Patent Publication Number: US-2011057489-A1

Title: Infant car seat system and strap

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/240,701, filed 9 Sep. 2010. 
    
    
     TECHNOLOGY FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to infant car seats. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to improvements in securing and releasing infant car seats. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Infant car seats (also referred to herein as “ICSs”) are known in the art.  FIG. 1 , for example, illustrates an infant car seat  2  positioned on seat  4  of a vehicle, e.g., a car (not shown to facilitate viewing). Typically, ICSs are secured to the car using strap systems, e.g.  10  which connect to at least one anchor  12 . In this depiction, anchor  12  is located between the junction created between base  4   a  and backrest  4   b , but anchors can be located in other places.  FIG. 2  shows a close up of strap system  10 . 
     Strap system  10  includes clips  10   a  and  10   b  configured to attach to anchors. Oftentimes, system  10  will also include buckle  14  for tightening the strap of the system. Because of the variability in size and shape of different ICSs and different car seats, e.g.,  4   a  and  4   b , it is often necessary to insert spacers, e.g.,  16   a  or  16   b , in between the ICS and the car seat to create the proper ICS orientation. Spacers may be made of a variety of materials, but commonly include towels or polyethylene foam (e.g., pool noodles). Although spacers may be used when the seat is forward facing, as shown, they are also commonly used when the seat is reward facing. Applicant has found that the use of spacer materials may make it difficult to properly secure ICSs. Applicant has also found that in some instances, car seat configuration makes it difficult to secure ICSs. It is to these and additional problems that the instant inventions are directed. 
     SUMMARY 
     By way of summary, the disclosure is directed to an infant seat system. In one embodiment, the system includes an infant car seat (ICS) having a strap-interface; a strap interfaced with the ICS; a clip attached to strap, wherein the clip is sized to interface with an anchor of the car; and a ratchet tightener (RT) positioned in between the clip and the infant seat for tightening the strap and securing the ICS quickly and easily. 
     In another embodiment, the invention is directed to the RT. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to the RT in combination with a strap. Other embodiments include other configurations and combinations of the system. 
     The above summary was intended to summarize certain embodiments of the present invention. Systems and methods of the present invention will be set forth in more detail in the figures and detailed description below. It will be apparent, however, that the detailed description is not intended to limit the present invention, the scope of which should be properly determined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows related technology; 
         FIG. 2  shows a close up of a strap from  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of a system according to the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows a close up of a ratchet tightener; 
         FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of a ratchet tightener; 
         FIG. 6  shows a close up of a cover. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of an infant seat system  30  secured to seat  40  of a vehicle, e.g., a car, having anchors  40   c  and  40   d . In this embodiment, system  30  includes infant car seat  32  configured to removably rest on vehicle seat  40   a . Strap  34  is interfaced with ICS  32  through first strap-interface  32   a . A variety of strap-interfaces may be used, and interfacing may be performed in a variety of ways to maintain the ICS in a desired positioned. In the embodiment shown, strap-interface  32   a  includes a pair of apertures  32   a  defined in the ICS, and strap  34  is interfaced by being thread through apertures  32   a.    
     Strap  34  includes first part  34   a  and second part  34   b . Clip  36   a  is connected to first part  34   a , and clip  36   b  is connected to second part  34   b . Clips can have a variety of sizes and constructions but will be configured to interface with at least one anchor of a car seat, e.g., anchor  40   c . Although two clips are shown, other embodiments may include more or fewer clips. 
     Ratchet tightener  50  (also referred to as “RT”) is operably positioned in between clip  36   a  and ICS  32 . In other embodiments, RTs may be positioned in other places. As seen in  FIG. 3 , RT  50  is in the closed position.  FIG. 4  shows a close up, isolated view of one embodiment of an RT, RT  50 , in an open position. Referring primarily to  FIG. 4 , RT  50  includes body  52  and lever  56  pivotally connected to body  52  to pivot about an axis P extending through point P. Strap shaft  54  is rotatably mounted with body  52  and is in rotatable communication with a plurality of pawls  54   b.    
     Strap shaft  54  is also interfaceable with a portion of a strap, e.g., first part  34   a  of  FIG. 3 . In typical embodiments, strap interface is achieved by sliding a portion of a strap through slot  54   a , but in other embodiments, interface may be achieved in other ways. Body  52  also includes second strap-interface  60 , interfaceable at one end with another portion of a strap, e.g., portion  34   b . In the embodiment shown, strap  34   b  is fixedly mounted to body  52  at strap-interface  60 , but in other embodiments, e.g., embodiment  100  shown in  FIG. 5 , second strap-interfaces may be configured for adjustable mounting. In this embodiment, for example, a strap may be secured through slots  102   a  of strap-interface portion. 
