WO2001038130A1

WO2001038130A1 - Child safety seat

Info

Publication number: WO2001038130A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/001465
Authority: WO
Inventors: William James Bowtell
Original assignee: Igc (Australia) Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1999-11-26
Filing date: 2000-11-27
Publication date: 2001-05-31
Also published as: AU1842701A; AUPQ434999A0

Abstract

A child safety seat for use on a vehicle seat having a squab and a backrest, the child safety seat including a base (10) with a front (12), a rear (14) and two parallel and spaced-apart sides (16) extending between the front (12) and the rear (14) sides, a rebound stop member (18) slidably moveable relative to the base (10) between a first and second position wherein the child safety seat is reclined and relatively upright respectively, and a third position wherein the rebound stop member (18) extends forwardly and upwardly of the front side (12) so as to contact the vehicle seat backrest and substantially prevent rebound of the child safety seat when in a rearwardly facing configuration, the rebound stop member (18) and the spaced-apart sides (16) having pin and groove means (32, 36) respectively to enable the relative slideable movement, and to define the first, second and third positions.

Description

CHILD SAFETY SEAT

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a child safety seat and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to a child safety seat able to be used in type A (rear facing) and type B (forward facing) configurations.

Background of the Invention

The development of child safety seats for use in motor vehicles has been quite rapid from the first prototype seats which were in use approximately 20 years ago. After a period of time, it was realised that a baby in the first six months of its life was more likely to withstand a major collision of the vehicle if they were contained in a capsule or other device which was rear facing.

In the last few years there have been a number of proposals for child safety seats which are useable in the forward facing configuration (type B), as well as rear facing configuration (type A) for babies in the first six months. For example, Australian patent 700825 shows a child safety seat useable in both type A and type B configurations. When in the type A configuration there is the danger that the safety seat can "rebound" towards the vehicle seat backrest. The problem of rebound occurs in the event of a front end vehicle collision, when the child safety seat initially moves forwardly and downwardly under the weight of the child. Upon the tether strap being extended to its maximum length, the child safety seat will rebound, with the danger of the child safety seat pivoting about the junction of its base and back, and allowing the child to contact the vehicle seat backrest. This can cause injury to the child. Australian Patent 700826 seeks to address this problem by having a rebound stop member which in the type A configuration extends up the backrest of the vehicle seat substantially preventing rebound movement of the safety seat in a vehicle collision. In type B, C and E configurations of the safety seat, the rebound stop member pivots out of the way and does not interfere with the operation of the safety seat. A slideable arrangement of similar effect is shown in Australian patent application AUA49215/97.

In all of these instances when in the type B configuration the rebound stop member is intended to be placed in a position where it has no effect upon the operation of the child safety seat.

In recent years it has additionally been required for the child safety seat to be able to recline so that, upon the child wishing to be in a more relaxed position for long journeys or to have a nap, the child safety seat can be reclined. To satisfy this extra mechanisms have been added. This requires a user to operate two different mechanisms. It also increases cost.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a child safety seat with a rebound stop member which when in the type B configuration forms part of the structure of the child safety seat and assists in its operation.

An alternative object is to provide a child safety seat which is able to be reclined when in type B configuration and wherein the rebound stop member is involved in the recline mechanism.

Summary of the Invention

With the above and other objects in mind the present invention provides a child safety seat for use on a vehicle seat having a squab and a backrest; the child safety seat including a base with a front, a rear, and two parallel and spaced-apart sides extending between the front and the rear; there being provided a rebound stop member slideably moveable relative to the base between a first position wherein the child safety seat is reclined, and a second position wherein the child safety seat is relatively upright, and a third position wherein the rebound stop member extends forwardly and upwardly of the front so as to contact the vehicle seat backrest when in a rearwardly facing configuration; on each of the sides, one of the rebound stop member and the side having pin means to engage in groove means in the other to enable the relative slideable movement, and to define the first, second and third positions. Preferably, the pin means includes a pair of pins each securely mounted to the respective side. More preferably, the rebound stop member has a first part with a first groove in which the pin is located. Furthermore, the rebound stop member may have a second part with a second pin extending towards the first part, the second pin engaging in a second groove in the first part.

