Detachable footrest for child seat

Abstract

This description relates to a detachable footrest (200) that can be used with a vehicle seat (110) or other child seat products. The footrest includes a support platform (210) on which a child seat occupant can place their feet and a closure (250). The support platform and the closure define a passageway (220) for a support leg (130) having an elongated body. One end of the closure is fixed to the support platform on one side of the passageway and detachably coupled to the support platform on the other side of the passageway such that the closure switches from a closed position to an open position about the support leg. When in the open position, the position or height of the footrest along the support leg may be changed and / or the footrest may be completely removed from the support leg.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] [Background Art] In many countries, child seats are legally required and recommended for children of a certain age or size. Unlike most adults sitting in vehicle seats, the feet of a child sitting in a vehicle seat often do not reach the bottom (e.g., the floor) inside the vehicle, and as a result, the feet hang above the vehicle floor. If the feet are not supported, additional pressure is exerted on the back side of the child's legs, which may cause damage to the waist, knees, and ankles in the long term. Children also tend to swing or kick their feet when they are hanging, which may kick the back of one of the front seats in the vehicle, causing discomfort to the occupants of the front seat and / or damaging the upholstery of the front seat. Some vehicle seats have a region for supporting a child's feet, but these support regions protrude at the bottom of the vehicle seat, which may make it more difficult to transfer and store the vehicle seat inside and outside the vehicle. Furthermore, since a child's height changes during the period when a vehicle seat is needed, a fixed-position foot support cannot provide appropriate support and adjustment, and there is a risk that kicking cannot be prevented.

[0002] [Summary of the Invention] One object of the present invention is to provide a versatile footrest for a child seat.

[0003] Another object of the present invention is to provide a footrest for a child seat that is easy to use. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a footrest for a child seat that enhances the comfort and safety of the occupants of a child safety seat.

[0004] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a child seat having a footrest that addresses one or some of the above problems. At least one of the above objects is achieved by the features of claim 1 and / or by the features of claim 10 and / or by the features of claim 16.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, at least one object is achieved by a child seat system comprising a child seat and a footrest. The child seat has a bottom configured to rest at least in part on a seat of an associated vehicle, and support legs extending from the bottom of the child seat. The footrest comprises a support platform having a first side, a second side, and an upper surface extending between the first side and the second side. The support platform has a passage configured to receive the support legs. The footrest closure has a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end and defining at least a part of the passage for the support legs. The first end and the second end of the footrest closure are each fixed to the support platform, and at least the second end of the footrest closure is releasably coupled to the support platform.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention, at least one object is achieved by a detachable footrest for a child seat, the detachable footrest comprising a support platform and a footrest closure. The support platform has a first side, a second side, and an upper surface extending between the first side and the second side. The support platform further has a passage configured to receive support legs fixed to the child seat, the passage extending through the bottom surface of the support platform from the upper surface. The footrest closure has a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end and defining at least a part of the passage for the support legs. The first end and the second end of the footrest closure are each fixed to the support platform, and at least the second end of the footrest closure is releasably coupled to the support platform.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present invention, at least one object is achieved by a footrest system for a child seat, the footrest system comprising legs and a detachable footrest. The legs have an elongated body between an upper end and a lower end, and the upper end is configured to be fixed to the child seat. The detachable footrest comprises a support platform and a footrest closure, the support platform having a first side, a second side, and an upper surface extending between the first side and the second side. The support platform has a passage configured to receive the legs. The footrest closure has a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end and defining at least a part of the passage for the legs, the first end and the second end of the footrest closure being fixed to the support platform respectively, and at least the second end of the footrest closure being releasably coupled to the support platform.

[0008] A child seat is generally designed to safely transport a child occupant in a vehicle and has a seating portion. The child seat may further have a backrest portion that, together with the seating portion, defines an area for the child occupant. The child seat has a bottom designed to support at least the seating portion, and the bottom may be provided as a separate component (adjustable, for example rotatable and / or slidable relative to the seating portion) or as one part having the seating portion.

[0009] The bottom may be designed to seat and contact the vehicle seat when the child seat is placed inside the vehicle. In particular, the bottom may be designed as a base of the child seat. When the bottom is provided as a separate component, the seating portion (and the backrest portion) may be movable relative to the bottom. For example, the seating portion may rotate relative to the bottom to enable the seating portion to be placed in one of several transport configurations (for example a forward-facing configuration and / or a rear-facing configuration) or a selected one. Additionally, the seating portion may be arranged in at least one non-transport configuration (for example a side-facing configuration).

[0010] In the forward configuration, the front side of the seat part may be aligned with the front side of the bottom, and the rear side of the seat part may be aligned with the rear side of the bottom. In the rearward configuration, the front side of the seat part may be aligned with the rear side of the bottom, and the rear side of the seat part may be aligned with the front side of the bottom.

[0011] Additionally, or alternatively, the angle at which the seat part is tilted with respect to the bottom may be changed (adjusted) by rotating between two positions that are not the same (especially between the forward configuration and the rearward configuration), and / or by adjustment independent of the rotational configuration.

[0012] Additionally, or alternatively, the seat part may be releasably connected to the bottom so that it can be removed (completely) from the bottom by the user, whereby the base-shaped bottom can be used for different vehicle seats. The bottom and / or the seat part may be provided with an attachment mechanism for releasably attaching the seat part of the selected vehicle seat to the bottom. The attachment mechanism may include at least one hook and / or at least one release actuator.

[0013] In one example, the seat part is movable with respect to the bottom, and the seat part can rotate and / or tilt with respect to the bottom, but it may not be configured to be easily separable from the bottom by the user.

