WO2015027275A1

WO2015027275A1 - A child restraint system for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2015027275A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/000846
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Horsfall
Original assignee: Infa-Secure Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-27
Filing date: 2014-08-27
Publication date: 2015-03-05

Abstract

The present invention provides a child restraint system for a vehicle comprising; a seat shell for receiving a child therein; an intermediate member configured to securely receive the seat shell such that the seat shell is able to move in a longitudinal manner with respect to the intermediate member; and a docking member securable to a seat of the vehicle, the docking member being configured to receive the intermediate member such that, the intermediate member is securely retained in position with respect to the docking member but is free to rotate about a central axis with respect to the docking member.

Description

A child restraint system for a vehicle

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Applicatio No. 2013903245 filed o 27 August 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF IN VENTION

The present invention relates generally to a child restraint system for a vehicle, and in particular, a child restraint system for a vehicle that provides improved modularity and upgradability to cater for the safety needs of a child from infancy to pre-teen.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of child safety seats to accommodate infants and young children whilst travelling in a vehicle is common throughout the world. Most countries have established various laws and regulations that dictate the manner in which infants and children are to be transported in vehicles, and the types of restraints that are acceptable. Most such laws require the infant'chiid to be restrained in a dedicated and approved child safety seat that is anchored or otherwise secured to rear seat of the vehicle. The child safety seat may include a dedicated harness that restrains the child in position within the seat, or the child safety seat may utilise the vehicle seat belt or a separate harness to restrain the child therein, depending upon the size and/or age of the child.

As such, there exist a variety of types of child safety seats that are approved for use with children of a variety of ages and/or sizes. These types can be broadly characterised as follows. Type A seats typically refer to rearward facing seats or capsules suitable for accommodating babies/infants up to around 12 months of age and/or 80 cm in length and up to around 12 kg. Type B seats typically refer to forward facing seats used to accommodate toddlers and young children from approximately 6 months to 4 years, or from 8 - 18 kg. Type E seats typically refer to forward facing booster seats and booster cushions used to accommodate children between 4 - 8 years old, or approximately from 14— 32 kg, and which are typically used in combination with the vehicle seat belt. Type G seats refer to seats that are constructed to accommodate a child from 6 months - 8 years of age and may be capable of being used in both a forward and rearward facing mode and which contain their own internal harness system for restraining the child therein.

To provide a child safety seat that accommodates a child as they grow, combination child safety seats have also been proposed, such as type A/B or type B E seats. In the case of Type A/B seats, such seats are configured so as to be used as both a rearward facing seat and a forward facing seat to accommodate children up to 4 years, or from infancy to 18 kg. in relation to type B/E combination seats, such seats are configured to be used in a forward facing mode to accommodate a children from as young as 6 months to 8 years old, or from 8 - 32 kg. Hence, whilst some such combination safety seat have been developed for use between different age and weight ranges, during the life of a child there may still be a requirement to purchase at least two different types of seats to accommodate transition between a Type A, Type B and a Type E or Type G seating arrangement;

In most child safety seats, the seat is secured on the vehicle seat by way of the vehicle seat belt that is passed either around or through the body of the seat. A tether strap or straps may also be employed to restrain an upper portion of the child safet seat. in. position against a dedicated vehicle anchorage point provided on the chassis of the vehicle. As such, if the child safety seat requires removal from the vehicle, as may be the case i the seat is to be used in another vehicle or if the seat is to be replaced with a different type of child safety seat, a considerable amount of effort is required to remove the seat and replace the seat. Typically, the vehicle seat belt must be repositioned and the various belts tensioned in a manner that requires significant effort, particularly if there is limited space available to perform such tasks, as may be the case where multiple seats are positioned on a vehicle seat.

As such, there is a need to provide a child safety seat system that accommodates a child as the child grows to provide a variety of different seating options. Further, there is a need to provide a child safety seat that makes the act of securing a child within the child safety seat a relatively simple task and which simplifies the act of removal and/or replacement of the chi ld safety seat.

The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be constmed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect, there is provided a child restraint system for a vehicle comprising: a seat shell for receiving a child therein; an intermediate member configured to securely receive the seat shell such that the seat shell is able to move in a longitudinal manner with respect to the intermediate member; and a docking member securable to a seat of the vehicle, the docking member being configured to receive the intermediate member such that the intermediate member is securely retained in position with respect to the docking member but is free to rotate about a central axis with respect to the docking member,

.In one embodiment, the seat shell is able to move in a longitudinal manner with respect to the intermediate member so as to facilitate adjustment of the angle of inclination of the seat shel l with respect to the docking member.

