Child seat lighting system

Abstract

A child seat mountable to a traffic device includes a seat body including a seat frame having a child seat floor and a child seat back. The seat body may be secured to the traffic device. At least one light is mounted around the seat body.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63 / 426,937, filed on November 21, 2022; U.S. Application No. 63 / 496,528, filed on April 17, 2023; U.S. Application No. 63 / 500,109, filed on May 4, 2023; U.S. Application No. 63 / 500,798, filed on May 8, 2023; U.S. Application No. 63 / 581,050, filed on September 7, 2023; and U.S. Application No. 63 / 595,120, filed on November 1, 2023, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to child safety seats for use in vehicles.

[0004] Child safety seats are used to transport children and are typically designed to be used in automobiles to properly restrain children in the event of an accident. Some infant carriers are designed not only to form part of a child safety seat within a vehicle, but also to attach to a stroller to form a travel system. The limited lighting provided within a vehicle at night may make it difficult for a user to install or properly position a car seat within the vehicle, or to properly place a child within an already installed car seat. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The child seat disclosed in the present application largely meets the above needs. Specifically, the child seat disclosed herein provides a variety of lights external to the child seat to provide appropriate illumination to facilitate the installation, positioning, and securing of the child seat on a vehicle seat or other support structure (e.g., a stroller). The lights can be strategically positioned to illuminate the vehicle seating area of the vehicle seat, a pre-installed car seat base, or other support structures.

[0006] The lights can be activated using manually activated controls or controls strategically placed on the child seat (e.g., a handle, the body of the car seat, etc.). Alternatively, the lights can be automatically activated by certain scenarios or actions. For example, the lights can be activated by rotating or translating an ISOFIX connector to a use position, using sensors that detect the proximity of the child seat to the vehicle seat or other support structure, or other methods for activating the lights.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a child seat that can be installed on a transportation device includes a seat body that includes a seat frame having a child seat bottom plate and a child seat backrest. The seat body can be fixed to the transportation device. At least one light is installed around the seat body.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, the at least one light is positioned such that the at least one light is operable to illuminate an interface between the child seat and the transportation device.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, the transportation device is an automobile that includes a vehicle seat.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, the seat body includes a connector of a latching system, and the at least one light is operable to illuminate the connector.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, the seat body includes a vehicle belt path of a vehicle belt associated with the vehicle seat. The at least one light is operable to illuminate a portion of the vehicle belt path.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, the seat body includes at least one vehicle belt guiding tab that defines the portion of the vehicle belt path. The at least one light is operable to illuminate the at least one vehicle belt guiding tab.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, a groove formed in the backrest of the child seat defines the portion of the vehicle belt path. The at least one light is operable to illuminate the groove.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, the child seat is connectable to the transportation device via a seat receiving member, and the at least one light is positioned around the child seat such that the at least one light is operable to illuminate an interface between the child seat and the seat receiving member.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, the transportation device is a stroller, and the seat receiving member is a support member of the stroller.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, the seat body includes a carrying handle movably mounted to the seat frame. The at least one light is positioned adjacent to the carrying handle.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, the child seat is an infant child seat.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the seat receiving member is a support base, and the transportation device is an automobile that includes a vehicle seat.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the child seat can be connected to the transportation device via the seat receiving member. The at least one light is positioned around the child seat to illuminate the interface between the seat receiving member and the transportation device.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the at least one light is directed to emit light toward the seat receiving member.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the at least one light is directed to emit light toward a part of the transportation device.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the at least one light includes at least one light source.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources.

[0024] According to one embodiment, a child seat that can be mounted to a transportation device includes a seat body containing a seat frame, and at least one light mounted around the seat body. The at least one light can be activated in response to an input to the seat body.

[0025] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the seat body includes a connector of a latching system, and the at least one light can be activated in response to movement of the connector.

[0026] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the seat body includes a carrying handle movably mounted to the seat frame. The at least one light can be activated in response to movement of the carrying handle.

[0027] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the seat body includes a release mechanism having an actuator. The at least one light can be activated in response to applying a force to the actuator.

