Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. The Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to devices, methods, and systems for protecting automobile car seats. Specifically, the invention relates to devices, methods, and systems for thermally protecting child car seats. 
   2. The Relevant Art 
   Child car seats are often subject to harsh conditions within vehicle interiors. For example, child car seats maybe situated for extended periods within parked vehicles located on asphalt parking lots with little or no shade on hot, sunny days. The parked vehicles may be locked with the windows rolled up, resulting in extreme heat buildup within the vehicle. Often sunlight strikes the interior portion of the child car seat and heats up components such as buckles that are dark in color and retain considerable heat. Upon occupation by a child, plastic or metal parts may transfer the heat to exposed skin relatively efficiently, resulting in burns or extreme discomfort by a child, who may already be uncomfortable due to the hot weather and other conditions associated with excursions from home. 
   Conversely, a vehicle containing a child car seat may sit unprotected overnight near a residence exposed to subzero conditions. Upon entry by the passengers, the vehicle may require an extended period to heat up, before which precious heat may be absorbed by the plastic or metal components of the child car seat, resulting in discomfort to the child occupant. 
   What is needed is a device designed to thermally protect the interior portion of an unoccupied child car seat, particularly any components that may contact a child directly. Preferably, such a device would be easily deployed and placed in a storage position during occupancy either above or behind the child car seat. The ability to quickly detach the device for placement within a storage compartment such as a trunk would also be beneficial. Given the messy habits of many children, the ability to wash the device would also be beneficial. The ability to place a temperature moderation device at a useful position, particularly near any components that may contact a child, would also increase the effectiveness of such a thermal protection device. 
   OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The apparatus and corresponding method of the present invention have been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available child car seat protection means and methods. Accordingly, it is an overall object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for thermally protecting a child car seat. 
   To achieve the foregoing object, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein in the preferred embodiments, an improved child car seat protection device and corresponding method, are presented. The improved apparatus and method facilitate improved temperature moderation in hot and sunny or cold conditions. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, a thermal protection device for an unoccupied child car seat includes a flexible thermal barrier made of an insulating layer configured to provide thermal resistance, a reflecting layer configured to reflect radiant energy, and an absorbing layer configured to absorb radiant energy. The flexible thermal barrier is preferably shaped and sized to substantially cover and thermally protect an interior portion of an unoccupied child car seat. When deployed, the flexible thermal barrier forms an air pocket by substantially isolating the air within the interior portion of a child car seat from the ambient air. 
   In one embodiment, the flexible thermal barrier is made of appropriate materials such that the thermal protection device is washable and rollable into a storage shape. In certain embodiments, the thermal protection device includes a pouch configured to receive a temperature moderation device. Preferably, the pouch comprises a thermally conductive waterproof material with a water absorbent lining. Within the air pocket provided by the flexible thermal barrier, the temperature moderation device moderates the temperature of the air pocket and thereby the interior surfaces of the child car seat. 
   In one embodiment, the pouch is detachable from the flexible thermal barrier to facilitate cooling and heating of the temperature moderation device. The fastener used to attach and detach the pouch preferably facilitates placing the pouch and temperature moderation device at a position that is in direct contact with components such as buckles or clips that may come in direct contact with an occupant of the child car seat. 
   In one embodiment, the thermal protection device includes a positioning strap and fastener that facilitates securing the flexible thermal barrier into multiple storage positions such as above or behind the child car seat. In certain embodiments, the thermal protection device also includes an attachment mechanism configured to detachably connect the flexible thermal barrier to the child car seat and facilitate quick removal therefrom, for example to place the thermal protection device within a storage compartment, such as a trunk. 
   Preferably, such a device would be easily deployed and placed in a storage position during occupancy either above or behind the child car seat. The ability to quickly detach the device for placement within a storage compartment, such as a trunk, would also be beneficial. Given the messy habits of many children, the ability to wash the device would also be beneficial. The ability to place a temperature moderation device at a useful position particularly near any components that may contact a child would also increase the effectiveness of such a thermal protection device. 
