ADJUSTABLE VEHICULAR SAFETY SEAT

Adjustable vehicular safety seats are described herein. In one aspect, a child vehicular safety seat can include a seat back adapted and configured to support a child's back; and a pommel extending substantially perpendicular from adjacent to the seat back, such that the child's perineum is supported by the pommel while the child's legs hang on either side of the pommel. In one embodiment, the pommel is fixedly attached to the seat back. In another embodiment, the child vehicular safety seat can further include a pair of adjustable supports, one on each side of the pommel. In some cases, the pair of adjustable supports are movable substantially parallel to an axis defined by the pommel. In some cases, the pair of adjustable supports are movable independently. In some cases, the pair of adjustable supports are movable in tandem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pediatric patients with femur fractures and severe hip dysplasia typically undergo surgery or reduction procedures and require Spica casts to stabilize their hips post-operatively. Spica casts immobilize the hip in a flexed and abducted position and the knees in a flexed position to facilitate proper healing of the hip joint and the surrounding bones and tendons. However, due to the casts' wide hip angle and straightened back, these children cannot fit into most traditional car seats. This places a significant burden on the patients' families, not only during the hospital discharge process, but also during their day-to-day travel.

Spica casts typically begin near the chest and extend down to either the feet or knees and the casts can immobilize either both legs or only one. There is a wide variety in the forms of Spica casts because how the child is casted depends on the type and location of the orthopedic injury as well as their size and body type. Most car seat options for these patients fail to accommodate the many casting forms that are possible. Commonly, children in Spica casts are shifted forwards in current car seat options so that their immobile, flexed knees can hang over the edge of the seat. However, this leaves a large space between the back of the cast and the seat back. Additionally, this positioning forces the head to be flexed forward, compromising the child's airway. This can be addressed by placing additional padding under the child to fill in the gap behind them and straighten the angle between their thoracic and cervical spine. However, most car seat companies prohibit the use of additional padding because the additional padding and car seat combination has not been crash-tested and may pose safety risks for the child.

SUMMARY

Adjustable vehicular safety seats are described herein. In one aspect, a child vehicular safety seat can include a seat back adapted and configured to support a child's back; and a pommel extending substantially perpendicular from adjacent to the seat back, such that the child's perineum is supported by the pommel while the child's legs hang on either side of the pommel.

This aspect can include a variety of embodiments. In one embodiment, the pommel is fixedly attached to the seat back. In another embodiment, the child vehicular safety seat can further include a pair of adjustable supports, one on each side of the pommel. In some cases, the pair of adjustable supports are movable substantially parallel to an axis defined by the pommel. In some cases, the pair of adjustable supports are movable independently. In some cases, the pair of adjustable supports are movable in tandem.

In another embodiment, the child vehicular safety seat can further include a pair of side-protection wings, each of the pair of side-protection wings coupled to an opposing side of the seat back. In some cases, the pair of side-protection wings is rotatably coupled to the seat back.

DEFINITIONS

As used in the specification and claims, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing,” “having,” and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. patent law and can mean “includes,” “including,” and the like.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, the term “or,” as used herein, is understood to be inclusive.

Ranges provided herein are understood to be shorthand for all of the values within the range. For example, a range of 1 to 50 is understood to include any number, combination of numbers, or sub-range from the group consisting1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49, or50(as well as fractions thereof unless the context clearly dictates otherwise).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an adaptable vehicular safety seat that is adaptable for pediatric patients immobilized in any variation or size of Spica cast. The modular, adjustable car seat can position the occupant in an upright position by allowing the casted legs to straddle the pommel-shaped seat base. The straddling position can avoid the need to shift the child forward in the seat, thereby preventing the formation of a gap behind the patient's back and excessive flexion of the patient's cervical spine. The safety seat can include a pommel-shaped base, an extendable seat back, and extendable support padding to adjust to various Spica casting configurations.

FIG.1depicts an adjustable vehicular safety seat7according to an embodiment of the claimed invention. The safety seat7can include a seat back9and a seat bottom8. The safety seat includes a pommel-shaped seat base1, a pair of extendable support pads2, an extendable seat back6, and side protection wings3.

As shown inFIG.2, the pommel-shaped seat base1can extend in the horizontal direction, distally away from the seat back9. The support pads2can include a slide track13molded into its flank, which can allow the supports pads2to slide forward and backward (e.g., along directions101) along the complementary drawer slide10on the pommel base1. As the support pads2retract into the seat back9, the support pads2can pass through slots14in the seat back9.

FIGS.3and4show the components of the locking mechanism that prevents free movement of the support pads2during use. The pommel base's1slide track10can contain several102notches along its length. The locking pin11attached to the anterior portion of the inner flank of the support pads2can insert into the notches102on the slide track10. A button12on the underside of the support pad2can retract the locking pin11out of the notches102. A spring28on the end of the locking pin11can secure locking pin11in a locked (extended) position when the button12is not depressed. A pair of springs29can secure the button12in a disengaged position when the button12is not being pressed. When the button12is pressed, the triangular portion can depress forward until the triangular portion contacts a triangular portion of the locking pin11. When the triangular portion come into contact, the locking pin11can be forced to slide in the horizontal plane to allow the triangular portion of the button12to depress fully. The locking pin11can then retract from the notches102in the slide track10. When the button12is pressed, the support pad2can freely slide in the forward and backward direction along the length of the slide track10.

FIG.5illustrates adjustable side-protection wings3, and their various configurations, for an adjustable vehicular safety seat according to an embodiment of the claimed invention. The side-protection wings3can pivot to either side and can rotate around the axis as protection wing shares with the seat back9(e.g., in the directions103). The side-protection wings3can also extend in the vertical direction by sliding downwards (e.g., along direction104) along the extending portion25that inserts into the upper portion of the wing3. The extending portion25can include one or more notches26that can secure the position of the wing3. A button27on the upper portion of the wings3can retract a locking pin from the notches26when depressed. When the button27is released, the locking pins can extend back into the notches26in the side of the extending portion25.

FIGS.6and7illustrate perspective views of the components of the pivoting mechanism of the side impact protection wings3in several different configurations. The ratcheting system can include a bar16attached perpendicularly to a cam15with one or more ratchet points23, and a maneuverable pawl24. The cam15can be held in an inward direction by a spring17attached to the cam15through a small orifice30. The spring17can wrap around the perpendicular bar and can attach to a stationary plate18below the cam15. The maneuverable pawl24can attach to a portion19of the stationary plate that extends perpendicular to the length of the stationary plate18via a pivot point20. The pawl24can extend past the pivot point20and an end can be attached to the lower portion of the stationary plate18via a spring21, which can secure the pawl24in upright position, keeping the pawl24engaged with the ratchet points23. The pawl24can be depressed with manual force on a button22connected to its superior surface, causing the pawl24to pivot around the pivot point20. This movement can stretch the spring21so that removal of the manual force on the button22allows the pawl24to lift upward to re-engage the ratchet points23.

EQUIVALENTS

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE