GB2047527A

GB2047527A - Child's vehicle seat cushion

Info

Publication number: GB2047527A
Application number: GB7837226A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Repco Ltd
Current assignee: Repco Ltd
Priority date: 1978-09-18
Filing date: 1978-09-18
Publication date: 1980-12-03
Also published as: GB2047527B

Abstract

A cushion for supporting a child on a vehicle seat has a cushion base 3, and upstanding side walls 4 which are provided with slots 8 which receive the straps of a safety belt for an adult which serves to restrain both the cushion and a child seated thereon. Each slot has a shoulder 15 which resists the removal of the straps from the slot. Variations in cushion shape and means for altering the depth of the seat are described. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle cushion This invention relates to means for supporting a child on a vehicle seat whilst under the restraint of a safety belt or harness.

Normal adult safety belts of the lap-sash type cannot be conveniently used to restrain a child located on a vehicle seat because the sash will not cross the child's body at a comfortable or safe location. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or alleviate that difficulty by providing a cushion which can be placed on a vehicle seat to support a child. The depth of the cushion is such that a child supported thereon is better positioned for retention by an adult sash strap. If desired, the cushion may be arranged so that the depth can be varied to suit circumstances.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cushion for location on a vehicle seat and having, an upper surface for seating engagement by an occupant of the vehicle, and a recess at or adjacent each of two opposite sides of said cushion for receiving a respective part of a safety belt or harness so as to restrain said cushion against movement off said vehicle seat.

The essential features of the invention, and further optional features, are described in detail in the following passages of the specification which refer to the accompanying draw ings. The drawings however, are merely illustrative of how the invention might be put into effect, so that the specific form and arrange ment of the features (whether they be essen tial or optional features) shown is not to be understood as limiting on the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one em bodiment of the invention shown located on a vehicle seat; Figure 2 is a plan view of the cushion shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the cushion shown in Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 2; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of Fig. 2; Figure 6 is a sectional view of the cushion of Fig. 1 shown in association with a booster section; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a metal frame for use in one form of cushion construction; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 5 showing a preferred type of construc tion incorporating the metal frame of Fig. 9;; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the cushion shown in Fig. 1 0.

In the particular construction shown in Fig.

1, the upper surface 2 of the cushion base 3, is contoured to provide a comfortable seating surface for the occupant. An upstanding side wall 4 is provided at each of two opposite sides of the cushion base 3 and each wall 4 extends from the rear edge 5 of the cushion base 3 to adjacent the front edge 6. It is generally not necessary or desirable to provide a rear wall for the cushion, although in the construction shown, there is a slight upturn 7 at the rear of the base 3 which arises out of the contouring of surface 2 (see Fig. 3).

A recess or slot 8 is formed through the front edge 9 of each wall 4 and extends rearwardly, but terminates before the rear edge 11 of the wall 4. As seen in Fig. 1, each slot 8 is adapted to receive a respective part of a lap strap 1 2 of a safety belt, and one of the slots 8 also receives part of a sash strap 1 3. The depth of the rear end portion 14 of each slot 8 is increased downwardly to create a forwardly facing shoulder 1 5 which resists removal of the straps 1 2 from the slots 8. It will be appreciated that the slots 8 will function equally well with safety harnesses and other forms of belt restraints different to that particularly shown in Fig. 1. For example, a child's safety harness may be used in association with a conventional lap strap.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 has the further advantage that the safety belt buckle 1 6 is located outside the cushion, and the adjacent side wall 4 protects that buckle 1 6 against inadvertent release by a child seated on the cushion. There are several other advantages of the arrangement, the basic one being that a child seated on the cushion is located at a more comfortable level for viewing the surroundings. More important however, is the fact that in the resulting elevated position, the sash strap 1 3 crosses the child's body at a comfortable and relatively safe position. In that regard, the geometry of the sash strap 1 3 is advantageously influenced by the overhang 1 7 of the side wall 4 adjacent the buckle 16.

A further consequence of the arrangement shown, is that the lap strap 1 2 is located, by the slots 8, so as to pass across the thighs of the child, whereas it would pass across soft tissue areas of the child if not so restrained.

As a result, there is less likelihood of injury to the child in the event of sudden deceleration of the vehicle. Still further, in the event of such deceleration, the cushion will tend to pivot about the lap strap 1 2 such that the front edge 6 of the base 3 is urged upwards, and that increases the retention effect of the strap 1 2 on both the cushion and the child occupant.

