Child safety seat with remote control reclining feature

Abstract

The invention is directed to a child safety seat with remote control reclining feature. The safety seat provides a battery-powered electric servomotor which drives an internal gear system that gently and quietly moves the safety seat from an upright position to a reclining position. The reclining feature may be operated by a remote control, which is provided, or by a mobile application which may be downloaded and installed on the user's smartphone, tablet, or other mobile electronic device. The safety seat further provides a pressure switch which detects the presence of a child, and provides an audible alert if the child remains in the safety seat more than 60 seconds after engine of the vehicle stops running.

Claims

1. A child safety seat system comprising: a battery-powered electric servomotor which drives an internal gear system that gently and quietly moves the safety seat from an upright position to a reclining position; and a smartphone device, comprising: one or more processors; and a memory device having instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the smartphone device to: instantiate a mobile application that is configured to control the child safety seat; and responsive to receiving user input at the mobile application on the smartphone device, transmit a signal to the child safety seat to recline into the reclining position using the child safety seat's internal gear system.

2. (canceled)

3. The child safety seat of claim 1, wherein the safety seat further provides a pressure switch which detects the presence of a child, and provides an audible alert if the child remains in the safety seat more than 60 seconds after engine of the vehicle stops running.

4. The child safety seat of claim 3, wherein the pressure switch is activated by a predetermined amount of weight.

5. The child safety seat of claim 3, wherein the safety seat is securable in a forward or rear facing position within a cradle.

6. The child safety seat of claim 5, wherein release buttons are provided on both sides of the cradle.

7. The child safety seat of claim 1, wherein the safety seat further provides a handle.

8-12. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a rear view of the first exemplary embodiment in the rear facing upright position, displaying the safety seat 10, the cradle 11, the release button 12, and the handle 13.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment in the rear facing upright position, displaying the safety seat 10, the cradle 11, the release button 12, and the handle 13.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment in the rear facing reclining position, displaying the safety seat 10, the cradle 11, the release button 12, and the handle 13.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment in the rear facing upright position, displaying the safety seat 10, the cradle 11, the release button 12, and the handle 13.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment in the rear facing reclining position, displaying the safety seat 10, the cradle 11, the release button 12, and the handle 13.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the first exemplary embodiment in the front facing reclining position, displaying the safety seat 10, the cradle 11, the release button 12, and the handle 13.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment in the front facing reclining position, displaying the safety seat 10, the cradle 11, the release button 12, and the handle 13.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment in the front facing reclining position, displaying the safety seat 10, the cradle 11, the release button 12, and the handle 13.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment in the front facing reclining position, displaying the safety seat 10, the cradle 11, the release button 12, and the handle 13.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment in the front facing reclining position, displaying the safety seat 10, the cradle 11, the release button 12, and the handle 13.

[0027] FIG. 11 shows an illustrative diagram of various mobile electronic devices communicating with the child safety seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is a child safety seat 10 with remote control reclining feature.

[0029] The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a child safety seat 10 which provides a battery-powered electric servomotor, driving an internal gear system that gently and quietly moves the safety seat 10 from an upright position to a reclining position. The reclining feature may be operated by a remote control, which is provided, or by a mobile application which may be downloaded and installed on the user's smartphone, tablet, or other mobile electronic device.

[0030] The safety seat 10 further provides a pressure switch which detects the presence of a child, and provides an audible alert if the child remains in the safety seat more than 60 seconds after engine of the vehicle stops running. The pressure switch is activated by a predetermined amount of weight, such as 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms).

[0031] The safety seat 10 may be secured in a forward or rear facing position within a cradle 11, which is provided. Release buttons 12 are provides on both sides of the cradle 11. The safety seat 10 further provides a handle 13, which may be used to carry the safety seat 10 with a child secured within.

[0032] The electronic components of the safety seat 10 are battery-powered and may either be constantly active, activated by remote signal by the user, activated by motion sensor, or activated by some other method. Electronic components of the safety seat 10 preferably include a memory device, a microprocessor, an internal ring antenna, a servomotor, a speaker, a transmitter, and a receiver.

[0033] To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may install the safety seat 10 in the user's vehicle, secure a child in the safety seat 10, and use the remote control or the mobile application to recline the safety seat 10.

[0034] The safety seat 10 is preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials, such as steel, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, brass, and plastic, providing a padded upper surface which is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such as foam rubber, covered by a removable and easily laundered upholstered cover which is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable fabric such as cotton or a cotton-polyester blend. The cradle 11, the release button 12, the handle 13, the memory device, the microprocessor, the internal ring antenna, the servomotor, the speaker, the transmitter, and the receiver are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials, such as steel, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, brass, and plastic.

[0035] Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.