Engageable With Both Shoulders Of Occupant Patents (Class 297/484)
  • Patent number: 7775557
    Abstract: A personal restraint system for a seat in a motor vehicle including a three-point belt system and a two-point belt system. The three-point belt system including a first belt retractor, and a first belt web having a first belt latch plate, and a first belt buckle. The two-point belt system including a second belt retractor, and a second belt web having a second belt latch plate, and a second belt buckle. The second belt retractor including a blocking device which engages a spool of the second belt retractor when both belt webs are wound up on their respective retractors to prevent engagement of the two-point belt system if the three-point belt system is not engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Ola Boström, Yngve Haland, Leif Ennerdahl, Thomas Blomberg
  • Patent number: 7770969
    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 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Boyle, Michael A. Wiseman, Thomas P. Woellert, James T. Anthony
  • Patent number: 7735919
    Abstract: A safety belt device is mounted on a support member that is formed with a positioning hole, and includes a belt, an anchor member that permits a first end portion of the belt to extend therethrough and that is retained removably on the support member at the positioning hole, and an elastic component connected to the anchor member and disposed to support a second end portion of the belt such that the elastic component deforms when a pulling force is applied on the second end portion of the belt and restores the belt to an initial state when the pulling force on the second end portion of the belt is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Kenny Cheng
  • Patent number: 7699402
    Abstract: A restraint system is disclosed for securing a passenger to a seat in a motor vehicle. The restraint system is composed of a restraint belt removably attached to a vehicle seat having a plurality of vertical straps and an attachment mechanism for connecting said straps across the passenger's chest. Each of the vertical straps has a first end removably attached to a lap belt and a second end removably attached to a latch located behind the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Louis D DeLellis, John E Schambre, Michael O Forker
  • Publication number: 20100078908
    Abstract: The invention relates to a child transporter, especially a stroller, buggy or like carriage for children, having a seat surface and a back rest, a belt fastening and adjusting device being arranged in the front edge region of the seat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Martin Pos
  • Publication number: 20100060060
    Abstract: A safety seat for vehicles, including a seat portion having a tubular frame for a textile sitting surface. The seat portion is secured to a strap framework secured to a vehicle via two vertical support straps. A shoulder harness secures an occupant and has two strap portions in the vicinity of the occupant's back, each strap portion extending vertically between a releasable securement on a vehicle roof and a rear end of the seat portion. The two strap portions are deflected at the rear end and are then guided in a crossed manner beneath the sitting surface of the seat portion to securements disposed near the front edge of the seat portion. The shoulder harness has two shoulder straps held on the strap portions and extending to releasable securements near the front edge of the seat portion. The shoulder straps have a releasable cross connection for their interconnection over an applicant's chest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Holger Hansen
  • Patent number: 7658446
    Abstract: An infant carrier and car seat combination is illustrated which provides releasable lockability between the carrier and its base, infant seat belt tensioning and height adjustment, improved handle movement which resists twisting and carrier base adjustment through a movable base within the carrier base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Meeker R & D, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Meeker, William R. Gibson
  • Patent number: 7644986
    Abstract: Energy absorbing webbing is provided for use in child safety seat and child restraint devices. A harness system includes energy-absorbing regions into the construction of the harness to allow some release or extension of the harness during use. The energy-absorbing regions of the harness are formed using energy-absorbing webbing in a given region or regions to permit the webbing to extend or elongate so that strong forces are not fully and directly imparted to the child. The energy-absorbing region may be installed at various positions within the child safety seat and harness system and may be incorporated into the child safety harness as original equipment or as a retrofit feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: SKJP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Berger, David Clement
  • Publication number: 20090315386
    Abstract: This invention in question is a fastening belt system designed for use in child automobile transport solutions, and in particular, in child car seats. The fastening belt system is characterized by its use of at least one belt and five anchor points (2), (3), (8), (9), (16), potentially equipped with openings and buckles, which create a harness system composed of the right breast strap (10) and the left breast strap (11) that crisscross at the child's chest, while the right hip strap (13) and the left hip strap (12) belt in the child's legs at the hips. The right breast strap (10) runs from the upper right anchor point (3) to the lower left point (9); the left breast strap (11) links the upper left anchor point (2) with the lower right point (8); the right hip strap (13) links the lower middle anchor point (16) with the lower right point (8); the left hip strap (12) runs from the lower middle anchor point (16) towards the lower left point (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Pamatti Sp. z o.o.
    Inventors: Piotr Stasiak, Waldemar Filutowski
  • Patent number: 7625048
    Abstract: A four-point seat belt system for restraining a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat is disclosed. Two shoulder belts are provided which are buckled together with a pair of lap belts. The convergence of the shoulder belts created at the buckles defines a V-shaped configuration which aids in occupant safety and comfort. Movably-adjustable retractors are provided to anchor the upper end of each shoulder belt to the vehicle seat. A movable headrest having a pair of laterally-adjustable belt loops is provided to further enhance occupant security and comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen William Rouhana, Paul George Bedewi, Dean M Jaradi, Kirsten Marie Carr, John L. Sullivan, Tiffani Michelle Natalini-Whitmore, Sundeep Venkat Kankanala
  • Patent number: 7578561
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a child seat comprised of a seat structure and a child restraint system that allows a restraint to be easily removed from the seat structure and cleaned separately and away from the child seat. The restraint system includes a restraint and a restraint release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Canna, Brian S. Kelly
  • Patent number: 7552969
    Abstract: A child safety seat arrangement is disclosed wherein the child is secured to the safety seat by a harness. The harness is then secured with respect to the vehicle by a mounting arrangement that is independent of any seat shell. Preferably, there is also a seat shell that is itself secured with respect to the vehicle. Also disclosed is a child safety seat arrangement having a seat shell with apertures through which a harness can be passed. The harness preferably includes a main harness strap which is looped behind the seat shell, through a pair of apertures therein, to provide two shoulder straps to extend over a child's shoulders. The disclosure includes multiple pairs of apertures to allow for adjustment of the height of the shoulder straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Britax Childcare Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Wieslaw Maciejczyk
  • Patent number: 7513575
    Abstract: A shoulder- and/or neck-holder, seat-belt, seat and sets of vibration-dampening energy-absorbers are integrated into an energy-absorbing, vibration-dampening safety-seat in order to restrain the shoulders and/or neck of a belted passenger, dampen vibrations and gradually absorb subenergies, resulting from a subdivision of the total energy, just below the respective injury-irrelevant threshold-values in any real-world accident of a transport-system, submarining or during in-flight turbulence. The conversion of an adult-seat into a child-seat or a baby-cot or vice-versa is simple. A rotatable device makes the holder easy to use. Neck- and/or shoulder-shaped, height-, width-adjustable holders and/or neck- and/or shoulder-shaped energy absorbers, attached thereto, ensure complete restraint of the shoulders and necks of passengers with different weights and body-proportions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: Giok Djien Go
  • Patent number: 7510245
    Abstract: A seat belt webbing enclosure for a vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat cushion. The enclosure includes a bracket attached to a frame of the seat back. A cover is coupled to the bracket and extends downwardly to the seat cushion to enclose a gap between the seat back the seat cushion. A seat belt web of the seat is substantially enclosed proximate the gap by the cover in cooperation with the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hidetsugu Okazaki, Kelly Michael Whalen
  • Patent number: 7510242
    Abstract: In a child seat which has a seat portion and a back portion and in which the back portion provided with a shoulder belt guide for guiding a shoulder belt of a seat belt of a vehicle from the shoulder to the chest of a sitter, the child seat is provided with a belt guide position adjusting mechanism for changing the position of the shoulder belt guide in the left and right directions of the back portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Combi Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichi Yumoto, Yusuki Arii
  • Patent number: 7506929
    Abstract: A belt guiding mechanism, for example for a child vehicle seat, which is suitable for guiding a belt extending through the belt guiding mechanism and locking said belt against movement. The belt guiding mechanism comprises a cam that is capable of pivoting movement relative to a bearing surface, said belt being movable in a tensioning direction and in the opposite direction through a passage present between said cam and said bearing surface. The cam is pivotable in a direction towards the bearing surface for locking the belt against movement. The cam is connected to a sleeve that can be positioned against a person's shoulder, in which sleeve the belt is slidably accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Martinus Theodorus Fransen, Gert Arlën Luc Rijsdijk
  • Patent number: 7488038
    Abstract: A portable restraint system mountable to a vehicle seat may comprise a booster seat, a restraint harness mounted to the booster seat and a mounting harness coupled to the restraint harness. The restraint harness may be configured to restrain a passenger positioned on the booster seat. The mounting harness may have a connector attached thereto configured to releasably engage an anchorage of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Boyle, Julia D. King, Thomas Mashino
  • Patent number: 7469965
    Abstract: A juvenile seat includes a seat shell and a child-restraint harness coupled to the seat shell. A harness strap included in the child-restraint harness is coupled to a strap-length adjuster included in the juvenile seat and mounted on the seat shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Glover, Jerry Bougher
  • Patent number: 7458644
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1), in particular a sports seat, with a seat cushion (3) and a backrest (5) which may be pivoted and locked relative to the seat cushion (3), comprising a handle (29) for unlocking the backrest (5) and at least one belt passage (11) for a seatbelt, wherein the handle (29) is integrated in the belt passage (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Recaro GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Beermann, Michael Ritzel
  • Patent number: 7455358
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kidnetik Corp.
