AU2013206286A1 - Collector - Google Patents

Abstract

H:\tzs\Intrwovn\NRPortbI\DCC\TZS\5243758_I.doc-12/06/2013 A collector for collecting items falling from a child car seat, the collector being configured to extend forwardly of the child car seat toward a seat back of a forward seat and being in the form of a generally forwardly and downwardly sloping receptacle configured for collecting the items and directing them toward the seat back for retrieval by an occupant of the forward seat. 120a 110 118 12Gb12I 120b Figure 3 12a110 114 .............- 120b Figure 4

Description

H:\tzs\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TZS\5243752_I.doc-12/06/2013 COLLECTOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to a collector for collecting items dropped from a child car seat. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 Children travelling in car seats can become upset if items fall from their grasp, causing distraction to a driver and other occupants of the car. It is dangerous for a driver to try to retrieve a dropped item from the floor of the car while driving as their attention is averted from the road and they can unintentionally swerve while reaching for the item. Also, it is not practical for the driver to pull over and safely retrieve a dropped item every time 15 something is dropped by a child. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a device for addressing these problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 20 According to the present invention, there is provided a collector for collecting items falling from a child car seat, the collector being configured to extend forwardly of the child car seat toward a seat back of a forward seat and being in the form of a generally forwardly and downwardly sloping receptacle configured for collecting the items and directing them 25 toward the seat back for retrieval by an occupant of the forward seat. According to preferred embodiments the collector is resiliently flexible. Preferably, the collector is configured to direct the items toward a centre of the vehicle. 30 The collector can be configured to extend underneath the child car seat. Preferably, the collector is configured to be coupled to a head rest of the forward seat. Preferably, the H:\tzs\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TZS\5243752_I.doc-12/06/2013 -2 collector is configured to abut the seat back. Preferably, lateral portions of the collector extend upwardly to retain the fallen items. Preferably, the lateral portions are contractible about an upper edge thereof. The lateral 5 portions can each include a drawstring. The collector can be configured to extend transversely across the vehicle so as to cover substantially an entire rear seat area. 10 There is also provided a child car seat including a collector of the above described type. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will be further described, by way of non-limiting 15 example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collector of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the collector fitted to a vehicle; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a collector of another embodiment; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the collector of Figure 3 fitted to a vehicle; 20 Figure 5 is a forward facing view of an interior of a vehicle with the collector of Figure 1 fitted thereto; and Figure 6 is a forward facing view of an interior of a vehicle with the collector of Figure 3 fitted thereto. 25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION A collector 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The collector 10 is configured for collecting items dropped from a child car seat (see 120a, 120b in Figures 3 and 4). 30 The collector 10 is configured to extend forwardly of the child car seat toward a seat H:\tzs\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TZS\5243752_I.doc-12/06/2013 -3 back 14 of a forward seat 16. The collector 10 is in the form of a generally forwardly and downwardly sloping receptacle 12 configured for collecting the items and directing them toward the seat back for retrieval by an occupant of the forward seat. The slope of the collector 10 provides that the items are directed toward the seat back. 5 The collector 10 is resiliently flexible so as to generally maintain its form in a resting state, though may be compressed for storage or transportation. The collector 10 has sufficient rigidity so as to maintain its form when items fall into it so that the items can be directed toward the seat back. The collector 10 may be formed in layers which, similar to a vehicle 10 headliner, comprise different polymers or composite materials to achieve the desired physical properties. In alternative embodiments, the collector 10 may be flaccid and supported between two generally rigid members extending from the car seat to the forward seat, similar to a net for 15 example, in a forwardly and downwardly sloping manner so that the items are directed toward the seat back. The collector 10 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is configured for use with a single child car seat. A similarly configured collector 110 for use with two child car seats is shown in 20 Figures 3 and 4. The preceding description of collector 10 applies to collector 110 and features of collector 110 which are equivalent to those of collector 10 have been labelled with numbers incremented by 100. As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4 the collector 110 is configured to extend underneath a pair of child car seats 120a, 120b. The child car seats 120a, 120b are shown as being booster seats for children, though is will be appreciated that 25 the invention will also have application in respect of baby capsules and other child car seats. By fitting the collector 10, 110 underneath a child car seat, the collector 10, 110 may be securely retained within the vehicle. Furthermore, the collector 10 may completely extend 30 across an area where a child is likely to drop items, so that it is possible to collect as many dropped items as possible. Advantageously, even small items, such as food for example, H:\tzs\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TZS\5243752_I.doc-12/06/2013 -4 may be collected by the collector 10, 110, and retrieved by an occupant of the forward seat. Advantageously, cleaning of the car can be simplified as it may be possible prevent food from falling between seats and around seat buckles so that a user can simply clean food from the collector 10, 110. 