US20140101859A1 - Foldable child lap seat - Google Patents
Foldable child lap seat Download PDFInfo
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- US20140101859A1 US20140101859A1 US14/049,924 US201314049924A US2014101859A1 US 20140101859 A1 US20140101859 A1 US 20140101859A1 US 201314049924 A US201314049924 A US 201314049924A US 2014101859 A1 US2014101859 A1 US 2014101859A1
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- Prior art keywords
- seat
- strap
- foldable seat
- back support
- support
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
- A47D1/00—Children's chairs
- A47D1/02—Foldable chairs
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
- A47D1/00—Children's chairs
- A47D1/10—Children's chairs capable of being suspended from, or attached to, tables or other articles
Abstract
A foldable lap seat including a back support, two side walls, a bottom support and multiple straps. The foldable lap seat is well suited for use with a lap child on an airplane, in a chair, at a table, in a stadium seat, on a train or bus in a church pew or in other situations. Embodiments include a set of functionally distinct but interconnected panels which are permanently connected together along certain junctions and which also may be selectively connected together or disconnected along various edges. Thus, seat embodiments can be configured in at least three distinct ways. The foldable lap seat may be configured for use by connecting certain edges together; configured a substantially flat structure by disconnecting selected edges and the seat may be stored or transported when not in use in a very compact folded configuration. In a use configuration, selected straps are provided to secure a child to the seat and other straps are provided to secure the seat to an adult's seat belt, harness or another structure.
Description
- This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/712,321, filed Oct. 11, 2012, by Timothy Testa et al. and entitled, “Foldable Child Lap Seat,” (Attorney Docket No. 0567.01PR), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- The present invention relates to a lap seat for a child, and more particularly to a foldable lap seat that is intended for use on aircraft and in other circumstances where it is desirable to comfortably secure a child on an adult's lap or in circumstances where unexpected movement could dislodge a child from the restraint of an adult.
- Every day more than 10,000 children under the age of two are permitted to fly for free or at a reduced airfare rate on commercial aircraft. Typically, the infant or toddler is seated on the lap of an adult who has purchased a seat on the particular flight. Although the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have strongly encouraged parents or guardians of infants and toddlers to be secured in a National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NTSHA)/FAA approved safety seat, the expense of purchasing a separate fare to accommodate the approved safety seat may not be practical or feasible. Thus, the FAA permits infants and small toddlers flying with their parents or another adult to be seated on the lap of the adult. These children therefore fly without the requirement to wear any restraining equipment for protection against unexpected turbulence or other potentially violent motions associated with air travel.
- Numerous tests and several multi-modal transportation incident or flight accident reconstructions have shown that a parent will often not be able to safely restrain a child during severe turbulence or crash situations. There have been failed attempts by the subcommittee on Aviation under the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the NTSB to prohibit parents from flying with unprotected lap children. At an Aug. 1, 1996 meeting of the above committee, the Honorable Jim Lightfoot stated, “Current regulations give our children less protection than our luggage.”
- The FAA presently opposes changes to the current regulations, which allow lap children to be restrained by the arms of an adult. The FAA position is based in part upon the fact that parents who could not afford or cost-justify any required separate airline ticket for their small children and safety seat would choose to drive to their destination in cars which are in general a significantly more dangerous mode of transportation. The flying public also resists changes to the existing regulations in an effort to keep air travel costs down.
- U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,673,969 and 5,219,203 disclose seats for protecting a child on the lap of an adult. These patents are concerned predominantly with protecting lap children in the exceptionally rare occurrence of a plane crash. U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,263 discloses a carrier unit mountable on an aircraft bulkhead. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,618,186 and 5,813,367 describe a strap that can be used by a parent to hold a child in place on a lap. U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,230 describes a lap mounted device featuring complex apparatus designed to tie into the aircraft's structure for support.
- The foregoing references are directed toward apparatus and methods which might protect a small child in the extremely unlikely event of a plane crash. Thus, the disclosed apparatus is significantly more complex, expensive and difficult to use than would be necessary to protect a child in the event of more commonly encountered turbulence. In addition, the known apparatus in this field are not particularly easy to carry and use, and can be uncomfortable for both a child and the adult.