    Inventors: John A. Harcourt, William C. Aven, William P. Munsell
  • Patent number: 7452031
    Abstract: Disclosed are child seats with adjustable features to accommodate a child. Specifically, a child seat with adjustable headrest unit, a child seat with adjustable backrest unit, a child seat with adjustable armrest unit, a child seat with adjustable lap depth, a child seat with a softgoods attachment, and a method of attaching a softgoods attachment to a child seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Evenflo Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Woellert, David Sander, Peter Eros
  • Patent number: 7448690
    Abstract: The present invention 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 buckles; (c) a child restraint harness wherein the harness comprises a pair of shoulder restraint belts running from the laterally spaced buckles in the seat back to a seat bottom locking tongue, each shoulder restraint belt having a locking tongue affixed to an extreme end of the belt for insertion into the laterally spaced pair of buckles 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 the pair of shoulder restraint belt locking tongues from the seat back buckles, the disengaging means being actuated from the rear face of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: The University of Alabama
    Inventor: Michael M. Blackmon
  • Patent number: 7445293
    Abstract: A restraint safety device. A chest clip is slidingly attached to a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap. The chest clip includes a first chest clip half removably attached to a second chest clip half. A child resistant lock prevents a child from inadvertently detaching the first chest clip half from the second chest clip half In a preferred embodiment the child resistant lock includes a squeezable threaded cap that locks the first chest clip half to the second chest clip half and is removable by an adult when squeezed and turned. In another preferred embodiment the child resistant lock includes a cover lock that locks the first chest clip half to the second chest clip half via prongs and is removable when an adult squeezes the prongs and lifts the cover lock. In another preferred embodiment the child resistant lock includes a cap that covers a press release button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventors: Carrie L. Smith, Julie A. Brown, Nicholas E. Rambo, Aaron A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20080258527
    Abstract: A strap support apparatus has a body 121 having an elongare slot 131, and a strap support 141. The strap support 141 has a receiving portion 143 for receipt of a strap, a portion 145 that extends through the elongate slot of the body and defines an axis, and a portion 147 that is positioned on an opposite side of the slot from the receiving portion. Part of the strap support defines an engagement portion for selectively engaging part of the body to inhibit movement of the strap support along the slot. The strap support has a sliding configuration and an engaged configuration. The strap support 141 is adjustable between the sliding configuration and the engaged configuration by rotating the strap support about the axis relative to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Phil and Ted Most Excellent Buggy Company Limited
    Inventors: Campbell Gower, Philip Brace
  • Patent number: 7413246
    Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle seat comprising a seat surface which extends along a longitudinal direction of the seat, a securing element assigned to the seat surface and a drive device which is operatively connected to the securing element and is activated in a crash situation, in order to move the securing element out of a starting position, without changing the spatial position thereof, so that the seat surface and the securing element oppose the forward displacement of the pelvis of a person sitting on the seat surface in the longitudinal direction of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignees: Takata Corporation, Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Ryoji Saiguchi, Sami Al-Samarae, Mohammed Daher
  • Publication number: 20080168603
    Abstract: A restraint for holding a person atop a gurney or on a vehicle seat. A harness includes a pair of straps slidably mounted to a main frame. The straps are connected to an adjuster. A slide plate is mounted to the frame with the straps extending therethrough. A spring loaded device normally positions the plate to position the straps apart from the shoulders of a person positioned beneath the straps until the straps are pulled relative to an adjuster moving the plate and the straps adjacent the shoulders of the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Michael W. Ayette, Guy R. Dingman
  • Publication number: 20080143158
    Abstract: An amusement device, in particular a roller coaster, for providing a sense of excitement to one or more passengers using the amusement device. The amusement device has an elongated track along which one or more amusement device seat assemblies adapted to carry the one or more passengers are moveable. Each seat assembly has a seat with a seating surface and a back support with a back support surface. The seat assembly further includes a bar construction attached to a pivot mechanism. This bar construction has a hip bar and one or more pivot arms integral with the hip bar, which bar construction is pivotable about the pivot axis from a raised position in which the hip bar is raised from the seating surface to allow a passenger to sit down in the amusement device seat assembly, to a lowered position. The bar construction is such that no part of the bar construction takes away the view of the person and limits the movements of the arms of the person, allowing the passenger to experience a great sense of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: VEKOMA RIDES ENGINEERING B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Willem Johan Philippen
  • Patent number: 7387336
    Abstract: A child seat includes a main body having a seat portion and a backrest portion with a hole therein, a sliding member disposed at the backrest portion to cover the hole and having webbing inserting holes, and a guide rail mounted vertically on a rear side of the main body. A movable body is attached to the sliding member to move along the guide rail. The movable body is disposed on the rear side to be operable from a side of the backrest portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Sakumoto
  • Patent number: 7364199
    Abstract: A vehicle restraint system provides the seat occupant with options for three-point, four-point and five-point seat belt configurations. In one embodiment, the restraint system includes two three-point seat belt systems arranged as mirror images and a two position buckle located along the center line of the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Seat Belts, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Alejandro Romero Elizondo, Jose Luis Alcantar Ye
  • Patent number: 7350862
    Abstract: A belt guiding mechanism, for example for a child vehicle seat, which is suitable for guiding a belt extending through the belt guiding mechanism and locking said belt against movement. The belt guiding mechanism comprises a cam that is capable of pivoting movement relative to a bearing surface, said belt being movable in a tensioning direction and in the opposite direction through a passage present between said cam and said bearing surface. The cam is pivotable in a direction towards the hearing surface for locking the belt against movement. The cam is connected to a sleeve that can be positioned against a person's shoulder, in which sleeve the belt is slidably accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Cosco Management Inc. (CMI)
    Inventors: Martinus Theodorus Fransen, Gert Arlën Luc Rijsdijk
  • Publication number: 20080054691
    Abstract: Disclosed is a web adjuster assembly to allow tightening of a strap while preventing microslip of the strap when the web adjuster assembly is closed. The web adjuster assembly uses a second plate hingedly biased against a first plate with a strap laced through an opening on the first plate and through openings on the second plate such that when the two plates are substantially resting against one another, friction prevents the strap from being pulled back through the web adjuster assembly. However, simply lifting the second plate away from the first plate in an arc allows the strap to travel back through the web adjuster assembly, thereby allowing the strap to loosen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Cosco Management Inc., (a Delaware corporation)
    Inventor: Richard W. Glover
  • Patent number: 7299527
    Abstract: A strap retainer device and method for retaining a first object to a second object, the device including a body that is generally planar with an outer periphery portion, the body including a first end portion and a substantially oppositely disposed second end portion. The first end portion is adapted to attach to the first object and the second end portion includes a slot therethrough that is closed at both ends, the second end portion also includes a tortuous passageway therethrough that extends from the outer periphery portion to be in communication with the slot. The tortuous access passageway is operational to allow the strap to be selectably manually positioned from the outer periphery portion to the slot and selectably manually positioned from the slot to the outer periphery portion, wherein the tortuous access passageway helps restrict the strap from inadvertently dislodging from the slot to the outer periphery portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Gerald Albert Gyure
  • Publication number: 20070246927
    Abstract: With this seatbelt device, a lap belt portion is provided at a seatbelt between a first shoulder belt portion and a second shoulder belt portion. The seatbelt between the first shoulder belt portion and the lap belt portion is supported by a lap outer anchor via a tongue. The seatbelt between the second shoulder belt portion and the lap belt portion is supported by a lap inner anchor. For this reason, the lap belt portion is worn at the lumbar region of the passenger with certainty. Due to this, the capability of restraining the lumbar region of the passenger can be increased using a simple configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoki Okada
  • Patent number: 7263750
    Abstract: A buckle assembly for a vehicle restraint system where the buckle assembly is adapted to receive a plurality of belt connectors, with the belt connectors being simultaneously released upon moving at least one handle to a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen R. Keene, David Thayer Merrill
  • Patent number: 7249803
    Abstract: This seat comprises a body (1) forming the actual seat (2) and the backrest (3) and being provided with safety straps (4) and (5) for the child, said straps being fitted to a crotch strip (7). This seat is characterized in that the straps (4) and (5) are fitted to a headrest (8) being fitted to the backrest (3) in a vertically shiftable arrangement and being integrally provided with a mechanism (9) from which a transmission element (10) extends which is linked to the lower end (7?) of the crotch strip (7), this latter being also fitted in a slidable arrangement, in such a way that the lifting and lowering motions of the headrest (8) bring about a joint increase or reduction of the space being afforded both by the straps (4) and (5) and the crotch strip (7). The headrest (8) comprises means (19) being provided for locking it in its different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Jane, S.A.
