DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Throughout the following description any reference to directions such as, for example, up, down, horizontal and vertical is meant to refer to the directions associated with a child seat when in use in a vehicle.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1 , the present invention is directed to a child vehicle seat. The car seat 10 includes a backrest 100 connected to a seat base 200 . The backrest 100 includes a top portion 110 serving as a headrest. The backrest 100 further includes a lower or bottom portion 120 . The bottom portion serves as a back support 120 and is connected to the base 200 .

[0044] The seat base 200 may be used either with or without the backrest 100 . When the base 200 is to be solely used without the backrest 100 as a backless booster seat, a mechanism for connecting with the backrest 100 may be omitted. In such a case, the seat base will include a smooth seating surface.

[0045] The base 200 preferably includes front and rear portions connected together. Preferably, the front portion 210 is connected to the rear portion 220 so that a generally smooth seating surface is created. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the position of the front portion 210 relative to the rear portion 220 may be adjusted in order to vary the depth of the seat size of the seating surface.

[0046] The base 200 also includes a pair of armrests 250 which may be of fixed or variable height. As shown in FIG. 1 , the base 200 includes two upwardly extending sections 240 for receiving the armrests 250 . As described further below, the height of each armrest 250 relative to the seating surface of the base 200 may be adjusted to conform to the occupant of the seat 10 . The armrests 250 function to properly locate the lapbelt across the lower pelvic region of the occupant.

[0047] The child seat 10 may also include an object holder 300 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the object holder 300 may be attached to the base 200 . In particular, the container holder 300 may be mounted under the seating surface of the base 200 from movement between a retracted, storage position and an extended, in-use position. FIG. 1 shows the container bolder 300 in the retracted position.

[0048] The exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 further includes a conventional belt guide 450 . As shown in the drawings, the conventional belt guide 450 only provides for use of a vehicle shoulder belt (not shown) in a “free” mode. The belt guide 450 does not include provision for locking the seat belt in position. As discussed further below; with reference to FIG. 12 , the present invention includes a belt guide having both “free” and “locking” modes of operation.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2 , in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the backrest 100 is pivotally attached to the base 200 . The bottom portion of the backrest 120 includes at least three hooks 125 . The hooks 125 engage a bar 225 located near the back edge of the rear portion 220 of the base 200 . As described further below, the bar 225 includes flat sections 226 that are positioned to permit the hooks 125 to disengage from the bar 225 when separation of the backrest 100 from the base 200 is desired. Separation of the seat parts may be required or desired for storage or shipping of the child seat, for example.

[0050] FIG. 2 discloses the base 200 with an enlarged or extended seating surface. The front portion 210 of the base 200 is extended further away from the rear portion 220 of the base. FIG. 2 also discloses an extended position of the container holder 300 . For exemplary purposes only, FIGS. 1 and 2 show two alternative positions for certain features of the child seat 10 . However, included within the scope of the present invention are many additional adjustment positions of the various seat components (e.g. container holder 300 , seat base 200 , backrest 100 , armrest 250 , etc.) including positions intermediate to and beyond the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0051] Preferably, the parts associated with the child seat 10 are conventional plastic formed in an injection molding process.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2 , the height of the armrests 250 is adjustable. In a preferred embodiment, each armrest 250 includes a flexible tab 255 . Preferably, the flexible tab 255 in integrally formed with the rest of the armrest 250 during an injection molding process. The tab 255 may include protrusions 260 . The protrusions 260 are positioned to engage one of at least two holes 242 located in an armrest receiving portion 240 of the base 200 . The holes 242 may be divided into two adjacent holes to con-form to the exemplary shape of the protrusions 260 shown in FIG. 2 .

[0053] For convenience, FIG. 2 shows one of the two armrest 250 in an exploded view. However, according to the present invention, both of the armrests 250 are adjustable. When one of the armrests 250 is secured in a selected position, the protrusions 260 are located in one of the holes 242 . When a change in the height of the armrest is desired, the protrusions 260 are pushed inwardly, and the tab 255 pivots inward relative to the armrest 250 allowing the protrusion 260 to disengage from the hole 242 . The armrest 250 then may slide upward or downward, as appropriate, until the protrusions 260 engage the desired holes 242 .

[0054] While the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is directed to protrusions located on a pivoting and flexible tab, the present invention includes other acceptable alternatives, such as a push button or latch mechanism. Furthermore, although the drawings show the armrest 250 to be inserted into the base 200 , the present invention includes an alternative arrangement in which the armrest 250 slides over the upwardly extending portion 240 of the base 200 . In such an arrangement, the flexible tab 255 and protrusions 260 would be positioned on the upwardly extending portion 240 of the base 200 , and the holes 242 would be located on the arm rest 250 .

