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] This invention relates to an infant safety car seat assembly that can be used as an infant carrier and can be converted to be rolled up for use, for example, as a baby stroller. Background Technology

[0002] For example, U.S. Patent 8,434,781 discloses such an infant safety car seat assembly to which the subject matter of this disclosure relates. It typically includes a leg section with wheels at the distal end and is maneuverable between a stowed and an operational state. In the stowed state, the seat is configured for installation in a vehicle; in the operational state, the seat assembly can be rolled using the wheels.

[0003] US Patent 9629476 discloses a device that can be converted from a baby bassinet into 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 seat surface and is movable between at least one reclined seating position and one reclined sleeping position. Utility Model Content

[0004] According to one aspect of the subject matter of this disclosure, an infant safety car seat assembly is provided, comprising, at least in one mode of operation: an upper seat having a footrest and a backrest; a lower support to which the upper seat is rigidly connected, the lower support having a front portion associated with the footrest, a rear portion associated with the backrest, and left and right handlebar connection areas; 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 lower support; the at least one reinforcing region making the lower support stronger than without the at least one reinforcing region; at least one of the left and right handlebar connection areas being at least partially located at a corresponding location in the at least one reinforcing region; a handle connected to the upper handlebar connection area of ​​the lower support via a pivotable connector, the pivotable connector allowing the handle to pivot between multiple 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 may be connected to the reinforcing region, for example, via a seat belt guide connection portion fixedly connected to the reinforcing region; or, in other embodiments, the car seat belt guide member may be formed as part of the handle, and since the handle connection area 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 may also be adjacent to the handle and rest against the reinforced area. In both arrangements, the reinforced area at least partially bears the load generated by the car seat belt on the seat assembly, especially in the event of an impact.

[0005] In some examples, the lower support may further include left and right leg connection areas, at least one of which is at least partially located at a corresponding location in at least one of the reinforcement areas. In some examples, each leg connection area at least partially overlaps with a corresponding handle connection area, and optionally, completely overlaps. In those examples with leg connection areas, the assembly also includes a leg with a wheel at its distal end and a proximal end at least indirectly connected to the leg connection area on the lower support. The leg is maneuverable between a retracted state and an operational state. In the retracted state, the assembly is adapted to be mounted on a support surface; in the operational state, the seat assembly can roll by means of the wheels.

[0006] According to another aspect of the subject matter of this disclosure, a convertible infant safety car seat assembly is provided, comprising, at least in one of its operating modes: a seat having a left leg connection area and a right leg connection area; a horizontal reference plane passing through the lowest area of ​​the seat; legs with wheels at their respective distal ends, the legs being pivotable between a retracted state and an operating state, wherein in the retracted state, at least the wheels are above the reference plane and the assembly is adapted to rest on a support surface; and in the operating state, at least the wheels are below the reference plane so that the seat assembly can roll by means of the wheels; the legs comprising 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, wherein at least one leg of the left pair and at least one leg of the right pair are at least partially pivotable from the retracted state to the operating state under the influence of gravity; and a leg operating damping mechanism, which dampens at least part of the pivoting motion of the at least one leg in each pair of legs compared to the pivoting motion of the at least one leg in each pair of legs without the leg operating damping mechanism, thereby slowing down and smoothing the pivoting motion of the at least one leg in each pair of legs.

[0007] According to another aspect of the subject matter of this disclosure, an infant safety car seat assembly is provided, comprising at least one operating mode: an upper seat having a footrest and a backrest; the footrest and backrest being operable between an upright position and an extended position, wherein in the upright position, a first angle is formed between the backrest and the footrest; and in the extended position, a second angle greater than the first angle is formed between the backrest and the footrest, the upper seat including left and right backrest seatbelt receiving slots; and left and right side seatbelt receiving slots; a five-point harness for securing an infant in the upper seat when the infant is seated there, the harness including: a central buckle; and at least one harness slidably passing through the harness receiving slots of the upper seat and connectable to the central buckle, the at least one harness including a securing portion for securing the infant in the upper seat and a securing portion not for securing the infant; and a harness adjustment device operable to adjust the effective length of at least the securing portion of the at least one harness when the upper seat is operated between the upright and extended positions.

[0008] An 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 enhanced regions:

[0010] ● At least one reinforcement area may include a seat belt guide connection portion to which the vehicle seat belt guide component is directly connected; or, the vehicle seat belt guide component may be formed as part of the handle and positioned such that when the vehicle seat belt passes through, the vehicle seat belt abuts at least the top portion of the reinforcement area adjacent to the vehicle seat belt guide component 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 handlebar connection areas and the left and right leg connection areas can be located entirely in one of the corresponding locations in at least one of the reinforcement areas;

[0013] ●At least one reinforced region may include fiber-reinforced material;

[0014] ●Compared to the rest of the main body, at least one reinforcing region may extend further in the lateral direction, thereby forming the outermost region of the lower support member;

[0015] ●At least one reinforced area may be in the form of a reinforcing element that is securely mounted to the rest of the lower support body;

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

[0017] ● A side protection module may be provided, which can be connected to at least partially overlap with a corresponding one in at least one reinforced region in the lateral direction;

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

[0019] Characteristics related to damping mechanisms:

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

[0021] ● The leg operating damping mechanism may include a first part associated with one of the leg and the leg connection area and a second part associated with the other of the leg connection area and the leg, and the second part is operatively engaged with the first part;

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

[0023] ● The leg-operating damping mechanism may include a left damping mechanism and a right damping mechanism corresponding to the left and right opposite legs;

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

[0025] ● The leg-operating damping mechanism may be operable only during said portion of the pivoting motion; alternatively, the remainder of the pivoting motion may be performed without damping, i.e. with little or no resistance to the movement of the leg.

[0026] ● The leg-operating damping mechanism is operable only in a single direction of leg pivoting. That is, during the movement of the leg from the retracted state to the operating state, the damping mechanism at least partially resists the movement of the leg under gravity, slowing and smoothing its motion. When the leg moves in the other direction, i.e., from the operating state to the retracted state, there is no resistance to the movement;

[0027] ● The leg-operated damping mechanism is operable to dampen pivoting movements of the legs independently of the car seat's handle. Although the handle and legs may be connected in similar or overlapping areas, the leg-operated damping mechanism is configured to affect only the pivoting of the legs. This can potentially have the advantage that the handle can remain in a selected position (e.g., carrier position, stowage position, stroller position) while the legs are being operated and pivoted. For example, the handle can be in the carrier or stroller position while the legs are moving from the stowage position to the operating position, allowing the user to grip the handle as the legs slowly and smoothly unfold due to the damping mechanism.

[0028] ●The locking mechanism can be operated to unlock each leg in each pair of legs after the pivoting movement is completed;

[0029] ● The locking mechanism is operable to lock one of the legs in each pair, i.e., the first leg, in its operational state. The components may also include an actuation device that is operable to remove the other leg in the same pair, i.e., the second leg, from the first leg when the legs are unlocked from each other.

[0030] Features related to seat belt adjustment devices:

[0031] ●The seat belt adjustment device can be configured to adjust the effective length of the fixing part by adjusting the effective length of the fixing part of at least one seat belt;

[0032] ● The securing components may include: a shoulder securing component; a hip securing component; and a crotch securing component; wherein the effective length adjustment begins at the hip securing component. For example, a section of the seatbelt that is actually part of the securing component rather than the securing part is first released at the side seatbelt receiving slot near the infant's hip. The seatbelt can then be pulled (e.g., in response to the pull of the infant's shoulders on it when the upper seat extends backward) so that the released section of the seatbelt provides the length required to secure the infant comfortably and without being too tight;

[0033] Therefore, the initial adjustment of the seatbelt responds to the manipulation of the upper seat and occurs simultaneously in two spaced-apart positions, namely at the side seatbelt receiving slots. This may have potential advantages, such as the speed at which adjustment can be performed compared to starting only in a single position (or being performed entirely in a single position). Another potential advantage of starting adjustment from the hip fixation may include that the buckle is not directly affected by the adjustment and remains in a similar position relative to the infant before and after adjustment;

[0034] ● When the upper seat is adjusted from an upright position to an extended position, the seat belt adjustment device can increase the effective length of at least one fixed portion of the seat belt;

[0035] ● When the upper seat is moved from an upright position to an extended position, the seat belt adjustment device can reduce the effective length of the fixing part of at least one seat belt;

[0036] ● When the upper seat is moved from an extended position to an upright position, the seat belt adjustment device can reduce the effective length of the fixed portion of at least one seat belt;

[0037] ● When the upper seat is moved from an extended position to an upright position, the seat belt adjustment device can increase the effective length of the fixing part of at least one seat belt;

[0038] ●The total length of at least one seatbelt must remain constant at least during operation when the upper seat is in an upright or extended position;

[0039] ● The seat belt can extend along the main seat belt path, and the seat belt adjustment device can be operated to modify the main seat belt path when the upper seat is operated between an upright position and an extended position, so as to adjust the effective length of the fixed portion of at least one seat belt.