The seat shell may be mountable to a track formed in a surface of the mtermediate system, said track defining the degree of longitudinal movement possible by the seat shell The mtermediate member may have an arcuate surface upon which the seat shell is received and moves upon. The curvature of the outer surface of the seat shell may substantially conform to the curvature of the arcuate surface of the mtermediate member.

The intermediate member may be free to rotate in any direction with respect to the docking member about an angle of up to 360°. The docking member may include one or more locking members that lock the intermediate member against the docking member during use.

The intermediate member may be detachably mounted to the docking member to facilitate removal of the seat shell from the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the docking member may comprise a docking port for receiving an engagement member of the intermediate member. The docking port ma comprise a recess into which the engagement membe of the intermediate member may be received. The engagement member may be received within the recess such that when the engagement member is in a first orientation it is removable therefrom and when the engagement member is moved to a second orientation it engages with the recess to prevent removal therefrom. The docking port may further comprise a locating pin for engaging with a recess provided within the engagement membe when the engagement member is moved to said second orientation.

The docking member may be securabie to the seat of the vehicle by a seat belt system of the vehicle. A tether may secure an upper portion of the docking member to a dedicated anchorage point provided on the vehicle. The docking member may be secured to the seat of the vehicle by way of an ISOFlX-type connection arrangement.

The tether may have an adjustment means located on an upright portion of the docking member. The adjustment means may comprise an inertia reel to accommodate the tether. The docking member may comprise an adjuster on a rear surface of an upright portion thereof. The adjuster may be configured to extend from the rear surface of the upright portion to contact a backrest of vehicle seat to facilitate adjustment of the angle of inclination of the docking member with respect to the angle of inclination of the backrest of the vehicle seat. A means for controlling the amount by which the adjuster extends from the rear surface of the upright portion may be provided on a front surface of the docking member.

A frontmost surface of the docking membe may be substantially concave to facilitate rotation of the intermediate member thereon. The intermediate member may include energ attenuation means.

The iSOFiX-type connection arrangement may include energy attenuation means.

The intermediate member may be configured to engage with a separate carrying means exterior to the vehicle. The separate carrying means may be in the form of a perambulator means. The seat shell may comprise a primary handle to facilitate carrying of the seat shell and intermediate member to and/or away from the vehicle when detached from the docking member. The primary handle may be movably connected to the seat shell and may have at least one outer secondary handle formed thereon which may be positioned for use irrespective of the position of the primary handle with respect to the seat shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEE DRA WINGS

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments,, i which:

Fig. I is a front perspective view of a child restraint system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the child restraint system of Figure 1.

Figs, 3 A and 3B are front perspective views of a docking member in accordance with separate embodiments of the child restraint system of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the docking member of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the child restraint system of Fig. 1 in use in a vehicle in a first position;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the child restraint system of Fig. 1 in rise in a vehicle in a second position, the second position having an angle of inclination less than the first position.

Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of the child restraint system of Fig. I partially rotated toward a Type- A position;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the child restraint system of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a rear view of the child restraint system of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view the child restraint system of Fig. 1 in a Type A or rearward facing mode of use;

Fig. i 1 shows a side view of the child restraint system of Fig, 10;

Fig. 12 shows a side view of yet another embodiment of the child restraint system of the present invention;

Fig. 13 shows a side vie of still yet another embodiment of the child restraint system of the present invention; Fig. 14 shows a front perspective view of a docking member in accordance with another embodiment of the child restraint system of the present invention;

Fig. 15 shows a perspective front view of a combined seat shell and intermediate member for use with the docking member of Fig. 14;

Fig. 1 shows a partial cross sectional view of the combined seat shell and intermediate member of Fig. 1 5;

Fig. 17 shows front perspective view of the combined seat shell and intermediate member of Fig. 15 being attached to the docking member of Fig. 14 in accordance with a embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 18 shows the assembled child restraint system the embodiment depicted in Figs. 14 - 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the in vention.

