Child restraint system
By designing multiple internal side collision surfaces and voids in the child restraint system, the problem of the child's arms contacting the side walls during the impact event is solved, reducing compression on the child's chest and improving safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411050515.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-08-01
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-14
AI Technical Summary
The existing child restraint system During the impact event, the child's arms first contact with the side wall, causing the arm to compress against the side wall, which in turn causes undesirable compression to the child's chest.
A child restraint system is designed that includes multiple internal side collision surfaces to form a void to receive the child's elbow or arm, reducing the compression of the arm against the side wall.
By accepting the child's elbow or arm, the compression of the arm against the side wall is reduced, thereby reducing undesirable compression of the child's chest and improving the safety of the child in impact events.
Smart Images
Figure CN119428382A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of child restraint systems, and more particularly to child restraint systems that include interior side impact surfaces. Background Art
[0002] Child restraint systems (e.g., car seats for children) may include a headrest, a seat, a rear portion, and one or more side walls. These child restraint systems may be used to secure a child in a vehicle and may also be used to mitigate impact to the child in the event of a vehicle crash. For example, a child restraint system may include at least some compressible material that may be compressed during a crash event to mitigate the impact force of the child against the child restraint system and / or the door of the vehicle. However, in existing child restraint systems, during a crash event, the child's arms may first come into contact with the side walls of the child restraint system. The arms may compress against the side walls, which in turn may cause undesirable compression to the child's chest. Summary of the invention
[0003] In an embodiment, the present disclosure describes a child restraint system comprising: a seat; a headrest; a first side wall and a second side wall; and a plurality of interior side impact surfaces, including at least a first interior side impact surface removably inserted into the first side wall or formed as a raised portion of the first side wall and a second interior side impact surface removably inserted into the second side wall or formed as a raised portion of the second side wall. In an embodiment, a first void is formed above or below the first interior side impact surface and the first side wall and a second void is formed above or below the second interior side impact surface and the second side wall. In an embodiment, at least one of the following occurs: the first void or the second void is configured to receive an elbow or arm of a vehicle occupant seated in the child restraint system during an impact event.
[0004] In an embodiment, the present disclosure describes a child restraint system comprising: a first zone including a seat; a second zone including a first sidewall and a second sidewall; and a third zone including a headrest. In an embodiment, at least one of the first zone or the second zone is offset relative to the second zone. In an embodiment, the second zone includes a first void or a first compressible material and the second zone includes a second void or a second compressible material. In an embodiment, the second zone is configured to receive an elbow or arm of a vehicle occupant seated in the child restraint system during an impact event.
[0005] In an embodiment, the present disclosure describes a child restraint system comprising: a seat; a headrest; a first side wall and a second side wall; and a plurality of interior side impact surfaces, including at least a first interior side impact surface removably inserted into the first side wall and a second interior side impact surface removably inserted into the second side wall. In an embodiment, a first void is formed between the first interior side impact surface and the first side wall and a second void is formed between the second interior side impact surface and the second side wall. In an embodiment, the child restraint system further comprises a first compressible material disposed in the first void and a second compressible material disposed in the second void, wherein the first compressible material is configured to compress more than the first interior side impact surface and the second compressible material is configured to compress more than the second interior side impact surface. In an embodiment, the first compressible material or the second compressible material is configured to accommodate an elbow or arm of a vehicle occupant sitting in the child restraint system during an impact event.
[0006] In an embodiment, the present disclosure describes a child restraint system comprising: a seat; a headrest; a first side wall and a second side wall; and a plurality of interior side impact surfaces, including at least a first interior side impact surface adjustable between the headrest and the first side wall and a second interior side impact surface adjustable between the headrest and the second side wall. In an embodiment, a first void is formed above or below the first interior side impact surface and the first side wall or the headrest and a second void is formed above or below the second interior side impact surface and the second side wall or the headrest. In an embodiment, at least one of the following occurs: the first void or the second void is configured to receive an elbow or arm of a vehicle occupant seated in the child restraint system during an impact event. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numbers may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and / or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and / or components may not be present in various embodiments. The elements and / or components in the various figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, singular and plural terms may be used interchangeably, depending on the context.
