baby seat

Abstract

Baby seat (100), comprising: a baby support section (20); a carrying handle (10) having a handle part (11) and a side segment (12), wherein the side segment (12) is pivotally connected to the baby support section (20) and the handle part (11) has a side section (11B) that is slidably connected to the side segment (12), wherein the handle part (11) and the side segment (12) are jointly rotatable relative to the baby support section (20) to adjust an inclination of the carrying handle (10), and the handle part (11) is slidable relative to the side segment (12) to adjust an extension of the handle part (11) from the side segment (12); and a locking mechanism (13) carried with the handle portion (11) and operable to lock the handle portion (11) to the side segment (12) so that the handle portion (11) is held at a desired extension of the side segment (12); wherein the locking mechanism (13) comprises a latch (1322) carried by the side portion (11B) of the handle part and is movable to engage and disengage with respect to the side segment (12), and an operating part (131) arranged around the side portion (12) and slidable up and down on the side portion (11B) to release and engage the latch (1322) from the side segment (12).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)PRIOR ART1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to baby car seats with a carrying handle. 2. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Safety regulations require the use of a child safety seat when a child is traveling in a motor vehicle. The child safety seat may include an infant car seat supported on a base plate and secured to the vehicle seat using the vehicle's safety belt or a separate belt attached or supplied with the child safety seat. Furthermore, the infant car seat can be removed from the base plate and transported using a carrying handle provided on the infant car seat. Unfortunately, most infant car seats have a carrying handle that can only be adjusted by turning it, which is not particularly convenient when a larger child is placed in the infant car seat. While there are approaches to additionally adjusting the height of the carrying handle, these are generally complex and not convenient to use. Well-known infant car seats with carrying handles include:disclosed in WO 2003 / 008 228 A1, DE 101 08 415 A1 and US 2004 / 0 173 997 A1.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for a baby seat with a carrying handle that is more comfortable to use and at least solves the aforementioned problems. The present application therefore aims to propose a baby seat that solves at least one of the aforementioned problems. This problem is solved by a baby seat with the features of claim 1. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a baby car seat with a carrying handle that is more convenient to use.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the infant carrier comprises a baby support section, a carrying handle, and a locking mechanism. The carrying handle comprises a handle part and a side segment, wherein the side segment is pivotally connected to the baby support section and the handle part has a side portion slidably connected to the side segment, wherein the handle part and the side segment are jointly rotatable relative to the baby support section to adjust an inclination of the carrying handle, and wherein the handle part is slidable relative to the side segment to adjust an extension of the handle part from the side segment. The locking mechanism is carried with the handle part and is operable to lock the handle part to the side segment so that the handle part is held at a desired extension of the side segment.The locking mechanism includes a latch carried by the side portion of the handle member and movable to engage and disengage with respect to the side segment, and an operating member disposed around the side portion and slidable up and down on the side portion to disengage and engage the latch with the side segment.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the handle member has a side portion telescopically connected to the side segment, and the locking mechanism comprises a latch carried by the side portion of the handle member, the latch being movable to project outwardly or retract into the interior of the side portion to engage or disengage from the side segment.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism further comprises an actuatable operating member for causing the latch to release from the side segment, the operating member being disposed at a location on the side portion where the operating member is adjacent to an end of the side segment when the handle member is in a fully retracted position relative to the side segment.

[0008] In one embodiment, the latch is slidably connected to the side portion of the handle part.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism further comprises an actuating member connected to the latch such that the actuating member and the latch are movably connected to each other, wherein the actuating member and the latch are simultaneously movable to engage and disengage the latch with respect to the side segment.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the actuating part is slidably joined to the side portion of the handle part and slidably connected to the latch.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the latch comprises a pin and the actuating member comprises a first and a second ramp surface, wherein the actuating member slides in a first direction to urge the latch to disengage from the side segment via sliding contact between the pin and the first ramp surface, and the actuating member slides in a second direction opposite to the first direction to urge the latch to engage the side segment via sliding contact between the pin and the second ramp surface.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the actuating member comprises a U-shaped portion extending to two opposite sides of the latch, the U-shaped portion having an elongated slot through which the pin is slidably received, the first and second ramp surfaces each being defined by two opposite inner edges of the elongated slot.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism further comprises a spring connected to the actuating member, the spring biasing the actuating member to move in a direction to urge the latch into engagement with the side segment.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the actuating part is arranged within the side portion of the handle part, and the locking mechanism further comprises an operating part which is connected to the actuating part and is exposed for operation on the handle part.

[0015] In one embodiment, the operating part is slidably connected to the handle part.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the operating part comprises a sleeve arranged around the side section.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the operating part is connected to the actuating part via a connecting element which is arranged within the side section of the handle part.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the operating part, the connecting element and the actuating part are jointly displaceable with respect to the side section of the handle part.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the connecting element is a rod which is connected to the operating part or the actuating part.

