Integrated single, multiple and rolling car seat systems

Apparatus is provided for integrated, single and multiple person vehicle car seats, modular car seat systems, dual person car seats, variable base height and width car seats, car seat-inserts inserted into another car seat, foldable, for use in a land, sea or air vehicle, mounted onto the vehicle's built-in seat and used for securing a car seat user within a vehicle's regular seating positions. Car seat systems include components enabling addition or removal of seating positions for a desired number of car seat users as needed, limited only by available width and height space of the vehicle seat onto which it is mounted.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for integrated, single and multiple person vehicle car seats and specialized car seats. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to apparatus and methods for integrated car seat systems, rolling car seats, dual person car seats, overlapping car seats, insertable car seats, foldable car seats, variable car seat bases, height and/or width car seats, multiple person car seats, and combinations of these.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with provision of vehicle car seats for single and multiple car seat users. Heretofore, each vehicle car seat was a removable seat generally equipped with a restraining device or harness that can be fastened to the seat of a vehicle for securing a person being a car seat user in the vehicle. Most often it is a seat that is portable for use in the automobile and fastens onto a car's built-in [regular] seat and is used for securing a child in a car's regular seating position. The seat is removable and is designed to hold the child safely while riding in the automobile and attaches to a standard seat with hooks or straps and detaches from the standard seat by unhooking the hooks and/or straps.

Herein, a person using and/or needing a car seat is referred to as a car seat user. Although reference is made to infants, toddlers and/or children, this invention is applicable to any car seat user that uses and/or needs a car seat when traveling in a land, sea or air vehicle. Thus the term ‘car seat’ is used for a removable vehicle seat generally equipped with a restraining device or harness and can be fastened to a regular seat of a vehicle for securing a car seat user in the vehicle. In some cases a car seat system is separately mounted in a vehicle not necessarily using or being mounted upon a vehicle seat.

It is noted that when seating is required for a plurality of car seat users, a separate car seat is needed for each car seat user. Thus each car seat user uses up car width of a separate regular seat built into the vehicle. Thus a family or group including a plurality of children and/or other car seat users is limited in seating capacity by the adult seating capacity of the vehicle being used. This limitation manifests itself as a serious problem for large families and/or groups that find it difficult to meet children car seat needs for all their children or to meet the needs of car seat users of the group. These families must either not meet car seating requirements or leave one or more children out of the vehicle. It would be advantageous to find a way to better utilize the adult seating capacity in a vehicle to provide more seating for persons in car seats than is provided by the vehicle's adult seating capacity. Besides cars, this may be particularly useful in vans, buses or other land, water or air vehicles.

It is further noted that when a car seat application is in need of a plurality of car seats to provide seating for a varying number of car seat users. Heretofore, the vehicle must be provided with separate or attached car seats for the highest number of car seat users anticipated. The combination of seats to provide seating positions for the maximum number of car seat users anticipated. Thus when it is anticipated to have 2, 3, 4, 5, etc car seat users in the vehicle at the same time the vehicle must store 2, 3, 4, 5, etc separate car seats. This generally uses up a significant amount of vehicle storage. It is advantageous to provide a car seat that includes a plurality of separate car seats in a single integral package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to obviate and/or mitigate disadvantages associated with the use of heretofore conventional car seats in vehicles carrying one or more persons needing use of a car seat when seated in a vehicle, and overcomes the need to separately store in the vehicle car seats not yet being used.

In another aspect of the present invention, in some embodiments some car seats employ internal car seat restraints and/or a seat belt of the vehicle. In some cases this may be the same seat belt employed by the first car seat. In some cases this requires use of a seat belt extender to properly restrain the first and second, etc., car seats. In some cases there is provided a special seat belt for each car seat to restrain the person in that car seat.

In some embodiments, the number of car seat users provided for by the integrated and/or multiple person car seat and/or car seat system is greater than the number of adult car seat users in the same vehicle space width. It is preferable that the integrated car seat be designed such that the seating positions enable a car seat user to face other car seat user.

In a still further aspects of the present invention, there is provided integrated car seat systems packaged such as to mounting a plurality of removably attached car seats on top of, under, on a side of, and/or on the back of one another until needed for use.

In still further aspects of the present invention, there are provided descriptions, advantages and embodiments for dual person car seats, overlapping car seats, changeable car seats, insertable car seats, variable width car seats and multiple person car seats. Some embodiments use a combination of the novelties described herein.

In some embodiments a car seat package includes wheels that allow wheeling one or more car seat users in a respective car seat, when said respective car seat is removed from the vehicle In some case this includes a pullout foot rest to support the legs of the car seat user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention obviates and/or mitigates disadvantages associated with many previously known vehicle car seats. Heretofore, car seats provided car seat seating for a single person. Each car seat used-up the vehicle space width allocated to an adult seat. This is disadvantageous to large families or groups that include a plurality of persons needing use of a car seat when seated in a vehicle. It is most usual that the number of car seat users varies with a particular need at a particular time. This invention provides for integrated car seat systems and/or multiple person car seats to enable usage of only the particular number of seats needed at that time. It provide more seating positions for persons in a car seat than provided for adults in the car width taken up by the car seats, and/or better seating for car seat users, especially for seating multiple car seat persons in a vehicle.

