WO2008117039A1

WO2008117039A1 - Booster cushion

Info

Publication number: WO2008117039A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001023
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Sesay
Original assignee: Peter Sesay
Priority date: 2007-03-23
Filing date: 2008-03-20
Publication date: 2008-10-02
Also published as: GB0705661D0; GB2447708A

Abstract

A booster cushion (1) comprises a base portion (3) and a seat portion (2) attachable to and detachable from the base portion (3). In a deployed arrangement the seat portion (2) is attached to the base portion (3) by means of protrusion (9) on the seat portion (2) which fits closely in a recess (11) in the base portion (3). The base portion (3) comprises a cavity (13) in which the seat portion (2) can be stowed.

Description

Booster cushion

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a booster cushion for use by children in motor vehicles.

Background of the invention

It is good practice and a legal requirement in many countries for children travelling in a vehicle to use a child restraint. In the UK it is a legal requirement for children aged three and above up to the earlier of their twelfth birthday or reaching 135cms in height to use a booster cushion or a booster seat (a booster cushion with a back rest) in addition to a seat belt.

When a vehicle, such as a private car, care vehicle, bus or coach, is regularly used to transport children requiring a booster cushion, it is common for one or more booster cushion to be carried in the vehicle so that they are available as and when required for use by the children. However, when the booster cushions are not being used the booster cushions must be either removed from the vehicle, which can be inconvenient and time consuming, or the booster cushions must be stored in the vehicle. Conventional booster cushions are bulky and due to their irregular shape, do not lend themselves to be stacked easily. Consequently, when booster cushions are not in use they take up a significant amount of room, thereby potentially causing an obstruction to users of a vehicle and taking up precious storage space in the vehicle. In addition, if conventional booster cushions are stacked they can shift during transit, thereby causing a disturbance to the driver of the vehicle causing a potential hazard.

GB2220848 describes a booster seat comprising a seat squab, a back rest and a head rest which are hingedly connected together so that the head rest can be folded rearwardly to lie behind the back rest which can in turn be folded rearwardly to underlie the seat squab, thereby transforming the booster seat into a booster cushion. FR2811620 describes a first booster seat in the base of which there is a cassette holding a second booster seat. The cassette is withdrawn from the first booster seat and the second booster seat is slid out of the cassette and unfolded on top of the cassette to provide a second booster seat next to the first booster seat.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a booster cushion which can be conveniently stored and transported when not in use.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a booster cushion comprising: a base portion; and a seat portion attachable to and detachable from the base portion; wherein the seat portion is attachable to the base portion in a deployed arrangement by means of first attachment means; and wherein the base portion comprises a cavity for receiving the seat portion when the booster cushion is in a stowed arrangement. In the deployed arrangement the seat portion and base portion cooperate to act as a sturdy booster cushion but when not required the booster cushion can be disassembled and the seat portion can be stowed in the base portion in a compact manner.

The first attachment means may comprise a friction fit and/or a complementary sliding connection. The first attachment means may comprise at least one recess in one of the seat portion and the base portion and at least one cooperating protrusion on the other of the seat portion and the base portion.

The seat portion may be attachable to the base portion in the stowed arrangement by means of second attachment means, to hold the base portion and seat portion together as a single unit when the seat portion is stowed.

The second attachment means comprises a friction fit and/or a lip and latch arrangement so that the seat portion and base portion can be conveniently attached and detached by respectively pushing the portions together and pulling the portions apart. The shape of at least part of the cavity may be substantially identical to the shape of at least part of the seat portion so that the similar shaped parts cooperate to act as the second attachment means. In this manner the seat portion can be pushed into the cavity of the base portion and held in place by a close fit between the cooperating parts of the wall of the cavity and the abutting wall of the seat portion.

One or each of the first and second attachment means may comprise one or more of a hook-and-loop type surface fastener, magnets, clips or latches. In place of or as well as a utilising a friction fit to attach the seat portion and base portion together both in the deployed arrangement and the stowed arrangement, other known attachment means may be used.

The seat portion may be partially or fully enclosed by the base portion in the stowed arrangement.

