WO2010128468A1

WO2010128468A1 - A child' s seat for carrying a child in a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2010128468A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/051983
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Lasagni
Original assignee: Segrall S.R.L.
Priority date: 2009-05-06
Filing date: 2010-05-05
Publication date: 2010-11-11
Also published as: ITMO20090116A1; IT1394316B1; EP2427344A1

Abstract

A child' s seat for transporting a child in a vehicle comprises a base (2) provided with fastening means for fastening the base (2) to a vehicle seat such that the child is facing forwards in an advancement direction of the vehicle, a receiving element (3) suitable for receiving the child, a hydraulic shock-absorber (16) interposed between the base (2) and the receiving element (3) such as to be activated when the vehicle is subjected to an impact in order to modify the inclination of the receiving element (3) with respect to the base (2) by displacing the receiving element (3) from a less-reclined normal working configuration to a more-reclined impact configuration, the seat (1) further comprising an adjusting device for adjusting the inclination of the receiving element (3) with respect to the base (2) in the normal working configuration, the hydraulic shock-absorber (16) having a first end which is connected to the base (2) and a second end which is connected to the adjusting device.

Description

A child' s seat for carrying a child in a vehicle

The invention relates to a child' s seat for transporting a child in a vehicle, particularly in an automobile. The child' s seat according to the invention is designed to be fixed to a seat of the vehicle such that the child faces forwards with respect to the advancement direction of the vehicle.

The child's seat according to the invention is able to limit the risk that the child will get injured in the case of an accident, particularly if the vehicle is subject to a frontal impact.

Child' s seats are known, that are destined to be fixed to a seat of an automobile in order to receive a child to be transported. These seats must satisfy predetermined requirements, imposed by the standards for reducing the risk that the child will get injured in an accident .

In order to guarantee that the requirements provided for by the standards are satisfied, before placing a new seat model on the market, child seat manufacturers must obtain homologation issued by a special organism. The homologation can be obtained only if the child' s seat passes a series of crash tests in which the seat on which a dummy is housed is launched at a predetermined velocity against a fixed barrier. During the crash test, measurement is made of the acceleration at predetermined points of the child seat, for example on the thorax, and of the displacement to which other parts of the child' s body are subject, for example the head. The crash test is considered to have been passed only if the acceleration and displacement, measured at the predetermined points, are less than the predetermined limit value.

Child seat manufacturers are constantly searching for new solutions which will enable the accelerations and displacements acting on the child during an accident to be reduced, such as to obtain a seat having increased safety.

EP 0554807 discloses a safety seat for children, comprising a base suitable for being mounted on the seat of a vehicle and a receiving element for receiving the child. The receiving element is connected to the base such as to move in a controlled way with respect to the base in a case of sudden deceleration of the vehicle. The seat disclosed in EP 0554807 does not enable a user to modify the inclination of the receiving element with respect to the base during normal use of the seat. In other words, the user cannot, for example, position the receiving element in a reclined configuration if the child is sleeping, or in an upright configuration if the child is awake.

US 3645548 discloses a safety seat for children, comprising a frame which can be fixed to a seat of a vehicle and a receiving element for receiving a child. The receiving element is connected to the frame such that in a case of an impact the receiving element translates and inclines with respect to the frame in order to at least partially dissipate the force generated following the collision. Although US 3645548 mentions that it is possible to use additional retarding mechanisms such as hydraulic or spring mechanisms, US 3645548 does not disclose where these mechanisms can be positioned.

US 4215900 discloses a child safety seat, comprising a frame, an intermediate structure and a back structure. A receiving element for receiving a child is fixed to the intermediate structure by rotation means. Deceleration means are interposed between the back structure and the receiving element. The height of the seat disclosed in US 4215900 is adjustable, but the above mentioned seat does not enable the user to regulate the inclination of the receiving element with respect to the vehicle seat, thus selecting a desired inclination in order to increase the child's comfort. EP 1757484 discloses a child seat which is suitable for being mounted on a vehicle seat such that the child faces backwards with respect to a vehicle's advancement direction. The seat comprises a base and a seat element. The seat element can be arranged in a reclined position, or in a semi-reclined position, or in an upright position with respect to the base. The seat comprises blocking means for blocking the seat element in the desired position, and release means for releasing the blocking means such that the seat element moves from the reclined position into the upright position in a case of impact. The release means comprise a weight which moves in response to the deceleration due to the impact. The release means are activated only when the seat element is in the reclined position. GB 23550289 discloses a seat for infants suitable for being mounted on a seat of a vehicle such that the child faces backwards with respect to a vehicle advancement direction. The seat comprises a base suitable for being fixed to the vehicle seat, a trolley mounted on the base such as to be movable with respect to the base, and a carrier for infants detachably mounted on the trolley. A pair of springs is interposed between the base and the trolley such as to bring the trolley, and the infant carrier fastened thereto, from a reclined position to an upright position in a case of an impact. The seat disclosed in GB 2350289 has a particularly complicated structure, not only because it comprises three distinct components, i.e. the base, the trolley and the infant carrier, but also because the base is made of several parts that are movable with respect to one another. An object of the invention is to improve the child's seats for transport of children in vehicles. A further object is to provide a child's seat which enables a child to be transported safely in a vehicle. A further object is to provide a child's seat which allows energy to be absorbed in a case of impact, such as to reduce the energy which is discharged onto the child.

A further object is to provide a child's seat which, in a case of frontal impact, subjects the child, and in particular the child's head, to minimal displacements.

A further object is to provide a child's seat for safe transport of a child on a vehicle, which enables a user to select various positions for the child, such that the child can travel in comfort. A further object is to provide a child's seat for transporting a child in a vehicle, which has a simple structure. _v

In a first aspect of the invention, a child' s seat is provided for transporting a child on a vehicle, comprising a base provided with fastening means for fastening the base to a seat of the vehicle such that the child faces forwards, in a vehicle advancement direction, a receiving element suitable for receiving the child, a hydraulic shock-absorber interposed between the base and the receiving element such as to be activated when the vehicle is subject to an impact for modifying the inclination of the receiving element with respect to the base by displacing the receiving element from a normal working configuration which is less- reclined to an impact configuration which is more reclined, characterised in that the child' s seat further comprises an adjusting device for adjusting inclination of the receiving element with respect to the base in the normal working configuration, the hydraulic shock- absorber having a first end connected to the base and a second end connected to the adjusting device. Owing to the first aspect of the invention, a child' s seat is obtained for transporting a child on a vehicle which, in a case of an accident, reduces the risk of injuring the child. The hydraulic shock-absorber is activated in a case of impact in order to absorb, at least partially, the energy deriving from the impact. Thus the energy is prevented from discharging entirely on the child. The adjusting device enables the user to adjust the angle formed between the receiving element and the base in the normal working configuration, such as to increase the child's comfort. For example, if the child is sleeping, the user can select a position in which the backrest of the receiving element is more inclined backwards, while if the child is awake the user can select a position in which the backrest of the receiving element is closer to the vertical position. Since the second end of the hydraulic shock-absorber is connected to the adjusting device, the hydraulic shock-absorber is activatable in a case of impact, whatever the inclination of the receiving element is with respect to the base, which inclination is selected via the adjusting device. This enables the seat to be made particularly comfortable for the transported child, while at the same time increasing the child's safety. In a case of impact, the receiving element is displaced from the normal working configuration into an impact configuration in which the receiving element is more reclined with respect to the normal working configuration. Thus, in a case of impact, the lower part of the child's body, and in particular its legs, can be made to displace further forward than the upper part of the child's body, and in particular the head. This enables a reduction in the risk that the child might get seriously injured, as the head is considerably more delicate than the lower part of the child's body. Further, the hydraulic shock-absorber enables dissipation of a quantity of energy which varies according to the velocity with which the impact is experienced. The force required for activating the hydraulic shock-absorber - and thus the energy which the hydraulic shock-absorber is able to dissipate - is proportionally greater according to the velocity with which the hydraulic shock-absorber is moved. Therefore, in a case of violent impact, the hydraulic shock- absorber is able to dissipate a quantity of energy that is significantly greater than the energy dissipated if the hydraulic shock-absorber were slowly activated. From this point of view, the hydraulic shock-absorber is more effective in a case of impact if compared with the springs comprised in some of the solutions in the prior art. In a second aspect of the invention, a child' s seat is provided for transporting a child on a vehicle, comprising a base suitable for being fastened to a seat of the vehicle, a receiving element suitable for receiving the child, an inclination-changing device for modifying the inclination of the receiving element with respect to the base, characterised in that the inclination-changing device comprises an energy- absorbing device interposed between the base and the receiving element such as to be activated when the vehicle is subjected to an impact. Owing to the second aspect of the invention, a seat is obtained for transporting a .child in a vehicle which, in a case of an accident, reduces the risk of injuring the child. The energy-absorbing device is activated in a case of an impact in order to absorb, at least partially, the energy deriving from the impact. Thus this energy is prevented from being entirely discharged onto the child.

The energy-absorbing device further enables, when activated, modification of the inclination of the receiving element with respect to the base. Thus, in a case of an impact, the lower part of the child's body, and in particular the legs, can be made to displace forwards more than the upper part of the child' s body, and in particular the head. This enables a reduction in the risk that the child can be seriously injured, as the child' s head is considerably more delicate than the lower part of the child's body.

