I 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 1111111111 11111 1111111111111111 IIII IIII IIII
`US009499074B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Strong et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,499,074 B2
`Nov. 22, 2016
`
`(54) FORWARD AND REARWARD FACING
`CHILD SEAT WITH BELT TENSIONING
`MECHANISM FOR IMPROVED
`INSTALLATION
`
`(71) Applicant: Britax Child Safety, Inc., Fort Mill,
`SC (US)
`
`2/1994 Gunji
`5,286,086 A
`5,611,596 A * 3/1997 Barley
`
`5,671,971 A
`
`9/1997 Koyanagi et al.
`(Continued)
`
`B60N 2/2806
`297/256.13
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Lynn Curtis Strong, Rock Hill, SC
`(US); Mark Gunter, York, SC (US);
`Scott Alan Reed, York, SC (US)
`
`AU
`AU
`
`11/1997
`2 657 097 A
`3/1998
`3 787 697 A
`(Continued)
`
`(73) Assignee: BRITAX CHILD SAFETY, INC., Fort
`Mill, SC (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 57 days.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Extended European Search Report for Application No. 13004238.5;
`dated Nov. 21, 2013.
`
`(Continued)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/063,807
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 25, 2013
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2015/0115676 Al
`
`Apr. 30, 2015
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`B60N 2128
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............. B60N 212806 (2013.01); B60N 21286
`(2013.01); B60N 212851 (2013.01); B60N
`212863 (2013.01); YJOT 29/49826 (2015.01)
`( 58) Field of Classification Search
`None
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`Primary Examiner - David E Allred
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Nelson Mullins Riley &
`Scarborough LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying
`tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a
`vehicle seat is provided herein. The child seat, which may be
`front- and/or rear-facing, includes a seat base defining a seat
`portion and a backrest portion. The seat base can receive an
`untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a vehicle seat in
`an untensioned configuration. A tensioning mechanism
`attached to the backrest portion and is rotatable between a
`first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion
`and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second
`position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of
`the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism
`applies tension to the portion of the received belt to secure
`the child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration.
`Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided
`herein.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2/1993 Nishizawa
`5,186,063 A
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`
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`297/250.1
`
`17 Claims, 21 Drawing Sheets
`
`305
`
`300
`
`12
`
`18
`
`Page 1 of 36
`
`Nuna Exhibit 1001
`
`

`

`US 9,499,074 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`U.S. Appl. No. 13/602,846, filed Sep. 4, 2012; first named inventor:
`Strong.
`Office Action and translation from Korean Intellectual Property
`Office for corresponding Korean Application No. 10-2014-
`0144267, mailed Nov. 17, 2015, all enclosed pages cited.
`Office Action and translation from Korean Intellectual Property
`Office for corresponding Korean Application No. 10-2013-
`0105120, mailed Nov. 23, 2015, all enclosed pages.
`Office Action and translation from Patent Office of the Russian
`Federation for corresponding Russian Application No. 201339691/
`11, mailed Oct. 7, 2014, all enclosed pages cited.
`Office Action and translation from Korean Intellectual Property
`Office for corresponding Korean Application No. 10-2013-
`0105120, mailed Oct. 17, 2014, all enclosed pages cited.
`Office action from Korean patent application No. 10-2013-0105120
`mailed Apr. 28, 2015, all enclosed pages cited.
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`all enclosed pages cited.
`Office action from Chinese patent application No. 201310398750.4
`mailed Jun. 15, 2015, all enclosed pages cited.
`application No.
`Search Report
`from Chinese
`patent
`201310398750.4 mailed Jun. 15, 2015, all enclosed pages cited.
`Office Action of corresponding Korean application No. 10-2014-
`0144267 mailed May 9, 2016, all enclosed pages cited.
`Extended European Search Report and Written Opinion of co(cid:173)
`pending application No. 14003614.6 mailed Mar. 5, 2015, all
`enclosed pages cited.
`Office Action of corresponding Canadian application No. 2,825,694
`mailed Dec. 15, 2014, all enclosed pages cited.
`Patent Examination Report No. 1 of co-pending Australian appli(cid:173)
`cation No. 2013221904 mailed Mar. 13, 2015, all enclosed pages
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`Examination report of corresponding Australian application No.
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`Office Action of corresponding Chinese application No.
