U.S. patent application number 10/088486 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-07 for child safety device adaptable on a vehicle.
Invention is credited to Catin, Joseph, Vezinet, Cedric.
Application Number | 20020163232 10/088486 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8852909 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020163232 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vezinet, Cedric ; et
al. |
November 7, 2002 |
Child safety device adaptable on a vehicle
Abstract
Child safety device able to be adapted on a vehicle. The device
of the invention includes a portable element (2) fitted with a
tiltable arch-shaped handle (4) and a base (3) permanently fixed on
a seat of the vehicle, the portable element (2) and the base (3)
being equipped with centering and positioning means and vertical
locking means via the rotation of the portable element (2) with
respect to the base (3). According to the invention, the vertical
locking means include an anchorage piece (15) provided with at
least one locking branch (16) and an opening (17) emerging into a
cavity and making it possible to insert the locking branch (16)
through the opening (17) according to an engaging position and then
bringing the portable element (2) into a locking position via a
relative rotation of the anchorage piece (15) with respect to the
opening (17).
Inventors: |
Vezinet, Cedric; (Lyon,
FR) ; Catin, Joseph; (Saint Jean De Niost,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DENNISON, SCHULTZ & DOUGHERTY
1745 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
8852909 |
Appl. No.: |
10/088486 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
July 26, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR01/02450 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/256.12 ;
297/183.2; 297/183.3; 297/183.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/2821 20130101;
B60N 2/2845 20130101; B60N 2/146 20130101; B60N 2/2857 20130101;
B60N 2/2869 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/256.12 ;
297/183.2; 297/183.4; 297/183.3 |
International
Class: |
A47D 001/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 26, 2000 |
FR |
0009760 |
Claims
1. Adaptable child safety device for use on a vehicle and including
a portable element (2) provided with: a tiltable arch-shaped handle
(4) and a bearing surface (13), and a base (3) permanently fixed on
a seat of the vehicle and provided with a support surface (11) for
cooperating with the bearing surface (13), the portable element (2)
and the base (3) being equipped with means for centering and
positioning the portable element (2) on the base (3) and means for
vertically locking the portable element (2) by means of rotation
with respect to the base (3) between an engaging position and a
locking position, characterised in that the vertical locking means
include on one of the support (I 1) or bearing (13) surfaces an
anchorage piece (15) provided with at least one locking branch (16)
and on the other support (11) or bearing (13) surfaces, an opening
(17) issuing into a cavity and having a passage section, said
passage section of the opening (17) making it possible to insert
the locking branch (16) through the opening (17) according to the
engaging position and then bring the portable element (2) into the
locking position by means of a relative rotation of the anchorage
piece (15) with respect to the opening (17).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the anchorage
piece (15) has the shape of a "T" whose upper portion constitutes
two locking branches (16).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the
anchorage piece (15) is placed on the support surface (11) and the
opening (17) is fitted on the bearing surface (13).
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that
the means for vertically locking the portable element (2) with
respect to the base (3) further include at least one stop (18)
placed on the portable element (2) and at least one tab (19) placed
on the base (3), the stop (18) and the tab (19) being placed in
such a way that the stop (18) is inserted under the tab (19) during
rotation of the portable element (2) with respect to the base (3)
in the locking position.
5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that
the centering and positioning means include on the support surface
(11) a centering truncated cone (12) cooperating with the bearing
surface (13) placed under the portable element (2).
6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that
the support surface (11) and the bearing surface (13) have shapes
exhibiting a symmetry of revolution with respect to a spin axis
(14) of the portable element (2) with respect to the base (3).
7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that
a locking in rotation of the portable element (2) is ensured by a
slanting towards the rear of the tiltable arch-shaped handle (4) on
both sides of bosses (20) situated on the base (3).
8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that
the portable element (2) is fitted with two lateral handles (22) to
provide easy transport with studied grasping, even when the
arch-shaped handle (4) is slanted.
9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that
the portable element (2) includes a body for receiving a seat for a
child.
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the engaging
position corresponds to a position of the portable element (2) with
respect to the base (3) in which the child is placed perpendicular
to a driving direction of the vehicle.
11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the
locking position corresponds to a position of the portable element
(2) with respect to the base (3) in which the child is placed
parallel to a driving direction of the vehicle.
Description
[0001] The invention concerns the technical sector of motor vehicle
safety devices for a child and able to be used at the rear and/or
at the front of vehicles for private individuals.
[0002] The term "motor vehicle child safety device" is limited to
low weight categories, that is the groups 0, 0+ and 1, namely
respectively child devices from 0 to 10 kg, 0 to 13 kg and 9 to 18
kg.
[0003] More specifically, the invention concerns devices made up of
a body and a carrying arch-shaped handle offering a large number of
functions, such as carrying outside the vehicle or use as a bench
deck-chair.
[0004] Generally, these devices are secured to the seat of the
vehicle directly by means of the safety belt which requires that
the operation be repeated on each occasion the child enters or
leaves the vehicle and thus presenting all risks which could occur
resulting from the repeated handlings concerning safety
adjustments.
[0005] At the current moment, these devices are associated with a
second element, namely a base, so as to provide a solution to the
problem mentioned above. The base is fixed in the vehicle with the
aid of a safety belt and stays permanently. On each entering and
leaving from the vehicle, the body is then solely fitted and locked
on the base. A portion of the safety belt can, if needed, help the
base in supporting the body by means of an adequate orientation
around the body.
[0006] The main drawback of current safety devices lies in the fact
of repeated and often difficult handlings brought about by
installing the device in the vehicle which might or might not have
a base.
[0007] In fact, without a base, the device is directly supported by
the belt whose correct positioning is obligatory for the effective
holding down of the device. This means that on a daily basis the
user has to pay particular attention to ensure the safety of his or
her child. In addition, the obligatory passage points of the belt
are not always easily accessible, thus requiring several
adjustments being made to install the device. In conclusion, apart
from the fact that repetition constitutes a constraint, it may also
represent a danger.
[0008] As regards those devices provided with base, these offer
better reliability of the installation, bearing in mind that this
is only carried out on the first use of the device. The practical
aspect is also improved by virtue of the base since the
installation is then limited to a single fitting of the two
elements with one inside the other. However, the space needed to
put the device in the vehicle is restricted by the presence of the
base and the handle needs to be folded down before entering the
vehicle. The operation then consists of accurately positioning at
arm's length a device weighing about ten kilos perpendicular to the
seat of the vehicle when this device in no longer able to be
properly picked up, the arch-shaped handle having previously been
folded back so as to reduce the spatial requirement of the
device.
[0009] Finally, regardless of the device, after being installed in
the vehicle, it is frequently necessary to adjust the position of
the child in the device or adjust the setting of the harness. Now
the position of the child perpendicular to the adult and back to
the road then no longer allows acting effectively as accessibility
to the inside of the body is limited and the adult carrying out the
adjustment is quite often close to the back of the seat which
reduces the field of activity. To this needs to be added is the
orientation of the safety belt of the vehicle, one of the latter's
two portions often being taut in the space separating the child and
adult.
[0010] Thus, devices have been proposed provided with a base making
it possible to position the portable element and have it pivot
around a spin axis so as to lock said portable element with respect
to the base along an adapted orientation.
[0011] The international patent application WO 98/23 462 describes
a device of this type allowing the portable elements to pivot with
respect to the base. The base of this device is fitted with a
complex mechanism able to vertically and in rotation lock the
portable element when the latter is positioned according to a
particular orientation. Locking is ensured by horizontal rods which
are inserted in orifices situated at the periphery of the support
surface of the portable element. Locking is only possible when the
horizontal rods are opposite with the orifices of the portable
element. A bright colour at the extremity of these rods enables the
user to visually ensure that locking of the portable element with
respect to the base is fully effective. The unlocking of the
portable element is ensured by a handle acting on the locking
mechanism.