- The embodiments disclosed herein are directed toward overcoming one or more of the problems noted above.
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FIG. 1 is an environmental view of the foldable lap seat in a forward facing position. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the foldable lap seat in a “use” configuration. -
FIG. 3 is a front view of the foldable lap seat in a flattened configuration. -
FIG. 4 is a back view of the foldable lap seat in a flattened configuration. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the foldable lap seat in a folded configuration. -
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the foldable lap seat in a “use” configuration featuring a shoulder harness and five-point buckle. -
FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the foldable lap seat in a “use” configuration featuring an alternative shoulder harness. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the foldable lap seat in a “use” configuration featuring a shoulder strap. -
FIG. 8 is an environmental view of the foldable lap seat facing sideways. -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the foldable lap seat being used with a supplemental adult waist restraint. -
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the internal components of the foldable lap seat. -
FIG. 11 is an environmental view of the foldable seat configured such that the child may stand. -
FIG. 12 is an environmental view of the foldable seat when the parent is in a aircraft crash position. - Embodiments disclosed herein comprise a foldable lap seat well suited for use with a lap child on an airplane, in a chair, at a table, in a stadium seat, on a train or bus in a church pew or in other situations. The disclosed foldable lap seat embodiments can therefore be used to enhance comfort and safety any time a child is seated on an adult's lap.
- The foldable lap seat embodiments include a set of functionally distinct but interconnected panels which are permanently connected together along certain junctions and which also may be selectively connected together or disconnected along various edges. Thus, seat embodiments can be configured in at least three distinct ways. The foldable lap seat may be configured for use by connecting certain edges together; configured as a substantially flat structure by disconnecting selected edges and the seat may be stored or transported when not in use in a very compact folded configuration.
- Embodiments disclosed herein therefore include a foldable lap seat comprising a back support, a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom support extending outwardly from the bottom edge of the back support, wherein the side edges of the bottom may be detachably connected with the side walls, and wherein in use, the bottom support is positioned between bottom edges of the two side walls.
- Foldable lap seat embodiments may further include various straps for securing a child into the seat and securing a set to an adult. For example, seat embodiments may include a center strap having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is connected to the bottom support in proximity to a bottom edge of the bottom support. The foldable seat may also include a waist belt having a first strap element and a second strap element, wherein, in a fastened configuration, the first strap element is fastened to the second strap element to form a waist belt loop.
- Foldable lap seat embodiments may also include at least two and potentially multiple securing straps connected to an outside surface of the back, side or bottom supports. Each of the securing straps may comprise a lower strap element and an upper strap element, and the lower strap element is longer than the upper strap element. The foldable lap seat embodiments may include other straps to secure a child in the seat or to secure the seat to an adult or structure. Additional strap elements include but are not limited to a shoulder strap, a shoulder harness, one or more wrist straps, one or more thigh straps, handles or other straps.
- The foldable lap seat embodiments may be folded into a compact bundle for storage or transportation.
- Alternative embodiments include a method of securing a child using a foldable lap seat as described above and methods of fabricating a foldable lap seat.
