Force-absorbing Means Incorporated Into Child Seat Patents (Class 297/216.11)
  • Publication number: 20130119722
    Abstract: A bracket for securing a child seat in a vehicle includes a base, a tether connection portion receiving a tether extending from the child seat, and a hinge portion connecting the base portion and the connection portion. The hinge portion deforms when a designed yield load is applied to the tether connection portion by the tether. A deflection stop adjacent the hinge portion contacts the tether connection portion to limit rotation of the tether connection portion. A rotation limiter secured to the vehicle contacts the bracket to limit its rotated about an axis generally perpendicular to a mounting surface. The base portion includes a first plate and a second plate joined by a load tuning bend permitting adjustment of a mounting angle between the first and second plate. to further tune the deflection loading of the bracket for a particular installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Edward Ruthinowski, Anthony Edmond Rencher, Parakarma Valentine Weerappuli
  • Patent number: 8424964
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a base, a seat body, a dampening member, and a non-planar impactor. The seat body is slidably secured to the base and is movable between a pre-collision position and a post-collision position. The dampening member is positioned between the base and the seat body. The non-planar impactor is secured to the seat body and is positioned to engage the dampening member. The non-planar impactor and the dampening member together provide a progressive dampening force against movement of the seat body from the pre-collision position to the post-collision position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Clek Inc.
    Inventors: Corey A. Campbell, David E. Campbell, Troy Daniel Mason, Matthew Scott Graham
  • Publication number: 20130062916
    Abstract: A vehicle safety seat with mechanical shock indication includes a safety seat body defining a seat region for a child during vehicle travel and a mechanical shock indicator assembly mounted to the safety seat body for indicating that the child vehicle safety seat has suffered a mechanical shock of a least a predetermined magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: THE MAGNIFICENT 7 GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Robert D. Wiley
  • Publication number: 20130062917
    Abstract: The object of the invention to improve significantly the safety of a child sitting in a safety seat in a vehicle in case of a side impact will be solved by a child safety seat for a vehicle according to the invention comprising an outer shell with a seating area for a child and side wings located on both sides of the seating area, whereas at least one side wing comprises at least one side-impact-pusher-element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: BRITAX ROMER KINDERSICHERHEIT GMBH
    Inventor: Iain Powell
  • Patent number: 8393674
    Abstract: An infant car seat having an outer shell, a protective layer, and a padded fabric cover covering the protective layer is disclosed. The protective layer is preferably made of a polymer, such as expanded polystyrene, and includes a plurality of crush ribs. The spacing of these crush ribs is varied in accordance with the size of the infant. The spacing of these crush ribs determines the stiffness of the layer. In other words, closer spaced ribs offer more resistance to compression, and are therefore stiffer. Ribs that are spaced further apart offer less resistance to compression, and are therefore softer. By varying the spacing of the ribs, the stiffness of the protective layer varies in accordance with the infant's size. Alternatively, or additionally, the width of the crush ribs can be varied to achieve a similar result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Goodbaby Child Product Co., Ltd., Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Keegan, Phillip A. Przybylo, Stephen B. Oltman
  • Publication number: 20130033076
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a base, a seat body, a dampening member, and a non-planar impactor. The seat body is slidably secured to the base and is movable between a pre-collision position and a post-collision position. The dampening member is positioned between the base and the seat body. The non-planar impactor is secured to the seat body and is positioned to engage the dampening member The non-planar impactor and the dampening member together provide a progressive dampening force against movement of the seat body from the pre-collision position to the post-collision position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: CLEK INC.
