Restraint strap with safety box and method for fastening and releasing based on such a strap

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of systems for holding users on a vehicle seat.

[0002] This area includes car support harnesses, generally used to provide postural support (trunk support), and mainly to keep people suffering from a behavioral disorder in their seat.

[0003] Prior art has proposed solutions that are not fully satisfactory.

[0004] One system proposed in the prior art involves a strap-based harness with a key-lock system in a chest protector in front of the attached user. These systems often come with a strap cutter for when the attached user needs to be quickly released.

[0005] This product does not fully meet user expectations. Indeed, it is problematic in the event of an emergency evacuation of the vehicle. In the event of a fire, for example, it would take too long to unlock and evacuate the person using the key.

[0006] Additionally, the strap cutter provided with the product is often misplaced or not readily available in an emergency situation. Cutting the straps would also render this harness unusable.

[0007] Prior art document US2019270426A1 describes a vehicle seat support harness, comprising a backrest fitting section (11, 12, 18a, 18b, 20, 21) configured to fit a vehicle seat backrest (22a), and a postural fitting section (14) configured to fit a user's trunk so as to hold the user on the seat (22a). The postural fitting section (14) is integral with the backrest fitting section (11, 12, 18a, 18b, 20, 21). The support harness further comprises a locking system (18, 18a, 18b) configured to receive a portion of the backrest fitting section (11, 12, 18a, 18b, 20, 21). The harness comprises a strap support loop (19), a tightening back strap (20), and a portion (24) of the back strap (20).The back strap (20) is not configured so as to allow, when pulled, a release of the part of the backrest fitting section (11, 12, 18a, 18b, 20, 21) received in the locking system (18, 18a, 18b). The back strap (20) of D1 is a tightening strap, allowing an adjustment of the backrest fitting section (11, 12, 18a, 18b, 20, 21) on the vehicle seat (22a). The locking and releasing mechanism (18) functions like a motor vehicle seat belt fastener, that is to say that the user's assistant must manually press a release button present on the mechanism (18), which proves to be more restrictive and less easy than with a strap.

[0008] A first objective of the invention is to propose a system fully adapted to hold a user in a seat.

[0009] A second objective is to propose a rapid release system limiting risks in the event of an emergency, particularly fire, while being reusable.

[0010] To achieve these objectives, the invention provides a support harness for a vehicle seat, comprising a backrest fitting section configured to fit a vehicle seat back, and a postural fitting section configured to fit a user's trunk so as to hold the user on the seat, the postural fitting section being integral with the backrest fitting section.

[0011] According to a first aspect, the harness further comprises a locking system configured to receive at least a portion of the backrest fitting section, the locking system comprising at least one release button or at least one release lever, and a locking mechanism configured to secure said portion of the backrest fitting section, and release it when the release button is pressed or pulled or the release lever is raised, the release button or the release lever being configured to be arranged out of reach of the user on the seat.

[0012] Advantageously, the safety box and the fitting sections make it possible to secure the user's attachment to the seat and their support.

[0013] In addition, the release button or release lever forms a quick release system by simply pulling it so as to limit risks in case of emergency, especially fire. In addition, this system is reusable.

[0014] The housing can releasably receive an upper or lower part or both.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the locking system comprises two release button structures associated head to tail, and the upper portion and the lower portion each comprise a loop to be plugged into each of the release button structures. In particular, the release button structures are arranged at the rear of the seat back.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the locking system comprises a safety housing configured to receive said portion of the backrest fitting section, the housing comprising at least one release strap and said locking mechanism configured to secure said portion of the backrest fitting section, the locking mechanism being configured to release said portion of the backrest fitting section when traction is applied to the release strap. In particular, the safety housing is arranged at the rear of the seatback.

[0017] According to other aspects taken individually or combined in all technically feasible combinations: the housing is configured to be arranged on a rear face of the backrest; and / or the backrest fitting section is configured to fit the backrest from above and below; and / or the safety housing is configured to receive a first part of the backrest fitting section at an upper face, and a second part of the backrest fitting section at a lower face; and / or the release strap is configured to extend to the top of the backrest; and / or the locking mechanism comprises a support piece of a release button and a blocking piece blocking the support piece in a releasable manner by pulling the strap; and / or the button support piece is driven by at least one return means, and the blocking piece blocks said return means.

