Car seat carrying strap

Abstract

A strap assembly for carrying an infant car seat includes a main body configured to be removably attached to a handle of the car seat. A first strap segment is removably coupled to the main body. A second strap segment extends from an arm wrap and there is a means for adjustably coupling the first strap segment to the second strap segment. The main body might include a clamp for removably attaching to the car seat handle and the adjustable coupling means may be a buckle. With the strap assembly installed on an infant car seat handle, a user can position their arm through the arm wrap and grasp onto the outer surface of a sidewall of the car seat. The strap assembly allows the user to hold the car seat in a balanced position around their waste thereby increasing the comfort experience for user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 671,915 filed Jul. 16, 2024, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0002] The present application relates generally to accessories for car seats, and more particularly to a carrying strap that can be attached to the handle of a portable car seat for an infant.Description of Related Art

[0003] Portable car seats for infants and toddlers (hereafter “infant car seats” or “car seats”) are a vital safety precaution when transporting young children in a vehicle. Infant car seats come in a variety of different types but almost all universally include a handle that rises above the seating area. Typically, infant car seats are constructed of a seating area framed by opposing sidewalls. The handle normally includes two legs, each hingedly connected to each sidewall and extending upward. A perpendicular gripping section extends between and is connected to each leg to form the handle. The hinged connection of each leg allows the handle to be rotated between a carrying position and a stowed position. In the carrying position, the handle is positioned above the seating area of the car seat. In the stowed position, the handle is rotated to the top or bottom of the seating area so that the legs are substantially parallel to the sidewalls.

[0004] A problem that is universal to infant car seats is the difficultly a user encounters when manually transporting the car seat while it is not being used in a vehicle. Infant car seats are normally moved in and out of the vehicle multiple times on a given trip. Each time the parent driver arrives at a location, the car seat may be removed from the vehicle with the child still strapped in the seat, allowing the parent to conveniently carry the restrained child outside of the vehicle. The problem with existing car seats, and in particular existing infant car seats that are transported out of the vehicle, is that they are bulky, uncomfortable to carry and can become quite heavy when the child is present.

[0005] Carrying a car seat by the handle can be uncomfortable and burdensome to the parent. Existing car seats weigh around ten pounds on their own and can typically support a child weighing up to about thirty pounds. This results in a parent having to carry upwards of forty pounds when taking the car seat and their child out of the vehicle. When carrying a car seat by the handle, the car seat will normally hang at or below the parent's knees and away from their body due to bulkiness of the car seat. When walking while carrying a car seat, a parent risks having the car seat swing and impact the parent's knee or leg, which may cause injury. To avoid suffering such an injury, a parent may try to hold the car seat further away from their body but doing so puts added strain on the parent's back, hips, and shoulders making such a carrying position uncomfortable and again potentially injurious to the parent.

[0006] Another option for carrying an infant car seat is for the parent to place the handle in the crease of her elbow. However, this carrying method puts all of the weight on the parent's forearm, which can quickly exhaust the parent and lead her to adjust the carrying position. The parent may opt to wrap her arm through the handle and grasp the outside of the car seat. Carrying the car seat in this manner allows the parent to hold the seat up around her waist and close to her body, alleviating some of the strain on their back, hips and shoulders. However, there is now added strain to the parent's wrist, which may be bent in an awkward position to allow her to grasp the outside of the car seat. Further, the car seat will tilt away from the parent's body due to the unbalanced contact points, causing the child to lean away from the parent's body.

[0007] There have been several attempts at resolving the above mentioned problems. In U.S. Pat. No. 11,529,895 there is disclosed a car seat having an extensible shoulder strap connected to the head end and foot end of the seat, running parallel to the direction of the seating portion. Additional side handles are integrated into the car seat. A disadvantage of the car seat disclosed in the '895 patent is that it cannot be deployed as an aftermarket modification to existing car seats and instead would require an original seat manufacturer to completely redesign its car seat. An existing car seat could not be modified with the strap disclosed in the '895 patent because such modification would require multiple anchor points to be drilled into the existing seat, nullifying the safety rating of that seat. Another solution has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,696,193, which discloses a handle configuration for car seats that includes an upper through hole and a lower grip so that a user may position their arm through the hole and grasp the lower grip. The handle disclosed in the '193 Patent would allow a user to carry the car seat around their waist with a straight arm. Another attempt at solving the above noted problems is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,770, which discloses a forearm supportive sleeve combined with a hand grip formed in the sidewall of the car seat.

[0008] The downfall with each of the prior attempts at resolving the problems associated with transporting an infant car seat is that the proposed solutions required the entire handle system to be redesigned by the original seat manufacturer. None of these solutions could be offered as an aftermarket addition to existing car seats. Further, to the extent any one of the handles proposed in these prior solutions could be incorporated into existing car seats by modification, the modifications necessary for such would likely void any manufacturer's warranty on the car seat and could make the car seat less safe for the child in the event of a car crash.

[0009] Therefore, what is needed is a carrying system that can be universally deployed on all existing car seats, without needing to modify or change the existing car seat.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention addresses the above-mentioned problems by providing a strap assembly that can be deployed universally with existing car seats without requiring modification to the car seat. The strap assembly according to the present invention can be deployed on existing car seats quickly and easily, requiring only a screwdriver to complete installation. Further, installation of the strap assembly according to the present invention does not require a structural modification to the existing car seat and therefore avoids potentially nullifying any manufacturer warranty or safety rating on that car seat. Installation of the disclosed strap assembly is accomplished by simply attaching the strap assembly to the car seat handle and tightening the strap assembly thereto.

