Patent ID: 6254184
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
A harness/restraint system for use in retaining a child in a child car seat, the child car seat having a seat portion and a back portion disposed therefrom at an ergonomically comfortable angle, the child car seat having a plurality of seat attachment straps, each of the seat attachment straps having a mating attachment means on an end thereof, a pair of the seat attachment straps extending from opposing sides of the back portion, a pair of the seat attachment straps extending from opposing sides of the seat portion, and one of the straps extending from a front center of the seat portion, comprising:a vest member formed from a unibody sheet of flexible material, said vest member having a torso portion and a pair of shoulder portions extending upward from an upper edge of said torso portion, said vest member sized to substantially cover a torso and pelvic region of the child,a pair of shoulder portion fastening straps, each of said shoulder portion fastening straps attached to an upper end of one of said shoulder portions of said vest member, an adjustment means joining said shoulder portion fastening straps to one another such that said fastening straps may be slidably adjusted relative to one another to thereby secure said shoulder portions to the back portion of the car seat;a pair of back straps extending from opposing sides of said torso portion of said vest member, said back straps being closer to said upper edge of said torso portion than a lower edge of said torso portion of said vest member such that said back straps may be used to secure said vest member to the back portion of the car seat;a pair of seat straps extending from opposing sides of said torso portion of said vest member, said seat straps being closer to said lower edge than said upper edge of said vest member such that said seat straps may be used to secure said vest member to the seat portion of the car seat;a leg strap extending downward from a lower edge of said torso portion of said vest member such that said leg strap may be used to secure said vest member to the seat portion of the car seat; andeach of said back straps, seat straps, and leg strap having a mating attachment means on an end thereof for selectively attaching said straps to the seat attachment straps of the car seat via said attachment means.