FR2879139A1 - DEVICE FOR THE LONGITUDINAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE POSITION OF AN ELEMENT, SEATING PART OR BACKREST CONSISTING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT - Google Patents

Abstract

This device comprises at least one rack (14) formed in a fixed part, seat base (3) or backrest (4), and oriented longitudinally to the desired displacement, a support (15) integral with the element to be adjusted, s extending parallel to each rack (14) and having guide means (16) perpendicular to the support (15,) and to each rack, an orthogonal locking rod (17) to the direction of movement, a slider (18) ), mounted on the support (15), between the support and the rack (s), sliding relative to the support in the direction of movement thereof, the slide having an elongate slot (22) inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the locking rod (17), the lumen of the slide being traversed by the locking rod and a spring (19,) mounted between the support (15,) and the slide (18), now normally this one in a position in which the read sloping means (22) allows the insertion of the locking rod (17) into each rack.

Description

The present invention has for one object an adjustment device

  longitudinal position of an element, part of seat or backrest, constituting a car seat for child.

  A child car seat comprises a frame supporting a shell comprising a seat and a backrest, the seat generally having side edges up to form armrests, and the backrest comprising lateral returns to wedge the upper part of the body of the child. The shell is covered with a cover ensuring the finish and comfort of the child. The frame on which the hull is mounted is often a base that is intended to be placed on the seat, and vis-à-vis which, the entire hull can perform a sliding movement accompanied by a movement of rotation to allow more or less inclination of the entire hull.

  Generally, racks are provided in the seat, having notches open upwards, in which is intended to penetrate a cross carried by a lever hinged to the hull about an axis parallel to that of the cross. This lever is maintained in the downwardly pushed position by a spring bearing under the underside of the shell, in order to maintain the cross member in the engaged position in the racks of the base.

  To change position, the user must lift the lever located under the front part of the seat, to clear the cross bar of the notches in which it is engaged and that it moves the shell vis-à-vis the base to bring it into a new position before releasing the lever allowing the cross to enter another series of notches rack. This maneuver is not easy to perform because the lever is not very accessible. In addition, the spring ensuring the maintenance of the hull in position vis-à-vis the base is supported under the hull, and can be forced under the effect of the child's movements may eventually lead to accidental unlocking, especially in case of shock, where the pressure exerted by the child on the hull can vary greatly.

  The technical problem underlying the invention is the production of a device for longitudinally adjusting the position of an element, seat part or consitutive backrest of a car seat for children, to allow a very fine adjustment. easy element of this element, this device ensuring perfect security after positioning, and this device being such that it can be applied to different elements of the seat, thus allowing a transformation of the seat to allow to use it either for very young children, either for children or as booster for older children. It is therefore necessary to adjust the position of the seat, independently of that of the backrest, and to be able to adjust the position of a comfort element disposed at the upper part of the folder, called headrest.

  For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for longitudinally adjusting the position of an element, part of the seat or backrest, constituting a car seat for children, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one rack arranged in a fixed part, seat base or backrest, and oriented longitudinally to the desired displacement, - a support integral with the element to be adjusted, extending parallel to each rack and having guide means perpendicular to the support and to each rack of a locking rod orthogonal to the direction of movement, - a slide, mounted on the support, between the latter and the rack or rack (s), sliding vis-à-vis the support in the direction of displacement thereof, the slider having an elongate lumen inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the locking pin, the slider lumen being traversed by the locking pin and allowing, in a first position the maintenance of the locking rod in each rack and in a second position the release of the locking rod vis-à-vis each rack, and - a spring mounted between the support and the slide, now normally this one in a position in which the inclined lumen allows the insertion of the locking rod into each rack.

  In order to adjust the position of an element, the operator must actuate the slider in order to vary the relative position of the slider light and the locking rod. By actuating the slide, the locking rod is moved perpendicularly to the support, to be released from the rack in which it was locked to ensure the locking of the seat or backrest portion. By maintaining the slide in this position of disengagement of the locking rod, the seat or backrest portion can be moved relative to the rest of the structure to the desired new position, in which position the operator releases the slide which returns the locking rod to a new locking position within notches of one or two racks.

  It is therefore a simple structure, requiring only a simple movement, since it is a sliding movement parallel to the part to be moved and adjusted. It may be noted that there is no risk of accidental displacement of this part, as is the case with the devices already known, insofar as the slide can not move accidentally if a more or less strong pressure is exercised on the seat or back.

  According to a feature of the invention, this device comprises two locking racks.

  Advantageously, the guide means of the locking rod are constituted by two clevises.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, in the case of adjusting the seat of a seat, each rack is fixed to the base or an integral part, the support is fixed under the seat, and the slider and the associated spring are provided so that an unlocking is obtained by pulling on a handle which, secured to the slider, is located under the seat and in front of it, the light in the slider being inclined by up and down and back to the front.

