FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of child safety seats for use in vehicles, and more particularly, to a child safety seat wherein the child’s position can be changed between a first position, which may be an upright (sitting) position, and a second position, which may be a lay flat (sleeping) position.

BACKGROUND

Infants and young children typically ride in motor vehicles in specially configured and secured child safety seats. Generally, the child safety seats utilize a seat frame having one or more interfaces for securing the child safety seat to the vehicle safety restraints such as, for example vehicle safety belt, Isofix connectors etc.

Child safety seats (commonly referred to simply as child seats) on the market today are designed to protect children in vehicles from the effects of impacts or other sudden changes in motion (for instance sudden deceleration), and the child safety seats may be used in many vehicles with a variety of seating orientations and designs. For example, it is recommended for the youngest children to use rearfacing child safety seats for additional safety, while forward-facing child safety seats may be used when the child reaches an appropriate size and/or age.

A child safety seat generally comprises a rigid main body adapted to receive and securely hold a child or infant and a base for supporting the main body. The rigid main body of the child safety seat may be integrated with the base of the child safety seat, or the rigid main body of the child safety seat and the base of the child safety seat may be releasably connected with each other, so that the child safety seat may be used to transport the child from the vehicle and to another place, for instance home, store, etc., or also from another place to vehicle, while the child is in the child safety seat.

The rigid main body of the child safety seat usually includes a seat portion in which the child or infant sits, a backrest portion extending from the seat portion against which the child or infant rests, and a head portion. The rigid main body also typically includes some form of protective wings or walls raising vertically out from the rigid main body, thus covering the upper body and head of the child or infant.

Currently, child safety seats are not the best environment for infants or babies (typically age 0-1.5 year) to be in for a longer period. Compact child safety seats put the child in a seating position which requires muscular strength and coordination that the baby still must develop. Also, gravity can lead to bone deformations when a child is in this seating position for too long.

Furthermore, from an ergonomic point of view, free limb movement is important for muscular development of the child. Many child safety seats have a very narrow fit to support the seat’s safety concept and for comfort. However, this narrow fit immobilizes the child and slows muscular development.

Advised duration of seat use is maximum half an hour for children up to 5-6 months, and maximum two hours for children above 5-6 months to prevent immobilization. It is known that children are kept in the seat for a longer time than what is recommended. This may be due to that the child safety seat resembles a regular seat and parents do not have a sense of the immobilization of the child. Parents may be unaware of the duration advise because the manual is not read or remembered. Furthermore, children may fall asleep during a ride and parents do not want to wake them up. The child safety seats for the youngest babies/infants (so called infant carriers) may be taken out of the car to the house and the child is kept in the seat until he/she is awake which can be a few hours later.

Many child safety seats, at least many of the infant carriers, are part of a travel system and are used on a stroller frame. This implies that the baby is kept longer in the harnessed car seat. The common carrycot allows for much more freedom of movement compared to the child safety seat.

Several child safety seats are arranged with a reclining mechanism to alter the inclination of the back section of the child safety seat, and thus being able to bring the child safety seat between at least an upright position, typically a sitting position, and a reclined position, typically a resting position or a sleeping position. The adjustment of the child safety seat might be carried out using various arrangements. One solution is to arrange the sitting section of the child safety seat movable in a forward direction (corresponding to the forward-facing direction of the child when seated in the seat), while the back section is hinged, such that the child safety seat may be brought into a reclined position. By moving the movable section in the opposite direction, the child safety seat may be brought into the upright position. The child safety seat may assume other positions in between the reclined position and the upright position. Thus, the displacement of the movable section determines the reclining of the back section. The back section may be connected to the movable section by means which allow for adjustment of the angle between the movable section, i.e. the sitting section, and the back section, such as a pivot connection. Usually for these solutions, bringing the child safety seat from a reclined position to an upright position results in a loose fastening of the seat belt around the child. If the adult does not re-buckle the child, the child may endure severe damages in the case of a sudden deceleration of the vehicle.

CN113335155A discloses a child safety seat which comprises a shell, a seat cushion and a backrest. The angle between the backrest and the seat cushion can be adjusted so that the child safety seat has multiple use states such as a sitting posture and a lying posture. The front portion of the seat cushion is rotationally connected with the front portion of the shell and the rear portion of the backrest is rotationally connected with the rear portion of the shell. One of the front portions of the seat cushion and the rear portion of the backrest can slide relative to the shell .

The front portion of the backrest is rotatably connected with the rear portion of the seat cushion and the angle formed between the backrest and the seat cushion can be adjusted.

EP3865341 Al discloses a child restraint system for use in car seats which makes it possible to adjust the position of the restraint system between the lying and sitting positions. The child restraint system comprises a chassis, a platform hinged on the chassis, the platform having an upper part connected to the chassis, a middle part and a lower part, the lower part movable by means of a slide system containing a notch.

Thus, there is a need for a child safety seat which allows more freedom of movement for the child’s limbs while improving their overall body position, thus reducing the negative effects of immobilization.

