Convertible baby safety car seat assembly

Abstract

A convertible infant safety car seat assembly includes: an upper seat operable between an upright state and an elongated state; and a leg having a distal end with a wheel and operable between a storage state in which it is only combinable with the upright state of the upper seat and an operational state in which it allows the seat assembly to roll through the wheel; the extended state of the upper seat can only be combined with the operating state of the strut, and the operating state of the strut and the vertical state of the upper seat can be at least combined with each other. The seat assembly may include at least one of the following features: a seat manipulation assembly and a strut manipulation assembly spaced apart; a side protection module; the zipper device is used for detachably connecting the cover and the top cover of the seat; and a removable wheel.

Description

[0001] Divisional application specification This application is a divisional application of the Chinese Invention Patent Application No. 202311619044.8, filed on November 29, 2023, with the title of “Convertible infant car seat assembly”. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to an infant car seat assembly which can be used as an infant carrier and can be converted for rollable use, e.g. as a stroller. BACKGROUND

[0003] For example, an infant car seat assembly of the kind to which the presently disclosed subject matter relates is disclosed in US 8434781. It generally comprises a leg having a distal end with wheels, and is manipulable between a storage condition in which the seat is configured to be installed in a car, and an operative condition in which the seat assembly is allowed to roll by the wheels.

[0004] US 9629476 discloses a device which is convertible from a bassinet to a toddler or child seat. The device has a frame assembly and a seat structure supported by the frame assembly. The seat structure defines a seating surface and is movable between at least a reclined seating position and a reclined sleeping position. SUMMARY

[0005] According to one of the aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a convertible infant car seat assembly, comprising: a seat having a back portion and a feet portion, the seat being manipulable between an upright state in which the back portion and the feet portion form a first angle therebetween, and an extended state in which the back portion and the feet portion form a second angle therebetween which is greater than the first angle; the assembly further comprising a leg having a distal end with wheels and being manipulable between a storage condition and an operative condition, the storage condition being at least combinable with the upright state of the seat so as to allow the seat assembly to be installable in a car or on an external support surface in a position adapted to secure an infant therein, and the operative condition allowing the seat assembly to roll by the wheels.

[0006] The orientation of the back in the upright state and in the extended state can also be defined by the angle it forms with an imaginary horizontal plane, so that this angle in the former state is greater than in the latter state.

[0007] In the present application and claims, several features are described in relation to an imaginary horizontal plane, which can also be referred to as “reference plane”, “base plane”, etc.

[0008] The above-described seat assembly further comprises a handlebar which is pivotable between different positions and which has an adjustable length, thereby allowing the handlebar to assume various states depending on the mode in which the safe car seat assembly is used. More specifically, the handlebar can assume at least a carrier state in which the handlebar is oriented substantially vertically and a stroller state in which the handlebar extends forwardly and can have a length greater than in the carrier state. Alternatively, the handlebar can also assume a storage state in which the handlebar is oriented rearwardly and is positioned adjacent to the backrest portion of the seat.

[0009] According to one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the storage state of the strut can only be combined with the upright state of the seat.

[0010] Thus, the seat assembly can be used in at least the following modes: a car seat installation mode which can also constitute a storage mode of the assembly, in which the seat is in its upright state, the strut is in the storage state, and the handle is in any position suitable for the car to be installed (e.g. it can be in the storage state, or it can be in an anti-rebound state in which it has the same orientation as in the stroller state but has a shorter length, thereby providing a stabilizing capability to the safe car seat during and after a possible forward-backward collision of the car in which the seat is installed facing a surface of the car (e.g. the seat backrest) by minimizing the rotational forces associated with such a collision, thereby preventing the baby from hitting his / her head against the surface); a rollable carrier mode in which the seat is in its upright state, the strut is in the operating state, and the handle is in the carrier state; an upright stroller mode in which the seat is in its upright state, the strut is in the operating state, and the handle is in the stroller state; and an elongated stroller mode in which the seat is in its elongated state, the strut is in the operating state, and the handle is in the stroller state.

[0011] According to yet another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, in a second mode of the seat assembly, the elongated state of the seat can only be combined with the operating state of the strut, while the operating state of the strut and the upright state of the seat can also be combined at least with each other.

[0012] Optionally, in a third mode of the seat assembly, the operating state of the strut can be combined with the upright state of the seat, and the seat assembly can only enter its first and second modes from its third mode.

[0013] Optionally, the convertible baby safe car seat assembly is configured such that the manipulation of the strut in the second mode of the seat assembly is at least indirectly prevented by the seat being in the elongated state.

[0014] The manipulation of the seat in the first mode of the seat assembly can be prevented at least indirectly by the presence of the leg in the storage state.

[0015] Alternatively, or in addition, the convertible baby safety car seat assembly can further comprise a seat manipulation prevention device configured to prevent the manipulation of the seat from the upright state to the extended state at least when the leg is in the storage state.

[0016] According to yet another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, therefore, there is provided a convertible baby safety car seat assembly comprising: a seat having a back portion and a leg portion, a seat manipulation mechanism being provided operable to manipulate the seat between an upright state in which the back portion and the leg portion form a first angle therebetween and an extended state in which the back portion and the leg portion form a second angle therebetween greater than the first angle; and a seat manipulation prevention device configured to prevent the manipulation of the seat from the upright state to the extended state at least when the leg is in the storage state.

[0017] In any one of the above aspects, the convertible baby safety car seat can further comprise a leg manipulation prevention device configured to prevent the manipulation of the leg from the operative state to the storage state at least when the seat is in said extended state.

[0018] According to yet another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, therefore, there is provided a convertible baby safety car seat assembly comprising: a leg manipulation mechanism operable to manipulate the leg between a storage state and an operative state of the leg; and a leg manipulation prevention device configured to prevent the manipulation of the leg from the operative state to the storage state at least when the seat is in the extended state. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of this aspect can further comprise the seat manipulation prevention device of the aforementioned aspects.

[0019] With regard to the seat manipulation prevention device in the convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to any one of the above aspects, it can have any combination of one or more of the following features: The seat manipulation prevention device can be configured to change its state between a locked state in which it prevents the manipulation of the seat towards the extended state and an unlocked state in which it enables the manipulation of the seat between the upright state and the extended state; The seat manipulation prevention device can be configured to prevent the manipulation of the seat towards the extended state by arresting the seat in the locked state; The seat manipulation prevention device can be configured to prevent the manipulation of the seat towards the extended state by arresting the seat manipulation mechanism in the locked state; The seat manipulation prevention device can be configured to immobilize the seat manipulation mechanism only when the seat is in its upright state; The seat manipulation prevention device can be constituted by the support rod in its storage state, for example by the distal end of the support rod; When the backrest portion of the seat is positioned in the upright state at a first back angle with the reference plane and in the extended state at a second back angle smaller than the first back angle, and the backrest portion is manipulatable from the upright state to the extended state, the distal end of the support rod can be configured to be in contact with the back surface of the backrest portion of the seat in the storage state of the support rod to be stably positioned to prevent the back manipulation of the backrest portion, thereby preventing the manipulation of the seat from the upright state to the extended state at least when the support rod is in the storage state.

[0020] With regard to the support rod manipulation prevention device in the convertible baby safety car seat according to any of the above aspects, it can further have any combination of one or more of the following features: The support rod manipulation prevention device can be configured to prevent the manipulation of the support rod from the operating state to the storage state at least when the seat is in the extended state; The support rod manipulation prevention device can be configured to change its state between a locked state in which the support rod manipulation prevention device prevents the manipulation of the support rod towards the storage state and an unlocked state in which the support rod manipulation prevention device allows the manipulation of the support rod between the storage state and the operating state; The support rod manipulation prevention device can be configured to prevent the manipulation of the support rod towards the storage state by immobilizing the support rod in the locked state; The support rod manipulation prevention device can be configured to prevent the manipulation of the support rod towards the storage state by immobilizing the support rod manipulation mechanism in the locked state; The support rod manipulation prevention device can be configured to immobilize the support rod manipulation mechanism when the support rod is in its operating state; The support rod manipulation prevention device can be constituted by the seat in its extended state, for example by the backrest portion of the seat.

[0021] When the convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to any of the above aspects comprises a seat manipulation mechanism and a support rod manipulation mechanism as described above, the seat assembly can further comprise a seat manipulation actuator configured to enable a user to manipulate the seat manipulation mechanism and at least one support rod manipulation actuator configured to enable a user to manipulate the support rod manipulation mechanism, the seat manipulation actuator or the support rod manipulation actuator, the former or the latter, being positioned in a location associated with the front portion of the seat assembly and the latter or the former being positioned in a location spaced rearwardly from the front portion of the seat assembly. For example, the seat manipulation actuator can be positioned in the front portion of the lower support.

[0022] According to yet another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is thus provided a convertible baby safety car seat assembly, comprising a seat having a back portion and a foot portion, a leg, a leg manipulation mechanism operable to manipulate the leg between a storage state and an operational state, and a seat manipulation mechanism operable to manipulate the seat between an upright state in which the back portion and the foot portion form therebetween a first angle, and an extended state in which the back portion and the foot portion form therebetween a second angle greater than the first angle, the seat assembly further comprising: a seat manipulation actuator configured to enable a user to manipulate the seat manipulation mechanism; and at least one leg manipulation actuator configured to enable a user to manipulate the leg manipulation mechanism, one of the seat manipulation actuator and the leg manipulation actuator being positioned at a location associated with a front portion of the assembly and the other being positioned at a location longitudinally spaced therefrom to reduce the risk of them being mixed together. For example, the seat manipulation actuator can be positioned adjacent to the foot portion and the leg manipulation actuator can be positioned adjacent to the back portion. More specifically, the seat manipulation actuator can be in the form of a seat handle positioned at a forward-most portion of the foot portion and the at least one leg manipulation actuator can be in the form of a leg handle positioned at a top rear side of the back portion.

[0023] In other words, when there is more than one leg manipulation actuator, each of them satisfies the above condition with respect to their spaced-apart location from the seat manipulation actuator.

[0024] In the convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to any of the above aspects or according to yet another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, a proximal portion of the leg can be hingedly connected to opposite lateral sides of the seat, and the assembly can further comprise at least one side protection module.

[0025] Each of the side protection module(s) can be mounted on a respective left or right lateral side of the seat. The seat can be comprised of a lower support and an upper seat portion, the lower support and the upper seat portion having structures and being operable together in a similar manner as in any of the above aspects. In some examples, the seat can be comprised of a lower support and an upper seat portion formed integrally or monolithically together. When the seat assembly is in its storage mode or car seat installation mode and is positioned within a car in a location proximate to a car side door, in the event of a car door impact on the assembly, the side protection module mounted on the side of the assembly facing the car door will absorb at least a portion of the impact energy, thereby preventing injury to a baby seated in the assembly.

[0026] According to yet another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a convertible baby safety car seat assembly, comprising: a seat having a back portion and a foot portion; a handle connected to the seat at a handle attachment area of the seat by a pivotable attachment enabling the handle to be pivoted between a plurality of different positions, the handle having a seat-facing area facing the handle attachment area and an opposite exterior-facing area; and a side protection module for absorbing at least a portion of impact energy thereon, the side protection module being selectively installable at the exterior-facing area of the handle.

[0027] In the convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to any of the above or below aspects, the back portion and the foot portion of the seat can be manipulated in different ways to change the state of the seat between the upright state and the extended state. For example, the back portion and the foot portion can be mounted to a lower support comprising a rear hinge portion located at a rear portion of the lower support and a front hinge portion located at a front portion of the lower support, the back portion being pivotally hinged to the rear hinge portion, the foot portion of the upper seat being configured to be slidably hinged to the front hinge portion, the change of the seat between the upright state and the extended state can be achieved by the pivotal hinging of the back portion together with the sliding hinging of the foot portion.

[0028] According to yet another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a convertible baby safety car seat assembly, comprising: A lower support having a front portion and a rear portion and a reference plane horizontally passing through a lowermost region of the lower support; an upper seat connected to said lower support and having a back portion associated with the rear portion of the lower support and a foot portion associated with the front portion of the lower support; the upper seat being maneuverable between an upright condition in which the back portion and the foot portion form therebetween a first angle and an extended condition in which the back portion and the foot portion form therebetween a second angle greater than the first angle; a support pole having wheels, the pole being maneuverable between a storage condition in which at least the wheels are located above the reference plane and an operative condition in which at least said wheels are located below said reference plane to enable said seat assembly to be rolled by means of said wheels; said lower support comprising a rear hinge portion located at the rear portion of said lower support and a front hinge portion located at the front portion of said lower support, said back portion being pivotally hinged to said rear hinge portion, while said foot portion of said upper seat is configured to be slidably hinged to said front hinge portion, the change of state of said upper seat between said upright condition and said extended condition being effected by the pivotal hinging of said back portion in conjunction with the sliding hinging of said foot portion. The back portion can be pivotally hinged about a pivot axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lower support, and the foot portion can be slidably hinged along the longitudinal axis of the lower support. The back portion and the foot portion can be connected to each other such that a maneuvering of one of them causes a maneuvering of the other.

[0029] In all the above aspects, the seat can optionally comprise an upper seat and a lower support, the upper seat being hinged and mounted on said lower support so as to allow the upper seat to assume the above-mentioned upright condition and extended condition in the respective modes of the seat assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the back portion of the seat, or of the upper seat in case the seat further comprises a lower support, can comprise an intermediate portion to which the foot portion is connected and which can move about a perpendicular axis when the seat or the upper seat is maneuvered between the upright condition and the extended condition.

[0030] In all the above aspects, the back portion of the seat can comprise a shell having an upper edge, at least a portion of the shell or of the upper edge thereof being made of a plastic material and configured for being stitched thereto proximate the upper edge, at least one zipper for attaching a fabric to the shell to cover at least the back portion and / or a canopy.

[0031] According to yet another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is thus provided an infant seat comprising, at least in use: a shell made of a plastic material, the shell having an outer side facing the exterior and an inner side at which a fabric cover of the seat can be attached to the shell, the shell having a back wall and two side walls, each of the back wall and the two side walls having a respective inner surface and outer surface merging at a respective upper edge, the upper edges of the back wall and the side walls merging continuously and constituting a shell upper edge, a fabric cover for covering at least the inner side of the shell when the fabric cover is detachably connected to the inner side of the shell; a top cover; and a zipper arrangement for detachably connecting the cover and the top cover to the shell adjacent the shell upper edge, the zipper arrangement comprising a top cover zipper and a cover zipper, each zipper being separate and comprising a zipper box and a zipper pin and having: a shell zipper half having one of the zipper box and the zipper pin, the one of the zipper box and the zipper pin being stitched to the shell at least along a portion of the shell zipper half adjacent the back wall of the shell upper edge, and a mating zipper half having the other of the zipper box and the zipper pin, the mating zipper half of the first zipper being stitched to the cover and the mating zipper half of the second zipper being stitched to the top cover.

[0032] Optionally, the zipper box can be located on the shell zipper half and the zipper pin can be located on the mating zipper half.

[0033] The above baby seat, including any of the optional features listed below, can constitute part of a convertible baby car seat assembly according to each of the aforementioned aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter and any other baby car seat assembly. It can also constitute part of any other baby carrier or stroller, etc.

[0034] The baby seat according to this aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter can include any combination of one or more of at least the following features: The shell zipper half of each zipper can have a base at which the shell zipper half is stitched to the shell and a flapping portion having zipper teeth, and the shell zipper halves of both zippers can be stitched to the shell at the base of the shell zipper half such that the flapping portions of the shell zipper halves can be separated from each other and independently manipulated when engaging the corresponding mating half of the zipper; The shell zipper half of the cover zipper can be spaced from the shell upper edge by a first extent, and the shell zipper half of the top cover zipper can be spaced from the shell upper edge by a second extent that is less than the first extent; The lid zipper's shell zipper halves can extend along at least a portion of the upper edge of the shell, and the canopy zipper's shell zipper halves can extend along a portion of the lid zipper's shell zipper halves; The canopy zipper can cover the lid zipper along the length of the canopy zipper when both the lid and the canopy are zipped to the shell; The two-zipper shell halves' zipper case can be located at or adjacent to different side walls of the shell, enabling the lid zipper to fasten in a direction opposite to that of the canopy zipper; The two shell zipper halves can be stitched together, at least indirectly, by at least one common stitching seam to the shell; The shell upper edge can have a stepped zipper-receiving recess having a first wall at which the shell halves of the zipper are stitched to the shell, and a second wall oriented transversely to the first wall and having a height defining a depth of the recess; The zipper arrangement can further include a fabric binding that houses the base of the shell halves and is stitched to the shell with the fabric binding by the at least one common stitching seam; in this case, the binding having the base of the shell zipper halves can have a thickness corresponding to the depth of the zipper-receiving recess; In addition to the at least one common stitching seam, the base of the shell zipper halves can be connected to each other by pre-formed connections that can optionally be formed by welding and / or stitching; The lid zipper can be longer than the canopy zipper and extend further down along each of the two side walls of the shell relative to the canopy zipper; When the canopy is fastened, only the canopy zipper can be unfastened, and the lid zipper remains at least partially inaccessible.

[0035] In a convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to any of the above aspects or according to yet another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the assembly can be able to rock thereon between a neutral position and at least one of a forward reclined position and a rearward reclined position when in a storage mode and positioned on an external support surface. At least some areas of the assembly that are in contact with the external support surface during its rocking can be made of a material that improves at least one rocking mass as compared to the rocking mass that said areas would have if made of a material of some other areas that are not in contact with the external support surface during the rocking.

[0036] According to yet another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a convertible infant safety car seat assembly adapted to secure an infant therein and having a first storage mode in which the assembly is adapted to be positioned within a car and a second operational mode in which the assembly is rollable along an external support surface, the assembly being swingable on the external support surface between a neutral position and at least one of a forward inclined position and a rear inclined position when in the storage mode and positioned on the external support surface, the assembly comprising: one or more lowermost regions operable to contact the external support surface in the neutral position; at least one of a forward region and a rear region operable to contact the external support surface when in the at least one of the forward inclined position and the rear inclined position; a horizontal reference plane comprising the one or more lowermost regions of the assembly when in the neutral position and imaginarily representing the external support surface; a lower support having a front and a rear and a seat lowermost region closest to the horizontal reference plane when the assembly is in the neutral position; an upper seat connected to the lower support and having a back portion associated with the rear of the lower support and a foot portion associated with the front of the lower support; a leg connected at a proximal end thereof to the lower support and having a distal end having a wheel secured thereto at least in the operational mode, the leg being manipulable between a storage state associated at least with the storage mode of the assembly in which at least a portion of each leg having the wheel is located above the reference plane and an operational state associated at least with the operational mode of the assembly in which at least the portion of each leg having the wheel is located below the reference plane so as to enable rolling of the seat assembly by the wheels; the legs constituting a pair of rear legs and a pair of front legs; at least one pair of the legs having a curved shape such that when in the storage state, the at least one pair of the legs has a first region positioned above the reference plane in the neutral position, at least one second region constituting the at least one of the forward region and the rear region, and at least one third region spaced apart from the first region and the second region, at least the second region having a swing participation portion made of a material different from a material of at least the third region, the material such as to improve at least one swing mass as compared to a swing mass that the swing participation portion would have if made of the material of the third region.

[0037] In the convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to any of the above aspects or according to yet another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, at least the front wheels are connectable to the front legs by a quick release mechanism, thereby allowing removal of the front wheels at least when the assembly is to be positioned within a car.

[0038] According to yet another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is thus provided a convertible baby safety car seat assembly, comprising: a lower support having a front portion and a rear portion and a reference plane horizontally passing through a lowermost region of said lower support; an upper seat connected to said lower support and having a back portion associated with the rear portion of said lower support and a foot portion associated with the front portion of said lower support; a leg having wheels, said leg being maneuverable between a storage state and an operational state, in said storage state at least said wheels are located above said reference plane and said assembly is adapted to be positioned within a vehicle or on a support surface at a position adapted to secure a young child therein, while in said operational state at least said wheels are located below said reference plane to enable said seat assembly to be rolled by means of said wheels; said leg constituting a pair of rear legs associated with rear wheels, and a pair of front legs associated with front wheels, said front wheels protruding laterally from said lower support in their storage state to a greater extent than said rear wheels at least in a rear view of said assembly; said front legs being pivotably maneuverable from said operational state to said storage state such that in said storage state said front wheels are positioned closer to said back portion than said foot portion; wherein at least said front wheels are connected to said front legs by means of quick release mechanisms.

[0039] The above aspects and features of the presently disclosed subject matter, as well as additional aspects and features, are further specified in the embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter presented below.

