JUVENILE VEHICLE SEAT WITH ADJUSTABLE HEADREST

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to US Provisional

Application No. 62/456,978, filed February 9, 2017, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates to child restraints and in particular, to juvenile seats for use on passenger seats in vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to juvenile seats that are adjustable in size to accommodate growing children.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to the present disclosure, a child restraint adapted to set on a passenger seat in a vehicle. The child restraint includes a seat bottom, a seat back arranged to extend upwardly from the seat bottom, and a head receiver including a headrest.

[0004] In illustrative embodiments, the child restraint includes a variable-height shell formed to include a child-receiving space that can be expanded and contracted in size at the option of the caregiver. The variable-height shell includes a frame and a torso section.

[0005] In illustrative embodiments, the frame is mounted on a base that is included in the child restraint and adapted to set on the passenger seat. The frame is formed to include the seat bottom and a upright torso-section support that is arranged to extend upwardly from a rear edge of the seat bottom. The torso section is mounted for up-and-down sliding movement on the upright torso-section support of the frame. The child-receiving space is expanded in size in response to upward movement of the slidable torso section on the torso- section support of the frame. The child-receiving space is contracted in size in response to downward movement of the slidable torso section on the torso-section support of the frame.

[0006] In illustrative embodiments, the variable-height shell further includes a torso- section lock system comprising means for releasably locking the slidable torso section to the upstanding torso-section support of the frame in one of several elevated positions selected by a caregiver and located above the seat bottom to establish the elevation of the slidable torso section relative to the seat bottom of the frame. The slidable torso section includes a center wing support, a first side wing coupled to one side of the center wing support, and a second side wing coupled to an opposite side of the center wing support.

[0007] In illustrative embodiments, the torso-section lock system includes a first side lock mounted on the first side wing of the slidable torso section for movement relative to the first side wing between a locked position engaging a first side of the upright torso-section support and an unlocked position disengaging the first side of the upright torso-section support. The torso-section lock system also includes a second side lock mounted on the second side wing of the slidable torso section for movement relative to the second side wing between a locked position engaging on opposite second side of the upright torso-section support and an unlocked position disengaging the opposite second side of the upright torso-section support. A caregiver can operate the first and second side locks simultaneously to free the slidable torso section to move up and down on the upstanding torso-section support of the frame so as to change the elevation of the torso section relative to the seat bottom so that the child-receiving space is expanded or contracted.

[0008] In illustrative embodiments, the upright torso-section support of the frame includes a center panel coupled to a rear edge of the seat bottom, a first side-lock anchor bar coupled to a first side of the center panel, and a second side-lock anchor bar coupled to an opposite second side of the center panel. Each side-lock anchor bar is formed to include several lock receivers and each lock receiver is associated with one of the several elevated positions of the slidable torso section on the upright torso-section support of the frame. In use, a caregiver operates the first and second side locks to disengage the companion first and second side-lock anchor bars to free the slidable torso section for up-and-down movement on the upright torso- section support relative to the seat bottom. Then, to establish a selected elevated position of the torso section above the seat bottom of the frame, the caregiver aligns the first side lock with a selected lock receiver in the first side-lock anchor bar and simultaneously aligns the second side lock with a companion selected lock receiver in the second side-lock anchor bar to cause the first and second side locks to engage their respective lock receivers so that the slidable torso section is retained in a stationary elevated position selected by the caregiver on the upright torso-section support of the frame above the seat bottom of the frame.

[0009] In illustrative embodiments, the headrest of the child restraint is mounted for up-and-down movement relative to the upright torso- section support of the frame and also for up-and-down movement relative to the slidable torso section. The headrest can be moved relative to the slidable torso section and relative to the seat bottom at the option of the caregiver to support the head of a child seated on the seat bottom even though the slidable torso section has been moved relative to the seat bottom to expand or contract the size of the child-receiving space of the variable-height shell.

[0010] In illustrative embodiments, the head receiver of the child restraint also includes a headrest-height controller that is coupled to the headrest to move up and down therewith relative to the slidable torso section and to the seat bottom. The headrest-height controller is configured to mate with the center panel of the upright torso- section support of the frame in one of several elevated positions selected by the caregiver to establish the elevation of the headrest relative to the slidable torso section and to the underlying seat bottom. The torso- section lock system and the headrest-height controller are operated independently of one another by a caregiver to establish (1) the elevation of the slidable torso section relative to the seat bottom of the frame and (2) the position of the headrest relative to the slidable torso section and the seat bottom of the frame.

[0011] Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[0013] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a child restraint including a variable-height shell in accordance with the present disclosure showing that shell in a COMPACT mode to provide a relatively small child-receiving space and showing that the variable-height shell comprises a stationary base, a frame mounted for movement on the base between a RECLINED position as shown in Fig. IB and an UPRIGHT position as shown in Fig. ID, and a slidable torso section mounted for up-and-down movement on the frame as suggested in Figs. 2 and 3;

[0014] Fig. IB is a side elevation view of a passenger compartment of a vehicle showing that the child restraint of Fig. 1 A is sized and shaped to be placed on a rear passenger seat of a vehicle in a REARWARD-FACING orientation while the variable-height shell remains in the COMPACT mode without contacting the nearby front passenger seat and showing that the frame has been rotated on the underlying base about a horizontal axis of rotation by a caregiver to cause the frame to recline to assume the RECLINED position while the slidable torso section remains in the same LOWERED position on the frame shown in Fig. 1A;

[0015] Fig. 1C is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1A showing that the variable- height shell has been reconfigured by a caregiver to establish an EXPANDED mode of the variable-height shell in which the height of the variable-height shell has been increased in the field by the caregiver to enlarge the child-receiving space to seat a relatively larger child and showing that the slidable torso section has been moved upwardly on the frame to a TOP ELEVATED position and showing that the frame has been rotated on the underlying base about its axis of rotation by a caregiver to cause the frame to move from the RECLINED position shown in Fig. IB to the UPRIGHT position shown in Fig. 1C;