This invention also provides an integrated car seat system. Often car seats are large and relatively clumsy packages to store with other storage items in a vehicle. Sometimes car seats are mounted in the vehicle even when not all car seats are used. This unnecessarily limits seating of regular vehicle passengers. An integrated car seat system solves this problem by only using a car seat position when actually needed by a car seat user. It also alleviates the problem of storing unused car seats in the vehicle storage when these are unused. Unused car seats remain mounted with a used seat until needed.

In the following the words ‘right’ and ‘left’ are used to facilitate understanding of embodiments presented herein. This is not to be considered a needed limitation, and ‘right’ and ‘left’ may be interchanged in accordance with a particular implementation. The particular implementations are only exemplary enablements, in so much that the concepts and advantages may be achieved by other implementations which are also deemed to be included and protected by the claims of this invention.

The integrated system is formed to provide two or more car seats being co-located on top of, on the back of, on the side of and/or under one another. Thus, on some embodiments, one or more additional car seats are mountable on a back, under or on one or both sides of a first car seat. Generally, car seats within an integrated system are removably attached to one another. In some embodiments at least one car seat remains attached to the first car seat even when positioned to provide a seating position for another car seat user.

Thus, when the integrated system is in a closed state, it provides a single sitting position for a singular car seat user sitting in a first car seat of the integrated system. When a second sitting position is needed for a second car seat user, a second car seat is separated from the integrated system, or epositioned for use of another car seat user. If a third car seat is included in the integrated system, that car seat is separated out from the first and/or second car seat to provide a seating position for a third car seat user, etc., as and when needed.

Thus, in some embodiments one or more additional car seats remains attached to the first or another car seat when removed from its mounted position while providing seating for another car seat user. In other embodiments, even when an additional seating position is needed, the user has the option of leaving the additional car seat attached to the first or another car seat or removing that additional car seat from the integrated car seat system for placement in a desired vehicle position.

In general, the car seats systems, the integrated car seat systems and/or multiple person car seats of the present invention may provide any or all of the amenities of previously known car seats. The present invention is thus useable to provide features and general aspects of standard prior and developing car seat technology. It is upon this technology that the present invention is providing the special features described herein.

It is noted that any or all of the car seats in the integrated system, multiple system and single system are adaptable to features of standard car seats. In particular the present invention provides for a multiplicity of these features in more than one car seat. Thus a car seat may contain a compartment for storing items needed by the vehicle user, the car seat user and external components for this car seat or any other car seat

In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides novel vehicle seating systems. An integrated car seat system is formable as an integral unit to enable provision of the number of seats for car seat users that fit in the vehicle car seat in which it is incorporated. This also enables purchasers to purchase that portion needed at a particular time. In some cases additional or replacement portions of the integrated system may be purchased separately; subsequent to original purchase, as a family size increases.

In some embodiments multiple person car seat provides for separating seating of number of car seat users using a separator provided for use between adjacent car seat persons. When a car seat separator is used it provides some physical separation between persons sitting in adjacent car seats.

FIG. 1Ashows an example of an integrated car seat system100. An integrated system integrates and brings together car seat components for two or more car seats in a single package being an integral unit.FIG. 1Ashows integration of two booster seats110and120. Seats110and120are kept and held together when system100is used for a single car seat user. When needed for two car seat users, seats110and120are separated.

In some embodiments seats110and120are physically separated. In other embodiments they unfold from one another to form two adjacent car seats. For example, unfolding of seat110from seat120may be accomplished for the two seats inFIG. 1Ain the manner shown inFIGS. 3A, B, and C for seats302and320and/or as shown for car seats302and330. This is described below in the description ofFIGS. 3A, B, and C.

Seat110shows an upper booster seat, with belt seat attachments115and116. Seat120shows an lower booster seat120, with seat belt attachment mechanism125in a lowered position. In some embodiments seat110and/or seat120form infant seats having attachment mechanism115,116in an up position particularly useful for a forward facing or a rearward facing infant seat. In some embodiments either or both seats110and120are infant seats.

FIG. 1Bshows an example embodiment of a three position integrated car seat system150allowing a single package to hold three infant seats160,170and180. In the embodiment shown, seat160has a back portion162, side portions164and166and base portion168. Seat170has a back portion172, side portions174and176, and a base portion178. Seat180has a back portion182, side portions184and186, and a base portion188. When attached to each other, seats160,170and180form a single package to provide seating for a single car seat user in seat180. The seat to seat attachment mechanism is such to allow the seats to be separated from the integrated package to provide seating for two or three car seat users.

In some embodiment either seat160and/or seat180is a booster seat. As with all seat back to seat base attachments, in some embodiments the back portions are inclined backward forming an obtuse angle with its base rather than in a vertical position forming a right angle with its base. This provides better seating for a small infant. Many embodiments use a pad covering the back and/or base portions for seating comfort. In some cases the pad is rolled up on the top of a car seat back and unrolled to cover car seat base and/or the car seat back.

