Child safety seat kickstand

Abstract

A kickstand child safety seat system comprising a child safety seat, a seat base, and a kickstand. The child safety seat is pivotably coupled to the seat base and the seat base is configured to selectively couple to a vehicle. Also, the kickstand has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 3400706.00741TITLE CHILD SAFETY SEAT KICKSTANDPRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 777,282 filed March 25, 2025, titled “CHILD SAFETY SEAT KICKSTAND,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and relied upon.BACKGROUND

[0002] Child restraint systems, also commonly called child safety seats, child seats, car seats, or booster seats, among others, are designed to protect children in vehicles from the effects of impacts or sudden changes in motion (e.g., sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration, and the like). Child restraint systems, referred to hereinafter as child safety seats, may be used in a variety of vehicles with different seat types and / or seating configurations. In one configuration, the child seat is pivotally secured to base so that the child seat can be tilted in front of the base for a user to secure a vehicle belt to the base, between the base and the child seat. Once the vehicle belt is secured, the user can lower the child seat back down, such that it is fully set on top of the base.

[0003] The user can be easily injured when lifting the child seat from the base while attempting to secure a vehicle belt. For example, the child seat can fall back to crush the user’s hands or fingers. Currently, the user must hold the child seat with one hand so as to prevent it from falling back, while also attempting to secure the vehicle belt to base with the other hand. However, the current solution forces the user to attempt securing the vehicle belt to the base using a single hand, which is difficult and time consuming. In turn, there is a need for a child seat kickstand that uses geometry and gravity to hold a child seat in an up position relative to a base to which the child seat is pivotally coupled.SUMMARY

[0004] Example systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed herein a child safety seat kickstand.Attorney Docket No. 3400706.00741

[0005] Aspects of the subject matter described herein may be useful alone or in combination with one or more other aspects described herein. In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a kickstand child safety seat system comprising: a child safety seat, a seat base, and a kickstand, where the child safety seat is pivotably coupled to the seat base, the seat base is configured to selectively couple to a vehicle, and the kickstand has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.

[0006] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the child safety seat pivotably couples to the seat base at a front portion of the child safety seat and a front portion of the base.

[0007] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the child safety seat has an open configuration where the child safety seat is pivoted away from the base and the child safety seat has a closed configuration where the child safety seat is on top of the base.

[0008] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the kickstand couples to a bottom of the child safety seat on one end and the kickstand couples to a top of the base on another end.

[0009] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, in the engaged configuration the kickstand retains the child safety seat in the open configuration.

[0010] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, in the disengaged configuration the kickstand does not retain the child safety seat in the open configuration and in the closed configuration the kickstand stores in a storage cavity on the base.

[0011] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the one end of the kickstand couples to the bottom of the safety seat via a pivoting point, and the another end of the kickstand couples to the top of the base via a routing kickstand guide coupled to the base.

[0012] In an eight aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the another end of the kickstand is configured to slide within the routing kickstand guide via internal tracks.Attorney Docket No. 3400706.00741

[0013] In a nineth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the engaged configuration corresponds with sliding the another end of the kickstand to a locking groove on the internal tracks.

[0014] In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the internal tracks are various lines and routes carved into the routing kickstand guide.

[0015] In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the seat base is configured to receive a vehicle belt.

[0016] In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the seat base comprises at least one belt retainer configured to route and retain a vehicle belt in a space between a top of the base and a bottom of the child safety seat.

[0017] In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the kickstand is comprised of one of metal or plastic.

[0018] In a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, a child safety seat kickstand assembly including a kickstand body, a pivoting connection point, a sliding connection point, and a pair of routing kickstand guides.

[0019] In a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the kickstand is comprised of one of metal or plastic.

[0020] In a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the pivoting connection point is on a first end of the kickstand and the sliding connection point is on a second end of the kickstand.

[0021] In a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the pivoting connection point is configured to couple to a bottom of a child safety seat, the sliding point connection is configured to couple to the pair of routing kickstand guides, and the pair of routing kickstand guides is configured to couple to a top of a base.

[0022] In an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the sliding point connection is configured toAttorney Docket No. 3400706.00741slide within the pair of routing kickstand guides via internal tracks, and the internal tracks are various lines and routes carved into the pair of routing kickstand guides.

[0023] In a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, a method of using a child safety kickstand system, the system comprises a child safety seat, a seat base, and a kickstand coupling the bottom of the child safety seat to the top of the seat base, the method comprising: pivoting the child safety seat towards a front of the seat base, and moving a sliding point on the kickstand into a locking groove on a pair of routing kickstand guides.

[0024] In a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, further comprising moving the sliding point out of the locking groove and pivoting the child safety seat towards the back of the seat base, such that the kickstand moves parallel to the seat base and stores into a storage cavity.

[0025] In a twenty-first aspect of the present disclosure, any of the structure, functionality, and alternatives disclosed in connection with any one or more of Figs. 1 to 4 may be combined with any other structure, functionality, and alternatives disclosed in connection with any other one or more of Figs. 1 to 4.

[0026] In light of the present disclosure and the above aspects, it is therefore an advantage of the present disclosure to provide users with a convertible top-tether for a child safety seat.

