WO2012037375A2

WO2012037375A2 - Semi-rigid restraint systems for use with child seats and other occupant restraint systems

Info

Publication number: WO2012037375A2
Application number: PCT/US2011/051800
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Edward Miller; Ian John Hadlow; Derrick John Martin Barker; Andrew Charles Peters; Sean Leonard Rory Casey; Adriaan Siewertsen
Original assignee: Amsafe Commercial Products, Inc.
Priority date: 2010-09-15
Filing date: 2011-09-15
Publication date: 2012-03-22
Also published as: WO2012037375A3

Abstract

Semi-rigid restraint systems and associated methods for use with child seats and other personal restraint systems are disclosed herein. A semi-rigid restraint system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes shoulder and lap webs coupled to corresponding web connectors that can releasably engage a buckle assembly. The belt system can also include semi-rigid members that bias shoulder and lap webs outwardly toward an open position when the buckle assembly is released from the web connectors.

Description

SEMI-RIGID RESTRAINT SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH CHILD SEATS AND OTHER OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/383,276, filed September 15, 2010, and entitled "SEMI-RIGID BELT SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH CHILD SEATS AND OTHER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The following disclosure relates generally to personal restraint systems for use in vehicles and, more particularly, to belt systems for use with child seats and other personal restraint systems.

BACKGROUND

[0003] There are many types of personal restraint systems for use in automobiles, aircraft, all-terrain-vehicles, and other vehicles. Such systems include, for example, seat belts for use by adults and children of sufficient size, and child seats with associated restraints for use by toddlers and small children. One method of securing seat belts or webs around a passenger includes releasably attaching connectors on end portions of the webs to a buckle assembly. The buckle assembly retains the webs around the passenger during use, and also enables the passenger to release or separate the webs after use.

[0004] Conventional buckle assemblies can be positioned to the side of an occupant or in front of an occupant. For example, a "three point" harness system, as typically found in conventional automobiles, can include a shoulder web and a lap web that are releasably secured to a buckle assembly positioned proximate to the occupant's hip. A "five point' harness system can include a crotch web, two shoulder webs, and two corresponding lap webs that are releasably secured to a buckle assembly positioned proximate to the occupant's mid-section. Passenger safety laws in many countries require that child seats include five-point harness systems. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figures 1A and 1 B are isometric views of a child seat including a semirigid restraint system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0006] Figure 2 is an enlarged isometric view of a web connector for a semi-rigid restraint system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0007] Figures 3A and 3B are isometric and side views, respectively, of a semirigid restraint system in a closed position and configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figures 3C and 3D are isometric and rear views, respectively, of the semirigid restraint system Figures 3A and 3B in an open position.

[0009] Figures 4A and 4B are isometric views illustrating two stages of securing the semi-rigid restraint system of Figures 3A-3D on a child.

[0010] Figure 5 is an isometric view of a bicycle including a child seat configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The following disclosure describes semi-rigid restraint systems for use with child seats and other personal restraint systems in vehicles. As described in greater detail below, a child seat configured in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure can include semi-rigid members that bias lap webs outwardly toward an open position and facilitate placing a child into the child seat. Certain details are set forth in the following description and in Figures 1A-5 to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, other details describing well-known structures and systems often associated with child seats, buckle assemblies, web connectors, and/or other aspects of personal restraint systems are not set forth below to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of various embodiments of the invention.

[0012] Many of the details, dimensions, angles and other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, angles and features without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that further embodiments of the invention can be practiced without several of the details described below. In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical or at least generally similar elements. To facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits of any reference number refers to the Figure in which that element is first introduced. For example, element 110 is first introduced and discussed with reference to Figure 1.

[0013] Figures 1A and 1B are isometric views of a child seat 101 including a semi-rigid restraint system 100 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1A shows the semi-rigid restraint system 100 in a closed position for holding a passenger or occupant (e.g., a child; not shown) in the child seat 101 , and Figure 1 B shows the semi-rigid restraint system 100 in an open position for placing the child into and removing the child from the child seat 101. The child seat 101 includes a base portion 103 and a back portion 107. The child seat 101 can be secured to a vehicle seat (e.g., a conventional car seat; not shown) using various systems known in the art. Such systems can include, for example, belts or webs having proximal ends attached to the child seat 101 and distal ends attached to anchors in the bight of the vehicle seat with suitable couplings. In other embodiments, the child seat 101 can be secured to the vehicle seat, and/or other vehicle structures, using other suitable methods known in the art. Moreover, in further embodiments the child seat 101 or variations thereof can be reversed such that the child seat 101 faces rearward toward the vehicle seat. Accordingly, as the foregoing illustrates, embodiments of the present disclosure and applications of the semi-rigid restraint system 100 disclosed herein are not limited to the particular child seat configuration illustrated in Figures 1A and 1 B.

