U.S. patent application number 14/168866 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-31 for handheld apparatus mount fixture for child restraint tray.
The applicant listed for this patent is Cosco Management, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bryan R. Hotaling, Luosha Liu, Christopher J. Terella, Jim R. Varney.
Application Number | 20140208987 14/168866 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51221539 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140208987 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Varney; Jim R. ; et
al. |
July 31, 2014 |
HANDHELD APPARATUS MOUNT FIXTURE FOR CHILD RESTRAINT TRAY
Abstract
A tray is provided for use with a juvenile seat. The tray
includes an item-storage platform formed to include at least one
receptacle.
Inventors: |
Varney; Jim R.; (Maynard,
MA) ; Terella; Christopher J.; (Watertown, MA)
; Liu; Luosha; (Malden, MA) ; Hotaling; Bryan
R.; (Harvard, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cosco Management, Inc. |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51221539 |
Appl. No.: |
14/168866 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61758565 |
Jan 30, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 1/008 20130101;
A47D 15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/28 |
International
Class: |
A47D 15/00 20060101
A47D015/00; A47D 1/00 20060101 A47D001/00 |
Claims
1. A tray comprising an item-storage platform and a handheld clamp
mounted on the item-storage platform for movement between a compact
storage position lying in a clamp-storage cavity formed in the
item-storage platform and a tilted use position lying at an angle
to the item-storage platform, wherein the handheld clamp is
configured to provide means for retaining a handheld apparatus in a
stationary position relative to the item-storage platform so that
the handheld apparatus can be viewed by a child seated in a
juvenile seat associated with the item-storage platform.
2. The tray of claim 1, wherein the item-storage platform is formed
to include a handheld receiver configured to provide means for
receiving a portion of the handheld apparatus retained by the
handheld clamp.
3. The tray of claim 2, wherein the handheld receiver comprises a
first handheld receiver slot sized to provide means for receiving
an end edge of the handheld apparatus retained by the handheld
clamp to establish an upright portrait orientation of the handheld
apparatus.
4. The tray of claim 3, wherein the handheld receiver further
includes separate first and second side channels and the first
handheld receiver slot is arranged to interconnect and cooperate
with the first and second side channels to form a second handheld
receiver slot sized to provide means for receiving a relatively
longer side edge of the handheld apparatus alternatively to
establish a sideways landscape orientation of the handheld
apparatus.
5. The tray of claim 1, wherein the handheld clamp includes a
retainer arm having a base end mounted on the item-storage platform
for pivotable movement about a horizontal pivot axis and an
opposite free end configured to mate with a handheld apparatus
associated with the item-storage platform to trap the handheld
apparatus in a stationary position between the item-storage
platform and the free end of the retainer arm.
6. The tray of claim 5, wherein the free end of the retainer arm is
formed to include a notch sized to receive a portion of the
handheld apparatus therein when the handheld clamp is used to
retain the handheld apparatus in a stationary position on the
item-storage platform.
7. The tray of claim 6, wherein the item-storage platform is formed
to include a handheld receiver configured to provide means for
receiving a portion of the handheld apparatus retained by the
handheld clamp, the handheld receiver comprises a first handheld
receiver slot sized to provide means for receiving an end edge of
the handheld apparatus retained by the handheld clamp to establish
an upright portrait orientation of the handheld apparatus, and the
handheld receiver further includes separate first and second side
channels and the first handheld receiver slot is arranged to
interconnect and cooperate with the first and second side channels
to form a second handheld receiver slot sized to provide means for
receiving a relatively longer side edge of the handheld apparatus
alternatively to establish a sideways landscape orientation of the
handheld apparatus
8. The tray of claim 5, wherein the handheld clamp further includes
a releasable arm lock that is configured to provide means for
locking the retainer arm in a tilted use position relative to the
item-storage platform so that a handheld apparatus trapped between
the item-storage platform and the free end of the retainer arm to
limit movement of the handheld apparatus relative to the
item-storage platform.
