelocking mechanism200 may include a lockingmember220, a lockingmember receiving portion210 at theend118 of thehandle110, and ahandle mount240 formed on a side of theseat shell120.

The lockingmember220 includes arecess portion221, aconical portion222, acylindrical portion224,alignment locking tabs227, a plurality ofteeth229, which include at least onekey tooth228, andover-rotation prevention tabs226. The lockingmember220 may be constructed of any appropriate rigid material. For example, lockingmember220 may be constructed of metal or a high-strength plastic such as an injection molded plastic.

Thehandle110 includes the lockingmember receiving portion210, which, in turn, includesover-rotation prevention tabs212 and lockingridges216.Small gaps218 andlarge gaps214 are formed between lockingridges216. Thelarge gaps214 are configured to engage the at least onekey tooth228, or twoteeth229. In contrast, thesmall gaps218 are configured to engage asingle tooth229 and will not receive thekey tooth228 due to their size. Theover-rotation prevention tabs212 are configured to engage theover-rotation prevention tabs226 of the lockingmember220 to limit the extent of rotation of thehandle110 with respect to lockingmember220. Thehandle110 and associated components of thelocking mechanism200 may be constructed of any appropriate rigid material. For example, thehandle110 and its lockingmember receiving portion210, includingtabs212 and lockingridges216, may be constructed of metal or a high-strength plastic such as an injection molded plastic.

Locking mechanism

200 also may include abiasing spring230 to urge theconical portion222 of the lockingmember220 towards the lockingmember receiving portion210 of thehandle110. Thehandle mount240 can receive one end of the biasingspring230. The other end of thespring230 can be received in therecess221 in the lockingmember220. Thus, the biasingspring230 biases the lockingmember220 and itsconical portion222 toward thehandle110. More specifically, the biasingspring230 biases the lockingmember220 so that it is partially received in the lockingmember receiving portion210 of thehandle110, whereas the remainder of the lockingmember220 is received in thehandle mount240. As the biasingspring230 biases the lockingmember220 to engage both the lockingmember receiving portion210 of thehandle110 and thehandle mount240, movement of the locking member receiving portion210 (and, therefore, the handle110) with respect to thehandle mount240 can be releasably inhibited.

FIG. 2 also shows apin270 that serves as an axle for the rotation of thehandle110. Thepin270 passes through the lockingmember receiving portion210 of thehandle110, the lockingmember220, the biasingspring230, and thehandle mount240 to secure the entire assembly together. Although not shown, thepin270 may have threads thereon (e.g., thepin270 may be in the form of a screw) that are configured to engage matching threads formed in or on thehandle mount240. However, it should be understood that thepin270 may be formed from any appropriate attachment mechanism such as a screw, a bolt, a shaft with a lock pin, etc.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a portion of ahandle110. Thehandle110 includes lockingmember receiving portion210,over-rotation prevention tabs212, lockingridges216,small gaps218, andlarge gaps214. Furthermore, handle110 includes apin hole310, which is configured to receive thepin270, and a raisedcylindrical boss315. As shown, thehandle100 may include three pairs oflarge gaps214 and, therefore, have three distinct locking positions. However, it should be understood that any number of distinct locking positions could be accommodated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 4A shows a front view of the lockingmember220. The lockingmember220 includesconical portion222 having atip223,cylindrical portion224,alignment locking tabs227, teeth229 (including the at least one key tooth228),over-rotation prevention tabs226, and apin hole510. The other side of the lockingmember220, which is shown inFIG. 4B, includes therecess portion221.

FIG. 5A shows an isometric view of thehandle mount240. Thehandle mount240 includes apin hole610, aspring mounting surface620, locking tab receiving cut-outs630, lockingridges640, and keytooth receiving gaps650. As shown inFIG. 5B, which is a front view of thehandle mount240, the keytooth receiving gaps650 are configured to receive thekey teeth228, while the lockingridges640 are configured to receive theother teeth229. During assembly, the biasingspring230 is placed betweenpin hole610 and thespring mounting surface620. Subsequently, the lockingmember220 is placed into thehandle mount240 untilalignment locking tabs227 engage the locking tab receiving cut-outs630. As a result, the lockingmember220 is biased away from thehandle mount240 toward the lockingmember receiving portion210.

