GB2433027A

GB2433027A - Telescopic support leg

Info

Publication number: GB2433027A
Application number: GB0622711A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shun-Min Chen; Zhi-Ren Zhong
Original assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co Ltd Taiwan
Current assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co Ltd Taiwan
Priority date: 2005-11-18
Filing date: 2006-11-15
Publication date: 2007-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-15
Also published as: GB0622711D0; GB2433027B

Abstract

A support device 100 suitable for supporting a child vehicle seat includes an inner tube member 1 to be connected to a child seat; a support member 20 sleeved telescopically on the inner tube; and a seat height adjusting unit which includes at least one spring biased detent member 43 pivoted to a mounting seat 41, and at least one actuator 44 which is operable to drive movement of the detent member(s) 43 from a locking position, where the detent member 43 locks the inner tube member 1 at a desired length relative to the support member 20 , to an unlocking position, where the detent member 43 is disengaged from the inner tube member 1. In the locked position the detent 42 passes through registered holes in the inner tube and the support member. The actuator may be pivotally mounted to the mounting seat or may slide relative to the mounting seat. The inner tube may be adapted to allow a pivotal connection to a child seat.

Description

1 2433027

SUPPORT DEVICE

The invent on relates to a support device, more particularly to a support device for a juvenile car safety seat.

A conventional support device for a juvenile car safety seat usually includes a coupling member mounted on a front edge of a bottom side of the car safety seat, a support base mounted on a floor of the car, coupled to the coupling member, and operable so as to support the coupling member at a desired height relative to the floor, anda locking.mechanismfor securing the coupling member at the desired height. The conventional support device thus enables installation of the car safety seat in different models of cars. Examples of such conventional support devices are disclosed in U.S. PatentNos. 1,451,655and6,817,665,andEuropeanPatent No. l,l80,448A1.

One object of this invention is to provide a support device that has a simple structure and that is

height-adjustable.

Another object of this invention is to provide a support device that is easy to operate and that is safe to use.

Accordingly, a support device of the present invention comprises an inner tube member, a support member, and a seat height adjusting unit.

The inner tube member is adapted to be connected to a child vehicle safety seat, and is formed with a plurality of positioning hole units that are spaced apart fromeach other alonga tube axis. Eachof the positioning hole units includes a pair of positioning holes that are disposed at diametrically opposite positions relative to the tube axis.

The support member is sleeved telescopically on the inner tube member and is formed with a pair of through holes that are disposed at diametrically opposite positions relative to the tube axis and that are to be registered respectively with the positioning holes of a selected one of the positioning hole units.

The seat height adjusting unit includes a mounting seat, a pair of detent members, at least one actuator, and a pair of springs. The mounting seat is disposed on the support member. The detent members are mounted pivotally to the mounting seat. Each of the detent members has a positioning tooth for engaging removably a respective one of the through holes and a respective one of the positioning holes of the selected one of the positioning hole units so as to retain the inner tube member at a desired extended length relative to the support member. The actuator is mounted movably on the mounting seat and is operable to drive rotation of the detent members for disengaging the positioning teeth of the detent members from the positioning holes in the inner tube member. Each of the springs accumulates a restoring force when a respective one of the detent members is driven to disengage the inner tube member.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an assembled perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a support device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodiment; Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the first preferred embodiment to show components of a seat height adjusting unit; Figure 4 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view to illustrate a locked state of the first preferred embodiment; Figure 5 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view to illustrate an unlocked state of the first preferred embodiment; Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic sectional view of a portion of Figure 4, illustrating a positioning tooth of a detent member when engaging a positioning hole of an inner tube member and a through hole of a support member; Figure 7 is an assembled perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a support device according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a mounting seat S of the second preferred embodiment; Figure 9 is an end view of the mounting seat of the second preferred embodiment; Figure 10 is aperspective viewof ananti-slipmember of the second preferred embodiment; Figure 11 is a perspective view of an actuator of the second preferred embodiment; Figure 12 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view to illustrate a locked state of the second preferred embodiment; Figure 13 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view to illustrate an unlocked state of the second preferred embodiment; Figure 14 is a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment, taken along line 14-14 of Figure 7; Figure 15 is a front view of the third preferred embodiment of a support device according to the present invention; Figure 16 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view to illustrate a locked state of the third preferred embodiment; Figure 17 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view to illustrate an unlocked state of the third preferred embodiment; Figure 18 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view to illustrate a resilient limiting member of the third preferred embodiment; Figure 19 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view to illustrate how the resilient limiting member prevents an inner tube member from escaping from a support member; and Figure 20 is a fragmentary perspective view to illustrate the resilient limiting member when engaging the inner tube member and the support member.