In a third aspect of the invention, a child' s seat is provided for transporting a child in a vehicle, comprising a base suitable for being fastened to a seat of the vehicle, a receiving element suitable for receiving the child, a safety belt having a fastening portion for anchoring the child to the receiving element and a return portion which extends along a path defined at least by a first passage element associated to the base and by a second passage element associated to the receiving element, a device for increasing the distance between the first passage element and the second passage element in a case of an impact, such as to reduce a length of the fastening portion.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to increase the child's safety in the vehicle as, in a case of an accident, the length of the fastening portion diminishes. This effect is added to the blocking effect that safety belts normally perform in a case of an impact, and guarantees that the displacement of the child with respect to the receiving element of the seat is extremely limited.

In an embodiment, the device for increasing the distance between the first passage element and the second passage element during an impact comprises a device for moving the receiving element with respect to the base.

The device for moving the receiving element with respect to the base can comprise an energy-absorbing device interposed between the base and the receiving element such as to be activated in a case of impact.

The invention will be better understood and carried out with reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a child's seat for transporting a child in a vehicle;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section, taken along a median plane of the seat of Figure 1, in a normal working configuration; Figure 3 is a section as in Figure 2, showing an impact configuration assumed by the seat during an accident;

Figure 4 is a schematic and interrupted rear perspective view showing some details of an adjusting device included in the seat of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a schematic longitudinal section, taken along a median plane of the seat of Figure 1, in a first normal working configuration;

Figure 6 is a section showing the seat of Figure 5 after the vehicle has been subjected to an impact; Figure 7 is a section as in Figure 5, showing the seat in a second normal working configuration; Figure 8 is a section showing the seat of Figure 7 after the vehicle has undergone an impact;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a hydraulic shock- absorber included in a seat in an alternative embodiment, in a normal working configuration,

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the hydraulic shock- absorber of Figure 9 after the impact.

Figure 1 shows a child's seat 1 for transporting a child in a vehicle, in particular an automobile. The child's seat 1 is designed for transporting children having a weight of from 9 kg to 18 kg. Usually, a weight of 9 kg corresponds to children of about 10 to 12 months old, while a weight of 18 kg corresponds to children of about 4 years old. Seats of this type are identified as belonging to the so-called "Group 1" according to European standards.

The child's seat 1 is made of two parts and comprises a base 2, suitable for being fastened to a seat of the vehicle, and a receiving element 3, suitable for receiving the child. The base 2 comprises fastening means which enable the base 2 to be fastened to a seat of the vehicle, the fastening means being, for example, suitable for engaging with the Isofix attachments present on more modern vehicles, or with the safety belts of the vehicle. The fastening means are designed such that when the seat 1 is fastened to the vehicle seat, the child seated on the child's seat 1 is facing forwards, i.e. is looking forwards, in an advancement direction of the vehicle. The base 2 comprises a rest portion or first portion 4, suitable for being rested on a substantially horizontal portion on the vehicle seat, and a second portion 5, suitable for contacting a backrest of the vehicle seat. The base 2 thus is substantially L-shaped. The receiving element 3 comprises a seat portion 6 suitable for restingly receiving the child's legs, and a backrest 7. The receiving element 3 further comprises a pair of lower side panels 8, arranged for limiting the lateral displacement of the child's legs, and a pair of upper side panels 9, arranged such as to limit the lateral displacement of the child's head. The receiving element 3 is thus substantially shaped as a shell. The receiving element 3 is formed by a rigid support facing the base 2 and by an upholstered portion suitable for receiving the child, the upholstered portion being fixed relative to the rigid support such that the receiving element 3 behaves as a single body. Both the base 2 and the rigid support of the receiving element 3 are made of plastics, for example by moulding. The receiving element 3 is positioned above the base 2, to which it is connected by a connecting device. The connecting device is such that the receiving element 3 is connected permanently to the base 2, i.e., in a normal working condition, the receiving element 3 cannot be detached from the base 2 to be manually carried by the user.

The connecting device which connects the receiving element 3 to the base 2 can comprise a protrusion 10, obtained in the receiving element 3 and shown in Figures 2 and 3. The protrusion 10 projects from a rear region of the backrest 7 towards the base 2. The protrusion 10 supports a pin 11 which engages in a pair of slots 12 obtained in an upper region of the second portion 5 of the base 2. Figures 2 and 3 show the pin 11 positioned in the slot 12 arranged at a side of the seat 1. A similar slot is provided on the opposite side of the seat 1, symmetrically to the slot 12 shown in Figures 2 and 3 with respect to a longitudinal plane of the seat 1. Each slot 12 extends almost vertically and can be slightly curved. An energy-absorbing device is interposed between the base 2 and the receiving element 3, the energy-absorbing device being suitable for absorbing, in a case of an impact, at least a part of the energy generated. In the illustrated example, the energy-absorbing device comprises a shock-absorber 16, in particular a hydraulic shock-absorber. The shock-absorber 16 can comprise a cylinder 17 internally of which a piston is slidable, which piston is connected to a stem 18. The piston defines, inside the cylinder 17, two chambers, which communicate with one another via a hole, preferably a plurality of holes, made in the piston. An operating fluid, for example oil, is contained inside the cylinder 17.

