GB2508964A

GB2508964A - Base for child safety seat assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2508964A
Application number: GB201318355A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chin-Ming Cheng; I-Ting Yeh
Original assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co Ltd Hong Kong
Current assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co Ltd Hong Kong
Priority date: 2012-10-17
Filing date: 2013-10-17
Publication date: 2014-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2033-10-17
Also published as: CN103770671B; CN103770671A; DE102013017351B4; GB2508964B; GB201318355D0; DE102013017351A1

Abstract

A base 104 for a child safety seat assembly 100 includes a shell body 106, a support leg 108 and an abutment device 110. The shell body 106 has a bottom surface 106B and a lengthwise axis X, the bottom surface 106B being adapted to rest on an upper surface 22 of a vehicle seat 2. The support leg 108 is operable to extend downward from the bottom surface 106B to provide a first abutment in a first direction against a floor 21 of a vehicle. The abutment device 110 is operable to extend below the bottom surface 106B to provide a second abutment in a second direction against an upright surface 26 of the vehicle, the upright surface 26 being located above the floor 21 and below the upper surface 22 of the vehicle seat 2. Variants in abutment device construction are also detailed.

Description

BASE FOR A CHILD SAFETY SEAT ASSEMBLY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application respectivdy claims priority of U.S. provisional application 110. 61/714,752 filed on October 17, 2012.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to child safety seat assemblies.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] For safety reasons, a child safety seat has to be installed on a vehicle seat in a predetermined way. FIG. i is a schematic view illustrating a conventional configuration for installing a child safety seat 10 on a vehicle seat 2. The child safety seat 10 can include a seat portion 12 and a base 14. The base 14 can have a shell body 16 having an upper surface adapted to attach to the seat portion 12, aid a bottom surface provided with a support leg 18. For properly installing the child safety seat 10, the base 14 can be disposed on the vehicle seat 2 such that the seat portion 12 faces rearward. The support leg 18 then can be deployed downward to abut against the floor of the vehicle. Moreover, the base 14 can be attached with an anchorage provided on the vehicle seat 2.

[0006] The aforementioned attachment system may still have some weakness.

In particular, when collision occurs at the rear of the vehide. it may fail to prevent rearward flipping of the child safety seat 10.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an improved child safety seat that can address at least the foregoing concerns.

SUMMARY

[0008] The present application describes child safety seat assemblies and base structures that can be safer in use. lii some embodiment, a base for a child safety seat assembly includes a shell body, a support leg and an abutment device. The shell body has a bottom surface and a lengthwise axis, the bottom surface being adapted to rest on an upper surface of a vehicle seat. The support leg is operable to extend downward from the bottom surface to provide a first abutment in a first direction against a floor of a vehicle. The abutment device is operable to extend below the bottom surface to provide a second abutment in a second direction against an upright surface of the vehicle, the upright surface being located above the floor and below the upper surface of the vehicle seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a conventional configuration for installing a child safety seat in a vehicle; [0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a child safety seat assembly provided with an abutment device;

