Patent Description:
The different sitting positions of the child vehicle seat provide the possibility to adapt the sitting position to the need of the child. Although it is called sitting position, the sitting position can also be more a reclined sleeping position.

By a child vehicle seat known from <CIT>, the locking element comprises an engaging pin being translatable in the longitudinal direction of the pin from a position located inside an engaging hole as well as a through hole to a position outside of the holes. The engaging pin is being translated by pulling on a stiff wire. A disadvantage is that the stiff wire must be moved over the same distance as the pin. Another disadvantage is that the pin and the stiff wire must be moved in the same direction. This reduced the freedom of design of the child vehicle seat.

By a second embodiment of <CIT>, the locking element comprises a lock lever being pivotable about a pivot shaft extending horizontally and perpendicular to the main axis of the child vehicle seat. The main axis corresponds to the driving direction of the car in which the child vehicle seat will be used. The lock lever is provided with a lock plate receivable in any of a plurality of locating engaging holes. The lock lever is being manually operated by pulling it against spring force against an angle control plate located on the rear of the backrest portion. This has the disadvantage that the lock lever is out of reach when the child vehicle seat in use is located with the backrest portion against the backrest of the vehicle seat. The recline function is often used in rear facing driving direction. With the child seat in the rear facing driving direction the lever can be out of reach when the child seat is located on or close to the upper part of the backrest of the front driver or passenger seat.

At least one of the objects of the invention is to provide a child vehicle seat whereby a larger freedom of design is obtained regarding the movement of the locking element.

This object is accomplished with the child vehicle seat according to the invention in that the locking element is pivotable about a pivot axis against spring force by means of a pulling element extending between the operating element and the locking element from the locking positions to the unlocked position, which pivot axis extends at least partially in vertical direction.

By pivoting the locking element, the distance over which the locking element is being moved from a position inside a locking position to the unlocked position and the distance over which the operating element and the pulling element connected thereto must be moved will depend on the distance between the locking positions and the pivot axis as well as the distance between the connection of the pulling element to the locking element and the pivot axis. By amending these distances, a required ratio between the displacement of the locking element with respect to the locking position and the displacement of the operating element can be obtained. The part of the locking element cooperating with the locking positions can be located at an opposite side of the pivot axis as the connection of the pulling element to the locking element or at the same side. In case that the part of the locking element cooperating with the locking positions is located at the opposite side of the pivot axis as the connection of the pulling element to the locking element, movement of the pulling element in one direction will result in movement of the part of the locking element in opposite direction.

During a crash the rotation axis is perpendicular to the crash direction, so unlocking due to inertia of locking elements is unlikely to happen.

Since the pivot axis extends at least partially in vertical direction instead of horizontal axis by the second embodiment of <CIT> again a larger design of freedom regarding the movement of the locking element is obtained.

An embodiment of the child vehicle seat according to the invention is characterized in that the base is provided with a comb-shaped element comprising a number of teeth, whereby each locking position is located between two adjacent teeth.

Such a comb-shaped element can easily be manufactured with a relatively small thickness so that it requires little space. The locking positions are automatically obtained and are located between two adjacent teeth.

Such a comb-shaped element can be positioned in the sides of the child vehicle seat, leaving more space for the child, especially because internal dimensions and external dimensions of the child vehicle seat are regulated in the R129 car seat regulation of the EU.

The teeth can have different shapes, like having a chamfer in one or more positions, offering the possibility to move from one seating position to another seating position without operating the recline handle. This could be convenient for the user to move the backrest from a more reclined seating position to a less reclined seating position.

The teeth can have different shapes, like having a chamfer in one or more positions, offering the possibility to move from a reclined seating position to a more upright seating position. This can have advantages in case of a crash, where a more upright position results in lower injury risk for the child.

Another embodiment of the child vehicle seat according to the invention is characterized in that the teeth are substantially directed to the front side or the rear side of child vehicle seat.

In this manner, the preferable relatively thin comb-shaped element will extend in the main direction of the child vehicle seat. The orientation of the teeth has the advantage that the locking element is located on the front side or rear side of the comb-shaped element. In case of an accident the locking element will be pushed inside the locking position between two adjacent teeth so that a firm connection between the locking element and the comb-shaped element will be maintained.