[0018] The invention further relates to a safety housing for a support harness according to the invention, characterized in that it is configured to receive at least a portion of the backrest fitting section, the housing comprising at least one release strap and a locking mechanism configured to secure said portion of the backrest fitting section, and release it when traction is applied to the release strap.

[0019] The invention further relates to a method of securing by a support harness according to the invention, comprising steps for fitting a vehicle seat backrest by means of said backrest fitting section, arranging at least a portion of the backrest fitting section in said safety housing so as to secure it, fitting a user's trunk by means of said postural fitting section so as to hold the user on the seat.

[0020] Another object of the invention relates to a method of releasing a support harness according to the invention, comprising a step for performing a pull on the release strap so as to release said part of the backrest fitting section.

[0021] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures, among which: [ Fig.1 ] illustrates a side view of a harness according to a first embodiment of the invention in use; [ Fig.2 ] illustrates a side view similar to that of the figure 1 , where a pull is applied to the release strap, and the safety box begins to separate from the harness; [ Fig.3 ] illustrates a side view similar to those of the figures 1 et 2 , where a lower portion of the backrest fitting section is detached, and the safety box is disconnected from the harness; [ Fig.4 ] illustrates a side view similar to those of the figures 1 à 3 , where a user is released and moves away from the seat; [ Fig.5 ] illustrates a spatial view of a release button of the safety box of the first embodiment; [ Fig.6 ] illustrates a spatial view of a portion of the locking mechanism of the security box of the first embodiment; [ Fig.7 ] illustrates a sectional view of the locking mechanism of the security box of the first embodiment, before unlocking; [ Fig.8 ] illustrates a sectional view similar to that of the figure 7 , but after unlocking; [ Fig.9 ] illustrates a view in space of the security box of the first embodiment; [ Fig.10 ] illustrates a spatial view of a locking system in a second embodiment; and [ Fig.11 ] illustrates a side view of a harness according to the second embodiment in use.

[0022] The invention relates to a support harness H. The harness H is particularly suitable for a vehicle seat S.

[0023] This H harness is configured to provide postural support (trunk support), mainly for people suffering from a behavioral disorder in their seat.

[0024] For this purpose, the harness H comprises a postural fitting section EP configured to fit a user's trunk U so as to hold the user U on the seat S.

[0025] The harness H further comprises a backrest fitting section ED configured to fit a backrest D of a vehicle seat S, in particular from a front face Av to a rear face Ar of the seat backrest D.

[0026] According to a variant, the backrest fitting section ED is configured to fit the backrest D from above and below.

[0027] The EP postural fitting section is integral with the ED backrest fitting section, so as to secure the user to the seat in use.

[0028] In a first embodiment, visible in figures 1 à 9 , the harness H further comprises a particular safety box B allowing the user to be held in place. This is a first locking system in the first embodiment.

[0029] The safety housing B is configured to receive at least one, preferably two parts of the backrest fitting section ED, namely an upper part PS fitting the seat back D from above to an upper face; and a lower part PI fitting the backrest D from below to a lower face. The two upper parts PS and lower parts PI come together in the safety housing B and are fixed there for holding on the seat back D.

[0030] The housing can be configured to releasably receive the upper part PS or the lower part PI or both. It can be envisaged that only the lower part for example is released from the housing and the upper part remains fixed to the housing B. In the variant illustrated in the figures, both parts PS, PI are released and the housing B is completely separated from the backrest fitting section ED. This facilitates the release since the housing B could hinder the release.

[0031] The housing B further comprises at least one release strap SL and a particular locking mechanism MV. The locking mechanism MV is configured to secure said part of the backrest fitting section ED, and release it when traction is applied to the release strap SL. These are the upper PS and lower PI parts of the backrest fitting section ED in the illustrated variant.

[0032] Advantageously, the safety box B and the fitting sections ED, EP make it possible to secure the attachment of the user U to the seat D and its support.

