Tether routing apparatus and method of using same

A child seat mounting arrangement includes a frame member of a vehicle having an inner surface and an outer surface. A base plate has an engaging surface and an opposite surface. The engaging surface is fixedly secured to the frame member inner surface. A rigid rod is fixedly secured to the base plate opposite surface and extends beyond the frame member such that an engaging portion of the rigid rod is spaced apart from the frame member outer surface and is adapted to receive a tether of a child seat therearound.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates, in general, to child seat mounting arrangements in vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a tether routing device employed in a child seat mounting arrangement for directing a tether connected to an upper portion of a child seat to a remotely positioned seat anchor for connection thereto. In one embodiment, the tether routing apparatus is disposed on a vehicle frame adjacent a top portion of a fixed seat back and is thereby used for connecting a tether to the vehicle frame and redirecting the same to a seat anchor disposed near a bottom portion of the vehicle seat back. The tether routing apparatus will be described with particular reference to this embodiment, but it is to be appreciated that the tether routing apparatus is also amenable to like applications.

For safety considerations and/or to comply with vehicle safety regulations (e.g., Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, or FMVSS, 225), manufacturers of child safety seats for vehicles typically include a top tether strap designed to secure a top portion of a child safety seat to a vehicle's body or frame. Additionally, the top tether strap can improve seat stability and reduce the potential for head injury. In conventional passenger vehicles, a child seat is installed in the rear seat of a vehicle and uses the seatbelt or adjacent seat anchors to secure a bottom portion of the child seat. The child seat top tether, which often employs a hook or latch device, is used to secure the top portion of the child seat to an independent anchor provided in the vehicle for this purpose.

In many vehicles, the top tether anchor is disposed adjacent an upper portion of a rear seat back (such as on a vehicle's parcel shelf) or behind the rear seat back adjacent a lower portion thereof with access provided by the seat back being movable or through a cargo area immediately adjacent the rear seat back. Often, the top tether anchor must be remotely positioned relative to the upper portion of the child seat so that the tether can be properly employed by remaining taught after installation. However, in some vehicles, the top tether anchor cannot be provided in either of the aforementioned positions due to the vehicle's configuration. For example, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles have no rear parcel shelf so the tether anchor cannot be provided thereon. Further, some vehicles (such as a pickup truck) also have no accessible cargo space immediately adjacent the rear seat back. More particularly, in some vehicles, the rear seat back is immediately adjacent a rear cabin wall and any cargo space behind the rear seat is provided beyond this rear cabin wall in a load-carrying bed. Still further, pickup truck type vehicles sometimes employ fixed rear seats adjacent the rear cabin wall (i.e., seats which are not movable, pivotally or otherwise) and therefore no access is available for a top tether anchor disposed behind the rear seat back adjacent a bottom portion thereof.

In instances where the top tether anchor cannot be provided adjacent an upper portion of the rear seat back or behind the rear seat back, a tether routing device may be necessary. Typically, when a tether routing device is employed, it is disposed adjacent an upper portion of the rear seat back. The tether engages and is directed by the tether routing device such that the tether can then extend to a forward lower portion of the rear seat back and be connected to a top tether anchor provided for this purpose. In other words, vehicles employing fixed rear seat backs can meet regulations for child seat tether anchoring by employing a routing device that connects the tether to a top portion of the fixed rear seat back and re-directs the tether toward a top tether anchor which is typically provided in the seat bite between the rear seat back and the lower seating portion upon which a passenger sits.

In one example, the Toyota Tundra employs multiple tether routing devices. These devices include an anchor plate secured to a fixed rear seat portion of the Tundra's vehicle body by a bolt. Either an open-loop or a closed-loop member is sandwiched between the anchor plate and the vehicle body and the loop member is welded to the anchor plate. The bolt connection between the plate and the vehicle body is provided for preventing the loop from separating from the vehicle body. Anti-rotation tabs can be provided on or extending from the anchor plate to cooperatively engage the vehicle body for limiting rotation of the anchor plate relative to the vehicle body.

Difficulties associated with tether routing devices can include the need for a consumer to thread the tether through the tether routing device prior to latching the tether to an appropriate tether anchor. Other difficulties include misuse by consumers or vehicle owners. For example, sometimes attempts are made to latch the top tether directly to the tether routing device. This results in an improper installation which may compromise the safety of the passenger residing in the child safety seat. Still other difficulties include the need for the tether routing device to be fixedly secured to the body structure of the vehicle. In tether routing devices which employ an open loop design, thereby eliminating the need to thread the tether through a closed loop, there is a concern that the tether could inadvertently slide off the tether routing device. Other considerations include the need for a tether routing device that is relatively easy to install in a vehicle during the manufacture of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect, an improved child seat mounting arrangement is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the child seat mounting arrangement includes the frame member of a vehicle having an inner surface and an outer surface. A base plate has an engaging surface and an opposite surface. The engaging surface is fixedly secured to the frame member inner surface. A rigid rod is fixedly secured to the base plate opposite surface and extends beyond the frame member such that an engaging portion of the rigid rod is spaced apart from the frame member outer surface and is adapted to receive a tether of a child seat therearound.

