Removable foot pedal for child car seat

Abstract

The present specification relates to a removable foot pedal (200) that can be used with an automobile seat (110) or other teenager seat product. The footrest comprises: a support platform (210) on which both feet of a child seat occupant are placed; and a closure (250). The support platform and the closure define a channel (220) for a support leg (130) having an elongate body. One end of the closure is secured to the support platform on one side of the channel and removably coupled to the support platform on the other side of the channel such that the closure changes from a closed position around the support leg to an open position. When in the open position, the position or height of the footrest along the support leg may be changed and / or the footrest may be completely removed from the support leg.

Description

Background Art

[0001] In many countries, the use of child car seats is required by law and recommended for children of certain ages or sizes. Unlike most adults seated in car seats, children seated in car seats typically do not have their feet able to reach the bottom of the vehicle interior (e.g., the floor), leaving them hanging above the vehicle floor. The lack of support for the feet causes additional pressure to be placed on the back of the child's legs and can cause long-term damage to the hips, knees, and ankles. Children are also more likely to swing and kick their legs while suspended and may kick the backrest of one of the vehicle's front seats, causing discomfort to the front occupants and / or damaging the front seat covers. Some car seats provide support areas for children's feet; however, these support areas may protrude at the bottom of the car seat, making the car seat more difficult to enter, exit, and store. Additionally, because children change in height during the period of time that a car seat is needed, foot supports that are in a fixed position may not provide adequate support and alignment, or prevent kicking. Summary of the invention

[0002] An object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional footrest for a child car seat.

[0003] Another object of the present invention is to provide a footrest for a child car seat that is simple to use.

[0004] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a footrest for a child car seat that provides enhanced comfort and safety for an occupant of the child safety seat.

[0005] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a child car seat with a footrest that solves one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] At least one of the above objects is achieved by the features of claim 1 and / or the features of claim 10 and / or the features of claim 16 .

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, at least one purpose is achieved by a child car seat system, which includes a child car seat and a footrest. The child car safety seat has: a bottom portion, the bottom portion is configured to at least partially rest on a seat of an associated vehicle; and a support leg extending from the bottom portion of the child car seat. The footrest includes a support platform, the support platform having a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side. The support platform has a channel configured to receive the support leg. The footrest closure has a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the body defining at least a portion of the channel for the support leg. The first end and the second end of the footrest closure are both fixed to the support platform, and at least the second end of the footrest closure is releasably connected to the support platform.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, at least one purpose is achieved by a removable footrest for a child car seat, the removable footrest comprising a support platform and a footrest closure. The support platform has a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side. The support platform also has a channel, the channel being configured to receive a support leg fixed to the child car seat, the channel extending from the top surface through the bottom surface of the support platform. The footrest closure has a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the body defining at least a portion of the channel for the support leg. The first end and the second end of the footrest closure are both fixed to the support platform, and at least the second end of the footrest closure is releasably connected to the support platform.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, at least one purpose is achieved by a footrest system for a child car seat, the footrest system comprising a leg and a removable footrest. The leg has an elongated body between a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is configured to be fixed to a child car seat. The removable footrest comprises a support platform and a footrest closure, wherein the support platform has a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side. The support platform has a channel configured to receive the leg. The footrest closure has a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the body defining at least a portion of the channel for the leg, wherein the first end and the second end of the footrest closure are both fixed to the support platform, wherein at least the second end of the footrest closure is releasably connected to the support platform.

[0010] A child car seat is generally designed for safely transporting a child occupant in a car and comprises a seat portion. The child car seat may also comprise a back support portion which together with the seat portion defines an area for the child occupant. The child car seat may comprise a bottom portion which may be designed to support at least the seat portion, wherein the bottom portion may be provided as a separate component (which may be adjustable relative to the seat portion, e.g. rotatable and / or slidable) or provided in one piece with the seat portion.

[0011] The bottom portion can be designed to sit on and contact the vehicle seat when the child car seat is positioned in the vehicle. In particular, the bottom portion can be designed as a base for the child car seat. When the bottom portion is provided as a separate component, the seat portion (and the back support portion) can be movable relative to the bottom portion. For example, the seat portion can be rotated relative to the bottom portion to allow the seat portion to be positioned in one or a selected one of several transport configurations (e.g., a forward-facing configuration and / or a rear-facing configuration). In addition, the seat portion can be positioned in at least one non-transport configuration (e.g., a side-facing configuration).

[0012] In the forward facing configuration, the front side of the seat portion can be aligned with the front side of the bottom portion, and the rear side of the seat portion can be aligned with the rear side of the bottom portion. In the rearward facing configuration, the front side of the seat portion can be aligned with the rear side of the bottom portion, and the rear side of the seat portion can be aligned with the front side of the bottom portion.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, the inclination angle of the seat portion relative to the bottom portion can be changed (adjusted) by rotation between two different positions, in particular between a forward-facing configuration and a rearward-facing configuration, and / or by adjustment independent of the rotation configuration.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, the seat portion may be releasably coupled to the bottom portion so that a user can remove it and (completely) separate it from the bottom portion, which may allow the bottom portion in the form of a base to be used with different car seats. The bottom portion and / or the seat portion may be provided with an attachment mechanism for releasably attaching the seat portion of a selected car seat to the bottom portion. The attachment mechanism may comprise at least one hook and / or at least one release actuator.

[0015] In one example, the seat portion is movable relative to the bottom portion in that the seat portion may be rotated and / or tilted relative to the bottom portion, but may not be configured to be easily detachable from the bottom portion by a user.

[0016] The child car seat may comprise means for securing the child to the child seat, in particular means for securing the child to the seat portion and the back support portion. The means for securing may be selected from a five-point safety belt, or a three-point safety belt, or other types of safety belts, or a protective shield (crash shield). Additionally and / or alternatively, the child car seat may be configured to secure the child occupant using the safety belt of the associated vehicle (e.g., in the case of a booster car seat). The child car seat may provide a guiding device for guiding the safety belt of the associated vehicle in a desired position.