[0011] In a first embodiment, the strap assembly according to the present invention has a main body with a means for removably attaching the main body to a handle of the car seat. A first strap segment is removably coupled to the main body. The strap assembly also includes an arm wrap and a second strap segment that extends from the arm wrap. A means for adjustably coupling the first strap segment to the second strap segment is also included. In some preferred embodiments, the adjustable coupling means comprises a buckle, such as a tri-glide buckle. The removable attachment means preferably includes an adjustable clamp, such as a hose clamp, for engagement with the handle portion of the car seat. Other types of adjustably lockable devices may also be used, such as a removable collar.

[0012] In some embodiments, the removable attachment means is movable along the length of the car seat handle. In more elaborate embodiments, the removable attachment means also includes a protective pad that substantially covers the removable attachment means. The protective pad may be a rubber or polymer sleeve that encloses the removable attachment means or is directly molded thereover.

[0013] The first strap segment is further made up of a free end and a ringed end. The free end of the first strap segment is firstly threaded through the main body. Secondly, the free end is threaded through the ringed end to removably couple the first strap segment to the main body. Preferably, the free end of the first strap segment engages with the adjustable coupling means to couple the first strap segment with the second strap segment.

[0014] In some embodiments, the arm wrap is a fabric pad. The second strap segment preferably extends from the arm wrap. More specifically, the second strap segment includes a first portion extending from one flap of the arm wrap and a second portion of the second strap segment extending from a second flap of the arm wrap. The two flaps are preferably connected to form the fabric pad. The second strap segment may also include a ring engaged between the first portion and the second portion. Preferably, the first portion and second portion of the second strap segment meet at an intermediate location to form a closed loop with which the ring is engaged. The first strap segment preferably includes a free end extending away from the main body, the free end of the first strap segment is threaded through the ring engaged with the second strap segment. Thereafter, the free end of the first strap segment is engaged to the adjustable coupling means to adjustably couple the first strap segment to the second strap segment. Preferably, the adjustable coupling means is a buckle, such as a tri-glide buckle, coupling the first strap segment to the second strap segment.

[0015] The arm wrap is preferably a fabric pad. The arm wrap forms an open channel defined between two integrally connected panels forming a continuous pad. The second strap segment preferably is made up of two portions, the first portion being integrally connected to and extending from one of the two integrally connected panels of the arm wrap. The second portion of the second strap segment is integrally connected to and extends from the other one of the two integrally connected panels of the arm wrap. The second strap segment forms a closed loop where the first portion and the second portions intersect. A ring is preferably attached to the closed loop of the second strap segment.

[0016] In some more elaborate embodiments, the strap assembly also includes a tough fastener patch that is attached to the car seat handle. A complimentary touch fastener strip is attached to an outer surface of the arm wrap. The complimentary touch fastener patch and strip are designed for stowing the strap assembly along the car seat handle when the assembly is not in use.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. Component parts shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and may be exaggerated to better illustrate the important features of the invention. Dimensions shown are exemplary only. In the drawings, like reference numerals may designate like parts throughout the different views, wherein:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a strap assembly for carrying a car seat according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a front side view of an embodiment of the strap assembly according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a back side view of an embodiment of a strap assembly according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view demonstrating a strap assembly according to the present invention in use.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view demonstrating a strap assembly according to the present invention in a stowed position on an infant car seat.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The following disclosure presents exemplary embodiments of a strap assembly that can be universally deployed on existing infant car seats to provide the user with a more comfortable means of transporting the car seat. The disclosed invention is particularly applicable to infant car seats that have a rotatable handle and are commonly used to transport an infant to and from a vehicle and to safely and securely place the infant within the vehicle. The disclosed invention can be deployed on all known infant car seats that have a transverse rotating handle. The disclosed invention can be attached to existing infant car seats quickly, requiring only a screwdriver to ensure that a secure and safe attachment is made. Attachment of the disclosed invention to existing car seats requires no modification to the existing car seat and therefore avoids potentially voiding a manufacturer's warranty or safety rating.

[0024] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a strap assembly according to the present invention. The strap assembly 10 includes a main body 12, a first strap segment 14, a second strap segment 16, an arm wrap 18, and a means 20 for adjustably coupling the first strap segment 14 to the second strap segment 16. In preferred embodiments, the adjustable coupling means 20 is a buckle, such as a tri-glide buckle or slide buckle.

[0025] The main body 12 further includes a means for removably attaching the main body 12 to the handle of an infant car seat. In some preferred embodiments, the removable attachment means 22 is a clamp 22, such as a hose or pipe clamp. The removable attachment means 22 must have the ability to open so the operator can position the means 22 on the handle of the infant car seat and tighten it down to the handle thereafter. Further, the removable attachment means 22 must be sufficiently strong to be able to withstand the entire weight of the car seat plus the weight of a child seated therein without risk of being damaged or otherwise failing when in use. In some preferred embodiments, the removable attachment means 22 is a stainless steel adjustable hose clamp such as those commonly used in the plumbing and automative industries.

[0026] The first strap segment 14 preferably has a ringed end 24 and an opposite, free end 26. When assembled, the free end 26 is threaded through the main body 12 and the ringed end 24 to removably couple the first strap segment 14 to the main body 12. The free end 26 extending through the ringed end 24 forms an adjustable closed loop 25 to which the main body 12 is removably coupled.