As stated, although,FIG. 1Bshows car seat backs162,172and182to be at a right angle with car seat base168,178and188, in some embodiments the seat back is formed to be inclined backward, rounded or in a VEE strap, etc. Sometimes, the back is formed to have a curved lower portion meeting with a curved upper portion of the base to which it is attached. In some cases the combination of back and base form an almost flat surface most appropriate for an infant car seat user. This provides a continuous laying portion for the infant.

In some embodiments, an individual car seat, or at least one car seat or car seat combination of seats of an integrated car seat system is provided with wheels. The wheels enable the wheeling of the car seat user in the car seat when that individual or at least one car seat or car seat combination is removed from the vehicle. In some cases more than one car and/or car seat combination is provided with wheels to wheel a plurality of car seat users. In various embodiments, wheels are mounted to be integral with one particular car seat, or with a combination of car seats. In some cases the combination of car seats are packaged together as one car seat. This enables one car seat user to be wheeled. In other cases the car seats in the combination are set to provide seating for two or more car seat users. In these cases, the two car seat users in each separate seat may be wheeled together when only one set of wheels is provided for the combination of seats. The two car seat users may also be wheeled separately when both car seats are provided with separate wheels.

In some embodiments, a car seat is provided with wheels release-ably, remove-ably and/or swing-ably mounted on the car seat. The wheels being held in place in an unreleased position until the car seat or car seat combination is removed from the vehicle, and then released to a released position. Placing the wheels in the released position enables wheeling of the car seat or car seat combination. When the car seat is to be remounted in the vehicle, the wheels are put in the unreleased position. When the car seat is a booster seat, a pullout foot rest is used to support the car seat user's legs.

An example embodiment using wheel pair190,192and wheel pair197,199for a car seat is shown inFIG. 1Ato enable make car seat120a rolling car seat. Handle194is used to push a car seat user in wheeled car seat120without car seat110, or to push a car seat user in car seat110with or without car seat120. Car seat110is provided with pullout foot rest195to provide support for the car seat user's legs. Car seat120is provided with pullout foot rest193to provide support for the other car seat user's legs. In some embodiments, the foot rests have a downward incline and/or are rippled. Handle196is used to push a car seat user in car seat110when it is provided with wheels (not shown) so it should be a rolling car seat, and is separated from car seat120. When car seat110is separated from car seat120, each separate seat when provided with wheels to be a rolling car seat, is useable to push separate car seat users in car seat110and120. In a similar manner car seat wheels and car seat handle (not shown) are provided to car seat164to push car seat system150.

In some embodiments of a rolling car seat, rather than mounting the wheels on the sides of a rolling car seat, the wheels are tucked under the car seat in an unreleased state. The wheels are released when the car seat is removed from the vehicle. This is an embodiment useful for any or all car seats160,170and180, of integrated car seat system150, for any of the seats provided with wheels (not shown). An example embodiment for car seat handle185is shown for car seat180. In some cases, when formed to be rolling car seats, car seats160,170and180also have a protruding foot rest (not shown).

It some cases, it is advantageous for the wheels to be large and/or emanate from a lower portion of the car seat having a wheel height extender such as to raise the seat base from the floor upon which it is rolling. This is not so necessary when the car seat is an infant seat when there is no or little need for a foot rest.

An example embodiment of a car seat handle uses a telescopic tube that can be folded back to close, tuck-in and/or otherwise minimize the length of an unused handle. The tube is extended when the handle is used to push a car seat.

In some embodiments, the spacing between wheel pair190,192from wheel pair197,199is increase-able such they are used for pushing seats110and120when these are mounted along side one another. Thus, two car seat users are pushed by handle194and/or196using wheels190,192alongside wheels197,199. In this case car seat users are alongside each other.

In another embodiment, the spacing of the wheels190from wheel192and wheels197from wheel199is variable by forming bars191and198to extend telescopically. This provides for use of extended wheels when seat100is removed from the vehicle and seat110and is mountably attached in front of seat120. Thus a car seat user in seat110is in front of a car seat user in seat120. The combined seat is pushed by handle194, handle196not being extended. Each seat position making up an integrated car seat system is herein referred as a member seat. Each member seat has either or both, a capture mechanism to capture another seat member and/or an attachment mechanism to allow it to be captured by a capture mechanism of another member seat. The capture mechanism is coupled with a release mechanism to allow release of a captured member seat. These mechanisms may be formed in any capture/release mechanism known to those familiar with the capture/release art. The mechanisms may include simple or complex mechanisms or even force-fit/unforce, and/or snap/unsnap release mechanisms.

FIG. 2shows an example of a three member integrated seat system200. It includes two individual booster seats201, and202, stacked under a forward facing infant seat203to form the three seat integrated car seat200. Seats201,202and203are shown to be combined one on top of another, and held together by dual telescopic tubes204and205. Tubes204and205show an example of external components used with an integrated seat. The telescopic nature of204and205result in variable tube length to provide a particular length needed when the integrated seat is used for combining the seats201,202and203as shown, when combining seats201with202or202with203, or when201,202and203are all separated to be able to provide seating for three car sweat users. In some embodiments, external components204and205are supplemented with or replaced by a tying body [not shown] to keep together any stacked combination of seats201,202and203. As described above, in other embodiments seats201,202and203are formed to be stacked in any desired combination without any external component.

