Infant seat insert

Abstract

A infant seat insert in accordance with the present invention includes a backing that is positioned against the back wall of an infant seat, a plurality of first attachment parts that are attached to predetermined locations on the backing, and multiple support cushions. The support cushions include opposing head cushions which are formed with a hollow and include a lower collar portion, opposing torso cushions and a pelvis cushion. The head cushions, torso cushions and pelvis cushion each have a respective second attachment part fixed thereto, which allows for attachment of each respective cushion to the backing. When attached to the backing, the head cushions, torso cushions and pelvis cushions cooperate to establish a support space for the infant. When the infant is placed in the support space for transport, the hollows and lower collar portions of the head cushions prevent lolling of the infant's head, while the pelvis cushion and torso cushions prevent slumping of the infant within the child seat.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . For an infant seat that includes a backwall and infant seat belts or an infant seat having openings through which vehicle seat belts extend, an insert assembly positioned within said infant seat and comprising: 
 a backing placed against said backwall;    a plurality of first attachment parts secured to predetermined locations on said backing; and,    multiple support cushions having shapes corresponding to selected portions of the body of an infant, said cushions having second attachment parts which are releasably attached to said first attachment parts, said cushions, in combination, defining a support space corresponding to an infant's body.    
     
     
         2 . The insert assembly of  claim 1  wherein said cushions include a head cushion positioned to be immediately adjacent a side of an infant's head when said infant is placed within said support space when said head cushion is attached to said backing.  
     
     
         3 . The insert assembly of  claim 2  wherein said head cushion includes a hollow that conforms to the side of the infant's head.  
     
     
         4 . The insert assembly of  claim 3  wherein said head cushion includes a lower collar portion which is positioned to engage an infant's neck area when said infant is placed within said support space.  
     
     
         5 . The insert assembly of  claim 4  further comprising at least one chafing strap, said chafing strap being fixed to said backing proximate said lower collar portion and being wrapped around said vehicle seat belts when said infant is placed within said support space.  
     
     
         6 . The insert assembly of  claim 1  wherein said backing includes a bottom edge and wherein said support cushions include a pelvis cushion selectively attached to said backing proximate said bottom edge to be positioned next to an infant's pelvis area when said infant is placed within said support space.  
     
     
         7 . The insert assembly of  claim 6  wherein said backing has two opposing side edges and wherein said cushions includes at least one torso cushion selectively attached to said backing proximate one of said side edges to position said torso cushion against an infant's torso are when said infant is placed within said support space.  
     
     
         8 . The insert assembly of  claim 7  wherein said torso cushion extends below said bottom edge for engagement with the outer surfaces of the infant's outer legs when said infant is placed within said support space.  
     
     
         9 . A method for transporting a premature/lower birthweight infant in a vehicle which comprises the steps of: 
 (A) providing an infant seat that includes a backwall and infant seat belts or openings through which vehicle seat belts extend;    (B) placing a backing against said backwall;    (C) fixing a plurality of first attachment parts to predetermined locations on said backing;    (D) furnishing a plurality of multiple support cushions having shapes corresponding to selected portions of the body of said infant;    (E) attaching each of a plurality of second attachment parts to a respective support cushions; and,    (F) releasably mounting said support cushions to said backing in a manner which defines a support space closely corresponding to said body of said infant.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said step (D) further includes the step of: 
 (G) forming a hollow in two of said support cushions, said forming step further establishing a lower collar portion in said support cushions that include said hollow; and,  
 (H) positioning said support cushions from said step (G) around the head of said infant so that said hollows closely conform to said infant's head.  
 
     
     
         11 . The method of claim wherein step (H) causes said lower collar portion to engage the neck area of said infant.