I

[00111 FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device shown in FIG. 2 in more details; [0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating exemplary height adjustment of the abutment device; [0013] FIGS. 5-7 are schematic views illustrating various modifications of an abutting portion used in the abutment device shown in FIG. 2; [0014] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a child safety seat assembly provided with another embodiment of an abutment device; [0015] FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device shown in FIG. 8 in more details; [0016] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a child safety seat assembly provided with another varhmt embodiment of an abutment device; [0017] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device shown in FIG. in more detafis; [0018] FIG. 12 is a schematic view exemplary height adjustment of the abutment device shown in FIG. 11; [0019] FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating a child safety seat assembly provided with another embodiment of an abutment device; [0020] FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device shown in FIG. 13 in more details; [0021] FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating a child safety seat assembly provided with yet another embodiment of an abutment device; [0022] FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device shown in FIG. in more details; [0023] FIG. 17 is a schematic planar view representing an abutting portion of the abutment device shown in FIG. 16 in a plane perpendicular to its pivot axis; [0024] FIG. 18 is a schematic planar view illustrating a variant embodiment of the abutting portion used in the abutment device shown in FIG. i6; [0025] FIG. 19 is a schematic view illustrating ta child safety seat assembly provided with another embodiment of an abutment device; [0026] FIG. 20 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device shown in FIG. 19 in more details; [0027] FIG. 21 is a schematic view illustrating the installation of the child safety seat shown in FIG. 19 with the abutment device in a deployed state; is [0028] FIG. 22 is a schematic view illustrating another variant embodiment of an abutment device; [0029] FIGS. 23 and 24 are schematic views illustrating the abutment device of FIG. 22 under different perspectives; [0030] FIG. 25 is a schematic view illustrating a child safety seat assembly provided with the abutment device as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23; [0031] FIG. 26 is a schematic view illustrating the child safety seat assembly of FIG. with the abutment device in a deployed state; [0032] FIG. 27 is a schematic view illustrating a child safety seat assembly provided with another embodiment of an abutment device; and [0033] FIG. 28 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device shown in FIG. 27 in a retracted state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating one embodiment of a child safety seat assembly 100 ananged on a vehicle seat 2. The child safety seat assembly 100 includes a seat part 102 and a base 104. The base 104 can include a shefl body 106, a support leg 108 and an abutment device 110. The shell body 106 can have a lengthwise axis X that extends from a front end lO6C to a rear end lO6E of the shell body 106. The shell body 106 can further include an upper surface I 06A and a bottom surface lO6B. The seat part 102 can be attached to and removed from the upper surface iO6A.

[0035] When the base 104 is installed on the vehicle seat 2, the bottom surface I 06B of the shell body 106 can rest in contact with an upper surface 22 of the vehicle seat 2, the front end iO6C of the shell body 106 lying against a seatback 24 of the vehicle seat 2. Moreover, a left and a nght side of the shell body 106 can have two connector structures 106D (only one connector structure iO6D is shown in FIG. I) that can respectively attach with an anchorage fixture affixed with the vehicle seat 2 to hold the base 104 in place.

[0036] The support leg 108 can be operable to stow near the bottom surface 106B, and to deploy and extend downward from the bottom surface 106B a'ong a first direction Z to abut against a floor 21 in the interior of the vehicle. The first direction Z can be substantially vertical relative to the floor 21. The support leg 108 can thereby provide a first support abutment along the first direction Z. [0037] The abutment device 110 can be assembled with the support leg 108 at a position below the bottom surface 106B of the shell body 106. The abutment device can extend along a second direction W perpendicular to the first direction Z and substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis X, and can contact and abut against an upright surface 26 of the vehicle that is located below the upper surface 22 of the vehicle seat 2 and above the floor 21. The support leg 108 and the abutment device can thereby provide two abutment points along two directions substantially perpendicular to each other, which can effectively prevent rearward flipping of the child safety seat assembly 100 when collision occurs at a rear of the vehicle. As a result, the child safety seat assembly 100 can be safer in use.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device 110 in more details. The abutment device 110 can include a threaded rod 112 and an abutting portion 114. The threaded rod 112 can be assembled through a threaded hole of the support leg 108, and can have two opposite ends 112A and 112B. The abutting portion 114 can be affixed with a first end 1 12A of the threaded rod 112 between a lower end of the support leg 108 and the bottom surface 106B of the shell body 106.

The abutting portion 114 can extend in the second direction W substantially perpendicular to the support leg 108 to contact and abut against the upright surface 26 of the vehicle. A second end 1 12B of the threaded rod 112 can be provided with an actuating portion 116 (e.g., formed as a knob). Once the support leg 108 is deployed along the first direction Z. the actuating portion 116 can be rotated to drive back and forth displacement of the threaded rod 112 and the abutting portion 114 substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis X relative to the support leg 108, which can increase or reduce a horizontal distance between the support leg 108 and the abutting portion 114.

The abutting portion 114 can be thereby actuated to press against or detach from the upright surface 26 of the vehicle.

