A FOLDABLE CHILD BOOSTER SEAT

Abstract

A foldable child booster seat based on the origami and popup technique. The booster seat is light and easy to be folded flat into a compact form for storage and transport. The foldable booster seat, comprising: a plurality of rigid substrates, each rigid substrate is interconnected to another by one or more integrated hinges or flexible parts allowing the rigid substrate to fold either inward or outward when folding up; wherein when the foldable booster seat is folded flat, the rigid substrates are stacked together; and wherein when the foldable booster seat is folded up, the rigid substrates are arranged to form the shape of a chair or stool.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to furniture and the manufacture thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to portable child booster seats.

BACKGROUND

Child booster seats are often used in flights, vehicles, homes, and restaurants to alleviate the sitting height level of small children on regular seats and chairs. When attached to a regular chair or seat, a child booster seat allows a child to sit safely, comfortably, and at the approximately same height level as a sitting adult. Child booster seats are also necessary for safety reasons, particularly in flights and vehicles where seat belts are employed to ensure the proper fastened conditions of the seat belts. Problem with existing booster seats is that they are heavy (each typically weighing 2 kg and up), bulky, not easily portable, and occupy considerable storage space when not in-use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a collapsible child booster seat that addresses the problems of poor portability and stow-ability of traditional child booster seats. The booster seat in accordance to various embodiments of the present invention is based on the origami and popup technique, which is an art form of paper folding. The booster seat is light and easy to be folded flat into a compact form for storage and transport.

When laid open (before assembly), the booster seat can be viewed as one or more flat sheet materials shaped by cutout pattern(s) comprising a plurality of rigid substrates of specific shapes having flat surfaces connected by a network of integrated hinges. The shape of each of the rigid substrates and the placements of the hinges around the edges of each of the rigid substrates are designed for enabling the foldup and fold-flat actions of the assembled booster seat, and also according to the statics mechanics of the assembled booster seat.

In accordance to one embodiment, when folded flat (collapsed), the booster seat has a dimension of approximately 280 mm by 300 mm by 15 mm. Other dimensions are also possible in other embodiments. When folded up, the booster seat takes the shape of a small chair having a sitting surface and a backrest, or of a small chair having a sitting surface without any backrest or a stool.

Due to its internal double triangular structure, the weight of the occupant is transferred down to the base from both sides of the folded up booster seat and from the longitude axis of the booster seat. In an alternative embodiment, the weight is absorbed and transferred by the whole internal double triangular structure itself down to the support surface. The thicknesses, flexural, tensile, and compressive strength, and/or materials use of each individual rigid substrate can vary depending on the desired overall style, shape, and size of the folded up booster seat and for better sitting comfort, stability, sturdiness, and weight distribution.

When folded up, the chair-shape of the booster seat is upheld and secured using one or more locking means including, but not limited to, magnets or fast-release mechanical connectors.

In one embodiment, the booster seat comprises one or more built-in safety belt for securing the occupant to the booster seat. In another embodiment, the booster seat comprises one or more built-in straps for securing the booster seat to the chair or seat, or the support surface where it is placed upon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION ON THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts the sheet material cutout patterns of the child booster seat in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts the sheet material cutout patterns of the child booster seat with references to the binding areas;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an assembled and folded up child booster seat in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the assembled and folded up child booster;

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the assembled and folded up child booster seat;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the assembled and folded up child booster seat;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the assembled and folded up child booster seat;

FIG. 8 shows a back view of the assembled and folded up child booster seat;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the assembled and folded flat child booster seat;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an assembled and folded up child booster seat made of heat-pressed fiberglass in between two fabrics of a first type in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the one fabric that is externally facing is padded;

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the assembled and folded up child booster seat made of heat-pressed fiberglass in between two fabrics of the first type;

FIG. 12 shows a front view of an assembled and folded up child booster seat made of heat-pressed fiberglass in between two fabrics of a second type in accordance to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the one fabric that is externally facing is padded;

FIG. 13 shows a front view of the assembled and folded up child booster seat made of heat-pressed fiberglass in between two fabrics of the second type;

FIG. 14 shows a first perspective view of the assembled and folded up child booster seat made of heat-pressed fiberglass in between two fabrics of the second type installed with optional safety belt;

FIG. 15 shows a front view of the assembled and folded up child booster seat made of heat-pressed fiberglass in between two fabrics of the second type installed with optional safety belt;

