System, method and apparatus adapted to install a child safety seat in a vehicle

• US 6,749,260 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2002
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenton B. Abel
• Original Assignee: Kenton B. Abel
• Inventors: Abel, Kenton B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GARRETT, ERIKA P
• Application Number:
  US10/314,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20030111883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 242/388.3, 297/463.1, 297/463.2, 297/250.1
• US Class Current: 297/250.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2839 having a front guard or barrier

Abstract

A system adapted to install a child safety seat in a vehicle, comprising a child safety seat, a restraint system; and a tension device; wherein the restraint system includes at least one restraint belt, the restraint belt includes a restraint belt loose end, the tension device is connected to the restraint belt loose end, and, the tension device is adapted to generate tension on the restraint system through the restraint belt loose end to firmly secure the child safety seat with respect to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system adapted to install a child safety seat in a vehicle, comprising:

a child safety seat, a restraint system, and a tension device;

wherein the restraint system includes a restraint belt loose end, wherein the tension device is connected to the restraint belt loose end, and, wherein the tension device is adapted to generate tension on the restraint system through the restraint belt loose end to firmly secure the child safety seat with respect to the vehicle;

an anchor point;

wherein the restraint system is adapted to secure the child safety seat with respect to the vehicle, wherein the restraint system includes at least on restraint belt and at least one belt buckle, wherein the restraint belt includes the restraint belt loose end and a restraint belt secure end, the restraint belt secure end is connected to the vehicle, wherein the tension device is connected to the restraint belt loose end, wherein the anchor point is connected to the tension device;

a tension-measuring device;

wherein the tension-measuring device is connected to the tension device; and

, wherein the tension-measuring device is adapted to measure the tension on the restraint belt loose end, whereby the tension-measuring device will provide an indication that a predetermined minimum amount of tension has been generated on the restraint belt loose end and/or the tension-measuring device will provide a numerical measurement of the of tension generated on the restraint belt loose end.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the tension device is selected from the group consisting of a pulley-type device, a gear-type device, and a lever-type device.

3. The system of claim 2:

wherein the tension device is adapted to apply a mechanical advantage greater than 3.0.

4. A method adapted to install a child safety seat in a vehicle, comprising:

connecting a tension device to a restraint belt loose end;

mounting a child safety seat in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a restraint belt and belt buckle;

passing the restraint belt through the child safety seat to secure the child safety seat to the vehicle;

buckling the belt buckle;

connecting a tension device to a restraint belt loose end;

connecting the tension device to an anchor point;

generating tension on the restraint belt loose end by the tension device, wherein the restraint belt secures the child safety seat relative to the vehicle; and

, wherein a tension-measuring device is connected to the tension device;

wherein the tension-measuring device is adapted to measure the tension on the restraint belt loose end, whereby the tension-measuring device will provide an indication that a predetermined minimum amount of tension has been generated on the restraint belt loose end and/or the tension-measuring device will provide a numerical measurement of the of tension generated on the restraint belt loose end.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the restraint belt loose end is connected to the tension device with a clamp.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the tension generated on the loose end of the belt is at least 75 kg/165 lbs. tensional force.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the tension generated on the loose end of the belt is at least 150 kg/330 lbs. tensional force.

8. A child safety seat installation device comprising:

a first attachment device adapted to grip a restraint belt loose end;

a flexible member;

a tension device; and

an anchor device adapted to connect to an anchor point;

wherein the flexible member has a flexible member first end and a flexible member second end;

wherein the first attachment device is connected to the flexible member first end;

wherein the tension device is connected to the flexible member second end;

wherein the anchor device is connected to the tension device; and

wherein the tension device is adapted to generate tension on the restraint belt loose end; and

, a tension-measuring device;

wherein the tension-measuring device is connected to the tension device, and, wherein the tension-measuring device is adapted to measure the tension generated on the first attachment device, whereby the tension-measuring device will provide an indication that a predetermined minimum amount of tension has been generated on the belt loose end and/or the tension-measuring device will provide a numerical measurement of the of tension generated on the restraint belt loose end.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the tension-measuring device is directly connected to the tension device.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the tension device is selected from the group consisting of a pulley-type device;

a gear-type device, and a lever-type device.