CHILD SEAT FOR ATTACHING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

The invention relates to a child seat for attaching to a motor vehicle seat, comprising a seat region and a back section, at least one shoulder strap, at least one retaining device for holding and/or deflecting the shoulder strap, and at least one force limiting means, which is designed such that the retaining device is transitioned from a first arrested position to a second arrested position upon exceeding a predetermined limit force exerted by the shoulder strap or by the shoulder straps on the retaining device in case of an impact.

Claims

1. A child seat for attachment to a motor vehicle seat, the child seat comprising: a seat region and a back section; at least one shoulder strap; at least one retaining device for holding and/or deflecting the shoulder strap, and at least one force-limiting means, which is designed such that the retaining device is transferred from a first locked position to a second locked position upon exceeding a predetermined limit force acting from the shoulder strap or shoulder straps in the event of an impact on the retaining device.

2. The child seat according to claim 1, comprising at least one adjusting device for setting at least two different positions, in particular at least the first and second locked position, of the retaining device relative to the back section for adjusting the belt length and/or position to the size and/or weight of a child located in the child seat.

3. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the retaining device can be locked in (the) at least two positions via at least one latching device, in particular engages in at least two latching positions, wherein preferably at least two complementary latching elements, for example a projection, in particular locking element, and a recess corresponding thereto, in particular pocket, are provided for this purpose.

4. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the individual positions are defined by individual receptacles, in particular pockets and/or projections and/or connecting webs, which are preferably components of an integral component, and/or by a toothed strip and/or a perforated strip.

5. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the retaining device can be brought into at least three positions, preferably via the adjusting device, wherein when a first limit force is exceeded, the next position is taken and when a second limit force is exceeded, a position lying farther away, especially the next but one, is taken.

6. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the retaining device is connected to a headrest and/or is displaceable together with the headrest.

7. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device comprises a handle, in particular for the preferably pulling release of the lock, and/or a spring, in particular return spring, for producing the lock.

8. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein when overcoming the limiting force at least a section between two latching elements, in particular between two recesses, in particular pockets, is plastically or elastically deformable and/or destroyed, in particular breaks or ruptures.

9. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein between two latching elements at least one web or at least one web projection, preferably two web projections, is/are arranged, which is preferably plastically deformed or breaks when a predetermined limit force is exceeded, such that the retaining device is transferred from one to the other position, wherein preferably a plurality of webs or web projections are provided, which are made of different thickness.

10. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the retaining device can be brought, preferably via the adjusting device, into at least three locked positions, namely at least a first, a second and a third position, wherein a limit force for displacement from the first to the second position is higher or lower, in particular by at least 5%, preferably by at least 10%, than a limit force for displacement from the second to the third position.

11. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the at least one force-limiting means comprises an inclined surface which is arranged and formed such that a locking element slides out of a locked position when the limit force is exceeded, wherein the inclined surface is preferably provided on the locking element or on a bolt receptacle.

12. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the force-limiting means has an at least partially convex or trapezoidal locking element.

13. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the force-limiting means comprises at least one spring, in particular a leaf spring.

14. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the respective limit force is at least 500 N and/or at most 21000 N.

15. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the positions of the retaining device, which can be set intentionally (before the drive) by the adjusting device, can differ at least partially from the positions which are assumed in the event of an impact by the action of the at least one force-limiting means, wherein the adjusting device comprises an adjusting element which defines a plurality of positions for setting the belt length or position and is mounted so that it occupies a different position when exceeding a limit force; or wherein the force-limiting means comprises a force-limiting element which is formed in order to displace the retaining device from the first to the second position when a predetermined limit force acting from the shoulder strap on the retaining device is exceeded, wherein the force-limiting element can be moved into a plurality of positions.

Description

[0029] The invention will be described with reference to embodiments, which are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1a shows a schematic view of a section of a child seat without the force-limiting means according to the invention;

[0031] FIG. 1b shows a section along the line Ib-Ib of FIG. 1a;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a detail of the child seat according to the invention similar to FIG. 1a;

[0033] FIG. 3a shows a schematic representation of further embodiments of the child seat according to the invention analogous to FIG. 2;

[0034] FIG. 3b shows an oblique view of another embodiment of the section analogous to FIG. 2;

[0035] FIG. 4 shows different embodiments of force-limiting means analogous to the illustrations in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a section analogous to FIG. 1b through a section of another embodiment of the child seat;

[0037] FIG. 6a shows an oblique view of a section of another embodiment of the child seat;

[0038] FIG. 6b shows a side view of the section according to FIG. 6a;

[0039] FIG. 6c shows a further oblique view of the section according to FIG. 6a;

[0040] FIG. 7a shows an oblique view of a section of another embodiment of the child seat;

[0041] FIG. 7b shows a side view of the section according to FIG. 7a;

[0042] FIG. 7c shows a further oblique view of the section according to FIG. 7a;

[0043] FIG. 8a shows a schematic section of another embodiment of the child seat according to the invention;

[0044] FIG. 8b shows a schematic section of another embodiment of the child seat according to the invention;

[0045] FIG. 8c shows a schematic section of another embodiment of the child seat according to the invention;

[0046] FIG. 9 shows a schematic section of another embodiment of the child seat according to the invention;

[0047] FIG. 10a shows a section of another embodiment of the child seat according to the invention;

[0048] FIG. 10b shows a section along line Xb-Xb in FIG. 10a;

[0049] FIG. 11 shows a section of another embodiment of the child seat according to the invention;

[0050] FIG. 12a shows a schematic section of another embodiment of the child seat according to the invention;

[0051] FIG. 12 b shows a section according to FIG. 12a in a deviating position of a locking element;

[0052] FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of a child seat according to the invention;

[0053] FIG. 14 shows an enlarged section of FIG. 13; and

[0054] FIG. 15 shows a step section of FIG. 13.

[0055] In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for identical and equivalent parts.

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a section of a child seat without force-limiting means according to the invention. The section can be, for example, a structure which is arranged on a rear side of the child seat, in particular a rear side of a backrest or a back section. Thus, FIGS. 1a and 1b show a structure for adjusting a retaining device 29 (not shown heresee FIGS. 13 to 15) for a shoulder strap with regard to its position, in particular height. For this purpose, (receiving) pockets 10 are provided, into which a locking element 11 can engage. The locking element 11 can be accommodated in each of the pockets 10 (in FIGS. 1a and 1b, for example, in the second pocket 10 from above). Furthermore, the locking element 11 is part of the retaining device for the shoulder strap or at least connected to such a retaining device. In principle, if two shoulder straps are provided, the shoulder straps can each be held in a separate retaining device, but preferably both shoulder straps are held by one retaining device 29 (see FIGS. 13 to 15).

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a section analogous to FIG. 1a of a child seat according to the invention. The structure according to FIG. 2 differs from the structure according to FIGS. 1a and 1b by the provision of (comparatively thin) webs 12 between individual pockets (specifically the second pocket from the top to the second pocket from below). The webs 12 are formed such that upon exceeding a limit force (such as occurs in an impact accident for example) they are plastically deformed or even break, thereby enabling the transfer of the locking element 11 into the next position (for example, in the event of an accident the second web 12 from the top could break, thereby allowing a transfer of the locking element 11 of the third to the fourth pocket (from above)). Furthermore, according to FIG. 2, separating regions 13 are further provided between the two uppermost and the two lowermost pockets 10, which (as well as the corresponding separating regions 12 in FIGS. 1a and 1b) do not form a force-limiting means, since they do not allow a release of the lock by the locking element in the respective pocket even at maximum forces. For example, these separating regions 13 also withstand a force (which acts in the direction of the next pocket) of more than 21000 N, preferably more than 25000 N.

[0058] In the alternative embodiment according to FIG. 3a (compared to the embodiment according to FIG. 2), the webs are partially taken out. In other words, a respective web 12 (according to FIG. 2) is replaced by two projections (web projections) 14 which are directed towards one another. A pocket 10 may then be defined by four projections 14, for example. The projections 14 can either have a straight end 15 (as shown in FIG. 3a for the four upper projections 14) or an oblique end 16 (as shown in FIG. 3a for the four lower projections 14). In general, a beveled end may favor the sliding out of the locking element 11 into the next position (so that a lower limit force is sufficient for transferring to the next position). In particular, various limit forces (force thresholds) can be set by means of different oblique angles, e.g. the respective ends of the projections 14 can extend in an increasingly flattened manner from top to bottom.

