WO2007127710A2

WO2007127710A2 - Booster seat with vertically adjustable seat base

Info

Publication number: WO2007127710A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/067265
Authority: WO
Inventors: Said Nakhla
Original assignee: Britax Child Safety, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-04-24
Filing date: 2007-04-24
Publication date: 2007-11-08
Also published as: WO2007127710A3

Abstract

A child booster seat for securement in a vehicle seat including an upwardly extending stationary seat back and a seat base attached to the seat back including a seat and an adjustment mechanism for moving the seat upwardly in relation to the seat back. A method of preparing a child booster seat for securing a child in a vehicle seat is also disclosed.

Description

BOOSTER SEAT WITH VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE SEAT BASE

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a booster seat of the type installed on a vehicle seat to allow older children to be safely transported in the vehicle. Booster seats are typically used after the child has outgrown infant and child safety seats and before the child is large enough to be seated directly on the vehicle seat and directly restrained by the vehicle seat belt and shoulder belt. Booster seats are used for children of different sizes and heights. For this reason, booster seats typically have adjustment features, including a vertically adjustable seat back, that permit the booster seat to be tailored to the size of the seat occupant. Adjustment of the seat back provides comfort to the seat occupant and correctly positions the seat occupant's head in relation to the head rest and side restraints of the booster seat. [0002] However, seat back adjustment mechanisms are relatively complex, and add weight and manufacturing costs to the seat. In addition, vertically adjusting the seat back leaves the seat occupant in the same position relative to vehicle windows or side curtain air bags and may move the head rest of the booster seat out of optimum position in relation to the head rest of the vehicle seat, as well as the shoulder harness out of optimum position in relation to the seat occupant. [0003] As a separate matter, booster seats are relatively large compared to other types of child seats, and thus require a significant amount of fabric from which dress covers are fabricated. Fabric seat dress covers are susceptible to soiling, being wetted spilled beverages or other liquids, and uneven wear. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a booster seat that permits adjustment according to the size or preferences of the seat occupant without the necessity of an adjustable seat back.

[0005] It is another object of the invention to provide a booster seat that permits the seat occupant to be moved vertically in relation to vehicle windows or side curtain air bags.

[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a booster seat that eliminates the need for a dress cover over the padding and other structural and comfort elements.

[0007] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a child booster seat for securement in a vehicle seat. The booster seat includes an upwardly extending seat back for stationary securement relative to the vehicle seat, and a seat base attached to the seat back including a seat and an adjustment mechanism for moving the seat upwardly in relation to the seat back.

[0008] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat comprises a self skinning foam.

[0009] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the self skinning foam provides a relatively non-porous, non absorbent surface layer that obviates the need for a dress cover.

[0010] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat base further includes an injection molded or vacuum formed plastic. [0011] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the injection molded or vacuum formed plastic is deformable to move the seat. [0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded screw.

[0013] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat further includes a strap for immovably securing the seat back to a vehicle head rest or a tether anchor.

[0014] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of preparing a child booster seat for securing a child in a vehicle seat includes providing a child booster seat including an upwardly extending seat back for stationary securement relative to the vehicle seat, and a seat base attached to the seat back including a seat and an adjustment mechanism for moving the seat upwardly in relation to the seat back. The method further includes positioning the booster seat in the vehicle seat, attaching the seat back to the vehicle seat, and adjusting the seat with respect to the seat back while maintaining the position of the booster seat in the vehicle seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description of the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a booster seat according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is another front perspective view of the booster seat; [0018] Figure 3 is also a front perspective view showing a displaced seat base;

[0019] Figure 4A is a front perspective view of a seat base for a booster seat in a lowered position;

[0020] Figure 4B is a front perspective view of the seat base in a raised position;

[0021] Figure 4C is a front perspective view of the seat base in a further raised position;

[0022] Figure 4D is a front perspective view of the seat base in yet a further raised position;

[0023] Figure 5A is a front cross section of a seat base for a booster seat showing an adjustment mechanism with the base in a lowered position showing;

[0024] Figure 5B is a front cross section of the seat base showing the adjustment mechanism in a raised position;

[0025] Figure 6A is a front cross section of a seat base for a booster seat showing an adjustment mechanism in a lowered position;

[0026] Figure 6B is a front cross section of the seat base showing the adjustment mechanism in a raised position;

[0027] Figure 7A is a front cross section of a seat base for a booster seat showing an adjustment mechanism in a lowered position; and

