WO2010045685A1

WO2010045685A1 - Removable child restraint and modular multiple child system using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2010045685A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/001390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Julie Brown
Original assignee: Powmri Limited
Priority date: 2008-10-24
Filing date: 2009-10-22
Publication date: 2010-04-29

Abstract

A modular child restraint system for safely transporting up to three children in the rear seat of a vehicle, and individual restraint components adapted for use in such a system. The system is facilitated by the configuration of a specially designed removable child restraint which includes side supporting and impact protecting wings configured to provide energy absorption means and support to protect both a child occupant of the restraint and a second passenger seated adjacent the restraint. The modular system comprises two of the innovative restraints positioned at outboard locations on a vehicle seat, with a customised booster cushion disposed therebetween, such that the external surfaces of the side wings of the outboard restraints provide side support and impact protection for occupant of the booster cushion. This enables much tighter packaging than could be achieved by using three existing style independent side protection child restraints located side by side.

Description

REMOVABLE CHILD RESTRAINT AND MODULAR MULTIPLE CHILD

SYSTEM USING THE SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modular removable child restraint system for safely transporting up to three children in the rear seat of a vehicle and to individual restraint components adapted for use in such a system.

The reference to child or children is intended to refer primarily to those children that are physically too short or otherwise too small to safely use an adult in- vehicle belt system. However, as will be shown below, the invention may also confer benefits to older children that have graduated to using those belt systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In Australia, all children, currently up to 12 months old, must use an approved dedicated child restraint system when they travel in a car. Children older than 12 months must use a dedicated child restraint or the in- vehicle restraint system. The types of child restraint that are currently used in Australia can be summarized as follows.

For infants up to around 6 to 9 months (or around 8kg), rearward facing restraints or child seats are used and recommended. These are specially designed seat units that are secured to the vehicle structure, via tethers secured to vehicle anchors and use of the adult belt system, and which support an infant in a generally inclined rearward facing orientation. The infant is secured in the rearward facing child seat via an integral six point harness system secured to the restraint unit.

As the infant grows, they move on to a forward facing child seat that is sometimes tiltable between an upright and an inclined position, where again the child is secured via an integral harness system. Often, infant/toddler restraints are designed so as to convert from a rear facing infant restraint to a front facing restraint. Front facing child restraints are usually designed to accommodate children up to 18kg, or about 4 years Finally, a child generally moves on next to a booster seat arrangement, which may be in the form of a high back booster seat or a backless booster cushion, where the child is secured using the adult belt system. In many cases front facing child restraints with integral harness systems are convertible to high back booster seats when the child outgrows the integral harness system. While some booster seats have a tether for securing to a vehicle anchor point, many booster seats just sit unsecured on the vehicle seat acting, in the case of booster cushions, mainly to raise the child to improve the fit of the adult seat belt system. Usually, the high back booster seats include integral side wings to provide some side support and side impact protection. Harness systems are also available which secure to the vehicle anchor points and which usually operate in conjunction with the vehicle belt system.

Recent research has suggested firstly, that the prescribed weight and age limits historically have been too low, resulting in premature and potentially hazardous use of adult safety belt systems on small children. Secondly, research has shown that backless booster cushions are not effective, due primarily to a lack of side support to prevent the child from falling out through the seat belt sideways, and for failing to provide any side impact protection.

Recent reviews in Australia and overseas are resulting in, or leading towards, legislative changes to include increased age and/or weight limits for the mandatory use of child restraints. However, regardless of whether such changes are imposed, it is clearly desirable in the interests of improved child safety, to use appropriate child restraints for all children for an extended period until they are physically large enough for in- vehicle adult belt systems to work safely and effectively.

