US20100052373A1

US20100052373A1 - Wave infant car seat

Info

Publication number: US20100052373A1
Application number: US12/402,335
Authority: US
Inventors: Sean Kono; Brian Biscotti; Nanette Lila Ocana
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-08-27
Filing date: 2009-03-11
Publication date: 2010-03-04

Abstract

Improvements in an infant car seat with a base. When the infant car seat is disconnected from the base, the infant car seat is convertible into a stroller. A plurality of wheels and rollers lock into place to secure the infant car seat into the base. The stroller base has two sets of wheels positioned at different levels from a centrally positioned swivel that allows the stroller to easily maneuver the stroller. The stroller base optionally includes a storage space. The base has locks on the wheels to lock the movement for different terrains specifically in dirt terrains. The infant car seat has two handles where one handle is for carrying the car seat and the other handle telescopes to convert into a stroller handle when extended. The infant car seat has an optional cover and an optional swing attachment.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional 61/137,467 filed Aug. 27, 2008 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSERED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in the transporting of infants in a car seat with the base, which converts into a stroller when removed from the base and extending a carrying arm. The infant seat is also convertible into an infant swing. Specifically, the infant seat improves the transporting of an infant without back injury to the carrier due to carrying the car seat.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
Chiropractors see many patients that suffer from a specific back problem caused by carrying the infant car seat. Right now there is nothing that can help these patients unless they place the infant car seat on a stroller made for a car seat. The stroller is bulky so most people tend not to use them for quick errands. This invention will solve this problem and help people who suffer with back injuries or prevent others who will suffer from back injuries due to carrying the infant car seat with the infant in it adding weight to the seat. This application created a new type of infant car seat. Several products and patents have been developed with infant, baby or child seats that convert into child products. Exemplary examples of patents covering these child seat products are disclosed herein.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,685 issued Dec. 20, 2005 to William L. King et al discloses a Wheeled Car Seat. In this wheeled car seat the wheel exist in a folding compartment located under the seat area. The handle that extends from the center of the seating acts as a front restrain. This patent does not have a base or add-on companion stroller and swing. It further does not use roller ball wheels for turning on sharp corners.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,736 issued Jan. 24, 2006 to Ho-Young Lee discloses a Multi-Functional Infant-Carrying Device. The handle and wheels must be connected to the car seat to create the stroller function. This patent is significantly different from the pending application because it is basically a sling with a back seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,518 issued Jan. 17, 2006 issued to Gary Lee Besaw discloses a combined Baby Car Seat and Stroller. In this patent the baby seat is essentially a stroller and the seat/stroller is secured into a base unit that mounts into a car. This patent does not combine the infant car seat and stroller as one piece with a base. The pieces are completely separate components.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,694 issued May 9, 2006 to Mark Sedlack discloses an Infant Car Seat and Stroller System. U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,400 issued Feb. 24, 2004 to Mitsuru Washizuku et al., discloses a Child Car Seat and Baby Carriage. These patents include a number of components that must be added or attached to the car seat to perform the functions of a stroller and elevated chair/seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,916,066 issued Jul. 12, 2005 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,057 issued Dec. 27, 2005, both to Mark Sedlack disclose an Infant Car Seat and Safety Belt System and a Mechanism for Connecting Infant Car Seat and Base. These patents do not apply closely to the patent being proposed because it is just the infant car seat with a safety belt system. This patent is just the mechanism for connecting the infant car seat to the base. The pending application uses a completely different mechanism which involves the fitting of the rollers and wheels into the base to lock it in place when the seat is used as a stroller.
What is needed is an infant car seat with a base, which when disconnected from the base the handle can be telescoped out to convert the car seat into a stroller. The proposed convertible infant stroller includes a roller ball that is placed on each side of the housing. The roller allows the car seat to make sharp turns which is a problem with most strollers and other children's carts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the infant car seat to provide an easier movement of the infant car seat from an automobile to a stroller. The proposed convertible infant seat has two wheels and two rollers so that the infant in the car seat does not have to be carried when the infant seat is being moved from a car to and from a house, daycare or business.
It is an object of the infant car seat to provide ease of movement around sharp corners by using two sets of wheels and two rollers instead of four wheels. The plurality of six wheels allows the stroller to pivot forward and back from the two rollers to either of the two sets of wheels.
It is an object of the infant car seat to provide for safer movement by the person carrying the infant preventing injury to their back. Injury to the back is reduced because the parent or care giver does not need to carry the child off one side as they transport and move the child or infant.
It is an object of the infant car seat to provide safety to the infant by having a sun shade to protect the infant from the sun and from any falling objects. The sun shade protects the child from UV radiation that can sun burn the sensitive skin of an infant. The sun shade also reduces the amount of light that shines into the infant seat to make it easier for an infant to sleep.
It is another object of the of the infant car seat to provide ease of movement by being able to move the telescopic handle both towards the car seat and away from the car seat allowing a person to pull or push the car seat.
It is another object of the infant car seat to provide for the safe pivot and swivel of the infant seat through the placement of the wheels for stability. The outboard swivel roller wheels allow the infant car seat to spin around on itself to make the car seat easy to maneuver.
It is still another object of the base of the infant car seat to allow for safe transportation of the infant inside the automobile. Rather than transporting an array of equipment including a baby seat, stroller, swing and diaper bag. The convertible infant stroller provides a convertible solution with minimal separate pieces.
It is still another object of the companion add-on stroller to provide for a larger stroller with increased storage capacity for longer trips. The need to provide more storage and a larger stroller becomes more important as a baby grows into an infant, toddler and then into a young child. As the child transitions through each stage of development the amount of child clothing, food and supplies change.
It is still another object of the companion add-on companion swing to swivel to and allows the swing to go either side to side or forwards and backwards. Each child may respond differently to the stimulus of being swung side to side or front to back. The ability to change movement stimulation gives a parent or caregiver the option to clam a child with a variety of movements.
Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present convertible infant car seat will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows an overhead view of the infant car seat without the base.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the infant car seat.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the infant car seat.

