DE20312559U1 - Child seat, especially for mounting on vehicle seat, has at least one loudspeaker mounted in head rest in perforated area of side panels and connected to externally accessible audio socket - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a back rest and a head rest (11) with lateral head support side panels (17) essentially extending forwards formed on the head rest structure (13) and fixed to the back rest structure. At least one loudspeaker is mounted in the head rest and connected to an externally accessible audio socket (25). The loudspeaker is arranged in a perforated area (19) of the side panels.

Description

12 August 2003

RECARO GmbH & Co. KG, 73230 Kirchheim/Teck

child seat

The invention relates to a child seat with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

In child seats of this type, it is known to attach a pair of headrest side bolsters to the back of the child seat in the area of the headrest as a sleep aid. The forward-facing headrest side bolsters can then support the head of the child sitting in the seat from the side. EP 0 232 237 A2, DE 88 11 333 Ul and DE 201 17 074 Ul show that in child seats of the type mentioned above, the headrest side bolsters can be molded onto the headrest structure, which significantly increases the stability of the headrest in the event of a crash and thus the safety for the child, and is also simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

The invention is based on the object of improving the comfort of a child seat of the type mentioned at the outset while maintaining high crash safety. This object is achieved according to the invention by a child seat with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

The fact that at least one loudspeaker is arranged in the headrest results in a significant increase in comfort. Loudspeakers in headrests are known for vehicle seats for adults, for example from DE-GM 76 33

for a bus seat, but child seats have different requirements. For example, an externally accessible audio socket as an interface to which an external audio device can be connected has the advantage that the child seat remains unattached and can be easily moved within the vehicle or removed from it, and is also more cost-effective and easier to adjust due to the lack of an integrated audio device.

The preferred arrangement of the loudspeaker on the outside of the headrest cheek, with the loudspeaker preferably emitting sound through a perforated area, prevents impairment of the comfort of the upholstery in the area of the headrest cheek. The arrangement of preferably two loudspeakers in the two headrest side cheeks has the advantage of being as close as possible to the child's ears, with the connection to the same audio jack keeping the external wiring requirement to a minimum. The audio jack can preferably be connected to a portable external audio device so that the child can listen to his or her own individual audio pieces. A corresponding connection cable can be stowed away in a pocket of the child seat when not in use to save space. A connection to the vehicle audio system is also conceivable, but with individual sound, the adults cannot usually use the vehicle audio system independently.

The fixed connection of the headrest structure to the backrest structure does not prevent the headrest structure from being detached from the backrest structure to adjust the height of the headrest. Additional shoulder supports increase safety.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail using an embodiment shown in the drawing.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the headrest from the front, with the upholstery only indicated,

Fig. 2 a corresponding perspective view of the headrest from the rear, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a child seat.

A child seat 1 is designed for installation on a vehicle seat, in particular in a motor vehicle. The child seat 1 is provided with a backrest 5, which has a frame made of square aluminum tubes as the backrest structure 7. Two shoulder supports 9 are attached to the backrest structure 7 in the middle area, which are adjustable in height and distance from one another. Furthermore, an integrated headrest 11 is firmly but detachably attached to the backrest structure 7 in the upper end area, the detachability allowing the height of the headrest 11 to be adjusted.

The structure of the headrest 11, referred to below as the headrest structure 13, is designed as a dimensionally stable plastic part. Two headrest side cheeks 17 are formed on the sides of a central region 15 of the headrest structure 13 arranged transversely to the direction of travel, and these essentially protrude forwards. The headrest side cheeks 17 are covered with their own padding, while the central region 15 is covered by the padding of the backrest 5. The headrest side cheeks 17 improve the lateral support of the head of the child using the child seat 1, both in the event of a side crash and when the child is sleeping.

Approximately in their middle, the headrest side bolsters 17 are each perforated in an area referred to as the perforation area 19. On the outward-facing side of the headrest side bolsters 17, a loudspeaker 21 is attached, preferably clipped in, in the perforation area 19. Lines 23 lead from the two loudspeakers 21 to a common audio socket 25, whereby these components are also attached, preferably clipped in, to the headrest structure 13. The audio socket 25 is designed in a manner known per se for stereo cable connections, i.e. it has different contacts in sections in the longitudinal direction that are insulated from one another. In order to be visually invisible when not in use, the socket 25 can be arranged in the transition area of the upholstery of a headrest side bolster 17 and the backrest 5, whereby it can be oriented to the side or to the rear.

A portable CD player, MP3 player, Walkman, cassette recorder or any other audio device can be plugged into the audio socket 25, which is accessible from the outside. This allows the child to listen to his or her own individual music, stories or other audio pieces without disturbing the driver's attention. The child can also be encouraged to fall asleep.

child seat .: .; 5 rest List of reference symbols Backrest structure 1 Shoulder rest 5 headrest 7 Headrest structure 9 Middle range 11 Headrest side bolsters 13 Perforation area 15 speaker 17 Line 19 Audio jack 21 23 25

Claims (8)

1. Child seat, in particular for attachment to a vehicle seat, with a backrest ( 5 ) and a headrest ( 11 ) which has lateral headrest side cheeks ( 17 ) which project substantially forwards and which are integrally formed on the headrest structure ( 13 ) and firmly connected to the backrest structure ( 7 ), characterized in that at least one loudspeaker ( 21) is arranged in the headrest (11 ) , which is connected to an audio socket ( 25 ) accessible from the outside. 2. Child seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the loudspeaker ( 21 ) is arranged on the outside of a headrest side cheek ( 17 ). 3. Child seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the loudspeaker ( 21 ) is arranged on a perforation area of the headrest side cheek ( 17 ). 4. Child seat according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that two loudspeakers ( 21 ) are provided. 5. Child seat according to claim 4, characterized in that the two loudspeakers ( 21 ) are connected to the same audio socket ( 25 ). 6. Child seat according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the audio socket ( 25 ) can be connected to a portable, external audio device. 7. Child seat according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the headrest structure ( 13 ) can be detached from the backrest structure ( 7 ) in order to adjust the height of the headrest ( 11 ). 8. Child seat according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that shoulder supports ( 9 ) are provided.