BACKGROUND

[0001] In many countries, child car seats are required by law and recommended for children of certain ages or sizes. Unlike with most adults sitting on seat of a car, the feet of a child sitting in a car seat do not typically reach the bottom of the vehicle's interior (e.g., floor) such that the feet dangle above the vehicle floor. Not having the feet supported causes additional pressure being applied to the back of a child's legs and can cause hip, knee, and ankle damage in the long term. Children are also more likely to swing and kick their legs when they are dangling and may kick the back of one of the front seats of the vehicle, causing discomfort to a front seat occupant and/or damage to the front seat's upholstery. Some car seats provide support areas for a child's feet; however, these support areas can stick out at the bottom of the car seat in a way that makes the car seats more difficult to transport in and out of the vehicle and store. Additionally, because a child's height changes during the period that the car seat is needed, foot supports at a fixed position may not provide the appropriate support and alignment or discourage kicking.

SUMMARY

[0002] It is one object of the present invention to provide a versatile footrest for a child car seat.

[0003] It is another object of the invention to provide a footrest for a child car seat that is simple to use.

[0004] It is a further object of the invention to provide a footrest for a child car seat that provides enhanced comfort and safety for an occupant of the child safety seat.

[0005] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a child car seat with a footrest that addresses one or several of the aforementioned problems.

[0006] At least one of above objects is achieved by the features of claim 1, and/or by the features of claim 10, and/or by the features of claim 16.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention at least one object is achieved by a child car seat system comprising a child car seat and a footrest. The child car seat has a bottom portion configured to at least partially rest on a seat of an associated vehicle, and a support leg extending from the bottom portion of the child car seat. The footrest comprises a support platform having a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side. The support platform has an channel configured to receive the support leg. A footrest closure has a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end that defines at least part of the channel for the support leg. The first end and the second end of the footrest closure are each secured to the support platform and at least the second end of the footrest closure is releasably coupled to the support platform.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the invention at least one object is achieved by a removable footrest for a child car seat, the removable footrest comprising a support platform and a footrest closure. The support platform has a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side. The support platform further has a channel configured to receive a support leg secured to the child car seat, the channel extending from the top surface through a bottom surface of the support platform. The footrest closure has a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end that defines at least part of the channel for the support leg. The first end and the second end of the footrest closure are each secured to the support platform and at least the second end of the footrest closure is releasably coupled to the support platform.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the invention at least one object is achieved by a footrest system for a child car seat, the footrest system comprising a leg and a removable footrest. The leg has an elongate body between a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is configured to be secured to the child car seat. The removable footrest comprises a support platform and a footrest closure, wherein the support platform has a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side. The support platform has a channel configured to receive the leg. The footrest closure has a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end that defines at least part of the channel for the leg, wherein the first end and the second end of the footrest closure are each secured to the support platform, wherein at least the second end of the footrest closure is releasably coupled to the support platform.

[0010] The child car seat is generally designed for safely transporting a child occupant in a car and includes a seat portion. The child car seat may further include a back support portion that defines collectively with the seat portion an area for the child occupant. The child car seat may include a bottom portion that can be designed to support at least the seat portion, wherein the bottom portion may be provided as a separate component (that can be adjustable, e.g. rotatable and/or slidable, with respect to the seat portion), or as one piece with the seat portion.

[0011] The bottom portion may be designed to sit on and contact the vehicle seat when the child car seat is positioned within a vehicle. In particular, the bottom portion may be designed as a base of the child car seat. When the bottom portion is provided as a separate component, the seat portion (and the back support portion) may be movable relative to the bottom portion. For instance, the seat portion may rotate relative to the bottom portion so as to allow for positioning the seat portion in one or a selected one of several transport configurations (e.g. a forward facing configuration and/or a rearward facing configuration). Beyond, the seat portion may be positionable in at least one nontransport configuration (e.g. a lateral facing configuration).

[0012] In a forward -facing configuration, a front side of the seat portion may align with a front side of the bottom portion and a rear side of the seat portion may align with a rear side of the bottom portion. In a rear-facing configuration, the front side of the seat portion may align with the rear side of the bottom portion and the rear side of the seat portion may align with the front side of the bottom portion.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, the angle of recline of the seat portion relative to the bottom portion may be changed (adjusted) through the rotation between two non- identic positions (in particular between the forward facing configuration and the rearward facing configuration), and/or through adjustment independent from the rotation configuration.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, the seat portion may be releasably coupled to the bottom portion such that it may be removed and (completely) separated from the bottom portion by a user, which may allow a bottom portion in the form of a base to be used with different car seats. The bottom portion and/or the seat portion may be provided with an attachment mechanism for releasable attachment of the seat portion of a selected car seat to the bottom portion. The attachment mechanism may comprise at least one hook and/or at least one releasing actuator.

[0015] In one example, the seat portion is movable relative to the bottom portion in that the seat portion may be rotated and/or reclined relative to the bottom portion but may not be configured to be readily separated from the bottom portion by a user.

