WO1994005189A2

WO1994005189A2 - Inflatable infant vehicle seat/bed

Info

Publication number: WO1994005189A2
Application number: PCT/US1993/008366
Authority: WO
Inventors: Larry Artz
Original assignee: Babystar Inc.
Priority date: 1992-09-04
Filing date: 1993-09-03
Publication date: 1994-03-17
Also published as: AU4848693A; MX9305417A; WO1994005189A3

Abstract

An inflatable infant vehicle seat/bed device for use with a vehicle seatbelt includes a longitudinally extending inflatable seat/bed having an inflatable bottom panel and an inflatable peripheral sidewall. The sidewall defines a pair of opposed, longitudinally spaced end panels upstanding from the ends of the bottom panel and a pair of opposed, laterally spaced side panels upstanding from the sides of the bottom panel and connecting the end panels. Passageways are provided on each of the side panels for passage of a seatbelt therethrough for securing the seat/bed to a vehicle such that, regardless of whether the seat/bed is disposed transverse or parallel to the direction of motion of the vehicle, when the vehicle abruptly stops, the resultant movement of the seat/bed relative to the vehicle causes the tops of the side panels to approach each other, thereby to further cover and protect an infant within the seat/bed.

Description

INFLATABLE INFANT VEHICLE SEAT/BED

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vehicle seat/bed for infants, and more particularly to such a seat/bed which is inflatable and deflatable.

Infant vehicle seat/beds are well known in the art and are designed to accommodate and protect an infant in either the sitting or reclining position of the infant. The seat/bed may be disposed transverse to or parallel to the motion of the vehicle—that is, it may be mounted on the car seat extending along a transverse axis of the vehicle or extending along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Preferably, an infant seat (as opposed to a child's seat), when disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, is configured so that the infant faces rearwardly toward the back end of the vehicle for safety reasons.

The known infant vehicle seat/beds are formed of cushioning or padded material, either with or without a rigid frame for supporting the same. Such a seat/bed represents a compromise between the high level of protection desirably afforded to the infant in the event of an accident, and the high level of comfort desirably provided for the infant during normal use of the seat/bed (that is, when no accident is imminent) . Such a seat/bed fails to provide the

SUBSTITUTESHEET infant with the highest level of protection possible in the event of an accident because the structure necessary to provide the highest level of protection would be uncomfortable for the infant during normal use of the seat/bed.

Another problem with the known infant vehicle seat/beds is that they are bulky and thus difficult to store where storage space is at a premium. Thus, while parents may provide their vehicle with an infant vehicle seat/bed, when the infant is taken for rides in the vehicles of those who do not have an infant vehicle seat/bed, the infant is deprived of the extra protection afforded by an infant vehicle seat/bed. For example, grandparents who only see the infant occasionally will probably not have such a seat/bed in their vehicle as a routine matter and may not have room for storage of such a device within their home.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an infant vehicle seat/bed which under normal driving conditions provides a maximum level of comfort to the infant within, yet in the event of an accident affords a maximum level of protection for the infant within, regardless of its comfort, during the instant of the accident. Another object is to provide such a seat/bed which is easily and compactly stored when not in use.

A further object is to provide such a seat/bed

SUBSTITUTESHEET which is economical to manufacture and easy to maintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that the above and related objects of the present invention are obtained in an inflatable infant vehicle seat/bed device for use with a vehicle seatbelt. The device comprises a longitudinally extending inflatable seat/bed including an inflatable bottom panel and an inflatable peripheral sidewall. The sidewall in turn defines a pair of opposed, longitudinally spaced end panels upstanding from the ends of the bottom panel and a pair of opposed, laterally spaced side panels upstanding from the sides of the bottom panel and connecting the end panels. Passageways are provided on each of the side panels for passage of a vehicle seatbelt therethrough for securing the seat/bed to a vehicle such that, regardless of the orientation of the seat/bed relative to the direction of motion of the vehicle, when the vehicle abruptly stops, the resultant movement of the seat/bed relative to the vehicle causes the tops of the side panels to approach each other, thereby to further cover and protect an infant within the seat/bed. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the peripheral sidewall extends above the entirety of the bottom panel, and portions of the side panels higher

SUBSTITUTESHEET than the bottom panel are more flexible than the bottom panel. The bottom panel defines a plurality of short thick chambers of low flexibility, and the portions of the side panels higher than the bottom panel define long thin chambers of high flexibility relative to the bottom panel chambers. The passageways are disposed adjacent the top and bottom of each of the side panels, the top passageways preferably being closer to the head end panel while the bottom passageways are closer to the front end panel.

