EP3853105A1

EP3853105A1 - Child seat and device for transporting a child comprising the same

Info

Publication number: EP3853105A1
Application number: EP19829335.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franciscus Johannes Cornelius DRIESSEN
Original assignee: Mutsy BV
Current assignee: Mutsy World BV
Priority date: 2018-09-20
Filing date: 2019-09-19
Publication date: 2021-07-28
Also published as: WO2020060408A1; IL281689A; CN112888617A; NL2021678B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a collapsible child seat (100) and to a device for transporting a child comprising such a child seat. The child seat (100) comprises a seat part (102), a back part (103) that is hingedly connected to the seat part, and a canopy part (150, 151, 152) that is connected to the back part. The child seat is collapsible from an upright position to a collapsed position by pivoting the back part (103) relative to the seat part (102). According to the invention, the canopy part (150) is able to translate relative to the back part (103), the child seat further comprising a mechanical transmission converting a mutual pivoting movement of the back part and the seat part into a translational movement of the canopy part.

Description

Child seat and device for transporting a child comprising the same

The present invention relates to a child seat. More in particular, the present invention relates to a collapsible child seat and to a device for transporting a child, such as a pram or buggy, comprising such a child seat.

Collapsible child seats are known in the art. An exemplary known seat comprises a seat part, and a back part that is hingedly connected to the seat part. The known seat may further comprise a canopy part that is connected to the back part. The canopy part typically comprises two frame parts that are hingedly connected to each other and in between which a cloth is arranged.

The canopy part can be folded and unfolded to provide protective cover against sunlight, rain, or the like.

The known child seat can be collapsed from an upright position to a collapsed position by pivoting the back part relative to the seat part.

Child seats are typically mounted to or form part of a device for transporting a child, such as a pram or a buggy. These devices typically comprise a lower frame to which one or more wheels are mounted, and an upper frame comprising a push bar, wherein the upper frame and lower frame are hingedly connected, and wherein the child seat is coupled to the upper frame.

Most of these devices are nowadays collapsible by pivoting the upper frame relative to the lower frame. More in particular, in recent years, a trend has emerged in which the devices are collapsible while the child seat remains coupled to the upper frame. To obtain a compact unit after collapsing, it is important that the overall space occupied by the collapsed device is as small as possible. Compactness of the collapsed device is important to allow' easy transport and/or storage.

The compactness of the collapsed device is not only determined by the manner in which the upper frame can be brought into proximity with the lower frame but also by the extent in which the child seat can be collapsed. For example, if the collapsed child seat protrudes beyond the upper frame or lower frame, the compactness of the unit decreases. One of the most protruding elements of a child seat is the canopy. In some known devices, the canopy part may be removed prior to collapsing the child seat to allow a highly compact unit. However, removing the canopy part prior to collapsing the child seat may cause inconvenience for the user.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a child seat that can be collapsed in a compact manner while the canopy part is still connected.

This object is achieved with the child seat as defined in claim 1 which is characterized in that the canopy part is able to translate relative to the back part, and in that the child seat further comprises a mechanical transmission converting a mutual pivoting movement of the back part and the seat part into a translational movement of the canopy part. Compared to prior art child seats, the canopy part in the child seat according to the invention is mounted to or in the back part such that it may perform a translational movement relative to the back part. This allows the canopy part to retract upon collapsing the child seat such that it no longer protrudes beyond the back part, or at least to a lesser extent. This allows the outside dimensions of the collapsed child seat to decrease. As a result, when using such a child seat in a pram, a more compact collapsed pram with the child seat still connected becomes possible.

The child seat may be movable between the upright position and a recumbent position by pivoting the back part relative to the seat part. During use, a user may prefer to maintain the function and/or position of the canopy part relative to the back part as is. To this end, the mechanical transmission is preferably configured to maintain substantially the same position of the canopy part relative to the back part during the movement between the upright position and the recumbent position.

The back part may comprise a sliding track. Furthermore, the mechanical transmission may comprise a first arm and a canopy connector to which the canopy part is connected. Here, the canopy connector may be hingedly connected to the first arm, wherein the first arm is further hingedly connected to the back part. The canopy connector may be slideably mounted in the sliding track. In such case, the mechanical transmission may be configured to pull the first arm towards the seat part during the collapsing of the child seat.

