Abstract:
A child&#39;s tiltable car seat comprises a base intended to be attached to a vehicle seat having a part of a curved slide mounted thereon and a tiltable structure having the other part of the curved slide attached thereto and cooperating with the base part of the curved slide. The base part of the curved slide has a C-shaped cross section, while the part of the curved slide attached to the tiltable structure has an Ω-shaped cross section. The flanges of the Ω-shaped part are able to slide inside grooves delimited by the C-shaped part thus providing a stable assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a tiltable car seat for a child. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A child&#39;s car seat has the purpose of providing great safety and great comfort for the child when riding in a vehicle. It is intended to be attached to the seat of a vehicle, generally a rear seat. 
     A child&#39;s car seat must offer a suitable, comfortable position adaptable to the life rhythm of alternating waking and sleeping states. For this purpose, a child&#39;s car seat generally includes a base and a tiltable structure. 
     Typically, the tiltable structure is a shell comprising in particular a bottom, a back, and armrests. The tiltable structure is joined to the base by a curved slide made of two parts, one of which is attached to the shell and the other is mounted on the base. The base is intended to be attached to a vehicle seat. 
     The relative movement between the two parts of the curved slide allows the tiltable structure to be positioned relative from the base. Hence, a suitable, comfortable position can be offered to a child. However, in general, the slide is narrow so the tiltable structure is not disposed in a stable fashion on the base. 
     Roller elements, such as balls, are generally interposed between the two parts of the curved slide. These roller elements facilitate relative displacement of the two parts of the slide, but also make installation of the curved slide part lengthy and difficult, increasing the cost of the article. 
     In order to hold the desired tilted position, a locking-unlocking device allows the tiltable structure to be temporarily immobilized relative to the base. The locking structure is disposed outside the slide, between the tiltable structure and the base. This arrangement is due in particular to the narrowness of the slide. Unfortunately, a risk of injury results from this arrangement. In addition, because of this arrangement, the locking device is complex because it is made up of numerous elements. Assembly and installation is accordingly difficult and, hence, lengthy and expensive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages by offering a child&#39;s tiltable car seat with a tiltable structure disposed in a stable fashion on a base. The curved slide parts are easily assembled relative to each other, and the locking device is for the most part located inside the curved slide. Thus, the car seat is easy, fast, and inexpensive to assemble and install. 
     To achieve the above and other objects, the child&#39;s tiltable car seat according to this invention has, on one hand, a base intended to be attached to a vehicle seat and having a part of a curved slide mounted thereon and, on the other hand, a tiltable structure mounted on the base and having the other part of the curved slide. The part of the curved slide mounted on the base has a C-shaped cross section, while the part of the curved slide attached to the tiltable structure has an Ω-shaped cross section. The flanges of Ω-shaped curved slide are able to slide inside grooves delimited by the center part, arms, and bent parts of the C-shaped part. This arrangement allows for relative sliding of the two parts of the slide through a very simple configuration. 
     Moreover, and very advantageously, a central space is created between the two shapes of the curved slides and accommodates a device that locks the tiltable structure to the base. 
     To improve the relative sliding between the two parts of the curved slide, while adopting a simple design and decreasing the amount of play, sliding runners are disposed between the Ω-shaped part and the C-shaped part. The runners are accommodated in the grooves of the C-shaped part. Each runner has a lengthwise groove facing the inside of the part, and a flange of the Ω-shaped part slides in the groove. Each runner also has, on its face opposite its groove, at least one stud engaged in a hole provided in one arm of the C-shaped part. 
     The relative sliding between the two parts of the curved slide tends to displace the sliding runners in the lengthwise direction. The studs engaged in the holes in the arms of the C-shaped shape resist displacement of the runners. 
     In order to achieve a highly rugged seat while facilitating the relative sliding of the two parts of the curved slide, the sliding runners are made of synthetic material, and the shaped parts are made of metal. 
     To achieve easy sliding between the two parts of the slide while decreasing the extent of contact between the flanges of the Ω-shaped part and the runners, there are four runners disposed in the lengthwise ends of the C-shaped part. Each runner has a length at least equal to the travel corresponding to the displacement of one part of the slide relative to the other. 
     To simply adjust the tilt of the tiltable structure, the seat has a rack provided in the center part of the C-shaped part. The rack has a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other in the lengthwise direction, while the Ω-shaped part is provided with a hook articulated around a transverse axis. One end of the hook has a tip designed to engage any of the openings in the rack and is designed to be tilted by a control lever extending from one end of the Ω-shaped part. 
