Convertible infant safety car seat assembly

Abstract

A convertible infant safety car seat assembly is disclosed that includes an upper seat having foot and backrest portions, the upper seat being operable between an upright condition and an extended condition. Legs of the automobile seat assembly are pivotable at least between a stowed condition and an operative condition. An adjustable five-point seatbelt for securing a baby to a seat is disclosed in association with the automobile seat assembly; a lower support having a reinforcing area to increase strength; and a leg operation damping mechanism for slowing and smoothing the leg pivoting movement. The assembly provides a variety of configurations to improve safety, maneuverability, and ease of use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an infant safety car seat assembly that can be used as an infant carrier and convertible to be rollable for use, such as a baby stroller. Background Art

[0002] For example, this type of infant safety car seat assembly related to the subject matter of the present disclosure is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. US 8434781. It generally includes legs with wheels at the distal ends and can be maneuvered between a stowed state and an operating state. In the stowed state, the seat is configured to be installed in a vehicle; in the operating state, the seat assembly can be rolled with the aid of the wheels.

[0003] U.S. Patent No. US9629476 discloses a device that can be converted from an infant bassinet to an infant or child seat. The device has a frame assembly and a seat structure supported by the frame assembly. The seat structure defines a seating surface and can be moved between at least one inclined seating position and a reclined sleeping position. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an infant safety car seat assembly that, in at least one of its operating modes, includes: an upper seat having a foot portion and a backrest portion; a lower support to which the upper seat is rigidly connected, the lower support having a front portion associated with the foot portion, a rear portion associated with the backrest portion, and left and right handle connection regions; at least one reinforcing region located between the rear and front portions of the lower support, the material and / or structure of the at least one reinforcing region being different from the rest of the body of the lower support; the at least one reinforcing region making the lower support stronger than it would be without the at least one reinforcing region; at least one of the left and right handle connection regions being at least partially located at a respective one of the at least one reinforcing regions; a handle pivotally connected to the upper handle connection region of the lower support by a pivotable connector that enables the handle to pivot between a plurality of different positions; and a car seat belt guide member at least indirectly connected to the at least one reinforcing region. The car seat belt guide member can be connected to the reinforcing region, for example, by a seat belt guide connection portion fixedly connected to the reinforcing region; alternatively, in other embodiments, the car seat belt guide member can be formed as part of the handle, and since the handle connection region is located at the reinforcing region, the car seat belt guide member is indirectly connected to the reinforcing region. In this arrangement, the car seat belt can also abut the handle and bear against the reinforcing region. In both arrangements, the reinforcing region at least partially bears the load generated by the car seat belt on the seat assembly, particularly during impact.

[0005] In some examples, the lower support member may further include left and right leg connection regions, with at least one of the left and right leg connection regions being at least partially located at a corresponding one of at least one reinforcement region. In some examples, each leg connection region at least partially overlaps with a corresponding handle connection region, and optionally, completely overlaps. In those examples where a leg connection region is provided, the assembly further includes legs, with wheels at the distal ends of the legs and the proximal ends being at least indirectly connected to the leg connection regions on the lower support member. The legs can be maneuvered between a stowed state and an operating state. In the stowed state, the assembly is suitable for being mounted on a support surface; in the operating state, the seat assembly can roll by means of the wheels.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a convertible infant safety car seat assembly, which in at least one of its operating modes includes: a seat having a left leg connection region and a right leg connection region; a horizontal reference plane passing through the lowest region of the seat; legs with wheels at their respective distal ends, the legs being pivotable between a stowed state and an operating state. In the stowed state, at least the wheels are located above the reference plane and the assembly is suitable for being placed on a support surface; in the operating state, at least the wheels are located below the reference plane so that the seat assembly can roll by means of the wheels; the legs include a left pair of legs consisting of a left hind leg and a left front leg and a right pair of legs consisting of a right hind leg and a right front leg, and at least one leg in the left pair of legs and at least one leg in the right pair of legs are at least partially pivotable from the stowed state to the operating state under the action of gravity; and a leg operation damping mechanism, which is used to damp at least part of the pivot movement compared to the pivot movement of at least one leg in each pair of legs without the leg operation damping mechanism, so as to slow down and smooth the pivot movement of at least one leg in each pair of legs.

[0007] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an infant safety car seat assembly, which in at least one of its operating modes includes: an upper seat having a foot portion and a backrest portion; the foot portion and the backrest portion can be maneuvered between an upright state and an extended state. In the upright state, a first angle is formed between the backrest and the foot portion; in the extended state, a second angle greater than the first angle is formed between the backrest and the foot portion. The upper seat includes left and right backrest seat belt receiving grooves; and left and right side seat belt receiving grooves; a five-point seat belt for fixing an infant in the upper seat when the infant is sitting in the upper seat, the seat belt including: a central buckle, and at least one seat belt that can slide through the seat belt receiving grooves of the upper seat and can be connected to the central buckle, the at least one seat belt including a fixing portion that can be used to fix the infant in the upper seat and a non-fixing portion that cannot be used to fix the infant; and a seat belt adjustment device, which can be operated to adjust the effective length of at least the fixing portion of at least one seat belt when maneuvering between the upright state and the extended state of the upper seat.

[0008] The infant safety car seat assembly according to any of the above aspects may have any combination of at least one or more of the following features:

[0009] Features related to the reinforcement area:

[0010] · At least one reinforcement area may include a seat belt guide connection part to which a car seat belt guide member is directly connected; alternatively, the car seat belt guide member may be formed as part of a handle and positioned such that when the car seat belt passes through, the car seat belt abuts at least the top part of the reinforcement area, adjacent to the car seat belt guide member of the handle;

[0011] · The right handle connection area and the right leg connection area may overlap; and / or the left handle connection area and the left leg connection area may overlap;

[0012] · The left and right handle connection areas and the left and right leg connection areas may be entirely located at a respective one of at least one reinforcement area;

[0013] · At least one reinforcement area may include a fiber - reinforced material;

[0014] · Compared with the rest of the main body, at least one reinforcement area may extend further in the lateral direction, thus constituting the outermost area of the lower support;

[0015] · At least one reinforcement area may be in the form of a reinforcement element firmly mounted to the rest of the lower support body;

[0016] · At least one reinforcement area may have a honeycomb structure to enhance its strength;

[0017] · A side protection module may be provided, which may be connected to at least partially overlap a respective one of at least one reinforcement area in the lateral direction;

[0018] ● At least one reinforcement area may form part of at least the side wall of the lower support, thereby potentially increasing the resistance of the safety car seat to impacts (such as side impacts).

[0019] Features related to the damping mechanism:

[0020] ● The leg - operated damping mechanism may include a gear device, or more generally, a toothed device, which is configured to absorb or dissipate at least a part of the energy associated with the pivoting of the leg under the action of gravity. The mechanism may include inter - meshing toothed elements to provide a limited resistance to movement;

[0021] · The leg-operated damping mechanism may include a first portion associated with one of the leg and the leg connection region and a second portion associated with the other of the leg connection region and the leg, and the second portion is operatively engaged with the first portion;

[0022] ● The leg-operated damping mechanism may include a rack and pinion device, and the first portion includes the rack and the second portion includes the pinion;

[0023] · The leg-operated damping mechanism may include a left damping mechanism and a right damping mechanism corresponding to the left pair of legs and the right pair of legs;

[0024] · A locking mechanism may be provided that is operable to lock the left rear leg relative to the left front leg and the right rear leg relative to the right front leg such that the legs in each pair of legs move together at least during the portion of the pivoting movement;

[0025] · The leg-operated damping mechanism may be operable only during the portion of the pivoting movement; optionally, the remaining portion of the pivoting movement occurs without damping, i.e., with less or no resistance to the movement of the legs;

[0026] · The leg-operated damping mechanism may be operable only in a single direction of leg pivoting. That is, during the movement of the leg from the stowed state to the operating state, the damping mechanism at least partially resists the movement of the leg under the action of gravity, slowing down and smoothing their movement. When the leg moves in the other direction, i.e., from the operating state to the stowed state, there is no resistance to the movement;

[0027] ● The leg-operated damping mechanism may be operable to damp the pivoting movement of the legs independently of the movement of the handle of the safety seat. Although the handle and the legs may be connected in similar or overlapping regions, the leg-operated damping mechanism is configured to affect only the pivoting of the legs. This may have the potential advantage that the handle can be maintained in a selected position (e.g., the carrycot state, the stowed state, the pram state) when the legs are manipulated and pivoted. For example, during the movement of the leg from the stowed state to the operating state, the handle may be in the carrycot state or the pram state, allowing the user to hold the handle while the legs are slowly and smoothly deployed due to the damping of the damping mechanism;

[0028] ● The locking mechanism may be operable to unlock the legs in each of the pairs of legs after the portion of the pivoting movement is completed;

[0029] · The locking mechanism may be operable to lock one of the legs in each pair of legs, i.e., the first leg, in its operating state, and the assembly may further include an actuating device that is operable to move the other leg in the same pair of legs, i.e., the second leg, away from the first leg when the legs are unlocked from each other;

[0030] Features related to the seat belt adjustment device:

[0031] ● The seat belt adjusting device may be configured to adjust the effective length of the fixing portion of at least one seat belt to achieve the adjustment of the effective length of the fixing portion;

[0032] · The fixing portion may include: a shoulder fixing portion; a hip fixing portion; and a crotch fixing portion; wherein the adjustment of the effective length starts from the hip fixing portion. For example, the seat belt segment that actually becomes the fixing portion rather than part of the fixing part is first released at the side seat belt receiving groove near the baby's hip. Then, the seat belt can be pulled (e.g., in response to the pulling of the baby's shoulder on it when the upper seat is extended backward), so that the released seat belt segment provides the length required to comfortably and not overly tightly fix the baby;

[0033] · Therefore, the initial adjustment of the seat belt occurs in response to the manipulation of the upper seat, and simultaneously at two spaced-apart positions, namely at the side seat belt receiving grooves. This may have potential advantages, such as the adjustment can be carried out quickly compared to starting (or being carried out entirely) at a single position only. Another potential advantage of starting the adjustment from the hip fixing portion may include that the buckle is not directly affected by the adjustment and remains in a similar position relative to the baby before and after the adjustment;

[0034] · When the upper seat is manipulated from the upright state to the extended state, the seat belt adjusting device may increase the effective length of the fixing portion of at least one seat belt;

[0035] · When the upper seat is manipulated from the upright state to the extended state, the seat belt adjusting device may decrease the effective length of the fixing part of at least one seat belt;

[0036] · When the upper seat is manipulated from the extended state to the upright state, the seat belt adjusting device may decrease the effective length of the fixing portion of at least one seat belt;

[0037] ● When the upper seat is manipulated from the extended state to the upright state, the seat belt adjusting device may increase the effective length of the fixing part of at least one seat belt;

[0038] · The total seat belt length of at least one seat belt can remain constant at least during the manipulation of the upper seat between the upright state and the extended state;

[0039] · The seat belt may extend along a total seat belt path, and the seat belt adjusting device may be operable to modify the total seat belt path when the upper seat is manipulated between the upright state and the extended state to adjust the effective length of the fixing portion of at least one seat belt;

[0040] · A movable part may be provided, which is movable when the upper seat is manipulated between an upright state and an extended state. The safety belt at least partially extends over the movable part such that the movable part forms at least part of the total safety belt path. The movable part at least partially forms a safety belt adjustment device, wherein the movement of the movable part modifies the total safety belt path, thereby adjusting the effective length of the fixed part of at least one safety belt.

