Child car seat carriers

Car seat carriers are disclosed. An example child car seat carrier includes a frame and a clamp to hold a child car seat to the frame. The clamp includes a ratcheting joint to prevent movement of the clamp toward a released position while enabling movement of the clamp toward a locked position. The example child car seat carrier further includes a manual actuator to selectively release the clamp to move toward the open position.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to child care products, and, more particularly, to child car seat carriers.

BACKGROUND

Child car seat carriers are often used to hold, carry, and/or transport child car seats. Child car seat carriers generally include a frame and wheels. A child car seat may be removably coupled to the frame to enable a caregiver to transfer a child in a child car seat from, for example, a vehicle to the child car seat carrier without having to remove the child from the child car seat.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts. As used in this patent, stating that any part is in any way positioned on (e.g., positioned on, located on, disposed on, or formed on, etc.) another part, means that the referenced part is either in contact with the other part, or that the referenced part is above the other part with one or more intermediate part(s) located therebetween. Stating that any part is in contact with another part means that there is no intermediate part between the two parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Child car seat carriers are stroller-like devices used to hold, carry and/or transport a child car seat (e.g., an infant car seat). Child car seat carriers have many of the structural components and functionality of child strollers, but typically do not include a seat for a child occupant. Child car seat carriers enable a caregiver to transfer an infant from, for example, a child car seat in a vehicle to the child car seat carrier without having to remove the child from the child car seat.

Some example child car seat carriers disclosed herein include a frame to support a child car seat. An example bar is coupled to the frame via a joint. The example joint includes a release and enables the bar to be positioned in a plurality of positions between a first position and a second position. The example joint also enables the bar to move toward the second position without actuation of the release, but prevents the bar from moving toward the first position unless the release is actuated.

Other example child car seat carriers disclosed herein includes a frame to support a child car seat and a bar pivotably coupled to the frame via a joint. The joint includes a first gear and a second gear, which is urged into engagement with the first gear. Engagement of the gears prevents movement of the first gear in a first direction about an axis of rotation of the first gear while enabling movement of the first gear in a second direction opposite the first direction. Some such example child car seat carriers further include a release button. Actuation of the release button causes the second gear to disengage the first gear to enable the first gear to move about the axis of rotation in the first direction. In such examples, the bar coupled to the joint moves with the first gear to hold the child car seat to the frame.

Other example child car seat carriers disclosed herein include a frame and a clamp to hold a child car seat to the frame. The clamp includes a joint to prevent movement of the clamp toward an open position while enabling movement of the clamp toward a closed position. The example child car seat carrier also includes a release. Actuation of the release enables movement of the clamp toward the open position.

In examples disclosed herein, when in an open or raised position, the example bar or clamp does not hold the child car seat in place and facilitates insertion or removal of the child car seat from the frame. In the closed or lowered position, the bar or clamp is locked over the child car seat and securely holds the child car seat in place on the child car seat carrier. Example child car seat carriers disclosed herein can accommodate and secure a variety of types (e.g., shapes, sizes, makes, models, etc.) of child car seats.

FIGS. 1-4show an example child car seat carrier100constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure to support and secure a child car seat. In the illustrated example, the child car seat carrier100includes a frame102that has a u-shaped handle104extending across a width of the child car seat carrier100. The handle enables a caregiver to grasp and steer the example child car seat carrier100. The handle104of the illustrated example is coupled to elongated arms106and108of the frame102on left and right sides of the example child car seat carrier100. In some examples, the handle104includes two separate handle portions on each of the right and left sides of the example child car seat carrier100that are not directly connected to each other.

The frame102of the example child car seat carrier100ofFIG. 1also includes two front legs110and112, two rear legs114and116, front rollers or wheels118and120and rear rollers or wheels122and124. The illustrated example child car seat carrier100has four front wheels arranged in two sets of paired wheels118and120and two rear wheels122and124. Other example child car seat carriers include any other number of wheels. For example, some example child car seat carriers include a single front wheel on each side of the child car seat carrier. In some examples, the front legs110and112converge together to a single wheel or a centrally located pair of wheels. In some examples, the rear wheels122and124may include sets of paired wheels.

The example frame102ofFIGS. 1-4includes a first side bar126and a second side bar128. Each of the front legs110and112is pivotably coupled to a respective one of the first side bar126or the second side bar128. The rear legs114and116are also pivotably coupled to a respective one of the first side bar126or the second side bar128. Thus, the side bars126and128, the front legs110and112and the rear legs114and116form first and second folding joints130and132. A first ends of the side bars126and128are coupled to a front napper bar134. The example napper bar134ofFIG. 1is a u-shaped bar that spans across a width of a front of the child car seat carrier100from a first end of the first side bar126to a first end of the second side bar128. In other examples, the napper bar134have other shapes and/or sizes. The napper bar134may be pivotably or non-pivotably coupled to the first side bar126and the second side bar128. The napper bar134of the illustrated example provides a support on which a portion of a car seat may be mounted.

A second end of each of the side bars126and128is pivotably coupled to a respective one of the arms106and108to form second folding joints136and138. In the illustrated example, the arms106and108and side bars126and128are supported on a respective one of the rear legs114and116by respective arm extensions or struts140and142. The struts140and142include first ends that are coupled to a respective one of the side bars126and128and second ends that releasably engage a receptacle144and146on each of the rear legs114and116. In some examples the arms106and108and the struts140and142are integral.

The handle104of the illustrated example includes a release latch148. When a user actuates the release latch148, the frame102unlocks and is free to move between an open, deployed or in-use position (FIGS. 1-3) to a closed, folded or stored position (FIG. 4). The release button148of the illustrated example operates to overcome a spring force and pulls two pins via respective cables disposed in each of the arms106and108from engagement with the receptacles144and146(in this example located on the rear legs114and116), thereby unlocking the frame102. The user can then apply a downward force on the handle104to cause the unlocked frame102to collapse to the position shown inFIG. 4. In other examples, the pins are located in the side bars126and128and or the release latch148is coupled by two releases latches located on lower portions of the arm106and108.

The struts140and142of the illustrated example are also coupled to the rear legs114and116via lower side links150and152. The example lower side links150and152of the illustrated example are curved. In other examples, the lower side links150and152have other shapes. The lower side links150and152provide a pivotal connection between the struts140and142and rear legs114and116and enable the handle104to be lowered as shown inFIG. 4to reduce the form factor of the folded example child car seat carrier100.

The example child car seat carrier100ofFIGS. 1-4also includes accessory features such as, for example, a storage shelf or parent tray154beneath the handle104to carry beverages and/or other items. The parent tray154of the illustrated example comprises a central compartment156, and beverage holders158and160on each side of the central compartment156. The example child car seat carrier100ofFIGS. 1-4also includes a lower basket frame162. In some examples, a basket is suspended from the lower basket frame162.

As shown inFIGS. 1-4, the example child car seat carrier100includes an example security bar164to releasably secure or clamp a child car seat to the frame102. In the illustrated example, the security bar is pivotably coupled to the arms106and108. The example security bar164ofFIGS. 1-4is a u-shaped bar that spans from the arm106to the other arm108across a width of the child car seat carrier frame102. As illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, the security bar164is rotated downward in the direction of the arrow A to a lowered, locked or closed position. As described in greater detail below, the security bar164may be positioned in any of a plurality of locked, lowered or closed positions.

