Abstract: A passive restraint apparatus and method of passive restraint are provided for supporting a user, i.e., preferably an adult, in a substantially upright seated position so as to enable the user to maintain free upper torso movement. The restraint apparatus includes an upper back section for extending along the back section of a chair or wheelchair, a seat section for extending beneath a user's lower torso along a seat of the chair, a lower leg section for extending beneath a user's lower legs, and a lower torso panel for extending between a user's legs and securing about the back of the chair. The restraint apparatus supports the user in an upright seated position, supports the user's feet from dangling off of the foot supports of a wheelchair, and can readily be obscured while in use by covering it with a blanket or the like.

Abstract: A device for positioning and maintaining the lap strap portion of a vehicle seat belt in a downward direction on the pelvic bones of a pregnant woman is provided which includes top, bottom and seat members, in order to avoid the lap strap from laying across the womb, is implemented. The Top Member and Bottom Member is connected together by a fastener between them. The Top Member is looped around the lap strap of the seat belt, the Bottom Member is fastened to the underside of the vehicle's seat. The Seat Member is attached to the automobile's seat and straddle the Bottom Member holding the Bottom Member in easy access to the user. The device is adjustable in length. Ultimately, the three member device holds the lap strap of the seat belt properly across the lower abdominal region.

Abstract: A restraining device for a wheelchair and method of making the restraining device. A pummel, or wedge-like element, is rotatably mounted to an elongate axis member. The elongate axis member has engaging elements at each end for engaging the frame or legs of a chair or wheelchair. The elongate axis member is longitudinally adjustable and the engaging elements are rotatably adjustable. The rotatable pummel may be releasably secured to the elongate axis member in a restraining position located proximate an upper, frontal portion of the seat of the chair upon which the restraining device is utilized. In this way, the restraining device is positioned between the legs and at the crotch of an individual seated in the chair. The pummel may be released and rotated about the elongate axis member to a non-restraining position which does not inhibit movement to or from the seat of the chair.

Abstract: A modular cushion comprising a shaped base which has a flat rear portion having a substantially flat center area and a raised front portion with angularly directed valleys on each side, a removable pommel releasably secured to the flat center portion, a resilient pad positioned on the flat portion of the base to relieve pressure on the ischial and trochanters and a cover having a non-skid undersurface and two-way stretchable material covering a portion of the top. The resilient pad preferably has an array of upstanding interconnected inflatable cells. The base is of porous cellular material and has a water impervious separate integral skin adhered over the top surface for strength and protection.

Abstract: A seat-like apparatus having a cradling surface capable of supporting and cradling an infant at an angle of 30.degree., an angle greater than 30.degree., and an angle less than 30.degree. for facilitating feeding, washing, seating, and sleeping. The angle of support is adjusted using rear adjustable legs. By adjusting a crotch support on the cradling surface, infants of different heights can be accommodated. In addition, adjustable length straps are provided for securing the infant on the cradling surface, as well as suction cups attached to the feet of the seat-like apparatus for non-permanently securing the apparatus to objects such as a bathtub or tabletop.

Abstract: A wheeled cart, such as a luggage cart, comprises a wheeled chassis and a handle portion extending upwardly from the wheeled chassis and having two upright portions spaced laterally from each other and a gripping portion extending laterally between the upright portions and is equipped with a seat for a child. The seat extends between the upright portions and has a bottom portion fixed to the upright portions and a backrest portion hinged to the bottom portion. At least three dividers extend upwardly from the seat and are spaced laterally from one another so as to define open-topped gaps to accommodate the legs of a child sitting on the seat and extending his or her legs through the open-topped gaps. The dividers are shaped so that handles of bags, purses, or like items can be hung over the dividers and, once hung thereover, can be lowered approximately to the bottom portion of the seat.

Abstract: A child seat is provided having an adjustable seat back arranged to pivot relative to a seat bottom between an upright position and a reclined position. The child seat includes a seat shell having a proximal end, a distal end, a seat bottom, and a first pivot axis adjacent to the proximal end and positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation to the seat bottom. A bottom surface of the seat shell includes a nesting surface appended to the proximal end of the seat shell. The nesting surface curves along an arc having a radius that is constant about the first pivot axis. The child seat also includes a seat back shell having a proximal end, a distal end, a seat back, and a second pivot axis adjacent to the distal end and lying in spaced-apart relation to the seat back. A top surface of the seat back shell includes a mating surface appended to the distal end of the seat back shell.

