Device for connecting a restraint strap attached to a child seat to the body of a vehicle

Abstract

Device (1, 1') for connecting a restraint belt attached to a child seat to a body (2) of a vehicle, comprising a bracket (10, 20) designed to be attached to the body (2) of the vehicle with at least one screw, and a tab (30, 40) which is movably connected to the bracket (10, 20) and is designed to be connected to a hook (50) of the retaining strap, wherein the stirrup (10) has a first leg (12) in which a first hole (13) is provided, and a second leg (14) in which a second hole (15) is provided, and wherein the device (1) further comprises an axis which is supported by means of the first and the second hole (13, 15) and whose longitudinal axis defines a pivot axis (S), and the tab (30) is provided with a through hole (32) through which the axis extends, so that the tab (30) is pivotable about the pivot axis (S), characterized in that on the first leg (12) a first and a second locking lug (16, 17) are provided which extend in the direction of the second leg (14), and a position of the tab (30) between the first and the second leg (12, 14) along the longitudinal axis of the axis is defined such that a pivot angle when pivoting the tab (30) about the pivot axis (S) is limited by the first and the second locking lug (16, 17).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for connecting a restraint belt attached to a child seat to a vehicle body, an arrangement comprising the device and a rear seat, and a vehicle comprising the device and a rear seat.

[0002] German patent DE 10 2004 049 321 B4 discloses a fastening device for a child car seat in a motor vehicle. Furthermore, US patent 2013 / 0 119 722 A1 discloses a bracket for attaching a child car seat's restraint belt to a vehicle. Additionally, US patent 2005 / 0 121 956 A1 discloses an anchoring device for a child restraint seat that detects whether a child restraint seat is attached to a vehicle seat.

[0003] Several techniques exist for securing a separately designed child car seat that is positioned on the rear seat of a vehicle. For example, the child car seat can be secured simply with a seat belt provided by the vehicle, which is routed around the child car seat, with belt guides attached to the child car seat ensuring that the belt cannot slip.

[0004] To improve the securing of child car seats, fastening systems such as the Isofix system are known. These systems have eyelets in the gap between the vehicle seat and the seat back, and corresponding hooks on the child car seat that lock into these eyelets. Since the eyelets are usually connected to the vehicle's body, the child car seat is held securely in place on the rear seat.

[0005] To prevent or at least limit a forward tilting motion of the child seat in the event of a vehicle impact, systems such as the top tether system are also known, in which a retaining strap with a hook is attached to an upper end of the child seat, which can be hooked onto a rigid anchor point of the vehicle, which is provided, for example, on the back of the vehicle seat backrest or on the parcel shelf.

[0006] These well-known systems, however, have the disadvantage that sufficient installation space must be provided on the parcel shelf or on the back of the vehicle seat backrest for the anchor point, which is very limited in vehicles such as convertibles or coupes. Furthermore, if the anchor point is located on the back of the vehicle seat backrest, it is often necessary to fold down the seat backrest in order to attach the tether hook to the anchor point.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for connecting a restraint strap attached to a child seat to a vehicle body, which makes better use of the installation space available in a vehicle such as a convertible or coupé and makes it easier to hook a hook of the restraint strap.

[0008] This problem is solved by a device for connecting a restraint strap attached to a child seat to a vehicle body having the features of claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention result from the dependent claims.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a device for connecting a restraint strap attached to a child seat to the body of a vehicle comprises a bracket which is designed to be attached to the body of the vehicle with at least one screw, and a tab which is movably connected to the bracket and is designed to be connected to a hook of the restraint strap.

[0011] The device is specifically designed to connect a tether strap, such as a top tether system tether strap, attached to the upper end of a separately provided child seat to the vehicle body.

[0012] Because the tab is movably connected to the bracket, the tab can be moved into different positions when the device for connecting the child seat's retaining strap hook to the vehicle body is in use and when the device is not in use, thus reducing the required installation space in the unused state compared to the used state.

