Child or infant car seat assembly - Patent Review 5228745

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An insert for a seat, the seat being one of a child car seat and an infant car seat, the seat having a back section and a seat section and at least one strap for holding an occupant on the insert in the seat, the insert comprising:

a single, unitary, one-piece body, the body being positionable between the seat and the occupant thereof, the body including rest means for engaging feet and at least a portion of an occupant's legs, the rest means comprising a leg portion, the body further comprising a seat portion and a back portion, the seat portion being located between the back portion and the leg portion, the body having a front side and a rear side and also including means for engaging a majority of the rear side of the back portion and the seat portion with the seat such that a majority of an area of the body is engaged with and supported by the seat, the means for engaging comprising both the seat portion and the back portion being generally planar and sized to fit within the seat, the one-piece body being rigid such that the back portion, the seat portion and the leg portion are non-movable with respect to each other and the seat portion and the back portion being inclined with respect to one another such that the seat portion and the back portion are generally located in different planes, the rear side of the body faces the seat and the rear side of the body being free of any connections between the body and the seat such that the body freely sits on the seat and is readily removable therefrom when the at least one strap is disengaged from holding the occupant on the insert, the body being held on the seat when the strap is holding the occupant, the rear side of the back portion also being without any structure attached thereto such that the rear side of the back portion directly abuts the seat.

2. The insert as recited in claim 1, wherein the body is formed from one of a single piece of plastic and a single sheet of metal, a first angled connection being provided between the leg portion and the seat portion and a second angled connection being provided between the seat portion and the back portion, the seat portion being generally in a plane generally perpendicular to a plane in which the back portion is located.

3. The insert as recited in claim 1, wherein the leg portion is bowed and wherein the leg portion is inclined with respect to the seat portion.

4. The insert as recited in claim 3, wherein the rest means further comprises a footrest, the footrest being at an end of the leg portion distal from the seat portion.

5. The insert as recited in claim 1, wherein the rest means further comprises a footrest, the footrest being at an end of the leg portion distal from the seat portion.

6. The insert as recited in claim 1, wherein the body is a generally solid, uninterrupted structure without openings therein except for an opening in the seat portion on a side close to the leg portion, a safety strap of the seat being insertable through the. opening in the seat portion.

7. The insert as recited in claim 1, further comprising a cover for the body, the body having a front side and a rear side, the cover enclosing the front side of the body for at least the seat portion and back portions thereof.

8. The insert as recited in claim 7, wherein the cover is a flexible material, the insert further comprises attachment means positioned on the rear side of the body for attaching the cover to the body.

9. The insert as recited in claim 8, wherein the cover further encloses the front side and a majority of the rear side of the body at the leg portion thereof, the cover having an opening through which the body can be inserted.

10. The insert as recited in claim 9, wherein the cover on the rear side of the body at the leg portion has a bulging cushion, the cushion being generally smooth and extending longitudinally across the leg portion of the body, the cushion being spaced from a lower edge of the leg portion and being flexible.

11. The insert as recited in claim 1, further comprising a cover for at least a front side of the body, the cover enclosing a majority of the leg portion of the body, the cover further having a bulging cushion integral therewith, the cushion extending longitudinally across a rear side of the leg portion and being spaced from a lower edge of the leg portion.

12. The insert as recited in claim 1, wherein the leg portion further comprises rigid side portions on both outer edges thereof, the rigid side portions each having a generally triangular shape and extending in a rearward direction beneath the leg portion.

13. The insert as recited in claim 1, further comprising a headrest attached to the back portion on an end distal from the seat portion, the headrest being a part of the integral, one-piece body.

14. The insert as recited in claim 13, wherein the headrest comprises a neck portion and a head portion, the neck portion being between the head portion and the back portion, a width of the neck portion being less than a width of the head portion and less than a width of the back portion of the body, the head portion being generally centered between sides of the body portion, two recesses being formed on each side of the neck portion between the head portion of the headrest and the back portion of the body, safety belts of the seat being positionable within each of the recesses.