9. The tray of claim 8, wherein the releasable arm lock normally is
spring-biased toward a locked position blocking pivotable movement
of the retainer arm about the horizontal pivot axis by a spring
included in the handheld clamp and mounted in the retainer arm.
10. The tray of claim 5, further comprising first and second
platform-support arms coupled to a rear portion of the item-storage
platform and arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to one
another, and wherein a front portion of the item-storage platform
is arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the rear portion,
the horizontal pivot axis is arranged to extend along the front
portion and lie in spaced-apart relation to the rear portion, and
the clamp-storage cavity formed in the item-storage platform is
located between the rear and front portions and sized to receive
the handheld clamp therein upon movement of the handheld clamp
about the horizontal pivot axis to the compact storage
position.
11. The tray of claim 10, wherein the item-storage platform is
formed to include first and second receptacles and the
clamp-storage cavity is arranged to lie between the first and
second receptacles.
12. The tray of claim 10, wherein the item-storage platform is
formed to include a handheld receiver configured to provide means
for receiving a portion of the handheld apparatus retained by the
handheld clamp and to communicate with the clamp-storage
cavity.
13. The tray of claim 12, wherein the handheld receiver is arranged
to lie between the rear portion of the item-storage platform and
the clamp-storage cavity.
14. The tray of claim 1, further comprising a handheld tether
including a handheld receiver configured to hold a handheld
apparatus and a receiver strap coupled to the handheld receiver and
configured to provide means for establishing a limited range of
motion of the handheld apparatus relative to the item-support
platform.
15. The tray of claim 14, wherein a handheld apparatus retained by
the handheld clamp in the stationary position is also held by the
handheld receiver of the handheld tether.
16. The tray of claim 14, wherein the handheld tether is stored in
the clamp-storage cavity formed in the item-storage platform in a
space provided between the item-storage platform and the handheld
clamp upon movement of the handheld clamp to assume the compact
storage position.
17. The tray of claim 14, wherein the tray further includes an
anchor-receiving socket coupled to the item-storage platform and
the receiver strap includes a receiver anchor configured to provide
releasable connector means for mating with the anchor-receiving
socket to link the handheld tether to the item-storage
platform.
18. The tray of claim 17, wherein the anchor socket is located in
the clamp-storage cavity formed in the item-storage platform.
19. The tray of claim 14, wherein the handheld receiver includes
first and second pockets arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation
to one another to hold a handheld apparatus therebetween and a
pocket-connector strip arranged to interconnect the first and
second pockets and made of an elastic material.
20. The tray of claim 14, wherein the handheld receiver includes
first and second loops and a loop-connector strip arranged to
interconnect the first and second loops and each of the first and
second loops is made of an elastic material and is formed to
include a space sized to receive therein a corner portion of a
handheld apparatus to hold the handheld apparatus in coupled
relation to the first and second loops.
21. The tray of claim 14, wherein the handheld receiver includes a
loop-connector strip and first, second, third, and fourth loops and
each of the loops is made of an elastic material and is coupled to
the loop-connector strip and formed to include a space sized to
receive therein a corner portion of a handheld apparatus to hold
the handheld apparatus in coupled relation to the first, second,
third, and fourth loops.
22. A tray comprising an item-storage platform formed to include a
first handheld receiver slot sized to receive a narrow first end
edge of a handheld apparatus and a second handheld receiver slot
arranged to communicate with the first handheld receiver slot and
sized to receive a relatively longer first side edge of the
handheld apparatus and a handheld clamp mounted for pivotable
movement about a horizontal pivot axis to provide means for
engaging a narrow second end edge of the handheld apparatus when
the narrow first end edge of the handheld apparatus is placed in
the first handheld receiver slot to retain the handheld apparatus
in a stationary upright portrait orientation relative to the
item-storage platform and alternatively for engaging a relatively
longer second side edge of the handheld apparatus when the
relatively longer second side edge of the handheld apparatus is
placed in the second handheld receiver slot to retain the handheld
apparatus in a stationary sideways landscape orientation relative
to the item-storage platform so that the handheld apparatus can be
viewed by a child seated in a juvenile seat associated with the
item-storage platform.
