Children's seat for vehicles

The invention relates to a car seat, which is intended for interaction with the restraint system of an automobile, ie with diagonal straps or conventional three-point belts of automobiles.

It is known a child car seat, which is provided on one side with a height-adjustable belt guide for a diagonal or for the diagonal part of a three-point belt. This belt guide, it is possible the course of the diagonal belt - below also commonly called "diagonal part" - adjust the height of the child which uses the seat. In one embodiment, the seat has a plurality of staggered in height, on which is arranged at the front edge of the seat back side sleeves or loops through which different in selected height positions the diagonal part is performed. In another design of the diagonal part is not displaced longitudinally clamped in the height-adjustable guide sleeves. The clamping sleeve can be fixed in different height positions at a lateral front edge of the seat back.

This height-adjustable guides are structurally complex. They also allow no optimal belt routing. Under "optimal" here is a positioning of the diagonal part in a way to understand that the end imprisoned child is not strangled in his neck. It should be noted that the child is not always accurately positioned centrally in the seat. Is it, for example, to sleep, then the head tilts to the neck to one side and there is then in an accident said strangulation. In addition, the height adjustment of the guide of the diagonal part of the known structures is easy unfriendly.

The invention is based, to remedy this situation the task. This object is achieved by claim. 1 This ensures that the diagonal over a great length rests on the child's entire body. In the event of impact, therefore, the specific pressure load of the body of the child is minimized. In addition, the neck of the child of a direct contact with the diagonal belt is kept largely free. according to claim 2, the low-holding guide is ensured in a simple manner by an armrest that order next to the armrest assumes also the function of the hold-down Gurtfühung.

Modern car seats are equipped with a height-adjustable in the back led head or neck support. .This Is particularly the case if it is a seat of a sense grows with the child, so is suitable for an individual adaptation to different heights of the child. These heights are divided into a European standard in groups. It is the endeavor of the seat manufacturer to provide seats available, for a life aged 1 to 12 years - are suitable - if average height. This is for example a child seat, which meets the requirements of the standard sizes 1 - is justified. 3

Such Universal seat requires the presence of a height-adjustable head and neck support to effectively prevent such a dangerous pendulum effect in the neck of the child. Starting from a car seat with height-adjustable head and neck support, there is a further invention of claim 3 is that the leadership of the diagonal part takes place on the side of a side portion or at one side end of the head restraint and on the opposite side of the seat from the seat part for holding down its lower end. The headrest is advantageous from a width approximately corresponding to the back of the seat. Thereby the child's head retains a large range of motion to the side.

Suitably the headrest depending a belt guide is provided at both lateral ends. This corresponds to the requirement that the seat in the same way should be positioned on the left or right side of the car depending on whether the diagonal member runs left or right.

Conveniently, the side ends of the headrest are guided in the manner of the "ears" of a wing chair in the direction of the child forward. Thus they initially provide lateral support for the head. Moreover, it is thereby possible to move the belt guide in an approximately vertically oriented plane which is in sitting or driving direction in front of the child's neck. This led to the diagonal part does not limit the lateral movement of the child's head. Thus, the otherwise-existent strangulation is avoided and the lower end of the diagonal member is maintained at a constant level in the pelvic region of the imprisoned child.

The orientation of the side ends of the headrest to the type of "ears" of a wing chair in a forward-looking about in the direction of travel position has the further advantage of a simpler operability of the guide eyes. This guide eyes can be opened in a running instance in driving direction pivoting plane. Suitably there are folding eyelets that allow in open position a simple insertion of the diagonal part of the belt and act upon in the closed position the diagonal part firmly against the side end of the headrest, thus practically pinch.

Suitably passing the pivot plane of the hinged ends of the belt guide in the direction of travel and it is oriented substantially vertically. The pivot axis is located at the lower end of the swing member and the side arm of the headrest. When pivoting the pivot end to its open position it forms an approximately horizontal support for the diagonal part and thus enables easily adjustable in a Gurtlängsrichtung positioning of the belt towards the child. Only when the desired, in this way, simply and freely adjustable target position of the diagonal part is set, takes place the clips of this target position.

