Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a child safety device, more particularly, but not exclusively the invention relates to a booster seat for infants or small children.

Background

Travelling with children can be problematic.

Whilst away from home with young children or infants there is often a requirement, which is sometimes determined by local health and safety regulations, to carry a number of specialist pieces of equipment in order to be able to cater for all their needs, such as safe seating in a vehicle as well as the more routine requirements for food, nappy changing (diaper) another hygiene items. Often some foods carried by a parent or carer, such as pre-prepared foods or drinks, are required to be kept cool to prevent them perishing or becoming unpalatable. Typically this is achieved by storing the food or drinks in a cool bag. Cool bags and cool boxes are readily available and may be easily transported. However the need for an additional storage device adds to quantity of items that must be carried by the user.

Also, whilst away from home with a child, at some locations such as at a cafe or restaurant, the child requires seating. However, there may often be limited child specific seating at some locations and the child may therefore be unable to easily reach the table. In the past cushions have been used to raise the level at which a child or infant sits but this is not always desirable, especially with much younger children.

Additionally seating - such as high chairs - may be provided but these may be dirty and due to multiple users, and lack of hygiene, may raise greater risk of transfer of infection (bacterial or viral) between users.

Therefore many parents and carers sometimes choose to carry a child seat in order to be able to provide a suitable place in which the child may be seated, for example when eating at a cafe or restaurant. However such seats may be heavy and bulky, especially in view of all additional which might also need to be carried.

The present invention arose to overcome the aforementioned problems associated with carrying multiple items for children, when travelling and seeks to provide a comfortable seta for children and babies.

Prior Art A number of attempts to develop similar solutions have been made and some of these are disclosed in patent applications, which were filed in an attempt to resolve similar problems. These include the following:

European Patent Application EP-A- 2 077 082 (Kellond et al) discloses a multifunctional bag, convertible between a bag configuration and a seat configuration, comprising: i) a seat base; ii) a seat back, hingedly attached towards a rear portion of the seat base; and iii) an adjustable strap. The strap provides a shoulder strap for carrying when the multifunctional bag is in a bag configuration, and a seat retention means is used when the multifunctional bag is in a seat configuration. The seat base further comprises a pocket comprising removable padding; wherein the removable padding is a foldable changing mat. United Kingdom Patent Application GB-A-2 436 521 (Brown et al) discloses a booster cushion comprising a seat body, the seat body includes at least one storage compartment and a carrying means to enable the booster cushion to be carried. The arrangement further comprises a storage container locatable in at least one storage compartment and removable therefrom.

International Patent Application WO-A-2004/022 383 (Thomas) discloses in combination, a backpack configured to be worn about the torso of a user, and a child seat for a vehicle. The combination comprises: a first closable pocket portion having a front face and configured to retain a cushion therein. Two shoulder straps are provided, each attached to upper and lower ends of opposite sides of the front face of the first pocket portion.

The straps are configured to be worn about the torso of the user when the combination is used as a backpack. A second closable pocket portion, adjacent the first pocket portion is also provided. A rigid seatback support is configured to be retained in the second closable pocket portion. A child harness assembly is releaseably attached to the seatback support so that when the second pocket is in an open position, and the front face of the first pocket is placed on a vehicle seat, the cushion functions as a seat bottom for the child seat and the seatback support functions as a back support for the child seat.

United States Patent US 6 079 772 A (Green) discloses a collapsible seat, such as a booster seat comprising a base, an upper U-shaped frame a back wall, a front wall, a seat and a pair of collapsible side walls.

United States patent application US2002/0 67214 A1 (Nelson et al) discloses a booster seat comprising a base having a lower surface sized to rest upon a chair seat and an upper surface generally parallel to the lower surface. A seat back is hingeably connected to the base at a reward portion of the booster seat and constructed to be folded forwards and secured against the base for storage. United States Patent Application US2004/0177814 A1 (Godshaw) discloses a combination pet bed with a bottom cushion arrangement. In contrast to the foregoing, the present invention provides a means of ensuring that users are fully equipped for many eventualities when travelling longer distances from home.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a child safety device arranged in use to provide a booster seat and a collapsible container; in which the device comprises: a base and a plurality of sides arranged to surround the base and to define at least one storage compartment of the collapsible container; and a lid arranged to fit over said at least one storage compartment, the device having insulation material arranged in use to limit heat transfer to or from the at least one storage compartment; wherein the sides are moveable from a first assembled position to provide the at least one storage compartment and the booster seat, and a second collapsible position, wherein the sides of the container extend substantially perpendicular to the base of the container when deployed.

