MXPA96004552A - Child seat, integrated with automatic accommodation at n size - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated vehicle seat for selectively providing an adult seat in an adult seat mode and a child seat in a child seat mode, characterized in that it comprises: a seat cushion assembly constructed and arranged for mounted in a vehicle in a position to allow an adult occupant of the vehicle to sit on it; a seat backrest mount assembly mounted with respect to the seat cushion assembly so that it is placed in a fixed operational relationship therewith; , a plurality of mattress assemblies mounted on the seat back support assembly including: i) side mattresses carried by the seat back support assembly in spaced apart positions a sufficient distance to define a space for receiving a child between the side mattresses of a size to allow a child to be placed between the side mattresses, ii) a movable mattress construction constructed and arranged with respect to the seat back support assembly to be moved between: (1) an adult mode position wherein the plurality of mattress mounts that include movable mattress assembly are placed within the space between the side mattresses and provide with it a padded adult backrest support for coupling the backrest of an adult seat occupant seated on the seat cushion assembly, and (2) a child-like position, where the mounting of movable mattress extends from the space between the side mattresses in superposed relation to the seat cushion assembly and a plurality of mattress assemblies that include the movable mattress assembly that provide a cushioned child seat extending from the bottom of the space in superimposed seat cushion relationship; (iii) a cushioned child seat backrest that extends upward from sof the cushioned child seat within the space between the side mattresses and providing a support surface when it makes contact with the child's back, and iv) a padded child's head support, above the back of the child's seat Cushioned, child safety belt assembly constructed and arranged to be operable when the movable seat assembly is in the child mode position thereof, to be moved manually between: (1) a restraint or immobilization condition that allows a child in a sitting position in the cushioned child seat to be held by it, and (2) a released condition that allows: (A) to place a child in a sitting position on the cushioned child seat preparatory to the restraint, or (B) a child's exit from the sitting position on a cushioned child seat after restraint, the child's safety belt assembly includes a pair of shoulder poles that extend from the backrest of the child-restrained seat onto the shoulders of a child in a sitting position on the padded child seat, and a belt support structure positioned rearwardly of the supporting surface and constructed and arranged to support a generally superior portion of the shoulder belts in a backward position of the support surface such that each of the shoulder belts, when the child seat belt assembly is in its secure condition , includes a generally straight portion which extends: i) forwardly from the backward position of the supporting surface, ii) through an associated wedge-shaped space that extends generally from a plane of the supporting surface slidable towards the supporting structure, and iii) to a position adjacent to the child's shoulder, the supporting belt structure supports the The generally upper portion of each of the shoulder belts rearwardly of the support surface in a physical relationship with respect to the associated wedge-shaped space so as to allow the shoulder belts to retain the straight portions thereof. which extends from the backward portion of the support surface to the position adjacent to the shoulder for all children within a predetermined size range, so that the straight portions extend generally horizontally from the backward position of the support surface to the position adjacent to the child's shoulder without extension forward and upward for a larger child within the range, and so that the straight portions extend downward and forward from the backward position of the surface of the support to the position adjacent to the child's shoulder without any interference with the ear, for a smaller child within the range, the supporting structure of the The belt holds the generally upper portion of each of the shoulder belts rearwardly of the supporting surface in such a physical relation to the associated wedge-shaped space so that it automatically adapts to every child between the smaller child and the child. the bigger child by allowing straight portions of the shoulder belts to move from the horiz Ontal for the larger child, to progressively lower levels progressively larger angles to the horizontal as the particular child held in the holding condition of the child safety belt assembly is of progressively smaller size within the range, each of the spaces wedge-shaped constitutes a space through which the associated straight portions move as straight portions which move from the horizontal to progressively smaller levels progressively larger angles with respect to the horizontal according to the n