[0016] The child car seat may include means for securing a child to the child seat, in particular to the seat portion and the back support portion. Said means for securing may be chosen from a five point harness, or a three point harness, or other types of harnesses, or a shield (impact shield). Additionally and/or alternatively, the child car seat may be configured to use the safety belt of the associated vehicle to secure the child occupant (such as the case for booster car seats). The child car seat may provide guiding means for guiding the safety belt of the associated vehicle in a desired position.

[0017] The child car seat also includes a support leg that may extend from the bottom portion. The support leg can generally have an elongate body with a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the support leg may be coupled to and adjacent the bottom portion of the child car seat, and the bottom end may be configured to be positioned on and contact the floor of an associated vehicle when the child can seat is installed in the vehicle.

[0018] In some examples, the support leg may have an adjustable length between the top end and the bottom end. For instance, the support leg may include an inner tube and an outer tube that perform a telescoping mechanism. At a minimum length of the support leg, the inner tube may be completely or substantially (e.g. by at least 70 %, or 90 % of its own length) enclosed by the outer tube, and the length of the support leg may increase as more of the inner tube is exposed out of an end, e.g. a bottom end, of the outer tube. One of the tubes, such as the inner tube, may include one or more locking pins that engage with slots or holes along a surface of the other tube, such as the outer tube, to secure the support leg at a desired length. In this way, the support leg may be utilized in and reach the floor of vehicles of various sizes. The top end of the support leg may be part of the outer tube, and the bottom end of the support leg may be part of the inner tube.

[0019] The support leg, which may also be referred to as a load leg or simply as a leg, may extend from the bottom portion of the child car seat to the floor of the associated vehicle to provide additional stability and energy absorption in the event of a crash event. In other embodiment, the support leg of the present disclosure need not extend fully to the floor of the associated vehicle and/or may be configured solely as a means for positioning the footrest instead of having a separate safety utility.

[0020] In certain examples the support leg may be designed to be lengthened telescopically for extending from the bottom portion of the child can seat to the floor of the associated vehicle. In some of these examples the support leg may comprise a foot portion at its bottom end to provide an enlarged support surface on the floor of the associated vehicle. In some of these examples the support leg may comprise indicating means for indicating that a (direct) contact of the support leg with the floor of the associated vehicle. In some of these examples the support leg may comprise damping means for damping forces acting on the load leg (e.g. of an impact related to the associated vehicle), e.g. resilient means such as a spring, and/or deformable means such as an crushable element (foam material, honeycomb, or other suitable elements). In some examples the support leg may be foldable from a use position where it extends from the bottom portion in a downward direction to a none-use position or storage position where it extends essentially along the face that contacts the vehicle seat when the child car seat is positioned within a vehicle or where it is embedded partially or entirely into the bottom portion.

[0021] The child car seat system may include a (partly or completely) removable footrest secured around the support leg. The footrest may have a support platform that at least partially defines a channel through which the support leg extends when the footrest is secured to the support leg. The channel may extend through a top surface and a bottom surface of the footrest such that the support leg may extend along and beyond the entire height of the footrest. The footrest alsomay includes a closure that closes the channel and may help secure the footrest in a closed or locked position around the support leg. [0022] The support platform includes a first side, which may be a right side from the perspective of an occupant of the child car seat, and a second side, which may be a left side from the perspective of an occupant. A top surface of the support platform extends from the first side to the second side and forms a top portion of the support platform. The top surface may be the surface on which a child occupant of the child car seat places one or both of their feet. In some aspects, the top surface of the support platform may be a contoured and/or curved surface. For example, the top surface may include ridges defining contours. The ridges may aid in gripping an occupant's feet or shoes on the top surface of the support platform so that the feet do not easily slip off the footrest while the vehicle is moving. In other aspects, the top surface may include grooves to similarly create traction.

[0023] The support platform may also include a base that forms a bottom aspect of the support platform and is positioned below the top portion. The base may be configured to secure the support platform around the support leg with the aid of the closure. The base may be narrower than the top portion. For example, the top portion may have a first width between the first side and the second side, and the base may have a second width between the first side and the second side that is less than the first width. In this way, the top portion (with the top surface) of the support platform may be sized so that it is wide enough to accommodate the feet of occupants of various sizes, while the base may be only wide enough to wrap around and secure the footrest to the support leg without additional bulk or weight. In other examples, the top portion and the base have the same or at least substantially the same width between the first side and the second side.

[0024] In example aspects, the top portion and base of the support platform have a unitary construction. For example, the top portion and base may be molded together. In other instances, the top portion and base may be separately formed and secured together via screws, pins, adhesive, and the like.

[0025] The closure may be configured to be transferred between a closed position where both the first end and the second end are secured to the support platform, and an open position where at least one of the first end and the second end is released from being secured to the support platform. [0026] At least in the closed position, the closure, in particular with the support platform, may define the channel for the support leg. Specifically, the closure has a first end coupled to the support platform, a second end coupled to the support platform, and a portion between the first end and the second end (referred to herein as a closure body) that defines part of the channel. In one example, the channel has a (e.g. generally rectangular cross-sectional) shape, which may (generally) correspond to the cross- sectional shape of the support leg. As such, the channel includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a front side, and a rear side opposite the front side. The first side, second side, and front side may be defined by walls of the support platform, while the rear side may be defined by the closure when the closure is in the closed position.

