Abstract: A lower anchor connection system for securing the child seat to vehicle anchor bites. A single retractor includes a web extendable therefrom connected to a strap having at its opposite ends couplings for lockingly engaging the anchor bights. A release button on the retractor when depressed allows the retractor web to be withdrawn holding the couplings adjacent the child seat in a stored position.

Abstract: A restraint system for a child travel seat which includes a frame dimensioned to rest upon a vehicle seat. The frame defines front and rear portions and a center line. An adjustment assembly is coupled to the frame and positioned at a selected one of the front and rear portions of the frame. A strap assembly is connected to the adjustment assembly. The strap assembly has first and second points removably securable to a vehicle anchor and a third point movably secured within the adjustment assembly.

Abstract: A connector for securing a child seat to a passenger seat. A web is connected to the child seat and the connector which has a pivoting lever engageable with the passenger seat anchor bight. The connector includes a web receiving bracket that extends from the bottom of the connector frame allowing access to a push button activating the lever from either side of the connector outer housing.

Abstract: A securing mechanism of the base of safety car seat is provided to be connected to both sides of the rear end of the base of safety car seat to make the safety car seat secure at a joint provided on the car seat. The securing mechanism includes a snatching block, a releasing block, and a prop-up block wherein the snatching block is pivotally inserted in the joint at the car seat for limiting the base from separating from the joint. When it comes to releasing the securing mechanism, one can hold the releasing portion to move along the guided slot, thus push the releasing block to turn. Consequently, by making use of the resilience of the second resilient element, the prop-up end of the prop-up block is capable of pushing the joint out of the limiting portion making the securing mechanism separate from the joint of the car seat. Therefore, the securing mechanism is easy to operate and is capable of achieving the effect of being convenient in operation and having safety function.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety seat for installing a baby or a very young child on a vehicle seat, the safety seat comprising a seat structure and an intermediate structure (50) providing the connection between the seat structure and a standard anchor unit associated with the vehicle seat, said intermediate structure being made up of a first structure (100) and a second structure (200). In accordance with the invention, direct and separable snap-fastening engagement means are side lugs (52) hinged about a common axis (53) and the first structure has side branches (101) that form rails on which slides of the second structure (200) are mounted, which slides are interconnected by a crossbar. In addition, each side branch (101) presents a ratchet of catches that co-operate with a pawl carried by an associated slide, the catches of said ratchets defining a plurality of axial positions in which the second structure (200) can be locked.

Abstract: A device for releasably attaching a child seat to an anchor member connected to a body of a vehicle.

Abstract: An infant travel system which include an infant travel seat that is adapted to be mounted to a stationary or mobile base. The base includes a restraint system for securing the base to a vehicle seat and a leveling system for positioning the base. The travel seat includes an adjustable carrying handle assembly having a locking mechanism adapted to engage the seat in a variety of positions. A multi-point locking system is used to secure the infant travel seat to the complimentary base.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a seat recliner for vehicles. The seat recliner of the present invention includes a support bracket, which is mounted to a seat frame, a guide holder, which is coupled at a first end thereof to the support bracket, and a slide holder, which is rotatably coupled to the guide holder between the support bracket and the guide holder. The seat recliner further includes at least one rotating bracket, which is coupled to the slide holder, a clutch unit, which controls the engagement between the guide holder and slide holder, and a control unit, which controls the clutch unit. The slide holder has a stop unit, which protrudes towards the support bracket, and the support bracket has a stopper, which contacts the stop unit when the slide holder is rotated at a predetermined angle, thus limiting rotation of the slide holder within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An infant seat for motorcars includes anchor being operable to engage a receiving element being provided in the motorcar. The infant seat has a framework fixedly attached to the lower face of the base of the seat and is fitted with the anchor, the anchor being actuated by a pneumatic device being fitted to the framework and actuated by a control being made up by an articulated lever, the control being accessible through the front edge of the base of the seat, the manual controls being operable for deactivating the anchor being found at the front edge.

