Abstract: A variable width gate for adaptively mating with boundaries of an opening to provide a barrier therebetween, the variable width gate comprising: (a) an extendable gate including a first gate section mounted to a second gate section, wherein either the first gate section or the second gate section includes a rib; (b) a tracker adapted to engage the rib and operatively coupled to the other of the first gate section or the second gate section not having the rib; and (c) a handle operatively coupled to one of the tracker and the rib, such that displacement of the handle manipulates the position of the tracker in relation to the rib to horizontally reposition the first gate section with respect to the second gate section.

Abstract: A child restraint seat which changes the position of the occupant and dissipates kinetic energy during a collision. An exemplary embodiment rearward-facing child restraint seat shifts the occupant to translate forward and/or move from a relatively reclined position to a relatively upright position during a vehicular collision. Additionally, some of the kinetic energy of the occupant is dissipated through the use of an energy absorbing element, which limits loading on the occupant.

Abstract: A child restraint seat is provided including a seat shell adapted to be coupled to a vehicle seat, a child restraint harness coupled to the seat shell, and a harness adjustment mechanism. A shoulder strap mounting mechanism permits the height of the shoulder strap mounts to be varied to adapt the seat to accommodate children of different sizes. The mounting mechanism is easily operable from the front of the seat without requiring operation of latching mechanism or the rethreading of straps.

Abstract: An infant activity center comprising: (a) an infant-activity center tray having an infant seat; (b) a ring having a cushion extending across the diameter of the ring; and (c) a plurality of repositionable pylons concurrently mounted to the ring and the tray, the repositionable pylons being repositionable between a use position and a storage position, wherein the distance between the tray and the cushion is greater when the pylons are in the use position than in the storage position, and wherein each of the pylons cooperates with the ring to form a biased latch securing each pylon in at least the use position or the storage position, and wherein at least one of the cushion and the ring includes a catch operative to interact with the tray to secure the pylons in the storage position.

Abstract: Disclosed are child seats with adjustable features to accommodate a child. Specifically, a child seat with adjustable headrest unit, a child seat with adjustable backrest unit, a child seat with adjustable armrest unit, a child seat with adjustable lap depth, a child seat with a softgoods attachment, and a method of attaching a softgoods attachment to a child seat.

Abstract: A multi-piece bathtub for children comprising at least two bathtub segments adapted to be assembled to provide one of a plurality of predetermined fluid retaining areas, where a first of the bathtub segments is operative to cooperate with a second of the bathtub segments to at least partially define one of the plurality of predetermined fluid retaining areas operative to resist fluid leakage by providing a sealed fluidic interface between the first and second bathtub segments.

Abstract: A portable auxiliary speaker for a playpen or a crib comprising a housing incorporating a loudspeaker, the housing being adapted to receive at least a portion of a framework of a crib or a playpen to mount the housing to the crib or the playpen, wherein the housing includes an input adapted to be operatively coupled to at least one of a radio, a CD player, an MP3 player, a cassette player, a computer, and a DVD player.

Abstract: An infant stroller having a fold latch mechanism to lock the stroller in the unfolded or deployed configuration. The side of the stroller contains a latchkey piece having a pocket-like recess that engages a latchpin on the stroller's front leg. When the latchkey is in the locked position, the front legs are held in place, locking the stroller in the unfolded or deployed configuration. When the latchkey is disengaged from the latchpin on the front leg, the front leg can be rotated to allow the stroller to be folded for storage or transport. The stroller also has a latching mechanism for locking the tray unit in place during normal use. The tray unit becomes unlocked and can be tucked away during the folding process.

Abstract: A children's pillow adapted for use with a children's car seat comprising: (a) a central area adapted to receive at least a rearward portion of a child's head; (b) a first lateral wing extending from the central area; (c) a second lateral wing extending from the central area; (d) a neck support region; and (e) a retainer adapted to mount the children's pillow to the children's car seat, where the neck support region extends between the first lateral wing and the second lateral wing.

Abstract: A child harness comprising: (a) a crotch support coupled to a frame, the crotch support adapted to provide a seat for a child and distribute the child's weight to the frame; and (b) an active restraint coupled to the frame and responsive to the movement of the child secured therein, the active restraint including a leg strap adapted to engage a leg of the child and a shoulder strap adapted to engage a shoulder of the child, where the leg strap is operatively coupled to the shoulder strap, and where movement of one of the leg's or shoulder's of the child to engage the leg strap or shoulder strap restraining that portion of the child's body operates to increase tension on the corresponding shoulder strap or leg strap on the same side of the child's body. The invention provides an action-reaction harness system as well as a method of accommodating a child's range of movements without compromising the integrity of the harness.

Abstract: An infant car seat with an adjustable base platform provides a variable angle of tilt for the seat. The base platform has a visual indicator showing the degree of tilt that has been selected. This visual indicator can include a clear plastic window in the base platform, through which a number or other symbol indicating the degree of tilt can be seen. The user can adjust the degree of tilt by depressing a button to disengage a locking mechanism, allowing the user to vary the degree of tilt until the desired degree of tilt is indicated on the visual indicator.

Abstract: An infant car seat comprising: (a) a seat adapted to receive an occupant; and (b) an illumination system that includes a focused light emitting source in electrical communication with a switch adapted to be in electrical communication with a power source to illuminate the focused light emitting source and downwardly directing light in front of the occupant proximate a lap region. A method of illuminating a child car seat, the method comprising the step of illuminating a seat portion of a child car seat by at least one of focusing an illumination source and orienting an illumination source to direct light downward onto the seat portion.

Abstract: An infant car seat having a headrest that can be manually adjusted to accommodate infants of different heights. The headrest has a lever with a prong that engages a series of pockets in the seat body, allowing the headrest to be fixed in several different positions. The car seat can have removable armrests that slide into openings in the sides of the seat body and lock in place. The car seat can have a foldable cup holder that clips onto the side of the seat body.

Abstract: A closure for a container adapted to house a beverage therein, the closure comprising: (a) a cap having a mating feature adapted to interface with a corresponding feature of a container to secure the cap thereto, the cap also including an orifice therethrough and a channel therewithin, the channel being adapted to receive a sliding member therein; and (b) a flexible conduit adapted to be in fluid communication with a beverage within the container, wherein the sliding member is operative to position the flexible conduit between an open position and a closed position, where the open position enables fluid communication between a drinking end and an interior of the container.

Abstract: A stroller including a frame shaped to removably receive an infant carrier thereon, a set of wheels coupled to the frame, and a handlebar shaped and located to be gripped by an operator such that the operator can roll the stroller in the desired direction. The stroller further includes a retaining mechanism that is movable between a retaining position and a loading position. The retaining mechanism is configured such that locating the infant carrier on the frame or lifting the infant carrier off of the frame causes the retaining mechanism to move from one of the retaining or loading positions to the other of said retaining or loading positions.