15. The insert as recited in claim 13, further comprising a cover for at least a front side of the body, the cover overlying a front side of at least the seat portion of the body, the back portion of the body and the headrest.

16. The insert as recited in claim 15, further comprising a head cushion provided on the cover at an area overlying the head portion of the headrest, an occupant's head being engageable with the head cushion.

17. An insert for a seat, the seat being one of a child car seat and an infant car seat, the seat having a back section and a seat section and at least one strap for holding an occupant on the insert in the seat, the insert comprising:

a body positionable between the seat and the occupant thereof, the body having a front side and a rear side and including rest means for engaging feet and at least a portion of an occupant's legs, the rest means comprising a leg portion, the body further comprising a seat portion and a back portion, the seat portion being located between the back portion and the leg portion, the leg portion being rigidly attached to the seat portion and the body including means for pivoting the back portion relative to the seat portion and including means for engaging a majority of the rear side of the back portion and the seat portion with the seat such that a majority of an area of the body is engaged with and supported by the seat, the means for engaging comprising both the seat portion and the back portion being generally planar and sized to fit within the seat, the leg portion and seat portion being a generally solid, uninterrupted structure without openings therein except for an opening in the seat portion on a side close to the leg portion, a safety strap of the seat being insertable through the opening in the seat portion, the leg portion being inclined with respect to the seat portion, the rear side of the body faces the seat and the rear side of the body being free of any connections between the body and the seat such that the body freely sits on the seat and is readily removable therefrom when the at least one strap is disengaged from holding the occupant on the insert, the body being held on the seat when the strap is holding the occupant, the rear side of the back portion also being without any structure attached thereto such that the rear side of the back portion directly abuts the seat.

18. The insert as recited in claim 17, wherein the seat portion and the leg portion are an integral, unitary, one-piece structure.

19. The insert as recited in claim 17, further comprising a headrest attached to the back portion at an end distal from the seat portion, the head rest and back portion being an integral, unitary, one-piece part of the body, the headrest including a neck portion and a head portion, the neck portion being between the head portion and the back portion, a width of the neck portion being less than a width of the head portion and a width of the back portion, the head portion being generally centered between the sides of the head portion and sides of the body portion, two recesses being formed on each side thereof between the head and back portions, safety belts of the seat being positionable within each of the recesses.

20. A cover for covering a body for one of a child car seat and an infant car seat, the body having a back portion, a seat portion and a leg portion and each portion having a front side and a rear side, the seat portion being between the back portion and the leg portion and the body being positionable between the seat and an occupant thereof, wherein the cover further comprises a front face covering a front side of the body, the cover being detachably mountable on the body, the front face of the cover being positionable between the body and an occupant of the seat, the cover further comprising means for enclosing a majority of the leg portion of the body when the cover is on the body, the means for enclosing includes a pouch formed by a rear face and the front face of the cover, the rear face being integral with the front face of the cover such that the front face and rear face of the cover are a single structure, the cover being without any fixed connection to the leg portion such that the leg portion is readily removable from the pouch, the cover further comprises a bulging cushion, the cushion being on the rear face of the cover and extending longitudinally across a rear side of the leg portion when the cover is on the body, the cushion being spaced from a lower end of the cover, the cushion being a means for supporting the body when the cover is on the body and the body is in the seat and the cover and cushion being flexible when the cover is removed from the body, the bulging cushion being located on the rear face of the pouch such that the bulging cushion is located between the rear side of the body and the seat.

