CAR SEAT CARRIER

Abstract

The present application relates generally to carrier bags, and specifically to a reconfigurable bag which can carry a car seat. The carrier of the present application includes a wall system defining a seat compartment, the wall system moveable between an extended configuration, in which an expansion portion is included in defining an outer wall of the seat compartment, and a retracted configuration, in which the expansion portion is excluded from defining the outer wall of the seat compartment. The outer wall of the seat compartment further has an opening, the opening permitting objects to enter or exit the seat compartment and the outer wall of the seat compartment having a cover portion being moveable to close the opening. The carrier further includes a releasable fastener system to govern access through the opening. A related method of utilizing the carrier as a car seat carrier and backpack are also described.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable carrier, comprising: a wall system defining a seat compartment and including an expansion portion, the wall system moveable between an extended configuration in which the expansion portion is included in defining an outer wall of the seat compartment and a retracted configuration in which the expansion portion is excluded from defining the outer wall of the seat compartment, the outer wall of the seat compartment having an opening defined therein, the opening permitting objects to enter or exit the seat compartment, the outer wall of the seat compartment having a cover portion being moveable to close the opening; and a releasable fastener system to govern access through the opening.

2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the releasable fastener system is moveable between a first configuration to govern access through the opening in the extended configuration and a second configuration to govern access through the opening in the retracted configuration.

3. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the releasable fastener system includes at least one compression strap and at least one side release buckle, the at least one compression strap and the at least one side release buckle provided to allow for expansion in the first configuration and retraction in the second configuration.

4. The carrier of claim 3, wherein the at least one compression strap contains a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is secured to one external side of the wall system and the second end contains a coupling mechanism that is configured to releasably secure to the at least one side release buckle, and wherein the at least one side release buckle is secured to an opposite external side of the wall system.

5. The carrier of claim 4, wherein the releasable fastener system includes: a seat compartment access fastener including at least one first constituent seat compartment access fastener and at least one second constituent seat compartment access fastener; and the at least one first and second constituent seat compartment access fasteners are engageable to govern the opening.

6. The carrier of claim 5, wherein the at least one first constituent seat compartment access fastener and the second constituent seat compartment access fasteners are each zipper halves.

7. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one shoulder strap secured to an outer surface of the outer wall structure for use by a user in carrying the carrier.

8. The carrier of claim 7, wherein the at least one shoulder strap is a pair of shoulder straps for use by a user in carrying the carrier as a backpack.

9. The carrier of claim 8, wherein the outer wall structure includes a back panel and a base to form a support structure for the seat when the outer wall structure is in the extended configuration.

10. The carrier of claim 9, wherein the back panel is a padded panel and is positioned between the shoulder straps and the seat compartment.

11. The carrier of claim 7, further comprising at least one waist strap and at least one sternum strap secured to the outer surface for use by a user in carrying the carrier.

12. The carrier of claim 2, wherein the wall system includes an inner wall structure, the inner wall structure segregating at least one general compartment from the seat compartment, the at least one general compartment provided for use by a user in segregating at least one further carried object from a seat in the seat compartment.

13. The carrier of claim 12, wherein the at least one general compartment includes a front compartment configured to rest within a seating area of the seat when the seat is received in the seat compartment.

14. The carrier of claim 13, wherein the releasable fastener system includes a front compartment fastener governing a front compartment access opening through the wall system.

15. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the expansion portion is either folded into the seat compartment or removed from the carrier when the carrier is in a retracted configuration.

16. A method of utilizing the carrier of claim 1 as a car seat carrier, comprising: extending the wall system defining the seat compartment by including the expansion portion in defining the outer wall of the seat compartment; opening the cover portion of the outer wall of the seat compartment to open the opening; placing a car seat through the opening of the outer wall of the seat compartment and in the seat compartment; and securing the car seat in the carrier by utilizing the releasable fastener system to close access through the opening and secure the carrier in the extended configuration.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the carrier further includes at least one shoulder strap secured to an outer surface of the outer wall structure for use by a user in carrying the carrier.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the carrier outer wall structure includes a back panel and a base to form a support structure for the seat when the outer wall structure is in the extended configuration.