When the piston moves inside the cylinder 17, the oil passes from a chamber to the other through the holes made in the piston. If the piston is moved slowly, the oil passes easily through the holes and the piston can be displaced without excessive resistance. If on the other hand the piston is rapidly moved, as happens in an accident, the oil passes with difficulty through the holes. In this situation, the piston provides a considerable resistance to being moved and the shock- absorber 16 exerts a high braking action.

The shock-absorber 16 has a first end connected to the base 2, for example through a connecting pin 34, and a second end connected to the receiving element 3, for example by means of an adjusting device which will be more fully described herein below. In particular, the first end of the shock-absorber 16 is connected to the first portion 4 of the base 2, while the second end of the shock-absorber 16 is connected to the seat portion 6 of the receiving element 3.

The shock-absorber 16 is activatable when an accident occurs, particularly if the vehicle is subjected to a frontal impact. In this case, the seat 1 passes from a normal working configuration, shown in Figure 2, to an impact configuration, shown in Figure 3. This occurs because the shock-absorber 16 is activatable by the inertia force generated during the impact. The shock-absorber 16 can be designed such as to be activated when, following the impact, a deceleration is produced having an absolute value greater than 15g, where g indicates the value of the gravity acceleration. In this way, the shock-absorber 16 does not work in the case of impacts of slight entity, which are not such as to place the child's health in danger.

In impact, the receiving element 3 tends to displace forwards with respect to the base 2 by effect of the inertia force. Consequently, the shock-absorber 16 lengthens in an extension direction which can be inclined, i.e. not parallel, with respect to the first portion 4 of the base 2. In other words, in an impact the shock-absorber 16 passes from a retracted configuration, shown in Figure 2, to an extended configuration, shown in Figure 3. In the retracted configuration, the stem 18 is completely, or almost completely, housed inside of the cylinder 17, while in the extended configuration the stem 18 exits from the cylinder 17.

In the illustrated example, the retracted configuration of the shock-absorber 16 corresponds to the normal working configuration of the seat 1, i.e. the configuration which the seat 1 assumes when the child is transported on the vehicle. The extended configuration of the shock-absorber 16, on the other hand, corresponds to the impact configuration, which the seat 1 assumes during an accident.

The shock-absorber 16 is mounted in such a position that when the shock-absorber 16 passes from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, it exerts on the receiving element 3 an action which changes inclination of the receiving element 3 with respect to the base 2. In particular, as will be more fully explained herein below, in the extended configuration the receiving element 3 is inclined backwards, i.e. is more reclined, with respect to what happens in the retracted configuration.

The shock-absorber 16 opposes the forwards displacement of the receiving element 3, as the receiving element 3 can only move after having overcome the resistance of the oil contained in the cylinder 71. Consequently, the shock-absorber 16 exerts a braking action on the receiving element 3 in the case of an accident, and further enables a significant fraction of the energy generated during the impact to be absorbed, which fraction of energy is dissipated in order to displace the shock-absorber 16 from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration.

The seat 1 comprises an adjusting device with which the user can regulate the inclination of the receiving element 3 with respect to the base 2 during normal working, i.e. in the normal working configuration. The adjusting device is mounted on the rigid support of the receiving element 3.

The adjusting device is better visible in Figure 4, which is a perspective view of a rear portion of the receiving element 3, in which the base 2 has been removed for the sake of clarity. The receiving element 3 is shown only partially and in a broken line. Figure 4 shows only half the adjusting device, i.e. the half of the adjusting device situated on a side of a median vertical plane of the seat 1. The adjusting device has a symmetrical structure with respect to the above mentioned median plane.

The shock-absorber 16 has a longitudinal axis lying in the median vertical plane of the seat 1. The adjusting device comprises a lever 13, arranged below the seat portion 6 of the receiving element 3. The lever 13 is activatable by the user in order to modify the inclination of the receiving element 3 with respect to the base 2 in the normal working configuration, such that the child is in the most comfortable position possible. For example, if the child is sleeping, the user can incline the receiving element 3 backwards with respect to the base 2, such that the child rests more comfortably. If the child is awake, on the other hand, the receiving element 3 is arranged in an upright position. The lever 13 comprises an elongate body 30, shown in Figure 4, which during working extends in an advancing direction of the vehicle. The lever 13 can comprise a further elongate body arranged symmetrically to the elongate body 30 with respect to a median vertical plane of the seat 1. The lever 13 further comprises a transverse body 31, a part of which is visible in Figure 4, arranged horizontally to join the elongate body 30 to the further elongate body. The transverse body 31 is arranged in a frontal region of the receiving element 3, such as to be easily accessible for the user. The transverse body 31 behaves like a handle on which the user can act to adjust the position of the receiving element 3. The lever 13 can oscillate about a pivot member 14 which is movable inside a guide 15, for example a groove, obtained in the base 2. The guide 15 is visible in Figures 2 and 3. In particular, the guide 15, which can be L-shaped, is arranged in a zone of the first portion 4 of the base 2 close to the second portion 5. The guide 15 can have an operating portion arranged along an almost horizontal direction.