The present invention will be described below in relatio to its application to a. Type-A/B child safety seat application, where a child may be located in a fonvard or a rearward facing position, relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle. It will be appreciated that the present invention could also be equally applied for use with a Type E or Type G seat for use in a vehicle with children graduating from a conventional Type B child safety seat where the vehicle seat belt restraint system provided with the vehicle is employed.

Referring to Figure 1 , a perspective view of an embodiment of tire child restraint system 10 of the present, invention is depicted. As discussed above, the child restraint system 10 depicted in Figure 1 is representative of a conventional Type- B child restraint in a forward facing mode. In the depiction of the restraint system 10 of Figure L die vehicle seat is not shown for reasons of clarity; however, it will be appreciated that the restraint will be located for use on a rear seat of a vehicle as is well understood in the art, or in some instances, the restraint may also be located on a front seat of a vehicle, where such usage is permitted. The restraint system 10 generally comprises a seat shell 12, an intermediate member 15 and a base or docking member 16.

The seat shell 1.2 is generally configured to accommodate a child therein and may include a head rest member 13 which may be movably mounted to an inside surface of the seat shell 12, so as to be adjustable in position to be adjacent a child's head when seated in the seat shell 12. The seat shell 12 may be made from a variety of conventional materials, and in a preferred embodiment is made from an injection moulded plastic material, in this regard, the seat shell 12 generally comprises a pair of side wings 14 that define a internal space into which the child is received, and the internal space ma include an internal harness (not shown) for securing the child within that space, as well as a soft lining for comfort. The outer surface of the seat shell 12 may have a hard o rigid surface to provide a degree of protection to the child in the event of an impact, and ma have a cover applied thereto for aesthetic purposes. In this regard, to provide improved child safety, an energy attenuating material, such as polystyrene foam or similar material, may be provided between the cover and the outer surface of the seat shell 12.

The purpose of the intermediate member 1 5 will be described in more detail below. The intermediate member 1 is securely attached to the seat shel 12 such that the seat shell 12 and the intermediate member 15 form a single unit, as will become more apparent below. The manner in which the seat shell 12 and the intermediate member 15 inter-engage is such that the seat shell 12 is able to move in a sliding action along the intermediate member 15 such that angle of inclination of the seat shell 12 with respect to the intermediate member 15 can be varied in accordance with the safety and comfort needs of the child located therein. This is achieved irrespective of any orientational relationship that may exist between the seat shell 12 and the base or docking member 16, I this regard, the intermediate member 15 functions to provide attachment of the seat shell 12 to the base or docking member 16.

The docking member 16 is shown in isolation in Figures 3 A, 3B and 4.

As is more clearly shown in Figure 4, the docking member 16 is configured to be placed on a vehicle seat 5 for use. In this regard, the docking member 16 has an upright portion 17 that is configured to extend along the backrest of the vehicle seat 5 when in use, and a base portion 18 that is supported on the seat portion of the vehicle seat 5, as shown. The upright portion 17 and the base portion 18 are arranged to form an exposed surface that defines a substantially constant arc. upon which the intermediate member 15 is received. The base portion 18 has a docking port 19 formed therein to receive the intermediate member 15, in a manner to be described in more detail below in accordance with the various embodiments shown.

To securely retain the docking member 16 on the surface of the vehicle seat 5, a variety of mechanisms may be employed. i a preferred embodiment, the vehicle seat belt system 6 may be used to extend over and across the docking member 16 in the manner as shown in Fig. 3 A. The vehicle seat belt system 6 generally comprises a lap belt 6a and a sash belt 6b which, when used to restrai an adult, are configured to extend over the adult's lap and chest respectively. When used to restrai the docking member 16 i position on the vehicle seat, the lap belt 6a is arranged to extend over the base portion 18 of the docking member 1 . To facilitate secure retention of the base portion 18 of the docking member 16 b the lap belt 6a, a pair of recesses 18a are provided in the base portio 18 as shown. The recesses 18a function to receive and locate the lap belt 6a as it passes over the base portion 18 and may also be provided with locking members (not shown) in the form of latches and the like, to securely hold the lap belt 6a in place. A central locating member 18b may also be provided on the surface of the docking member 16 between the recesses 18a as shown. In this regard, the locating member 18b extends above the surface of the docking member to define a narrow gap or space through which the lap belt 6a may be threaded as it passes over the docking member 16.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 A, when the vehicle seat belt 6 also includes a sash belt 6b, the sash belt is arranged to extend across the upright portion 17 of the docking member 16. in this regard, a pair of recessed channels 1 7a may be provided in the upper region of the upright porti on as shown, in Fig. 3 to define a path for the sash belt 6b to travel over the upper region of the upright portion 17. The recessed channels 17a each extend diagonally from a centrally located belt tensioning device 17b, in opposing directions so as to provide for the sash belt 6b extending in either a left-handed or right-handed direction, depending upon which side of the vehicle seat 5 the restraint system 10 is to be used.

