Actively securable base for a modular child restraint system

• US 8,256,841 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orbit Baby, Inc. (ERGO Baby Holding Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Orbit Baby, Inc. (ERGO Baby Holding Corp.)
• Inventors: Hei, Joseph, White, Bryan T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): GARRETT, ERIKA P
• Application Number:
  US12/953,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20110074195A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 297/256.1, 297/256.16, 297/250.1, 297/256.13, 297/468
• US Class Current: 297/256.16
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2821 having a seat and a base part
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2845 having handles
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2848 being convertible or adaptable to a preambulator, e.g. a baby-carriage or a push-chair
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2857 characterised by the peculiar orientation of the child B60N2/2869 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2869 rotatable about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2878 the back-rest being inclinable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2887 Fixation to a transversal anchorage bar, e.g. isofix

Abstract

A child restraint system for use in vehicles comprises a seat portion and a base. The base secures the child restraint system to a vehicle seat with a vehicle restraint such as a seat belt or a LATCH system. The base both engages the vehicle restraint and includes a force-multiplying mechanism for tensioning the vehicle restraint. Tensioning the vehicle restraint secures the base by forcing the base against the vehicle seat. An embodiment of the base includes a platform configured to rest on the vehicle seat, an upright member joined to the platform, and a tensioning device, including a force-multiplying mechanism, for tensioning the vehicle restraint.

Claims

1. A base for securing a child restraint system to a vehicle seat with a vehicle restraint, the base comprising:

an engagement mechanism for receiving a detachable seat portion of the child restraint system;

a platform configured to rest on the vehicle seat;

an upright member joined to the platform; and

a tensioning device for tensioning the vehicle restraint, wherein the platform and upright member are operable to move and change orientation relative to each other in response to actuating the tensioning device.

2. The base of claim 1, wherein the tensioning device comprises a force-multiplying mechanism.

3. The base of claim 1, wherein the platform and the upright member are integrally joined.

4. The base of claim 1, wherein the platform and the upright member are pivotally attached.

5. The base of claim 1, wherein the platform and the upright member are hingedly attached.

6. The base of claim 1, wherein the platform engages the vehicle restraint.

7. The base of claim 1, wherein the upright member engages the vehicle restraint.

8. The base of claim 1, wherein the tensioning device drives the upright member relative to the platform.

9. The base of claim 1, wherein the tensioning device includes a lead screw.

10. The base of claim 1, wherein the tensioning device includes a torque limiter.

11. The base of claim 1, wherein the tensioning device includes a worm-gear.

12. The base of claim 1, wherein the tensioning device includes a ratchet and pawl.

13. The base of claim 1, further comprising an extendable foot.

14. The base of claim 13, wherein the foot is configured to extend between back and seat cushions of the vehicle seat.

15. The base of claim 1, wherein the upright member is configured to be folded down over the platform.

16. The base of claim 15, wherein the tensioning mechanism includes a clutch.

17. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the platform and the upright member are slidably attached.

18. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the platform and upright member are operable to rotate relative to each other in response to actuating the tensioning device.

19. The base of claim 1, wherein the upright member is operable to directly engage the seat back of the vehicle seat.

20. The base of claim 1, wherein the upright member is operable to be forced against the seat back of the vehicle seat when tensioning the vehicle restraint via the tensioning device.

21. A child restraint system comprising:

a seat portion; and

a base for securing the seat portion to a vehicle seat with a vehicle restraint, wherein the seat portion and the base are detachable, the base including;

a platform configured to rest on the vehicle seat;

an upright member joined to the platform; and

a tensioning device for tensioning the vehicle restraint, wherein the platform and upright member are operable to move relative to each other in response to actuating the tensioning device.

22. The child restraint system of claim 21, wherein the seat portion and the base are integral.

23. The child restraint system of claim 21, wherein the platform and upright member are operable to move and change angular orientation relative to each other in response to actuating the tensioning device.

24. The base of claim 21, wherein the upright member is operable to directly engage the seat back of the vehicle seat.

25. The base of claim 21, wherein the upright member is operable to be forced against the seat back of the vehicle seat when tensioning the vehicle restraint via the tensioning device.