When it is desired to be able to push around a car seat user in seat201, wheels220and handle230are provided. Wheels220and handle230are also used to push a car seat user in car seat202, when car seat201is separated from seats202and203. Likewise, wheels220and handle230are also used to push a car seat user in car seat203, when car seats201and202are separated from seat203. In similar fashion, wheels and handles are sometimes provided separately for car seat201,202and203, to enable pushing separate car seat users in each separate seat. Another example embodiment for rolling car seat system200, or car seat201with or without car seat of a handle202, uses handle210coming out of the upper portion of seat201. This depends on if and for which car seat of the car seat system200wheels are provided.

FIG. 3Ashows another example of a three seat integrated car system300. System300includes infant seat302and booster seats320and330. The base of seat302includes grooves344and346to accept the sides318and319of seat320. Seat320is attached to seat302with detachable flap316. Seat330is hinged to the bottom of seat302with hinge340. This allows seat330to swing out from under seat302as shown inFIG. 3B. The sides332and336of seat330are hinged to seat330with hinges334and338respectively to enable sides332and336to be opened as shown inFIG. 3B. Figure shows the 3 seats320,302and330in an open usable position.FIG. 3Cshows seat320adjacent to seat302on one side and seat330adjacent to seat302on the other side. In some embodiments flaps316can be opened to release seat320from seat302, and/or hinge340can be opened to release seat330from seat302. This release seats320and330for placement away from seat302as desired. In some embodiments, booster seats have no or only minimal sides.

FIGS. 4A-4Cshow a further embodiment of an integrated car seat system400.FIG. 4Ashows system400in a single seat closed position.FIG. 4Cshows system400in a completely open position.FIG. 4Bshows system400in an intermediate position. System400includes car seat410mounted on top of car seat420and car seat420being mounted on top of car seat430. The sides414and416of car seat410fit into grooves422and424of car seat420. Car seat410is attached to car seat420with flap404. In some embodiments flap404is detachable so as to separate car seat410from car seat420. Car seat430is attached to car seat420with detachable hinge450. Car seat430has sides434and436which are attached by hinges438and436.

FIGS. 5A,5B and5C show an embodiment for reducing the size of a seat base by folding. This reduces the horizontal profile of the seat base. Seat500is shown to be made up of portions510,520,530and540. Portion510includes seat belt hook550. Portion520includes seat belt hook560. Portion510is hinged to portion530by hinge515, and portion520is hinged to portion540by hinge525.FIG. 5Bshows seat500when portion530is folded under portion510and portion530is folded under portion520. In this case the folding reduces the base profile by a factor of two, to one half the original horizontal base profile. In some embodiments, portion510is attached to portion520with hinge535.FIG. 5Cshows the further reduction of the base profile when the combination of portions520and540are folded over portions510and530using hinge535. The resulting horizontal base profile is one quarter that of the original profile ofFIG. 5A.

In some cases portions510and520are a single portion and530and540are a single portion. Thus the car seat can only be folded in half. Besides elsewhere, this is also useful for packaging car seats together in an integrated car seat system.

In some embodiments, a folded, a folded car seat is partially mounted on another car seat on a combination of the other car seas base, side and or/back. For example, in cases, when the folded car seat is folded in two, the folded car seat is mounted in the shape of the letter ‘L’, such that part of the folded car seat is mounted against a side of the other car seat and at a fold the remainder of the folded car seat is mounted on the base or back of the other car seat.

Folding of car seats also generally provides advantageous options for placement and/or packaging of single or multiple car seats.

It is further noted that it is sometimes advantageous to reduce horizontal and/or vertical profile of an object included in an other object. This is useful for packaging car seats together in an integrated car seat system when a car seat is to be mounted on the side, back and/or base of another car seat.

Consider integrated car seat system600. System600includes car seats610,620and630. Car seats620and630are mounted on the back612of car seat610

In some cases620and630are two separate seats.FIG. 6Bshows car seats610,620and630when each is capable of seating a separate car seat person. In some embodiments seat620is coupled to seat610with rod mechanism615, and/or seat630is coupled to seat610with rod mechanism625.

In some of these cases each is a folded car seat having a quarter car seat base horizontal profile. When removed from car seat610each is unfolded to provide a full car seat person position.

In other embodiments seats620and630are a single seat620/630having a half car seat base horizontal profile. Combined seat620/630is unfolded to provide a seating position for a car seat user. In some embodiments car seats620,630and/or combined620/630are removably inserted into the back612of car seat610. In some embodiments car seats620,630and/or combined620/630are removably inserted into the back612of car seat610. In some embodiments a mat640is provided to be unrolled so as to make leaning on the back612of a seat610more comfortable. A mat of this kind is often also useful for other system seat embodiments.

FIG. 7shows an integrated car seat system700which includes, infant car seat710,720and730and booster seats740and750. Infant car seats720and730are mounted on one side of seat710. The backs725and735of car seats730and730are inserted into or behind the back715of seat710. Booster seats740and750are mounted on the other side of seat710and are supported by seat back715. In some embodiments seat710has sides (not shown) to support seat720,730,740and750. It is noted that other seat combinations are similarly usable in other embodiments. For example in one embodiment seats740and750are also infant seats having backs that are also inserted or mounted behind seat back715.