  Adjusting the position of the seat is very convenient, because it is sufficient for an operator to press a thumb on the front part of the seat, and pull the handle secured to the slide with the other fingers of the same hand, thus exerting a pincer effect. When the traction exerted by the other fingers of the hand is released, the slide is returned to its locking position by means of the spring.

  According to one embodiment of this device, the seat is articulated around a horizontal axis on the lower edge of a backrest section, whose upper edge is articulated about a horizontal axis on a support frame of the backrest, the two racks of the seat being inclined from bottom to top and back to front.

  This arrangement makes it possible to maintain the seat in a horizontal or substantially horizontal position, whatever the advance of the seat relative to the base, while ensuring a good comfort for the child as far as the end is concerned. back of the seat is articulated on the lower edge of a backrest section.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, in the case of height adjustment of a part of the backrest constituted by a headrest, the frame comprises at least one vertical opening whose edges turned towards the rear form two racks, the support equipped the locking rod and the associated slide being disposed on the rear face of the frame and the support being secured through the openings of the frame, with a back plate which, carrying the headrest, is guided vertically on the front face of the frame.

  The height adjustment of the upper part of the backrest consists of a headrest, allows use of the seat for a longer period than that obtained with traditional child seats, since the height of the backrest can increase at the same time as the child grows up.

  In order to improve the practical nature of the adjustment of the headrest, the slider and the associated spring are arranged so that an unlocking is obtained by vertical traction upwards on a handle secured to the slider and located at the upper end of the Here, the light formed in the slide being oriented from front to rear and from top to bottom.

  Advantageously, the locking rod is equipped with two parallel fingers intended to penetrate into the racks of the backrest frame. This accommodates the locking rod in a housing resting on the rear face of the seat frame, only the fingers integral with the locking pin projecting inside the racks.

  In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing, by way of non-limiting examples, two embodiments of device applied respectively to the seat of 'a seat and the headrest arranged at the top of the seat.

  Figure 1 is a perspective view of a child car seat comprising a seat adjustment and a headrest adjustment; Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the seat and part of the backrest in a first position, along the line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the seat along the line III-III of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the seat similar to Figure 2 in a second seat adjustment position; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the mechanism for adjusting the position of the seat vis-à-vis its base; Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale, along the line VI-VI of Figure 1, the upper part of the folder representing the headrest locked in a first position; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along line VII-VII of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper part of the backrest, similar to Figure 6, in a second position of the headrest, the latter being unlocked vis-à-vis folder, line VI-VI of Figure 1.

  FIG. 1 represents a child car seat designated by the general reference 2 comprising a base 3 and a backrest frame 4. On the base 3 is mounted a shell 5 whose central portion 6 forms the seat and whose two returns side 7 form armrests. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the rear edge of the seat is hinged about a horizontal axis 8 on the lower edge of a section 9 of the backrest, whose upper part is itself hinged around a horizontal axis 10 on the backrest frame. The back is equipped in its upper part with a headrest 12 adjustable in height. All of these main elements are covered with padding elements, not shown in the drawing, arranged for example in a cover.

  The base 3 comprises two vertical wings oriented longitudinally, that is to say from the rear to the front, in which are formed three notches 13 forming, with the upper edge, a rack 14. It should be noted that the rack 14 is inclined from the bottom upwards and from the rear to the front.

  On the underside of the seat is mounted a support 15, which may possibly belong to the same bottom of the seat. On this support are disposed two parallel yokes 16, facing downwards. These screeds are vertical. These clevises 16 serve for the vertical guidance of a horizontal locking rod, intended to engage in one of two notches 13 vis-à-vis belonging to the two racks 14, to maintain the seat in a specific position. On the underside of the support 15 is mounted, sliding longitudinally, a slider 18, imaintenu pushed back by means of a spring 19 whose other end bears against a stop 20 secured to the support 16. A Inside the slider 18 is provided a transverse elongated slot 22, for the passage of the locking pin 17, inclined from top to bottom and from the rear to the front. The vertical distance between the two ends of the lumen 22 is greater than the depth of the notches 13 of the racks 14. The slide 18 is secured, at its front face, with a handle 23 arranged under the front of the seat from the headquarters.

  The operation of this device is as follows. In a first position shown in Figure 2, the locking rod 17 is engaged in the notches 13 of the racks 14, located further back. To move the seat forward, the operator pulls on the handle 23, this traction on the handle 23 moving the slide 18, which will exert, by the upper bottom of its light 22, a movement on the rod 17, causing the passage of the locking rod from a low position in which it is engaged in two notches 13 at a high position to which it escapes these two notches 13. The seat can then be moved, the rod locking 17 being held in the up position. The seat can be brought for example to the most advanced position shown in FIG. 4. In this position, the operator stops exerting an action on the handle 23, and the spring 19 brings the slide 18 backwards, allowing at the rod 17 to descend inside the light 22 and to enter the notches 13 located furthest forward.

