Chairs and seats – Supplemental seat – Secured by bottom-back crevice
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-02-27
Barfield, Anthony D. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Supplemental seat
Secured by bottom-back crevice
C297S256140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193310
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention pertains generally to infant or toddler car seats, as well as hybrid booster seats, and more specifically to such seats which are adapted for facing in both a frontward or rearward direction and which are capable of being connected to anchor points provided in vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As used herein the terminology “child car seat” refers to car seats for children of all ages, including infants and toddlers, and likewise includes car seats commonly referred to as hybrid booster seats or booster seats. The term “vehicle seat” is used to refer to the back or front seat of any vehicle type, including, but not limited to cars, vans, minivans, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.
A typical child car seat is secured to a vehicle such as an automobile with the vehicle seat belt. Under one standard procedure, the vehicle seat belt passes through two opposed openings in the side rails of the child car seat and behind the rear of the seating surface of the seat. In the usual construction of these seats, the two openings are not connected and offer no support or “path” for the vehicle seat belt as it passes from one opening to the other opening.
As an alternative, a child car seat having a recessed area in the back through which the vehicle seat belt passes is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,398. Apertures in the left and right sides of the recessed area allow the vehicle seat belt to be threaded through one opening, pass across the recessed area, and exit through the other opening. The recess is partially covered with a fixed molded panel, leaving a restricted opening at the bottom of the recessed belt path sufficient to allow the vehicle seat belt to be threaded from the front of the seat. The padded covering of the seat has a slit adjacent the opening of the bottom of the belt path so as to provide access to the belt path when the automobile seat belt is threaded therethrough.
In newer model vehicles, vehicle seats are being constructed to better facilitate connection of child car seats. For example, new standards are being promulgated which will require the back seats of vehicles to include anchor points for attaching child car seats. These anchor points are intended to provide more stable attachment of such seats. Accordingly, new child car seat constructions must be developed in order to best take advantage of such anchor points.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a child car seat is configured for attachment to vehicle anchor points in at least two configurations including a frontward facing configuration and a rearward facing configuration. The child car seat includes an exterior portion and an interior portion, the interior portion defining a receiving area for a child. A front area of the interior portion is generally open and a rear area of the interior portion is generally closed by a back section. A first means is positioned on the interior portion for securing a first strap thereto such that the first strap is positioned interiorly of the seat and is capable of extending both toward the front area and the rear area, and a second means is positioned on the interior portion for securing a second strap thereto such that the second strap is positioned interiorly of the seat and is capable of facing both toward the front area and the rear area. The first and second means may be any one of a number of structures including, but not limited to, pivotably mounted strap end plates, pivotably mounted buckle tongues or buckle boxes, dual buckle tongue assemblies, and dual buckle box assemblies.
In another aspect of the invention, a method of positioning a child car seat in a rearward facing configuration in a vehicle including anchor points is provided. The child car seat includes an exterior portion and an interior portion, the interior portion defining a receiving area for a child. A front area of the interior portion is generally open and a rear area of the interior portion is generally closed by a back section. The method involves attaching a first strap to the interior portion of the child car seat, and attaching a second strap to the interior portion of the child car seat. The first strap is routed toward the front area and to a first vehicle anchor point, and the second strap is routed toward the front area and to a second vehicle anchor point. By connecting the straps interiorly on the child car seat and routing them toward the front of the seat, a better torque angle/distance for holding the child car seat in place and preventing rotation of the child car seat is provided.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 29841 (1978-11-01), Wener
patent: 2664140 (1953-12-01), Kindelberger
patent: 4345791 (1982-08-01), Bryans et al.
patent: 4613188 (1986-09-01), Tsuge et al.
patent: 4913490 (1990-04-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 5458398 (1995-10-01), Meeker et al.
patent: 5487588 (1996-01-01), Burleigh et al.
patent: 5918934 (1999-07-01), Siegrist
patent: 6000753 (1999-12-01), Cone, II
Batalaris George Thomas
Bowles Danny C.
George Tracy
Gibson Will
Goodwin Kelly
Barfield Anthony D.
Evenflo Company, Inc.
Thompson Hine & Flory LLP
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