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 - 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 floatation element in the form of a vertical hoop connected to the one leg and to the second leg of the U-shaped first hoop element;    an auxiliary floatation member extending between the first hoop and the vertical hoop of the second floatation element, the auxiliary floatation member having first and second ends and being attached to the vertical hoop at the first end and further attached to the first hoop at the second end.    
   
   
       22 . A floatation enhancing attachment for use with an infant carrier, the infant carrier having a handle, the floatation enhancing attachment comprising: 
 a U-shaped floatation element, having first and second ends, the 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, the floatation element having the first and second ends adjacent the respective first and second sides of the infant carrier; and    a second floatation element comprising a left side portion and a right side portion, the second floatation element attached to the handle of the infant carrier wherein the left side portion and the right side portion are connected by a web.    
   
   
       23 . A floatation enhancing device attachable to a handle equipped carrier having a seat portion for use in carrying a child, the floatation enhancing device comprising: 
 a floatation element defining a U-shaped first hoop having one leg and a second leg;    a second floatation element connected to the one leg and to the second leg of the U-shaped first hoop element;    an auxiliary floatation member extending between the first hoop and the vertical hoop of the second floatation element, the auxiliary floatation member having first and second ends and being attached to the vertical hoop at the first end and further attached to the first hoop at the second end.    
   
   
       24 . The invention in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the handle of the carrier is a pivotable handle that can be locked in position above the seat portion.  
   
   
       25 . The invention in accordance with  claim 24  wherein the second floatation element is generally vertically disposed and is secured to the handle of the carrier.  
   
   
       26 . The invention in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the floatation enhancing device further comprises a non-inflatable buoyancy composition.  
   
   
       27 . The invention in accordance with  claim 26  wherein the non-inflatable buoyancy composition includes a central aperture that is sealed at each end whereby floatation of the device may be improved.  
   
   
       28 . The invention in accordance with  claim 26  wherein the second floatation element comprises two parts, a left side portion and a right side portion, connected together with an unfilled tube portion of the tube surrounding the non-inflatable buoyancy composition of the floatation element, whereby continuity between left and right side portions is provided while allowing a reduction of bulk in the handle of the device.  
   
   
       29 . The invention in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the floatation enhancing device further comprises an inflatable bladder to provide floatation and buoyancy.  
   
   
       30 . The invention in accordance with  claim 23  wherein each floatation element and the auxiliary floatation member is of a bright color with high visibility and further includes the incorporation of reflective panels attached to the floatation device to reflect light.  
   
   
       31 . The invention in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the second floatation element comprises two parts, a left side portion and a right side portion, connected together with a strap attached to the left side portion and to the right side portion, whereby continuity between left and right side portions is provided while allowing a reduction of bulk in the handle of the device.  
   
   
       32 . The invention in accordance with  claim 23  further comprising a second auxiliary floatation member extending between the first hoop and the vertical hoop of the second floatation element, the auxiliary floatation members each having first and second ends and each being attached to the vertical hoop at the first end and further attached to the first hoop at the second end of each of the auxiliary floatation members.  
   
   
       33 . The invention in accordance with  claim 32  wherein the vertical hoop further comprises two parts, a left side portion and a right side portion connected together and one of each of the auxiliary floatation members extends from the first hoop to the second floatation element such that one of each of the auxiliary floatation members connects to one of each of the left side and right side portions of the vertical hoop.  
   
   
       34 . The invention in accordance with  claim 23  further comprising a strap attached to the top of the second floatation element whereby a full hoop of flotation material is provided under the strap to provide a bulk free handle that is easy to grasp.