The design of full back child restraints including many booster seats has improved substantially in recent years in terms of safety performance regarding protection of the intended occupants of these restraints. However, these restraints are physically large, due in part to the increased use of side protecting wings which generally diverge outwardly from the seat back, making it difficult to physically fit any more than two of these seats into the rear seat of an average family vehicle. This problem is being exacerbated to some degree with the simultaneous general trend towards smaller family vehicles, which is likely to continue in view of rising fuel costs and general global concerns regarding the environment.

Furthermore, many of the existing high back child restraints, when used in a forward facing orientation, may represent an impact hazard to an adjacent occupant, due to the use of the diverging side wings on the restraint that are usually fairly rigid on the external surfaces and/or pheripheral edges.

It is an object to the present invention to provide a modular child restraint system and components thereof which overcome or ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a removable child restraint configured for use in one form as a child seat with integral harness or in another form as a booster seat for use with an adult vehicle belt system, the child restraint including: a seat base and a seat back connected with the base, the seat back including side supporting and impact protecting wings extending generally directly forward from at least an upper portion of the seat back corresponding to the location of the head and upper torso of a child occupant for whom the restraint is intended, the side wings being configured to provide first energy absorption means on both internal surfaces to protect a child occupant of the restraint and second energy absorption means on at least one external surface designed to protect a second passenger seated adjacent that side of the restraint.

Desirably, the second energy absorption means is configured to extend across a majority portion of the external width of the side wings, so as to offer support and protection to a child passenger seated adjacent the restraint that has their back directly against the vehicle seat back surface which will usually be set back from the seat back of the adjacent restraint. Ideally, second energy absorption means are provided on the external surfaces of both of the side wings so the restraint can be effective when positioned at any location in a vehicle. Preferably, the side wings extend substantially the full height of the seat back. In one form, the seat back includes a headrest portion with integral head restraining wings, the headrest being height adjustable with respect to the backrest to extend the seat height as the child grows.

In another form, the headrest portion may comprise two 'U' shaped movable collar components one above the other to better facilitate adjustment to suit both the intended restraint occupant and an adjacent seat occupant requiring different ideal headrest height settings. In an alternative arrangement, each headrest side wing has two independently movable elements, one facing inwardly for the intended restraint occupant and one extending outwardly for an adjacent seat occupant.

In preferred forms, the seat structure is designed to facilitate adequate strength in terms of side impact protection and adequate energy absorbing capabilities, all in an overall width that enables use in the modular system of the second aspect of the invention in a wide range of family vehicles. In one form this is achieved with a high strength relatively thin inner structural wall for the side wings to which suitable low volume energy absorbing materials are applied.

Desirably the restraint includes first sash guide means to positively position the sash of a vehicle adult seat belt when being used as a booster seat. Preferably, the restraint also includes second sash guide means for positively positioning the sash of a vehicle seat belt when being used by a child sitting adjacent the child restraint. Desirably, the second sash guide means is provided on or secured to an external surface of the restraint for easy access by the adjacent passenger child.

Desirably, either and/or both the first and second sash guide means are height adjustable by means either of multiple guides or a single guide which is repositionable relative to a fixed location on the restraint.

Preferably, the child restraint will also include a lap belt guide to position and ideally maintain a vehicle lap belt in a low position over the child occupant. This can be in any suitable form and may include: a cut out or gap below the side wings; a low positioned hook like arrangement or what is known as an anti-submarine strap that is designed to extend between the legs of the seat occupant with a belt guiding loop or clip to thereby hold the lap belt low to the seat.

Desirably, the child restraint will include an approved independent vehicle anchor connection device such as a top tether and/or ISOFIX (International Organisation for Standardisation standard ISO13216) connector or similar. The child restraint will also ideally be adapted to facilitate securement to the vehicle using the adult seat belt when being used with an integral harness for securing the child. In a preferred form the restraint includes guides whereby the adult seat belt passes around the seat base to secure the restraint to the vehicle in conjunction with a top tether. In another form, openings are provided in the seat back through which the adult belt can be threaded to secure the restraint to the vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular child restraint system for restraining three children in a rear seat of a vehicle, the system comprising: two first modules in the form of child restraints according to the first aspect of the invention, whereby each restraint can be positioned in outboard locations on a vehicle rear seat with the external surfaces of each respective centrally facing side wing including said second energy absorbing means; and a third module in the form of a booster cushion; the booster cushion being configured to be located intermediate to the two outboard restraints, the respective centrally facing external surfaces of the side wings of the outboard restraints providing side support and impact protection for an occupant of the booster cushion.