Furthermore, there is a need for a child safety seat which allows for changing the seating position of the child between at least an upright, sitting position and a reclined, resting position and which reduces the risk of incorrectly restraining the child within the seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object according to the present invention is to remedy at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or problems.

Thus, an object according to the present invention is to provide a child safety seat that improves the freedom of movement for the child while seated in the child safety seat, thus reducing immobilization. Another object is to provide a child safety seat which allows for reclining the seat to achieve a resting or sleeping position for the child which prevents unintentional incorrect use of the harness.

The terms “forwards”, “backwards”, “upwards”, “downwards”, when used herein to describe components or functions of the child safety seat according to the invention, are used relative to the child when seated in the child safety seat, i.e. the term “forwards” means in a forwards direction coinciding with the forward facing direction of the child when seated in the safety seat.

The term “rear-facing seat” or “rear-facing child safety seat” is used herein according to normal practice in the field of child safety seats, meaning that the seat faces rearwards relative to the regular driving direction of the car.

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.

With the abovementioned challenges in mind, the present invention brings forward a child safety seat that allows for variations in positions for the child, especially that allows for a lay-flat position, such that immobilization is prevented. Furthermore, this is achieved while preventing incorrect harness use.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a child safety seat for use in a vehicle seat, the child safety seat comprising: an outer seat part comprising connection means for connecting the child safety seat either to a base arranged in the vehicle seat or to a vehicle belt for fastening the child safety seat to the vehicle seat, an inner seat part comprising a backrest, a harness system to secure the child inside the child safety seat, a leg support attached to the inner seat part and extending forwards relative to a lower part of the backrest for supporting at least an upper section of the child’s legs, wherein at least a portion of the leg support is configured to rotate relative to the backrest thereby changing an angle therebetween, wherein the inner seat part is configured for sliding movement along an arced path relative to the outer seat part between at least a first position and a second position, and wherein when the inner seat part is in the first position, a first angle is formed between the leg support and the backrest, and wherein when the inner seat part is in the second position, a second angle is formed between the leg support and the backrest, and wherein the second angle is larger than the first angle.

The first position may be an end position and the second position may be an opposite end position, i.e. opposite the first end position. In one aspect, the first position is an upright position, and the second position is a reclined position compared to the first position, which reclined position may be a layflat position. The upright position shall be understood as the position where the angle between the horizontal plane and the backrest is largest. Similarly, the layflat position shall be understood as the position where the angle between the horizontal plane and the backrest is smallest. Thus, the angle of the backrest relative to the horizontal plane may be smaller in the second position, i.e. more reclined, than in the first position. The leg support provides a support for the child to sit on and extends from the backrest, or from proximate the backrest, and forwards for supporting at least the upper section of the child’s legs, e.g. until the knee area.

When in the second position, the backrest and the leg support together form a sleeping position for the child, where the child can have a more open hip position compared to the more upright positions and have support for the legs.

In one aspect, the child safety seat comprises a pivot mechanism pivotally connecting the leg support to the inner seat part. Thus, the pivot mechanism can enable rotation of the leg support relative to the backrest.

In one aspect, the leg support is configured to elastically deform when subjected to the weight of the child’s legs and thereby cause at least a portion of the leg support to rotate relative to the backrest.

Thus, rotation of the leg support, or at least a part thereof, relative to the backrest to change an angle therebetween, may be a result of the pivot mechanism and/or elastic deformation of the leg support.

The leg support may be thus be made semi-flexible to allow a bending movement caused by the weight of the child’s legs.

Semi-flexible in this sense means that the leg support is able to support the legs of the child, however, it will bend downwards to a certain degree due to the weight of the child’s legs unless being restricted by any other device. If the leg support is inherently semi-flexible, a further downwards flexing movement may be achieved in addition to a downwards rotation caused by the pivot mechanism.

In one aspect, the leg support comprises a flexible plate material, such as a plastic plate, a flexible frame with a mesh, fabric or the like stretched over, etc.

In one aspect the leg support may be flexible over its entire length or at least a part of its length, such that the bending movement of the leg support is substantially evenly distributed along the length of the leg support. In other words, in this configuration the leg support does not comprise a particular pivot point located along the length of the leg support about which the leg support pivots.

In one aspect the leg support is comprised of one continuous section. The continuous section is understood as being comprised of one section without any joints or articulated sections connected to each other via one or more pivot points.

In one aspect, when moving from the first position towards the second position, i.e. when sliding the inner seat part in a forwards direction, the arced path causes the inner seat part to rotate so that the backrest is tilted to a more reclined position, while the leg support is moved upwards and forwards relative to the outer seat part. This provides a reclined position for the child, suitable for sleeping or resting. Due to the rotation of the leg support, the angle between the backrest and the leg support is increased in the second position and the child can thus have a more open hip position compared to the more upright positions. This allows for a variation in the sitting position and thus a variation of the loads acting on the child’s body, and it requires different use of the child’s muscles as well as increases mobilization for the child.

In one aspect, the sliding movement of the inner seat part can be bidirectional, allowing a forward or backwards sliding movement of the inner seat part. The sliding movement is also intended to cover a rolling movement, e.g. a rolling part, such as a wheel, on a track. The arced path may be a convex path, which may also be referred to as a concave upwards path.

The sliding movement along the arced path causes the inner seat part to both move in a forwards or backwards direction while simultaneously being rotated. An advantage for a rear-facing seat is that in a frontal impact, the seat may automatically move from the second position, e.g. the layflat position, towards the first position, e.g. the upright position as a reaction to the force resulting from the impact. This puts the child in a more robust position for handling the forces of the impact.

The arced path may be formed by one or more sliding profiles which each may be straight or curved, together forming a curved traj ectory for the movement of the inner seat part.

In one aspect, the outer seat part and/or the inner seat part each is a rigid part. The outer seat part and the inner seat part may also be referred to as outer shell and inner shell.

In one aspect, the entire inner seat part is movable within the outer seat part.

In one aspect, the outer seat part may comprise a seat-shaped shell.

In one aspect, the pivot mechanism is a hinge. The pivot mechanism may comprise an elastic member or a spring.

In one aspect, the inner seat part comprises a crotch strap attachment member extending forwards relative to a lower part of the backrest, and wherein an angle between the backrest and the crotch strap attachment member is fixed.

The crotch strap attachment member and the backrest may be a unitary rigid body, or they may be attached to one another by a rigid attachment. Because the angle between the backrest and the crotch strap attachment member is fixed, the relative positions of the crotch strap attachment member and the backrest is maintained, such that when moving between the first position and second position, the harness system maintains its length, and thus tension. In one aspect, a portion of the leg support, at least in the first position, is arranged within a vertical projection of the outer seat part. The outer seat part may cover an underside of the backrest and at least a portion of the leg support when the inner seat part is in the first position. The leg support may thus rest against at least a portion of the outer seat part when a child is seated in the seat, such that the outer seat part may restrict how much the leg support can rotate. When moving from the first position towards the second position, i.e. when the inner seat part is moved forwards and rotated relative to the outer seat part, the leg support may be allowed to rotate further, such that the angle relative to the backrest is increased, before being restricted by the outer seat part.

In one aspect, when the inner seat part is in the second position, at least a portion of the leg support extends outwards from a front of the outer seat part, i.e. a portion of the leg support is not arranged within a vertical projection of the outer seat part, but extends forwards from this. The leg support may thus be allowed to rotate further downwards by the pivot mechanism and/or by deformation causing a further increase in the angle.

In one aspect, the child safety seat comprises a first sliding element attached to the inner seat part and a second sliding element attached to the outer seat part, the first sliding element being slidingly engaged with the second sliding element.

In one aspect, the inner seat part comprises an inner frame comprising the first sliding element and the outer seat part comprises an outer frame comprising the second sliding element.

The inner and outer frames may be “rigid”. The inner seat part may thus comprise a shell connected to an inner frame. The outer seat part may comprise a shell connected to an outer frame. The shell of the inner seat part may provide the backrest while the inner frame provides the sliding element and may also provide various other functions, such as the crotch strap attachment member. Thus, the inner frame and the outer frame may connect to form a sliding system for the child safety seat.

In one aspect, the second sliding element comprises at least one sliding profile and the first sliding element comprises at least one sliding member, or vice versa, the at least one sliding member being arranged for sliding movement along the at least one sliding profile. The sliding member is configured for engaging with the sliding profile.

The sliding profiles may be configured as guide slots, rails, tracks etc. The sliding members may be configured as guide rods or the like, wheels, etc. configured to engage the sliding profile. In one aspect, the at least one sliding profile may comprise one or more pairs of adjacent sliding profiles.

In one aspect, the at least one sliding member may comprise one or more pairs of adjacent sliding members.

In one aspect, the child safety seat comprises a front sliding profile and a rear sliding profile, a front sliding member and a rear sliding member, wherein the front sliding member engages the front sliding profile, and the rear sliding member engages the rear sliding profile.

The sliding profiles may be straight or curved or a combination of straight and curved profiles.

The front sliding profile may be arranged in the area of the seat portion, i.e. where the leg support is located, and the rear sliding profile may be arranged in the area of the backrest.

When the seat comprises both a front sliding profile and a rear sliding profile, each profile may be straight while the overall sliding path is still arced. This is achieved e.g. if the front sliding profile is arranged with an inclination relative to the rear sliding profile. Preferably, the rear sliding profile is sloping downwards while the front sliding profile is sloping upwards. One sliding profile may be curved, while the other sliding profile may be straight.

In one aspect, the harness system comprises a buckle, a crotch strap fixed at one end to the crotch strap attachment member, and two harness straps configured to be fastened to the crotch strap by the buckle, and wherein the inner seat part comprises upper guide points for securing the harness straps over the child’s shoulders. The inner seat part may additionally have lower guide points or fixation points. The upper guide points may comprise openings, e.g. slots, in the backrest for the harness straps to pass through before being routed further behind the backrest. The lower guide points or fixation points are present when the harness system is a five-point harness. In the case of a three-point harness, only upper guide points are present, in addition to the crotch strap fixation point. The lower guide points may comprise openings, e.g. slots, in the inner seat part for the lower part of the harness straps to pass through before being attached to anchor points for holding an end of the harness straps. Thus, all guide points for the harness straps and the fixation point for the crotch strap move together with the inner seat part, such that no change in tension of the harness straps occurs when changing position of the inner seat part.

In one aspect, the child safety seat comprises a retaining mechanism configured to prevent sliding movement of the inner seat part when in the first position until the inner seat part is subjected to a pushing or pulling force exceeding a threshold force.

In one aspect, the child safety seat comprises a retaining mechanism configured to prevent sliding movement of the inner seat part when in the second position until the inner seat part is subjected to a pushing or pulling force exceeding a threshold force.

The threshold force for the first position may be a first threshold force, and the threshold force for the second position may be a second threshold force. The first and second threshold forces may be of the same force value or of different force values.

The pushing or pulling force may be a result of an adult pushing or pulling on the inner seat part to change inclination or may be a reaction force due to an impact of the vehicle. Thus, the threshold force may be a force lower than or consistent with the force of an impact situation of the vehicle, for example the force of a frontal or a rear impact at a certain relative velocity of the vehicle. An advantage of this is that the inner seat part will then be able to move automatically as a reaction to the impact. For example, when the child safety seat is a rear-facing seat, the inner seat part will automatically move from the second position towards the first position as a reaction to a frontal impact, thus placing the child in a more robust position.

The retaining mechanism for the first and/or second position may comprise a recess, groove or an elevated section, such as a ridge, in the sliding profile(s) that the sliding member(s) must be forced over before it can be moved out of its current position and be allowed to slide relative to the outer seat part. Alternatively, the retaining mechanism is a separate part not integrated in the sliding profile(s). The retaining mechanism may be configured or designed so as to release the inner seat part from the first position, the second position, and/or from positions in-between, by a force which is preferably lower than or which is consistent with a force of an impact situation of the vehicle, e.g. a predetermined frontal impact situation. The force of the predetermined impact may be set to be consistent with the deceleration at a frontal impact occurring at a certain relative velocity, such as for example 30km/h, 40km/h, 50km/h or higher velocities. The force may be found by testing or by calculations.

In one aspect, the child safety seat is a rear-facing seat which does not comprise a retaining mechanism configured to prevent sliding movement of the inner seat part when in the second position. A certain pushing or pulling force will still be needed to overcome frictional resistance and move the inner seat part out of its position. Thus, in a frontal impact situation, the inner seat part will, as a result of the force of the impact, be moved towards the first position, i.e. to a more upright position. In one aspect, the child safety seat comprises a locking mechanism for releasably locking the inner seat part in the first position, and/or the second position, and/or in positions between the first and second positions.

The locking mechanism may comprise a restricting member that must be released in order to allow the inner seat part to slide relative to the outer seat part. This type of locking mechanism typically requires two separate actions by the user/adult; first one action to release the inner seat part, and then one action to move it. One example of a locking mechanism may be a spring-loaded rod locked in an opening in the guide slot, and which may be pushed or pulled away from its locking position to allow the inner seat part to slide relative to the outer seat part. Various other locking mechanisms may be used, which will be apparent or known to a person skilled in the art.

In one aspect, the child safety seat comprises either a retaining mechanism or a locking mechanism configured to retain or lock the inner seat part only in the first and/or second positions. In this case, only friction prevents the inner seat part to move when in positions between the first and second positions.

In one aspect, the child safety seat comprises a headrest. The headrest may be arranged on an upper part of the inner seat part, preferably attached to the inner frame and may be height-adjustable. The upper part of the harness straps may pass through an opening on a part which is arranged to move together with the headrest.

The inner frame may comprise notches for receiving a pin, rod, or the like arranged on the headrest, to lock the headrest in various height -positions.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for moving a child safety seat as defined above between the first position and the second position by applying a pulling or pushing force to the inner seat part such that the inner seat part is forced to move forwards or backwards relative to the outer seat part until reaching a desired inclination of the backrest. If the seat comprises a retaining mechanism, the pulling force or pushing force must exceed the threshold force before the inner seat part can be moved. If the seat comprises a locking mechanism, the method further comprises releasing the locking mechanism before moving the inner seat part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are appended to facilitate the understanding of the invention. The drawings show embodiments of the invention, which will now be described by way of example only, where:

Figure 1 shows a cross section through a middle of a child safety seat according to the invention when the seat is in an upright position. Figure 2 shows a cross section through a middle of a child safety seat according to the invention when the seat is in a layflat position.

Figure 3a, 3b, and 3c shows a simplified cross section through a middle of a child safety seat according to the invention wherein the seat is in an upright position, a position between the upright and the layflat position, and in the layflat position, respectively.

Figure 4 shows a cross section through a middle of an inner seat part having a leg support attached.

Figure 5 shows a cross section through a middle of an outer seat part.

Figure 6 shows a side view of an inner frame.

Figure 7 shows a side view of an outer frame.

Figure 8 shows an exploded view of an assembly of an inner frame and an outer frame.

Figure 9 shows a sliding arrangement between the inner frame and the outer frame when the inner seat part is in the upright position.

Figure 10 shows the sliding arrangement of Fig. 9 when the inner seat part is in the layflat position.

Figure 11 shows a top perspective view of a child safety seat according to the invention comprising an outer seat part, an inner seat part and a leg support.

Figure 12 shows a leg support pivotally connected to an inner frame.

Figure 13 shows a detail view of an embodiment of a pivot mechanism connecting the leg support to the inner seat part.

Figure 14 shows the crotch strap fixation point and harness guide points, where the shell of the inner seat is not shown.

Figure 15 shows the crotch strap fixation point and harness guide points as in Fig. 14 on an inner frame of the inner seat part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Having generally described this invention, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to certain specific embodiments, which are provided herein for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims unless otherwise specified.

Figure 1 shows a cross section through a middle of a child safety seat 100 when the seat is in a first position UP, which here is an upright position. The child safety seat 100 is for use in a vehicle seat and comprises an outer seat part 300, an inner seat part 200 and a leg support 240. The seat 100 may also comprise a handlebar 600, as is typical for child safety seats for infants. The outer seat part 300 comprises connection means for connecting to a base arranged in the vehicle seat or a vehicle belt for fastening the child safety seat 100 in the vehicle seat. The skilled person will be aware of various ways to connect the outer seat part 300 to the vehicle using for example Isofix connectors or the vehicles seat belts.

The inner seat part 200 comprises a backrest 220, on which the child rests its back, and a headrest 230, which may be adjustable in height for accommodating children of various heights. Furthermore, a harness system 500 to secure the infant inside the car seat 100 is provided (only the crotch strap 510 of the harness system 500 is shown in Fig. 1). This may be a three-point harness or a five-point harness, both having, as usual, a crotch strap between the child’s legs, and upper guide points proximate the child’s shoulders (see e.g. Fig. 14 and 15).

The inner seat part 200 is configured for sliding movement along an arced path relative to the outer seat part 300 in order to recline the backrest 220 or to make it more upright. The inner seat part 200 may be configured to slide between at least a first position UP and a second position LP. These positions may be opposite end positions of the arced path. Thus, the inner seat part 200 may slide between a first end position UP, which may be an upright position, and a second, opposite, end position LP, which may be a lay -flat position.

Figure 2 shows a cross section through a middle of a child safety seat 100 when the seat is in a second position LP, here being a layflat position. Sliding may be achieved by a sliding system 400 comprising sliding elements 410, 420 (see e.g.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) attached to the inner seat part 200 and the outer seat part 300 and which are engaged to allow a relative sliding motion. The sliding system 400 will be described in more detail in relation to the description of e.g. Fig. 4 and 5.

In order to change seating position to more reclined, e.g. from the position in Fig. l to the position in Fig. 2, a user/adult can pull on the leg support 240 and/or the lower part of the inner seat 200 and/or push on the upper part of the inner seat 200 until the desired angle. The seat 100 may comprise a release function to unlock the inner seat part 200 from upright position to be able to slide it within the outer seat part 300.

An important feature is that since the harness system 500 is entirely attached to the inner seat part 200 and the entire inner seat part 200 is sliding within the outer seat part 300, the tension in the harness 510, 520a, 520b remains the same at any angle between the upright and the lay-flat position.

Figure 3a, 3b, and 3c shows a simplified cross section through a middle of a child safety seat 100 wherein the inner seat part 200 is in an upright position, a position between the upright and the layflat position, and in the layflat position, respectively. The upright position may be the first position UP, while the layflat position may be the second position LP.

When the inner seat part 200 is in the first position UP (ref fig. 3a), a first angle aUP is formed between the leg support 240 and the backrest 220. When the inner seat part 200 is in the second position LP (ref fig. 3c), a second angle aLP is formed between the leg support 240 and the backrest 220. The second angle aLP is larger than the first angle aUP. When the inner seat part 200 is in a position between the first position UP and the second position LP (ref. fig. 3b), an angle a is formed between the leg support 240 and the backrest 220 which is larger than aUP and smaller than aLP. The larger second angle aLP allows for a more open hip position for the child. When in the second position LP, the backrest 220 and the leg support 240 together form a sleeping position for the child, where the child can have a more open hip position compared to the more upright positions and also have support for the legs.

