Abstract:
A child seat, in particular for a motor vehicle, has a seat-surface structure, which extends generally in a longitudinal direction and defines the seat surface, and a backrest. One part of the seat-surface structure can be adjusted and secured in the longitudinal direction relative to those remaining parts of the seat-surface structure which define the seat surface. A substructure that carries the seat-surface structure is operative so that the inclination of the seat-surface structure can be adjusted relative to the substructure. A belt-retaining device is carried by the backrest and operative in one operating mode to clamp the seatbelt, in response to the seatbelt traveling in a first pulling direction, and to release the seatbelt, in response to the seatbelt traveling in a second pulling direction. In another operating mode, the belt-retaining device loosely surrounds the seatbelt.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a child seat, in particular a child seat for a motor vehicle. 
     A multiplicity of children&#39;s seats are known. The most frequent are so-called bucket seats whose components, which comprise the seat part, backrest and head restraint, are assembled from half shells. Adapting the size to a growing child is allowed to some extent in that the distances of the shell parts from one another can be changed. However, the shell parts themselves are generally, as plastic parts, of rigid design and therefore only permit slight adaptation to the growing child. In the long term the seats are not comfortable and do not satisfy the orthopedic requirements. The child is held either by the child seat&#39;s own belt or by a seat belt of the vehicle seat on which the child seat has been placed. Although the second variant better transfers those forces which act upon the child into the vehicle in the event of a crash, smaller children, in particular, can only inadequately be held in the child seat in the event of slow movements because of the flexibility of the seat belt. 
     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved child seat. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the provision of a child seat having a seat-surface structure connected to a back rest, wherein the seat-surface structure defines a seat surface having a length extending in a longitudinal direction. An adjustable portion of the seat-surface structure can be moved in substantially the longitudinal direction and secured relative to a second portion of the seat-surface structure that at least partially defines the seat surface. 
     The seat surface can be lengthened (or shortened) by virtue of the fact that one part of the seat-surface structure can be adjusted and secured in the longitudinal direction relative to those remaining parts of the seat-surface structure which define the seat surface. This enables adaptation to the continuing growth of the child, in particular from nine months to twelve years. The child is then able to hang his legs down comfortably over the end of the seat surface, while being securely supported, or place them on the seat surface, depending on the length of his legs. The adaptation can most simply be carried out on the child seat when it is not installed and can occasionally be changed depending on the growth rate of the child. In a preferred, simple design of an adjustable seat surface of this type, the adjustable part of the seat-surface structure is designed as a hoop which, guided by guide bushes, can be moved within a region of displacement, the guide bushes preferably being fastened to lateral parts of the child seat. 
     It is advantageous if a securing device is provided in the region of the seat surface, which securing device releasably secures the adjustable part of the seat-surface structure relative to the remaining parts thereof. A preferred, simple and, at the same time, stable structure results if the securing device releasably connects the hoop to at least one crosspiece running between two side parts of the seat-surface structure. The securing device can be attached at its front end by a socket to the hoop. With a plurality of ribs in its rear region for attaching it to the crosspiece, the securing device provides the option of securely holding the hoop, at different distances from the crosspiece. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the securing device can be pivoted about the hoop, with the socket as a bearing, so as to release the securing device. So that the securing device does not inadvertently become detached from the hoop or become wedged elsewhere, the pivoting region of the securing device is preferably restricted by means provided on the seat-surface structure and/or by means provided on the securing device. One such means can form the mat which is fixed in the seat-surface structure for the purpose of supporting the padding. 
     The securing device is advantageously designed at the same time as a ramp which rises from the rear to the front so that the child does not dive under the seat-belt in the event of the vehicle decelerating sharply. 
     An increase in seat comfort results from the inclination of the seat-surface structure being adjustable relative to the substructure. An adjustment of the inclination in a space-saving manner is possible if during the adjustment of the inclination the seat-surface structure is pivoted about a spatial shifting axis of rotation. This can be realized, for example, by the seat-surface structure having bearing bolts which are guided in slotted guides of the substructure. Alternatively, other guide parts could also be guided in corresponding slotted guide links. 