Another embodiment of the child vehicle seat according to the invention is characterized in that the pulling element comprises a cable, a steel wire, an iron wire, a plastic wire, a rope or a webbing strap.

Such a pulling element can easily be manufactured, is relatively cheap and can be guided, if necessary, along any desired path in the child vehicle seat.

The weight of such pulling element is relatively low, so the inertia of such pulling element will not lead to undesired unlocking of the connection.

The weight of the child vehicle seat will be low which is convenient for the user because this is an infant carrier, and there are restrictions in product weight in the R129 regulation of the EU.

Another embodiment of the child vehicle seat according to the invention is characterized in that on each side the child seat is provided with the same locking positions and locking element.

By having locking positions as well as locking elements on both sides an even firmer connection between the backrest portion and the base is obtained.

Another embodiment of the child vehicle seat according to the invention is characterized in that the operating element comprises a handle being rotatable against spring force about a rotation axis extending horizontally and perpendicular to a main axis of the child vehicle seat, which operating element also comprises two levers, each lever being pivotable about a pivot axis extending perpendicular to the rotation axis, whereby near two opposite ends the handle is provided with cams, each cam cooperates with a first end of one of the levers, whereby a second end of each lever is connected to the pulling element, whilst the pivot axis of the lever is located between the first and second end of lever.

With such an operating element a user needs simply to pivot the handle to operate both levers. The cams will force the first ends of the levers to move, thereby pivoting the levers. When the levers are being pivoted, the second ends of the levers will also be moved, resulting in a movement of the pulling elements connected thereto. After releasing the handle, the handle and the levers will move back under spring force to the initial positions. The spring force can be relatively high to secure the locking element to lock into the comb-shaped element. Due to the position and geometry of the levers, the operating forces for the user can be relatively low. Cams are preferred to maximize the component force asserted on the lever and optimize the contact areas of the handle and lever. The cams can be solely provided on the handle or on the first ends of levers, or can be provided on both handle and the first ends of levers.

Another embodiment of the child vehicle seat according to the invention is characterized in that the operating element comprises a handle being movable against spring force in a direction parallel to a main axis of the child vehicle seat, which operating element also comprises two levers, each lever being pivotable about a pivot axis, whereby two opposite ends of the handle cooperate with first ends of the levers, which first end is provided with a cam, whereby a second end of each lever is connected to the pulling element, whilst the pivot axis of the lever is located between the first and second end of lever.

With such an operating element a user needs simply to push the handle to operate both levers. When the levers are being pivoted, the second ends of the levers will also be moved, resulting in a movement of the pulling elements connected thereto. After releasing the handle the handle and the levers will move back under spring force to the initial positions.

The stroke of the operating element can be relatively small, due to the position and shape of the cams.

The child vehicle seat according to the invention will further be explained with reference to the drawings, wherein,.

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

<FIG> show different views of a first embodiment of the child vehicle seat <NUM> according to the invention. The child vehicle seat <NUM> comprises a base <NUM>, a shell <NUM> fixed to the base <NUM> and a seat <NUM> located inside the shell <NUM>. The seat <NUM> comprises a seating portion <NUM> and a backrest portion <NUM>. The backrest portion <NUM> is at a side remote of the seating portion <NUM> provided with an operating mechanism <NUM>. The backrest portion <NUM> is pivotable about a pivot axis A-A' with respect to the base <NUM>. The seating portion <NUM> and the backrest portion <NUM> are pivotable with respect to each other about a pivot axis B. The seating portion <NUM> is at at a side remote of the backrest portion <NUM> provided with two pens <NUM> extending perpendicular to a main axis <NUM> of the child vehicle seat <NUM>. The pens <NUM> of the seating portion <NUM> are slidably located in slots <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. The slots <NUM> define the extreme positions of the sitting position and laying down position of the seating portion <NUM>. The base <NUM> is on both longitudinal sides provided with a comb-shaped element <NUM> comprising a number of teeth <NUM>, whereby between two adjacent teeth <NUM> a locking position <NUM> is located. In the present embodiment the comb-shaped element <NUM> comprises three locking position <NUM>. If desired only two or more than three locking positions <NUM> can be provided. The comb-shaped element <NUM> is plate-shaped, whereby the plate extends in the direction of the main axis <NUM> as well as substantially in vertical direction. In this manner the teeth are substantially directed to the front side of child vehicle seat <NUM>.

