U.S. patent application number 09/843097 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-18 for child seat anchoring structure.
Invention is credited to Hirota, Toshio.
Application Number | 20020043839 09/843097 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18690601 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020043839 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hirota, Toshio |
April 18, 2002 |
Child seat anchoring structure
Abstract
A child seat anchoring structure is provided that can prevent
the seat belt webbing from getting caught in the components that
secure the child seat to the vehicle. The child seat anchoring
structure has child seat attachment part in which a child seat is
installed by moving a locking part of the child seat from the
forward direction of the vehicle so that the locking part
approaches the rod-shaped attachment part of a child seat fixing
striker that is mounted close to a seat belt anchor to which the
webbing is fixed. The structure is provided with a webbing guide
bar part that prevents the webbing from entering the region between
the rod-shaped attachment part and the locking part of the child
seat.
Inventors: |
Hirota, Toshio; (Atsugi-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David L. Tarnoff
Shinjyu Global IP Counselors, LLP
1233 Twentieth Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington
DC
20036-2680
US
|
Family ID: |
18690601 |
Appl. No.: |
09/843097 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/253 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/286 20130101;
B60N 2/2827 20130101; B60N 2/289 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/253 |
International
Class: |
A47D 001/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 26, 2000 |
JP |
2000-191278 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A child seat anchoring structure for installing a child seat
into a vehicle body, comprising: a seat belt anchor to which a
webbing of a seat belt is fixed; a child seat attachment part
mounted adjacent said seat belt, said child seat attachment part
being arranged to receive a locking part of the child seat by
moving the child seat in a generally backward direction of the
vehicle body so that the locking part approaches said child seat
attachment part; and a webbing guide part arranged to prevent the
webbing from entering a region in front of said child seat
attachment part in which the locking part of the child seat is
received.
2. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said seat belt anchor and said child seat attachment part
are fixedly coupled together as an integrated unit that is mounted
to the vehicle body by a mounting part.
3. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said child seat attachment part includes a rod-shaped
attachment part arranged to extend along a transverse direction of
the vehicle body and be separated by a height from a mounting part
that is fixed to the vehicle body; and said webbing guide part
includes a webbing guide bar that is integral with and extend from
said rod-shaped attachment part toward a front end of the vehicle
body so that said webbing guide bar is located between said seat
belt anchor and said rod-shaped attachment part.
4. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 3,
wherein said seat belt anchor and said child seat attachment part
are fixedly coupled together as an integrated unit that is mounted
to the vehicle body by said mounting part.
5. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said child seat attachment part includes a rod-shaped
attachment part arranged to extend along a transverse direction of
the vehicle and be separated by a height from a mounting part that
is fixed to the vehicle body; and said webbing guide part forming
said seat belt anchor, said webbing guide part includes a webbing
attachment rod-shaped part that is integral with and extend from
the rod-shaped attachment part toward a front end of the vehicle
body.
6. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 5,
further comprising: a webbing movement preventing step part
disposed between said rod-shaped attachment part and said webbing
attachment rod-shaped part to connect said rod-shaped attachment
part at a different height than said webbing attachment rod-shaped
part relative to said mounting part.
7. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 6,
wherein said webbing attachment rod-shaped part is located higher
than said rod-shaped attachment part relative to said mounting
part.
8. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 5,
wherein said seat belt anchor and said child seat attachment part
are fixedly coupled together as an integrated unit that is mounted
to the vehicle body by said mounting part.
9. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said child seat attachment part is a child seat fixing
striker fixed between two side wall parts that are fixed to the
vehicle body by a mounting part; and said seat belt anchor includes
a slit formed in at least one of said side wall parts to allow the
webbing to pass therethrough.
10. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 9,
wherein said seat belt anchor and said child seat attachment part
are fixedly coupled together as an integrated unit that is mounted
to the vehicle body by a mounting part.
11. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said child seat attachment part includes a child seat
fixing striker that is arranged to extend in a transverse direction
of the vehicle body and forms a webbing opening located in a
rearward direction from said seat belt anchor relative to the
vehicle body such that said child seat attachment part forms said
webbing guide part in that the webbing of the seat belt extends
rearwardly from said seat belt anchor under said child seat
attachment part, and than over said child seat fixing striker
toward a front end of the vehicle body.
12. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said seat belt anchor and said child seat attachment part
are fixedly coupled together as an integrated unit that is mounted
to the vehicle body by a mounting part.
13. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said seat belt anchor has a first slit for attaching the
webbing thereto and a second slit for attaching an additional
webbing of an additional seat belt thereto.
14. A child seat anchoring structure as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said seat belt anchor includes first and second mounting
parts overlying each other, said first mounting part having a
portion with said first slit and said second mounting part having a
portion with said second slit.
15. A child seat anchoring structure for installing a child seat
into a vehicle body, comprising: a seat belt anchor to which a
webbing of a seat belt is fixed; a child seat attachment part
mounted adjacent said seat belt anchor, said child seat attachment
part being arranged to receive a locking part of the child seat by
moving the child seat in a generally backward direction of the
vehicle body so that the locking part approaches said child seat
attachment part; and a wrap prevention means for preventing the
webbing from entering a region in front of said child seat
attachment part in which the locking part of the child seat is
received.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to installing a
child seat in a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention
relates a child seat anchoring structure that prevents the seat
belt webbing from getting caught during installation of a child
seat into a vehicle.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Many vehicles have vehicle child seat anchors for installing
a child seat therein. These child seat anchors are typically
located between a seat cushion part and a seat back part in the
area of the seat belt anchors. The seat cushion part of the seat
extends generally in a horizontal direction relative to the
vehicle. The seat back part of the seat extends generally upright
from the vicinity of the rear end edge of the seat cushion part.
The seat belt anchors are used to fix the end parts of the seat
belt webbings to the vehicle body. The seat belt anchors are
typically fixed to the floor panel of the vehicle by a bolt or the
like. The seat belt anchors are positioned between the rear end
part of the seat cushion part and the lower end edge of seat back
part. The webbing is drawn out from between the rear end edge of
the seat cushion part and the lower end edge of seat back part.
[0005] The child seat anchors have a child seat fixing striker that
is typically provided separately from the seat belt anchor for
installing a child seat on the vehicle seat. The child seat fixing
striker is fixed to the floor panel between the rear end part and
the lower end part. The child seat fixing striker is provided with
a mounting part that is fixed to the floor panel by means of a bolt
or the like. The child seat fixing striker is also provided with a
generally gate-shaped striker body that is coupled integrally with
the mounting part and serves as the attachment part that fits
together with the slot of the locking part of the child seat.
[0006] Next, the operation of the above described child seat anchor
is explained. In most cases, the child seat is placed on the upper
surface of the seat cushion and the child seat locking part is
moved toward the striker body of the child seat fixing striker from
the forward direction of the vehicle towards the rear end of the
vehicle. As a result, the slot fits together with the striker body.
The lower surface part and back surface part of the child seat are
in contact with and fixed to the upper surface part of the seat
cushion part of the seat part and the surface of the seat back that
faces the cabin interior. With this kind of conventional child seat
anchor, there is the risk that webbing will get caught in the slot
of the child seat locking part. Specifically, if webbing is located
in the area between the slot and the portion of the striker body
facing the front of the vehicle when the child seat is being
installed, then the webbing will get caught in the slot of the
child seat locking part.
[0007] One method to avoid this problem might be to form a slit in
the seat cushion part to provide a detour path for the seat belt.
However, this method could potentially increase manufacturing costs
because separate slits must be formed in the seat cushion part in
order to provide such detour paths for the seat belts.
[0008] In view of the above, there exists a need for a child
anchoring structure which overcomes the above mentioned problems in
the prior art. This invention addresses this need in the prior art
as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled
in the art from this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] One object of the present invention is to provide an
inexpensive child seat anchoring structure capable of preventing
the seat belt webbing from getting caught when installing a child
seat into a vehicle as previously described.
[0010] This object is basically attained by providing a child seat
anchoring structure for installing a child seat into a vehicle
body. The child seat anchoring structure basically comprises a seat
belt anchor, a child seat attachment part and a webbing guide part.
The seat belt anchor is adapted to have the webbing of a seat belt
fixed thereto. The child seat attachment part mounted adjacent said
seat belt anchor. The child seat attachment part is arranged to
receive a locking part of the child seat by moving the child seat
in a generally backward direction of the vehicle so that the
locking part approaches the child seat attachment part. The webbing
guide part is arranged to prevent the webbing from entering a
region in front of the child seat attachment part in which the
locking part of the child seat is received.