     In principle, numerous adjustments of the inclination are possible. However, for a simple and nevertheless comfortable design of the child seat it is sufficient for the seat-surface structure to be able to be secured in an essentially upright sitting position and an inclined sleeping position. In the case of the preferred design with bearing bolts it is possible, for example, for the securing to take place at least partially by the bearing bolts engaging into latching recesses of the slotted guides. In addition, a further securing in the sleeping and/or sitting position can take place by means of at least one pivotable latch which locks a bearing bolt in place. The preference for the upright sitting position because of the inherent weight of the child seat is possible if during the transfer from the sitting position into the sleeping position, the bearing bolts are moved obliquely upward into at least partially rising regions of the slotted guides, and the seat-surface structure is also raised as a result. 
     In order to obtain better sliding properties and to reduce the wear, the bearing bolts can be guided in separately formed sliding guides which function as the slotted guide, wherein the sliding guides are inserted into cutouts in the side walls of the substructure. The sliding guides are preferably made of a harder material than the side walls. 
     As a result of the fact that the backrest has a belt-retaining device which, in at least one operating mode, clamps a seatbelt in one pulling direction and releases it in the other pulling direction, the seatbelt can be fastened easily and securely on the child seat and can be removed again. With appropriate accessibility to the belt-retaining device it is also possible for the seatbelt to be introduced into the belt-retaining device without having to actuate the latter by hand. 
     The belt-retaining device advantageously has at least one pivotable, eccentrically mounted belt retainer with which the required asymmetry in both possible pulling directions is achieved. When the seatbelt bears against the belt retainer, it preferably carries along the latter in the event of being pulled. This is assisted if the belt retainer has increased friction at least over part of its outer surface. To improve the putting-on of the seatbelt, the belt retainer preferably has a rounded portion on its free end. Clamping is more simple if the belt retainer is spring-loaded in a pivoting direction and is pretensioned relative to a part of the belt-retaining device. In order to be able to fasten the child seat on the left or right on any vehicle seat, the belt-retaining device preferably has a respective belt retainer on the left and on the right side of the child seat. 
     In a second operating mode, which is preferably used for older children, the belt-retaining device loosely surrounds the seatbelt. This is advantageously achieved by the belt-retaining device having a pivotable projection which, when it bears against a part of the belt-retaining device, forms an annularly closed opening for the seatbelt. This projection may, for example, be provided on the free end of the belt retainer. 
     If the belt-retaining device has, as a supporting part, a hoop which is arranged on the backrest, this results in simple and cost-efficient production. 
     As an option for adapting the child seat to the growing child and to increase the safety and comfort, the child seat according to the invention can have a seat surface which can be changed in length, a changeable inclination and also a belt retainer. However, it can also be fitted with only one of these options or with any desired combination of two options. 
     A further option for adapting the child seat to the growing child results if lateral supports which can be adjusted and secured in height and/or width, i.e. in the distance from the seat surface or with respect to each other, are provided on the backrest. Lateral supports of this type not only retain the child in the event of a lateral impact but also while the child is sleeping. If a hoop is provided for the belt-retaining device, said hoop is preferably fastened to the supporting means of the lateral supports, i.e. in the event of there being an option for height adjustment it can likewise be simultaneously displaced in height. 