[0016] Fig. ID is a side elevation of a passenger compartment of the vehicle of

Fig. IB showing that the child restraint of Fig. 1C in the EXPANDED mode has been placed on the rear passenger seat of the vehicle in a FORWARD-FACING orientation;

[0017] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the variable-height shell in the COMPACT mode showing that the slidable torso- section of the variable -height shell has been moved downwardly on an upright torso- section support included in the frame and retained in a LOWERED position near a seat bottom also included in the frame to contract in size a child- receiving space provided in the variable-height shell to hold an infant or other very small child when the child restraint is placed in a REARWARD-FACING orientation on a rear passenger seat in a vehicle as shown in Fig. IB without causing an upper end of the slidable torso section of the variable-height shell to contact a rearward-facing surface on a companion front passenger seat in the vehicle and suggesting that the variable-height shell also includes a torso-section lock system coupled to the slidable torso section to move up and down therewith relative to the frame for locking the slidable torso section in each of several positions on the frame under the control of a caregiver;

[0018] Fig. 3 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 2 showing the variable -height shell in the EXPANDED mode and showing the slidable torso section of the variable -height shell after the first and second side locks of the torso-section lock system have been unlocked by a caregiver and the slidable torso section has been slid upwardly by the caregiver on the frame to a TOP ELEVATED position so as to lie further away from the seat bottom of the frame and to expand the size of the child-receiving space provided in the variable-shape shell to accommodate a relatively taller child when the child restraint is placed in a FORWARD- FACING orientation on a rear passenger seat in the vehicle as shown in Fig. ID and suggesting that the child restraint also includes a head receiver comprising a headrest-mount platform that is coupled to the frame, a movable headrest that can be moved by a caregiver relative to the frame and relative to the slidable torso section, and a headrest-height controller for use by a caregiver to move the headrest relative to the frame and relative to the slidable torso section;

[0019] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective assembly view of illustrative components that cooperate to form the child restraint of Figs. 1-3 and showing that the frame comprises a seat bottom and an upright torso-support section arranged to extend upwardly away from a rear edge of the seat bottom and formed to include a central platform-receiving cavity for receiving a headrest-mount platform included in the head receiver when the head receiver is coupled to the upright torso-support section of the frame and showing that the frame is a monolithic component made of a plastics material;

[0020] Fig. 5 is a front elevation view of the frame of Fig. 4 showing that the upright torso- support section of the frame comprises a vertical first support pillar, a laterally spaced-apart vertical second support pillar, and a pillar bridge that lies between the first and second support pillars to form a boundary of the platform-receiving cavity and showing that a first side-lock anchor bar is coupled to a left outer edge of the first support pillar and configured to mate with a first side lock of the torso-section lock system as suggested in Figs. 9A and 10, and that a second side-lock anchor bar is coupled to a right outer edge of the second support pillar and configured to mate with the second side lock of the torso-section lock system as suggested in Fig. 10;

[0021] Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a circled region in Fig. 5 suggesting diagrammatically that the first side lock is coupled to the slidable torso section that is supported for up-and-down movement on the upright torso-support section of the frame relative to the seat bottom so that the first side lock is moved up and down relative to the adjacent first side-lock anchor bar during up-and-down movement of the slidable torso section on the frame;

[0022] Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view that is similar to the view shown in Fig. 6 and showing components included in the first side lock and showing the relationship between those components and the first side-lock anchor bar and the slidable torso section;

[0023] Fig. 8A is an exploded perspective front view of illustrative components included in the first side lock before they are assembled and mounted on the slidable torso section to move up and down relative to the first side-lock anchor bar that is coupled to the upright torso-support section of the frame;

[0024] Fig. 8B is a view similar to Fig. 8A taken from a rear point of view;

[0025] Figs. 9A-9E comprise a series of diagrammatic views showing upward movement of the slidable torso section relative to the upright torso- support section of the frame from a LOWERED position near the seat bottom as suggested in Fig. 9A when the variable- height shell is in the COMPACT mode as shown in Figs. 1A and IB, first to a FIRST

ELEVATED position as suggested in Fig. 9C, and then to a TOP ELEVATED position as suggested in Fig. 9E when the variable -height shell is in the EXPANDED mode as shown in Figs. 1C and ID;

[0026] Fig. 9 A is a diagrammatic view showing that an anchor (X) included in the first side lock extends into a first anchor receiver formed in the first side-lock anchor bar and an auxiliary anchor (·) also included in the first side lock extends into a neighboring second anchor receiver formed in the first side-lock anchor bar to retain the slidable torso section in the LOWERED position on the upright torso-section support of the frame;

[0027] Fig. 9B is a view similar to Fig. 9A showing that the anchor (X) and the auxiliary anchor (·) of the first side lock have exited the first and second anchor receivers in response to application of a pushing force on a touch pad included in the first side lock (see Fig. 7) by a caregiver and begun to move upwardly in an anchor-travel channel formed in the first side-lock anchor bar as the slidable torso section moves upwardly away from the seat bottom in response to application of a lifting force on the slidable torso section by the caregiver;

[0028] Fig. 9C is a view similar to Figs. 9 A and 9B showing that the first side-lock anchor (X) now extends into the second anchor receiver formed in the first side-lock anchor bar and the first side-lock auxiliary anchor (·) now extends into the neighboring third anchor receiver formed in the first side-lock anchor bar to retain the slidable torso section in the FIRST ELEVATED position on the upright torso-section support of the frame;

[0029] Fig. 9D is a view similar to Figs. 9A-9C showing that the anchor (X) and the auxiliary anchor (·) have exited the second and third anchor receivers as the touch pad is pushed inwardly again by a caregiver and showing that the anchor and auxiliary anchor have begun to move upwardly in the anchor-travel channel formed in the first side-lock anchor bar as the slidable torso section moves upwardly toward the TOP ELEVATED position shown in Fig. 9E;

[0030] Fig. 9E is a view similar to Figs. 9A-9D showing that the first side-lock anchor (X) now extends into the third anchor receiver formed in the first side-lock anchor bar and the first side-lock auxiliary anchor (·) now extends into the neighboring fourth anchor receiver formed in the first side-lock anchor bar to retain the slidable torso section in the TOP ELEVATED position on the upright torso-section support shown illustratively in Fig. 3;