[0059] FIG. 3b shows an oblique view of an embodiment analogous to FIG. 3a with further details. In particular, it can be seen there that, instead of individual projections 14, projection pairs 17 may be provided, wherein a pocket 10 can be defined by four pairs of projections 17. Furthermore, a pocket 10 can be formed by two projection pairs 17 and an (insurmountable) separation region 13.

[0060] Furthermore, a pocket can be formed by two (insurmountable) separation regions 13.

[0061] FIG. 4 shows further embodiments of the invention in a schematic view. In particular, it is shown thatinstead of the projections (web projections) shown in FIGS. 3a and 3belastic projections 18 can be formed. Furthermore, the projections 14 can be replaced by leaf springs 19 (or other springs), which are also shown in FIG. 4. In general, the projections used can deform plastically or elastically or even break (when overcoming the force threshold).

[0062] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment in a section analogous to FIG. 1b. Here, the webs are geometrically designed (concretely by a slight slope of the force-loaded side surface) so that a larger component of the applied force pushes the locking element against the web and a smaller component lifts the locking element out of the pocket. When a force threshold is exceeded, the smaller force component overcomes the frictional resistance generated by the larger force component and the locking element 11 is lifted from the pocket 10 or slips over the slope 20 into the next pocket. In a corresponding manner, solutions for toothed or perforated strips or the like can be provided.

[0063] The webs or the projections (web extensions) 14 shown in FIGS. 6a to 6c can be connected to the surrounding structure on one side and on the bottom. However, they can also be connected to the structure only on the side (which is preferred) or only on the bottom. Alternatives for an arrangement only on one side are shown in FIGS. 6a to 6c and in FIGS. 7a to 7c (see in particular FIG. 7c). In FIGS. 6a to 6c and 7a to 7c, the projections (web inserts) are only laterally attached (connected). As a result, the projections hang freely in space, so that they can be easily deformed or broken, in order to facilitate a transfer of the locking element into the next position.

[0064] FIG. 8a shows a detail analogous to FIG. 2, namely with a locking element 11 having straight ends 21. Alternatively (see FIG. 8b), the locking element 11 may have sloping ends 22, so that a force acting on the projections 14 causes an increased surface load on the webs 14 and facilitates their elastic or plastic deformation or their breakage. In general, the geometric shape of the locking element may be selected so that an applied force causes increased point or area loading on the areas between the locked positions and facilitates their elastic or plastic deformation or breakage. This can furthermore be achieved, for example, by a trapezoidal structure (see FIGS. 8b and 8c). It is also possible to convexly form the force-loaded side of the locking element 11. Furthermore, the locking element may be formed elastically deformable.

[0065] In a further embodiment (see FIG. 9), only a certain number of locked positions can always be overcome before an insurmountable position is assumed again. This can be realized, for example, by setting only individual intermediate regions 23 between the pockets 10 in such a way that they allow them to be overcome into the next position. For example, every third or every fourth intermediate region 23 can be insurmountable (see FIG. 9).

[0066] In another embodiment, an additional component 24 is used, which can be locked in a height-adjustable manner (but without force-limiting means)in particular via a locking element 11b, which can optionally engage in associated pockets 10and in turn defines several positions for locking the belt system including force-limiting means. In a preferred embodiment, the belt system can initially always be locked in the uppermost position within the component 24 and be transferred to a further position only when the defined limit force is exceeded. For example, the component 24 has pockets 10a for this purpose, into which a locking element 11a can engage.

[0067] In a further preferred embodiment (see FIG. 11), the limit force from which the force limitation takes effect is not the same in all positions, but depends on the position in which the belt system is locked. Thus, taking into account the commonly present correlation between height and weight of children, account can be taken of the above-described need to consider the weight of the child in the seat when selecting the force threshold. In various embodiments, this can be done by a suitable choice of the web thickness (FIG. 11) and/or the length of remaining web inserts (projections) and/or by the material thickness and/or a spring strength of a spring and/or an angle of a slope.