The device may be arranged in use to convert from a booster seat to a container.

Advantageously the device may include padding so as to provide comfort to a user. For example to provide a padded surface upon which a user is seated or rests against in use.

The child safety device may be formed from a tough foldable fabric or material which in one preferred form enables the device to collapse. In other embodiments the device may include or comprise rigid sheets to provide structural rigidity to the device. For example the rigid sheets may be formed from synthetic plastic, or metal sheets encapsulated in plastic. It may be envisaged that all or parts of the device are formed form synthetic plastics such as polyester, or polyester based plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The at least one storage compartment may include insulating panels so as to receive containers and so keep their contents cool or warm. In this way preferred embodiments provide a device with a collapsible cooler and combined seat comprising: a cooling container with sides or walls and a base that are arranged to collapse and are arranged in use to accept a displaceable lid.

Furthermore this preferred embodiment of a device is preferably provided in a kit form that includes: an openable over-case or case which is arranged in use to encompass and insulate the device; and in which the kit further comprises a booster backrest hingedly attached to the case. The case and/or booster backrest preferably includes at least one strap arranged in use for carrying the device.

In another preferred embodiment, the container is collapsible so as to be stowed substantially or wholly flat when not in use, so that walls and/or sides of the container can be typically laid substantially parallel against the base of the container. The container may be shaped and dimensioned to be received within a carrying case. The walls/side panels of the container may be typically laid substantially parallel against the base of the case. Ideally the container walls/side panels are hingeably attached to the base of the container so that the walls/side panels may be unfolded and secured into position in order to form the container and define the at least one insulated compartment. Preferably each wall/side panel includes at least one flap or brace which is arranged in use to secure the wall and/or side panel in an upright position, extending upwardly from and preferably in a perpendicular direction to the base of the container in the first assembled position. Typically the brace(s) or flap(s) is/are arranged in use in the assembled position to serve as a stand by which the wall/side is supported during erection of the container.

Ideally the braces or flaps are hinged portions of or on the walls/side panels which may be displaced in order to support the wall/side, but which may in the collapsed position be arranged in use to extend substantially parallel with the wall/side in order to be stowed/collapsed.

Ideally all walls/side panels may, in use, be clipped or urged into place aided for example by extending the brace(s) or flap(s), so as to secure the walls in an upright position to form the container in the assembled position.

Typically the walls/side panels may be arranged in use to be interlinked so that for example in embodiments in which the compartment has a square or rectangular cross section when two walls/side panels are lifted two other walls/side panels are also lifted simultaneously from the base into their upright position.

Preferably at each corner where the walls/side panels join one another there may be included at least one connector, so that a wall and/or side panel is connected one to another so as to prevent collapse of the walls and side panels in use.

In another preferred embodiment, advantageously the container includes at least one divider which may be arranged in use to form at least two independent compartments defined within the container. The at least one divider may be arranged in use so as to provide structural strength when erected to the assembled position of the container so that it may be safely sat on by an infant or child. Ideally the divider(s) may also be secured by the connectors or braces or flaps within the container.

Typically, for example, a divider is arranged in use to be provided across the centre of the container so as to transect the container from one wall to another across at least one axis. This arrangement may provide structural strength and defining two compartments.

It may be envisaged that the base and/or lid may be formed with corresponding portions suitable to accept the divider and aid in easy erection and contiguous wall and/or compartment formation.

Preferably the lid is arranged in use to receive and engage the container walls/sides. The lid may comprise a detent mechanism, friction fit, mutually engaging parts or resiliently deformable seal. Ideally the lid is hinged to the container so that in use the lid may be readily opened and closed.

