Abstract:
A system and method for articulating a vehicle child restraint anchor to which a child restraint seat (CRS) is attachable is disclosed, wherein one or more anchors individually or jointly articulate between at least a first and a second position about a pivotal axis, that axis and related hardware generally contained within a vehicle seat assembly or attached to a vehicle floor, package tray or alternative load bearing support structure located behind or above a vehicle seat such as a roof. One or more anchor positions may be fixable. The system may be operated manually or semi-automatically, incorporate springs and interlocks, and may be sensor or motor/solenoid-driven. Articulated anchor positions may include a position of enhanced visibility and accessibility to simplify consumer CRS to child restraint anchor connectivity or disengagement compared to alternative positions of generally limited anchor accessibility, partial or total concealment, stowed, alternative or secondary anchorage use positions.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosed inventive concept relates to a method and system for improving accessibility to child restraint anchors incorporated in various types of transportation vehicles. The disclosed inventive concept involves one or more anchors that maintain a structural connection to a fixed or rotatable member, the anchor(s) permitted to articulate about a rotational axis from an initial position to a position of enhanced anchor accessibility. The system may include one or more actuators. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Child Restraint Systems (CRS) are used in a variety of global markets and modes of public and private transportation such as personal automobiles, multipurpose passenger vehicles, school buses and airplanes. Further, various regional guidelines specify acceptable anchorage placement zones and that children of certain ages should be seated in Child Restraint Systems (CRS) or in a booster seat when traveling in an automobile. For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides age, height and weight-based recommendations for front, rear facing and boosted child seat usage configurations for children in automobiles. 
     CRS anchors are often hidden from view or are not readily accessible in a variety of transportation vehicle installations. While a child anchor identification symbol (such as a tag, button or cover) is often located in close proximity to aid vehicle users in identifying the approximate anchor locations, accessibility is nonetheless often limited as an anchor may be located behind or underneath foam and trim that must be displaced to see and provide access to the anchor for CRS installation or removal. 
     Such anchor conditions increase the difficulty of CRS installation and removal due to limited visibility and hand clearance to an anchor that may be recessed below a trim surface or sandwiched snugly between the foam of a seat cushion and/or a seat back, seat or interior trim, a seat frame or a vehicle structure. Disconnecting a CRS can be especially challenging when attempting to release a secure spring clip engagement from a child seat attachment mechanism hook without being able to see, or having finger access clearance to, a vehicle anchor to which a child seat is tightly cinched. In some markets, points are given for CRS anchorage accessibility/installation ease when rating the vehicle safety characteristics. 
     Accordingly, a practical solution to enhance CRS anchor accessibility and ease of use in today&#39;s motor vehicle is provided. It may also be desirable to provide a means of stowing an otherwise prominently visible anchor (or anchors) out of view to enhance an occupant&#39;s comfort or interior appearance when an anchor or anchors are not utilized for attaching a CRS, or to provide an alternative location for secondary anchor usage conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed inventive concept provides a means of articulating one or more anchors between a position of enhanced accessibility for customer CRS connectivity/disengagement and a position of generally limited anchor accessibility, anchor concealment or secondary anchor use. Particularly, the disclosed inventive concept provides a solution in which vehicle child restraint anchors have at least a first position and a second position, one or both of the positions may be fixable. At least one of the first and second positions complies with market-specific anchor placement zone requirements where applicable. In addition, at least one position provides enhanced visibility/accessibility for the purposes of simplifying consumer child restraint anchor access, compared to the other position. The enhanced accessibility position may correspondingly improve the likelihood of correct consumer CRS installation. 
     One or more anchors of the disclosed inventive concept are configured to rotate between the first position and the second position about a pivotal axis, that axis and related hardware being generally contained within a vehicle seat assembly or attached to the floor of a vehicle structure, to a package tray or support structure located behind or above a vehicle seat such as a roof, etc. One or both of these anchor positions may represent an acceptable “travel-ready” usage position (or zone compliant, where applicable) position for an installed CRS. If one position is provided only for enhanced accessibility but not for general “travel-ready” use (for example, if that position does not reside within a specified anchor placement zone), the system could be configured to retract/return to and/or engage in a lockable, intended CRS “travel-ready” use position. The system may function such that the consumer interface requires an end user to manually disengage an anchor system from a first generally inaccessible or concealed anchor location by way of overcoming a predefined “return to home position” spring biased resistance by rotating an anchor engage-able with an interlock interfacing an actuator handle, or thru use of a position controlling motor, etc., to disengage from that first position in order to rotate to the second position of enhanced anchor accessibility for CRS connectivity or disengagement. The system may be operated manually or semi-automatically and incorporate springs and interfacing interlocks, or may be sensor or motor/solenoid-driven. 
     In particular, the child restraint anchor system of the disclosed inventive concept includes a transportation vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat base capable of supporting a CRS, an anchor assembly including one or more anchors to which the child seat may be attached, and one or more positional control and interlock assemblies (PCIA). An anchor is movable between enhanced and reduced accessibility positions. A variety of anchor types may be provided, such as a plate-like element incorporating an aperture or a wire or rod loop formed to provide an aperture for attaching a child seat or alternative retention strap. The anchor assembly may engage a PCIA when the anchor is moved to the enhanced accessibility position from a stowed position and disengage from a PCIA when the anchor is returned to its stowed position. Alternatively, the anchor assembly may engage a PCIA while oriented in a first limited accessibility anchor placement zone compliant position and disengage the PCIA to enable rotation of the anchor assembly to a second position where the anchor assembly may re-engage the same (or engage an additional) PCIA while an anchor is oriented in a second enhanced accessibility position. The second position may also be zone compliant or may serve only as an intermediate lockable or non-lockable, transient position to facilitate child seat attachment or disconnection before returning the anchor(s) to a lockable “travel-ready” use, zone compliant position. 