Abstract: A child seat and a method for monitoring installation of the child seat are provided. The child seat includes a child seat frame configured to receive a child occupant. The child seat frame is configured to receive a seat belt webbing for securing the child seat frame to a vehicle seat. The child seat further includes a first bladder configured to contact the seat belt webbing. The first bladder has a fluid therein. The child seat further includes a first pressure sensor fluidly communicating with the fluid in the first bladder. The first pressure sensor is configured to output a first signal indicative of an amount of pressure in the first bladder. The child seat further includes a controller coupled to the child seat frame configured to receive the first signal and to compute a first tension value based on the first signal.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion having seat upholstery and a seat back having a seat back upholstery which are held in a seat framework that is anchored to a vehicle floor in a longitudinally shiftable manner, and includes at least one swivelable holding bracket, for the detachable fastening of a child's seat, set upon the seat cushion, on the seat framework, which is swivelable from a covered, non-use position into a functional position, in which it is accessible, all the way through, between seat back upholstery and seat upholstery. For the creation of a vehicle seat, e.g., having electromotive seat adjustment for longitudinal seat adjustment, seat cushion vertical setting and seat cushion depth setting, in a longitudinal shifting position of the seat upholstery which is determined so that the seat upholstery is moved out of the swivel path of the holding bracket, the swivel motion of the holding bracket is derived from the vertical adjustment motion of the seat cushion.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing deformable structure to attach a child seat to a mounting portion of a vehicle is provided. The energy-absorbing deformable structure comprises a loop of metal rod including a base end configured to be coupled to the mounting portion of the vehicle, a distal end configured to be coupled to a child safety seat, and a plurality of sinuous deformable portions positioned intermediate to the base end and the distal end, wherein each of the sinuous deformable portions includes an inwardly extending portion that extends inward from a perimeter of the deformable structure to a substantially central interior region of the deformable structure; wherein the sinuous deformable portions of the deformable structure are configured to be deformed when the base end and distal end are pulled in tension, thereby absorbing energy.

Abstract: Simple and rigid attachment of a child seat to a vehicle seat that is not degraded by the seat's cushioning is provided by a head rest fixture and two latch anchor fixtures combined by an operationally rigid frame structure. The frame structure has horizontal and vertical telescopically adjustable and lockable features to fit the system to varying dimensions of vehicle seats, head rests and child seat latch anchors. The child seat may be attached to the system via an object connecting structure that is combined with the frame structure via an in between damping element. The damping element opposes vehicle vibration eventually induced via the latch anchors on the operationally rigid frame from reaching the child seat.

Abstract: A child safety seat assembly, including a base for being positioned on a vehicle seat bottom. An anti-rebound bar is carried by the base and extends outwardly and upwardly from a foot end of the base for engaging a seat back of the vehicle seat to which the seat is attached for retarding inertia-induced rotation of the base and the attached carrier by transmitting rotational force applied to the seat during a sudden change in velocity into the seat back of the vehicle seat onto which the seat is attached.

Abstract: A legless chair includes a seat, a seatback having its bottom side connected to the seat, and a flexible member backwardly extending from a rear side of the seat. When the user sitting on the seat forces his/her back against the seatback to tilt the legless chair backwards, the flexible member is bendable to impart a damping force against the backwardly tilting motion of the legless chair so as to prevent the backward falling of the legless chair.

Abstract: A latch restraint and safety anchorage system for securing a child safety seat in an automotive vehicle behind the vehicle's seat is provided. One or more latch wires are generally mounted to a cross member of the anchorage system comprised of a pair of spatially separated legs joined at one end by a transverse latch bar. Each leg includes a tapered portion and an end portion. The end portion is exposed to allow the legs to be retained by the cross member.

Abstract: A base includes an anchor being operable to engage a receiving element provided in a motorcar. The anchor is actuated by a pneumatic device being in its turn actuated by a control provided at the base. The pneumatic device and a control, made up by an articulated lever, are fitted to a framework. A piston of the pneumatic device is fitted to a transversal carrier of the anchor by the head in a freely rotatable manner housing the transversal carrier. The framework at each of its sides has a respective guide along which the transversal carrier is shiftable, and supports for the fitting of the infant seat, the framework being mounted on a platform.