[0008] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a child restraint system including interior side impact surfaces.
[0009] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Another perspective view of a child restraint system.
[0010] Figure 1C yes Figure 1A Front view of a child restraint system.
[0011] Figure 1D yes Figure 1A A top view of a child restraint system.
[0012] Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of a child restraint system including an alternative interior side impact surface.
[0013] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative child restraint system including interior side impact surfaces.
[0014] Figure 4 is a front view of a child restraint system containing a child seated in the child restraint system.
[0015] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative child restraint system including an integrated interior side impact surface.
[0016] Figures 6A to 6C is a perspective view of the interior side impact surface.
[0017] Figures 7A to 7B is a perspective view of an alternative interior side impact surface.
[0018] Figure 7C yes Figures 7A to 7B Rear view of an alternative interior side impact surface.
[0019] Figure 8 is a front view of an alternative child restraint system including interior side impact surfaces.
[0020] Fig. 9 is a perspective illustration of a child restraint system including an alternative interior side impact surface.
[0021] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 Close-up view of the interior side impact surface of a child restraint system.
[0022] Fig.11 is a perspective illustration of a child restraint system including an alternative interior side impact surface.
[0023] Fig. 12A yes Fig.11 A top view of a child restraint system seat.
[0024] Fig. 12B yes Fig.11 Front view of a child restraint system seat.
[0025] Fig.13 is a perspective illustration of a child restraint system including an alternative interior side impact surface.
[0026] The present disclosure provides a more detailed and specific description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and detailed description of the drawings, as well as any specific or other embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entire content of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. However, the concepts disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be considered limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the concepts to those skilled in the art. Throughout the present invention, like numbers refer to similar, but not necessarily identical or identical, elements.
[0028] A child restraint system may be a different type of seat (the term "vehicle occupant" may also be used generally herein) for securing a child (or other passenger) within a moving body, such as a vehicle. A child restraint system may include a headrest for supporting the head of a child (or any other type of vehicle occupant) and also protecting the child from injury during a crash event of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the headrest may be a separate device that is removably inserted into the seat of the child restraint system. However, in other embodiments, the headrest may also be permanently coupled to the seat of the child restraint system.
[0029] The child restraint system may also include a seat, a rear portion, and one or more side walls extending outwardly from the rear portion. That is, when the child restraint system is disposed in a vehicle and a child is seated in the child restraint system, the rear portion of the child restraint system is located behind the child and the one or more side walls are located on both sides of the child. For example, the one or more side walls may include a left side wall located on the left side of the child and a right side wall located on the right side of the child.
[0030] The sidewalls may also be configured to compress or otherwise mitigate the impact of a vehicle crash event on a child seated in the child restraint system. However, in some existing child restraint systems, during a crash event, the child's arms may first contact one of the sidewalls. When the arms compress into the sidewalls, it may also cause undesirable compression of the child's chest against the arms.
[0031] In order to reduce the amount of compression that occurs on the child's chest during an impact event, the child restraint system described in the present disclosure includes multiple interior side impact surfaces. Figure 3 As further illustrated in , the inner side impact surfaces can be disposed above and below the position of the child's arms in the child restraint system at the side walls. In this way, a gap is formed in the area between a given inner side impact surface and the corresponding side wall of the child restraint system.
[0032] In an embodiment, two upper inner side impact surfaces may be provided at the side walls of the child restraint system proximate to where the child's shoulders are located when the child is in a seated position in the child restraint system. Additionally, two lower inner side impact surfaces may be provided at the side walls of the child restraint system proximate to where the child's buttocks are located when the child is in a seated position in the child restraint system. In an alternative embodiment, only two inner side impact surfaces are provided.