[0017] The child car seat also includes a support leg that can extend from the bottom portion. The support leg can generally have an elongated body having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the support leg can be coupled to and adjacent to the bottom portion of the child car seat, and the bottom end can be configured to be positioned on and in contact with a floor of an associated vehicle when the child car seat is installed in the vehicle.

[0018] In some examples, the support leg can have an adjustable length between a top end and a bottom end. For example, the support leg can include an inner tube and an outer tube that perform a telescoping mechanism. At the minimum length of the support leg, the inner tube can be completely or substantially (e.g., at least 70% or 90% of its own length) surrounded by the outer tube, and the length of the support leg can increase as more of the inner tube is exposed from the end of the outer tube (e.g., the bottom end). One of the inner and outer tubes (e.g., the inner tube) can include one or more locking pins that engage with a slot or hole along the surface of the other tube (e.g., the outer tube) to secure the support leg at a desired length. In this way, the support leg can be applied to vehicles of various sizes and can contact their floors. The top end of the support leg can be a portion of the outer tube, and the bottom end of the support leg can be a portion of the inner tube.

[0019] The support leg (also referred to as a load leg or simply a leg) can extend from the bottom portion of the child car seat to the floor of the associated vehicle to provide additional stability and energy absorption in the event of a crash. In other embodiments, the support leg of the present disclosure need not extend completely to the floor of the associated vehicle and / or can be configured merely as a means for locating a footrest, rather than having a separate safety feature.

[0020] In some examples, the support leg may be designed to be telescopically lengthened to extend from the bottom portion of the child car seat to the floor of the associated vehicle. In some of these examples, the support leg may include a foot portion at its bottom end to provide an enlarged support surface on the floor of the associated vehicle. In some of these examples, the support leg may include an indication device for indicating (direct) contact of the support leg with the floor of the associated vehicle. In some of these examples, the support leg may include a damping device for damping forces acting on the load leg (e.g., impacts related to the associated vehicle), for example, an elastic device such as a spring and / or a deformable device such as a crushable element (foam material, honeycomb or other suitable element). In some examples, the support leg may be foldable from a use position to a non-use position or storage position, in which the support leg extends from the bottom portion in a downward direction, in which the support leg extends substantially along a surface that contacts the vehicle seat when the child car seat is positioned in the vehicle, or the support leg is partially or fully embedded in the bottom portion.

[0021] A child car seat system may include a (partially or fully) removable footrest secured around a support leg. The footrest may have a support platform that at least partially defines a channel through which the support leg extends when the footrest is secured to the support leg. The channel may extend through a top surface and a bottom surface of the footrest so that the support leg may extend along and beyond the entire height of the footrest. The footrest may also include a closure that closes the channel, which may help secure the footrest in a closed or locked position around the support leg.

[0022] The support platform includes a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion may be the right side from the perspective of the occupant of the child car seat, and the second side portion may be the left side from the perspective of the occupant. The top surface of the support platform extends from the first side portion to the second side portion and forms a top portion of the support platform. The top surface may be a surface on which a child occupant of the child car seat places one or both feet. In some aspects, the top surface of the support platform may be a contoured surface and / or a curved surface. For example, the top surface may include ridges that define a contour. The ridges may help clamp the occupant's feet or shoes on the top surface of the support platform so that the feet are not easily slipped off the footrest when the vehicle moves. In other aspects, the top surface may include grooves to similarly generate traction.

[0023] The support platform may also include a base that forms a bottom aspect of the support platform and is positioned below the top portion. The base may be configured to secure the support platform around the support leg with the aid of a closure. The base may be narrower than the top portion. For example, the top portion may have a first width between the first side portion and the second side portion, and the base may have a second width between the first side portion and the second side portion that is less than the first width. In this way, the size of the top portion (having the top surface) of the support platform may be designed so that it is wide enough to accommodate the feet of occupants of various sizes, while the base may be only wide enough to surround the footrest and secure the footrest to the support leg without additional bulk or weight. In other examples, the top portion and the base have the same or at least substantially the same width between the first side portion and the second side portion.

[0024] In exemplary aspects, the top portion and base of the support platform have a single body construction. For example, the top portion and base can be molded together. In other examples, the top portion and base can be formed separately and fixed together via screws, pins, adhesives, etc.

[0025] The closure may be configured to transition between a closed position in which both the first end and the second end are secured to the support platform and an open position in which at least one of the first end and the second end is released from being secured to the support platform.

[0026] At least in the closed position, the closure (particularly together with the support platform) can define a channel for the support leg. Specifically, the closure has a first end connected to the support platform, a second end connected to the support platform, and a portion (referred to herein as the closure body) between the first end and the second end that defines a portion of the channel. In one example, the channel has a shape (e.g., a generally rectangular cross-section) that can (generally) correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the support leg. In this way, the channel includes a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, a front side, and a rear side opposite to the front side. The first side, the second side, and the front side can be defined by the wall of the support platform, and when the closure is in the closed position, the rear side can be defined by the closure.

[0027] In some examples, when closed, a first end of the closure is secured to the support platform at a position between a first side of the channel and a first side of the support platform, and a second end of the closure is secured to the support platform at a position between a second side of the channel and a second side of the support platform. In one example, the first and second ends of the closure are secured directly only to the base of the support platform when in the closed state, rather than directly to the top portion. Additionally, the closure can be positioned below the top surface of the support platform when the footrest is in the use position. Positioning the closure below the top surface (e.g., the foot contact surface) can prevent or minimize the possibility that a child rider will rub the closure with their feet when using the footrest and thereby inadvertently loosen or open the closure.