As shown in Figure 4, the pivot member 14 is connected to the receiving element 3, for example by means of at least one appendage 32 which projects backwards from the receiving element 3. In this way, the lever 13 is pivoted to the receiving element 3. The adjusting device further comprises a pair of adjusting elements, each of which can be shaped as a plate 19 fixed to the receiving element 3 and having a plurality of recesses 20, for example five recesses 20. It is however possible to provide any number of recesses 20. As will be better described herein below, each recess 20 corresponds to a predetermined inclination of the receiving element 3 with respect to the base 2 in the normal working configuration. In the illustrated example, as can be seen in Figure 4, the plate 19 can be obtained in a bracket 33 having a fixing part 35 suitable for being fixed to a lower surface of the receiving element 3. The plate 19 projects downwards from an external edge of the fixing part 35 such as to be arranged vertically during use.

A positioning pin 21 can be positioned by the user in any one of the recesses 20. In the example shown in Figures 2 to 4, the positioning pin 21 is arranged in the central recess 20. In the illustrated example, the positioning pin 21 is connected to the second end of the shock-absorber 16. The second end of the shock-absorber 16 can oscillate about the positioning pin 21. The positioning pin 21 passes through a through-slit 22 which extends along the lever 13, particularly along the elongate body 30 of the lever 13. The through-slit 22 is shaped as a slot having a closed front end and a closed rear end.

In order to adjust inclination of the receiving element 3, the user rotates the lever 13 upwards. For this purpose, the user grips the transverse body 31 and rotates the lever 13 about the pivot member 14. The positioning pin 21 is moved upwards together with the lever 13 and disengages from the recess 20 in which it was previously inserted. At this point the user can manually incline the receiving element 3 in the desired position. The lever 13 is then released, which enables the positioning pin 21 to be lowered internally of the recess 20 corresponding to the position selected by the user. The positioning pin 21 thus acts as a selection pin for selecting a desired inclination of the receiving element 3 with respect to the base 2 during normal functioning.

The shock-absorber 16 is activatable during an accident, as previously described, whatever be the recess 20 the positioning pin 21 is inserted in. In other words, whatever the initial inclination of the receiving element 3 selected by the user, i.e. the inclination corresponding to the normal working configuration, the shock-absorber 16 is able to extend during an accident, thus enabling a modification of the inclination of the receiving element 3 with respect to the base 2 during the impact.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the seat 1 comprises a safety belt 23 fixed to the receiving element 3 at a point P. The safety belt 23 comprises at least one fastening portion 24 for anchoring the child to the receiving element 3. In the illustrated example, two fastening portions 24 are provided, the fastening portions 24 being suitable for being respectively arranged in contact with the right shoulder and the left shoulder of the child. The fastening portions 24 pass through respective openings obtained in the backrest 7 and join to one another in a joining point arranged behind the backrest 7.

The safety belt 23 further comprises a return portion 25 arranged behind the backrest 7 and internally of the seat portion 6 of the receiving element 3. The return portion 25 exits from a front region of the seat portion 6 at a regulation system comprising for example a buckle 28. This regulation system enables the user, in a known way, to regulate the length of the fastening portions 24, such as to make said length suitable for the weight and height of the child.

In the illustrated example, the return portion 25 extends between the buckle 28 and the join point in which the two fastening portions 24 join to one another behind the backrest 7.

The return portion 25 extends along a path defined at least by a first passage element and a second passage element. The first passage element can comprise a roller 26 associated to the base 2. In the illustrated example, the roller 26 is connected to the base 2 by means of an arm 27 having an end hinged to the base 2. The arm 27 can be hinged to the base 2 near the first end of the shock-absorber 16, for example by means of the connecting pin 34, and can oscillate according to the tension of the safety belt 23. The roller 26 deviates the return portion 25 from the backrest 7 internally of the seat portion 6.