FIG. 8shows an embodiment800for a variable height car seat base820which has its height variable by ladder mechanism830. The height of car seat base820is mechanically adjustable to any of the ladder830steps. This is useful for raising and lowering a child in seat810as desirable by a particular need or desire. Rolled up pad840is unrolled to provide seating comfort for the child after the seat base height is set. Variable height seat base car seats are useful for single, multiple and integrated car seat systems.

FIG. 9shows still another embodiment of an integrated car seat system900. System900includes car seats910,920,930and950. Seat910has a ‘Vee’ shaped back formed of two sides. One side925is used to mount seats920and930. The other side945is used to mount seats940and950. In some embodiments seats920,930,940and950are removably inserted on or behind their respective side.

In some embodiments car seats920,930and/or940and950are each twice folded car seats having a one quarter car seat base profile.

In other embodiments combined car seats920and930form a single car seat920/930with a half car seat base profile for seat920/930. Also combined seats940and950form a single car seat940/950with a half car seat base profile for seat940/950.

In some cases the ‘Vee’ back embodiment is combined with the side mounted car set embodiment to have ‘Vee’ mounted and side mounted car seats.

FIGS. 10A, B, C and D show a still further embodiment of providing one or more car seats with the ability to accept a car seat insert. The car seat insert is such as to change the type and use of the car seat into which it is inserted to provide a different car seat user seating capability. For example, a typical car seat insert1010is shown inFIG. 10. In this example car seat insert1010is shown as a rearward facing insert. It may be inserted into car seat1030ofFIG. 13Ato change car seat1030providing car seating for a forward facing car seat user. Car seat1030is referred to as a receiving car seat. The handle1012of car seat insert1010is such has to have one insert mechanism1014at one of its ends and another insert mechanism1016on its other end. The insert mechanism1014and1016of car seat1010are inserted into insert receivers1032and1034of car seat1030respectively.

When seats1000provides a single seat booster seats1020is mounted on side1032of seat1030and booster seat1040is mounted on side1034of seat1030. An additional car seat position is provided by removing booster seat1320from seat1330as shown inFIG. 10B. Another car seat position is provided by removing car seat1340from seat1330as shown inFIG. 10C.

In order to form a two position car seat system booster seat1040is attached to car seat1030by interconnecting male fingers1044of car seat1040with female fingers1036of car seat1030. This provides a two seat car seat system for one infant seat user and one booster seat user. When booster seat1040is attached to car seat1030, the booster seat can be changed to provide seating for second infant seat user by inserting car seat insert1010over booster seat1040. This is accomplished by inserting insert mechanisms1014and1016of car seat1010into receiving mechanism1046of booster seat1040respectively.

In similar fashion, booster seat1020can be attached to infant seat1030by inserting male fingers1038of seat1030into female fingers1026of booster seat1020. When booster seat1040is also attached to infant seat1030, this forms a car seat system with three seating positions. In like manner, booster seat can be changed to provide seating for an infant by inserting a car seat insert such as1010into booster seat1020by inserting infant seat1010insert mechanisms1014and1016of infant seat1010into receiving mechanism1022of booster seat1020and into receiving mechanism1032of infant seat1030. In like manner, positions may be made for 4, 5, 6, etc car seat users. This is particularly useful in a large van, bus or water vehicle.

This novel concept is also useful to change all seats of the three seat car system formed by seats1020,1030and1040to provide seating for three infants by using two car seat inserts such as car seat insert1010. It is noted that although seat insert1010is shown as a rearward facing insert, this concept is similarly applicable to a forward facing insert. Thus this concept is useful to reversibly change a single car seat or any number of car seats of a car seat system to-and-from a booster seat to a forward or rearward facing infant seat and/or a forward facing changing seat to a rearward facing infant seat. Use of the insert mechanisms described is just another example of a novel method to connect a car seat insert into a car seat.

FIG. 10Eshows an example of a three car seat integrated car seat system including booster seats1020and1040, and infant seat1030with car seat insert1010inserted within car seat1030. It is noted thatFIG. 3Emay also be viewed as an integrally constructed three position multiple car seat having positions1020,1030and1040. Booster seats1020and1040are mountable on the sides of infant seat1030. This may be any hinge-like snap fit or other known mounting method. In some embodiments the side of booster seat1020is sometimes closable with1024hinge1027. Also the side1046seat of1340is sometimes closable using hinge1047. As shown, multiple car seat1000has a car seat insert1010inserted into its central seat1030. The central seat1030formed for a forward facing infant seat user and is changed to provide seating for a rearward facing infant seat user, AlthoughFIG. 10Eshows a particular car seat combination, other car seat combinations are similarly formed using the concepts of this invention. For example, the central car seat ofFIG. 10can be a booster seat and/or any of the outside car seat positions may be an infant seat. Each of the seats may be formed to include any of the car seat bases discussed above, each with particular advantages.

It is further noted that other horizontal profiles and/or other folding lines are advantageous in some applications. The profiles and folds shown here are to be considered examples only. These are used to illustrate the new basic concepts. Others are evident providing particular advantages for particular applications of these concepts.

