Child Car Seat with Vibration

• US 20100231014A1
• Filed: 04/17/2009
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Summer Infant Incorporated (Kids2, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Summer Infant Incorporated (Kids2, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gibree, Steve, DiMartinis, Lois
• Application Number:
  US12/425,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20100231014A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/217.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2851 provided with head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/286 forward facing B60N2/2866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2866 booster cushions, e.g. to lift a child to allow proper use of the conventional safety belts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2872 provided with side rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2881 Upholstery, padded or cushioned members therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/976 massaging systems

Abstract

A child car seat includes a seat assembly that is adapted to support a child in a vehicle, and a vibration mechanism that is adapted to provide a vibrating motion to a child supported by the seat assembly.

Claims

1. A child car seat, comprising:

a seat assembly that is adapted to support a child in a vehicle; and

a vibration mechanism that is adapted to provide a vibrating motion to a child supported by the seat assembly.

2. The child car seat of claim 1, wherein the seat assembly includes

a seat element that is adapted to support a child;

and

a base element that is adapted to be coupled to the vehicle and to couple with the seat element.

3. The child car seat of claim 2, wherein the vibration mechanism is attached to the seat element.

4. The child car seat of claim 3, wherein the seat element includes at least a partial fabric cover, and the vibration mechanism is attached to the fabric cover.

5. The child car seat of claim 4, wherein the vibration mechanism is sewn into the fabric cover.

6. The child car seat of claim 5, wherein the vibration mechanism is a soft and pliable device.

7. The child car seat of claim 6, wherein the vibration mechanism conforms to a contour of the seat element.

8. The child car seat of claim 3, wherein the seat element includes a frame, and the vibration mechanism is attached to the frame.

9. The child car seat of claim 8, wherein the frame includes a plurality of component members, and the vibration mechanism is adapted to cause at least two of the component members to move with respect to each other.

10. The child car seat of claim 2, wherein the vibration mechanism is attached to the base element.

11. The child car seat of claim 1, further comprising controls for the vibration mechanism, wherein the controls are located remotely from the vibration mechanism.

12. The child car seat of claim 11, wherein the seat assembly includes a frame, and wherein the controls are attached to the frame.

13. The child car seat of claim 12, wherein the frame includes a handle, and the controls are disposed on the handle.

14. The child car seat of claim 11, wherein the controls are disposed in a wireless remote unit.

15. The child car seat of claim 14, wherein the wireless remote unit is adapted to attach to a vehicle component.

16. The child car seat of claim 15, wherein the wireless remote unit includes and the vehicle component include respective mating hook-and-loop fastening elements.

17. The child car seat of claim 1, wherein the vibration mechanism can be adjusted to provide at least one of a variable amount of vibrational motion and a variable frequency of vibrational motion.

18. The child car seat of claim 17, wherein the vibration mechanism is adapted to oscillate at a frequency that is within the range of a normal human heart rate.

19. The child car seat of claim 18, wherein the frequency is adjustable to a selected frequency within the range.

20. The child car seat of claim 18, wherein the frequency is adjustable to pre-set frequencies within the range.

21. The child car seat of claim 1, wherein the vibration mechanism is adapted to provide a periodic reciprocating motion to the seat assembly.

22. The child car seat of claim 21, wherein an amplitude of the reciprocating motion is adjustable.

23. The child car seat of claim 21, wherein a damping rate of the reciprocating motion is adjustable.

24. The child car seat of claim 2, wherein the vibration mechanism is adapted to provide a rocking motion to the seat element with respect to the base element.