Child transport system with side impact protection

Abstract

A child transport device includes a crash energy absorbing device disposed on a portion of the child transport device. The crash energy absorbing device includes an inner support configured to be positioned proximate to the portion of the child transport device. The inner support has a container formed therein. The crash energy absorbing device further includes an outer cover configured to releasably secure the inner support and an insert contained within the container of the inner support. When the outer cover is secured, the insert is secured in place by the outer cover.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Aspects and embodiments of the present application are generally directed to child transportation devices, such as car seats, and impact protection mechanisms for child transportation devices. Summary of the invention

[0002] One aspect of the present application is directed to a child transport device, comprising a crash energy absorbing device disposed on a portion of the child transport device. In one embodiment, the crash energy absorbing device comprises an inner support configured to be positioned against the portion of the child transport device, the inner support having a receptacle formed therein, an outer cover configured to releasably secure the inner support, and an insert received within the receptacle of the inner support. The insert is secured in place by the outer cover when the outer cover is secured.

[0003] Embodiments of the child transport device may further include configuring the insert as a wall having a closed end and an open end. The insert may be sized to fit within the container of the inner support, wherein the closed end enters the container first. The container of the inner support may have a shape that is complementary to the shape of the insert. The insert may include a rectangular frustum. The insert may be configured to partially enter the container of the inner support, with an internal volume defined between an inner surface of the inner support and an outer surface of the insert. When an impact force having an amplitude less than a threshold is applied to the collision energy absorbing device, the insert may be configured to resist the impact force, and when an impact force having an amplitude greater than a threshold is applied to the collision energy absorbing device, the insert may be configured to slide inwardly into the container of the inner support to absorb the impact force, and the insert may be configured to occupy the internal volume of the container when the insert moves into the container. When the insert moves within the container, plastic deformation of the insert may occur. The inner support may be secured to the outer shell of the safety seat via an outer cover. The outer shell of the safety seat secures the outer edge of the outer cover in place. The child transport device further includes an inner cover configured to be mounted within an opening formed in the outer cover, wherein the inner cover provides a protective shield for the insert when assembled. The inner cover may be designed to be suitable for fitting within the opening formed in the outer cover. The child transport device may be a child vehicle safety seat. The amplitude of the impact force applied to the collision energy absorbing device may be less than a threshold value, thereby causing the insert to resist the impact force. The amplitude of the impact force applied to the collision energy absorbing device may be greater than a threshold value, thereby causing the insert to slide inwardly into the container of the internal support member, thereby causing the insert to plastically deform. The collision energy absorbing device may be replaceably fixed to a portion of the child transport device. The internal support member may be made of a foam material and the outer cover may be made of a plastic material.

[0004] Another aspect of the present application is directed to a crash energy absorbing device disposed on a portion of a child transport device. In one embodiment, the crash energy absorbing device includes an inner support configured to be secured to a portion of a child transport device, the inner support having a container formed therein, an outer cover configured to releasably secure the inner support, and an insert mounted within the container of the inner support. When the outer cover is secured, the insert is secured in place by the outer cover.

[0005] Embodiments of the collision energy absorbing device may further include configuring the insert as a wall having a closed end and an open end. The insert is sized to fit within the container of the inner support, with the closed end entering the container first. The container of the inner support may have a shape complementary to the shape of the insert. The insert may include a rectangular frustum. The insert may be configured to partially enter the container of the inner support, with an internal volume defined between the inner surface of the inner support and the outer surface of the insert. When an impact force with an amplitude less than a threshold is applied to the collision energy absorbing device, the insert may be configured to resist the impact force, and when an impact force with an amplitude greater than a threshold is applied to the collision energy absorbing device, the insert may be configured to slide inwardly into the container of the inner support to absorb the impact force, and the insert is configured to occupy the internal volume of the container when the insert moves into the container. When the insert moves within the container, plastic deformation of the insert may occur. The collision energy absorbing device further includes an inner cover, the inner cover is configured to be suitable for installation in an opening formed in the outer cover, wherein the inner cover provides a protective cover for the insert when assembled. The inner cover may be designed to fit within an opening formed in the outer cover.The inner support may be made of a foam material and the outer cover may be made of a plastic material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component shown in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure. In the drawings:

