Infant car seat system

Abstract

To provide an infant car seat system.SOLUTION: An infant car seat system comprises: an infant car seat comprising a first seat shell rail and a second seat shell rail; and an anchor system that is coupled securely to the infant car seat, and attaches the infant car seat directly to a vehicle seat, without using an infant car seat detachable base. The anchor system comprises: a first infant car seat anchor mechanically engaged with a first vehicle anchor of the vehicle seat, the first vehicle anchor rotatably coupled to the infant car seat outside a space; and a second infant car seat anchor mechanically engaged with a second vehicle anchor of the vehicle seat, the second vehicle anchor rotatably coupled to the infant car seat outside the space. The first infant car seat anchor is arranged on an outer side of the first seat shell rail and the second infant car seat anchor is arranged on an outer side of the second seat shell rail.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 884,863, entitled "Infant Car Seat with Integrated Lower Anchors," filed August 9, 2019. This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 884,863, entitled "Infant Car Seat with Integrated Lower Anchors," filed August 9, 2019. This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 884,863, filed August 9, 2019. [Background technology]

[0002] Automobiles are a common form of transportation for many parents and child caregivers around the world. Occasionally, parents and caregivers may rely on other modes of transportation, such as buses, airplanes, and trains. These various modes of transportation are collectively referred to herein as "vehicles." Many conventional vehicles, particularly automobiles, include restraints (e.g., seat belts) designed to protect adults and / or children of a certain age (e.g., at least 9 years old) and / or size (e.g., at least 57 inches tall). However, for relatively young and / or small children, especially infants, various vehicle restraints generally do not provide adequate protection. In light of the above, to provide adequate protection for children while traveling, parents and caregivers often utilize child seats when transporting their children in vehicles.

[0003] Children typically experience significant physical development during the first five years of life, and as they grow, various types of child car seats are used to ensure that the child remains adequately restrained and protected while transported in a vehicle. More specifically, a given child car seat is generally selected and installed in a vehicle in a specific manner based on the child's size, weight, and / or age. Various government and regulatory agencies around the world recommend, specify, regulate, and / or require various types of child car seats based on these factors. One example of government guidance regarding child car seats includes the document "Child Passenger Safety" published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Centers for Injury Prevention and Control, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference (see www.cdc.gov / injury / features / child-passenger-safety / index.html). Another relevant example of government oversight regarding child car seats is provided by United Nations European Regional Standard ECE R44 / 04, "Uniform provisions concerning the approval of restraining devices for child occupants of power-driven vehicles," which is incorporated herein by reference. ECE R44 / 04 classifies child car seats into four groups (e.g., Group 0, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3) based in part on various characteristics of the child car seats.

[0004] An "infant car seat" is a type of child car seat specifically adapted for use with infants transported in vehicles (i.e., a "Group 0 or Group 0+" seat according to ECE R44 / 04). An "infant" generally refers to a child who has not yet learned to walk, typically corresponding to a child between 0 and approximately 12 months of age and / or weighing approximately 20-30 pounds (approximately 9-14 kg). FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional infant car seat system, including an infant car seat 10 and a removable vehicle-mounted base 20. While FIG. 1A shows these respective components detached, during use in a vehicle, the removable base 20 is first attached to the vehicle, and then the infant car seat 10 is mechanically engaged (e.g., clicked) to the removable base 20 via a locking mechanism (not visible in FIG. 1A) on the bottom of the car seat 10, locking the infant car seat 15A and 15B to the base 20. The conventional infant car seat system shown in FIG. 1A can also be combined with a stroller (not shown) to which the infant car seat mechanically engages, this combination being commonly referred to as a "travel system" to facilitate portable transport of the infant in the infant car seat 10 when it clicks into the stroller or into a removable base 20 attached to the vehicle.

[0005] The infant car seat 10 can be used more generally to carry and hold an infant beyond the confines of a vehicle or stroller. In particular, infant car seats used solely to secure and carry an infant in a home or other environment are commonly referred to as "infant carriers." The organization ASTM International has developed and provided a globally recognized international consensus standard governing infant carriers, namely, ASTM F2050-19, "Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Hand-Held Infant Carriers," which is incorporated herein by reference (see www.astm.org / Standards / F2050.htm). The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also has a consumer product safety standard for portable infant carriers, which incorporates ASTM F2050-19 by reference and is codified in U.S. law at 16 CFR § 1225. (See www.federalregister.gov / documents / 2020 / 05 / 20 / 2020-09166 / safety-standard-for-hand-held-infant-carriers.) 16 C.FR § 1225 is also incorporated herein by reference.

[0006] The conventional infant car seat 10 shown in FIG. 1A is distinguished from other types of child car seats in part by including various structural features to accommodate the smaller size and limited mobility of infants and to facilitate transport of the infant. First, the infant car seat 10 and removable base 20 must be attached to the vehicle so that the infant car seat faces the rear of the vehicle when clicked into the removable base. Second, the infant car seat 10 is designed to allow the infant to remain in the infant car seat when clicked into and / or removed from the vehicle-mounted removable base. To this end, unlike other types of car safety seats, the infant car seat 10 includes a carrying handle 12 to facilitate ease of carrying and handling for parents and / or caregivers transporting the infant. Third, unlike other types of child seats, the infant car seat 10 often includes a curved bottom 17 to provide a locking feature for comforting the infant when the infant car seat is not locked into the removable base 20 (or travel system stroller).

[0007] In general, infant car seats comfortably accommodate infants up to approximately 9–12 months of age, weighing approximately 20 pounds (approximately 9 kg), as infants become more active and heavier (and less convenient for parents / caregivers to transport in an infant car seat). Once a child outgrows the infant car seat, the vehicle's infant car seat system is typically replaced with a "convertible" car seat (i.e., a Group 0+ / 1 seat conforming to UN European Regional Standard ECE R44 / 04). In contrast to infant car seat systems, convertible car seats are larger in size and generally support both rearward- and forward-facing configurations to accommodate the child's physical development. Furthermore, unlike infant car seats, convertible car seats are not portable; they are stationary devices that remain in the vehicle. This means that the child is placed in and removed from the convertible car seat at the beginning and end of each vehicle journey. Because they are not intended to transport a child outside of a vehicle, traditional convertible car seats do not include carrying handles like those found on infant car seats, and similarly, convertible car seats do not include a curved rocker bottom for rocking an infant. Once a child outgrows the convertible car seat, the convertible car seat can be replaced with a larger seat (e.g., a Group 1 or Group 2 child car seat, which is a permanent fixture in the vehicle and is held in place using an adult seat belt) or eventually a booster seat (i.e., a Group 3 seat, which utilizes the vehicle's seat belt to restrain the child). A child can continue to use a booster seat until they are able to safely use the vehicle's seat and restraints without the aid of a booster seat.

[0008] Regarding vehicle installation, early versions of child car seats (some commonly introduced in the mid-1990s) utilized the vehicle's existing seat belt to secure the child car seat to the vehicle. To this end, various child car seats included a vehicle belt path through which the vehicle's existing seat belt could pass to hold the child car seat in the vehicle's seat. One type of conventional vehicle seat belt is a "lap belt" for pelvic restraint, while another type is a "shoulder belt" that restrains movement in the chest and shoulder areas (in the United States, shoulder belts are only used in conjunction with lap belts as a vehicle seat belt assembly). For purposes of this disclosure, both lap belts alone and in combination with shoulder belts are commonly referred to as "vehicle seat belts." A child car seat installed in a vehicle using one or more existing vehicle safety belts provides improved protection for the child (as opposed to directly securing the child to the vehicle using a vehicle safety belt). However, for early versions of child car seats, installation in various vehicles using existing vehicle seat belts lacked significant standardization at the time, due to the variety of vehicle seat belt configurations used in various makes and models of vehicles.

[0009] As a result, various guidelines for child car seats and their installation in vehicles were developed around the world in the late 1990s and early 2000s, improving standardization and, in some respects, providing alternatives to using existing vehicle seat belts. For example, ISOFIX is an international standard for child car seat attachment points using "lower vehicle anchors" on the edges of vehicle seats in passenger cars and is currently used in Europe. Effective September 1, 2002, a similar standardized anchoring system in the United States for lower vehicle anchors and other attachment points is called LATCH ("Child Lower Anchors and Tethers"), and another similar standardized anchoring system in Canada is called LUAS ("Lower Universal Anchor System") or CANFIX.

[0010] Additionally, safety regulations have been introduced in various jurisdictions around the world, defining various standards for vehicle safety, the use of child car seats and their installation in vehicles, and the types of loads child car seats must withstand in the unfortunate event of a crash or collision. In the United States, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) are federal regulations that specify the design, construction, performance, and durability requirements for motor vehicles, as well as the safety-related components, systems, and design features of regulated motor vehicles. FMVSS are developed and enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation and are codified in U.S. law at 49 C.F.R. § 571. FMVSS Standard Number 213 (FMVSS-213) specifies requirements for child restraint systems used in passenger cars, utility vehicles, trucks, buses, and other types of motor vehicles and aircraft. FMVSS-213 is codified in U.S. law at 49 C.F.R. § 571.213, which is incorporated herein by reference. As noted above, the European Union and related jurisdictions have established similar safety regulations in United Nations European Regional Standard ECE R44 / 04. Similarly, Canada has established similar regulations in CMVSS-213, "Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Seats Safety Regulations," which is incorporated herein by reference (see laws-lois.justice.gc.ca / eng / regulations / SOR-2010-90 / ). And Australia and New Zealand have established similar regulations in AS / NZS1754, "Safety Standard: Child Restraint Systems For Use In Motor Vehicles," which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0011] In addition to the aforementioned safety regulations to improve the standardization of child car seats and their installation, the United States has a National Child Passenger Safety (CPS) certification training program that certifies Americans as child car seat safety technicians and instructors and provides hands-on support to parents and caregivers for the proper use of child car seats and safety belts. The U.S. CPS certification program is widely considered the "gold standard" for child passenger safety certification. According to CPS, a child car seat must pass the "inch test" when properly installed in a vehicle. This means that a properly installed child car seat must not move more than one inch (approximately 2.5 cm) forward, backward, or side to side when pulled in the seat belt path. This rule applies to forward-facing child car seats and rear-facing child car seats, such as infant car seats, when the child car seat is secured to the vehicle seat using either the existing vehicle seat belt or a standardized anchor system, including under-vehicle anchors (e.g., LATCH).

[0012] Referring again to FIG. 1A , the removable vehicle-mounted base 20 of conventional infant car seat systems was introduced substantially in the 2000s as a design improvement resulting from the various global standardization and certification efforts and safety regulations discussed above. In particular, the removable vehicle-mounted base 20 is carefully and securely attached to a vehicle seat (using either the existing vehicle seat belt or a standardized anchor system employing under-vehicle anchors) and generally remains in the vehicle for extended periods of time (e.g., multiple journeys within the vehicle). Over the years since the introduction of the two-piece system of infant car seat 10 and removable base 20, the design of the infant car seat itself has remained essentially unchanged. However, the removable base 20 has evolved with continuous improvements to ensure safety and facilitate compliance with applicable standards and regulations. Notably, the inclusion of the removable base 20 in an infant car seat system enables the system to pass the CPS "inch test" (though conventional infant car seats attached alone using the existing vehicle seat belt do not pass this test).

[0013] Regarding installation of the removable base 20 using a standardized anchoring system using under-vehicle anchors, FIG. 1B shows that the removable base 20 includes seat anchors 32 for coupling the base 20 to respective under-vehicle anchors (not shown) within the seat edge of a vehicle seat. As shown in FIG. 1B, the seat anchors 32 are connected via tethers 38 to belts 34 permanently attached to the base 20. The belts 34 include belt tightening mechanisms 36 for securely positioning the base 20 relative to the vehicle seat. Once the base 20 is safely and securely installed in the vehicle, the infant car seat 10 with an infant inside can be locked to the base 20 before commencing a trip in the vehicle and released from the base 20 at the end of the trip to remove the infant from the vehicle.

[0014] Over the years, various types of mechanical connections have been introduced for the seat anchors 32 between the removable vehicle installation base 20 and the under-vehicle anchors. For example, FIG. 1C shows a belt-equipped anchor system 30a that can be used with the removable base 20, including a belt 34 and a belt tightening mechanism 36 connected to a pair of seat anchors 32a and 32b. In another example, FIG. 1D shows a rigid anchor system 30b in which the pair of seat anchors 32a and 32b are coupled together via a rigid cross member 38 that passes through the base 20. Similar to the belt-equipped anchor system, the rigid anchor system 30a is directly and permanently attached to the base 20. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0015] As described above, the combination of an infant car seat and a removable vehicle mounting base provides a parent and / or caregiver with a convenient method for safely transporting an infant in a vehicle, particularly when the vehicle is owned and / or operated by the parent and / or caregiver. In these situations, the parent and / or caregiver, or a certified CPS (Child Passenger Safety) technician counseling or working with the parent / caregiver, can carefully pay attention to the critical steps for proper installation of the removable vehicle mounting base in the parent / caregiver's vehicle (e.g., passing the CPS "inch test"), thereby ensuring the infant's safety during multiple-journey vehicle transport.

[0016] For parents and / or caregivers who do not own or otherwise cannot easily access and operate a vehicle themselves, for-hire transportation services may offer an alternative mode of transportation. Various traditional options for for-hire transportation services (also referred to in the related art as "for-hire transportation"), such as taxis and reservation-based car services, have been available for many years. However, taxis and traditional reservation-based car services have historically posed multiple challenges to parents and caregivers traveling with infants.

[0017] For example, older taxis may not even be equipped with standardized under-vehicle anchors and therefore must use the taxi's existing vehicle seat belt to attach the removable base of a conventional infant car seat system. Parents / caregivers may consider installing the infant car seat alone in the taxi without using the removable base or existing vehicle seat belt; however, doing so will result in a poorly installed (and therefore potentially unsafe) infant car seat that does not pass the CPS "inch test."

[0018] Even if the taxi is equipped with under-vehicle anchors, parents and / or caregivers face the inconvenience of hailing and / or waiting for a taxi while towing an infant in an infant car seat, a separate detachable base, and other travel baggage / luggage, potentially in a crowded taxi / cab stand with long lines and / or long wait periods, and / or navigating inclement weather. Once the taxi arrives, the parent / caregiver faces another immediate challenge: how to monitor the infant while installing the infant car seat system's detachable base. Presumably, the parent / caregiver will need to place the infant car seat with the infant somewhere and rush to install and adjust the detachable base in the back of the taxi, while also providing some form of adequate attention to the infant. A further frustration is the generally poor sanitation in some taxis, creating an environment that may further discourage parents and caregivers from using taxis as a means of transportation.

[0019] Traditional reservation-based car services also present their own particular challenges. For example, car service trips often need to be scheduled well in advance of the trip, which can be inconvenient for parents' or caregivers' schedules (e.g., given the many unpredictable and frequently changing needs of infants). Additionally, parents and / or caregivers may not be able to schedule trips with reservation-based car services due to service unavailability, especially during peak traffic hours. The cost of traditional reservation-based car services is also typically higher than taxis, which can be a financial obstacle in some cases.

[0020] Thus, various challenges associated with using taxis and / or traditional reservation-based car services have historically limited their use as alternative transportation for parents and / or caregivers traveling with infants. However, the inventors recognize and appreciate that the recent growth and popularity of ride-hailing and ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, offers parents and / or caregivers of infants new rental transportation options. For purposes of this disclosure, "ride-hailing" refers to the process of booking a trip in a vehicle and paying for the trip through an "app" operated on a mobile device and offered by a transportation network company (TNC), such as Uber or Lyft. While the term "ride-sharing" is similarly used to describe services offered by TNCs, more generally, the term can be used in a manner similar to "carpooling," in which a person shares a vehicle with one or more other individuals who are commuting (e.g., to work).

[0021] From a ride-hailing or ride-sharing perspective, these newer types of rental transportation services mitigate at least some of the past challenges associated with taxis and traditional reservation-based car services for parents and / or caregivers of infants. For example, ride-hailing or ride-sharing services typically offer parents and / or caregivers more flexible schedules by allowing them to schedule rides on demand and / or at short notice (e.g., schedule a ride when the infant is mobile and ready). In another example, ride-hailing or ride-sharing services generally allow parents and / or caregivers to wait with their infant in a protected and / or indoor environment (e.g., their home) until a driver arrives. This also allows parents and caregivers to avoid crowded locations with long lines and wait times. Additionally, as a general observation, vehicles used in ride-hailing or ride-sharing services tend to be cleaner and more comfortable for infants and their parents / caregivers than taxis.

[0022] In recognizing the potential benefits of ride-hailing and ride-sharing services for parents and / or caregivers traveling with infants, the inventors further recognized that conventional infant car seat systems that include a detachable vehicle mounting base are not particularly well-suited for for-hire transportation such as ride-hailing and ride-sharing services for a variety of reasons.

[0023] First, like taxis and traditional reservation-based car services, when using ride-hailing or ride-sharing services, parents and / or caregivers must carry both the infant car seat (with the infant in it) and the detachable base (along with any other luggage / baggage accompanying the trip with the infant), which can be significantly inconvenient given the bulk and weight of the detachable base (which may be as heavy as the infant car seat itself). Alternatively, parents / caregivers could consider not bringing the detachable base and simply attaching the infant car seat itself using the ride-hail / ride-share vehicle's existing vehicle seat belts. However, as noted above, doing so would result in an inferior, high-risk infant car seat installation that would not pass the CPS "inch test."

[0024] Second, properly installing a detachable base on a vehicle seat (e.g., to pass the "inch test") takes time and requires careful attention from the person performing the installation. However, once the ride-hailing or ride-sharing service vehicle arrives at the start of a journey, there may be little or no opportunity for the parent / caregiver to take the time necessary to quickly and safely install the infant car seat system's detachable base while simultaneously maintaining attention to the infant. If the parent / caregiver and infant are traveling alone, it may be virtually impossible for the parent / caregiver to properly monitor the infant and simultaneously install the detachable base on the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the parent / caregiver must install and then remove the detachable base for each ride-hailing / ride-sharing journey. [Means for solving the problem]

[0025] In light of the challenges of using rented transportation when traveling with an infant, the present disclosure relates to various inventive implementations of infant car seat systems specifically configured to secure an infant car seat directly to a vehicle seat without the use of a removable base or vehicle seat belt. In various embodiments described herein, the infant car seat systems of the present disclosure not only do not require a removable base or vehicle seat belt, but also do not require a top tether or load leg to achieve improved crash test performance and reduced injury standards. Instead of requiring a removable base, infant car seat systems according to the present disclosure include other useful features, individually and in various combinations, that help the infant's parent or caregiver: 1) easily and comfortably transport the infant to and from the vehicle without the bulk of a removable base; 2) quickly secure the infant car seat and infant to the vehicle with a tight fit directly to the vehicle seat at the beginning of a trip to ensure the infant's comfort and safety; and 3) quickly remove the infant and infant car seat from the vehicle at the end of the trip.

[0026] In an exemplary implementation, these objectives are facilitated in part by an anchor system that is coupled directly to the infant car seat and positioned to provide convenient access and attachment to under-vehicle anchors. In one aspect, the anchor system is specifically positioned at a mechanical restraint point based in part on the center of gravity of the infant car seat to significantly mitigate rearward rotation of the infant car seat away from the rear of the vehicle seat during a crash (and also significantly reduce other injury criteria).

[0027] To facilitate installation without a removable base, in another aspect, the infant car seat system includes an adjustment foot attached proximate the front of the infant car seat to reduce rotation of the rear of the infant car seat toward the back of the vehicle seat during installation. In this way, the adjustment foot helps the parent and / or caregiver position the infant car seat in the vehicle to maintain infant comfort and more easily align and engage the anchor system with the vehicle's lower anchors, while providing leverage against the vehicle seat's seat pan to facilitate a tight fit to the vehicle seat.

[0028] In other embodiments, the infant car seat also includes a carrying handle to facilitate easy portability and handling when loading and unloading the infant car seat into a vehicle, and a curved rocker bottom to provide a locking feature for infant comfort when the infant car seat is used outside of a vehicle. With respect to curved rocker bottoms, which can sometimes complicate fitting an infant car seat to various vehicle seat configurations, the adjustment feet described above are particularly useful for compensating for the curved profile of the rocker bottom to ensure a reliable, tight fit with the vehicle seat is achieved in accordance with Child Passenger Safety (CPS) guidelines (e.g., the infant car seat installation passes the CPS "inch test").

[0029] Among other advantages, in some implementations, a parent / caregiver can easily remove the infant and infant car seat from the vehicle at the end of a trip by using a single touch actuator to disconnect the anchor system from the vehicle seat. Additionally, one or more storage areas integrated into or on the infant car seat can conveniently store the anchor system when not in use to prevent damage or injury (and interference with a stroller if the infant car seat is used as part of a travel system) and provide a sleek design for the infant car seat.

[0030] Eliminating the detachable base from the infant car seat system makes transporting an infant in and out of a vehicle extremely convenient and expedient because parents / caregivers do not have to worry about the bulk, weight, and storage of the detachable base. The system design without a detachable base and with multiple features that support safety and convenience makes the system particularly well-suited for ride-hailing or ride-sharing situations where a caregiver needs to quickly get in and out of a ride-hailing / ride-sharing vehicle with an infant in an infant car seat (along with other traveling baggage / luggage) while at the same time ensuring the infant's comfort and safety.

[0031] The anchoring system of the infant car seat system of the present invention disclosed herein may generally include one or more connectors (also referred to as "anchors") having a mechanical design that conforms to various global standards for securing infant car seat systems to vehicle seats. As noted above, examples of such standards include, but are not limited to, Child Lower Anchors and Tethers (LATCH), ISOFIX, Lower Universal Anchor System (LUAS), and Universal Child Seat System (USCSS). In accordance with these various standards, the infant car seat anchoring system connectors include latching mechanisms that enable fast and secure connection to the respective vehicle lower anchors on the edge of the vehicle seat.

[0032] In some implementations, the anchor system of the infant car seat system of the present invention can be a rigid anchor system including a pair of connectors rigidly coupled to the infant car seat. In one aspect, the connectors of the rigid anchor system are rotatably and / or translationally adjustable relative to the infant car seat to facilitate secure connection to under-vehicle anchors at the edges of the vehicle seat. In another aspect, the rotation and / or translation of the connectors of the rigid anchor system also facilitates easy storage of the connectors when not in use.

[0033] In other implementations, the anchor system may be a belt-equipped anchor system including a pair of connectors coupled to the infant car seat via one or more belts. The belt-equipped anchor system may further include a belt tightening mechanism as well as a locking mechanism (e.g., a cam) to ensure that the infant car seat is easily and securely attached to the vehicle seat when the connectors mechanically engage with the under-vehicle anchors.

[0034] Regarding one or more integrated storage compartments for storing all or part of the anchor system, the storage compartments can be adjusted based on the type of anchor system (e.g., rigid anchor system or belt-equipped anchor system). For example, a rigid anchor system may include an adjustable cross member for transitioning between a storage position (e.g., the cross member is folded and the anchor system connector is rotated for storage) and an operational position (e.g., the cross member is extended and the anchor system connector is deployed for attachment to an under-vehicle anchor). The storage compartment of the rigid anchor system can be adjusted to store the connector within a connector cavity (e.g., defined by or within the seat shell rail of the infant car seat). In another example, the infant car seat may include various storage compartments on the interior and / or exterior of the infant car seat for storing the belt and / or connector of a belt-equipped anchor system.

[0035] The anchor system eliminates the need to secure an infant car seat to a vehicle seat using an existing vehicle seat belt, whether rigid or belted, without the use of a removable base. In doing so, the anchor system also mitigates passage of the restraint over the top of the infant (e.g., through the traditional vehicle belt path and across the infant's legs, knees, or top of the pelvis). Additionally, the anchor system helps ensure that an infant car seat installation without a removable base will pass the CPS "inch test" by providing a viable alternative to using a vehicle seat belt for installations without a removable base.

[0036] As briefly mentioned above and described in further detail below, the anchor system can be attached directly to each side of the seat shell of the infant car seat at one or more mechanical restraint points (e.g., one or more openings, slots, or notches in the seat shell). In exemplary implementations, the mechanical restraint points are specifically positioned based on the system center of gravity of the infant car seat and a representative infant (e.g., an Anthropomorphic Test Device, or ATD) to significantly improve crash test performance and reduce injury criteria. To this end, in some implementations, the mechanical restraint points of the anchor system are positioned on a plane defined by a first axis passing through the center of gravity and a second axis passing through each anchor point where the connectors of the anchor system engage with under-vehicle anchors on the edge of the vehicle seat. This specific positioning of the mechanical restraint points of the anchor system has been observed to not only reduce the magnitude of forces exerted on the infant's head and chest during a crash, but more specifically, to reduce the rotational displacement of the infant car seat back (relative to vertical) during a crash. In an exemplary implementation, the mechanical restraint points of the anchor system ensure that the rotational displacement of the infant car seat back during a crash is less than 70 degrees relative to vertical.

[0037] In summary, the infant car seat system of the present invention described herein offers several advantages that address the limitations of conventional infant car seat systems, particularly when used with ride-hailing or ride-sharing services. First, the infant car seat system can include an anchor system with connectors configured to quickly and securely attach the infant car seat to a vehicle seat, and adjustment feet to easily compensate for the infant car seat's curved rocker bottom and various types of vehicle seats and / or various seat pan angles, ensuring that the infant car seat is securely attached to the vehicle seat (e.g., to pass the CPS "inch test"). Second, the infant car seat system can include one or more release actuators, which provide a quick-disconnect mechanism for easily removing the infant car seat system from the vehicle. Third, a storage compartment can be integrated into the infant car seat, reducing the number of dangling and / or exposed components within the infant car seat system. Fourth, by attaching the infant car seat directly to the vehicle seat, the parent and / or caregiver can keep an eye on the infant in the infant car seat while installing and / or removing the infant car seat system from the vehicle. Fifth, by removing the detachable vehicle mounting base from the infant car seat system, the number of components that the parent and / or caregiver must carry and store while traveling with the infant is reduced.

[0038] While various features of the infant car seat systems disclosed herein may particularly facilitate use with ride-hailing or ride-sharing services in transporting infants, these systems are not limited to applicability solely to ride-hailing or ride-sharing services and / or rental transportation services. Of course, parents and caregivers can easily benefit from using the disclosed infant car seat systems in their own vehicles, thereby freeing up valuable space in the backseat of their vehicles that would otherwise be used by the removable vehicle mounting base of conventional infant car seat systems.

[0039] In summary, one implementation is an infant car seat system (100x) comprising an infant car seat (102) having a front (102A) and a rear (102B) for loading and unloading an infant into and safely transporting the infant within a vehicle (500) with the front of the infant car seat facing the rear of the vehicle, a first seat shell rail (106A) having a first curved rocker bottom (107A), a second seat shell rail (106B) having a second curved rocker bottom (107B), a carrying handle (112), and a carrying handle (114). an infant car seat (102) having a first carrying handle attachment mechanism (114A) for attaching the handle to the infant car seat and a second carrying handle attachment mechanism (114B) for attaching the carrying handle to the infant car seat; and an anchor coupled to the infant car seat to tightly fit and secure the infant car seat directly to the vehicle seat (50) of the vehicle without using a removable base (20) of the infant car seat, without using a vehicle seat belt, and requiring the front of the infant car seat to face the rear of the vehicle. a first infant car seat anchor (104A) mechanically coupled to a first portion of a first seat shell rail between a front of the infant car seat and a first carrying handle attachment mechanism, and mechanically engaging a first vehicle anchor (52A) of the vehicle seat; and a second infant car seat anchor (104B) mechanically coupled to a first portion of a second seat shell rail between a front of the infant car seat and a second carrying handle attachment mechanism, and mechanically engaging a second vehicle anchor (52B) of the vehicle seat. an anchoring system (104) comprising a seat anchor (104B); an adjustment foot (170) positioned adjacent a front of the infant car seat between the first seat shell rail and the second seat shell rail; at least one storage area (160) for storing the first infant car seat anchor and the second infant car seat anchor when the anchoring system is not being used to secure the infant car seat to a vehicle seat; and at least one actuator (180) coupled to the infant car seat and the anchoring system;and at least one actuator (180) that, through a single actuation of the at least one actuator, both releases the first infant car seat anchor from mechanical engagement with the first vehicle anchor and releases the second infant car seat anchor from mechanical engagement with the second vehicle anchor.

[0040] Another implementation is an infant car seat system (100), comprising an infant car seat (102) having a front (102A) and a rear (102B) for loading and unloading an infant into and safely transporting the infant within a vehicle (500) with the front of the infant car seat facing the rear of the vehicle, a center of gravity (330A), a carrying handle (112), a first carrying handle attachment mechanism (114A) for attaching the carrying handle to a first side of the infant car seat, and a second carrying handle attachment mechanism (114B) for attaching the carrying handle to a second side of the infant car seat. and a second carrying handle attachment mechanism (114B) for attaching the infant car seat (102) to the first restraint point (3). An anchoring system (104) coupled to the infant car seat for tightly fitting and securing the infant car seat directly to the vehicle seat (50) of the vehicle without using a removable base (20) of the infant car seat and without using a vehicle seat belt that spans the top of the infant when the infant is in the infant car seat for transport in the vehicle, with the front of the infant car seat facing the rear of the vehicle. a first infant car seat anchor (104A) coupled to the infant car seat at a second restraint point (322B) different from the first restraint point and mechanically engaging with a second vehicle anchor (52B) of the vehicle seat, the first restraint point and the second restraint point being configured to significantly reduce rearward rotation of the infant car seat away from a backrest (56) of the vehicle seat during a collision; and an adjustment foot (170) positioned proximate the front of the infant car seat to provide adjustable leverage against at least one of the vehicle seat back or seat pan (58) to facilitate a tight fit to the vehicle seat, the adjustment foot (170) being positioned proximate the front of the infant car seat to substantially reduce rearward rotation of the infant car seat toward the vehicle seat back during installation of the infant car seat in the vehicle.and an adjustable foot (170) including at least one of an adjustable telescoping mechanism or an adjustable rotation mechanism.

[0041] Another implementation is an infant car seat system comprising an infant car seat (102) having a front (102A) and a rear (102B) side, the infant car seat (102) comprising a first seat shell rail (106A) and a second seat shell rail (106B); an anchor system (104) coupled to the infant car seat to provide a tight fit and attach the infant car seat directly to a vehicle seat (50) without using a removable base (20) of the infant car seat, the anchor system (104) comprising a rigid cross member (104D) passing through the first seat shell rail and the second seat shell rail; and a first vehicle anchor (104E) of the vehicle seat. and an anchor system (104) comprising: a first infant car seat anchor (104A) attached to the rigid cross member for mechanical engagement with a vehicle anchor (52A) of the vehicle seat, the first anchor being rotatable about an axis of rotation defined by the rigid cross member; and a second infant car seat anchor (104B) attached to the rigid cross member for mechanical engagement with a second vehicle anchor (52B) of the vehicle seat, the second anchor being rotatable about an axis of rotation defined by the rigid cross member.

[0042] Another implementation is an infant car seat system, comprising an infant car seat (102) having a front (102A) and a rear (102B) for loading and unloading an infant into and safely transporting the infant within a vehicle with the front of the infant car seat facing the rear of the vehicle, a first seat shell rail (106A) having a first curved rocker bottom (107A), a second seat shell rail (106B) having a second curved rocker bottom (107B), and a carrier. and an infant car seat (102) having a ring handle (112), a first carrying handle attachment mechanism (114A) for attaching the carrying handle to a first seat shell rail, and a second carrying handle attachment mechanism (114B) for attaching the carrying handle to a second seat shell rail, and a seat cover (114C) coupled to the infant car seat to provide a tight fit and allow the infant car seat to be carried without the use of a removable base (20) of the infant car seat. and a second infant car seat anchor (104B) attached to the at least one belt and mechanically engaging a first vehicle anchor (52A) of the vehicle seat. The present invention relates to an infant car seat system comprising: an anchor system (104) that secures directly to a vehicle seat (50) of a vehicle; at least one belt (104C) permanently attached to the infant car seat, the at least one belt having an adjustable length and mechanically restrained by at least one of a first portion of a first seat shell rail between a front of the infant car seat and a first carrying handle attachment mechanism or a first portion of a second seat shell rail between a front of the infant car seat and a second carrying handle attachment mechanism; a first infant car seat anchor (104A) attached to the at least one belt and mechanically engaging a first vehicle anchor (52A) of the vehicle seat; and a second infant car seat anchor (104B) attached to the at least one belt and mechanically engaging a second vehicle anchor (52B) of the vehicle seat.

[0043] Another implementation is an infant car seat system including an infant car seat (102) with at least one storage area (160A), an anchor system (104) coupled to the infant car seat to provide a tight fit and attach the infant car seat directly to a vehicle seat (50) without using a removable base (20) of the infant car seat, the anchor system (104) including at least one belt (104C) permanently attached to the infant car seat, the at least one belt having an adjustable length, and a first vehicle anchor (52A) attached to the at least one belt and attached to the first vehicle anchor (52A) of the vehicle seat. and a second infant car seat anchor (104B) attached to at least one belt and mechanically engaging a second vehicle anchor (52B) on the vehicle seat, wherein at least one storage area on the infant car seat facilitates storage of at least one of the first infant car seat anchor and the second infant car seat anchor when the anchor system is not being used to attach the infant car seat to the vehicle seat.

[0044] Another implementation is an infant car seat system including an infant car seat (102) having a front (102A) and a rear (102B) with a first seat shell rail (106A), a second seat shell rail (106B), and an adjustment foot (170) positioned proximate the front of the infant car seat between the first and second seat shell rails; and a seatbelt (170) coupled to the infant car seat to provide a tight fit and secure the infant car seat. The present invention relates to an infant car seat system comprising an anchor system (104) for attaching an infant car seat directly to a vehicle seat (50) without using a removable base (20) of the infant car seat, the anchor system (104) comprising a first infant car seat anchor (104A) that mechanically engages with a first vehicle anchor (52A) of the vehicle seat, and a second infant car seat anchor (104B) that mechanically engages with a second vehicle anchor (52B) of the vehicle seat.

[0045] Another implementation is an infant car seat system including an infant car seat (102) and an anchor system (104) coupled to the infant car seat to provide a tight fit and attach the infant car seat directly to the vehicle seat (50) without the use of a removable base (20) of the infant car seat, the anchor system (104) including a first infant car seat anchor (104A) that mechanically engages with a first vehicle anchor (52A) of the vehicle seat and a second infant car seat anchor (104B) that mechanically engages with a second vehicle anchor (52B) of the vehicle seat. and at least one actuator (180) coupled to the infant car seat and the anchor system, the at least one actuator (180) disengaging a first infant car seat anchor from mechanical engagement with a first vehicle anchor and disengaging a second infant car seat anchor from mechanical engagement with a second vehicle anchor with a single actuation of the at least one actuator.

[0046] Another implementation relates to an infant car seat (102) comprising a first seat shell rail (106A) having a first flat bottom, a first extensible curved rocker (190A) coupled to the first seat shell rail, a second seat shell rail (106B) having a second flat bottom, and a second extensible curved rocker (190B) coupled to the second seat shell rail.

[0047] It is understood that all combinations of the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed in more detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent), are contemplated as part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of subject matter recited in the claims appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It is also understood that the terms explicitly used in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the specific concepts disclosed herein.

