Vehicle anchor system for juvenile seat base

A child restraint includes a seat-support frame adapted to set on a passenger seat and retained on the passenger seat using an anchor belt. A juvenile seat included in the child restraint is configured to be mounted in a stationary position on the seat-support frame. The anchor belt can be a lap belt associated with the passenger seat.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to juvenile vehicle seats, and particularly to a base for use with juvenile vehicle seats. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system for anchoring the base in a fixed position on a passenger seat in a vehicle.

Juvenile vehicle seats are used to transport young children in automobiles or other vehicles. These seats are often adapted to set on a juvenile-seat base which rests on a passenger seat in a vehicle. Seats for infants are adapted to face in a rearward direction toward a seat back of the passenger seat. Seats for older children are adapted to face in a forward direction away from the seat back of the passenger seat. Convertible seats are adapted to be used in either rearwardly facing or forwardly facing directions. Bases for use with juvenile seats may be adapted to be used in the rearwardly facing direction only, the forwardly facing direction only, or in both the rearwardly and forwardly facing directions.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, a child restraint includes a seat-support frame adapted to set on a passenger seat of a vehicle and a juvenile seat mounted on the seat-support frame. In illustrative embodiments, a restorative frame tether is adapted to engage a vehicle lap belt in a low region near the bight of the passenger seat that is provided at the junction between a seat bottom and a seat back of the passenger seat. The restorative frame tether is also mounted to the seat-support frame for pivotable movement about a relatively high horizontal frame-pivot axis that is elevated above the vehicle lap belt so that the seat-support frame will pivot about the horizontal frame-pivot axis and be moved downwardly into a cushion included in the seat bottom during exposure of a vehicle carrying the passenger seat and the child restraint to an external impact.

In illustrative embodiments, the restorative frame tether includes a belt mount located in or near the seat bight of the passenger seat. The vehicle lap belt engages a convex outwardly facing topside belt-support surface of the belt mount to establish a low elevation ACTUAL BELT PATH that extends laterally across the seat bottom in or near to the seat bight of the passenger seat. The restorative frame tether also includes at least one frame-tether linkage that is coupled at a lower end thereof to the belt mount and at an upper end thereof to the seat-support frame at a pivot point that is aligned with the horizontal frame-pivot axis.

In illustrative embodiments, each frame-tether linkage of the restorative frame tether comprises at least one spring-biased extensible rod. This rod expands and contracts in length during installation of the child restraint on the passenger seat to simplify attachment of the vehicle lap belt to the belt mount. Each rod is spring biased towards full extension with a plurality of lock positions that prevent extension without actuation of a release button. Such that, once the vehicle lap belt has been installed downward force on the seat-support frame compresses the vehicle seat cushion and promotes compression of the spring biased extensible rod thereby tensioning the seat-support frame relative to the vehicle seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A juvenile-seat base10in accordance with the present disclosure cooperates with a juvenile seat12to form a child restraint13as suggested inFIG. 1. In illustrative embodiments, juvenile-seat base10comprises a seat-support frame14and a restorative frame tether16that is coupled to seat-support frame14as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. In illustrative embodiments, an anchor belt such as a vehicle lap belt18is located under the juvenile seat12and is arranged to extend along an ACTUAL BELT PATH to retain juvenile-seat base10in an INSTALLED position on a passenger seat20as suggested inFIG. 5.

A restorative frame tether16in accordance with the present disclosure is configured to mate with vehicle or passenger-seat lap belt10in a region under juvenile seat12to allow vehicle lap belt18to remain in a relatively low position in close proximity to a seat bight23formed at a junction between a seat bottom21and a seat back22of passenger seat20while that vehicle lap belt18functions to retain juvenile-seat base10in the installed position on passenger seat20as shown, for example, inFIGS. 5 and 7. During exposure of a vehicle carrying passenger seat20to an external impact, seat-support frame14of juvenile-seat base10may be displaced on passenger seat20from the INSTALLED position shown inFIGS. 5 and 7-10to assume a different temporary DISPLACED position as shown, for example, inFIG. 11. Restorative frame tether16functions as disclosed herein automatically to return (i.e. restore) seat-support frame14to the installed position on passenger seat20so that seat-support frame14is allowed to regain its former state or condition in the INSTALLED position on passenger seat20.