[0007] Figure 1 is a side view of a child vehicle safety seat;

[0008] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a child vehicle safety seat including a side impact energy absorbing device;

[0009] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a child vehicle safety seat including a side impact energy absorbing device mounted on a vehicle seat;

[0010] Figure 4is a simplified plan view of an embodiment of a child vehicle safety seat having side impact energy absorbing devices on both left and right sides;

[0011] Figure 5A shows an exterior portion of an embodiment of a side impact energy absorbing device;

[0012] Figure 5B shows an interior portion of an embodiment of a side impact energy absorbing device;

[0013] Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view of an assembled portion of an embodiment of a side impact energy absorbing device;

[0014] Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view of an assembled portion of an embodiment of a side impact energy absorbing device including an interior volume housing a resilient material;

[0015] Figure 6C An embodiment of a connection mechanism for a portion of an embodiment of a side impact energy absorbing device is shown;

[0016] Fig.6D Another embodiment of a connection mechanism for a portion of an embodiment of a side impact energy absorbing device is shown;

[0017] Fig. 6E Another embodiment of a connection mechanism for a portion of an embodiment of a side impact energy absorbing device is shown;

[0018] Figure 7 A disc of elastomeric material that may be used with an embodiment of a side impact energy absorbing device is shown;

[0019] Fig. 8A A mechanism for attaching a side impact energy absorbing device to a wall of a child vehicle safety seat is shown;

[0020] Figure 8B Another mechanism for attaching a side impact energy absorbing device to a wall of a child vehicle safety seat is shown;

[0021] Fig. 9 A perspective view of a portion of a child vehicle safety seat having a side impact energy absorbing device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 An exploded perspective view of the side impact energy absorbing device shown;

[0023] Fig.11 for Fig. 9 a cross-sectional view of the side impact energy absorbing device shown; and

[0024] Fig.12 for Fig. 9 Another cross-sectional view of the side impact energy absorbing device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present application is not limited to the structural details and component arrangements shown in the following description or the accompanying drawings. The present application can be implemented with other embodiments and can be practiced or implemented in various ways. In addition, the words and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. The use of "including", "comprising", "having", "containing", "involving" and variations thereof herein is intended to include the items listed thereafter and their equivalents and attached items.

[0026] Conventional seat belt systems in most motor vehicles are generally not suitable for properly restraining infants or young children. Therefore, when riding in a motor vehicle, parents or caregivers of infants or young children typically transport the infant or young child in a child transport device commonly referred to as a car seat or child vehicle safety seat. The law in many jurisdictions requires children under a certain age to use a car seat or child vehicle safety seat. A car seat can be secured to the back seat of a motor vehicle by a seat belt (e.g., a three-point seat belt) and / or other connectors (e.g., an Isofix connector). A car seat can be padded with different forms of energy absorbing materials, which can reduce the forces that a child seated in the car seat may be subjected to during a motor vehicle collision. Conventional child vehicle safety seats have proven to be very effective in reducing injuries to children that might otherwise be injured in a motor vehicle collision. However, it has been recognized that the side impact protection provided by many conventional child vehicle safety seats may not be adequate, or at least could be improved. Regulations have recently been enacted in Europe that set standards for side impact protection for child vehicle safety seats, and similar regulations are expected in the United States. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to provide an adequate level of side impact protection in child vehicle safety seats to meet the requirements of such regulations.

[0027] Aspects and embodiments disclosed herein include devices that can be coupled to conventional child vehicle safety seats and improvements to conventional child vehicle safety seats that can improve the side impact protection provided by the child vehicle safety seat. Some aspects and embodiments disclosed herein include an energy absorbing device that can be mechanically coupled to or integral with a portion of a side of a child vehicle safety seat and can reduce the forces of a side impact that a child occupying the child vehicle safety seat may be subjected to during a motor vehicle collision. Some embodiments of the device can include a pair of interlocking shell elements and an energy absorbing material disposed within a cavity defined by the interlocking shell elements. The interlocking shell elements can be free to move relative to each other, for example, one shell element slides into another shell element to reduce the size of the inner cavity when an external force is applied. The reduction in the size of the inner cavity can cause the energy absorbing material to mechanically compress and / or plastically deform or fracture and absorb forces that might otherwise be transferred to the child occupying the child vehicle safety seat. The energy absorbing device can be reusable, or in some embodiments, can provide an indication that it should be replaced after absorbing a sufficiently high amount of energy.

[0028] One embodiment of a child vehicle safety seat is Figure 1 100. The child vehicle safety seat 100 may be a stand-alone device or may be secured to, for example, a stroller frame or a separate car seat base by providing an appropriate securing mechanism known in the art on the lower surface of the seat. The child vehicle safety seat 100 includes a shell 110 and an outer surface of the handle pivot mechanism 130 that may be located on either or both sides of the shell 110. The handle 120 is generally U-shaped and may be rotated to a position generally extending vertically upward from the rotating mechanism, to a position close to the surface of the shell 110, or to one or more intermediate positions. However, the shape, form, and method of connection of the handle 120 to the shell 110 are not limited to the shapes, forms, and methods shown in the figure. In various embodiments, other handles having different shapes, directions, or methods of connection to the shell of the child vehicle safety seat 100 may be used.

[0029] In some embodiments of the child vehicle safety seat 100, the handle pivot mechanism 130 may be located more laterally than many, if not all, other portions of the child vehicle safety seat 100. Thus, the handle pivot mechanism 130 may provide a surface upon which it may be desirable to deploy an embodiment of a side impact energy absorbing device. Figure 2 A general embodiment of a side impact energy absorbing device 200 is shown attached to an outer surface of a handle pivot mechanism 130 of an embodiment of a child vehicle safety seat 100 for clarity. Figure 2 Only a portion thereof is shown.

[0030] Another embodiment of the side impact energy absorbing device 200 is as follows Figure 3 Another embodiment of a handle pivot mechanism 130 is shown coupled to a child vehicle safety seat 100 . Figure 3 Also shown is the location and connection of the safety belt 140 that can be used to secure the child vehicle safety seat 100 to the motor vehicle seat 150. In some embodiments, the side impact energy absorber 200 is provided on both sides of the child vehicle safety seat 100, for example, Figure 4 , which shows a child vehicle safety seat 100 in a highly simplified manner. In an embodiment where only one side impact energy absorber 200 is provided on the child vehicle safety seat 100, the child vehicle safety seat 100 is positioned so that the side impact energy absorber 200 faces toward a vehicle surface, such as a vehicle door, with which the child vehicle safety seat 100 is most likely to come into contact when the vehicle is involved in a side impact.

[0031] In some embodiments, the side impact energy absorbing device 200 includes a pair of outer shells, an upper shell 205 and a lower shell 210. As used herein, the lower shell 210 should be considered as a shell that contacts and is disposed on an embodiment of the child vehicle safety seat 100. The size and shape of the outer periphery of one of the upper shell 205 or the lower shell 210 can fit within the inner periphery of the other of the upper shell 205 or the lower shell 210. One of the upper shell 205 or the lower shell 210 can have an outer surface that is sized and shaped to slidably engage the inner surface of the other of the upper shell 205 or the lower shell 210 so that one of the upper shell 205 or the lower shell 210 can slide into or out of the inner volume of the other of the upper shell 205 or the lower shell 210. Figure 5A The outer surfaces of one embodiment of a pair of upper shells 205 and lower shells 210 are shown. Figure 5B The inner surface of one embodiment of a pair of upper shells 205 and lower shells 210 is shown. The upper shells 205 and lower shells 210 may have internal features, such as internally protruding frustoconical protrusions 215 in the upper shell 205 and recesses 220 in the lower shell 210. The recesses 220 in the lower shell 210 may have a shape complementary to the frustoconical protrusions 215. The internal features of the upper shells 205 and lower shells 210 should not be considered limited to having Figure 5B In other embodiments, the protrusion 215 can have an alternative shape, such as a rectangle, a hemisphere or a portion thereof, or a flat-topped pyramid, a square frustum, etc., and the recess 220 can have a complementary shape.

[0032] The diameter of the lower shell 210 can be such that the lower shell 210 is at least partially inserted into the upper shell 205, for example, Fig. 6AWhen the lower shell 210 is at least partially inserted into the upper shell 205, an internal volume 225 is defined between the inner surfaces of the upper shell 205 and the lower shell 210. Figure 6B As shown, the interior volume 225 may be at least partially or substantially completely filled with a resilient material 300, such as a foam material or a memory foam material. The resilient material 300 may be as Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment is provided in the form of a disk and when the upper and lower shells 205, 210 are connected around the elastic material, the elastic material 300 can deform to conform to the shape of the internal volume 225. The elastic material 300 can be polyurethane memory foam or any other suitable polymer foam material.

[0033] One or more features may retain the lower shell 210 within the upper shell 205. The upper shell 205 and the lower shell 210 may include, for example, a snap-fit ​​bracket or one or more ridges 230 in the lower shell 210 that fit or can be rotated into position under a complementary ridge 235 in the upper shell 205, such as Figure 6C and 6D Alternatively or additionally, for example, Fig. 6E As shown, one or more clips 240 and one or more complementary landing ridges 245 may be provided on the upper shell 205 and the lower shell 210 .

[0034] The upper shell 205 and the lower shell 210 can be formed of a rigid material, such as polypropylene or other engineering plastics, with a diameter or width of approximately 2 inches (approximately 5 centimeters) and a height of approximately 2 inches (approximately 5 cm), but these materials and dimensions should only be regarded as non-limiting examples.

[0035] In the figures referenced above, the shell with the smaller diameter is designated as the lower shell 210, and the shell with the larger diameter is designated as the upper shell 205, however, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the lower shell 210 may have a larger diameter or cross-sectional area than the upper shell 205. Furthermore, the shells described should not be considered limited to being limited to being cylindrical. In other embodiments, the shells described may have alternative cross-sections, such as triangular cross-sections or rectangular cross-sections. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the shell with the smaller diameter or cross-sectional area may include internal protrusions, such as frustoconical protrusions 215, and the shell with the larger diameter or cross-sectional area may include grooves, such as Figure 5B The groove 220 is shown in FIG.

[0036] The lower shell 210 may be mechanically connected to a portion of one side of the child vehicle safety seat 100, for example, to a wall 410 of the handle pivot mechanism 130 of the child vehicle safety seat 100. One or more holes 405 may be provided in the lower wall of the lower shell 210. Figure 5A and 5BOne of these is shown through which fasteners (eg, screws or bolts) may pass to connect the lower shell 210 to the wall 410 of the child vehicle safety seat 100 . Fig. 8A An embodiment is shown (with internal features omitted for clarity) in which the lower shell 210 is secured to the wall 410 of the child vehicle safety seat 100 by a plurality of bolts 420 that pass through a lower wall 415 of the lower shell 210 and the wall 410 of the child vehicle safety seat 100 and are secured to opposite sides of the wall of the lower shell 210 by nuts 425. Figure 8B An embodiment is shown in which a portion of the outer wall 212 of the lower shell 210 is threaded and engages with the internal threads of the container 412 extending from the wall 410 so that the lower shell 210 can be screwed into the container 412 and held against the wall 410. In other embodiments, the lower shell 210 can be fixed or removably fixed to the wall 410 of the child vehicle safety seat 100 by other fastening mechanisms known in the art, for example, using adhesives, one or more clips, snap brackets, hook and loop fasteners, etc. Any one or more of the above fastening mechanisms can be used alone or in combination. The upper shell 205 can be mounted on the side of the lower shell 210 that is not fixed to the wall 410 in the manner described above.

[0037] In use, if an impact force is applied to the side impact energy absorbing device 200, the upper shell 205 is pushed inwardly into the lower shell 210. The internal volume 225 between the upper shell 205 and the lower shell 210 is reduced, and the elastic material 300 in the internal volume 225 is compressed. Initially, the elastic material 300 elastically deforms and absorbs impact energy at a first rate, for example, the upper shell 205 is pushed inwardly toward the lower shell 210 at a first rate or distance per unit force. When additional force or impact energy is applied to the upper shell 205 of the side impact energy absorbing device 200, the elastic material 300 is squeezed between the internal features of the upper shell 205 and the lower shell 210, such as between the protrusion 215 and the groove 220, until it begins to plastically deform or tear. This additional deformation mechanism of the elastic material 300 causes the upper shell 205 to push inwardly toward the lower shell 210 at a distance per second or per unit force, which may be less than the first rate or distance per unit force, and may absorb more impact energy than the elastic deformation of the elastic material 300. In some embodiments, an additional deformation mechanism of the elastic material 300 may begin after the upper shell 205 and the lower shell 210 are pushed together more than about 50% of the separation distance in their resting uncompressed state.