[0039] According to another embodiment, the abutting portion 114 may be connected with the first end 1 12A of the threaded rod 112 via an additional articulation joint, e.g., a spherical joint, to allow a limited range of rotation of the abutting portion 114 relative to the threaded rod 112. The abutting portion 114 can thereby rotate at least upward or downward relative to the threaded rod 112 to match with an inclination of the upright surface 26. which can result in effective contact between the abutting portion 114 and the upright surface 26.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating exemplary height adjustment of the abutment device 110. The support leg 108 can include a first and a second segment 108A and 108B, and an adjusting member 111. The first segment 108A can be movably assembled with the shell body 106 (e.g., via a pivotal connection), and can have a lower end portion telescopically assembled via the adjusting member ill with the second segment 108B. The second segment 108B can have a lower end adapted to abut against the floor 21 of a vehicle, and an upper end portion telescopically assembled with the lower end portion of the first segment 108A via the adjusting member 111. A plurality of locking openings 109 may also be through the second segment 108B according to a vertical distribution between its upper and lower ends. The adjusting member 111 can engage with any of the locking openings 109 to lock a desirable length of the support leg 108. The threaded rod 112 can be assembled through the first segment 108A of the support leg 108 at a position above the adjusting member lii.

[0041] By operating the adjusting member 111, the first and second segments 108A and lO8B can be unlocked and can move relative to each other to adjust the length of the support leg 108. Once the support leg 108 has reached a desired length, the adjusting member 111 can engage through a colTesponding locking opening 109 to lock the first and second segments 108A and 108B with each other. The adjustment of the support leg 108 as described previously can modify the height at which the abutting portion 114 abuts against the upright surface 26 below the upper surface 22 of the vehicle seat 2.

[0042] FIGS. 5-7 are schematic views illustrating different embodiments of the abutting portion 114. A surface 1 14A of the abutting portion 114 that contacts with the upright surface 26 of the vehicle can include a plurality of ribs 118 (as shown in FIG. 5) and/or beads 120 (as shown in FIG, 6). In other embodiments, the surface 1 14A of the abutting portion 114 may be adhered with a rubber or silicon layer 122 (as shown in FIG. 7). When the abutting portion 114 is put in contact with the upright surface 26 of the vehicle, the aforementioned surface structures can increase static friction between the surface I 14A and the upright surface 26.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a child safety seat assembly 100 provided with another embodiment of an abutment device 210, and FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device 210 in more details. The abutment device 210 can be assembled with the support leg 108 bethw the bottom surface 106B.

The abutment device 210 can include a threaded rod 212 and an abutting portion 214.

The threaded rod 212 can have two opposite ends 2l2A and 2l2B, and can be assembled through the support leg 108 at a location between the lower end of the support leg 108 and the bottom surface 106B of the shell body 106. The abutting portion 214 can exemplary have an L-shape, and can be affixed with a first end 2l2A of the threaded rod 212. Accordingly, the abutting portion 214 can be disposed between the bottom surface lO6B of the shell body 106 and the lower end of the support leg 108.

The abutting portion 214 can be operable to extend a'ong the second direction W perpendicular to the support leg 108 and parallel to the lengthwise axis X to abut against the upnght surface 26 of the vehicle. A second end 212B of the threaded rod 212 can be provided with an actuating portion 216.

[0044] Once the support leg 108 is deployed along the first direction Z, which colTesponds to the vertical direction relative to the floor 21, the actuating portion 216 can be rotated to cause back and forth displacement of the threaded rod 212 and the abutting portion 214 parallel to the lengthwise axis X and perpendicular to the support leg 108 to increase or reduce a distance between the support leg 108 and the abutting portion 214. As a resuli, the abutting portion 214 can abut with or disengage from the upright surface 26 below the vehicle seat 2.

[0045] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a child safety seat assembly 100 having another embodiment of an abutment device 310, and FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device 310 in more details. The abutment device 310 can be assembled with the support leg 108 below the bottom surface 106B of the shell body 106. The abutment device 310 can include a coupling part 311, two threaded rods 312 and two abutting portions 314. The coupling part 311 can be formed as a housing having a hole 315 through which the support leg 108 can be movably assembled. Up and down movements of the coupling part 311 along the support leg 108 can be thereby allowed. The two threaded rods 312 can be assembled through threaded holes of the coupling part 311 spaced apart from each other. Each of the threaded rods 312 can include two opposite ends 312A and 312B, a first end 312A being connected with one abutting portion 314, and a second end 3 l2B being provided with an actuating portion 316.