In the preferred embodiment, preferably the bottom panel defines a head and back portion for support of the head and back of an infant in the seat/bed, a sacrolumbar ridge for support of the sacrolumbar region of the infant, a buttock portion for support of the buttocks of the infant, a knee ridge for support of the knees of the infant, and a foot portion for support of the feet of the infant, the sacrolumbar ridge joining the head and back portion and the buttock portion, and the knee ridge joining the buttock portion and the foot portion. The head and back portion, the buttock portion and the foot portion are each vertically tilted, the head and back portion and the buttock portion defining a right angle, and the buttock portion and the foot portion defining a right angle. The head and back portion and

SUBSTITUTESHEET the foot portion are generally parallel. The free end of the head and back portion is highest, the sacrolumbar ridge and the free end of the foot portion are lowest, and the knee ridge is intermediate the two free ends in height.

Preferably, the head and back portion defines at least one aperture therethrough and the knee ridge defines an aperture therethrough. The seat/bed additionally includes a harness and means for releasably securing the functional end portions of the harness together, one functional end portion of the harness passing through the head and back aperture, and the other functional end portion of the harness passing through the knee ridge aperture. The harness securing means releasably secures the harness functional end portions together in front of the infant.

The present invention additionally encompasses the combination of such a device with a vehicle seatbelt, the combination varying with the orientation of the device relative to the vehicle seat. In one case, the passageways are disposed adjacent the top and bottom of each of the side panels, the vehicle seatbelt passing sequentially upwardly through a bottom passageway and then a top passageway on one side panel, over the bottom panel to the other side panel, and downwardly through the other top passageway

SUBSTITUTESHEET and then the other bottom passageway. In the other case, the passageways are disposed adjacent the top and bottom of each of the side panels with the top passageways being closer to the end panel adjacent the infant's head and the bottom passageways being closer to the end panel adjacent the infant's feet, the vehicle seatbelt passing sequentially downwardly through a bottom passageway on one side panel, underneath the bottom panel to the other side panel, upwardly through the other bottom passageway, and then upwardly through a top passageway, back over the bottom panel to the one side panel, and downwardly through the other top passageway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and related objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the presently preferred, albeit illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an inflatable infant vehicle seat/bed according to the present invention as disposed on a car seat (illustrated in phantom line) transverse to the direction of motion of the vehicle;

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are top plan, bottom plan,

SUBSTITUTESHEET front elevational and rear elevational views thereof, respectively;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the seat/bed disposed parallel to the direction of motion of the vehicle and taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2, with an infant and the car seat being illustrated in phantom line;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the seat/bed during an accident; FIG. 8 is a front sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6, with portions of the seatbelt broken away;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but showing the seat/bed during an accident; FIG. 10 is a top plan view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 6, with portions of the seatbelt broken away;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but showing the seat/bed during an accident; FIG. 12 is a side elevational view showing the seat/bed with a carrying strap; and FIG. 13 is a top plan view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to FIGS. 1-5 thereof, therein illustrated is an inflatable infant vehicle seat/bed device according to the present invention, generally

SUBSTITUTESHEET designated by the reference numeral 10. The seat/bed device 10 is mounted on a vehicle seat, in the intersection of a horizontal cushion 12 of the vehicle seat (which supports the weight of the seat/bed device 10) and the back cushion 14 of the vehicle seat, and maintained there by means of a vehicle seatbelt 16 having its ends fixedly connected to the vehicle seat or vehicle frame (not shown) intermediate the ends 15 of the vehicle seat. The seatbelt 16 is openable and closable by means of a seatbelt buckle 18. The seat and seatbelts may be of the type commonly found in automotive vehicles and hence need not be described in further detail herein.