23. The tray of claim 22, wherein the item-storage platform is
formed to include separate first and second side channels that are
arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to one another to locate
the first handheld receiver slot therebetween and in communication
with each of the first and second side channels to cooperate to
form the second handheld receiver slot.
24. The tray of claim 23, wherein the first handheld receiver slot
has a deep depth and the first and second side channels have a
shallow depth that is less than the deep depth of the first
handheld receiver slot.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to US Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/758,565,
filed Jan. 30, 2013, which is expressly incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a tray, and particularly
to a tray for use in a child restraint sized to seat a small child.
More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a tray for use
alongside a juvenile seat.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to the present disclosure, a tray is configured to
be paired with a juvenile seat included in a child restraint so
that it may be used by a child seated in the juvenile seat. In
illustrative embodiments, the tray includes an item-storage
platform and means for coupling the item-storage platform to a
frame included in the child restraint so that the item-storage
platform is retained in a fixed position accessible by a child
seated in the juvenile seat.
[0004] In illustrative embodiments, the tray includes an
item-storage platform and a handheld clamp. The handheld clamp is
mounted on the item-storage platform for movement between a compact
storage position along a top face of the item-storage platform and
a tilted use position lying at an acute angle to a rear portion of
the item-storage platform.
[0005] In illustrative embodiments, the tray further includes a
handheld tether coupled to the handhold apparatus and linked to the
item-support platform to establish a limited range of motion of the
handheld apparatus relative to the item-support platform. In one
embodiment, the handheld tether includes a first pocket coupled to
a top end edge of the handheld apparatus and a second pocket
coupled to a bottom end edge of the handheld apparatus. In other
embodiments, the handheld tether includes two or more loops coupled
to corners of the handheld apparatus.
[0006] Additional features of the present disclosure will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of
illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out
the disclosure as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The detailed description particularly refers to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray in accordance with
the present disclosure showing that a rearwardly facing handheld
apparatus such as a cellular telephone or a digital music player is
retained in stationary position between an underlying item-storage
platform and a free end of a pivotable and lockable handheld
apparatus clamp so that it can be viewed by a child seated behind
the tray and showing that the tray is adapted to be included in a
variety of child restraints such as a booster seat, high chair,
walker, and stroller;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the tray of FIG. 1
showing the handheld apparatus clamp in a compact storage position
retained in a clamp-storage cavity formed in a center portion of
the item-storage platform included in the tray and located between
two spaced-apart receptacles and showing that a center rear portion
of the item-storage portion is formed to include a relatively deep
first handheld-receiver slot sized to receive a relatively narrow
end edge of a handheld apparatus arranged to lie in an upright
PORTRAIT orientation as suggested (in solid) in FIG. 3 and a
relatively shallower and wider second handheld-receiver slot sized
to receive a relatively wider side edge of a handheld apparatus
arranged to lie in a sideways LANDSCAPE orientation as suggested
(in phantom) in FIG. 3;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the tray of FIG. 1
showing the pivotable handheld apparatus clamp locked in a
rearwardly tilted use position engaging an upper end edge of the
handheld apparatus while the lower end edge of the handheld
apparatus is trapped in the deep first handheld-receiver slot to
retain the handheld apparatus in a stationary upright PORTRAIT
orientation relative to the item-storage platform so as to be
viewed and accessed easily by a child seated in a juvenile seat
paired with the tray and suggesting that a push-and-slide-actuated
locking system is provided in the handheld apparatus clamp;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a tray in accordance with a
second embodiment of the present disclosure showing an alternative
squeeze-actuated locking system provided in the handheld apparatus
clamp;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tray of FIG. 4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a handheld tether in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure
showing that the tether includes a two-pocket handheld receiver
