Swivelable car seat

• US 20060197364A1
• Filed: 03/01/2006
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Augustine M. Mastroine, Connie S. Bendure, William A. Talerico
• Original Assignee: Augustine M. Mastroine, Connie S. Bendure, William A. Talerico
• Inventors: Talerico, William A., Bendure, Connie S., Mastroine, Augustine M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,357,451 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/256.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2869 rotatable about a vertical axis

Abstract

A car seat for restraining a child during operation of a motor vehicle includes a base capable of being removably disposed on a selected motor vehicle seat. A seat unit is swivelably connected to said base. A locking assembly selectively extends between the base and the seat unit for selectively restricting the swiveling of the seat unit on the base.

Claims

1. A car seat for restraining a child during operation of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a base capable of being removably disposed on a selected motor vehicle seat;

a seat unit swivelably connected to said base; and

a locking assembly selectively extending between said base and said seat unit for selectively restricting the swiveling of said seat unit on said base.

2. The car seat of claim 1, wherein said swivelable connection of said seat unit seat to said base is provided by a turntable assembly.

3. The car seat of claim 2, wherein said turntable assembly includes a central axis and a roller bearing.

4. The car seat of claim 2, wherein said turntable assembly includes a central axis and a disk with low-friction material.

5. The car seat of claim 1, wherein said seat unit selectively swivels on said base from a forward-facing position to a selected vehicle door opening.

6. The car seat of claim 1, wherein said locking assembly includes a pin attached to said seat unit capable of removably engaging said base.

7. The car seat of claim 1, wherein said locking assembly includes a pin attached to said base capable of removably engaging said seat unit.

8. The car seat of claim 1, wherein said seat unit substantially surrounds an occupant of the seat unit.

9. The car seat of claim 8, wherein said seat unit surrounds an occupant of the seat unit at least 180 degrees.

10. The car seat of claim 8, wherein side walls of said seat unit include protective padding.

11. The car seat of claim 1, wherein said base includes a groove formed in an upper portion thereof, and said seat unit includes an upper hook that is received in said groove.

12. The car seat of claim 1, wherein said seat unit includes a channel formed in an upper portion thereof, and said base includes an upper hook that is received in said channel.

13. The car seat of claim 1, wherein said base includes a channel formed in a lower portion thereof, and said seat unit includes a lower hook that is received in said channel.