Abstract: A child restraint apparatus connectable to a vehicle and having a chassis with a back portion and a seat portion. A U-shaped guard is pivotally connected to the chassis so as to be movable between an up position and a down position, in the down position the guard forming a frontal and lateral barrier around the child. A seat member of appropriate size is detachably connected to the seat portion of the chassis. A harness assembly is connected to the seat member. The harness assembly comprises a retractor assembly connected to the seat member and a torso strap having a lower end fixed to the retractor and a pair of upper ends connectable to a helmet via a latch assembly connected to the helmet. The helmet is adjustably connected to the chassis and has a rigid shell shaped to extend about at least a portion the head of the child.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a child safety seat (1) for use with a vehicle seat. The child safety seat comprises a child seat body having: —a child support portion (2), and a base member (7), a link (11) projecting from the child seat body, and a releasable connector (12) provided on the link for engagement with an anchorage unit associated with the vehicle seat. The link is attached directly to the child seat body by a pivot connection (14) that permits angular movement of the child seat body relative to the link about an axis, a foot prop (24) being provided at the front of the child seat body.

Abstract: A vehicle structure is provided that includes a structural support member, a vehicle body panel and a child seat tether anchor. The structural support member is configured and arranged to be coupled to a vehicle body. The vehicle body panel is fixedly attached to the structural support member. The child seat tether anchor is fixedly attached to the structural support member. The child seat tether anchor includes a body panel supporting portion supporting a lower surface of the vehicle body panel and a child seat connecting portion projecting through a cutout in the vehicle body panel. Preferably, the vehicle structure is manufactured by fixedly attaching the child seat tether anchor to the structural support member, then positioning the vehicle body panel on the child seat tether anchor, and then fixedly attaching the vehicle body panel to the structural support member.

Abstract: A vehicle seat, includes: a seat cushion which can be fixed to a seat main body and in which an occupant can be seated; a releasing member, operable to release the fixing of the seat cushion to the seat main body; a detector, operable to detect the release of the fixing; and a disabling member, operable to disable an air bag for protecting the occupant when the detector detects the release of the fixing.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes a frame that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A seat cushion is secured to the frame. The seat cushion defines a seat width. A seatback is secured to the frame and is pivotal with respect to the seat cushion. A loop fastener is fixedly secured to the frame and extends between the seat cushion and the seatback. The loop fastener selectively receives a child seat latch therethrough to secure a child seat to the seat assembly. The seat assembly also includes a removable bolster that is selectively securable to the loop fastener. The removable bolster covers the loop fastener when the child seat is removed from the seat assembly. Therefore, the occupants of the seat assembly will contact the removable bolster and be prevented from feeling the loop fastener when sitting on the seat assembly.

Abstract: A child seat anchor apparatus includes at least one sensor for measuring tension exerted on a system including a pair of anchor brackets disposed between the bottom and back cushions of a vehicle seat. In a first mechanization, the anchor brackets are directly coupled to individual sensors mounted on an anchor frame that is bolted to the seat frame. In a second mechanization, the anchor brackets are fastened to an anchor frame that is pivotably mounted on the seat frame, and the anchor frame is additionally coupled to the seat frame through a single sensor responsive to the tension exerted on the anchor frame by the anchor brackets.

Abstract: A child seat anchor assembly includes a fixed portion, wherein the fixed portion is secured to a motor vehicle structural member or a child seat structural member; a latchable portion for releasable engagement with a child seat or a motor vehicle; an energy absorbing mechanism disposed between and in operative communication with the fixed portion and the latchable portion, wherein the energy absorbing mechanism comprises an active material; and a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in an attribute of the active material, wherein the change in the attribute results in force and acceleration adjusting energy absorption.

Abstract: An infant weight-responsive safety seat for using within a motor vehicle is provided. The said infant seat may be integrated as part of an infant detection system that is able of warning the exiting driver the presence of an infant or child left behind within the infant safety seat. The said safety detection system may use different types energy sources or alarm units; depending on the vehicle's electrical system and the consumer's convenience. Alternatively, the said safety detection systems may be used as portable, easy removable units, no internally integrated to an infant safety seat, providing a safety detection system able to be adapted to fit any infant safety seat.