[0033] During an impact event, as the child's body travels toward a given sidewall, the inner side impact surface disposed at the sidewall mitigates (or prevents) movement of the child's shoulders and / or hips toward the sidewall. At the same time, the void disposed between the inner side impact surface and the sidewall receives the child's elbow (or entire arm). That is, the elbow (or entire arm) "falls" into the void while the inner side impact surface mitigates or prevents further movement of the child toward the sidewall. Thus, compression of the elbow (or entire arm) against the sidewall is minimized, thereby minimizing compression of the child's arm against the child's chest.
[0034] Turning to the pictures, Figure 1A to 1B is a perspective view of a child restraint system 100 including interior side impact surfaces. Figure 1C yes Figure 1A 1. A front view of a child restraint system 100. The child restraint system 100 includes a seat 113, a headrest 114, a first side wall 110, a second side wall 112, a rear portion 116, and a plurality of interior side impact surfaces (e.g., interior side impact surface 102, interior side impact surface 104, interior side impact surface 106, and interior side impact surface 108).
[0035] The plurality of inner side impact surfaces may comprise any suitable material. For example, one or more side bumpers may comprise one or more foam materials, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polyethylene (EPE), polyurethane, and / or a mixture of any of these types of foams. The material may also comprise any other flexible material other than foam. As another example, the plurality of inner side impact surfaces may comprise a more rigid material, such as plastic or any other type of rigid material. In an embodiment, the plurality of inner side impact surfaces may also be covered by another material, such as fabric, that may be disposed on various components of the child restraint system 100 to provide additional comfort to a child seated in the child restraint system 100.
[0036] Reference may be made herein to one or more "zones" of the child restraint system 100 (which may apply to any other child restraint system described herein). For example, one zone may include a headrest of the child restraint system 100, another zone may include a sidewall of the child restraint system 100, and a third zone may include a seat of the child restraint system 100.
[0037] A plurality of interior side impact surfaces may be disposed on the child restraint 100 at locations above and / or below the arms of a child seated in the child restraint 100. For example, the interior side impact surfaces 102 and 106 may be upper interior side impact surfaces disposed at locations where the child's shoulders are located when the child is in a seated position in the child restraint 100. Likewise, the interior side impact surfaces 104 and 108 may be lower interior side impact surfaces disposed at locations where the child's buttocks are located when the child is in a seated position in the child restraint 100. The interior side impact surfaces may also be disposed at any other locations on the child restraint 100.
[0038] This positioning of the plurality of interior side impact surfaces serves to form voids (e.g., voids 118 and 120) into which a child's elbow (or entire arm) may enter during an impact event of the vehicle. For example, if the force of an impact event causes the child to move toward the first side wall 110, the child's arm may enter into the void 118 between the interior side impact surface 106 and the interior side impact surface 108 and portions of the child's body above and below the child's arm (e.g., shoulders and / or hips) may contact the interior side impact surface 106 and the interior side impact surface 108. Thus, rather than the child's arm first contacting the first side wall 110 and causing compression to the child's chest, the child's arm may stay within the void 118 (or the compressive force of the child's arm against the first side wall 110 may be reduced). Thus, compression of the child's chest caused by compression of the child's arm against the first side wall 110 may be reduced or eliminated. This reduces or eliminates undesirable compression of the child's chest during an impact event.
[0039] The interior side impact surface may be any size and / or shape. Using the interior side impact surface 106 as an example, the front surface 122 may be disposed to face outward from the child restraint 100 (i.e., the front surface 122 faces a child seated in the child restraint 100). The front surface 122 may be angled such that the front surface 122 slopes from the first side wall 110 toward the rear portion 116 of the child restraint 100. The angles depicted in the figures are merely exemplary, and the front surface 122 may be disposed at any other angle.
[0040] The interior side impact surface (using the interior side impact surface 102 as an example) may also include a rear portion 124. The rear portion 124 may face inwardly toward the child restraint 100 (e.g., toward the second side wall 122 and the rear portion 116 of the child restraint 100). In an embodiment, the rear portion 124 may be shaped in such a way that the interior side impact surface 102 may be removably inserted into the child restraint 100 such that the rear portion 124 is flush with the second side wall 122 and the rear portion 116 of the child restraint 100.