The safety belt 23 is further arranged in contact with the second passage element, which can be arranged internally of the buckle 28, associated to the receiving element 3. When a child is to be transported in the vehicle, the child is positioned on the receiving element 3 and the safety belt 23 is applied to the child. The length of the safety belt 23 can be regulated by acting on the buckle 28. The inclination of the receiving element 3 can be modified by acting on the lever 13, which enables the positioning pin 21 to be arranged in the desired recess 20. The vehicle can now be moved. Should an accident occur, particularly a frontal impact, the vehicle suddenly stops and an inertia force acts on the seat 1, the inertia force being directed along the advancement direction of the vehicle. The base 2 cannot move significantly due to the inertia force, as the base 2 is fastened to the vehicle seat. On the other hand, the receiving element 3, which is not rigidly constrained to the base 2, can move by effect of the inertia force. In particular, the inertia force elongates the shock-absorber 16, which passes from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration in which the stem 18 exits from the cylinder 17. Consequently, the seat portion 6 of the receiving element 3 displaces forward. To enable this displacement, the pin member 14 can move internally of the guide 15. The backrest 7, which is constrained to the base 2 at the pin 11, cannot displace forwards by the same quantity as the seat portion 6. When the shock-absorber 16 reaches the extended configuration, the seat portion 6 tends therefore to move upwards, while the backrest 7 tends to displace downwards. This movement of the backrest 7 is made possible because the pin 11 moves downwards inside the slot 12, as shown in Figure 3. The receiving element 3 thus undergoes, in the illustrated example, a sort of rototranslation, i.e. a rotation about a non-stationary point.

The impact configuration is thus reached, as shown in Figure 3.

A significant fraction of the inertia force generated during the impact is absorbed by the shock-absorber 16 and used to overcome the resistance of the oil contained in the cylinder 17 such as to enable the stem 18 to exit from the cylinder 17. Thus the inertia force acting on the child is decreased and so are the accelerations to which the child is subjected. Further, the upper part of the child's body, and in particular its head, which is arranged in contact with the backrest 7, undergoes a forwards displacement which is smaller than the rear part of the child' s body, and in particular the legs, which are arranged in contact with the seat portion 6. As the legs are a less delicate part of the child' s body than the head, the shock- absorber 16 enables energy to be dissipated without subjecting the more delicate parts of the child's body to excessive displacements. Owing to the smaller accelerations acting on the child' s body and the smaller displacements of the upper part of the child' s body, in particular the head, the seat 1 reduces the risk of the child hurting itself during an accident . When, following the impact, the receiving element 3 moves with respect to the base 2, the safety belt 23 is also tensioned, which enables the child' s body to be kept strictly anchored to the backrest 7. This happens in particular because when the receiving element 3 is displaced with respect to the base 2 and reaches the configuration shown in Figure 3, the distance between the roller 26, which is connected to the base 2, and the buckle 28, which is connected to the receiving element 3, increases with respect to the distance in the configuration shown in Figure 2. Consequently, the length of the tract of return portion 25 interposed between the roller 26 and the buckle 28 increases. This determines an increase in the total length of the return portion 25. Since, after the safety belt 23 has been adjusted, the tract of safety belt comprised between the buckle 28 and the point P has a constant length, an increase in the length of the return portion 25 causes a reduction in the length of the fastening portion 24, i.e. a reduction in the length of the tract of safety belt 23 arranged in front of the backrest 7. Consequently, the safety belt 23 blocks the child in contact with the backrest 7 and prevents even small movements of the child with respect to the backrest 7. This further reduces the risk of the child getting hurt. It was mentioned above that the shock absorber 16 is activatable in a case of impact whatever be the normal working configuration selected by means of the adjusting device. This will be explained in detail herein below with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Figure 5 shows the seat 1 in a first normal working configuration, in which the receiving element 3 is in a back-inclined position with respect to the base 2. For this purpose, the positioning pin 21 has been positioned in the recess 20 which is closest to an end zone, in particular a rear end zone, of the plate 19. Thus, the distance between the connecting pin 34 and the plate 19 in the normal working configuration is maximised, which enables the seat portion 6 to be displaced forwards and upwards, such as to incline the receiving element 3 backwards. This normal working configuration is suitable in a case in which the child sleeps during the journey. In a case of an accident, the seat 1 reaches the impact configuration shown in Figure 6, in which the shock- absorber 16 has lengthened, thereby moving into the extended configuration. The pivot member 14 has moved forwards inside the guide 15. The pin 11 has displaced downwards inside the slot 12. Thus, the seat portion 6 of the receiving element 3 has displaced forwards more than the portion of the backrest 7 arranged near the pin 11, which receives the child's head. The seat portion 6 has further displaced upwards, while the backrest 7 has moved downwards. As a consequence, in the impact configuration shown in Figure 6 the receiving element 3 is more back-reclined with respect to the normal working configuration shown in Figure 5. Figure 7 shows the seat 1 in a second normal working configuration, in which the receiving element 3 is in an upright position with respect to the base 2. In other words, the backrest 7 of the receiving element 3 is much less inclined backwards with respect to the first normal working configuration shown in Figure 5. In the second normal working configuration shown in Figure 7, the positioning pin 21 is positioned in a recess 20 arranged in an end zone, in particular a front end zone, of the plate .19. The distance between the plate 19 and the connecting pin 34 during normal working is minimal in this configuration. This enables the distance between the backrest 7 and the second portion 5 of the base 2 to be minimised, in a lower region of the backrest 1: The receiving element 3 is thus arranged in the upright position. During an accident, the piston of the shock-absorber 16 exits from the cylinder 17 by effect of the inertia force, as shown in Figure 8.

