Collapsible travel seat for infants and the like

Abstract

A collapsible seat for supporting an infant is provided. The collapsible seat is configured so as to obtain a relatively compact unit for convenient storage and easy transportation during periods of non-use. In that regard, the collapsible seat may include one or more inflatable sections. The collapsible seat may also include a removable, flexible cover, which may be designed with patterns, such as stripes, Polka dots, among others, or may be themed, such as with general characters, such as a mouse, cat, dog, etc., or with branded themes such as Disney® characters and the like. The collapsible seat may further include other features, such as an restraint system, headrest, etc.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . An inflatable seat having a concavity for supporting an infant, comprising:
 an inflatable base section having a flat bottom surface configured to rest on a support surface and an upper perimeter region; and   an inflatable upper section having a longitudinal center line, the inflatable upper section including front and back walls and first and second side walls each upwardly extending from the upper perimeter region of the inflatable base section, the upper ends of the side walls forming a generally oval, forwardly facing opening of the concavity, wherein the concavity is formed by a contiguous support surface that includes a rearwardly inclined back support surface section and a forwardly inclined front support surface section.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable seat of  claim 1 , wherein the support surface has a general curvature from the upper end of the first side wall to the upper end of the second side wall as the support surface extends from the front wall to the back wall. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable seat of  claim 1 , wherein the flat bottom surface is ovally shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable seat of  claim 1 , wherein the upper perimeter region is generally ovally shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable seat of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable upper section is symmetrical about the longitudinal center line. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable seat of  claim 1 , further comprising an infant restraint mounted to the upper section. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable seat of  claim 1 , further comprising a headrest positioned on the a rearwardly inclined back support surface section. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable seat of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable, flexible cover that extends over at least the upper section. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable seat of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible cover includes one or a theme and pattern. 
     
     
         10 . An inflatable seat having a concavity for supporting an infant, comprising:
 an inflatable base section having an flat, ovally shaped, bottom surface configured to rest on a support surface, and an ovally shaped, upper perimeter region;   an inflatable upper section having a longitudinal center line, the inflatable upper section including outwardly curved front and back walls and first and second side walls each upwardly extending from the upper perimeter region of the inflatable base section, the upper ends of the side walls forming a generally oval, forwardly facing opening of the concavity; and   a removable, flexible cover that extends over at least the upper section.   
     
     
         11 . The inflatable seat of  claim 10 , wherein the forwardly facing opening is disposed generally transverse to the inflatable base section. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable seat of  claim 10 , wherein a bottom surface of the concavity includes a contiguous support surface having a rearwardly inclined back support surface section and a forwardly inclined front support surface section. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable seat of  claim 12 , wherein the inflatable upper section is symmetrical about the longitudinal center line. 
     
     
         14 . An inflatable seat, comprising:
 an inflatable seat structure defining a concavity suitably dimensioned and configured for receiving and supporting an infant; and   an outer covering disposed over at least the concavity of the inflatable seat structure.