Interpretation ID: nht92-4.37

DATE: 08/14/92

FROM: PATTI AUPPERLEE

TO: DEE FUJIDA -- OFFICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL, NHTSA

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 10-28-92 FROM PAUL JACKSON RICE TO PATTI AUPPERLEE (STD. 213; A40)

TEXT: My name is Patti Aupperlee. My business partner, Beth Wiswell, and I have invented a product for childrens car seats. We would like to manufacture them and then sell them retail. We want to comply with all government regulations regarding products for front facing car seats for children.

Our product name is COOL COVER and has a patent pending number of 07/684,783. This product is not the same as the current covers on the market. An example is the Diplomat Juvenile Corporation makes an infant car seat cover which is a liner for use when the child is in the car seat and it leaves several areas of the car seat exposed to direct sunlight and heat when the car seat is in a parked and empty car. COOL COVER completely covers the car seat when the child is not in the car seat and it is exposed to direct sunlight. The cover absorbs the heat that builds up in a parked car. The car seat will not be burning hot when it is time to travel with the child. The product also comes with its own specially designed pouch that turns into a comfortable pillow for the childs head. The pillow also acts as a storage area for the cover. The pillow does not interfere with the safety purpose of the car seat, or any of its straps or buckles. The COOL COVER is unique in that it significantly reduces the heat build up on the car seat in a parked car.

I received your name from Dick Jasinski at (202) 366-5298. The Auto Safety Hotline recommended that I speak with him. He mentioned that we need to make sure we are following governmental standards on flame retardants and any intereferance of operation among others that your office would give us the necessary information of standards. I have received a copy of FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213.

I am enclosing a description of the product, pictures, the materials used, and a sample of those materials. Please advise me of the regulations that apply to our product.

The COOL COVER was created out of concern for the comfort of all children who must ride in a HOT car seat. We are mom's who never thought a car seat could be "dangerous" until one of our children suffered a burn from the contact with a buckle after the car seat had been exposed to the sun in a parked car.

I can be contacted at (407) 478-5850. My address is 5961 St. Barbara St. West Palm Beach, Florida 33415. Thank you for your attention in this matter.

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