Forward and rearward facing child seat with belt tensioning mechanism for improved installation

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A child seat configured to be secured to a vehicle seat in both a rear-facing and front-facing orientation, the child seat comprising:
a seat base defining a seat portion, a backrest portion, and first and second lateral edges that protrude forwardly and upwardly from the seat and backrest portions, wherein the seat base is configured to receive a belt of the vehicle seat in an untensioned state to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in an untensioned configuration; and a tensioning mechanism having a proximal end pivotally attached to the backrest portion of the seat base and a distal end comprising a sitting surface for an occupant of the child seat and an engaging surface facing opposite to the sitting surface, wherein the tensioning mechanism is movable downwardly and forwardly to a first position substantially adjacent to the seat base and upwardly and rearwardly to a second position displaced therefrom, wherein placing the tensioning mechanism in the second position allows the seat base to receive the belt, and movement of the tensioning mechanism from the second position to the first position presses the belt against the first and second edges and deflects a portion of the belt between first and second edges to be closer to the seat or backrest portion than portions of the belt that engage the first and second edges and thus applies tension to the belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration, wherein the seat base of the child seat is configured to receive the belt when the seat base is in both a rear-facing orientation and when the seat base is in a front-facing orientation.