[0031] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the variable-shape shell of the child restraint shown in Fig. 2 with a front cover of the slidable torso section removed to show that a blocker- support platform (see Fig. 7) of the first side lock is coupled to the slidable torso section to move up and down with the slidable torso section relative to the frame with a portion of the right side of the slidable torso section broken away to reveal that the blocker- support platform of the second side lock is coupled to the slidable torso section to move up and down with the slidable torso section relative to the frame;

[0032] Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the child restraint shown in Fig. 2 with a left- side portion of the front cover of the slidable torso section removed to show the anchor of the first side lock extended into the first anchor receiver formed in the first side-lock anchor bar and with a right-side portion of the front cover of the slidable torso section removed to show the anchor of the second side lock extended into the first anchor receiver formed in the second side-lock anchor bar;

[0033] Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of the circled region of Fig. 11; and

[0034] Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective assembly view of illustrative components that cooperate to form the head receiver shown diagrammatically in Figs. 2 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] A child restraint 11 is shown in Figs. 1-3 and comprises a base 10, a reclined frame 12 mounted on base 10, a slidable torso section 14 mounted for up-and-down movement on reclinable frame 12, and a torso-section lock system 60. Frame 12 and slidable torso section 14 cooperate to define a variable-height shell 15 that is formed to include a child-receiving space 15S that can be expanded in size as shown in Fig. 3 or contracted in size as shown in Fig. 1 at the option of a caregiver by moving the slidable torso section 14 upwardly or downwardly relative to the companion reclinable frame 12.

[0036] Torso-section lock system 60 is used by a caregiver to lock the slidable torso section 14 to the frame 12 in one of several elevated positions selected by the caregiver to establish the size of variable-height shell 15. Child restraint 11 can be changed to a

COMPACT mode by a caregiver in the field so that child restraint 11 can fit on a rear passenger seat RS in a vehicle without bumping into an adjacent forward passenger seat FS when placed in a REARWARD-FACING orientation on rear passenger seat RS as suggested in Fig. IB.

[0037] Child restraint 11 further comprises a head receiver 16 that is linked to and associated with frame 12 as suggested diagrammatically in Figs. 2 and 3 and illustratively in Fig. 4. Up-and-down movement of the slidable torso section 14 on frame 12 does not automatically change the position of head receiver 16 on frame 12. In other words, movement of head receiver 16 relative to frame 12 is not tied directly to movement of the slidable torso section 14 relative to frame 12.

[0038] Head receiver 16 includes a movable headrest 40 that is mounted for up-and- down movement on frame 12 relative to slidable torso section 14 and a headrest-height controller 50 that can be used by a caregiver to lock the movable headrest 40 to frame 12 in one of several elevated positions selected by the caregiver to align the movable headrest 40 properly relative to the slidable torso section 14. In use, a caregiver moves slidable torso section 14 upwardly or downwardly on frame 12 to reach a desired elevation above a seat bottom 20 included in frame 12. Then, the caregiver uses headrest-height controller 50 to move headrest 40 to a proper position on frame 12 in relation to torso section 14. [0039] In illustrative embodiments, frame 12 includes a seat bottom 20 and an upright torso- section support 22 comprising first and second support pillars 22 IP, 222P arranged to extend upwardly from a rear portion of seat bottom 20 as shown, for example, in Figs. 4 and 5. Slidable torso section 14 is arranged to slide up and down on the first and second support pillars 221P, 222P of upright torso-section support 22 under the control of a caregiver as suggested, for example, in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0040] Upright torso- section support 22 further includes a pillar bridge 220B as suggested in Fig. 5. Pillar bridge 220B lies between and interconnects the first and second support pillars 221P, 222P to form a boundary of a platform-receiving cavity 30C as shown in Fig. 5. Platform-receiving cavity 30C is sized to receive and hold headrest-mount platform 30 of head receiver 16 to coupled head receiver 16 to frame 12 as suggested in Figs. 2 and 5.

[0041] Upright torso-section support section 22 also includes first and second side- lock anchor bars 221, 222. First side-lock anchor bar 221 is coupled to a left outer edge of the first support pillar 22 IP and configured to mate with a first side lock 61 of the torso- section lock system 60 as suggested in Figs. 9A and 10. Second side-lock anchor bar 222 is coupled to a right outer edge of the second support pillar 222P and configured to mate with the second side lock 62 of the torso-section lock system 60 as suggested in Fig. 10.

[0042] An enlarged perspective view of a circled region in Fig. 5 is provided in

Fig. 6 suggesting diagrammatically that first side lock 61 is coupled to the slidable torso section 14 that is supported for up-and-down movement on the upright torso-support section 22 relative to seat bottom 20 so that first side lock 61 is moved up and down relative to the adjacent first side-lock anchor bar 221 during up-and-down movement of the slidable torso section 14 on frame 12. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view that is similar to the view shown in Fig. 6 and showing components included in first side lock 61 and showing the relationship between those components and the first side-lock anchor bar 221 and the slidable torso section 14. An exploded perspective front view of illustrative components included in first side lock 61 is provided in Fig. 8 before they are assembled and mounted on the slidable torso section 22 to move up and down relative to first side-lock anchor bar 221 that is coupled to the upright torso- support section 221 of frame 12.

[0043] Torso-section lock system 60 comprises means for releasably locking torso section 14 to the first and second support pillars 221P, 222P of the upright torso-section support 22 of frame 12 to establish the elevation of slidable torso section 14 relative to seat bottom 20 of frame 12. Slidable torso section 14 is retained in a stationary low-elevation LOWERED position on upright torso-section support 22 by torso-section lock system 60 as shown in Fig. 3 to provide a small child-receiving space 15S for accommodating a relatively small child in variable-height shell 15. In contrast, slidable torso section 14 is shown in Fig. 3 after it has been unlocked and moved upwardly on upright torso- section support 22 by a caregiver to assume a higher elevation TOP ELEVATED position and then locked in place to establish a relatively larger child-receiving space 15S.