[0048] Those skilled in the art will understand that the drawings are primarily for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and in some instances, various aspects of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein may be exaggerated or enlarged in the drawings to facilitate an understanding of different features. In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to like features (e.g., functionally similar and / or structurally similar elements). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0049] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A shows a conventional infant car seat system. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B shows a removable vehicle mounting base for the conventional infant car seat system of FIG. 1A. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C shows an example of a belt anchor that can be used with the removable vehicle installation base shown in FIG. 1B. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1D shows an example of a rigid anchor that can be used with the removable vehicle mounting base shown in FIG. 1B. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A shows a vehicle in which the infant car seat system of the present invention according to various exemplary implementations disclosed herein is installed without the use of a removable vehicle installation base and without the use of a vehicle seat belt. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B illustrates an example of an infant car seat system coupled to a vehicle seat of the vehicle of FIG. 2A according to one implementation of the present invention. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C shows a diagram of a typical vehicle seat and under-vehicle anchors that the infant car seat system of FIG. 2A engages. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2D shows a diagram of a typical vehicle seat lower anchor in the vehicle seat of FIG. 2C. [Figure 2E] FIG. 2E illustrates an example of an infant car seat system according to another implementation of the present invention. [Figure 2F-1] FIG. 2F-1 shows an example of an infant car seat system according to another implementation of the present invention. [Figure 2F-2] FIG. 2F-2 shows an example of an infant car seat system according to another implementation of the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of an infant car seat system similar to that shown in FIG. 2A, with an anthropomorphic testing device (ATD) positioned in the infant car seat of the system. [Figure 3B-1] FIG. 3B-1 shows diagrams representing the change in center of gravity of the infant car seat itself, as well as the infant car seat and different combinations of ATDs placed on the infant car seat. [Figure 3B-2] FIG. 3B-2 shows respective diagrams representing the change in center of gravity of the infant car seat itself, as well as the combination of different ATDs placed on the infant car seat and the infant car seat. [Figure 3B-3]FIG. 3B-3 shows respective diagrams representing the change in center of gravity of the infant car seat itself, as well as the combination of different ATDs placed on the infant car seat and the infant car seat. [Figure 3B-4] 3B-4 show respective diagrams representing the change in center of gravity of the infant car seat itself, as well as the combination of different ATDs placed on the infant car seat and the infant car seat. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C shows a side view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 3A before a crash (the "pre-crash" state). [Figure 3D] FIG. 3D shows the same side view of FIG. 3C after a collision force has been applied to the vehicle seat and infant car seat system. [Figure 3E] FIG. 3E shows a side view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 3A showing an approximation of the reference plane used to locate the mechanical restraint points of the anchoring system on the infant car seat. [Figure 4A] Figure 4A shows a side view of an exemplary infant car seat system corresponding to the infant car seat system of Figure 3A undergoing a crash test. The anchor system is shown coupled to the infant car seat at position P1. [Figure 4B] 4B shows a side view of an exemplary infant car seat system corresponding to the infant car seat system of FIG. 3A undergoing a crash test. The anchor system is shown coupled to the infant car seat at a position P2 that is higher along the infant car seat than P1. [Figure 4C] 4C shows a side view of an exemplary infant car seat system corresponding to the infant car seat system of FIG. 3A undergoing a crash test. The anchor system is shown coupled to the infant car seat at a position P3 that is higher along the infant car seat than P2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates an infant car seat system of the present invention according to another exemplary implementation, including an integrated anchor system, release actuator, storage compartment, and adjustment feet. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a rigid anchor system. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A shows a variation of the infant car seat system of FIG. 6 in which the seat anchor includes a twist knob for actuating the seat anchor. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B shows an enlarged view of the sheet anchor of FIG. 7A. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A shows a variation of the infant car seat system of FIG. 6 in which the seat anchor includes a push button mechanism for activating the seat anchor. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B shows an enlarged view of the sheet anchor of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a rotationally and translationally adjustable rigid anchor system. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A shows an exploded view of an exemplary anchor system in which the rigid anchor is translationally adjustable relative to the rigid cross-member. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of the assembled anchor system of FIG. 10A. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a rigid anchor system and a release actuator attached to the rear of the infant car seat. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a rigid anchor system and a release actuator attached to the carrying handle of the infant car seat. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a side storage compartment for storing seat anchors within the anchor system. [Figure 14A] 14A shows a top perspective view of an exemplary infant car seat system with a telescoping anchor system and side storage compartments, with the anchor system shown in the stowed position. [Figure 14B]FIG. 14B shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 14A with the anchoring system shown in the operative position. [Figure 14C] FIG. 14C shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 14B. [Figure 14D] FIG. 14D shows a top view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 14B. [Figure 14E] FIG. 14E shows a bottom view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 14B. [Figure 14F] FIG. 14F shows a front view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 14B. [Figure 14G] FIG. 14G shows a right side view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 14B. [Figure 15A] FIG. 15A shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat in the infant car seat system of FIG. 14A. [Figure 15B] FIG. 15B shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat of FIG. 15A. [Figure 15C] FIG. 15C shows a top view of the infant car seat of FIG. 15A. [Figure 15D] FIG. 15D shows a bottom view of the infant car seat of FIG. 15A. [Figure 15E] FIG. 15E shows a front view of the infant car seat of FIG. 15A. [Figure 15F] FIG. 15F shows a right side view of the infant car seat of FIG. 15A. [Figure 16A] FIG. 16A shows a top perspective view of the anchoring system of FIG. 14A in a stowed position. [Figure 16B] FIG. 16B shows a top perspective view of the anchoring system of FIG. 16A in an operating position. [Figure 16C] FIG. 16C shows a top view of the anchor system of FIG. 16A. [Figure 16D] FIG. 16D shows an exploded top perspective view of the anchor system of FIG. 16A. [Figure 16E] FIG. 16E shows a cross-sectional view of the anchor system corresponding to plane AA of FIG. 16C. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a front storage compartment for storing seat anchors within the anchor system. [Figure 18A] 18A shows a top perspective view of an exemplary infant car seat system with a telescoping anchor system and a front storage compartment, with the anchor system shown in the stowed position. [Figure 18B] FIG. 18B shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 18A with the anchoring system shown in the operative position. [Figure 18C] FIG. 18C shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 18B. [Figure 18D] FIG. 18D shows a top view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 18B. [Figure 18E] FIG. 18E shows a bottom view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 18B. [Figure 18F] FIG. 18F shows a front view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 18B. [Figure 18G] FIG. 18G shows a right side view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 18B. [Figure 19A] FIG. 19A shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat in the infant car seat system of FIG. 18A. [Figure 19B] FIG. 19B shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat of FIG. 19A. [Figure 19C] FIG. 19C shows a top view of the infant car seat of FIG. 19A. [Figure 19D] FIG. 19D shows a bottom view of the infant car seat of FIG. 19A. [Figure 19E] FIG. 19E shows a front view of the infant car seat of FIG. 19A. [Figure 19F] FIG. 19F shows a right side view of the infant car seat of FIG. 19A. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a front storage compartment and anchoring system with telescoping rail guides. [Figure 21A] 21A shows a top perspective view of an exemplary infant car seat system with a telescoping anchor system with telescoping rail guides and a front storage compartment, with the anchor system shown in the stowed position. [Figure 21B] FIG. 21B shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 21A with the anchoring system shown in the operative position. [Figure 21C] FIG. 21C shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 21A. [Figure 21D] FIG. 21D shows a top view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 21A. [Figure 21E] FIG. 21E shows a bottom view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 21A. [Figure 21F] FIG. 21F shows a front view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 21A. [Figure 21G] FIG. 21G shows a right side view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 21A. [Figure 21H] FIG. 21H shows a cross-sectional view of the infant car seat system corresponding to plane AA of FIG. 21D. [Figure 22A] FIG. 22A shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat in the infant car seat system of FIG. 21A. [Figure 22B] FIG. 22B shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat of FIG. 22A. [Figure 22C] FIG. 22C shows a top view of the infant car seat of FIG. 22A. [Figure 22D] FIG. 22D shows a bottom view of the infant car seat of FIG. 22A. [Figure 22E] FIG. 22E shows a front view of the infant car seat of FIG. 22A. [Figure 22F] FIG. 22F shows a right side view of the infant car seat of FIG. 22A. [Figure 23A] FIG. 23A shows a top perspective view of the anchoring system in the infant car seat system of FIG. 21A. [Figure 23B]FIG. 23B shows a top view of the anchoring system of FIG. 23A with the telescoping rail guide in the retracted position. [Figure 23C] FIG. 23C shows an exploded top perspective view of the anchoring system of FIG. 23A. [Figure 23D] FIG. 23D shows an exploded bottom perspective view of the anchoring system of FIG. 23A. [Figure 23E] FIG. 23E shows a top perspective view of the telescoping rail guide in the anchoring system of FIG. 23A in the retracted position. [Figure 23F] FIG. 23F shows a top perspective view of the telescoping rail guide in the anchoring system of FIG. 23A in the extended position. [Figure 23G] FIG. 23G shows a cross-sectional view of the telescopic rail guide of FIG. 23F corresponding to plane AA of FIG. 23B. [Figure 24A] FIG. 24A shows a left side view of a prototype infant car seat system corresponding to the infant car seat system of FIG. [Figure 24B] FIG. 24B shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 24A. [Figure 24C] FIG. 24C shows a right side view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 24A. [Figure 24D] FIG. 24D shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 24A. [Figure 25A] FIG. 25A shows a top left perspective view of a prototype infant car seat system with a release actuator corresponding to the infant car seat system of FIG. 11 mounted on a vehicle seat. [Figure 25B] FIG. 25B shows a close-up view of the anchor system and vehicle seat anchors in the infant car seat system of FIG. 25A. [Figure 25C] FIG. 25C shows a top left perspective view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 25A removed from the vehicle seat. [Figure 25D] FIG. 25D shows a top, front, left perspective view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 25C. [Figure 25E]FIG. 25E shows a top, front perspective view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 25C. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt and anchor system, where the belt is routed through openings in each seat shell rail of the infant car seat. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system, where each seat anchor has a corresponding belt routed through an opening in the seat shell rail of the infant car seat. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt and anchor system where the belt is routed through the vehicle seat path. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 shows a variation of the infant car seat system of FIG. 28 that includes tethers on both sides of the infant car seat. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt and anchor system, where each seat anchor has a corresponding belt routed through a portion of the vehicle seat path. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system, where each seat anchor has a corresponding belt attached to the seat rim of the infant car seat. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt and anchor system where the belt is routed through the infant car seat between the seat shell and the seat pad. [Figure 33] FIG. 33 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system, where each seat anchor has a corresponding belt that is fastened via a cam lock mechanism located on each side of the infant car seat. [Figure 34]FIG. 34 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and cam lock pulley mechanism, where the strap of the cam lock pulley mechanism is secured to the infant car seat and wrapped around the belt of the belt anchor system. [Figure 35] FIG. 35 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and cam lock pulley mechanism, in which the strap of the cam lock pulley mechanism forms a loop that is wrapped around the belt of the belt anchor system. [Figure 36] FIG. 36 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and cam lock pulley mechanism, where the straps of the cam lock pulley mechanism are sewn directly to the belt of the belt anchor system. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt and anchor system, where each seat anchor has a corresponding belt and a corresponding cam lock mechanism. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system in which each seat anchor has a corresponding belt sewn together into a single cam lock mechanism. [Figure 39A] FIG. 39A shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and an integrated ratchet mechanism. [Figure 39B] FIG. 39B shows the infant car seat system of FIG. 39A with the ratchet mechanism activated. [Figure 40] FIG. 40 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and a spring-assisted retractor and spool. [Figure 41A] FIG. 41A shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and a release actuator attached to the rear of the infant car seat. [Figure 41B]FIG. 41B shows a diagram of the release actuator in the infant car seat system of FIG. 41A. [Figure 42] FIG. 42 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and a release actuator attached to the carrying handle of the infant car seat. [Figure 43] FIG. 43 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and a release actuator attached to the side of the infant car seat. [Figure 44] FIG. 44 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system corresponding to the infant car seat system of FIG. 33 and a release actuator with a cable routed inside the webbing of the belt within the anchor system. [Figure 45] FIG. 45 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and a side storage compartment in the infant car seat for storing the seat anchors in the anchor system. [Figure 46] FIG. 46 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and a storage compartment located within the rocker cavity of the infant car seat for storing the seat anchors in the anchor system. [Figure 47] FIG. 47 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and one or more pins located on the outer side of the infant car seat to store the seat anchor in the anchor system. [Figure 48] FIG. 48 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and a front storage compartment located under the seat pan and between each seat shell rail for storing the seat anchors in the anchor system. [Figure 49]FIG. 49 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belt anchor system and respective front storage compartments located in each seat shell rail for storing the respective seat anchors in the anchor system. [Figure 50] FIG. 50 shows a right side view of an exemplary infant car seat system with an adjustment foot for adjusting the recline angle of the infant car seat relative to the vehicle seat. [Figure 51A] FIG. 51A shows an exemplary infant car seat system with telescoping adjustable feet. [Figure 51B] FIG. 51B shows a bottom view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 51A in which the adjustment foot is also used as a storage location for one or more seat anchors in the anchor system. [Figure 52] FIG. 52 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with rotatable adjustable feet. [Figure 53] FIG. 53 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with pop-out rocker feet located on each seat shell rail of the infant car seat. [Figure 54] FIG. 54 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with an anchoring system that includes a mini-base that is separate from the infant car seat for greater portability. [Figure 55A] FIG. 55A shows a flowchart and screenshots from an app for a ride-hailing / ride-sharing method including an infant car seat system according to various implementations disclosed herein. [Figure 55B] FIG. 55B shows a flowchart and screenshots from an app for a ride-hailing / ride-sharing method including an infant car seat system according to various implementations disclosed herein. [Figure 55C] FIG. 55C shows a flowchart and screenshots from an app for a ride-hailing / ride-sharing method including an infant car seat system according to various implementations disclosed herein. [Figure 56] FIG. 56 shows a flowchart and screenshots from an app for a ride-hailing / ride-sharing method including an infant car seat system according to various implementations disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] The following is a more detailed description of various concepts and implementations related to an infant car seat system, including an infant car seat with an integrated anchor system for securing the infant car seat to a vehicle seat without the use of a removable vehicle installation base and without the use of the vehicle's seat belt. It should be understood that the various concepts introduced above and discussed in more detail below can be implemented in multiple ways. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes to enable those skilled in the art to practice implementations and alternatives that will be apparent to them.

[0051] The figures and exemplary implementations described below are not intended to limit the scope of implementations of the present invention to a single implementation. Other implementations are possible by replacing some or all of the elements described or illustrated. Furthermore, where specific elements of the disclosed exemplary implementations can be implemented partially or completely using known components, in some instances only the portions of such known components necessary to understanding the implementation will be described, and such known components will be omitted so as not to obscure the implementations of the present invention.

[0052] In the following description, various embodiments of the infant car seat system of the present invention are provided, with a given embodiment or set of embodiments illustrating one or more particular features of the infant car seat, rigid anchor system, belt-equipped anchor system, release actuator, storage compartment, adjustable foot, pop-out rocker bottom, etc. It should be understood that one or more features discussed in connection with a given embodiment of the infant car seat system can be used in other embodiments of the infant car seat system according to the present disclosure, and such that the various features disclosed herein can be readily combined in a given infant car seat system according to the present disclosure (provided that the respective features are not mutually inconsistent).

[0053] <Infant car seat system with integrated anchor system> 2A illustrates a vehicle 500 (e.g., a ride-hail or ride-share vehicle) including a vehicle seat 50 in which an infant car seat system 100 of the present invention according to various exemplary implementations disclosed herein is installed. FIG. 2A also illustrates an inset view of an enlarged view of the infant car seat system 100 within the vehicle seat 50 (further details of this inset are discussed in more detail below in connection with FIG. 50).

[0054] FIG. 2B shows an example of an infant car seat system 100 in which an infant car seat 102 is secured to a vehicle seat 50 of the vehicle 500 of FIG. 2A via an integrated anchor system 104. The vehicle seat 50 has a vehicle backrest 56, a vehicle seat pan 58, and a seat edge 54 (i.e., the intersection of the backrest 56 and the seat pan 58). The anchor system 104 secures the infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat 50 without the use of a removable vehicle installation base and without the use of a vehicle seat belt (e.g., which passes over the infant's legs, knees, or top of the pelvis when the infant is in the infant car seat for transport in the vehicle). In various exemplary implementations described in detail herein, the anchor system 104 helps ensure that installing the infant car seat without the use of a removable base (and without the use of a vehicle seat belt) still provides a tight fit in the vehicle seat 50 that passes the CPS "inch test."

[0055] To preliminarily highlight how the anchor system 104 secures the infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat 50, the infant car seat system 100 is shown in Figure 2B without several features that may be present in various other embodiments of the infant car seat system described in subsequent figures (including, for example, features such as a release actuator, one or more storage compartments, and / or adjustment feet, which are described in detail below). As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the infant car seat 102 is secured to the vehicle seat 50 in a rear-facing orientation, with the front 102A of the infant car seat 102 facing the vehicle backrest 56 and the rear side 102B of the infant car seat 102 facing away from the vehicle backrest.

[0056] In the example of FIG. 2B, the infant car seat 102 includes a seat shell 103 and a seat shell rim 108 that together define a backrest 120 and a seat pan 122, with a seat pad positioned to support an infant placed in the seat 102. In some examples, the seat shell 103 can be a single substantially solid or partially hollow structure that defines the backrest and seat pan and supports a seat pad for the infant (discussed further below in connection with FIGS. 2F-1 and 2F-2). In other examples, as shown in FIG. 2B, the seat shell 103 can include seat shell rails 106A and 106B on opposite sides of the infant car seat 102. As can be readily observed in FIG. 2B, the seat shell rails 106A and 106B contact the vehicle seat pan 58 when the infant car seat is secured to the vehicle seat 50. In some implementations, the seat shell rails 106A and 106B have corresponding curved rocker bottoms 107A and 170B, respectively, that can provide a rocking motion to make the infant comfortable when the infant car seat is used outside of the car (e.g., in a home environment).

[0057] 2B example infant car seat 102 also includes a carrying handle 112 coupled to opposite sides of seat shell 103 (e.g., to seat shell rails 106A and 106B) via attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B. In some implementations, attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B may allow carrying handle 112 to rotate relative to seat shell 103 to provide access to the infant. Attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B may also include an integrated locking mechanism for maintaining carrying handle 112 in a desired orientation relative to seat shell 103.

[0058] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2B , the integrated anchor system 104 of the infant car seat system 100 is generally attached to the lower front portion of the seat shell 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor system 104 is a rigid anchor system, while in other embodiments, the anchor system may be a belt-mounted anchor system (both rigid and belt-mounted anchor systems are described in more detail below in connection with various figures). In FIG. 2B , the anchor system 104 includes a pair of seat anchors 104A and 104B pivotally coupled to mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B, respectively, on seat shell rails 106A and 106B of the seat shell 103. As described below, while two restraint points 322A and 322B are shown on each side of the infant car seat 102 in FIG. 2B , in other exemplary implementations, the anchor system 104 may be more generally coupled to the infant car seat at one or more mechanical restraint points that are not necessarily located on the sides of the infant car seat. (See, for example, Figures 2F-1 and 2F-2).

[0059] Seat anchors 104A and 104B of anchor system 103 generally have an elongated shape (e.g., rectangular) and include locking mechanisms (e.g., latches) that engage corresponding under-vehicle anchors 52A and 52B within or adjacent to the vehicle seat edge 54 at anchor points 324A and 324B, respectively. In this manner, anchor system 104 can couple infant car seat 102 directly to vehicle seat 50 without the use of a removable vehicle mounting base and without the use of a vehicle seat belt. Additionally, seat anchors 104A and 104B may include (or be coupled to) release mechanisms (e.g., buttons, knobs, slidable tabs) for unlatching seat anchors 104A and 104B from vehicle seat anchors 52A and 52B for removing the infant car seat from the vehicle. In various implementations, seat anchors 104A and 104B and under-vehicle anchors 52A and 52B can be configured to meet established safety standards and / or regulations, examples of which include, but are not limited to, LATCH, ISOFIX, LUAS, and UCSS standards.

[0060] In an exemplary implementation (e.g., as further described below in connection with FIGS. 3A and 3C ), seat anchors 104A and 104B are configured and arranged, and the mechanical restraint points of anchor system 104 are specifically positioned for relatively easy engagement with vehicle seat anchors 52A and 52B located in or adjacent to seat edge 54, to facilitate installation of the infant car seat system in a vehicle. Furthermore, seat anchors 104A and 104B are configured and arranged, and the mechanical restraint points are specifically positioned, such that when seat anchors 104A and 104B engage with vehicle bottom anchors 52A and 52B, a tight fit between infant car seat system 100 and vehicle seat 50 occurs (e.g., the installed infant car seat system passes the CPS “inch test”).

[0061] In one aspect, seat anchors 104A and 104B in anchor system 104 are positioned to facilitate alignment with the standard arrangement of under-vehicle anchors 52A and 52B in vehicle seat 50. For example, FIG. 2C shows a diagram of a standard vehicle seat 50 with three sets (pairs) of under-vehicle anchors 52A-52B, 52C-52D, and 52E-52F. As shown in FIG. 2C, each pair of under-vehicle anchors is positioned within or near seat edge 54 of vehicle seat 50 between vehicle backrest 56 and vehicle seat pan 58. Given that the vehicle undercarriage anchor locations are within or adjacent to the seat edge 54 of the vehicle seat, the anchor system 104 of the infant car seat system 100 is generally positioned at the front underside of the seat shell 103 to facilitate convenient connection with the vehicle undercarriage anchors (e.g., seat anchors 104A and 104B are positioned along the front underside of the first and second seat shell rails 106A and 106B, respectively).

[0062] In FIG. 2C , each pair of vehicle under anchors 52A-52B, 52C-52D, and 52E-52F corresponds to a specific seating position (i.e., left, center, and right seating positions) on vehicle seat 50. The relative position of each vehicle under anchor 52A-52F is defined with respect to a seating reference point (SgRP) in accordance with 49 CFR §571.3. As shown, the nominal center-to-center distance between a pair of vehicle under anchors at a given seating position (e.g., the distance “d” between a pair of lower anchors 52E-52F) is approximately 280 mm. Thus, seat anchors 104A and 104B within anchor system 104 may similarly be positioned to have a center-to-center distance of approximately 280 mm.

[0063] 2D further illustrates a close-up view of an individual under-vehicle anchor 52. As shown, the under-vehicle anchors 52 may be U-shaped rails having a nominal width ranging from about 25 mm to about 60 mm. The seat anchors 104A and 104B of the anchoring system 104 may be configured to attach to the smallest size vehicle seat anchor 52 to ensure compatibility between different vehicle seats 50 of different makes and / or models of vehicles.

[0064] Figures 2E and 2F-1 and 2F-2 illustrate infant car seat systems 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3 of the present invention according to other exemplary implementations. Figure 2E illustrates a system 100-1 substantially similar to that shown in Figure 2B, but including a differently configured anchor system 104-1, in which seat anchors 104A and 104B are formed as a unitary structure pivotally coupled to mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B on respective seat shell rails of infant car seat 102-1. In Figures 2F-1 and 2F-2, each infant car seat 102-2 and 102-3 does not have respective seat shell rails; instead, these infant car seats 102-2 and 102-3 include seat shells 103-2 and 103-3, respectively, each of which is a single, substantially solid or partially hollow structure defining a seat back and seat pan and supporting the infant's seat pad. In the exemplary system 100-2 shown in Figure 2F-1, the anchor system 104-2 is a rigid anchor system pivotally coupled to a mechanical restraint point 322-2 on the front of the seat shell 103-2. In the exemplary system 100-3 shown in Figure 2F-2, the anchor system 104-3 is a belted anchor system pivotally and flexibly coupled to a mechanical restraint point 322-3 on the front of the seat shell 103-3.

[0065] In various embodiments of the infant car seat system discussed herein, the anchor system 104 serves as a direct physical link between the vehicle seat 50 and the infant car seat 102, with the seat anchors 104A and 104B providing the sole restraint for securing the infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat 50 in the event of a vehicle crash. In particular, the exemplary systems disclosed herein not only eliminate the need for a removable vehicle mounting base or vehicle seat belt for securing the infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat 50, but further, they do not require or include other restraint devices such as tethers (e.g., a top tether strap attached to the rear of the infant car seat to attach the infant car seat to the vehicle's top tether anchor) or load legs (e.g., a support leg between the infant car seat 102 and the vehicle floor).

[0066] Thus, the placement and orientation of the seat anchors 104A and 104B relative to the infant car seat 102 and vehicle seat 50 will determine, at least in part, the various forces that will be applied to the infant car seat 102 during a crash (e.g., the forces that will be applied to the infant's head and chest, and the rotational displacement of the infant car seat back 120 relative to vertical), and the dynamics of the infant car seat system that result from such forces. With the foregoing in mind, in one aspect, the anchor system is pivotally coupled to one or more specially located mechanical restraint points based in part on the center of gravity of the infant car seat, thereby significantly mitigating rearward rotation of the infant car seat away from the rear of the vehicle seat during a crash (and significantly reducing other injury criteria associated with forces on the infant's head and chest).

[0067] With improved crash performance and reduced injury criteria in mind, as described above, the placement and orientation of seat anchors 104A and 104B also take into account issues of ease of use and convenience for parents and / or caregivers by facilitating engagement of seat anchors 104A and 104B with their respective under-vehicle anchors 52A and 52B. Furthermore, the placement and orientation of seat anchors 104A and 104B ensure a tight fit of the infant car seat to the vehicle car seat so that the installation passes the CPS "inch test." Thus, improved crash performance and reduced injury criteria, a tight fit to the vehicle, and ease of installation are all achieved by properly positioning one or more restraint points at which the anchor system pivotally couples to the infant car seat.

[0068] In Figure 2B, the infant car seat's center of gravity 330A is shown near the intersection of the seat back 120 and the seat pan 122 of the infant car seat 102, which approximately coincides with an axis 328 passing through the respective attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B. As will be readily understood by one skilled in the art, the center of gravity of an object is the point at which the weight of the object or system may be considered to act (in uniform gravity, the center of gravity is the same as the center of mass of the object / system). In the exemplary system of Figure 2B, the axis 328 is taken to appropriately approximate the projection of the center of gravity 330A toward each side of the infant car seat 102.

