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A method and apparatus for adjusting a position of a pad on a binding base. A pad can be adjusted to any one of an infinite number of positions relative to a binding base and/or without the use of tools. Adjustment can be provided by a drive mechanism, or by a locking device mounted to the pad that

A method and apparatus for adjusting a position of a pad on a binding base. A pad can be adjusted to any one of an infinite number of positions relative to a binding base and/or without the use of tools. Adjustment can be provided by a drive mechanism, or by a locking device mounted to the pad that engages with the base.

대표청구항 ▼

A method and apparatus for adjusting a position of a pad on a binding base. A pad can be adjusted to any one of an infinite number of positions relative to a binding base and/or without the use of tools. Adjustment can be provided by a drive mechanism, or by a locking device mounted to the pad that

A method and apparatus for adjusting a position of a pad on a binding base. A pad can be adjusted to any one of an infinite number of positions relative to a binding base and/or without the use of tools. Adjustment can be provided by a drive mechanism, or by a locking device mounted to the pad that engages with the base. is disposed adjacent to said seat bottom. 2. The convertible seat of claim 1, wherein said hinge means comprises at least one pivotal connection, said at least one pivotal connection comprises a clevis having two free ends with aligned apertures disposed in the free ends and a pin, said pivoting panel further comprising at least one ear extending from an edge thereof, said ear having a hole extending therethrough; said clevis is attached to said seat frame and to said pivotal panel, wherein at least one ear is positioned between said two free ends of said clevis with said pin extending through said aligned apertures and said hole. 3. The convertible seat of claim 2, further comprising at least one attaching clip on said seat frame, said at least one clevis further comprising an arm that engages said attaching clip. 4. The convertible seat of claim 3, wherein the arm limits movement of said clevis on said seat frame in a direction away from said attaching clip. 5. The convertible seat of claim 3, wherein said arm comprises a hook which engages said attaching clip. 6. The convertible seat of claim 2, wherein said pivotal connection further comprises a frictional engagement between said clevis and said ear, and said frictional engagement is adjustable. 7. The convertible seat of claim 6, wherein said frictional engagement further maintains the pivoting panel in the raised position. 8. The convertible seat of claim 1, wherein said first surface is a seat back support when said pivoting panel is in said raised position, and said second surface is a support area for an infant carrier when said pivoting panel is in said lowered position. 9. The convertible seat of claim 1, wherein said hinge means for securing the pivoting panel to said seat frame comprises an adjustable frictional engagement. 10. A convertible seat comprising: a seat bottom; a seat frame; a pivoting panel having a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite said first surface; a holddown strap comprising a first section, a second section slideably attached to said seat frame and a releasable fastener for attaching the first and second sections together, said first section is generally V-shaped and includes first and second legs attached together at an apex; and hinge means for securing the pivoting panel to said seat frame; wherein said seat frame is mounted on said seat bottom and pivoting panel is pivotally attached to said seat frame by said hinge means; said pivoting panel being moveable between a raised position and a lowered position; wherein in said raised position the first and second surfaces of the pivoting panel extend angularly outward from said seat bottom, and in said lowered position, said first surface of said pivoting panel is disposed adjacent to said seat bottom; said pivoting panel further comprising a lip disposed along a free edge of the pivoting panel which projects outwardly from said second surface; said lip having a pair of openings disposed therein; and said first leg of said holddown strap is attached to one of said openings and said second leg of said holddown strap is attached to another of said openings. 11. The convertible seat of claim 10, wherein said holddown fastener is adjustable in length. 12. The convertible seat of claim 10, wherein said releasable fastener is slideably mounted on said first section. 13. The convertible seat of claim 12, wherein said releasable fastener comprises first and second interlocking parts, wherein said first interlocking part is attached to the first section and the second interlocking part is attached to the second section. 14. The convertible seat of claim 10, wherein said holddown strap further comprises a ring; said ring is slideably attached to said first section; and said releasable fastener having first and second interlocking parts, wherein said first interlocking part is attached to said ring and said second interlocking part is attached to said second se ction. 15. The convertible seat of claim 14, wherein said first section comprises first and second ends; said first and second ends are attached to said pivoting panel; and said second section is attached to said seat frame. 16. An add-on section for attaching to a shopping cart comprising a basket supported on a wheeled base frame including at least two lower tubular members, said add-on section comprising: (1) a base having a lower support frame with a front section providing passenger leg room area and a rear section providing a storage area, a platform, and a plurality of wheel assemblies attached to the lower support frame, each wheel assembly including a wheel, a wheel brake and a pivot bearing; (2) a convertible seat comprises a seating portion, a plurality of support legs extending upwardly from said base, said seating portion including a seat bottom, a seat frame, a pivoting panel and armrests; said seat bottom includes a bottom frame mounted on the support legs and slats mounted on the bottom frame, said pivoting panel includes first and second surfaces, at least one ear and a lip; said at least one ear extends outwardly from an edge of the pivoting panel and has a hole therethrough, said lip projects outwardly from the second surface and is disposed along an edge of the pivoting panel opposite the