[0068] In principle, the various embodiments can also be combined with one another as desired. Only as an example, web projections (projections) of different lengths can be connected to a locking element with a concave side (see FIGS. 12a and 12b).

[0069] Furthermore, the solutions and structures described above can also be transferred, for example, to toothed or perforated strips or to other suitable structures which, for example, permit interlocked and/or force-locked engagement.

[0070] FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of a child seat according to the invention, comprising a seat region 25, a back section 26, a belt system 27 with shoulder straps 28 and a retaining device 29 for holding and deflecting the shoulder straps 25. The retaining device 29 is connected to the locking element 11, which in turn can engage in pockets 10. FIG. 14 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 13 with the retaining device 29 and the locking element 11. In the retaining device 29, belt guides 30 are arranged, through which the belt can be guided so that it is held and deflected. FIG. 15 shows a stepped section of a section according to FIG. 13. In FIG. 15, the force acting on the holding section by the shoulder straps 28 acts (essentially, at least with respect to the components) in the direction of the arrow 31, i.e. in one direction of the arrangement of the pockets 10,

[0071] Furthermore, one recognizes in FIG. 15 details of an adjusting device which permits a deliberate setting of the position of the retaining device, in particular a height of the retaining device. Concretely, the adjusting device comprises a (claw-shaped) actuating element 32 which, when rotated about an axis 35 (counterclockwise in FIG. 15), pushes the locking element via an (arcuate) stop 33 out of its receptacle (pocket) against the action of springs 34 (shown in FIG. 14). The actuating element 32 has a hook-shaped, possibly undercut section 36, which secures the locking element against unintentional unlocking.

[0072] In general, it should be noted that the force or at least a component of the force acting from the shoulder strap on the retaining device in the event of an impact, preferably acts from top to bottom (parallel to the backrest), but also (depending on the specific embodiment of the belt guide) from bottom to top. It may even be that there is an intermediate position and the locking element is transferred from the underlying position upwards and from the overlying position down (or that a corresponding force acts).

[0073] Overall, a child seat is provided with force-limiting means with increased security. In particular, the force-limiting means may especially allow the optimum force-limiting means to be provided automatically when the belt layer is correctly adjusted. In this case, the limit force may possibly be selected lower than in the prior art, since a plurality of force-limiting means can act in succession.

[0074] At the same time, the solution according to the invention offers a high degree of comfort, since the selection of the force-limiting means does not take place in a separate step, but can be done automatically with the adjustment of the belt position, optionally in combination with the adjustment of the headrest. This setting is often necessary when using child seats anyway. In particular, the setting of the limit force need no longer necessarily be made, as was customary in the past, by reattaching or threading the straps, so that the child seat would have to be removed. Rather, the setting can be made conveniently, for example from the front. Even a setting during use is possible with suitable design.

[0075] Finally, the solution according to the invention is also particularly simple to manufacture, since its realization is possible with little effort compared to conventional solutions. For example, hydraulic elements can be completely dispensed with. Furthermore, the force-limiting means can be achieved, for example, alone by a modified shape of the already existing locking mechanism. In principle, no additional parts are required and all parts can be produced using the usual production processes, such as injection molding, extrusion blow molding or the like. There is also no effort by separate mounting.

[0076] It should be noted at this point that all parts described above taken alone and in any combination, in particular the details shown in the drawings, are claimed as essential to the invention. Modifications thereof are familiar to those skilled in the art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0077] 10 Pocket [0078] 11 Locking element [0079] 12 Web [0080] 13 Separation region [0081] 14 Projection [0082] 15 Straight end [0083] 16 Oblique end [0084] 17 Pair of projections [0085] 18 Elastic projection [0086] 19 (Leaf) spring [0087] 20 Slope [0088] 21 End [0089] 22 Oblique end [0090] 23 Intermediate region [0091] 24 Component [0092] 25 Seat region [0093] 26 Back section [0094] 27 Belt system [0095] 28 Shoulder strap [0096] 29 Retaining device [0097] 30 Belt guide [0098] 31 Arrow [0099] 32 Actuating element [0100] 33 Stop [0101] 34 Spring [0102] 35 Axis [0103] 36 Section