Any or all of the seats in system300are sometimes made to be rolling car seats depending on the provision of wheels, handles and/or protruding seat rests. When some or all seats are provided with wheels, one, two or three car seat users can be rolled together. The same is the case for car seats inFIGS. 4-10. Car seat systems and/or individual or combined car seats have embodiments wherein each becomes a rolling car seat. In some embodiments combined seats are combined such that car seat users are seated side to side in front of one another and/or both wherein some users are side-to-side and others are in front of one another.

Other embodiments have other implementations than the implementations and/or methods shown in the present figures for meeting concepts satisfied by the present invention are useable to result in the novelties described. This includes seat integration, combination, seat roll ability. This also includes concepts of use of indentations, separator, support and attachment mechanisms advantageous in accordance with particular car system or seat requirements and designs. Some of these concepts and implementations are not always used. Also, the support and attachment mechanisms need not be the same for all car seats. The attachment and support mechanisms need only be compatible with each other and serve the application and specific design actually implemented. Some mechanisms include a spring loaded pin manually or mechanically coupled and decoupled from capturing or non-capturing pin inserts.

In some embodiments of the present invention, each car seat also employs a seat belt of the vehicle. In some cases this may be the same seat belt employed by the first car seat. In some cases this requires use of a seat belt extender to properly restrain the car seats. In some cases there is further provided a special seat belt and/or harness for one or more of the car seats to restrain the person in that car seat.

As previously stated, it is known in the art that car seats are designed that have the car seat person in the car seat to face the front of the car vehicle seat, whereas others car seats are designed that have the car seat person in the car seat to face the rear of the car vehicle seat. This variation is particularly useful in the present invention, which provides for seating of car seat persons face-to-face, where at least one car seat person faces the front of the car vehicle seat, whereas at least one others car seat person faces the rear of the vehicle seat.

In a particular aspect of the present invention, separate car seats are designed such that when attached together by support and/or attachment mechanisms the combined attach seats use a vehicle seat width generally allocated to a single vehicle passenger.

It is advantageous to sometimes implement the car seat system in which car seat bases of separate seats are different form one another and are used alternately. In some embodiments, a first car seat center uses modified trapezoidal car seat bases and/or at least one car seat center uses modified trapezoidal car seat base. Alternating different car seat bases may advantageously be employed with bases being inline with each other, or by offsetting the car seat bases. Sometimes an extra wide base is used to provide extra width space for a car seat user needing extra width space, for example as is needed for an obese child or handicapped car seat user. In all these cases, the car seat is designed to be compatible with the car seat base used. When the car seat base is for a booster seat, the car seat center back is often minimized or not used.

Generally, when a seating position of a car seat system is allocated to a booster seat the car seat center has no car seat back. In these cases, the back of a person using a booster seat would generally be on the vehicle seat back and facing the seat front to allow the booster seat user to dangle his/her legs. A person sitting adjacent to the booster seat person would advantageously be placed on a seat base facing the seat back. Booster seat users may also be placed adjacent to each other using seat bases as appropriate to that seating.

Preferably, some car seats are designed such that the portion of the car seat holding the main body of the person in the seat is wider than the portion of the car seat provided for the legs of the person in the seat.

It is noted that the car seat support and attachment mechanism in an integrated car seat may be implemented in ways known previously for connecting two parts. This includes but is not limited to pin and insert mechanisms, sliding mechanisms, snap fit, male to female mating connections, sexless connection mechanisms, etc. In some embodiments, these connections require and/or employ a connection release mechanism to disconnect attached seats or are disconnected manually. These implementations are best chosen to satisfy particular car seat implementation requirements.

In still other embodiments of the integrated car seat system, the system is designed for two or more car seat persons to provide at least one very wide car seat base for meeting special requirements of a special car seat user. Some embodiments use a combination of car seat bases that are each wider, equal to or narrower than the car space width provided for a regular passenger in a regular vehicle seat. This depends on each particular need and application.

Sometimes the integrated car seat system comprises one of: a combination of infant seats, a combination of booster seats and any combination of infant seats and booster seats.

It is noted that generally each booster seat has a receiving mechanism for receiving a lap/shoulder belt system. This sometimes uses the belt of the vehicle with an extension as required by the seat design.

It is noted that in some integrated system embodiments there is a combination of only two individual seats. This may be two individual booster seats, two individual infant seats or one infant seat and one booster seat. Although the infant seat shown is forward facing in these example embodiments, any or all of the infant seats may be rearward facing.

It is often advantageous to enable, for example, a parent of users of a car seat to change the types and/or configuration of one or more the seats provided in a car seat system. This is embodied by allowing insertion of a car seat insert to change the type of car seat in a particular car seat user position.

The ability to change from and to one car seat type to another car seat type is advantageous even for a single car seat. In this embodiment this is accomplished by addition or removal of an insert to the car seat. Thus a booster car seat can be charged to either a forward facing or a rearward facing car seat. A forward facing car seat can be changed to a rearward facing car seat.