The backrest portion <NUM> is on both longitudinal sides provided with a locking element <NUM>. The locking element <NUM> is pivotable about a pivot axis <NUM> extending parallel to the comb-shaped element <NUM>. A first part <NUM> of the locking element <NUM> is provided with a hook <NUM>'. The hook <NUM>' prevents the locking element <NUM> to disengage from the comb-shaped element <NUM> by side impact in a crash and prevents the locking element to disengage in case of torsion that can happen in a crash (like with the infant seat is installed with a vehicle belt). This first part <NUM> is movable in and out of the locking positions <NUM>. A second part <NUM> of the locking element <NUM> is located on the opposite side of the pivot axis <NUM>. A pulling element <NUM> is connected to this second part <NUM>. The pulling element <NUM> comprises a cable, a steel wire, an iron wire, a plastic wire, a rope or a webbing strap.

Also, a spring <NUM> is connected to the second part <NUM> pulling the second part <NUM> to the front side of the child vehicle seat <NUM> thereby pivoting the locking element <NUM> in a direction opposite to the directions indicated by arrows P1, P2 and pushing the first parts <NUM> into locking positions <NUM>. By this embodiment the pivot axes <NUM> of both locking elements <NUM> are located between the two comb-shaped elements <NUM>. It is also possible to locate them both outside of the comb-shaped elements <NUM> or to locate one between the comb-shaped elements <NUM> and one outside the comb-shaped elements <NUM>.

The operating mechanism <NUM> can best be seen in the <FIG>. The operating element <NUM> comprises a handle <NUM> being rotatable against spring force of springs <NUM> about a rotation axis <NUM> extending horizontally and perpendicular to a main axis <NUM> of the child vehicle seat <NUM>. The operating element <NUM> also comprises two levers <NUM>, each lever <NUM> being pivotable about a pivot axis <NUM> extending perpendicular to the rotation axis <NUM>. The handle <NUM> is provided near two opposite ends with cams <NUM>. Each cam <NUM> cooperates with a first end <NUM> of one of the levers <NUM>. A second end <NUM> of each lever <NUM> is connected to the pulling element <NUM>. The pivot axis <NUM> of the lever <NUM> is located between the first end <NUM> and second end <NUM> of lever <NUM>.

The child vehicle seat <NUM> can be moved from for example the first sitting position as shown in <FIG> to a second sitting position as shown in <FIG> in the following manner.

In the first sitting position as shown in <FIG>, the first parts <NUM> of the locking elements <NUM> are located in the most upper locking positions <NUM> of the comb-shaped elements <NUM>. When a user wants to change to the second sitting position, the user pivots the handle <NUM> in a direction as indicated by arrow P3. The cams <NUM> will be moved along the first ends <NUM> of the levers <NUM> and will force the levers <NUM> to rotated in the directions as indicated by arrows P4, P5, thereby pulling the pulling elements <NUM> in the direction as indicated by arrow P6. Displacement of the pulling elements <NUM> in the direction as indicated by arrow P6, will result in pivoting of the locking elements <NUM> in the directions as indicated by arrows P1, P2, whereby the locking elements <NUM> will be moved to an unlocked position (<FIG>, <FIG>). The user can now pivot the backrest portion <NUM> about pivot axis A-A1, thereby forcing the seating portion <NUM> to pivot about pivot axis B and to slide with the pens <NUM> through slots <NUM> until the second sitting position has been reached. When releasing the handle <NUM>, the locking elements <NUM> will be forced by springs <NUM> into another locking position <NUM>.

<FIG> show a second embodiment of an operating element <NUM> of a child vehicle seat <NUM> according to the invention. The operating element <NUM> comprises a handle <NUM> being movable against spring force of the springs <NUM> in a direction indicated by arrow P8 extending parallel to a main axis <NUM> of the child vehicle seat <NUM>. The operating element <NUM> also comprises two levers <NUM>, each lever <NUM> being pivotable about a pivot axis <NUM> extending parallel to a main axis <NUM> of the child vehicle seat <NUM>. The handle <NUM> is near two opposite ends provided with springs <NUM> resting with one end to the handle <NUM> and with an opposite second end to a shell (not shown) of the child vehicle seat <NUM>. Each first end <NUM> is provided with a cam <NUM> cooperating with the handle <NUM>. A second end <NUM> of each lever <NUM> is connected to the pulling element <NUM>. The pivot axis <NUM> of the lever <NUM> is located between the first end <NUM> and second end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>.

