WO2011032919A1

WO2011032919A1 - Car base for the detachable fixing of seats for carrying children

Info

Publication number: WO2011032919A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/063400
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dario Scaldaferro; Roberto Gorza
Original assignee: L'inglesina Baby S.P.A.
Priority date: 2009-09-16
Filing date: 2010-09-13
Publication date: 2011-03-24
Also published as: ITVR20090138A1; IT1395793B1

Abstract

A car base (1) for the detachable fixing of seats for carrying children, comprising a base structure (2) which can be associated detachably, by mutual locking means (3), with a seat element (4) and can be fixed detachably, by snap-acting fixing means (5), to a fixing element which is connected to the chassis of a car; the snap-acting fixing means are, in particular, adapted to pass from an inactive or release condition to an active or locking condition as a consequence of mating with a respective anchoring body (6a), the car base comprising at least one first blocking device (7) which is adapted to prevent the mating of the seat element (4) with the base structure (2) by the mutual locking means (3), the first blocking device (7) being able to be deactivated upon transition of the snap-acting fixing means (5) from the inactive condition to the active condition so as to allow the mating of the seat element (4) with the base structure (2).

Description

CAR BASE FOR THE DETACHABLE FIXING OF SEATS FOR CARRYING CHILDREN

Technical field

The present invention refers to a car base for the detachable fixing of seats for carrying children.

Background Art

Seats to be used when it is desired to carry children in cars are widely known and have been mandatory for some time. In many cases the child seats, especially seats that are adapted to be used by children in their first months of life, can be associated detachably with a car base, which is fixed directly to the seat of the car by means of fixing devices associated with the seats themselves, such as for example safety belts.

For preventing as far as possible the the risk that a user does not correctly perform the operations of fixing the car base to the car seat, car bases have been offered which are equipped with fixing devices that provide automatic fastening means, commercially known as ISO-FIX, which are designed to lock by snap action onto a metal crosspiece which is integral with the chassis of the car.

This not only leads to an evident simplification of the operations required for fixing the car base (the user, basically, merely has to "push" the car base against the back rest of the car seat); it also results in an extremely effective fixation of the car base directly to the chassis of the car.

In any case, display systems are also present on car bases supplied with ISO-FIX fixing devices, such display systems being adapted to enable the user to check if the ISO-FIX device is actually in the active condition and is, therefore, correctly locked onto the metal crosspiece.

Such display systems are normally implemented by providing one or more windows on the upper surface of the car base. Such windows make an indicator visible which is connected to the ISO-FIX device and which presents, normally, a green portion, designed to engage with the window when the ISO-FIX device is fastened, and a red portion, designed to move in position at the window if the respective ISO-FIX device is not fastened to the metal crosspiece.

In this way the user, before associating the child seat with the car base, can check if the car base is correctly fixed to the chassis of the car.

The car bases described above, although widely used, are not free from drawbacks and problems.

In particular, it has been found that, after the occurrence of certain situations which can typically arise inside a car (not enough light, hurry, the baby is crying and so on), the user does not always pay the necessary attention to the display systems, with the risk of fastening the child seat to the ISO-FIX base without the ISO-FIX base being correctly associated with the metal crosspiece.

Moreover, very often the window or windows cannot be seen by the user when the child seat is associated with the car base. Finally, in some cases the controls for unlocking the ISO-FIX devices are located in parts of the car base that are still accessible even when the child seat is associated with the car base.

This entails the risk that someone could accidentally intervene with these unlocking controls when the child seat is mounted on the car base, consequently compromising the safety of the device in its entirety.

Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a car base for the detachable fixing of seats for carrying children that is capable of eliminating the above-mentioned drawbacks of the car bases currently on the market.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a car base for the detachable fixing of seats for carrying children that is exceptionally advanced from the point of view of safety and capable of significantly reducing the risk that the user might involuntarily perform operations which could compromise its correct functioning. Another object of the invention is to provide a car base for the detachable fixing of seats for carrying children with which the operations for fixing and detaching are extremely quick.

Another object of the invention is to provide a car base for the detachable fixing of seats for carrying children that can be produced at low cost, so that its use is advantageous also from an economic viewpoint.

