Isofix mount - what is it? Car seat with Isofix fastening

In early February 2011, European legislation ordered the need for any vehicle Isofix anchorages. The basis for this was the creation of children's car seats with the same name system, sponsored by the company Volkswagen. What is the advantage of Isofix in front of conventional seat belts, no one knows. However, now almost every mother is confident that the chair of her baby should be equipped according to the standards of such a system. Isofix mount - what is it? For kids of what age is this system intended and is it capable of harm?

Isofix Creation History

The cause of the emergence of a new child restraint system for children's seats was the disappointing statistics of road accidents in Europe, in which children were affected. As it turned out, the seats, designed for the safety of the child, did not cope with their tasks due to improper installation. This problem mainly concerned armchairs for children aged 0 to 3 years. The complex system of fixing seat belts to many parents seemed uncomfortable or simply incomprehensible. And some moms and dads simplified the scheme, independently reducing the protective functions of the seats.

In connection with this, the International Organization for Standardization decided to create new fasteners. They are more convenient, but not less reliable. So there was a system of fixing Isofix. Its main advantages were simplicity of installation and optimization of the protective properties of a child seat. As a result of the tests, it became known that the new system significantly reduces risks in extraordinary situations. The first car seat with Isofix mount for age group 1 appeared in 1997. After this, there have been changes in international standards regarding safety systems for child seats in passenger vehicles.

Isofix mount - what is it?

So, let's move on to the most important. Isofix is a rigid attachment between the car seat and a child seat or other restraint. It is suitable for children under 3-3.5 years old or weighing up to 20 kg. That is, for age groups 0, 0+ and 1. This completes the list of admissible categories. If the baby weighs more than 20 kg, then in an armchair with a similar device it is forbidden to transport it.

Isofix child restraints are two metal brackets on the chair or base for it. They are fixed with two brackets installed in the seat of the car. The system makes it easy to remove a child seat. When transporting without a child, the seat does not move when braking abruptly. Staples are usually installed in the back of the chair, on the sides of the sofa on the left and on the right. In case of emergency, the Isofix staples securely hold it, taking the entire impact.

"Leg" or "anchor"?

It turns out that the International Standards require the design of car seats the presence of a "leg" element or an anchor belt Top Tether. The Isofix mount is added. What is it and what should I prefer when choosing a child device? The thing is that the Isofix itself is attached at two points to the vehicle's seat. These two sections undergo a tremendous load, as when striking an accident a torque is created. "Leg" or "anchor" is installed as the third point of support. It takes over part of the load and prevents the chair from moving forward.

"Leg" is a telescopic strut that extends from the front of the chair in the middle and rests on the floor. Anchor strap Top Tether exits the head restraint from the back. Mounted with a carabiner clip in the trunk of the transport. Depending on the model of the car, the bracket can be located behind the head restraint. "Anchor" is considered more convenient and universal than the "leg". Therefore, soon all new cars will be equipped with brackets for fastening Top Tether.

Isofix for group 0

In the group 0+ and 1, the car seat with the Isofix mount is fixed directly to the brackets in the car seat. For category 0 (babies from birth to a year weighing not more than 13 kg), a slightly different system is used. After all, in this case, the chairs themselves are cradles. Such children's devices are conveniently conveniently removed from the car to transport the child to them and on the street. Therefore, they are mounted on special bases, in which the Isofix brackets are installed.

Autoarmchairs with Isofix for groups 2 and 3

A lot of crash tests have shown that the Isofix mount is no longer suitable for a child weighing 15 to 20 kg. To fix, you need to use regular seat belts. They pass through special guides in the car seat. This is due to the fact that during an accident, the load must fall on the belts, and the child along with the chair must move forward. But very often manufacturers offer moms concerned about the safety of their loved ones, purchase armchairs of categories 2 and 3. They also have an Isofix mount. What is it and is it possible to use this device?

In fact, the so-called Isofix mounts in this case are more decorative. Or they serve to fix the chair in a car without a child. The present, power Isofix on the seats of categories 2 and 3 is not attached, as are the additional attachments "anchor" or "leg". This will only harm the child in an accident.