U.S. patent application number 12/169379 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-15 for retractable cup holder assembly for child seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to BRITAX CHILD SAFETY, INC.. Invention is credited to Roy Attride, Margaret Butler, Sean Campbell, Marc Jeremy Hoffman, Ronald M. Marsilio, Chris Yahnker, Tom Zelmer.
Application Number | 20090015044 12/169379 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40252485 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090015044 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marsilio; Ronald M. ; et
al. |
January 15, 2009 |
RETRACTABLE CUP HOLDER ASSEMBLY FOR CHILD SEAT
Abstract
A cup holder assembly for a child seat movable between a
retracted position and an extracted position includes an inner cup
holder bracket, a medial cup holder slide movably attached to the
cup holder bracket, and an outer cup holder floor pivotally
attached to the cup holder slide. The cup holder slide and the cup
holder floor move along an arc relative to the cup holder bracket,
and the cup holder floor rotates relative to the cup holder slide
and the cup holder bracket. The cup holder bracket has a rail guide
and the cup holder slide includes a corresponding rail operable for
slidingly engaging the rail guide. The cup holder slide further
includes a lip that engages a corresponding ledge on the cup holder
floor to rotate the cup holder floor as the cup holder slide is
moved from the retracted position to the extracted position.
Inventors: |
Marsilio; Ronald M.; (Lake
Wylie, SC) ; Hoffman; Marc Jeremy; (Clayton, NC)
; Attride; Roy; (Raleigh, NC) ; Butler;
Margaret; (Raleigh, NC) ; Zelmer; Tom;
(Raleigh, NC) ; Yahnker; Chris; (Raleigh, NC)
; Campbell; Sean; (Raleigh, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ADAMS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW, P.A.
Suite 2350 Charlotte Plaza, 201 South College Street
CHARLOTTE
NC
28244
US
|
Assignee: |
BRITAX CHILD SAFETY, INC.
Charlotte
NC
|
Family ID: |
40252485 |
Appl. No.: |
12/169379 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60948531 |
Jul 9, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/188.01 ;
211/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/286 20130101;
B60N 3/102 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/188.01 ;
211/74 |
International
Class: |
A47D 1/00 20060101
A47D001/00; A47G 29/00 20060101 A47G029/00 |
Claims
1. A cup holder assembly movable between a retracted position and
an extracted position comprising; an inner cup holder bracket; a
medial cup holder slide movably attached to the cup holder bracket;
and an outer cup holder floor pivotally attached to the cup holder
slide.
2. A cup holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cup
holder slide and the cup holder floor move along an arc relative to
the cup holder bracket and the cup holder floor rotates relative to
the cup holder slide and the cup holder bracket when the cup holder
assembly is moved between the retracted position and the extracted
position.
3. A cup holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cup
holder bracket has at least one opening formed therethrough
defining a rail guide and the cup holder slide comprises at least
one corresponding rail for slidingly engaging the rail guide.
4. A cup holder assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cup
holder slide further comprises a grip operable for applying a force
to cause the rail of the cup holder slide to move along the rail
guide of the cup holder bracket.
5. A cup holder assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cup
holder slide further comprises a lip that engages a corresponding
ledge on the cup holder floor, the lip being operable for rotating
the cup holder floor when the cup holder assembly is moved from the
retracted position to the extracted position.
6. A cup holder assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cup
holder floor rotates about pins received within corresponding holes
formed in the cup holder slide until a projection on the cup holder
floor engages a relief formed in the cup holder slide.
7. A cup holder assembly according to claim 6, wherein the cup
holder floor is operable for being lifted and rotated out of the
relief, and wherein the cup holder slide and cup holder floor are
operable for being moved relative to the cup holder bracket along
the arc defined by the rail guide when the cup holder assembly is
moved from the extracted position to the retracted position.
8. A child seat comprising a cup holder assembly that is movable
between a retracted position and an extracted position relative to
the child seat, wherein the cup holder assembly comprises an inner
cup holder bracket, a medial cup holder slide, and an outer cup
holder floor, the cup holder bracket comprising a body having at
least one rail guide and a recess defining an outer profile, the
cup holder slide comprising a body having a recess defining an
inner profile and at least one rail for slidingly engaging the rail
guide, the inner profile of the body of the cup holder slide being
contoured to generally conform to the outer profile defined by the
recess of the body of the cup holder bracket.
