The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present invention relates generally to the field of transporting a child and more specifically relates to a child's seat for a land vehicle.
Car seats and strollers are essential items for parents and caregivers of small children. Generally, child safety seats are seats designed specifically to protect children from injury or death during collisions. Many regions require children defined by age, weight, and/or height to use a government-approved child safety seat when riding in a vehicle. Some car manufacturers integrate child safety seats directly into their vehicle's design. However, it is more common for consumers to purchase and install separate seats.
Child safety seats provide passive restraints and must be properly used to be effective. A child must be placed in a car seat when being driven in an automobile and then, after reaching the destination, the child must be removed from the car seat and placed in a stroller before proceeding. Often times, small children nap while in the car seat and are disturbed and woken up when transferred to the stroller. A suitable solution is desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,331 to Tucker, et al., relates to a combination automobile seat and stroller. The described combination automobile seat and stroller includes a combination car seat and stroller having a plurality of wheels which are pivotable between a first, lowered position for use as a stroller and a second, raised position for use as a car seat. An extendable handle is provided for pushing the apparatus when the wheels are in the first, lowered position. A spring or clip is provided for locking the wheels in the first, lowered position for use as a stroller. The wheels are pivoted to a second, raised position to allow the apparatus to be placed on the seat of an automobile, an airplane seat, or other surface. Slots in the arms of the chair are provided for releasably engaging the apparatus with the seatbelt of the automobile or airplane seat. The apparatus is provided with a selectably extendable footrest which can be retracted when the wheels are pivoted to the second, raised position.
In view of disadvantages inherent in the known child's seat for a land vehicle art, the present disclosure provides a novel car seat stroller. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described secondly in greater detail, is to provide a car seat stroller.
A device for securing and transporting a child is disclosed herein. The device for securing and transporting a child includes a child safety seat, a retractable handle, and a plurality of wheels and is configured to hold and secure a child to the child safety seat. The child safety seat includes a support frame, an internal harness, and a padded seat affixed to the support frame. A retractable handle is fixed to the support frame and is configured to transfer loads between the retractable handle and the child safety seat. The retractable handle further has a deployed-handle state and stowed-handle state. A plurality of wheels is fixed to the child safety seat and is configured to rollingly translate the child safety seat when towed via the retractable handle. At least two of the plurality of wheels are further configured to retract relative to the child safety seat and the at least two of the plurality of wheels have a deployed-wheel state and a stowed-wheel state.
According to another embodiment, a method of use for the device for securing and transporting a child is also disclosed herein. The method of use for the device for securing and transporting a child includes installing the device for securing and transporting a child in a vehicle, positioning the child in the child safety seat, restraining the child in the child safety seat with the internal harness, removing the device for securing and transporting a child in a vehicle from the vehicle and placing it on the ground when desired, pressing a pushbutton to lower at least two of the plurality of wheels to a deployed-wheel state, deploying the retractable handle from the stowed-handle state, and rollingly-translating the child safety seat to a destination. The method of use further comprises the steps of: removing the child from the internal harness, pressing the pushbutton to raise the at least two of a plurality of wheels to a stowed-wheel state, and placing the retractable handle in a stowed-handle state.
For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosure have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the disclosure which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a car seat stroller, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
The various embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a child's seat for a land vehicle and more particularly to a car seat stroller as used to improve the device for securing and transporting a child.
Generally speaking, the present disclosure is directed toward a combination car seat and stroller, capable of transporting children with ease and convenience. It allows for the seamless, uninterrupted transition from a car seat into a stroller while ensuring a child can sit comfortably. The device features a retractable handle and a push button designed to expand wheels from the bottom portion of the seat/stroller. There can be wheels in each of the four corners of the seat's rectangular base having recesses for the wheels. The push button can be in communication with the four wheels such that, when pressed, the push button allows the wheels to extend in order to convert the seat into a stroller. The car seat stroller can be constructed using plastic, metal, padding for the seat, and other suitable materials. The device may be available in different sizes to accommodate children of different ages and/or body types.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in
The child safety seat 110 may further include a support frame 200, an internal harness 226, and a padded seat 220. The padded seat 220 may be removably affixed to support frame 200. The retractable handle 120 may be fixed to support frame 200 and may be configured to transfer loads between retractable handle 120 and child safety seat 110.
According to one embodiment, the device for securing and transporting a child 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the device for securing and transporting a child 100 may further include a set of instructions 155. The instructions 155 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the device for securing and transporting a child 100 (such that the device for securing and transporting a child 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner).
As above, the child safety seat 110 may include the support frame 200. Also, the support frame 200 may have the internal harness 226 and the padded seat 220 affixed to it. The internal harness 226 may include a plurality of shoulder straps 227, a crotch strap 228, and a safety-buckle 229, with which a child may be safely secured in the child safety seat 110. The padded seat 220 may include a seat-bottom 221 and a seat-back 222. Seat-bottom 221 and seat-back 222 are configured to anchor the internal harness 226. Seat-bottom 221 and seat-back 222 may be at least partially made of body-supporting materials 223 that include padding 224 that may be configured to cushion child 141. In addition, padding 224 may be further configured to approximate body position of child 141 who may be restrained in child safety seat 110. A durable cover cloth 225 that may have UV-resistant properties may enclose padding 224. Further, durable cover cloth 225 further may be able to be repeatedly cleaned.