21. An insert for a seat, the seat being one of a child car seat and an infant car seat, the seat having a back section and a seat section, the insert comprising:

a single, unitary, one-piece body, the body being positionable between the seat and an occupant thereof, the body including rest means for engaging feet and at least a portion of an occupant's legs, the rest means comprising a leg portion, the body further comprising a seat portion and a back portion, the seat portion being located between the back portion and the leg portion, the one-piece body being rigid such that the back portion, the seat portion and the leg portion are non-movable with respect to each other, the insert further comprises a headrest attached to the back portion on an end distal from the seat portion, the headrest being a part of the integral, one-piece body, the headrest comprises a neck portion and a head portion, the neck portion being between the head portion and the back portion, a width of the neck portion being less than a width of the head portion and less than a width of the back portion of the body, the head portion being generally centered between sides of the body portion, two recesses being formed on each side of the neck portion between the head portion of the headrest and the back portion of the body, safety belts of the seat being positionable within each of the recesses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an insert for a child or infant car seat. The insert will support the child or infant's feet and legs and will prevent circulation in their feet and legs from being cut off.

2. Description of the Background Art

In conventional child car seats or infant seats, the child or infant's legs will dangle from the seat. This will cause circulation in the child's legs to be cut off. Pediatricians therefore recommend that these seats not be used for extended periods of time. Such conventional car seats are often uncomfortable for the child. Moreover, the child or infant car seat can get dirty over time and a need exists to provide some form of protection for the seat. Also, an infant or child's feet can scuff or otherwise mar the child or infant car seat as well as the vehicle seat. Snow, water or dirt on the child or infant's feet can dirty the child or infant car seat, or the vehicle seat.

Accordingly, a need in the art exists for a simple and effective insert for a car seat which will provide a leg rest for the child or infant. This device should be safe, easy to operate and inexpensive. Moreover, this device should provide some protection for the car seat as well as the vehicle seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an insert for a child or infant car seat which will provide a leg rest for the occupant, thereby preventing circulation in their feet and legs from being cut off.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an insert which can protect the car and vehicle seats from being kicked by the infant. This insert should also protect the car and vehicle seat from snow, water or dirt on the child or infant's shoes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an insert which itself will not damage the car seat or vehicle seat.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insert which can easily be placed into and removed from an existing child or infant car seat. To this end, it is desired to provide an insert which can be mounted in the car seat with one hand so that the child or infant can continue to be held while the insert is placed in the car seat.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an insert which can extend the period of continuous use for a car seat and thereby reduce the number of times it is necessary to remove the child or infant therefrom.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an insert with no or minimal moving parts to avoid possible harm to the child or infant and to make the insert less complicated.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an insert which is comfortable for the occupant but which will permit use of safety straps in the car seat to thereby securely hold the child or infant.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an insert with a removable cover. This cover can therefore be cleaned and will offer a cushioning effect for the child or infant. Such a cover can be removed during shipping or storage and if damaged or dirty, can be replaced by a new cover.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an insert with an optional headrest. This headrest can have a cover with a head cushion. Such a cushion will prevent an infant's head from turning from side to side and thereby provide a more enjoyable ride for the infant.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an insert which can be used in existing car seats without any modification thereto.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an insert embodiment which is bendable to reduce the size of the insert for shipping, packaging or storage.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an insert which is durable and long-lasting. This insert should be inexpensive to manufacture and should require limited to no maintenance.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an insert which is not complicated and can be held in position merely by the weight of the child.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an insert which will accommodate children of different sizes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an insert embodiment with a supporting piece which will prevent the insert from tipping from the car seat when placing a child therein. The supporting piece will also give added strength to a footrest portion of the insert.

These and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing an insert for a child or infant car seat. The insert will have a back portion, a seat portion and a leg portion. The child or infant can sit on the seat portion while their feet and legs will be supported by the leg portion. This arrangement will prevent circulation in the child or infant's legs from being cut off.

