CHILD CARRIER, AND BUFFER ASSEMBLY FOR A SAFETY BELT

A child carrier having a carrier body for carrying a child; a safety belt connected to the carrier body) the safety belt being capable of restraining the child seated in the carrier body; and a buffer assembly connected to the carrier body and the safety belt, the buffer assembly configured to generate a buffering movement responsive to the child carrier being subjected to an impact or sudden deceleration. Responsive to the child carrier being subjected to an impact or sudden deceleration, the buffer assembly connected to the safety belt can generate a buffering movement under the action of inertia, thereby absorbing some of the energy of the impact or sudden deceleration and preventing the safety belt from exerting an excessive restraining and pulling force on the child.

BACKGROUND

Field

One or more embodiments of the present invention relates to child carriers, in particular to child carriers including buffer assemblies.

Description of the Related Art

The use of child carriers is increasingly commonplace in daily lives. To ensure the child's safety, the seat of the child carrier generally has a safety belt system. The safety belt system of existing child carriers generally has a fixed end and another end fastened to a buckle of the seat for restraining a child. When the car in which the child safety seat is used is subjected to an impact or sudden deceleration, the action of inertia may have a substantial impact on the child, who may be displaced away from the safety seat. Because the existing safety belt is not elastically deformable, this action of inertia may result in the safety belt abruptly applying a significant pulling force on the child. As the skeleton of the child is not completely developed, the child may be easily injured by the abrupt pulling force exerted by the safety belt.

SUMMARY

An object of one or more embodiments of the present invention is to provide a buffer assembly suitable for use with a safety belt of a child carrier to prevent or minimize a child's injuries.

Another object of one or more embodiments of the present invention is to provide a child carrier that has a safety belt provided with a buffering function to prevent or minimize a child's injuries owing to inertia effects.

In order to achieve the above objectives, an embodiment of the present invention provides a child carrier comprising: a carrier body suitable for carrying a child; a safety belt connected to the carrier body, the safety belt suitable to restrain a child sitting in the carrier body; and a buffer assembly connected to the carrier body and the safety belt, wherein the buffer assembly is configured to generate a buffering movement responsive to the child carrier being subjected to an impact or sudden deceleration.

According to an embodiment, the buffer assembly connects to the carrier body at a location that differs from the location where the safety belt connects to the carrier body.

According to an embodiment, the buffer assembly connects to the carrier body at a location that is higher in elevation than the location where the safety belt connects to the carrier body.

According to an embodiment, the carrier body has a headrest portion, and the buffer assembly is connected to the headrest portion.

According to an embodiment, the buffer assembly is slidably connected to the safety belt.

According to an embodiment, the buffer assembly comprises a buffering part that is able to generate a buffering movement or to break.

According to an embodiment, the buffering part comprises a spring structure or an elastic flat structure, the flat structure being an elastic band or a rubber strip.

According to an embodiment, the buffer assembly further comprises a connecting strap that is connected to the buffering part and the safety belt.

According to an embodiment, the safety belt has a slidable protective piece, and the connecting strap is affixed to the protective piece.

According to an embodiment, a first anchoring end of the connecting strap is connected to the carrier body, a second anchoring end of the connecting strap is connected to the safety belt, and the buffering part is connected to the connecting strap between the first anchoring end and the second anchoring end thereof.

According to an embodiment, two ends of the buffering part are connected to the connecting strap at different corresponding locations.

According to an embodiment, the connecting strap is folded to form a loop between the first anchoring end and the second anchoring end, the loop being joined to be closed with the buffering part.

According to an embodiment, the buffering part is able to break upon application of a sufficient force by the connecting strap, which opens the loop and generates a buffering effect.

According to an embodiment, any of the carrier body and the safety belt is detachably connected to the buffer assembly.

According to an embodiment, the safety belt is a shoulder strap.

According to an embodiment, the carrier body is a child safety seat, an infant stroller, a cradle or a bassinet.

Moreover, another embodiment of the present invention provides a buffer assembly for use with a safety belt of a child carrier, two opposite ends of the buffer assembly being adapted to connect to a carrier body and the safety belt of the child carrier, wherein the buffer assembly is configured to generate a buffering movement when the child carrier is subjected to an impact or sudden deceleration.

According to an embodiment, the buffer assembly comprises a buffering part that is able to generate a buffering movement or to break.

