Infant seat handle with ergonomic extension

Abstract

An extension member for an infant seat handle includes an extension arm having first and second arm members. A body contact member interconnects the first and second arm members at a first end of said extension member. A clamp configured for attachment to the infant carrier handle is also provided. The clamp includes first and second studs that pivotally engage the first and second arm members.

1 . An infant seat handle assembly comprising: 
 a handle portion having a first arm including an end configured to attach to a first side of an infant-seat shell, a second arm including an end configured to attach to a second side of the infant seat shell and an intermediate section extending across the infant seat shell and interconnecting the first and second arms; and    an extension member extending from one of the first and second arms and having a first end attached to said handle portion and a second end including a body contact member.    
   
   
       2 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein the body contact member is a structural element configured to anatomically accommodate a body curvature of a human waist.  
   
   
       3 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein said extension member is pivotally engaged with said handle and is movable between a deployed position and a stowed position.  
   
   
       4 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 3  wherein the stowed position is generally parallel to one of the first and second arms and the intermediate section.  
   
   
       5 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 3  wherein said handle portion has a generally ovular cross section and said extension member has a hollow open ovular cross section such that, in the stowed position, said extension member overlays said handle portion.  
   
   
       6 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 3  wherein said handle portion has a generally circular cross section and said extension member has a hollow open circular cross section such that, in the stowed position, said extension member overlays said handle portion.  
   
   
       7 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 3  wherein said handle portion has a generally rectangular cross section and said extension member has a hollow open rectangular cross section such that, in the stowed position, said extension member overlays said handle portion.  
   
   
       8 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein said extension member is fixedly attached to said handle portion.  
   
   
       9 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein said extension member extends from one of the first and second arms by a distance of at least four inches.  
   
   
       10 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a clamp for removably attaching said extension member to said handle portion, said extension member being pivotally connected to the clamp.  
   
   
       11 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 10  further comprising a stop operatively associated with said extension member to restrict pivotal motion of the extension member.  
   
   
       12 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 11  wherein the stop is attached to said handle.  
   
   
       13 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 11  wherein the stop is attached to the clamp.  
   
   
       14 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a stop operatively associated with said extension member to restrict pivotal motion of the extension member.  
   
   
       15 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 3  wherein said extension member includes a lever arm and a stop.  
   
   
       16 . The infant seat handle assembly of  claim 15  wherein the lever arm and the stop define a unitary structure, the lever arm including first and second wire leads extending from said handle portion and a body contact member interconnecting the first and second wire leads at a first end of the extension member, the stop including a mating portion interconnecting the first and second wire leads at a second end of said extension member, the mating portion being configured to matingly engage said handle portion when said extension member is in the deployed position.  
   
   
       17 . An extension member for an infant seat handle comprising: 
 an extension arm including first and second arm members;    a body contact member interconnecting the first and second arm members at a first end of said extension member; and    a clamp configured for attachment to the infant carrier handle, said clamp including first and second studs that pivotally engage the first and second arm members.    
   
   
       18 . The extension member of  claim 17  wherein said clamp includes a locking spring configured for engagement with said extension arm to urge said extension arm into a deployed position.  
   
   
       19 . The extension arm of  claim 18  wherein said clamp further comprises a stop that prevent said extension member from rotating past the deployment position.  
   
   
       20 . The extension member of  claim 18  wherein said extension arm is disposed at a deployment angle of between about 30° to about 130°.