Removable car seat covers and methods for using

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide novel car seats, car seat covers, and methods for their use. One exemplary embodiment comprises a car seat cover for a car seat, which can comprise a frame, a padding disposed over the frame, two shoulder straps and a crotch strap. The car seat cover can comprise a fabric cover having an outer periphery, which can be adapted to be coupled to the car seat frame over the padding. The fabric cover may define a pair of shoulder strap openings and a crotch strap opening, which can be disposed so as to allow the shoulder straps and the crotch strap, respectively, to be extended through the fabric cover. Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, the shoulder straps and the crotch strap can be used to secure a child in the car seat, with the car seat cover being disposed between the child and the car seat.

1 . A car seat cover for a car seat comprising a frame, a padding disposed over the frame, a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, each shoulder strap comprising a connector, an upper anchor point and a lower anchor point, each anchor point being attached to the frame, and at least one crotch strap, the crotch strap comprising an anchor point attached to the frame and a buckle, the buckle being configured to accept the connectors, the car seat cover comprising: 
 a fabric cover having an outer periphery that is adapted to be coupled to the car seat frame over the padding, the fabric cover defining a pair of shoulder strap openings and a crotch strap opening, the shoulder strap openings and the crotch strap opening being disposed so as to allow the shoulder straps and the crotch strap to be extended through the fabric cover; and    a border portion disposed about the outer periphery, wherein the border portion is adapted to secure the cover about the car seat with the cover being disposed to allow the shoulder straps to extend through the shoulder strap openings, the crotch strap to extend though the crotch strap opening, and the connectors to be inserted into the buckle, without detaching any of the anchor points from the frame, such that the shoulder straps and the crotch strap can be used to secure a child in the car seat, with the car seat cover being disposed between the child and the car seat.    
   
   
       2 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the border portion comprises an elastic material.  
   
   
       3 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the border portion comprises a drawstring.  
   
   
       4 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the border portion comprises an attachment mechanism for attaching the car seat cover to a car seat.  
   
   
       5 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the car seat cover is configured to protect a child car seat.  
   
   
       6 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the car seat cover is configured to protect an infant carrier.  
   
   
       7 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a support pillow attached to the fabric cover and disposed so as to support the head of a child seated in the car seat.  
   
   
       8 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the pillow is removably attached to the fabric cover.  
   
   
       9 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the pillow is removably attached using a removable attachment mechanism.  
   
   
       10 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the removable attachment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a hoop-and-loop fastener, a snap, a button, a buckle, and adhesive and a zipper.  
   
   
       11 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the pillow is configured to lie underneath the head of the child.  
   
   
       12 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the pillow is configured to cradle the head of the child.  
   
   
       13 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a flap attached to the car seat cover and disposed so as to cover a portion of at least one of the pair of shoulder strap openings, thereby defining a plurality of strap openings through which one of the pair of shoulder straps can extend.  
   
   
       14 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the flap comprises the same material as the fabric cover.  
   
   
       15 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the flap is substantially rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       16 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the flap is fixedly attached to the fabric cover.  
   
   
       17 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the flap is removably attached to the fabric cover.  
   
   
       18 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the portion of the flap is removably attached using an attachment mechanism.  
   
   
       19 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the attachment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a hoop-and-loop fastener, a snap, a button, a buckle, and adhesive and a zipper.  
   
   
       20 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the flap can be removed entirely from the cover.  
   
   
       21 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein one of the pair of shoulder strap openings has a length of between about fifteen inches and about twenty-five inches.  
   
   
       22 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 21 , wherein one of the pair of shoulder strap openings has a length of between about sixteen inches and about nineteen inches.  
   
   
       23 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein one of the pair of shoulder strap openings has a length of between about five inches and about ten inches.  
   
   
       24 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 23 , wherein one of the pair of shoulder strap openings has a length of between about six inches and about eight inches.  
   
   
       25 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the crotch strap opening has a width of between about two inches and about six inches.  
   
   
       26 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the crotch strap opening has a width of between about three inches and about five inches.  
   
   
       27 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the crotch strap opening is substantially circular.  
   
   
       28 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the crotch strap opening is substantially rectangular.  
   
   
       29 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a border portion disposed about a portion of the fabric cover defining the crotch strap opening.  
   
   
       30 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric cover has a width of between about twenty-four inches and about forty inches.  
   
   
       31 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric cover has a length of between about thirty-five inches and about forty-five inches.  
   
   
       32 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric cover comprises an absorbent material.  
   
   
       33 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric cover comprises a stain-resistant material.  
   
   
       34 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric cover comprises a material to which a water-resistant coating has been applied.  
   
   
       35 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the car seat cover comprises a disposable material.  
   
   
       36 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the disposable material is paper.  
   
