Folding anchor bracket for attaching a child safety seat to a vehicle seat

A bracket for connection of a child safety seat to a foldable vehicle seat includes a wire with a first leg, a second leg and a horizontal attachment portion. The attachment portion is connected to the first leg and the second leg and is configured to connect to the child safety seat when the attachment portion is in a first position. The bracket also includes a support member connected to the first and second leg. The support member is configured to couple the wire to the vehicle seat while permitting movement of the attachment portion from the first position to a second position, wherein the first position is different from the second position. The bracket also includes a biasing member in contact with at least one of the support member and the wire and is configured to bias the attachment portion of the wire toward the first position.

INTRODUCTION

The present disclosure relates to folding anchor brackets for attaching a child safety seat to a vehicle seat.

Vehicles often include child safety seat anchors so that child safety seats can be quickly and safely secured inside of the vehicle. The characteristics of child safety seat anchors, such as size and location, are often standardized across vehicles so that the anchoring system on the child safety seat will work in the same manner, with the same ease and safety, on every vehicle that has adopted the standardized anchoring system. In one standardized system, anchoring locations are provided in vehicles at or near the intersection of seat bottom cushions and seat back cushions. The anchoring locations that a child safety seat is attached to are often positioned in a gap that exists between these two cushions.

Since the characteristics of the child safety seat anchors are standardized across vehicles, the child safety seat anchors need to function with all types of seats that may exist in the vehicles. One type of seat often found in vehicles is a folding seat. This means that the seat back cushion can be rotated downward toward the seat bottom cushion. In some foldable seats, the seat bottom cushion and the seat back cushion may move in such a way such that the seat back cushion is left in a position where it is substantially parallel with the floor and disposed in a cargo area beneath the floor. Such a seat is considered a fold flat seat. Child safety seat anchors exist on traditional vehicle seats and on such fold flat seats.

SUMMARY

A bracket for connection of a child safety seat to a foldable vehicle seat in accordance with the present disclosure includes a wire with a first leg, a second leg and a horizontal attachment portion. The horizontal attachment portion is connected to the first leg and the second leg and is configured to connect to the child safety seat when the attachment portion is in a first position. The bracket also includes a support member connected to the first leg and the second leg. The support member is configured to couple the wire to the vehicle seat while permitting movement of the attachment portion from the first position to a second position, wherein the first position is different from the second position. The bracket also includes a biasing member in contact with at least one of the support member and the wire and is configured to bias the attachment portion of the wire toward the first position.

In one aspect, the support member has a travel-limiting surface. The travel-limiting surface engages a wall on a support member of the foldable vehicle seat to prevent movement of the attachment portion past the first position when the attachment portion is moved from the second position toward the first position.

In one aspect, the support member further includes a first wall, a second wall, and a back wall connected to the first wall and the second wall. The first wall disposed orthogonally to the back wall to define a first corner and the second wall disposed orthogonally to the back wall to define a second corner, wherein the first leg is connected to the support member at the first corner and the second leg is connected to the support member at the second corner.

In one aspect, the bracket further includes a cylindrical post, wherein a first end of the post is inserted through a first opening in the first wall and a second end of the post is inserted through a second opening in the second wall to define an axis of rotation of the bracket such that the attachment portion is rotated from the first position to the second position about the axis of rotation.

In one aspect, the post is oriented parallel to the attachment portion of the wire.

In one aspect, the biasing member is a torsion spring located on the post.

In one aspect, the travel-limiting surface is located on a limiting wall, the limiting wall connected to and extending from the back wall and disposed between the first wall and the second wall.

In one aspect, the bracket further includes a connector member. The connector member including a base, a third wall and a fourth wall, wherein the third wall and the fourth wall are connected to the base and extend orthogonally therefrom. The base is configured to connect to the vehicle seat and the third wall and the fourth wall define openings receiving the first end and the second end of the post to rotatably connect the support member to the connector member.

In one aspect, the travel-limiting surface contacts the base of the connector member when the attachment portion is in the first position.

In one aspect, when the attachment portion moves from the first position to the second position, the wire does not interfere with the foldable vehicle seat.

In one aspect, the support member is cylindrical with a center axis defining an axis of rotation oriented parallel to the attachment portion of the wire and configured such that the attachment portion moves from the first position to the second position by rotating about the axis of rotation.

In one aspect, the first leg and the second leg each include a linear portion and an arcuate portion. The first leg and the second leg are connected to the support member at the arcuate portion.

In one aspect, the first leg and the second leg each include an arcuate portion extending from the attachment portion. The arcuate portions of the first leg and the second leg are disposed coaxially with the support member.

In one aspect, the biasing member is a torsion spring.

In one aspect, the travel-limiting surface is located at an edge of a circumferential slot in the support member and the wall on the support member of the foldable vehicle seat is a projection that protrudes into the circumferential slot.

In one aspect, the first leg and the second leg each include a transition portion. The transition portions are disposed between the linear portions and the arcuate portions. The transition portions are angled toward each other such that a first distance between the arcuate portions is less than a second distance between the arcuate portions.

A foldable vehicle seat that is configured to fold from an upright state to a folded state in accordance with the present disclosure includes a cylindrical transverse support bar and a bracket surrounding the cylindrical transverse support bar. The bracket includes a wire with an attachment portion connected to a first leg and a second leg. The attachment portion is configured to connect to a child safety seat in a first position. The bracket also includes a support member connected to the first leg and the second leg. The support member is cylindrical in shape and surrounds the cylindrical transverse support bar such that the attachment portion can rotate from the first position to a second position, wherein the attachment portion of the wire does not interfere with the foldable vehicle seat in the folded state when the attachment portion is in the second position. The bracket also includes a biasing member in contact with at least one of the support member and the wire and is configured to bias the attachment portion of the wire toward the first position.

In one aspect, the foldable vehicle seat also includes a projection attached to the cylindrical transverse support bar, wherein the support member defines a slot through which the projection extends, and the slot has a travel-limiting surface that contacts the projection when the attachment portion is in the first position such that the attachment portion is prevented from rotating past the first position when the attachment portion is moved from the second position to the first position.

In one aspect, the first leg and the second leg include arcuate portions that wrap around the cylindrical transverse support bar.

In one aspect, the biasing member is a torsion spring with a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the cylindrical transverse support bar and the second end contacts the first leg of the wire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Child safety seat anchors are often included with folding seats in the second and third rows of vehicles. The child safety seat anchors that are located at the intersection of the seat bottom cushion and the seat back cushion can interfere with the seat cushions, the seat trim or other components of the foldable seat. This interference can be troublesome when the seat back cushion is moved from an upright position to a folded position, and is particularly troublesome for fold flat seats since the seat cushions can move in a translational direction (i.e., forward or backwards) in addition to moving up and down. In such instances, the child safety seat anchors can contact, press or otherwise interfere with the seat components and create undesirable deformation or damage to the seat components.

The folding anchor bracket of the present disclosure is able to fold such that it does not interfere with surrounding components in a vehicle or cause aesthetic issues. The folding anchor bracket provides an attachment point for a child safety seat when the bracket is in a first or upright position and the seat back is in an upright position. When the foldable seat back is moved to a folded position, the folding child safety seat anchor bracket can move to a second or rotated position where the bracket does not interfere with any of the surrounding seat components, which would otherwise occur if the bracket had remained in the first position.

FIG. 1shows a first embodiment of an anchor bracket10. The bracket10includes a wire12, a support member20, a biasing member22, a connector member46and a post36. The wire12is connected to the bracket10and is the component of the bracket10that provides the attachment point for a child safety seat. In this example, the wire12is a formed length of steel wire. In other examples, the wire12can be stamped, formed or otherwise shaped or assembled to have the elements as will be described. As shown, the wire12includes an attachment portion14, a first leg16and a second leg18. The attachment portion14is a horizontal length of the wire12that provides the attachment location for the child safety seat. The first leg16and the second leg18extend away from the attachment portion14and connect the attachment portion14to a support member20. In this example, the first leg16and the second leg18extend substantially orthogonally from attachment portion14as shown. The first leg16and the second leg18are rigidly connected the support member20in this example. Any suitable method of attachment can be used such as welding or the like.

As further shown inFIG. 1, the first leg16and the second leg18are connected to the support member20at a first corner32and a second corner34, respectively. The support member20of the bracket10retains the wire12in position and facilitates the movement of the wire12as will be described. In this example, the support member20includes a first wall26, a second wall28and a back wall30. The first wall26and the second wall28are triangular in shape and are each connected to and separated by the back wall30. The first corner32and the second corner34are located at the intersection of the first wall26and the back wall30and the intersection of the second wall28and the back wall30, respectively. The first wall26and the second wall28are each oriented substantially orthogonally to the back wall30.