`201410573558.9 mailed May 27, 2016, all enclosed pages cited.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 2 of 36
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 1 of 21
`Sheet 1 of 21
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`US 9,499,074 B2
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`16
`
`
`
`18
`
`FIG. 1
`FIG.1
`
`Page 3 of 36
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 2 of 21
`Sheet 2 of 21
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`US 9,499,074 B2
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`12
`
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`
`18
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`FIG. 1A
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`Page 4 0f 36
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 3 of 21
`Sheet 3 of 21
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`US 9,499,074 B2
`US 9,499,074 B2
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`Page 5 of 36
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 4 of 21
`Sheet 4 of 21
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`US 9,499,074 B2
`US 9,499,074 B2
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`Page 6 of 36
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 5 of 21
`Sheet 5 of 21
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`US 9,499,074 B2
`US 9,499,074 B2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 6 of 21
`Sheet 6 of 21
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`US 9,499,074 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`NOV. 22, 2016
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 9 of 21
`Sheet 9 of 21
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`US 9,499,074 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 10 of 21
`Sheet 10 of 21
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`US 9,499,074 B2
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`Page 12 0f 36
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 11 of 21
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`US 9,499,074 B2
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`Page 13 of 36
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 12 of 21
`Sheet 12 of 21
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`US 9,499,074 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 13 of 21
`Sheet 13 of 21
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`US 9,499,074 B2
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`Page 15 of 36
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`U.S. -Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Page 17 0f 36
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`Page 17 of 36
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`NOV. 22, 2016
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`US 9,499,074 B2
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`Sheet 17 of 21
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`Page 19 0f 36
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`Page 19 of 36
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 18 of 21
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`US 9,499,074 B2
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`Page 20 of 36
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Nov. 22, 2016
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`Sheet 20 of 21
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2016
`Nov. 22, 2016
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`US 9,499,074 B2
`
`1
`FORWARD AND REARWARD FACING
`CHILD SEAT WITH BELT TENSIONING
`MECHANISM FOR IMPROVED
`INSTALLATION
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention generally relates to the field of child
`safety seats, and more particularly, to a child safety seat that
`may be used in either a forward facing or rearward facing
`orientation and includes a tensioning mechanism for apply(cid:173)
`ing tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child safety
`seat to a vehicle seat, thereby providing for easier installa(cid:173)
`tion of the child safety seat to the vehicle seat.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Child safety seating products are designed to protect
`children in vehicles from the effects of impacts or other
`sudden changes in motion ( e.g., sudden deceleration). Child
`safety seats, commonly referred to simply as child seats,
`may be used in a variety of vehicles with a variety of seating
`orientations. For example, it is often recommended for the
`youngest children to use rear-facing child seats for addi(cid:173)
`tional safety, while forward-facing seats can be used when
`the child reaches an appropriate size. It is important for a
`child seat to be properly secured to the vehicle seat to protect
`the occupant, particularly during an impact.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Some child safety seats are secured to a vehicle seat with
`the seat belt of the vehicle. In such situations, securing the
`child seat may be awkward and difficult. Moreover, main(cid:173)
`taining a proper amount of tension in the seat belt can also
`be difficult. Indeed, an improper amount of tension is
`undesirable and may negatively affect the safety of the
`occupant secured within the child seat. It would be advan(cid:173)
`tageous to have an easy-to-use and secure child seat that may 40
`be used in either a forward-facing or rear-facing configura(cid:173)
`tion depending on the parents' needs.
`Example embodiments of the present invention include a
`child seat that may be secured to a vehicle seat in both a
`rear-facing and front-facing orientation. The child seat may 45
`define a seat base that may define a seat portion and a
`backrest portion. The seat base may be designed to receive
`a seat belt from a vehicle seat and secure the child seat to the
`vehicle seat in an untensioned configuration. The seat belt
`may secure the child seat to the vehicle seat by using a
`tensioning mechanism that is attached to the seat base. In
`some embodiments, the tensioning mechanism may be
`moved between a first position that is adjacent to the seat
`base and a second position that is displaced from the seat
`base. The second position of the tensioning mechanism may 55
`allow the seat belt to be received by the seat base, while the
`first position holds the belt in a tensioned configuration.
`Moving the tensioning mechanism from the second position
`to the first position may apply the tension to the belt. The
`child seat may be able to receive the belt and apply tension 60
`to it when the child seat is in either or both of a rear-facing
`and front-facing orientation.
`In some embodiments, the tensioning mechanism may
`rotate between the first and second positions. By receiving
`a substantially vertical force, the tensioning mechanism may 65
`rotate from the second position to the first position and apply
`tension to the belt.
