WO2000038968A1

WO2000038968A1 - Auxiliary features for child safety seats

Info

Publication number: WO2000038968A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/031152
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kacey Jolene Venardos
Original assignee: Kacey Jolene Venardos
Priority date: 1998-12-28
Filing date: 1999-12-28
Publication date: 2000-07-06
Also published as: AU2396100A

Abstract

A child safety seat (10) is set forth. The child safety seat includes a lower molded portion (12) formed in the child safety seat and adapted to selectively receive a unitary axle (14). A unitary axle extending through the lower molded portion is provided. A pair of wheels (18) are rotatably mounted to the unitary axle on opposite ends of the unitary axle. A method of converting a child safety seat to a pull carrier is also set forth. In a child safety seat including a seat receiving section, a back exterior portion (28), and a molded portion below the seat receiving section, the method of converting the child safety seat to a pull carrier is also set forth. In a child safety seat including a seat receiving section, a back exterior portion (28), and a molded portion below the seat receiving section, the method of converting the child safety seat to a pull carrier includes the following steps. A first set of apertures (36 and 38) are provided within the molded portion of the child safety seat below the seat receiving section. A second set of apertures are provided within the back exterior portion of the child safety seat. A unitary axle is inserted through the first set of apertures. Finally, a telescoping handle (24) is mounted through the second set of apertures.

Description

TITLE

AUXILIARY FEATURES FOR CHILD SAFETY SEATS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS: None

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY -SPONSORED

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT:

None

HELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to auxiliary features to enhance the functionality of child safety seats. More specifically, the present invention relates to features improving the mobility and protection afforded by child safety seats adapted for vehicular travel.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART:

In the early days of automobile, train, and airline travel, infants and toddlers were generally held in the arms of adults as they were transported from one place to another. Through the years, experience has shown that youngsters were often seriously injured or killed while traveling in this manner, even in what would ordinarily be considered minor accidents. The forces generated even at moderate speeds have been found to be sufficient to suddenly thrust children from out of the arms of the persons holding them during collisions. Further, adults often increased the severity of injuries when the child was in a position between the adult and a front seat or dashboard.

In an effort to afford children greater protection while traveling, special seats known as car seats or child safety seats were developed. These seats hold children in place within a protective shell, and have been instrumental in reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries incurred by children while traveling.

Another and much older vehicular invention for children is the perambulator, commonly known as a pram or stroller. The stroller is essentially a crib or seat on wheels, and is intended to be pushed along by a an adult care giver. The stroller allows a child care giver to take a child for a walk without having to carry the child, even if he becomes tired or falls asleep.

A significant amount of inventive activity has been directed to combining these two devices into a child safety seat having the mobility of a stroller as discussed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,133,567 to Owens. The resulting devices can be bulky and expensive, but afford a great deal of convenience to child care givers that must use mobile transportation, such as a car, to get around.

A great deal of inventive activity has also surrounded efforts to reduce the bulk and expense associated with manufacturing the combined child safety seats/strollers. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,595393 to Batten discusses a car seat/stroller that has a rigid tubular telescoping handle assembly and wheel bracket assembly which are fitted thereto in a manner which does not interfere with normal operation of the device as a car safety seat.

However, not all consumers need the features of a stroller in their travels. In fact, many consumers who frequently travel through airports require portability that is neither complicated or heavy while attempting to maneuver through airport foot traffic. These consumers would greatly benefit from a portable, pullable car seat where the car seat can be easily converted for portability in an inexpensive and simple manner. None of the known devices and/or assemblies heretofore have provided a solution for these consumers as their devices were designed to solve the combined stroller/car seat problem.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the need exists for a simple and efficient design enabling a car seat to be converted for portability in an inexpensive and simple manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

A child safety seat is set forth. The child safety seat includes a lower molded portion formed in the child safety seat and adapted to selectively receive a unitary axle. A unitary axle extending through the lower molded portion is provided. A pair of wheels are rotatably mounted to the unitary axle on opposite ends of the unitary axle.

A method of converting a child safety seat to a pull carrier is also set forth. In a child safety seat including a seat receiving section, a back exterior portion, and a molded portion below the seat receiving section, the method of converting the child safety seat to a pull carrier includes the following steps. A first set of apertures is provided within the molded portion of the child safety seat below the seat receiving section. A second set of apertures is provided within the back exterior portion of the child safety seat. A unitary axle is inserted through the first set of apertures. Finally, a telescoping handle is mounted through the second set of apertures.

The lower molded portion of the child safety seat can have apertures formed therein, wherein the unitary axle is selectively received through the apertures.

The child safety seat can further include a spacer disposed between the apertures and each wheel of the pair of wheels. The apertures can be formed in a lowermost portion of the child safety seat such that a significant portion of each of the wheels of the pair of wheels extends below the lowermost portion of the child safety seat

Alternatively, the child safety seat can include a set of clips provided underneath a lowermost portion of the child safety seat, wherein the clips are adapted to receive the unitary axle. A telescoping handle can be selectively inserted through apertures in a back of the car seat, the telescoping handle having a winged lock that can be selectively opened from a bottom of the handle for securing the handle to the seat.

An adhesive compound can be used to secure a telescoping handle within a set of apertures provided in the child safety seat.

The child safety seat can include a separable carry handle, wherein a cover for the child safety seat is stored in the separable carry handle. The cover can be selected from a group consisting of a sun shade, a mosquito netting, a cold weather cover, and a waterproof cover.

A central axis of the unitary axle of the child safety seat can be aligned with a hub of each of the wheels of the pair of wheels.

The child safety seat can include an outermost edge, wherein a pair of apertures are provided in the outermost edge of the child safety seat and wherein more than 1/3 of the diameter of each of the wheels of the pair of wheels extends below the outermost edge.

The child safety seat can include a lower molded portion adapted to receive an infant and a carry handle extending over the lower molded portion and connected to the child safety seat. The carry handle can include at least one of a mosquito netting or a sun shade selectively stored in the carry handle.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reference to the accompanying description when taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a side schematic elevational view of a child safety seat embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the child safety seat shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the child safety seat shown in FIG. 1.

FIG.4 is a side schematic elevational view of another child safety seat embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG.5 is a bottom plan view of the child safety seat shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view, partially broken away, of a wheel mounting assembly.

FIG.7 is a detailed view, partially broken away, of another wheel mounting assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a child safety seat shown generally at 10 and constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The child safety seat 10 includes a lower molded portion 12 adapted to selectively receive a unitary axle, as discussed in detail below with reference to Figs. 2, 5 and 6.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, a unitary axle 14 is provided. The unitary axle 14 extends through the lower molded portion 12. To this end, any extension integrally formed in or attached to the lower molded portion, as discussed below in detail with reference to Rgs. 5 and 6, through which the axle 14 can be securely mounted would be suitable for extending the unitary axle 14 through the lower molded portion 12. Figure 2 illustrates one such embodiment, where apertures 16 are provided in the lower molded portion 12 through which the unitary axle 14 is selectively received. A central axis of the unitary axle 14 can be aligned with a hub of wheels 18. The apertures 16 can be formed in a lowermost portion 22 of the child safety seat 10 such that a significant portion of the wheels 18 extend below the lowermost portion 22 of the child safety seat 10. For example, the apertures 16 can be formed in the lowermost portion 22 such that more than one third (1/3) of the diameter of each of the wheels 18 extends below an outermost edge 23 of the child safety seat 10.

Further, the wheels 18 are rotatably mounted to the unitary axle 14 on opposite ends of the unitary axle 14. Spacers 20 can be provided between the apertures 16 and the wheels 18 to enhance rotation of the wheels 18 when the child safety seat 10 is in motion.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, a telescoping handle 24 can be selectively inserted through apertures 26 in a back 28 of the child safety seat 10. The telescoping handle 24 is then suitably secured to the child safety seat 10 such as, for example, by having a winged lock (not shown) that can be selectively opened from a bottom of the handle 24 for securing the handle 24 to the child safety seat 10. The telescoping handle 24 can also be permanently attached to the child safety seat 10 with an adhesive compound. The adhesive compound can include transparent sealing compounds, such as silicone.

The child safety seat 10 can further include a seperable carry handle 30. The seperable carry handle can store a cover 32, illustrated in Fig.4, when in a closed position as illustrated in Rgs. 1 to 3. The cover 32 can include any suitable cover. Examples of suitable covers include a lightweight sunshade, mosquito netting, a cold weather cover such as fleece or nylon, and a waterproof cover. As illustrated in Rg. 5, the lower molded portion 12 extends along a bottom 34 of the child safety seat 10. The apertures 16 can be formed at any suitable point along the lower molded portion

β 12, wherein the position of the apertures 16 will depend on the structure of the lower molded portion 12 of a particular child safety seat 10, and wherein any suitable point includes all points where the unitary axle can extend across the lower molded portion 12 without obstruction.

The ability to successfully accommodate the unitary axle 14 is not limited to embodiments where apertures, such as apertures 16 are provided. As illustrated in figures 6 and 7 respectively, the unitary axle can be secured in a generally u-shaped aperture formed in the lower molded portion 12 via a clip 36, or within a pair of clips 38 integrally formed along the bottom 34 of the child safety seat 10. Further, any other suitable configuration that accommodates the unitary axle 14 while maintaining the wheels 18 in a rotatable position at all times when the wheels 18 are connected to the child safety seat 10 are contemplated herein.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

I CLAIM :

1. A child safety seat comprising: a lower molded portion formed in the child safety seat and adapted to selectively receive a unitary axle; a unitary axle extending through the lower molded portion; and a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the unitary axle on opposite ends of the unitary axle.

2. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 1, the lower molded portion further comprising apertures formed in the lower molded portion, wherein the unitary axle is selectively received through the apertures.

3. A child safety seat as claimed in claim as 2, further comprising a spacer disposed between the apertures and each wheel of the pair of wheels.

4. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 2, wherein the apertures are formed in a lowermost portion of the child safety seat, and wherein a significant portion of each of the wheels of the pair of wheels extends below the lowermost portion of the child safety seat.

5. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a set of clips provided underneath a lowermost portion of the child safety seat, wherein the clips are adapted to receive the unitary axle.

β

7. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a telescoping handle selectively inserted through apertures in a back of the car seat, the telescoping handle having a winged lock that can be selectively opened from a bottom of the handle for securing the handle to the seat.

8. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 1, the child safety seat including a set of apertures adapted to receive a telescoping handle, wherein the handle is secured within the apertures with an adhesive compound.

9. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein the adhesive compound is a transparent sealing compound.

10. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a separable carry handle, wherein a cover for the child safety seat is stored in the separable carry handle.

11. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cover is selected from a group consisting of a sun shade, a mosquito netting, a cold weather cover, and a waterproof cover.

12. A child safety seat comprising the following: a unitary axle selectively inserted through a lower molded portion of the child safety seat; a pair of wheels rotatably connected at opposite ends of the unitary axle; and a telescoping handle provided through a set of apertures in the child safety seat.

13. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 12, wherein a pair of apertures are provided in the lower molded portion of the child safety seat, and wherein the unitary axle is inserted through the apertures.

14. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 13, the lower molded portion of the child safety seat further comprising an interior side and an exterior side, wherein a spacer is provided between the pair of wheels and the exterior side of the child safety seat.

15. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 13, wherein a central axis of the unitary axle is aligned with a hub of each of the wheels of the pair of wheels.

16. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 13, the child safety seat further comprising an outermost edge, wherein the pair of apertures are provided in the outermost edge of the child safety seat and wherein more than 1/3 of the diameter of each of the wheels of the pair of wheels extends below the outermost edge.

17. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 12, the child safety seat further comprising a bottom molded portion and a set of clips, adapted to selectively receive the unitary axle, connected to the bottom molded portion of the child safety seat

18. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 12, wherein the telescoping handle is permanently attached to the child safety seat.

19. A child safety seat as claimed in claim 12, the child safety seat further comprising a lower molded portion adapted to receive an infant and a carry handle extending over the lower molded portion and connected to the child safety seat, the carry handle having at least one of a mosquito netting or a sun shade selectively stored in the carry handle.

20. In a child safety seat including a seat receiving section, a back exterior portion, and a molded portion below the seat receiving section, a method of converting the child safety seat to a pull carrier comprising the following steps: providing a first set of apertures within the molded portion of the child safety seat below the seat receiving section; providing a second set of apertures within the back exterior portion of the child safety seat; inserting a unitary axle through the first set of apertures; rotatably mounting a set of wheels at opposite ends of the unitary axle; and mounting a telescoping handle through the second set of apertures.