Child seating system and method

Abstract

A seating system for a child includes a base. A formed seat is arranged so as to communicate with and selectively rotate about the base. A retention apparatus includes a first handle and the retention apparatus secures the formed seat to the base. A single actuation and substantially continuous movement of the first handle causes the formed seat to move around the base with respect to at least two different axes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The field of the invention relates to seating systems and, more specifically, to seating systems for children.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Various types of child seating systems have been used over the years. For example, child seats have been used in vehicles in order to restrain the movement of children in the vehicle and thereby prevent injury to the seated children in case of an accident involving the vehicle. For instance, rear-facing infant seating systems have been used to secure infants while forward-facing child seats have been used to secure older children. In all of these seating systems, the child is placed in the seat and secured to the seat using a harness system (e.g., a five-point harness) either incorporated into the seating system or using an existing harness of the vehicle. Various types of arrangements have also been used to attach the base of the car seat of the vehicle. In one example, the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Approaches are described that allow a child seat to be easily and quickly rotated so that a child can be easily and quickly placed and secured in the seat. Specifically, the seat can be easily rotated by a single actuation and substantially continuous movement of a single handle or actuator, for example, from the forward-facing position to a side-facing position, thereby allowing the child to be placed in or removed from the seat.

[0009]In many of these approaches, the child seat can be rotated in two or more different directions (i.e., about two or more axes) either simultaneously or sequentially. For example, the user may both rotate a seat towards the door and vertically adjust the seat in an upward direction with a single actuation and substantially continuous movement of a handle or other actuator. In so doing, the child may be quickly, conveniently, and easily placed and secured in the seat without utilizing complicated or difficult procedures.

[0011]Various approaches may be used to enhance the protection of the child in the seat. For example, the formed seat may include an outer form and the outer form includes a substantially continuously-formed side portion and top enclosure portion that protect substantially the entirety of a child passenger. In another approach, the formed seat may include at least one protective member (such as at least one tubular member, at least one rod, at least one channel, or at least one plate) that is incorporated into the seat. Other approaches and / or components may also be used to provide protection for the child.

[0017]The formed seat can have additional features that enhance the comfort of the child. For example, the formed seat may include ventilation openings that increase air circulation in the seat. In another example, the formed seat is constructed of a breathable material. Furthermore, various panels or cushions can be attached to the formed seat. For example, one or more panels or cushions may be attached to the formed seat to adjust the available passenger volume of the seat.

[0019]Thus, approaches are described that allow a child seat to be easily and quickly rotated so that a child can be quickly and easily placed and secured in the seat. The approaches described herein easy and convenient to use and, in some examples, provide enhanced protection for the occupant of the seat. In some examples, the seat can be interchangeably used between different systems (e.g., a child seat in a vehicle, a child seat in an aircraft, with a stroller, or as furniture).

Problems solved by technology

One challenge faced by adults or others using these previous child seating systems has been being able to place the child in the child seat easily and quickly without dropping or otherwise injuring the child.

For forward-facing seats, this task can be difficult because the child may move as the user attempts to place the child into the child seat and / or the dimensions of the seat relative to the vehicle may be such that little extra space exists to easily maneuver the child into the seat.

Unfortunately, while in certain respects these systems have made it easier for the child to be placed in a child seat, other problems still exist with these previous approaches.

For example, complicated mechanisms were typically used to lock the seat to its base and these mechanisms were frequently difficult to unlock, turn, or operate, particularly when the user was simultaneously carrying the child in their arms.

Users were also often required to unlock and move the seat in a series of complicated movements and actions increasing the difficulty in placing the child in the seat and / or the likelihood of injury to the child.

Other problems limited the effectiveness of these previous systems in promoting child safety.

For example, previous systems often included little if any additional protective measures to protect the child from injury in case of an accident (e.g., a side impact crash).

Consequently, different seating systems were needed for different situations thereby increasing the cost and inconvenience to consumers.

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