[0027] Additional features and advantages are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the Figures. The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the figures and description. In addition, any particular embodiment does not have to have all of the advantages listed herein and it is expressly contemplated to claim individual advantageous embodiments separately. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been selected principally for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0028] The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.Attorney Docket No. 3400706.00741

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a child safety seat and base assembly with a kickstand in an engaged configuration, according to various embodiments.

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates a close up view of a child safety seat kickstand coupled to a child safety seat, according to various embodiments.

[0031] Figure 3 illustrates a close up view of a child safety seat kickstand coupled to a child safety seat base, according to various embodiments.

[0032] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a child safety seat routing kickstand guide, according to various embodimentsDETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specific the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or additional of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.Attorney Docket No. 3400706.00741

[0036] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0037] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0038] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0039] Described herein are systems and methods for a child seat kickstand that uses geometry and gravity to hold a child seat in an up position relative to a base to which the child seat is pivotally coupled. Various advantages and benefits may be realized with the child seat kickstand described herein, and the aforementioned benefits and advantages should not be considered limiting.Attomey Docket No. 3400706.00741

[0040] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a child safety seat and base assembly with a kickstand in an engaged configuration. As seen in Figure 1, the child seat safety seat and base assembly 100 includes a child safety seat 105 that is pivotally connected to a base 102. As such the child seat 105 can be lifted up relative to the base 102, so as to allow the user access to the base 102 and, specifically to belt guiding portions 101 on the base 102. The belt guiding portions 101 are configured to receive and hold a vehicle belt in place. Once the user routes the vehicle belt through the belt guiding portions 101, the user can lower the child seat 105 relative to the base 102, such that the child seat 105 is fully on top of the base 102. As an example, child seat 105 is pivoted back down onto base 102 such that it partially displaces belt within belt guiding portions 101 to ensure proper tension / tightening of the base to the vehicle via the belt.

[0041] As also seen in Figure 1, the child seat safety seat and base assembly 100 includes a kickstand 110 to selectively hold the child seat 105 up, in an engaged position. The kickstand 110 couples to the base 102 at a first end 112 and couples to the child seat 105 at a second end 111 via a pin 120 at a child seat connection point 115. It should be noted that the kickstand 110 couples to the base 102 via a routing coupler (not shown) that interlocks with a set of routing kickstand guides 125, 125’ (described in Figures 3 and 4). In turn, in one embodiment, the kickstand 110 has an engaged configuration where the child seat 105 is held up relative to the base 102, as seen in Figure 1, and a disengaged configuration, where the kickstand 110 does not hold the child seat 105 up relative to the base 102. In an embodiment the kickstand 110 is made of plastic, metal, or another material strong enough to support the child seat 105 in the engaged configuration.

[0042] Figure 2 illustrates a close up view of a child safety seat kickstand coupled to a child safety seat. As seen in Figure 2, the first end 111 of the kickstand 110 pivotally couples to the child seat 105 at the child seat connection point 115. Specifically, a pin 120 couples the first end 111 at child seat connection point 115. The child seat connection point 115 is configured such that the first end 111 of the kickstand 110 has clearance to pivot between engaged and disengaged configurations. As also seen in Figure 2, the base 102 includes a storage cavity 103. When the kickstand 110 is disengaged and the user lowers the child seat 105 relative to the base 102, such that the child seat 105 is fully on top of the base 102, the kickstand 110 pivots about the pin 120 and orients relatively parallel to the base 102. Concurrently, the kickstand 110 fits into and is received by the storage cavity 103. As a result, the kickstand 110 stores into the base 102 and doesAttorney Docket No. 3400706.00741not impede the movement of child seat 105 as child seat 105 pivots down to be fully on top of the base 102.

[0043] Figure 3 illustrates a close up view of a child safety seat kickstand coupled to a child safety seat base. As seen in Figure 3, the second end 112 of the kickstand 110 couples to the base 102. Specifically, a routing coupler (not shown) on the second end 112 interlocks with a set of routing kickstand guides 125, 125’. As an example, routing coupler is a raised detent or other feature that is geometrically configured to slide within kickstand guides 125, 125’ on each side of second end 112 of kickstand 110. In an embodiment, the routing kickstand guides 125, 125’ are mirror images of each other. The set of routing kickstand guides 125, 125’ each include a connection tab 126 which fits into a base portion 127 and is fixedly coupled to the storage cavity 103 via a fastener 128. The storage cavity 103 may also include wall cavities 117 into which each of the routing kickstand guides 125, 125’ fit, so as to further secure the routing kickstand guides 125, 125’ into the storage cavity 103. In an embodiment the fastener is a screw or a lug nut.

[0044] The routing kickstand guides 125, 125’ include internal tracks 130 into which the routing coupler fits and interlocks. Specifically, in an embodiment, the routing coupler is configured to fit into and be held by the internal tracks 130 of the routing kickstand guides 125, 125’ while still moving about the tracks 130. As a result, because the routing kickstand guides 125, 125’ are mirror images of each other, the routing coupler can slide about the internal tracks 130 in accordance with the various kickstand configurations, as further detailed below.

