Child seating system and method

Abstract

A seating system for a child includes a base. A formed seat is arranged so as to communicate with and selectively rotate about the base. A retention apparatus includes a first handle and the retention apparatus secures the formed seat to the base. A single actuation and substantially continuous movement of the first handle causes the formed seat to move around the base with respect to at least two different axes.

1 . A seating system for a child comprising:
 a base;   a formed seat arranged so as to communicate with and selectively rotate about the base; and   a retention apparatus including a first handle, the retention apparatus securing the formed seat to the base and wherein a single actuation and substantially continuous movement of the first handle causes the formed seat to move around the base with respect to at least two different axes.   
   
   
       2 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the formed seat comprises an outer form and wherein the outer form comprises a substantially continuously-formed side portion and top enclosure portion that protect substantially the entirety of a passenger occupying the formed seat. 
   
   
       3 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the retention apparatus comprises at least one coupler configured to be received in at least one receptacle disposed in the base, the retention apparatus further comprising at least one connection member coupled to the at least one coupler. 
   
   
       4 . The seating system of  claim 3  wherein the at least one connection member comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of: at least one cable, at least one cord, at least one wire, and at least one lever. 
   
   
       5 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the formed seat comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of: at least one tubular member, at least one rod, at least one channel, and at least one plate. 
   
   
       6 . The seating system of  claim 1  further comprising a second handle, the second handle coupled to the retention apparatus, the second handle for completely disengaging the formed seat from the base. 
   
   
       7 . The seating system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one harness. 
   
   
       8 . The seating system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one of substantially vertical slots for positioning the at least one harness. 
   
   
       9 . The seating system of  claim 1  further comprising an indexing system for determining a position for at least harness to be positioned in at least one substantially vertical slot. 
   
   
       10 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein elements of the base are integrated into a receiving structure, the receiving structure selected from a group consisting of a vehicular seat, a seat in an aircraft, a stroller, and furniture. 
   
   
       11 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the formed seat is configured with the base so as to be lockable to the base in only a single forward-facing position. 
   
   
       12 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the formed seat further comprises ventilation openings. 
   
   
       13 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein at least one portion of the formed seat comprises a breathable material. 
   
   
       14 . The seating system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one panel attachable to the formed seat, the at least one panel adjusting an available passenger volume of the seat. 
   
   
       15 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the base is an element selected from a group comprising: a base adapted to be attached to a vehicle seat, a base adapted to be attached to an aircraft seat; a base adapted to be attached to a stroller, and a base adapted to be attached to a piece of furniture. 
   
   
       16 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the base comprises a detent for temporarily retaining the formed seat in a side-facing position. 
   
   
       17 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the formed seat comprises an inner shell and an outer shell. 
   
   
       18 . The seating system of  claim 17  wherein the inner shell and the outer shell form an open space that is situated between the inner shell and the outer shell. 
   
   
       19 . A method of rotating a child seat comprising:
 providing a child seat;   securing the child seat to a base with a retention apparatus; and   actuating a first handle on the retention apparatus and, in a substantially continuous movement, rotating the child seat along a first axis and along a second axis.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising actuating a second handle positioned at a secure location at the child seat, the actuating of the second handle causing the child seat to fully disengage from the base. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising fully disengaging the child seat from the base using the first handle. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising providing at least one harness with the child seat and adjusting the at least one harness through at least one substantially vertical slots in the child seat. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein adjusting the at least one harness comprises adjusting the at least one harness using an indexing system. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising placing a child in the child seat when the child seat is in a side-facing position and thereafter rotating the child seat to a forward-facing position. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising subsequently locking the child seat in the forward-facing position.