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Method and apparatus for safely seating multiple childrenMethod and apparatus for safely seating multiple children description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070108812, Method and apparatus for safely seating multiple children. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/734,828 filed Nov. 9, 2005 and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SAFELY SEATING MULTIPLE CHILDREN", which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to car seats for safety seating children in a motor vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a seating assembly for multiple children utilizing a unitary frame assembly for reducing the overall footprint of the seating assembly. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0003] Infants and young children typically ride within motor vehicles in specially configured and secured child seats until the child reaches a specified age such as, for example, 5 or 6 years or until the child reaches a desired height and/or weight. The car seats provide an ability to use the safety restraints and safety features of automobiles with small children and infants. Generally, child seats utilize a seat frame having one or more interfaces for securing the child seat to the vehicle safety restraints such as, for example, lap belts or over the shoulder belts. [0004] In many instances, families may have two or more children of ages requiring each child to use a child seat. This can occur when brothers and/or sisters are born within relatively short time frames such as, for example, within a one, two, three or four year time period. However, one increasingly frequent instance when families have two or more children is when the family experiences the birth of multiples, such as, for example, twins and triplets. In the United States, the frequency of multiple births has increased due to the fact that more women over age 30 are having babies as well as by the increased use of fertility-stimulating drugs and assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization. Between 1980 and 2000, the number of twin births increased by over 70% while the number of higher order multiples (triplets, quadruplets and more) increased by over fivefold. Overall, almost 3% of the babies born today in the United States are born in sets of two, three, four or more. [0005] As would be expected, families having two or more young children are faced with a variety of new expenses that may stretch the budget. This can include items such as, for example, baby formula, diapers, cleaning wipes, clothing and the other typical child-rearing items. With multiples, the effects of these expenses can be even more pronounced as there is no ability to pass down items from child-to-child and all the expenses for all of the children are incurred at the same moment. [0006] In addition to lower dollar consumable items such as those described above, families having multiple young children, and especially families with multiples, may suddenly be faced with the prospect that the family automobile is not adequate, i.e., large enough to accommodate multiple child seats. In some extreme instances such as, for example, families having three young children wherein the children are of differing ages or triplets, the parents may suddenly face the prospect of having to buy a new vehicle such as, for example, a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), station wagon, mini-van or van that is large enough to physically accommodate multiple child seats. In addition to further increasing the financial burden on parents by requiring the purchase of new, larger vehicles, these vehicles often suffer additional disadvantages such as lower crash safety ratings and increased operating expenses due to decreased fuel efficiency and more costly maintenance than smaller vehicles. Because of the added financial burdens placed on families having multiple small children, and especially families having multiples, there remains a growing need to find ways to reduce the cost burdens placed on parents. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention addresses the aforementioned needs of parents having multiple young children by providing a unitary seating assembly for seating two or more small children in a safe and comfortable manner in a reduced seating footprint. Through the use of a reduced seating footprint, parents can utilize safer, smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles such that the financial burden associated with owning and operating larger vehicles can be foregone. [0008] In one aspect, a representative embodiment of a seating assembly of the present invention comprises a seating frame having two or more seating portions operatively connected to the seating frame. Generally, the seating frame can comprise tabs, latches, buckles and the like, alone or in combination, allowing the seating frame to retainably connect to lap and/or shoulder belt assemblies of a motor vehicle. The seating portions can be permanently attached to the seating frame or may be removably detachable from the seating frame to serve additional functions such as, for example, baby carriers or as components of a stroller assembly. [0009] In another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of reducing the overall seating footprint required to safely seat two or more children within a motor vehicle. By utilizing a seating assembly comprising a seating frame having two or more child seats, the additional space associated with two or more individual car seat frames is eliminated allowing the children to be safely seated and restrained in a seating footprint having a reduced width. By reducing the overall seating footprint, a family can safely utilize a safer, smaller motor vehicle having lower costs of operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a multiple child car seat of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a multiple child car seat of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a multiple child car seat of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a multiple child car seat of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a multiple child car seat of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the multiple child car seat of FIG. 1 installed in an automobile. [0016] FIG. 7 is perspective view of the multiple child car seat of FIG. 4 installed in an automobile. [0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a child car seat installed in an automobile. [0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a child car seat installed in an automobile. [0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a child car seat installed in an automobile. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for safely seating multiple children... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for safely seating multiple children Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for safely seating multiple children patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and apparatus for safely seating multiple children or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Seat for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle equipped with this seat Next Patent Application: Vehicular seat assembly Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and apparatus for safely seating multiple children patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.11594 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error 174 |
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