     Lever  56  includes bottom surface  56   b , top surface  56   c  (opposite bottom surface), and drive  56   a , which is typically biased, e.g., by a spring to engage pawls  54   b . When the lever is moved through its pivotal motion, drive  56   a  drives the strap shaft, thereby producing a tension. 
     As noted above, straps of the claimed system interface with the strap-interface of the ICS. Strap-interfaces of the system will have a breaking strength, which is the force at which the strap-interface fails when a tension is applied by a strap interfaced with the strap-interface. As used herein, strap-interface failure includes the failure of any part of the ICS, e.g., a failure at the base, the back, or any part connected to the strap-interface. Data regarding manufacturing materials may be used to estimate breaking strength. For example, ICSs are commonly made from a plastic, e.g., polypropylene, and such material data can be used to estimate breaking strength. Additionally, a breaking strength test, i.e., tightening a strap having a tension scale positioned between the RT and the ICS until strap-interface failure, may be used to determine the breaking strength. 
     In many embodiments, RTs will be configured to generate a tension under the breaking strength of the strap-interface. RTs may be configured to achieve this result in a variety of ways. For example, RTs may have components, e.g., shear pins or other shearing parts, designed to fail prior to the breaking strength of the strap-interface. In many embodiments, RTs will have a lever length L configured to prevent the strap shaft from generating a tension above the breaking strength of the strap-interface when operated using a key pinch grip (i.e., the thumb pad to the lateral aspect of the middle phalanx of the index finger). Although key pinch grip strength may vary from user to user, typical maximum strengths range from about 10 to about 40 across a variety of age groups, with more typical strengths ranging from about 15 to about 30 (measured using, for example, a B&amp;L pinch gauge). Applicant believes a lever lengths chosen from about 1 inch to about 2 inches will be suitable for providing sufficient results based on maximum key pinch grip strengths. In various embodiments, levers of additional sizes may be used. 
     In many embodiments, the RT will be configured to allow the lever to pivot without contacting a backrest of the car&#39;s seat. This configuration may be achieved by placing the RT the requisite distance away from the car seat, or may be achieved by selecting a lever length L that can pivot over its full range of motion without contacting the car seat. In at least one embodiment, the strap shaft has a diameter D, and L is equal to about D to about 3D. 
     In some embodiments, the top surface of the lever  56   c  is configured to prevent access to biased drive  56   a  when the RT is in the closed position. Such a configuration reduces the unintentional release of the biased drive from the plurality of pawls. Additionally, such a configuration will often require that the lever be at least partially pivoted away from said body to unbais the drive and release the drive from the plurality of pawls. In one such embodiment, the top surface of the lever is solid to prevent access to the biased drive. 
     In many embodiments, the lever will also be rounded at edge  56   d  as shown. In at least one embodiment, the lever will also include a rubberized or cushioned finish to reduce damage to seating and scratching. 
     Embodiments may also include a cover  80  ( FIG. 6 ) configured to cover the RT. Covers can be used to secure the RT and reduce or prevent unintentional operation of the RT. In the embodiment shown cover  80  defines slot  80   a  configured to receive a strap, and includes two side arms  82   a  and  82   b  and a top arm  82   c . Fasteners  84  are included on at least one arm. A variety of fasteners can be used, but most typically, fasteners will include hook and loop components configured to mate. Commonly, each arm will include at least one fastener  84  as shown. To apply the cover, for example, a strap of the system may be inserted through slot  80   a . After the RT is operated to the desired extent, the RT is nestled into portion  80   b  of the cover. Arm  82   b  is folded over the RT, then arm  82   a  is folded over the RT such that fasteners  84  mate. Arm  82   c  may then be folded down onto folded arm  82   a  to mate with another fastener  84  positioned on arm  82   a  (not shown). The result is a secured RT that resists unintentional operation. A variety of other cover embodiments and folding configurations may be used. 
     In terms of operation, systems and components of the invention can be used to quickly and easily install and secure ICSs. The configuration of the ICS reduces potential damage to the ICS and improves safety. ICSs can also be easily removed, in many embodiments, simply by releasing the drive of the RT. 
     Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. The disclosure, however, is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, within the principle of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the general claims are expressed. 
     Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein, and every number between the end points. For example, a stated range of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more, e.g. 1 to 6.1, and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, e.g., 5.5 to 10, as well as all ranges beginning and ending within the end points, e.g. 2 to 9, 3 to 8, 3 to 9, 4 to 7, and finally to each number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 contained within the range. Additionally, any reference referred to as being “incorporated herein” is to be understood as being incorporated in its entirety. 
     It is further noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.