[0027] The arm wrap 18 preferably has an open channel 28 extending between two integrally connected panels 30 and 32. Note, panels 30 and 32 are described as being separate parts merely for purposes of understanding the invention. The arm wrap 18 is formed by panels 30 and 32 that are integrally connected as a single, continuous panel or fabric pad. The second strap segment 16 includes a first portion 34 connected to a first panel 30 and a second portion 36 connected to the second panel 32. The first portion 34 and the second portion 36 meet at an intermediate position along the length of the second strap segment 16 to form a closed loop 38. A ring 40 is engaged to the closed loop 38. In preferred embodiments, the free end 26 of the first strap segment 14 is threaded through the ring 40 to couple the first strap segment 14 with the second strap segment 16, as will be detailed further below.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a front side view of an assembled embodiment of a strap assembly according to the present invention. As briefly discussed above, the free end 26 of the first strap segment 14 is threaded through the main body 12 and thereafter threaded through the ringed end 24. This forms adjustable loop 25 engaged to the main body 12. Next, the free end 26 is threaded through the adjustable coupling means 20 in a first direction away from the main body 12. The adjustable coupling means 20 is now engaged to the first strap segment 14. The free end 26 is next threaded through the ring 40 engaged to the second strap segment 16 and thereafter the free end 26 is threaded back through the adjustable coupling means 20 in the direction of the main body 12. The first strap segment 14 and the second strap segment 16 are now coupled together via the adjustable coupling means 20 forming the strap assembly 10 according to the present invention.

[0029] The adjustable coupling means 20 allows a user to adjust the overall length of the strap assembly 10 once it is assembled. The total adjustable length of the strap assembly 10 is determined by the length of the first strap segment 14. A longer first strap segment 14 will provide for more adjustability once the strap assembly 10 is assembled. The length of the second strap segment 16 influences the maximum diameter of the channel 28 formed by the arm wrap 18 due to the first and second portions 34, 36 being integrally connected to the panels 30, 32 forming the arm wrap 18. The length of the second strap segment 16 may be increased to increase the size of the channel 28 of the arm wrap 18 to accommodate users with larger arms.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a back side view of an assembled embodiment of a strap assembly according to the present invention. In preferred embodiments, one of the panels 30 or 32 includes a touch fastener strip 42 attached to the outer surface thereof. The touch fastener strip 42 can engage a touch fastener loop 44 that is attached to a car seat handle to store the strap assembly 10 out of the way, e.g., FIG. 5.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a strap assembly in use with an infant car seat. As briefly discussed in the Background section, a conventional infant car seat 100 includes an inverted U-shaped handle 102 extending upward from opposing sidewalls 104 and 106. Front and back ends 105 and 107 in combination with the sidewalls 104 and 106 form the seating area 110 where the infant will be placed. The sidewalls 104 and 106 include pivots where the handle 102 is connected to allow the handle 102 to pivot or rotate in a known manner. When the car seat 100 is ready to be carried by the user, the handle 102 is rotated to the deployed position shown in FIG. 4 so that the grip portion 108 of the handle is perpendicular to the sidewalls 104 and 106. The grip portion 108 of the handle 102 is above the seating area 110 when the handle 102 is deployed.

[0032] The main body 12 of the strap assembly is attached to the grip portion 108 of the car seat handle 102. The clamping means 22 is used to tighten the main body 12 to the grip portion 108 and secure the strap assembly 10 to the car seat 100. The first strap segment 14 and the second strap segment 16 are adjustably coupled together using the coupling means 20. The user 1 extends her arm 2 through the arm wrap 18 with the strap assembly 10 attached to the car seat 100. The arm wrap 18 will circumvolve the user's arm 2 around their upper arm or bicep area. Thereafter, the user 1 can easily grip the outer surface of the sidewall 106 closest to her body. Positioning the main body 12 on the remote or distal portion of the grip portion 108 of the handle 102 away from the user's body 3 maintains balance in the car seat 100 by establishing two contact points for carrying. In this position, the car seat 100 will remain level around the user's hip while the user 1 walks with the car seat.

[0033] The strap assembly 10 will allow the user to hold the car seat 100 higher up around the user's waist and closer to her body. This reduces the strain a user may otherwise experience in her hips, back and shoulders from carrying the car seat by only the handle 102 as would normally be the case. Further, by holding the car seat 100 higher up around her waist using the strap assembly 10, the user will prevent the car seat from swinging into her legs, allowing her to walk more freely while carrying the car seat 100.

[0034] Positioning the removable main body 12 on one distinct side of the grip portion 108 of the handle 102 ensures that the car seat 100 remains balanced when being carried by the strap assembly 10. The removable attachment means 22 secures the main body 12 on grip portion 108 away from the user 1. The one sided positioning, i.e., one side of the center of gravity of the handle 102, of the removable attachment means 22 causes the main body 12 to hold up one side of the car seat 100 while the user 1 grasps the opposite side with her arm 2 engaged through the strap assembly 10. The arm wrap 18 prevents the car seat 100 from tilting away from the user 1 while the user grasps the sidewall 104 or 106 of the car seat 100.

