CHILD CAR SEAT WITH RETRACTABLE BELT SYSTEM

Abstract

CHILD CAR SEAT WITH RETRACTABLE BELT SYSTEM The present invention relates to a child car seat (1), comprising a backrest, a headrest (21), and a seat, defining a seating area designed for the child to sit on. The seat further comprises a belt system (4) including a plurality of shoulder straps (42) and a plurality of shoulder belts (43). The belt system (4) is switchable between a closed and an open configuration. The seat also includes an opening system (5) configured to move the plurality of shoulder belts (43) away from the fastening element (41) when the belt system (4) is in the open configuration.The opening system (5) comprises a plurality of first return elements (51), active on the plurality of shoulder straps (43) to retract the attachment element of each strap towards the respective shoulder strap (42), when the belt system (4) is in the open configuration. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: CHILD CAR SEAT WITH RETRACTABLE BELT SYSTEM FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The object of the present invention finds a useful application in the field of child car seats. 1. Technical background

[0002] Child car seats are known in the prior art, comprising safety belt systems designed to restrain the child in the seat, for example in the event of a collision with another car. Generally, such systems provide for the use of a pair of belts designed to pass over the child's body and to be fastened to a fastening element, interposed between the child's legs when the child is in a seated position.

[0003] However, after the opening of the safety belt system, the belts prevent the child from being removed.

[0004] In addition, after removal, the detached belts remain close to the seat part of the seat, thus hindering subsequent installation of the child on the seat.

[0005] Consequently, seats have been manufactured which include retractable means to ensure that, once the safety belts are unfastened, they allow both for easier removal of the child and for a free portion of the seat to be available when a parent wishes to place the child in the seat. Document EP 2221212 shows an example of a seat with such a retractable belt system.

[0006] The applicant noted that even though the belts, once detached from the buckle, are far apart, the hook tabs, which are the hardest and heaviest parts of the shoulder belts, still remain suspended near the seat part, which hinders the child and the parent's operations to remove / install the child. 2. Object of the invention

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to provide a child car seat capable of overcoming the limitations of the prior art.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a child car seat which is an alternative to prior art seats.

[0009] The defined technical task and the specified objectives are substantially achieved by a child car seat according to the present invention. Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention relates to a car seat for a child, comprising a backrest, including a headrest, and a seat, fixed to the backrest, defining an area designed for the child to sit in.

[0011] The car seat also includes a harness system configured to restrain the child in a seated position. The harness system includes a fastening element, attached to the seat, a plurality of shoulder straps, a plurality of shoulder belts, each shoulder belt passing through a respective shoulder strap. Each shoulder belt includes a hook for removably engaging with the fastening element.

[0012] In particular, the belt system is capable of being switched between a closed configuration, in which the plurality of shoulder belts is engaged with the closure element, and an open configuration, in which the plurality of shoulder belts is disengaged from the closure element.

[0013] The car seat according to the present invention further comprises an opening system configured to move the plurality of shoulder belts away from the fastening element when the belt system is in the open configuration. The opening system comprises a plurality of first return elements, acting on the plurality of shoulder belts to retract, preferably elastically, the attachment element of each belt towards the respective shoulder strap when the belt system is in the open configuration.

[0014] According to a particular feature of the invention, each first reminder element connects a respective strap and a respective attachment element.

[0015] According to a particular feature of the invention, each first return element comprises an elastic band.

[0016] According to a particular feature of the invention, the opening system includes at least one second return element, active on at least one shoulder strap to bring it closer to the headrest when the belt system is in the open configuration.

[0017] According to a particular feature of the invention, at least a second reminder element extends behind the headrest and has two ends attached to separate straps.

[0018] According to a particular feature of the invention, the car seat comprises a plurality of second reminder elements, each second reminder element having two ends attached respectively to the headrest and to a respective shoulder strap.