Before the present invention is described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying preferred embodiments, itshouldbenotedhereinthatlikeelements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout

the disclosure.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first preferred embodiment of a support device 100 according to the present invention is adapted for use with a child vehicle safetyseat (not shown). The supportdevice 100 comprises an inner tube member 1, a support member 20, and a seat height adjusting unit 4.

The inner tube member 1 is made of metal, is adapted to be connected pivotally to a bottom side of the child vehicle safety seat such that the support device 100 can be pivoted toward the bottom side for storage, and is formed with a plurality of positioning hole units that are spaced apart from each other along a tube axis (A). Each of the positioning hole units includes a pair of positioning holes 11 (see Figure 4) that are disposed at diametrically opposite positions relative to the tube axis (A) The support member 20 includes a metal support tube 2 sleeved telescopically on the inner tube member 1, andasupportseat3thatismadeofplastic, that encloses the support tube 2, and that is adapted to stand on a floor of a car (not shown) . The support tube 2 is formed with a pair of through holes 21 (see Figure 4) that are disposed at diametrically opposite positions relative to the tube axis (A) and that are to be registered respectively with the positioning holes 11 of a selected one of the positioning hole units. The support tube 2 is further formed with a pair of engaging holes 22 (see Figure 4) disposed below the through holes 21. The support seat 3 includes front and rear seat parts 31, 32 coupled to each other. The seat height adjusting unit 4 is provided on the support tube 2 and serves to retain the inner tube member 1 at a desired extended length relative to the support member 20.

Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the front and rear seat parts 31, 32 cooperate to confine an accommodation space 33 for enclosing the support tube 2 and the seat height adjusting unit 4. The front seat part 31 has an upper section formed with an opening 311 and a curved stop portion 313 disposed above the opening 311. The front seat part 31 further has an inner wall surface provided with two pairs of symmetrically disposed positioning posts 312 for coupling with the rear seat part 32.

The seat height adjusting unit 4 includes a mounting seat 41, a pair of detent members 43, an actuator 44, and a pair of first springs 45. Since the positioning holes 11 of each positioning hole unit are disposed at opposite lateral sides of the inner tube member 1, the detent members 43 and the first springs 45 are symmetrically disposed at opposite lateral sides of the mounting seat 41 in this embodiment.

The mounting seat 41 is made of plastic and includes a sleeve part 411 coupled to the support tube 2 of the support member 20, and a pair of opposing wing parts 412 that extend radially and outwardly from the sleeve part 411. The sleeve part 411 is sleeved on the support tube2, andisprovidedwithastopflange4l3forabuttiflg against a top end of the support tube 2, and a pair of engaging hooks 416 to engage the engaging holes 22 in the support tube 2, thereby mounting the sleeve part 411 on the support tube 2. Each of the wing parts 412 is formed with a first guide slot 417 disposed at an upper section thereof to guide movement of the actuator 44, andisprovidedwithafirstpin42. Inthis embodiment, the positioning posts 312 further extend through the wing parts 412 for fixing the mounting seat 41 in the accommodation space 33.

Each of the detent members 43 is in the form of a metal plate, and is mounted pivotally to one of the wing parts 412 of the mounting seat 41 by a respective one of the first pins 42. Each of the detent members 43 has a top end formed with a positioning tooth 431 for engaging removably a respective one of the through holes 21 and a respective one of the positioning holes 11 of the selectedoneofthepositioningholeunitssoastoretaifl the inner tube member 1 at the desired extended length relative to the support member 20. In this embodiment, the positioning LeeLh 431 of the detent members 43 further extend through holes 414 in the sleeve part 411 of the mounting seat 41. Each of the detent members 43 is further formed with a second guide slot 433 at an upper portion thereof. In this embodiment, each of the first guide slots 417 extends parallel to the tube axis (A), and each of the second guide slots 433 is inclined relative to the tube axis (A), i.e., upwardly inclined toward the tube axis (A) The actuator 44 includes a base part 441 that is mounted on the mounting seat 41 so as to be movable along the tube axis (A) , and an operating part 442 extending from the base part 441 and protruding outwardly of the opening 311 in the support seat 3. The base part 441 has a pair of second pins 443, each of which extends through a respective one of the first guide slots 417 and a respective one of the second guide slots 433. The actuator 44 is operable to move along the tube axis (A) to move the second pins 443 in the respective one of the first guide slots 417 and the respective one of the second guide slots 433, thereby resulting in rotation of the detent members 43 about the first pins 42 for disengaging the positioning teeth 431 of the detent members 43 from the positioning holes 11 in the inner tube member 1, as best shown in Figure 5.