[0069] 2B, the first restraint point 322A of the first seat anchor 104A and the second restraint point 322B of the second seat anchor 104B are located closer to the front 102A of the infant car seat than to the rear 102B of the infant car seat. More specifically, the first restraint point 322A is located between the front of the infant car seat and the first carrying handle attachment mechanism 114A, and the second restraint point 322B is located between the front of the infant car seat and the second carrying handle attachment mechanism 114B. As also shown in FIG. 2B, the first infant car seat anchor 104A has a first connection end 324A that mechanically engages with the first vehicle lower anchor 52A to define a first anchor point when the system is installed in the vehicle, and the second infant car seat anchor 104B has a second connection end 324B that mechanically engages with the second vehicle lower anchor 52B to define a second anchor point when the system is installed in the vehicle.

[0070] In FIG. 2B , line 326B is depicted extending from mounting hub 114B, through axle 328 and second connection end 324B of second seat anchor 104B, to vehicle bottom anchor 52B. In an exemplary implementation, second restraint point 322B is located above line 326B. Although not visible in the perspective view of FIG. 2B , a similar line can be drawn on the opposite side of the infant car seat (i.e., extending from mounting hub 114A, through axle 328 and first connection end 324A of first seat anchor 104A, to vehicle bottom anchor 52A), and first restraint point 322A may be located above this line. The placement of mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B above these lines is based, in part, on improved crash performance and reduced injury criteria, taking into account the center of gravity, as well as ensuring a tight fit between the infant car seat system and the vehicle seat. These concepts are further explained with the aid of FIG. 3A .

[0071] 3A shows a perspective view of an infant car seat system 100 similar to that shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, with an anthropomorphic testing device (ATD) 40 disposed in the infant car seat 102 of the system 100 (and for clarity, the vehicle seat 50 is not shown). As noted above, in an exemplary implementation, one or more mechanical restraint points (e.g., points 322A and 322B) of each seat anchor 104A and 104B can be based, at least in part, on the center of gravity 330A of the infant car seat itself (see FIG. 2B) or on the combined center of gravity 330B of the infant car seat and the ATD 40 disposed thereon (as shown in FIG. 3A). In one implementation, discussed further below in connection with FIG. 3E, the center of gravity on which the seat anchor's mechanical restraint points are alternatively based can be adequately approximated by the infant car seat's seat pan offset and seat back offset. Generally speaking, as described above, the mechanical restraint points of the seat anchors are each positioned to significantly improve crash performance and reduce injury criteria for the infant car seat without the use of a tether strap attached to the rear of the infant car seat to attach the infant car seat to the vehicle's upper tether anchors and without the use of a load leg between the infant car seat and the vehicle floor.

[0072] In FIG. 3A, the infant car seat 102 has a longitudinal plane 332 (also called the "sagittal plane") that divides the infant car seat into left and right portions. Axis 320 (labeled CG) is shown as being perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the infant car seat and passing through the center of gravity 330B. Similarly, axis A passes through the anchor points defined by the first and second connection ends 324A and 324B of the respective seat anchors 104A and 104B, and axis P passes through the first and second restraint points 322A and 322B. These three axes, in addition to the longitudinal plane 332, define three planes: plane AP, plane P-CG, and plane A-CG. This latter plane A-CG is referred to herein as the lower restraint interface 310.

[0073] More specifically, the infant car seat's lower restraint interface 310 is defined by the axis 320, the first connection end 324A of the first infant car seat anchor 104A when engaged with the first vehicle anchor 52A, and the second connection end 324B of the second infant car seat anchor 104B when engaged with the second vehicle anchor 52B. As can be easily observed in Figure 3A, the first and second restraint points 322A, 322B through which the axis P passes are above the lower restraint interface 310.

[0074] 3A, the center of gravity 330B relates to the combination of the infant car seat and ATD 40; however, as noted above, the center of gravity 330A of the infant car seat itself (see FIG. 2B) could alternatively be used for purposes of defining the lower restraint interface 310. Furthermore, in implementations in which the center of gravity 330B of the combination ATD 40 and infant car seat system is used, the ATD 40 could be one of several different types of ATDs representing different ages and / or sizes of infants that can be placed in the infant car seat 102.

[0075] As a general observation, the inventors recognize and understand that, although the center of gravity varies between the infant car seat itself and combinations of infant car seats with different ATDs, these variations are relatively minor relative to one another. In particular, the center of gravity of the infant car seat itself provides an appropriate reference for effectively defining the lower restraint interface 310, thereby providing a specific arrangement of mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B that substantially improves crash performance and reduces injury criteria. However, these results may be further improved in some cases if the center of gravity of the infant car seat and different ATD combination is used to define the lower restraint interface 310. To this end, in one exemplary implementation, the ATD 40 may be selected such that the axis 320 passing through the center of gravity of the infant car seat and ATD combination is at its highest and most forward position along the infant car seat 102. Examples of different ATDs that can be used in conjunction with an infant car seat to establish the center of gravity for these purposes include, but are not limited to, a newborn test dummy, a 6-month-old test dummy, a 9-month-old test dummy, a Child Restraint Air Bag Interaction (CRABI) 12-month-old test dummy, or a Hybrid III 3-year-old test dummy, as defined in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 49 C.F.R. § 572, which are incorporated herein by reference (New The live infant test dummy is defined in subpart K, §§ 572.90, 572.91; the 6-month-old test dummy is defined in subpart D, § 572.25; the 9-month-old test dummy is defined in subpart J, §§ 572.80 through 572.86; the 12-month-old CRABI test dummy is defined in subpart R, §§ 572.150 through 572.155; and the Hybrid III 3-year-old test dummy is defined in subpart P, §§ 572.140 through 572.146.

[0076] Figures 3B-1, 3B-2, 3B-3, and 3B-4 show side views illustrating the shift in center of gravity of the infant car seat itself and the combination of the infant car seat and different ATDs placed on the infant car seat. More specifically, Figure 3B-1 shows the infant car seat itself and axis 320A running through the infant car seat and its center of gravity perpendicular to the longitudinal plane (i.e., parallel to the plane of the figure). Similarly, Figure 3B-2 shows the combination of the infant car seat and a newborn test dummy and axis 320B through the center of gravity of the combination; Figure 3B-3 shows the combination of the infant car seat and a 12-month-old CRABI test dummy and axis 320C through the center of gravity of the combination; and Figure 3B-4 shows the combination of the infant car seat and a Hybrid III 3-year-old test dummy and axis 320D through the center of gravity of the combination. According to FMVSS-213, only newborn and 12-month-old CRABI test dummies are required for crash testing. However, for completeness, a Hybrid III 3-year-old test dummy is also often used to ensure compliance with FMVSS-213 crash test requirements. In any event, as can be readily observed in these figures, the change in center of gravity is relatively slight, particularly with respect to carrier handle attachment mechanism 114B (thus, axis 328 shown in FIG. 2B passing through carrier handle attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B is a good approximation of axis 320 shown in FIG. 3A in some exemplary implementations).

[0077] FIG. 3C is a side view of the infant car seat system 100 shown in FIG. 3A with the ATD 40 disposed therein. In FIG. 3C, the infant car seat system 100 is tightly fitted and secured to the vehicle seat 50 in a normal vehicle operating position representing a "pre-crash" condition (i.e., before the crash). As in the series of views in FIG. 3B, a longitudinal plane (sagittal plane) through the infant car seat 102 is not explicitly shown because it is parallel to the plane of the view. Thus, the lower restraining interface 310 is seen along the side of the plane and therefore appears as a line in the side view of FIG. 3C. FIG. 3C also shows that the upper restraining interface 312 of the infant car seat can be defined to be perpendicular to the lower restraining interface 310 and includes an axis 320 (passing through the center of gravity 330B). In the example of FIG. 3C, first constraint point 322A and second constraint point 322B are particularly positioned on lower constraint interface 310, and more specifically, between lower constraint interface 310 and upper constraint interface 312.

[0078] Figure 3C also shows an arrow indicating the direction of the impact force during a collision. By way of further illustration, Figure 3D shows the resulting displacement of the infant car seat system 100 and ATD 40 after a collision force is applied. When a collision force is applied, the rear of the infant car seat rotates away from the back of the vehicle seat 50 in Figure 3D, but the specific positioning of the first and second restraint points 322A and 322B on the lower restraint interface 310, and more specifically, between the lower restraint interface 310 and the upper restraint interface 312, ensures that the rotational displacement of the back of the infant car seat during a collision is less than 70 degrees relative to vertical.

[0079] As can also be seen in Figure 3C, the inventors have recognized and appreciated that further refinement of the specific positioning of restraint points 322A and 322B, and more specifically, lower restraint interface 310, relative to axis 320 through the center of gravity will lead not only to favorable improvements in crash performance and reduced injury criteria, but also to ease of installation and a tighter fit of the infant car seat to the vehicle seat. To this end, Figure 3C also illustrates a vertical plane 375 passing through seat edge 54 of vehicle seat 50 (vertical plane 375 is seen at the end of Figure 3C and is perpendicular to the plane of the figure). In an exemplary implementation, the positioning of one or more restraint points (e.g., restraint points 322A and 322B) at which the anchor system is pivotally coupled to the infant car seat is not only between lower restraint interface 310 and upper restraint interface 312, but also between vertical plane 375 passing through seat edge 54 and lower restraint interface 310. By ensuring that restraint points are not positioned in the area between the backrest 56 and the vertical plane 375 through the seat edge 54, car seat pivoting during and after installation (which may result in excessive space between the backrest 56 and the infant car seat 102) is significantly reduced. This provides a tight-fit installation between the infant car seat and the vehicle seat that passes the CPS "inch test."

[0080] Figure 3E shows another side view of the infant car seat system 100 of Figure 3A, illustrating a suitable approximation of the lower restraint interface 310A based on the seat pan offset and backrest offset of the infant car seat 102. In one embodiment, approximating the lower restraint interface in this manner is based on observing the changes in the center of gravity shown in Figures 3B-1 through 3B-4 and taking average measurements of these changes relative to the backrest and seat pan of the infant car seat, provided that the backrest is at an angle between 40 and 60 degrees relative to the horizontal when the infant car seat is secured in the vehicle seat of the vehicle.

[0081] More specifically, in the embodiment of FIG. 3E, the approximated lower restraint interface 310A of the infant car seat is defined by a seat back offset 334 from the seat back plane that adequately approximates the contour of the infant car seat's seat back. Based on multiple measurements using different ATDs 40, in one embodiment, the appropriate seat back offset is approximately 7 centimeters (assuming the seat back plane is at an angle between 40 and 60 degrees relative to the horizontal when the infant car seat is secured in the vehicle seat of the vehicle). Additionally, the approximated upper restraint interface 312A is defined by a seat pan offset 336 from the seat pan plane that adequately approximates the contour of the infant car seat's seat pan. Based on multiple measurements using different ATDs 40, in one embodiment, the appropriate seat pan offset is approximately 22 centimeters.

[0082] As noted above, specifically positioning mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B based on the various considerations discussed above significantly improves crash test performance and reduces the injury criteria of infant car seat system 100. To illustrate the effectiveness of specifically positioning mechanical restraint points, Figures 4A-4C show sequential images of test infant car seat systems 100t-1, 100t-2, and 100t-3, respectively, mounted in vehicle seats without a removable vehicle mounting base, along with their associated injury criteria. As shown in these figures, the infant car seat 102 of each test system is coupled to the vehicle seat 50 via anchor system 104, and the locations of mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B vary for each test system relative to the lower restraint interface 310. Testing of the systems is performed in accordance with the various criteria set forth in FMVSS-213.

[0083] 4A shows one test example in which mechanical restraint point 322B, as well as mechanical restraint point 322A (not visible in the side view), were located below lower restraint interface 310, resulting in a HIC (Head Injury Criterion) value of 479, a thoracic G-force of 54.3 G, and a seat back rotational displacement of 71.1 degrees from vertical. This test example therefore exhibited poor crash test performance, particularly a seat back rotational displacement of more than 70 degrees from vertical.

[0084] Figure 4B shows another test example in which mechanical restraint points 322B and 322A are located above lower restraint interface 310. In this case, the infant car seat system produced an improved HIC value of 411, an improved thoracic G-force of 51.2 G, and an improved seat back rotational displacement of 69.2 degrees from vertical, all of which are lower than the first case shown in Figure 4A. Figure 4C shows yet another test example in which mechanical restraint points 322B and 322A are located even higher above lower restraint interface 310, resulting in an improved HIC value of 396, an improved thoracic G-force of 47.1 G, and an improved seat back rotational displacement of 67.5 degrees from vertical. Based on Figures 4A-4C, the ATD 40 is subjected to progressively smaller magnitude forces and smaller rotational displacements of the infant car seat backrest 120 as the mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B are positioned from below to above (and higher on) the lower restraint interface 310.

[0085] <Infant car seat system with enhanced safety, comfort, and convenience> 5 illustrates another exemplary infant car seat 100x that includes several additional inventive features beyond those discussed above in connection with FIGS. 2A and 3A-3E related to the safety and comfort of the infant and the convenience of parents and / or caregivers transporting the infant. Examples of such features, discussed in further detail below, include a release actuator 180, a storage compartment 160, and adjustment feet 170 integrated into the infant car seat 102. In one aspect, these additional features are used individually or in various combinations in different implementations of the infant car seat system of the present invention to provide several advantages that facilitate the use of the infant car seat system in ride-hailing / ride-sharing services.

[0086] As described above, when installed in a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 500 shown in FIG. 2A ), the infant car seat 102 shown in FIG. 5 is configured as a rear-facing seat, with the front side 102A facing the vehicle seat 50 and the rear side 102B facing away from the vehicle seat 50. The infant car seat 102 includes a seat shell 103 and a seat shell rim 108 that defines a seat pad and a backrest 120 and a seat pan 122 for supporting the infant. The seat shell 103 further includes seat shell rails 106A and 106B having curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B, respectively. A carrying handle 112 is attached to the seat shell 103 via attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B. An anchor system 104 is attached to the seat shell 103 and couples the infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat 50 via seat anchors 104A and 104B.

[0087] Release actuator 180 provides a quick-disconnect mechanism for removing infant car seat system 100 from a vehicle. Release actuator 180 may be integrated into infant car seat 102 and includes a cable 184 coupled to one or both of seat anchors 104A and 104B and an actuator handle 182. When a parent and / or caregiver wishes to remove infant car seat system 100 from the vehicle, they can actuate actuator handle 182, which activates the release mechanisms of seat anchors 104A and 104B, releasing seat anchors 104A and 104B from vehicle seat anchors 52A and 52B. In this manner, release actuator 180 can significantly reduce the time it takes to remove infant car seat system 100, which may be particularly beneficial when parents and / or caregivers traveling with an infant are using ride-hailing or ride-sharing services.

[0088] One or more storage compartments 160 provide space within and / or above the infant car seat 102 for storing various components of the anchor system 104, such as seat anchors 104A and 104B, when not in use. The storage compartments 160 thus reduce the number of dangling or protruding parts on the infant car seat 102, and thus may reduce the risk of the infant car seat system 100 getting caught on other parts of the vehicle (e.g., doors, front seat pockets) when transferring the infant car seat system 100 to and / or from the vehicle. Additionally, the storage compartments 160 may allow the infant car seat 102 to retain a substantially similar shape and / or dimensions as previous infant car seats, such that the infant car seat 102 can be easily installed in other transportation devices, such as strollers, unmodified. Furthermore, the storage compartments 160 may reduce the risk of damage to the anchor system 104 when not in use.

[0089] The adjustment feet 170 are attached proximate the front of the infant car seat 102 to reduce rotation of the rear side 120 of the infant car seat toward the rear of the vehicle seat during installation of the infant car seat system in the vehicle. In this manner, the adjustment feet assist the parent and / or caregiver in positioning the infant car seat within the vehicle to maintain infant comfort and more easily align and engage the anchor system 104 with the vehicle's lower anchors, while providing leverage against the vehicle seat's seat pan to facilitate a tight fit to the vehicle seat. The adjustment feet 170 are also particularly useful for compensating for the curved contours of the rocker bottoms 107A and 107B to ensure a reliable, tight fit with the vehicle seat is achieved in accordance with Child Passenger Safety (CPS) guidelines (e.g., the infant car seat installation passes the CPS "inch test").

[0090] Referring again to the inset of FIG. 2A (and as discussed in more detail below in connection with FIG. 50), typically, the vehicle seat pan 56 may be inclined relative to the horizontal at an angle α ranging between approximately 6 degrees and approximately 23 degrees. To ensure the comfort and safety of the infant, the infant car seat 102, and particularly the backrest 120, should be inclined relative to the horizontal at an angle α ranging between approximately 40 degrees and approximately 60 degrees. As shown, an adjustment foot 170 may be attached to the lower front portion of the infant car seat 102 to provide leverage for adjusting the reclining angle α of the backrest 120. In some implementations, the adjustment foot 170 may also be used to ensure a tight fit between the infant car seat 102 and the vehicle seat 50, for example, by providing leverage for the infant car seat 102 to seat stably on the vehicle seat pan 56, particularly when the seat shell rails 106A and 106B have curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B.

[0091] In the following sections of this disclosure, further details of various features of the infant car seat system 100x are described in turn. It should be understood that these features can be used alone or in various combinations with other features described herein. Additional details regarding the underlying mechanical considerations of various variations of certain features, particularly when integrated into rigid or belted anchoring systems, are also provided.

[0092] <Infant car seat system with rigid anchor system> Various types of anchoring systems 104 can be integrated into the infant car seat 102. For example, FIG. 6 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100a-1 with a rigid anchoring system 104a. The infant car seat system 100a-1 can include an infant car seat 102 with many of the same features described above in connection with the infant car seat system 100x. For the sake of brevity, a detailed description of the various features associated with the infant car seat 102 will not be repeated here, although it should be understood that one or more of the above features can also be incorporated into the infant car seat 102 of the infant car seat system 100a-1.

[0093] The rigid anchor system 104a may include seat anchors 104A and 104B, as described above, for coupling the infant car seat 102 to vehicle seat anchors 52A and 52B of the vehicle seat 50. In this example, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may be coupled together via a rigid cross-member 104D. In some implementations, the cross-member 104D may be a single piece. In some implementations, the cross-member 104D may be a multiple-piece assembly that may be further configured to provide additional axes of adjustment (e.g., telescoping adjustment for adjusting the spacing between the seat anchors 104A and 104B).

[0094] 6, seat anchors 104A and 104B may be positioned generally on the outside of infant car seat 102 (e.g., on the outside of seat shell rails 106A and 106B), and cross-member 104D may be routed through openings 116A and 116B in seat shell rails 106A and 106B, respectively, for connection to infant car seat 102. Openings 116A and 116B may thus define mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B, which may be positioned along seat shell rails 106A and 106B in accordance with the above discussion regarding improving the safety of infant car seat system 100 in a crash.

[0095] In some implementations, the rigid anchor system 104a may be rigidly secured to the infant car seat 102. In other words, the orientation of the seat anchors 104A and 104B relative to the seat shell 103 cannot be changed by a parent and / or caregiver. In some implementations, the rigid anchor system 104a may be movable relative to the infant car seat 102, providing a parent and / or caregiver with a way to adjust the position and / or orientation of the seat anchors 104A and 104B to better fit a particular vehicle seat 50.

[0096] 6 shows that the rigid anchor system 104a can be rotatably adjustable relative to the infant car seat 102 about a rotation axis 300 that coincides with the center point of the openings 116A and 116B. In some implementations, the rotatable adjustment of the rigid anchor system 104a can be achieved, in part, by utilizing circular openings 116A and 116B and a cross-member 104D that has a circular cross-section along at least the portion that physically contacts the infant car seat 102. In some implementations, bearings can be incorporated into each of the openings 116A and 116B to enable the anchor system 104a to rotate smoothly relative to the infant car seat 102 and / or reduce wear between the cross-member 104D and the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. The bearings may also allow openings 116A and 116B and / or cross member 104D to have non-circular shapes, including, but not limited to, ovals, polygons (e.g., squares, hexagons), and any combination of the foregoing.

[0097] In some implementations, the infant car seat system 100a-1 may include a locking mechanism (not shown) for locking the seat anchors 104A and 104B in a desired rotational position relative to the infant car seat 102. For example, the locking mechanism may be a ratchet mechanism that locks the seat anchors 104A and 104B at set increments. In another example, the locking mechanism includes a thumbscrew that locks the seat anchors 104A and 104B when sufficiently tightened by friction. In some implementations, the locking mechanism may further enable the seat anchors 104A and 104B to be used as a recline adjustment mechanism. For example, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may be rotated to a greater tilt angle such that the contact point between the curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B of the infant car seat 102 and the vehicle seat pan 56 moves further toward the rear 102B of the infant car seat 102.