FIG. 4 shows a back view of the infant car seat.

FIG. 5 shows a side sectional view of only the base of an infant car seat.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the infant car seat.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective back view of the infant car seat in a companion swing.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the infant car seat in a companion add-on swing.

FIG. 9 shows the top view of the infant car seat in an add-on elevated stroller.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the infant car seat in an add-on elevated stroller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an infant car seat without the base from an overhead view. In the preferred embodiment the infant car seat is predominantly made from a molded or formed shell that is covered and padded on the interior surface with foam or similar cushioning material that is then covered with a fabric surface that can be removed for cleaning or washing. The interior cushioning structure of the infant car seat provides both comfort and protection for a child within the seat to protect them from harm in the event of an accident.
In FIG. 1 the retractable canopy 20 is shown installed on top of the infant car seat. The cover over the side roller wheels 21 are shown extending outboard of the baby seat structure. The retractable telescoping lift handle 30 is shown connected through the first pivot arm 25 and the second pivot arm 26 to the sides of the baby seat and extending around and over the baby seat. A portion of the seat belt 23 is visible as it extends from under the retractable canopy. The seat belt 23 connects to the inside of the infant car seat and extends over the shoulders of an infant or child placed within the seat. The seat belt 23 is brought between the legs of a child in the seat where it is secured into the bottom of the infant car seat. The infant car seat has a shell having a seat portion, having a back portion, a first or left side portion, a second or right side portion, a front and a bottom portion. In the preferred embodiment the back portion is prow shaped.
While the stroller is secured to the base, the lift handle 30 telescopes through a series of nesting members 31 into the pivoting connection joint 38 in the base. An infant is secured into the car seat and the seat and infant are secured in an automobile where the seat. The rollers and wheels are fitted into the base of the infant car seat to protect the car upholstery from dirt and grime that can collect onto the rollers and wheels. The wheels and rollers lock into place to secure the infant seat inside the base. When disconnected from the base access to the two wheels and two rollers provide for ease of movement around sharp corners. The front and back wheels allow for the swivel frontwards and backwards. There are two handles one for carrying the car seat and one is the telescopic handle converting it into a stroller when extended. This infant car seat has a sun cover to protect the infant from the glare of the sun as well as falling debris.
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the infant car seat. From this side view the retractable canopy 20 is shown in the raised position. The retractable canopy rotates behind the main seat housing 28 through connection joint 29. The front pivot wheel 36 and the back pivot wheel 35 are shown on the bottom of the main seat housing. It should be noted that these wheels exist elevated from the central Omni-directional casting ball roller wheel(s) 40. The lift handle 30 is shown connecting through nested 31 telescoping members through the pivot arm(s) 25. The arm is shown extended in this view to show the extendable front 32 of the infant seat. The front 32 of the infant car seat extends with a sliding plate 33 from a slot 34 in the main seat housing 28. A series of detents 37 retains the arm in fixed positions. A mesh screen 42 is shown extending from the retractable canopy 20 to the shell of the infant car seat to provide shade and protection. It is also contemplated that the infant car seat further includes a storage compartment 43 that is formed in said rear portion
FIG. 3 shows a front view of the infant car seat. The retractable canopy 20 is shown in the raised position above the main seat housing 28. A portion of the connection joint(s) 29 for the retractable canopy 20 are shown in this view. The back pivot wheel 36 is shown extending down from the bottom of the main seat housing 28. The left casting ball roller wheel 40 and the right Omni-directional casting ball roller wheel 41 is shown in this figure. These casting ball roller wheels can rotate front to back and side to side to give the infant car seat mobility and motion that is not attainable with conventional linear wheels. A care giver can simply move the infant child seat horizontally on these wheels to move the infant car seat to the side. It is also contemplated that the infant car seat optionally includes a tote that is removable attached to said extendable handle.
