Child car seat and buckle unit

Abstract

To provide a child seat and buckle unit that allows for the release of the seat belt buckle fastener with reliable operation. [Solution] The child seat comprises a seat belt 31, fasteners 2R and 2L, and a buckle 1 for engaging the fasteners. The buckle 1 has a buckle body 11 and a movable lever 12. The movable lever 12 is configured to release the fasteners 2R and 2L from the buckle 1 by sliding upward, rotating, sliding left and right, or sliding upward or downward after rotation or left and right sliding relative to the buckle body 11.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a child seat and a buckle unit.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 3726507 (Patent Document 1) discloses a buckle device installed on the seat portion of a child seat. The buckle device includes a latch mechanism that latches an inserted tongue. To release the latch, a press button is pressed to retract the latch slider 60. The hook of the latch slider retracts from the latch hole of the tongue, allowing the tongue to be pulled out.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-272468 (Patent Document 2) discloses a safety belt for a child seat. The safety belt has a buckle and a tongue plate. The buckle has a mounting means for mounting the tongue plate and a push button means for detaching the tongue plate from the mounting means.

[0004] Japanese Patent No. 6088412 (Patent Document 3) discloses a seat belt buckle structure for a child seat. The buckle structure includes a buckle body and a tongue. The buckle body has a push button type operation portion. By pressing the operation portion, the lock of the tongue in the buckle body is released.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the conventional technology described above, the buckle of a child seat's seat belt can be released by pressing a push button. However, pressing the button can be difficult if a fingernail gets in the way. It is desirable that the operation of releasing the buckle be easy. On the other hand, if the release operation is light and easy, there is a possibility that the user may release it unintentionally. Therefore, it is preferable that the release operation be a reliable operation performed with the user's clear intention to release.

[0007] This invention discloses a child seat and buckle unit that allow for the release of the seat belt buckle fastener with reliable operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (Composition 1) The child seat in the embodiment of the present invention is A pair of seat belts are positioned side by side, A fastener attached to each of the pair of seat belts, The child seat is equipped with a buckle for fastening the aforementioned fastener, The buckle comprises a buckle body and a movable lever that is movably attached to the buckle body. The movable lever is configured to release the fastener from the buckle by sliding upward, rotating, sliding left or right relative to the buckle body, or sliding upward or downward after rotation or left or right sliding. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the child seat according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a magnified view of the buckle 1 and fastener 2. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the movable lever 12 and the locking member 13. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the fasteners 2R and 2L. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a view of the locking member 13, the fasteners 2R and 2L, and the buckle body 11 as seen from the back when the movable lever 12 is in the first position. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a front view showing the configuration of the buckle 1 when the movable lever 12 is in the first position. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a front view showing the configuration of the buckle 1 when the movable lever 12 is in the second position. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a view showing a modified example of the structure of the buckle 1. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a view showing a modified example of the structure of the buckle 1. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a view showing a modified example of the structure of the buckle 1. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a view showing a modified example of the structure of the buckle 1. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a view showing a modified example of the structure of the buckle 1.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] (Configuration 1) The child seat in the embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of seat belts arranged side by side left and right, fasteners attached to each of the pair of seat belts, and a buckle attached to the child seat for locking the fasteners. The buckle has a buckle body and a movable lever movably attached to the buckle body. The movable lever is configured to release the engagement of the fastener by the buckle by moving upward, rotating, sliding left and right, or moving upward or downward after rotating or sliding left and right with respect to the buckle body.

[0011] According to the above configuration 1, the engagement of the fastener by the buckle can be released by pulling the movable lever upward from below, rotating it, sliding it left and right, or pulling it up or down after sliding it left and right or rotating it. Thereby, when the user operates with the intention of releasing, the engagement of the buckle can be released. Therefore, the fastener can be reliably released by the buckle of the seat belt with a reliable operation.

[0012] In the above configuration 1, the upward, downward, and left and right directions are the upward, downward, and left and right directions of the buckle body, respectively. In a child seat attached to the vehicle facing forward, when the buckle engages the fastener and the seat belt is fastened (hereinafter referred to as the vehicle attachment state), the upper, lower, left, and right directions of the buckle body correspond to the upper, lower, left, and right of the vehicle, respectively.

[0013] The form in which the movable lever slides upward or downward with respect to the buckle body to release the engagement of the fastener includes not only the case where the sliding direction of the movable lever exactly coincides with the vertical direction of the buckle body, but also the case where it has a slight angle with respect to the vertical direction of the buckle body. The slight angle in this case is an angle within a range that can be regarded as sliding upward in terms of the user's operation. As a guide, the slight angle is about 40 degrees.

[0014] In the vehicle attachment state, the buckle may be movable with respect to the child seat. In this case, since the movable range of the buckle in the vehicle attachment state is limited, the correspondence relationship between the vertical and horizontal directions of the buckle body and the vertical and horizontal directions of the vehicle does not change within the movable range of the buckle.

[0015] (Configuration 2) In the above configuration 1, the fastener includes a grippable handle portion and an insertion portion extending from the handle portion and inserted into a hole in the buckle body, The buckle has a locking member that is held in conjunction with the movable lever relative to the buckle body, The locking member may be configured to lock the insertion portion of the fastener inserted into the hole when the movable lever is in the first position, and to release the locking of the insertion portion of the fastener inserted into the hole when the movable lever is in the second position. This makes it possible to create a child car seat with a simple buckle configuration that can be released with reliable operation.

[0016] In the above configuration 2, the movable lever may be configured to move from the first position to the second position by sliding upward, rotating, sliding left or right, or sliding upward or downward after rotation or sliding left or right relative to the buckle body.