[0098] As described above, seat anchors 104A and 104B may include an integrated latch mechanism for coupling to vehicle seat anchors 52A and 52B. Seat anchors 104A and 104B may further include a release mechanism that allows a parent and / or caregiver to manually release seat anchors 104A and 104B from vehicle seat 50. In some implementations, each seat anchor 104A and 104B may include a respective release mechanism, such as a push-, twist-, or pull-activated release mechanism or a spring-loaded gate, that separately releases seat anchors 104A and 104B.

[0099] In some implementations, the seat anchors 104A and 104B can be mechanically coupled together such that a single release mechanism simultaneously releases both seat anchors 104A and 104B. For example, FIGS. 7A and 7B show an exemplary infant car seat system 100a-2 with a rigid anchor system 104b incorporating a twist release mechanism. Specifically, FIG. 7B shows that the seat anchor 104B can include a latch 130 mechanically coupled to a release knob 133 via linkage members 131 and 132. The knob 133 can be located outside the seat anchors 104A and 104B for easier access. A spring (not shown) can be incorporated into the seat anchor 104B to apply a spring bias (e.g., torque) that keeps the latch 130 closed. When the knob 133 is sufficiently rotated, a counter torque can be applied to the latch 130, causing it to open.

[0100] As shown, knob 133 on seat anchor 104B can be coupled to a corresponding knob 133 on seat anchor 104A via rod 129. Rod 129 can be positioned such that when a single knob 133 is actuated, both knobs 133 rotate together. In this manner, a parent and / or caregiver can release infant car seat system 100b from vehicle seat 50 by simply actuating one knob 133 on either side of infant car seat 102. In some implementations, rod 129 can be positioned within cross member 104D. In some implementations, rod 129 can function as cross member 104D of anchor system 104b.

[0101] In another example, FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an exemplary infant car seat system 100a-3 with a rigid anchor system 104c incorporating a push-button release mechanism. In particular, FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-sectional view of seat anchor 104B within anchor system 104c. As shown, seat anchor 104B may include a latch 130 rotatably coupled to linkage member 136 via pin 135. Linkage member 136 may include a hook that engages with a notch 137 in rod 129. Rod 129 may include an integral button 138 that protrudes outward from seat anchor 104B. When button 138 is pressed, rod 129 slides horizontally inward toward seat anchor 104A, causing the hook of linkage member 136 to contact the angled surface of notch 137. This pulls rod 129 against linkage member 136, thus rotating latch 130 to the open position for release.

[0102] Notch 137 may include two angled surfaces that are positioned on opposite sides of the hook of linkage member 136 when latch 130 is in the closed position. When button 138 on seat anchor 104A is pressed, rod 129 slides horizontally outward, away from seat anchor 104A, again translating linkage member 136 and then rotating latch 130 to the open position. In this manner, a parent and / or caregiver can press button 138 on either seat anchor 104A or 104B to simultaneously release both seat anchors.

[0103] The anchor system 104c may include a spring (not shown) to provide a restoring force that maintains the rod 129 in a position where the hook of the linkage member 136 is centered about the notch 137, thus keeping the latch 130 in a closed position. For example, a spring may be disposed inside the seat anchor 104B, with one end connected to the housing of the seat anchor 104B and the other end connected to the rod 129. The spring may be configured to be in a neutral state (i.e., no compression, no tension) when the linkage member 136 is centered about the notch 137 to provide a restoring force when the rod 129 is displaced along an inward or outward direction. In some implementations, the rod 129 may further include a lip 128 that functions as a mechanical stop to prevent the rod 129 from being displaced beyond a desired displacement (e.g., the depth of the button 138).

[0104] 9 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100b with a rigid anchor system 100a that is rotationally and translationally adjustable relative to the infant car seat 102 to provide an additional axis of adjustment for positioning and / or orienting the seat anchors 104A and 104B to better fit the vehicle seat 50. As shown, the openings 116A and 116B may be shaped as slots that allow the cross-member 104D, and by extension the seat anchors 104A and 104B, to translate along a translational axis 302 defined by the openings 116A and 116B. The openings 116A and 116B may also allow the cross-member 104D to rotate about an axis of rotation 300 that moves with the cross-member 104D when the anchor system 104a is translationally displaced.

[0105] Similar to infant car seat system 100a-1, translational movement of anchor system 104a in infant car seat system 100b is achieved in part by cross member 104D shaped to have a similar width as slotted openings 116A and 116B, thus constraining movement of anchor system 104a to the path defined by openings 116A and 116B. In FIG. 9, openings 116A and 116B are shown as defining a translational axis 302 oriented substantially along a horizontal plane (e.g., from front side 102A to rear side 102B of infant car seat 102). However, it should be understood that slotted openings 116A and 116B may be oriented at different angles relative to the horizontal plane (e.g., the slots may be oriented at a 30-degree, 45-degree, or 60-degree incline).

[0106] In some implementations, the orientation of the slotted openings 116A and 116B may depend, in part, on the position of the openings 116A and 116B on the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. For example, if the openings 116A and 116B are positioned higher on the seat shell rails 106A and 106B, the openings 116A and 116B may be more angled. In some implementations, the slotted openings 116A and 116B may also define a curved path for the anchor system 104a to slide along.

[0107] In some implementations, only the seat anchors 104A and 104B of the rigid anchor system 104a may be translationally adjustable relative to the infant car seat 102, rather than the entire anchor system 104a. In other words, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may be translationally adjustable relative to the cross-member 104D, which may remain fixed in place on the infant car seat 102.

[0108] For example, Figures 10A and 10B show an example anchor system 104d in which sheet anchor 104A includes a slot 139 disposed at the end opposite connection end 105A, and cross-member 104D includes a rail 140 slidably coupled to slot 139. As shown, rail 140 can have square ends so that sheet anchor 104A can translate along slot 139 without rotating. In this manner, sheet anchor 104A and cross-member 104D can rotate together as before in anchor system 104a. It should be understood that rail 140 is not limited to square ends and can instead have other shapes, including, but not limited to, other polygonal shapes (e.g., hexagonal, octagonal). Furthermore, slot 139 is not limited to defining a linear path but can instead define a curved path along which sheet anchor 104A can slide relative to cross-member 104D.

[0109] In some implementations, after rail 140 is inserted into slot 139, one or more mechanical stops can be coupled to slot 139 to ensure that sheet anchor 104A does not become dislodged from cross-member 104D during use. In some implementations, at least one mechanical stop can be integrated into sheet anchor 104A along a portion of slot 139.

[0110] Infant car seat system with rigid anchor system and release actuator In some implementations, the infant car seat system may include a release actuator 180 that provides a quick-disconnect mechanism for removing the infant car seat system from the vehicle. The integration of the release actuator 180 into the infant car seat system may depend, in part, on the type of anchor system 104 used (e.g., a rigid anchor system, a belt-attached anchor system). In the case of a rigid anchor system, the release actuator 180 may generally include a cable 184 that is routed through various portions of the infant car seat 102 to attach to the seat anchors 104A and 104D. The cable 184 may be coupled at one end to the release mechanism of each seat anchor and at the other end to the actuator handle 182.

[0111] For example, FIG. 11 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100c-1 with a release actuator 182 in which the cable 184 is disposed along a bottom portion of the infant car seat 102 (e.g., the bottom of the seat back 120) and the actuator handle 184 is disposed on the rear side 102B of the seat shell 103. As shown, the cable 184 is routed through the seat shell rails 106 and protrudes outward from an opening (not shown) adjacent to the seat anchor 104B, where it can be attached to a release mechanism of the seat anchor 104B. The length of the cable 184 exposed outside the infant car seat 102 is kept short enough to prevent the cable 184 from catching on another object within the vehicle and causing an accidental release. A corresponding cable 184 (not shown) can be routed through the seat shell rails 106A in a similar manner and attached to a release mechanism of the seat anchor 104A.

[0112] Actuator handle 182 may be positioned within a recess formed along rear side 102B of seat shell 103 between seat shell rails 106A and 106B. Thus, actuator handle 182 may be partially shielded by seat shell 103, which may also reduce the possibility of accidental release caused, for example, by actuator handle 182 contacting another object within the vehicle. Actuator handle 182 may further be coupled to respective cables 184 attached to seat anchors 104A and 104B, such that actuation of actuator handle 182 simultaneously releases both seat anchors 104A and 104B.

[0113] When a parent and / or caregiver actuates the actuator handle 182, the cable 184 can be retracted such that an actuation force is applied to the release mechanism of the seat anchor 104B. For example, the actuator handle 182 can be configured as a pull mechanism such that pulling on the actuator handle 182 displaces the cable 184, which in turn pulls the release mechanism of the seat anchor 104B. This arrangement may be similar to a bicycle brake cable system. However, it should be understood that the release actuator 180a is not limited to a pull mechanism and can incorporate other mechanisms, including, but not limited to, a push mechanism (e.g., pressing a button) and a twist mechanism (e.g., turning a knob).

[0114] FIG. 12 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100c-2 with a release actuator 180b partially integrated into the carrying handle 112. As before, the release actuator 180b may include respective cables 184A and 184B for connecting with the seat anchors 104A and 104B, respectively. The cables 184A and 184B may further be connected together to the actuator handle 182. However, in this implementation, the cables 184A and 184B may be partially routed through the carrying handle, and the actuator handle 182 may be located on top of the carrying handle 112. This configuration may allow a parent and / or caregiver to release the infant car seat system 100 from the vehicle seat 50 and carry the infant car seat system 100 out of the vehicle using only one arm and / or hand (i.e., the parent and / or caregiver can hold on to the carrying handle 112 throughout the removal process).

[0115] The carrying handle 112 may be attached to the infant car seat 102 via attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B. The attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B may generally allow the carrying handle 112 to be rotatable relative to the infant car seat 102 (e.g., to provide clearance when loading and unloading the infant and to adjust the orientation in which the infant car seat 102 is carried). Thus, the cables 184A and 184B may be routed through openings (not shown) in the attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B with sufficient clearance to ensure that the cables 184A and 184B are not pinched or otherwise restrained by the infant car seat 102 when the carrying handle 112 is rotated. The cables 184A and 184B may also be compliant components that have sufficient play when attached to the infant car seat 102 so that the cables 184A and 184B can easily follow the rotational movement of the carrying handle 112.

[0116] Infant car seat system with rigid anchor system and one or more storage compartments The infant car seat system may also include a storage compartment 160 for storing portions of the anchor system 104, such as seat anchors 104A and 104B, when not in use (e.g., the infant car seat system 160 may be carried by a parent and / or caregiver or attached to a stroller). As with the release actuator 180, the integration of the storage compartment 160 into the infant car seat system may depend, in part, on the type of anchor system 104 used. In the case of a rigid anchor system, the storage compartment 160 may generally be formed along the front of the infant car seat 102. In some implementations, the rigid anchor system may also be a foldable and / or extendable mechanism that transitions between a stowed position and an operational position.

[0117] For example, Figure 13 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100d-1 equipped with the rigid anchor system 104a and storage compartment 160a described above. In this implementation, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may not protrude outward from the outward-facing sides of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. Instead, the seat shell rails 106A and 106B may each have a wider width compared to the infant car seat system 100a-1, such that the storage compartment 160a may be formed as a recessed pocket along the front, side portions of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. The shape of the storage compartment 160a may match the shape of the side cross-section of the seat anchors 104A and 104B. Additionally, storage compartment 160a can be dimensioned to be substantially similar in size to the side cross-section of seat anchors 104A and 104B to ensure that seat anchors 104A and 104B can be positioned completely within storage compartment 160a without occupying a significant volume within infant car seat 102.

[0118] When deployed, the seat anchors 104A and 104B can protrude from the front of the infant car seat 102 (i.e., the seat anchors 104A and 104B extend beyond the front side 102A). To store the seat anchors 104A and 104B, the anchor system 104a can be rotated until the seat anchors 104A and 104B are positioned within their respective storage compartments 160a (e.g., until the seat anchors 104A and 104B are oriented approximately vertically). To retain the seat anchors 104A and 104B within the storage compartments 160a, the storage compartments 160a and / or the seat anchors 104A and 104B can include integrated locking mechanisms. For example, the seat anchors 104A and 104B can include the locking mechanisms described above (e.g., ratchet mechanisms, thumb screws).

[0119] In some implementations, the storage compartment 160a may include a snap-fit ​​locking mechanism including, for example, tabs and / or bumps located on the portion of the seat shell rail 106B that extends into the storage compartment 160a. To store the seat anchor 104B in the storage compartment 160a, a parent and / or caregiver can provide a large enough force to rotatably move the seat anchor 104B over the tabs and / or bumps and into the storage compartment 160a. The tabs and / or bumps can then prevent the seat anchor 104B from moving unless a sufficiently large force is applied by the parent and / or caregiver.

[0120] 14A and 14B show another exemplary infant car seat system 100d-2 with a telescopically adjustable anchor system 104e and a storage compartment 160a formed along the front portions of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. In this implementation, the anchor system 104e may include a telescopically adjustable cross member 104D to adjust the distance between the seat anchors 104A and 104B. In this manner, the anchor system 104e can transition between a stowed position, in which the anchor system 104e is fully disposed within the infant car seat 102, and an operational position, in which the anchor system 104e, particularly the seat anchors 104A and 104B, are deployed for attachment to the vehicle seat 50.

[0121] For example, FIG. 14B shows anchor system 104e in an operative position with cross-member 104D extended so that seat anchors 104A and 104B protrude from the sides of seat shell rails 106A and 106B and are in front of infant car seat 102 for installation in vehicle seat 50. For storage, seat anchors 104A and 104B can be rotated upward so that seat anchors 104A and 104B align with their respective openings 162a for entry into storage compartment 160a. Once aligned, cross-member 104d can be telescopically retracted to allow seat anchors 104A and 104B to move into their respective storage compartments 160a. Thus, seat anchors 104A and 104B can be held in place by sliding or rotating. A spring-loaded mechanism can be used to deploy the seat anchors, or the seat anchors may be equipped with a scoop that can be grasped with a finger for deployment.

[0122] 14C-14F show additional views of infant car seat system 100d-2 with anchor system 104e in the operative position. As shown in FIGS. 14C and 14D, storage compartment 160a may be formed from portions of respective rocker cavities 118A and 118B defined by seat shell rails 106A and 106B, respectively. Seat shell rails 106A and 106B may be hollow, thin-walled structures such that rocker cavities 118A and 118B are disposed below and to the sides of seat back 120 and seat pan 122. In this manner, storage compartment 160a occupies space within infant car seat 102 that would not normally be used for anything other than routing various cables.

[0123] When in the stowed position, the anchoring system 104e can be fully disposed within the infant car seat 102, such that the overall envelope of the infant car seat system 100d-2 can correspond to the envelope of the infant car seat 102. The inclusion of the telescopically adjustable anchoring system 104e integrated into the infant car seat 102 allows the baseless infant car seat system to maintain a similar size to conventional infant carriers, thereby enabling compatibility of the infant car seat system 100d-2 with other devices, such as strollers.

[0124] 15A-15F show several views of the infant car seat 102 in the infant car seat system 100d-2 without the anchor system 104e. As shown, an opening 162a for access to the storage compartment 160a can be formed on each side of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. In some implementations, the openings 162a can be shaped and / or sized based on the side cross-sections of the seat anchors 104A and 104B. Additionally, the openings 162a can be oriented to accommodate the desired orientation of the seat anchors 104A and 104B when in the stowed position.

[0125] 15A and 15B further illustrate that openings 116A and 116B can be formed in the interior of seat shell rails 106A and 106B. Openings 116A and 116B can be shaped according to the cross-sectional shape of cross-member 104D. Thus, openings 116A and 116B can define the locations of mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B where seat anchors 104A and 104B attach to infant car seat 102. In some embodiments, the openings can be reinforced with additional plastic in the seat shell adjacent to the openings and / or with plastic or metal reinforcing pieces applied around or otherwise adjacent to the openings.

[0126] 15F, opening 116B may overlap opening 162a. In some implementations, the relative positions between openings 116A and 116B and opening 162a may depend in part on the shape and / or placement of cross-member 104D and seat anchors 104A and 104B in anchor system 104e. In some implementations, openings 116A and 116B may be positioned sufficiently below seat rim 108 (but above plane 310) to provide sufficient clearance for seat anchors 104A and 104B to be inserted into infant car seat 102 without contacting seat rim 108.

[0127] 16A and 16B further illustrate anchor system 104e in the stowed and operational positions, respectively. Figures 16C-16E show additional views of anchor system 104e. As shown, anchor system 104e can include sheet anchors 104A and 104B and cross-member 104D. As before, cross-member 104D can be coupled to the ends of sheet anchors 104A and 104B opposite connection ends 105A and 105B.

[0128] In this implementation, cross member 104D can be an assembly of components including outer tube 141 and inner tube 142. Inner tube 142 can be shaped and / or sized to fit within outer tube 141, as shown in FIG. 16E, such that inner tube 142 is telescopically slidable relative to outer tube 141. As shown in FIG. 16D, outer tube 141 can further include one or more slots 143, and inner tube 142 can include one or more openings 145. Pins 144 can be inserted through openings 145 in inner tube 142 and slots 143 in outer tube 141, thus limiting relative movement of inner tube 142 and outer tube 141 along a path defined by slots 143. In this manner, slots 143 can define a range of motion for infant car seat 102 in which seat anchors 104A and 104B are telescopically adjustable.

[0129] 17 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100e-1 with openings 162b formed only in the front sides of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B to provide entrance for seat anchors 104A and 104B to enter storage compartment 160a. Infant car seat system 100e-1 may again include rigid anchor system 104a. Seat anchors 104A and 104B of infant car seat system 100e-1 can be stored using a process substantially similar to that of infant car seat system 100d-1. For example, anchor system 104a can be rotated from a deployed position (i.e., seat anchors 104A and 104B extend out in front of infant car seat 102) to a stowed position (i.e., seat anchors 104A and 104B are stored substantially within storage compartment 160a located within infant car seat 102), with seat anchors 104A and 104B passing through respective openings 162b. The primary difference is that seat anchors 104A and 104B pass through openings 162b formed only in the front portions of seat shell rails 106A and 106B.

[0130] 18A and 18B illustrate another exemplary infant car seat system 100e-2 including a telescopically adjustable rigid anchor system 104e and a front opening 162b. In particular, FIG. 18A illustrates the anchor system 104e in a stowed position, and FIG. 18B illustrates the anchor system 104e in an operational position. In this implementation, the anchor system 104e can be transitioned from the operational position to the stowed position by first telescopically retracting the seat anchors 104A and 104B. Once the seat anchors 104A and 104B are aligned with the openings 162b, the anchor system 104e can be rotated until the seat anchors 104A and 104B are positioned within the storage compartment 160a of the infant car seat 102.

[0131] 18C-18G show several views of the infant car seat system 100e-2 with the anchor system 104e deployed in an operative position. As before, the storage compartment 160a can be located within the portions of the rocker cavities 118A and 118B defined by the seat shell rails 106A and 106B.

[0132] 19A-19F show several views of the infant car seat 102 without the anchor system 104e. As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the opening 162b can substantially occupy the front of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. In other words, the curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B and the sides of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B can define the opening 162b. In some implementations, the shape and / or dimensions of the opening 162b, which are defined in part by the shape and / or dimensions of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B and the bottom curved rockers 107A and 107B, can be adjusted to substantially match the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the upper and / or lower portions of the seat anchors 104A and 104B.

[0133] 19A and 19B further illustrate that the infant car seat 102 may include openings 116A and 116B for physically engaging and supporting the cross-member 104D within the anchoring system 104e. As shown, the openings 116A and 116B may be formed as respective notches that intersect with portions of the opening 162b. Thus, the anchoring system 104e may be inserted as a single assembly from the front side 102A to engage with the openings 116A and 116B of the infant car seat 102 during assembly. For example, the cross-member 104D may be pushed into the openings 116A and 116B until the cross-member 104D physically contacts the rear edges of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B that form the openings 116A and 116B. The depth to which openings 116A and 116B extend into seat shell rails 106A and 106B may be selected, in part, to ensure that seat anchors 104A and 104B are positioned completely within storage compartment 160a when rotated about cross-member 104D. Although not clearly visible in the figures, in some embodiments, the inner walls of the seat shell rails completely surround the cross-member (in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 21A).

[0134] 20 illustrates another exemplary infant car seat system 100f-1 with an anchor system 104a configured to transition between a stowed position and an operating position via a slidable adjustment mechanism. As shown, the infant car seat 102 may include an opening 116A on the seat shell rail 106A shaped as a slot for restraining translational movement of the cross member 104D along a path defined by the opening 116A. A similar opening (not shown) may be formed in the seat shell rail 106B. Thus, the anchor system 104a may be translationally and rotationally adjustable relative to the infant car seat 102 when deployed.