Desirably, the booster cushion may be available in a range of widths to maximise the centre seat size for a particular vehicle.

In one form, the booster cushion is releasably securable to the seat bases of the adjacent child restraints so as to be restrained in one or more directions by the adjacent child restraints, that are in turn each secured to a suitable vehicle anchor point. This can be done in numerous ways such as providing lugs or cut outs on the booster cushion that sit vertically into corresponding cut outs or lugs provided in the sides of the seat bases of the child restraints, so that the booster can be dropped into position and later removed by sliding upwardly. Another alternative is to have retractable sidewardly extending Io eking formations in either of the booster cushion or restraints that engage corresponding apertures in the adjacent seat module, thereby locking the three components against both relative horizontal (forward and/or sideward) or vertical movement until the locking formations are physically retracted. In these cases some form of indicator will be preferable to show that safe and secure interlocking has been achieved.

In other forms where it is desirable to prevent or limit load transfer from one module of the system to another, in, say, impact situations, the interconnection system, if provided, may be configured to disengage under certain predetermined load conditions. In another alternative form, the interconnection may comprise lugs on one seat part that engage forward extending grooves in the adjacent seat part, thereby retaining the booster cushion height relative to the adjacent restraints while allowing relative forward/backward motion during impact or braking loads.

Ideally, if needed, the occupant of the centrally positioned booster cushion will guide and position the sash of the vehicle adult belt system using the preferably adjustable second sash guide means provided on the outboard restraints.

Optionally, the booster cushion may also include, or use instead, an independent vehicle anchor connection device such as a tether or an ISOFIX connector or similar.

Preferably, the seat base of the child restraint and/or the booster cushion of the invention, are all configured to allow easy access to the vehicle seat belt buckles, which may be done by providing cut outs in the rear of these components or otherwise suitably altering the rear profile of the components as a whole to allow for hand access.

Similarly, the seat bases of all or some of the modules are preferably configured to optimise the dynamic performance in the event of an impact, by being designed to compress under load to retard the forward movement of the pelvis and buttocks of a child occupant within a seat when the vehicle is stopped abruptly.

Furthermore, the seat bases of the child restraints and the booster cushion may also incorporate some form of height adjustment mechanism or interconnection mechanism to enable levelling of the individual seats, and/or alignment of all three seat components, particularly in vehicles having strongly contoured rear seats that won't easily accommodate some or all of the components without such adjustment.

Ideally, the system will be configured for optional use with independently connected harness systems if required.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular child restraint system according to the invention configured for restraining 3 children;

Figure 2 is a front view of a child restraint suitable for using the modular system shown in Fig 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side view of the restraint shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top view of the restraint shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one outboard child restraint with booster cushion adapted for releasable connection thereto illustrating a first method of connection;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one outboard child restraint with booster cushion showing a second method of connection;

Figure 7 is a isometric view of a child restraint and booster cushion arrangement illustrating various means for securing both the restraint and the booster cushion to the vehicle structure using a top tether and an "ISOFIX" system;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment child restraint according to the invention illustrating various additional optional features; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the modular child restraint system of Figure 1 illustrating restraints with two examples of alternative headrest configurations that facilitate increased adjustment to suit a passenger on the adjacent seat or booster cushion as well as those in the restraint.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a modular child restraint system 1 for restraining three children in the rear seat of a family vehicle. The system in its assembled three child configuration includes two first modules in the form of independent removable child restraint units 2. Each of these units are configured for use in a first form as a child seat utilising an integral harness that can be secured to extend through the harness openings 3 or, alternatively, as a booster seat for use with an adult vehicle belt system. Also forming part of the modular system 1 is a central booster cushion module 4.