[0055] With reference to FIGS. 3 through 8 , the backrest height adjustment mechanism will now be described. As mentioned above, the backrest 100 includes a top portion 110 and a bottom portion 120 . The top portion 110 functions primarily as a head and neck rest for the seat occupant. The bottom portion 120 provides upper and lower back support. The height of the backrest 100 may be adjusted by sliding the top portion 110 upward or downward relative to the bottom portion 120 . The height adjustment allows for proper positioning of the shoulder belt relative to the occupant. In addition, the height adjustment ensures that the top of the backrest 100 supports the occupant's head.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3 , the top portion 110 may be slidably attached to the bottom portion 120 . The bottom portion 120 may include a guide section 122 for maintaining the vertical alignment of the top portion 110 . The position of the top portion 110 relative to the bottom portion 120 may be locked or fixed using a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include a latch 160 positioned to engage a series of notches 130 .

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3 , the latch 160 is preferably connected to the top portion 110 . The notches 130 are preferably located on the bottom portion 120 . The latch 160 is pivotally connected to the top portion 110 . The pivotal connection between the latch 160 and the top portion 110 is preferably made by integrally forming the latch 160 with the top portion 110 during an injection molding process. Alternatively, the latch 160 may be pivotally connected to the top portion 110 through other acceptable arrangements such as, for example, a hinge and pin connection.

[0058] The latch 160 is biased toward engagement with the notches 130 . As a result, secure connection between the top portion 110 and bottom portion 120 of the backrest 100 is maintained. As shown in FIG. 4 , the latch 160 includes at least one protrusion 162 for engaging a notch 130 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 , when the backrest 100 is locked (i.e., no relative movement between the top portion 110 and the bottom portion 120 ), the protrusion 162 of the latch 160 fits securely in one of the notches 130 .

[0059] The child seat 10 may further include a release mechanism for unlocking the backrest 100 . The release mechanism includes a handle 150 located at the top of the backrest 100 . The handle 150 is connected to a pair of rigid members 170 positioned to interact with the latch 160 . In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, two rigid members 170 are provided. However only one rigid member is required. As an alternative, a flexible member may be stretched to disengage the latch. The tensile force on the member during disengagement would bias the handle toward its normal position.

[0060] Preferably, each rigid member 170 is a sliding rail connected to the top portion 110 of the backrest 100 . Each rail 170 includes a wedge 172 located at its lower end, adjacent to the latch 160 . The wedge 172 is positioned so that when the handle 150 is depressed, the wedge 172 moves downwardly to contact and lift the latch 160 and disengage the protrusion 162 from the notch 130 , as shown in FIG. 6 .

[0061] With the handle maintained in a depressed condition to disengage the latch 160 from the notch 130 , the position of the upper portion 110 of the backrest 100 may be changed upwardly or downwardly. When the new desired position is reached, the handle 150 may be released causing the biasing force on the latch 160 to force the bars 170 upwards. The protrusion 162 on the latch 160 then can engage the adjacent notch 130 located in the backrest 100 to lock the backrest in position. Following release of the handle 150 , a minor adjustment in the height of the top portion 110 relative to the bottom portion 120 may be required in order to align the latch 160 with the closest notch 130 . In an alternative embodiment, the handle 150 may be biased upwardly by a spring or other mechanism.

[0062] The child seat may be arranged so that lifting of the handle 150 provides for disengagement or unlocking of the top and bottom portions of the backrest 100 .

[0063] An alternative embodiment of the height adjustment mechanism for the backrest 100 is disclosed in FIGS. 7 and 8 . As shown in FIG. 7 , the bottom portion 120 ′ of the backrest 100 ′ may include a series of notches 140 positioned to receive a tab 145 connected to the upper portion 110 ′ of the backrest 100 ′. As shown in FIG. 7, a pair of tabs 145 are preferably provided. Similarly, the bottom portion 120 ′ preferably includes two vertical rows of notches 140 , each row positioned to interact with one of the tabs 145 . The tabs 145 are biased inwardly away from the notches 140 . In the exemplary embodiment shown the biasing is provided by a compression spring 143 . The spring 143 is positioned in a slot 142 located in the tab 145 . The tab 145 is slidably connected to the top portion 110 ′ of the backrest 100 to slide in and out of notches 140 . A post 144 is provided in the slot 142 of the tab 145 . The spring 143 contacts the post 144 , and at the other end the spring 143 contacts the tab 145 at one end of the slot 142 .