The seat portion may be inserted into the cavity through a mouth in a major face, i.e. the top or the bottom, of the base portion. The seat portion may be inserted into the cavity through a mouth in top of the base portion, i.e., through the face of the base portion on which the seat portion is mounted when the booster cushion is in the deployed arrangement. Alternatively the seat portion may be inserted into the cavity through a mouth in the bottom of the seat portion, i.e., through the face of the base portion opposed to the face on which the seat portion is mounted when the booster cushion is in the deployed arrangement.

The booster cushion in the stowed arrangement may be attachable to a further booster cushion in the stowed arrangement by means of the first attachment means, thereby providing a convenient method of stacking booster cushions. Similarly the booster cushion may be attachable to a further booster cushion when both cushions are in the deployed arrangement. The booster cushion may further comprise one or more of a carry handle, means for attaching the booster cushion to a seat belt or a squab belt, a raised portion at least partially around the periphery of the seat portion and a cushion.

The means for attaching the booster cushion to the belt may comprise one or more slit at a back of the booster cushion. The slit may run from a bottom of the booster cushion to a top of the booster cushion.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a booster cushion comprising: a base portion; and a seat portion attachable to and detachable from the base portion; wherein the seat portion and base portion have complementary structures for detachably attaching the seat portion to the base portion in a deployed arrangement; and wherein the base portion comprises a cavity for receiving the seat portion when the booster cushion is in a stowed arrangement.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a booster cushion comprising: a base portion; and a seat portion attachable to and detachable from the base portion; wherein one of the seat portion and base portion comprises a protrusion and the other of the seat portion and base portion comprises a cooperating recess for receiving the protrusion, the cooperating protrusion and recess for attaching the seat portion to the base portion in a deployed arrangement; and wherein the base portion comprises a cavity for receiving the seat portion when the booster cushion is in a stowed arrangement.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a booster cushion comprising: a base portion; and a seat portion attachable to and detachable from the base portion; the seat portion and base portion being provided with a friction fit formation for attaching the seat portion to the base portion in a deployed arrangement; and wherein the base portion comprises a cavity for receiving the seat portion when the booster cushion is in a stowed arrangement. , Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a booster cushion according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2a is a perspective view of a top of a seat portion of the booster cushion of Figure 1;

Figure 2b is a perspective view of an underside of the seat portion of the booster cushion of Figure 1;

Figure 3a is a perspective view of a top of a base portion of the booster cushion of Figure 1;

Figure 3b is a perspective view of an underside of the base portion of the booster cushion of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the booster cushion of Figure 1 along line IV-IV;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an underside of the booster cushion of Figure 1 in a stowed arrangement;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the stowed booster cushion of Figure 5 along line VI-VI;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of two stacked booster cushions of Figure 4 in stowed arrangement;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a booster cushion according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a booster cushion according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the booster cushion of Figure 9 on a seat of a vehicle;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a booster cushion according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is a perspective bottom view of a seat portion of the booster cushion of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a perspective top view of a base portion of the booster cushion of Figure 11 ;

Figure 14 is a partial sectional view of the base portion of Figure 13 along line XIV-XIV; and

Figure 15 is a sectional view of the booster cushion of Figure 11 when in a stowed arrangement.

Description of preferred embodiments

In Figure 1, a booster cushion 1 is comprised of a seat portion 2 and a base portion 3. In the deployed arrangement shown in Figure 1, the seat portion 2 is attached to the base portion 3. When the booster cushion 1 is not required, the seat portion 2 can be detached completely from the base portion 3, thereby reducing the size of the booster cushion 1, so that the booster cushion 1 can be conveniently stowed.

Figures 2a and 2b are perspective views of the seat portion 2. The seat portion 2 comprises a seating surface 4 and a raised portion 5 partially surrounding the seating surface 4. A front part 4a of the seating surface 4 is curved downwards to meet an underside 7 of the seat portion 2 at the lower front edge 4b of the booster cushion 1. The raised portion 5 aids positioning of a child sitting on the seating surface 4 and inhibits the child from sliding off the seating surface 4. The raised portion 5 comprises front-side raised portions 5a at the front of the sides 6 of the seat portion 2 and rear-side raised portions 5b at a rear of the sides 6 of the seat portion 2. The rear-side raised portions 5b additionally assist the correct positioning of a seat belt lying across a child seated on the booster cushion 1. The underside 7 of the seat portion 2 is generally flat, with a protrusion 9 protruding from the underside 7, as described below.