[0014] In the illustrated embodiment, the semi-rigid restraint system 100 includes shoulder webs 102 (identified individually as a first shoulder web 102a and a second shoulder web 102b) and corresponding lap webs 104 (identified individually as a first lap web 104a and a second lap web 104b). The shoulder webs 102 extend from the upper back portion 107 of the child seat 101 , and the lap webs 104 extend from the bight region of the child seat 101 between the back portion 107 and the seat portion 103. The shoulder webs 102 and the lap webs 104 can include various types of woven fabric materials and/or other suitable belt or strap materials known in the art that provide sufficient strength, flexibility, durability and/or other characteristics.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1A and 1 B, the distal end portion of each shoulder web 102 is operably coupled to a corresponding web connector 112 (identified individually as a first web connector 112a and a second web connector 112b). The distal end portion of each lap web 104 is also operatively coupled to the corresponding web connector 112. The lap webs 104 and the shoulder webs 102 can be coupled to the corresponding web connectors 112 using suitable methods known in the art (e.g. stitching, gluing, molding, etc.). In various embodiments, the shoulder webs 102 and the lap webs 104 are separate and distinct webs. In other embodiments, the first shoulder web 102a and the first lap web 104a can be formed from a single web that slidably passes through an aperture in the first web connector 112a, and the second shoulder web 102b and the second lap web 104b can be formed from a single web that slidably passes through an aperture in the second web connector 112b. The proximal end portions of the shoulder webs 102 and the lap webs 104 can be secured or otherwise affixed to the child seat 101 and/or other adjacent structures using various suitable methods known in the art.

[0016] To secure the webs 102, 104 around a child, the web connectors 1 2 can be releasably engaged with a buckle assembly 110 (e.g., as shown in Figure 1A). The buckle assembly 110 is attached to a distal end portion of a crotch web 105, which can be generally similar in structure and function as the shoulder and lap webs 102 and 104. A proximal end portion of the crotch web 105 can be secured to the base portion 103 of the child seat 101 and/or other adjacent structures using suitable methods known in the art.

[0017] In another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the lap webs 104 extend at least partially through semi-rigid members 106 (identified individually as a first semi-rigid member 106a and a second semi-rigid member 106b) that can bias the semi-rigid restraint system 100 outwardly toward the open position (e.g., as shown in Figure 1 B) when the web connectors 112 are disengaged from the buckle assembly 110. In various embodiments, the semi-rigid members 106 include hollow elastomeric sleeves, housings, or shells through which the lap webs 104 pass. In other embodiments, the semi-rigid members can be overmolded onto the lap webs 104, molded separately and attached over the lap webs 104, integrally formed with the lap webs 104, and/or support or carry the lap webs 104 using other suitable methods known in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, the semi-rigid members 106 extend the entire length of the lap webs 104, from the bight of the child seat 101 to the corresponding web connector 112. In other embodiments, however, the semi-rigid members 106 can extend along only a portion of the corresponding lap webs 104.

[0018] In yet another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder webs 102 and the crotch web 105 can also include semi-rigid members 106 (identified individually as third through fifth semi-rigid members 106c-e, respectively). The shoulder webs 102 can extend through corresponding semi-rigid members 106 from the back portion 107 of the child seat along the upper portion of the shoulder webs

102. The fifth semi-rigid member 106e can extend along the length of the crotch web 105 and/or replace the crotch web 105 and be rotatably coupled to the base portion

103. In other embodiments, the semi-rigid members 106 can extend along shorter or longer portions of the shoulder webs 102 and the crotch web 105. In the open position (e.g., as shown in Figure 1 B), the semi-rigid members 106 bias the shoulder webs 102 outwardly away from the back portion 107 of the child seat 101 and form openings in the shoulder webs 102 that make it easy to pass the child's arms through the shoulder webs 102. The fifth semi-rigid member 106e biases and/or rotates the crotch web 105 and the buckle assembly 110 forward to facilitate placing the child into and out of the child seat 101. In other embodiments, the semi-rigid restraint system 100 can include additional webs with additional semi-rigid members and/or some of the semi-rigid members 106 may be omitted.