Advantageously, the first groove has a front end and a rear end, the pin being at the front end when the rebound stop member is in the first position. More advantageously, the pin is at the rear end when the rebound stop member is in the second position.

It is preferred that the second groove has a forward end and a back end.

More preferably the second pin is at the back end when the rebound stop member is in the first and second positions, and is at the forward end when the rebound stop member is in the third position.

It is preferred that the forward end has a downwardly and rearwardly directed extension in which the second pin can locate when the rebound stop member is in the third position.

Preferably, there is provided a pivot link pivotally mounted to each side adjacent the rear, and pivotally mounted to the rebound stop member. More preferably, the mounting to the rebound stop member is to the first part of the rebound stop member adjacent a rear thereof.

In an alternative form, the present invention provides a child safety seat for use on a vehicle having a squab and a backrest; the child safety seat including a base with a front, a rear, and two parallel and spaced-apart sides extending between the front and the rear; there being provided a rebound stop member moveable relative to the base between a first position wherein the child safety seat is reclined, a second position wherein the child safety seat is relatively upright, and a third position wherein the rebound stop member extends forwardly at the front; and wherein the rebound stop member, when in the first and second positions, forms at least part of the child safety seat contact with the vehicle seat squab; and wherein the rebound stop member contacts the vehicle seat backrest when in the third position and the child safety seat is rearwardly facing.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a child safety seat for use on a vehicle seat having a squab and a backrest; the child safety seat including a base with a front, a rear and two parallel and spaced-apart sides extending between the front and the rear; there being provided a rebound stop member moveable relative to the base between a first position and a second position by pivotal movement, the rebound stop member being pivotally attached to the sides adjacent the front.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention may be readily understood there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments incorporating the principal features of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the lower portion of a child safety seat showing one embodiment of the present invention in a first position, hidden parts are shown in broken lines;

Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 in a second position, with all parts shown in solid lines;

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figures 1 and 2 in a third position, with all parts shown in solid lines;

Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of a base for the second embodiment;

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 of the second embodiment, with all parts shown in solid lines;

Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 of the second embodiment, with all parts shown in solid lines; and

Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 of the second embodiment, with all parts shown in solid lines.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

In Figures 1 to 3, there is illustrated the lower end of a child safety seat incorporating a first embodiment of the present invention.

The child safety seat has a squab, backrest, and side restraints (all not shown). The safety seat may also have upper restraints (not shown) to prevent lateral movement of the child's head. The child safety seat has a base 10, the base having a front 12, rear 14, and two parallel, spaced-apart sides 16 extending between the front 12 and the rear 14. Only one side 16 is illustrated. The other side 16 is the same as that illustrated, but is the mirror image of it.

Relatively moveably attached to each side 16 is a rebound stop member 18. Each rebound stop member 18 has a first, inner part 20 adjacent the side 16 of the safety seat, and a second, outer part 22 spaced from the respective side 16 of the safety seat by first inner part 20. The first part 20 is generally rectangular and is slideably and pivotally attached to the side 16. The pivotal attachment is by a pivot link 24 which is pivotally attached to side 16 by its upper end 26 at pivot point 27. At its lower end 28 the pivot link 24 is pivotally attached to a rear 30 of the first part 20 at pivot point 29. The attachment to rear 30 is intermediate the height of rear 30, at approximately the mid-height of rear 30.

The slidable attachment of first part 20 to side 16 is by means of a fixed pin 32 attached to side 16 intermediate its length, preferably approximate the centre of side 16. Fixed pin 32 is also proximate to the lower edge 34 of side 16. Fixed pin 32 engages in a first groove 36 on inner surface of first part 20. First groove 36 extends longitudinally along the inner surface of first part 20, i.e. the surface of the first part that is facing the adjacent side 16, and has a front end 38 and a rear end 40. Groove 36 is preferably undercut such that in cross section it is substantially "T" in shape, with the fixed pin 32 being correspondingly shaped, and being appropriately dimensioned. Alternatively, the first part 20 may have fixed to it the pin 32, with side 16 having groove 36.

Referring to Figure 1 , the child safety seat is shown in its rest position, wherein the child safety seat is reclined when in the type B configuration. In this configuration, fixed pin 32 is located at the front end 38 of groove 36.

