Child's car seat cushion

A method of helping to secure an infant in a child's car seat and to prevent slouching of the infant in the car seat includes the step of placing a cushion having a unitary tube shaped structure into the car seat and placing an infant into the car seat where the tube-shaped structure has an upside-down U-shape including two legs with two axial ends and a base portion where the two legs are joined together. The base portion is located at the top of the back surface of the car seat and the two axial ends of the legs are located at the free edge of the seat surface of the car seat. The cushion legs engage the side walls of the car seat. The method includes the step of placing the infant into the car seat so that the infant is surrounded by the cushion base portion and legs to reduce the surface area of the car seat for the infant to occupy in order to help to minimize slouching of the infant in the car seat.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, generally, to a method of protecting a child in a car seat and, to cushions for children's car seats to provide improved support and security for the child, especially for infants and newborns.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many states have laws requiring that children be restrained in a car seat while in an operating vehicle. Child car seat manufacturers have developed two different standard types and sizes of car seats to assure parents that not only are their children safe but, that they are compliant with the state laws. The first standard type car seat is the infant carrier which is typically used with infants who weigh up to 20 pounds. The second standard type car seat is the front facing toddler support which is for toddlers who weigh from 20 pounds to 50 pounds. Unfortunately, the toddler support car seat due to its larger dimensions cannot accommodate newborns or very small infants, including premature infants and prematurely discharged newborns. The infant carrier, which is smaller than the toddler support, is also often too large to accommodate newborn or premature infants.

Infants who are too small to properly fit in a car seat can flop back and forth while in the car seat. Newborn or prematurely born infants, when placed into a car seat, are commonly forced into a seated orientation in which either the head is slumped or slouched or their entire bodies are slouched over since their bodies are not large enough to cover the surface area of the car seat. This not only affects the comfort of the child but also his or her safety and health.

Much of the surface area of the car seat between the body of the infant and the side walls of the car seat is left unoccupied. Even when the infant is secured by the safety belt which is part of the car seat structure, the infant is not supported at its lateral sides of its body and at its head and neck by the seat belt. The safety of the infant may be compromised in this situation.

Moreover, infants can be uncomfortable in such a slumped or slouched over orientation. A slumped or slouched over orientation can negatively affect the infant's breathing. Studies have shown that premature infants have significant decreases in oxygen saturation while restrained in a car seat with 30% experiencing hypoxia, bradycardia, sleep apnea or some combination of those conditions.

The decrease in oxygen saturation is directly related to the degree to which the infant is slumped or slouched over in the car seat; the more slumped or slouched over is the infant, the greater the physiological risk, the less slumped or slouched over is the infant, the lesser the physiological risk. This occurs because the more slumped or slouched over the infant is, either forward or sideways, the greater the risk of airway obstruction in the infant.

Infant slouching or slumping occurs for two basic reasons, low birth weight infants cannot resist the gravitational effects if their bodies are in a too upright position, and standard sized child car seats do not provide the necessary support and orientation for these infants to prevent the gravitational effects. These effects can cause slouching or slumping since most infants do not have the physical maturation or strength of the back to maintain an upright position.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a child's car seat cushion that helps to support the child in a physiologically and physically beneficial orientation when the child is too small for the car seat by minimizing or preventing the child from slouching or slumping. There also exists a need for a child's car seat cushion that helps to secure the child who is too small to fit in standard size car seats in such car seats in order to help protect the child from injury during a vehicle crash event or sudden vehicle movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a child's car seat cushion that satisfies the aforementioned needs. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cushion that inserts into any standard child's car seat.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cushion that will support and help to secure a child, but especially newborns and infants while in a car seat.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a car seat cushion that supports the child on the lateral sides of the child's body such that the child is properly positioned and secured while in the car seat and the space between the child's body and head and the side walls of the car seat is reduced to a minimum or eliminated altogether to prevent slumping over or slouching over of the child while in the car seat.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a car seat cushion that is manufactured from cushioning media to provide comfort, support and security to the child while in the car seat.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a child's car seat cushion placed into a car seat to secure a child who is too small for the car seat in a comfortable orientation and which also helps to protect the child from injury and helps to prevent airway obstruction due to a slumped or slouched over orientation.