sized to mate with the handheld apparatus and a receiver strap
configured to include a webbing strip, a receiver anchor coupled to
a first end of the webbing strip and to the handheld receiver, and
a platform anchor coupled to an opposite second end of the webbing
strip and adapted to mate with an anchor-receiving socket coupled
to the item-storage platform as suggested in FIGS. 7 and 8;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a handheld apparatus
retained in the two-pocket handheld receiver of FIG. 6 and
suggesting that the platform anchor included in the receiver strap
can be mated with an anchor-receiving socket located in the
clamp-storage cavity formed in the item-storage platform;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a handheld apparatus
that has been tethered to the item-storage platform using the
handheld tether as suggested in FIG. 7 and has also been retained
in a stationary upright PORTRAIT orientation using the handheld
apparatus clamp for added security;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a handheld tether in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure
showing that the tether includes a two-loop handheld receiver sized
to mate with the handheld apparatus and a receiver strap configured
to include a webbing strip, a receiver anchor made of stretchy
elastic material and coupled to a first end of the webbing strip
and to the handheld receiver, and a platform anchor coupled to an
opposite second end of the webbing strip and adapted to mate with
an anchor-receiving socket coupled to the item-storage platform as
suggested in FIGS. 10 and 11;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a handheld apparatus
retained in the two-loop handheld receiver of FIG. 7 and suggesting
that the platform anchor included in the receiver strap can be
mated with an anchor-receiving socket located in the clamp-storage
cavity formed in the item-storage platform;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a handheld apparatus
that has been tethered to an item-storage platform using the
handheld tether of FIG. 9 as suggested in FIG. 10 and has also been
retained in a stationary upright PORTRAIT orientation using the
handheld apparatus clamp to provide extra security;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a handheld tether in
accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure
showing that the tether includes a four-loop handheld receiver
sized to mate with the handheld apparatus and a receiver strap
configured to include a webbing strip, a receiver anchor made of a
stretchy elastic material and coupled to a first end of the webbing
strip and to the handheld receiver, and a platform anchor coupled
to an opposite second end of the webbing strip and adapted to mate
with an anchor-receiving socket coupled to the item-storage
platform as suggested in FIGS. 13 and 14;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a handheld apparatus
retained in the handheld receiver of FIG. 12 and suggesting that
the platform anchor included in the receiver strap can be mated
with an anchor-receiving socket located in the clamp-storage cavity
formed in the item-storage platform; and
[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a handheld apparatus
that has been tethered to item-storage platform using the handheld
tether of FIG. 12 as suggested in FIG. 13 and has also been
retained in a stationary upright PORTRAIT orientation using the
handheld apparatus clamp for added security.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] A tray 10 includes an item-storage platform 12 and a movable
handheld clamp 14 coupled to item-storage platform 12 and made in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure as
shown, for example, in FIGS. 1-3. Clamp 14 is provided to retain a
handheld apparatus 15 such as a cellular telephone or a digital
music player in a stationary position on item-storage platform 12
so that it cannot be moved by a child at the option of a caregiver
as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 3. A handheld clamp 14' in accordance
with a second embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to
include a squeeze-actuated locking system and is shown, for
example, in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0023] Tray 10 is adapted to be included in various child
restraints 16-19 as suggested in FIG. 1. Tray 10 also includes a
platform-support arm 13 coupled to each side of item-storage
platform 12 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 8. Each platform-support
arm 13 is configured to mount to a neighboring juvenile seat or
seat frame in any suitable manner.
[0024] An illustrative first handheld tether 114 for use alone or
with either of handheld clamps 14 or 14' is shown in FIGS. 6-8. An
illustrative second handheld tether 214 is shown in FIGS. 9-11,
while an illustrative third handheld tether 314 is shown in FIGS.
12-14. Each of tethers 114, 214, and 314 is configured to be
coupled to handheld apparatus 15 to limit movement of handheld
apparatus 15 by a child relative to item-storage platform 12
included in juvenile tray 10.