Restorative frame tether16is also configured to extend upwardly and outwardly from vehicle lap belt18and mate with seat-support frame14at elevated pivot points P1, P2as suggested inFIG. 7to establish an elevated VIRTUAL BELT PATH, a portion of which is substantially co-extensive with a horizontal frame-pivot axis14A that extends through elevated pivot points P1, P2. Elevated pivot point P1is located on a left side14L of seat-support frame14to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to the elevated pivot point P2that is located on an opposite right side14R of seat-support frame14to provide a seat-receiving space12S therebetween that is sized to receive a portion of juvenile seat12therebetween when juvenile seat12is mounted on seat-support frame14of juvenile-seat12as suggested inFIG. 7.

In Illustrative embodiments, restorative frame tether16is configured to establish a VIRTUAL BELT PATH that is elevated above vehicle lap belt18and that is arranged to pass through a portion of juvenile seat12mounted on juvenile-seat base10as suggested diagrammatically inFIG. 6. Thus, the vehicle lap belt18can extend laterally across seat bottom21of passenger seat20along an ACTUAL BELT PATH that is under juvenile seat12and juvenile seat12can be retained in a low position relative to seat-support frame14of juvenile-seat base10near seat bottom21of passenger seat20to maintain a low center of gravity (CG) of child restraint13while the restorative frame tether16extends upwardly and outwardly along left and right exterior side walls of juvenile seat12to mate with seat-support frame14at laterally spaced-apart pivot points P1, P2to establish an elevated VIRTUAL BELT PATH that is above the ACTUAL BELT PATH followed by vehicle lap belt18. As suggested inFIGS. 4 and 5, a portion of the VIRTUAL BELT PATH is arranged to lie between laterally spaced-apart pivot points P1, P2in co-extensive relation with horizontal frame-pivot axis14A.

Seat-frame support14includes a foundation140adapted to engage seat bottom21and seat back22of passenger seat20, a first side pivot anchor bar141coupled to a left side140L of foundation140, and a second side pivot anchor bar142coupled to a right side140R of foundation as shown, for example, inFIGS. 1, 5, and 7. Bars141,142are arranged to lie in spaced-apart parallel relation to one another along a negatively sloping inclined reference plane as suggested inFIG. 6in the illustrated embodiment. A lower end of each bar141,142is coupled to a bottom-engaging portion140A of foundation140. An opposite upper end of each bar141,142is coupled to a back-engaging portion140B of foundation140. When foundation140of seat-support frame14is placed on a passenger seat20of a vehicle, bottom-engaging portion140A rests on seat bottom21and back-engaging portion140B rests against seat back22as suggested inFIGS. 1, 5, and 7.

Restorative frame tether16is configured to tether seat-support frame14to vehicle lap belt18when juvenile-seat base10of child restraint13is mounted on passenger seat20of a vehicle as suggested inFIGS. 5 and 7. Restorative frame tether16is configured to cause seat-support frame14to regain the INSTALLED position on passenger seat20should seat-support frame14be moved temporarily to a DISPLACED position on passenger seat20following exposure of the vehicle carrying passenger seat20to an external impact as suggested inFIGS. 11 and 12. Restorative frame tether16is configured to establish an elevated VIRTUAL BELT PATH that extends, in part, along horizontal frame-pivot axis14A and above an ACTUAL BELT PATH followed by vehicle lap belt18as suggested inFIG. 7. Juvenile seat12is coupled to seat-support frame14using any suitable means to lie as low as possible relative to seat-support frame14to establish a low center of gravity of child restraint13. In illustrative embodiments, the VIRTUAL BELT PATH is arranged to intercept and extend through a portion of the juvenile seat12that is mounted on the seat-support frame14owing to the configuration of restorative frame tether16as suggested diagrammatically inFIG. 6.

Restorative frame tether16includes a left-side frame-tether linkage161coupled to inclined first side pivot anchor bar141at horizontal frame-pivot axis14A and a right-side frame-tether linkage162coupled to inclined second side pivot anchor bar142of foundation140at horizontal frame-pivot axis14A as suggested inFIGS. 1-4. Restorative frame tether16also includes a belt mount163coupled to a lower portion of each of linkages161,162as suggested inFIGS. 1-4to lie below and in spaced-apart relation to horizontal frame-pivot axis14A.

Left-side frame-tether linkage161includes a pivotable first D-shaped rod-support plate170associated with first side pivot anchor bar141, a companion first-plate pivot axle171for mating with first side pivot anchor bar141and supporting first D-shaped rod-support plate170for pivotable movement about horizontal frame-pivot axis14A, and a pair of left-side spring-loaded extensible frame-tether rods172,173arranged to extend between and mate with each of belt mount163and the pivotable first D-shaped rod-support plate170. Although rod-support plate170is D-shaped in the illustrated embodiment, it is within the scope of the present disclosure to use any suitable shape.