[0012] The users of child safety devices generally look for safety
but also for devices extremely simple to use. Also, the presence of
an unlocking handle, visual control of locking and adjustment of
the rotating portable element thus constitute a large number of
means and operations complicating the use of the device offered in
the document WO 98/23 462. In addition, the implementation of these
technical means is frequently at the origin of jerks prejudicial to
the comfort of the child. Finally, the complexity of the mechanism
of this device does not offer reliable use over a period of
time.
[0013] Thus, the object of the invention is to provide a device
satisfying these objectives concerning safety, simplicity and
comfort.
[0014] To reach these objectives, the invention concerns a child's
safety device able to be adapted on a vehicle and including:
[0015] a portable element fitted with a tiltable arch-shaped handle
and a support surface,
[0016] and a base fixed permanently on a seat of the vehicle and
provided with a bearing surface for cooperating with the support
surface,
[0017] the portable element and the base being equipped with means
for centering and positioning the portable element on the base and
vertical locking means via rotation of the portable element with
respect to the base between an engaging position and a locking
position.
[0018] According to the invention, the vertical locking means
include on one of the support or bearing surfaces an anchorage
piece provided with at least one locking branch and on the other of
the support or bearing surfaces an opening issuing into a cavity
and having a passage section, said passage section of the opening
making it possible to insert the locking branch through the opening
along the engaging position and then bring the portable element
into the locking position by means of a relative rotation of the
anchorage piece with respect to the opening.
[0019] Various other characteristics are shown in the following
description with reference to the accompanying drawings which show
by way of non-restrictive examples embodiments and implementations
of the object of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 1 represents a safety device according to the invention
and intended to receive a child's seat.
[0021] FIG. 2 represents the portable element for receiving a
child's seat.
[0022] FIG. 3 represents the base supporting the portable element
of the device of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cutaway section view representing the portable
element positioned on the base of the device of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates the locking in rotation operation of the
portable element.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows on reduced scale the safety device 1 according
to a non-restrictive embodiment of the invention, said device
comprising a portable element 2 placed on a base 3. The portable
element 2 ensures the functions for housing and protecting the
child and comprises either a sole element constituting the seat and
the back of the device or several elements respectively
constituting the seat, backrest, head support, etc.
[0026] These elements can appear in the form of a body or body
elements integral with the portable element 2.
[0027] The portable element 2 preferably includes a body for
receiving a seat for a child.
[0028] The elements or components of this portable element 2 are
relatively rigid and light so as to satisfy the requirements of
standards and the comfort expected by the consumer. This is why
their essential features are mainly based on:
[0029] blown, injected, thermoformed or rotationally-moulded
plastics (polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS)
[0030] polystyrenes,
[0031] polyurethanes
[0032] which are able to strengthen tubular reinforcements,
especially metal ones.
[0033] As shown on FIG. 2, the portable element 2 has a tiltable
handle 4 which in particular provides a carrying function. The
design and ergonomics of the arch-shaped handle vary depending on
the device. According to the models, the arch-shaped handle allows
movement parallel to the body, perpendicular to the body or both
movements. The base of the portable element 2 can also have rails
providing a bench function.
[0034] The base 3 is secured to the seat of the vehicle by any
suitably-adapted element, especially by means of a safety belt or
strap. As shown on FIG. 3, the base 3 comprises points for passage
of the safety belt, such as slides 5 and 6, a baffle 7 comprising a
slide fitted with a closing element 8. The slides 5 and 6 comply
with the requirements of the current European standard and are
situated at a minimum distance of 150 mm from a point constituting
the intersection of the backrest and seat of the vehicle on which
the base 3 is fixed. The passage of the safety belt via the baffle
7 ensures a deviation of the orientation of the latter making it
possible to free the space required for rotation of the portable
element 2 on the base 3. The base can also include a U-shaped piece
for limiting the risks of warping of the portable element 2 whose
seat/backrest angle could be open. The U-shaped piece 9 is directly
in contact with the backrest of the portable element 2 which makes
it possible to block any movement ( of the backrest in relation to
the base towards the front of the vehicle.
[0035] During preparation of the installation in the vehicle, the
arch-shaped handle 4 can be folded down from its vertical position,
towards the back of the portable element 2 into an intermediate
position at about 45.degree. which makes it possible to
considerably reduce the spatial requirement of the portable element
2 and thus making it easy it to insert in the vehicle.
[0036] The first stage of installation consists of positioning or
stacking the portable element 2 on the base 3.
[0037] As shown on FIGS. 3 and 4, the portable element 2 and the
base 3 are equipped with means for centering and positioning the
portable element 2 on the base 3. Thus, the first stage of
installation is simplified by these means providing a function for
the centering and instantaneously positioning the portable element
2 without looking for any position or locking as is the case with
certain devices of the prior art.
[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the centering
and positioning means comprise on the support surface 11 a cone or
preferably a centering truncated cone 12 cooperating with the
bearing surface 13 placed under the portable element 2.
[0039] This positioning stage is therefore carried out simply
without searching to find the correct position by virtue of the
cone or truncated cone 12 situated on the base 3 making it possible
to obtain an automatic centering of the portable element 2 at the
anticipated position, that is the engaging position.
[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support
surface 11 and the bearing surface 12 have shapes exhibiting a
symmetry of revolution with respect to a spin axis 14 of the
portable element 2 with respect to the base 3. This makes it
possible to obtain one of the characteristics of the invention,
namely the pivoting or rotation of the portable element 2 with
respect to the base 3.
[0041] During the first installation stage, this pivoting
characteristic enables the portable element 2 to be positioned on
the base 3 so that this portable element 2 is in a different
position with respect to a transport position, this being obtained
via a simple pivoting or rotation of the portable element 2.
[0042] Thus, it is possible to position the portable element 2 on
the base in an engaging position so that the latter faces to adult
before making it subsequently pivot into the transport
position.
[0043] The engaging position preferably corresponds to a position
of the portable element 2 with respect to the base 3 in which the
child is placed perpendicular to a driving direction of the vehicle
or parallel to a bench of said vehicle. As shown on FIG. 1, this
disposition corresponds to a disposition perpendicular to the
portable element 2 with respect to the base 3 obtained during the
first installation stage of the portable element 2 in the
vehicle.
[0044] This first installation stage is carried out simply as the
portable element 2 is generally placed inside the vehicle
lengthwise allowing a reduced spatial requirement. This position
then enables the adult to control placing the child in the body
and, if appropriate, easily put him back or adjust the harness,
given the fact that the child and body are opposite the adult and
not perpendicular as is generally the case,; especially for devices
not possessing this pivoting characteristic.
[0045] When the child is placed correctly, the adult can make the
portable element 2 pivot on the base 3 and lock it with respect to
the base 3, this constituting a second installation stage.
[0046] The locking of the portable element 2 with respect to the
base 3 constitutes one characteristic of the invention which is
initially ensured with respect to a substantially vertical
direction by vertical locking means.
[0047] In accordance with the invention, the vertical locking means
include on one side an anchorage piece 15 provided with at least
one locking branch 16 and on the other side an opening 17 issuing
into a cavity and having a passage section, the anchorage piece 15
being inserted into the opening 17 according to the engaging
position. The passage section of the opening 17 firstly makes it
possible to insert the locking branch 16 through the opening 17
according to the engaging position and secondly bring the portable
element 2 into the locking position by means of a relative rotation
of the anchorage piece 15 with respect to the opening 17.
[0048] As shown on FIGS. 3 and 4, the anchorage piece 15 has the
shape of a "T", its upper portion constituting two locking branches
16. The anchorage piece 15 is preferably placed on the support
surface 11 especially on the truncated cone 12, and an opening is
fitted on the bearing surface 13 so as to receive said anchorage
piece 15 when the portable element 2 is in the engaging position.
Once rotation of the portable element 2 with respect to the base 3
has started, the anchorage piece 15 inserted in the opening 17 of
the bearing surface 13 of the portable element 2 keeps said
portable element 2 laid flat on the base 3.
[0049] It is also possible to have an anchorage piece 15 placed on
the bearing surface 13 and the opening 17 fitted on the support
surface 11.
[0050] The vertical locking position preferably corresponds to a
position of the portable element 2 with respect to the base 3 in
which the child is placed parallel to a driving direction of the
vehicle or perpendicular to a banquette of said vehicle. As shown
on FIG. 5, this disposition corresponds to a disposition parallel
to the portable element 2 with respect to the base 3 obtained
during the second installation stage.
[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the means for
vertically locking the portable element 2 with respect to the base
3 include in addition at least one stop 18 placed on the portable
element and at least one tab 19 placed on the base, the stop 18 and
the tab 19 being placed in such a way that the stop 18 is inserted
under the tab 19 during rotation of the portable element 2 with
respect to the base 3 in the locking position.
[0052] Thus, the upper face of the stop 18 is in contact with the
lower face of the tab 19 so as to lock and vertically fix the
portable element 2 with respect to the base 3.
[0053] As shown on FIGS. 3 and 4, the stop 18 and the tab 19 are
respectively placed on the portable element 2 and on the base 3 so
that the stop is inserted under the tab 19 when the portable
element 2 is placed parallel to the base 3, that is when it has
rotated by about 90.degree. with respect to an engaging position
corresponding to a disposition of the portable element 2
perpendicular to the base 3.
[0054] When rotation has ended, the stop 18 is added to the
anchorage piece 15 for vertical locking or in translation of the
portable element 2. These two points constitute an effective and
adequate fastening of the portable element 2 with respect to the
base 3 guaranteeing that these two elements are firmly joined
should an accident occur. Thus, the means constituted by the stop
18 and the tab 18 are able to strengthen the vertical locking of
the portable element 2 with respect to the base 3.
[0055] Dismantling of the portable element 2 can then only be
carried out by an inverse movement of rotation and not by a
vertical translation. The advantage of locking by rotation
according to the invention resides in the fact of eliminating the
jerk often required on current devices so as to activate a bolt. In
fact, this sudden movement has the drawback of shaking the child
and, could wake him up. In addition, vertical locking is effective
immediately on the start of rotation of the portable element 2 with
respect to the base 1.
[0056] A third installation stage consists of locking the portable
element 2 in rotation with respect to the base 3.
[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking of
the portable element 2 in rotation is ensured by a slanting towards
the rear of the tiltable arch-shaped handle 4 on both sides of the
bosses situated on the base 3.
[0058] The tiltable arch-shaped handle 4 is generally fixed by two
fastening points on both sides of the portable element 2 so as to
give the child a movement parallel to the body and around an axis
passing through these two fastening points. The locking in rotation
of the portable element 2 with respect to the base 3 is thus
ensured by the tiltable arch-shaped handle 4 when the adult slants
towards the rear or lowers to horizontal when rotation is
effective, that is when the portable element 2 is in the locking
position. The handle 4 then is clad against the bosses 20 and also
prevents rotation of the portable element 2.
[0059] This locking in rotation or rotation of the portable element
2 is ensured to avoid any risk of an accident occurring.
[0060] The use of the arch-shaped handle 4 as a means for locking
and unlocking in rotation the portable element 2 results in
obtaining improved simplicity of the device in use owing to the
absence of any additional element used for locking and
unlocking.
[0061] According to one particular embodiment of the invention, the
portable element 2 is fitted with two lateral handles 22 to ensure
easy transport with studied grasping, even when the arch-shaped
handle is slanted.
[0062] In particular, this is advantageous during installation
inside the vehicle so as to limit the general spatial requirement
of the device (arch-shaped handle folded back) whilst preserving
adapted grasping. During preparation of installation into the
vehicle, the tiltable arch-shaped handle 4 can be folded back
without adversely affecting carrying as the handles 22 then take
the relays of the tiltable arch-shaped handle 4.
* * * * *