[0035] The direction the car seat 100 faces when being carried by the strap assembly 10 can be readily changed without having to remove the strap assembly 10 therefrom. Rather, a user need only loosen the removable attachment means 22 to be able to slide the main body 12 to the opposite side of the grip portion 108 from its starting position. Thereafter, the user tightens the removable attachment means 22 on the handle 102. The car seat 100 can now be turned around and picked up by the user as described above. Along similar lines, the strap assembly 10 can be used to carry a car seat 100 on either the left-hand side or right-hand side of the user by simply changing the position of the removable attachment means 22 on the grip portion 108 of the handle 102.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a magnified perspective view of the strap assembly according to the present invention attached to a car seat in a stowed position. The touch fastener strip 42 on the outer surface of one of the panels 30, 32 engages with a corresponding touch fastener loop 44 that may be deployed on the handle 102 of the infant car seat 100. More specifically, a touch fastener loop 44 may be deployed on the grip portion 108 of the handle 102 to provide a means for storing the strap assembly 10 when not being used. When not in use, the strap assembly 10 may be stretched across the top of the handle portion 108 so that the arm wrap 18 is positioned remote from the main body 12. The touch fastener strip 42 engages the loop 44 to stow the strap assembly 10 across the handle portion 108. In the stowed position, a user can carry the car seat 100 normally by gripping the handle 102.

[0037] The disclosed strap assembly 10 can be added to most kinds of infant car seats without requiring modification of the car seat. Installation can be accomplished in a matter of minutes using only a screwdriver and leaves the car seat functionally and structurally unchanged so that any manufacturer warranties or safety ratings of the car seat 100 are not voided. Further, a user remains able to carry the car seat according to any other known manner with the strap assembly 10 attached thereto and secured in the stowed position shown by FIG. 5. The simplicity of the strap assembly 10 means a user can easily switch between different carrying positions while still on the move. The user can go from using the strap assembly 10 to carry the car seat 100 to grasping the handle 102 to carry the car seat normally all without putting the car seat down or having to stop walking.

[0038] An additional benefit to the disclosed strap assembly 10 is that it can be readily removed from the infant car seat and easily installed on a different infant car seat. The parent will not be required to purchase a new strap assembly 10 for each car seat they wish to use it with; rather, the parent can remove the assembly and simply re-install it on a different infant car seat.

[0039] Using the complimentary touch fastener strip and loop 42 and 44, the strap assembly 10 can be stored along the length of grip portion 108 on the handle 102 or along the length of either leg of inverted U-shaped handle 102. Further, the complimentary touch fastener strip and loop 42 and 44 may be used to secure the arm wrap 18 to an underside surface of the handle 102, which can thereafter serve as a pad when the user elects to carry the car seat 100 in the crease of her elbow, as briefly described above in the Background section.

[0040] In some preferred embodiments, the arm wrap 18 is a fabric pad, preferably several millimeters thick, to provide a cushion to the user carrying a car seat 100 by the strap assembly 10. Further, a protective cover may substantially enclose the main body 12 so that the removable attachment means 22 does not scratch or otherwise damage the handle 102 of the car seat 100.

[0041] In some more elaborate embodiments, the main body 12 may include a molded housing that can be snap-fit over the handle 102 of the car seat and includes an integral clamping means to tighten the molded housing to the handle. In alternative embodiments, the main body 12 may be a molded housing that the clamping means, such as a pipe clamp, extends through. An upper portion of the molded housing may include an integrally connected ring that is attached to the first strap segment. This embodiment would eliminate the need to loop the free end 26 of the first strap segment through the main body 12 and the ringed end 24 because the first strap segment would be directly attached to the molded housing by the integrated ring.

[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in an illustrative style. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughout should be read in a non-limiting manner. Although minor modifications to the teachings herein will occur to those well versed in the art, it shall be understood that what is intended to be circumscribed within the scope of the patent warranted hereon are all such embodiments that reasonably fall within the scope of the advancement to the art hereby contributed, and that that scope shall not be restricted, except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]The following disclosure presents exemplary embodiments of a strap assembly that can be universally deployed on existing infant car seats to provide the user with a more comfortable means of transporting the car seat. The disclosed invention is particularly applicable to infant car seats that have a rotatable handle and are commonly used to transport an infant to and from a vehicle and to safely and securely place the infant within the vehicle. The disclosed invention can be deployed on all known infant car seats that have a transverse rotating handle. The disclosed invention can be attached to existing infant car seats quickly, requiring only a screwdriver to ensure that a secure and safe attachment is made. Attachment of the disclosed invention to existing car seats requires no modification to the existing car seat and therefore avoids potentially voiding a manufacturer's warranty or safety rating.

[0024]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a strap ...

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 671,915 filed Jul. 16, 2024, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0002] The present application relates generally to accessories for car seats, and more particularly to a carrying strap that can be attached to the handle of a portable car seat for an infant.Description of Related Art

[0003] Portable car seats for infants and toddlers (hereafter “infant car seats” or “car seats”) are a vital safety precaution when transporting young children in a vehicle. Infant car seats come in a variety of different types but almost all universally include a handle that rises above the seating area. Typically, infant car seats are constructed of a seating area framed by opposing sidewalls. The handle normally includes two legs, each hingedly connected to each sidewall and extending upward. A perpendicular gripping section extends between and is connected to each leg to form the handle. The hinged connection of each leg allows the handle to be rotated between a carrying position and a stowed position. In the carrying position, the handle is positioned above the seating area of the car seat. In the stowed position, the handle is rotated to the top or bottom of the seating area so that the legs are substantially parallel to the sidewalls.

[0004] A problem that is universal to infant car seats is the difficultly a user encounters when manually transporting the car seat while it is not being used in a vehicle. Infant car seats are normally moved in and out of the vehicle multiple times on a given trip. Each time the parent driver arrives at a location, the car seat may be removed from the vehicle with the child still strapped in the seat, allowing the parent to conveniently carry the restrained child outside of the vehicle. The problem with existing car seats, and in particular existing infant car seats that are transported out of the vehicle, is that they are bulky, uncomfortable to carry and can become quite heavy when the child is present.

[0005] Carrying a car seat by the handle can be uncomfortable and burdensome to the parent. Existing car seats weigh around ten pounds on their own and can typically support a child weighing up to about thirty pounds. This results in a parent having to carry upwards of forty pounds when taking the car seat and their child out of the vehicle. When carrying a car seat by the handle, the car seat will normally hang at or below the parent's knees and away from their body due to bulkiness of the car seat. When walking while carrying a car seat, a parent risks having the car seat swing and impact the parent's knee or leg, which may cause injury. To avoid suffering such an injury, a parent may try to hold the car seat further away from their body but doing so puts added strain on the parent's back, hips, and shoulders making such a carrying position uncomfortable and again potentially injurious to the parent.

[0006] Another option for carrying an infant car seat is for the parent to place the handle in the crease of her elbow. However, this carrying method puts all of the weight on the parent's forearm, which can quickly exhaust the parent and lead her to adjust the carrying position. The parent may opt to wrap her arm through the handle and grasp the outside of the car seat. Carrying the car seat in this manner allows the parent to hold the seat up around her waist and close to her body, alleviating some of the strain on their back, hips and shoulders. However, there is now added strain to the parent's wrist, which may be bent in an awkward position to allow her to grasp the outside of the car seat. Further, the car seat will tilt away from the parent's body due to the unbalanced contact points, causing the child to lean away from the parent's body.

[0007] There have been several attempts at resolving the above mentioned problems. In U.S. Pat. No. 11,529,895 there is disclosed a car seat having an extensible shoulder strap connected to the head end and foot end of the seat, running parallel to the direction of the seating portion. Additional side handles are integrated into the car seat. A disadvantage of the car seat disclosed in the '895 patent is that it cannot be deployed as an aftermarket modification to existing car seats and instead would require an original seat manufacturer to completely redesign its car seat. An existing car seat could not be modified with the strap disclosed in the '895 patent because such modification would require multiple anchor points to be drilled into the existing seat, nullifying the safety rating of that seat. Another solution has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,696,193, which discloses a handle configuration for car seats that includes an upper through hole and a lower grip so that a user may position their arm through the hole and grasp the lower grip. The handle disclosed in the '193 Patent would allow a user to carry the car seat around their waist with a straight arm. Another attempt at solving the above noted problems is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,770, which discloses a forearm supportive sleeve combined with a hand grip formed in the sidewall of the car seat.

[0008] The downfall with each of the prior attempts at resolving the problems associated with transporting an infant car seat is that the proposed solutions required the entire handle system to be redesigned by the original seat manufacturer. None of these solutions could be offered as an aftermarket addition to existing car seats. Further, to the extent any one of the handles proposed in these prior solutions could be incorporated into existing car seats by modification, the modifications necessary for such would likely void any manufacturer's warranty on the car seat and could make the car seat less safe for the child in the event of a car crash.

[0009] Therefore, what is needed is a carrying system that can be universally deployed on all existing car seats, without needing to modify or change the existing car seat.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention addresses the above-mentioned problems by providing a strap assembly that can be deployed universally with existing car seats without requiring modification to the car seat. The strap assembly according to the present invention can be deployed on existing car seats quickly and easily, requiring only a screwdriver to complete installation. Further, installation of the strap assembly according to the present invention does not require a structural modification to the existing car seat and therefore avoids potentially nullifying any manufacturer warranty or safety rating on that car seat. Installation of the disclosed strap assembly is accomplished by simply attaching the strap assembly to the car seat handle and tightening the strap assembly thereto.

[0011] In a first embodiment, the strap assembly according to the present invention has a main body with a means for removably attaching the main body to a handle of the car seat. A first strap segment is removably coupled to the main body. The strap assembly also includes an arm wrap and a second strap segment that extends from the arm wrap. A means for adjustably coupling the first strap segment to the second strap segment is also included. In some preferred embodiments, the adjustable coupling means comprises a buckle, such as a tri-glide buckle. The removable attachment means preferably includes an adjustable clamp, such as a hose clamp, for engagement with the handle portion of the car seat. Other types of adjustably lockable devices may also be used, such as a removable collar.

[0012] In some embodiments, the removable attachment means is movable along the length of the car seat handle. In more elaborate embodiments, the removable attachment means also includes a protective pad that substantially covers the removable attachment means. The protective pad may be a rubber or polymer sleeve that encloses the removable attachment means or is directly molded thereover.

[0013] The first strap segment is further made up of a free end and a ringed end. The free end of the first strap segment is firstly threaded through the main body. Secondly, the free end is threaded through the ringed end to removably couple the first strap segment to the main body. Preferably, the free end of the first strap segment engages with the adjustable coupling means to couple the first strap segment with the second strap segment.