The first wall26and the second wall28may also include holes through which the post36can be inserted. As shown inFIG. 1, a first end38of the post36is inserted through a hole in the first wall26and a second end40of the post36is installed in a hole through the second wall28. In this manner, the support member20, and in turn the wire12, can rotate about a central axis42. The post36, in this example, is a cylindrical hinge member for the bracket10. In addition to serving as an axis of rotation, the post36connects the support member20to the connector member46.

In other examples, the bracket10may have a different feature (or multiple features) that serves as the axis of rotation of the support member20. For example, the bracket10can include a fastener, rivet, grommet or other connection feature that connects the support member20to the connector member46instead of the post36. In these alternate examples, the central axis42is created by the fastener, rivet, grommet or other connection feature on each side of the support member20.

The bracket10, in the example ofFIG. 1, also includes the connector member46. The connector member46connects the bracket10to a desired location in a vehicle such as to a support tube60. The connector member46, in this example, includes a third wall48, a fourth wall50and a base52. The third wall48and the fourth wall50are triangular in shape and are oriented substantially orthogonally to the base52. The connector member46has an overall width W1that is larger than a width W2of the support member20. When connected to the support member20by the post36, the third wall48and the fourth wall50reside outside of the first wall26and the second wall28. In other embodiments, the connector member46can have a smaller width than that of the support member20and can be connected inside of the first wall26and the second wall28. A hole in the third wall48and a hole in the fourth wall50are coaxially aligned with the holes in the first wall26and the second wall28such that the post36can be inserted through all four walls to create the axis of rotation for the bracket10as previously described. In this configuration, the attachment portion14is oriented substantially parallel to the post36and the central axis42.

The biasing member22serves to bias the attachment portion14of wire12in a desired position. As shown, the biasing member22can be a torsion spring. The torsion spring can be located on the post36with a first spring end62contacting the base52and a second spring end64contacting the back wall30. In this manner, a force is exerted on the back wall30that biases the attachment portion14into the upright or first position as shown. As can be appreciated, if a force is exerted on an outer side of the back wall30or on the attachment portion14in a downward direction, the support member20and the wire12moves and rotates downward away from its original position. Once the downward force is removed, the biasing member22(the torsion spring in this example) returns the support member20and the wire12back upward toward its original upright position. While a torsion spring is shown in this example, alternate embodiments of the biasing member22can also be used such as other springs, elastomeric components or other flexible members joined to or contacting the support member20and/or the wire12.

The bracket10also includes a travel-limiting surface24. The travel-limiting surface24is a surface of the bracket10that stops the support member20and the wire12from rotating beyond a desired position. As shown in this example, the support member20includes a limiting wall44extending from the back wall30between the first wall26and the second wall28. The travel-limiting surface24is located on a leading edge of the limiting wall44and contacts the base52of the connector member46when the support member20rotates in an upward direction. The travel-limiting surface24is a hard stop that limits rotation of the support member20. At the limited position, the attachment portion14is oriented and positioned at a desired location. The combination of the biasing member22and the travel-limiting surface24ensures that the attachment portion14returns to its desired position after it is rotated or moved downward in response to external forces as previously described.

In other embodiments of the bracket10, other shapes and configurations of the travel-limiting surface24may also be used. Other example travel-limiting surfaces can be located on limiting walls of different shapes or in different orientations. In one example, the travel-limiting surface24is located on the first wall26or on the second wall28. In other examples, an extension arm or other elongated feature can be used to create the same functionality as the limiting wall44and the travel-limiting surface24. In still other examples, a projection or extension can be added to the support member20or to the connector member46that would limit the movement of the support member20relative to the connector member46.

Referring now toFIG. 2, the bracket10is connected to a seat54of a vehicle. As shown, the bracket10is connected to the rectangular support tube60of the seat54in this example. The base52of the bracket10is connected to the support tube60by welding the base52to the support tube60. Other modes of attachment can also be used to connect the bracket10to the support tube60such as attachment by fasteners or staking.

As stated, the bracket10is connected to the rectangular support tube60in this example. The bracket10can alternatively be connected to other support structures of the seat54or directly to the underbody or other support structure of the vehicle. As shown, the bracket10is connected in a location such that the attachment portion14of bracket10is in a desired location. The desired location can be described by standards that apply to the location of child safety seat anchors. The attachment portion14is positioned at the desired location at or near the base of the seat54in the gap between a seat back56and a seat bottom58.

FIG. 3shows a magnified illustration of the bracket10at this location. In this location and orientation, the attachment portion14is in the desired location in conformance with the child safety seat anchor system standard. Such a position of the attachment portion14is the upright or first position of the attachment portion14.

