US20120062001A1

US20120062001A1 - Versatile Canopy for a Child Seating Device

Info

Publication number: US20120062001A1
Application number: US12/878,975
Authority: US
Inventors: Christine D. Krasley
Original assignee: Graco Childrens Products Inc
Current assignee: Graco Childrens Products Inc
Priority date: 2010-09-09
Filing date: 2010-09-09
Publication date: 2012-03-15

Abstract

A child seating device has a seat with spaced apart sides, a seat back part, a seat bottom part terminating at a front edge, and a seating surface defined by the seat back and seat bottom parts. A canopy has a hood with an open front end, a plurality of sections, and a pair of canopy sides positioned adjacent the sides of the seat. The hood extends above and is positionable to cover the seat back part of the seating surface. A privacy screen has a perimeter with an extendable portion and an attachment portion, which removably attaches the privacy screen to the canopy near the open front end. The privacy screen can be extended forward from the open front end to a deployed position above and covering the seat bottom part of the seating surface. The extendable portion of the perimeter can be pulled forward and secured to the front edge of the seat.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present invention is generally directed to child seating devices, and more particularly to a child seating device with a versatile canopy.
2. Description of Related Art
Various child seating devices are known to include a seat on which a child can sit or rest. Such devices are also known to often include a canopy that can be positioned over a portion of the seat. A typical canopy is provided to offer shade from direct sunlight and/or privacy for a child seated in the seat. A typical canopy can also be used to minimize or reduce external visual stimulation to a child seated in the seat so the child can rest comfortably.
These types of canopies typically have a number of bows and hood sections supported by the bows. The bows are very often connected to one another at their respective ends at a pivot point and can be pivoted toward and away from one another to increase or decrease the dimensions of the canopy. The hood sections are typically made of a flexible material such as a fabric and can expand or fold as the canopy is extended or retracted.
Conventional canopies of this type are open in a forward facing direction so that a caregiver can see their child seated in the seat and so that the child has a field of vision when seated in the seat. Many canopies of this type can be pivoted at the pivot point, which is located where the canopy is mounted to the child seating device. Thus, such a canopy is sometimes positionally adjustable as a unit forward or rearward as well as being extendable and foldable or collapsible.

