AU720180B2 - Anti-rebound bar and footrest - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

r f 04 Cr Name of Applicant: BRITAX CHILD-CARE PRODUCTS PTY LTD (ACN 006 773 600) Actual Inventors: Michael Andrew Lumley Wieslaw Maciejczyk 0 Address for Service: MADDERNS, 1st Floor, 64 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Invention title: ANTI-REBOUND BAR AND FOOTREST Details of Associated Provisional Application No: PN 9769 dated 10 May 1996 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us.

This invention relates to a child safety seat with an anti-rebound support. In particular it relates to a means whereby the safety seat can be provided with an antirebound support that may also be used as a footrest while at the same time allowing the safety seat to be in both a rear and forward facing mode of operation.

This specification describes an invention that is a variation to the invention described in the earlier Australian Specificatio n No 56207/96.

Child safety seats for motor vehicles are well known, some of which are designed for use in two modes of operation. The first mode is for infants from birth to ooooo approximately six months of age where the safety seat is rearward facing. In this too arrangement, an infant's back is positioned in the direction of travel so that during collision, impact forces are absorbed through the back rest of the child safety seat.

ooo I The other mode of operation is where the seat is positioned so that the child is facing be.: forward in the direction of travel. Both styles of safety seats are well known.

It has also become common for a single child seat to be designed for both rearward and forward facing operation.

00 One potential problem for a safety seat, particularly when used in the rearward facing mode, is the possibility of rebound after a collision. As a result of either a rear impact, or following a front end collision, a rearward facing seat is inclined to rotate quickly towards the back rest of the vehicle seat. There is great danger of injury to an infant within the seat or the possibility of the infant being thrown with force against the vehicle seat back rest.

In order to prevent such rebound, a support which extends above the seat portion is used.

However, such supports are not convenient for dual purpose seats, as the rebound bar is not used when the seat is used in its forward facing mode and would otherwise be in the way.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a means whereby an anti-rebound support can be positioned when needed in respect of a rearward facing seat, but can be conveniently and easily repositioned when the seat is to be used in a forward facing direction.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide such a means, and to do so in the simplest and easiest possible manner. It is also an object of this invention to be able to convert the anti-rebound support to a footrest when the seat is used in a forward S facing direction.

a 1 5 In its broadest form, the invention is a child safety seat for use in both forward and Sa rearward facing directions on a vehicle seat comprising, a child safety seat having a a seat and back rest portion, and an anti-rebound support attached to said seat portion so that when said safety seat is used in a rearward facing direction, said anti-rebound support is moveable to a first position so that said anti-rebound support extends oo..

:.20 above said seat portion and abuts against a back rest of said vehicle seat to prevent rebound, and when said safety seat is used in a forward facing position, said antirebound support is moveable to a second position where said anti-rebound support can be used as a footrest.

Preferably, the anti-rebound support is pivotally attached to said child safety seat so that it is rotatable between said first and second positions.

Preferably, the anti-rebound support is lockable in at least one of said first and second positions.

Optionally, the locking means comprises an arm portion of said anti-rebound ,g pAt, uspport pivotally connected to a support post secured to said seat portion, and a sleeve slideable over said arm portion, said pivotal connection and said support post arranged to provide a locking means for said anti-rebound support in said first position.

Optionally, the locking means comprises a recess and said anti-rebound support further comprises an arm portion pivotally connected to pivot support means attached to said seat portion, said recess being adapted to receive an end of said arm portion so that is lockable in said first position with respect to said seat portion when positioned within said recess.

Optionally, the locking means comprises a recess comprising a first and second o*surface and containing a pivot about which said anti-rebound support is free to rotate between said first position in which said anti-rebound support is constrained against further rotation by said first surface and said second position in which said oo* *15 anti-rebound support is constrained against further rotation by said second surface.

n order for the invention to be fully understood, preferred embodiments will now be described. However, it should be realised that the invention is not the be limited or confined to the details of each of these embodiments.

The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying representations in which: Fig 1 shows a side view of the safety seat in a forward facing position with the antirebound support in a footrest position, Fig 2 shows a child safety seat in a rearward facing position with the anti-rebound support positioned to prevent rebound, Fig 3 shows a perspective view of a child seat in a forward facing position with the anti-rebound support in the footrest position, Figs 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show part cross-sectional views of a locking means designed to hold the anti-rebound support in its rebound prevention position, Fig 5 shows a part perspective view of a child safety seat with the anti-rebound bar locked into its rebound prevention position, Figs 6A, 6B and 6C show a part perspective view and two part side cross-sectional views respectively of a first alternate means for securing the anti-rebound bar in its rebound prevention position, Fig 7 shows a perspective view of the first alternate means for securing the antio:..oi rebound bar on a child safety seat in the forward facing position, Fig 8 shows a side view of the first alternate means for securing the anti-rebound bar oo* 15 on the child safety seat in a rearward facing position, Fig 9 shows a part perspective view of a second alternate means for securing the antirebound bar in its rebound prevention position, o*oo Fig 10 shows a perspective view of a child safety seat in a forward facing position using the second alternate version of the anti-rebound bar.

Fig 11 shows a side view of the second alternate means on a child safety seat in a rearward facing position, Figs 12A and 12B show part side views of the anti-rebound support according to the second alternate means, Fig 12A showing the anti-rebound support positioned to prevent rebound, and Fig 12B showing the anti-rebound support being used as a footrest, and Fig 13 shows a part cross-sectional view of a latch used on the embodiment shown in Fig 9.

As seen in Fig 1 and Fig 2, a child safety seat 10 is secured to a vehicle seat 11. A number of securement means are used, but normally the vehicle seat belt 12 is the most convenient means to secure the safety seat The child safety seat 10 comprises a back rest portion 14 and a seat portion 15. The safety seat 10 is manufactured from a unitary plastic moulding, in which the back rest and seat portions 14 and 15 are formed with side walls 16 and various strengthening ribs. The safety seat 10 is also provided with various apertures through which vehicle seat belts 12 may be located which enable the safety seat 10 to be securely held to the vehicle seat 11.

ooooo Figs 3 and 5 show a perspective view of an anti-rebound support 18. The antirebound support 18 comprises a generally U-shaped tubular metal component S 15 having a transverse member 19 and a pair of ends 20. Figs 1 and 3 show the antirebound support 18 in its footrest position with the child safety seat 10 in a forward facing position. As seen clearly in Fig 3, a plate 26 is secured along the length of the transverse member 19 to provide a footrest platform. Fig 2 shows the child safety seat 10 in a rearward facing position with the anti-rebound support 18 in its rebound prevention position. Fig 5 also shows the anti-rebound bar in its rebound prevention position.

The ends 20 of the anti-rebound support 18 are connected to the child safety seat by a respective locking means 22, one of which is shown in Figs 4A to 4D. The locking means 22 comprises a spring loaded slide 23 and a compression spring 23a that is secured to each of the ends 20. Each end 20 is pivotally attached via pivot pin to a respective support post 24 which is secured to the child safety seat 10. By locating the slide 23 over the post 24, the anti-rebound support 18 can be held in its rebound prevention position. By pulling the slide 23 away from the support post 24, the anti-rebound support 18 can pivot into the footrest position as shown in Figs 4C and 1.

Fig 6A shows a first alternate means for locking the anti-rebound support 18 in its rebound preventing position. In this embodiment, each of the ends 20 is provided with a pair of slots 28 and each of the ends 20 is secured to the child safety seat 10 via a pin 29 that locates through the slots 28 on each end 20. Each of the pins 29 is held on a child safety seat 10 via lugs 30. Each of the ends 20 locate within an aperture 31 which enables the anti-rebound support 18 to be held in its rebound preventing position as shown in Figs 6C and 8. Springs 32 hold the anti-rebound support 18 in this position. The ends 20 can be pulled out of the apertures 31, the slots 28 sliding along the pin 29 until the end 20 is fully out of the aperture 31 as shown in Figs 6B and 7. In this position, the anti-rebound support 18 is able to rotate into a footrest position. This particular embodiment could also be used without the spring 32, as .oeeoi the weight of the anti-rebound support 18 would hold it in the apertures 31 when the child safety seat was in the rearward facing position.

