Modular child restraint system

• US 8,511,749 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2012
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• 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 T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US13/544,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20120267925A1
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 297/256.16, 297/256.13, 297/256.12, 297/250.1, 297/130, 403/20
• US Class Current: 297/256.16
• 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; and

a seat, wherein the seat comprises a release lever, wherein;

the seat is operable to selectively secure to the base,

the seat and the base are further operable to selectively rotate relative to each other when the seat is secured to the base,

the seat and the base are further operable to lock in at least one rotational position when the seat is secured to the base, and

when activated, the release lever allows for both rotation of the seat relative to the base and disengagement of the seat from the base.

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

3. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the base is permanently installed in a vehicle seat.

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

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, wherein:

the base comprises a base hub having a circumferential lip and a plurality of detents;

the seat comprises a seat hub configured to rotationally engage with the base hub; and

the seat further comprises a plurality of retractable latches to lock into one or more of the detents to prevent rotation of the seat relative to the base.

7. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the seat further comprises a plurality of retractable latches for engaging the base.

8. A child restraint system comprising:

a base, the base comprising an interface for receiving and selectively securing a seat thereto; and

a seat, wherein the seat comprises a release lever, wherein;

the seat and the base are operable to at least partially rotate relative to each other when secured together and selectively lock in at least one rotational position, and

when activated, the release lever allows for both rotation of the seat relative to the base and disengagement of the seat from the base.

9. The child restraint system of claim 8, further comprising an indicator configured to indicate whether the seat hub is rotationally locked with the base hub.

10. The child restraint system of claim 8, wherein the base is configured to be attached to a vehicle seat.

11. The child restraint system of claim 8, wherein the base is permanently installed in a vehicle seat.

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

13. The child restraint system of claim 8, wherein the seat is configured to be locked in a position relative to the base.

14. The child restraint system of claim 8, wherein:

the base comprises a base hub having a circumferential lip and a plurality of detents; and

the seat comprises a seat hub configured to rotationally engage with the base hub; and

the seat further comprises a plurality of retractable latches to lock into one or more of the detents to prevent rotation of the seat relative to the base.

15. The child restraint system of claim 8, wherein the seat further comprises a plurality of retractable latches for engaging the base.

16. The child restraint system of claim 15, wherein the release lever is coupled to a cable;

the cable is coupled to at least one of the plurality of retractable latches; and

the at least one of the plurality of retractable latches is coupled to a spring.

17. The child restraint system of claim 15, wherein the release lever is attached to a first side of the seat and a second release lever is attached to a second side of the seat;

and

when activated, the second release lever allows for both rotation of the seat relative to the base and disengagement of the seat from the base.

18. The child restraint system of claim 15, wherein the release lever is coupled to a cable;

and

at least one of the plurality of retractable latches is coupled to the cable.

19. A child restraint system comprising:

a base, wherein the base comprises a base hub having a circumferential lip and a plurality of detents;

a seat, wherein the seat comprises a seat hub configured to rotationally engage with the base hub and further comprises a plurality of retractable latches to lock into one or more of the detents to prevent rotation of the seat relative to the base; and

a release lever;

wherein the seat is operable to selectively secure to the base,

the seat and the base are further operable to selectively rotate relative to each other when the seat is secured to the base,

the seat and the base are further operable to lock in at least one rotational position when the seat is secured to the base, and

when activated, the release lever allows for both rotation of the seat relative to the base and disengagement of the seat from the base.

20. The child restraint system of claim 19, wherein the seat further comprises a handle;

and

the release lever is attached to the handle.