Modular child restraint system

• US 7,770,970 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2009
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• 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 S., White, Bryan T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr.; Milton
• Application Number:
  US12/483,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20100148553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 297/440.22, 297/440.14, 297/256.1, 297/256.13, 297/256.12, 297/256.16, 297/250.1, 297/344.22, 297/344.26, 297/344.21, 297/130, 297/232, 297/344.24, 248/418, 248/425, 248/349.1, 248/415, 403/20, 280/30, 280/47.38, 280/47.39
• US Class Current: 297/256.12
• 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

A modular child restraint system for use in vehicles comprises a base and interchangeable attachable seats where the seats are for different stages of childhood development. The system can further comprise additional bases adapted to other uses such as strollers and infant swings. A common engagement mechanism allows the various seats to be moved from one base to another. One such system comprises a base and a seat configured to rotate relative to one another when engaged. The seat can also lock in a position relative to the base. The base includes a visual indicator to show that the seat is secured to the base.

Claims

1. A child restraint system comprising:

a base including a base hub having a circumferential lip and at least two detents; and

a seat including a seat hub configured to rotationally engage with the base hub, wherein the seat hub comprises at least two retractable latches configured to engage under the circumferential lip of the base hub to secure the seat hub to the base hub, wherein the base hub further includes a retractable locking pin configured to engage the seat hub to prevent rotation of the seat hub relative to the base hub.

2. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the retractable locking pin locks the seat hub in a single rotational position relative to the base hub.

3. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the seat further comprises a release lever associated therewith operable to move the at least two retractable latches for disengagement of the seat hub from the base hub.

4. The child restraint system of claim 1, further comprising an indicator configured to indicate whether the seat hub is rotationally locked with the base hub.

5. The child restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator configured to change color in response to the seat being rotationally locked with the base.

6. The child restraint system of claim 1, further comprising at least three retractable latches configured to engage under the circumferential lip.

7. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to be attached to a vehicle seat.

8. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the base is part of a stroller.

9. The child restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a second seat configured to detachably engage the base and to be able to rotate relative to the base when engaged thereto, wherein the seats are adapted to different stages of child development.