[0017] In the above configuration 2, the movable lever may be held to move up and down along a vertically extending guide provided on the buckle body. In this case, the movable lever may be configured to release the fastener from the buckle by sliding upward relative to the buckle body, or by sliding upward or downward after rotation or sliding in the left-right direction.

[0018] (Composition 3) In the above configuration 2, the buckle may include a biasing member that biases the movable lever to the first position. This allows the user to operate the movable lever against the biasing force of the biasing member, making it possible to release the seat belt buckle with more reliable operation. The biasing member may be provided, for example, between the buckle body and the movable lever, or at least one between the buckle body and the locking member. The biasing member is within the range of motion of the movable lever or locking member relative to the buckle body and pushes the movable lever or locking member toward the first position.

[0019] (Composition 4) In configuration 2 or 3 described above, the buckle may be configured such that the locking of the fastener by the buckle is released when the movable lever slides from the first position to the second position above the first position. That is, the movable lever is configured to release the locking of the fastener by the buckle by sliding upward relative to the buckle body. The user can release the locking of the fastener by the buckle by pulling the movable lever upward from below. The release operation is a reliable operation performed with the user's clear intention to release. For example, the movable lever is held movably along a guide on the buckle body that extends upward from the first position to the second position.

[0020] (Composition 5) In configuration 2 or 3 described above, the movable lever may be configured to move from the first position to the second position by rotation or sliding in the left-right direction. This allows the buckle to be released by rotating the movable lever or sliding it in the left-right direction. The release operation is a reliable operation performed with the user's clear intention to release.

[0021] (Composition 6) In the above configuration 2 or 3, the movable lever may be configured to release the fastener from the buckle by sliding upward or downward after rotating or sliding in the left-right direction relative to the buckle body. When the movable lever is in the third position, which is on the path between the first and second positions, the locking member locks the insertion portion of the fastener inserted into the hole. The movable lever may be configured to move to the third position by rotating or sliding from the first position in the left-right direction, and to move to the second position by sliding upward or downward from the third position. This allows the user to release the buckle by rotating or sliding the movable lever left or right, and then pulling it up or down. The release operation is a reliable operation performed with the user's clear intention to release.

[0022] (Composition 7) In any of the above configurations 1 to 6, the pair of fasteners for the pair of seat belts may be arranged side by side on the left and right while locked to the buckle, and the upper ends of the buckle body above the movable lever may be exposed. Since the upper ends of the buckle body above the movable lever are exposed while the pair of fasteners are locked to the buckle, the user can operate the movable lever while holding down the upper ends of the buckle body. This makes it easier to operate the movable lever. In particular, in the configuration in which the buckle releases the fasteners by sliding the movable lever upward relative to the buckle body, it becomes easier to release the movable lever.

[0023] (Composition 8) In the above configuration 7, the pair of fasteners for the pair of seat belts may be formed to cover the left and right ends of the buckle body of the exposed upper end of the buckle body when locked to the buckle. This allows for efficient arrangement of the pair of fasteners that lock to the buckle.

[0024] (Composition 9) In any of the above configurations 1 to 8, the fastener has an elongated hole through which the seat belt passes, and the elongated hole may be formed such that, when locked to the buckle, the inner end of the elongated hole in the left-right direction is above the outer end. This allows the seat belt passing through the elongated holes of each of the pair of fasteners to extend diagonally upward from the fastener locked to the buckle. As a result, the sliding ability of the seat belt with respect to the fastener is improved.

[0025] (Composition 10) In any of the above configurations 1 to 9, the movable lever may be configured to release the fastener from the buckle by sliding upward relative to the buckle body. The movable lever may include a handle portion that protrudes outward from the surface of the buckle body and whose longitudinal direction is in the left-right direction, and a bottom portion that extends downward along the surface of the buckle body from the base of the handle portion. This makes it easier for the user to pull the movable lever up from below to release the fastener.

[0026] (Composition 11) In any of the above configurations 1 to 10, the movable lever may be configured such that, at the second position, it overlaps with a portion of the area occupied by the fastener when it is locked to the buckle. That is, the area occupied by the movable lever at the second position may overlap with a portion of the area indicated by the fastener locked to the buckle body. As a result, it is impossible to have the movable lever in the second position and the fastener locked to the buckle simultaneously. Therefore, by moving the movable lever from the first position to the second position, the fastener can be reliably removed from the buckle body.

[0027] (Composition 12) In any of the above configurations 1 to 11, the buckle may further include a magnetic member having a first magnet and a second magnet with different polarities. The magnetic member may be held in conjunction with the movable lever on the buckle body. The magnetic member may be configured such that when the movable lever is in the first position, the magnetic force of the first magnet pulls the fastener to the locking position, and when the movable lever is in the second position, the magnetic member is configured such that the magnetic force of the second magnet pushes the fastener out of the locking position. As a result, when the movable lever is in the first position, the magnetic force of the first magnet pulls the fastener to the locking position, and the fastener is locked. When the movable lever is in the second position, the locking of the fastener is released, and the magnetic force of the second magnet pushes the fastener out of the locking position. Therefore, when the movable lever is in the first position, the insertion part of the fastener is easier to insert into the locking position, and when the movable lever is in the second position, the insertion part of the fastener is easier to disengage from the locking position. When fastening the seat belt, the user can easily insert the fastener into the buckle, and when unfastening the seat belt, the user can easily disengage the fastener from the buckle.

[0028] In the above configuration 12, for example, a magnet may be provided in the insertion portion of the fastener. In this case, when the movable lever is in the first position, the magnetic member is positioned such that the first magnet is at a position corresponding to the insertion portion inserted into the hole in the buckle body and attracts the magnet in the insertion portion. When the movable lever is in the second position, the magnetic member is positioned such that the second magnet is at a position corresponding to the insertion portion inserted into the hole in the buckle body and repels the magnet in the insertion portion.

[0029] (Composition 13) The buckle unit in the embodiment of the present invention is It includes a buckle that is attached to the child seat and fastens the aforementioned fastener. The buckle comprises a buckle body and a movable lever that is movably attached to the buckle body. The movable lever is configured to release the fastener from the buckle by sliding upward, rotating, sliding left or right relative to the buckle body, or sliding upward or downward after rotation or left or right sliding.

[0030] A bicycle equipped with a child seat according to configurations 1 to 12 is also included in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] The following describes a bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. The dimensions of the components in each figure do not faithfully represent the dimensions of the actual components or the dimensional ratios of each component.

[0032] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a child seat according to this embodiment. The child seat shown in Figure 1 is, as an example, a child seat for a bicycle. The child seat shown in Figure 1 comprises a seat portion 33, a back support 34, side supports 35, a headrest 36, and a footrest 38, a pair of seat belts 31, a pair of fasteners 2, and a buckle 1. The upper surface of the seat portion 33 forms the seat. The back support 34 extends upward from the rear end of the seat portion 33. The side supports extend upward from both the left and right ends of the seat portion 33. The headrest 36 is supported above the back support 34. The pair of seat belts 31 are arranged side by side on the left and right.

[0033] Each of the pair of seat belts 31 extends from above the back support 34 to the space between the seat cushion 33 and the back support 34. A pair of fasteners 2 are attached to each of the seat belts. The portion of the seat belt 31 above the fasteners 2 becomes the shoulder belt, and the portion below the fasteners 2 becomes the lap belt.

[0034] Buckle 1 is attached to the child seat either in front of the seat portion 33 or on the seat portion 33. Buckle 1 may be attached to a position away from the seat surface of the seat portion 33, or to the front of the seat portion 33. Buckle 1 is attached to the child seat at a position corresponding to the crotch of the child sitting in the child seat.

[0035] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the buckle 1 and fastener 2. The seat belt is omitted from the illustration in Figure 2. Figure 2(a) shows the state in which the fastener 2 is locked to the buckle 1. The buckle 1 has a buckle body 11 and a movable lever 12 that is movablely attached to the buckle body 11. Each of the pair of fasteners 2R and 2L has a grippable handle portion 22 and an insertion portion 21 that is inserted into the hole 11b of the buckle body 11. The insertion portion 21 extends from the handle portion 22. The handle portion 22 has an elongated hole 22a through which the seat belt 31 passes.

[0036] The movable lever 12 is configured to release the fastener 2 from the buckle 1 by sliding upward relative to the buckle body 11. The buckle body 11 is provided with a guide 11a that extends vertically. The movable lever 12 is held by the buckle body 11 in a state where it is movable up and down along the guide 11a. The guide 11a includes an elongated hole that extends vertically. The movable lever 12 is movable between a first position and a second position through the elongated hole of the guide 11a. The lowest position of the movable lever 12 in the range of motion of the guide 11a is the first position, and the highest position is the second position. When the movable lever 12 is in the first position, the buckle 1 locks the fasteners 2R and 2L. When the movable lever 12 is in the second position, the buckle 1 releases the fasteners 2R and 2L.

[0037] Buckle 1 has a locking member 13 (not shown in Figure 2; see Figures 3 and 5). The locking member 13 is held in conjunction with the movable lever 12 relative to the buckle body 11. When the movable lever 12 is in the first position, the locking member 13 locks the insertion portions 21 of the fasteners 2R and 2L inserted into the hole 11b. When the movable lever 12 is in the second position, the locking member 13 releases the locking of the insertion portions 21 of the fasteners 2R and 2L inserted into the hole 11b. A detailed example of the locking mechanism using the locking member 13 will be described later.

[0038] Figure 2(a) shows the movable lever 12 in the first position, and Figure 2(b) shows the movable lever 12 in the second position. When the movable lever 12 slides upward from the first position to the second position, the locking of the fasteners 2R and 2L by the buckle 1 is released. Once the locking is released, the fasteners 2R and 2L detach from the buckle 1 (Figure 2(c)). That is, the insertion parts 21 of the fasteners 2R and 2L come out of the holes 11b of the buckle body 11. Since the movable lever is biased toward the first position, when the fasteners 2R and 2L detach from the buckle 1, it returns to the first position (Figure 2(d)).

[0039] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the movable lever 12 and the locking member 13. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the fasteners 2R and 2L. Figure 5 is a view of the locking member 13, fasteners 2R and 2L, and buckle body 11 from the rear when the movable lever 12 is in the first position. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 5. In Figures 3 to 6, arrows U, D, R, L, F, and B indicate the up, down, right, left, front, and back directions, respectively, relative to the buckle 1.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the movable lever 12 is connected to the locking member 13. This causes the locking member 13 to move in conjunction with the movable lever 12. In the example in Figure 3, the movable lever 12 is fixed to the locking member 13. The movable lever 12 has a connecting portion 12f that connects to the locking member 13. The locking member 13 is located inside the buckle body 11. The movable lever 12 is located outside the buckle body 11. The connecting portion 12f passes through an elongated hole in the guide 11a of the buckle body 11. As the movable lever 12 moves along the guide 11a, the locking member 13 moves accordingly.

