Modular child safety seat for vehicles

• US 7,909,400 B1
• Filed: 04/02/2007
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tamara Davis, Todd Delaney
• Original Assignee: Tamara Davis, Todd Delaney
• Inventors: Delaney, Todd, Davis, Tamara
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Abraham; Tania
• Application Number:
  US11/731,821
• Time in Patent Office: 1,450 Days
• Field of Search: 297/250.1, 297/219.12, 297/228.1, 297/229, 297/256.16, 297/452.14
• US Class Current: 297/256.16
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2821 having a seat and a base part
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/286 forward facing B60N2/2866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2866 booster cushions, e.g. to lift a child to allow proper use of the conventional safety belts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2881 Upholstery, padded or cushioned members therefor

Abstract

A child safety seat system and the corresponding method of using a modular child safety seat assembly to compensate for the stature changes of a growing child. The child safety seat system utilizes a base shell that is strapped into an automobile using the automobile seat belt restraints. A plurality of interchangeable seating inserts are provided. Each of the seating inserts has a cushioned seat. The thickness of the cushioning used depends upon the targeted age of a child and is engineered to maintain the child'"'"'s shoulders within a specific range of heights relative to the base shell. An attachment mechanism is used to attach a selected seating insert to the base shell. As a child outgrows a seating insert, that seating insert is removed from the base shell and is replaced with a seating insert sized for a larger child.

Claims

1. A method of adjusting a child safety seat to a child as that child grows larger, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a base shell having a rigid bottom surface, a rigid rear surface and side panels, said side panels having forwardly extending sections in a specific height range for providing head protection, wherein a seat receptacle is defined by said base shell;

providing restraints that are anchored to said base shell;

attaching said base shell to the seat of an automobile;

providing a plurality of seating inserts of different sizes, wherein said plurality of seating inserts includes a largest seating insert, and wherein each of said seating inserts is a different size for seating a child of a different size in a position where the head of the child is positioned within said specific height range between said extending sections of said side panels, and wherein each of said seating inserts has a rigid seat, a rigid backrest, and openings for said restraints to pass through each of said seating inserts and restrain a seated child;

selecting from among said plurality of seating inserts, a particular seating insert that is appropriate for a particular child;

attaching said particular seating insert to said base shell; and

replacing said particular seating insert with a larger one from said plurality of seating inserts when the particular child outgrows said particular seating insert; and

removing said base shell and seating a particular child in just said largest seating insert when the particular child grows to a predetermined physical stature.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said restraint straps are selectively adjustable in length.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said restraint straps attach to said base shell at anchor positions.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said anchor positions are selectively adjustable.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of interchangeable seating inserts includes an infant seating insert.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said base shell contains apertures through which a seat belt restraint system from an automobile can pass and attach said base shell to a seat within said automobile.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of attaching said particular seating insert to said base shell includes mechanically interconnecting said particular seating insert to said base shell.