   The various aspects of the present invention work together to provide a thermal protection device that is usable in a broad range of conditions and effective in preventing burning or freezing of the occupant of a child car seat and convenience to the child care provider. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the manner in which the advantages and objects of the invention are obtained will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view illustration of one embodiment of a thermal protection device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view illustration of one embodiment of the thermal protection device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view illustration of the thermal protection device of  FIG. 1  rolled into a storable position; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view illustration of an attachment mechanism of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a back view illustration of one embodiment of a deployed thermal protection device and associated attachment mechanism of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a front view illustration of a car seat with one embodiment of the thermal protection device in a first storage position; 
       FIG. 7  is a front view illustration of a car seat with one embodiment of the thermal protection device in a second storage position; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view illustration of one embodiment of the thermal protection device in a deployed position; 
       FIG. 9  is a back view illustration of one embodiment of the thermal protection device with a cooling pouch; 
       FIG. 10  is an illustration with front and back isometric views of one embodiment of a detachable cooling pouch and associated cooling pack in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 11  is a side view illustration of a child car seat with a deployed thermal protection device of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a front view illustration of one embodiment of a thermal protection device  100  of the present invention. The thermal protection device  100  is designed to provide thermal protection to a child car seat. As depicted, the thermal protection device  100  includes a flexible thermal barrier  110  and a positioning strap  120 . The flexible thermal barrier  110  is shaped and sized to cover child car seats in a manner that insulates child car seats from both hot and cold conditions. 
   The positioning strap  120  includes a fastener  130  used to fasten the thermal barrier into deployed and storable positions. The depicted fastener  130  includes a front portion  130   a  and aback portion  130   b  designed to mate and fasten together when rolling the flexible thermal baffler into a storable position. In one embodiment, the front portion  130   a  and back portion  130   b  are rectangular patches of hook and loop material respectively. 
     FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view illustration of one embodiment of the thermal barrier  110 . In the depicted embodiment, the thermal barrier  100  includes a reflecting layer  110   a , an insulating layer  110   b , and an absorbing layer  110   c . The reflecting layer  110   a  reflects radiant energy such as (infrared) heat and solar radiation. Conversely, the absorbing layer  110   c  absorbs radiant energy such as (infrared) heat and solar radiation. 
   The insulating layer  110   b  provides resistance to thermal conduction and improves the thermal protection provided by the thermal barrier  110 . To keep a car seat from getting hot, the thermal barrier  110  is positioned with the reflecting layer  110   a  facing outward from the car seat. To keep a car seat from getting cold, the thermal barrier  110  is positioned with the reflecting layer  110   a  facing inward and the absorbing layer  110   c  facing outward. 
     FIG. 3  is an isometric view illustration of the thermal protection device of  FIG. 1  rolled into a storable position  300 . The flexibility of the thermal barrier  110  facilitates rolling the thermal device  100  into the storable position  300 . In the depicted embodiment, the storable position  300  is maintained by mating the front portion  130   a  and the back portion  130   b  of the fastener  130 . The storable position  300  facilitates placing the thermal device in a storage compartment such as a trunk or in other storage locations some of which will be shown and described below. 
     FIG. 4  is a front view illustration of an attachment mechanism  400  of the present invention. The attachment mechanism  400  includes a sticky pad  410 , an attachment strap  420 , and a buckle  430 . The attachment mechanism  400  facilitates quick attachment and detachment of the thermal protection device  100  to and from a child car seat regardless of whether the thermal protection device  100  is rolled up into a storable position or unrolled into a deployable position. 
   The sticky pad  410  facilitates fixing the attachment means  400  to a car seat. The buckle  430  includes a female connector  430   a  and a male connector  430   b  that clip together when the male connector  430   b  is inserted into the female connector  430   a . The buckle  430  is unclipped by pulling apart the female connector  430   a  and the male connector  430   b  while squeezing a pair of prongs  430   c  and  430   d.    
   In the depicted embodiment, the attachment strap  420  is threaded through the female connector  430   a  and the positioning strap  120  is threaded through the male connector  430   b . The length of the attachment mechanism  400  may be adjusted by changing the length of the threaded segment of the attachment strap  420 . Changing the length of the attachment mechanism facilitates adjusting the positioning of the thermal barrier  110  relative to the interior portion of a child car seat. 
     FIG. 5  is a back view illustration showing one embodiment of a deployed thermal protection device  100  and an associated attachment mechanism  400 . As shown in the depicted deployment, the sticky pad  410  is used to secure the attachment mechanism  400  at an accessible location near the top of the car seat. The precise deployed position of the flexible barrier  110  may be adjusted by adjusting the length of the attachment mechanism  400  as described in conjunction with  FIG. 4 . The attachment mechanism  400  may also be used to detach the thermal protection device  100  by separating the buckle  430  into male and female connectors as previously described. 
     FIGS. 6–8  are front view illustrations showing the thermal protection device  100  in a first storage position  600 , a second storage position  700 , and a deployed position  800 , respectively. The depicted first storage position  600  is above the child car seat, while the depicted second storage position  700  is behind the child car seat. The depicted first and second storage positions are shown by way of example in that the precise storage position as well as the deployed position may be adjusted via the attachment strap  420 . 
   The flexible thermal barrier  110  depicted in  FIG. 8  is made of supple materials that facilitate draping the thermal protection device  100  over a child car seat. In other embodiments, the flexible thermal barrier  110  is made of less supple materials that facilitate forming a larger air pocket with the interior portion of a child car seat by conforming the flexible thermal barrier  110  to a shape that maintains a large air pocket within the interior portion of a child car seat. 
     FIG. 9  is a back view illustration of one embodiment of a thermal protection device  900  with a temperature moderation pouch  910 . In the depicted embodiment, the thermal protection device  900  is similar to the thermal protection device  100  and includes the flexible thermal barrier  110 , the positioning strap  120 , and other elements described in conjunction with  FIG. 1  and elsewhere. 
   The temperature moderation pouch  910  is preferably shaped to receive and cover a temperature moderation device such as a cold pack or hot pack. The temperature moderation pouch  910  is also preferably made of a waterproof thermally conductive material that protects a child car seat from condensation and facilitates temperature moderation. In one embodiment, the temperature moderation pouch  910  includes a water absorbent lining capable of absorbing condensation on the temperature moderation device. 
   The temperature moderation pouch  910  preferably faces a child car seat and is positioned to facilitate temperature moderation of buckles and other components of a child car seat that a child is likely to contact. The depicted example is shown with the temperature moderation pouch  910  placed at a position corresponding to the placement of buckles for a typical car seat. 
   When properly deployed, the temperature moderation pouch, and the device contained therein, moderate the temperature of the air pocket between the child car seat and the flexible thermal barrier  110  generally, and the components of the child car seat in contact with the temperature moderation device specifically. Moderation of the temperature of the airspace between the child car seat and the flexible thermal barrier  110  results in moderation of the interior portion of a child car seat and prevents burning or freezing upon occupation by a child. 
     FIG. 10  is an illustration with front and back isometric views of one embodiment of a detachable pouch  1010  in accordance with the present invention. A temperature moderation device  1020  is also shown. In the depicted embodiment, the temperature moderation device is a standard cooling pack typically used with picnic coolers. Heating the temperature moderation device  1020  previous to deployment in cold weather and cooling the temperature moderation device  1020  in hot weather increases the effectiveness of a thermal protection device such as the thermal protection device  900 . 
   A fastener  1030  facilitates detachment and attachment of the detachable pouch  1010  with a thermal protection device such as the thermal protection device  900 . In the depicted embodiment, the fastener  1030  is a square patch of hook or loop material that mates with a corresponding fastener (not shown) on the thermal protection device  900 . The size, shape and position of the fastener  1030  facilitate placing the pouch and temperature moderation device at a position that is in direct contact with components such as buckles or clips that may come in direct contact with an occupant of the child car seat. The fastener  1030  also facilitates removing the detachable pouch  1010  for example when cooling or heating the temperature moderation device  1020 . 
     FIG. 11  is a side view illustration of a child car seat with a deployed thermal protection device  1100  of the present invention.  FIG. 11  illustrates the utility of the present invention. The thermal protection device  1100  is similar to the thermal protection device  900  and includes the flexible thermal barrier  110 , the positioning strap  120 , and other elements described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 and 9 , and elsewhere. For clarity, the positioning strap  120  and the attachment mechanism  400  are not shown and dashed lines are used to indicate hidden lines. 
   The depicted flexible thermal barrier  110  is somewhat stiff yet flexible enough to conform to the shape of a car seat  1150 . In the depicted embodiment, the stiffness of the flexible thermal barrier  110  facilitates forming a large air pocket  1110  that is substantially isolated from the ambient air. The air pocket  1110  increases the thermal protection of the deployed thermal protection device  1100 . 
   To further increase thermal protection, the temperature moderation pouch  910  is shown positioned in contact with the lower back portion of a child car seat. The temperature moderation pouch  910  may be attached to the flexible thermal barrier via the fastener  1030  (not shown) or simply placed unattached at a strategic position as shown. The temperature moderation pouch  910  is preferably placed within the air pocket at a location that facilitates temperature moderation of the interior portion of the child car seat and most preferably in contact with car seat components that may contact an occupant. 
   The various elements of the present invention work together to provide thermal protection to a child car seat. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Technology Category: b