A method of helping to secure an infant in a child's car seat and to prevent slouching of the infant in the car seat includes the step of placing a cushion having a unitary tube shaped structure into the car seat and placing an infant into the car seat where the tube-shaped structure has a U-shape including two legs with two axial ends and a base portion where the two legs are joined together. The base portion is located at the top of the back surface of the car seat and the two axial ends of the legs are located at the free edge of the seat surface of the car seat. The cushion legs engage the side walls of the car seat. The infant is placed into the car seat so that the infant is surrounded and engages the cushion base portion and legs to reduce the surface area of the car seat for the infant to occupy in order to help secure the infant in the car seat and to prevent slouching of the infant in the car seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a child's car seat cushion10shown inFIG. 1placed in a car seat100with an infant. The cushion10helps to secure and support the infant who does not fit into standard sized car seats. The car seat100is illustrated in a schematic view and can have any similar construction. The car seat100includes a seat surface110and a back surface120extending upwardly from the edge of the seat surface100. The car seat100also includes two lateral side walls130,140between which the seat surface110and the back surface120extend.

The cushion10is an elongate flexible, unitary tube-shaped structure with two axial ends12,14. (FIG. 9) For insertion into the car seat100, the cushion10is manually bent at approximately the middle of its length to form an upside down “U” shape. (FIG. 2) The upside down U-shaped cushion10has two legs16,18extending an approximately equal distance. The two legs16,18extend from a base portion20where the two legs are joined together.

The cushion10is placed onto the car seat100(FIG. 1) adjacent the seat surface110and back surface120of the car seat so the base portion20of the cushion10is located at the top of the back surface of the car seat above the infant's head. The two axial ends12,14of the upside down U-shaped cushion10are located at the free edge of the seat surface110of the car seat100where the infant's legs and/or feet are located when the infant is seated in the car seat.

The two legs16,18of the cushion10are pushed into a recess150formed at the intersection of the seat surface110and back surface120of the car seat100. The infant is located in the car seat100so that the head of the infant contacts and is surrounded by the base portion20of the cushion10and the entire lateral sides of the body of the infant contact the two legs16,18of the cushion. The cushion10conforms to the body shape of the infant.

The cushion10is preferably made of a tube of French terry cloth material filled with batting. (FIG. 11.) French terry cloth material consists of 80% cotton/20% polyester fiber. The batting is preferably a flame retardant 100% polyester material. Instead of French terry cloth, the material of the cushion10may be any suitable equivalent textile material such as cotton, polyester, wool, fleece, or a combination thereof. Instead of batting, the cushion10can be filled with foam or gel or other suitable material or can be inflated with water or air in a vinyl casing and covered with a textile material. Also, the batting may be of a suitable material other than polyester materials.

The cushion10is sewn together lengthwise along a seam22. The seam22is preferably located on the underside of the cushion10when placed in the car seat100. Instead of sewing, the material can be joined together by for example, a zipper, snaps, buttons, gluing or by a Velcro™ type hook-and-eye closure.

The material of the cushion10may alternately be made of a cushioning media such as a flame retardant foam rubber or foam vinyl covered with a suitable washable skin made of hypoallergenic plastic, nylon, polyurethane or any suitable material. The cushioning media may have skin manufactured with a nylon facing and a backing of a 65%/35% combination of polyester and cotton. The foam used in the manufacture of the cushion can also be a particular type of foam known as “memory foam”. Memory foam temporarily retains the shape of an object which is pressed onto it. For example, memory foam can temporarily retain the body shape of an infant who is placed on the foam. The cushion10is washable. The cushion10reduces the surface area of the seat surface110and back surface120on the car seat100on which the infant is placed and provides an additional wall of cushion material.

As can be seen inFIGS. 7 and 10, a second cushion10xcan also be placed in the car seat100on the inside of the cushion10. The second cushion10xis identical to the cushion10except that the second cushion10xis smaller in thickness and in length than the cushion10. The second cushion lox can also be the same size as the cushion10. The second cushion10xis be placed side by side next to the cushion10in the car seat100when the infant is very small in size, for example, when the infant is a new born or a premature infant and does not properly fit into the car seat100. Similarly, when the infant grows to a larger size, the second cushion10xis removed from the car seat, leaving only the cushion10which increases the surface area of the car seat upon which the infant can lie.

In the embodiment according toFIG. 9, the cushion10is approximately 56 inches in length. The diameter of a cross-section of the cushion10is approximately 4 inches. (FIG. 11) It is to be understood that the cushion10can have various dimensions according to the desire of the manufacturer. For example, the cushion10can range in diameter from approximately 1-6 inches. Also, the length of the cushion10can range from approximately 40-90 inches.

In another embodiment of the cushion10, the cushion10is detachable from itself and separated into two pieces at the midpoint of its length by a Velcro™ type hook-and-eye closure or other releasable closure.