To correctly position the sash belt 6b with respect to the dockmg member 16, the sash belt 6b is passed over the upright portion 17 so as to pass under the belt tensioning device 17b and along one of the recessed channels 17a position, as shown in Fig. 3A. Once positioned, any slack present in the sash belt. 6a can be removed by depressing the device 17b so that it presses down, on the sash belt thereby creating a degree of tension in the sash belt 6b. Other arrangements for achieving tension in the sash belt are also envisaged. Such arrangements may include clamping and/or tensioning devices located in the upper corner sections of the upright portion 17, as well as other means formed on the upright portion, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

An alternative arrangement for securely retaining the docking member 16 on the vehicle seat 5 is shown in Figure 3B. For reason of clarity, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same features as discussed above in relation to Fig. 3A. However, in this aiTangement, the lap belt 6a and the sash belt 6b are both combined to pass over the surface of the docking member 16 as shown, so as to be received in the recesses 18a and by the locating member 18b. The recesses 18a are formed on at least one side of the base portion 18 and may incorporate a clamping and or tensioning device, such as a ratchet or other type mechanism, such that the device is able to apply tensio to the lap and/or sash belt as it passes thereover, to more securely retain the docking member 16 against the vehicle seat 5.

In an alternative embodiment, a system commonly referred to as an ISOFTX-type connection system may be employed to secure the dockin member 16 on the vehicle seat 5. An ISOFIX-type system for achieving this function is depicted in Fig. 4. The ISOFIX-type system may comprise a belt portio 2 having a latch member 3 at either end thereof, as shown. The docking member 16 may have a space 16a formed therein in the region between the continuously arced outer surface thereof and the undersurface. This space 16a provides a path for the belt portion 2 of the ISOFIX-type system to be threaded. The latch members 3 can then be attached to a dedicated rod or bar 4 located in the vehicle, or a similar dedicated fixation point and the belt portion 2 can be tightened with an adjustment means to securely fix the docking member 16 in position on the vehicle seat 5. The latch members 3 may be constructed to have an energy attenuating capability in the event of an accident. Alternatively, the belt portion 2 may be located over the upper surface of the docking membe 16.

In each of the above embodiments for fixing the docking member 16 in position, a tether 7 ma also be employed, in a conventional manner. The tether 7 may be attached to an upper regio of the upright portion 17 of the docking member 16, as shown, and extend back to a dedicated vehicle anchorage point provided on the vehicle. The tether 7 may have an inbuilt adjuster located in the upright portion 17 of the docking member 16. Such an adjuster may incorporate an inerti reel system to store excess webbing or strap during use of the restraint 10 and in the event that the restraint 10 is not in use and requires storage. In this regard, by securing the tether 7 to the vehicle anchorage point of the vehicle, the tether 7 and the vehicle seat belt 6 and/or ^'ISOFIX-type system can be used to provide secure fixation of the docking member 16 to the vehicle seat. Similarly, the secure fixation of the docking member 16 may be achieved by an ISOFiX- type system that is provided integral with the docking member 16 (not shown).

Whilst not depicted in any of th Figures, an alternative means for securing the docking member 16 to the seat of the vehicle ma incorporate a foot or pedestal member that extends from a front edge of the base portion 18 to abut the floor of the vehicle. Such a foot or pedestal member is well known in the art.

