MODULAR CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM

• US 20100314925A1
• Filed: 08/02/2010
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orbit Baby, Inc. (ERGO Baby Holding Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Orbit Baby, Inc. (ERGO Baby Holding Corp.)
• Inventors: Hei, Joseph, White, Bryan Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,235,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/256.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2821 having a seat and a base part
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2845 having handles
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2848 being convertible or adaptable to a preambulator, e.g. a baby-carriage or a push-chair
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2857 characterised by the peculiar orientation of the child B60N2/2869 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2869 rotatable about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2878 the back-rest being inclinable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2887 Fixation to a transversal anchorage bar, e.g. isofix

Abstract

A modular child restraint system for use in vehicles comprises a base and interchangeable attachable seats where the seats are for different stages of childhood development. The system can further comprise additional bases adapted to other uses such as strollers and infant swings. A common engagement mechanism allows the various seats to be moved from one base to another. One such system comprises a base and a seat configured to rotate relative to one another when engaged. The seat can also lock in a position relative to the base. The base includes a visual indicator to show that the seat is secured to the base.

Claims

1. A modular child restraint system comprising:

a base; and

a seat configured to detachable engage the base and rotate relative to the base when engaged thereto.

2. The modular child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to be attached to a vehicle seat.

3. The modular child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the base is permanently installed in a vehicle seat.

4. The modular child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the base is part of a stroller.

5. The modular child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the seat is configured to be locked in a position relative to the base.

6. The modular child restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator configured to change color in response to the seat being rotationally locked with the base.

7. The modular child restraint system of claim 1, wherein:

the base comprises a base hub having a circumferential lip and a plurality of detents; and

the seat comprises a seat hub configured to rotationally engage with the base hub and lock into one or more of the detents to prevent rotation of the seat relative to the base.

8. The modular child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the seat further comprises a plurality of retractable latches for engages the base.

9. A modular child restraint system comprising:

a base including a base hub having a circumferential lip and a plurality of detents; and

a seat including a seat hub configured to rotationally engage with the base hub and having a retractable latch configured to engage under the lip to secure the seat hub to the base hub, and

lock into the detents to prevent rotation of the seat relative to the base.

10. The modular child restraint system of claim 9 further comprising an indicator configured to indicate whether the seat hub is rotationally locked with the base hub.

11. The modular child restraint system of claim 9 further comprising four retractable latches configured to engage under the lip.

12. The modular child restraint system of claim 11 wherein only one of the four latches is sized to lock into the detents.

13. The modular child restraint system of claim 9, wherein the base is configured to be attached to a vehicle seat.

14. The modular child restraint system of claim 9, wherein the base is permanently installed in a vehicle seat.

15. The modular child restraint system of claim 9, wherein the base is part of a stroller.

16. The modular child restraint system of claim 9, wherein the seat is configured to be locked in a position relative to the base.