    Inventors: Corey A. CAMPBELL, David E. CAMPBELL, Troy Daniel MASON, Matthew Scott GRAHAM
  • Patent number: 8348337
    Abstract: A child safety seat configured for installation in a vehicle may include a base and a seat that includes a bottom, whereby the seat is connected to the base along an axis. The base and the seat together define a cavity that is disposed therebetween and the seat bottom is configured to rotate about the axis that connects the seat to the base during a frontal impact such that the seat bottom advances into the cavity. The safety seat may include energy absorbing member disposed within the cavity wherein the energy absorbing member is configured to be deformed as the seat bottom advances into the cavity during frontal impact. The energy absorbing member may be deformed by substantially vertical movement of the seat bottom into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Britax Child Safety, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Franck, L. Curtis Strong
  • Publication number: 20130001938
    Abstract: A vehicle has an inflatable occupant restraint system that includes an inflatable occupant protection device and an inflator operable to inflate the inflatable occupant protection device when a predetermined event occurs. The vehicle also includes a child restraint system having a portable child seat with an inflatable child protection apparatus attached thereto. The child restraint system includes a connection interface connected to the child seat and adapted for connection to the occupant restraint system such that the child protection apparatus is inflated when the predetermined event occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Yellin Schondorf, Abraham Philip, David James Tippy
  • Publication number: 20120319442
    Abstract: More specifically, the crash indication system for a child safety seat includes a seat bottom. A base is provided for supporting the seat bottom, which is slidably connected to the bases so that the seat body is movable relative to the base, between a resting position and a ride down position, a position due to a change in environmental forces. The seat body is adjustably affixed to a carriage to set a recline position. An indicator member is attached to the carriage and moves therewith to visually track and monitor the movement of the seat. When ride down of the seat occurs due to a change in forces to the seat, the indicator member moves with the sliding carriage to reflect a ride down position of the seat bottom. A ratchet connection is provided to prevent the carriage from going back to its resting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: SKJP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: David Clement
  • Patent number: 8328275
    Abstract: A vehicle child seat is provided for directly or indirectly fastening to a vehicle seat and/or a vehicle structure. The vehicle child seat includes a backrest, a seat surface, an integrated belt system for fastening a child in the vehicle child seat and a belt tensioning device (31). The belt tensioning device (31) includes a trigger sensor, an energy storage device and a tensioning mechanism which, when exceeding a defined force acting on the vehicle child seat, in particular a crash force, abruptly tensions the belt system. All components of the belt tensioning device (31) required for the belt tensioning function being fastened to or in the vehicle child seat and being able to be removed therewith from the vehicle. A belt force limiting function is incorporated in the belt tensioning device (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: RECARO Child Safety GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Vogt, Stefan Gebhardt, Jens Pöhner
  • Publication number: 20120306243
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: COSCO MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Oltman, Rajiv A. Menon, Meihui Lin
  • Patent number: 8251444
    Abstract: An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that provide a mechanism for reducing the peak inertial loading on the occupant including children during lateral acceleration, and has synergistic comfort, convenience and utility features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Arjuna Indraeswaran Rajasingham
  • Patent number: 8226162
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a headrest assembly that is vertically adjustable. The headrest assembly includes a release member accessible from the front of the seat and a shoulder belt support member that is secured to the release member and movable therewith. The child safety seat also includes a base and a seat body that is movable relative to the base. A force dampening system progressively absorbs forces acting upon the child safety seat as the seat body moves relative to the base. A latch release assembly is also provided to disengage clamp members from lower attachment hooks in a vehicle, the release assembly including a release lever accessible from the front of the car seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventors: Corey A. Campbell, David E. Campbell, Troy Daniel Mason, Matthew Scott Graham
  • Patent number: 8205940
    Abstract: A child safety seat including a seat bottom and seat back first and second resilient side elements carried on laterally-opposed sides of the seat back, and including walls defining an enclosed chamber. The walls have sufficient rigidity to maintain a nominal shape and are deformable in response to a predetermined minimum impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Britax Child Safety, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Mahal, Pankaj Tuisidas Amesar, Ronald M. Marsilio, L. Curtis Strong
  • Publication number: 20120146369
    Abstract: A child restraint in accordance with the present disclosure includes a juvenile seat and a child-restraint harness coupled to the juvenile seat. The child-restraint harness includes a crotch belt. A seat-back tether strap is also included in the child restraint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: COSCO MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Paul D. Gaudreau, JR.
