U.S. patent application number 11/118762 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for infant seat handle with ergonomic extension.
Invention is credited to Yeager, Arthur F..
Application Number | 20050248188 11/118762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35238802 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050248188 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yeager, Arthur F. |
November 10, 2005 |
Infant seat handle with ergonomic extension
Abstract
An extension member for an infant seat handle includes an
extension arm having first and second arm members. A body contact
member interconnects the first and second arm members at a first
end of said extension member. A clamp configured for attachment to
the infant carrier handle is also provided. The clamp includes
first and second studs that pivotally engage the first and second
arm members.
Inventors: |
Yeager, Arthur F.;
(Columbia, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CAHN & SAMUELS LLP
2000 P STREET NW
SUITE 200
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
35238802 |
Appl. No.: |
11/118762 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60566598 |
Apr 30, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/183.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/02 20130101;
A47D 13/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/183.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 004/52 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An infant seat handle assembly comprising: a handle portion
having a first arm including an end configured to attach to a first
side of an infant-seat shell, a second arm including an end
configured to attach to a second side of the infant seat shell and
an intermediate section extending across the infant seat shell and
interconnecting the first and second arms; and an extension member
extending from one of the first and second arms and having a first
end attached to said handle portion and a second end including a
body contact member.
2. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the body
contact member is a structural element configured to anatomically
accommodate a body curvature of a human waist.
3. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said
extension member is pivotally engaged with said handle and is
movable between a deployed position and a stowed position.
4. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 3 wherein the stowed
position is generally parallel to one of the first and second arms
and the intermediate section.
5. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 3 wherein said handle
portion has a generally ovular cross section and said extension
member has a hollow open ovular cross section such that, in the
stowed position, said extension member overlays said handle
portion.
6. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 3 wherein said handle
portion has a generally circular cross section and said extension
member has a hollow open circular cross section such that, in the
stowed position, said extension member overlays said handle
portion.
7. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 3 wherein said handle
portion has a generally rectangular cross section and said
extension member has a hollow open rectangular cross section such
that, in the stowed position, said extension member overlays said
handle portion.
8. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said
extension member is fixedly attached to said handle portion.
9. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said
extension member extends from one of the first and second arms by a
distance of at least four inches.
10. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a
clamp for removably attaching said extension member to said handle
portion, said extension member being pivotally connected to the
clamp.
11. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 10 further comprising
a stop operatively associated with said extension member to
restrict pivotal motion of the extension member.
12. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 11 wherein the stop is
attached to said handle.
13. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 11 wherein the stop is
attached to the clamp.
14. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a
stop operatively associated with said extension member to restrict
pivotal motion of the extension member.
15. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 3 wherein said
extension member includes a lever arm and a stop.
16. The infant seat handle assembly of claim 15 wherein the lever
arm and the stop define a unitary structure, the lever arm
including first and second wire leads extending from said handle
portion and a body contact member interconnecting the first and
second wire leads at a first end of the extension member, the stop
including a mating portion interconnecting the first and second
wire leads at a second end of said extension member, the mating
portion being configured to matingly engage said handle portion
when said extension member is in the deployed position.
17. An extension member for an infant seat handle comprising: an
extension arm including first and second arm members; a body
contact member interconnecting the first and second arm members at
a first end of said extension member; and a clamp configured for
attachment to the infant carrier handle, said clamp including first
and second studs that pivotally engage the first and second arm
members.
18. The extension member of claim 17 wherein said clamp includes a
locking spring configured for engagement with said extension arm to
urge said extension arm into a deployed position.
19. The extension arm of claim 18 wherein said clamp further
comprises a stop that prevent said extension member from rotating
past the deployment position.
20. The extension member of claim 18 wherein said extension arm is
disposed at a deployment angle of between about 30.degree. to about
130.degree..
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application No. 60/566,598 filed Apr. 30, 2004.
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to infant seats/carriers, and more
particularly to ergonomically enhanced infant seats.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Infant carriers are an increasingly popular way to transport
babies. As used herein, the terms infant carrier, infant seat and
baby carrier are used interchangeably to refer to identical
structures. Heretofore, infant carriers have been made available
with standard attachments that allow the infant carrier to be
attached to strollers, car seats or shopping carts. Still, parents
often must pick up and move the infant carrier between such
devices, sometimes over long distances.
[0004] Users of infant carriers are subjected to asymmetrical
stresses on the upper body and that may cause strain and injury.
Additionally, the awkward position that a user must assume when
carrying conventional infant carriers often leads to muscle fatigue
of the shoulder and arm muscles making it very difficult to avoid
collision with the users legs while walking.
[0005] Existing technology provides a variety of ergonomic carrier
handles that attempt to reduce the awkwardness of walking while
holding a carrier (FIG. 6). However, this does not address the main
source of shoulder strain and obstruction to normal gait. Due to
the size and weight of babies, as well as the requirements for
compliance with health and safety regulations, presently available
carriers are often bulky and hard to carry. Additionally, users are
often required to carry a plethora of baby accessories such as
diaper bags and bottles, when transporting a baby. Thus, the
typical user is fortunate to have one hand free to hold the infant
carrier while walking into a store or out to the car.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an infant
carrier that is held away from the user's body to prevent collision
with the knees or other body parts. There is a further need for a
carrier that does not encourage the user to assume injury-causing
compensatory postures often exhibited when the user can no longer
abduct the arm while holding the carrier.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an infant
seat handle assembly is provided. The handle assembly includes a
handle portion having a first arm including an end configured to
attach to a first side of an infant-seat shell. The handle assembly
also includes a second arm that includes an end configured to
attach to a second side of the infant seat shell and an
intermediate section that extends across the infant seat shell and
interconnects the first and second arms. An extension member
extends from one of the first and second arms and has a first end
attached to the handle portion and a second end that includes a
body contact member.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect, an extension member for
an infant seat handle is provided. The extension member comprises
an extension arm including first and second arm members. A body
contact member interconnects the first and second arm members at a
first end of the extension member. A clamp is configured for
attachment to the infant carrier handle, the clamp includes first
and second studs that pivotally engage the first and second arm
members.
[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide an infant
carrier that relieves that is displace from the body to relieve
upper body stresses often associated with transport of infant
carriers.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide an
apparatus that can attached to conventional infant carrier handles
that displaces the infant carrier from the body to relieve upper
body stresses often associated with transport of infant
carriers.
[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide an infant
carrier that does not obstruct that user's normal gait.
[0012] As used herein "substantially," "generally," and other words
of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible
variation from the characteristic so modified. It is not intended
to be limited to the absolute value or characteristic which it
modifies but rather possessing more of the physical or functional
characteristic than its opposite, and preferably, approaching or
approximating such a physical or functional characteristic.
[0013] In the following description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawing, and which is shown by way of illustration to
the specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.
The following illustrated embodiments are described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and that structural changes based on presently known
structural and/or functional equivalents may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention.
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 describes an infant carrier handle including an
extension member in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an infant carrier including an extension
member in the deployed position in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates the extension member and the body contact
member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates the extension member in the stowed
position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of an extension
member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a number of commercially available infant
carriers.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows an extension member in accordance with another
embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIGS. 8A and 8B depict cross sectional view of a universal
clamp in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the universal clamp in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates an extension member in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 11 shows an extension arm in the stowed position in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 12 depicts an extension arm side mounted in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 13 illustrates the extension arm of FIG. 12 in the
stowed position.
[0027] FIG. 14 depicts an extension arm according to still another
embodiment of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 15 shows the extension arm of FIG. 14 in the deployed
position.
[0029] FIGS. 16A-16C illustrate extension arms according to still
other embodiments of the invention.
[0030] FIGS. 17A and 17B depict the extension arm of FIG. 17B
attached to an infant carrier handle in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The present invention is generally is embodied in an
apparatus that reduces shoulder and/or arm strain and other poor
health consequences that may result from carrying infant seats or
carriers. The apparatus includes an extension member that extends
from the handle of the carrier at a deployment angle of between
about 30.degree. to about 130.degree. from a vertical axis of the
carrier. The extension member may be fixed to the infant carrier
handle or it may be adjustable along the handle. The lever arm may
be integrally formed with the handle or may be removably attached
to the handle. In some embodiments, the extension member includes a
lever arm that moves about a permanent or temporary fulcrum. In
keeping with the invention, one end of the lever arm is adapted to
rest against a user's body so that the carrier is positioned and
maintained a short distance from the user's body thereby reducing
strain and preventing collision with the user's legs while
walking.
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Depicted is an infant carrier 100 including a shell 130 and a
handle 200. Handle 200 includes a first arm 220, a second arm 240
(not shown in FIG. 1) and an intermediate section 260
interconnecting the first and second arms and extending across
shell 130.
[0033] In accordance with the invention, in this embodiment, an
extension member 300 is attached to handle 200. In some
embodiments, extension member 300 may be fixedly attached to handle
200 either at intermediate section 260 or along one of first and
second arms 220 and 240. In the illustrated embodiment, extension
member 300 comprises a lever arm and is attached to intermediate
section 260 via fulcrum 270. FIG. 1 depicts fulcrum 270 as a
pin.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 2, extension member 300 is preferably
attached to handle 200 at a position that allows it to extend from
arm 220 by a sufficient distance in the horizontal direction to
minimize jarring from the user's knee during transport and to allow
the user to relax its upper arm and reduce the load on the user's
shoulder. The preferred extension distance is determined in part by
the construction of the carrier and the body dimensions of the
user. However, to accommodate users of average body dimension and
currently known infant carriers, extension arm 300 should extend at
least 4 inches from arm 220 in the horizontal direction. Such
desired extension may be achieved by attaching the arm either to
intermediate section 260 as illustrated or to one of arms 220 and
240.
[0035] In keeping with an aspect of the invention, extension member
300 includes a body contact member 340, as shown in FIG. 3. In one
embodiment, body contact member 340 includes an end surface of
extension member 300 configured to anatomically accommodate the
body curvature of a user's waist. Preferably, body contact member
340 includes a generally concave surface.
[0036] In keeping with still another aspect of the invention, in
some embodiments, extension member 300 may be pivotally engaged
with handle 200 via fulcrum 270. Extension member 300 may then be
movable between a stowed position, FIG. 4, and a deployed position,
FIGS. 2 and 3. When in the deployed position, extension member 300
is disposed at a deployment angle (the angle between extension
member 300 and a vertical axis of the carrier as illustrated in
FIG. 1) sufficient to minimize jarring from the user's knee during
transport and to allow the user to relax its upper arm and reduce
the load on the user's shoulder. Preferably extension member 300 is
disposed at a deployment angle of between about 30.degree. to about
130.degree.. More preferably, when in the deployed position,
extension member 300 is disposed at a deployment angle of between
about 60.degree. to about 110. Still more preferably, when in the
deployed position, extension member 300 is disposed at a deployment
angle of between about 80.degree. to about 100.degree..
[0037] A stop may be provided to prevent extension member 300 from
pivoting past the deployed position. In the embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 1-4, the configuration of extension arm 300 prevents it from
pivoting past the deployed position. In other embodiments, the stop
may comprise a structural member formed on handle 200 or on
extension member 300. Extension member 300 may be maintained in the
deployed position by any means known to persons of skill in the
art.
[0038] In the stowed position, extension member 300 preferably
overlays one of first and second arms 220 and 240 and intermediate
section 260. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, extension arm
300 overlays first arm 220. To facilitate placement in the stowed
position, extension arm 300 preferably includes an open cross
section that matches the cross-section of the portion of handle 200
of which extension arm 300 overlays. For example, the cross section
of extension arm 300 may be ovular, circular, square, triangular,
etc. An exemplary cross sectional view of extension arm 300 is
depicted in FIG. 5.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 6, there are many styles of infant
seat handles on the market today. In accordance with another
embodiment of the invention, a universal extension assembly is
provided to fit the various infant carrier handles. As depicted in
FIG. 7, such an extension assembly preferably comprises extension
member 300 and a universal clamp 350 for attaching extension member
300 to handle 200. In keeping with the invention, extension member
300 preferably includes a first extension arm 310 and a second
extension arm 320. Body contact member 340 is preferably disposed
between first and second extension arms 310 and 320.
[0040] A suitable universal clamp 350 is preferably east to operate
and constructed to fit infant carrier handles of various
constructions. An exemplary universal clamp 350 is illustrated in
FIGS. 8A and 8B and preferably includes first and second clamping
plates 360. Each of the first and second clamping plates includes a
first planar section 352, a triangular section 354 and a second
planar section 356. Clamping plates 360 may be tightened against
handle 200 via, e.g., screws 358. The universal quality of clamp
350 is illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B as FIG. 8A shows clamp 350
engaging a handle having an oval cross section and FIG. 8B shows
clamp 350 engaging a handle having a rectangular cross section. It
should be noted that FIGS. 8A and 8B are not drawn to scale and
that clamping plates 360 may have a greater thickness than shown
therein.
[0041] Universal clamp 350 is preferably further provided with
first and second studs 362 on respective ends of planar sections
352 and 356, as shown in FIG. 9. Studs 362 serve as both connection
means for extension member 300 and as a fulcrum about which
extension member 300 pivots. First and second extension arms 310
and 320 include apertures sized to fit snuggly over studs 362 with
enough play to allow rotational motion.
[0042] Universal clamp 350 further preferably includes mechanisms
for maintaining extension member 300 in the deployed position and
for preventing over rotation as illustrated in FIG. 10. For
example, universal clamp 350 may be provided with a stop 364. The
stop may be integrally formed with universal clamp 350 or removably
attached by, e.g., an adjustable thumbscrew 366. In addition, clamp
350 may be provided with a conventional locking spring 368 that is
preferably locked in a compressed state when extension member 300
is stowed. When the lock is released, extension member 300 is urged
to its deployed position where it is maintained by abutting stop
364. In this embodiment, the user can increase or decrease the
deployment angle by adjusting thumbscrew 366. This allows the user
to adjust the position at which extension member 300 will contact
the user's body. This feature is particularly advantageous as the
length of the arms and the distance from shoulders to hips can vary
greatly between users.
[0043] As previously mentioned, extension member 300 may be "top"
mounted on handle 200 at intermediate section 260 or "side" mounted
on one of first and second arms 220 and 240. FIG. 10 illustrates
extension arm 300 top mounted in the deployed position. FIG. 11
illustrates extension arm 300 top mounted in the stowed position.
FIG. 12 depicts extension arm 300 side mounted in the deployed
position and FIG. 13 shows extension member 300 side mounted in the
stowed position.
[0044] Still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 14 and 15. In this embodiment, extension member 300 and stop
364 form a unitary structure. Extension member 300 comprises first
and second extension arms 310 and 320 interconnected by body
contact member 340 at one end of extension member 300. Stop 364 is
formed at the other end of extension member 300. Stop 364 includes
a mating portion 370 configured to matingly engage handle 200 when
extension member 300 is in the deployed position. Extension member
300 includes grooves that engage studs to allow extension member
300 to pivot. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the studs are provided in handle
200. However, the extension member of this embodiment may also be
utilized with universal clamp 350 and, as such, may be engaged with
studs 362.
[0045] In accordance with yet an alternate embodiment of the
invention, extension member 300 may engage handle 200 using a
weight lock method. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16A-16C
and 17A-17B, extension member 300 includes an extension arm 410
attached to a stop 420 at one end and attached to body contact
member 430 at the other end. Stop 420 preferably comprises an
exterior stop 432 and an interior stop 434 and a structural
interconnecting member 436. In operation, when the user pulls the
infant carrier against its body, a force is believed to be exerted
that urges exterior stop 432 and interior stop 434 against handle
200. In some embodiments, exterior and interior stops 432 and 434
may be rubber lined to help minimize slippage.
[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B, handle 200 may be
provided with VELCRO.RTM. strips 440 to catch interconnecting
member 436. In this fashion, extension member 30 may be maintained
in position, either stowed or deployed, even the infant carrier is
not pressed against the user's body. In addition, he VELCRO.RTM.
strips make for facile removal and installation of extension member
300 to and from handle 200.
[0047] In keeping with the invention, extension member 300 may be
constructed from a lightweight rigid material such as plastic,
aluminum or light steel tubing. To increase user comfort, body
contact members 340 and 430 may be cushioned with, for example,
foam padding.
* * * * *