WO2012035300A1 - Child safety seat - Google Patents

Child safety seat Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012035300A1
WO2012035300A1 PCT/GB2011/001349 GB2011001349W WO2012035300A1 WO 2012035300 A1 WO2012035300 A1 WO 2012035300A1 GB 2011001349 W GB2011001349 W GB 2011001349W WO 2012035300 A1 WO2012035300 A1 WO 2012035300A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
seat
airbag
safety seat
vehicle
seat according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2011/001349
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jullian Joshua Preston-Powers
Original Assignee
Jullian Joshua Preston-Powers
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jullian Joshua Preston-Powers filed Critical Jullian Joshua Preston-Powers
Publication of WO2012035300A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012035300A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2821—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle having a seat and a base part
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2821—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle having a seat and a base part
    • B60N2/2827—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle having a seat and a base part part of the base being supported by the seat sub-frame
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2839—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle having a front guard or barrier
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2842—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle adapted to carry the child, when dismounted from the vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2842—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle adapted to carry the child, when dismounted from the vehicle
    • B60N2/2845—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle adapted to carry the child, when dismounted from the vehicle having handles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2854—Children's cots; Hammocks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2857—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle characterised by the peculiar orientation of the child
    • B60N2/286—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle characterised by the peculiar orientation of the child forward facing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2857—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle characterised by the peculiar orientation of the child
    • B60N2/2863—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle characterised by the peculiar orientation of the child backward facing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2869—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle rotatable about a vertical axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2884—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle with protection systems against abnormal g-forces