[0041] The interior side impact surface may be removably coupled to the child restraint system 100 using any number of suitable mechanisms. Figure 1A , the rear portion 124 of the inner side impact surface 102 includes one or more grooves 126. In an embodiment, the inner side impact surface 102 can be slidably inserted into a corresponding protrusion (not shown) on the child restraint system 100 so that the groove 126 engages the protrusion to removably secure the inner side impact surface 102 to the child restraint system 100.
[0042] The inner side impact surface may also be removably secured to the child restraint system 100 using any other suitable mechanism. As another example, the inner side impact surface may be secured to the child restraint system 100 using one or more fasteners (e.g., screws). As another example, the inner side impact surface may be secured to the child restraint system 100 using one or more tabs. As yet another example, the inner side impact surface may be secured to the child restraint system 100 using an adhesive. The inner side impact surface may also be secured to the child restraint system 100 using any combination of these mechanisms (or any other mechanism not mentioned herein).
[0043] In addition, the size and / or shape of the inner side impact surfaces may vary depending on the type of child restraint system in which the inner side impact surfaces are disposed (or integrated as a permanent component of the child restraint system). For example, the size and / or shape of the rear portion of the inner side impact surface may vary so that the inner side impact surface may sit flush with the corresponding sidewall and / or rear portion of the child restraint system. As another example, the size of the inner side impact surface may depend on the size of the child for which a particular child restraint system is intended. That is, the size and / or shape of the inner side impact surface may vary to ensure that the child's elbow (or entire arm) can be accommodated within the gap formed between the inner side impact surfaces (in embodiments in which four inner side impact surfaces are used). Additional illustrations of various example shapes of the inner side impact surfaces are also shown at Figures 6A to 7C middle.
[0044] Specifically, Figures 6A to 6C1 is a perspective view of the interior side impact surfaces (eg, upper interior side impact surfaces 102 and 106 and lower interior side impact surfaces 104 and 108). Figures 6A to 6C , in an embodiment, the interior side impact surface may be a separate structure that is removably inserted into the child restraint system.
[0045] Additionally, in embodiments, the top edge of the lower interior side impact surface can deflect the child's elbows forward and out of the path of the child's chest, which can also reduce or prevent compression against the child's chest. The flexibility of the bumper (foam or ribbed structure) can dissipate impact forces over a longer period of time, which can reduce chest deflection.
[0046] Figures 7A to 7B is a perspective view of an alternative interior side impact surface. Figure 7C yes Figures 7A to 7B Rear view of an alternative interior side impact surface. Figures 6A to 6C Compared to the interior side impact surface shown in FIG. 1 (which may include solid material such as foam or plastic), Figures 7A to 7C The interior side impact surface shown in can include a ribbed rear portion 124. The inclusion of ribs 702 in the rear portion 124 of the interior side impact surface can provide structural flexibility so that the interior side impact surface can compress during an impact.
[0047] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a child restraint system 200 including an alternative interior side impact surface. Figures 1A to 1D The child restraint system 100 includes a seat 213, a headrest 214, a first side wall 210, a second side wall 212, a rear portion 216, and a plurality of inner side impact surfaces (e.g., inner side impact surface 202, inner side impact surface 204, inner side impact surface 206, and inner side impact surface 208).