     An anchor-receiving pocket may be provided to house an anchor in a concealed, or limited accessibility position. Concealing flaps may be provided to conceal anchors when in stowed or less accessible positions. 
     The anchor assembly includes at least a first PCIA engaging surface and the PCIA includes at least a first anchor assembly engaging surface. An anchor position is fix-able, or constrained from rotating in at least one direction, when the appropriate compatible PCIA and anchor assembly engaging surfaces are in contact with one another. A PCIA and an anchor assembly may each include a return spring to urge the respective assembly to a stowed/non-CRS use, alternative use, a more or less accessible anchor position, a zone compliant CRS “travel-ready” use position, etc. as appropriate. 
     Compared to a variety of signal based, motor/solenoid, gear box and drive shaft type linear anchor displacement concept systems, the disclosed inventive concept can be less complex, requiring fewer components with a minimal effect on packaging and vehicle interior spaciousness. The anchor system hardware depicted herein generally illustrates lower anchorages located near the interface between a vehicle seat cushion and seat back; the system shown being containable within the confines of a free-standing seat structure. The anchor system can alternatively be incorporated in combination with, or primarily mounted to, a vehicle structure for a variety of vehicle types. A benefit of articulating anchor system containment within a pre-existing seat structure package is maintaining the external seating package without affecting the seat profile or spacing between rows of seats, compared to solutions that may provide fore/aft linear anchor movement incorporating anchor displacement drive mechanisms that may protrude rearward from or beneath the rear of the seat, affecting external seat package size or roominess/spaciousness between seat rows. Solutions that increase external package size may affect fold flat seating packages and limit object placement when folded, whereas the disclosed inventive concept does not. Further, the disclosed anchor system can be adapted for incorporation in association with upper anchors positioned on a vehicle seatback or a structural member positioned behind or above a vehicle seat. 
     Externally mounted, linear translating anchors and other anchor displacement solutions may additionally require shielding from direct consumer or foreign object contact. Containment within a seat package, or effectively behind or under the seat foam as set forth herein, would generally not require the same package considerations, though shielding could be provided if desired. 
     The above advantages and other advantages and features will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in combination with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a portion of a vehicle seat having CRS anchors that are hidden by the vehicle seat back according to current technology; 
         FIG. 2  is the view of  FIG. 1  but showing the hand of an operator physically manipulating the vehicle seat back to access the CRS anchor according to current technology; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of portion of a vehicle seat illustrating a view of partially exposed anchors according to current technology; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of the intersection between a seat back and a seat base according to the disclosed inventive concept in which lower seat anchors are rotated to a position of concealment or storage; 
         FIG. 5  is similar to that of  FIG. 4  but shown without the seat base cushion in place to expose the position and orientation of the concealed anchors; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 4  but illustrating a lower child anchors moved to enhanced accessibility positions; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an example of a pair of anchor (loops) that are interconnected to facilitate simultaneous rotation between positions; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a PCIA or actuator/release mechanism for use with the system and method of the disclosed inventive concept illustrated in a first position, disengaged from an anchor assembly; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 8  where the PCIA or actuator/release mechanism is illustrated in an intermediate position between the first position illustrated in  FIG. 8  and the second position illustrated in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 8 , illustrating the PCIA or actuator/release mechanism in its second position, engaged with and controlling position of an anchor assembly; 
         FIG. 11  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 10 , illustrating the PCIA or actuator/release mechanism partially rotated to facilitate disengagement from the anchor assembly to permit returning each to the first position illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 11  but illustrating an alternative method of disengaging a PCIA or actuator/release mechanism from an interfacing anchor assembly prior to returning to the first positions illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a seat base and seat back that incorporates an anchor system of the disclosed inventive concept in which the anchors are covered by a portion of the seat back; 
         FIG. 14  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 13 , but illustrating the anchor covers positioned to reveal the anchors in stowed, concealed or less accessible positions; 
         FIG. 15  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 14 , but showing the anchors in their enhanced accessibility positions; 
         FIG. 16  is an end view shown in cross section of an anchor assembly and PCIA arrangement according to a first embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept in which an anchor is in a position of reduced accessibility; 
         FIG. 17  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 13 , but showing the anchor moved to a position of enhanced accessibility; 
         FIG. 18  is an end view shown in cross section of a PCIA and anchor assembly arrangement according to a second embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept in which an anchor is in a concealed or stowed position; 
         FIG. 19  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 18  but showing the anchor moved to an accessible position; 
         FIG. 20  is an end view shown in cross section of a PCIA and anchor assembly according to a third embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept in which an anchor is in a concealed or stowed position; 
         FIG. 21  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 20  but showing the anchor moved to its accessible position; 
         FIG. 22A  is an end view of a vehicle seat having a child restraint anchor in its non-use position in which the anchor is concealed within the seatback; 
         FIG. 22B  is an end view of a vehicle seat having a child restraint anchor in its non-use position in which the anchor is concealed within a package tray behind the seatback; 
         FIG. 23A  is a side view of a PCIA or actuator/release mechanism for use with the system and method of the disclosed inventive concept illustrated in a first position to prevent clockwise rotation of the anchor; 
         FIG. 23B  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 23A  where the PCIA or actuator/release mechanism is illustrated in a second position to prevent counter-clockwise rotation of the anchor; 
         FIG. 24A  is a side view of a PCIA or actuator/release mechanism for use with the system and method of the disclosed inventive concept illustrated in a first position to prevent clockwise rotation of the anchor; 
         FIG. 24B  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 24A  where the PCIA or actuator/release mechanism is illustrated in a second position to prevent counter-clockwise rotation of the anchor; 
         FIG. 25A  is a side view of a PCIA or actuator/release mechanism for use with the system and method of the disclosed inventive concept illustrated in a first position in a first operating condition; 
         FIG. 25B  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 25A  where the PCIA or actuator/release mechanism is illustrated in a second position in a second operating condition; and 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a positional control and interlock and anchor assembly arrangement  400  where an actuator  410  (such as a motor) is provided to facilitate rotation of one or more child restraint anchor assemblies between operational positions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following figures, the same reference numerals will often be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for different constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting. 