[0020] In one embodiment, the baby seat is a child safety seat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a baby seat; Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the Fig. 1 baby seat shown; Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a carrying handle provided in the infant carrier; Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a grip part of the carrying handle; Fig. 5 is another perspective view of the handle portion; Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a locking mechanism carried with the handle portion; Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the locking mechanism with an outwardly projecting latch, which may correspond to a locked condition; and Fig. Figure 8 is a schematic representation of the locking mechanism with the latch retracted inward, which may correspond to an unlocked state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are perspective views showing an embodiment of a baby seat 100. Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the infant carrier 100 includes a baby support portion 20 and a carrying handle 10 pivotally connected to the baby support portion 20. The baby support portion 20 has an interior space suitable for receiving a child. For example, the baby support portion 20 may have two side walls 22 on a left and a right side that laterally delimit an interior space of the baby support portion 20 for receiving a child. According to one embodiment, the infant carrier 100 may be a child seat, and the baby support portion 20 may be a shell body. However, it is understood that the infant carrier 100 may also include, without limitation, portable baby baths, child seats that can be mounted on a stroller, and the like.

[0022] The carrying handle 10 can be pivotally connected to the baby support section 20 at the two side walls 22. The carrying handle 10 can comprise a handle part 11 and two side segments 12. The handle part 11 can generally have a U-shape with a transverse section 11A and two side sections 11B. According to one design example, the handle part 11 with the transverse section 11A and the two side sections 11B can be formed as a tubular part. The two side segments 12 can each be pivotally connected to the two side walls 22 of the baby support section 20 and slidably connected to the two side sections 11B of the handle part 11 via two articulated connections 30.According to one design example, each of the two side walls 22 can have a top surface, the two pivot joints 30 of the two side segments 12 can each be arranged adjacent to the top surface of the two side walls 22, and the two side segments 12 can extend above the baby support section 20. According to one design example, the two side segments 12 can be tubular segments and can each be telescopically connected to the two side sections 11B of the handle part 11, wherein the two side segments 11B are each at least partially received in the two side segments 12.In the construction described here, the handle part 11 and the two side segments 12 can rotate together relative to the baby support section 20 to adjust an inclination of the carrying handle 10, and the handle part 11 can slide relative to the two side segments 12 to adjust an extension of the handle part 11 from the two side segments 12 and thereby adjust the height of the handle part 11 above the baby support section 20. This can enable more flexible and convenient use. For example, the carrying handle 10 can be adjusted so that it is at a suitable height above a child placed in the baby support section 20 to facilitate transport of the infant carrier 100 with the child therein.

[0023] In connection with the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the Fig. 3-8 are schematic views illustrating further construction details of the carrying handle 10. Referring to Fig. 3-8, a locking mechanism 13 may be provided to lock the handle part 11 in a position relative to each of the two side segments 12, so that the handle part 11 can be held at a desired distance from the side segments 12. In particular, the same locking mechanism 13 may be provided on the left and right sides to lock the handle part 11 in its position relative to each of the two side segments 12. According to one design example, the locking mechanism 13 may be carried with the handle part 11 and may include a latch 1322, an actuating part 1323, and a spring 134.

[0024] The latch 1322 is carried by a side portion 11B of the handle member 11 and is movable to extend outwardly or retract inwardly of the side portion 11B to engage or disengage from the side segment 12. For example, the side segment 12 may include a plurality of spaced-apart openings 121, each corresponding to a different extension length of the handle member 11 from the side segment 12, and the latch 1322 may extend laterally from the side portion 11B of the handle member 11 to engage one of the openings 121 to lock the handle member 11 at a desired extension from the side segment 12. When the latch 1322 is retracted inwardly and disengaged from the side segment 12, the handle member 11 may be unlocked from the side segment 12 for sliding adjustment.

[0025] According to one design example, the latch 1322 may be slidably connected to the side portion 11B of the handle part 11 and may pass through a slot 112 provided on the side portion 11B to engage and disengage from the side segment 12. For example, the side portion 11B of the handle part 11 may be fixedly connected to a fastening portion 1321 having a guide slot 13214, and the latch 1322 may be slidably disposed in the guide slot 13214. According to one design example, the side portion 11B may have an inner side wall surface provided with a projection 113, and the fastening portion 1321 may be inserted into the side portion 11B and fixedly connected thereto by engagement of the projection 113 with a notch 13213 provided on the fastening portion 1321.