[0041] · The upper seat may include a front-facing part for a baby to sit in and an opposite rear-facing part. The safety belt receiving groove establishes a connection path between the front-facing part and the rear-facing part. At least one safety belt slidably passes through the safety belt receiving groove between the front-facing part and the rear-facing part. The fixed part is located in the front-facing part and the securing part is located in the rear-facing part.

[0042] · A lower support may be provided. The upper seat is connected to the lower support and its rear-facing part faces the lower support. The lower support has a front part associated with the feet, a rear part associated with the backrest part, and left and right side parts. At least one safety belt is fixedly connected to the lower support.

[0043] · During manipulation of the upper seat between an upright state and an extended state, at least one of the backrest part and the feet may change its position relative to the lower support. When the upper seat is manipulated between an upright state and an extended state, the safety belt adjustment device may adjust the effective length of at least the fixed part of at least one safety belt according to the change of position of at least one of the backrest part and the feet relative to the lower support.

[0044] · During manipulation of the upper seat between an upright state and an extended state, both the feet and the backrest part may change their positions relative to the lower support. And the securing part of at least one safety belt abuts against the feet such that the change in the position of the feet reduces or increases the path length along which the securing part extends, thereby adjusting the effective length of the securing part.

[0045] The aspects and features of the present disclosure subject matter described above, as well as additional aspects and features, are further elaborated in the embodiments of the present disclosure subject matter presented below.

[0046] 1. An infant safety car seat assembly, including in at least one of its operating modes:

[0047] An upper seat having feet and a backrest part;

[0048] A lower support to which the upper seat is firmly connected, the lower support having a front part associated with the feet, a rear part associated with the backrest part, and left and right handle connection areas;

[0049] At least one reinforcing region between the rear and front portions of the lower support member, the material and / or structure of the at least one reinforcing region being different from the rest of the body of the lower support member; the at least one reinforcing region making the lower support member stronger than it would be without the at least one reinforcing region;

[0050] At least one of the left and right handle connection regions is at least partially located at a respective one of the at least one reinforcing regions;

[0051] A handle pivotally connected to the upper handle connection region of the lower support member by a pivotable connection member that enables the handle to pivot between a plurality of different positions; and

[0052] An automotive seat belt guide member at least indirectly connected to the at least one reinforcing region.

[0053] 2. The infant safety automotive seat assembly according to embodiment 1, wherein the at least one reinforcing region includes a seat belt guide connection portion to which the automotive seat belt guide member is directly connected.

[0054] 3. The infant safety automotive seat assembly according to embodiment 1, wherein the automotive seat belt guide member is formed as part of the handle and is positioned such that when the automotive seat belt passes through, the automotive seat belt abuts at least the top portion of the reinforcing region, adjacent to the automotive seat belt guide member of the handle.

[0055] 4. The infant safety automotive seat assembly according to embodiment 1, wherein the lower support member further includes left and right leg connection regions, at least one of the left and right leg connection regions being at least partially located at a respective one of the at least one reinforcing regions; the assembly further includes legs with wheels at the distal ends and at least indirectly connected to the leg connection regions on the lower support member at the proximal ends, the legs being manipulable between a stowed state and an operating state, in the stowed state, the assembly being adapted to be mounted on a support surface; in the operating state, the seat assembly can roll by means of the wheels.

[0056] 5. The infant safety automotive seat assembly according to embodiment 4, wherein the right handle connection region and the right leg connection region overlap; and the left handle connection region and the left leg connection region overlap.

[0057] 6. The infant safety automotive seat assembly according to embodiment 4 or 5, wherein the left and right handle connection regions and the left and right leg connection regions are entirely located at respective ones of the at least one reinforcing regions.

[0058] 7. The infant safety automotive seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the at least one reinforcing region includes a fiber-reinforced material.

[0059] 8. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein at least one reinforcing region extends further in the lateral direction compared to the rest of the main body, thereby forming the outermost region of the lower support member.

[0060] 9. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein at least one reinforcing region is in the form of a reinforcing element firmly mounted to the rest of the lower support member.

[0061] 10. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein at least one reinforcing region has a honeycomb structure to enhance its strength.

[0062] 11. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, further comprising a connectable side protection module that at least partially overlaps with a corresponding one of at least one reinforcing region in the lateral direction.

[0063] 12. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the foot and backrest portions can be manipulated between an upright state and an extended state. In the upright state, a first angle is formed between the backrest and the foot; in the extended state, a second angle greater than the first angle is formed between the backrest and the foot.

[0064] 13. The infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 4 or any one of embodiments 5 to 12 when subordinate to embodiment 4, the legs include a left pair of legs composed of a left hind leg and a left front leg and a right pair of legs composed of a right hind leg and a right front leg. At least one leg in the left pair of legs and at least one leg in the right pair of legs can pivot at least partially from a storage state to an operating state under the action of gravity; wherein the infant safety car seat assembly further includes a leg operation damping mechanism, which is used to damp at least part of the pivoting movement compared to the pivoting movement of at least one leg in each pair of legs without the leg operation damping mechanism, so as to slow down and smooth the pivoting movement of at least one leg in each pair of legs.

[0065] 14. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 1 to 13, the foot and backrest portions can be manipulated between an upright state and an extended state. In the upright state, a first angle is formed between the backrest and the foot; in the extended state, a second angle greater than the first angle is formed between the backrest and the foot. The upper seat includes two left and right backrest seat belt receiving grooves; and two left and right side seat belt receiving grooves; wherein the infant safety car seat assembly further includes:

[0066] A five - point seat belt for securing an infant in an upper seat when the infant is sitting in the upper seat, the seat belt comprising: a central buckle, and at least one seat belt that slidably passes through a seat belt receiving groove of the upper seat and can be connected to the central buckle, the at least one seat belt including a fixing portion that can be used to secure the infant in the upper seat and a fixing portion that cannot be used to secure the infant; and

[0067] A seat belt adjusting device that is operable to adjust the effective length of at least the fixing portion of at least one seat belt when manipulating between an upright state and an extended state of the upper seat.

[0068] 15. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the lower support member includes side walls between a rear portion and a front portion, and at least one strengthening region includes two strengthening regions respectively located at the side walls.

[0069] 16. A convertible infant safety car seat assembly, including at least in one of its operating modes:

[0070] A seat having a left leg connection region and a right leg connection region;

[0071] A horizontal reference plane passing through the lowest region of the seat;

[0072] Legs with wheels at respective distal ends, the legs being pivotable between a stowed state and an operating state, in the stowed state, at least the wheels are located above the reference plane, and the assembly is suitable for placement on a support surface; in the operating state, at least the wheels are located below the reference plane so that the seat assembly can roll by means of the wheels;

[0073] The legs include a left pair of legs composed of a left rear leg and a left front leg and a right pair of legs composed of a right rear leg and a right front leg, and at least one leg in the left pair of legs and at least one leg in the right pair of legs are pivotable from the stowed state to the operating state at least partially under the action of gravity; and

[0074] A leg operating damping mechanism for damping at least part of the pivoting movement compared to the pivoting movement of at least one leg in each pair of legs without the leg operating damping mechanism, thereby slowing down and smoothing the pivoting movement of at least one leg in each pair of legs.

[0075] 17. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 16, wherein the leg operating damping mechanism includes a gear device.

[0076] 18. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 16 or 17, wherein the leg-operated damping mechanism includes a first part associated with one of the legs and the leg connection region, and a second part associated with the other of the leg connection region and the leg, and the second part is operatively engaged with the first part.

[0077] 19. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 18, wherein the leg-operated damping mechanism includes a rack and pinion device, and the first part includes the rack and the second part includes the pinion.

[0078] 20. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 16 to 19, wherein the leg-operated damping mechanism includes a left damping mechanism and a right damping mechanism corresponding to the left pair of legs and the right pair of legs.

[0079] 21. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 16 to 20, further comprising a locking mechanism operable to lock the left rear leg relative to the left front leg and the right rear leg relative to the right front leg, such that the legs in each pair of legs move together at least during the portion of the pivotal movement.

[0080] 22. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 21, wherein the leg-operated damping mechanism is operable only during the portion of the pivotal movement.

[0081] 23. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 21 or 22, the locking mechanism being operable to unlock the legs in each of the pairs of legs after completion of the portion of the pivotal movement.

[0082] 24. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 21 to 23, wherein the locking mechanism is operable to lock one of the legs in each pair of legs, i.e., the first leg, in its operative state, and the assembly further includes an actuating device operable to move the other leg in the same pair of legs, i.e., the second leg, away from the first leg when the legs are unlocked from each other.

[0083] 25. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 16 to 24, wherein the seat includes:

[0084] an upper seat having a foot portion and a backrest portion; and

[0085] a lower support member to which the upper seat is firmly connected, the lower support member having a front portion associated with the foot portion, a rear portion associated with the backrest portion, and left and right handle connection regions;

[0086] wherein the convertible infant safety car seat assembly further includes:

[0087] At least one reinforcing region between the rear and front portions of the lower support member, the material and / or structure of the at least one reinforcing region being different from the remainder of the body of the lower support member; the at least one reinforcing region rendering the lower support member stronger than it would be without the at least one reinforcing region;

[0088] At least one of the left and right handle connection regions is at least partially located at a respective one of the at least one reinforcing regions;

[0089] A handle pivotally connected to an upper handle connection region of the lower support member by a pivotable connection member that enables the handle to pivot between a plurality of different positions; and

[0090] An automotive seat belt guide member at least indirectly connected to the at least one reinforcing region.

[0091] 26. The convertible infant safety vehicle seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 16 to 25, wherein the seat includes an upper seat having a foot portion and a backrest portion; the foot portion and the backrest portion are manipulable between an upright state and an extended state, in the upright state, a first angle is formed between the backrest and the foot portion; in the extended state, a second angle greater than the first angle is formed between the backrest and the foot portion, the upper seat includes two left and right backrest seat belt receiving grooves; and two left and right side seat belt receiving grooves;

[0092] Wherein, the convertible infant safety vehicle seat assembly further includes:

[0093] A five-point seat belt for securing an infant to the upper seat when the infant is seated in the upper seat, the seat belt including:

[0094] A central buckle, and at least one seat belt slidably passing through a seat belt receiving groove of the upper seat and connectable to the central buckle, the at least one seat belt including a securing portion usable for securing the infant to the upper seat and a non-securing portion not usable for securing the infant; and

[0095] A seat belt adjustment device operable to adjust an effective length of at least the securing portion of the at least one seat belt when being manipulated between the upright state and the extended state of the upper seat.