[0014] The child seat may include means for fixing the child to the child seat, particularly to the seat part and the backrest part. This fixing means may be selected from a five-point harness, a three-point harness, other types of harnesses, or a shield (impact shield). Additionally, and / or alternatively, the child seat may be configured to use the safety belt of the associated vehicle to fix the child occupant (for example, in the case of an auxiliary seat). The child seat may be provided with guiding means for guiding the safety belt of the associated vehicle to a desired position.

[0015] The child seat may also have support legs extending from the bottom. The support legs generally have an elongated body with an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the support legs may be connected at a position adjacent to the bottom of the child seat, and the lower end may be configured to be on and in contact with the vehicle floor when the child seat is installed in the associated vehicle.

[0016] In some examples, the length of the support legs may be adjustable between the upper end and the lower end. For example, the support legs may have an inner tube and an outer tube that move in a telescoping mechanism. In the shortest length of the support legs, the inner tube may be completely or substantially (e.g., at least 70% or 90% of the length of the inner tube) surrounded by the outer tube, and the length of the support legs may increase as the inner tube is more exposed from one end of the outer tube, e.g., the lower end. One of the tubes, e.g., the inner tube, may have one or more locking pins that engage with slots or holes present along the surface of the other tube, e.g., the outer tube, to fix the support legs at a desired length. In this way, the support legs can be used in vehicles of various sizes and be made to reach the vehicle floor. The upper end of the support legs may be part of the outer tube, and the lower end of the support legs may be part of the inner tube.

[0017] The support legs may be referred to as load legs or simply legs and may extend from the bottom of the child seat to the floor of the associated vehicle to provide additional stability or absorb energy in the event of a collision. In other embodiments, the support legs of the present disclosure do not necessarily need to extend completely to the floor of the associated vehicle and / or may be configured simply as a means for positioning a footrest and do not have a useful safety function on their own.

[0018] In some examples, the support legs may be designed to telescopically extend in order to extend from the bottom of the child seat to the floor of the associated vehicle. In some of these examples, the support legs may include feet at their lower ends that provide an enlarged support surface on the floor of the associated vehicle. In some of these examples, the support legs may include indicating means for indicating that the support legs are (directly) in contact with the floor of the associated vehicle. In some of these examples, the support legs may include damping means, such as elastic means like springs, and / or deformable means, such as crushable elements (foam resin material, honeycomb structure, or other suitable elements), for damping the forces acting on the load legs (e.g., impacts related to the associated vehicle). In some examples, the support legs may be foldable from a use position where the legs extend downward from the bottom to a non-use or storage position where, when the child seat is positioned within the vehicle, the legs extend along a surface where the legs substantially contact the vehicle seat, or where the legs are partially or fully nested within the bottom.

[0019] The child seat system may include a (partially or fully) detachable footrest that is fixed to surround the support legs. The footrest may have a support platform that at least partially defines a passage through which the support legs extend internally when the footrest is fixed to the support legs. The passage may extend through the upper and lower surfaces of the footrest such that the support legs may extend along the entire vertical width of the footrest and beyond the vertical width. The footrest may also have a closure for closing the passage and assisting in fixing the footrest to surround the support legs in a closed or locked position.

[0020] The support platform has a first side that may be on the right side as viewed from the occupant of the child seat and a second side that may be on the left side as viewed from the occupant. The upper surface of the support platform extends from the first side to the second side and constitutes the upper part of the support platform. The upper surface may be a surface on which a child sitting in the child seat places one or both feet. In some embodiments, the upper surface of the support platform may be a contoured and / or curved surface. For example, the upper surface may have a ridge that defines the contour. The ridge can help the occupant's foot or shoe grip the upper surface of the support platform so that the foot does not easily slip off the footrest during vehicle movement. In other embodiments, the upper surface may have grooves to generate anti-slip friction as well.

[0021] The support platform may also have a base that constitutes the bottom surface of the support platform and is located below the upper part. The base may be configured to fix the support platform around the support leg using a closure. The base may be narrower in width than the upper part. For example, the upper part may have a first width between the first side and the second side, and the base may have a second width between the first side and the second side that is shorter than the first width. In this way, the upper part (with the upper surface) of the support platform may be sized to have sufficient width to accommodate the feet of occupants of various sizes, while the base need only have enough width to wrap around the footrest and secure the footrest to the support leg without additional bulk or weight. In other examples, the upper part and the base may have the same width, or at least approximately the same width, between the first side and the second side.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper part and the base of the support platform are of an integral structure. For example, the upper part and the base may be integrally molded. In other examples, the upper part and the base may be formed separately and fixed to each other by screws, pins, adhesives, etc.

[0023] The closure may be configured to move between a closed position in which both the first end and the second end are fixed to the support platform, and an open position in which at least one of the first end and the second end is released from being fixed to the support platform.

[0024] At least in the closed position, the closure may define a passage for the support leg, particularly together with the support platform. Specifically, the closure has a first end connected to the support platform, a second end connected to the support platform, and a portion (referred to herein as the closure body) between the first end and the second end that defines part of the passage. In one example, the passage has a certain shape (e.g., generally a rectangular cross-sectional shape), and this shape may correspond to (generally) the cross-sectional shape of the support leg. Thus, the passage includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a front side, and a rear side opposite the front side. The first side, the second side, and the front side may be defined by the walls of the support platform, and the rear side may be defined by the closure when the closure is in the closed position.

[0025] In some examples, when closed, the first end of the closure is fixed to the support platform at a location between the first side of the passage and the first side of the support platform, and the second end of the closure is fixed to the support platform at a location between the second side of the passage and the second side of the support platform. In one example, the first end and the second end of the closure are directly fixed only to the base of the support platform when closed and are not directly fixed to the upper part. Additionally, when the footrest is in the use position, the closure may be at a position lower than the upper surface of the support platform. By disposing the closure below the upper surface (e.g., the surface where the feet contact), the possibility that the closure accidentally loosens or opens when a sitting child rubs their feet against the closure during use of the footrest can be suppressed or minimized.

[0026] In some examples, one end of the closure is fixed to the support platform so as not to be removable, and the other end is releasably coupled. For example, the first end of the closure is fixed to the base adjacent to the first side of the passage, such as by screws (plural screws), and / or pins (plural pins), and / or nails (plural nails), and / or molded articles, and / or adhesives, etc., so as not to be easily removed. The second end of the closure is fixed to the base adjacent to the second side of the passage so as to be releasable or detachable. In the closed state, the second end of the closure is fixed to the base, but in the open state, it is not fixed to the base.

[0027] In various examples, the closure is a draw latch that brings the first side of the passage and the second side of the passage closer to each other to reduce the size (or width) of the passage and fits tightly so that the footrest surrounds the support leg when the support leg is inside the passage. In a particular example, the closure is an over-center latch.

[0028] The closure generally includes a closure body extending over the passage. One end of the closure body may be fixed to the support platform (such as a base) at the closure body joint. The closure body may be designed to pivot about the closure body joint. The pivot about the closure body joint may include a pivot about an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the upper surface of the support platform, which may be a horizontal plane. The opposite side of the closure body may generally include or be attached to a blade and a handle that generally constitute the second end of the closure. The blade may be configured to fit into a seat on the support platform. The blade may have an annular structure, and / or the seat may be a long hole or passage generally facing the second side of the footrest on the base.

[0029] In one example, to position the closure in the closed position, the first end of the blade is disposed inside the receiver. The second end, on the opposite side of the blade, is attached to a handle that acts as a lever for the closure. The handle is pivotable about a latch joint formed between the handle and the closure body. To fully close the closure, the distal end of the handle may be moved towards the closure body so that the handle rotates about the latch joint. This movement may cause the second end of the blade to move over the center of the latch joint. For example, in the open position of the closure, the second end of the blade is located between the first end of the blade and the latch joint. On the other hand, in the closed position, the latch joint is located between the second end and the first end of the blade. In this way, the closure may be prevented from loosening or opening until the second end of the blade returns over the center of the latch joint, which involves a certain amount of force in a direction other than the separation direction between the first and second sides of the passageway. As a result, the closure may remain latched while under tension, thereby making it impossible to easily open during a collision or large jolt during vehicle use.

[0030] In other embodiments, the closure may use other closure mechanisms to close and secure the footrest to the support leg. For example, as the closure, other types of draw latches, and / or other latches, and / or surface fasteners, and / or buckles, etc. may be used. For example, in one alternative, the closure may include a flexible strap that has one end fixed to the support platform and the other end passed through a slot or other opening formed on the support platform on the opposite side of the passageway. The flexible strap may include a hook portion and a loop portion, and after being passed through the opening of the support platform, the flexible strap may be pulled back towards the first side of the support platform so that the hook portion and the loop portion at least partially overlap and are configured to be fixed to each other.

[0031] Furthermore, some examples of the present disclosure contemplate including a closure that cannot be easily detached from the support platform at either end (the first end and the second end). Rather, the width of the closure between the first end and the second end may be adjustable such that the width of the closure is wider in the open state than in the closed state, thereby increasing the size (or width) of the passageway in the open state and allowing the footrest to slide along the support leg, and in some examples, allowing it to slide off the support leg.

[0032] In some examples, the closure may include a slider configured to slide between a closed position where both the first end and the second end are fixed to the support platform, and an open position where at least one of the first end and the second end is released from being fixed to the support platform. In the open position, the second end of the closure may be relative to a support portion that is at the position of the first end of the closure in the closed position. The slider may be configured to slide in a horizontal direction.

[0033] In an exemplary aspect, to accommodate child passengers of different heights, the footrest may be fixed to one selected from different positions along the support leg. In some aspects, based on the engagement features and the position of the openings on the support leg, a determined number of positions exist. The support leg may have a plurality of openings spaced vertically on the rear side of the support leg. The rear internal passage surface formed by the closure body may include one or more protrusions designed to fit with one or more openings on the support leg when the closure is in the closed position and the support leg is within the passageway of the footrest. In one example, the closure body includes two vertically spaced protrusions that engage two openings on the support leg, but it is contemplated that the closure body may include fewer or more protrusions. The engagement of the protrusion(s) on the footrest closure with the opening(s) on the support leg further holds the position of the footrest along the support leg and inhibits the footrest from (accidentally) sliding off the support leg due to weight and / or during vehicle movement.

[0034] In some examples, the opening may be located on different sides of the support leg, such as the left side, right side, or front side, and the protrusion may be formed on the surface of the support platform that defines the passageway. Further, in some examples, the footrest closure or other parts may have one or more openings, depressions, or slots, and the support leg may have a protrusion or other raised mechanism that engages inside the opening, depression, or slot of the footrest.

[0035] In some examples, the opening may be formed as a groove (preferably in a horizontal direction) to enable engagement by complementation (such as ribs) with a closure, particularly a sliding closure.

[0036] In some examples, the closure and the support platform may be configured to cooperate to fix a selected position of the footrest by friction fit.

[0037] In some examples, the engagement mechanism of the support leg may include protrusions such as ribs that support the bottom surface of the footrest (without engaging openings or other similar elements of the footrest).