In the illustrated example, the security bar164is coupled to the arms106and108via a first security bar joint166and a second security bar joint168. Example implementations of the security bar joints166and168are shown in greater detail inFIGS. 9-12. The example first and second security bar joints166and168are substantially identical but oriented in opposite directions. The example security bar joints166and168each include a release button170and172, which may be actuated (e.g., depressed) in a direction of arrows B (i.e., inward toward a center of the example child car seat carrier100). In the illustrated example, to move the example security bar164toward the raised or open position, both of the release buttons170and172must be actuated. Thus, in the illustrated example, the security bar164is not released when only one of the side buttons170and172is pressed. Instead, both release buttons170and172are pressed to release the example security bar164, thereby providing added security against accidental release (e.g., if one of the example security bar joints166and168is depressed accidentally by a child, etc.). In other examples, however, only one of the example security bar joints166and168locks the security bar164in position, thereby enabling a caregiver to unlock the security bar164with one hand. As described in greater detail below, the example security bar164moves freely from a raised or open position to any of a plurality of lowered, locked or closed positions without actuation of the release buttons170and172.

FIG. 4is a right side view of the example child car seat carrier100in a folded position. In the illustrated example ofFIG. 4, the security bar164is in a raised position. The example child car seat carrier100also includes a locking latch400that is rotatably coupled to the frame102. In the illustrated example, the locking latch400is coupled to one of the arm extensions or struts140and142, and the locking latch400includes a notch402to engage a pin404on one of the rear legs114and116. When the locking latch400is rotated so that the notch402engages the pin404, the example child car seat carrier100is held or locked in the folded position.

FIGS. 5-8depict the example child car seat carrier100ofFIGS. 1-4supporting and/or holding an example child car seat500. The example child car seat500ofFIG. 5includes a handle502. The handle502of the illustrated example child car seat500is wider than the example child car seat carrier100between the first side bar126and the second side bar128. As a result, the side bars126and128support the child car seat500via the handle502. The napper bar134of the illustrated example supports an end (e.g., a front or head end) of the child car seat500. In some examples, the napper bar134engages a notch on a lower or bottom surface of the child car seat500. The side bars126and128and the naper bar134of the example the frame102, thus, cooperate to support the child car seat500and to prevent the child car seat500from falling downward from the example child car seat carrier100.

FIG. 5shows the example security bar164in a fully raised or open position.FIG. 6shows the example security bar164in a semi-lowered position.FIGS. 7 and 8show the example security bar164in a fully lowered or closed position in which the child car seat500is secured or clamped to the frame102. As mentioned above, the example security bar164is provided with two, one-way locks or ratchets that at the joints couple the bar164to the frame102. As a result, for example, the security bar164may be moved from the position ofFIG. 5to the position inFIG. 6, or from the position inFIG. 6to the position inFIG. 7by imparting a force in the direction of the arrow A to move the security bar164. However, the example security bar164cannot be moved from the position ofFIG. 7to the position ofFIG. 5or6, or from the position inFIG. 6to the position inFIG. 5without actuating the release buttons170and172. Because the example security bar164locks (with respect to upward movement toward the open position) in a plurality of positions, the security bar164is able to accommodate and hold or secure child car seats of different types (e.g., different shapes, sizes, makes, models, etc.) to the example child car seat carrier100.

FIGS. 9-12show the example security bar joints166and168of the example child car seat carrier100ofFIGS. 1-8in greater detail.FIG. 9is an enlarged view of the example security bar joint168. Because the joint166is substantially similar to joint168, the description of joint168can be easily applied to the joint166. Thus, to avoid redundancy, joint166is not separately described. The example security bar joint168includes the release button172coupled to a gear housing900. The gear housing900is coupled to the frame102via a carrier frame attachment member902and appropriate mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, etc.). In the illustrated example, the security joints166and168are coupled to the arms of the frame. The example gear housing900also includes a bar receptacle or tubular hub904to receive and secure a portion of the security bar164. The bar164is secured to the hub via one or more mechanical fasteners.