       FIGS. 1, 2 and 3  illustrate an example of a known vehicle seat technology incorporating child restraint anchors concealed between a vehicle seat cushion and seat back. The illustrated seat package, generally illustrated as  10 , is typical of known arrangements. The seat  10  includes a seat back  12  and a seat base  14 . The seat back  12  and the seat base  14  may be joined by hinges  16  and  16 ′ or may be jointly or individually affixed to the vehicle by other known methods. 
     Typical of a variety of known seat packages  10 , a child restraint anchor  18  is purposely hidden from view in  FIG. 1 . Access to an anchor  18  is accomplished by physically displacing of a portion of the seat back  12 , seat base  14 , or both, to reveal and permit accessibility to an anchor  18  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this figure, an arrow illustrates a portion of the seat back having been displaced to reveal the anchor  18 . This is inconvenient for an end user. Known designs often present a challenge to connect and engage an interfacing CRS attachment clip (shown in later figures) to a concealed or recessed anchor  18 . It can be an even greater challenge to disconnect and remove a child seat attachment clip from engagement with an anchor  18  as displacement of portions of seat back  12  or seat base  14  may be required to permit finger access to disengage a CRS attachment clip, made still more difficult by the presence of CRS tightened to the vehicle seat through connection with anchor  18 . In  FIG. 3 , a pair of almost completely hidden child restraint anchors  18  and  18 ′ are illustrated. In this example, a child seat installer must rely on a pair of “LATCH” symbols  20  and  20 ′ attached to the lower portion of the front of the seat back  12  to identify the presence and location of anchors  18  and  18 ′. 
     The disclosed inventive concept provides a general solution to the problem encountered by users of a variety of today&#39;s vehicle anchor installations when trying to attach a CRS to child restraint anchors. The general solution consisting of rotating one or more anchors from a first to a second position is presented herein, depicted in  FIGS. 4 through 6  illustrating and example of a rotatable lower anchor system arrangement incorporating a simple actuator and/or release handle associated with paired, interconnected rotatable anchor arrangements. A second interconnected anchor arrangement is shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIGS. 8 through 12  illustrate a positional control and interlock assembly (PCIA) and child restraint anchor arrangement incorporating a simple operator interface handle.  FIGS. 13 through 15  illustrate a simple proposed approach to concealing the pivotal child restraint anchors in the vehicle seat in one operating condition.  FIGS. 16 and 17, 18 and 19, and 20 and 21  illustrate embodiments of a first, second and third approach, respectively, to employing a PCIA and child restraint anchor arrangement of the disclosed inventive concept, where the PCIA again interfaces a simple handle.  FIGS. 22A and 22B  provide a couple basic examples of alternate use conditions for a child restraint anchor in a CRS non-use position.  FIGS. 23A, 23B, 24A, 24B, 25A and 25B  illustrate different positional control and interlock to anchor assembly interfacing surface geometries permitting an anchor assembly to be constrained in multiple positions.  FIG. 26  illustrates a PCIA and anchor assembly arrangement incorporating an actuator like a motor operatively associated with positioning one or more anchors. 
       FIGS. 4 through 6  illustrate a rotatable lower anchor system arrangement incorporated into, or interfacing, the structure of a vehicle seat generally illustrated as  30  in  FIGS. 4 through 6 . The aforementioned rotatable lower anchor system in these figures is located at the interface between an included seat base  34  and seat back  32 . With respect to the seat back  32  or the seat base  34 , a small cavity or depression (not shown) could be styled into the seat foam and seat trim cover to further improve clip-ability of a CRS attachment hook to an anchor in a given position, if desired. 
     A variety of paired, interconnected rotatable anchor arrangement assemblies may be provided, the first of which, interconnected anchor assembly  36 , is shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is shown with the foam and trim of seat base  34  removed to reveal a rotatable shaft or cross member  40  to which anchors (shown as anchor loops)  42  and  42 ′ and a simple handle or positional control actuator  48  are attached, or from which anchors  42  and  42 ′ and handle or positional control actuator  48  extend. The shaft or cross member  40  is shown rotatably mounted to the seat structure, minimally connected with seat  30  by way of interfacing an aperture or cavity disposed on each of a first and a second side member  44  and  46 , respectively, of seat  30  or brackets attached thereto. 
