Passenger restraint system

A harness for restraining a passenger in the seat of a vehicle, such as, for example, a car, a van, or a bus, is provided. The harness may be configured to releasably couple with at least one rigid member mounted in the bight of the vehicle's seat between the seat's seat and back portions. The restraining harness may be a harness, a belt system, a child seat, or a booster seat, any of which may be configured to utilize any suitable coupling and to cooperate with the vehicle's own restraint system.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to passenger restraint systems for use in vehicles, particularly, to supplemental passenger restraining or positioning harness systems.

Conventional three-point restraint systems combining a lap belt and an upper torso belt are well known. These three-point restraint systems are usually used with seats offering rigid support for the belts. As typically used in a vehicle, the three-point restraint system consists of a single belt having its opposite ends mounted to a pair of retractors with a seat belt tongue connected to the belt intermediate to the belt ends. The tongue may be swung across the passenger and engaged with a buckle affixed to the seat thereby positioning one portion of the belt across the lap and another portion of the belt across the chest or upper torso. A passenger may be any occupant of the vehicle, including the driver.

Supplemental restraint systems may be needed by certain passengers such as, for example, infants, children, small passengers, handicapped passengers, race car or stunt car drivers, or any other passenger desiring supplemental restraint. Various types of supplemental restraint systems have been fashioned for use by these users. For example, child seats for infants and booster seats for children between 30 and 60 pounds, mount to a vehicle for restraint of a child. Examples of booster seats are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,797,654 to Stroud, 5,829,834 to Silverman, and 5,685,604 to Kain, which are incorporated by reference herein. An Example of a restraint harness is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,014 to Murray, the disclosure of which is now incorporated herein by reference.

The federal government has mandated that child restraint anchorage systems be installed in most vehicles, including cars, trucks, and certain school buses. These regulations, codified at 49 C.F.R. § 571.225 (FMVSS 225), incorporated herein by reference, require two lower anchor members or anchorages and an upper tether anchor member or anchorage of specified configuration, location and strength parameters. Similarly, 49 C.F.R. § 571.213 (FMVSS 213), incorporated herein by reference, specifies the dimensions of tether hooks used to attach a tether strap to a tether anchorage. Disclosed herein are supplemental restraint systems configured to mount to vehicles using the anchorages specified in 49 C.F.R. §§ 571.225 and 571.213. These supplemental restraint systems may also be compatible with 49 C.F.R. Ch.V, § 571.222, Standard No. 222 (FMVSS 222), which is incorporated herein by reference, and which is applicable to school bus seats. Commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/245,983 discloses supplemental restraint systems for use with a school bus seat in accordance with FMVSS 222.

In one aspect, this invention is a restraining device for mounting an occupant to the seat of a vehicle, such as, for example, a car, a van, or a bus, wherein any such vehicle has at least one rigid member mounted in the bight of the seat between the seat's seat and back portions. The restraining device may be a harness, a belt system, a child seat, or a booster seat, any of which may be configured to utilize any suitable coupling.

Additional features will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings depict a number of illustrative embodiments, which will be described now in detail. For ease of reference, the same reference numbers will be used to refer to components common throughout the various embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 1–3, illustrative embodiments of positioning harnesses are depicted. In the illustrative embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, the illustrative restraint system or harness20is configured for use with a vehicle seat10having a generally vertically extending back portion12and a generally horizontally extending seat portion16. As used herein below, vehicle seat10inFIGS. 1–3,6–8and15–17may be any conventional vehicle seat found in for example a car, a van, a truck, an SUV, a boat, an aircraft or a bus or one-half or one-third of a two-passenger or three-passenger seat found in a vehicle.