[0041] The locking member 13 has a locking projection 13a. The locking projection 13a engages with the insertion portion 21 of the fasteners 2R and 2L inserted into the hole 11b, locking the insertion portion 21 so that it does not come out of the hole 11b. The locking projection 13a is a projection that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the insertion portion 21. At least two locking projections 13a are provided for each fastener. The insertion portion 21 is inserted between these at least two locking projections 13a. The insertion portion 21 is locked in place by the engagement of at least two locking projections 13a in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the insertion portion 21.

[0042] Figure 4 shows fasteners 2R and 2L in a state where they are locked to buckle 1. The insertion portion 21 of fasteners 2R and 2L has a projection 21b. When the insertion portion 21 is inserted into the hole 11b and locked to the locking member 13, the projection 21b engages with the locking projection 13a. The projection 21b of the insertion portion 21 is provided at a position corresponding to the locking projection 13a of the locking member 13. The projection 21b is a projection that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the insertion portion 21.

[0043] Figure 5 shows the positions of the locking member 13 and fasteners 2R and 2L relative to the buckle body 11 when the movable lever 12 is in the first position. The locking member 13 is positioned so that its locking projection 13a engages with the insertion portion 21 of the fasteners 2R and 2L inserted into the hole 11b. The locking member 13 is movable vertically relative to the buckle body 11. A biasing member 14 is provided between the upper surface of the locking member 13 and the upper inner surface of the buckle body 11. The biasing member 14 biases the locking member 13 toward the first position. The biasing member 14 presses the locking member 13 from the second position toward the first position. The biasing member 14 is formed of a coil spring, a leaf spring, or other elastic material. In the example of Figure 5, ribs (guides) are provided inside the buckle body 11 to guide the locking member 13 vertically. When the user slides the movable lever 12 upward, the locking member 13 also slides upward. When the locking member 13 slides upward from the first position to the second position together with the movable lever 12, the locking projection 13a moves to a position where it does not engage with the insertion portion 21. In other words, when the movable lever 12 is in the second position, the locking member 13 is in a position where the locking projection 13a does not engage with the insertion portion 21.

[0044] In the example shown in Figure 5, at least one of the two locking protrusions 13a, which are positioned on both sides of the insertion portion 21 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, has a free end. This allows the distance between the two locking protrusions 13a that sandwich the insertion portion 21 to be changeable by the elastic deformation of the locking member 13. The locking member 13 can be configured such that the distance between the two locking protrusions 13a that sandwich the insertion portion 21 is slightly narrower than the width of the portion of the insertion portion 21 that contacts the locking protrusions 13a. This causes the two locking protrusions 13a to be pressed against the insertion portion 21 from both sides by elastic force.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, in the first position, the locking projection 13a of the locking member 13 engages with the projection 21b of the insertion portion 21, preventing the insertion portion 21 from coming out of the hole 11b. On both sides of the insertion portion 21 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, the projection 21b and the locking projection 13a engage. In the example in Figure 6, the pair of locking projections 13a of the locking member 13 protrude toward the insertion portion 21 inserted into the hole 11b. The insertion portion 21 has a recess that is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. By the locking projection 13a engaging with the recess of the insertion portion 21, the locking member 13 locks the insertion portion 21 inserted into the hole 11b so that it does not come out.

[0046] In the example shown in Figure 5, the pair of fasteners 2R and 2L are arranged side by side when locked to the buckle 1, and are configured to expose the upper end 11u of the buckle body 11 above the movable lever 12. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the handle portion 22 of the fasteners 2R and 2L has a front portion 22c that covers a part of the front surface of the buckle body 11 when locked, and a side wall 22b that covers the top and sides of the buckle body 11. The side wall 22b is formed extending rearward from the front portion 22c. When locked, the side wall 22b is not provided at the position corresponding to the upper end 11u of the buckle body 11. That is, the fasteners 2R and 2L are formed so as not to cover the upper end 11u of the buckle 1 when locked. In the example shown in Figure 5, when viewed from the front, the width of the exposed upper end 11u in the left-right direction is narrower than the width of the movable lever 12 in the left-right direction. The width of the upper end 11u in the left-right direction is the same as, or may be wider than, the width of the movable lever 12 in the left-right direction. In this way, with the upper end 11u of the buckle body 11 exposed when locked, the user can, for example, hold down the upper end 11u of the buckle body 11 with their index or middle finger while operating the movable lever 12 with their thumb. This makes it easier to operate the movable lever.

[0047] In the example shown in Figure 5, the handle portions 22 of the fasteners 2R and 2L are formed to cover the left and right ends of the exposed upper end 11u of the buckle body 11 when locked. That is, as shown in Figure 4, there is a gap between the inner end of the side wall 22b of one fastener 2R and the inner end of the side wall 22b of the other fastener 2L. This allows the pair of fasteners 2R and 2L that lock onto the buckle 1 to be efficiently positioned.

[0048] In the example shown in Figure 5, the elongated holes 22a of the fasteners 2R and 2L are formed such that, when locked to the buckle 1 (locked state), the inner end 22a2 in the left-right direction of the elongated hole 22a is above the outer end 22a1. That is, the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 22a is inclined with respect to the left-right direction line such that the inside is upward. As a result, the seat belt 31 passing through the elongated holes 22a of the pair of fasteners 2R and 2L extends diagonally upward from the fasteners 2R and 2L that are locked to the buckle 1. Therefore, the sliding ability of the seat belt relative to the fastener is improved compared to the case where the seat belt 31 extends upward from the fastener.

[0049] Figure 7 is a front view showing the configuration of the buckle 1 when the movable lever 12 is in the first position. Figure 8 is a front view showing the configuration of the buckle 1 when the movable lever 12 is in the second position. The fasteners are not shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0050] In the examples shown in Figures 7 and 8, the buckle 1 further comprises a magnetic member 15. The magnetic member 15 has a first magnet 15a and a second magnet 15b with different polarities. For example, if the front surface of the first magnet 15a is the south pole, then the front surface of the second magnet 15b is the north pole. The magnetic member 15 is held in conjunction with the movable lever 12 relative to the buckle body 11. In the examples shown in Figures 7 and 8, the magnetic member 15 is attached to the locking member 13. In this case, as shown in Figure 4, magnets 21a are provided in the insertion portions 21 of the fasteners 2R and 2L.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, when the movable lever 12 is in the first position, the magnetic member 15 is positioned so that the magnetic force of the first magnet 15a attracts the fasteners 2R and 2L to the locking position. When the movable lever 12 is in the first position, the magnetic member 15 is positioned so that the first magnet 15a corresponds to the insertion portion 21 inserted into the hole 11b. For example, when viewed from the front, at least a portion of the magnet 21a of the insertion portion 21 overlaps with at least a portion of the first magnet 15a. This causes the first magnet 15a to attract the magnet 21a of the insertion portion.

[0052] As shown in Figure 8, when the movable lever 12 is in the second position, the magnetic member 15 is positioned so that the magnetic force of the second magnet 15b attracts the fasteners 2R and 2L to the locking position. When the movable lever 12 is in the second position, the magnetic member 15 is positioned so that the second magnet 15b corresponds to the insertion portion 21 inserted into the hole 11b. For example, when viewed from the front, at least a portion of the magnet 21a of the insertion portion 21 overlaps with at least a portion of the second magnet 15b. As a result, the second magnet 15b repels the magnet 21a of the insertion portion.

[0053] In the examples shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the movable lever 12 is in the first position, the magnetic force of the first magnet 15a attracts the fasteners 2R and 2L to the locking position, and the fasteners 2R and 2L are locked. When the movable lever 12 is in the second position, the locking of the fasteners 2R and 2L is released, and the magnetic force of the second magnet 15b pushes the fasteners out of the locking position.

[0054] In this configuration, the magnetic force of the second magnet 15b causes the locking of the fasteners 2R and 2L to disengage before the movable lever 12 slides upward and reaches the second position, thus allowing the fasteners 2R and 2L to detach from the buckle 1. As a result, the fasteners 2R and 2L can be detached from the buckle 1 simply by operating the movable lever 12, without the user having to physically grasp the fasteners 2R and 2L to remove them from the buckle 1.

[0055] In the example shown in Figure 2(b), the movable lever 12 is in contact with the fasteners 2R and 2L, which are locked to the buckle 1, in the second position. This makes it easier for the fasteners 2R and 2L to detach from the buckle 1 when the movable lever 12 is in the second position. Furthermore, the movable lever 12 may be configured to overlap with a portion of the area occupied by the locked fasteners 2R and 2L in the second position. In this case, the user can slide the movable lever 12 upward from the first position to the second position, which pushes out the unlocked fasteners 2R and 2L and detaches them from the buckle 1. Therefore, the fasteners 2R and 2L can be detached from the buckle 1 by operating only the movable lever 12, without the user having to manually remove them from the buckle 1.

[0056] In the example shown in Figure 4, the movable lever 12 may include a handle portion 12a that protrudes outward from the surface of the buckle body 11 and whose longitudinal direction is in the left-right direction, and a bottom portion 12b that extends downward along the surface of the buckle body 11 from the base of the handle portion 12a. The handle portion 12a protrudes forward, and the bottom portion 12b extends downward to the extent that it does not protrude further forward than the handle portion 12a. When viewed from the right, the handle portion 12a and the bottom portion 12b of the movable lever 12 form an inverted L shape. This makes it easier for the user to apply force to the movable lever 12 with their fingers. Preferably, the left-right dimension of the handle portion 12a is such that, for example, two fingers (for example, the index finger and middle finger) can grip it.

[0057] (modified version) Figure 9 shows a modified example of the structure of buckle 1. Figure 9 is an example of a configuration in which the locking of fasteners 2R and 2L by buckle 1 is released by the sliding motion of the movable lever 12 in the left-right direction. In the example shown in Figure 9, buckle 1 is provided with two movable levers 12R and 12L arranged side by side. The buckle body 11 has a guide 11a that extends in the left-right direction. The guide 11a includes an elongated hole that extends in the left-right direction. The movable levers 12R and 12L can move towards or away from each other in the left-right direction along the guide 11a.

[0058] Figure 9(a) shows the movable levers 12R and 12L in the first position. Figure 9(b) shows the movable levers in the second position. In this example, the first position is when the two movable levers 12R and 12L are furthest apart in the left-right direction. The second position is when the two movable levers 12R and 12L are closest together in the left-right direction. Locking members 13 are connected to each of the two movable levers 12R and 12L. The two locking members 13 move in conjunction with the two movable levers 12R and 12L in the left-right direction. That is, the right locking member 13R moves in conjunction with the right movable lever 12R, and the left locking member 13L moves in conjunction with the left movable lever 12L. The two movable levers 12R and 12L are biased toward the first position by a biasing member 14 located between them.

[0059] As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), when the two movable levers 12R and 12L are in the first position, the locking members 13R and 13L are in a position to lock the insertion portions 21 of the fasteners 2R and RL inserted into the hole 11b. When the movable levers 12R and 12L are in the second position, the locking members 13R and 13L are in a position to release the locking of the insertion portions 21 of the fasteners 2R and 2L inserted into the hole 11b. Each locking member 13R and 13L has a magnetic member 15. When the movable levers 12R and 12L are in the first position, the magnetic members 15 of each locking member 13R and 13L are positioned to attract the fasteners 2R and 2L to the locked position by the magnetic force of the first magnet 15a. When the movable levers 12R and 12L are in the second position, the magnetic members 15 of the locking members 13R and 13L are positioned to push the fasteners 2R and 2L out of their locking positions due to the magnetic force of the second magnet 15b.

[0060] (modified version) Figure 10 shows a modified example of the structure of buckle 1. Figure 10 is an example of a configuration in which the locking of fasteners 2R and 2L by buckle 1 is released by the rotational movement of the movable lever 12. In the example shown in Figure 10, buckle 1 is provided with a movable lever 12 that is rotatably held relative to the buckle body 11. The movable lever 12 and the locking member 13 are connected via a link mechanism. The link mechanism is a mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the movable lever 12 into the linear motion of the locking member 13. In the example of Figure 10, the link mechanism has a link 12g. One end of the link 12g is rotatably attached to a member that rotates together with the movable lever 12. The other end of the link 12g is rotatably attached to the locking member 13. The structure and movement of the locking member 13 can be the same as in the examples of Figures 7 and 8.

[0061] Note that the link function is not limited to the example shown in Figure 10. For example, the link mechanism may be a mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the movable lever 12 into the rotational motion of the locking member 13.

[0062] (modified version) Figure 11 shows a modified example of the structure of buckle 1. Figure 11 is an example of a configuration in which the locking of fasteners 2R and 2L by buckle 1 is released by the movable lever 12 sliding upward or downward after sliding horizontally relative to the buckle body 11. In the example shown in Figure 11, buckle 1 is provided with two movable levers 12R and 12L arranged horizontally. The buckle body 11 has a guide 11a that extends horizontally and vertically. The guide 11a includes horizontal elongated holes 11a1 that extend horizontally and vertically, and vertical elongated holes 11a2 that extend vertically from the middle of the horizontal elongated holes. The movable levers 12R and 12L can move horizontally towards or away from each other along the horizontal elongated holes 11a1 of the guide 11a, and when they are closest horizontally, they can move vertically along the vertical elongated holes 11a2.

[0063] Figure 11(a) shows the movable levers 12R and 12L in the first position. Figure 11(b) shows the movable levers 12R and 12L in the third position. Figure 11(c) shows the movable levers 12R and 12L in the second position. In this example, the first position is when the two movable levers 12R and 12L are furthest apart in the left-right direction within the range of motion of the left-right elongated holes 11a1. The third position is when the two movable levers 12R and 12L are closest together in the left-right direction and are at the intersection of the left-right elongated holes 11a1 and the upper-lower elongated holes 11a2. The second position is when the two movable levers 12R and 12L are closest together in the left-right direction and are at the lowest position within the range of motion of the upper-lower elongated holes 11a2. The third position lies on the path between the first and second positions.

[0064] As shown in Figure 11(a), when the movable levers 12R and 12L are in the first position, the movable levers 12R and 12L and the locking member 13 are not connected. When the movable levers 12R and 12L are in the third position, the second position, and between the second and third positions, the movable levers 12R and 12L and the locking member 13 are connected. That is, when the movable levers 12R and 12L are in the third position, the second position, or between the second and third positions, the locking member 13 moves vertically in conjunction with the movable levers 12R and 12L.

[0065] A biasing member 14a is provided between the two movable levers 12R and 12L, biasing them in a direction that moves them away from each other. When the movable levers 12R and 12L are in the left and right elongated holes 11a1, they are biased toward the first position by the biasing member 14a. Additionally, a biasing member 14b is provided between the locking member 13 and the inner surface of the lower part of the buckle body 11. When the movable levers 12R and 12L are in the upper and lower elongated holes 11a2, they are biased toward the third position by the biasing member 14b.

[0066] As shown in Figure 11(a), when the two movable levers 12R and 12L are in the first position, the locking members 13R and 13L are in a position to lock the insertion portions 21 of the fasteners 2R and RL inserted into the hole 11b. As shown in Figure 11(b), when the movable levers 12R and 12L are in the third position, the locking members 13R and 13L are in a position to lock the insertion portions 21 of the fasteners 2R and RL inserted into the hole 11b. As shown in Figure 11(c), when the movable levers 12R and 12L are in the second position, the locking members 13R and 13L are in a position to release the lock on the insertion portions 21 of the fasteners 2R and 2L inserted into the hole 11b. As the movable levers 12R and 12L slide downward from the third position to the second position, the locking member 13 slides downward in conjunction with them. This causes the locking member 13 to move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0067] Each locking member 13R and 13L has a magnetic member 15. When the movable levers 12R and 12L are in the first and third positions, the magnetic members 15 of each locking member 13R and 13L are positioned to pull the fasteners 2R and 2L to the locking position by the magnetic force of the first magnet 15a. When the movable levers 12R and 12L are in the second position, the magnetic members 15 of each locking member 13R and 13L are positioned to push the fasteners 2R and 2L out of the locking position by the magnetic force of the second magnet 15b.

[0068] (modified version) Figure 12 shows a modified example of the structure of buckle 1. Figure 12 is an example of a configuration in which the locking of fasteners 2R and 2L by buckle 1 is released by the movement of the movable lever 12, which rotates relative to the buckle body 11 and then slides upward or downward. In the example shown in Figure 12, buckle 1 is provided with a movable lever 12 that is held so as to be rotatable and slidable up and down relative to the buckle body 11. The buckle body 11 is provided with a guide 11a that extends in the vertical direction.

