GB2439395A

GB2439395A - Inflatable child vehicle seat and playpen

Info

Publication number: GB2439395A
Application number: GB0612545A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gurkamaljeet Kaur Dulai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-24
Filing date: 2006-06-24
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-24
Also published as: GB0612545D0; GB2439395B

Abstract

A child seat for a vehicle seat, comprising: a seat squab portion 304 and a backrest portion 303, both portions linked by a hinge means 302; a support means 40; wherein the child seat is arranged such that, in use, in a first configuration the seat squab portion is substantially supported by a vehicle seat squab 20 and the back portion is substantially supported by a backrest of a vehicle seat 20, and in a second configuration the backrest portion is substantially supported by a vehicle seat squab and the seat squab portion is substantially supported by the support means. Said support means may be located on a floor supporting said vehicle seat. Said seat may be constructed from foamed plastic or inflatable sections and may be provided with side and/or roof sections 50. Said seat may be provided with a storage means.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO TRANSPORTATION SEATING

Field of Invention

This invention relates to accommodation for children in transportation vehicles, in particular, but not exclusively, for passenger aircraft and the arrangement of a child's seat and play-pen in a passenger aircraft. The invention may also be utilised in other transportation vehicles including boats, coaches, trains or the like.

Background of the Invention

It is convenient to describe the background with relevance to a passenger aircraft although the invention may not be necessarily so limited. In passenger aircraft it is especially difficult to occupy and accommodate small children without disturbing the other passengers in the passenger cabin. A particular problem is posed by infants between the ages of I to 3 years since their natural instinct to play can be difficult to manage within the restrictions of conventional seating arrangements. Such infants may sleep for brief or extended periods, but when awake are disinclined to sit quietly. Toys such as coloured pencils and drawing books, or the entertainment provided by video or audio systems, do not satisfy the play needs of small children. Play areas are not generally provided and if the aisle of the plane is so used then it is intrusive for other passengers and conflicts with the needs of the flight attendants. There is also a need for better rest accommodation for infants who may fall asleep whilst occupying the conventional aircraft seat, but wake during transfer to a cot or other similar accommodation.

Limitations on cabin baggage imposed by airlines preclude parents from bringing their own play equipment and accommodation for infants on board. In addition, many airlines will not accept personal car seats or the like on the grounds that the standards of construction and prior use are unknown, and that the safety of the restraint provided is therefore also unknown. It is common for airlines to provide cots and/or restraint systems for infants that the child must use during take-off and landing, or during periods of turbulence. Such equipment is designed to be functional and secure, but not attractive for extended periods of occupation.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a child seat for a vehicle seat, comprising seat and back portions linked by hinge means and a support means such that, in use, in a first configuration the seat portion is arranged to be supported by a vehicle seat and the back portion is arranged to be supported by a back of the vehicle seat and in a second configuration the child seat can be folded substantially flat to a second, mattress, configuration, wherein the support means is arranged to support one of the seat and back portions at substantially the same height as a vehicle seat.

An advantage of such a child seat is that it can easily be converted to form a mattress for sleeping which is adequately supported whilst remaining within the confines of a typical public transportation passenger seat and space. A further advantage of such a child seat is that the multiple usage configurations are provided from a package of small mass and volume that can easily be accommodated in an aircraft cabin or other restricted stowage space.

Generally the child seat comprises a connecting means arranged to connect a child seat to the support means. Such a connecting means is advantageous because it helps to prevent relative movement. Generally the connection is releasable.

In the first configuration the seat portion is arranged in use to be supported by a seat of a vehicle seat and the back portion is supported in a substantially upright position by a back of a vehicle seat. In the second mattress configuration the back portion of the child seat is supported by the seat of the vehicle seat and the seat portion of the child seat is connected to and supported by the support means.

Preferably the support means is arranged to be used on a floor supporting the vehicle seat. Other arrangements such as supporting the seat portion by support means arranged on a bulkhead in front of the seat or from a seat in front of the seat could be envisaged.