With reference toFIGS. 2 and 5A, the locking tab receiving cut-outs630 are longer in the axial direction than thealignment locking tabs227. Thus, the lockingmember220 is able to move axially (when biasingspring230 is compressed) with respect to thehandle mount240, without becoming completely disengaged from thehandle mount240. However, the lockingmember220 is prevented from rotating with respect to thehandle mount240 when the lockingmember220 is received in thehandle mount240 as a result of the engagement of theteeth229 and the lockingridges640.

Adjustment of thehandle110 of thecarrier100 now will be described in detail with reference to actuator assembly embodiments shown inFIGS. 6A-9B. A first actuator assembly embodiment will be described with respect toFIGS. 6A-8B and an alternate actuator assembly embodiment will subsequently be described with respect toFIGS. 9A and 9B. Preliminarily, however, certain components of thelocking mechanism200 of each of the actuator assembly embodiments will be discussed with reference toFIGS. 6A-6E.

As stated above, thelocking mechanism200 can include the lockingmember220, the lockingmember receiving portion210, thespring230, and thehandle mount240. Acord engagement member250 can interface with the lockingmember220.FIG. 6A is a exploded, isometric, partial cut-away view of a portion of thehandle110 of thecarrier100 and illustrates the positioning of thecord engagement member250 in the lockingmember receiving portion210 and relative to the lockingmember220. Thecord engagement member250 is positioned against aninner wall150 of the lockingmember receiving portion210 to slide along theinner wall150 upon actuation of the actuator assembly. In addition, thecord engagement member250 includes a generally triangular ortrapezoidal slot252 to receive theconical portion222 of the lockingmember220. Theconical portion222 of the lockingmember220 is urged intoslot252 of thecord engagement member250 byspring230.

As shown inFIGS. 6B and 6C, in a resting position, the end of theconical portion222 resides within thetriangular slot252. More specifically, the end of theconical portion222 spans thewider base254 of thetriangular slot252 such that, as seen inFIG. 6B, atip223 of theconical portion222 is not in contact with the sides of thetriangular slot252. Further, theteeth229 of the lockingmember220 are engaged with both thesmall gaps218 of the lockingmember receiving portion210 of thehandle110 and the lockingridges640 of thehandle mount240. Similarly, thekey teeth228 are engaged with thelarge gaps214 in the lockingmember receiving portion210 of thehandle110 and the keytooth receiving gaps650 of thehandle mount240.

By comparison, in an actuated state shown inFIGS. 6D and 6E (in which thecord engagement member250 is pulled toward the center of thehandle110, as later explained in detail), theconical portion222 of the lockingmember receiving portion210 is drawn into contact with thetriangular slot252. As a result, thetip223 of theconical portion222 comes into contact with thepeak256 and the sides of thetriangular slot252. In addition, as a result of the narrowing of thetriangular slot252, as theconical portion222 nears thepeak256, theconical portion222 is moved laterally out of theslot252, away from the lockingmember receiving portion210 and toward thehandle mount240.

When theconical portion222 is moved laterally to the position inFIG. 6E, the biasingspring230 is compressed, and the lockingmember220 is pushed completely into thehandle mount240 to an actuated position. In other words, theteeth229 of the lockingmember220 are disengaged from thesmall gaps218 in the lockingmember receiving portion210 of thehandle110 and are completely housed in the lockingridges640 of thehandle mount240. Similarly, thekey teeth228 are forced out of thelarge gaps214 in the lockingmember receiving portion210 of thehandle110 and are completely housed in the keytooth receiving gaps650 of thehandle mount240.