Description

CHILD SEAT, INTEGRATED WITH AUTOMATIC ACCOMMODATION AT THE SIZE OF THE CHILD This invention relates to child seats, integrated into the vehicle and more particularly to the manner in which these seats are constructed to accommodate a range of sizes of children.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The need to accommodate a fairly large size interval is particularly important in child seats, integrated because they are built into the vehicle seat and therefore, can not be easily removed and replaced by a larger model as can be do with independent child seats. U.S. Patent No. 5,224,756, describes a child seat, integrated, commercially available, above, which illustrates a way to accommodate a range of sizes between a child of 9.08 Kilograms (20 pounds) and a child of 18.16 Kilograms (40 pounds) ). The integrated child seat is itself a modular unit capable of REF: 23153 to be mounted between two seat back reinforcements, horizontally spaced provided in a seat back frame assembly, properly mounted with respect to the seat cushion assembly. seat. The modular unit included a back-up, main panel on which the cushion, movable, top and bottom mounts are mounted. When placed in an adult seat mode, the cushion assemblies, movable, top and bottom provide cushions that fill the space between the reinforcements. In the child seat mode, the lower cushion assembly is pivoted downward to rest on the seat cushion assembly to provide the child seat and movable cushion assembly, upper is pivoted upward and is Lock in the same for. Provide the support of the child's head. A removable pad is removably secured to the upper surface of the child seat and together with the rigid backrest panel to provide a backrest, cushioned support for the child. A child seat belt assembly is provided only to accommodate smaller children. In order to accommodate the larger child, the child seat belt assembly is stored behind the removable pad and the adult seat belt assembly is used. The child seat belt assembly provided is of the five-point type that includes belts shoulder straps that extend through a pair of horizontally spaced and horizontally aligned openings in the rigid, backrest panel. The shoulder belts extend from the openings behind the rigid back panel and are combined into a single belt that extends outwardly from the front of the lower movable cushion assembly through a unidirectional latch on it which allows The shoulder belts are adjusted to accommodate the small, particular child who is strapped. A more commonly used way to accommodate a large size range of children in a child seat, particularly composed where the seat backrest is higher than the back bench seat of the usual vans, is to provide a series of vertically spaced pairs of Horizontally spaced and horizontally aligned openings through which the shoulder belts can be selectively extended. An example of this type of accommodation is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,135,285.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a child seat, integrated which will automatically accommodate a large size range of children in a passive manner without the need to make any adjustments. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this object is achieved by providing a seat cushion assembly constructed and arranged to be mounted in a vehicle in a position to allow an adult occupant of the vehicle to sit therein in an operative position. . A seat back support assembly is mounted with respect to the seat cushion assembly to be placed in an operative relationship, fix with this one. The side cushions are carried by the seat back support assembly in separate positions at a sufficient distance to define a space to receive the child between the side cushions of a size to allow a child to be placed between the side cushions. A plurality of cushion assemblies are mounted in the seat back support assembly that includes a movable cushion assembly constructed and arranged with respect to the seat backrest mounting assembly to be moved between (1) an adult mode position wherein the plurality of cushion assemblies that include the movable cushion assembly are placed within the space between the side cushions and therein provided an adult backrest support, cushioned to engage the back of an adult seat occupant who sits on the seat cushion assembly, and (2) a child-like position wherein the movable cushion assembly extends from the space between the side cushions in a rest relationship to the seat cushion assembly and the plurality of cushion assemblies that include the movable cushion assembly provide a cushioned child seat that extends from the bottom of the space in superposed relation to the mounting e seat cushion, a padded child seat backrest that extends upward from the child seat cushioned within the space between the side cushions that provide a support surface when mated by the child's back, and a support for the head of the child, cushioned above the back of the child seat, cushioned. A child seat belt assembly is provided which is constructed and arranged to be operable when the movable seat assembly is in the child-mode position thereof to be moved manually between (1) a clamping condition that allows a child in a sitting position in the child seat, cushion held or bound in this way and (2) a released condition that allows (A) a child to enter a sitting position in the child seat cushioned before the restraint or (B) the exit of a child from a sitting position in the child seat, cushioned after restraint. The child seat belt assembly includes a pair of shoulder belts that extend from the back of the child seat, cushioned over the shoulders of a child in a sitting position on the child's padded seat. Each of the shoulder belts or straps when the child seat belt assembly is in the holding condition includes a generally straight portion that extends forward from a rearward position of the support surface through a space on the back of the child seat, cushion that accommodates it to a position adjacent to the child's shoulder. The child seat belt assembly is constructed and arranged to automatically accommodate any particular child within a nominal size between a child of 9.08 Kilograms (20 pounds) and a child of 27.24 Kilograms (60 pounds) without straight portions having any extension forward and upward, appreciable even for a child of 27.24 kilograms (60 pounds) or any interference with the ear, appreciable even for a child of 9.08 kilograms (20 pounds). The child seat belt assembly is constructed and arranged to achieve automatic anterior accommodation by restricting the straight portions extending forward from the support surface automatically from progressively lower levels at progressively greater angles to the horizontal as the particular child. maintained in the holding condition of the child seat belt assembly is progressively decreasing in size within the range.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a child seat, integrated which is effective in operation, simple in construction and economical to manufacture and maintain. These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the course of the following detailed description and appended claims. The invention can be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings in which an illustrative embodiment is shown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the seat assembly according to the principles of the present invention, with the 'right side of the figure showing the seat assembly in the child mode position and the left side of the the figure showing the seat assembly in the adult mode position; Figure 2 is a schematic side view, with certain elements omitted to better reveal others, which shows the child seat module mounted to a car seat back frame; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the rear panel and a portion of the child seat belt assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the connection of the control mechanisms and the reels of the child seat belt assembly to the back panel in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 5 is a front plan view, "with certain parts removed to better reveal others, of the reels and the control mechanisms in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 6 is a sectional, side view taken along line 6-6 in Figure 5, showing the control mechanism in an unlocked position according to the principles of the present invention; Figure 7 is a sectional, side view taken along line 7-7 in Figure 5, showing the control mechanism in a condition unlocked in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 8 is a sectional, side view similar to Figure 6, but showing a control mechanism in a locked condition in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 9 is a sectional, side view similar to Figure 7, but showing a control mechanism in a locked condition in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 10 is a sectional, vertical, fragmentary, enlarged view illustrating somewhat schematically the automatic accommodation provided by the present invention of a small child in solid lines and a large child in broken lines; Figure 11 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 10 showing a modified embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket shown in Figure 12; Y Figure 14 is another view similar to Figure 10 showing another modified embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In Figure 1, a seat assembly 10 is shown, which includes a pair of child seat assemblies, integrated, each preferably in the form of a module, indicated generally at 12, suitable for being installed in the assembly of seat as a unit. The seat assembly 10 includes a pair of spaced lifts for mounting the seat assembly 10 to the floor 17 of a motor vehicle. The seat assembly 10 incorporates a seat frame assembly, which includes a seat cushion frame assembly 16 and the seat back frame assembly 20, which are shown in dashed lines in Figure 1. Seat cushion frame has a frame structure, peripheral, rectangular, and carries a seat cushion 18, covered in conventional construction. As shown, the width of the seat cushion 18 is sufficient to allow two adult seat occupants to sit therein in side-by-side operative positions. However, it is understood that the principles of the present invention also apply to an assembly of. single seat adapted to accommodate only one person, and also for seat mounts that can accommodate more than two people. The seatback frame assembly 20 includes a tubular, U-shaped, inverted, main frame member 21 positioned so that the free, lower ends of the leg portions thereof are rigidly fixed to the rear sides of the body. seat frame assembly 16, main and so that the central bend portion extends along the upper extent of the seat backrest. A upper rail portion 23 extends along the central bend portion and is rigidly secured with respect thereto, preferably by welding, and facilitates securing of the child seat belt assembly of the present invention to the backrest frame. of seat as will be more fully described in conjunction with Figure 2. Typically, a horizontal, tubular, lower frame member (not shown in Figure 1) may also form part of the seat back frame assembly and be welded or fixed otherwise between the lower leg portions of the main U-shaped frame member 21 shown. A cushion assembly, generally indicated at 22, includes the adult seat cushion 18, mentioned above, mounted on the seat frame assembly 16, and a cushioned adult seat back 24. The adult seat back 24 includes the seat back frame assembly 20 on which the outer, outer, and central cushions 26, 28 are mounted, and the damping 30 placed therebetween provided by a movable cushion assembly, indicated in FIG. General at 32. Movable cushion assembly 32 can be moved between a position of adult mode and a position of child mode. In the adult mode position, the movable cushion assembly 32 is placed within a space 34 between the side cushions 26 and 28 and provides the cushion 30 vertically for engagement with the center of the backrest of an adult seat occupant who sits on the seat cushion 18, as shown in the operating position on the left side in Figure 1. In the child mode position, the movable cushion assembly 32 extends from the bottom of the space 34 in a supported relationship of rest to the seat cushion 18 to provide a child seat, cushioned, as shown in the operative position on the left side in Figure 1. The child seat cushion includes a padded, removable cushion 40, having a portion 42 of seat and a backrest portion 44. A pair of manually movable headrests 43 are mounted and extend upwardly from the cushioned adult seat back 24. In the figures, only the upper padded portion of the headrest 43 is shown. It can be seen, however, that the upper padded portions of the head restraints are rigidly mounted on the central bend portion of a metal member in the U-shape, invested. The legs extending downwardly of the U-shaped member have a circular cross-section that are received in grooves provided in the upper portions of the cushioned adult seat backrest. The legs have vertically spaced grooves or notches that cooperatively receive spring-biased ratchets associated with the grooves in the upper portions of the adult seat back 24. The ratchets move along the legs of the U-shaped member according to the height of the headrest are manually adjusted and received within the notches to allow the headrests to be held selectively in vertical positions, desired above the backrest of adult seat, cushioned. It is preferred that the lower ends of the legs are slightly widened or otherwise accommodated to prevent the headrest 43 from being completely removed from the cushioned adult seat back 24.