The seat/bed device 10 comprises a longitudinally extending inflatable seat/bed generally designated 20, and passageways 22 for passage of the vehicle seatbelt 16 therethrough for securing the seat/bed 20 to the vehicle. More particularly, the seat/bed 20 includes an inflatable bottom panel generally designated 24 (see FIG. 2) and an inflatable peripheral sidewall generally designated 26 extending about and secured to the bottom panel 24. The peripheral sidewall 26 in turn defines a pair of opposed, longitudinally spaced end panels generally designated 30 upstanding from the ends of the bottom panel 24 and a pair of opposed, laterally spaced side panels generally designated 32 upstanding from the

SUBSTITUTESHEET sides of the bottom panel 24 and connecting the end panels 30. Specifically, the end panels 30 include a head panel 30a and a foot panel 30b, the infant's head being adjacent the head panel 30a and the infant's feet being adjacent the foot panel 30b during use of the device 10. To varying extents, the peripheral sidewall 26 extends below the bottom panel 24 as necessary in order to provide a secure level base for the seat/bed 20. The edges of the bottom panel 24 are secured to the peripheral sidewall 26 by conventional means, heat sealing being a preferred technique. Thus the heat seal line 90 of FIG. 1 visible from the exterior of the peripheral sidewall 26 accurately reflects the cross-sectional configuration of the bottom panel 24. The bottom panel 24 defines a head-and-back portion 40 for support of the head and back of an infant in the seat/bed 20, a sacrolumbar ridge 42 for support of the sacrolumbar region of the infant, a buttock portion 44 for support of the buttocks of the infant, a knee ridge 46 for support of the knees of the infant, and a foot portion 48 for support of the feet of the infant. The sacrolumbar ridge 42 joins the head-and-neck portion 40 and the buttock portion 44, while the knee ridge 46 joins the buttock portion 44 and the foot portion 48. Preferably, the head-and-back portion 40, the buttock portion 44 and

SUBSTITUTESHEET the foot portion 48 are each vertically tilted (i.e., tilted to the vertical), with the head-and-back portion 40 and the buttock portion 44 defining generally one right angle at the sacrolumbar ridge 42, and the buttock portion 44 and the foot portion 48 defining generally another right angle at the knee ridge 46. Preferably the two right angles face in opposite directions so that the head-and-back portion 40 and the foot portion 48 are generally parallel. The free end 40a of the head-and-back portion 40 is highest, the sacrolumbar ridge 42 and the free end 48a of the foot portion 48 are lowest, and the knee ridge 46 is intermediate the two free ends 40a and 48a in height. This preferred configuration of the bottom panel 24 provides a safe and comfortable sitting/sleeping position for the infant within the seat/bed 20.

In order to maintain the infant on the bottom panel 24 and prevent the infant from climbing out of the seat/bed 20, the head-and-back portion 40 defines at least one aperture 50 therethrough (and preferably two apertures 50 as shown), and the knee ridge 46 defines an aperture 52 therethrough. The knee ridge aperture 52 is disposed on the central longitudinal axis of the seat/bed 20 between the side panels 32, while the head-and-back-portion apertures 50 are spaced to respective sides of the central longitudinal

SUBSTITUTESHEET axis of the seat/bed 20. The seat/bed device 10 additionally includes a harness 54 (such as a cloth strap) and means 56 (such as a buckle) for releasably securing the functional end portions of the harness 54 together. The harness 54 is composed of a strap which is in part doubled over on itself. The buckle 56 divides into two parts, one part being secured to one functional end portion 54a of the harness and the other portion being secured to the other functional end portion 54b of the harness. The two harness portions automatically engage when brought into contact and are released by depression of a button 58 of the buckle 56, as in a conventional locking mechanism for a seatbelt. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 in particular, the two physical ends of the strap 54 are secured together by means of a length-adjustment mechanism 60 enabling adjustment of the overall length of the strap 54. From the length-adjustment mechanism 60, the strap 54 passes upwardly through knee ridge aperture 52 to the top of the bottom panel 24 where it engages one of the portions of buckle 56 and then returns through the knee ridge aperture 52, thereby defining one harness functional end portion 54b. The strap 54 then (after traveling below a portion of the length of the bottom panel 24) passes upwardly through one of the head-and-back portion apertures 50, travels above

