Infant viewing device

• US 6,305,810 B1
• Filed: 06/13/2000
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elizabeth A. Mercado
• Original Assignee: Elizabeth A. Mercado
• Inventors: Mercado, Elizabeth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Robinson, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US09/593,065
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 359/844, 359/857, 359/860, 359/862, 359/863, 359/865, 359/871, 359/881, 359/872, 362/142, 362/144, 248/469
• US Class Current: 359/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/008 allowing the driver to see passengers, e.g. for busses combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08

Abstract

A device for viewing or observing an infant within a rearwardly facing infant car safety seat disposed upon the rear seat of a vehicle such as an automobile. The viewing device comprises a base unit which is attachable to the safety seat, and an elongate, bendable stem, the proximal end of which is releasably attached to the base unit. The viewing device further comprises a reflective surface which is attached to the distal end of the stem. The stem may be bended or deformed to maintain the reflective surface at a selected orientation relative to the safety seat, and more particularly to the infant residing within the safety seat.

Claims

1. A device for viewing an infant within a rearwardly facing safety seat disposed on a rear seat of a vehicle, the device comprising:

a base unit including a base mount rigidly attachable to the safety seat and a base housing releasably attached to the base mount;

an elongate, bendable stem having opposed proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the stem being attached to the base housing of the base unit; and

a reflective surface attached to the distal end of the stem;

the stem being deformable to maintain the reflective surface at a selected orientation relative to the safety seat.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the stem is fabricated from a deformable metal material.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the stem is fabricated from a multiplicity of links pivotally connected to each other in end-to-end fashion.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein each of the links is fabricated from a plastic material.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the reflective surface is a mirror.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the base mount and the base housing are each fabricated from a plastic material.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a support member attached to the distal end of the stem, the reflective surface being attached to the support member.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the support member is fabricated from a foam rubber material.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein:

the support member defines a viewing surface having a recess formed therein; and

the reflective surface is disposed within the recess.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising a cover member which is attached to the viewing surface and circumvents the reflective surface.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the cover member is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of:

foam rubber; and

felt.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein the recess and the reflective surface have complimentary, generally circular configurations.

13. The device of claim 9 wherein the stem comprises:

a inner core; and

an outer sheath extending over the core;

the core and the sheath each being fabricated from a bendable material.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the core is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of:

metal; and

plastic.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein the sheath is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of:

plastic;

foam rubber; and

felt.

16. The device of claim 13 further comprising:

a lamp disposed within the viewing surface in close proximity to the reflective surface;

an elongate primary wire segment having opposed first and second ends, the first end being electrically connected to the lamp;

a power supply electrically connected to the second end of the primary wire segment; and

a switch electrically connected to the power supply and operative to selectively place the lamp into electrical communication therewith.

17. The device of claim 16 further comprising:

a first coupler electrically connected to the second end of the primary wire segment;

a second coupler electrically connected to the first coupler; and

an elongate secondary wire segment having a first end electrically connected to the second coupler and a second end electrically connected to the power supply;

the first and second couplers being releasably attached to each other and detachable from each other upon the detachment of the base housing from the base mount.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein:

the core is tubular and defines a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; and

the primary wire segment extends through the lumen of the core.