[0064] As shown in FIG. 7 , when the tab 145 is fully engaged with the notch 140 , the spring 143 is compressed due to the position of the post 144 in the slot 142 . As shown in FIG. 8 , when the tab 145 is disengaged from the notch 140 , the position of the post 144 in the slot 142 allows the compressive force on the spring 143 to be released.

[0065] The position of the tabs 145 relative to the notches 140 is controlled by a release mechanism which includes a handle 150 ′ connected to an elongated, vertical rigid member 180 . The rigid control member 180 is slidably connected to the top portion 110 ′ of the backrest 100 ′. Preferably, the control member 180 is biased to an equilibrium position shown in FIG. 7 by a pair of springs 186 . The equilibrium position of the rigid member 180 corresponds to a locked or latched position of the backrest 100 ′. In the equilibrium position, an enlarged portion 182 of the control member 180 contacts the tabs 145 , thereby overcoming the force of the springs 143 and forcing each of the tabs 145 into engagement with one of the notches 140 to lock the backrest 100 ′.

[0066] When a change in position of the top portion 110 ′ of the backrest 100 ′ is desired, the handle 150 is moved upwardly or downwardly to move the rigid member 180 out of its equilibrium position. When the rigid member is moved out of its equilibrium position, the enlarged portion 182 of the rigid member no longer forces the tabs 145 outwardly to engage the notch. Instead, a narrow portion 184 of the rigid member 180 (located either above or below the enlarged portion 182 ) engages the tabs 145 , allowing each tab to retract out of the notch 140 due to the biasing of the spring 143 .

[0067] When the tabs 145 are in the retracted position, the top portion 110 ′ of the backrest 100 may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly as desired. When a new desired position is reached, the handle 150 is released, and the control member 180 returns to its equilibrium position due to the biasing of the springs 186 . In the equilibrium position, the enlarged portion 182 of the control member 180 forces the tabs 145 to move outwardly and engage the corresponding notches 140 . After release of the handle 150 , the position of the top portion 110 ′ may require a further minor adjustment in order to align the tabs 145 with the closest corresponding notches 140 . The notches 130 and the latch 160 may be configured (e.g., rounded) as necessary to improve engagement.

[0068] The connection between the backrest 110 and the base 200 of the child seat 10 will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 9 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the backrest 100 includes at least three hooks 125 protruding downwardly from the bottom portion 120 of the backrest 100 . The hooks 125 engage with a bar 225 located in the base 200 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the hooks 125 are arranged so that at least two hooks face in one direction and at least one hook faces in the other direction. The bar 225 includes three semi-circular sections corresponding to the locations of the hooks 125 . The semi-circular sections include flat sections 226 facing in opposite directions to the curved portions of the hooks 125 when the backrest 100 is installed in the base 200 , as shown in FIG. 1 . For example, the flat section of the central semi-circular section in FIG. 2 faces the front of the child seat, and the flat sections of the leftmost and rightmost semicircular sections of FIG. 2 face the rear of the child car seat. This arrangement of the hooks 125 and bar 225 prevents inadvertent separation of the backrest 100 from the base 200 . Preferably, the bar 225 is integrally formed with the seat base 200 through an injection molding process.

[0069] In order to separate the backrest 100 from the base 200 , the curved portions of the hooks must be aligned with the flat sections 226 of the bar 225 . When the child seat 10 is in its normal position and the backrest 100 is positioned as shown in FIG. 1 , the hooks 125 are in contact with the curved perimeter of the bar 225 . As a result, separation of the backrest 100 from the base 200 is prevented. If the backrest 100 is pivoted past a point of normal operation, for example greater than 45 degrees from the vertical position shown in FIG. 1 , separation of the backrest 100 from the base 200 is still prevented due to the opposite facing of adjacent hooks 125 . For example, when the backrest 100 is pivoted to a position in substantially the same plane as the base 200 , separation of the backrest 100 and the base 200 would not occur because each hook engages at least one quadrant of the curved perimeter of the bar 225 . The bar 225 or hooks 125 may further include nubs or protrusions to alert the user when the backrest 100 is being reclined past the maximum angle of suggested operation.

[0070] In a conventional child seat, oppositely facing hooks are not included, thereby allowing the backrest to lift off the base whenever the hooks are not fully enclosed by the structure of the seat base in the manner shown in FIG. 1 . In order to fully separate the backrest 100 from the base 200 , the backrest 100 must be further rotated to a position approximately 180 degrees relative to the normal use position shown in FIG. 1 . In such a position, shown in FIG. 9 , each hook 125 engages one of the flat sections 226 of the bar 225 , thereby eliminating any engagement between the hooks 125 and the bar 225 and allowing a simple separation of the backrest 100 from the seat base 200 .