[0028] In some examples, one end of the closure is permanently fixed to the support platform, while the other end is releasably coupled. For example, a first end of the closure is fixed to the base adjacent to a first side of the channel in a manner that is not easily removable, for example, using one or more threads and / or one or more pins and / or one or more nails and / or molding and / or adhesive and / or similar means. A second end of the closure is fixed to the base adjacent to a second side of the channel in a releasable or removable manner, such that the second end of the closure is fixed to the base in the closed state, but not fixed to the base in the open state.

[0029] In various examples, the closure is a pull latch that draws the first side of the channel and the second side of the channel closer together to reduce the size (or width) of the channel so that the footrest fits tightly around the support leg when the support leg is positioned within the channel. In some examples, the closure is an over-center latch.

[0030] The closure may include a closure body that (substantially) extends across the channel. One end of the closure body may be secured to a support platform (e.g., a base) at a closure body joint. The closure body may be designed to pivot about the closure body joint. Pivoting about the closure body joint may include pivoting about an axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface of the support platform, which may be a horizontal plane. An opposite side of the closure body may include or otherwise be attached to a blade and a handle that substantially forms a second end of the closure. The blade may be configured to cooperate with a retainer on the support platform. The blade may have a ring structure, and / or the retainer may be a slot or channel on the base that may (substantially) face the second side of the footrest.

[0031] In one example, in order to place the closure in the closed position, the first end of the blade is positioned in the retainer. The opposite second end of the blade is attached to a handle, which serves as a lever for the closure. The handle can pivot around a latch joint formed between the handle and the closure body. In order to completely close the closure, the distal end of the handle can be moved toward the closure body so that the handle rotates around the latch joint. This movement can cause the second end of the blade to move past the center of the latch joint. For example, in the open position of the closure, the second end of the blade is positioned between the first end of the blade and the latch joint; and in the closed position, the latch joint is positioned between the second end of the blade and the first end. In this way, the closure can be loosened or opened until the second end of the blade moves back through the center of the latch joint, which involves some force in a direction other than the separation direction between the first side and the second side of the channel. Therefore, the closure can remain latched when it is under tension, so that when the vehicle is in use, the closure cannot be easily opened during a collision event or during a bump.

[0032] In other embodiments, the closure may utilize other closure mechanisms to close and secure the footrest to the support leg. For example, the closure may utilize other types of pull latches and / or other latches and / or hook and loop fasteners and / or buckles and / or the like. For example, in one alternative, the closure may include a flexible strap having one end secured to the support platform and the other end passed through a slot or other opening formed in the support platform on an opposite side of the channel. The flexible strap may include a hook portion and a loop portion such that after passing through the opening in the support platform, the flexible strap may extend rearward toward the first side of the support platform such that the hook portion and the loop portion may at least partially overlap and be secured to each other.

[0033] Further, it is contemplated that some examples of the present disclosure include a closure that cannot be easily removed from either end (the first end and the second end) of the support platform. Instead, the width of the closure between the first end and the second end can be adjustable so that the width of the closure in the open state is greater than the width in the closed state, which can increase the size (or width) of the channel in the open state to allow the footrest to slide along the support leg, and in some cases allow the footrest to slide away from the support leg.

[0034] In some examples, the closure may include a slider configured to slide between a closed position in which both the first end and the second end are fixed to the support platform and an open position in which at least one of the first end and the second end is released from being fixed to the support platform. In the open position, the second end of the closure may be located relative to the support portion in a position of the first end of the closure when in the closed position. The slider may be configured to slide in a horizontal direction.

[0035] In an exemplary aspect, the footrest can be fixed at a selected position in different positions along the support leg to accommodate child passengers of different heights. In some aspects, there are a fixed number of positions based on the position of the engagement features or openings in the support leg. The support leg can have a plurality of vertically spaced openings on the rear side of the support leg. The rear inner channel surface formed by the closure body can include one or more protrusions that can be designed to cooperate with the one or more openings on the support leg when the closure is in the closed position and the support leg is located in the channel of the footrest. In one example, the closure body includes two vertically spaced protrusions that engage with two openings on the support leg, but it is contemplated that the closure body can include fewer or more protrusions. The engagement between the one or more protrusions on the closure of the footrest and the one or more openings on the support leg can further maintain the position of the footrest along the support leg to prevent the footrest from (inadvertently) sliding off the support leg due to gravity and / or during vehicle movement.

[0036] In some examples, the openings may be located on different sides of the support leg, such as on the left side, on the right side, or on the front side, and the protrusions may be formed on the surface of the support platform defining the channel. Further, in some examples, a closure or another portion of the footrest may have one or more openings, cavities, or slots, and the support leg may have a protrusion or other raised feature that engages within the openings, cavities, or slots of the footrest.

[0037] In some examples, the opening may be formed as a groove, preferably a horizontal groove, so as to allow engagement with a complementary feature (eg a rib) of a closure, in particular a sliding closure.

[0038] In some examples, the closure member and support platform may be configured to cooperate in a manner such that a selected position of the footrest is secured by a friction fit.

[0039] In some examples, the engagement feature of the support leg may include a protrusion, such as a rib that supports the bottom surface of the footrest (without engaging an opening or other similar element of the footrest).

[0040] An example of a support leg may be pivotally connected to a bottom portion of a child car seat. In this way, a user may rotate the support leg out of the way when not in use. In this example, a top end portion of the support leg is coupled to the bottom portion at or near the front side, and the user may rotate the support leg so that the bottom end portion of the support leg may be moved closer to the rear side of the bottom portion. Further, the bottom portion may have a storage slot for the support leg so that when the support leg is rotated to a non-use position, it may be positioned within the storage slot on the bottom of the bottom portion. In some aspects, the storage slot is sized only for the support leg, so that it is advantageous to be able to remove the footrest before moving the support leg into the storage slot. Once the support leg is positioned within the storage slot, the bottom portion may be placed on a surface (e.g., a vehicle seat or the ground) without the support leg interfering with the child car seat remaining level.