  • Patent number: 8191969
    Abstract: A device for use with a headrest having lateral portions extending out of a plane which the headrest predominantly occupies, and defining a longitudinal open area at one end of the headrest, has a flexible tubular body with a circumference sized to fit the around the headrest including its lateral portions. The flexible tubular body of the device further has a first open end, the first open end being sized and dimensioned to not obstruct the longitudinal open area at one end of the headrest. A mesh netting web closes the first open end of the flexible tubular body and is operative to preclude the longitudinal migration of the device in at least one direction on the headrest. A friction-enhancing pad is secured to an inward-facing surface of the tubular body. One or more positioning straps extending from the flexible tubular body may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Veronica Demaras
  • Patent number: 8182035
    Abstract: The present invention provides a child safety seat. The child safety seat comprises a seat body and an impact absorbing mechanism. The seat body comprises a backrest part and a seat part, and the impact absorbing mechanism is connected to a bottom surface of the seat part. The impact absorbing mechanism comprises at least two protruding parts positioned on a rear part of the impact absorbing mechanism and protruding from the bottom surface of the seat part. The rear part is near the backrest part of the seat body. When the child safety seat is positioned on a car seat and contacts the car seat, the protruding parts are utilized for reducing impact force received from the car seat when the child safety seat encounters an impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Curtis M. Hartenstine, Michael H. Gillett
  • Patent number: 8179274
    Abstract: A vehicle system for communicating with a child seat is provided with a receiver configured for receiving a seat sensor signal from a child seat controller. A controller is configured for communicating with the receiver for analyzing the seat sensor signal and comparing the seat sensor signal to pre-existing guidelines to determine a status message. A user interface is configured for communicating with the controller for displaying the status message. The child seat is provided with a plurality of seat sensors for measuring different adjustable features of the seat including; a harness sensor for measuring a tension within a harness; a buckle switch for measuring a connection of a buckle; and a level sensor for measuring an inclination of a seat sub-assembly. The seat controller is provided for receiving measurement signals from the seat sensors and transmitting the seat sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Rork, Matthew Whitaker
  • Publication number: 20120098304
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile seat including a seat shell and a rigidifying structure for the seat shell. The seat shell includes a seat bottom and a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: COSCO MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Paul D. Gaudreau, JR.
  • Patent number: 8138908
    Abstract: An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that diverts the impact energy in impacts away from the passengers to the remaining mass of the vehicle thereby protecting the passengers, and in the same arrangement provides utilitarian access to the vehicle, such utilitarian access making it possible to both install multi-element contoured surround seats for passengers and the driver, and also safety devices and arrangements for head-on collision protection that protect the passenger. An indo-skeletal structural arrangement proposed for the vehicle, provides further benefits by targeting the strength of the vehicle to protect passengers while minimizing other massive elements in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Arjuna Indraeswaran Rajasingham
  • Patent number: 8132864
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a child safety seat comprising: (a) a supporting base structure adapted to be secured to a vehicle seat; (b) a child seating surface wherein the seating surface comprises a seat bottom and a seat back, and wherein the seat back has disposed therein at least one pair of laterally spaced shoulder belt restraints; (c) a child harness wherein the harness comprises a pair of shoulder belts running from the restraints in the seat back to a seat bottom locking tongue, each shoulder belt having a restraint engaging means affixed to an extreme end of the belt for insertion into the laterally spaced pair of restraints in the seat back, and a buckle affixed to the front center portion of the seat bottom for receiving the seat bottom locking tongue; and (d) an emergency means of disengaging at least one of shoulder belts from at least one of the restraints in the back of the seat, the disengaging means being actuated from the rear face or side of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventors: Michael M. Blackmon, Daniel T. Daly, Ryan D. Nelms
  • Patent number: 8128165
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S. Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault
  • Patent number: 8104829
    Abstract: A juvenile motion-inhibitor system in accordance with the present disclosure includes a juvenile seat including a seat bottom and a seat back that is arranged to extend upwardly from the seat bottom. The juvenile motion-inhibitor system also includes one or more cushions to assist in cushioning a child in the event an external force is applied to the seat bottom or back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward Fritz, Andrew W. Marsden, Walter S Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, Paul Brown
  • Publication number: 20120001460