FIG. 3illustrates a second embodiment of the invention. The cushion10ais similar to the cushion10shown inFIGS. 1-2, and parts that are the same or similar are given the same reference numerals with the suffix “a” attached. In this embodiment, the cushion10ais pre-formed into an upside down U-shape and includes an pre-formed elbow shaped bend24in each of the legs16a,18aat a location which is at approximately half of the length of the legs. The pre-formed angle θ of the bend is approximately 105° before insertion into the car seat100. 105° is approximately equal to the standard cradle angle formed by the intersection of the seat surface110and back surface120of the car seat100. (FIG.1). In another embodiment of the cushion10a(not shown), each of the legs of the cushion10ahas a reduced thickness/diameter relative to the thickness/diameter of the remainder of the cushion. The reduced thickness portions of the cushion are located relative to the child along a distance approximately between the child's temples and chin. The reduced thickness portions allow for a larger empty space between the child's temples and chin and the cushion10ain order to help the child to breathe easier if, for example, the child turns its head in the left or right directions. The top of the child's head is in contact with the base of the cushion10ato provide support to the child's head to help the child's head to face in a forward direction. Similar to the cushion10, cushion10acontacts the entire lateral sides of the infant and conforms to the shape of the infant.

Although the cushion10ais pre-formed, the cushion is also flexible. The cushion10ais pre-formed by cutting out a fabric pattern which includes the shape of the bend24, sewing the fabric together and stuffing the cushion with batting.

Although the cushion10ais not shown placed into a car seat, the placement of cushion10ais similar to the placement of the cushion10according to FIG.1. When the cushion10a(FIG. 3) is placed in the car seat100, the location of the elbow shaped bend24is aligned over the recess150in the car seat. The cushion10aconforms to the contours of the car seat100and the bend angle θ conforms to the standard cradle angle of the car seat.

The pre-formed upside down U-shaped cushion10awith elbow bend24eliminates the steps of bending the cushion into an upside-down U-shape before insertion into the car seat100and eliminates the step of pushing the legs16a,18ainto the recess150formed at the intersection of the seat surface110and back surface120of the car seat.

A second cushion10axcan also be placed in the car seat100on the inside of the cushion10a.(FIG.8). The second cushion10axis identical to the cushion10. The second cushion10axcan also be smaller in length and thickness than the cushion10a.The second cushion10axcan be placed side by side next to the cushion10ain the car seat100when the infant is very small in size, for example, when the infant is a new born or a premature infant and does not properly fit into the car seat100. Similarly, when the infant grows to a larger size, the second cushion10axis removed from the car seat, leaving only the cushion10awhich increases the surface area of the car seat upon which the infant can lie.

It is to be understood that the standard cradle angle of the schematically illustrated car seat is only an approximation. If the standard cradle angle is different than the 105° illustrated herein, the pre-formed bend angle θ of the cushion10acan also be modified from 105° to match approximately to the standard cradle angle without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, car seat cradle angles may vary according to manufacture in extreme cases from between 90°-135°. Therefore, the cushion10acan also have a bend angle θ from between 90°-135°.

FIG. 4illustrates a third embodiment of the invention. The cushion10bis similar to the cushion10FIGS. 1-2, and parts that are the same or similar are given the same reference numerals with the suffix “b” attached.

In this embodiment, the cushion10bincludes an audible sound producing device, namely a battery operated music box26, located in the axial end12bof the leg16b.The music box26plays chime lullabies or similar music. The music box26is activated by a care giver manually depressing a button27sewn onto the outside of the material of the leg16b.Optionally, the button27can be depressed so easily that the infant's leg can activate the music box if it kicks the button when the infant is placed into the car seat100.

The music box26can also be self-activating. A self-activating music box26has no depressible buttons and activates instead in response to an impact force exceeding a predetermined impact force threshold, such as in response to the infant kicking the leg16bof the cushion10b.Alternately, the music box26can be located in the opposite axial end14bof the other leg18bor a music box may be located in each axial end of the cushion10b.The music box26is only schematically illustrated since many different configurations of music boxes can be employed.

The music box26can also be activated using a remote control device (not illustrated). The remote control device advantageously enables activation of the music box26from a remote location a distance from the cushion10b.For example, a caregiver located in another room from the music box26, may activate the music box26using the remote control device if the infant seated with the cushion10bis fussy or irritated in the hope that the music from the music box26will soothe the infant. Another example is that a caregiver can activate the music box26without much distraction while driving a vehicle and the infant is seated with the cushion10bin the vehicle behind the caregiver.