The pivot member 14 slides forwards inside the guide 15, while the pin 11 moves downwards inside the slot 12. Since the slot 12 is almost vertical while the guide 15 is almost horizontal, the seat portion 6 of the receiving element 3, which restingly receives the child's legs, moves forwards more than the backrest portion 7, which receives the child's head. The seat 1 thus reaches an impact configuration in which the receiving element 3 is more reclined, i.e. inclined backwards with respect to the base 2, than in the normal working configuration.

A similar behaviour occurs also when the positioning pin 21 is positioned in one of the recesses 20 arranged in a central zone of the plate 19, i.e. the normal working configuration is intermediate between the two end configurations shown in Figures 5 and 7.

Summarising, the adjusting device enables a desired normal working configuration to be selected from among a plurality of available normal working configurations. The normal working configurations of said plurality differ from each other in the inclination of the receiving element 3 with respect to the base 2. Whatever the normal working configuration selected, the shock- absorber 16 is activatable in a case of impact such as to displace the receiving element 3 into an impact configuration in which the receiving element 3 is more reclined, i.e. more inclined backwards with respect to the base 2 than it was in the normal working configuration . This is made possible by the arrangement of the shock- absorber 16, the ends of which are connected respectively to the base 2 and to the adjusting device, and in particular to the positioning pin 21. Thus, the child's comfort during transport can be improved, while still maintaining high safety levels.

The seat 1 enables the child to be transported in a condition of greater safety and at the same time it is extremely simple to use and to fasten to the vehicle seat. In particular, the energy-absorbing device is integrated in the seat 1 and does not require special connection to the vehicle. Further, no external devices are required for activating the energy-absorbing device in a case of an impact, because the shock-absorber 16 can be activated only by the inertia force. This makes it possible to mount the seat 1 on any existing vehicle, without requiring a specific predisposition. Finally, the seat 1 has an extremely simple structure as it is formed only by two main components, i.e. the base 2 and the receiving element 3. This makes the seat 1 much easier to construct and to use than other known seats, for example the seat disclosed in GB 2350289. In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figures 9 and 10, the seat 1 comprises a signalling element 36 for signalling when the energy-absorbing device, especially the shock-absorber 16, has been activated. The signalling element 36 is designed such as to break when the shock-absorber 16 passes from the normal working configuration to the impact configuration, such as to indicate to the user that the shock absorber 16 has already operated and the seat 1 needs to be replaced. The existing standards reguire that a seat for transporting children in a vehicle be replaced after an accident, in order to be certain that the user does not continue to use damaged seats which are no longer able to protect the child adequately. The signalling element 36 is positioned in a zone of the seat 1 in which it is clearly visible to the user. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the signalling element 36 can be positioned in a front zone of the seat 1, immediately below the seat portion 6. The signalling element 36 is made of a single piece of a material which is suitable for breaking when the shock- absorber 16 reaches the extended configuration, for example plastics. Thus, a signalling element 36 having a particularly simple structure can be obtained. In the illustrated example, the signalling element 36 is positioned coaxially of the shock-absorber 16. In particular the signalling element 36 at least partially encircles the shock absorber 16. The signalling element 36 can comprise a central body 37 interposed between a first end region 38 and a second end region 39. The central body 37 can be formed by two arms 40 which extend along the shock-absorber 16 such that the shock-absorber 16 is interposed between the arms 40. In other words, the arms 40 define a seating in which the shock-absorber 16 is received. The first end region 38 has a hole in which the connecting pin 34 can be received, the shock-absorber 16 being connected to the base 2 by means of the connecting pin 34. The second end region 39 has a further hole in which the positioning pin 21 of the adjusting device can be received.

The conformation of the above-described signalling element 36 is particularly compact as the shock-absorber 16 and the signalling element 36 form a unit having a limited size which "is very simple to mount. The signalling element 36 can be provided with breaking promoting means for facilitating breakage of the signalling element 36 at a predetermined point. The breaking promoting means can comprise a weakened zone, conformed for example as a zone having a limited thickness and/or an incision 41 made in the central body 37. The incision 41 can be situated at about halfway in the central body 37 and can be arranged transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shock- absorber 16. In a case of an impact, when the shock-absorber 16 passes from the retracted configuration shown in Figure 9 to the extended configuration shown in Figure 10, the signalling element 36 is stressed up to breaking in the weakened zone comprising, for example, the incision. Thus the signalling element 36 divides into two parts, i.e. a first part 42 which remains connected to the connecting pin 34 and a second part 43 which remains connected to the positioning pin 21. The second part 43, which is arranged in a front region of the seat 1, rotates about the positioning pin 21 downwards by effect of the force of gravity. Thus the second part 43, detached from the first part 42, becomes clearly visible to the user who is observing the seat 1 mounted on the vehicle seat. The user can thus realize that the seat 1 has been involved in an accident of sufficient intensity to activate the shock-absorber 16. This implies that the seat 1 needs to be replaced.