[0048] Figure 3 3 is a perspective view of an alternative child restraint system 300 including an interior side impact surface. The child restraint system also includes a seat 313, a headrest 314, a first side wall 310, a second side wall 310, a rear portion 316, and a plurality of interior side impact surfaces. Figures 1A to 1D 2, the child restraint system 300 includes only two interior side impact surfaces. Specifically, Figure 3The diagram illustrates an embodiment in which the child restraint system 300 includes two lower inner side impact surfaces, inner side impact surface 304 and inner side impact surface 308. The lower inner side impact surfaces limit the movement of the child's hips toward the corresponding side wall of the child restraint system 300 during an impact event, while still allowing the child's elbow (or full arm) to fall into the corresponding void. For example, if the impact event forces the child toward the side wall 312, the child's elbow (or full arm) may fall into the void 320 and the movement of the child's hips may be limited by the inner side impact surface 304. This in turn maintains the child's elbow (or full arm) within the void 320 without compressing against the side wall 312, or limits the amount of compression of the elbow (or full arm) against the side wall 312.
[0049] although Figure 3 An embodiment is shown in which only lower interior side impact surfaces are provided, but the child restraint system may similarly be provided with only upper interior side impact surfaces and / or any other combination of interior side impact surfaces provided at different locations on the child restraint system 300 .
[0050] Figure 4 4 is a front view of a child restraint system 400 including a child 415 seated in the child restraint system 400. The child restraint system 400 also includes a seat 413, a headrest 414, a first side wall 410, a second side wall 412, a rear portion 416, and a plurality of interior side impact surfaces (e.g., interior side impact surface 404 and interior side impact surface 406). Although only two lower interior side impact surfaces are shown provided with the child restraint system 400, any other number of interior side impact surfaces may also be provided. For example, at least one Figures 1A to 1D As shown in , additional upper interior side impact surfaces may also be provided above the child's arms.
[0051] In an embodiment, each of the inner side impact surfaces forms a respective gap between the inner side impact surface and the corresponding side wall. For example, a first gap 420 is formed between the inner side impact surface 404 and the side wall 412, and a second gap 418 is formed between the inner side impact surface 406 and the side wall 410.
[0052] The void may be a void into which the elbow (or entire arm) of the child 415 may fall during an impact event, rather than first compressing against the sidewall. As an example, in an existing child restraint system that does not include the interior side impact surface 406, an impact event that causes the child to travel toward the sidewall 410 may cause the child to first compress the sidewall 410. This compression of the child's 415 arms against the sidewall 410 may then cause compression of the child's 415 chest. In contrast, during a similar impact event in which the child 415 is seated in the child restraint system 400, the child's 415 elbows (or entire arms) may fall into the void 418, rather than first compressing against the sidewall 410. The child's 415 hips first contact the interior side impact surface 406 and restrict the child 415 from further moving toward the sidewall 410.
[0053] In the case where additional inner side impact surfaces are provided at the sidewall 410 (e.g., as Figure 1A ), the shoulders of child 415 contact the additional inner side impact surface when the hips of child 415 contact the inner side impact surface 406. The use of two inner side impact surfaces at sidewall 410 further serves to mitigate (or prevent) compression of the elbow (or entire arm) of child 415 into the sidewall during an impact event.
[0054] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative child restraint system 500 including an integrated interior side impact surface. The child restraint system also includes a seat 513, a headrest 514, a first side wall 510, a second side wall 510, a rear portion 516, a rear portion 816, and a plurality of interior side impact surfaces (e.g., interior side impact surface 504 and interior side impact surface 508).
[0055] In contrast to the inner side impact surfaces associated with other child restraint systems described herein, the inner side impact surfaces 504 and the inner side impact surfaces 508 are permanently integrated into the child restraint system 500, rather than being removably coupled to the child restraint system 500. That is, the inner side impact surfaces may be formed as part of the side walls of the child restraint system 500. For example, the child restraint system 500 may include a raised portion at a location on the child restraint system 500 where a removable inner side impact surface may be disposed in other child restraint systems. In an embodiment, the material of the integrated inner side impact surface may be the same material used throughout the rest of the child restraint system 500. For example, if the child restraint system 500 is formed of a plastic material, a raised portion in the shape of the inner side impact surface may be disposed from the child restraint system 500 at the location of the integrated inner side impact surface. However, in other embodiments, different types of materials may also be used for the integrated inner side impact surfaces.
