GB2527137A

GB2527137A - Inflatable child booster cushion/seat for use with a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2527137A
Application number: GB1410655.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susan Spaven
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-15
Filing date: 2014-06-15
Publication date: 2015-12-16
Also published as: GB201410655D0

Abstract

An inflatable booster seat for use in a vehicle comprises a seat bottom 1 and arm rests 2 and 3. The arm rests 2, 3 and seat bottom 1 define voids or gaps 4 through which the vehicle seat belt can pass. The seat includes an inflation valve 6, and may include a pressure relief valve 5. The base of the seat preferably includes reinforcing ribs 7 to help the seat maintain shape. A rigid foam or sponge insert (17, fig. 4) may be provided inside the seat bottom 1 to provide support in the event of unwanted deflation. An inflatable back rest (See Figure 7) may be attached to the seat. The seat and/or backrest may include a pouch 9 which can accommodate the seat components when deflated.

Description

Inflatable Child Booster Cushion/Seat for use with a Vehicle

Description

The invention to which this application relates is to the provision of cushion or seat which can be used in conjunction with a vehicle to boost the height of a person, typically a child, in order that they are positioned for the lap belt to secure correctly over the pelvic region and for the shoulder belt to be positioned correctly over the shoulder. The invention is de-signed to comply with current legislation which applies to children of 15-36kg, or 3-12 years old and less than 1.35m tall (UN Reg. ECE R44.04 Groups 2 and 3). This seat can also be used to boost height, when required, in trains, aeroplanes, cinemas, theatres, restaurants, etc. The nature of this invention is that it will be used with the occupant facing forward, and will act as a restraint for the occupant by working in conjunction with the vehicle's safety belt system, which will perform the function of anchoring the booster cushion/seat to the vehicle, along with the occupant.

The use of booster seats/cushions in conjunction with vehicle seats, where they are placed on the vehicle seats and held in place by means of the person seated upon them and secured by the use of the standard 3-point safety belt, is known.

Typically, the known seats are produced from solid or rigid materials, in part, or in whole.

Materials such as blow moulded plastics, solid plastics and polystyrene, or a combination, and/or with metal frames have been used. These products are bulky, and when not in use, are difficult to store and transport, especially for travelling by train, air or other means of public transport, when the product is going to be required, but not continuously in use. These solid car booster seats and cushions are very often uncomfortable for use over long periods of time due to their rigid and unforgiving nature.

Although there are certain circumstances where a child is permitted to sit in a vehicle without such a booster seat/cushion, the law is becoming increasingly strict and the means to have such a seat available at all times will become more of a necessity than an option. Additionally, it makes sense to have a cost-effective and easily portable booster seat/cushion available for those who respect that the law is there for a reason, even prior to legislation tightening up.

It is also known that attempts at inflatable booster cushion/s and inflatable booster seat/s have been designed over a number of years and that there are at least 2 models cur-rently approved and potentially available on the market.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a child booster cushion/seat which can be used in conjunction with a vehicle seat to provide the correct position in terms of height for the correct positioning of the standard 3-point safety harness. The aim is also to pro- vide the comfort required for prolonged use, due to the nature of the materials and de-sign. With the use of the seatback in the invention, the aim is also to provide a level of side impact protection, and additional back comfort and support for smaller occupants. A further aim of the invention is to provide a convenient, practical carry and storage solution so that there is never likely to be a time when the booster cushion/seat may not reasona-bly be available for use.

In the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a booster cushion/seat for use in con-junction with a vehicle seat, said booster cushion/seat being able to be altered from its storage state to its in-use state by means of inflation and back again by means of defla-tion. Inflation will be achieved by blowing into a standard high capacity valve, or similar, which may have an integrated pressure relief function, or alternatively, the cushion may have a separate pressure relief valve. The function of the pressure relief valve would be to assist in the prevention of possible over inflation of inflatable elements and to assist in the equalisation of pressure within the unit to allow for increases and decreases in tem-perature, or increases and decreases in the weight of the occupant. Deflation will be achieved by opening the inflation valve and releasing the air by folding and/or rolling the cushion/seat to force the air out. Instructions will be provided with the invention for this.

Typically, the invention is made up of 2 inflatable components, which comprise Compo-nent 1, which is the inflatable seat bottom, and Component 2, which is the inflatable seat back. Each of these components retains its own valve for inflation and deflation. A third element, Component 3, is a guide for the seat belt shoulder strap. Component 4 is the solid component located within the outer ring of component 1.