Abstract: A safety highchair including a seat; a leg supporting mechanism extended downwards from the seat for holding the seat in an elevated orientation upon a recipient surface; a seat back coupled to the seat and extended upwards therefrom to define a generally L-shaped seating configuration; an adjustable Y-shaped shoulder harness including a pair of upper strap members coupled to a lower strap member and with each strap member having a free end; an upper shoulder harness coupling mechanism for adjustably coupling the free ends of the upper strap members to the seat back; and a lower shoulder harness coupling mechanism for adjustably coupling the free end of the lower strap member to the seat in a closed loop arrangement with respect to the seating configuration.

Abstract: An improved seat belt for a child car booster seat, having a novel five-point seat belt harness with a belt adjusting mechanism. A novel belt tightening and loosening mechanism is disclosed. The booster seat may be secured preferably by one of two ways: either employing belts that secure the booster seat from the rear, or employing a traditional automobile shoulder and lap belt harness to secure both the user and the booster seat. When using an automobile shoulder and lap belt harness mode of securing the booster seat, a shoulder belt clasp is employed to keep the shoulder belt away from the child user's face and neck.

Abstract: A linear-type belt retractor is disclosed which can be incorporated into the safety belt restraint system of a vehicular seat, auxiliary child seat or integral child seat. The linear-type belt retractor includes a stationary lock plate and a latch assembly supported for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the lock plate. A belt member of the safety belt restraint system is slidably secured to the latch assembly such that movement of the latch assembly in a first direction causes withdrawal of the belt member and movement in a second direction causes retraction thereof. The belt retractor also includes a biasing member for urging the latch assembly into locked engagement with the lock plate for inhibiting movement thereof in the first direction, and an actuation mechanism for selectively releasing the latch assembly for such movement.

Abstract: A modular cushion comprising a shaped base which has a flat rear portion having a substantially flat center area and a raised front portion with angularly directed valleys on each side, a removable pommel releasably secured to the flat center portion, a resilient pad positioned on the flat portion of the base to relieve pressure on the ischial and trochanters and a cover having a non-skid undersurface and two-way stretchable material covering a portion of the top. The cover has a front panel and a rear panel, with a large opening in the rear panel to allow the cover to be positioned over the base, and a smaller opening in the front panel aligned with the center portion of the base and with the pommel whereby the pommel can be inserted and removed through the opening by a person seated on the cushion, and a flap, including means for retaining the flap in closed position, hingedly connected to the front panel and shaped to cover said opening.

Abstract: An infant support seat and cushion having an inner support structure including a backrest and seat and base support member and having a removable cushion assembly. The cushion assembly has a back cushion section, a seat cushion section and a pair of side support sections. An outer cover is attached to the cushion assembly and has a release mechanism to permit the insertion and removal of the inner support structure relative to the cushion assembly. A crotch support strap and detachable belt sections hold the infant in the cushion assembly in use.

Abstract: A child restraint system (24) includes shoulder belts (26) and 28 which engage the shoulders of a child (12) seated in a vehicle. The shoulder belts (26) and (28) are connected with an abdomen shield (32). A buckle (38) connects the shield (32) with a base (16) of a seat (14). A pair of retractor assemblies (50) and (52) are mounted in the abdomen shield (32) to enable the shoulder belts (26) and (28) to be extended upon movement of the abdomen shield (32) away from the child (12) seated in the vehicle. Upon movement of the abdomen shield (32) toward the child (12) seated in the vehicle, the retractor assemblies (50) and (52) retract the shoulder belts (26) and (28). The retractor assemblies (50) and (52) include spools (60) and (70) upon which the shoulder belts (26) and (28) are wound during retraction of the shoulder belts and unwound during extension of the shoulder belts.

Abstract: A car seat is provided for restraining a child seated in the car seat. The car seat includes a seat shell having a bottom seat portion and a back support portion. A barrier shield is supported above the bottom seat portion and is pivotable from an initial position to a child-restraining position. A child-restraining harness is attached to the seat shell and extends over an upper torso of the child when the child is seated in the car seat to restrain forward motion of the child. The child-restraining harness is connected to the barrier shield. The barrier shield is located at the initial position when a child is harnessed in the child seat. The child-restraining harness moves the barrier shield from the initial position to a child-restraining position when the upper torso of the child harnessed into the child seat moves forward to push against the child-restraining harness.