19. A method of utilizing the carrier of claim 1 as a backpack, comprising: retracting the wall system defining the seat compartment by excluding the expansion portion from defining the outer wall of the seat compartment; and securing the carrier as a backpack by utilizing the releasable fastener system to maintain the carrier in the retracted configuration.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the carrier further includes a pair of shoulder straps for use by a user in carrying the carrier as a backpack.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the expansion portion is either folded into the seat compartment or removed from the carrier when the carrier is in the retracted configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The principles of the invention may better be understood with reference to the accompanying figures provided by way of illustration of an exemplary embodiment, or embodiments, incorporating principles and aspects of the present invention, and in which:

[0009] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a carrier in an extended configuration, according to an embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 1A, indicating an internal wall system;

[0011] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 1A, of which a front portion is raised to ease internal access;

[0012] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 1A, indicating a seat positioned within the carrier;

[0013] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 1A, in an extended configuration;

[0014] FIG. 2B is a perspective schematic view of the carrier of FIG. 2A, showing an internal base.

[0015] FIG. 2C is a perspective schematic view of the carrier of FIG. 2A, with a raised front flap.

[0016] FIG. 2D is a perspective schematic view of the carrier of FIG. 2A, showing a first step in reconfiguring the carrier to a retracted configuration;

[0017] FIG. 2E is a perspective schematic view of the carrier of FIG. 2A, in a retracted configuration;

[0018] FIG. 2F is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 2A, in a retracted configuration;

[0019] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a carrier in an extended configuration, according to an embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 3A, showing various internal features;

[0021] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 3A, in a retracted configuration and indicating the reduction from an extended configuration;

[0022] FIG. 3D is a perspective cut away view of the carrier of FIG. 3A, showing a back panel and platform of the carrier;

[0023] FIG. 3E is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 3A, showing a step in reconfiguring the carrier to a retracted configuration; and

[0024] FIG. 3F is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 3A, in a retracted configuration.

[0025] FIG. 4A is a front view of a carrier in an extended configuration, according to an embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 4B is a back, perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 4A in a retracted configuration;

[0027] FIG. 4C is a right side view of the carrier of FIG. 4A in an extended configuration;

[0028] FIG. 4D is a right side view of the carrier of FIG. 4A in a partially retracted configuration;

[0029] FIG. 4E is a front view of the carrier of FIG. 4A, of which a front portion is lowered to ease internal access;

[0030] FIG. 4F is a front view of the carrier of FIG. 4A, of which a front portion is partially lowered to reveal a car seat secured within.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention. In the description, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain features of the invention.

[0032] An aspect of this description relates to a carrier, such as a backpack, shoulder bag, or other bag. An aspect of this description relates to a carrier which can be extended to accommodate a car seat, booster seat, or related automobile seat insert.

[0033] An aspect of this description relates to a carrier which can be carried hands-free in either an extended configuration or a retracted configuration. An aspect of this description relates to a carrier incorporating structural elements to promote form retention and ease of use.

[0034] While in some embodiments the carrier may include a handle or a set of handles and wheels, in preferred embodiments a carrier includes at least one shoulder strap to allow the carrier to be carried as a backpack or messenger bag. In some embodiments, a carrier includes a pair of shoulder straps to enable a user to carry the carrier as a backpack in either extended or retracted configurations. In some embodiments, a carrier includes waist straps or other straps, such as sternum straps and load lifter straps, in addition to shoulder straps to further distribute weight. In some embodiments, framing may be used, such as plastic frame sheets and aluminum stays, to provide stiffness and load support to a carrier.