[0038] In some embodiments, the side impact energy absorbing device 200 can be reused after absorbing the impact energy. For example, if the absorbed impact energy is not sufficient to cause the elastic material 300 to plastically deform, the elastic material 300 can return to its original, pre-impact shape. In other embodiments, the energy absorbing device 200 should be replaced after being subjected to a sufficiently high impact force. For example, if the impact force causes the elastic material 300 to plastically deform, the user may observe that the upper shell 205 and the lower shell 210 do not return to their original pre-impact configuration, which may provide an indication to the side impact energy absorbing device 200, or may only involve the elastic material 300, that it should be replaced. The fasteners or fastening mechanisms that secure the upper shell 205 and the lower shell 210 together, and / or the fasteners or fastening mechanisms that secure the lower shell 210 to the wall of the child vehicle safety seat 100 are releasable so that the upper shell 205 and the lower shell 210 can be separated and the elastic material 300 can be replaced as needed, or the side impact energy absorbing device 200 can be removed and replaced as needed.

[0039] refer to Fig. 9 Another embodiment of a side impact energy absorber is generally indicated at 900. In some embodiments, the side impact energy absorber 900 is disposed on both sides of the child vehicle safety seat 100. In embodiments where only one side impact energy absorber 900 is provided on the child vehicle safety seat 100, the child vehicle safety seat 100 is positioned such that the side impact energy absorber 900 faces a vehicle surface, such as a vehicle door, with which the child vehicle safety seat 100 is most likely to contact when the vehicle is involved in a side impact.

[0040] refer to Fig.10 In some embodiments, the side impact energy absorbing device 900 includes a foam inner support 905 and a rubber outer cover 910 mounted on the inner support. In one embodiment, the inner support 905 is fixed to or otherwise secured to a side of the outer shell 110 of the child vehicle safety seat 100. The size and shape of the inner support 905 can fit into the container of the outer shell 110 of the safety seat 100. In one embodiment, the inner support 905 is fixed to the outer shell 110 of the safety seat 100 by the outer cover 910. As shown, the inner support 905 includes a container 915 formed therein, the purpose of which will be described below.

[0041] The side impact energy absorbing device 900 further includes a plastic insert 920 and a plastic inner cover 925, wherein the plastic insert 920 is mounted within the receptacle 915 of the inner support 905, and the plastic inner cover 925 is fixed between the inner support and the outer cover 910 when the outer cover is fixed to the inner support. As shown, the insert 920 has a relatively thin wall, has a closed end and an open end, and is sized to be mounted within the receptacle 915 of the inner support 905, wherein the closed end enters the receptacle first. In one embodiment, the receptacle 915 of the inner support 905 can be shaped complementary to the rectangular truncated insert 920. In other embodiments, the insert 920 can have alternative shapes, such as a cone, a hemisphere or a portion thereof, or a flat-topped pyramid or a square frustum, and the receptacle 915 can have a complementary shape.

[0042] To assemble the side impact energy absorbing device 900, the inner support 905 is secured in place by the outer shell 110 and the seat side foam around the safety seat 100. In other embodiments, the inner support 905 can be secured in place by glue, rivets, tape, etc. The insert 920 is located within the container 915 of the inner support, and the inner cover 925 is located at the open end of the insert. The outer cover 910 is placed on the inner cover 925 and, in one embodiment, is secured to the inner cover 925, for example, by snap connections associated with the respective outer edges of the inner cover 925 and the outer cover 910 and / or the outer shell 110 of the safety seat 100. In a specific embodiment, the outer shell 110 of the safety seat 100 secures the outer edge of the outer cover 910 in place. In other embodiments, the outer cover 910 can be secured to the inner support 905 and / or the outer shell 110 of the safety seat 100 by mechanical fasteners.