SUMMARY

In one example according to the teachings of the present invention, a child seating device has a seat with spaced apart sides, a seat back part, a seat bottom part terminating at a front edge, and a seating surface defined by the seat back and seat bottom parts. A canopy has a hood with an open front end, a plurality of sections, and a pair of canopy sides positioned adjacent the sides of the seat. The canopy hood extends above and can be positionable to cover the seat back part of the seating surface. A privacy screen has a perimeter with an extendable portion and an attachment portion that removably attaches the privacy screen to the canopy near the open front end. The privacy screen can be extended forward from the open front end to a deployed position above and covering the seat bottom part of the seating surface. The extendable portion of the perimeter can be pulled forward and secured to the front edge of the seat.
In one example, the canopy can have a plurality of bows that are curved upwardly from and that can interconnect the canopy sides and that can differentiate the plurality of sections from one another.
In one example, the child seating device can have a window section as one of the plurality of sections.
In one example, a shade flap can be secured to the hood and can be movable between a blocking position covering part of the window section and a stowed position exposing the window section.
In one example, the plurality of sections can include a visor section at the open front end of the hood, a top panel section immediately rearward of the visor section, and/or a window section immediately rearward of the top panel section.
In one example, a shade flap can be secured to the hood and can be movable between a blocking position lying over part of a window section and a stowed position lying on an adjacent section and exposing the window section
In one example, a shade flap can rest on a top panel section in a stowed position and can rest on a window section adjacent the top panel section in a blocking position.
In one example, the extendable portion of the perimeter on the privacy screen can include an elastic band.
In one example, the attachment portion of the privacy screen perimeter can include a first part of a fastener and the hood can include a complimentary second part of a fastener that can be joined to attach the privacy screen to the canopy.
In one example, the attachment portion can include a zipper part and the hood can include a zipper part, whereby the privacy screen can be zipped to the canopy.
In one example, one of the plurality of sections can be a perforate mesh window section and can have a top part extending over a top of the hood and side parts extending down along the canopy sides of the hood.
In one example, a shade flap can be secured to the hood and can be movable between a stowed position exposing a window section and a blocking position covering a top part of the window section while leaving side parts of the window section exposed.
In one example according to the teachings of the present invention, an infant carrier has a seat shell with a seat bounded by a perimeter edge. The seat can have a seat back part and a seat bottom part and the perimeter edge can have a front edge on the seat bottom part and an upper edge on the seat back part. A canopy is coupled to the seat shell and can have opposed canopy sides. The canopy can have a hood extending between the opposed canopy sides above the seat back part of the seating surface. The hood can have an open front end and can include a first section near the open front end, a second section, and a third section between the first and second sections. A window can be provided in one of the first, second, or third sections. A shade flap can be coupled to the fabric hood and can be movable between a blocking position lying over the window and a stowed position lying over one of the other of the first, second, or third sections and exposing the window. A privacy screen can have a perimeter with an attachment portion removably attachable to the canopy near the open front end and an extendable portion being elastically resilient and stretchable over the front end of the perimeter edge on the seat to be positioned above the seat bottom part of the seat.
In one example, a window can be in the third section.
In one example, a shade flap can be positioned between the first and third sections and can be flipped between the blocking and stowed positions.
In one example, the window can be a perforate mesh material.
In one example, the infant carrier can include a visor section extendable forward from the first section of the canopy and can be repositionable under the first section.
In one example, a privacy screen can, while attached to the canopy, be rolled up and stowed under the first section above a visor section attached to and movable relative to the first section.
In one example, a privacy screen can, while attached to the canopy, be pulled rearward over and stowed on top of the hood.
In one example, an attachment portion of a privacy screen can be detached from the canopy and the privacy screen can be stowed separately from the infant carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one example of a versatile canopy constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, mounted on an infant carrier, and with a privacy screen removed.

FIG. 2 shows the infant carrier and versatile canopy of FIG. 1 with the privacy screen partially attached to the canopy.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a portion of the versatile canopy taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, but with the mesh screen completely attached to the versatile canopy.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the infant carrier and versatile canopy of FIGS. 1-3 and with a user securing the privacy screen in a fully deployed position.

FIG. 5 shows the infant carrier and versatile canopy of FIG. 4 but with a shade flap moved to a stowed position exposing the viewing window.

FIG. 6 shows the infant carrier and versatile canopy of FIG. 5 but with the shade flap returned to a blocking position covering part of a viewing window on the versatile canopy.

FIG. 7 shows the infant carrier and versatile canopy of FIG. 6 and with a user rolling up or folding the privacy screen.

FIG. 8 shows the infant carrier and versatile canopy of FIG. 7 and with the privacy screen rolled up or folded under a portion of the canopy.

FIG. 9 shows a partial cut away view of the infant carrier and versatile canopy of FIG. 8 with the privacy screen in a first optional stowed position.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a portion of the versatile canopy in FIG. 9, taken along the same line 3-3 depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 shows the portion of the versatile canopy shown in FIG. 10, but with a visor section of the canopy in a stowed position and the privacy screen unrolled or unfolded from the first stowed position.

FIG. 12 shows the infant carrier and versatile canopy of FIG. 1 with the privacy screen attached to the canopy as in FIG. 3, but in a second optional stowed position.

FIG. 13A shows a cross-section of a portion of the versatile canopy in FIG. 12 and taken along the same line 3-3 depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 13B shows the portion of the versatile canopy in FIG. 13A, but in an alternate configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