[0038] Examples of the support leg may be rotatably connected to the bottom of the child seat. In this way, the user may rotate the support leg to a place where it does not get in the way when not in use. In this example, the upper end of the support leg is connected to the bottom at the front side or near the front side, and the user may move the lower end of the support leg closer to the rear side of the bottom to rotate the support leg. Further, the bottom may have a storage slot for the support leg such that when the support leg is rotated to the non-use position, it may be disposed inside the storage slot at the bottom of the bottom. In some aspects, the storage slot is sized for only the support leg such that it is advantageous to be able to remove the footrest before moving the support leg into the storage slot. When the support leg is disposed in the storage slot, the bottom may be placed on a surface (such as a vehicle seat or the ground) without a support leg that would prevent the child seat from being kept horizontal.

[0039] As described above, in some examples, a vehicle seat system includes a child seat, a support leg, and a footrest. The features of the child seat, support leg, and / or footrest may be the same as those disclosed above in various examples of vehicle seat systems having a base, except that the support leg extends downward from an integral bottom of the child seat rather than a separate base element such as a bottom. In this case, the support leg and footrest may be used with a child seat without a base, with or without a backrest support, such as a forward-facing vehicle seat having a harness and / or an auxiliary seat. The details of the child seat, support leg, and / or footrest described above apply here as well, without repetition, except to the extent that the above examples describe the bottom as being movable relative to the rest of the child seat.

[0040] The present system and method for a detachable footrest will be described in detail below with reference to the respective figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0041]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0042] [DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION] This detailed description relates to a footrest that may be detachable from a child seat. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this description. Each example described in the detailed description and the drawings is not meant to be limiting, but is for purposes of illustration. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter presented herein, other examples may be used and other changes may be made. Each aspect of the present disclosure may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in various different configurations as broadly described herein and illustrated in each drawing, each of which is explicitly contemplated and will be readily understood to form a part of the present disclosure.

[0043] Note that several relative terms are used in this description. For example, the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are used to indicate directions with respect to absolute references, such as the ground horizontal plane or the vehicle floor surface. However, these terms should not be construed as being perfectly parallel or perfectly perpendicular to each other. For example, the first vertical structure and the second vertical structure are not necessarily parallel to each other. Further, it should be understood that structures described as horizontal and vertical may no longer be horizontal or vertical when the device or structure is moved, for example, when a vehicle seat is moved outside of a vehicle having an absolute reference. The terms "top" and "bottom" or "base" are used to refer to a position where the top is higher than the bottom / base with respect to an absolute reference (i.e., the ground surface).

[0044] This detailed description relates to a detachable footrest for a vehicle seat. The footrest may have a support platform and a closure that together form a passageway, such that the footrest may be secured to surround a support leg (also referred to as a load leg) that extends from the bottom of the child seat. At least one side of the closure may be detachably coupled to the support platform such that the footrest may be removed from the support leg in an open configuration of the closure. For example, the closure may be pivotally secured to the support platform on one side of the passageway and detachably coupled to the support platform on the other side of the passageway by an overcenter latch or other detachable coupling mechanism. The ability to remove the footrest allows for a more versatile vehicle seat system where a sitting child's feet can be supported, while also allowing a user to more easily store the child seat without the attached footrest.

[0045] In some examples, the position of the footrest is adjustable along the vertical extent of the support leg, such that a particular footrest position may be selected to provide appropriate support based on the size of the child occupant. For example, the outer surface of the support leg may have vertically spaced openings, and the surface of the footrest that forms the passageway may have one or more protrusions extending into the passageway that engage with one of the vertically spaced slots. Engagement of the protrusion(s) on the footrest with the opening(s) on the support leg may assist in keeping the footrest fixed so as to surround the support leg and not move while the footrest closure is in the closed position.

[0046] Examples of the present disclosure include a detachable footrest for a child seat. Other examples may include footrests for other types of seats, such as dining seats or chairs, for appropriately supporting the feet and legs of a seated person. Such footrests may have a structure similar to that described herein with respect to the child seat, such that they may be fixed to surround a vertical leg that is detachably or non-removably fixed to the bottom of another type of seat.

[0047] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a child seat system 100 having a child seat 110 and a footrest 200. The child seat 110 is generally designed to safely transport a child occupant in a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the child seat 110 has a seat portion 112 and a backrest portion 122, and together the two portions define the area for the child occupant. The child seat 110 also generally has a bottom 120 that supports at least the seat portion 112. When the child seat 110 is placed inside a vehicle, the bottom 120 seats and contacts the vehicle seat.

[0048] In the example of FIG. 1, the bottom 120 of the child seat 110 is a base that is a component separate from the seat portion 112. In such a method, the seat portion 112 (and the backrest portion 122) may be movable with respect to the bottom 120. For example, the seat portion 112 may rotate with respect to the bottom 120. Accordingly, in the forward-facing configuration, the front side 114 of the seat portion 112 is aligned with the front side 124 of the bottom 120, and the rear side 116 of the seat portion is aligned with the rear side 126 of the bottom 120. On the other hand, in the rear-facing configuration, the front side 114 of the seat portion 112 is aligned with the rear side 126 of the bottom 120, and the rear side 116 of the seat portion 112 is aligned with the front side 124 of the bottom 120. Additionally, or alternatively, the angle at which the seat portion 112 is tilted with respect to the bottom 120 may be changed. Additionally, or alternatively, the seat portion 112 may be releasably coupled to the bottom 120 such that it can be removed from the bottom 120 by the user and completely separated, whereby the base-shaped bottom 120 may be made usable for different vehicle seats. In one example, the seat portion 112 may rotate with respect to the bottom 120 and / or be tilted, in which case the seat portion 112 is movable with respect to the bottom 120 but may be configured such that it is not easily separated from the bottom 120 by the user.