[0040] ● A movable component may be provided, which is movable when the upper seat is operated between an upright position and an extended position. The seat belt extends at least partially on the movable component such that the movable component constitutes at least a portion of the total seat belt path. The movable component at least partially constitutes a seat belt adjustment device, wherein the movement of the movable component modifies the total seat belt path, thereby adjusting the effective length of a fixed portion of at least one seat belt.

[0041] ● The upper seat may include a forward portion for seating an infant and an opposite rearward portion, wherein a seat belt receiving slot establishes a connecting path between the forward portion and the rearward portion, wherein at least one seat belt is slidably passed through the seat belt receiving slot between the forward portion and the rearward portion, with a fixing portion located in the forward portion and a fixing portion located in the rearward portion;

[0042] • A lower support member may be provided, wherein the upper seat is connected to the lower support member and its rear portion faces the lower support member, the lower support member having 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 seat belt is fixedly connected to the lower support member;

[0043] ● During operation of the upper seat between an upright and extended position, at least one of the backrest and footrest can change its position relative to the lower support; when the upper seat is operated between an upright and extended position, the seat belt adjustment device can adjust the effective length of at least the fixed portion of at least one seat belt according to the change in position of said at least one of the backrest and footrest relative to the lower support.

[0044] ● During operation of the upper seat between the upright and extended positions, the footrest and backrest can change their positions relative to the lower support; and the fixing portion of at least one of the seat belts abuts against the footrest, such that the change in footrest position reduces or increases the path length along which the fixing portion extends, thereby adjusting the effective length of the fixing portion.

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

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

[0047] Upper seat with footrest and backrest;

[0048] The upper seat is securely connected to a lower support member, which has a front portion associated with the feet, a rear portion associated with the backrest portion, and a connection area for the left and right handles.

[0049] At least one reinforcing region is located between the rear and front portions of the lower support member, the material and / or structure of which differs from the rest of the lower support member; the at least one reinforcing region makes 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 areas is located at least partially in a corresponding location in at least one of the reinforcement areas;

[0051] The handle is connected to the upper handle connection area of ​​the lower support via a pivotable connector, which allows the handle to pivot between multiple different positions; and

[0052] A car seat belt guide component that is at least indirectly connected to at least one reinforced area.

[0053] 2. The infant safety car seat assembly according to Embodiment 1, wherein at least one reinforced area includes a seat belt guide connection portion to which the car seat seat belt guide component is directly connected.

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

[0055] 4. The infant safety car seat assembly according to Embodiment 1, wherein the lower support further includes left and right leg connection areas, at least one of the left and right leg connection areas being at least partially located at a corresponding location in at least one of the reinforcement areas; the assembly also includes a leg with a wheel at its distal end and a proximal end at least indirectly connected to the leg connection area on the lower support, the leg being operable between a stowed state and an operating state, wherein in the stowed state the assembly is adapted to be mounted on a support surface; and in the operating state the seat assembly can roll by means of the wheel.

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

[0057] 6. The infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 4 or 5, wherein the left and right handlebar connection areas and the left and right leg connection areas are located entirely at the corresponding location of at least one of the reinforcement areas.

[0058] 7. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein at least one reinforcing region comprises a fiber-reinforced material.

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

[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 includes a connectable side protection module that at least partially overlaps with a corresponding one of at least one reinforcement region in the lateral direction.

[0063] 12. The infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the footrest and backrest portions are operable between an upright state and an extended state, wherein in the upright state, a first angle is formed between the backrest and the footrest; and in the extended state, a second angle greater than the first angle is formed between the backrest and the footrest.

[0064] 13. An infant safety car seat assembly according to Embodiment 4 or any one of Embodiments 5 to 12 when subordinate to Embodiment 4, wherein the legs comprise 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, wherein at least one leg of the left pair and at least one leg of the right pair are at least partially pivotable from a stowed state to an operational state under the influence of gravity; wherein the infant safety car seat assembly further comprises a leg operation damping mechanism, which dampens at least a portion of the pivoting motion of the at least one leg in each pair of legs when there is no leg operation damping mechanism, thereby slowing down and smoothing the pivoting motion of the 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, wherein the footrest and backrest portions are operable between an upright state and an extended state; in the upright state, a first angle is formed between the backrest and the footrest; in the extended state, a second angle greater than the first angle is formed between the backrest and the footrest; the upper seat includes left and right backrest seatbelt receiving slots; and left and right side seatbelt receiving slots; wherein the infant safety car seat assembly further includes:

[0066] A five-point harness for securing an infant in an upper seat while the infant is seated in the upper seat, the harness comprising: a center buckle; and at least one harness slidably passing through a harness receiving slot in the upper seat and connectable to the center buckle, the at least one harness including a securing portion for securing the infant in the upper seat and a securing portion not for securing the infant; and

[0067] The seatbelt adjustment device, when operated between the upright and extended positions of the upper seat, is operable to adjust the effective length of at least a fixed portion of at least one seatbelt.

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

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

[0070] A seat with a left leg connection area and a right leg connection area;

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

[0072] The legs, which have wheels at their respective distal ends, are pivotable between a retracted state and an operational state. In the retracted state, at least the wheels are above a reference plane, and the assembly is adapted to be placed on a support surface. In the operational state, at least the wheels are 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 consisting of a left hind leg and a left foreleg, and a right pair of legs consisting of a right hind leg and a right foreleg. At least one leg of the left pair and at least one leg of the right pair are at least partially pivotable from a stored state to an operational state under the influence of gravity; and

[0074] A leg-operating damping mechanism, which dampens at least a portion of the pivoting motion compared to the pivoting motion of at least one leg in each pair of legs without the leg-operating damping mechanism, thereby slowing down and smoothing the pivoting motion 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 operation damping mechanism includes a gear mechanism.

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

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

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

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

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

[0081] 23. In the convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 21 or 22, the locking mechanism is operable to unlock each of the pairs of legs after the pivoting movement is completed.

[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 each pair of legs, i.e., the first leg, in its operational state, wherein the assembly further includes an actuation device operable to remove the other leg of the same pair, i.e., the second leg, 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 comprises:

[0084] An upper seat with footrests and a backrest; and

[0085] The upper seat is securely connected to a lower support member, which has a front portion associated with the feet, a rear portion associated with the backrest portion, and a connection area for the left and right handles.

[0086] The convertible baby car seat assembly also includes:

[0087] At least one reinforcing region is located between the rear and front portions of the lower support member, the material and / or structure of which differs from the rest of the lower support member; the at least one reinforcing region makes 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 areas is located at least partially in a corresponding location in at least one of the reinforcement areas;

[0089] The handle is connected to the upper handle connection area of ​​the lower support via a pivotable connector, which allows the handle to pivot between multiple different positions; and

[0090] A car seat belt guide component that is at least indirectly connected to at least one reinforced area.

[0091] 26. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 16 to 25, wherein the seat includes an upper seat having a footrest and a backrest; the footrest and backrest are operable between an upright position and an extended position, wherein in the upright position, a first angle is formed between the backrest and the footrest; and in the extended position, a second angle greater than the first angle is formed between the backrest and the footrest, the upper seat including left and right backrest seat belt receiving slots; and left and right side seat belt receiving slots;

[0092] The convertible baby car seat assembly also includes:

[0093] A five-point harness for securing an infant in an upper seat while the infant is seated, the harness comprising:

[0094] A central buckle, and at least one seatbelt slidably passing through a seatbelt receiving slot in the upper seat and connectable to the central buckle, the at least one seatbelt including a securing portion for securing the infant in the upper seat and a securing portion not for securing the infant; and

[0095] The seatbelt adjustment device, when operated between the upright and extended positions of the upper seat, is operable to adjust the effective length of at least a fixed portion of at least one seatbelt.

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

[0097] 28. The convertible infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 16 further includes a handle connected to the seat via a pivotable connector that allows the handle to pivot between multiple different positions, wherein a leg-operating damping mechanism is operable during leg pivoting and independent of the pivoting of the handle.