     A second variation of an interconnected rotatable anchor assembly  38  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Regardless of the variation, the paired anchors of such an assembly, or one or more individual anchors if so configured, are rotatable between a position of enhanced CRS accessibility and an alternative position. Further, for any individual or interconnected anchors, the alternative position may represent a less accessible, a stowed, an alternate-use or a disengaged/CRS non-use position. In the event that an acceptable anchorage placement zone is provided and required for a given vehicle type in a given market, the alternative position may be the only zone-compliant anchor position, in which case this position may be lockable. The enhanced access position may be lockable. Provision of a lockable enhanced access position may be dependent on compliance with acceptable anchor placement zone requirements for “travel-ready” use, if applicable. Alternatively, the enhanced anchor access position may be configured to be accessible only while a positional control interlock (which may be connected to a handle  48 ) is disengaged or one or more anchor (loops) are manually held in a position that provides enhanced anchor accessibility, whereupon the anchors return to lock in a reduced accessibility, or zone compliant position (as applicable) after attaching a CRS to anchors  42  and  42 ′ and returning handle  48  to the position shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The hidden anchor assembly  36  of  FIG. 4  is oriented such that anchors  42  and  42 ′ are shown rotated generally “upward” in a concealed position.  FIG. 5  depicts seat  30  with the foam and trim of seat base  34  removed to reveal the same anchor assembly orientation as described in reference to  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 6 , the anchor assembly  36  (shown more completely in  FIG. 5 ) is shown having been rotated “downward,” thereby revealing and making accessible the pair anchors  42  and  42 ′. 
     A second variation of an anchor assembly  38 , illustrated in  FIG. 7 , includes a pair of interconnected anchors (again shown in loop form)  50  and  50 ′ attached by connector  52  that is offset from the rotational axis of anchors  50  and  50 ′. Loops  50  and  50 ′ are rotatably mounted to pairs of interfacing anchor receiving elements  54  and  54 ′, and  56  and  56 ′, respectively. Anchor receiving elements  54 ,  54 ′,  56 ,  56 ′ are shown extending from support member  39 , where support member  39  may be represented by a structural member of a vehicle or vehicle seat. Assembly  38 , or support member  39  to which assembly  38  may be attached, may interface side members  44  and  46  of seat  30  of  FIG. 5 , or brackets attached thereto. Support member  39  may be a cross member of a vehicle seat. 
     It is to be understood that while two variations of interconnected rotatable anchor arrangement assemblies are disclosed and described herein, other configurations may be adopted without deviating from the invention as illustrated and as described. For example, a plurality of anchors may be interconnected for multiple adjacent vehicle seating positions linking multiple sets of pairs of plate-like or loop formed anchors. The positions of several anchors may be jointly controlled, where the anchors are located or mounted on, to or behind a seatback, or on or to a structure behind, above or below a seatback, such as a roof, a floor, or a vehicle package tray, etc. A single anchor may be rotatable in a similar fashion, where that anchor is located on a vehicle seatback, behind and/or above a vehicle seat and/or mounted to a portion of a vehicle structure for a free standing seat or seat having a base and/or back affixed directly to a vehicle structure. One or more anchors may be configured to rotate between a first position, such as a position of accessibility for attaching an upper child seat tether to a vehicle package tray vicinity anchor, to a second position of concealment within the interior of the vehicle compartment, where the second position provides an anchorage for attaching cargo to in the trunk of a vehicle. In addition, an actuator affecting anchor position and/or a positional control lock may be provided for manually reorienting and maintaining one or more positions of at least one anchor. Positional control and locking of an anchor or anchor assembly may further be mechanized/motorized/automated if so desired.  FIG. 5  specifically depicts the child restraint loop shaped anchors extending from a common shaft or cross member of a freestanding seat. The axis of anchor rotation is coincident with that of the simple actuator handle shown, though rotational axes could be offset from one another as depicted in later figures. 
     The shaft from which the anchors are shown extending in  FIG. 5  may be independent from the rear seat cross member that is affixed to right and left seat side members or seat recliner mechanisms, or it may alternatively serve as a pivotal rear cross member and carrier for the child restraint anchors. Thus a shaft or cross member carrying an individual anchor or multiple interconnected child anchors may interface side members of a free standing seat, or may be affixed to a vehicle structure in association with seats of different types, or in association with one or more anchors in an alternative location such as below, behind and/or above a seatback. In addition, the child restraint anchors could be attached to independent pivot joints extending from a seat frame or vehicle structure and further engage one another for the sole purpose of rotation where the connecting member itself, facilitating connective rotation, is not structural. Lastly, multiple pairs of anchors may be interconnected in association with, or extend from, a common rotatable shaft-like member, the position of all anchors simultaneously controlled as previously described in association with an individual or single pair of anchors. 
     As noted above,  FIGS. 8 through 12  illustrate a child restraint anchor assembly and positional control and interlock assembly (PCIA) arrangement, generally illustrated as  60 . Referring to these figures, arrangement  60  includes an anchor assembly  62 , a positional control and interlock assembly (PCIA)  71  and an interfacing handle  64 , illustrated from an end view. 
