Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to transporting a child safety seat such as an infant car seat, child car seat, or a child booster seat. In particular, the invention relates to a two-wheeled dolly for transporting a child safety seat by wheeling it on the ground. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The use of child safety seats for the safe restraint of infants and children in vehicles is well known. For the safety and comfort of an infant or child, and also to comply with applicable laws requiring the use of child safety seats for children of specified ages, child safety seats now are commonly removed from the family vehicle and taken along on travels. For example, a child&#39;s child safety seat may be used for the child in a rental car on the family vacation. In addition, child safety seats commonly may be used in other modes of transportation, such as airplanes, buses, boats, or trains, to provide a safer and more comfortable seat for young children. 
   Such use of child safety seats away from the family vehicle thus requires the transport of the child safety seats through airport terminals, bus stations, train stations, boat terminals, and the like. The typical infant or child safety seat is quite bulky, of an awkward shape, and may weigh between ten and twenty pounds. Thus the physical size, structure, and weight of the child safety seat make it difficult to carry and for most persons, require the use of both hands. This is particularly necessary if the child safety seat is carried for a substantial distance. 
   Various devices have been developed to assist with the transport of child safety seats, including a wide variety of bags, totes, and cases. Typically these travel bags comprise a zippered sack, with a handle and/or shoulder strap. The child safety seat may be placed in the sack and then carried from the family vehicle to baggage check, or onto the airplane, bus, etc. 
   Alternatively, some models of child safety seats are provided with wheels and a handle, essentially converting the child safety seat into a stroller so that it can be wheeled through an airport or other area. In addition, stroller-type attachments are made for child safety seats, again converting the child safety seat to a stroller-like apparatus that can be wheeled to its destination. 
   A child young enough to require the use of a child safety seat may also be too young to walk any considerable distance through an airport terminal, train station, etc. This generally requires that the child also be carried, typically in a stroller, a backpack or front carrier, or simply in the guardian&#39;s arms. In addition, travel with young children generally entails transporting various other equipment, such as diaper bags. As a result, persons transporting young children while traveling must potentially negotiate a number of large, awkward items, in addition to the child. 
   A prior solution in which the wheels and handle are separately formed and attached to a child safety seat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,821. Solutions in which the wheels and handle are formed in one unit separable from the child safety seat are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0192925 A1, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,729,630 and 6,783,135. Finally, commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,241 shows a child safety seat dolly having a clamping bracket which secures the dolly to a child safety seat. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a child safety seat dolly in combination with a child safety seat. The child safety seat has a back side comprising a horizontally extending passageway. The child safety seat dolly comprises a plate member having a first side facing in a first direction and a second side facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the plate member having a longitudinal axis. A pair of wheels are rotatably mounted to the plate member and a handle member is attached to the plate member. At least one clamping strap passes through the horizontally extending passageway of the child safety seat, and clamps the child safety seat to the dolly. 
   In one variation of this first aspect of the invention, the plate member has spaced apart first and second through holes arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis. A first portion of the clamping strap protrudes through a first end of the passageway and is secured to the first through hole via a first threaded fastener. A second portion of the clamping strap protrudes through a second end of the passageway and is secured to the second through hole via a second threaded fastener. The first and second threaded fasteners are sufficiently tightened so as to frictionally clamp the plate member to the child safety seat. 
   In another variation of this first aspect of the invention, a ratchet is mounted on the plate member and the clamping strap has a first portion secured to the plate member, and a second, toothed portion engaging the ratchet. The clamping strap is sufficiently tightened by the ratchet so as to frictionally clamp the plate member to the child safety seat. The first portion of the clamping strap may be secured to a through hole formed in the plate member, via a threaded fastener. 
   In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a child safety seat dolly kit. The kit includes a plate member having a first side facing in a first direction and a second side facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the plate member having a longitudinal axis. A pair of wheels capable of being rotatably mounted on the plate member are also included in the kit, as is a handle member capable of being attached to the plate member. At least one clamping strap is also included. 
