Having Means Providing Easily Releasable Attachment To A Chair Or Seat Patents (Class 297/485)
  • Publication number: 20090189425
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable and compact child safety chair cover. The child safety chair cover comprises a chair cover portion having a pocket configured to be positioned over the back of a chair. The child safety chair cover further comprises a harness portion to secure a child within, wherein the chair cover portion and harness portion are formed as one piece. Additionally, the child safety chair cover comprises tie straps attached with the chair cover portion and the harness portion. The tie straps attached to the chair cover portion secure the chair cover portion to the back of the chair, while the tie straps attached with the harness are used to secure the child inside the harness to the chair. The present invention is compact enough to be folded to fit into most diaper bags. Finally, the present invention is comprised of a machine-washable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Misty Powell
  • Patent number: 7562938
    Abstract: A device for supporting a person in a sitting position has a substantially horizontally extending supporting element placeable on a supporting surface substantially at a level of a person's pelvis when the person is in a sitting position, and two substantially vertically extending elements each having a lower end connected with the horizontally extending supporting element and an upper end extendable to an area of person's armpits so that the upper ends of the substantially vertically extending elements are placeable under the person's armpits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: Mikhail Lakhman
  • 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: 7510246
    Abstract: A cargo harness for securing an item resting on a vehicle seat with a back support. The harness has three belts. The first belt wraps around the seat back support and is tightened with fasteners at the end of the belt. The second belt, which is attached to the first belt, wraps around the piece of cargo in the horizontal plane and is tightened with fasteners at the end of the belt. The third belt is also attached to the first belt, and it wraps around the piece of cargo in the vertical plane and is tightened with fasteners at the end of the belt. The seat back belt and the horizontal cargo belt form a figure 8 when viewed from above. The vertical cargo belt lies in a vertical plane that bisects the ends of the figure 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Great Circle Services, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael R. Gruninger
  • Publication number: 20090066130
    Abstract: A child restraint including a juvenile seat configured to be mounted on a seat base. The seat base includes a seat support and a LATCH system including first and second anchor belts for anchoring the seat support to the seat of a vehicle. The seat base includes a storage compartment for storing free ends of the anchor belts when the anchor belts are detached from the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Shafer, David Amirault
  • Publication number: 20090045660
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a fastening bracket for use in a children's chair (1) with a seat plate (2), wherein the seat plate has a vertical opening, characterized in that it comprises: a frame piece (10) comprising a vertical first opening (11), for placement on the underside of the seat plate (2), a lining clips (20) comprising two parallel vertical locking pegs (21) for introduction into the opening in the seat plate (2) from above, wherein the locking pegs (21) are connected together in a first end by a flange (22) and each locking tap having a horizontal pin hole (24) in the other end, wherein the flange (22) has a horizontal extent which is larger than the opening area of the opening in the seat plate (2) and comprising a through going vertical inner opening (25) between the locking pegs (21), and a locking pin (30) comprising at least two parallel arms (31) for introduction into the pin holes (24) in the lining clips (20), wherein the arms (31) are connected together with the pin cross piece (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: PETER OPSVIK AS
    Inventor: Peter Opsvik
  • Publication number: 20080284233
    Abstract: In the case of a vehicle seat, in particular a shell-type seat, having a backrest (4) over which a safety belt (G) can be guided in order to secure a seat occupant (F, M), the safety belt (G) can be placed in contact with a belt catch hook (10) that is attached to the backrest (4) and that laterally guides and/or holds a safety belt (G) engaged therein and allows a safety belt (G) disengaged therefrom to freely move laterally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: RECARO GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Stiegler, Frank Stunckel
  • Publication number: 20080238179
    Abstract: A child restraint assembly for a child vehicle seat includes a buckle assembly including a buckle and a pair of latches, a harness coupled to the buckle assembly, and a harness adjuster to adjust the harness. The buckle includes a buckle actuator slidable between a first position and a second position relative to a front surface of the buckle to unlock the buckle assembly. The harness adjuster includes a housing and a harness adjuster actuator movable between a first position and a second position relative to a front surface of the housing to unlock the harness adjuster. Movement of the buckle actuator from the first position to the second position is in the same direction as movement of the harness adjuster actuator from the first position to the second position. The buckle can include a grip surface of sufficient thickness to enable a user to brace a finger against the buckle grip surface when actuating the buckle actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Patrizi, Patrick B. Nolan
  • Patent number: 7416257
