Inflatable crib with carrying straps

In a cradle for transporting an infant and providing a place of comfortable repose for said infant, said cradle comprising an enclosure with walls for encompassing said infant, a base on which said infant is laid for rest and transport, said base being coupled to said walls of said enclosure, and means coupled to said cradle for carrying said cradle while said infant is being transported therein, the improvement comprising:

• said walls comprising an air impervious bladder;
• means coupled to said bladder for the selected entry and exit of air into and from said bladder;
• whereby, upon inflation with air, said bladder forms a resilient, soft enclosure for said infant, and, upon deflation of said bladder, the volume of said cradle is reduced for storage;
• said means for carrying said cradle comprising form retaining, flexible strap means having a first cross member extending above said cradle, to be grasped for carrying, and further extending beneath said base as a first load bearing member to reinforce said base when said infant is placed on said base and transported by a person grasping said strap means;
• and
• said strap means further comprises a second cross member, generally orthogonal to said first cross member, extending above said cradle for grasping and further extending beneath said base as a second load bearing member reinforcing said base;
• said form retaining, flexible strap means adapted to be folded or rolled for storage when the cradle is deflated, and upon inflation of the cradle, the first and second cross member portions of the strap means adapted to be configured in a self supported configuration above the cradle, standing away from making interfering contact with an infant resting in the cradle, whereby a protective covering means may be supported on said self supported straps means to thereby shield the infant.