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FIGS. 1-4 show one embodiment offoldable lap seat 10 as disclosed herein.FIG. 1 generally shows thefoldable seat 10 in position for use. Although thefoldable seat 10 is particularly well suited for use with a lap child on an airplane, the foldable lap seat can alternatively be used to enhance comfort and safety any time a child is seated on an adult's lap. Thus, the lap seat could be used in conjunction with an adult seated in a chair, at a table, in a stadium seat, on a train or bus in a church pew or in other situations. - As shown in
FIGS. 2-4 , theseat 10 comprises a set of functionally distinct but interconnected panels which are permanently connected together along certain lines and which also may be selectively connected together or disconnected along various edges. Thus, theseat 10 can be configured in at least three distinct ways. As shown inFIGS. 1-5 , thefoldable lap seat 10 may be configured for use by connecting certain edges together (FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 ); as a substantially flat structure by disconnecting selected edges as described in detail below (FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 ); and the seat may be stored or transported when not in use in a very compact folded configuration as shown inFIG. 5 . Each of the configurations noted above is discussed in detail below. - Generally, the
seat 10 includes aback support 12, abottom support 14, afirst side wall 16 a, and asecond side wall 16 b. Certain connections between the above supports and walls are substantially permanent. As used herein a “junction” is a connection between adjacent supports or walls which, in normal use, is permanent, but which provides for a bending or folding line between the adjacent supports and walls. Other connections between the supports and walls of theseat 10 which are not described as junctions herein, can be readily connected and disconnected as desired by a user. These temporary or selective connections occur along certain edges of the above noted supports and side walls as described below. - The
back support 12 has atop edge 18. Theback support 12 also shares abottom junction 20, afirst side junction 22 a, and asecond side junction 22 b with theadjacent bottom support 14,first side wall 16 a andsecond side wall 16 b respectively. As noted above, thejunctions 20 and 22 are permanent or semi-permanent connections between supports and walls which define a bending or folding line. For example, a junction can be defined by a seam or a sewn-through line which defines a hinge line. Alternatively, a junction may be merely the general location where a soft or curved fold occurs between the back support and an adjacent structure when the seat is configured for use. As described in detail below with respect to the exploded view ofFIG. 10 , in one embodiment the junctions are defined by physically separate interior panels which are covered by a single exterior covering surface. - Returning to
FIGS. 2-4 , thetop edge 18 of theback support 12 may be straight or have a curved shape. The side junctions 22 extend from the back supporttop edge 18 to thebottom junction 20. Thebottom junction 20 extends between the bottom ends of the side junctions between the backs support 12 and thebottom support 14. The side junctions 22 may have approximate equal length, and may be, but are not necessarily approximately parallel to each other. - Referring to
FIGS. 3-4 , the back support defines an inside surface 24 and an outside surface 26. The top edge18, thebottom junction 20, and theside junctions - As shown in
FIG. 2 andFIG. 3 , thefirst side wall 16 a and thesecond side wall 16 b are attached to and extend outwardly from the first andsecond side junctions top edge 28 a and 28 b respectively, a bottom edge, 30 a and 30 b respectively and afront side edge 32 a and 32 b respectively, although in certain embodiments the top side edges 28 and the front side edges 32 may comprise a single curved or angled edge. Theside walls back support 12. - The top edges 28 of the side walls 16 can, in certain embodiments, define a slope downward toward the front of the
lap seat 10 of approximately 30-60 degrees from the location of the side junctions 22. The front edges 32 a, 32 b of the side walls 16 extend between the top edge and the bottom edge of the respective side wall, at a location opposite the corresponding side junction 22. The front edges 32 a, 32 b may define a slope of approximate 45-90 degrees with respect to theadjacent bottom edge 30 a, 30 b. The front edges 32 a, 32 b may be approximately straight or curved, and other suitable designs may be employed. - The
bottom support 14 extends outwardly, away from theback support 12, from thebottom junction 20 as described above. As shown inFIGS. 3-4 , the bottom support includes a bottomsupport front edge 34, a first and asecond side edge 36 a and 36 b. The bottom support also defines aninside surface 24 d, and anoutside surface 26 d. The first and the second bottom side edges 36 a and 36 b extend from thebottom junction 20 to the bottomsupport front edge 34. The first and the second side edges 36 a and 36 b can be, but are not necessarily, parallel to each other and therefore may be perpendicular to thebottom junction 20 in both the flattened configuration ofFIGS. 3-4 and the in-use configuration ofFIG. 2 . - As noted above, the