Abstract: A linear-type belt retractor is disclosed which can be incorporated into the safety belt restraint system of a vehicular seat, auxiliary child seat or integral child seat. The linear-type belt retractor includes a stationary lock plate and a latch assembly supported for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the lock plate. A belt member of the safety belt restraint is slidably secured to the latch assembly such that movement of the latch assembly in a first direction causes withdrawal of the belt member and movement in a second direction causes retraction thereof. The belt retractor is operable in a first mode for permitting movement of latch assembly on the lock plate in both directions, and in a second mode for inhibiting movement of the latch assembly in the first direction. A remote actuation mechanism is provided for automatically shifting the belt retractor into the second mode in response to fastening of a tongue plate of the safety belt restraint to a belt buckle member.

Abstract: A retractor for controlling the withdrawal of a belt therefrom operated by the locking engagement of a buckle and buckle tongue. A retractor frame having a spring biased rotatably mounted spool wrappingly receives one end of a belt harness, with the opposite end of the belt harness having fixed thereto either a buckle or a buckle tongue. Attached to a seat is either a buckle or a buckle tongue that receives the corresponding mating part of the buckle tongue combination which is attached to the belt harness. A locking bar is engagable with the ratchet shaped end plates of the spool to prevent further withdrawal of the belt harness. The locking engagement of the buckle and tongue causes movement of the locking bar into contact with the ratchet shaped end plates, which prevents the spool from rotating to allow any further withdrawal of the belt harness.

Abstract: A highchair for an infant or toddler includes a seat element, a frame assembly for supporting the seat element on a supporting surface, and a feeding tray assembly on the seat element. The feeding tray assembly includes a center support and retaining post which is secured to the front center portion of the seat element and a tray element which is adjustably secured to the upper end of the center support and retaining post. The center support and retaining post is operative for preventing a child from sliding downwardly between the seat element and the tray element regardless of the adjusted position of the tray element, and the seat element is secured to the frame assembly so that it is both vertically adjustable and reclinable.

Abstract: A five point restraint system having a harness for securing an occupant to an occupant seat including: a first and a second belt, each of the first and second belts including first and second ends, and a shield plate slidably receiving each of the first and the second belts, each of the first ends of the belts fixedly secured relative to the occupant seat, the shield plate including first and second openings through which the first and second belts are through threaded, the shield plate including first lock member for lockingly engaging with second lock member positioned on the seat, the shield plate and belts extendable over the occupant's head and shoulder and the belts engagable with the occupant's shoulders, the belt portions extending toward the first ends engagable against the outside of the lower torso of the seated occupant; a belt tightener for receiving the second ends of the belts permitting the extension and retraction of each belt, wherein upon engagement of the first lock means to the second loc

Abstract: In connection with rocking devices used up to now, there was the danger of physiological posture damage because of the essentially seated position of the small child. In accordance with the invention, a teetering or rocking device (1) for small children, particularly for small children of an age between approximately one month to approximately twelve months is provided, having a support (2) for receiving the small child (3) on the surface of which the small child rests prone, and having a support device (4) for suspending the support (2) at such a height (h) from the floor that the feet (14) of the small child can reach the floor. The support (2) is formed from a shell which is ergonomically adapted to the body shape of a prone small child, the support surface (17) for the hands and the head follows the shape of an oval in the front area and approximately continuously tapers towards the back in the direction of the stomach into a rear extension (18).

Abstract: A seating device is disclosed that offers comfort in use over extended periods of time and certain therapeutic effects as well as being readily portable and storable when not in use. The device is embodied in an inflatable seat that may be molded from thin, clear polyethylene/vinyl plastic material and formed with a flat thicker bottom surface, a concave seat area, a rising rear support, and a smaller frontal post section. The concave seat area is formed with an inherent forward tilt design which automatically aligns the spine of a user while the rear support provides additional comfort. The smaller frontal post section prevents forward sliding on and ride up of the rear of the seat. A valve is located in the bottom surface for inflating and deflating the seat and a snap strap may be provided for permanent closure after deflation and folding of the seat into itself.