    Abstract: A device for supporting a person in a sitting position has a substantially horizontally extending supporting element placeable on a supporting surface substantially at a level of a person's pelvis when the person is in a sitting position, and two substantially vertically extending elements each having a lower end connected with the horizontally extending supporting element and an upper end extendable to an area of person's armpits so that the upper ends of the substantially vertically extending elements are placeable under the person's armpits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Mikhail Lakhman
  • Publication number: 20080136246
    Abstract: A safety harness is provided for use on ski/chair-lifts for restraining a smaller rider. The safety harness comprises a body section having a rear panel, first and second girth panels, and first and second shoulder panels, the panels being configured generally in the form of a vest. The safety harness further comprises at least one strap for positioning and tightening the body section on the smaller rider. The rear panel is provided with a retaining loop, the retaining loop being sized to permit an adjacently positioned adult rider to place an arm therethrough, so as to restrain the smaller rider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Salter
  • Patent number: 7374241
    Abstract: A portable infant booster seat having an upright back support, foldable sidewalls, a flexible front wall and an upwardly extendible cushioned seat member that supports an infant in an elevated seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Gold Bug, Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine Gold, Lynn Rosen
  • Publication number: 20080111417
    Abstract: A partition panel is disposed in the rear of a seat. A tether anchor is attached to the partition panel and adapted to be coupled to a tether of a child seat. A partition trim covers the partition panel from above and is formed with a opening disposed above the tether anchor. A cover is movable along a face of the partition trim to open and close the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shunsuke OHTA
  • Patent number: 7370887
    Abstract: To provide rider restraint means capable of allowing a rider to freely leave a vehicle without a manual release operation when there is no need to restrain the rider to the vehicle. The rider restraint means includes a belt restraining a rider, buckles making the belt detachable, a guide rail making the buckles slidable, a retractor unit controlling the slide of the buckles, and coupling release means releasing coupling between the belt and the buckles in conjunction with the slide of the buckles. The coupling release means includes an inner wire, a wire stopper, and a wire end. The coupling release means releases the coupling between the belt and the buckles when the retractor unit loosens the winding after collision and the buckles slide by a predetermined distance or more or when the rider continues to pull the belt in a state other than collision and the buckles slide by a predetermined distance or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20080036256
    Abstract: A portable infant booster seat having an upright back support, foldable sidewalls, a flexible front wall and an upwardly extendible cushioned seat member that supports an infant in an elevated seated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Katherine Gold, Lynn Rosen
  • Patent number: 7237848
    Abstract: A back and internal organ supportive belt that can be installed in a chair or a seat, including the driver's seat of a vehicle or the operator's seat of a piece of equipment, to provide support to internal organs, and to the musculoskeletal system of the driver or operator. The back and internal organ supportive belt includes an inelastic support structure with upper and lower sections; belts and straps for fastening the belt to a seat, and for strapping the driver/operator into the supportive belt; vertically extendable foam lordotic support pads; an inflatable bladder for applying vertical extension and lumbar vertebrae distraction; and a pad for providing heat and/or vibration for the driver's or operator's further comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: Douglas Story, Joseph J. McAulliffe
  • Patent number: 7237844
    Abstract: A light-weight portable vertebrae decompression support device comprising a pair of arm rests with selectively adjustable members connecting the arm rests and a base member. The base member is adapted to rest on a seat. The selective adjustment raises and lowers the height of the arm rests with respect to the base. The support device provides arm support sufficient to decompress the vertebrae and aids persons recovering from back surgery or those with chronic back problems. The support device can be made adjustable to fit different girth persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: The Idea People LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth G Stewart, III, Thomas Sweeney
  • Patent number: 7175233
    Abstract: A sling leather seat, seven inches wide, and approximately 29–30 inches long, having first and second end pieces and a center segment upon which a turret gunner can be seated, has a first ring between the first end piece and the middle segment, and a second ring between the second end piece and the middle segment. A leather waist belt is connected to the sling seat by a pair of elongated tethers connected between the first and second rings and the waist belt, respectively, including chains, cables and/or straps as the tethers which are of a length to allow the gunner to stand up, off the sling seat, but which will prevent the gunner from being ejected from the gun turret in the event of a vehicle rollover. The first and second end pieces of the sling seat are connected to a pair of rings, respectively, on the interior of the gun turret. The body belt in the preferred embodiment is tethered to the sling seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventors: Kyle L. Greenwood, William J. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 7156465
