In early February 2011, European law mandated that every vehicle must have Isofix mounts. The basis for this was the creation of child car seats with the system of the same name, the authors of which were the Volkswagen company. What is the advantage of Isofix over conventional seat belts, no one knows. However, now almost every mom is sure that her baby's chair should be equipped according to the standards of such a system. Isofix mount - what is it? What age is this system for babies and can it harm?
The history of the creation of Isofix
The reason for the emergence of a new system of fastening for child seats was the disappointing statistics of accidents in Europe in which children were injured. 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 seats for children aged 0 to 3 years. A complex systemfixing with standard seat belts seemed inconvenient or simply incomprehensible to many parents. And some mothers and fathers simplified the schemes by lowering the protective functions of the chairs on their own.
In this regard, the International Organization for Standardization decided to create new mounts. They are more convenient, but no less reliable. This is how the Isofix mounting system was born. Its main advantages are ease of installation and optimization of the protective properties of the child seat. Based on the test results, it became known that the new system significantly reduces the risks in emergency situations. The first Isofix car seat for age group 1 was introduced in 1997. Since then, there have been changes in international standards regarding child seat safety systems in passenger vehicles.
Isofix mount - what is it?
So, let's move on to the most important. Isofix is a rigid attachment between a car seat and a child seat or other restraint. It is used for children under the age of 3-3, 5 years or weighing up to 20 kg. That is, for age groups 0, 0+ and 1. This concludes the list of valid categories. If the baby weighs more than 20 kg, then it is prohibited to transport it in a chair with such a device.
Children's Isofix mounts are two metal brackets on a chair or base for it. They are fixed with two brackets installed in the car seat. The system makes it easy to remove the child seat. When traveling without a childthe seat does not move under heavy braking. Brackets are usually installed on the back seat, on the sides of the sofa on the left and right. In emergency situations, the Isofix brackets securely hold it, taking all the impact.
"Leg" or "anchor"?
It turns out that International Standards require the design of car seats to have a leg element or a Top Tether anchor strap. They complement the Isofix mount. What is it and what should be preferred when choosing a children's device? The thing is that the Isofix device itself is attached at two points to the vehicle seat. These two sections are under tremendous stress, since a torque is created during an impact in an accident. The "leg" or "anchor" is set as the third fulcrum. It takes on some 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. The Top Tether anchor strap comes out of the rear seat headrest. Fastens with a carabiner to the bracket in the trunk of the vehicle. Depending on the model of the car, the bracket may also be located behind the seat headrest. "Anchor" is considered more convenient and versatile than the "leg". Therefore, soon all new passenger cars will be equipped with Top Tether brackets.
Isofix for group 0
In group 0+ and 1, the Isofix car seat is fixed directly to the brackets in the seatcar. For category 0 (babies from birth to a year weighing no more than 13 kg), a slightly different system is used. Indeed, in this case, the chairs themselves are cradles-carrying. It is convenient to constantly remove such children's devices from the car in order to transport the child in them and on the street. Therefore, they are mounted on special bases, in which Isofix brackets are installed.
Isofix car seats for groups 2 and 3
Many crash tests have shown that Isofix is no longer suitable for a child weighing between 15 and 20 kg. For fixing it is necessary to use standard seat belts. They are threaded through special guides in the car seat. This is due to the fact that during an accident, the load should fall on the belts, and the child, along with the seat, should move forward. But very often, manufacturers offer mothers who are concerned about the safety of their beloved children to purchase chairs of categories 2 and 3. They also have an Isofix mount. What is it and can it be used?
In fact, called Isofix mounts in this case are more decorative. Or they serve to fix the seat in a car without a child. The real, power Isofix is not attached to chairs of categories 2 and 3, as well as additional devices “anchor” or “leg”. This will only harm the child in an accident.