[0096] 27. The convertible infant safety vehicle seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 16 to 26, wherein the leg operation damping mechanism is operable only during pivoting of the leg from a stowed state to an operating state and not vice versa.

[0097] 28. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 16 further includes a handle connected to the seat by a pivotable connection, the pivotable connection enabling the handle to pivot between a plurality of different positions, wherein the leg operation damping mechanism is operable during leg pivoting and independently of the pivoting of the handle.

[0098] 29. An infant safety car seat assembly, including in at least one of its operating modes:

[0099] An upper seat having a foot portion and a backrest portion; the foot portion and the backrest portion are manipulable between an upright state and an extended state, in the upright state, a first angle is formed between the backrest and the foot portion; in the extended state, a second angle greater than the first angle is formed between the backrest and the foot portion, the upper seat includes two left and right backrest seat belt receiving grooves; and two left and right side seat belt receiving grooves;

[0100] A five-point seat belt for securing an infant to the upper seat when the infant is sitting in the upper seat, the seat belt includes: a central buckle, and at least one seat belt slidably passing through the seat belt receiving groove of the upper seat and connectable to the central buckle, the at least one seat belt includes a fixing portion that can be used to secure the infant to the upper seat and a fixing portion that cannot be used to secure the infant; and

[0101] A seat belt adjustment device, when being manipulated between the upright state and the extended state of the upper seat, the device is operable to adjust the effective length of at least the fixing portion of at least one seat belt, wherein the adjustment starts from the left and right side receiving grooves.

[0102] 30. The infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 29, wherein the seat belt adjustment device is configured to adjust the effective length of the fixing portion by adjusting the effective length of at least one seat belt.

[0103] 31. The infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 29 or 30, wherein the fixing portion includes: a shoulder fixing portion; a hip fixing portion; and a crotch fixing portion; and the hip fixing portion is adjusted first.

[0104] 32. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 29 to 31, wherein when the upper seat is manipulated from the upright state to the extended state, the seat belt adjustment device increases the effective length of the fixing portion of at least one seat belt.

[0105] 33. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 29 to 32, wherein when the upper seat is manipulated from the upright state to the extended state, the seat belt adjustment device decreases the effective length of the fixing portion of at least one seat belt.

[0106] 34. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 29 to 33, wherein when the upper seat is manipulated from the extended state to the upright state, the seat belt adjustment device reduces the effective length of the fixed portion of at least one seat belt.

[0107] 35. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 29 to 34, wherein when the upper seat is manipulated from the extended state to the upright state, the seat belt adjustment device increases the effective length of the fixed portion of at least one seat belt.

[0108] 36. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 29 to 35, wherein the total seat belt length of at least one seat belt remains constant at least during the manipulation of the upper seat between the upright state and the extended state.

[0109] 37. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 29 to 36, wherein the seat belt extends along a total seat belt path, and the seat belt adjustment device is operable to modify the total seat belt path when the upper seat is manipulated between the upright state and the extended state to adjust the effective length of the fixed portion of at least one seat belt.

[0110] 38. The infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 37, comprising a movable member that is movable when the upper seat is manipulated between the upright state and the extended state, and the seat belt at least partially extends over the movable member such that the movable member forms at least a part of the total seat belt path, and the movable member at least partially constitutes the seat belt adjustment device, wherein the movement of the movable member modifies the total seat belt path to adjust the effective length of the fixed portion of at least one seat belt.

[0111] 39. The infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 38, wherein the movement of the movable member modifies the total seat belt path at two spaced-apart positions adjacent to the left and right side receiving grooves.

[0112] 40. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 29 to 39, wherein the upper seat includes a forward portion for an infant to sit therein and an opposite rearward portion, and the seat belt receiving groove establishes a connection path between the forward portion and the rearward portion, wherein at least one seat belt slidably passes through the seat belt receiving groove between the forward portion and the rearward portion, the fixed portion is located in the forward portion, and the fixed part is located in the rearward portion.

[0113] 41. The infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 40 further includes a lower support member to which the upper seat is connected and whose rearward portion faces the lower support member. The lower support member has a front portion associated with the feet, a rear portion associated with the backrest portion, and left and right side portions, wherein at least one safety belt is fixedly connected to the lower support member.

[0114] 42. The infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 41, wherein during the manipulation of the upper seat between the upright state and the extended state, at least one of the backrest portion and the feet changes its position relative to the lower support member.

[0115] 43. The infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 42, wherein when the upper seat is manipulated between the upright state and the extended state, the seat belt adjusting device adjusts the effective length of at least the fixed portion of at least one safety belt according to the change of position of at least one of the backrest portion and the feet relative to the lower support member.

[0116] 44. The infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 43, wherein during the manipulation of the upper seat between the upright state and the extended state, both the feet and the backrest portion change their positions relative to the lower support member; and wherein the fixed portion of at least one safety belt abuts against the feet, so that the change in the position of the feet reduces or increases the path length along which the fixed portion extends, thereby adjusting the effective length of the fixed portion.

[0117] 45. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 29 to 44 further includes:

[0118] a lower support member to which the upper seat is firmly connected, the lower support member having a front portion associated with the feet, a rear portion associated with the backrest portion, and a seat belt fixing portion; and

[0119] at least one strengthening region located between the rear portion and the front portion of the lower support member, the material and / or structure of the at least one strengthening region being different from the rest of the main body of the lower support member; the at least one strengthening region makes the lower support member stronger than when there is no such at least one strengthening region. Description of the Drawings

[0120] For a better understanding of the subject matter disclosed herein and to illustrate how it may be implemented in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0121] Figure 1A 、 1B, 1C and 1D illustrate side views of an infant safety car seat assembly according to an example of the disclosed subject matter, in a car seat installation or storage mode, an extended stroller mode, an upright stroller mode, and a rolling carrier mode, respectively, in which the assembly can be used;

[0122] Figure 2A is a rear perspective view of an infant safety car seat assembly according to one example of the disclosed subject matter, with the upper seat not shown for ease of illustration;

[0123] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Close-up view of the middle A1 area;

[0124] Figure 2C is a rear perspective view of a lower support member that may be used in an infant safety car seat assembly according to one example of the disclosed subject matter;

[0125] Figure 2D is a front perspective view of a reinforced area that may be used in an infant safety car seat assembly according to one example of the disclosed subject matter;

[0126] Figure 2E yes Figure 2D a rear perspective view of the reinforced area shown;

[0127] Figure 2F is a rear perspective view schematically illustrating an infant safety car seat assembly in a stowed mode with a side protection module according to one example of the disclosed subject matter;

[0128] Figure 2G is a perspective view of a handle that may be used with an infant safety car seat assembly according to one example of the disclosed subject matter;

[0129] Figure 3A is a side perspective view of an infant safety car seat assembly according to one example of the disclosed subject matter, with the upper seat not shown for ease of illustration;

[0130] Figure 3B is along Figure 3A Observation in the middle AA direction Figure 3A A perspective cross-sectional view of the illustrated infant safety car seat assembly, the direction being perpendicular to the cutting plane;

[0131] Figure 3C yes Figure 3B Close-up view of the middle B1 area;

[0132] Figure 3D is a side view of an infant safety car seat assembly according to an example of the disclosed subject matter, showing a damping mechanism in a first position corresponding to a leg stowed state thereof;

[0133] Figure 3Eis a side view of an infant safety car seat assembly according to an example of the disclosed subject matter, showing a damping mechanism in a second position corresponding to a leg operation state thereof;

[0134] Figure 3F is a partial perspective view of one leg of an infant safety car seat assembly showing a damping mechanism;

[0135] Figures 4A to 4C yes Figures 1A to 3E An exploded perspective view of the front and rear leg assemblies of the infant safety car seat assembly is shown;

[0136] Figure 5A is a front perspective view of an uncovered upper seat that may be used in an infant-safe car seat assembly according to one example of the disclosed subject matter, the upper seat being in an upright position;

[0137] Figure 5B yes Figure 5A Side view of the middle and upper seats;

[0138] Figure 5C is along Figure 5A Observation in the middle BB direction Figure 5A A perspective sectional view of the upper seat shown, the direction being perpendicular to the cutting plane;

[0139] Figure 5D yes Figures 5A to 5C a front perspective view of the upper seat shown in an extended position;

[0140] Figure 5E yes Figure 5D Side view of the middle and upper seats;

[0141] Figure 6A is a front perspective view of an infant safety car seat assembly according to one example of the disclosed subject matter;

[0142] Figure 6B is along Figure 6A Observation from CC direction Figure 6A A perspective cross-sectional view of the illustrated infant safety car seat assembly, the direction being perpendicular to the cutting plane;

[0143] Figure 6C yes Figure 6B Close-up view of the middle C1 area;

[0144] Figure 6D yes Figure 6A A partially cut-away front view of an infant safety car seat assembly is shown with the upper seat in an upright position;

[0145] Figure 6E and Figure 6D Same view, with the upper seat extended. DETAILED IMPLEMENTATION MANNER

[0146] According to an example of the present disclosure subject matter, a convertible infant safety car seat assembly can be any seat assembly configured to be used in the Figures 1A - 1D operation modes shown. These operation modes include Figure 1A the car seat installation mode (or generally, the mode in which the seat can be placed on a surface) shown below, which will be referred to as the storage mode 20; Figure 1B the extended stroller mode shown below, which will be referred to as the extended operation mode 24; Figure 1C the upright stroller mode shown and Figure 1D the rollable carrier mode shown below, and these two modes will be collectively referred to as the upright operation mode 22.

[0147] In this example, Figures 1A to 1D the convertible infant safety car seat assembly shown is labeled 10 and includes a lower support 30, an upper seat 50 hinged and mounted on the lower support 30, legs 70 (the distal end 71 of which is associated with wheels and the proximal end 72 is pivotally hinged to the lower support 30), and a handle 12 that can pivot between multiple positions as shown in Figures 1A to 1D .

[0148] The length of the handle can be adjusted such that the handle can assume multiple states according to the mode in which the safety car seat assembly is to be used.

[0149] The handle 12 in this example can at least assume a carrier state ( Figure 1D ), in which it is oriented substantially vertically ( Figure 1D ); a stroller state ( Figure 1B and 1C ), in which it extends forward and can be longer than in the carrier state; and a storage state, in which it is oriented backward ( Figure 1A ). The handle 12 can also assume an anti-rebound state, in which it is oriented the same as in the stroller state but is shorter in length.

[0150] Generally, the lower support can include left and right handle connection regions where the handle 12 can be pivotally connected to the lower support at least indirectly. For example, the handle can be directly connected to the lower support or can be connected through an intermediate element. In any case, the lower support bears at least part of the weight of the handle, and at least part of the force associated with pivoting the handle and / or carrying the car seat assembly through the handle, or any other force associated with the handle (such as an impact force).