    Abstract: A light-weight portable vertebrae decompression support device comprising a pair of arm rests with selectively adjustable members connecting the arm rests and a base member. The base member is adapted to rest on a seat. The selective adjustment raises and lowers the height of the arm rests with respect to the base. The support device provides arm support sufficient to decompress the vertebrae and aids persons recovering from back surgery or those with chronic back problems. The support device can be made adjustable to fit different girth persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Idea People LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Stewart, III, Thomas Sweeney
  • 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: 7131703
    Abstract: An apparatus for a safety vest for a portable restraining system designed to protect a child 12 in the back seat of a taxi cab, limousine, or car should a child safety seat not be available or practical. The device 10 provides means for separating a seat belt comprising a lap 18 and shoulder 20 belt for either side of a left or right seated passenger, the means also insuring the continued separation of the belts during use; a first and second closure means comprising a zipper 28 and a hook and loop fastening device 30 that will prevent possible fouling of the zipper 28 due to g-forces at 22 occurring during an accident and a quick release 24 which can be initiated by small children as opposed to mechanical locks that they may be unfamiliar with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Inventors: Colleen E Sheridan, Ellen K Siegel
  • Patent number: 7118180
    Abstract: A portable seat belt assembly for school buses and the like which includes a belly pack with a seat belt secured thereto. A student wearing the belly pack approaching a school bus seat opens the belly pack, unwinds the seat belt wrapping it around the back of the seat, turns around, sits down and closes the seat belt buckle assembly. When leaving the bus, the student unbuckles the buckle assembly releasing the belt from the seat, folds the belt back into the belly pack and closes the belly pack. Another embodiment includes a seat belt arrangement carried in the belly pack including a pair of straps each having large hooks with spring clasps for attachment to the seat frame. The student must attach these hooks to the seat frame then sit down and close the buckle assembly. Other embodiments include retractors on the seat belt to assist the student in retrieving the belt after use and a camera case for housing the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventors: Bino S. Tanaka, Alice Y. Amondo
  • Patent number: 7093413
    Abstract: A harness system for aiding a mounted rider in maintaining a substantially upright position during a riding procedure. Additionally, it specifically provides a harness system that aids a rider in maintaining a substantially upright position in the saddle during the delivery of a roping procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventor: Gabriel T. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7073853
    Abstract: A chair with a desk includes a chair body having a support leg and a seat section mounted on the support leg such that the level of the seat section is adjustable, a support member coupled to the chair body turnably within a horizontal plane, a desk body which is provided for the support member and a position of which is adjustable back and forth with respect to the chair body, a rest provided for the desk body and including a storage, and a drawer type rest which is allowed to be drawn from the rest in a lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: President of Tsuyama National College of Technology
    Inventor: Teruhisa Onishi
  • 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: 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: 7000985
    Abstract: A non-freestanding child seat for use with in underlying seat or other support structure. The child seat is well-suited for use with “spectator” seats such as those found at sport event, theatres, and performing arts venues. The child seat may including a flexible member that is placed over and/or attached to an underlying seat or other structure. A child seat platform is attached to the flexible member and configured for position adjustment among other features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Douglas Jay Belgarde
  • Patent number: 6955403
    Abstract: A restraint system for use on a vehicle's seat to better restrain by providing belts and belt guiding components to restrain a person in the event of an accident. The system uses a flexible, generally rectangular sheet having an upper surface, a lower surface, the rectangular sheet further having an upper edge, a lower edge and a mid-section between the upper edge and the lower edge, the lower edge of the rectangular sheet being adapted for attachment to the upper edge of the rectangular sheet. A set of shoulder-belts extending from the rectangular sheet at a location between the mid-section of the rectangular sheet and the upper edge of the rectangular sheet, the shoulder-belts are adapted for attaching to the lap-belt, so that they will extend from the rectangular sheet to the lap-belt, and so that the person is held against the rectangular sheet by the shoulder-belts and the lap-belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventor: Mary A. Weaver
  • Patent number: 6880893
    Abstract: An adjustable seat belt rerouter system includes a cord, a cord length adjustment mechanism, and a shoulder belt guide. The shoulder belt guide is slidingly connectable to the shoulder belt. The seat belt rerouter system includes a means for attaching a first end of the cord to the shoulder belt guide and a means for attaching a second end of the cord to a vehicle attachment point. When the cord first end is attached to the shoulder belt guide and the cord second end is attached to the vehicle attachment point, the cord length is adjustable with the cord length adjustment mechanism for rerouting and holding the shoulder belt away from a vehicle occupant's neck and face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: McMurray Fabrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Curtis Scotton
  • Patent number: 6874506