[0028] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the child seat is an infant child seat.

[0029] According to one embodiment, a seat receiving component for mounting a child seat to a transportation device includes a body for receiving the child seat thereon. The body forms an interface between the child seat and the transportation device. At least one light is associated with the body.

[0030] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the body secures the child seat to the transportation device.

[0031] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the transportation device is a vehicle.

[0032] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the seat receiving component is a support base, and the support base is locatable on a vehicle seat.

[0033] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the at least one light is associated with the body to illuminate the interface between the seat receiving component and the child seat.

[0034] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the seat receiving component includes a seat attachment movably mounted to the body, and the at least one light is associated with the body to illuminate the interface between the seat attachment and the child seat.

[0035] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the transportation device is a stroller.

[0036] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the seat receiving component is a support member removably coupled to the stroller.

[0037] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the at least one light is directed towards the child seat.

[0038] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in another embodiment, the at least one light is associated with the body to illuminate the interface between the receiving component and the child seat.

[0039] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the seat receiving member is a child seat cushion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The following description should not be regarded as restrictive in any way. Referring to the drawings, like element numbers are the same:

[0041] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a child seat according to one embodiment;

[0042] Figure 2 is a side view of a child seat mounted to a support base according to one embodiment;

[0043] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a child seat directly mounted to a vehicle seat according to one embodiment;

[0044] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a child seat directly mounted to a vehicle seat according to another embodiment;

[0045] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a child seat mounted to a vehicle seat via a support base according to another embodiment;

[0046] Figure 6 is a side view of a child seat mounted to a stroller according to one embodiment;

[0047] Figure 7 is a side view of a child seat mounted to a stroller according to another embodiment;

[0048] Figure 8 is a bottom view of a child seat according to one embodiment;

[0049] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a support base according to one embodiment;

[0050] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a child seat cushion; and

[0051] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a child seat mounted around a child seat cushion according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The disclosed apparatus and methods are described in detail herein by way of example and not limitation with reference to the figures.

[0053] Referring to Figure 1, showing an example of a child seat 20. The child seat 20 may include a seat body 21 formed by a seat frame 22 and (in some embodiments) a seat edge 24. The seat frame 22 alone or in combination with the seat edge 24 may define a child seat bottom plate 26 and a child seat backrest 28 of the seat body 21. The child seat backrest 28 is generally arranged at an angle relative to the child seat bottom plate 26. The child seat bottom plate 26 and the child seat backrest 28 may be detachably coupled, or alternatively may be permanently coupled. In some embodiments, the seat frame 22 may be a single generally solid or partially hollow structure that defines the child seat bottom plate 26 and the child seat backrest 28. One or more seat pads, cushions, etc. 30 (see Figure 7 ) may be arranged in an arrangement that overlaps one or more surfaces of the child seat bottom plate 26 and / or one or more surfaces of the child seat backrest 28 to comfortably support a child positioned within the child seat 20.

[0054] In some embodiments, for example when the child seat 20 is an infant child seat, for example, the bottom of the seat frame 22 may include a first seat frame track 32 and a second seat frame track 34 disposed on opposite sides of the child seat 20. In some configurations, the first seat frame track 32 and the second seat frame track 34 may have corresponding curved rocker bottoms to achieve a rocking motion when the child seat is supported on a generally flat or planar surface (e.g., within a residential environment, a restaurant, etc.) to comfort a child positioned within the child seat 20.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, the child seat 20 may include a carrying handle 40. In the non - limiting embodiment shown, the carrying handle 36 has a generally arcuate shape, and its two opposite ends 38, 40 are respectively connected to the left and right sides of the seat body 21 via respective attachment mechanisms (not shown). In some embodiments, the carrying handle 36 is movably connected to the seat frame 22 and / or the seat edge 24. Accordingly, the carrying handle 36 may be translated (e.g., rotated) between multiple positions or angles relative to the seat body 21, for example, to more easily access a child positioned within the child seat 20 or for storage purposes. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism for attaching the handle to the seat body 21 may include an integrated locking mechanism (not shown) to maintain the carrying handle 36 in a desired orientation relative to the seat frame 22.