[0041] As described above, in some examples, a car seat system includes a child car seat, a support leg, and a footrest. The features of the child car seat, support leg, and / or footrest can be the same as those disclosed above in the various examples of car seat systems with a base, except that the support leg extends downward from the integral bottom portion of the child car seat, rather than from a separate base component (like the aforementioned bottom portion). In this case, the support leg and footrest can be used on a child car seat that does not use a base, such as a forward-facing car seat with a seat belt and / or a booster seat with or without a back support. It should be understood that the details of the above-mentioned child car seat, support leg, and / or footrest can be applicable to the child car seat, support leg, and / or footrest of this example, and will not be repeated here, except that the aforementioned example describes that the bottom portion is movable relative to the rest of the child car seat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The system and method of the removable footrest of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 1 Depicted is a front perspective view of a car seat with a removable footrest according to an example.

[0044] Figure 2 Depicted is an example of an attachment to Figure 1 An enlarged view of the removable footrest of the car seat.

[0045] Figure 3A-3B Depicted is a closed configuration according to an example Figure 1 Rear view of the removable footrest.

[0046] Figures 4A-4B Depicted is an example of an open configuration Figure 1 Rear view of the removable footrest.

[0047] Figure 5 Depicted is a device secured to a vehicle seat according to an example Figure 1 An enlarged rear view of the removable footrest.

[0048] Figure 6 Depicted is a Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of a car seat with the removable footrest not secured to the car seat.

[0049] Figure 7 Another car seat with a removable footrest is depicted according to an example.

[0050] Figure 8 Depicted is a device secured to a vehicle seat according to an example Figure 1 Another enlarged rear view of the removable footrest.

[0051] Fig. 9 Depicted in partially exploded view Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of the removable footrest of the vehicle to better understand the various components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] This detailed description relates to a footrest that is removable from a child car seat. In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this detailed description. The illustrative examples described in the detailed description and the drawings are not intended to be limiting, but are for explanation purposes only. Other examples may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter described herein. It is readily understood that the various aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings, may be arranged, substituted, combined and designed in a variety of different configurations, each of which is expressly contemplated and forms a part of the present disclosure.

[0053] It should be noted that some relative terms are used in this specification. For example, the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are used to indicate directions relative to an absolute reference (e.g., the ground plane or the floor of a vehicle). However, these terms should not be interpreted as requiring structures to be absolutely parallel or absolutely perpendicular to each other. For example, a first vertical structure and a second vertical structure are not necessarily parallel to each other. Further, it should be understood that when a device or structure is moved, such as when a car seat is removed from a vehicle that provides an absolute reference, structures described as horizontal and vertical may no longer be horizontal or vertical. The terms "top" and "bottom" or "base" are used to refer to a surface that is higher than the bottom / base relative to an absolute reference (i.e., the surface of the earth).

[0054] The present detailed description relates to a removable footrest for a car seat. The footrest can have a support platform and a closure that together form a channel so that the footrest can be secured around a support leg (also called a load leg) extending from the bottom of a child car seat. At least one side of the closure is removably coupled to the support platform so that the closure can be positioned in an open configuration to allow the footrest to be removed from the support leg. For example, the closure can be pivotally secured to the support platform on one side of the channel and removably coupled to the support platform via an over-center latch or other removable coupling mechanism on an opposite side of the channel. The ability to remove the footrest allows the car seat system to be more flexible, providing foot support for a child occupant when needed, while also allowing the user to more easily store the child car seat without the footrest attached.

[0055] In some examples, the position of the footrest is adjustable along the length of the support leg so that a specific footrest position can be selected to provide appropriate support based on the size of the child occupant. For example, an outer surface of the support leg can have vertically spaced openings, and a surface of the footrest forming a channel can have one or more protrusions extending into the channel to engage with one of the vertically spaced slots. The engagement of the one or more protrusions on the footrest and the one or more openings on the support leg can also help to keep the footrest fixed around the support leg so that the footrest does not move when the closure of the footrest is in the closed position.

[0056] Examples of the present disclosure include a removable footrest for a child car seat. Other examples may include a footrest for other types of seats, such as a feeding seat or a chair, to provide appropriate support for the feet and legs of the occupant. Such a footrest may have the same structure as described herein with respect to a child car seat, such that it may be secured around a vertical leg that is removably or permanently secured to a bottom portion of another type of seat.

[0057] Now referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 A child car seat system 100 is shown having a child car seat 110 and a footrest 200. The child car seat 110 is generally designed to safely transport a child occupant in a car. Figure 1 As shown, the child car seat 110 includes a seat portion 112 and a back support portion 122, which together define an area for a child occupant. The child car seat 110 also includes a bottom portion 120 that generally supports at least the seat portion 112. When the child car seat 110 is positioned in a vehicle, the bottom portion 120 sits on and contacts the vehicle seat.

[0058] exist Figure 1In the example of the child car seat 110, the bottom portion 120 of the child car seat 110 is a base that is a separate component from the seat portion 112. In this way, the seat portion 112 (and the back support portion 122) can be movable relative to the bottom portion 120. For example, the seat portion 112 can be rotated relative to the bottom portion 120. Thus, in the forward-facing configuration, the front side 114 of the seat portion 112 is aligned with the front side 124 of the bottom portion 120, and the rear side 116 of the seat portion is aligned with the rear side 126 of the bottom portion 120; while in the rear-facing configuration, the front side 114 of the seat portion 112 is aligned with the rear side 126 of the bottom portion 120, and the rear side 116 of the seat portion 112 is aligned with the front side 114 of the bottom portion 120. Additionally or alternatively, the tilt angle of the seat portion 112 relative to the bottom portion 120 can be changed. Additionally or alternatively, the seat portion 112 can be releasably coupled to the bottom portion 120 so that the user can remove it and completely separate it from the bottom portion 120, which can allow the base-shaped bottom portion 120 to be used with different car seats. In one example, the seat portion 112 is movable relative to the bottom portion 120 in that the seat portion 112 can be rotated and / or tilted relative to the bottom portion 120, but may not be configured to be easily separated from the bottom portion 120 by the user.