  It should be noted that, as shown in Figure 4, the seat 6 being articulated by its rear end on the lower edge of a section 9 of the backrest, the front of the seat moves upwards during its movement in advance, which is made possible by the inclined position of the racks 14. The seat remains horizontal.

  This arrangement is very interesting because the number of parts used is very limited, and the adjustment is very simple, can be achieved with one hand, the thumb resting on the front face of the seat and the other fingers of the hand exerting traction on the handle 23. It should also be noted that the adjustment and locking device is not disturbed by voluntary or accidental shocks that may occur during the use of the seat, as such is the case with previously known devices.

  Figures 6 to 8 show an application of the device according to the invention to the fixing and vertical adjustment of a headrest 12. In this case, the frame has a vertical opening 25 whose rearward facing edges have notches 26 for the formation of two racks 27. On the rear face of the frame 4 is disposed a support 28 equipped with a locking rod 29, which locking rod 29 carries two fingers 30 to be engaged in the notches 26 of the racks. On the support 28 is intended to be mounted a slide 32, having a slot 33 inclined upwards and from the rear towards the front, this slot 33 being intended to be traversed by the locking rod 29. locking 29 is guided perpendicular to the plane of the frame by sliders designated by the reference 34. The slider 32 is extended upwardly by an actuating handle 35, the assembly being closed by a cover 36 having an opening for actuation of the handle 35. A spring 37 is supported on the one hand on the slide and on the other hand on a stop 38 secured to the cover 36. The support 28 is secured through the opening 25 of a back plate 39 guided vertically on the front face of the frame 25. On this dorsal plate 39 is fixed the headrest 40.

  In practice, when the headrest is in the position shown in Figure 6, and it is desired to move it upwards, it is appropriate for the operator to operate the handle 35 upwards, movement in which the slide 32 moves against the action of the spring 39, the light 33 causing the rearward movement of the locking rod 29 and the fingers 30 which escape the notches 26 of the rack in which they are engaged. It is then possible for the operator to move the headrest vertically to another position, for example the position shown in Figure 8, before releasing the tension exerted on the handle 35. The headrest is then locked in a new position. position.

  As can be seen from the foregoing, the invention brings a great improvement to the existing technique, by providing a simple and reliable adjustment device for the position of a car seat element for a child, notably enabling the transformation and adaptation of this seat to improve the comfort of a child, as well as to allow use over a longer age range.

  It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of this device described above, by way of example; it embraces the contrary, all variants and application remaining within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (4)

  1 device for longitudinally adjusting the position of an element, part of the seat or backrest, constituting a car seat for a child, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one rack (14, 27) provided in a fixed part, seat base (31) or backrest (4), and oriented longitudinally to the desired displacement, - a support (15, 28) integral with the element to be adjusted, extending parallel to each rack (14, 27) and having guide means (16, 34) perpendicular to the support (15, 28) and at each rack, an orthogonal locking rod (17, 29) in the direction of movement, a slider (18, 34). ), mounted on the support (15, 28), between the latter and the rack or racks, sliding with respect to the support in the direction of movement thereof, the slide comprising an elongated slot ( 22, 33) inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the locking rod (17, 29), the the coullisseau is traversed by the locking rod and allowing, in a first position the maintenance of the locking rod in each rack (14, 27) and in a second position the release of the locking rod vis-à-vis each rack, and - a spring (19, 37) mounted between the support (15, 28) and the slide (18, 32), normally holding the latter in a position in which the inclined light (22, 33) allows the introduction of the locking rod (17, 29) into each rack.   2 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two locking racks.   3 - Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the guide means of the locking rod are constituted by two yokes (16, 34).   4 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in the case of adjusting the seat (6) of a seat, each rack (14) is fixed on the base (3) or an integral part thereof, the support (15) is fixed under the seat (6), and the slider (18) and the associated spring (19) are arranged so that an unlocking is obtained by pulling on a handle (20) which, secured to the slider, is located under the seat and at the front thereof, the light (22) formed in the slider being inclined from top to bottom and green back the front.   - Device according to all of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the seat (6) is articulated about a horizontal axis (8) on the lower edge of a backrest section (9), whose edge upper is articulated around a horizontal axis (10) on a support frame of the folder, the two racks of the seat being inclined from below upwards and from the rear to the front.   6 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the case of the height adjustment of a back portion constituted by a headrest (12), the frame comprises at least one vertical opening (25) of which the rearward-facing edges form two racks (27), the support equipped with the locking rod (29) and the associated slider (32) being arranged on the rear face of the frame (4) and the support (28) being secured to the opening (25) of the frame (4), with a back plate (39) which, carrying the headrest (12), is guided vertically on the front face of the frame.   7 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the slide (32) and the spring (37) associated are arranged so that an unlocking is obtained by vertical pull upward on a handle (35) integral with the slide ( 32) and located at the upper end thereof, the light (33) in the slider being oriented from the front to the rear and from top to bottom.   8 - Device according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the locking rod (29) is equipped with two fingers (30) parallel to enter the racks (27) of the frame (4) backrest .