EP4558359A1

EP4558359A1 - Child car seat

Info

Publication number: EP4558359A1
Application number: EP23744773.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefan Gebhardt; Berthold SCHWARZ; Andreas Wagner
Original assignee: Artsana SpA
Current assignee: Artsana SpA
Priority date: 2022-07-21
Filing date: 2023-07-20
Publication date: 2025-05-28
Also published as: WO2024018007A1; CN119497684A; IT202200015396A1

Abstract

A child car seat (100) comprises a protective shell assembly (2) configured to be placed on a vehicle seat and comprising a cavity (21) with a back surface (22) and a front surface (23), inclined with respect to the back surface (22). The child car seat (100) comprises a removable child unit (1), configured to receive a child, insertable in the cavity (21) and comprising a backrest (11) and a legrest (12). The legrest (12) is configured to rotate freely to commute with respect to the backrest (11) between a lowered and a raised position. The front surface (23) is shaped to automatically move the legrest (12) from the lowered position to the raised position when the child unit (1) is inserted in the cavity (21).

Description

Title: “Child car seat”

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of child car seats. of the invention

Child car seats are known in the art, which are made of many components like a child unit, with a backrest and a legrest, for accommodating a child and a protective shell assembly, to receive the child unit. The child car seats also comprise a built-in belt, in order to keep a child in place on the child unit.

Moreover, the child car seats usually comprise a belt adjusting mechanism, configured to adjust the length of the built-in belt, and to keep it in a predetermined length and tension.

In some known child units, the legrest is rotatable relative to the backrest.

Summary of the invention

A general object of the present invention is to provide a simpler child car seat.

The applicant has tackled problems related to the rotation of the legrest. In particular, an object of the invention is adjusting the legrest angle depending on the use conditions of the child unit.

These and other objects are achieved by a child car seat according to any of the attached claims.

The child unit of the present invention comprises a legrest which can rotate with respect to the backrest, from a lowered position to a raised position.

The protective shell assembly comprises a cavity which is shaped to accommodate the child unit and to automatically move the legrest from the lowered position to the raised position during its insertion in the cavity of the protective shell assembly.

Advantageously, this embodiment allows a quicker insertion of the child unit in the protective shell assembly, as the child unit changes positions automatically, during the insertion in the cavity.

Also, the design of the child unit is simple as the change in the position is due to the interaction of the protective shell assembly with the child unit. Thus, the child unit does not require any mechanism to manually rotate the legrest during the insertion of the child unit in the cavity.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child car seat.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a child unit in a lowered configuration, according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the child unit of FIG. 1 in a raised position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the child unit and of a protective shell assembly.

FIG. 5 is a view of a lateral section of the child unit of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a view of a lateral section of the child unit of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lateral section of the child unit.

Detailed description In this description, many advantageous features of a preferred embodiment of a child car seat 100 are described, mostly related to the rotation of a legrest of the child car seat 100. While certain features are essential to perform certain functions, other described functions could be implemented also in child car seats lacking the same features.

The present invention relates to a child car seat 100 comprising a removable child unit 1, which for certain aspects can also be provided as an independent object of the invention. The child unit 1 is configured to receive a child. The child unit 1 comprises a backrest 11 and a legrest 12, configured to support respectively a back and legs of the child.

In a preferred embodiment, the backrest 11 comprises two first sides 14, namely a front and a rear side, and two second sides 15, namely two lateral sides. Preferably, the second sides 15 are parallel to a principal direction X. Preferably, the first sides 14 are parallel to a pivoting direction Y, perpendicular to the principal direction X. Preferably, the first sides 14 are shorter than the second sides 15.

The legrest 12 comprises a pivoting edge 12a, connected to the backrest 11, in particular to one of the first sides 14 of the backrest 11. Also, the legrest 12 comprises a free edge 12b, opposite to the pivoting edge 12a.

In a preferred embodiment, the child unit 1 also comprises a head support 18, configured to support a head of a child. The head support 18 is connected to the backrest 11 and it is opposite to the legrest 12. Preferably, the head support 18 is connected at a respective first side 14 of the backrest 11.

In a preferred embodiment, the child unit 1 also comprises lateral panels 16, configured to laterally support a child, which are preferably padded to increase the child comfort. Each lateral panel 16 is fixed to the backrest 11, preferably at a respective second side 15 of the backrest 11. Preferably, the panels 16 are spaced in the pivoting direction Y.

In all the embodiments of the invention, the legrest 12 is rotatable with respect to the backrest 11 between a lowered and a raised position. Preferably, the rotation of the legrest 12 is free, meaning that there is no locking mechanism in the child unit 1 to block rotation of the legrest 12 relative to the backrest 11.

In detail, the child car seat 100 comprises pivoting means 4 configured to rotationally connect the legrest 12 to the backrest 11. In a preferred embodiment, the pivoting means 4 comprise a hinge. The pivoting means are arranged between the pivoting edge 12a of the legrest 12 and the respective first side 14 of the backrest 11. Moreover, the pivoting means 4 are preferably arranged along the pivoting direction Y.

The legrest 12 and the backrest 11 of the child unit 1 form a variable unit angle 13. The unit angle 13 is lower in the raised position than in the lowered position. In particular, in the lowered position, the unit angle 13 ranges between 140° and 190°. Preferably, the unit angle 13 is equal to 170° in the lowered position. Moreover, in the raised position, the unit angle 13 may range from 90° and 140°, preferably being equal to 130°.

One advantageous aspect of the preferred embodiment of the child car seat 100 relates to automatic rotation of the legrest 12 between the raised and lowered positions.

For this aspect, the child car seat 100 must comprise a protective shell assembly 2. The child unit 1 is insertable in and removable from the protective shell assembly 2. The child unit 1 is configured to be insertable in and removable from the cavity 21 while receiving a child. In greater detail, not only the child unit 1 is configured to receive and carry a child while inserted in the protective shell, but also the child unit 1 is configured to receive and carry a child while it is removed from the cavity 21. In other words, the child unit 1 can be used by a user to carry a child even when the child unit 1 is separated from the protective shell 2.

In detail, the protective shell assembly 2 is configured to be placed on a vehicle seat and comprises a cavity 21. The cavity 21 is accessible through a top opening 27, and the child unit 1 is insertable in the cavity 21 through the top opening 27. The child unit 1 can be inserted in the cavity 21 while carrying a child or while the child unit 1 is empty.

The cavity 21 has a back surface 22 and a front surface 23, with the front surface 23 inclined with respect to the back surface 22. In detail, in the context of the present invention, with back surface 22 and front surface 23 of the cavity 21 are meant different parts of an inner surface of the shell assembly 2 inside the cavity 21, facing the child unit 1 when the child unit 1 is inserted in the cavity 21.

In detail, the backrest 11 of the child unit 1 is configured to lay on the back surface 22 of the protective shell assembly 2, and the legrest 12 is configured to lay on the front surface 23 of the protective shell assembly 2.

The front surface 23 and the back surface 22 of the protective shell assembly 2 form a fixed shell angle 24, as they are preferably different parts of a one-piece body. The shell angle 24 is smaller than the unit angle 13 when the legrest 12 is in the lowered position. Instead, in a preferred embodiment the shell angle 24 is substantially the same as the unit angle 13 when the legrest 12 is in the raised position, that is ranging between 90° and 140°, preferably equal to 130°. Therefore, the cavity 21 is shaped to accommodate the child unit 1 with the legrest 12 in the raised position, while it is not shaped to accommodate child unit 1 with the legrest 12 in the lowered position. In particular, the front surface 23 is shaped to push upward the legrest 12 while the child unit 1 is inserted in the cavity 21. Instead, the legrest 12 is preferably configured to maintain the lowered position outside of the cavity 21 just due to gravity force acting on the legrest 12, or optionally by bias means configured to bias the legrest 12 toward the lowered position.

Thus, during the insertion of the child unit 1 in the cavity 21, the legrest 12 is configured to rotate from the lowered position to the raised position.

In this way, the unit angle 13 is configured to change its width, allowing the child unit 1 to adapt to the shape of the cavity 21. In fact, when the child unit 1 is inserted in the cavity 21, the unit angle 13 is substantially equal to the shell angle 24.

With more details, the protective shell assembly 2 comprises a receiving unit 25 and a base 26. The receiving unit 25 is configured to receive the child unit 1, and comprises the cavity 21, while the base 26 is configured to support the receiving unit 25 and to lay on the vehicle seat.

Also, the cavity 21 is delimited by a perimetral wall 28, configured to surround the child unit 1 in the cavity 21. The perimetral wall 28 comprises a front wall 28a and a lateral walls 28b. The front wall 28a protrudes from the front surface 23. The lateral walls 28b protrudes from the back surface 22. Preferably, the lateral walls 28b are spaced in the pivoting direction.

Preferably, the above-described lateral panels 16 of the child unit 1 are configured to lay along the lateral walls 28b of the shell assembly 2.

Another advantageous aspect of the child unit 1 relates to the effect of keeping a constant tensioning of a belt 5 for securing the child, during rotation of the legrest 12. The features that are involved in this aspect may be combined also to the features for automatic rotation of the legrest 12, as described above. However, not all the features described above are necessary for the tensioning function. Namely, it is not necessary that the child unit 1 is supported by a shell assembly 2.

According to this aspect, the child unit 1 comprises a built in-belt 5, configured to keep a child in place on the child unit 1. Also, the child unit 1 comprises a buckle 7 configured to fasten the built-in belt 5.

The child unit 1 further comprises a buckle connector 71 , connecting the buckle 7 to the remainder of the child unit 1. In more detail, the child unit 1 comprises a buckle support 8, and the buckle connector 71 connects the buckle 7 to the buckle support 8. Preferably, the buckle connector 71 is an additional belt connecting the buckle 7 and the buckle support 8. Preferably, the additional belt forms a loop 72.

Advantageously, the buckle support 8 is fixed to the backrest 11, and so, as described below, it is configured to keep a predetermined tension value of the built-in belt 5 while keeping a fixed predetermined length of the belt 5, when the legrest 12 rotates from the lowered to the raised position and vice versa. Preferably, the buckle support 8 is fixed to the backrest 11 at the same first side 14 to which the legrest 12 is connected.

In detail, the buckle support 8 is configured to maintain a constant fixed position with respect to the backrest 11 during the rotation of the legrest 12 from the lowered position to the raised position and vice versa. In other words, whenever the legrest 12 commutes its position, the buckle support 8 does not move with respect to the backrest 11. Preferably, the buckle support 8 has an elongated body with one end connected to the backrest and an opposite free end. When the legrest 12 is in the lowered position, the elongated body and the free end project from the legrest 12.

As described before, the backrest 11 and the legrest 12 form a variable unit angle 13. On the other hand, the backrest 11 and the buckle support 8 form a fixed support angle 81. It should be noted that the unit angle 13 is equal to or greater than the support angle 81. The unit angle 13 is equal to the support angle 81 when the legrest 12 is in the raised position. Also, the unit angle 13 is greater than support angle 81 the when the legrest 12 rotates from the raised position to the lowered position.

In a preferred embodiment, the buckle angle 81 ranges between 90° and 140°. Preferably, the buckle angle 81 is equal to 130°. Thus, it should be noted that the buckle angle 81 is equal to the unit angle 13 when the legrest 12 is in the raised position.

In detail, the buckle support 8 is preferably flush with respect to the legrest 12, when the legrest 12 is in the raised position, while the buckle support 8 protrudes from the legrest 12 when the legrest 12 is in the lowered position.

In order to accommodate the buckle support 8, the legrest 12 may comprise a support recess 82, configured to accommodate the buckle support 8, when the legrest 12 is in the raised position. In a preferred embodiment, the support recess 82 fits tightly in the support recess 82. Moreover, the support recess 82 may extend from the pivoting edge 12a toward the free edge 12b. Accordingly, the buckle support 8 may be positioned so that the buckle connector 71 is arranged between legs of a child on the child unit 1. Preferably, also the buckle support 8 is arranged between legs of a child on the child unit 1, at least when the legrest 12 is in the lowered position. In the preferred embodiment, the child unit 1 comprises a belt channel 17 with at least a first opening 17a formed on the front side 110 of the backrest 11 , and a second opening 17b, formed in the legrest 12. Preferably, the second opening 17b is formed on the free edge 12b of the legrest 12. The belt 5 is at least partially slidable in the belt channel 17 and it has a free end portion 51, projecting from the second opening 17b. The free end portion 51 is configured to be pulled by a user in order to reach a desired predetermined tension of the belt 5. The predetermined tension is the tension which is necessary to keep a child safely in place on a child unit 1 , while maintaining also its comfort.

In an embodiment, the built-in belt 5 comprises at least one torso belt portion 53 configured to be placed at a torso and at a shoulder of a child on the child unit 1. The torso belt portion 53 protrudes from the at least one first opening 17a. The torso belt portions 53 comprises a belt pin at a pin end 59 configured to be fastened with the buckle 7, in order to keep a child in place on the child unit 1.

In a preferred embodiment, the built-in belt 5 is a three point belt 52, which comprises two torso belt portions 53. Each torso belt portion 53 protrudes from the at least one first opening 17a. In a preferred embodiment, there are two first openings 17a, one for each torso belt portion 53. Each torso belt portion 53 comprises a belt pin at a pin end 59. Also, the two torso belt portions 53 connect to each other at a common end, opposite to the pin ends 59. The common end 54 is inserted in the belt channel 17 and it is configured to slide inside the belt channel 17.

In an embodiment, the child unit 1 comprises a belt adjusting mechanism 6, configured to adjust a length of the belt 5 in a plurality of predetermined lengths. The belt adjusting mechanism 6 comprises a lock 61, arranged at the legrest 12, preferably, between the support recess 82 and the second opening 17b. The lock 61 is configured to engage and disengage the built-in belt 5 to prevent and allow it from sliding in the belt channel 17. Moreover, the lock 61 comprises a contact portion 62 facing the belt channel 17.

In a preferred embodiment, the legrest 12 comprises a lock recess 63, configured to accommodate the lock 61. Moreover, still preferably, the lock 61 is configured to be actuated, such as pushed, by a user to engage and disengage the built- in belt 5 in the belt channel 17. The lock 61 is configured to be pushed so that contact portion 62 contacts the belt 5.

It is to be noted that the belt adjusting mechanism 6 is intended to be active during rotation of the legrest 12, meaning that the belt portion inside the belt channel 17 maintains a constant length.

For example, in-use, a user places a child on the child unit 1 and inserts the child unit 1 in the cavity 21 of the protective shell assembly 2. During the insertion, the legrest 12 commutes from the lowered position to the raised position, as the front surface 23 of the protective shell assembly 2 is shaped to do so.

In addition, according to the aspects mentioned before, a user, when the child unit 1 is in the cavity 21, may fasten the built-in belt 5. Then, the user pulls the free end portion 51 to reach a desired predetermined tension and locks the belt 5 with the belt adjusting mechanism 6, in order to maintain the predetermined tension and length also when a user does not pull the free end portion 51. When the legrest 12 is rotated to the lowered position, for example because the child unit 1 is removed from the cavity 21, the buckle support 8 avoids changes in tension of the built-in belt 5.

This is because the buckle support 8 is fixed to the backrest 11 and not to the legrest 12. Instead, fixing to the legrest 12 would cause the belt 5 to be tightened during downward rotation and loosened during upward rotation of the legrest 12, Which does not happen since the buckle support 8 remains still during rotation of the legrest 12.

Claims

1. A child car seat (100), comprising:

- a protective shell assembly (2) configured to be placed on a vehicle seat, said protective shell assembly (2) comprising a cavity (21) with a back surface (22) and a front surface (23), the front surface (23) being inclined with respect to the back surface (22),

- a removable child unit (1) configured to receive a child, the child unit (1) being configured to be insertable in and removable from the cavity (21), and to carry a child both when inserted in, and when removed from, the cavity (21), the removable child unit (1) comprising a backrest (11) and a legrest (12), configured to support respectively a back and legs of a child, said backrest (11) and legrest (12) of the child unit (1) being configured to respectively lay on the back surface (22) and the front surface (23) of the protective shell assembly (2), the legrest (12) being configured to rotate freely to commute with respect to the backrest (11) between a lowered and a raised position, characterized in that the front surface (23) is shaped to automatically move the legrest (12) from the lowered position to the raised position when the child unit (1) is inserted in the cavity (2).

2. A child car seat (100), according to claim 1, in which the front surface (23) of the protective shell assembly (2) is fixed with respect to the back surface (22).

3. A child car seat (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising pivoting means (4) configured to rotationally connect the legrest (12) to the backrest (11), said pivoting means (4) comprising a hinge.

4. A child car seat (100), according to any one of claims from 1 to 3, wherein the legrest (12) and the backrest (11) form a variable unit angle (13), the front surface (23) and the back surface (22) form a shell angle (24), said shell angle (24) being smaller than the unit angle (13) when the legrest (12) is in the lowered position.

5. A child car seat (100), according to claim 4, wherein, in the lowered position, the unit angle (13) ranges between 140° and 190°.

6. A child car seat (100), according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the unit angle (13) is substantially equal to the shell angle (24) when the child unit (1) is inserted in the cavity (21).

7. A child car seat (100), according to any one of claims from 4 to 6, wherein the shell angle (24) ranges between 90° and 140°.

8. A child car seat (100), according to any one of claims from 1 to 7, in which the cavity (21) is shaped to accommodate the child unit (1) with the legrest (12) in the raised position, the cavity (21) not being shaped to accommodate said child unit (1) with the legrest (12) in the lowered position.

9. A child car seat (100) according to any one of claims from 1 to 8, in which the front surface (23) is shaped to push upward the legrest (12) while inserting the child unit (1) in the cavity (21).

10. A child car seat (100) according to any one of claims from 1 to 9, in which the protective shell assembly (2) comprises a receiving unit (25), comprising the cavity (21) and configured to receive the child unit (1), and a base (26) configured to support the receiving unit (25) and to lay on the vehicle seat.