Abstract: A highchair apparatus for attachment to an elevated member, such as a table or the like. At least a portion of a frame supporting the highchair apparatus engages an upper surface of the elevated member. A clamping member, pivotally attached to the frame pivot housing at a first pivot, engages a lower surface of the elevated member and clamps the highchair apparatus to the elevated member. A cam member, pivotally attached to the frame pivot housing at a second pivot, restrainably secures the highchair apparatus to the elevated member, by engaging the clamping arm upon movement of the cam member from a substantially nonengaging position to a substantially engaging position, causing the clamping member to securely engage the lower surface of the elevated member, and further serving to lock the clamping member in secure engagement with the lower surface of the elevated member.

Abstract: A child seat module integrated with a rear vehicle seat, and including fold-down lower and upper segments, interconnected by a flexible and detachable hinge, and a plastic back panel mounted against the back frame of the bench seat. A plastic seat pad support platform is mounted on the inner surface of the lower segment. A pad having seat and back segments is removably mounted on the platform and against the back panel. A safety belt system is operably included in the module. The interconnected lower and upper segments are adapted to being folded down to form, with the platform and pad, a child seat cushion and leg support. Alternatively, the leg support may be removed for a child whose size is such that use of the leg support would be uncomfortable.

Abstract: A combination chair and walker comprises a frame having laterally spaced apart front legs and rear legs spaced rearwardly thereof for movement over a floor in a stable, upright configuration. A seat has a forward edge spaced rearwardly of the front legs and defining an open space extending rearwardly of the front legs for accommodating a person's legs while in a standing, walking and sitting position. A mechanism, adjustably attached to the frame and selectively positionable, supports at least one of a person's side and arms. A frontal cross bar extends laterally between the adjustable side and arm support mechanism, the cross bar having one end portion pivotally connected to one side of the adjustable side and arm support mechanism to permit ingress and egress of the person from a front side of the chair/walker. A crotch strap is attached to the frame and extends between a person's legs into the open space, the strap being releasably attachable to the frontal cross bar while in a closed position.

Abstract: In a child safety seat for use in an automobile, a cushion member is provided along back surfaces of a crotch belt upwardly extending from a seat surface. A buckle is mounted on a free end of said crotch belt. Due to the rigidity of the cushion member, the crotch belt is made self-supporting, so that the crotch belt holds the buckle in the proper position and orientation Thus, a shoulder belt can be easily attached to or detached from the buckle. Moreover, the crotch belt is made more comfortable for the child.

Abstract: A chair restraint for supporting a patient in a sitting position from a chair or the like includes an upper torso support member having an orthotic support panel readily removable therefrom. The orthotic support panel is made from a plastic which is readily deformable by a heat gun or the like such that it may be custom fit to surround the patient both from his back and sides to provide lateral support to the patient. The upper torso restraint member includes a pair of straps extending forwardly to wrap around the front of the patient to thereby secure the patient within the upper torso restraint member. A seat cushion member includes a flat panel stiffener to provide a firm base for the patient and an interior cushioning member which is inclined generally rearwardly to thereby cradle the patient within the restraint. A center divider member of cushioning material provides two separately defined areas for receiving the patient's legs.

Abstract: A combination chair and walker comprises a primary frame and a bottom frame. The primary frame having laterally spaced apart primary front and rear legs spaced rearwardly thereof. The primary frame releasably attached to the bottom frame. The bottom frame comprising an auxiliary frame extending laterally from the primary front and rear legs. The auxiliary frame has auxiliary front and auxiliary rear legs. The primary front and auxiliary rear legs provide for movement over a floor in a stable, upright configuration. The auxiliary front legs extend close to the floor to provide added stability to prevent a person from tipping the chair/walker.

Abstract: Disclosed is an infant-restraining protective seat having an inflatable seat belt, in which an infant seat belt (6) is maintained in the shape of a belt under ordinary conditions. When the a tongue (5) is engaged with a buckle device (4) in order to fasten the belt, gas flow holes (4a) and (5a) are brought into registration to form a single gas flow passageway. Under ordinary conditions, however, the gas flow holes (4a), (5a) are closed by caps (11), (12). Since a gas generator (9) does not operate under ordinary conditions, the protective seat (1) exhibits an infant-restraining function similar to that of the conventional protective seat for infants. At the time of an emergency, the gas generator 9 generates a high-pressure gas that breaks the caps (11), (12) and flows into the infant seat belt (6). As a result, the infant seat belt 6 inflates substantially instantaneously and in reliable fashion. Accordingly, a seated infant is restrained by the inflated seat belt 6 in a reliable manner.

