Patent ID: 12207741

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict example embodiments of the disclosure. The drawings are provided to facilitate understanding of the disclosure and shall not be deemed to limit the breadth, scope, or applicability of the disclosure. The use of the same reference numerals indicates similar, but not necessarily the same or identical components. Different reference numerals may be used to identify similar components. Various embodiments may utilize elements or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. The use of singular terminology to describe a component or element may, depending on the context, encompass a plural number of such components or elements and vice versa.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes infant carrier assemblies, for example, infant carrier assemblies securable to a car seat.

Car seats are available in a variety of sizes and configurations. Some car seats are intended for use by children of a particular age or weight group, for example, by toddlers. Other car seats are reconfigurable or convertible for use by occupants of different ages and weights. Thus, the same car seat system may be used as an occupant grows in age and weight.

A car seat intended for use by a relatively older occupant may remain secured to a vehicle after the occupant has exited the vehicle. In contrast, a car seat intended for infants may be removed with the occupant remaining within the car seat. However, when a car seat is removed with an infant, carrying the car seat may be cumbersome, for example, because of the bulk and weight of the car seat in addition to the weight of the occupant.

A removable infant carrier or insert may be used with a car seat, for example, with the car seat remaining secured within the vehicle, and with the infant carrier being removed with the occupant. The infant carrier may be relatively lighter and less bulky than the car seat, making it easier to carry and transport the infant carrier than carrying the entire car seat itself.

However, some such systems have relatively large attachment features to secure the infant carrier, for example, such as deep plastic posts on the back of the carrier and deep plastic holes on the seat back. Such a system may occupy a relatively large volume and leave exposed gaps in the seat shell, when the carrier is removed for use by older occupants. Moreover, such systems have relatively large features on the carrier and the seat tend to be relatively heavy and bulky. Moreover, car seats may also have liners and/or padding that interact directly with the carrier when installing the carrier to the larger seat. This makes it overly difficult to install the carrier into the larger seat and harder to determine when the seat is latched.

Other car seats are relatively compact, but may be suitable only for use with relatively small occupants such as infants, and may not be usable with a larger seat. Thus, new car seats may need to be purchased as an occupant grows in age and weight.

The present disclosure provides relatively small and lightweight infant carriers that are less cumbersome and bulky to carry and use. For example, infant carriers and infant carrier assemblies according to the present disclosure may be more portable, have a relatively simpler or minimalistic construction, compared to other infant carriers. Infant carrier assemblies according to the present disclosure may be used with a variety of car seats and/or other types of bases, including so-called convertible car seats or all-in-one car seats, as well as standalone bases, crib-based bases, playpen-based bases, and/or other types of bases that may be distinct from a car seat. The infant carrier assemblies may be usable with one or more of a rear-facing infant car seat (for example, for an occupant having a weight of about 12 lbs to about 40 lbs), a forward-facing harness (for example, for an occupant having a weight of about 22 lbs to about 65 lbs), a highback belt-positioning booster (for example, for an occupant having a weight of about 40 lbs to about 100 lbs), or a backless belt-positioning booster (for example, for an occupant having a weight of about 40 lbs to about 120 lbs). In addition to, or instead of car seats, infant carriers and infant carrier assemblies according to the present disclosure may be usable with one or more of strollers, boosters, infant car seats, or carriers intended to be used outside vehicles.

While infant carrier assemblies are described with reference to an infant carrier and a base, in some aspects, infant carriers according to the present disclosure may be used without a base. For example, the functions or attachments described with respect to the base may be performed or achieved by an infant carrier itself, and the infant carrier itself may be directly securable to a car seat, a stroller, a booster, an infant car seat, or a carrier intended to be used outside a vehicle.

In aspects, an infant carrier assembly may be removably securable to a car seat. The infant carrier assembly may include an adapter and an infant carrier. The adapter is removably securable to the car seat. The infant carrier is removably securable to the car seat by engagement with the adapter.

In aspects, a car seat assembly may include a car seat and the infant carrier assembly. The infant carrier may be removably secured to the car seat by engagement with the adapter.

The adapter may enable a relatively simple securing method, and which may not require forcing an infant carrier into a latch or other such securement system.

Thus, infant carrier assemblies according to the disclosure may use an adapter to fit an infant carrier within a convertible or 4-in-1 seat, adding an additional mode of use. For example, infant carrier assemblies according to the present disclosure may provide five modes of use (infant carrier, rear facing, forward facing, high back booster, no back booster) or six modes of use for a car seat (infant carrier, rear facing, forward facing, high back booster, no back booster, seat belt trainer). Infant carriers according to the present disclosure may thus provide an additional mode of use for convertible car seats, all-in-one car seats, high-back boosters or backless boosters. Such infant carriers, being more compact, may also provide a benefit of increased range of movement for the user, such as a caregiver or responsible person assisting the occupant of the infant carrier.

A relatively small infant carrier can be accommodated and fit within a larger seat, and connectors on the adapter may attach a shell of the infant carrier to the adapter, with optional additional connections to receive the smaller form factor infant carrier.