[0026] Referring to Fig. 6-8, the operating part 1323 is connected to the latch 1322 such that the operating part 1323 and the latch 1322 are movably connected to each other during operation. According to one design example, the operating part 1323 may be integrally formed as a single part and disposed within the side portion 11B of the handle part 11. The operating part 1323 may be slidably mated with the side portion 11B of the handle part 11 and slidably connected to the latch 1322. For example, the mounting portion 1321 may have a guide slot 13211 defined between two ribs 13212, and the operating part 1323 may be at least partially received in the guide slot 13211 to slide relative to the mounting portion 1321. The actuating part 1323 can slide relative to the fastening section 1321 and the handle part 11 along a longitudinal axis of the side section 11B.

[0027] The latch 1322 can be slidably connected to the actuating part 1323 via a pin 133. For example, the pin 133 can be fixedly connected to the latch 1322 and in sliding contact with one of the two ramp surfaces 1324 and 1325 provided on the actuating part 1323, wherein the ramp surfaces 1324 and 1325 are inclined at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the side portion 11B. According to one design example, the actuating part 1323 can have an elongated slot 1326 through which the pin 133 is slidably received, and the two ramp surfaces 1324 and 1325 can each be defined by two opposite and parallel inner edges of the elongated slot 1326.For example, the actuating member 1323 may include a U-shaped portion 1328 extending to two opposite sides of the latch 1322 and the attachment portion 1321, the elongated slot 1326 may be provided in the U-shaped portion 1328, and the pin 133 may protrude laterally from the latch 1322 and the attachment portion 1321 and be slidably disposed through the elongated slot 1326. With the construction described herein, the actuating member 1323 and the latch 1322 may move simultaneously to engage and disengage the latch 1322 with respect to the side segment 12.For example, the actuating member 1323 may slide in a first direction to move the latch 1322 via sliding contact between the pin 133 and the ramp surface 1324 and disengage it from the side segment 12, and may slide in a second direction opposite the first direction to move the latch 1322 via sliding contact between the pin 133 and the ramp surface 1325 and engage it with the side segment 12. According to one design example, the latch 1322 and the actuating member 1323 may be arranged to each slide along two substantially orthogonal axes.

[0028] The spring 134 may be connected to the actuating part 1323 and exert a spring force that biases the actuating part 1323 in the second direction to press the latch 1322 into the side segment 12, thereby locking the handle part 11 to the side segment 12. Examples of the spring 134 include compression springs or tension springs. According to one design example, the spring 134 may have two opposite ends, each connected to the actuating part 1323 and the fastening portion 1321.

[0029] Referring to Fig. 3-8, the locking mechanism 13 may further comprise an operating part 131 carried by the handle part 11 and connected to the actuating part 1323. The operating part 131 is attached to the handle part 11 at a suitable location that facilitates its manual operation by a caregiver. The operating part 131 may, for example, be arranged at a location on the side portion 11B of the handle part 11 that is located above the actuating part 1323. Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the operating part 131 can be arranged, for example, at a location on the side section 11B where the operating part 131 is adjacent to an end of the side segment 12 opposite the pivot connection 30 when the handle part 11 is in a fully retracted position relative to the side segment 12. This can help to visually indicate when the handle part 11 has reached the fully retracted position.

[0030] According to one design example, the operating part 131 may be slidably connected to the handle part 11. The operating part 131 may, for example, include a sleeve arranged around the side portion 11B and capable of sliding up and down on the side portion 11B. To limit the travel of the operating part 131 on the handle part 11, the side portion 11B may include an elongated slot 111, and the operating part 131 may be fixedly connected to a protruding element (not shown) that can only slide in the elongated slot 111.

[0031] Referring to Fig. 6-8, the operating part 131 may be connected to the actuating part 1323 via a connecting element 135, which may be arranged within the side portion 11B of the handle part 11. The connecting element 135 may be a rod connected to the operating part 131 and the actuating part 1323, respectively. According to one design example, the connecting element 135 may be arranged between the operating part 131 and the actuating part 1323 and have two opposite ends, each of which is fixed to the operating part 131 and the actuating part 1323. According to another design example, the connecting element 135 may be formed integrally with the actuating part 1323 and have a distal end fixed to the operating part 131. Accordingly, the operating part 131, the connecting element 135 and the actuating part 1323 can slide together relative to the side section 11B during operation. Fig. Figure 7 shows the locking mechanism 13 with the latch 1322 projecting outwards, which may correspond to a locking state, and Fig. Figure 8 shows the locking mechanism 13 with the latch 1322 retracted inward, which may correspond to an unlocked state.

