Abstract:
A car seating unit adapted comprising integrated extendable wheels such that the unit can be removed from a vehicle and reconfigured to a wheeled configuration and utilized as a stroller.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of priority of prior-filed United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/229,125, filed Jul. 28, 2009, the complete contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present device relates generally to the field of infant car seats and more specifically to the multi-use infant car seats. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Car seats are an essential piece of equipment for children. Several types of seats exist on the market, differing in price, size, and design. Although some seats are appropriate for use with children ranging from newborn infant to toddler size, many parents choose to first use an infant car seat and then purchase a larger seat when the child outgrows the first one. 
         [0006]    Purchasing two car seats for a child can be a more expensive option than using one for the entire period a child requires such a seat. However, many infant seats, often referred to as “buckets,” are more convenient to use because the seat itself is easily removable from the car, while a base unit remains strapped inside the car. The “bucket” part securely snaps into the base with a hook or other similar coupling mechanism. In contrast, larger car seats must be strapped into the car and the child is placed into the seat and removed as needed. 
         [0007]    Since infants tend to sleep frequently, especially in the car, it is desirable to be able to keep the child securely strapped in the seat and take the seat along while going about on errands, rather than waking the child to remove her from the seat. In fact, many restaurant highchairs and shopping carts are designed to accommodate an infant car seat bucket. Although it is convenient to carry the baby in the “bucket,” this can become a burdensome load, especially as the child nears the typical 20-25-pound weight limit of such seats. 
         [0008]    Various types of carts and strollers exist that can accommodate an infant car seat to facilitate transporting the infant seat around. However, these carts, strollers and the like are separate pieces of equipment that must be stored in the car, taking up valuable space, when not in use. Further, it is an additional expense for new parents. 
         [0009]    What is needed is an infant car seat that can be conveniently rolled around, yet still easily clipped into a detachable base unit in a car or shopping cart or high chair. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of an embodiment of the present device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective exploded view of one embodiment of the present device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   a  depicts a side detail view of an embodiment of a gear mechanism in the present device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   b  depicts a top detail view of an embodiment of a gear and latch mechanism of the present device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts a side view of an embodiment of the present device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of the present device in a deployed position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts an expanded side view of an embodiment of the present device. An infant car seat can be comprised of a base unit  102  and a seating unit  104 . A base unit  102  can have a concave interior  106  configured to selectively engage with the underside of a seating unit  104 . At least one strap  108  can secure a base unit  102  to an automobile seat via a clip, latch, buckle, or any other known and/or convenient coupling mechanism. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  depicts an expanded perspective view of one embodiment of the present device. In some embodiments, a handle  202  can be positioned astride the lateral sides of a seating unit  104 . A handle  202  can further comprise at least one adjustable elongated member  204 . In some embodiments, the adjustable elongated member  204  can have a quadrilateral geometry, but in other embodiments can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. As shown in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , a handle  202  can be comprised of an telescoping portion  210  that is rectilinearly and/or slidably coupled with the adjustable elongated member  204 . The adjustable elongated member  204  and telescoping portion  210  can be coupled and configured such that a cross bar  206  can have a plurality of stop positions relative to the distal end of the adjustable elongated member  204  via a clip, pin, friction fit, actuated pin-aperture mechanism, or any other known and/or convenient mechanism. In some embodiments, the crossbar  206  can be adapted and/or configured to be slidable relative to the telescoping portion  210 . However, in alternate embodiments, the crossbar  206  can be fixed relative to the telescoping portion  210 . In some embodiments, the crossbar  206  can have a substantially circular cross-section. However, in alternate embodiments the crossbar  206  can have an ellipsoidal, quadrilateral, or any other known and/or convenient geometry. 
         [0019]    The distal ends of adjustable elongated members  204  can each be connected to the lateral sides of a seating unit  104  by a pivoting mechanism  208  so that a handle  202  can be adjusted to a range of positions above a seating unit  104 . In some embodiments, a pivoting mechanism  208  can be locked into one or more desired positions via a clip, pin, friction fit, ratchet, or any other known and/or convenient mechanism. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, a handle  202  can be extended away from a seating unit  104 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a handle  202  can have at least one telescoping portion  210  at least partially housed within or exterior to the body of an adjustable elongated member  204 . In some embodiments, an adjustable elongated member  204  can include any known and/or convenient extension mechanism which allows collinear members to translate relative to one another. In some embodiments, the telescoping portion  210  can extend to at least one desired length and releasably lock into place at said length via a clip, pin, friction fit, actuated pin-aperture mechanism and/or any other known and/or convenient mechanism. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, adjustable elongated members  204 , telescoping portions  210 , a crossbar  206 , and a pivoting mechanism  208  can be comprised of metal, alloy, plastic, composite, or any other known and/or convenient material. In some embodiments, the respective parts of a handle  202  can be comprised of the same material or of different materials in any other known and/or convenient combination. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a wheel assembly  212  can be connected to each lateral side of a seating unit  104 . In some embodiments, a wheel assembly  212  can comprise a base plate  214 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a base plate  214  can have a substantially trapezoidal geometry, but in other embodiments can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. In some embodiments a base plate  214  can have a plurality of holes  216 , which, in some embodiments can be substantially circular to accommodate fasteners. In some embodiments, holes  216  can be threaded. However, in other embodiments, holes  216  can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, a wheel assembly  212  can further comprise a first elongated member  218  and a second elongated member  220 . A first spur gear  222  can be integrated with or connected to the proximal end of a first elongated member  218  such that the longitudinal axis of a first spur gear  222  is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a first elongated member  218 . A second spur gear  224  can be integrated with or connected to the proximal end of a second elongated member  220  such that the longitudinal axis of a second spur gear  224  is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a second elongated member  220 . As shown in  FIG. 2   a , first spur gear  222  and second spur gear  224  can each have a substantially circular opening  226  along their respective longitudinal axes about which they can pivot. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2   a , a first elongated member  218  and a second elongated member  220  can be aligned such that a first spur gear  222  and a second spur gear  224  can be meshed and substantially coplanar. In some embodiments the gear ratio of a first spur gear  222  and a second spur gear  224  can be 1:1, but in other embodiments, can be any other known and/or convenient ratio. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2   a , fasteners  228  can be aligned and selectively engaged with each circular opening  226  in a first spur gear  222  and a second spur gear  224  and holes  216  in a base plate  214  to connect said gears to a base plate  214 . In some embodiments, each fastener  228  can be a screw, but in other embodiments, a first spur gear  222  and a second spur gear  224  can be connected to a base plate  214  with a bolt, pin, or any known and/or convenient fastener. As shown in  FIG. 2 , spacers  230  and bushings  232  can be used in conjunction with a fastener  228 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-2   b , an actuation device  234  can have a front side facing outward from the lateral surface of a seating unit  104  and a back side substantially adjacent to the external faces of a first spur gear  222  and a second spur gear  224 . Protrusions  236  can extend substantially perpendicularly from the back surface of an actuation device  234  and can selectively engage with holes in a first spur gear  222  and a second spur gear  224 . A bias member  238  can be connected to an actuation device  234 . In some embodiments, bias member  238  can be a torsional spring adapted and configured to selectively engage the protrusions  236  in the actuation device  234  and the holes in the first spur gear  222  and/or the second spur gear  224 , in at least two alternate configurations. While depicted in  FIGS. 2-2   b  as a torsional spring, in alternate embodiment any other known and/or convenient biasing device and/or mechanism can be employed. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, an eyelet  240  can be connected along the length of a first elongated member  218  and secured with an eyelet fastener  242 , which can be a screw, bolt, pin, or any other known and/or convenient fastener. As show in  FIG. 2 , an eyelet spacer  244  can also be used in conjunction with an eyelet fastener  242  to secure an eyelet  240  to a first elongated member  218 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a biasing member  246  can have its distal end connected to an eyelet  240  via an eyelet fastener  242  and its proximal end connected to a base plate  214  via a screw, bolt, or any other known and/or convenient fastener. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a biasing member  246  can be a gas spring, but in other embodiments, and be an elastic member, a helical coil spring, or any other known and/or convenient device. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , cross braces  248  can be connected to the distal ends of substantially parallel pairs of elongated members  218   220 . 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, wheels  250  can be connected to the distal ends of the elongated members  218   220  via a pivoting wheel connector  252 . In some embodiments, a pivoting wheel connector  252  can be a caster, but in other embodiments can be any other known and/or convenient device. In some embodiments, select wheels can be coupled with one or more elongated members  218   220  via pivoting wheel connectors  252  and/or connected in a fixed or substantially fixed configuration relative to the elongated members  218   220 . Wheels  250  can be made of metal, polymer, or any other known and/or convenient material. In some embodiments, wheels  250  can further comprise tires  254 . In still further alternate embodiments, one or more of the wheels  250  can be operatively coupled with foot-actuated brakes (not shown). 
         [0031]    In operation, a seating unit  104  can be selectively engaged with and removably coupled to a base unit  102 , which can be secured to an automobile seat via straps  108 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . An infant can be placed in a seating unit  104  and secured in place with harness straps (not shown). Alternatively, an infant can be placed in a seating unit  104  first, and then a seating unit can be removably coupled to a base unit  102 . In either case, a seating unit  104  can be secured to a base unit  102  with a locking mechanism such as a retractable clip and or via any other known and/or convenient selectively engageable mechanism (not shown). 
         [0032]    When a destination has been reached and it is time to exit a vehicle, a user can disengage a seating unit  104  from a base unit  102  and subsequently place a seating unit  104  on the ground, as shown in  FIG. 4 . A user can then pull a handle  202  with crossbar  206  away from a seating unit  104  to extend a handle  202  with crossbar  206  to a convenient length for pulling along a seating unit  104 . In some embodiments, wheels  250  can substantially simultaneously extend away from a seating unit to provide enough clearance for wheels  250  to turn freely and raise a seating unit  104  off of the ground. In other embodiments, the user can independently release wheels  250  into position to freely rotate and raise a seating unit  104  off of the ground. A user can also adjust the angle of a handle  202  with crossbar  206 . With handle  202  with crossbar  206  and wheels  250  extended, a user can now push or pull a seating unit  104  like a cart, stroller, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternately, the handle  202  can be rotated to a non-extended vertical or other position and the seating unit  104  can be lifted and carried with the wheel linkage contracted in the same or similar manner as a standard car seat can be carried. 
         [0033]    When a user returns to a vehicle, a user can push a handle  202  in toward a seating unit  104  to retract a handle  202  with crossbar  206  back to its original position. Wheels  250  can then retract back into a recessed portion of a seating unit  104  either substantially simultaneously with retracting a handle  202  with crossbar  206  or as an independent operation. In operation, the actuation device  234  can be used to lock the legs in both the extended and contracted positions via holes in the two gears. One set of holes  216  can engage the device in the extended position, and another set of holes can engage the device in the contracted position. A user can then selectively engage with and removably couple a seating unit  104  to a base unit  102  as before. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, wheels  250  can sit inside the lateral edges of a seating unit  104  when a seating unit is coupled with a base unit  102 . However, in alternate embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 5 , wheels  250  can remain on the outside of the lateral edges of a seating unit  104 . 
         [0035]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.