Travel seat restraint system

• US 8,056,975 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2009
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Artsana USA Incorporated (Artsana Group SPA)
• Original Assignee: Artsana USA Incorporated (Artsana Group SPA)
• Inventors: Williams, Bruce L., Longenecker, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr.; Milton
• Application Number:
  US12/573,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20100019557A1
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 297/253, 297/250.1, 297/479, 244/99, 24/71.SB, 245/87, 245/871.2, 242/70
• US Class Current: 297/253
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2812 for securing the child to the child seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2821 having a seat and a base part
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2845 having handles
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2848 being convertible or adaptable to a preambulator, e.g. a baby-carriage or a push-chair
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2875 inclinable, as a whole or partially
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2887 Fixation to a transversal anchorage bar, e.g. isofix
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/289 coupled to the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/32 convertible for other use
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/142 Means for securing the body to the frame
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/145 the body being a rigid seat, e.g. a shell
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/12 involving parts that are adjustable, attachable or detachable B62B9/102, B62B9/14 take precedence

Abstract

A restraint system for a travel seat which includes a frame dimensioned to rest upon a vehicle seat. The frame defines front and rear portions and a center line. An adjustment assembly is coupled to the frame and positioned at a selected one of the front and rear portions of the frame. A strap assembly is connected to the adjustment assembly. The strap assembly has first and second points removably securable to a vehicle anchor and a third point movably secured within the adjustment assembly.

Claims

1. A restraint system for a travel seat comprising:

a frame dimensioned to rest upon a vehicle seat, the frame defining front and rear portions and a center line;

an adjustment assembly secured to the frame and including a locking assembly positioned along the center line at a selected one of the front and rear portions of the frame; and

a strap assembly having first and second points, each of the first and second points are independently removably securable to a vehicle anchor, and a third point releasably secured within the locking assembly;

wherein the locking assembly is releasably biased toward a locking engagement with the third point.

2. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the third point defines an intermediary portion of a tether that is movable through the locking assembly.

3. The restraint system of claim 2, wherein movement of the intermediary portion of the tether through the locking assembly adjusts the position of the first and second points relative to the frame.

4. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the frame defines upper and lower planes and the locking assembly is positioned between the planes.

5. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment assembly is positioned on the center line of the frame.

6. The restraint system of claim 5, wherein the strap assembly is a pair of tethers.

7. The restraint system of claim 6, wherein each tether has a first end removably securable to the vehicle anchor and a second end, the second ends of the tethers are movable within the locking assembly in unison.

8. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the strap assembly is a Y-shaped tether.

9. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly is spring biased and positioned on the center line of the frame.

10. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the first and second points of the strap assembly each include a locking member which is removably securable to the vehicle anchor.

11. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the frame defines an interior cavity, and at least a portion of the locking assembly is positioned within the interior cavity.

12. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the frame defines an interior cavity;

and

an intermediary portion of the strap assembly adjacent the third point is positioned within the interior cavity, and a terminal portion of the strap assembly adjacent the third point is positioned exterior to the frame.

13. A carseat restraint system comprising:

a frame dimensioned to rest upon a vehicle seat and defining front and rear portions and a center line;

an adjustment assembly secured to the frame and positioned at a selected one of the front and rear portions of the frame, the adjustment assembly comprising a locking assembly secured to the frame along the center line; and

a tether having first, second, and third ends, the first end of the tether is releasably secured within the locking assembly and the locking assembly is releasably biased toward a locking engagement with the first end of the tether, the second and third ends of the tether are removably securable to a vehicle anchor;

wherein movement of the first end of the tether through and away from the locking assembly adjusts the length of the second and third ends relative to the frame.

14. A restraint system for a carseat base comprising:

a base dimensioned to rest upon a vehicle seat and defining front and rear portions and a center line; and

a three point adjustment assembly coupled to the base, the adjustment assembly including;

a locking element secured to the base along the center line at a selected one of the front and rear portions of the base; and

at least two lengths of strap, each length of strap having a first portion independently securable to an anchor mounted within a vehicle and a second portion movably positioned within the locking element, the locking element being releasably biased toward locking engagement with the second portion of each length of strap, the second portion of each length of strap being substantially parallel to each other during translational movement within the locking element to adjust the position of the first portions relative to the base.

15. A restraint system for a travel seat comprising:

a frame dimensioned to rest upon a vehicle seat, the frame defining front and rear portions and a center line;

an adjustment assembly secured to the frame and including a locking assembly positioned along the center line at a selected one of the front and rear portions of the frame; and

a strap assembly having first and second points, each of the first and second points is removably securable to a vehicle anchor on opposite sides of the center line, and a third point releasably secured within the locking assembly;

wherein the locking assembly is releasably biased toward a locking engagement with the third point.

16. A restraint system for a travel seat comprising:

a base dimensioned to rest upon a vehicle seat, the base defining front and rear portions and a center line;

an adjustment assembly secured to the base and including a locking assembly positioned substantially along the center line of a selected one of the front and rear portions of the base; and

at least two lengths of strap, each length of strap having a first portion securable to a vehicle anchor on opposite sides of the center line and a second portion movably positioned and releasably secured within the locking assembly, the second portion of each length of strap being substantially parallel to each other during movement through and away from the locking assembly as the first portions are adjusted relative to the base.

17. The restraint system of claim 16, wherein each first portion includes a locking member which is removably securable to the vehicle anchor.