Each of the headrests 43 is placed in operative relation with respect to one associated with the movable cushion constructions 32. With the movable cushion construction 32 in the adult position, the associated headrest 43 can couple the back of an adult's head that sits in the seat assembly 22. The vertical position of the headrests 43 can be adjusted manually to accommodate the particular size of the adult. When the movable cushion construction 32 is in the child position, the associated headrest 43 is arranged to attach the back of a large child's head (e.g., approximately 27.24 Kilograms (60 pounds)) sitting on the construction 32 of movable cushion. In this case, the headrest 43 is optimally placed in its lowest position. When a small child (e.g. about 9.08 Kilograms (20 pounds)) is seated on the movable cushion construction 32 in the child's position, the child seat cushion 44, cushioned engages the back of the infant's head. In this case, the position of the headrest 43 is of little consequence, since, even in its lowest position, it is placed outside the possible coupling range with the back of the small child's head. Because the headrests 43 are adapted to accommodate both the back of the head of an adult and a large child, they are placed in a position, from long to long, which is an arrangement between the ideal position to accommodate the head of an adult. adult sitting on the adult seat cushion when the associated movable cushion construction is in the adult position, and the ideal position to accommodate the head of a large child sitting on the associated movable cushion construction when the construction of associated movable cushion is in the child position. Movable cushion assembly 32 preferably includes a main reinforcing portion 46 and a second, peripheral, removable reinforcing portion 48, as shown. With the movable cushion assembly 32 in the adult mode position, the forward forces of the primary and secondary reinforcing portions 46 and 48 provide the cushion 30. The reinforcing portions 46 and 48 fill the entire space 34 between the side cushions 26 and 28 and extend substantially along the full extent of the adult seat back 24. It is preferred that the seat portion 42 of the cushion pad 40 covers only the main reinforcement portion 46 of the movable cushion assembly 32 to allow the peripheral reinforcement portion 48 to be disassembled without any abuse of the seat portion 42 with pad which extends in the adult seat cushion 18. Preferably, the connection between the two reinforcing portions 46 and 48 is in the form of a rack arrangement. A more detailed description of the removable connection between the main reinforcement portion 46 and the second peripheral reinforcement portion 48 of the movable cushion assembly 32 is described in the co-pending US Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 287,728 filed August 8, 1994 as a continuation of the 'Serial No. 07 / 882,610 filed on May 13, 1993, of Czaps i, and which is incorporated herein by reference. A more complete appreciation for the type of construction contemplated for the main reinforcement portion 46 can also be obtained from the aforementioned patent application.