In this embodiment, the first and second guide slots 417, 433 have upper and lower slot ends. The lower slot end of each of thc first guide SlOtS 417 is regisLered with the lower slot end of a respective one of the second guide slots 433 when the positioning teeth 431 of the detent members 43 engage the selected one of the positioning hole units in the inner tube member 1, as best shown in Figure 4. Each of the second pins 443 is disposed in the lower slot ends of the respective one of the first guide slots 417 and the respective one of the second guide slots 433 when the positioning teeth 431 of the detent members 43 engage the selected one of the positioning hole units in the inner tube member 1 (see Figure 4), and is disposed in the upper slot ends of the respective one of the first guide slots 417 and the respective one of the second guide slots 433 when the positioning teeth 431 of the detent members 43 are disengaged from the positioning hole units in the inner tube member 1 (see Figure 5).

In this embodiment, the sleeve part 411 of the mounting seat 41 is formed with a pair of first posts 415. Eachofthedetentmembers 43 has abottornendformed with a second post 432 that is aligned with a respective first post 415. Each of the first springs 45 is mounted between a respective one of the first posts 415 and a respective one of the second posts 432, and serves to accumulate a restoring force when a respective one of the detent members 43 is driven to disengage the inner tube member 1, as best shown in Figure 5.

To adjust the extended length of the inner tube member 1, the operating part 442 of the actuator 44 is forced to move in a direction (V) shown in Figure 3 such that the second pins 443 of the actuator 44 move upwardly from the lower slot ends of the second guide slots 433.

Sincemiddlepartsofthedetentmembers 43areconnected pivotally to the wing parts 412 of the mounting seat.

41 by the first pins 42, and since the second guide slots 433 in the detent members 43 are inclined relative to the first guide slots 417 in the mounting seat 41, movement of the second pins 443 along the first guide slots 417 will drive the detent members 43 to pivot about the first pins 42 in directions (I) shown in Figure 5 for disengaging the positioning teeth 431 of the detent members 43 fromthe through holes 21 in the supportmember and the positioning holes 11 in the inner tube member 1.

Referring to Figure 5, when the second pins 443 are moved to the upper slot ends of the respective first S guide slot 417 and the respective second guide slot 433, the positioning teeth 431 of the detent members 43 are completely disengaged from the through holes 21 in the support member 20 and the positioning holes 11 in the inner tube member 1, and the operating part 442 of the actuator 44 abuts against the bottom side of the stop portion 313 (see Figure 1) of the support seat 3. At this time, the inner tube member 1 is unlocked from the support member 20, and the inner tube member I can be extended from or retracted into the support member 20.

After adjusting to the desired new extended length, the operating part 442 of the actuator 44 is simply released, and the restoring force of the first springs 45 restores the detent members 43 to engage the positioning teeth 431 with the through holes 21 and the positioning holes 11 of the selected positioning hole unit so as to once again lock the inner tube member 1 to the support member 20.

Referring to Figure 6, each of the positioning holes 11 has a straight top edge 111 and a straight bottom edge 112, each of the through holes 21 has a straight top edge 211 and a straight bottom edge 212, and each of the positioning teeth 431 has a flat first (upper) contact side 434 and a flat second (lower) contact side 435. When the inner tube member 1 is locked relative to the support member 20, and when the inner tube member 1 is subjected to a force in a direction (F) as shown in Figure 6, the first contact sides 434 of the positioning teeth 431 abut against the top edge 111 of the respective positioning hole 11, whereas the second contact sides 435 of the positioning teeth 431 abut against the bottom edge 212 of the respective through hole 21. As a result, the positioning teeth 43]. are able to distribute the force evenly to the support tube 2, thereby avoiding damage to the plastic mounting seat .L.

