Child car seat

Abstract

A child car seat (100) comprising a protective housing assembly (2) configured to be placed on a vehicle seat and comprising a cavity (21) with a rear surface (22) and a front surface (23), the front surface (23) being inclined relative to the rear surface (22). The child car seat (100) comprises a detachable child unit (1) configured to carry a child, insertable into the cavity (21) and comprising a backrest (11) and a leg rest (12). The leg rest (12) is configured to rotate freely to switch between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the backrest (11). The front surface (23) is shaped to automatically move the leg rest (12) from the lowered position to the raised position when the child unit (1) is inserted into the cavity (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of child car seats. Background Art

[0002] Child car seats are known in the art and consist of a number of components, such as a child unit with a backrest and leg rest for accommodating a child and a protective shell assembly for carrying the child unit. The child car seat also includes a built-in safety belt to keep the child in place on the child unit.

[0003] In addition, the child car seat generally includes a seat belt adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the length of the built-in seat belt and maintain it at a predetermined length and tension.

[0004] In some known children's units, the leg rest is rotatable relative to the backrest. Summary of the invention

[0005] A general object of the present invention is to provide a simpler child car seat.

[0006] The applicant has solved the problems related to the rotation of the leg rest. In particular, the object of the invention is to adjust the leg rest angle depending on the conditions of use of the children's unit.

[0007] These and other objects are achieved by a child car seat according to any one of the appended claims.

[0008] The child unit of the present invention includes a leg rest that is rotatable relative to the backrest from a lowered position to a raised position.

[0009] The protective shell assembly includes a cavity shaped to receive the child unit and automatically move the leg rest from a lowered position to a raised position during insertion of the leg rest into the cavity of the protective shell assembly.

[0010] Advantageously, this embodiment allows for faster insertion of the children's unit into the protective housing assembly because the children's unit automatically changes position during insertion into the cavity.

[0011] Furthermore, the design of the child unit is simple, since the change of position is caused by the interaction of the protective shell assembly with the child unit. Therefore, the child unit does not require any mechanism for manually rotating the leg rest during insertion of the child unit into the cavity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a child car seat.

[0014] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a children's unit according to the present invention in a lowered position.

[0015] Figure 3 is in an elevated position Figure 1 Perspective view of the children's unit.

[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a child unit and a perspective view of a protective shell assembly.

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A side sectional view of a child unit.

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 A side sectional view of a child unit.

[0019] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a side section of a children's unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Throughout this specification, many advantageous features of a preferred embodiment of the child car seat 100 are described, primarily related to the rotation of the leg rest of the child car seat 100. While certain features are essential for performing certain functions, a child car seat lacking the same features may also be able to perform the other described functions.

[0021] The present invention relates to a child car seat 100 comprising a detachable child unit 1, which can also be an independent object of the present invention for some aspects. The child unit 1 is configured to carry a child. The child unit 1 comprises a backrest 11 and a leg rest 12, which are configured to support the back and legs of the child, respectively.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the backrest 11 comprises two first sides 14, i.e. a front side and a rear side, and two second sides 15, i.e. two lateral sides. Preferably, the second sides 15 are parallel to the main direction X. Preferably, the first sides 14 are parallel to the pivot direction Y, which is perpendicular to the main direction X. Preferably, the first sides 14 are shorter than the second sides 15.

[0023] The leg rest 12 comprises a pivot edge 12a, which is connected to the backrest 11, in particular to one of the first sides 14 of the backrest 11. Furthermore, the leg rest 12 comprises a free edge 12b opposite the pivot edge 12a.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the child unit 1 further comprises a head support 18 configured to support the child's head. The head support 18 is connected to the backrest 11 and is opposite to the leg rest 12. Preferably, the head support 18 is connected at the respective first side 14 of the backrest 11.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the child unit 1 further comprises side panels 16 configured to support the child laterally, the side panels 16 preferably being padded to increase the comfort of the child. Each side panel 16 is fixed to the backrest 11, preferably at the respective second side 15 of the backrest 11. Preferably, the panels 16 are spaced apart in the pivot direction Y.

[0026] In all embodiments of the invention, the leg rest 12 is rotatable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the backrest 11. Preferably, the rotation of the leg rest 12 is free, which means that there is no locking mechanism in the children's unit 1 to prevent the rotation of the leg rest 12 relative to the backrest 11.

[0027] In detail, the child car seat 100 comprises a pivot device 4, which is configured to rotatably connect the leg rest 12 to the backrest 11. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot device 4 comprises a hinge. The pivot device is arranged between the pivot edge 12a of the leg rest 12 and the corresponding first side 14 of the backrest 11. In addition, the pivot device 4 is preferably arranged along the pivot direction Y.