[0151] Similarly, generally speaking, the lower support member may include left and right leg connection regions where the legs 70 may be pivotally connected to the lower support member at least indirectly. For example, the legs may be directly connected to the lower support member or may be connected through intermediate elements. In any case, the lower support member bears at least part of the weight of the legs and at least part of the forces associated with the pivoting of the legs.

[0152] In this example, the lower support member 30 includes the lowest seat region 32 which is configured to contact the support surface 26, which may be, for example, a vehicle seat or a base firmly mounted thereon, or the ground on which the seat assembly is placed when configured to be used as a safety seat. When in the stowed mode 20, the support surface 26 is suitable for mounting / placing the seat assembly 10 thereon. The lowest seat region 32 defines an imaginary horizontal reference plane 34 and also includes two leg connection regions 42 to which the proximal ends 72 of the legs are pivotally hinged between the following two states:

[0153] (a) The stowed state ( Figure 1A ), in which the distal ends of the legs are located on or above the horizontal reference plane 34 such that the lowest seat region 32 of the seat assembly 10 can contact the support surface 26 on which the seat assembly is to be mounted or placed; and

[0154] (b) The operating state ( Figure 1B 、 1C and 1D), in which the seat assembly can roll on the support surface 26 via wheels located below the horizontal reference plane 34.

[0155] The upper seat 50 includes a backrest portion 52 and a front foot portion 54, and the front foot portion 54 is closer to the horizontal reference plane 34 than the backrest portion 52. The backrest portion 52 is configured to support the head and back of a baby sitting on the seat assembly 10, and for better head support, it may be equipped with a headrest assembly 53 which is adjustable between a default position and a raised position, as is known in the art.

[0156] The upper seat 50 can be maneuvered between the following two states:

[0157] (a) The upright state ( Figure 1A 、 1C and 1D), enabling the baby secured to the upper seat 50 to be in a sitting position, in which the backrest portion 52 has a first orientation and forms a first angle α with the foot portion 54; and

[0158] (b) The extended state ( Figure 1B) such that the baby fixed on the upper seat 50 can be in a lying flat position, in which state, the backrest portion 52 has a second orientation closer to the horizontal orientation than the first orientation and forms a second angle β greater than the first angle α with the foot portion 54.

[0159] Specifically, the first angle α can be approximately 90 - 130 degrees, and the second angle β can be approximately 140 - 170 degrees.

[0160] Generally, the basic structure of the lower support member may include at least one hinge portion, and at least a part of the upper seat is configured to be hinged to the hinge portion so as to be able to change its state between an upright state and an extended state.

[0161] The lower support member may include a rear hinge portion and a front hinge portion (which may be interchangeably referred to as the rear part and the front part herein), and the backrest portion and the foot portion of the upper seat may be respectively hinged to the rear hinge portion and the front hinge portion. The hinge portions may be configured to provide the same or different types of hinges to the relevant parts of the upper seat, that is, they may both be configured to provide pivotal hinges or linear hinges, or one of them may provide a pivotal hinge while the other provides a linear hinge to the relevant part of the upper seat. More specifically, the lower support member may include a rear hinge portion located at the rear of the side wall of the lower support member, the backrest portion is configured to be pivotally hinged to the rear hinge portion, and a front hinge portion located at the front wall of the lower support member, the foot portion of the upper seat is configured to be slidably hinged to the front hinge portion.

[0162] The lower support member may be an asymmetric bowl shape, including a bottom, a high rear wall and a low front wall, the rear wall and the front wall are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis of the lower support member, and two side walls extend therebetween substantially parallel to the axis, which can be best seen from a side view perpendicular to the inner surface of each side wall. As can be seen from the side view of the lower support member, the rear wall and the front wall generally extend away from each other, such that the distance between them along the longitudinal axis increases in the direction away from the bottom of the lower support member.

[0163] The rear hinge portion may be located in the rear region of the side wall of the lower support member, for example, closer to the top of the side wall rather than the bottom of the lower support member, and the front hinge portion may be located at the front wall of the lower support member. Therefore, the backrest portion of the upper seat can be configured to be pivotally hinged to the rear hinge portion about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lower support member, and the foot portion of the upper seat can be configured to be slidably hinged to the front hinge portion along the longitudinal direction.

[0164] In this example, Figure 2C the lower support member 30 detailedly shown includes two side walls 35, a rear portion 38 (the backrest portion 52 is configured to be pivotally hinged to the rear portion 38) and a front portion 39 (the foot portion 54 of the upper seat 50 is configured to be slidably hinged to the front portion 39).

[0165] The lower support member 30 includes two leg connection regions 42 ( Figure 2C one of which is shown in FIG. Figure 2C ), and the proximal end 72 of the leg 70 is pivotally hinged to the leg connection region 42 between the operating state and the stowed state of the leg 70. Generally, the lower support member 30 may include a leg manipulation mechanism (not shown) configured to lock the legs 70 in either their stowed state or their operating state and to unlock them to enable manipulation between these states. Different configurations of the leg manipulation mechanism providing the above-described locking arrangement may be used, including but not limited to, for example, any of the configurations described in the applicant's U.S. Patents US8469389 and US9505321, and the descriptions of these configurations from those patents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0166] Regarding the legs of the seat assembly according to the subject matter of the present disclosure, with reference to the legs and leg locking arrangements described in U.S. Patent US9505321 (as noted above, the description is incorporated herein by reference), the legs may be configured to be manipulated by a leg manipulation mechanism that includes at least one leg manipulation actuator located in a position accessible to the user.

[0167] The upper seat of the seat assembly according to the subject matter of the present disclosure has a configuration such that at least a portion thereof is capable of being hinged to one or more hinged portions of the lower support member as described above to allow the upper seat to change state between an upright state and an extended state. More specifically, when the lower support member includes a rear hinged portion and a front hinged portion, the backrest portion and the foot of the upper seat may respectively have hinged elements configured to be hinged to the hinged portions of the lower support member as needed. For example, the hinged element of the upper seat backrest portion may be configured to be pivotally hinged to the rear hinged portion of the lower support member, and the hinged element of the upper seat foot may be configured to be slidably hinged to the front hinged portion of the lower support member. The backrest portion and the foot of the upper seat may also be connected to each other in a hinged manner such that movement of one portion causes manipulation of the other portion.

[0168] Generally, the backrest portion and the foot of the upper seat may be directly or indirectly connected to each other. Alternatively, the backrest portion and the foot may be connected to the lower support member separately without being connected to each other. If the backrest portion and the foot are connected to each other, they may be directly connected in a hinged manner or indirectly connected through an intermediate backrest portion such that when one portion is manipulated / rotated, the other portion is capable of rotating / being manipulated. Additionally, the backrest portion and the foot may be fixedly connected together such that manipulation of one portion causes manipulation of the other portion.

[0169] Generally, the upper seat may also include a seat manipulation mechanism operable to cause the upper seat as described above with reference to Figures 1A to 1DIt changes its state between an upright state and a reclined state. The mechanism can be configured to manipulate only the backrest portion of the upper seat while keeping the foot position unchanged (so as to provide different orientations of the backrest in the upright state of the upper seat), and / or move each of the backrest portion and the foot, or move the foot, thereby causing the movement of the backrest portion (in the latter two cases - causing the upper seat to change its state between its upright state and its reclined state). The seat manipulation mechanism can include a seat manipulation actuator located at a position accessible to the user.

[0170] Generally, an automotive seat assembly can include at least one reinforcement region that provides strength to the lower support member. The reinforcement region typically includes a material and / or structure different from the rest of the body of the lower support member. The reinforcement region can be arranged with the lower support member so that the lower support member is stronger than it would be without the reinforcement region. In some examples, the reinforcement region can be integrally formed with the lower support member (molded or extruded together). In some examples, the reinforcement region can be manufactured separately from the lower support member, for example in the form of a reinforcement element, and can be integrally connected (e.g., by welding) or firmly mounted (e.g., by mechanical fixing means) to the lower support member. In any case, at least in the operating mode of the automotive seat assembly, the reinforcement region can form part of the lower support member, such that the lower support member can thus include, for example, a reinforcement region located at least at the side wall of the lower support member. Other parts of the lower support member, including the rear and front, the parts of the side wall without the reinforcement region, and the bottom of the lower support member, can form the rest of the body of the lower support member.

[0171] Generally, the reinforcement region can form an anchoring region that is stronger than the rest of the body around the lower support member, to which certain components of the seat are directly or indirectly connected. These components include: a pivotable handle of the seat, the handle connection region being located in the reinforcement region; an automotive seat belt guiding component that is at least indirectly connected to the reinforcement region; and optionally, a pivotable leg of the seat assembly, the leg connection region being located in the reinforcement region.

[0172] Now referring to the automotive seat belt guiding component: In some embodiments, the reinforcement region includes a seat belt guiding connection portion to which the automotive seat belt guiding component is directly connected. In other embodiments, the automotive seat guiding component is formed as part of the pivotable handle (e.g., as a designated slot or other recess defined along or adjacent to the handle), and since the handle is connected to the reinforcement region, the automotive seat belt guiding component is indirectly connected to the reinforcement region. In the latter case, when the automotive seat belt passes through the automotive seat belt guiding component, the automotive seat belt is guided by the guiding component against the top surface of the reinforcement region. In both of these arrangements of the automotive seat belt guiding component, the design and position of the reinforcement region are intended to withstand the forces that the automotive seat belt may exert on the seat assembly, especially during an impact.

[0173] It should be understood herein that for the purposes of this specification, the term "stronger" or "strong" with respect to the reinforcement region and the lower support member should be understood to be capable of supporting components connected to the reinforcement region, such as a handle and its pivot, an automotive seat belt guide component, and optionally a leg and its pivot. The reinforcement region may have potential advantages for withstanding forces associated with impacts (e.g., the type and / or magnitude of forces applied during a regulatory impact test), potentially improving the integrity of the lower portion and thus the integrity of the entire seat assembly. Additionally, by connecting the handle and optionally the leg to the reinforcement region, the risk of mechanical failure (e.g., breakage or separation) can be reduced or prevented (e.g., when lifting the seat by the handle, the reinforcement region at least partially potentially supports the weight of the seat assembly and the baby carried therein).

[0174] Furthermore, as described above, when the lower support member is strengthened by the reinforcement region, the stability of the upper seat can be improved when the upper seat is maneuvered between its upright and extended states. The strength of the reinforcement region can be provided by means of materials and / or structures. For example, the reinforcement region may include a honeycomb structure, support beams, or other reinforcing structural elements; and / or include or be formed of a material stronger than the rest of the lower support member, such as a selected grade of polyamide, polypropylene, or other plastic or thermoplastic material. In addition to materials and / or structures, connecting the handle and in some embodiments the leg to the reinforcement region (directly or indirectly) at these locations can form a thicker layer of material at these locations, making these locations stronger.