Abstract: An airbag control system for a vehicle includes: a switch, configured to be coupled to a projection on a child safety seat when the child safety seat is mounted to a vehicle seat; a tether anchor on the vehicle seat, including a contact member and a tether anchor bar configured to be coupled to a hook connected to the child safety seat, and to be electrically connected to the contact member when the tether anchor bar is not coupled to the hook; and a controller, electrically connected to the switch and the contact member. If the child safety seat is mounted to the vehicle seat and/or the tether anchor bar is coupled to the hook, the controller receives a signal from the switch and/or the tether anchor bar and instructs an airbag module not to deploy.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing a position of an anchorage of a child restraint anchorage system. The apparatus includes a frame, an engagement arm, and a latch pin. The engagement arm is adapted to receive the anchorage and is disposed proximate the frame. The latch pin is disposed at least partially within the engagement arm and is adapted to rotate to secure the engagement arm to the anchorage.

Abstract: The invention is a lower anchorage system to be used with a child restraint in a motor vehicle. The lower anchorage system has a trim assembly that attaches to an anchorage bar that in turn is affixed to an anchorage support. The trim assembly includes a trim apparatus that fits within an anchorage box. Both the anchorage box and the trim apparatus engage to the anchorage bar.

Abstract: A safety device for a child seat for a vehicle has a harness including two adjustable straps being linked through a buckle to a crotch strap and has tensioning means for the tensioning of the two adjustable straps. The lower ends of the straps extend through the child seat and are joined together underneath the child seat thereby forming a strap that passes through a tension device and extends beyond the front portion of the seat of the child seat, before being joined together the lower ends of the two adjustable straps passing through an assembly of guiding elements. The adjustment of the two adjustable straps is carried out with anchoring means being provided on the rear surface of the backrest of the child seat.

Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint system comprises a portable base having a mounting assembly and a restraint assembly. The portable base may be a booster seat. The mounting assembly mounts the base to the seat of a vehicle and the restraint assembly restrains an occupant of the base. The mounting assembly may wrap around at least a portion of the vehicle seat to mount the booster seat to the vehicle. The restraint assembly may comprise a five-point or a four-point restraint and may include a lateral support assembly. The restraint assembly may further include a torso support assembly. A method of mounting a portable base to a vehicle seat is provided.

Abstract: A vehicle child seat restraining system automatically retracts out of the way of folding portions of the seat, so that the striker of the system does not impinge on and damage portions of the seat.

Abstract: A device for attaching a child safety seat has a frame defining a slot engageable by a fixed catch; and a lever which rotates, about an axis of rotation, from a release position to a lock position to retain the catch inside the slot. The frame guides a control member, in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the lever, between a forward position and a withdrawn position with respect to the slot; a spring pushes the control member into the withdrawn position, and a cam transmission rotates the lever into the release position as the control member is pushed into the forward position in opposition to the spring; and the lever is fixed radially with respect to its axis of rotation, and is retained in the release position by a pin, carried by the control member, engaging a seat on the frame.

Abstract: A chassis which is suitable for supporting a child vehicle seat is provided with a frame as well as with connectors that can be detachably connected in use to securing elements that are present in a vehicle. The chassis is further provided with an unlocking mechanism for releasing the engagement between the connector and the securing element. The chassis is provided with a slide for supporting the child vehicle seat, which slide is movable with respect to the frame from a first position, in which the slide is positioned at a relatively large distance from the connector, to a second position, in which the slide is positioned closer to the connector. The slide is locked against movement from the second position to the first position when at least one connector is connected to the securing element.

Abstract: A child seat is constructed such that when the child seat is set facing the rear of the car on a car seat, the child seat is securely fixed on the seat. A handle surrounding the front of a sitting occupant is provided in a seat back portion of the child seat, and a tether extends from the handle. When the child seat is set on a car seat so that it faces the rear of the car, the tether is pulled toward the rear of the car. A hook on the tip portion of the tether is latched onto a tether anchor of the car behind the car seat, and the rear panel and the handle are joined.

Abstract: A child safety seat, including a seat body having a seat bottom and a seat back. A vehicle seat attachment assembly is carried by the safety seat for securing the safety seat to rigid anchorage units carried by a vehicle proximate to a vehicle seat. The attachment assembly has a transversely-extending coupling assembly carried by the safety seat. First and second connectors are mounted on the coupling assembly for transverse adjustable alignment relative to respective first and second transversely spaced-apart rigid anchorage units. The safety seat may be attached to first and second rigid anchorage units that have differing degrees of spacing between them.

Abstract: An automotive seat of the type allowing a child seat to be mounted thereon and including a center back portion, wherein a shape-retaining/locking element is provided to a lower region of the center back portion. The shape-retaining/locking element includes a rigid hollow support body; a cut-away portion defined in the support body; a female engagement element to which the child seat is lockably engaged, the female engagement element being exposed outwardly in such cut-away portion; and a cover element for covering the hollow support body and cut-away portion. The cover element includes a layer of hard synthetic resin material with a certain elasticity, such that it normally tends to retain its original shape generally conforming to a forwardly facing surface portion hollow support body. One end of the cover element may be releasably connected to the lower region of the hollow support body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting an add-on passenger restraint system to a vehicle seat is provided. The apparatus comprises a retractor affixed to the add-on passenger restraint system. An extension member extends between the retractor and a coupling member. The coupling member is configured to engage an anchorage attached to the vehicle.

Abstract: A demonstration seat assembly includes a frame on which a demonstration vehicle seat is supported, and a plurality of seat belt assemblies and child seat securing structures. The seat belt assemblies include a lap belt assembly, a lap/shoulder belt assembly, and a plurality of anchorage points adapted to receive tethers or a fixed anchoring latch assembly provided by one or more types of child safety seats. The lap belt assembly includes an emergency locking retractor that is secured to the frame on a first side of the vehicle seat, while the lap/shoulder belt assembly includes a switchable locking retractor that is secured to an upstanding support bar provided by the frame on the first side of the vehicle seat. The anchorage points include first and second lateral anchorage points that are accessible on a front side of the demonstration vehicle seat at a location between the seat cushion and seat back, as well as a center anchorage point that is accessible at a rear side of the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A child restraint apparatus having a base connectable to a vehicle. The base has a chassis with a back portion and a seat portion. /A U-shaped guard is pivotally connected to the chassis so as to be movable between an up position and a down position, in the down position the guard forming a frontal and lateral barrier around the child. A seat member of appropriate size is detachably connected to the seat portion of the chassis. A harness assembly is connected to the seat member. The harness assembly comprises a retractor assembly connected to the seat member and a torso strap having a lower end fixed to the retractor and a pair of upper ends connectable to a helmet via a latch assembly connected to the helmet. The helmet is adjustably connected to the chassis and has a rigid shell shaped to extend about at least a portion the head of the child.

Abstract: Basically, a child seat tether anchor structures has a first end tether anchor, a second end tether anchor, an intermediate tether anchor, an anchoring tether, and a vehicle body mounting member with a height adjustment arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle child seat attachment structures are secured to both the vehicle body and the frame. Preferably, the vehicle child seat attachment structures are configured and arranged to move between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the vehicle child seat attachment structures are covered by a carpet or other trim finishing material.

Abstract: A low cost and portable infant seat restraint device is provided. The infant seat restraint device having a generally anchor shape form. The anchor installing behind a vehicle seat back and designed to transfer tensile forces from the infant seat restraint straps to the vehicle seat assembly. The infant seat restraint designed to be quickly and easily installed into and removable from the majority of vehicle seats, automotive or otherwise, without the use of special tools or requiring anchoring provisions in the vehicle. The infant seat restraint device designed to install onto most vehicle seats regardless of vehicle age and passenger restraint equipment type installed, if any, and finding especially useful application in conditions where an infant seat anchoring means is not provided. The infant seat restraint device designed to secure modern three points restraint type infant seats to a vehicle passenger seat assembly.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat with a seat cushion and a backrest has a fixing bracket for a child's seat placed on the seat cushion. The fixing bracket can be swiveled out of a covered out-of-use position into a functioning position arranged between a seat cushion and a backrest through a swiveling device. In order to attain a secure mounting of the child's seat and at the same time require the least amount of space possible, the fixing bracket can be swiveled into the functioning position or back into the out-of-use position through a swiveling device that has a four arm linkage.