ee' 15 Figs 9 to 13 show a second variation of a locking means which comprises each end being pivotally mounted in a corner recess 33. Each comer recess 33 comprises a top surface 34 and a rear surface 35. A spring loaded latch 36 is used to hold the antirebound support 18 in either of its two positions. In the rebound prevention position, as shown in Fig 12A, each of the ends 20 are held between the top surface 34 and the latch 36. When the anti-rebound support 18 is moved to its footrest position, as shown in Fig 12B, each of the ends 20 are held between the rear surface 35 and the latch 36.

As will be seen from the above description, each of the embodiments of the invention provides a very simple means of providing an anti-rebound support bar for a child safety seat that can be used to prevent rebound in a rearward facing position, and to provide a footrest when the seat is in a forward facing position.

Claims (14)

1. A child safety seat for use in both forward and rearward facing directions on a vehicle seat comprising, a child safety seat having a seat and back rest portion, and an anti-rebound support attached to said seat portion so that when said safety seat is used in a rearward facing direction, said anti-rebound support is moveable to a first position so that said anti-rebound support extends above said seat portion and abuts against a back rest of said vehicle seat to prevent rebound, and when said safety seat is used in a forward facing position, said anti-rebound support is moveable to a second position where said anti-rebound support can be used as a footrest.

2. A child safety seat according to claim 1 wherein said anti-rebound support is 5 pivotally attached to said child safety seat so that it is rotatable between said first and second positions. o I

3. A child safety seat according to claim 2 wherein said anti-rebound support has locking means that is lockable in at least one of said first and second positions.

4. A child safety seat according to claim 3 wherein said locking means S- comprises: an arm portion of said anti-rebound support pivotally connected to a support post secured to said seat portion, and a sleeve slideable over said arm portion, said pivotal connection and said support post arranged to provide a locking means for said anti-rebound support in said first position.

A child safety seat according to claim 4 wherein said sleeve is biased towards its locking position by means of a spring.

6. A child safety seat according to claim 3 wherein said locking means comprises a recess and said anti-rebound support further comprises an arm portion pivotally connected to pivot support means attached to said seat portion, said recess being adapted to receive an end of said arm portion so that is lockable in said first position with respect to said seat portion when positioned within said recess.

7. A child safety seat according to claim 6 wherein said pivotal connection comprises a slot within said arm portion and a pin passing through said slot supported by said pivot support means arranged so that said arm portion is slideable in relation to said pin into or out of said recess.

8. A child safety seat according to claim 7 wherein said pin is biased with respect to said arm portion towards its locking position by means of a spring. S 15

9. A child safety seat according to claim 3 wherein said anti-rebound support comprises an arm portion pivotally connected to said seat portion and said locking means comprises a first and second surface arranged so that said arm portion is free to rotate between said first position in which said arm portion is constrained against further rotation by said first surface and said second position in which said arm portion is constrained against further rotation by said second surface.

A child safety seat according to claim 9 wherein the rotation of said anti- rebound support is further constrained against movement away from both said first and said second surfaces in both said first position and said second position by abutting against a latch wherein said latch is moveable out of the path of rotation of said arm portion to allow movement of said anti-rebound support between said first and second positions.

11. A child safety seat according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said anti-rebound support further comprises a portion of substantially the same width as the seat portion of said child safety seat.

12. A child safety seat according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said anti-rebound support further comprises a U-shaped bar having a pair of side arms that are attached to a respective side of said seat portion with a cross bar extending between said pair of side arms.

13. A child safety seat according to claim 11 wherein an elongate plate is attached to said U-shaped bar to form a footrest. a

14. A child safety seat as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Dated this 22 n d day of March, 2000. BRITAX CHILD-CARE PRODUCTS PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys MADDERNS «a a a