Definitions

  • This invention relates to child safety seats and, in particular, to safety seats for detachable fastening within a motor vehicle.
  • Child safety seats are in widespread use in motor vehicles. They are typically secured in position by means of the vehicle's fitted seatbelts and they allow the child to be firmly located in position within the vehicle and securely accommodated within the child seat itself.
  • the child In a collision, the child, secured within the child safety seat, is exposed to the danger of flying glass and other objects. Furthermore, the child is also vulnerable to the effect of fire starting and spreading within the vehicle.
  • airbags within motor vehicle are also widespread.
  • the airbags are used to prevent movement of an occupant of a vehicle at the point of sudden impact and they are rapidly inflated and make contact, usually forceful contact, with the occupant in order to prevent his movement relative to the vehicle.
  • a child safety seat for detachable fastening within a motor vehicle, the safety seat partially defining a space which is for occupation by a child, a part of said space being shielded by the safety seat, the seat further including one or more airbags which are inflatable upon sudden impact of the vehicle to provide a protective barrier providing shielding around another part of said space.
  • the function of the or each airbag is not to restrain the occupant of the child safety seat, but rather to provide a protective barrier around the occupant, thereby reducing or eliminating the possibility of flying objects impacting upon the child.
  • the barrier may provide protection against fire within the vehicle. It is preferred that the or each airbag, when inflated, does not make contact with the child and, when in its fully inflated condition, is spaced from the child over the whole or substantially the whole of its inner surface.
  • the protective barrier extends over at least part of the seat, that is to say, it extends above the occupant of the seat. It is also preferred that the protective barrier extends down at least part of at least one side of the seat.
  • the protective barrier extends over, and along the sides of, the seat.
  • the protective barrier provides a cocoon around the occupant of the seat except to the front of the seat where a gap in the barrier allows air entry into and exit from the cocoon.
  • the or each airbag is structured so that, upon inflation, the airbag assumes a dome-like shape.
  • the or each airbag may be located in a housing, attached to the safety seat, the housing being openable, upon activation of the airbag, to allow the airbag to exit the housing during its inflation.
  • the seat is provided with an inertial sensor which operates to activate the inflation of the or each airbag when the vehicle, within which the seat may be fitted, experiences a sufficiently sudden impact.
  • the safety seat may be provided in two major parts, an occupant receiving element and a base element, the base element being for detachable fastening to the vehicle and the occupant receiving element being for detachable fastening to the base element.
  • the seat may be provided with a quick release element operable to allow detachment of the occupant receiving element from the base element.
  • the occupant receiving element may be connected to the base element by means of a connector allowing the occupant receiving element to swivel relative to the base element between a position in which the seat faces rearwardly or forwardly relative to the vehicle and the position in which the seat faces towards one side of the vehicle.
  • the seat may be rotated from a travelling position, in which it faces rearwardly or forwardly relative to the vehicle and a loading or unloading position, in which it faces towards the nearest door of the vehicle.
  • the quick release element may be such as to be operable to allow both swivelling of the seat from the travelling to the unloading position and also release of the occupant receiving element from the base element.
  • the seat is provided with an airbag and a bumper at its forward end (the end at which the head of the child is located), the bumper being arranged outside the path of movement, during inflation, of the airbag.
  • the airbag includes an inflatable bag mounted on the occupant receiving element and ancillary components located in or on the base element.
  • the ancillary components include a discharge unit which is connected to the inflatable bag by means of a connector having mating male a female elements.
  • the or each airbag is provided with a shut-off valve which is arranged to close after inflation of the airbag to prevent gas release therefrom.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a child safety seat in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the child safety seat of Figure 1 , but with the airbag in its inflated condition;
  • FIG 3 is a diagrammatic side view of the seat of Figure 1 showing the interconnection between the major components of the seat;
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a child safety seat of the invention.
  • Figure 5 shows the airbags of the seat of Figure 4 in their inflated condition
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a child safety seat in accordance with the invention.
  • a child safety seat 1 includes an occupant receiving element 3 and a base element 5 (shown in Figure 3 and referred to hereinbelow) which are detachably connected together.
  • the base element 5 is in turn connectable to the normal seat of a motor vehicle by, for instance, the fitted safety belts of the vehicle.
  • Element 3 of the seat includes child supporting portion 7 on which a child may be located when the seat is in use.
  • Element 3 also includes a bumper 9 which extends from one side of the seat around the head 11 of the seat to the other side of the seat. Bumper 9 is spaced from component 7 particularly around the head part.
  • the seat is provided with rigid side elements 13, each of which is provided with a cut-out portion 15 to allow the side element 13 to serve as a handle for use in manoeuvring the seat from one orientation to another.
  • Seat 1 is also provided with handles 17, located at or adjacent each side of the foot of the seat.
  • Handles 17 provide a quick release facility for the seat. Applying a sufficient pulling force to one or other of the handles allows the occupant receiving element 3 to rotate relative to base element 5 between a position in which the seat faces forwardly or rearwardly relative to the motor vehicle to a position in which it faces to the side of the vehicle. At the same time the occupant receiving element 3 is released from its connection with base element 5 so that the former may be lifted from the base element 5 and removed from the vehicle.