[0069] Figure 12(a) shows the movable lever 12 in the first position. Figure 12(b) shows the movable lever 12 in the third position. Figure 12(c) shows the movable lever 12 in the second position. As shown in Figures 12(a) and 12(b), the movable lever 12 rotates from the first position to the third position. In the first position, the movable lever 12 cannot slide up or down, but in the third position, it can slide downward along the guide 11a. That is, the movable lever 12 is configured to move to the third position by rotating from the first position, and to move to the second position by sliding downward from the third position. The third position is the uppermost position in the range of motion of the elongated hole in the guide 11a. The second position is the lowermost position in the range of motion of the elongated hole in the guide 11a.

[0070] In the example shown in Figure 12(a), the movable lever 12 is biased by a biasing member (not shown) in the rotational direction toward the first position (arrow F1). The first position is maintained when the movable lever 12 is biased and the rotating member 12d, which rotates with the movable lever, is pressed against the stopper 12c. Also, in the first position, the lower surface of the rotating member 12d is pressed from below by another stopper 12e, so the movable lever 12 cannot move downward from the first position. When the movable lever 12 rotates and moves from the first position to the third position, the rotating member 12d is no longer constrained by the stoppers 12c and 12e, so the movable lever 12 can move downward. The rotation axis of the movable lever 12 is rotatably attached to the locking member 13. As a result, the movable lever 12 is rotatable relative to the locking member 13. In addition, the locking member 13 moves vertically in conjunction with the vertical movement of the movable lever 12. The movable lever 12 and the locking member 13 are biased upward, i.e., toward the first position, by the biasing member 14b.

[0071] As shown in Figures 12(a) and 12(b), when the movable lever 12 is in the first position, the third position, and between the first and third positions, the locking member 13 is in a position to lock the insertion portions 21 of the fasteners 2R and RL inserted into the hole 11b. As shown in Figure 12(c), when the movable lever 12 is in the second position, the locking member 13 is in a position to release the lock on the insertion portions 21 of the fasteners 2R and 2L inserted into the hole 11b. As the movable lever 12 slides downward from the third position to the second position, the locking member 13 slides downward. This causes the locking member 13 to move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0072] (modified version) Figure 13 shows a modified example of the structure of buckle 1. Figure 13 is an example of a configuration in which the locking of fasteners 2R and 2L by buckle 1 is released by the movement of the movable lever 12, which rotates relative to the buckle body 11 and then slides upward or downward. The buckle structure shown in Figure 13 is a further modification of the structure of buckle 1 shown in Figure 12. The buckle 1 shown in Figure 13 is provided with a movable lever 12 that is held rotatably and slidably up and down relative to the buckle body 11. The buckle body 11 is provided with a guide 11a that extends in the vertical direction. The buckle structure shown in Figure 13 differs from the example in Figure 12 mainly in the rotation mechanism of the movable lever 12 and the position of the biasing member 14b.

[0073] The axis of rotation of the movable lever 12 includes a connecting portion 12f that passes through an elongated hole in the guide 11a, and a rotating member 12d connected to the connecting portion 12f and rotating together with the movable lever 12. The rotating member 12d is located inside the buckle body 11. The connecting portion 12f is a cylinder or column coaxial with the axis of rotation. The cross-section (transverse plane) of the face perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the connecting portion 12f is circular. The diameter of the cross-section of the connecting portion 12f is smaller than the width in the left-right direction of the elongated hole in the guide 11a. The difference between the diameter of the cross-section of the connecting portion 12f and the width of the elongated hole in the guide 11a is not particularly limited, but is preferably 3 mm or less, and more preferably 1 mm or less. This makes it easier to move the movable lever 12 in the vertical direction along the guide 11a. Furthermore, it is preferable that the diameter of the cross-section of the connecting portion 12f be, for example, one-quarter or more of the longitudinal dimension of the movable lever 12. This improves the strength of the movable lever 12.

[0074] Figure 13(a) shows the movable lever 12 in the first position. Figure 13(b) shows the movable lever 12 in the third position. Figure 13(c) shows the movable lever 12 in the second position. As shown in Figures 13(a) and 13(b), the movable lever 12 rotates from the first position to the third position. In the first position, the movable lever 12 cannot slide up or down, but in the third position, it can slide downward along the guide 11a. That is, the movable lever 12 is configured to move to the third position by rotating from the first position, and to move to the second position by sliding downward from the third position. The third position is the uppermost position in the range of motion of the elongated hole in the guide 11a.

[0075] In the example shown in Figure 13(a), the movable lever 12 is biased by a biasing member (not shown) in the rotational direction toward the first position (arrow F1). The biasing member may be, for example, a torsion spring. The first position is maintained when the movable lever 12 is biased and the rotating member 12d, which rotates with the movable lever, is pressed against the stopper 12c. Also, in the first position, the lower surface of the rotating member 12d is pressed from below by another stopper 12e, so the movable lever 12 cannot move downward from the first position. When the movable lever 12 rotates and moves from the first position to the third position, the rotating member 12d is no longer constrained by the stoppers 12c and 12e, so the movable lever 12 can move downward. The rotation axis of the movable lever 12 is rotatably attached to the locking member 13. Also, the locking member 13 moves vertically in conjunction with the vertical movement of the movable lever 12. The movable lever 12 and the locking member 13 are biased upward, i.e., toward the first position, by the biasing member 14b.

[0076] As shown in Figure 13(a), the biasing member 14b is provided between the internal wall 11c, which is located above the movable lever 12 of the buckle body 11, and the locking member 13. The biasing member 14b pushes the internal wall 11c and the locking member 13 in a direction that extends vertically. In the example in Figure 13, the internal wall 11c includes a guide portion that extends vertically and guides the locking member 13 to move vertically, and a biasing support portion that extends horizontally and receives biasing force from the biasing member 14.