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly restraining a person for an extended period of time at a seat are disclosed. The inventive apparatus includes a pair of wrist cuff modules, each supplied with a releasable connector, configured to either attach to existing hardware on one or more seats, or to a first interconnect for releasably connecting the wrist cuff modules to one another behind the seat in which the restrained person is positioned. A set of two ankle cuff modules with a second interconnect and an elongated connection member secured to the second interconnect is provided for securing the person's legs by applying the ankle cuff modules to the ankles and then connecting the connection member to a seat. The second interconnect may be provided with an optional quick release mechanism that enables instant disconnection of the second interconnect from the ankle cuff modules to immediately free the person's legs in case of an emergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: HWC, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Chapman
  • Patent number: 6869146
    Abstract: A fishing pole support or harness for connecting a user to a fishing pole to support and control the fishing pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Gollahon
  • Patent number: 6863345
    Abstract: A seat mount is provided for use with a vehicle seat and anchor mounts provided in or near the vehicle seat. The seat mount includes a base for placement on the vehicle seat and a vehicle anchor system adapted to be coupled to the anchor mounts. The base includes a pair of openings for receiving a portion of the vehicle anchor system. The vehicle anchor system includes an anchor belt adapted to be coupled to the anchor mounts. The anchor belt includes a strap having a central portion, opposite end portions, and a clasp coupled to each end portion and adapted to be coupled to one of the anchor mounts. The anchor belt is threaded through the openings to position the seat in a rearwardly facing anchored position on the vehicle seat. The vehicle anchor system also includes a leash coupled to the base and to the central portion of the anchor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Kain
  • Patent number: 6811222
    Abstract: This invention discloses a chin and head support device or brace enabling the head to move at will while allowing a rest at the chin and while supporting the weight of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Cynthia K. Sumner
  • Patent number: 6793292
    Abstract: A seat device includes a safety bar which is connected to two lateral wing members of a seat body by insertion of two insert plugs into two mounting sockets, respectively. A lever plate is pivoted to each socket and is turnable such that an engaging end thereof engages a concavity in the corresponding plug to place the safety bar in an engaged state. Pressing an opposite actuating end of the lever plate will cause the engaging end to disengage from the concavity so as to permit removal of the plug from the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Red Lan
  • Patent number: 6752457
    Abstract: A support cushion for newborns, infants and toddlers that is adjustable with the growth of the child. The cushion is formed of an upper panel, a lower panel and adjustable side flaps that aid in supporting the head, neck and body of an infant. The upper panel contains a padded section with a corresponding depression to support an infant's head. The side flaps are removable so that the upper and lower panels provide a cushioned head and body support for a toddler that can be placed in a carseat, baby jogger or stroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Gold Bug, Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine Gold, Wendy A. Garrett
  • Publication number: 20040104616
    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: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Louise F. Stoll
  • Patent number: 6742848
    Abstract: A harness arrangement for a seat, the arrangement including an occupant harness configured to be worn by an occupant of the seat, a separate seat harness securable to the seat, and the seat harness being releasably connected to the occupant harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, Limited
    Inventor: Steven Anthony George Ruff
  • Patent number: 6692072
    Abstract: A booster seat comprises a base having a lower surface sized to rest upon a chair seat and an upper surface generally parallel to the lower surface, a seat back hinged connected to the base at a rearward portion of the booster seat and constructed to be folded toward and secured against the base for storage, an adjustable strap extending from the booster seat a length sufficient to secure the booster seat upon a chair, wherein the upper surface and the lower surface are spaced apart by at least about 1 inch when supporting a child weighing about 20 pounds thereupon to provide an elevated seating position, and wherein, with the seat back folded against the upper surface of the base for storage, the booster seat has an overall thickness, measured perpendicularly to the lower surface of the base, of less than about 3 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Nelson, Gerry J. Kaeblein, Vincent J. DeSanto, John P. Kearney, Dana L. Padula, Kyle A. Nanna, Susan M. Grassel, James J. Britto
  • Patent number: 6688701
    Abstract: A restraint system for use on a vehicle's seat to better restrain by providing belts and belt guiding components to restrain a person in the event of an accident. The system uses a flexible, generally rectangular sheet having an upper surface, a lower surface, the rectangular sheet further having an upper edge, a lower edge and a mid-section between the upper edge and the lower edge, the lower edge of the rectangular sheet being adapted for attachment to the upper edge of the rectangular sheet. A set of shoulder-belts extending from the rectangular sheet at a location between the mid-section of the rectangular sheet and the upper edge of the rectangular sheet, the shoulder-belts are adapted for attaching to the lap-belt, so that they will extend from the rectangular sheet to the lap-belt, and so that the person is held against the rectangular sheet by the shoulder-belts and the lap-belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Mary A. Weaver
  • Patent number: 6676219