FIG. 4shows a circumstance in which the seat back56is folded downward toward the seat bottom58. In such a circumstance, a downward force is exerted on the bracket10by the seat back56. In response to such downward force, the support member20and the wire12are permitted to rotate downward. As shown inFIG. 4, the attachment portion14is in a lowered or second position in response to the downward force. As can be appreciated, when the seat back56is raised from the folded position to its original position, the biasing member22exerts an upward force that returns the support member20and the attachment portion14back to the first position as shown inFIG. 3.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a second example folding anchor bracket100is configured to be used on a seat that has a cylindrical support bar102. The bracket100includes a support member104, a wire106, a biasing member114and a travel-limiting surface116. In this example, the wire106includes an attachment portion108, a first leg110and a second leg112. The attachment portion108is a horizontally elongated portion of the wire106and is oriented substantially parallel to a center axis126of the support bar102. The first leg110and the second leg112extend from attachment portion108toward the support member104. The first leg110and the second leg each include a linear portion122and an arcuate portion124. The linear portion122extends away from the attachment portion108until the first leg110is tangentially positioned next to the support member104. The arcuate portions124circumferentially follow the outside circumference of the support member104. The second leg112is similarly configured to include a similar shape.

As further shown inFIG. 5, the arcuate portions124of the first leg110and the second leg112have the same length and/or wrap around approximately 50% of the circumference of the support member104. In different example embodiments of the bracket100, the arcuate portions124of the first leg110and the second leg112can have different lengths and wrap around more or less than 50% of the circumference of the support member104. For example, the arcuate portions124can wrap around substantially all of the circumference of the support member104such that the arcuate portions124create a continuous circle around the support member104. In other examples, the arcuate portions124encircle less than 50% of the circumference of the support member104and extend along the support member104with a sufficient length to securely connect the wire106to the support member104.

As also shown inFIG. 5, the first leg110and the second leg112may also include a transition portion128. The transition portion128is a portion of the first leg110and the second leg112that brings the two legs closer to one another before transitioning to the arcuate portion124. This enables the bracket100to have a smaller width at the arcuate portions124than at the attachment portion108. In other example brackets, the wire106may have other configurations such as only including the transition portion128on one side of the bracket100or including a transition portion that increases the overall width of the bracket100.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the support member104in this embodiment is cylindrical. The support member104is sized to fit over and around the support bar102. The support member104is retained in position relative to the support bar102by a projection120as will be further explained below. The support member104has an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the support bar102. The support member104, in this example, includes three or more dimples146that project inward from the support member104and contact the support bar102. The dimples146project inward from the outer surface of the support member104and into the inner surface of the support member104. In this manner, the dimples146define a bearing surface at which the support member104contacts the support bar102. As can be appreciated, the surface area of the dimples146is less than the surface area of the entire inner surface of the support member104. Thus, when the support member104rotates around the support bar102, the friction between the support member104at the dimples146is less than the friction that would result if the entire inner surface of the support member were to contact the support bar102. The dimples146are spaced around the circumference of the support member104in two rings in this example. Other arrangements and quantities of the dimples146can also be used. In addition, other friction-reducing members can be placed between the support member104and the support bar102instead of the dimples146. In other examples, a bushing or sleeve of polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon or other material can be used to facilitate the rotation of the support member104around the support bar102.

Referring back toFIG. 5, one or more edges or surfaces of the support member104are configured to attach to the wire106. As shown, the first leg110and the second leg112wrap around an outer surface of the support member104and are secured in position. The first leg110and the second leg112can be fixed to the support member104by any suitable joining method such as by welding.

In other examples, the support member104may have shoulders, flanges or other structures located at or near the first leg110and the second leg112. In these examples, the support member104can be joined to the first leg110and the second leg112at the shoulders, flanges or other connection surface.

As further shown inFIG. 5, the example bracket100includes a slot118, the projection120and the biasing member114. The slot118includes the travel-limiting surface116. The slot118is an elongated opening in the support member104and includes a top edge130, a bottom edge132, a first side edge134and a second side edge136. The slot118is sized to cooperatively engage the projection120. As can be appreciated, as the support member104rotates around the support bar102, the top edge130and the bottom edge132of the slot118contact the projection120and limit the amount of rotation that can occur. The width of the slot118is sized so as to be only slightly larger than the width of the projection120. This configuration restricts movement of bracket100in an axial direction along support bar102.