[0011] These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of
the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from the following detailed description, which, taken in
conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred
embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of
this original disclosure:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a vehicle
seat with a child seat anchoring structure in accordance with a
first embodiment of the present invention coupled to the vehicle
body, which is shown in cross section.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of selected
parts of the child seat anchoring structure of the first embodiment
just prior to the child seat being installed in the child seat
anchoring structure;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of selected
parts of the child seat anchoring structure of the first embodiment
just after to the child seat has been installed in the child seat
anchoring structure;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the seat belt anchor located
on the left side of the seat part in the child seat anchoring
structure of the first embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the seat belt anchor located
on the right side of the seat part in the child seat anchoring
structure of the first embodiment to show how the child seat
locking part fits onto the child seat fixing striker;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified seat belt anchor
for a child seat anchoring structure in accordance with of first
variation of the first embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified seat belt anchor
for a child seat anchoring structure in accordance with of second
variation of the first embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified seat belt anchor
for a child seat anchoring structure in accordance with a second
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified seat belt anchor
for a child seat anchoring structure of the third embodiment;
and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a partial cross sectional view of a modified seat
belt anchor for a child seat anchoring structure in accordance with
a third embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be
explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to
those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following
description of the embodiments of the present invention is provided
for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the
invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
First Embodiment
[0024] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, a pair of child seat
anchoring structures S are illustrated in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention. The left child seat anchoring
structure S is shown in FIGS. 1-4, while the right child seat
anchoring structure S is shown in FIG. 5. The left and right child
seat anchoring structures S are preferably mirror images of each
other. Of course, alternatively, the left and right child seat
anchoring structures can be identical to each other or be somewhat
different as needed and/or desired. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a
child seat 18 is installed on a vehicle seat 1 by a pair of child
seat anchoring structures S (only one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In
other words, the child seat 18 has a pair of installation portions
or locking parts 8 that are each equipped with a conventional
locking mechanism (not shown) that conforms a predetermined
standard such as the ISOFIX child seat system or other a
predetermined standard. The ISOFIX child seat system is a model
child restraint attachment system proposed by the United Nation
Economic Commissions for Europe. An ISOFIX-compliant child
restraint attachment system includes two lower anchors. The lower
anchors are located in the seat bight line, which is a region of
intersection of the surfaces of the seat cushion and the seat back.
The ISOFIX standards are well known in the art. Therefore,
explanation of the ISOFIX standards will be omitted herein. For the
sake of simplicity, the locking parts 8 of the child seat 18 will
only be illustrated in a simple form. In other words, only a slot
8a of the child seat locking part 8 will be illustrated.
[0025] Basically, as seen in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 1 of the
vehicle 15 has a seat cushion part 2 and a seat back part 3. The
seat cushion part 2 extends generally horizontally. The seat back
part 3 extends generally upward from the vicinity of the rear end
edge 2a of the seat cushion part 2. Two seat belt anchors 16 are
provided with respect to each seating portion of the seat 1. As
seen in FIG. 1, each seat belt anchor 16 serves as a bracket used
to fix the end part 4a of the seat belt webbing 4 to the vehicle
body or floor panel 6. The seat belt anchors 16 are provided on the
left and right in a generally symmetrical arrangement.
[0026] Each seat belt anchor 16 is provided with a mounting plate
or member 16a that is fixed to the floor panel 6, which is
positioned between the rear end edge 2a and the lower end edge 3a
of the seat back part 3. The approximate center of the mounting
plate 16a is provided with a bolt hole 16b for the passing bolt 7.
One of the transversely facing edges of the mounting plate 16a is
integrally provided with an upwardly bent seat belt anchor part
16c. A slit 16d is formed in the seat belt anchor part 16c for
receiving the end part 4a of the seat belt webbing 4 therein. The
slit 16d has a lengthwise direction that extends in a generally
forward to aft direction of the vehicle. In other words, the slit
16d is generally aligned with the longitudinal direction of the
vehicle 15. The end part 4a of the seat belt webbing 4 passes
through, and is looped around the slit 16d, and thus, fixed to this
slit 16d. The reminder of the webbing 4 is then drawn out from
between the rear end edge 2a and the lower end edge 3a of the seat
1.