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

[0099] An upper seat having a footrest and a backrest; the footrest and backrest can be controlled between an upright position and an extended position, wherein in the upright position, a first angle is formed between the backrest and the footrest; and in the extended position, a second angle greater than the first angle is formed between the backrest and the footrest, and the upper seat includes two backrest seat belt receiving slots on the left and right; and two side seat belt receiving slots on the left and right.

[0100] A five-point harness for securing an infant in an upper seat while the infant is seated in the upper seat, the harness comprising: a center buckle; and at least one harness slidably passing through a harness receiving slot in the upper seat and connectable to the center buckle, the at least one harness including a securing portion for securing the infant in the upper seat and a securing portion not for securing the infant; and

[0101] The seatbelt adjustment device, when operated between the upright and extended positions of the upper seat, is operable to adjust the effective length of at least a fixed portion of at least one seatbelt, wherein the adjustment begins from the left and right receiving slots.

[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 the fixing portion 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 operated from an upright position to an extended position, the seat belt adjustment device increases the effective length of at least one fixed portion of the 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 operated from an upright position to an extended position, the seat belt adjustment device reduces 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 an extended state to an upright state, the seat belt adjustment device reduces the effective length of at least one fixed portion of the 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 an extended state to an upright state, the seat belt adjustment device increases the effective length of at least one seat belt fixing portion.

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

[0109] 37. An infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 29 to 36, wherein the seat belt extends along the main seat belt path, and the seat belt adjustment device is operable to modify the main seat belt path when the upper seat is operated between an upright position and an extended position 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 includes a movable member movable when the upper seat is operated between an upright position and an extended position, the seat belt extending at least partially on the movable member such that the movable member constitutes at least a portion of the total seat belt path, the movable member at least partially constituting a seat belt adjustment device, wherein the movement of the movable member modifies the total seat belt path, thereby adjusting the effective length of a 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 part modifies the overall seat belt path at two spaced-apart positions adjacent to the left and right side receiving slots.

[0112] 40. An infant safety car seat assembly according to any one of embodiments 29 to 39, wherein the upper seat includes a forward portion for seating an infant therein and an opposing rearward portion, the seat belt receiving slot establishing a connection path between the forward portion and the rearward portion, wherein at least one seat belt slidably passes through the seat belt receiving slot between the forward portion and the rearward portion, a fixing portion is located in the forward portion, and a fixing 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, the upper seat being connected to the lower support member and having its rear portion facing the lower support member, the lower support member having 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 seat belt is fixedly connected to the lower support member.

[0114] 42. The infant safety car seat assembly according to embodiment 41, wherein, during operation of the upper seat between an upright position and an extended position, at least one of the backrest portion and the footrest portion 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 operated between an upright position and an extended position, the seat belt adjustment device adjusts the effective length of at least a fixed portion of at least one seat belt according to the change in position of at least one of the backrest portion and the foot portion relative to the lower support member.

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

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

[0118] The upper seat is securely connected to a lower support member, the lower support member having a front portion associated with the feet, a rear portion associated with the backrest, and a seatbelt securing portion; and

[0119] At least one reinforcing region is located between the rear and front portions of the lower support member, the material and / or structure of which differs from the rest of the lower support member; the at least one reinforcing region makes the lower support member stronger than it would be without the at least one reinforcing region. Attached Figure Description

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

[0121] Figure 1A , 1B1C and 1D show side views of an example of an infant safety car seat assembly according to the subject matter of this disclosure, in a car seat installation or stowage mode, an extended stroller mode, an upright stroller mode, and a rollable infant carrier mode, respectively, in which the assembly can be used.

[0122] Figure 2A This is a rear perspective view of an example of an infant safety car seat assembly according to the subject matter of this disclosure; the upper seat is not shown for ease of illustration.

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

[0124] Figure 2C This is a rear perspective view of a lower support member that can be used in an infant safety car seat assembly, as an example of the subject matter of this disclosure.

[0125] Figure 2D This is a front perspective view of a reinforced area that can be used in an infant safety car seat assembly, as an example of the subject matter of this disclosure;

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

[0127] Figure 2F This is a schematic illustration of an infant safety car seat assembly in a stowed mode with side protection modules, according to an example of the subject matter of this disclosure.

[0128] Figure 2G This is a perspective view of a handle that can be used in an infant safety car seat assembly, as an example of the subject matter of this disclosure;

[0129] Figure 3A This is a side perspective view of an example of an infant safety car seat assembly according to the subject matter of this disclosure; the upper seat is not shown for ease of illustration.

[0130] Figure 3B It is along Figure 3A Observation in the direction of AA Figure 3A The infant safety car seat assembly shown is a perspective sectional view, with the direction perpendicular to the cutting plane;

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

[0132] Figure 3D This is a side view of an infant safety car seat assembly as an example of the subject matter of this disclosure, showing a damping mechanism in a first position corresponding to its leg-folded state;

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

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

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

[0136] Figure 5A This is a front perspective view of an uncovered upper seat for use in an infant safety car seat assembly, in an upright position, according to an example of the subject matter of this disclosure.

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

[0138] Figure 5C It is along Figure 5A Observe from the middle BB direction Figure 5A The perspective sectional view of the upper seat shown is perpendicular to the cutting plane.

[0139] Figure 5D yes Figures 5A to 5C The image shows a front perspective view of the upper seat in its extended position.

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

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

[0142] Figure 6B It is along Figure 6A Observation in the direction of CC Figure 6A The infant safety car seat assembly shown is a perspective sectional view, with the direction perpendicular to the cutting plane;

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

[0144] Figure 6D yes Figure 6A The image shows a partial sectional front view of an infant safety car seat assembly, with the upper seat in an upright position.

[0145] Figure 6E and Figure 6D The view is the same, with the upper seat in the extended position. Detailed Implementation

[0146] According to one example of the subject matter of this disclosure, a convertible infant safety car seat assembly may be configured to be able to Figure 1A-1D Any seat components used in the operating modes shown. These operating modes include... Figure 1A The car seat installation mode shown (or in general, the mode in which the seat can be placed on a surface) is hereinafter referred to as storage mode 20; Figure 1B The extended stroller mode shown is hereinafter referred to as extended operation mode 24; Figure 1C The upright stroller mode shown and Figure 1D The rolling basket mode shown is referred to as upright operation mode 22 below.

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

[0148] The handle length is adjustable, allowing it to be configured in various ways depending on the intended use of the safety car seat components.

[0149] In this example, handle 12 can at least be in a basket-like position. Figure 1D In this state, it is roughly vertically oriented. Figure 1D Stroller status ( Figure 1B and 1C In its current state, it extends forward and can be longer than in its basket state; and in its stowed state, it is oriented backward. Figure 1A The handle 12 can also be in an anti-rebound state, in which its orientation is the same as that of the stroller, but its length is shorter.

[0150] Generally, the lower support may include a connection area for the left and right handles, in which the handle 12 may be at least indirectly pivotally connected to the lower support. For example, the handle may be directly connected to the lower support, or it may be connected via an intermediate element. In any case, the lower support bears at least a portion of the weight of the handle, as well as at least a portion of the forces associated with the pivoting of the handle and / or the movement of the vehicle seat assembly via the handle, or any other forces associated with the handle (e.g., impact forces).

[0151] Similarly, generally speaking, the lower support may include left and right leg connection areas, where the legs 70 are at least indirectly pivotally connected to the lower support. For example, the legs may be directly connected to the lower support, or they may be connected via an intermediate element. In either case, the lower support bears at least a portion of the weight of the legs and at least a portion of the forces associated with the pivoting of the legs.

[0152] In this example, the lower support 30 includes a seat lowest region 32 configured to contact a support surface 26, which may be, for example, a vehicle seat or a base securely mounted thereon, or the ground on which the seat assembly is placed when configured for use as a child safety seat. When in a stowage mode 20, the support surface 26 is adapted to mount / place the seat assembly 10 thereon. The seat lowest 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 two states:

[0153] (a) Storage status ( Figure 1A In this state, the distal end of the leg is located on or above the horizontal reference plane 34, such that the lowest seat area 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) Operation status Figure 1B , 1C (and 1D), in which state 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 footrest portion 54, the front footrest portion 54 being closer to the horizontal reference plane 34 than the backrest portion 52 is closer to the horizontal reference plane 34. The backrest portion 52 is configured to support the head and back of an infant 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 operated between the following two states:

[0157] (a) Upright position Figure 1A , 1C And 1D), so that the infant fixed in the upper seat 50 can be in a sitting position, in which the backrest portion 52 has a first orientation and forms a first angle α with the feet 54; and

[0158] (b) Extended state Figure 1BThis allows the infant, fixed in the upper seat 50, to be in a supine position, in which the backrest portion 52 has a second orientation that is closer to a horizontal orientation than the first orientation, and forms a second angle β with the foot portion 54 that is greater than the first angle α.