FIG. 10shows an exploded view of the example security bar joint168ofFIG. 9. The gear housing900defines a first cavity1000and a second cavity1002. The second cavity1002is located on a side of the gear housing900opposite the first cavity1000. The first cavity1000receives the release button172. The second cavity1002includes a first gear1100(FIGS. 11 and 12) and receives at least a portion of a second gear1004. The example second gear1004includes a plurality of teeth1006that are arranged in a circular pattern about an edge of a face1008of the second gear1004facing the first gear. In the illustrated example, the teeth1006of the second gear1004have a substantially ramp-shaped profile. Thus, each of the example teeth1006have a first or camming surface1010that is angled at a first angle relative to the face1008of the second gear1004, and a second or locking surface1012that is angled at a second angle relative to the face1008of the example second gear1004. The first angle is less than the second angle. In some examples, the second angle is substantially 90° such that the second or locking surfaces1012of each of the teeth1006are substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the first gear. As described in greater detail below, the first gear includes teeth in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the teeth1006of the second gear1004.

The example carrier frame attachment member902includes a first portion902A and a second portion902B. The first portion of the carrier frame attachment member902A of the illustrated example defines a third cavity1014. The third cavity1014houses at least a portion of a compression spring1016and the second gear1004. The first portion of the carrier frame attachment member902A is coupled to the second portion of the carrier frame attachment member902B via any suitable mechanical and/or chemical fasteners. In the illustrated example, the first and second portions of the carrier frame attachment members902A and902B are complementary components that surround a portion of the frame102such as, for example, one of the arms106and108, to couple the example security bar joints166and168and the example security bar164to the frame102.

A rivet1018couples and aligns the gear housing900, the second gear1004and the first portion of the carrier frame attachment member902A. When the carrier frame attachment member900is secured to the frame102, the rivet1018also couples the gear housing900and the second gear1004to the frame102. The rivet1018extends through a first aperture1101in the gear housing900, a second aperture1020in the second gear1004, a center1022of the compression spring1016, and a third aperture1024in the first portion of the carrier frame attachment member902A. The rivet1018provides the axis of rotation or pivot about which the gear housing900including the first gear and the second gear1004rotate during operation. In the illustrated example, the second gear1004is slidably coupled to the rivet1018to enable the second gear1004to move along a length of the rivet1018(i.e., the axis of rotation of the first gear) against or under the influence of the spring1016.

The release button172of the illustrated example is housed in the first cavity1000over the rivet1018. The release button172includes flanges or legs1026that extend through apertures (seeFIG. 12) defined in the gear housing900. The legs1026of the release button172engage the second gear1004such that depressing the release button172applies a force to the second gear1004and moves the second gear1004away from the first gear1100.

FIG. 11is a cross-sectional view of the example security bar joint along axis11A ofFIG. 9. In the illustrated example, the gear housing900and the first gear1100are integrally formed. The compression spring1016biases or urges the second gear1004(and, thus, the release button172) toward the first gear1100to cause the second gear1004to engage the first gear1100when the release button172is unactuated. The first gear1100includes teeth1102in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the teeth1006of the second gear1004. The teeth1102of the first gear1100are also ramp-shaped and each include a first or camming surface and a second or locking surface. In the illustrated example ofFIG. 11, the teeth1102of the first gear1100and the teeth1006of the second gear1004are aligned and enmeshed. When the second gear1004engages the first gear1100(i.e., when the release button172is not actuated against the force of the compression spring1016), the teeth1006of the second gear1004engage corresponding teeth or ridges1102on the first gear1100to lock the security bar164against rotation in an first, upward and/or rearward direction (i.e., toward the raised or open position ofFIG. 5). The first gear1100and the second gear1004may include any number of teeth and/or ridges1006and1102of any size. The number and the size of the teeth or ridges1006and1102correspond to a number of discrete positions of the example security bar164. For example, the number of teeth1006of the second gear1004is proportional to a number of locked positions of the example security bar164between the raised or open position and the lowered or closed position of the security bar164.