[0035] In some embodiments, a carrier includes a seat compartment and at least one separate compartment. In some embodiments, a separate compartment is a front-accessible compartment designed to allow a user to make use of the space above a seat when the carrier is in an extended configuration and being used to carry a seat. In some embodiments, this separate and front-accessible compartment is also designed to form a main compartment of the carrier when in a retracted configuration. In some embodiments, a separate compartment is designed to receive child-care supplies, such as diapers and other supplies.

[0036] In some embodiments, a carrier includes a back panel configured to receive a backrest of a seat. In some embodiments a back panel includes padding to mitigate the discomfort of a user when using the carrier to transport a seat, particularly a seat which includes a backrest. Padding may further be comprised of meshing, in order to promote circulation of air. In some embodiments, a back panel is configured to receive a seat, such as by defining seat-receiving undulations on a seat-receiving side of the back panel.

[0037] In some embodiments, a carrier includes a base for use in supporting the seat. In some embodiments a base is adjustable between at least a deployed position and a reserved position. In some embodiments, an adjustable base is deployed as part of reconfiguring the carrier from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration. In some embodiments a base includes supports to assist in spreading the supported weight of a seat. In some embodiments, a base is foldable along a midpoint seam and can be raised along the midpoint seam to fold the base flat against the back of a carrier or can be lowered along the midpoint seam to fold the base out as a floor of the carrier when the carrier is in an extended configuration. In some embodiments, a base can be raised vertically to align with and lay parallel against the back of a carrier or can be lowered horizontally, perpendicular to the back of a carrier as a floor of the carrier when the carrier is in an extended configuration. In some embodiments, a position of a base determines whether the carrier is in an extended configuration. In some embodiments, a base is biased in a raised position and a user may lower the base to extend the carrier and may then place a seat in the carrier on the base to hold the base in a lowered position. In some embodiments, a base includes a locking feature to allow a user to lock the base in a lowered position, such as by way of a mechanical feature to keep the base from folding or collapsing.

[0038] In some embodiments, a carrier includes an outer structural wall system, which substantially governs an interior volume. While in some embodiments an outer structural wall system defines openings in the manner of a mesh or rope system, in preferred embodiments an outer structural wall system includes a flexible thin-walled material substantially enclosing the interior volume. In some embodiments, an outer structural wall system is formed, at least in part, of a durable and flexible fabric, such as a polyester fabric. In some embodiments, an outer structural wall system is water resistant, in the manner of a treated polyester fabric.

[0039] At least one compartment of the carrier can be accessed from outside the carrier through a corresponding opening defined by a rim. In some embodiments, a carrier includes at least one releasable fastener for closing a compartment from outside access. In some embodiments, a releasable fastener is a zipper. In some embodiments, a releasable fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener, tie fastener, strap and buckle, or other releasable fastener.

[0040] An embodiment of a carrier is depicted in FIGS. 1A to 2F. Carrier 100 of FIGS. 1A to 2F includes an outer structural wall system 110 and a set of releasable fasteners provided to govern the expansion of carrier 100 and to govern openings through the outer structural wall system 110. The set of releasable fasteners includes an expansion zipper 122, a seat access zipper 124, and a front compartment access zipper 126. The expansion zipper 122 includes a first zipper side 123 and a second zipper side (not shown), the two sides buttress an expansion portion 116 of the outer structural wall system 110 when carrier 100 is in an extended configuration and which are joined to exclude the expansion portion 116 from the outer structural wall system 110 to assist in holding carrier 100 in a retracted configuration. In some embodiments, a carrier may include further releasable fasteners or fasteners which are otherwise configured, such as to provide further points of access or configuration options or because the carrier has additional compartments. For example, according to a preferred embodiment as depicted in FIGS. 4A to 4F, outer structural wall system 410 may include releasable fasteners in the form of compression straps and side release buckles 422 to exclude the expansion portion 416 from the outer structural wall system 410 and to assist in holding carrier 400 in a retracted configuration instead of or in addition to expansion zipper 122. Further, compression straps and side release buckles 423 may secure base 170 against back panel 114 when in a retracted configuration.

