U.S. patent application number 10/803218 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-09 for system, method and apparatus adapted to install a child safety seat in a vehicle.
Invention is credited to Abel, Kenton B..
Application Number | 20040174055 10/803218 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26979478 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040174055 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abel, Kenton B. |
September 9, 2004 |
System, method and apparatus adapted to install a child safety seat
in a vehicle
Abstract
A system adapted to install a child safety seat in a vehicle,
comprising a child safety seat, a restraint system; and a tension
device; wherein the restraint system includes at least one
restraint belt, the restraint belt includes a restraint belt loose
end, the tension device is connected to the restraint belt loose
end, and, the tension device is adapted to generate tension on the
restraint system through the restraint belt loose end to firmly
secure the child safety seat with respect to the vehicle.
Inventors: |
Abel, Kenton B.; (Rowland
Heights, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kenton Abel
3147 Cabo Blanco Dr.
Hacienda Heights
CA
91745
US
|
Family ID: |
26979478 |
Appl. No.: |
10/803218 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10803218 |
Mar 18, 2004 |
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10314649 |
Dec 9, 2002 |
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6749260 |
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60339683 |
Dec 12, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/250.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/2839 20130101;
B60N 2/2806 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/250.1 |
International
Class: |
B60N 002/26 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A system adapted to install a child safety seat in a vehicle,
comprising: a child safety seat, a restraint system; and a tension
device; wherein the restraint system includes at least one
restraint belt, wherein the restraint belt includes a restraint
belt loose end, wherein the tension device is connected to the
restraint belt loose end, and, wherein the tension device is
adapted to generate tension on the restraint system through the
restraint belt loose end to firmly secure the child safety seat
with respect to the vehicle.
2. A system of claim 1, further comprising: an anchor point;
wherein the restraint system is adapted to secure the child safety
seat with respect to the vehicle, wherein the restraint system
includes at least one restraint belt and at least one belt buckle,
wherein the restraint belt includes a restraint belt loose end and
a restraint belt secured end, the restraint belt secured end is
connected to the vehicle, wherein the tension device is connected
to the restraint belt loose end, wherein the anchor point is
connected to the tension device, and, wherein the tension device is
adapted to generate tension on the restraint system through the
restraint belt loose end to firmly secure the child safety seat
with respect to the vehicle.
3. The system adapted to install a child safety seat in a vehicle
of claim 2, wherein the restraint belt loose end is connected to
the tension device with a clamp-type device.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the tension device is selected
from the group consisting of a pulley-type device, a gear-type
device, and a lever-type device.
5. The system of claim 2, further comprising: a tension-measuring
device; wherein the tension-measuring device is connected to the
tension device, and, wherein the tension-measuring device is
adapted to measure the tension on the restraint belt loose end.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the tension device is selected
from the group consisting of a pulley-type device, a gear-type
device, and a lever-type device.
7. The system of claim 6: wherein the tension device is adapted
apply a mechanical advantage greater than 3.0.
8. A method adapted to install a child safety seat in a vehicle,
comprising: connecting a tension device to a restraint belt loose
end; generating tension on the restraint belt loose end by the
tension device, wherein the restraint belt secures the child safety
seat relative to the vehicle.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: mounting a child
safety seat in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a restraint
belt and belt buckle; passing the restraint belt through the
child-safety seat to secure the child safety seat to the vehicle;
buckling the belt buckle; connecting a tension device to a
restraint belt loose end; connecting the tension device to an
anchor point; generating tension on the restraint belt loose end by
the tension device, wherein the restraint belt secures the child
safety seat relative to the vehicle.
10. The method of claim 9: wherein a tension-measuring device is
connected to the tension device; and, wherein the tension-measuring
device is adapted to measure the tension on the restraint belt
loose end.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the restraint belt loose end is
connected to the tension device with a clamp.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the tension generated on the
loose end of the belt is at least 75 kg/165 lbs. tensional
force.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the tension generated on the
loose end of the belt is at least 150 kg/330 lbs. tensional
force.
14. A child safety seat installation device comprising: a first
attachment device adapted to grip a restraint belt loose end; a
flexible member; a tension device; and an anchor device adapted to
connect to an anchor point; wherein the flexible member has a
flexible member first end and a flexible member second end; wherein
the first attachment device is connected to the flexible member
first end; wherein the tension device is connected to the flexible
member second end; wherein the anchor device is connected to the
tension device; and wherein the tension device is adapted to
generate tension on the restraint belt loose end.
15. The device of claim 14: wherein the anchor device includes a
second attachment device adapted to gripping a belt.
16. The device of claim 14: wherein the anchor device includes a
hook-type device.
17. The device of claim 14, further comprising: a tension-measuring
device connected to the tension device; wherein the
tension-measuring device is adapted to measure the tension
generated on the first attachment device.
18. The device of claim 14, further comprising: a tension-measuring
device; wherein the tension-measuring device is connected to the
tension device, and, wherein the tension-measuring device is
adapted to measure the tension generated on the first attachment
device.
19. The device of claim 18 wherein the tension-measuring device is
directly connected to the tension device.
20. The device of claim 18 wherein the tension device is selected
from the group consisting of a pulley-type device; a gear-type
device, and a lever-type device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/339,683, filed
on Dec. 12, 2001, which is expressly incorporated by reference as
though fully set forth herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to installation of a child
safety seat, and in particular to a System, Method and Apparatus
Adapted to Install a Child Safety Seat in a Vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The field of the invention pertains to the installation of
child safety seats in vehicles. The National Safety Belt Coalition
reports that experts estimated that 80% to 90% of child safety
seats are installed and/or used incorrectly in automobiles. As a
result, every year many children are needlessly injured or killed
during otherwise minor vehicular accidents because of the incorrect
installation of the child's safety seat.
[0004] Belts are commonly employed in vehicles to secure a child's
safety seat to the supporting vehicle seat. While belts are
effective for security, as noted above they usually suffer from the
disadvantage of having unwanted slack from incorrect installation.
Slack in a belt decreases the effectiveness of the belt's ability
to secure and retain the child safety seat in place. An incorrectly
installed child safety seat can be more dangerous to the child than
no safety seat at all.
[0005] The law in many jurisdictions requires that all young
children be secured in a child safety seat while travelling in an
automobile. In some jurisdictions, car rental companies are
required to temporarily secure a child safety seat in a rented car
when the renter has a young child. The seat must be belted down so
as to prevent any movement of the child safety seat relative to the
automobile seat on which it is mounted. This requires that the
installer exert a high degree of force on the child safety seat as
it is being strapped in. Unfortunately, even the best efforts of
the installer often fail and the child safety seat still has a
degree of movement in the event of an accident.
[0006] There have been attempts to reduce or eliminate the inherent
problem of slack in belts for retaining child safety seats. These
devices often come in the form of clamping means or tightening and
adjusting means with a mechanical assembly that engages a portion
of the strap or, alternatively, two separate portions of the strap.
Many of these devices, however, require that at least one end of
the strap be passed through the device after the device is attached
to another portion of the strap.
[0007] Belt shortening devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,047,451; 6,081,976; 6,105,211; 6,241,174; 6,273,353; 6,279,847
and 4,604,773, herein incorporated by reference. These devices
attach to a section of a belt and remove slack by winding the belt
around a ratchet mechanism.
[0008] A belt tensioning device is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,604,772, herein incorporated by reference. This device is
comprised of two pieces of plastic pivotally connected together,
such that clamping the two pieces together will result in a short
belt length.
[0009] Many devices commonly require that a loose end of the belt
be routed through the device to enable winding of the belt by the
device to effectuate shortening. As can be understood, the
foregoing devices are unsuitable for shortening vehicle seat belts
because the belts are not capable of being routed onto commonly
available ratchet take-up mechanism due to the presence of bulky
buckles, both male and female endings, present on the loose ends of
the belts. Other devices permanently incorporate the ratchet
take-up mechanism directly on the belt itself.