    Abstract: A passenger restrain assembly (10) for school buses having a seat and seat back supported by a tubular support framework (100) wherein the restraint assembly (10) includes three different length strap members (30) (40) (60) or in the alternative (30′) (30″) and (40) each having one end provided with an anchor unit (11) (11′) (11″) that is connected to a portion of the tubular support framework (100) wherein the shortest strap member (40) is provided with the female component (51) of a bayonet style clip (50) one of the remaining strap members (30) or (30′) captively engages the seat back and the other of the remaining strap members (60) or (30″) is provided with the male component (52) of the bayonet style clip to form the chest strap and a portion of the lap strap of the restraint assembly (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Christine Brewer
  • Patent number: 6637826
    Abstract: A car seat for an infant or child including a seat body having a seat back and a seat pan for receiving an occupant thereon and at least one shoulder harness coupled to the seat body and being shaped and located to fit over the occupant and retain the occupant on the seat body. The car seat further includes a bracket coupled to the at least one shoulder harness. The at least one shoulder harness includes a sliding portion extending from a lower portion of the seat body to an upper portion of the seat body and being slidingly received through the bracket, and a bracket portion extending from the upper portion of the seat body to the bracket and being coupled to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Evenflo Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Takayama
  • Patent number: 6631959
    Abstract: A portable seat belt assembly for school buses and the like which includes a belly pack with a seat belt secured thereto. A student wearing the belly pack approaching a school bus seat opens the belly pack, unwinds the seat belt wrapping it around the back of the seat, turns around, sits down and closes the seat belt buckle assembly. When leaving the bus, the student unbuckles the buckle assembly releasing the belt from the seat, folds the belt back into the belly pack and closes the belly pack. Another embodiment includes a seat belt arrangement carried in the belly pack including a pair of straps each having large hooks with spring clasps for attachment to the seat frame. The student must attach these hooks to the seat frame then sit down and close the buckle assembly. Other embodiments include retractors on the seat belt to assist the student in retrieving the belt after use and a camera case for housing the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventors: Alice Y. Amondo, Bino S. Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20030173817
    Abstract: A harness for restraining a passenger in the seat of a vehicle, such as, for example, a car, a van, or a bus, is provided. The harness may be configured to releasably couple with at least one rigid member mounted in the bight of the vehicle's seat between the seat's seat and back portions. The restraining harness may be a harness, a belt system, a child seat, or a booster seat, any of which may be configured to utilize any suitable coupling and to cooperate with the vehicle's own restraint system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Charles G. Vits, Christopher W. Foye, John David Scelsi, Donald C. Boyle, Guy R. Dingman
  • Patent number: 6616242
    Abstract: A vehicles 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: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Louise F. Stoll
  • Patent number: 6601916
    Abstract: A safety seat for children including a seat surface portion (10) is made in an air cushion structure expanding due to an injection of air. A back rest reclining portion (20) connected to the seat surface portion (10) is formed in a vest shape so as to fix the child the safety seat. An air cushion (23) is mounted to the back rest reclining portion (20). It is possible to fold up the seat surface portion (10) and the back rest reclining portion (20) by taking the air out. In spite of the flexible structure, which can be easily transferred and stored, it is possible to allow a child to sit at a high position and prevent a cooped-up feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kamiki
  • Patent number: 6547334
    Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint system, for use by a child, that can be installed and removed from any vehicle seat. The single end of a first Y-shaped belt is passed over the back of the seat and the double end, which hangs over the front of the seat, is provided with a pair of closed loops. A lap belt passes through the loops and the free ends thereof are releasably secured to respective ones of the double end of a second Y-shaped belt, placed on the seat. The single end of the second belt passes between the seat and the seat back and is releasably secured to the single end of the first Y-shaped belt. Optionally, a crotch strap is also releasably secured to the second Y-shaped belt, passed upwardly between the legs of the child and the other end releasably secured to the first Y-shaped belt adjacent the closed loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Girardin
  • Patent number: 6543722
    Abstract: A child safety restraint system is disclosed for use on private and commercial aircraft. The invention includes a removable, portable strap assembly for safely securing automotive child safety seats to aircraft seats and frames in compliance with present and pending federal aviation safety regulations. A system is disclosed which includes a pair of anchors attached to the front beam on an aircraft seat. A pair of connectable and adjustable belt assemblies are attached one each, to the anchors. One belt assembly is passed through the frame of a child safety seat and connected to the other belt assembly. The combined length of the connected belt assemblies is then adjusted to place the system in tension, and thereby secure the child safety seat to the aircraft seat. The resulting system provides significantly improved safety for children over the use of the lap belts to secure child safety seats in commercial aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Golden Talon Aviation Consulting, Inc.