FIG. 16 shows a side view of the assembled and folded up child booster seat made of heat-pressed fiberglass in between two fabrics of the second type installed with optional safety belt;

FIG. 17 shows a second perspective view of the assembled and folded up child booster seat made of heat-pressed fiberglass in between two fabrics of the second type installed with optional safety belt;

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the assembled and folded up child booster seat made of heat-pressed fiberglass in between two fabrics of the second type installed with optional safety belt and security straps in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the child booster seat is secured to a chair by the security straps;

FIG. 19 shows a front view of the assembled and folded up child booster seat made of heat-pressed fiberglass in between two fabrics of the second type installed with optional safety belt and security straps, wherein the child booster seat is secured to a chair by the security straps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, product models and methods of manufacture of child booster seat are set forth as preferred examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications, including additions and/or substitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Specific details may be omitted so as not to obscure the invention; however, the disclosure is written to enable one skilled in the art to practice the teachings herein without undue experimentation.

The booster seat in accordance to various embodiments of the present invention is based on the origami and popup technique, which is an art form of paper folding. The booster seat is light and easy to be folded into a compact form for storage and transport.

When laid open (before assembly), the booster seat can be viewed as one or more flat sheet materials shaped by cutout pattern(s) comprising a plurality of rigid substrates of specific shapes having flat surfaces connected by a network of integrated hinges. The shape of each of the rigid substrates and the placements of the hinges around the edges of each of the rigid substrates are designed specifically for enabling the foldup and fold-flat actions of the assembled booster seat, and also according to the statics mechanics of the assembled booster seat. The manufacture of the booster seat can be achieved through many different ways including, but not limited to:

• • 1. Using plastic (e.g. polypropylene) molding or injection techniques in making a single variable composite material board with defined thicker areas for the rigid substrates and defined thinner areas for the hinges;
  • 2. Permanently binding (e.g. by heat-pressing or ultrasound welding) soft plastic and/or rubber strips (for the hinges) to hard plastic or fiberglass panels (for the rigid substrates);
  • 3. Attaching (e.g. by glue or overmolding) the rigid substrates made of (e.g. hard plastic or fiberglass) onto a layer of fabric;
  • 4. Sealing and sandwiching (e.g. by heat-pressing) rigid substrates made of (e.g. hard plastic, fiberglass, or other hard composite material) in between two layers of fabric, and removing the inserts in defined areas for the hinges;
  • 5. Using a single piece of carbon fiber and applying resin onto the carbon fabric areas needed to be polymerized for the rigid substrates;
  • 6. Applying hardening treatment (e.g. thermal treatment) onto defined areas of a single piece of synthetic fabric to create the rigid substrates; or
  • 7. Using any other technique that combines hard panels with flat surfaces (for the rigid substrates) with mechanical hinges or soft material members (for the hinges).

Referring to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 depicts the sheet material cutout patterns of a child booster seat in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. Sub-pattern 101 is the sheet material cutout pattern of the main body of the child booster seat. Sub-pattern 103 is the sheet material cutout pattern of the backrest of the child booster seat to be attached to the main body of the child booster once assembled. The integrated hinges are located on edges 103 and 104 in between the rigid substrates. Each of the hinges on edges 103 allows the two rigid substrates connected by the hinge to fold inward during the foldup action of the child booster seat. Each of the hinges on edges 104, on the other hand, allows the two rigid substrates connected by the hinge to fold outward during the foldup action of the child booster seat. Magnets or other snap attachment means, such as straps, are fixed at circles 105 for holding together the rigid substrates on which the magnets or other snap attachment means are fixed on. This functions as a locking mechanism to uphold the foldup condition of the child booster seat. The shaded areas 106 are to bind to the surface areas of specific rigid substrates so to uphold the assembled child booster seat.

FIG. 2 shows more clearly the binding areas on the sheet material cutout patterns of the child booster seat. Binding area A′ is to bind with binding area A, B′ to B, C′ to C, E′ to E, F′ to F, H′ to H, I′ to I, J′ to J, K′ to K, L′ to L, m′ to m, and n′ to n.

In accordance to one embodiment, when folded flat (collapsed), the booster seat has a dimension of approximately 280 mm by 300 mm by 15 mm. Other dimensions are also possible in other embodiments. When folded up, the booster seat takes the shape of a small chair having a sitting surface and a backrest, or of a small chair having a sitting surface without any backrest or a stool.