The surfaces1010and1012of the teeth of the second gear1004are oriented relative to the teeth1102of the first gear1100to enable the first gear1100and, thus, the example security bar164to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 10) (i.e., toward the lowered or locked position) relative to the second gear1004while the second gear1004is in contact with or engaging the first gear1100(i.e., while the release button172is not actuated to counteract the force of the spring1016). This may be thought of as a ratcheting action. For example, when a downward or forward force is applied to the example security bar164(i.e., in the direction of Arrow A ofFIG. 10), the teeth or ridges1102of the first gear1100traverse along the first or camming surfaces1010of the second gear1004. In this example, the teeth1006and1102create a racing or ratcheting noise as the example security bar164is moved downward or toward the closed or lowered position, which signals or indicates to the caregiver that the security bar164is moving from one position to another position toward the closed or lowered position.

In addition, the cammed and locking surfaces1010and1212of the example teeth1006of the second gear1004are oriented so that the first gear1100cannot rotate in a clockwise direction ofFIG. 9(i.e., toward the raised or open position) relative to the second gear1004while the example second gear1004is in contact with the first gear1100. The clockwise movement of the first gear1100is prevented because the example second or locking surfaces1012of the ridges or teeth1102of the first gear1100engage the example second or locking surfaces of the teeth1006of the second gear1004, and friction prevents rotation of the gears1004and1100in the clockwise direction in the orientation ofFIG. 9(i.e., toward the raised or open position ofFIG. 5). In some examples, the second gear1004is locked against rotation relative to the first gear in both directions unless the release button172is actuated and, thus, may move only along the axis of rotation (i.e., toward or away from the first gear1100). For example, the first gear1100may hold the second gear1004against movement about the axis of rotation. Thus, the example security bar164locks against upward movement (i.e., in the direction of the Arrow C ofFIG. 9) to secure or clamp the child car seat500in the example car seat carrier100.

FIG. 12is a cross-sectional view of the example security bar joint168ofFIG. 9along axis12B. In the illustrated example, the release button172is actuated and the second gear1004is disengaged from the first gear1100. Actuation of the release button172compresses the spring1016and moves the second gear1004via the flanges or legs1026of the release button172away from the first gear1100. As a result, the second gear1004disengages the first gear1100, enabling the first gear1100to rotate clockwise in the orientation ofFIG. 9and the security bar164to move toward the raised or open position.

When the security bar164moves upward from one of the lowered or locked positions and is in a desired position, the release button172is deactivated or released to cause the spring1016to move the second gear1004into engagement with the first gear1100, thereby locking the gears1004and1100and, thus, the security bar164in the desired position (while permitting the downward rotating motion explained above).

FIGS. 13-17show another example child car seat carrier1300. Many of the features of the example child car seat carrier1300are the same as the examples described above and, in the interest of brevity, will not be repeated here. Thus, in these examples, the reference numbers that were used in the examples ofFIGS. 1-8are used to reference like structures. In the example child car seat carrier1300ofFIGS. 13-17, an example security bar1302is coupled to the frame102of the example child car seat carrier1300at a first security bar joint1304and a second security bar joint1306. In this example, the security bar joints1304and1306coincide with a first frame folding joint1308and a second frame folding joint1310. That is, the security bar joints1304and1306are located adjacent the first frame folding joint1308and the second frame folding joint1318. The first frame folding joint1308and the second frame folding joint1310define axes of rotation about which one or more of the arms106and108, the struts140and142, and the first side bar126and the second side bar128rotate with respect to one or more portions of the frame102.

The example child car seat carrier1300ofFIG. 13includes a frame locking/unlocking mechanism, which includes cables operatively coupled to the release actuator148and extending through the arms106and108and the handle bar extensions or struts140and142without interacting with the example security bar joints1304and1306. Actuation of the locking/unlocking mechanism enables a user to fold the example child car seat carrier1300into a folded position illustrated inFIG. 15. The example security bar joints1304and1306of this example operate the same as the example security bar joints166and168disclosed above.

FIGS. 16 and 17illustrate a child car seat1600supported on the example child car seat carrier1300. The child car seat1600is supported toward a front or head end of the child car seat1600by the napper bar134and on sides of the child car seat1600by the side bars126and128. A handle1602of the example child car seat1600is wider than the example child car seat carrier1300between the first side bar126and the second side bar128so that the side bars126and128cooperate with the napper bar134to support the child car seat1600and prevent the child car seat1600from falling downward from the example child car seat carrier1300.