5 As illustrated in Figure 1, the collector 10 is configured to be coupled to a headrest 16 of the forward seat 14. In this regard, the collector includes a coupling 18 for extending underneath the headrest 16 so as to couple the collector 10 to the seat 14. The coupling includes a strap 20 which may be rigid or flexible, and which is fixed to the collector 10 by 10 way of releasable buckles 24. Although press button buckles are illustrated, it will be appreciated that other forms of fasteners may be used. The strap 20 is configured so as to extend between the head rest and the seat and bear against supporting rods (not shown) of the headrest. By providing 15 buckles 24, the coupling 18 may be fitted to the seat without having to remove the head rest. It will be appreciated that collector 110 may be similarly coupled to a headrest of the forward seat. The described collectors 10, 110 are configured to abut the seat back for support. In other 20 embodiments, the collectors 10, 110 may otherwise engage the seat back, using conventional fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners for example. The illustrated collectors 10, 110 each have respective lateral portions 26, 106 that extend upwardly to retain the fallen items within the receptacle. The lateral portions 26, 106 are 25 contractible about an upper edge 28, 108 thereof by way of a drawstring 30, 130 so as to expand or contract the receptacle, thereby providing adjustment to the collector 10, 110 to achieve a neat fit inside different vehicles. In this regard, it will be necessary for the collector 10, 110 to be adjustable to fit inside differently sized and configured vehicles. 30 The collector 110 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 extends transversely across the vehicle so as to cover substantially an entire rear seat area. In this regard, the collector 110 is H:\tzs\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TZS\5243752_I.doc-12/06/2013 -5 configured to extend underneath two child car seats. The collector 110 may have a single forwardly and downwardly sloping receptacle 112 that has a centrally extending lowermost portion, or a pair of receptacles 112 each having a lowermost portion behind a respective forward seat. A further drawstring 131 is provided to improve fitment between the 5 collector 110 and the child seats 120a, 120b. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the collector 10 is narrow and is only configured to extend underneath a single child car seat. Advantageously, an adult may travel in the rear seat while the collector 10 is being used. Collector 10 may be configured 10 so as to engage a like collector disposed next to it, forming a left and right sided pair that may be interconnectable. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the collector 10, 110 will be useful for retaining loose articles inside a vehicle, such as prams, toys and shopping, which are 15 disposed under the collector 10, 110. Advantageously, improved organisation of a vehicle may be achieved and it may be possible to prevent objects becoming airborne during an accident. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the collector 10, 110 in use. It can be seen that items 32, 132, 20 which have fallen from a car seat, will be collected by the collector 10, 110 and directed toward the forward seat for retrieval by an occupant of the forward seat. The collector 10, 110 is also configured to direct the items 32, 132 towards a central location of the vehicle so that retrieval may be more easily performed. 25 The collector 10, 110 may be provided as a unit for use with existing child car seats. It is also envisaged that the collector 10, 110 may be incorporated into a child car seat so as to be sold as an integral unit. The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are 30 possible within the scope of the invention disclosed.

Claims (11)

1. A collector for collecting items falling from a child car seat, the collector being configured to extend forwardly of the child car seat toward a seat back of a forward seat 5 and being in the form of a generally forwardly and downwardly sloping receptacle configured for collecting the items and directing them toward the seat back for retrieval by an occupant of the forward seat.

2. A collector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collector is resiliently flexible.

3. A collector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the collector is configured to 10 direct the items toward a centre of the vehicle.

4. A collector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collector is configured to extend underneath the child car seat.

5. A collector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collector is configured to be coupled to a head rest of the forward seat. 15

6. A collector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collector is configured to abut the seat back.

7. A collector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein lateral portions of the collector extend upwardly to retain the fallen items.

8. A collector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lateral portions are contractible 20 about an upper edge thereof.

9. A collector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lateral portions each include a drawstring.

10. A collector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, being configured to extend transversely across the vehicle so as to cover substantially an entire rear seat area. 25

11. A child car seat including a collector according to any one of the preceding claims.