Abstract: A seat belt system for restraining a vehicle occupant includes a left webbing having a shoulder portion and a lap portion separated by a tongue assembly, a right webbing having a shoulder portion and a lap portion separated by a right tongue assembly, and a buckle for receiving each of the tongue assemblies. Each tongue assembly includes a tongue defining a latch plate and a webbing slot. In addition, the tongue assemblies include a webbing guide having a channel extending from the top of the webbing assembly to adjacent the slot, the channel maintaining the tongue in substantial alignment with the shoulder portion of the webbing.

Abstract: A harness clip, for use on a child restraint system, which is easily slidable along the harness straps to facilitate positioning of the harness over a child's head, but which can be effectively secured into place relative to the straps when properly positioned near the child's chest. The clip generally comprises a base member for maintaining the two shoulder straps in lateral positioning relative to each other. In addition, the base member is movable relative to at least one of the shoulder straps. The clip further includes a securing device for releasably securing the base member to at least one of the two shoulder straps, to thereby inhibit relative sliding movement between the base member and at least one of the two straps. A method for securing a child in a child restraint system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A child seat (10) for a vehicle has a seat belt system (12) for restraining a seated child. The seat belt system (12) includes seat belt webbing (16), a pair of webbing anchors (150, 160), and a retractor assembly (18). The webbing (16) has a plurality of sections including first and second shoulder belt sections (64, 74), each which has an upper end and a lower end. The webbing anchors (150, 160) permanently attach the upper ends (154, 164) of the shoulder belt sections (64, 74) to the seat back (24). The retractor assembly (18) takes up slack in the webbing (16) by pulling the lower ends (170, 172) of the shoulder belt sections (64, 74) toward the seat cushion (22).

Abstract: A transfer belt including an adjustable waist belt and a harness strap, both of which are constructed of a pliant material. In one embodiment, the adjustable waist belt includes a first end terminating in a belt buckle having a slot through which a second end of the adjustable waist belt is extended. The harness strap of the belt is affixed proximal the first and second end of the waist belt. In other embodiments, a length adjuster is provided, handles may be positioned at the rear of the belt, and/or the belt buckle may be located to one side, beyond the front of the belt portion connecting the ends of the harness. To ensure correct placement of the transfer belt on a wearer, the outer surface of the waist belt and the harness strap are of one uniform color, while the inner surface of the waist belt and harness strap are of another uniform color. The harness strap is fitted by the user below the wearer's gluteals, and the adjustable waist belt is tightly secured by the user around the wearer's waist.

Abstract: A quick disconnect connector mountable to a pair of shoulder webs on a child seat. The connectors each include a pair of aligned slots slidably receiving a shoulder web. The first connector has three cantilevered arms extendable into a cavity in the second connector. Two of the arms are contactable against a cantilevered movable web lock on the second connector. The third arm includes a ledge lockable against a stop edge on the second connector. The web lock has a distal end movable downwardly beneath the other two arms locking the second web in place when the connectors are mated and locked together.

Abstract: A child restraint system for use in a vehicle. The restraint includes a harness having a pair of webs extending over and adjacent the child's chest and through a pair of soft socks adjustable along the length of each web. The bottom of each sock includes a rigid base having a slot through which the web extends limiting twisting movement of each web. A quick disconnect connector is pivotally connected to each base allowing the webs extending through the socks to conformingly fit against the child while lateral movement of the webs is limited.

Abstract: A bench seat system for small motor vehicles, such as small vans, includes at least one seat with a seat upper frame to receive seat cushions and a backrest and with seat feet connected with the seat upper frame for anchoring to the body floor of the motor vehicle. To achieve a modular system from which bench seats with different widths and numbers of seats can be assembled in an economical fashion, the upper frame of the seat is assembled from a plurality of L-shaped pillars spaced apart from one another at seat intervals. The pillars are rigidly connected with one another by a plurality of cross tubes. Each seat is then delimited laterally by two pillars. One seat foot is associated with each seat, being fastened in the area between two pillars on two cross tubes, projecting at right angles from the latter, which cross tubes connect the horizontal legs of the L-shaped pillars with one another.