[0135] Storage compartment 160b may be positioned proximate opening 116A and oriented such that seat anchor 104A, when positioned within storage compartment 160b, is oriented substantially horizontally within infant car seat 102. Infant car seat 102 may further include corresponding openings 162c shaped and / or sized based on the front / rear cross-sectional shapes and dimensions of seat anchors 104A and 104B. Compared to openings 162a and 162b of infant car seat systems 100d-1 and 100e-1, respectively, opening 162c may be significantly smaller, which may be beneficial for maintaining the structural rigidity of seat shell rails 106A and 106B.

[0136] To store seat anchors 104A and 104B in storage compartment 160b, anchor system 104a may first be rotated so that seat anchors 104A and 104B are oriented horizontally and thus aligned with openings 162c formed along the front of seat shell rails 106A and 106B. A parent and / or caregiver may then push seat anchors 104A and 104B through openings 162c and slidably move cross-member 104D along opening 116A until seat anchors 104A and 104B are fully positioned in storage compartment 160b. In some implementations, the position and length of opening 116A may be adjusted so that cross-member 104D contacts the respective front and rear ends of opening 116A when anchor system 104a is in the operating or storage position, respectively.

[0137] 21A and 21B illustrate another exemplary infant car seat system 100f-2 with a telescopically adjustable anchor system 104f and storage compartment 160b. In particular, FIG. 21A illustrates the anchor system 104f in the stowed position, and FIG. 21B illustrates the anchor system 104f in the operative position. In this example, openings 162c may be formed along the front and side portions of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B, such that the spacing between the seat anchors 104A and 104B may be telescopically adjustable between the operative and stowed positions. Similar to infant car seat system 100f-1, the infant car seat 102 of infant car seat system 100f-2 may include openings 116A and 116B shaped as slots and aligned with openings 162c. In one embodiment, a spring in the telescoping rail guide pushes the seat anchor out of the infant car seat (eg, when button 146B is pressed).

[0138] In the operating position, FIG. 21B shows that the telescoping mechanism of cross-member 104D can be adjusted to increase the spacing between seat anchors 104A and 104B. When transitioning to the stowed position, seat anchors 104A and 104B can be rotated horizontally, and cross-member 104D can be telescopically retracted, thus decreasing the spacing between seat anchors 104A and 104B. During this step, portions of seat anchors 104A and 104B can pass through the respective side portions of openings 162c formed along the sides of seat shell rails 106A and 106B. Next, seat anchors 104A and 104B can be pushed into storage compartment 160b by passing through the front portions of openings 162c. As before, openings 116A and 116B can determine the range of slidable adjustment between the operating position and the stowed position.

[0139] The anchor system 104f may further include telescoping rail guides 147A and 147B disposed within the storage compartment 160b for controlling slidable adjustment of the seat anchors 104A and 104B along the openings 116A and 116B. In particular, the telescoping rail guides 147A and 147B may each include a guide 149 attached to the infant car seat 102 (e.g., a portion of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B within the rocker cavities 118A and 118B) and a rail 148 attached to the seat anchors 104A and 104B and cross-member 104D. The rail 148 may be telescopically adjustable relative to the guide 149.

[0140] Telescoping rail guides 147A and 147B may further include integrated locking mechanisms that lock the positions of seat anchors 104A and 104B and cross-member 104D at set positions along openings 116A and 116B. Infant car seat system 100f-2 may also include a pair of buttons 146A and 146B disposed along the sides of seat shell rails 106A and 106B that are mechanically coupled to the locking mechanisms of telescoping rail guides 147A and 147B, respectively. When a parent and / or caregiver wishes to adjust the positions of seat anchors 104A and 104B and cross-member 104D, they press buttons 146A and 146B to release the locking mechanisms of telescoping rail guides 147A and 147B, and then slidably adjust seat anchors 104A and 104B accordingly.

[0141] Figures 21C-21H show several additional views of infant car seat system 100f-2 with anchor system 104f in the stowed position. In particular, Figure 21D shows seat anchors 104A and 104B, with telescoping rail guides 147A and 147B positioned within rocker cavities 118A and 118B defined by seat shell rails 106A and 106B, respectively. As before, seat anchors 104A and 104B can be fully positioned within infant car seat 102 during stowage to ensure the overall envelope of infant car seat system 100f-2 is similar to previous infant car seats. Figure 21H shows a cross-sectional view of infant car seat system 100f-2, particularly illustrating the placement of telescoping rail guide 147B and seat anchor 104B within rocker cavity 118B relative to seat pan 122 and seat back 120.

[0142] 22A-22F show several views of the infant car seat 102 without the anchor system 104f. FIGS. 22A and 22B show the opening 162c, and the openings 116A and 116B may be horizontally aligned relative to one another. However, the shape and / or dimensions of the opening 162c may correspond to the height / thickness of the seat anchors 104A and 104B, while the shape and / or dimensions of the openings 116A and 116B may correspond to the shape of the cross member 104D. As shown, the opening 162c and the openings 116A and 116B may be separated by portions of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. In some embodiments, this area may be reinforced with excess material in the seat shell rails and / or a plastic or metal reinforcing section. FIG. 22F further shows that the infant car seat 102 can include openings 117A and 117B in the sides of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B for attaching buttons 146A and 146B.

[0143] 23A-23G show several views of anchor system 104f, and in particular telescoping guide rails 147A and 147B (collectively referred to herein as telescoping rail guides 147). As shown, sheet anchors 104A and 104B and cross-member 104D may be substantially the same as anchor system 104e. Rails 148 of telescoping guide rails 147A and 147B may be coupled to portions of cross-member 104D such that sheet anchors 104A and 104B and cross-member 104D are slidably adjustable together with rails 148. As shown, rails 148 of telescoping rail guide 147A may be rotatably coupled to outer tube 141, and rails 148 of telescoping rail guide 147B may be rotatably coupled to inner tube 142 such that sheet anchors 104A and 104B are rotatable.

[0144] Rail 148 is shaped and / or dimensioned to fit within guide 149 such that rail 148 is telescopically adjustable relative to guide 149 along a single axis. Telescoping guide rails 147A and 147B may further include a locking mechanism including a rotatable hook 150 supported by a support section 152 on guide 149. Hook 150 may be configured to pass through openings 154 on guide 149 to engage with one or more slots 151 disposed along rail 147. Slots 151 on rail 147, along with openings 116A and 116B, may thus define several positions at which sheet anchors 104A and 104B and cross member 104D may be positioned and locked. Figures 23E and 23F show telescoping rail guide 147 in retracted and extended positions, respectively. FIG. 23G further shows a cross-sectional view of a hook 150 passing through an opening 154 in the guide 149 and engaging with a slot 151 in one of the rails 147 .

[0145] In some implementations, the hooks 150 of each telescoping guide rail 147A and 147B can be mechanically linked to the buttons 146A and 146B, for example, using one or more rotatably coupled linkage members (not shown). For example, pressing the button 146A can provide a force to rotate the hooks 150, thus disengaging the hooks 150 from the slots 151. In some implementations, a spring can be incorporated into the telescoping rail guide 147 to provide a spring basis, such as a torque, that keeps the hooks 150 engaged with the slots 151. In some implementations, the buttons 146A and 146B and / or the hooks 150 of the telescoping guide rails 147A and 147B can be mechanically coupled together, such that a parent and / or caregiver can simply press one of the buttons 146A and 146B to release the telescoping guide rails 147A and 147B for adjustment.

[0146] Exemplary Demonstration of an Infant Car Seat System with a Rigid Anchor System 24A-24D show several views of an exemplary prototype of an infant car seat system 100a equipped with a rigid anchor system 104a. As shown, the infant car seat system 102 is assembled by attaching a seat shell section 103b to a standard seat shell 103a to support the integrated anchor system 104a. In this example, the seat shell section 103b is positioned at the bottom of the seat shell 103a such that the seat anchors 104A and 104B are positioned below the seat shell rails 106A and 106B of the seat shell 103a. However, it should be understood that in other implementations of the infant car seat system 100a, the cross member 104D can protrude through openings (e.g., openings 116A and 116B) such that the seat anchors 104A and 104B protrude from the sides of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B and above the curved rocker bottoms 107A and 107B.

[0147] In some implementations, the infant car seat system 100, and in particular the infant car seat 102, may nevertheless be formed as a two-part assembly, where the seat shell section 103b is an accessory that can be joined to the standard seat shell 103a during assembly by the manufacturer or by a parent and / or caregiver after purchase to eliminate a removable vehicle installation base. In this way, the same seat shell 103a can be used across multiple product lines to reduce manufacturing costs. However, it should be understood that in other implementations, the infant car seat 102 may be formed as a single component.

[0148] Figures 25A-25E show several views of another exemplary prototype of infant car seat system 100c-1, including rigid anchor system 104a and release actuator 180a. Similar to the prototype infant car seat system 100a-1 shown in Figures 24A-24D, infant car seat 102 of infant car seat system 100c-1 may include seat shell section 103b attached to a standard seat shell 103a for demonstration purposes. Figure 25A shows the prototype infant car seat system 100c-1 coupled to vehicle seat 50. As shown, seat shell section 103b supports seat anchors 104A and 104B and may provide surfaces for infant car seat system 100c-1 to abut against vehicle seat pan 56 and vehicle backrest 58 for a tight fit. Figure 25B further shows seat anchor 104A adjacent to vehicle seat anchor 52 prior to installation.

[0149] FIG. 25A also shows a release actuator 180a integrated into the infant car seat 102 with a cable 184 routed from the seat anchor 104A to an actuator handle 182 located along the back side 102B of the infant car seat 102. As shown in FIGS. 25C and 25D, the cable 184 may be routed primarily within the infant car seat 102, with a small portion protruding from the infant car seat 102 for attachment to the seat anchor 104A. FIG. 25B further shows that the cable 184 may be connected to a release mechanism of the seat anchor 104A. When the actuator handle 182 is actuated, the cable 184 can then pull the release mechanism to open the seat anchor 104A for release.

[0150] <Infant car seat system with belt anchor system> The various implementations of the infant car seat system 100 described above illustrate several examples of rigid anchor systems. However, it should be understood that the infant car seat system 100 is not limited to rigid anchor systems and may similarly support other types of anchor systems 104. Below, several examples of infant car seat systems incorporating belt-type anchor systems are described.

[0151] 26 illustrates an exemplary infant car seat system 100g-1 with a belt-equipped anchor system 104g. The infant car seat system 100g-1 may include an infant car seat 102 with many of the same features described above with respect to other implementations of the present invention. For the sake of brevity, a detailed description of the various features associated with the infant car seat 102 will not be repeated here, but it should be understood that one or more of the above features may also be incorporated into the infant car seat 102 of the infant car seat system 100g-1.

[0152] As shown, the anchor system 104g may include seat anchors 104A and 104B as before. However, in this implementation, the seat anchors 104A and 104B can be coupled together via a conforming belt 104C. The belt 104C can make it easier for a parent and / or caregiver to position and orient the seat anchors 104A and 104B compared to the rigid anchor systems described above (i.e., the conforming characteristics of the belt 104C provide multiple axes of adjustment). The belt 104C can be routed through openings 116A and 116B formed in the seat shell rails 106A and 106B to attach to the infant car seat 102. The anchor system 104g may further include a belt tightening mechanism 155 that tightens the belt 104C so that it couples the infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat 50 with a tight fit. In other words, the belt 104C can be under tension when tightened sufficiently to eliminate undesirable play in the belt 104C, which may otherwise allow the infant car seat 102 to move and / or rock relative to the vehicle seat 50.

[0153] During a typical installation, a parent and / or caregiver can position infant car seat system 100g-1 so that infant car seat 102 is in a rear-facing configuration. Belt 104C can be initially loosened so that seat anchors 104A and 104B can be easily positioned and oriented for attachment to vehicle seat anchors 52A and 52B. Once seat anchors 104A and 104B are attached, the parent and / or caregiver can tighten belt 104C using belt tightening mechanism 155 until infant car seat 102 is pulled against vehicle seat back 58 and / or vehicle seat pan 56. In some implementations, the anchor system 104g may include a single belt tightening mechanism 155 (e.g., the parent and / or caregiver only needs to pull one strap during installation) or multiple belt tightening mechanisms 155 (e.g., a pair of belt tightening mechanisms 155 positioned proximate to seat anchors 104A and 104B to ensure that the belt is tightened equally on both sides of the infant car seat 102).

[0154] The openings 116A and 116B may be shaped to allow at least the belt 104C and / or possibly the seat anchors 104A and 104B to pass through. Thus, once fastened, the openings 116A and 116B can function as mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B on the infant car seat 102 to which the seat anchors 104A and 104B are effectively attached. Thus, the openings 116A and 116B, shown in FIG. 26 as being located along the lower front of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B, may be positioned in a manner similar to a rigid anchor system to reduce the forces and rotational displacement exerted on the infant during a crash. In other words, the openings 116A and 116B may be positioned above, or at least an approximation of, the plane 310 defined by the center of gravity 320 and the anchor points 324A and 324B.

[0155] 27 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100g-2 with a belt-and-anchor system 104h, in which each seat anchor 104A and 104B has a separate belt 104C-1 and 104C-2, respectively, attached to the infant car seat 102. In this implementation, the infant car seat 102 may be substantially the same as in the infant car seat system 100g-1. As shown, the belt 104C-1 may form a closed loop around the opening 116A, and similarly, the belt 104C-2 may form a closed loop around the opening 116B. In addition to forming a loop, each of the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 may include a belt tightening mechanism 155 (e.g., a clasp) that can be used to tighten the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 for installation.

[0156] FIG. 28 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100h-1 with a belt-equipped anchor system 104i, in which a belt 104C is routed at least partially along the vehicle seat belt path (i.e., the path along the infant car seat 102 through which the vehicle seat belt can pass to restrain the infant and / or infant car seat 102). As shown, the infant car seat 102 may include belt hooks 119A and 119B positioned on the seat rim 108 proximate attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B. The belt 104C of the anchor system 104i may be routed through the belt hooks 119A and 119B such that a portion of the belt 104c extends across the seat pan 122 of the infant car seat 102. As before, the belt 104C may connect the seat anchors 104A and 104B together and may incorporate a belt tightening mechanism 155 for tightening the belt 104C during installation.

[0157] Belt hooks 119A and 119B may be shaped such that the vehicle seat belt remains coupled to infant car seat 102 along with belt 104C in anchor system 104i. In this manner, belt hooks 119A and 119B may serve multiple functions in infant car seat 102. This may simplify the design of infant car seat 102 by eliminating openings 116A and 116B in seat shell rails 106A and 106B. In this example, belt hooks 119A and 119B may define mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B.

[0158] FIG. 29 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100h-2, which is a variation of infant car seat system 100h-1, that includes a tether 156 to further constrain the routing of belt 104C. As shown, tether 156 can be a strap and / or belt coupled to seat shell rail 106B that is looped around belt 104C. In some implementations, tether 156 can be a substantially rigid component that more securely constrains belt 104C to infant car seat 102. A tether can also be positioned on seat shell rail 106A and looped around a portion of belt 104C as well. Tether 156 prevents removal of belt 104C from the car seat.

[0159] FIG. 30 illustrates another exemplary infant car seat system 100h-3 with a belt-equipped anchor system 104k, in which each seat anchor 104A and 104B has a corresponding belt 104C-1 and 104C-2 routed partially through belt hooks 119A and 119B, respectively. As shown, each of the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 may include a corresponding belt tightening mechanism 155, similar to infant car seat system 100g-2. However, in this implementation, belt 104C-1 may pass through belt hook 119A and then be routed downward along the inside of seat shell rail 106A. Belt 104C-1 may then be secured to curved bottom rocker 107A via, for example, a metal bar or plate at anchor point 157a. Belt 104C-2 is similarly routed across belt hook 119B and downwardly along the inside of seat shell rail 106B and then secured to another anchor point 157a on seat shell rail 106B.

[0160] Belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 may be firmly attached to infant car seat 102 at anchor points 157a. However, by routing belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 through belt hooks 119A and 119B, belt hooks 119A and 119B may still effectively define mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B. In other words, belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 may be restrained by belt hooks 119A and 119B such that belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 cannot move relative to infant car seat 102 when a sudden crash force is applied to infant car seat system 100h-3.

[0161] 31 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100h-4 with a belt-equipped anchor system 104j. Seat anchors 104A and 104B may again have respective belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 for separately coupling seat anchors 104A and 104B to infant car seat 102. However, in this implementation, belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 may be attached directly to seat rim 108 at corresponding anchor points 157b, for example, using metal plates or bars rigidly attached to belts 104C-1 and 104C-2. Anchor points 157b may thus define mechanical restraint points 322A and 322B.

[0162] FIG. 32 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100i with a belt anchor system 104l, in which the belt 104C is routed through openings 116A and 116B on the seat shell rails 106A and 106B, respectively. Compared to infant car seat system 100g-1, the belt 104C can be routed above the seat pan 122 but below a seat pad (not shown) disposed on the seat pan 122 and the seat back 120. In some implementations, the openings 116A and 116B can be positioned along the seat shell rails 106A and 106B such that the belt 104C can lie across the seat pan 122 when inserted through the openings 116A and 116B. In this way, the surface of the seat pan 122 can provide a larger surface against which the belt 104C can be fastened during installation.

[0163] In other words, a portion of the impact force applied to the infant car seat system 100i and subsequently transferred to the belt 104C may be distributed over a larger surface due to the larger contact area between the belt 104C and the seat pan 122. This may reduce the mechanical stress applied to the belt 104C and / or the infant car seat 102.

[0164] Depending on the placement and configuration of the belt anchor system on the infant car seat, various belt tightening mechanisms 155 may be used to facilitate a tight fit between the infant car seat 102 and the vehicle seat 50, including, but not limited to, belt buckles, pairs of O-rings and / or D-rings, and cam locks.

[0165] 33 shows an example infant car seat system 100j with a belt-equipped anchor system 104m, in which the belt tightening mechanism includes a cam lock 158. As shown, a seat anchor 104b in anchor system 104m can have a belt 104C routed through a pair of openings 116B-1 and 116B-2 such that ends of the belt 104C are positioned outside the infant car seat 102, while a central portion of the belt 104C is positioned within the infant car seat 102. In some implementations, opening 116B-1 can define a mechanical restraint point 322B.

[0166] The portion of the belt 104C extending outward from the opening 116B-2 may include a cam lock 158 aligned with the belt 104C. The belt 104C may then form a loop for a parent and / or caregiver to grasp (e.g., the end of the belt 104C may be sewn to a midsection of the belt 104C to form the loop). A similar belt 104C and cam lock 158 may be separately attached to the seat shell rail 106A for the seat anchor 104A.

[0167] The cam lock 158 may be a mechanism that allows the belt 104C to slide toward the rear side 102B of the infant car seat 102 while restricting movement toward the front side 102A. For example, the cam lock 158 may include an array of teeth positioned to grip the belt 104C when pulled toward the front side 102A of the infant car seat 102. Thus, a parent and / or caregiver can first position the infant car seat 102 on the vehicle seat 50 as desired and then tighten the belt 104C by pulling the belt 104C (e.g., through the loop) until the infant car seat 102 is securely attached to the vehicle seat 50. The cam lock 158 may further include a release mechanism that can be manually actuated to release and loosen the belt 104C, for example, during removal of the infant car seat system 100j and / or readjustment of the belt 104C.

[0168] In some implementations, the cam lock 158 can be integrated using a separate strap to form a pulley-based tightening mechanism to reduce the amount of force required to tighten the belt-and-anchor system. For example, FIG. 34 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100k-1 with a belt-and-anchor system 104n that tightens via a pulley strap 159 equipped with a cam lock 158. The seat anchors 104A and 104B of the anchor system 104n can be coupled together via a belt 104C, which can be routed along the seat shell rails 106A and 106B, respectively, and through respective openings 116A and 116B. As shown, a central portion of the belt 104C can be positioned under the seat pan 122 between the seat shell rails 106A and 106B.

[0169] The pulley strap 159 may be secured to the bottom of the seat shell 103 at anchor points 164 and then wrapped around the center portion of the belt 104C between the seat shell rails 106A and 106B, as shown in FIG. 34. The pulley strap 159 may then be fed through a cam lock 158 that is rigidly attached to the seat shell 103. In some implementations, the pulley strap 159 may then form a loop that acts as a handle. In this arrangement, a parent and / or caregiver can pull the pulley strap 159 toward the rear side 102B of the infant car seat 102, which pulls the pulley strap 159 against the belt 104C.

[0170] 35 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100k-2, which is a variation of infant car seat system 100k-1 in which pulley strap 159 is simply looped around belt 104C and thus secured to infant car seat 102 via cam lock 158. As shown, one end of pulley strap 159 may be looped around belt 104C and subsequently secured (e.g., by sewing) to a central portion of pulley strap 159 at anchor point 164. As before, pulley strap 159 may be pulled to tighten belt 104C.

[0171] 36 shows infant car seat system 100k-3, which is yet another variation of infant car seat system 100k-1, in which pulley strap 159 is attached directly to belt 104C. As shown, one end of pulley strap 159 may be sewn directly to the center portion of belt 104C at anchor point 164. Again, pulley strap 159 may only be secured to infant car seat 102 by cam lock 158.

[0172] In some implementations, the pulley-based tightening mechanism can even be integrated into a belt-attached anchor system with multiple belts. For example, FIG. 37 shows an example infant car seat system 100k-4 with a belt-attached anchor system 104o. As shown, seat anchors 104A and 104B can be coupled to belts 104C-1 and 104C-2, respectively. Belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 can then be routed through openings 116A and 116B, respectively, in the infant car seat 102. In this implementation, the ends of belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 are sewn together with pulley straps 159 at anchor points 164 under the seat pan 122 and between the seat shell rails 106A and 106B.

[0173] 38 illustrates another exemplary infant car seat system 100k-5 in which each belt 104C-1 and 104C-2 of the anchor system 104o has its own corresponding pulley-based tightening mechanism. As shown, belt 104C-1 can be coupled to pulley strap 159A, and similarly, belt 104C-2 can be coupled to pulley strap 159B. Pulley straps 159A and 159B can have corresponding cam locks 158A and 158B, respectively, attached to the infant car seat 102. In this configuration, belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 can be separately tightened by pulling on pulley straps 158A and 158B, respectively.

[0174] 39A and 39B illustrate another exemplary infant car seat system 100l incorporating a ratchet mechanism for tightening the belt within the belt anchor system. As shown, the infant car seat system 100l may include a belt anchor system 104p with seat anchors 104A and 104B. The seat anchor 104B may be coupled to a belt 104C that passes through an opening 116B in a seat shell rail 106B. The belt 104C may then be wound around a spool 166 within the infant car seat 102. The spool 166 may allow for the use of a longer belt 104C without significantly increasing the volume that the belt 104C occupies within the infant car seat 102. The seat anchor 104A may similarly include the belt 104C wound around a second spool in the seat shell rail 106A.

[0175] The spool 166 may include a ratchet mechanism that only allows the belt 104C to move along a direction that retracts the belt 104C, while restricting movement along an opposite direction that unretracts the belt 104C. The spool 166 may be mechanically coupled to a handle 165 that may be positioned outside the seat shell rail 106B. The handle 165 may be configured such that a parent and / or caregiver must repeatedly pull on the handle 165 to incrementally retract and thus tighten the belt 104C, as shown in FIG. 39B.

[0176] In some implementations, the spool 166 can include a release mechanism that allows the belt 104C to be loosened. The release mechanism can be triggered by different actuations of the handle 165 (e.g., the handle 165 can be pushed inward toward the infant car seat). In some implementations, the belt 104C can be rewound by simultaneously pushing the handle 165 and pulling the seat anchor 104B. In some implementations, the spool 166 can include a spring (not shown) that provides a spring bias to automatically rewind the belt 104C when a parent and / or caregiver actuates the handle 165.

[0177] FIG. 40 illustrates yet another exemplary infant car seat system 100m incorporating a spring-assisted retraction mechanism for tightening the belt-and-anchor system. As shown, the belt-and-anchor system 104q may include seat anchors 104A and 104B with a separate belt 104C. The belt 104C may again be wound around a spool 166 disposed within the infant car seat 102. However, in this implementation, the spool 166 may include a spring configured to retract the belt without any additional input from the parent and / or caregiver. A similar spring-activated spool 166 may be included separately for the belt 104C coupled to the seat anchor 104A. Thus, the belt 104C can be automatically tightened when the seat anchors 104A and 104B are attached to the vehicle seat 50.

[0178] To install the infant car seat system 100m, the spool 166 can be configured to allow a parent and / or caregiver to retract the belt 104C from the infant car seat 102 when a sufficiently large force is applied. In some implementations, the spool 166 can be configured to prevent unwinding of the belt 104C only when a large force is applied for a short period of time (e.g., in the case of a collision force). Stated differently, the parent and / or caregiver can unwind the belt 104C by gently pulling on the seat anchor 104B for a longer period of time. In some implementations, the infant car seat system 100m can include a button (not shown) that releases the retraction spool 166, so that the belt 104C can be more easily unwound by pulling on the seat anchor 104B with less force.

[0179] <Infant car seat system with belt anchor system and release actuator> An infant car seat system with a belt anchor system may also include a release actuator to provide a quick disconnect mechanism for releasing the anchor system from the vehicle seat. As with the release actuators described above for rigid anchor systems, release actuators for belt anchor systems can be integrated into infant car seats in a variety of ways.

[0180] For example, Figures 41A and 41B show an exemplary infant car seat system 100n-1 including a release actuator 180a and belt anchor system 104h of infant car seat system 100c-1. As shown, release actuator 180a can again include cables 184A and 184B routed through a portion of the seat shell 103 and, in particular, through the seat shell rails 106A and 106B of the infant car seat 102. Cables 184A and 184B can be coupled to an actuator handle 182 located on the rear side 102B of the infant car seat 102, between the seat shell rails 106A and 106B and below the seat rim 108. Cables 184A and 184B can also be routed through openings in the seat shell rails 106A and 106B for connection with the seat anchors 104A and 104B.

[0181] In the case of a belt-equipped anchor system, the fit of belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 means that actuation of release actuator 180a can displace seat anchors 104C-1 and 104C-2 instead of actuating the release mechanisms of seat anchors 104A and 104B. Thus, the sheath contacts the seat shell at its end, which in turn contacts the connector housing at its end. A cable within the sheath connects to the actuator, which in turn connects to the latch (or unlatching portion) to release the connector. FIG. 41B shows that cable 184B can be attached directly to both latch 130 and actuator handle 182, so that movement of actuator handle 182 can be transferred directly to seat anchor 104B to release latch 130.

[0182] 42 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100n-2 incorporating a release actuator 180b into infant car seat system 100c-2 and belt anchor system 1004h. Release actuator 180b can operate in the same manner as release actuator 180a in infant car seat system 100n-1, with cables 184A and 184B directly coupled to latches 130 and actuator handle 182 of seat anchors 104A and 104B. Cables 184A and 184B can again be routed through carrying handle 112 and provided with sufficient slack to accommodate changes in the rotational position of carrying handle 112.

[0183] FIG. 43 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100n-3 with a release actuator 180c coupled to a belt-equipped anchor system 104h. In this implementation, the release actuator 180c may include two actuator handles for separately releasing the seat anchors 104A and 104B. As shown, the actuator handle 182B may be disposed on the side of the seat shell rail 106B and coupled to a cable 184B. In some implementations, the actuator handle 182B may be configured as a sliding mechanism that requires a parent and / or caregiver to slide the handle 182B to release the seat anchor 104B. However, it should be understood that the actuator handle 182B may also be configured as a push / pull mechanism or a twist mechanism. The cable 184A may be connected to a similar actuator handle on the seat shell rail 106A. In some implementations, the cables 184A and 184B may be routed such that the handle 182B can simultaneously release both seat anchors 104A and 104B.

[0184] In some implementations, the release actuator may be integrated with the belt tightening mechanism. For example, FIG. 44 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100n-4 with a belt-and-anchor system 104m including a release actuator 180d and an in-line cam lock 158. As shown, the cable 184 of the release actuator 180d may be routed through webbing 186 on the belt 104C (e.g., through a webbing section disposed on the belt 104C) and then partially through the infant car seat 102 to an actuator handle (not shown). Thus, the cable 184 can move with the belt 104C when the belt 104C is tightened. In this manner, the possibility of inadvertent release of the seat anchor 104B caused by displacement of the belt 104B can be substantially reduced.

[0185] Infant car seat system with belt anchor system and storage compartment An infant car seat system with a belt anchor system may also include one or more storage compartments 160 for storing the seat anchors 104A and 104B and / or portions of the belt 104C. For example, FIG. 45 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100o including storage compartments 160c disposed in the locker cavities 118A and 118B of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B for storing the seat anchors 104A and 104B. As shown, the infant car seat 102 may include openings 162c formed along the front, side portions of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B for accessing the seat anchors 104A and 104B from the storage compartments 160c.

[0186] The storage compartment 160c can be positioned so that the seat anchors 104A and 104B are positioned substantially horizontally when stored. In some implementations, the seat anchor 104B (or seat anchor 104A) can be coupled to the belt 104C, which is routed through the opening 116B on the seat shell rail 106B. Thus, the belt 104C can be partially disposed within the infant car seat 102. The belt 104C can also be routed through the storage compartment 160c so that the belt 104C moves through the storage compartment 160c when displaced. The belt 104C can also be coupled to a belt tightening mechanism (not shown). When the infant car seat system 100o is not attached to a vehicle seat, activation of the belt tightening mechanism can cause the belt 104C to pull the seat anchor 104B into the storage compartment 160c. For deployment, the belt tightening mechanism may include a release mechanism that allows the parent and / or caregiver to withdraw the seat anchor 104B along with the belt 104C from the storage compartment 160c.

[0187] 46 illustrates another exemplary infant car seat system 100p with several storage compartments 160d-1, 160d-2, and / or 160d-3 and a belt anchor system 104k. The storage compartments 160d-1, 160d-2, and / or 160d-3 can be positioned within rocker cavities 118A and 118B defined by seat shell rails 104A and 104B. In this implementation, a parent and / or caregiver can stow seat anchors 104A and 104B by loosening belts 104C-1 and 104C-2, which may include, in some cases, disconnecting belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 from belt hooks 119A and 119B and placing seat anchors 104A and 104B over seat rim 108 and into storage compartments 160d-1, 160d-2, and / or 160d-3. When stowed, seat anchors 104A and 104B (along with belts 104C-1 and 104C-2) may be positioned under a seat pad (not shown).

[0188] 47 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100q with a plurality of pins 163 and belt anchor system 104j positioned along the exterior of the stowed infant car seat 102. As shown, the pins 163 may protrude outward from the seat rim 108. When stowing the seat anchors 104A and 104B, a parent and / or caregiver can latch the seat anchors 104A and 104B to one of the pins 163, so that the seat anchors 104A and 104B and belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 do not dangle from the infant car seat 102.

[0189] In some implementations, the seat anchors 104A and 104B can be loosely hooked onto the pin 163 such that they are rotatably movable relative to the pin 163. In some implementations, the seat anchors 104A and 104B can be securely attached to the pin 163 such that the seat anchors 104A and 104B cannot move translationally or rotationally relative to the infant car seat 102. Additionally, the pins 163 may also be located on the outside of the seat shell 103 and / or on the seat shell rails 106A and 106B, and also on the inside of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B (i.e., in the space below the seat pan 122).

[0190] 48 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100r with a storage compartment 160e disposed beneath the seat pan 122 and between the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. As shown, the infant car seat system 100r may include a belt-and-anchor system 104j. In this implementation, the storage compartment 160e may provide a space located near the front side 102A of the infant car seat 102 with openings that allow the seat anchors 104A and 104B, along with portions of the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2, to be manually placed into the storage compartment 160e.

[0191] 49 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100s with a storage compartment 160f shaped and positioned similarly to storage compartment 160b of infant car seat systems 100f-1 and 100f-2. As shown, storage compartment 160f may be positioned within the front portions of rocker cavities 118A and 118B of seat shell rails 106A and 106B. Openings in the front sides of seat shell rails 106A and 106B may provide entrance for seat anchors 104A and 104B positioned in storage compartment 160f.

[0192] <Infant car seat system with adjustable feet> As mentioned above, the shape, orientation, and overall configuration of the vehicle seat 50 can vary between different types of seats and / or different vehicles. This variability typically makes conventional infant car seat systems difficult to install with a secure, tight fit. In the case of the infant car seat system described herein, the infant car seat 102 can also have curved rocker bottoms 107A and 107B, which create an unstable platform that can make installation even more difficult (e.g., the infant car seat 102 tends to rock back and forth).

[0193] To accommodate different vehicle seats 50 and infant car seats 102 having curved rocker bottoms 107A and 107B, the infant car seat system 100 may include an adjustment foot 170 to change the reclining angle of the infant car seat 102. For example, FIG. 50 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100u in which the infant car seat 102 includes an adjustment foot 170 positioned along the front-lower portion of the seat shell 103. As shown, the seat pan angle α1 of the vehicle seat pan 56 can generally vary between 6 and 23 degrees relative to horizontal. Additionally, the backrest 120 of the infant car seat 102 should preferably be oriented at a reclining angle α2 between approximately 40 and 60 degrees relative to horizontal to ensure the safety and comfort of the infant 40.

[0194] The adjustment foot 170 can work in conjunction with the curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B to provide a stable platform for the infant car seat 102 to rest on the vehicle seat 50, particularly during the process of installing the infant car seat in the vehicle. In some implementations, the adjustment foot 170 can be shaped and / or adjusted to abut the vehicle backrest 58 and / or vehicle seat pan 56 to generally provide leverage against the seat pan and / or backrest of the vehicle seat, thereby facilitating installation of a tight, secure fit of the infant car seat into the vehicle seat (e.g., installation that passes the CPS "inch test"). To accommodate changes in the seat pan angle α, the position and / or orientation of the adjustment foot 170 relative to the infant car seat 102 can be adjustable to change the recline angle α accordingly. The adjustment foot 170 can further include an integrated positioning mechanism to ensure that the desired recline angle is maintained once set by a parent and / or caregiver.

[0195] The adjustable foot 170 can be integrated into the infant car seat system 100 in several ways. For example, FIGS. 52A and 52B show an exemplary infant car seat system 100u-1 with a telescoping adjustable foot 170a. As shown, the adjustable foot 170a can include a base 172 attached to the infant car seat 102 and a foot 174 that is telescopically slidable relative to the base 172 (e.g., to change the overall height dimension of the adjustable foot). The base 172 and foot 174 can be positioned between the seat shell rails 106A and 106B and positioned near the front side 102A of the infant car seat 102 to balance the contact between the vehicle seat 50 and the curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B, which typically occurs toward the rear side 102B of the infant car seat 102.

[0196] Base 172 can be oriented so that foot 174 moves along translational axis 171. By retracting and / or extending foot 174 from base 172, recline angle α2 can be increased or decreased, respectively.

[0197] The base 172 may further include a positioning mechanism 176 for locking the position of the foot 174 relative to the base 172. In some implementations, the positioning mechanism 176 may include a ratchet mechanism that defines a set of discrete positions for the foot 174 to be set and maintained relative to the base 172. The positioning mechanism 176 may also be actuated in several ways, including, but not limited to, a push button, a rotatable knob, and a sliding mechanism. Thus, a parent and / or caregiver can actuate the positioning mechanism 176 to unlock the foot 174, thereby allowing the position of the foot 174 to be adjusted accordingly. Once the desired position of the foot 174 is set, the parent and / or caregiver can release the positioning mechanism 176 to lock the foot 174 in place.

[0198] In some implementations, the adjusting foot 170a may also be rotatable relative to the infant car seat 102. In particular, the base 172 may be attached to the infant car seat 102 via a rod, tube, or bar 178 that allows the base 172 and foot 174 to rotate between a stowed position and an operating position. For example, FIG. 51B shows the adjusting foot 170a in a stowed position, with the base 172 and foot 174 positioned substantially flush with the bottom of the seat pan 122. In some implementations, the adjusting foot 170a may also form a storage compartment for storing the seat anchors 104A and 104B when in the stowed position.

[0199] FIG. 52 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100u-2 with a rotatable adjustment foot 170b and a belt-equipped anchor system 104k. As shown, the adjustment foot 170b may include a foot 174 configured to pivot about a pivot axis 179 to adjust the reclining angle α2. Specifically, the foot 174 can be rotated downward to decrease the reclining angle α2. In some implementations, the adjustment foot 170b may also include a positioning mechanism (not shown) to maintain the foot 174 at a set angle relative to the infant car seat 102. Similar to the adjustment foot 170a, the positioning mechanism within the adjustment foot 170b can be manually actuated to allow a parent and / or caregiver to adjust the rotational position of the foot 174 as needed.

[0200] <Infant car seat system with rocker feet> As mentioned above, the infant car seat 102 may include seat shell rails 106A and 106B with curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B, which may create an unstable platform for the infant car seat 102 when placed on the vehicle seat 50. In addition to integrating the adjustment feet 170, the infant car seat system 100 may simply incorporate seat shell rails 102 with flat bottom sides instead of the curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B. However, this approach would eliminate the rocking function of the infant car seat 102.

[0201] In some implementations, the infant car seat 102 can be configured to provide both a rocking function and a flat platform by incorporating retractable rocker feet. For example, FIG. 53 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100v with pop-out rocker feet 190A and 190B positioned within seat shell rails 106A and 106B, respectively, to provide curved rocker bottoms 107A and 107B. As shown in FIG. 53, the pop-out rocker foot 190B is retractable and can be positioned within a rocker cavity 118B when not in use (the seat shell rail 106A can include a similar rocker cavity, not shown in FIG. 53, to accommodate the foot 190A). When deployed, the retractable pop-out rocker feet 190A and 190B can extend substantially across the bottom surfaces of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B, thus providing a curved platform similar to the curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B.

[0202] The retractable pop-out rocker feet 190A and 190B may be coupled to their corresponding seat shell rails 106A and 106B via a sliding mechanism (e.g., slots and rails) that constrains the feet along a desired path (e.g., a path that is oriented substantially vertically when the infant car seat 102 is supported by a horizontal surface). The seat shell rails 106A and 106B may have bottom openings through which the retractable pop-up feet 190A and 190B, respectively, can pass when deployed and / or stowed.

[0203] The pop-out rocker feet may further include an integrated locking mechanism (not shown) for maintaining the feet in either the stowed or operating positions. The locking mechanism may be activated by a tab and / or button 194. For example, a parent and / or caregiver can press the tab / button 194 to deploy the pop-out rocker feet. For storage, a parent and / or caregiver can press the tab / button 194 to push the retractable pop-out rocker feet 190A and 190B into the corresponding rocker cavities 118A and 118B.

[0204] The pop-out rocker feet 190A or 190B of each seat shell rail 106A and 106B can be individually actuated as shown in Figure 53. However, it should be understood that in other implementations, the infant car seat 102 can include a pair of pop-out rocker feet 190A and 190B that are mechanically coupled such that the feet are simultaneously deployable and / or retractable by actuating only one tab / button 194.

[0205] <Infant car seat system with mini seat base> In some implementations, challenges encountered when using ride-hailing or ride-sharing vehicles with conventional infant car seat systems may be partially addressed by using a seat base that is smaller than the conventional detachable vehicle installation base 20 shown in Figure 1A. For example, Figure 54 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100w with a mini-base 200 that attaches to a vehicle seat 50 and provides an attachment interface for installing an infant car seat 102.

[0206] As shown, the mini base 200 may include an anchor system 104s in which seat anchors 104A and 104B are attached directly to the mini base 200 for attachment to the vehicle seat 50. The mini base 200 may also include a belt hook 210 that accepts a vehicle seat belt (not shown) so that the vehicle seat belt can also couple the mini base 200 to the vehicle seat 50. The mini base 200 may include an engagement mechanism 202 configured to accept a rod 204 positioned on the infant car seat 102. As shown in FIG. 54 , the rod 204 may be positioned under the seat pan 122, between the seat shell rails 106A and 106B.

[0207] In some implementations, the engagement mechanism 202 may include a latch mechanism for securely coupling the infant car seat 102 to the mini base 200. The mini base 200 and / or the infant car seat 102 may further include a release mechanism (not shown) for releasing the infant car seat 102 from the mini base 200 when actuated by a parent and / or caregiver.

[0208] With this approach, the infant car seat 102 can still substantially rest on the vehicle seat 50 via the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. In other words, unlike conventional infant car seat systems (such as those shown in FIG. 1A ), the mini-base 200 only provides an interface for attaching the infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat 50, but does not provide a platform for supporting the infant car seat 102. In addition, the seat anchors 104A and 104B can provide a quick connect and / or disconnect mechanism similar to the above-described inventive infant car seat system with the integrated anchor system disclosed herein. The mini-base 200 can also be sized significantly smaller than conventional seat bases, thereby reducing the weight and size of the mini-base 200 and therefore the burden of carrying it on parents and / or caregivers.

[0209] In some implementations, the infant car seat 102 may be pre-attached to the mini base 200 by a parent and / or caregiver and then attached together to the vehicle seat 50. Similarly, the infant car seat 102 and the mini base 200 may be removed together from the vehicle seat 50. In this manner, the mini base 200 may function as an accessory that is removably coupled to the infant car seat 102. This allows the infant car seat 102 to maintain a lighter weight and reduces the functions of the infant car seat 102 that can only be used when the infant car seat system 100w is installed in the vehicle.

