Booster cushion for use with a vehicle seat

Abstract

A vehicle booster cushion has a base 2 for a child to sit, the base having telescopically extendable / retractable sections 4,6,8 relatively moveable between an extended configuration for use and a coll

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to booster cushion for use with a vehicle seat to enable a child to be safely restrained by an existing seat belt associated with said vehicle seat. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Legislation in the UK requires children over three years old and under 12 years old or under 135 cm tall to use a booster seat or booster cushion when travelling in the front or rear of a car or van. Booster seats and cushions typically comprise a rigid polystyrene or plastic moulded base upon which a child can sit to raise the child to a position wherein the existing car seat belt is positioned correctly on the child's body. The base is normally provided with projecting side members extending upwardly and forwardly from the rear of the base on either side of the base around which at least the lap portion of the seat belt may be guided to retain the booster seat in place and to ensure that the lap portion of the seat belt rests across the pelvic region of the child and not across the child's stomach where it may cause injury. Booster seats and booster cushions are often categorised by their use and are referred to by groups, namely: - Group 2: for children weighing 15-25 kgs (33 - 55 lbs) roughly 4 to 6 years; Group 3: for children weighing 22 - 36 kgs (48 - 79 lbs) roughly from 6-11 years. Many booster seats and cushions are designed for children between 15kg and 36kg (33 - 79 lbs), covering both Group 2 and Group 3. Booster cushions comprise a base cushion for the child to sit upon. Booster seats have an additional backrest attached to the base, typically provided with an upper seat belt guide to hold the upper portion of the seat belt in the correct position across the child's shoulder. Some booster seats are designed to be converted into a booster cushion by detaching the backrest. Booster seats and booster cushions do not have an integral harness to hold the child in place and rely on the vehicle seat's existing three point seat belt or lap belt to restrain the child. The purpose of the booster seat or cushion is to ensure that the seat belt fits correctly such that the lap belt or lap belt portion of the seat belt extends over the pelvic region of the child, not the stomach, and such that the diagonal portion of a three point seat belt rests over the shoulder of the child, not the neck A problem with existing booster cushions and seats is that, due to the rigid nature of the base of the cushion, they are bulky and awkward to carry While inflatable booster cushions are available which can be deflated to reduce the size of the cushion when not in use (e.g. WO 2010 / 112175), the inherent flexibility of the inflatable cushion means that an inflatable booster cushion may not meet the latest safety standards in all markets. The present invention provided an improved booster cushion that provides the advantages of a rigid booster cushion with the portability of an inflatable cushion. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a booster cushion for use in a vehicle, said booster cushion comprising a base upon which the child may sit, the base being formed from a plurality of telescopically extendable and retractable sections adapted to be moveable with respect to one another between an extended configuration when the booster cushion is in use and a collapsed configuration to reduce the overall size of the booster cushion when not in use. The booster cushion preferably has a front face and a rear side, an upper surface and a lower surface, said telescopically extendable and retractable sections being moveable with respect to one another between said extended configuration and said retracted configuration to reduce the distance between said front and rear faces. Preferably each section of the base is formed from a substantially rigid material, such as moulded plastic. Reinforcing ribs may be provided on one or more inner faces of each section, in particular on an inner face of an upper wall thereof. In one embodiment said plurality of telescopically extendable and retractable sections of the base may comprise an outer section and an inner section, the inner section being telescopically receivable within the outer section when the base of the booster cushion is in its collapsed configuration, the inner part extending from the outer section when the base of the booster cushion is in its extended configuration. The base may further comprise one or more intermediate sections, wherein said one or more intermediate sections are telescopically receivable within said outer section, said inner section being telescopically receivable within said one or more intermediate sections, when the base of the booster cushion in its collapsed configuration, and wherein said one or more intermediate sections extend from the outer section, said inner section extending from the one or more intermediate sections, when the base of the booster cushion is in its extended configuration. The outer section may define a front portion of the booster cushion and the inner section may define a rear portion of the booster cushion. Alternatively the outer section may comprise a rear portion of the booster cushion and the inner section may comprise a front portion of the booster cushion. Preferably the inner section is completely contained within the outer section when the base of the booster cushion is