[0025] Handheld clamp 14 is mounted on item-storage platform 12 for
pivotable movement about pivot axis 14A at the option of a
caregiver as suggested in FIGS. 2 and 3. Handheld clamp 14 is
arranged to be moved about pivot axis 14A from a compact storage
position nested in a clamp-storage cavity 24 formed in item-storage
platform 12 as shown in FIG. 2 to a tilted use position as shown in
FIG. 3. In the tilted use position, a handheld apparatus 15 is
retained in a stationary position as shown in FIG. 3 so that
handheld apparatus 15 can be viewed by a child seated behind tray
10. The rectangular handheld apparatus 15 can be retained either in
an upright PORTRAIT orientation as shown in FIG. 3 or in a sideways
LANDSCAPE orientation as suggested in phantom in FIG. 3.
[0026] Handheld clamp 14 includes a pivotable retainer arm 20 and a
releasable arm lock 22 as suggested in FIG. 3. Arm lock 22 is
coupled to retainer arm 20 to move therewith relative to
item-storage platform 12 as suggested in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0027] Retainer arm 20 of handheld clamp 14 includes a base end 20B
mounted on item-storage platform 12 for pivotable movement about a
horizontal pivot axis 14A and an opposite free end 20F configured
to mate with handheld apparatus 15 to trap handheld apparatus 15 in
a stationary position between item-storage platform 12 and free end
20F of retainer arm 20 as suggested in FIG. 3. Free end 20F of
retainer arm 20 is formed to include a notch 15N sized to receive a
portion of handheld apparatus 15 therein when handheld clamp 14 is
used to retain handheld apparatus 14 in a stationary position on
item-storage platform 12 as suggested in FIG. 3.
[0028] In illustrative embodiments, retainer arm 20 has a hinge
point on pivot axis 14A and a ratchet or similar mechanism.
Retainer arm 20 traps handheld apparatus 15 between itself and
item-storage platform 12 and the ratchet is part of the lock system
that keeps the retainer arm 20 in the trapping position. A ratchet
release coupled to the ratchet can be operated to release the
ratchet to free retainer arm 20 to pivot about pivot axis 14A.
[0029] Releasable arm lock 22 of handheld clamp 14 is configured to
provide means for locking retainer arm 20 in the tilted use
position in FIG. 3. In an illustrative embodiment, arm lock 22
normally is spring-biased toward a locked position blocking
pivotable movement of retainer arm 20 about pivot axis 14A. Arm
lock 22 is configured to provide a push-and-slide-actuated locking
system and is actuated by a caregiver to free retainer arm 20 for
pivotable movement about pivot axis 14A in response to application
of an inward pushing force F.sub.PUSH and also a sliding force
F.sub.SLIDE acting along the plane of retainer arm 20 as suggested
in FIG. 3.
[0030] Item-storage platform 12 is formed to include a
clamp-storage cavity 24 as suggested in FIG. 3. Cavity 24 is sized
to receive handheld clamp 14 therein upon pivotable movement of
handheld clamp 14 to the compact storage position as suggested in
FIG. 2. Clamp-storage cavity 24 is sized to provide space between
item-storage platform 12 and retainer arm 20 to hold one of the
handheld tethers 114, 214, and 314 therein when handheld clamp 14
lies in the compact-storage position to close a top opening into
cavity 24.
[0031] Item-storage platform 12 is also formed to include first and
second receptacles 26, 28 as suggested in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Clamp-storage cavity 24 is arranged to lie between first and second
receptacles 26, 28 in an illustrative embodiment as shown in FIGS.
2 and 3.
[0032] Item-storage platform 12 is also formed to include a
handheld receiver 15R alongside and in communication with
clamp-storage cavity 24 and along a rear edge of item-storage
platform 12 as suggested in FIGS. 2 and 3. Handheld receiver 15R is
seen best in FIG. 2 and configured to receive a portion of handheld
apparatus 15 therein when handheld apparatus 15 is retained in the
stationary position by handheld clamp 14 as suggested in FIG.
3.