[0175] In the present example, the lower support member 30 includes two reinforcement regions 43, including a right reinforcement region and a left reinforcement region (only one reinforcement region 43 is visible in Figures 2A to 2E ). The handle connection region 13 includes a right handle connection region and a left handle connection region (only one handle connection region 13 is visible in Figures 2A to 2E ), and the leg connection region 42 includes a right leg connection region and a left leg connection region (only one leg connection region is visible in Figures 2A to 2E ).

[0176] Generally speaking, the handle connection region and / or the leg connection region (when viewed in a side view) may at least partially overlap with the corresponding reinforcement region and / or each other. For example, the regions where the leg and the handle can be pivotally connected need to be strong enough to support and stabilize their pivots. The leg may include a front pair of legs and a rear pair of legs, and at least one of the front pair of legs and the rear pair of legs can be connected to the seat at the leg connection region. The leg connection region may at least partially overlap with the handle connection region. For example, a transverse axis parallel to the handle pivot axis may pass through at least a portion of the handle connection region and at least a portion of the leg connection region. This overlap of the handle connection region and the leg connection region provides a thicker layer of material in this region.

[0177] Although the following description only refers to one of the handle connection region, the leg connection region, and the reinforcement region, it should be understood herein that the following description equally relates to the other elements among these elements.

[0178] In this example, the handle connection region 13 and the leg connection region 42 overlap each other and are entirely located at the reinforcement region 43. The reinforcement region 43 is formed as a reinforcement element 43 that is firmly mounted to the side wall 35 of the lower support member 30 by fasteners, and extends further in the lateral direction LD compared to the remaining main body 30A of the lower support member 30, thereby constituting the outermost region of the lower support member and making the part of the lower support member 30 having the reinforcement region 43 thicker than the remaining main body 30A. In some examples, the reinforcement region may not extend further in the lateral direction LD compared to the remaining main body 30A. In some examples, the outer surface 43A of the reinforcement region 43 may be flush with the outer surface of the side wall 35 of the lower support member 30.

[0179] In some examples, the reinforcement region 43 may be made of the same material as the remaining main body 30A of the lower support member 30 and may include additional reinforcing materials that provide strength thereto. It should be understood herein that in some examples, the remaining main body of the lower support member may also include the same or different reinforcing materials. However, in these examples, the term "additional reinforcing materials" is intended to cover the fact that the reinforcement region contains a higher percentage of reinforcing materials by weight ratio than the remaining main body. In some examples, the reinforcement region 43 may be made of the same material as the remaining main body 30A of the lower support member 30 but have a different physical form or structure suitable for providing higher rigidity and / or packing density. In some examples, the reinforcement region 43 may be made of a different material from the remaining main body 30A, and the different material may be all or part of a reinforcing material that is stronger than the remaining main body 30A. The reinforcing materials that can be used to reinforce the reinforcement region 43 may include fibers, and more specifically, glass fibers. In some examples, the fibers may include carbon fibers.

[0180] Generally speaking, the reinforcement region may have a structure that provides strength thereto. For example, at least one of the inner and outer sides or surfaces of the reinforcement region may have a honeycomb structure with ribs for enhancing the strength of the reinforcement structure. It should be understood herein that the structure that provides strength can be any structure formed on either one or both of the inner and outer sides of the reinforcement region to make the reinforcement region stronger than without this structure. In this example, the inner side 43B ( Figure 2E ) of the reinforcement region 43 has a honeycomb structure 44, by means of which the reinforcement region 43 makes the lower support member 30 stronger than without the reinforcement region 43.

[0181] Generally, the reinforcement region 43 can extend upward from the handle connection region and the leg connection region to support the vehicle seat belt of the vehicle when the vehicle seat assembly is placed in the vehicle and the seat belt is in use. Thus, the reinforcement region 43 can bear at least part of the force exerted on the seat belt by the infant sitting in the vehicle seat assembly. Each reinforcement region 43 can have a corresponding right and left seat belt guide connection portion to which a vehicle seat belt guide member can be connected. In some examples, the vehicle seat belt guide member can be fixedly connected to the seat belt guide connection portion. In some examples, the reinforcement region can be formed as a single unit that includes the seat belt guide connection portion and the corresponding vehicle seat belt guide member. In some examples, the vehicle seat belt guide member is detachably connected to the seat belt guide connection portion. In some examples, there may be no specific seat belt guide connection portion and / or vehicle seat belt guide member, and any part of the reinforcement region can support the vehicle seat belt. In this case, the vehicle seat belt can be guided against the reinforcement region, for example, stretched against the top of the reinforcement region.

[0182] In some examples, at least one position of the handle (e.g., the anti-rebound position) can cause the vehicle seat belt to abut the handle, adjacent to and in its lateral direction (when the vehicle seat belt guide member extends directly from the reinforcement region) of the vehicle seat belt guide member. In other examples, when the vehicle seat belt guide member is configured as part of the handle, the vehicle seat belt can pass through the guide member and be guided to stretch over the top of the reinforcement region, adjacent to the guide member. In both arrangements, the vehicle seat belt can be supported jointly by the reinforcement region and the handle.

[0183] In the present example, the reinforcement region 43 has a seat belt guide connection portion 45 to which a vehicle seat belt guide member 46( Figure 2B ) is connected. The vehicle seat belt (not shown) can be at least partially engaged with the vehicle seat belt guide member 46. Optionally, the vehicle seat belt abuts the vehicle seat belt guide member 46 and abuts the handle 12 in its lateral direction.

[0184] In some examples, the vehicle seat belt can pass through a seat belt guide member formed on the handle. For example, as shown in the exemplary handle 12' Figure 2G shown, the handle 12' includes a seat belt guide member 46' configured to guide the vehicle seat belt. In this example, the forces associated with the seat belt are also borne indirectly by the reinforcement region through the handle and the handle connection region.

[0185] Generally, an infant safety car seat assembly may further include at least one side protection module positioned to at least partially overlap a corresponding reinforcement area in the lateral direction. The side protection module may be configured to provide side impact protection for the seat assembly. More specifically, the side protection module may be configured to absorb at least part of the impact energy applied thereto. For example, at least when the seat assembly is in its stowed or car seat mounting mode and placed near the door in a vehicle, in the event of an impact by the door on the assembly, the side protection module mounted on the side of the assembly facing the door may absorb at least part of the impact energy, thereby preventing the infant sitting in the assembly from being injured.

[0186] The side protection module may be selectively mounted on the outward-facing area of the handle such that the side protection module extends further in the lateral direction of the seat than the handle. The connection of the side protection module to the handle may be by any suitable connection means, including mechanical, electrical or magnetic connections, allowing the side protection module to pivot with the handle when connected to the handle while allowing the side protection module to be selectively mounted and dismounted. The orientation of the side protection module may be fixed on the handle and thus may pivot with the handle.

[0187] Generally, the side protection module may have an elongated shape extending along a longitudinal axis such that the side protection module has a longitudinal dimension extending along the longitudinal axis that is longer than the lateral dimension extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. The elongated shape may be rectangular, polygonal, triangular, elliptical, oval, teardrop-shaped, etc.

[0188] In this example, the side protection module 47( Figure 2F ) is shown mounted on the handle 12. Although only one side protection module 47 is shown, it should be understood here that the car seat assembly may include two side protection modules, one on each side of the seat, and the description regarding one side protection module 47 may apply to both side protection modules. The side protection module 47 is mounted to overlap the reinforcement area 43 in the lateral direction ( Figure 2F not visible in). Thus, the impact force applied to the side protection module 47 is at least partially borne by the reinforcement area 43.

[0189] It should be understood here that the above description of the reinforcement region can be applied to any seat assembly that serves as a safety car seat or stroller, which has a lower support member to which an upper seat is hingedly or fixedly mounted, and the upper seat may or may not be manipulable between different states. The seat assembly may or may not have a handle pivotally connected thereto. The seat assembly may or may not have legs pivotally or fixedly connected thereto. The lower support member can be formed as an integral structure with the reinforcement region or can be formed as (more than one) separate components assembled together. It should also be further understood here that the above description of the reinforcement region can be applied to any automotive seat assembly, including but not limited to, for example, any of those described in the applicant's U.S. Patents US8469389 and US9505321.

[0190] A convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to the subject matter of the present disclosure, as shown in Figures 3A to 3F the example, may include a leg operation damping mechanism for damping and smoothing the pivoting of one of the legs when the leg is manipulated from a stowed state to an operating state. For example, the pivoting of the leg between the operating state and the stowed state was described above with reference to Figures 1A to 1D For example, to manipulate the leg from the operating state to the stowed state, the leg pivots backward towards the backrest portion 52 of the seat such that in the stowed state, the distal end of the leg is closer to the backrest portion 52 than the foot portion 54 of the seat. To manipulate the leg from the stowed state to the operating state, the leg pivots forward and downward from its position in the stowed state. The car seat assembly can be held above a support surface by a user, and the leg pivots at least partially under the action of gravity.

[0191] Leg pivoting that is completely free to pivot under the action of gravity alone may generate noise (e.g., when the leg contacts the support surface); cause wear; and be inconvenient to the user. For example, using the leg operation damping mechanism described herein can prevent or reduce the above problems, e.g., because the leg pivots in a smoother and possibly slower manner and makes a softer contact with the support surface. The leg operation damping mechanism can effectively change the energy, speed, acceleration, or a combination thereof of the leg movement under the action of gravity to make the pivoting smooth and slow, thereby achieving a damping effect.

[0192] In some examples, the leg operation damping mechanism can damp the entire pivoting movement of the leg when manipulating the leg from the stowed state to the operating state. In some examples, the leg operation damping mechanism can damp a partial pivoting movement from the stowed state to the operating state. In some examples, the leg operation damping mechanism can intermittently damp a partial pivoting movement from the stowed state to the operating state.

[0193] Generally speaking, the leg-operated damping mechanism may include a toothed device, such as a gear device, a rack and pinion device, a gear train, or any suitable toothed structure, to damp the pivoting movement of the leg. Other mechanical damping arrangements may also be considered, such as spring-based damping, linear damping, etc.

[0194] The leg-operated damping mechanism may include a first portion associated with one of the leg and the leg connection region, and a second portion associated with the other of the leg connection region and the leg, and the second portion is operatively engaged with the first portion. For the sake of brevity, the leg-operated damping mechanism is described below for one leg, and it should be understood here that each leg may include its own leg-operated damping mechanism, or each pair (e.g., left pair and right pair) of legs may include its own leg-operated damping mechanism, where the two legs in each pair of legs may be locked together and pivot together at least in part of the pivoting movement, or all legs may include one leg-operated damping mechanism and all legs may be locked together and pivot together at least in part of the pivoting movement. According to various examples, the description of one leg-operated damping mechanism may apply to all leg-operated damping mechanisms that an automotive seat assembly may have.