[0013] The bracket has a first leg in which a first hole is provided and a second leg in which a second hole is provided, the device further comprising an axle which is supported by means of the first and the second hole and whose longitudinal axis defines a pivot axis, and the tab is provided with a through-hole through which the axle extends, so that the tab is pivotable about the pivot axis.

[0014] On the first leg, a first and a second locking lug are provided, which extend in the direction of the second leg, wherein a position of the tab between the first and the second leg along the longitudinal axis of the axis is defined such that a pivot angle when pivoting the tab about the pivot axis is limited by the first and the second locking lug.

[0015] Preferably, when used as intended, the bracket is attached to the body in an area of ​​a recess of a central ridge of a rear seat of the vehicle with two seat shells, between which the central ridge is arranged, wherein the tab has an elongated hole which is designed so that a hook of a retaining strap of a child seat arranged on one of the seat shells can be hooked into it.

[0016] This arrangement of the bracket is particularly advantageous in convertibles or coupes where the rear bench seat is designed for only two occupants, leaving unused space between the two seat shells. This frees up space on the back of the vehicle seat backrest or on the parcel shelf, where known devices for connecting a child seat's restraint strap to a vehicle anchor point are located. Furthermore, by securing the bracket in the recess of the rear seat's center bulge, it is unnecessary to fold down the seat backrest to engage the restraint strap's hook in the slot of the tab.

[0017] The bracket may have a base plate with a mounting hole and be designed to be attached to a weld nut located in an area of ​​a central bulge of a rear seat of the vehicle on the bodywork by passing at least one screw through the mounting hole and screwing it into the weld nut.

[0018] Preferably, when used as intended, the first leg and the second leg extend upwards from the base plate parallel to a vehicle height direction and parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0019] The tab can either be fixed to the axis in a rotationally fixed manner or be pivotable relative to the axis.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the device further comprises a flexible connecting strap with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the bracket and the second end is connected to the tab.

[0021] An arrangement according to the invention in one embodiment comprises one of the devices described above and a rear bench seat for a vehicle with two seat shells and a central ridge arranged between them, wherein a recess is provided in the central ridge in the area of ​​which the bracket is attached to the body of the vehicle when used as intended.

[0022] The recess can be at least partially concealed by a cover to which a hinged lid is attached, wherein the flap is exposed when the lid is open, and the device can be covered when the lid is closed. In this case, the arrangement is preferably configured such that the entire device can be covered by the lid when not in use, thus allowing the space between the seat shells to be used as a storage area.

[0023] According to one embodiment, a vehicle according to the invention comprises one of the devices described above, wherein the bracket is attached to a weld nut arranged on the body in the area of ​​a central ridge of a rear seat of the vehicle.

[0024] The rear bench seat can have two seat shells with a central ridge arranged between them, wherein a recess is provided in the central ridge in the area of ​​which the bracket is attached to the body of the vehicle.

[0025] In this case, the recess can be at least partially concealed by a cover on which a hinged lid is arranged, wherein the tab is exposed when the lid is open and the device can be covered when the lid is closed.

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings.

[0027] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention in an embodiment for connecting a restraint strap attached to a child seat to a vehicle body, which is attached to the vehicle body in the area of ​​a rear seat of the vehicle, Fig. 2 another schematic perspective view of the in Fig. 1 device shown, Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention in another embodiment for connecting a restraint strap attached to a child seat to a vehicle body, which is attached to the vehicle body in the area of ​​a rear seat of the vehicle, and Fig. 4 another schematic perspective view of the in Fig. Device 3 shown.

[0028] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention in one embodiment for connecting a restraint strap attached to a child car seat to the body of a vehicle, which is attached to the body of the vehicle in the area of ​​a rear seat. The device 1 is specifically designed for the additional fastening of a child car seat (not shown) to which a restraint strap is attached, for example, at an upper end of the child car seat. This strap is intended to be attached to an anchor point provided in the vehicle in order to prevent the child car seat from tipping forward in the event of a vehicle impact.

[0029] The device 1 has a bracket 10 which is designed to be attached to the body 2 of the vehicle with at least one screw, and a tab 30 which is movably connected to the bracket 10 and is designed to be connected to a hook 50 of the child seat's retaining strap.