[0027] A child seat fixing striker 17 is permanently affixed to the
mounting plate 16a. The slot 8a of the child seat locking part 8 is
moved from the forward direction of the vehicle so as to approach
and mate with this child seat fixing striker 17. The front and rear
fixing parts 17a and 17b of the child seat fixing striker 17 are
bent so that their lengthwise directions extends in a transverse
(substantially perpendicular) direction relative to the
longitudinal direction of the vehicle 15. Preferably, the front and
rear fixing parts 17a and 17b are welded to the vicinity of the
front and rear edges of the mounting plate 16a so as to form a
pre-integrated subassembly. Thus, the child seat anchoring
structure S includes both the seat belt anchor 16 and the child
seat fixing striker 17.
[0028] A rod-shaped attachment part 19 is provided as an attachment
part on the child seat fixing striker 17. The rod-shaped attachment
part 19 is positioned at a prescribed height "h1" above rear fixing
part 17b (which is fixed to the vehicle body). The rod-shaped
attachment part 19 is provided so that its lengthwise direction is
aligned with the transverse (substantially perpendicular) direction
relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The
rod-shaped attachment part 19 is arranged so that when the child
seat 18 is attached to the vehicle seat 1, the slot 8a approaches
the child seat fixing striker 17 from the forward direction to the
rearward direction of the vehicle and fits thereto, thus securing
the child seat locking part 8 to the vehicle 15.
[0029] A curved webbing guide part 20, which serves as the wrap
prevention means, is provided integrally between the rod-shaped
attachment part 19 and the front fixing part 17a. The webbing guide
part 20 is coupled integrally with one end of the rod-shaped
attachment part 19 and bent toward the front of the vehicle. Thus,
the webbing guide part 20 is positioned laterally between the seat
belt anchor part 1 6c and the rod-shaped attachment part 19 of the
child seat fixing striker 17 such that the seat belt webbing 4 is
prevented from being located in the region in front of the
rod-shaped attachment part 19. The front end part 20a of the
webbing guide part 20 is curved downward so that tip part is
connected to the front fixing part 17a. As seen in FIG. 4, the
child seat fixing striker 17 and the curved webbing guide part 20
are formed from a single, one-piece bar or rod.
[0030] Next, the operation of the first embodiment is described.
With the child seat anchoring structures of the first embodiment,
the webbing guide part 20 (which serves as the wrap prevention
means) prevents the webbing 4 from entering the region between the
rod-shaped attachment part 19 of the child seat fixing striker 17
and the slot 8a of the child seat locking part 8 during
installation of the child seat 18. As a result, the seat belt the
webbing 4 is prevented from getting caught therebetween. The
webbing guide part 20 is preferably integral formed with and
extends from the rod-shaped attachment part 19 to bend towards the
front end of the vehicle 15. As a result, an inexpensive child seat
anchoring structure can be provided without increasing the number
of components or the cost of manufacturing. Also, since the child
seat fixing striker 17 is sub-assembled so as to be integrated with
seat belt anchor 16 in advance, the installations of both the seat
belt anchor 16 and the child seat fixing striker 17 are completed
when the seat belt anchor 16 is mounted to the vehicle body or the
floor panel 6 using the bolt 7 or the like. As a result, a child
seat anchoring structure S that is easily mounted to the vehicle
body can be provided without increasing the number of assembly
steps.
First Variation of First Embodiment
[0031] FIG. 6 shows a first variation (child seat anchoring
structure S') of the first embodiment of the present invention.
Parts that are identical or equivalent to those in the previously
described the first embodiment are indicated with the same
reference symbols.
[0032] In the first variation, an inner seat belt anchor 116 has
been added to the child seat anchoring structure S of the first
embodiment such that the child seat anchoring structure S' has a
pair of seat belt anchors. Specifically, the inner seat belt anchor
116 is provided in such a manner that the mounting plate or member
116a overlies the mounting plate 16a of seat belt anchor 16. A bolt
hole 116b is provided at the approximate center of the mounting
plate 116a for the passing bolt 7 therethrough. An upwardly bent
seat belt anchor part 116c is integrally provided on one
transversely facing edge of the mounting plate 116a. A slit 116d is
formed in seat belt anchor part 116c with lengthwise direction
substantially aligned with the longitudinal direction of the
vehicle. End part 4a of the seat belt webbing 4 passes through this
slit 116d. With the child seat anchoring structure of the first
variation, the webbing guide part 20 prevents the seat belt webbing
4 from entering the region between the slot 8a and the rod-shaped
attachment part 19 of the child seat fixing striker 17 during
installation of the child seat 18. The other constituent features
and operational effects are identical or equivalent to those of the
first embodiment, and therefore, their explanation is omitted
here.