   In one version of the kit, the plate member further has spaced apart first and second through holes arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis. The clamping strap is capable of being attached at spaced apart first and second portions to the first and second through holes, respectively. A pair of threaded fasteners capable of attaching the first and second portions of the clamping strap, respectively, to said first and second through holes, respectively, are also included. 
   In another version of the kit, a ratchet capable of being mounted on the plate member is included. In addition, the clamping strap has a first portion capable of being secured to the plate member, and a second, toothed portion suitable for engaging the ratchet. 
   Either of the above versions of the kits may further include a clamping bracket capable of clamping abutment surfaces located on apertures formed in the back side of a child safety seat, and/or a pair of J-bolts suitable for hooking eye members formed on a back side of a child safety seat. 
   Still another version of the kit may include just the clamping bracket and a pair of threaded fasteners capable of attaching the clamping bracket to the plate member. Yet another version of the kit may just include a pair of J-bolts suitable for hooking an eye member formed on a back side of a child safety seat. 
   Kits with various combinations of the different clamping mechanisms are also possible. 
   In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to child safety seat dolly in combination with a child safety seat having a back side provided with first and second projecting eye members. The child safety seat dolly comprises a plate member having a first side facing in a first direction and a second side facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the plate member having a longitudinal axis, the plate member further having a spaced apart first and second through holes arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis; a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the plate member; and a handle member attached to the plate member. A first J-bolt passes through the first through hole and hooks the first projecting eye member while a second J-bolt passes through the second through hole and hooks the second projecting eye member. The first and second J-bolts are sufficiently tightened so as to frictionally clamp the plate member to the child safety seat. 
   In still another aspect, the present invention is directed to a child safety seat dolly in combination with a child safety seat having a back side comprising a pair of forwardly facing abutment surfaces. The child safety seat dolly comprises a plate member having a first side facing in a first direction and a second side facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the plate member having a longitudinal axis, the plate member further having a spaced apart first and second through holes arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis, the first through hole belongs to a first longitudinally extending row of through holes formed in the plate member, on one side of the longitudinal axis and the second through hole belongs to a second longitudinally extending row of through holes formed in the plate member, on an opposite side of the longitudinal axis. The dolly further comprises a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the plate member and a handle member attached to the plate member. The dolly also includes a clamping bracket projecting in the first direction and secured to the plate member via one or more threaded fasteners. The clamping bracket has a pair of laterally extending arms that clampingly abut the forwardly facing abutment surfaces formed on the back side of the child safety seat. The one or more threaded fasteners are sufficiently tightened so as to frictionally clamp the plate member to the child safety seat. 
   In still another aspect, the present invention is directed to a child safety seat dolly assembly comprising a plate member having a first side facing in a first direction and a second side facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the plate member, a handle member attached to the plate member, at least one clamping strap connected to the plate member, the at least one clamping strap being of sufficient length to pass through a seat belt passageway formed on a back side of a child safety seat, and a ratchet mounted on the plate member. The clamping strap may comprise a toothed portion suitable for engaging said ratchet. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will now be described with respect to the following figures in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective rear view of a dolly in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows the first side of the plate member of the dolly in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the dolly of  FIG. 1  secured to a first type of child safety seat using a clamping strap. 
       FIG. 4   a  shows an exploded view of a clamping strap and  FIG. 4   b  shows an assembled strap. 
       FIG. 5   a  shows an exploded top perspective view of a cleat and an internally threaded insert receivable into the cleat. 
       FIG. 5   b  shows a bottom perspective view of the cleat of  FIG. 5   a.    
       FIG. 5   c  shows a cross-section of the cleat of  FIG. 5   a  with the internally threaded insert inside the cleat. 
       FIG. 6  shows a side view of the dolly and child care seat as the strap is being secured to the threaded fastener. 
       FIG. 7  shows a stylized view of the front of the plate member and a clamping bracket. 
       FIG. 8   a  shows an exploded view of the clamping bracket of  FIG. 7  and a pair of internally threaded inserts that can be received into holes formed in the clamping bracket. 
       FIG. 8   b  shows a cross-section of a clamping bracket showing the internally threaded inserts. 
       FIG. 9  shows the dolly of  FIG. 1  secured to a second type of child safety seat using a hook-type threaded fastener. 