[0027] In some examples, when closed, the first end of the closure is secured to the support platform at a location between the first side of the channel and the first side of the support platform, while the second end of the closure is secured to the support platform at a location between the second side of the channel and the second side of the support platform. In one example, the first and second ends of the closure are directly secured only to the base of the support platform when in a closed stated and not directly secured to the top portion. Additionally, the closure may be positioned lower than the top surface of the support platform when the footrest is in a use position. Positioning the closure below the top surface (e.g., feet contacting surface) may prevent or minimize the chance of a child occupant rubbing their feet against the closure and thereby inadvertently loosening or opening the closure when the footrest is in use.

[0028] In some examples, one end of the closure is permanently secured to the support platform while the other end is releasably coupled. For example, the first end of the closure is secured to the base adjacent the first side of the channel in a manner that is not readily removable, such as with screw(s) and/or pin(s) and/or nail(s) and/or molding and/or adhesive and/or the like. The second end of the closure is secured to the base adjacent the second side of the channel in a releasable or removable manner such that the second end of the closure is secured to the base in the closed state but unsecured to the base in the opened state.

[0029] In various examples, the closure is a draw latch that draws the first side of the channel and the second side of the channel closer together to reduce the size (or width) of the channel so that the footrest fits tightly around the support leg when the support leg is within the channel. In certain examples, the closure is an over-center latch.

[0030] The closure may include a closure body that (generally) extends over the channel. One end of the closure body may be secured to the support platform (e.g., the base) at a closure body joint. The closure body may be designed to pivot about the closure body joint. Pivoting around the closure body joint may include pivoting around an axis that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface of the support platform, which may be a horizontal plane. The opposite side of the closure body may include or otherwise be attached to a blade and a handle that generally form the second end of the closure. The blade may be configured to mate with a keeper on the support platform. The blade may have a ring structure, and/or the keeper may be a slot or channel on the base that may (generally) face towards the second side of the footrest.

[0031] In one example, to place the closure into a closed position, a first end of the blade is positioned within the keeper. The opposite second end of the blade is attached to the handle, which acts as a lever of the closure. The handle can pivot about the latch joint formed between the handle and the closure body. To fully close the closure, a distal end of the handle may be moved towards the closure body so that the handle rotates about the latch joint. This movement may causes the second end of the blade to move over center of the latch joint. For example, in the opened position of the closure the second end of the blade is positioned between the first end of the blade and the latch joint; whereas, in the closed position, the latch joint is positioned between the second end and the first end of the blade. In this way, the closure may not be loosened or opened until the second end of the blade is moved back over center of the latch joint, which involves some force in a direction other than the direction of separation between the first side and the second side of the channel. As a result, the closure may stay latched while under tension so that it cannot be easily opened during a crash event or during jostling while the vehicle is in use.

[0032] In other embodiments, the closure may utilize other closure mechanisms to close and secure the footrest to the support leg. For example, the closure may utilize other types of draw latches and/or other latches and/or hook and loop fasteners and/or buckles and/or the like. For example, in one alternative, the closure may include a flexible strap having one end secured to the support platform and another end that is threaded through a slot or other opening formed on the support platform on the opposite side of the channel. The flexible strap may include a hook portion and a loop portion such that, after being threaded through the opening on the support platform, the flexible strap may be extend back towards the first side of the support platform so that the hook portion and the loop portion may at least partially overlap and be secure to one another.

[0033] Further, it is contemplated that some examples of this disclosure include the closure being not readily removable on either end (first end and second end) from the support platform. Rather, the width of the closure between the first end and the second end may be adjustable such that, the width of the closure is greater in an opened state than in the closed state, which may increase the size (or width) of the channel in the opened state to allow the footrest to be slid along the support leg and, in some instances, to be slid off of the support leg.

[0034] In some examples the closure may include a slider that is configured to slide between the closed position where both the first end the second end are secured to the support platform, and the open position, where at least one end of the first end and the second are released from being secured to the support platform. In the open position the second end of the closure may be relative to the support portion in the position of the first end of the closure in the closed position. The slider may be configured to slide in an horizontal direction.

[0035] In exemplary aspects, the footrest may be secured at a selected one of different positions along the support leg to accommodate different heights of child occupants. In some aspects, there are a fixed number of positions based on positions of engagement features or openings in the support leg. The support leg may have multiple openings vertically spaced apart on a rear side of the support leg. The rear interior channel surface formed by the closure body may include one or more protrusions that may be designed to mate with one or more openings on the support leg when the closure is in a closed position and the support leg is within the channel of the footrest. In one example, the closure body includes two vertically spaced protrusions that engage with two openings on the support leg, but it is contemplated that the closure body may include fewer or more protrusions. The engagement between the protrusion(s) on the closure of the footrest with the opening(s) on the support leg may further maintain the position of the footrest along the support leg to prevent the footrest from (inadvertently) sliding down the support leg due to gravity and/or during movement of the vehicle.

[0036] In some examples, the openings may be located on a different side of the support leg, such as on a left side, a right side, or a front side, and protrusions may be formed on surfaces of the support platform defining the channel. Further, in some examples, the closure or another portion of the footrest may have one or more openings, cavities, or slots while the support leg may have protrusions or other raised features that engage within the openings, cavities or slots of the footrest.

[0037] In some examples the openings may be formed as (preferably horizontal) grooves so as to allow for engagement by a complement (such as a rib) of a closure, in particular of a sliding closure.

[0038] In some examples the closure and the support platform may be configured to cooperate in such a way that a selected position of the footrest is secured by frictional fit.

[0039] In some examples the engagement features of the support leg may comprise protrusions such as ribs that support the bottom surface of the footrest (without engaging openings or other similar elements of the footrest).

[0040] Examples of the support leg may be pivotally connected to the bottom portion of the child car seat. In this way, a user may rotate the support leg out of the way when not in use. In this example, the top end of the support leg is coupled to the bottom portion at or near the front side, and a user may rotate the support leg so that the bottom end of the support leg may be moved closer to the rear side of the bottom portion. Further, the bottom portion may have a storage slot for the support leg such that when the support leg is rotated to a non-use position, it may be positioned within the storage slot on the bottom of the bottom portion. In some aspects, the storage slot is sized only for the support leg such that it is advantageous to be able to remove the footrest prior to moving the support leg into the storage slot. Once the support leg is positioned within the storage slot, the bottom portion may be placed on a surface (e.g., the vehicle seat or ground) without the support leg interfering the child car seat remaining level. [0041] As indicated above, in some examples the car seat system includes a child car seat, a support leg, and a footrest. The features of child car seat, support leg, and/or footrest may be the same as those disclosed above in various examples regarding a car seat system with a base except that the support leg extends downwards from an integral bottom portion of the child car seat instead of a separate base component, like the bottom portion. In this case, the support leg and footrest may be utilized on child car seats that do not use a base, such as forward -facing car seats with a harness and/or booster seats, with or without back supports. It should be understood that, details of the child car seat, support leg, and/or footrest described above may apply to the child car seat, the support leg, and/or the footrest of this example without being repeated here except to the extent that above discussed examples describe the bottom portion being movable with respect to the rest of the child car seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0042] The present systems and methods for removable footrest are described in detail below with reference to these figures.

[0043] FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a car seat with a removable footrest, in accordance with an example.

[0044] FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged view of the removable footrest attached to the car seat of FIG. 1, in accordance with an example.

[0045] FIGS. 3A-3B depict rear views of the removable footrest of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration, in accordance with an example.

[0046] FIG. 4A-4B depict rear views of the removable footrest of FIG. 1 in an open configuration, in accordance with an example.

[0047] FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged rearview of the removable footrest of FIG. 1 secured to the car seat, in accordance with an example. [0048] FIG. 6 depicts a bottom perspective view of the car seat of FIG. 1 with the removable footrest unsecured to the car seat, in accordance with an example.

[0049] FIG. 7 depicts another car seat with a removable footrest, in accordance with an example.

[0050] FIG. 8 depicts another enlarged rear view of the removable footrest of FIG. 1 secured to the car seat, in accordance with an example.

[0051] FIG. 9 depicts an enlarged perspective view of the removable footrest of Fig. 1 in a partially exploded view for better understanding of the single components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] This detailed description is related to a footrest that may be removable from a child car seat. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrative examples described in the detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting and are for explanatory purposes. Other examples may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, each of which are explicitly contemplated and form a part of this disclosure.

[0053] It should be noted that some relative terms are used in this description. For example, the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are used to indicate direction relative to an absolute reference, such as ground level or a vehicle floor. However, these terms should not be construed to require structures to be absolutely parallel or absolutely perpendicular to each other. For example, a first vertical structure and a second vertical structure are not necessarily parallel to each other. Further, it should be understood that structures described as horizontal and vertical may no longer be horizontal or vertical when the device or structure is moved, such as when a car seat is moved out of a vehicle providing the absolute reference. The terms "top" and "bottom" or "base" are used to refer to surfaces where the top is higher than the bottom/base relative to an absolute reference (i.e. the surface of the earth).

[0054] This detailed description is related to a removable footrest for a car seat. The footrest may have a support platform and a closure that, together, form a channel so that the footrest may be secured around a support leg (also referred to as a load leg) extending from the bottom of the child car seat. At least one side of the closure is removably coupled to the support platform such that the closure may be positioned in an open configuration to allow the footrest to be removed from the support leg. For example, the closure be pivotally secured to the support platform on one side of the channel and removably coupled to the support platform on the opposite side of the channel via an over-center latch or other removable coupling mechanism. The ability to remove the footrest results in a more versatile car seat system that has the ability, when desired, to provide foot support to a child occupant, while also enabling a user to store the child car seat more easily without the footrest attached.

[0055] In some examples, the position of the footrest is adjustable along the length of the support leg so that a particular footrest position may be selected to provide the appropriate support based on the size of the child occupant. For example, an exterior surface of the support leg may have vertically spaced openings and a surface of the footrest forming the channel may have one or more protrusions extending into the channel to engage with one of the vertically spaced slots. Engagement of the protrusion(s) on the footrest and opening(s) on the support leg may also help to keep the footrest secured around the support leg so that it does not move while the closure of the footrest is in a closed position.

[0056] Examples of the present disclosure include a removable footrest for a child car seat. Other examples may include a footrest for other types of seats, such as a feeding seat or chair to provide proper support of an occupant's feet and legs. Such a footrest may have the same structure described herein with respect to a child car seat such that it may be secured around a vertical leg that is removably or permanently secured to a bottom portion of another type of seat. [0057] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a child car seat system 100 with a child car seat 110 and a footrest 200. The child car seat 110 is generally designed for safely transporting a child occupant in a car. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the child car seat 110 includes a seat portion 112 and a back support portion 122 that collectively define an area for a child occupant. The child car seat 110 also includes a bottom portion 120 that generally supports at least the seat portion 112. When the child car seat 110 is positioned within a vehicle, the bottom portion 120 sits on and contact the vehicle seat.

[0058] In the example in FIG. 1, the bottom portion 120 of the child car seat 110 is a base that is a separate component from the seat portion 112. In this way, the seat portion 112 (and the back support portion 122) may be movable relative to the bottom portion 120. For instance, the seat portion 112 may rotate relative to the bottom portion 120. As such, in a forward -facing configuration, a front side 114 of the seat portion 112 aligns with a front side 124 of the bottom portion 120 and a rear side 116 of the seat portion aligns with a rear side 126 of the bottom portion 120; while, in a rear-facing configuration, the front side 114 of the seat portion 112 aligns with the rear side 126 of the bottom portion 120 and the rear side 116 of the seat portion 112 aligns with the front side 114 of the bottom portion 120. Additionally or alternatively, the angle of recline of the seat portion 112 relative to the bottom portion 120 may be changed. Additionally or alternatively, the seat portion 112 may be releasably coupled to the bottom portion 120 such that it may be removed and completely separated from the bottom portion 120 by a user, which may allow a bottom portion 120 in the form of a base to be used with different car seats. In one example, the seat portion 112 is movable relative to the bottom portion 120 in that the seat portion 112 may be rotated and/or reclined relative to the bottom portion 120 but may not be configured to be readily separated from the bottom portion 120 by a user.

[0059] In the example depicted in FIG. 1, the child car seat 110 includes a five-point safety harness 118 for securing a child to the seat portion 112 and back support portion 122. In other examples, other types of harnesses or belts may be used to secure the occupant into the seat, such as the safety belt of the associated vehicle, such as the case for booster car seats. [0060] The child car seat 110 also includes a support leg 130 extending from the bottom portion 120. The support leg 130 has a generally elongate body with a top endl32 and a bottom end 134. The top end 132 of the support leg 130 is coupled to and adjacent the bottom portion 120 of the child car seat, and the bottom end 134 is configured to be positioned on and contact the floor of an associated vehicle when the child car seat 110 is installed in the vehicle.

[0061] In some examples, the support leg 130 has an adjustable length between the top end 132 and the bottom end 134. For instance, the support leg 130 may include an inner tube 146 and an outer tube 148 that perform a telescoping mechanism. At a minimum length, the inner tube 146 may be completely or substantially enclosed by the outer tube 148, and the length of the support leg 130 may increase as more of the inner tube 146 is exposed out of a bottom end of the outer tube 148. One of the tubes, such as the inner tube 146, may include one or more locking pins that engage with slots or holes 144 along a surface of the other tube, such as the outer tube 148, to secure the support leg 130 at a desired length. In this way, the support leg 130 may be utilized in and reach the floor of vehicles of various sizes.

[0062] The support leg 130, which may also be referred to as a load leg or simply as a leg, may extend from the bottom portion 120 of the child car seat 110 to the floor of the associated vehicle to provide additional stability and energy absorption in the event of a crash event. In other embodiments, the support leg 130 of the present disclosure need not extend fully to the floor of the associated vehicle and/or may be configured solely as a means for positioning the footrest 200 instead of having a separate safety utility.

[0063] The child car seat system 100 of FIG. 1 also includes a removable footrest 200 secured around the support leg 130. FIG. 2 provides an enlarged view of the footrest 200 secured around the support leg 130. The footrest 200 has a support platform 210 that at least partially defines a channel (depicted as channel 220 in FIGS. 3A-4B) through which the support leg 130 extends when the footrest 200 is secured to the support leg 130. The channel 220 may extend from through a top surface and a bottom surface of the footrest 200 such that the support leg 130 may extend along and beyond the entire height of the footrest. The footrest 200 also includes a closure 250 that closes the channel 220 and may help secure the footrest 200 in a closed or locked position around the support leg 130. The closure 250 and channel 220 are better viewed in FIGS. 3A-4B and described further below.

[0064] The support platform 210 includes a first side 212, which may be a right side from the perspective of an occupant of the child car seat 110, and a second side 214, which may be a left side from the perspective of an occupant. A top surface 216 of the support platform 210 extends from the first side 212 to the second side 214 and forms a top portion 218 of the support platform 210. The top surface 216 may be the surface on which a child occupant of the child car seat 110 places their feet. In some aspects, the top surface 216 of the support platform 210 is a contoured or curved surface. For example, the top surface 216 may include ridges 202 defining contours. The ridges 202 may aid in gripping an occupant's feet or shoes on the top surface 216 of the support platform 210 so that the feet do not easily slip off the footrest 200 while the vehicle is moving. In other aspects, the top surface 216 may include grooves to similarly create traction.