[0210] In some implementations, the infant car seat 102 may include one or more of the features described above for an infant car seat system with an integrated anchoring system, such as an integrated release actuator that may be mechanically integrated into the mini-base 200 via an engagement mechanism 210, or a storage compartment 160 for storing the mini-base 200.

[0211] <Transporting infants via ride-hailing / ride-sharing> As noted above, an infant car seat system according to various exemplary implementations disclosed herein significantly facilitates the transportation of an infant using ride-hailing or ride-sharing services. With the above in mind, FIG. 55A illustrates a method 5500 of providing transportation to an infant and accompanying parent / caregiver by a transportation network company (TNC; e.g., Uber, Lyft) that provides ride-hailing or ride-sharing services.

[0212] In step 5510 of method 5500, the transportation network company enters into a contract with the driver of a vehicle that includes an infant car seat system 100 of the present invention already installed. The contract between the TNC and the driver enables the driver to receive and accept reservations for ride-hail / ride-share trips from parties (e.g., the infant's parent / caregiver) using an app running on the driver's mobile device. The contract between the transportation network company and the driver can be formed in any suitable manner that results in a legally enforceable contract, such as a contractual agreement provided by the transportation network company as an offer that the driver can accept using any suitable means, including an app on the driver's mobile device, via an app on the driver's vehicle's computing device, via a website, etc. The driver can accept in any suitable manner, such as by simply downloading and using the app from an app store, etc., clicking an accept / agree option in the app on the driver's mobile device, on the vehicle's computing device, or on a website. The terms of the agreement can include an agreement by the vehicle driver to provide the infant car seat system 100 already installed in the vehicle. The terms and conditions may further specify that a fee will be charged by the TNC for the journey and / or time requested by the parent / caregiver (or another party acting on behalf of the parent / caregiver) and, optionally, that an additional fee will be charged by the TNC for the use of an infant car seat in the vehicle. As part of the driver's operation of the app on his or her mobile device, the driver receives the departure and destination directions for the journey provided by the booker.

[0213] In step 5520, pursuant to the agreement of step 5510, the TNC provides and / or permits the electronic download of the app to the driver's mobile device. The driver can then receive bookings for ride-hailing / ride-sharing trips where an infant car seat is specifically requested.

[0214] Similar to vehicle drivers, parents / caregivers (or parties booking on behalf of parents / caregivers) can also download a passenger-specific app from the transportation network company to request a reservation for a vehicle with the infant car seat system 100. FIG. 55B shows an example interface of such an app that a party can use to request a vehicle with an infant car seat system, as indicated by option 5550. In some implementations, the request / booking can include a more explicit or explicit indication of the parent / caregiver (and optionally, additional people) traveling with the infant, and a request for a vehicle that already has the infant car seat system 100 installed. The driver-specific app can receive an indication of the request from the booker (e.g., if the transportation network company determines that the driver's vehicle meets the criteria set in the request / booking) and can either automatically accept the request (e.g., based on a contract or the driver's expressed preferences) or request that the driver voluntarily accept the request.

[0215] In some implementations, the passenger-specific app may not only allow the booker to request a vehicle equipped with the infant car seat system 100; additionally or alternatively, the app may allow the user to rent the infant car seat system 100 for a period longer than the journey, such as for a few hours, a day, several days, or a week. Such functionality may be useful, for example, if the parent / caregiver anticipates an extended need for the infant car seat system 100 beyond the need for the requested journey. Such a need may arise, for example, when the parent / caregiver is traveling with an infant on a multi-leg journey (e.g., an initial ride-hail leg from home to the departure airport, an empty leg from the departure airport to the destination airport, and a second ride-hail leg from the destination airport to a grandparent's house). FIG. 55C illustrates an option 5555 (shown as a selectable "car seat rental" option) for the booker to rent the infant car seat system 100 via the passenger-specific app interface. In some implementations, such a selection may provide the booker with one or more additional interfaces to provide additional information, terms, pricing, etc. related to the rental of the infant car seat system 100, and may require the booker to agree to such terms before confirming the rental of the infant car seat system. Once option 5555 is selected or otherwise completed, the transportation network company may indicate to the driver, via the driver-specific app, that the parent / caregiver intends to keep the infant car seat system 100 with them for a period of time after the journey is completed, and therefore the driver should allow the parent / caregiver to remove the infant car seat system 100 after arriving at the journey destination.

[0216] In step 5530, once the trip is complete, the driver can indicate that they have reached the destination of the ride-hail or ride-share trip using an app running on the driver's mobile device. For example, the driver can click a "Trip Complete" option in the app's user interface on the driver's mobile device, which is then transmitted to the transportation network company. After receiving such an indication, the transportation network company can provide the driver with a portion of the fare charged to the booking party. In this way, the driver is compensated for providing the infant car seat system 100 in the vehicle as an amenity for the parent / caregiver. In some implementations, if the booking party selects option 5555 to rent an infant car seat system during booking, the driver can be prompted via the driver-specific app to indicate confirmation of handing over the infant car seat system 100 to the parent / caregiver.

[0217] If the parent / caregiver wishes to return the infant car seat system during a subsequent trip with the transportation network company, the parent / caregiver can indicate this via a “car seat return” option 5560, which may be available on the passenger-specific app during the car seat rental. In such a case, if a driver of a vehicle contracted with the transportation network company selects or is selected to provide the trip, they may receive a statement via the driver-specific app that the parent / caregiver has selected / requested to return the infant car seat system 100 upon completion of the next trip, and that the parent / caregiver (or the party booking on behalf of the parent / caregiver) will be charged an additional fee for the infant car seat system rental (in addition to the fee for the subsequent trip itself). Once the next trip is completed, the driver may retain the infant car seat system 100, and the driver-specific app may indicate the additional fee charged to the booker by the transportation network company for the infant car seat system rental. In some implementations, the driver may be instructed via the driver-specific app to provide confirmation of receipt / return of the infant car seat system 100 to the booker. In some implementations, the driver-specific app may allow drivers of vehicles on subsequent journeys to list their vehicles as available for subsequent bookings and / or as having infant car seat systems 100 available for rental.

[0218] FIG. 56 illustrates another method 5600 of providing transportation for an infant through a transportation network company offering ride-hailing or ride-sharing services, addressing a scenario in which a parent / caregiver owns and / or otherwise possesses an infant car seat system 100 according to any of the embodiments described herein. In step 5610, as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 55A-55C, the parent / caregiver, or another party acting on the parent / caregiver's behalf, hails, requests, and / or otherwise reserves and pays for a ride-hail or ride-share trip with the transportation network company in a vehicle, i.e., with a vehicle and driver contracted with the transportation network company to provide such trip services. In some implementations, payment is not made upfront but rather after the trip is completed. The request may be made by the booker via a passenger-specific app provided by the transportation network company and received / accepted by the driver via a driver-specific app provided by the transportation network company, as generally detailed in connection with FIGS. 55A-55C. When making the request, the booker may specify the start and destination of the trip via the passenger-specific app. In some implementations, the request may include an indication that the booker is a parent / caregiver accompanying an infant in the infant car seat system or is requesting the trip on behalf of the parent / caregiver. In some implementations, providing such an indication may result in an increase in the fee / cost of the trip to the booker.

[0219] In some implementations, the parent / caregiver retains the infant car seat system due to a rental of the infant car seat system from a previous trip with the transportation network company, as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 55A-55C. In such implementations, the request made by the booker may include an indication that the parent / caregiver intends to retain the car seat after the trip, i.e., to continue renting the infant car seat system from the transportation network company. In some implementations, if the booker does not select the "return car seat" option 5560 (see FIG. 55C), the continued rental of the infant car seat system is implied. In some implementations, an indication of such an option to retain the infant car seat system, or the omission of an option to retain, can be provided to the driver of the vehicle via a driver-specific app.

[0220] In step 5620, method 5600 further includes, upon arrival of the vehicle at the departure location specified by the booking parties, the parent / caregiver transporting the infant in the infant car seat system to the vehicle, and the parent / caregiver and / or driver installing the infant car seat system in the vehicle with the front of the infant car seat facing the rear of the vehicle. In some implementations, as described above, the infant car seat does not include a removable vehicle installation base and can be installed in the vehicle without using the vehicle's vehicle seat belt. In some implementations, the infant car seat includes a set of seat shell rails (e.g., rails 106A and 106B, or a structurally / functionally similar variant thereof) and a carrying handle (e.g., handle 112, or a structurally / functionally similar variant thereof) with a corresponding curved rocker bottom (e.g., bottoms 107A and 107B, or a structurally / functionally similar variant thereof). The infant car seat may also include a handle attachment mechanism (e.g., mechanisms 114A and 114B, or a structural / functionally similar variation thereof) for attaching the handle to the seat shell rail. The infant car seat system may also include an anchor system (e.g., anchor system 104, or a structural / functionally similar variation thereof) coupled to the infant car seat for tightly fitting the infant car seat and securing it directly to a vehicle seat of the vehicle (e.g., similar to vehicle seat 50, or a structural / functionally similar variation thereof) with the front of the infant car seat facing the rear of the vehicle.

[0221] The anchor system can include seat anchors (e.g., seat anchors 104A and 104B, or structurally / functionally similar variations thereof) that mechanically couple to portions of a corresponding seat shell rail. In this manner, each anchor is constrained by its corresponding seat shell rail between the front of the infant car seat and a corresponding handle attachment mechanism on each side of the infant car seat. In this position / configuration, each infant car seat anchor then mechanically engages with a vehicle bottom anchor (e.g., vehicle bottom anchors 52A and 52B) of the vehicle seat.

[0222] In step 5630, and upon arrival of the vehicle at the destination, the parent / caregiver and / or driver can release both of the seat anchors from mechanical engagement with their corresponding under-vehicle anchors by using an actuator (e.g., actuator 180, or a structurally / functionally similar variant thereof) coupled to the infant car seat and anchor system. In some implementations where the subscriber is charged an additional fee for the ability to bring the infant and infant car seat system on the journey, an indication of the total fare from the transportation network company to the subscriber can be provided to the driver via a driver-specific app. conclusion

[0223] All parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are exemplary, and the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the particular application or applications in which the teachings of the present invention are used. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example, and it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof, embodiments of the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein.

[0224] Furthermore, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure, provided that such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the respective elements of the exemplary implementations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The use of numerical ranges does not exclude equivalents outside the range that perform the same function in the same way to produce the same result.

[0225] Also, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, at least one example of which is provided. The actions performed as part of a method may be ordered differently in some examples. Thus, in some implementations of the invention, the actions of a given method may be performed in an order different from that specifically shown, which may include performing some actions simultaneously (even when such actions are shown as sequential actions in an example embodiment).

[0226] All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0227] All definitions defined and used herein should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0228] As used in this specification and claims, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" should be understood to mean "at least one," unless expressly indicated otherwise.

[0229] As used in this specification and in the claims, the phrase "and / or" should be understood to mean "either or both" of the conjoined elements, i.e., elements that are present conjunctively in some cases and disjunctively in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be construed in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the conjoined elements. Other elements, whether related or unrelated to the elements specifically identified, may optionally be present in addition to the elements identified in the "and / or" clause. Thus, by way of example and not limitation, a reference to "A and / or B," when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising," may refer to A only (optionally including elements other than B) in one embodiment, B only (optionally including elements other than A) in another embodiment, and both A and B (optionally including other elements) in yet another embodiment, and so forth.

[0230] As used in the specification and claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" shall be interpreted as inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also two or more of the elements of the number or list, and optionally additional items not in the list. Only terms expressly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of," or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims, the term "consisting of," shall refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of the elements of the number or list. Generally, as used herein, the term "or" shall only be interpreted to indicate exclusive alternatives (i.e., "either / or, but not both") when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of," or "exactly one of." "Consisting essentially of," when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0231] As used in this specification and claims, the phrase "at least one" referring to a list of one or more elements should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements of the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each element specifically listed within the list of elements, nor excluding any combination of elements of the list of elements. This definition also allows for elements other than those specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to the elements specifically identified, may optionally be present. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B" or, equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") can refer in one embodiment to at least one, and optionally more, A, and no B (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment to at least one, and optionally more, B, and no A (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment to at least one, and optionally more, A, and at least one, and optionally more, B (and optionally including other elements);

[0232] In the claims, as well as in the above specification, all transitional phrases, such as "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "consisting of," and the like, are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., meaning including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent and Trademark Office Guidelines for Patent Examination, Section 2111.03.

Claims

1. 1. An infant car seat system, comprising: An infant car seat (102) having a front (102A) and a rear (102B), a first seat shell rail (106A); a second seat shell rail (106B) spaced apart from the first seat shell rail (106A) to define a space therebetween, the first seat shell rail and the second seat shell rail directly supporting the infant car seat on a vehicle seat; an infant car seat (102) comprising: an anchoring system (104) rigidly coupled to the infant car seat to attach the infant car seat directly to the vehicle seat (50) without the use of a removable base (20) of the infant car seat, a first infant car seat anchor (104A) rotatably coupled to the infant car seat outside the space, the first infant car seat anchor mechanically engaging with a first vehicle anchor (52A) of the vehicle seat; a second infant car seat anchor (104B) rotatably coupled to the infant car seat outside the space, the second infant car seat anchor mechanically engaging with a second vehicle anchor (52B) of the vehicle seat; the first infant car seat anchor is positioned on the outside of the first seat shell rail, and the second infant car seat anchor is positioned on the outside of the second seat shell rail; and an anchoring system (104).

2. The anchor system comprises: a rigid cross member (104D) passing through the first seat shell rail and the second seat shell rail, the first infant car seat anchor is attached to the rigid cross member and is rotatable about an axis of rotation defined by the rigid cross member; the second infant car seat anchor is attached to the rigid cross member and is rotatable about the axis of rotation defined by the rigid cross member; 10. The infant car seat system of claim 1, further comprising a rigid cross member (104D).

3. 10. The infant car seat system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first infant car seat anchor and the second infant car seat anchor is a rotatable and / or telescoping seat anchor that allows adjustability for the infant car seat system to fit various vehicle seat shapes.

4. The infant car seat is 10. The infant car seat system of claim 1, further comprising at least one storage area (160) for facilitating storage of at least one of the first infant car seat anchor and the second infant car seat anchor via at least one of rotation and / or translation of at least one of the first infant car seat anchor and the second infant car seat anchor when the anchor system is not being used to attach the infant car seat to the vehicle seat.

5. the at least one storage area includes a first storage area for storing the first infant car seat anchor and a second storage area for storing the second infant car seat anchor; the first storage area is disposed on a first outer side of the first seat shell rail; 5. The infant car seat system of claim 4, wherein the second storage area is located on a second outer side of the second seat shell rail.

6. the at least one storage area includes a first storage area for storing the first infant car seat anchor and a second storage area for storing the second infant car seat anchor; the first storage area is disposed at a first front edge of the first seat shell rail; 5. The infant car seat system of claim 4, wherein the second storage area is located at a second leading edge of the second seat shell rail.

7. the at least one storage area includes a first storage area for storing the first infant car seat anchor and a second storage area for storing the second infant car seat anchor; the first storage area is disposed inside the first seat shell rail; 5. The infant car seat system of claim 4, wherein the second storage area is located inboard of the second seat shell rail.

8. The infant car seat is 10. The infant car seat system of claim 1, further comprising at least one actuator (180) coupled to the infant car seat and the anchor system, the at least one actuator (180) both releasing the first infant car seat anchor from mechanical engagement with the first vehicle anchor and releasing the second infant car seat anchor from mechanical engagement with the second vehicle anchor via a single actuation of the at least one actuator.

9. 9. The infant car seat system of claim 8, wherein the at least one actuator includes at least one actuator handle (182).

10. 10. The infant car seat system of claim 9, wherein the at least one actuator handle is located on the rear side of the infant car seat.

11. the infant car seat includes a carrying handle; 10. The infant car seat system of claim 9, wherein the at least one actuator handle is located on the carrying handle of the infant car seat.

12. the vehicle seat includes a pair of LATCH system lower anchors; the first infant car seat anchor includes a first infant car seat LATCH system connector; the first vehicle anchor is a first vehicle LATCH system anchor of the pair of LATCH system lower anchors of the vehicle seat; the second infant car seat anchor includes a second infant car seat LATCH system connector; 2. The infant car seat system of claim 1, wherein the second vehicle anchor is a second vehicle LATCH system anchor of the pair of lower LATCH system anchors of the vehicle seat.

13. the vehicle seat includes a pair of ISOFIX system lower anchors; the first infant car seat anchor includes a first infant car seat ISOFIX system connector; the first vehicle anchor is a first vehicle ISOFIX system anchor of the pair of ISOFIX system lower anchors of the vehicle seat; the second infant car seat anchor includes a second infant car seat ISOFIX system connector; 2. The infant car seat system of claim 1, wherein the second vehicle anchor is a second vehicle ISOFIX system anchor of the pair of ISOFIX system lower anchors of the vehicle seat.

14. 10. The infant car seat system of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment foot (170) positioned adjacent the front of the infant car seat between the first seat shell rail and the second seat shell rail.

15. 15. The infant car seat system of claim 14, wherein the adjustment foot includes at least one adjustable mechanism that provides leverage to adjust the reclining angle of at least one of the vehicle seat back or seat pan (58) to stably seat the infant car seat on the vehicle seat.

16. 16. The infant car seat system of claim 15, wherein the at least one adjustable mechanism includes at least one of an adjustable telescoping mechanism or an adjustable rotation mechanism for providing the adjustable leverage.

17. the infant car seat has a center of gravity (330A); A carrying handle (112); a first carrying handle attachment mechanism (114A) for attaching the carrying handle to a first side of the infant car seat; a second carrying handle attachment mechanism (114B) for attaching the carrying handle to a second side of the infant car seat; Furthermore, the first infant car seat anchor (104A) is coupled to the infant car seat at a first restraint point (322A); 16. The infant car seat system of claim 15, wherein the second infant car seat anchor (104B) is coupled to the infant car seat at one of the first restraint point or a second restraint point (322B) different from the first restraint point and mechanically engages with a second vehicle anchor (52B) of the vehicle seat.

18. the first infant car seat anchor is mechanically constrained by a first portion of the first seat shell rail adjacent the front of the infant car seat; 18. The infant car seat system of claim 17, wherein the second infant car seat anchor is mechanically constrained by a first portion of the second seat shell rail adjacent the front of the infant car seat.

19. the first infant car seat anchor has a first connecting end (324A) that mechanically engages with the first vehicle anchor of the vehicle seat; the second infant car seat anchor has a second connecting end (324B) that mechanically engages the second vehicle anchor of the vehicle seat; the infant car seat has a longitudinal plane (332) dividing the infant car seat into left and right portions; The lower restraining interface (310) of the infant car seat comprises: an axis (320) perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the infant car seat and passing through at least the center of gravity of the infant car seat; the first connection end of the first infant car seat anchor when engaged with the first vehicle anchor; the second connection end of the second infant car seat anchor when engaged with the second vehicle anchor; is defined by 18. The infant car seat system of claim 17, wherein the first restraint point and the second restraint point are above the lower restraint interface of the infant car seat.

20. an upper restraining boundary surface (312) of the infant car seat is perpendicular to the lower restraining boundary surface and includes an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the infant car seat and passing through the center of gravity of the infant car seat; 20. The infant car seat system of claim 19, wherein the first and second restraint points are between the lower and upper restraint interfaces of the infant car seat.

21. the vehicle seat includes a seat edge (54); 20. The infant car seat system of claim 19, wherein the first restraint point and the second restraint point are between the lower restraint interface and a vertical plane (375) passing through an edge of the seat when the first connection end of the first infant car seat anchor engages with the first vehicle anchor.

22. 2. The infant car seat system of claim 1, wherein the anchoring system includes mechanical restraint points disposed on a plane defined by a first axis passing through the center of gravity of the infant car seat and a second axis passing through respective anchor points where the anchoring system engages the first infant car seat anchor and the second infant car seat anchor.

23. 2. The infant car seat system of claim 1, wherein the first infant car seat anchor is located on an outer surface of the first seat shell rail and the second infant car seat anchor is located on an outer surface of the second seat shell rail.

24. 2. The infant car seat system of claim 1, wherein the first infant car seat anchor is rotatably coupled to the infant car seat at a first mechanical restraint point, the second infant car seat anchor is rotatably coupled to the infant car seat at a second mechanical restraint point, and the first and second mechanical restraint points are located above a plane defined by a first axis passing through the center of gravity of the infant car seat and a second axis passing through respective anchor points at which the first and second infant car seat anchors are engageable with the first and second vehicle anchors.

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