Referring to the exploded view of the child restraint system 10 of the present invention shown in Figure 2, the intermediate member 15 is mounted to the docking port 19 of the docking member 16 by way of engagement member 20. As is shown more clearly in Fig. 3, the docking port 1 extends above the surface of the base portion 1 8 and has a circular recess formed therein. Alternatively, the docking port may be recessed into the upper surface of the base portion 18 of the docking member 16. in one embodiment of the present invention, the engagement member 20 is in the form of a circular projection that projects from an undersurface of the intermediate member 15. In such an embodiment, the engagement member 20 is able to be inserted into the circular recess of the docking port 1 to form an inter- engagement between the intermediate member 15 and the docking member 16 by way of an interference fit. The interference fit may be created by one or more lugs (not shown) provided within the recess of the docking port which are controlled to engage with the engagement member 20 when inserted therein. In such an arrangement the inter-engagement between the intermediate member 15 and the docking member 16 can be controlled to facilitate engagement/disengagement when required to enable the seat shell to be removed and/or replaced where necessary. As will be appreciated in the discussion below, the circular nature of the engagement member 20 and the docking port 19 provides a point of inter-engagement between the intermediate member 15 and the docking member 16 that facilitates rotational movement of the seat shell 12 and intermediate member 15 with respect to the docking member 16.

As previously discussed, the intermediate member 15 is securely attached to the seat shell 12 such that the seat shell 12 and the intermediate member 15 form a single unit. As is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the surface of the intermediate member 15 against which the seat, shell 12 is received is arcuate in form. The curvature of the surface of the intermediate member 15 is substantially equivalent to the curvature of the undersurface of the seat shell 12, such that the seat shell 12 is snugly fitted to the intemiediate member 15.

Whilst not shown, the arcuate surface of the intermediate member 15 that receives the seat shell 12 is provided with one or more tracks, in the form of one or more slotted recesses that extend longitudinally along the arcuate surface. The undersurface of the seat shell 12 has one or more runners or projections that extend therefrom to be received within the one or more tracks formed in the arcuate surface of the intermediate member 15. The runners or projections of the seat shell 12 engage within the tracks of the intermediate member 15 to provide a secure interconnection therebetween. Such an interconnection enables the sea shell 12 to slide along the tracks of the intermediate member so as to provide for a variation in the angle of inclination of the seat shell 12 with respect to the intemiediate member 15. In an alternative arrangement, the seat shell 12 may contain the tracks with the intermediate member 15 having runners or projections received within the tracks to provide equivalent movement between the intermediate member 15 and the seat shell 12 to effect alteration in the angle of inclination positioning of the track s and the runners.

The manner in which this alteration of the angle of inclination of the seat shell may be used, is shown in relation to Figs. 5 and 6. in Fig. 5, the restraint system 10 is shown with the seat, shell 12 in a reclined position. In this position, a child located within the seat shell 12, whilst being in a forward facing position, is reclined so as to be in a more supine position to that shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, the seat shell 12 has been moved in the direction of arrows vV such that the seat shell 12 slides along the surface of the intermediate member 15 into a more upright position. As can be noted, in the upright position of Fig. 6, the position of the intermediate member 1 with respect to the docking member 16 remains consistent and only the seat shell 12 undergoes movement. Hence, the integrity of the interconnection between the seat shell 12 and the docking member 16 is maintai ned throughout.

It will be appreciated that, when the seat shell 12 is located in a forward facing mode as depicted i Figs. 5 and 6, a locking member (not shown) may be provided at the upper end of the intermediate member 15 to lock the upper end of the intermediate member 15 against the docking member 16. The locking member (not shown) may be in the form of a simple clip carried by the docking member 16 that receives a complementary lug carried by the intermediate member 15, when the intermediate member 15 is mounted on the docking member 16. In this regard, the additional point of securement other than the inter-engagement between the docking port 19 and the engagement member 20 provides further stabilisation of the system 10 in the event of a vehicle accident.

As previously discussed, the restramt system 10 of the present mvention is able to be used as a Type-A child safety seat by being simply rotated through 180° such that the seat shell 12 is in a rearward lacing position as shown in Figs. 10 and 1 1.

Due to the manner in which the intermediate member 15 is mounted to the docking member 16, the intermediate member 35 and seat shell 12 are able to be rotated about this point of engagement between the engagement member 20 and the docking port 19. This is shown more clearly i Figs, 7 - 9, where the seat shell 32 is shown rotated through 90°. In this movement, the seat shell 12 remains fixed with respect to the intermediate member 15 and he rotation movement occurs between the intermediate member 15 and the docking member 16 only.