It is noted that use of a hinge is just one of many embodiments. The word hinge as used herein is meant to illustrate a means of coupling components. It is understood that the word hinge refers to a coupling, or coupling mechanism. This could a hinge, a snap, a hook and eye, a strap, a bracing member, a material attachment and/or a combination of these or the like. Thus, in some embodiments some or all of the components are connected by a connecting material, hooks, snaps, zippers, braces and/or straps and any coupling device or method. This is in place of or in combination with using hinges. In some cases the components are held in a particular desirable position by metal or any suitable material. In many cases the hinge coupling is such as to enable separation of the objects hinged together.

Thus in accordance with the present invention there is provided for at least one seat of an integrated car seat system an insertable car seat module which includes a receiving car seat of a first type having receiving mechanism to receive a car seat insert. The car seat insert has inserting mechanism to couple with the receiving mechanism and changing the first type car seat to a second type car seat.

It is further noted that other methods of inserting a car seat insert into a car seat may be used employing the concepts of this invention. Some embodiments enable insertion of a plurality of car seat inserts into a car seat system and/or a multiple car seat. Generally, car seat inserts are removable to enable continued usage of the car seat into which it is inserted to revert back to its original form and use. In some cases insertion of the car seat insert is purposely made to be permanent according to a particular application where it is used.

It is still further noted that the concept of inserting a car seat into another car seat is also advantageously used with any singular car seat. Almost any existing or to be manufactured car seat can be used to be a receiving car seat. Generally, this is accomplished by providing either a specific or universal insert receiver for that receiving car seat. This allows the capability to advantageous change any car seat to provide a desired use of that car seat which is only available by providing that car seat with a car seat insert. In some embodiments an insertable car seat is designed to have universal insert mechanism allowing it to be inserted into almost any singular car seat. In some embodiments a insert receiving car seat is designed to have universal receiving mechanism allowing it to receive almost any insertable car seat.

Thus, it is further noted that an insertable car seat can be used with any single or multiple car seat of any manufacturer, make or model. Just as the concept of an insertable car seat can be used to change a forward facing car seat to a backward facing car seat it can be used to change a backward facing car seat to a forward facing car seat. This uses an interconnecting mechanism formed for the car seat that is receiving the insertable car seat being compatible with the mechanism of the insertable car seat.

In still a further advantageous concept, the present invention provides car seat designs for car seats that can be reversibly changed from one car seat type to at least one other car seat type. In this context, a booster seat, a forward facing infant seat, a rearward facing infant seat are said to be of a different ‘type’. The word ‘changeable’ is used is used to mean changing from one ‘type to another ‘type. Thus a changeable car seat can be changed from a booster seat into either a forward facing infant seat, a rearward facing infant seat, or into both a forward and rearward facing infant seat.

The integrated car seat system is particularly useful and appropriate to provide one or more car seats integrated into a car seat built into using the concepts of this invention vehicle, one or more additional car seats are mounted under, on top of, on a side of and/or a back of the built in car seat. These additional car seats are mounted removably for use in the vehicle any appropriate car seat placement position.

An alternative embodiment of an integrated seat system600includes a plurality of individual car seats as shown inFIG. 6. It shows a combination of three seats mounted in the integral package600. Seats620and630are both separately detachably mounted on the back of seat610, seat630being above seat620. When so mounted, seat600provides seating for a single car seat person at the seat base of seat610. When desired either seat620and/or seat630are/is removed and separately mounted in the vehicle seat to provide seating for another car seat person.

In some embodiments one or more of the separate car seats include a drawer for storing objects as desired by the user.

The mechanisms may include simple or complex mechanisms or even force-fit, snap-fit and unfit, and force back and forth release mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment all seat members of an integrated car seat are identical. Each seat is formed to be able to capture a member seat and also be captured by another member seat. Thus each member seat includes capture/release mechanism and attachment mechanism. This design allows the integration of many identical seats. This is generally limited by height and space consideration. In some cases a first car seat of the integral unit has only capture and release mechanisms to capture, release and re-capture an integrated seat member.

Member seats of integrated car seat systems are removably attached using any known method for attachment, release and reattachment. These include force fitting, straps, snaps, springs, hooks and eyes, belts, braces, supporting braces and the like, or any combination of these.

It is noted that generally each seat in an integrated seat car system is a self contained car seat capable of being mounted in the vehicle seat to provide seating for a car seat user. In some case external hardware and/or components are used.

In another embodiment of an integrated car seat system, each car seat member seat is formed having a plurality of components. In this case, a member car seat includes a member seat base and a member seat upper portion. Sometimes a first member car seat is an integral car seat. Other times any member seat may be used as the first member car seat. All member seat base portions removably attached to the base of the first car seat are one on top of another and all member seat upper portions members are removably attached to the upper portion of the first member car seat.