[0014] In some embodiments, the arm wrap is a fabric pad. The second strap segment preferably extends from the arm wrap. More specifically, the second strap segment includes a first portion extending from one flap of the arm wrap and a second portion of the second strap segment extending from a second flap of the arm wrap. The two flaps are preferably connected to form the fabric pad. The second strap segment may also include a ring engaged between the first portion and the second portion. Preferably, the first portion and second portion of the second strap segment meet at an intermediate location to form a closed loop with which the ring is engaged. The first strap segment preferably includes a free end extending away from the main body, the free end of the first strap segment is threaded through the ring engaged with the second strap segment. Thereafter, the free end of the first strap segment is engaged to the adjustable coupling means to adjustably couple the first strap segment to the second strap segment. Preferably, the adjustable coupling means is a buckle, such as a tri-glide buckle, coupling the first strap segment to the second strap segment.

[0015] The arm wrap is preferably a fabric pad. The arm wrap forms an open channel defined between two integrally connected panels forming a continuous pad. The second strap segment preferably is made up of two portions, the first portion being integrally connected to and extending from one of the two integrally connected panels of the arm wrap. The second portion of the second strap segment is integrally connected to and extends from the other one of the two integrally connected panels of the arm wrap. The second strap segment forms a closed loop where the first portion and the second portions intersect. A ring is preferably attached to the closed loop of the second strap segment.

[0016] In some more elaborate embodiments, the strap assembly also includes a tough fastener patch that is attached to the car seat handle. A complimentary touch fastener strip is attached to an outer surface of the arm wrap. The complimentary touch fastener patch and strip are designed for stowing the strap assembly along the car seat handle when the assembly is not in use.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. Component parts shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and may be exaggerated to better illustrate the important features of the invention. Dimensions shown are exemplary only. In the drawings, like reference numerals may designate like parts throughout the different views, wherein:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a strap assembly for carrying a car seat according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a front side view of an embodiment of the strap assembly according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a back side view of an embodiment of a strap assembly according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view demonstrating a strap assembly according to the present invention in use.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view demonstrating a strap assembly according to the present invention in a stowed position on an infant car seat.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The following disclosure presents exemplary embodiments of a strap assembly that can be universally deployed on existing infant car seats to provide the user with a more comfortable means of transporting the car seat. The disclosed invention is particularly applicable to infant car seats that have a rotatable handle and are commonly used to transport an infant to and from a vehicle and to safely and securely place the infant within the vehicle. The disclosed invention can be deployed on all known infant car seats that have a transverse rotating handle. The disclosed invention can be attached to existing infant car seats quickly, requiring only a screwdriver to ensure that a secure and safe attachment is made. Attachment of the disclosed invention to existing car seats requires no modification to the existing car seat and therefore avoids potentially voiding a manufacturer's warranty or safety rating.

[0024] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a strap assembly according to the present invention. The strap assembly 10 includes a main body 12, a first strap segment 14, a second strap segment 16, an arm wrap 18, and a means 20 for adjustably coupling the first strap segment 14 to the second strap segment 16. In preferred embodiments, the adjustable coupling means 20 is a buckle, such as a tri-glide buckle or slide buckle.

[0025] The main body 12 further includes a means for removably attaching the main body 12 to the handle of an infant car seat. In some preferred embodiments, the removable attachment means 22 is a clamp 22, such as a hose or pipe clamp. The removable attachment means 22 must have the ability to open so the operator can position the means 22 on the handle of the infant car seat and tighten it down to the handle thereafter. Further, the removable attachment means 22 must be sufficiently strong to be able to withstand the entire weight of the car seat plus the weight of a child seated therein without risk of being damaged or otherwise failing when in use. In some preferred embodiments, the removable attachment means 22 is a stainless steel adjustable hose clamp such as those commonly used in the plumbing and automative industries.

[0026] The first strap segment 14 preferably has a ringed end 24 and an opposite, free end 26. When assembled, the free end 26 is threaded through the main body 12 and the ringed end 24 to removably couple the first strap segment 14 to the main body 12. The free end 26 extending through the ringed end 24 forms an adjustable closed loop 25 to which the main body 12 is removably coupled.

[0027] The arm wrap 18 preferably has an open channel 28 extending between two integrally connected panels 30 and 32. Note, panels 30 and 32 are described as being separate parts merely for purposes of understanding the invention. The arm wrap 18 is formed by panels 30 and 32 that are integrally connected as a single, continuous panel or fabric pad. The second strap segment 16 includes a first portion 34 connected to a first panel 30 and a second portion 36 connected to the second panel 32. The first portion 34 and the second portion 36 meet at an intermediate position along the length of the second strap segment 16 to form a closed loop 38. A ring 40 is engaged to the closed loop 38. In preferred embodiments, the free end 26 of the first strap segment 14 is threaded through the ring 40 to couple the first strap segment 14 with the second strap segment 16, as will be detailed further below.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a front side view of an assembled embodiment of a strap assembly according to the present invention. As briefly discussed above, the free end 26 of the first strap segment 14 is threaded through the main body 12 and thereafter threaded through the ringed end 24. This forms adjustable loop 25 engaged to the main body 12. Next, the free end 26 is threaded through the adjustable coupling means 20 in a first direction away from the main body 12. The adjustable coupling means 20 is now engaged to the first strap segment 14. The free end 26 is next threaded through the ring 40 engaged to the second strap segment 16 and thereafter the free end 26 is threaded back through the adjustable coupling means 20 in the direction of the main body 12. The first strap segment 14 and the second strap segment 16 are now coupled together via the adjustable coupling means 20 forming the strap assembly 10 according to the present invention.