[0041] Carrier 100 also includes a pair of shoulder straps 140, the pair of shoulder straps including a right shoulder strap 142 and a left shoulder strap 144. Shoulder straps 140 are provided to allow a user to carry carrier 100 as a backpack. According to a preferred embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4B, shoulder straps 140 may be removeable. For example, shoulder straps 140 may contain snap hooks at one end, such that they may be releasably attached to back panel 114 by way of D-rings 440 located on the bottom right and left sides of back panel 114 and by side release buckles at a second end, that secure shoulder straps 140 to the right and left sides of the top of back panel 114. When not in use, shoulder straps 140 may be released from D-rings and side release buckles and stowed away within a pocket located on or within carrier 400. Further, shoulder straps 140 may be fully releasable or, alternatively, remain attached to a carrier at a single point, such that shoulder straps 140 may not become lost when removed.

[0042] As depicted in FIGS. 1B and 1C, carrier 100 also includes a front compartment separated from the main seat compartment by internal wall structure 150. Internal wall structure 150 of carrier 100 is a soft-walled structure, and extends rearward from a front face of the carrier 100. Internal wall structure 150 segregates a front compartment accessible via front compartment access zipper 126 from a seat compartment accessible via seat access zipper 124, as detailed further herein. According to a preferred embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4A, front compartment 426 may be accessed by unzipping two side zippers and opening a top portion of front compartment 426 by lifting a flap secured by a releasable fastener, such as a compression strap and side release buckle.

[0043] Carrier 100 is shown in use with a seat 160 in FIGS. 1C and 1D. In a preferred embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 4F, carrier 400 includes a strap or other fastening element to hold a seat to the carrier once the seat has been inserted into a seat compartment of the carrier, such as to keep the seat from moving around in the seat compartment when the carrier is being carried. For example, an internal retention strap 430 may be designed to wrap around the car seat headrest to assist holding it in place. As depicted in FIG. 1C, seat compartment access zipper 124 may be released, and a seat compartment opened by raising a front flap 112 of carrier 100. According to a preferred embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4C to 4F, seat compartment access zipper 424 may be released and a seat compartment opened by lowering a front flap 412 of carrier 400. As depicted in FIG. 1C, internal wall structure 150 is secured to the back of front flap 112. As depicted in FIG. 1D, front flap 112 may then be lowered and seat compartment access zipper 124 fastened to retain seat 160 inside carrier 100 after seat 160 has been inserted. According to a preferred embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 4F, seat 160 may be retained inside carrier 400 after seat 160 has been inserted by lowering front flap 412 and fastening seat compartment access zippers 424 in an upward fashion.

[0044] FIGS. 2A to 2D depict carrier 100 in various states in transition between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. In FIG. 2A carrier 100 is in an extended configuration with a seat compartment extended to receive a seat. Outer wall structure 110 includes an expansion portion 116, being the portion of outer wall structure 110 between first side zipper 123 and the second side zipper (not shown) of zipper 122, which forms part of the outer wall of a seat compartment when carrier 100 is in an extended configuration. According to a preferred embodiment, side zipper 123 and the second side zipper of zipper 122 are replaced by or used in addition to compression straps and side release buckles 422 that may be used to exclude the expansion portion 416 from the outer structural wall system 410 and to assist in holding carrier 400 in a retracted configuration.

[0045] FIG. 2B depicts a schematic view of carrier 100 showing internal structure. Carrier 100 includes a base 170 which may be supported by support straps 172 and 174 which extend from a back panel 114 of carrier 100. Base 170 forms a floor of the seat compartment, and may also assist in providing structure to the seat compartment, such as in connection with additional panels like a back panel in back wall 114. Base 170 may be either rigid or padded with, for example, soft foam. Further, base 170 may either be a separate, replaceable insert or intrinsic with outer structural wall system 110.