The child restraints 2 are specifically configured such that when used with the central booster cushion as shown in Figure 1, the inboard side surfaces 5 of each of the outboard restraints act to provide side support and impact protection for the occupant of the booster cushion. This enables three children of a size requiring some form of booster restraint to be provided with the requisite side support and impact protection, without the need to use three dedicated restraints each providing independent side support. This in turn enables use of a relatively narrower booster cushion in the central position, such that the width of the modular system is reduced, thereby enabling it to fit into a larger range of small to mid size vehicles.

The modular system 1 is enabled primarily by the design of the child restraint 2, the basic elements of which are described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 to 5. In this regard, the child restraint 2 includes a seat base 6 and a seat back 7 that is connected with the base. Optionally, connection is via a hinge arrangement 8 so that the inclination of the seat base 6 relative to the seat back 7 can be adjusted to suit the inclination of a vehicle's seat arrangement. The seat back 7 includes side supporting and impact protecting wings shown generally at 9. These wings extend generally directly forward from at least an upper portion eight of the seat back 7 which corresponds to the location of the head and upper torso of a child occupant for whom the restraint is intended.

In the preferred form the wings 9 extend from the full height of the seat back. In the embodiment illustrated, the seat back includes a headrest portion 10 with integral head restraining wings 11. The headrest portion 10 may be height adjustable with respect to the backrest 12 and body wings 13 to optionally expand the overall height of the seat as the child grows. Any suitable mechanism can be used for adjustably interconnecting the headrest portion with the backrest portion of the seat, which may include ratchet type mechanisms of the kind currently used with the vehicle headrests and the like as shown in more detail in Figure 8.

The side wings 9 are configured on both internal surfaces 14 to provide first energy absorption means 15 to protect a child occupant restraint during any form of side impact. The energy absorption means can be in any suitable form which may include use of impact absorbing materials including polymeric foam materials such as expanded polystyrene foam and the like, optionally in combination with some other form of fabric cushioning which may also contribute to the occupants comfort level. The energy absorbing material may form a structural element of the wings or maybe secured over a separate structural element such as an ABS seat shell 16 or the like as is well known in the design of existing child seats. Depending on what materials may be suitable, the latter structure may be preferable, as it can facilitate a narrower overall wing width and hence a narrower restraint thereby enabling use of the system in a wider range of vehicles. It is certainly envisaged that restraints according to the invention are likely to be narrower than the very large older style full polystyrene winged booster seats and closer in size to more recent models based around rigid frame structures.

Importantly, the child restraint 2 also includes second energy absorption means 17 on at least one external surface 18 of the wings 9. The same comments apply in respect of materials and structure as to those made in respect of the first energy absorption means 15. Where the first energy absorbing means is structural, it may also define the second energy absorbing means.

The purpose of the second energy absorption means 17 is to protect a second passenger seated adjacent that side of the restraint, that is likely to be seated either directly on a vehicle seat, or on the booster cushion 4 of the modular system of the invention. In either case, as their back will be against the vehicle seat back, the second energy absorption means 17 needs to extend across a majority portion of the external width 19 of the side wings 9 so that the passenger child is fully protected with their head right back, and not only when it is in alignment with the head of the child sitting within the child restraint 2. While the modular system 1 strictly requires only that each of the child restraints 2 adjacent the booster cushion 4 include second energy absorption means 17 on the external surfaces of the restraint wings 9 immediately adjacent the booster cushion, it will clearly be more practical to provide this on the external surfaces of both wings so that any one child restraint can be usefully used in any position in a vehicle.