[0046] Once the support leg 108 is deployed along the first direction Z, each of the actuating portions 316 can be operated to drive back and forth displacement of the associated abutting portion 314 parallel to the engthwise axis X and perpendicu'ar to support leg 108 to increase or reduce a distance between the support leg 108 and the abutting portion 314. As a result, the abutting portion 314 can abut with or disengage from the upright surface 26 below the vehicle seat 2.

[0047] FlU. 12 is a schematic view illustrating exemplary height adjustment of the abutment device 310 along the support leg 108. The adjusting member 111 can be operated to engage with any of the locking openings 109 to set a desirable length of the support leg 108. Moreover, the coupling part 311 can slide up and down along the support leg 108 to vertically bring the threaded rods 312 and the abutting portions 314 to a desirable height for abutment against the upright surface 26 below the vehicle seat 2.

[0048] Like previously described, the surfaces of the abutting portions 314 contacting with the upright surface 26 below the vehicle seat 2 can have the ribs 118 as shown in FIG. 5, beads 120 as shown in FIG. 6, and/or the rubber or silicon layer 122 as shown in FIG. 7 to produce increased static friction at the contact interface between the abutting portions 314 and the upnght surface 26. Moreover, any of the abutting portions 314 may also have an L-shape as shown in FIG. 8.

[0049] FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating a child safety seat assembly 100 having another embodiment of an abutment device 410, and FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device 410 in more details. Like previously described, the abutment device 410 can be assembled with the support leg 108 below the bottom surface 106B of the shell body 106. The abutment device 410 can include an elongated rod 412, an abutting portion 414, a spring 416 and a fixed plate 418. The fixed plate 418 can be affixed with the support leg 108. The elongated rod 412 can have two opposite ends 412A and 4l2B. and can be assembled through corresponding holes foimed through the support leg 108 and the fixed plate 418. A first end 412A of the elongated rod 412 can be assembled with the abutting portion 414, and a second end 412B of the elongated rod 412 can be provided with an actuating portion 420. The abutting portion 414 can be movable along the second direction W parallel to the lengthwise axis X of the shell body 106 and perpendicular to the first direction Z to abut against the upright surface 26.

[0050] The spring 416 can be assembled around the elongated rod 412 between the abutting portion 414 and the fixed plate 418. The actuating portion 420 can be pulled to drive displacement of the abutting portion 414 toward the fixed plate 418, which can cause the abutting portion 414 to disengage from the upright surface 26 and compress the spring 416. Upon release of the actuating portion 420, the spring 416 can urge the abutting portion 414 to move away from the fixed plate 418 and abut against the upright surface 26. With this construction, the operation of the actuating portion 420 is only required to disengage the abutting portion 414, the biasing force applied by the spnng 416 being able to keep the abutting portion 414 in tight contact with the upright surface 26.

[0051] FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating the child safety seat assembly provided with another embodiment of an abutment device 510, and FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device 510 in more details. The abutment device 510 can be assembled with the support eg 108 below the bottom surface I 06B of the shell body 106. The abutment device 510 can include an abutting portion 512 and a pivotal coupling 514. The abutting portion 512 can be assembled with the support leg 108 via the pivotal coupling 514 about a pivot axis that is substantially parallel to the support leg 108. The abutting portion 512 can be exemplary made of a rubber or a plastic material that allows elastic deformation of the abutting portion 512.

[0052] Once the support leg 108 is deployed along the first direction Z, the abutting potion 512 can be pivoted about its pivot axis (i.e., substantially aligned with the first direction Z) in a plane substantially perpendicular to the support leg 108, until the abutting portion 512 extends along the direction W to abut against the upright surface 26.

[0053] FIG. 17 is a schematic planar view representing the abutting portion 512 in a plane perpendicu'ar to its pivot axis. The abutting portion 512 can have an oval shape, and the pivotal coupling 514 can be arranged such that the pivot axis of the abutting portion 512 is separated from its peripheral edge by different distances.

Accordingly, rotational displacement of the abutting portion 512 can cause a peripheral edge of the abutting portion 512 to either engage or disengage the upright surface 26 below the vehicle seat 2. lii other embodiments, the abutting portion 512 may also have a circular shape (in this case, the pivot axis can be positioned eccentric from the center of the circular shape), or any shapes having a short and a long axis.