Abstract: An orthopedic seat cushion for permitting free circulation and protecting the user's coccyx comprising a unitary body formed of expanded polymeric foam and a skin enclosing said foam is disclosed.

Abstract: An occupant harness is described for an occupant seat in a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including a pair of belts secured thereto at opposite ends of each belt and a buckle device secured to the motor vehicle. The harness comprises a pair of tongue members each interlaced with a respective one of the belts, the pair of tongue members being pivotably connected to each other so as to pivot from a first open position not in engagement with the buckle device to a second closed position so that each tongue member engages the buckle device.

Abstract: A retractor having means for controlling the withdrawal of a belt therefrom operated by a push button. A retractor frame has a spring biased rotatably mounted spool wrappingly receiving one end of a belt harness with the belt harness having an opposite end with buckle members fixed thereto to receive a buckle tongue. A locking bar is engageable with ratchet shaped end plates of the spool. The locking bar is pivotable into the ratchet shaped end plates to prevent further withdrawal of the belt harness. A manual push button control causes movement of the locking bar away from the ratchet shaped end plates to allow withdrawal of the belt harness until the push button is released and the locking bar pivots into its normal position in contact with the ratchet shaped end plates.

Abstract: An adjustable flat-back floor sitter chair comprising a base plate formed in generally rectangular configuration but formed with a trapezoidal leading edge, a pair of parallel side walls extending upwardly from the parallel side edges of the base plate, the side walls being formed with longitudinal slots at various elevations parallel with the side edges of the base plate, a back plate having a lower edge in sliding contact with the upper surface of the base plate and having side edges in sliding contact with the interior faces of the side walls, the back plate being provided with a pair of outwardly projecting bolts extendable through the slots in the side walls with wing nuts for locking the bolts and the back wall in a preselected orientation along the length of the base plate and a plurality of rows of laterally extending apertures formed in the back plate at various elevations adjacent to its side edges.

Abstract: A linear-type belt retractor is disclosed which can be incorporated into the safety belt restraint system of a vehicular seat, auxiliary child seat or integral child seat. The linear-type belt retractor includes a stationary lock plate and a latch assembly supported for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the lock plate. A belt member of the safety belt restraint system is slidably secured to the latch assembly such that movement of the latch assembly in a first direction causes withdrawal of the belt member and movement in a second direction causes retraction thereof. The belt retractor also includes a biasing member for urging the latch assembly into locked engagement with the lock plate for inhibiting movement thereof in the first direction, and an actuation mechanism for selectively releasing the latch assembly for such movement.

Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint for pregnant women is provided which includes first and second restraint members that, in the operative mode, are spaced from the gravid uterus region of the woman thereby avoiding trauma in the latter region if the vehicle should suddenly stop. The first restraint members, when in an operative mode, encompass the upper torso region of the woman. The second restraint members, when in an operative mode, encompass in the groin area thigh regions of the woman.

Abstract: A seat for carrying a child in seated position upon an adult's shoulders is constructed as an inflatable device fabricated from flexible plastic sheet material interbonded in a manner to form a main portion of U-shaped contour whose extremities are bifurcated leg-cushioning portions. An abutment member is disposed atop the seat in a manner to be interposed between the child's groin and the back of the neck of the adult.

Abstract: A toddler swing (10) includes a restraining bar assembly (11) having a cross bar (12) and a lower extension member (13), the restraining bar assembly (11) being positively attached to and releasable from the swing (10). A latch mechanism (19) connects the lower extension member (13) to the seat (14) of the swing (10) by engaging a generally J-shaped hook (25) of the lower extension member (13) with a generally J-shaped catch (21) located beneath the seat (14) of the swing (10) as part of a spring (20). In addition, the restraining bar assembly (11) includes bosses (34) formed on the cross bar (12) of the restraining bar assembly (11) to be received in recesses (38) in the arm rests (16) of the swing (10). Together, the latch mechanism (19) and the bosses (34) positively position and hold the restraining bar assembly (11) in place.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a passenger car including an integral child seat assembly. The frame of the seat back carries seat belt loading from the child seat restraint system receiving the load directly from the seat belts and transferring a load efficiently to the floor pan and rear shelf of the motor vehicle to provide a short load path requiring a minimal number of components.

Abstract: An infant bath chair adapted to be positioned in a bathtub to facilitate bathing of the infant. The chair includes a base adapted to be positioned on the bottom of the bathtub and defining a seat; a seatback having a lower end pivotally mounted on the base proximate the rear edge of the seat; a U-shaped cage having a pair of arm portion pivotally mounted at their rear ends on the base rearwardly of the seatback pivot axis and a forward bight portion embracing an infant positioned on the seat; and a latch assembly interconnecting the seatback and the cage arm portions and releasable in response to upward pivotal movement of the cage to allow adjusting pivotal movement of the seatback relative to the base. The latch assembly includes an arcuate slot on each of the arms centered on the pivot axis of the seatback and a plurality of notches positioned serially along each arcuate slot on the side of the slot remote from the seatback pivot axis and opening in the respective slot.

Abstract: The abduction wedge assembly for a wheelchair includes an abduction member joined to a slide, pivot and height extension mechanism that permits the abduction wedge member to be compatibly joined to wheelchairs of selected seat thickness. The slide, pivot and height extension mechanism which is joined to the base of a wheelchair seat includes a slidable member that is longitudinally slidable with respect to a fixed slide guide located at the base of the wheelchair seat. The slide member can be extended to a limit position that permits pivoting of the abduction member from an on-seat position to an off-seat position. The slide, pivot and height extension mechanism further includes a height adjustment member to which the abduction member is joined. The height adjustment member enables the abduction wedge member to be compatibly fitted to wheelchair seats of any thickness. A locking mechanism provided on the slide guide locks the slide member in any selected longitudinally extended position.

Abstract: A bath ring is provided which is collapsible from a use to a storage position whereby the bath ring may be reconfigured to a compact configuration. The bath ring includes a base portion, a ring portion pivotally mounted to the base portion, a support post for supporting a rear section of the ring portion in spaced relationship to the base portion, and a T-shaped restraining bar pivotally mounted to the base portion and forming a front restraint which may be pivoted out of the way to place an infant on the base portion. In its collapsed position, the support post may be pivoted to a location underneath the base portion and the ring portion and T-shaped restraint may be pivoted rearwardly and downwardly toward the base portion.

Abstract: A compact and uncomplicated apparatus for safely restraining a child in an adult seat which is used during transportation, such as an automobile seat. The apparatus comprises a planar seat member designed to sit directly on top of the seat portion of an adult seat, a pair of safety straps attached to one end of the planar seat member which are pushed through the space between the seat and back portions of an adult seat and further pulled up and over the back portion of the adult seat, and a buckle or other means for connecting the pair of safety straps to the top surface of the planar seat member. When a child is placed in the apparatus, the straps cross the child's upper torso and connect to the planar seat member between the child's legs.

Abstract: A security harness has front and rear panels joined by a crotch panel with elongated straps extending from outer corners of the front and rear panels for securing to anchoring points located behind and above at least the waist of a patient wearing the harness, and in either a seated or prone position. A waist strap is fixed to the front panel straps and extends laterally of those straps for securing to other anchoring means to either side of the patient.

Abstract: An automobile car seat which connects to a child safety seat includes armrests which are pivoted and extended from recessed positions within the back of the seat and a headrest. When extended, the armrests prevent lateral movement of a child on the seat. When pivoted into a substantially upright position, the headrest may then be detached from the back of the seat and be releasably mounted to the seating portion. Straps attached to the headrest and the back of the seat are pulled forward from the interior of the back, such that the straps restrain forward movement of the child. The seat may be a bucket seat and may be deployed as the passenger seat of the vehicle.