In a car seat of the aforementioned type in case of impact, the action on the child body takes place directly through the diagonal and feels a part of the public to be disadvantageous. In particular, the head and neck area of ​​the child take namely not certain exactly predictable position relative to the diagonal part of the restraint system or an accident, it may, therefore, cause an unfavorable neck strain. To avoid such situations case, so-called air bags are known. Take a greater forward displacement of the head and the child of the neck portion in an accident in buying. The steering wheel pad has a cushioned impact surface, the pitch of the body and the child's face, which are thereby braked gently. This braking effect can be ensured in a simple manner by structural design of the impact cushion. This desired function of the impact cushion is only ensured if it takes an exactly predetermined desired position relative to the seat and that is not optimally ensured with known child car seats. The impact pad is namely placed only on the seat portion of the child car seat, without a precise, lateral positioning is ensured. In the fitted position, the air bags will namely only held by the Rückhaltesytem of the vehicle, for example by the lap portion or by a lap belt (at the center of the vehicle rear seat). In the presence of a diagonal portion of the vehicle's own restraint system of this diagonal member is also at the seat so made that it also contributes to the impingement of the impact pad within the meaning of the fixing thereof relative to the seat part.

The invention further has for its object, a child car seat of the aforementioned type so that it can be combined in a way with a steering wheel pad that the steering wheel pad always assumes a specific desired position relative to the seat or the seat part and in this position by the vehicle's own retention system is fixed.

The object is subject matter of claim 11. Conveniently, the configuration is such that the steering wheel pad is pushed against the sight of the child or the moving direction of the vehicle between the resulting fork-effective armrests. Of particular usefulness is the feature that the air bags or of the energy absorber of the impact cushion with his weight, said immediately accurately on the seat part of the resting-supporting baffle the child's legs in the sitting position flanking sides of the seat part and with its side edges between the fork-effective is inserted arm rests of the seat, the dimensions being taken appropriately so that a dovetail-like activity also prevents lifting of the impact cushion from its intended position when the vehicle's own restraint system is not activated.

The impact pad is inserted in its desired position from the front toward the back of the seat. In interleave end position, the steering wheel pad is expedient automatically already fixed relative to the seat, so that even with a certain carelessness when applying the restraint system no lateral shifts the impact cushion is to get over the seat. It is applied the restraint system in this position. In an accident, it is ensured that the air bags located in the application-set position and has crazy laterally from its intended position not about eg by agitation of the imprisoned child.

The invention is illustrated by the figures, for example. Show it:<dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>in exploded view the parts of a car seat, and it is immaterial to this invention that the seat and backrest of the seat are here formed by separate, interlock together parts, </dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>an illustration of the seat with clip-in its nominal position diagonal part of the belt and - partly in phantom - indicated the principle of vertical adjustability of the invention of the restraint system.</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a variant of the car seat, further comprising a steering wheel pad,</dd><dt>FIGS. 4 and 5</dt><dd>. One of Figure 1 effective in the direction of arrow IV side view of the seat part with different height adjustment relative to the seat part 1 or - in which more detached using the seat part - for example with respect to the seat of an automobile seat.</dd></dl>

The child seat consists essentially of the seat part 1, the back 2 and the headrest 3. The seat part 1 and rear part 2 may - be made in one piece - as already explained above. In the case of Fig. 1, they are each formed as separate parts which are plugged into one another to form a unit by a meaningless for the present invention connector 4.

Furthermore, a separate headrest 3 with height-adjustable in the direction of arrow 5 guiding the seat, usually available at the back. 2 The height adjustment is combined with a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism allows for a fixation of the headrest 3 in optional height positions relative to the seat and the backrest. 2

In the case of the present embodiment, both the back part 2 and the headrest 3 made of plastic blow-molded parts. The back part 2 contains an effective direction of the arrow 5 guide - essentially a vertical guide - within which the headrest 3 is guided with an integrally formed vertical boom. 6 Access to effective as the parent part longitudinal guide in the back part 2 takes place through the insertion slot 7, in which the vertical arm 6 is inserted in the manner of a male member.

The vertical arm 6 of the headrest 3 is equipped with an effective in the plug 5 in the manner of a toothed rail locking unit. 8 The locking unit 8 is integrally stamped in the front and rear walls of the vertical arm 6 of the headrest third It is produced in one piece in the blow with the headrest. 3 The locking unit 8 forms on the viewing plane of FIG. 1 facing away from vertical back of the boom in the direction of arrow 5 evenly staggered locking projections, in which engages the locking end 9 a fixed on the back part 2 leaf spring 10. The leaf spring 10 is biased so that its locking end 9 ever (not shown) in the rest position in engagement with a catch recess of the locking unit 8 is, in different selectable height positions.