seat 10 may be selectively configured for use as a seat (FIG. 2 ), flattened (FIG. 3-4 ) or folded (FIG. 5 ) by selectively making or disconnecting certain connections at or along specific edges described above. For example, the side edges of thebottom support 36 a and 36 b may be detachably connected with thebottom edges 30 a, 30 b of the side walls 16 by anedge connection 37. Theedge connection 37 may be placed along, incorporated into, defined by or in proximity to thebottom edges 30 a, 30 b of the side walls 16 and the side edges 36 a, 36 b of thebottom support 14. The edge connection may be comprised of any combination of buckles, buttons, hook and loop tape, hook and eye fasteners, zippers, snaps, button and loop structures, ties, magnet or similar apparatus. The embodiment of thelap seat 10 illustrated inFIG. 3 andFIG. 4 includes a zipper as theedge connection 37 with one zipper half portion sewn into thebottom edges 30 a, for example and the corresponding zipper half portion sewn into side edges 36 a for example. (Shown in the figures as edge connection/zippers - As shown in
FIG. 2 , when thebottom support 14 is connected to the side walls 16, with thezipper bottom support 14 is positioned between the two side walls. When thus placed into an in-use configuration, the inside surfaces of the back support (24 a), the inside surfaces of the first and second walls (24 b and 24 c) and the inside surface of the bottom support (24 d) define a child-sized seating area. - The
seat 10 also includes multiple straps configured to perform specific functions. For example, theseat 10 may include one or multiple straps configured to restrain a child placed in the seat. Other straps are provided to secure the seat (and thus the child) to the adult and/or a structure. Another type of strap or similar device may be provided to carry and secure thelap seat 10, for example thehandle strap 35 shown inFIG. 2 may optionally include buckles or clips and be used as a securing strap with the shoulder harness of an adult seat belt as described below. - In one illustrative embodiment, the
lap seat 10 may include acenter strap 38. The length ofcenter strap 38 may be adjustable. In use, thecenter strap 38 is placed between a child's legs. One end of thecenter strap 38 is fixed at or near the center of thebottom support 14front edge 34. The other end of thecenter strap 38 is free, and may include aloop 39 or a buckle or similar attachment apparatus. The seat may also include awaist belt 40. Thewaist belt 40 can comprise a firstfree end 41 a and a secondfree end 41 b. The length of thewaist belt 40 between the first and the second free ends 41 a, 41 b may be adjustable. The free ends 41 a and 41 b may be terminated with a buckle 42 comprisingmating buckle portions - A portion of the
waist belt 40 may be fixed on or otherwise attached to theback support 12 in proximity to thebottom junction 20 or the first andsecond side junctions waist belt 40 may alternatively be affixed to or attached to thebottom support 14. - When the
seat 10 is in use, the free ends of thewaist belt waist belt 40 passes through theterminal loop 39 of thecenter strap 38 to secure the waist of a child. Alternatively, the free end of thecenter strap 38 may have a buckle or other attachment means configured to provide a 3-way connection with the free ends of thewaist belt 40. Thecenter strap 38, thewaist belt 40 and any other straps or belts associated with theseat 10 may be sewn or otherwise fastened through any inside and outside panels or other structures of theback support 12 orbottom support 14 to mitigate rip-out, pull through or detachment under medium to high loading. - Additional straps may be included to more adequately or more comfortably secure a child to the
seat 10. For example, referring toFIG. 6A , in one embodiment, theseat 10 includes ashoulder harness 44 attached to the back support configured to connect with thecenter strap 38 andwaist belt 40 in a 5-point buckle 46. In an alternative embodiment, as shown inFIG. 6B , theshoulder harness 44 may include aterminal loop 47 similar to theloop 39 associated with thecenter strap 38 which may be engaged with thewaist belt 40 in use. - Alternatively as shown in
FIG. 7 , in another embodiment theseat 10 includes ashoulder strap 48. Theshoulder strap 48 may be attached diagonally across a child's torso and therefore may include anupper element 50 and alower element 52. For example, theupper element 50 may be attached on theback support 12 in proximity to thetop edge 18 and offset to one side. Thelower element 52 may be attached on theback support 12 in proximity to thebottom junction 20 and offset toward the other side. Theshoulder strap 48 may include a buckle, button, hook and loop tape, hook and eye fastener, zipper, snap, button and loop, tie, or magnet to attach the upper and lower elements together. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 7 , theshoulder strap 48 is implemented with a hook and loop fastener with the hook portion facing outward and the loop portion facing inward to minimize any irritation of the child. When not in use, theshoulder strap 48 may be tightened flush with the seat back to avoid irritating the back of any child in the seat. - Alternative straps may be provided to provide additional security for special situations. For example, as shown in