[0040] 1. A convertible baby safety car seat assembly, comprising: an upper seat having a back portion and a leg portion, the upper seat being operable between an upright state in which the back portion and the leg portion form a first angle therebetween, and an extended state in which the back portion and the leg portion form a second angle therebetween that is greater than the first angle; and a leg having a distal end with wheels and being operable between a storage state and an operational state, the storage state being combinable only with the upright state of the upper seat in a first mode of the seat assembly that is installable within a car at a position adapted to secure a young child therein, while the operational state allows the seat assembly to be rolled by means of the wheels; the extended state of the upper seat being combinable only with the operational state of the leg in a second mode of the seat assembly, while the operational state of the leg and the upright state of the upper seat are also combinable at least with each other.

[0041] 2. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 1, wherein the operational state of the leg is combinable with the upright state of the upper seat in a third mode of the seat assembly, and the seat assembly is enterable from its third mode only into its first mode and second mode.

[0042] 3. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of either of embodiments 1 or 2, configured such that manipulation of the upper seat into the second mode of the seat assembly is at least indirectly prevented by the upper seat being in the extended state.

[0043] 4. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of either of embodiments 1, 2 or 3, further configured such that manipulation of the upper seat into the first mode of the seat assembly is at least indirectly prevented by the brace being in the storage state.

[0044] 5. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any of embodiments 1 to 4, further comprising a seat manipulation prevention device configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat from the upright state to the extended state at least when the brace is in the storage state.

[0045] 6. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 5, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to change its state between a locked state in which it prevents manipulation of the upper seat towards the extended state and an unlocked state in which it enables manipulation of the upper seat between the upright state and the extended state.

[0046] 7. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 6, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat towards the extended state by arresting the upper seat in the locked state.

[0047] 8. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 6, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat towards the extended state by arresting the seat manipulation mechanism in the locked state.

[0048] 9. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 8, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to arrest the seat manipulation mechanism only when the upper seat is in its upright state.

[0049] 10. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of either of embodiments 8 or 9, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device comprises a seat arresting member and a seat trigger member, wherein the seat trigger member is configured to operate the seat arresting member when the seat trigger member is triggered by the brace when the brace is in its operative state; and wherein said seat arresting member is operable by said seat trigger member to be maneuvered from its arresting condition to its releasing condition upon operation thereof, in said releasing condition said seat maneuvering mechanism is released from said arresting.

[0050] 11. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 10, wherein said leg is configured to trigger said seat trigger member only when said leg is in its operative condition.

[0051] 12. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 10 or 11, further comprising a lower support having two leg attachment areas at two lateral sides thereof, wherein said seat trigger member is disposed on said lower support adjacent at least one of said leg attachment areas, wherein at least one of said legs comprises a front protrusion positioned about a proximal end of at least one of said legs, and wherein said front protrusion is configured to trigger said seat trigger member when said leg is in its operative condition.

[0052] 13. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 5, wherein said seat maneuvering prevention means is constituted by a leg in its storage condition.

[0053] 14. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 13, wherein said seat maneuvering prevention means is constituted by a distal end of a leg.

[0054] 15. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein said back portion of said upper seat is positioned at a first back angle from a reference plane in said upright condition, and at a second back angle, smaller than said first back angle, in said extended condition, and wherein said back portion is maneuverable rearwardly from said upright condition to said extended condition.

[0055] 16. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 15, wherein said distal end of said leg is configured to be tightly positioned in contact with a rear surface of said back portion of said upper seat in said storage condition of said leg, to prevent rearward maneuvering of said back portion, thereby preventing said upper seat from being maneuvered from said upright condition to said extended condition at least when said leg is in said storage condition.

[0056] 17. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 1 to 16, further comprising a leg maneuvering prevention means configured to prevent said leg from being maneuvered from said operative condition to said storage condition at least when said upper seat is in said extended condition.

[0057] 18. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 17, wherein the stanchion manipulation prevention device is configured to change its state between a locked state in which the stanchion manipulation prevention device prevents manipulation of the stanchion toward the storage state and an unlocked state in which the stanchion manipulation prevention device enables manipulation of the stanchion between the storage state and the operating state.

[0058] 19. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 18, wherein the stanchion manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the stanchion toward the storage state by arresting the stanchion in the locked state.

[0059] 20. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 19, wherein the stanchion manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the stanchion toward the storage state by arresting the stanchion manipulation mechanism in the locked state.

[0060] 21. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 20, wherein the stanchion manipulation prevention device is configured to arrest the stanchion manipulation mechanism when the stanchion is in its operating state.

[0061] 22. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 20 or 21, wherein the stanchion manipulation prevention device comprises a stanchion trigger member and a stanchion arrest member.

[0062] wherein the stanchion trigger member is configured to operate the stanchion arrest member when the stanchion trigger member is triggered by the upper seat when the upper seat is in its upright state; and wherein the stanchion arrest member is operable by the stanchion trigger member to manipulate from its arresting state to its releasing state when operated, in which releasing state the stanchion manipulation mechanism is released from the arrest.

[0063] 23. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 22, wherein the upper seat is configured to trigger the stanchion trigger member only when the upper seat is in its upright state.

[0064] 24. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 23, wherein the stanchion trigger member is connected to the upper seat and is configured as part of the seat manipulation mechanism, such that in manipulating the upper seat into the upright state, the stanchion trigger member is further configured to maintain the upper seat in the upright state.

[0065] 25. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of either of embodiments 20 or 21, wherein the stanchion manipulation prevention device is comprised of the upper seat in its elongated state.

[0066] 26. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 25, wherein the stanchion manipulation prevention device is comprised of a backrest portion of the upper seat.

[0067] 27. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any of embodiments 17 to 26, wherein the backrest portion includes an intermediate portion to which the foot portion is connected.

[0068] 28. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 27, wherein the intermediate portion comprises a lowermost portion of the upper seat, and wherein the lowermost portion of the upper seat is movable about a vertical axis when the upper seat is manipulated between the upright state and the elongated state.

[0069] 29. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of either of embodiments 27 or 28, wherein at least the intermediate portion of the backrest portion is formed of a flexible material.

[0070] 30. A convertible baby safety car seat assembly, comprising: an upper seat having a backrest portion and a foot portion; a seat manipulation mechanism operable to manipulate the upper seat between an upright state in which the backrest portion and the foot portion form a first angle therebetween, and an elongated state in which the backrest portion and the foot portion form a second angle therebetween that is greater than the first angle; a stanchion having a distal end associated with a wheel and configured to operate between a storage state in which the car seat assembly is mountable in a car at a location suitable for securing an infant therein, and an operational state in which the seat assembly is rollable by the wheel; and a seat manipulation prevention device configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat from the upright state to the elongated state at least when the stanchion is in the storage state.

[0071] 31. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 30, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to change state between a locked state in which the seat manipulation prevention device prevents manipulation of the upper seat toward the elongated state, and an unlocked state in which the seat manipulation prevention device enables manipulation of the upper seat between the upright state and the elongated state.

[0072] 32. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 31, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat toward the elongated state by arresting the upper seat in the locked state.

[0073] 33. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 31, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat toward the elongated state by arresting the seat manipulation mechanism in the locked state.

[0074] 34. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 33, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to arrest the seat manipulation mechanism only when the upper seat is in its upright state.

[0075] 35. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 33 or 34, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device comprises a seat trigger member and a seat arresting member, wherein the seat trigger member is configured to operate the seat arresting member when the seat trigger member is triggered by the stand when the stand is in its operative state; and wherein the seat arresting member is operable by the seat trigger member to manipulate from its arresting state to its release state when operated, in which release state the seat manipulation mechanism is released from the arrest.

[0076] 36. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 35, wherein the stand leg is configured to trigger the seat trigger member only when the stand leg is in its operative state.

[0077] 37. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 35 or 36, further comprising a lower support having two stand leg attachment areas on two lateral sides of the lower support, wherein the seat trigger member is disposed on the lower support adjacent to at least one of the stand leg attachment areas, wherein at least one of the stand legs comprises a front protrusion positioned around a proximal end of at least one of the stand legs, and wherein the front protrusion is configured to trigger the seat trigger member when the stand leg is in its operative state.

[0078] 38. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 30, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device consists of a stand in its storage state.

[0079] 39. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 38, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device consists of a distal end of a stand leg.

[0080] 40. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any one of embodiments 30-39, wherein the back portion of the upper seat is positioned at a first reclined angle to a reference plane in the upright condition and at a second reclined angle less than the first reclined angle in the extended condition, and wherein the back is maneuverable rearwardly from the upright condition to the extended condition.

[0081] 41. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 40, when dependent on any one of embodiments 32 or 33, wherein the distal end of the brace is configured to be in secure position in contact with a rear surface of the back portion of the upper seat in the storage condition of the brace to prevent rearward maneuvering of the back portion, thereby preventing the upper seat from being maneuvered from the upright condition to the extended condition at least when the brace is in the storage condition.

[0082] 42. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any one of embodiments 30-41, further comprising a brace maneuvering prevention device configured to prevent the brace from being maneuvered from the operating condition to the storage condition at least when the upper seat is in the extended condition.

[0083] 43. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 42, wherein the brace maneuvering prevention device is configured to change its state between a locked state in which it prevents maneuvering of the brace towards the storage condition and an unlocked state in which it enables maneuvering of the brace between the storage condition and the operating condition.

[0084] 44. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 43, wherein the brace maneuvering prevention device is configured to prevent maneuvering of the brace towards the storage condition by arresting the brace in the locked state.

[0085] 45. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 43, wherein the brace maneuvering prevention device is configured to prevent maneuvering of the brace towards the storage condition by arresting the brace maneuvering mechanism in the locked state.

[0086] 46. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 45, wherein the brace maneuvering prevention device is configured to arrest the brace maneuvering mechanism when the brace is in its operating condition.

[0087] 47. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of either of embodiments 45 or 46, wherein the leg lever prevention device comprises a leg lever trigger member and a leg lever stop member.

[0088] wherein the leg lever trigger member is configured to operate the leg lever stop member when the upper seat is in its upright state and the leg lever trigger member is triggered by the upper seat; and wherein the leg lever stop member is operable by the leg lever trigger member to be manipulated from its stop state to its release state when operated, in which release state the leg operation mechanism is released from the stop.

[0089] 48. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 47, wherein the upper seat is configured to trigger the leg lever trigger member only when the upper seat is in its upright state.

[0090] 49. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 48, wherein the leg lever trigger member is connected to the upper seat and is configured as part of the seat manipulation mechanism, such that in manipulating the upper seat into the upright state, the leg lever trigger member is further configured to maintain the upper seat in the upright state.

[0091] 50. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of either of embodiments 42 or 43, wherein the leg lever prevention device is comprised by the upper seat in its elongated state.

[0092] 51. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 50, wherein the leg lever prevention device is comprised by a backrest portion of the upper seat.

[0093] 52. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any one of embodiments 42 to 51, wherein the backrest portion comprises an intermediate portion to which the foot portion is connected.

[0094] 53. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 52, wherein the intermediate portion comprises an upper seat lowermost portion, and wherein the upper seat lowermost portion is movable about a vertical axis when the upper seat is manipulated between the upright state and the elongated state.

[0095] 54. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of either of embodiments 52 or 53, wherein at least the intermediate portion of the backrest portion is formed of a flexible material.

[0096] 55. A convertible baby safety car seat assembly, comprising: an upper seat having a back portion and a foot portion; a seat manipulation mechanism operable to manipulate the upper seat between an upright condition in which the back portion and the foot portion form a first angle therebetween and an extended condition in which the back portion and the foot portion form a second angle therebetween that is greater than the first angle; a leg having a distal end associated with a wheel; a leg manipulation mechanism operable to manipulate the leg between a storage condition in which the car seat assembly is mountable in a car at a location suitable for securing an infant therein and an operational condition in which the seat assembly is rollable by said wheel; and a leg manipulation prevention device configured to prevent manipulation of said leg from said operational condition to said storage condition at least when said upper seat is in said extended condition.

[0097] 56. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 55, wherein said leg manipulation prevention device is configured to change its state between a locked condition in which said leg manipulation prevention device prevents manipulation of said leg toward said storage condition and an unlocked condition in which said leg manipulation prevention device enables manipulation of said leg between said storage condition and said operational condition.

[0098] 57. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 56, wherein said leg manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of said leg toward said storage condition by arresting said leg in the locked condition.

[0099] 58. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 56, wherein said leg manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of said leg toward said storage condition by arresting said leg manipulation mechanism in the locked condition.

[0100] 59. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 58, wherein said leg manipulation prevention device is configured to arrest said leg manipulation mechanism when said leg is in its operational condition.

[0101] 60. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 58 or 59, wherein said leg manipulation prevention device comprises a leg trigger member and a leg arresting member.

[0102] wherein said leg trigger member is configured to operate said leg arresting member when the upper seat is in its upright condition upon triggering of said leg trigger member by said upper seat; and wherein the leg stop member is operable by the leg trigger member to be manipulated from a stop state to a release state thereof when operated, in which release state the leg manipulation mechanism is released from the stop.

[0103] 61. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 60, wherein the upper seat is configured to trigger the leg trigger member only when the upper seat is in its operative state.

[0104] 62. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 61, wherein the leg trigger member is connected to the upper seat and is configured as part of the seat manipulation mechanism, such that upon manipulation of the upper seat into the upright state, the leg trigger member is further configured to maintain the upper seat in the upright state.

[0105] 63. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 55, wherein the leg manipulation prevention means is constituted by the upper seat in its elongated state.

[0106] 64. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 63, wherein the leg manipulation prevention means is constituted by a backrest portion of the upper seat.

[0107] 65. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any one of embodiments 55 to 64, wherein the backrest portion comprises an intermediate portion to which the foot portion is connected.

[0108] 66. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 65, wherein the intermediate portion constitutes an upper seat lowermost portion, and wherein the upper seat lowermost portion is movable about a vertical axis when the upper seat is manipulated between the upright state and the elongated state.

[0109] 67. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 65 or 66, wherein at least the intermediate portion of the backrest portion is formed of a flexible material.

[0110] 68. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any one of embodiments 55 to 67, further comprising a seat manipulation prevention means configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat from the upright state to the elongated state at least when the leg is in the storage state.

[0111] 69. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 68, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to change state between a locked state in which the seat manipulation prevention device prevents manipulation of the upper seat toward the elongated state and an unlocked state in which the seat manipulation prevention device enables manipulation of the upper seat between the upright state and the elongated state.

[0112] 70. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 68 or 69, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat toward the elongated state by arresting the upper seat in the locked state.

[0113] 71. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 68 or 69, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat toward the elongated state by arresting the seat manipulation mechanism in the locked state.

[0114] 72. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 71, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to arrest the seat manipulation mechanism only when the upper seat is in its upright state.

[0115] 73. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 71 or 72, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device includes a seat trigger member and a seat arresting member, wherein the seat trigger member is configured to operate the seat arresting member when the seat trigger member is triggered by the strut when the strut is in its operative state; and wherein the seat arresting member is operable by the seat trigger member to manipulate from an arresting state to its released state when operated, in which the seat manipulation mechanism is released from the arrest.

[0116] 74. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 73, wherein the strut is configured to trigger the seat trigger member only when the strut is in its operative state.

[0117] 75. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of either of embodiments 73 or 74, further comprising: a lower support having two strut attachment areas at two lateral sides of the lower support, wherein the seat trigger member is disposed on the lower support proximate at least one of the strut attachment areas, wherein at least one of the struts includes a front protrusion positioned about a proximal end of at least one of the struts, and wherein the front protrusion is configured to trigger the seat trigger member when the strut is in its operative state.

[0118] 76. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 68, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is comprised of a strut in its stored state.

[0119] 77. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 76, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is comprised of a distal end of a strut.

[0120] 78. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any one of embodiments 68 to 77, wherein the back portion of the upper seat is positioned at a first recline angle to a reference plane in the upright state and at a second recline angle less than the first recline angle in the extended state, and wherein the back is manipulatable rearward from the upright state to the extended state.

[0121] 79. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 78, when dependent on either of embodiments 70 or 71, wherein the distal end of the strut is configured to be securely positioned in contact with a rear surface of the back portion of the upper seat in the stored state of the strut to prevent manipulation of the back portion rearward, thereby preventing manipulation of the upper seat from the upright state to the extended state at least when the strut is in the stored state.

[0122] 80. A convertible baby safety car seat assembly comprising: a lower support having a front and a rear and a reference plane horizontally passing through a lowermost region of the lower support; an upper seat articulably connected to the lower support and having a back portion associated with the rear of the lower support and a foot portion associated with the front of the lower support; a strut having a wheel, the strut being operable between a stored state in which at least the wheel is positioned above the reference plane and an operative state in which at least the wheel is positioned below the reference plane to enable the seat assembly to be rolled by means of the wheel, the seat assembly being mountable in a car at a location adapted to secure an infant therein. a leg manipulation mechanism operable to manipulate the leg between a storage condition and a use condition; a seat manipulation mechanism operable to manipulate the upper seat between an upright condition in which the back portion and the foot portion form a first angle therebetween and an extended condition in which the back portion and the foot portion form a second angle therebetween greater than the first angle; a seat manipulation actuator configured to enable a user to manipulate said seat manipulation mechanism, and a leg manipulation actuator configured to enable a user to manipulate said leg manipulation mechanism, one of said seat and said leg manipulation actuators being positioned at a location associated with the front portion of said lower support and the other being positioned at a location spaced rearwardly of the front portion of said lower support.

[0123] 81. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 80, wherein said seat manipulation actuator is positioned at the front portion of said lower support.

[0124] 82. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 80 or 81, wherein the storage condition of said leg is only combinable with the upright condition of said upper seat, thereby defining a first mode of said seat assembly; the extended condition of said upper seat is only combinable with the use condition of said leg, thereby defining a second mode of said seat assembly; and the use condition of leg and the upright condition of upper seat are also combinable at least with each other, thereby defining a third mode of the seat assembly.

[0125] 83. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 80, 81 or 82, wherein said seat assembly can only enter its first and second modes from its third mode.

[0126] 84. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 82 or 83, configured such that manipulation of the leg in the second mode of the seat assembly is at least indirectly prevented by the upper seat being in the extended condition.

[0127] 85. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any one of embodiments 80 to 84, further configured such that manipulation of the upper seat in the first mode of said seat assembly is at least indirectly prevented by said leg being in the storage condition.

[0128] 86. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any one of embodiments 80 to 85, further comprising a leg manipulation prevention device configured to prevent manipulation of said leg from said use condition to said storage condition at least when said upper seat is in said extended condition.

[0129] 87. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any of embodiments 80-86, further comprising a seat manipulation prevention device configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat from the upright state to the extended state at least when the brace is in the storage state.

[0130] 88. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 87, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to change state between a locked state in which the seat manipulation prevention device prevents manipulation of the upper seat toward the extended state and an unlocked state in which the seat manipulation prevention device enables manipulation of the upper seat between the upright state and the extended state.

[0131] 89. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 88, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat toward the extended state by arresting the upper seat in the locked state.

[0132] 90. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 88 or 89, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat toward the extended state by arresting the seat manipulation mechanism in the locked state.

[0133] 91. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 89 or 90, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to arrest the seat manipulation mechanism only when the upper seat is in its upright state.

[0134] 92. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any of embodiments 87-91, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device comprises the brace in its storage state.

[0135] 93. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 92, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device comprises a distal end of the brace.

[0136] 94. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any of embodiments 80-93, wherein a back portion of the upper seat is manipulatable rearward from the upright state to the extended state.

[0137] 95. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 94, wherein the distal end of the brace bar is configured to be in contact with a rear surface of a back portion of the upper seat in the storage state of the brace bar to securely position to prevent manipulation of the back portion rearward to prevent manipulation of the upper seat from the upright state to the extended state at least when the brace is in the storage state.

[0138] 96. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any one of claims 86 and 87-95, as directly or indirectly dependent on claim 86, wherein the brace bar manipulation prevention device is configured to change its state between a locked state in which the brace bar manipulation prevention device prevents manipulation of the brace bar toward the storage state and an unlocked state in which the brace bar manipulation prevention device enables manipulation of the brace bar between the storage state and the operating state.

[0139] 97. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 96, wherein the brace bar manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the brace bar toward the storage state by arresting the brace bar in the locked state.

[0140] 98. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 96 or 97, wherein the brace bar manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the brace bar toward the storage state by arresting the brace bar manipulation mechanism in the locked state.

[0141] 99. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 98, wherein the brace bar manipulation prevention device is configured to arrest the brace bar manipulation mechanism when the brace bar is in its operating state.

[0142] 100. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 86 or any one of claims 87-99 as directly or indirectly dependent on claim 86, wherein the brace bar manipulation prevention device is comprised of the upper seat in its extended state.

[0143] 101. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of claim 100, wherein the brace bar manipulation prevention device comprises a back portion of the upper seat.