Ideally, the wings 9 extend generally directly forward, so as to be approximately perpendicular in its centre plane with the seat back 7 thereby not encroaching unduly into the body and head space around the proposed occupant of the adjacent vehicle seat or booster cushion 4. In one form, the external surfaces of the wings 9 are contoured slightly concavely inward for the occupant of the booster cushion 4 or any passenger adjacent the child restraint 2, and the internal surfaces 13 of the wings 7 are similarly contoured for the proposed occupant of the child restraint 2. An example of this is illustrated in Figure 4.

Desirably, the restraint 2 includes first sash guide means to positively position the sash of a vehicle adult seat belt when being used as a booster seat. This can be achieved in numerous ways such as providing a slot 21 between the headrest wings 11 and the body wings 13. In some embodiments, an additional hook element 22 or press stud releasable strap, is provided through which the sash is passed so that it is kept downwardly directed toward the shoulder region of child occupant, even if the seat has an adjustable headrest which may be raised upwardly from the seat back. The restraint 2 may also include a length adjustable strap or cord and clip arrangement 23 for situations where the child may be too short to rely on the guides 21 or 22. Other options include the provision of additional slots within the body wings 13 such as shown in Figure 8.

Ideally, the restraint 2 will also include second sash guide means preferably connected with the outer side surfaces 5 of the restraint for positively positioning the sash of a vehicle seat belt when being used by a child sitting adjacent the child restraint. Again, this second sash guide means can be in any suitable form and may include a length adjustable strap or cord and clip element as shown at 24. It may also include other arrangements such as a belt guide which is releasably movable along a track provided within the side surfaces 5. Similarly, the restraint 2 will also include a lap belt guide to position and ideally maintain a vehicle lap belt in a low position over the child occupant when used as a booster seat. Again, this can be in any suitable form and it may include a cut-out 25 below the side wings 13, a clip arrangement 26 or an anti-submarining arrangement 27 or any other suitable mechanism. When being used as a forward facing restraint using an integral harness, the restraint itself will be secured to the vehicle using any suitable anchoring system or combination of anchoring systems. These include a top tether 38, ISOFIX anchor 41 and/or use of the adult belt system via, for example, providing guides that direct the adult belt system around the seat base, which helps prevent the restraint seat from lifting up. In such a case a top tether is also used. Alternatively, the adult belt can be guided through openings 50 in the seat back in a manner that is well known (see Figures 7 and 8). Examples of further possible additions or variations to the child restraint 2 are discussed with reference to the additional drawings.

In one form of the modular system 1 according to the invention, the booster cushion 4 is releasably securable to the seat bases of the adjacent child restraints 2, so as to be restrained in one or more directions by the outboard child restraints, that are in turn secured to the vehicle via one of the mechanisms described above, or suitable alternative. This can be done in numerous ways of which two examples are shown in Figures 5 and 6 respectively. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 5, retractable sidewardly extending locking formations 30 are provided in the sides of either the booster cushion 4 or the restraints 2 that engage corresponding apertures in the adjacent seat module, thereby locking the three components against both relative horizontal (forward or backward) or vertical movement until the locking formations are physically retracted. In the example shown in Figure 5, the retractable locking formations 30 can be retracted using one or more operating buttons 30 such that the booster cushion 4 can be lowered into position between two spaced apart previously secured child restraints 2. When the buttons are released, the locking formations spring outward and engage in the apertures 31 provided in the child restraints 2. As this form of locking system will require relatively accurate positioning of the booster cushion 4 with respect to the adjacent child restraints 2, which may be quite difficult if the vehicle's rear seats are strongly contoured, each of the modular units may include some form of height adjustment and alignment capability. Again, this may take many forms of which one example is the independently operable levelling feet 33 as shown in Figure 5.