[0056] although Figure 5 An embodiment is shown in which only lower interior side impact surfaces are provided, but the child restraint 500 may similarly be provided with only upper interior side impact surfaces and / or any other combination of interior side impact surfaces provided at different locations on the child restraint 500 .
[0057] Figure 8 8 is a front view of an alternative child restraint system 800 including interior side impact surfaces. The child restraint system also includes a seat 813, a headrest 814, a first side wall 810, a second side wall 810, a rear portion 816, a rear portion 816, and a plurality of interior side impact surfaces (e.g., interior side impact surface 802, interior side impact surface 804, interior side impact surface 806, and interior side impact surface 808).
[0058] The alternative child restraint system 800 differs from other child restraint systems shown herein in that the child restraint system 800 also includes an additional compressible portion between respective inner side impact surfaces (e.g., where a void is provided in the alternative embodiments described herein). As shown, compressible material 830 is provided between inner side impact surface 802 and inner side impact surface 804 at side wall 812, and compressible material 832 is provided between inner side impact surface 806 and inner side impact surface 808 at side wall 810. Compressible material may also be provided in any other configuration of the child restraint system (e.g., a configuration in which the child restraint system includes only two inner side impact surfaces).
[0059] In an embodiment, the compressible material may be a material that is less rigid than the material used for the inner side impact surface, such that the compressible material may be compressed more than the inner side impact surface due to contact by a child during an impact event. For example, the compressible material may include a foam material and the inner side impact surface may include a plastic material (however, this is merely exemplary).
[0060] The configuration shown in child restraint system 800 can provide a similar configuration to that in which a gap is provided between the inner side impact surfaces rather than between the inner side impact surfaces. Figure 8 The invention provides functionality similar to the configuration shown in the child restraint system shown in , in which material is disposed between the interior side impact surfaces. That is, the interior side impact surfaces may be less compressed than the compressible material, which causes the child's elbow (or entire arm) to travel more into the compressible material than the child's shoulder and / or hips to travel into the interior side impact surfaces. This reduces the compressive force against the child's chest that would otherwise be caused by the compression of the child's arms.
[0061] Fig. 9is a perspective view of a child restraint system 900 including an alternative interior side impact surface 902 . Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A close up view of an interior side impact surface 902 of a child restraint system 900 is shown. Figures 9 to 10 The illustrated inner side impact surface need not be limited to being only arranged on the side wall of the child restraint system, but can also be arranged on the headrest 901 of the child restraint system 900. The inner side impact surface can also be arranged on both the headrest 901 and the side wall. In some embodiments, the side impact surface can be adjustable between the headrest 901 and the side wall. For example, the side impact surface can be inserted into the headrest 901 and / or the side wall in a removable manner. The side impact surface can also be adjustable in any other way (e.g., upward and downward adjustment, etc.) in other aspects. In some embodiments, the child restraint system 900 may include a pad 903. The pad 903 (which can be foam or any other suitable material) can be arranged at the bottom of the headrest, for example. When the headrest moves up and down, the pad 903 can follow the shoulder of the occupant, thereby supporting the shoulder and forming a gap and / or a compressible area for the child's arm.
[0062] Fig.11 is a perspective view of a child restraint system 1100 including an alternative interior side impact surface. Fig.13 is another perspective view of another child restraint system 1300 . Fig.11 and 13 The illustration illustrates that side impact surfaces may also be disposed on the armrests of the child restraint system 1100 (eg, a first side impact surface 1104 disposed on the first armrest 1103 and a second side impact surface 1106 disposed on the second armrest 1105). Fig. 12A yes Fig.11 1100 is a top view of a seat 1102 of a child restraint system 1100. Fig. 12B yes Fig.11 A front view of a seat 1102 of a child restraint system 1100 is shown. Figures 9 to 13 Any of the side impact surfaces shown in can be removably inserted into a child restraint system or can be integrated into a child restraint system. Similar to the side impact surfaces described with respect to the previous figures, Figures 9 to 13 The side impact surfaces shown in may also reduce the compressive forces against the child's chest that would otherwise be caused by compression of the child's arms.