Second Variation of First Embodiment
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a second variation (child seat anchoring
structure S") of the first embodiment of the present invention.
Parts that are identical or equivalent to those in the previously
described the first embodiment are indicated with the same
reference symbols. In the second variation (child seat anchoring
structure S"), the child seat fixing striker 217 and the seat belt
anchor part 21 are both formed from a single, one-piece rod or bar
that is affixed to a mounting plate 216a. The front and rear fixing
parts 217a and 217b of the seat belt anchor part 21 and the child
seat fixing striker 217 are welded to the vicinity of the front and
rear edges of the mounting plate 216a The front and rear fixing
parts 217a and 217b have their lengthwise directions extending in
the transverse (substantially perpendicular) direction relative to
the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A bolt hole 216b is
provided at the approximate center of the mounting plate 216a for
the passing bolt 7. Thus, the seat belt anchor part 21 together
with the mounting plate 216a forms the seat belt anchor 216.
[0034] A rod-shaped attachment part 219 is provided on the child
seat fixing striker 217 as an attachment part that extends in the
transverse (substantially perpendicular) direction relative to the
longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rod-shaped attachment
part 216 is separated vertically by a prescribed height from rear
fixing part 217b (which is fixed to the vehicle body). The wrap
prevention means of the second variation is the seat belt anchor
part 21 that forms a webbing attachment rod-shaped part.
Preferably, the seat belt anchor part 21 is integrally formed with
and extends from the rod-shaped attachment part 219 towards the
front end of the vehicle. The bent part 22 is provided between the
rod-shaped attachment part 219 and the seat belt anchor part 21. A
webbing movement preventing step part 22a is provided in the
vicinity of bent part 22 so that there is a difference in height
between the rod shaped attachment part 219 and the seat belt anchor
part 21. Furthermore, the seat belt anchor part 21 is positioned
higher than the rod-shaped attachment part 219 by height h2. Next,
the operation of the child seat anchoring structure of the second
variation is explained.
[0035] With the child seat anchoring structure of the second
variation, the seat belt anchor part 21 (which serves as the wrap
prevention means) is integrally formed with and extend from the
rod-shaped attachment part 219 toward the front end of the vehicle.
Since the end part 4a of the webbing 4 is fixed to the seat belt
anchor part 21, the seat belt anchor part 21 also serves as the
webbing fixing part.
[0036] Since the end part 4a of the seat belt webbing 4 is fixed to
the seat belt anchor part 21, there is no danger of the webbing 4
entering the region between rod-shaped attachment part 219 and the
child seat locking part 8. As a result, since the separately
provided seat belt webbing fixing part can be eliminated, an
inexpensive child seat anchoring structure that prevents the
webbing 4 from getting caught can be provided without increasing
the number of components. Also, the webbing movement preventing
step part 22a provided in bent part 22 prevents the seat belt
webbing 4 from moving toward rod-shaped attachment part 219. Thus,
the webbing 4 can be prevented from getting caught even if rod
shaped attachment part 219 and the seat belt anchor part 21 are
formed integrally by bending a single piece of rod-shaped material
at bent part 22. As a result, there is no risk of increasing the
number of components. Also, since the seat belt anchor part 21 is
positioned higher than striker attachment part 219 by height "h2",
the risk of the webbing 4 getting caught is even further reduced.
The other constituent features and operational effects are
identical or equivalent to those of the first embodiment, and
therefore, their explanation is omitted here.
Second Embodiment
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 8, a child seat anchoring structure
S'" in accordance with a second embodiment will now be explained.
In view of the similarity between the first and second embodiments,
the parts of the child seat anchoring structure of the second
embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment
will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first
embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the child
seat anchoring structure of the second embodiment that are
identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows the second embodiment of the present invention.