    Abstract: A dynamic energy management restraint anchor device interfaces with a child seat in a vehicle, engaging common child seat attachment clip features. A device restraint anchor is operable to dynamically extract and permit distortion of load bearing deformable member(s) in order to manage the displacement of, and load transferred through, an anchor connected to a child seat. The device may be further operable to limit or prevent restraint anchor displacement and the distortion of said deformable member(s) under quasi-static load conditions in order to meet motor vehicle static load/displacement anchorage performance requirements applicable to certain anchors. Anchor retraction capability and various interlocking configurations for securing the position of an anchor, before or after having extracted, may be incorporated relative to the energy management device interfacing with both a vehicle and a child seat. An indicator may further be provided to identify the functional state of the restraint device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Edward Ruthinowski, Ian Brewster Hall, Parakrama Valentine Weerappuli, Brian Robert Spahn, Kevin Siasoco
  • Publication number: 20110304178
    Abstract: Vehicle occupant support for enhanced comfort and utility in a vehicle with arrangements for crash load protection of occupants A posture enabling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Arjuna Indraeswaran Rajasingham
  • Patent number: 8061768
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: David Amirault, Walter S Bezaniuk, Ward Fritz, Joe Langley, Andrew W Marsden, Eric Hyman
  • Patent number: 8056971
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S. Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault
  • Patent number: 8056972
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S Bezaniuk, Langley Joe, David Amirault
  • Patent number: 8052210
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault
  • Publication number: 20110254331
    Abstract: A child safety system is described including a seat base for a seat of a vehicle. The seat base comprises a receiving portion configured to receive a carrier. The seat base further comprises a foot end portion comprising a proximal end connected to the receiving portion and a distal end. The foot end portion comprises an anti-rebound bar connected to the distal end of the foot end portion. The anti-rebound bar projects outwardly and upwardly from the distal end of the foot end portion and is configured to engage a seat back of the seat of the vehicle during an impact or sudden change in velocity of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Britax Child Safety, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith C. Nagelski, Jon T. McGuire, Tom Philpott, Ian Kovacevich
  • Patent number: 8038209
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault
  • Patent number: 8029054
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault
  • Publication number: 20110227376
    Abstract: A child safety seat configured for installation in a vehicle may include a base and a seat that includes a bottom, whereby the seat is connected to the base along an axis. The base and the seat together define a cavity that is disposed therebetween and the seat bottom is configured to rotate about the axis that connects the seat to the base during a frontal impact such that the seat bottom advances into the cavity. The safety seat may include energy absorbing member disposed within the cavity wherein the energy absorbing member is configured to be deformed as the seat bottom advances into the cavity during frontal impact. The energy absorbing member may be deformed by substantially vertical movement of the seat bottom into the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Britax Child Safety, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Franck, L. Curtis Strong
  • Patent number: 7967376
    Abstract: A load-limited seat base for a child safety seat, including an attachment element carried by the seat base for attaching the seat base to a seating element, and a transversely-extending load absorbing assembly positioned in the base and cooperating with the seating element to permit the seating element to be selectively positioned in a recline position and an upright position relative to the base. The load absorbing assembly includes an elongate deforming member and a positioning block having at least a first recline position and a second upright position corresponding to the recline position and the upright position within which the deforming member is positioned. The deforming member is selectively positionable in the positioning block to position the seating element in the selected recline or upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Britax Child Safety, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Przybylo, Benjamin Shane Bustle
  • Patent number: 7959223
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S Bezaniuk, Langley Joe, Gregory C Moser
  • Publication number: 20110133528
    Abstract: Strap with one magnetic end to maintain harness strap and male buckle component of child seat in open position. The strap facilitates the ease of placement and removal of the child from the car seat by maintaining harness in open (retracted) position, eliminating the interference of the restraint straps when placing the child in the car seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Cristina Francesca Keith, Jennifer Ann Hartman, Philip Bentley Kirst
  • Publication number: 20110089728
