Child vehicle seat

Abstract: A child vehicle seat includes a metallic frame assembly having a posterior side and an anterior side, the metallic frame assembly including (i) a left lateral frame member having a first horizontal component and a first upright component, (ii) a right lateral frame member having a second horizontal component and a second upright component, and (iii) a number of support members interconnecting the first horizontal component to the second horizontal component, and the first upright component to the second upright component. The child vehicle seat further includes a posterior shell portion (i) positioned on the posterior side of the metallic frame assembly, and (ii) secured to the metallic frame assembly so that the posterior shell portion contacts each of the first horizontal component, the second horizontal component, the first upright support member, and the second upright support member. Moreover, the child vehicle seat includes an anterior shell portion positioned on the anterior side of the metallic frame assembly, the anterior shell portion including a seat portion. (end of abstract)

Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower - Indianapolis, IN, US
Inventors: Guy Dingman, Mike Ayette, Tom Woellert
USPTO Applicaton #: #20060103200 - Class: 297250100 (USPTO)

Child vehicle seat description/claims

The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060103200, Child vehicle seat.

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims

[0001] This application claims the benefit of both (i) U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/619,182, filed Oct. 15, 2004, and (ii) U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/718,458, filed Sep. 19, 2005. The disclosure of both of the above-identified provisional patent applications are hereby totally incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This invention relates to the field of child seats for motor vehicles.

[0003] Child seats for motor vehicles are widely used by operators of motor vehicles to protect children from harm in the event of an accident. Child seats generally include a plastic shell with a cushioned seat formed over the shell. A harness is provided on the seat to restrain the child and retain the child in the seat in the event of an accident. Harness systems typically include a shoulder harness with belts designed to extend over the shoulders of the child and a buckle harness with a crotch belt designed to extend between the legs of the child.

[0004] A challenge for designers of child seats is to decouple the occupant from as much energy as possible during a vehicular accident. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a child seat wherein most of the load is applied to a frame of the seat in the event of an accident.

[0005] A further challenge for designers of child seats relates to the materials from which the shell of the seat is made. It would be desirable to provide a child vehicle seat shell that provides a softer shell that is not only more comfortable for the child, but also provides an increased ability to absorb energy during an accident. It would be desirable for the shell to possess such increased energy absorption properties in extreme temperatures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a child vehicle seat that includes a metallic frame assembly having a posterior side and an anterior side, the metallic frame assembly including (i) a left lateral frame member having a first horizontal component and a first upright component, (ii) a right lateral frame member having a second horizontal component and a second upright component, and (iii) a number of support members interconnecting the first horizontal component to the second horizontal component, and the first upright component to the second upright component. The child vehicle seat further includes a posterior shell portion (i) positioned on the posterior side of the metallic frame assembly, and (ii) secured to the metallic frame assembly so that the posterior shell portion contacts each of the first horizontal component, the second horizontal component, the first upright support member, and the second upright support member. Moreover, the child vehicle seat includes an anterior shell portion positioned on the anterior side of the metallic frame assembly, the anterior shell portion including a seat portion.

[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a child vehicle seat which includes a metallic frame assembly having a posterior side and an anterior side, the metallic frame assembly including (i) a generally L-shaped left lateral frame member, (ii) a generally L-shaped right lateral frame member, and (iii) a number of support members interconnecting the L-shaped left lateral frame member to the L-shaped right lateral frame member. The child vehicle seat further includes a posterior shell portion (i) positioned on the posterior side of the metallic frame assembly, and (ii) secured to the metallic frame assembly so that the posterior shell portion contacts each of the L-shaped left lateral frame member and the L-shaped right lateral frame member. In addition, the child seat includes an anterior shell portion positioned on the anterior side of the metallic frame assembly, the anterior shell portion including a seat portion.

[0008] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a child vehicle seat that includes a frame assembly having a posterior side and an anterior side, the frame assembly including (i) an aluminum left lateral frame member having a first horizontal component and a first upright component, (ii) an aluminum right lateral frame member having a second horizontal component and a second upright component, and (iii) a number of support members interconnecting the first horizontal component to the second horizontal component, and the first upright component to the second upright component. The child vehicle seat further includes a posterior shell portion (i) positioned on the posterior side of the frame assembly, and (ii) secured to the frame assembly. The child vehicle seat further includes a foam anterior shell portion positioned on the anterior side of the frame assembly, the anterior shell portion including a seat portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a partial cutaway perspective side view of a child vehicle seat and restraint system;

[0010] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a frame of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1 with the seat cover and foam shell removed;

[0012] FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1 with the headrest and seat cover removed;

[0013] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the foam shell of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1 with a seat cover and headrest foam removed and the headrest in a down position;

[0016] FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 7 with the headrest in an up position;

[0017] FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of the headrest support of the child vehicle seat of FIG. I with the headrest removed from the headrest support;

[0018] FIG. 10 shows a fully assembled front perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 11 shows a rear perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 10;

[0020] FIG. 12 shows the harness arrangement in relation to the frame for the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 13 shows a front perspective view of the harness of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 12 with the harness unbuckled;

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
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An apparatus and a method for assessing an anchorage position
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Industry Class:
Chairs and seats

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