Apparatus for reducing head and neck injuries in infants riding in moving vehicles

• US 5,765,893 A
• Filed: 03/11/1997
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas K. Ziegler
• Original Assignee: Douglas K. Ziegler
• Inventors: Ziegler, Douglas K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cranmer, Laurie K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US08/814,381
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 297/256.15, 297/216.11, 297/216.12, 297/250.1, 297/184.13, 297/184.12, 297/397, 297/488
• US Class Current: 297/256.15
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/286 forward facing B60N2/2866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/80 Head-rests

Abstract

An improved restraint apparatus for use on an infant vehicle seat to reduce head and neck injury in infants. The improved restraint apparatus comprises a shell and padded lining shaped to partially enclose an infant when the restraint apparatus is attached to the infant vehicle seat. A first envelope of support is formed in an upper portion of the shell and padded lining to receive and support an infant head, and the first envelope of support provides a support against head movement. A second envelope of support is formed in a lower portion of the shell and padded lining and provides a support against torso movement comparable to the support against head movement. This produces a unified restraint system between the head and torso when the restraint apparatus is attached to the infant vehicle seat.

The padded lining has soft glove like pockets that are shaped to receive, support and restrain an infant head and torso. The lining is removable for lining replacement to fit different head and torso sizes. The lining also includes distinct areas of different density in the padding to better absorb energy generated by an impact. The areas of different density in the padding apply a gradual increase in resistance against the head and torso as they are forced against the padded lining.

The improved restraint further includes adjustment for fitting the restraint apparatus to different infant length sizes.

Claims

1. A restraint apparatus for use with an infant vehicle seat to reduce injury by applying a unified restraint against the head and torso of an infant riding in the seat, the restraint apparatus comprising:

a) a shell having a padded lining and a fastening means to attach said restraint apparatus to the infant vehicle seat;

b) a first envelope of support formed in an upper portion of said shell and padded lining, said first envelope of support shaped to receive and restrain an infant head, said first envelope of support providing a restraint against head movement; and

c) a second envelope of support formed in a lower portion of said shell and padded lining, said second envelope of support shaped to receive and restrain an infant torso, said second envelope of support providing a restraint against torso movement comparable to said restraint against head movement provided by said first envelope of support, said first envelope of support and said second envelope of support producing a unified restraint against head and torso movement when said restraint apparatus is attached to the infant vehicle seat wherein said shell equalizes relative acceleration between the head and the torso of the infant thereby causing the head and torso to uniformly react to a sudden change in force.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein:

a) said first envelope of support provides a restraint against longitudinal and transverse head movement; and

b) said second envelope of support provides a restraint against longitudinal and transverse torso movement comparable to said restraint against longitudinal and transverse head movement provided by said first envelope of support, said first envelope of support and said second envelope of support producing a unified restraint against longitudinal and transverse head and torso movement when said restraint apparatus is attached to the infant vehicle seat.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said unified restraint prevents a difference in relative acceleration between the head and torso of the infant when said restraint apparatus is attached to the infant vehicle seat.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein:

a) said first envelope of support includes a face opening extending through the shell and the padded lining of said restraint apparatus; and

b) said second envelope of support includes at least one arm opening extending through said shell and said padded lining of said restraining apparatus.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said fastening means is positioned to removably attach said restraint apparatus to the infant vehicle seat at a location fitting a selected infant length size.

6. The invention recited in claim 5 wherein said fastening means comprises:

a) a plurality of spaced apart fasteners positioned along the infant vehicle seat at locations corresponding to different infant length sizes; and

b) fasteners extending from said restraint apparatus for removable attachment to any selected said spaced apart fasteners to removably attach said restraint apparatus at a location fitting a selected infant size.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein said plurality of spaced apart fasteners include at least two locations fitting infant length sizes.

8. The apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein said fastening means includes at least one adjustable strap to removably attach said restraint apparatus to the infant vehicle seat.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein:

a) said first envelope of support includes a padded lining portion having a first pocket shaped to receive an infant head; and

b) said second envelope of support included a padded lining portion having a second pocket shaped to receive an infant torso.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 9 wherein said padded lining includes padding having areas of different density.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 10 wherein said padding has the greatest density adjacent said shell.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 10 wherein said padding is least dense adjacent said first pocket and said second pocket.

13. The apparatus recited in claim 9 wherein said first pocket and said second pocket are shaped to fit the head and torso for a selected infant weight size.

14. The apparatus recited in claim 13 wherein said padded lining is removably attached to said shell of said restraint apparatus for replacing said padded lining with a different padded lining having a larger or a smaller first pocket and second pocket to fit a different infant weight size.

15. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said padded lining includes padding having areas of different density.

16. The apparatus recited in claim 15 wherein said padding has the greatest density adjacent said shell.