[0029] The adjustable coupling means 20 allows a user to adjust the overall length of the strap assembly 10 once it is assembled. The total adjustable length of the strap assembly 10 is determined by the length of the first strap segment 14. A longer first strap segment 14 will provide for more adjustability once the strap assembly 10 is assembled. The length of the second strap segment 16 influences the maximum diameter of the channel 28 formed by the arm wrap 18 due to the first and second portions 34, 36 being integrally connected to the panels 30, 32 forming the arm wrap 18. The length of the second strap segment 16 may be increased to increase the size of the channel 28 of the arm wrap 18 to accommodate users with larger arms.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a back side view of an assembled embodiment of a strap assembly according to the present invention. In preferred embodiments, one of the panels 30 or 32 includes a touch fastener strip 42 attached to the outer surface thereof. The touch fastener strip 42 can engage a touch fastener loop 44 that is attached to a car seat handle to store the strap assembly 10 out of the way, e.g., FIG. 5.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a strap assembly in use with an infant car seat. As briefly discussed in the Background section, a conventional infant car seat 100 includes an inverted U-shaped handle 102 extending upward from opposing sidewalls 104 and 106. Front and back ends 105 and 107 in combination with the sidewalls 104 and 106 form the seating area 110 where the infant will be placed. The sidewalls 104 and 106 include pivots where the handle 102 is connected to allow the handle 102 to pivot or rotate in a known manner. When the car seat 100 is ready to be carried by the user, the handle 102 is rotated to the deployed position shown in FIG. 4 so that the grip portion 108 of the handle is perpendicular to the sidewalls 104 and 106. The grip portion 108 of the handle 102 is above the seating area 110 when the handle 102 is deployed.

[0032] The main body 12 of the strap assembly is attached to the grip portion 108 of the car seat handle 102. The clamping means 22 is used to tighten the main body 12 to the grip portion 108 and secure the strap assembly 10 to the car seat 100. The first strap segment 14 and the second strap segment 16 are adjustably coupled together using the coupling means 20. The user 1 extends her arm 2 through the arm wrap 18 with the strap assembly 10 attached to the car seat 100. The arm wrap 18 will circumvolve the user's arm 2 around their upper arm or bicep area. Thereafter, the user 1 can easily grip the outer surface of the sidewall 106 closest to her body. Positioning the main body 12 on the remote or distal portion of the grip portion 108 of the handle 102 away from the user's body 3 maintains balance in the car seat 100 by establishing two contact points for carrying. In this position, the car seat 100 will remain level around the user's hip while the user 1 walks with the car seat.

[0033] The strap assembly 10 will allow the user to hold the car seat 100 higher up around the user's waist and closer to her body. This reduces the strain a user may otherwise experience in her hips, back and shoulders from carrying the car seat by only the handle 102 as would normally be the case. Further, by holding the car seat 100 higher up around her waist using the strap assembly 10, the user will prevent the car seat from swinging into her legs, allowing her to walk more freely while carrying the car seat 100.

[0034] Positioning the removable main body 12 on one distinct side of the grip portion 108 of the handle 102 ensures that the car seat 100 remains balanced when being carried by the strap assembly 10. The removable attachment means 22 secures the main body 12 on grip portion 108 away from the user 1. The one sided positioning, i.e., one side of the center of gravity of the handle 102, of the removable attachment means 22 causes the main body 12 to hold up one side of the car seat 100 while the user 1 grasps the opposite side with her arm 2 engaged through the strap assembly 10. The arm wrap 18 prevents the car seat 100 from tilting away from the user 1 while the user grasps the sidewall 104 or 106 of the car seat 100.

[0035] The direction the car seat 100 faces when being carried by the strap assembly 10 can be readily changed without having to remove the strap assembly 10 therefrom. Rather, a user need only loosen the removable attachment means 22 to be able to slide the main body 12 to the opposite side of the grip portion 108 from its starting position. Thereafter, the user tightens the removable attachment means 22 on the handle 102. The car seat 100 can now be turned around and picked up by the user as described above. Along similar lines, the strap assembly 10 can be used to carry a car seat 100 on either the left-hand side or right-hand side of the user by simply changing the position of the removable attachment means 22 on the grip portion 108 of the handle 102.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a magnified perspective view of the strap assembly according to the present invention attached to a car seat in a stowed position. The touch fastener strip 42 on the outer surface of one of the panels 30, 32 engages with a corresponding touch fastener loop 44 that may be deployed on the handle 102 of the infant car seat 100. More specifically, a touch fastener loop 44 may be deployed on the grip portion 108 of the handle 102 to provide a means for storing the strap assembly 10 when not being used. When not in use, the strap assembly 10 may be stretched across the top of the handle portion 108 so that the arm wrap 18 is positioned remote from the main body 12. The touch fastener strip 42 engages the loop 44 to stow the strap assembly 10 across the handle portion 108. In the stowed position, a user can carry the car seat 100 normally by gripping the handle 102.

[0037] The disclosed strap assembly 10 can be added to most kinds of infant car seats without requiring modification of the car seat. Installation can be accomplished in a matter of minutes using only a screwdriver and leaves the car seat functionally and structurally unchanged so that any manufacturer warranties or safety ratings of the car seat 100 are not voided. Further, a user remains able to carry the car seat according to any other known manner with the strap assembly 10 attached thereto and secured in the stowed position shown by FIG. 5. The simplicity of the strap assembly 10 means a user can easily switch between different carrying positions while still on the move. The user can go from using the strap assembly 10 to carry the car seat 100 to grasping the handle 102 to carry the car seat normally all without putting the car seat down or having to stop walking.