Abstract: An over-the-shoulder safety harness is used in combination with a chair having a back and a bottom. An elongated safety harness attachment member is located on a back side of the chair back and extends from one side of the back to the other side of the back. The safety harness includes first and second shoulder straps adapted for extending over the shoulders of the occupant. The shoulder straps have respective first and second ends. The first ends are secured to the attachment member for slidably adjustable movement along the length of the attachment member. The first and second shoulder straps define a laterally-extending occupant space therebetween. The occupant space is adjustable by sliding the first ends of the shoulder straps along the length of the attachment member. The occupant space is reduced to further restrain the occupant by sliding the straps towards each other and is increased to remove the occupant from the chair by sliding the straps away from each other.

Abstract: A retractor for controlling the withdrawal of a belt therefrom actuated by movement of a locking bar extension. The retractor frame having a spring biased rotatably mounted spool wrappingly receives one end of the belt harness, the opposite end of the belt harness having fixed thereto either a buckle or a buckle tongue. Attached to a seat is a pivoting crotch stalk including either a buckle or a buckle tongue that receives the corresponding mating part of the buckle tongue combination which is attached to the buckle harness. A locking bar with attached extension is engageable with the ratchet shaped end plates of the spool to prevent further withdrawal of the belt harness. The pivoting crotch stalk engages the extension causing movement of the locking bar into contact with the ratchet shaped end placed, thereby preventing the spool from rotating to allow any further withdrawal of the belt harness.

Abstract: A restraint harness is disclosed for securing a passenger to a seat in a vehicle. The harness is particularly well adapted for transporting a passenger who is in a sitting position. The harness has a pair of lateral torso straps adapted to be placed around the torso of the passenger and fastened together. A pair of shoulder straps extend over the shoulders and intersect with the torso straps. A seat strap portion fastens to a seat back and fastens to the harness. An existing vehicle seat belt also fastens to the torso straps to secure the passenger to the seat.

Abstract: A chest harness (10) includes a right harness piece (12) and a left harness piece (14). Right harness piece (12) includes an elongated right shoulder extension (16) and a lower torso portion (18). A narrow flap (20) is secured to the inside edge (22) of torso portion (18). On the inside face of flap (20) is secured a set of VELCRO type hooks (25) that cooperate with corresponding loops (27) on left harness piece (14). A first half (24) of a zipper (26) is secured to inside edge (22). Zipper (26) includes a handle (28), which is carried by zipper half (24). A draw cord or loop (29) is tied to handle (28). Draw cord (29) is longer than zipper (26), so that the draw cord can extend along the zipper and past the lower end of the zipper. Left harness piece (14) includes an elongated left shoulder extension (38) and a lower torso portion (40). Lower torso portion (40) includes a plastic backing plate (42) that is sufficiently wide to underlie the lower torso portion (18) of right harness piece (12).

Abstract: A seat assembly including an integrated child seat assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a seat frame including a seat cushion frame and a seat back frame. A cushion assembly is mounted on the seat frame assembly and includes a movable cushion construction mounted for movement between (1) an adult position wherein the cushion assembly including the movable cushion construction provides an adult seat cushion and a cushioned adult seat back for engaging the back of an adult sitting on the adult seat cushion, and (2) a child position wherein the cushion assembly including the movable cushion construction provides a child's seat and a cushioned child's seat back. An adult seat belt assembly is mounted with respect to the seat assembly, and a child's seat belt assembly is provided with the integrated child's seat assembly.

Abstract: A car seat safety belt system used with a car seat for an infant or toddler has an adjustable shield for permitting adjustable placement of the shield relative to a buckle tongue secured to the seat belts. The ends of the upper seat belts attached to the tongue are captured in a buckle tongue housing having an elongated aperture on the outer surface. Mounted within the aperture is an adjustment mechanism having a button portion and a pair of oppositely extending tab portions engageable with individual pairs of a plurality of stop channels arranged along the direction of the elongated aperture. The tongue buckle housing assembly is movably received within a second housing having openings at opposite ends for the buckle tongue and the seat belts, as well as an opening in the outer surface in which the button portion is engaged. A cover member is molded about the second housing, the cover member having openings for accommodating the buckle tongue and the seat belts, as well as an opening for the button portion.

Abstract: An easy-to-use seat belt mechanism is provided for use with a child seat and includes a seat belt retractor having a reel with a seat belt wound thereon which can be extended about a child in the child seat. A pawl and ratchet form a retractor mechanism for blocking rotation of the reel and seat belt protraction to restrain the child in the seat. A manually rotatable shaft is connected to the reel to wind the reel in a rewind direction to tighten the seat belt about the child and provide an accurate sensation of increasing belt tension on the child. A manually operable release is operable to disable the pawl and ratchet mechanism to allow protraction of the belt with rotation of the reel and thereby allowing removal of the child from the child seat. The release also allows the belting to be readily readjusted if the belt is not properly tightened about the child.

Abstract: A safety harness comprising a waist strap for placement around the waist of a child, right and left shoulder straps for placement over corresponding shoulders of the child and for crossing each other over the chest of the child, and an anchor strap with distal fastening elements for securing the harness to restrain the child. Each shoulder strap has a proximate end fixedly secured to the waist strap in spaced relation to the proximate end of the other shoulder strap, and a distal end with a securing loop adapted to be received on and to slide along a corresponding attachment section of the waist strap. The attachment sections have cooperative facings of hook and loop materials on opposite sides of the waist strap adjacent to front free ends such that overlapping and pressing the attachment sections together while the securing loops are received thereon releasably joins together the free ends to form a continuous waist strap with the shoulder straps connected thereto.

Abstract: A safety device is disclosed, particularly for a two-wheel vehicle, in which a vehicle frame, a safety belt device and a seat interact for protecting the driver. In the case of an accident, the driver is fixed on the vehicle by means of the safety belt device using belt tightening devices and by the shape of the seat. The vehicle frame protects the driver from injuries caused by shock during a collision.

Abstract: A harness safety system for securing a child or mentally or physically impaired adult to a shopping cart seat or basket, stroller, high chair, child sporting seat, wheelchair, or similar seating devices in order to safely and reliably keep the child or mentally or physically impaired adult in a seated position. The harness of the safety system includes an improved chest strap design, front and rear shoulder straps, sliding yoke assembly, and a pair of attachment rings. The safety system further comprises a pair of side restraining assemblies having means for adjustment and for safely and reliably securing the harness to an element of a shopping cart seat or basket, stroller, high chair, child sporting seat, or similar seating devices.

Abstract: A restraint harness is disclosed for securing a passenger to a seat in a vehicle. The harness is particularly well adapted for transporting a passenger who is in a supine or prone position. The harness has a pair of lateral torso straps adapted to be placed around the torso of the passenger and fastened together. A pair of shoulder straps extend over the shoulders and intersect with the torso straps. A pair of thigh straps extend from one of the torso straps and encompass the passengers thighs. A leg strap encompass the passenger's legs. Existing vehicle seat belts fasten to the torso straps and the to the leg strap to secure the passenger to the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seat integrated to selectively provide an adult seat in an adult seat mode and a child's seat in a child seat mode, the child's seat including a child's seat belt assembly including a pair of shoulder belts extending from the cushioned child's seat back over the shoulders of a child in a sitting position on the cushioned child's seat. Each of the shoulder belts when the child's seat belt assembly is in a restraint condition including a generally straight portion which extends forwardly from a position rearwardly of a support surface provided by the child's seat back through a space in the cushioned child's seat back accommodating the same to a position adjacent the child's shoulder.

Abstract: An operator seat harness for supporting an operator relative to a seat. The device includes a pair of torso straps which can be secured to a back of an operator's seat of a crane or the like. A pair of shoulder straps are movably coupled to the torso straps and can also be secured to the back of the seat. The straps are operable to extend about an operator of the crane to support the operator relative to the seat to reduce fatigue and promote operator comfort.

Abstract: A child restraint seat for securing a child in a shopping cart, which child restraint seat includes a seat segment and backrest or a combination seat segment and backrest, for receiving and supporting the child and designed to rest on the support grid and rear grid of the seating area in the shopping cart. A pair of shoulder straps are attached to the seat for extending around a rear grid member and a front grid member of the shopping cart and then around tile child, and a lap strap is also attached to the seat and extends around opposite side grid members of the shopping cart and across the lap of the child, if required, to restrain the child in seating position in the shopping cart. In a preferred embodiment the shoulder straps are crossed behind and in front of the child and include strap loops for receiving the lap strap and both the shoulder straps and the lap straps are removably attached by quick-disconnect couplings.

Abstract: A safety restraint system for vehicles such as airplanes, which includes a primary support harness having an upper support portion secured to an upper portion of an airline seat, a lower support portion secured to the upper support portion so that the lower support portion extends across the torso of an adult person seated in the airline seat, the system further including loops on the ends of the lower support portion for accepting the airline safety seat belt for securing the belt against the torso of the person on the seat. There is further included a secondary support harness having shoulder straps and a waist board for positioning upon a child seated on the adult's lap with second loops on the ends of the lower support portion for threading the waist belt therethrough sad engaging itself around the child so that the waist belt secures the child in place on the adult's lap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to seat belts. More particularly, the present invention comprises a seat belt that can be easily attached to an existing bench seat, such as a school bus seat. The present invention comprises a length of suitable webbing that is adapted to form two loops that each encircle the back of a bench seat. The loops are preferably joined near the seat portion of the bench seat and each loop can be opened to allow installation onto the seat and to allow access to the passenger. In this manner, a lap restraint and a pair of shoulder restraints are formed.

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: 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 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: An airplane seat child safety harness comprising: a central buckle formed in a planar configuration and including a coupling device affixed to at least one of its ends, the buckle including at least one bore with a button positioned therein, the coupling devices adapted to couple with seat belt buckle inserts, at least one lower belt having two free ends, one free end being coupled to the central buckle, the lower belts adapted to be positioned through the legs and behind the back of a child; and at least two lap belts each having at least two free ends, one free end being coupled to the central buckle, at least two seat belt rings formed in a tubular configuration and adapted to be coupled with the end of a seat belt buckle, the second free end of the lap belts being coupled to the seat belt buckle rings, each of the belts including length adjustment devices, at least two shoulder straps each having at least one segment and including length adjustment devices, each shoulder strap having two free ends, one fr

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 built-in child seat for an automotive vehicle is accommodated within a recess portion of a seat back of a bench type automotive seat. The child seat may be disposed in a retracted or unfolded position and is constructed such that, in an unfolded condition, wing portions are disposed on either side of the child seat cushion for stabilizing an occupant of the seat against laterally applied forces. Further, a T-shape chest support portion is rotatably hinged to a forward portion of the seat cushion to be upwardly oriented for stably supporting a seat occupant's body and legs with simple and convenient structure. Belt adjusting mechanisms are provided for allowing the child seat to be adjusted according to the size of the seat occupant.

Abstract: An automobile restraint system for retaining a passenger relative to an automobile seat during deceleration of the vehicle, such as occurs in a crash. The system includes a pair of shoulder webs which extend from behind the seat over respective left and right shoulders of the passenger to connect with a central web fastened at the forward edge of the seat. A pair of retaining webs intersect the respective left and right shoulder webs and extend downwardly to respective left and right sides of the passenger or seat. The system engages the upper anterior portions of the thighs, and the shoulders of the passenger during deceleration, thereby precluding contact of the webs with the neck, chest, or central torso portions of the passenger.

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: An infant headrest configured to attach to automobile restraint shoulder belts while the belts are operationally employed about an infant carrier, having a recloseable opening formed from a pair of hook and pile secured flaps through which the shoulder belts pass, and a recess portion on the underside of the headrest to house the shoulder belts. A plurality of semi-rigid cushion portions straddle the shoulder belts. The headrest may be made of two fabric portions hemmed together, with the front portion being of a decorative pattern.

Abstract: An integral child seat in which the lap belt of the restraint system is attached to opposite sides of the rotating child seat support, forward of the rotational axis of the seat support. By attaching the belts to the seat support forward of the rotation axis, the lap belt will remain snugly fitting to the seat occupant's lap and have a reduced tendency to ride over the iliac crest of the seat occupant's pelvis during a vehicle collision.

Abstract: A shoulder belt height adjustment mechanism for a passenger restraint system, including a shoulder belt having upper and lower vertically spaced apart restraint slots in a back panel. The restraint slots are connected to one another by a transfer passage which couples an inboard end of one restraint slot with the outboard end of the other restraint slot so that the shoulder belt can be moved from on restraint slot to the other restraint slot without twisting of the shoulder belt in the process.

Abstract: A harness comprises two loops (1, 2) to hold a toddler between the legs. A strap (3) is attached to the top of the loops for carrying the child. The movable straps (11, 12) fitted with handle (13, 14) are attached to the strap (3). When the child is guided by this harness, he can acquire the notions of balance more quickly through the use of the handles (13, 14).

Abstract: An amusement track ride system comprises a pair of rails forming a track including a spinning section. A car traveling along the rails includes a chassis, a passenger seat on the chassis, and a plurality of wheel portions situated close to the feet of a passenger in a passenger seat. In the spinning section, the rails extend in a helix along an inner surface of an imaginary cylinder having a central axis, the diameter of the imaginary cylinder being set so that the axis of helical rotation of the car traveling in a spin along the rails passes through the car and is substantially in alignment with the central axis of the imaginary cylinder. The holding device has a shoulder retainer provided at the back rest for holding down the shoulders of the passenger in the passenger seat from above. The retainer is guided by a guide mechanism to be movable in the extending direction of the seat back rest, and locked by a locking mechanism in a position where the retainer abuts against the passenger's shoulders.

Abstract: A seat belt system (10) for restraining a vehicle occupant includes a retractor (18), a first locking tongue (40), a second locking tongue (46) and a buckle (20). The retractor (18) includes a spool (60) which is rotatable in a webbing winding direction and a webbing unwinding direction. The retractor (18) further includes a lock bar (70) which blocks rotation of the spool (60) in the webbing unwinding direction when the lock bar (70) is in a locking position. The first locking tongue (40) is connected with one length (26) of seat belt webbing (16). The second locking tongue (46) is connected with another length (28) of seat belt webbing (16). The buckle (20) has a locking mechanism (82, 90) for locking the first and second tongues (40) and (46) in a buckle (20). The seat belt system (10) further includes an actuator (130) for moving the lock bar (70 ) in the retractor (20) into the locking position in response to locking of the first and second tongues (40) and (46) in the buckle (20).

Abstract: A gait assistance harness apparatus for help by a therapist of a patient user in walking and preventing accidental falls is described. The apparatus comprises a gait belt to encircle the waist of a patient, a belt handle means on the rear section of the gait belt, and a shoulder harness means securely attached to the gait belt. Shoulder handle means located on and aligned with each shoulder harness strap, and, in use, positioned on the upper shoulder back section of the shoulder harness means, provide an apparatus by which a therapist can catch a patient in danger of falling, and can assist the patient user in walking therapy. Upper extremities support rings positioned on the front face of each shoulder harness strap and a waist support ring positioned on each side of the gait belt permit the insertion of restraining straps to secure a patient user in an upright seated position in a wheelchair or other article of furniture.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a buckle member (46) which interconnects with a tongue member (48) to position shoulder belts relative to a child in a vehicle. An indicator (72) connected to the tongue member has a first portion (74) of red color and a second portion (76) of green color. The buckle member has an opening (100) through which the first and second portions of the indicator are exposed to view as the buckle and tongue members are interconnected. As the buckle and tongue members (46, 48) are interconnected, the first portion (74) of red color is initially exposed through the opening (100) and then the second portion (76) of green color is exposed through the opening to indicate that the buckle and tongue members are securely interconnected.

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 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 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: An infant-restraining protective seat includes a shoulder-belt adjusting device (6) provided on a seat back. The shoulder-belt adjusting device (6) includes a belt guide (101) for guiding shoulder belts (5a) in such a manner that the position of the shoulder belts can be adjusted up or down, supporting means (102) for supporting the belt guide (101), a vertically extending screw shaft (103) for moving the supporting means (102) up and down, an operating knob (104) turnably attached to the left side wall (33) of the seat back (3), and a torque link (105) which connects the operating knob (104) and the screw shaft (103) while producing a right-angle change in direction, and which transmits the rotational torque of the operating knob (104) to the screw shaft (103). The lower end of the screw shaft (103) is supported so as to be capable of rotating in a state in which the shaft is supported in the thrust direction by means of a lower bracket ( 37).

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: The present invention relates to an inflatable air bag apparatus attached to a harness restraint system in a vehicle which inflates if an impact sensor detects an impact. The apparatus comprises an bladder attached to the harness's shoulder strap. The sides of the bladder wrap around the shoulder strap and are folded on top of the shoulder strap. When an impact is detected, the impact sensor transmits an electrical signal which ignites the gas generator, and inflates the bladder. In a preferred embodiment, the bladder member comprises three chambers, a central chamber and two side chambers. The chambers are formed by two vertical webs that divide the bladder into the central chamber and the side chamber. The webs are fabricated from permeable material, such that the side chambers inflate before the central chamber inflates, thus stabilizing the air bag apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a rotating seat back panel having an integral child seat. An interlock is provided between the child seat latches and the latches for the rotating seat back panel to prevent deployment of the child seat when the seat back panel is unlatched and also to prevent unlatching of the seat back panel when the child seat is deployed. This ensures that the child seat can not be used unless the seat back panel is properly latched providing the load path for the child seat shoulder belts from the child seat to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A one piece safety harness for children is disclosed which connects a child to the parent with an inelastic strap which is worn around the waist of the adult as a belt and which is continuously affixed to a harness worn around the torso of the child. The harness is made of an elasticized belting material comprised of a waistband with two shoulder straps which cross at the back and which are permanently sewn to the waistband. The connecting strap is made of an inelastic woven material and is permanently sewn to the side of the waistband of the harness and which is then worn laced around the waist of the parent and then drawn through a two ring metal closure.

Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint for pregnant women is provided which includes first and second restraint members which are operatively connected to one another by a common element. The common element is removably mounted on a seat of the vehicle. 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. When in the operative mode, the first and second restraint members are spaced from the gravid uterus region of the woman thereby avoiding trauma in the latter region if the vehicle should suddenly stop.

Abstract: A shield arrangement is arranged for receiving a seat belt, typically within a self-propelled vehicle. The shield structure is formed of shape retentent material having loop members to convex outer surface thereof to receive the safety belts to effect distribution of force during impact about a larger surface area of an individual's body. A modification of the invention includes reinforcing members, as well as indicator fluid, to indicate fatigue of the shield structure.