When the lockingmember220 is completely housed in thehandle mount240, the lockingmember220 is corresponding completely disengaged from the lockingmember receiving portion210 of thehandle110. As a result, thehandle110 is able to rotate with respect to the lockingmember220 and thehandle mount240. For example, thehandle110 may be rotated from the carrying position (shown inFIG. 1A) to the stored position (shown inFIG. 1B) in which the paddedseating portion105 is readily accessible.

When thehandle110 is rotated to a desired position at which thekey teeth228 are aligned with thelarge gaps214 in the lockingmember receiving portion210 of thehandle110, the lockingmember220 may be returned to the resting state, as later described in detail. To return the lockingmember220 to the resting state, the biasingspring230 pushes the lockingmember220 into the lockingmember receiving portion210 of thehandle110, thereby once again locking thehandle110 with respect to the lockingmember220 and thehandle mount240.

To move theconical portion222 of the lockingmember220 between the resting and actuated positions, the invention contemplates an actuator assembly, such as the embodiments shown inFIGS. 7A-8C and9B-9B.

Anexemplary actuator assembly800 is shown inFIGS. 7A-8C. For purposes of simplicity, thisactuator assembly800 is discussed with respect to thelocking mechanism200 on one side of thecarrier100. It is be understood, however, that the other locking mechanism200 (i.e., the one on the other side of the carrier) is actuated in the same manner and by thesame actuator assembly800.

Actuator assembly

800 can include acord810 that terminates at cord engagement member250 (shown in more detail inFIGS. 6A-6E), acord connector830, and a push-button actuator820. Thecord810, which may be made out of a flexible but strong material (e.g., a polymer, rope, wire, etc.), connects thecord connector830 to thecord engagement member250. Thecord connector830, thecord810, and thecord engagement member250 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, these three components may be formed separately and then subsequently adjoined.

As shown inFIG. 7B, aportion822 of the push-button actuator820 projects through thehandle110 and is, therefore, externally accessible to a user for purposes of actuation, as hereafter described with respect toFIGS. 8A-8C. InFIGS. 8A and 8B, it can be seen that asloped surface824 of the push-button820 is received within aslot832 formed in thecord connector830. As a result, when theaccessible portion822 of the push-button actuator820 is pushed into the handle110 (i.e., in the direction of arrow α shown inFIGS. 7A and 8C), thecord connector830 rides along the slopedsurface824, thereby moving toward thecenter160 of the handle110 (i.e., in the direction of arrow β).

As thecord connector830 moves toward the center of thehandle110, it pulls thecord810 and, in turn, thecord engagement member250 toward thecenter160 of thehandle110. As a result, thecord engagement member250 moves in the direction of arrow ω, shown inFIG. 7A. Further, as thecord engagement member250 moves in the direction of arrow ω, the lockingmember220 moves laterally inward with respect to thecord engagement member250. In other words, the lockingmember220 moves in the direction of arrow β (as shown inFIG. 7A) and is, therefore, forced into the actuated state, previously discussed with respect toFIGS. 6D and 6E.

To return the lockingmember220 to the resting state shown inFIGS. 6B and 6C, the user releases the push-button820. When the push-button820 is released, the biasingspring230 forces the lockingmember220 laterally outward (i.e., in the direction of arrow φ inFIG. 7A), thereby forcing thecord engagement member250 to move downward (i.e., in the direction of arrow σ), which, in turn, pulls thecord810 away from thecenter160 of the handle110 (i.e., in the direction of arrow η). As thecord810 is pulled away from thecenter160 of thehandle110, thecord connector830 returns to the state shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B. As a result, the push-button actuator820 is pushed back (i.e., in direction of arrow γ) into the position shown inFIG. 7A. The push-button820 can be actuated and released repeatedly.

Anotheractuator assembly900 is shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B. Theactuator assembly900 includes aslide actuator920, two

racks

922,924, and a pinion940 (the axis of rotation R of which is fixed). Thecords810 and thecord engagement members250 function in the same manner as previously described with respect to the push-button actuator assembly820. Accordingly, a discussion of thecords810 and thecord engagement members250 with respect to thisassembly900 is omitted.