A cushion as described can be formed of any suitable material, or combination of materials. In a preferred method of manufacture however, the cushion is formed by first pro ducing an outer skin or covering which is flexible but has sufficient strength to retain its shape when filled with a core material. That outer skin or covering preferably forms the entire outer surface of the cushion apart from an opening through which the core material may be introduced, and may be formed by rotational moulding of a suitable material such as polyvinylchlorine while curing the material in an oven to set it in the moulded shape. A metal frame 23 as shown in Fig. 9 is then positioned within the skin or covering 24 so as to be located as shown in Fig. 10. Any suitable means may be employed to retain the frame 23 and skin or covering 24-in the correct relationship.The hollow interior of the skin or covering 24 is then filled with a suitable resilient core material 25 such as polyurethane, which may be introduced in liquid form through the opening 26 of the skin or covering 24 and then activated to foam or expand to fill the available space. In that way the skin or covering 24 is retained in the desired shape and the frame 23 is secured against relative movement. A strong, serviceable, and lightweight construction results.

The completed cushion is shown in Fig. 11, and preferably has a shallow recess 27 in the outer surface of each side wall 4 and which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the respective slot portion 1 4. The recess 27 is designed to at least partially accommodate the buckle of an adult safety belt and thereby reduce possible contact of that belt with a child occupant of the cushion. It also contributes towards obtaining a suitable geometry for the safety belt.

It may be desirable to provide means whereby the effective (seating) height of the cushion can be varied to suit different requirements. That is, the desirable degree of elevation will vary according to the age of the child who is to use the cushion. One such means is shown in Fig. 6, and involves the use of a booster section 1 8 which is locatable beneath the undersurface 1 9 of the cushion base 3 so as to elevate the height of the seating surface 2. Two or more booster sections 1 8 may be used if required. The cushion base 3 and booster section 1 8 may be restrained against separation in many different ways. In the Fig.

6 arrangement, that is achieved by a spigot portion 21 on the upper side of the booster section 1 8 and which is adapted to locate within a substantially complementary recess 22 formed in the undersurface 1 9 of the base 3. Obviously, the relative positions of the spigot portion 21 and recess 22 can be reversed. If two or more booster sections 1 8 are to be used in combination, each may be provided with a recess within its lower side, which is comparable with the recess 22 of the cushion base 3.

The basic concept of the invention can be adopted in various forms. Fig. 7, for example, shows an embodiment alternative to that of Figs. 1 to 6, and items of that embodiment comparable with items of the Fig. 1 to 6 embodiments are given a like reference nu meral except that they are in the series 100 to 199.

In the Fig. 7 construction, the cushion is recessed or otherwise contoured at its upper surface 102 to comfortably accommodate a child, and means is provided at each of two opposite sides for releasably attaching the lap strap (not shown) of an adult safety belt. In the example shown, each such means com prises a T-shaped slot 108 extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the cushion.

It is to be understood however, that the cushion could be held to a vehicle seat by way of a special strap provided for that pur pose rather than by an adult lap strap, and the same attaching means can be used in either case. Furthermore, the cushion can be used with an adult safety belt which has its sash strap geometry modified in the manner described in Australian patent application 14430/76.

A cushion according to the invention may be used in combination with an auxiliary unit which provides both the backrest and sides for a complete child's safety seat. That is, a complete safety seat results from the combina tion of the cushion and such a unit, and that safety seat can be releasably secured to a vehicle seat in any appropriate manner. For example, the top of the unit backrest can be attached to the vehicle parcel shelf through means such as described in either of Austra lian patent applications 19075/76 and 19080/76.

The cushion and auxiliary unit combination can be used with very young children (e.g.

6-24 months) and the cushion alone can be used with older children (e.g. 2-11 years).

As in the previously described embodiment, the cushion of Fig. 7 may be of fixed or adjustable depth-i.e., the effective distance between its upper and lower surfaces. That adjustment could be achieved in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 6, but other arrangements are clearly available.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 8, and that is a particular form of adjustable cushion in which a base member 203 is arranged to removably receive a cush ion section 218, or a plurality of such sections 21 8 located one above the other. Thus, the effective cushion depth can be varied by re moval or addition of the cushion sections 218, and in the minimum depth condition the base 203 alone may be used if it is suffici ently resilient at its upper surface for comfort able seating.

The base member 203, in the construction shown, includes a platform part 200 and upstanding side walls 204 at each of two opposite sides of the platform part 200. Cush ion portions 218 can be located in overlying relationship on the platform part 200 and between the side walls 204, and any suitable means can be provided to releasably retain one or more of the portions 21 8 in that position. As shown, that means may include an inwardly projecting lip 231 at the upper edge of each side wall 204, which serves to resist removal of a cushion section 21 8 through the top of the base member 203.An upright abutment shoulder 232 is provided at the forward edge portion of each side wall 204 for engagement by the front edge of each cushion section 218, so that removal and replacement of cushion sections 218 must be effected through the back of the base member 203, which in use is located against the backrest of the vehicle seat.

Insteat of using overlying cushion sections 21 8 to vary the effective depth, the base member 203 may be adapted to receive either one of a plurality of sections, each of which has a different depth. In that alternative arrangement, the total effective depth of the cushion is varied by substitution rather than by addition or removal of cushion sections.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides an improved means for supporting a child safely on a vehicle seat. The cushion enables a child to be supported at a height such as to permit a view through the vehicle window, and the relatively large area of engagement between the cushion and vehicle seat tends to guard against slipping on the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the cushion permits optimum use of existing adult safety belts.

Finally it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention as defined by the appended

Claims

claims. CLAIMS

1. A cushion for location on a vehicle seat and having, an upper surface for seating engagement by an occupant of the vehicle, and a recess at or adjacent each of two opposite sides of said cushion for receiving a respective part of a safety belt or harness so as to restrain said cushion against movement off said vehicle seat.

2. A cushion according to claim 1, wherein said upper surface is recessed to provide a contoured seating surface.

3. A cushion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each said side recess is in the form of a T-shaped open ended slot formed in the respective side edge of the cushion.

4. A cushion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an upstanding side wall is provided on at least part of each side of the cushion, and each said side recess is in the form of a slot extending through a front edge of a respective one of said side walls towards the rear edge thereof, and terminating before said rear edge.

5. A cushion according to claim 4, wherein the distance between the upper and lower edges of each said slot is increased at a rear end portion of the slot, and that increase is in a direction downwards towards the under surface of said cushion.

6. A cushion according to any preceding claim, wherein means is provided to vary the effective height of said cushion.

7. A cushion according to claim 6, wherein said means includes at least one removable section which is locatable over said upper surface to provide a temporary elevated seat surface.

8. A cushion constructed and adapted to function substantially as herein particularly described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

8. A cushion according to claim 6, wherein said means includes at least one removable section which is locatable beneath the undersurface of said cushion to elevate said upper surface thereof.

9. A cushion according to claim 8, wherein said undersurface is recessed to receive a spigot portion of said removable section.

1 0. A cushion according to any preceding claim, including an outer skin or covering, a core which fills the hollow interior of said skin or covering and is formed of a resilient material, and a metal frame also contained within said skin or covering and around which said core material is moulded.

11. A method of forming a'cushion including the steps of, rotary moulding an outer skin or covering of the desired configuration, heat curing the outer skin or covering during the moulding step, locating a metal frame within the hollow interior of the moulded skin or covering, and filling the hollow interior of the skin or covering with an expanded or foamed resilient material so that the metal frame is surrounded by that material.

1 2. A cushion constructed and adapted to function substantially as herein particularly described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS (18 Jul 1980)

1. A child's safety cushion for location on a vehicle seat having an adult lap and sash safety belt, said safety cushion including a base having an upper surface for seating engagement by an occupant, a side wall upstanding from each of two opposite sides of said base and extending at least part-way between front and rear edges thereof, and a belt receiving recess at each said side of the base and being in the form of a slot which opens towards the front of said base and terminates before the rear thereof, each said slot being open-sided to permit a belt to be moved edgewise into and out of that slot, each said side wall having a forwardly extending portion which forms part of the boundary of the adjacent said slot and overlies part of a belt received in that slot, the arrangement being such that in use the lap portion of said safety belt is received in both said slots and the sash portion thereof is received in one of said slots, whereby said lap portion serves to retain said occupant on said base and to also retain said safety cushion on said vehicle seat and the geometry of said sash portion is modified by engagement beneath one of the said forwardly extending side wall portions.

2. A cushion according to claim 1, wherein each said belt receiving recess is in the form of a slot extending through a front edge of a respective one of said side walls towards the rear edge thereof.

3. A cushion according to claim 2, wherein the distance between the upper and lower edges of each said slot is greater at a rear end portion of the slot than at a front end portion thereof, and a downwardly extending step is formed in said lower edge at the junction of said rear end and front end portions.

4. A cushion according to any preceding claim, including means for varying the effective seating height for an occupant of said cushion.

5. A cushion according to claim 4, wherein said means includes at least one removable section which is locatable beneath the under surface of said cushion to elevate said upper surface thereof.

6. A cushion according to claim 5, wherein said undersurface is recessed to receive a spigot portion of said removable section.

7. A cushion according to any preceding claim, wherein said base comprises the sole means interconnecting said side walls and an opening separates said side walls at the back of said cushion.