Restraint harness20comprises a pair of spaced apart body straps or web belts22and24, which extend around the body of a wearer of the harness20. Upper body strap22and lower body strap24are generally parallel one to the other and each to the seat portion16. Generally vertically extending and spaced apart connecting straps26connect upper strap22with lower strap24. The connecting straps26are generally parallel to each other and are generally perpendicular to body straps22and24and to seat16. While three connecting straps26are shown, alternative embodiments, for exampleFIG. 2, may use a fewer or a greater number of connecting straps. Similarly, a harness20equipped with more than two body straps falls within the scope of the invention. Connecting straps26are attached to body strap24at attachment points45and extend longitudinally upwardly away therefrom to attachment points46on body strap22. Each body strap22and24is equipped with a connector assembly23and25, which is located at the front of the restraint harness20, and which is used to secure the opposing ends of respective straps22and24together in order to mount the harness20to the wearer. The respective connector assembly23and25may also be located at the back (FIG. 2) or on the side of the body strap22and24. Body straps22and24each further includes a web adjuster31and33slidably mounted to straps22and24and configured to adjust the fit of the harness20on the wearer. Web adjusters31and33may be included as a part of the respective connector assembly23and25, or may be mid-belt web adjusters separate from the respective connector assembly23and25. Although not shown, it will be appreciated that connecting straps26may also be equipped with web adjusters adapted to adjust the vertical spacing between body straps22and24in order to further adjust the harness20to fit the wearer as known to those skilled in the art.

A pair of spaced apart upper anchor straps28are attached to upper body strap22at connection points46and extend upwardly away therefrom. A pair of spaced apart lower anchor straps29are attached to lower body strap24at connection points45and extend generally downwardly away therefrom. Each anchor strap28and29has at its end distal from the respective body strap22and24a coupling mechanism36and38for releasably mounting the harness20to the seat10.

Seat10is depicted with a pair of spaced apart rigid members, or D-ring anchor points34mounted in the bight of the seat10between the back12and seat16portions. Anchor points34conform to FMVSS 225. Also depicted are upper anchor points32. Connectors36and38releasably and lockingly engage anchor points32and34to mount the restraint system20to the seat10. Each anchor strap28and29also includes a web adjuster40either slidably mounted to the strap28and29as a mid-belt adjuster, as shown, or integrated into the connector36and38. In operation, each adjuster end42of each connector strap28and29is pulled away from the adjuster40in order to reduce the operable length of the connector strap28and29. The upper portions of straps28may be configured to fall over the shoulders of the wearer, or under the arms.

Referring now toFIG. 2, another illustrative embodiment of a restraint harness is depicted. Restraint harness120is operably substantially similar to harness20. The illustrative restraint system or harness120is configured for use with a vehicle seat10having a generally vertically extending back portion12and a generally horizontally extending seat portion16. Restraint harness120comprises a pair of spaced apart body straps or web belts22and24, which extend around the body of a wearer of the harness120. Upper body strap22and lower body strap24are generally parallel one to the other and with the seat portion16. Generally vertically extending and spaced apart connecting straps26connect upper strap22with lower strap24. The connecting straps26are generally parallel to each other and are generally perpendicular to body straps22and24and to seat16. While two connecting straps26are shown, alternative embodiments may use a greater number of connecting straps. If additional straps26are used in this restraint harness, however, they may or may not extend past the body straps22and24. A harness120equipped with more than two body straps similarly falls within the scope of the invention. Connecting straps26are attached to body strap24at attachment points45and extend longitudinally upwardly away therefrom to attachment points46on body strap22. Connecting straps26continue upwardly from attachment points46and downwardly from attachment points45. Mounted to each opposing end of each connecting strap26is a connector36,38configured to lockingly engage corresponding anchor point32,34. Each body strap22and24is also equipped with a connector assembly123and125, which is located at the back of the restraint harness120proximate to back portion12, and which is used to secure the opposing ends of respective straps22and24together in order to mount the harness120to the wearer. Each connector assembly23and25may also be located at the front (FIG. 1) or on the side of the body strap22and24. Body straps22and24each further includes a web adjuster31and33slidably mounted to straps22and24and configured to adjust the fit of the harness120on the wearer. Web adjusters131and133may be included as a part of the respective connector assembly123and125, or may be mid-belt web adjusters separate from the respective connector assembly23and25. Although not shown, it will be appreciated that connecting straps26may also be equipped with web adjusters adapted to adjust the vertical spacing between body straps22and24in order to further adjust the harness120to fit the wearer. In such cases, body straps22and24would be slidably mounted to straps26as opposed to fixedly mounted as by stitching. Harness120further includes a generally horizontal strap33extending laterally between and attached to connecting straps26. The upper portions of straps26may be configured to fall over the shoulders of the wearer, or under the arms.