A versatile canopy for a child seating device is disclosed and described herein. In one example, the versatile canopy has a privacy screen that can be attached to and detached from the canopy. In one example, the privacy screen can be moved, when attached to the canopy, between a deployed position and a stowed position. In one example, the deployed privacy screen covers an open portion of the seating area or surface of the child seating device that is left open or uncovered by the hood of the versatile canopy. In one example, the privacy screen can be stowed in more than one optional location or position. In one example, the versatile canopy also includes a window section formed in a portion of the canopy hood. In one example, a shade flap can be moved between a blocking position covering at least a portion of the window section and a stowed position exposing the window section.
Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one example of a child seating device employing a versatile canopy 20 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In the disclosed example, the child seating device is depicted as an infant carrier or infant car seat 22 that has a seat 24 facing upward and a base section 26 under the seat. The infant carrier 22 in this example is of a typical construction. The infant carrier has a pivotable handle 28 that can be used to carry the infant carrier as is known in the art. Though not shown herein, the base section 26 can be configured to attach to a seat base resting on a seat in a vehicle, whereby the infant carrier 22 is an infant car seat.
In general, the infant carrier 22 can be constructed having a plastic seat shell that defines both the base section 26 and an under-structure of the seat 24. Soft goods 30 are commonly used to cover the hard plastic under-structure material of the seat 24, as is known in the art. The seat 24 generally has a pair of spaced apart sides 32, a seat back part 34, and the seat bottom part 36. The seat back and seat bottom parts 34, 36 meet one another at a seat bight region 38 of the seat 24. The seat back part 34 terminates at a rear or upper edge 40 of the seat 24 and the seat bottom part 36 terminates at a forward edge 42 of the seat. Together, the seat back and seat bottom parts 34, 36 create a seating surface 44 between the sides 32 and the upper and front edges 40, 42 of the seat.
As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the configuration and construction of the infant car seat or carrier 22, and in particular the seat 24, can vary within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the child seating device need not be an infant carrier or infant car seat, but instead can be a stroller seat or a seat on another type of device such as a child motion device, swing, orbital motion device, or the like. The disclosed versatile canopy 20 can be utilized on a child seating device other than an infant carrier, though only an infant carrier 22 is shown and described herein.
The versatile canopy 20 in this example has several features that provide a significant improvement over prior art canopies for these types of seating devices. Again with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the versatile canopy 20 has a hood 50, an open front end 52, and a pair of spaced apart sides 54. The hood 50 also has a rear end 56, which in this example is closed off and connected to or slipped over the upper edge 40 of the seat back part 34 (see FIG. 4). The spaced apart sides 54 of the versatile canopy 20 have lower ends that terminate in a respective hub 58. A plurality of bows 60 (see FIG. 3) are provided that form a skeleton structure for the canopy 20 to support the hood 50 as is known in the art. Each of the bows 60 can be sewn or slid into a sewn tunnel 61 in the material of the hood 50. Each bow 60 is an elongate structure that can be flexible and that are upwardly curved to define the side-to-side contour of the versatile canopy 20. The free ends of the bows 60 can be attached to the hub 58 as generically shown in this example. The hubs 58 in turn can be attached to the seat sides 32 of the infant carrier 22. The skeleton structure including the bows 60 can be coupled to one another at their free ends and/or to the child seating device in a variety of different, ell known, alternative ways. Thus, these aspects of the versatile canopy are not disclosed or described herein in any detail and are only generically shown.
The hood 50 in this example has a plurality of panels or sections that are separated from one another by the bows 60. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the hood 50 or the versatile canopy 20 can have a forward most visor section 62, a top panel section 64 immediately rearward of the visor section, a window section 66 immediately rearward of the top panel section, and a rear section 68 immediately rearward of the window section. In this example, the rear section 68 is shaped and configured to define the rear end 56 of the hood 50. The size, position, location, and terminology used to describe the various sections of the hood can vary within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Also, the number and arrangement of the different sections of the canopy or hood can also vary from the example shown.