[0071] The exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in the drawings includes three hooks. However, three hooks is only the minimum number of hooks required by the present invention. The scope of the present invention includes a connection having four or more hooks, as long as at least one of the hooks is oriented in a generally opposite direction as one of the remaining hooks to prevent an undesired separation of the backrest from the seat back. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention also includes a backrest and seat base arrangement in which the hooks 125 are attached to the seat base 200 and the bar 225 is attached to the backrest 100 .

[0072] The arrangement of the object holder 300 according to the present invention will now be described. FIG. 10 discloses the object holder in an extended position. The object holder 300 includes an extension 320 that may be attached to the seat base 200 . The extension 320 includes a slot 305 for receiving a post 215 secured to the base 200 of the child seat. When not in use, the object holder 300 may be pushed inwardly under the seating surface allowing slot 305 to slide along the post 215 to a retracted position. The extension 320 slides into a recess 205 located in the seat base.

[0073] The slot 305 may include inwardly protruding bumps 315 . The bumps 315 serve to prevent the container holder 300 from changing position without the intentional application of sufficient force to move the extension 320 and bumps 315 past the fixed post 215 . Alternative arrangements may be provided such as, for example, the provision of bumps on the post 215 along with corresponding detents in the side surfaces of the slot 305 .

[0074] FIG. 11 discloses an alternative embodiment of an object holder 301 according to the present invention. The object holder 301 is pivotally attached to the base section 200 at a pivot point 303 . The object holder 301 can be pivoted in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11 to move the container holder 301 from the retracted position to the extended position. As in the previous embodiment, the container holder 301 may include bumps 302 to maintain the container holder 301 in the desired position.

[0075] A portion of the object holders 300 , 301 may be accessed when the object holder 300 , 301 is retracted in order provide a handgrip for use in changing position of the holder.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 12 , the child seat 10 may include a belt guide 400 . The belt guide 400 provides a path for a vehicle seat belt over the shoulder of the occupant of the child seat. According to the desires of the user or supervising adult, the belt guide 400 may be used in either a locking or free mode.

[0077] The belt guide 400 includes two substantially parallel bars. The upper bar 420 is located just below the side head protectors of the top portion 110 of the backrest 100 and is pivotally secured to the backrest 100 . The lower bar 410 extends from the point 425 where the guide 400 is secured to the backrest 100 and is positioned below the upper bar 420 to create a gap 440 between the upper and lower bars. The belt guide 400 further includes a locking tab 435 for adjusting the position of the upper bar 420 . The locking tab 435 is pivotally connected to the top portion 110 of the backrest at pivot point 430 , and includes a slot to receive the bar 420 . The locking tab 435 is arranged with a knob or lever to facilitate operation by the user.

[0078] When the belt guide 400 is used in the locking mode, the seat belt passes through the small gap 415 between the top portion 110 of the backrest and the upper bar 420 of the belt guide. In order to position the seat belt above the upper bar 420 in gap 415 , the locking tab 435 is rotated counterclockwise upward about the pivot point 430 to separate from the upper bar 420 , thereby creating a passage through which the seat belt can be placed above the upper bar 420 . After the seat belt is positioned above the upper bar 420 , the locking tab 435 is pivoted downward in a clockwise direction, engaging the upper bar 420 through camming action and forcing the upper bar 420 upwards against the top portion 110 of the backrest.

[0079] The seat belt is clamped between the upper bar 420 and the backrest 100 . The frictional force applied by the bar 420 and the backrest 100 secures the belt in position. Preferably, the seatbelt becomes convoluted during clamping, thereby enhancing the clamping action of the belt guide 400 .

[0080] When the belt guide 400 is desired to be used in the free mode, the seat belt is placed in the gap 440 between the upper bar 420 and the lower bar 410 . The upper bar 420 and the lower bar 410 do not clamp the seat belt, thereby allowing the seat belt to slide back and forth through the gap 440 .

[0081] When used in the free mode, the belt guide 400 allows the occupant of the child seat to move relative to the backrest 100 . On the other hand, when used in the locking mode, the belt guide 400 limits the movement of the occupant of the child seat. Use of the belt guide 400 in the locking mode may be desired to restrict movement of an overly energetic child.

[0082] As mentioned above, the child seat 10 may be configured to permit the user to adjust the depth of the seat base 200 . The seat depth adjustment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 13 through 17 .