FIGS. 18-21illustrate alternative example child car seat carriers1800,1900,2000,2100, respectively. In these examples, the reference numbers that were used in the examples ofFIGS. 1-8are used to reference like structures. For example,FIG. 18shows an example child car seat carrier1800which includes an example substantially linear side bar1802. The example side bar1802including a substantially triangularly-shaped flap1804. In the illustrated example, the side bar1802extends toward a front end of the example child car seat carrier1800(e.g., to the right inFIG. 18). The triangular flap1804includes a first pivot point1806and a second pivot point1808. The first pivot point1806forms a point of rotation for the rear leg114when the example child car seat carrier1800moves between the open and the collapsed positions. The second pivot point1808forms a point of rotation for the front leg110when the example child car seat carrier1800moves between the open and the collapsed positions. In some examples, the pivot points1806and1808may be non-rotatable connection points to fixedly couple the front leg110or the rear leg114to the example side bar1802.

FIG. 19shows an example curved side bar1902including a substantially rectangular-shaped flap1904. In the illustrated example, the side bar1902extends toward a front end of the example child car seat carrier1900(e.g., to the right inFIG. 19). The rectangular flap1904includes a first pivot point1906and a second pivot point1908. The first pivot point1906forms a point of rotation for the rear leg114when the example child car seat carrier1900moves between the open and the collapsed positions. The second pivot point1908forms a point of rotation for the front leg110when the example child car seat carrier1900moves between the open and the collapsed positions. The example child car seat carrier1900ofFIG. 19also includes an example security bar1910including a bent or raised central portion1912that provides more room for a child occupant when the security bar1910is in the lowered position.

FIG. 20shows yet another example child car seat carrier2000. The example child car seat carrier2000includes an example curved side bar2002with a forward section2004including a lower, scalloped profile. The forward section2004includes a first pivot point2006and a second pivot point2008for the rear leg114and front leg110, respectively. The example child car seat carrier2000also includes an example security bar2010including a bent or raised central portion212.

FIG. 21illustrates another example child car seat carrier2100. The example child car seat carrier2100ofFIG. 21has a side bar2102that includes a first concave portion2104and a second concave portion2106. The first concave portion2104and the second concave portion2106are oriented such that the second concave portion2106opens in a direction opposite the first concave portion2104. In addition, the second concave portion2106includes a first pivot point2108and a second pivot point2110for the rear leg114and front leg110, respectively.

Example methods of operating the example child car seat carriers100,1300,1800,1900,2000, and2100are described herein. For example, the example child car seat500is placed in the example child car seat carrier100such that the child car seat500spans a width between the first side bar126and the second side bar128and engages the napper bar134. To secure the child car seat500to the example child car seat carrier100, the caregiver moves the security bar164downward (in the direction of the Arrow A,FIG. 1) to secure the security bar164against (or just above) the child car seat500in a position which prevents the child car seat500from being removed (e.g., intentionally or accidentally through bumping) from the example child car seat carrier100. When the security bar164is pushed downward, the teeth1102of the first gear1100are rotated about the security bar joints166and168and against the teeth1006of the second gear1004, which creates a racing or ratcheting noise. The security bar164is prevented from moving toward the raised or open position (without further action by the user, as disclosed herein). To release or raise the security bar164, the user or caregiver actuates or depresses the release buttons170and172on the security bar joints166and168(in the direction of the Arrows B,FIG. 1), which pushes the second gear1004against the force of the spring1016to disengage the second gear1004from the first gear1100. The disengagement of the teeth or ridges1102of the first gear1100from the teeth1006of the second gear1004allows the security bar164to be freely rotated upward (in the direction of the Arrow C,FIG. 9) to permit unobstructed access to child car seat500and facilitate removal of the child car seat500from the example child car seat carrier100.

Although example apparatus and methods have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of this patent either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.