In accordance with another aspect, a tether routing apparatus is provided for receiving and routing a tether of a child safety seat secured in a vehicle to a remotely positioned tether anchor. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the tether routing apparatus includes a base plate mounted to a frame member of a vehicle. The tether routing apparatus further includes a rigid rod having a mounting portion fixedly secured to a first surface of the base plate and an engaging portion spaced from the base plate for receiving and routing the tether.

In accordance with still another aspect, a child seat mounting arrangement including a tether routing apparatus for receiving and routing a tether of a child safety seat to a tether anchor is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the child seat mounting arrangement includes a base plate having an engaging surface mounted to a first surface of a vehicle frame. The engaging surface and the first surface define a first plane therebetween. A rigid rod has an engaging portion and a mounting portion. The mounting portion mounts to a surface of the base plate opposite the engaging surface. The rod extends through the first plane such that the mounting portion is disposed on one side of the first plane and the engaging portion is disposed on another side of the first plane in spaced relation thereto for receiving the tether thereabout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating one or more exemplary embodiments,FIG. 1depicts a child seat mounting arrangement10wherein a child seat12is secured on a vehicle seat14. More particularly, with additional reference toFIG. 2, a tether16connected to the child seat12passes through a tether routing apparatus18and extends toward and latches to a tether seat anchor20. Although not shown, as is generally known and understood by those skilled in the art, child seat12is typically further secured to the vehicle seat14through separate tethers and associated anchors and/or a seat belt provided for a passenger sitting in the position of the child seat12. The tether16, which is secured to the tether anchor20, secures an upper portion12aof the child seat to a frame member22of the body or frame of vehicle V, as will be described in more detail below.

The vehicle seat14includes a seat back or upper portion14aagainst which the upper portion12aof the child seat12is secured and further includes a lower or seating portion14bupon which a passenger sits or, when using a child seat such as child seat12, upon which a lower portion12bof the child seat rests. In the illustrated embodiment, the child seat12is positioned in the right rear seat position RP of the vehicle V (“right” in reference to the forward direction of the vehicle or the left most position ofFIG. 1). The upper seat back portion14aof vehicle V can be a fixed portion (i.e., nonmovable) which prevents access to a rear side of the upper seat portion14a, such as may be provided in a pickup or sport utility truck vehicle. In such a vehicle, the frame member22extends laterally across vehicle V and forms at least a portion of a rear wall immediately adjacent a rear side of the upper seat portion14. As is well known, the rear wall can be a wall separating a passenger compartment in which seat14is disposed from a load-carrying bed provided rearward of the wall. A rear window24can be positioned above and/or supported by the rear wall frame structure22. Additional seating positions are provided on the seat14as is conventionally known. In particular, a left rear seat position LP is provided at an opposite end of the seat14from the illustrated child seat12and a center position CP is disposed between the left position LP and the right position RP.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tether routing apparatus18is disposed on the frame structure22at a location adjacent an upper portion of the rear seat back14A and centrally disposed relative to the rear right seating position RP. The tether routing apparatus18functions to receive and route the tether16of the seat12to the remotely positioned tether anchor20. Additional tether routing apparatus are disposed at spaced locations along the frame member22. More particularly, second tether routing apparatus26is disposed on the frame member22adjacent an upper portion of the rear seat back14aand centrally disposed relative to center seating position CP. A corresponding second tether anchor28is disposed between the seat back14aand lower seating portion14b(i.e., the seat bite) for accommodating a tether, such as tether30shown in phantom, associated with a child seat residing in the center seating position CP. Similarly, third tether routing apparatus32is disposed on the frame member22for the left seating position LP and is used with a tether, such as tether34shown in phantom connected to third tether anchor36, to secure a child seat residing in the left seating position LP.

