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`
`(12) United States Patent
`Meeker et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,901,003 B2
`Mar.8, 2011
`
`4,161 ,337 A
`4,540,216 A
`4,570,510 A
`4,640,550 A
`4,687,255 A
`4,746,166 A
`4,818,023 A
`4,819,278 A
`4,854,639 A *
`4,986,600 A
`5,158,337 A
`5,169,174 A
`5,366,271 A
`5,378,038 A
`5,395,154 A
`5 ，4日，4 01 A
`5,460,426 A
`5,472,236 A
`
`7/1979 Ross et al.
`9/1985 Hassel, Sr
`2/1986 Babak et al
`2/1987 Hakansson
`8/1987 Klanner et al.
`5/1988 Sadan
`4/1989 Griesemer
`4/1989 Ranros
`8/1989 Burleigh et al. ........... 297/250.1
`111991 Leblanc et al
`10/1992 Legge仕
`12/1992 Gray
`1111994 Johnston et al.
`111995 Koyanagi et al.
`3/1995 Wang
`5/1995 Koyanagi
`10/1995 T巾el訶 et al
`12/1995 Gray
`(Co凶inued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4137599
`5/1993
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`European Search Report, Oct. 10, 2005.
`
`(Co凶inued)
`
`Primary Examiner - Sarah B McPartlin
`(74) Attorney, Age眠。r Firm - Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A car seat for transporti月 a child in an automobile is
`described which is convertible from a rear-facing infant car(cid:173)
`rier into a forward-facing toddler carrier by the inclusion or
`removal of a separable headrest. The car seat features a belt
`a句 ustment system as well as a crotch belt adjustment system
`in addition to front and rear restraint attachment components
`
`23 Claims, 21 Drawing Sheets
`
`(54)
`
`JUVENILE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Paul K. Meeker, Hiram, OH (US);
`W i11iam R. Gibson, Kent, OH (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Meeker R & D, Inc., Hiram, OH (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 691 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 111756,759
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun.1, 2007
`
`(65)
`
`US 2007/0228788 Al
`
`Prior Publication Data
`Oct. 4, 2007
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`DE
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/806 ，301 ，自led on Jun.
`30, 2006.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A47D 1/10
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................... 297/250.1; 297/256.1; 297/468
`(58) Field ofClassification Search ............... 297/250.1 ,
`297/256.1 , 467, 468, 473
`See application file for complete search history
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`12/1883 Morris
`290,344 A
`8/1892 Mayes
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`5/1950 Goldberg
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`
`\溢
`
`30R
`
`/
`
`Page 1 of 30
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`Nuna Exhibit 1005
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`

`

`US 7,901,003 B2
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`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`1111997 Kain
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`2/2002 Mori ........................ 297/256.13
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`1112002 Carnahan et al.
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`1112002 Kassai et al.
`
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`6,491 ,348 Bl *
`6,550,862 B2
`6,592,183 B2
`6,623,074 B2
`6,685,266 B2
`6,695,412 B2 *
`6,773,064 B2
`6,779,843 B2 *
`6,857,700 B2 *
`6,913,313 B2
`7,021 ,710 B2
`7,097,245 B2 *
`7,427,104 B2 *
`7,448,683 B2 *
`2002/0033632 Al
`
`1112002 Kassai et al.
`12/2002 Kain ............................. 297/484
`4/2003 Kain
`7/2003 Kain
`9/2003 Asbach et al
`2/2004 James et al
`2/2004 Barger et al.
`8/2004 Treen et al.
`8/2004 Kain .......................... 297/250.1
`2/2005 Eastrnan et al. ........... 297/250.1
`7/2005 Sedlack
`4/2006 Kain et al
`8/2006 Barker ..................... 297/256.14
`9/2008 Na尬 la ......................... 297/254
`1112008 Rikhof ....................... 297/250.1
`3/2002 Gibson et al.
`
`................. 297/484
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0326265
`8/1989
`2750372
`6/1996
`W00206091
`112002
`W003/008226
`112003
`W02005/079239
`9/2005
`W02007/035386
`3/2007
`
`EP
`FR
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Preliminary Report on Patentabili句" Mar. 26, 2006
`International Preliminary Report on Patentabili句， Apr. 18, 2006
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 2 of 30
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`22
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`28R
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`US 7,901 ,003 B2
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`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`1
`JUVENILE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT
`
`2
`Some juvenile convertible car seats have a means to slide
`the shoulder belts up or down to a new height without disas(cid:173)
`sembly and rethreading. This is accomplished with a sliding
`carriage behind and/or in front ofthe seat back that the shoul-
`This invention relates generally to a juvenile convertible 5 der belts pass over or t尬。ugh. The shoulder belts pass
`through the seat back ofthe molded shell via a single pair of
`car seat with a restraining harness and moveable headrest.
`large, vertically elongated slots that correspond to the range
`More specificall弘 the invention includes adjustability of an
`internal harness -to fit various sized and gro~ing chiÚ:lren in
`o~moti~l_l ofthe a~justabl~ carri~ge. T~~ c~rri~g.e positi?n is
`such a mamer that the harness never requires disassembly
`acqusted by a mechanism that is located behind the seat back
`10 and oftenhidden from the user and is thus non-obvious and/or
`and corresponding reassembly in a new position, thereby
`di血cult to use. Even fewer convertible car seats have the
`reducing the potential to misuse the product, as well as the
`ability to adjust the crotch strap without disassembly, and
`ability to use the product over a wider age span through the
`current adjustment means are, again, non-obvious and di且-
`ability to selectively include or remove a headrest depending
`~cl;. 已'
`。n the size ofthe occupant.
`
`的
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`LATCH stands for Lower Anchorages and Tethers for Chil-
`dren and is an industry standard of child restraint attachment
`It typically includes a length ofbelt with a clip at each end and
`an adjuster in between to adjust the length ofthe belt. The belt
`can be threaded t尬。ugh either the rear facing or forward
`Juvenile convertible car seats are designed for use with
`growing children-These car seats are designed to convert the mfacmg beltpaths ofthe convertible car seat andthe clIps attach
`car se~t fr_om a re~. fa~~ng and re~l!n_~d position for infant~
`to metallo~ps on either side ofthe seating area behinct the seat
`(from birth up to 20, 22.or even 30 lbs.) to an upright and
`cushion ofthe auto seat. The metalloops are attached to the
`frame of the car. With the clips attach.ed to the loops, the
`forward facing position for toddlers (up to 40 or even 65 lbs.
`or more). Convertible car s間的 are secured on an automobile
`LATCH belt can be a句 usted tightly and the car seat is
`seatwiththeautomobileseatbelt(s)threadedthroughspecific 25 secured. The use of LATCH is optional but car s間的 are
`forward or rear facing belt paths, relative to a forward or rear
`required to be so equipped as an alternate method of attach-
`facing installation. Construction of a convertible car seat typi-
`ment to the standard auto seat belts.
`cally comprises of a molded plastic seat shell that is essen-
`Side impact performance is a growing concern withjuve-
`tially a bucket seat shell with a seat and back support surface,
`nile car seats, and while high sides on a seat, along with the
`forward extending side supports, a molded-in frame, and 30 internal harness do contain the 出ld occupant, the juvenile
`other details for the attachment of pads, belt systems, and
`car seat itself can still slide side-to-side even when properly
`other components. The belt system, or internal harness,
`installed. This movement is caused by the juvenile car seat
`restrains the child occupant and is generally a 5-point system
`sliding laterally relative to the auto belts or LATCH belt. A
`with a crotch strap ，何o lap belts , and two shoulder belts. The
`solution is integral belt clamps that reside within or 吋 acent
`belt system also includes some sort of adjuster to loosen or 35 to the rear and/or forward facing belt paths of the juvenile car
`tighten the belts, and it is typically located at orunderthe front
`seat. These clamps hold the auto or LATCH belts tight to the
`of the seat for easy access. A sewn fabric seat pad provides
`juvenile car seat and prevent or minimize side-to-side sliding
`comfort.
`relative to these belts
`The child population is increasing in weight and size rela-
`Most convertible car seats have a recline feature that man-
`tive to age and safety advocate groups are urging parents to 40 ages the seat recline position for comfort and/or proper posi-
`keep chil的n in child restraints (especially those with an
`tioning in forward or rear facing installations. Rear facing
`internal harness) 的 long as possible. Therefore, convertible
`installation always requires more recline to properly support
`car seats are typically large and are getting larger to contain
`a developing infant
`It has become common for nearly all children' s car seats to
`older and heavier children.
`When used rear facing for an infant, the convertible car seat 45 include at least one cup or drink holder. These take many
`must be reclined to properly support the developing child.
`forms and are either removable or retractable by some means.
`This creates a challenge, especially for a large convertible
`The purpose of this invention is to solve these problems
`with current car seats in a practical, reliable, conveniel泣， and
`seat. Juvenile car seats are typically used in the back seat of an
`automobile and the seat back ofthe reclined and rear facing
`cost effective m紅mer. It will make transportation of a grow-
`juvenile car seat often interferes with the seat back ofthe front 50 ing child safer and more convenient.
`automobile seat. This incompatibility prevents the juvenile
`car seat 企om properly reclining or even prevents its use
`entirely
`Harness system adjustment, specifically that of the two
`This invention is a juvenile convertible car seat which can
`shoulder belts, has always been an area of misunderstanding 55 be used rear facing for infants and forward facing fortoddlers,
`and misuse by the consumer. Typically, juvenile car seat
`in an automobile. The focus ofthis invention is on a reason-
`backs have multiple sets of slots at different heights to corre-
`able fit of a large convertible car s臼t in an automobile (spe-
`spond to a growing child's shoulders. To a句 ust the shoulder
`cifically rear facing) and adjustability of an internal harness to
`belts from one slot to another, the consumer has to un-secure
`fit various sized and growing children in such a manner that
`the harness and nnthread the shoulder belts from the currentωthe harness never requires disassembly and corresponding
`reassembly in a new position, which introduces potential
`slots and rethread them through the desired slots and then
`re-secure. Crotch straps on some car seats have multiple use
`misuse.
`positions also and some must be unthreaded, moved and
`This convertible car seat includes a seating surface, a seat
`back surface, raised sides, and structural frame rails on either
`rethreaded similar to shoulder belts. This disassembly and
`reassembly introduces risks to the use of the car seat as the 的 side behind the seat and back surfaces running nearly the
`length ofthe entire seat. The basic structl凹的 molded in one
`correct and crucial reassembly relies entirely on the con-
`sumer, who may not be mechanically inclined.
`plastic part. The sides and backrest are lined with energy
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`US 7,901 ,003 B2
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`4
`3
`rails, the user can make the desired sh'Oulder belt height
`abs 'Orbing f'Oam. It als'O includes a 5-p'Oint internal harness as
`adjustment with'Out uninstalling the car seat and can visually
`described ab 'Ove which is adjustable t'O fit vari 'Ous sizes 'Of
`c'Onfirm what p'Ositi'On the carriage is in and that the teeth 'On
`children with'Out disassembling and rethreading the harness.
`The car seat als'O includes a recline stand, aut'O belt clamps,
`the plungers are fully engaged.
`The tw'O vertical sh'Oulder belt sl'Ots in the seat back surface
`f'Orward and rear facing belt paths，剖ld a rem'Ovable upper 5
`are unique from the equivalent sl'Ots 'Of 'Other car seats in that
`back secti'On.
`Therem'Ovableupperbacksecti'On, whenrem'Oved,reduces
`their shape is such that n'O c'Over plate is required in the
`'Occupant area. Each 'Of the tw'O vertical sl'Ots is actually a
`the seat backheight and minimizes interference with the fr'Ont
`aut'Om'Obile seats when the car seat is installed rear-facing in
`series 'Of generally h'Oriz'Ontal belt sl'Ots l'Ocated at c'O叮esp'Ond-
`a rear aut'Om'Obile seat. This all'Ows a proper recline angle f'Or 10 ing p'Ositi'Ons t'O where the sh'Oulder belts pass thr'Ough the
`an infant. The remaining n'On-rem'Ovable back area is suffi-
`carriage as p'Ositi'Oned by the latching apertures 'On the main
`ciently large t'O supp'Ort an infant and maintain seat structure.
`shell rails. The number 'Of the h'Oriz'Ontal belt sl'Ots is the same
`The rem'Ovable back secti'On 'Of this inventi'On inc'Orp 'Orates
`number 'Oflatching apertures. The series 'Of sl'Ots is c'Onnected
`p'Orti 'Ons 'Of the f'Orward extending sides 'Of the car seat.
`by a narrow central sl'Ot 'Of approximately 1" in width and the
`Attachment 'Of the rem'Ovable upper back secti'On can be 15 edges are angled at approximately 45 0 t'O transiti 'On sm'O'Othly
`achieved any number 'Ofways but in this case it is acc 'Om-
`int'O theh'Oriz'Ontalbeltsl'Ots.Allc 'Ornersareroundedsuchthat
`plished with a generally “ U" shaped metal c'Omp 'Onent that is
`the c'Onnecting sl'Ots assume a wave-like shape 'On each side.
`fastened t'O the rem'Ovable upper back with the legs 'Ofthe “ U"
`The wave-like sides 'Of the c'Onnecting sl'Ots all'Ow the sh'Oulder
`p'Ointing d'Ownward. The legs 'Ofthe “ U" slide int'O the struc-
`belts t'O slide easily 企'Om p'Ositi'On t'O p'Ositi'On (by means 'Ofthe
`tural frame rails behind the seat back surface 'Of the m'Olded 20 carriage) eliminating 'Or greatly reducing the chance that the
`belt will “ hang" as the p'Ositi'On is changed. The central c'On-
`plastic seat shell. At least 'One sl'Ot is f'Ormed in at least 'One 'Of
`the d'Ownward p'Ointing “U" legs and is engaged by at least
`necting sl'Ot is narrow t'O preserve as much 'Ofthe back seating
`'One spring biased t'O'Oth that resides in the c'O叮esp'Ondi月
`surface as p'Ossible and theref'Ore eliminati月 the need f'Or any
`structural 企ame rail(s) 'Ofthe shell. Engagement 'Ofthe t'O'Oth
`kind 'Of c'Over plate in front 'Ofthe sl'Ots
`t'O the sl'Ot 'On the “ U" leg is aut'Omatic 'Once the legs are 25
`The cr'Otch strap is als 'O adjustable away from 'Or cl'Oser t'O
`inserted far en'Ough int'O the rails. Rem'Oval 'Ofthe upper back
`the back surface with'Out any disassembly. This is acc 'Om-
`is acc'Omplished by applying pressure t'O a t'O'Oth rem'Ovallever
`plished with a large h'Ole m'Olded in the seat surface 'Ofthe shell
`t'O 'Overc'Ome the spring bias, disengaging the sl'Ot 'On the “ U"
`with a series 'Of teeth under the seating surface 'On either side
`leg, and sliding the upper back and its legs 'Out 'Of the frame
`'Of the h'Ole. A sliding c'Over plate 'On the inside 'Of the seat
`rails. The rem'Ovable upper back must be installed 'On the 30 c'Oversthelargeh'Ole.Acr'Otchstrapreceiverpartwitharaised
`juvenile seat 'Once the child is ab 'Out 20 'Or 22 p'Ounds t'O
`center secti'On with a sl'Ot t'O receive the cr'Otch strap is slide-
`provide the additi'Onal supp'Ort height necessary f'Or the larger
`ably attached t'O the b'Ott'Om 'Of the c'Over plate up thr'Ough the
`child.
`h'Ole in the shell such that the raised center secti'On penetrates
`An'Other advantage 'Of the rem'Ovable back is that the seat
`a smaller h'Ole in the c'Over plate. The c'Over plate and cr'Otch
`can be packaged with the rem'Ovable back disassembled. This 35 strap receiver are biased t'Oward each 'Other via tw'O springs
`secured t'O the c'Over plate. The cr'Otch strap receiver has teeth
`all 'Ows f'Or a smaller b'Ox which saves wareh'Ousing and ship-
`ping c'Osts-especially imp'Ortant when shipping fr'Om 'Over-
`that c'Orresp 'Ond and engage teeth 'On the shell via the spring
`bias. T'O adjust, the user grips the b'Ott'Om 'Ofthe cr'Otch strap 'On
`seas.
`the raised center secti'On 'Of the crotch strap receiver, pushes
`The tw'O sh'Oulder belts 'Ofthe 5-p'Oint harness system 'Ofthis
`inventi'On are adjusted vertically by means 'Of a m 'Ovable car- 的 d'Own t'O disengage the teeth and slides the crotch strap, cr'Otch
`strap receiver, and c'Over plate t'O the desired p'Ositi'On. The
`riage 'Or transverse beam l'Ocated behind the seat back. The
`sh'Oulder belts pass thr'Ough this carriage and thr'Ough tw'O
`spring bias urges the teeth 'Of the cr'Otch strap receiver and the
`large vertical sl'Ots in the seat back, that c'Orresp'Ond generally
`shell t'O engage at whatever p'Ositi'On the cr'Otch strap receiver
`t'O the vertical range 'Of m'Oti 'On 'Of the carriage. The carriage
`is m'Oved. The t'Op c'Over plate simply slides al'Ong the seating
`slides generally vertically 'Or parallel t'O the m'Olded seat back 45 surface and provides c'Over f'Or the large h'Ole. The large h'Ole
`in the shell defines the 'Overall range 'Of m 'Oti'On 'Of the cr'Otch
`between the tw'O main structural rails l'Ocated behind the seat
`strap receiver and ultimately, the crotch strap
`back.
`This carriage c'Omprises 'Of tw'O parts that trap a pair 'Of
`The recline 'Of this c'Onvertible car seat is achieved by
`inwardly spring-biased plungers that extend laterally fr'Om
`means 'Of a piv'Oting U -shaped arm with ah'Oriz'Ontal beam and
`either side 'Of the carriage. These plungers penetrate vertical 50 tw'O legs terminating in hubs l'Ocated under the shell. The arm
`sl'Ots m'Olded thr'Ough each 'Ofthe tw'O structural frame rails.
`piv'Ots via a lug 'On each hub 'Of the arm that penetrates a
`These sl'Ots all'Ow a range 'Of m'Oti'On 'Of the ca叮iage and the
`c'Orresp 'Onding h'Ole m'Olded 'On the 'Outside 'Of each structural
`penetrating plungers and include apertures that c'Orresp 'Ond t'O
`shell rail. The recline arm piv'Ots rearward 'Or f'Orward t'O either
`teeth 'On the plungers. The apertures and c'Orresp'Onding
`recline 'Or make the seat upright. The arm is retained in either
`plunger teeth define the vari 'Ous height p'Ositi'Ons 'Of the car- 55 reclined 'Or upright p'Ositi'On via an 'Outwardly spring biased
`riag巴， and ultimately, the sh'Oulder belts passing thr'Ough the
`plunger l'Ocated at the end 'Of each hub. The shell in this area
`carriage. The teeth are urged int'O the apertures via the spring
`is shaped such that the 'Outwardly biased plungers create an
`interference with the shell, h'Olding the recline arm in place in
`bias. Each plunger includes a finger grip area that the user
`may utilize t'O pull the plunger 'Outward, 'Overc 'Oming the
`either p'Ositi'On. The spring bias is 'Only strong en'Ough t'O h'Old
`spring and disengaging the t'O'Oth from the particular aperture. 60 the recline arm in place and is easy t'O 'Overc 'Ome by the user
`'Only has t'O rotate the arm 'Out 'Of 'One p'Ositi'On, which
`wh'O
`B'Oth plungers must be pulled 'Outward simultane'Ously t'O
`disengage the teeth 'On b'Oth structural frame rails and then
`c'Ompresses the springs and m 'Oves the plungers 'Out 'Of the
`m'Oved, al'Ong with the carriag巴， t'O a desired height and new
`way, and all'Ows the arm t'O swing t'O the next p'Ositi'On where
`set 'Of apertures. Releasing the plungers all'Ows the springs t'O
`the biased plungers again retain arm p'Ositi'On.
`urge the teeth inward int'O the new set 'Of apertures, latching 65
`The f'Orward facing aut'O and LATCH belt path is l'Ocated
`the carriage int'O the new p'Ositi'On. Because the vertical sl'Ots
`ab'Out a third 'Ofthe way up the seat back surface and is situated
`and apertures are l'Ocated 'On the 'Outside 'Ofthe structural frame
`in 企'Ont 'Ofthe tw'O main structural rails 'Ofthe seat. It is defined
`
`Page 25 of 30
`
`

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`Page 26 of 30
`
`

`

`US 7,901 ,003 B2
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`7
`FIG. 15B is a cut-away view showing the left rear facing
`belt clamp in closed position with cam unlocked;
`FIG. 16A is a cut-away section view through and normal to
`the left rear facing belt clamp showing it closed with the c紅n
`in unlocked position; and
`FIG.16B is acut-away section viewthroughandnormal to
`the left rear facing belt clamp showing it closed with the cam
`in locked position.
`
`8
`back 38 and back surface 22 ofthe removable upper back 14
`foam liner 40 are penetrated by hand grip 56.
`Seat shell assembly 12 outer surfaces 30R and 30L are
`intersected by main rails 58R and 58L located behind back
`5 surface 18 and below seati月 surface 16. Main rails 58R and
`58L share rear contoured surface 60, bottom contoured sur(cid:173)
`face 62 (also showninFIG. 4), andalso include inner surfaces
`66R and 66L and outer surfaces 64R and 64L, respectively.
`Inner surfaces 66R and 66L extend upward under the seat and
`10 are bridged by seating surface 16. This combination of sur-
`faces defines the essential form of the main molded plastic
`t shell 34.
`Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are
`Rear rail cover 68 connects main rails 58R and 58L and
`for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiment of the
`rface 60 with them. Rear cover 68 includes
`invention only and not for purposes oflimiting the same. The
`15 instruction storage recess 70. Apertures 72 are located
`thetop ofmainrails58Rand58L andac叫t angled 1蚓al
`figures show a cor闊的leωmtwith afeMhableupper
`component74ofremovable upper back assembly14.FIG.7
`back to allow a proper rear faung installat1onma1auto as
`illustrates metal component 74 ~ inserted through" aperture 72
`w~ll as, ~or the ~e，nefit of a smaller package size and wit~ an
`and downmSIde main ra1l58RJ58L FIG8A more clearly
`a句ustable shoulder harness mechamsm that never requ1res
`rethreading ofthe hamess and which can be adjusted from the 20 shows spring 80 biasing tooth 82 into slot or notch 78 onmet~l
`compOl:i"ent 74. When _metal component 74 is inserted into
`front ofthe car seat when installed on an automobile seat, as
`main rails 58R and 58L (better illustrated in FIG. 8C), angled
`well as other inventions.
`As illustrated in FIG. 1, convertible car seat 10 has two
`tip 76 acts on tooth 82, moving it out of the way and over-
`m句 or compone凶s， seat shell assembly 12 and removable
`coming the bias of spring 80 (see FIG. 8B) to allow metal
`upper back assembly 14. Seat shell assembly 12 incorporates 25 component 74 to pass far enough for alignment and conse-
`a seating surface 16, a back surface 18 which are generally
`quential biased engagement of tooth 82 with slot 78. Tooth
`perpendicular to one another, and adjacent raised right side
`removallever 84 may be pulled to disengage tooth 82 from
`slot 78, compressing spring 80, for removal of metal compo-
`20R and raised left side 20L. Raised sides 20R and 20L
`incorporate inner surfaces 26R and 26L respectively, and
`nent74frommainrails58Rand58L, alsoshowninFIGS.8B
`outer surfaces 30R and 30L respectively Inner surfaces 26R 30 and 8C.
`and 26L form the main inside contours ofrespective energy
`Movable shoulder belt carriage assembly 88 (synony-
`absorbing foam components 35R and 35L that span the entire
`mously moveabletransverse adjustment beam) shown in FIG.
`9, manages the height of shoulder belts 44R and 44L. Shoul-
`inner side surfaces of seat shell assembly 12. Back surface 18
`defines the main outer contour of energy absorbing foam
`der belts 44R and 44L pass through slots 100R and 100L in
`component 36 that covers the upper interior back surface of 35 moveable carriage body 90 that lies between main rails 58R
`seat assembly 12.