[0043] Thus, it should be observed that the inner support 905 floats and is not connected to the shell 110 and / or other components of the side impact energy absorbing device 900, but is held in place. In one embodiment, a groove formed on the back side of the inner support 905 is provided to clear the ribs formed in the shell 110 so that the inner support 905 can engage a larger surface of the shell 110. The ribs also prevent relative movement of the inner support 905 and the shell 110. In some embodiments, the outer cover 910 is secured to the outer shell by any suitable method, such as heat staking molded posts provided on the outer shell over holes formed in the outer shell flange.

[0044] refer to Fig.11 and 12 , the insert 920 is configured to partially enter the container 915 of the internal support 905. The internal volume 930 ( Fig.12) is defined between the inner surface of the inner support 905 and the outer surface of the insert 920. In some embodiments, the inner volume 930 can be an open space. In other embodiments, the inner volume can be at least partially or substantially completely filled with a resilient material, such as a foam material or a memory foam material. The resilient material can be a polyurethane memory foam or any other suitable polymer foam material.

[0045] This arrangement allows an impact force applied to the collision energy absorbing device 900 with an amplitude less than a threshold to cause the insert 920 to resist the impact force. However, if the amplitude of the impact force applied to the collision energy absorbing device 900 is greater than the threshold, the insert 920 is configured to slide inwardly into the container 915 of the inner support 905 to absorb the impact force. The insert 920 is configured to occupy the interior volume 930 of the container 915 when the insert 920 moves into the container 915. In some embodiments, the insert 920 undergoes plastic deformation as it moves within the container 915.

[0046] The inner cover 925 is designed to be installed in the opening 935 formed in the outer cover 910. When installed as shown, the inner cover 925 provides a protective cover for the insert 920 when assembled. However, the impact force applied to the collision energy absorbing device 900 is applied from the inner cover 925 to the insert 920, and the outer cover 910 is deformed. The inner cover 925 may include a logo or label formed on the outer surface.

[0047] As described above, the inner support member 905 can be made of a foam material. The outer cover 910 can be made of a flexible material, such as rubber. Both the insert 920 and the inner cover 925 can be made of a rigid material, such as polypropylene or another engineering plastic, although these materials and dimensions should be considered as non-limiting examples only.

[0048] As described above, in one embodiment, the inner support 905 can be mechanically connected to a portion of a side of the child vehicle safety seat 100 , such as to the shell 110 .

[0049] In some embodiments, the side impact energy absorbing device 900 can be reused after absorbing the impact energy. In other embodiments, the energy absorbing device 900 should be replaced after being subjected to a sufficiently high impact force.

[0050] Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that various changes, modifications, and improvements will be readily made by those skilled in the art. For example, although described herein as a side impact energy absorbing device, embodiments of the device 900 disclosed herein may also or alternatively be used to absorb impact energy from the front, rear, top, or bottom of a child transportation device, or any other object that one wishes to include to be protected from impact energy. Such changes, modifications, and improvements are intended to be a part of this application and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are merely examples.

Claims

1. A child transport device, comprising: A collision energy absorbing device is provided on a portion of the child transport device, the collision energy absorbing device comprising: an inner support configured for positioning against the portion of the child transport device, the inner support having a receptacle formed therein; an outer cover configured to be releasably secured to the inner support; and an insert received by the receptacle of the inner support and secured in place by the outer cover when the outer cover is secured, wherein the insert has a wall with a closed end and an open end and is sized to fit within the receptacle of the inner support with the closed end entering the receptacle first; and An inner cover is configured to fit within an opening formed in the outer cover, the inner cover being interposed between the inner support and the outer cover and located at an open end of the insert.

2. The child transport device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle of the inner support member has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the insert member.

3. The child transport device of claim 2, wherein the insert is a rectangular frustum.

4. The child transport device of claim 2, wherein the insert is configured to partially enter the receptacle of the inner support and define an interior volume between an inner surface of the inner support and an outer surface of the insert.