  • a trigger mechanism may be provided on or in association with handles 17 in order to release the seat which is otherwise clicked or locked in position.
  • the arrangement may be provided with a visual indicator to show that the seat is properly installed, e.g. showing GREEN for secure and RED for not secure.
  • Airbag 19 located at the head end of the seat and below the bumper 9.
  • Airbag 19 includes an inflatable bag located within a pocket 21 which itself is provided with a longitudinal opening (not shown) having closures which are forced open upon inflation of the airbag.
  • Ancillary components of the airbag, including a discharge unit, are located in the base element 5 and are connected to the inflatable bag by means of a connector (not shown) having mating male and female elements.
  • Airbag 19 is provided with a shut-off valve (not shown) which is arranged to close after inflation of the airbag to prevent gas release therefrom.
  • FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated the child safety seat 1 with the airbag 19 in its inflated condition.
  • the airbag has, upon inflation, extended from pocket 21 through the space between bumper 9 and the head end 1 1 of or seat 1. It has then travelled over the top and down the sides of seat 1 to reach a position just beyond the side elements 13 at the foot of the safety seat 1.
  • the airbag 19, together with the occupant receiving element 3 of the seat form a protective cocoon around the occupant of the seat.
  • the airbag 19 inflates to the position shown in Figure 2 due to the structure of the inflatable bag 23.
  • Bag 23 is formed from material which on its external side (shown in Figure 2) is of appropriately greater dimensions than the material on its internal side so that, upon inflation, the bag adopts a dome-like shape extending over the safety seat.
  • the bag 23 is provided with longitudinally extending pockets 25 which connect together at the head end of the bag and which provide rigidity to the inflated bag.
  • Element 3 is provided with a circular disk-shaped base 27 which seats within a corresponding recessed portion 29 of base element 5.
  • Base 27 of seat 1 is provided with a centrally located downwardly extending male portion 31 of a connector of which the female portion 33 extends upwardly from recess 29 of base element 5.
  • the ancillary elements of the airbag 19 are located within base element 5 and these include airbag inflator module and accelerometer (not shown). Communication from the airbag inflator module to the inflatable bag is via the connector 31,33.
  • a second embodiment of a child safety seat in accordance with the present invention is broadly similar to that described above, with reference to Figures 1 to 3.
  • the seat 41 is provided with two airbags 43 which are located, in their uninflated condition, on opposite sides of seat 41 in airbag housings 45.
  • the airbags When the airbags are inflated, upon sudden impact of the vehicle within which the seat is fitted, the a part of the housings 45 flip downwardly to release the inflating bags.
  • Figure 5 shows the airbags 43 with the remainder of the seat 41 removed.
  • Each airbag 43 includes a finger-like pocket 47 between which extend webs 49.
  • the pockets 47 fill with gas upon inflation and due to their structure, in particular, the disposition and extent of material on each side of the pockets, they inflate to the position shown in Figures 4 and 5. Additional longitudinally extending pockets 51 are provided where the airbags meet and the overall result is again, the provision of a cocoon over the occupant of the seat.
  • FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a third embodiment of a child safety seat of the invention. Again, this is broadly similar to the above described embodiments. However, in this case, two airbags are provided, each being located in a respective airbag housing 61 located on one side of the car seat 63.
  • one airbag 65 Upon inflation, one airbag 65 extends over the lower (foot) end of the car seat 63 and the other airbag 67 extends over the upper (head) end of the car seat.
  • the two airbags, 65, 67 meet at an arc extending transversely over the car seat at position 69.
  • the airbags are each formed from interconnected air pockets 71 and the shape and dimensions of the material on each side of the pockets is such as to produce the inflated structure as illustrated.
  • the airbag material for each of the above described embodiments, is made of a fire retardant material so as to provide protection from the effects of fire within the motor vehicle.
  • the above described child safety seats are intended for fitting within a motor vehicle with the head ends located, within the motor vehicle, forwardly of the rear ends so that the occupant faces towards the rear of the vehicle.
  • the bumpers such as bumper 9 of the Figure 1 embodiment, serve to ensure that there is always enough space for the airbag to inflate and prevent obstruction from the vehicle seat.
  • the above described child safety seats may be fitted with a relatively rigid rib arrangement following at least a partial cage over the child so that, if the airbags become deflated, there would be no danger to the child of, for instance, suffocation.
  • a child safety seat in accordance with the present invention may be provided with additional airbags located along the sides of the seat which hold the child in the seat in the event of a collision. Upon impact, the child is generally thrown backwards and absorbs the impact and then jolts forward (despite being rear facing). Additional airbags would prevent this by opening before this backwards and forwards movement occurs.
  • the child safety seat may have some sort of cushioning material, such as a gel-like material inside the seat to further absorb any impact force.
  • the airbag material may be provided in a bright colour, such that it would attract the attention of persons assisting in the event of an accident. In particular, attention would be drawn to the fact that there is potentially a baby on board that needs to be rescued. Furthermore, the incorporation of, for instance, light emitting diodes of an appropriate colour (red) in the release handles will draw attention to their presence and indicate that the release handles may be operated for removal of the seat.
  • the location of the ancillary element of the airbag within the base element of the seat has the advantage that no power source has to be connected up to the occupant receiving element of the seat, but only to the base element.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)

