Abstract:
An impact absorption device configured for use in a vehicle includes a barrier and a base capable of removably securing a barrier at a right angle. The barrier is composed of an impact reducing material. The base is configured to rest beneath a vehicle safety seat or safety seat cradle. The barrier is capable of vertical adjustment relative to the base.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation of, was first described in, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/184,360 filed Nov. 11, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to an impact absorption cushion configured to rest beneath an automobile safety seat or safety seat cradle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Motor vehicle safety is takes the highest priority in motor vehicle design. Thanks to efforts undertaken by motor vehicle manufacturers, more people walk away from motor vehicle accidents than ever before. Recent technological advances such as automatic seat belts, accident avoidance systems, driver alert systems, anti-lock braking, and the like all play an important part in keeping drivers and passengers safe. Another safety device, typically deployed as a last-ditch effort is that of the air bag. While such devices do a great service for front seat passengers, occupants in rear seats often do not fair so lucky. Side air bags help somewhat, but are often too high in the vehicle to do any real good. Children in rear seats of passenger vehicles are thus vulnerable to great injury during a side impact from another vehicle, as existing devices do not adequately protect children seated in the rear of passenger vehicles from severe injury during a side impact of another vehicle. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which rear seat occupants in a motor vehicle can be protected safely during an accident. The development of the impact absorption device for motor vehicle rear seat occupants fulfills this need. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. Thus, a need exists for a reliable, safe, impact absorption cushion capable of being placed under a child&#39;s automobile seat, or safety seat cradle and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such an impact absorption device, which includes a base, having a planar portion, a transition portion having a first end continuous with and curving away from a rear of the planar portion, and an insert portion extending vertically away from a second end of the transition portion, thereon, and a barrier, comprising a double-layered core capable of absorbing an impact and rebounding to maintain its original shape, further having a first barrier side, a second barrier side, a top side, and a bottom side having a slot removably receiving the insert portion and adjustably attached to the insert portion via a fastening means. The fastening means is capable of providing vertical adjustment of the barrier relative to the insert portion. When the planar portion is placed on a seat of a vehicle, a safety seat can be placed on the base to provide structural support. When the barrier is attached to the base, the barrier can provide side impact absorption. In some embodiments, the barrier can be vertically adjusted to a height of the normal seat occupier. In other embodiments, the barrier van be vertically adjusted to a top of the window frame of the vehicle door. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide such a pair of tracks vertically oriented and located on a rear face of the insert portion of the base. A pair of rails, each vertically oriented and each located on a rear inner face of the slot of the barrier each slidably engages an individual one (1) of the pair of tracks. The pair of tracks are equidistant from a bisecting axial centerline of the insert portion and the pair of rails are similarly spaced thereapart. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a fastening means including a spring-loaded pin extending through a from wall of the barrier such that a handle portion is outside the front wall and the pin portion resides within the slot. The pin portion is capable of engaging one (1) of a plurality of apertures located within the insert portion. The plurality of apertures is aligned along the bisecting axial centerline of the insert portion. The pin is preferably spring-loaded to bias the pin portion into the slot. A stop is located within the slot and encircles the pin such that it cannot be removed from the barrier. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide such a transition portion being a generally arcuate member and having a grip continuous with and coextensive with a rear surface of the second end thereof. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a double-layered core having a first layer of a closed cell cushioning material, and a second layer of a shock absorbing material fully enveloping the first layer. It certain embodiments, the double-layer core can be fully enveloped in a cover. Preferably, that cover is a flame-retardant material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective left side view of the impact absorption device  10 , shown in an installed state in a motor vehicle  70 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the base portion  20  of the impact absorption device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the base portion  20  of the impact absorption device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the base portion  20  of the impact absorption device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the barrier  15  of the impact absorption device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 1  of the barrier  15 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the barrier  15 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective top view of the impact absorption device  10 , shown in an installed state in a motor vehicle  70 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective right side view of the impact absorption device  10 , shown in an installed state in a motor vehicle  70 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  impact absorption device for motor vehicle rear seat occupant 
               15  barrier 
               16  slot 
               20  base 
               21  planar portion 
               25  double layer core 
               25   a  first layer 
               25   b  second layer 
               30  flame retardant textile 
               35  grip 
               40  insert portion 
               45  transition portion 
               50   a  track 
               50   b  rail 
               52  pin 
               53  aperture 
               60  lower seating surface 
               65  rear seat 
               70  motor vehicle 
               75  normal seat occupier 
               80  side impact “s” 
               85  passenger door frame 
               90  passenger window frame 
               95  travel path “a” 
               96  height adjustment fastener 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred and alternate embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 9 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective environmental view of the impact absorption device  10  particularly suited for motor vehicle rear seat occupants  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The impact absorption device for (herein described as the “device”)  10 , provides a shock absorbing cushioning barrier to aid in protecting back seat vehicle passengers from a side impact crash. 
     The device  10  comprises two (2) major components: a barrier  15  and a base  20 . The base  20  is configured to be placed on a lower seating surface  60  of a rear seat  65  of a motor vehicle  70 . The barrier  15  is capable of sliding over a portion of the base  20  and be secured thereto. The device  10  provides potential protection from severe injury in a passenger vehicle side impact. This view provides additional clarification on the positioning of the device  10  within the motor vehicle  70  and the subsequent advantages of injury reduction during a side impact from another vehicle or object. It should be noted that a high percentage of motor vehicles  70  have no side airbag for the rear passenger seats  65 , however recent model vehicles  70  are increasingly being produced with rear curtain airbags. 
     It is envisioned that the device  10  will be produced in an alternate embodiment with a barrier  15  that is as high as the side of the passenger door frame  85  for a motor vehicle  70  equipped with a factory side or curtain air bags. In a motor vehicle  70  without factory-provided rear side curtain airbags, the barrier  15  would be provided in a height as high as top of the passenger window frame  90  for an increased level of protection. As such, the device  10  can be used in a motor vehicle  70  with or without factory-provided side or curtain air bags while providing an increased level of protection in either case. It should be noted that children or smaller adults, normally not tall enough to benefit from the impact protection of factory-provided side air bags or curtain bags will benefit from the teachings of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , the base  20  includes a planar portion  21 , a transition portion  45  having a front end gently curving rearwardly and vertically away from the planar portion  21 , and an insert portion  40  extending vertically away from the rear end of the transition portion  45 . The insert portion  40  is oriented perpendicular from the planar portion  21 . The overall dimensions of the base  20  would vary per the exact model of device  10  constructed, but are envisioned to be approximately fourteen inches (14 in.) long, one-quarter inch (¼ in.) thick, and ten inches (10 in.) wide. The base  20  would be manufactured from rigid plastic. The barrier  15  is capable of removable securement to the base  20  in a manner to allow for adjustment capabilities and described below. 
     The planar portion  21  is capable of being placed on the lower seating surface  60  of the rear seat  65  of a motor vehicle  70 . The transition portion  45  is arcuate and curves away from the planar portion  21  and is generally shaped as such in order to clear the raised portion commonly associated with the lower seating surface  60  of a rear seat  60  that is adjacent to the door frame  85 . This transition portion  45  is generally two inches (2 in.) in length to account from the gap between the door frame  85  and that raised portion of the lower seating surface  60 . The transition portion  45  is continuous with the rear edge of the planar portion  21  and has a width preferably one inch (1 in.) shorter than the planar portion  21  on each side. The rear under surface of the transition portion  45  has a continuous grip  35  coextensive with a width thereof. The grip  35  is fashioned as an upwardly curved groove capable of enabling a user to tuck their fingers therewithin and grasp the entire device  10  to either remove it or manipulate it in place. 
     The insert portion  40  has a bottom edge continuous with the rear edge of the transition portion  45  and coextensive with a width thereof. A pair of tracks  50   a  are located on a rear wall and are vertically aligned. The distance between the lower limit of the tracks  50   a  and the upper edge of the insert portion  40  is preferably nine inches (9 in.). These tracks  50   a  are capable of enabling a pair of rails  50   b  of the barrier  20  to slidably engage therewith (more discussion below). It is preferred that the pair of tracks  50   a  are equidistant from a bisecting axial centerline of the insert portion  40  and are generally “T”-shaped. Located along the aforementioned bisecting axial centerline is a plurality of apertures  53  positioned adjacent the bottom. Each aperture  53  is capable of receiving a securing a pin portion of a spring-loaded pin  52  of the barrier  15  such that a vertical height of the barrier  15  relative to the insert portion  40  is achieved. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , the barrier  15  would vary in size per specific models but is envisioned to be typically sized at two inches (2 in.) thick, fourteen inches (14 in.) tall, and twelve to seventeen inches (12-17 in.) wide with a tapering configuration, similar in shape to a right trapezoid, having rounded corners. The barrier  15  has a top wall, a bottom wall with a slot  16  extending at least partially therewithin, a pair of side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall. The barrier  15  would be manufactured from a double layer core  25  with a first layer  25   a  of the core manufactured from a closed cell cushioning core for cushion during impact and to maintain the shape, surrounded by a second layer  25   b  comprising a shock absorbing material layer that has been demonstrated to absorb high impact. Such a second layer  25   b  can incorporate or entirely comprise materials such as 802SAM from 802 Solutions, LLC, Sorbothane®, D30™, or PORON®. Finally, the barrier  15  would be covered in a flame-retardant textile  30  for safety and durability. It is envisioned that the first layer  25   a  extends around the slot  16  portion. 
     The slot portion  16  of the barrier  15  has a thickness enabling full insertion of the insert portion  40 , such that the bottom wall rests against the transition portion  45 . Within the barrier  15 , on the inner wall of the slot most adjacent to the rear wall of the barrier  15 , are a pair of rails  50   b , each capable of alignment with and travel over a respective one (1) of the pair of tracks  50   a  of the insert portion  40  of the base  20 . With regards to the generally “T”-shape of each track  50   a , each rail  50   b  is generally “C”-shaped to encompass and ride therealong. 
     Located central with respect to width of the slot  16 , and closer to the bottom wall, is a spring-loaded pin  52  having a handle portion that is accessible from the front wall and a pin portion that is capable of extending through the front wall of the barrier  15  and into the slot  16 . The pin  52  is biased such that the pin portion is in full extension within the slot  16 . When the barrier  15  is placed on the insert portion  40  of the base  20 , the pin portion of the pin  52  is aligned with the plurality of apertures  53  and is capable of engaging an individual aperture  53 . When a force is applied to the pin  52  away from the barrier  15 , the pin portion disengages the desired aperture  53  and a user can raise or lower the barrier  15  with respect to the insert portion  40  of the base  20  and relocate the barrier  15  with respect to the insert portion  40  of the base  20  at a desired height, then release the handle of the pin  52 , thereby engaging the pin portion into a new aperture  53 . The pin  52  has a stop to limit full removal from the barrier  15 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a perspective top view of the impact absorption device  10 , shown in an installed state in a motor vehicle  70 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The barrier  15  is fastened to the base  20  as previously described in  FIG. 1  and is prepositioned on a lower seating surface  60  of a rear seat  65  in a motor vehicle  70 . The motor vehicle  70  is envisioned to be an automobile, truck, van, bus, sport utility vehicle (SUV) of any make, model, or year, due to the universal fit characteristics of the device  10 . The base  20  is thus held in position by a normal seat occupier  75 , here depicted as a child car seat. In actual usage, the normal seat occupier  75  could also be an actual full size adult passenger, a booster seat, a child carrier, an infant carrier or virtually any object or individual that would occupy a rear seat  65  in a motor vehicle  70  at any time. As shown in the proper position, the device  10  provides a shock absorbing cushion between the normal seat occupier  75  and a side impact “s”  80 , thus providing a solution for cushioning or absorbing impacts in motor vehicles  70  without conventional side impact air bags and thereby reducing the severity of the impact. 
     Referring finally to  FIG. 9 , a perspective right side view of the impact absorption device  10 , shown in an installed state in a motor vehicle  70 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. As aforementioned described, the base  20  is placed under a normal seat occupier  75  (not shown in this FIGURE for purposes of illustrative clarity) such as a passenger car seat, booster, carrier or child passenger. The distal end of the base  20  will extend outwards toward the door side of the normal seat occupier  75  (not shown in this FIGURE for purposes of illustrative clarity). This distal end provides for mounting of the barrier  15  as well as customization adjustments. The barrier  15  will be adjusted onto the base  20  so as to occupy the space between the normal seat occupier  75  (not shown in this FIGURE for purposes of illustrative clarity) and the passenger door frame  85 . Upon side impact “s”  80  by another vehicle or object, the normal seat occupier  75  (not shown in this FIGURE for purposes of illustrative clarity) is likely to strike the barrier  15  and not the passenger door frame  85 , thus, reducing the injury potential caused by directly impacting the passenger door frame  85  and/or passenger window frame  90 . This could potentially protect the head and vital organs of children and others sitting in the rear of passenger vehicles. It should be noted that the device  10  is manufactured in different models for driver&#39;s side use and passenger side use, with the added option of being able to use the device  10  in between dual normal seat occupiers  75  (not shown in this FIGURE for purposes of illustrative clarity) (in a back-to-back configuration) as well for increased levels of physical protection. Some embodiments provide for full vertical adjustment of the barrier  15  relative to the insert portion  40  to reach the height of at least a normal seat occupier  75  approaching six feet (6 ft.) Other certain embodiments provide for full vertical adjustment of the barrier  15  relative to the insert portion  40  to reach the height of at least the upper portion of the passenger window frame  90 . 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the impact absorption device for motor vehicle rear seat occupants  10  would be constructed in general accordance with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9 . The device  10  would be utilized by drivers of motor vehicle  70  where an added element of protection for a rear seat  65  is desirable such as during a side impact “s”  80 . Such impacts typically occur at a time when drivers have the least amount of control over the outcome, as likely in a stationary position while waiting for a light to change for example. 
     After procurement of the device  10 , it would be adjusted to fit differing sizes of motor vehicle  70 , rear seat  65 , users, seating configurations or the like. Next, it would be positioned such that the base  20  is positioned on the lower seating surface  60  of the rear seat  65  and secured in place by use of a normal seat occupier  75  such as actual full size adult passenger, a booster seat, a child carrier, an infant carrier or virtually any object or individual. At this point in time, the device  10  is ready to be utilized. 
     During utilization of the device  10 , it provides additional protection against accidental side impacts that occur to the motor vehicle  70 . Under normal conditions (non-impact), the normal seat occupier  75  continues to function in a non-restricted manner without any noticeable effects inflicted by the presence of the device  10 . During event conditions (side impact “s”  80 ), the normal seat occupier  75  initially impacts the barrier  15  whereupon the impact absorbing characteristics of the double layer core  25  reduce physical impact shock and likely results in an overall reduction of possible physical injury. The device  10  can be used in a repeating manner until physical damage to the internal structure occurs forcing necessary replacement. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.