     For easy transport of a child seat which is not in use, for example in the trunk of the motor vehicle, it is advantageous if the backrest can be folded forward relative to the seat-surface structure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is explained in more detail with reference to three exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, in which 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first child seat according to the invention without the padding and covering, 
     FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of various components of a seat-surface structure of this first child seat, 
     FIG. 3 shows a section through a ramp according to the line III—III in FIG. 2, 
     FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second child seat according to the invention without padding and a covering, 
     FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of various components of a substructure of this second child seat, 
     FIG. 6 shows a side view of the left side wall of the substructure of this second child seat without a surround piece that cover the side wall, 
     FIG. 7 shows a side view of the left side part of the seat-surface structure of this second child seat, 
     FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a third child seat according to the invention without padding and a covering, 
     FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a hoop of the belt-retaining device of this third child seat, 
     FIG. 10 shows a partially cut-away view of a belt retainer of this third child seat with caps, springs and hoop, 
     FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the belt retainer in the direction of the arrow IV in FIG. 10, 
     FIG. 12 shows a section through the belt retainer along the line V—V in FIG. 11, 
     FIG. 13 shows a plan view of the lower cap in the direction of the arrow VI in FIG.  10 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     When installed a child seat is fastened on a motor-vehicle rear-seat bench. All of the following directional data are derived from the direction of travel of the motor vehicle in which the child seat is installed, and its normal alignment. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, the child seat has a substructure  1  with which the child seat is supported on the seat surface of the rear-seat bench. A seat-surface structure  3  is arranged on the substructure  1 . The supporting means of a backrest  5  is arranged on the seat-surface structure  3  but could also be arranged on the substructure  1 . To the left and right of the seat-surface structure  3  are arranged armrests  7  which are preferably connected to the seat-surface structure  3 . The upper side of the seat-surface structure  3 , the front side of the backrest  5  and the upper and inner sides of the armrests  7  are padded, which is not illustrated in the drawing. The above-mentioned parts are also covered by material coverings which are likewise not illustrated. 
     The seat-surface structure  3  has a respective side part  8  on the left and right, which side part is preferably produced as a metallic punched and bent part. The two side parts  8  are of mirror-inverted design and are connected to one another via two crosspieces  10  to form a seat frame. The two crosspieces  10  are preferably designed as cylindrical tubes and are attached, preferably screwed or welded, in the lower region of the side parts  8 . To facilitate the attachment, the lower edge of the side part  8  is bent inward and then upward and is provided with two notches in which the crosspieces  10  are placed during assembly. That upper region of each side part  8  which is pulled forward and is partially bent outward simultaneously forms the support of the armrest  7 . On the outside each side part  8  is provided in the lower region with a tube  9  which is bent in a U shape, points downward and around which the covering of the armrest  7  is fixed downward. 
     The side part  8  is provided somewhat below its center with an inwardly pointing shoulder which runs in the longitudinal direction. The shoulder is formed in this case by two parts  8 ′ of the side part  8 , which parts first run downward, then run inward at a right angle and then again run downward at a right angle, and is also formed, in a sectionally alternating manner with the latter, by two further parts  8 ″ of the side part  8  which first run inward at a right angle and then run downward at a right angle. The parts  8 ′ and  8 ″, which are bent out in different ways, enclose in this case a channel which has a virtually square cross-section and is open to different sides. 
     This channel has inserted into it a guide bush  11  which is preferably made of plastic, is open to the front and rear and around its front opening has a bead which serves as a stop for the front part  8 ′ of the side part  8  when the guide bush  11  is inserted into the channel. On the lower side the guide bush  11  furthermore has a projection by which it engages, after the insertion, behind the rear part  8 ′ of the side part  8  and is thus secured against displacement. A hoop  13 , which is bent in a U shape and is made from a tube, preferably an aluminum tube, is introduced by a respective leg from the front into a guide bush  11 , those ends of the legs which project behind the guide bushes  11  being prevented from again being pulled forward by the guide bushes  11  by the insertion of a respective stopper with latching projections. 
     A ramp  15 , which is preferably made of plastic and rises slightly from the rear to the front, is designed such that it is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction. On the upper side, approximately in the center, the ramp has a hump which later comes to lie between the legs of the child. At the front end, the ramp  15  is provided with a gripping portion  17  which is bent downward and runs in the transverse direction. The rear side of the gripping portion  17  and a single rib  19  which runs parallel to the latter and protrudes downward from the lower side of the ramp  15 , form a socket  21  which has a virtually U profile and is open downward. The ramp  15  is placed with the socket  21  onto that part of the hoop  13  which runs transversely, this part of the hoop  13  being lightly gripped behind by the gripping portion  17  and the single rib  19  in the manner of a clip connection. 
     On the lower side in its rear region the ramp  15  has a plurality of parallel ribs  23  between which are respectively defined downwardly open grooves having a semicircular profile. The ramp  15  is fitted in this rear region into the front crosspiece  10 , which runs between the two side parts  8 , in such a manner that the crosspiece  10  comes to lie between two ribs  23 . As a result, the ramp  15  acts as a securing device which releasably secures the hoop  13  relative to the fixed parts of the seat-surface structure  3 , in particular the side parts  8 . Depending on the arrangement of the ramp  15  in each case, the rear crosspiece  10  can likewise come to lie between two ribs  23 . 