at least one ear, said lip further having at least one elongated opening therethrough; said pivoting panel being moveable between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein in said raised position said second surface is adjacent to said seat frame, and in said lowered position said first surface is approximately adjacent to the seat bottom; said convertible seat further comprises at least one pivotal connection for attaching the pivoting panel to the seat frame, said at least one pivotal connection includes a clevis having two free ends, each of the two free ends has an aperture therethrough, the apertures on the free ends of the clevis are aligned, said at least one pivotal connection further comprises a pin, wherein said clevis is positioned around said seat frame, said at least one ear is disposed between the two free ends of said clevis, the apertures of said clevis are aligned with the hole of said ear, and said pin extends through the apertures of said clevis and the hole of said ear, said at least one pivotal connection further comprising an adjustable frictional engagement between said clevis and said ear; (3) a handle for maneuvering the add-on section and attached shopping cart, said handle is attached to the convertible seat; (4) an adjustable cart mounting system for attaching the add-on section to the shopping cart, said adjustable cart mounting system comprising a support arm formed by a hollow tubular member having first and second ends, said adjustable cart mounting system further comprising first and second extension arms, a locking means for adjustably securing the extension arms on the support arm and a first and second clamp for receiving the at least two lower tubular members of the shopping cart; (5) a holddown strap for securing an infant carrier on the second surface of the pivoting panel when said pivoting panel is in the lowered position, said holddown strap comprising first and second sections with a releasable fastener, said releasable fastener having respective first and second interlocking parts, said first section having at least one leg, the first interlocking part of the releasable fastener is attached to the at least one leg of the first section, said at least one leg is secured to said at least one elongated opening in said lip, said second portion is attached to said seat frame, said second interlocking part of the releasable fastener is attached to said second section of the holddown strap; and (6) a plurality of seat belts on the seating portion for securing seated passengers on the add-on section when the pivoting panel is in the raised position. 17. An add- on section for attaching to a shopping cart, said add-on section comprises: a base including a lower support frame and a plurality of wheels attached to the lower support frame; a cart mounting system for attaching the base of the add-on section to the shopping cart; a convertible seat including a seating portion and a seat portion support; said seating portion comprises a seat bottom, a seat frame, a pivoting panel and hinge means for securing the pivoting panel to said seat frame; said pivoting panel having a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite said first surface and a lip disposed along a free edge thereof, said lip projecting outwardly from said second surface; wherein said seat portion support is mounted on said base, said seat bottom is mounted on said seat portion support, said seat frame is mounted on said seat bottom, and said pivoting panel is pivotally attached to said seat frame by said hinge means; said pivoting panel is moveable between a raised position and a lowered position; wherein said raised position comprises the first and second surfaces of the pivoting panel extending outwardly at an angle from said seat bottom, and said lowered position comprises the first surface of the pivoting panel disposed approximately adjacent to said seat bottom. 18. The add-on section of claim 17, further comprises a holddown strap on the pivoting panel. 19. The add-on section of claim 18, wherein said holddown strap further comprises a first section, a second section and a releasable fastener having first and second interlocking parts; wherein said first section is attached to said pivoting panel and to said first interlocking part of the releasable fastener; and said second section is attached to said seat frame and to said second interlocking part of the releasable fastener. 20. The add-on section of claim 19, wherein said first surface is a seat backrest when said pivoting panel is in said raised position, and said second surface is a support area for an infant carrier when said pivoting panel is in said lowered position. 21. The add-on section of claim 20, wherein when said pivoting panel is the lowered position and said first and second interlocking parts of the releasable fastener are engaged, the holddown strap extends over the second surface of said pivoting panel. 22. The convertible add-on section of claim 20, wherein said lip of the pivoting panel has at least one opening disposed therein, and said first section of the holddown strap is attached to said opening. 23. The add-on section of claim 18, wherein said holddown strap further comprises a first section, a second section, and a releasable fastener for adjoining the first and second sections; wherein said releasable fastener is slideably mounted on the first section. 24. The add-on section of claim 18, wherein said holddown strap further comprises first and second sections, a ring, and a releasable fastener; said ring is slideably attached to said first section; said releasable fastener having first and second interlocking parts, wherein said first interlocking part is attached to said ring and said second interlocking part is attached to said second section. 25. The add-on section of claim 24, wherein said first section comprises first and second ends; said first and second ends are attached to said pivoting panel; and said second section is attached to said seat frame. 26. An add-on section for attaching to a shopping cart, said add-on section comprises: a base including a lower support frame and a plurality of wheels attached to the lower support frame; a cart mounting system for attaching the base of the add-on section to the shopping cart; a convertible seat including a seating portion and a seat portion support; said seating portion comprises a seat bottom, a seat frame, a pivoting panel and hinge means for securing the pivoting panel to said seat frame; said seating portion further comprises an ar