In some embodiments sections of the child seat and the support means may include portions constructed as an inflatable structure. In other embodiments sections of the child seat and the support means may include portions constructed from foamed plastic material. There may be other embodiments. The sections of the child seat may include areas of rigid backing to improve stability in either the first configuration or the second mattress configuration. The support means may comprise an enclosed volume such that there is no access to the interior (i.e. it may be solid or hollow and closed). Alternatively the support means may comprise a hollow open structure such that access to the interior thereof is possible.

In one embodiment a mechanical hinge may be provided as a connection between the areas of rigid backing to improve the function of the hinging between the sections of the child seat. In some embodiments the sections of the child seat may be connected to each other by a live hinge. The live hinge may be of fabric or other flexible sheet material, which may be a plastic material. Alternatively the sections of the child seat may be connected to each other by a section of foam material which is able to function as a hinge. In a preferred embodiment the sections of the child seat may be connected together by a live hinge of PVC.

In some embodiments the support means may be made in the form of a box, i.e. a hollow open structure. The box may be arranged to fit with between roughly 50mm clearance and substantially no clearance in the gap between the front of the seat for one vehicle seat and the back of the adjacent vehicle seat in front of it. In one embodiment the support means may be made with stronger and more supportive walls to the opposing sides aligned with the edges of the child seat when folded flat to a second mattress configuration than to the sides not so aligned.

In some embodiments the connecting means is arranged such that the support means may be connected at a common edge with the child seat when positioned in a first operable configuration. In other embodiments the connecting means is arranged such that the support means may be connected to the child seat when folded flat to a second mattress configuration. The connection means may comprise VelcroTM tabs, press studs or the like.

In some embodiments the support means may be fabricated from sheet material to form a bag or open-topped box and may include stiffening struts or assemblies of struts of wood or metal or plastic or composite material.

In one embodiment the support means may be provided with handles such that it can perform the function of a bag to neatly contain and carry all the other elements of the invention.

The support means may be used to contain toys designed to appeal to an infant such as coloured balls or soft toys. The support means may for example contain balls of the type common in a children's ball pit.

The child seat may be arranged to receive a restraining belt of the vehicle seat across the child seat. Such an arrangement is advantageous as it increases the security of a child using the child seat.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of lengthening the seat portion of a vehicle seat comprising providing a child seat which is arranged to function as a seat or a mattress, and a support arrangement to support a portion of the child seat of substantially the same height as a vehicle seat in which the child seat is, in use, positioned.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided means of converting a vehicle seat into an enclosed area, such as an infant playpen, said means comprising a roof portion and at least one side panel portion adapted to be connectable to the child seat.

Preferably the roof portion has attachment means able to connect the roof portion to a vehicle seat.

It is desirable that the or each side panel portion is adapted to be connected to the roof portion. Preferably the or each side panel is also provided with attachment means adapted to attach the side panel to at least one of the seat portion, back portion or support means of the first aspect of the invention.

An advantage of such a construction is that a simple enclosure is provided which allows an infant to play and satisfy their movement stimulus safely whilst minimising the disturbance to other passengers.

In some embodiments the roof portion and side panels comprise sections constructed as an inflatable structure. In other embodiments the roof and side panels comprise sections constructed from an open mesh fabric.

Sections of the roof or side panels may be detached from the rest of the structure by releasing areas secured by press-studs or zipped fasteners or the like. In one embodiment sections of the roof or side panels may be detached from the rest of the structure by releasing areas secured by VelcroTM or the like.

Elastic straps may be provided to attach the roof panel to at least one vehicle transportation seat adjoining the roof panel. In other embodiments straps that may be secured by a buckle or tied may be provided to attach the roof panel to at least one vehicle transportation seat adjoining the roof panel. In one embodiment straps that may be secured by VelcroTM or the like can be provided to attach the roof panel to either or both of the vehicle transportation seats adjoining the roof panel.

In some embodiments the roof and side panels include portions constructed from flexible sheet material reinforced with struts or assemblies of struts of wood or metal or plastic or composite material or other suitable material.