Referring to Figure 7, the second preferred embodiment of a support device 500 according to this invention differs from the previous embodiment primarily in the seat height adjusting unit 4. In particular, the actuator 47 in this embodiment is operated in a manner different from the actuator 44 of the first preferred embodiment. It is noted that the support member 201 of this embodiment is similar to the support tube 2 of the first preferred embodiment.

As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the mounting seat 46 of the seat height adjusting unit 4 includes a sleeve part 461 coupled to the support member 201, and a pair of opposing wing parts 462 that extend radially, outwardly and integrally from the sleeve part 461 and that open upwardly. The sleeve part 461 has a bottom end formed with a stop portion 463. Each of the wing parts 462 includes a bottom plate 464 extending transversely from the sleeve part 461, and a pair of wing plates 465 that extend upwardly and respectively from front and rear edges of the bottom plate 464 and that are interconnected at outer edges thereof. Each of the bottom plates 464 is provided with a third post 467. The third posts 467 on the bottom plates 464 are diagonally opposite to each other. Each of the wing plates 465 has a lower portion formed with a first guide slot 466 that extends parallel to the tube axis (A) (see Figure 12) of the inner tube member 1.

Referring to Figures 7 and 10, the support device 500 further comprises an anti-slip member 5 that is mounted on a bottom end of the support member 201 and that has a bottom surface formed with a plurality of friction-enhancing ribs 51. The anti-slip member 5 is to be disposed on a floor of a car to increase friction between the support device 500 and the floor.

ReferringtOFigUreS 9, 11, 12, l3andl4, theactuator 47 of the seat height adjusting unit 4 is capped on the mounting seat 46 and is movable along the tube axis (A) (see Figure 12) . The shape of the actuator 47 corresponds to that of the mounting seat 46. The actuator 47 includes a sleeve portion 471 and a pair of wing portions 472 that extend integrally from opposite lateral sides of the sleeve portion 471. The sleeve portion 471 has a lower edge formed with an operating part 473 that corresponds in shape and position to the stop portion 463. Accordingly, when the actuator 47 is operated, the operating part 473 is moved to be disposed near the stop portion 463 of the mounting seat 46.

Each of the detent members 48 is disposed between the wing plates 465 of a respective one of the wing parts 462 of the mounting seat 46, and is connected pivotally theretobyarespectivefirSt pin 420. Each of the detent members 48 has an upper part formed with a positioning tooth 483 and located above the first pin 420, and a lower part formed with a sec'.rnd guide slot 481 and located below the first pin 420. Each of the second guide slots 481 isinclinedrelativetothetubeaxiS (A) (see Figure 12). The actuator 47 further has a pair of second pins 475, each of which extends through a respective one of the first guide slots 466 and a respective one of the second guide slots 481.

In this embodiment, the first and second guide slots 466, 481 have upper and lower slot ends. The upper slot end of each of the first guide slots 466 is registered with the upper slot end of a respective one of the second guide slots 481 when the positioning teeth 483 of the detent members 48 engage the selected one of the positioning hole units in the inner tube member 1, as best shown in Figure 12. Each of the second pins 475 is disposed in the upper slot ends of the respective one of the first guide slots 466 and the respective one of the second guide slots 481 when the positioning teeth 483 of the detent members 48 engage the selected one of the positioning hole units in the inner tube member 1 (see Figure 12), and is disposed in the lower slot ends of the respective one of the first guide slots 466 and the respective one of the second guide slots 481 when the positioning teeth 483 of the detent members 48 are disengaged from the positioning hole units in the inner tube member 1 (see Figure 13) Each of the wing portions 472 of the actuator 47 has an inner wall surfaco formed with a fourth post 474 that is aligned with a respective one of the third posts 467.

The seat height adjusting unit 4 of the support device 500 further includes a pair of first springs 450, each of which is disposed between a respective first post 469 on the sleeve part 461 of the mounting seat 46 and a second post 482 on a respective detent member 48, and a pair of second springs 49, each of which is disposed between a respective third post 467 and a respective fourth post 474. The first springs 450 accumulate a restoring force when the respective detent member 48 is driven to disengage the inner tubemernberl. The second springs 49accumulatearestoring forcewhenthe actuator 47 is operated to drive movement of the detent members 48.