[0033] In an illustrative embodiment, handheld receiver 15R
comprises a deep first handheld receiver slot 30, a relatively
shallow first side channel 31 located on one side of slot 30 near
first receptacle 26, and a relatively shallow second side channel
32 located on an opposite side of slot 30 near second receptacle
28. Second side channel 32 is arranged to cooperate with first side
channel 31 and slot 30 to form a relatively shallow second handheld
receiver slot 34 as suggested in FIG. 2. First handheld receiver
slot 30 is centered on item-storage platform 12 and located between
portions of first and second receptacles 26, 28 in an illustrative
embodiment as shown, for example, in FIG. 2. The length of first
side channel 31 is equal to the length of second side channel 32 as
suggested in FIG. 2 in an illustrative embodiment.
[0034] Handheld apparatus 15 is retained in a stationary upright
PORTRAIT orientation relative to item-storage platform 12 as shown
in FIG. 3 by moving handheld clamp 14 to the locked tilted use
position to cause a top end edge 15T of handheld apparatus 15 to be
engaged by free end 20F of retainer arm 20 while a bottom end edge
15B of handheld apparatus 15 is trapped in the deep first
handheld-receiver slot 30 of handheld receiver 15R. Alternatively,
a handheld apparatus 15 can be retained in a stationary sideways
LANDSCAPE orientation relative to item-storage platform 12 as
suggested in phantom in FIG. 3 by moving handheld clamp 14 to the
locked tilted use position to cause an upper side edge 15U of
handheld apparatus 15 to be engaged by free end 20F of retainer arm
20 while a lower side edge 15L of handheld apparatus 15 is trapped
in the relatively shallow second handheld-receiver slot 34 of
handheld receiver 15R.
[0035] As suggested in FIGS. 4 and 5, a tray 10' in accordance with
a second embodiment of the present disclosure includes item-storage
platform 12, platform-support arms 13, and a handheld clamp 14'.
Handheld clamp 14' is pivotable about a horizontal axis to move
from the compact storage position shown in FIG. 4 to the tilted use
position shown in FIG. 5. Handheld clamp 14' comprises a pivotable
retainer arm 20' and a releasable squeeze-actuated arm lock 22'
comprising first and second actuator buttons mounted for movement
on opposite sides of retainer arm 20' as suggested in FIG. 5.
Inward movement of those actuator buttons toward one another in the
directions of arrows A and B as suggested in FIG. 5 unlocks
retainer arm 20' so that it is free to pivot between the compact
storage position shown in FIG. 4 and the tilted use position of
FIG. 5.
[0036] A first handheld tether 114 is shown, for example, in FIG.
6. First handheld tether 114 is configured to hold a handheld
apparatus 15 and to be linked to a tray 10 as suggested in FIGS.
6-8. First handheld tether 114 comprises a two-pocket handheld
receiver 130 and a receiver strap 136 coupled to handheld receiver
130 as suggested in FIG. 6. A screen of handheld apparatus 15 is
accessible when handheld apparatus 15 is coupled to handheld tether
114 as suggested in FIG. 7.
[0037] Two-pocket handheld receiver 130 includes a first pocket
131, an opposing second pocket 132, and a pocket-connector strip
133 interconnecting first and second pockets 131, 132 as shown, for
example, in FIG. 6. First and second pockets 131, 132 are arranged
to face toward and lie in spaced-apart relation to one another to
form a handheld-receiving space 140 therebetween. A top end edge
15T of handheld apparatus 15 can extend into a cavity formed in
first pocket 31, while a bottom end edge 15B of handheld apparatus
15 can extend into a cavity formed in second pocket 132 to stretch
pocket-connector strip 133. Once edges 15T, 15B are coupled to
pockets 131, 132, the stretched pocket-connector strip 133 will
contract to assume its initial shape and handheld apparatus 15 will
be retained securely in handheld receiver 130. Handheld apparatus
15 can be removed easily from handheld receiver 130 by a caregiver
in response to moving pockets 131, 132 apart to stretch the elastic
pocket-connector strip 133 and then disengaging handheld apparatus
15 from pockets 131, 132.