[0083] In a first embodiment, shown in FIG. 13 , the front portion 210 of the seat base slides over the rear portion 220 . A rod 260 passes through both the front portion 210 and the rear portion 220 . The rod includes a pair of disks or pins. 263 positioned to sandwich an interior vertical wall 211 located in the front portion 210 of the seat base 200 . The arrangement of the disk 263 and the wall 211 ensures that the position of the rod 260 relative to the front portion 210 of the seat base does not change. The rod 260 includes a threaded portion 262 which engages a substantially vertical wall 221 of the rear portion 220 of the seat base. The rod further includes a handle 261 .

[0084] Rotation of the handle 261 causes a corresponding rotation of the threaded portion 262 of the rod 260 thereby moving the rear portion 220 and the front portion 210 of the base closer to or further away from each other. Thus, through rotation of the handle 261 , the user of the child seat may vary the depth of the seat base 200 as necessary to accommodate different sized occupants.

[0085] FIG. 13 is an exemplary embodiment. Thus, in an alternative embodiment the seat base can be reconfigured so that the rear portion ' 220 of the seat base con slide over the front portion 210 .

[0086] FIG. 14 discloses an alternative embodiment of the seat base 200 . As shown in FIG. 14 a rod 270 is provided. The rod 270 passes through the seat base 200 in a direction perpendicular to the depth of the seat. A set of linkage arms 275 are connected to threaded collars 274 at both ends of the rod 270 . The collars 274 ride on threaded portions 272 of the rod 270 . At ends opposite to the collar 274 the linkage arms 275 are secured together at a pivot point 276 and fixed to one of the front portion 210 or rear portion 220 of the seat base. FIG. 14 shows the arms 275 connected to the front portion of the seat base.

[0087] The rod 270 passes through a slot in the front portion 210 and is rotatably fixed to the rear portion 220 of the base 200 to allow movement of the front portion 210 and rear portion 220 of the seat base 200 relative to one another. Rotation of either handle 271 turns the threaded portions 272 of the rod and creates corresponding movement of the collars 274 and the attached 275 . The arms 274 are fixed to the portions of the seat base at pivot points 276 . Therefore, rotation of the threaded portion 272 drives the arms 275 inwardly or outwardly creating a corresponding movement of the front portion 210 of the seat base. For example, if the handle 271 is rotated such that the arms 275 are drawn toward the middle of the seat base 200 , the front portion 210 of the seat base moves away from the rear portion 220 creating a larger seating surface.

[0088] In yet another alternative embodiment, the connection between the arms 275 and one of the portions of the seat base may be omitted. For example, the rod 270 may be rotatably connected to the rear portion 220 of the seat. The connection between the arms 275 and the rear portion 220 of the seat may be omitted. Thus, rotation of the handle 271 creates a movement of the front portion 210 of the seat either away from or toward the rear portion 220 . FIG. 14 represents an exemplary embodiment. Thus, as mentioned above, it is clear that the front portion 210 may pass outside the rear portion 220 rather than inside as shown in the drawing.

[0089] Another alternative embodiment of the seat base 200 is shown in FIG. 15 . The front portion 210 of the seat base slips into the rear portion 220 . The front portion may include an upwardly biased push button 290 extending upward through one of a series of holes 285 located in the rear portion 220 of the seat. As shown in FIG. 15 , the push button may be located either on the side or on the top of the seat base. Any number of holes 285 may be provided in the rear portion 220 depending on the amount of the seat adjustment desired. FIG. 15 merely discloses two of many possible alternatives (i.e., two or three holes). As mentioned above, the front portion 210 of the seat base may slide over rather than under the rear portion 220 . In this alternative, the push button 290 would be provided on the rear portion 220 , and the holes 285 would be formed in the front portion 210 .

[0090] FIGS. 16 and 17 disclose yet another alternative of the seat base 200 . As shown in the drawings, a front portion 212 of the seat base is pivotally connected to a rear portion 222 at a pivot point 214 . FIG. 17 shows the seat base in a shortened position. When increased seat depth is desired, a handle located at the pivot point 214 is rotated to change the position of the front portion 212 to extend out from the rear portion 222 as shown in FIG. 16 . Preferably, the front portion 212 rotates downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 17 in order to prevent interference with a smooth seating surface located at the top of the rear portion 222 . The shape and configuration of the front portion 212 may be varied as necessary to provide maximum comfort to the user of the child seat.

[0091] As mentioned above, the present invention includes a child seat that may be used either with or without the backrest. The backless booster seat may include the features described above, such as, the object holder, adjustable armrests and seat base with depth adjustment.

[0092] Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in the art would appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, all modifications attainable by one versed in the art from the present disclosure within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is to be defined as set forth in the following claims.