`
`2
`In some embodiments, the seat base may define a first
`edge and a second edge. The first and second edges may be
`configured to receive the belt and thereby define a first belt
`path spanning the first and second edges. Additionally, each
`5 of the first and second edges may have an inlet and a
`retaining channel, such that each inlet channel may guide the
`belt into the respective retaining channel. In some embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the seat base may receive the belt so as to define the
`first belt path when the child seat is in the rear-facing
`10 orientation. The seat base may define a second belt path
`spanning the first and second edges when the child seat is in
`the front-facing configuration. In some embodiments, first
`belt path may be defined between the tensioning mechanism
`and the seat base at a position proximate an intermediate
`15 region of the seat portion. The second belt path may be
`defined between the tensioning mechanism and the seat base
`at a position proximate an intersection of the seat portion and
`backrest portion of the seat base.
`Additionally, in some embodiments, a force for moving
`20 the tensioning mechanism from the second position to the
`first position while the belt is in the first belt path is
`substantially similar to a force for moving the tensioning
`mechanism from the second position to the first position
`while the belt is in the second belt path. The resulting tension
`25 applied to the belt in the first belt path may be substantially
`similar to the resulting tension applied to the belt in the
`second belt path.
`the tensioning
`in some embodiments,
`Additionally,
`mechanism may comprise an engaging surface that is adja-
`30 cent a surface of the seat base when the tension mechanism
`is in the first position. A portion of the first belt path
`corresponding to the first and second edges may be posi(cid:173)
`tioned higher than a portion of the first belt path correspond(cid:173)
`ing to the engaging surface of the tensioning mechanism,
`35 such that a portion of the belt engaged by the engaging
`surface may be deflected substantially towards the seat base
`with respect to portions of the belt engaged by the first and
`second edges when the tensioning mechanism is in the first
`position.
`In some embodiments, the seat base may provide an open
`belt path, such that the seat base is configured to receive an
`edge of the belt when the tensioning mechanism is in the
`second position while the belt is in a buckled position with
`the vehicle seat.
`Additionally, in some embodiments, the child seat may
`comprise a harness defining a first harness portion and a
`second harness portion. The first harness portion and the
`second harness portion may each be configured to rotate
`with the tensioning mechanism between the first position
`50 and the second position, such that the harness may be
`displaced away from the first belt path when the tension
`mechanism is moved from the first position to the second
`position.
`In some embodiments, the seat base may define opposing
`side portions, where each side portion may comprise a lock
`receiving portion. The tensioning mechanism may further
`comprise a locking mechanism comprising two laterally(cid:173)
`opposing locking members configured to translate between
`an extended position and a retracted position. Each lock
`receiving portion may be configured to receive a respective
`locking member when the tensioning mechanism is in the
`first position and the locking members are in the extended
`position, thereby locking the tensioning mechanism in the
`first position. The locking members may also be configured
`to automatically translate to the extended position when the
`tensioning mechanism is rotated from the second position to
`the first position.
`
`Page 24 of 36
`
`

`

`US 9,499,074 B2
`
`5
`
`3
`In some embodiments, the belt may define a lap section
`and a shoulder section. The seat base may be configured to
`receive a portion of the lap section and a portion of the
`shoulder section of the belt in an untensioned state to secure
`the child seat to the vehicle seat in an untensioned configu-
`ration.
`In another example embodiment, a child seat may be
`configured to be secured to a vehicle seat. The child seat may
`comprise a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest
`portion. The seat base may be configured to receive a belt of 10
`a vehicle seat in an untensioned state to secure the child seat
`to the vehicle seat in an untensioned configuration. The seat
`base may further define a first edge and a second edge. The
`seat base may be configured to receive the belt so as to define
`a belt path spanning the first and second edges. Additionally, 15
`each of the first and second edges may comprise an inlet
`channel and a retaining channel such that the belt path may
`extend from the retaining channel in the first edge to the
`retaining channel in the second edge. The inlet channels of
`the first and second edge may then guide the belt into the 20
`retaining channels.