[0038] Receiver strap 136 includes a webbing strip 138 made of a
non-stretch material, a receiver anchor 137 coupled to a first end
of webbing strip 138 and to pocket-connector strip 133 of handheld
receiver 130, and a platform anchor 139 coupled to an opposite
second end of webbing strip 138 as shown, for example, in FIG. 6.
Platform anchor 139 is configured to provide releasable connector
means for mating with an anchor-receiving socket 40 coupled to
item-storage platform 12. In an illustrative embodiment,
anchor-receiving socket 40 is located in clamp-storage cavity 24 as
suggested in FIG. 7.
[0039] First handheld tether 114 is coupled to tray 10 as suggested
in FIG. 7 to allow an older child seated in juvenile seat 11 to
hold and operate handheld apparatus 15 and move handheld apparatus
15 through a limited range of motion established in part by the
length of webbing strip 138 relative to item-storage platform 12.
For added security, the tethered handheld apparatus 15 can also be
retained in a stationary position on item-storage platform 12 using
handheld clamp 14 as suggested in FIG. 8. First handheld tether 114
can be stored in clamp-storage cavity 24 when not in use.
[0040] A second handheld tether 214 is shown, for example, in FIG.
9. Second handheld tether 214 is configured to hold a handheld
apparatus 15 and to be linked to a tray 10 as suggested in FIGS.
9-11. Second handheld tether 214 comprises a two-loop handheld
receiver 230 and a receiver strap 236 coupled to handheld receiver
230 as suggested in FIG. 9. A screen of handheld apparatus 15 is
accessible when handheld apparatus 15 is coupled to handheld tether
214 as suggested in FIG. 10.
[0041] Two-loop handheld receiver 230 includes a first loop 231
formed to include space 231S, an opposing second loop 232 formed to
include space 232S, and a loop-connector strip 233 interconnecting
first and second loops 231, 232 as shown, for example, in FIG. 9.
First and second loops 231, 232 are arranged to lie in spaced-apart
relation to one another to form a handheld-receiving space 240
therebetween. A first corner 15C1 along top end edge 15T of
handheld apparatus 15 can extend into a space 231S formed in first
loop 231, while another corner 15C3 along bottom end edge 15B of
handheld apparatus 15 can extend into a space 232S formed in second
loop 232 to stretch first and second loops 231, 232. Once corners
15C1, 15C3 of edges 15T, 15B are coupled to loops 231, 232, the
stretched loops 231, 232 will contract to assume their initial
shapes and handheld apparatus 15 will be retained securely in
handheld receiver 230 as suggested in FIG. 10. Handheld apparatus
15 can be removed easily from handheld receiver 230 by a caregiver
in response to moving loops 231, 232 apart to stretch the elastic
material forming loops 231, 232 and the disengaging handheld
apparatus 15 from loops 231, 232.
[0042] Receiver strap 236 includes a webbing strip 238 made of a
non-stretch material, a receiver anchor 237 coupled to a first end
of webbing strip 238 and to pocket-connector strip 233 of handheld
receiver 230, and a platform anchor 239 coupled to an opposite
second end of webbing strip 238 as shown, for example, in FIG. 9.
Platform anchor 239 is configured to provide releasable connector
means for mating with an anchor-receiving socket 40 coupled to
item-storage platform 12. In an illustrative embodiment,
anchor-receiving socket 40 is located in clamp-storage cavity 24 as
suggested in FIG. 10.
[0043] Second handheld tether 214 is coupled to tray 10 as
suggested in FIG. 10 to allow an older child seated in juvenile
seat 11 to hold and operate handheld apparatus 15 and move handheld
apparatus 15 through a limited range of motion established in part
by the length of webbing strip 238 relative to item-storage
platform 12. For added security, the tethered handheld apparatus 15
can also be retained in a stationary position on item-storage
platform 12 using handheld clamp 14 as suggested in FIG. 11. Second
handheld tether 214 can be stored in clamp-storage cavity 24 when
not in use.