[0033] In addition, the SL strap provides a quick release system with a simple pull to limit risks in an emergency, particularly in the event of a fire. In addition, the system is fully reusable.

[0034] According to a variant, the box B is configured to be placed on a rear face Ar of the backrest D. This makes it possible to further secure the system by placing the security box B at a distance from the user U, and prevents any accidental manipulation by the user U from unlocking the system.

[0035] According to one variant, the release strap SL is configured to extend to the top of the backrest D. In particular, the strap SL extends from the box B at the rear to the top of the backrest D. This makes it possible to further secure the system by placing the strap SL at a distance from the user U. In addition, the release of the user U is facilitated without needing to access the rear of the seatback D to unlock the box B. This is very advantageous in standard vehicles, particularly in sedans or with a rear parcel shelf where access to the rear of the backrest D is blocked or hindered.

[0036] The locking mechanism is based on one or preferably two release buttons BL. The release button is a device on which said part PS, PI of the backrest fitting section ED is inserted, and configured so that pressing the release button BL causes a release of said part PS, PI.

[0037] Thus, according to one variant, the locking mechanism MV comprises a support piece PA of the release button BL. The locking mechanism MV further comprises a blocking piece PB blocking the support piece PA in a releasable manner by pulling the strap SL. In particular, the blocking piece PB blocks the travel of the support piece PA to prevent it from pressing the release button BL. Once the blocking piece has been adequately moved by pulling the release strap, the support piece PA can then press the release button BL.

[0038] In the illustrated variant, the support piece PA of the button BL is driven by at least one return means R, and the blocking piece PB blocks said return means R. The return means R, in particular a compression spring, is configured both to press the support piece PP against the blocking piece PB, here central, and to press the support piece PA against the button BL, here lateral. Thus, the blocking piece also blocks the return means R.

[0039] A bore in the housing B allows a section of the strap SL to be positioned so as to block the blocking part PB. Thus, pulling the strap SL, here upwards, releases the blocking part PB which is moved so as to in turn release the return means R and the support part PA which then presses the release button BL.

[0040] This arrangement allows for a simplified locking system locking one or preferably two support pieces PA; associated with a simplified release system based on pressing one or preferably two release buttons BL.

[0041] The safety box B preferably has a symmetrical arrangement around a plane with the two support pieces PA and the two release buttons BL on either side of the plane of symmetry.

[0042] The support piece PA is preferably pivotally mounted around an axis illustrated in figure 7 or arranged with a pivoting part PP. The pivoting of the support part PA (or via the pivoting part PP) towards the release button BL causes the release button BL to be pressed and therefore the said part PS, PI to be released. This makes it possible to have a central locking with lateral axes, and therefore a single central locking part PB.

[0043] In the illustrated variant, the safety box B comprises an upper cover CS and a lower base. The upper cover CS has an upper hole TS opposite the support piece PA. This arrangement allows manual or tool support to be carried out via the upper hole TS, for example in the event of a malfunction after pulling the release strap SL.

[0044] The invention further relates to the safety box of said harness H. The elements of the safety box have already been detailed above.

[0045] The invention further relates to a method of securing using a positioning harness H as described above. The securing method comprises the steps of putting the harness H in place.

[0046] More specifically, the securing method comprises a step for fitting a backrest D of a vehicle seat S from a front face to a rear face of the seat back D, by means of said backrest fitting section ED.

[0047] The securing method further comprises a step for arranging at least one part PS, PI of the backrest fitting section ED in said security box B so as to secure it.

[0048] The securing method further comprises a step for fitting a user's trunk U by means of said postural fitting section EP so as to hold the user U on the seat S.

[0049] The invention further relates to a method of releasing a positioning harness H as described above. The method of releasing comprises any step performed to release a user attached by means of the harness H.

[0050] More specifically, the release method comprises a step for performing a pull on the release strap SL so as to release said, in particular said parts PS, PI of the backrest fitting section ED.

[0051] More specifically, the traction is done from above the backrest D, upwards, which triggers the unlocking of the locking mechanism MV and releases said part PS, PI.