[0032] An exemplary operation for setting an extension of the carrying handle 10 above the baby support section 20 is described below with reference to Fig. 1-8. To adjust the extension of the carrying handle 10, a caregiver can move the control unit 131 in a direction D (in Fig.7) away from the side segment 12. As a result, the actuating member 1323 slides together with the operating member 131 in the same direction D against the biasing force of the spring 134, which urges the latch 1322 to detach from the side segment 12 and thereby unlock the handle member 11. The handle member 11 can then be slid relative to the side segment 12 to decrease or increase the length of the side portion 11B extending outside the side segment 12. Once the handle member 11 has reached a desired extension relative to the side segment 12, the operating member 131 can be released, and the actuating member 1323 can be urged by the spring 134 to slide opposite the direction D to engage the latch 1322 with a corresponding opening 121 on the side segment 12.When the actuating part 1323 moves under the biasing force of the spring 134, the operating part 131 can slide together with the actuating part 1323 toward the side segment 12 to restore an initial position corresponding to a locked state. The handle part 11 can thereby be locked relative to the side segment 12.

[0033] The advantages of the infant carrier described here include a carrying handle with a sliding handle section for adjusting the handle extension above a baby support section of the infant carrier. For example, the carrying handle section can be adjusted to a suitable height above a child placed in the baby support section to facilitate transport of the infant carrier. Accordingly, the infant carrier can be used more comfortably.

Claims

A baby carrier (100), comprising: a baby support section (20); a carrying handle (10) having a handle part (11) and a side segment (12), wherein the side segment (12) is pivotally connected to the baby support section (20) and the handle part (11) has a side section (11B) slidably connected to the side segment (12), wherein the handle part (11) and the side segment (12) are jointly rotatable relative to the baby support section (20) to adjust an inclination of the carrying handle (10), and the handle part (11) is slidable relative to the side segment (12) to adjust an extension of the handle part (11) from the side segment (12); anda locking mechanism (13) carried with the handle portion (11) and operable to lock the handle portion (11) to the side segment (12) so that the handle portion (11) is held at a desired extension of the side segment (12);wherein the locking mechanism (13) comprises a latch (1322) carried by the side portion (11B) of the handle part and movable to engage and disengage with respect to the side segment (12), and an operating part (131) disposed around the side portion (12) and slidable up and down on the side portion (11B) to disengage and engage the latch (1322) from the side segment (12); The infant carrier (100) of claim 1, wherein the latch (1322) is movable to project outwardly or retract into the interior of the side portion (11B) to engage or disengage from the side segment (12). Infant carrier (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating part (131) is arranged at a location on the side portion (11B) at which the operating part (131) is adjacent to an end of the side segment (12) when the handle part (11) is in a fully retracted position relative to the side segment (12). Baby seat (100) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the latch (1322) is slidably connected to the side portion (11B) of the handle part (11). The infant carrier (100) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the locking mechanism (13) further comprises an actuating member (1323) connected to the latch (1322) such that the actuating member (1323) and the latch (1322) are movably connected to one another, whereby the actuating member (1323) and the latch (1322) are simultaneously movable to engage and disengage the latch (1322) with respect to the side segment (12). Baby seat according to claim 5, wherein the actuating part (1323) is slidably assembled with the side portion (11B) of the handle part (11) and slidably connected to the latch (1322). The infant carrier (100) of claim 6, wherein the latch (1322) has a pin (133) and the actuating member (1323) has first and second ramp surfaces (1324, 1325), the actuating member (1323) sliding in a first direction to urge the latch (1322) to disengage from the side segment (12) via sliding contact between the pin (133) and the first ramp surface (1324), and the actuating member (1323) sliding in a second direction opposite the first direction to urge the latch (1322) to connect to the side segment (12) via sliding contact between the pin (133) and the second ramp surface (1325). Infant car seat (100) according to claim 7, wherein the actuating part (1323) has a U-shaped portion (1328) extending to two opposite sides of the latch (1322), the U-shaped portion (1328) having an elongated slot (1326) through which the pin (133) is slidably received, the first and second ramp surfaces (1324, 1325) each being defined by two opposite inner edges of the elongated slot (1326). Infant car seat (100) according to claims 5 to 8, wherein the locking mechanism (13) further comprises a spring (134) connected to the actuating member (1323), the spring (134) biasing the actuating member (1323) to move in a direction to force the latch (1322) into engagement with the side segment (12). Baby seat (100) according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the actuating part (1323) is arranged within the side portion (11B) of the handle part (11) and the operating part part (131) is connected to the actuating part (1323). Baby seat (100) according to claim 10, wherein the operating part (131) is connected to the actuating part (1323) via a connecting element (135) which is arranged within the side section (11B) of the handle part (11). Baby seat (100) according to claim 11, wherein the operating part (131), the connecting element (135) and the actuating part (1323) are jointly displaceable relative to the side section (11B) of the handle part (11). Baby seat (100) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the connecting element (135) is a rod which is connected to the operating part (131) and the actuating part (1323) respectively. Baby seat (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the operating part (131) has a sleeve arranged around the side section (11B). Baby seat (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14, which is designed as a child seat.

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