[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 may include at least one hinged portion to which at least a portion of the upper seat is configured to hinge so as 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 herein as the rear and front portions), to which the backrest and footrest of the upper seat may be hinged, respectively. The hinge portions may be configured to provide the same or different types of hinges to the relevant portions of the upper seat; that is, they may both be configured to provide pivot hinges or linear hinges, or one may provide a pivot hinge while the other provides a linear hinge to the relevant portions of the upper seat. More specifically, the lower support member may include a rear hinge portion located at the rear of the lower support member, to which the backrest portion is configured to be pivotally hinged, and a front hinge portion located at the front of the lower support member, to which the footrest of the upper seat is configured to be slidably hinged.

[0162] The lower support member can be asymmetrically bowl-shaped, comprising a bottom, a high rear wall, and a low front wall, the rear and front walls being spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis of the lower support member, and two side walls extending substantially parallel to this axis therebetween, which is 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 and front walls 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 can 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 than the bottom of the lower support member, and the front hinge portion can be located on the front wall of the lower support member. Therefore, the backrest portion of the upper seat can be configured to pivotally hinge 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 slidably hinge to the front hinge portion along the longitudinal direction.

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

[0165] The lower support 30 includes two leg connection areas 42. Figure 2C (As shown in one example), the proximal end 72 of the leg 70 is pivotally hinged to the leg connection region 42 between the operating and retracted states of the leg 70. Generally, the lower support 30 may include a leg control mechanism (not shown) configured to lock the leg 70 in either its retracted or operating state and unlock it to allow it to be manipulated between these states. Different configurations of the leg control mechanism providing the above-described locking arrangement may be used, including, but not limited to, any of the configurations described in, for example, the applicant's U.S. Patents US8,469,389 and US9,505,321, and 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 this disclosure, referring to the legs and leg locking arrangement described in U.S. Patent US9505321 (as noted above, which is incorporated herein by reference), the legs can be configured to be operated by a leg control mechanism including at least one leg control actuator located in a user-accessible position.

[0167] The upper seat of the seat assembly according to the present disclosure has a configuration such that at least a portion thereof can be hinged to one or more hinged portions of the lower support as described above, allowing the upper seat to change state between an upright and an extended position. More specifically, when the lower support includes a rear hinged portion and a front hinged portion, the backrest and footrest of the upper seat may each have hingeable elements configured to hinge to the hinged portions of the lower support as needed. For example, the hingeable elements of the upper seat backrest may be configured to pivotally hinge to the rear hinged portion of the lower support, and the hingeable elements of the upper seat footrest may be configured to slidably hinge to the front hinged portion of the lower support. The backrest and footrest of the upper seat may also be hinged to each other, such that movement of one part causes operation of the other part.

[0168] Generally, the backrest and footrest of the upper seat can be directly or indirectly connected to each other. Alternatively, the backrest and footrest can be separately connected to the lower support without being connected to each other. If the backrest and footrest are connected, they can be directly hinged or indirectly connected via a middle backrest section, so that when one part is manipulated / rotated, the other part can rotate / be manipulated. Furthermore, the backrest and footrest can be fixedly connected so that manipulating one part causes manipulation of the other.

[0169] Generally, the upper seat may also include a seat control mechanism, which can be operated to cause the upper seat as described above. Figures 1A to 1DThe mechanism changes its state between an upright and an extended position. It can be configured to actuate only the backrest portion of the upper seat while keeping the foot position constant (to provide different orientations of the backrest in the upright position of the upper seat), and / or move each of the backrest portion and the foot, or move the foot, thereby causing movement of the backrest portion (in the latter two cases – changing the state of the upper seat between its upright and extended positions). The seat control mechanism may include a seat control actuator located in a user-actuable position.

[0170] Generally, an automotive seat assembly may include at least one reinforcing region that provides strength to the lower support member. The reinforcing region typically comprises a different material and / or structure from the rest of the lower support member. The reinforcing region may be arranged with the lower support member to make the lower support member stronger than it would be without the reinforcing region. In some examples, the reinforcing region may be integrally formed with the lower support member (molded or extruded together). In some examples, the reinforcing region may be manufactured separately from the lower support member, for example, as a reinforcing element, and may be integrally joined (e.g., by welding) or securely mounted (e.g., by mechanical fasteners) to the lower support member. In any case, at least in the mode of operation of the automotive seat assembly, the reinforcing region may form part of the lower support member, such that the lower support member may therefore include, for example, a reinforcing region located at least in the sidewalls of the lower support member. Other portions of the lower support member, including the rear and front portions, portions of the sidewalls without reinforcing regions, and the bottom of the lower support member, may constitute the rest of the lower support member.

[0171] Generally, the reinforcement area can form an anchoring area that is stronger than the rest of the body surrounding the lower support member, and certain components of the seat are directly or indirectly connected to this reinforcement area. These components include: a pivotable handle of the seat, with the handle connecting to the reinforcement area; a vehicle seat belt guide component that is at least indirectly connected to the reinforcement area; and optionally, a pivotable leg of the seat assembly, with the leg connecting to the reinforcement area.

[0172] Referring now to a car seatbelt guide component: In some embodiments, the reinforcement region includes a seatbelt guide connection portion to which the car seatbelt guide component is directly connected. In other embodiments, the car seat guide component is formed as part of a pivotable handle (e.g., as a designated slot or other recess defined along or adjacent to the handle), and because the handle is connected to the reinforcement region, the car seatbelt guide component is indirectly connected to the reinforcement region. In the latter case, as the car seatbelt passes through the car seatbelt guide component, the car seatbelt is guided by the guide component against the top surface of the reinforcement region. In both arrangements of the car seatbelt guide component, the reinforcement region is designed and positioned to withstand forces that the car seatbelt may exert on the seat assembly, particularly in the event of an impact.

[0173] It should be understood here that, for the purposes of this specification, the term "stronger" or "more robust" in relation to the reinforcing area and lower support should be understood as capable of supporting components connected to the reinforcing area, such as the handle and its pivot, the vehicle seat belt guide, and optionally the leg and its pivot. The reinforcing area may have a potential advantage in withstanding impact-related forces (e.g., the type and / or magnitude of forces applied during regulatory impact testing), potentially improving the integrity of the lower portion and thus the integrity of the entire seat assembly. Furthermore, by connecting the handle and optionally the leg to the reinforcing area, the risk of mechanical failure (e.g., breakage or separation) can be reduced or prevented (e.g., when the seat is lifted via the handle, the reinforcing area at least partially potentially supports the weight of the seat assembly and the infant carried therein).

[0174] Furthermore, as described above, the reinforcement of the lower support by the reinforcing area improves the stability of the upper seat when it is maneuvered between its upright and extended positions. The strength of the reinforcing area can be provided by means of materials and / or structures. For example, the reinforcing area 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, such as selected grades of polyamide, polypropylene, or other plastics or thermoplastics. In addition to materials and / or structures, connecting the handles and, in some embodiments, the legs to the lower support (directly or indirectly) in the reinforcing area can form a thicker layer of material at these locations, making them stronger.

[0175] In this example, the lower support 30 includes two reinforcing regions 43, including a right reinforcing region and a left reinforcing region (in Figures 2A to 2E Only one reinforced area 43 is visible in the middle. The handle connection area 13 includes the right handle connection area and the left handle connection area (in Figures 2A to 2E Only one handle connection area 13 is visible in the middle, and the leg connection area 42 includes the right leg connection area and the left leg connection area (in Figures 2A to 2E Only one leg connection area is visible in the middle.

[0176] Generally, the handle connection area and / or leg connection area (viewed from the side) may at least partially overlap with the corresponding reinforcement area and / or with each other. For example, the areas where the legs and handles are pivotally connected need to be sufficiently robust to support and stabilize their pivoting. The legs may include front and rear pairs of legs, and at least one pair of the front and rear pairs of legs may connect to the seat in the leg connection area. The leg connection area may at least partially overlap with the handle connection area. For example, a lateral axis parallel to the handle pivot axis may pass through at least a portion of the handle connection area and at least a portion of the leg connection area. This overlap between the handle connection area and the leg connection area provides a thicker layer of material in that area.