[0059] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated example, the child car seat 110 includes a five-point safety belt 118 for securing the child to the seat portion 112 and the back support portion 122. In other examples, other types of safety belts or harnesses may be used to secure the occupant to the seat, such as the seat belts of an associated vehicle, such as in the case of a booster car seat.

[0060] The child car seat 110 also includes a support leg 130 extending from the bottom portion 120. The support leg 130 has a generally elongated body having a top end 132 and a bottom end 134. The top end 132 of the support leg 130 is coupled to and adjacent to the bottom portion 120 of the child car seat, and the bottom end 134 is configured to be positioned on and contact a floor of an associated vehicle when the child car seat 110 is installed in the vehicle.

[0061] In some examples, the support leg 130 has an adjustable length between the top end 132 and the bottom end 134. For example, the support leg 130 may include an inner tube 146 and an outer tube 148 that perform a telescoping mechanism. At the minimum length, the inner tube 146 may be completely or substantially surrounded by the outer tube 148, and the length of the support leg 130 may increase as more of the inner tube 146 is exposed from the bottom end of the outer tube 148. One of the tubes (e.g., the inner tube 146) may include one or more locking pins that engage with a slot or hole 144 along the surface of the other tube (e.g., the outer tube 148) to secure the support leg 130 at a desired length. In this way, the support leg 130 may be used in vehicles of various sizes and contact their floors.

[0062] The support leg 130 (also referred to as a load leg or simply a leg) can extend from the bottom portion 120 of the child car seat 110 to the floor of the associated vehicle to provide additional stability and energy absorption in the event of a crash. In other embodiments, the support leg 130 of the present disclosure need not extend completely to the floor of the associated vehicle and / or can be configured only as a means for positioning the footrest 200 without having a separate safety feature.

[0063] Figure 1 The child car seat system 100 in FIG. 1 also includes a removable footrest 200 secured around the support leg 130 . Figure 2 An enlarged view of a footrest 200 secured about a support leg 130 is provided. The footrest 200 has a support platform 210 that at least partially defines a channel ( Figures 3A-4B The footrest 200 also includes a closure 250 that closes the channel 220 and can help secure the footrest 200 in a closed or locked position around the support leg 130. The closure 250 and the channel 220 are arranged in a manner that allows the support leg 130 to extend through the top and bottom surfaces of the footrest 200. The closure 250 and the channel 220 are arranged in a manner that allows the support leg 130 to extend along the entire height of the footrest. Figures 3A-4B can be better seen in and further described below.

[0064] The support platform 210 includes a first side 212 (which may be the right side from the perspective of the occupant of the child car seat 110) and a second side 214 (which may be the left side from the perspective of the occupant). A top surface 216 of the support platform 210 extends from the first side 212 to the second side 214 and forms a top portion 218 of the support platform 210. The top surface 216 may be a surface on which a child occupant of the child car seat 110 places his or her feet. In some aspects, the top surface 216 of the support platform 210 is a contoured surface or a curved surface. For example, the top surface 216 may include a ridge 202 that defines a contour. The ridge 202 may help clamp the occupant's feet or shoes on the top surface 216 of the support platform 210 so that the feet are less likely to slip off the footrest 200 when the vehicle is moving. In other aspects, the top surface 216 may include grooves to similarly generate traction.

[0065] The support platform 210 may also include a base 232 that forms a bottom aspect of the support platform 210 and is positioned below the top portion 218. The base 232 may be configured to secure the support platform 210 around the support leg 130 with the aid of the closure 250. The base 232 may be narrower than the top portion 218. For example, the top portion 218 may have a first width 234 between the first side portion 212 and the second side portion 214, and the base 232 may have a second width 236 between the first side portion 212 and the second side portion 214 that is less than the first width 234. In this way, the top portion 218 (having the top surface 216) of the support platform 210 may be sized so that it is wide enough to accommodate the feet of occupants of various sizes, while the base 232 may be only wide enough to surround the footrest 200 and secure it to the support leg 130 without additional bulk or weight. In other examples, the top portion 218 and the base 232 have the same or substantially the same width between the first side 212 and the second side 214 .

[0066] In an exemplary aspect, the top portion 218 and the base 232 of the support platform 210 have a unitary construction. For example, the top portion 218 and the base 232 can be molded together. In other cases, the top portion 218 and the base 232 can be formed separately and fixed together via screws, pins, adhesives, etc.

[0067] Figure 3A and 3B A rear view of the footrest 200 is shown, wherein the closure member 250 is in a closed position and Figure 4A and 4B A rear view of the footrest 200 is shown with the closure 250 in an open position. The support leg 130 is removed from these figures to avoid obstructing the view of the channel 220 and the closure 250.

[0068] At least in the closed position, the closure member 250, together with the support platform 210, defines the channel 220 of the support leg 130. Specifically, the closure member 250 has a first end 252 coupled to the support platform 210, a second end 254 coupled to the support platform 210, and a portion (referred to herein as a closure member body 320) between the first end 252 and the second end 254, which defines a portion of the channel 220. In one example, the channel 220 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, which may generally correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the support leg 130. As such, the channel 220 includes a first side portion 222, a second side portion 224 opposite the first side portion 222, a front side portion 226, and a rear side portion 228 opposite the front side portion 226. The first side portion 222, the second side portion 224, and the front side 226 are defined by the wall of the support platform 210, and when the closure member 250 is in the closed position, the channel 220 is in the closed position. Figure 3A and 3B In the closed position shown, the rear side 228 is defined by a closure member 250 .