[0065] Support platform 210 may also include a base 232 that forms a bottom aspect of the support platform 210 and is positioned below the top portion 218. The base 232 may be configured to secure the support platform 210 around the support leg 130 with the aid of the closure 250. The base 232 may be narrower than the top portion 218. For example, the top portion 218 may have a first width 234 between the first side 212 and the second side 214, and the base 232 may have a second width 236 between the first side 212 and the second side 214 that is less than the first width 234. In this way, the top portion 218 (with the top surface 216) of the support platform 210 may be sized so that it is wide enough to accommodate the feet of occupants of various sizes, while the base 232 may be only wide enough to wrap around and secure the footrest 200 to the support leg 130 without additional bulk or weight. In other examples, the top portion 218 and the base 232 have the same or substantially the same width between the first side 212 and the second side 214.

[0066] In example aspects, the top portion 218 and base 232 of the support platform

210 have a unitary construction. For example, the top portion 218 and base 232 may be molded together. In other instances, the top portion 218 and base 232 may be separately formed and secured together via screws, pins, adhesive, and the like.

[0067] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate rear views of the footrest 200 with the closure 250 in a closed position, and FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate rear views of the footrest 200 with the closure 250 in an opened position. The support leg 130 is removed from these figures to avoid obstructing views of the channel 220 and closure 250.

[0068] At least in the closed position, the closure 250, with the support platform 210, defines the channel 220 for the support leg 130. Specifically, the closure 250 has a first end 252 coupled to the support platform 210, a second end 254 coupled to the support platform 210, and a portion between the first end 252 and the second end 254 (referred to herein as a closure body 320) that defines part of the channel 220. In one example, the channel 220 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, which may generally correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the support leg 130. As such, the channel 220 includes a first side 222, a second side 224 opposite the first side 222, a front side 226, and a rear side 228 opposite the front side 226. The first side 222, second side 224, and front side 226 are defined by walls of the support platform 210, while the rear side 228 is defined by the closure 250 when the closure 250 is in the closed position shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0069] When closed, the first end 252 of the closure 250 is secured to the support platform 210 at a location between the first side 222 of the channel 220 and the first side 212 of the support platform 210, while the second end 254 of the closure 250 is secured to the support platform 210 at a location between the second side 224 of the channel 220 and the second side 214 of the support platform 210. In one example, the first and second ends 252 and 254 of the closure 250 are directly secured only to the base 232 of the support platform 210 when in a closed stated and not directly secured to the top portion 218. Additionally, the closure 250 may be positioned lower than the top surface 216 of the support platform 210 when the footrest 200 is in a use position. Positioning the closure 250 below the top surface 216 (e.g., feet contacting surface) may prevent or minimize the chance of a child occupant rubbing their feet against the closure 250 and thereby inadvertently loosening or opening the closure 250 when the footrest 200 is in use. [0070] In some examples, one end of the closure 250 is permanently secured to the support platform 210 while the other end is releasably coupled. For example, the first end 252 of the closure 250 is secured to the base 232 adjacent the first side 222 of the channel 220 in a manner that is not readily removable, such as with screw(s), pin(s), nail(s), molding, adhesive, and the like. The second end 254 of the closure 250 is secured to the base 232 adjacent the second side 224 of the channel 220 in a releasable or removable manner such that the second end 254 of the closure 250 is secured to the base 232 in the closed state but unsecured to the base 232 in the opened state.

[0071] In various examples, the closure 250 is a draw latch that draws the first side 222 of the channel 220 and the second side 224 of the channel 220 closer together to reduce the size (or width) of the channel 220 so that footrest 200 fits tightly around the support leg 130 when the support leg 130 is within the channel 220. In certain examples, the closure 250 is an over-center latch. The closure 250 includes a closure body 320 that generally extends over the channel 220. One end of the closure body 320 is secured to the support platform 210 (e.g., the base 232) at a closure body joint 322. The closure body 320 pivots about the closure body joint 322. Pivoting around the closure body joint 322 may include pivoting around an axis that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface 216 of the support platform 210, which may be a horizontal plane. The opposite side of the closure body 320 may include or otherwise be attached to a blade 312 and a handle 314 that generally form the second end 254 of the closure 250. The blade 312 is configured to mate with a keeper 310 on the support platform 210. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 3A-4B, the blade 312 has a ring structure, and the keeper 310 is a slot or channel on the base 232 that generally faces towards the second side 214 of the footrest 200. To place the closure 250 into a closed position, a first end 332 of the blade 312 is positioned within the keeper 310. The opposite second end 334 of the blade 312 is attached to the handle 314, which acts as a lever of the closure 250. The handle 314 can pivot about the latch joint 316 formed between the handle 314 and the closure body 320. To fully close the closure 250, a distal end of the handle 314 is moved towards the closure body 320 so that the handle 314 rotates about the latch joint 316. This movement causes the second end 334 of the blade 312 to move over center of the latch joint 316. For example, see the opened position of the closure 250 in FIGS. 4A and 4B where the second end 334 of the blade 312 is positioned between the first end 332 of the blade and the latch joint 316; whereas, in the closed position in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the latch joint 316 is positioned between the second end 334 and the first end 332 of the blade 312. In this way, the closure 250 may not be loosened or opened until the second end 334 of the blade 312 is moved back over center of the latch joint 316, which involves some force in a direction other than the direction of separation between the first side 222 and the second side 224 of the channel 220. As a result, the closure 250 may stay latched while under tension so that it cannot be easily opened during a crash event or during jostling while the vehicle is in use.

[0072] In other embodiments, the closure 250 may utilize other closure mechanisms to close and secure the footrest 200 to the support leg 130. For example, the closure 250 may utilize other types of draw latches, other latches, hook and loop fasteners, buckles, and the like. For example, in one alternative, the closure 250 may include a flexible strap having one end secured to the support platform 210 and another end that is threaded through a slot or other opening formed on the support platform 210 on the opposite side of the channel 220. The flexible strap may include a hook portion and a loop portion such that, after being threaded through the opening on the support platform 210, the flexible strap may be extend back towards the first side 212 of the support platform 210 so that the hook portion and the loop portion may at least partially overlap and be secure to one another.

[0073] Further, it is contemplated that some examples of this disclosure include the closure 250 being not readily removable on either end (first end 252 and second end 254) from the support platform 210. Rather, the width of the closure 250 between the first end 252 and the second end 254 may be adjustable such that, the width of the closure 250 is greater in an opened state than in the closed state, which may increase the size (or width) of the channel 220 in the opened state to allow the footrest 200 to be slid along the support leg 130 and, in some instances, to be slid off of the support leg 130.

[0074] In exemplary aspects, the footrest 200 may be secured at different positions along the support leg 130 to accommodate different heights of child occupants. In some aspects, there are a fixed number of positions based on positions of engagement features or openings in the support leg 130. For example, FIG. 5 depicts the support leg 130 having multiple openings 154 vertically spaced apart on a rear side 138 of the support leg 130. The rear interior channel surface 340 formed by the closure body 320 includes one or more protrusions 342 (as seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B) that mate with one or more openings 154 on the support leg 130 when the closure 250 is in a closed position and the support leg 130 is within the channel 220 of the footrest 200. In one example, the closure body 320 includes two vertically spaced protrusions 342 that engage with two openings 154 on the support leg 130, but it is contemplated that the closure body 320 may include fewer or more protrusions. The engagement between the protrusion(s) 342 on the closure 250 of the footrest 200 with the opening(s) 154 on the support leg 130 further maintains the position of the footrest 200 along the support leg 130 to prevent the footrest 200 from inadvertently sliding down the support leg 130 due to gravity and/or during movement of the vehicle.

[0075] In some examples, the openings 154 may be located on a different side of the support leg 130, such as on a left side 140, a right side 142, or a front side 136 (which is visible in FIG. 2), and protrusions 342 may be formed on surfaces of the support platform 210 defining the channel 220. Further, in some examples, the closure 250 or another portion of the footrest 200 may have one or more openings, cavities, or slots while the support leg 130 may have protrusions or other raised features that engage within the openings, cavities or slots of the footrest 200.

[0076] FIG. 6 depicts a bottom perspective view of the child car seat 110. Examples of the support leg 130 may be pivotally connected to the bottom portion 120 of the child car seat 110. In this way, a user may rotate the support leg 130 out of the way when not in use. In this example, the top end 132 of the support leg 130 is coupled to the bottom portion 120 at or near the front side 124, and a user may rotate the support leg 130 so that the bottom end 134 of the support leg 130 may be moved closer to the rear side 126 of the bottom portion 120. Further, the bottom portion 120 may have a storage slot 350 for the support leg 130 such that when the support leg 130 is rotated to a non-use positon, it may be positioned within the storage slot 350 on the bottom of the bottom portion 120. In some aspects, the storage slot 350 is sized only for the support leg 130 such that it is advantageous to be able to remove the footrest 200 prior to moving the support leg 130 into the storage slot 350. Once the support leg 130 is positioned within the storage slot 350, the bottom portion 120 may be placed on a surface (e.g., the vehicle seat or ground) without the support leg 130 interfering the child car seat 110 remaining level.

[0077] FIG. 7 depicts another example car seat system 400 that includes a child car seat 410, a support leg 430, and a footrest 440. The features of child car seat 410, support leg 430, and footrest 440 may be the same as those disclosed above with respect to FIGS. 1-6 except that the support leg 430 extends downwards from an integral bottom portion 420 of the child car seat 410 instead of a separate base component, like the bottom portion 120 in FIGS. 1-6. In this case, the support leg 430 and footrest 440 may be utilized on child car seats that do not use a base, such as forward-facing car seats with a harness and booster seats, with or without back supports. It should be understood that, details of the child car seat 110, support leg 130, and footrest 200 described with respect to FIGS. 1-6 may apply to the child car seat 410, the support leg 430, and the footrest 440 without being repeated here except to the extent that FIGS. 1-6 describe the bottom portion 120 being movable with respect to the rest of the child car seat 110.