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

[0178] In this example, the handle connection area 13 and the leg connection area 42 overlap each other and are located entirely at the reinforcing area 43. The reinforcing area 43 is formed as a reinforcing element 43 securely mounted to the sidewall 35 of the lower support member 30 by fasteners, and extends further in the lateral direction LD compared to the rest of the lower support member 30 body 30A, thus forming the outermost region of the lower support member and making the portion of the lower support member 30 with the reinforcing area 43 thicker than the rest of the body 30A. In some examples, the reinforcing area may not extend further in the lateral direction LD compared to the rest of the body 30A. In some examples, the outer surface 43A of the reinforcing area 43 may be flush with the outer surface of the sidewall 35 of the lower support member 30.

[0179] In some examples, the reinforcing region 43 may be made of the same material as the rest of the lower support 30 body 30A, and may include additional reinforcing material to provide it with strength. It should be understood that in some examples, the rest of the lower support body may also include the same or different reinforcing materials; however, in these examples, the term "additional reinforcing material" is intended to cover the fact that the reinforcing region contains a higher percentage of reinforcing material by weight than the rest of the body. In some examples, the reinforcing region 43 may be made of the same material as the rest of the lower support 30 body 30A, but has a different physical form or structure suitable for providing higher stiffness and / or bulk density. In some examples, the reinforcing region 43 may be made of a different material than the rest of the body 30A, and this different material may be wholly or partially a reinforcing material stronger than the rest of the body 30A. Reinforcing materials that can be used to reinforce the reinforcing region 43 may include fibers, more specifically, glass fibers. In some examples, fibers may include carbon fibers.

[0180] Generally, a reinforcing region may have a structure that provides it with strength. For example, at least one of the inner and outer sides or surfaces of the reinforcing region may have a honeycomb structure with ribs to enhance the strength of the reinforcing structure. It should be understood that the structure providing strength can be any structure formed on any one or both sides of the inner and outer sides of the reinforcing region to make the reinforcing region stronger than it would be without such a structure. In this example, the inner side 43B of the reinforcing region 43 ( Figure 2E It has a honeycomb structure 44, which strengthens the lower support 30 by reinforcing the region 43, making it stronger than when there is no reinforcing region 43.

[0181] Generally, the reinforcement region 43 extends upward from the handle connection region and the leg connection region to support the vehicle's seat belt when the car seat assembly is placed in the vehicle and the seat belt is in use. Therefore, the reinforcement region 43 can withstand at least a portion of the force exerted on the seat belt by an infant sitting in the car seat assembly. Each reinforcement region 43 may have corresponding right and left seat belt guide connection portions to which a car seat belt guide component can be attached. In some examples, the car seat belt guide component may be fixedly connected to the seat belt guide connection portion. In some examples, the reinforcement region may be formed as a single unit comprising the seat belt guide connection portion and the corresponding car seat belt guide component. In some examples, the car seat belt guide component is detachably connected to the seat belt guide connection portion. In some examples, there may not be a specific seat belt guide connection portion and / or car seat belt guide component, and any portion of the reinforcement region may support the car seat belt. In this case, the car seat belt may 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., an anti-rebound position) allows the vehicle's seatbelt to be adjacent to the handle, adjacent to the seatbelt guide, and in its lateral direction (when the seatbelt guide extends directly from the reinforcement area). In other examples, when the seatbelt guide is configured as part of the handle, the seatbelt may pass through the guide and be guided and stretched over the top of the reinforcement area, adjacent to the guide. In both arrangements, the seatbelt may be supported by both the reinforcement area and the handle.

[0183] In this example, reinforced region 43 has seat belt guide connection portion 45 and car seat belt guide component 46. Figure 2B The vehicle's seatbelt (not shown) may engage at least partially with the vehicle seatbelt guide member 46. Optionally, the vehicle seatbelt abuts against the vehicle seatbelt guide member 46 and abuts against the handle 12 in its lateral direction.

[0184] In some examples, the car seat belt may pass through a seat belt guide component formed on the handle. For example, as... Figure 2G As shown in the exemplary handle 12', the handle 12' includes a seatbelt guide member 46' configured to guide the vehicle's seatbelt. In this example, the force associated with the seatbelt is also indirectly borne by the reinforcement area through the handle and the handle connection area.

[0185] Generally, infant safety car seat assemblies may also include at least one side protection module positioned to at least partially overlap with 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 a portion of the impact energy applied to it. For example, at least when the seat assembly is in its stowed or car seat installation mode and positioned inside the vehicle near the door, in the event of a door impact with the assembly, the side protection module mounted on the door-facing side of the assembly can absorb at least a portion of the impact energy, thereby preventing injury to the infant sitting in the assembly.

[0186] The side protection module can be selectively mounted on the outward-facing area of ​​the handlebars, such that the side protection module extends beyond the handlebars in the lateral direction of the seat. The connection between the side protection module and the handlebars can be achieved through any suitable means, including mechanical, electrical, or magnetic connections, allowing the side protection module to pivot with the handlebars when connected, while also allowing for selective installation and removal. The orientation of the side protection module can be fixed to the handlebars, thus allowing it to pivot with them.

[0187] Generally, the side protection module may have an elongated shape extending along the longitudinal axis, such that the side protection module has a longitudinal dimension extending along the longitudinal axis, which is longer than the lateral dimension extending across 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 The side protection module 47 is shown as being mounted on the handle 12. Although only one side protection module 47 is shown, it should be understood that the automotive seat assembly may include two side protection modules, one on each side of the seat, and the description of one side protection module 47 is applicable to both side protection modules. The side protection module 47 is mounted to overlap with the reinforcement area 43 in the lateral direction. Figure 2F (Not visible in the middle). Therefore, the impact force applied to the side protection module 47 is at least partially borne by the reinforced area 43.

[0189] It should be understood that the above description of the reinforcement area applies to any car seat or stroller assembly having a lower support for which an upper seat may or may not be maneuverable 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 connected thereto. The lower support may be integral with the reinforcement area or may be formed as separate components assembled together (more than one). It should also be further understood that the above description of the reinforcement area applies to any automotive seat assembly, including but not limited to any described in, for example, the applicant's U.S. Patents US8469389 and US9505321.

[0190] According to the convertible infant safety car seat assembly of this disclosure, in accordance with Figures 3A to 3F The example shown may include a leg-operating damping mechanism for damping and smoothing the pivoting of one leg as it moves from a retracted to an operational state. For example, see reference above. Figures 1A to 1D The pivoting of the legs between an operating state and a retracted state is described. For example, to move the legs from the operating state to the retracted state, the legs pivot rearward toward the seat back 52, such that in the retracted state, the distal end of the legs is closer to the seat back 52 than the foot 54. To move the legs from the retracted state to the operating state, the legs pivot forward and downward from their retracted position. The car seat assembly can be lifted by the user above the support surface, and the legs pivot at least partially under gravity.

[0191] Leg pivoting under complete gravity can generate noise (e.g., when the leg contacts the support surface); cause wear; and cause inconvenience to the user. For example, using the leg-operating damping mechanism described herein can prevent or reduce these problems, for instance, because the leg pivots more smoothly and possibly more slowly, achieving a softer contact with the support surface. The leg-operating damping mechanism effectively alters the energy, velocity, acceleration, or a combination thereof of leg movement under gravity to make pivoting smooth and slow, thereby achieving a damping effect.

[0192] In some examples, the leg-operating damping mechanism dampes the entire pivoting motion of the leg from the retracted state to the operating state. In some examples, the leg-operating damping mechanism dampes a portion of the pivoting motion from the retracted state to the operating state. In some examples, the leg-operating damping mechanism dampes a portion of the pivoting motion from the retracted state to the operating state intermittently.

[0193] Generally, leg-operated damping mechanisms may include toothed devices, such as gear mechanisms, rack and pinion mechanisms, gear trains, or any suitable toothed structure, to dampen the pivoting motion of the leg. Other mechanical damping arrangements may also be considered, such as spring-based damping, linear damping, etc.

[0194] A leg-operating damping mechanism may include a first portion associated with one of the leg and the leg connection area, and a second portion associated with the other of the leg and the leg connection area, the second portion being operatively engaged with the first portion. For brevity, the leg-operating damping mechanism is described below with respect to one leg. It should be understood that each leg may include its own leg-operating damping mechanism, or each pair of legs (e.g., left and right pairs) may include its own leg-operating damping mechanism, wherein two legs in each pair are lockable together, pivoting together at least in partial pivoting movements, or all legs may include a single leg-operating damping mechanism, and all legs are lockable together, pivoting together at least in partial pivoting movements. Based on various examples, the description of a leg-operating damping mechanism is applicable to all leg-operating damping mechanisms that an automotive seat assembly may have.