Abstract

A child safety seal, (1) for detachable fastening within a motor vehicle, partially defines a space which, is tor occupation by a child. The seat includes one or more airbags (19) which are inflatable upon sudden impact of the vehicle to provide a protective barrier providing shielding around another part of this space.

Description

CHILD SAFETY SEAT
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to child safety seats and, in particular, to safety seats for detachable fastening within a motor vehicle.
Background to the Invention
Child safety seats are in widespread use in motor vehicles. They are typically secured in position by means of the vehicle's fitted seatbelts and they allow the child to be firmly located in position within the vehicle and securely accommodated within the child seat itself.
In a collision, the child, secured within the child safety seat, is exposed to the danger of flying glass and other objects. Furthermore, the child is also vulnerable to the effect of fire starting and spreading within the vehicle.
The use of airbags within motor vehicle is also widespread. The airbags are used to prevent movement of an occupant of a vehicle at the point of sudden impact and they are rapidly inflated and make contact, usually forceful contact, with the occupant in order to prevent his movement relative to the vehicle.
Statements of the Invention
According to the present invention, there is provided a child safety seat for detachable fastening within a motor vehicle, the safety seat partially defining a space which is for occupation by a child, a part of said space being shielded by the safety seat, the seat further including one or more airbags which are inflatable upon sudden impact of the vehicle to provide a protective barrier providing shielding around another part of said space.
In the present invention, the function of the or each airbag is not to restrain the occupant of the child safety seat, but rather to provide a protective barrier around the occupant, thereby reducing or eliminating the possibility of flying objects impacting upon the child. In addition, the barrier may provide protection against fire within the vehicle. It is preferred that the or each airbag, when inflated, does not make contact with the child and, when in its fully inflated condition, is spaced from the child over the whole or substantially the whole of its inner surface.
Preferably, the protective barrier extends over at least part of the seat, that is to say, it extends above the occupant of the seat. It is also preferred that the protective barrier extends down at least part of at least one side of the seat.
More preferably, the protective barrier extends over, and along the sides of, the seat.
Most preferably, the protective barrier provides a cocoon around the occupant of the seat except to the front of the seat where a gap in the barrier allows air entry into and exit from the cocoon.
Preferably, the or each airbag is structured so that, upon inflation, the airbag assumes a dome-like shape.
The or each airbag may be located in a housing, attached to the safety seat, the housing being openable, upon activation of the airbag, to allow the airbag to exit the housing during its inflation.
Preferably, the seat is provided with an inertial sensor which operates to activate the inflation of the or each airbag when the vehicle, within which the seat may be fitted, experiences a sufficiently sudden impact.
The safety seat may be provided in two major parts, an occupant receiving element and a base element, the base element being for detachable fastening to the vehicle and the occupant receiving element being for detachable fastening to the base element. The seat may be provided with a quick release element operable to allow detachment of the occupant receiving element from the base element. The occupant receiving element may be connected to the base element by means of a connector allowing the occupant receiving element to swivel relative to the base element between a position in which the seat faces rearwardly or forwardly relative to the vehicle and the position in which the seat faces towards one side of the vehicle. In this way, the seat may be rotated from a travelling position, in which it faces rearwardly or forwardly relative to the vehicle and a loading or unloading position, in which it faces towards the nearest door of the vehicle. The quick release element may be such as to be operable to allow both swivelling of the seat from the travelling to the unloading position and also release of the occupant receiving element from the base element.
Preferably, the seat is provided with an airbag and a bumper at its forward end (the end at which the head of the child is located), the bumper being arranged outside the path of movement, during inflation, of the airbag.