     Anchor assembly  62  includes at least one child restraint anchor, for example a formed loop or plate-like anchor incorporating an aperture for attaching to. A first child restraint anchor  66  is illustrated. Anchor assembly  62  includes a pivot  68  and a spring  70  affecting anchor position, relative to pivot  68 . Spring  70  urges the anchor assembly  62  to a first unlocked position, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     PCIA  71  is mountable to a load carrying structural member of a vehicle seat, floor, roof, etc. as applicable. An anchor positioning positional control and interlock member (PCIM)  79  constrains the rotational orientation of an anchor assembly  62  in at least one direction in at least one operational anchor position. Positional control and interlock member  79  interfaces or includes an adjustment element or portion  77  that is moveable relative to a positional control axis  72 , about which a spring  73  is situated. A handle  64  is shown interfacing adjustment element  77 . Spring  73  is shown rotationally urging a positional control and interlock member  79 , associated with handle  64 , to a position of rotational disengagement between interlock member  79  and anchor assembly  62 , shown in  FIG. 8 . For an example of a lower anchorage installation at the interface between a vehicle seat cushion and seatback, the configuration of  FIG. 8  may represent a stowed, or a less accessible anchor position for CRS connection or removal as shown. For the same application, the above mentioned configuration, if rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, could instead represent an enhanced anchor access position, where an alternative interlocked position is represents a stowed or less CRS interface anchor accessible position. 
     Pivot  68  and adjustment element or portion  77  may be represented by a shaft, or an aperture pivotal about a shaft. In reference to  FIGS. 8-12 , adjustment portion or element  77  of PCIA  71  may additionally (or alternatively) translate along the positional control axis  72  associated with PCIA  71  to facilitate linear movement in conjunction with, or instead of, rotational displacement of PCIM  79  in order to permit engagement with and disengagement from anchor assembly  62 . Further, one or more springs  73  may bias adjustment element or portion  77  and PCIM  79  axially along positional control axis  72  towards the plane of potential engagement between positional control and interlock member  79  and anchor assembly  62 . Spring  73  may bias PCIM  79  both rotationally and linearly. As such, handle  64  may be used to slide and/or rotate PCIA  71  into and out of engagement with anchor assembly  72 , against the force of one or more springs  73 . 
     The anchor assembly  62  includes a primary anchor positional control interfacing surface  74  and a secondary positional control interfacing surface  76 . Positional control interlock member  79  includes a primary positional control member interface surface  78  and a secondary interface surface  80   
     When in an unlocked position as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , spring  70  urges anchor assembly  62  to a position in which no engagement with PCIM  79  occurs. Child restraint anchor  66  is shown in an intermediate position in  FIG. 9 , either by manual operation such as by rotating anchor assembly  62  against the tension of spring  70  or by a driver such as a motor. In this position, the secondary positional control interfacing surface  76  of anchor assembly  62  engages the secondary interfacing surface  80  of PCIM  79 , urging pivotal movement of PCIM  79  and interfacing handle  64  against the tension of spring  73 . 
     Continued rotation of anchor assembly  62  results in sufficient displacement of anchor assembly  62  and PCIM  79  to ultimately enable the positive positional locking control of anchor assembly  62  resulting from the interface condition between the primary positional control member interface surface  78  of the PCIM  79  against the primary anchor positional control interfacing surface  74  of the anchor assembly  62 . This arrangement, shown in  FIG. 10 , retains the child restraint anchor  66  in a locked position, or a position precluding counter-clockwise rotation of the anchor back towards the anchor position of  FIG. 8 . In the case of  FIG. 10 , this locked position may represent a position of enhanced anchor accessibility for a given anchor mounting location or vehicle application and stowed, or alternative use location in a different anchor mounting location or vehicle application. Again, the orientation of the anchor assembly and PCIA relative to the page may be altered from that depicted in  FIGS. 8 through 10 . For example, if  FIGS. 8 through 10  were rotated clockwise 90 degrees, the anchor position of  FIG. 8  could represent a more horizontal position that may be found on an automobile vehicle package tray for child seat top tether anchoring while the revised position of  FIG. 10  could represent anchor rotation into a concealed CRS access position, revealing the anchor in a secondary, alternate use location within a vehicle trunk compartment as a luggage retention anchorage. Furthermore, anchor assembly  62 , PCIM  79  and associated elements, components and contact surfaces described above may be revised to additionally, or alternatively, provide locking capability for anchor assembly  62  with respect to PCIM  79  in the aforementioned “first” anchor position shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     To release anchor assembly  62  of the basic child restraint anchor and positional control and interlock assembly arrangement  60  to enable anchor assembly  62  to return to the first position, the handle  64  may be lifted to rotate PCIM  79  such that the anchor assembly  62  is released from a locked position relative to PCIM  79  as shown in  FIG. 11 . Displacement of the anchor assembly  62  in a clockwise direction shown by the solid arrow allows PCIM  79  to pass thereby and to permit anchor assembly  62  return to a position of disengagement from PCIM  79 . While not illustrated, for a configuration incorporating a spring  73  capable of biasing PCIM  79  axially towards a plane of engagement with anchor assembly  62 , handle  64  may either additionally, or alternatively, be used to translate PCIM  79  along positional control axis  72  to disengage PCIM  79  from contact with anchor assembly  62 . Accordingly, handle  74  and PCIM  79  need not be rotatable as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 through 12  to provide the intended function of engaging and releasing PCIM from contact with anchor assembly  62 . 
