Kinetic child restraint device

• US 6,634,708 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2002
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• 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:
  US10/191,383
• Publication Number:
  US 20020175546A1
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 297/256.12, 297/250.1, 297/216.11, 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

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 reduce 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 restraint device adapted for vehicular travel including:

a seat having a back portion and a bottom portion, said seat adapted to contain and support a child during travel;

a base member secured to a vehicle seat in a vehicle;

said base member pivotally attached to said bottom portion of said seat at a point offset from the center of gravity of said seat to create a vertical axis of rotation and provide eccentric pivotal movement with respect to the center of gravity of said seat;

a securement mechanism connected to said seat, said securement system adapted to restrain the child to said seat;

whereby said seat pivots as a direct result of an impact force to position the child in a rearwardly direction in relation to the direction of the impact.

2. The child restraint device of claim 1, wherein said base member includes a substantially vertical back member and a substantially horizontal platform member associated with said back member, said back member and said platform member adapted to be secured to a vehicle seat.

3. The child restraint device of claim 1, wherein said securement mechanism is comprised of a plurality of straps that are positioned over the child to retain the child'"'"'s orientation within said child restraint device.

4. The child restraint device of claim 1, wherein said seat includes padding to reduce impact forces transferred to the child.

5. The child restraint device of claim 1, wherein said seat includes side bolsters to reduce the movement of the child.

6. The child restraint device of claim 1, wherein said base member includes tethers to secure said base member to the vehicle.

7. The child restraint device of claim 1, wherein said base member is secured to the vehicle seat by use of a seat belt.

8. A vehicular child restraint seat comprising:

a seat having a back portion and a bottom portion, said seat adapted to support a child during travel;

a base member having a substantially vertical back member and a substantially horizontal platform member associated with said back member;

a pivot attached to said platform member and adapted to be connected to said bottom portion of said seat at a point offset from the center of gravity of said seat to create a vertical axis of rotation and provide eccentric pivotal movement with respect to the center of gravity of said seat such that said seat pivots as a direct result of an impact force to position the child in a rearwardly direction in relation to the direction of the impact;

a securement mechanism connected to said seat, said securement mechanism adapted to restrain the child to said seat.

9. The vehicular child restraint seat of claim 8, wherein said securement mechanism is comprised of a plurality of straps that are positioned over the child to retain the child'"'"'s orientation within said seat.

10. The vehicular child restraint seat of claim 8, wherein said seat includes padding to reduce impact forces transferred to the child.

11. The vehicular child restraint seat of claim 8, wherein said seat includes side bolsters to reduce the movement of the child.

12. The vehicular child restraint seat of claim 8, wherein said base member includes tethers to secure said base member to the vehicle.