       FIG. 10  shows the dolly of  FIG. 1  secured to the first type of child safety seat using a clamping strap in conjunction with a ratchet. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   As seen in  FIG. 1 , a dolly  100  in accordance with the present invention includes a plate member  102  having a longitudinal axis A, which extends in a vertical direction in an assembled, upright dolly. The dolly  100  also includes a telescoping handle member  104  that is attached to the plate member  102 . The handle member comprises a pair of legs  106   a ,  106   b  and a U-shaped telescoping handle  108  whose elongated members are slidingly received into the legs  106   a ,  106   b . The dolly  100  also comprises a pair of wheels  110   a ,  110   b  rotatably mounted to the plate member  102  via an axle  112  which resides in an axle channel formed on the first side  122  of the plate member. 
   In one embodiment, the plate member  102  is formed by injection molding a resin or other suitable material, known to those skilled in the art of plastics and/or composites construction. The plate member  102  has a first side  122  facing in a first direction and a second side  123  facing in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. The second side  123  of the plate member  102  may be provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending stiffening ribs  136 . The ribs  136  provide strength and torsional rigidity, when the plate member  102  is clamped to a child safety seat. 
   On either side of the longitudinal axis A, the plate member  102  is provided with a longitudinally extending row  124   a ,  124   b  of through holes. In some embodiments, the first and second rows  124   a ,  124   b  of through holes are parallel to one another and are equidistant from the longitudinal axis A. As seen in the figures, the rows  124   a    124   b  may be arranged along an adjacent vertical edge  125   a ,  125   b  of the plate member  102 . The through holes in row  124   a  are designated by reference numerals  126   a ,  126   b ,  126   c ,  126   d  and  126   e , while the through holes in row  124   b  are designated by reference numerals  128   a ,  128   b ,  128   c ,  128   d  and  128   e . The through holes in one row have the same spacing as the through holes in the other row, and corresponding through holes in the two rows are at the same height relative to the bottom edge  130  of the plate member  102 . Thus, for example through holes  126   e  and  128   e  are the same distance from bottom edge  130 , through holes  126   d ,  128   d  are the same distance from bottom edge  130 , etc. 
   The plate member  102  may also include a pair of spaced apart clamping bracket through holes  132   a ,  132   b  which are arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis A. The through holes  132   a ,  132   b  are spaced apart by a first distance D 1 , which corresponds to the spacing between openings  316   a ,  316   b  formed in a clamping bracket  300 , described below with respect to  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b.    
     FIG. 2  shows the first side  122  of the plate member  102 . Extending from the top edge  140  of the plate member are a pair of parallel channels  162   a ,  162   b  configured to receive the legs  106   a ,  106   b , respectively, of the handle member  104 . The axle channel  170  formed proximate the bottom edge  130  extends between a first side edge  180  of the plate member  102  and a second, opposite side edge  182  of the plate member  102 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , the axle channel has openings  172  throughout its length which communicate with the first side  122 . 
   Also proximate the bottom edge  130  of plate member  102  are a pair of spaced apart positioning members  164   a ,  164   b  which protrude in the same first direction that the first side  122  faces. The positioning members  164   a ,  164   b  are shaped and sized to be received into complementary openings formed in the back sides of certain brands and models of child safety seats. The operation of the positioning members  164   a ,  164   b  is further described in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,241, whose contents are incorporated by reference to the extent necessary to understand the present invention. 
     FIG. 3  shows a close-up of the plate member  102  of the dolly  100  in accordance with the present invention, in combination with a first type of child safety seat  250 . The handle member  104  has been omitted in this figure for simplicity. The back side  252  of the child safety seat  250  has an aperture  254  which is part of a passageway  256 . As is well-known to those skilled in the art, such a passageway  256  may be used to pass a seatbelt therethrough for securing the child safety seat  250  in a vehicle. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a clamping strap  200  passes through the passageway  256  and secures the dolly  100  to the child safety seat  250 . A first portion  202  of the clamping strap  200  is secured to the plate member  102  via a threaded fastener  270 . It is understood that another portion (not seen) of the clamping strap  200  is secured to a second such fastener (not shown) on the far side of the plate member  102 . Both portions of the clamping strap  200  are provided with internal threads suitable for mating with the threaded fasteners. 