In this example, the slot118is a rectangular slot extending around the support member104. The projection120is a raised square projection with a rounded profile that conforms to the outer surface of the support bar102. In this manner, the projection120is connected to the outer surface of the support bar102by a fastener138in the slot118. The projection120can be a separate piece that is separate from and connected to the support bar102as shown. In other examples, other sizes, shapes and configurations of the slot118and the projection120can also be used such as rounded slots with circular projections, grooves with dimples or other suitable cooperative configurations. Still further, the slot118can be located at an edge of the support member104rather than in the center as shown in this example.

Referring back toFIG. 5, the travel-limiting surface116is located at one edge of the slot118, namely, at bottom edge132. When the travel-limiting surface116is contacting the projection120, the attachment portion108is in the upright or first position. The bracket100also includes the biasing member114that exerts a force against the support member104or the wire106to bias the attachment portion108in the first position. As can be appreciated, the attachment portion108can be moved downward and rotated around a center axis126if an external force, such as by a seat back pressing against the wire106, is exerted in a downward or forward direction. When such an external force is released, the biasing member114moves the attachment portion108back to its original state in the first position.

In this example, the biasing member114is a torsion spring with a first end140connected to the support bar102by a spring fastener142and a second end144that contacts the second leg112of the wire106. Other types and configurations of the biasing member114can also be used. Flexible arms, elastomeric members or other springs can also be used in other embodiments of the biasing member114.

Referring now toFIG. 7, a third example of a folding anchor bracket is. shown. This example bracket is also a cylindrical bracket and is configured to attach to a cylindrical support bar202. This example bracket200also includes a support member204, a wire206, a biasing member214and a travel-limiting surface216. The bracket200includes many of the same features and structure as previously described with respect to the bracket100. As shown, the support member204is a cylindrical component with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical support bar202. As such, support member204is received over the outer circumference of the support bar202. The support member204can include dimples or other friction-reducing member(s) between the support member204and the support bar202as previously explained with respect to the example bracket100. The support member204is secured in position relative the support bar202by a projection220as will be further explained below.

The wire206is a formed length of steel wire in this example and is secured to the outer surface of the support member204via welding, staking, or other suitable joining method. The wire206includes a first leg210, a second leg212and an attachment portion208. The attachment portion208is oriented horizontally in the vehicle such that the attachment portion is positioned substantially parallel to a center axis of the support bar202. The attachment portion208serves as attachment location for the child safety seat. The first leg210and the second leg212extend from the attachment portion208toward the support member204. The first leg210and the second leg212can include an arcuate portion (not shown) that wraps around the support member204.

The travel-limiting surface216is a feature of the bracket200that limits the movement of the bracket200relative to the support bar202. The travel-limiting surface216is located at an edge of a slot218. The slot218is a rectangular opening in the support member204. The slot218includes a top edge230, a bottom edge232, a first side edge234and a second side edge236. The slot218is sized so as to cooperatively engage the projection220. The projection220is connected to the support bar202by a fastener238. The projection220is raised above the outer surface of the support bar202and engages the slot218. The width of the projection220is smaller than the width of the slot between the first side edge234and the second side edge236. This permits the projection220to limit axial movement of the support member204along the support bar202. The upper and lower sides of the projection220engage the top edge230and the bottom edge232of the slot218when the support member204is rotated about the support bar202.

As shown inFIG. 7, the bracket200is in the first position. At this position, the travel-limiting surface216is engaging the bottom edge232of the slot218. The biasing member214biases the bracket200in the first position. The biasing member214is a torsion spring in this example. The biasing member214is attached at a first end240to the support bar202by a clip242. The clip242can be attached to the support bar by any suitable attachment method such as by a fastener, welding, staking, crimping or the like. The clip242includes a grip portion244that wraps around the first end240of the biasing member214and secures the first end240relative to the support bar202. The biasing member214also includes a second end246. The second end246contacts the wire206at the first leg210. In this manner, the biasing member214exerts a force against the wire206and biases the bracket200in the first position as shown inFIG. 7. The biasing member214can have other configurations. In other examples, the biasing member214can be a flexible arm, an elastomeric member or a different type of spring.

Example child safety seat anchor brackets100and200function similarly to that previously described and provide similar advantages. The cylindrical child safety seat anchor brackets100and200rotate from a first position in which the attachment portion108,208is in a desired position for attachment to a child safety seat to a second lowered position when a foldable seat is lowered to a folded position. The folding functionality of the anchor brackets prevents deformation or damage to seat cushions, seat trim and other surrounding components as previously described.