    Inventors: James John Parrow, Ronald John Nathan, David Joseph Duda
  • Patent number: 6517163
    Abstract: A force deflection device (1) is disclosed for adapting a lap strap to enhance the comfort of the wearer and optimize the introduction of forces for use by pregnant women and the overweight, comprising a force deflection strap (6) with a first end, which is to be attached to the lap strap, and a second end, which is to be passed through the gap between the seat cushion and the seat back and to be attached to the seat. This second end of the force deflection strap (6) has attached to it a fixing element (2), which is preferably plate-shaped, that cannot pass through said gap in a transverse position relative to the seat. The fixing element (2) can be attached to the rear side of the seat back by means of a hook and loop fastener (3). At its first end, the force deflection strap (6) preferably has a hook (4) and eyes (5) that can be hooked into the latter, allowing it to be looped around the lap strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20020167214
    Abstract: A booster seat comprises a base having a lower surface sized to rest upon a chair seat and an upper surface generally parallel to the lower surface, a seat back hingedly connected to the base at a rearward portion of the booster seat and constructed to be folded toward and secured against the base for storage, an adjustable strap extending from the booster seat a length sufficient to secure the booster seat upon a chair, wherein the upper surface and the lower surface are spaced apart by at least about 1 inch when supporting a child weighing about 20 pounds thereupon to provide an elevated seating position, and wherein, with the seat back folded against the upper surface of the base for storage, the booster seat has an overall thickness, measured perpendicularly to the lower surface of the base, of less than about 3 inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Elizabeth Nelson, Gerry J. Kaelblein, Vincent J. DeSanto, John P. Kearney, Dana L. Padula, Kyle A. Nanna, Susan M. Grassel, James J. Britto
  • Patent number: 6467851
    Abstract: An improved harness (10) adapted to be worn by a person (12) preferably includes a continuous, unitary, non-segmented strap (34) which is threaded through an anchor member (36), side buckles (38, 40) and buckle connectors (78) to provide a harness allowing the person (12) to be secured by a standard safety belt (112). The harness presents first and second strap segments (96, 98) coupled to the anchor member (36) and extending over the shoulders (20, 22) of the person (12) and thence downwardly in crossing relationship to side buckles (38, 40) defining juncture regions (100, 102). The strap (34) is then extended rearwardly and threaded through the anchor member (36) to present third and fourth strap segments (104, 106). Finally, the strap (34) is extended downwardly from the side buckles (38, 40) and through the crotch (26) of the person upwardly for connection at the side buckles (38, 40) via buckle connectors (78).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Little Cliffies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Catherine A. Mannell, Michael C. Greenwood
  • Publication number: 20020140279
    Abstract: A retaining system for retaining an individual against inertial forces while sitting in a seat of a vehicle includes a connecting element for deploying across the width of the rear surface of the seat back support, and two retaining straps, each attached to a side of the connecting element so as to provide a loop through which an arm of the individual can be inserted. A catch assembly is provided for releasable connecting between the two retaining straps so as to allow closure of the retaining system around the chest of the individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Yehuda Arditi, Chen Goldchmit