[0044] Torso-section lock system 60 is arranged to move up and down with slidable torso section 14 on upright torso-section support 22 of frame 12 as suggested in Figs. 2 and 3. Torso-section lock system 60 includes first and second side locks 61, 62 that are each configured to mate with lock receivers 221A-D, 222A-D formed in the upright torso-section support 22 to establish the height of slidable torso section 14 relative to seat bottom 20 of frame 12 as suggested in Figs. 6 and 9.

[0045] Variable -height shell 15 of child restraint 11 can be changed in the field by a caregiver to a COMPACT mode shown in Fig. 1 A so that it will fit in a rear passenger seat RS of a vehicle 10 in a REARWARD-FACING orientation without contacting an adjacent front passenger seat FS of vehicle 18 as suggested in Fig. IB. In COMPACT mode, variable-height shell has an effective length (L) that is relatively short and less than the distance between the seat backs of seats RS and FS as shown in Fig. IB. dimension 62 is a measure between bottom of shell 15 and top of head receiver 16.

[0046] Variable -height shell 15 also can be changed in the field by a caregiver to an

EXPANDED mode shown in Fig. 1C so that it can be placed on rear passenger seat RS in a FORWARD-FACING orientation to hold a larger child as shown in Fig. ID. In the

EXPANDED mode, child restraint 11 has a height (H) that is greater than the length (L).

Dimension H ₂ is another measurement of height taken from a point on shell 15.

[0047] Variable -height shell 15 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in Fig. 1A in a COMPACT mode to provide a relatively small child-receiving space 15S.

Variable -height shell 15 comprises a stationary base 10 adapted to set on a rear passenger seat RS of a vehicle, a frame 12 mounted for rotational movement on base 10, and a slidable torso section 14 mounted for up-and-down movement on frame 12.

[0048] Child restraint 11 of Fig. 1 A is sized and shaped to be placed on a rear passenger seat RS in a REARWARD-FACING orientation while the variable-height shell 15 is in the COMPACT mode without contacting the nearby front passenger seat FS. Frame 12 has been rotated on the underlying base 10 about a horizontal axis of rotation 12A by a caregiver to cause frame 12 to recline while the slidable torso section 14 remains in the same LOWERED position on frame 12 shown in Fig. 1A.

[0049] Variable -height shell 12 has been reconfigured by a caregiver as shown in

Fig. 1C to establish an EXPANDED mode of the variable-height shell 15 in which the height of the variable-height shell 15 has been increased in the field by the caregiver to enlarge the child- receiving space 15S to seat a relatively larger child. The slidable torso section 14 has been moved upwardly on frame 12 to a TOP ELEVATED position and showing that frame 12 has been rotated on the underlying base 10 about its axis of rotation 12A by a caregiver to cause frame 12 to move from the RECLINED position shown in Fig. IB to the UPRIGHT position shown in Fig. 1C.

[0050] A side elevation of a passenger compartment of the vehicle of Fig. IB is provided in Fig. ID to show that the child restraint 11 in the EXPANDED mode has been placed on the rear passenger seat RS of the vehicle in a FORWARD-FACING orientation.

[0051] Variable-height shell 15 is illustrated in Fig. 2 in the COMPACT mode to show that the slidable torso-section 14 of the variable-height shell 15 has been moved downwardly on an upright torso- section support 22 included in frame 12 and retained in a LOWERED position near a seat bottom 20 also included in frame 12 to contract in size a child- receiving space 15S provided in the variable-height shell 15 to hold an infant or other very small child when the child restraint 11 is placed in a REARWARD-FACING orientation on a rear passenger seat RS in a vehicle as shown in Fig. IB without causing an upper end of the slidable torso section 14 of the variable-height shell 15 to contact a rearward-facing surface on a companion front passenger seat FS in the vehicle. The variable-height shell 15 also includes a torso-section lock system 60 coupled to the slidable torso section 14 to more therewith relative to frame 12 for locking the slidable torso section 14 in each of several positions on frame 12 under control of a caregiver.

[0052] The variable-height shell 15 is illustrated in Fig. 3 in the EXPANDED mode to show that the slidable torso section 14 of the variable-height shell 15 after the first and second side locks 61, 62 of the torso- section lock system 60 have been unlocked by a caregiver and the slidable torso section 14 has been slid upwardly by the caregiver on the frame 12 to a TOP ELEVATED position so as to lie further away from seat bottom 20 of frame 12 to expand the size of the child-receiving space 15S provided in the variable- shape shell 15 to

accommodate a relatively taller child when the child restraint 11 is placed in a FORWARD- FACING orientation on a rear passenger seat RS in the vehicle as shown in Fig. ID.

[0053] A series of diagrammatic views is provided in Figs. 9A-9E to show upward movement of the slidable torso section 14 relative to the upright torso- support section 22 of frame 12 from a LOWERED position near seat bottom 20 as suggested in Fig. 9A when the variable-height shell 15 is in the COMPACT mode as shown in Figs. 1A and IB. Slidable torso section 14 is moved first to a FIRST ELEVATED position as suggested in Fig. 9C, and then to a TOP ELEVATED position as suggested in Fig. 9E when the variable-height shell 15 is in the EXPANDED mode as shown in Figs. 1C and ID.

[0054] Slidable-torso section 14 is shown diagrammatically in a LOWERED position on frame 12 in Fig. 9A. An anchor (X) included in the first side lock 61 extends into a first anchor receiver 221 A formed in the first side-lock anchor bar 221 and an auxiliary anchor (·) also included in the first side lock 61 extends into a neighboring second anchor receiver 22 IB formed in the first side-lock anchor bar 221 to retain the slidable torso section in the LOWERED position on the upright torso-section support 22 of the frame 12.

