U.S. patent application number 10/755258 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-14 for child car seat.
Invention is credited to Evans, Fonda.
Application Number | 20050151401 10/755258 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34739543 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050151401 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Evans, Fonda |
July 14, 2005 |
Child car seat
Abstract
A child car seat that provides a massaging vibration for
soothing the child. A massage or vibration may be used to provide
comforting to a fussy infant. A remote control may also be used to
control the operation by the driver or other occupant with
ease.
Inventors: |
Evans, Fonda; (Springfield,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BERNS
MALONEY, PARKINSON AND BERNS
135 W MAIN STREET
URBANA
IL
61801
US
|
Family ID: |
34739543 |
Appl. No.: |
10/755258 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/250.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/26 20130101; B60N
2/002 20130101; B60N 2/976 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/250.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 001/08 |
Claims
1. A child car seat having a massaging device whereby an occupant
may be massaged during usage.
2. The child car seat according to claim 1, wherein the car seat
includes a remote control for selective operation of the massaging
device.
3. The child car seat according to claim 1, wherein the car seat
includes a car lighter adapter.
4. A child car seat having a vibrating unit for soothing an
occupant.
5. The child car seat according to claim 4, wherein the car seat
includes a remote control for selective operation of the vibrating
unit.
6. The child car seat according to claim 4, wherein the car seat
includes a car lighter adapter.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to child and infant car seats.
Typically, children under 3 years of age and 40 pounds must be
restrained in a car seat. Recent laws require cars seats to 8 years
of age. During car rides, children can become upset or fussy with
little opportunity for the driver to do anything to help the
child.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Car seats have not used modem electronics to provide
benefits to the parents and use of the seat. U.S. Pat. No. D371,248
discloses a musical rocking infant car seat. U.S. Pat. No.
4,634,177 discloses an Interlocking Infant Carrier and Base for Car
Seat Mounting. U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,967 discloses a Child Safety
Seat. U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,352 discloses a Child Seat with Audio.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,698 discloses a Rocker Drive for Child
Recliners. U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,156 discloses a Child Safety Seat
with Entertainment System.
[0003] Child car seats of the past have failed to provide
additional benefits that would produce a superior seat. Additional
features would make the product more marketable, and make the
parents feel safer. If the child is more comfortable, the parents
will be less distracted in driving, and need to attend to the child
less.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a number of features,
separately, or in combination, to enhance the performance of the
child seat. A massaging device included within the seat soothes the
child during driving. The invention provides a soothing massage and
vibration to relax and comfort the child. Music can also be
provided to soothe the baby.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a rear view of an embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a rear view of an embodiment of the invention with
the access door open and a power cord.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a rear view cut-away drawing of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention with
a child.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a front view of a remote control device.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of a
remote control device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] A massage device 1 is provided in a child's car seat to
comfort and relax the child. Music is provided to soothe and
entertain the child. An indicator is provide to signal when the
child has wet a diaper. A sensor would detect wetness in the seat
and provide a light or sound, or other indication, that there is
wetness, and the diaper may need changing.
[0014] The car seat may be provided with a weight sensor to detect
the weight of the infant.
[0015] The seat may have a massager to calm and relax the child.
The massaging speed would be adjustable to find the proper speed to
quiet the child.
[0016] The seat may also have speakers for playing music or a
lullaby, or other audio information.
[0017] A remote control may also be provided to operate the
features of the seat. It may include the massager, the speakers,
and the wetness indicator, and others. A flashing light on the
remote may signal the child's wetness. The remote control would
also allow for a keychain.
[0018] The seat would also have the standard safety features of a
car seat. This may also include an adjustable strap for locking the
seat in place.
[0019] With an optional cord in the back of the child car seat, a
car adapter would allow the rechargeable battery to charge during
travel. An extension cord could be used to charge the batteries in
the home or elsewhere electrical service was available.
[0020] The massaging unit 1 would be similar to those found in
massaging chairs, but generally smaller. An acceptable unit would
be similar to those massagers described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,939
to Jikiba, et al. or U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,962 to Shimizu. These
massage units 1 are mounted below a cushioning pad and will engage
the occupant to provide a soothing massage or vibration.
[0021] Each of the massaging units 1 would be connected by
controlling channel 10 to a main controller 4. The main controller
4 could signal a variety of massaging units 1 to operate
selectively. Each of the massaging units 1 could be operated
simultaneously, individually, or as desired by the users.
[0022] Typically, an installation would include a decorative,
washable outer layer, which the child would sit on. Below that may
be a thin padding, possibly including a bubble plastic for
cushioning, comfort, and safety. The massaging units 1 would lie
beneath the outer layer, sufficiently to allow some cushioning of
the massage, but not prevent the child from feeling the massaging
units 1.
[0023] As the massaging units 1 create a massaging motion, they may
wear on the cushioning or outer layer. A reinforced area may be
necessary to prevent the massaging units 1 from damaging the
cushioning or outer layer material. The cushioning may also require
holes to allow the wiring to connect the massaging units 1 to the
main controller 4.
[0024] The unit may be powered by a cigarette lighter adapter 12.
An alternate version of the invention would utilize batteries or a
rechargeable battery. The car seat may also include a 110 volt
power cord for vehicles that have a source of electricity.
[0025] A possible remote control unit is shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
8. As shown in the drawing, controls may be provided for providing
music in the car seat. The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 includes an
indicator light on top of the unit to signal the user on the
operation of the remote and the child car seat. Music sources
including compact disc, MP3 players, radios, pre-recorded tracks,
DVD, etc. may be provided in the car seat for the infant.
* * * * *