Referring toFIG. 3, another illustrative embodiment of a restraint harness220is depicted. The illustrative restraint system or harness220is configured for use with a vehicle seat10having a generally vertically extending back portion12and a generally horizontally extending seat portion16. Restraint harness220comprises a pair of continuous body straps or web belts35and37, which extend around the body of a wearer of the harness220. Each opposing end of each Strap35and37is equipped with connector assemblies36and38which are lockingly engageable with anchor points32and34. Strap35crosses and is connected to strap37at upper location51and lower location52. In addition, straps35and37are connected at points45and46by generally longitudinally extending connecting straps26. Each body strap35and37is also equipped with a connector assembly223, which is used to secure the straps35and37together in order to mount the harness120to the wearer. Body straps35and37each include web adjusters40slidably mounted to straps35and37or integrated with connector assemblies36and38and configured to adjust the fit of the harness120on the wearer. Although not shown, it will be appreciated that connecting straps26may also be equipped with web adjusters adapted to adjust the vertical spacing between body straps35and37in order to further adjust the harness120to fit the wearer. In such cases, body straps35and37would be slidably mounted to straps26as opposed to fixedly mounted as by stitching. The upper portions of straps30and31may be configured to fall over the shoulders of the wearer, or under the arms.

Referring toFIGS. 1–3, the straps22,24,26,28,29,35and37are connected at the respective connection points45,46,51and52using stitching. One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that alternate connections may be used. For example, hook and loop, rivets, zippers, glue, staples, melting or other suitable connection means may be used. Similarly, although the connection assembly23,25depicted in the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 1is a standard quick disconnect connector, other connectors, such as, for example, hook and loop123,125,223(FIGS. 2 and 3), snaps, tongue and buckle, zippers, clamp, or other suitable releasable coupling may be used. So too, alternative connectors may be used, such as for example, the mini-connector depicted inFIGS. 1–3, snap hooks (FIG. 4), tongue and buckle (FIG. 5) or even some type of fixed attachment such as rivets, bolts, brackets and the like. Moreover, a combination of different types of connectors may be used. For example, the mini-connector depicted inFIG. 1may be used for the lower attachments and a permanent attachment may be used for the upper attachments. The harness20,120,220may be mounted to a car seat, a boat seat, an airplane seat, a van seat, a bus seat, or the seat of any other vehicle. It will be appreciated that the restraint harnesses20,120,220, may be configured to be worn by a user in or out of the vehicle and then coupled to the anchor members32,34as described above when desired. Finally, although not shown, harness20,120,220may be equipped with separate shoulder webs or straps.

As just noted,FIGS. 4 and 5depict alternative connector assemblies136and236for use with either anchor point32or38of the illustrative embodiments described and shown inFIGS. 1–3. Similarly, connector assemblies36,38,136, and236are adaptable for use with the below described supplemental restraint systems70(FIG. 6),170(FIG. 7), and270(FIG. 8), and with add-on child restraint systems as defined in FMVSS 213 such as a booster seat (not shown) or a portable child seat as described below and depicted inFIGS. 14–15. It will be appreciated that the tongue and buckle arrangement inFIG. 5, as well as the arrangement inFIGS. 11 and 13described below, may be reversed.