Figures 3a and 3b are perspective views of the base portion 3. The upper surface 10 of the base portion 3 is generally flat and the shape of the edge of the upper surface 10 is substantially identical to the shape of the edge of the underside 7 of the seat portion 2, so that when the seat portion 2 is attached to the base portion 3 in the deployed arrangement, as shown in Figure 1 , there are no discontinuities up the side walls of the booster cushion 1.

Referring to Figures 2b and 3 a, there is a recess 11 in the upper surface 10 of the base portion 3 similar in shape and size to the protrusion 9 on the underside 7 of the seat portion 2 such that the protrusion 9 of the seat portion 2 can be received in the recess 11 of the base portion 3. The walls 9a, 9b of the protrusion 9 and the walls l la, 1 Ib of the recess 11 respectively extend substantially perpendicularly from the underside 7 of the seat portion 2 and the upper surface 10 of the base portion 3. The upper surface 9c of the protrusion 9 and the lower surface l ie of the recess 11 are substantially flat. The width of the protrusion 9 between sidewalls 9a and 9b is marginally greater than the width of the recess 11 between side walls l la and 1 Ib so that the protrusion 9 and recess 11 cooperate to act as a first attachment means when the protrusion 9 is inserted into the recess 11, the protrusion 9 being held in place by a close friction/compression fit between the walls 9a, 9b of the protrusion 9 and the walls l la, 1 Ib of the recess 11, as shown in Figure 4. The protrusion 9 and recess 11 respectively extend over part of the lower surface 7 of the seat portion 2 and the upper surface 11 of the base portion 3 in an 'O' shape to provide an attachment means across a substantial area of the seat portion-base portion interface. Referring to Figures 2a and 3 b, the base portion 3 is hollow, having a cavity 13 which is open to an underside 12 of the base portion 3. The cavity 13 is larger than the seat portion 2, so that the seat portion 2 can be fully accommodated within the underside cavity 13 of the base portion 3, as shown in Figure 6. The lower portions 14a of the (inner) side walls 14 of the cavity 13 have substantially the same shape as the side walls 6, 8 of the seat portion 2 so that when the seat portion 2 is inserted into the cavity 13 of the base portion 3 the side walls 14 of the cavity 13 and the side walls 6, 8 of the seat portion 2 cooperate to act as a second attachment means, thereby holding the seat portion 2 in place by a close friction/compression fit between the side walls 6, 8 of the seat portion 2 and the side walls 14 of the cavity 13 of the base portion 3, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Preferably one or both parts of the first and second attachment means of the seat portion 2 and base portion 3 are made from a resiliency ,deformable material to allow the attachment means to operate by a close fit, wherein one or both parts of the attachment means resiliently deforms on attachment and detachment of the attachment means. Suitable material is, for example, a plastic and other materials can be used as will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. The body of the seat portion 2 and the base portion 3 may or may not be made from the same material as the attachment means.

In use, the seat portion 2 is attached to the base portion 3 by aligning the protrusion 9 of the seat portion 2 with the recess 11 of the base portion 3 and by inserting the protrusion 9 fully into the recess 11 so that the underside surface 7 of the seat portion 2 abuts the upper surface 10 of the base portion 3. Due to the close fit between the walls 9a, 9b of the protrusion 9 and the walls 11a, 1 Ib of the recess 11, the seat portion 2 is held in place on the base portion 3, thereby providing a stable seating surface 4 of an appropriate height upon which a child can be seated. As the shape of the upper surface 10 of the base portion 3 matches the shape of the lower surface 7 of the seat portion 2, when the seat portion 2 is fitted to the base portion 3 there is no discontinuity in the side walls of the booster cushion 11, thereby making the connection between the seat portion 2 and the base portion 3 inconspicuous. When the booster cushion 1 is not required, the seat portion 2 is removed from the base portion 3 by prising the seat portion 2 from the base portion 3 and thereby withdrawing the protrusion 9 of the seat portion 2 from the recess 11 of the base portion 3. The seat portion 2 is then inserted through the opening 15 in the base portion 3 and pushed into the cavity 13 of the base portion 3 so that it is fully accommodated within the cavity 13 of the base portion 3, as shown in Figure 5. When the booster cushion 1 I iS subsequently required the seat portion 2 is removed from the cavity 13 and replaced on the base portion 3 by inserting the protrusion 9 into the cavity 11, as described above.