[0054] FIG. 18 is a schematic planar view representing another possible shape for an abutting portion 516. The abutting portion 516 may have a polygonal shape, e.g., a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 18 or triangular shape (not shown). lii the example of FIG. 18, the pivot axis of the pivotal coupling 518 can be disposed at the center of the rectangular shape of the abutting portion 516. However, the pivot axis of the pivotal couphng 518 may also be disposed eccentric from the center of the abutting portion 516. Like previously described, rotational displacement of the abutting portion 516 can cause a peripheral edge of the abutting portion 516 to either engage or disengage the upright surface 26.

[0055] FIG. 19 is a schematic view illustrating the child safety seat assembly provided with another embodiment of an abutment device 610, FIG. 20 is a schematic view illustrating the abutment device 610 in more details, and FIG. 21 is a schematic view illustrating the child safety seat 100 with the abutment device 610 installed on the vehicle seat 2. The abutment device 610 can be assembled with the support leg 108 below the bottom surface 106B, and can include a coupling part 612 and an abutting portion 614. The coupling part 612 can be movably assembled with the support leg 108. The abutting portion 614 can generally have a U-shape, and can be pivotafly connected with the coupling part 612 about a pivot axis Y that is substantially perpendicular to the support leg 108. The abutting portion 614 can thereby rotate about the pivot axis Y between retracted and deployed positions. In one embodiment, the abutting portion 614 can be restrained to rotate about the pivot axis Y within an angular range of about 90 degrees. The abutting portion 614 occupies no intermediary positions between the position of 0 degrees Kcorresponding to the retracted position shown in FIG. 19) and 90 degrees lcorresponding to the deployed position shown in FIG. 21). Tn some variant embodiment, the abutting portion 614 may rotate within an angular range that is greater or smaller than 90 degrees so as to adapt to different inclinations of the upright surface 26.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 19, once the support leg 108 is deployed along the first direction Z, the abutting portion 614 can be disposed in the retracted position where it extends substantially parallel to the support leg 108 and at least partially surrounds the coupling part 612. Tn this retracted position, the abutting portion 614 does not contact with the upright surface 26.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 21, while the support leg 108 is in the deployed state, the abutting portion 614 can be rotated about the pivot axis Y from the retracted position to the deployed position where the abutting portion 614 extends along the second direction W substantially perpendicular to the support leg 108 and substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis X. In the deployed position, the abutting portion 614 can abut against the upright surface 26 below the vehicle seat 2.

[0058] Like previously described, the surface of the abutting portion 614 contacting with the upright surface 26 can have the ribs 118 as shown in FIG. 5, beads as shown in FIG. 6. and/or the rubber or silicon layer 122 as shown in FIG. 7 to produce increased static friction at the contact interface between the abutting portion 614 and the upright surface 26.

[0059] FIG. 22 is a schematic view illustrating the child safety seat assembly provided with another embodiment of an abutment device 710, and FIGS. 23 and 24 are schematic views illustrating the abutment device 710 under different perspectives.

The abutment device 710 can include a coupling pail 712 and an abutting portion 720.

The coupling part 712 can be formed as a sleeve that is pivotally assembled with a clamping part 714. The damping part 714 can thereby rotate about a pivot axis ZI that is substantially parallel to the support leg 108. The clamping part 714 can also have a surface formed with a rib 716 that is operable to engage with a slot 718 provided on the coupling part 712.

[0060] The abutting portion 720 can be pivotally assembled with the coupling part 712 about a pivot axis Yl at a side opposite to the clamping part 714. The pivot axis Yl can be substantially perpendicular to the support leg 108.

[0061] For installing the abutment device 710, the clamping part 714 can be rotated to open the coupling part 712, and the coupling part 712 can be disposed so as to encircle at least partially the support leg 108. Then the clamping part 714 can rotate about the pivot axis Z1 to close the coupling pail 712 and engage the nb 716 with the slot 718. The coupling part 712 (and the abutment device 710) can be thereby fixedly attached with the support leg 108.

[0062] For removing the abutment device 710 from the support leg 108, the clamping part 714 can be rotated to disengage the rib 716 from the slot 718 and open the coupling part 712. Then the coupling part 712 (and the abutment device 710) can be removed from the support leg 108.

[0063] FIG. 25 is a schematic view illustrating the child safety seat assembly installed on the vehicle seat 2 with the abutment device 710 in the retracted position.

