AU703626B2 - Safety vehicle seat - Google Patents

Description

I 1 l1 i I, I -1- SAFETY VEHICLE SEAT This invention relates to a safety vehicle seat.

When transporting a baby in a vehicle, use is frequently made of a capsule type container into which the baby is fitted, the capsule then being suitably anchored to the vehicle, such as to the vehicle seat, by use of strapping. The capsule may be formed as a moulded plastics unit. While affording some protection to the baby, there is some inconvenience of use. For example, the capsule, if left in place in the vehicle, occupies a passenger seat which then becomes unusable for adults, or at least only useable at the inconvenience of demounting the capsule and storing it.

I According to the present invention there is provided A vehicle seat having formed, in a surface thereof adopted for sitting on, a recess for accommodating a baby, and means for filling the recess when not in use for accommodating a baby, to permit the seat to be used for sitting on.

The invention is further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat constructed in accordance with the invention, in a condition for normal use; and S:Figure 2 is a view like Figure 1, but illustrating the vehicle seat in use for transporting 20 a haby.

In the drawings, the vehicle seat 10 shown is of generally conventional construction as noimally adopted for car or other vehicles, save for the provision, in the upper surface 12 thereof, of a recess 14 which is capable of being closed and filled by the section 16 illustrated.

I I' I. 1 24i 11i 'iS S2 2 4 11 'N WO 95/31350 PCT/AU95/00274 -2- Recess 14 is proportioned to enable a baby to be accommodated therein, such as of the order of 600 mm long by 300 mm wide and 300 mm deep.

Straps 18 are provided in the recess 14 so as to enable secure strapping of a baby in the recess 14, when the section 16 is removed. In this way the baby may be safely transported in the vehicle of which the seat forms part.

When, however, it is not required to transport a baby, the recess 14 is closable by inserting the section 16 thereinto. The section 16 is made of a suitable flexible and/or resilient material so as to be a neat fit in the recess and such as to then present an upper surface portion 16a which forms a smooth continuation of the generally horizontal upper surface 12. Then, the seat is configured for normal use, allowing a person to sit comfortably on the part of the seat at which recess 14 is located.

As shown the section 14 may be hinged at a forward edge 12a of the seat so that when out of the recess 12 is it positioned as shown on the floor of the vehicle immediately forward of the seat. The hinging may be affected by attachment of flexible upholstery material over the top surface of section 16, which material extends forwardly to be attached to the seat at the hinge edge 12a.

The section 14 may be formed from a block of foam material, such as foam rubber or plastics. It may be suitably upholstered. The shape may conveniently be complementary to the recess.

The strap 18 may be formed in any suitable way, such as from pairs of lengths of strapping, one of each pair being attached to on longer side of the recess 14 and the other of each pair being secured to the other longer side, with cooperating parts of releasable connectors provided at the free ends of the lengths to enable respective ones of each pair of lengths to be secured together. Some means, such as adjustable buckles, may be provided for adjusting the lengths of the straps. The straps are easily disposable out of sight in the recess 14 when the section 16 is in place.

WO 95/31350 PCT/AU95/00274 -3- The seat of the invention is particularly suitable for use where quick adaptation of a vehicle for carrying a baby is required, or where only occasional adaptation is needed. The invention has particular utility in public transport vehicles such as taxis.

While the seat 10 illustrated is in the nature of a seat suitable for use in a car or station wagon, seats of other vehicles may be similarly adapted.

The seat 10 may be readily formed from an existing vehicle seat of the kind formed of moulded foam material, simply by cutting the section therefrom, and suitably cutting and stitching existing upholstery.

The described construction has been advanced merely by way of explanation and many modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

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Claims (3)

1. 2. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 wherein said means for filling is formed from resilient material.
2. 3. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 or claim 2 including straps for locating a baby in said recess.
3. 4. A vehicle seat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said means for filling is hinged to the seat. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for filling the recess is hinged at a forward edge of the seat. A vehicle seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. I)ATED this 29th day of October, 1998 ROI)NEY JOHN LINGARD By his Patent Attorneys Davies Collison Cave I-