[0069] When closed, the first end 252 of the closure member 250 is secured to the support platform 210 at a position between the first side 222 of the channel 220 and the first side 212 of the support platform 210, and the second end 254 of the closure member 250 is secured to the support platform 210 at a position between the second side 224 of the channel 220 and the second side 214 of the support platform 210. In one example, the first end 252 and the second end 254 of the closure member 250 are only directly secured to the base 232 of the support platform 210 when in the closed state, and not directly secured to the top portion 218. In addition, when the foot board 200 is in the use position, the closure member 250 can be positioned below the top surface 216 of the support platform 210. Positioning the closure member 250 below the top surface 216 (e.g., the foot contact surface) can prevent or minimize the possibility that a child passenger will rub their feet against the closure member 250 while using the foot board 200 and thereby inadvertently loosen or open the closure member 250.

[0070] In some examples, one end of the closure 250 is permanently fixed to the support platform 210, while the other end is releasably coupled. For example, the first end 252 of the closure 250 is fixed to the base 232 adjacent to the first side 222 of the channel 220 in a non-easily removable manner, for example, using one or more screws, one or more pins, one or more nails, molding, adhesive, etc. The second end 254 of the closure 250 is fixed to the base 232 adjacent to the second side 224 of the channel 220 in a releasable or removable manner, so that the second end 254 of the closure 250 is fixed to the base 232 in the closed state, but not fixed to the base 232 in the open state.

[0071] In various examples, the closure 250 is a pull latch that draws the first side 222 of the channel 220 and the second side 224 of the channel 220 closer together to reduce the size (or width) of the channel 220 so that the footrest 200 fits tightly around the support leg 130 when the support leg 130 is located within the channel 220. In some examples, the closure 250 is an over-center latch. The closure 250 includes a closure body 320 that extends substantially throughout the channel 220. One end of the closure body 320 is secured to the support platform 210 (e.g., the base 232) at a closure body joint 322. The closure body 320 pivots about the closure body joint 322. Pivoting about the closure body joint 322 can include pivoting about an axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface 216 of the support platform 210, which can be a horizontal plane. The opposite side of the closure body 320 may include or otherwise be attached to a blade 312 and a handle 314 that generally form the second end 254 of the closure 250. The blade 312 is configured to mate with a retainer 310 on the support platform 210. Figures 3A-4B In the example shown, the blade 312 has a ring structure and the retainer 310 is a narrow slot or channel on the base 232, which generally faces the second side 214 of the footrest 200. In order to place the closure 250 in the closed position, the first end 332 of the blade 312 is positioned within the retainer 310. The opposite second end 334 of the blade 312 is attached to the handle 314, which serves as a lever for the closure 250. The handle 314 can pivot about a latch joint 316 formed between the handle 314 and the closure body 320. In order to fully close the closure 250, the distal end of the handle 314 is moved toward the closure body 320, causing the handle 314 to rotate about the latch joint 316. This movement causes the second end 334 of the blade 312 to move past the center of the latch joint 316. For example, see Figure 4A and 4B The closure member 250 is in an open position in which the second end 334 of the blade 312 is positioned between the first end 332 of the blade and the latch joint 316; and Figure 3A and 3B 334 and the first end 332 of the blade 312. In this manner, the closure 250 cannot be loosened or opened until the second end 334 of the blade 312 moves back past the center of the latch tab 316, which involves some force in a direction other than the separation direction between the first side 222 and the second side 224 of the channel 220. Thus, the closure 250 can remain latched while under tension so that the closure cannot be easily opened during a crash event or during a jolt when the vehicle is in use.

[0072] In other embodiments, the closure 250 can utilize other closure mechanisms to close and secure the footrest 200 to the support leg 130. For example, the closure 250 can utilize other types of pull latches, other latches, hook and loop fasteners, buckles, etc. For example, in one alternative, the closure 250 can include a flexible strap having one end secured to the support platform 210 and the other end passed through a slot or other opening formed in the support platform 210 on the opposite side of the channel 220. The flexible strap can include a hook portion and a loop portion, such that after passing through the opening in the support platform 210, the flexible strap can extend rearward toward the first side 212 of the support platform 210 so that the hook portion and the loop portion can at least partially overlap and be secured to each other.

[0073] Further, it is contemplated that some examples of the present disclosure include a closure member 250 that cannot be easily removed from either end (the first end 252 and the second end 254) of the support platform 210. Instead, the width of the closure member 250 between the first end 252 and the second end 254 can be adjustable so that the width of the closure member 250 in the open state is greater than the width in the closed state, which can increase the size (or width) of the channel 220 in the open state to allow the footrest 200 to slide along the support leg 130, and in some cases allow the footrest to slide off the support leg 130.

[0074] In an exemplary aspect, the footrest 200 can be secured at different locations along the support leg 130 to accommodate child occupants of different heights. In some aspects, there are a fixed number of positions based on the location of the engagement features or openings in the support leg 130. For example, Figure 5 The support leg 130 is shown having a plurality of openings 154 spaced vertically apart on the rear side 138 of the support leg 130. The rear inner channel surface 340 formed by the closure body 320 includes one or more protrusions 342 (e.g., Figure 4A and 4B ), when the closure 250 is in the closed position and the support leg 130 is located within the channel 220 of the footrest 200, the protrusions engage with the one or more openings 154 on the support leg 130. In one example, the closure body 320 includes two vertically spaced protrusions 342 that engage with the two openings 154 on the support leg 130, but it is contemplated that the closure body 320 may include fewer or more protrusions. The engagement between the one or more protrusions 342 on the closure 250 of the footrest 200 and the one or more openings 154 on the support leg 130 further maintains the position of the footrest 200 along the support leg 130 to prevent the footrest 200 from inadvertently sliding off the support leg 130 due to gravity and / or during vehicle motion.