The seat assembly 10 also includes an adult seat belt assembly, the buckle portion of which is generally indicated at 50. The adult seat belt assembly can be of any type, and is provided to hold an adult who sits in the seat assembly in the adult position. The child seat belt assembly of the present invention, indicated generally at 60, is connected with the seat frame assembly (e.g., with the seat back frame assembly 20) the child seat belt assembly 60 includes a pair of shoulder belts or straps 62, each extending from the respective reel reels 64 (Figure 3) connected with the Upper bend portion of frame assembly 20 of the seat backrest. The shoulder belts 62 extend forward of the child seat backrest 44, cushioned for extension over the shoulders of the child sitting on the child seat 42, cushioned with the movable cushion assembly 32 in the parking position. boy. A connecting structure 70 is provided to secure the shoulder belts 62 in restraint relationship with respect to a child seat occupant. The connector structure 70 includes a main shield portion 74, preferably made from a rigid, moldable plastic material, which slidably receives the shoulder belts 62 through the slots 72 provided therein. The connector structure also includes a latch or buckle mechanism 76 provided in the lower portion thereof for releasable connection with a connecting member in the form of a tongue or fastener 78 provided with the main reinforcement portion 46 of the seat. Cushioned child. The connection fastener 78 provides a support point that allows the child seat belt assembly 60 to loosely lock between the legs of a child sitting on the child seat, padded. The latching mechanism 76 can be released from the connection fastener 78 by releasing a release button 77 provided in the latching mechanism 76. Figure 2 is a side view schematically showing the child seat module 12 of the present invention. As shown, the peripheral strengthening portion 48 of the moveable cushion assembly 32 has been removed. It can also be seen that the child seat module 12, which is to be mounted on the seat back frame assembly 20 between the side cushions 26 and 28, includes a rigid structure which in the broader aspects of the present invention , can be considered as part of the seat back frame assembly 20. The rigid structure is in the form of a backing panel 80 of rigid material, such as, for example, a suitable moldable plastic material. This same moldable material can be used for a horizontal support member 82 which is placed in a horizontal resting relationship in the cushion 30 when the movable cushion assembly 32 is in the child-mode position. Preferably, the removable, cushioned pad 40 adheres to the backrest panel 80 and the support member 82 by the use of a sailcloth fastener material in the manner described in the '728 and' 810 above applications. The metal connection fastener 78 is deflected by spring or spring by a spring-loaded spring assembly 90 to a rear inoperative position, as indicated by the solid line position of the fastener in Figure 2. The connection fastener 78 has a portion 92 that extends vertically, also extends upwards through an opening 93 in the rigid support 83, adjacent to a downward sloping edge 94, of the support 82. To lock or fix the seat belt assembly 60 of child, an individual takes the shield position 74 or the hook mechanism 76 of the connector structure 70 and secures the hook mechanism 76 on the clip 78 by forcing the hook mechanism 76 onto the vertical portion 92 of the clip 78. The mechanism 76 of engagement is provided with a slot 95 for receiving the fastener 78 in a conventional manner. It can be appreciated that when the fastener 78 is in a rear position, inoperative, deflected, the distance between the vertical portion 92 of the fastener 78 and the inclination edge 94 of the support surface 82 ', rigid is less than the thickness "T" between the receiving groove 95 mentioned above and the outer housing of the latching mechanism 76 as can be seen through Figure 2. In this way, the movement of the coupling mechanism 76 in engagement by engagement with the fastener 78 causes an input inclination surface 97 of the latching mechanism 76 to contact the upper edge 99 of the fastener 78. The continuous, downward forced movement of the mechanism 76 in the fastener 78 causes the thickness " T "of the same fits between the vertical portion 92 of the fastener 78 and the inclination edge 94 until the fastener 78 moves forward in the discontinuous line operating position, indicated generally at 96, against the deviation of the mounting 90 from dock. The back portion of the fastener 78 is connected to one end of the cable member 100. The cable member 100 extends rearwardly from the holder 78 through a flexible sheath 101, an end of which is fixed below the rigid support 82. The cable member 100 and the surrounding flexible tube 101, which constitutes a Bowden wire assembly, extend up behind the back panel 80 for connection to a control mechanism, generally indicated at 110, in a manner which is shown in FIG. will describe more fully later in the present. When the latching mechanism 76 is secured in the fastener 78 so that the fastener 78 moves to the operative position, the cable member 100 causes the control mechanism 110 to lock the reels 64 (see Figure 3) against the belts 62 uncoilers In this way, when a child occupies the child seat in the child-like position, and the latching mechanism 76 is secured in the fastener 78, the belts or straps 62 will not allow the child to move forward to any degree. significant Figures 3 and 4 are schematic views showing certain portions of a child seat module 12 of the present invention. More specifically, the backing panel 80 is shown, together with the reels 64 and the control mechanism 110 carried by a metal frame assembly 130 for mounting. In Figure 4, it can be seen that the control mechanism 110 is protected by a front shield housing 113, which can be formed as part of the frame assembly 130. The backup panel 80 is secured to the frame assembly 130 for mounting via the pins 114. More specifically, the frame 130 for mounting is positioned such that a top frame portion 131 thereof is placed below a portion 132. of flange extending backward from the back panel 80, and appropriate pins 114 extend through the openings 115 through the flange portion 132 and then through the apertures 118 aligned in the frame portion 131, upper to make the assurance. Referring again to Figure 2, it can be seen that the pins 114 are also used to secure the back panel 80 and the frame assembly 130 for mounting to the seat back frame 20. More specifically, the upper rail portion 23 has a forwardly extending flange portion 119 having openings therethrough (not shown) that align with the openings 115 and 118 and that receive the lower portions of the openings. 114 fasteners through these. Preferably, the upper frame portion 131 of the mounting assembly 130 slides upwardly in the upper portion of the forwardly extending flange portion 119, so that the seat back frame assembly 0 supports both the assembly 130 for mounting as the back panel 80 without the confidence alone in the pins 114. However, it can be appreciated that the upper frame portion 131 and the flange 132 can be mounted and secured below the flange portion 119 , if desired. In any case, the reels 64 are rigidly connected to the upper portion of the backrest panel 80 and the seatback frame assembly 20. With reference again to Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that the reels 64 are each wound in a common spindle or coil assembly 120 which extends through the side apertures 104 in the frame assembly 130 for to be rotatably carried by the frame 130 for mounting and operatively connected to the control mechanism 110. The coil 120 can be rotated in opposite directions around its own axis to effect the unwinding and winding of the belts 62 to and from the reels 64. The control mechanism 110 is constructed to allow and selectively prevent coil rotation 120 to control the unwinding and rolling of the belts 62 by the reels 64. Different in conventional belt retraction assembly, in which a control mechanism is used for each reel in which each reel can be rotated around its own coil. The present invention allows an individual control mechanism to be used to control two reels, since the two reels share the same reel. As a result, each belt is rolled and unwound simultaneously with and to the same extent as the other, so that substantially the same length of each belt will extend from the respective reels each time. This prevents the uneven distribution of the belts, and reduces the cost and size of the components required in the assembly. The small size allows the reels of the control mechanism to be easily mounted on the upper portion of the seat back frame. In Figures 3 and 4 it can be seen that each reel 64 consists of belt material wrapped in itself around coil assembly 120. While the reels can be enclosed in housings having slots through which the belts 62 can extend, it is preferred that these accommodations be omitted. It has been found that the contact between the belts and the edges defining the grooves mentioned above can aggravate unwanted friction in the belts and interfere with the unrolling and winding of the belts. The upper portion and the flange portion 132 extending rearwardly of the back panel 80 are provided with spaced openings 134, which allow the belts 62 to extend forwardly of the backing panel 80 therethrough. The edges defining the spaced openings 134 guide the belts 62 as they are unwound from and wound on the bobbin assembly 120. The bottom portion of the back panel 80 is provided with a hole 136 for securing the lower portions of the seat back frame 20. In addition, the spaced openings 138 are formed on opposite lower sides of the back panel 80 to receive appropriate pins 139. The pins or fasteners 139 are used to mount the back panel on the opposite rear sides of the movable cushion construction 32 and to connect the lower ends of the belt 62 to the opposite rear sides as shown in Figure 2. It can be seen that the pins 139 serve as a support for the lower ends of the belts 62 and also as a pivot point for the movable cushion construction 32. Figure 5 is a plan view, partially in section, of a portion of the child seat belt assembly of the present invention. In Figure 5, certain elements (such as the faceplate of shield housing 113) were omitted to better reveal others. The shield housing 113 has opposite side walls 150 having openings 152 through them to receive the coil assembly 120. Positioned around the coil assembly 120 within the shield housing 113 is a ratchet assembly 156, which includes a ratchet member, metal rigidly mounted on a bearing member 160, plastic. The bearing member 160 rotates with the coil assembly 120 and has a peripheral, annular groove provided in a portion thereof. The peripheral groove provided within the portion 162 is adapted to receive the inner edges defining one of the openings 152 in the side walls 150 of the shield housing 113. Preferably, the bearing 160 is formed from a plastic material. As also shown in Figure 5, the control mechanism further includes a detent member 164, which is in the form of a metal plate having opposite tang portions 166 extending from opposite sides thereof. Through the respective openings 167 in the opposite parallel sides 150 of the shield housing 113. The spigot portions 166 extend through the respective openings in such a manner as to allow the detent member 164 to pivot about an axis defined generally by the spigot portions 166. The control mechanism further includes a spring or leaf spring 170 for biasing the detent member 164 in a pivotal direction towards the ratchet member 158. However, in Figure 5, the retainer is kept out of engagement with the ratchet member 158 via the engagement of the detent member 164 with a lever arm 174 mounted on a rotatable plastic wheel 176. The metal detent member 164 has a coupling member 196, of plastic attached thereto and provided to contact the arm 174. The wheel 176 is rotatably mounted to a bearing 178, which is fixed to the coil assembly 120 . This arrangement allows the wheel 176 to be rotated independently of the coil 120. This is dient from the arrangement of the ratchet member 158 and the bearing 160, wherein the pawl 158 is fixedly mounted with respect to the bearing 160 and the bearing 160 mounts fixedly with respect to the coil assembly 120, so that the ratchet rotation 158 can occur only with the rotation of the coil assembly 120. The coil assembly 120 is normally biased in a rotational direction which will cause the reels to wind the loose part in the belts 62 from a portion generally of the bottom of the reels 64. This deviation from the coil assembly is achieved with a conventional dock assembly, generally indicated at 200, which is connected on one side of frame assembly 130 for mounting. Figure 6 is a view taken through line 6-6 in Figure 5, and shows the retainer member 164, retained in its unlocked position relative to the ratchet member 158 against the biasing force of the leaf spring 170. by the stop action of lever arm 174. This can be appreciated more fully from Figure 7, which is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in Figure 5. Figure 7 shows the detent member 164 out of engagement with the teeth 180 provided along the outer periphery of the ratchet member 158.