Parts that are identical or equivalent to those in the previously
described the first embodiment are indicated with the same
reference symbols. In the second embodiment, the seat belt anchor
316 is a U-shaped member having a mounting part and a pair of side
wall parts 316b provided so as to stand from both sides of the
mounting part 316a. The mounting part 316a is fixed to the vehicle
body giving the member a generally U-shaped form in the frontal
view.
[0039] The ends of the child seat fixing striker 23, which serves
as the aforementioned attachment part, are fixed to both the side
wall parts 316b so that the striker 23 bridges across the space
between the two side wall parts 316b. The seat belt anchor 316 has
a slit 316d formed as openings in each of the side wall parts 316b.
The end parts 4a of webbings 4 are looped through these slits 316d
so as to be fixed thereto.
[0040] Next, the operation of the child seat anchoring structure
S'" of the second embodiment is explained. With the child seat
anchoring structure S'" of the second embodiment, the slits 316d
are formed as openings in the side wall parts 316b, which hold the
child seat fixing striker 23. As a result, the seat belt webbings
4, which are fixed to the slits 316d, cannot easily enter the
region between the slot 8a of the child seat locking part 8 and the
child seat fixing striker 23. As a result, the seat belt webbings 4
are prevented from getting caught when the child seat is installed.
The other constituent features and operational effects are
identical or equivalent to those of the first embodiment, and
therefore, their explanation is omitted here.
Third Embodiment
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a child seat anchoring
structure S"" in accordance with a third embodiment will now be
explained. In view of the similarity between the first and third
embodiments, the descriptions of the parts of the child seat
anchoring structure of the third embodiment that are identical to
the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted.
[0042] In the third embodiment, the seat belt anchor 416 is
provided with the seat belt anchor part 416c positioned further
toward the front of the vehicle than the child seat fixing striker
24. The child seat fixing striker 24 includes a rod-shaped
attachment part 24a, which serves as the attachment part. The child
seat fixing striker 24 extends in the transverse (substantially
perpendicular) direction relative to the longitudinal direction of
the vehicle, and the end parts 24b, which are welded to the
mounting plate 416a of the seat belt anchor 416. This arrangement
gives the striker 24 a generally gate-shaped form in the frontal
view. The seat belt webbing 4 that extends from the seat belt
anchor part 416c is passed under rod-shaped attachment part 24a and
fed out toward the front of the vehicle. Thus, the rod-shaped
attachment part 24a also serves as the wrap prevention means.
[0043] Next, the operation of the child seat anchoring structure
S"" of the third embodiment is explained. With the child seat
anchoring structure S"" of the third embodiment, the seat belt
webbing 4, which extends from seat belt anchor part 416c of the
seat belt anchor 416, is passed under rod-shaped attachment part 24
and fed out toward the front of the vehicle. Therefore, the webbing
4 is prevented from entering the region between the slot 8a and the
rod-shaped attachment part 24a of the child seat fixing striker 24.
As a result, the seat belt webbing 4 is prevented from getting
caught.
[0044] While the first, second and third embodiments of the present
invention have been explained based on the drawings, the specific
constituent features of the invention are not limited to those of
the first, second and third embodiments. Design changes that do not
deviate from the gist of the present invention are encompassed by
the present invention. For example, the left and right sides of the
seat belt anchors 16 (which are provided generally symmetrically as
a left-right pair with respect to one seat part) in the first
embodiment (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) are shaped differently, but
it is also acceptable to use a left-right pair of the seat belt
anchors 16 whose left and right sides have generally the same
shape. In such a case, increases in manufacturing cost can be held
down because common components could be used.
[0045] As used herein, the following directional terms "forward,
rearward, above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and
transverse" as well as any other similar directional terms refer to
those directions of a vehicle equipped with the present invention.
Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present
invention should be interpreted relative to a vehicle equipped with
the present invention.
[0046] The terms of degree such as "substantially", "about" and
"approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of
deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not
significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as
including a deviation of at least .+-.5% of the modified term if
this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it
modifies.
[0047] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2000-191278. The entire disclosure of Japanese
Patent Application No. 2000-191278 is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0048] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to
illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and
modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore,
the foregoing description of the embodiments according to the
present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for
the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents. Thus, the scope of the invention is
not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
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