     In the front region of the ramp  15 , the latter has, on the left and right side, two mirror-inverted lugs  27  which are of integral design with the ramp and first run in a J shape from the ramp  15  downward and then are bent outward. The lugs  27  are arranged with their ends underneath those parts of the hoop  13  which run to the rear. As long as the ramp  15  rests upon the crosspiece  10 , the lugs  27  bear against the hoop  13  with a slight pretension. 
     A mat  29  is arranged in the center of the seat-surface structure  3  above the ramp  15 . The mat  29  consists of rubber and textile parts connected to one another and is fastened under pretension on each side to the side parts  8  by three clips  31 . For the fastening into those regions of the parts  8 ″ which run downward, the side parts  8  have bent-out eyelets for the clips  31 , specifically, one eyelet in the front part  8 ″ and two eyelets in the rear part  8 ″. 
     Together with the front part of the ramp  15 , the mat  29  supports the padding for the seat surface, i.e. together with the side parts  8  and the hoop  13  it defines the seat surface. The covering for the seat surface is fastened behind the rear end of the mat  29 , for example on the rear crosspiece  10 , runs forward and downward over the gripping portion  17  and is then replaced by strips of rubber which are finally fastened again to the rear end of the covering via textile adhesive fastenings. 
     To change the length of the seat surface, the user releases the covering, grips the gripping portion  17  and pivots the ramp  15  a short distance upward around the hoop  13  as an axis, the socket  21  forming the bearing for the hoop  13  during the pivoting movement. The pivoting movement is restricted in that the rear end of the ramp  15  comes to bear against the lower side of the mat  29 . The ramp  13  is prevented from being inadvertently lifted off the hoop  13  by the lateral lugs  27  which bear under pretension against the hoop  13 . As the ramp  15  pivots upward, the ribs  23  are released from the crosspiece  10 . 
     If the ramp  15  is pivoted upward, the hoop  13  can be moved within the guide bushes  11 . The seat length results from the position of the hoop  13  in the longitudinal direction relative to the remaining parts of the seat-surface structure  3 . If the desired seat length is reached, the user pivots the ramp  15  downward again until the crosspiece  10  again comes between two ribs  23 , and the ramp  15  is thus again supported on the rear end. The covering is then pulled taut again and fastened. 
     The ramp  15  is prevented from inadvertently pivoting upward while the child seat is in use by the mat  29  during use being pressed downward, in the extreme case as far as the ramp  15 , with the result that the ramp  15  has no space available to undertake a pivoting movement, and furthermore by the lugs  27  bearing against the hoop. 
     In the second exemplary embodiment, the child seat has a substructure  1  with which the child seat is supported on the seat surface of the rear-seat bench. A seat-surface structure  3  is arranged on the substructure  1 . The supporting means of a backrest  5  is arranged on the seat-surface structure  3  but could also be arranged on the substructure  1 . To the left and right of the seat-surface structure  3  are arranged armrests  7  which are preferably connected to the seat-surface structure  3 , for example via side parts  8 . The upper side of the seat-surface structure  3 , the front side of the backrest  5  and the upper and inner sides of the armrests  7  are padded, which is not illustrated in the drawing. The abovementioned parts are also covered by material coverings which are likewise not illustrated. 
     The substructure  1  comprises a virtually square baseplate  70  which, to the left and right, is in each case provided with a side wall  72  which is of integral design with the baseplate  70  and is drawn upward. The baseplate  70  together with the side wall  72  is preferably made of plastic. For stability reasons the baseplate  70  is provided on the upper side with three flat, transversely extending ribs  70 ′ on whose lower side the baseplate  70  has corresponding depressions. In the front edge region in the baseplate  70  there is left open a gripping opening  70 ″ which serves for taking hold of the child seat. 