[0046] In FIG. 2C seat compartment access zipper 124 has been released and a front portion of carrier 100 has been lifted. Base 170, supported by support straps 172 and 174, is in a lowered configuration forming a floor of the extended seat compartment. Base 170 is provided to support the weight of a seat received in the seat compartment, and support straps 172 and 174 are provided to spread the burden on base 170. Base 170 is hingedly secured to carrier 100 by fabric hinge 176. In some embodiments, a base is made of a fabric coated plastic, or similar sturdy material. In other embodiments, a base may be comprised of foam padding. As depicted in FIG. 2C, base 170 includes a seam 178 running along a midlength of base 170 from the point where it joins back wall 114. Seam 178 is a point at which base 170 can fold to be moved between raised and lowered configurations. In other embodiments, other seam locations or configurations may be used. For example, according to a preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 4E, a base 470 can be raised vertically about a fabric hinge 476 to align with and lay parallel against back wall 114 of carrier 400, allowing carrier 400 to be positioned in a retracted configuration, or can be lowered horizontally, perpendicular to back wall 114 of carrier 100 as a floor of the carrier when the carrier is in an extended configuration. Base 470 may be secured in a retracted configuration by using a securing mechanism 477, such as a male and female side release buckle. The male and female components of the side release buckle may be fastened to either base 470 or a bottom of internal wall structure 450, such that when the two components are securably coupled and base 470 is parallel against back wall 114, the bottom portion of internal wall structure 450 is pulled inward. This further facilitates securing carrier 400 in a retracted configuration.

[0047] FIG. 2D depicts carrier 100 with base 170 partly raised against an inside rear surface of carrier 100. Base 170 is partly raised, bending along seam 178, to allow the carrier 100 to be moved from an expansion configuration to a retracted configuration. As described above, base 170 may also be raised vertically about fabric hinge 176 to align with and lay parallel against back wall 114 of carrier 100 in order to position carrier 100 in a retracted configuration. Base 170 may contain a biasing member that biases base 170 into a raised position, such that base 170 remains in a lowered floor configuration only when force is applied to the top, such as via a seat being placed on top of base 170 after base 170 has been lowered by a user. Biasing member could be an elastic strap or similar material to pull base 170 into a folded configuration as shown in FIG. 2E, or to raise base 170 vertically about fabric hinge 176 to align with and lay parallel against back wall 114. In some embodiments, the use of a biasing member biases carrier in a retracted configuration, as the raising of a base causes the seat compartment to retract, allowing a user to fasten an expansion zipper or buckles to hold the carrier in a retracted configuration; for example, the base may be joined with an expansion portion of a wall structure such that the raising of the base causes the expansion portion to be drawn into the seat compartment.

[0048] A fully retracted configuration of carrier 100 is depicted in schematic form in FIG. 2E to show base 170 raised against back wall 114 of carrier 100. As shown in FIG. 1 first side zipper 123 of expansion zipper 122 has been joined with a second side of expansion zipper 122 to form expansion zipper 122 holding the carrier 100 in a retracted configuration in which the expansion wall portion buttressed by first side zipper 123 and second side zipper (not shown) is excluded from the outer wall structure. The second side zipper (not shown) of zipper 122 may be secured to the wall structure of carrier 100 near seat compartment access zipper 124, such as under a flap near seat access zipper 124. According to a preferred embodiment, depicted in FIGS. 4A to 4F, side zipper 123 and the second side zipper (not shown) of zipper 122 are replaced by or used in addition to compression straps and side release buckles 422 that may be used to exclude the expansion portion 416 from the outer structural wall system 410 and to assist in holding carrier 400 in a retracted configuration. A first end of the compression strap may be secured to either back wall 114 or front flap 412 and a second compression strap end, containing a securing mechanism, may be secured to a side release buckle, a second end of the side release buckle being secured to back wall 114 or front flap 412. Compression straps and/or side release buckles may be adjustable, such that carrier 400 may be customizably retracted or extended. Ideally, three compression straps and side release buckles are used to compress carrier 400. Two compression straps and side release buckles 422 being attached to back wall 114 and front flap 412, and a third, shorter compression strap and side release buckle 423 attached to a bottom of back wall 114 and a bottom of front flap 412 to secure carrier 400 in a retracted configuration. Carrier 400 may be configured into a retracted configuration by disposing a bottom portion of outer structural wall system 410 within internal wall structure 450 and securing it in place using compression strap and side release buckle 423. In the retracted configuration a carrier may conveniently be used as a backpack, such as by accessing a front compartment accessible through a front compartment access. Naturally, a user could also use a carrier as a regular backpack in an extended configuration with or without a base lowered, however a retracted configuration may be an easier or more appealing configuration for regular use.