The front end 38 and rear end 40 of groove 36 define the limits of movement of the first part 20 relative to side 16. In addition, the length of pivot link 24 will also provide a limitation to that relative movement. It is to be further noted that due to the geometry of the various components, the upper edge of the rear 30 of the first part 20 will contact the undersurface 42 of the back 44 of the base 10 when in the position shown in Figure 1. This further defines a limitation in movement.

On its outer surface, i.e. the surface facing away from side 16, the first part 20 has a second groove 46 which, like the first groove 36, is preferably undercut and is either "T" or inverted "L" (as shown) shape in cross section. The second groove 46 cooperates with a similarly shaped and appropriately sized second pin 48 which is mounted on the inner surface, i.e. the adjacent surface, of second part 22 approximate the rear end 50 thereof, and intermediate the height of rear end 50. It is preferably at approximately the mid-point of the height of rear end 50.

The second groove 46 has a forward end 52 and a back end 54. The forward end 52 has an extension 56 extending rearwardly and downwardly.

As described above, the configuration position illustrated in Figure 1 is a first position where the safety seat is in a reclined position in type B configuration. To move the child safety seat to a more upright position whilst still being in type B configuration, the first part 20 is slid generally forwardly, with outer part 22, such that first groove 36 slides over fixed pin 32, and pivot link 24 pivots about the upper pivot point 27 to the position shown in Figure 2. As can be seen in Figure 1 , the fixed pin 32 is located at front end 38 of first groove 36. When the child safety seat is in the reclined position shown in Figure 1 , the second pin 48 is located at the back end 54 of second groove 46. The location of the second pin 48 does not change when the child safety seat is moved to the more upright position shown in Figure 2. However, the slidable movement of the first part 20 relative to fixed pin 32 results in fixed pin 32 is being located at the rear end 40 of first groove 36 when the child safety seat is in the more upright position.

To move to the third position - that required for a type A configuration - the second part 22 is moved slideably forwardly such that second pin 46 moves from back end 54 of second groove 46 to the forward end 52 of second groove 46. The second part 22 is then pivoted about second pin 48, and second pin 48 moved downwardly until it is located in extension 56. In this position, the second part 22 adopts a position where it is extending forwardly and upwardly of front 12. The outer end 62 of second part 22 is to be located above the centre of gravity of a child in the seat when in type A position. That requires the second part 22 to be of sufficient length to achieve this result.

As there are two sides 16 and thus two second parts 22, there may be provided a transverse crossbar (not shown) joining the outermost ends 62 of the two second parts 22.

Furthermore, when in the position shown in Figure 3, the upper surface 66 of second part 22 contacts the lower surface 58 of front portion 60 of base 10. The second part 22 is securely held in position by virtue of the location of second pin 48 in extension 56, and the contact of the upper surface 66 against lower surface 58. To reverse this situation requires the second part 22 to be initially moved generally upwardly in the direction of the longitudinal axis of groove extension 56 to enable second pin 48 to locate in second groove 46 and then to move rearwardly therein.

The first part 20 has a lower surface 64 and the second part 22 has a lower surface 68. As can be seen from Figure 2, when in the second position the lower surfaces 64, 68 are closely aligned and are below the lower edge 34 of sides 16. When in the second position, shown in Figure 2, the child safety seat rests upon the rebound stop member 18. When in the recline position shown in Figure 1 , again the child safety seat rests on lower surfaces 64, 68. The lower surfaces 64, 68 may be generally coplanar with lower edge 34, or below lower edge 34.

Reference will now be made to Figures 4 to 7 where like reference numerals are used for like components, but with the addition of a prefix number "2", thereby designating the second embodiment.

Illustrated in Figure 4 is a base 210 for use with the child safety seat. The base 210 has a front 212, rear 214 and two parallel but spaced apart sides 216 extending between front 212 and rear 214. Each of the sides 216 is in the form of a hollow, inverted "U" shaped channel 208 which has a top 206, an outer side 204, and an inner side 202.

Referring to Figure 5 to 7, pivotally mounted to each side 216 is a rebound stop member 218. Each rebound stop member 218 has a first part 220, a second part 222 and a third part 270. Each rebound stop member 218 is pivotally attached to its respective side 216 by means of a pivot pin 276 passing through holes 278 in sides 202, 204 adjacent the front 212. The rebound stop members 218 are generally located within each enclosed channel 208.