[0010] Other belt tightening devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,092,869 and 6,247,208, herein incorporated by reference.
These devices are adapted to be attached to a belt at a point along
its length to take up slack.
[0011] Another approach to installation of a child safety seat is
taught in U.S. Pat. 6,024,408, incorporated herein by reference.
This approach involves a device that sits over the child safety
seat and applies downward pressure generated by a lever. The
installer tightens the seat belt that passes through the child
safety seat while the child safety seat is pressed into the car
seat. This device is bulky and poor access to the belt buckle may
result is an incorrect installation.
[0012] A seat belt gripping device for use with seat belts with lap
and shoulder portions is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,579,561 and
5,845,372, herein incorporated by reference. Another seat belt
gripping device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,015, herein
incorporated by reference. These devices secure the lap belt
portion and shoulder belt portion together after installation of
the child safety seat. These devices maintain the tension present
in the restraint system at the time they are installed.
[0013] A ratchet mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,296,
herein incorporated by reference. This type of a tension device is
commonly used to secure loads onto trucks or on top of
automobiles.
[0014] A few examples of child safety seats are disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,322,143; 6,237,999; 6,183,044; 5,842,737; 5,733,003;
5,462,333, each incorporated by reference herein.
[0015] In view of the foregoing, there is a demand for an apparatus
and method for installing a child safety seat securely in relation
to a vehicle. There is also a need for child safety seat
installation methods and devices that are compact, inexpensive,
easy to use, and can be used in a variety of vehicle types and
vehicles models with a variety of child safety seat models.
SUMMARY OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] An aspect of the present invention provides a method adapted
to install a child safety seat in a vehicle by generating tension
on a loose end of the restraint belt with a tension device.
[0017] Another aspect of the present invention provides a system
adapted to install a child safety seat in a vehicle. A tension
device is adapted to generate tension on a loose end of a restraint
belt to firmly secure the child safety seat with respect to the
vehicle.
[0018] Another aspect of the present invention provides a child
safety seat installation device comprising a clamp to grip a
restraint belt loose end and a tension device with a mechanical
advantage greater than 1, wherein tension device adapted to
generate tension on the restraint belt loose end to firmly secure
the child safety seat with respect to the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] The following discussion may be best understood with
reference to the various views of the drawings, described in
summary below, which form a part of this disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram view of a preferred implementation
of a child safety seat installation system.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram view of a preferred implementation
of a child safety seat installation device.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a block diagram view of another implementation of
a child safety seat installation device.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the child safety seat
installation system, wherein the restraint belt includes both lap
and shoulder portions.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of methods of child safety seat
instillation according to preferred implementations of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the child safety seat
installation.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a side plan view of one example of an
alligator-type clamp.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one example of a cleat-type
clamp.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second example of a
cleat-type clamp.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a gear-type tension
device.
[0030] FIG. 11 is an illustrative a cut away view of a gear-type
tension device.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of child safety seat
installation system using a lever-type tension device.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a lever-type tension
device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter-with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,
these embodiments are provided as illustrations so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers
refer to like elements throughout all drawings.
[0034] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected
to the other element or intervening elements may also be present.
In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly
connected to" another element, there are no intervening elements
present. When an element is referred to as being "adjacent" another
element, it can be near the other element but not necessarily
independent of the other element. When an element is referred to as
being "between" two things, it can be either partly or completely
between those two things, but is not necessarily completely and
continuously between those two things. The term "adapted to" should
be construed to mean "capable of".
[0035] The term "device" can refer to an object, apparatus, and/or
machine.
[0036] The term "restraint system" can refer to a system that can
restrain movement of an occupant or object of a vehicle. Restraint
systems in automobiles can, for example, include seat belts and
belt buckles. The seat belts typically include at least one end
connected to the vehicle. Lap belt style seat belts include a loose
end used to tighten the restraint belt.
[0037] The term "restraint belt" can include seat belts, as well as
other securing materials such as straps, rope, cables, etc.
[0038] The term "loose end" of a belt can refer to a portion of the
restraint belt in a lap-style belt that is not secured to the
vehicle. Commonly available belt buckles for lap belts may be
designed so that when the loose end of the belt is pulled, the belt
tightens. In a restraint belt with a shoulder portion and a lap
portion, the shoulder portion is commonly the "loose end" of the
belt. One end of the lap portion is usually fixedly secured to the
vehicle.
[0039] The term "anchor point" can refer to any object that is
capable of providing an anchor for a tension device. The tension
device acts upon an object. When a restraint belt is tightened, the
anchor point provide an opposite reaction to the tension placed
upon the loose end of the seat belt. Although the anchor point will
most commonly be stationary relative to the child safety seat, the
anchor point does not necessarily need to be stationary, provided
that for every action the anchor point can provide an opposite
reaction when the tension device tighten the restraint belt.
Examples for suitable anchor points include the latch of a vehicle
door, a neighboring restraint belt, the secured end of the
restraint belt being tightened, the child safety seat being
secured, a fixed anchor point outside the vehicle such as a tree,
etc. The tension device may exert either tensional force upon the
anchor point (for example, a pulley-type tension device), or
compression force upon the anchor point (for example, a lever-type
tension device). One or ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that a variety of anchor points will be suitable to practice
aspects of the present invention.
[0040] The term "tension" refers to a pulling force upon an object.
It is well understood that when the tension of a restraint belt is
increased during installation of a child safety seat, the child
safety seat will be secured more firmly with respect to the vehicle
seat. One of the current problems in the installation of a majority
of child safety seats is the seat belt is not placed under adequate
tension to prevent significant movement of the child safety seat in
the event of an accident.
[0041] The term "tension device" includes any device that has a
mechanical advantage greater than 1.0 to put tension on an object.
As detailed in many textbooks of high school physics, tension
devices can be either dependent upon vector resolution, (e.g.,
screw,) or one in which there is an equilibrium of torques, (e.g.,
lever, pulley, wheel-and-axle). The mechanical advantage is ideally
the ratio of the force exerted by the device to the force acting
upon it. Ordinarily a more practical measure of the mechanical
advantage of a device is the ratio of the displacement produced by
the operator of the device to the resulting displacement of the
load by the device. For example, if the handle of an automobile
jack is move 5" in lifting a car 0.01", the mechanical advantage is
500. If one end of a lever is moved 6" and the other end moves an
object 3", the mechanical advantage is 2.0.
[0042] Tension devices can include, but not be limited to,
ratcheting-type mechanisms, pulley-type mechanisms, lever-type
mechanisms, gear-type mechanisms, screw-type mechanisms,
wheel-and-axle type mechanisms, etc. While tension devices detailed
herein are mechanical devices, it should be understood that tension
devices can also include electrical devices, pneumatic devices,
motor devices, etc.
[0043] The term "point of application" is the point where a force
is applied to an object.
[0044] The term "flexible member" can include, but are not limited
to, belts, straps, ropes, wires, chains, cords, cables, string,
twine, etc.
[0045] Attachment devices can include, but are not limited to:
alligator type clamps; hooks; a snap-type clamps; buckles (such as
a male portion of a seat belt buckle attached to a female portion
of a neighboring seat belt buckle); bars; sticks; securing a rope
or belt to an object by tying a knot; a spring-loaded cam-type
device; a cleat-type clamp; etc. One or ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that a variety of things may be used for attachment
devices and still practice aspects of the present invention.
[0046] The term "vehicle" can include automobiles, airplanes,
boats, buses, trains, and other modes of transportation wherein a
child safety seat may be secured relative to the vehicle.
[0047] Vehicle seat belts are typically designed so that belt may
be tighten by pulling on the loose end of the belt. In many seat
belt buckles, the belt will only pass in one direction through the
buckle, thus maintaining the tension of the belt. Conventional
systems of child safety seat installation fail to tighten a
restraint belt by pulling on a restraint belt loose end with a
tension device.
[0048] In reference to FIG. 1, child safety seat 10 is mounted in a
vehicle (not shown). Belt buckle 11 is connected to the vehicle.
Restraint belt 16 passes through belt buckle 11, and the restraint
belt secure end 12 connects to the vehicle and restraint belt loose
end 13 does not directly connected to the vehicle. A first end of
tension device 14 connects to restraint belt loose end 13. A second
end of tension device 14 connects to anchor point 15. Tension is
generated on restraint belt loose end 13 by tension device 14,
securing child safety seat 10 relative to the vehicle.
[0049] In reference to FIG. 2, first attachment device 20 is
adapted to grip the restraint belt loose end 13. Child safety seat
installation device flexible member 21 is connected to first
attachment device 20 and tension device 22. Second attachment
device 23 is adapted to connect to anchor point 15. Second
attachment device 23 is either directly or indirectly connected to
tension device 22.
[0050] In reference to FIG. 3, tension-measuring device 30 is
connected to tension device 22. Tension-measuring device 30 is
adapted to measure tension generated upon first attachment device
20. As such, tension-measuring device 30 may be connected anywhere
between first attachment device 20 and second attachment device
23.
[0051] In reference to FIG. 4, restraint belt 16 includes a lap
portion 41 and a shoulder portion 42. First attachment device 20
grips restraint belt shoulder portion 42 instead of restraint belt
loose end 13. Restraint belt gripping device 40 maintains tension
in restraint belt lap portion 41 by locking lap belt portion 41 to
shoulder portion 42. Depending upon the design of restraint belt
gripping device 40, tension may need to be generated by child
safety seat installation device 14 and maintained until restraint
belt gripping device 40 is secured. In the implementation shown in
FIG. 4, first attachment device 20 is an alligator-type clamp and
second attachment device 23 includes belt portion and a hook.
[0052] FIG. 5 generally refers to a method adapted to install a
child safety seat in a vehicle. Child safety seat 10 is mounted in
the vehicle, preferably in the middle of the back seat in a
automobile. Block 50. Restraint belt 16 is passed through child
safety seat 10 to secure it to the vehicle, in accordance with the
child safety seat manufacturer's instructions. In a few designs,
restraint belt 16 will be passed over child safety seat 10 to
secure it to the vehicle. Block 51. The male and female portions of
the restraint belt buckle 11 are fastened together. Block 52. (Some
slack in restraint belt 16 may optionally be removed by the
installer, wherein the installer holds onto restraint belt loose
end 13 and pulls. However, most people will never be able to
adequately secure a child safety seat to a vehicle through the use
of "elbow grease." Specifically, even when a large male pulls as
hard as he can on the loose end of a seat belt, enough slack
remains in the seat belt such that the child safety seat will move
a significant distance during an accident. Such movement during an
accident increases the chances of injury or death to the child.
Part of the reason why 80% of child safety seats are not installed
correctly is that people mistakenly believe that the child safety
seat can be installed simply by using one's arms to secure the
child safety seat.) After restraint belt buckle 11 is fastened,
child safety seat installation device 14 is attached to restraint
belt loose end 13 and the anchor point 15. Block 53. Child safety
seat installation device 14 includes tension device 22. Tension
device 22 generates tension on restraint belt loose end 13,
securing child safety seat 10 to the vehicle. Block 54. If child
safety seat installation device 14 includes tension-measuring
device 30, tension device 14 generates tension until a minimum
amount of tension is applied to restraint belt loose end 13. The
specific amount of tension applied to restraint belt loose end 13
to firmly install a child safety seat will vary between vehicle
models, vehicle seat models, restraint belt models, and restraint
belt buckle models, as well as other factors; After sufficient
tension in generated to firmly secure child safety seat 10 to the
vehicle, child safety seat installation device 14 is preferably
detached from restraint belt loose end 13 and anchor point 15.
Block 55. The tension in restraint belt 16 is maintained by belt
buckle 11.
[0053] If the restraint belt includes shoulder portion 42 and a lap
portion 41, shoulder portion 42 is attached to child safety seat
installation device 14 instead of restraint belt loose end 13.
Tension is generated upon lap portion 41 by applying tension to
shoulder portion 42. Depending upon the design of restraint belt
gripping device 40, tension may need to be maintained by child
safety seat installation device 14 until restraint belt gripping
device 40 is secured.
[0054] In reference to FIG. 6, child safety seat is mounted on
vehicle seat 60. In the implementation shown in FIG. 6,
tension-measuring device 30 is connected between tension device 22
and second attachment device 23. Also in the implementation shown
in FIG. 6, first attachment device 20 includes hook 61 and U-bolt
62. U-bolt 62 is connected to the end of restraint belt loose end
13. Tension device 22 is a pulley-type device, and second
attachment device 23 includes a belt portion 63 and a hook 64.
[0055] In reference to FIG. 7, one example an alligator-type clamp
adapted to grip a restraint belt. Top member 70 and a bottom member
71 are connected by fulcrum 73. Teeth 72 are adapted to grip the
restraint belt without slipping. Flexible member 21 is connected to
the alligator-type clamp at attachment device 74. When tension is
applied from belt 21, member 76 transmits the tensional force to
top member 70 and bottom member 71 via members 75, gripping the
restraint belt with teeth 72.
[0056] In reference to FIG. 8, a cleat-type clamp includes a
C-bracket 85 and a cleat 82. C-bracket 85 includes a top bracket
portion 83, a bottom bracket portion 80, and a side bracket portion
84. Cleat 82 is attached to C-bracket 85 through bar 81. Restraint
belt loose end 13 is placed between bottom bracket portion 80 and
cleat 82. Tensional force transmitted through flexible member 21
causes cleat 82 to press restraint belt loose end 13 against bottom
bracket portion 80, securely gripping restraint belt loose end 13
while the tensional force is maintained.
[0057] In reference to FIG. 9, a cleat-type clamp 94 includes an
attachment device 90, a cleat 91, a cleat-support device 92, and a
plate 93. The cleat-support device 92 attaches to plate 93 on one
end of cleat 91. Restraint belt loose end 13 (not shown) is placed
between bottom plate 93 and cleat 91. Tensional force transmitted
through attachment device 90 causes cleat 91 to press restraint
belt loose end 13 against plate 93, securely gripping restraint
belt loose end 13 while the tensional force is maintained.
[0058] In reference to FIG. 10, gear-type tension device 100
includes first attachment device 20, a second attachment device 23,
a tension-measuring device 30, a pull-cord 103, and optionally
tension-releasing button 104. As described above for FIG. 2 and
FIG. 3, first attachment device 20 is adapted to grip the restraint
belt loose end 13. Child safety seat installation device flexible
member 21 (not shown) is connected to first attachment device 20
and gear-type tension device 100. Second attachment device 23 is
adapted to connect to anchor point 15 (not shown). Second
attachment device 23 is either directly or indirectly connected to
gear-type tension device 100. Tension is generated on restraint
belt loose end 13 by pulling on pull-cord 103. Gear-type tension
device may optionally include tension--releasing button 104, such
that tension is maintained on restraint belt loose end 13 until one
activates tension-releasing button 104. As shown in FIG. 10b, both
first attachment device 20 and second attachment device 23 may be
adapted to grip restraint belts, in this example a cleat-type
attachment device 94.
[0059] In reference to FIG. 11, gear-type tension device 111
includes first attachment device 20, a second attachment device 23,
a pull-cord 103, and gears 110. Tension is generated on restraint
belt loose end 13 (not shown) by pulling on pull-cord 103.
[0060] In a preferred implementation of the method of the current
invention, a first end of a tension device is either directly or
indirectly connected to the loose end of the lap belt style seat
belt. The second end of the tension device is connected to an
object that is fixed relative to the first end of the tension
device. The child safety seat is secured to the vehicle seat by
applying tension on the seat belt through the tension device. When
the child safety seat is sufficiently secured to the seat, the
tension device is uncoupled from both the seat belt and the anchor
point.
[0061] In reference to FIG. 12, child safety seat 10 is secured to
the vehicle by means of restraint belt 16. Attachment device 20
attaches to restraint belt loose end 13, and tension is generated
on the restraint belt loose end 13 through flexible member 21 by
level 120. Lever base 121 acts as the anchor point by pushing
against the vehicle seat, the child safety seat, or the like.
[0062] In reference to FIG. 13, a compactable lever device is
illustrated. Attachment device 20 attaches to flexible member 21,
and flexible member 21 attaches to lower lever portion 132. Tension
is generated by pulling on upper lever portion 131 when the lever
device is fully extended. For storage, upper lever portion 131 can
fold next to lower lever portion 132, as illustrated by arrow
133.
[0063] In another implementation of the method of the current
invention, a child safety seat is installed using a seat belt has a
shoulder portion and a connected lap portion. The first end of the
tension device is either directly or indirectly connected to the
shoulder portion of a seat belt. The second end of the tension
device is connected to an anchor point. The child safety seat is
secured to the vehicle seat by generating tension on the shoulder
portion of the seat belt with the tension device. When the child
safety seat is sufficiently secured to the seat, a seat belt clamp
is installed near the belt buckle to attach the lap belt portion of
the belt to the shoulder belt portion, thus maintaining the tension
on the lap belt portion after the tension device is uncoupled from
both the seat belt and the anchor point. Alternatively, a seat belt
clamping device that allows for one way movement of the shoulder
portion (in a similar manner to the male portion of a lap belt
buckle) is installed prior to generating tension with the tension
device.
[0064] In another implementation of the present invention, a child
safety seat installation device and method are disclosed. A ratchet
is-used as the tension device. A first belt is attached to the
tension device and attached to the restraint belt loose end. The
attachment may be via an alligator-type clamp, a cleat-type clamp,
or other attachment device. The second end of the tightening belt
has an alligator type clamp or other attachment means for attaching
to an anchor point, such as a neighboring seat belt. The tension
device is used to pull on the loose end of the car seat belt
until-the desired tension in the restraint system is achieved to
secure the child safety seat to the vehicle. The tension device is
uncoupled from both the seat belt and the anchor point. The child
safety seat installation device may easily be stored until the next
time the child safety seat needs to be installed. The tension
securing the child safety seat to the vehicle is maintained by the
belt buckle. One example of a ratchet device is Ratchet Tie-Down,
Part No. 85513 sold by Keeper Corporation, 6 Industrial Park Drive,
N. Windham, Conn., 06256.
[0065] In another implementation of the present invention, the
tension device is attached to a first hook and a second hook. A
U-bolt is attached to a loop at the end of the restraint belt loose
end and secured with a metal plate and nuts. The first hook is
attached to the U-bolt. The second hook is connected to the car
frame at the door lock, or other anchor point. The tension device
is used to generate a tension on the loose end of the seat belt
until the child safety seat is sufficiently secured relative to the
vehicle. The hooks and the child safety seat installation device
are uncoupled from the restraint belt loose end and the anchor
point.
[0066] While the present invention has been described in terms of
certain preferred implementations, those of ordinary skill in the
will appreciate that certain variations, extensions and
modifications may be made without varying from the basic teachings
of the present invention. As such, the present invention is not to
be limited to the specific-preferred implementations described
herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is to be
determined from the claims, which follow.
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