Universal floatation child safety seat

摘要

A universal floatable child safety seat for holding a child weighing generally between 10 pounds and 40 pounds so that the child is protected from injury in the event of sudden movements in both an automotive environment and a marine environment. The floatable child safety seat remains afloat in the water in the event of an emergency on board a water craft so that the head of the child remains above water level. The floatable child safety seat includes a safety seat that meets automotive code requirements for protecting children. The floatable child safety seat includes a mostly molded plastic support structure that includes a cradle that is secured to a base member. The base member defines a planar surface that is compatible with placing the floatable child safety seat either on the surface of a seat of a motor vehicle or on the surface of a water craft. Floatation is achieved by attaching floatation material in various area of the floatable portions of the child safety seat so that the child is maintained afloat in water with the head of the child positioned above water level. Alternatively, portions of the plastic cradle form hollow compartments to provide floatability. Ballast is attached to the floatable portions of the child safety seat so as to create a center of gravity of the floatable portion of the child safety seat in combination with the floatable material for maintaining the child safety seat upright in water. Floatable child safety seats can include those with cradles nonremovably secured to a base member and those with cradles removably secured to a base member.