[0195] In this example, the leg-operated damping mechanism is generally labeled 75 and includes a first portion 73 in the form of a curved rack 73 formed on the inner surface of the front leg 70A, and a second portion 74 in the form of a pinion 74 mounted on the leg connection region 42. When the leg 70A is in its stowed state ( Figure 3D and 3F ), the pinion 74 engages with a first position 73A on the rack 73 on the inner surface of the front leg. When the leg 70A is manipulated towards its operating state, the pinion 74 rotates about its axis while the teeth 74' of the pinion 74 mesh with the teeth 73' of the rack 73. When the leg 70A reaches its operating state ( Figure 3A 、 3BWhen the pinion gear 74 engages with the second position 73B on the inner surface of the front leg that is away from the rack 73 (in FIGS. 3C and 3E). It should be noted here that the inner surface includes an intermediate position 73C where the teeth 73' of the rack 73 terminate. Therefore, the toothed portion 76 (constituting the rack) of the inner surface constitutes a damping portion 76 that extends between the first position 73A and the intermediate position 73C, and the portion of the inner surface without teeth 73A constitutes a free portion 77 that extends between the intermediate position 73C and the second position 73B. The pivotal movement of the leg 70A from its received state to its operating state is damped only before the pinion gear 74 engages with the damping portion 76 because the teeth 73' mesh with the teeth 74'. Once the pinion gear 74 reaches the end of the teeth 73', that is, the intermediate position 73C, the leg 70A pivots freely under the action of gravity. Therefore, in the pivotal movement of the leg 70A, the portion where the pinion gear 74 engages with the damping portion 76 constitutes the damped portion of the pivotal movement, and the portion where the pinion gear 74 engages with the free portion 77 constitutes the undamped portion of the pivotal movement.

[0196] In some examples, the inner surface may have a toothed portion that extends from the first position 73A to the second position 73B. In some examples, the inner surface may include discrete rack portions with teeth and smooth portions therebetween, that is, alternating discrete portions and smooth portions (or damping portions and free portions).

[0197] When the teeth 74' of the pinion gear 74 mesh with the teeth 73' of the rack 73, the pivotal movement of the leg 70A is damped and controlled so that the leg does not freely fall under the action of gravity. For example, the meshing between the teeth of the rack and the pinion gear at least partially restricts the pivotal movement of the leg, so that the speed, acceleration, kinetic energy, etc. are controlled. The degree of damping can be adjusted by selecting, for example, the size of the teeth on the pinion gear 74 and / or the rack 73, the spacing between the teeth, the diameter of the pin, and / or other factors. In some embodiments, as shown in the figure, the leg connection region 42 includes a bag-shaped housing 42A in which the pinion gear 74 is located. The pinion gear 74 is mounted by a shaft device 74” ( Figure 3F ) and a fastener passing through a hole in the leg connection region 42. To change the degree of damping, for example, during manufacturing or assembly, the pinion gear can be replaced with another pinion gear having a different tooth profile arrangement and / or diameter.

[0198] It should be understood here that although only one leg operation damping mechanism is shown and described here, the vehicle seat assembly may include a left leg operation damping mechanism associated with a left pair of legs including a left front leg and a left rear leg, and a right leg operation damping mechanism associated with a right pair of legs including a right front leg and a right rear leg. The description of the leg operation damping mechanism provided above can be applied to both the left and right leg operation damping mechanisms.

[0199] It should be understood herein that the above description of the leg-operating damping mechanism is applicable to any seat assembly that serves as a safety car seat or stroller, where the legs of the seat assembly can be maneuvered from a stowed state to an operating state under the force of gravity. It should further be understood herein that the above description of the leg-operating damping mechanism is applicable to any car seat assembly where the legs can be maneuvered from a stowed state to an operating state under the force of gravity, including but not limited to, for example, any of those described in the applicant's U.S. Patents US8469389 and US9505321.

[0200] In some examples, the leg-operating damping mechanism is operable only when the leg moves from the stowed state to the operating state. When the leg is folded back to the stowed state, it is desirable to reduce any interference or resistance to the pivoting movement to facilitate the return of the leg to the stowed state. Thus, in some embodiments, the damping mechanism can be configured for one-way damping only. In an example of a rack and pinion mechanism, the pinion can be configured to rotate in only one direction (clockwise or counterclockwise), so the relative movement of the pinion on the rack may occur only when transferring the leg from the stowed state to the operating state, and not vice versa.

[0201] Generally, a car seat assembly according to an example can include a locking mechanism that is operable to lock the left rear leg relative to the left front leg and / or the right rear leg relative to the right front leg such that the legs in each pair move together during at least the damped portion of the pivoting movement. One of the front and rear legs in each pair of legs can reach its corresponding operating state before the other front and rear legs in the same pair reach their corresponding operating states. The leg that first reaches its operating state is referred to herein as the first leg, and the other leg in the same pair is referred to herein as the second leg. In some examples, the first leg can be the leg that is positioned under the seat back portion in the operating state so as to first reach its operating state and support the head of the baby sitting in the seat. In some examples, the first leg can be the front leg. In some examples, the first leg can be the rear leg.

[0202] In some examples, the first leg can be the leg having the leg-operating damping mechanism. The locking mechanism is operable to unlock the legs of the pair from each other after the damped portion of the pivoting movement is completed. In some examples, the locking mechanism is operable to unlock the legs of the pair from each other after the first leg is in its operating state. In some examples, the locking mechanism is operable to lock the first leg in each pair of legs in its operating state, and the assembly can further include an actuating device that is operable to move the second leg in the same pair from the first leg towards the operating state of the second leg when the legs are unlocked from each other.

[0203] Generally, the locking mechanism can be configured to perform one or more of the following operations:

[0204] - Lock each pair of legs to each other so that they can rotate together until the first leg in each pair reaches its operating position;

[0205] - Lock the first leg in its operating position while releasing the second leg from its lock with the first leg, thereby allowing the second leg to rotate relative to the first leg towards the operating position of the second leg;

[0206] - Lock the second leg in its operating position.

[0207] The seat assembly may further include an actuating device associated with the locking mechanism, the actuating device being configured to apply a thrust or a pull force to the second leg when the second leg is released from its lock with the first leg, causing it to rotate towards its operating state.

[0208] Although the locking mechanism and the actuating device are described herein with respect to a pair of front and rear legs, it should be understood here that the description of the locking mechanism and the actuating device may also apply to the locking mechanism and the actuating device of another pair of legs.

[0209] In some embodiments, transferring the legs from the stowed state to the operating state can be carried out in two stages. In the first stage, the front and rear legs can be configured to move together between their stowed positions and a position where the first leg is in its operating position and the second leg is in an intermediate state. In this example, the movement in this first stage is carried out at least partially under the action of gravity and is damped by a damping mechanism. During this movement, the first and second legs are locked to each other by the locking mechanism 100 so that a fixed angle is maintained between these legs. It should be noted that the movement of the above-mentioned legs can also be facilitated by a suitable actuating mechanism.

[0210] When the first leg (depicted as the rear leg 70B in this example) reaches its operating position, the locking mechanism 100 releases the front leg 70A, thereby allowing the front leg 70A to continue moving from its intermediate state to its operating position.

[0211] Now refer to Figures 4A to 4C , which show the front and rear legs 70A and 70B of a pair of legs, as well as the covering element 130, the locking mechanism 100 and the actuating device 302 mounted to the seat. These mechanisms and their operations will now be described in detail. However, in this regard, it should be explained that the above-mentioned drawings do not show, and the following description does not include the manner in which the legs 70A and 70B are fixed to the seat. This manner can be any suitable manner, including the manner disclosed in U.S. Patent US8801028B2, the corresponding drawings and description of which are incorporated herein by reference. It should also be noted that, for example, the leg operation damping mechanism described herein is not shown in Figures 4A to 4C but can be similarly implemented in the shown components.

[0212] Refer to Figures 4A to 4C, the rear leg 70B includes a proximal disc-shaped portion 90, and the front leg 70A includes a proximal disc-shaped portion 110. These portions are mounted in the same manner as the seat in U.S. Patent US8801028B2 through their central openings (not marked), and their corresponding descriptions and drawings are incorporated herein by reference. Portions 90 and 110, together with the covering element 130 ( Figure 4A and 4C ), accommodate the locking mechanism 100 and the actuating device 302 (also referred to herein as the actuating mechanism 302).

[0213] Portion 90 has an inner surface 91 ( Figure 4A ) and an outer surface 93 ( Figure 4B ). The inner surface 91 is formed with a first arched groove 95, a second arched groove 97, and a through hole 99 extending between the inner surface 91 and the outer surface 93.

[0214] Portion 110 has an inner surface 111 ( Figure 4B and 4C ) and an outer surface 113 ( Figure 4A ). The inner surface 111 is formed with an inwardly projecting pin 115, two small grooves 112 and 114, and a long groove 116 (most clearly visible in Figure 4C ). The outer surface 113 of portion 110 includes a cam-shaped projection 117 ( Figure 4A ).

[0215] The pin 115, together with the first arched groove 95 and the cam-shaped projection 117, functions similarly to the corresponding elements in U.S. Patent US8801028B2, and its description is incorporated herein by reference.

[0216] The locking mechanism 100 is composed of a pin 102, the opening 99 of portion 90, the long groove 116 of portion 110, the pin 102 being configured to slide along the long groove 116, and a groove 131 in the inner surface 130' of the covering element 130.

[0217] Referring also to Figures 4A to 4C , the pin 102 has a wide body portion 102', which passes through the opening 99 such that a part of its narrow pin body portion 102'' protruding from one end 103 of the wide body portion ([[]] Figure 4A and 4C ) protrudes from the opening 99 towards the support leg 37, and another part of its other end 107 protruding towards the covering element 130. The groove 116 includes an inclined locking portion 116' ( Figure 4C) which is configured to receive at one end 103 of its wide body portion 102' for receiving a pin and its narrow body portion 102", and a release portion 116" which is configured to freely receive only the narrow portion 102" of the pin and enable it to slide along the release portion 116" between its first end 116a near the locking portion 116' and its second end 116b away from the locking portion 116'( Figure 4C ) thereby allowing the pin 102 to be in the following multiple states:

[0218] - First, the locked state of the pin, in which one end 103 of the pin and its narrow portion 102" are received within the locking portion 116' of the groove 116, and one end 107 of the pin abuts against the inner surface 130' of the covering element 130 in an area other than the groove 131, thereby locking the two legs to each other; this state is related to the corresponding receiving state of the legs;

[0219] - Second, the moving state of the pin, in which the narrow portion 102" of the pin is slidably received within the release portion 116" of the groove 116, enabling it to move between the two ends 116a and 116b of the release portion 116", and one end 107 of the pin is received within the groove 131 of the covering element 130, releasing the front leg 70A from the locking with the rear leg 70B; this state is related to the movement of the front leg 70A relative to the rear leg 70B between its intermediate state and its operating state;

[0220] - Third, the abutting state of the pin, in which the narrow body portion 102" of the pin abuts against one end 116b of the groove 116, while one end 107 of the pin still abuts against the inner surface of the covering element; this state is related to the operating position of the front leg 70A.