The operation of each rebound stop member, and its configuration, is shown in Figures 5 through to 7.

The first part 220 of each rebound stop member is an irregular rectangular shape, while the second part 222 is elongated and, towards its outer end 262, tapers to be of lesser height. The outer ends 262 of second part 222 may be joined by a transverse member 286, if desired. The third part 270 is somewhat rhombic in shape and has a groove 236 therein which cooperates with a pin 232 affixed to side 216. The groove 236 has an upper end 238 and lower end 240. The first part 220 has an upper surface 284, with second part 222 having an upper surface 266.

Also pivotally attached to side 16 adjacent rear 214 is a pivot stay 224 which has an upper end 226 and a lower end 228. The lower end 228 is of enlarged dimensions and has a curved front face 280, and a lower face 282. The location of the pivotal connection 227 of pivot stay 224 to sides 216 is in an enlarged rear portion 272 of side 216. The enlarged rear portion 272 of side 216 has a front wall 274.

In Figure 5 the device is shown in the first or reclined position. In this position the third part 270 has moved arcuately upwardly so that pin 232 locates in lower end 240 of groove 236. This provides a limit of movement of third part 270. First part 220 and second part 222 have also moved arcuately about pivot pin 276 to be in an upper position. At this point the upper surface 266 of second part 222 contacts curved front face 280 of lower end 228 of pivot stay 224. Furthermore, the upper surface 266 contacts the generally horizontally and outwardly extending squab 288 of seat portion 290. This again provides a limit of movement. Pivot stay 224 contacts surface 242 to limit its arcuate movement in the upwards direction.

To move from the first position of Figure 5 to the second position of Figure 6, the child safety seat is generally raised relative to the rebound stop member 218. Therefore, the pin 232 moves to upper end 238 of groove 236 to again provide a limit of movement so that the arcuate movement of the child safety seat is not excessive. The first part 220, second part 222 and third part 270 retain their relative positions.

At this time the pivot stay 224 is pivoted about its upper end 226 and lower face 282 placed on upper surface 284 of first part 220. This then provides a stability in that the child safety seat is held in the correct angular position relative to rebound stop member 218. The contact of lower face 282 on upper surface 284 of the first part 220 is adjacent the rear 230 of first part 220. Pivot stay 224 contacts wall 274 of the side 216 to limit its arcuate movement in the forward direction.

To move to the third position - that required for type A configuration - the second part 222 is pivoted downwardly and forwardly about pin 276 until its lower surface 268 contacts the lower surface 258 of front portion 260 of seat portion 290. That contact provides a limit of arcuate movement of second part 222. In this position, for type A configuration, the upper surface 266 of second part 222 contacts the backrest portion of the vehicle seat. The outer end 262 of second part 222 is to be located above the centre of gravity of a child in the seat when in type A position. That requires the second part 222 to be of sufficient length to achieve this result.

First part 220 and third part 270 remain in the position as shown in Figure 6. Therefore, the pivot stay 224 is in its forward position. In this way, the first part 220 and second part 222 assist in the stability of the child safety seat upon the vehicle seat by providing a greater surface area of contact which, in this instance, is by end 230 of first part 220, and the outermost wall of enlarged part 272 which, as can be seen from Figure 7, are generally co-planar.

If desired, the third part 270 and first part 220 may be securely attached to each other as their angular positions relative to each other do not change. Furthermore, they may be integral, if desired.

If desired, locking mechanisms (not shown) may be used to assist in the locking in any one or more of the first, second or third positions of any one or more of the first part 220, second part 222, or third part 270.

The first part 220 has a lower surface 264 and second part 222 has a lower surface 268. As can be seen from Figure 6, when in the second position the lower surfaces 264, 268 are generally coplanar and are below the lower edge 234 of sides 216. In this way, the child safety seat actually rests upon the rebound stop member 218 when in the more used - generally upright - position of type B configuration. Furthermore, when in the recline position shown in Figure 5, again the child safety seat rests on lower surfaces 264, 268. The lower surfaces 264, 268 can be coplanar with lower edge 234, or below lower edge 234.

Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of child safety seats incorporating the principal features of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1 A child safety seat for use on a vehicle seat having a squab and a backrest; the child safety seat including a base with a front, a rear, and two parallel and spaced-apart sides extending between the front and the rear; there being provided a rebound stop member slideably moveable relative to the base between a first position wherein the child safety seat is reclined, and a second position wherein the child safety seat is relatively upright, and a third position wherein the rebound stop member extends forwardly and upwardly of the front so as to contact the vehicle seat backrest and substantially prevent rebound of the child safety seat when in a rearwardly facing configuration; on each of the sides, one of the rebound stop member and the side having pin means to engage in groove means in the other to enable the relative slideable movement, and to define the first, second and third positions.

2 A child safety seat according to claim 1 , wherein the pin means includes a pair of pins each securely mounted to the respective side of the safety seat.

3 A child safety seat according to claim 2, wherein the rebound stop member has a first part with a first groove in which the pin is located.

4 A child safety seat according to claim 3, wherein the first groove has a front end and a rear end, the pin being at the front end when the rebound stop member is in the first position.

5 A child safety seat according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the pin is at the rear end when the rebound stop member is in the second position.

6 A child safety seat according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the rebound stop member has a second part with a second pin extending towards the first part, the second pin engaging in a second groove in the first part. A child safety seat according to claim 6, wherein the second groove has a forward end and a back end, the second pin being at the back end when the rebound stop member is in the first and second positions, and being at the forward end when the rebound stop member is in the third position.

A child safety seat according to claim 7, wherein the forward end has a downwardly and rearwardly directed extension in which the second pin can locate when the rebound stop member is in the third position.

A child safety seat according to claim 1 or 2, further including a pivot link pivotally mounted to each side of the safety seat adjacent the rear, and pivotally mounted to the rebound stop member.

A child safety seat according to any one of claims 3 to 9, further including a pivot link pivotally mounted to each side of the safety seat adjacent the rear, and pivotally mounted to the rebound stop member.

A child safety seat according to claim 10, wherein the mounting of the pivot link to the rebound stop member is to the first part of the rebound stop member adjacent a rear thereof.

A child safety seat according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second part has an outer end, and wherein the outer end is located above the centre of gravity of a child in the seat when in the rearwardly facing configuration.

A child safety seat for use on a vehicle having a squab and a backrest; the child safety seat including a base with a front, a rear, and two parallel and spaced-apart sides extending between the front and the rear; there being provided a rebound stop member moveable relative to the base between a first position wherein the child safety seat is relatively upright, a second position wherein the child safety seat is reclined, and a third position wherein the rebound stop member extends forwardly at the front; and wherein the rebound stop member, when in the first and second positions, forms at least part of the child safety seat contact with the vehicle seat squab; and wherein the rebound stop member contacts the vehicle seat backrest when in the third position and the child safety seat is rearwardly facing.

A child safety seat according to claim 13, wherein the rebound stop member is pivotably mounted to each of the spaced-apart sides of the safety seat, at the front thereof, at a pivot point.

A child safety seat according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the rebound stop member includes a first part, a second part, and a third part.

A child safety seat according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further including a pivot link pivotally mounted to each side of the safety seat adjacent the rear.

A child safety seat according to claim 15, wherein the third part has a groove therein which cooperates with a pin affixed to the side of the safety seat, the groove having an upper end and a lower end.

A child safety seat according to claim 17, wherein the pin is at the lower end of the groove, and the pivot link is rearwardly facing, when the rebound stop member is in the first position.

A child safety seat according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the pin is at the upper end of the groove, and the pivot link is forwardly facing, when the rebound stop member is in the second position.

A child safety seat according to claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein the pin is at the upper end of groove, the pivot link is forwardly facing, and the second part is pivoted about the pivot point until its lower surface contacts the vehicle seat backrest, when the rebound stop member is in the third position.

A child safety seat according to claim 20, wherein the second part has an outer end, and wherein the outer end is located above the centre of gravity of a child in the seat when in the rearwardly facing configuration.

A child safety seat for use on a vehicle seat having a squab and a backrest; the child safety seat including a base with a front, a rear and two parallel and spaced-apart sides extending between the front and the rear; there being provided a rebound stop member moveable relative to the base between a first position and a second position by pivotal movement, the rebound stop member being pivotally attached to the sides adjacent the front.