Component 1 is made up of 3 elements, 1 is an inflatable cushion element, designed to provide a comfortable, cushioning, boost, for the occupant, to the correct height for the seat belts lap strap to locate on the occupants pelvic region, and 2 & 3 are the 2 integral inflatable armrests. The cushion has been designed with ribbed reinforcing elements to ensure the maintenance of its shape, and is designed to be slightly higher at the front to allow the occupant to locate in the safest, most comfortable position. Component 4 also resides within the outer ring of Component 1.

Component 1 is designed with integral inflatable armrests which are designed to act as a guide for the lap belt of the seat belt, ensuring the correct positioning of the lap belt and to secure the lap belt in the safe position described. The armrests are inflated along with the rest of the cushion element and are integral at the rear by means of the standard high frequency welding process used in the manufacture of inflatable goods. The arm rests are designed to form a void and will make contact with cushion further forward. Here they will be secured to the cushion by means of hook and loop material. The purpose of the armrests being in contact with the cushion at the rear and the front is to provide greater strength and support for the occupant to rest their arms on. The second purpose is for the void to allow the lap portion of the seatbelt to pass through, which will help prevent the belt from moving, or being moved, from the correct position as well as allowing the seat belt to locate the inflatable seat bottom relative to the vehicle.

Component 1 can be provided with 2 holes towards the rear which are designed for the location of complimentary pegs', which are integral to the lower part of Component 2.

The combination of this male/female configuration creates a simple and secure joint for the 2 inflatable elements resulting in one complete Booster Seat. Adjacent to the holes on the underside of the cushion is hook and loop material which work in conjunction with cor- responding hook and loop material attached to the underside of the pegs, which is de-signed to provide additional security for the joining of Component 2 to Component 1, once the pegs have been correctly positioned through the holes, thus making Component 2 removably attachable to Component 1.

Component 1 has either an integral, protective pouch attached to its rear, which is de-signed for the entire component, in its deflated state to be folded into and enclosed so that it can be packed safely away, or a PVC Flap with hook and loop material to enable the component to be folded and secured in a folded manner. The pouch could be made large enough to accommodate Components 2 & 3 as well. The large closing flap of the pouch may also have printed the necessary instructions for both the use of the booster cushion/seat, and for folding the component safely away. The integral pouch is to be manufactured from the same or similar materials as the Component itself.

Component 1 could be produced from suitably robust standard or flocked PVC (ideally to minimum 0.75mm in thickness) or a similar suitable material, commonly used in the manufacture of other inflatable goods, which have the correct properties for this type of application.

Component 2 is made up of one large inflatable element which is produced in such a way as to have, at the lower end, 2 pegs, with attached hook and loop material, designed to locate through the corresponding holes in Component 1 (previously described). The de- sign includes rib reinforcing designed to strengthen and maintain shape, as well as pro-vide support occupant's lumber and back region. The winged side elements have been formed to provide an element of side impact protection for smaller occupants should the vehicle be hit from the side.

Component 2 has an integral, protective pouch attached to its rear, which is designed for the entire component, in its deflated state to be folded into and enclosed so that it can be packed safely away, or may have the PVC flap with hook and loop material to fold and hold secure the folded component. The large closing flap of the pouch will also have printed the necessary instructions for both the use of the booster cushion/seat, and for folding the component safely away. The integral pouch is to be manufactured from the same or similar materials as the Component itself.

Component 2 could be produced from suitably robust standard or flocked PVC (ideally to minimum 0.75mm in thickness) or a similar suitable material, commonly used in the manufacture of other inflatable goods, which have the correct properties for this type of application.

Component 3 comprises a length of seatbelt-type webbing and a clip, which is designed to connect to the underside of Component 1 by means of a series of press-studs, hook and loop material, or a similar securing mechanism. The length of this webbing and clip mechanism is designed to be adjustable and will be used to guide the shoulder strap of the seat belt to the correct height for the occupant.

Component 4, located within the outer ring of Component 1 comprises a ring of solid me-dium density foam/sponge, or solid material with similar properties, of the requisite size to provide support in the event of accidental deflation. Component 4 is also required to en-sure compliance with the latest standards set within the interpretation of the UN ECE R44.04 regulations.

In one embodiment, an inflated Component 1 will function as a standalone booster cush-ion.

In one embodiment a deflated Component 1, due to the inclusion of Component 4, will, in emergencies, still function as a stand alone booster.