According to an embodiment, the buffering part comprises a spring structure or an elastic flat structure, the flat structure being an elastic band or a rubber strip.

According to an embodiment, the buffer assembly further comprises a connecting strap that is connected to the buffering part.

According to an embodiment, the connecting strap has a first anchoring end adapted to connect to a carrier body, and a second anchoring end adapted to connect to a safety belt, and the buffering part is connected to the connecting strap between the first anchoring end and the second anchoring end thereof.

According to an embodiment, two ends of the buffering part are connected to the connecting strap at different corresponding locations.

According to an embodiment, the connecting strap is folded to form a loop between the first anchoring end and the second anchoring end, the loop being joined to be closed with the buffering part.

According to an embodiment, the buffering part is able to break upon application of a sufficient force by the connecting strap, which opens the loop and generates a buffering effect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG.1, a child carrier1comprises a carrier body100for carrying a child, and a safety belt system200for restraining the child. The safety belt system200is disposed on the carrier body100. The safety belt system200has a safety belt22for restraining a child, and a buffer assembly21that is connected to the safety belt22and has a buffering function. The buffer assembly21is configured to generate a buffering movement responsive to the child carrier1being subjected to an impact or sudden deceleration so as to absorb a portion of the energy of the impact or sudden deceleration and thereby prevent or minimize the safety belt22from applying an excessive restraining or pulling force on the child. The carrier body100can be a child safety seat, an infant stroller, a cradle or a bassinet, and the buffer assembly21disposed therein may operate in a same way. The carrier body100described hereinafter is an example of a child safety seat for illustration.

Referring toFIG.1, the carrier body100comprises a backrest portion11, and a seat portion13connected to the backrest portion11. Moreover, a headrest portion12is disposed on the backrest portion11. The headrest portion12is slidably disposed on the backrest portion11so as to adapt to children of different body heights. Reference is made hereinafter toFIGS.1-4to describe a construction and operation of the safety belt system200and the buffer assembly21.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, the safety belt system200comprises the buffer assembly21and the safety belt22. The safety belt22is, e.g., a shoulder strap. A first end22A of the safety belt22is connected to the carrier body100. More specifically, the first end22A of the safety belt22can be connected to an upper portion of the backrest portion11or the headrest portion12. A second end22B of the safety belt22can be releasably connected to a buckle131provided on the seat portion13, whereby the safety belt22can extend around the child's body in use and operate to restrain the child sitting in the carrier body100responsive to the child carrier1being subjected to an impact or sudden deceleration.

Moreover, the safety belt22can have a slidable protective piece23that can provide comfort and cushioning to the child. In at least some embodiments, the protective piece23has a flexible structure and can increase a contact area of the safety belt22with a shoulder of the child, which can dissipate stress and improve comfort. According to an embodiment, the protective piece23has a wrapping structure that can be opened and closed for quick and convenient installation of the protective piece23around the safety belt22. For example, the protective piece23can be opened and closed by using hook and loop fasteners.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, the buffer assembly21is connected to the safety belt22and the carrier body100. More specifically, the buffer assembly21can be connected to the carrier body100and the safety belt22at two opposite ends, the buffer assembly21being connected to the safety belt22at a location between the first end22A and the second end22B of the safety belt22. According to an embodiment, the buffer assembly21comprises a connecting strap211. One end of the connecting strap211forms a first anchoring end2111adapted to connect to the carrier body100, and another end of the connecting strap211forms a second anchoring end2112adapted to connect to the safety belt22. The first anchoring end2111of the connecting strap211is connected to the carrier body100, wherein the carrier body100may, for example, be provided with an anchor structure for connection of the first anchoring end2111of the connecting strap211.

According to an embodiment, the first anchoring end2111of the connecting strap211can be connected to the headrest portion12of the carrier body100. For example, the anchor structure includes a positioning bar121affixed to the headrest portion12, the first anchoring end2111can form a loop, and the positioning bar12can be disposed through the loop of the first anchoring end2111to affix the first anchoring end2111to the headrest portion12. Accordingly, the first anchoring end2111can be adjusted in height by moving the headrest portion12and the positioning bar121, which allows adjustment of the height of the connecting strap211as desired in accordance with the child's body height. During installation, the first anchoring end2111of the connecting strap211is connected to the positioning bar121of the carrier body100, and the second anchoring end2112of the connecting strap211is connected to the safety belt22between the first end22A and the second end22B thereof.

