GB2210553A

GB2210553A - Child's safety seat

Info

Publication number: GB2210553A
Application number: GB8822804A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Martin Wilson Hunter; Keith Wrightson
Original assignee: Boots Co PLC
Current assignee: Boots Co PLC
Priority date: 1987-10-06
Filing date: 1988-09-28
Publication date: 1989-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-28
Also published as: GB2210553B; GB8822804D0

Abstract

A child's safety seat e.g. for a car comprises a base (2) having a seat portion (12) and a back rest (4) hinged on the base (2) by co-operating hinge members (16, 28) in pairs at opposite sides of the base (2). Each first member (16) on the base (2) terminates in a part-spherical end-portion (18) received in a complementary socket (29) of a second hinge member (28) on the back rest (4). The hinge members (16) provide recesses for a safety belt (10) affixed to a vehicle in which the seat is mounted to retain the seat. The hinge members (16, 28) permit the back rest (4) to be readily removed from or restored to the base (2) if desired. The angle of the back rest (2) relative to the seat portion may be adjusted by moving a roller (24) into one of several grooves (26) extending transversely of the back rest (4) the roller being retained in an appropriate groove (26) by an elasticated material (38). <IMAGE>

Description

CHILD'S SAFETY SEAT This invention relates to a child's safety seat for use in a vehicle, for example a car.

The use of children's safety seats in vehicles is well known. The child's safety seat commonly rests on the seat of the vehicle (usually a car) and is retained in place using appropriate belts secured to bodywork of the car. Seats have been proposed in which the existing seat belt which is affixed to part of the car and intended to be used as a safety belt for adult passengers, is used to secure the child's safety seat in place in the vehicle.

In some known designs, part, at least of the adult safety belt is also used to provide a restraining belt for the occupant of the child's safety seat. Many safety seats used in a vehicle include one or more belts attached to the child's safety seat to restrain the occupant of the seat in the event of an accident.

One of the disadvantages of many existing children's safety seats is that they are useful only over a restricted age range of child. Thus, instead of a complete child' safety seat having a seating portion and back rest, it has also been proposed to provide so-called booster cushions which provide merely a seating portion to elevate the child so that it can see out of the windows of vehicle such booster cushions being positioned so that the back support for the occupant of the booster cushion is provided by the seat back of the vehicle seat on which the booster cushion is mounted.

The invention provides, in one aspect, a child's safety seat for use in a vehicle comprising a base providing a seat portion1 a back rest, and mounting means by which the back rest is mounted on the base for movement whereby to change the angle of the back rest relative to the base and which permits ready removal of the back rest when it is wished to use the base alone.

Preferably, the mounting means comprise co-operating hinge members of the base and back rest by which the back rest is mounted for pivotal movement. Conveniently two pairs of hinge members are positioned at opposite sides of the seat with their axes of rotation coaxial.

Each pair of hinge members preferably comprises a first hinge member (in a preferred embodiment provided on the base of the seat) which comprises a part spherical end-portion adapted to be removable received in a complementary part-spherical socket of the second hinge member (in the preferred embodiment the second hinge member is provided by the back rest). If desired, however, the first and second hinge members may be provided on the other of the base and back rest of the seat.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the hinge members of the base project from the seat portion at opposite sides thereof and each provide a recess adapted to receive a belt affixed to a vehicle in which the seat is to be mounted whereby to retain the seat in place in the vehicle. Conveniently the hinge members of the base comprise a first part which projects from a side surface of the seat portion and a second part which extends forwardly and upwardly from the first part, terminating at its upper end with said spherical end-portion (or said part-spherical socket, depending on the precise design of the seat). In this preferred embodiment each recess is open at a forward end and is defined by the side surface of the seat portion, the first part and the second part of the hinge member.

In a preferred embodiment the seat comprises adjusting means for adjusting the angle of the back rest relative to the base.

In a further aspect, the invention may provide a child's safety seat for use in a vehicle comprising a base providing a seat portion, a back rest hinged on the base and adjusting means for adjusting the angle of the back rest relative to the base.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the adjusting means comprises spacer means, for example a roller, adapted to be positioned between the back rest and a seat back of a vehicle seat in which the safety seat is mounted, whereby to adjust the angle of the back rest.

In the preferred embodiment, the adjusting means also comprises retaining means, including a plurality of recesses spaced heightwise of the back rest and holding means, by which the spacer means (for example the roller) may be retained in an adjusted position heightwise of the back rest. The recesses preferably comprise a plurality of grooves generally complementary to the spacer means and extending transversely of the heightwise direction of the back rest. The holding means preferably comprises at least one elongated flexible element, preferably of tensioned elasticated material, secured to the back rest at upper and lower end portions of the element and looped around the roller in such a way that the roller can be moved (moving the loop) heightwise of the back rest; the elasticated material is tensioned sufficiently to urge the roller into a groove to which it has been moved.

There now follows a detailed description to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings of a child's safety seat embodying the invention. It will be realised that this seat has been selected for description to illustrate the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side view showing a child's safety seat embodying the invention in position on the seat of a vehicle; Figure 2 is a side view of a base of the illustrative seat; Figure 3 is a plan view of the base; and Figure 4 is a side view of a back rest of a seat embodying the invention.

The illustrative child's safety seat is intended for use in a vehicle, for example a car and comprises a base 2 providing a seat portion 12 which is intended to rest on the seat portion 6 of a vehicle seat when the child's safety seat is in use, and a back rest 4. The back rest is arranged to rest against the seat back 8 of the vehicle seat when the illustrative seat is in use. The illustrative seat is retained in place on the vehicle seat portion 6 by a safety belt 10 affixed to -the vehicle. It will be appreciated that in the United Kingdom it is now a requirement that all new cars be fitted with seat belts in both the front and the rear of the car and the illustrative seat may be used in either the front or rear seat of a vehicle.The illustrative seat is especially suitable for use with a safety belt of the type having a lap portion and a diagonal portion which, when used by an adult passes diagonally across the torso of the adult sitting on the car seat 6.

The illustrative seat comprises mounting means by which the back rest 4 is mounted on the base 2 for movement whereby to change the angle of inclination of the back rest 4 relative to the base 2, the mounting means permitting ready removal of the back rest 4 from the base 2 when it is wished to use the base 2 alone. The mounting means of the illustrative seat comprises cooperating hinge members 16, 28, there being two pairs of such hinge members 16, 28 positioned at opposite sides of the seat with their axes of rotation coaxial. The hinge members 16 of the base 2 project from the seat portion 12 at opposite sides 36 thereof and each provides a recess adapted to receive the safety belt 10 whereby to retain the illustrative seat in place in the vehicle.Each of the hinge members 16 comprises a first part 32 which projects from the side surface 36 of the seat portion 12 and a second part 34 which extends forwardly and upwardly from the first part 32 terminating at its upper end with a part-spherical end portion 18. Each recess defined by the first hinge members 16 is open at a forward end and is defined by the side surface 36 of the seat portion 12, the first part 32 and the second part 34 of the hinge members.

The second hinge members 28 of each pair comprise part-sphericai sockets 29 complementary with the partspherical end portions 18 of the first hinge members 16.

The sockets 29 are spaced apart by substantially the same distance as the part-spherical end portions 18 of the first hinge members 16 and the sockets 29 open downwardly and rearwardly so that the part-spherical portions 18 of the first hinge members 16 which are at forward, upper end of the hinge members 16 are snugly received in the sockets 29 when the back rest 4 is assembled with the base 2.

The base 2 of the illustrative seat comprises opposite side walls 14 at a forward end portion of the base, which project above the seat portion 12 and also project in the transverse direction from the seat portion 12. (See especially Figure 3). The side walls 14 thus assist in preventing the seat belt 10 from slipping from the recess defined by the side surface 36 of the seat portion 12 and the hinge members 16 when the illustrative seat is in place in a vehicle.

The sockets 29 are a snug fit on the part-spherical portions 18 of the hinges 16 and, if made in an appropriate way, for example conveniently comprising a rigid but slightly yieldable plastics portion, may provide a socket which is slightly more than hemispherical so that the socket 29 acts to grip the part-spherical end portion 18 to some extent. However, the construction and arrangement is such that, if desired, the back rest 4 may readily be separated from the base 2 by unclipping the sockets 29 from the portions 18. The base 2 can then be used without the back rest 4 and will provide a safety seat, for a somewhat older and larger child than is provided for by the seat when the back rest 4 is in place.In this case, the base 2 will elevate the child somewhat so that the child has a clear view from the windows of the vehicle and sufficiently that the diagonal part of the vehicle safety belt 10 will pass across the torso of the child at a safe position.

For example, when the back rest 4 is in place, -the illustrative seat may be suitable for use by children of from eighteen months to four years whilst with the back rest removed the illustrative seat may be used by older children.

The illustrative seat also comprises adjusting means for adjusting the angle of the back rest 4 relative to the base 2. The hinging of the back rest 4 on the base 2 by the hinge members 16, 28 allows the pivotal movement of the back rest 4 relative to the base 2, as hereinbefore described. It is desirable to be able to adjust the angle of the back rest 4 relative to the seat, for example to recline the back rest 4 so that the occupant of the illustrative seat may sleep or to make the back rest more upright so that the occupant is able to see easily from the vehicle windows. A number of intermediate positions between the most upright position and the most reclined position may be provided if desired and are so-provided in the illustrative seat.

The back rest 4 comprises a portion 20 against which the back of the occupant is intended to rest and wing portions 22 projecting forwardly from either side of the portion 20 which can provide some protection from a side impact and also provide a support for the head of the occupant to rest against should the child fall asleep.

The adjusting means of the illustrative seat comprises spacer means namely a roller 24 which, in use, is positioned between the back rest 4 and the seat back 8 of the vehicle seat on which the illustrative seat is mounted. Restraining means comprising a plurality of recesses, namely grooves 26 and a pair of elongated flexible elements at opposite sides of the back rest 4, namely elasticated strip material 38, is provided. A plurality of grooves 26, namely four grooves 26 complementary to the roller 24, extend transversely of the heightwise direction of the back rest 4 and are spaced apart heightwise of the back rest. The grooves 26 thus provide seats for the roller 24. The elasticated material 38 is secured to the back rest 4 at upper and lower end portions by securing the upper and lower end portions in upper and lower openings 30 in the back rest 4.The elasticated material is looped around the roller 24 in such a way that the roller 24 can be moved, moving the loop, heightwise of the back rest from one groove 26 to another. The roller 24 has two grooves 25 in which the elasticated material 38 is accommodated to militate against the roller 24 slipping out of the loop of elasticated material by movement axially of the roller 24. When the elasticated material 38 is secured firmly to the back rest 4, it is slightly tensioned, to a sufficient extent to urge the roller 24 into the groove 26 to which it has been moved and to retain it in that groove.The configuration of the back rest 4 and the grooves 26 is such that moving the roller 24 from one groove 26 to another changes the angle of the back rest 4 relative to the base 2: the lower the groove 26 in which the roller 24 is received, the more upright the back rest.

The base 2, the back rest 4 and the roller 24 may conveniently be moulded of plastics material of suitable properties, for example polystyrene. The hinge members 16, 28 conveniently comprise plastics material reinforced by central metal members where necessary. The other parts of the illustrative seat may, if desired, be reinforced by metal or other rigid materials as necessary.

The illustrative seat may readily be removed from the vehicle seat by unfastening the safety belt 10 and withdrawing it from the recess defined by the hinges 16 and the base 2 as hereinbefore described, the back rest 4 is also readily removed where necessary and can easily be replaced.

When the illustrative safety seat is in use the lap and diagonal belts of the vehicle in which the seat is mounted pass across the thighs and torso of a child in the safety seat in the usual way, retaining the child in the seat and also retaining the child's safety seat in position on the seat of the vehicle, irrespective of whether or not the safety seat is being used complete with back rest 4, or the base 2, is being used alone.

Claims

1. A child's safety seat for use in a vehicle comprising a base providing a seat portion, a back rest, and mounting means by which the back rest is mounted on the base for movement whereby to change the angle of the back rest relative to the base and which permits ready removal of the back rest when it is wished to use the base alone.

2. A seat according to Claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises co-operating hinge members of the base and back rest by which the back rest is mounted for pivotal movement.

3. A seat according to Claim 2 comprising two pairs of hinge members positioned at opposite sides of the seat wherein one of the base and back rest comprises a first hinge member of each pair which comprises a partspherical end-portion adapted to be removably received in a complementary part-spherical socket of a second hinge member of each pair provided by the other of the base and back rest, the two pairs of hinge members being positioned with their axes of rotation coaxial.

4. A seat according to Claim 3 wherein the hinge members of the base project from the seat portion at opposite sides thereof and each provide a recess adapted to receive a safety belt affixed to a vehicle in which the seat is to be mounted whereby to retain the seat in place in the vehicle.

5. A seat according to Claim 4 wherein each of said hinge members of the base comprises a first part which projects from a side surface of the seat portion and a second part which extends forwardly and upwardly from the first part terminating at its upper end with said partspherical end-portion or said part-spherical socket.

6. A seat according to Claim 5 wherein each said recess is open at a forward end and is defined by the side surface of the seat portion, the first part and the second part of the hinge member.

7. A seat according to any one of Claims 3 to 6 wherein the base provides the first hinge member.

8. A seat according to any one of the preceding claims comprising adjusting means for adjusting the angle of the back rest relative to the base.

9. A seat according to Claim 8 wherein said adjusting means comprises spacer means adapted to be positioned between the back rest and a seat back of a vehicle seat in which the safety seat is mounted whereby to adjust the angle of the back rest.

10. A child's safety seat for use in a vehicle comprising a base providing a seat portion, a back rest hinged on the base and adjusting means for adjusting the angle of the back rest relative to the base.

11. A seat according to Claim 10 wherein said adjusting means comprises spacer means adapted to be positioned between the back rest and a seat back of a vehicle seat in which the safety seat is mounted whereby to adjust the angle of the back rest.

12. A seat according to either one of Claims 9 and 11 wherein the adjusting means comprises retaining means by which the spacer means may be retained in an adjusted position heightwise of the back rest whereby to adjust the angle.

13. A seat according to Claim 12 wherein the retaining means comprises a plurality of recesses spaced heightwise of the back rest and holding means assisting in holding the spacer means in a recess to which it has been moved.

14. A seat according to Claim 13 wherein the spacer means comprises a roller and the recesses comprise a plurality of grooves each providing a seat for the roller and extending transversely of the heightwise direction of the back rest.

15. A seat according to Claim 14 wherein the holding means comprises at least one elongated flexible element secured to the back rest at upper and lower end portions thereof and looped around the roller in such a way that the roller can be moved (moving the loop) heightwise of the back rest.

16. A seat according to Claim 15 wherein the elongated flexible element is elasticated and tensioned to urge the roller into a groove to which it has been moved.

17. A child's safety seat for use in a vehicle constructed adapted and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.