[0221] In other words, when one end 103 of the wide body portion 102' of the pin together with the narrow body portion 102" of the pin is received within the inclined locking portion 116' of the groove 116, parts 90 and 110 are locked to each other and maintain a fixed angle relative to each other. When the first leg moves from its received state to its operating state, the pin 102 slides along the inclined locking portion 116', while keeping parts 90 and 110 connected to each other. When the first leg reaches its operating state, the pin 102 is released from the inclined locking portion 116', thereby releasing part 110 of the second leg 70A from part 90 of the first leg 70B, and continues to slide along the release portion 116" to reach the third state of the pin. When the pin 102 is released from the inclined locking portion 116' and its narrow body portion 102" moves along the release portion 116" of the groove 116, one end 107 of it abuts against the inner surface 130' of the covering part 130 (only shown in Figure 4A and 4C ), moves along this surface until it enters the groove 131 therein.

[0222] The actuating mechanism 302 consists of a spring 301 and a spring-loaded pin 303. The first end 301' of the spring 301 is connected to the spring seat 305. An arched groove 97 of part 90 ( Figure 4A ) houses the pin 303 and the spring 301, and a corresponding groove 112 of part 110 ( Figure 4C ) receives the mounting part 304 of the pin 303. The arched groove 97 is formed with a spring seat 307 ( Figure 4A ), to which the second end 301” of the spring 301 is connected.

[0223] When the rear leg is in its operating state, the spring 301 is in its normal state and completely occupies the entire arched groove 97, while when the leg is in its stowed state, the spring 301 is compressed to the maximum extent due to the pressure exerted by the sliding of the pin 303 towards the spring seat 307.

[0224] When the second leg moves from its operating state to its intermediate state, the second leg rotates relative to the first leg, and the spring 301 is pressed against the pin 301, and the pin 301 slides along the second arched groove 97. When the second leg reaches its intermediate state, the pin 102 is forced to move from the release part 116” to the inclined locking part 116', thereby locking the legs 70A and 70B to each other. When the pin 102 moves along the inclined locking part 116', the legs 70A and 70B then move together to their stowed state at a fixed angle.

[0225] It should be understood here that the above description of the locking mechanism and the actuating device can be applied to any seat assembly serving as a safety car seat or a stroller, whose legs can be manipulated between the stowed state and the operating state. It should also be further understood here that the locking mechanism and the actuating device may include some or all of the features of the corresponding elements in the applicant's US Patent No. US9505321, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0226] It should also be further understood here that the car seat assembly may include another operable locking mechanism for locking the legs in their stowed and / or operating states, and this locking mechanism may be the same as the corresponding elements in the applicant's US Patent No. US9505321, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0227] Generally speaking, the upper seat of the seat assembly according to the subject matter of the present disclosure can be configured to change its state between the upright state and the extended state as generally described above with reference to Figures 1A to 1D The upper seat and the lower support may have any of the above structures or generally any other structure that allows the upper seat to be mounted on the lower support and allows the upper seat to change its state between the upright state and the extended state.

[0228] In this example, as Figures 5A to 5EAs shown, the figure shows an upper seat without a cover, which can be used with a lower support in any of the examples described herein. The backrest portion of the upper seat is shown at a respective first angle α and a second angle β with reference to Figure 1B , 1C and 1D in the upright ( Figure 5A , 5B , 5C) and extended ( Figure 5D , 5E ) states.

[0229] In Figures 5A to 5E , the articulable element of the backrest portion 52 of the upper seat 50 consists of a rear pivot 38A formed integrally with or assembled to the backrest portion, the ends of which are freely received in respective grooves of the rear articulation portion of the lower support 30 to allow the shaft to pivot between an approximately vertical direction (i.e., the upright state) and an approximately horizontal direction (i.e., the extended state) with the backrest portion. The articulable element of the foot portion 54 of the upper seat 50 consists of a sliding rod 56 formed integrally with or assembled to the foot portion 54, which is slidably received in the articulation slot 39 of the lower support 30 to allow the sliding rod 56 to move between the extreme positions within the slot 39, which correspond to the innermost and outermost positions of the foot portion 54. The approximately vertical direction of the backrest portion 52 and the innermost position of the foot portion 54, and the approximately horizontal direction of the backrest portion 52 and the outermost position of the foot portion 54 respectively correspond to the upright state and the extended state of the upper seat 50.

[0230] In this example, the upper seat 50 further includes an intermediate portion 57 that fixedly connects the backrest portion and the foot portion 54 to each other. Specifically (most clearly shown in Figure 5C ), the intermediate portion 57 forms the bottom of the backrest portion 52, extends forward from its lower edge 58, and is configured to be fixedly connected to the foot portion 54 at its front edge 59. The intermediate portion 57 is concave and is configured to receive the bottom of a baby sitting on the upper seat 50. The intermediate portion 57 is formed of a flexible material so as to be able to bend when the upper seat 50 is maneuvered to the extended state, in which the intermediate portion 57 is less concave than in the upright state.

[0231] The backrest portion 52 and the foot portion 54 are also pivotally connected to each other by an articulable element that consists of a front pivot (not shown), the ends of which are freely received in a lateral intermediate hole 38B formed in the side wall 35 of the lower support 30. This pivotal connection defines a horizontal axis X that connects the lateral intermediate holes 38B, about which the backrest portion 52 and the foot portion 54 pivot.

[0232] Generally, an automotive seat assembly according to the present disclosure theme may include a five-point seat belt having a shoulder fixing portion for fixing the shoulders of an infant sitting in the upper seat, a hip fixing portion for fixing the hips and / or thighs of the infant, and a crotch fixing portion for fixing the crotch area of the infant. The five-point seat belt may constitute at least one seat belt slidably connected to a central buckle and passing through a seat belt receiving groove formed in the upper seat. The designated grooves may be two left and right backrest seat belt receiving grooves at the backrest portion for receiving the shoulder fixing portion to pass through, and two left and right side seat belt receiving grooves at the foot portion for receiving the hip fixing portion to pass through. The seat belt receiving grooves may be located at the periphery of the upper seat or at a certain position within the upper seat body, and define a connection path between the forward portion (the portion where the infant is to sit) and the opposite rearward portion (the portion facing the lower support) of the upper seat. The seat belt passes through the seat belt receiving groove between the forward portion and the rearward portion of the upper seat. The seat belt portion located in the forward portion of the upper seat is generally available for fixing the infant in the upper seat, so this seat belt portion constitutes the fixing portion of the seat belt. The fixing portion may include a shoulder fixing portion, a hip fixing portion, and a crotch fixing portion. The seat belt portion located in the rearward portion of the upper seat is generally used to fix the seat belt to the rearward portion of the upper seat or the lower support, for example, at one end, so this seat belt portion constitutes the fixed portion of the seat belt, and this fixed portion cannot be used to fix the infant.

[0233] Generally, the seat belt may have a total seat belt length arranged along a total seat belt path extending through the forward portion and the rearward portion. The portion of the total seat belt length extending in the forward portion may correspond to the fixing portion of the seat belt and may constitute the effective length of the fixing portion available for fixing the infant in the upper seat. The remaining portion of the total seat belt length extending in the rearward portion may correspond to the fixed portion of the seat belt and may constitute the effective length of the fixed portion not available for fixing the infant in the upper seat. Thus, a change in the effective length of the fixed portion will correspondingly cause a change in the effective length of the fixing portion, and vice versa. For example, an increase in the effective length of the fixed portion will result in a decrease in the effective length of the fixing portion, and vice versa.

[0234] When the upper seat is in an extended state and the infant is in a lying position, a longer seat belt fixed portion is required compared to when the upper seat is in an upright state and the infant is in a sitting position. Thus, an automotive seat assembly according to the present disclosure theme may generally have a seat belt adjustment device operable to adjust the effective length of the seat belt fixed portion when the upper seat is maneuvered between an upright state and an extended state.

[0235] Generally, a seat belt adjustment device is operable to automatically adjust the effective length of a securing portion and / or a securing section when the upper seat is maneuvered between an upright state and an extended state. In some examples, the seat belt adjustment device may include a seat belt holding and releasing mechanism that releases an additional portion of the seat belt when the upper seat is maneuvered between an upright state and an extended state. In some examples, the seat belt adjustment device may include means for changing the total seat belt path when the upper seat is maneuvered between an upright state and an extended state, thereby changing the effective length of the securing portion and / or the securing section. For example, at least a portion of the seat belt may extend over a movable part of the vehicle seat assembly, which thus forms part of the total seat belt path. The movable part is operable to move when the upper seat is maneuvered between an upright state and an extended state, thereby changing the total seat belt path and correspondingly changing the effective length of the securing portion and the securing section while the total seat belt length remains unchanged. The movable part may be part of the upper seat or the lower support, or may be another part separate from the upper seat and the lower support, while being configured to move when the upper seat is maneuvered between an upright state and an extended state. Additionally, the seat belt may be fixedly connected to the upper seat or the lower support. In some examples, the securing portion and / or the securing part of the seat belt may extend over the movable part and may be fixed (e.g., at the seat belt end) to the upper seat or the lower support, and the movement of the movable part when the upper seat is maneuvered between an upright state and an extended state may change the total seat belt path, thereby changing the effective length of the securing section and the securing portion (the total seat belt length remaining unchanged).

[0236] The seat belt adjustment device may be constituted by one or more parts of the upper seat and / or the lower support that form the total seat belt path, which can be changed when the upper seat is maneuvered between an upright state and an extended state. For example, the relative movement between the upper seat and the lower support may cause the total seat belt path to change from a longer seat belt path to a shorter seat belt path, or vice versa. In some examples, the backrest portion may change its position (move) relative to the lower support, and in some examples, the footrest may change its position (move) relative to the lower support. In some examples, both the backrest portion and the footrest may change their respective positions (move) relative to the lower support. Thus, either or both of the backrest portion and the footrest may form part of the total seat belt path, which can be changed by the movement of the backrest portion and / or the footrest relative to the lower support when the upper seat is maneuvered between an upright state and an extended state.

[0237] A constant total seat belt length covering a shorter or longer seat belt path can adjust the effective length of the securing portion and the securing section of the seat belt. In other words, a constant total seat belt length covering a shorter seat belt path can result in a longer effective length available for securing an infant in the upper seat, while the same total seat belt length covering a shorter seat belt path can result in a shorter effective length available for securing an infant in the upper seat.

[0238] It should be understood here that the seat belt adjustment device may have any structure suitable for adjusting the effective length of the fixed part and / or the fixing portion when the upper seat is manipulated between the upright state and the extended state.