With reference again to Figures 5 and 6, it can be seen that the lever arm 174 extends radially outwardly from a ring-shaped, core portion 185 of the wheel 176. It can also be seen that the wheel 176 also has a flange portion 184, radially extending, similar to a plate partially enclosing the core portion 185, and a spring receiving portion 188 formed in the flange portion 184. The wheel also has a hook portion 186 extending radially from the portion 185 of the core. Preferably, the wheel 176 is formed integrally from a molded plastic material. Figure 6 shows the lever arm 174 in its position in the opposite direction to the. clock hands further, as limited by the action of the cable 100 and the most rearward position that can be assumed by the connector 78 in its inoperative position. Figure 6 also shows the connection of the Boden wire assembly to the control mechanism 110. As shown, the adjacent end of the flexible tube 101 is fixed to the frame assembly 130. The adjacent end of the cable cable 100 is bonded around and fixed to the hook portion 186. When the connector 78 moves to its operative position 96, the cable 100 will be tensioned to cause the clockwise movement of the wheel 176 in Figure 6 against the force of a spiral spring 190 connected between the portion 188 receiving the spring and a connecting portion 194 of the shield housing 113. This can be clearly seen in Figure 8. As can also be seen from Figure 8, the movement of the wheel in this manner causes the lever arm 174 to exit the coupling with the plastic coupling member 196 of the member. 164 to allow pivotal movement of the detent member 164 around the tang members 166. The biasing force of the leaf spring 170 forces this pivotal movement of the detent 164 until it engages one of the ratchet teeth 180, as shown in Figure 9. Once the retainer member 164 couples one of the teeth 180, the coil 120 can not rotate in the clockwise direction in Figure 9, and the reels 64 are thus prevented from unrolling the belts 62.

In Figure 9, the deviation of the coil 120 via the spring assembly 200 (eg, see Figure 5) can move the ratchet member 158 in a counterclockwise direction when an excess amount of loose part remains in belts 62, even after the child seat belt assembly is locked between the legs of a child seat occupant. The detent member 164 will then engage the next tooth within the teeth 180 to retain the belts 162 slightly tensioned on the shoulders of the child's seat occupant at all times. It will be appreciated that the degree of tension can be controlled to some degree by the space between the teeth 180 and the degree of deflection force provided by the spring assembly 200.