Right-side frame-tether linkage161includes a pivotable second D-shaped rod-support plate180associated with second side pivot anchor bar141, a companion second-plate pivot axle181for mating with second side pivot anchor bar141and supporting second D-shaped rod-support plate180for pivotable movement about horizontal frame-pivot axis14A, and a pair of right-side spring-loaded extensible frame-tether rods182,183arranged to extend between and mate with each of belt mount163and the pivotable second D-shaped rod-support plate180. Although rod-support plate180is D-shaped in the illustrated embodiment, it is within the scope of the present disclosure to use any suitable shape.

Each extensible frame-tether rod172,173,182,183is spring biased towards full extension with a plurality of lock positions that prevent extension without actuation of a release button. Such that, once the vehicle lap belt18has been installed downward force on the seat-support frame14compresses the vehicle seat cushion and promotes compression of the spring-biased extensible rods172,173,182,183thereby tensioning the seat-support frame14relative to the vehicle seat20

An early first stage of installation before a bight portion14B of seat-support frame14is drawn into a seat bight24formed at the junction between seat bottom21and seat back22of passenger seat20in the vehicle is illustrated inFIG. 6. When vehicle lap belt18is tightened as suggested inFIGS. 5 and 7, seat-support frame14is moved to assume an INSTALLED POSITION on passenger seat20.

A top perspective view is provided inFIG. 5to show engagement of vehicle lap belt18on the convex outwardly facing topside belt-support surface163T of belt mount163. Such engagement is sufficient to hold belt mount143of restorative frame tether16normally against passenger seat20to establish an INSTALLED POSITION on passenger seat20while the left-side and right-side spring-biased extensible frame-tether rods172,173,182, and183cooperate to draw seat-support frame14toward belt mount163and therefore toward seat bottom21, seat back22, and seat bight24of passenger seat20.

Seat-support frame14is held by vehicle lap belt18in an INSTALLED POSITION on passenger seat20after bight portion14B of seat-support frame14has been drawn into seat bight24by the spring-biased extensible frame-tether rods172,173,182, and183as shown inFIG. 7. A VIRTUAL BELT PATH pivot point P1associated with the first-plate pivot axle171of the pivotable first D-shaped rod-support plate170and a VIRTUAL BELT PATH pivot axis (shown in phantom) that is elevated above and in spaced-apart relation to the relatively lower vehicle lap belt18and is co-extensive with the horizontal frame-pivot axis14A that is arranged to extend through the plate pivot axles171,181of the pivotable first and second D-shaped rod-support plates170,180is also shown inFIG. 7.

Vehicle lap belt18extends along a curved path and through a left-side channel18L provided between the pair of left-side spring-loaded extensible frame-tether rods172,173included in the left-side frame-tether linkage161of the restorative frame tether16as shown inFIG. 9. Vehicle lap belt18also passes through a right-side channel18R provided between the pair of right-side spring-loaded extensible frame-tether rods182,183included in the right-side frame-tether linkage162of the restorative frame tether16as shown inFIG. 10.

A perspective view of a forwardly displaced juvenile-seat base10during exposure of the vehicle in which juvenile-seat base10is transported to an external impact is shown inFIG. 11. Temporary lengthening of each of the right-side spring-biased extensible frame-tether rods182,183included in the restorative frame tether16occurs as shown inFIG. 11during limited forward movement of seat-support frame14of juvenile-seat base10on seat bottom21of passenger seat20and away from seat back21and seat bight24following that external impact to the vehicle.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a child restraint13is provided with a combination of elements including a restorative frame tether16that functions to establish a VIRTUAL BELT PATH that is elevated above a vehicle lap belt18that is used to hold child restraint13on a passenger seat20in a vehicle and that extends or otherwise passes through the space12S that is occupied by a juvenile seat12included in child restraint13and mounted on seat-support frame14. Vehicle lap belt18cannot pass through that space12S because the space12S is occupied by juvenile seat12. Instead, vehicle lap belt18passes under juvenile seat12and engages a belt mount163included in restorative tether16and exerts a downward force FDon belt mount163, which force FDis transferred to the seat-support frame14as force FTat the elevated pivot points P1, P2on seat-support frame14by the rest of the restorative frame tether16so as to establish the elevated VIRTUAL BELT PATH that extends, in part, along a horizontal frame-pivot axis14A between pivot points P1, P2.