[0019] The semi-rigid members 106 can be made from various types of moldable and/or resilient materials known in the art that provide sufficient elasticity, flexibility, conformability, ductility, and/or other desirable characteristics that can elastically bias the webs 102, 104, 105 outwardly toward the open position (e.g., as shown in Figure 1 B). In some embodiments, for example, the semi-rigid members 106 can be made from plastic (e.g., injection molded plastic), thermoplastic rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and/or other semi-rigid materials known in the art.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1B, the semi-rigid members 106 position the webs 102, 104, 105 outwardly and away from the base portion 103 and the back portion 107 of the child seat 101 to facilitate moving a child (not shown) into and out of the child seat 101. The buckle assembly 110, for example, need only be disengaged to cause the semi-rigid members 106 to bias the shoulder webs 102 and the lap webs 104 and the web connecters 112 outward and the crotch web 105 and the buckle assembly 110 forward toward the open position. The child can then be moved into or out of the child seat 101 without interference from the semi-rigid restraint system 100. Additionally, the semi-rigid members 106 can add structure to the webs 102, 104, 105 to prevent the webs 102, 104, 105 from entangling when the child seat 101 is not in use. Moreover, the semi-rigid members 106 can also carry padding to make the semi-rigid restraint system 100 more comfortable for the child. The semi-rigid material members 106 can also provide smooth surfaces that can easily be wiped off to simplify cleaning.

[0021] In various embodiments, the shoulder webs 102 and the lap webs 104 can be independently adjustable (e.g., tightening the first shoulder web 102a does not automatically tighten the first lap web 104a). Separately adjusting the corresponding shoulder and lap webs 102 and 104 can decrease the tension on the individual webs 102, 104 necessary to engage the web connectors 112 with the buckle assembly 110. This can lessen the force of the webs 102, 104 on the child as the semi-rigid restraint system 100 is closed. Additionally, independent adjustments can give the semi-rigid restraint system 100 greater flexibility. In one embodiment, for example, independently adjusting the shoulder webs 102 and the lap webs 104 allows for both gross adjustments and fine adjustments of the semi-rigid restraint system 100. The shoulder webs 102 can provide fine adjusters (e.g., retractors operatively coupled to end portions of the shoulder webs 102 proximate to the back portion 107 of the child seat 101) that tension each time the passenger dons the semi-rigid restraint system 100. The lap webs 104 can provide gross adjusters (e.g., mechanical slack adjusters, ladder stitched webs, etc.) that can be tensioned occasionally (e.g., as the passenger grows, when the seasons require the passenger to wear heavier clothes, etc.). This additional flexibility can make the semi-rigid restraint system 100 more comfortable for the child. In other embodiments, the lap webs 104 and/or the shoulder webs 102 can be adjusted simultaneously and/or using other methods known in the art.

[0022] In a still further aspect of the illustrated embodiment, each of the web connectors 112 includes a corresponding top-entry tongue portions 114 (identified individually as a first tongue portion 114a and a second tongue portion 114b, not visible) that releasably engage with the buckle assembly 110. In one embodiment, for example, the first tongue portion 114a and the second tongue portion 114b are releasably engaged and then simultaneously inserted as a unit through an opening 120 in the top of buckle assembly 110. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the shoulder and lap web 102 and 104 can be engaged with the crotch web 105 using other types of suitable buckle assemblies known in the art.

[0023] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the outwardly biased semirigid members 106 can position the tongue portions 114 outward and forward when the semi-rigid restraint system 100 is in the open position (e.g., as shown in Figure 1 B). This positioning makes the tongue portions 114 and/or the web connectors 112 easier to locate and grasp. The semi-rigid members 106 can also provide some rigidity to the webs 102, 104, 105 that helps orient the tongue portions 114 and facilitates engaging or interlocking the tongue portions 114. In further aspects of the present disclosure, the tongue portions 114 and the web connectors 112 can be formed integrally with the semi-rigid members. The semi-rigid members 106, for example, can be molded over the web connectors 112.

[0024] Figure 2 is an enlarged isometric view of another web connector 212 that can be used with the semi-rigid restraint system 100 of Figures 1A and 1 B in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. The web connector 212 can include features generally similar in structure and function to corresponding features of the web connectors 112 described above. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the web connector 212 includes a side-entry tongue portion 214 that can releasably engage with a portion of a conventional side-entry buckle assembly (not shown). A corresponding second side tongue portion (not shown) can releasably engage with another portion of the buckle assembly. The side-entry tongue portion 214 can engage the buckle assembly independently of the corresponding second tongue portion to simplify closing the semi-rigid restraint system 100. In other embodiments, the tongue portion 214 can have other suitable configurations known in the art.