OPERATION OF THE AUTOMATIC ACCOMMODATION TO THE SIZE OF THE CHILD Referring now more particularly to Figure 10, this Figure illustrates how the child seat belt assembly 60 is retained to automatically accommodate the small child, such as a child of 9.08 Kilograms (20 pounds), the head and the shoulders of the same are shown in solid line strokes in Figure 10 as well as a large child, such as a child of 27.24 Kilograms (60 pounds), the head and shoulders of which are shown as dashed lines in Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, each of the shoulder belts 62 when the child seat belt assembly 60 is in a restraint condition includes a generally straight portion that extends forward from a position. back of a support surface, which is indicated at 202 in Figure 10, as being the surface provided by the removable cushion pad 40 when it is compressed by the engagement of a child with it. It will be noted that each of the pair of horizontally spaced and horizontally aligned openings 134 formed in an upper end of the rear panel 80 receives the straight portions downwardly. In a similar manner, the upper end of the padded, removable pad 44 is provided with a pair of horizontally spaced, horizontally aligned openings, indicated at 204, which equally receive the straight portions of the shoulder belts 62. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the upper end portion of the padded, removable pad 44 includes a pair of cap portions 206 that include free ends and that extend in front of an upper portion of the openings 134 in the backup panel 80 As best shown in Figure 11, the free end of each lid portion 206 is formed with a row of hooks 208 and a cooperating row of clips 210 is mounted in a section. 212 that extends from the adjacent portion of the cushion pad 40, removable. In this way, the shoulder belts 62, during assembly, can extend through the openings 134 and 204 by simply lowering them through the openings 134 in the back panel 80 and in the openings 204 after decoupling the free ends of the lid portions 206. After the belts 62 have been inserted into the openings 134 and 204, the lid portions 206 are secured in place by interconnecting the rows 208 and 210 of hooks and clips. The lid construction is particularly desirable in the padded pad 40, removable as it clearly facilitates removal. As shown in Figure 10, the child seat belt assembly 60 is constructed and arranged to automatically accommodate any particular child within a nominal size range between a child of 9.08 Kilograms (20 pounds) and a child of 27.24 Kilograms. (60 pounds) without the 62 straight portions thereof having any appreciable forward and upward extension even for a child of 27.24 Kilograms (60 pounds) or any appreciable interference with the ear even for a child of 9.08 Kilograms (20 pounds) . This relationship is clearly evident from the illustrations contained in Figure 10. Automatic accommodation is achieved by restricting the straight portions to extend forward from the support surface 202 automatically from progressively smaller levels and progressively greater angles to the horizontal as the particular child maintained in the holding condition of the child seat belt assembly 60 is of progressively decreasing size within a range between a child of 9.08 Kilograms (20 pounds) and a child of 27.24 Kilograms (60 pounds).