Abstract: A connecting system for a child car seat (3) of a type which can either be rearward or forward facing. Separate strap paths (7, 8) are associated with the seat for each of the rearward and facing positions of the child car seat. The connecting system has a connecting strap (6) with latches (14) at either end adapted to engage with latching bars on the vehicle. The connecting strap (6) is fixed into a strap path (7, 8) and is sufficiently long so that it can be passed through the front path (8) from opposite sides to cross and to extend out the opposite side of the front path for use when the child car seat is in the rearward facing position or be passed through the rear path (7) from opposite sides to cross and to extend out the opposite side of the rear path for use when the child car seat is in the forward facing position.

Abstract: A guide mechanism for a safety seat tether includes a guide and at least one seat back attachment for securing the guide to a seat back. The guide is configured and positioned so as to prevent substantial contact of the tether with a top end of the back seat. The guide may also prevent pressure contact of the tether with upper portions of the front and back surfaces of the seat back. The seat back attachment cooperates with head sleeves on the top end of the seat back to secure the guide to the top end of the seat back.

Abstract: A head restraint for use with a seat assembly of an automotive vehicle includes a rigid frame and a plate. The rigid frame has spaced apart and generally upright side members. Each of the side members has an upper end and a lower end. The rigid frame includes a cross member that extends between the upper ends of the side members. The plate is fixedly secured to the side members. The plate is positioned adjacent the lower ends.

Abstract: A restraining device for securing a child safety seat to the LATCH system anchors of an automobile includes a strap having first and second opposed ends. Respective hooks or other fasteners are connected to the opposed ends for selective attachment to respective anchors of an automobile. The restraining device includes a ratchet mechanism enabling the strap to be incrementally tightened and thus increasing tension forces between the first and second strap ends. A strain gauge is also included for visually indicating the tension forces and indicating when the straps are at safe or unsafe tension conditions.

Abstract: A restraint anchorage for a child safety seat for an automotive vehicle having a cross member disposed behind the vehicle's seat. U-shaped latch wires are attached to the cross member. Collars are provided on the legs of the latch wires which engage one side of the cross members. The ends of the legs which protrude through holes provided in the cross member are peened over to form enlarged heads locking the latch wire to the cross member.

Abstract: A raised portion of a seat cushion is formed by attaching a sub-cushion portion including a pair of notches formed so as to allow a pair of connectors to pass therethrough to a seat cushion pad. In the state where the sub-cushion portion is attached to the seat cushion pad, a pair of through holes, through which the pair of connectors provided for a child safety seat inserted from the front face of the vehicle seat can pass to project from the back face of the vehicle seat, are formed. At the same time, fixation anchors, to which the connectors projecting from the through holes are connected, are provided on axes of the through holes. Thus, a vehicle seat is provided, in which the workability at the installation of the child safety seat can be improved even for the vehicle seat including the seat cushion with a raised rear end.

Abstract: A latch system adapted for use with a child vehicle seat has a securing belt, latches which are disposed at each end of the securing belt, and a connection member. The latches are adapted for connection to anchor points rigidly connected to the vehicle. The connection member has a loop portion through which the securing belt is slidably disposed and a connection portion adapted for permanent connection to the child vehicle seat.

Abstract: A child safety seat comprises a seat structure having a base support surface for resting on a vehicle seat cushion, and a seating surface for a child occupant, the seating surface. A rigid link is attached to the child seat structure solely by a coupling mechanism that permits angular movement of the child seat structure relative to the rigid links about an axis located above the base support surface. A releasable connector is mounted on the rigid link for engagement with a standard anchorage unit associated with the vehicle seat. The child safety seat may be either forward facing or rearward facing.