[0195] In this example, the leg-operating damping mechanism, typically designated 75, 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 area 42. When the leg 70A is in its retracted state ( Figure 3D and 3F When the leg 70A is moved toward its operating state, the pinion 74 engages with the first position 73A on the rack 73 on the inner surface of the front leg. Simultaneously, as the leg 70A is moved toward its operating state, the pinion 74 rotates around its axis, and 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 , 3BIn positions 73A, 73B, and 3C, the pinion 74 engages with the second position 73B on the inner surface of the front leg, away from the rack 73. It should be noted that the inner surface includes the intermediate position 73C where the teeth 73' of the rack 73 terminate. Therefore, the toothed portion 76 (constituting the rack) of the inner surface forms a damping portion 76 extending between the first position 73A and the intermediate position 73C, and the toothless portion 73A of the inner surface forms a free portion 77 extending between the intermediate position 73C and the second position 73B. The pivoting movement of the leg 70A from its retracted state to its operational state is damped only before the pinion 74 engages with the damping portion 76, due to the meshing of teeth 73' and 74'. Once the pinion 74 reaches the end of tooth 73', i.e., the intermediate position 73C, the leg 70A pivots freely under gravity. Therefore, in the pivoting motion of leg 70A, the part where pinion 74 engages with damping part 76 constitutes the damped part of the pivoting motion, and the part where pinion 74 engages with free part 77 constitutes the undamped part of the pivoting motion.

[0196] In some examples, the inner surface may have a toothed portion extending 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, i.e., alternating discrete portions and smooth portions (or damped portions and free portions).

[0197] When the teeth 74' of the pinion 74 mesh with the teeth 73' of the rack 73, the pivoting of the leg 70A is damped and controlled, preventing the leg from falling freely under gravity. For example, the meshing between the teeth of the rack and the pinion at least partially restricts the pivoting motion of the leg, thus controlling velocity, acceleration, kinetic energy, etc. The degree of damping can be adjusted by selecting, for example, the size of the teeth on the pinion 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, the leg connection area 42 includes a bag-shaped housing 42A in which the pinion 74 is located. The pinion 74 is connected by a shaft assembly 74'. Figure 3F The pinion gear is installed by passing it through holes in the leg connection area 42. To change the degree of damping, for example during manufacturing or assembly, the pinion gear may be replaced with another pinion gear with a different tooth profile and / or diameter.

[0198] It should be understood here that although only one leg-operating damping mechanism is shown and described herein, an automotive seat assembly may include a left leg-operating damping mechanism associated with a left opposite leg including a left front leg and a left rear leg, and a right leg-operating damping mechanism associated with a right opposite leg including a right front leg and a right rear leg. The description of the leg-operating damping mechanism provided above is applicable to both the left and right leg-operating damping mechanisms.

[0199] It should be understood that the above description of the leg-operating damping mechanism is applicable to any car seat or stroller seat assembly whose legs can be manipulated from a retracted state to an operational state under gravity. It should also be further understood that the above description of the leg-operating damping mechanism is applicable to any car seat assembly whose legs can be manipulated from a retracted state to an operational state under gravity, including but not limited to 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 retracted state to the operating state. When the leg folds back to the retracted state, it is preferable to minimize any disturbance or resistance to the pivoting motion to facilitate the return of the leg to the retracted state. Therefore, in some embodiments, the damping mechanism may be configured to dampen only in one direction. In examples of rack and pinion mechanisms, the pinion may be configured to rotate only in one direction (clockwise or counterclockwise), so the relative movement of the pinion on the rack may only occur when the leg is moved from the retracted state to the operating state, and not vice versa.

[0201] Generally, an example car seat assembly may include a locking mechanism operable to lock the left hind leg relative to the left front leg and / or the right hind leg relative to the right front leg, such that the legs in each pair move together during at least a damped portion of the pivoting movement. One of the front and hind legs in each pair may reach its respective operating state before the other front and hind legs in each pair reach their respective 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 may be the leg located below the seat back portion in the operating state, so as to reach its operating state first and support the head of an infant seated in the seat. In some examples, the first leg may be a front leg. In some examples, the first leg may be a hind leg.

[0202] In some examples, the first leg may be a leg with a leg-operating damping mechanism. A locking mechanism is operable to unlock the lock between the legs after the damped portion of the pivoting movement has completed. In some examples, the locking mechanism is operable to unlock the lock between the legs 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 in its operating state, and the component may further include an actuation device operable to move a second leg in the same pair from the operating state of the first leg to the operating state of the second leg.

[0203] Generally, locking mechanisms 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 toward the operating position of the second leg;

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

[0207] The seat assembly may also include an actuation device associated with the locking mechanism, which is configured to apply a pushing or pulling force to the second leg when the second leg is released from its lock with the first leg, causing it to rotate toward its operating state.

[0208] Although the locking mechanism and actuation device are described herein with respect to a pair of forelegs, it should be understood that the description of the locking mechanism and actuation device can also be applied to the locking mechanism and actuation device of another pair of legs.

[0209] In some embodiments, the transfer of the legs from a retracted state to an operational state can be performed in two stages. In the first stage, the fore and rear legs can be configured to move together between their retracted position and a position where the first leg is in its operational state and the second leg is in an intermediate state. In this example, this movement in the first stage is at least partially carried out under the influence of gravity, while being damped by a damping mechanism. During this movement, the first and second legs are locked to each other by a locking mechanism 100, such that the legs are maintained at a fixed angle. It should be noted that the movement of the legs described above can also be facilitated by a suitable actuation mechanism.

[0210] When the first leg (described in this example as the hind leg 70B) 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 state.

[0211] Now for reference Figures 4A to 4C These figures illustrate the forelegs 70A and 70B of a pair of legs, as well as the cover element 130, locking mechanism 100, and actuation device 302 mounted on the seat, which will now be described in detail. However, it should be explained in this regard that the foreground figures do not show, and the following description does not cover, the manner in which the legs 70A and 70B are secured to the seat. This manner can be any suitable manner, including that disclosed in U.S. Patent US8801028B2, the corresponding figures and description of which are incorporated herein by reference. It should also be noted that, for example, the leg-operating damping mechanism described herein is not included in... Figures 4A to 4C It is shown in the figure, but a similar implementation can be achieved in the component shown.

[0212] Reference Figures 4A to 4CThe rear legs 70B include a proximal disc-shaped portion 90, and the front legs 70A include a proximal disc-shaped portion 110. These portions are mounted through their central openings (not marked) in the same manner as the seat in U.S. Patent US8801028B2, the corresponding description and figures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Portions 90 and 110, together with cover element 130 ( Figure 4A and 4C It houses the locking mechanism 100 and the actuating device 302 (also referred to herein as the actuating mechanism 302).

[0213] Part 90 has an inner surface 91 ( Figure 4A ) and outer surface 93 ( Figure 4B The inner surface 91 has 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] Part 110 has an inner surface 111 ( Figure 4B and 4C ) and outer surface 113 ( Figure 4A The inner surface 111 has an inwardly protruding pin 115, two small grooves 112 and 114, and a long groove 116 (in...). Figure 4C The most clearly visible part (the outer surface 113 of part 110 includes cam-shaped protrusions 117). Figure 4A ).

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

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

[0217] Simultaneously refer to Figures 4A to 4C The pin 102 has a wide body portion 102' that passes through the opening 99, such that it has a portion of a narrow pin body portion 102" that protrudes from one end 103 of the wide body portion. Figure 4A and 4C A portion protrudes from opening 99 toward support leg 37, and its other end 107 protrudes toward cover element 130. Recess 116 includes a tilting locking portion 116'. Figure 4CThe pin is configured to receive one end 103 of the wide portion 102' and its narrow portion 102", and a release portion 116", which is configured to freely receive only the narrow portion 102", and to allow 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 This allows pin 102 to be in several states:

[0218] - First, the pin is in a locked state, wherein one end 103 of the pin and its narrow portion 102” are received in the locking portion 116' of the groove 116, and one end 107 of the pin abuts against the inner surface 130' of the cover element 130 in the area other than the groove 131, thereby locking the two legs together; this state is related to the corresponding storage state of the legs.

[0219] - Second, the moving state of the pin, wherein the narrow portion 102” of the pin is slidably received within the release portion 116” of the groove 116, allowing 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 cover element 130, releasing the front leg 70A from its lock 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 pin is in the abutting state, wherein the narrow portion 102” of the pin abuts one end 116b of the groove 116, while one end 107 of the pin still abuts 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 portion 102' of the pin, together with the narrow portion 102" of the pin, is received within the inclined locking portion 116' of the groove 116, portions 90 and 110 are locked together and maintain a fixed angle relative to each other. As the first leg moves from its retracted state to its operational state, the pin 102 slides along the inclined locking portion 116', while keeping portions 90 and 110 connected to each other. When the first leg reaches its operational state, the pin 102 is released from the inclined locking portion 116', thereby releasing portion 110 of the second leg 70A from portion 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 portion 102" moves along the release portion 116" of the groove 116, one end 107 abuts against the inner surface 130' of the covering portion 130 (only when...). Figure 4A and 4C (as shown in the image), move along the surface until entering the groove 131 therein.