[0075] In some examples, the opening 154 can be located on different sides of the support leg 130, such as the left side 140, the right side 142, or the front side 136 (in the example of FIG. Figure 2 ), and the protrusion 342 can be formed on the surface of the support platform 210 that defines the channel 220. Further, in some examples, the closure 250 or another portion of the footrest 200 can have one or more openings, cavities, or slots, and the support leg 130 can have a protrusion or other raised feature that engages within the opening, cavity, or slot of the footrest 200.

[0076] Figure 6 A bottom perspective view of a child car seat 110 is depicted. An example of a support leg 130 can be pivotally connected to the bottom portion 120 of the child car seat 110. In this way, the user can rotate the support leg 130 out of the way when not in use. In this example, the top end 132 of the support leg 130 is coupled to the bottom portion 120 at or near the front side 124, and the user can rotate the support leg 130 so that the bottom end 134 of the support leg 130 can be moved closer to the back side 126 of the bottom portion 120. In addition, the bottom portion 120 can have a storage slot 350 for the support leg 130 so that when the support leg 130 is rotated to a non-use position, it can be positioned within the storage slot 350 on the bottom of the bottom portion 120. In some aspects, the storage slot 350 is sized for only the support leg 130 so that it is advantageous to be able to remove the footrest 200 before moving the support leg 130 into the storage slot 350. Once the support legs 130 are positioned within the storage slots 350 , the bottom portion 120 may be placed on a surface (eg, a vehicle seat or the ground) without the support legs 130 interfering with the child car seat 110 remaining level.

[0077] Figure 7 Another exemplary car seat system 400 is depicted, which includes a child car seat 410, a support leg 430, and a footrest 440. The features of the child car seat 410, the support leg 430, and the footrest 440 may be similar to those described above with respect to Figure 1-6 The disclosed features are the same except that the support legs 430 extend downwardly from an integral bottom portion 420 of the child car seat 410 rather than from a separate base member (such as a Figure 1-6 In this case, the support legs 430 and footrest 440 can be used on child car seats that do not use a base, such as forward-facing car seats with seat belts and booster seats with or without back support. It should be understood that Figure 1-6The details of the child car seat 110, the support leg 130 and the footrest 200 described above are applicable to the child car seat 410, the support leg 430 and the footrest 440 and are not described in detail here. The difference is that: Figure 1-6 The situation is described in which the bottom portion 120 is movable relative to the rest of the child car seat 110 .

[0078] Figure 8 A rear view of the removable footrest is shown, which is Figure 5 The views shown are similar. Fig. 9 The view of the removable footrest shown is partially exploded so that some of the components can be more easily understood. The individual features and functions of these components refer to Figure 3A , 3B , 4A and 4B are described in detail.

[0079] Example clauses

[0080] Item 1: A child car seat system, comprising: a child car seat, the child car seat having a bottom portion, the bottom portion being configured to at least partially rest on a seat of an associated vehicle; a support leg, the support leg extending from the bottom portion of the child car seat; and a foot pedal, the foot pedal comprising: a support platform, the support platform having a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having a channel configured to receive the support leg; and a foot pedal closure, the foot pedal closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the body defining at least a portion of the channel for the support leg, the first end and the second end of the foot pedal closure being both fixed to the support platform, and at least the second end of the foot pedal closure being releasably connected to the support platform.

[0081] Clause 2: The child car seat system of clause 1, wherein the first end of the footrest closure is secured to the support platform at a joint.

[0082] Clause 3: The child car seat system of any one of Clauses 1 and 2, wherein the first end of the footrest closure is configured to pivot about an axis extending perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface of the support platform.

[0083] Clause 4: The child car seat system of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the footrest closure forms a rear inner surface of the channel such that the footrest closure is located on a rear side of the support leg when in a closed position.

[0084] Clause 5: A child car seat system according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the footrest closure includes a surface oriented toward the channel for the support leg, the surface including one or more engagement features that engage with the support leg when the footrest closure is closed around the support leg.

[0085] Clause 6: The child car seat system of clause 5, wherein the support leg includes at least one opening, and the one or more engagement features on the footrest closure include one or more protrusions that engage with the at least one opening.

[0086] Clause 7: A child car seat system according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the support leg includes a plurality of openings, wherein each opening positions the footrest at a different distance relative to the child car seat when engaged with the one or more protrusions on the footrest closure.

[0087] Clause 8: A child car seat system according to any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the child car seat comprises a seat portion and a base, the base forming the bottom portion from which the support legs extend, wherein the seat portion is movable relative to the base.

[0088] Clause 9: The child car seat system of any one of Clauses 1 to 7, wherein the child car seat includes a seat portion that is immovable relative to the bottom portion.

[0089] Claim 10: A removable footrest for a child car seat, the removable footrest comprising: a support platform having a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having a channel, the channel being configured to receive a support leg secured to the child car seat, the channel extending from the top surface through a bottom surface of the support platform; and a footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the body defining at least a portion of the channel for the support leg, the first end and the second end of the footrest closure being both secured to the support platform, and at least the second end of the footrest closure being releasably coupled to the support platform.

[0090] Clause 11: The removable footrest of clause 10, wherein the footrest closure is releasably coupled to the support platform with an over-center latch.

[0091] Clause 12: The removable footrest of any of clauses 10-11, wherein the support platform comprises a bottom portion and a top portion forming the top surface, wherein the footrest closure is secured directly to the bottom portion of the support platform.

[0092] Clause 13: The removable footrest of Clause 12, wherein the footrest closure is not directly secured to the top portion of the support platform.

[0093] Clause 14: The removable footrest of any of clauses 12-13, wherein the top surface has a first width and the bottom portion has a second width that is less than the first width.

[0094] Clause 15: The removable footrest of any of clauses 10 to 14, wherein the footrest closure comprises a surface oriented toward the channel for the support leg, the surface having at least one raised structure extending toward the channel.