Preferably, the airbag includes an inflatable bag mounted on the occupant receiving element and ancillary components located in or on the base element. More preferably, the ancillary components include a discharge unit which is connected to the inflatable bag by means of a connector having mating male a female elements.
Preferably, the or each airbag is provided with a shut-off valve which is arranged to close after inflation of the airbag to prevent gas release therefrom.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The accompanying drawings are as follows:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a child safety seat in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the child safety seat of Figure 1 , but with the airbag in its inflated condition;
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side view of the seat of Figure 1 showing the interconnection between the major components of the seat;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a child safety seat of the invention;
Figure 5 shows the airbags of the seat of Figure 4 in their inflated condition; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a child safety seat in accordance with the invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a child safety seat 1 includes an occupant receiving element 3 and a base element 5 (shown in Figure 3 and referred to hereinbelow) which are detachably connected together. The base element 5 is in turn connectable to the normal seat of a motor vehicle by, for instance, the fitted safety belts of the vehicle.
Element 3 of the seat includes child supporting portion 7 on which a child may be located when the seat is in use. Element 3 also includes a bumper 9 which extends from one side of the seat around the head 11 of the seat to the other side of the seat. Bumper 9 is spaced from component 7 particularly around the head part.
At or adjacent the foot of the seat, the seat is provided with rigid side elements 13, each of which is provided with a cut-out portion 15 to allow the side element 13 to serve as a handle for use in manoeuvring the seat from one orientation to another.
Seat 1 is also provided with handles 17, located at or adjacent each side of the foot of the seat. Handles 17 provide a quick release facility for the seat. Applying a sufficient pulling force to one or other of the handles allows the occupant receiving element 3 to rotate relative to base element 5 between a position in which the seat faces forwardly or rearwardly relative to the motor vehicle to a position in which it faces to the side of the vehicle. At the same time the occupant receiving element 3 is released from its connection with base element 5 so that the former may be lifted from the base element 5 and removed from the vehicle.
A trigger mechanism (not shown) may be provided on or in association with handles 17 in order to release the seat which is otherwise clicked or locked in position. The arrangement may be provided with a visual indicator to show that the seat is properly installed, e.g. showing GREEN for secure and RED for not secure.
Seat 1 is further provided with an airbag 19 located at the head end of the seat and below the bumper 9. Airbag 19 includes an inflatable bag located within a pocket 21 which itself is provided with a longitudinal opening (not shown) having closures which are forced open upon inflation of the airbag. Ancillary components of the airbag, including a discharge unit, are located in the base element 5 and are connected to the inflatable bag by means of a connector (not shown) having mating male and female elements. Airbag 19 is provided with a shut-off valve (not shown) which is arranged to close after inflation of the airbag to prevent gas release therefrom.
Referring to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated the child safety seat 1 with the airbag 19 in its inflated condition. It will be seen that the airbag has, upon inflation, extended from pocket 21 through the space between bumper 9 and the head end 1 1 of or seat 1. It has then travelled over the top and down the sides of seat 1 to reach a position just beyond the side elements 13 at the foot of the safety seat 1. As a result, the airbag 19, together with the occupant receiving element 3 of the seat form a protective cocoon around the occupant of the seat.
The airbag 19 inflates to the position shown in Figure 2 due to the structure of the inflatable bag 23. Bag 23 is formed from material which on its external side (shown in Figure 2) is of appropriately greater dimensions than the material on its internal side so that, upon inflation, the bag adopts a dome-like shape extending over the safety seat. As illustrated, the bag 23 is provided with longitudinally extending pockets 25 which connect together at the head end of the bag and which provide rigidity to the inflated bag.
