# US 6,296,305 B1 · Floatable infant safety seat > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,296,305 B1 - Document ID: US6296305B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/512,048 - Filed: 2000-02-24 - Granted: 2001-10-02 - Earliest claimed: 2000-02-24 - Inventors: John A. Lamka; Robert M. Kot; Cherisse I. Lamka - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6296305B1 ## CPC - A47C 15/006: {Floating seats} - A47D 1/00: Children's chairs - B63C 9/065: {for one person} - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - A47D: FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN (school benches or desks A47B39/00, A47B41/00) - B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52) ## Abstract A safety seat including a one-piece shell made of molded plastic with reinforcing elements imbedded therein. The shell has an interior space opening to the exterior and including a seat for an infant. The shell includes a detachable bail for holding playthings for the infant. The seat has a wide bottom and a narrow, and small, top, and has weights imbedded in the bottom, effecting movement of the seat to upright position in the water. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A floatable infant safety seat comprising, a shell having a plurality of elements surrounding the greater part of an interior space, but having an opening communicating with the exterior, the elements including a lower section having a bottom element, side walls, and a back wall, the elements further including a canopy connected to and extending upwardly from the lower section, the shell as thus identified also having a front end and a rear end, the lower section and canopy together forming said opening, and the opening leading generally horizontally from said interior space to the exterior, the canopy having a convex upper surface curved about a longitudinal axis extending through said interior space and below the canopy, the entire safety seat being lighter than water, and the lower section being heavier than the canopy. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A safety seat according to claim 1 wherein, the shell contains weights imbedded only in the lower section, and the weights thereby are operable for turning the seat upright in the water. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A safety seat according to claim 1 wherein, the shell is made essentially of light plastic material, and a structural metal supporting structure imbedded in the plastic material and extends substantially throughout the area of the shell. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A safety seat according to claim 3 wherein, the supporting structure includes U-shape rods and thin metal mesh extending between and secured to elements of the rods. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A safety seat according to claim 1 wherein, the lower section determines the length of the shell, and the canopy extends from the rear end of the shell forwardly to a position adjacent to but short of the forward end of the lower section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A safety seat according to claim 5 wherein, the canopy has an outer surface sloping upwardly in a forward direction, and a top peak of said outer surface is rounded to form an essentially point contact upon the seat being inverted and engaged with the water. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A safety seat according to claim 1 wherein, the seat has a bottom surface that includes a central panel which assumes a substantially horizontal position when the seat is in upright position, and front and rear panels continuous with the central panel and inclined upwardly in respective directions away from the central panel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A safety seat according to claim 7 wherein, the shell contains weights imbedded in the lower section, said weights include a first weight in the central panel and a second weight in the rear panel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A safety seat according to claim 8 wherein, one of said weights is in a position displaced from the center of the seat in direction as viewed rearwardly from the front. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A safety seat according to claim 7 wherein, the rear panel and center panel have lower surfaces merging in a broad cylindrical surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A safety seat according to claim 1 wherein, the canopy is connected at the rear in a continuous and one-piece construction with the bottom section throughout a substantial length of the canopy, the canopy at the front portion is detached and separate from the bottom section, and the canopy terminates forwardly in a forward extension of substantially less transverse dimension than the remainder of the canopy. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A safety seat according to claim 1 and including, a harness having terminal elements imbedded in the material of the shell, and the shell being of one-piece continuous construction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A safety seat according to claim 1 wherein, the shell is constituted entirely by fixed elements, thereby providing access to the interior thereof without moving, or removing, or adjusting any elements. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A safety seat according to claim 1 and including, a bail detachably mounted in the side walls of the shell and having a cross bar extending across the seat for mounting playthings for an infant.