Preferably, where the modular units are designed to be interconnected, some form of visual and/or audible indicator is provided to reassure the user that a complete and safe interconnection has been achieved. In the example above, the release buttons could be configured to also act as indicators e.g. by virtue of position, or alternatively separate indicators could be provided. Ideally, safety locking indicators are provided on all or most of the restraint locking mechanisms such as adjustable head rests and vehicle connection points.

In other forms where it is desirable to prevent or limit load transfer from one module of the system to another, in, say, impact situations, the interconnection system, if provided, may be configured to disengage under certain predetermined load conditions. In another alternative form, the interconnection may comprise lugs on one seat part that engage forward extending grooves in the adjacent seat part, thereby retaining the booster cushion height relative to the adjacent restraints while allowing relative forward^ackward motion during impact or braking loads. Such a system could be visually similar to the embodiment of Figure 5 except that the locking formations 30 may be fixed and the apertures 31 could comprise channels that are open at the front end of the seat to allow relative forward and backward movement. If more positive transverse (across seat) positioning is required, the formations and slots can be profiled to retain in that direction by using dove tailed profiles, T formations or similar.

Turning next to Figure 6, an alternative seat interlocking arrangement is shown in the form of fixed lugs 35, preferably provided on the booster cushion 4, which are adapted to drop vertically into corresponding slots 36 provided in the adjacent component, which in the form illustrated is the restraint 2. It will be appreciated that these formations need not be as wide as shown in the drawing and could take many forms.

Referring next to Figure 7, there is shown some common examples of how each of the modules of the system can be secured to the vehicle structure. These include for the restraint 2 a top tether 38 which includes an adjustable strap with a spring closed hook

40 which is used to connect with the specially designed vehicle anchor provided at some position to the rear of the vehicle seat. The other options illustrated that are suitable for both the restraint 2 and the booster cushion 4, is the use of standard ISOFIX connectors 41 which secure to approved standardised anchors provided as part of the vehicle structure. While this system is widely used in places such as Europe and the US, it is not currently used in Australia.

It is presently thought that the ISOFIX base connector is the best option for securing the booster cushion 4 as it enables each component to be independently secured. However, it is not entirely clear at this stage whether, when no such base connector can be used, it is preferable to physically interlock the booster cushion with the two adjacent restraints, which may increase the load on the restraint securing mechanisms during an impact, or to simply have the booster cushion sitting on the vehicle seat. For this reason various options have been proposed and will continue to be investigated.

Referring next to Figure 8, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the child restraint 2 illustrating a first few examples of additional features that could be incorporated into the restraint.

For example, the restraint 2 may include a height adjustable head rest 10, movable on ratchet adjustable rods 45 which can be released via burtons 46. The seat may also, or alternatively, include additional sash cut-out guides 48 as shown. As foreshadowed previously, the rear portion of the seat base, and potentially the adjacent portion of the seat back, may also be appropriately contoured to provide recesses 49 that allow easy hand access to the vehicle seat buckles. Furthermore, additional slit openings 50 may be provided where it is desirable to use the vehicle seat belt arrangement to secure the child restraint to the vehicle in addition to using a top tether and/or ISOFIX connector, where the occupant of the seat is then to be restrained independently using an integral six point harness system (not shown). While guide openings of this kind are regularly used, a preferred option (not shown) is to guide the adult belt system around the base of the seat. In combination with a top tether this serves to prevent the restraint seat and back from tipping away from the respective parts of the vehicle seating structure.

Additionally, the seat base 6 may be configured to optimise the dynamic performance in the event of collision or sudden stopping by being designed to compress under load to retard the forward movement of the pelvis and buttocks of a child occupant. One way of doing this is to form the seat base 6 from front and rear portions 52 and 53 where the material of 52 is softer than that of 53, so that the rear portion compresses and the child's pelvis is restrained by the front material which forms a barrier starting at join line 51. Contouring of the restraint seat base and booster cushion can also assist retardation of forward movement and help guide correct positioning of lap sash belts etc.