Referring to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated the interconnection between the occupant receiving element 3 of seat 1 and the base element 5. Element 3 is provided with a circular disk-shaped base 27 which seats within a corresponding recessed portion 29 of base element 5. Base 27 of seat 1 is provided with a centrally located downwardly extending male portion 31 of a connector of which the female portion 33 extends upwardly from recess 29 of base element 5. As mentioned above, the ancillary elements of the airbag 19 are located within base element 5 and these include airbag inflator module and accelerometer (not shown). Communication from the airbag inflator module to the inflatable bag is via the connector 31,33.
Referring to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, a second embodiment of a child safety seat in accordance with the present invention is broadly similar to that described above, with reference to Figures 1 to 3. However, in this case, the seat 41 is provided with two airbags 43 which are located, in their uninflated condition, on opposite sides of seat 41 in airbag housings 45. When the airbags are inflated, upon sudden impact of the vehicle within which the seat is fitted, the a part of the housings 45 flip downwardly to release the inflating bags. This is illustrated in Figure 5 which shows the airbags 43 with the remainder of the seat 41 removed.
Each airbag 43 includes a finger-like pocket 47 between which extend webs 49. The pockets 47 fill with gas upon inflation and due to their structure, in particular, the disposition and extent of material on each side of the pockets, they inflate to the position shown in Figures 4 and 5. Additional longitudinally extending pockets 51 are provided where the airbags meet and the overall result is again, the provision of a cocoon over the occupant of the seat.
Referring to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a third embodiment of a child safety seat of the invention. Again, this is broadly similar to the above described embodiments. However, in this case, two airbags are provided, each being located in a respective airbag housing 61 located on one side of the car seat 63.
Upon inflation, one airbag 65 extends over the lower (foot) end of the car seat 63 and the other airbag 67 extends over the upper (head) end of the car seat. The two airbags, 65, 67 meet at an arc extending transversely over the car seat at position 69. The airbags are each formed from interconnected air pockets 71 and the shape and dimensions of the material on each side of the pockets is such as to produce the inflated structure as illustrated. The airbag material, for each of the above described embodiments, is made of a fire retardant material so as to provide protection from the effects of fire within the motor vehicle.
The above described child safety seats are intended for fitting within a motor vehicle with the head ends located, within the motor vehicle, forwardly of the rear ends so that the occupant faces towards the rear of the vehicle. The bumpers, such as bumper 9 of the Figure 1 embodiment, serve to ensure that there is always enough space for the airbag to inflate and prevent obstruction from the vehicle seat.
The above described child safety seats may be fitted with a relatively rigid rib arrangement following at least a partial cage over the child so that, if the airbags become deflated, there would be no danger to the child of, for instance, suffocation.
A child safety seat in accordance with the present invention may be provided with additional airbags located along the sides of the seat which hold the child in the seat in the event of a collision. Upon impact, the child is generally thrown backwards and absorbs the impact and then jolts forward (despite being rear facing). Additional airbags would prevent this by opening before this backwards and forwards movement occurs.
Alternatively or in addition, the child safety seat may have some sort of cushioning material, such as a gel-like material inside the seat to further absorb any impact force.
The airbag material may be provided in a bright colour, such that it would attract the attention of persons assisting in the event of an accident. In particular, attention would be drawn to the fact that there is potentially a baby on board that needs to be rescued. Furthermore, the incorporation of, for instance, light emitting diodes of an appropriate colour (red) in the release handles will draw attention to their presence and indicate that the release handles may be operated for removal of the seat.
The location of the ancillary element of the airbag within the base element of the seat has the advantage that no power source has to be connected up to the occupant receiving element of the seat, but only to the base element.