    Inventor: Manuel Jane Santamaria
  • Patent number: 7246853
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kidnetik Corp.
    Inventors: John A. Harcourt, William C. Aven, William P. Munsell
  • Patent number: 7246854
    Abstract: A child vehicle seat includes a seat portion and a headrest assembly. The headrest assembly defines at least one belt aperture. The headrest assembly is movable in relation to the seat portion between an upper position and a lower position. The child vehicle seat further includes a harness system including (i) at least one shoulder belt portion extending through the at least one belt aperture defined in the headrest assembly, and (ii) a crotch belt assembly that is movable in relation to the seat portion between an extended position and a retracted position. Movement of the headrest assembly in relation to the seat portion from the upper position to the lower position causes the crotch belt assembly to move from the extended position to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing Inc
    Inventors: Guy Dingman, Mike Ayette, Tom Woellert
  • Patent number: 7210707
    Abstract: A belt assembly for securing the sitting and standing positions of an occupant of a vehicle has two lap belts which can be coupled to the vehicle and are brought together at an abdomen-side central buckle and which are swingable in parallel relation to the occupant's body and include retractors. Two length-adjustable body belts extend from the central lock across the torso, shoulders and back of the occupant, and two length-adjustable, loop-like leg belts are connected to length portions of the body belts, with the length portions at least indirectly connected to the lap belts. The body belts have buckle-distal ends which are fastened to the leg belts. The body belts cross at the back of the occupant and are connected there with one another. The belt assembly can be directly connected to a vest which can be suited to the body of the occupant via hook-and-loop fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Schroth Safety Products GmbH
    Inventor: Carl-Jürgen Schroth
  • Patent number: 7201399
    Abstract: An occupant restraint system (30) includes first and second lap belts (32 and 34) for collectively extending across a lap of the occupant (22). First and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) extend over the shoulders of the occupant (22). A buckle assembly (58) interconnects the lap belts (32 and 34) and the shoulder belts (36 and 38). The occupant restraint system (30) also includes first and second buckle-lowering belts (94 and 96) attached to the buckle assembly (58) for creating a downwardly acting biasing force on the buckle assembly (58) so as to move the buckle assembly (58) downwardly relative to the seat (10) and towards the lap of the occupant (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Frank, Alex G. Meduvsky
  • Patent number: 7178877
    Abstract: A diaper changing restraint system is provided which restricts movement of an infant during diapering activities. The restraint system comprises a portable base, at least a portion of which is substantially rigid. A pad is secured to the base. The pad has a top surface which supports the person intended to be restrained. A first cushion and a second cushion, each extending from the top surface, are secured to the pad. The first cushion is spaced a predetermined distance from the second cushion so as to accommodate the torso of the person lying between the first cushion and the second cushion during the restraining. The first cushion and the second cushion are capable of supporting sides of the torso of the person, restricting lateral movement of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: Carol A. Watson
  • Patent number: 7144086
    Abstract: A shoulder belt clip for restraining a child in a child safety seats or carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the shoulder belt clip is comprised of a plate made of flexible material and with two horizontal slots arranged in parallel on one side and a U-shaped opening on the other. The two straight slots maintain attachment to, but allow the clip to slide vertically on, the webbing that runs over the left shoulder of the child. The U-shaped opening forms a tab that admits entry of the webbing that runs over the right shoulder of the child and holds it until release is desired by the parent. A narrowing of the U-shaped opening causes compression of the webbing between the tab and the opening and thereby prevents slippage of the clip vertically on the webbing that runs over the left shoulder of the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventors: John A. Harcourt, William P. Munsell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7140692
    Abstract: A vehicle passenger safety device for use on vehicles such as airplanes and automobiles. The device includes a horizontal member that is configured to be secured to a back support of a seat in a vehicle, and two vertical members, each being attached to the horizontal member, and each having a loop through which the seat belt is capable of being fed and fastened above the lap of the person, wherein the vertical members are configured to rest over the person's shoulders. The device further includes a strap-holding device that is attached to the vertical members at a position substantially above the second end of the vertical members, wherein the strap-holding device is configured to maintain a predetermined distance between the vertical members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Louise F. Stoll
  • Patent number: 7100991
    Abstract: Apparatus for positioning an occupant of a vehicle in an area of a closeable roof hatch includes a carrier frame suspended within a vehicle below the roof hatch and including a vertical support portion and a horizontal standing area connected to the vertical support portion. A seat assembly for the occupant has a backrest which is guided by the vertical support portion for movement in a vertical direction between upper and lower end positions and is spring-biased to seek the upper end position. The seat assembly has a seating area, which is swingably mounted to a lower end of the backrest, and a coupling brace, which has one end swingably mounted to the seating area and another end swingably mounted to the standing area. Connected to the seat assembly is a seat belt for fastening the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Schroth Safety Products GmbH
    Inventor: Carl-Jürgen Schroth
  • Patent number: 7073866
    Abstract: A fully adjustable universal safety harness or restraint for small children designed to secure them in various chairs, high chairs, booster seats, shopping carts or strollers, or to control their movement. The restraint comprises a harness which fits over the child's shoulders and around the chest and waist and includes a separate strap, swivel hooks, belt loops, and several D rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Sonja Esther Berdahl
  • Patent number: 7065814
    Abstract: Apparatus for restraining an infant during diaper changing and for providing a protective barrier for the changing surface and/or diaper changer. More particularly, apparatus having an adjustable, quick-release strap system for restraining the upper torso (e.g. shoulders) of an infant during a diaper changing operation which preferably includes a padded fabric outer layer which houses a foldable insert barrier layer (for ease of storage or transport) which can be removed for ease of cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Amy Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 7029067
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle seat and restraint system comprising a frame mountable to a vehicle and a restraint member and a seat member coupled to the frame to form a seat for supporting an occupant. The vehicle seat may further comprise a seat back frame movably attached to the frame and a restraint harness affixed to the frame and the seat back frame for securing the occupant thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Vits, Christopher W. Foye, Larry E. Gray, Donald C. Boyle, John David Scelsi
  • Patent number: 7021719
    Abstract: A vehicle passenger safety device for use on vehicles such as airplanes and automobiles. In each embodiment of the invention, the device includes a seat strap assembly and a body strap assembly that are attached to a back-support portion. The seat strap assembly is adapted to secure the device onto the back-support of the existing vehicle seat. The seat strap assembly, which may include one or both of a horizontal strap and a strap web, rests over the vehicle seat. The body strap assembly is adapted to secure a passenger on the device. The body strap assembly includes a body strap or a crotch strap, or both. The body strap may be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. The device further includes at least one loop to receive the existing seat belt to secure the device. The loop may be part of the back-support portion or the body strap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Louise F. Stoll
  • Patent number: 7017194
    Abstract: A restraint system for restraining a person in a vehicle of transportation, includes a safety harness having length adjustable shoulder belts and a buckle for connecting the shoulder belt on a chest-side of a person and a stiff U-shaped shoulder yoke having legs, which are contoured to a torso of the person, and a high collar interconnecting the legs, whereby the shoulder belts are secured by a fastening mechanism behind the collar. The legs of the shoulder yoke and the shoulder belts have confronting sides which are formed, at least partially, with an interacting engagement structure which is configured to increase friction as the shoulder belts move in relation to the legs in longitudinal direction, while inhibiting a displacement of the shoulder belts in relation to the legs in transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Schroth Safety Products GmbH
    Inventor: Carl-Jürgen Schroth
  • Patent number: 7011341
    Abstract: A vehicle restraint system (30) comprises first and second lap belts (32 and 34), first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38), and a buckle assembly (90) for interconnecting the lap belts (32 and 34) and the shoulder belts (36 and 38). The vehicle restraint system (30) also comprises first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104) for the first and second lap belts (32 and 34), respectively. A linking mechanism (218) connects the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104) and is adapted to transfer motion between the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104). As a result, the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) are retracted in unison and by equal amounts during retraction and are withdrawn in unison and by equal amounts during withdrawal from the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski
  • Patent number: 7000994
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a vehicle seat, a first retractable restraint system for the vehicle seat and a second retractable restraint system for the vehicle seat. The first restraint system is in the form of a retractable, three-point shoulder harness. The second restraint system includes a first strap designed to resiliently retract onto a first take-up reel located within the back rest of the vehicle seat, a second strap designed to resiliently retract onto a second take-up reel located within the back rest of the vehicle seat, and a buckle assembly located within the seat support of the vehicle seat which is designed to lockably receive a tongue affixed onto each of the first and second straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Cassee Leighton