     An alternative approach to releasing anchor assembly  62  is illustrated in  FIG. 12 , in which PCIM  79  is released from the fixed position that constrains anchor rotation and handle  64  is rotated downward as shown, resulting in the release of the anchor assembly  62  from a rotationally constrained position of engagement with PCIM  79 . Anchor assembly  62  is thereby permitted to return to the aforementioned first position shown in  FIG. 8 , after which the PCIM  79  may also return to a position of disengagement from anchor assembly  62 , providing the first position for anchor assembly  62  is not additionally or alternatively lockable as shown in subsequent figures. 
     While the disclosed inventive concept overcomes a variety of challenges associated with the use of concealed or somewhat inaccessible vehicle child restraint anchors by providing simple and practical enhanced accessibility for CRS attachment to vehicle anchors, the disclosed inventive concept also provides a convenient and practical method of concealing the child restraint anchors when not in use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle seat, generally illustrated as  90 , is shown. The vehicle seat  90  incorporates the CRS anchoring system discussed above and illustrated herein. The vehicle seat  90  includes a seat back  92  and a seat base  94 . 
     Concealing flaps  96  and  96 ′ are flexibly attached to the seat back  92 . Alternatively, the concealing flaps  96  and  96 ′ could be attached to the seat base  94 . The concealing flaps  96  and  96 ′ may be held in place by such detachable means as hook and fasteners (i.e., Velcro®) or alternative mechanical fasteners, such as snaps, clips (none shown). 
     When the child restraint anchors are not in use for child seat attachment, flaps  96  and  96 ′ are in their concealing position as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . However, when it is desirable to expose the child restraint anchors, the concealing flaps  96  and  96 ′ are moved to exposing positions as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Thus moved, a pair of child restraint anchor  42  and  42 ′ are partially visible and can be moved to their enhanced accessibility positions illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
     Having described and illustrated a positional control interlock incorporating an example of a manual user actuator or release lever/handle control, a child restraint anchor and a concealing arrangement, various embodiments of a positional control interlock assembly (interfacing a simple handle) and a child restraint anchor arrangement are illustrated in paired  FIGS. 16 and 17, 18 and 19, and 20 and 21 , in which three embodiments of the disclosed inventive concept are illustrated, respectively, in association with a vehicle seat. 
     For  FIGS. 16 through 21 , a vehicle seat, generally illustrated as  100 , includes a seat back  102  and a seat base  104 . Anchor assemblies  106  and  126  include child restraint anchor  108  and  128 , respectively, and a spring  110 . Spring  110  urges an anchor  108  or  128  to a given position, such a position for enhanced CRS engagement, non-use, alternative usage or concealment, providing increased or reduced anchor accessibility, which may serve as a non-CRS usage, a stowed position, or a CRS use anchor placement zone compliant or non-compliant position (where applicable for a given region or market).  FIGS. 16, 18 and 20 , illustrate a spring urging an anchor to a less accessible position, relative to the seat shown. 
     A positional control and interlock assembly (PCIA)  112  is shown incorporating at least one spring  116 , PCIA  112  further shown interfacing a handle  114 . PCIA  112  and handle  114  are each shown in a first position relative to a vehicle seat  100  in  FIGS. 16, 18 and 20 . Spring  116  may urge PCIA  112  to rotate in a given planar direction (for example parallel to the plane of the page containing  FIGS. 16 through 21 ), transverse to an axis of rotation  120  of PCIA  112 . Spring  116  may additionally, or alternatively, urge the PCIA  112  in a transverse direction along axis  120 , where the PCIA is urged towards the rotational plane of engagement between an anchor assembly and PCIA  112 . Handle  114  interfacing PCIA  112  may be manipulated to rotate PCIA  112  into and out of contact with anchor assemblies  106  and  126 , within the plane of engagement between the PCIA and anchor assembly and/or in and out of the plane of engagement with an anchor assembly, as determined by the design configuration. Further, PCIA  112  may be constrained to rotate about a pin-like axis  120  in a single fixed plane of rotation or PCIA  112  may be slide-able along axis  120  if so desired, when displaced against a force applied by spring  116  by a user. PCIA  112  may rotate about a threaded axis  120  allowing PCIA  112  to be moveable into and out of contact with an anchor assembly (rotationally and/or in and out of a plane of engagement). 
     For  FIGS. 18 through 21 , a deep pocket  132  or a shallow pocket  132 ′ is formed in seat back  102 , within which an anchor assembly  126  (including anchor  128 ) is substantially housed and concealed in one position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 20 . Pockets  132  and  132 ′ allow an anchor  128  to be positioned at various concealed (or reduced accessibility) depths within a seat back  102 , for example. Such a position may be provided to improve comfort or appearance. A similar pocket may be provided on a vehicle rearward facing portion of a seatback, a package tray, in a vehicle roof, etc. for anchor locations (such as CRS top tether anchor locations) other than shown relative to the interface between a vehicle seat cushion and back in  FIGS. 16 through 21 . A simple access strap (not shown) could extend from a side leg of an anchor  108  of  FIGS. 16 and 17 , or anchor  128  of  FIGS. 18 through 21  to enhance access to an anchor to manually rotate the anchor to a position of enhanced accessibility. Alternatively, rotation of an anchor assembly  106  of  FIGS. 16 and 17  or anchor assembly  126  could be linked to an independent actuator or controlled by incorporating additional interfacing elements or surfaces on either or both of the anchor assembly and positional control interlock assembly as shown in later figures. 