9. A child seat according to claim 8, wherein the cup holder floor
comprises a body having at least one pin pivotally received within
a corresponding hole formed in the body of the cup holder
slide.
10. A child seat according to claim 8, wherein the cup holder slide
comprises a lip extending radially inward from the body of the cup
holder slide that engages a ledge extending radially outward from
the body of the cup holder floor to rotate the cup holder floor
relative to the cup holder slide.
11. A child seat according to claim 8, wherein the cup holder slide
has a relief formed therein and the cup holder floor comprises a
projection for engaging the relief to retain the cup holder floor
in the extracted position.
12. A child seat according to claim 8, wherein the cup holder
assembly defines an outer profile that generally conforms to an
outer profile of the child seat when the cup holder assembly is in
the retracted position.
13. A cup holder assembly for a child seat, the cup holder assembly
being movable relative to the child seat between a retracted
position and an extracted position, the cup holder assembly
defining an outer profile that generally conforms to an outer
profile of the child seat in the retracted position, the cup holder
assembly comprising. an inner cup holder bracket having at least
one rail guide, the cup holder bracket defining an outer profile; a
medial cup holder slide having at least one rail slidingly engaging
the rail guide of the cup holder bracket, the cup holder slide
defining an inner profile that conforms generally to the outer
profile of the cup holder bracket; and an outer cup holder floor
pivotally attached to the cup holder slide.
14. A cup holder assembly according to claim 13, wherein the cup
holder slide and the cup holder floor move along an arc relative to
the cup holder bracket and the cup holder floor rotates relative to
the cup holder slide and the cup holder bracket when the cup holder
assembly is moved between the retracted position and the extracted
position.
15. A cup holder assembly according to claim 13, wherein the cup
holder slide further comprises a grip operable for applying a force
to cause the rail of the cup holder slide to move along the rail
guide of the cup holder bracket.
16. A cup holder assembly according to claim 13, wherein the cup
holder slide further comprises a lip that engages a corresponding
ledge on the cup holder floor, the lip being operable for rotating
the cup holder floor when the cup holder assembly is moved from the
retracted position to the extracted position.
17. A cup holder assembly according to claim 16, wherein the cup
holder floor rotates about pins received within corresponding holes
formed in the cup holder slide until a projection on the cup holder
floor engages a relief formed in the cup holder slide.
18. A cup holder assembly according to claim 17, wherein the cup
holder floor is operable for being lifted and rotated out of the
relief, and wherein the cup holder slide and the cup holder floor
are operable for being moved relative to the cup holder bracket
along an arc defined by the rail guide when the cup holder assembly
is moved from the extracted position to the retracted position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/948,531 filed on Jul. 9, 2007.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to child restraint systems,
and more particularly, to a child seat including a retractable cup
holder assembly.
[0003] A child restraint system, commonly referred to as a child
car seat, child safety seat or simply child seat, is used for
transporting and safely restraining a child within a vehicle so as
to minimize the risk of injury to the child in the event of an
abrupt movement or a collision involving the vehicle. Safety is of
utmost concern in the design of a child seat. Comfort, however, is
also of significant importance. As a result, many of the same
comfort features provided on vehicle seats for use by an adult are
also available on a child seat. For example, child seats are now
available with one or more cup holders for retaining a beverage
container, such as a plastic or metal bottle, can or cup. While
providing the same function as a cup holder for an adult seat, a
cup holder on a child seat should not extend beyond the periphery
of the child seat so as to create an obstruction or hazard while
transporting, installing, moving, or removing the child seat. In
particular, the cup holder should conform generally to the outer
profile of the child seat when not in use. At the same time, the
cup holder should be readily accessible and relatively simple to
operate so that a child having limited dexterity can easily use the
cup holder. This is especially true if the cup holder is configured
to be movable between a closed position, referred to herein as
<"retracted," and an opened position, referred to herein as
"extracted."
