Child restraint systems

• US 7,740,313 B1
• Filed: 12/04/2006
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orbit Baby, Inc. (ERGO Baby Holding Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Orbit Baby, Inc. (ERGO Baby Holding Corp.)
• Inventors: Hei, Joseph, White, Bryan Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr.; Milton
• Application Number:
  US11/633,943
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 297/250.1, 297/184.17, 297/256.16, 297/183.6, 297/183.1, 297/219.12, 297/183.9, 297/256.15, 297/256.17, 297/183.2, 297/183.4, 297/183.5, 297/183.3, 297/465, 297/487, 297/488, 297/464, 297/468, 224/158, 224/160, 224/161, 562/5, 565/5, 5 8/11.T, 560/3, 5 9/31, 5 9/91, 161/101, 164/11
• US Class Current: 297/219.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• 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 2/2848 being convertible or adaptable to a preambulator, e.g. a baby-carriage or a push-chair
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2857 characterised by the peculiar orientation of the child B60N2/2869 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2869 rotatable about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2878 the back-rest being inclinable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2887 Fixation to a transversal anchorage bar, e.g. isofix

Abstract

Improvements for child restraint systems are directed specifically to the covers, handles, and harnesses thereof. A child restraint cover is readily removed without having to detach the harness from the seat. A soft and semi rigid child restraint handle includes members that are tied together in a crossover fashion. Another handle of the invention spans above the restraint in a head to foot direction. A further handle design includes dual integrated handles. 5-point and 7-point harnesses that do not require threading a child'"'"'s limbs through harness loops are also provided. A harness height adjuster is also described.

Claims

1. A child restraint system comprising:

a seat;

a harness associated with the seat, wherein the harness comprises at least a 5-point harness; and

a seat cover that is attachable to the seat via one of perimeter loops or elastic and is operable for placement between the seat and a child secured in the seat by the harness, wherein;

the seat cover comprises a releasable flap centered with respect to a width of the seat and defining a U-shaped seam, the U-shaped seam having at least two straps of the harness passing there through, and

the seat cover is removable from the seat without detaching the harness from the seat.

2. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the seat cover can be removed without unthreading any portion of the harness from the seat.

3. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the harness comprises a 7-point harness.

4. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped seam comprises separable seam lines.

5. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the seams are closed using hook and loop fasteners.

6. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the seams are closed using button fasteners.

7. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein at least three straps of the harness pass through the U-shaped seam.

8. The child restraint system of claim 1, further comprising two s-shaped seams, wherein shoulder straps of the harness pass through the s-shaped seams.

9. The child restraint system of claim 8, wherein the shoulders straps of the harness may be adjusted for different shoulder heights through the s-shaped seams.