Referring finally to Figure 9 there is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the modular restraint system 1, illustrating this time two examples of alternative headrest configurations 10 that could be incorporated into the child restraints 2. These are proposed to provide a means to optimise the head support for a child on the booster cushion 4 or on an empty seat adjacent one of the restraints 2 and may be of particular use when there is a big height valuation between the children.

In the first example shown to the right hand side of Figure 9, the headrest 10 comprises a first generally U shaped inner headrest 42 similar to that shown in the previous Figures, but ideally having a more slimline profile so there is space to accommodate a second similarly U shaped outer headrest 43. The two headrest portions are nested, with the inner rest within the outer rest, and each is independently secured to, and adjustable from, the seat back 7. In this manner a small child in the right hand restraint having a mid head height at A is well supported with the inner rest 42 in a lowered position as shown. At the same time, a taller child with a mid head height B is also well supported and protected in the head region by the outer headrest 43 set in a raised position as shown. It will be appreciated that this concept can be varied in many ways. For example the outer headrest 43 could be replaced by simple wing components only, which are connected to the seat body or the inner headrest, and which can be slid up or down relative to the inner headrest as required. In either case the outer rest 43 could be supported from the inner rest 42 or from the main body of the seat.

In the second example shown in the left hand side of Figure 9, the headrest 10 comprise two generally U shaped sections including a lower section 44 and an upper section 45. The upper section is height adjustable relative to the lower section 44 which in turn is height adjustable relative to seat back 7, the adjustability being achieved in any suitable manner including known existing ratchet mechanisms. The first headrest option, including the adjustable outer wing variation, has the advantage of providing substantially continuous side protection, but requires more overall width in the head rest wing region. By contrast the headrest second option does not compromise headrest wing width, but can, with significant height variations within and next to the restraint, result in gaps which in some instances may be more than ideal.

It will be appreciated that the modular restraint system of the invention offers numerous advantages over the prior art. Importantly, and foremostly, it enables safe restraint of three children with side protection in many small to medium size family vehicles, which was not previously possible using three individual removable side protection restraints. Furthermore, use of the individual child restraints 2, even without the booster cushion 4, confers advantages over the prior art. That is by having side wings 9 that extend generally directly forward, they do not encroach so far into the space which is to be occupied by an adjacent passenger. Even more importantly, the incorporation of the second energy absorbing means 17 on the external surfaces of the wings 9, coupled with the orientation of the wings, offers an element of side impact protection to any passenger seated adjacent the restraint. In addition, the general orientation of the side wings 9 also provides a surface for children or others adjacent the restraint to rest upon and sleep during long journeys. This feature is further enhanced when headrests are incorporated that are separately adjustable for those within and next to the restraint.

Yet another advantage of the modular system is the ability for parents who may be car pooling to take children to school or sports or the like, to easily add in restraints provided by other parents using the same system, as and when needed. Similarly, for families with two young children who occasionally need to carry a third, the cost of adding the booster cushion would be significantly less than purchasing another full seat (assuming they would have space to use it) and far more convenient to store.

It should also be understood that whilst the preferred embodiments described and illustrated are all forward facing restraints, the concept could be extended whereby the restraint 2 could be adapted for use also, or instead, as a rearward facing infant restraint.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Furthermore, individual features from the described examples may be combined in different ways.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

1. A removable child restraint configured for use in one form as a child seat with integral harness or in another form as a booster seat for use with an adult vehicle belt system, the child restraint including: a seat base and a seat back connected with the base, the seat back including side supporting and impact protecting wings extending generally directly forward from at least an upper portion of the seat back corresponding to the location of the head and upper torso of a child occupant for whom the restraint is intended, the side wings being configured to provide first energy absorption means on both internal surfaces to protect a child occupant of the restraint and second energy absorption means on at least one external surface designed to protect a second passenger seated adjacent that side of the restraint.