Sometimes a member car seat base includes member seat right and left ends. Sometimes it also includes a portion to be formed as a back for a rearward facing car seat position. Sometimes the member seat upper portion includes a member seat back particularly when used as a forward facing car seat position. In some cases at least one of the member seat upper right and left ends and member seat back are folded within the member seat base and upper portion respectively to obtain a reduced package

In some embodiments the first member car seat is a pre-existing, or to be manufactured car seat into which car members are packaged as disclosed in this invention. This in general, almost any particular car seat of any manufacturer and model can act as the first car seat of an integrated car seat system. This includes individual infant car seats, booster car seats and multiple car seats of any manufacturer. This is accomplished by adapting one or more integrated member car seats to be placed under the base portion and/or on top of the upper portion of the particular car seat. In some cases a two piece integrated car seat member is used with the member seat base being removably attached under the particular car seat and the member seat upper portions removably attached to an upper portion of the particular car seat.

In some embodiments of any of the car seat seats and/or systems, external mounting hardware and/or components are used for mounting one integrated car seat member to another and/or for mounting an individual removed car seat member to the vehicle seat.

It is noted that generally any manufactured booster seat and any manufactured infant or other car seat can be made to accommodate one or more seats placed under or above that manufactured seats. Many embodiments of the various car seats described use a pad covering the back and/or base portions for seating comfort.

It is further noted that in many cases, individual car seat positions of a car seat in a car seat system, a multiple car seat and an integrated car seat system are often capable of receiving an attachable tray. The tray may be used for aiding child feeding and/or providing game and/or playing objects etc.

Generally, a single car seat is packaged as a single car seat to provide seating for a single car seat user. A multiple car seat is packaged as a plurality of car seats to provide simultaneous seating of a plurality of car seat users in seats adjacent to each other. An integrated car seat is packaged as a plurality of car seats atop one another. As initially packaged it provides seating for a single car a seat user. It provides additional seating for other car seat users only in seats that are removed from the initial integral package.

In some embodiments, there is a combination of multiple seats with integrated seats. For example lets consider at least one (or all) of the three seats multiple package shown inFIG. 11may be an integrated package of three seats set on top of one another. This alleviates car seat storage problems when car seats are not all used. Thus a seat1026is a triple booster seat packages as a three high integrated seat, the multiple seat could provide ultimate seating for up to five or more car seat users, and so on.

In some embodiments the first member car seat is a pre-existing car seat, or to be manufactured car seat, into which car member car seats are packaged as disclosed in this invention. Thus in general, almost any particular car seat of any manufacturer and model can act as the first car seat of an integrated car seat system. This includes individual infant car seats, booster car seats and multiple car seat of any manufacturer. This is accomplished by adapting one or more integrated member car seats to be placed under the base portion and/or on top of the upper portion of the particular car seat. In some cases two piece integrated car seat members is used with the bases removably attached under the particular car seat and the member seat upper portions removably attached to an upper portion of the particular car seat.

In another embodiment of an integrated car seat system, each car seat member seat is formed to include a member seat base and a member seat upper portion. Sometimes a first member car seat remains in the integral unit. Other times, any member seat may be used as the first car seat. All member car seat bases are removably attached to the base of the first member car seat one on top of another and all member seat upper portions are removably attached to the upper portion of the first member car seat one on top of another.

Sometimes, a member car seat bases includes member seat right and left ends. Sometimes it also includes a portion to be formed as a back for a rearward facing car seat position. Sometimes the member seat upper portion includes a member seat back particularly when used as a forward facing car seat position. In some cases at least one of the member seat upper right and left ends and member seat back are folded within the member seat base and upper portion respectively to obtain a reduced package.

As previously stated, in some embodiments external mounting hardware and/or components are used for mounting one integrated car seat member to another and/or for mounting an individual removed car seat member to the vehicle seat.

It is noted that generally any manufactured booster seat and most any manufactured infant car seat can be made to accommodate one or more seats placed under or above that manufactured seat. It is preferred to removably attach booster seats under a manufactured seat, especially when the manufactured seat is an integral multiple car seat. In this case, a number of member car seats are mountable under the multiple car seat. However, even in this case integrated member car seats may be mounted above any or all car seat positions in an integral or non-integral multiple car seat.

The novel car seat concepts described above may also be used together or separately in order to get the best advantage for a particular user requirement. The particular embodiments described and/or shown are to be considered as illustrating the particular concept and should not be considered to limit the concept to particular description and/or drawing. Thus, any embodiment using any of these concepts is included as being protected by this invention as claimed herein.

Thus, although this description uses words like ‘car’, ‘vehicle’, ‘car seat’, etc, it should not be limited by these words. This invention is similarly applicable to seating ‘car seat users’ in any air, water and other land vehicles, etc. The singular car seats, car seat systems and multiple person car seats of this invention are applicable to booster seat and non booster seat combinations. The vehicle of the present invention may be any land vehicle, any air vehicle or any water vehicle.

It is still further noted that the particular implementations described above should only be considered as specific examples of enabling implementations of the concepts and novelties of this invention. Other implementations are also suitable to use the concepts of this invention to obtain the advantages of this invention. These include locations and types of support and attachment mechanism and/or the separator, the car seat sides, car seat insert and insert mechanisms, variable width seat backs and or seat bases of car seat centers and width control or setting mechanisms, and/or multiple person car seats, modularity of certain parts, car seat entities, dual car seats, etc. These and other implementations are similarly protected by the claims and concepts of this invention.

It is also noted that the figures are generally not drawn to scale. Thus the drawings do not particularly represent the relative sizes of one object to another object in a figure.