Referring toFIGS. 6–8, illustrative embodiments of a supplemental restraint system for use with original equipment manufactured restraint systems are depicted. The illustrative embodiment depicted inFIG. 6shows conventional restraint system60having a belt or web61including a chest portion62and a lap portion64. Web62is fixedly secured at its proximal end (not shown) to seat10aand extends outwardly away from aperture63and downwardly away therefrom across the torso of the wearer. A conventional belt buckle tongue65is slidably mounted to web62and is lockingly engageable with seat belt buckle69. Buckle69, in turn, is attached by web67to seat10a. Lap portion64of web62extends laterally away from buckle65and is fixedly secured at its distal end (not shown) to seat10a. Thus, tongue65may lockingly engage buckle69thereby forcing the torso portion62across the shoulder and chest of the occupant residing on the seat and then the lap portion64across the lap of the occupant. Restraint system60may be equipped with a belt retractor assembly (not shown) or with one or more web adjusters (not shown) configured to adjust the fit of the belt61on the occupant. Supplemental restraint system70comprises belt or web72extending from attachment point73downwardly away and transversely across toward connector assembly79. Connector79has an integrated web adjuster configured to adjust the length of web72by pulling on adjustment portion42to shorten the length. As shown, fixed attachment point73comprises a bracket bolted to the seat frame (not shown) and connector assembly79is a conventional tongue and buckle configuration; however, it will be recognized that any releasable configuration, such as shown inFIGS. 1–5, may be used. For example, attachment73and connection79may be configured to take advantage of anchoring device34cooperating with a connector36,136,236. Restraint system60and supplemental restraint system70cross the occupant as generally indicated by point53in order to provide cooperating restraint to the occupant. It is equally acceptable for web72to cross over the top of web61, or for web61to cross over the top of web72.

The illustrative embodiment depicted inFIG. 7shows the supplemental restraint system170configured on a seat10bgeneric to any vehicle in general and reveals a conventional three-point restraint system160having a belt or web61including a chest portion62and a lap portion64. Web61is fixedly secured at its proximal end (not shown) to seat10band extends outwardly away from aperture63and downwardly away therefrom across the torso of the wearer. A conventional belt buckle tongue65is slidably mounted to the chest portion62of web61and is lockingly engageable with seat belt buckle69. Buckle69, in turn, is attached by web67to seat10b. Lap portion64of web61extends laterally away from buckle65and is fixedly secured at its distal end (not shown) to seat10b. Thus, tongue65may lockingly engage buckle69thereby forcing the chest portion62across the shoulder and chest of the occupant residing on the seat and then the lap portion64across the lap of the occupant. Restraint system160may be equipped with a belt retractor assembly (not shown) or with one or more web adjusters (not shown) configured to adjust the fit of the belt61on the occupant. Restraint harness160further includes a back web or belt68extending from aperture66downwardly toward the bight of the seat, where belt portion68is fixedly attached. Slidably mounted to belts61and68is height adjuster58. Height adjuster58is configured to associate belts61and68and slides up and down their length to adjust the position of the belts61and68on the wearer's shoulder. When properly configured on a wearer, web portion62falls over the wearer's chest and web68falls over the wearer's back.

Supplemental restraint or positioning system170comprises belt or web72having upper and lower opposing ends. It will be appreciated that in addition to a belt or web, any other suitable flexible member may be used. Upper opposing end is attached to three-bar slide59and lower opposing end is attached to connector assembly38. Web72extends downwardly away from slide59transversely across back portion12to anchor ring34, which is releasably engaged by connector38. Slide59is slidably attached to back web or belt78, and slidably associates webs72and78. Web78has opposing ends having connector assemblies36and38attached respectively thereto. Connector assembly36releasably engages attachment point or anchor member32, and connector assembly38releasably engages attachment point or anchor member34. Web78extends downwardly from anchor member32longitudinally downward toward anchor member34. The illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 7depicts each connector38in the unengaged position, and connector36in the engaged our coupled position. Connectors36and38may have an integrated web adjuster (not shown) or may have an in-line adjuster40configured to adjust the lengths of web72and78by pulling on adjustment portion42to shorten the operative length of web72and78. When properly configured on a wearer, web portion72falls over the passenger's chest and web78falls down the wearer's back. Restraint system60and supplemental restraint system170cross each other as generally indicated by location53in order to provide cooperating support and restraint to the passenger. When properly configured on the wearer, belts62and72will fall over the passenger's chest, and belts68and78will fall down the wearer's back, with adjuster58and slide59being positioned near to the wearer's shoulders, thereby forming a four-point restraint. It will be appreciated that restraint system170, in whole or in part, may either underlie or overlie restraint system160and vice versa. In other words, belt72may cross over belt62, or belt62may cross over belt72as desired.

Referring toFIG. 8, another illustrative embodiment is depicted. Supplemental restraint system270is substantially similar in operation to restraint system170described and depicted inFIG. 7. The vehicle's restraint system260is a four-point restraint system which further comprises a crotch assembly80having a crotch belt82slidably disposed on lap belt64and extending longitudinally downwardly therefrom to tongue85, which is fixedly connected to the distal end of belt82. Tongue85is lockingly engageable with belt buckle89, which, in turn, is attached (not shown) by web84to seat10b. Web84may also be attached to the vehicle's floor or other suitable anchor point. Web82lies between the wearer's legs, and has its length, or fit on the wearer, adjusted by pulling on web portion86. Crotch assembly80cooperates with the previously described restraint assemblies260and270to form a five-point restraint system suitable for use with wearers weighing less than about fifty pounds. This restraint system270could also be adapted for use on any vehicle. Also, any of the other herein described combination four-point restraint systems70,170may be configured as a five-point system by adding the crotch assembly80to the vehicle's conventional three-point restraint system60,160.

Illustratively, web72of the restraint or harness positioning systems170,270(FIGS. 7,8) may have a fully extended operable length measured from the slide59to the lower adjuster40of between about 35 to 45 inches, and typically about 40 inches. The operable length of web78from the connector36down to the web adjuster40may be between about 20 to 25 inches, and typically about 23 inches fully extended. The operable length between the web adjusters40and the connectors38on both webs78,72may be in a range from about two to five inches, and typically about three inches. It will be appreciated that other suitable lengths may be used. As noted each of the harness positioning systems70,170,171, may operably cross over or under the chest portion of the vehicle's restraint harness62,395as can be seen by comparingFIGS. 7,8withFIG. 9.

Seat10c(FIG. 9) is configured to accommodate one or more upper anchorage or mount systems32,136,236described above and/or one or more upper tether, anchorage or mount systems670,770,870,970, alone or in combination. Illustratively, the upper anchorages32,136,236,670,770,870,970are mounted to the seat back12.

The upper anchorage systems670,770,870,970comprise in combination an anchor member671and a turning member672,680to alter or redirect the direction of a web72,78,171in substantially the same manner. The turning member may be for example a loop of web672or a D-ring680, or other suitable device. For example, in addition to web72,78,171or other flexible member, the upper anchorage systems670,770,870,970may receive a tether strap or web27(FIG. 14) proceeding upwardly from a portable child restraint system or seat10dand redirect the upward path of said strap27downwardly toward a lower anchorage or anchor member34for coupling therewith in substantially the same manner as with web171shown inFIG. 9. In such a case, the lower anchor member34will transfer loads from the tether strap to the vehicle structure. It will be appreciated that the tether27or other web72,78,171could also be routed directly through an upper anchorage or anchor member32and downwardly to the lower anchor member34for anchoring without the use of the upper anchorage system670,770,870,970. In any case, the illustrative route is depicted inFIG. 9in conjunction with a positioning harness171which will be discussed below.

The illustrative tether anchorage systems670,770,870,970will now be described. Illustratively, upper anchorage system670comprises a length of web671formed into a turning member comprising a loop672at one end by doubling one end of the web671back on, and coupling it to, itself as by, for example, stitching673(FIG. 10). The other end of the length of web671serves as an anchor member and is mounted or attached by any suitable method to the seat back12. It will be appreciated that web72,78,171could be threaded through loop671in the same manner as described for tether27above and as depicted inFIG. 10

In another illustrative embodiment, upper anchorage system770comprises an anchor member comprising a length of web671coupled at one end to a metal latch plate or tongue674(FIG. 11). The anchorage system further comprises a turning member comprising a buckle675and a web loop672coupled to said buckle675as by, for example, stitching673. The tongue674and the buckle675are configured for releasable engagement with each other, and their positions may be reversed. The other end of the length of web671is attached to the seat back12by any suitable method. The web27,72,78,171is routed through system770in the same manner as with system670.