FIG. 4 shows a back view of the infant car seat. This back view shows the left and right Omni-directional casting ball roller wheels 40, 41 and the back pivot wheel 35. The retractable canopy is shown above the main seat housing 28. The connection joint(s) 29 for the retractable canopy 29 are shown at the sides of the main seat housing 28. In the preferred embodiment the housing is made from a light weight material of preferably plastic and more preferably Polycarbonate. Connection pivoting joints 38 for the top of the retractable canopy 29 are shown where the pivoting arms connect to the cover portion of the retractable canopy 20.
FIG. 5 shows a side sectional view of only the base of an infant car seat. In this figure the holes 67 where the roller wheels fit and lock into place are shown along with the holes 64 where the roller balls to lock into place. The hole 66 where the center of the infant car seat and pivot wheels lock into place is also shown.
FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the infant car seat. This simple view shows where the back pivot wheel 35, front pivot wheel 36, and the two casting roller wheels lock into place. The size of the base is larger than the infant car seat to collect debris that is dropped from the infant car seat to protect the interior of the car and the seat fabric.
FIG. 7 shows a perspective back view of the infant car seat in a companion swing and FIG. 8 shows a side view of the infant car seat in a companion add-on swing. The frame 70 of the swing supports the infant car seat 50. The top of the frame 70 a housing 71 encloses a motor mechanism for rocking the infant car seat 50. The motor can be a mechanical crank or an electric type for external power or a battery. The infant car seat 50 is secured to the swing with a connecting arm 72 from the swing motor to the car seat 50. The frame 70 of the swing is essentially an “A” style frame having four legs with foot pads 73 that both protect the ground and reduce movement of the legs. The connection of the connecting extender arm(s) 72 to the swing allows the infant car seat to swing front to back and side to side. The connecting extender arm(s) 72 hooks the handle of the infant car seat 50 the motor housing 71 to allow it to swing. The companion add-on swing extends out a handle that grips the one handle (not the telescopic handle) on the infant car seat. The swing motor allows for the swing to swivel, therefore the swing can move from side to side and also from forwards to backwards.
FIG. 9 shows the top view of the infant car seat in an add-on elevated stroller. FIG. 9 shows the top view of the infant car seat in an add-on elevated stroller and FIG. 1 0 shows a side view of the infant car seat in an add-on elevated stroller. The infant car seat 50 attaches into a base 79. A set of extendable cross members 91 extend and elevate the base 79 to lift and adjust the height of the base 79 from the bottom pan 88 of the add-on elevated stroller. In the preferred embodiment one or more of the wheels 81 have a brake to prevent rolling of the add-on stroller. The handlebar 78 extends from the base 79. An optional cup holder(s) 77 exist on the top of the base 79. An infant is placed within the infant child seat 50. In the preferred embodiment the bottom pan 88 is essentially rectangular in shape.
The companion add-on stroller is included to add storage space 80 and comfort for longer journeys. The top of the stroller is designed the same as the base for the automobile so that the infant car seat locks into place on the companion add-on stroller exactly how it locks into place inside the base. The base has locks on the wheels 81 to lock the movement for different terrains specifically in dirt terrains. This is apart from the regular foot brakes. The companion add-on swing is included to add versatility to an infant car seat 50.
From the Figures, the car seat 50 is capable of being converted to a stroller, the car seat comprises of a main seat housing 28 shell having an inner seat portion a back portion 51 a first side portion 52 a second side portion 53 a front portion 54 a bottom portion 55 a lifting handle 30 or gripping surface mounted on the first side portion 52 and the second portion 53. There is a first wheel 35 connected with the shell 28 below the bottom 55 portion
Thus, specific embodiments of an infant car seat have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An infant car seat that converts into a stroller comprising:

a shell having a seat portion;

a back portion;

a first side portion;

a second side portion;

a front portion;

a bottom portion;

at least two Omni-directional casting ball roller wheels located on opposite sides midway on said bottom portion;

at least one front wheel and at least one back wheel located on said bottom portion;

a movable sun shade that rotates over said shell to provide at least a partial covering of an open area within said shell;

a mesh screen that expands over said shell to provide shade and protection to the inside of said shell;

a braking mechanism that provides a stop or anchor to at least one of said casting balls or rollers;

a telescoping handle that is integrated and extendable from said shell;

rails connecting said telescoping handle with said shell that allows said telescoping handle to be rotated on said first and said second side of said shell.

2. The infant car seat according to claim 1 that further includes a rubber handle on telescoping handle providing said with a safe non-slip handle.

3. The infant car seat according to claim 1 that further includes a removable under carriage that is temporally securable with an automobile safety belt and also provides a base for securing said infant car seat.

4. The infant car seat according to claim 3 wherein said removable under carriage includes at least one recess or hole for anchoring at least one of said Omni-directional casting ball roller wheel, said front wheel or said back wheel.

5. The infant car seat according to claim 3 that further includes a set of wheel covers to anchor at least one of said Omni-directional casting ball roller wheels said front wheel or said back wheel and further provides a protection of debris to said automobile's interior.

6. The infant car seat according to claim 3 wherein said has a removable under carriage allows said-directional casting ball roller wheel, said front wheel or said back wheel to lock into said removable under carriage.

7. The infant car seat according to claim 1 wherein said Omni-directional casting ball roller wheel, said front wheel or said back wheel are positioned at different elevations to allow said infant car seat to tilt and pivot.

8. The infant car seat according to claim 3 wherein said car seat is configured as a booster seat when said pivotal chassis is held in said at least one position.

9. The infant car seat according to claim 8 wherein said detent comprises a spring loaded sliding plate having an engaging portion and a handle portion, and wherein said engaging portion engages said axle cylinder.

10. The infant car seat according to claim 3 wherein said car seat is configured as a stroller when said pivotal chassis is in said at least one position.

11. The infant car seat according to claim 2 wherein said at least one first and second wheel is a caster wheel.

12. The infant car seat according to claim 2 wherein said at least one first wheel and said second wheel is a fixed axis wheel.

13. The infant car seat according to claim 2 wherein said first side portion, said second side portion, said rear portion, and said bottom portion comprise a shell of light weight plastic material.

14. The infant car seat according to claim 13 wherein said lightweight plastic material is polycarbonate.

15. The infant car seat according to claim 4 that further comprising a tote removable attached to said extendable handle.

16. The infant car seat according to claim 2 that further includes a companion add-on stroller comprising of a base with a bottom with a mating inside configuration as said base for an automobile;

said companion add-on stroller further includes a cup holder and a handle;

said companion add-on stroller further has two expandable cross bars connecting a rectangular basket for storage and two wheels at a first end of said cross bars with brakes to lock a set of attach wheels in place and said brakes to park said companion add-on stroller.

17. The infant car seat according to claim 2 that further includes a companion add-on swing comprising of a motor and a handle to connect said car seat thereby allowing said car seat to move side to side or front to back with an “A” frame to keep said car seat in the air;

18. The infant car seat according to claim 16 wherein said companion add-on swing is configured to allow said infant car seat to swing both front to back and side to side.

19. The infant car seat according to claim 1 wherein said back portion is prow shaped.

20. The infant car seat according to claim 1 that further includes a storage compartment that is formed in said rear portion.