[0030] The bracket 10 is formed, for example, from a sheet metal part approximately 3 mm thick and has a base plate 11 designed to be attached to the vehicle body 2. To attach the bracket 10 to the vehicle body 2, the vehicle body 2 has a weld nut (not shown) and the base plate 11 has a mounting hole (not shown) through which a screw passes and is screwed into the weld nut. Preferably, the weld nut, and thus also the device 1 attached to it, is located below or in the area of ​​a central section or ridge of a rear seat (not shown), which has only two seat shells between which the ridge is provided, and, viewed in the direction of travel, in front of a backrest 70 of the rear seat. To prevent the base plate 11 from twisting, a [missing information] can be used as shown in [missing information]. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates that a nose 101 is provided on the base plate 11, which, when the bracket 10 is installed, engages in a corresponding locking device provided in the body 2.

[0031] The bracket 10 further comprises a first leg 12 in which a first hole 13 is provided, and a second leg 14 in which a second hole 15 is provided. The first and second legs 12, 14 extend perpendicularly to the base plate 11 from opposite ends of the base plate 11. Preferably, the bracket 10 is configured such that, when used as intended, i.e., when the bracket 10 is attached to the body 2, the first and second legs 12, 14 extend upwards from the base plate 11 parallel to a vertical direction of the vehicle and parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows the first and second legs 12, 14 in cross-section perpendicular to a vehicle transverse direction, for example, triangular in shape.

[0032] An axle (not shown) is supported by means of the first hole 13 of the first leg 12 and the second hole 15 of the second leg 14. This axle passes through a through hole 32 provided in the tab 30. This axle, which is, for example, partially formed in the form of a metallic cylinder and is attached to the first leg 12 and / or the second leg 14 by a suitable fastening means, defines a pivot axis S about which the tab 30, which is provided between the first leg 12 and the second leg 14, can pivot.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the tab 30 is mounted on an axle rotatably supported by the first hole 13 and the second hole 15 in such a way that the tab 30 is fixedly connected to the axle so that the tab 30 can pivot about the pivot axis S together with the axle. According to another embodiment, the tab 30 is mounted on an axle fixedly supported by the first hole 13 and the second hole 15 in such a way that the tab 30 can pivot about the pivot axis S relative to the axle.

[0034] On the first leg 12, a first locking lug 16 and a second locking lug 17 are provided, extending from the first leg 12 along the transverse direction of the vehicle towards the second leg 14. A corresponding holding device is provided, by which a position of the tab 30 along the longitudinal axis of the axle is determined such that the pivot angle of the tab 30 relative to the pivot axis S is limited by the first locking lug 16 and the second locking lug 17.

[0035] In Fig. 1. The tab 30 in a state in which the tab 30 rests against the second locking lug 17 is shown by solid lines, while the tab 30 in a state in which the tab 30 rests against the first locking lug 16 is shown by dashed lines.

[0036] At one end of the tab 30, located away from the through-hole 32, an elongated hole 31 is provided in the tab 30, which is designed such that the hook 50 of the child seat's restraint strap can be hooked into it. As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, a slot 51 is provided at one end of the hook 50, to which one end of a flexible strap (not shown) of the retaining strap is attached. The other end of the hook 50 has a curved or hook-shaped section and a spring-loaded snap closure similar to a carabiner. To attach the hook 50 to the tab 30, the curved or hook-shaped section of the hook 50 is hooked into the slot 31 of the tab 30, the snap closure preventing the hook 50 from unintentionally detaching from the tab 30 after it has been hooked.

[0037] In the rear seat of the vehicle (not shown), a recess is provided in the central section of the seat above the area in which the device 1 is located. The recess is at least partially concealed by a cover 80, to which a lid 81 is hinged by means of a corresponding bearing. The lid 81 is specifically designed and configured such that, in an open position, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 illustrates that the tab 30 is exposed, allowing a user to hook the hook 50 of the retaining strap into the elongated hole 31 of the tab 30.