     By this arrangement, the locking device, which is essentially the hook, its means for articulation and the control lever, is simple in design and largely accommodated in the space between the two parts. 
     To systematically and securely bring the tip of the hook into an opening of the rack when the control lever is not activated, a wire is provided in the form of a spring. One end of the spring is articulated relative to the web of the Ω-shaped part, and the other end penetrates a transverse hole in the hook. The spring rests between its two ends on a hump in the web of the Ω-shaped part, extending from the outside to the inside of the Ω-shaped part. 
     The part of the hook located near the tip is introduced into a lengthwise hole made in the hump on which the spring rests. This ensures guidance of the end of the hook, including the tip, into an opening of the rack. 
     The parts are attached to the corresponding elements of the seat by bolting for a simple design. To perform the respective boltings using only a small number of tools, square holes designed to receive carriage bolts are provided both in the center part of the C-shaped part and in the web of the Ω-shaped part. 
     At least one of the two parts has at least one projection projecting from the center of the part or web of the part, from the inside to the outside, to retain the carriage bolt during installation. The projection corresponds with the bolt to hold the square part beneath the head of each bolt in a square hole during assembly, if necessary. This arrangement is very useful when there is no obstacle to resist axial displacement of the bolt during installation. 
     To prevent disengagement between the C-shaped part and the Ω-shaped part, the C-shaped part has a stop projecting from the central part from the outside to the inside of the part near the end of the rack opposite the control lever. The stop of the C-shaped part limits relative displacement of the two parts while serving as an obstacle to elements integral with the Ω-shaped part. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be well understood with the aid of the following description referring to the attached drawings, which represent as a nonlimiting example one embodiment of a child&#39;s tiltable car seat: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the car seat according to this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial cross section of two parts forming the curved side before assembly; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the Ω-shaped part equipped with the locking device; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial side view section of the curved slide, mounted and equipped with the locking device; and 
     FIG. 5 is enlarged cross sectional view along line V--V in FIG. 4. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the child&#39;s tiltable car seat according to this invention has a base 1 and a tiltable structure 2 including a shell with a bottom, a back, and armrests. 
     A curved slide 3, shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, is disposed between tiltable body structure 2 and base 1 and is oriented from the front to the back of the seat. As shown in FIG. 2, slide 3 includes two curved parts 4 and 5, preferably metal, designed to be joined together. 
     Lower slide part 4 has a generally C-shaped cross section, as shown in FIG. 5, and is attached to base 1. It has an indented center part 6, two opposed, generally parallel arms 7, and two bent flanges 8 that define two curved lengthwise facing grooves 9. Preferably, four holes 10 are made in arms 7, with each hole located in an end zone of lower slide part 4. A plurality of holes 11 are provided in center part 6. Holes 11 are spaced apart along the slide to form a rack 12. Square holes 13 are provided in each end zone of lower slide part 4. A stop 14 projects inwardly from center part 6 near one end of rack 12. Stop 14 is cut and bent to form a tongue of center part 6. An inward projection 15 is stamped from center part 6. 
     Upper slide part 5 is attached to tiltable body structure 2 and is curved inward with the same curvature as lower slide part 4 in the lengthwise direction. Upper slide part 5 has a greater length than lower slide part 4 as shown in FIG. 2. Upper slide part 5 has an Ω-shaped cross section with a generally U-shaped web 16 and two outwardly extending flanges 17, best seen in FIG. 5. Square holes 18 are made in web 16 near each end of upper slide part 5. One longitudinal end of web 16 has an inwardly directed flange 19. 
     A hump 20, spaced from flange 19, projects inwardly from web 16. As shown in FIG. 3, hump 20 is formed by two curved sheets 21 integral with web 16, parallel to the direction of the slide. Sheets 21 are separated by a space 23 over the greatest part of their length but are connected by two joining parts 22 located near the summit of the hump. There is also an opening 24 at the summit of hump 20. 
     A fork 25 with two holes 26 is provided between flange 19 and hump 20. This fork 25, and a leg 27 displaced transversely from fork 25, are cut and folded from web 16. 
