WO2012085628A1

WO2012085628A1 - Cradle in car for infant

Info

Publication number: WO2012085628A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/001597
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mathew Zakariahs
Original assignee: Mathew Zakariahs
Priority date: 2010-12-24
Filing date: 2011-07-09
Publication date: 2012-06-28

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and an attachment for holding a cradle in a vehicle, the vehicle having a seat with a pair of slots for detachably holding a headrest. The attachment has a pair of legs, a guiding frame and a hanger holder. The pair of legs with adjustable means are adopted to be inserted in the slots provided in the seat when the headrest is removed. The guiding frame is attached to the legs and has a sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism is moveable along the guiding frame. A locking means provided on the sliding mechanism locks the position of the sliding mechanism on the guiding frame. The hanger holder detachably holds the cradle.

Description

CRADLE IN CAR FOR INFANT

Field of Invention

This invention relates to cradles in general and to an adjustable cradle attachment for vehicles for holding infants/babies in particular.

Background

A number of different child seats for vehicles such as cars are available in the market. The shape of said seats typically corresponds to the shape of the car seat. The child seats have safety belts are configurable to be fixed on the seat of the car through the safety belts provided in the car seat or through some other complex attachments provided with the child seat. The child seat can be secured to the vehicle seat and the infant^babies can be seated on the child seats secured through the safety belts provided in the child seat.

Such child car seats are often uncomfortable for infants and make them cry while traveling that may distract the attention of the person driving the car. More over such child car seats are heavy, have complex mechanism, are costly and cannot be used for any other purpose or outside the car as a cradle. Furthermore the child/infant is susceptible to the jerks while traveling in case of a rough road or in case the shock absorbers of the vehicle are not effective. The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

Objects of Invention

(i) It is the object of the invention to travel with a baby in a car without any disturbance to the driver.

(ii) Second object of the invention is to provide comforts to the baby so that he/she can play and enjoy the ride inside the vehicle.

(iii) Another object of the invention is to protect the baby from jerks while traveling, which may cause injury or hurt the baby.

(iv) Yet another object of the invention is to provide a multipurpose cradle that can be used for safely carrying babies in the vehicle and can be used as conventional cradles outside the vehicle in gardens, home, hotels etc.

(v) Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism, which can be fitted in any brand of a car without any alterations in the car. Summary of the invention

The present invention provides an attachment for holding a cradle in a vehicle, the vehicle having a seat with a pair of slots for detachably holding a headrest. The attachment has a pair of legs, a guiding frame and a hanger holder. The pair of legs are adopted to be inserted in the slots provided in the seat when the headrest is removed. The guiding frame is attached to the legs and has a sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism is moveable along the guiding frame. A locking means provided on the sliding mechanism locks the position of the sliding mechanism on the guiding frame. The hanger holder coupled to the sliding mechanism, detachably holds the cradle.

Further, the present invention provides a system for carrying a child in a vehicle having at least one seat with a pair of slots for detachably holding a headrest. The system has an attachment adapted to be installed in the pair of slots and a cradle. The attachment has a guiding frame for holding a sliding mechanism, the sliding mechanism have a hanger holder attached thereto. The cradle is detachably attached to the hanger holder wherein the system is mounted in the vehicle by replacing the headrest of at least one seat and the cradle is selectively adjustable at a desired location by adjusting the sliding mechanism on the guiding frame.

The system is further mounted in the vehicle by replacing the headrest of the seat with the attachment and the cradle is selectively adjustable at a desired location by adjusting the sliding mechanism on the guiding frame.

Other details and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and illustrative drawings of certain present embodiments thereof. Brief Description of Drawings

A more complete appreciation of this disclosure will be understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a system for holding a cradle in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of an attachment for holding a cradle in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the cradle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the cradle with stand according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cradle according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 6 illustrate a cross sectional view of the cradle according yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention, as illustrated in figure 1 , discloses a system for holding a cradle in a vehicle such as, but not limited to, a car having one or more seats. The seats 10 provided in the vehicle typically have a pair of slots 12, 14 for detachably holding a headrest 16. The headrest 16 may have a pair of legs 18, 20 that may be inserted in the pair of slots 12, 14 for fastening the headrest with the seat 10. In some vehicles, detachable headrest 16 may be provided only in the front seats, whereas in other vehicles, detachable headrest 16 may be provided in all the seats 10. According to an embodiment the disclosed system has an attachment 100 and a cradle 200. The attachment is made up of any durable material such as but not limited to metal. The attachment 100 may be mounted in any seat 10, having a detachable headrest 16, of the vehicle by removing the headrest 16 from its position. Particularly the attachment can be mounted in the front seat of the vehicle and more particularly in the front seat, adjacent to the driver seat. Further the attachment 100 may be placed either on the front or back of the seat 10. According to yet another embodiment the disclosed system may further have a cushion 202 for supporting the cradle 200 at a free end.