[0239] In the present example, as Figures 6A to 6E shown, it shows an automotive seat assembly 10 according to an example of the present disclosure subject matter. The five-point seat belt is generally labeled 160 and has a seat belt 161. It should be understood here that the seat belt may be composed of a continuous seat belt or multiple seat belts constituting the seat belt. The seat belt 160 includes two shoulder fixing parts 162, two hip fixing parts 163, and a crotch fixing part 164, all of which are connected to a central buckle 165 to which they can be connected. The seat belt may be slidably connected to the buckle, or in some examples, connected to the buckle by a snap connection or a similar means. In a specific example, the seat belt includes two symmetrically arranged seat belts, and each seat belt includes at least one shoulder fixing part and one hip fixing part.

[0240] The upper seat 50 includes two left and right backrest seat belt receiving grooves 166 in the backrest portion 52, and two left and right side seat belt receiving grooves 167 in the foot portion 54. The seat belt receiving grooves 166, 167 define a connection path between the forward portion 50A of the upper seat 50 where the baby sits and the rearward portion 50B of the upper seat 50 facing the opposite downward support member 30.

[0241] The shoulder fixing part 162 slidably passes through the backrest seat belt receiving groove 166 between the forward portion 50A and the rearward portion 50B, and the hip fixing part 163 slidably passes through the side seat belt receiving groove 167 between the forward portion 50A and the rearward portion 50B. Accordingly, a part of the seat belt 161 is located in the forward portion 50A and can be used to fix the baby in the upper seat 50, thus constituting the fixed part 168 of the seat belt 161. A part of the seat belt 161 is located in the rearward portion 50B and cannot be used to fix the baby in the upper seat 50, but is used to fix the seat belt 161 to the lower support member 30 at its seat belt fixing portion 169, thus constituting the fixing portion 170 of the seat belt 161. The fixed part 168 includes two shoulder fixing parts 162, two hip fixing parts 163, and a crotch fixing part 164.

[0242] It should be understood here that in some examples, the seat belt fixing portion 169 may be located in a strengthening area of the automotive seat assembly, such as the strengthening area 43 described herein with reference to Figures 2A to 2G description.

[0243] From Figure 6C , 6DMost clearly visible in FIGS. 6D and 6E, the fixing portion 170 extends around the movable portion 171 of the upper seat 50 and is fixedly connected to the seat belt fixing portion 169 of the lower support member 30. The movable portion 171 is operable to move at least in the vertical direction relative to the lower support member when the upper seat 50 is maneuvered between the upright state and the extended state, thereby changing the total seat belt path, which will be described in detail below.

[0244] As is most clearly visible from Figure 6D when the upper seat is in the upright state, the movable portion 171 extends in the vertical direction to a lower level than the seat belt fixing portion 169, while the side seat belt receiving groove 167 in the foot portion 54 is located above the seat belt fixing portion 169 in the vertical direction. This arrangement enables the fixing portion 170 to form an effective U-turn around the movable portion 171.

[0245] When the upper seat is maneuvered to the extended state ( Figure 6E ), the movable portion 171 moves upward relative to the lower support member 30, and more specifically upward relative to the seat belt fixing portion 169, thereby shortening the path traveled by the fixing portion of the seat belt. It should be understood here that although in the extended state of the upper seat, the movable portion 171 is shown in the vertical direction to be located below the seat belt fixing portion 169, this is not necessary, that is, in some examples, the movable portion 171 can move upward to an extent that it is located above the seat belt fixing portion 169 in the vertical direction.

[0246] The shortening of the seat belt path enables a part of the fixing portion 170 to be used for fixing the baby, for example by pulling in the direction of the forward-facing portion, thereby increasing the effective length of the fixing portion 168 and reducing the effective length of the fixing portion 170.

[0247] When the upper seat 50 is maneuvered from the extended state to the upright state, the movable portion 171 moves downward, thereby increasing the length of the seat belt path. The movable portion pulls the seat belt, resulting in an increase in the effective length of the fixing portion 170 and thus a decrease in the effective length of the fixing portion 168.

[0248] Accordingly, in the present example, the seat belt adjusting device, generally labeled 172, is constituted by the arrangement of the fixing portion 170 of the seat belt 161, the seat belt fixing portion 169, the side seat belt receiving groove 167, and the movable portion 171. And, in the present example, the adjustment of the effective length of the fixing portion 168 starts from the hip fixing portion 163, that is, the effective length of the fixing portion 168 is first adjusted at the hip fixing portion 163.

[0249] It should be understood here that the above description of the seat belt can be applied to any seat assembly that serves as a safety car seat or stroller and has an upper seat that can be maneuvered between an upright state and an extended state. It should also be further understood here that the above description of the seat belt can be applied to any car seat assembly, including but not limited to, for example, any of those described in the applicant's U.S. Patents US8469389 and US9505321.

Claims

1. An infant safety car seat assembly, including at least in one of its operating modes: An upper seat having a foot portion and a backrest portion; A lower support to which the upper seat is firmly connected, the lower support having a front portion associated with the foot portion, a rear portion associated with the backrest portion, and left and right handle connection regions; At least one reinforcing region located between the rear and front portions of the lower support, the at least one reinforcing region having a different material and / or structure from the rest of the body of the lower support; the at least one reinforcing region makes the lower support stronger than the lower support without the at least one reinforcing region; At least one of the left and right handle connection regions is at least partially located in a corresponding one of the at least one reinforcing regions; A handle connected to the lower support at the handle connection region by a pivotable connection, the pivotable connection enabling the handle to pivot between a plurality of different positions; And A car seat belt guide member at least indirectly connected to the at least one reinforcing region.

2. The infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one reinforcing region includes a seat belt guide connection portion to which the car seat belt guide member is directly connected.

3. The infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The car seat belt guide member is formed as part of the handle and is positioned such that when a car seat belt passes through, the car seat belt abuts at least a top portion of the reinforcing region, adjacent to the car seat belt guide member of the handle.

4. The infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The lower support further includes left and right leg connection regions, at least one of the left and right leg connection regions is at least partially located in a corresponding one of the at least one reinforcing regions; the assembly further includes legs having a distal end with wheels and a proximal end at least indirectly connected to the lower support at the leg connection region, the legs being manipulable between a stowed state and an operating state, in the stowed state, the assembly is adapted to be mounted on a support surface, in the operating state, allowing the seat assembly to roll on the wheels; and Wherein, the right handle connection region and the right leg connection region overlap; the left handle connection region and the left leg connection region overlap; and Wherein, the left and right handle connection regions and the left and right leg connection regions are entirely located in a corresponding one of the at least one reinforcing regions.

5. The infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein, Compared with the rest of the body, the at least one reinforcing region extends further in the lateral direction, thus constituting the outermost region of the lower support.

6. The infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The lower support includes side walls located between the rear and front portions, and the at least one reinforcing region includes two reinforcing regions respectively located at the side walls.

7. A convertible infant safety car seat assembly, including at least in one of its operating modes: A seat having a left leg connection region and a right leg connection region; A horizontal reference plane passing through the lowest region of the seat; Legs having wheels at their respective distal ends, the legs being pivotable between a stowed state and an operating state, in which stowed state at least the wheels are located above the reference plane and the assembly is adapted to be positioned on a support surface, and in which operating state at least the wheels are located below the reference plane so that the seat assembly can roll on the wheels; The legs comprise a pair of left legs including a left hind leg and a left front leg and a pair of right legs including a right hind leg and a right front leg, at least one leg of the pair of left legs and at least one leg of the pair of right legs pivoting from the stowed state to the operating state at least partially under the influence of gravity; And A leg operating damping mechanism for damping at least a part of the pivoting movement of at least one leg of each pair compared to the pivoting that at least one leg of each pair would undergo without the leg operating damping mechanism, thereby slowing down and smoothing the pivoting movement of at least one leg of each pair.

8. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The leg operating damping mechanism comprises a rack and pinion arrangement.

9. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 7, further comprising a locking mechanism operable to lock the left hind leg relative to the left front leg and to lock the right hind leg relative to the right front leg so that the legs in each pair move together at least during the part of the pivoting movement; the locking mechanism being operable to unlock the legs in each pair from each other after completion of the part of the pivoting movement.

10. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The leg operating damping mechanism is only operable along the part of the pivoting movement.

11. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The leg operating damping mechanism is only operable during pivoting of the legs from the stowed state to the operating state and not vice versa.

12. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 7, further comprising a handle, wherein the handle is connected to the seat by a pivotable connector, and the pivotable connector enables the handle to pivot between a plurality of different positions, wherein, The leg operating damping mechanism is operable during pivoting of the legs, independent of pivoting of the handle.

13. An infant safety car seat assembly, including in at least one of its operating modes: An upper seat having a foot portion and a backrest portion; The foot portion and the backrest portion being manipulable between an upright state and an extended state, in which upright state a first angle is formed between the backrest portion and the foot portion and in which extended state a second angle is formed between the backrest portion and the foot portion, the second angle being greater than the first angle; the upper seat including left and right backrest seat belt receiving slots; And left and right side seat belt receiving slots; A five-point seat belt for securing an infant in the upper seat when the infant is seated therein, the seat belt including: a central buckle, and at least one seat belt slidably passing through the seat belt receiving slots of the upper seat and connectable to the central buckle, the at least one seat belt including a securing portion for securing the infant in the upper seat and a non-securing portion for not securing the infant in the upper seat; and A seat belt adjusting device operable to adjust an effective length of at least the securing portion of the at least one seat belt when the upper seat is manipulated between the upright state and the extended state, wherein the adjustment starts at the left and right side receiving slots.

14. The infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 13, wherein, The fixed portion includes: a shoulder fixing portion; a hip fixing portion; and a crotch fixing portion; and wherein the hip fixing portion is adjusted first.

15. The infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 13, wherein, The seat belt extends along a total seat belt path, and the seat belt adjusting device is operable to change the total seat belt path when the upper seat is maneuvered between the upright state and the extended state to adjust the effective length of the fixed portion of the at least one seat belt.

16. The infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 15, comprising a movable member operable to move when the upper seat is manipulated between the upright state and the extended state, the seat belt at least partially extending over the movable member such that the movable member forms at least a part of the total seat belt path, the movable member at least partially forming the seat belt adjustment means, wherein, The movement of the movable member changes the total seat belt path, thereby adjusting the effective length of the fixed portion of the at least one seat belt.

17. The infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 16, wherein, The movement of the movable member changes the total seat belt path at two spaced positions adjacent to the left and right side receiving grooves.

18. The infant safety car seat assembly according to claim 13, wherein, The upper seat includes a forward portion for a baby to sit therein and an opposite rearward portion, and the seat belt receiving groove establishes a connection path between the forward portion and the rearward portion, wherein the at least one seat belt slidably passes through the seat belt receiving groove between the forward portion and the rearward portion, and wherein the fixed portion is located at the forward portion and the fixed portion is located at the rearward portion.

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