Method and apparatus for transporting a car seat

#The present invention relates to transporting a car seat such as an infant car seat, child car seat, or a child booster seat. In particular, the invention relates to a system of harnesses, handles and wheels for transporting a car seat by wheeling it on the ground. The invention further relates to a system of harnesses for carrying a car seat on a person's back, chest, or side, leaving the person's hands free. The present invention also permits a person to transport a car seat together with a child secured in the car seat.

#The use of car seats for the safe restraint of infants and children in vehicles is well known. For the safety and comfort of an infant or child, and also to comply with applicable laws requiring the use of car seats for children of specified ages, car seats now are commonly removed from the family vehicle and taken along on travels. For example, a child's car seat may be used for the child in a rental car on the family vacation. In addition, car seats commonly may be used in other modes of transportation, such as airplanes, busses, boats, or trains, to provide a safer and more comfortable seat for young children.

#Such use of car seats away from the family vehicle thus requires the transport of the car seats through airport terminals, bus stations, train stations, boat terminals, and the like. The typical infant or child car seat is quite bulky, of an awkward shape, and may weigh between ten and twenty pounds. Thus the physical size, structure, and weight of the car seat make it difficult to carry and for most persons, require the use of both hands. This is particularly necessary if the car seat is carried for a substantial distance.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for transporting a car seat according to an embodiment of the present invention, having a carrier body, a wheeled carrier, and a plurality of harness and attachment systems to attach the wheeled carrier to the carrier body and the carrier body to the car seat.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus for transporting a car seat, having an upper harness system, a middle harness system, an upper attachment system, a middle attachment system, and a lower attachment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 3 is a front view of an apparatus for transporting a car seat, having a wheeled carrier attached to a carrier body, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as carrier apparatus 1. Carrier apparatus 1 preferably comprises carrier body 10, upper harness system 100, middle harness system 200, upper attachment system 600, middle attachment system 700, lower attachment system 800, and wheeled carrier 900. Carrier body 10 may be fabricated from any of a variety of materials that provide adequate strength and flexibility to support the load of a car seat, or car seat together with an infant or child. Examples include various types of nylon cordura cloth, polyester duck, nylon pack cloth, or other suitable materials. Upper harness system 100, middle harness system 200, upper attachment system 600, middle attachment system 700, and lower attachment system 800 may be fabricated from any of a variety of straps and padding materials that provide adequate strength and flexibility to support the load of a car seat, or car seat together with an infant or child. Examples include nylon webbing, polypropylene webbing, nylike webbing or other suitable materials. Such materials are well known and are readily available in a variety of sizes and configurations. Wheeled carrier 900 may be any one of a variety of commercially available wheeled luggage carriers.

#Upper harness system 100 together with middle harness system 200 serve to attach carrier body 10 to a child's or infant's car seat. Upper attachment system 600, middle attachment system 700, and lower attachment system 800 preferably attach carrier body 10 to wheeled carrier 900. With continuing reference to FIG. 1, upper harness system 100 preferably further comprises upper attachment strap 110, middle harness system 200 preferably further comprises middle attachment strap 210, upper attachment system 600 preferably further comprises upper strap system 610, middle attachment system 700 preferably further comprises middle strap 710, and lower attachment system 800 preferably further comprises lower strap 810.

#Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, upper attachment strap 110 preferably has a first end 111 and a second end 112. Upper attachment strap 110 preferably is attached to first releasable attachment mechanism 120 at upper attachment strap first end 111. First releasable attachment mechanism 120 may be any suitable mechanism that permits upper attachment strap 110 to be attached and released without slipping or accidental release. Examples of suitable mechanisms include side release type buckles and hook-and-loop closures, however, the present invention is not limited to these mechanisms. As embodied herein, carrier apparatus 1 preferably comprises two upper attachment straps 110, attached symmetrically at upper end 11 of carrier body 10 by two first releasable attachment mechanisms 120.