.In Figs, 10 and 1 1 , the restraint system 10 is shown in a Type-A mode of use. in this mode of use, the seat shell 12 is arranged in a rearward facing manner, with respect to the movement of the vehicle, and following the seat shell 12 and intermediate member 15 being docked in position with the docking member 16, the angle of reclination of the seat shell 12 with respect to the docking member 16, can be simply altered in the manner as previously discussed. In altering the angle of reclination of the seat shell, sliding movement occurs between the seat shell 12 and the intermediate member 15 only. To provide additional security to the restraint system 10, a locking member (not shown) may be provided on the surface of the docking member 1 to engage with th end of the seat shell 12 when the seat shell 12 is in the reclined position.

It will be appreciated that in the embodiment as shown in Figs, 10 and 1 1, the seat shell 12 is retained in position without the need for a tether arrangement extending from the seat shell 12 back to a dedicated vehicle anchorage point. Most conventional seating arrarigetnems, when used in a Type-A situation, employ such a tether arrangement. As such, the ability to eliminate the need for a tether arrangement ensures that the seat, shell 12 can be easily accessed without the need to negotiate or loosen/undo tether straps and the like, and provides simple access to the child located within the seat shell 12.

Fig. 12 shows yet another embodiment of the restraint system 10 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the restraint system 10 is in the form of a Type A, rearward facing restraint with the seat shell 12 being configured in the form of a cany-cot device.

The carry-cot device is configured such that it is removable from the docking member 16 so as to enable a child to be simply transfen'ed to and from the vehicle without having to remove the child from the seat shell 12, in this regard, the seat shell 12 may be configured so as to be used with a pram such that the child can be moved from a vehicle to a pram, and vice versa, without requiring the child to be removed from the seat shell 12.

To facilitate the carry-cot arrangement, the seat shell 12 comprises a handle 25 that is movably attached to the seat shell 12 at attachment points 26. I this arrangement the handle 25 is able to pivotally move about the attachment points 26 in a forward or rearward direction with respect to the seat shell 12, with the attachment points 26 being !ockable, to lock the handle 25 in the desired position. Secondary handles 27 are provided on the attachment points 26_» as shown. The secondary handles 27 provide a means for enabling a user to lift the seat shell 12 and integral intermediate member 15 i respecti e of the position of the handle 25 for engagement with the docking station 1 of the docking member 16, as desired.

In the embodiment as shown in Fig. 12, the rear surface of the upright portion 17 of the docking member 16 may be provided with an adjuster member 28. The adjuster member 28 is extendable from the rear surface of the upright portion 17 to engage with the surface of the backrest of the vehicle seat 5. By controlling the amount by which the adjuster member 28 extends from the upright portion 17 the desired angle of inclination of the seat shell can be simply achieved.

Referring to Fig. 13, yet another embodiment of the restraint system 10 of the present invention is shown. This embodiment is similar to those embodiments of the restraint system 10 discussed above. However, the restraint system 10 depicted in Fig. 13 is a Type G restraint whereby the seat shell 12 is rotatable so as to be used in both a forward and rearward facing manner. The restraint of Fig. 13 is usable from by a small infant up to a child of approximately 8 years of age. it may also be used with an integral harness (not shown) and/or as a booster seat where a vehicle seat belt retains the child within the seat shell 12.

In each of the above described embodiments of the child restraint systems 10, the seat shell 12 and intermediate member 15 is securely attached to the docking member 16 by way of an interengagement between the engagement member 20 provided on the intermediate member 15 with the docking port 19, so as to provide an attacimient that enables rotational movement about the point of attachment. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the manner in which this can be achieved may take a variety of forms. Figs. 14 - 1,8 show an alternative embodiment for achieving this.

As shown in Fig. 14, a docking member 116 in accordance with the present invention is depicted in isolation. The docking member 116 may be formed in the same manner as docking member 16 described above and may be secured against, the vehicle seat in a similar manner as previously described. However, the docking member 1 16 comprises a docking port 119 in the form of a rectangular recess that is formed in the upper surface of the base portion 1 18 of the docking member 1 16. The docking port 1 19 has rounded comers to facilitate receipt of an engagement member 120 provided in the undersurface of intermediate member 115, as will be described in more detail below.