FIG. 7 , a foldable lap seat may be provided with optional wrist straps 49 a and 49 b which can be quickly attached to secure the child's wrist in an emergency situation, for example when an airline pilot indicates that severe turbulence is to be encountered momentarily. The wrist strap embodiments ofFIG. 7 are illustrated as a simple elastic fabric loop. Alternative embodiments may include hook and loop attachment tapes or other similar attachment structures. Other straps similar in design and function may be provided. For example, thelap seat 10 may include two thigh loops or straps for additional security. - Returning to
FIG. 4 , it may be noted in the back view of thefoldable seat 10 in a flattened configuration that theseat 10 may also include multiple seat securing straps, forexample securing straps 54 a-54 f. The specific location of the securing straps 54 shown in the various figures is representative and not intended to be limiting. The securing straps 54 (or alternative securing structure) provide for the connection of theseat 10 to an adult, or more typically to a seat belt or other device worn by an adult. See for exampleFIG. 1 , which illustrates theseat 10 in use. In the illustrated embodiment, securingstraps outside surface 26 a of theback support 12. A third and fourth securingstrap outside surfaces lap seat 10 as shown or elsewhere. For example, thehandle 35 may be implemented with a buckle to be an upper securing strap. The upper securing strap may then be clipped around an adult's shoulder belt to additionally secure theseat 10. Each securingstrap 54 is illustrated as a strap attached to theseat 10 in two places such that an attachment loop may be formed with abuckle 56 or other connection. The connector which forms a loop in any securingstrap 54 may alternatively be implemented with a button, hook and loop tape, hook and eye fastener, zipper, snap, button and loop, tie, magnets or a similar attachment structure. - When fastened, the
buckle 56, or other connector associated with the securingstrap 54, forms a loop at a select location on an outside surface of theseat 10. Thebuckle 56 or other connector may be located away from the center of the loop formed in the securingstrap 54. For example, thebuckle 56 may be located on the loop closer to the upper connection of the securing strap to theseat 10 to displace the energy placed on the loop when the loop is stressed and to facilitate easy attachment. The ends of any securingstrap 54 attached to thelap seat 10 may be sewn or fastened through the outside and the inside surfaces of a seat element to mitigate rip-out, pull through or detachment under medium to high loading. In one specific embodiment, the securingstraps 54 are implemented with an approximately three-inch upper portion of nylon webbing which is sewn to a ¾-inch buckle portion. In this embodiment, the lower portion of the securingstrap 54 is implemented with an approximately five-inch piece of nylon webbing sewn to a mating ¾-inch buckle portion. - When in use, one or more rearward securing strap for example 54 a and 54 b may be attached to or looped around an adult seat belt so that the child may face away from the adult as shown in
FIG. 1 . Alternatively, selected securing straps on the side and rear of theseat 10 may be attached to an adult seat belt to position the child in a side facing position as shown inFIG. 8 . Thus the position of the child may be selected or adjusted from time to time for eating, sleeping, or comfort. - In certain instances, the securing
straps 54 may also be attached to a dedicated supplemental belt. For example, with reference toFIG. 9 , theseat 10 may be attached to a supplementaladult waist restraint 58. A supplemental belt is useful in the many locations where aseat 10 may be used at which a conventional seat belt is not provided, such as in trains, buses or at ballgames or other public events. - Referring to the exploded view of
FIG. 10 , various portions of theseat 10 may be fabricated of multiple layers of materials, including rigid orsemi-flexible layers 60; soft cushioning over-layers and fabric cover layers. The soft cushioning layers may be bonded to the fabric cover layers during fabrication of aseat 10, therefore the soft cushioning layers and fabric cover layers are shown as aunified cover assembly 62 onFIG. 10 . The rigid or semi-flexibleinternal layers 60 provide strength and form to theback support 12,bottom support 14, and side walls 26 to support a child weight of approximate 30 pounds without significant deformity. The rigid or semi-flexibleinternal layers 60 may also mitigate impact forces on the child and the adult in many circumstances thus preventing harm or injury. The rigid or semi-flexible layers are therefore typically implemented with a material that is somewhat pliable and thus will bend before injuring either the child or the adult. For example, the rigid orsemi-flexible layers 60 may be made of polymers with density of about 4-7 lbs./cubic foot and thickness of about ⅜-⅞ inch. The polymers may be polyethylene or polyurethane. The soft cushioning over-layers may be made of polymers with density of about 1-2 lbs./cubic foot and about ¼-½ thickness to provide comfort and safety in the event of impact and to the adult and the child. The fabric cover layers may be made of any type of flexible fabric, or waterproof material. The cover layers may be flame retardant and decorated with an attractive pattern. - A cover opening, for