     A pocket  132  or  132 ′ may be covered when an anchor  128  is recessed within the pocket by including concealing flaps such the concealing flaps  96  and  96 ′ illustrated in  FIGS. 13 through 15  and discussed in conjunction therewith. 
     The positional control and interlock assembly (PCIA)  112  shown interfacing handle  114  is also shown disengaged from anchor assembly  126  in  FIGS. 18 and 20 . 
     A vehicle mounted CRS anchor  108  or  128  is moveable (manually or automatically) to a more readily engageable position shown in  FIGS. 17, 19 and 21  to enhance accessibility for attaching or disengaging an anchor clasp  118  extending from a child seat. In this position, anchor assembly  106  or  126  has engaged PCIA  112  such that anchor  108  or  128  is constrained as illustrated. The anchor is precluded from rotating back to a position of reduced accessibility without user interaction to intentionally disengage anchor assembly  106  or  126  from constraining interaction with PCIA  112 . A handle  114  interfacing PCIA  112  may be manipulated to (as previously described) to facilitate releasing and allowing anchor  108  or  128  to return to the position shown in  FIGS. 16, 18 and 20 . While not shown in  FIGS. 16 through 21 , it can be understood that the PCIA and anchor assembly arrangement can be adapted to permit locking of an anchor assembly in a first position, such as shown in  FIGS. 16, 18 and 20 , where such a position may be zone-compliant and the anchor positions shown in  FIGS. 17, 19 and 21  are provided to temporarily enhance accessibility for attachment and disengagement of a CRS. Under these circumstances, the anchor assemblies of  FIGS. 17, 19 and 21  may be held in position by overcoming a spring force  110  alone, whether or not constrainable in such a position through engagement with PCIA  112  that may be attached to a manual user operable control handle  112  or an independent actuator/release mechanism. 
       FIGS. 22A and 22B  illustrate examples of alternative-use CRS anchor positions achievable by facilitating rotation of one or more upper or lower anchors between two or more positions, wherein at least one of a plurality of available CRS anchor positions enables provision of secondary anchor functionality, such as luggage retention, etc. More particularly,  FIGS. 22A and 22B  show vehicle seats  100 , where a CRS anchor is rotatable between a position of enhanced CRS anchor  148  accessibility and at least a second position illustrated by an altered position of an anchor  148 ′. The position of anchor  148 ′ may be one of concealment relative to CRS anchor engagement, such as within or extending from a pocket  132  or  152  of seatback  102  (as shown in  FIG. 22A ) or package tray  160  (as shown in  FIG. 22B ), behind seatback  102 , respectively, or within the trunk space of a vehicle, beneath a package tray  160  located behind a vehicle seat  100 . Either or both positions may be spring biased to a given position and/or fixable and constrained by engagement with a positional control interlock member or assembly in one or more positions (shown in other figures). Concealment flaps or covers  96 ,  96 ′, or  97  may also be provided. 
       FIGS. 23A, 23B, 24A, 24B, 25A and 25B  illustrate various embodiments of a portion of an anchor assembly and a portion of a positional control and interlock assembly (PCIA) arrangement incorporating simple examples of PCIA-to-anchor assembly interfacing surface conditions permitting an anchor assembly to be constrained in multiple discrete “endpoint” positions or to be constrained over a more continuous range of positions. 
     In each of  FIGS. 23A, 23B, 24A, 24B, 25A and 25B , a portion of an anchor assembly  200  is shown incorporating an anchor  206 , first and second anchor positional control interfacing surfaces  212  and  214  and an anchor pivotal axis  216 . A portion of positional control and interlock assembly  300  incorporates a positional control interlock member (PCIM)  318 , positional control interlock member interface surfaces  312  and  314  and positional control interlock member positional adjustment axis  316 . While shown as offset from one another, positional adjustment axis  316  and pivotal axis  216  may be co-linear and geometries, positions, orientations of interfacing surfaces  212  and  214  of anchor assembly  200  and surfaces  312  and  314  of positional control interlock member  318  adjusted to provide constraining engagement between one or more locations on assembly  200  and one or more member(s)  318  of PCIA  300 , accordingly. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 23A and 24A , engagement between interfacing surfaces  212  and  312  of anchor assembly  200  and PCIA  300  prevent clockwise rotation of anchor assembly  200  in a first engaged operating condition, upon fixing the position of PCIM  318 . Interfacing surfaces  214  and  314  are also shown engaged to prevent counter-clockwise rotation of anchor assembly  200  in a second PCIA-to-anchor assembly operating condition as illustrated in  FIGS. 23B and 24B . 
     Springs and manual actuator levers or handles or other forms of actuation are not shown. The springs shown and described in reference to other included figures can urge a positional control interlock member or an anchor assembly to rotate or translate in a preferred direction, as previously indicated. A push/pull or rotational lever type actuator may engage a positional control and interlock assembly and spring force in one or more directions and may bias the positional control and interlock assembly to a position or plane of engagement with the anchor assembly. While not shown, such a spring may be oriented such that the direction of force into or out of the page in  FIGS. 23A, 23B, 24A, 24B, 25A and 25B  may be aligned with the pivotal axis of one or more anchors and/or the positional adjustment axis of one or more positional control and interlock members, as previously described. Overcoming this spring force by manipulating the PCIA connected to a simple actuator can facilitate disengagement of the PCIA from connection with the anchor assembly in order to rotate the anchor assembly to an alternate position of engagement with an interfacing positional control interlocking member surface. 