SUBSTITUTESHEET a portion of the length of the top of the bottom panel 24 to where it engages the other portion of the buckle 56, and then travels above a portion of the length of the top of the bottom panel 24 to where it passes downwardly through the other aperture 50 (and finally travels below a portion of the length of the bottom panel 24 to the other side of the length-adjustment mechanism 60), thereby defining the harness functional end portion 54a. Thus, while the actual physical ends of the strap 54 are secured together by the length-adjustment mechanism 60, the functional end portions 54a, 54b of the strap 54 are releasably secured together by the buckle 56. When the harness 54 is secured about an infant, the two strap segments of harness end portion 54a extend over the shoulders of the infant (one strap segment to each side of the head of the infant) and down to its stomach, while the other functional end portion 54b extends upwardly to the stomach from between the legs of the infant, so that the buckle 56 can join both functional end portions 54a, 54b in front of the stomach of the infant.

The bottom panel 24 defines a plurality of short, thick chambers 66 of low flexibility when inflated, extending from one side panel 32 to the other, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the seat/bed 20. However, each of the chambers 66 is in

SUBSTITUTESHEET gaseous communication so that they are commonly inflatable and deflatable by means of a valve 68, preferably concealed on the bottom of the bottom panel 24 (see FIG. 3) . Preferably, as illustrated, there are three such chambers 66 in each of the foot portion 48 and the buttock portion 44, while there are six such chambers 66 in the head-and-back portion 40. Preferably, as also illustrated, the head-and-back portion 40 may be subdivided into an upper three chambers 66 defining a head portion 70 and a lower three chambers 66 defining a back portion 72. While the chambers 66 of each portion 70, 72, 44, 48 are so close together that each portion is substantially rigid, the several portions are separated for the most part (but not entirely) by thin, non-inflatable, flexible strips 74, which permit limited motion of the portions relative to one another even when all of the individual chambers 66 are fully inflated. The strips 74 do not extend the full length of the joint between the chambers 66 of adjacent portions so that such chambers 66 of adjacent portions remain in gaseous communication.

The peripheral sidewall 26, including the end panels 30 and side panels 32, are commonly inflatable and deflatable by a common valve 78 which, like the bottom panel inflation valve 68, is preferably

SUBSTITUTESHEET concealed below the level of the bottom panel 24 (see FIG. 3). Clearly, if desired, the two valves 68, 78 may be joined by a common valve for ease of inflation and deflation—for example, by a relief valve (not shown). The two valves 68, 78 enable easy inflation and deflation of the seat/bed 20 so that the device 10 may be conveniently stored in a compact form between uses (e.g., in a vehicle trunk).

The end panels 30a, 30b are divided into vertically spaced, short, thick chambers 80 of low flexibility when inflated, similar to the chambers 66 of the bottom panel. The head end panel 30a is illustrated as having four such chambers 80, while the foot end panel 30b is illustrated as having three such chambers 80. The upper chamber 80 of each end panel 30 may have a height which is greater than that of the chambers 80 therebelow so that it is somewhat more flexible when inflated than the other chambers 80. By way of contrast with the short, thick chambers 66 and 80 of low flexibility when inflated, for the most part the portions of each side panel 32 disposed above the bottom panel 24 are preferably divided into, a series of vertically spaced, long chambers 82 of high flexibility when inflated (relative to the bottom panel chambers 66 and the end wall chambers 80). Thus, as illustrated, the upper chamber 82 of each side panel 32 extends the full

SUBSTITUTESHEET length of the seat/bed 20, and the chamber 82 immediately below is almost as long. The portions of the side panels 32 disposed below the bottom panel 24 define a series of vertically spaced, short chambers 84, although, for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter, these chambers need not have the high level of flexibility of chambers 82.