As previously described, the docking port 1 19 comprises a rectangular recess having a locating pin 11 1 provided therein, in a central position. The locating pin 1 1 1 is securely located in the docking port and may be a metal pin having a stem portion I l i a and a head portion 1 1 l b that assumes a T-Shape, with the head portion 1 1 1b extending orthogonally to the stem portion I l i a,

Referring to Fig. 15, the seat shell 1 12 and the intermediate portion 115 are depicted in isolation. As shown, the engagement member 120 extends from an underside of the intermediate portion (partially obscured) and comprises a substantially rectangular body, having a pair of opposed sides 120a and a pair of opposed ends 120b, with the opposed sides 120a being substantially longer than the opposed ends 120b. As depicted a keyhole portion 120c may be provided in the opposed ends 120b, at a central region thereof. In use, the engagement member 120 is shaped to be received within the docking port 1 1 such that it is able to be accommodated therein and is able to rotate within the docking port 1 9 in a manne as described below.

Referring to Fig. 16, the engagement member 120 is shown in cross-section to depict the hollow nature of the engagement member 120. The engagement member 3.20 has a recess 121 formed therein that extends through the lower surface thereof. The recess 121 comprises a wide opening 122 having a narrow neck portion 123 that opens into a wider central portion 124. The narrow neck portion 123 extends across the engagement member 120 in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the seat shell 1 12 faces. I this regard, the narrow neck portion 123 has a width sufficient to accommodate the stem portion 1 1.1a of the locating pin 1 11 but has a width less than the width of the head portion 11 lb of the locating pin 1 11. However, when the seat shell is rotated 90° the neck portion 123 also rotates 90° to present a wider recess to enable the head portion 1 1 1 b of the locating pin 11 1 to pass therethrough.

In this arrangement, in order to secure the seat shell 112 and intermediate member 115 to the docking member 1. 16, the seat shell 1 12 is orientated in the manner as depicted in Fig. 17. As shown, the seat shell 1 12 is lowered onto the docking member 1 16 such that the engagement member 120 is received within the docking port 1. 19, In this orientation, the locating pin 11 1 extends through the opening 122 of the recess 121 such that the head portion 1 1 lb is received within the central portion 124 of the recess 121. I the 90° position as shown in Fig. 17, the shorter ends 120b of the engagement member 120 align within the shorter sides of the docking port 119 and the longer sides 120a of the engagement member 120 align with the longer sides of the docking port 119 such that the engagement member 120 fits within the docking port 139.

In order to secure the seat shell 1 12 for use, the seat shell 1 12 and intermediate member I 15 are rotated through 90°, such that the seat shell faces in a rearward or forward, direction, as shown i Fig. 18. This rotation may be initiated by depressing the locking member 130 provided on the docking member 1 16 to release the engagement member 120 such that the seat shell 3 12 and intermediate member 1 15 can be rotated therein. The act of rotating the seat shell 1 12 and intermediate member 1 1 causes the head portion 1 1 1 b of the locating pin 1 1 to be captured by the neck portion 123 of the recess 121 within the engagement member 120. Further to this, the longer sides 120a of the engagement member 120 are captured within the docking port 119 due to the narrow opening of the docking port 1 19 with respect to the underlying recess, defined by ledges 3 1 a. In this aspect, the shape of the engagement member 120 rotating within a predetermined shaped recess of the docking port 1 1 provides an interference fit between the two that enables the engagement member 120 to be inserted into the docking port when in a first orientation, but when rotated to a position beyond the first orientation, the engagement member 120 is securely retained within the docking port 1 19 by way of an interference fit. As a result, the seat shell 1 12 and intermediate member 1 15 are secured in position by way of two securing mechanisms greatly enhancing the security of the seating system, whilst providing a simple means for achieving engagement.

The restraint system 10 of the present invention provides a simple and effective means for ensuring controlled movement between the various parts of the system without compromising the integrity of the system but maintaining movement between parts, in this regard, by mounting the seat shell to an intermediate membe which is then, mounted to a docking member that is attached to the vehicle seat, controlled movement between parts can be simply provided. In the system of the present invention, sliding movement is provided between the seat shell and the intermediate member, whilst rotational movement is provided between the intermediate member and the docking member. Through separating the various movement forms between parts a more secure system is able to be obtained which ensures that the child's safety and protection is maintained at a high standard irrespective of the mode upon which the system is being employed.

Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise-" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That, is, the word "comprise'^-' and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventi on.

Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the child safety seat uppermost.

Claims

The Claims defining the Invention are as follows:

1. A child restraint system for a vehicle comprising: a seat shell for receiving a child therein; art intermediate member configured to securely receive the seat shell such that the seat shell is able to move in a. longitudinal manner with respect to the intermediate member; and a docking member securable to a seat of the vehicle, the docking member being configured to receive the intermediate member such that the intermediate member is securely retained in position with respect to the docking member but is free to rotate about a central axis with respect to the docking member.

2. A child restraint system according to claim 1, wherein the seat shell is able to move in a longitudinal manner with respect to the intermediate member so as to facilitate adjustment of the angle of inclination of the seat shell with respect to the docking member.

3. A child restraint system according to claim 2, wherein the seat shell is mountable to a track formed in a surface of the intermediate member, said track defining the degree of longitudinal movement possible by the seat shell.

4. A child restraint system according to claim 2 wherein an undersurface of the seat shell has a track formed therein which is configured to receive a projection provided on the intermediate member, said track defining the degree of longitudinal movement possible by the seat shell

5. A child restraint system according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate member is free to rotate with respect to the docking member about an angle of up to 360°.

6. A child restraint system accordmg to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the intermediate member has an arcuate surface upon which the seat shell is received and moves upon.

7. A child restraint system according to claim 6, wherein the c urvature of the outer surface of the seat shell substantially conforms to the curvature of the arcuate surface of the intermediate member.

8. A child restraint system according to claim 1 , wherein the docking member comprises a docking port for receiving an engagement member of the intermediate member.

9. A child restraint system according to claim 8, wherein the docking port comprises a recess into which the engagement member of the intermediate member is received,

10. A child restraint system according to claim 9, wherein the engagement member is received within the recess such that when the engagement member is in a first orientation it is removable therefrom and when the engagement member is moved to a second orientatio it engages with the recess to prevent removal therefrom,

11. A child restraint system according to claim 10, wherei the docking port further comprises a locating pin for engaging with a recess provided within the engagement member when the engagement member is moved to said second orientation.

12. A child restraint system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the docking member includes one or more locking members that locks the intermediate member against the dockins member durins use.

13. A child restraint system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate member is detachable mounted to the docking member to facilitate removal of the seat shell from the vehicle.

14. A child restraint system according to claim 1, wherein the dockin member is securable to the seat of the vehicle by a seat belt system of the vehicle.

15. A child restraint system according to claim 1, wherein a tether secures an upper portion of the docking member to a dedicated anchorage point provided on the vehicle.

16. A child restraint system according to claim 1 , wherein the docking member is secured to the seat of the vehicle by way of an ISOFIX-type connection arrangement.

17. A child restraint system according to claim 15. wherein the tether has an adjustment means located on an upright portion of the docking member.

18. A child restraint system according to claim 17, wherein the adjustment means comprises an inertia wheel to accommodate the tether.

19. A child restraint system according to claim 1 , wherein the docking member comprises an adjuster on a rear surface of an upright portion thereof, the adjuster being configured to extend from the rear surface of the upright portion to contact a backrest of vehicle seat to facilitate adjustment of the angle of inclination of the docking member with respect to the angle of inclination of the backrest of the vehicle seat.

20. A child restraint system accordin to claim 19, wherein the facility to control the amount by which the adjuster extends from the rear surface of the upright portion is provided on front surface of the docking member.

21. A child restraint system according to any one of the preceding claims,, wherein a frontmost surface of the docking member is substantially concave to facilitate rotation of the intermediate member thereon.

22. A child restraint system according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate member includes energy attenuation means.

23. A child restraint system according to claim 16, wherein the ISOFIX-type connection arrangement, includes energy attenuation means.

24. A child restraint system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate member is configured to engage with a separate carrying means exterior to the vehicle.

25. A child restraint system according to claim 24, wherein the separate carrying means is i the form of a perambulator means.

26. A child restraint system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat shell comprises a primary handle to facilitate carrying of the seat shell and intermediate member to and/or away from the vehicle when detached from the docking member.

27. A child restraint system according to claim 2.6, wherein the primary handle is movably connected to the seat shell and has at least one outer secondary handle formed thereon which is positioned for use irrespective of the position of the primary handle with respect to the seat shell .