Preferably the hinge may be flexible and simple to clean and operate, for example an elasticated band threaded through predefined apertures in the lid and walls, thereby avoiding providing additional bulk and wherein advantageously the side from which the lid is hinged may be changed by moving the bands to other apertures. The lid may in use be hinged on a container wall/side a rigid hinge or block to allow hinging in one direction, preventing movement in the other direction.

In preferred embodiments the walls/side panels may include at least one access point so that in use contents may be added or retrieved from within the container without requiring the lid to be removed or to take the child out of the seat whilst in use. Ideally for example at least one hatch may be provided on a wall/side, such as a sliding or hinged hatch.

In preferred embodiments the container is surrounded in use by an outer layer that forms the case, wherein the case may be opened or displaced so as to be able to access the container, hatch, lid or compartment. Preferably the container may be removed from the case to facilitate optimal cleaning.

Ideally the case is formed from a lightweight, durable, insulating material. Brightly coloured material may be used and these may have patterns or other images printed thereon, such as cartoon characters, animals or other items of interest.

It is envisaged that the case may be comprised of layers for enhanced insulating properties wherein the case outer layer is waterproof so as to protect the container contents. The case ideally includes at least one padded surface, namely for acceptance of the child in use.

Advantageously the case may be removable so to as to be easily cleaned, exchanged or replaced.

Preferably the case and ideally the entire device may be wipeable and washable so as to maintain cleanliness. Typically the case may be opened in a similar manner to the container so that the container contents may be readily accessed without removal of the container from the case.

Ideally the case includes additional openings to correspond with the wall /side access points or hatches so that contents are insulated but may also be accessed via the openings.

Preferably the openings comprise a displaceable panel. Ideally the panel may be closed using magnetic or hook and loop means such as Velcro (Trade Mark). Alternatively push fittings, zipper or buttons or other easy to operate mechanism may be employed. In some embodiments locking sections may be incorporated in the alternative or addition. In preferred embodiments the case has a top that is arranged in use to accept, support or even define the backrest. The backrest may be provided by a second layer to the case top which may be displaced or hinged from a substantially parallel orientation in respect of the case top to generally perpendicular or orthogonal to the lid, wherein thereby forming the seat with backrest. Ideally the backrest includes seat restraint guides.

In some further embodiments the backrest is closed into the case in storage or transport, for example being hinged or displaceable from the container lid. In some such further embodiments the lid or case may provide a displaceable and/or padded lid or flap over the lid to aid in comfort in addition to insulating properties.

Preferably when stowed the backrest lies parallel to the seat. In use the back rest is lifted from its position on the container or case to an angle of at least 90 degrees in respect of the seat or container so as to enable the infant to be seated on the container.

In preferred embodiments the backrest may be semi or fully rigid so as to provide support for the child's back. Ideally the backrest has a padded outer so as to be comfortable for the child. For example the backrest may include a moulded portion or portions so as to provide support.

Advantageously in some embodiments the backrest and case top may include an integrated harness so as to support the child in use, wherein the seat provides full safety.

Ideally the case is closed by means of at least one zipper wherein a zipper allows partial or full access without comprise of potential unauthorised or accidental access. Typically the case includes at least two separate zips, one being to allow access to the container and a second zip that may be unzipped so as to displace the backrest from the case top to provide the seat. Accordingly in most embodiments three sides are unzipped so that the backrest and/or case top may be displaced without becoming fully detached from the case and wherein the case is displaced from an uppermost surface of the container. In some embodiments the case top is attached to or synonymous with the backrest.

Preferably the case top and/or backrest may be braced by batwings so as to prevent the backrest pivoting beyond a certain point. Typically the batwings may be formed of the same material as the case, being flexible and therefore easily stowed or folded within the device. In some embodiments the batwings may be adjustable so as to alter the reclining angle of the backrest.

In some embodiments the case may include a third outer zip which encloses the container and backrest so protect all parts, keeping them clean and preventing damage to for example the other zips which would affect use of the device. Typically the case includes an extended rim on the top and bottom face which envelopes the before mentioned parts.

It is envisaged that the zippers may be replaced by or enhanced by hook and loop means such as Velcro (Trade Mark), press studs, buttons.

