CAR SEAT WITH INTEGRATED CONTROL CONSOLE
A child car seat includes a seat base configured to hold a child seat carrier and a control console removably coupled to the seat base. The control console includes a user interface having at least one input and at least one output, circuitry configured to interface with other components of the child car seat, and a power source configured to provide power to the user interface.
1 . A child car seat comprising:
a seat base configured to hold a child seat carrier; and
a control console removably coupled to the seat base, the control console including
a user interface having at least one input and at least one output;
circuitry configured to interface with other components of the child car seat; and
a power source configured to provide power to the user interface.
2 . The child car seat of claim 1 , wherein the at least one input includes one or more knobs, buttons, switches, touch sensors, touch screens, or combinations thereof.
3 . The child car seat of claim 1 , wherein the at least one output includes one or more audio devices, visual devices, or combinations thereof.
4 . The child car seat of claim 3 , wherein the at least one output includes one or more speakers, lights, light-emitting diodes, tactile sensors, visual displays, or combinations thereof.
5 . The child car seat of claim 1 , wherein the power source includes a battery.
6 . The child car seat of claim 1 , further comprising:
a level indicator system in communication with the control console, the level indicator system including
a housing coupled to the seat base;
a pendulum movably coupled to the housing and configured to permit rotation about an axis, the pendulum having a top portion with an opening; and
one or more pair of sensors coupled to the housing on opposing sides of the opening, the sensors and opening configured such that a first sensor on one side of the opening is in communication with a second sensor on the other side of the opening when the opening is substantially aligned with the first and second sensors; and
a ratchet system in communication with the control console, the ratchet system including
a ratchet housing coupled to the seat base;
a handle movably coupled to the ratchet housing; and
a spindle movably coupled to the handle and to the ratchet housing, the spindle having a longitudinal slot configured to hold a belt and the ratchet system configured to move the spindle with the handle in a first direction and to move the handle in a second direction without moving the spindle.
7 . The child car seat of claim 6 , wherein the level indicator system is configured to send a signal to the control console when the first sensor is in communication with the second sensor.
8 . The child car seat of claim 6 , wherein the sensors include photosensors.
9 . The child car seat of claim 6 , wherein the sensors include at least two pairs of sensors, each corresponding pair coupled to the housing on opposing sides of the opening and at least one of the pairs adjacent to at least one of the other pairs on each side of the opening.
10 . The child car seat of claim 6 , further including a level adjustment system movably coupled to the seat base.
11 . The child car seat of claim 10 , wherein the level adjustment system includes:
a grooved member coupled to the seat base, the grooved member having one or more slots and a channel adjacent to the slots;
a leveling member movably coupled to the grooved member and to the seat base at a portion of the seat base;
a bar coupled to the leveling member and configured to engage with the slots and move along the channel; and
an actuator configured to move the bar out of the slots and to engage the bar with the slots.
12 . The child car seat of claim 11 , wherein the actuator is one or more buttons disposed on the seat base.
13 . The child car seat of claim 6 , wherein the ratchet system further includes a belt tension indicator system coupled to the ratchet housing.
14 . The child car seat of claim 13 , wherein the belt tension indicator system includes:
a bottom member coupled to the ratchet housing;
a top member movably coupled to the bottom member, the top member configured to contact the belt;
one or more resistance members positioned between a portion of the top member and a portion of the bottom member, the one or more resistance members configured to allow the top member to move relative to the bottom member when sufficient force is applied to the top member; and
a switch positioned adjacent to the top member, the belt tension indicator system configured such that a contact on the top member contacts the switch when appropriate force is applied to the top member.
15 . The child car seat of claim 14 , wherein the one or more resistance members include springs.
16 . The child car seat of claim 14 , wherein the top member includes an opening configured to receive the belt.
17 . The child car seat of claim 6 , further including the belt.
18 . The child car seat of claim 6 , wherein the ratchet system further includes a release mechanism that allows the spindle to move in the first direction and the second direction.
19 . The child car seat of claim 18 , wherein the release mechanism is actuated by a button on the handle.
20 . The child car seat of claim 6 , wherein the ratchet system further includes:
a ratchet wheel movably coupled to the handle and coupled to the spindle, the ratchet wheel having one or more notches; and
a pall configured to engage with the one or more notches, the ratchet wheel and the pall configured such that the handle moves the ratchet wheel when the handle moves in the first direction and the pall engages the one or more notches and prevents the ratchet wheel from moving when the handle moves in the second direction.