[0077] As shown in Figures 13(a) and 13(b), when the movable lever 12 is in the first position, the third position, and between the first and third positions, the locking member 13 is in a position to lock the insertion portions 21 of the fasteners 2R and RL inserted into the hole 11b. As shown in Figure 13(c), when the movable lever 12 is in the second position, the locking member 13 is in a position to release the lock on the insertion portions 21 of the fasteners 2R and 2L inserted into the hole 11b. As the movable lever 12 slides downward from the third position to the second position, the locking member 13 slides downward. This causes the locking member 13 to move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0078] In the above example, the insertion and removal direction of the fasteners 2R and 2L insertion portions 21 into and out of the buckle body 11 is in the front-to-back direction of the buckle. This simplifies the buckle's locking mechanism. The insertion and removal direction of the fasteners is not limited to the front-to-back direction; for example, it may be perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. Also, in the above example, the holes 11b in the buckle body 11 into which the fasteners 2R and 2L insertion portions 21 are inserted are located on the front surface of the buckle body. The holes in the buckle body are not limited to the front surface; they may be provided on the side or top surface.

[0079] The example above shows a rear-mounted child seat that attaches to the rear of a bicycle. The child seat of this embodiment can also be applied to a front-mounted child seat that attaches to the front of a bicycle. Furthermore, the child seat of this embodiment is not limited to bicycle child seats, but can be applied to child seats in passenger cars and other vehicles, for example.

[0080] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the embodiments described above are examples for carrying out the present invention. This is merely an illustration. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, nor does it deviate from its spirit. It is possible to implement the above-described embodiments by appropriately modifying them within the limits that do not deviate from the original design. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1: Buckle, 2 (2R, 2L): Fastener, 11: Buckle body, 12: Movable lever

Claims

1. It is a child car seat, A pair of seat belts are positioned side by side, A fastener attached to each of the pair of seat belts, The child seat is equipped with a buckle for fastening the aforementioned fastener, The buckle comprises a buckle body and a movable lever that is movably attached to the buckle body. A child seat in which the movable lever is configured to release the fastener from the buckle by sliding upward, rotating, sliding left or right relative to the buckle body, or sliding upward or downward after rotation or sliding left or right.

2. A child car seat according to claim 1, The fastener includes a grippable handle portion and an insertion portion extending from the handle portion and inserted into a hole in the buckle body, The buckle has a locking member that is held in conjunction with the movable lever relative to the buckle body, The child car seat is configured such that the locking member locks the insertion portion of the fastener inserted into the hole when the movable lever is in the first position, and releases the locking of the insertion portion of the fastener inserted into the hole when the movable lever is in the second position.

3. A child car seat according to claim 2, The buckle is a child seat comprising a biasing member that biases the movable lever to the first position.

4. A child car seat according to claim 2 or 3, A child car seat in which the locking of the fastener by the buckle is released when the movable lever slides from the first position to the second position above the first position.

5. A child car seat according to claim 2 or 3, The child seat is configured such that the movable lever moves from the first position to the second position by rotating or sliding in the left-right direction.

6. A child car seat according to claim 2 or 3, The movable lever is configured to release the fastener from the buckle by rotating or sliding it in the left-right direction relative to the buckle body, followed by sliding it upward or downward. When the movable lever is in the third position, which lies on the path between the first and second positions, the locking member locks the insertion portion of the fastener inserted into the hole. The child seat is configured such that the movable lever moves to the third position by rotating or sliding from the first position in the left-right direction, and moves to the second position by sliding upward or downward from the third position.

7. A child car seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The pair of fasteners of the aforementioned pair of seat belts are arranged side by side on the left and right, while being locked to the buckle, and the upper ends of the buckle body above the movable lever are exposed, in a child seat.

8. A child car seat according to claim 7, A child seat in which the pair of fasteners of the pair of seat belts are formed to cover the left and right ends of the buckle body of the exposed upper end of the buckle body when locked to the buckle.

9. A child car seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The fastener has an elongated hole through which the seat belt passes, and the elongated hole is formed such that, when locked to the buckle, the inner end of the elongated hole in the left-right direction is above the outer end.

10. A child car seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The movable lever is configured to release the fastener from being locked by the buckle by sliding upward relative to the buckle body. The child seat comprises a movable lever which protrudes outward from the surface of the buckle body and has a handle portion whose longitudinal direction is in the left-right direction, and a bottom portion which extends downward along the surface of the buckle body from the base of the handle portion.

11. A child car seat according to claim 2 or 3, The child seat is configured such that the movable lever overlaps with a portion of the area occupied by the fastener when it is locked to the buckle in the second position.

12. A child car seat according to claim 2 or 3, The buckle further comprises a magnetic member having a first magnet and a second magnet having different polarities. The magnetic member is held in relation to the buckle body so as to be in conjunction with the movable lever. A child car seat configured such that when the movable lever is in the first position, the magnetic member is positioned to pull the fastener to the locking position by the magnetic force of the first magnet, and when the movable lever is in the second position, the magnetic member is positioned to push the fastener out of the locking position by the magnetic force of the second magnet.

13. A fastener that can be attached to each of a pair of seat belts, It is attached to the child seat and comprises a buckle for securing the fastener, The buckle comprises a buckle body and a movable lever that is movably attached to the buckle body. A buckle unit in which the movable lever is configured to release the fastener from the buckle by sliding upward, rotating, sliding left or right relative to the buckle body, or sliding upward or downward after rotation or sliding left or right.

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