     The upper edge of each side wall  72  runs in the rear quarter approximately horizontally, then rises forwards at an angle of approximately 15° and then falls quickly down onto approximately a sixth of the length of the side wall  72  as far as the baseplate  70 . In the vicinity of the upper edge, the side wall  72  has two cutouts  72 ′ which penetrate the side wall  72  in the transverse direction, run in the longitudinal direction and at the same time rise slightly. 
     Inserted in the front of these cutouts  72 ′ is a front sliding guide  74  which is made of plastic, is designed in the manner of a shape formed from a closed band of constant width and on the inwardly pointing edge has a bead or shoulder as a stop for the insertion into the cutout  72 ′. When installed, the front sliding guide  74  has an elongated part which rises forward at an angle of approximately 10°, has parallel walls at the top and bottom and at the front is provided with an end section which points in the same direction and is rounded semi-cylindrically. At the rear end the front sliding guide  74  is provided with a latching recess  74 ′ which points downward away from the elongated part and is rounded approximately semi-cylindrically. 
     In the rear of these cutouts  72 ′ there is inserted a rear sliding guide  76  which is designed in the same manner as the front sliding guide  74  and is likewise made of plastic. When installed, the rear sliding guide  76  has an elongated part which has parallel walls at the top and bottom, is provided at the rear with an end section which points horizontally to the rear and is rounded semi-cylindrically, and in the rear the said part runs virtually horizontally and then rises forward at an angle of approximately 15°. At the front end the rear sliding guide  76  is provided with a latching recess  76 ′ which points downward away from the elongated part and is rounded approximately semi-cylindrically. 
     Four essentially cylindrical bearing bolts  78  are provided at one end with a flat, disc-shaped head  78 ′ of relatively large diameter and at the other end with a coaxial peg  78 ″ of smaller diameter than the remaining bearing bolts  78 . The horizontal bearing bolts  78  are pushed through the sliding guides  74  and  76  in such a manner that the head  78 ′ is arranged on the outside of the side wall  72  and thereby retains the associated bearing bolt  78  toward one side in the sliding guide  74  or  76 . By means of the pegs  78 ″ the bearing bolts  78  are fitted into holes  79  in the side parts  8  or, if they have a thread, are screwed in and are thereby protected toward the other side. The side parts  8  form supporting parts of the seat frame and, at the same time, of the seat-surface structure  3 . The outer surface of each side wall  72  is covered by a plastic surround  80  which is designed such that it fits and is preferably fastened to the side wall  72  via a clip connection. 
     The inclination of the upper parts of the child seat, i.e. the seat frame with the seat-surface structure  3  and the backrest  5 , can be changed relative to the substructure  1 . In an essentially upright sitting position of the child seat, the bearing bolts  78  are situated at the rear ends of the sliding guides  74  and  76  which are designed as slotted guides, the front bearing bolts  78  being arranged in the latching recess  74 ′ of the front sliding guides  74  and the sitting position being secured thereby, assisted by the inherent weight of the child seat. 
     Starting from this, the child seat is grasped at the seat-surface structure  3  and pulled forward and slightly upward. The front bearing bolts  78 , which are fastened to the side parts  8  of the seat-surface structure  3 , move out of the latching recesses  74 ′ and obliquely upward in the front sliding guide  74  which acts as a ramp. At the same time, the rear bearing bolts  78  move forward and slightly upward along the rear sliding guide  76 . The change in inclination does not involve a pivoting movement about a positionally fixed axis of rotation but rather an imaginary pivoting movement about an imaginary, horizontal, transversely running axis of rotation which moves downward and slightly forward during the change in inclination so that the child seat does not have to be removed from the rear-seat bench for the change in inclination. As soon as the bearing bolts  78  arrive at the front ends of the bearing guides  74  and  76 , the rear bearing bolt  78  can engage into the rear latching recess  76 ′ because of the inherent weight of the child seat. The sleeping position is thereby reached. 