[0004] Accordingly, it is recognized that a specific need exists
for a child seat including a cup holder assembly for retaining a
beverage container that addresses the aforementioned concerns. More
particularly, there is a specific need for a child seat including a
cup holder assembly that conforms generally to the outer profile of
the child seat when not in use, and thereby does not create an
obstruction or hazard when transporting, installing, moving or
removing the child seat. A further need exists for a child seat
including a cup holder assembly that is readily accessible and
relatively simple to operate so that a child having limited
dexterity can easily use the cup holder. A specific need exists for
such a cup holder that is movable between a retracted (i.e. closed)
position and an extracted (i.e. opened) position.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect, the present invention provides a child seat
including a cup holder assembly that is movable between a retracted
position and an extracted position. The cup holder assembly
includes an inner cup holder bracket, a medial cup holder slide
movably attached to the cup holder bracket, and an outer cup holder
floor pivotally attached to the cup holder slide. The cup holder
slide and the cup holder floor move along an arc relative to the
cup holder bracket, and the cup holder floor rotates relative to
the cup holder slide and the cup holder bracket. In a particular
embodiment, the cup holder bracket has at least one opening formed
therethrough defining a rail guide and the cup holder slide
includes at least one corresponding rail for slidingly engaging the
rail guide. The cup holder slide further includes a handle or grip
operable for applying an outward force to cause the rail of the cup
holder slide to move along the rail guide of the cup holder
bracket. The cup holder slide further includes a lip that engages a
corresponding ledge on the cup holder floor, the lip being operable
to rotate the cup holder floor as the cup holder slide is moved
from the retracted position to the extracted position. The cup
holder floor rotates about pins received within holes formed in the
cup holder slide until a projection on the cup holder floor engages
a relief formed in the cup holder slide. To move the cup holder
assembly back from the extracted position to the retracted
position, the cup holder floor is first lifted and rotated out of
the relief and then the cup holder slide and cup holder floor are
caused to move relative to the cup holder bracket along the arc
defined by the rail guide.
[0006] In another aspect, the present invention provides a child
seat including a cup holder assembly that is movable between a
retracted position and an extracted position. The cup holder
assembly includes an inner cup holder bracket, a medial cup holder
slide, and an outer cup holder floor. The cup holder bracket
includes a body having at least one rail guide and a recess
defining an outer profile. The cup holder slide includes a body
having a recess defining an inner profile and at least one rail for
slidingly engaging the rail guide. The inner profile of the body of
the cup holder slide is contoured to generally conform to the outer
profile defined by the recess of the body of the cup holder
bracket. The cup holder floor includes a body having at least one
pin pivotally received within a corresponding hole formed in the
body of the cup holder slide. The cup holder slide has a lip
extending radially inward from the body that engages a ledge
extending radially outward from the body of the cup holder floor to
rotate the cup holder floor. The cup holder slide has a relief
formed therein and the cup holder floor has a projection for
engaging the relief to retain the cup holder floor in the extracted
position. In the retracted position, the outer profile of the cup
holder assembly is contoured to generally conform to the outer
profile of the child seat.
[0007] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a cup
holder assembly for a child seat. The cup holder assembly is
movable relative to the child seat between a retracted position and
an extracted position, and the cup holder assembly defines an outer
profile that generally conforms to an outer profile of the child
seat in the retracted position. In a particular embodiment, the cup
holder assembly includes an inner cup holder bracket having at
least one rail guide. The cup holder bracket defines an outer
profile. The cup holder assembly further includes a medial cup
holder slide having at least one rail slidingly engaging the rail
guide of the cup holder bracket. The cup holder slide defines an
inner profile that conforms generally to the outer profile of the
cup holder bracket. The cup holder assembly further includes an
outer cup holder floor that is pivotally attached to the cup holder
slide.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A child seat including a retractable cup holder assembly
according to the present invention is best understood by reference
to the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawing figures in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view showing a child
seat including a cup holder assembly according to the present
invention with the cup holder assembly shown in the retracted
position;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cup holder assembly of
FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the cup holder
assembly of FIG. 1 shown in the retracted position and removed from
the child seat for clarity;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the cup holder assembly
of FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the cup holder assembly
of FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the cup holder assembly
of FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the cup holder
assembly of FIG. 1 shown in the extracted position and removed from
the child seat for clarity;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the cup holder assembly
of FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the cup holder assembly of FIG.