As shown, the tether anchor20can be disposed along a side14cof the seat portion14bfor the right seating position RP. Similarly, tether anchor36can be disposed along an opposite side14dof the lower seat portion14bfor the left seating position LP. Thus, the left and right seating positions LP, RP correspond to tether anchors20,36, which are disposed at opposite sides14c,14dof the lower seat portion14b. The seat anchor28is provided in the seat bite directly below the tether routing apparatus26. Where head rests are provided, the tether routing apparatus18,24,28can be respectively disposed between legs of the head rest. In the illustrated embodiment, head rest40is provided for the right rear seating position RP and head rest42is provided for the left rear seating position LP. Tether routing apparatus18is disposed between head rest legs40a,40band tether routing apparatus32is disposed between head rest legs42a,42b. In part for aesthetic purposes, cover assemblies44can be provided along the frame member22for covering the tether routing apparatus18,26,32, particularly when not in use. Each cover assembly44can be a plastic component that improves the aesthetic appearance of the tether routing apparatus18when mounted in a vehicle and not being used. More particularly, cover44can include a movable cover member44awhich in combination with portions44b,44c, cooperates to fully enclose the tether mounting apparatus18.

As illustrated, tether16is used to secure upper portion12aof child seat12to seat back portion14a. More particularly, one end of tether16is fixedly connected to child seat upper portion12a, such as by fixed connection46. The tether16passes through and is routed by the tether routing device18toward and/or to the tether seat anchor20. More particularly, the tether16extends from the child seat upper portion12a(specifically, from fixed connection46in the illustrated embodiment) toward the rear seat back14a(specifically, toward frame member22at a location adjacent upper end14eof upper seat back14a) whereat the tether routing apparatus18is disposed. The tether16is rerouted or redirected by the tether routing apparatus18in a direction approximately parallel with the seat back portion14atoward the tether anchor20. An opposite end of the tether16(distal relative to the child seat12) includes a hook or latch48to facilitate latching to the tether anchor20. As is known and appreciated by those skilled in the art, the tether16can further include an adjusting mechanism50allowing the length of the tether16between the child seat12and the anchor20to be adjustable.

With additional reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, the tether routing apparatus18, including base plate60and a rigid routing rod62, is fixedly secured to the frame member22, such as by welding. The tether routing apparatus18provides an anchoring device about which the tether passes prior to being securely connected to remotely positioned anchor20. When tether16is properly anchored to anchor20such that tether16is taught, a holding force is applied to the upper seat portion12ain the direction of upper seat back portion14a.

In the illustrated embodiment, frame member22can be a hollow structural beam of the vehicle V formed of first stamped sheet frame member64and second stamped sheet frame member66. The stamped sheet frame members64,66can be welded together, such as illustrated at weld locations68, to form the hollow beam which extends laterally along the upper seat portion14a. The hollow beam64,66can be the upper end or portion of the rear wall which is disposed immediately behind the fixed seats14separating the passenger compartment from the load-carrying bed. Bottom portions64a,66aof frame members64,66can together integrally form the rear wall when employed in a pickup or sport utility truck application or, alternatively, frame structure64,66can be otherwise secured to a separate wall structure disposed therebelow. In the illustrated embodiment, rear window24is disposed on frame member66adjacent seam portions64b,66b. As is well known, weather stripping70can be provided with the window24to hold and/or seal the same relative to the frame structure64,66.

With additional reference toFIGS. 5-9, base plate60, which is mounted to frame member64, includes first generally planar base portion60aand has second and third portions60b,60cwhich depend from planar portion60aalong opposite edges thereof. Thus, the depending portions60b,60care angularly disposed relative to the base portion60a. In the illustrated embodiment, the portions60b,60care approximately normal or perpendicular relative to base portion60a. The bate plate60can be formed as a stamped sheet and thus generally includes a first or engaging surface60dand a second or opposite surface60e, also referenced to herein as a rod mounting surface. The frame member64includes a first mating portion64cand a second mating portion64d, both angularly disposed relative to one another (approximately normal or perpendicular in the illustrated embodiment) and disposed between portions64a,64bin the illustrated embodiment Like the base plate60, the frame member64can be formed of a stamped sheet and thus can be further described as having a first inner surface64e(i.e., the surface disposed within hollow beam64,66) and a second outer surface64f(i.e., the surface disposed outside hollow beam64,66). As shown, planar portion60acan be disposed in abutting relation to frame portion64cand depending portion60bof base plate60can be disposed in abutting relation to frame portion64d.

More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, base portion60ais mounted against and fixedly secured directly to first mating portion64cwith a first plane defined therebetween. Likewise, second portion60bis mounted against and fixedly secured directly to second mating portion64dwith a second plane defined therebetween. Like the portions, the first plane is angularly disposed relative to the second plane and, more particularly, the first plane is oriented approximately normal or perpendicular relative to the second plane. Thus, the base plate60is secured to the frame member64along at least two planes.