in its collapsed configuration. In one embodiment one or more telescopically extendable tubes may be provide within the base, mounted to respective sections of the base to guide movement of said telescopically extendable and retractable sections. Where the base comprises an inner section and an outer section, the or each telescopically extendable tube may have a first end coupled to the outer section of the base and a second end coupled to the inner section of the base. Where the base includes one or more intermediate sections, said one or more intermediate sections may be slidingly coupled to the or each telescopically extended tube for guiding movement of said one or more intermediate sections. The or each telescopically extendable tube may comprise two or more telescopically extendable sections movable between extended and retracted configurations as the base of the booster cushion is moved between its extended and collapsed configurations. Preferably the or each telescopic tube comprises a number of sections corresponding to the number of sections forming the base of the booster cushion. Preferably the one or more telescopically extendable tubes incorporate a locking mechanism adapted to lock the tube in each of an extended and a retracted configuration to thereby lock the base of the booster cushion in either of its extended or collapsed configurations. Preferably the locking mechanism includes a actuator for releasing the locking mechanism of the tube. The actuator may be associated with a handle, preferably provided on a rear portion of the booster cushion. The one or more telescopically extendable tubes may incorporate biasing means adapted to bias the or each tube to its extended configuration. The biasing means may comprise a compression spring located within the or each telescopically extendable tube. A lower face of the outer section of the base may be provided with a non-slip coating, such as a rubberised coating, to inhibit sliding of the booster cushion on a vehicle seat upon which it is located. Preferably a fabric cover is provided over at least an upper portion of the base. At least an upper portion of the cover may be padded for comfort and to smooth over the upper surface of the booster cushion, particularly regions of an interface between respective upper faces of the sections of the base. Preferably seat belt receiving members are provided on either side of the base for receiving a lap belt portion of a seat belt. In one embodiment the seat belt receiving members are pivotally mounted on opposing sides of the base to be folded between upright operative positions and lowered folded positions, said seat belt receiving members lying flat against the sides of the base when in said folded positions so that they do not interfere with the telescopic movement of the section of the base to its collapsed configuration. Slot may be provided in side walls of each of said telescopically extendable and retractable sections of the base, other than an innermost sections, guide pins being provided on the side walls of each of said telescopically extendable and retractable sections of the base, other than an outermost sections, wherein said guide pins are received within respective slots to guide movement of said telescopically extendable and retractable sections of the base between said collapsed and extended configurations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A booster cushion in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a booster cushion in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in its extended configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the booster cushion of Figure 1 in its collapsed configuration; Figure 3 is a further perspective view of a booster of Figure 1 in its extended configuration; Figure 4 is a further perspective view of the booster cushion of Figure 1 in its collapsed configuration; Figure 5 is a perspective sectional view of the booster cushion of Figure 1 in its extended configuration; Figure 6 is a perspective sectional view of the booster cushion of Figure 1 in its collapsed configuration; Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the booster cushion of Figure 1 in its extended configuration; Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the booster cushion of Figure 1 in its collapsed configuration; Figure 9 is a side view of the booster cushion of Figure 1 in its extended configuration; Figure 10 is a side view of the booster cushion of Figure 1 in its collapsed configuration; and Figure 11 is a rear view of the booster cushion of Figure 1 in its collapsed configuration. As shown in the drawings, a collapsible booster cushion in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises a base 2 formed from a plurality telescopically extendable and retractable sections, each section formed from a substantially rigid material, such as moulded plastic, wherein the telescopically extendable and retractable sections forming the base 2 of the booster cushion are adapted to be extended and retracted with respect to one another between an extended configuration, when the booster cushion is in use, and a collapsed configuration, to reduce the length and hence the overall size of the booster cushion when not in use. The sections of the base 2 may incorporate strengthening ribs on inner faces thereof to allow the substantially hollow base 2 to bear the weight of a child, in use. In the embodiment shown in the drawings the base 2 comprises an outer section 4, an intermediate section 6 and an inner section 8, the outer section 4 defining a front portion of the base 2 of the booster cushion and