As best shown in Figure 12, byvirtue of the restoring force of the first springs 450, each of the second pins 475 is normally disposed in the upper slot ends of the respective first guide slot 466 and the respective second guide slot 481, and the positioning teeth 483 of the detent members 48 normally engage the through holes 21 in the support member 201 and the positioning holes 11 of a selected one of the positioning hole units in the inner tube member 1, thereby locking the inner tube member 1 relative to the support member 201 so as to retain the inner tube member 1 at the desired extended length relative to the support member 201.

When the operating part 473 of the actuator 47 is forced to move in a direction (VI) shown in Figure 7, the second pins 475 of the actuator 47 move downwardly from the upper slot ends toward the lower slot ends of the first and second guide slots 466, 481, thereby driving the detent members 48 to pivot about the first pins 420 in directions (II) shown in Figure 13. When the second pins 475 of the actuator 47 reach the lower slot ends of the first and second guide slots 466, 481, the positioning teeth 483 of the detent members 48 are completely disengaged from the through holes 21 in the support member 201 and the positioning holes 11 in the inner tube member 1, and the operating part 473 of the actuator 47 abuts against the stop portion 463 (see Figure 7) of the mounting seat 46. At this time, the inner tube member 1 is unlocked from the support member 201, and the inner tube member 1 can be extended from orretractedintothesupportmember20l. Afteradjusting to the desired new extended length, the operating part 473 of the actuator 47 is simply released, and the restoring force of the first and second springs 450, 49 restores the detent members 48 to engage the positioning teeth 483 with the through holes 21 and the positioning holes 11 of the selected positioning hole unit so as to once again lock the inner tube member 1 to the support member 201.

Referring to Figures 15 to 17, the third preferred embodiment of a support device 600 according to this invention is shown to differ from the first preferred embodiment primarily in the structures of the seat height adjusting unit 4 and the support member 202.

The support member 202 is similar to the support seat 3ofthe first preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the support member 202 has an upper portion formed with a pair of through holes 21, a lower portion provided with a foot unit 34 for standing on a floor of a car (not shown), and an outer tubular sleeve 35 for telescopically receiving the inner tube member 1. A mounting seat 60 is formed integrally on a top end of the support member 202. The mounting seat 60 has opposite lateral sides, each formedwith an accornniodation Chamber 601 at a position corresponding to a respective one of the through holes 21, and each configured with a chamber-confronting wall 602 that is proximate to the inner tube member 1, that extends parallel to the tube axis (A) (see Figure 16) of the inner tube member 1, and that defines an inner end of the corresponding accommodation chamber 601. The seat height adjusting unit 4 further includes a pair of detent members 62, a pair of actuators 61, and a pair of first springs 63 disposed in the accommodation chambers 601, JO respectively.

Each of the actuators 61 includes a curved operating part 610 accessible externally of the mounting seat 60.

The actuators 61 can thus be operated from the opposite lateral sides of the mounting seat 60. The mounting seat 60 further includes a pair of first pins 603, each securing pivotally a respective one of the actuators 61 and a lower end of a respective one of the detent members 62 in the respective one of the accommodation chambers 601. Moreover, each of the actuators 61 has first and second inner edge parts 611, 612 proximate to the respective chamber-confronting wall 602, respectively disposed above and below the respective first pin 603, and forming an obtuse angle therebetween.

Each detent member 62 is connected immovably to the respective actuator 61. In this embodiment, each of the detent members 62 is in the shape of a thin plate, and is formed with a fixing tooth 621 disposed on an upper side thereof and embedded in the respective actuator 61, and a positioning tooth 622 extending toward the inner tube member 1 for engaging the inner tube member 1 at the selected one of the positioning holes 11. In this manner, the detent members 62 are fixed to the actuators 61 respectively, and the actuators 61 are operable so as to pivot respectively about the first pins 603 and so as to drive movement of the detent members 62 for disengaging the detent members 62 from the inner tube member 1. In practice, the detent members 62 can be integrally formed with the actuators 61 in other embodiments of this invention.

ch rf the actuators 61 i hollo'.: nd i fcrmad with a fifth post 613 that prolects therein toward the second edge part 612. Each of the first springs 63 is mounted between the respective chamber-confronting wall 602 and the fifth post 613 of the respective actuator 61. By virtue of the restoring force of the first springs 63, the first edge part 611 of each actuator 61 abuts normally against the respective chamber- confronting wall 602, the second edge part 612 of each actuator 61 normally forms an angle 604 with the respective chamber-confrontingwall 602, and the positioning tooth 622 of each detent member 62 engages the respective throughhole2linthesupportmember2o2andtheSelected positioning hole 11 in the inner tube member 1 such that the inner tube member 1 is locked to the support member 202 so as to retain the inner tube member 1 at the desired extended length relative to the support member 202.