   
       37 . A car seat cover for a car seat comprising a frame, a padding disposed over the frame, a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, each shoulder strap comprising a connector, an upper anchor point and a lower anchor point, each anchor point being attached to the frame, and at least one crotch strap, the crotch strap comprising an anchor point attached to the frame and a buckle, the buckle being configured to accept the connectors, the car seat cover comprising: 
 a fabric cover having an outer periphery that is adapted to be coupled to the car seat frame over the padding the fabric cover defining a shoulder strap opening, and a crotch strap opening, the shoulder strap opening and the crotch strap opening being disposed so as to allow the shoulder straps and the crotch strap to be extended through the fabric cover;    a border portion disposed about the outer periphery, wherein the border portion is adapted to secure the cover about the car seat with the cover being disposed to allow the shoulder straps to extend through the shoulder strap opening, the crotch strap to extend though the crotch strap opening, and the connectors to be inserted into the buckle, without detaching any of the anchor points from the frame, such that the shoulder straps and the crotch strap can be used to secure a child in the car seat, with the car seat cover being disposed between the child and the car seat; and    a flap attached to the fabric cover and disposed to substantially cover the shoulder strap opening, the flap and the fabric cover collectively defining a plurality of strap openings disposed so as to allow the shoulder straps to extend though the strap openings.    
   
   
       38 . A car seat comprising: 
 a frame;    a padding disposed over the frame;    a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, each shoulder strap comprising a connector, an upper anchor point and a lower anchor point, each anchor point being attached to the frame;    a fabric cover having an outer periphery that is adapted to be coupled to the car seat frame over the padding, the fabric cover defining a pair of shoulder strap openings and a crotch strap opening, the shoulder strap openings and the crotch strap opening being disposed so as to allow the shoulder straps and the crotch strap to be extended through the fabric cover; and    a border portion disposed about the outer periphery, wherein the border portion is adapted to secure the cover about the car seat with the cover being disposed to allow the shoulder straps to extend through the shoulder strap openings, the crotch strap to extend though the crotch strap opening, and the connectors to be inserted into the buckle, without detaching any of the anchor points from the frame, such that the shoulder straps and the crotch strap can be used to secure a child in the car seat, with the car seat cover being disposed between the child and the car seat.    
   
   
       39 . A car seat as recited in  claim 38 , wherein the car seat is an infant carrier.  
   
   
       40 . A method of protecting a car seat comprising a frame, a padding disposed over the frame, a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, each shoulder strap comprising a connector, an upper anchor point and a lower anchor point, each anchor point being attached to the frame, and at least one crotch strap, the crotch strap comprising an anchor point attached to the frame and a buckle, the buckle being configured to accept the connectors, the method comprising: 
 providing a car seat cover comprising: 
 a fabric cover having an outer periphery that is adapted to be coupled to the car seat frame over the padding, the fabric cover defining a pair of shoulder strap openings and a crotch strap opening, the shoulder strap openings and the crotch strap opening being disposed so as to allow the shoulder straps and the crotch strap to be extended through the fabric cover; and  
 a border portion disposed about the outer periphery, wherein the border portion is adapted to secure the cover about the car seat with the cover being disposed to allow the shoulder straps to extend through the shoulder strap openings, the crotch strap to extend though the crotch strap opening, and the connectors to be inserted into the buckle, without detaching any of the anchor points from the frame, such that the shoulder straps and the crotch strap can be used to secure a child in the car seat, with the car seat cover being disposed between the child and the car seat;  
   securing the car seat cover about car seat by placing the border portion around an outside portion of the frame;    extending the shoulder straps through the shoulder strap openings; and    extending the crotch strap through the crotch strap opening.    
   
   
       41 . A method of protecting a car seat as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the car seat is an infant carrier.  
   
   
       42 . A method of protecting a car seat as recited in  claim 40 , the method further comprising: 
 placing a child in the car seat, such that the shoulder straps secure the child's shoulders and the crotch strap extends between the child's legs; and    using the buckle and the connectors, securing the shoulder straps to the crotch strap.    
   
   
       43 . A method of protecting a car seat as recited in  claim 40 , the method further comprising: 
 removing the car seat cover from the car seat;    washing the cover; and    re-securing the cover about the car seat.    
   
   
       44 . A method of protecting a car seat as recited in  claim 40 , the method further comprising: 
 removing the car seat cover from the car seat; and    disposing of the car seat cover.    
   
   
       45 . A method of protecting a car seat as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the car seat cover further comprises a flap attached to the car seat cover, the method further comprising disposing the flap so as to cover a portion of at least one of the pair of shoulder strap openings, thereby defining a plurality of strap openings through which one of the pair of shoulder straps can extend.  
   
