| Harness adjustment mechanism for a child vehicle seat -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Harness adjustment mechanism for a child vehicle seatHarness adjustment mechanism for a child vehicle seat description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060082200, Harness adjustment mechanism for a child vehicle seat. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims the benefit of both (i) U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/619,182, filed Oct. 15, 2004, and (ii) U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/718,458, filed Sep. 19, 2005. The disclosure of both of the above-identified provisional patent applications are hereby totally incorporated by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND [0002] This invention relates to the field of child seats for motor vehicles. [0003] Child seats for motor vehicles are widely used by operators of motor vehicles to protect children from harm in the event of an accident. Child seats generally include a plastic shell with a cushioned seat formed over the shell. A harness is provided on the seat to restrain the child and retain the child in the seat in the event of an accident. Harness systems typically include a shoulder harness with belts designed to extend over the shoulders of the child and a buckle harness with a crotch belt designed to extend between the legs of the child. The belts included with the harness system can typically be adjusted in length to accommodate children of different sizes. [0004] However, the ability to further adjust the harness system to take up any slack present after a child has been buckled in the seat with this type of length adjusting system has been lacking. In particular, such systems do not automatically take up slack after the child has been buckled in the seat. Therefore, a need exists for a child seat which allows for automatic removal of slack after the child has been buckled in the seat. Moreover, it would be advantageous if such child seat allowed further manual slack removal after a majority of the slack has been automatically removed by the seat system. In addition, it would be desirable if such child seat was easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a child vehicle seat that includes a seat assembly including (i) a seat portion having a first belt passage defined therein, and (ii) an upright portion having a second passage defined therein. The child vehicle seat further includes a harness system including (i) a shoulder belt portion extending through the first belt passage, and (ii) a crotch belt portion extending through the second belt passage. Moreover, the child vehicle seat includes a retractor assembly configured to receive belt portions of the harness system in a wound configuration, the retractor assembly including a spring which urges belt portions of the harness system into the retractor assembly. In addition, the child vehicle seat includes an actuator positionable between (i) a first position in which the actuator prevents payout of belt portions from the retractor assembly, and (ii) a second position in which the actuator allows payout of belt portions from the retractor assembly. The retractor assembly further includes a manual adjustment mechanism, and manual movement of the manual adjustment mechanism causes further belt portions of the harness system to be advanced into the retractor assembly. [0006] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a child vehicle seat that includes a seat assembly including an upright portion having a passage defined therein. The child vehicle seat also includes a harness system including a shoulder belt portion extending through the passage. Moreover, the child vehicle seat includes a retractor assembly configured to receive belt portions of the harness system in a wound configuration, the retractor assembly including a spring which urges belt portions of the harness system into the retractor assembly. The child vehicle seat further includes an actuator positionable between (i) a first position in which the actuator prevents payout of belt portions from the retractor assembly, and (ii) a second position in which the actuator allows payout of belt portions from the retractor assembly. The retractor assembly further includes a manual adjustment mechanism, and manual movement of the manual adjustment mechanism causes further belt portions of the harness system to be advanced into the retractor assembly. [0007] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a child vehicle seat that includes a seat assembly including an upright portion having a first passage and a second passage defined therein. The child vehicle seat further includes a harness system including (i) a first shoulder belt portion extending through the first belt passage, and (ii) a second shoulder belt portion extending through the second belt passage. Also, the child vehicle seat includes a retractor assembly configured to receive belt portions of the harness system in a wound configuration, the retractor assembly including a spring which urges belt portions of the harness system into the retractor assembly. Moreover, the child vehicle seat includes an actuator positionable between (i) a first position in which the actuator prevents payout of belt portions from the retractor assembly, and (ii) a second position in which the actuator allows payout of belt portions from the retractor assembly. The retractor assembly further includes a manual adjustment mechanism, and manual movement of the manual adjustment mechanism causes further belt portions of the harness system to be advanced into the retractor assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 shows a partial cutaway perspective side view of a child vehicle seat and restraint system; [0009] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a frame of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1; [0010] FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1 with the seat cover and foam shell removed; [0011] FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1 with the headrest and seat cover removed; [0012] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1; [0013] FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the foam shell of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1; [0014] FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1 with a seat cover and headrest foam removed and the headrest in a down position; [0015] FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 7 with the headrest in an up position; [0016] FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of the headrest support of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1 with the headrest removed from the headrest support; [0017] FIG. 10 shows a fully assembled front perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1; [0018] FIG. 11 shows a rear perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 10; [0019] FIG. 12 shows the harness arrangement in relation to the frame for the child vehicle seat of FIG. 1; [0020] FIG. 13 shows a front perspective view of the harness of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 12 with the harness unbuckled; [0021] FIG. 14 shows a top perspective view of the child vehicle seat of FIG. 13 with a crotch strap in an extended position; Continue reading about Harness adjustment mechanism for a child vehicle seat... Full patent description for Harness adjustment mechanism for a child vehicle seat Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Harness adjustment mechanism for a child vehicle seat patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Harness adjustment mechanism for a child vehicle seat or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Child vehicle seat having an adjustable harness system Next Patent Application: Chair Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Harness adjustment mechanism for a child vehicle seat patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.15523 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