Referring toFIG. 12, another illustrative upper anchorage system870comprises an anchor member comprising a length of web671coupled at one end to a turning member comprising a metal D-ring680. D-ring680is formed to include an open-ended web routing aperture682and a web mounting aperture681, through which the web671is threaded and looped back on itself to couple the web671and D-ring680together by, for example, stitching673. The web72,78,171or tether27is routed through the aperture682to direct its path downwardly for coupling with the lower anchor member32. The other end of web671is mounted to seat back12by any suitable method.

Another illustrative embodiment is depicted inFIG. 13. Upper anchorage system970illustratively comprises an anchor member comprising a length of web671coupled at one end to a metal latch plate or tongue674. The upper anchorage system970further comprises a turning member comprising a metal D-ring680coupled to a buckle675as by, for example, rivets, it being appreciated that an intervening web (not shown) could couple the buckle675and the D-ring680together, as by, for example, stitching. D-ring680is formed to include an open-ended web routing aperture682through which a web, such as web72,78,171or tether27, is routed in order to change the direction of any such web or tether. The tongue674and the buckle675are configured for releasable engagement with each other and their positions may be reversed. The other end of the length of web671is attached to the seat back12by any suitable method.

It will be appreciated that the D-ring682may be made of any suitable metallic material, such as die-cast from zinc or stamped from steel, and that it may be overmolded with another material, such as plastic, to protect any web, such as tether27or web72,78,171, from sharp edges. Alternatively, the D-ring682may be fashioned out of any suitable metallic, non-metallic or composite material or combination thereof. Each of the couplings and attachments mentioned above in conjunction with systems670,770,870,970could be accomplished using any suitable method including, for example, rivet, screw, nail, glue, stitching or melting.

Referring toFIG. 9, the harness positioning or restraining system170will be more fully described. As noted, harness170Seat700may further comprise a harness positioning system170is configured for use with any one of anchorage systems670,770,870,970or directly with anchor members32,136,236. Positioning harness170comprises a length of web171having a chest or torso portion172, a back portion178, and opposite ends each coupled to a connector38. The positioning harness170is releasably engaged or mounted on the seat as follows. The connector38coupled to one end of the web171is releasably engaged with the anchor member34distal from buckle343. The web171then proceeds from said distal anchor member34upwardly and diagonally toward upper tether mount870or other illustrative upper tether system mount670,770,970(FIGS. 10–13) continuing therethrough and downwardly away therefrom continuing downwardly along the seat back12to the anchor member34proximal to buckle343where the connector38on the other end of web171is releasably engaged with said proximal anchor member34. A height adjuster (not shown) similar to height adjuster58may be slidingly mounted to chest portion172and back portion179. It will be appreciated that the connector38at either end of the web171may be engaged with its respective round bar or other anchor member34first, or that they may be connected at the same time.

Harness170is operationally engaged about a passenger (not shown) as follows. One end of web171is releasably engaged with the distal anchor member34. The web171then proceeds upwardly over the torso of an occupant or passenger and through the upper anchorage system670,770,870,970or anchor member32,136,236and downwardly away therefrom continuing downwardly behind the passenger to releasably engage the other connector38with the proximal anchor member34. Then, the vehicle three-point restraint system336, or other conventional restraint harness60,160,260, is releasably engaged about the passenger, crossing over the positioning harness170generally at point53. It will be appreciated, that the order of engagement and/or the crossing of the webs171and60,160,260,336may be reversed. For example, the illustrative positioning harnesses depicted inFIGS. 6–8and explained above show the chest portion72crossing over chest portion62of the vehicle harness60,160,260. However engaged about a passenger, the positioning harness170will position a passenger for beneficial and cooperative use of harness60,160,260,336for restraint of the passenger. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that a crotch belt could be added to web336as, for example, is shown and described in FIG.8.