[0028] The leg support 12 and the backrest 11 of the child unit 1 form a variable unit angle 13. The unit angle 13 is lower in the raised position than in the lowered position. Specifically, in the lowered position, the unit angle 13 ranges between 140° and 190°. Preferably, the unit angle 13 in the lowered position is equal to 170°. Furthermore, in the raised position, the unit angle 13 may range between 90° and 140°, preferably equal to 130°.

[0029] One advantageous aspect of the preferred embodiment of the child car seat 100 relates to the automatic rotation of the leg rest 12 between the raised position and the lowered position.

[0030] For this aspect, the child car seat 100 must include the protective shell assembly 2. The child unit 1 is insertable into and detachable from the protective shell assembly 2. The child unit 1 is configured to be insertable into and detachable from the cavity 21 while carrying a child. In more detail, the child unit 1 is configured not only to carry and carry a child when inserted into the protective shell, but also to carry and carry a child when it is detached from the cavity 21. In other words, even when the child unit 1 is separated from the protective shell 2, the user can use the child unit 1 to carry a child.

[0031] In detail, the protective shell assembly 2 is configured to be placed on a vehicle seat and includes a cavity 21. The cavity 21 is accessible through a top opening 27, and the child unit 1 is insertable into the cavity 21 through the top opening 27. The child unit 1 can be inserted into the cavity 21 when a child is carried or when the child unit 1 is empty.

[0032] The cavity 21 has a rear surface 22 and a front surface 23, and the front surface 23 is inclined relative to the rear surface 22. In detail, in the context of the present invention, the rear surface 22 and the front surface 23 of the cavity 21 refer to different parts of the inner surface of the shell component 2 in the cavity 21, and when the child unit 1 is inserted into the cavity 21, these parts face the child unit 1.

[0033] In detail, the backrest 11 of the child unit 1 is configured to be located on the rear surface 22 of the protective shell assembly 2 , and the leg rest 12 is configured to be located on the front surface 23 of the protective shell assembly 2 .

[0034] The front surface 23 and the rear surface 22 of the protective shell assembly 2 form a fixed shell angle 24, because they are preferably different parts of a single-piece body. When the leg rest 12 is in the lowered position, the shell angle 24 is less than the unit angle 13. On the contrary, in a preferred embodiment, when the leg rest 12 is in the raised position, the shell angle 24 is substantially the same as the unit angle 13, i.e., in the range between 90° and 140°, preferably equal to 130°.

[0035] Thus, the cavity 21 is shaped to accommodate the child unit 1 when the leg rest 12 is in the raised position, while the cavity 21 is not shaped to accommodate the child unit 1 when the leg rest 12 is in the lowered position. Specifically, the front surface 23 is shaped to push the leg rest 12 upward while the child unit 1 is inserted into the cavity 21. Instead, the leg rest 12 is preferably configured to maintain the lowered position outside the cavity 21 solely due to the gravity acting on the leg rest 12 or optionally by a biasing device configured to bias the leg rest 12 toward the lowered position.

[0036] Thus, during insertion of the children's unit 1 into the cavity 21 , the leg rest 12 is configured to rotate from a lowered position to a raised position.

[0037] In this way, the unit angle 13 is configured to change its width, thereby allowing the children's unit 1 to adapt to the shape of the cavity 21. In fact, when the children's unit 1 is inserted into the cavity 21, the unit angle 13 is substantially equal to the housing angle 24.

[0038] In more detail, the protective shell assembly 2 includes a carrying unit 25 and a base 26. The carrying unit 25 is configured to carry the child unit 1 and includes a cavity 21, while the base 26 is configured to support the carrying unit 25 and be located on a vehicle seat.

[0039] Furthermore, the cavity 21 is bounded by a peripheral wall 28 configured to surround the child unit 1 in the cavity 21. The peripheral wall 28 comprises a front wall 28a and side walls 28b. The front wall 28a protrudes from the front surface 23. The side walls 28b protrude from the rear surface 22. Preferably, the side walls 28b are spaced apart in the pivoting direction.

[0040] Preferably, the side panels 16 of the children's unit 1 are configured to be laid along the side walls 28 b of the shell assembly 2 .

[0041] Another advantageous aspect of the child unit 1 relates to the effect of maintaining constant tension of the safety belt 5 during rotation of the leg rest 12, which is used to protect the child. The features referred to in this aspect can also be combined with the automatic rotation features for the leg rest 12 described above. However, not all of the above features are necessary for the tensioning function. That is, the child unit 1 does not need to be supported by the shell assembly 2.