The height adjustment is now possible in that the leaf spring is deflected from its rest position substantially in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the printing direction. Given the pushbutton connected to the leaf spring 10 is 11. The pushbutton 11 is as it were pressed into the backrest and thus unlatches the detent end from its locking connection with the locking unit 8 of the headrest. 3

Now to the present functional design of the headrest 3: It has in the present embodiment - viewed from the front - the shape of a T, where the vertical arm 6 is the vertical leg of the T. However, it must again be made clear that the previously described and illustrated structural configuration of the height adjustment and mutual fixing between the head restraint and the seat or its back part 2 is only a preferred embodiment, which can also be implemented without affecting the actual inventive idea. It is important that the head part 12 extends with its side ends 13,14 to the side portion of the back part 2, to give the head of the imprisoned child sufficient lateral mobility and to position the diagonal part of the belt 20 correctly. is quite generally guiding the diagonal portion not shown in Fig. 1 20 of the restraint system or belt on at least one of the two side ends 13,14. In principle, it is immaterial whether the seat belt in the manner of an eyelet allowing a longitudinal displacement, or a likewise known per se fixation belt provides that prevents a longitudinal displacement of the belt in the position of use. Generally only advantageous that in the area of ​​at least one of the two side ends 13,14 of the head part 12 a strap guide - howsoever formed - is present.

To ensure a particularly favorable now and the aforementioned Strangulierungseffekt safely avoided belt guide, the side ends 13,14 of the head portion 12 are performed with respect to its investment level for the mind of the child in LOOK- or travel direction forward. As a result, the seat belt is in front of the neck of the child. The easiest way to this feature allows for an integrally formed as a plastic blow-molded headrest 3 thereby realize that the head portion 12 in plan view of the child seat has a U-shape in the vertical direction, wherein the belt guides 15 located at the two free ends of the vertical legs of the U ,

In the illustrated embodiment, the belt guides 15 are constituted by a fitting part, which consists essentially of two connected by a pivot pin 16 clamping legs 17,18. The clamping limbs 18 is a solid arm that firmly connected to the head part 12 of the headrest 3, for example, is screwed. The other clamping leg, the pivot leg 17 which about the pivot axis 16 in the manner of a hinge part in the pivoting direction 19 is pivotable. Conveniently located, the hinge axis 16 at the lower end of the two legs 17,18, so that the open position of the belt guide of the pivot arm 17 shown forms an approximately horizontal support for the not shown diagonal part 20 of the belt as shown in FIG. 1 (right side). In this open position, the diagonal member 20 can be positioned as desired in a simple manner against the headboard 12th If this position is reached, the position is fixed by a counter to the pivoting direction 19 successful forming pivoting closed the pivot leg 17th In this fixing position of the diagonal member between the legs 17,18 is clamped. This clamping can be easily solve unspecified manner described herein as desired. The structural design of such a fitting part is within the skill of an expert.

In Fig. 2 shows how the leadership of the diagonal part 20 of the restraint system shown there can be adjusted by the seat belt 15 in a simple manner: The headrest 3 is opposite the back part 2 in the direction of arrow 5 adjustable and fixable in any desired height positions. In the desired height position of the headrest 3, the belt guide 15 is opened. The diagonal part of the belt 20 is inserted in the manner described and the belt guide 15 is then closed to fix the restraint system.

It is of course conceivable to provide a simple guide slot instead of here relatively expensive, a clamping of the diagonal part 20 enabling belt guide 15, which can be verified even without an additional fitting and formed for example by a vertical, extending from the upper edge 21 of the head part 12 slit his could.

In the variant shown in Fig. 3, an impact pad 24 is provided as a retaining element. This is supported both by the diagonal member 20 and the lap portion 22 of the restraint system. Beck 22 and diagonal member 20 are shown in their restraint position in Fig. 3.