Turning to figure 2, that disclose a perspective view of the attachment 100 for holding a cradle in the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The attachment 100 comprises a pair of legs 102, 104, a guiding frame 106 and a hanger holder 108. The pair of legs 102, 104 are adopted to be inserted in the slots 12 and 14 provided in the seat. To install the attachment 100 in the vehicle, the headrest 16 is removed from the seat 10 where user wishes to place the attachment. The legs 102, 104 of the attachment 100 are then placed in the slots 12, 14 provided in the seat 10. According to an embodiment the thickness of the legs 102, 104 corresponds to the thickness of the headrest legs 18 and 20. According to another embodiment, the thickness of the legs 102, 104 may be selected such that the attachment may be used universally with any vehicle. According to yet another embodiment the attachment may have a provision to adjust the distance between the legs 102, 104. The distance between the legs 102, 104 may be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism 1 10. To adjust the distance one leg 104 may be moved with respect to the other leg 102 that is fixed with respect to the guiding frame 106. The adjusting mechanism further have a locking means 1 12, but not limited to, nut-bolts to lock the distance between the legs 102, 104. The adjustment mechanism 1 10 enables use of the disclosed attachment 100 with any vehicle irrespective of the brand and its construction.

The guiding frame 106 is attached to the legs 102, 104 and may have a sliding mechanism 1 14. According to an embodiment the guiding frame 106 may be a pair of parallel rails. The rails may have any suitable shape but not limited to round, square, oval etc.. The sliding mechanism 1 14 is moveable along the guiding frame 106 and may have a locking means 1 16. The locking means 1 16, but not limited to, a nut, screw etc., locks the position of the sliding mechanism 1 14 on the guiding frame 106 at a desired location. According to another embodiment the locking means 1 16 may be a slider- locking knob. The sliding mechanism 1 14 is further configured to securely accommodate the hanger holder 108. To accommodate the hanger holder 108, the sliding mechanism 1 14 may have a plurality of hollow profiles 1 18 of a size and shape, but not limited to, circular, square, rectangular, oval etc. The hanger holders 108 may have a pair of vertical rods. The vertical rods may be made up of a durable material but not limited to metal, and have a profile that corresponds to the shape and size of hollow profiles 1 18 of the sliding mechanism 1 14. The vertical rods further have an adjustable/locking means 120 such as, but not limited to, wing nuts, at one end and means 122 to securely hold a cradle 200 at the other end.

According to another embodiment, the adjustable/locking means 120 may be used for adjusting the height of the cradle 200 in the vehicle. According to another embodiment, the adjustable means 120 may be such that the cradle 200 may be removed from hanger holder 108 by simply unscrewing the adjustable/locking means 120.

According to an embodiment the vertical rods may have a nut and bolt, lock or any other arrangement to hold the cradle 200 at the other end. According to another embodiment, the vertical rods may have a pair of horizontal rods, wherein one rod is attached to each vertical rod, the horizontal rods are configured to securely hold and hang the cradle. According to yet another embodiment, the vertical rods may have any suitable means 122 but not limited to, hook at the other end for securely holding the cradle.

In yet another embodiment, hanger holders 108 may be fixed to the cradle. According to this embodiment, the cradle 200 may be removed from the attachment 100 by unscrewing the adjustable/locking means 120 thereby releasing hanger holder 108 along with cradle from the attachment 100. It must be appreciated that the disclosed system and attachment is not restricted to be used with the cradle as disclosed and illustrated with regard to the specific embodiments of the present invention and any conventional cradle may be used without deviating from the teachings of the present invention with the attachment 100.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the cradle 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated the cradle 200 has a body 206 and a bottom 208. The body 206 is prepared by moulding soft plastic material but not limited to Polyurethane foaming by unique system into one piece typically by centrifugal casting method embedded on Mild Steel (M.S.) or any other durable structure at the sides. The bottom portion 208 is prepared by weaving the resilient thread. The complete structure may be further covered by upholstery of soft lining material that may be removed and dry-cleaned. The cradle 200 may further have a handle 210 of suitable shape and size to carry cradle, so that the cradle 200 may be easily detached and carried to the garden or open place from the vehicle. The cradle further has means 212 for adopting the hanger holders 108.

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the cradle with stand according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated the stand 214 may be a separate foldable attachment that can be used to place the cradle 200 as and when the cradle 200 is removed from the attachment 100. The cradle may be covered with a net when kept in garden or open place, to protect the baby from mosquitoes and flies. Figure 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of the cradle 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cradle 300 comprises preferably three frames i.e. a first frame 302, a second frame 304 and a third frame 306. The first frame 302, the second frame 304 and the third frame 306 may have any desired shape, but not limited to, rectangular, oval etc. and is made up of a durable material, but not limited to, metal. The first frame 302 may be configured to securely attach with the hanger holder 108 at one side 308. The second frame 304 hangs loosely from the first frame 302 through at least one resilient means 310 such as, but not limited to, shock absorber. The resilient means 310 prevents jerks or bumps while traveling in the vehicle and to avoid any injury to the baby.