[0144] 102. A baby seat comprising, at least in use: a shell made of a plastic material and having an outer side facing the exterior and an inner side at which a fabric cover of the seat can be attached to the shell, the shell having a back wall and two side walls, each side wall having a respective inner surface and outer surface merging at a respective upper edge, the upper edges of the back wall and side walls merging continuously and constituting a shell upper edge, a fabric cover for covering at least the inner side of the shell when the fabric cover is detachably connected to the inner side of the shell; a top cover; and a zipper arrangement for detachably connecting the cover and the top cover to the shell adjacent the shell upper edge, the zipper arrangement comprising a top cover zipper and a cover zipper, each zipper being separate and comprising a zipper box and a zipper pin and having: a shell zipper half having one of the zipper box and the zipper pin stitched to the shell adjacent the shell upper edge at least along a portion of the outer surface of the back wall and side walls adjacent the back wall, and a mating zipper half having the other of the zipper box and the zipper pin, the mating zipper half of the first zipper being stitched to the cover and the mating zipper half of the second zipper being stitched to the top cover, wherein, optionally, the zipper box is on the shell zipper half and the zipper pin is on the mating zipper half.

[0145] 103. The baby seat of embodiment 102, wherein the shell zipper half of each of the zippers has a base at which the shell zipper half is stitched to the shell and a flapping portion having zipper teeth, and the shell zipper halves of both zippers are stitched to the shell at the base of the shell zipper half such that the flapping portions of the shell zipper halves are able to separate from each other and be manipulated independently when the corresponding mating halves of the zippers are engaged.

[0146] 104. The baby seat of embodiment 102 or 103, wherein the shell zipper half of the cover zipper is spaced a first extent from the upper edge of the shell and the shell zipper half of the top cover zipper is spaced a second extent less than the first extent from the upper edge of the shell.

[0147] 105. The baby seat of any one of embodiments 102 to 104, wherein the shell zipper half of the cover zipper extends along at least a portion of the upper edge of the shell and the shell zipper half of the top cover zipper extends along a portion of the shell zipper half of the cover zipper.

[0148] 106. The infant seat of any of embodiments 102-105, wherein the canopy zipper covers the cover zipper along the length of the canopy zipper when both the cover and the canopy are zipped to the shell.

[0149] 107. The infant seat of any of embodiments 102-106, wherein the zipper boxes of the shell halves of the two zippers are located at or adjacent to different side walls of the shell, thereby enabling the cover zipper to fasten in a direction opposite to that of the canopy zipper.

[0150] 108. The infant seat of any of embodiments 102-107, wherein the two shell zipper halves are stitched together to the shell by at least one common stitched seam.

[0151] 109. The infant seat of any of embodiments 102-108, wherein the shell upper edge comprises a stepped zipper-receiving recess having a first wall at which the shell half of the zipper is stitched to the shell, and a second wall oriented transverse to the first wall and having a height defining a depth of the recess.

[0152] 110. The infant seat of embodiment 108 or 109, when dependent directly or indirectly on embodiment 111, wherein the zipper arrangement further comprises a fabric binding that houses the base of the shell halves and is stitched to the shell with the fabric binding by the at least one common stitched seam.

[0153] 111. The infant seat of embodiment 110 when dependent on embodiment 109, wherein the binding having the base of the shell zipper halves has a thickness corresponding to the depth of the zipper-receiving recess.

[0154] 112. The infant seat of embodiment 108 or any of embodiments 109-111 when dependent directly or indirectly on embodiment 108, when embodiment 108 is dependent directly or indirectly on embodiment 103, wherein the bases of the shell zipper halves are connected to each other by a pre-formed connection in addition to the at least one common stitched seam, the pre-formed connection being optionally formed by welding.

[0155] 113. The infant seat of any of embodiments 102-112, wherein the cover zipper is longer than the canopy zipper, the cover zipper extending further down each of the two side walls of the shell relative to the canopy zipper.

[0156] 114. The infant seat of any one of embodiments 102-113, wherein, when the top cover is fastened, only the top cover zipper can be unfastened and the cover zipper remains at least partially inaccessible.

[0157] 115. A convertible infant car safety seat assembly adapted to secure an infant therein and having a first storage mode in which the assembly is adapted to be positioned within an automobile and a second operating mode in which the assembly is rollable along an external support surface, the assembly being swingable on the external support surface between a neutral position and at least one of a forward reclined position and a rear reclined position when in the storage mode and positioned on the external support surface, the assembly comprising: one or more lowermost regions operable to contact the external support surface in the neutral position; at least one of a forward region and a rear region operable to contact the external support surface when in the respective at least one of the forward reclined position and the rear reclined position; a horizontal reference plane comprising the one or more lowermost regions of the assembly when in the neutral position and imaginarily representing the external support surface; a lower support having a front and a rear and a seat lowermost region closest to the horizontal reference plane when the assembly is in the neutral position; an upper seat connected to the lower support and having a back portion associated with the rear of the lower support and a foot portion associated with the front of the lower support; a leg connected at a proximal end thereof to the lower support and having a distal end with a wheel secured thereto at least in the operating mode, the leg being operable between a storage state associated at least with the storage mode of the assembly in which at least a portion of each leg having the wheel is located above the reference plane and an operating state associated at least with the operating mode of the assembly in which at least the portion of each leg having the wheel is located below the reference plane so as to enable rolling of the seat assembly by the wheels; the leg constituting a pair of rear legs and a pair of front legs; At least one pair of struts has a curved shape such that, when in a storage state, the at least one pair of struts has a first region positioned above a reference plane in a neutral position, at least one second region constituting at least one of the front region and the rear region, and at least one third region spaced apart from the first region and the second region, at least the second region having a swing-in part made of a material different from that of the at least one third region, such as for improving at least one swing quality in comparison to a swing quality that the swing-in part would have if made of a material with which the third region is made.

[0158] 116. The assembly of embodiment 115, wherein the swing quality is at least one of: a higher friction capacity, such that the swing-in part constitutes a friction-increasing part; or a softness, such that the swing-in part constitutes a soft-contact part.

[0159] 117. The assembly of embodiment 115 or 116, wherein the one or more lowermost regions and the at least one second region constitute a continuously curved shape at least as shown in a side view of the assembly.

[0160] 118. The assembly of any one of embodiments 115-117, wherein the at least one second region, in a storage state of the corresponding strut, constitutes at least one of: a rear region of the at least one of the front region and the rear region, and further extending rearward from a rear portion of the lower support a front region of the at least one of the front region and the rear region, and further extending forward from a front portion of the lower support.

[0161] 119. The assembly of any one of embodiments 115-118, wherein at least one of the lower support and the struts comprises at least one other region spaced apart from the one or more lowermost regions and the at least one second region, wherein at least one of the one or more lowermost regions comprises a swing-in part made of a material different from that of the at least one other region, such as for improving at least one swing quality in comparison to a swing quality that the swing-in part would have if made of a material with which the other region is made.

[0162] 120. The assembly of embodiment 119, wherein the swing-in part of the second region and the swing-in part of the at least one of the one or more lowermost regions are made of the same material.

[0163] 121. The assembly of either of embodiments 119 or 120, wherein the at least one other area constitutes a majority of the area of the at least one of the lower support and the leg.

[0164] 122. The assembly of any of embodiments 115 to 121, wherein the one or more lowermost areas of the assembly include the seat lowermost area.

[0165] 123. The assembly of embodiment 122, wherein the lower support includes a curved bottom extending between the front and rear of the lower support and including the seat lowermost area, wherein the curved bottom at least partially participates in the ability of the assembly to rock on an external support surface when in the storage mode and positioned on the external support surface to rock between the external support surface between the neutral position and at least one of the forward reclined position and the rear reclined position.

[0166] 124. The assembly of any of embodiments 115 to 123, wherein the one or more lowermost areas of the assembly include a first area of the at least one pair of legs.

[0167] 125. The assembly of embodiment 124, the first area having a rocking participation portion made of a material different from the at least one third area, such as to improve at least one rocking quality as compared to a rocking quality the rocking participation portion would have if made of a material from which the third area is made.

[0168] 126. The assembly of embodiment 125, wherein the rocking participation portion of the second area and the rocking participation portion of the first area are made of the same material.

[0169] 127. The assembly of any of embodiments 124 to 126, wherein the first area at least partially coincides with one of the at least one second area in a side view of the assembly.

[0170] 128. The assembly of any of embodiments 115 to 127, wherein a wheel of a leg of the at least one pair of legs, when connected to the leg, constitutes a stopper for limiting rocking of the assembly in the at least one of the forward reclined position and the rear reclined position.

[0171] 129. The assembly of any of embodiments 115 to 127, a wheel of a leg of the at least one pair of legs is detachably connected to the leg.

[0172] 130. The assembly of embodiment 129, wherein a range of the assembly's sway, defined by a total area of the assembly that coincides with the horizontal reference plane during the assembly's sway, increases when the wheels are detached from the legs compared to when the wheels are connected to the legs.

[0173] 131. The assembly of any one of embodiments 115-130, wherein the at least one pair of legs is a front pair of legs.

[0174] 132. The assembly of embodiment 131, the at least one second region constituting a rear region that coincides with the reference plane in a respective rear reclined position of the assembly.

[0175] 133. The assembly of embodiment 116 or any one of embodiments 117-132 when dependent directly or indirectly on embodiment 116, wherein the material from which the friction- increasing portion is made is softer than the material of the at least one third region, the sway- engaging portion thereby constituting the soft-touch portion.

[0176] 134. The assembly of embodiment 133, wherein the soft-touch portion provides damping to the assembly's sway.

[0177] 135. The assembly of any one of embodiments 115-134, wherein the material from which the sway-engaging portion is made prevents mechanical damage to the at least one pair of legs.

[0178] 136. The assembly of any one of embodiments 115-135, wherein the at least one third region constitutes a majority of the at least one pair of legs.

[0179] 137. The assembly of any one of embodiments 115-136, wherein each leg having the sway-engaging portion is made of a first material, and the sway-engaging portion is made of a second material different from the first material.

[0180] 138. The assembly of embodiment 137, wherein the sway-engaging portion is in the form of a liner attached to the respective leg at a surface thereof facing the reference plane.

[0181] 139. A convertible infant car safety seat assembly, comprising: a lower support having a front and a rear and a reference plane horizontally passing through a lowermost region of the lower support; an upper seat connected to the lower support and having a back portion associated with the rear of the lower support and a foot portion associated with the front of the lower support; The support pole with wheels is operable between a storage condition, in which at least the wheels are located above the reference plane, and an operating condition, in which at least the wheels are located below the reference plane, to enable the seat assembly to be rolled by the wheels; the support pole constitutes a pair of rear support poles associated with rear wheels, and a pair of front support poles associated with front wheels, the front wheels protruding laterally from the lower support to a greater extent than the rear wheels at least in a rear view of the assembly in its storage condition; the front support poles are pivotable from the operating condition to the storage condition so that, in the storage condition, the front wheels are positioned closer to the backrest portion than to the foot portion; wherein at least the front wheels are connected to the front support poles by a quick release mechanism.

[0182] 140. The assembly of embodiment 139, wherein the front wheels are removable from the front support poles in a wheel removal direction extending laterally relative to the lower support.

[0183] 141. The assembly of embodiment 140, wherein each of the front wheels comprises a pole connection element extending in the wheel removal direction when the wheel is connected to the respective front support pole, and each of the front support poles comprises a wheel connection element extending in the wheel removal direction.

[0184] 142. The assembly of embodiment 141, the pole connection element and the wheel connection element being detachably connected to each other, thereby allowing the wheel to be turned with the pole connection element relative to the wheel connection element about a wheel turning axis parallel to the wheel removal direction.

[0185] 143. The assembly of embodiment 142, the pole connection element and the wheel connection element at least partly constituting the quick release mechanism.

[0186] 144. The assembly of embodiment 143, wherein the quick release mechanism further comprises a release actuator for actuating release of the pole connection element from the wheel connection element.

[0187] 145. The assembly of embodiment 144, wherein the release actuator is positioned at one of the front wheels and the respective front support pole.

[0188] 146. The assembly of any one of embodiments 139-145, wherein each of the front wheels comprises a rolling region configured to be in contact with a support surface when the assembly is rolled on the support surface by means of the wheels, and a remaining region configured to be not in contact with the support surface when the assembly is rolled on the support surface, each of the front wheels comprising a wheel holding portion positioned at the remaining region, the wheel holding portion being adapted to be held by a user at least for removing the wheel from the respective front strut.

[0189] 147. The assembly of any one of embodiments 139-146, wherein the rear wheels are connected to the rear struts by quick release mechanisms.

[0190] 148. An infant car seat assembly comprising: a seat having a back portion and a foot portion; a handle connected to the seat at a handle attachment region of the seat by a pivotable attachment enabling the handle to be pivoted between a plurality of different positions, the handle having a seat-facing region facing the handle attachment region and an opposite exterior-facing region; and a side protection module for absorbing at least a portion of impact energy thereon, the side protection module being selectively installable at the exterior-facing region of the handle.

[0191] 149. The assembly of embodiment 148, wherein the side protection module is configured to be pivotable with the handle when installed to the handle.

[0192] 150. The assembly of embodiment 148 or 149, wherein the side protection module has an elongated shape extending along a longitudinal axis and comprises a first handle engagement portion and a second handle engagement portion spaced apart from each other at least partially along the longitudinal axis.

[0193] 151. The assembly of embodiment 150, wherein the exterior-facing region of the handle comprises a first module engagement portion for engaging the first handle engagement portion and a second module engagement portion for engaging the second handle engagement portion when the side protection module is installed to the handle.

[0194] 152. The assembly of embodiment 151, wherein at least one of the first handle engagement portion and the second handle engagement portion comprises a handle connection element, and a respective at least one of the first module engagement portion and the second module engagement portion comprises a module connection element, the handle connection element and the module connection element being detachably connected to each other.

[0195] 153. The assembly according to embodiment 152, said handle connecting element and said module connecting element are detachably connected to each other by a quick release mechanism.

[0196] 154. The assembly according to embodiment 153, said quick release mechanism is a magnetic connection mechanism.

[0197] 155. The assembly according to any one of embodiments 151 to 154, wherein at least one of said first handle engagement portion and said second handle engagement portion comprises a first portion of an orientation fixation mechanism, and a respective at least one of said first module engagement portion and said second module engagement portion comprises a second portion of said orientation fixation mechanism, wherein said first portion and said second portion of said orientation fixation mechanism are configured to engage each other to fix an orientation of said side protection module relative to said handle when said side protection module is mounted to said handle.

[0198] 156. The assembly according to embodiment 155, wherein said orientation fixation mechanism is configured to maintain said orientation of said side protection module relative to said handle during pivoting of said handle.

[0199] 157. The assembly according to any one of embodiments 151 to 156, wherein said side protection module comprises at least one third handle engagement portion positioned offset from said longitudinal axis, and an exterior-facing region of said handle comprises at least one third module engagement portion configured to engage said at least one third handle engagement portion when said side protection module is mounted to said handle.

[0200] 158. The assembly according to embodiment 157, wherein said at least one third handle engagement portion comprises a handle connecting element, and said at least one module engagement portion comprises a module connecting element, said handle connecting element and said module connecting element are detachably connected to each other.

[0201] 159. The assembly according to embodiment 158, said handle connecting element and said module connecting element are detachably connected to each other by a quick release mechanism.

[0202] 160. The assembly according to embodiment 159, said quick release mechanism is a magnetic connection mechanism.

[0203] 161. The assembly according to any one of embodiments 148 to 160, further comprising a cable connection arrangement for connecting said side protection module to at least one of said handle and said seat when said side protection module is mounted to said handle.

[0204] 162. The assembly of embodiment 161, wherein the cable connection means comprises a cable having a first end connectable to the side protection module and a second end connectable to the at least one of the handle and the seat.

[0205] 163. The assembly of any one of embodiments 148 to 162, wherein the side protection module comprises a first module part selectively mountable to the handle and a second module part selectively mountable to the first module part.

[0206] 164. The assembly of embodiment 163, wherein the side protection module comprises locking means for selectively locking the first module part and the second module part to each other when the second module part is mounted to the first module part.

[0207] 165. The assembly of any one of embodiments 148 to 164, further comprising a strut having a distal end with wheels and an opposite proximal end connected to the seat at a strut attachment area thereof, the strut attachment area at least partially overlapping the handle attachment area in a side view of the assembly.

[0208] 166. The assembly of embodiment 165, wherein the seat has a reference plane horizontally passing through a lowermost area thereof, the strut being operable between a storage state in which at least the distal end is located above the reference plane and an operational state in which at least the distal end is located below the reference plane to enable the seat assembly to be rolled by means of the wheels connected at the distal end, the strut being pivotable rearward toward a back portion of the seat for maneuvering from the operational state to the storage state such that in the storage state the distal end is located closer to the back portion than to a foot portion; the strut constituting a pair of rear struts associated with the rear wheels at least in the operational state and a pair of front struts associated with the front wheels at least in the operational state.

[0209] 167. The assembly of embodiment 166, wherein at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels constitutes an additional side protection module when connected to the corresponding strut in its storage state.

[0210] 168. The assembly of embodiment 167, wherein in the storage state of the strut, the at least one wheel protrudes from the seat to the side to a greater extent than at least another wheel on the same side of the seat as the at least one wheel, at least in a rear view of the assembly.

[0211] 169. The assembly of embodiment 168, wherein the at least one wheel is a front wheel and the at least one other wheel is a rear wheel.

[0212] 170. A convertible infant car safety seat assembly comprising: a lower support having a front portion and a rear portion and a reference plane horizontally passing through a lowermost region of the lower support; an upper seat connected to the lower support and having a back portion associated with the rear portion of the lower support and a foot portion associated with the front portion of the lower support; the upper seat being operable between an upright state in which the back portion and the foot portion form a first angle therebetween and an extended state in which the back portion and the foot portion form a second angle therebetween greater than the first angle; a leg having a wheel, the leg being manipulable between a storage state in which at least the wheel is located above the reference plane and an operational state in which at least the wheel is located below the reference plane to enable the seat assembly to roll by means of the wheel; the lower support comprising a rear hinge portion at the rear portion of the lower support and a front hinge portion at the front portion of the lower support, the back portion being pivotally hinged to the rear hinge portion, the foot portion of the upper seat being configured to be slidably hinged to the front hinge portion, the state of the upper seat being changeable between the upright state and the extended state by the pivotal hinging of the back portion in conjunction with the sliding hinging of the foot portion.

[0213] 171. The assembly of embodiment 170, wherein the back portion is pivotally hinged about a pivot axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lower support and the foot portion is slidably hinged along the longitudinal axis of the lower support.

[0214] 172. The assembly of embodiment 170 or 171, wherein the back portion and the foot portion of the upper seat are connected to each other such that manipulation of one of the back portion and the foot portion causes manipulation of the other.

[0215] 173. The assembly of any one of embodiments 170 to 172, wherein the upper seat further comprises an intermediate portion fixedly connecting the back portion and the foot portion to each other.

[0216] 174. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 173, wherein the intermediate portion constitutes a lowermost portion of the upper seat, and wherein the lowermost portion of the upper seat is movable about a vertical axis when the upper seat is manipulated between the upright state and the elongated state.

[0217] 175. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 173 or 174, wherein at least an intermediate portion of the backrest portion is formed of a flexible material.

[0218] 176. The assembly of any one of embodiments 173 to 175, wherein the intermediate portion is concave and formed of a flexible material such that it can flex when the upper seat is manipulated into the elongated state.

[0219] 177. The assembly of any one of embodiments 170 to 176, further comprising a seat manipulation mechanism operable to manipulate the upper seat between the upright state and the elongated state; and a seat manipulation prevention device operable to prevent manipulation of the upper seat from the upright state to the elongated state.

[0220] 178. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 177, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to change state between a locked state in which the seat manipulation prevention device prevents manipulation of the upper seat toward the elongated state, and an unlocked state in which the seat manipulation prevention device enables manipulation of the upper seat between the upright state and the elongated state.

[0221] 179. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 177 or 178, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is operable to prevent manipulation of the upper seat toward the elongated state by arresting the upper seat in the locked state.

[0222] 180. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 177 or 178, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is operable to prevent manipulation of the upper seat toward the elongated state by arresting the seat manipulation mechanism in the locked state.

[0223] 181. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 180, wherein the seat manipulation prevention device is operable to arrest the seat manipulation mechanism only when the upper seat is in its upright state.

[0224] 182. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of any one of embodiments 177-181, wherein the seat manipulation prevention means is comprised of the strut in its stored state.

[0225] 183. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 182, wherein the seat manipulation prevention means is comprised of the distal end of the strut.

[0226] 184. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 170 or any one of embodiments 171-183 when dependent directly or indirectly on embodiment 170, wherein the rear articulation portion is in the form of an articulation recess positioned in a side wall of the lower support, the articulation recess being configured to freely receive therein one or more articulable elements of the backrest portion to allow these elements to pivot about the pivot axis.

[0227] 185. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 184, wherein the one or more articulable elements of the backrest portion comprise a rear pivot shaft formed integrally with or assembled to the backrest portion.

[0228] 186. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 170 or embodiment 171 when dependent directly or indirectly on embodiment 170, wherein the front articulation portion is in the form of an elongated articulation slot extending parallel to a longitudinal axis and is configured to slidably receive therein at least one respective articulable element of a foot portion.

[0229] 187. The convertible baby safety car seat assembly of embodiment 186, wherein the articulable element of the foot portion comprises a sliding rod formed integrally with or assembled to the foot portion.

[0230] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the subject matter which is disclosed herein and to exemplify how the application can be put into practice, embodiments will now be described by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1A 、 1B , Figures 1C and 1D illustrate side views of a baby safety car seat assembly according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter in respective car seat installation or storage mode, extended stroller mode, upright stroller mode and rollable carrier mode in which the assembly can be used; FIG. 1E is a schematic diagram illustrating possible transitions between the modes shown in Figures 1C and 1D; FIGS. 1A-1C FIG. 2A ​This is a front perspective view of the lower support member, which can be used in an example of an infant safety car seat assembly according to the currently disclosed subject matter; FIG. 2B yes FIG. 2A One side wall of the lower support shown is along FIG. 2A The view taken along the AA direction, which is perpendicular to the inner surface of the sidewall; FIG. 3A This is a front perspective view of the upper seat without a cover, which can be integrated with an example of an infant safety car seat assembly according to the currently disclosed subject matter. FIG. 2A and 2B When used together with the lower support shown, the upper seat is in its upright position; FIG. 3B yes FIG. 3A Side view of the upper seat; FIG. 3C It is along FIG. 3A Looking at BB from a direction perpendicular to the cut plane. FIG. 3A A perspective cut-out side view of the upper seat shown; FIG. 3D yes FIGS. 3A-3C The image shows a front perspective view of the upper seat in its extended position. FIG. 3E yes FIG. 3D Side view of the upper seat; FIG. 4A This is a top perspective view of the seat assembly, which has been mounted to... FIG. 2A and 2B The lower support member shown FIGS. 3A-3E The upper seat shown is in FIGS. 3A-3C The vertical position shown has its feet removed to simplify the illustration; FIG. 4B yes FIG. 4A An enlarged perspective view of area 4B of the seat assembly shown, including the seat operation mechanism and the seat operation prevention device, with the foot portion of the upper seat removed to simplify the illustration; FIG. 4C yes FIG. 4B An enlarged view of area 4C of the seat assembly shown; FIG. 4D yes FIG. 4A A magnified 4D view of the area of ​​the seat assembly shown; FIG. 4E The illustration shows the upper seat of the seat assembly in its extended state, as shown in the diagram. FIG. 3D and 3E As shown FIG. 4D The area shown; FIG. 4F Close-up view of the proximal end of the leg of an infant safety car seat assembly according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, the leg shown in its operative state; FIG. 4G is FIG. 4F the proximal end of the leg, the leg shown in its storage state; FIG. 5A is FIG. 4A a rear perspective view of the seat assembly shown; FIG. 5B is FIG. 5A an enlarged view of area 5B in FIG. 5C illustrates FIG. 5B area 62 of the seat shown; FIG. 6 is FIG. 4A a rear perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 7A is a rear perspective view schematically illustrating an infant safety car seat assembly according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, in a storage mode, having a side protection module; FIG. 7B is a rear view schematically illustrating two infant safety car seat assemblies according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, each of said infant safety car seat assemblies in a storage mode, located within a car, each of said infant safety car seat assemblies having a side protection module; FIG. 7C is a side view of an infant safety car seat assembly according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, in a storage mode, wherein its handle is in an anti-rebound state, and the assembly has a side protection module; FIG. 7D and 7E is FIG. 7C a side view of the infant safety car seat assembly of FIG. 7F illustrates FIG. 7C different views of the handle and side protection module of the infant safety car seat assembly of FIG. 7G illustrates different views of a side protection module having two module components according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter; FIG. 7H is a side perspective view of a side protection module further connected to a handle by a cable connection device according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter; FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of an infant safety car seat assembly in an upright mode of operation, according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter; FIG. 8B is a rear perspective view of a seat assembly having a top cover attached thereto, according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter; FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of an upper seat in a seat assembly having a zipper arrangement, according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, with a fabric cover zipped thereto along a substantial portion of the length of the zipper; FIG. 10 is the same view as FIG. 9 without the fabric cover; FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a zipper arrangement that can be used to mount a fabric cover and a top cover to a backrest of an infant seat, according to another example of the presently disclosed subject matter; FIG. 12A is a side view of an infant safety car seat assembly in a storage mode, shown in its neutral position, according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter; FIG. 12B is a side view of the infant safety car seat assembly shown in FIG. 12A , shown in its rear reclined position; FIG. 12C is a side perspective view of the infant safety car seat assembly of FIG. 12A , shown in its rear reclined position FIG. 12D is a side perspective view of the infant safety car seat assembly of FIG. 12A , shown in its neutral position; FIG. 12E is a bottom perspective view of the infant safety car seat assembly of FIG. 13A ; FIG. 13B is a front perspective view of an infant safety car seat assembly in a storage mode, according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter; FIG. 13A is a rear perspective view of the infant safety car seat assembly of FIG. 13C ; FIG. 13A is a rear view of the infant safety car seat assembly of FIG. 13D ; FIG. 13A is the same view as FIG. 13E , showing the front wheels removed from the respective front struts; FIG. 13B is the same view as FIG. 13F , showing the two front wheels removed from the respective front struts; and FIG. 13A illustrating FIGS. 1A-1D a front leg of an infant safety car seat assembly and a front wheel removed from the front leg. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0231] A convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter can be any seat assembly configured for use in operating modes as FIG. 1A illustrated. These operating modes are FIG. 1B a car seat installation mode as illustrated in FIG. 1C an extended stroller mode as illustrated in FIG. 1D an upright stroller mode as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D a rollable carrier mode as illustrated in

[0232] In the present example, FIGS. 1A-1D the convertible infant safety car seat assembly is indicated at 10 and includes a lower support 30, an upper seat 50 hingedly coupled to and mounted on the lower support 30, a leg 70 having a distal end 71 associated with a wheel and a proximal end 72 pivotally coupled to the lower support 30, and a handlebar 12 configured to pivot between a plurality of positions as FIG. 1D illustrated.

[0233] The handlebar can have an adjustable length, allowing the handlebar to assume a plurality of states depending on the mode in which the safety car seat assembly is to be used.

[0234] The handlebar 12 of the present example can assume at least: a carrier state FIG. 1D in which the handlebar 12 is oriented generally vertically FIG. 1B a stroller state FIG. 1A and 1C in which the handlebar 12 extends forward and can have a length greater than the carrier state, and a storage state FIG. 1A in which the handlebar 12 is oriented rearward.

[0235] The lower support 30 comprises a seat lowermost region 32 configured to contact a support surface 26, which can for example be a vehicle seat or a base rigidly mounted thereon or the ground, the seat assembly being configured to act as a safety seat. The support surface 26 is adapted to mount / position the seat assembly 10 thereon when the seat assembly 10 is in the storage mode 20. The seat lowermost region 32 defines an imaginary horizontal reference plane 34 and further comprises two strut attachment regions 42 to which the proximal ends 72 of the struts are pivotally hinged between: (a) a storage state ( FIG. 1B ) in which the distal ends of the struts are positioned on or above the horizontal reference plane 34 so that the seat lowermost region 32 of the seat assembly 10 can contact the support surface 26 on which it is to be mounted or on which it is to be positioned; and (b) an operating state ( FIG. 1A , 1C and ID) in which the seat assembly can be rolled on wheels on the support surface 26 positioned below the horizontal reference plane 34.

[0236] The upper seat 50 comprises a backrest portion 52 and a front leg portion 54, the front leg portion 54 being spaced apart from the horizontal reference plane 34 by a distance smaller than the backrest portion 52. The backrest portion 52 is configured to support the head and back of a baby seated on the seat assembly 10 and, for better supporting the head, can be provided with a headrest assembly 53 configured to be adjusted between a default position and a raised position, as is well known in the art.

[0237] The upper seat 50 can be manoeuvred between: (a) an upright state ( FIG. 1B , 1C and ID) enabling a sitting position of a baby to be secured to the upper seat 50, in which the backrest portion 52 has a first orientation and forms a first angle a with the leg portion 54; and (b) an extended state ( FIG. 1E ) enabling a lying position for a young child to be secured to the upper seat 50, in which the backrest portion 52 has a second orientation closer to a horizontal orientation than the first orientation and forms a second angle β greater than the first angle a with the leg portion 54.

[0238] In particular, the first angle a can be about 90-130 degrees, while the second angle β can be about 140-170 degrees.

[0239] Typically, a seat assembly can be configured to achieve multiple combinations between the aforementioned states of the upper seat and the support rod, while preventing at least one such combination. For example, such a prevented combination could be between the stored state of the support rod and the extended state of the upper seat, thereby eliminating the possibility of inserting the seat assembly into a car with an infant lying on it.

[0240] Based on the latter example, such as FIG. 2A As shown, the seat assembly 10 is configured such that the extended state of the upper seat 50 is only combined with the operational state of the support rod 70. Thus, the seat assembly is configured to allow the upper seat 50 to be manipulated between the upright and extended states only when the support rod 70 is in its operational state. This manipulation can occur during the transition between the upright operation mode 24 and the extended operation mode 22. The seat assembly 10 is also configured such that the stored state of the support rod 70 is only combined with the upright state of the upper seat 50. Thus, the seat assembly is configured such that the support rod 70 can be manipulated between the operational and stored states only when the upper seat 50 is in its upright state. This manipulation can occur during the transition between the upright operation mode 24 and the stored mode 20.

[0241] Therefore, in the upright operation mode 24 of the seat assembly, the operation state of the support rod 70 can be combined with the upright state of the upper seat 50, and the seat assembly can enter its first storage mode 20 and second extension operation mode 22 from its third upright operation mode 24 only.

[0242] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, details the structure of the lower support 30 and the upper seat 50, as well as non-limiting examples of their assembly and operation, thereby allowing for the combination of the support rod and the upper seat in the aforementioned states.

[0243] Typically, the basic structure of the lower support may include at least one hinged portion to which at least a portion of the upper seat is configured to hinge, so as to allow its state to change between an upright state and an extended state.

[0244] The lower support may include a rear hinge portion and a front hinge portion, to which the backrest and footrest portions of the upper seat may be hinged, respectively. The hinge portions may be configured to provide the same or different types of hinges to the relevant portions of the upper seat; that is, they may both be configured to provide pivoting or linear hinges, or one may provide a pivoting connection while the other provides a linear hinge to the relevant portion of the upper seat. More specifically, the lower support may include a rear hinge portion located at the rear of the lower support and a front hinge portion located at the front of the lower support, with the backrest portion configured to pivotally hinge to the rear hinge portion and the footrest portion of the upper seat configured to slidably hinge to the front hinge portion.

[0245] The lower support can be in the form of an asymmetric bowl comprising a bottom, a high back wall and a low front wall spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis of the lower part, and two side walls extending between them parallel to the longitudinal axis, as best seen in each side view of a side wall taken perpendicular to its inner surface. As shown in the side view of the lower support, the back wall and the front wall can generally extend away from each other such that the distance between them along the longitudinal axis increases in a direction away from the bottom of the lower support.

[0246] The rear articulation portion can be located at a rear region of the side wall of the lower support, e.g. closer to the top of the side wall than to the bottom of the lower support, and the front articulation portion can be located at the front wall of the lower support. Thus, the backrest portion of the upper seat can be configured to be pivotally articulated to the rear articulation portion about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D of the lower support, and the foot portion of the upper seat can be configured to be slidably articulated to the front articulation portion along the longitudinal direction.

[0247] In the present example, the lower support 30 comprises a bottom 33 constituting its lowermost region, a high back wall 36, a low front wall 37, the front wall and the back wall extending away from the bottom and away from each other in the longitudinal direction D of the lower support 30, and two side walls 35 oriented substantially parallel to the direction D and having a top rear region 31. FIG. 2A and 2B The lower support 30 comprises a bottom 33 constituting its lowermost region, a high back wall 36, a low front wall 37, the front wall and the back wall extending away from the bottom and away from each other in the longitudinal direction D of the lower support 30, and two side walls 35 oriented substantially parallel to the direction D and having a top rear region 31.

[0248] The lower support 30 further comprises a rear articulation portion 38 located at the top rear region 31 of the side wall 35, the backrest portion 52 being configured to be pivotally articulated to said rear articulation portion 38 about a pivot axis (not shown) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D of the lower support, and a front articulation portion 39 located at the front wall 37, the foot portion 54 of the upper seat 50 being configured to be slidably articulated to said front articulation portion 39 along the longitudinal direction.

[0249] More particularly, in the present example, the rear articulation portion 38 is in the form of an articulation recess positioned in the top rear region 31 of the side wall 35 and configured to freely receive therein one or more articulable elements of the backrest portion 52 of the upper seat 50 so as to allow these elements to pivot with the backrest about the pivot axis, and the front articulation portion 39 is in the form of elongated articulation slots 39A and 39B extending parallel to the longitudinal direction D and configured to slidably receive therein respective articulable elements of the foot portion 54 of the upper seat 50.

[0250] As mentioned above, the lower support 30 comprises two strut attachment regions 42, one of which is located at the top rear region 31 of the side wall 35 and the other of which is located at the front wall 37 of the lower support 30. FIG. 2A and 2BThe proximal end 72 of the strut 70 is pivotally hinged to the strut attachment region 42 between an operating state and a storage state of the strut 70, and a strut manipulation mechanism (not shown in FIGS. 3A-3E and 2B is configured to lock the struts 70 in either of their storage state and operating state, and to unlock the struts 70 so as to enable manipulation of the struts 70 between the states. Different structures of the strut manipulation mechanism providing the above-mentioned locking means can be used, including but not limited to any one of those described, for example, in Applicant's US8469389 and US9505321, and the description of these structures is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0251] The upper seat of the seat assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter has a structure that enables at least a portion thereof to be hingedly connected to one or more hinged portions of the lower support, as described above, to allow the state of the upper seat to change between an upright state and an extended state. More specifically, when the lower support includes a rear hinged portion and a front hinged portion, the back portion and the foot portion of the upper seat can have hingable elements that are configured to hinge to the hinged portions of the lower support, as required. For example, the hingable element of the back portion of the upper seat can be configured to pivotably hinge to the rear hinged portion of the lower support, and the hingable element of the foot portion of the upper seat can be configured to slidably hinge to the front hinged portion of the lower support. The back portion and the foot portion of the upper seat can also be hingedly connected to each other, such that movement of one of them will cause manipulation of the other.

[0252] FIG. 2A An upper seat without a cover is illustrated, which can be used with the lower supports shown in FIG. 3A and 2B In FIG. 1B , 3B and 3D, 3E, the back portion of the upper seat is shown in the respective upright state and extended state, with the respective first angle a and second angle β mentioned above with reference to FIGS. 3A-3E , 1C and 1D.

[0253] In FIG. 3CIn the upper seat 50, the hinged element of the backrest portion 52 is constituted by a rear pivot shaft 38A, which is integrally formed or assembled with the backrest portion and has an end that is freely received in a recess in the rear hinge portion 38 of the lower support member 30, so as to allow the shaft to pivot together with the backrest portion between its near-vertical orientation (i.e., upright state) and near-horizontal orientation (i.e., extended state). The hinged element of the foot portion 54 of the upper seat 50 is constituted by a sliding rod 56, which is integrally formed or assembled with the foot portion 54 and slidably received in the hinge slots 39A and 39B of the lower support member 30, so as to allow the sliding rod 56 and the foot portion 54 to move between the extreme positions of the sliding rod 56 in the slots 39A and 39B corresponding to the innermost and outermost positions of the foot portion 54. The near-vertical orientation of the backrest portion 52 and the innermost position of the foot portion 54, as well as the near-horizontal orientation of the backrest portion 52 and the outermost position of the foot portion 54, correspond to the upright and extended states of the upper seat 50, respectively.

[0254] Typically, the backrest and footrest of the upper seat can be directly or indirectly connected to each other. Alternatively, the backrest and support rod can be connected separately to the lower support, rather than to each other. When the backrest and footrest are connected, they can be hinged directly or indirectly via the middle backrest to allow rotation / manipulation of one part while simultaneously operating / rotating the other. Furthermore, the backrest and footrest can be fixedly connected to each other so that manipulation of one part causes manipulation of the other.

[0255] In this example, the upper seat 50 also includes a middle portion 57 that securely connects the backrest portion 52 and the foot portion 54 to each other. Specifically (e.g.) FIGS. 1A-1D (As best shown), the middle portion 57 is configured as the bottom part of the backrest portion 52, extending forward from its lower edge 58, and is constructed to be fixedly connected to the foot portion 54 at its front edge 59. The middle portion 57 is concave and configured to receive the bottom of a toddler sitting on the upper seat 50. The middle portion 57 is formed of a flexible material so that it can be bent when the upper seat 50 is manipulated to an extended state, in which the middle portion 57 is less concave than in the upright state.

[0256] The backrest portion 52 and the foot portion 54 are also pivotally connected to each other by a hinged element consisting of a front pivot (not shown) having an end that is freely received in a transverse intermediate hole 38B formed in the sidewall 35 of the lower support 30. This pivotal connection defines a horizontal axis X that interconnects the backrest portion 52 and the foot portion 54 about their pivoting transverse intermediate hole 38B.

[0257] Typically, the upper seat may also include a seat control mechanism operable to guide the upper seat to change its state between an upright position and an extended position, as described above. FIGS. 4A-4C The mechanism can be configured to cause manipulation of only the backrest portion of the upper seat while maintaining the position of the foot portion (to provide different orientations of the backrest in the upright position of the upper seat), and / or to cause movement of each of the backrest portion and the foot portion, or to cause movement of the foot portion that in turn causes movement of the backrest portion (in the latter two cases, changing the state of the upper seat between its upright and extended positions). The seat operation mechanism may include a seat operation actuator positioned in a location accessible for user operation.

[0258] exist FIG. 4A In the example shown, the seat control mechanism of the upper seat 50 is indicated by 60 and includes: a seat control actuator 61 for actuating the control of the upper seat 50 to change its state; and a seat locking mechanism 63 for preventing the upper seat from changing its state.

[0259] The seat control actuator 61 consists of a seat handle 62 disposed at the foremost part of the foot portion 54. The seat handle 62 includes: an outer portion 62A configured to allow a user to grip the seat handle 62; and an inner portion 62B movably connected to the foot portion 54 to allow the foot portion 54 to move between its innermost and outermost positions, respectively, and the backrest portion 52 to move between an upright and extended position, respectively, by the user applying corresponding pushing and pulling forces to the handle.

[0260] Generally, the seat manipulation mechanism can further include a seat locking mechanism configured to selectively prevent the upper seat from changing its state between the erected state and the extended state. More specifically, the seat locking mechanism can have a locked state in which the seat locking mechanism prevents the upper seat from moving and thus from changing its state, and an unlocked state in which the seat locking mechanism allows the upper seat to move and thus to change its state. The seat locking mechanism can be configured to selectively lock at least a portion of the upper seat to at least a portion of the lower support, more specifically to at least two different portions of the lower support. The seat locking mechanism can be configured with a first locking portion positioned at the lower support and a second locking portion positioned at a matching location of the backrest portion, the second locking portion being configured to interact with the first locking portion for selectively locking the backrest portion to the lower support. The lower support can be configured with more than two different portions to which the upper seat is to be locked for enabling the upper seat to be gradually manipulated between its erected state and its extended state by the seat locking mechanism, while allowing the upper seat to be fixed relative to the lower support in a plurality of states including the erected state and the extended state (e.g., between the erected state and the extended state).

[0261] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C , 4D and 4E, the seat locking mechanism 63 is configured for selectively locking the upper seat 50 to the lower support 30 so as to prevent it from changing its state. For this purpose, the seat locking mechanism 63 includes a first locking portion 63A positioned at the lower support 30 and a second locking portion 63B positioned at the backrest portion 52, the second locking portion 63B being configured to interact with the first locking portion 63A for selectively locking the backrest portion 52 to the lower support 30.