According to an embodiment, the buffer assembly21is slidably connected to the safety belt22. For example, the second anchoring end2112of the connecting strap211can be affixed to the protective piece23on the safety belt22. As the protective piece23can slide along the safety belt22, a sliding connection can be achieved between the second anchoring end2112of the connecting strap211and the safety belt22, the second anchoring end2112of the connecting strap211and the protective piece23being slidable in unison relative to the safety belt22. Through the connection of the first and second anchoring ends2111and2112, the connecting strap211can be tensioned or loosened.

For better understanding the construction of the safety belt22, the connecting strap211and the protective piece23, the protective piece23is shown inFIGS.2-4as a wrapping structure in a partially opened state, and the safety belt22and the connecting strap211intersecting at the protective piece23form a Y-shaped structure. The Y-shaped structure can be connected to the carrier body100at two different locations, wherein one of the two locations is where the first anchoring end2111of the connecting strap211connects to the anchor structure of the carrier body100(i.e., the location where the first anchoring end2111connects to the positioning bar121on the headrest portion12), and the other location is where the first end22A of the safety belt22connects to the upper portion of the backrest portion11or the headrest portion12. The two connecting locations are arranged so that the safety belt22can provide a suitable restraining force for protecting the child. In this embodiment, the first anchoring end2111of the connecting strap211and the first end22A of the safety belt22are each connected to the carrier body100at two different locations, whereby the location where the buffer assembly21connects to the carrier body100differs from the location where the safety belt22connects to the carrier body100. More specifically, the location where the buffer assembly21connects to the carrier body100can be higher in elevation than the location where the safety belt22connects to the carrier body100, i.e., the location where the first anchoring end2111of the connecting strap211connects to the carrier body100is higher in elevation than the location where the first end22A of the safety belt22connects to the carrier body100. In at least some embodiments, the elevation is determined with respect to a base of the child carrier1. However, the two connections of the first anchoring end2111of the connecting strap211and the first end22A of the safety belt22to the carrier body100are not limited to the aforementioned example and may be disposed at a same location or at adjacent locations. Moreover, all of the two connections can be disposed on the connecting structure of the backrest portion11or the headrest portion12of the carrier body100.

Referring again toFIGS.1-4, the buffer assembly21further comprises a deformable buffering part212that is connected to the connecting strap211and is capable of generating a buffering movement. The buffering part212can be connected to the connecting strap211between the first anchoring end2111and the second anchoring end2112thereof. The buffering part212is, e.g., an elastic rubber strip having a flat shape. However, the buffering part212is not limited to this example and may further comprise a spring structure or an elastic band having a flat shape. Two ends212A and212B of the buffering part212are each connected to the connecting strap211at different locations, and the connecting strap211forms a restricting section213between the two ends212A and212B of the buffering part212. For example, the two ends212A and212B of the buffering part212can be affixed to the connecting strap211by sewing or an adhesive, and the restricting section213can be a portion of the connecting strap211extending between the two ends212A and212B. Accordingly, the restricting section213overlaps with the buffering part212, and extends from the end212A of the buffering part212to the other end212B of the buffering part212.

According to other embodiments, the two ends212A and212B of the buffering part212can be detachably connected to the connecting strap211, e.g., through fasteners, adhering parts, fixing retainers and holes engaging one another, hook and loop fasteners, insert fasteners, snap fasteners, or the like. A detachable connection allows the buffering part212to be assembled and replaced in a flexible and convenient manner

According to an embodiment, any of the carrier body100and the safety belt22is detachably connected to the buffer assembly21, whereby the buffer assembly21can be assembled and detached in a flexible and convenient way. For example, the first anchoring end2111of the connecting strap211can be connected to the carrier body100through fasteners, fixing retainers and holes engaging one another, or like detachable systems. The second anchoring end2112of the connecting strap211can also be connected to the safety belt22through fasteners, fixing retainers and holes engaging one another, or like detachable systems.

With the buffer assembly21, the protective piece23can drive the second anchoring end2112of the connecting strap211to slide in a direction F (shown inFIGS.2and3) away from the backrest portion11, which causes a portion of the connecting strap211between the protective piece23and the buffering part212to tighten and the buffering part212to deform and stretch, thereby creating a buffering movement. In at least one embodiment, the buffer assembly21can be installed at two sides of one side of the safety belt22.