[0055] Slidable torso section 14 is unlocked and lifted to move upwardly on frame

12 as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 9B. The anchor (X) and the auxiliary anchor (·) of the first side lock 61 have exited the first and second anchor receivers 221 A, 22 IB in response to application of a pushing force on a touch pad 61B 1 included in the first side lock 61 (see Fig. 7) by a caregiver and begun to move upwardly in an anchor-travel channel 22 IT formed in the first side-lock anchor bar 221 as the slidable torso section 14 moves upwardly away from seat bottom 20 in response to application of a lifting force F LIFT on the slidable torso section 14 by the caregiver.

[0056] Slidable torso section 14 is shown diagrammatically in the FIRST

ELEVATED position on frame 12 in Fig. 9C. The first side-lock anchor (X) now extends into the second anchor receiver 221B formed in the first side-lock anchor bar 221 and the first side- lock auxiliary anchor (·) now extends into the neighboring third anchor receiver 221C formed in the first side-lock anchor bar 221 to retain the slidable torso section 14 in the FIRST

ELEVATED position on the upright torso-section support 22 of frame 12.

[0057] Slidable torso section 14 is unlocked and lifted again to move upwardly on frame 12 toward a TOP ELEVATED position as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 9D. The anchor (X) and the auxiliary anchor (·) have exited the second and third anchor receivers 22 IB, 221C as the touch pad 61B 1 is pushed inwardly again by a caregiver and showing that the anchor (X) and auxiliary anchor (·) have begun to move upwardly in the anchor- travel channel 22 IT formed in the first side-lock anchor bar 221 as the slidable torso section 14 moves upwardly toward the TOP ELEVATED position shown in Fig. 9E.

[0058] Slidable torso section 14 has now arrived at the TOP ELEVATED position as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 9E. The first side-lock anchor (X) now extends into the third anchor receiver 221C formed in the first side-lock anchor bar 221 and the first side-lock auxiliary anchor (·) now extends into the neighboring fourth anchor receiver 22 ID formed in the first side-lock anchor bar 221 to retain the slidable torso section 14 in the TOP ELEVATED position on the upright torso-section support 22 shown illustratively in Fig. 3. [0059] Child restraint 11 also includes a head receiver 16 comprising a headrest- mount platform 30 that is coupled to frame 12 and a movable headrest 40. Head receiver 16 also includes a headrest-height controller 50 for use by a caregiver to move headrest 40 relative to frame 12 and relative to the slidable torso section 14.

[0060] An exploded perspective assembly view of illustrative components that cooperate to form the child restraint 11 of Figs. 1-3 is provided in Fig. 4 to show that frame 12 comprises a seat bottom 20 and an upright torso-support section 22 arranged to extend upwardly away from a rear edge of seat bottom 20 and formed to include a central platform- receiving cavity 30C for receiving a headrest- mount platform 30 included in head receiver 16 when head receiver 16 is coupled to the upright torso-support section 22 of the frame 12.

Frame 12 is a monolithic component made of a plastics material.

[0061] Head receiver 16 includes a headrest-mount platform 30 that is retained in a stationary position on upright torso-support section 22 of frame 12, a movable headrest 40 mounted for up-and-down movement relative to headrest mount platform 30, and a headrest- height controller 50 that is coupled to the movable headrest 40 and configured to be operated to control the elevation of the movable headrest 40 relative to slidable torso section 14 and relative to seat bottom 20. Headrest-height controller 50 includes headrest lock means for releasably locking headrest 40 to the headrest-mount platform 30 that is coupled to the upright torso- section support 22 of frame 12 to establish the elevation of headrest 40 relative to the slidable torso section 14 and relative to the seat bottom 20.

[0062] Headrest 40 is mounted for up-and-down movement on headrest-mount platform 30 relative to stationary upright torso-section support 22 and also for independent up- and-down movement relative to the slidable torso section 14 regardless of the elevation position of the slidable torso section 14 on the upright torso-section support 22 of frame 12. An illustrative head cradle 42 of headrest 40 is shown in Figs. 4 and 12 and can be moved up and down relative to the slidable torso section 14 and relative to the torso-section support 22 independent of sliding movement of slidable torso section 14 relative to the upright torso- section support 22 of frame 12 so that head cradle 42 of headrest 40 can be positioned a proper location on torso-section support 22 to support the head of shorter and relatively taller children seated on seat bottom 20.

[0063] Upright torso- section support 22 of frame 12 includes a center panel 220, a first side-lock anchor bar 221, and a second side-lock anchor bar 222 as shown, for example, in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. Center panel 220 is coupled to rear edge 20R of the stationary seat bottom 20 and arranged to extend upwardly away from seat bottom 20 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. First side- lock anchor bar 221 is coupled to a first side of center panel 220 and located midway between top and bottom ends of center panel 220 as shown, for example, in Fig. 4. Second side-lock anchor bar 222 is coupled to an opposite second side of center panel 220 and is arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to the opposing first side-lock- anchor bar 221 as show, for example, in Fig. 5.

[0064] First side-lock anchor bar 221 is coupled to a first perimeter side segment of center panel 220 such as first support pillar 22 IP and arranged to extend outwardly to lie above seat bottom 20 as suggested in Figs. 5 and 6. In an illustrative embodiment, first side-lock anchor bar 221 is cantilevered to first perimeter side segment 221P of center panel 220.

[0065] First side-lock anchor bar 221 is formed to include a series of four vertically spaced-apart lock receivers 221A-D as shown, for example, in Fig. 4. Each adjacent pair of lock receivers 221A-D corresponds with one of the three elevated positions of the slidable torso section 14 on the upright torso-section support 22. First side lock 61 of torso-section lock system 60 is configured to engage lock receiver pairs (221A, 221B) or (221B, 221C) or (221C, 22 ID) formed in first side-lock anchor bar 221 selected by a caregiver to establish the elevation of the slidable torso section 14 on the upright torso-section support 22 above seat bottom 20 and relative to movable headrest 40.

[0066] Second side-lock anchor bar 222 is coupled to a second perimeter side segment such as second support pillar 222P of center panel 220 and arranged to extend outwardly (away from first side-lock anchor bar 221) to lie above seat bottom 20 as suggested in Figs. 4 and 7. In an illustrative embodiment, second side-lock anchor bar 222 is cantilevered to second perimeter side segment 222P. Second perimeter side segment 222P is arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to first perimeter side segment 221P as shown in Fig. 5.

[0067] Second side-lock anchor bar 222 is formed to include a series of four vertically spaced apart lock receivers 222A-D as shown, for example, in Fig. 4. Each adjacent pair of lock receivers 222A-D corresponds with one of the three elevated position of the slidable torso section 14 on the upright torso-section support 22. Second side lock 62 of torso- section lock system 60 is configured to engage 222A, 222B, 222C, or 222D formed in second side-lock anchor bar 222 lock receiver pairs (222A, 222B) or (222B, 222C) or (222C, 222D) selected by a caregiver to establish the elevation of the slidable torso section 14 on the upright torso-section support 22 of frame 12 above seat bottom 20 and relative to movable headrest 40.

[0068] Slidable torso section 14 includes a laterally extending center wing support

140, a downwardly extending first side wing 141 coupled to a first end of center wing support 140, and a downwardly extending second side wing 142 coupled to an opposite second end of center wing support 140 and arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to first side wing 141 as shown, for example, in Fig. 3. First side lock 61 is coupled to first side wing 141 to move therewith during up-and-down movement of slidable torso section 14 on upright torso- section support 22 of frame 12. Second side lock 62 is coupled to second side wing 142 to move therewith during up-and-down movement of slidable torso section 14 on upright torso- section support 22 of frame 12.

[0069] A caregiver can access and operate first side lock 61 through a first lock- access aperture formed in an outwardly facing exterior surface of first side wing 141 of slidable torso section 14 as suggested in Fig. 1A. A caregiver can access and operate second side lock 62 through a second lock-access aperture 62A formed in an outwardly facing exterior surface of second side wing 142 as shown in Fig. IB.

[0070] First side lock 161 includes a blocker-support platform 61P, a movable motion blocker 61B, a blocker-biasing spring 61S, and two platform- anchor fasteners 61F as shown, for example, in Figs. 7, 8A, and 8B. Blocker-support platform 61P is mounted using fasteners 61F in a stationary position on a first side of slidable torso section 14 in alignment with the first lock-access aperture 61A. Motion blocker 61B is mounted for reciprocal movement in a blocker-receiving cavity 61C formed in blocker-support platform 6 IP. Motion blocker 6 IB includes a touch pad 61B 1 exposed to view in the first lock-access aperture 61 A so that it can be pushed by a caregiver to unlock the normally locked first side lock 61. Motion blocker 6 IB also includes an anchor 61B3 configured to fit into one of the anchor slots formed in first lock-anchor bracket 221. Motion blocker 61B also includes an anchor-carrier post 61B2 arranged to interconnect touch pad 61B 1 and anchor (X). Blocker-biasing spring 61S acts between blocker-support platform 6 IP and the underside of touch pad 6 IB 1 normally to yieldably bias anchor (X) to extend into one of the anchor slots formed in first lock-anchor bracket 221 so that up-and-down motion of slidable torso section 14 relative to the upright torso-section support 22 of frame 12 is blocked. To free slidable torso section 14 for up-and- down movement on the upright torso-section support 14 to expand or contract the size of child- receiving space 15S in variable-height shell 15, a caregiver need only apply a pushing force to an exposed portion of touch pad 61B 1 to compress spring 61S and cause anchor (X) to exit the anchor slot so that motion of slidable torso section 14 relative to the upright torso-section support 22 is blocked no longer.

[0071] Second side lock 62 includes a blocker-support platform 62P, a movable motion blocker 62B, a blocker-biasing spring 62S, and two platform- anchor fasteners 62F as shown, for example, in Fig. 4. Blocker-support platform 62P is mounted using fasteners 62F in a stationary position on a second side of slidable torso section 14 in alignment with the second lock-access aperture 62A. Motion blocker 62B is mounted for reciprocal movement in a blocker-receiving cavity 62C formed in blocker-support platform 62P. Motion blocker 62B includes a touch pad 62B 1 exposed to view in the second lock-access aperture 62A so that it can be pushed by a caregiver to unlock the normally locked second side lock 62. Motion blocker 62B also includes an anchor (X) configured to fit into one of the anchor slots formed in second lock-anchor bracket 221. Motion blocker 62B also includes an anchor-carrier post 62B2 arranged to interconnect touch pad 62B 1 and anchor (X). Blocker-biasing spring 62S acts between blocker- support platform 62P and the underside of touch pad 62B 1 normally to yieldably bias anchor (X) to extend into one of the anchor slots 221S 1-S4 (see Fig. 4) formed in second side-lock anchor bar 221 so that up-and-down motion of slidable torso section 14 relative to the upright torso-section support 22 of frame 12 is blocked. To free slidable torso section 14 for up-and-down movement on the upright torso-section support 14 to expand or contract the size of child-receiving space 15S in variable-height shell 15, a caregiver need only apply a pushing force to an exposed portion of touch pad 62B 1 to compress spring 62S and cause anchor (X) to exit the anchor slot so that motion of slidable torso section 14 relative to the upright torso- section support 22 is blocked no longer.

[0072] Slidable torso section 14 can be moved upwardly away from seat bottom 20 by a caregiver after the first and second side locks 61, 62 has been moved to disengage the companion lock receivers formed in first and second side- lock anchor bar 221, 222 so that a taller child can be seated on seat bottom 20. Headrest 40 can be moved upwardly away from seat bottom 20 to change the elevation of movable headrest 40, and, in some cases, to allow for upward sliding movement of slidable torso section 14 relative to frame 20 by operating headrest-height controller 50. The position of headrest 40 relative to torso section 14 can be adjusted up or down by the caregiver using headrest-height controller 50 so that it remains in a stationary position on frame 12.