[0049] In some embodiments, no second side zipper of extension zipper 122 may be provided, and first side zipper 123 may instead intermesh with the forward side of seat compartment access zipper 124 to hold the carrier in a retracted configuration. In other embodiments, other arrangements of zippers or other releasable fasteners may be used to allow carrier 100 to be held in a retracted configuration or extended into an extended configuration.

[0050] In a retracted configuration, the expansion portion 116 is deposited within the retracted seat compartment for easy storage. In various embodiments, such extra wall structure may be removed, folded into a sub-compartment, or otherwise held out of the way when a carrier is in a retracted configuration, particularly in embodiments designed to permit a user to use the retracted seat compartment for general storage when in a retracted configuration.

[0051] FIGS. 3A to 3F depict a carrier in a second embodiment. Similar to carrier 100, carrier 300 of FIGS. 3A to 3F includes an outer wall structure 310 defining an interior volume which includes a seat compartment. Carrier 300 also includes an interior wall structure 350 separating the interior volume into a front compartment accessible via a front access zipper 326 and a seat compartment accessible via a seat compartment access zipper 324. Internal wall structure 350 further defines a top compartment accessible via top zipper 328. Carrier 300 may include any combination of the features of carrier 100 or carrier 400.

[0052] Carrier 300 further includes a set of waist straps 330 in addition to the set of shoulder straps 340. Right shoulder strap 342 corresponds to a right waist strap (not shown), and left shoulder strap 344 corresponds to left waist strap 344.

[0053] As indicated particularly in FIG. 3B, in an extended configuration carrier 300 can contain a seat 360 in an internal seat compartment. The seat compartment may be accessed via seat compartment access zipper 326 to insert or remove a seat as described above with respect to carrier 100.

[0054] As indicated particularly in FIG. 3C, carrier 300 may be reconfigured in a retracted configuration for use as a standard backpack. In carrying out the reconfiguration, a user accesses a platform or base inside carrier 300, raises the platform, and meshes extension zipper first half 323 with seat compartment access zipper 326, as further indicated elsewhere herein.

[0055] FIG. 3D depicts a cut-away view showing a back panel 380 supporting a platform 370 via support straps 372 and 374. Platform 370 is secured to back panel 380 via stitched hinge 376. Platform 370 may be raised, as indicated in FIG. 3E, to allow a front panel 312 to close against back panel 380 to form a retracted configuration of carrier 300. A retracted configuration may be secured by way of a newly-formed retracted zipper 390, as indicated in FIG. 3F. Retracted zipper 390 is formed of extension zipper first half 323 and one side of seat compartment access zipper 326.

[0056] In some embodiments, a carrier includes one or more further pockets, such as special purpose pockets. Further pockets may be secured in a closed position by way of releasable fasteners such as zippers, buckles, snaps and other known fastening mechanism. For example, a carrier may include a pocket for a roller screen to be used to cover a car window and removeable carrier shoulder straps to be stowed. A carrier may also include other special purpose features, such as configurations that allow a carrier to be secured to luggage when travelling. In some embodiments this may be accomplished by releasing hook and loop fasteners located along a bottom portion of a pocket and inserting a luggage handle through the opening, such that a carrier may rest on a top portion of a piece of luggage.

[0057] Various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail. Since changes in and or additions to the above-described best mode may be made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to those details but only by the appended claims.