The infant carrier may be oriented or aligned along the car seat, for example, with a front of the infant carrier aligned with a front of the car seat, or be oriented opposing the car seat. In both configurations, the infant carrier itself may ultimately be disposed in a rear-facing configuration relative to a direction of travel of the vehicle, consistent with the typical direction of use for younger occupants such as infants.

FIG.1Ais a front perspective view of an infant carrier assembly10including an infant carrier12and an adapter14securable within a car seat (not shown inFIG.1A).FIG.1Bis a side view of the infant carrier assembly10ofFIG.1A.FIG.1Cis a rear perspective view of the infant carrier assembly10ofFIG.1A. In aspects, the infant carrier assembly10may be removably securable to a car seat. The infant carrier assembly includes the infant carrier12and the adapter14. The adapter14is removably securable to the car seat. The infant carrier12is removably securable to the car seat by engagement with the adapter14.

InFIGS.1A to1C, a carrier shell16of the infant carrier12is shown. Infant carrier12may include additional components, such as one or more of padding, liners, or harnesses, or handles (not shown inFIGS.1A to1C). The carrier shell16may be formed of any suitable rigid material capable of substantially retaining its form. In aspects, the carrier shell16includes one or more of a plastic, a metal, an alloy, or combinations thereof. In aspects, the carrier shell16is integrally formed as a single molded unit.

The adapter14may be formed of any suitable rigid material capable of substantially retaining its form. In aspects, the adapter14includes one or more of a plastic, a metal, an alloy, or combinations thereof. In aspects, the adapter14is integrally formed as a single molded unit.

The infant carrier12may be secured to or engaged with adapter14at any suitable interface or surface. In aspects, a rear portion18of the infant carrier12is securable the adapter14. In aspects, the adapter14includes an adapter base20configured to engage a surface of the car seat, and ab adapter body22being configured to engage the infant carrier12.

In aspects, the adapter base20defines an adapter lip24configured to rest adjacent a front portion of the car seat when the adapter14is secured to the car seat. The adaptor lip24may be curved downward (for example, toward the car seat). In aspects, the adapter lip24defines an upper lip surface and a lower lip surface. The upper lip surface and lower lip surface may be curved downward.

The adapter14may include one or more components to facilitate securing the adapter14to a car seat, or to a vehicle. In aspects, the adapter14includes a seat engagement tab26. The seat engagement tab26may be located at a rear of the adapter14, for example, at a rear of the adapter base20. The seat engagement tab26may integrally extend from the adapter14, or may be a distinct element adhered, attached, welded, or otherwise secured to the adapter14.

As described elsewhere herein, the adapter14may be placed in, engaged with, or secured to a car seat, and the infant carrier12may be placed in, engaged with, or secured to the car seat via the adapter14.

FIG.2Ais a front perspective view of a car seat assembly100including the infant carrier assembly10ofFIG.1Asecured in a car seat30.FIG.2Bis a partial side view of the car seat assembly30ofFIG.2A. In particular, the adapter14may be located between the infant carrier12and the car seat30, and the infant carrier12may be removably secured to the car seat30via the adapter14.

In aspects, the adapter14may be placed within, engaged with, or secured to the car seat30by one or more fasteners, tabs, slots, or other attachment means. In aspects, the adapter14only includes the seat engagement tab26for securing the adapter14to the car seat30. The seat engagement tab26may reduce or prevent movement of the adapter14relative to the car seat30, for example, lateral or transverse movement, or longitudinal movement.

A user may initially install the adapter14in the car seat30, and leave the adapter14in the car seat for a period as long as the infant carrier12is intended to be used. Then, the infant carrier12may be removably secured to the car seat30, with the adapter14remaining in place during securing or removal of the infant carrier12to the car seat30. It is understood that the engagement, placing, contact, or securing of the infant carrier12with the car seat30may at least partially, or entirely, be accomplished via engagement, placing, contact, or securing of the infant carrier12with the adapter14.

FIG.3Ais a partial cross-sectional view of the car seat assembly100ofFIG.2Ashowing a pre-installation configuration100aof the adapter14and the car seat30. As seen inFIG.3A, adapter14may initially be oriented in an inclined configuration relative to the car seat30, to facilitate introduction of the adapter14within an interior or adjacent space or region of the car seat30. One or more attachment features, such as the seat engagement tab26, may be engaged with, received within, or secured to a portion or region of the car seat30. The adapter14may include additional features to facilitate securement with the car seat30. For example, the adapter14may include at least one plunger extending downward from the adapter14and configured to be received within a complementary opening of the car seat30.

In aspects, the seat engagement tab26is U-shaped, and defines an opening28configured to receive a mating tab32of the car seat30.

After a portion of the adapter14is received within, secured to, or engaged with a portion of the car seat30, the adapter14may be rotated downward to contact a lower portion, for example, a seat base34of the car seat30.

FIG.3Bis a partial cross-sectional view of the car seat assembly100ofFIG.3Ashowing an installed configuration100bof the adapter14and the car seat30. As seen inFIG.3B, a lower surface of the adapter14, rests against an upper surface of the seat base34of the car seat. In the configuration100bshown inFIG.3B, the adapter14(and the car seat30) is ready to removably receive and secure the infant carrier12.

FIG.4Ais a partial perspective view of the car seat assembly100ofFIG.2Ashowing the adapter14secured to the car seat30.FIG.4Bis a partial front view of the car seat assembly100ofFIG.4A. The adapter14may include one or more features to facilitate the removable retention of the infant carrier12. For example, the adapter14may include at least one adapter slot40configured to engage a rear panel42extending from the infant carrier12. In aspects, the at least one adapter slot40extends along a direction from a rear of the adapter14to a front of the adapter14.

In aspects, the at least one adapter slot40is defined within a respective at least one raised boss44extending upward from the adapter14. The raised boss44may define the adapter slot40between raised sidewalls of the raised boss44.

As shown inFIG.4A, the at least one adapter slot40may include a first adapter slot and a second adapter slot configured to respectively engage a first panel and a second panel extending from the infant carrier12. For example, the first adapter slot may be disposed to a right side, and the second adapter slot may be disposed to a left side, of the adapter14.

Likewise, the at least one raised boss44may include a first raised boss defining the first adapter slot and a second raised boss defining the right adapter slot. The first raised boss may be disposed to a right side, and the second raised boss may be disposed to a left side, of the adapter14. In aspects, the first raised boss is spaced from the right raised boss by an intermediate upper surface46of the adapter14.

In addition to, or instead of, the adapter slot40and/or the raised boss44, the adapter14may include other components to facilitate securing the infant carrier12to the adapter14(and ultimately, to the car seat30). For example, the adapter14may include at least one attachment clip48for securing the infant carrier12to the adapter14. The at least one attachment clip48may be aligned with the at least one adapter slot40. For example, the attachment clip48may be positioned along an axis passing along the at least one adapter slot40.

In aspects, the at least one attachment clip48includes a first attachment clip and a second attachment clip. For example, the first and second attachment clips may be disposed to a right side and a left side of the adapter14.

Turning back toFIGS.2A and2B, once adapter14is secured to the car seat30, at least one adapter slot40and/or at least one attachment clip48may be used to removably secure the infant carrier12to the adapter14, and thus, to the car seat30. The order of attachment may be reversed to remove the infant carrier12from the assembly100. Likewise, the order of installation may be reversed to remove the adapter14from the car seat30. For example, the adapter14may be removed for cleaning, maintenance, or replacement.

While the infant carrier12is shown inFIGS.1A to4Bhaving a particular shape and contour, the infant carrier12may have any suitable geometry, shaper, or contour.

FIG.5is a front perspective view of a car seat assembly200including an infant carrier assembly including an infant carrier212. The infant carrier212may be substantially similar to the infant carrier12, but differing in an interior shape or contour. For example, as shown inFIG.5, the interior region of the infant carrier212may have a substantially smooth surface. Like infant carrier12, the infant carrier212may further include one or more of a liner, a padding, a harness, or a handle, or other features.

Thus, infant carrier assemblies according to the present disclosure may be used to removably secure an infant carrier to a car seat. In aspects, a car seat assembly according to the present disclosure includes a car seat, and an infant carrier assembly according to any aspect.

FIG.6Ais a side view of the car seat assembly100ofFIG.2Ain a pre-installation configuration300ashowing the infant carrier12ready to be installed in a front-facing car seat30. In aspects, the infant carrier12includes a carrier handle13rotatably coupled to the carrier shell16and extending across the carrier shell16. As shown inFIG.6A, the infant carrier12may be covered with a liner, having padding, and include a shade.

FIG.6Bis a partial view of an interior of a car showing the car seat assembly100ofFIG.6Ainstalled in a front-facing car seat configuration300b. The car seat30is installed in the car in a forward facing configuration. The infant carrier12is secured within the car seat30(via an adapter) in a configuration in which the infant carrier12faces a rear of the car seat30. Thus, while the car seat30is forward facing, the infant carrier12is itself in a rear facing configuration, relative to a direction of travel of the car. Thus, the infant carrier12may face a rear of the car seat30. While not seen inFIG.6B, the adapter14is secured to the car seat30, and the infant carrier12is secured to the adapter14, the adapter14being disposed between the infant carrier12and the car seat30.

FIG.7Ais a side view of the car seat assembly100ofFIG.2Ain a pre-installation configuration400ashowing the infant carrier12ready to be installed in a rear-facing car seat30.FIG.7Bis a partial view of an interior of a car showing the car seat assembly100ofFIG.6Ainstalled in a rear-facing car seat configuration400b. The car seat30is installed in the car in a rear facing configuration. The infant carrier12is secured within the car seat30(via an adapter) in a configuration in which the infant carrier12faces a front of the car seat30. The car seat30is rear facing, and the infant carrier12is also in a rear facing configuration, relative to a direction of travel of the car. Thus, the infant carrier12may face a front of the car seat30.

One or more illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been described above. The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the scope of this disclosure and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Accordingly, variations, modifications, and equivalents of the embodiments disclosed herein are also within the scope of this disclosure.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to a number of embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not described herein, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.