Booster Seat

Abstract

A booster seat includes a seating element which defines an outer seating surface, and a substantially hollow inner region with an opening through which access to the inner region is enabled. At least one seat belt engagement element is mounted on the seating element, rotatable between a deployed position in which the or each element is adapted for releasable engagement with a seat belt, and a stowed position in which the or each element is located above the outer seating surface of the seating element, so as to provide an uneven and unacceptable surface for sitting such that a user would be encouraged to deploy the seat belt engagement elements.

1 . Seating apparatus comprising:
 a seating element defining an outer seating surface, and defining a substantially hollow inner region which is bounded on one side by an inner surface of the seating element and on another side by an opening through which access to the inner region is enabled;   at least one seat belt engagement element mounted on the seating element, and rotatable between a deployed position in which the at least one seat belt engagement element is adapted for releasable engagement with a seat belt, and a stowed position in which the at least one seat belt engagement element is located adjacent the outer seating surface of the seating element, so as to provide an irregular outer surface.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least on seat belt engagement element is releasably lockable in the deployed position. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outer seating surface is substantially continuous, and the irregular outer surface is discontinuous. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outer seating surface is substantially smooth. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an outer layer of flexible covering material, arranged to encapsulate the seating element. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as claimed in claim further comprising an outer layer of flexible covering material, arranged to encapsule to the seating element, and a cover element located between the outer layer and the seating element. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of strengthening ribs which extend from the inner surface of the seating element into the hollow region. 
     
     
         8 . Seating apparatus comprising:
 a seating element defining an outer seating surface, and defining a substantially hollow inner region, which is bounded on one side by an inner surface of the seating element, and on another side by an opening through which access to the inner region is enabled;   at least one seat belt engagement element mounted on the seating element, and rotatable between a deployed position in which the at least one seat belt engagement element is adapted for releasable engagement with a seat belt, and a stowed position, wherein the at least one seat belt engagement seat belt engagement element is releasably lockable in the deployed position.