In accordance with the present disclosure, juvenile seat12and seat-support frame14can be retained in a very low position on vehicle seat20to keep the center of gravity of child restraint13as low as possible. A system of linkages161,162,163is included in restorative frame tether16to allow use of a low-elevation ACTUAL BELT PATH for vehicle lap belt18that creates the same belt path as if the vehicle lap belt18had instead wrapped over the top of first and second side pivot anchor bars141,142at about pivot points P1, P2to extend along a relatively high belt path above seat bottom21. Any pivoting action of seat-support frame14(and juvenile seat12) of the type that may occur in response to exposure of the vehicle carrying child restraint13to an external impact will take place along a horizontal frame-pivot axis14A and an elevated VIRTUAL BELT PATH that extends along horizontal frame-pivot axis14A between pivot points P1, P2. Restorative frame tether16cooperates with seat-support frame14in accordance with the present disclosure to establish a high VIRTUAL BELT PATH using a vehicle lap belt18that extends along a low ACTUAL BELT PATH. The low-elevation ACTUAL BELT PATH followed by vehicle lap belt18provides more access and room in space12S inside seat-support frame14to allow for the lowest possible position of juvenile seat12in seat-support frame14. This lowers the center of gravity of child restraint13in a desirable way.

During exposure of a vehicle carrying child restraint13, seat-support frame14is free to rotate or pivot about the relatively high horizontal frame-pivot axis14A (VIRTUAL BELT PATH) and thereby move relative to the underlying seat bottom21and seat back22while belt mount163is retained by vehicle lap belt18in a substantially stationary position in the bight23of the seat20as suggested inFIGS. 11 and 12. This relative motion results in the seat-support frame14being driven downwardly into the underlying seat bottom21to stabilize the child restraint13on the vehicle seat20.

The VIRTUAL BELT PATH established by restorative frame tether16in cooperation with seat-support frame14illustratively is about eight inches from seat bight23on a 45 degree angle relative to the vehicle seating surface. Such a surface is defined by a surface on the child restraint13that the vehicle lap belt18passes over farthest from the vehicle seat bight23. In accordance with the present disclosure, vehicle lap belt18is directed back toward the seat bight23so that it does not interfere with the portion of juvenile seat12that is placed between the ACTUAL BELT PATH and the elevated VIRTUAL BELT PATH.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a VIRTUAL BELT PATH is created by a linkage system161,162,163of restorative frame tether16in cooperation with seat-support frame14from a relatively lower ACTUAL BELT PATH to a higher point along horizontal frame-pivot axis14A such that rotation (pivoting) of seat-support frame14about axis14A and relative to vehicle seat20is closer to the center of gravity of child restraint13which will minimize movement of child restraint13on vehicle seat20during exposure of the vehicle carrying vehicle seat20and child restraint13to an external impact. Performance of child restraint13is measured in part by testing to standard FMVSS 213. The linkage system161,162,163of restorative frame tether16also allows for spring-biased telescoping motion of seat-support frame14relative to vehicle seat20to allow for ease of vehicle lap belt installation and then also for tensioning of the system. In accordance with the present disclosure, the position of vehicle lap belt18relative to seat-support frame14and vehicle seat20is optimized without compromising the low center of gravity position of the juvenile seat12relative to the seat-support frame14and the seat bight23.

A child restraint13includes a juvenile-seat base10and a juvenile seat12as suggested inFIG. 1. Juvenile-seat base10includes a seat-support frame14and a restorative frame tether16. Seat-support frame14is adapted to support juvenile seat12and to lie in an INSTALLED position on a seat bottom21and seat back22of a passenger seat20provided with a seat bight23formed at a junction between the seat bottom21and seat back22as suggested inFIGS. 1 and 2. Restorative frame tether16is mounted to seat-support frame14for pivotable movement about a high-elevation horizontal frame-pivot axis14A and arranged to extend downwardly from the high-elevation horizontal frame-pivot axis14A toward seat bottom21of passenger seat20when seat-support frame14lies in the INSTALLED position on passenger seat20as suggested inFIGS. 1, 2, 11, and 12.

Restorative frame tether16is configured to provide means for mating with an underside of a passenger-seat lap belt18associated with the passenger seat20to establish an actual belt path of the passenger-seat lap belt18while the passenger-seat belt18remains in a relatively lower low-elevation position in close proximity to seat bight23and below and in spaced-apart relation to the high-elevation horizontal frame-pivot axis14A as suggested inFIG. 5. Restorative frame tether16is also configured to provide means for yieldably returning the seat-support frame14automatically to the installed position on seat bottom21and seat back22of passenger seat20owing to pivotable movement of restorative frame tether16about the high-elevation horizontal frame-pivot axis14A after movement of seat-support frame14from the INSTALLED position to a temporary DISPLACED position on passenger seat20during exposure of passenger seat20to external forces as suggested inFIGS. 11, 12, 2, and 6.