The child vehicle seat <NUM> comprising operating element <NUM> can be moved from for example the first sitting position as shown in <FIG> to a second sitting position as shown in <FIG> in the following manner.

In the first sitting position as shown in <FIG>, the first parts <NUM> of the locking elements <NUM> are located in the most upper locking positions <NUM> of the comb-shaped elements <NUM>. When a user wants to change to the second sitting position, the user pushes the handle <NUM> against spring force of the springs <NUM> in the direction as indicated by arrow P8. The handle <NUM> is pushed against the cams <NUM>, and will force the cams <NUM> to move in a direction indicated by arrow P9, thereby forcing the levers <NUM> to rotated in the directions as indicated by arrows P10, P11. By doing so, the pulling elements <NUM> will be pulled in the direction as indicated by arrow P6. Displacement of the pulling elements <NUM> in the direction as indicated by arrow P6, will result in pivoting of the locking elements <NUM> in the directions as indicated by arrows P1, P2, whereby the locking elements <NUM> will be moved to an unlocked position (<FIG>, <FIG>). The user can now pivot the backrest portion <NUM> about pivot axis A-A1, thereby forcing the seating portion <NUM> to pivot about pivot axis B and to slide with the pens <NUM> through slots <NUM> until the second sitting position has been reached. When releasing the handle <NUM>, the locking elements <NUM> will be forced by springs <NUM> into another locking position <NUM>.

It is also possible that the springs <NUM> can push the handle <NUM> in the locked position, in which case the springs <NUM> can be left behind. It is also possible that the teeth are substantially directed to the rear side of child vehicle seat <NUM>. The locking element is located on the side of the teeth to be able to cooperate with the teeth.

In the shown embodiment the cams <NUM> are provided on the handle <NUM>. However, the cams also can be provided on the first end <NUM> of lever <NUM> solely or both handle <NUM> and lever <NUM> are provided with cams respectively, so that the component force asserted on the lever is maximized and the contact areas of the handle <NUM> and lever <NUM> are optimized.

It has to be noted that the handle <NUM>, <NUM>, levers <NUM>, <NUM>, pulling element <NUM> and locking element <NUM> are interlinked as one mechanism. If one of these elements is moved by or against spring force, the other elements will be moved accordingly. Therefore, at least one of the handles <NUM>, <NUM>, levers <NUM>, <NUM>, and locking elements <NUM> is directly connected with a spring. The locking elements <NUM> will be eventually restored at the initial position when releasing the handle <NUM>, <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Child vehicle seat (<NUM>) comprising at least a base (<NUM>), a seat comprising a seating portion (<NUM>) and a backrest portion (<NUM>) and an operating mechanism (<NUM>) located at the backrest portion (<NUM>) at a side remote of the seating portion (<NUM>), wherein the seating portion (<NUM>) and the backrest portion (<NUM>) are pivotable with respect to each other as well as movable with respect to the base (<NUM>), which base (<NUM>) comprises a number of locking positions (<NUM>) in which the backrest portion (<NUM>) can be locked with respect to the base (<NUM>), whereby a locking element (<NUM>) is movable by means of the operating mechanism (<NUM>) from at least a first of said locking positions (<NUM>) via an unlocked position to at least a second of said locking positions (<NUM>), whereby the backrest portion (<NUM>) as well as the seating portion (<NUM>) are being moved from a first sitting position to a second sitting position, wherein the locking element (<NUM>) is pivotable about a pivot axis (<NUM>) against spring (<NUM>, <NUM>) force characterized in that the locking element is pivotable by means of a pulling element (<NUM>) extending between the operating element (<NUM>) and the locking element (<NUM>) from the locking positions (<NUM>) to the unlocked position, which pivot axis (<NUM>) extends at least partially in vertical direction.