When the operating parts 610 of the actuators 61 are simultaneously pressed, the actuators 61 pivot respectivelyaboutthefirstpins603indireCtiOflS (III) shown in Figure 17 so as to rotate the detent members 62 therewith, thereby disengaging the positioning teeth 622 of the detent members 62 from the positioning holes 11 in the inner tube member 1. At this time, the inner tube member 1 is unlocked from the support member 202, and the inner tube member 1 can be extended from or retracted into the support member 202. After adjusting to the desired new extended lenath. th oper2ting prt2 610 of the actuators 61 are simply released, and the restoring force of the first springs 63 restores the detent members 62 to engage the positioning teeth 622 with the through holes 21 and the positioning holes 11 of the selected positioning hole unit so as to once again lock the inner tube member 1 to the support member 202.

In this embodiment, the inner tube member 1 further has a mounting rod 10 (see Figure 15) to be connected pivotally to a bottom side of a child vehicle safety seat (not shown) such that the support device 600 can be pivoted about the mounting rod 10 toward the bottom side of the child vehicle safety seat for storage.

As shown in Figures 18 to 20, the inner tube member 1 has a lower end formed with a first limiting hole 12 thatisgenerallyrectangularinshape. Theoutertubular sleeve 35 of the support member 202 has an upper end formed with a second limiting hole 351 (see Figures 19 and 20) that has a size and shape corresponding to those of the first limiting hole 12. The seat height adjusting unit 4 further includes a resilient limiting member 64 made of plastic and disposed in the inner tube member 1 for preventing the inner tube member 1. from escaping from the support member 202. The limiting member 64 is generally inverted V-shaped, and includes a first resilient arm 641 abutting against the inner tube member 1, a secondresilient arm 642 connected to and forming an angle with the first resilient arm 41: and a 643 formed on a distal end of the second resilient arm 642. The hook 643 of the limiting member 64 extends removably into the first and second limiting holes 12, 351 for preventing the inner tube member 1 from escaping from the support member 202 when the inner tube member 1 is fully extended from the support member 202, as best shown in Figures 19 and 20.

In this embodiment, the hook 643 has a flat upper contact side 644 and an inclined lower contact side 646.

The contact sides 644, 646 configure the hook 643 with a wedge-shaped tip 645. When the inner tube member 1 is not at the fully extended position relative to the support member 202, i.e., the first and second limiting holes 12, 351 are not aligned, the tip 645 of the hook 643 extends into the first limiting hole 12 and abuts against the outer tubular sleeve 35 of the support member 202, as best shown in Figure 18. On the other hand, when the inner tube member 1 is at the fully extended position relative to the support member 202, i.e., the first and second limiting holes 12, 351 are aligned, by virtue of resiliency of the limiting member 64, the hook 643 extends into the first and second limiting holes 12, 351 such that the upper contact side 644 abuts against straight top edges 121, 352 of the first and second limiting holes 12, 351, while the lower contact side 646 abuts against a bottom edge of the first limiting hole 12. as best shwn in Firn.ires 39 and 20. ks a res'ilt, the inner tube member 1 can be prevented from escaping from the support member 202 when the inner tube member 1 is fully extended from the support member 202.

Thereafter, by virtue of the inclined second contact side 646, the hook 643 can disengage the second limiting hole 351 when the inner tube member 1 is subsequently retracted into the support member 202.

Preferably, the inner tube member 1 and the outer tubular sleeve 35 of the support member 202 have non-circular cross-sections (e.g., oval cross-sections) to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