This aim as well as these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a car base for the detachable fixing of seats for carrying children, comprising a base structure which can be associated detachably, by mutual locking means, with a seat element and which can be fixed detachably, by snap-acting fixing means, to a fixing element which is connected to the chassis of a car; the snap-acting fixing means are, in particular, adapted to pass from an inactive or release condition to an active or locking condition as a consequence of mating with a respective anchoring body, the car base comprising at least one first blocking device which is adapted to prevent the mating of the seat element with the base structure by the action of the mutual locking means, the first blocking device being able to be deactivated upon transition of the snap- acting fixing means from the inactive condition to the active condition so as to allow the mating of the seat element with the base structure.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a car base for the detachable fixing of seats for carrying children, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a car base in which the seat element is shown spaced from the base structure and in which the upper surface of the external housing of the support base is shown as transparent;

Figure 2 is another perspective view but on an enlarged scale of the mutual locking means between the seat element and the support base;

Figure 3 is a side elevation view, partially sectional, of a car base according to the invention in which the snap-acting fixing means are decoupled from the anchoring body and in which the seat element is not associated with the base structure;

Figure 4 is a view similar to the previous one in which the snap-acting fixing means are coupled to the anchoring body and in which the seat element is associated with the base structure;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the base structure in which, for the purposes of greater clarity, part of the external containment housing has been omitted and in which the snap-acting fixing means are in the inactive position;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the base structure in the condition shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the base structure in which, for the purposes of greater clarity, part of the external containment housing has been omitted and in which the snap-acting fixing means are in the active position;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the base structure in the condition shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a side elevation view of a car base in which the base structure is associated with a stabilizing pillar in the active position.

Ways of carrying out the Invention

In the embodiments that follow, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

With reference to the figures, the present invention refers to a car base, generally indicated with the reference numeral 1, for the detachable fixing of seats for carrying children on vehicles such as, for example, cars.

The car base 1 comprises, in particular, a base structure 2 which can be detachably associated, by mutual locking means 3 of a known type, to a seat element 4 (typically a child seat or carry cot for children). For the purposes of example, the mutual locking means 3 can be constituted by a first front locking element 3 a which is supported by the seat element 4 and which can engage a respective engagement element 3b which is defined on the base structure 2.

The seat element 4 can also be provided with a pair of engagement regions 3c, 3d which are arranged on opposite sides of the front locking element 3a and which support a respective fastening body 3e which is designed to lock by snap action onto a respective rung 3f which is supported by the upper ends of respective abutments 3g which emerge from the base structure 2.

The base structure 2 can, moreover, be detachably fixed, by snap- acting fixing means 5, to a fixing element 6 which is connected to the chassis of a car.

The snap-acting fixing means 5 are adapted to pass from an inactive or release condition to an active or locking condition as a consequence of mating with a respective anchoring body which constitutes the above- mentioned fixing element 6.

According to the present invention, the car base 1 comprises at least one first blocking device 7 which is adapted to prevent the mating of the seat element 4 with the base structure 2 by the mutual locking means 3.

The first blocking device 7 can, moreover, be deactivated upon transition of the snap-acting fixing means 5 from the inactive condition to the active condition (in practice, as a consequence of fixing the base structure 2 to the fixing element 6) so as to allow the mating of the seat element 4 with the base structure 2.

In more detail, the car base 1 is supplied with unlocking means 8 which can be controlled and/or actuated by the user so as to allow the transition of the snap-acting fixing means 5 from the active or locking condition to the inactive or release condition in case it is desired to remove the base structure 2 from the car. According to a preferred and practical embodiment, the snap-acting fixing means 5 are constituted by two devices that are commercially known as ISO-FIX fastenings 5a, which are laterally supported by the base structure 2; in brief, these ISO-FIX fastenings have end clamps with a respective insertion groove 5b the transversal size of which corresponds to that of a crosspiece 6a that is cylindrical in cross-section and coupled to the chassis of the car and which constitutes the fixing element 6.