The several chambers 82 above the bottom panel 24 are in free gaseous communication with one another, and the several chambers 84 below the bottom panel are also in free gaseous communication with one another. Preferably, there is limited direct communication within each side panel 32 between the plurality of chambers 82 above the bottom panel 24 and the plurality of chambers 84 below the bottom panel 24, via communication apertures 83. The limited communication is intended to permit a rapid flow of air from the upper chambers 82 into the lower chambers 84 when the upper edges of the sidewall panels 32 are pressed downwardly by a seatbelt during an accident, as will be explained hereinafter. On the other hand, the passage of air from the lower chambers 84 into the upper chambers 82 after the accident (as the chambers 82, 84 attempt to equalize the pressures therein) is restricted so that the upper edges of the side panels 32 are not forced to return to their original position immediately, but can remain in a crushed or partially

SUBSTITUTE SHEET deflated position overlying and protecting the infant for a few seconds after the accident. Furthermore, it is theorized that the passage of the air through the restricted communication apertures 83 between upper chambers 82 and lower chambers 84 acts as a shock absorber and consumes at least a portion of the impact energy.

The division of each side panel 32 into a series of chambers 82 above the bottom panel 24 and a series of chambers 84 below the bottom panel 24 is easily effectuated at the time that the bottom panel 24 is heat sealed to the peripheral sidewall 26 simply by making sure that the heat seal involves not only the inner surface of each side panel 32, but also the outer surface thereof, except where the communication apertures 83 between the upper chambers 82 and the lower chambers 84 are desired.

As earlier noted, the seat/bed 20 includes passageways 22 on each of the side panels 32 for passage of a vehicle seatbelt therethrough for securing the seat/bed to a vehicle. Each side panel 32 defines an upper or top passageway 22a disposed above the bottom panel 24 as well as a lower or bottom passageway 22b disposed below the bottom panel 24. The top passageways 22a are disposed closer to the head end panel 30a (adjacent the infant's head), while the bottom passageways 22b are disposed closer to the

SUBSTITUTESHEET foot end panel 30a (adjacent the infant's feet). Preferably the top passageways 22a are disposed above the sacrolumbar ridge 42, while the bottom passageways 22b are disposed below the knee ridge 46. The passageways 22 are preferably formed of a rigid material, such as hard plastics. They permit the seat/bed 20 to be secured to a vehicle such that, regardless of the orientation of the seat/bed device 10 relative to the direction of motion of the vehicle (that is, regardless of whether it is parallel or transverse to the direction of motion of the vehicle) , when the vehicle abruptly stops, the resultant movement of the seat/bed 20 relative to the vehicle causes the tops of the side panels 22 to approach each other, thereby to further cover and protect an infant within the seat/bed 20. Furthermore, this protection is achieved to some degree not only when the vehicle abruptly stops, as might be the case during a head-on collision, but also when there is a side collision such that the seat/bed 20 continues to move in the forward direction while the vehicle abruptly moves horizontally.

In order to achieve this protection, the vehicle seatbelt 16 is passed sequentially upwardly through a bottom passageway 22b and then a top passageway 22a on one side panel 32, then across the open top of the seat/bed (over the bottom panel 24) to

SUBSTITUTESHEET the other side panel 32, and then downwardly through the other top passageway 22a and then the other bottom passageway 22b. When the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop, the seat/bed 20 continues to move in the prior direction of motion of the vehicle (typically, forwardly) . This has the same effect as if the seatbelt 16 were suddenly tightened. As the portion of the side panels 32 disposed above the bottom panel 24 are more flexible than the portions therebelow, the tightening seatbelt 16 causes the upper sidewall portions to fold inwardly towards each other and downwardly so that they more closely cradle and now also cover the infant within the seat/bed 20. This movement of the side panels 32 not only minimizes the movement of the infant within the seat/bed 20 as a result of the abrupt stop, but protects it from any flying glass, debris or the like which might otherwise enter through the normally open top of the seat/bed 20. In effect, the upper side panel portions act as a protective blanket for the infant during an abrupt stop.