In this example, the visor section 62, top panel section 64, and window section 66 each have a wider central section and narrower, tapering width opposed ends 69. The ends 69 meet, respectively, at the terminal ends of the bows 60 adjacent the corresponding hub 58 on each side of the versatile canopy 20. The rear section 68 takes on a different configuration in this example in order to close off the rear end 56 of the canopy 20. In an alternate example, the rear section can be shaped similarly to the other sections 62, 64, and 66 defining a rear open end on the versatile canopy 20, similar to the front open end 52 in this example. Such a rear open end would cover the upper edge 40 of the seat back part 32 when the versatile canopy is pivoted to a rearward most position. The rear open end would be closed off by bearing against the perimeter of the seat back part.
As is known in the art, the hood 50 can be formed from one or more flexible or pliable materials such as thin plastic or fabric. Such a fabric material can be synthetic, natural, or a blend of both fabric types. The material of the hood 50 can also be water resistant or waterproof. The hood material can also be relatively opaque or completely opaque, if desired, in order to provide the shading characteristics intended of a typical canopy. Also as is known in the art, the bows 60 can pivot toward and away from one another allowing the canopy to be extended to a fully deployed configuration as depicted in FIG. 1 and collapsed to a stowed or out of the way configuration (not shown). In the collapse configuration, the material of the hood 50 between each of the bows 60 can fold or bunch up allowing the versatile canopy 20 to be collapsed. The versatile canopy 20 can also be configured to be easily and readily removable from the child seating device, though also not shown or described herein. The hubs 58, the free ends of the bows 60, or some other structure can be provided to permit quick and easy detachment of the versatile canopy 20 from the child seating device.
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the versatile canopy 20 has a privacy screen 70 that is removable from and attachable to the hood 50 or some other part of the versatile canopy. In this example, a privacy screen 70 is formed of a perforate mesh material that is flexible. The mesh material can be plastic, fabric, or some other material as long as the privacy screen 70 is capable of folding, rolling, or the like. The privacy screen 70 is also perforate to permit air to pass through the screen as well as some light. The screen thus can allow a child to breathe fresh air and yet provide some privacy. The size and density of the perforations and the thickness and color of the grid of the mesh material can be altered to achieve a desired air exchange capability as well as light emitting or blocking capability.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the privacy screen 70 has a perimeter 72 with an extendable portion 74 and an attachment portion 76. In this example, the extendable portion 74 is resiliently elastic so as to be capable of stretching. The extendable portion 74, for example, can include an elastic strip or band 78 sewn into the extendable portion of the perimeter. The elasticity can allow a user to easily and quickly secure the privacy screen 70 to the infant carrier 22. A fastening strip can be provided on the attachment portion 76 and on some part of the versatile canopy 20 for attaching the privacy screen 70 to the versatile canopy. In one example, a first zipper part 80 a can be sewn or otherwise attached to the attachment portion 76 on the perimeter of the privacy screen 70. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a compatible second zipper part 80 b can be sewn or otherwise attached to an underside of the hood 50. In this example, the visor section 62 is sewn to the tunnel 61 on a forward end of the top panel section 64 and projects forward. The second zipper part 80 b is sewn to the same joint beneath the tunnel 61 between the visor section 62 and the top panel section 64.
As represented in FIGS. 1-4, the privacy screen 70 can be completely removed from the versatile canopy 20. When removed, the privacy screen 70 can be folded or rolled up and stowed or anywhere that a user desires. This configuration represents a first optional stowed position or configuration for the privacy screen 70. As shown in FIG. 2, a user need only zip the first zipper part 80 a on the attachment portion 76 of the privacy screen 72 to the second zipper part 80 b on the canopy 20. When connected, the zipper parts 80 a, 80 b form a completed zipper 80 and secure the privacy screen 70 to the hood 50. The zipper 80 can be replaced by other suitable fasteners or attachment devices, such as snaps or hook and loop fastener strips for securing the privacy screen 70 to the hood 50. Once the privacy screen 70 is secured to the versatile canopy 20, a user can grasp the free extendable portion 74 of the perimeter 72 on the privacy screen 70 and pull forward. The user can pull the extendable portion over the sides 32 and front edge 42 of the seat 24, stretching the elastic band 78 beyond the seat edges as depicted in FIG. 4. The seat perimeter edges can be provided with a lip or undercut. The elastic band 78 of the extendable portion 74 can seat in such an undercut and will apply tension to the perimeter 72, securing the privacy screen 70 in a fully deployed position. In this position, the privacy screen 70 completely covers the open seating area of the seating surface 44 that is not covered by the hood 50. When fully deployed, the privacy screen 70, in combination with the hood 50, can thus completely cover the seat 24.
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, another improvement over prior known canopies is shown and described. In the disclosed example, the window section 66 of the hood 50 can be formed of a transparent, translucent, or partially transparent material, such as a mesh material similar to that of the previously described privacy screen 70. Providing a section of the hood 50 in this manner allows a seat occupant to receive more light, to receive more fresh air (if a mesh material is used), and to have an upward viewing space similar to a vehicle sunroof. The window section 66 can alternatively be formed of a clear plastic, non-perforate material. In another example, the window section 66 can be formed in part of a mesh, translucent, or transparent material and in part of an opaque material such as the same fabric used for other portions of the hood 50. In the disclosed example, the window section 66 is formed of a mesh grid material similar to or substantially the same as that of the privacy screen 70.
In the disclosed example, a shade flap 90 is provided and secured to the outside of the hood 50. The disclosed shade flap 70 has a semi-circular configuration with a linear edge 92 sewn or otherwise attached to the hood 50. In this example, the linear edge 92 is secured to the hood 50 along a seam or location of a bow 60 between the top panel section 64 and the window section 66. Alternatively, the shade flap can be secured to the rear seam between the window section 66 and the rear section 68. The remaining perimeter on the shade flap 90 is a curved edge 94 and is not secured to any part of the hood 50 or versatile canopy 20. The shade flap 90 can be flipped or pivoted about the linear edge 92 in the direction of the arrow S to lie on top of the top panel section 64. In this stowed position depicted in FIG. 5, the shade flap 90 exposes the entire window section 66. In bright sunlight or inclement weather, a user may wish to cover or close off at least the top portion of the window section 66 to protect the seat occupant. When a user wishes to do so, the user can flip the shade flap 90 in the direction of the arrow B onto the window section 66 as depicted in FIG. 6. In this blocking position, the shade flap 90 obscures and covers at least a portion of the window section 66.
The size, location, and configuration of the shade flap 90 and the pertinent part of the window section 66 can be altered to change how much or how little of the window section is blocked by the shade flap in the blocking position. The width of the shade flap 90 can be altered to extend more or less across the width of the hood 50 in order to block more or less of the window section 66 as well. The front-to-back depth or length of the shade flap 90 can also be altered, as can the contour of the curved portion 94. In the disclosed example, the shade flap 90 covers only a top part of the window section 66 in the blocking position, leaving side portions 96 of the window section 66 open and exposed. If the window section 66 is made of mesh material, these exposed side portions 96 can allow additional fresh air into the versatile canopy 20, even when the shade flap 90 is in the blocking position.
Instead of removing the privacy screen 70 for accessing a seat occupant or for storing the screen, the privacy screen can be temporarily stowed in one or more optional stowed positions while remaining secured or attached to the hood 50. With reference to FIGS. 7-10, a user can grasp the extendable portion 74 of the privacy screen 70 (see FIG. 4) and extend the elastic band 78. In this manner, the user can free the extendable portion 74 of the privacy screen 70 from the front edge 42 on infant carrier seat 24. The user can then fold or roll up the privacy screen 70 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Once the privacy screen 70 is rolled up, the user can tuck the privacy screen under the open front end of the hood 50 beneath the top panel section 64. The user can then flip the visor section 62 in the direction of the arrow V from its extended position shown in FIG. 8 to an inverted position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 beneath the top panel section 64. The rolled up privacy screen 70 can be trapped or captured between the underside of the top panel section 64 and the inverted visor section 62. The visor section 62 will retain the privacy screen 70 in this optional second stowed position.
The free edge 100 of the visor section 62 can include a bow 102 that will hold or bias the visor section in its extended position and that will also hold or bias the visor section in its inverted position when either position is selected. This can be accomplished by tautness in the material of the visor section, resiliency of the bow, and/or a biasing mechanism at the hub to 58. Having the visor section 62 biased to the inverted position when moved to that position will help retain the visor section and the rolled up privacy screen 70 in the second optional stowed position.