Abstract: A child seat device, for use in a vehicle having a seatbelt for securing the child seat device to the vehicle seat, has an inflatable child seat which includes an inflatable bottom panel, an inflatable back panel upstanding from the rear of the bottom panel, and a pair of opposed, laterally spaced inflatable sidewall panels. Each of the sidewall panels has a back portion projecting forwardly from a respective side of the back panel and a bottom portion projecting upwardly from a respective side of the bottom panel. An inflatable brace, disposed in each of the sidewall panels intermediate the back and bottom sidewall portions, limits pivotal movement of the back and bottom sidewall portions towards each other. Each of the braces defines a single interior air chamber having at most limited gaseous communication with the bottom, back and sidewall panels.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is disclosed containing an integrated child seat having a child seat cushion and headrest stored within the seat back of the seat assembly. The child seat is deployed by raising the child seat headrest from an upper portion of the seat back and rotating the child seat cushion from the seat back forward to a generally horizontal use position overlying the adult seat cushion. The seat assembly of the present invention includes a floating pivot axis for the child seat cushion to enable the seat cushion attaching hardware to be placed rearward from the face of the seat back to improve adult seating comfort. The buckle for the child seat restraint system is pivotally mounted directly to the child seat cushion enabling a user to easily insert a latch plate of the restraint system into the buckle with one hand freeing the other hand for restraining the child.

Abstract: A vehicle booster seat includes a base adapted to be supported on a vehicle seat for supporting a child on the base in an elevated position relative to the vehicle seat; first and second side bolsters on the base extending upwardly from the base for laterally restraining the child; first and second slots in the first and second side bolsters for receiving the vehicle seat belt and guiding the seat belt over the child to restrain the child in the booster seat, and secure the booster seat to the vehicle seat; a removable shield for restraining a child in the booster seat with a lap belt only, the shield including a generally U-shaped shield body having first and second tongue members extending therefrom adapted to slidingly engage the first and second slots in the base respectively for receiving the U-shaped shield in the base; and a guide in the shield body for receiving a seat belt for securing the U-shaped shield to the base and securing the base relative to the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A device for use with a safety belt (8), e.g. a three-point safety belt, and a seat in a car to prevent the transverse belt (8a) of safety belt (8), which in a normal position lies in loose contact across the user's thighs, from sliding up to and pressing against the user's abdomen in case of abrupt braking or a possible car clash, in which case it might injure internal organs, especially the womb and foetus of pregnant women. The transverse belt (8a) is releasably fastened to a connector (5), which is fastened between the user's thighs to a sitting support (3). Sitting support (3) may consist of the seat portion (3a) of the car seat.

Abstract: A high chair safety pants is provided which consists of a pair of pants for an infant. A first fastener member is applied to the bottom surface of the pair of pants. A second fastener member is applied to a seat of a high chair, which engages with the first fastener member to prevent the pair of pants with the infant from sliding off the seat of the high chair injuring the infant.

Abstract: A harness for securing an object to a support comprises a flexible longitudinal strap member having first and second opposite end portions and an intermediate portion between the end portions. First and second strap portions having respective inner portions and respective outer end portions, are connected to the intermediate portion such that the first and second strap portions extend transversely to the longitudinal member. Connectors are provided for connecting respective outer end portions of the first and second strap portions to the first end portion of the longitudinal member to form a cradle. Third and fourth strap portions having respective inner portions and respective outer end portions are also connected to the intermediate portion such that the third and fourth strap portions extend transversely to the longitudinal member. Connectors are provided for connecting together respective outer end portions of the third and fourth strap portions to secure same about an object.

Abstract: A three-mode seat for a motor vehicle cooperable with an adult seat belt assembly to provide three modes of operation including an adult seat mode, a large child booster seat mode, and a small child mode. The seat includes a child's seat module arranged to be secured to the seat back frame between the space provided between two side cushions. The module includes a rigid back panel which carries a cushion assembly and a child's seat belt assembly.

Abstract: Problems encountered in adapting child restraint devices of the kind used to retain a child in the seat of a shopping cart, "stroller", dining chair, or like device, for use in different circumstances and with children of different sizes, are overcome by a restraining device which comprises a pair of straps, each having a releasable fastener at each end portion. The cooperating parts of the fastener are spaced apart lengthways so that when they are fastened the end portion will form a loop. In use, the straps are placed over a child's shoulders and crossed over each other both front and rear. The ends of the straps are attached to a belt secured around the child by looping the end portions around the belt and fastening the releasable fasteners. The restraining device conveniently restrains the child in the seat, the shoulder straps preventing it from wriggling upwards out of the waist belt. Because the straps are releasably attached to the belt, they can be used independently.