In one embodiment, an inflated Component 1, combined with Component 3, will function as a standalone booster cushion with a specific directional guide for the shoulder strap of the seat belt -This embodiment is designed to enhance the safety of smaller occupants.

In one embodiment, an inflated Component 1, combined with, by means of the holes and pegs previously described, an inflated Component 2, functions as a complete booster seat, which provides added side impact protection not available with a standalone booster cushion and is suitable primarily for smaller occupants.

In one embodiment, an inflated Component 1, combined with, by means of the holes and pegs previously described, an inflated Component 2, and combined with Component 3, functions as a complete booster seat, which provides added side impact protection not available with a standalone booster cushion, as well as providing a specific directional guide for the shoulder strap of the seat belt -This embodiment, too, is designed to en-hance the safety of smaller occupants.

In one embodiment, a deflated Component 1 is packed into its integral pouch and is stored away, using the minimum of space.

In one embodiment, a deflated Component 1, along with Component 3 is packed into Component l's integral pouch and is stored away, using the minimum of space.

In one embodiment, a deflated Component 1 is packed into its integral pouch, plus a de-flated Component 2 is packed into its integral pouch, and they are stored away, using the minimum of space.

In one embodiment, a deflated Component 1, along with Component 3 is packed into Component l's integral pouch, plus a deflated Component 2 is packed into its integral pouch, and they are stored away, using the minimum of space.

Figure 1: Component 1, Front View. This identifies the 3 elements (1) is the seat bottom and (2) and (3) show the left and right hand Integral Inflatable Arm Rests, with (4) being the void through which the lap portion of the seat belt may pass. (5) is the possible loca-tion of the optional separate pressure relief valve.

Figure 2: Component 1, Isometric View -Front. This identifies the 3 elements (1) is the seat bottom and (2) and (3) show the left and right hand Integral Inflatable Arm Rests, with (4) being the void through which the lap portion of the seat belt may pass. (5) is the possible location of the optional separate pressure relief valve. (6) shows the possible lo- cation of the Inflation Valve, which may be a standard life jacket valve, and may incorpo-rate an integral pressure relief mechanism. (7) indicates the possible design of the Ribbed Reinforcing Elements, which will enable the invention to retain its shape. (8) shows the possible location of one of the holes to accommodate on of the pegs of the re-movably attachable seat back. (9) shows the possible location of the integral pouch, or flap with hook and loop material, to store the deflated seat bottom when it is not in use.

(10) shows the hook and loop material for fixing the front of the seat bottom arms.

Figure 3: Component 1, Isometric View -Rear. This identifies the 3 elements (1) is the seat bottom and (2) and (3) show the left and right hand Integral Inflatable Arm Rests, with (4) being the void through which the lap portion of the seat belt may pass. (6) shows the possible location of the Inflation Valve, which may be a standard life jacket valve, and may incorporate an integral pressure relief mechanism. (7) indicates the possible design of the Ribbed Reinforcing Elements, which will enable the invention to retain its shape.

(8) shows the possible location of one of the holes to accommodate on of the pegs of the removably attachable seat back. (9) shows the possible location of the integral pouch, or flap with hook and loop material, to store the deflated seat bottom when it is not in use.

Figure 4: Component 1, Isometric View -Rear. (17) is area indicated by the dotted lines demonstrating the approximate positioning and extent of Component 4, the solid foam! sponge insert (non inflatable component of the car seat).

Figure 5: Component 1 -Underside. (8) shows the possible location of one of the holes to accommodate on of the pegs of the removably attachable seat back. (9) shows the possible location of the integral pouch, or flap with hook and loop material, to store the deflated seat bottom when it is not in use. (17) is the shaded area between the dotted lines demonstrating the approximate positioning of Component 4, the solid foam/sponge insert (non inflatable component of the car seat).

Figure 6: Demonstrates where Component 3 could be affixed to Component 1. The ad-justable web and clip mechanism (16) is affixed to the underside of the seat bottom (1) by means of press studs or hook and loop material or other suitable fixing method, and will be available to locate the shoulder strap of the 3 point seat belt.

Figure 7: Shows Component 1 and Component 2. Primarily shows the way in which the removably attachable seat back (15) will be positioned to locate into position in conjunc-tion with the seat bottom (1). The pegs (11) will locate into the holes (8) and the hook and loop material (12) will affix to the underside of the seat bottom (1). This figure also dem- onstrates the Ribbed Reinforcing Elements (7) on the seat back as well, and (14) a pro-posed option for the design of the lower part of the seat back which could provide comfort and support for the occupant's back and lumber region. Lastly, (14) demonstrates an op-tion for the wings' designed to offer some side impact protection for the occupant.