While it is appreciated that the infant within the seat/bed may object to having its freedom of motion confined and his vision abruptly cut off by the approaching upper panel portions, during the instant of the abrupt stop safety considerations far outweigh the comfort of the infant. Once the abrupt stop has

SUBSTITUTESHEET been completed and as things return to normal, the seatbelt pulls the seat/bed back to its original position and the upper sidewall portions return to their original configuration since they are now longer stressed by the seatbelt, thereby returning freedom of motion and a full range of vision to the infant.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 8 and 10, therein illustrated is the same seat/bed device 10 according to the present invention as is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. The difference in the figures is that in FIGS. 1-5 the seat/bed is mounted parallel to the direction of motion of the vehicle, whereas in FIGS. 6, 8 and 10 the seat/bed is mounted transverse to the motion of the vehicle. Thus the vehicle seatbelt 16 passes sequentially downwardly through a bottom passageway 22b on one side panel 32, underneath the bottom panel 24 to the other side panel 32, and upwardly through the other bottom passageway 22b. It then proceeds upwardly through a top passageway 22a, over the bottom panel 24 to the one side panel 32 and downwardly through the other top passageway 22a. While the seatbelt configuration varies, the effect of an abrupt stop is the same—namely, the seatbelt 16 forces the upper side panel portions to approach and protect the infant I within the seat/bed 20.

FIGS. 7, 9 and 11 are views similar to FIGS. 6, 8 and 10, but illustrate the effect of an

SUBSTITUTE SHEET abrupt stop of the vehicle. Relative to FIG. 6, FIG. 7 shows the relatively straight edge of the side panels 32 becoming downwardly concave as the seatbelt 16 pulls downwardly thereon during an abrupt stop. This results in the end panels 30 flexing inwardly (towards one another) to protect the infant more closely. Relative to FIG. 8, FIG. 9 shows the portions of the side panels 32 adjacent the head end panel 30a (and especially the forward side panel 32) flexing inwardly to a position more closely adjacent the head of the infant, thereby reducing the ability of the head to flop from side to side, as would normally be the case in the event of an abrupt stop. Relative to FIG. 10, FIG. 11 shows the end panels 30 and the side panels 32 both approaching the infant so as to afford a higher level of protection, especially for the sensitive neck joint.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, therein illustrated is the same seat/bed device 10 according to the present invention in combination with a carrying strap 100. While the seat/bed device 10 may easily be transported for brief trips (such as between a house and the vehicle) by grasping the upper passageways 22a of each side panel 32, provision is made for a more comfortable carrying strap 100 to be used during longer trips. To this end, the seat/bed 20 is provided with integral slots 102 through which a

SUBSTITUTESHEET carrying strap 100 can be threaded. Preferably each side panel 32 is provided with four such slots 102, two upper slots and two lower slots. One of the upper slots and one of the lower slots are closer to the head end panel 30a, and the other upper slot and the other lower slot are closer to the foot end panel 30b. For ease of handling, the carrying strap 100 may be provided with a length-adjustment mechanism (not shown) and a soft handle 104 may be provided for extra comfort.

While the inflatable portions of the seat/bed 20 may be formed of nylon or other material affording sufficient strength and gaseous impermeability to meet rigorous safety standards, the upper surface of the bottom panel 24 and the inner surface of the peripheral sidewall 26 above the bottom panel 24 may be padded or lined with a material which will afford greater comfort to the infant within than would plastic by itself. For example, the lining may be formed of a soft breathable fabric.

To summarize, the present invention provides an infant vehicle seat/bed which under normal conditions provides a maximum level of comfort to the infant within, yet in the event of an accident affords a maximum level of protection for the infant within, regardless of its comfort, during the instant of the accident. The seat/bed is convenient to use, easily

SUBSTITUTESHEET and compactly stored when not in use, and is economical to manufacture and easy to maintain.

Now that the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be construed broadly and limited only by the appended claims, and not by the foregoing specification.