While the support leg 108 is deployed along the first direction Z, the abutting portion 720 can be folded to extend substantially parallel to the support leg 108 and out of contact with the upright surface 26.

[0064] FIG. 26 is a schematic view illustrating the child safety seat assembly installed on the vehicle seat 2 with the abutment device 710 in the deployed position. While the support leg 108 remains deployed along the first direction Z, the abutting portion 720 can be deployed to extend along the second direction W substantially perpendicular to the support leg 108 and substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis X. The abutting portion 720 can thereby abut and press against the upright surface 26 below the vehicle seat 2.

[0065] Like previously described, the surface of the abutting portion 720 contacting with the upright surface 26 can have the ribs 118 as shown in FIG. 5. beads as shown in FIG. 6, and/or the rubber or silicon layer 122 as shown in FIG. 7 to produce increased static friction at the contact interface between the abutting portion 720 and the upright surface 26. Moreover, some vanant embodiment may allow the abutting portion 720 to rotate within an angular range that is more or less than 90 degrees so as to adapt to different inclinations of the upright surface 26.

[0066] FIG. 27 is a schematic view illustrating the child safety seat assembly provided with another embodiment of an abutment device 810. The abutment device 810 can include two abutting portions 812 that have an elongated shape and are respectively connected pivotally to the shell body 106 of the base 104. In one embodiment, each of the abutting portions 812 can be restrained to rotate relative to the shell body 106 within an angular range of about 90 degrees. The abutting portions 812 occupy no intermediary positions between the position of 0 degrees (corresponding to a retracted position shown in FIG. 28) and 90 degrees (corresponding to a deployed position shown in FIG. 27). Each of the abutting portions 812 can rotate relative to the shell body 106 between the deployed position where the abutting portion 812 extends substantially vertical downward from the bottom surface 106B (as shown in FIG. 27), and the retracted position where the abutting portion 812 is stowed adjacent and substantially parafid to the bottom surface iO6B (as shown in FIG. 28).

[0067] Moreover, a spring (not shown) may be respectively assembled with the shell body 106 and each abutting portion 812. For example, the spring may be a torsion spring arranged adjacent to the pivot axis of each abutting portion 812. The springs can rotationally urge the abutting portions 812 to extend downward from the bottom surface 106B.

[0068] FIG. 28 is a schematic view illustrating a bottom of the base 104. The bottom surface 106B of the shell body 106 can include two cavities 106F. When they are folded to the retracted state, the abutting portions 812 can be respectively received at least partially in the cavities 106F. In some embodiments, a latch mechanism (not shown) may be further provided to lock the abutting portions 812 in the retracted state.

For example. when the abutting portion 812 is retracted adjacent to the bottom surface 106B, a side edge of the abutting portion 812 or an inner sidewall of the associated cavity 106F can have a protrusion capable of creating a locking interference between the abutting portion 812 and the shell body 106 to hold the abutting portion 812 in position.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 27, once the child safety seat assembly 100 is installed on the upper surface 22 of the vehicle seat 2, the abutting portions 812 can be deployed downward so as to abut against the upright surface 26. While the support eg 108 provide abutment against the floor 21 in the first direction Z, the abutting portions 812 can provide abutments in the second direction W against the upright surface 26.

Moreover, the springs assembled between the abutting portions 812 and the shell body 106 can urge the abutting portions 812 to press against the upright surface 26. It is worth noting that the aforementioned spring assembly between the abutting portions 812 and the shell body 106 may also be replaced with a latch mechanism operable to lock the abutting portions 8i2 in the deployed position.

[0070] Advantages of the child safety seat assemblies and base structures described herein include the ability to install the base in a vehicle with at least two abutments in two different directions: the support leg extending below the bottom surface of the base provides a first abutment in a first direction against a floor of the vehicle, and an abutment device extending below the bottom surface provides a second abutment in a second direction against an upright surface extending above the floor.

Accordingly, the two abutments can provide safer installation, and can more effectively prevent flipping of the child safety seat assembly when car collision occurs.

[0071] Realizations of the child safety seat assemblies and base structures have been described in the context of particular embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations. modifications. additions, and improvements are possible. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventions as defined in the claims that follow.