The booster cushion 1 can be used as a low height booster cushion by removing the base portion 3 and using only the seat portion 2 alone as the booster cushion, for example for children who are taller than those children who would use the full height booster cushion 1 in the deployed arrangement.

As can be seen from Figure 5, when the booster cushion 1 is in the stowed arrangement, the protrusion 9 of the seat portion 2 is accessible through the mouth 15 in the underside 12 of the base portion 3, thereby allowing the stowed booster cushion 1 to be stacked on a second stowed booster cushion 1 as shown in Figure 7, by inserting the protrusion 9 of the seat portion 2 of the first booster cushion 1 into the recess 11 of the base portion 3 of the second booster cushion 1. In this manner a plurality of booster cushions 1 in stowed arrangement can be stacked together to form a single unit in a convenient and stable manner.

Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of the invention, similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7 and further comprising a cushion 16 on the seating surface 4 of the seat portion 2.

Figure 9 shows a third embodiment of the invention, similar to the first embodiment of Figure 1 to 7 and further comprising slits 17 in the rear surrounding wall 5c at the back of the seating portion 4. As can be seen from Figure 10, these slits 17, one on each side of the rear wall 5c, are for receiving a belt 18 attached to a back squab 19 of a car seat 20, as used with a seat belt height adjuster 21 as described in the present applicant's publication GB 2337727. The squab belt 18 is fed into a slit 17 to position the booster cushion 1" correctly and to keep the cushion 1" in this position. The squab belt 17 may run through a slit in the base portion 3 of the booster cushion 1" in place of or in addition to one of the slits 17 is the seat portion 2.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a booster cushion 1'" according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. Like the booster cushions of the previous embodiments, the booster cushion 1"' of Figure 11 is comprised of a seat portion 2"' attached to a base portion 3'". Like the booster cushion 1" shown in Figures 9 and 10, the booster cushion 1'" of Figure 11 has two slits 17'" to receive a belt attached to a back squab of a car seat. In the embodiment of Figure 11 the slits 17'" are disposed vertically at the rear of the booster cushion 1'" to pass through both the seat portion 2'" and the base portion 3'". The portions of the booster cushion 1'" may be moulded from a plastics material.

The seat portion 2'" and the base portion 3'" are attached together by a sliding connection as shown in Figures 12 and 13.

Figure 12 is a perspective bottom view of the seat portion 2'" of the booster cushion of Figure 11 which shows a T-shaped protrusion 22 projecting from the bottom surface 23 of the seat portion 2'". As shown in Figure 13, which is a perspective top view of the base portion 3'" of the booster cushion 1'" of Figure 11, there is a complementary T-shaped recess 24 in the top surface 25 of the base portion 3'", one end 24a of the recess 24 being open to the rear wall 26 of the base portion 3'". A pair of flanges 22b projects from opposed upper edges of the protrusion 22 of the seat portion 2'" to form channels 22c beneath and a pair of flanges 24b project inwardly from opposed edges of the recess 24 of the base portion 3'" to form channels 24c beneath, the dimensions of the channels 22c, 24c being respectively commensurate with the dimensions of the flanges 24b, 22b so that the flanges 22b, 24b can be accommodated within the channels 22c, 24c by sliding the flanges 22b, 24b into the complementary channels 22c, 24c.