As illustrated, some or all of the plurality of wheels 130 may be retractable into the child safety seat 110. In particular, the support frame 200 may further include a base-member 201. The base-member 201 of support frame 200 may include one or more cavities 202 configured to house one or more wheels 130. For example, the plurality of wheels 130 may be configured in the deployed-wheel state 261 and the stowed-wheel state 262 to stow into and deploy from the base-member 201. According to one embodiment, at least two of plurality of wheels 130 in stowed-wheel state 262 may be configured to lock out, such that at least two of plurality of wheels 130 are able to be rolled over a ground surface 10 (
According to one embodiment, the plurality of wheels 130 may rotate between their respective deployed-wheel state 261 and stowed-wheel state 262 about a rotational axis of deployment, respectively. As shown, each of the plurality of wheels 130 may rotate 90 degrees (or at least 85 degrees) about their respective rotational axis of deployment between the deployed-wheel state 261 and the stowed-wheel state 262, into and out of the child safety seat 110.
According to one embodiment, the plurality of wheels 130 may be coupled to a rotator-link 264. The rotator-link 264 may link together at least two of plurality of wheels 130 to rotate in synchronized motion. In particular, when moving between the deployed-wheel state 261 and the stowed-wheel state 262, at least two of plurality of wheels 130 may rotate about their respective rotational axis of deployment at the same time.
According to one embodiment, each rotator-link 264 may be functionally coupled with a master-link 242, such that movement of each rotator-link 264 may be simultaneously initiated by activation of master-link 242. For example, from the deployed-wheel state 261, activation of the master-link 242 may engage at least two rotator-links 264, which may each at least partially retract at least two wheels 130 into their respective cavities 202, placing the plurality of wheels 130 in the stowed-wheel state 262.
The support frame 200 may include the base-member 201 and a back-member 203. The base-member 201 may have upper surface 204 and lower surface 205. The upper surface 204 may be configured to receive and the support seat-bottom 221, while the lower surface 205 may be configured to receive and support at least one of a plurality of wheels 130. The back-member 203 may be configured to support the seat-back 222, while fixing or retaining the seat-bottom 221 and the seat-back 222 in an upright position, such as at an angle between 85 degrees and 120 degrees relative to each other. In addition, support frame 200 may be at least partially made of durable plastic materials that are able to resist damage when the child safety seat 110 is traversed over rough, and alternatively wet, surfaces, in addition to any applicable safety standards.
Loads transferred between retractable handle 120 and child safety seat 110 may be transferred via the back-member 203. In addition, the back-member 203 may be configured to stow away at least portions of the retractable handle 120 when retractable handle 120 is in the stowed-handle state 241. The back-member 203 may further include a handle receiver 207 configured to slidably-retain retractable handle 120 when the retractable handle 120 is in stowed-handle state 241. The handle receiver 207 may include a first-extension-arm-receiver 211 and a second-extension-arm-receiver 212.
According to one embodiment, the retractable handle 120 may include a hand grip 244, a first-extension-arm 248, and a second-extension-arm 249. The hand grip 244 may be configured for the user 140 (
Further, the hand grip 244 may have a first-grip-end 245 and a second-grip-end 246 laterally opposite the first-grip-end 245. The first-extension-arm 248 may be coupled to the first-grip-end 245, and the second-extension-arm 249 may be coupled to the second-grip-end 246. For example, together the hand grip 244, the first-extension-arm 248, and the second-extension-arm 249 may generally form a U-shape. As shown, when configured in the U-shape, first-extension-arm 248 and second-extension-arm 249 may be substantially parallel with each other. The first-extension-arm 248 and the second-extension-arm 249 may be further configured to extend from and retract through a guide 208 proximate to back-member 203. Guide 208 may include a first-extension-arm bushing 209 and a second-extension-arm bushing 210. In addition, the first-extension-arm 248 may be telescopically coupled with a first-extension-arm-receiver 211 of back-member 203, and the second-extension-arm 249 may be telescopically coupled with the second-extension-arm-receiver 212 of back-member 203.
Advantageously, the present disclosure may save an extensive amount of time, effort, and frustration when transporting a child in a vehicle or in a stroller while at the park, zoo, store, and other locations. It eliminates the need to transport multiple car seats, strollers, and other equipment, offering a way to save space within a vehicle. The car seat can be placed in the rear portion of a vehicle and utilized as a standard car seat when a seatbelt is applied. A child can sit comfortably in the seat as his/her parent or guardian operates the vehicle. Once parked, the parent/guardian can retrieve the seat from the vehicle. The handle can be extended and the push button can be activated to expand the wheels from the base. The seat can be placed on the ground and pushed as a stroller via the handle. The device offers a way to transition a child from their car seat to a stroller without disturbing him/her.
It should be noted that steps 508, 509, and 510 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in
The embodiments of the disclosure described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/358,545 filed Jul. 5, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62358545 | Jul 2016 | US |