Constraint device for the releasable fastening of a child safety seat to a motor vehicle seat

Abstract

A constraint device for the releasable fastening of a child safety seat to a motor vehicle seat is described, equipped with fastening means for coupling with matching means carried by the seat; control means operatively connected to the fastening means and mobile for defining coupling and decoupling between the fastening means and the matching means; and guiding means for defining a predetermined movement path for the control means. Such path includes a first section, along which the operation of the fastening means is prevented, and a second section, along which the operation of the fastening means by the control means is allowed.

1 . A constraint device ( 1 ) for the releasable fastening of a child safety seat ( 2 ) to a motor vehicle seat ( 3 ), characterised in that it comprises: 
 fastening means ( 5 ) for coupling with matching means ( 14 ) carried by the seat ( 3 );    control means ( 6 ) operatively connected to said fastening means ( 5 ) and mobile for defining coupling and decoupling of said fastening means ( 5 ) to said matching means ( 14 ); and    guiding means ( 7 ) for defining a predetermined movement path (P) of said control means ( 6 ); said path (P) comprising a first section (P 1 ), along which the operation of said fastening means ( 5 ) is prevented, and a second section (P 2 ), along which the operation of said fastening means ( 5 ) by said control means ( 6 ) is allowed.    
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said first and second sections (P 1 , P 2 ) of said path (P) are oriented in distinct directions.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said first section (P 1 ) of said path (P) extends transversally to the resultant of the weight forces weighing in use on said child safety seat ( 2 ).  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that said second section (P 2 ) of said path (P) extends at least in part transversally with respect to said first section (P 1 ).  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said second section (P 2 ) of said path (P) is arranged downstream of said first section (P 1 ) along a decoupling stroke of said fastening means ( 5 ) from said matching means ( 6 ).  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a supporting body ( 7 ) movably carrying said fastening ( 5 ) and control ( 6 ) means, said guiding means comprising a first engagement element ( 8 ) defined by said supporting body ( 7 ), shaped according to said path (P) and slidingly coupled with a second engagement element ( 30 ) integral with said control means ( 6 ).  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6 , characterised in that said first and second engagement elements comprise respectively a groove ( 8 ) in said supporting body ( 7 ) and a knob ( 30 ).  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 6 , characterised in that said fastening means comprise a fastening element ( 5 ) defining a housing ( 16 ) for receiving said matching means ( 14 ) and mobile between a fastening position and a release position, in which it is engaged or disengaged from said matching means ( 14 ) respectively, and in that said control means comprise a control element ( 6 ) sliding with respect to said fastening element ( 5 ) responsive to the movements of said second matching element ( 30 ) parallel to said first section (P 1 ) of said path (P), and integrally mobile with respect to said fastening element ( 5 ) responding to movements of said second engagement element ( 30 ) transversal to said first section (P 1 ).  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 8 , characterised in that said fastening element ( 5 ) is fastened to said supporting body ( 7 ) pivotally around a respective pin ( 17 ), and in that said control element ( 6 ) presents a slot ( 28 ) engaged by said pin ( 17 ) to allow sliding with respect to said fastening element ( 5 ).  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 8 , characterised in that it comprises first elastic means ( 20 ) exerting on said fastening element ( 5 ) a biasing action towards said fastening position, and second elastic means ( 21 ) interposed between said fastening and control elements ( 5 ,  6 ) for exerting an biasing action on said control element  6 ) towards said matching means ( 14 ).