[0056] It should be understood that the child seat 20 as shown and described herein is intended only as an example, and child seats having any suitable configuration are within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, although the child seat 20 is described herein with reference to an infant child seat in some embodiments, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the child seat 20 may be a convertible child seat. As used herein, the term "convertible child seat" refers to a seat that can be used in both rear-facing and forward-facing directions, for example, suitable for children weighing between 5 pounds and 65 pounds and / or up to 49" in height. A convertible child seat may also be referred to herein as an upright child seat or a toddler seat. Similarly, as used herein, the term "infant child seat" refers to such a seat as would be defined by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, an infant child seat may be described as a seat for an infant or child too small to use a convertible child seat and may include a carrying handle, such as handle 36, to allow for portability of the infant child seat outside of a vehicle.

[0057] The child seat 20 may be adapted to be used with a transportation device to transport a child. One such transportation device is a vehicle, such as an automobile, or other motor vehicle having one or more vehicle seats. The child seat 20 may be directly mounted on the vehicle seat 10 without using a separate base. In these cases, as Figure 3 and 4 shown, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the child seat 20 (such as the first seat frame track 32 and the second seat frame track 34) may be arranged, for example, to be in direct contact with the vehicle seat 10. When the child seat 20 is directly mounted on the vehicle seat, the child seat 20 may be removably secured to the vehicle seat 10 via a vehicle strap 12 ([[]]END]] Figure 3 ) associated with the vehicle seat 10. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the vehicle strap 12 is arranged along a vehicle strap path defined by at least one vehicle strap guide tab 42 mounted to the seat body 21 and / or by a groove or path 44 formed at or near the outer surface of the child seat back 28 of the seat body 21. Although the vehicle guide tab 42 is shown and described herein, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the child seat 20 may additionally or alternatively include a latch member (not shown) that is operable (such as rotatable relative to the seat frame 22) to apply tension to the vehicle strap 12 when arranged along the vehicle strap path. Alternatively or additionally, the child seat 20 may be secured via a latch or anchor system ( Figure 4)Detachably coupled to vehicle seat 10. Commonly used latch or anchor systems are sometimes referred to as "Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children", such as the LATCH system, and the connector 46 of the LATCH system can be integrated into the child seat 20, for example, near its front end 48. It should be understood that the LATCH system can include a rigid anchor system or a belt-type anchor system. The rigid anchor system can include, for example, at least one anchor connected to the child seat 20, and the at least one anchor can slide and / or rotate relative to the child seat 20 but is otherwise fixed to the child seat 20.

[0058] In other embodiments, the child seat 20 is part of a child restraint system that includes one or more seat receiving components for connecting the child seat 20 to a transportation device. The child seat 20 can be permanently or removably coupled to the seat receiving component to transport a child in a suitable manner. In Figure 2 the embodiment best shown in, the one or more seat receiving components include a support base 50. The support base 50 can be positioned, for example, in direct contact with a support surface such as a vehicle seat 10, and can be attached to the vehicle seat 10 via a connector 60 of the LATCH system ( Figure 5 ). In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the support base 50 includes a rigid body 52 adapted to support the child seat 20 thereon. The rigid body 52 generally includes a base seat portion 54 and a base backrest portion 56 that extends angularly relative to the base seat portion 54. However, embodiments in which the support base 50 has another configuration are also covered herein.

[0059] The child seat 20 can be selectively connected to the support base 50 in a known manner. In an embodiment, one or more seat engaging components (not shown) are disposed at the bottom of the child seat 20, for example, between seat frame rails 32, 34. Referring to Figure 9 , the support base 50 can include a seat attachment 57 that is movable (e.g., rotatable) relative to the rigid body 52 and has one or more base engaging components 58 corresponding to the one or more seat engaging components. In one embodiment, the seat engaging component is a shaft, and the base engaging component 58 is a groove or notch in which the shaft can be received. Although the groove 58 is shown as being formed as a notch in the seat attachment 57, each notch is sized to, for example, receive and hold a corresponding shaft of the child seat 20, but in other embodiments, the groove 58 can be formed in the upper surface of the rigid body 52. Although not shown, it should be understood that each of the base engaging components 58 can include a catch, and a corresponding latch can engage the catch to lock the child seat 20 to the support base 50. In one embodiment, the connection between the seat engaging component and the base engaging component forms an interface for mounting the child seat 20 to a seat receiving component (such as the support base 50).