[0049] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the child seat 110 has a five-point safety harness 118 that secures the child to the seat portion 112 and the backrest portion 122. In other examples, other types of harnesses or belts, such as the safety belt of the associated vehicle, may be used to secure the occupant to the seat, for example, in the case of an auxiliary seat.

[0050] The child seat 110 also has support legs 130 extending from the bottom 120. The support legs 130 generally have an elongated body with an upper end 132 and a lower end 134. The upper end 132 of the support legs 130 is connected at a position adjacent to the bottom 120 of the child seat, and the lower end 134 is configured to be on and in contact with the vehicle floor when the child seat 110 is installed in the associated vehicle.

[0051] In some examples, the support leg 130 is adjustable in length between its upper end 132 and its lower end 134. For example, the support leg 130 may have an inner tube 146 and an outer tube 148 that move in a telescoping mechanism. In the shortest length, the inner tube 146 may be completely or substantially surrounded by the outer tube 148, and the length of the support leg 130 may increase as the inner tube 146 becomes more exposed from the lower end of the outer tube 148. One of the tubes, for example the inner tube 146, may have one or more locking pins that engage with slots or holes 144 present along the surface of the other tube, for example the outer tube 148, to fix the support leg 130 at a desired length. In this way, the support leg 130 may be used with vehicles of various sizes and reach the floor of the vehicle.

[0052] The support leg 130 may be referred to as a load leg or simply a leg, and may extend from the bottom 120 of the child seat 110 to the floor of the associated vehicle to provide additional stability or absorb energy in the event of a collision. In other embodiments, the support leg 130 of the present disclosure need not extend all the way to the floor of the associated vehicle and / or may be configured simply as a means for positioning the footrest 200 and not have any standalone safety-related utility.

[0053] The child seat system 100 of FIG. 1 also includes a detachable footrest 200 that is fixed to surround the support leg 130. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the footrest 200 fixed to surround the support leg 130. The footrest 200 has a support platform 210 that at least partially defines a passageway (depicted as passageway 220 in FIGS. 3A - 4B) through which the support leg 130 extends internally when the footrest 200 is fixed to the support leg 130. The passageway 220 may extend from the upper surface of the footrest 200, through the upper and bottom surfaces, so that the support leg 130 may extend along and beyond the vertical width of the footrest. The footrest 200 may also have a closure 250 that can assist in closing the passageway 220 and securing the footrest 200 around the support leg 130 in a closed or latched position. The closure 250 and passageway 220 are depicted better in FIGS. 3A - 4B and are further described below.

[0054] The support platform 210 has a first side 212 that may be the right side as viewed from the occupant of the child seat 110 and a second side 214 that may be the left side as viewed from the occupant. The upper surface 216 of the support platform 210 extends from the first side 212 to the second side 214 and constitutes the upper portion 218 of the support platform 210. The upper surface 216 may be a surface on which the child occupant of the child seat 110 places their feet. In some embodiments, the upper surface 216 of the support platform 210 is a contoured or curved surface. For example, the upper surface 216 may have a ridge 202 that defines a contour. The ridge 202 can help the occupant's feet or shoes grip the upper surface 216 of the support platform 210 so that the feet do not easily slip off the footrest 200 during vehicle movement. In other embodiments, the upper surface 216 may have grooves to similarly generate anti - slip friction.

[0055] The support platform 210 may also have a base 232 that constitutes the bottom surface of the support platform 210 and is located below the upper portion 218. The base 232 may be configured to use a closure 250 to fix the support platform 210 so as to surround the support leg 130. The base 232 may be narrower in width than the upper portion 218. For example, the upper portion 218 may have a first width 234 between the first side 212 and the second side 214, and the base 232 may have a second width 236 that is between the first side 212 and the second side 214 and shorter than the first width 234. In this way, the upper portion 218 (with the upper surface 216) of the support platform 210 may be sized to have sufficient width to accommodate the feet of passengers of various sizes, while the base 232 need only have enough width to wrap around the footrest 200 and secure the footrest 200 to the support leg 130 without additional bulk or weight. In other examples, the upper portion 218 and the base 232 may have the same width, or approximately the same width, between the first side 212 and the second side 214.

[0056] In an exemplary aspect, the upper portion 218 and the base 232 of the support platform 210 are an integral structure. For example, the upper portion 218 and the base 232 may be integrally molded. In other examples, the upper portion 218 and the base 232 may be formed separately and fixed to each other by screws, pins, adhesives, etc.

[0057] Figures 3A and 3B show rear views of the footrest 200 with the closure 250 in the closed position, and Figures 4A and 4B show rear views of the footrest 200 with the closure 250 in the open position. The support leg 130 has been removed from these figures so as not to obscure the illustration of the passage 220 and the closure 250.