Portions of the insert can be a single, rigid, one-piece body or the back portion can be pivotal relative to the seat portion. A cover can be provided for the insert. This cover will protect the insert as well as cushion the child or infant. Other optional features include a bulging cushion on the rear side of the cover adjacent the leg portion. This cushion will provide support for the leg portion against the car seat and/or vehicle seat. Alternatively, a rigid side portion can be provided on the leg portion instead of this cushion. The insert can also have a head portion. A head cushion can be provided on the cover at the head portion. Recesses are provided between the head portion and the back portion to accommodate the car seat's safety belts. An opening is also provided in the seat portion for receiving the safety strap from the car seat.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description an specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the insert of the present invention used in a child or infant car seat on a vehicle seat;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the insert shown in FIG. 1 with the cover removed;

FIG. 3 is a view of the insert shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of another embodiment for an insert without a head portion;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the insert shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of the insert having rigid side portions adjacent the leg portion;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the insert having a support cushion;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of an insert with a pivotal back portion;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the insert shown in FIG. 7; a

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the cover used with the insert shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring in detail to the drawings and with particular reference to FIG. 1, an insert 10 of the present invention is shown. This insert 10 includes a body 12 with a cover 14. It is possible that the cover 14 can be omitted as will be described in more detail below.

The insert 10 is detachably mounted in a child or infant car seat 16. While a particular design for a car seat 16 has been shown, it should be appreciated that many different types of seats can be used. For example, the car seat could be a booster seat, toddler seat, or any other suitable seat.

The child or infant car seat 16 is normally placed or a vehicle seat 22. This vehicle can be a car, train, plane, or even simply a chair. It should be appreciated that the vehicle seat 22 and the child or infant car seat 16 are merely available conventional items. The insert 10 of the present invention requires no modification to either the car seat 16 or vehicle seat 22.

The body 12 of the insert 10 has a back portion 24, a seat portion 26 and a leg portion 28. The seat portion 26 will rest on the seat section 18 of the car seat 16. The back portion 24 of the insert 10 will rest against the back section 20 of the car seat 16. An occupant 30 of the car seat will simply sit on the seat portion 26 of the insert 10 as shown in FIG. 3. The occupant's legs will rest against the leg portion 28. This leg portion 28 will provide support for the occupant's leg such that circulation will not be cut off. In this manner, cramps will be avoided and comfort for the occupant of the car seat 16 will increase. The car seat 16 can therefore be used for longer periods of time. The need for removing the child or infant from the car seat can therefore be reduced. Because the insert 10 is used with a child or infant car seat 16, the occupant 30 will normally be a child or infant.

The car seat 16 has safety straps 32 and safety belts 34, 36. An Opening 62 is provided in the seat portion 26 to accommodate the safety strap 32. Recesses 40, 42 are provided for the safety belts 34, 36 respectively. The safety strap 32 and safety belts 34, 36 are normally provided in the car seat 16. While a buckling arrangement for the strap 32 and belts 34,36 is not shown, it should be readily appreciated that they can easily be hooked together after the occupant 30 has been placed on the insert.

No modification to the car seat 16 is needed when the instant insert 10 is used. The insert 10 will normally be positioned between the car seat 16 and occupant 30. The insert 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a headrest 44. As indicated in FIG. 2, this headrest 48 is comprised of a neck portion 46 and a head portion 48. The neck portion 46 is located between the head portion 48 and the back portion 24 of insert 10. Because the width of the neck portion 46 is less than the width of the head portion 48 and back portion 24, the recesses 40 and 42 are provided. These recesses 40 and 42 accommodate straps 34, 36 as noted above.

The headrest will rigidly be attached to the back portion 24. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-3, the insert 10 is an integral, unitary, one-piece structure with the back portion 24, seat portion 26, leg portion 28 and headrest 44. This insert 10 can be molded from plastic or formed from a single sheet of metal. Normally, however, plastic will be used but it should be recognized that any suitable material can be used.

Because this insert 10 is a one-piece structure, it is relatively easy to handle. An adult can mount the insert 10 on the car seat 16 with one hand. Therefore, the adult can hold the child or infant while placing the insert 10 in the car seat 16. The instant insert 10 is relatively easy to use. Moreover, this insert 10 is relatively inexpensive to manufacture such as from a single piece from plastic, for example.

The cover 14 over the headrest 44 shown in FIG. 1 has a head cushion 50. While a crescent shape cushion 50 is indicated in FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that any type of cushion can be used. This head cushion 50 can be detachable from the cover 14 or can be perm