As can be seen in greater detail in Figure 14, which is a partial sectional view of the base portion 3'" of Figure 13 along line XIV-XIV, an end 27 of a resiliently retractable latch 28 protrudes from an opening 29 in the floor 30 of the recess 24. The end 27 of the latch 28 has a sloping face 31 which faces the rear of the base portion 3'". The latch 28 is disposed in a bore 32 in the base portion 3'". A spring 33 located at the bottom 34 of the bore 32 bears on the latch 28 to bias the end 27 of the latch 28 to protrude from the opening 29. A lug 35 on the latch 28 is accessible through a mouth

36 in the rear wall 26 of the base portion 3'".

To attach the seat portion 2'" to the base portion 3'" in the deployed arrangement the T-shaped protrusion 22 of the seat portion 2'" is inserted into the complementary T-shaped recess 24 in the base portion 3'". As the protrusion 22 slides into the recess 24, the protrusion 22 pushes against the latch 28 of the base portion 3'" and rides along the sloping face 31 of the end 27 of the latch 28 to push the latch 28 into the bore 32, thereby compressing the spring 33. When the T-shaped protrusion 22 is slid fully into the recess 24, the latch 28 is aligned with an opening 37 in the bottom surface 22a of the T-shaped protrusion 22 (see Figure 12) and is urged into the opening

37 under the force of the spring 33. The rear face of the latch 28 prevents the T-shaped protrusion 22 sliding out of the recess 24, thereby locking the base portion 3'" to the seat portion 2"'.

To unlock the base portion 3'" from the seat portion 2'" a finger is inserted through the mouth 36 to bear on the lug 35 and withdraw the end 27 of the latch 28 from the opening 37 in the T-shaped protrusion 22 and into the bore 32. The base portion 3'" is separated from the seat portion 2'" by relative sliding of the portions.

Figure 15 is a sectional view of the booster cushion 1'" of Figure 11 when the seat portion 2'" is stowed inside the base portion 3'". Like the base portion 3 of the previous embodiments, the base portion 3'" of Figure 11 is hollow, having a cavity 13'" open to an underside 12 of the base portion 3'". The cavity 13'" is larger than the seat portion 2'" so that the seat portion 2'" can be accommodated inside the base portion 3'". A lip 38 protrudes into the cavity 13'" from the front wall 14b of the base portion.

As can be seen in Figure 14, the base portion 3'" comprises a second resiliently retractable latch 39 which cooperates with an opening 40 in the rear wall 8 of the seat portion 2'" (as shown in Figure 12). An end 41 of the latch 39 protrudes inwardly from an opening 42 in the inner surface 43 of the rear wall 26 of the base portion 3'". The end 41 of the latch 39 has a sloping face 44 which faces the mouth 45 of the cavity 13'". The latch 39 is disposed in a bore 46 in the base portion 3'". A spring 47 located at the bottom 48 of the bore 46 bears on the latch 39 to bias the end 41 of the latch 39 to protrude from the opening 42 into the cavity 13'". A lug 49 on the latch 39 is accessible through a mouth 50 in the bottom 12 of the rear wall 26 of the base portion 3'".

To attach the seat portion 2'" to the base portion 3'" in a stowed arrangement the front 51 of the seat portion 2'" is inserted into the cavity 13'" of the base portion 3'" so that the bottom surface 23 of the seat portion 2'" rests on the Hp 38. The rear 52 of the seat portion 2'" is then inserted into the cavity 13'" such that rear wall 8 of the seat portion 2'" pushes against the sloping face 44 of the end 41 of the latch 39 to push the latch 39 into the bore 46, thereby compressing the spring 47. When the seat portion 2'" is inserted fully into the cavity 13'", the latch 39 is aligned with the opening 40 in the rear wall 8 of the seat portion 2'" and is urged into the opening 40 under the force of the spring 44. The lip 38 and rear face of the latch respectively prevent the front 51 and the rear 52 of the seat portion 2'" from coming out of the cavity 13'", thereby locking the seat portion 2'" inside the base portion 3'".