[0060] Now referring toFigure 6 and 7 ,In another embodiment, the transportation system includes a stroller 62. The stroller 62 is configured to receive a child seat 20. As is known, the frame 64 of the stroller 62 generally includes front legs 66 having at least one front wheel (not shown) coupled thereto, rear legs 68 having at least one rear wheel (not shown) coupled thereto, and a handle 70. One or more connecting members 72 may couple the handle 70 to the front legs 66 and / or the rear legs 68. The child seat 20 may be connected to the frame 64 of the stroller 62 via, for example, one or more seat receiving members such as an adapter or a support member. The adapter or support member may be permanently or removably connected to the frame 64. In Figure 7 a non-limiting embodiment, the child seat 20 may be connected to the stroller 62 via a plurality of support members 74. For example, a first support member 74 extends from a first side of the frame 64 (e.g., from a first connecting member 72), and a second support member (not shown) extends from a second, opposite side of the frame 64 (e.g., from a second connecting member (not shown)).

[0061] The first and second support members 74 (e.g., their distal ends 76) may be connected to corresponding portions of the child seat 20. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the support members 74 may be connected to the seat frame 22 near the ends 38, 40 of the carry handle 36, or may be connected to the ends 38, 40 of the carry handle 36 themselves. However, embodiments are also contemplated herein in which the support members 74 may be connected to another portion of the child seat 20. The support members 74 may be considered to form an interface for mounting the child seat 20 to a transportation device such as, for example, the stroller 62.

[0062] In another embodiment, as Figure 6 shown, a single support member 75 may be connected to the stroller 62 to receive the child seat 20. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the support member 75 has a continuous shape defining a central opening (not shown) within which, for example, the bottom of the child seat 20 such as the seat frame tracks 32, 34 may be positioned. It should be appreciated that the child seat 20 may be connected to only one transportation device at a time, and the at least one seat receiving member corresponding to the transportation device, and thus the various seat receiving members shown and described herein are interchangeable. Further, it should be understood that the seat receiving members shown and described herein are provided only by way of example, and any suitable seat receiving member is within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0063] The child seat 20 may include at least one light 80, and in some embodiments includes a plurality of lights that are selectively operable to illuminate the surrounding area. It should be understood that each light 80 referred to herein includes at least one light source, such as a single light source, or a plurality of light sources. Additionally, in embodiments that include a plurality of lights, the size, shape, color, and brightness of each of the plurality of lights may be the same or may be different. In one embodiment, the one or more lights 80 are, for example, permanently attached to or integral with the seat body 21 (such as the seat frame 22 or the seat edge 24). In an alternative aspect, the one or more lights 80 may be detachably connected to the child seat 20. For example, the one or more lights 80 may be removed from the child seat 20, recharged, and reattached to the child seat 20. In another example, a damaged light 80 may be removed and replaced with a functioning light 80.

[0064] Referring Figure 8 , one or more lights 80 may be mounted near or at the bottom of the seat frame 22. For example, in the non-limiting embodiment shown, a first light is positioned near the end of each of the seat frame rails 32, 34 adjacent to the front end 48 of the seat frame 22, a second light is positioned near the end of the seat frame rails 32, 34 adjacent to the child seat back 28 or the rear end of the seat frame 22, and one or more lights, referred to herein as a third light, may be arranged between the first and second lights at the central portion of the seat frame rails 32, 34. Alternatively or additionally, one or more lights may be mounted, for example, to the bottom of the seat frame 22 at a position generally between the first seat frame rail 32 and the second seat frame rail 34, such as near the front end 48 of the seat frame 22 and / or the child seat back 28.