[0095] Item 16: A footrest system for a child car seat, the footrest system comprising: a leg having an elongated body located between a top end and a bottom end, the top end being configured to be fixed to the child car seat; and a removable footrest, the removable footrest comprising: a support platform having a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having a channel configured to receive the leg; and a footrest closure, the footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the body defining at least a portion of the channel for the leg, the first end and the second end of the footrest closure being both fixed to the support platform, and at least the second end of the footrest closure being releasably connected to the support platform.

[0096] Clause 17: The foot pedal system of clause 16, wherein the leg includes a plurality of openings, and the foot pedal closure includes one or more protrusions that engage at least one opening of the leg.

[0097] Clause 18: The footrest system of any of clauses 16-17, wherein the first end of the footrest closure is configured to pivot about an axis extending perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface of the support platform.

[0098] Clause 19: The footrest system of any one of clauses 16 to 18, wherein the top end portion of the leg is configured to be removably coupled to a bottom portion of the child car seat.

[0099] Clause 20: The footrest system of clauses 16 to 19, wherein the leg is configured to be pivotally coupled to a bottom portion of the child car seat.

[0100] As used herein, the expression "and / or" with respect to two or more elements should be interpreted as indicating only one element, or a combination of elements. For example, "element A, element B, and / or element C" may include only element A, only element B, only element C, element A and element B, element A and element C, element B and element C, or elements A, B, and C. In addition, "at least one of element A or element B" may include at least one of element A, at least one of element B, or at least one of element A and at least one of element B. In addition, "at least one of element A and element B" may include at least one of element A, at least one of element B, or at least one of element A and at least one of element B.

[0101] This detailed description is provided to satisfy statutory requirements. However, the description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention described herein. Instead, the claimed subject matter may be embodied in different ways, including different steps, different combinations of steps, different elements and / or different combinations of elements, similar or equivalent to those described in this disclosure, and combined with other present or future technologies. The examples herein are intended to be illustrative in all respects only and not restrictive. In this sense, alternative examples or implementations may become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the subject matter belongs without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A child car seat system, comprising: a child car seat having a bottom portion configured to at least partially rest on a seat of an associated vehicle; a support leg extending from the bottom portion of the child car seat; as well as A foot pedal, the foot pedal comprising: a support platform having a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having a channel configured to receive the support leg; and A footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the body defining at least a portion of the channel for the support leg, the first end and the second end of the footrest closure being both secured to the support platform, and at least the second end of the footrest closure being releasably coupled to the support platform.

2. The child car seat system according to claim 1, wherein: The first end of the footrest closure is secured to the support platform at a joint.

3. The child car seat system according to claim 2, wherein: The first end of the footrest closure is configured to pivot about an axis extending perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface of the support platform.

4. The child car seat system according to claim 1, wherein: The footrest closure forms a rear inner surface of the channel such that the footrest closure is positioned on a rear side of the support leg when in a closed position.

5. The child car seat system according to claim 1, wherein: The footrest closure includes a surface oriented toward the passage for the support leg, the surface including one or more engagement features that engage the support leg when the footrest closure is closed about the support leg.

6. The child car seat system according to claim 5, wherein: The support leg includes at least one opening, and the one or more engagement features on the footrest closure include one or more protrusions that engage with the at least one opening.

7. The child car seat system according to claim 6, wherein: The support leg includes a plurality of openings, wherein each opening positions the footrest at a different distance relative to the child car seat when engaged with the one or more projections on the footrest closure.

8. The child car seat system of claim 1, wherein: The child car seat comprises a seat portion and a base forming the bottom portion from which the support legs extend, wherein the seat portion is movable relative to the base.

9. The child car seat system of claim 1, wherein: The child car seat includes a seat portion that is immovable relative to the base portion.

10. A removable footrest for a child car seat, the removable footrest comprising: a support platform having a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having a channel configured to receive a support leg secured to the child car seat, the channel extending from the top surface through a bottom surface of the support platform; and A footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the body defining at least a portion of the channel for the support leg, the first end and the second end of the footrest closure being both secured to the support platform, and at least the second end of the footrest closure being releasably coupled to the support platform.

11. The removable footrest according to claim 10, wherein: The footrest closure is releasably coupled to the support platform using an over-center latch.

12. The removable footrest of claim 10, wherein: The support platform includes a bottom portion and a top portion forming the top surface, wherein the footrest closure is directly secured to the bottom portion of the support platform.

13. The removable footrest of claim 12, wherein: The footrest closure is not directly secured to the top portion of the support platform.

14. The removable footrest of claim 12, wherein: The top surface has a first width and the bottom portion has a second width that is smaller than the first width.

15. The removable footrest of claim 10, wherein: The footrest closure includes a surface oriented toward the channel for the support leg, the surface having at least one raised structure extending toward the channel.

16. A foot pedal system for a child car seat, the foot pedal system comprising: a leg having an elongated body between a top end and a bottom end, the top end being configured to be secured to the child car seat; as well as A removable footrest, the removable footrest comprising: a support platform having a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having a channel configured to receive the leg; as well as A footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the body defining at least a portion of the channel for the leg, the first end and the second end of the footrest closure being both secured to the support platform, and at least the second end of the footrest closure being releasably coupled to the support platform.

17. The foot pedal system of claim 16, wherein: The leg includes a plurality of openings, and the footrest closure includes one or more protrusions that engage at least one opening of the leg.

18. The foot pedal system of claim 17, wherein: The first end of the footrest closure is configured to pivot about an axis extending perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface of the support platform.

19. The foot pedal system of claim 16, wherein: The top end portion of the leg is configured to be removably coupled to a bottom portion of the child car seat.

20. The foot pedal system of claim 16, wherein: The leg is configured to be pivotally coupled to a bottom portion of the child car seat.

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