[0028] Figure 7B is a front cross section of the seat base showing the adjustment mechanism in a raised position. TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0029] Referring now to the attached drawings, the booster seat according to the invention has several unique features. In accordance with one advantage of the novel booster seat 10, as shown in Figures 1-3, the seat base 20 is mounted to a seat back 16 that is not vertically adjustable. A strap 28 may be included to attach the seat back 16 to the base 20. The seat base 20 itself is designed so it is vertically adjustable in relation to the stationary seat back 16, as shown in Figures 4A-D. This may be accomplished in a number of ways. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat base 20 is provided with a height adjustment mechanism 24, which may be a ratchet or a threaded screw 25, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B. In an embodiment, the seat base 20a is injection molded or vacuum- formed plastic, and may be vertically deformable by means of the ratchet or screw 25 to provide the required height adjustment, as is also shown in Figures 5A and 5B . In addition, or, alternatively, the seat base 20b may include nested or telescoped members 32 and 34, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, that are movable relative to each other by action of the ratchet, screw 25 or other height-adjusting mechanism. [0030] By "ratchet" is meant any device that incorporates mating teeth that engage to fix the seat base elements in a desired position relative to each other, and disengage from each other to permit adjustment.

[0031] By "screw" is meant any mechanical means by which rotary motion is converted to linear motion by operation of a rotary device with threads that cooperate with mating threads on the part to be moved linearly. [0032] Alternatively, an air bladder 38 positioned in or under the seat base 20 may be used to adjust the height of the seat base 20, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B. A conventional system of inflating or deflating the air bladder 38 may be incorporated, and generally comprises a hand pump 36 to inflate the air bladder 38, and a relief valve to bleed air from and deflate the air bladder 38, for example. [0033] The adjustable parts of the seat base 20 can be covered with padding to provide a comfortable seating surface for the seat occupant. [0034] Ordinarily, the booster seat 10 will first be positioned on the vehicle seat 24. The seat back 16 of the booster seat 10 is then attached to the head rest of the vehicle seat by a strap 44 that extends around the vehicle head rest or connect to the top tether anchor. The vehicle seat belt and shoulder harness 52 are then installed on the booster seat 10. The shoulder harness is threaded through belt guides 64 on the seat back of the booster seat 10. The seat back 16 of the booster seat 10 is thereafter stationary with relation to the seat back of the vehicle seat 24. The child is placed in the booster seat 10 and strapped into place using the vehicle seat belt and shoulder harness 52, as shown in Figure 1.

[0035] Because the back rest of the booster seat need not be moved, it can be rigidly attached to the vehicle seat back, thus providing enhanced lateral rigidity to the booster seat.

[0036] Vertical adjustment is then accomplished by adjusting the seat base 20 in one of the ways described above. The child is thus moved relative to the stationary seat back 16, rather than moving the seat back 16 relative to the stationary seat base 20 and child. This feature has the advantage of allowing the child's position to be adjusted to align the child with the window for enhanced visibility, or to align the child with relation to rear side curtain air bags. [0037] With this arrangement, belt guides 64 do not move vertically, and can be maintained in an optimum position in relation to the seat occupant. [0038] Independent of the features described above, the booster seat back and/or seat base may be formed from a self-skinning foam applied over the structural base or seat back elements, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B. The "skin" of such foams provide a relatively non-porous, non-absorbent surface layer that can be left as is, textured or otherwise modified as desired to provide a seating surface that can be sat upon without the provision of a dress cover. Fabric seat dress covers are susceptible to soiling, being wetted by spilled beverages or other liquids, and uneven wear. In contrast, the skin of the foam may be easily cleaned when necessary with a cloth or sponge and warm water or mild detergent or other cleaner. [0039] As a result of the features described above, the booster seat may be constructed less expensively, lighter in weight and with fewer and simpler parts. [0040] A booster seat is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation; the invention being defined by the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A child booster seat for securement in a vehicle seat, the booster seat comprising:

(a) an upwardly extending seat back for stationary securement relative to the vehicle seat; and

(b) a seat base attached to the seat back comprising a seat and an adjustment mechanism for moving the seat upwardly in relation to the seat back.

2. A booster seat according to claim 1 wherein the seat comprises a self skinning foam.

3. A booster seat according to claim 2 wherein the self skinning foam provides a relatively non-porous, non absorbent surface layer that obviates the need for a dress cover.

4. A booster seat according to claim 1 wherein the seat base further comprises an injection molded or vacuum formed plastic.

5. A booster seat according to claim 4 wherein the injection molded or vacuum formed plastic is deformable to move the seat.

6. A booster seat according to claim 1 wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded screw.

7. A booster seat according to claim 1 further comprising a strap for immovably securing the seat back to a vehicle head rest or a tether anchor.

8. A method of preparing a child booster seat for securing a child in a vehicle seat comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a child booster seat comprising:

(i) an upwardly extending seat back for stationary securement relative to the vehicle seat; and (ii) a seat base attached to the seat back comprising a seat and an adjustment mechanism for moving the seat upwardly in relation to the seat back;

(b) positioning the booster seat in the vehicle seat;

(c) attaching the seat back to the vehicle seat; and

(d) adjusting the seat with respect to the seat back while maintaining the position of the booster seat in the vehicle seat.