[0058] At least in the closed position, the closure 250, together with the support platform 210, defines a passage 220 for the support leg 130. Specifically, the closure 250 has a first end 252 connected to the support platform 210, a second end 254 connected to the support platform 210, and a portion (referred to herein as the closure body 320) between the first end 252 and the second end 254 that defines a part of the passage 220. In one example, the passage 220 generally has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and this shape may generally correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the support leg 130. Thus, the passage 220 includes a first side 222, a second side 224 on the opposite side of the first side 222, a front side 226, and a rear side 228 on the opposite side of the front side 226. The first side 222, the second side 224, and the front side 226 are defined by the walls of the support platform 210, and the rear side 228 is defined by the closure 250 when the closure 250 is in the closed position shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0059] When closed, the first end 252 of the closure 250 is fixed to the support platform 210 at a location between the first side 222 of the passage 220 and the first side 212 of the support platform 210, and the second end 254 of the closure 250 is fixed to the support platform 210 at a location between the second side 224 of the passage 220 and the second side 214 of the support platform 210. In one example, the first end 252 and the second end 254 of the closure 250 are directly fixed only to the base 232 of the support platform 210 in the closed state and are not directly fixed to the upper part 218. Additionally, when the footrest 200 is in the use position, the closure 250 may be at a position lower than the upper surface 216 of the support platform 210. By disposing the closure 250 below the upper surface 216 (e.g., the surface where the feet contact), the possibility that a sitting child may rub their feet against the closure 250 and cause the closure 250 to loosen or open unexpectedly during use of the footrest 200 can be suppressed or minimized.

[0060] In some examples, one end of the closure 250 is fixed to the support platform 210 so as not to be removable, and the other end is releasably coupled. For example, the first end 252 of the closure 250 is fixed to the base 232 in the vicinity of the first side 222 of the passage 220, for example, by screws, pins, nails, molding, adhesive, etc., so as not to be easily removed. The second end 254 of the closure 250 is fixed to the base 232 in the vicinity of the second side 224 of the passage 220 in a closed state, but is fixed to the base 232 in a non-fixed manner in an open state, so as to be releasable or detachable.

[0061] In various examples, the closure 250 is a draw latch that brings the first side 222 of the passage 220 and the second side 224 of the passage 220 closer together, reducing the size (or width) of the passage 220 so that the footrest 200 fits tightly around the support leg 130 when the support leg 130 is inside the passage 220. In one example, the closure 250 is an overcenter latch. The closure 250 generally includes a closure body 320 that extends over the passage 220. One end of the closure body 320 is fixed to the support platform 210 (e.g., base 232) at the closure body joint 322. The closure body 320 pivots about the closure body joint 322. The pivot about the closure body joint 322 may include a pivot about an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the upper surface 216 of the support platform 210, which may be a horizontal plane. The opposite side of the closure body 320 may include or be attached to a blade 312 and a handle 314 that generally constitute the second end 254 of the closure 250. The blade 312 is configured to fit into the seat 310 on the support platform 210. In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 3A-4B, the blade 312 has an annular structure and the seat 310 is generally a slot or passage that faces toward the second side 214 of the footrest 200 on the base 232. To place the closure 250 in the closed position, the first end 332 of the blade 312 is placed inside the seat 310. The second end 334 on the opposite side of the blade 312 is attached to a handle 314 that acts as a lever for the closure 250. The handle 314 can pivot about a latch joint 316 formed between the handle 314 and the closure body 320. To fully close the closure 250, the handle 314 is rotated about the latch joint 316 to move the distal end of the handle 314 toward the closure body 320. This movement causes the second end 334 of the blade 312 to move over the center of the latch joint 316. For example, referring to the open position of the closure 250 in FIGS. 4A, 4B, the second end 334 of the blade 312 is located between the first end 332 of the blade and the latch joint 316. On the other hand, in the closed position in FIGS. 3A, 3B, the latch joint 316 is located between the second end 334 and the first end 332 of the blade 312.In this way, the closure 250 may be configured such that the second end 334 of the blade 312 does not loosen or open until it returns over the center of the latch joint 316, which involves a certain amount of force in a direction other than the separation direction between the first side 222 and the second side 224 of the passage 220. As a result, the closure 250 may remain latched while under tension, thereby making it impossible to easily open during a collision or significant sway during vehicle use.

[0062] In other embodiments, the closure 250 may use other closure mechanisms to close and secure the footrest 200 to the support leg 130. For example, as the closure 250, other types of draw latches, other latches, surface fasteners, buckles, etc. may be used. For example, in an alternative example, the closure 250 may include a flexible strap with one end fixed to the support platform 210 and the other end passed through an elongated hole or other opening formed on the support platform 210 on the opposite side of the passage 220. The flexible strap may include a hook portion and a loop portion, and after passing through the opening of the support platform 210, the flexible strap may be pulled back toward the first side 212 of the support platform 210, such that the hook portion and the loop portion at least partially overlap and are fixed to each other.

[0063] Furthermore, some examples of the present disclosure contemplate including a closure 250 that is not easily detachable from the support platform 210 at either end (the first end 252 and the second end 254). Rather, the width of the closure 250 between the first end 252 and the second end 254 may be adjustable such that it is wider in the open state than in the closed state, thereby increasing the size (or width) of the passage 220 in the open state and allowing the footrest 200 to slide along the support leg 130, and in some examples, to slide off the support leg 130.

[0064] In an exemplary aspect, to accommodate passengers of different heights, the footrest 200 may be fixed at a different position along the support leg 130. In some aspects, based on the engagement features and the position of the openings on the support leg 130, a determined number of positions exist. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates a support leg 130 having a plurality of openings 154 spaced vertically on the rear side 138 of the support leg 130. The rear internal passage surface 340 formed by the closure body 320 includes one or more protrusions 342 (such as those seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B) that mate with one or more of the openings 154 on the support leg 130 when the closure 250 is in the closed position and the support leg 130 is within the passage 220 of the footrest 200. In one example, the closure body 320 includes two vertically spaced protrusions 342 that engage two openings 154 on the support leg 130, although it is contemplated that the closure body 320 may include fewer or more protrusions. The engagement of the protrusion(s) 342 on the closure 250 of the footrest 200 with the opening(s) 154 on the support leg 130 further holds the position of the footrest 200 along the support leg 130 and inhibits the footrest 200 from inadvertently slipping off the support leg 130 due to weight and / or during vehicle movement.