In sum, in the support device 100, 500 of this invention, the inner tube member 1 is locked to the support member 20, 201 by the positioning teeth 431, 483 on the detent members 43, 48, and is unlocked from the support member 20, 201 by operating the actuator 44, 47 to move the second pins 443, 475 that drive the detent members 43, 48 to rotate against biasing action of the first springs 45, 450. Moreover, in the support device 600 of this invention, the inner tube member 1 is locked to the support member 202 by the positioning teeth 622 on the detent members 62, and is unlocked from the support member 202 by operating the actuators 62 to drive the detent members 62 to rotate against biasing action of the first springs 63. Hence, the seat height adjusting unit 4 of the support device 100, 500, 600 of this inventicn i rcThtiv3ly SImpI3 nd is easy t operate. Therefore, the purpose of this invention is served.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A support device for a child vehicle safety seat, said

support device comprising: an inner tube member adapted to be connected to the child vehicle safety seat, and formed with a plurality of positioning hole units that are spaced apart from each other along a tube axis, each of said positioning hole units including a pair of positioning holes that are disposed at diametrically opposite positions relative to the tube axis; a support member sleeved telescopically on said inner tube member and formed with a pair of through holes that are disposed at diametrically opposite positions relative to the tube axis and that are to be registered respectively with said positioning holes of a selected one of said positioning hole units; and a seat height adjusting unit including a mounting seat disposed on said support member, a pair of detent members mounted pivotally to said mounting seat, each of said detent members having a positioning tooth for engaging removably a respective one of said through holes and a respective one of said positioningholesoftheselectedoneOf5aidPOSiti0fliflg hole units so as to retain said inner tube member at a desired extended length relative to said support member, at least one actuator mounted movably on said mounting seat and operable to drive rotation of said detent members for disengaging said positioning teeth of said detent members from said positioning holes in said inner tube member, and a pair of first springs, each accumulating a restoring force when a respective one of said detent members is driven to disengage said inner tube member.

2. The support device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said mounting seat includes a sleeve part coupled to said support member, and a pair of opposing wing parts that extend radially and outwardly from said sleeve part.

3. The support device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein: each of said wing parts is formed with a first guide slot and is provided with a first pin for mounting pivotally a respective one of said detent members thereon; each of said detent members being formed with a second guide slot; said actuator having a pair of second pins, each of which extends through a respective one of said first guide slots and a respective one of said second guide slots; said actuator being movable along the tube axis to move said second pins in the respective one of said first guide slots and the respective one of said second guide slots, thereby resulting in rotation of said detent members about said first pins, respectively.

4. The support device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each of said first guide slots extends parallel to the tubeaxis, andeachof said secondguide slots is inclined relative to the tube axis.

5. The support device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said first and second guide slots have upper and lower slot ends, each of said second pins being disposed in said lower slot ends of the respective one of said first guide slots and the respective one of said second guide slots when said positioning teeth of said detent members engage the selected one of said positioning hole units in said inner tube member, and being disposed in said upper slot ends of the respective one of said first guide slots and the respective one of said second guide slots when said positioning teeth of said detent members are disengaged from saidpositioning hole units in said inner tube member.

6. The support device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said support member includes a support tube sleeved on said inner tube member, and a support seat that encloses said support tube and said seat height adjusting unit, said through holes being formed in said support tube, said sleeve part of said mounting seat being sleeved on an upper end of said support tube, said wing parts of said mounting tube being fixed to said support seat.

7. The support device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said first and second guide slots have upper and lower slot ends, each of said detent members having an upper part formed with said positioning tooth and located above said first pin, and a lower part formed with said second guide slot and located below said first pin, each of said second pins being disposed in said upper slot ends of the respective one of said first guide slots and the respective one of said second guide slots when said positioning teeth of said detent members engage the selected one of said positioning hole units in said inner tube member, and being disposed in said lower slot ends of the respective one of said first guide slots and the respective one of said second guide slots when said positioning teeth of said detent members are disengaged from said positioning hole units in said inner tube member.

8. The support device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said seat height adjusting unit further includes a second spring for accumulating a restoring force when said actuator is operated to drive movement of said detent members.

9. The support device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of said positioning holes has a straight top edge, arid each of said through holes has a straight bottom edge, each of said positioning teeth having a first contact side to abut against said top edge of one of said positioning holes and a second contact side to abut against said bottom edge of one of said through holes.

10. The support device as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising an anti-slip member that is mounted on a bottom end of said support member and that has a bottom surface formed with a plurality of friction-enhancing ribs.

11. The support device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said seat height adjusting unit includes a pair of said actuators pivoted to said mounting seat, each of said detent members being mounted on and being co-rotatable with a respective one of said actuators.

12. The support device as claimed in Claim 11, wherein each of said actuators includes an operating part accessible externally of said mounting seat, each of said first springs being provided between said mounting seat and said operating part of a respective one of said actuators.

13. The support device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said support member has a lower portion provided with a foot unit, and includes an outer tubular sleeve for telescopically receiving said inner tube member.

14. The support device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said seat height adjusting unit further includes a resilient limiting member disposed in said inner tube member for preventing said inner tube member from escaping from said support member.

15. The support device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein said limiting member is generally inverted V-shaped and includes a first resilient arm abutting against said inner tube member, a second resilient arm connected to said first resilient arm, and a hook formed on a distal end of said second resilient arm.

16. The support device as claimed in Claim 15, wherein said inner tube member has a lower end formed with a first limiting hole, said supportmeniber having an upper end formed with a second limiting hole, said hook of said limiting member extending removably into said first and second limiting holes for preventing said inner tube member from escaping from said snppcrt me!ther.

17. The support device as claimed in Claim 16, wherein said first and second limiting holes have straight top edges, said hook having an upper contact side that abuts against said top edges of said first and second limiting holes when said hook extends into said first and second limiting holes, said hook further having an inclined lower contact side that abuts against a bottom edge of said first limiting hole when said hook extends into said first and second limiting holes.

18. A support device for a child vehicle safety seat, said support device comprising: an inner tube member adapted to be connected to the child vehicle safety seat, and formed with a plurality of positioning holes spaced apart from each other along a tube axis; a support member sleeved telescopically on said inner tube member and formed with a through hole to be registered with a selected one of said positioning holes; S arid a seat height adjusting unit including a mounting seat disposed on said support member, formed with a first guide slot, and provided with a first pin, an actuator movable along the tube axis and provided with a second pin that extends through said first guide slot, a detent member mounted olvotally to id mounting seat at said first pin, having a positioning tooth for engaging removably said through hole and the selected one of said positioning holes, and formed with a second guide slot, said second pin further extending through said second guide slot such that movement of said actuator along the tube axis can drive said detent member to rotate about said first pin to disengage said positioning tooth from said positioning holes in said inner tube member, and a spring for accumulating a restoring force when said detent member is driven to disengage said inner tube member.

19. The support device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said second guide slot is inclined relative to said first guide slot.

20. The support device as claimed in Claim 19, wherein said first guide slot extends parallel to the tube axis, and said second guide slot is inclined relative to the tube axis.

21. The support device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said second guide slot is disposed proximate to said positioning tooth, said first and second guide slots having upper and lower slot ends, said second guide pin being disposed in said lower slot ends of said first and second guide slots when said positioning tooth engages the selected one of said positioning holes in said inner tube member, said second guide pin beina disposed in said upper slot ends of said first and second guide slots when said positioning tooth is disengaged from said positioning holes in said inner tube member.

22. The support device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said support member includes a support tube sleeved on said inner tube member, and a support seat that encloses said support tube and said seat height adjusting unit, said support seat being formed with an access opening to permit access to said actuator.

23. The support device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said detent member has an upper part formed with said positioning tooth and located above said first pin, and a lower part formed with said second guide slot and locatedbelow said first pin, said first and secondguide slotshavingupperandlower slotends, saidsecondguide pin being disposed in said upper slot ends of said first and second guide slots when said positioning tooth engages the selected one of said positioning holes in said inner tube member, said second guide pin being disposed in said lower slot ends of said first and second guide slots when said positioning tooth is disengaged from said positioning holes in said inner tube member.

24. The support device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said mounting seat includes a sleeve part coupled to said support member, said actuator beingmountedon said sleeve part so as to be movable along the tube axis.

25. A support device for a child vehicle safety seat, said support device comprising: an inner tubernember adapted tobe connectedpivotally to a bottom side of the child vehicle safety seat such that the support device can be pivoted toward the bottom side for storage, and formed with a plurality of positioning holes spaced apart from each other along a tube axis; a support member sleeved telescopically on said inner tube member and formed with a through hole to be registeredwithaselectedOfleOfSaidPoSitiOfliflgh0leS# and a seat height adjusting unit including a mounting seat disposed on said support member, a detent member mounted pivotally on said mounting seat and having a positioning tooth for engaging removably said through hole and the selected one of said positioning holes so as to retain said inner tube member at a desired extended length relative to said support member, an actuator for driving said detent member to rotate for disengaging said positioning tooth from said positioning holes in said inner tube member, and a spring for accumulating a restoring force when said detent member is driven to disengage said inner tube member.

26. The support device for a child vehicle safety seat iibc.4tj&iiy s hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.