In other embodiments the roof panel is supported by integral struts or assemblies of struts and the side panels are attached to the roof panel by fasteners, such as zipped fasteners. Preferably the struts can be separated and removed from the roof and side panels to enable compact storage of the roof and side panel structure when not in use.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a child seat according to the first aspect of the invention in combination with a means of converting a vehicle transportation seat into an infant playpen according to the second aspect of the invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a kit comprising a child seat, a roof portion and a support means arranged to provide, in use, the fourth aspect of the invention arranged such that the child seat and the roof portion may be contained within the support means when not in use.

Aspects of the invention above, describe a child seat. Other aspects may provide a seat intended for older children, teenagers, adults or the like and as such it is not essential that the seat is for children.

Some aspects may provide support for injured people, or other persons that may need to support a limb. In such aspects it may be convenient to provide the support means such it is arranged to support a limb.

Brief description of the drawings

There now follows, by way of example only, a detailed description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention including representations of the seat in the first and second configurations; Figure 3 shows a side elevation of an embodiment of the seat of the present invention in first and second configurations; and Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the roof panel of the present invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

It is convenient to describe the present invention with reference to a child seat and play-pen, used in passenger aircraft and the like; however the invention need not be so limited, and may apply to any kind of transportation vehicle or indeed may not be limited to seats for children.

A skilled person will readily appreciate how to modify the described design accordingly.

Figures ito 4 show a child seat and play-pen 10, comprising a child seat 30, a support means 40 and roof and side panels 50. The child seat 30 is designed to be supported by a vehicle transportation seat 20.

As can be seen in Figure 2 the constituent parts of the child seat and play-pen can be separated and can be connected together in alternative configurations. The roof and side panels 50 can be separated into a roof panel 501, left side panel 502 and right side panel 503. In this embodiment, areas of VelcroTM tape are provided along edges, eg 506, of the roof panel 501 and adjoining edges, eg 505, of the side panel 503, so that the panels may be connected together.

In the present embodiment the side panels 502, 503 include areas of mesh fabric 508 and the roof panel 501 includes an area 509 of similar fabric. In other embodiments the areas 508, 509 may be produced from transparent PVC material.

As can be seen in Figure 2 the child seat 30 may be arranged in a seating configuration where the back portion 303 is upright or in a second mattress configuration 31 where the back portion 303 is laid flat. In the seating configuration the seat portion 304 is supported by the vehicle transportation seat (not shown) and in the mattress configuration the seat portion 304 is supported by the support means 40. A hinge 302 is provided between the back portion 303 and the seat portion 304 to facilitate the change of configuration; this feature is shown in side elevation in Figure 3.

In the present embodiment the child seat 30 includes inflatable bolsters 306 to improve the comfort and security in either configuration. It further includes multiple inflatable segments, eg 305. At the front of the seat portion 304 there is provided a flap 301 including an area of VelcroTM tape on its reverse face that may be connected to a similar area of VelcroTM tape 401 provided where it adjoins the support means 40 whilst in the second mattress configuration 31. Whilst the child seat is arranged in the seat configuration 30 the flap 301 may be connected to an alternate area of VelcroTM tape 402 provided where it adjoins the support means 40. Areas of VelcrotM tape, eg 403, are provided so that the side panel 502 may also be connected to the support means.

In the present embodiment the support means 40 includes multiple inflatable segments, eg 405, 406, which when inflated provide sufficient rigidity and strength for the structure to support the mass of the child seat in the second mattress configuration 31.