The music box26is insulated by the batting or other cushioning media in the cushion10bso that the infant cannot accidentally hurt his or her leg by a sudden movement into the cushion into area where the music box is located. On the other hand, the music box26is loud enough to be heard by the infant through the insulation. Preferably, the axial end12bof the leg16bcan be opened to remove the music box26in order to change batteries or to wash the cushion10b.

The opening in the axial end12bis releasably closed by, for example, a zipper, snaps, buttons or a Velcro™ type hook-and-eye closure. Alternatively, the music box26can also be permanently fixed inside the cushion10bin that the cushion has no opening. The music box26can also have a waterproof structure.

FIG. 5illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention. The cushion10cis similar to the cushion10FIGS. 1-2, and parts that are the same or similar are given the same reference numerals with the suffix “c” attached. In this embodiment, instead of the music box26, the cushion10cincludes a rattle28. The rattle28is located in the axial end12cof the leg16cof the cushion10c.Alternatively, the rattle28may be located in the opposite axial end14cof the leg18cor a rattle may be located in each axial end of the cushion10c.The rattle28is only schematically illustrated as many different configurations of rattles may be employed.

The rattle28is a waterproof plastic structure containing small beads which make an audible rattling sound when shaken or suddenly jarred such as when the leg of the infant kicks the cushion10cwhere the rattle is located. Like the music box26, the rattle28is also insulated by the batting or other cushioning media to prevent injury to the infant upon the infant suddenly kicking the cushion10c.On the other hand, the rattle28is loud enough to be heard by the infant through the insulation.

FIG. 6illustrates a fifth embodiment of the invention. The cushion10dis similar to the cushion10FIG. 1-2, and parts that are the same or similar are given the same reference numerals with the suffix “d” attached. In this embodiment, instead of the music box26or rattle28, the cushion10dincludes jingle bells30which are only schematically illustrated in FIG.6.

The jingle bells30make an audible jingling sound when moved. The jingle bells30are located in the leg of the cushion in a waterproof plastic container or other container. The waterproof container permits washing of the cushion10dwithout water contacting the jingle bells30to prevent the jingle bells from rusting. The jingle bells30can each be located in either or both axial ends of the cushion10d.

The cushion10(FIG. 1) advantageously reduces the space available on the seat surface110and back surface120of the car seat100for placement of an infant. The cushion10prevents slouching or slumping over of an infant and helps to better secure the infant in the case of a vehicle crash event than the car seat100by itself without the cushion. Also, as illustrated inFIG. 10, if the second cushion10xis inserted side by side next to the first cushion10into the car seat100, the seat surface110and back surface120of the cushion is advantageously reduced even more to accommodate a smaller size infant.

Although the cushion10is shown for insertion into a car seat100inFIGS. 1-11, the infant cushion can be advantageously inserted horizontally in a crib (not shown) to provide a secure cushioned surrounding in which the infant cannot roll out of the confines of the cushion and into the crib slots. Instead of a crib, the infant cushion10can also be placed onto a bassinet, the floor, a baby swing, on top of an adult bed, into a stroller or baby buggy (not shown).

FIG. 12illustrates a sixth embodiment of the invention. The cushion10eis similar to the cushion10FIG. 1-2, and parts that are the same or similar are given the same reference numerals with the suffix “e” attached.

The cushion10eincludes a stuffed animal32located in the axial end12eof the leg16e.Alternatively, the stuffed animal32may be located on the opposite axial end14eof the leg18eor a stuffed animal32may be located on each axial end of legs16eand18erespectively. The stuffed animal32may be sewn on to the cushion10eor may be attached by other fasteners such as a button, snap connection, VELCRO™ or any other suitable fastener. The stuffed animal32may be permanently attached to the cushion10eor may be detachable.

The stuffed animal32is only schematically illustrated as many different configurations of stuffed animals may be employed in the embodiment of FIG.12. The stuffed animal32may be any suitable configuration including, but not limited to, the face of a panda bear or a webbed foot of a duck for example. Other examples include the wings of a butterfly or bird, a whale or fish, a dog, a cat or any other animal. Numerous configurations of the stuffed animal32are contemplated which are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 13is a schematic illustration of a seventh embodiment of the child's car s eat cushion50according to the present invention. The cushion50is similar to the cushion10except that cushion50is smaller in size. The cushion50has a length which is approximately one-third the length of cushion10. The cushion50also has a smaller thickness or diameter compared to the cushion10.