In preferred embodiments the device is provided with at least on strap secured to the case to enable it to be readily carried for example as a shoulder bag or back pack. Ideally the straps are padded and adjustable for optimal user comfort even where the container is full.

In some embodiments the case may include external pockets for holding items such as baby wipes, nappies (diapers) or tissues so that these items may be accessed without requirement to open the device fully.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the child safety device in use;

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 1 collapsed; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 1 assembled; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with lid open;

Figure 5 shows a second isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure

1 ; Figure 6 shows a second isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 7 shows side detail views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to Figure 1 the child safety device 100 comprises a box- shaped container 1 is encased in a flexible and padded cover 3 and shown in use on a chair 2.

The container 1 is formed from synthetic plastic.

The cover 3 is capable of being zipped together to encapsulate the container 1 when in a collapsed state as shown in Figure 2. The device 100, when in use for seating comprises a container 1 as a booster seat, and seat back 4, the seat back providing a harness 6, 12, 8 and braced by batwings 10 and provided in some embodiments with padding 5. The compartments 15 can be accessed by a flap hatch 7 in order to access contents from the compartment 15, or so as to add contents to the compartment 15. In this way the container 1 can be accessed whilst the child safety device 1 is arranged in the form of a booster seat.

The flap hatch 7 includes a tab 11 that enables the flap hatch 7 to be easily opened by grasping the tab and pulling it in order to displace the flap hatch 7 from the container 1 in order to gain access to the compartment 15. Strapping and attachment means 9 (Figure 1 ), 21 (Figure 6) are provided for attachment of the child safety device to a chair 2 in order to prevent movement in use therefore ensuring the child remains safety secured to the chair whilst being elevated by the container 1 that serves as a booster seat. In use therefore the user would place the device on a chair with and tighten firmly and the seat back 4 is pulled tight against the chair 2 for safety.

The strapping and attachment means 9, 21 can also be used for closure of the cover 3 in order to maintain the cover in the closed arrangement. This compact arrangement allows the device to be readily transported.

Figures 2 to 4 show various arrangements of the container 1 , flat packed (Figure 2), closed (Figure 3) and open (Figure 4). The container is cuboid, formed with a lid 14 which fits onto walls at engagement nubs 22, 23. In this way the lid can be fitted to and held in place on the container 1.

The walls are braced in use by displaceable braces 17, and corners 18. In this way the walls can be readily collapsed when the device is not in use. The lid 14 is hinged using elastic bands 13, and a recess 19 aids in lifting of the lid 14 by providing a location in which a user's fingers can be positioned. The recess is positioned above the opening to compartment 15, therefore being spaced apart from the hinges 13 so as to aid with ease of lifting the lid 14.

A central divider 16 acts to separate the container 1 into the compartments 15, 24, wherein a first compartment 15 is accessible by displacement of the flap hatch 7, the hatch 7 having the tab 11 for manipulation.

The device is provided with two zippers 25, 26 wherein the lower zipper 26 reveals an inner carcass in which the container 1 is located and in which 25 displaced the seat back 4.

For construction of the child safety device 100 the lower zipper is undone to reveal the container 1 so that the user can simply lift the plastic lid 14 to reveal the flattened sides of the container . The user can take hold of both left and right sides lift up and outwards in order to arrange the walls so as to define the sides of the container 1.

The container 1 is assembled having a central divider 16 so as to provide two available compartments 15, 24 for storage of food, bottles, wipes etc. The lid is positioned over the compartments being located and secured by the nubs 22, 23 so as to close the container 1 and therefore store any contents within the compartments 15, 24.

Compartments 15 and 24 can both be accessed by flap hatches 7 arranged on either side of the container (flap hatch for compartment 24 is not shown in the Figures).

Once in this arrangement the zipper 26 can be done up so as to hold the container 1 in place.

Zipper 25 can be undone in isolation so as to reveal the seat 4 and taking the top strapping 9 to run around the back of the chair 2 and connect the buckle 9. In this way the seat is secured to the chair to prevent movement in use. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, suitable modifications and equivalents are considered to fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.