    Abstract: A child car seat has at least one seat part with side walls forming armrests and an impact cushion, which is insertable between the side walls of the seat part and/or placeable thereon and is supported at the side walls. The impact cushion ends in front of the child sitting in the child car seat and has a transversely extending recess for insertion of at least one transverse belt. There are fixing points provided at both sides, at the vehicle seat and/or the bodywork for fastening the car seat to the automobile via fasteners. There are also fastening points provided at the two side walls of the seat part and/or at the backrest part, for fastening the fasteners and the transverse belt to the seat part. The fastening points can be mounted to be rotatable, or the fasteners, lock elements, metal plates or other retaining means can be rotatably mounted at the fastening points, so that an optimal cable line of the tightened belt sections automatically arises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Curt Wuerstl Vermoegensverwaltungs-GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jan-Stefan Wuerstl
  • Publication number: 20110012398
    Abstract: Child safety seats are used for the safe transport of children in vehicles. The child safety seats known from prior art often offer only insufficient protection in the case of a side impact. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a child safety seat that improves the protective effect of the child safety seat in the case of a side impact. This object is solved by a child safety seat with side impact protection according to the invention. Such a child safety seat comprises at least one element absorbing and/or transmitting energy which is arranged and designed to be transferred from a rest position to a functioning position to absorb a laterally impacting energy in the functioning position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Iain Powell, David Shaun Carine, Richard Arthur Moon, Andrew Anthony Whiteway
  • Patent number: 7866702
    Abstract: An energy absorbing anchor for securing a child safety seat to a mounting portion of a vehicle and coupling to a tether of the child safety seat is provided. The energy absorbing anchor comprises a bracket including a first end having a tether coupling portion, and a tapered hole having a wide portion adjacent to the first end and a narrow portion opposite to the first end; and a protrusion extending through the tapered hole to secure the bracket to the mounting portion of the vehicle wherein the protrusion is positioned to be adjacent to the wide portion of the tapered hole and wherein the narrow portion of the tapered hole is narrower than a width of the protrusion; wherein, when the bracket is pulled in tension, the protrusion is drawn along a length of the tapered hole towards the narrower portion, thereby deforming a portion of walls of the tapered hole to widen the tapered hole, the walls of tapered hole being configured to increasingly absorb energy as a width of the tapered hole decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Murphy, Reddy Malapati
  • Patent number: 7850234
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S. Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault, Steve Lepke
  • Publication number: 20100295344
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: COSCO MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S. Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault
  • Publication number: 20100295347
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: COSCO MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S. Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault
  • Publication number: 20100295341
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: COSCO MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S. Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault
  • Publication number: 20100295343
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: COSCO MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S. Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault
  • Publication number: 20100295346
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: COSCO MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S. Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault
  • Publication number: 20100295345
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S. Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, Gregory C. Moser
  • Publication number: 20100295342
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: COSCO MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S. Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault
  • Publication number: 20100276972
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inflatable seat for use as a child safety seat when fitted to a vehicle seat. The seat can be moved between a compact storage condition and an inflated in use condition. The seat includes a plurality of inflatable cells (16), the inflation of which and control of air between the same are controlled by air control means so as to prevent rapid loss or gain of air to or from a portion of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Simon Dickinson, Amber Lee Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20100259077
    Abstract: A child restraint seat which changes the position of the occupant and dissipates kinetic energy during a collision. An exemplary embodiment rearward-facing child restraint seat shifts the occupant to translate forward and/or move from a relatively reclined position to a relatively upright position during a vehicular collision. Additionally, some of the kinetic energy of the occupant is dissipated through the use of an energy absorbing element, which limits loading on the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: William Cameron Forbes, Kent Newbright
  • Publication number: 20100231012
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: COSCO MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S. Bezaniuk, Joe Langley, David Amirault, Steve Lepke