Claims

1. A child safety seat for detachable fastening within a motor vehicle, the safety seat partially defining a space which is for occupation by a child, a part of said space being shielded by the safety seat, the seat further including one or more airbags which are inflatable upon sudden impact of the vehicle to provide a protective barrier providing shielding around another part of said space.
2. A safety seat according to claim 1 , wherein said protective barrier extends over at least part of the seat.
3. A safety seat according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said protective barrier extends down at least part of at least one side of the seat.
4. A safety seat according to any of the preceding claims wherein the protective barrier extends over, and along the sides of, the seat.
5. A safety seat according to claim 4, wherein the protective barrier provides a cocoon around the occupant of the seat except at the front of the seat where a gap in the barrier allows air entry into and exit from the cocoon.
6. A safety seat according to claim 5, wherein the or each airbag is, in its inflated condition, wholly or partially dome-shaped.
7. A safety seat according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each airbag in its deflated condition is located in a housing which is openable, upon inflation of the airbag, to release the airbag therefrom.
8. A safety seat according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the seat is provided with an inertial sensor which operates to activate the inflation of the or each airbag when the vehicle, within which the seat may be fitted, experiences a sufficiently sudden impact.
9. A safety seat according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the seat includes an occupant receiving element and a base element, the base element being for detachable fastening to the vehicle and the occupant receiving element being for detachable fastening to the base element.
10. A safety seat according to claim 9, wherein the seat is provided with a quick release element operable to allow detachment of the occupant receiving element from the base element.
1 1. A safety seat according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the occupant receiving element is connected to the base element by means of a connector allowing the occupant receiving element to swivel relative to the base element between a position in which the seat faces rearwardly or forwardly relative to the vehicle and a position in which the seat faces towards one side of the vehicle.
12. A safety seat according to any the preceding claims, wherein the seat is provided with an airbag and a bumper at its forward end, the bumper being arranged outside the path of movement, during inflation, of the airbag.
13. A safety seat according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the airbag includes an inflatable bag mounted on the occupant receiving element and ancillary components located in or on the base element.
14. A safety seat according to claim 13 wherein the ancillary components include a discharge unit which is connected to the inflatable bag by means of a connector having mating male and female elements. 5. A vehicle seat according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each airbag is provided with a shut-off valve which is arranged to close after inflation of the airbag to prevent gas release therefrom.
PCT/GB2011/001349 2010-09-15 2011-09-15 Child safety seat WO2012035300A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1015404.5 2010-09-15
GBGB1015404.5A GB201015404D0 (en) 2010-09-15 2010-09-15 Child safety seat
GBGB1110743.0A GB201110743D0 (en) 2010-09-15 2011-06-24 Child safety seat
GB1110743.0 2011-06-24

Publications (1)

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WO2012035300A1 true WO2012035300A1 (en) 2012-03-22

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PCT/GB2011/001349 WO2012035300A1 (en) 2010-09-15 2011-09-15 Child safety seat

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2501178A (en) * 2012-03-22 2013-10-16 Jullian Joshua Preston-Powers Child safety seat with inflatably-deployable protective shield
US12012063B1 (en) 2023-05-26 2024-06-18 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Airbag for child-restraint system

Citations (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4834420A (en) * 1988-03-31 1989-05-30 Sankrithi Usha M Airbag equipped child accomodating device for vehicles
JPH0939625A (en) * 1995-08-04 1997-02-10 Aprica Kassai Inc Child safety seat for automobile
WO2003043859A1 (en) * 2001-11-21 2003-05-30 Herrmann Design Safety device for passenger seats, especially child safety seats of motor vehicles
US20050264064A1 (en) * 2004-05-17 2005-12-01 Orbit Baby, Inc. Modular child restraint system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4834420A (en) * 1988-03-31 1989-05-30 Sankrithi Usha M Airbag equipped child accomodating device for vehicles
JPH0939625A (en) * 1995-08-04 1997-02-10 Aprica Kassai Inc Child safety seat for automobile
WO2003043859A1 (en) * 2001-11-21 2003-05-30 Herrmann Design Safety device for passenger seats, especially child safety seats of motor vehicles
US20050264064A1 (en) * 2004-05-17 2005-12-01 Orbit Baby, Inc. Modular child restraint system

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2501178A (en) * 2012-03-22 2013-10-16 Jullian Joshua Preston-Powers Child safety seat with inflatably-deployable protective shield
GB2501178B (en) * 2012-03-22 2019-05-15 Jullian Joshua Preston Powers Child safety seat
US12012063B1 (en) 2023-05-26 2024-06-18 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Airbag for child-restraint system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201015404D0 (en) 2010-10-27
GB201110743D0 (en) 2011-08-10

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