[0044] A third handheld tether 314 is shown, for example, in FIG.
12. Third handheld tether 314 is configured to hold a handheld
apparatus 15 and to be linked to a tray 10 as suggested in FIGS.
12-14. Third handheld tether 314 comprises a four-loop handheld
receiver 330 and a receiver strap 336 coupled to handheld receiver
330 as suggested in FIG. 12. A screen of handheld apparatus 15 is
accessible when handheld apparatus 15 is coupled to handheld tether
314 as suggested in FIG. 10.
[0045] Four-loop handheld receiver 330 includes first, second,
third, and fourth loops 331-334 made of stretchable elastic
material and a loop-connector strip 335 interconnecting loops
331-334 as shown, for example, in FIG. 12. Loops 331-334 are
arranged to extend outwardly from loop-connector strip 335 to form
an X-shaped element as suggested in FIG. 12 and lie in spaced-apart
relation to one another to form a handheld-receiving space 340
therebetween as suggested in FIG. 13.
[0046] Loop-connector strip 335 has a rectangular shape
characterized by four corners C1, C2, C3, and C4 as suggested in
FIG. 12. Loop-connector strip 335 is formed to include a
strap-receiver slot 335S sized to receive a portion of receiver
strap 336 therein as shown, for example, in FIG. 12.
[0047] A first loop 331 is coupled to first corner C1 of
loop-connector strip 335 as shown in FIG. 12. First loop 331 is
formed to include a space 331S. A second loop 332 is coupled to
second corner C2 of loop-connector trip 335. Second loop 332 is
formed to include a space 332S. A first corner 15C1 of handheld
apparatus 15 can extend into space 331S formed in first loop 331,
while a second corner 15C2 of handheld apparatus 15 can extend into
space 332S formed in second loop 332 to couple top end edge 15T of
handheld apparatus 15 to handheld receiver 330.
[0048] A third loop 333 is coupled to third corner C3 of
loop-connector strip 335 as shown in FIG. 12. Third loop 333 is
formed to include a space 333S. A fourth loop 334 is coupled to
fourth corner C4 of loop-connector strip 335. Fourth loop 334 is
formed to include a space 334S. A third corner 15C3 of handheld
apparatus 15 can extend into space 333S formed in third loop 333,
while a fourth corner 15C4 of handheld apparatus 15 can extend into
a space 334S formed in fourth loop 334 to couple bottom end edge
15B of handheld apparatus 15 to handheld receiver 330.
[0049] Handheld apparatus 15 can be removed easily from handheld
receiver 330 by a caregiver in response to removing each corner of
handheld apparatus 15 from its companion loop while stretching the
elastic loops. This process will be understood easily by a
caregiver, but not by a young child.
[0050] Receiver strap 336 includes a webbing strip 338 made of a
non-stretch material, a receiver anchor 337 coupled to a first end
of webbing strip 338 and to loop-connector strip 333 of handheld
receiver 330, and a platform anchor 339 coupled to an opposite
second end of webbing strip 338 as shown, for example, in FIG. 12.
A portion of receiver anchor 337 is arranged to pass through
strap-receiver slot 335S formed in loop-connector strip 335 as
suggested in FIG. 12. Platform anchor 339 is configured to provide
releasable connector means for mating with an anchor-receiving
socket 40 coupled to item-storage platform 12. In an illustrative
embodiment, anchor-receiving socket 40 is located in clamp-storage
cavity 24 as suggested in FIG. 13.
[0051] Third handheld tether 314 is coupled to tray 10 as suggested
in FIG. 13 to allow an older child seated in juvenile seat 11 to
hold and operate handheld apparatus 15 and move handheld apparatus
15 through a limited range of motion established in part by the
length of webbing strip 338 relative to item-storage platform 12.
For added security, the tethered handheld apparatus 15 can also be
retained in a stationary position on item-storage platform 12 using
handheld clamp 14 as suggested in FIG. 14. Third handheld tether
314 can be stored in clamp-storage cavity 24 when not in use.
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