[0038] An additional benefit to the disclosed strap assembly 10 is that it can be readily removed from the infant car seat and easily installed on a different infant car seat. The parent will not be required to purchase a new strap assembly 10 for each car seat they wish to use it with; rather, the parent can remove the assembly and simply re-install it on a different infant car seat.

[0039] Using the complimentary touch fastener strip and loop 42 and 44, the strap assembly 10 can be stored along the length of grip portion 108 on the handle 102 or along the length of either leg of inverted U-shaped handle 102. Further, the complimentary touch fastener strip and loop 42 and 44 may be used to secure the arm wrap 18 to an underside surface of the handle 102, which can thereafter serve as a pad when the user elects to carry the car seat 100 in the crease of her elbow, as briefly described above in the Background section.

[0040] In some preferred embodiments, the arm wrap 18 is a fabric pad, preferably several millimeters thick, to provide a cushion to the user carrying a car seat 100 by the strap assembly 10. Further, a protective cover may substantially enclose the main body 12 so that the removable attachment means 22 does not scratch or otherwise damage the handle 102 of the car seat 100.

[0041] In some more elaborate embodiments, the main body 12 may include a molded housing that can be snap-fit over the handle 102 of the car seat and includes an integral clamping means to tighten the molded housing to the handle. In alternative embodiments, the main body 12 may be a molded housing that the clamping means, such as a pipe clamp, extends through. An upper portion of the molded housing may include an integrally connected ring that is attached to the first strap segment. This embodiment would eliminate the need to loop the free end 26 of the first strap segment through the main body 12 and the ringed end 24 because the first strap segment would be directly attached to the molded housing by the integrated ring.

[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in an illustrative style. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughout should be read in a non-limiting manner. Although minor modifications to the teachings herein will occur to those well versed in the art, it shall be understood that what is intended to be circumscribed within the scope of the patent warranted hereon are all such embodiments that reasonably fall within the scope of the advancement to the art hereby contributed, and that that scope shall not be restricted, except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]The following disclosure presents exemplary embodiments of a strap assembly that can be universally deployed on existing infant car seats to provide the user with a more comfortable means of transporting the car seat. The disclosed invention is particularly applicable to infant car seats that have a rotatable handle and are commonly used to transport an infant to and from a vehicle and to safely and securely place the infant within the vehicle. The disclosed invention can be deployed on all known infant car seats that have a transverse rotating handle. The disclosed invention can be attached to existing infant car seats quickly, requiring only a screwdriver to ensure that a secure and safe attachment is made. Attachment of the disclosed invention to existing car seats requires no modification to the existing car seat and therefore avoids potentially voiding a manufacturer's warranty or safety rating.

[0024]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a strap ...

Claims

1. A strap assembly for a car seat, the strap assembly comprising:a main body having a means for removably attaching the main body to a handle of the car seat,a first strap segment removably coupled to the main body;an arm wrap;a second strap segment extending from the arm wrap; anda means for adjustably coupling the first strap segment to the second strap segment.

2. The strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the removable attachment means comprises an adjustable clamp.

3. The strap assembly of claim 2, wherein the adjustable clamp comprises a hose clamp.

4. The strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjustable coupling means comprises a tri-glide buckle.

5. The strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the first strap segment further comprises a free end and a ringed end.

6. The strap assembly of claim 5, wherein the free end of the first strap segment is firstly threaded through the main body and secondly threaded through the ringed end to removably couple the first strap segment to the main body.

7. The strap assembly of claim 6, wherein the free end engages the adjustable coupling means.

8. The strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the second strap segment comprises a first portion extending from one flap of the arm wrap and a second portion extending from a second flap of the arm wrap that opposes the one flap.

9. The strap assembly of claim 8, wherein the second strap segment further comprises a ring engaged between the first portion and the second portion.

10. The strap assembly of claim 9, wherein the first portion and the second portion meet at an intermediate location to form a closed loop that engages the ring.

11. The strap assembly of claim 10, wherein a free end of the first strap segment is threadable through the ring and engageable to the adjustable coupling means to adjustably couple the first strap segment with the second strap segment.

12. The strap assembly of claim 11, wherein the adjustable coupling means comprises a buckle.

13. The strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the arm wrap comprises a fabric pad.

14. The strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the arm wrap comprises an open channel formed between two integrally connected panels forming a continuous pad.

15. The strap assembly of claim 14, wherein the second strap segment comprises a first portion integrally connected to and extending from one of the two integrally connected panels and a second portion integrally connected to and extending from an opposite of the two integrally connected panels.

16. The strap assembly of claim 15, wherein the first portion and the second portion form a closed loop at an intermediate location along the second strap segment.

17. The strap assembly of claim 16, further comprising a ring attached to the closed loop.

18. The strap assembly of claim 1, further comprising a touch fastener strip attached to an outer surface of the arm wrap and a complimentary touch fastener patch attached to the handle, wherein the touch fastener strip is configured to removably secure the arm wrap to the touch fastener patch.

19. The strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment means is movable along the handle.

20. The strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment means further comprises a protective pad substantially covering the attachment means.

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