[0262] More specifically, the first locking portion 63A of the seat locking mechanism 63 includes an elongated guide slot 41 and a plurality of fixation holes 42A-42C, all formed on the inner surface 35A of each side wall 35. (The outer surface of the side wall 35 is generally indicated by 35B). The holes 42A-42C are spaced apart from one another along a direction parallel to the elongated guide slot 41. The elongated guide slot 41 is formed in a curved manner having a curvature similar to that of the lower edge 58 of the backrest portion as it travels between the upright state and the extended state. The elongated guide slot 41 is configured to slidably receive a corresponding guide element of the second locking portion 63B therein, thereby allowing the slot 41 to assume different positions along the slot, and the holes 42A-42D are configured to receive a corresponding locking element of the second locking portion 63B therein when the guide element assumes a corresponding position in the elongated guide slot 41, so as to lock the upper seat 50 to the lower support. The holes 42A-42D of the first locking portion 63A are further configured to provide the upper seat 50 with at least one, in this example two, additional intermediate states between the upright state and the extended state, so as to provide further orientations.

[0263] The second locking portion 63B of the seat locking mechanism 63, positioned on the upper seat 50, includes two pin retainers 64 (only one is seen) attached to the backrest portion 52 between the backrest portion 52 and the bottom 33 of the lower support, placed adjacent to the inner surface 35A of different side walls 35 and configured to operate concurrently upon actuation of the actuator 61. Each pin retainer 64 includes a guide pin 66 and a locking pin 68, which traverse the pin retainer 64 generally perpendicular to the direction D and parallel to one another. Each guide pin 66 and locking pin 68 includes an actuation portion 67A extending from the inner side of the respective pin retainer 64 (i.e., away from the nearest side wall 35) and a lockable portion 67B extending from the outer side of the pin retainer 64 (i.e., towards the nearest side wall 35) and configured to interact with the first locking portion 63A.

[0264] The lockable portion 67B of the guide pin 66 is configured to be positioned at least partially within the elongated guide slot 41 and configured to be slidably movable therein for guiding the manipulation of the back portion 52 between states. In the present example, the lockable portion 67B of the guide pin 66 is maintained within the elongated guide slot 41. The locking pin 68 is positioned and configured to be inserted into and removed from any one of the plurality of holes 42A-42C for fixing the back portion 52 in each of the states of the upper seat 50 including an upright state (i.e., when the lockable portion 67B of the locking pin 68 is in the hole 42A), an extended state (i.e., when the lockable portion 67B of the locking pin 68 is in the hole 42C), and at least one intermediate state therebetween (i.e., when the lockable portion 67B of the locking pin 68 is in the hole 42B).

[0265] In the present example, the pin holder 64 is configured to be actuated by the seat actuator 61 to change the state of the seat locking mechanism to the unlocked state and, by doing so, release the upper seat 50 from being secured to the lower support 30. To this end, the pin holder 64 is configured to be manipulated along a route perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D between a secured position in which at least the lockable portion 67B of the locking pin 68 is inserted into one of the plurality of holes 42A-42C and a remote position in which the lockable portion 67B of the locking pin is outside the holes 42A-42C. Thus, upon actuation of the seat actuator 61, the pin holder 64 is manipulated towards its remote position, thereby pulling the lockable portion 67B of the locking pin 68 out of one of the holes 42A-42C.

[0266] With respect to the stanchions of the seat assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter, reference is made to the stanchions and stanchion locking devices as described in US 9505321 (the description of which is incorporated herein by reference, as mentioned above), the stanchions can be configured to be manipulated by a stanchion manipulation mechanism and a stanchion locking mechanism, the stanchion manipulation mechanism including at least one stanchion manipulation actuator located at a position accessible to the user. The stanchions are capable of being manipulated between their storage state and their operational state.

[0267] Reference is made to FIG. 4BThe lever operating mechanism 90 of the seat assembly 10 of the present example includes a lever operating actuator 91 for actuating the operation of the lever 70, and a lever locking mechanism (not shown) for actuating a lever locking device to stop the lever in either of the storage state and the operating state. In the present example, the lever operating actuator 91 is constituted by a lever handle 92 positioned at the top rear side of the back portion 52 so as to be easily accessible to the user. The lever handle 92 includes a lever handle outer portion 92A configured to enable the user to grasp the lever handle 92, and a lever handle inner portion 92B fixedly connected to the back portion 52. The lever handle 92 is operatively connected to the lever locking mechanism so as to unlock the locking device and allow the movement of the lever 70 between its storage state and operating state by the user applying a corresponding force to the handle 92.

[0268] Although in the present example as described above, the seat handle 62 is positioned at the forwardmost side of the foot portion 54, and the lever handle 92 is positioned at the top rear side of the back portion 52, their positions can be different, as long as they are spaced apart from each other to reduce the risk of them being mixed together.

[0269] As described above, the seat assembly can be configured to at least prevent the combination between the storage state of the lever and the elongated state of the upper seat, by which the possibility of inserting the seat assembly into a car on which a baby is lying is excluded. More specifically, the seat assembly can be configured to prevent the operation of either of the upper seat or the lever, if such operation would result in the state in which the lever is in its storage state and the upper seat is in its elongated state. In some cases, the seat assembly can be configured such that a specific state of either of the lever or the upper seat can result in the prevention of the operation of the other. In some cases, the seat assembly can include at least one operation prevention device configured to identify a specific state of at least one of the upper seat and the lever, and to prevent the operation of the other while maintaining the specific state. Such operation prevention device can include a mechanical mechanism or an electrical mechanism. More specifically, the seat assembly can include an operation placement device for each of the upper seat and the lever, each configured to identify a specific state of its respective component.

[0270] As long as one of the upper seat or the lever is not in the specific state, the operation prevention device can be configured to prevent the operation of the other of the upper seat or the lever. For example, if the lever is in the storage state, the operation prevention device can be configured to prevent the seat from being operated from the upright state to the elongated state. In another example, if the seat is in the elongated state, the operation prevention device can be configured to prevent the lever from being operated from the operating state to the storage state.

[0271] The manipulation prevention device can be configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat or of the support strut by arresting the upper seat or the support strut, respectively, or by arresting the seat manipulation mechanism or the support strut manipulation mechanism, respectively.

[0272] The manipulation prevention device can have an identification component, e.g. a trigger portion, configured to identify a state of the upper seat or of the support strut of the seat assembly, and an arresting portion configured to be actuated or triggered by the trigger portion to selectively arrest the respective seat manipulation mechanism or support strut manipulation mechanism. The trigger portion and / or the arresting portion of the manipulation prevention device can be positioned on or constituted by different parts of the seat assembly. In some cases, the manipulation prevention device can be configured to arrest the manipulation mechanism of the upper seat or of the support strut in a similar manner as the respective locking mechanism, or the manipulation prevention device can be constituted or integrated with the manipulation mechanism of the upper seat or of the support strut.

[0273] For example, a seat assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter can comprise a seat manipulation prevention device configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat from an upright state to an extended state at least when the support strut is in a storage state. In one example, the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat into the extended state unless the seat manipulation prevention device is triggered by the support strut being in its operational state.

[0274] The seat manipulation prevention device can be configured to change between a locked state, in which the seat manipulation prevention device prevents manipulation of the upper seat towards the extended state, and an unlocked state, in which the seat manipulation prevention device enables manipulation of the upper seat between the upright state and the extended state.

[0275] In the present example, the seat manipulation prevention device is in a locked state when the support strut is in its storage state, and the seat manipulation prevention device is in an unlocked state when the support strut is in its operational state. FIG. 4B is denoted with 100. When the support strut 70 is in its storage state, the seat manipulation prevention device 100 is configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat 50 from the upright state to the extended state. The seat manipulation prevention device 100 is configured to be triggered by the support strut 70 when the support strut 70 is in its operational state, which triggers a change of the state of the seat manipulation prevention device 100 from the locked state to the unlocked state, so that the upper seat 50 can be manipulated between its upright state and its extended state.

[0276] In some cases, the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat from the upright state toward the extended state by arresting the seat manipulation mechanism when in the locked state. More specifically, the seat manipulation prevention device can be configured to arrest the seat manipulation mechanism when the stanchion is in its storage state. The seat manipulation prevention device can also be configured to release said arrest of the seat manipulation mechanism when the stanchion is in its operating state. In this way, the seat manipulation prevention device 100 is configured to arrest the seat manipulation mechanism only when the upper seat 50 is in its upright state.

[0277] In some cases, the seat manipulation prevention device comprises a seat trigger member and a seat arrest member. The seat trigger member can be configured to operate the seat arrest member when the seat trigger member is triggered by the stanchion when the stanchion is in its operating state. The seat arrest member is operable by the seat trigger to manipulate said seat arrest member from an arresting state, in which the seat arrest member arrests the seat manipulation mechanism to prevent manipulation of the upper seat from the upright state to the extended state, to a released state, in which the seat manipulation mechanism is released from said arrest, thereby enabling manipulation of the upper seat between the upright state and the extended state, when operated. In one particular example, wherein said stanchion is configured to trigger said seat trigger member only when said stanchion is in its operating state.

[0278] FIG. 4B and 4C An exemplary embodiment of a seat manipulation prevention device 100 is depicted, comprising a seat trigger member 102 and a seat arrest member 110. The seat trigger member 102 is configured to be triggered by the stanchion 70 and thereby operate the seat arrest member 110 only when the stanchion 70 is in its operating state. The seat trigger member 102 is also configured to maintain operation of the seat arrest member 110 when the stanchion 70 is in its operating state. The seat arrest member 110 is configured to have an arresting state, in which the seat arrest member 110 arrests the seat manipulation mechanism 60 to prevent manipulation of the upper seat 50 from the upright state to the extended state, and a released state, in which the seat manipulation mechanism 60 is released from said arrest by the seat arrest member 110, thereby enabling manipulation of the upper seat 50 between the upright state and the extended state.

[0279] Generally, the seat trigger member can be arranged on the lower support of the seat assembly adjacent at least one of the stem attachment areas of the seat assembly. In this case, at least one of the stems can comprise a front protrusion positioned around its proximal end, wherein the front protrusion is configured to trigger the seat trigger member when the stem is in its operational state. In other words, when the stem is moved into or is in its operational state, its front protrusion triggers the seat trigger member, which in turn operates the seat stop member from its stop state to its release state, such that the seat stop member releases the stop of the seat steering mechanism, enabling steering of the upper seat between the erected state and the extended state. Accordingly, when the stem is not in the operational state (i.e. the stem is moved into or towards the storage state), its front protrusion no longer triggers the seat trigger member, in which case the seat stop member assumes its stop state in order to stop the seat steering mechanism and thus prevent steering of the upper seat from the erected state to the extended state.

[0280] In the present example, reference is made to FIG. 4F , 4C , 4F and 4G, the seat trigger member 102 comprises a trigger body 103 arranged on the lower support 30 in front of and adjacent at least one of the stem attachment areas 42. In some cases, the seat trigger member 102 is arranged within one of the side walls 35 or protrudes laterally from the side walls 35. A movable member 104 extends through the length of the trigger body 103, having a sufficient length to reach and contact at least a portion of one of the stems 70, and more particularly the front side of the proximal end 72 of the stem 70 when the stem 70 is in its operational state. At least the proximal end 72 of the stem 70 that triggers the seat trigger member 102 comprises a front protrusion 105 extending forwardly therefrom, which is configured to press against the movable member 104 when the stem is in its operational state. The seat trigger member 102 is operably mechanically or electrically connected to the seat stop member 110. In the figures, the movable member 104 is operably connected to the seat stop member 110 via a cable 101 in order to operate the seat stop member 110 when pressed by the front protrusion 105 when the stem 70 is in its operational state. As such, in the unlocked state of the seat steering prevention device 100, the seat stop member 110 is in its release state, enabling steering of the upper seat 10 between the erected state and the extended state. In the locked state of the seat steering prevention device 100, the seat stop member 110 is in its stop state, preventing steering of the upper seat 10 from the erected state to the extended state. FIG. 4G), the movable member 104 of the seat trigger member 102 is pressed against the trigger body 103 by the front protrusion 105 of one of the struts 70 when the struts 70 are in the operative state. This pressing operation of the seat trigger member 102 operates the seat stop member 110 such that the seat stop member 110 is operated from the stop state to the release state, thereby releasing the seat steering mechanism 60 so that the upper seat 50 can be steered between the upright state and the extended state. Accordingly, in the locked state of the seat steering prevention device 100 ( FIG. 6 ), the movable member 104 of the seat trigger member 102 is pressed by the front protrusion of one of the struts 70 when the struts 70 are not in the operative state. In this way, the seat trigger member 102 is not triggered by the struts 70 and, therefore, the seat trigger member 102 does not operate the seat stop member 110. Thus, the seat stop member 110 assumes its stop state in which it stops the seat steering mechanism 60, thereby preventing the upper seat 50 from being steered from the upright state to the extended state. Therefore, the struts 70 of the seat assembly 10 are generally configured to change the state of the seat steering prevention device 100 between the locked state and the unlocked state. In this way, the seat steering prevention device is generally constituted by the struts. In particular, the locked state of the seat steering prevention device is generally constituted by the struts in their storage state and the unlocked state of the seat steering prevention device is generally constituted by the struts in their operative state.

[0281] The seat stop member 110 is configured to be operated by the seat trigger member 102 when the seat stop member 110 is triggered by the struts 70 in their operative state. The seat stop member 110 is steerable between a stop state associated with the locked state of the seat steering prevention device 100 and a release state associated with the unlocked state of the seat steering prevention device 100. In the stop state, the seat stop member 110 stops the steering of the seat steering mechanism 60 and, in the release state, the seat stop member 110 releases the stop of the seat steering mechanism 60 in order to allow its steering.

[0282] In the present example, the seat stop member 110 comprises a pawl pivotally connected to the lower support 30 and / or the foot portion 54 by a pivot pin 114 and is positioned adjacent to the seat handle inner portion 62B. The seat stop member 110 comprises an engaging portion 111 at one end thereof and a lever portion 112 at the other end thereof. The lever portion 112 is directly or indirectly connected to the movable member 104 of the seat trigger member 102 such that movement of the movable member 104 actuates the seat stop member 110 to pivot about the pivot pin 114. In the depicted example, the lever portion 112 is operably connected to the movable member 104 via the cable 101. The seat stop member 110 can also have a compression spring (not shown) configured to bias the seat stop member 110 towards its stop state.

[0283] In the stop state of the seat stop member 110, the engaging portion 111 is configured to be in mechanical communication with at least a portion of the seat handle 62 so as to prevent the seat handle 62 from being used to manipulate the seat manipulation mechanism 60. In the present example, the seat handle inner portion 62B further comprises a seat handle recess 115 and the engaging portion 111 has a stop tooth 116 protruding transversely forward about a rear end thereof. The stop tooth 116 is formed to be received in the seat handle recess 115 of the seat handle 62 such that when the stop tooth 116 is received therein, the seat stop member 110 stops the seat handle 62 and, therefore, the seat manipulation mechanism 60 is not operated by the user to operate the upper seat 50 from its upright state to its elongated state.

[0284] In operation, when the seat trigger member 102 is triggered by the stanchion 70 being in its operating state, the movable member 104 is moved by the front protrusion 105 which in turn causes the seat stop member 110 to pivot in a first direction away from the seat handle recess 115 such that the seat stop member 110 assumes its release state. When the seat trigger member 102 stops being triggered by the stanchion 70 (i.e. when the stanchion 70 is manipulated out of the operating state or beyond the operating state and towards the storage state), the movable member 104 moves back towards the corresponding stanchion attachment area 42 such that the seat stop member 110 pivots in a second direction opposite to the first direction and causes the stop tooth 116 to be inserted in the seat handle recess 115 thereby placing the seat stop member 110 in its locked state.

[0285] In other cases (not shown), the seat manipulation prevention device is configured to prevent manipulation of the upper seat toward the extended state by arresting the upper seat in its locked state. In this case, in the arrested state, the seat arresting member of the seat manipulation prevention device can be configured to abut the upper seat to prevent its manipulation. For example, the seat arresting member can be constituted by a bolt directly or indirectly connected to the seat trigger member 102. In the arrested state, such seat arresting member can be configured to be positioned within a corresponding hole located on the foot portion 54 of the upper seat 50 so as to arrest manipulation of the upper seat 50, and in the released state, the seat arresting member can be configured to be removed from the hole when the seat trigger member 102 is triggered by the strut 70.

[0286] In other cases, the seat manipulation prevention device can be constituted by the strut and / or structures associated therewith. In one example, the seat manipulation prevention device can be constituted by the distal end of the strut.

[0287] Generally, when the upper seat of the seat assembly is manipulated from the upright state to the extended state, a corresponding backrest portion of the upper seat is moved from a first position in which the backrest portion is positioned at a first rear angle with the reference plane to a second position in which the backrest portion is positioned at a second rear angle smaller than the first rear angle. Such manipulation of the backrest from the first rear angle to the second rear angle, respectively associated with the upright state and the extended state of the upper seat, can be understood as forming a rearward manipulation of the backrest portion. The seat manipulation prevention device can be configured to selectively block the rearward manipulation of the backrest portion. For example, in the case where the distal end of the strut constitutes the seat manipulation prevention device, the distal end of the strut can be configured to be in contact with the rear surface of the backrest portion in its storage state to be firmly positioned so as to block the rearward manipulation of the backrest portion, thereby preventing the manipulation of the upper seat from the upright state to the extended state.

[0288] In one example, with reference to FIG. 5A , the seat manipulation prevention device can include a rear bar 84 interconnecting the distal ends 71 of the rear strut supports 76. When the strut 70 is in its storage state, the rear bar 84 is configured to be firmly positioned against the rear surface of the backrest portion 52 when in its upright state. In this way, the rear bar 84 physically blocks the backrest portion 52 from being manipulated rearward, thereby preventing the manipulation of the upper seat 50 from the upright state to the extended state. It is contemplated that a front bar 82 (see FIG. 5A ) interconnecting the distal ends 71 of the front strut supports 74 can also be configured to block the rearward manipulation of the backrest portion 52, thereby preventing the manipulation of the upper seat 50 from the upright state to the extended state. As shown in FIG. 4D , in addition to the front bar 82 interconnecting the distal ends of the front strut supports, the front bar 80 also interconnects the front strut supports 74 at a location between the distal and proximal ends of the strut supports.

[0289] The steering prevention device of the present seat assembly can alternatively or additionally include a leg steering prevention device configured to prevent steering of the leg steering mechanism. In the present example, the seat assembly 10 includes a leg steering prevention device 120 configured to prevent steering of the leg 70 from the operating state to the storage state at least when the upper seat 50 is in the extended state. Similar to the seat operation prevention mechanism, the leg steering prevention device 120 is also configured to change its state between a locked state in which the leg steering prevention device 120 prevents steering of the leg 70 toward the storage state and an unlocked state in which the leg steering prevention device 120 enables steering of the leg 70 between the operating state and the storage state.

[0290] In some cases, the leg steering prevention device 120 is configured to prevent steering of the leg 70 toward the storage state by arresting the leg steering mechanism 90 when in the locked state. In particular, the leg steering prevention device 120 is configured to arrest the steering lever of the leg 70 toward the storage state when the upper seat 50 is in its extended state. As such, the leg steering prevention device 120 is configured to arrest the leg steering mechanism 90 when the leg 70 is in its operating state.

[0291] Generally, the leg steering prevention device can include a leg trigger member and a leg arresting member. The leg trigger member can be configured to operate the leg arresting member when the upper seat trigger the leg trigger member as it is in its upright state. Said operation of the leg arresting member by the leg trigger member steers the leg arresting member from an arresting state to a released state in which the leg arresting member thereby releases the leg steering prevention mechanism from arrest. In some cases, the upper seat is configured to trigger the leg trigger member only when the upper seat is in the upright state. The leg trigger member can also be configured to maintain operation of the leg arresting member when the upper seat is in its upright state.

[0292] In the present example, it is preferred that the leg steering prevention device 120 is configured to arrest the leg steering mechanism 90 when the upper seat 50 is in its extended state. In some cases, the leg steering prevention device 120 is configured to arrest the leg steering mechanism 90 when the upper seat 50 is in its upright state. In some cases, the leg steering prevention device 120 is configured to arrest the leg steering mechanism 90 when the upper seat 50 is in its upright state and in its extended state. FIG. 4D and 4EAs shown, the support rod trigger member is connected to the upper seat 50 and is configured as part of the seat operating mechanism 60, wherein when the upper seat 50 is operated to an upright position, the support rod trigger member is configured to maintain the upper seat 50 in an upright position. More specifically, the support rod trigger member may be constituted by the seat locking mechanism 63, or even more specifically, by the guide pin 66 of the upper seat 50 and the elongated guide groove 41 of the lower support member 30. For this purpose, the elongated guide groove 41 also includes, in its internal portion, an inner groove frame 123 extending through the length of the elongated guide groove 41. The inner groove frame 123 is configured to form a depth difference from the foremost edge to the last edge of the elongated guide groove 41, such that the guide pin 66 can be partially inserted into the elongated guide groove 41 while being positioned against the inner groove frame 123. At the last edge, the inner groove frame 123 defines a groove recess 124 having a greater depth than the inner groove frame 123. The recess 124 is configured to receive a portion of the lockable portion 67B of the guide pin 66 that is larger than the rest of the elongated guide groove 41.