The upright position resembles a common seating position for children in a car. The angle of the backrest 220 relative to the horizontal plane may in the upright position be about 45° and the angle between the backrest 220 and the leg support 240 may be about 100-110°. Due to frictional resistance, the inner seat part 200 will maintain its upright position during normal use, until it is forced to slide away from the upright position by a user/adult pulling or pushing on the inner seat part 200. As will be explained later, a retaining mechanism or a locking mechanism may be provided to further ensure that the inner seat part 200 maintains its upright position.

The lay-flat position resembles a carrycot. The angle of the backrest 220 relative to the horizontal plane may in the layflat position be about 20° and the angle between the backrest 220 and the leg support 240 may be increased to around 150°. Due to frictional resistance, the inner seat part 200 will maintain its layflat position during normal use, until it is forced to slide away from the layflat position. This may be caused by a user/adult pulling or pushing on the inner seat part 200 or by the force of an impact situation of the vehicle.

The sliding movement shown in Figs. 3a-3c is bidirectional, allowing a forward or backwards sliding movement of the inner seat part 200 relative to the outer seat part 300. The forwards direction here means a direction coinciding with the forwardfacing direction of the child when seated in the child safety seat.

The arced path along which the inner seat part 200 slides may be a convex path, which may also be referred to as a concave upwards path. Thus, the sliding movement along the arced path causes the inner seat part 200 to both move in a forwards or backwards direction while simultaneously being rotated, thus causing a change in angle of the backrest 220 to a more reclined or more upright position. Figure 3a-3c also show that the leg support 240 is pivotally connected to the inner seat part 200 and extends forwards relative to a lower part of the backrest 220 for providing a support for the child to sit on and for supporting at least an upper section of the child’s legs, e.g. until the knee area. It extends forwards from the backrest 220, or from proximate the backrest 220. The leg support 240 can optionally be made semi-flexible to allow it to elastically deform when subjected to the weight of the child’s legs, i.e. a bending movement of the leg support is caused by the weight of the child’s legs. The flexibility should be so as to allow a certain downwards bending of the leg support 240, while still providing support for the child’s legs. The leg support 240 may comprise a flexible or non-flexible plate material, such as a plastic or metal plate, a flexible or non-flexible frame with a mesh, fabric or the like stretched over, etc.

A pivot mechanism 245 (not shown in Fig.3a-3c; see e.g. Fig. 13) pivotally connects the leg support 240 to the inner seat part 200. The pivot mechanism 245 allows the leg support 240 to rotate relative to the backrest 220 so that a change in angle between the backrest 220 and the leg support 240 can be achieved.

A portion of the leg support 240 may be arranged within a vertical projection of the outer seat part 300. The leg support 240 may thus rest against the front part of the outer seat part 300, such that the outer seat part 300 restricts how much the leg support 240 can rotate. In the first position UP of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3a, the leg support 240 is almost entirely within the vertical projection of the outer seat part 300. As the inner seat part 200 is moved towards the second position LP (ref. Fig. 3b and 3c), i.e. when the inner seat part 200 is moved forwards and rotated relative to the outer seat part 300, the leg support 240 is also moved forwards and upwards and extends further out from the front of the outer seat part 300. The leg support 240 will thus be allowed to rotate further downwards, thus increasing the angle relative to the backrest 220, before being restricted by the outer seat part 300.

Figure 4 shows a cross section through a middle of an inner seat part 200. The inner seat part 200 comprises a rigid shell comprising a backrest 220 and sidewings 260. The inner seat part 200 further comprises a headrest 230, a leg support 240, and an inner frame 250 comprising a crotch strap attachment member 210 extending forwardly relative to a lower part of the backrest 220. The inner frame 250 also comprises a section extending along the backrest 220 (see also Fig. 6). A crotch strap 510, which is part of the harness system 500 for the child, is fixed to the crotch strap attachment member 210. The inner seat part 200 may also be provided with various padding, cushioning and fabrics as well as other common functionality of child safety seats.

Preferably, the angle between the backrest 220 and the crotch strap attachment member 210 is fixed such that the relative position of the crotch strap attachment member 210 and the backrest 220 is maintained. When the inner seat part 200 is moved relative to the outer seat part 300 in order to change inclination of the backrest 220, the harness straps 520a, 520b, i.e. harness webbing, (see e.g. Fig. 15) thus maintains its length, and thus tension, while the leg support 240 may rotate without affecting the harness tension. Thus, a parent may change the position of the child from a reclined, sleeping position to a more upright position and the seat 100 ensures that the harness always maintains its tension, thus avoiding dangerous situations where the parent may unintentionally loosen the harness when changing inclination of the seat.

Figure 5 shows a cross section through a middle of an outer seat part 300. The outer seat part 300 comprises a rigid shell covering an underside of the backrest 220 and approximately all of the leg support 240 when the inner seat part 200 is in the first position UP (see e.g. Figs. 3a-3c). The outer seat part 300 may also be provided with various padding, cushioning and fabrics as well as other common functionality of child safety seats, such as handlebar attachments 610.

When the inner seat part 200 is moved in a forward direction, as in Fig. 3b, at least a portion of the leg support 240 extends outwards from a front of the outer seat part 300.

Referring now to Figure 4 and Figure 5, the inner seat part 200 may comprise an inner frame 250 and the outer seat part may comprise an outer frame 350. The inner frame 250 comprises a first sliding element 410 configured to engage with a second sliding element 420 of the outer frame 350. In the embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first sliding element 410 comprises two sliding members 411,412 in the form of guide rods, one arranged at the backrest 220 and one arranged near the sitting area of the child (ref. Fig. 4), while the second sliding element 420 comprises two corresponding sliding profiles 421, 422 in the form of guide slots (ref. Fig. 5) for the guide rods 411, 412 to slide within. As seen in Figure 5, the rear guide slot 422 is curved, while the front guide slot 421 is straight. Together these two guide slots 421, 422 form an arced path for the inner seat part 200 to move along. The rear guide slot 422 may also be straight as long as it is arranged with an inclination relative to the front guide slot 421, e.g. the rear guide slot 422 may be sloping downwards while the front guide slot 421 is sloping upwards. Alternatively, only one curved guide slot could be provided. In another embodiment, it is the outer frame 350 which comprises the sliding member(s) (e.g. the rod(s)), while the inner frame 250 comprises the sliding profile(s) (e.g. the slot(s)), however the working principle is the same as described above for Figures 4 and 5.

The inner frame 250 and the outer frame 350 may be “rigid”. The inner seat part 200 may thus comprise a shell and an inner frame 250 which may be formed by one piece of material or may be fixedly attached to one another. The outer seat part 300 may comprise a shell and an outer frame 350 which may be formed by one piece of material or may be fixedly attached to one another.

Preferably, the shell of the outer seat part 200 is seat-shaped, i.e. a curved shell having a portion behind the child’s back and a portion in the sitting area, as shown in Figure 5. The shell of the inner seat part 200 may provide the backrest 220 while the inner frame 250 provides the sliding element 410 and may also provide various other functions, such as the crotch strap attachment member 210. Thus, the inner frame 250 and the outer frame 350 may connect to form a sliding system 400 for the child safety seat 100.

Figure 6 shows a side view of an inner frame 250 for an inner seat part 200 while Figure 7 shows a side view of an outer frame 350 for an outer seat part 300. The inner frame 250 may for example be fixed to the shell of the inner seat part 200, e.g. to the backrest 220, by screws or the like. Similarly, the outer frame 350 may for example be fixed to the shell of the outer seat part 300 by screws or the like. Figure 8 shows an exploded view of an assembly of an inner frame 250 and an outer frame

350 for slidingly engaging the sliding elements 410, 420 of the inner frame 250 and the outer frame 350.

The inner frame 250 of Figure 6 comprises a section with notches 251 for receiving a pin, rod or the like arranged on the headrest 230 for locking a headrest 230 in various positions for adjusting to the height of the child. This section extends along the backrest 220.

Figure 6 also illustrates the sliding element 410 in the form of front and rear guide rods (411, 412), and the crotch strap attachment member 210 where the crotch strap 510 is fixed. The backrest 220 and the crotch strap attachment member 210 will have a fixed mutual angle when the inner frame 250 is fixed to the inner seat part 200.

When the inner frame 250 is attached to the outer frame 350 such that the sliding element 410 of the inner frame 250, i.e. the guide rods 411, 412, is slidingly engaged with the sliding element 420 of the outer frame 350, i.e. the guide slots 421, 422, the inner frame 250, and thus the inner seat part 200, can move within the outer frame 350 of the outer seat part 300.

As best seen in Figure 8, the outer frame 350 may comprise an outer support ring

351 which surrounds the outer seat part 300 for structural support. Various other configurations for structural support can be envisaged. Furthermore, Figure 8 shows that the guide slots 421, 422 may comprise pairs of adjacent slots. Although one front guide rod 411 and one rear guide rod 412 are shown in Figure 8 for sliding within the pairs of guide slots 421, 422, also pairs of guide rods may be used, e.g. one per slot in the guide slot pair. Figure 9 shows the sliding system 400 between the inner frame 250 and the outer frame 350 of Figures 6 and 7 when the inner seat part 200 is in the upright position. Figure 10 shows the sliding system 400 of Fig. 9 when the inner seat part 200 is in the layflat position. The positions shown in Figures 9 and 10 are end positions, i.e. the guide rods 411, 412 are in the outer most positions inside the guide slots 421, 422. In Figure 9, the guide rods 411, 412 are in the rear-most positions inside the guide slots 421, 422, while in Figure 10, the guide rods 411, 412 have been moved to the front of the guide slots 421, 422. Intermediate positions between these positions are also possible either in a stepwise or stepless manner. No steps are shown in Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 11 shows a top perspective view of a child safety seat 100 comprising an outer seat part 300, an inner seat part 200 and a leg support 240. The leg support 240 can be more clearly seen in Fig. 12, which also shows the pivot mechanism 245, pivotally connecting the rear part of the leg support 240 to the inner frame 250 of the inner seat part 200. As mentioned previously, the inner frame 250 may be an integral part of the inner seat part 200 or fixedly attached to the inner seat part 200 such that the backrest 220 of the inner seat part (ref. fig. 4) has a fixed angle relative to the crotch strap attachment member 210. The leg support 240 shown in Figures 11 and 12 comprises a U-shape when seen from above giving room for the leg support 240 to pivot or rotate past the crotch strap 510 and the crotch strap attachment member 210. The leg support 240 may alternatively have other shapes allowing it to rotate without colliding or interfering with the crotch strap attachment member 210. The leg support is thus configured to rotate while the crotch strap attachment member 210 is fixed in its position, so that a more open hip position for the child can be obtained without affecting the tension in the harness.