[0019] According to a particular feature of the invention, the opening system includes a third return element, active on the closing element to bring it closer to the seat when the belt system is in the open configuration.

[0020] According to a particular feature of the invention, the third return element comprises an elastic element selected from a deformable plate at least partially inserted in the seat and in the closing element, an elastic band, and a deformable annular element, the annular element being at least partially inserted in the seat and in the closing element.

[0021] According to a particular feature of the invention, the headrest is height-adjustable and the plurality of straps is one piece with the headrest. Advantages of the invention

[0022] Advantageously, thanks to the present invention, it is possible to provide a child car seat capable of freeing up the child's seating area when the opening system is in the open configuration.

[0023] In particular, it is possible to obtain a seat having an opening system capable of retracting the shoulder belt attachment element towards the shoulder straps, so as to facilitate the removal and installation of the child in the seating area.

[0024] In preferred embodiments, the straps are in turn retracted outwards from the headrest and the closure element forwards. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The advantages and technical characteristics will be amply clarified by the following detailed description of a child car seat according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, illustrated by way of example in the set of drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig. 1] shows a front view of a child car seat according to the present invention, in the closed configuration, in accordance with one embodiment,

[0027] [Fig.2] shows a front view of the child car seat of [Fig.1], in the open configuration,

[0028] [Fig.3] shows a front view of a child car seat in the open configuration, according to a second embodiment,

[0029] [Fig.4] shows a perspective view of certain details of the child car seat of [Fig.1] according to one embodiment,

[0030] [Fig.5] shows a perspective view of certain details of the seat of the [Fig.1] according to another embodiment,

[0031] [Fig.6] shows a front view of a detail of the closure element of a child car seat according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] With reference to [Fig.1], 1 designates a car seat for a child.

[0033] The seat 1 according to the present invention comprises a backrest 2, including a headrest 21. The backrest 2 has a support surface 22 designed to support the child.

[0034] Preferably, the headrest 21 is connected to the backrest 2 so that it can be adjusted in height. In the preferred form, the headrest 21 comprises a panel 23, preferably made of textile material, superimposed on the support surface 22. Advantageously, when the headrest 21 is raised or lowered, the panel 23 is moved accordingly to ensure, together with the support surface 22, comfortable support for the child.

[0035] The seat 1 includes a seat 3, fixed to the backrest 2 and defining a seating area 31 designed for the child to sit on.

[0036] The seat 1 further includes a belt system 4 configured to keep the child in a seated position.

[0037] The belt system 4 comprises a fastening element 41 and a plurality of shoulder belts 43, preferably two shoulder belts 43, arranged so as to pass over the child's shoulders.

[0038] Each shoulder belt 43 includes a fastening element 431, preferably a tab, configured to removably engage with the fastening element 4L

[0039] The fastening element 41 of the belt system 4 is fixed to the seat 3 in such a way as to be interposed between the child's legs when the child is resting on the seat 1.

[0040] Preferably, the shoulder belts 43 each have one end fixed to the backrest 2 and an opposite end fixed to the seat 3. In this case, the fastening element 431 is located between the two ends of the shoulder belt 43.

[0041] The harness system 4 comprises a plurality of shoulder straps 42, in particular two shoulder straps 42, arranged so as to be over the child's shoulders. Each shoulder strap 43 passes through a respective shoulder strap 42. The shoulder straps 42 preferably comprise a lining to protect the child's shoulders from contact with the shoulder straps 43.

[0042] Preferably, the straps 42 are connected to the headrest 21. More preferably, the straps 42 are one piece with the headrest 21, that is to say they are movable relative to the backrest 2 together with the headrest 21.

[0043] In this way, it is possible to adjust the height of the headrest 21 according to the growth of the child and, consequently, to ensure that the straps 42 are always at the level of the child's shoulders.

[0044] In alternative embodiments, the straps 42 can be attached to the backrest 2 near the support surface 22.

[0045] The closure element 41 preferably includes a loop having at least one recess, designed to engage with the tab of the fastening element 431.