`and 58L. Plungers 92R and 92L extend laterally from either
`end of carriage body 90 and penetrate substantially vertical
`Removable upper back assembly 14 incorporates a back
`surface 22 and adjacent raised right side 24R and raised left
`slots 86R and 86L in main rails 58R and 58L. Springs 96 bias
`side 24L. Raised sides 24R and 24L incorporate inner sur-
`plungers 92Rand92Linwardrelativeto ca叮iage body 90 and
`faces 28R and 28L respectively, and outer surfaces 32R and 40 drive tooth 94 located on each plunger 92R and 92L (FIG.
`10A, 10B) into recesses 98 located adjacent to vertical slots
`32L respectively. Inner surfaces 28R and 28L and back sur-
`face 22 form the inner contour of energy absorbing fo紅n liner
`86R and 86L in main rails 58R and 58L. A series of generally
`40 which spans the entire interior ofupper back assembly 14.
`evenly spaced recesses 98 a句 ace凶 to vertical slots 86R and
`Removable upper back surface 22 is essentially an exten-
`86L (see FIGS. 5-6) define the altemative vertical positions of
`sion of seat shell assembly back surface 18. Removable back 的 carriage assembly 88, and ultimately the vertical positions of
`inner surfaces 28R and 28L of raised sides 24R and 24L are
`shoulder belts 44R and 44L within the global range of adjust-
`essentially extensions of seat shell assembly 12 inner surfaces
`ability permitted by vertical slots 86R and 86L. FIG. 5 illus-
`26R and 26L ofraised sides 20R and 20L.
`trates the highest position 110 while FIG. 6 illustrates the
`lowest position 112. Adjusting the height ofthe shoulder belt
`Intemal harness 42 includes shoulder/lap belts 44R and
`44L, crotch belt 46 and buckle/latch assembly 48. Harness 50 carriage assembly 88 requires that both plungers 92R and 92L
`be pulled outward simultaneously, overcoming biasing
`adjuster 50 is located in front and directly below seating
`springs 96 and disengaging tooth 94 located on each plunger
`surface 16 where it is easily accessed. Tightening internal
`harness 42 is achieved by pulling adjuster belt 52 through the
`92R and 92L from current position recesses 98 as shown in
`adjuster 50, which is connected to and pulls on the shoulderl
`FIG. 10B. The shoulder belt carriage assembly 88 can then be
`lap belts 44R and 44L better illustrated in FIG. 2. Loosening 55 raised or lowered to the desired position where tooth 94 from
`the hamess is done by lifting a lever on the 吋叫做到 and
`each plunger 92R and 92L can align and engage with another
`pulling on the shoulderbelts which pulls adjusterbelt 52 back
`positionofrecess 98via the bias ofspring96 as showninFIG
`into the adjuster 50.
`10A.
`A sewn pad covers the majority ofthe car seat, but it is not
`FIG. 1 shows right and left shoulder belt slots 102R and
`60 102L. Each generally vertical slot 102R and 102L includes
`shown for clarity.
`multiple generally horizontal shoulder belt slots 104, a nar-
`Removable upper back outer surfaces 32R and 32L are
`row and generally vertical connecting slot 106, and transition
`essentially extensions of seat shell assembly outer surfaces
`30R and 30L, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2 Upper back
`ramps 108 forming an hourglass a叮angement. The nnmber
`outer surfaces 32R and 32L are joined together by the central
`and vertical position of horizontal slots 104 corresponds
`rear surface 54. These three surfaces define the essential 的 directly to the number and vertical position of recesses 98
`a句 acent to vertical slots 86R and 86L in main rails 58R and
`shape of the plastic upper back component 38 of the upper
`back assembly 14. Both rear surface 54 of the plastic upper
`58L. Narrow connecting slot 106 allows shoulder belts 44R
`
`Page 27 of 30
`
`

`

`US 7,901 ,003 B2
`
`10
`9
`FIG. 6 illustrates automobile seat 180 and the interaction with
`and 44L to slide from o