[0038] The first locking lug 16 of the first leg 12 is arranged such that, in a state where the tab 30 rests against the first locking lug 16, the tab 30 is pivoted downwards to such an extent that the cover 81 can be closed. In this way, the entire device 1 can be covered by the cover 81 when it is not needed, since no child seat is attached to it or is to be attached to it, and thus the space between the two seat shells or the central bulge of the rear seat can be used as a storage area.

[0039] The second locking lug 17 of the first leg 12 is arranged such that, in a state in which the tab 30 rests against the second locking lug 17, the tab 30 is pivoted upwards to such an extent that at least the elongated hole 31 of the tab 30 lies above the cover 80, and thus the user can conveniently hook the hook 50 into the elongated hole 31 of the tab 30.

[0040] To attach a hook 50 of a retaining strap of a child seat arranged on the left seat shell of the rear seat to the device 1, starting from the closed state of the lid 81, the user only needs to fold up the lid 81, pivot the tab 30, for example, into a position in which the tab 30 rests against the second locking lug 17 of the first leg 12, redirect the retaining strap attached to the upper end of the child seat, for example, around the headrest, and hook the hook 50 into the elongated hole 31 of the tab 30.

[0041] On the second leg 14, a first and a second locking lug 18, 19 are also provided, which are designed to limit a pivot angle of a further tab (not shown), which is formed similarly to the tab 30 and is mounted on the axis.

[0042] The other tab also has an elongated hole, which is designed so that a hook of a restraint strap of another child seat can be hooked into it.

[0043] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 2, a drink holder 82 can also be provided in the central bulge of the rear seat, which is arranged in front of the recess with reference to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and which is designed to hold a drink cup.

[0044] The Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 illustrates a respective schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention in another embodiment for connecting a retaining strap attached to a child seat to a vehicle body, which is attached to the vehicle body in the area of ​​a rear seat of the vehicle.

[0045] The in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 Illustrated device 1' has a bracket 20 which is designed to be attached to the body 2 of the vehicle with at least one screw, and a tab 40 which is movably connected to the bracket 20 and is designed to be connected to the hook 50 of the child seat's retaining strap.

[0046] The bracket 20 is formed from a sheet metal approximately 3 mm thick and has a base plate 21 designed for attachment to the vehicle body 2. For attachment of the bracket 20 to the vehicle body 2, the vehicle body 2 has two weld nuts (not shown) and the base plate 21 has two mounting holes, of which only mounting hole 23 is visible. A screw passes through each mounting hole and is screwed into the respective weld nut. Preferably, the weld nuts, and thus also the device 1' attached to them, are located below or in the area of ​​a central section or ridge of a rear seat (not shown) of the vehicle, in front of a backrest 70 of the rear seat.

[0047] The bracket 20 further has a U-shaped section 22 in cross-section with a first leg 24 and a second leg 25, wherein the ends of the first and second legs 24, 25 facing away from a curved section of the U-shaped section connect to the base plate 21.

[0048] Preferably, the bracket 20 is configured such that, when used as intended, i.e., when the bracket 20 is attached to the body 2, the first and second legs 24, 25 extend upwards from the base plate 21 parallel to the vehicle's vertical direction and parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Each of the first and second legs 24, 25 has a first and a second elongated hole, respectively, extending along the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Fig. 3 only a slot 26 provided in the first leg 24 is visible, while in Fig. 4 the first and second elongated hole 27, 28 of the second leg 25 are illustrated.

[0049] The device 1' further comprises a tab 40, which has a first elongated hole 41 and a second elongated hole 42, and a connecting strap 60, by means of which the tab 40 is connected to the bracket 20. One end 61 of the connecting strap 60, which is designed as a loop threaded through the first and second elongated holes 27, 28 of the second leg 25 of the bracket, is connected to the bracket 20, and another end 62 of the connecting strap 60, which is designed as a loop threaded through the first elongated hole 41 of the tab 40, is connected to the tab 40.

[0050] The second elongated hole 42 of the tab 40 is arranged such that the hook 50 of the child seat's retaining strap, as with reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described, which can be hooked into it.

