Leg rest attachments for child car seats

• US 5,505,519 A
• Filed: 09/29/1994
• Issued: 04/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Theresa A. Natt
• Original Assignee: Theresa A. Natt
• Inventors: Natt, Theresa A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Peter R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL
• Application Number:
  US08/314,677
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 297/423.25, 297/423.22, 297/423.2, 297/250.1, 297/69, 297/318, 297/423.28, 297/423.26, 297/423.30
• US Class Current: 297/250.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/286 forward facing B60N2/2866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/995 Lower-leg-rests, e.g. calf-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/063 with adjustment systems

Abstract

A leg rest attachment for a child car seat comprising: a leg pad formed in a planar generally rectangular configuration, the pad'"'"'s lower surface being comprised of a solid planar object, the upper surface of the pad being comprised of a flexible material, the lower surface including projections extending therefrom, two extension bars formed in a planar generally rectangular configuration with a first end and a second end, the first end of each bar including coupling means to permit coupling to the projections of the leg pad, an axle formed in a long generally cylindrical configuration, the axle being coupled to the second end of each extension bar in the operative orientation, one of the axles being positioned in a side of a car seat, a second end of the axle extending through a side of the car seat and functioning as a handle to maneuver the apparatus, a tension spring being formed of two hooks at each end with a plurality of circular coils therebetween, a first hook being affixed to the floor of the car seat with the second hook being coupled to the axle of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A leg rest attachment on a child car seat, the attachment coupled to a conventional child car seat having a lower portion, two sides, and a floor, the apparatus comprising:

a leg pad formed in a planar generally rectangular configuration, the pad'"'"'s lower surface being comprised of a solid planar object, the upper surface of the pad being comprised of a flexible material, an upholstered seat cover being removably positioned around the upper surface, the seat cover being available in a variety of colors to match the user'"'"'s child car seat color, the lower surface including projections extending therefrom;

two extension bars formed in a planar generally rectangular configuration with a first end and a second end, the first end of each bar including coupling means to permit pivotable coupling to the projections of the leg pad, each bar having a large generally oval shaped aperture extending through the majority of its length, a front support bar with two ends being through the apertures of each extension bar, each end of the front support bar being fixedly coupled within one of the sides of the conventional child car seat;

an axle formed in a long generally cylindrical configuration, the axle being coupled to the second end of each extension bar first and second control bars each having inboard ends affixed to the axle, a first control bar having a linear outboard end rotatably couplable within one of the sides of the conventional child car seat, a second control bar extending through one of the sides of the conventional child car seat, the second control bar having an outboard end formed as a handle and positioned parallel to one of the sides of the car seat a tension spring being formed of two hooks at each end with a plurality of circular coils therebetween, a first hook being affixed to the floor of the conventional child car seat with the second hook being coupled to the approximate center point of the axle of the apparatus; and

wherein when an upward force is applied to the handle forcing it into a generally vertical orientation and rotating the axle in an upward and rearward direction, this action causing retraction of the foot rest and forcing the spring to shift rearwardly, the direction of tension of the spring serving as a safety device by locking the foot rest in a retracted orientation, wherein when a downward force is applied to the handle forcing it into a generally horizontal orientation and rotating the axle in a downward and frontward direction, this action causing extension of the foot rest and forcing the spring to shift frontwardly, the direction of tension of the spring serving as a safety device by locking the foot rest in an extended orientation.