Device for releasable attachments of objects to a mobile unit

Chairs and seats – Supplemental seat – Detachably mounted to a support base

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C297S256120, C297S253000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06260920

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an arrangement for releasable attachment of an object to a mobile unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Several different applications exist for which there is a need for means for a simple and safe attachment of a movable object, such as a child's seat to a vehicle, such as a car, a bicycle, a child's cart, and the like. The conventional method for attachment of a child's seat to a vehicle is to use a variety of straps which are fastened to a vehicle seat, or to utilize specially arranged loops in the seat itself or in a foot board. One problem with these methods has been that the safety level has varied to a great extent, and that, in any event, no rigidly fixed attachment has been obtained, which has resulted in a risk of the child seat turning over in the event of an accident. Another problem has been that the fixing points have varied from one vehicle to another which has given rise to compromise solutions by the child seat manufacturers.
A standardized solution has been suggested, which has involved a rigid fixture having four fixing points, and which thus results in a safe attachment. Up to now, this standard solution has required a corresponding engagement apparatus in a child seat having four attachment points. In this regard, there is a risk that it might be difficult to accomplish a safe connection at all four of these points in a single movement. Another standardized solution has been suggested, which has involved two fixing points, which therefore requires in some cases additional points of support such as in the form of adjustable upright members.
From British Patent No. 2,288,328, for example, there is shown a releasable attachment device which requires both a linear and a rotary motion in order to obtain a locking position. Furthermore, the previously known mechanism requires a comparatively large height, thereby resulting in a disadvantageously high location of a child's seat, for example.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an attachment device which is easy to use and which has a high degree of reliability, by means of which, for example, it is impossible to obtain insufficient attachment.
In accordance with the present invention, this and other objects have been realized by the invention of apparatus for the releasable attachment of an object to a movable unit, the apparatus including a first engagement member having a first guiding support surface adapted to be fixed to the movable unit and a second engagement member having a second guiding support surface adapted to cooperate with the first guiding support surface and to be fixed to the object, whereby when engaged with each other the first and second engagement members are adapted to be centered about a common axis of symmetry, one of the first and second guiding support surfaces comprising the outer surface of one of the first and second engagement members and the other of the first and second guiding support surfaces comprising the inner surface of the other of the first and second engagement members, the first engagement member including a plurality of first locking members and the second engagement member including a plurality of second locking members for cooperating with the plurality of first locking members, whereby the first and second engagement members can be adjusted between a first relative position in which the plurality of first locking members and the plurality of second locking members are disengaged, and a second relative position in which the plurality of first locking members and the plurality of second locking members are lockingly engaged, a first adjustment member affixed to one of the first and second engagement members and a second adjustment member affixed to the other of the first and second engagement members for adjusting the plurality of first locking members and the plurality of second locking members between the first and second relative positions. Preferably the one of the first and second guiding support surfaces defines a dome-shaped surface and the other of the first and second guiding support surfaces defines a cup-shaped surface.
In accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the one of the first and second guiding support surfaces comprises a first surface provided at an angle with respect to the axis of symmetry and a second surface provided substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry. Preferably, the the first surface has the shape of a conical jacket, and the second surface has the shape of a cylindrical jacket.
In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of first locking members comprises a plurality of locking pins substantially radially projecting with respect to the axis of symmetry for engagement with the plurality of second locking members when the first and second engagement members are in the second relative position. Preferably, the plurality of second locking members comprises a plurality of recesses corresponding to the plurality of locking pins.
In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the first adjustment member comprises an axially movable member movable between an initial position and a depressed position, whereby the axially movable member can be in the depressed position when the first and second engagement members are in the first relative position and in the initial position when the first and second engagement members are in the second relative position. In a preferred embodiment, the first adjustment member is associated with the first engagement member and the second adjustment member is associated with the second engagement member, the first engagement member including apertures means and the second engagement member including corresponding projection means, whereby when the first and second engagement members are engaged with each other and the projection means are not engaged in the aperture means, the projection means urges the axially movable member into the depressed position, and when the projection means are engaged in the aperture means the axially movable member is in the initial position.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of first locking members are connected to the axially movable member whereby when the plurality of first locking members are disengaged from the plurality of second locking members the axially movable member is in the depressed position, and when the plurality of first locking members are engaged with the plurality of second locking members the axially movable member is in the initial position.
In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the second adjustment member includes a control handle, the control handle being engageable with the axially movable member whereby when the control handle is actuated to depress the axially movable member the plurality of first locking members is disengaged from the plurality of second locking members.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus provides for the releasable attachment of a child's seat to a motor vehicle, the child's seat being the object and the automobile being the movable unit. In a preferred embodiment, the other of the first and second engagement members includes a guiding groove along the inner surface, the guiding groove adapted for guiding the plurality of first locking members therealong whereby the first and second engagement members may be coupled together and rotated with respect to each other.
The objects of the present invention are obtained by means of an apparatus for releasable attachment, the apparatus including a pair of engagement members in which both engagement members include cooperative guiding surfaces and support surfaces for centering the two engagement members around a joint symmetry axis, the guiding surfaces and support surfaces on the one

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