Belt tensioning apparatus for securing a child safety seat in a vehicle

摘要

An improved lower anchor strap tension adjusting mechanism for varying tension in a restraint connected to a vehicle. The mechanism comprises first and second adjuster ends and a length of web spanning therebetween. One end of the web is attached to one of the adjuster ends. A guide is provided on one or both adjuster ends enabling the web to be looped around the guide(s) and between the ends in multiple passes. A web lock device is connected one of the ends to engage the web and allow the length of the web spanning between the first and second adjuster portions to be fixed. The number of loops of web spanning between the adjuster ends determines the mechanical advantage in the tension force applied to the anchor strap by the adjuster compared to the tension applied to the free end, improving ease and security of safety seat installation.

主权项

1. A tension adjuster for a restraint for securing a child safety seat to first and second seat anchors in a vehicle, comprising:
a first seat anchor connector for connecting to the first seat anchor; a second seat anchor connector for connecting to the second seat anchor; and an anchor member interconnecting said first and said second seat anchor connectors, said anchor member having a tension adjusting mechanism for adjusting a restraint tension force between said first and said second anchor connectors, said tension adjusting mechanism further comprising:
a fixed web connector;a releasable web connector having a locked position and an unlocked position;spaced apart first and second guides;a third guide; andan elongate tension web having a fixed end and a free end, said fixed end attached to said fixed web connector, said tension web trained around said first and second guides so as to multiply tension forces applied to said free end, said tension web further interfacing with said releasable web connector for movement in a tensioning direction to increase a first tension force applied to said free end resulting in said restraint tension force between said first and said second seat anchor connectors that is greater than said first tension force, said tension web further being selectively trainable around said third guide in a manner to further multiply said tension force applied to said free end to cause a second restraint tension force greater than said restraint tension force.