The air bags 24 includes a substantially rigid impact body 25 as a carrier of substantially the child facing surface forming absorber 26. The baffle 25 is a form-blown plastic part. Because of its complicated, for the guidance of the restraint system forward significantly fluted (groove 53) cross-sectional shape may also be provided a two-part design.

Importantly both the seat surface 27 on both sides flanking armrests 28.29 as the upper, approximately horizontally runny limiting the side edges 30 of the seat. a distinct, forwardly open groove is located between the side edges 30 and the armrests 28,29 33 for guiding the restraint system or its diagonal part 20 and its bowl portion 22. Of importance is the exact positioning of the baffle body 25 relative to the seat part 1 in both the direction of travel 34 and in the transverse direction 35 to.

The baffle 25 is located with its two lateral lower edges 36 on the upper edges 37 of the side edges 30th The two side edges of the impact cushion 24 abut the arms 28,29. Thus, the air bags 24 in the transverse direction is 35 immovably positioned between the armrests 28,29 when it is in its inserting position, opposite to the direction of travel 34 is effective.

The abutting portions of the impact cushion 24 on the inner edges 38 of the arms 28,29 are suitably so figured that they are effective in the manner as a downwardly opening dovetail joint and in a way the steering wheel pad 24 with its lower edge 36 from above in a solid support on the upper edges 37 keep the side edges 30th

The activation of the active with the inclusion of the impact cushion Rückhaltesys system is performed as follows: With an inactive restraint and einsitzendem in the vehicle child the air bags 24 is inserted from the front counter to the direction of travel 34 in its desired position in which it bordered laterally by the arm 28,29, so positioned. If the child is larger, the air bags 24 is not pushed so far against the driving direction 34th Nevertheless, the threat posed by the arms 28,29 positioning effect is fully maintained, and that at least in the transverse direction 35, but also in the dovetail effectiveness downwards against the top sides 17 of the side edges 12th

In the embodiment of the impact pad 24 of Fig. 4 and 5, a vertical adjustment device is provided with which the distance of the impact cushion 24 relative to the seat part 1 or to the seat of a car seat is adjustable. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 this height adjustment device consists of a U-shaped bracket 39. The yoke 40 of the U-shaped bracket forms a support edge. The U-legs 41,42 are in receptacles of the impact pad 24 longitudinally displaceable and lockable in different displacement positions by means of a Federrastgesperres 43 within a receptacle 44th This easily can be set different height positions of the impact cushion 24th Essentially, the steering wheel pad 24 is kept diagonal 20 and lap 22 from the restraint system.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5 more are provided to the lower edges 36 of the side ends of the impact cushion 24 about parallel spacer strips 44 which are snapped or clipped to the bottom edge 36. The spacer strips 44 may also have a different thickness and thus height modest effectiveness.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

<dl id="dl0002" compact="compact"><dt>1</dt><dd>seat</dd><dt>2</dt><dd>back</dd><dt>3</dt><dd>headrest</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>connector</dd><dt>5</dt><dd>arrow</dd><dt>6</dt><dd>vertical boom</dd><dt>7</dt><dd>insertion slot</dd><dt>8th</dt><dd>catch unit</dd><dt>9</dt><dd>resting</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>leaf spring</dd><dt>11</dt><dd>pushbutton</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>headboard</dd><dt>13</dt><dd>side ends</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>side ends</dd><dt>15</dt><dd>belt guides</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>pivot axis</dd><dt>17</dt><dd>clamping leg</dd><dt>18</dt><dd>clamping leg</dd><dt>19</dt><dd>pivoting direction</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>diagonal part </dd><dt>21</dt><dd>top</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>Beck part</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>air bags</dd><dt>25</dt><dd>absorber</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>armrest</dd><dt>29</dt><dd>armrest</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>side edge</dd><dt>33</dt><dd>groove</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>driving direction</dd><dt>35</dt><dd>transversely</dd><dt>36</dt><dd>lower edge</dd><dt>37</dt><dd>top</dd><dt>38</dt><dd>inner edge</dd><dt>39</dt><dd>hanger</dd><dt>40</dt><dd>U-yoke</dd><dt>41</dt><dd>U leg</dd><dt>42</dt><dd>U leg</dd><dt>43</dt><dd>Federrastgesperre</dd><dt>44</dt><dd>spacer bar</dd><dt>53</dt><dd>groove</dd></dl>