Referring now toFIGS. 14,15, an illustrative embodiment of an add-on child restraint system, as defined in FMVSS 213, illustratively a portable child seat10dis depicted mounted to a vehicle seat10,10a–10cas described herein and as adaptable for use with any vehicle seat. The portable child restraint seat10dillustratively includes a child restraint anchorage system comprising the above mentioned upper tether strap27and two lower anchor straps29. As just described, the upper anchorage mounts670,770,870,970and anchor members32,136,236are configured for use with tether strap27. Alternatively, the strap may be equipped with a connector assembly38as described herein to provide releasable engagement with an upper anchor member32. In any event, tether strap27may be equipped with a mid-belt or integrated adjuster (not shown) to provide proper fit to the strap27in operational engagement. The mounting of the add-on child seat10dis completed by coupling the lower anchor straps29with lower anchor members34as follows. The lower anchor straps29are attached, either fixedly or removably, to the seat10d. The distal end of each strap29is configured with a connector assembly38, which lockingly engages anchor member34to mount the portable seat10dto vehicle seat10,10a–10c. Web adjusters40, which may be in-line mid-belt adjusters or adjusters integrated into connectors38, are used to provide proper fit of straps29in operational engagement by, for example, decreasing the length of connecting straps29when adjustment portions42are pulled away from the adjusters40thereby firmly securing the seat10dto vehicle seat10,10a–c. Thus, portable child seat10dmay be mounted to any vehicle seat10,10a–c. The restraint of the occupant of the portable child seat10dis provided by the restraint system460integral to the particular seat10d.

The add-on child restraint may also take the form of a booster seat (not shown), which may also be attached using straps29as just described, with child restraint being provided by either the vehicle restraint system60,160,260, or the restraint system integral to the booster seat. Moreover, any of the positioning and restraining harnesses20,60,120,160,170,220,260may be used alone or in cooperation with any of the vehicle restraint systems60,160,260and the booster seat to restrain the passenger.

As briefly explained above, web171and portable child restraint seat10dmay also be mounted to the vehicle seat10,10a–cusing other suitable anchorage systems such as for example systems136,236. For example, connector136, which comprises a snap hook or other connector configured to mount to a length of web171,27either directly or through another length of web coupled with a web adjuster31, may be used to couple web171,27to an upper anchor member32. Web portion172illustratively could be mounted through an adjuster31and extends therefrom downwardly behind a passenger or occupant (not shown) for coupling with anchor member34as described above. It will be appreciated that the connector36disclosed above could be configured for use as depicted with web171and used in substantially the same way with tether27. Similarly, coupling assembly or connector236comprises a conventional tongue attached to the vehicle seat back12, and configured to releasably couple with a buckle attached to a length of web such as web171,27either directly or through another length of web coupled with a web adjuster31. Web portion172is threaded through adjuster31and extends therefrom downwardly behind an passenger (not shown) for coupling with anchor member34as described above. Coupling assembly236is also configurable for use with tether27described above. Moreover, these connectors136,236may be used in conjunction with upper tether anchor systems670,770,870,970. For example, the tongue of connector236could be attached, as by sewing, to web671of one of the upper tether mounts670,770,870,970. In such a case, a positioning harness, such as positioning harnesses70,170,270, could be configured with a buckle to engage the tongue as described above, and a tether27could be configured for use with the various anchor members and systems.

The interchangability of the components of the illustrative embodiments described herein will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The above described systems are configurable for use in any number of vehicles including automobiles, SUVs, vans, mini-vans, mini-buses, and school buses and the seats utilized therein. It will also be appreciated that the anchor members32and34may be removable or integral to the vehicle seat, and that the restraint systems mounted thereto and described and depicted herein may also be either removable or integral to the vehicle seat.

An example of a suitable web adjuster31,33,40described herein for use with any of the above systems illustratively may be of the kind disclosed in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/206,660 filed by Woodard et al. on Jul. 26, 2002, the disclosure of which is no expressly incorporated herein by reference. An example of a suitable connector36,38described herein for use with any of the above systems illustratively may be of the kind disclosed in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/206,603 filed by Wiseman et al. on Jul. 26, 2002, which is now expressly incorporated herein by reference. Any other suitable conventional connector may be used as well.