Child carrier floatation enhancement

Abstract

A floatation enhancing structure for providing improved flotation of a baby seat, a car seat, or a child/infant carrier includes a buoyant collar that is attached to the seat or carrier generally horizontal to the plane of the seat in repose. A vertical hoop or buoyant material is connected to a carrying handle of the carrier. The vertical hoop will serve to assist in righting the carrier in the event the carrier is inadvertently dropped into a significant body or water having depth sufficient to allow self-righting of the floatation enhanced baby seat. Variations and methods with different advantageous features are also described.

1 . A floatation enhancing attachment for use with an infant carrier, the floatation enhancing attachment comprising: 
 a floatation element attached to the infant carrier to extend along a first side of the infant carrier, around a back portion of the infant carrier and along a second side of the infant carrier.    
   
   
       2 . The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the infant carrier has a handle and further comprising a second flotation element attached to the handle of the infant carrier.  
   
   
       3 . The invention in accordance with  claim 2  further comprising the second floatation element extending from the first flotation element proximate the first side of the infant carrier to that portion of the first flotation element proximate the second side of the infant carrier.  
   
   
       4 . The invention in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a first strap attached to the first floatation element, the strap extending along the front of the seat; 
 a second strap attached to the first floatation element and attached to the seat of the carrier.    
   
   
       5 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . A floatation enhancing attachment for use with an infant carrier, the floatation enhancing attachment comprising: 
 a floatation element capable of being attached to the infant carrier to extend along a first side of the infant carrier, around a back portion of the infant carrier and along a second side of the infant carrier;    a second flotation element capable of being attached to a handle of the infant carrier, the second floatation element extending from the first flotation element proximate the first side of the infant carrier to that portion of the first flotation element proximate the second side of the infant carrier;    a first strap attached to the first floatation element, the strap extending along the front of the infant carrier;    a second strap attached to the first floatation element and attached to the infant carrier.    
   
   
       16 . The invention in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the first and second floatation enhancing elements are covered with a fabric cover.  
   
   
       17 . The invention in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the first and second floatation elements are of a material having high visibility.  
   
   
       18 . The invention in accordance with  claim 17  wherein the fabric cover comprises a synthetic woven material.  
   
   
       19 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A floatation enhancing attachment for removable use as an attachment to an infant carrier, the floatation enhancing attachment comprising: 
 a first floatation element defining a U-shaped first hoop having one leg and a second leg;    a second flotation element comprising a vertical hoop connected to the one leg and to the second leg of the U-shaped first floatation element.    
   
   
       22 . The invention in accordance with  claim 21  further comprising an attachment strap extending from one leg of the first hoop and from the second leg of the first hoop.  
   
   
       23 . The invention in accordance with  claim 21  comprising a strap positioned on the vertical hoop.  
   
   
       24 . The invention in accordance with  claim 21  further comprising a fabric cover on the first and second floatation elements.  
   
   
       25 . The invention in accordance with  claim 21  further comprising an auxiliary floatation member connected to the second floatation element.