Theslide actuator920, like the push-button actuator820, is provided in thecenter160 of thehandle110. Theslide actuator920 is fixedly connected to afront rack922 that, in turn, is fixedly connected to acord810A that extends to a cord engagement member250 (not shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B), as previously described.

Thefront rack922 includes a plurality ofrecesses923 that are sized to receiveteeth942 that extend around thepinion940. Similar to thefront rack922, therear rack924 also includes a plurality ofrecess925 that are sized to receive theteeth942 of thepinion940. Moreover, therear rack924 is similarly fixedly connected to theother cord810B.

To actuate theslide actuator assembly900, atab930 projecting from theslide actuator920 can be pushed in the direction of the horizontal portion of thehandle110, i.e., in the direction of arrow β. When thetab930 is pushed, the front rack930 (and thecord810A attached thereto) likewise is moved in the direction of arrow β. As the axis of rotation R of thepinion940 is fixed, when thefront rack922 moves in the direction of arrow β, therecesses923, which are engaged with theteeth942 of thepinion940, cause thepinion940 to rotate about its axis of rotation R. In turn, the rotation of thepinion940 drives theteeth942 into therecess925 of therear rack924, thereby causing the rear rack924 (and thecord810B attached thereto) to move in the direction of arrow η. As a result, both

cords

810A,810B are pulled toward thecenter160 of thehandle110 in a manner similar to that previously described with respect to the push-button actuator assembly800. Moreover, as a result of the movement of the

cords

810A,810B toward thecenter160 of the handle, theactuator assembly900 goes from a resting state shown inFIG. 9A to the actuated state shown inFIG. 9B.

To return to the resting state ofFIG. 9A, the user merely needs to release thetab930. As a result, the biasing springs230 will push their associated lockingmembers220 into the associatedtriangular slots252 of thecord engagement member250, thereby causing the

cords

810A,810B to be pulled away from thecenter160 of thehandle110. In turn, theslide920 will be returned to its original state (i.e., the resting state shown inFIG. 9A) by a reverse rotation of thepinion940.

Other actuation assembly mechanisms are contemplated. For example, instead of a push-button assembly800 or aslide assembly900, a twisting or rotating mechanism could be used. The moving members114 of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B of U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,284, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, are two examples of twisting or rotating members that could be used in a one-hand actuation assembly according to the present invention.

Although the actuators of the above-described actuator assemblies are located at the center of the handle, it will be understood that, in other embodiments, the actuator can be located elsewhere on the handle, doe example, at either end of the handle or at a location intermediate the ends of the handle.

It will be understood that thecarrier100 can be used in a variety of vehicles, including but not limited to cars, trucks, buses, and airplanes. Moreover, the adjustable handle is easily operable and may automatically return to a locked position upon rotation of the handle to a selected position. In addition, because the locking member can engage the adjustable handle over a large surface area, preferably over its entire circumference (i.e., 360 degrees), the adjustable handle assembly may be able to withstand greater forces without failure.

The embodiments set forth herein were for purposes of illustration. This description, however, should not be deemed to be a limitation on the scope of the invention. Various modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art, without departing from the claimed inventive concept. The true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

Claims

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 toclaim 1, wherein the actuator slides in a direction parallel to the handle.

3. The carrier according toclaim 1, wherein the actuator slides in a direction normal to the handle.

4. The carrier according toclaim 1, wherein the actuator communicates with the first and second locking mechanisms via first and second cords, respectively.

5. The carrier according toclaim 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 toclaim 6, wherein the actuator assembly comprises an actuator that slides in a direction parallel to the handle.

8. The carrier according toclaim 6, wherein the actuator assembly comprises an actuator that slides in a direction normal to the handle.

9. The carrier according toclaim 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 toclaim 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:

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 toclaim 11, wherein the actuator slides in a direction parallel to the handle.

13. The carrier according toclaim 11, wherein the actuator slides in a direction normal to the handle.

14. The carrier according toclaim 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 toclaim 14, wherein the actuator communicates with the first and second locking mechanisms via first and second cords, respectively.

16. The carrier according toclaim 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 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.