[0025] Figures 3A-3D illustrate a semi-rigid restraint system 300 configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3A and 3B are isometric and side views, respectively, showing the semi-rigid restraint system 300 in a closed position, and Figures 3C and 3D are isometric and rear views, respectively, showing the semi-rigid restraint system 300 in an open position. Several features of the semi-rigid restraint system 300 can be at least generally similar in structure and function to the semi-rigid restraint system 100 described above with reference to Figures 1A and 1 B. The semi-rigid restraint system 300 includes semirigid members 306 having pleated portions 316 (identified individually as a first pleated portion 316a and a second pleated portion 316b), such as bellows, that can add spring bias to the semi-rigid members 306. For example, the pleated portions 316 can extend when the semi-rigid restraint system 300 is in the closed position (Figures 3A and 3B), and can retract to spring the lap webs (not shown) outwardly toward the open position (Figures 3C and 3D) when the buckle assembly 110 is disengaged. The pleated portions 316 can also compress longitudinally to facilitate shortening the length of the lap webs such that the semi-rigid members 306 do not interfere with adjusting the size of the semi-rigid restraint system 300. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the pleated portions 316 includes three pleats, but a person skilled in the art will recognize that the number of pleats can be greater or smaller to provide the semi-rigid members 316 with more or less spring bias and/or adjustment flexibility. In other embodiments, the semi-rigid members 306 can include other extensible mechanisms known in the art to facilitate spring biasing and/or adjusting corresponding webs.

[0026] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3A-3D, each of the semi-rigid members 306 extends over portions of the corresponding web connector 312 to form covers (identified individually as a first cover 318a and a second cover 318b), leaving the tongue portions 1 14 exposed to releasably engage with the buckle assembly 110. The covers 318 can facilitate grasping and manipulation of the web connectors 312 by the user. As shown in Figures 3C and 3D, the covers 318 can have complimentary inner edge profiles 320 that fit together when the tongue portions 114 are properly interlocked and/or the web connectors 312 are engaged with the buckle assembly 110. The covers 318 can be an extension of the semi-rigid members 306 and can be bonded, press fit, and/or otherwise attached to the web connectors 312. In other embodiments, the covers 318 can be formed separate from the semi-rigid members 306.

[0027] Figures 4A and 4B are isometric views illustrating two stages of securing the semi-rigid restraint system 300 of Figures 3A-3D around a child 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4A, the pleated portions 316 spring bias the semi-rigid members 306 outwardly toward an open position when the buckle assembly 110 is disengaged from the web connectors 312. This moves the lap webs (not shown) and the shoulder webs 102 from a back and/or bottom of a child seat (e.g., the child seat 101 of Figures 1A and 1 B) to facilitate placement of the child 400 into and out of the child seat. The buckle assembly 110 can also include a biasing member that forces it forward and away from the child loading area when the web connectors 312 are disengaged. Additionally, biasing the semi-rigid restraint system 300 toward the open position can orient the semi-rigid restraint system 300 for a user and prevent webs from tangling.

[0028] In Figure 4B, the semi-rigid restraint system 300 is in a closed position with the web connectors 112 releasably engaged with the buckle assembly 110. In the closed position, the semi-rigid members 306 can provide more padding than conventional webbing to make the semi-rigid restraint system 300 more comfortable. Additionally, the semi-rigid members 306 can comprise materials (e.g., plastics, rubber, etc.) that can easily be wiped clean if the child 400 spills something on his or her lap.

[0029] Although Figures 1A-4B illustrate use of the semi-rigid members 106, 306 with a "five point" harness child seat secured to a vehicle seat, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the semi-rigid members 106, 306 and the other components of the semi-rigid restraint systems 100, 300 can be used in a number of other restraint system applications without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. In other embodiments, for example, the semi-rigid members 106, 306 can be used with various webs in a "four point" harness, a "three point" harness, a "two point" harness, and/or another type of restraint system. In further embodiments, the semi-rigid members 106, 306 can be used to restrain a child in a high-chair, swing, bicycle, stroller, or other seat. Figure 5, for example, illustrates a bicycle 560 including a child bike seat 501 with a semi-rigid restraint system 500 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In still further embodiments, semi-rigid restraint systems similar to those described above can be used for adult restraint systems to facilitate ingress into and egress from a vehicle seat. Such semi-rigid restraint system can be positioned in, e.g., all terrain vehicles (e.g., dune buggies), military vehicles (e.g., HMMWVs), jets, and/or other land, air or water vehicles. [0030] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure. Further, while various advantages associated with certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS I/We claim:

1. A semi-rigid restraint system for use with a child seat, the restraint system comprising:

a lap web;

a shoulder web;

a web connector coupled to the lap web and to the shoulder web;

a buckle assembly configured to releasably engage with a portion of the web connector; and

a semi-rigid member coupled to one of the lap web and the shoulder web and connected to the web connector, wherein the semi-rigid member biases one of the lap web and the shoulder web outwardly from the child seat when the buckle assembly and the web connector are disengaged.

2. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 1 wherein:

the lap web is a first lap web;

the shoulder web is a first shoulder web;

the web connector is a first web connector coupled to the first lap web and the first shoulder web;

the semi-rigid member is a first semi-rigid member coupled to the first lap web; and

the semi-rigid restraint system further comprises—

a second lap web having a second semi-rigid member, wherein the first and second semi-rigid members bias the first and second lap webs away from one another;

a second shoulder web; and

a second web connector coupled to the second lap web and the second shoulder web, wherein the buckle assembly is configured to releasably engage with portions of the first and second web connectors.

3. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 2, further comprising:

a third semi-rigid member coupled to the first shoulder web; and

a fourth semi-rigid member coupled to the second shoulder web, wherein the third and fourth semi-rigid members bias the first and second shoulder webs upward and away from one another.

4. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 2 wherein:

the first web connector includes a first tongue portion;

the second web connector includes a second tongue portion; and

the first tongue portion is configured to releasably engage the second tongue portion before engaging the buckle assembly.

5. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 2 wherein the first and second semi-rigid members are formed integrally with the corresponding first and second web connectors.

6. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 2, further comprising a child seat having a back portion and a base portion, wherein the first and second shoulder webs extend from the back portion, wherein the buckle assembly extends from the base portion, and wherein the first and second lap webs extend from between the back and base portions.

7. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 2 wherein the first and second shoulder webs include fine web adjusters, and wherein the first and second lap webs are decoupled from the fine web adjusters.

8. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 1 wherein:

the semi-rigid member is a first semi-rigid member;

the semi-rigid restraint system comprises a second semi-rigid member coupled to the buckle assembly, wherein the second semi-rigid member biases the buckle assembly outwardly from the child seat.

9. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid member includes a means for biasing one of the lap web and the shoulder web outwardly from the child seat.

10. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid member includes a hollow sleeve configured to receive one of the lap web and the shoulder web.

11. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid member includes a plurality of pleats configured to shorten and lengthen the semirigid member.

12. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid member is integrally formed with the web connector.

13. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 1 wherein the shoulder web and the lap web are independently adjustable.

14. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid member comprises an elastomeric material.

15. The semi-rigid restraint system of claim 1 , further comprising a child bike seat, wherein the lap web, the shoulder web, and the buckle assembly extend from the child bike seat.

16. A method of manufacturing a semi-rigid restraint system for use with a child seat, the method comprising:

providing a buckle assembly;

coupling a first web connector to a first lap web and a first shoulder web;

coupling a second web connector to a second lap web and a second shoulder web, wherein the first and second web connectors are configured to releasably engage with the buckle assembly; and operably coupling a semi-rigid member to one of the lap and shoulder webs and one of the first and second web connectors, wherein the semi-rigid member biases one of the lap web and the shoulder web outwardly from the child seat when the buckle assembly and web connector are disengaged.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein:

operably coupling the semi-rigid member to one of the lap and shoulder webs includes coupling a first semi-rigid member to the first lap web;

the method further comprises—

operably coupling a second semi-rigid member to the second lap web, wherein the first and second semi-rigid members bias the first and second lap webs away from one another;

operably coupling a third semi-rigid member to one of the first and second shoulder webs, wherein the third semi-rigid member biases one of the lap web and the shoulder web outwardly from the child seat when the corresponding web connector is disengaged from the buckle assembly.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein operably coupling the semi-rigid member to one of the lap and shoulder webs comprises integrally forming the semirigid member with the corresponding web connector.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein:

coupling a semi-rigid member to one of the lap and shoulder webs comprises coupling a first semi-rigid member to one of the lap and shoulder webs; and

the method further comprises coupling a second semi-rigid member to the buckle assembly, wherein the second semi-rigid member biases the buckle assembly forward from the child seat when the buckle assembly is disengaged from the web connector.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein coupling the semi-rigid member comprises:

forming a semi-rigid sleeve; and

positioning at least a portion of one of the lap belt and the shoulder belt in the semi-rigid sleeve.