Abstract: A child seat includes a tensioning mechanism that selectively applies tension to a seat belt to secure the child seat to a car seat. The child seat includes a base that defines a receiving region. The tensioning mechanism includes a bottom arm pivotably attached to the base within the receiving region and a top arm pivotably attached to the bottom arm. The tensioning mechanism is adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration relative to the base. In both the first configuration and the second configuration, the tensioning mechanism defines a tortuous, nonlinear belt pathway. In the first configuration, the tensioning mechanism receives a portion of the seat belt, and in the second configuration, the tensioning mechanism applies tension to the portion of the seat belt.

Abstract: A child safety seat is provided. The child safety seat includes a seat shell configured to receive and secure a child therein. The seat shell includes a top portion, a base portion, and side portions operably coupling the top portion to the base portion, and the side portions are fabric or mesh. The child safety seat further includes a support frame configured to absorb energy and that defines a seat portion and backrest portion of the child safety seat to enable the child to be secured therein.

Abstract: A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a vehicle seat is provided herein. The child seat, which may be front- and/or rear-facing, includes a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest portion. The seat base can receive an untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a vehicle seat in an untensioned configuration. A tensioning mechanism attached to the backrest portion and is rotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism applies tension to the portion of the received belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided herein.

Abstract: A child safety seat may include a base configured to be operably coupled to a vehicle seat, a seat shell configured to receive and secure a child therein, and a multi-functional energy absorber. The seat shell may be operably coupled to the base such that the seat shell is alternately movable between a plurality of positions relative to the base responsive to operation of a seat positioner assembly, and lockable in the plurality of positions relative to the base responsive to operation of a locking assembly. The multi-functional energy absorber may be disposed between the base and the seat shell. The multi-functional energy absorber may be an integral portion of both the seat positioner assembly and the locking assembly.

Abstract: A stroller assembly may be configurable as an assembled stroller having selected components defining one of a plurality of potential stroller configurations. The stroller assembly may include a plurality of constituent assemblies. Each of the constituent assemblies may include a plurality of selectable components that, when selected and combined into the assembled stroller, define a corresponding expression of the stroller assembly.

Abstract: A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a vehicle seat is provided herein. The child seat, which may be front- and/or rear-facing, includes a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest portion. The seat base can receive an untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a vehicle seat in an untensioned configuration. A tensioning mechanism attached to the backrest portion and is rotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism applies tension to the portion of the received belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided herein.

Abstract: A convertible child safety seat may include a body configured to support an occupant, a base portion operably coupled to the body to support the body where the base portion is configured to be disposed on a vehicle seat base of a vehicle seat in either a forward facing configuration or a rearward facing configuration, and a multi-position anti-rebound bar. The anti-rebound bar may be operably coupled to the base portion or the body such that the anti-rebound bar is pivotable between at least a first position to provide a first function in the rearward facing configuration and a second position to provide a second function different than the first function in the forward facing configuration.

Abstract: A child safety seat may include a base portion configured to be disposed on a vehicle seat base of a vehicle seat, a back portion configured to be disposed proximate to a vehicle seat back of the vehicle seat, and a top tether operably coupled to a portion of the child safety seat to enable the child safety seat to be tethered to an anchor disposed in the vehicle. The top tether may include a quick connect coupler and a first strap portion having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the first strap portion may be configured to engage the anchor. The quick connect coupler may be operably coupled to the first strap portion proximate to the proximal end of the first strap portion. The quick connect coupler may also be configured to enable the first strap portion to be coupled or decoupled from the back portion of the child safety seat.

Abstract: An apparatus for a child safety seat is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a releasable connector configured to engage with an anchoring point provided in a vehicle to secure the child safety seat to the vehicle, wherein the releasable connector is movable relative to the child safety seat in a first direction; the apparatus further comprises a braking element coupled to the releasable connector and configured to decelerate a movement of the releasable connector in the first direction if an accelerating force acting on the releasable connector in the first direction exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a vehicle seat is provided herein. The child seat, which may be front- and/or rear-facing, includes a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest portion. The seat base can receive an untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a vehicle seat in an untensioned configuration. A tensioning mechanism attached to the backrest portion and is rotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism applies tension to the portion of the received belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided herein.

Abstract: A stroller which may be folded or collapsed for storage purposes and a hinge for facilitating the stroller folding. The hinge includes a housing, a first pivoting hinge member that is pivotally connected to the housing, and a second pivoting hinge member that is pivotally connected to the housing. The first pivoting hinge member may be connected to the second pivoting hinge member, such as by a linking member, so that the pivoting hinge members rotate in opposite directions. The hinge may also include a slide member having a pin that may move between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the slide member engages protrusions on one or both of the pivoting hinge members in order to hold the hinge in an operational position.

Abstract: A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a vehicle seat is provided herein. The child seat, which may be front- and/or rear-facing, includes a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest portion. The seat base can receive an untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a vehicle seat in an untensioned configuration. A tensioning mechanism attached to the backrest portion and is rotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism applies tension to the portion of the received belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided herein.

Abstract: A hinge for pivotally joining a first frame member and a second frame member of a frame of a stroller may include a first housing portion, a second housing portion, a release actuator and a locking member. The first housing portion may be operably coupled to the first frame member. The second housing portion may be operably coupled to the second frame member. The release actuator may be configured to operate to enable the hinge to shift between a locked state and an unlocked state. The locking member may be configured to move in an axial direction responsive to shifting between the locked state and the unlocked state. The external periphery of the locking member may include a first incline surface that engages both the first housing portion and the second housing portion in the locked state.

Abstract: A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a vehicle seat is provided herein. The child seat, which may be front- and/or rear-facing, includes a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest portion. The seat base can receive an untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a vehicle seat in an untensioned configuration. A tensioning mechanism attached to the backrest portion and is rotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism applies tension to the portion of the received belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided herein.

Abstract: A base for a safety seat and method for manufacturing the same are provided. The base may have a shell defining a cavity therein with a locking assembly disposed within the cavity. The base may further include one or more straps having a first end and a second end extending through the locking assembly releasably engaging the straps with the first and second ends being disposed on opposing sides of the locking assembly. The straps may define a first portion extending from a connector to the locking assembly and a second portion extending from the locking assembly to the second ends. A tensioning assembly may be provided to apply a tension to the second portions. The one or more straps may include two straps configured to be accessed by a user parallel to a centerline of the base.

Abstract: A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a car seat is provided herein. The child seat includes a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest portion and designed to receive an untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a car seat in an untensioned configuration. The child seat further includes a tensioning mechanism attached to the backrest portion and rotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply tension to the portion of the received belt to secure the child seat to the car seat in a tensioned configuration. Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided herein.

Abstract: A harness assembly for a child safety seat is provided that is configurable between an engaged state and a disengaged state. The harness assembly may include a plurality of shoulder straps, each having a buckle tab. The harness assembly may further include a buckle assembly having a buckle that can receive the buckle tabs for securing the shoulder straps in the engaged state. The buckle assembly may also include a buckle pad, at least a portion of the buckle pad being generally aligned with and adjacent to the buckle. A buckle webbing may extend from the buckle for attaching the buckle to the child safety seat, and a biasing member may be engaged with the buckle pad to bias the buckle assembly toward a first position away from an occupant of the child safety seat in the disengaged state. A corresponding child safety seat is also provided.

Abstract: A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a vehicle seat is provided herein. The child seat, which may be front- and/or rear-facing, includes a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest portion. The seat base can receive an untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a vehicle seat in an untensioned configuration. A tensioning mechanism attached to the backrest portion and is rotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism applies tension to the portion of the received belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided herein.