To unlock the base portion 3'" from the seat portion 2'" a finger is inserted through the mouth 50 to bear on the lug 49 and withdraw the end 41 of the latch 39 from the opening 40 in the rear wall 8 of the seat portion 2'". The seat portion 2'" can then be removed from the cavity 13'" of the base portion 3'".

Various modifications will be apparent to those in the art and it is desired to include all such modifications as fall within the scope of the accompanying claims.

For example, the protrusions 9, 22 can be on the base portion 3 and the recesses 11 , 24 in the seat portion 2. The shape of the protrusion 9 and recess 11 is not limited to the 'O' shape shown in Figures 2b and 3a. The shape of the protrusion 22 and recess 24 is not limited to the 'T' shape shown in Figures 12 and 13 and any complementary shapes providing a sliding connection may be used, e.g., a dove tail. The latches 28, 39 of the fourth embodiment may be on the seat portion rather than on the base portion. Alternative complementary structures and formations can be used for detachably attaching the seat portion 2, 2'" to the base portion 3, 3'". The attachment means can comprise magnets or cooperating hook-and-loop type surface fastener elements on the seat portion 2 and the base portion 3. Alternatively, clips may be used to attach the seat portion 2 to the base portion 3. The clips can be integrally formed on the seat portion 2 and base portion 3 or can be fitted to the seat portion 2 and base portion 3 after they 2, 3 are formed. Similarly the latches 28, 39 can be integrally formed on the seat portion 2'" and base portion 3'" or can be fitted to the seat portion 2'" and base portion 3'" after they are formed. For example, the latches may be integrally formed when the seat and base portions are moulded, the spring being subsequently installed to bias the latches or the latches being formed to be resiliently deformable without the need for separate springs to be used.

In the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 7 a form locking fit is used to attach the seat portion 2 to the base portion 3 in both the deployed and stowed arrangements. In the fourth embodiment of Figures 11 to 15 a complementary sliding connection is used to attach the seat portion 2'" to the base portion 3'" in the deployed arrangement and a latch 39 and lip 38 are used to attach the seat portion 2'" to the base portion 3'" in the stowed arrangement. The skilled person will appreciate that these attachment means can be mixed. For example, in one case a complementary sliding connection may be used to attach the seat portion to the base portion in the deployed arrangement and a friction/compression fit may be used to attach the seat portion to the base portion in the stowed arrangement and in another case a friction/compression fit may be used to attach the seat portion to the base portion in the deployed arrangement and a latch and lip may be used to attach the seat portion to the base portion in the stowed arrangement

Two or more types of attachment means can be used to attach the seat portion 2 to the base portion 3 in the deployed arrangement, for example, both a friction fit as shown in Figures 2b and 3 a together with a hook-and-loop type surface fastener can be used to attach the seat portion 2 to the base portion 3. The cavity 13 in the base portion 3 can be open to the upper major surface 10 of the base portion 3, the seat portion 2 being provided with a flange around its lower edge to hold the seat portion on the base portion 3 when the booster cushion 1 is in a deployed arrangement, the seat portion being inverted and inserted through the mouth of the base portion when the booster cushion is in a stowed arrangement with the reverse of the flange resting on the mouth of the base portion 3.

Alternatively the cavity 13 in the base portion 3 can be open to a minor side face of the base portion 3, rather than being open to the underside major face 12 of the base portion 3, with the shape of the seat portion 2 and cavity 3 being adapted to allow insertion of the seat portion 2 into the cavity 13. The seat portion 2 can be held in the cavity 13 of the base portion 3 by an alternative attachment means, for example a hook- and-loop type arrangement or a clip arrangement, as described above with respect to alternative mechanisms for attaching the seat portion 2 to the base portion 3 in the deployed arrangement. Alternatively, the opening 15 of the base portion 3 through which the seat portion 2 is inserted can be provided with a door which when closed prevents the seat portion 2 from leaving the cavity 13 of the base portion 3, thereby not requiring attachment means for attaching the seat portion 2 to the base portion 3 when the door is closed with the seat portion 2 inside.

When the seat portion 2 is inserted into the cavity 13 of the base portion 3 in the stowed arrangement, the seat portion 2 can protrude partially from the base portion 3 so that the seat portion is only partially enclosed by the base portion 3 in the stowed arrangement.

The booster cushion 1, 1', 1",1'" can further comprise a carrying handle for convenient handling. The handle can be removably attached to the booster cushion 1 so that it can be stowed in the cavity 13 of the base portion 3 when the booster cushion 1 is in the deployed arrangement. The carrying handle can be a short handle for carrying by hand or a longer strap for carrying over a shoulder.

The booster cushion can be further provided with means for attaching the booster cushion to a seat belt.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A booster cushion comprising: a base portion; and a seat portion attachable to and detachable from the base portion; wherein the seat portion is attachable to the base portion in a deployed arrangement by means of first attachment means; and wherein the base portion comprises a cavity for receiving the seat portion when the booster cushion is in a stowed arrangement.

2. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first attachment means comprises a friction fit.

3. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first attachment means comprises a complementary sliding connection.

4. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first attachment means comprises at least one recess in one of the seat portion and the base portion and at least one cooperating protrusion on the other of the seat portion and the base portion.

5. A booster cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat portion is attachable to the base portion in the stowed arrangement by means of second attachment means.

6. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second attachment means comprises a friction fit.

7. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second attachment means comprises a lip and latch arrangement.

8. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 5, 6 and 7, wherein the shape of at least part of the cavity is substantially identical to the shape of at least part of the seat portion so that the similar shaped parts cooperate to act as the second attachment means.

9. A booster cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or each of the first and second attachment means comprises one or more of a hook-and- loop type surface fastener, magnets, clips or latches.

10. A booster cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat portion is partially enclosed by the base portion in the stowed arrangement.

11. A booster cushion as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the seat portion is fully enclosed by the base portion in the stowed arrangement.

12. A booster cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat portion is inserted into the cavity through a mouth in a major face of the base portion.

13. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 12, wherein the seat portion in inserted into the cavity through a mouth in a face of the base portion on which the seat portion is mounted when the booster cushion is in the deployed arrangement.

14. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 12, wherein the seat portion in inserted into the cavity through a mouth in a face of the base portion opposed to the face on which the seat portion is mounted when the booster cushion is in the deployed arrangement.

15. A booster cushion as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the seat portion is inserted into the cavity through a mouth in a minor face of the base portion.

16. A booster cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a booster cushion in the stowed arrangement is attachable to a further booster cushion in the stowed arrangement by means of the first attachment means.

17. A booster cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a carry handle.

18. A booster cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for attaching the booster cushion to a belt attached to a seat squab.

19. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 18, wherein the means for attaching the booster cushion to the belt comprises one or more slit at a back of the booster cushion.

20. A booster cushion as claimed in claim 19, wherein the one or more slit runs from a bottom of the booster cushion to a top of the booster cushion.

21. A booster cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat portion comprises a raised portion at least partially around the periphery of the seat portion.

22. A booster cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the seat portion further comprising a cushion.

23. A booster cushion as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

24. A booster cushion as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 11 to 15.

25. A booster cushion comprising: a base portion; and a seat portion attachable to and detachable from the base portion; wherein the seat portion and base portion have complementary structures for detachably attaching the seat portion to the base portion in a deployed arrangement; and wherein the base portion comprises a cavity for receiving the seat portion when the booster cushion is in a stowed arrangement.

26. A booster cushion comprising: a base portion; and a seat portion attachable to and detachable from the base portion; wherein one of the seat portion and base portion comprises a protrusion and the other of the seat portion and base portion comprises a cooperating recess for receiving the protrusion, the cooperating protrusion and recess for attaching the seat portion to the base portion in a deployed arrangement; and wherein the base portion comprises a cavity for receiving the seat portion when the booster cushion is in a stowed arrangement.

27. A booster cushion comprising: a base portion; and a seat portion attachable to and detachable from the base portion; the seat portion and base portion being provided with a friction fit formation for attaching the seat portion to the base portion in a deployed arrangement; and wherein the base portion comprises a cavity for receiving the seat portion when the booster cushion is in a stowed arrangement.