2. A removable child restraint according to claim 1 wherein the second energy absorption means is configured to extend across a majority portion of the external width of the side wing or wings..

3. A removable child restraint according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second energy absorption means are provided on the external surfaces of both of the side wings.

4. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side wings extend substantially the full height of the seat back.

5. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seat back includes a headrest portion with integral head restraining wings, the headrest being height adjustable with respect to the main body of the seat back to extend the effective head height of the seat.

6. A removable child restraint according to claim 5 wherein the headrest portion comprises two generally 'U' shaped movable collar components one positioned above the other, each being height adjustable relative to the seat or collar component therebelow.

7. A removable child restraint according to claim 5 wherein each headrest side wing has two independently height adjustable elements, one facing inwardly for the intended restraint occupant and one extending outwardly for an adjacent seat occupant.

8. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seat structure includes side wings formed from a high strength relatively thin inner structural wall to which suitable low volume energy absorbing materials are applied.

9. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the restraint includes first sash guide means to positively position the sash of a vehicle adult seat belt when being used as a booster seat.

10. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the restraint also includes second sash guide means for positively positioning the sash of a vehicle seat belt when being used by a child sitting adjacent the child restraint.

11. A removable child restraint according to claim 10 wherein the second sash guide means is provided on or secured to an external surface of the restraint for easy access by the adjacent passenger child.

12. A removable child restraint according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein either and/or both the first and second sash guide means are height adjustable relative to a fixed location on the restraint.

13. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims including a lap belt guide to position and maintain a vehicle lap belt in a low position over the child occupant.

14. A removable child restraint according to claim 13 wherein the lap belt guide includes any one of: a cut out or gap below the side wings; or a low positioned belt hook arrangement or anti-submarine strap.

15. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims including an approved independent vehicle anchor connection device.

16. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims including guides whereby the adult seat belt passes around the seat base to secure the restraint to the vehicle in conjunction with an independent vehicle anchor connection device.

17. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims wherein openings are provided in the seat back through which an adult seat belt can be threaded to secure the restraint to a vehicle.

18. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims including means for releasable securing of a custom booster cushion to a side thereof.

19. A removable child restraint according to claim 18 wherein the means comprises some form of aperture or protuberance adapted to engage a corresponding or aperture provided on the booster cushion.

20. A removable child restraint according to claim 19 wherein the means is configured to permit automatic disengagement under certain predetermined load conditions.

21. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the restraint is configured to allow easy access to the vehicle seat belt buckles.

22. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seat base is configured to compress under load to retard forward movement of the buttocks and pelvis of an occupant of the seat during abrupt stopping.

23. A removable child restraint according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the restraint incorporates some form of height adjustment and/or levelling mechanism for supporting and levelling the restraint on contoured vehicle seat surfaces when required.

24. A modular child restraint system for restraining three children in a rear seat of a vehicle, the system comprising: two first modules in the form of child restraints according to any one of claims 1 to 23, whereby each restraint can be positioned in outboard locations on a vehicle rear seat with the external surfaces of each respective centrally facing side wing including said second energy absorbing means; and a third module in the form of a booster cushion; the booster cushion being configured to be located intermediate the two outboard restraints, the respective centrally facing external surfaces of the side wings of the outboard restraints providing side support and impact protection for an occupant of the booster cushion.

25. A modular child restraint system according to claim 24 wherein the booster cushion is releasably securable to the seat bases of the adjacent child restraints so as to be restrained in one or more direction by the child restraints, that are in turn each secured to a suitable vehicle anchor point.

26. A modular child restraint system according to claim 25 wherein the booster cushion to child restraint interconnection system is configured to disengage under certain predetermined load conditions.

27. A modular child restraint system according to any one of claims 24 to 26 wherein the booster cushion may also include, or use instead, an independent vehicle anchor connection device.

28. A modular child restraint system according to any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein the booster cushion incorporates any one or more of the additional features of claims 21 to claim 23.