[0063] Although the disclosed examples include specific arrangements of several parts, components, features, and aspects, the present disclosure is not limited to those examples or arrangements shown. Any one or more of the various parts, components, features, and aspects of the present disclosure may be employed alone or in other arrangements of any two or more of the parts, components, features, and aspects.
[0064] Although certain product features, functions, components, and parts have been described herein according to the teachings of the present disclosure, the coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the present disclosure teachings that fully fall within the scope of permitted equivalents.
[0065] Unless otherwise stated, the terms used herein should be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In addition to the definitions of terms provided below, it should be understood that, as used in the specification and claims, "a" or "an" may mean one or more, depending on the context in which it is used.
[0066] Throughout this application, the terms "include," "includes," or "including" mean "including but not limited to." Note that certain embodiments may be described in relation to a single element, but the corresponding description should be considered as an embodiment comprising two or more elements. Different features, variations, and multiple different embodiments are shown and described herein in various details. The content sometimes described in the form of specific embodiments in this application is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit or imply that the content contemplated is only one specific embodiment or specific embodiments. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiment or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations, and other embodiments will be conceived by those skilled in the art, and are intended and in fact covered by the present disclosure. It is actually intended that the scope of the present disclosure should be determined by the appropriate legal interpretation and construction of the present disclosure (including equivalents), as understood by those skilled in the art, relying on the complete disclosure presented at the time of submission.
[0067] Unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise understood within the context of use, conditional language (such as "can," "could," "might," or "may," as well as other conditional language) is generally intended to convey that certain implementations may include certain features, elements, and / or operations, while other implementations do not. Thus, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply that one or more implementations require features, elements, and / or operations in any manner or that one or more implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether such features, elements, and / or operations are included or performed in any particular implementation.
[0068] The content described in the present invention specification and drawings herein includes examples of systems, equipment, methods, devices and / or techniques. Of course, it is impossible to describe every conceivable combination of components and / or methods for the purpose of describing the various elements of the present disclosure, but it can be recognized that many further combinations and arrangements of the disclosed elements are possible. Therefore, it may be obvious that various modifications may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition or as an alternative, from the description and drawings presented herein and the practice of the present disclosure, other embodiments of the present disclosure may be obvious. It is intended that the examples stated in the description and drawings are considered to be illustrative and non-restrictive in all respects. Although specific terms are used herein, their use is only in a general and descriptive sense and is not for the purpose of limitation.
Claims
1. A child restraint system, comprising: Seats; Headrest; A first side wall and a second side wall; as well as a plurality of interior side impact surfaces including at least a first interior side impact surface removably inserted into the first side wall or formed as a raised portion of the first side wall and a second interior side impact surface removably inserted into the second side wall or formed as a raised portion of the second side wall, wherein a first void is formed above or below the first interior side impact surface and the first side wall and a second void is formed above or below the second interior side impact surface and the second side wall, and wherein at least one of the following occurs: the first void or the second void is configured to accommodate an elbow or arm of a vehicle occupant seated in the child restraint system during an impact event.
2. A child restraint system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of inner side impact surfaces further include a third inner side impact surface disposed at the first side wall and a fourth inner side impact surface disposed at the second side wall, wherein the first gap is formed between the first inner side impact surface, the first side wall and the third inner side impact surface, and wherein the second gap is formed between the second inner side impact surface, the second side wall and the fourth inner side impact surface.
3. The child restraint system of claim 2, wherein the first interior side impact surface comprises a front surface that slopes inwardly from the first side wall toward a rear portion of the child restraint system.
4. The child restraint system of claim 1 , further comprising a first compressible material disposed in the first void and a second compressible material disposed in the second void, wherein the first compressible material is configured to compress more than the first interior side impact surface and the second compressible material is configured to compress more than the second interior side impact surface.
5. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interior side impact surfaces comprise a plastic or foam material.
6. A child restraint system according to claim 1, wherein the first inner side impact surface includes one or more grooves located on a rear portion of the first inner side impact surface, wherein the one or more grooves are configured to engage with a structural element of the first side wall so as to removably insert the first inner side impact surface into the first side wall.
7. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interior side impact surfaces include a ribbed rear portion.
8. A child restraint system, comprising: A first zone, which contains seats; A second zone comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall; as well as a third zone comprising a headrest, wherein at least one of the first zone or the second zone is offset relative to the second zone; wherein the second zone comprises a first void or a first compressible material and the second zone comprises a second void or a second compressible material, and Wherein the second zone is configured to receive an elbow or arm of a vehicle occupant seated in the child restraint system during an impact event.
9. The child restraint system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first zone or the third zone includes a first side impact surface and a second side impact surface.
10. A child restraint system according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of interior side impact surfaces further include a third interior side impact surface disposed at the first side wall and a fourth interior side impact surface disposed at the second side wall, wherein the first gap is formed between the first interior side impact surface, the first side wall and the third interior side impact surface, and wherein the second gap is formed between the second interior side impact surface, the second side wall and the fourth interior side impact surface.
11. The child restraint system of claim 9, wherein the first interior side impact surface comprises a front surface that slopes inwardly from the first side wall toward a rear portion of the child restraint system.
12. The child restraint system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of interior side impact surfaces comprise a plastic or foam material.
13. A child restraint system according to claim 9, wherein the first inner side impact surface includes one or more grooves located on a rear portion of the first inner side impact surface, wherein the one or more grooves are configured to engage with a structural element of the first side wall so as to removably insert the first inner side impact surface into the first side wall.
14. The child restraint system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of interior side impact surfaces include a ribbed rear portion.
15. A child restraint system, comprising: Seats; Headrest; A first side wall and a second side wall; as well as a plurality of interior side impact surfaces including at least a first interior side impact surface removably inserted into the first side wall and a second interior side impact surface removably inserted into the second side wall, wherein a first void is formed between the first interior side impact surface and the first side wall and a second void is formed between the second interior side impact surface and the second side wall; and a first compressible material disposed in the first void and a second compressible material disposed in the second void, wherein the first compressible material is configured to compress more than the first interior side impact surface and the second compressible material is configured to compress more than the second interior side impact surface, Wherein the first compressible material or the second compressible material is configured to receive an elbow or arm of a vehicle occupant seated in the child restraint system during an impact event.
16. A child restraint system according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of interior side impact surfaces further include a third interior side impact surface disposed at the first side wall and a fourth interior side impact surface disposed at the second side wall, wherein the first gap is formed between the first interior side impact surface, the first side wall and the third interior side impact surface, and wherein the second gap is formed between the second interior side impact surface, the second side wall and the fourth interior side impact surface.
17. The child restraint system of claim 16, wherein the first interior side impact surface comprises a front surface that slopes inwardly from the first side wall toward a rear portion of the child restraint system.
18. The child restraint system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of interior side impact surfaces comprise a plastic or foam material.
19. A child restraint system according to claim 15, wherein the first inner side impact surface includes one or more grooves located on a rear portion of the first inner side impact surface, wherein the one or more grooves are configured to engage with a structural element of the first side wall to removably insert the first inner side impact surface into the first side wall.
20. A child restraint system comprising: Seats; Headrest; A first side wall and a second side wall; as well as a plurality of interior side impact surfaces including at least a first interior side impact surface adjustable between the headrest and the first side wall and a second interior side impact surface adjustable between the headrest and the second side wall, wherein a first gap is formed between the first inner side impact surface and the first side wall or above or below the headrest and a second gap is formed between the second inner side impact surface and the second side wall or above or below the headrest, and Wherein at least one of the following occurs: the first void or the second void is configured to receive an elbow or arm of a vehicle occupant seated in the child restraint system during an impact event.