[0222] The actuation mechanism 302 consists of a spring 301 and a spring loading pin 303. The first end 301' of the spring 301 is connected to the spring seat 305, and the arched groove 97 of part 90 ( Figure 4A ) Accommodating pin 303 and spring 301, the corresponding groove 112 of part 110 ( Figure 4C The mounting portion 304 of the receiving pin 303. An arched groove 97 forms a spring seat 307. Figure 4A The second end 301” of the spring 301 is connected to the spring seat.

[0223] When the front and rear legs are in their operating state, the spring 301 is in its normal state and completely occupies the entire arched groove 97. When the legs are in their retracted state, the spring 301 is compressed to the maximum extent due to the pressure exerted by the pin 303 sliding against 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, which slides along the second arched groove 97. When the second leg reaches its intermediate state, the pin 102 is forced from the release portion 116” to the tilt locking portion 116', thereby locking legs 70A and 70B together. As the pin 102 moves along the tilt locking portion 116', legs 70A and 70B then move together at a fixed angle to their retracted state.

[0225] It should be understood here that the description of the locking mechanism and actuation device described above is applicable to any seat assembly used as a car seat or stroller, in which the legs can be maneuvered between a stowed state and an operational state. It should also be further understood here that the locking mechanism and actuation device may include some or all of the features of the corresponding elements in the applicant's U.S. Patent US9505321, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0226] It should also be further understood here that the automotive seat assembly may include another operable locking mechanism for locking the legs in their retracted and / or operational states, which may be identical to the corresponding element in the applicant's U.S. Patent US9505321, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0227] Generally, the upper seat of the seat assembly according to the subject matter of this disclosure can be configured as described above. Figures 1A to 1D As generally described, the upper seat changes state between an upright and extended position. The upper seat and lower support may have any of the above-described structures or generally any other structure that allows the upper seat to be mounted to the lower support and allows the upper seat to change state between an upright and extended position.

[0228] In this example, such as Figures 5A to 5EAs shown in the figure, this illustrates an uncovered upper seat that can be used with the lower support in any of the examples described herein. The backrest portion of the upper seat is shown for reference. Figure 1B , 1C The corresponding first angle α and second angle β mentioned in 1D are shown in the upright position ( Figure 5A , 5B 5C) and stretching ( Figure 5D , 5E )state.

[0229] exist Figures 5A to 5E In the upper seat 50, the hinged element of the backrest portion 52 is constituted by a rear pivot 38A integrally formed or assembled with the backrest portion, the end of which is freely received in a corresponding groove in the rear hinge portion of the lower support 30, allowing the pivot and the backrest portion to pivot between a near-vertical direction (i.e., upright state) and a near-horizontal direction (i.e., extended state). The hinged element of the foot portion 54 of the upper seat 50 is constituted by a sliding rod 56 integrally formed or assembled with the foot portion 54, which is slidably received within a hinge groove 39 of the lower support 30, allowing the sliding rod 56 and the foot portion 54 to move between extreme positions within the groove 39, corresponding to the innermost and outermost positions of the foot portion 54. The near-vertical direction of the backrest portion 52 and the innermost position of the foot portion 54, and the near-horizontal direction of the backrest portion 52 and the outermost position of the foot portion 54, respectively correspond to the upright and extended states of the upper seat 50.

[0230] In this example, the upper seat 50 also includes a middle portion 57 that securely connects the backrest portion and the footrest 54 to each other. Specifically (in...) Figure 5C (As most clearly shown), the middle portion 57 forms the bottom of the backrest portion 52, extends forward from its lower edge 58, and is configured to be securely connected to the footrest 54 at its front edge 59. The middle portion 57 is concave and configured to accommodate the bottom of an infant sitting on the upper seat 50. The middle portion 57 is formed of a flexible material so that it can bend when the upper seat 50 is manipulated to the extended position, in which the concavity of the middle portion 57 is less than in the upright position.

[0231] The backrest portion 52 and the footrest portion 54 are also pivotally connected to each other by a hinged element consisting of a front pivot (not shown) whose end is freely received in a transverse intermediate hole 38B formed in the sidewall 35 of the lower support 30. This pivotal connection defines a horizontal axis X about which the backrest portion 52 and the footrest portion 54 pivot.

[0232] Generally, the car seat assembly according to the subject matter of this disclosure may include a five-point harness having a shoulder anchoring portion for securing the shoulders of an infant seated in the upper seat, a hip anchoring portion for securing the infant's hips and / or thighs, and a groin anchoring portion for securing the infant's pelvic area. The five-point harness may constitute at least one harness slidably connected to a central buckle and passing through a harness receiving slot formed in the upper seat. The designated slot may be two left and right backrest harness receiving slots at the backrest portion for accommodating the shoulder anchoring portion, and two left and right side harness receiving slots at the footrest portion for accommodating the hip anchoring portion. The harness receiving slot may be located at a position on the periphery of the upper seat or within the upper seat body, defining a connection path between the forward portion of the upper seat (the portion where the infant will sit) and the opposite rearward portion of the upper seat (the portion facing the lower support). The harness passes through the harness receiving slot between the forward and rearward portions of the upper seat. The harness portion located on the forward portion of the upper seat is typically used to secure the infant in the upper seat, thus constituting a securing portion of the harness. The securing parts may include shoulder securing parts, hip securing parts, and lap securing parts. The seat belt portion located in the rear-facing section of the upper seat is typically used to secure the seat belt to the rear-facing section of the upper seat or the lower support, for example, at one end there. Therefore, this seat belt portion constitutes the securing part of the seat belt, and this securing part cannot be used to secure an infant.

[0233] Generally, a seatbelt may have a total seatbelt length arranged along a total seatbelt path extending through both the forward and rearward portions. The portion of the total seatbelt length extending forward may correspond to the seatbelt's securing portion and constitute an effective length for securing an infant in the upper seat. The remaining portion of the total seatbelt length extending rearward may correspond to the seatbelt's securing part and constitute an effective length that cannot be used for securing an infant in the upper seat. Therefore, a change in the effective length of the securing part will correspondingly cause a change in the effective length of the securing portion, and vice versa. For example, an increase in the effective length of the securing part will lead to a decrease in the effective length of the securing part, and vice versa.

[0234] When the upper seat is in the extended position and the infant is in a supine position, a longer seatbelt anchorage is required compared to when the upper seat is in the upright position and the infant is in a sitting position. Therefore, the car seat assembly according to the subject matter of this disclosure may typically have a seatbelt adjustment device operable to adjust the effective length of the seatbelt anchorage when the upper seat is operated between an upright and extended position.

[0235] Generally, a seatbelt adjustment device is operable to automatically adjust the effective length of the anchor portion and / or the retaining element when the upper seat is operated between an upright and extended position. In some examples, the seatbelt adjustment device may include a seatbelt retaining and releasing mechanism that releases an additional portion of the seatbelt when the upper seat is operated between an upright and extended position. In some examples, the seatbelt adjustment device may include means for changing the overall seatbelt path when the upper seat is operated between an upright and extended position, thereby changing the effective length of the anchor portion and / or the retaining element. For example, at least a portion of the seatbelt may extend onto a movable part of the vehicle seat assembly, which thus constitutes part of the overall seatbelt path. The movable part is operable to move when the upper seat is operated between an upright and extended position, thereby changing the overall seatbelt path and correspondingly changing the effective length of the anchor portion and the retaining element, while the overall seatbelt length remains constant. The movable part may be part of the upper seat or lower support, or it may be a separate part separate from the upper seat and lower support, configured to move when the upper seat is operated between an upright and extended position. In addition, the seat belt may be securely connected to the upper seat or the lower support. In some examples, the fixed portion and / or the fixed portion of the seat belt may extend onto a movable component and be secured (e.g., at the end of the seat belt) to the upper seat or the lower support, and the movement of the movable component when the upper seat is operated between an upright and extended position may change the total seat belt path, thereby changing the effective length of the fixed portion and the fixed part (the total seat belt length remains unchanged).

