초록

An apparatus for securing the head and/or torso of a child by way of a belt securing system is provided. Adjustable head and torso supporting portions can be attached to the seat of a lightweight vehicle, such as a bike trailer, or an airplane.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A safety device for transporting a child in a vehicle seat, the vehicle seat comprising a belt securing system with at least two belts and a crotch belt, the safety device comprising: (a) a central, back supporting portion including a pair of side edges;(b) first flexible supporting portion adjoi

1. A safety device for transporting a child in a vehicle seat, the vehicle seat comprising a belt securing system with at least two belts and a crotch belt, the safety device comprising: (a) a central, back supporting portion including a pair of side edges;(b) first flexible supporting portion adjoining the back supporting portion and extending from one of the side edges to a free end portion;(c) a second flexible supporting portion adjoining the back supporting portion and extending from another of the side edges to a free end portion;(d) a belt guide adjoining the free end portion of each flexible supporting portion formed for guiding at least one of the belts of the belt securing system along an outer facing surface of the flexible supporting portions;(e) a crotch portion adjoining the back supporting portion between the first and second flexible supporting portions;(f) at least one crotch belt guide on the crotch portion for guiding the crotch belt of the belt securing system;(g) wherein the first and the second flexible supporting portions and the crotch portion together with the belts guided thereon being capable of supporting the lap and crotch areas of the body of the child sitting in the seat;(h) wherein the belt securing system has at least two shoulder belts;(i) further comprising a head support portion having a back of head portion;(j) first and second flexible cheek portions, the cheek portions protruding from the back of head portion, being capable of laterally supporting the child's head, and having undersides; and(k) a shoulder belt guide provided on each of the undersides of the cheek portions to guide the shoulder belts. 2. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the belt securing system has at least two lap belts; and the first and the second flexible supporting portions are formed to encompass the lap area of the child sitting in the seat, and the belt guides are formed as lap belt guides. 3. The safety device according to claim 2, wherein the first and the second flexible supporting portions are pivotable with respect to the back portion. 4. The safety device according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the first and second flexible supporting portions has a width wider than the width of the at least two lap belts. 5. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second flexible supporting portions taper in width towards their free ends along a majority of the lengths with the flexible supporting portions. 6. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the first flexible supporting portion comprises a second belt guide positioned on the first flexible supporting portion between the belt guide and the back supporting portion. 7. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the belt guide on the first flexible supporting portion is formed as a slot arranged substantially transversely to the length of the first flexible supporting portion. 8. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the belt guide is formed as a loop arranged substantially transversely to the length of the first flexible supporting portion and the loop is secured on an outer facing side of the first flexible supporting portion. 9. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the crotch belt guide is formed as a slot arranged substantially transversely to the length of the crotch portion. 10. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the crotch belt guide is formed as a loop as the at least one crotch belt guide arranged substantially transverse to the length of the crotch portion and the loop is secured on the outer facing side of the crotch portion. 11. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the crotch portions includes a free end opposite its adjoining end and the at least one crotch belt guide is arranged close to the free end of the crotch portion. 12. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein each shoulder belt guide on the underside of the cheek portions is formed by at least one loop. 13. The safety device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one fastening element on the back of head portion for fastening the back supporting portion to the seat. 14. The safety device according to claim 13, wherein the at least one fastening element on the back of head portion is capable of cooperating with at least one fastening on the seat for adjusting the height of the head support portion in the seat. 15. The safety device according to claim 13, wherein the at least one fastening element is a loop on the upper edge of the back of head portion. 16. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the back supporting portion is partly formed from a substantially rigid material. 17. A safety device for transporting a child in a vehicle seat, the vehicle seat comprising, a belt securing system with at least two belts and a crotch belt, the safety device comprising: (a) a central, back supporting portion including a pair of side edges;(b) first flexible supporting portion adjoining the back supporting portion and extending from one of the side edges to a free end portion;(c) a second flexible supporting portion adjoining the back supporting portion and extending from another of the side edges to a free end portion;(d) a belt guide adjoining the free end portion of each flexible supporting portion formed for guiding at least one of the belts of the belt securing system along an outer facing surface of the flexible supporting portions;(e) a crotch portion adjoining the back supporting portion between the first and second flexible supporting portions;(f) at least one crotch belt guide on the crotch portion for guiding a crotch belt of the belt securing system;(g) wherein the first and the second flexible supporting portions and the crotch portion together with the belts guided thereon being capable of supporting the lap and crotch areas of the body of the child sitting in the seat;(h) wherein the belt securing system has at least two lap belts; and the first and the second flexible supporting portions are formed to encompass the lap area of the child sitting in the seat, and the belt guides are formed as lap belt guides; and(i) further comprising a head support positioned atop the back portion, the head support including a back of head portion and cheek portions protruding from the back of the head portion being capable of laterally supporting the child's head, and having undersides, and shoulder belt guides provided on the undersides of the cheek portions. 18. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein the back portion and the back of the head portion are height adjustable relative to one another. 19. A child carrier comprising: a seat including a sitting area and a back rest, a belt securing system including at least two belts and a crotch belt, and a safety device, the safety device comprising: a central, back supporting portion including a pair of side edges;a first flexible supporting portion adjoining the back supporting portion and extending from one of the side edges of the back supporting portion;a second flexible supporting portion adjoining the back supporting portion and extending from another of the side edges of the back supporting portion;a belt guide on each flexible supporting portion, the belt guide formed for guiding at least one of the at least two belts along an outer facing surface of the flexible supporting portion and the safety device positioned in the seat with the back supporting portion positioned against the backrest and the at least two belts guided by the belt guides of the first and the second flexible supporting portions;a crotch portion adjoining the back supporting portion, between the first and second flexible supporting portions; andat least one crotch belt guide on the crotch portion for guiding the crotch belt of the belt securing system. 20. The child carrier of claim 19, wherein the at least two belts are lap belts and the first and the second flexible supporting portions are moveable with the lap belts to encircle a child occupant area between inner facing surfaces of the back supporting portion and the first and the second flexible supporting portions. 21. The child carrier of claim 19, wherein the at least two belts are shoulder belts and the back supporting portion of the safety device portion comprises a back of head portion and wherein the first and the second flexible supporting portions are formed as cheek portions, the cheek portions protruding from the back of the head portion and creating a U-shaped member with the back of head portion, and the belt guides positioned on the undersides of the cheek portions.