[0293] Therefore, the support rod triggering member is configured to "identify" the state of the upper seat 50 based on the depth of the guide pin 66 inserted into the elongated guide groove 41. Specifically, when the upper seat 50 is in an upright state associated with the unlocked state of the support rod operation prevention device 120, the support rod triggering member is inserted into the recess 124. FIG. 4E The insertion trigger member operates the support rod stop member to manipulate it to its released state, allowing the support rod 70 to be manipulated between an operating state and a stored state. Correspondingly, when the upper seat 50 is not in the upright state associated with the locked state of the support rod manipulation prevention device 120, the support rod trigger member is inserted into the elongated guide slot 41 against the inner frame 123 (e.g., FIG. 5B The support rod triggering member is not triggered by the upper seat 50, therefore the support rod stop member is not operated, thus preventing the support rod from being manipulated towards the extended state. Thus, when the upper seat 50 is in the upright state, the support rod manipulation prevention device 120 is in its unlocked state, allowing the support rod to be manipulated between the operating state and the stored state. When the upper seat 50 is not in the upright state (e.g., it is in the extended state), the support rod manipulation prevention device 120 is in its locked state, thus preventing the support rod from being manipulated into the operating state.

[0294] The lever stop member 130 of the lever manipulation prevention device 120 is configured to have a stop state in which the lever stop member 130 stops the lever manipulation mechanism 90 and a release state in which the lever manipulation mechanism 90 is released from the stop of the lever stop member 130. The lever stop member 130 is configured to change state by operation of the lever trigger member to which the lever stop member 130 is directly or indirectly connected. The lever stop member 130 is operable between a stop state associated with the locked state of the lever manipulation prevention device 120 and a release state associated with the unlocked state of the lever manipulation prevention device 120. In the stop state, the lever stop member 130 stops manipulation of the lever manipulation mechanism 90, while in the release state, the lever stop member 130 allows manipulation of the lever manipulation mechanism 90.

[0295] In the present example, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7H The seat assembly 10 includes a pair of lever stop members 130, each of which is designed similarly to the seat stop member 110 and formed by a pawl having an engagement portion 131 at one end thereof and a lever portion 132 at a second end thereof. The lever stop members 130 are pivotally connected to the upper seat 50, specifically to the backrest portion 52, by a pivot shaft 134 located at their respective centers. Each lever stop member 130 is also directly or indirectly connected at its lever portion 132 to the holder portion 67A of the guide pin 66 (i.e. the lever trigger member). The lever stop member 130 is connected to the holder portion 67A such that manipulation of the holder portion 67A, i.e. by sliding the guide pin 66 along the elongated guide slot 41, causes pivoting of the lever stop member 130.

[0296] In some cases, not shown here, the lever stop member 130 can also include a stop spring (not shown) designed to bias the lever stop member 130 to its stop state.

[0297] Generally, in the stop state, the engagement portion 131 of the lever stop member 130 is designed to abut / contact at least a portion of the lever handle 92 so as to prevent the lever handle 92 from being used to manipulate the lever manipulation mechanism 90. In the present example, the lever handle inner portion 92B also includes a lever handle recess 135 and an engagement portion 131 having a stop tooth 136 projecting laterally forward about a rear end thereof. The lever handle recess 135 is formed to receive the stop tooth 136 of the engagement portion 131 of the lever stop member 130 such that, when received within the lever handle recess 135, the lever stop member 130 stops the lever handle 92 and thus the lever manipulation mechanism 90 from being operated by a user to manipulate the lever 70 from its operational state to its storage state.

[0298] In operation, when the upper seat 50 triggers the leg trigger member (i.e., when the upper seat 50 is manipulated to its upright state), the guide pin 66 is inserted into the slot recess 124 (by the compression force exerted thereon by the pin holder 64), thereby causing the leg stop member 130 to pivot in a first direction away from the leg handle recess 135, such that the leg stop member 130 assumes its release state. When the leg trigger member is retracted from the slot recess 124 and slides along and within the elongated guide slot 41 (i.e., when the upper seat 50 is manipulated from its upright state), the holder portion 67A is distanced from the pin holder 64, causing the leg stop member 130 to pivot in a second direction opposite the first direction and into the leg handle recess 135, thereby causing the leg stop member 130 to assume its locked state. Thereby, the leg stop member 130 stops the leg handle 92 from being operated by a user to operate the leg 70.

[0299] In other cases (not shown), the leg manipulation prevention device 120, in its locked state, can be configured to prevent manipulation of the leg 70 towards the storage state by stopping the leg 70. In such cases, in its stopping state, the leg stop member 130 can be configured to abut / contact the leg 70 to prevent its manipulation. In such cases, the leg stop member 130 can be constituted by the upper seat 50, more particularly by its back portion 52, in its extended state.

[0300] For example, in its extended state, the back portion can physically prevent manipulation of the leg 70 to the storage state by blocking at least a portion of the leg 70 from moving to its position in the storage state. In this example, the back portion 52 can be used to prevent the rear legs 84 of the pair of rear leg supports 76 from reaching their position in the storage state, thereby forcing the leg 70 to remain in its operating state.

[0301] A convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter can include one or more side protection modules configured to provide side impact protection to the seat assembly. More particularly, the side protection modules are configured to absorb at least a portion of impact energy thereon. As an example, at least when the seat assembly is in its storage or car seat installation mode and is positioned within a car proximate to a car side door, in the event of a car door impact on the assembly, a side protection module installed on the side of the assembly facing the car door will absorb at least a portion of the impact energy, thereby preventing injury to a baby seated in the assembly.

[0302] Generally, the seat assembly can include a seat having a back portion and a foot portion. In some examples, the seat can be comprised of lower supports and an upper seat portion that have structure and can operate together in a manner similar to that described above with respect to assembly 10. In some examples, the seat can be comprised of lower supports and an upper seat portion that are integrally or monolithically formed together. Accordingly, the following description of the seat applies to any seat having: a handle attachment area for connecting a handle to the seat; an upper seat portion having an upper portion that allows a young child to sit in it; and a lower support that provides mechanical strength to the seat.

[0303] The assembly includes a handle pivotally connected to the seat at a handle attachment area of the seat. The connection allows the handle to pivot between a plurality of positions to assume at least an anti-rebound or stroller state, a carrier state, and a storage state. The handle can have a seat connection portion at which the handle is connected to the seat and includes a seat-facing area facing the seat attachment area and an opposite exterior-facing area. The connection of the handle and the seat can be by any suitable connection means, including a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a magnetic connection that allows the handle to pivot between a plurality of different positions.

[0304] It is understood herein that the handle is connected to the seat at two lateral sides of the seat, and for the sake of brevity, only one side of the seat, the corresponding handle attachment area, and the corresponding portion of the handle are described herein, and the description thereof applies to the other side as well. Furthermore, the seat assembly can include two side protection modules, one on each side of the handle / seat, and for the sake of brevity, only one is described herein. The description of one side protection module applies well to the other side protection module.

[0305] The side protection module can be selectively mountable to the handle at the exterior-facing area of the handle such that the side protection module extends in the lateral direction of the seat to a greater extent than the handle. The connection of the side protection module and the handle can be by any suitable connection means, including a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a magnetic connection, allowing the side protection module to pivot with the handle when connected thereto, while allowing selective attachment and detachment of the side protection module. It is understood that the handle is pivotally connected at the handle attachment area, allowing the handle attachment area to be bulky and structurally complex, and that the side protection module is mounted at a portion of the handle that is connected to the handle attachment area, allowing the handle attachment area to pivot with the side protection module, which requires a complex structure of the connection means.

[0306] In FIG. 7CIn the present example shown, the convertible infant safety car seat assembly 210 includes a seat 202 comprised of an upper seat portion 250 and a lower support 230. It will be appreciated herein that although the seat assembly 210 has been shown in a storage mode, it can have similar modes of operation as described above with respect to the seat assembly 10. Indeed, the seat assembly 210 can include some or all of the features of the seat assembly 10 described above, for example with respect to the modes, and the corresponding descriptions of the modes of operation and storage of the assembly 10 and the operational and storage states of the brace 70 apply to the assembly 210 and the brace 270.

[0307] The seat 202 has two lateral sides 202A and 202B, each having a respective handle attachment area 205 at which a handle 212 is pivotally connected. For example, two seat connection portions 213 at each side of the handle 212 are connected to the handle attachment area 205 at the two lateral sides 202A and 202B of the seat 202. The seat connection portions 213 include a seat-facing area 213A facing the handle attachment area 205 and an opposite exterior-facing area 213B.

[0308] A side protection module 206 is shown mounted to a respective side of the handle 212. As shown in Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C showing the handle 212 in a bounce-back prevention state, a carrier state and a storage state, respectively, the side protection module 206 is pivotable with the handle 212. FIG. 7D , FIG. 7E and FIGS. 7A-7H As shown, the side protection module 206 is pivotable with the handle 212.

[0309] Generally, the side protection module 206 can have an elongated shape extending along a longitudinal axis, such that the side protection module can have a longitudinal dimension extending along the longitudinal axis that is longer than a transverse dimension extending transversely to the longitudinal axis. The elongated shape can be rectangular, polygonal, triangular, oval, elliptical, egg-shaped, tear-drop shaped, etc.

[0310] The side protection module engages the handle at least at two portions, and more particularly, fixedly engages the handle at least at two portions extending at least partially along the longitudinal axis. Thus, the side protection module includes a first handle engagement portion and a second handle engagement portion spaced apart from each other at least partially along the longitudinal axis, and the handle includes at the exterior-facing area a respective first module engagement portion for engaging the first handle engagement portion and a second module engagement portion for engaging the second handle engagement portion. At least one of the two engagements can be a connection means mounting the side module to the handle, and at least one of the two engagements can be an orientation fixation means for fixing an orientation of the side module relative to the handle, such that the side module is pivotable with the handle.

[0311] For example, the engagement of at least one of the first and second handle engagement portions with the respective first and second module engagement portions can constitute a connection device for mounting the side protection module to the handle. The connection device can comprise a handle connection element positioned at at least one of the first and second handle engagement portions and a respective module connection element positioned at at least one of the first and second module engagement portions. The connection elements can be detachably connected to each other such that the connection device can constitute a quick release mechanism. In general, the connection device can have any suitable structure that allows the side protection module to be detachably connected to the handle. For example, the connection device can be a mechanical connection device, an electrical connection device, or a magnetic connection device that constitutes a quick release mechanism.

[0312] Furthermore, the engagement of at least one of the first and second handle engagement portions with the respective first and second module engagement portions can constitute an orientation fixation mechanism that fixes the orientation of the side protection module relative to the handle whether or not it is involved in mounting the side protection module to the handle. In general, the orientation fixation mechanism can comprise a first component positioned at the side protection module and a second component positioned at the handle. The first and second components can be engaged such that relative pivoting between them is prevented, thereby fixing the orientation to allow the side protection device to pivot with the handle. The orientation fixation mechanism can comprise any suitable structure to fixedly engage the first and second components to prevent relative pivoting of one component relative to the other without necessarily connecting them to each other. In some examples, the orientation fixation mechanism can be constituted by the connection device.

[0313] In FIG. 7F In the illustrated example, the side protection module has an elongated shape with a longitudinal axis LA. The seat connection portion 213 of the side protection module 206 and the handle 212 are shown as having a handle engagement portion and a module engagement portion, respectively. FIG. 7F Different views of the side protection module 206 and the seat connection portion 213 are shown, wherein FIG. 7A The upper left portion of Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the side protection module 206 mounted to the handle 212 taken along a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis PA of the handle, and as seen in a lateral direction indicated by the viewing direction VI (V1) extending from a laterally outermost region of the side protection module along the pivot axis PA to a region in the side protection module. FIG. 7F The upper right portion of Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the handle 212 taken along a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis PA of the handle, and as seen in a lateral direction indicated by the viewing direction V2 (V2) extending from a region of the handle 212 facing the seat to a region facing the outside along the pivot axis PA. FIG. 7A The upper right portion of Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the handle 212 taken along a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis PA of the handle, and as seen in a lateral direction indicated by the viewing direction V2 (V2) extending from a region of the handle 212 facing the seat to a region facing the outside along the pivot axis PA. FIG. 7F The upper right portion of Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the handle 212 taken along a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis PA of the handle, and as seen in a lateral direction indicated by the viewing direction V2 (V2) extending from a region of the handle 212 facing the seat to a region facing the outside along the pivot axis PA. FIG. 7Fthe lower left portion of FIG. 8A shows the side protection module 206 detached from the handle 212 along a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the handle 212. FIG. 7F the cross-sectional view of the upper left portion of FIG. 8A is taken along the same plane it is taken from and is further oriented towards the plane taken from the inner surface of the side protection module facing the handle when connected to the handle, and as seen in the same direction as the upper right portion of FIG. 8A. FIG. 7F the cross-sectional view of the lower left portion of FIG. 8A is taken along the same plane it is taken from and as seen in the same direction as the upper right portion of FIG. 8A. FIG. 7F the cross-sectional view of the upper right portion of FIG. 8A is taken along the same plane it is taken from and is further oriented towards the plane taken from the inner surface of the side protection module facing the handle when connected to the handle, and as seen in the same direction as the upper left portion of FIG. 8A. FIG. 7F the cross-sectional view of the lower right portion of FIG. 8A is taken along the same plane it is taken from and as seen in the same direction as the upper left portion of FIG. 8A. FIG. 7F the cross-sectional view of the upper right portion of FIG. 8A is taken along the same plane it is taken from and is further oriented towards the plane taken from the inner surface of the side protection module facing the handle when connected to the handle, and as seen in the same direction as the upper left portion of FIG. 8A.

[0314] As seen in FIG. 8A, the side protection module 206 comprises a first handle engagement portion 206-1 and a second handle engagement portion 206-2 spaced apart along the longitudinal axis LA, and the handle comprises a first module engagement portion 212-1 and a second module engagement portion 212-2. In the present example, the first handle engagement portion 206-1 and the first module engagement portion 212-1 constitute a magnetic connection mechanism, wherein one is a magnet and the other can be a magnet or a magnetic element (which does not have to be a magnet, but is attracted by a magnet). The magnet(s) and / or the magnet and the magnetic element constitute handle connection elements and module connection elements. Furthermore, in the present example, the second handle engagement portion 206-1 and the second module engagement portion 212-1 constitute an orientation fixation mechanism, wherein the second handle engagement portion 206-2 is a recess constituting a first part of the orientation fixation mechanism and the second module engagement portion 212-2 is a protrusion constituting a second part of the orientation fixation mechanism for being received within the recess when the side protection module 206 is mounted to the handle 212, e.g. the side protection module 206 cannot be rotated / pivoted relative to the handle 212, thus the orientation of the side protection module 206 is fixed relative to the handle 212. FIG. 7G

[0315] ​Generally, the side protection module can include at least one third handle engagement portion positioned offset from the longitudinal axis, and the exterior-facing region of the handle can include a corresponding at least one third module engagement portion configured to engage the at least one third handle engagement portion when the side protection module is installed to the handle. The engagement of the at least one third handle engagement portion with the corresponding at least one third module engagement portion can constitute a connection device, which can include a handle connection element positioned at the at least one third handle engagement portion and a corresponding third module connection element positioned at the at least one third module engagement portion. The connection elements can be detachably connected to each other, such that the connection device can constitute a quick release mechanism. Generally, the connection device can have any suitable structure that allows the side protection module to be detachably connected to the handle. For example, the connection device can be a mechanical connection device, an electrical connection device, or a magnetic connection device that constitutes a quick release mechanism. In some examples, the engagement of the at least one third handle engagement portion with the corresponding third module engagement portion can constitute an orientation fixation mechanism that fixes the orientation of the side protection module relative to the handle whether or not it is involved in installing the side protection module to the handle. Generally, the orientation fixation mechanism can include a first component positioned at the side protection module and a second component positioned at the handle. The first and second components can be engaged such that they are prevented from relative pivoting therebetween, thereby fixing the orientation to allow the side protection device to pivot with the handle. The orientation fixation mechanism can include any suitable structure to fixedly engage the first and second components to prevent relative pivoting of one component relative to the other without necessarily connecting them to each other.

[0316] In some cases, the side protection module can include two third handle engagement portions, each positioned offset from the longitudinal axis and on opposite sides thereof. The handle can include only one third module engagement portion that engages one of the two third handle engagement portions, depending on which side of the handle is connected to the side protection module. For example, the third module engagement portion on the left side of the handle can engage one of the two third handle engagement portions, and the third module engagement portion on the right side of the handle can engage the other of the two third handle engagement portions. This structure and positioning of the third handle engagement portions and module engagement portions allows the side protection module to be usable on both sides of the seat, and eliminates the need to manufacture different side protection modules for different sides of the seat.

[0317] In the present example, as in the previous examples, the side protection module 10 includes a first handle engagement portion 20 and a second handle engagement portion 22 positioned offset from the longitudinal axis 14 and on opposite sides thereof. The handle 12 includes a first module engagement portion 24 and a second module engagement portion 26 positioned at the left and right sides of the handle 12, respectively. The first module engagement portion 24 is configured to engage the first handle engagement portion 20, and the second module engagement portion 26 is configured to engage the second handle engagement portion 22. The engagement of the first and second handle engagement portions 20, 22 with the first and second module engagement portions 24, 26, respectively, constitutes a connection device 28 that allows the side protection module 10 to be detachably connected to the handle 12. The connection device 28 constitutes a quick release mechanism that allows the side protection module 10 to be quickly and easily connected to and disconnected from the handle 12. The connection device 28 can include a handle connection element 30 positioned at the first handle engagement portion 20 and a corresponding module connection element 32 positioned at the first module engagement portion 24. The handle connection element 30 and the module connection element 32 are detachably connected to each other, such that the connection device 28 can be quickly and easily disconnected by detaching the handle connection element 30 from the module connection element 32. The connection device 28 can include any suitable structure that allows the side protection module 10 to be detachably connected to the handle 12. For example, the connection device 28 can be a mechanical connection device, an electrical connection device, or a magnetic connection device that constitutes a quick release mechanism. FIG. 7HAs best seen, the side protection module 206 comprises two third engagement portions 206-3, while the handle has one third module engagement portion 212-3. In the present example, each of the third handle engagement portions 206-3 and the third module engagement portion 212-3 constitutes a magnetic connection mechanism, one of which is a magnet and the other of which can be a magnet or a magnetic element (which does not have to be a magnet, but is attracted by a magnet). The magnet(s) and / or the magnet and the magnetic element constitute the handle connection element and the module connection element. The third module engagement portion 212-3 engages one of the two third handle engagement portions 206-3, depending on which side (left or right) of the handle 206 is connected to the side protection module 206.

[0318] Generally, the side protection module can comprise more than one component, namely at least a first module component that is selectively mountable to the handle and at least a second module component that is selectively mountable to the first module component. The side protection module can comprise a locking device for selectively locking the first module component and the second module component to each other when the second module component is mounted to the first module component. The first module component and the second module component can be connected to each other by any suitable mechanical connection device, electrical connection device or magnetic connection device. The locking device can have any suitable structure to prevent the second module component from being detached from the first module component when locked. The side protection module formed in two components allows to select its lateral extension from the seat, for example depending on the availability of space in the car.

[0319] In the present example, as can be seen in Fig. 2, the side protection module 206 comprises two third engagement portions 206-3, while the handle has one third module engagement portion 212-3. In the present example, each of the third handle engagement portions 206-3 and the third module engagement portion 212-3 constitutes a magnetic connection mechanism, one of which is a magnet and the other of which can be a magnet or a magnetic element (which does not have to be a magnet, but is attracted by a magnet). The magnet(s) and / or the magnet and the magnetic element constitute the handle connection element and the module connection element. The third module engagement portion 212-3 engages one of the two third handle engagement portions 206-3, depending on which side (left or right) of the handle 206 is connected to the side protection module 206. FIG. 13A

[0320] ​Typically, the assembly can further include a cable connection device for connecting the side protection module to at least one of the handlebar and the seat when the side protection module is installed to the handlebar. The cable connection device can include a cable having a first end connectable to the side protection module and a second end connectable to at least one of the handlebar and the seat. In some examples, the second end can be connected at the strut instead of at the handlebar or seat. The cable connection device prevents the side protection module from flying away in the event of a sudden impact. For example, if the quick release mechanism cannot withstand the impact and the side protection module detaches from the handlebar, the side protection module will not fly away but will instead hang from the handlebar or seat due to the cable connection device. In the present example, the cable connection device 208 can be best shown in FIG. 8 as having a cable 208A connected at one end to the side protection module 206 and at the other end to the handlebar 212. FIGS. 7A-7E

[0321] Typically, the assembly can further include a strut having a distal end with a wheel and a proximal opposite end connected to the seat at a strut attachment area thereof. The strut attachment area can constitute a portion of the upper seat or the lower support and be positioned on the left and right sides of the seat. The strut can constitute a pair of front struts and a pair of rear struts and at least one of these pairs can be connected to the seat at the strut attachment area. In a side view of the assembly, the strut attachment area can at least partially overlap the handlebar attachment area and optionally the side protection module when installed to the handlebar. For example, a transverse axis parallel to the pivot axis of the handlebar passes through at least a portion of the handlebar attachment area and at least a portion of the strut attachment area and optionally at least a portion of the side protection module when installed to the handlebar.