`Some embodiments may include a tensioning mechanism
`attached to the backrest portion of the seat base. The
`tensioning mechanism may be rotatable between a first
`position substantially adjacent to the seat base and a second 25
`position displaced therefrom. Placing the tensioning mecha(cid:173)
`nism in the second position may allow the seat base to
`receive the belt, and the movement of the tensioning mecha(cid:173)
`nism from the second position to the first position may apply
`tension to the belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat 30
`in a tensioned configuration. The tensioning mechanism
`may be configured to rotate, in response to receiving a
`substantially vertical force, from the second position to the
`first position to apply tension to the belt to secure the child
`seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. The belt 35
`path may be defined between the tensioning mechanism and
`the seat base at a position proximate the center of the seat
`portion, so as to position the child seat in a rear-facing
`orientation. Alternatively, the belt path may be defined
`between the tensioning mechanism and the seat base at a 40
`position proximate the intersection of the backrest portion
`and seat portions, so as to position the child seat in a
`front-facing orientation.
`The seat base may further define opposing side portions,
`each of which may comprise a lock receiving portion. The 45
`tensioning mechanism may further comprise a locking
`mechanism comprising two
`laterally-opposing
`locking
`members configured to translate between an extended posi(cid:173)
`tion and a retracted position. Each lock receiving portion
`may be configured to receive a respective locking member 50
`when the tensioning mechanism is in the first position and
`the locking members are in the extended position, thereby
`locking the tensioning mechanism in the first position. In
`some embodiments, the locking members may be configured
`to automatically translate to the extended position when the 55
`tensioning mechanism is rotated from the second position to
`the first position.
`In yet another example embodiment, a method may be
`defined for manufacturing a child seat configured to be
`secured to a vehicle seat in both a rear-facing orientation and 60
`a front-facing orientation. The method may comprise pro(cid:173)
`viding a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest
`portion. In some embodiments of the method, the seat base
`may be configured to receive a belt of the vehicle seat in an
`untensioned state to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat 65
`in an untensioned configuration. The method may comprise
`attaching a tensioning mechanism to the seat base, and the
`
`4
`tensioning mechanism may be rotatable between a first
`position substantially adjacent to the seat base and a second
`position displaced therefrom. Placing the tensioning mecha(cid:173)
`nism in the second position may allow the seat base to
`receive the belt, and the movement of the tensioning mecha(cid:173)
`nism from the second position to the first position may apply
`tension to the belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat
`in a tensioned configuration. The seat base of the child seat
`may be configured to receive the belt in both a rear-facing
`and front-facing orientation. The seat base may define a first
`edge and a second edge. The seat base may be configured to
`receive the belt so as to define a first belt path spanning the
`first and second edges. Each of the first and second edges
`may further comprise an inlet channel and a retaining
`channel, and each inlet channel may be configured to guide
`a portion of the belt into the respective retaining channel.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
`
`Having thus described the invention in general terms,
`reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
`which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
`FIG. 1 shows a front view of a child safety seat, in
`accordance with an example embodiment of the present
`invention described herein;
`FIG. lA shows a side view of the child safety seat shown
`in FIG. 1, in accordance with an example embodiment of the
`present invention described herein;
`FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of a tensioning mechanism
`of the child seat shown in FIG. 1 with the tensioning
`mechanism disposed in the first position, in accordance with
`an example embodiment of the present invention described
`herein;
`FIG. 3 shows a front view of the child seat shown in FIG.
`1, where the tensioning mechanism has been rotated into the
`second position, in accordance with an example embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention described herein;
`FIG. 3A shows a detailed view of the child seat and
`tensioning mechanism shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with
`an example embodiment of the present invention described
`herein;
`FIG. 3B shows a detailed perspective view of the child
`seat and tensioning mechanism shown in FIG. 3, in accor(cid:173)
`dance with an example embodiment of the present invention
`described herein;
`FIG. 4 shows a top view of a locking mechanism for the
`tensioning mechanism shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with
`an example embodiment of the present invention described
`herein;
`FIG. 4A shows a top view of the locking mechanism
`shown in FIG. 4 with the outer sleeve of the locking
`mechanism removed,
`in accordance with an example
`embodiment of the present invention described herein;
`FIG. 4B shows an exploded view of the locking mecha(cid:173)
`nism shown in FIG. 4A, in accordance with an example
`embodiment of the present invention described herein;
`FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the locking
`mechanism shown in FIG. 4A with the locking members of
`the locking mechanism in the retracted position, in accor(cid:173)
`dance with an example embodiment of the present invention
`described herein;
`FIG. SA shows a cross-sectional view of the locking
`mechanism shown in FIG. 4A with the locking members of
`the locking mechanism in the extended position, in accor(cid:173)
`dance with an example embodiment of the present invention
`described herein;
`
`Page 25 of 36
`
`

`

`US 9,499,074 B2
`
`5
`FIG. 6 shows a front view of the child seat shown in FIG.
`3, wherein the child seat is positioned on a vehicle seat near
`a seat belt, in accordance with an example embodiment of
`the present invention described herein;
`FIG. 6A shows a detailed view of the child seat shown in
`FIG. 6 with a portion of the seat belt positioned over the arm
`rests of the child seat and under the tensioning mechanism
`and the seat belt latched to a buckle of the vehicle seat in the
`untensioned configuration, in accordance with an example
`embodiment of the present invention described herein;
`FIG. 7 shows a front view of the child seat shown in FIG.
`6A with an arrow indicating rotation of the tensioning
`mechanism after the seat belt has been positioned over the
`arm rests of the child seat and under the tensioning mecha(cid:173)
`nism and the seat belt latched to a buckle of the vehicle seat 15
`in the untensioned configuration, in accordance with an
`example embodiment of the present invention described
`herein;
`FIG. 7A shows a side view the child seat shown in FIG.
`7, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present 20
`invention described herein;
`FIG. 8 shows a front view of the child seat shown in FIG.
`7, where the tensioning mechanism has been rotated into the
`first position to apply tension to the seat belt to secure the
`child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration, in
`accordance with an example embodiment of the present
`invention described herein;
`FIG. SA shows a side view the child seat shown in FIG.
`8, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present
`invention described herein;
`FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another example
`embodiment of the present invention described herein,
`where the child seat is secured to a vehicle seat in a
`front-facing orientation;
`FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of another example 35
`embodiment of the present invention described herein,
`where the child seat is secured to a vehicle seat in a
`rear-facing orientation;
`FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the child seat
`according to an example embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion described herein;
`FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the child seat shown
`in FIG. 11 where the tensioning mechanism has been rotated
`into the second position in accordance with an example
`embodiment of the present invention described herein;
`FIG. 13 shows a side view of the child seat shown in FIG.
`11 in accordance with an example embodiment of the
`present invention described herein;
`FIG. 14 shows a top view of the child seat shown in FIG.
`11 showing two belt paths in accordance with several 50
`example embodiments of the present invention described
`herein; and
`FIG. 15 shows a front view of the child seat shown in FIG.
`11 in accordance with an example embodiment of the
`present invention described herein.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The present invention will now be described more fully
`hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are
`shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many
`different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
`embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
`provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal
`requirements. The terms "first" and "second" are used for
`
`6
`reference purposes only and are not limiting. The disclosure
`of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/602,846 is incorpo(cid:173)
`rated herein by reference in its entirety.
`A child safety seat may be configured for installation in
`5 either a front-facing or rear-facing orientation with respect
`to the vehicle seat to accommodate children in the appro(cid:173)
`priate position based on the height and weight of a child,
`such as according to the guidelines and standards of the
`United States National Highway Transportation Safety
`10 Administration (NHTSA) and similar authorities in other
`countries.
`In order to protect an occupant, a child safety seat must be
`secured to a fixed location in a vehicle. The type of secure(cid:173)
`ment depends on the type of vehicle and may also depend on
`the standards for the particular region the vehicle is being
`operated in. For example, a child safety seat may be secured
`to a vehicle using a variety of methods, including using the
`seat belt of the vehicle seat or LATCH (Lower Anchors and
`Tethers for Children) attachments in the U.S.
`Proper installation and use of a child safety seat within a
`vehicle is necessary to achieve the maximum protection
`afforded by the seat. As noted above, some child safety seats
`are designed to secure to a vehicle seat using the seat belt of
`the vehicle seat. Often a seat belt can be positioned around
`25 the child seat and then fastened (e.g., latched, buckled, etc.)
`into a buckle attached to the vehicle to achieve secure
`attachment of the child seat to the vehicle. However, even
`when the seat belt is tightly fastened, slack in the seat belt
`may occur. Indeed, the seat belt may not be fully tensioned
`30 and the child seat may be loosely secured to the vehicle,
`which may be unsafe for an occupant. In some cases,
`multiple attempts to fully secure a child seat to a vehicle seat
`using a seat belt may be required. As such, installation of a
`child seat using a vehicle seat belt can be difficult and time
`consuming.
`Accordingly, some example embodiments of the present
`invention provide a tensioning mechanism for easy and
`intuitive securing of a child seat using a vehicle seat belt.
`The tensioning mechanism enables a user to easily apply
`40 tension to (e.g., remove slack from) a latched seat belt
`during installation of the child seat to the vehicle seat. This
`causes the child seat to become more fully secured to the
`vehicle seat (