     Web 16 has an indentation with a cutout 28 having two openings 29 and projecting inwardly from web 16 near the end of hump 20 opposite fork 25. A finger 30, cut and bent from web 16, projects inwardly near the indentation with cutout 28 but displaced transversely therefrom. An inward projection 31 is provided on web 16 at the end opposite flange 19 and has a lengthwise summit groove 32. 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, Ω-shaped slide part 5 is equipped with a hook 33 articulated around the transverse axis of fork 25 by a rod 34 extending between fork holes 26. Rod 34 has an outwardly extending arm 35 disposed between fork 25 and leg 27. The end of hook 33, located near flange 19, has a notch 36, and the other end has an outwardly extending tip 37. A transverse hole 38 is provided in hook 33 between rod 34 and tip 37. 
     Part of hook 33 located between transverse hole 38 and tip 37 is received in lengthwise hole 23. Tip 37 engages opening 24 at the summit of hump 20. A spring 39, preferably a metal wire, has one end received in transverse hole 38 of hook 33 and the other end received in openings 29 of the indentation of cutout 28. Wire 39 rests on the summit of hump 20 and is disposed between cut out 28 and finger 30. 
     Upper slide part 5 is also equipped with a control lever 40 that passes through an opening 41 of flange 19, on which it rests with two shoulders 42. Part of control lever 40 extends beyond upper slide part 5, and the other end, located within upper slide part 5, has a cut 43 that cooperates with a notch 36 on hook 33. 
     As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, upper Ω-shaped slide part 5 is engaged in lower C-shaped slide part 4, with curved flanges 17 of part fitting inside curved lengthwise grooves 9 of part 4. 
     Four sliding runners 44, preferably made of synthetic material, are disposed between part 4 and part 5 in the end zones of part 4 as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. These sliding runners are at least as long as the travel of part 5 relative to part 4 and are accommodated in curved lengthwise grooves 9. Each runner 44 has a stud 45 engaged in hole 10 of arm 7 of part 4 and has a lengthwise groove 46 in which a flange 17 of part 5 is able to slide. 
     Lower slide part 4 is mounted on base 1 by carriage bolts 47 and 48, each of which has a square part beneath the head accommodated in a square hole 13. Upper slide part 5 is mounted on the tiltable body structure 2 by carriage bolts 49 and 50, each of which has a square part under the head accommodated in a square hole 18. 
     Mounting of lower slide part 4 on base 1 requires only one wrench because the head of bolt 47 is retained in the axial direction by hook 33 and the head of bolt 48 is retained by projection 31 of upper slide part 5 placed in correspondence. In the same way, it is easy to install upper slide part 5 on tiltable body structure 2 because the head of bolt 49 is retained by hook 33 and the head of bolt 50 is retained by indentation 15 of part 4 placed in correspondence. 
     The relative arrangement of the child&#39;s tiltable car seat elements allows tiltable body structure 2 to be adjusted and held in position, in the lengthwise direction, relative to base 1. 
     When control lever 40 is not activated, spring 39 biases tip 37 of hook 33 toward the center part 6 of lower slide part 4, and tip 37 engages one of the openings 11 of rack 12. Tip 37, engaged in an opening 11, creates an obstacle to sliding, and, thus, the inclination of tiltable body structure 2 is maintained. 
     To alter the inclination of the tiltable body structure 2, the outer end of control lever 40 is lifted in the direction of arrow 51 to cause hook 33 to pivot in the direction of arrow 52. Tip 37, moved in the direction of arrow 52, disengages with opening 11. It is then possible to displace tiltable body structure 2 relative to base 1, as long as control lever 40 is lifted. 
     When control lever 40 is released, spring 39 pushes tip 37 into an opening 11 in rack 12. Hence, control lever 40, hook 33, and spring 39 cooperating with rack 12, constitute a locking-unlocking device. 
     The sliding of tiltable body structure 2 relative to base 1 is limited in the direction indicated by arrow 53 by the head of bolt 50 contacting stop 14 of slide part 4. In the direction indicated by arrow 54, relative sliding is limited by one of joining parts 22 contacting stop 14. 
     Alternatively, the slide parts may be reversed with the Ω-shaped part located on the base and the C-shaped part located on the body structure. Also, the locking device may be secured to the slide part on the base and engage the slide part on the body structure if desired. 
     As can be seen from the foregoing, the invention provides an improvement to the prior art by furnishing a child&#39;s tiltable car seat whose tiltable structure is disposed in stable fashion on the base. The curved slide parts are easily assembled relative to each other, and the locking device is largely situated inside the slide. Thus, the seat is easy, fast, and inexpensive to assemble and install. 
     While advantageous embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.