7; and
[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustrating the manner in which a
cup holder assembly according to the present invention is moved
between the retracted position and the extracted position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference
numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views, a
child restraint system, indicated generally at 20, and commonly
referred to as a car seat, child safety seat, or child seat, is
shown in FIG. 1. By way of example only, the child seat 20 shown
and described herein is a forward-facing child safety seat of the
type typically used to transport and safely restrain children over
the age of 1 year, less than about 49 inches (124 cm) in height,
and weighing less than about 65 pounds (29 kg). The child seat 20
may be a single-piece construction that is secured onto a seat
within a vehicle by a vehicle seat belt. Alternatively, the child
seat 20 may be a two-piece construction comprising a base and a
seat portion mounted on the base. The base is secured onto a seat
within a vehicle by a vehicle seat belt and the seat portion is
pivotally mounted on the base so that the seat portion is movable
between different recline positions. In addition, the child seat 20
may be a two-piece forward-facing child seat, commonly referred to
as a child booster seat, of the type that includes a base and a
seat portion adapted to be mounted on the base. A child booster
seat is typically used to transport and safely restrain children up
to 8 years of age and between about 65 pounds (29 kg) and about 100
pounds (39 kg). The child booster seat is placed onto a seat within
a vehicle with the child restrained and the booster seat secured by
a vehicle seat belt. Furthermore, the present invention is equally
applicable to a two-piece rear-facing child seat, commonly referred
to as an infant car seat, including a removable carrier portion
adapted to be mounted on a base that is secured onto a seat within
a vehicle by a vehicle seat belt. A rear-facing child seat is
recommended for use with infants until at least 1 year of age and
weighing less than 20 pounds (9 kg). Preferably, the child seat 20
is made from a relatively hard, rigid plastic or composite
material, and is secured onto a seat within a vehicle by a
conventional vehicle seat belt, such as a lap belt or combination
lap belt and shoulder harness.
[0020] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the child seat 20 defines
a seat area 21 for seating a child and comprises a child seat
harness 22 for restraining the child within the seat area. The
harness 22 comprises a pair of adjustable shoulder and chest straps
23 that are secured to a fixed length harness buckle 24 by
conventional tongues or clasps (not shown) provided on the shoulder
and chest straps. The harness 22 may also comprise a pair of
shoulder pads 25 and a chest clip 26 for providing additional
comfort and security. Other pads, such as head and thigh pads, may
be provided for additional comfort, and a removable fabric cover 27
may be placed over the child seat 20 to alleviate temperature
extremes and to shield the finish of the child seat from spills and
stains. The child seat 20 further comprises an adjustment strap 28
for adjusting the length, and thereby the tension, of the shoulder
and chest straps 23 to properly fit the size of a child seated
within the seat area 21. In particular, the adjustment strap 28 may
be extended (i.e. pulled) to shorten (i.e. tighten) the harness 22
around the child. If desired, the child seat 20 may be fitted with
armrests 29 configured to rotate upwardly for easier access to and
from the seat area 21.
[0021] The child seat 20 further comprises at least one cup holder
assembly (also referred to herein simply as "cup holder") 40
disposed on a lateral side of the child seat adjacent the seat area
21. Preferably, a cup holder assembly 40 is disposed on each
lateral side of the child seat 20 so as to provide convenient
access to a cup holder regardless of the location of the child seat
within a vehicle. For example, a right-side cup holder is readily
accessible when the child seat 20 is secured onto a seat and
located on the left-hand side of a vehicle. Conversely, a left-side
cup holder is readily accessible when the child seat 20 is secured
onto a seat and located on the right-hand side of a vehicle.
Advantageously, either one or both of the cup holders are readily
accessible when the child seat 20 is secured onto a seat and
located medially within a vehicle. Regardless, each cup holder is
configured to be retractable into the child seat 20 so that the cup
holder does not interfere with another portion of the vehicle, for
example a door handle, a door or a convenience console. As used
herein, "retractable" is intended to mean that the cup holder
assembly 40 has a retracted (i.e. closed) position, as well as an
extracted (i.e. opened) position. In the exemplary embodiments
shown and described herein, the cup holder assembly 40 is moveable
between a retracted position and an extracted position, as will be
described further with reference to FIG. 10.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cup holder
assembly 40 according to the present invention. FIGS. 3-6 show the
cup holder 40 in the retracted position. FIGS. 7-9 show the cup
holder 40 in the extracted position. FIG. 10 illustrates the manner
in which the cup holder 40 is moved between the retracted position
and the extracted position. The following detailed description is
applicable to the exemplary embodiments shown in each of the
drawing figures. As such, the description refers generally to the
drawing figures unless specific reference is made to a particular
drawing figure. Furthermore, like reference numerals refer to like
elements in the various drawing figures unless noted otherwise.