More specifically, each of the straight shoulder belt portions 62 is clamped to extend rearwardly to one of a pair of horizontally spaced and horizontally aligned clamping positions provided by the seat backrest frame assembly 20. of the support surface 202. As shown in Figure 10, the reels 64 provide the holding positions and the support for them is provided through the seat back support assembly 20 through the frame assembly 130 of the spool mechanism. This preferred arrangement makes it possible to make the backing panel 80 a lighter and less expensive material construction than is the case where the backing panel must resist the load. The size accommodating principles of the present invention are not limited to the child seat belt assembly 60 which has been described heretofore and which is more specifically described and claimed in the concurrently filed application, Document No. 148, entitled "CHILD SEAT, INTEGRATED WITH RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY OF CHILD SEAT BELT", which designates the following inventors: Matteh E. Dukatz, Jeffrey T. Lambert, Fred C. Kres and, Jay P. McCarthy, Fredrick Schreier, Stephen A Sharples, Gary Staniszewski, Lawrence Vigneau and Richard Wilson. Document No. 148 constitutes an updated version of an application. The document 114, also presented concurrently with the present which has the same title and the same inventors but which describes an earlier version of the subject. The present invention does not depend on the details that are described and claimed in the concurrently filed, prior applications. The child seat belt assembly 60 is illustrative of a five-point system embodiment in which fastening and unlocking is under the control of a shield portion 74 with a latching mechanism 76 that engages a fastener 78. Built-in child seat and adjustment for size is achieved by 64 reels for shoulder belts 62 connected to the back of the child seat, upper that are normally capable of being wound on a reel under the spring pressure and manually unwound but locked against unwinding when the shield portion 74 engages with the spacer 78 engaging in the child's seat. The principles of the present invention are applicable to three-point systems and four-point systems as well as five-point systems, which are greatly preferred. The principles of the present invention are applicable to reel systems where the reel or reels are placed either below the back of the child seat or on the child seat where the belt portions that are wound on the reel are the shoulder belts, Belts on knees or belt with fork. Further, the manner in which the reels are controlled can be in accordance with any known arrangement, as for example, they can normally be moved under spring deflection and are held against unwinding only when a predetermined case is perceived. The principles of the present invention are applicable to systems in which release and fixation are provided in any known manner in addition to the arrangement shown. Furthermore, the system does not need to be a system with reel winding but can be any known manual winding system, such as for example the system shown in the patent 756 discussed previously.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, it will be understood that the straight portions 62 are formed when the complete child seat belt assembly 60 is placed in its secure condition with respect to the child sitting on the child seat. In this embodiment, the straight portions 62 extend forward in tangential relation below the reels 64. When a child of 9.08 kilograms (20 pounds) is accommodated, the shoulder belt portions 62, straight extend from the positions of that are tangential to the spool forward and downward beyond the support surface 202 and then straight down to a point near the shoulders of the small child. The holding position is approximately 3.81 centimeters (1.5 inches) (horizontal distance) from the support surface 202. The distance of shoulder height between a child of 20 and a child of 27.24 Kilograms (60 pounds) is approximately 17.78 centimeters (7 inches). The holding position is chosen so that, in the straight extension towards the shoulders of a large child, the straight portions are generally horizontal as shown. The range of motion of the straight portions on the support surface is approximately 5.08 centimeters (2 inches). When they extend to the shoulders of a small child, the straight portions are at an angle that is approximately 50 °. The overall horizontal degree of the straight portions of the shoulder belts to accommodate the child of 27.24 Kilograms (60 pounds) prevents the belt from moving significantly backward if it is stressed in an emergency. In this way, a desirable characteristic is, as stated above, that, in the accommodation of the large child, the straight portions must not have a significant upward and forward extension or appreciable. The angular extent that the straight portions 62 extend downward when accommodating the small child keep the straight portions from interfering with the small child's ears. If the seat belts were allowed to come directly down from the same level with respect to the surface 202 to accommodate the smaller child, there could be interference with the ear. By moving the positions of the clamp backward of the support surface 202, automatic size accommodation is achieved while maintaining a straight line to the clamping position. As previously indicated, it is not essential in the principles of the present invention to have the fastening positions determined by the reels 64. Figure 12 illustrates another embodiment, wherein, a child seat belt mounting location that includes the reels 64 that are mounted on the upper end of the seat backrest, the child seat belt assembly 60 is of the type where the shoulder belts extend over the fastening positions and down either to be combined in a belt and extend forward through a unidirectional lock in front of the child's seat to allow for manual adjustment or for the down-mounted reels in addition to the seat backrest. As shown in Figure 12, the back panel 80 is provided with a pair of horizontally spaced, horizontally spaced, rectangular openings 214 that are spaced from the edge of the upper portion thereof in place of the openings 132 previously described. In addition, a bottom wall portion 216 extends integrally from the bottom edge of each opening 214 up and back, the two side wall portions 218 extend integrally backward from the sides of each opening 214, and a portion 220 The top wall portion extends from the top of each opening 214 and from the back panel 80 between them backward and includes a flange portion 222 extending upwardly. The trailing edge of each lower wall portion 216 spans the trailing edge of the upper wall portion 220 to allow passage of a shoulder belt therethrough. The child seat belt assembly 60, modified in its clamping condition provides the same shoulder belt portions 62, previously mentioned straights extending from the clamping positions. The fastening positions are provided by two bullet portions 224 formed in a support, indicated generally at 226. As best shown in Figure 13, the support 226 includes two end legs 228 terminating in the open flat portions 230 of adequate way to receive the pins. The bullet portions 224 extend from the opposite ends of the legs 228 towards one of the opposite ends thereof interconnected by an inverted U-shaped section, the central portion of which is flattened as indicated at 232 and provided with openings to receive the pins. The flattened end portions 230 are coupled to the rigid frame of the seat back support assembly 20 and the central portion 232 is fixed by a pin to the flange 222 provided in the upper wall portion 220. The shoulder belts 62 extend around the bullet portions 224 and downwardly as mentioned above either to the reels that are provided in the backrest or seat or are combined as mentioned above to form a belt extending forward. Towards the front of the seat through a unidirectional safety that moves to make the manual adjustment. Figure 14 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, wherein the construction with walls of the back panel 80, as shown in Figure 2, is again used with the support 226. In this embodiment, the shoulder belts 62 extend to the securing portions 224 as fastening positions but have their ends fixed thereto, as indicated at 234. With this embodiment, adjustment must be provided either on the bifurcated belt or the belt portions of the belt. Any of the US Patent or US Patent Applications mentioned or cited therein above are incorporated herein by reference in this specification. In this way, it will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively achieved. However, it will be understood that the above preferred specific embodiment has been shown and described for the purpose of this invention and is subject to change without departing from these principles. Therefore, this invention includes all the modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the present invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it refers. Having described the present invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property:

Claims (14)

1. An integrated vehicle seat for selectively providing an adult seat in an adult seat mode and a child seat in a child seat mode, characterized in that it comprises: a seat cushion assembly constructed and arranged to be mounted in a vehicle in a position to allow an adult occupant of the vehicle to sit therein in an operative position, a seat backrest mounting assembly mounted with respect to the seat cushion assembly to be placed in a fixed relation, operative with it, side cushions carried by the seat back support assembly in separated positions at a sufficient distance to define a space to receive the child between the side cushions of a size to allow a child to be placed between the side cushions, a plurality of cushion assemblies mounted on the seatback support assembly including a movable cushion assembly constructed and arranged with respect to the seat back support assembly to be moved between (1) an adult mode position wherein the plurality of cushion assemblies that include the movable cushion assembly are placed within the space between the side cushions and provide with these an adult backrest support, cushioned to engage the backrest of an adult seat occupant sitting on the seat cushion assembly and (2) a child-like position where the movable cushion assembly is mounted. extends from the space between the side cushions in rest relation to the seat cushion assembly and the plurality of cushion assemblies that include the movable cushion assembly provide a child seat, cushioned extending from the bottom of the space in relation to Rest to the seat cushion assembly, a child seat backrest, padded that extends upwards from the child seat, cushioned inside the space between the side cushions that provide a support surface when coupled to the child's back, and a cushioned support for the child's head, above the cushioned child seat backrest, and a child seat belt assembly constructed and arranged to be operable when the movable seat assembly is in the child mode position thereof to be moved manually between (1) a restraint condition that allows a child in a sitting position in the child seat, cushion to be held in this way and (2) a released condition that allows (A) the entry of a child into a sitting position in the cushioned child seat prior to restraint or (B) the exit of a child from a sitting position in a seat as a child, cushioned after fastening, the child seat belt assembly that includes a pair of shoulder belts or straps that extend from the child seat back, cushioned, over the shoulders of a child in a sitting position in the child seat, cushioned, each of the shoulder belts when the child seat belt assembly is in the holding condition that includes a generally straight portion extending towards forward from a backward position of the supporting surface through a space in the child seat backrest, padded, which accommodates the same to a position adjacent to the child's shoulder, the child seat belt assembly being constructed and arranges to automatically accommodate any particular child within a nominal size range between a child of 9.08 Kilograms (20 pounds) and a child of 27.24 Kilograms (60 pounds) without the straight portions having any appreciable extension forward and upwardly for a child of 27.24 Kilograms (60 pounds) or any appreciable interference with the ear even for a child of 9.08 Kilograms (20 pounds), the assembly of child seat belt that is constructed and arranged to achieve the aforementioned automatic accommodation by restricting straight portions extending forward from the support surface automatically from progressively lower levels to progressively greater angles to the horizontal as the particular child maintained in the holding condition of the child seat belt assembly is progressively decreasing in size within the range.