[0042] According to this aspect, the child unit 1 comprises a built-in safety belt 5 which is configured to hold the child in place on the child unit 1. Furthermore, the child unit 1 comprises a buckle 7 which is configured to fasten the built-in safety belt 5.

[0043] The child unit 1 further comprises a buckle connector 71, which connects the buckle 7 to the rest of the child unit 1. In more detail, the child unit 1 comprises a buckle support 8, and the buckle connector 71 connects the buckle 7 to the buckle support 8. Preferably, the buckle connector 71 is an additional safety belt connecting the buckle 7 and the buckle support 8. Preferably, the additional safety belt forms a loop 72.

[0044] Advantageously, the buckle support 8 is fixed to the backrest 11, so that, as described below, it is configured to maintain a predetermined tension value of the built-in safety belt 5 when the leg rest 12 is rotated from the lowered position to the raised position, while maintaining a fixed predetermined length of the safety belt 5. Preferably, the buckle support 8 is fixed to the backrest 11 at the same first side 14 as the leg rest 12 is connected.

[0045] In detail, the buckle support 8 is configured to maintain a constant fixed position relative to the backrest 11 during the rotation of the leg rest 12 from the lowered position to the raised position, and vice versa. In other words, whenever the leg rest 12 switches its position, the buckle support 8 does not move relative to the backrest 11.

[0046] Preferably, the buckle support 8 has an elongated body having one end connected to the backrest and an opposite free end. The elongated body and the free end extend from the leg rest 12 when the leg rest 12 is in the lowered position.

[0047] As described above, the backrest 11 and the leg rest 12 form a variable unit angle 13. On the other hand, the backrest 11 and the buckle support 8 form a fixed support angle 81. It should be noted that the unit angle 13 is equal to or greater than the support angle 81. When the leg rest 12 is in the raised position, the unit angle 13 is equal to the support angle 81. In addition, when the leg rest 12 is rotated from the raised position to the lowered position, the unit angle 13 is greater than the support angle 81.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the buckle angle 81 ranges from 90° to 140°. Preferably, the buckle angle 81 is equal to 130°. Therefore, it should be noted that when the leg rest 12 is in the raised position, the buckle angle 81 is equal to the unit angle 13.

[0049] In detail, the buckle support 8 is preferably flush with respect to the leg rest 12 when the leg rest 12 is in the raised position, and the buckle support 8 protrudes from the leg rest 12 when the leg rest 12 is in the lowered position.

[0050] To accommodate the buckle support 8, the leg rest 12 may include a support groove 82 configured to accommodate the buckle support 8 when the leg rest 12 is in the raised position. In a preferred embodiment, the buckle support 8 fits tightly in the support groove 82. In addition, the support groove 82 may extend from the pivot edge 12a toward the free edge 12b. Thus, the buckle support 8 may be positioned so that the buckle connector 71 is arranged between the legs of the child on the child unit 1. Preferably, the buckle support 8 is also arranged between the legs of the child on the child unit 1, at least when the leg rest 12 is in the lowered position.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the child unit 1 includes a belt channel 17 having at least a first opening 17a formed on the front side 110 of the backrest 11 and a second opening 17b formed in the leg rest 12. Preferably, the second opening 17b is formed on the free edge 12b of the leg rest 12. The safety belt 5 is at least partially slidable in the belt channel 17 and has a free end portion 51 extending from the second opening 17b. The free end portion 51 is configured to be pulled by a user to achieve a desired predetermined tension of the safety belt 5. The predetermined tension is the tension necessary to safely hold the child in position on the child unit 1 while also maintaining the child's comfort.

[0052] In an embodiment, the built-in safety belt 5 includes at least one torso safety belt portion 53, which is configured to be placed at the torso and shoulders of a child on the child unit 1. The torso safety belt portion 53 protrudes from at least one first opening 17a. The torso safety belt portion 53 includes a safety belt pin at a pin end 59, which is configured to be fastened with a buckle 7 to hold the child in place on the child unit 1.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the built-in safety belt 5 is a three-point safety belt 52, which includes two torso safety belt parts 53. Each torso safety belt part 53 protrudes from at least one first opening 17a. In a preferred embodiment, there are two first openings 17a, one for each torso safety belt part 53. Each torso safety belt part 53 includes a safety belt pin at a pin end 59. In addition, the two torso safety belt parts 53 are connected to each other at a common end opposite to the pin end 59. The common end 54 is inserted into the safety belt channel 17, and it is configured to slide within the safety belt channel 17.