When the external surface of the crosspiece 6a comes in contact with the bottom of the insertion groove 5b, a "snap-acting" mechanism is automatically actuated which moves a closing hook so as to close the insertion groove, thus preventing the sliding of the crosspiece 6a inside the insertion groove 5 b and consequently anchoring the base structure 2 to the chassis of the car.

The only way to allow the release of the crosspiece 6a from the respective end clamps is therefore to actuate the unlocking means 8, which can be positioned at the snap-acting fixing means 5 or in a separate position as in the embodiment shown.

In this specific case, the unlocking means 8 comprise a control lever 8 a which can move with respect to the base structure 2 and which is connected, for example by means of a respective sheathed cable 5c, to a respective end clamp.

Obviously, there is nothing to prevent the unlocking means 8 from being constituted by a single control lever 8a which is connected to both of the end clamps.

According to a particularly important aspect of the present invention, the car base 1 comprises at least one second blocking device 9, which cooperates with the first blocking device 7 and is adapted to prevent the transition of the snap-acting fixing means 5 from the active or locking condition to the inactive or release condition when the seat element 4 is mated to the base structure 2 by the mutual locking means 3. In practice, owing to this second blocking device 9, the functioning of which will be described in much greater detail hereinbelow, when the seat element 4 is fixed to the base structure 2 by the mutual locking means 3, the possibility of intervening with the condition of the snap-acting fixing means 5 is prevented by actuation of the unlocking means 8.

In more detail, the first blocking device 7 comprises at least one blocking body 11 that can move, with respect to the base structure 2, between a first blocking position (shown in Figure 3) in which it prevents the mutual approach of the mutual locking means 3 (basically preventing the seat element 4 from catching on the base structure 2) and a second retracted position (shown in Figure 4) in which it permits the mutual approach of the mutual locking means 3 and, therefore, the catching of the seat element 4 on the base structure 2.

For the purposes of example, the first blocking device 7 can be constituted by a base body 20 from which the blocking body 11 protrudes: the base body 20 is rotatably supported by the base structure 2 so as to be able to rotate, under certain conditions, about a first rotation pin 21 which defines a substantially horizontal axis of rotation 100 for moving between the first blocking position and the second retracted position.

Advantageously, the car base 1 comprises at least one locking body

12, which can be kinematically connected to the snap-acting fixing means 5 and which is designed to lock the blocking body 11 in the first blocking position when the snap-acting fixing means 5 are brought into the inactive or release condition.

This locking body 12 is adapted not to interfere with the blocking body 11, and more in general with the first blocking device 7, when the snap-acting fixing means 5 are instead in the active or locking condition, thus permitting its transition between the first blocking position and the second retracted position and, substantially, permitting the fastening of the seat element 4 to the support base 2 by means of engagement between the mutual locking means 3.

Advisably, first elastic means 13 are provided, which are constituted for example by a torsion spring 13a and operate between the base structure 2 and the first blocking device 7 and which are adapted to keep the first blocking body 11 in the first blocking position even when the snap-acting fixing means 5 are brought into the active or locking condition.

In this case, however, the mutual approach of the mutual locking means 3 (and in particular the force that is applied by portions of the mutual locking means 3 borne by the seat element 4) is adapted to determine the transition of the blocking body 11 from the first blocking position to the second retracted position, contrasting the action of the first elastic means 13.

According to a preferred embodiment, the locking body 12 itself defines the second blocking device 9; with regard to this, the locking body 12 is kinematically interposed between the snap-acting fixing means 5 and the unlocking means 8.

With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, at least one portion 11a of the blocking body 11 is designed to block the movement of the locking body 12, when the blocking body 11 is in the second retracted position, so as to prevent, substantially, the actuation of the unlocking means 8 and consequently the transition of the snap-acting fixing means 5 from the active or locking condition to the inactive or release condition.