The third frame 306 loosely hangs horizontally from the second frame 302 through a plurality of flexible smooth bands 312. The flexible bands 312 are loosely liaised between the second frame 304 and the third frame 306. The flexible bands 312 may further prevent jerks or bumps while traveling. The third frame 306 may have a knitted base. The third frame may also have a cushion for providing comfort to the infant/child.

According to an embodiment the first 302, second 304 and third 306 frames are covered by a suitable cushion form/sheet, but not limited to, plastic, synthetic, cotton, velvet etc.

Further, the cradle 300 may include a safety belt 204 for safely carrying the child in the cradle. The safety belt 204 may be selected from any conventionally known safety belts. Figure 6 illustrate a cross sectional view of the cradle 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated the cradle 400 have a top frame 402 and a bottom frame 404. The top frame 402 may be connected to the hanger holder 108 at one side 406. The bottom frame 404 may be connected to the top frame 402 through a plurality of resilient means 408. According to an embodiment the resilient means 408 are flexible smooth bands. According to another embodiment the resilient means 408 are shock absorbers. The top frame 402 and the bottom frame 404 may have any desired shape, but not limited to, rectangular, oval etc. and is made up of a durable material, but not limited to, metal. According to another embodiment the top frame 402 and the bottom frame 404 are covered by a suitable cushion form/sheet, but not limited to, plastic, synthetic, cotton, velvet etc.

While certain present preferred embodiments of the disclosure and certain preferred methods of practicing the same have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. An attachment (100) for holding a cradle (200) in a vehicle, the vehicle having atleast one seat (10) with a pair of slots ( 12, 14) for detachably holding a head-rest (16), the attachment (100) comprising:

a pair of legs (102, 104) adopted to be inserted in the slots (12, 14) provided in the seat (10);

a guiding frame (106) attached to the legs ( 102, 104), the guiding frame ( 106) have a sliding mechanism (1 14), the sliding mechanism ( 1 14) is moveable along the guiding frame (106) and have at least one locking means ( 1 16) for locking the position of the sliding mechanism ( 1 14) on the guiding frame ( 106); and

a hanger holder ( 108) coupled to the sliding mechanism ( 1 14) for detachably holding the cradle (200).

2. The attachment for holding cradle in a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the distance between the legs (102, 104) is adjusted by an adjustment mechanism 1 10.

3. The attachment for holding cradle in a vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism 1 10 have a locking knob 1 12 for locking the relative distance between the legs (102, 104).

4. The attachment for holding cradle in a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locking means (1 16) for locking the position of the sliding mechanism (1 14) on the guiding frame (106) is a slider locking knob.

5. The attachment for holding cradle in a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein hanger holder ( 108) have a adjustable/locking means 120 for adjusting the height of the cradle in the vehicle.

6. A system for carrying a child in a vehicle having at least one seat ( 10) with a pair of slots (12, 14) for detachably holding headrest ( 16), the system comprising:

an attachment (100) adapted to be installed in the pair of slots ( 12, 14) provided in the seat (10), the attachment (100) having a guiding frame ( 106) for holding a sliding mechanism (1 14), the sliding mechanism ( 1 14) have a hanger holder (108) attached thereto; and

a cradle (200, 300, 400) detachably attached to the hanger holder ( 108); wherein

the system is mounted in the vehicle by replacing the headrest ( 16) of at least one seat ( 10) with the attachment ( 100), and

the cradle (200, 300, 400) is selectively adjustable at a desired location by adjusting the sliding mechanism (1 14) on the guiding frame (106).

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cradle (200) has a body (206) and a bottom (208), the body 206 is molded from Polyurethane foaming into one piece and have embedded mild steel structure and the bottom (208) is made up of resilient thread.

8. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cradle (400) have a top frame (402) and a bottom frame (404), the top frame (402) being connected to the hanger holder (108) and the bottom frame (404) being connected to the top frame (402) through a plurality of resilient means (408).

9. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cradle (200) have a first frame (302), a second frame (304) and a third frame (306), the third frame (306) hang horizontally from the second frame (304) through loosely liaised flexible bands (312) and the second frame (304) hang horizontally from the first frame (302) through a plurality of resilient means (312).

10. The system as claimed in any of the claim 8 or 9, wherein the frames are rigid and made up of a durable material.

1 1. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the resilient means (312) are shock absorbers.

12. The system as claimed in any of the claims 7 to 1 1 , wherein the cradle has a safety belt.