[0054] In an embodiment, the child unit 1 includes a seat belt adjustment mechanism 6, which is configured to adjust the length of the seat belt 5 at a plurality of predetermined lengths. The seat belt adjustment mechanism 6 includes a lock 61, which is arranged at the leg rest 12, preferably between the support groove 82 and the second opening 17b. The lock 61 is configured to engage and disengage the built-in seat belt 5 to prevent and allow it to slide in the seat belt channel 17. In addition, the lock 61 includes a contact portion 62 facing the seat belt channel 17.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the leg rest 12 includes a lock recess 63 configured to accommodate the lock 61. In addition, still preferably, the lock 61 is configured to be actuated (such as pushed) by a user to engage and disengage the built-in safety belt 5 in the safety belt channel 17. The lock 61 is configured to be pushed so that the contact portion 62 contacts the safety belt 5.

[0056] It should be noted that the belt adjustment mechanism 6 is intended to be active during rotation of the leg rest 12 , which means that the portion of the belt within the belt channel 17 remains at a constant length.

[0057] For example, in use, the user places a child on the child unit 1 and inserts the child unit 1 into the cavity 21 of the protective shell assembly 2. During insertion, the front surface 23 of the protective shell assembly 2 is shaped so that the leg rest 12 switches from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0058] In addition, according to the above aspect, when the child unit 1 is in the cavity 21, the user can tighten the built-in safety belt 5. Then, the user pulls the free end portion 51 to achieve the desired predetermined tension, and locks the safety belt 5 using the safety belt adjustment mechanism 6 so as to maintain the predetermined tension and length even when the user does not pull the free end portion 51. When the leg rest 12 is rotated to the lowered position, for example, because the child unit 1 is detached from the cavity 21, the buckle support 8 prevents the tension of the built-in safety belt 5 from changing.

[0059] This is because the buckle support 8 is fixed to the backrest 11 instead of the leg rest 12. On the contrary, fixing to the leg rest 12 would cause the safety belt 5 to be tightened during the downward rotation of the leg rest 12 and to be loosened during the upward rotation of the leg rest 12, but this does not happen because the buckle support 8 is stationary during the rotation of the leg rest 12.

Claims

1. A child car seat (100), comprising: - a protective shell assembly (2) configured to be placed on a vehicle seat, the protective shell assembly (2) comprising a cavity (21) with a rear surface (22) and a front surface (23), the front surface (23) being inclined relative to the rear surface (22), - a detachable child unit (1) configured to carry a child, the child unit (1) being configured to be insertable into and detachable from the cavity (21), and carrying the child both when inserted into and detached from the cavity (21), the detachable child unit (1) comprising a backrest (11) and a leg rest (12), the backrest (11) and the leg rest (12) being configured to support the back and legs of the child, respectively, the backrest (11) and the leg rest (12) of the child unit (1) being configured to be respectively located on the rear surface (22) and the front surface (23) of the protective shell assembly (2), the leg rest (12) being configured to rotate freely to switch between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the backrest (11), Characterized in that the front surface (23) is shaped so as to automatically move the leg support (12) from a lowered position to a raised position when the child unit (1) is inserted into the cavity (21).

2. The child car seat (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The front surface (23) of the protective housing assembly (2) is fixed relative to the rear surface (22).

3. The child car seat (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprises a pivot device (4), which is configured to rotatably connect the leg support (12) to the backrest (11), and the pivot device (4) comprises a hinge.

4. The child car seat (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The leg rest (12) and the backrest (11) form a variable unit angle (13), and the front surface (23) and the rear surface (22) form a shell angle (24). When the leg rest (12) is in the lowered position, the shell angle (24) is smaller than the unit angle (13).

5. The child car seat (100) according to claim 4, wherein: In the lowered position, the unit angle (13) ranges between 140° and 190°.

6. The child car seat (100) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein: When the children's unit (1) is inserted into the cavity (21), the unit angle (13) is substantially equal to the housing angle (24).

7. The child car seat (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The shell angle (24) ranges from 90° to 140°.

8. The child car seat (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The cavity (21) is shaped to accommodate the child unit (1) when the leg rest (12) is in the raised position, and the cavity (21) is not shaped to accommodate the child unit (1) when the leg rest (12) is in the lowered position.

9. The child car seat (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The front surface (23) is shaped to push the leg support (12) upwards while the child unit (1) is inserted into the cavity (21).

10. The child car seat (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The protective shell assembly (2) comprises a carrying unit (25) and a base (26), wherein the carrying unit (25) comprises the cavity (21) and is configured to carry the child unit (1), and the base (26) is configured to support the carrying unit (25) and is located on the vehicle seat.

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