[0078] FIG. 8 depicts a rear view of the removable footrest that is similar to the view shown in FIG. 5. The view of the removable footrest depicted in FIG. 9 is partially exploded, such that some of the elements can be understood easier. The single features and the functions of these elements are described in detail with respect to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B.

[0079] EXAMPLE CLAUSES

[0080] Clause 1: A child car seat system comprising: a child car seat having a bottom portion configured to at least partially rest on a seat of an associated vehicle; a support leg extending from the bottom portion of the child car seat; and a footrest comprising: a support platform having a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having an channel configured to receive the support leg, and a footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end that defines at least part of the channel for the support leg, the first end and the second end of the footrest closure each being secured to the support platform and at least the second end of the footrest closure being releasably coupled to the support platform. [0081] Clause 2: The child car seat system of clause 1, wherein the first end of the footrest closure is secured to the support platform at a joint.

[0082] Clause 3: The child car seat system of any of clauses 1 and 2, wherein the first end of the footrest closure is configured to pivot about an axis extending perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface of the support platform.

[0083] Clause 4: The child car seat system of any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the footrest closure forms a rear interior surface of the channel such that the footrest closure is positioned on a rear side of the support leg when in a closed position.

[0084] Clause 5: The child car seat system of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the footrest closure includes a surface oriented towards the channel for the support leg that includes one or more engaging features that engages with the support leg when the footrest closure is closed around the support leg.

[0085] Clause 6: The child car seat system of clause 5, wherein the support leg includes at least one opening and the one or more engaging features on the footrest closure include one or more protrusions that engage with the at least one opening.

[0086] Clause 7: The child car seat system of any of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the support leg includes a plurality of openings, wherein each opening, when engaged with the one or more protrusions on the footrest closure, positions the footrest at different distances relative to the child car seat.

[0087] Clause 8: The child car seat system of any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the child car seat comprises a seat portion and a base, the base forming the bottom portion from which the support leg extends, wherein the seat portion is movable relative to the base.

[0088] Clause 9: The child car seat system of any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the child car seat comprises a seat portion that is not movable with respect to the bottom portion.

[0089] Claim 10: A removable footrest for a child car seat, the removable footrest comprising: a support platform having a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having a channel configured to receive a support leg secured to the child car seat, the channel extending from the top surface through a bottom surface of the support platform, and a footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end that defines at least part of the channel for the support leg, the first end and the second end of the footrest closure each being secured to the support platform and at least the second end of the footrest closure being releasably coupled to the support platform.

[0090] Clause 11: The removable footrest of clauselO, wherein the footrest closure is releasably coupled to the support platform with an over-center latch.

[0091] Clause 12: The removable footrest of any of clauses 10 to 11, wherein the support platform comprises a top portion forming the top surface, and a bottom portion, wherein the footrest closure is directly secured to the bottom portion of the support platform.

[0092] Clause 13: The removable footrest of clause 12, wherein the footrest closure is not directly secured to the top portion of the support platform.

[0093] Clause 14: The removable footrest of any of clauses 12 to 13, wherein the top surface has a first width and the bottom portion has a second width that is less than the first width.

[0094] Clause 15: The removable footrest of any of clauses 10 to 14, wherein the footrest closure includes a surface oriented towards the channel for the support leg and having at least one raised structure extending towards the channel.

[0095] Clause 16: A footrest system for a child car seat, the footrest system comprising: a leg having an elongate body between a top end and a bottom end, the top end being configured to be secured to the child car seat; and a removable footrest comprising: a support platform having a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side, the support platform having a channel configured to receive the leg, and a footrest closure having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end that defines at least part of the channel for the leg, the first end and the second end of the footrest closure each being secured to the support platform and at least the second end of the footrest closure being releasably coupled to the support platform. [0096] Clause 17: The footrest system of clause 16, wherein the leg includes a plurality of openings, and the footrest closure includes one or more protrusions that engage with at least one opening of the leg.

[0097] Clause 18: The footrest system of any of clauses 16 to 17, wherein the first end of the footrest closure is configured to pivot about an axis extending perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface of the support platform.

[0098] Clause 19: The footrest system of any of clauses 16 to 18, wherein the top end of the leg is configured to be removably coupled to a bottom portion of the child car seat.

[0099] Clause 20: The footrest system of clauses 16 to 19, wherein the leg is configured to be pivotally coupled to a bottom portion of the child car seat.

[0100] As used herein, a recitation of "and/or" with respect to two or more elements should be interpreted to mean only one element, or a combination of elements. For example, "element A, element B, and/or element C" may include only element A, only element B, only element C, element A and element B, element A and element C, element B and element C, or elements A, B, and C. In addition, "at least one of element A or element B" may include at least one of element A, at least one of element B, or at least one of element A and at least one of element B. Further, "at least one of element A and element B" may include at least one of element A, at least one of element B, or at least one of element A and at least one of element B.

[0101] This detailed description is provided in order to meet statutory requirements. However, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention described herein. Rather, the claimed subject matter may be embodied in different ways, to include different steps, different combinations of steps, different elements, and/or different combinations of elements, similar or equivalent to those described in this disclosure, and in conjunction with other present or future technologies. The examples herein are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. In this sense, alternative examples or implementations can become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present subject matter pertains without departing from the scope hereof.