U.S. patent application number 15/469792 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-28 for restraint for child seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to KIDS II, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is KIDS II, INC.. Invention is credited to John Matthew THOMSON.
Application Number | 20170273476 15/469792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59897280 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170273476 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
THOMSON; John Matthew |
September 28, 2017 |
RESTRAINT FOR CHILD SEAT
Abstract
A restraint for a child seat including at least one strap having
a water-resistant coating covering an exterior surface a flexible
base material. The water-resistant coating facilitates cleaning the
restraint by preventing food or other materials from adhering to
the strap, and resists staining.
Inventors: |
THOMSON; John Matthew;
(Johns Creek, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KIDS II, INC. |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
KIDS II, INC.
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
59897280 |
Appl. No.: |
15/469792 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62313918 |
Mar 28, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/006
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47D 15/00 20060101
A47D015/00 |
Claims
1. A restraint for a child seat, the restraint comprising at least
one strap, the at least one strap comprising a flexible base
material and a water-resistant coating covering an exterior surface
of at least a portion of the flexible base material.
2. The restraint of claim 1, wherein the at least one strap
comprises a waist strap configured for placement around a waist of
a child seated in the child seat, and further comprising a waist
strap fastener for detachably fastening segments of the waist strap
together.
3. The restraint of claim 2, further comprising a pair of shoulder
straps, and shoulder strap fasteners for detachably fastening the
shoulder straps to the waist strap.
4. The restraint of claim 1, wherein the flexible base material
comprises a polymeric webbing material.
5. The restraint of claim 4, wherein the water-resistant coating
comprises a pliable polymer coating.
6. The restraint of claim 5, wherein the pliable polymer coating is
selected from urethane, silicone, rubber, hydrophobic
fluoropolymer, a vacuum-induced plasma-bound hydrophobic
nanocoating, and combinations thereof.
7. The restraint of claim 1, wherein the at least one strap
comprises an extruded water-resistant polymer.
8. A child seat comprising: a seating surface configured for
supporting a child seated thereon; and a restraint for holding the
child seated in position on the seating surface, the restraint
comprising at least one strap having a water-resistant exterior
surface.
9. The child seat of claim 8, wherein the at least one strap
comprises a waist strap configured for placement around a waist of
a child supported on the seating surface, and further comprising a
waist strap fastener for detachably fastening segments of the waist
strap together.
10. The child seat of claim 9, further comprising a pair of
shoulder straps, and shoulder strap fasteners for detachably
fastening the shoulder straps to the waist strap.
11. The child seat of claim 8, wherein the at least one strap
comprises a flexible base material and a water-resistant coating
covering an exterior surface of at least a portion of the flexible
base material.
12. The child seat of claim 11, wherein the flexible base material
comprises a polymeric webbing material.
13. The child seat of claim 11, wherein the water-resistant coating
comprises a pliable polymer coating.
14. The child seat of claim 13, wherein the pliable polymer coating
is selected from urethane, silicone, rubber, hydrophobic
fluoropolymer, a vacuum-induced plasma-bound hydrophobic
nanocoating, and combinations thereof.
15. The child seat of claim 8, wherein the at least one strap
comprises an extruded water-resistant polymer.
16. A method of producing a water-resistant strap for use in a
restraint for a children's accessory, the method comprising
applying a water-resistant coating material onto an exterior
surface of an inner strap material to form an outer coating over at
least a portion of an exterior surface of the inner strap
material.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the water-resistant coating
material is applied onto the inner strap material by spraying.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the water-resistant coating
material is applied onto the inner strap material by vacuum-induced
coating.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/313,918 filed Mar. 28, 2016, the
entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for
all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
children's accessories, and more particularly to straps, harnesses
and other restraints for child seats and other children's
accessories that are easily cleaned without removing the restraints
from the seat.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Restraints such as straps and harnesses are an important
safety component of many children's accessories such as child
seats, high chairs, booster seats, rockers, bouncers and the like.
Such restraints are commonly provided for use in connection with
children's accessories for the purpose of preventing a child from
positioning himself unsafely, falling out of the seat, or causing a
seat to tip over. Restraints are particularly important in high
chairs and boosters, where young children of varying neck-strength
are seated in a semi-upright position, because of the need for safe
positioning for feeding to prevent choking.
[0004] However, many restraints are typically comprised of webbing
or fabric straps, which are difficult to clean after a meal, as
they stain easily and provide a surface for food particles to
adhere. Unthreading the straps from the seat for daily washing
would generally be difficult and impractical, and provide
opportunities for the strap to be rethreaded incorrectly or
unsafely. Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for
restraints for a child seat or other children's accessory that are
easily cleaned without removing said restraints from the seat. It
is to the provision of restraints for a child seat or other
children's accessory meeting these and other needs that the present
invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARY
[0005] In example embodiments, the present invention provides a
strap, harness or other restraint for a children's accessory such
as a child seat that is easily cleaned without removing said
restraint from the seat. In further embodiments, the invention
relates to a child seat of other children's accessory including
such a restraint. In still other embodiments, the invention relates
to methods of fabricating or treating a restraint for a children's
accessory.
[0006] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a restraint
for a child seat. The restraint preferably includes at least one
strap, the strap including a flexible base material and a
water-resistant coating covering an exterior surface of at least a
portion of the flexible base material.
[0007] In another aspect, the invention relates to a child seat
including a seating surface configured for supporting a child
seated thereon, and a restraint for holding the child seated in
position on the seating surface. The restraint preferably includes
at least one strap having a water-resistant exterior surface.
[0008] In still another aspect, the invention relates to a method
of producing a water-resistant strap for use in a restraint for a
children's accessory, the method comprising applying a
water-resistant coating material onto an exterior surface of an
inner strap material to form an outer coating over at least a
portion of an exterior surface of the inner strap material.