[0052] This first embodiment is fully suitable for use in vehicles where a user assistant does not have access to the rear of the backrest D, particularly in standard sedan vehicles or those with a rear parcel shelf. The assistant cannot therefore press the release buttons BL in an emergency situation. Advantageously, he just needs to pull the strap SL as illustrated in figure 2 .

[0053] A variant of the first embodiment (not shown) may be envisaged with a safety box and another locking mechanism associated with the strap. The strap may for example be associated with a release button to be pulled to unlock the mechanism, or may be associated with a release lever to be lifted in a given direction (which may be upwards, downwards or to the side) to unlock the mechanism.

[0054] Of course, one can consider a combination of button(s) and / or release lever(s).

[0055] In a second embodiment, visible in figures 10 et 11, the harness H does not include a release strap, and preferably does not include a housing B. In this second embodiment, the locking system comprises two release button structures each comprising a release button BL. The release button structures are secured, for example sewn or glued, head to tail. In addition, the upper part PS and the lower part PI each comprise a loop to be plugged into the release button structure.

[0056] This embodiment is fully suitable for use in vehicles where a user assistant has easy access to the rear of the backrest D, as is the case in specialist vehicles. The assistant can therefore press the BL release buttons without hindrance.

[0057] Similarly, a variant of the second embodiment (not shown) can be envisaged with another locking mechanism based on a release button to be pulled to unlock the mechanism, or a release lever to be lifted in a given direction to unlock the mechanism.

[0058] Of course, one can consider a combination of button(s) and / or release lever(s).

Claims

1. Restraining harness (H) for a vehicle seat (S), comprising - a portion (ED) for being fitted to a backrest, which is configured to be fitted to a backrest (D) of a vehicle seat, - a portion (EP) for being fitted to a posture, which is configured to be fitted to a torso of a user (U) so as to restrain the user (U) on the seat (S), the portion (EP) for being fitted to a posture being secured to the portion (ED) for being fitted to a backrest, the harness (H) further comprising - a locking system (B; BL) which is configured to receive at least one part (PS, PI) of the portion (ED) for being fitted to a backrest, the locking system (B; BL) comprising at least one release button (BL) or at least one release lever, and a locking mechanism (MV) which is configured to secure the part (PS, PI) of the portion (ED) for being fitted to a backrest and release it when the release button (BL) is pressed or pulled or the release lever is raised, the release button (BL) or release lever being configured to be arranged out of reach of the user (U) on the seat (S); characterized in that the locking system comprises a safety housing (B) which is configured to receive the part (PS, PI) of the portion (ED) for being fitted to a backrest, the housing (B) comprising at least one release strap (SL) and the locking mechanism (MV) which is configured to secure the part (PS, PI) of the portion (ED) for being fitted to a backrest, the locking mechanism being configured to release the part of the portion for being fitted to a backrest when the release strap (SL) is pulled.

2. Restraining harness according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the locking system comprises two release button structures which are joined head to foot, and in that the upper part (PS) and the lower part (PI) each have a loop to be plugged into each of the release button structures.

3. Restraining harness according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (B) is configured to be arranged on a rear face (Ar) of the backrest (D).

4. Restraining harness according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the release strap (SL) is configured to extend to the top of the backrest (D).

5. Restraining harness according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking mechanism (MV) comprises a support piece (PA) of a release button (BL) and a blocking piece (PB) which blocks the support piece (PA) in a releasable manner by pulling the strap (SL).

6. Restraining harness according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support piece (PA) of the button (BL) is driven by at least one return means (R), and the blocking piece (PB) blocks said return means (R).

7. Method for being secured by means of a restraining harness (H) according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising steps of - fitting a backrest of a vehicle seat with the portion (ED) for being fitted to a backrest, - arranging at least one part (PS, PI) of the portion (ED) for being fitted to a backrest in the safety housing (B) so as to secure it, - fitting a torso of a user (U) with the portion (EP) for being fitted to a posture so as to restrain the user (U) on the seat (S).

8. Method for releasing a restraining harness according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising a step of pulling on the release strap (SL) so as to release the part (PS, PI) of the portion (ED) for being fitted to a backrest.