Booster Seat Strap System with Relocated Locking for Easy Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing booster seats for small children under 36 months are often not used properly due to complex and time-consuming operation, particularly difficult for young mothers who may be recovering from childbirth, as the fixing mechanism is hard to access and adjust, leading to reduced frequency of use and increased risk of accidents.

Innovation Solution

A booster seat design with a relocated locking mechanism for easy access, featuring a first, second, third, and fourth eyelet with retaining bars and straps, arranged in the bolster and back areas for stable fixation, and a foamed molded part with polyurethane construction for safety and durability, along with a three-point tether for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the fixing mechanism is located under the seat, then the booster seat can be securely fastened to the chair, but the operation becomes difficult to access and adjust

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fasteningVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional location of the fixing mechanism by moving the buckle from underneath the seat to the backrest area. This allows the fastening operation to be performed from behind the chair, making it easily accessible to adults while maintaining secure attachment. The strap passes through the seat shell and under the seat cushion to achieve reliable fastening without requiring access to difficult-to-reach areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If the booster seat structure is simplified, then manufacturing costs and weight are reduced, but stability and safety may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the side bolster areas and backrest area into a single integrated shell structure. This merging of components simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining the necessary structural support and stability. The integrated design provides continuous lateral and rear support for the child, ensuring safety without requiring multiple separate structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the booster seat is designed for small children under 36 months, then it meets specific safety needs, but the fixing mechanism becomes too complex for young mothers to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety for small childrenVSAvoiduser-friendliness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the booster seat to be easily installed by the user without requiring complex adjustments or tools. The one-piece shell design with pre-positioned strap attachment points allows the caregiver to simply thread the strap through the seat and buckle it at the accessible backrest location. This self-service capability ensures that even young mothers recovering from childbirth can independently and quickly secure the booster seat without assistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design enhances user-friendliness and stability, reducing the risk of accidents by simplifying the fixing process and providing a secure, stable seating solution for small children, while also allowing for efficient stacking and storage to maximize space in public areas.

Implementation Method 1

a plastic foam is filled into the negative mold to form the seat shell while fixing the first, second, third, and fourth eyelets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoaming: Foam

Data Source

PatentEP3551013B1Booster seat and method for producing a booster seat
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 BF17
  • EP3551013B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3551013B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3e
  • EP3551013B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a booster seat (10) comprising a seat shell (22) with a lower face (24) for supporting the seat shell (22) and an upper face (26), on which a seat base (28) and lateral seat cushion regions and backrest regions (30a, 30b, 32) that delimit the seat base laterally and rearwards are provided. The lower face (24) of the seat shell has a stacking contour (40a) which is designed to provide a stacking capability on the upper face (26) of the seat shell (22). The invention also relates to a booster seat (10) comprising a strap system (58a, 58b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) that has four eyelets (42a, 42b, 44a, 44b), wherein one retaining strap (58a, 58b) is allocated to a pair of eyelets (42a, 42b, 44a, 44b). Two eyelets (42a, 42b) are arranged in the front outer region of each lateral seat cushion region (30a, 30b), while two eyelets (44a, 44b) are arranged in the rear outer region of each lateral seat cushion region (30a, 30b) or in the lateral outer region of the back region (32). The invention further relates to a method for producing a booster seat (10) of this type.