The cushion50is made from the same materials as the cushion10and has the same overall construction. The cushion50has the same flexibility as cushion10and can be moved from a linear shape (similar to cushion10illustrated inFIG. 9) to an upside down U-shape for insertion into a car'seat. Alternatively, cushion50can also be manufactured as a preformed U-shaped structure.

The upside down U-shaped cushion50has two legs56,58extending an approximately equal distance. The two legs56,58extend from a base portion60where the two legs are joined together. The cushion50is intended to be placed into a car seat between the cushion10and the infant.FIG. 14is a schematic illustration of an infant with a cushion10and a cushion50according to the present invention.

The head of a smaller size infant may be spaced apart from the cushion10while the infant is seated in the car seat. The extra space may allow the infant's head to slouch deeply to one side which may negatively affect breathing. The extra space may also allow the infant's head to flop back and forth from side to side. The head of the infant engages the cushion50to support the head. The cushion50occupies the extra space around the infant's head to prevent the head from slouching and flopping.

FIG. 15is a schematic illustration of three child's car seat cushions according to the present invention including an eighth embodiment of a child's car seat cushion70. The cushion70is similar to the cushion50except that the cushion70is longer in length and is smaller in diameter than the cushion50. The cushion70is flexible and can be moved from a linear shape similar to cushion50to an upside down U-shape for insertion into a car'seat. Alternatively, cushion70can also be manufactured as a preformed U-shaped structure. The cushion70has two legs extending an approximately equal distance. The two legs76,78extend from a base portion80where the two legs are joined together.

FIG. 16is a schematic illustration of an infant positioned with the three child's car seat cushions10,50and70respectively, of FIG.15. The upside down U-shaped cushion70is intended to be placed into a car seat between the cushion50and a premature infant. The head of the premature infant may be spaced apart from the cushion10and cushion50which may result in the head slouching or flopping back and forth from side to side. The cushion70occupies the empty space around the premature infant's head so that the head engages the cushion70to help prevent the head from flopping back and forth and slouching.

The shoulders and sides of the infant's body may also be spaced apart from the cushion10. The lack of side support and shoulder support may cause the infant to slouch or slump over. The cushion70is longer than cushion50so that cushion70extends down past the shoulders of the infant and approximately to the elbows. The cushion70is slightly deformed by the infant to hug the shoulders of the infant. Thus, the cushion70provides shoulder and side support for the premature infant and supports and secures the infant to help prevent slouching and slumping of the infant's body as well as the infant's head.

FIG. 17is a schematic illustration of three child's car seat cushions according to the present invention including a ninth embodiment of a child's car seat cushion. The cushion90is similar to the cushion70except that the cushion90is longer in length.

FIG. 18is a schematic illustration of an infant positioned with the three child's car seat cushions of FIG.17. The cushion90is longer than cushion70so that cushion90extends down past the shoulders of the infant and approximately to the hips. The cushion90is slightly deformed by the infant to hug he shoulders of the infant as well as the sides of the infant until approximately the hips. Thus, the cushion90provides shoulder and side support for the premature infant and supports and secures the body of the infant as well as the head of the infant to help prevent slouching and slumping of the infant.

The infant's arms may be positioned to the side of either the cushion70and the cushion90or above the cushion70and the cushion90and the cushions70,90will still provide excellent support to the head and side of the premature infant's body.

FIG. 19illustrates a tenth embodiment of the invention. The cushion10fis similar to the cushion10FIG. 1-2, and parts that are the same or similar are given the same reference numerals with the suffix “f” attached.

The cushion10fincludes a portion98of each leg which is reduced in thickness/diameter relative to the thickness/diameter of the remainder of the cushion10f.The reduced thickness portions98of the cushion10fare located relative to the child along a distance approximately between the child's temples and chin. The reduced thickness portions98allow for a larger empty space between the child's temples and chin and the cushion10fin order to help the child to breathe easier if, for example, the child turns its head in the left or right directions. The top of the child's head is in contact with the base of the cushion to provide support to the child's head to help the child's head to face in a forward direction. Similar to the cushion10, cushion10fcontact the entire lateral sides of the infant and conforms to the shape of the infant.FIG. 20illustrates the cushion10fand child shown inFIG. 19placed into a car seat100.

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. For example, the infant can be placed into the car seat100either before the cushion10is placed into the car seat or after the cushion is placed into the car seat. The cushion10is flexible enough to allow adjustments to its position in the car seat100by a care giver with the infant already placed into the car seat before the cushion is placed into the car seat. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.