Restorative frame tether includes a belt mount143and first and second frame-tether linkages161,162as shown, for example, inFIGS. 2 and 4. Belt mount163is adapted to engage a portion of the underside of the passenger-seat lap belt18as suggested inFIGS. 4 and 5. First frame-tether linkage161has a lower end pivotably coupled to a first end of belt mount163and an opposite upper end pivotably coupled to a first side of seat-support frame14at a first elevated pivot point P1that is located on the high-elevation horizontal frame-pivot axis14A as suggested inFIG. 4. Second frame-tether linkage162has a lower end pivotably coupled to an opposite second end of belt mount163and an opposite upper end pivotably coupled to an opposite second side of seat-support frame14at a second elevated pivot point P2that is located on the high-elevation horizontal frame-pivot axis14A and arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the first elevated pivot point P1to define a virtual belt path therebetween and along the high-elevation horizontal frame-pivot axis14A as also suggested inFIG. 4.

Juvenile seat12is formed to include a child-receiving space12S as suggested inFIGS. 2 and 5. Juvenile seat12is coupled to the seat-support frame14to lie in a stationary position as also suggested diagrammatically inFIGS. 2 and 5. An outer portion of the juvenile seat12extends into a seat-receiving cavity12S formed in seat support frame14to position the outer portion above belt mount163, between first and second frame-tether linkages161,162, and below first and second elevated pivot points P1, P2as suggested diagrammatically inFIGS. 2 and 5.

First-side frame-tether linkage161includes a first rod-support plate170associated with the first side of the seat-support frame14and a first-plate pivot axle171arranged to mate with the first side of the seat-support frame14and support the rod-support plate170for pivotable movement about the high-elevation horizontal frame-pivot axis14A as shown inFIG. 4. First-side frame-tether linkage161also includes at least one spring-loaded extensible frame-tether rod172,173arranged to extend between and mate with each of the first end of belt mount163and first rod-support plate170as shown inFIG. 4.

Second-side frame-tether linkage162includes a second rod-support plate180associated with the second side of the seat-support frame14and a second-plate pivot axle181arranged to mate with the second side of seat-support frame14and support rod-support plate180for pivotable movement about the high-elevation horizontal frame-pivot axis14A as shown inFIG. 4. Second-side frame-tether linkage162also includes at least one spring-loaded extensible frame-tether rod182,183arranged to extend between and mate with each of the second end of belt mount163and second rod-support plate180as shown inFIG. 4.

Belt mount163includes a convex outwardly facing topside belt-support surface163T adapted to engage a portion of the underside of the passenger-seat lap belt18normally to hold belt mount163against passenger seat20to establish the installed position of seat-support frame14on passenger seat20as suggested inFIG. 5. Each of the spring-loaded extensible frame-tether rods171,172,182, and183is lengthened temporarily to load a spring included therein (as suggested inFIG. 4) during limited forward movement of seat-support frame14on the seat bottom of passenger seat20and away from the seat back22and the seat bight23following exposure of passenger seat20to an external impact and then shortened following unloading of the spring included in each of the spring-loaded extensible frame-support rods171,172,181, and182to apply a downward force FTto the seat-support frame14to cause the seat-support frame14to be pivoted about the horizontal frame-pivot axis14A and moved downwardly toward passenger seat20from the temporary DISPLACED position to the INSTALLED position.

First-side and second-side spring-biased extensible frame-tether rods171,172,181, and182cooperate to provide means for yieldably drawing the seat-support frame14downwardly toward belt mount163and also toward the seat bottom21, seat back22, and seat bight23when the seat-support frame14is retained in the INSTALLED position. First-side and second-side spring-biased extensible frame-tether rods171,172,181, and182also cooperate to provide a space12S therebetween for receiving a portion of juvenile seat12and means for transferring a downward force FDexerted on belt mount163by a passenger-seat lap belt18mated with an outwardly facing topside belt-support surface163T of the belt mount163to the seat-support frame14at the elevated pivot points P1, P2so as to establish an elevated VIRTUAL BELT PATH that lies above the ACTUAL BELT PATH and extends in part, along the horizontal frame-pivot axis14A between the first and second pivot points P1, P2so that more room is provided between the first and second sides of the seat-support frame14to allow for a lowest possible position of the juvenile seat12in the seat-support frame14and the seat-support frame14can be retained in a low position on the passenger seat20to keep the center of gravity of the child restraint13close to the seat bottom21of the passenger seat20.