[0065] At least one light 80 may be positioned around the child seat 20 to facilitate the installation of the child seat 20 onto a transportation device or the removal of the child seat from the transportation device. For example, the at least one light may be positioned to assist in directly connecting the child seat 20 to a transportation device or a seat receiving component associated with the transportation device, or in disconnecting therefrom. In one embodiment, the at least one light 80 is positioned around the exterior of the seat body 21 to illuminate the interface of the child seat 20 with the vehicle seat 10 and / or the seat receiving component. For example, as Figures 2 - 4As shown. The child seat 20 may include at least one light 80 disposed at the front end 48 of the seat frame 22, such as near the front edge of the child seat bottom plate 26, and vertically offset relative to the bottom of the seat frame 22. This light 80 can be oriented in any suitable manner, such as downwardly oriented to illuminate, for example, the connectors 46, 60 of the latch system disposed at the bottom of the child seat 20 and / or near the base backrest portion 56 of the support base 50. In an embodiment in which the child seat 20 can be connected to the support member 74 of the stroller 62, this light 80 can be positioned to illuminate an adjacent portion of the support member 74 (see Figure 6 ).

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, the child seat 20 may include at least one light 80 disposed near the back side of the seat frame 22, such as near the child seat backrest 28 of the child seat 20 or near the interface between the child seat bottom plate 26 and the child seat backrest 28 of the child seat 20. The one or more lights 80 disposed near the child seat backrest 28 of the seat frame 22 can be configured to illuminate, for example, a groove at the back side of the seat frame 22, the front edge of the vehicle seat 10, and / or the front edge of the support base 50. The one or more lights 80 disposed at the back side of the seat frame 22 can be oriented to emit light generally downward. In an embodiment in which the child seat 20 can be connected to the support members 74, 75 of the stroller 62, the light 80 can be positioned to illuminate an adjacent portion of the support members 74, 75 (e.g., a portion of the support member 75 that can be received in, for example, the groove 44 ( Figure 6 ).

[0067] In one embodiment, one or more lights 80 can be mounted near the ends 38, 40 of the carrying handle 36. In Figure 3 a non-limiting embodiment, the at least one light 80 is mounted to the seat body 21 and positioned near the seat edge 24, between the ends 38, 40 of the carrying handle 36 and the vehicle strap guide tab 42. This light 80 can be operable to illuminate the carrying handle 36, the vehicle strap guide tab 42, and the associated portions of their vehicle strap paths, or both. In Figure 4 another embodiment best shown inFigure 5 as shown

[0068] The one or more lights 80 of the child seat 20 may be automatically operated, for example, in response to an input. For example, the lights 80 may be activated or energized in response to operating or applying a force to a button, switch, or other actuator located around the child seat 20, such as an actuator associated with a release mechanism for selectively decoupling the child seat 20 from a support base. In other embodiments, the one or more lights 80 may be operated in response to movement of components of the child seat 20, such as rotation of the carrying handle 36 relative to the seat frame 22 and / or movement of a connector 46 of the latch system relative to the seat frame 22. In one embodiment, the one or more lights 80 may be operated or selectively energized via a timer for a predetermined time period. For example, the at least one light 80 may automatically turn off after 30 seconds, 45 seconds, one minute, or two minutes. In other embodiments, the at least one light 80 may automatically turn off, for example, in response to the child seat 20 being connected to a seat receiving component (such as a support base 50 or a support member 74). In one embodiment, the one or more lights 80 are operably connected to one or more sensors. The one or more sensors may include, for example, proximity sensors, pressure sensors, or other sensors for sensing the proximity of the child seat 20 relative to a vehicle seat or a stroller seat, movement of components of the child seat 20, the position or configuration of an anchor 60 on the child seat 20, or for sensing other conditions or actions. The one or more sensors may be configured to transmit signals for activation and / or deactivation to the one or more lights 80.