It can happen that the seat 1 gets involved in a small accident, for example during a parking manoeuvre. In this case, the decelerations involved can be insufficient to activate the shock-absorber 16. Consequently the signalling element 36 does not break. The user who notes that the signalling element 36 is not broken knows that the seat 1 can continue to be used as the shock-absorber 16 has not operated and its functionality is thus not compromised. This avoids unnecessary replacement of the seat 1.

Claims

1. A child's seat for transporting a child in a vehicle, comprising a base (2) provided with fastening means for fastening the base (2) to a vehicle seat such that the child is facing forwards in an advancement direction of the vehicle, a receiving element (3) suitable for receiving the child, a hydraulic shock-absorber (16) interposed between the base (2) and the receiving element (3) such as to be activated when the vehicle is subjected to an impact in order to modify the inclination of the receiving element (3) with respect to the base (2) by displacing the receiving element (3) from a less-reclined normal working configuration to a more-reclined impact configuration, characterised in that the seat (1) further comprises an adjusting device for adjusting the inclination of the receiving element (3) with respect to the base (2) in the normal working configuration, the hydraulic shock-absorber (16) having a first end which is connected to the base (2) and a second end which is connected to the adjusting device.

2. A child's seat according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device comprises a positioning pin (21) connected to said second end and an adjusting element (19) fixed to a portion (6) of the receiving element (3) suitable for receiving the child's legs, the adjusting element (19) being provided with a plurality of recesses (20) in which the positioning pin (21) can engage, each recess (20) corresponding to a predetermined inclination of the receiving element (3) in the normal working configuration.

3. A child's seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjusting device comprises a lever (13) which is manually activatable by the user, the lever (13) being pivoted to the receiving element (3) .

4. A child's seat according to claim 3, wherein the lever (3) comprises a transverse body (31) which can be gripped by the user and a pair of elongate bodies (30) connected to opposite ends of the transverse body (31) symmetrically with respect to a median vertical plane of the seat (1), the hydraulic shock- absorber (16) having a longitudinal axis which lies on the median vertical plane.

5. A child's seat according to claim 4, as claim 3 is appended to claim 2, wherein each elongate body (30) is provided with a slit (22) in a central region thereof, the positioning pin (21) passing through the slit (22) .

6. A child's seat according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a signalling element (36) having a body (37) arranged for breaking when the hydraulic shock-absorber (16) is activated, such as to indicate to a user that the shock-absorber (16) has operated.

7. A child's seat according to claim 6, wherein the body (37) of the signalling element (36) is coaxial to the hydraulic shock-absorber (16) and at least partially encircles the hydraulic shock-absorber (16).

8. A child's seat according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the signalling element (36) is made of a single piece of plastics.

9. A child's seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the receiving element (3) comprises a rigid support to which the adjusting device is connected and an upholstered portion suitable for receiving the child, the upholstered portion being fixed relative to the rigid support such that the receiving element (3) behaves as a single body.

10. A child's seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the hydraulic shock-absorber (16) is designed to extend when subjected to a deceleration which is greater than 15 times the value of gravity acceleration.

11. A seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the hydraulic shock-absorber (16) is interposed between a seat portion (6) of the receiving element (3) and a rest portion (4) of the base (2), the seat portion (6) being suitable for receiving the child's legs, and the rest portion (4) being suitable for being rested on the seat of the vehicle.

12. A child's seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the receiving element (3) has a region which is destined to receive the child's head, said region being connected to the base (2) by means of a connecting device (11) which enables an angle formed between a backrest (7) of the receiving element (3) and the base (2) to be changed, when the hydraulic shock-absorber (16) is activated.

13. A child's seat according to claim 12, wherein the connecting device comprises at least one pin element

(11) fixed to a component selected between the base (2) and the receiving element (3), the pin element (11) being movable inside at least one slot (12) obtained in a further component selected between the receiving element (3) and the base (2), the slot

(12) preferably being curved.

14. A child's seat according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a safety belt (23) having a fastening portion (24) for anchoring the child to the receiving element (3) and a return portion (25) which extends along a path defined at least by a first passage element (26) associated to the base (2) and by a second passage element (28) associated to the receiving element (3), the seat (1) comprising means for increasing the distance between the first passage element (26) and the second passage element (28) in a case of an impact.

15. A child's seat according to claim 14, wherein the means for increasing the distance between the first passage element (26) and the second passage element

(28) comprise the hydraulic shock-absorber (16) which, when activated, causes the second passage element (28) to be moved away from the first passage element (26) .

16. A child's seat according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the first passage element comprises a roller (26) , connected to the base (2) by an arm (27) oscillating about a connecting pin (34) to which the first end of the hydraulic shock-absorber (16) is connected, the second passage element being included in an adjusting system (28) by means of which a user can adjust the safety belt (23) .