Web adjuster
First Claim
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1. A tether length adjuster for use with an adjustable tether system having an adjustable web for securing a juvenile seat to a vehicle seat, the adjuster comprising:
- a housing adapted to receive the adjustable web, an actuator coupled to the housing, and a pincher having a pinching edge normally biased in a first direction engaging the adjustable web to retain the adjustable web relative to the housing, the actuator including an actuation button spaced apart from the pincher, wherein the pincher moves in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to a pressing force applied to the button, wherein the actuator has a movement converter and a biasing member separate from the movement converter, the movement converter is arranged to convert pivoting movement of the button into linear movement of the pincher, and the biasing member is arranged to bias the button in a direction transverse to the linear movement of the pincher to move the movement converter to bias the pinching edge in the first direction.
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Abstract
A web adjuster is provided including a housing, an actuator movably coupled to the housing, and a pincher that releasably retains a web threaded through the housing. The actuator moves the pincher between a first position inhibiting movement of the web relative to the housing and a second position permitting movement of the web relative to the housing.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A tether length adjuster for use with an adjustable tether system having an adjustable web for securing a juvenile seat to a vehicle seat, the adjuster comprising:
a housing adapted to receive the adjustable web, an actuator coupled to the housing, and a pincher having a pinching edge normally biased in a first direction engaging the adjustable web to retain the adjustable web relative to the housing, the actuator including an actuation button spaced apart from the pincher, wherein the pincher moves in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to a pressing force applied to the button, wherein the actuator has a movement converter and a biasing member separate from the movement converter, the movement converter is arranged to convert pivoting movement of the button into linear movement of the pincher, and the biasing member is arranged to bias the button in a direction transverse to the linear movement of the pincher to move the movement converter to bias the pinching edge in the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8)
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6. A tether length adjuster for use with an adjustable tether system having an adjustable web for securing a juvenile seat to a vehicle seat, the adjuster comprising:
a housing adapted to receive the adjustable web, an actuator coupled to the housing, and a pincher having a pinching edge normally biased in a first direction engaging the adjustable web to retain the adjustable web relative to the housing, the actuator including an actuation button spaced apart from the pincher, wherein the pincher moves in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to a pressing force applied to the button, wherein the actuator includes a flexible arm coupled to the button and the pincher, the arm transferring pivoting movement of the button into linear movement of the pincher, and the button, the flexible arm, and the pincher carrier are formed as a single, monolithic piece.
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9. A web adjuster for changing the length of a tether having an adjustable web, the adjuster comprising:
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a housing, an actuator coupled to the housing, the actuator comprising a button pivotably coupled to the housing, a pincher, a movement transmitter engaging the button and the pincher to transmit movement therebetween, and a biasing member separate from the movement transmitter, the pincher moving in response to pivoting of the button between a first position in which the adjustable web is prevented from moving through the housing in a web-lengthening direction, and a second position in which the adjustable web is permitted to move through the housing in the web-lengthening direction, the biasing member being arranged to bias the button in a direction transverse to the movement of the pincher to move the movement transmitter to bias the pincher toward the first position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. An adjustable tethering system for use in securing a juvenile seat on a seat or similar surface in a vehicle by coupling the juvenile seat to an anchor in the vehicle with the tethering system, the tethering system comprising:
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an adjustable web, and an adjuster having a housing coupled to the adjustable web and configured to be coupled to the juvenile seat, the adjustable web having a functional length defined by the length of the portion of the web extending between the adjuster and the juvenile seat, the adjuster cooperating with the adjustable web to adjust the functional length of the adjustable web, the adjuster comprising an actuator comprising a pivotable button, a movement converter, a pincher, and a biasing member separate from the movement converter, the movement converter being arranged to convert pivoting movement of the button into linear movement of the pincher to move the pincher between a first position pinching the adjustable web between the pincher and the housing to prevent adjustment of the functional length of the adjustable web when the adjustable web is pulled in a direction to increase the functional length and a second position spaced apart from the first position to permit movement of the adjustable web in a direction decreasing the functional length without actuation of the button, the biasing member being arranged to bias the button in a direction transverse to the linear movement of the pincher to move the movement converter to bias the pincher toward the first position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification