Abstract: The shoulder pad (30) is positioned on the shoulder strap (24) with the thinner projections (40 and 42) in contact with the shoulder of the child (28) and the thicker projections (46, 48 and 50) in contact with the child's chest. In an initial phase of an accident, the friction provided by these relatively thin projections is insufficient to prevent the child's torso from bending forward, thereby reducing the load on the child's neck. During a subsequent phase of the accident, the thicker projections (46, 48 and 50) reach child's shoulder.

Abstract: A safety harness webbing strap (1) has a piece of elastomeric belt (2) stitched (3) to it at two points along its length. The position of the two stitching along the length of the strap is such that in the relaxed state of the strap, with not tension in either the strap or the belt, the later draws a bight or belly (4) into the strap. Two lengths (5,6) of sleeving are stitched into the same points (3). The elastomeric belt is threaded within the lengths of sleeving. These are of equal length and jointly extend for the full length of the elastomeric belt in its relaxed state. when the elastomeric belt is tensioned, it opens at the joint between the two lengths (5,6) and stretches to a length greater than the sleeving. Thus it becomes exposed to view between the lengths of sleeving, as shown in FIG. 2. The extent of stretching of the belt is limited by the distance along the strap between the stitching. Once the strap is straightened, the belt will stretch no more.

Abstract: A tension detector has a flexible strap (350) having its end stitched into a loop (352) that wraps round a central shaft (354). A U-shaped one-piece coil spring has two coiled end portions (356) and (358) wrapped round the shaft (354). The end portions (356) and (358) are inter-connected by a central stirrup (360). A tether strap (316) has a loop (362) sewn into its end which engages round the stirrup (360). The ends of the shaft (354) are journalled in side walls of a housing (366). Each side wall has an inwardly direct abutment projection (368). The upper surface of the housing (366) includes a window (370) through which an arcuate indicator (372) is visible. The indicator (372) has side legs (374) and (376) that are slidably mounted on the stirrup (360). When the strap (316) is relaxed, the left hand end of the arcuate indicator (372) is visible through the window (370). When the strap (316) is tightened, the arcuate indicator (372) pivots to the position shown in FIG.

Abstract: The seat portion of a rearward facing child safety seat has static rear part and a movable front part which is movable between a deployed position in which its upper surface is contiguous with that of the rear part and a stowed position leaving an opening in front of the rear part for receiving the legs of an older child occupying the child seat with his knees bent and his feet positioned below the level of the static rear part.

Abstract: The seat portion of a rearward facing child safety seat has static rear part and a movable front part which is movable between a deployed position in which its upper surface is contiguous with that of the rear part and a stowed position leaving an opening in front of the rear part for receiving the legs of an older child occupying the child seat with his knees bent and his feet positioned below the level of the static rear part.

Abstract: A child safety seat 10 is adapted to rest on a vehicle seat and to be secured thereon by a vehicle seat belt 32 which extends through an opening 16 in the child seat 10 so that the vehicle seat belt 32 passes between a seated occupant of the child seat 10 and the vehicle seat. A traveller 20 can be coupled to a tongue 30 of a vehicle seat belt 32 and then moved from one side of the child seat 10, 40 through the opening 16 to the other side of the child seat 10 so as to pull the seat belt 32 through the opening 16.

Abstract: A child safety seat for use in a vehicle comprises a seat body having a seat portion and a backrest portion. Guides on the seat body define a strap path for a strap of an adult seat belt which secures the seat body to a vehicle seat. A strap deflecting lever is movable between a first position clear of said strap path and a second position in which the strap is deflected and thus tightened.

Abstract: An infant safety seat for use in a motor vehicle, having a rigid seat back (12), is adapted to be mounted in a vehicle so that a seated occupant faces rearwardly. The side of the seat back (12) facing away from the occupant has a guide (30) for receiving a shoulder portion (24) of an adult seat belt and a clamp (28, 32) for inhibiting movement of the shoulder portion (24) of the adult seat belt relative to the seat back (12). A cover (40) is arranged, when in a closed position, to enclose the guide (30, 32) and to cause engagement of the clamp (26 28).

Abstract: A child safety seat for use in a vehicle comprises a seat body having a seat portion and a backrest portion. In order to connect the seat body to a motor vehicle, a pair of attachment buckles are mounted by rigid links on opposite sides of the seat body for movement between first and second positions. In the first position, the buckles project rearwardly so as to be engageable with two anchorage units which are rigidly fixed to the vehicle body so as to be accessible between the seat portion and the backrest portion of the vehicle seat. In the second position, the buckles provide support for guides for an adult seat belt.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle seat belt comprises a flexible crushable pad adapted to be positioned between the shoulder strap of a seat belt and the shoulder of a user. Separable attachment means secures the crushable pad in a predetermined position in relation to a seat back. The attachment means permits movement of the pad further from said seat back on application of a predetermined force, e.g. in an accident.

Abstract: A car bed for an infant comprises a cot body having a generally rigid rim providing support for rigid end portions, side portions and a bottom portion. A U-shaped handle has the ends of its limbs pivotally attached to the end portions of the cot body for angular movement about an axis extending longitudinally above the center of gravity of the cot body, between a position in which said limbs are perpendicular to said bottom portion and a position in which the handle is located to one side of said opening. In use, a seat belt is received in guide formations on the handle. Since the handle is located above the center of gravity of the car bed as a whole, the cot body will rotate as a unit deceleration, so that the bottom portion of the cost body is displaced forwardly in an arcuate path to a forwardly and upwardly inclined position.

Abstract: A child safety harness has a pair of lap straps and a pair of shoulder straps interconnected by an impact pad which comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. Coupling means connects the upper portion to the lower portion in a plurality of alternative mutually overlapping positions so as to vary the distance between the upper edge of the upper portion and the lower edge of the lower portion.

Abstract: A child's seat for a motor vehicle comprises a back portion and a harness including two shoulder straps each of which projects through a respective opening in the back portion. Each opening is formed by the interaction of an elongate slot formed in the back portion and extending over the range of desired positions for the opening, with a horizontal slot in a carriage mounted on the rear side of the back portion for vertical sliding movement relative thereto. Manually operable control means is arranged to vary the position of the carriage relative to the back portion.

Abstract: A toddler seat has a base adapted to sit on the seat part in rearward engagement with the back part, having an upwardly directed seat surface on which a toddler can sit, and provided below the surface with a pair of opposite sides laterally flanking the surface and extending vertically and in the travel direction. Respective guides on the sides extend obliquely upward and forward thereon. Respective arms have lower ends at the guides upper ends above and flanking the seat surface, the belt normally passing around the upper ends of the arms. Respective complementary and interengaging formations at the lower ends and guides allow the arms to slide along the guides without pivoting so that the relative angular positions of the upper and lower arm ends do not change as the arms slide along the guides.

Abstract: The child-passenger safety restraint for a seat of a vehicle comprises a safety seat positioned on the vehicle seat and a restraining body securable by a safety belt of the vehicle seat, the restraining body being held on the safety seat with its relative height and horizontal position adjustable according to the size of the child seated. The restraining body and the safety seat are attached to each other by a coupling mechanism that includes at least one member adjustable in itself and/or relative to the safety seat and/or relative to the restraining body and securable in a particular position, with whose help the optimum position of the restraining body for safe restraint is adjustable and securable relative to the safety seat and the child.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for restraining a seated occupant in a vehicle may comprise a tunnel-shaped body to restrain the lower torso of a large child or an adult, the body providing a base on which a movable chest-restraining panel is pivotally mounted. In the case of a small child, the lower torso restraining means includes an additional seat providing a base, for example, with a separate fixed panel and/or side portions, on which the chest restraining panel is pivotally mounted. The straps at each side of the occupant's body anchor the lower torso restraining means to the vehicle while enabling limited inertial movement relative to the vehicle seat. If the vehicle decelerates suddenly, the occupant's inertia moves the lower torso restraining means away from the seat until the straps are tensioned and act on lever means to pivot the chest restraining panel into its operative position. Either the lever means, or other locking means, may act as a stop to prevent return movement of the chest restraining panel.