   
       46 . A method of protecting a car seat comprising a frame, a padding disposed over the frame, a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, each shoulder strap comprising a connector, an upper anchor point and a lower anchor point, each anchor point being attached to the frame, and at least one crotch strap, the crotch strap comprising an anchor point attached to the frame and a buckle, the buckle being configured to accept the connectors, the method comprising: 
 providing a car seat cover comprising: 
 a fabric cover having an outer periphery that is adapted to be coupled to the car seat frame over the padding the fabric cover defining a shoulder strap opening, and a crotch strap opening, the shoulder strap opening and the crotch strap opening being disposed so as to allow the shoulder straps and the crotch strap to be extended through the fabric cover;  
 a border portion disposed about the outer periphery, wherein the border portion is adapted to secure the cover about the car seat with the cover being disposed to allow the shoulder straps to extend through the shoulder strap opening, the crotch strap to extend though the crotch strap opening, and the connectors to be inserted into the buckle, without detaching any of the anchor points from the frame, such that the shoulder straps and the crotch strap can be used to secure a child in the car seat, with the car seat cover being disposed between the child and the car seat; and  
 a flap attached to the fabric cover;  
   securing the car seat cover about car seat by placing the border portion around an outside portion of the frame;    extending the shoulder straps through the shoulder strap openings;    extending the crotch strap through the crotch strap opening; and    disposing the flap to substantially cover the shoulder strap opening, so that the flap and the fabric cover collectively define a plurality of strap openings disposed so as to allow the shoulder straps to extend though the strap openings.    
   
   
       47 . A method of protecting a car seat as recited in  claim 46 , wherein the car seat is an infant carrier.  
   
   
       48 . A car seat cover for a car seat comprising a frame, a padding disposed over the frame, a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, each shoulder strap comprising a connector, an upper anchor point and a lower anchor point, each anchor point being attached to the frame, and at least one crotch strap, the crotch strap comprising an anchor point attached to the frame and a connector, the buckle being configured to accept the connectors, the car seat cover comprising: 
 a fabric cover having an outer periphery that is adapted to be coupled to the car seat frame over the padding;    a border portion disposed about the outer periphery, wherein the border portion is adapted to secure the cover about the car seat; and    a canopy attached to the fabric cover and disposed to cover at least a portion of a child seated in the car seat.    
   
   
       49 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 48 , wherein the fabric cover defines a pair of shoulder strap openings and a crotch strap opening, the shoulder strap openings and the crotch strap opening being disposed so as to allow the shoulder straps and the crotch strap to be extended through the fabric cover, and wherein the cover is disposed to allow the shoulder straps to extend through the shoulder strap openings, the crotch strap to extend though the crotch strap opening, and the connectors to be inserted into the buckle, without detaching any of the anchor points from the frame, such that the shoulder straps and the crotch strap can be used to secure a child in the car seat, with the car seat cover being disposed between the child and the car seat.  
   
   
       50 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 48 , wherein the canopy comprises a canopy body having an outer periphery, at least one border portion disposed about at least a portion of the outer periphery of the canopy body, and at least one support member attached to the canopy body, the at least one support member providing structural support to the canopy body.  
   
   
       51 . A car seat cover as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the canopy further comprises a coupling mechanism attached to at least one of the canopy body, the support member and the border portion, the coupling mechanism being configured to allow an object to be attached to the canopy.  
   
   
       52 . A car seat comprising: 
 a frame;    a padding disposed over the frame;    a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, each shoulder strap comprising a connector, an upper anchor point and a lower anchor point, each anchor point being attached to the frame;    a fabric cover having an outer periphery that is adapted to be coupled to the car seat frame over the padding;    a border portion disposed about the outer periphery, wherein the border portion is adapted to secure the cover about the car seat; and    a canopy attached to the fabric cover and disposed to cover at least a portion of a child seated in the car seat.    
   
   
       53 . A car seat as recited in  claim 52 , wherein the canopy further comprises at least one coupling mechanism configured to allow an object to be coupled to the canopy.  
   
   
       54 . A method of protecting a child, the method comprising: 
 providing a car seat, the car seat comprising: 
 a frame;  
 a padding disposed over the frame;  
 a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, each shoulder strap comprising a connector, an upper anchor point and a lower anchor point, each anchor point being attached to the frame;  
 at least one crotch strap, the crotch strap comprising an anchor point attached to the frame and a connector, the buckle being configured to accept the connectors; and  
 a fabric cover comprising an outer periphery that is adapted to be coupled to the car seat frame over the padding, a border portion disposed about the outer periphery, wherein the border portion is adapted to secure the cover about the car seat; and  
 a canopy attached to the fabric cover and disposed to cover at least a portion of a child seated in the car seat; and  
   extending the canopy to cover at least a portion of a child seated in the car seat.    
   
   
       55 . A method as recited in  claim 54 , wherein the car seat further comprises a coupling mechanism attached to the canopy and configured to allow an object to be coupled to the canopy, the method further comprising coupling an object to the canopy.