Due to its internal double triangular structure, the weight of the occupant is transferred down to the base from both sides of the folded up booster seat and from the longitude axis of the booster seat. In an alternative embodiment, the weight is absorbed and transferred by the whole internal double triangular structure itself down to the support surface. The thicknesses, flexural, tensile, and compressive strength, and/or materials use of each individual rigid substrate can vary depending on the desired overall style, shape, and size of the folded up booster seat and for better sitting comfort, stability, sturdiness, and weight distribution.

When folded up, the chair-shape of the booster seat is upheld and secured using one or more locking means including, but not limited to, magnets or fast-release mechanical connectors.

In one embodiment, the booster seat comprises one or more optional built-in safety belt for securing the occupant to the booster seat as shown in FIGS. 14-17. The booster seat may optionally comprises one or more built-in straps for securing the booster seat to the chair or seat, or the support surface where it is placed upon as shown in FIGS. 18-19.

The main advantage of the present invention is that the combination of structural strength, lightweight, and its ability to be folded flat and thin allow the child booster seat to fit in almost any carrying bag, giving it great portability and making it an ideal space saving solution. A test model made of 1.4 mm thick cardboard with adhesive tape can withstand the weight of an average adult. Another test model made of heat-pressed fiberglass in between two padded fabric as shown in FIGS. 12-13 has a folded flat dimension of 280 mm by 300 mm by 18 mm and weight range of 600 g to 800 g.

A practitioner skilled in the art should appreciate that the style, shape, and size of a folded up child booster seat in accordance to the present invention are heavily influenced by the design of the sheet material cutout pattern that dictate the number, sizes, and shapes of the rigid substrates and the placements of the integrated hinges around edges of the rigid substrates. As such, many different booster seat styles, shapes, and sizes are realizable by different sheet material cutout patterns. A practitioner skilled in the art should also appreciate that different designs of the sheet material cutout pattern can be used to assemble different types of furniture such as play furniture, high chair, bed, stroller, and bouncer for toddlers and infants.

The foregoing description of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A foldable booster seat, comprising: a plurality of rigid substrates, each rigid substrate is interconnected to another by one or more integrated hinges or flexible parts allowing the rigid substrate to fold either inward or outward when folding up;wherein when the foldable booster seat is folded flat, the rigid substrates are stacked together; andwherein when the foldable booster seat is folded up, the rigid substrates are arranged to form the shape of a chair or stool.

2. The foldable booster seat of claim 1, wherein shapes and sizes of the rigid substrates and placements of the hinges or flexible parts are dictated by one or more sheet material cutout patterns.

3. The foldable booster seat of claim 1, wherein each of the rigid substrates comprises two layers of fabric and a hard plastic member inserted in between the two layers of fabric.

4. The foldable booster seat of claim 1, wherein each of the rigid substrates comprises two layers of fabric and a fiberglass member inserted in between the two layers of fabric.

5. The foldable booster seat of claim 1, wherein each of the rigid substrates comprises two layers of fabric and a hard material member inserted in between the two layers of fabric.

6. The foldable booster seat of claim 1, wherein each of the rigid substrates comprises a carbon fiber member.

7. A foldable furniture, comprising: a plurality of rigid substrates, each rigid substrate is interconnected to another by one or more integrated hinges or flexible parts allowing the rigid substrate to fold either inward or outward when folding up;wherein when the foldable booster seat is folded flat, the rigid substrates are stacked together; andwherein when the foldable booster seat is folded up, the rigid substrates are arranged to form the shape of a chair or stool.

8. The foldable furniture of claim 7, wherein shapes and sizes of the rigid substrates and placements of the hinges or flexible parts are dictated by one or more sheet material cutout patterns.

9. The foldable furniture of claim 7, wherein each of the rigid substrates comprises two layers of fabric and a hard plastic member inserted in between the two layers of fabric.

10. The foldable furniture of claim 7, wherein each of the rigid substrates comprises two layers of fabric and a fiberglass member inserted in between the two layers of fabric.

11. The foldable furniture of claim 7, wherein each of the rigid substrates comprises two layers of fabric and a hard material member inserted in between the two layers of fabric.

12. The foldable furniture of claim 7, wherein each of the rigid substrates comprises a carbon fiber member.