     In order additionally to secure the sleeping position, a latch  82  is provided, for example, on the left side of the substructure  1 , which latch can be pivoted about a horizontal axis of rotation which runs parallel to the bearing bolts  78  and below the rear latching recess  76 ′. The latch  82  is mounted in the side wall  72 , is arranged between the latter and the surround  80  and is opened rearward. The dimensions of the latch  82  are selected in such a manner that it can slightly engage around the head  78 ′ of the left, rear bearing bolt  78  from above, if it is in the rear latching recess  76 ′, and thereby lock it in place. The latch  82  can be spring-loaded toward the securing position and can be pressed on or pulled on by means of a lever or a Bowden cable. It can also be designed in a manner such that, when the seat-surface structure  3  is grasped, the latch is at the same time pivoted back for the transfer into the sitting position. 
     A corresponding latch can be provided for the additional securing of the sitting position, in order, for example, on the opposite side of the child seat to lock the right, front bearing bolt  78  in place when it engages into the front latching recess  74 ′. 
     In the third exemplary embodiment, the child seat has a substructure  1  with which the child seat is supported on the seat surface of the rear-seat bench. A seat-surface structure  3  is arranged on the substructure  1 . The supporting means of a backrest  5  is arranged on the seat-surface structure  3  but could also be arranged on the substructure  1 . To the left and right of the seat-surface structure  3  are arranged armrests  7  which are preferably connected to the seat-surface structure  3 , for example via side parts  8  (FIGS. 1,  2 ,  4  and  7 ). The upper side of the seat-surface structure  3 , the front side of the backrest  5  and the upper and inner sides of the armrests  7  are padded, which is not illustrated in the drawing. The abovementioned parts are also covered by material coverings which are likewise not illustrated. 
     A belt-retaining device  85  is arranged on the backrest  5 . The belt-retaining device  85  has a hoop  87  which consists, for example, of a steel tube of 8 mm diameter with 1 mm wall thickness. The hoop  87  is fastened to a supporting means  44  for lateral supports  42 ,  43  of the child seat, the supporting means  44  being displaceable in turn relative to the backrest  5  and being securable on the latter. The hoop  87  is bent to the left and right in a mirror-inverted manner. From the center, the hoop  87  initially runs transversely to the child seat, then downward, obliquely forward and again upward, in order to form a holder for the supporting means  44 . After approximately two thirds of its height the hoop  87  runs to the rear, outward, and again forward in order to loop around a backrest strut  33  of the backrest  5 . The hoop  87  then runs upward in a section  87 ′, bends around with an alignment obliquely forward and then in an end section runs downward again in order to end in front of that section which loops around the backrest strut  33 . Somewhat above its two ends a small plate  88  is pushed onto the hoop  87  and fastened, preferably welded, the plate bearing, toward the outside of the seat, a downwardly pointing tooth  88 ′. 
     As a further part of the belt-retaining device  85  a respective belt retainer  90  of cylindrical design is pushed from below onto the end section of the hoop  87  and secured by a spring mechanism described later. Each end section of the hoop  87  is surrounded by a holder  91  of the belt retainer  90  and, at least over part of its length, supports the belt retainer  90 . In this case, the holder  91  runs between the two end surfaces and parallel to the central axis of the belt retainer  90  so that the belt retainer  90  is thus mounted eccentrically. On the outside of its circumferential surface, the belt retainer  90  has a rubber coating for increasing the friction, and otherwise is made of plastic. 
     From the lower end side of the belt retainer  90  a lower spring  92  is introduced into the holder  91 , wound around the hoop  87  and supported at its upper end on a shoulder of the holder  91 . The lower end of the lower spring  92  is supported on the hoop  87 , for example, on a spring ring which is seated in an annular groove at the end of the hoop  87 . The lower spring  92  is pretensioned in the axial direction, in this manner downwardly secures the belt retainer  90  and presses it against the plate  88 . 
     A lower cap  94  having essentially the basic shape of a half lens is provided on the flat side with three pin-like spikes which are introduced with frictional engagement into corresponding blind holes or other recesses on the lower end side of the belt retainer  90 . The lower end side of the belt retainer  90  is covered thereby. The lower cap  94  at the same time forms the free end of the belt retainer  90 . On the side the lower cap  94  bears a projection  94 ′ which, as seen from the central axis of the belt retainer  90 , is offset relative to the holder  91  by approximately 30° in the circumferential direction. 
     From the upper end side of the belt retainer  90  an upper spring  96  is introduced into the holder  91 , wound around the hoop  87  and on its lower end supported in a longitudinal groove in the holder  91 . The upper end of the upper spring  96  is supported on the hoop  87 , preferably on the plate  88  or its tooth  88 ′. The upper spring  96  is pretensioned in the circumferential direction and thus attempts to pivot the belt retainer  90  about the hoop  87 . The distance between the holder  91  and that parallel line which is furthest away therefrom on the outside of the belt retainer  90  is greater than the distance between the end section of the hoop  87  and that section  87 ′ of the hoop  87  which is situated in front of it. It is therefore not possible for the belt retainer  90  to be pivoted over the entire angular range because of the eccentricity, and the upper spring  96  attempts to bring the belt retainer  90  to bear against the section  87 ′ of the hoop  87 , to be precise, from the rear side of the child seat inward. 
     An upper cap  98  likewise with a half lens as the basic shape is placed onto the plate  88  and the upper end side of the belt retainer  90  and is fastened by two spikes placed into the belt retainer  90 . The upper cap  98  which is made of plastic has a lateral slot and thereby surrounds the hoop  87 . 
     The belt-retaining device  85  can be used in two different operating modes. In one operating mode use is made of the action just described of the upper spring  96  and of the eccentricity. In particular for smaller children, the normal three-point seatbelt of the rear-seat bench is advanced forward on the appropriate side of the child seat onto the lower cap  94  with a slight pull to the rear and upward. Because of the rounding of the cap  94 , the seatbelt slips onto the belt retainer  90 , remains attached to its rubber coating and carries along the belt retainer  90  counter to the force of the upper spring  96 . The belt retainer  90  is detached from the section  87 ′ of the hoop  87  in such a manner that a gap opens in between into which the seatbelt slides. If the seatbelt is released, the force of the upper spring  96  ensures that the belt retainer  90  pivots back again and clamps the seatbelt. If the child moves forward, the belt thus pulls forward and the clamping action increases so that the child is securely held in the child seat. The seatbelt can be put on using just one hand without the belt retainer  90  having to be grasped by the other hand. 
     In the other operating mode, use is made of the projection  94 ′. In particular for older children having more need of movement, the seatbelt, as just described, is first brought between the belt retainer  90  and the section  87 ′ of the hoop  87 . The belt retainer  90  is then pulled somewhat downward counter to the force of the lower spring  92  and pivoted until the projection  94 ′ comes to bear against the section  87 ′ of the hoop  87 . Because of the eccentricity, there then exists between the belt retainer  90  and the section  87 ′ of the hoop  87  a gap in which the seatbelt is situated. The gap is then closed upward and downward but laterally opened so that the seatbelt is surrounded, in this opening formed as a result, annularly and loosely by the hoop  87 , the belt retainer  90  and the lower cap with the projection  94 ′. The belt retainer  90  is then released to such an extent that the lower spring  92  can press it upward. As it does so, the tooth  88 ′ of the plate  88  engages into a recess on the upper end side of the belt retainer  90 . This prevents a possible pivoting movement, caused by the force of the upper spring  96 , of the belt retainer  90 . The loosely inserted seatbelt is prevented by the projection  94 ′ from sliding downward and from slipping out of the belt-retaining device  85 . However, the child can move comfortably. On the other hand, the belt-retaining device  85  in no way obstructs the seatbelt in the event of being subjected to stress, for example, in the event of a crash. 
     By renewed pulling of the belt retainer  90  downward, the tooth  88 ′ can again be brought out of engagement with the belt retainer  90 , with the result that the upper spring is again effective and can again be transferred to the first operating mode. 
     In a modified embodiment, because of the material and shape of the hoop  87 , the end section of the hoop  87  can be bent up elastically to a small extent. During the transfer to the second operating mode, the belt retainer  90  can thus be moved away somewhat from the section  87 ′ of the hoop  87 . The projection  94 ′ can then be guided past this section  87 ′ so that when the belt retainer  90  is released, the projection  94 ′ on the rear side of the section  87 ′ comes to bear against the section  87 ′ and is held in this position by the upper spring  96 . The lower spring  92  and the tooth  88 ′ are omitted in this embodiment.