example zipper outside cover assembly 62 of the seat so that the outside cover may be opened to remove theinternal layers 60 from the seat. The fabric cover material of the seat may be machine washable. Thezipper - The disclosed embodiments of the
foldable lap seat 10 provide much greater protection for airline lap children than allowing them to “float” free in the cabin. Thelap seat 10 is also fabricated from pliable materials and in rounded-corner shapes that will not injure the parent during turbulence. The seat allows a child to face forward, face sideways, stand, and even lay down without being disconnected from the adult. The multiple positions may make the child content for longer periods of time. - Furthermore, an adult does not have to unbuckle his or her seat belt to adjust or reposition the
foldable lap seat 10. The seat can be used in conjunction with a car seat. The seat may minimize the dangerous practice of placing an adult seat belt around both the child and the adult. Thefoldable lap seat 10 may be used in any situation where an adult is seated but would like a secure environment for their child. - As noted above and illustrated in
FIG. 5 , thefoldable lap seat 10 may be folded into a compact bundle for storage or transportation. Folds readily occur along the bottom andside junctions 20 and 22 respectively and theseat 10 may be secured in a folded configuration with various straps including but not limited to thecenter strap 38,waist belt 40 or ashoulder strap 48. The folded dimensions of a typically sizedfoldable lap seat 10 are approximate 9-11 inches long by approximately 8-10 inches wide by approximately 3-5 inches deep. When a foldedlap seat 10 is to be used, thewaist belt 40 or other strap holding the seat in a folded configuration can be unbuckled, allowing the seat to be opened. Theseat 10 is then secured into a usable form by connecting the side walls with the bottom support alongedges zippers FIG. 2 . - In use, the adult sits down and buckles his or her conventional seat belt. The seat is then placed on the adult's lap and in the facing forward or facing sideways position, and is connected to the conventional seat belt using the
buckle 56 and securingstraps 54 attached to the outside of thelap seat 10 in appropriate locations. The child is then placed in the seat and buckled into the seat as described above. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , a child may stand to stretch their legs without completely losing protection from the seat. For example, the child'swaist belt 40 may be unbuckled and removed from theloop 39 in thecenter strap 38. Thewaist belt 40 may then be immediately re-buckled and tightened. The previously attached securingstraps 54 may be disconnected from the adult's seat belt. The child may now be turned in the lap seat to face the adult. The adult's seat belt can then be threaded through thecenter strap loop 39, re-buckled and tightened. The child can now stand and is still protected from turbulence. - After use the
lap seat 10 can be folded and stored conveniently as shown inFIG. 5 . To fold theseat 10, the side walls 16 are detached from thebottom support 14 by disengaging thezippers 37 or other connection along the appropriate edges. Then, theback support 12 may be turned to face toward the user. Third, thefirst side wall 16 a may be pushed behind theback support 12 and thesecond side wall 16 b may be pushed in front of the back support. Fourth, thebottom port 14 may be folded upward over thefirst side wall 16 a. Thewaist belt 40 may then be extended over theback support 12. Finally, thewaist belt 40 may be passed through theloop 39 of thecenter strap 38 and buckled to secure the folded package. - As shown in
FIG. 12 , thefoldable lap seat 10 does not prevent proper adult positioning during an airline emergency crash landing situation. In such an emergency, the seat can be lowered between an adult's legs. The adult's arms are draped around the child and the adult is still able to maintain the appropriate crash position. - The description of the disclosed embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the claims to any particular form disclosed. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the scope of the following claims. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments described and shown in the figures were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the various embodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
- While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope of the disclosure.
- Various embodiments of the disclosure could also include permutations of the various elements recited in the claims as if each dependent claim was a multiple dependent claim incorporating the limitations of each of the preceding dependent claims as well as the independent claims. Such permutations are expressly within the scope of this disclosure.