5. The child transport device according to claim 4, wherein: When the collision energy absorbing device is subjected to an impact force with an amplitude less than a threshold, the insert is configured to resist the impact force, and when the amplitude of the impact force is greater than the threshold applied to the collision energy absorbing device, the insert is configured to slide inwardly into the container of the internal support member to absorb the impact force, and the insert is configured to occupy the internal volume of the container when it moves into the container.

6. The child transport device of claim 5, wherein the insert is plastically deformed when the insert moves within the container.

7. The child transportation device of claim 1, wherein the child transportation device is a child vehicle safety seat.

8. The child transport device of claim 7, wherein the inner support member is secured to the outer shell of the safety seat by the outer cover.

9. The child transport device of claim 8, wherein the outer shell of the safety seat secures the outer periphery of the outer cover in place.

10. The child conveyance device of claim 7, wherein an impact force applied to the impact energy absorbing device having an amplitude less than a threshold value causes the insert to resist the impact force.

11. The child conveyance device of claim 10, wherein the amplitude of the impact force applied to the collision energy absorbing device is greater than a threshold value, causing the insert to slide inwardly into the receptacle of the inner support, thereby plastically deforming the insert.

12. The child conveyance device of claim 1, wherein the impact energy absorbing device is replaceably secured to the portion of the child conveyance device.

13. The child transport device of claim 1, wherein the inner support member is made of a foam material and the outer cover is made of an elastic material.

14. A collision energy absorbing device, which is arranged on a part of a child conveying device, the collision energy absorbing device comprising: an inner support configured to be secured to the portion of the child transport device, the inner support having a receptacle formed therein; an outer cover configured to be releasably secured to the inner support; an insert received by the receptacle of the inner support, the insert being secured in place by the outer cover when the outer cover is secured, wherein the insert has a wall with a closed end and an open end and is sized to fit within the receptacle of the inner support with the closed end entering the receptacle first; as well as An inner cover, which is configured to fit within an opening formed in the outer cover, is disposed between the inner support and the outer cover and at an open end of the insert.

15. The impact energy absorbing device of claim 14, wherein the receptacle of the inner support member has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the insert member.

16. The impact energy absorbing device of claim 15, wherein the insert is a rectangular frustum.

17. The impact energy absorbing device of claim 15, wherein the insert is configured to partially enter a cavity of the inner support, an inner volume defined between an inner surface of the inner support and an outer surface of the insert.

18. The collision energy absorbing device of claim 17, wherein when an impact force having an amplitude less than a threshold value is applied to the collision energy absorbing device, the insert is configured to resist the impact force, and when an impact force having an amplitude greater than the threshold value is applied to the collision energy absorbing device, the insert is configured to slide inwardly into a container of the internal support member to absorb the impact force, and the insert is configured to occupy an internal volume of the container when the insert moves into the container.

19. The impact energy absorbing device of claim 18, wherein when the insert is moved into the container, the insert is caused to plastically deform.

20. The impact energy absorbing device of claim 14, wherein the inner support member is made of a foam material and the outer cover is made of a plastic material.

21. A child transport device comprising: A collision energy absorbing device is provided on a portion of the child transport device, the collision energy absorbing device comprising: an inner support member fabricated from a foam material and configured to be positioned proximate to the portion of the child transport device, the inner support member having a receptacle formed therein; an outer cover made of a plastic material and configured to be releasably secured to the inner support; and a frustum-shaped insert received by the receptacle of the inner support, the insert being secured in place by the outer cover when the outer cover is secured, wherein the insert has a wall with a closed end and an open end and is sized to fit within the receptacle of the inner support with the closed end entering the receptacle first; and An inner cover, which is configured to fit within an opening formed in the outer cover, is interposed between the inner support and the outer cover and is located at an open end of the insert.

22. A collision energy absorbing device provided on a portion of a child transport device, the collision energy absorbing device comprising: an inner support configured to be secured to the portion of the child transport device, the inner support having a receptacle formed therein; An outer cover, which is sleeved on the inner support member; an insert received by the receptacle of the inner support, the insert having a wall with a closed end and an open end and sized to fit within the receptacle of the inner support with the closed end entering the receptacle first; as well as An inner cover is configured to fit within an opening formed in the outer cover, the inner cover being interposed between the inner support and the outer cover and located at an open end of the insert.

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