Kinetic child restraint device

• US 6,439,660 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Guenther
• Original Assignee: John Guenther
• Inventors: Guenther, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US09/713,472
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 297/216.11, 297/250.1, 297/256.1, 297/256.13, 297/256.16, 297/216.16
• US Class Current: 297/216.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2809 with additional tether connected to the top of the child seat and passing above the top of the back-rest
• 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 2/2854 Children's cots; Hammocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/286 forward facing B60N2/2866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2869 rotatable about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2884 with protection systems against abnormal g-forces

Abstract

The invention is directed to a kinetic child restraint device which is fastened to or integrated into the seat of a vehicle to provide for 360 degree spherical impact protection to significantly reducing the risk of injury to a child in the event of a collision. The restraint device includes a capsule, a pivotally attached bracket and a pivotally attached base. The restraint device is designed so that it will automatically pivot a child forward, rearward and sideways to position the head, neck and back of the child perpendicular to the impact force. The restraint device is also designed to rotate during a collision to dissipate impact forces to reduce the risk of injury to the child.

Claims

1. A child support device adapted for vehicular travel including:

a capsule adapted to contain and support a child for travel;

a bracket pivotally secured to said capsule on at least one side thereof so as to provide pivotal movement of said capsule with respect to said bracket about a first axis lying in a first plane;

a pivotal mounting connection adapted to pivotally connect said bracket to a vehicle support for rotation about a second axis, said second axis lying in a second plane which intersects said first plane;

whereby said capsule is simultaneously pivotable about said first and second axes.

2. The child support device as in claim 1, in which said first plane is perpendicular to said second plane.

3. The child support device as in claim 1, including a substantially vertically oriented back member connected to said bracket through said pivotal mounting connection.

4. The child support device as in claim 3, including a substantially horizontally oriented platform member associated with said back member and disposed beneath said capsule, said back member and said platform member adapted to be secured to a vehicle seat.

5. The child support device as in claim 1, including a securement mechanism associated with said capsule to restrain the child within said capsule.

6. The child support device as in claim 1, including a release mechanism associated with said capsule to allow the removal of said capsule from said bracket thereby rendering said capsule portable.

7. The child support device as in claim 1, including a removable cushion insert associated with said capsule, adapted to support a child.

8. The support device as in claim 1, wherein said bracket is pivotally connected to a vehicle seat.

9. A child support device adapted for vehicular travel including:

a capsule adapted to contain and support a child for travel;

a bracket adapted to pivotally support said capsule;

a first pivot connecting said bracket to said capsule at a point offset from the center of gravity of said capsule to create a first offset axis of rotation lying in a first plane;

a second pivot connecting said bracket to a support member at a point offset from the center of gravity of said capsule to create a second offset axis of rotation lying in a second plane, said support member adapted to be secured to a vehicle;

whereby said capsule is simultaneously pivotal about said first and second axes.