   In one embodiment, the threaded fastener  270  may be in the form of a thumb screw having an enlarged head  272  and a threaded stem  274 . The thumb screw  270  passes through a through a through hole formed in the plate member  102 , with its head  272  on the second side of the plate member. In addition, the thumb screw&#39;s threaded stem  276  threadingly passes through a cleat  280  secured to the clamping strap  200 . The cleat  280  has the internal threads that cooperate with the threaded stem  274  to tighten the clamping strap  200  to the plate member  102 . During use, the threaded fasteners  270  are sufficiently tightened so as to frictionally clamp the plate member  102 , and thus the dolly  100 , to the child safety seat  200 . 
     FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show an exploded view and an assembled view, respectively, of the clamping strap  200 . The clamping strap  200  comprises a strip  262  of nylon, plastic, other suitable flexible material having a first end  264  and a second end  266 . 
   The first end  264  of the clamping strap  200  is provided with a plurality of spaced apart sites  268   a  at which a cleat  280  may be selectively accommodated. As seen in  FIG. 4   a , each site comprises an opening  267  formed through a thickness of the clamping strap  200 , and a grommet  269  attached to the clamping strap  200  at the opening  267 . The second end  266  of the clamping strap  200  is provided with another site  268   b  which can also accommodate a similar cleat  280 . 
   By virtue of being able to select from among the different sites  268   a  at the first end  264  of the clamping strap  200 , one is able to adjust the effective length of the clamping strap  200 . This allows a single clamping strap to be used with passageways of different lengths, which may be provided on the back sides of different makes and models of child safety seats. 
   Each cleat  268  is secured to the clamping strap by a retainer clip  290 . In one embodiment, each retainer clip  290  comprises a pair of elongated legs  292  connected at opposite ends by end loops  293 . With reference  FIGS. 4   a ,  5   a  &amp;  5   b , the legs  292  of the retainer clip  290  are received in spaced apart cutouts  293  which define a channel formed on the underside of the cleat  268 . Meanwhile, the end loops of  293  the retainer clips  290  are hooked over shoulders  294  formed on the topside of the cleats  268  and come to rest in valleys  295 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  and  5   c , two cutouts  273  are formed on each of two spaced apart walls  275  formed on the underside of the cleat  268 . The walls  275  are spaced apart by a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of the clamping strap  200 . Furthermore, the cleat  268  has a central through hole  289  which extends through a cylindrical projection  273  formed on the underside of the cleat  268 . When the cleat  268  is secured to the clamping strap  200 , the cylindrical projection  273  occupies the opening  267  and the clamping strap  200  is received between the walls  275 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   c , an internally threaded insert  296  is received into the central through hole  289  of the cleat  268 . In particular, as best seen in  FIG. 5   c , the internally threaded insert  296  is received via the topside of the cleat  268 . The internally threaded insert  296  has internal threads  279 . The internal threads  279  cooperate with the threaded fastener  270 , when the threaded fastener  270  is being used to secure the first and second ends of the clamping strap  200  (which clamping strap passes through the passageway  256 ) to the plate member  102 . Thus, in one embodiment, the internally threaded insert  296  mounted within the cleat  268 , which in turn is secured to the clamping strap  200 , provides the clamping strap  200  with threads for cooperating with the threaded fastener  270 . In one embodiment, the internally threaded insert is a DODGE® Ultrasert IV-type flanged brass insert. Inserts of this type are known to those skilled in the art of providing plastic or composite components with wear-resistant internal threads. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates an intermediate step in securing the plate member  102  to the clamping strap  200 . The threaded stem  274  of the threaded bolt  270  is about to be received into the opening  289  formed in the projection  273 , when the projection  273  protrudes through the grommet  269 . It is understood from  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 5   c  that the threaded stem  274  is pushed into the opening  289  until it engages the internal threads  279  of the insert  296 , at which point the operator may begin turned the threaded fastener  270  to tightened the clamping strap  200  and thereby frictionally secure the plate member  102 , and thus the dolly  100  to child safety seat  250 . 
     FIG. 7  shows a stylized view of the front  122  of the plate member  102  of the dolly  100  and a clamping bracket  300 . The handle member  104  has been omitted in this figure for simplicity. A pair of threaded fasteners in the form of thumb screws  302   a ,  302   b  are used to secure the clamping bracket  300  to the plate member  102 . The thumb screws  302   a ,  302   b  pass through clamping bracket through holes  132   a ,  132   b  from the backside  123  of the plate member and enter the used to fastening clamping bracket  300  is secured to the plate member  102  of the dolly  100 . 
   As seen in this figure, the clamping bracket  300  projects in the same first direction as the positioning members  164   a ,  164   b . The clamping bracket has a pair of laterally extending arms  310   a ,  310   b , each arm having a rearwardly facing clamping surface  312   a ,  312   b , respectively (see  FIG. 8   a ). 
   The function of the clamping bracket  300  is for its rearwardly facing clamping surfaces  312   a ,  312   b  to abut forwardly facing abutment surfaces formed on apertures associated with a passageway found on the back side of a child safety seat. To accomplish this, the laterally extending arms  310   a ,  310   b  of the clamping bracket  300  are positioned to enter the apertures, and then the threaded fasteners  302   a ,  302   b  which pass through the clamping bracket  300  are turned to tighten the assembly. This causes the clamping surfaces  312   a ,  312   b  to abut the abutment surfaces of the apertures. Further tightening secures the plate member  102  of dolly  100  to the child safety seat, with the rearwardly facing clamping surfaces  312   a ,  312   b  of the clamping member applying a clamping force against the forwardly facing abutment surfaces formed on the apertures of the child safety seat. The clamping action of the clamping bracket  300  is further described in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,241, whose contents are incorporated by reference to the extent necessary to understand the present invention. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , the clamping bracket  300  has a leg member  317  which terminates in an end surface  318 . It is this end surface  318  of the leg member  317  that abuts against the first side  122  of the plate member  102 , when the threaded fasteners  302   a ,  302   b  are inserted through the plate member  102  and into spaced apart through holes  316   a ,  316   b  formed in the end surface  318 . Thus, the spaced apart through holes  316   a ,  316   b  can be aligned with the clamping bracket through holes  132   a ,  132   b  formed in the plate member  102 , when it is desired to employ the clamping bracket  300  in conjunction with the dolly  100 . 
   A pair of bidirectional internally threaded inserts  320   a ,  320   b  are positioned in a medial portion of the through holes  316   a ,  316   b , respectively. Each of these inserts  320   a ,  320   b  has a corresponding internal thread  322   a ,  322   b , respectively, for engaging the threaded fasteners  302   a ,  302   b , respectively. In one embodiment, the internally threaded inserts  320   a ,  320   b  are a DODGE® Ultrasert III-type symmetrical brass insert. Inserts of this type are also known to those skilled in the art of providing plastic or composite components with wear-resistant internal threads. 
     FIG. 9  shows the dolly  100  clamped to the back side of another embodiment of a child safety seat, shown generally as  402 . This child safety seat  402  includes a structure  410  that projects outwardly from the child safety seat  402 . As seen in the figure, the structure  410  is an L-shaped eye  410  which connects a first portion  404  of the child safety seat  402  to a second portion  406  of the child safety seat. Depending on the child safety seat, the eye  410  may be formed of metal, plastic, composite material, or other substance. Although only one eye  410  is shown in this figure, it is understood that two such eyes  410 , on either side, are provide on the child safety seat  402 . 
   Hook-type threaded fasteners, in the form of J-bolts  400 , are used to clampingly secure the dolly  100  to the child safety seat  402 . The J-bolts  400  have a hook end  420  which hooks the eye  410 , and a threaded end  422  which passes through a through hole in the plate member  102 . It is understood that two such J-bolts are used, one for hooking each eye  410 . In one embodiment, a wing nut  424  is used to secure the threaded end  422  of the J-bolts to plate member  102 . As the wing nuts  424  are tightened, the hook ends  420  pull on the eyes  410 , thereby clamping the child safety seat  402  to the plate member  102 . The wing nuts  424  are used to tighten the first and second J-bolts sufficiently tight so as to frictionally clamp the plate member  102  to the child safety seat  402 . 
     FIG. 10  shows a combination  500  of a dolly clamped, via clamping strap  502 , to a child safety seat  250  of the sort having a back side formed with a passageway (the passageway being hidden by the plate member  102  in  FIG. 10 ). In this combination  500 , a ratchet  510  is mounted on the plate member  102 , such as at through holes  132   a ,  132   b  (see  FIG. 1 ). A clamping strap  502  is of sufficient length to pass through the passageway, and has a first portion (first portion being hidden in  FIG. 10 ) adapted to be attached to the plate member  102  and second, toothed portion  506  end suitable for engaging the ratchet  510 . 
   In  FIG. 10 , the clamping strap passes through the passageway and a first portion of the clamping strap  502  is secured to the plate member  102 . In the embodiment shown, the (hidden) first portion of the clamping strap  502  is secured to the plate member  102  via a threaded fastener  270 , much as seen in  FIG. 3 . It is understood, however, that other techniques may be used to secure the first portion of the clamping strap  502  to the plate member  102 . 
   An intermediate portion  504  of the clamping strap  502  emerges from an opposite end of the passageway, wraps around the first edge  125   a  of the plate member  102 , and connects to a second, toothed portion  506 . The ratchet  510  mounted on the second side of the plate member  102  cooperates with the toothed portion  506  of the clamping strap  502 . When the toothed portion  506  of the clamping strap is engaged by the ratchet  510 , operation of the ratchet handle  512  serves to tighten the clamping strap  502  and propel the latter&#39;s tongue  508  further towards the threaded fastener  270 , seen in  FIG. 10 . People skilled in the art are familiar with the operation and use clamping straps having a toothed portion  506  suitable for engaging such ratchets  510 . 
   While the embodiment of  FIG. 10  shows the clamping strap  502  to wrap around the first edge  125   a  of the plate member, it is understood that in other embodiments, the plate member may have a vertically extending slot in place of, or adjacent to, the through holes proximate the first edge  125   a  of the plate member, and the clamping strap  502  may pass through such a slot. 
   The dolly  100  of the present invention may be sold as kit which a current owner of a child safety seat may wish to acquire. Such a kit will generally include a plate member, such as plate member  102 , a handle member  104 , wheels  106   a ,  106   b  and any hardware needed to mount the wheels, such as the axle  108 . These items may be partially or fully dissembled, though in some embodiments these items may even completely be assembled. 
   The kit will also include at least one of the aforementioned clamping mechanisms to clamp a child safety seat to the dolly. Thus, there may be one type of kit that comes with the clamping strap  200  and its various accessories such as the cleats, spring clips, and threaded fasteners. Another type of kit may come with the clamping bracket  300  and threaded fasteners. Still another type of kit may come with just the J-bolts  400  and the nuts used to tighten the J-bolts. Still another type of kit may come with the ratchet  500  and the toothed clamping strap  504 . 
   Since different child safety seats differ in their construction, such a kit may include the necessary hardware for more than just a single style of child safety seat. In some embodiments, the kit will include two, three or even all four types of clamping mechanisms, thereby allowing a single kit to function with a variety of different types of child care seats. It should be noted that in such kits, the same plate member  102  may thus be used with a plurality of different types of clamping mechanisms (clamping strap, clamping bracket and hook (e.g., J-bolt) and even ratchet) so as to accommodate a variety of child safety seats. 
   Also, a child safety seat dolly in accordance with the present invention can selectively be clamped to a child safety seat, for transporting the child safety seat with the child seated therein. Since it can be selectively clamped, the dolly does not require that the child safety seat be modified. This obviates the need to permanently change any existing components or permanently attach any new components, either of which may violate regulations an specifications governing such seats. Thus, a dolly in accordance with the present invention may be used in conjunction with prior art child safety seats having the necessary structures to mate with the provided clamping mechanisms. 
   Although the present invention has been described to a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Technology Category: 7