[0065] In some examples, the openings 154 may be located on different sides of the support leg 130, such as the left side 140, the right side 142, or the front side 136 (seen in FIG. 2), and the protrusions 342 may be formed on the surface of the support platform 210 that defines the passage 220. Further, in some examples, the closure 250 or other portions of the footrest 200 may have one or more openings, depressions, or slots, and the support leg 130 may have protrusions or other raised mechanisms that engage within the openings, depressions, or slots of the footrest 200.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of the child seat 110. An example of the support leg 130 may be rotatably connected to the bottom 120 of the child seat 110. In this way, the user may rotate the support leg 130 to a place where it does not get in the way when not in use. In this example, the upper end 132 of the support leg 130 is connected to the bottom 120 at or near the front side 124, and the user may move the lower end 134 of the support leg 130 closer to the rear side 126 of the bottom 120 to rotate the support leg 130. Further, the bottom 120 may have a storage slot 350 for the support leg 130 such that when the support leg 130 is rotated to the non-use position, it may be located inside the storage slot 350 at the bottom of the bottom 120. In some aspects, the storage slot 350 is sized only for the support leg 130 so that it is advantageous that the footrest 200 can be removed before moving the support leg 130 into the storage slot 350. When the support leg 130 is disposed within the storage slot 350, the bottom 120 may be placed on a surface (e.g., a vehicle seat or the ground) without a support leg 130 that would prevent the child seat 110 from being kept horizontal.

[0067] FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary vehicle seat system 400 that includes a child seat 410, a support leg 430, and a footrest 440. The features of the child seat 410, the support leg 430, and the footrest 440 may be the same as those disclosed above with respect to FIGS. 1-6, except that the support leg 430 extends downward from an integral bottom 420 of the child seat 410 rather than being a separate base element like the bottom 120 of FIGS. 1-6. In this case, the support leg 430 and the footrest 440 may be used with a child seat that does not have a back support and does not use a base, such as a forward-facing vehicle seat having a harness and an auxiliary seat. It should be understood that the details of the child seat 110, the support leg 130, and the footrest 200 described with respect to FIGS. 1-6 apply here to the child seat 410, the support leg 430, and the footrest 440 without repetition, except to the extent that FIGS. 1-6 describe that the bottom 120 is movable relative to the remainder of the child seat 110.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows a rear view of a detachable footrest similar to the figure shown in FIG. 5. The view of the detachable footrest shown in FIG. 9 is partially disassembled so that some of the elements are more clearly visible. The individual features and functions of these elements are described in detail in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B.

[0069] Exemplary items Item 1: A child seat system, comprising a child seat having a bottom configured to at least partially rest on a seat of a related vehicle, a support leg extending from the bottom of the child seat, and a footrest having a support platform with a first side, a second side, and an upper surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having a passage configured to receive the support leg, and a footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end and defining at least a portion of the passage of the support leg, wherein the first end and the second end of the footrest closure are each fixed to the support platform, and at least the second end of the footrest closure is releasably coupled to the support platform.

[0070] Item 2: The child seat system according to item 1, wherein the first end of the footrest closure is fixed to the support platform at a joint. Item 3: The child seat system according to any one of items 1 to 2, wherein the first end of the footrest closure is configured to pivot about an axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the upper surface of the support platform.

[0071] Item 4: The child seat system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the footrest closure is located on the rear side of the support leg when the footrest closure is in the closed position and forms an inner surface on the rear side of the passage.

[0072] Item 5: The footrest closure has a surface directed towards the passage of the support leg, and the surface includes one or more engagement mechanisms that engage with the support leg when the footrest closure is closed so as to surround the support leg. The child seat system according to any one of Items 1 to 4.

[0073] Item 6: The support leg includes at least one opening, and one or more engagement mechanisms in the footrest closure include one or more protrusions that engage with the at least one opening. The child seat system according to Item 5.

[0074] Item 7: The support leg includes a plurality of openings, and when each opening engages with one or more protrusions in the footrest closure, the footrest is disposed at different distances with respect to the child seat. The child seat system according to any one of Items 1 to 6.

[0075] Item 8: The child seat includes a seat portion and a base, the base constitutes a bottom on which the support leg extends, and the seat portion is movable with respect to the base. The child seat system according to any one of Items 1 to 7.

[0076] Item 9: The child seat includes a seat portion that is not movable with respect to the bottom. The child seat system according to any one of Items 1 to 7. Item 10: A detachable footrest for a child seat, which is a support platform having a first side, a second side, and an upper surface extending between the first side and the second side, and having a passage configured to receive a support leg fixed to the child seat. The passage extends through the bottom surface of the support platform from the upper surface. A footrest closure having a support platform, a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end and defining at least a part of the passage of the support leg, wherein the first end and the second end of the footrest closure are each fixed to the support platform, and at least the second end of the footrest closure is releasably connected to the support platform. A detachable footrest comprising the footrest closure.

[0077] Item 11: The detachable footrest according to item 10, wherein the footrest closure is releasably coupled to the support platform using an overcenter latch. Item 12: The detachable footrest according to any one of items 10 to 11, wherein the support platform includes an upper portion that forms an upper surface and a bottom portion, and the footrest closure is directly fixed to the bottom of the support platform.