[0023] As best shown in FIG. 2, the cup holder assembly 40
comprises an inner cup holder bracket 50, a medial cup holder slide
60, and an outer cup holder floor 70. The cup holder bracket 50
comprises a body 52, as well as a lower flange 54 and an upper
flange 56 depending from the body. The lower flange 54 and the
upper flange 56 are available for attaching the cup holder bracket
50 to the child seat 20. As shown, the lower flange 54 is generally
planar and rectangular, while the upper flange 56 is generally
planar and arcuate. However, the lower flange 54 and the upper
flange 56 may have any configuration and shape necessary to conform
the inner profile of the cup holder bracket 50 to the outer profile
of the child seat 20. Regardless, the lower flange 54 and the upper
flange 56 provide surface areas for securely attaching the cup
holder bracket 50 to the child seat 20, for example by gluing or
with suitable fasteners. The body 52 of the cup holder bracket 50
extends between the lower flange 54 and the upper flange 56. The
body 52 has at least one, and preferably a plurality of openings,
referred to herein as "rail guides" 55, formed therethrough for a
purpose to be described. The body 52 of the cup holder bracket 50
further has a generally hollow recess 58 that defines an outer
profile for receiving the cup holder slide 60 in the retracted
position.
[0024] The cup holder slide 60 comprises a body 62 shaped and
configured to be movably received within the recess 58 of the cup
holder bracket 50. As shown, the body 62 of the cup holder slide 60
has at least one, and preferably a plurality, of "rails" 65 that
operably engage the rail guides 55 formed on the body 52 of the cup
holder bracket 50. Each rail 65 cooperates with a rail guide 55 and
slides therein to cause the cup holder slide 60 and the cup holder
floor 70 to move along a non-linear arc path relative to the cup
holder bracket 50. In particular, the inner profile of the body 62
of the cup holder slide 60 is contoured to compliment the outer
profile of the body 52 of the cup holder bracket 50 within recess
58 so that the cup holder slide moves smoothly relative to the cup
holder bracket between the retracted position and the extracted
position when the rails 65 slide along the rail guides 55. A handle
or grip 63 is provided on the opposite side of the body 62 from the
rail guides 65 for permitting a user to readily apply an outward
force to move the cup holder slide 60 and the cup holder floor 70
between the retracted position and the extracted position. The body
62 further has a generally cylindrical cavity 64 formed
therethrough of a predetermined diameter sized to receive a
beverage container, such as a bottle, can, or cup. As will be
described, the cavity 64 is in registration with a corresponding
cavity 74 formed in the cup holder floor 70 when the cup holder 40
is in the extracted position. At least one, and preferably a pair,
of holes 66 are formed on the inner surface of the body 62. As will
be described, the holes 66 receive protrusions, such as pins, 76
provided on the cup holder floor 70 to pivotally attach the cup
holder floor to the cup holder slide 60. The body 62 of the cup
holder slide 60 further has a generally hollow recess 68 that
defines an outer profile for receiving the cup holder floor 70 in
the retracted position.
[0025] The cup holder floor 70 comprises a body 72 shaped and
configured to be movably received within the recess 68 of the cup
holder slide 60. As best shown in FIG. 9, the body 72 of the cup
holder floor 70 has a generally cylindrical cavity 74 formed
therein of a predetermined diameter sized to receive a beverage
container, such as a bottle, can, or cup. As previously stated, the
cavity 74 of the cup holder floor 70 is in registration with the
cavity 64 of the cup holder slide 60 when the cup holder 40 is in
the extracted position so that a beverage container can be
positioned within the cavities 64, 74 and retained by the body 72
of the cup holder floor 70 in conjunction with the body 62 of the
cup holder slide 60 in a known manner. The cup holder floor 70
further comprises at least one, and preferably a pair, of ear-like
projections 75 that each engage a corresponding relief 61 (FIG. 2
and FIG. 10) formed in the body 62 of the cup holder slide 60. Each
relief 61 has a profile that is contoured to receive a projection
75 therein as the cup holder slide 60 moves to the extracted
position, and to retain the cup holder floor 70 in the extracted
position, as will be described. As previously stated, the body 72
of the cup holder floor 70 is provided with at least one, and
preferably a pair, of protrusions, such as pins 76, that are
disposed within holes 66 on body 62 of cup holder slide 60 to
pivotally attach the cup holder floor to the cup holder slide. In
the exemplary embodiment shown and described herein, the body 62 of
the cup holder slide 60 is further provided with a circumferential
lip 67 that extends radially inward into the cavity 64. The lip 67
is sized and positioned to engage a corresponding circumferential
ledge 77 that extends radially outward from the body 72 of the cup
holder floor 70. As a result, the cup holder floor 70 rotates about
the pins 76 disposed in holes 66 when lip 67 engages ledge 77 as
the cup holder slide 60 is moved from the retracted position to the
extracted position.
[0026] FIG. 10 illustrates the manner in which the cup holder
assembly 40 is moved between the retracted position and the
extracted position. From the retracted position, a user grasps the
grip 63 of the cup holder slide 60 and pulls outwardly to cause the
cup holder slide and the cup holder floor 70 to move relative to
the cup holder bracket 50. In particular, the rails 65 slide along
the rail guides 55 in the non-linear arc path defined by the body
52 of the cup holder bracket 50. As the cup holder slide 60 and the
cup holder floor 70 move relative to the cup holder bracket 50, the
radially inward extending lip 67 on the body 62 of the cup holder
slide engages the radially outward extending ledge 77 on the body
72 of the cup holder floor. In particular, the lip 67 "catches" on
the ledge 77 and causes the body 72 of the cup holder floor 70 to
rotate about the pins 76 disposed within the holes 66 formed in
body 62 of cup holder slide 60. As the cup holder slide 60 moves
within the outer profile defined by the recess 58 of the cup holder
bracket 50, the cup holder floor 70 rides along the outer profile
defined by the recess 68 of the cup holder slide. The body 72 of
the cup holder floor 70 rotates about the pins 76 and rides within
the recess 68 until projection 75 engages relief 61 formed in the
body 62 of the cup holder slide 60. The body 72, and in particular
projection 75, of the cup holder floor 70 falls into relief 61 and
the cup holder floor continues to rotate under the influence of
gravity to the fully extracted position.
[0027] In this position, the cavity 74 formed in the body 72 of the
cup holder floor 70 is in registration with the cavity 64 formed in
the body 62 of the cup holder slide 60 so that a user can readily
position a beverage container, such as a bottle, can or cup, in the
cup holder 40. The beverage container is securely retained by the
body 72 of the cup holder floor 70 and the body 62 of the cup
holder slide 60, and the cup holder 40 cannot be moved from the
extracted position to the retracted position until the beverage
container is removed. Even then, the cup holder 40 cannot be moved
to the retracted position by merely pushing on the grip 63.
Instead, the cup holder 40 remains in a fully opened and locked
configuration until the body 72 of the cup holder floor 70 is
lifted upwards and rotated to move projection 75 out of relief 61.
The body 72 is easily rotated out of the recess 61 by the user
applying a slight upward force to the ledge 77 at the outer side of
the cup holder 40 before lifting grip 63 on the body 62 of the cup
holder slide 60. Once the projection 75 has cleared the relief 61,
the cup holder floor 70 moves freely into the recess 68 of body 62
of cup holder slide 60, while the cup holder slide moves freely
into the recess 58 of body 52 of the cup holder bracket 50.
Accordingly, the cup holder 40 is moved from the extracted position
to the retracted position by releasing the cup holder floor 70 from
the cup holder slide 60 and moving the cup holder slide relative to
the cup holder bracket 50 until the cup holder floor and the cup
holder slide form a relatively continuous outer profile with the
lower flange 54 and the upper flange 56 of the cup holder bracket
that is substantially flush with the outer profile of the child
seat 20.
[0028] The foregoing has described exemplary embodiments of a child
restraint system, and more particularly, a child seat including a
cup holder assembly. While particular embodiments of the present
invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled
in the art that various modifications thereto can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly,
the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are
provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the
purpose of limitation.
* * * * *