The sliding track defines the path followed by the canopy connector. This path is not limited to linear paths and may include slightly curved paths. Furthermore, the sliding track may be formed by a slot in which the canopy connector is slideably mounted although the invention is not limited thereto.

The mechanical transmission may further comprise a second arm that is hingedly connected to the first arm, and wherein the second arm is guided by a guiding track defined in the seat part. During a pivoting movement of the back part relative to the seat part, the second arm will be guided by the guiding track. As an example, the second arm may be provided with a pen that is guided in the guiding track.

The particular shape of the guiding track determines the pulling or pushing action that is performed by the second arm onto the first arm during the pivoting movement. The guiding track may comprise a first part by which the second arm is guided during the motion between the upright position and the recumbent position and a second part by which the second arm is guided during the motion between the upright position and the collapsed position, wherein a curvature of the first and second parts of the guiding track is different. The first and second parts preferably both have a curved shape. In an embodiment, the shape of the first part substantially corresponds to the path followed by a connection point between the first arm and the second arm to allow the position of the first arm to remain substantially the same relative to the back part during the pivoting movement between the recumbent and upright positions.

The back part and the seat part are preferably hingedly connected using a seat hinge, wherein the guiding track, starting from an end nearest the seat hinge, curves away from the back part.

The canopy part may comprise a first frame part and a second part that are hingedly connected, and a cloth arranged between the first frame part and the second frame part. For example, the first frame part and the second frame part may be U-shaped ln addition, an end of a leg of the first or second frame part may be received in the canopy connector.

A canopy connector and a mechanical transmission as defined above are preferably provided at opposite sides, e.g. left and right side, of the child seat. The child seat may further comprise a support bar that is hingedly connected to the back part, and a lock for locking pivoting of the support bar relative to the back part. The lock may be operable by movement of the second arm relative to the back part. More in particular, the lock may comprise an engaging element and a receiving element for receiving the engaging element, wherein the lock is moveable between a locked and an unlocked position, in which the engaging element does and does not engage the receiving element, respectively. The second arm may be configured to move the engaging element out of the engaging element during the pivoting from the upright position to the collapsed position. A spring may be provided for spring biasing the engaging element to urge the engaging element to engage the receiving element

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a device for transporting a child, such as a pram or a buggy, comprising a child seat as defined above, a lower frame to which one or more wheels are mounted, and an upper frame comprising a push bar. The upper frame and lower frame are hingedly connected. According to the invention, the above described child seat is coupled to the upper frame. Moreover, the device is collapsible by pivoting the upper frame relative to the lower frame while the child seat remains coupled to the upper frame.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail by referring to the appended figures wherein identical reference signs are used to indicate identical or similar components, and wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a pram comprising a child seat in accordance with the present invention in an upright position with the canopy part unfolded;

Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the child seat of figure 1 in the recumbent position; and

Figures 3 A-3C illustrate various other positions of the child seat of figure 1.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a pram 1 and child seat 100 in accordance with the present invention in an upright position with canopy part 150 unfolded. Pram 1 comprises a lower frame 10 to which one or more wheels 11 are mounted. Pram 1 further comprises an upper frame 12 comprising a push bar 13. Hinge 14 allows upper frame 12 to pivot relative to lower frame 10.

Child seat 100 comprises a coupling connector 101 on either side thereof to couple child seat 100 to upper frame 12.

Canopy part 150 is shown here in an unfolded state. It comprises two frame parts 151 , 152 that are shown in more detail in figure 2. A cloth 153 or other suitable foldable covering material is arranged between frame parts 151, 152 to provide shelter for the child against sun, rain, and the like.

Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the child seat 100 of figure 1 in the recumbent position. Here, it is noted that parts have been left out for clarity.

Child seat 100 comprises a seat part 102 and a back part 103. These parts 102, 103 are hingedly connected at hinge 104, which hinge is connected to a gear 105 that allows a particular angular rotation of back part 103 to be set relative to seat part 102 in a known manner.

Figure 2 illustrates U-shaped frame parts 151 , 152 of canopy part 150. These parts are hingedly connected inside canopy housing element 154. This latter element, which is provided on both sides of child seat 100, is coupled to canopy connector 155 (see figures 3A-3C) in a releasable manner. Here, it is noted that cloth 153 is not shown in figure 2.

Back part 103 is provided with a sliding track 106 in which canopy connector 155 is received such that it may slide relative to back part 103. Canopy connector 155 is hingedly connected to a first arm 110 using a hinge 111. The other end of first arm 110 is hingedly connected to back part 103 using hinge 112. In this embodiment, the position of hinge 1 12 is fixed, whereas the position of hinge 11 1 may change depending on the position of canopy connector 155 in sliding track 106.

At an intermediate position between hinges 1 1 1, 112, first arm 1 10 is hingedly connected to a second arm 120 using a hinge 113. The other end of second arm 120 is provided with a pen 121 that engages in a guiding track 130 that is provided in a side part 107 of seat part 102. Here, side part 107 is shown partially opened to allow guiding track 130 and gear 105 to be visible. In figure 2, guiding track 130 comprises a first part 131 and a second part 132. As can be seen, the curvature of second part 132 is considerably more than that of first part 131.

Child seat 100 further comprises a support bar 140 that can be coupled to back part 103 in a releasable manner. Support bar 140 is hingedly connected to back part 103. However, rotation of support bar 140 is generally locked during use. This lock can be released by operating button 141. Alternatively, the pivoting motion is released when collapsing child seat 100, more in particular when pivoting back part 103 towards seat part 102 beyond the upright position. This is made possible using an engaging element 144 in the form of a third arm. When locked , engaging element 144 is forced, by spring 142, to move into a receiving element (not shown), thereby locking the pivoting motion of support bar 140. Engaging element 144 is further provided with a first oblique surface 143. A correspondingly shaped surface 122 is provided on second arm 120.

Next, the pivoting movement of back part 103 relative to seat part 102 will be explained in more detail by referring to figures 3A-3C, which illustrate the upright position, a 45 degrees position, and a fully collapsed position, respectively.

Figure 3A illustrates the upright position. As can be seen in this figure, compared to figure 2, pen 121 has moved along guiding track 130, more in particular along first part 131 of guiding track 130. However, despite the movement of pen 121, the position of canopy connector 155 relative to back part 103 has not changed. This is due to the particular shape of first part 131 of guiding track 130. However, when back part 103 is pivoted beyond the upright position shown in figure 3A to the 45 degrees position shown in figure 3B, movement of pen 121 along guiding track 130 will impart a pulling force onto first arm 110. This is due to the fact that second part 132 of guiding track 130 displays a different curvature.

Due to the generated pulling force, canopy connector 155 will move towards seat part 102. By allowing tolerance on hinge 111, sliding track 106 can be embodied as a straight path. For example, hinge 111 may comprise a pen (not shown) that engages an oval opening (not shown). Alternatively, sliding track 106 may be curved.

Due to the translational movement of canopy connector 155, canopy part 150 will translate as a whole thereby reducing the outer dimensions of child seat 100.

During the same pivoting movement beyond the upright position, oblique surface 143 of engaging element 144 will be engaged by oblique surface 122 of second arm 120. Consequently, engaging element 144 will be forced, against the spring biasing force generated by spring 142, out of the receiving element of the lock that locks the pivoting movement of support bar 140.

Consequently, support bar 140 will be released and is able to assume a substantial parallel position relative to back part 103 in the fully collapsed position shown in figure 3C.

When unfolding child seat 100 from the collapsed position shown in figure 3C to the upright position shown in figure 3A, the opposite will occur. At a given position, pivoting movement of support bar 140 will be locked, although a user may still manually operate button 141 to achieve a desired position of support bar 140. In addition, canopy part 150 will move upward.

First arm 1 10, second arm 120, canopy connector 155, hinges 111-113, sliding track 106 and guiding track 130 are an example of a mechanical transmission by which the pivoting movement of back part 103 toward seat part 102, at least beyond the upright position of child seat 100, is converted into a translational movement of canopy part 150. The invention does not exclude other types of mechanical transmission that may comprise some or all of these elements and which also perform the function of converting the pivoting movement of the back part toward the seat part into a translational movement of the canopy part. In the above, the invention has been explained using detailed embodiments thereof. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments as various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.

List of reference numbers

Pram 1

Lower frame 10

Wheels 1 1

Upper frame 12

Push bar 13

Hinge upper/lower frame 14

Child seat 100

Coupling connecter 101

Seat part 102

Back part 103

Hinge seat/back part 104

Gear 105

Sliding track 106

Side part 107

First arm 110

Hinge first arm 111

Hinge first arm 112

Hinge first/second arm 1 13

Second arm 120

Pen second arm 121

Oblique surface 122

Guiding track 130

First part guiding track 131

Second part guiding track 132

Support bar 140

Button 141

Spring 142

Oblique surface 143

Engaging element 144

Canopy part 150

Frame part canopy 151

Frame part canopy 152

Cloth 153

Canopy housing element 154

Canopy connector 155

Claims

1. A child seat, comprising:

a seat part;

a back part that is hingedly connected to the seat part;

a canopy part that is connected to the back part;

wherein the child seat is collapsible from an upright position to a collapsed position by pivoting the back part relative to the seat part;

characterized in that

the canopy part is able to translate relative to the back part, the child seat further comprising a mechanical transmission converting a mutual pivoting movement of the back part and the seat part into a translational movement of the canopy part;

wherein the child seat is movable between the upright position and a recumbent position by pivoting the back part relative to the seat part;

wherein the mechanical transmission is configured to maintain substantially the same position of the canopy part relative to the back part during said movement between the upright position and the recumbent position.

2. The child seat according to any of the previous claims, wherein the back part comprises a sliding track, wherein the mechanical transmission comprises a first arm and a canopy connector to which the canopy part is connected, said canopy connector being hingedly connected to the first arm, said first arm further being hingedly connected to the back part, wherein the canopy connector is slideably mounted in the sliding track, and wherein the mechanical transmission is configured to pull the first arm towards the seat part during said collapsing of the child seat.

3. The child seat according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical transmission further comprises a second arm that is hingedly connected to the first arm, and wherein the second arm is guided by a guiding track defined in the seat part.

4. The child seat according to claim 3, wherein the second arm is provided with a pen that is guided in the guiding track.

5. The child seat according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the guiding track comprises a first part by which the second arm is guided during the motion between the upright position and the recumbent position and a second part by which the second arm is guided during the motion between the upright position and the collapsed position, wherein a curvature of the first and second parts of the guiding track is different.

6. The child seat according to claim 5, wherein the back part and the seat part are hingedly connected using a seat hinge, wherein the guiding track, starting from an end nearest the seat hinge, curves away from the back part.

7. The child seat according to any of the previous claims, wherein the canopy part comprises a first frame part and a second part that are hingedly connected, and a cloth arranged between the first frame part and the second frame part.

8. The child seat according to claim 7, wherein the first frame part and the second frame part are U-shaped, wherein an end of a leg of the first or second frame part is received in the canopy connector.

9. The child seat according to any of the previous claims, wherein a canopy connector and the mechanical transmission as defined in any of the previous claims are provided at opposite sides of the child seat.

10. The child seat according to any of the previous claims, further comprising a support bar being hingedly connected to the back part, and a lock for locking pivoting of the support bar relative to the back part, said lock being operable by movement of the second arm relative to the back part.

11. The child seat according to claim 10, wherein the lock comprises an engaging element and a receiving element for receiving the engaging element, wherein the lock is moveable between a locked and an unlocked position, in which the engaging element does and does not engage the receiving element, respectively, wherein the second arm is configured to move the engaging element out of the engaging element during the pivoting from the upright position to the collapsed position.

12. The child seat according to claim 11, further comprising a spring for spring biasing the engaging element to urge the engaging element to engage the receiving element.

13. A device for transporting a child, such as a pram or a buggy, comprising:

a child seat as defined in any of the previous claims;

a lower frame to which one or more wheels are mounted;

an upper frame comprising a push bar, wherein the upper frame and lower frame are hingedly connected, and wherein the child seat is coupled to the upper frame;

wherein the device is collapsible by pivoting the upper frame relative to the lower frame, while the child seat remains coupled to the upper frame.