For the purposes of example, the locking body 12 is mounted so that it can rotate with respect to the base structure 2 about a second rotation pin 22 which defines in use a second, substantially vertical axis of rotation 101 ; in this case also, it is advisable to provide second elastic means 23, which are constituted for example by a second torsion spring 23a, which act between the base structure 2 and the locking body 12 and which are designed, when the blocking body 11 is in the blocking position, to keep the unlocking means 8 kinematically connected with the snap-acting fixing means 5, so as to allow the actuation, on command, of the unlocking means 8. As shown specifically in the figures, the control levers 8a can be formed directly on the locking body 12 which, consequently, is itself connected to the snap-acting fixing means 5 by means of a respective sheathed cable 5c.

In this way it appears evident that, when the movement of the locking body 12 is prevented by the positioning of the portion 11 a of the blocking body 11 in the second retracted position, it is effectively impossible for the user to actuate the control lever 8 a and, consequently, to bring the snap- acting fixing means 5 from the active condition to the inactive condition.

As shown in the schematic view in the figures, according to a preferred embodiment, the base structure 2 is coupled rotatably to at least one stabilizing pillar 40 which is designed to alternate between a collapsed position, in which it extends along a direction that is substantially parallel to the plane of arrangement of the base structure 2, and an active position, in which it extends along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of the base structure and opposite to the seat element 2.

In practice this stabilizing pillar 40 is designed, in the active position, to rest its free end 4a on the floor of the car so as to prevent the rotation of the base structure 2 about the snap-acting fixing means 5 in the event of an impact.

In particular, the first blocking device 7 can be deactivated upon transition of the stabilizing pillar or pillars 40 from the collapsed position to the active position.

According to a preferred embodiment, in the specific case of the first blocking device 7, it can be constituted by two blocking bodies 11 which are arranged side by side and which can be locked independently of each other in the respective retracted position by locking bodies that can be deactivated, respectively, by the transition of the snap-acting fixing means 5 from the inactive condition to the active condition and of the stabilizing pillar 40 from the collapsed position to the active position.

It appears evident that, according to this embodiment, it is necessary for both the snap-acting fixing means 5 and the stabilizing pillar 40 to be correctly positioned in order to allow the seat element 4 to catch on the base structure.

According to one embodiment, it is possible for the first blocking device to be able to be deactivated exclusively upon transition of the stabilizing pillar 40 from the collapsed position to the active position.

Advisably, the locking body 12 can be integrally associated with an indicator device 25 which has a first zone 25a (typically green in colour) and a second zone 25b (red in colour) and which is adapted to move, together with the locking body 12, about the respective second axis of rotation 101 upon the transition of the snap-acting fixing means 5 from the active condition to the inactive condition and vice versa.

The external housing of the support base 2 and, in particular, its upwards-facing surface are therefore supplied with a window that allows the user to view, alternatively, the first zone 25a or the second zone 25b depending on the condition (active or inactive, respectively) of the snap- acting fixing means 5.

The use of the car base according to the present invention follows in an evident manner from the above explanation.

In particular, the user mates the base structure 2 to the fixing element 6 which is integral with the chassis of the car.

This operation, in practice, will be performed by coupling the end clamps that form the ISO-FIX devices to the fixing element 6 that defines the anchoring body 6a.

If this operation is performed correctly, and therefore the snap-acting fixing means 5 transition from the inactive condition to the active condition, then the respective sheathed cables 5c operate on the locking body 12, bringing it into rotation about the second axis of rotation 101 in such a way as not to interfere with the movement of the blocking body 11.

In any case, the first torsion spring 13a keeps the blocking body 11 in the retracted position.

At this point, the user can bring the seat element 4 closer to the support base 2: the mutual locking means 3 borne by the seat element 4 then press on the blocking body 11 which is no longer locked by the locking body 12 and which therefore, consequently, can be brought, under the push of the mutual locking means 3, into the second retracted condition.

The blocking body 11 is thus kept in this second retracted condition as long as the seat element 4 remains fixed to the base structure 2 by the mutual locking means 3.

In this condition, the portion 1 la of the blocking body 11 is brought in a position that is such as to define a locating shoulder adapted to prevent the movement of the locking body 12 itself and, therefore, the actuation of the unlocking device 8, thus preventing, effectively, the possibility of intervention.

However, if the user does not correctly perform the operations of anchoring the snap-acting fixing means 5 to the fixing element 6, then the locking body 12 remains in a position that prevents the movement of the blocking body 11 from the retracted condition, so as to prevent the mating of the seat element 4 with the support base 2.