Reference is made hereinafter toFIGS.1-4for describing a buffering effect occurring in the child carrier1responsive to the child carrier1being subjected to an impact or sudden deceleration. Referring toFIGS.1and2, when the child carrier1is in a normal use configuration, the buffering part212of the buffer assembly21is in the configuration shown inFIG.2, and the restricting section213has a wrinkle. The safety belt22and the connecting strap211restricts the child in the carrier body100, which can prevent the child from being ejected away from the carrier body100. Moreover, since the first and second anchoring ends2111and2112of the connecting strap211are respectively connected to the positioning bar121and the protective piece23, the protective piece23rests tightly close to the child's body and the connecting strap211is in a tightened state.

Referring toFIGS.1and3, when the child carrier1is subjected to an impact or sudden deceleration, the child inside the child carrier1may be displaced forward owing to inertia and drives the protective piece23to slide along the safety belt22, which imparts a buffering movement in the buffer assembly21connected to the protective piece23. In particular, the buffering part212of the buffer assembly21can be stretched and deformed so as to absorb a portion of the energy of the impact or sudden deceleration, thereby preventing the safety belt22from applying an excessive restraining or pulling force on the child. Accordingly, better protection is provided for the child. Because the connecting strap211has no elasticity or a relatively lower elasticity, stretching the buffering part212causes the restricting section213of the connecting strap211to be extended owing to the deformation of the buffering part212, but the restricting section213would not be fully extended and thus would not be tightened.

Referring toFIG.4, when the child carrier1is subjected to a stronger impact or a sudden deceleration of a greater magnitude, the buffering part212of the buffer assembly21may be deformed and stretched to a maximal length. Because the connecting strap211has no elasticity or a relatively lower elasticity, the restricting section213of the connecting strap211is fully extended owing to the extension of the buffering part212to the maximal length. At this time, the connecting strap211can directly restrain the child and prevent the child from being ejected in case the buffering part212breaks due to an excessive impact force. Moreover, the restricting section213protects the ability of the buffering part212to deform and recover, which ensures that the safety belt system can be used multiple times in a normal condition of use.

In conjunction withFIG.1,FIGS.5and6illustrate another embodiment of the buffer assembly21. Referring toFIGS.1,5and6, the buffer assembly21is connected to both the carrier body100and the safety belt22as previously described. More specifically, the buffer assembly21shown inFIGS.5and6comprises a connecting strap211. The first anchoring end2111of the connecting strap211can be connected to the carrier body100, and the second anchoring end2112of the connecting strap211can be connected to the safety belt22between the first end22A and the second end22B thereof. For example, the first anchoring end2111of the connecting strap211can form a loop and connect to the headrest portion12(shown inFIG.1), and the second anchoring end2112of the connecting strap211can connect to the protective piece23(shown inFIG.1) on the safety belt22. Moreover, an intermediate portion2114of the connecting strap211between the first anchoring end2111and the second anchoring end2112is affixed to a buffering part212′. For example, the intermediate portion2114can be folded to form a loop, and two folded ends are joined together with the buffering part212′ to close the loop, which thereby holds the loop of the intermediate portion2114. The buffering part212′ can break upon application of a sufficient force by the connecting strap211, which opens the loop of the intermediate portion2114and consequently generates a buffering effect. According to an embodiment, the buffering part212′ is a sewing thread. However, the buffering part212′ is not limited to this example, and may be a clipping element, an adhering material, or the like.

Referring toFIGS.1,5and6, when the child carrier1is subjected to an impact or sudden deceleration, the child inside the child carrier1may be displaced forward owing to the action of inertia and drives the protective piece23to slide along the safety belt22, which imparts a buffering movement in the buffer assembly21connected to the protective piece23. In particular, the connecting strap211of the buffer assembly21would be stretched causing the buffering part212′ to break, whereby a portion of the energy of the impact or sudden deceleration is absorbed and the safety belt22is prevented from applying an excessive restraining or pulling force on the child. Accordingly, better protection is provided for the child.

An advantage of the child carrier and the buffer assembly according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is the ability for the buffer assembly, which is connected to the safety belt, to generate a buffering movement owing to inertia when the child carrier is subjected to an impact or sudden deceleration, whereby a portion of the energy of the impact or sudden deceleration is absorbed and the safety belt is prevented from applying an excessive restraining or pulling force on the child, which offers better protection for the child.

The foregoing description of selected embodiments of the present invention is meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Accordingly, equivalent modifications made according to the claims still fall within the scope of the present invention.