[0322] This overlap of the handlebar attachment area and the strut attachment area provides a thick layer of material at the area where the side protection module is to be installed, thereby providing enhanced protection from side impacts. It should be appreciated that the attachment of the strut and the handlebar at one area and the independent pivotability of both the strut and the handlebar makes this area bulky and structurally complex with a thick layer of material (thick in the transverse direction). Furthermore, the installation of the side protection module at the portion of the handlebar that is connected at the handlebar attachment area makes this area even bulkier and with a thicker layer of material, thereby increasing the energy absorption capacity of this area in the event of a side impact.

[0323] In addition to the side protection module 206, the wheels can constitute additional side protection modules. For example, when the struts are in their storage state, the wheels are positioned on the lateral sides of the seat, thereby allowing at least one of the rear wheels and the front wheels to constitute additional side protection modules on both lateral sides of the seat.

[0324] ​In the present embodiment, the struts 270 have distal ends 271 with wheels 286 and proximal ends 272 connected at the strut attachment areas 242 (which can be seen best in FIGS. 7C-7E Fig. 6), only one of which can be seen in FIGS. 7A-7E Fig. 5. In a side view of the assembly (Fig. 4), FIG. 8A the strut attachment areas 242 overlap the handle attachment areas 205. In other words, in a side view of the assembly, one of the strut attachment areas 242 and the handle attachment areas 205 at least partially obstructs the view of the other of the strut attachment areas 242 and the handle attachment areas 205.

[0325] In the present example, in the stored state of the struts (Fig. 5), FIG. 8B the front wheels 286A of the front struts 270A protrude laterally from the seat 202 to a greater extent than the rear wheels 286B of the rear struts 270B on the same side of the seat 202 and constitute an additional side protection module. In some examples, the rear wheels can protrude laterally from the seat to a greater extent than the front wheels on the same side of the seat and constitute an additional side protection module.

[0326] Pivoting of the struts between the operative state and the stored state has been described above with respect to the struts 70 of the assembly 10, and the description thereof applies to the struts 270 as well. For example, the struts 270 pivot rearwardly toward the backrest portion 252 of the seat in a manner similar to the struts 70 for maneuvering from the operative state to the stored state such that in the stored state the distal ends 271 are positioned closer to the backrest portion 252 than to the foot portion 254 of the seat 202.

[0327] The convertible infant car safety seat assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter can include a zipper arrangement that enables both the fabric cover and the canopy to be independently zipped to the backrest portion thereof. In fact, the zipper arrangement can be used with any infant seat having a detachably connected fabric cover and canopy, and thus the following description should be considered applicable to any such seat having a backrest portion that includes an outer shell made of plastic and having an outer side and an inner side to which the fabric cover can be applied so as to at least partially cover the inner side of the outer shell. The plastic outer shell of the seat can include a back wall and two side walls, each of the three walls having a respective inner surface and outer surface that merge at a respective upper edge. The respective upper edges of the back wall and side walls merge together to form a continuous upper edge of the outer shell. In other words, the continuous upper edge of the outer shell is defined by the upper edges of the respective back wall and side walls.

[0328] The zipper arrangement can include two zippers, each of which is a separate zipper type. The zipper arrangement can include a cover zipper and a top cover zipper, each having a shell zipper half sewn to the shell, for example along and adjacent to at least a portion of the shell upper edge, and a mating zipper half, the mating zipper half of the cover zipper being sewn to the fabric cover and the mating zipper half of the top cover zipper being sewn to the top cover. In this way, both the fabric cover and the top cover can be zipped to the respective shell zippers in the shell zippers using their zipper components.

[0329] Each of the two halves of each of the top cover zipper and the cover zipper has a toothed portion with zipper teeth and a base portion without such teeth, the base portion being used to sew the zipper half to the shell or to the cover / top cover while keeping the toothed portion flappable. The shell zipper half of each of the cover zipper and the top cover zipper is sewn to the shell at its base portion by at least one sewing seam. This allows the toothed portions of the shell halves of the cover zipper and the top cover zipper to be flappable independently of each other so that they can be spaced apart when the cover and the top cover are connected.

[0330] The base portion of the shell zipper half of the top cover zipper can be at least partially located between the shell outer surface and the base portion of the cover zipper, for example. Optionally, the shell zipper halves of both zippers can be sewn together to the shell, i.e. together by at least one common sewing seam.

[0331] The teeth of the toothed portions of the shell halves of both zippers can be spaced from the shell upper edge by about the same or different distances. In the latter case, the teeth of the shell zipper half of the cover zipper can be spaced from the shell upper edge to a greater distance than the teeth of the top cover zipper. In any case, the toothed portions of the shell halves of both zippers can generally be parallel to each other and to the shell upper edge.

[0332] In some cases, both zippers can be configured to fasten in opposite directions, for example the top cover zipper configured to fasten from a first side wall of the shell towards a second side wall of the shell, and the cover zipper can be configured to fasten from the second side wall of the shell towards the first side wall. Such an arrangement, in which each zipper fastens from a different direction, can facilitate use, for example when connecting or removing the top cover or the cover.

[0333] In some cases, the zippers are of different lengths. The top cover zipper can extend to a shorter length than the cover zipper, with the cover zipper extending further along both side walls of the shell. Optionally, the top cover zipper at least partially overlaps the fastened cover zipper when fastened, so that only the top cover zipper is visible from the outside of the seat when the top cover is connected to the seat. The cover zipper is inaccessible at least along a portion of its length when the top cover is connected. This can reduce the likelihood of unwanted removal of the cover from the seat, and can prevent removal of the cover before the top cover has been removed.

[0334] The cover zipper can be located on the back of the seat without extending further (e.g., the cover zipper does not extend to the foot area). This can provide potential manufacturing advantages because the cover zipper is sewn to the shell along a shorter distance than would be required for the zipper to also extend to the foot area.

[0335] Reference FIG. 9 , FIG. 9 and FIG. 9 In the illustrated example of seat assembly 210, upper seat 250 includes a backrest 252 having a plastic housing 255 to which a fabric cover 223 is removably applied. The plastic housing 255 of the backrest 252 generally includes three walls: a rear wall 213 and two opposing side walls 204A, 204B, which are integrally formed to define the generally continuous and contoured body of the housing 255. Each of the rear wall 213 and side walls 204 has a corresponding inner and outer surface that merge to define a continuous outer edge or upper edge 204', 213' of the corresponding wall 204A, 204B, 213. The upper edges 204', 213' of the corresponding walls 204A, 204B, 213 merge together to form a generally continuous outermost upper edge of the housing 255.

[0336] FIG. 9 A portion of a housing 255 is shown, through which a top cover 150 (not shown) and a fabric cover 223 can be independently zipped along the upper edge of the housing 255. The upper edge (not shown) extends along a first sidewall 204A to the top of a rear wall 213, and then extends downward along the opposite sidewall 204B. The zipper device 200 is sewn to the housing 255 such that it extends side-by-side and travels adjacent to its upper edge, or at least along its main portion.

[0337] In the illustrated example, a portion of the zipper assembly 200 is shown. A half 200A of the first zipper is configured to mate with a corresponding half of a first zipper (not shown) sewn to the top cover 150, and a half of the second zipper 200C is configured to mate with a corresponding half of the second zipper 200D sewn to the fabric cover 223. These two halves 200A and 200C of the zipper assembly 200 may be referred to as “outer shell zipper halves 200A and 200C” because they are sewn to the upper seat 250 and configured to provide zipper connections to the top cover 150 and the fabric cover 223, respectively.

[0338] The cover zipper is illustrated in a partially fastened condition, such that at the portion of the zipper configured above the puller 290 of the zipper, the halves 200C and 200D are pulled together with their teeth intermeshed. Below the puller, the two halves are separated from one another.

[0339] For the top cover zipper, only the outer shell half 200A of the zipper is shown, extending to a shorter distance than the cover zipper (e.g., a shorter distance along the side wall 204A). The puller 292 of the top cover zipper is shown at the beginning of the zipper teeth, with the initiator box 294 of the zipper at the beginning of the zipper teeth.

[0340] The zipper half 200A configured to mate with the top cover 150 can be stitched closest to the upper edge of the shell 255, such that the zipper half 200A extends along a length and path directly adjacent to and parallel to the upper edge of the shell 255.

[0341] The zipper half 200C configured to mate with the fabric cover 223 can be spaced inwardly from the shell zipper half 200A.

[0342] In the example construction of the zipper arrangement, the two halves of the first and second zippers stitched to the shell can themselves be stitched together. In FIG. 9 In the example construction of the zipper arrangement, the two halves of the first and second zippers stitched to the shell can themselves be stitched together. In

[0343] The lengths of the shell zipper halves can be different. For example, the shell zipper halves need not extend along the upper edge of the seat to the same extent. For example, the shell zipper half configured to mate with the cover zipper half can extend along the upper edge of the shell to a first extent, which can be a substantial or entire length of the upper edge. Meanwhile, the shell zipper half configured to mate with the top cover zipper half can extend along the upper edge of the shell to a second extent, where the first extent is greater than the second extent. In other words, the length of the zipper half configured to be zipped to the top cover can be shorter than the length of the zipper half configured to be zipped to the fabric seat cover. This difference in zipper length corresponds to the size and placement of the fabric cover and the top cover.

[0344] Referring again to FIG. 10The inner side of the upper seat 250 is configured to be substantially covered by the fabric cover 223 applied thereto. As such, the shell zipper half 200C sewn to the upper seat 250 and configured to be zipped to the fabric cover 223 is configured to extend substantially around the entire upper edge of the shell 255 such that the fabric cover 223 can be zipped along the entire length of the shell zipper half 200C to cover the inner side of the upper seat 250.

[0345] A canopy (not shown) 150 configured to provide sun and / or rain protection can be provided to extend generally outwardly from the upper region of the upper seat 250 such that it extends in the upper seat 250 and at least shields the head, if not at least a portion of the baby's body. As such, referring to FIG. 10 The shell zipper half 200A zipped to the canopy 150 begins slightly upwardly along the upper edge 204' of the sidewall 204 of the shell 255. By comparison, the shell zipper half 200C zipped to the fabric cover 223 begins substantially at the lowermost region of the upper edge 204' of the sidewall 204 of the shell 255. In other words, the shell zipper half 200A configured to be zipped to the canopy 150 extends along the upper edge 213' of the back wall 213 and downwardly along the respective upper edge 204' of each sidewall 204. At least, the shell zipper half 200A zipped to the canopy does not extend downwardly as much of the upper edge 204' of the sidewall 204 as the shell zipper half 200C configured to be zipped to the fabric cover 223. As such, the shell zipper half 200A configured to be zipped to the canopy 150 is sewn to the shell 255 such that it is directly adjacent the upper edge of the shell 255. Meanwhile, the shell zipper half 200C configured to be zipped to the fabric cover 223 is sewn to the shell zipper half 200A such that it is spaced inwardly along its length from the shell zipper half 200A, thus the zipper half 200C extends along a length that is directly adjacent and spaced inwardly from the shell zipper half 200A.

[0346] The cover zipper and the canopy zipper of the zipper arrangement are configured such that their fastening directions are opposite. In the example shown, the puller of the canopy zipper is configured to be pulled from the sidewall 204A toward the sidewall 204B (not shown in this figure) so that the canopy zipper is zipped to be closed; meanwhile, the puller of the cover zipper is configured to be pulled in the opposite direction from the sidewall 204B toward the sidewall 204A so that the cover zipper is zipped to be closed. As such, the start box of the canopy zipper is configured at the start of the canopy zipper teeth at the sidewall 204A; and the start box of the cover zipper is configured at the start of the cover zipper teeth at the sidewall 204B.

[0347] FIG. 10A zipper arrangement is also illustrated. The top cover zipper's housing zipper half 200A extends at least partially along the outermost upper edge of the housing 255. The cover zipper's housing zipper half 200C is parallel to and spaced inwardly from the housing zipper half 200A, and extends a longer distance along a sidewall (here, sidewall 204A).

[0348] The housing zipper halves 200A, 200C are stitched to the plastic housing 255. Each zipper half generally includes a flappable tooth portion 300 and a base (not visible) by which the zipper half is attached to the housing. In the present example, the base of each zipper half is attached to the housing by a stitching seam 302. FIG. 11 In the present example, the stitching seam 302 extends under the flappable portion of the zipper half and parallel to the outermost upper edge of the housing. (In the present example, the flappable portion of the housing zipper half 200A is partially folded around the stitching seam, such that the stitching seam is visible above and below the folded flappable portion.) Optionally, the bases of the housing zipper halves are tied together at least in part by a tie, such as a fabric tie. In some embodiments, the arrangement of the tied-together housing zipper halves and their tie is fitted within a designated recess, such as a stepped recess, formed along the housing proximate to its upper edge. In such a configuration, the tie can be aligned with the upper edge of the housing, such that it does not protrude above the outer surface of the housing. The tie, along with the housing zipper halves, can be attached to the housing by at least one common stitching seam. The advantage of placing the tie within a recess can also be that the stitching seam attaching the tie to the plastic housing is made through a relatively thin layer of plastic (defined by the stepped recess).

[0349] In the present example, the arrangement of the tied-together housing zipper halves and their tie is fitted within a designated stepped recess 308 formed in the plastic material of the housing 255, such that the arrangement does not protrude beyond the surface of the housing, defining a smooth outer profile. The recess 308 can extend along the length of the outermost upper edge of the housing. FIG. 11 In the present example, the arrangement of the tied-together housing zipper halves and their tie is fitted within a designated stepped recess 308 formed in the plastic material of the housing 255, such that the arrangement does not protrude beyond the surface of the housing, defining a smooth outer profile. The recess 308 can extend along the length of the outermost upper edge of the housing.

[0350] The arrangement of the tied-together housing zipper halves is fitted within a designated stepped recess 308 formed in the plastic material of the housing 255, such that the arrangement does not protrude beyond the surface of the housing, defining a smooth outer profile. The recess 308 can extend along the length of the outermost upper edge of the housing.

[0351] One or more stitching seams (not visible) attach the housing zipper halves to the housing 255. FIGS. 12A-12EThe device that binds the shell zipper halves together is stitched to the plastic material of the shell (not shown). The stepped recess 308 as shown includes a first wall 309 through which the zipper device (along with the binder) is stitched to the shell (e.g., via one or more stitching seams), and a second wall 311 that traverses the first wall, which defines a height that sets the depth of the recess relative to the exterior-facing back surface of the shell. The thickness of the binder that includes the shell zipper halves can be similar to or less than the depth defined by the recess, such that the binder does not protrude outward from the shell surface. Moreover, because the thickness of the shell decreases along the first wall of the recess, it can be facilitated to stitch the zipper device to the plastic material of the shell at this wall.

[0352] Returning to FIG. 1A In this example, the seam 302 is composed of two seams, where a first, interior seam holds the binder and base of the shell zipper halves together, and a second, exterior seam holds the device that binds the shell zipper halves together to the plastic material of the shell at the recess.

[0353] The convertible baby safety car seat assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter can be able to rock on an exterior support surface between a neutral position and at least one of a forward reclined position and a rearward reclined position when in the storage mode and positioned on the exterior support surface.

[0354] Generally, the assembly can have one or more lowermost regions that are operable to contact an exterior support surface in the neutral position, which can be a platform, the ground, a floor, or any other suitable surface that allows the assembly to be positioned and rocked thereon. The assembly can also have at least one of a forward region and a rearward region that are operable to contact the exterior support surface when the assembly is tilted into a respective one of the forward reclined position and the rearward reclined position as a result of its rocking. For example, the forward region and / or the rearward region can be positioned above the exterior support surface when the assembly is in the neutral position, and the forward region and / or the rearward region can contact the exterior support surface when the assembly is tilted (or, in other words, rocked) into its forward reclined position and / or rearward reclined position. The exterior support surface can generally be figuratively represented by a reference plane that includes the one or more lowermost regions of the assembly when the assembly is in the neutral position, and that includes the forward region and / or the rearward region when the assembly is in the respective tilted position.

[0355] In some cases, the one or more lowermost regions can comprise at least one of a seat lowermost region, i.e. a lowermost region of the lower support when the assembly is in the neutral position, and a first region of the strut of the assembly which can be a strut lowermost region (a lowermost region of the strut) when the assembly is in the neutral position. For example, one or both of the lowermost region of the lower support and the lowermost region of the strut can constitute the one or more lowermost regions of the assembly when the assembly is in the neutral position. In any case, the lowermost region of the support, i.e. the seat lowermost region, is closest to the reference plane in the neutral position, regardless of whether it coincides therewith. In other words, in cases where the one or more lowermost regions of the assembly do not comprise the seat lowermost region, the seat lowermost region is the region of the lower support which is positioned closest to the reference plane.

[0356] In some cases, the front region and / or the rear region of the assembly can be constituted by at least one second region of at least one pair of struts (of a pair of front struts and a pair of rear struts) which can be positioned above the external support surface in the neutral state, and which can be operable to contact the external support surface in the forward tilted position and / or the rearward tilted position, e.g. by means of a curved shape of the strut. For example, the second region(s) of the strut(s) can extend further in the forward and / or rearward direction than the respective front of the lower support and / or the rear of the lower support, thereby increasing the range of the rocking of the assembly as compared to a range of rocking in which only the lower support participates in the curved bottom of the rocking. The range of the rocking can be defined by the total area or total curved length of the assembly which will contact the external support surface when the assembly is rocked on the external support surface in a full cycle between the neutral position and the tilted position.

[0357] Thus, the second region(s) and the region(s) constituting the lowermost region(s) of the assembly together constitute a continuous curved shape, at least as seen in a side view of the assembly. For example, in cases where the seat lowermost region partly or entirely constitutes the lowermost region of the assembly, the seat lowermost region and the second region(s) of the strut constitute a continuous curved shape in a side view of the assembly.

[0358] In practice, the second region(s) of the strut can have a rocking participation portion on each of the second region(s). The rocking participation portion can be a portion of the strut which participates in the rocking of the assembly, or in other words, at least contacts that portion of the strut at some stage of the rocking of the external support surface.

[0359] The strut(s) having the second region(s) can also have at least one third region spaced apart from the first and second regions and constituting those regions of the strut that do not contact the external support surface at any stage of the rocking of the assembly over the external support surface. Indeed, the third region(s) that can not contact the external support surface at any stage of the rocking can comprise a majority of the strut. The rocking engagement portion(s) can be made of a material that improves at least one rocking quality of the second region(s) (or at least the rocking engagement portion(s)) compared to the rocking mass of the second region(s) (or at least the rocking engagement portion(s)) if the second region(s) (or at least the rocking engagement portion(s)) were made of the material of the third region(s). For example, the third region(s) can be made of a material that does not require improvement of any rocking quality at least because the third region(s) can not contact the external support surface at any stage of the rocking of the assembly. The rocking quality can generally be a characteristic that contributes to providing a smooth and comfortable experience for the infant positioned in the assembly.

[0360] In some cases, the rocking quality can be a higher frictional capacity, such that the rocking engagement portion constitutes a friction-increasing portion. The friction-increasing portion at the region that contacts the external support surface during the rocking provides a controlled rocking, for example, a speed, a degree (range) of rocking, and a prevention of unintentional sliding of the assembly over the external support surface, thereby providing a safe and comfortable rocking experience for the infant. The material from which the friction-increasing portion is made can have a higher frictional capacity than the material of at least one third region or of a region that remains not in contact with the external support surface during the rocking. It is understood here that, for the purposes of the present specification, a comparison between the frictional capacities of any two materials is considered to be made under all those conditions that can affect the frictional capacity, for example, for the same external support surface. For example, a higher frictional capacity of the material from which the friction-increasing portion is made than any other material means that the frictional capacity of the material from which the friction-increasing portion is made is higher than the other material when measured under the same conditions, physical characteristics, and environment, using the same external support surface. In other words, the material of the friction-increasing portion favors friction between the friction-increasing portion and the external support surface more than the friction that exists between the third region(s) (or other regions of the support that remain not in contact with the external support surface) and the external support surface.