Claims (20)
1. A foldable seat comprising:
a back support;
a first side wall;
a second side wall; and
a bottom support extending outwardly from the bottom edge of the back support, wherein the side edges of the bottom may be detachably connected with the side walls, and wherein in use, the bottom support is positioned between bottom edges of the two side walls.
2. The foldable seat of claim 1 further comprising a center strap having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is connected to the bottom support in proximity to a bottom edge of the bottom support.
3. The foldable seat of claim 1 further comprising a waist belt having a first strap element and a second strap element, wherein, in a fastened configuration, the first strap element is fastened to the second strap element to form a waist belt loop.
4. The foldable seat of claim 3 , wherein the center strap has a loop at the free end, and wherein the waist belt passes through the loop when secured around the waist of a child.
5. The foldable seat of claim 3 , wherein the first and the second strap elements of the waist belt are connected to an inside surface of the bottom support or the back support in proximity to a junction between the bottom support and the back support.
6. The foldable seat of claim 1 further comprising at least first and a second securing strap connected to an outside surface of the back support.
7. The foldable seat of claim 6 further comprising:
a third securing strap connected to an outside surface of the first side wall; and
a fourth securing strap connected to an outside surface of the second side wall.
8. The foldable seat according to claim 7 , wherein each of the four securing straps comprises a lower strap element and an upper strap element, and the lower strap element is longer than the upper strap element.
9. The foldable seat according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom support is detachably connected to the side walls with a zipper.
10. The foldable seat of claim 1 further comprising a shoulder strap.
11. The foldable seat of claim 10 wherein the shoulder strap comprises a first shoulder strap element and a second shoulder strap element, wherein the first shoulder strap element is connect to an inside surface of the back support in proximity to one side of the top edge and the second shoulder strap element is connected to an inside surface of the back support in proximity to the junction between the back support and the bottom support and wherein one of the first of the second shoulder strap elements further comprises an outward facing hook tape and the other of the first and second shoulder strap elements comprises a mating inward facing loop tape.
12. The foldable seat of claim 1 wherein the back support, the first side wall, the second side wall and the bottom support are made of multiple layers of materials, comprising a first and a second cover layer, a first and a second soft layer, and a rigid or semi-flexible layer.
13. The foldable seat of claim 1 further comprising a wrist strap attached to one of two side walls.
14. The foldable seat of claim 1 further comprising a shoulder harness.
15. The foldable seat of claim 14 wherein the shoulder harness comprises a plurality of shoulder straps attached to the back support with each shoulder strap having a free end configured to be attached to a five-point buckle to connect the two shoulder belts, two free ends of a waist belt and a free end of a center belt together.
16. The foldable seat of claim 14 wherein the shoulder harness comprises a Y strap, wherein two ends of the Y strap are fixed in proximity to the top edge of the back support, and one end is terminated with a loop.
17. The foldable seat of claim 1 further comprising two thigh straps attached to the bottom support.
18. The foldable seat of claim 1 , wherein the back support, the first and the second side walls, and the bottom support are covered with a waterproof material.
19. The foldable seat of claim 1 further comprising a securing strap associated with a top edge of the back support which securing strap comprises a buckle.
20. The foldable seat of claim 1 wherein junctions between the back support and each side wall and a junction between the back support and the bottom support provide for each side wall to be folded over opposite sides of the back support and the bottom support to be folded over one of the side walls when the side edges of the bottom are detached from the side walls.