SUBSTITUTESHEET

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An inflatable infant vehicle seat/bed device for use with a vehicle seatbelt, comprising:

(A) a longitudinally extending inflatable seat/bed including (i) an inflatable bottom panel; and

(ii) an inflatable peripheral sidewall defining a pair of opposed, longitudinally spaced end panels upstanding from the ends of said bottom panel, and a pair of opposed, laterally spaced side panels upstanding from the sides of said bottom panel and connecting said end panels; and

(B) a plurality of passageways on each of said side panels for passage of a vehicle seatbelt therethrough for securing said seat/bed to a vehicle such that, regardless of the orientation of said seat/bed relative to the direction of motion of the vehicle, when the vehicle abruptly stops, the resultant movement of said seat/bed relative to the vehicle causes the tops of said side panels to approach each other, thereby to further cover and protect an infant within said seat/bed.

2. The seat/bed device of Claim 1 wherein said bottom panel defines a plurality of short thick chambers of low flexibility, and the portions of said side panels higher than said bottom panel define long

SUBSTITUTESHEET thin chambers of high flexibility relative to said bottom panel chambers.

3. The seat/bed device of Claim 1 wherein each of said side panels is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said upper and lower chambers being in direct gaseous communication only through at least one communication aperture, said communication aperture enabling a first flow of air from said upper chamber into said lower chamber and a second flow of air from said lower chamber into said upper chamber, said communication aperture being configured and dimensioned such that said first flow is faster than said second flow.

4. In combination, a vehicle seat belt and the seat/bed device of Claim 1 wherein said passageways are disposed adjacent the top and bottom of each of said side panels, said vehicle seatbelt passing sequentially upwardly through a bottom passageway and then a top passageway on one side panel, over said bottom panel to the other side panel, and downwardly through the other top passageway and then the other bottom passageway.

5. In combination, a vehicle seat belt and the seat/bed device of Claim 1 wherein said passageways are top and bottom passageways disposed adjacent the top and bottom, respectively, of each of said side panels with the top passageways being closer

SUBSTITUTESHEET to the end panel adjacent the infant's head and the bottom passageways being closer to the end panel adjacent the infant's feet, said vehicle seatbelt passing sequentially downwardly through a bottom passageway on one side panel, underneath said bottom panel to the other side panel, upwardly through the other bottom passageway, and then upwardly through a top passageway, back over said bottom panel to the one side panel, and downwardly through the other top passageway.

6. An inflatable infant vehicle seat/bed device for use with a vehicle seatbelt, comprising:

(ii) an inflatable peripheral sidewall defining a pair of opposed, longitudinally spaced end panels upstanding from the ends of said bottom panel, and a pair of opposed, laterally spaced side panels upstanding from the sides of said bottom panel and connecting said end panels; a portion of said peripheral sidewall extending above the entirety of said bottom panel, said bottom panel defining a plurality of short thick chambers of low flexibility, and the portions of said side panels higher than said bottom panel defining long thin chambers of high flexibility relative to said bottom panel chambers; and

SUBSTITUTESHEET (B) passageways adjacent the top and bottom of each of said side panels for passage of a vehicle seatbelt therethrough for securing said seat/bed to a vehicle such that, regardless of whether said seat/bed transverse or parallel to the direction of motion of the vehicle, when the vehicle abruptly stops, the resultant movement of said seat/bed relative to the vehicle causes the tops of said side panels to approach each other, thereby to further cover and protect an infant within said seat/bed.

7. In combination, a vehicle seat belt and the seat/bed device of Claim 6 wherein said passageways are disposed adjacent the top and bottom of each of said side panels, said vehicle seatbelt passing sequentially upwardly through a bottom passageway and then a top passageway on one side panel, over said bottom panel to the other side panel, and downwardly through the other top passageway and then the other bottom passageway.

8. In combination, a vehicle seat belt and the seat/bed device of Claim 6 wherein said passageways are disposed adjacent the top and bottom of each of said side panels with the top passageways being closer to the end panel adjacent the infant's head and the bottom passageways being closer to the end panel adjacent the infant's feet, said vehicle seatbelt passing sequentially downwardly through a

SUBSTITUTESHEET bottom passageway on one side panel, underneath said bottom panel to the other side panel, upwardly through the other bottom passageway, and then upwardly through a top passageway, back over said bottom panel to the one side panel, and downwardly through the other top passageway.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET