U.S. patent application number 13/445974 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-18 for child safety seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to BP CHILDRENS PRODUCTS HK CO., LIMITED. Invention is credited to James M.F. HUTCHINSON, Kyle S. MASON.
Application Number | 20120261958 13/445974 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46986388 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120261958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HUTCHINSON; James M.F. ; et
al. |
October 18, 2012 |
Child Safety Seat
Abstract
A child safety seat includes a seat shell having one side
provided with an elongated slot, and an anchor strap portion
restrictedly held with the seat shell. The slot communicates with a
first opening near a front of the seat shell, and a second opening
near a rear of the seat shell. The anchor strap portion is
connected with a fastener that is operable to attach with an anchor
structure provided in a vehicle, the anchor strap portion being
movable along the slot between a first position adjacent to the
first opening, and a second position adjacent to the second
opening.
Inventors: |
HUTCHINSON; James M.F.;
(Mohnton, PA) ; MASON; Kyle S.; (Reading,
PA) |
Assignee: |
BP CHILDRENS PRODUCTS HK CO.,
LIMITED
Kowloon
HK
|
Family ID: |
46986388 |
Appl. No.: |
13/445974 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61517215 |
Apr 15, 2011 |
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61520242 |
Jun 7, 2011 |
|
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61629059 |
Nov 10, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/250.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/2821 20130101;
B60N 2/2863 20130101; B60N 2/2872 20130101; B60N 2/2887 20130101;
B60N 2/2806 20130101; B60N 2/286 20130101; B60N 2/2875
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/250.1 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/28 20060101
B60N002/28 |
Claims
1. A child safety seat comprising: a seat shell having one side
provided with an elongated slot, wherein the slot communicates with
a first opening near a front of the seat shell, and a second
opening near a rear of the seat shell; and an anchor strap portion
held with the seat shell, wherein the anchor strap portion is
connected with a fastener that is operable to attach with an anchor
structure provided in a vehicle, the anchor strap portion being
movable along the slot between a first position adjacent to the
first opening, and a second position adjacent to the second
opening.
2. The child safety seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat
shell has a seating portion, and the slot is located below an upper
surface of the seating portion.
3. The child safety seat according to claim 1, wherein the anchor
strap portion extends outward from the first opening to attach the
seat shell in a rearward facing configuration, and from the second
opening to attach the seat shell in a forward facing
configuration.
4. The child safety seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat
shell includes a storage pocket adapted to receive the placement of
the fastener and the anchor strap portion.
5. The child safety seat according to claim 4, wherein the storage
pocket is located adjacently below the slot.
6. The child safety seat according to claim 4, wherein the storage
pocket is formed from a box movably assembled with the seat
shell.
7. The child safety seat according to claim 1, wherein the anchor
strap portion is formed from the assembly of a strap made of a
continuous web material, and an extension movable along the strap,
the fastener being connected with the extension.
8. The child safety seat according to claim 7, wherein the strap
has an end assembled with a retractor.
9. The child safety seat according to claim 8, wherein the
retractor is pivotally assembled with the seat shell.
10. The child safety seat according to claim 8, wherein the
retractor is assembled with the seat shell above the slot.
11. The child safety seat according to claim 1, further including
an elongated rib adjacently below the slot, the elongated rib being
convex outward at a middle region of the elongated rib.
12. A child safety seat comprising: a seat shell having left and
right sides respectively provided with an elongated slot, wherein
the slot at each of the left and right sides communicates with a
first opening near a front of the seat shell, and a second opening
near a rear of the seat shell; and two anchor strap portions held
with the seat shell and respectively extending outward through the
two slots, wherein each of the anchor strap portions is connected
with a fastener that is operable to attach with an anchor structure
provided in a vehicle, each of the anchor strap portions being
movable along one associated slot between a first position adjacent
to the first opening, and a second position adjacent to the second
opening.
13. The child safety seat according to claim 12, wherein the two
anchor strap portions respectively extend outward from the first
openings to attach the seat shell in a rearward facing
configuration, and from the second openings to attach the seat
shell in a forward facing configuration.
14. The child safety seat according to claim 12, wherein the seat
shell includes two storage pockets respectively adapted to receive
the placement of the fasteners and the anchor strap portions at the
left and right sides.
15. The child safety seat according to claim 14, wherein the
storage pockets are respectively located adjacently below the
slots.
16. The child safety seat according to claim 12, wherein the two
anchor strap portions are formed from the assembly of a strap made
of a continuous web material and routed transversally through the
two slots, and an extension movable along the strap, a first end of
the strap lying freely outside the seat shell at one of the left
and right sides, and a second end of the strap being connected with
a retractor at the other one of the left and right sides.
17. The child safety seat according to claim 16, wherein the
extension is movable outside the seat shell at the side of the
retractor.
18. The child safety seat according to claim 16, wherein the
retractor is pivotally connected with the seat shell.
19. The child safety seat according to claim 12, wherein the two
anchor strap portions are formed from the assembly of a strap made
of a continuous web material and routed transversally through the
two slots, and two extensions movable along the strap, a first end
of the strap being connected with a first retractor the left side
of the seat shell, a second end of the strap being connected with a
second retractor at the right side of the seat shell.
20. The child safety seat according to claim 19, wherein the two
extensions include a first extension and a second extension, the
first extension being movable outside the seat shell at the left
side, and the second extension being outside the seat shell at the
right side.
21. The child safety seat according to claim 19, wherein the
retractors are pivotally assembled with the seat shell.
22. A child safety seat comprising: a seat shell; an anchor strap
portion held with the seat shell, wherein the anchor strap portion
is connected with a fastener that is operable to attach with an
anchor structure provided in a vehicle; a retractor disposed on the
seat shell, and the anchor strap portion has one end assembled with
the retractor; and a fastener slidably disposed on the anchor strap
portion between the slot and the retractor.
23. The child safety seat according to claim 22, wherein the
retractor is pivotally assembled with the seat shell.
24. The child safety seat according to claim 22, wherein the seat
shell has one side provided with an elongated slot, the anchor
strap portion is movable along the slot between a first position
adjacent to the first opening, and a second position adjacent to
the second opening.
25. The child safety seat according to claim 24, wherein the slot
communicates with a first opening near a front of the seat shell,
and a second opening near a rear of the seat shell.
26. The child safety seat according to claim 22, wherein the anchor
strap portion includes a portion of a strap that is mounted in the
seat shell and has one end assembled with the retractor, the
fastener being slidably disposed on the anchor portion of the strap
between the slot and the retractor.
27. The child safety seat according to claim 26, wherein the
portion of the strap has a second end affixed with a central
location of the seat shell.
28. A child safety seat comprising: a seat shell having a first
opening near a front of the seat shell, and a second opening near a
rear of the seat shell; an anchor strap portion slidably held with
the seat shell, wherein the anchor strap portion is connected with
a fastener that is operable to attach with an anchor structure
provided in a vehicle, the anchor strap portion being movable
between a first position adjacent to the first opening, and a
second position adjacent to the second opening; and a storage
pocket disposed at a side of the seat shell between the first
opening and the second opening, the storage pocket being adapted to
receive the placement of the fastener and the anchor strap
portion.
29. The child safety seat according to claim 28, wherein the
storage pocket is formed from a box movably assembled with the seat
shell.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/517,215 filed on Apr. 15, 2011; and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/520,242 filed on Jun. 7,
2011; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/629,059 filed
on Nov. 10, 2011.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to child safety seats.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, an automobile vehicle has seatbelts provided
at the front and rear seats. The seatbelt generally includes
shoulder and lap straps that may be fastened with an anchor point
of the vehicle to restrain and protect the occupant in case of
collision or sudden stop of the vehicle. However, the use of the
vehicle seatbelt is not adapted for a young child who has a smaller
body and may not be able to sustain the pressure applied by the
seatbelt. As a result, safety legislations require the use of a
child safety seat for seating a young child in a vehicle.
[0006] In some approaches, the seatbelt of the vehicle can be used
to hold the child safety seat in place. In other approaches, the
child safety seat can be provided with an independent restraint
system that can attach with an anchor structure of the vehicle to
hold the child safety seat in place. Depending on the age of the
child, the child safety seat can also be installed in the vehicle
in a position facing forward or a position facing rearward. Each of
these two positions requires a different procedure for securing the
child safety seat, which may be subject to confusion and erroneous
manipulation from the caregiver.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a construction that can
facilitate the installation of the child safety seat in the vehicle
and address at least the foregoing issues.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present application describes a child safety seat that
is provided with a restraint system for attaching the child safety
seat in a vehicle. The child safety seat includes a seat shell
having one side provided with an elongated slot, and an anchor
strap portion restrictedly held with the seat shell. The slot
communicates with a first opening near a front of the seat shell,
and a second opening near a rear of the seat shell. The anchor
strap portion is connected with a fastener that is operable to
attach with an anchor structure provided in a vehicle, the anchor
strap portion being movable along the slot between a first position
adjacent to the first opening, and a second position adjacent to
the second opening.
[0009] At least one advantage of the structures described herein is
the ability to conveniently adjust the positions of the anchor
strap portions by pulling the strap portions along the seat shell
toward its front or rear. Accordingly, the installation of the
child safety seat in a vehicle can be facilitated, and erroneous
manipulation can be prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a
child safety seat;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged side view of the child safety
seat shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the routing of a
strap assembly through an interior of the seat shell;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the child safety seat in
a rearward configuration of use;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the child safety seat in
a forward configuration of use;
[0015] FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic views illustrating a variant
embodiment of the child safety seat that can allow convenient
storage of anchor strap portions and fasteners;
[0016] FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic views illustrating another
embodiment of a restraint system implemented in a child safety
seat;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a
retractor implemented in the restraint system shown in FIGS. 8 and
9;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the retractor
adjusted to a rearward facing configuration of use of the child
safety seat;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the retractor
adjusted to a forward facing configuration of use of the child
safety seat;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating another variant
embodiment of a restraint system implemented in the child safety
seat; and
[0021] FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating a variant
embodiment of the restraint system shown in FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The present application describes a child safety seat that
is provided with a restraint system for attaching the child safety
seat in a vehicle. The restraint system is mounted with a seat
shell of the child safety seat, and can be conveniently adjusted
according to the installation of the child safety seat in either of
a forward facing position and a rearward facing position.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a
child safety seat 100. The child safety seat 100 can have a seat
shell 102. The seat shell 102 can include a seating portion 104, a
seatback 106, and lateral guards 108 raised parallel to each other
at left and right sides of the seat shell 102. The seating portion
104 can have an upper seating surface 104A on which a child can be
placed in a sitting position. To provide comfortable sitting, soft
materials (e.g., fabric, foam materials and the like) can be used
to cushion the seating surface 104A.
[0024] In some embodiments, the seat shell 102 can also be used in
association with a base 110. The base 110 can rest at the bottom of
the seating portion 104 to provide stable support. It is noted that
the base 110 can be optional, and alternate embodiments may use the
child safety seat 100 alone without the base 110.
[0025] The lateral guards 108 raised at the left and right sides
can extend from the front to the rear of the seat shell 102. The
lateral guards 108 can act to provide lateral protection and
restrict lateral movements of the child.
[0026] Referring again to FIG. 1, the child safety seat 100 can
also include a restraint system 120 mounted with the seat shell
102. When the child safety seat 100 is installed in a vehicle, the
restraint system 120 can attach with an anchor structure provided
in a vehicle to hold the seat shell 102 in place. As shown, the
restraint system 120 can include a strap assembly 121 restrictedly
held with the seat shell 102 and having two anchor strap portions
122 respectively extending outward from left and right sides of the
seat shell 102. A distal end of each anchor strap portion 122 lying
outside the seat shell 102 can be assembled with a fastener 124
adapted to engage with an anchor structure 126 of a vehicle (better
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) for holding the child safety seat 100 in
place. Examples of the fasteners 124 can include connectors
compatible with the International Standards Organization FIX
(ISO-FIX) for installing child seats into cars, or general latch
hooks.
[0027] In conjunction with FIG. 1, FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged
side view of the child safety seat 100, and FIG. 3 is a schematic
view illustrating the routing of the strap assembly 121 through an
interior of the seat shell 102. The seat shell 102 can include a
frame structure comprised of two beams 102A that extend along two
sides of the seating portion 104 near the lateral guards 108. In
one embodiment, the strap assembly 121 can include a strap 123 made
of a single continuous web material that has two opposite end
portions respectively forming the anchor strap portions 122. In
alternate embodiments, the strap assembly 121 can include two
distinct straps, each of which has a first end assembled in the
interior of the seating portion 104 (e.g., the first ends of the
two distinct straps may be operatively connected with each other),
and a free second end extending outside the seat shell 102 to form
one anchor strap portion 122.
[0028] The strap assembly 121 can be routed transversally through
the seating portion 104 and under the seating surface 104A, wrap
around the two beams 102A, and extend outward from the left and
right sidewalls of the seat shell 102.
[0029] The seat shell 102 can include two slots 128 respectively
formed at left and right sides of the seating portion 104 and under
the seating surface 104A for passage of the anchor strap portions
122. Each slot 128 can have an elongated profile that respectively
communicates with a first opening 130 near the front of the seat
shell 102, and a second opening 132 near the rear of the seat shell
102. In one embodiment, the two slots 128 may be symmetrically
formed with a curved shape at the left and right sides of the
seating portion 104. The two anchor strap portions 122 can
respectively extend outside the seat shell 102 through the two
slots 128. Moreover, the two anchor strap portions 122 can be
movably adjusted to travel along the two slots 128 to two opposite
positions for attaching the child safety seat 100 in a rearward
facing configuration and a forward facing configuration,
respectively.
[0030] To facilitate the adjustment of the anchor strap portions
122, an elongated rib 134 of a suitably curved shape can be formed
adjacent to a lower side of each slot 128. Preferably, the
elongated rib 134 is convex outward in the middle portion. When the
anchor strap portion 128 is tightened, the rib 134 can contact and
guide the anchor strap portion 128 to slip to the correct
position.
[0031] FIGS. 4 and 5 are side views respectively illustrating the
child safety seat 100 installed in rearward and forward
configurations of use. When the child safety seat 100 is installed
in the rearward facing configuration (i.e., the front of the child
safety seat 100 is facing a rear of the vehicle) as shown in FIG.
4, each anchor strap portion 122 can be positioned adjacent to the
first opening 130. In this position, each anchor strap portion 122
can extend through the associated first opening 130 toward the
front of the child safety seat 100 for attaching with the anchor
structure 126 of the vehicle.
[0032] When the child safety seat 100 is installed in the forward
facing configuration (i.e., the front of the child safety seat 100
is facing a front of the vehicle) as shown in FIG. 5, each anchor
strap portion 122 can be moved along the corresponding slot 128
until it reaches a position adjacent to the second opening 132. In
this position, each anchor strap portion 122 can extend through the
second opening 132 toward the rear of the child safety seat 100 for
attaching with the anchor structure 126 of the vehicle.
[0033] FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic views illustrating a variant
embodiment of the child safety seat 100 that can allow convenient
storage of the anchor strap portions 122 and fasteners 124. One or
two of the left and right sides of the seat shell 102 can be
respectively provided with a storage pocket 140 in which the
fastener 124 and associated anchor strap portion 122 can be
conveniently disposed. The storage pocket 140 can be arranged
adjacently below the slot 128 and between the first and second
openings 130 and 132. In one embodiment, the storage pocket 140 can
be formed as a box 142 that has an upper opening. The box 142 can
be movably assembled at the side of the seat shell 102, for
example, pivotally assembled or formed as a drawer on the seat
shell 102. The box 142 can have a shape that can fit with the
contour of the seat shell 102. As shown with arrow AR in FIG. 7,
the box 142 can be pulled outward so as to expose its upper
opening, and pushed toward the seat shell 102 to engage with the
seat shell 102 and obstruct its upper opening smoothly conforming
to the contour of the seat shell 102.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows the use of the storage pocket 140 for storing
the anchor strap portion 122 and fastener 124. The storage pocket
140 can be opened, and the anchor strap portion 122 can be placed
at an intermediate position of the slot 128. The fastener 124 and
the anchor strap portion 122 then can be disposed in the storage
pocket 140, which can be subsequently closed on the side of the
seat shell 102. Accordingly, the fastener 124 and the anchor strap
portion 122 can be conveniently concealed in the storage pocket 140
associated therewith, which can improve the outer aesthetic
appearance of the child safety seat 100.
[0035] When it is used outside the storage pocket 140, the anchor
strap portion 122 can travel along the slot 128 and above the
storage pocket 140, which does not impede the adjustment of the
anchor strap portion 122.
[0036] It is worth noting that the storage pocket 140 can be
implemented with different constructions of the seat shell 102. For
example, in alternate embodiments, the storage pocket 140 can also
be provided in a seat shell that has no slots 128, at a location
between the first openings 130 and second openings 132 like
previously described. In this case, the anchor strap portions 122
can be respectively withdrawn from the first openings 130 (or
second openings 132) and routed through the second openings 132 (or
first openings 130) from the interior of the seat shell 102. When
the anchor strap portions 122 are placed through the first openings
130 or second openings 132, the fasteners 124 and parts of the
anchor strap portions 122 when unused can be conveniently disposed
in the storage pockets 140.
[0037] FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic views illustrating another
embodiment of a restraint system 220. To facilitate tightening of
the first and second anchor strap portions 222A and 222B, the
restrain system 220 can include a retractor 223. The retractor 223
can be movably assembled at one side (e.g., left or right side) of
the seat shell 102 at a location above the slot 128 and between the
first and second openings 130 and 132. In one embodiment, the
retractor 223 can be pivotally assembled with the seat shell 102.
In alternate embodiments, other movable assemblies may be
applicable, e.g., sliding connection that allows displacements of
the retractor 223 toward the front or rear of the seat shell
102.
[0038] In this embodiment, the strap assembly 221 of the restraint
system 220 can include a strap 224 made of a continuous web
material, and an extension 226 movably connected with the strap
224. The strap 224 can be transversally routed through the two
slots 128 of the seat shell 102, have a first end 224A assembled
with one fastener 124 at a first outer side of the seat shell 102,
and have a second end 224B connected with the retractor 223 at an
opposite second outer side of the seat shell 102. The extension 226
can exemplary include a connector 228 that is connected with one
fastener 124, and can slide along the strap 224 outside the seat
shell 102 on the side of the retractor 223. Accordingly, a free end
portion of the strap 224 that is affixed with one fastener 124 can
form a first anchor strap portion 222A extending outward from a
first side of the seat shell 102. A second anchor strap portion
222B extending outward from an opposite second outer side of the
seat shell 102 can include the extension 226 affixed with one
fastener 124, and a portion of the strap 224 adjacent to the
extension 226 and having one end assembled with the retractor 223.
Accordingly, the fastener 124 can be slidably disposed on the
anchor strap portion 222B between the slot 128 and the retractor
223 located at the same side.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the retractor 223. The retractor 223 can include a drum 232
pivotally connected around a shaft 234 affixed with the seat shell
102, a motor spring 236 (shown with dashed lines) connected between
the drum 232 and a fixed portion, ratchet wheels 238 having a
plurality of teeth 238A and respectively connected with two
opposite sides of the drum 232, two pawls 240, and biasing springs
242 respectively coupled with the pawls 240 (only one side of the
drum 232 with one ratchet wheel 238, one pawl 240 and one biasing
spring 242 is represented in FIG. 10, the other side being similar
in construction). The biasing springs 242 can be pivotally mounted
with a frame 244 that is pivotally assembled with the seat shell
102.
[0040] The drum 232 can be biased by the motor spring 236 (e.g.,
torsion spring) in rotation to wind and take up the strap 224. Each
of the pawls 240 can be urged by the associated biasing spring 242
to engage with any of the teeth 238A of the corresponding ratchet
wheel 238 for blocking rotation of the drum 232 in a reverse
direction that unwinds the strap 224 (the pawl 240 shown in FIG. 10
is exemplary shown in a disengaged state).
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the retractor 223 can rotate
relative to the seat shell 102 to adapt with the adjustment of the
two anchor strap portions 222A and 222B either adjacent to the
first openings 130 or second openings 132. Once the anchor strap
portions 222A and 222B are adequately positioned, the pawls 240 can
be actuated to respectively disengage from the ratchet wheels 238,
after which the anchor strap portions 222A and 222B can be pulled
to attach with the anchor structure of the vehicle. Once the
fasteners 124 are attached, the motor spring 236 can act to
properly tension the anchor strap portions 222A and 222B. Moreover,
the pawls 240 can be biased to block rotation of the drum 232 in
the direction that unwinds the anchor strap portions 222A and 222B.
The retractor 223 can thereby suitably tension the anchor strap
portions 222A and 222B to hold the seat shell 102 in place.
[0042] The retractor 223 may facilitate the installation of the
child safety seat. After the two fasteners 124 are attached to the
anchor structure of the vehicle, the caregiver can push down on the
seating portion 104, which can form a slack of the anchor strap
portions 222A and 222B. The retractor 223 then can wind the slack
of the anchor strap portions 222A and 222B so that the strap
assembly 221 can be properly tensioned. When the caregiver releases
the seating portion 104, the retractor 223 can tightly hold the
anchors strap portions 222A and 222B and the child safety seat 100
in place.
[0043] FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating another variant
embodiment of a restraint system 320. The restraint system 320 can
include two retractors 323 respectively assembled pivotally at the
left and right sides of the seat shell 102. The retractors 323 can
be disposed symmetrical to each other above the slots 128 and
between the first and second openings 130 and 132. Each of the
retractors 323 can be similar to the previously-described retractor
223 in construction.
[0044] In this embodiment, the strap assembly 321 of the restraint
system 320 can include a strap 324 made of a continuous web
material, and two extensions 326 movably connected with the strap
324. The strap 324 can be routed through the two slots 128 of the
seat shell 102 in a transverse direction, and have first and second
ends 324A and 324B respectively connected with the retractors 323
at the left and right sides of the seat shell 102. Each extension
326 can be affixed with one fastener 124 at one end while connected
to a connector 328 at the other end . The strap 324 can movably
pass through the connector 328, such that the extension 326 and the
connector 328 can slide along the strap 324 outside the seat shell
102. Accordingly, the anchor strap portion 322 at each outer side
of the seat shell 102 can include an extension 326 affixed with one
fastener 124, and a portion of the strap 324 adjacent to the
extension 326 and having one end assembled with the retractor 323.
The fastener 124 can be slidably disposed on the anchor strap
portion 322 between the slot 128 and retractor 323 located on the
same side, such that the fastener 124 can slide between the slot
128 and the retractor 323. With this construction, the load that is
exerted on each anchor strap portion 322 of the restraint system
320 when sudden stop or collision of the vehicle occurs can be
distributed between the retractor 323 and the part of the strap 324
which is assembled in the seat shell 102. Strain concentration (in
particular at the retractor 323) can be thereby prevented.
[0045] For installing the child safety seat, each retractor 323 can
be unlocked, so that a portion of the strap 324 can be unwound from
the retractor 323 as the anchor strap portion 322 is stretched out.
Once the fasteners 124 are engaged with the anchor structure of the
vehicle, the retractors 323 can act to properly tension the anchor
strap portions 322, as described previously.
[0046] FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating a variant
embodiment of the restraint system 320. The strap assembly 321 of
the restraint system 320 can include a strap 324 made of a
continuous web material, and two extensions 326 movably connected
with the strap 324. The strap 324 can have a central point affixed
with the seat shell 102 via a connection point 336 such that the
strap 324 cannot move relative to the seat shell 102. The
connection point 336 can be disposed at a central location of the
seat shell 102 between the first opening 130 and the second opening
132, and preferably at a center location between the two slots
128.
[0047] Like previously described, the strap 324 can be routed
through the two slots 128 of the seat shell 102 in a transverse
direction, and have first and second ends 324A and 324B
respectively connected with the retractors 323 at the left and
right sides of the seat shell 102. Each extension 326 can be formed
by a connector 328 that is affixed with one fastener 124 and can
slide along the strap 324 outside the seat shell 102. The anchor
strap portion 322 at each outer side of the seat shell 102 can
accordingly include an extension 326 affixed with one fastener 124,
and a portion of the strap 324 adjacent to the extension 326 and
having one end assembled with the retractor 323. With this
construction, the fastener 124 can be slidably disposed on the
anchor strap portion 322 between the associated slot 128 and
retractor 323.
[0048] At least one advantage of the structures described herein is
the ability to conveniently adjust the positions of the anchor
strap portions according to the placement of the child safety seat
in the vehicle, i.e., installed in a forward facing or rearward
facing position. The anchor strap portions can be easily adjusted
by pulling the strap portions along the seat shell toward its front
or rear. Moreover, when provided with retractors, the length of the
anchor strap portions can be easily adjustable through the
retractors. Accordingly, the installation of the child safety seat
in the vehicle can be facilitated.
[0049] Realizations in accordance with the present invention
therefore have been described only in the context of particular
embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative and not
limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and
improvements are possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be
provided for components described herein as a single instance.
Structures and functionality presented as discrete components in
the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined
structure or component. These and other variations, modifications,
additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the
invention as defined in the claims that follow.
* * * * *