[0236] The seatbelt adjustment mechanism may consist of one or more components of the upper seat and / or lower support that constitute the overall seatbelt path, which can be altered when the upper seat is operated between an upright and extended position. For example, relative movement between the upper seat and the lower support can change the overall seatbelt path from a longer path to a shorter path, or vice versa. In some examples, the backrest portion can change its position (movement) relative to the lower support; in some examples, the footrest portion can change its position (movement) relative to the lower support. In some examples, both the backrest portion and the footrest portion can change their respective positions (movements) relative to the lower support. Thus, either or both of the backrest portion and the footrest portion can constitute part of the overall seatbelt path, which can be altered by movement of the backrest portion and / or the footrest relative to the lower support when the upper seat is operated between an upright and extended position.

[0237] A constant total seatbelt length covering a shorter or longer seatbelt path allows for adjustment of the effective length of the seatbelt's securing portion and anchor points. In other words, a constant total seatbelt length covering a shorter seatbelt path results in a longer effective length that can be used to secure an infant in the upper seat, while the same total seatbelt length covering a shorter seatbelt path results in a shorter effective length that can be used to secure an infant in the upper seat.

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

[0239] In this example, such as Figures 6A to 6E As shown, it illustrates an example of a car seat assembly 10 according to the subject matter of this disclosure, with a five-point seat belt generally designated 160 and having a seat belt 161. It should be understood that the seat belt can consist of a single continuous seat belt or multiple seat belts constituting a seat belt. The seat belt 160 includes two shoulder restraint portions 162, two hip restraint portions 163, and a lap restraint portion 164, all of which are connected to a central buckle 165 to which they are connectable. The seat belt can be slidably connected to the buckle, or in some examples, connected to the buckle by a snap-fit ​​connection or similar means. In one specific example, the seat belt includes two symmetrically arranged seat belts, each including at least one shoulder restraint portion and one hip restraint portion.

[0240] The upper seat 50 includes two left and right backrest seat belt receiving slots 166 in the backrest portion 52 and two left and right side seat belt receiving slots 167 in the footrest portion 54. The seat belt receiving slots 166, 167 define a connection path between the forward-facing portion 50A of the upper seat 50 where the infant will sit and the rearward-facing portion 50B of the opposite downward-facing support 30 of the upper seat 50.

[0241] The shoulder securing portion 162 slidably passes through the backrest seatbelt receiving slot 166 between the forward portion 50A and the rearward portion 50B, and the hip securing portion 163 slidably passes through the side seatbelt receiving slot 167 between the forward portion 50A and the rearward portion 50B. Therefore, a portion of the seatbelt 161 located in the forward portion 50A can be used to secure the infant in the upper seat 50, thus forming the securing portion 168 of the seatbelt 161. A portion of the seatbelt 161 located in the rearward portion 50B cannot be used to secure the infant in the upper seat 50, but is used to secure the seatbelt 161 to the lower support member 30 at its seatbelt securing portion 169, thus forming the securing portion 170 of the seatbelt 161. The securing portion 168 includes two shoulder securing portions 162, two hip securing portions 163, and a lap securing portion 164.

[0242] It should be understood that in some examples, the seatbelt fastener 169 may be located in a reinforced area of ​​the vehicle seat assembly, such as as described herein. Figures 2A to 2G The described reinforcement area is 43.

[0243] from Figure 6C , 6DAs most clearly seen in 6E, the fixing part 170 extends around the movable part 171 of the upper seat 50 and is fixedly connected to the seat belt fixing part 169 of the lower support 30. The movable part 171 is operable to move at least in the vertical direction relative to the lower support when the upper seat 50 is operated between an upright position and an extended position, thereby changing the overall seat belt path, which will be described in detail below.

[0244] from Figure 6D As is most clearly seen, when the upper seat is in an upright position, the movable portion 171 extends lower in the vertical direction than the seat belt fixing portion 169, while the side seat belt receiving slot 167 in the footrest 54 is located above the seat belt fixing portion 169 in the vertical direction. This arrangement allows the fixing portion 170 to form an effective U-shaped turn around the movable portion 171.

[0245] When the seat is adjusted to the extended position ( Figure 6E When the upper seat is extended, the movable portion 171 moves upward relative to the lower support 30, and more specifically, moves upward relative to the seat belt fixing portion 169, thereby shortening the path traversed by the seat belt fixing portion. It should be understood that although the movable portion 171 appears to be located below the seat belt fixing portion 169 in the vertical direction when the upper seat is extended, this is not necessary; that is, in some examples, the movable portion 171 can be moved upward to the extent that it is located above the seat belt fixing portion 169 in the vertical direction.

[0246] The shortening of the seat belt path allows a portion of the fixing part 170 to be used to secure the infant, for example by pulling in the direction of the forward portion, thereby increasing the effective length of the fixing part 168 and decreasing the effective length of the fixing part 170.

[0247] When the upper seat 50 is moved from the extended position to the upright position, the movable part 171 moves downward, thereby increasing the length of the seat belt path. The movable part pulls the seat belt, causing the effective length of the fixing part 170 to increase, and thus the effective length of the fixing part 168 to decrease.

[0248] Accordingly, in this example, the seatbelt adjustment device, typically labeled 172, is configured with a fixing portion 170 of the seatbelt 161, a seatbelt fixing portion 169, a side seatbelt receiving groove 167, and a movable portion 171. Furthermore, in this example, the adjustment of the effective length of the fixing portion 168 begins at 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 that the above description of the seat belt is applicable to any car seat or stroller seat assembly having an upper seat operable between an upright and extended position. It should also be further understood that the above description of the seat belt is applicable to any car seat assembly, including but not limited to any of those described in, for example, the applicant's U.S. Patents US8469389 and US9505321.

Claims

1. A convertible infant car seat assembly comprising, at least in one mode of operation thereof: an upper seat having a foot portion and a back portion; a lower support to which the upper seat is fixedly connected, the lower support having an anterior portion associated with the foot portion, a posterior portion associated with the back portion, and left and right side handle connection areas; at least one reinforced area located between the posterior and anterior portions of the lower support, the at least one reinforced area having a different material and / or structure than the rest of the body of the lower support; the at least one reinforced area making the lower support stronger than the lower support without the at least one reinforced area; wherein the at least one reinforced area extends further in a lateral direction than the rest of the body, thereby constituting an outermost area of the lower support; at least one of the left and right side handle connection areas being at least partially located in a respective one of the at least one reinforced area; a handle connected to the lower support at the left and right side handle connection areas by pivotable connections that enable the handle to be pivoted between a plurality of different positions; and a car seat harness guide component at least indirectly connected to the at least one reinforced area.

2. The infant safety car seat assembly of claim 1, wherein, The at least one reinforced area includes a harness guide connection portion to which the car seat harness guide component is directly connected.

3. The baby safety car seat assembly of claim 1, wherein, The car seat harness guide component is formed as part of the handle and is positioned such that, when a car seat harness is threaded therethrough, the car seat harness abuts at least a top portion of the reinforced area adjacent the car seat harness guide component of the handle.

4. The baby safety car seat assembly of claim 1, wherein, The lower support further includes left and right side leg connection areas, at least one of which is at least partially located in a respective one of the at least one reinforced area; the assembly further includes a leg having a distal end with a wheel and a proximal end at least indirectly connected to the lower support at the left and right side leg connection areas, the leg being manipulable between a stowed condition in which the assembly is adapted to be installed on a support surface and an operational condition in which the seat assembly is permitted to roll on the wheel; and wherein the right side handle connection area and the right side leg connection area overlap; the left side handle connection area and the left side leg connection area overlap; and wherein the left and right side handle connection areas and the left and right side leg connection areas are entirely located in respective ones of the at least one reinforced area.

5. The infant safety car seat assembly of claim 1, wherein, The lower support includes side walls between the posterior and anterior portions and the at least one reinforced area includes two reinforced areas located at the side walls, respectively.

6. The infant safety car seat assembly of claim 1, wherein, The at least one reinforced area includes a fiber-reinforced material.

7. The infant safety car seat assembly of claim 1, wherein, The at least one reinforced region is in the form of a reinforcing element that is securely mounted to the remainder of the main body of the lower support.

8. The infant safety car seat assembly of claim 1, wherein, The at least one reinforced region has a honeycomb structure to enhance its strength.

9. The baby safety car seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising a connectable side protection module that at least partially overlaps a respective one of the at least one reinforced region in a lateral direction.

10. The infant safety car seat assembly of claim 1, wherein, The foot portion and the backrest portion are operable between an upright condition in which a first angle is formed between the backrest and the foot portion, and an extended condition in which a second angle greater than the first angle is formed between the backrest and the foot portion.

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