[0078] Item 13: The detachable footrest according to item 12, wherein the footrest closure is not directly fixed to the upper portion of the support platform. Item 14: The detachable footrest according to any one of items 12 to 13, wherein the upper surface has a first width and the bottom has a second width that is narrower than the first width.

[0079] Item 15: The detachable footrest according to any one of items 10 to 14, wherein the footrest closure has a surface facing the passage of the support leg, and the surface has at least one raised structure extending toward the passage.

[0080] Item 16: A footrest system for a child seat, comprising: a leg having an elongated body between an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being configured to be fixed to the child seat; a detachable footrest having a support platform with a first side, a second side, and an upper surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having a passage configured to receive the leg; and a footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end and defining at least a portion of the passage of the leg, wherein the first end and the second end of the footrest closure are each fixed to the support platform, and at least the second end of the footrest closure is releasably coupled to the support platform.

[0081] Item 17: The footrest system according to item 16, wherein the legs include a plurality of openings, and the footrest closure includes one or more protrusions that engage with at least one opening of the legs. Item 18: The footrest system according to any one of items 16 to 17, wherein the first end of the footrest closure is configured to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the upper surface of the support platform.

[0082] Item 19: The footrest system according to any one of items 16 to 18, wherein the upper end of the legs is configured to be detachably connected to the bottom of the child seat. Item 20: The footrest system according to any one of items 16 to 19, wherein the legs are configured to be pivotally connected to the bottom of the child seat.

[0083] As used herein, an enumeration of "and / or" for two or more elements should be construed to mean only one element, or a combination of elements. For example, "element A, element B, and / or element C" may include only element A, only element B, only element C, element A and element B, element A and element C, element B and element C, or element A, element B, and element C. Also, "at least one of element A or element B" may include at least one of element A, at least one of element B, or at least one of element A and at least one of element B. Further, "at least one of element A and element B" may include at least one of element A, at least one of element B, or at least one of element A and at least one of element B.

[0084] This detailed description is provided to meet legal requirements. However, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention described herein. Rather, the claimed subject matter may be embodied in combination with other current or future technologies in different ways that are similar or equivalent to those described in this disclosure, including different steps, different combinations of steps, different elements, and / or different combinations of elements. The examples herein are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting in any way. In this sense, alternative examples and alternative embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art within the technical field to which this subject matter pertains without departing from the scope of this specification.

Claims

1. A child seat system comprising: A child seat having a bottom configured to rest at least in part on a seat of an associated vehicle; Support legs extending from the bottom of the child seat; A footrest comprising: A support platform having a first side, a second side, and an upper surface extending between the first and second sides, the support platform having a passage configured to receive the support legs; A footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first and second ends and defining at least a portion of the passage for the support legs, the first and second ends of the footrest closure being fixed to the support platform respectively, and at least the second end of the footrest closure being releasably coupled to the support platform; A child seat system comprising the above.

2. The child seat system according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the footrest closure is fixed to the support platform by a joint.

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

4. The child seat system according to claim 1, wherein the footrest closure is located behind the support legs when the footrest closure is in a closed position and forms an inner surface at the rear side of the passage.

5. The child seat system according to claim 1, wherein the footrest closure has a surface facing the passage of the support legs, the surface including one or more engagement mechanisms that engage the support legs when the footrest closure is closed so as to surround the support legs.

6. The child seat system according to claim 5, wherein the support legs include at least one opening, and the one or more engagement mechanisms in the footrest closure include one or more protrusions that engage the at least one opening.

7. The child seat system according to claim 6, wherein the support legs include a plurality of openings, and when each opening engages the one or more protrusions in the footrest closure, the footrest is disposed at different distances relative to the child seat.

8. The child seat according to claim 1, comprising a seat portion and a base, wherein the base constitutes the bottom portion from which the support legs extend, and the seat portion is movable relative to the base.

9. The child seat system according to claim 1, wherein the child seat comprises a seat portion that is not movable relative to the bottom portion.

10. A detachable footrest for a child seat, a support platform having a first side, a second side, and an upper surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having a passage configured to receive a support leg fixed to the child seat, the passage extending through the upper surface and through the bottom surface of the support platform; a footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end and defining at least a portion of the passage for the support leg, the first end and the second end of the footrest closure being fixed to the support platform respectively, and at least the second end of the footrest closure being releasably coupled to the support platform; A detachable footrest comprising the above.

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

12. The detachable footrest according to claim 10, wherein the support platform comprises an upper portion constituting the upper surface and a bottom portion, and the footrest closure is directly fixed to the bottom portion of the support platform.

13. The detachable footrest according to claim 12, wherein the footrest closure is not directly fixed to the upper portion of the support platform.

14. The detachable footrest according to claim 12, wherein the upper surface has a first width and the bottom portion has a second width that is narrower than the first width.

15. The detachable footrest according to claim 10, wherein the footrest closure has a surface facing the passage for the support leg, and the surface has at least one raised structure extending toward the passage.

16. A footrest system for a child seat, A leg having an elongated body between an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being configured to be fixed to the child seat, the leg, A detachable footrest, A support platform having a first side, a second side, and an upper surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having a passage configured to receive the leg, A footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end and defining at least a portion of the passage of the leg, the first end and the second end of the footrest closure being fixed to the support platform respectively, and at least the second end of the footrest closure being releasably coupled to the support platform, the footrest closure, a detachable footrest comprising the same, Comprising a footrest system.

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

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

19. The footrest system according to claim 16, wherein the upper end of the leg is configured to be detachably coupled to the bottom of the child seat.

20. The footrest system according to claim 16, wherein the leg is configured to be pivotally coupled to the bottom of the child seat.

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