In the present embodiment the support means 40 is made in the form of a box, with an open side at 407 so that it can be used to contain soft toys and balls.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 the roof panel 501 is provided with elastic straps 510, 511 suitable for making connection and gaining support from the adjoining vehicle transportation seats 201, 202. Other embodiments can be envisaged where such straps are absent, or the connection is made by straps with fasteners or other alternative means. Il

Claims

CLAIMS

I. A child seat for a vehicle seat, comprising: a seat portion and a back portion, both portions linked by a hinge means; a support means; wherein the child seat is arranged such that, in use, in a first configuration the seat portion is substantially supported by a vehicle seat and the back portion is substantially supported by a back of a vehicle seat, and in a second configuration the back portion is substantially supported by a vehicle seat and the scat portion is substantially supported by the support means.
2. A child seat according to claim 1, wherein the support means is arranged to be placed on a floor supporting a vehicle seat.
3. A child seat according to any preceding claim, wherein portions of * the child seat are constructed as an inflatable structure. * **

* 20
4. A child seat according to any preceding claim, wherein portions of * ** *** * the child seat are constructed from foamed plastic material.
5. A child seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the hinge is provided by mechanical hinge.
6. A child scat according to any of the claims I to 4, wherein the hinge is provided by flexible sheet of material.
7. A child seat according to claim 6, wherein the by flexible sheet of material is a fabric.
8. A child seat according to claim 6, wherein the by flexible sheet of material is constructed of PVC.
9. A child seat according to any of the claims I to 4, wherein the hinge is provided by a section of foam material.
10. A child seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the support means is in the form of an open-topped box.
11. A child seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the support means is arranged to fit in the gap between the front of one vehicle seat and the back of an vehicle seat positioned in front of the one vehicle seat.

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12. A child seat according to any preceding claim, wherein opposing sides of the support means are arranged to align with edges of the child seat when folded flat to the second the configuration are made with stronger material than the sides of the supporting means not so aligned. S..

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13. A child seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the support 20 means is arranged, when not in use, to store all the other portions of the *S*SS* * 1 child seat.

14. A child seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the support means is arranged, when in use, to store infant toys.

15. A child seat according to any preceding claim wherein the support means is provided with handles.

16. A child seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the connection means is arranged to connect the seat and/or back portion to a region of the support structure in the first configuration, and an alterative region of the support structure in the second configuration.

17. A child seat according to any preceding claim wherein the connection means is provided by areas of VelcroTM and/or press studs.

18. A playpen for a vehicle seat comprising: a child seat according to any of the claims I to 17; a roof portion; and at least one side panel portion, wherein the at least one side panel portion is arranged, in use, to connect to the roof portion and to the child seat.

19. A playpen according to claim 18, wherein the roof portion is provided with attachment means, arranged, in use, to attach to a vehicle seat. S. * .** * I S...

20. A playpen according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the or each side panel portion is also provided with attachment means adapted to attach the side panel portion(s) to at least one of the seat portion, back portion or *, ** support means of the child seat. 20

* 21. A playpen according to any of the claims 18 to 20 wherein the roof portion and/or at least one side panel includes sections constructed of an inflatable structure.

22. A playpen according to any of the claims 18 to 21, wherein the roof portion and/or at least one side panel includes sections constructed from an open mesh fabric.

23. A playpen according to any of the claims 18 to 22, wherein the roof portion and the or each side panel portion are arranged, in use, to detachable connect.

24. A playpen according to claim 23 wherein the roof portion and the or each side panel portion are arranged, in use, to detachably connect using and one, or combination of: VelcroTM, zipped fasteners and press-studs.

25. A playpen according to any of the claims 19 to 24, wherein the attachment means provided on the roof are arranged, in use, to attaché to a vehicle seat using and one, or combination of: elastic straps, strap and buckle, strap and VelcroTM.

26. A playpen according to any of the claims 18 to 25, wherein the roof portion and or the at least one side panel portion is constructed from flexible sheet material.

27. A playpen according to claim 26, wherein the flexible sheet material is reinforced with struts.

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28. A playpen according to claim 27, wherein the struts are removable from the flexible sheet material. U. S.

* 20 29. A child seat according to any of the claims I to 17 in combination U.. SSS * with a playpen according to any of the claims 18 to 28..

30. A child seat as substantially described herein, and/or as illustrated in the attached Figures.

31. A playpen as substantially described herein, and/or as illustrated in the attached Figures.