[0046] In addition, the closure element 41 includes a belt designed to connect the buckle to the seat 3 of the seat 1.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the seat belt system 4 of seat 1 can be switched between a closed configuration, in which the plurality of shoulder belts 43 are engaged with the closure element 41, and an open configuration, in which the plurality of shoulder belts 43 are disengaged from the closure element 41.

[0048] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure element 41 includes a push button 6. The push button 6 can be pressed to move the belt system 4 from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0049] In addition, the seat includes an opening system 5 configured to move the shoulder belts 43 away from the seating area 31, when the belt system 4 is in the open configuration, for example when a parent wishes to remove (or install) the child out of (onto) the seat 1.

[0050] The opening system 5 comprises a plurality of first return elements 51, acting on the plurality of shoulder straps 43, to retract, preferably elastically, the attachment element 431 of each shoulder strap towards the respective shoulder strap 42 when the belt system 4 is in the open configuration. Thus, for each shoulder strap 43, the distance between the attachment element 431 and the shoulder strap 42 is greater in the closed configuration and smaller in the open configuration.

[0051] Advantageously, this allows for a seating space 3 free from the presence of the fastening elements 431 which, once disengaged from the closure element 41, are retracted towards the straps 42, thus facilitating the removal and positioning of the child in the seat 1.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each first retaining element 51 connects a respective shoulder strap 42 to a respective attachment element 431. As shown in the embodiment of [Fig. 1], each retaining element 51 is arranged along a respective shoulder strap 43. In this way, the volume occupied by the first retaining element 51 is advantageously limited.

[0053] Preferably, each first retaining element 51 includes an elastic band.

[0054] In addition, the opening system 5 may include at least one second return element 52, active on at least one shoulder strap 42 to bring it closer to the headrest 21 of the backrest 2 when the belt system 4 is in the open configuration.

[0055] Advantageously, this allows the plurality of straps 42 to be raised near the headrest 21 in order to have a larger free volume near the seating area 31 when a parent has to take the child out or make him sit down.

[0056] It should be noted that, thanks to the combination of the first return elements 51 and at least one second return element 52, when the belt system moves into the open configuration, the shoulder straps 42 are brought closer to the headrest 21, more preferentially bringing it against the headrest. As a result of this movement, the attachment elements 431, already retracted towards the plurality of shoulder straps 42, are moved further away from the seating area 31, as a result of the elastic return action of the first return elements 51. Consequently, the elastic return effect of the second return elements 52 also affects the attachment elements 431.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present invention, the seat 1 comprises a single second restraint element 52, which extends behind the headrest 21 and has two ends attached to separate shoulder straps 42. In particular, the single second restraint element 52 comprises an elastic band having one end attached to a first shoulder strap 42 and an opposite end attached to a second shoulder strap 42.

[0058] Preferably, the elastic band passes behind the headrest 21, which acts as a constraint on the elastic band itself. In fact, due to the constraint exerted by the headrest 21, the plurality of straps 42, when lowered, causes the elastic band to elongate.

[0059] With further reference to [Fig.4], the headrest preferably has a plurality of openings 211 through which the elastic band passes, the ends of which protrude from the openings 211. The openings 211 thus allow the elastic band to have, in the vicinity of the plurality of straps 42, an arrangement, and consequently to exert a tensile force, in a vertical direction.

[0060] Therefore, to move the belt system 4 into the closed configuration, the plurality of shoulder straps 42 is moved towards the fastening element 41 by pulling on the ends of the elastic band and the resulting elongation of the band. Due to its arrangement, the elastic band, when elongated, exerts a pulling force towards the headrest 21, thus ensuring that the two shoulder straps 42 are brought upwards to free the child's torso when the belt system moves into the open configuration.

[0061] Similarly, once the hooking elements 431 are engaged with the closing element 41, the first return elements 51 are also tensioned as they also undergo elongation so that the hooking elements 431 reach the hooking element 41.