Figure 8: Shows Component 1 connected to Component 2 front view. The seat back (15) is now attached to the seat bottom (1) and the wings' (14) and back support (13) are de-monstrably in position for the occupant's benefit.

Figure 9: Also shows Component 1 connected to Component 2, but in isometric view.

The seat back (15) is now attached to the seat bottom (1) and the wings' (14) and back support (13) are demonstrably in position for the occupant's benefit. There is also a clear demonstration of the arm (2) and the void through which the lap portion of the seat belt may pass (4), as well as pouches, or flaps with hook and loop material (9) for both the seat bottom and the seat back.

Figure 10: Also shows Component 1 connected to Component 2, but from a rear view perspective showing the rear of the seat back (15) and the underside of the seat bottom (1). Demonstrates the pegs' (11) through the seat bottom (1) and the hook and loop ma-terial (12) affixed to the underside of the seat bottom (1). Also shows the pouches, or flaps with hook and loop material (9) for both the seat back (15) and seat bottom (1) as well as the inflation valves (6) for both components.

Figure 11: Is a simple demonstration of the deflated seat bottom (1) (or seat back (15)) being folded and placed into the integral pouch (9), and (9a) which is the pouch in use.

This can be replaced with the flap with hook and loop material to achieve similar results.

Claims

Inflatable Child Booster Cushion/Seat for use with a VehicleCLAIMS1. A child seat for use with a vehicle, the child seat comprising an inflatable seat bottom and at least one arm rest, wherein the arm rest forms a void through which a belt may pass to locate the seat bottom relative to the vehicle.
2. The child seat according to claim 1, which inflatable seat bottom further comprises, internally, a ring or similar construction of sponge foam within its structure to provide supplementary support in the event of the inflatable seat bottom deflating.
3. The child seat according to claim 1 wherein the void formed by the armrest is continuous with a space external to the child seat.
4. The child seat according to claim 1 wherein the void formed by the armrest is discontinuous with a space external to the child seat.
5. The child seat according to claim 1 wherein the armrest comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is in fluid communication with the seat bottom so that inflation of the seat bottom causes inflation of the arm rest.
6. The child seat according to claim 5 wherein the second end of the armrest is removably attachable to the seat bottom.
7. The child seat according to claim 6 wherein the second end of the armrest is attachable to the seat bottom by a hook and loop material.
8. The child seat according to any preceding claim further comprising an inflatable seatback removably attachable to the seat bottom.
9. The child seat according to any preceding claim wherein the seat bottom further comprises a pouch into which the seat bottom may be located when the seat bottom is in a deflated state.
10. The child seat according to claim 9, when dependent on claim 8, wherein the pouch of the seat bottom is adapted to further accommodate the seat back when the seat back is in a deflated state.
11. The child seat according to claim 8 or claim 10 wherein the seat back comprises a pouch into which the seat back may be located when the seat back is in a deflated state. a
12. The child seat according to any preceding claims wherein the seat bottom or seat back comprises, alternatively to a pouch, a flap designed to fix to the body with hook and loop material by which means the seat bottom may be locked in its folded position when the seat bottom or seat back is in a deflated state.
13 The child seat according to any of claims 8 to 12 wherein one of the seat bottom or the seat back further comprises one or more pegs and the other of the seat back or the seat bottom comprises one or more voids so that said one or more pegs may be located in one or more voids to thereby orientate the seat back relative to the seat bottom and attach it thereto.
14. The child seat according to any of claims 8 to 12 wherein the seat bottom and the seat back are attachable to one another by a hook and loop material.
15. The child seat according to any preceding claim wherein the seat bottom further comprises a guide for locating a strap to locate the seat back in a vehicle.
16. The child seat according to claim 15 wherein the seat back is sized and the guide is located and sized, so as to accommodate a shoulder strap of a seat belt of the vehicle in the guide when the child seat is installed in the vehicle.
17. The child seat according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein said guide is composed of webbing connected to a clip, wherein the clip is adapted to be removably connectable to the seat bottom.
18. A child seat for use with a vehicle, the child seat comprising an inflatable seat bottom and an inflatable seat back removably attachable to the seat bottom.
19. A child seat for use with a vehicle, the child seat comprising an inflatable seat bottom wherein the seat bottom further comprises a pouch into which the seat bottom may be located when the seat bottom is in a deflated state.