     A PCIA or anchor assembly may further include paired interfacing surfaces  212  and  312 , and  214  and  314 , each pair of interfacing surfaces offset from one another relative to a given planar direction. For example, surfaces  312  and  212  may engage one another in a given Y-plane in a vehicle (vertically fore/aft sliced plane) while interfacing surfaces  214  and  314  may engage one another in a second, parallel Y-plane. Further positional constraint of anchor assembly  200  may be achieved through interaction with a plurality of positional control interlocking member associated with one or more PCIA&#39;s. 
     While member  318  of PCIA  300  is shown residing in a single position associated with multiple positions of anchor assembly  200 , the PCIA member  318  may be rotated from a first to a second position to engage and constrain the position of an anchor assembly  200 , wherein the geometry of one or more of elements  318  and interfacing contact surface of anchor assembly  200  are altered to provide a different interfacing configuration. 
       FIGS. 25A and 25B  show an alternative method of engagement between a positional control and interlock member  318  and anchor assembly  200  wherein a gear-like interface is provided such that the position of anchor assembly is controlled more continuously over a range of motion. Such an interface may be provided in association with an anchor assembly and PCIA arrangement including a manual user interface such as a handle, where one or both of the anchor assembly  200  or PCIA assembly  300  incorporate at least one spring to bias rotation of one or both assemblies to a preferred orientation. Alternatively this arrangement may also represent an interface condition associated with a motor driven controller provided to facilitate rotation of one or more anchors in one or more directions. As illustrated in  FIG. 25A , surfaces  212  and  312  are shown engage-able, constraining anchor assembly  206  in a first position in one operating condition. As illustrated in  FIG. 25B , surfaces  214  and  314  are shown engage-able, constraining anchor assembly  206  in a second position in a second operating condition. Interfacing surface combinations  212 / 312  and  214 / 314  may include contact identified by the solid and/or dotted lines of  FIGS. 25A and 25B . 
       FIG. 26  illustrates a positional control and interlock and anchor assembly arrangement  400  where an actuator  410  (such as a motor) is provided to facilitate rotation of one or more child restraint anchor assemblies  402  and/or  402 ′ (for example), or multiple pairs of anchor assemblies, between operational positions. A controller  414  is provided. Positional control and interlock assembly  406  interfaces anchor assembly  402  in a manner such as described in reference to prior figures. A shaft or cross member  408  may be optionally be provided to connect an anchor  402  with anchor  402 ′ and provide a common rotational axis. An interconnect  416  may be provided if the positions of two or more anchors are to be controlled simultaneously. A second positional control and interlock assembly  406 ′ may be provided in a configuration where anchors  402  and  402 ′ are to be controlled together but may not be interconnected by an element such as interconnect  416  or shaft  408 . A shaft  408  may be provided to interface a single anchor  402  and a second shaft  408  may be provided to interface anchor  402 ′ or shaft  408  may extend between a plurality of anchors, such as anchor  402  and  402 ′. 
     The system for revealing a child restraint anchor according to various embodiments of the disclosed inventive concept may be employed in association with any vehicle seat, structure (the floor, the package tray, the roof, and so forth) mounted child restraint anchor. While specific locations of the CRS anchor have been illustrated in the figures and described in relation thereto, it is to be understood that the CRS anchors may be provided in locations other than those shown and described. The illustrated and described system of revealing a CRS anchor according to the disclosed inventive concept would find application regardless of the location of the CRS anchors. 
     Further, the generally upright or first positions shown in many figures herein may simply represent a less visible, stowed, concealed, non-CRS use or alterative use anchor orientation. Either or both of the generally depicted upright or more horizontal/reclined anchor positions may reside within a compliant anchor placement zone, for a given market, vehicle type or region where an acceptable anchor zone may be required. While these figures generally depict a lockable reclined anchor position for interfacing a CRS attachment clip, the anchor system may interface a positional control and interlock system where interlocking positional control of an anchor is permitted by locking the position of one or more anchors in either or both of the reference first (or upright) and second (or reclined) anchor positions shown, whether or not a handle is included. For example, the more upright anchor position depicted in many figures (associated with a seatback/seat base interface anchor location) may be less accessible but reside in an acceptable anchor placement zone. In such cases the reclined enhanced access position may represent an interim enhanced accessibility position provided to facilitate improved and perhaps more likely correct CRS attachment, the anchor thereafter retractable by a spring force or an actuator such as a manual handle or motor/solenoid driven means back to a less visible, zone compliant location. This retraction to the less accessible position may correspondingly orient the attached CRS anchor clip and child restraint anchor within a compliant zone while increasing tension and the robustness of the CRS attachment and may further improve finger accessibility for disengagement of various CRS interface clip types. An actuator or release handle could be used to rotate one or more anchors from an upright position into an access position where the handle may be required to be held in position against a return spring tension to provide enhanced accessibility position. Upon releasing the handle the anchor would return to the upright position and securely lock the affected anchor(s) into a preferred “travel-ready” position. 
     One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.