[0009] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the
invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures
and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of
the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in
the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing
general description and the following brief description of the
drawings and detailed description of example embodiments are
explanatory of example embodiments of the invention, and are not
restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child seat having a
restraint according to an example embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a child seat having a
restraint according to another example embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a strap portion
of a restraint according to an example embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a system and method for
treating a strap to fabricate a restraint according to an example
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The present invention may be understood more readily by
reference to the following detailed description of example
embodiments taken in connection with the accompanying drawing
figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be
understood that this invention is not limited to the specific
devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown
herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of
describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not
intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all
patents and other publications identified in this specification are
incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
[0015] Also, as used in the specification including the appended
claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural,
and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least
that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or
"approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or
"approximately" another particular value. When such a range is
expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular
value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values
are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about,"
it will be understood that the particular value forms another
embodiment.
[0016] With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like
reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the
several views, FIG. 1 shows a children's accessory in the form of a
high chair 10 in which an infant or small child C is seated, and
including a restraint harness 30 according to an example embodiment
of the invention. In the depicted embodiment, the high chair 10
includes a support frame 12 having a base configured for supporting
the high chair on a floor or other support surface and an upper
portion extending above the base, a generally horizontal seat
portion 14 supported at an elevated position by the frame, a seat
back 16 extending upwardly from the rear of the seat portion,
armrests or side portions 18 along each lateral side of the seat
portion, a crotch bolster 20 projecting upwardly from a medial
portion of the front of the seat, and a tray 22 configured for
repositionable placement in front of the child and above the
seat.
[0017] The restraint harness 30 comprises a waist strap 32
configured for placement around the waist of a child C seated in
the seat 14, a pair of shoulder straps 34, 36 configured for
placement over the child's shoulders, a waist strap fastener 38
configured for detachable fastening of opposed segments of the
waist strap, and shoulder strap fasteners 40, 42 configured for
detachable fastening of the shoulder straps to the waist strap to
define a four-point harness. The fasteners 38, 40, 42 can be
buckles, clips, or any other form of harness fastener. The straps
32, 34, 36 can be formed from webbing, fabric, leather, or any
other suitable flexible material. In example embodiments, the
straps comprise a polyester, nylon or other woven polymeric webbing
material. The restraint harness 30 is generally configured to hold
and support the child C in a generally upright position, a slightly
reclined position, and/or in one or more specified positions within
the chair 10, for example for feeding, play, rest, interaction,
and/or other activities.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows another children's accessory in the form of a
bouncer seat 110 in which an infant or small child can be seated,
and including a restraint harness 130 according to an example
embodiment of the invention. In similar fashion to the previously
described embodiment, the bouncer 110 includes a resilient bouncer
frame 112, a generally horizontal seat portion 114 supported at an
elevated position by the frame, a seat back 116 extending upwardly
and an angle of inclination from the rear of the seat portion, and
side portions 118 along each lateral side of the seat portion. The
restraint harness 130 comprises a waist strap 132, a pair of
shoulder straps 134, 136, a waist strap fastener 138, and shoulder
strap fasteners 140, 142. In alternative embodiments, the
children's accessory may be in the form of a child seat, a high
chair, a booster seat, a rocker, a bouncer, or other
child-supporting accessory.
[0019] In example embodiments, one or more straps of the restraint
can be coated with a pliable polymer such as urethane or any other
suitable material, such that the coating will resist the adhesion
of food particles or other particles, stains, liquids, or other
materials. FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a strap portion 200 of
a restraint for a children's accessory, according to an example
embodiment. In example embodiments, the strap 200 comprises an
inner or base portion 202 formed, for example, from woven nylon or
polyester webbing, strap or belt material, or from a strip of any
suitable synthetic or natural flexible material having sufficient
tensile strength to support and retain the child in place in the
seat or other accessory. In example embodiments, the strap 200
further comprises an outer portion or coating 204 over all or a
substantial portion of one or more exterior surfaces of the inner
portion 202 of the strap.
[0020] In example forms, the strap 200 may define an external
surface formed by the coating 204 presenting the outward appearance
of a smooth "plastic" while maintaining the durability of the
internal webbing or other material comprising the inner portion 202
of the strap. For example, a rubberized or silicone film or coating
204 may be applied over all or a substantial portion of the
exterior surfaces of a polyester or nylon webbing inner portion 202
of the strap 200. In alternate embodiments, the strap 200 can be
treated with a thin water-resistant coating 204, such that the
strap would retain the outward appearance of its constituent inner
strap material 202, but would have a water-resistant hydrophobic
and stain-resistant external layer. The water-resistant coating
could be, for example, a hydrophobic fluoropolymer or other
surfactant, or a nano-coating such as a vacuum-induced plasma-bound
hydrophobic layer. Alternatively, the coating can be any other
hydrophobic or stain-resistant material known in the field. In
alternate embodiments, the restraint straps themselves can be made
of a liquid and/or stain-resistant extruded polymer such as a
urethane or other flexible and tough thermoplastic material, with
no separate internal webbing or other inner component.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows an example system and process for producing a
strap 300 for use in a restraint for a children's accessory. One or
more spray applicators 305 dispense a coating material 307, which
is applied onto the exterior surface of a strip of inner strap
material 309, to form an outer coating 311 on the strap. In the
depicted embodiment, upper and lower spray applicators 305 apply
the coating material 307 to upper and lower exterior surfaces of
the strap material 309, respectively. The system optionally further
comprises a drive motor, rollers, transmission mechanism, and/or
other motive means for advancing the strap 300 past the spray
applicators, or alternatively for moving the spray applicators
along the length of the strap.
[0022] While the invention has been described with reference to
example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are
within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following
claims.
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