[0073] In the present disclosure, seat bottom 20 is provided on frame 12 and torso- section support 22 extends upwardly behind the seating surface provided by seat bottom 20 as suggested in Figs. 3 and 4. Movable headrest 40 and headrest-height controller 50 of headrest 16 are mounted upright to torso-section support 22 and will have clearance to torso section 14 so that headrest 16 can move semi-independently of torso section 14. To help define the fitment to the child to be seated on seat bottom 20, head receiver 40 will move to a certain point relative to upright torso- section support 22 and then slidable torso section 14 will be required to move in the same direction relative to upright torso-section support 22 if headrest 40 of head receiver 16 is to move further in that same direction relative to upright torso-section support 22.

[0074] In the present disclosure, torso section 14 is able to move upwardly relative to seat bottom 20 to provide additional protection and enhanced sizing for a taller child seated on seat bottom 20. In addition, when torso section 14 moves upwardly it will expose the belt path for COMPACT (BOOSTER) mode as suggested in Fig. 2. When torso section 14 is in a retracted or lowest position as shown in Fig. 1, the booster belt path is covered to help minimize confusion by a caregiver during installation of child restraint 11 in a vehicle.

[0075] In the present disclosure, adjustment of the elevation of torso section 14 and headrest 40 of head receiver 16 relative to seat bottom 20 and relative to one another promotes prolonged use of child restraint 11 as the child grows taller by allowing for proper fitment of differently sized children. Head receiver 16 can move independently or also couple to the child-restraint harness to adjust the height. For belt positioning mode, the belt path is exposed at all times in illustrative embodiments. The present disclosure allows the torso section 14 to move independently of headrest 40 of head receiver 16 relative to seat bottom 20 to give an additional component that can be adjusted to fit the child better. The belt path for belt positioning booster made is hidden until the child is large enough for child restraint 11 to be expanded by raising torso section 14 thereby exposing the belt path.

[0076] The following numbered clauses include embodiments that are contemplate and non-limiting:

[0077] Clause 1. A child restraint comprising

[0078] a base adapted to set on a passenger seat in a vehicle.

[0079] Clause 2. The child restraint of clause 1, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, further comprising a variable-height shell formed to include a child- receiving space that can be expanded and contracted in size at the option of a caregiver and the variable-height shell being mounted on the base for the movement relative to the passenger seat in the vehicle.

[0080] Clause 3. The child restraint of clause 2, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the variable -height shell includes a frame having a seat bottom and a torso-section support arranged to extend upwardly from the seat bottom and a slidable torso section mounted for up-and-down sliding movement on the torso- section support to vary the height of the slidable torso section relative to the seat bottom of the stationary frame.

[0081] Clause 4. The child restraint of clause 3, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, further comprising a head receiver mounted on the torso-section support, the head receiver including a movable headrest supported for up-and-down movement on the torso section support relative to the seat bottom and also for up-and-down movement relative to the torso section.

[0082] Clause 5. The child restraint of clause 4, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the variable -height shell further includes torso-section lock means for retaining the slidable torso section in one of a lowered position on the torso-support section in close proximity to the seat bottom to provide a relatively small-sized child-receiving space so as to establish a compact mode of the variable-height shell and an elevated position on the torso support section that is above the lowered position and away from the seat bottom to provide a relatively larger child-receiving space so as to establish an expanded mode of the variable-height shell.

[0083] Clause 6. The child restraint of clause 5, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the frame is mounted for angular movement on the base between a reclined position associated with a rearward-facing orientation of the variable-height shell when the base is placed on a rear passenger seat in a vehicle and an upright position associated with a forward-facing orientation of the variable-height shell when the based is placed on a rear passenger seat in the vehicle.

[0084] Clause 7. The child restraint of clause 6, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the slidable torso section is located in the lowered position on the torso- support section of the frame to establish the compact mode of the variable-height shell when the frame is located in the reclined position on the base to cause a top edge of the slidable torso section to lie in spaced-apart relation to a forward passenger seat in the vehicle.

[0085] Clause 8. The child restraint of clause 7, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the head receiver further includes a headrest-mount platform mounted in a stationary position on the torso-section support of the frame to allow movement of the slidable torso section relative to the torso- section support

[0086] Clause 9. The child restraint of clause 8, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the head receiver further includes a headrest-height controller arranged to interconnect the headrest-mount platform and the movable headrest and support the movable headrest for movement relative to the torso-section support of the frame and relative to the slidable torso section.

[0087] Clause 10. The child restraint of clause 9, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the slidable torso section is arranged to move up and down on the torso section support without moving the movable headrest relative to the frame.

[0088] Clause 11. The child restraint of clause 5, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the torso-section lock means includes a first side lock coupled to the slidable torso section to move therewith relative to the torso-support section of the frame and the first side lock is mounted for movement relative to the slidable torso section between a locked position engaging the torso-support section of the frame to retain the slidable torso section in a selected position on the frame and an unlocked position disengaging the torso- support section of the frame to free the slidable torso section to move relative to the frame between the lowered and elevated positions.

[0089] Clause 12. The child restraint of clause 11, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the upright torso-support section includes a center panel and a first side-lock anchor bar coupled to a first side of the center panel and arranged to extend upwardly along the first side of the center panel in a direction away from the seat bottom.

[0090] Clause 13. The child restraint of clause 12, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the first side lock is arranged to move upwardly and downwardly along the first side-lock anchor bar during movement of the slidable torso section on the upright torso-support section of the frame between the lower and elevated positions.

[0091] Clause 14. The child restraint of clause 13, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the first side lock is arranged to engage the first side-lock another bar of the upright torso-support section to establish the locked position of the first side lock.

[0092] Clause 15. The child restraint of clause 14, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the upright torso-support section further includes a second side- lock anchor bar coupled to a second side of the center panel to locate the center panel between the first and second side-lock anchor bars.

[0093] Clause 16. The child restraint of clause 15, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the second side-lock anchor bar is arranged to extend upwardly along the second side of the center panel.

[0094] Clause 17. The child restraint of clause 16, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the torso-section lock means includes a second lock coupled to the slidable torso section to move therewith relative to the upright torso-support section of the frame.