[0051] Likewise, as with regard to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is also described in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 4, a recess is provided above the area in which the device 1' is arranged, in the central ridge of the rear seat (not shown), which is at least partially concealed by the cover 80, on which the lid 81 is hingedly arranged.

[0052] The dimensions and arrangement of the bracket 20 are selected such that, in the installed state of the device 1', the highest point of the bracket 20 lies below the cover 80 or the lid 81. In this way, the device 1' can be covered by the lid 81 when not in use, thus allowing the space between the rear seat shells to be used as a storage area. Preferably, the dimensions and arrangements of the bracket 20, the connecting strap 60, and the tab 40 are further selected such that the elongated hole 42 of the tab 40 lies above the cover 80 when a user intends to hook the hook 50 of the child seat's restraint strap 52 into it.

Claims

[1] Device (1, 1') for connecting a retaining belt attached to a child seat to a body (2) of a vehicle, comprising a bracket (10, 20) which is designed to be fastened to the body (2) of the vehicle with at least one screw, and a tab (30, 40) movably connected to the bracket (10, 20) and adapted to be connected to a hook (50) of the retaining strap, wherein the bracket (10) has a first leg (12) in which a first hole (13) is provided, and a second leg (14) in which a second hole (15) is provided, and wherein the device (1) further comprises an axle which is mounted by means of the first and second holes (13, 15) and whose longitudinal axis defines a pivot axis (S), and the tab (30) is provided with a through hole (32) through which the axle extends, so that the tab (30) is pivotable about the pivot axis (S), characterized by , that a first and a second locking lug (16, 17) are provided on the first leg (12), which extend in the direction of the second leg (14), and a position of the tab (30) between the first and the second leg (12, 14) along the longitudinal axis of the axle is fixed in such a way that a pivoting angle when the tab (30) is pivoted about the pivot axis (S) is limited by the first and the second locking lug (16, 17). [2] Device (1, 1') according to claim 1, wherein the bracket (10, 20) is fastened to the body (2) in a region of a recess of a central bulge of a rear seat of the vehicle with two seat shells, between which the central bulge is arranged, when used as intended, and the tab (30, 40) has an elongated hole (31, 41) which is designed so that a hook (50) of a retaining belt (52) of a child seat arranged on one of the seat shells can be hooked therein. [3] Device (1, 1') according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bracket (10, 20) has a base plate (11, 21) with a fastening hole (23) and is designed to be fastened to a welding nut arranged on the body (2) in a region of a central bead of a rear seat of the vehicle by passing the at least one screw through the fastening hole (23) and screwing it into the welding nut. [4] Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein, when used as intended, the first leg (12) and the second leg (14) extend upwards from the base plate (11) parallel to a vehicle height direction and parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction. [5] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tab (30) is connected to the axis in a rotationally fixed manner or the tab (30) is pivotable relative to the axis. [6] Arrangement comprising a device (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims and a rear seat for a vehicle with two seat shells and a central bead arranged therebetween, wherein a recess is provided in the central bead, in the region of which the bracket (10, 20) is fastened to the body (2) of the vehicle when used as intended. [7] Arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the recess is at least partially covered by a cover (80) on which a foldable lid (81) is arranged, wherein in an opened state of the lid (81) the tab (30, 40) is exposed, and in a closed state of the lid (81) the device (1, 1') can be covered. [8] Vehicle comprising a device (1, 1') according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bracket (10, 20) is fastened to a weld nut arranged on the body (2) in the region of a central bead of a rear seat of the vehicle. [9] Vehicle according to claim 8, in which the rear seat has two seat shells with a central bead arranged therebetween, wherein a recess is provided in the central bead, in the region of which the bracket (10, 20) is fastened to the body (2) of the vehicle. [10] Vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the recess is at least partially covered by a cover (80) on which a foldable lid (81) is arranged, wherein in an opened state of the lid (81) the tab (30, 40) is exposed, and in a closed state of the lid (81) the device (1, 1') can be covered.

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