[0045] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a child safety seat routing kickstand guide. The routing kickstand guide 125 has a bottom side that includes a connection tab 126 that interlocks with and is parallel to a bottom surface of base 102, such as storage cavity 103 (see Figure 3). In an embodiment, the connection tab 126 can include an opening 129 to aid in fixedly coupling the routing kickstand guide 125 to the bottom surface of the storage cavity 102.

[0046] As seen in Figure 4, the main body 140 of the routing kickstand guide 125 is perpendicular to the connection tab 126. The main body 140 has an internal side 142 and a base side 141. The base side 141 faces the internal walls of storage cavity 103 in the base 102, when the routing kickstand guide 125 is installed (see Figure 3). The internal side 142 includes internal tracks 130, which may be formed via various geometries carved into the main body 140. The internal side 142 also includes the aforementioned connection tab 126. Importantly, the internal side 142 of one routing kickstand guide 125 faces the internal side of another routing kickstandAttorney Docket No. 3400706.00741guide, such as routing kickstand guide 125’ (not shown) such that internal sides are mirror images of one another.

[0047] Regarding kickstand 110 use, Figure 4 shows various portions of the internal tracks 130 that correspond with different kickstand configurations as the routing coupler moves through internal tracks 130. For example, in an embodiment, the internal tracks 130 include a straight portion 131, a far end 145, a curved portion 132, a locking groove 134, and a near end 144. Starting in a disengaged configuration, where the kickstand 110 is stored in the storage cavity 103, the routing coupler is located in the far end 145 of the internal tracks 130.

[0048] As the user lifts the child seat 105, the kickstand 110 moves, and so does the routing coupler. The routing coupler moves in a direction from the far end 145 towards the near end 144 until in encounters the turning point 133, at which point the user directs the router coupling down the curved portion 132, by way of directing the child seat 105. To engage the kickstand 110, the user continues moving the child seat 105 so as to direct the router coupling around the curved portion 132 and up to rest on the locking groove 134. To disengage the kickstand 110 the user slightly moves the child seat 105 up and around the locking groove 134, to the near end 144 and towards the far end 145.

[0049] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 3400706.00741CLAIMS1. A kickstand child safety seat system comprising:a child safety seat;a seat base; anda kickstand;wherein the child safety seat is pivotably coupled to the seat base;wherein the seat base is configured to selectively couple to a vehicle; and wherein the kickstand has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the child safety seat pivotably couples to the seat base at a front portion of the child safety seat and a front portion of the base.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the child safety seat has an open configuration where the child safety seat is pivoted away from the base and wherein the child safety seat has a closed configuration where the child safety seat is on top of the base.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the kickstand couples to a bottom of the child safety seat on one end and the kickstand couples to a top of the base on another end.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein in the engaged configuration the kickstand retains the child safety seat in the open configuration.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein in the disengaged configuration the kickstand does not retain the child safety seat in the open configuration and wherein in the closed configuration the kickstand stores in a storage cavity on the base.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein a one end of the kickstand couples to a bottom of the safety seat via a pivoting point, and wherein the another end of the kickstand couples to the top of the base via a routing kickstand guide coupled to the base.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the another end of the kickstand is configured to slide within the routing kickstand guide via internal tracks.Attorney Docket No. 3400706.007419. The system of claim 7, wherein the engaged configuration corresponds with sliding the another end of the kickstand to a locking groove on internal tracks.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the internal tracks are various lines and routes carved into the routing kickstand guide.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the seat base is configured to receive a vehicle belt.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the seat base comprises at least one belt retainer configured to route and retain a vehicle belt in a space between a top of the base and a bottom of the child safety seat.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the kickstand is comprised of one of metal or plastic.

14. A child safety seat kickstand assembly comprising:a kickstand body,a pivoting connection point,a sliding connection point, anda pair of routing kickstand guides.

15. The child safety seat kickstand assembly of claim 14, wherein the kickstand is comprised of one of metal or plastic.

16. The child safety seat kickstand assembly of claim 14, wherein the pivoting connection point is on a first end of the kickstand and wherein the sliding connection point is on a second end of the kickstand.

17. The child safety seat kickstand assembly of claim 16, wherein the pivoting connection point is configured to couple to a bottom of a child safety seat, wherein the sliding point connection is configured to couple to the pair of routing kickstand guides, and wherein the pair of routing kickstand guides is configured to couple to a top of a base.Attorney Docket No. 3400706.0074118. The child safety seat kickstand assembly of claim 17, wherein the sliding point connection is configured to slide within the pair of routing kickstand guides via internal tracks, and wherein the internal tracks are various lines and routes carved into the pair of routing kickstand guides.

19. A method of using a child safety kickstand system, wherein the system comprises a child safety seat, a seat base, and a kickstand coupling the bottom of the child safety seat to the top of the seat base, the method comprising:pivoting the child safety seat towards a front of the seat base; andmoving a sliding point on the kickstand into a locking groove on a pair of routing kickstand guides.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising moving the sliding point out of the locking groove and pivoting the child safety seat towards the back of the seat base, such that the kickstand moves parallel to the seat base and stores into a storage cavity.

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