[0095] Clause 18. The child restraint of clause 17, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the second side lock is mounted for movement relative to the slidable torso section between a locked position engaging the second side-lock anchor bar to retain the slidable torso section in a selected position on the frame and an unlocked position disengaging the torso- support section of the frame to free the slidable torso section to move relative to the frame between the lowered and elevated positions when the first side lock also is in the unlocked position.

[0096] Clause 19. A child restraint comprising

[0097] a base adapted to seat on a passenger seat of a vehicle. [0098] Clause 20. The child restraint of clause 19, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, further comprising a variable-height shell including a frame supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a reclined position and an upright position.

[0099] Clause 21. The child restraint of clause 20, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the frame includes a seat bottom and an upright torso-section support that is arranged to extend upwardly away from a rear edge of the seat bottom.

[00100] Clause 22. The child restraint of clause 21, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the variable -height shell further includes a slidable torso section mounted for sliding movement on the upright torso-section support of the frame in a downward direction toward the seat bottom to contract in size a child-receiving space cooperatively defined by the frame and the slidable torso section and for sliding movement in an upright torso- section support of the frame in an upward direction away from the seat bottom to expand in size the child-receiving space.

[00101] Clause 23. The child restraint of clause 22, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the upright torso-support section includes a first side-lock anchor bar arranged to lie above the seat bottom and to extend upwardly in a direction away from the seat bottom.

[00102] Clause 24. The child restraint of clause 23, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, further comprising a first side lock coupled to the slidable torso section to move up and down therewith relative to the first side-lock anchor bar during up-and-down movement of the slidable torso section on the upright torso-support section of the frame.

[00103] Clause 25. The child restraint of clause 24, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the first side lock is configured to engage the first side-lock anchor bar to retain the slidable torso section in a selected position on the frame and to disengage the first side-lock anchor bar to free the slidable torso section to move relative to the frame.

[00104] Clause 26. The child restraint of clause 25, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, further comprising a head receiver including a headrest-mount platform mounted in a stationary position on the torso-section support of the frame to allow movement of the slidable torso section relative to the torso- section support, a movable headrest, and a headrest-height controller arranged to interconnect the headrest-mount platform and the movable headrest and support the movable headrest for movement relative to the torso-section support of the frame and relative to the slidable torso section. [00105] Clause 27. The child restraint of clause 26, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the slidable torso section is arranged to move up and down on the torso section support without moving the movable headrest relative to the frame.

[00106] Clause 28. A child restraint comprising

[00107] a variable-height shell formed to include a child-receiving space that can be expanded and contracted in size at the option of a caregiver.

[00108] Clause 29. The child restraint of clause 28, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the variable -height shell includes a frame and a torso section, the frame is formed to include a seat bottom and an upright torso- section support that is arranged to extend upwardly from a rear edge of the seat bottom, the torso section is mounted for up-and-down sliding movement on the upright torso-section support of the frame.

[00109] Clause 30. The child restraint of clause 29, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the child-receiving space is expanded in size in response to upward movement of the torso section on the upright torso- section support away from the seat bottom and contracted in size in response to downward movement of the torso section on the upright torso- section support toward the seat bottom.

[00110] Clause 31. The child restraint of clause 30, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, further comprising a head receiver including a headrest-mount platform mounted in a stationary position on the torso-section support of the frame to allow movement of the slidable torso section relative to the torso- section support, a movable headrest, and a headrest-height controller arranged to interconnect the headrest-mount platform and the movable headrest and support the movable headrest for movement relative to the upright torso- section support of the frame and relative to the slidable torso section and where the slidable torso section is arranged to move up and down on the upright torso- section support without moving the movable headrest relative to the frame.

[00111] Clause 32. The child restraint of clause 31, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the variable -height shell further includes a torso-section lock system comprising means for releasably locking the slidable torso section to the upright torso- section support of the frame in one of several elevated positions selected by a caregiver and located above the seat bottom to establish the elevation of the slidable torso section relative to the seat bottom of the frame.

[00112] Clause 33. The child restraint of clause 32, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the slidable torso section includes a center wing support, a first side wing coupled to one side of the center wing support, and a second side wing coupled to an opposite side of the center wing support. [00113] Clause 34. The child restraint of clause 33, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the torso-section lock system includes a first side lock mounted on the first side wing of the slidable torso section for movement relative to the first side wing between a locked position engaging a first side of the upright torso-section support and an unlocked position disengaging the first side of the upright torso-section support.

[00114] Clause 35. The child restraint of clause 34, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the torso-section lock system also includes a second side lock mounted on the second side wing of the slidable torso section for movement relative to the second side wing between a locked position engaging on opposite second side of the upright torso-section support and an unlocked position disengaging the opposite second side of the upright torso- section support.

[00115] Clause 36. The child restraint of clause 35, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein a caregiver can operate the first and second side locks simultaneously to free the slidable torso section to move up and down on the upstanding torso- section support of the frame so as to change the elevation of the torso section relative to the seat bottom so that the child-receiving space is expanded or contracted.

[00116] Clause 37. The child restraint of clause 36, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the upright torso-section support of the frame includes a center panel coupled to a rear edge of the seat bottom, a first side-lock anchor bar coupled to a first side of the center panel, and a second side-lock anchor bar coupled to an opposite second side of the center panel.

[00117] Clause 38. The child restraint of clause 37, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein each side-lock anchor bar is formed to include several lock receivers, and each lock receiver is associated with one of the several elevated positions of the slidable torso section on the upright torso- section support of the frame to allow a caregiver to operate the first and second side locks to disengage the companion first and second side-lock anchor bars to free the slidable torso section for up-and-down movement on the upright torso- section support relative to the seat bottom and then to establish a selected elevated position of the torso section above the seat bottom of the frame.

[00118] Clause 39. The child restraint of clause 38, any other clause, or any combination of clauses, wherein the caregiver aligns the first side lock with a selected lock receiver in the first side-lock anchor bar and simultaneously aligns the second side lock with a companion selected lock receiver in the second side-lock anchor bar to cause the first and second side locks to engage their respective lock receivers so that the slidable torso section is retained in a stationary elevated position selected by the caregiver on the upright torso-section support of the frame above the seat bottom of the frame.