[0361] In some cases, the rocking quality can be a softness, such that the rocking engagement portion constitutes a soft-contact portion. The soft-contact portion at the region that contacts the external support surface during the rocking provides a softer contact with the external support surface, thereby rocking more smoothly and controlled, for example, by damping the rocking as the assembly approaches its tilted position. It is understood here that the material from which the friction-increasing portion is made can improve the rocking quality described above, i.e., provide a friction-increasing portion that also serves as a soft-contact portion.

[0362] In fact, all regions, for example one or more lowermost regions, whether comprised by either or both of the lower support and the stand, can have a sway-engaging portion similar to the one described above in relation to the second region(s), and all the descriptions of the sway-engaging portion described above in relation to the second region(s) will apply to the sway-engaging portion of the one or more lowermost regions of the assembly. For example, the sway-engaging portion of the one or more lowermost regions of the assembly can be made of a material different from that of at least one other region of the assembly (which remains out of contact with the external support surface during the sway, and can comprise a substantial portion of at least one of the lower support and the stand), and can be such as to improve at least one sway quality of the sway-engaging portion that it would have if it were made of the material of which the other region is made. The sway quality is at least one of: higher frictional ability, such that the sway-engaging portion comprises a friction-increasing portion in the same manner as described above in relation to the second region(s); and softness, such that the sway-engaging portion comprises a soft-contact portion in the same manner as described above in relation to the second region. The material of the sway-engaging portion of the one or more lowermost regions can be the same as or different from that of the sway-engaging portion of the second region(s).

[0363] In some cases, the material of the regions that remain out of contact with the external support surface comprises: plastic, aluminum or any other metal / alloy, or any other material that is hard enough to provide strength to the assembly and light enough to be carried by a person. The material of the regions that are in contact with the external support surface (the sway-engaging portion) can comprise a softer material, for example rubber or any other material suitable for providing the sway qualities described above. In addition to the sway qualities, the material of the sway-engaging portion provides resistance / prevention of mechanical damage to the stand and / or the lower support, for example due to abrasion and tearing, and mechanical damage to the external support surface, for example when the external support surface comprises a mattress or a soft upper layer, and mechanical damage to the seat of a car when the assembly is positioned on the seat of the car.

[0364] During operation of the rocker component, i.e., when the component is positioned on the external support surface in its stored mode and in the neutral position, one or more of the lowest regions contact the external support surface (which coincides with a reference plane). When the component swings (tilts / bends) toward its tilted position, the initial one or more lowest regions (due to their curved shape) participate in the swing. Once the second region(s) contact the external support surface, and due to the curved shape of the strut, they allow the component to further tilt toward its tilted position, thus increasing the swing range compared to when only one or more lowest regions are involved. The wheel of the strut constitutes a limiter for constraining the swing of the component in the tilted position, thereby limiting the range and degree of swing. In some examples, the wheel is detachable from the strut, and in these examples, the distal end of the strut serves as a limiter. The diameter of the distal end can be smaller than the diameter of the wheel, so that the swing range can be further increased when the wheel is removed.

[0365] exist FIGS. 1B-1D In the example shown, the convertible baby safety car seat assembly 210 has been shown in its storage mode (similar to at least in...). FIGS. 12A-12D The mode of component 10 shown in the figure), and can have an operating mode (similar to at least in FIG. 12A The pattern of component 10 is shown in the diagram. Component 210 has a horizontal reference plane 234 (also referred to herein as a "datum plane", "reference plane" and "horizontal datum plane, all these terms are used interchangeably), which is in FIG. 12B The middle represents the external support surface 234, and it is able to be in a neutral position ( FIG. 12A and 12D (as shown) and the tilt position ( FIGS. 12A-12D and 12C (As shown) it oscillates on the outer support surface 234. The lower support 230 includes a curved bottom 233 having a lowermost region 232 of the seat, which in the illustrated example constitutes one or more lowermost regions of component 210. For example, as FIG. 12A and 12D As shown, in the neutral position, reference surface 234 includes the lowermost region 232 of the seat. The lower support 230 also includes a rear portion 238 and a front portion 239, with a curved bottom 233 extending between the rear portion 238 and the front portion 239 and at least partially facilitating the swaying of assembly 210.

[0366] The upper seat 250 includes a backrest portion 252 associated with the rear portion 238 of the lower support 230 and a front foot portion 254 associated with the front portion 239 of the lower support 230. An infant can sit in the upper seat 250 with his / her feet positioned towards the front foot portion 254 and rearward towards the backrest portion 252.

[0367] The assembly 210 further comprises a brace 270 having a distal end 271 with wheels 278 and a proximal end 272 pivotally articulated to the lower support 30, the wheels 278 being removably or fixedly connected to the brace 270. The brace 270 is maneuverable between a storage condition, associated at least with a storage mode of the assembly, in which at least a portion of each brace with wheels is located above the reference plane 234 (as shown in FIG. 12B the operating condition, associated at least with an operating mode of the assembly, in which at least said portion of each brace with wheels is located below the reference plane 234, so as to enable the rolling of the seat assembly by said wheels, for example in the manner described above with reference to the braces 70 of the assembly 10.

[0368] The braces 270 constitute a pair of front braces 270A and a pair of rear braces 270B, the front braces 270A having, in the illustrated example, a curved shape and participating in the rocking of the assembly as described below. It should be understood that, in some examples, rear braces can also be formed, in addition to or as an alternative to the front braces, to participate in the rocking.

[0369] In the present example, the front braces 270A have a first region 273, which is also a lowermost region 273 of the braces, which in the illustrated example also constitutes another of the one or more lowermost regions of the assembly. For example, as shown in FIG. 12E and 12D in the neutral position, the lowermost region 273 of the braces is positioned above and also coincides with the reference plane 234. In some examples, the first region can not constitute a lowermost region of the braces, or can constitute a lowermost region of the braces but can not constitute one or more lowermost regions of the assembly. For example, the first region can be located above and not coincident with the reference plane 234.

[0370] In the present example, the front braces 270A have a second region 275, which also constitutes a rear region 275 of the assembly 210 and thus participates in the rocking of the assembly. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13A-13F and 12C in the rear reclined position, the second region 275 coincides with the reference plane 234, i.e. is operable to contact the external support surface 234 when the assembly is positioned on the external support surface 234 and is in the rear reclined position. The second region 275 further extends in the rearward direction RD of the rear portion 238 of the lower support 230 and constitutes a continuous curved shape with one or more lowermost regions of the assembly (in the illustrated example, the first region 273 of the front braces 270A and the lowermost region 272 of the rear braces 270B). FIGS. 13A-13FThe lowermost region (best shown in FIG. 2B) comprises, in the illustrated example, a seat lowermost region 232 and a first region 273 of the front strut 270A in a side view of the assembly 210. In the illustrated example, a second region 275 is adjacent to the first region 273 and can even partially overlap therewith, as the first region 273 also participates in the assembly’s sway. In some examples, the first and second regions can be spaced apart.

[0371] In the present example, the front strut 270A has a third region 277 spaced apart from the first region 273 and the second region 275. It will be appreciated here that, although in the illustrated example the third region 277 is shown facing away from the reference plane 234, in some examples it can face the reference plane 234 and can be positioned at a portion of the strut that does not contact the external support surface during the sway, for example at or near a distal end of the strut that can not contact the external support surface due to the presence of the wheel. Indeed, any such region of the bracket can constitute a third region that does not contact the external support surface during the sway of the assembly.

[0372] The front strut 270A can be made of a first material, which can also be the material from which the third region 277 is made. Indeed, the third region 277 can constitute a majority of the front strut 270A. The second region 275 has a sway participating portion 275A made of a second material different from the first material. The second material improves at least one sway quality of the sway participating portion 275A compared to the sway participating portion 275A when made of the first material. For example, the second material can have a higher friction capacity and / or can be softer than the first material. Thus, the sway participating portion 275A can constitute a friction increasing portion and / or a soft contact portion.

[0373] The lower support 230 includes another region 240 that is spaced apart from the seat lowermost region 232. It will be appreciated here that, although in the illustrated example the other region 240 is shown as not facing the reference surface 234, in some examples it can face the reference surface 234 and can be positioned at a portion of the lower support that does not contact the external support surface during the rocking, for example at the curved bottom 233, at a portion that can not contact the external support surface, for example, due to the seat lowermost region 232 being formed to protrude towards the reference surface relative to other portions of the curved bottom 233. Such other portions of the curved bottom can constitute the other region. The other region 240 can be considered together with the third region 277 at least because both of these regions represent those regions of the strut and lower support that will remain out of contact with the external support surface during the rocking of the assembly on the external support surface. Thus, the other region 240 can constitute a majority of the strut 270A and lower support 240.

[0374] The lower support 230 can be made of a third material, which can also be the material from which the other region 240 is made. The seat lowermost region 232 has a rocking participation portion 232A that is made of a fourth material that is different from the third material. The fourth material such as improves at least one rocking quality of the rocking participation portion 232A compared to the rocking quality that the rocking participation portion 232A would have if it were made of the third material. For example, the fourth material can have a higher frictional capacity and / or can be softer than the third material. Thus, the rocking participation portion 232A can constitute a friction-increasing portion and / or a soft-contact portion.

[0375] In the present example, since the first region 273 of the front strut 270A also constitutes one or more lowermost regions of the assembly 210 and participates in the rocking thereof, the first region also has a rocking participation portion 273A that is made of a fifth material that is different from the first material and the third material. The fifth material such as improves at least one rocking quality of the rocking participation portion 273A compared to the rocking quality that the rocking participation portion 273A would have if it were made of the first material or the third material. For example, the fifth material can have a higher frictional capacity and / or can be softer than the first material and the third material. Thus, the rocking participation portion 273A can constitute a friction-increasing portion and / or a soft-contact portion.

[0376] It should be appreciated herein that the first material and the third material can be the same or different, and can comprise plastic, aluminum, or any other metal / alloy or any other material that is sufficiently hard to provide strength to the assembly and sufficiently light to be carried by a person. The second material, the fourth material and the fifth material can be the same or different, and can comprise a softer material such as rubber or any other material suitable to provide the above-mentioned swing mass. Indeed, in the present example, the swing- engaging portion 273A of the first region 273 and the swing- engaging portion 275A of the second region are continuously formed on the face of the front strut 270A facing the reference face 234.

[0377] In the present example, the swing- engaging portions have been shown in the form of pads attached to the respective components (struts and lower support). It should be appreciated herein that some or all of the swing- engaging portions can be formed within the respective components, rather than in the form of pads attached to the respective components. For example, the lower support and / or the struts can comprise recesses to receive the swing- engaging portions therein. In some examples, some or all of the swing- engaging portions can be integrally formed with the respective components. In some examples, some or all of the swing- engaging portions can be integrally formed with the respective components.

[0378] During operation of the assembly 210 as a rocker, i.e. when the assembly 210 is positioned on an external support surface in its storage mode and in the neutral position, the lowermost region 232 of the curved bottom 233 of the lower support 230 and the first region 273 contact the external support surface (which coincides with the reference face 234). When the assembly 210 is swung (tilted / tilted up) towards its rear tilted-up position, initially the curved bottom 233 (due to its curved shape) and the first region 273 engage in the swing. Once the rear portion 238 of the lower support 230 comes into contact with the external support surface, while the second region 275 (which extends further rearward than the rear portion 238 and is curved) is in contact with the external support surface, and due to the curved shape of the front strut 270A, the assembly 210 is allowed to tilt-up further towards its rear tilted-up position, thereby increasing the range of swing compared to a swing range in which only the lower support is engaged. The wheel 286A of the front strut 270A constitutes a stopper for constraining the swing of the assembly in the rear tilted-up position, thereby limiting the range and extent of the swing. In some embodiments (as shown), the wheel 286A can be detachable from the strut, and in these examples, the distal end 271 will serve as a stopper. The diameter of the distal end 271 is smaller than the diameter of the wheel 286A, so when the wheel is detached, the range of swing is further increased. FIGS. 13A-13E

[0379] ​Convertible infant safety car seat assemblies according to the currently disclosed subject matter may include one or more wheels connected to a corresponding support rod via a quick-release mechanism. For example, these wheels may be detachable from the assembly when it is used in its car seat installation or storage mode. The wheels are detachable to prevent dirt / damage / injury from the wheels to a child sitting near the seat assembly or the car seat itself when the assembly is positioned in a vehicle.

[0380] exist FIG. 13C In the example shown, the convertible infant car seat assembly 210 includes: a lower support 230 having a rear portion 238 and a front portion 239, and a horizontal reference surface 234 passing through the lowermost region 232 of the lower support 230 (also referred to herein as the lowermost seat region 232). An upper seat 250 is connected to the lower support 230 such that the backrest portion 252 of the upper seat 250 is connected to the rear portion 238 of the lower support 230 and the foot portion 254 of the upper seat 250 is connected to the front portion 239 of the lower support 230.

[0381] Component 10 also includes support rods 270 with wheels 286, which are capable of... FIG. 13C The manipulation between the storage state and the operating state is shown. It should be understood here that the support rod 270 may include some or all of the features of the support rod 70 described above with respect to component 10, and at least the description of the operation of the support rod 70 between the storage state and the operating state also applies to the support rod 270, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. For example, in the storage state of the support rod 270, the wheel 286 is positioned above the reference surface 234, and the component 210 is adapted to be positioned inside a vehicle or on a support surface in a position suitable for securing a child therein; and in the operating state of the support rod 270, the wheel 286 may be positioned below the reference surface 234, thereby allowing the seat component 210 to roll via the wheel 286.

[0382] The legs 270 constitute a pair of front legs 270A with front wheels 286A and a pair of rear legs 270B with rear wheels 286B. Typically, at least one of the pair of front legs 270A and the pair of rear legs 270B of the legs 270 can be pivotable rearward toward the backrest portion 252 in a manner similar to the legs 70 so as to be maneuvered from the operating state to the storage state, whereby in the storage state the wheels 286 are positioned closer to the backrest portion 252 than to the foot portion 254. In the present example, both the pair of front legs 270A and the pair of rear legs 270B can be pivotable rearward toward the backrest portion 252 so as to be maneuvered from the operating state to the storage state, whereby in the storage state the wheels 286 are positioned closer to the backrest portion 252 than to the foot portion 254. In some examples, only the pair of front legs 270A can be pivotable rearward and in the storage state the front wheels 286A are positioned closer to the backrest portion 252 than to the foot portion 254.

[0383] In the present example, as seen in ​ the storage of the legs 270, the front wheels 286A protrude laterally (in the transverse direction shown by arrow LT) to a greater extent relative to the lower support 230 than the rear wheels 286B in the rear view of the assembly 210 ​ In the present example, the front wheels 286A are connected to the front legs 270A by quick release mechanisms. In some examples, the rear wheels 286B can also be connected to the rear legs 270B by quick release mechanisms of any suitable structure to allow connection and disconnection of the rear wheels while allowing the wheels to roll when connected.

[0384] Typically, the front wheels 286A can be connected to the front legs 270A by quick release mechanisms that allow removal of the wheels in a wheel removal direction that is laterally extending relative to the lower support 230 (e.g. parallel to the transverse direction shown by arrow LT). Removal of the wheels in the lateral direction allows a person sitting in a car adjacent to the assembly to remove the wheels after positioning the assembly in the car.

[0385] Each front wheel can be detachably connected to its respective stilt in the same way, however, for the sake of brevity, only one front wheel is described here. The front wheel 286A can comprise a stilt connection element which will extend along a wheel removal direction when the wheel is connected to the respective stilt, and the respective front stilt 270A can comprise a wheel connection element which extends along the wheel removal direction. The stilt connection element and the wheel connection element can constitute a quick release mechanism, and can have any suitable structure to allow detachable connection to each other, allowing the wheel to rotate with respect to the stilt connection element around a wheel rotation axis parallel to the wheel removal direction. For example, the stilt connection element and the wheel connection element can constitute a pair of an elongated recess and an elongated protrusion, one of which can be on the wheel and the other of which can be on the stilt. In some examples, the stilt connection element and the wheel connection element can constitute two parts of a mechanical, electrical or magnetic connection device which are detachably connected to each other, allowing rotation of the wheel with respect to the stilt.

[0386] The quick release mechanism comprises a release actuator for actuating release of the stilt connection element from the wheel connection element. For example, the release actuator can be in the form of a button or lever (mechanical or electronic / electrical) which can be actuated by the user to remove the wheel. The release actuator can be positioned at any location at the stilt or the wheel which is suitable for the user to access the release actuator and is sufficiently hidden to prevent inadvertent actuation of release of the wheel.

[0387] In the present example, the front wheel 286A has a stilt connection element 287 in the form of an elongated protrusion which extends parallel to the wheel removal direction WR when the front wheel 286A is connected to the stilt 270A. The front stilt 270A comprises an elongated wheel connection element 288 in the form of an elongated recess which extends parallel to the wheel removal direction. The protrusion 287 and the recess 288 constitute a quick release mechanism which allows rotation of the wheel around a wheel rotation axis WA. To connect the front wheel 286A to the front stilt 270A, the protrusion 287 is inserted into the recess 288, which locks the protrusion 287 in the recess 288, thereby securely connecting the wheel 286A to the stilt 270A and allowing rotation of the front wheel 286A with respect to the front stilt 270A.

[0388] The quick release mechanism comprises a release actuator 289 in the form of a button which is positioned in the front stilt 270A. To detach the wheel 286A from the stilt 270A, the button 289 is pressed, which actuates release of the wheel 286A by releasing the protrusion 287 from the recess 288, and the wheel 286A can then be removed in the wheel removal direction WR.

[0389] Typically, the wheel 286 comprises a rolling area configured to be in contact with a support surface when the assembly 210 rolls thereon by means of the wheel 286, and a remaining area configured not to be in contact with the support surface when the assembly rolls thereon. The wheel 286 can comprise a wheel holding portion located at the remaining area and adapted to be held by the user at least for removing the wheel 286 from the respective strut 270. The remaining area can be at or close to the center of the wheel, and the wheel holding portion can be constituted by a center disc or a portion thereof. The wheel holding portion allows the user to hold the wheel, for example for removing the wheel from the strut without touching the dirty rolling area of the wheel.

[0390] In the present example, the front wheel 286A comprises a rolling area 293 and a remaining area 295 having a wheel holding portion 295A adapted to be held by the user at least for removing the wheel 286A from the respective front strut 270A.

Claims

1. A convertible infant safety car seat assembly, comprising: A lower support member having a front portion, a rear portion, and a reference surface that extends horizontally through the lowest region of the lower support member; An upper seat, which is connected to the lower support and has a backrest portion associated with the rear of the lower support and a foot portion associated with the front of the lower support; A support rod with wheels is operable between a stored state and an operating state, in which at least the wheels are above a reference surface and the assembly is adapted to be positioned within a vehicle or on a support surface in a position suitable for securing a child therein; in the operating state, at least the wheels are below the reference surface so that the seat assembly can roll by the wheels; the support rod constitutes a pair of rear support rods associated with the rear wheels and a pair of front support rods associated with the front wheels, the front wheels projecting laterally from the lower support member in the stored state of the front wheels to a greater extent than the rear wheels, at least in the rear view of the assembly; the front support rods are pivotable for operable from the operating state to the stored state, such that in the stored state, the front wheels are positioned closer to the backrest portion than the feet; Wherein, at least the front wheel is connected to the front strut via a quick-release mechanism and is removable from the front strut in a wheel removal direction that extends laterally relative to the lower support member; Each of the front wheels includes a strut connecting element extending along the wheel removal direction when the front wheel is connected to a corresponding front strut, and each of the front struts includes a wheel connecting element extending along the wheel removal direction. The strut connecting element and the wheel connecting element are detachably connectable to each other, thereby allowing the wheel to rotate together with the strut connecting element about a wheel rotation axis parallel to the wheel removal direction relative to the wheel connecting element; the strut connecting element and the wheel connecting element at least partially constitute the quick-release mechanism.

2. The component according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the front wheels includes: a rolling area configured to contact the support surface as the component rolls on the support surface via the wheel; and a remaining area configured not to contact the support surface as the component rolls on the support surface, each of the front wheels including a wheel retaining portion positioned in the remaining area, the wheel retaining portion being adapted to be held by a user for at least the purpose of removing the front wheel from the corresponding front strut.

3. The component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The quick-release mechanism further includes a release actuator for actuating the bracket connecting element to release from the wheel connecting element.

4. The component according to claim 3, wherein, The release actuator is positioned at one of the front wheel and the corresponding front strut.

5. The component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, Each of the front wheels includes: a rolling area configured to contact the support surface when the component rolls on the support surface by means of the wheel; and a remaining area configured not to contact the support surface when the component rolls on the support surface, each of the front wheels including a wheel retaining portion positioned in the remaining area, the wheel retaining portion being adapted to be held by the user for at least the purpose of removing the wheel from the corresponding front strut.

6. The component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The rear wheel is connected to the rear strut via a quick-release mechanism.

Images