Sometimes a user may wish to quickly access the seating area or seating surface 44 to either place a child in the seat, remove a child from the seat, or contact or communicate with a seat occupant. This can be accomplished by removing the privacy screen 70 and storing the screen in the first optional stowed position of FIG. 1. This can also be accomplished by rolling up the privacy screen 70 and storing the screen tucked between the visor section 62 and top panel section 64 in the second optional stowed position of FIGS. 9 and 10. However, the disclosed versatile canopy 20 also permits another third optional stowed position for the privacy screen 70 that may be faster and easier for a user to achieve.
With reference to FIG. 11, the privacy screen 70 can remain attached to the hood 50 while not being rolled up under the visor 62 and not being secured to the front edge 42 of the seat 24. In this configuration, a user can grasp the extendable portion 74 of the privacy screen 70, raised the extendable portion above the open front end 52, and pull the extendable portion 74 over the top of the hood 50 and back toward the rear section 68, as depicted in FIG. 12. In this third optional stowed position, the privacy screen 70 is easily moved out of the way so that a user can access the seating surface 44 of the seat 24. Having the visor 62 inverted inward under the top panel section 64, as in FIGS. 11-13A, provides additional clearance for the user. Though not shown herein, the top panel section 64 can also be collapsed rearward toward the window section 66 to create further clearance. Similarly, both the top panel section 64 and the window section 66 can be collapsed toward the rear section 68 creating additional clearance, all the while having the privacy screen 70 pulled over on top of the hood 50.
FIG. 13B shows that the privacy screen 70 can be moved to this third optional stowed position over the top of the hood 50 even though the visor 62 is in its fully extended position. A user may wish to choose this stowed position for the privacy screen simply because it is easier and faster to accomplish.
The disclosed versatile canopy 20 offers a number of improvements over prior known canopies. The detachable privacy screen 70 is very easy to attach or remove from the canopy structure and also is easy to deploy over the seating area of the child seating device. The disclosed privacy screen 70 is also easy to move from the deployed position to a stowed position. The disclosed privacy screen 70 can also be stowed in a variety of different ways. This creates versatility allowing the user a number of options, depending on their particular circumstances. The disclosed versatile canopy 20 also offers a sunroof-like feature with a shade flap that can be moved to block and inhibit the benefits of the sunroof or window feature or to enjoy the benefits by completely exposing the sunroof or window feature when desired. The shade flap is extremely easy to use and can be easily incorporated into the design and construction of the canopy structure.
The disclosed versatile canopy 20 can enhance the enjoyment and comfort of a seat occupant seated in a child seating device. The seat occupant can rest comfortably when the disclosed privacy screen 70 is deployed and yet can be exposed to fresh air at all times. Even with the privacy screen deployed, a caregiver will be able to hear the child if distressed or talking because the screen is a perforate mesh material. The seat occupant can also be easily accessible to the caregiver when desired. The caregiver can look in on the seat occupant through the window section of the hood without having to step around to the front open end of the canopy. The seat occupant also has side viewing capability through the window section of the hood as well as upward or vertical viewing capability through the window section. If the window section is mesh, the open side portions can also allow a caregiver to hear any noises made by the seat occupant. The window section can be provided as any one of the sections of the hood, if desired. The window can be provided on the visor section, the top section, or the rear section and yet function as intended. The shade flap can be appropriately positioned on the hood to function as described above. The window section can have a top part extending over the top of the hood and side parts extending down along the canopy sides, as in this example. The window section can instead include only the top part or one or more of the side parts.
The disclosed versatile canopy 20 is not intended to be limited to only the embodiment shown and described herein. The versatile canopy 20 is also not intended to be limited to any particular type of material used for the construction of the canopy components including the hood and its various sections, the skeleton structure, and that the privacy screen.
The hood is configured to extend over and above at least part of the seating surface, enclosing or covering that part of the seating surface. The hood is positionable to cover the seat back part of the seat. The privacy screen is configured to extend forward over and above the remaining part of the seating surface, enclosing or covering the part of the seat not covered by the hood. The combination of the canopy hood and the privacy screen create a cocoon environment whereby the entire seating area of the seat is enclosed when the privacy screen is deployed.
Although certain versatile canopy configurations and arrangements have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A child seating device comprising:

a seat with spaced apart sides, a seat back part, a seat bottom part terminating at a front edge, and a seating surface defined by the seat back and seat bottom parts;

a canopy with a hood having an open front end, a plurality of sections, and a pair of canopy sides positioned adjacent the sides of the seat, the canopy hood extending above and positionable to cover the seat back part of the seating surface;

a privacy screen having a perimeter with an extendable portion and an attachment portion that removably attaches the privacy screen to the canopy near the open front end,

wherein the privacy screen can be extended forward from the open front end to a deployed position above and covering the seat bottom part of the seating surface,

and wherein the extendable portion of the perimeter can be pulled forward and secured to the front edge of the seat.

2. A child seating device according to claim 1, wherein the canopy has a plurality of bows that are curved upwardly from and interconnect the canopy sides and differentiate the plurality of sections from one another.

3. A child seating device according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of sections is a window section.

4. A child seating device according to claim 3, wherein a shade flap is secured to the hood and is movable between a blocking position covering part of the window section on a top of the hood and a stowed position exposing the window section.

5. A child seating device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections include a visor section at the open front end of the hood, a top panel section immediately rearward of the visor section, and a window section immediately rearward of the top panel section.

6. A child seating device according to claim 5, wherein a shade flap is secured to the hood and is movable between a blocking position covering part of the window section and a stowed position exposing the window section

7. A child seating device according to claim 6, wherein the shade flap rests on the top panel section in the stowed position.

8. A child seating device according to claim 1, wherein the extendable portion of the perimeter includes an elastic band.

9. A child seating device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion includes a first part of a fastener and the hood includes a complimentary second part of a fastener that can be joined to attach the privacy screen to the canopy.

10. A child seating device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion includes a zipper part and the hood includes a zipper part, whereby the privacy screen can be zipped to the canopy.

11. A child seating device according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of sections is a perforate mesh window section having a top part extending over a top of the hood and side parts extending down along the canopy sides of the hood.

12. A child seating device according to claim 11, wherein a shade flap is secured to the hood and is movable between a stowed position exposing the window section and a blocking position covering the top part of the window section while leaving the side parts exposed.

13. An infant carrier comprising:

a seat shell with a seat bounded by a perimeter edge, the seat having a seat back part and a seat bottom part, the perimeter edge having a front edge on the seat bottom part and an upper edge on the seat back part;

a canopy coupled to the seat shell and having opposed canopy sides, the canopy having a hood extending between the opposed canopy sides above the seat back part of the seating surface, the hood having an open front end and including

a first section near the open front end, a second section, and a third section between the first and second sections,

a window in one of the first, second, or third sections,

a shade flap coupled to the fabric hood and movable between a blocking position lying over the window and a stowed position lying over one of the other of the first, second, or third sections and exposing the window; and

a privacy screen having a perimeter with an attachment portion removably attachable to the canopy near the open front end and an extendable portion being elastically resilient and stretchable over the front end of the perimeter edge on the seat to be positioned above the seat bottom part of the seat.

14. An infant carrier according to claim 13, wherein the window is in the third section.

15. An infant carrier according to claim 14, wherein the shade flap is positioned between the first and third sections and can be flipped between the blocking and stowed positions.

16. An infant carrier according to claim 13, wherein the window is a perforate mesh material.

17. An infant carrier according to claim 13, further comprising a visor section extendable forward from the first section and repositionable under the first section.

18. An infant carrier according to claim 13, wherein the privacy screen can, while attached to the canopy, be rolled up and stowed under the first section above the visor section.

19. An infant carrier according to claim 13, wherein the privacy screen can, while attached to the canopy, be pulled rearward over and stowed on top of the hood.

20. An infant carrier according to claim 13, wherein the attachment portion of the privacy screen can be detached from the canopy and the privacy screen can be stowed separately from the infant carrier.