U.S. patent application number 12/906730 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-21 for car seat with integrated level indicator.
This patent application is currently assigned to SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.. Invention is credited to Steven Gibree.
Application Number | 20110089726 12/906730 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43878730 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110089726 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gibree; Steven |
April 21, 2011 |
CAR SEAT WITH INTEGRATED LEVEL INDICATOR
Abstract
A child car seat includes a seat base configured to hold a child
seat carrier and a level indicator system. The level indicator
system includes a housing coupled to the seat base, a pendulum
having a top portion with an opening and movably coupled to the
housing and configured to permit rotation about an axis, and one or
more pair of sensors coupled to the housing on opposing sides of
the opening. The sensors and opening configured such that a first
sensor on one side of the opening is in communication with a second
sensor on the other side of the opening when the opening is
substantially aligned with the first and second sensors.
Inventors: |
Gibree; Steven; (Woonsocket,
RI) |
Assignee: |
SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
Woonsocket
RI
|
Family ID: |
43878730 |
Appl. No.: |
12/906730 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61252553 |
Oct 16, 2009 |
|
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61391132 |
Oct 8, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/183.1 ;
297/250.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2002/0272 20130101;
B60N 2002/957 20180201; B60N 2/2806 20130101; B60N 2/2821
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/183.1 ;
297/250.1 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/26 20060101
B60N002/26; B60N 2/44 20060101 B60N002/44 |
Claims
1. A child car seat comprising: a seat base configured to hold a
child seat carrier; and a level indicator system including a
housing coupled to the seat base; a pendulum movably coupled to the
housing and configured to permit rotation about an axis, the
pendulum having a top portion with an opening; and one or more pair
of sensors coupled to the housing on opposing sides of the opening,
the sensors and opening configured such that a first sensor on one
side of the opening is in communication with a second sensor on the
other side of the opening when the opening is substantially aligned
with the first and second sensors.
2. The child car seat of claim 1, further including a control
console removably coupled to the seat base and in communication
with the level indicator system.
3. The child car seat of claim 2, wherein the control console
further includes a user interface having at least one input and at
least one output.
4. The child car seat of claim 2, wherein the level indicator
system is configured to send a signal to the control console when
the first sensor is in communication with the second sensor.
5. The child car seat of claim 1, wherein the sensors include
photosensors.
6. The child car seat of claim 1, wherein the sensors include at
least two pairs of sensors, each corresponding pair coupled to the
housing on opposing sides of the opening and at least one of the
pairs adjacent to at least one of the other pairs on each side of
the opening.
7. The child car seat of claim 1, further including a level
adjustment system movably coupled to the seat base.
8. The child car seat of claim 7, wherein the level adjustment
system includes: a grooved member coupled to the seat base, the
grooved member having one or more slots and a channel adjacent to
the slots; a leveling member movably coupled to the grooved member
and to the seat base at a portion of the seat base; a bar coupled
to the leveling member and configured to engage with the slots and
move along the channel; and an actuator configured to move the bar
out of the slots and to engage the bar with the slots.
9. The child car seat of claim 8, wherein the actuator is one or
more buttons disposed on the seat base.
10. The child car seat of claim 1, further comprising a ratchet
system including a ratchet housing coupled to the seat base; a
handle movably coupled to the ratchet housing; and a spindle
movably coupled to the handle and to the ratchet housing, the
spindle having a longitudinal slot configured to hold a belt and
the ratchet system configured to move the spindle with the handle
in a first direction and to move the handle in a second direction
without moving the spindle.
11. The child car seat of claim 10, wherein the ratchet system
further includes a belt tension indicator system coupled to the
ratchet housing.
12. The child car seat of claim 11, wherein the belt tension
indicator system includes: a bottom member coupled to the ratchet
housing; a top member movably coupled to the bottom member, the top
member configured to contact the belt; one or more resistance
members positioned between a portion of the top member and a
portion of the bottom member, the one or more resistance members
configured to allow the top member to move relative to the bottom
member when sufficient force is applied to the top member; and a
switch positioned adjacent to the top member, the belt tension
indicator system configured such that a contact on the top member
contacts the switch when appropriate force is applied to the top
member.
13. The child car seat of claim 12, wherein the one or more
resistance members include springs.
14. The child car seat of claim 12, wherein the top member includes
an opening configured to receive the belt.
15. The child car seat of claim 10, further including the belt.
16. The child car seat of claim 10, wherein the ratchet system
further includes a release mechanism that allows the spindle to
move in the first direction and the second direction.
17. The child car seat of claim 16, wherein the release mechanism
is actuated by a button on the handle.
18. The child car seat of claim 10, wherein the ratchet system
further includes: a ratchet wheel movably coupled to the handle and
coupled to the spindle, the ratchet wheel having one or more
notches; and a pall configured to engage with the one or more
notches, the ratchet wheel and the pall configured such that the
handle moves the ratchet wheel when the handle moves in the first
direction and the pall engages the one or more notches and prevents
the ratchet wheel from moving when the handle moves in the second
direction.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/252,553 filed Oct. 16, 2009, and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/391,132 filed Oct. 8, 2010,
the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in
their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to child car seats, and more
specifically to child car seats with an integrated level indicator
system.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Child car seats must be properly installed in a motor
vehicle in order to function as intended. Proper installation takes
into consideration such factors as secure attachment of a base
component to the vehicle and of a child seat component to the base
component. In addition, the proper alignment of the child seat
assembly is required once it is securely installed. The
installation and set-up process can be time-consuming, cumbersome
and uncertain as subjective judgment is used during the
installation process by the person installing the car seat.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS
[0004] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a child
car seat includes a seat base configured to hold a child seat
carrier and a level indicator system. The level indicator system
includes a housing coupled to the seat base, a pendulum having a
top portion with an opening and movably coupled to the housing and
configured to permit rotation about an axis, and one or more pair
of sensors coupled to the housing on opposing sides of the opening.
The sensors and opening configured such that a first sensor on one
side of the opening is in communication with a second sensor on the
other side of the opening when the opening is substantially aligned
with the first and second sensors.
[0005] In some embodiments, the child car seat may further include
a control console removably coupled to the seat base and in
communication with the level indicator system. The control console
may further include a user interface having at least one input and
at least one output. The level indicator system may be configured
to send a signal to the control console when the first sensor is in
communication with the second sensor. The sensors may include
photosensors. When two or more pairs of sensors are used, each
corresponding pair may be coupled to the housing on opposing sides
of the opening and at least one of the pairs may be adjacent to at
least one of the other pairs on each side of the opening. The child
car seat may further include a level adjustment system movably
coupled to the seat base. The level adjustment system may include a
grooved member coupled to the seat base and having one or more
slots and a channel adjacent to the slots, a leveling member
movably coupled to the grooved member and to the seat base at a
portion of the seat base, a bar coupled to the leveling member and
configured to engage with the slots and move along the channel, and
an actuator configured to move the bar out of the slots and to
engage the bar with the slots. The actuator may be one or more
buttons disposed on the seat base.
[0006] In some embodiments, the child car seat may further include
a ratchet system having a ratchet housing coupled to the seat base,
a handle movably coupled to the ratchet housing, and a spindle
movably coupled to the handle and to the ratchet housing. The
spindle may have a longitudinal slot configured to hold a belt. The
ratchet system is configured to move the spindle with the handle in
a first direction and to move the handle in a second direction
without moving the spindle. The ratchet system may further include
a belt tension indicator system coupled to the ratchet housing. The
belt tension indicator system may include a bottom member coupled
to the ratchet housing, a top member movably coupled to the bottom
member and configured to contact a belt, and one or more resistance
members positioned between a portion of the top member and a
portion of the bottom member. The one or more resistance members
may be configured to allow the top member to move relative to the
bottom member when sufficient force is applied to the top member.
The belt tension indicator system may further include a switch
positioned adjacent to the top member. The belt tension indicator
system may be configured such that a contact on the top member
contacts the switch when appropriate force is applied to the top
member. The one or more resistance members may include springs. The
top member may include an opening configured to receive the belt.
The child car seat may further including the belt. The ratchet
system may further include a release mechanism that allows the
spindle to move in the first direction and the second direction.
The release mechanism may be actuated by a button on the handle.
The ratchet system may further include a ratchet wheel having one
or more notches and movably coupled to the handle and coupled to
the spindle, and a pall configured to engage with the one or more
notches. The ratchet wheel and the pall may be configured such that
the handle moves the ratchet wheel when the handle moves in the
first direction and the pall engages the one or more notches and
prevents the ratchet wheel from moving when the handle moves in the
second direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily
understood by reference to the following detailed description,
taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a child car
seat according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 schematically shows a side view of a child car seat
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 schematically shows a back view of a child car seat
with a rear-facing child seat carrier according to embodiments of
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 schematically shows a top view of a child car seat
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of a car seat
base according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 schematically shows a perspective view of a portion
of the car seat base showing the integrated ratchet system and
level indicator system according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 schematically shows a side view of a portion of the
car seat base with some sections removed showing the integrated
ratchet system and level indicator system according to embodiments
of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 schematically shows a perspective bottom view of the
level indicator system according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 schematically shows a side view of the level
indicator system of FIG. 8 according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 10 schematically shows a front view of the level
indicator system of FIG. 8 according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 schematically shows a perspective view of the
integrated ratchet system with other portions of the car seat base
removed according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 12 schematically shows a top view of the integrated
ratchet system shown in FIG. 11 according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 13 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the
integrated ratchet system along lines A-A of FIG. 12 according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 14 schematically shows a perspective view of portions
of the integrated ratchet system showing the belt tension indicator
system according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 15 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the
belt tension indicator system along lines B-B of FIG. 12 according
to embodiments of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 16 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the
integrated ratchet system with belt tension indicator system along
lines C-C of FIG. 12 according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 17 shows a perspective top view of a portion of a car
seat base with a belt inserted into an integrated ratchet system
according to embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Various embodiments of the present invention provide a child
car seat having a car seat base and a child seat carrier that is
configured to be removably attached to the car seat base. The car
seat base includes an integrated ratchet system that allows the
base to be secured to a seat in a vehicle with relative ease. The
integrated ratchet system may include a belt tension indicator
system that indicates when an appropriate amount of tension is
applied to the belt. The car seat base may also include a level
indicator system that indicates the angle of inclination of the car
seat base relative to ground, permitting the proper orientation of
the base in the vehicle seat. The car seat base may also have a
control system that indicates when the seat base has attained an
appropriate orientation and that indicates when the integrated
ratchet system has sufficiently secured the base to the vehicle
seat. This configuration readily permits the proper installation of
the child car seat within the vehicle. Details of illustrative
embodiments are discussed below.
[0026] FIGS. 1-4 schematically show a child car seat 10 according
to embodiments of the present invention. The car seat 10 includes a
car seat base 12 and a child seat carrier 14 that is configured to
be removably attached to the car seat base 12. FIG. 5 schematically
shows the car seat base 12 without the seat carrier 14 attached.
Referring also to FIG. 5, the seat carrier 14 is attached to the
car seat base 12 by hooks 16 in the car seat base 12 that engage
corresponding anchor or plate structures (not shown) in the seat
carrier 14. The hooks 16 may be retracted from the corresponding
structures by pulling upward on a release lever 18, thus allowing
the seat carrier 14 to be removed from the car seat base 12.
[0027] For the proper installation of the car seat 10 in the
vehicle, the car seat base 12 should be positioned at an
appropriate angle in relation to the vehicle seat (not shown).
FIGS. 6 and 7 schematically show a perspective top view and side
view, respectively, of a portion of the car seat base 12 showing an
integrated level indicator system 20 according to embodiments of
the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the level
indicator system 20 is mounted within the interior of the car seat
base 12. As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 8-10, the level
indicator system 20 includes a housing 22 that is coupled to the
car seat base 12 and a pendulum 24 that is movably coupled to the
housing 22 and is configured to permit rotation about an axis
(shown as line a-a in FIGS. 8 and 10) of the system 20. The
pendulum 24 includes a top portion 24a having an opening 26 and a
bottom portion 24b that is configured such that it moves due to
gravity based on the position of the level indicator system 20
relative to ground. As the bottom portion 24b moves forward or
backward relative to the housing 22 and orthogonal to the axis, the
top portion 24a moves in opposing directions from the bottom
portion 24b, causing the pendulum 24 to move about the axis. The
level indicator system 20 also includes one or more pair of sensors
28, such as photosensors, that are coupled to the housing 22 on
opposing sides of the opening 26. For example, the pair of sensors
28 may be a photoemitter and a photoreceptor. The level indicator
system 20 is positioned within the car seat base 12 such that the
opening 26 and sensors 28 are substantially aligned when the car
seat base 12 is in the proper orientation relative to the ground.
In this configuration, the one sensor 28 on one side of the opening
26 is in communication with the other sensor 28 on the other side
of the opening 26 when the opening 26 is substantially aligned with
the pair of sensors 28. For example, a signal may pass through the
opening 26 from the one sensor 28 to the other when the opening 26
is substantially aligned with the pair of sensors 28. For instance,
light from a photoemitter may pass through the opening 26 and be
detected by a photoreceptor when the car seat base 12 is properly
angled.
[0028] As the car seat base 12 is tilted out of the proper
orientation one way or the other, the bottom portion 24a of the
pendulum 24 moves, causing the opening 26 in the top portion 24a to
move out of alignment from the sensors 28 and other areas of the
top portion 24a to block the path from the one sensor to the other.
If more than one pair of sensors 28 is used, then several levels of
alignment or misalignment of the base 12, as well as which
direction the base 12 needs to be moved in, may be indicated. For
example, if three pairs of sensors are used and are positioned
adjacent to one another, then the level indicator system 20 may
indicate when all three pairs of sensors are aligned with the
opening, when only one or two pairs are aligned, or when none are
aligned. If only one or two pairs of sensors are aligned, then the
level indicator system 20 may indicate which of the pairs are
aligned (e.g., the pair(s) toward the front or back of the level
indicator system) and may indicate in which direction the car seat
base 12 needs to move in order to be properly oriented.
[0029] The alignment of the base 12 may be indicated to an
installer or other user through an integrated control console 30,
such as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The control console 30 may include
a user interface through which the person interacts with the
console 30. The user interface may include inputs 32, such as a
single or multiple knobs, buttons, switches, touch sensors, touch
screens, or combinations thereof, for the person's input and
feedback, and may include outputs 34, such as audio and/or visual
devices, e.g., speakers, lights, LEDs, tactile sensors or
transmitters, and visual displays, such as LCD screens, for
providing the status of the alignment to the person. The control
console 30 may also include circuitry (not shown) which receives
signals from the sensors 28 in the level indicator system 20 and
communicates with the user interface. The control console 30 may
also receive signals from an integrated ratchet system, as
discussed in more detail below. In addition, the control console 30
may include a power source (not shown), such as a battery, for
providing power to the user interface. For example, a visual
display screen may be illuminated, change color or flash when the
proper alignment of the base 12 is achieved. In addition, the
display screen may indicate an amount of alignment (e.g., not
aligned, fair alignment, good alignment) and may indicate a
direction (e.g., forward or backward) in which to move the base in
order for it to be properly aligned in the vehicle. The control
console 30 may be activated by interfacing with the user interface
and may provide the information for a predetermined amount of time
after which it may be deactivated in order to conserve power. For
example, the installer may interface with one or more inputs 32 on
the control console 30 to check the angle of the seat base 12, and
one or more outputs 34 may provide the appropriate information as
to whether the angle is correct or not. The control console 30 may
also be used to lead the person, step by step, through a procedure
for adjusting the seat base 12 as well as securing the child seat
carrier 14 to the seat base 12 and securing the seat base 12 to the
vehicle seat, as described in more below. In addition, the control
console 30 may be removably attached to the seat base 12 so that
its components may be easily repaired or replaced.
[0030] To properly position the seat base 12 within the vehicle, a
level adjustment system may be used. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, 5 and
7, the level adjustment system includes a grooved member 40 coupled
to the seat base 12 and a leveling member 36 movably coupled to the
grooved member 40 and movably coupled to the seat base 12 at a
front portion 12a of the seat base 12. In this way, the seat base
12 may be tilted forward or backward toward the front or back of
the seat base 12 when the leveling member 36 is moved upward or
downward relative to the bottom of the seat base 12 mainly towards
the back of the seat base 12. The level adjustment system also
includes one or more actuators 38, such as buttons, on the seat
base 12 that actuate the movement of the leveling member 36
relative to the grooved member 40, e.g., when the buttons 38 are
depressed. As shown in FIG. 7, the grooved member 40 has one or
more slots 42 and a channel 46 adjacent to the slots 42. The level
adjustment system also includes a bar 44 coupled to the leveling
member 36 and configured to engage with the one or more slots 42
and move along the channel 46. When the actuators 38 are actuated,
such as buttons being depressed, this causes the bar 44 to move out
of one slot 42 and travel along the channel 46 adjacent to the
slots 42. When the actuators 38 are actuated, such as the buttons
being released, the bar 44 moves into and engages the nearest
adjacent slot 42. In this way, the leveling member 36 moves upward
or downward, mainly towards the back portion of the seat base 12,
relative to the seat base 12 as the bar 44 moves upward or
downward.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the car seat base 12 may also include
an integrated ratchet system 50 that allows the seat base 12 to be
properly secured to the vehicle seat. As shown in greater detail in
FIGS. 11-16, the integrated ratchet system 50 includes a housing
51, a handle 52 movably coupled to the housing 51, and a spindle 54
movably coupled to the handle 52 and movably coupled to the housing
51. The spindle 54 has a longitudinal slot 58 that is configured to
receive and hold a belt (not shown). For example, one side of the
belt is positioned at the bottom of the slot 58 and feed up through
the slot 58 until the belt is positioned within the slot 58 and
between the two portions of the spindle 54. The integrated ratchet
system 50 may also include a belt tension indicator system 56 that
indicates when an appropriate amount of tension is applied to the
belt.
[0032] During operation, the belt is positioned in the slot 58 in
the spindle 54 and positioned through an opening 60 in, or over the
top of, the belt tension indicator system 56. The belt is also
positioned through openings in the housing 51. FIG. 17 shows a
portion of a seat base 12 with a belt 62 inserted into an
integrated ratchet system 50 according to one embodiment of the
present invention. The belt may be a separate, standalone belt or
may be one of the seat belts in the vehicle. As known by those
skilled in the art, the belt may be secured to one or more anchored
locations in the vehicle. When a separate belt is used, visual
indicators on the belt may be used to appropriately position the
belt within the integrated ratchet system 50, e.g., by positioning
the center of the belt on the spindle 54. The two ends of the
separate belt may also include standard seat belt buckle attachment
ends that insert into the vehicle's existing seat belt buckle.
[0033] Once the belt is positioned within the integrated ratchet
system 50, the handle 52 may be moved from one side of the housing
51 to the other. As the handle 52 moves in one direction, the
spindle 54 rotates, causing the belt to wind around the spindle 54.
However, as the handle 52 moves back in the other direction, the
spindle 54 is prevented from rotating so that the belt does not
unwind from the spindle 54. As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 13
and 14, this is accomplished by the handle 52 moving a ratchet
wheel 68 when the handle 52 moves in one direction. Then, when the
handle 52 moves back in the other direction, a pall 64 prevents the
ratchet wheel 68 from moving with the handle 52 by engaging notches
66 in the ratchet wheel 68. Thus, as known by those skilled in the
art, the pall 64 and ratchet wheel 68 are configured to permit
motion of the wheel 68 with the handle 52 in one direction, but
prevent motion of the wheel 68 with the handle 52 in the reverse
direction. Consequently, the spindle 54, which is coupled to the
ratchet wheel 68, only rotates in one direction during this
operation. For example, as the handle 52 is moved from right to
left, the ratchet wheel 68 and spindle 54 rotate in a
counter-clockwise direction, but when the handle 52 is moved back
to the right, the pall 64 engages the notches 66 on the ratchet
wheel 68, preventing the wheel 68, and thus the spindle 54, from
rotating back clockwise. In this manner, the belt becomes
continuously wound around spindle 54. The process of rotating the
handle 52 back and forth may be repeated as necessary, until the
belt becomes sufficiently tight within the integrated ratchet
system 50.
[0034] The amount of tension in the belt may be determined by the
belt tension indicator system 56. As shown in greater detail in
FIGS. 14-16, the belt tension indicator system 56 includes a bottom
member 56b coupled to the housing 51 and a top member 56a movably
coupled to the bottom member 56b that a belt contacts. The top
member 56a includes an opening 60 configured such that a belt may
be positioned through the opening 60 and includes a surface 61
configured such that a belt may be positioned over, and in contact
with, the surface 61. The belt tension indicator system 56 also
includes a switch or plunger 70 adjacent to the top member 56a and
one or more resistance members 72 positioned between a portion of
the top member 56a and a portion of the bottom member 56b. The one
or more resistance members 72 allow the top member 56a to move
relative to the bottom member 56b when sufficient force is applied
to the top member 56a, e.g., by the belt. The resistance members 72
may be springs or other mechanisms known in the art.
[0035] During operation, a belt is positioned through the opening
60, or over the surface 61, in the top member 56a. For example,
when a separate, standalone belt is used, the belt may be
positioned through the opening 60 and when one of the seat belts in
the vehicle is used, the belt may be positioned over the surface
61. As the belt becomes more tightly wound around the spindle 54,
the belt applies progressively more force to the top member 56a of
the belt tension indicator system 56, moving the top member 56a
closer to the bottom member 56b. The belt tension indicator system
56 is configured such that a contact 74 on the bottom of the top
member 56a contacts the switch 70 when an appropriate force is
applied to the top member 56a by the belt, thus indicating when
sufficient tension is applied to the belt. When the switch 70
contacts the contact 74, an indication may be provided to the
installer. For example, the belt tension indicator system 56 may
send a signal to the control console 30 indicating that the proper
amount of belt tension has been achieved, and the control console
30 may display an appropriate indicator to the person that the seat
base 12 is sufficiently secure.
[0036] If the switch 70 is configured to measure the amount of
force applied to the switch or to determine the position of the
switch as it is depressed, then the amount of tension in the belt
may be determined. This may provide the installer with information
regarding the progress of the belt tightening process. For example,
the control console 30 may indicate whether the seat base 12 is
appropriately secured based on the amount of tension in the belt
(e.g., not secure, fairly secure, secure, too tight) and may
indicate whether to tighten or loosen the belt in order for it to
be properly secured within the vehicle. As mentioned above with
regard to the level indicator system 20, the installer may
similarly interface with the control console 30 to check the belt
tension, and the control console 30 may provide the appropriate
information as to whether the belt tension is correct or not. In
addition, the control console 30 may also be used to lead the
person, step by step, through a procedure for tightening the belt
and indicating when the integrated ratchet system 50 has
sufficiently secured the seat base 12 to the vehicle seat.
[0037] To loosen the belt in the integrated ratchet system 50, a
release mechanism 76 may be used to allow the spindle 54 to rotate
in either direction. For example, the release mechanism 76 may be
actuated by depressing a button 76 on the handle 52 while moving
the handle 52 from one side to the other. This may cause the pall
64 to disengage from the ratchet wheel 68, allowing the spindle 54
to freely rotate. When the button is released and the handle
returned to its starting position, the pall 64 is configured to
reengage with the ratchet wheel 68.
[0038] Embodiments of the integrated ratchet system 50, control
console 30 and/or level indicator system 20 permit the proper
installation of the child car seat 10 within the vehicle to be
performed without undue difficulty. In addition, embodiments allow
much of the subjective judgment currently used in the car seat
installation process to be removed.
[0039] Although the above discussion discloses various exemplary
embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent that those
skilled in the art can make various modifications that will achieve
some of the advantages of the invention without departing from the
true scope of the invention.
* * * * *