2. A vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable cushion assembly includes a frame structure constructed and arranged to extend generally forward from a lower portion of the seat back support assembly when the movable cushion assembly is in the child mode position thereof, a structural connection between the frame structure and the seat back support assembly constructed and arranged to allow the movable cushion assembly to move between the adult mode and mode positions as a child, the movable cushion assembly that includes the cushioning material attached to the frame structure in a position to be placed (1) generally below the frame structure when the movable cushion assembly is in the mode position of child and (2) in general forward of the frame structure between the side cushions when the mounting of the The movable is in the adult mode position, the child seat belt assembly when in the holding condition with respect to a child in a sitting position in the cushioned child seat, which extends down between the legs of the child to a holding point provided by the frame structure.

3. A vehicle seat according to claim 2, characterized in that the child seat belt assembly when in the fastening condition also includes knee belt portions, constructed and arranged to be fastened separately on opposite sides of the mounting. of movable cushion and together on the knees of a child who holds.

4. A vehicle seat according to claim 3, characterized in that the seat back support assembly includes a seat back frame structure, to which the side cushions are attached and a backrest panel of a size to fit inside. of the space between the side cushions fixedly mounted in the forward seat backrest frame structure within a rear portion of the space between the side cushions, the plurality of cushion assemblies including a mounted head support cushion assembly in the seat back frame structure in a position to extend above the space between the side cushions, and a padded, removable pad that includes a seat portion removably attached to the frame structure of the movable cushion to form with Movable cushion assembly, child seat assembly, cushion and a fixed backrest removably attached to the back panel to extend to the head support cushion to form with the backrest panel and the head support cushion, the child seat backrest, cushion and the head support, the structure of the movable cushion mount frame which is pivoted to the back panel so that the back panel, the movable cushion and the cushion pad constitute a child seat module.

5. A vehicle seat according to claim 4, characterized in that the back panel and the removable cushion pad have openings therein through which the shoulder belt or strap portions extend straight.

6. A vehicle seat according to claim 5, characterized in that the straight shoulder belt portions are clamped to extend to an area of a pair of horizontally spaced and horizontally aligned fastening positions provided by the seat back frame structure. backward of a surface of the backrest panel coupled by the padded, removable pad.

7. A vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the straight shoulder belt portions is integral with a continuous belt portion wound around a spool supported rotatably by the seat back frame structure. , each of the shoulder belt portions, straight extending from an associated holding position tangentially below the associated, continuous portion wound around the associated spool.

8. A vehicle seat according to claim 7, characterized in that the openings in the back panel receiving the straight belt or shoulder strap portions open towards the upper end of the back panel to allow the straight portions to move downwardly in the openings in the back panel, the padded, removable pad has portions above the openings therein that include free ends detachably connected to the adjacent pad portions.

9. A vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the straight shoulder belt portions is integral with a continuous belt portion extending downwardly from an associated fastening position provided by a support secured to the belt. Frame structure of seat backrest and backrest panel.

10. A vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized in that the straight shoulder belt portions have a rear end fixed in an associated fastening position to a support fixed to the seat back frame structure and the backrest panel. .

11. A vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the straight shoulder belt portions are clamped to extend to one of a pair of horizontally spaced and horizontally aligned clamping positions provided by the seat back support assembly towards behind the support surface.

12. A vehicle seat according to claim 11, characterized in that each of the straight shoulder belt portions is integral with a continuous belt portion wound around a spool supported rotatably by the seat back support assembly. , each of the shoulder belt portions, straights extending from an associated holding position tangentially below the associated continuous portion wound around the associated spool.

13. A vehicle seat according to claim 11, characterized in that each of the shoulder, straight, belt portions is integral with a continuous belt portion extending downwardly from an associated fastening position provided by a support fixed to the belt. Seat back support mounting.

14. A vehicle seat according to claim 11, characterized in that each of the straight shoulder belt portions has a rear end fixed in an associated fastening position to a support fixed in the seat back support assembly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An integrated vehicle seat to selectively provide an adult seat in an adult seat mode and a child seat in a child seat mode, the child seat that includes a child seat belt assembly that includes a pair of belts or shoulder straps that extend from the back of the child's seat, cushioned on the shoulders of a child in a sitting position on the child's seat, cushioned. Each of the shoulder belts when the child seat belt assembly is in the fastening position, which includes a generally straight portion extending forward from a rearward position of a support surface provided by the backrest of the child seat belt. child seat through a space in the child seat backrest that accommodates the child to a position adjacent to the child's shoulder. The child seat belt assembly is constructed and arranged to automatically accommodate any particular child within a nominal size range between a child of 9.08 Kilograms (20 pounds) and a child of 27.24 Kilograms (60 pounds) without the straight portions have any appreciable extension forward and upward even for a child of 27.24 Kilograms (60 pounds) or no appreciable interference with the ear even for a child of 9.08 Kilograms (20 pounds). The child seat belt assembly is constructed and arranged to achieve the aforementioned automatic accommodation by restricting the straight portions extending forward from the support surface automatically from progressively lower levels to progressively greater angles to the horizontal as The particular child maintained in the holding condition of the child seat belt assembly is progressively decreasing in size within the range.