As illustrated, the base plate60can be welded to the frame member64at a plurality of spaced apart locations. More particularly, the base plate engaging surface60dis fixedly secured to the frame member inner surface64evia welding with a first plurality of spaced apart weld locations72disposed in the first plane between the portions60a,64cand a second plurality of spaced apart weld locations74disposed in the second plane between the portions60b,64d. In this orientation, the engaging surface60dfaces the inner surface64e.

The base plate60can define at least one aperture. In the illustrated embodiment, base plate60includes a pair of spaced apart apertures, formed as openings or throughholes76,78in base portion60a. Though only one of the apertures76,78of base plate60is used in conjunction with rod62, both apertures are provided so a single base plate configuration can be used irrespective of where the tether routing apparatus is positioned in vehicle V. Thus, for example, aperture76could be used if base plate60were used in association with the left rear seating position LP. The frame member64also includes an aperture, opening or throughhole80, defined through the first mating portion64cin the illustrated embodiment. The base plate aperture78and the frame member aperture80are in at least partial registry with one another for receiving the rod62therethrough as will be described in more detail below.

As shown, the rod62is fixedly secured to the base plate60, and particularly to the opposite surface60eon the base portion60a. In the illustrated embodiment, rod62is generally formed as an open loop and includes a mounting portion62afixedly secured to the base plate opposite surface60e, such as by welds82. The rod62further includes an extending portion62bthat passes through apertures78,80enabling rod62to extend beyond the frame member64such that an engaging portion62cof the rod is spaced apart from the frame member outer surface64fand the base plate60and is thereby adapted to receive the tether16therearound. In the illustrated embodiment, the rod mounting portion62aand the rod engaging portion62cextend axially in generally parallel relation to the frame member outer surface, and particularly to a longitudinal direction of the frame outer surface64f(i.e., the lateral direction of the vehicle). The engaging portion62cgenerally faces the frame member outer surface64f. The extending portion62b, disposed between the mounting portion62aand engaging portion62c, extends upwardly from the mounting portion62asuch that the portions62a,62care offset from one another (best illustrated inFIG. 6). Together, the rod portions62a,62b,62cgive the rod62a generally U-shaped with mounting portion62aforming a first side of the U-shape, the engaging portion62cforming a second, opposite side of the U-shape and the engaging portion forming a base side of the U-shape opposite an open end adapted or suitable for receiving tether16therein.

The planar portion60aof the base plate60can include embossments or embossed areas90,92, which can be spaced from one another as shown. Embossed areas90,92define a recess or seating area94therebetween for receiving the mounting portion62aof rod62. More particularly, rod62has its mounting portion62adisposed in seating area94also referred to herein as a recessed area, between embossed areas90,92which, as described above, can be welded to the base plate60to fixedly secure the rod62to the base plate60. The embossed areas90,92prevent relative movement between the rod62and the base plate60, at least in the forward and rearward directions (i.e., longitudinal direction) of the vehicle V.

From the mounting portion62abeing received in the recess94, the extending portion62bof the rod62passes through a apertures78,80such that the rod62extends through the first plane upwardly from the base plate60. More particularly, the mounting portion62ais disposed on one side of the first plane (inside hollow beam64,66in the illustrated embodiment) and the engaging portion62cis disposed on another side (i.e., the opposite side) of the first plane in spaced relation thereto. As already described, the tether engaging portion62cis that which engages and redirects the tether16when the tether is routed thereby.

In this configuration, the tether16can be received around the rod engaging portion62csuch that tether portions16a,16bextend in a first direction (i.e., toward a forward portion of vehicle V). The rod62can further include an end or retaining portion62dextending from an end of engaging portion62copposite the extending portion62band distal relative to the base plate60. As shown, the retaining portion62dcan extend in a direction generally opposite that of the tether16, such as a second direction opposite the first direction (i.e., toward a rear portion of vehicle V). The distal end portion62deliminates or at least reduces the likelihood that the tether16will inadvertently slide off the rod62when anchoring a child seat12. Guiding apertures96,98can be provided in the planar portion60aof the base plate60for purposes of aligning the guide plate60relative to the frame member64during manufacture of the vehicle V.

With reference toFIG. 10, the diameter of the rod62, or at least of the tether engaging portion62cof the rod, is sufficiently large such that a conventional child seat latching device100, such as those typically found at the end of tethers, cannot be used to latch the tether to the tether routing apparatus. More particularly, the hooked portion100aof the latch100has a diameter that is smaller than the tether engaging portion62cso that it cannot receive the tether engaging portion62ctherein and movable locking member100bwill not be able to lock tether engaging portion62ctherein. In one embodiment, the diameter of the engaging portion62cis 12 mm.