[0069] As an alternative or supplement to the at least one light 80 located at the child seat 20, at least one of the seat receiving components connectable to the child seat 20 may have one or more lights 90 located thereon. Refer to Figure 9, an example of a support base 50 having at least one light 90 associated therewith is shown. The at least one light 90 of the support base 50 can be positioned to provide interface illumination between the support base 50 and the child seat 20. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the at least one light 90 is located at the movable seat attachment 57 and is generally aimed upward to illuminate one or more of the grooves 58 for attachment to the child seat 20. In other embodiments, the at least one light 90 can be mounted to the rigid body 52 of the support base 50 and oriented to illuminate the area or interface where the child seat 20 is connected to the support base 50. Although not illustrated, the support base 50 can include one or more lights 90 operable to provide interface illumination between the support base 50 and the vehicle seat 10. For example, the lights 90 can be positioned around the support base 50 to illuminate the connector 60 of the latch system and / or the area of the vehicle seat 10 of the seat back or an anchor (not illustrated) of the latch system to which the connector 60 can be connected to secure the support base 50. Similarly, although not illustrated, one or more lights can be mounted around the stroller 62 to provide interface illumination between the at least one support member 74 and the child seat 20. In one embodiment, the one or more lights can be positioned, for example, at the support member 74, at a portion of the frame 64 adjacent to the support member 74, or at another portion of the frame 64, such as at a handle or button operable to fold the stroller.

[0070] Now referring to Figure 10 and 11 , in one embodiment, another type of seat receiving member for mounting a child seat to a transportation device such as a motor vehicle is shown. As shown, the seat receiving member is a child seat cushion 100 that can be positioned between the child seat 20 and the vehicle seat 10. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the child seat cushion 100 is formed of plastic or an elastic material such as rubber and has a body including a cushion seat portion 102. It should be understood that the child seat cushion 100 can be formed of other materials such as, for example, a fabric material. As shown, the cushion seat portion 102 is generally sized larger than the bottom of the child seat 20 that can be positioned thereon and can extend above the front edge of the vehicle seat 10. In some embodiments, the child seat cushion 100 further includes a cushion rear portion 104 that is connected to or separated from the cushion seat portion 102. The cushion seat portion 102 can be positioned between the bottom of the child seat 20 and the corresponding surface 11 of the vehicle seat 10, and the cushion rear portion 104 can be positioned between the child seat back 28 and the corresponding seat back 13 of the vehicle seat 10.

[0071] In one embodiment, one or more lights 110 are embedded within a child seat cushion 100. The at least one light 110 may be disposed at any location around the child seat cushion 100 that is not normally covered by the child seat 20 and is thus visible to a user. As shown, the lights 110 may be positioned around the boundary of the cushion seat portion 102 and / or the cushion rear portion 104. In embodiments that include multiple lights 110, the lights 110 may extend continuously around the perimeter or may be spaced evenly or unevenly around the perimeter. However, embodiments are also contemplated herein where the lights are disposed at another location around the child seat cushion.

[0072] In one embodiment, the one or more lights 110 are operatively connected to one or more sensors. The one or more sensors may be positioned on or around the child seat cushion 100. The one or more sensors may include, for example, proximity sensors, pressure sensors, or other sensors for sensing the proximity of the child seat 20 relative to the child seat cushion 100, movement of components of the child seat 20 on the child seat cushion 100, or for sensing other situations or actions. The one or more sensors may be configured to transmit signals for activation and / or deactivation to the one or more lights 110.

[0073] Incorporating lights into the child seat 20, a transportation device, the child seat cushion 100, or a seat receiving component disposed at an interface between the child seat 20 and the transportation device is intended to provide greater visibility to a user during installation and removal of the child seat relative to the transportation device and during installation and separation of a child relative to the child seat.

[0074] The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with a measurement of a particular quantity based on the equipment available at the time of filing the application.

[0075] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the singular forms “a / an” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms. It will be further understood that the term “comprising,” when used in this specification, specifies the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0076] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and elements of the present disclosure can be replaced with equivalents. Additionally, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the basic scope thereof. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A child seat that can be installed on a transportation device, the child seat comprising: A seat body including a seat frame having a child seat bottom plate and a child seat backrest, the seat body being fixable to the transportation device; And At least one light mounted around the seat body.

2. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light is positioned such that the at least one light is operable to illuminate an interface between the child seat and the transportation device.

3. The child seat according to claim 2, wherein the transportation device is an automobile including a vehicle seat.

4. The child seat according to claim 3, wherein the seat body further includes a connector of a latching system, and the at least one light is operable to illuminate the connector.

5. The child seat according to claim 3, wherein the seat body further includes a vehicle belt path for a vehicle belt associated with the vehicle seat, and wherein the at least one light is operable to illuminate a part of the vehicle belt path.

6. The child seat according to claim 5, wherein the seat body further includes at least one vehicle belt guiding tab defining the part of the vehicle belt path, and wherein the at least one light is operable to illuminate the at least one vehicle belt guiding tab.

7. The child seat according to claim 5, wherein a groove formed in the child seat backrest defines the part of the vehicle belt path, and wherein the at least one light is operable to illuminate the groove.

8. The child seat according to claim 2, wherein the child seat is connectable to the transportation device via a seat receiving member, and the at least one light is positioned around the child seat such that the at least one light is operable to illuminate an interface between the child seat and the seat receiving member.

9. The child seat according to claim 8, wherein the transportation device is a stroller, and the seat receiving member is a support member of the stroller.

10. The child seat according to claim 8, wherein the seat body further includes a carrying handle movably mounted to the seat frame, and the at least one light is positioned adjacent to the carrying handle.

11. The child seat according to claim 10, wherein the child seat is an infant child seat.

12. The child seat according to claim 8, wherein the seat receiving member is a support base, and the transportation device is an automobile including a vehicle seat.

13. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the child seat is connectable to the transportation device via a seat receiving member, and wherein the at least one light is positioned around the child seat to illuminate an interface between the seat receiving member and the transportation device.

14. The child seat according to claim 13, wherein the at least one light is oriented to emit light toward the seat receiving member.

15. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light is oriented to emit light toward a part of the transportation device.

16. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light includes at least one light source.

17. The child seat according to claim 16, wherein the at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources.

18. A child seat that can be mounted to a transportation device, the child seat comprising: a seat body that includes a seat frame; and at least one light mounted around the seat body, the at least one light being activatable in response to an input to the seat body.

19. The child seat according to claim 18, wherein the seat body further includes a connector of a latch system, and the at least one light is activatable in response to movement of the connector.

20. The child seat according to claim 18, wherein the seat body further includes a carrying handle movably mounted to the seat frame, and the at least one light is activatable in response to movement of the carrying handle.

21. The child seat according to claim 18, wherein the seat body further includes a release mechanism having an actuator, and the at least one light is activatable in response to applying a force to the actuator.

22. The child seat according to claim 18, wherein the child seat is an infant child seat.

23. A seat receiving member for mounting a child seat to a transportation device, the seat receiving member comprising: a body for receiving the child seat thereon, wherein the body forms an interface between the child seat and the transportation device; and at least one light associated with the body.

24. The seat receiving member according to claim 23, wherein the body secures the child seat to the transportation device.

25. The seat receiving member according to claim 24, wherein the transportation device is a vehicle.

26. The seat receiving member according to claim 25, wherein the seat receiving member is a support base that can be positioned on a vehicle seat.

27. The seat receiving member according to claim 26, wherein the at least one light is associated with the body to illuminate the interface between the seat receiving member and the child seat.

28. The seat receiving member according to claim 26, wherein the seat receiving member further includes a seat attachment movably mounted to the body, and the at least one light is associated with the body to illuminate the interface between the seat attachment and the child seat.

29. The seat receiving member according to claim 24, wherein the transportation device is a stroller.

30. The seat receiving member according to claim 29, wherein the seat receiving member is a support member removably coupled to the stroller.

31. The seat receiving member according to claim 23, wherein the at least one light is directed towards the child seat.

32. The seat receiving member according to claim 31, wherein the at least one light is associated with the body to illuminate the interface between the receiving member and the child seat.

33. The seat receiving member according to claim 23, wherein the seat receiving member is a child seat cushion.

Images