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Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/049,924 US20140101859A1 (en) | 2012-10-11 | 2013-10-09 | Foldable child lap seat |
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US201261712321P | 2012-10-11 | 2012-10-11 | |
US14/049,924 US20140101859A1 (en) | 2012-10-11 | 2013-10-09 | Foldable child lap seat |
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US20140101859A1 true US20140101859A1 (en) | 2014-04-17 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/049,924 Abandoned US20140101859A1 (en) | 2012-10-11 | 2013-10-09 | Foldable child lap seat |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20140101859A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2949240A1 (en) * | 2014-05-27 | 2015-12-02 | Volvo Car Corporation | Child transport device |
CN106108500A (en) * | 2016-08-30 | 2016-11-16 | 美佳德科技(无锡)有限公司 | A kind of Novel baby medicated cushion |
US20170055723A1 (en) * | 2015-08-28 | 2017-03-02 | Susan Diane Johnston | Disinfectable Vinyl Baby Bouncer Seat Cover |
CN107529896A (en) * | 2015-06-17 | 2018-01-02 | 高理思设计有限公司 | A kind of foldable child spare seat |
US10004341B2 (en) * | 2016-03-14 | 2018-06-26 | Phoenix Baby Llc | Convertible highchair and infant carrier stand device |
US10611393B1 (en) * | 2016-09-19 | 2020-04-07 | Jacobo J. Simon | Occupant transportation accessory for luggage |
US11241983B2 (en) * | 2018-02-21 | 2022-02-08 | Carfoldio LTD. | Child restraint system for an infant |
US20230165388A1 (en) * | 2021-11-30 | 2023-06-01 | Maninder Kaur Kadziolka | Privacy Nursing Pillow |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3366294A (en) * | 1966-12-27 | 1968-01-30 | Kay C. Stephenson | Safety carrier for infants |
US4568125A (en) * | 1984-03-20 | 1986-02-04 | Sckolnik Anne M | Child safety cushion |
US4979520A (en) * | 1987-12-21 | 1990-12-25 | Boone Jr Robert L | Pediatric device for immobilizing injured infant utilizing a standard size backboard |
US8434827B2 (en) * | 2010-07-26 | 2013-05-07 | Mattel, Inc. | Infant support structure with polymer coated restraint straps |
-
2013
- 2013-10-09 US US14/049,924 patent/US20140101859A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3366294A (en) * | 1966-12-27 | 1968-01-30 | Kay C. Stephenson | Safety carrier for infants |
US4568125A (en) * | 1984-03-20 | 1986-02-04 | Sckolnik Anne M | Child safety cushion |
US4979520A (en) * | 1987-12-21 | 1990-12-25 | Boone Jr Robert L | Pediatric device for immobilizing injured infant utilizing a standard size backboard |
US8434827B2 (en) * | 2010-07-26 | 2013-05-07 | Mattel, Inc. | Infant support structure with polymer coated restraint straps |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2949240A1 (en) * | 2014-05-27 | 2015-12-02 | Volvo Car Corporation | Child transport device |
US9730526B2 (en) | 2014-05-27 | 2017-08-15 | Volvo Car Corporation | Child transport device |
US20180116424A1 (en) * | 2015-06-17 | 2018-05-03 | Studio Gooris Limited | A foldable child booster seat |
US10856670B2 (en) | 2015-06-17 | 2020-12-08 | Studio Gooris Limited | Foldable child booster seat |
EP3310213A4 (en) * | 2015-06-17 | 2019-01-09 | Studio Gooris Limited | A foldable child booster seat |
CN107529896A (en) * | 2015-06-17 | 2018-01-02 | 高理思设计有限公司 | A kind of foldable child spare seat |
US9648963B2 (en) * | 2015-08-28 | 2017-05-16 | Susan Diane Johnston | Disinfectable vinyl baby bouncer seat cover |
US20170055723A1 (en) * | 2015-08-28 | 2017-03-02 | Susan Diane Johnston | Disinfectable Vinyl Baby Bouncer Seat Cover |
US10004341B2 (en) * | 2016-03-14 | 2018-06-26 | Phoenix Baby Llc | Convertible highchair and infant carrier stand device |
US10413086B2 (en) | 2016-03-14 | 2019-09-17 | Phoenix Baby Llc | Convertible highchair and infant carrier stand device |
CN106108500A (en) * | 2016-08-30 | 2016-11-16 | 美佳德科技(无锡)有限公司 | A kind of Novel baby medicated cushion |
US10611393B1 (en) * | 2016-09-19 | 2020-04-07 | Jacobo J. Simon | Occupant transportation accessory for luggage |
US11241983B2 (en) * | 2018-02-21 | 2022-02-08 | Carfoldio LTD. | Child restraint system for an infant |
US20230165388A1 (en) * | 2021-11-30 | 2023-06-01 | Maninder Kaur Kadziolka | Privacy Nursing Pillow |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |