GB2268394A

GB2268394A - "Infant seat with interchangeable mountings"

Info

Publication number: GB2268394A
Application number: GB9211245A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Robin Julian Groom
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-05-27
Filing date: 1992-05-27
Publication date: 1994-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2012-05-27
Also published as: GB2268394B; GB9211245D0

Abstract

An infant seat 1 has a body internally profiled to accommodate a baby or child in a recumbent or seated position. The seat is provided with a carrying handle 12 equipped with the means to attach the seat to brackets 25 fitted to a chassis. Attachment to the appropriate chassis allows the seat to function as a safety seat for a baby or child in a motor vehicle or as a pushchair or as a highchair. The handle also provides the means to attach an accessory, for example a tray, to the seat. <IMAGE>

Description

VERSATILE INFANT SEAT AND INTERCHANGEABLE MOUNTINGS This invention relates to an infant seating and reclining system readily adaptable for use by infants from birth until they can safely and comfortably use equivalent items designed for older children and adults.

Throughout the early years of a child's life it is usually considered desirable to provide a range of apparatus for its seating and safe transport: for example, a carrying cradle, a push chair or "baby buggy", a high chair and various forms of auxiliary equipment for its effective and safe restraint in a motor vehicle.

Improvisations are possible for some purposes. However, where safety is of paramount importance, for example, to provide for safe transport in motor vehicles, specialised devices are essential. It is known that the seat belts fitted in motor vehicles do not, in themselves, provide a safe means of restraining young infants, although they may be used to restrain a secondary child safety seat. In consequence a number of discrete seating units have evolved each suited to a specific stage of the infants development. These include: rear facing seats for use, in the front of a motor vehicle, by children aged from birth to 9 months; forward facing seats for use in the rear of a motor vehicle by children aged from 9 months to 4 years and "booster seats" to enable children over 4 years old safely to use adult seat belts in the rear of a motor vehicle.

Many of these items duplicate components in the course of manufacture and are not easily assembled or adjusted by an adult having control of one or more infants. Further, most of them have only a limited period of use. This invention seeks to provide an infant seat and recliner system based on a seat shell which can readily be transferred between chassis to perform all the functions described above.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a rigid unitary seat shell lined with one or more pads of a resilient material shaped to support a baby up to 9 months' old in a recumbent position and a baby aged between 9 months and 4 years in a semi-recumbent or seated position. The seat shell is provided with means to secure the seat to a chassis, a handle for carrying the seat when removed from the chassis and means for securing the infant in the seat.

Preferably the carrying handle is formed as a rigid member pivotally mounted to the seat shell. The handle may form part of the means for making releasable attachment to a chassis or substructure and may be provided with the means for releasably locking in one or more positions.

Conveniently the locking mechanism can be arranged to be engaged or released and the seat attached to, or removed from, the chassis or substucture with one hand.

The handle may also provide the means to releasably attach an energy absorbing safety pad, a tray or toys to the seat assembly.

Additionally the seat shell may be provided with one or more studs, pegs or pins on the outside faces of the side walls.

These studs, pegs or pins function as guides to steer the attachment means into corresponding attachment points on the chassis or substructure. These studs, pegs or pins can perform the additional function of providing atta-chment points for a rain hood or sun shade.

The invention also resides in the brackets which form the attachment points for releasably attaching the seat to the chassis or substructure.

In å preferred arrangement these brackets have a receiving slot to accept the attachment mechanism which forms a part of the seat shell carrying handle. Additionally, each of these brackets may have 2 or more guide faces which interact with the studs, pegs or pins fitted to the seat shell and the faces and profiles of the carrying handle pivots to provide a safe and positive alignment of the attachment mechanism with the receiving slots.

The brackets may be rigidly fixed to the chassis or substructure to locate the seat shell in a predetermined angular position.

Alternatively, the brackets may be pivotally mounted to the chassis or substructure and fitted with a means of releasably locking the brackets in a finite or infinite number of positions. For example, a series of splines, radial ribs or other forms of detent can be used to control the arc through which the brackets and in consequence the seat are free to travel, and can also be used to releasably lock the seat in 2 or more angular positions.

Alternatively, the splined surfaces may be replaced by surfaces on which friction material is fixed.

The brackets may be releasably fixed, for example by means of screws, to a support platform. When fitted to the platform the seat shell is held at such an angle that it will function as a safety seat for children aged from birth to 9 months'. The entire assembly can be secured in the front seat of a motor vehicle by means of an adult safety belt.

Preferably the support platform will be of such shape that, by removing the brackets, the platform can be adapted to perform a later function as a "booster seat." Additionally, the brackets may be rigidly or pivotally mounted to a frame which may be positioned on the rear seat of a motor vehicle and restrained by a seat belt or straps. The seat shell may be releasably mounted to this frame to function as a safety seat for infants aged from 9 months to 4 years.

Preferably the frame, with the seat in position, will be capable of functioning as a high chair. Alternatively, or additionally, a further frame may be provided to support the seat as a high chair.

The brackets may also be mounted, preferably pivotally, to a wheeled chassis or pushchair frame comprising a number of rigid rods or tubes, pivotally connected and foldable for ease of transport and storage.

Advantageously, it is possible to erect the chassis whilst the infant remains safely seated in the motor vehicle. The infant can then be transferred, still in the seat, on to the pushchair.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat and handle assembly.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear of the seat and handle assembly.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the handle assembly.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a mounting bracket.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a mounting platform.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a mounting frame.

Figure 7 is a side view of a seat and mounting platform assembly mounted on the front seat of a motor vehicle.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a frame for mounting the seat assembly on the rear seat of a motor vehicle.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a pushchair chassis.

Figure 10 is a partially sectioned view of a safety catch.

Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a pivotable mounting bracket.

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the pivotable mounting bracket.

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the seat mounted on a high chair frame.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of accessories for mounting on the seat handle.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, an infant seat 1 comprises a seat shell formed from a moulding of rigid plastics material.

The rear face of the moulding 3 is substantially arcuate, when seen from the side, to perform as a rocker. Recesses 4 are formed in the moulding at the junction between each side wall and the back.

A lining 5 of resilient material forms a recess to accommodate and support a baby or child. This lining can either be formed of at least one moulded pad inserted into the seat shell 2 or the seat shell can perform as part of a mould with the resilient material integrally moulded into the shell. A releasably attachable, washable fabric cover (not illustrated), which may be lined with padding material, may be provided to protect the seat shell liner from soiling.

Additional recesses 6 can be incorporated in the seat shell to reduce the volume of resilient material needed to form the lining.

A metal frame shown in broken outline 7, integrally moulded into the seat shell 2, supports two studs 8, a stud 9 and an internally threaded fastening shown in broken outline 10 penetrating each side wall of the seat shell.

A plurality of apertures 11 pierce the seat shell and liner to provide adjustable, releasable attachment for a child restraint harness (not illustrated) of a conventional and known type.

A carrying handle assembly 12 hws a handle 13 attached to two arms 14 which are pivotally mounted to the seat shell by means of shoulder screws 15 fixed into the internally threaded fastenings 10 and secured with a thread locking compound.

The pivot portion of each arm extends outwards from the seat shell to form the means of releasably attaching the seat to the brackets 25. This attachment means consists of a substantially cylindrical cam 16, the diameter of which forms the major axis.

The minor axis is created by removing material from the diameter of the cylinder to create a pair of parallel flat faces. The major axis is aligned with an axis between the pivot point and the centre of the handle 13.

Alternatively, the cam can be of elliptical cross section with a major and a minor axis centred on the pivot point of the handle.

The extension to the pivot terminates in a disc 17 of greater diameter than the major axis of the cam.

Each arm has an open-ended arcuate slot 18 centred on the pivot and radially positioned to engage with the stud 9.

Enclosed within each arm is a locking bar shown in broken outline 19 and a spring 20.

The handle 13 is formed from a cylindrical tube with a longitudinal slot or aperture 22. A release bar 23 occupies this aperture and is free to move diametrically within the handle. The ends of the release bar are extended to engage with the locking bars 19.

The spring 20 is tensioned so that the locking bar 19 is normally held with the locking pin 21 closing the open end of the slot 18. In this position the release bar 23, influenced by the spring tension on the locking bars 19, projects through the aperture 22.

By grasping the handle 13 and the release bar 23 pressure can be applied to override the effect of the springs 20, and the release bar can be compressed into the handle causing the locking bars 19 to move and disengage the locking pins 21 from the slots 18. It will be apparent from the foregoing that in this condition the complete handle assembly 12 can be pivoted to engage the stud 9 with the slot 18. Further, by releasing the handle the release bar and locking--bars will be returned to their normal position by the tension of the springs, and the locking pins will prevent the stud from disengaging the slot.

By this means the handle, together with the cams 16, can be releasably locked in the position illustrated in Figure 2.

In a preferred arrangement the release bar can also engage with a ridge or recess 24 formed in the seat shell 2 permitting the handle to be releasably locked in the position illustrated in Figure 1.

The locking mechanism described above engages with an attachment point fitted to each side of a frame, substructure or chassis.

Referring to Figure 4, the salient features of such an attachment point, in the form of a bracket 25, are schematically illustrated.

With the handle assembly unlocked and free to pivot, angled faces 26 engage with the studs 8 on the seat shell 2 to support the seat 1 and guide the cam 16 into the tapered aperture formed by the angled faces 27.

Parallel faces 28 create a slot 29 fractionally wider than the minor axis but significantly smaller than the major axis of the cam 16. Faces 27 align the cam to pass through the slot 29.

When the studs 8 are resting on the stop faces 30 the axis of the handle pivot is central to the substantially circular aperture 31. The diameter of the aperture is of a size to allow free rotation of the cam 16. Angled faces 32 engage with the inside face of disc 17 to provide lateral guidance of the cam into the aperture.

To releasably lock the seat 1 and handle assembly 12 to the bracket 25 the handle assembly is rotated into one of the locked positions illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 2, causing the cams 16 to rotate in the aperture. In either of these positions faces 28 are perpendicular to the major axis of the cam, thus preventing the cam from being removed from the aperture 31.

Referring now to Figures 5, 6 and 7, a mounting platform 33 comprises a hollow rigid plastics moulding 34 featuring two upstands 36 and two channels 37. A webbing strap 35, fitted with an adjustably positioned clip 44, is fixed to the underside 40 of the moulding. A detachably mounted padded fabric cover 38 can be fitted to the top surface 41 of the moulding. In this form the mounting platform can be used by children as a "booster seat" on the rear seat of a motor vehicle.

A substantially "U" shaped frame 39, preferably of steel or aluminium, has brackets 25 formed as an integral part of the frame. The frame has sufficient flexibility for the sides to be spread to engage with the channels 37.

Alternatively, the frame 39 may have substantially parallel vertical edges to create a sliding fit in channels 37, in which instance the frame may be secured to the platform 33 by screws or other means of releasable fastening.

The platform 33 and frame 39 assembly can be placed on the front seat (indicated by the dotted outline) of a motor vehicle, with the webbing strap 35 positioned to the front of the seat. In this position the locking cams 16 can be located in the brackets 25 and the seat 1 and handle 12 assembly releasably attached to the frame 39 in the manner previously described. Tne arcuate back 3 of the seat shell 2 rests against the top surface 41 of the platform and the upstands 36 engage with the recesses 4 in the seat shell to provide additional location for the seat.

With the baby secured in the seat 1 and with the handle 12 locked in front of the seat, as illustrated, the lap portion 43 of an adult seat belt can b passed over the handle and fastened to secure the seat 1 and platform 33 assembly into the vehicle. Ttie assembly can be further restrained by passing the webbing strap 35 over the seat and securing it, with the clip 44, to the shoulder strap 42 of the adult seat belt. A channel 45 moulded in the rear face 3 of the seat shell 2 provides lateral location for the strap. In this position the entire assembly can function as a safety seat for babies from birth to 9 months of age.

Conveniently the seat, with the baby in it, can be removed from the motor vehicle whilst leaving the platform in position.

Figure 8 depicts a support frame to secure the seat 1 on the rear seat of a motor vehicle. A frame 46 is formed by bending rigid rod or tube to create a structure consisting of substantially horizontal base members 47, substantially vertical back members 48, angled side members 49 and a cross member 50. The back members are secured to the cross member.

The side members are fitted with brackets 25 secured at intermediate positions.

The frame can be releasably secured into the rear seat of a motor vehicle by means of an adult seat belt 51 and 52 passed through the substantially triangular apertures formed by the members 47, 48 and 49, and secured in a conventional and known manner. Alternatively, the frame can be secured with straps (not illustrated) specifically fitted into the motor vehicle for this purpose.

When the seat 1 and handle asssmbly 12 are releasably attached to the brackets 25, in the manner previously described, the seat is held in a position where it can function as a safety seat for children aged 9 months to 4 years old.

Turning to Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 a chassis for a push chair 53 consists of a series of rigid members interpivoted and foldable for ease of transport or storage. The chassis has a "U" shaped bottom frame 54 connected by means of pivot pins 55 to side members 56 and by means of knuckle joints 57 to back members 58. A substantially "U" shaped frame 59 is connected to members 56 and 58 by knuckle joints 60 and 61.

Struts 62 are pivotally connected to the back members 58 by pivot pins 63 and at their opposite ends by pivot pins 64 to a substantially "U" shaped frame 65, which in turn is pivotally connected to knuckle joints 60. The struts can be simultaneously moved, by the frame, into an overcentral position, in which members 54, 56,58 and 59 are rigidly braced to form two substantially triangular side frames interconnected by the horizontal portions of frames 54 and 59.

The chassis is supported on wheels 66, running on fixed or castoring spindles. A padded handgrip 67 fitted to frame 59 provides a handle for propelling and manoeuvring it.

A moulded tray 68, fitted to the bottom frame 54, can be used for carrying packages, and also provides the chassis with additional rigidity. The moulding extends towards the front of the chassis to form a footrest 69.

Figure 10 illustrates a safety latch which may be incorporated within knuckle joints 61. Substantially "U" shaped brackets 70 are secured to frame 59. Member 58 and lever 71 are pivotally mounted on pins 72, the ends of which pass through both sides of the bracket. Arcuate slots 73 are concentric with the lever pivot; lateral extensions 74 to the lever pass through these slots to limit rotation of the lever. A continuation of one of the lateral extensions forms an actuating arm 76. Torsion spring 75, mounted on the lever pivot, exerts pressure between the lever and frame member 59.

When the push chair 53 is fully extended spring 75 moves lever 71 into an over central position in relation to the perpendicular between lever pivot 72 and frame member 58-. In this position the lever prevents frame members 58- and 59 from folding parallel to each other thus preventing the chassis from accidently collapsing.

Downward pressure on frame 59 relieves pressure on lever 71 allowing the lever to be raised, by means of actuating arm 76, until it lies parallel with the frame allowing the push chair to be folded.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate one means of pivotally mounting brackets 25, in this example to push chair chassis 53, but the method is equally applicable to support frame 46 or to support frame 89. A "U" channel 77 has one side wall formed as a bracket 25; the outside face 79 of the other side wall 78 is fitted with an externally threaded stud 80; a plurality of ridges 81 radiate from this stud; the end of the stud is counterbored with an internally threaded hole 82.

Mounting block 83 is attached to side member 56 by means of screws, rivets or a clamping action. Hole 84 is a clearance hole for stud 80. Radiating from this hole, on the face which is adjacent to face 79 of side wall 78, is a plurality of ridges which mirror and mate with ridges 81.

Alternatively, instead of the radial ridges or splines, relative movement between the adjacent faces may be releasably prevented by one or more washers of frictional material fixed to or held between these faces.

Handle 85 screws on to stud 80, and when fully tightened brings face 86 to bear against mounting block 83, causing radial ridges 81 to mesh with the corresponding ridges on the mounting block. Compression spring 87 applies pressure between the inside face of the handle and the mounting block, to hold the ridges in mesh when the handle is released. Screw 88 is fastened into threaded hole 82 to prevent accidental removal of the handle.

With seat 1 releasably attached to the brackets 25, radial ridges 81 can be disengaged by releasing the handles 85 and pressing them towards the mounting blocks 83. The brackets and seat are then free to pivot, allowing adjustment of the angular position of the seat. The seat can be releasably locked in one of a plurality of positions (the number being controlled by the number of radial ridges) by retightening the handles.

In Figure 13 a support frame 89 comprises two substantially "U" shaped members 90 and 91 interpivoted by hinges 92. A bracket 25 is secured at an intermediate position to each side of member 90. A strut 93 is pivotally connected to each side of member 91 by pin 96 and at the opposite end by pivot pin 97 to strut 94, which in turn is pivotally connected to member 90 by pin 95. With members 90 and 91 pivoted apart the struts can be moved into an overcentral position to rigidly brace the frame to support the seat 1 for use as a high chair.

Referring finally to Figure 14, the handle assembly 12 crn be used to provide a support for a number of releasably attachable accessories, of which two options, a safety pad 98 and a tray 99, are illustrated by way of example.

Safety pad 98 comprises a moulding of resilient, flexible plastic material contoured to protect an infant from injury through impact with the handle assembly 12 in the event of a motor vehicle accident. A moulded channel or groove 100 locates over the handle 13. Pivoting the pad, about the handle, flexible projections 101 can b displaced to allow arms 14 to locate in recesses 102. The flexible projections can then locate under the arms to releasably lock the pad in position.

The pad can be removed by reversing this process.

Tray 99 comprises a moulding of rigid plastic material with a substantially plane surface 103 surrounded by an upstanding wall 104. "C" shaped clips 105 engage with the handle 13 of the handle assembly 12. Pivoting the tray into a position where the underside of the tray rests on the top edges 106 of the arms 14, flexible clips 107 engage with the lower edges 108 of the arms to releasably lock the tray in position. One or more apertures 109, or alternative attachment means, are provided to fix cords for securing such items as toys or a beaker.

Claims

1. An infant seat system comprising: a demountable seat, internally profiled to accommodate an infant in a recumbent, semi-recumbent or seated position; means to releasably attach the seat to a subframe; a subframe and a carrying handle for transporting the seat when detached from the subframe.

2. A seat as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the seat comprises a rigid moulded shell of plastics material, lined with a resilient padding material.

3. A seat as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the seat is releasably attached to auxiliary brackets mounted on the subframe.

4. A seat as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the carrying handle is pivotally mounted to the seat.

5. A seat as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the handle is equipped with the means to be releasably locked in one or more angular positions.

6. A seat as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the handle pivot, or an extension thereof, forms a part of the means to secure the seat to a subframe.

7. A seat as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the means to releasably lock the handle also serves to releasably lock the seat to a subframe.

8. A seat as claimed in Claim 7, wherein locking bars, mounted on the handle, engage with projections on the seat, subframe or auxiliary brackets to lock the handle in position.

9. A seat as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism can b disengaged and the seat removed from the subframe with one hand.

10. A seat as claimed in Claim 1, releasably attached to a subframe configured for safe transport of a baby in a recumbent position in a motor vehicle.

11. A subframe as claimed in Claim 10, configured to later function as a booster seat.

12. A seat as claimed in Claim 1, releasably attached to a subframe configured for safe transport of a child in a seated or semi recumbent position in a motor vehicle.

13. A subframe as claimed in Claim 12, which can be secured on the seat of a motor vehicle by means of auxiliary straps secured to the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle seat.

14. A subframe as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 12, which can be secured on the seat of a motor vehicle by means of adult safety belts.

15. A seat as claimed in Claim 1, releasably attached to a wheeled subframe or push chair chassis.

16. A push chair chassis as claimed in Claim 15, comprising a plurality of elongate members interpivoted and foldable with or without the seat in position.

17. A seat as claimed in Claim 1, releasably attached to a subframe configured for use as a high chair.

18. A subframe as claimed in Claim 17, comprising a plurality of elongate members interpivoted and foldable for ease of transport or storage.

19. A seat as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, provided with a plurality of projections on the exterior side faces of the seat.

20. A seat as claimed in Claim 19, wherein at least two of the projections co-operate with the subframe to guide the means of attachment to the subframe into engagement with the subframe.

21. An auxiliary bracket as claimed in Claim 3, wherein a plurality of angled surfaces co-operate with projections on the seat, as claimed in Claim 19, to engage the means of attachment, on the seat, with the bracket.

22. An auxiliary bracket as claimed in Claim 21, attached to a subframe as claimed in Claim 10, Claim 12, Claim 15 or Claim 17.

23. An auxiliary bracket as claimed in Claim 22, pivotally mounted and releasably lockable in at least two angular positions.

24. A seat as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the exterior rear face is arcuate in profile to function as a rocker.

25. A seat as claimed in Claim 1, equipped with a detachable washable fabric cover.

26. A carrying handle as claimed in Claim 1, equipped with releasably attachable accessories.

27. An accessory as claimed in Claim 26, in the form of a resilient safety pad.

28. An accessory as claimed in Claim 26, in the form of a tray.

29. An accessory as claimed in Claim 26, in the form of a toy or other means of distracting an infant.

30. A tray as claimed in Claim 28, equipped with means for releasably attaching toys or feeding utensils.

31. A seat as claimed in Claim 19, wherein at least two of the projections provide the means to attach a sunshade or rain hood to the seat.

31. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is provided a harness or other means to restrain the infant.

32. An infant seat seat system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-14 of the accompanying drawings.