Figure 13 shows a detail view of an embodiment of a pivot mechanism 245 connecting the leg support 240 to the inner frame 250 of the inner seat part 200. In this embodiment, the pivot mechanism 245 comprises an elastic member connected at one end to the inner frame 250 and at the opposite end to the leg support 240. The elastic member acts as a spring allowing a pivoting movement of the leg support 240 relative to the inner frame 250 and thus also relative to the backrest 220. The pivot mechanism may alternatively be a hinge or another type of spring allowing pivoting or rotational movement.

Figure 14 shows a buckle 540, upper guide points 521a, 521b, and lower guide points 522a, 522b for the harness straps 520a, 520b, and crotch strap fixation point 511 on an inner frame 250 of the inner seat part 200 (the shell of the inner seat part 200 not shown). The upper guide points 521a, 521b comprise openings in the shoulder area of the inner seat part 200 for the harness straps 520a, 520b to pass through. From these openings, the harness straps 520a, 520b can be routed down behind the backrest 220 and terminate in the adjustment strap 530. The lower guide points 522a, 522b can be formed by various fixation members providing an anchor point for the end of the harness straps 520a, 520b.

Figure 15 shows the harness fixation points as in Fig. 14, but where the shell of the inner seat 200 is shown. If the headrest 230 is configured to be moved up and down along the inner seat part 200, the upper guide points 521a, 521b may be arranged on a part of the inner seat part 200 which moves together with the headrest 230 or on a part integral with the headrest 230.

A similar arrangement for the upper guide points 521a, 521b and crotch strap fixation point 511 is also applicable for a three-point harness.

The harness straps 520a, 520b can be tensioned using the harness adjustment strap 530 and loosened by a tension release mechanism in a manner known in the art.

Optionally, a retaining mechanism or a locking mechanism (not shown in Figures) for retaining or releasably locking the inner seat part 200 in the first position UP and/or the second position LP may be provided. In one embodiment, a retaining mechanism is formed by the guide slot(s) having a groove, recess or ridge in the slot that the guiding member, i.e. the rod, must be pushed over before it can continue sliding inside the guide slot. If a retaining mechanism or a locking mechanism is not provided on the seat 100, the inner seat part 200 may still maintain its position inside the outer seat part 300 due to frictional resistance to sliding. Such friction may arise between components of the sliding system 400, between parts, such as fabrics, covering the inner seat part 200 and the outer seat part 300, etc.

When a parent or another user wants to move the inner seat part 200 from an upright position to layflat position, or a position in between, he/she can push or pull on the inner seat part 200, whether or not the child is seated in the seat 100, such that the inner seat part 200 moves along the arced path by the sliding system 400 until it reaches the desired position. Optionally, an extra push/pull force is needed to initiate the sliding if a retaining mechanism is present. Optionally, a release mechanism such as a knob may have to be released prior to sliding, if a locking mechanism is present. The same method is used to move the seat the opposite way, i.e. from layflat position to an upright position (or positions in between).

If the seat is an infant carrier, or a type that can be released from the base in the vehicle with the child seated in the seat 100, then changing positions of the inner seat part 200 can be performed even when the seat 100 is not installed in the vehicle, for example while standing on the floor, or installed on a stroller.

In the preceding description, various aspects of the independent claims have been described. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, systems and configurations were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the system and its workings. However, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the system, which are apparent to persons skilled in the art to which the disclosed subject matter pertains, are deemed to lie within the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Reference No. Description

100 Child safety seat

110 Vehicle seat

200 Inner seat part

210 Crotch strap attachment member

220 Backrest

230 Headrest

240 Leg support

245 Pivot mechanism

250 Inner frame

251 Notches for headrest adjustment

260 Side wing

300 Outer seat part

350 Outer frame

351 Outer support ring

400 Sliding system

410 First sliding element

411 Front sliding member

412 Rear sliding member

420 Second sliding element

421 Front sliding profile

422 Rear sliding profile

500 Harness system

510 Crotch strap

511 Crotch fixation point

520a, 520b Harness strap 521a, 521b Upper guide points 522a, 522b Lower guide points 530 Harness adjustment strap

540 Buckle

600 Handlebar 610 Handlebar attachment