Coupling device for securing a child car seat to a vehicle

• US 8,366,192 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2011
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diono
• Original Assignee: Skjp Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Clement, David, Berger, Russell
• Primary Examiner(s): RAMIREZ, RAMON O
• Application Number:
  US13/052,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20110233374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 248/542, 248/544, 248/503.1, 297/253, 297/256.16, 297/217.2
• US Class Current: 297/253
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2821 having a seat and a base part
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2824 part of the base being supported by the vehicle frame B60N2/289 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2827 part of the base being supported by the seat sub-frame B60N2/2893 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/286 forward facing B60N2/2866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2875 inclinable, as a whole or partially
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2884 with protection systems against abnormal g-forces
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2887 Fixation to a transversal anchorage bar, e.g. isofix

Abstract

A device for locking to a vehicle seat having a child car seat mounting system includes a pair of pawl assemblies with hooks that connect to the loops of a child car seat mounting system. The hooks are spring-actuated pawls. The device includes two indicator windows that can respectively display the open or locked status of the first hook and the second hook, which move in unison and also lock and open in unison. The indicator windows separately confirms the condition of both of the hooks. A button is interconnected to both of the hooks to simultaneously control opening and locking thereof. The button is also interconnected to a ratchet to permit simultaneous relocation of the hooks for custom adjustment. A child car seat can be mounted to the device to secure the child seat to a vehicle seat that includes a child car seat mounting system.

Claims

1. A device for locking to a vehicle seat having a child car seat mounting system including a first mounting loop and a second mounting loop, comprising:

a first hook being configured and arranged to releasably connect to a first mounting loop of a child car seat mounting system;

the first hook being movable between a lock position and an open position;

a second hook being configured and arranged to releasably connect to a second mounting loop of a child car seat mounting system;

the second hook being movable between a lock position and an open position;

a button interconnected to both the first hook and the second hook;

the button being configured and arranged to simultaneously control movement of the first hook and the second hook between their respective lock and open positions to permit locking engagement of a first mounting loop and a second mounting loop, respectively;

a housing having a support surface;

the first hook and the second hook partially residing in the housing; and

the support surface being configured and arranged for receipt of a child safety seat thereon.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a connector member interconnected between the first hook and the second hook;

whereby the first hook and the second hook member move in unison while opening in unison and locking independently.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising:

a ratchet interconnected to the connector member and the button;

whereby actuation of the button disengages the ratchet and enables free movement of the first hook and the second hook.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein actuation of the button simultaneously opens the first hook, opens the second hook and disengages the ratchet.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a first indicator member, having a first display and a second display, interconnected to the first hook;

the first display of the first indicator being displayed when the first hook member is in the lock position and the second display of the first indicator being displayed when the first hook member is in the open position;

a second indicator member, having a first display and a second display, interconnected to the second hook;

the first display of the second indicator being displayed when the second hook member is in the lock position and the second display of the second indicator being displayed when the second hook member is in the open position.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein actuation of the button simultaneously opens the first hook, opens the second hook, displays the second display on the first indicator member if the first hook is successfully moved to the open position, and displays the second display on the second indicator if the second hook is successfully moved to the open position.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the button is interconnected to the first hook and the second hook via cables.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first hook is a pivoting pawl and the second hook is a pivoting pawl.

9. A device for locking to a vehicle seat having a child car seat mounting system including a first mounting loop and a second mounting loop, comprising:

a first hook being configured and arranged to releasably connect to a first loop of a child car seat mounting system;

the first hook being movable between a lock position and an open position;

a first indicator member configured to indicate the position of the first hook;

a second hook being configured and arranged to releasably connect to a second loop of a child car seat mounting system;

the second hook being movable between a lock position and an open position;

the first hook and the second hook being interconnected together to move in unison while opening in unison and locking independently;

a second indicator member configured to indicate the position of the second hook;

a button interconnected to both the first hook and the second hook;

the button being configured and arranged to simultaneously control movement of the first hook and the second hook between their respective lock and open positions to permit locking engagement of a first mounting loop and a second mounting loop, respectively;

a ratchet interconnected to the connector member and the button;

whereby actuation of the button disengages the ratchet and enables free movement of the first hook and the second hook;

whereby actuation of the button simultaneously opens the first hook, opens the second hook, disengages the ratchet and displays on the first indicator member and the second indicator member the respective positions of the first hook and the second hook.