[0062] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the belt system 4 moves into the open configuration, the first and second return elements 51, 52 of the opening system 5 exert, respectively on the fastening elements 431 and on the plurality of shoulder straps 42, an elastic force proportional to the elongation undergone in order to to retract the fastening elements 431 towards the plurality of shoulder straps 42 and the plurality of shoulder straps 42 towards the headrest 21 and, consequently, to free the seating area 31.

[0063] In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in [Fig. 5], the opening system 5 comprises two separate second return elements 52, preferably two elastic bands. Preferably, each second return element has one end attached respectively to the headrest 21 and an opposite end attached to a respective shoulder strap 42.

[0064] Preferably, each second reminder element includes an elastic band connecting a respective strap 42 to the headrest 21.

[0065] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the recall mechanism is analogous to that described above in the case of a single second recall element 52.

[0066] Preferably, the opening system 5 includes a third return element 53, active on the closing element 41, to bring it closer to the seat 3 when the belt system 4 is in the open configuration.

[0067] Preferably, the third return element 53 comprises an elastic element. In the embodiment of [Fig. 2], the third return element 53 comprises a deformable plate, preferably made of polymer material, inserted at least partially into the seat 3 and into the closing element 41.

[0068] In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in [Fig.6], the third return element 53 comprises an elastic band attached to the seat 3 and to the closure element 41, preferably a pair of elastic bands.

[0069] In the other embodiment of [Fig. 3], the third retaining element 53 comprises an annular element, preferably made of a material selected from steel or a plastic. As with the polymer plate, the profile is also preferably inserted at least partially into the seat 3 and into the closing element 41.

Claims

Demands

1. A child car seat comprising: - a backrest (2) including a headrest (21), - a seat (3) attached to the backrest (2), defining an area designed for the child to sit in, - a belt system (4) configured to restrain the child in a seated position, the belt system (4) comprising: • a fastening element (41) attached to the seat (3), • a plurality of shoulder straps (42), • a plurality of shoulder belts (43), each shoulder belt passing through a respective shoulder strap (42), each shoulder belt comprising an attachment element (431) for removably engaging with the fastening element (41), wherein the belt system (4) is capable of being switched between a closed configuration, in which the plurality of shoulder belts (43) are engaged with the fastening element (41), and an open configuration,in which the plurality of shoulder straps (43) is disengaged from the fastening element (41), - an opening system (5) configured to move the plurality of shoulder straps (43) away from the fastening element, when the belt system (4) is in the open configuration, characterized in that the opening system (5) comprises: - a plurality of first return elements (51), active on the plurality of shoulder straps (43) to retract the fastening element (431) of each strap towards the respective shoulder strap (42), when the belt system (4) is in the open configuration.

2. Car seat (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each first reminder element (51) connects a respective strap (42) and a respective attachment element (431).

3. Car seat (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each first reminder element (51) comprises an elastic band.

4. Car seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the opening system (5) comprises at least one second reminder element (52), active on at least one shoulder strap (42) to bring it closer to the headrest (21) when the belt system (4) is in the open configuration.

5. Car seat (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one second reminder element (52) extends behind the headrest (21) and has two ends attached to separate straps (42).

6. Car seat (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of second reminder elements (52), each second reminder element (52) having two ends attached respectively to the headrest (21) and to a respective shoulder strap (42).

7. Car seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the opening system (5) includes a third return element (53), active on the closing element (41) to bring it closer to the seat (3) when the belt system (4) is in the open configuration.

8. Car seat (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the third return element (53) comprises an elastic element selected from a deformable plate at least partially inserted in the seat (3) and in the closure element (41), an elastic band, and a deformable annular element, the annular element being at least partially inserted in the seat (3) and in the closure element (41).

9. Car seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the headrest (21) is height-adjustable and the plurality of straps (42) is one piece with the headrest (21).

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