the inner section 8 defining a rear portion of the base 2 of the booster cushion when the base is in its extended configuration. The inner section 8 is telescopically receivable within the intermediate section 6 and the intermediate section 6 is telescopically receivable within the outer section 4 when the base of the booster cushion is in its collapsed configuration, the intermediate 6 and inner sections 8 extending rearwardly from the outer section 4 when the base of the booster cushion is in its extended configuration. Preferably the inner and intermediate sections 8,6 are completely contained within the outer section 4 when the base 2 of the booster cushion is in its collapsed configuration. It is envisaged that the base 2 of the booster cushion may be formed from only two sections (i.e. an outer section and an inner section extendable from the outer section) or from four or more telescopic sections (comprising an outer section, inner section and two or more intermediate sections). Guide slots 10,12 are provided in side walls of each of the outer and intermediate sections 4,6 of the base 2, said guide slots 10,12 receiving respective outwardly extending guide pins 14,16 provided on and extending outwardly from side walls of the intermediate and inner sections 6,8 of the base 2, to assist in guiding movement of said telescopically extendable and retractable sections 4,6,8 of the base 2 between said collapsed and extended configurations and to add stability to the base 2. To further add stability to the base 2 and to guide telescopic movement of the outer, intermediate and inner sections 4,6,8 of the base 2 of the booster cushion, a pair of telescopically extendable guide tubes 18 are mounted within the base 2, the telescopically extendable tubes 18 extending parallel to one another and each having a first end coupled to the outer section 4 of the base 2 and a second end coupled to the inner section 8 of the base 2, the intermediate section 6 being slidingly coupled to the each tube 18. In an alternative embodiment, only one telescopically extendable tube may be provided within the base 2 or three or more guide tubes may be provided. In the embodiment shown, the telescopically extendable tubes 18 each comprise three telescopically extendable sections, one for each section 4,6,8 of the base 2 and each having a length substantially equal to that of the respective section of the base with which it is associated. However, it is envisaged that the or each tube 18 may comprise two, four or more sections, preferably corresponding to the total number of sections of the base. In a preferred embodiment the telescopically extendable tubes 18 incorporate a locking mechanism adapted to lock the tube in each of an extended and a retracted configuration to thereby lock the base of the booster cushion in either of its extended or collapsed configurations. As shown in the drawings, the locking mechanism includes a release button or switch 20 located on and operable from a rear wall of the base 2. In the embodiment shown, the switch is provided on a handle 21 extending from the rear wall of the base 2, the handle 21 being coupled to a rear end of each tube 18. The or each telescopically extendable tube 18 incorporates a biasing means (not shown), such as a compression spring located within the telescopically extendable tube 18, to bias the or each tube 18 to an extended position and thereby facilitate extension of the sections of the base 2 to bias the base 2 to its extended configuration. Seat belt receiving members 22 are provided on either side of the base 2 for receiving a lap belt portion of a seat belt. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the seat belt receiving member 22 are mounted on outer sides portions of the inner section 8 of the base via hinges 24, such that the seat belt receiving members 22 may be folded between upright operative positions, when the base 2 is in its extended configuration and lowered folded positions, the seat belt receiving members 22 laying flat against the sides of the base 2 when in said folded positions such that the seat belt receiving members are receivable within the intermediate section 6 when in their folded configuration and when the base is in its collapsed configuration. The seat belt receiving members 22 may be biased towards their upright operative positions. It is envisaged that the seat belt receiving member 22 may be mounted on the sides of the intermediate section 6. A fabric cover (not shown) is provided covering at least an upper portion of the base 5 2. The cover may include a foam pad for comfort and to smooth the upper surface of the base when in its extended configuration. The cover may include openings in the sides thereof whereby the seat belt receiving members 22 may pass through the openings in the cover. The cover may have a ridge around the sides and back thereof to help keep a child sat thereon in the correct sitting position. 10 A lower face 28 of the outer section 4 of the base 2 may be provided with a non-slip surface finish, such as an overmoulded rubber covering, to inhibit the booster cushion from sliding when placed on a seat, in use. 15 The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A booster cushion for use in a vehicle, said booster cushion comprising a base upon which the child may sit, the base being formed from a plurality of telescopically extendable and retractable sections adapted to be moveable with respect to one another between an extended configuration when the booster cushion is in use and a collapsed configuration to reduce the overall size of the booster cushion when not in use.

2. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein each section of the base is formed from a substantially rigid material.

3. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said plurality of telescopically extendable and retractable sections of the base comprise an outer section and an inner section, the inner section being telescopically receivable within the outer section when the base of the booster cushion is in its collapsed configuration, the inner part extending from the outer section when the base of the booster cushion is in its extended configuration.

4. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 3, wherein the base further comprises one or more intermediate sections, wherein said one or more intermediate sections are telescopically receivable within said outer section, said inner section being telescopically receivable within said one or more intermediate sections, when the base of the booster cushion in its collapsed configuration, and wherein said one or more intermediate sections extend from the outer section, said inner section extending from the one or more intermediate sections, when the base of the booster cushion is in its extended configuration.

5. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said outer section defines a front portion of the booster cushion and the inner section defines a rear portion of the booster cushion.

6. A booster cushion as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the inner section is completely contained within the outer section when the base of the booster cushion is in its collapsed configuration.

7. A booster cushion as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more telescopically extendable tubes are provide within the base, mounted to respective sections of the base to guide movement of said telescopically extendable and retractable sections.

8. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 7, when dependent upon claim 3, wherein the or each telescopically extendable tube has a first end coupled to the outer section of the base and a second end coupled to the inner section of the base.

9. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 7, when dependent upon claim 4, wherein said one or more intermediate sections are slidingly coupled to the or each telescopically extended tube for guiding movement of said one or more intermediate sections.

10. A booster cushion as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein said the or each telescopically extendable tube comprises two or more telescopically extendable sections movable between extended and retracted configurations as the base of the booster cushion is moved between its extended and collapsed configurations.

11. A booster cushion as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein said the or each telescopically extendable tube incorporates or is associated with a locking mechanism adapted to lock the or each tube in each of an extended and a retracted configuration to thereby lock the base of the booster cushion in either of its extended or collapsed configurations.

12. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 11, wherein said locking mechanism includes an actuator for releasing the locking mechanism of the or each tube.

13. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 12, wherein said actuator is located at one end of the base such that it is operable from one of a front or a rear face of the base.

14. A booster cushion as claimed in any of claims 7 to 13, wherein the or each telescopically extendable tube incorporates biasing means adapted to bias the or each tube to its extended configuration.

15. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 14, wherein said biasing means comprises a compression spring located within the or each telescopically extendable tube.

16. A booster cushion as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a lower face of the outer section of the base is provided with a non-slip coating, such as a rubberised coating.

17. A booster cushion as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a fabric cover is provided over at least an upper portion of the base.

18. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least an upper portion of the cover is padded for comfort.

19. A booster cushion as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein seat belt receiving members are provided on either side of the base for receiving a lap belt portion of a seat belt.

20. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 19, wherein said seat belt receiving members are pivotally mounted on opposing sides of the base to be folded between upright operative positions and lowered folded positions, said seat belt receiving members lying flat against the sides of the base when in said folded positions so that they do not interfere with the telescopic movement of the section of the base to its collapsed configuration..

21. A booster cushion as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein slots are provided in side walls of each of said telescopically extendable and retractable sections of the base, other than an innermost sections, guide pins being provided on the side walls of each of said telescopically extendable and retractable sections5 of the base, other than an outermost sections, wherein said guide pins are received within respective slots to guide movement of said telescopically extendable and retractable sections of the base between said collapsed and extended configurations.

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