All the characteristics of the invention, indicated above as advantageous, advisable or similar, may also be missing or substituted by equivalent characteristics.

In practice it has been found that in all the embodiments the invention has fully achieved the intended aim and objects.

In particular, the car base according to the invention prevents the seat element 4 from catching on the support base 2 if the snap-acting fixing means 5 are not correctly engaged with the fixing element 6 that is integral with the chassis of the car. Moreover, it is impossible to release the snap-acting fixing means 5 when the seat element 4 is associated with the base structure 2.

In practice the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. VR2009A000138 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A car base (1) for the detachable fixing of seats for carrying children, comprising a base structure (2) which can be associated detachably, by mutual locking means (3), with a seat element (4) and can be fixed detachably, by snap-acting fixing means (5), to a fixing element (6), which is connected to the chassis of a car, said snap-acting fixing means (5) being adapted to pass from an inactive or release condition to an active or locking condition as a consequence of mating with a respective anchoring body (6a), characterized in that it comprises at least one first blocking device (7), which is adapted to prevent the mating of said seat element (4) with said base structure (2) by said mutual locking means (3), said first blocking device (7) being able to be deactivated upon transition of said snap-acting fixing means (5) from said inactive condition to said active condition so as to allow the mating of said seat element (4) with said base structure (2).

2. The car base (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises unlocking means (8), which can be actuated on command so as to allow the transition of said snap-acting fixing means (5) from said active or locking condition to said inactive or release condition.

3. The car base (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said snap-acting fixing means (5) comprise two ISO- FIX devices (5a), which are supported laterally by said base structure (2).

4. The car base (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one second blocking device (9), which cooperates with said first blocking device (7) and is adapted to prevent the transition of said snap-acting fixing means (5) from said active or locking condition to said inactive or release condition, with said seat element (4) mated to said base structure (2) by said mutual locking means (3).

5. The car base (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first blocking device (7) comprises at least one blocking body (11), which can move with respect to said base structure (2) between a first interference position, in which it prevents the mutual approach of said mutual locking means (3), and a second retracted position, in which it allows the mutual approach of said mutual locking means (3).

6. The car base (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one locking body (12), which can be connected kinematically to said snap-acting fixing means (5) and is designed, when said snap-acting fixing means (5) are in said inactive or release condition, to lock said at least one blocking body (11) in said first interference position and is adapted, when said snap-acting fixing means (5) are in the active or locking condition, to allow the transition of said first blocking body (11) between said first interference position and said second retracted position.

7. The car base (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises first elastic means (13), which operate between said base structure (2) and said first blocking body (11) and are adapted to keep said first blocking body (11) in said first blocking position with said snap-acting fixing means (5) in said active or locking condition, the mutual approach of said mutual locking means (3) being adapted to cause the transition of said first blocking body (11) from said first blocking position to said second retracted position in contrast with the action of said first elastic means (13).

8. The car base (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one locking body (12) forms said second blocking device (9) and is interposed kinematically between said snap-acting fixing means (5) and said unlocking means (8), at least one portion (11a) of said blocking body (11) being designed to block, in said second retracted position, the movement of said locking body (12), so as to prevent the actuation of said release means (8) and accordingly the passage of said snap- acting fixing means (5) from said active or locking condition to said inactive or release condition.

9. The car base (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises second elastic means (23), which operate between said base structure (2) and said locking body (12) and are designed to keep, when said first blocking body (11) is in the blocking position, said unlocking means (8) kinematically connected to said snap-acting fixing means (5), so as to allow the actuation on command of said unlocking means (8).

10. The car base (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base structure (2) is coupled rotatably to at least one stabilizing pillar (40), which is designed to pass between a collapsed position, in which it extends along a direction that is substantially parallel to the plane of arrangement of said base structure (2), and an active position, in which it extends along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of said base structure (2) and on the opposite side with respect to said seat element (4), said first blocking device being able to be deactivated upon the transition of said at least one stabilizing pillar (40) from said collapsed position to said active position.