Abstract:
A web adjuster for securing a web and a seat including the web adjuster. The web extends through the web adjuster including a mounting plate that is mounted to the seat. A sliding plate moves relative to the mounting plate for lockingly engaging the web. Resilient biasing elements bias the sliding plate into locking engagement, and a release handle displaces the sliding plate against the resilient biasing elements.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A conventional child seat includes a harness which is releasably securable around the child with the harness passing over the child&#39;s shoulders and having a front end releasably locked with a buckle or similar fastening device. The harness passes over the child&#39;s shoulders and through the seat and has an opposite end frictionally engaged by a web adjuster mounted to the seat. Conventional web adjusters have a pivotally mounted cam member which may be released to facilitate sizing of the harness relative to the child. Examples of conventional web adjusters incorporating pivotally mounted cams with gripping surfaces for holding webs are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,434,186 (Rennert) and 3,872,550 (Yang). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is drawn to a web adjuster for securing straps, webs, or belts. The web adjuster can lock a web used for adjusting a harness for a child seat. The adjuster can limit longitudinal movement of an elongated web with respect to a base. The web adjuster includes a mounting plate, a sliding plate, and at least one resilient element biasing the sliding plate with respect to the mounting plate. The mounting plate, which is fixed to the base, includes first and second major faces generally lying in parallel spaced planes and a bridge rising above the second major face. The mounting plate is penetrated by a first aperture. The sliding plate, which is displaceable in shear with respect to the mounting plate, includes first and second major surfaces generally lying in a parallel spaced planes that are also parallel to the first and second major faces of the mounting plate. The sliding plate also includes at least one finger retaining the sliding plate with respect to the mounting plate, a plateau rising above the first major surface, and a neck extending transversely under the bridge. Each finger confronts and slidingly engages the first major face of the mounting plate. The sliding plate is penetrated by a second aperture. 
     The present invention is also drawn to a child seat having a harness and including the web adjuster. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings show illustrative embodiments of the invention wherein identical numerals indicate like features. However, not all features are indicated or shown in each figure. 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a web adjuster in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-section view taken along line II—II in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the web adjuster shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-section view taken along line IV—IV in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-section view taken along line V—V in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of the mounting plate for the web adjuster shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-section view taken along line VII—VII in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the mounting plate shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 9 is a back elevation view of the mounting plate shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view of the sliding plate for the web adjuster shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-section view taken along line XI—XI in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the sliding plate shown in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 13 is a detail view of the portion indicated XIII in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 14 is a detail view of the portion indicated XIV in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-section view taken along line XV—XV in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 16 is a detail view of the portion indicated XVI in FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 17 is a schematic view illustrating the path of a web through the web adjuster shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 18 is a plan view of a web adjuster in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of the web adjuster shown in FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 20 is a cross-section view taken along line XX—XX in FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 21 is a cross-section view taken along line XXI—XXI in FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 22 is a cross-section view taken along line XXII—XXII in FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 23 is a plan view of the mounting plate for the web adjuster shown in FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 24 is a front elevation view of the mounting plate shown in FIG.  23 . 
     FIG. 25 is a cross-section view taken along line XXVI—XXV in FIG.  23 . 
     FIG. 26 is a plan view of the sliding plate for the web adjuster shown in FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 27 is a front elevation view of the sliding plate shown in FIG.  26 . 
     FIG. 28 is a cross-section view taken along line XXVIII—XXVIII in FIG.  26 . 
     FIG. 29 is a schematic view illustrating the path of a web through the web adjuster show in FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 30 is a schematic view illustrating the relationship between a web adjuster according to the present invention and a child&#39;s seat. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring initially to FIG. 30, a child seat  100  includes a seat portion  102  and a back portion  104 . A harness  110  secures a child with respect to the seat  100 . The harness  110  comprises a releasable latch  112  connected to a crotch strap  114 . In operation, the crotch strap  114  is received between the legs of the child and the latch  112  is received in a mating buckle  106  on the seat portion  102 . The crotch strap  114  is connected to the ends of a bight  116  that forms two shoulder straps  116 A and  116 B. The bight  116  is looped through a ring  118  on the rear side of the back portion  104 . 
     The ring  118  is connected to an adjustment web  120  that is threaded through a web adjuster  10 . The web adjuster  10 , which will be described in greater detail below, is used to set the length of the adjustment web  120  between the web adjuster  10  and the ring  118 . Reducing this length of the adjustment web  120  tightens the harness  110  by displacing a portion of the shoulder straps  116 A,  116 B from the front side of the back portion  104  to the rear side of the back portion  104 . 
     Referring additionally to FIGS. 1-17, a first embodiment of the web adjuster  10  to the present invention will now be described. The web adjuster  10  comprises a mounting plate  30 , a sliding plate  50 , and at least one resilient biasing element  70 . Two biasing elements  70  are indicated schematically in FIG.  1 . 
     The mounting plate  30 , which is best seen in FIGS. 6-9, includes a plurality of holes  32  (four are shown in the figures) for securing the mounting plate to the bottom of the seat portion  102 . Fasteners  12 , e.g., screws, extend through the holes  32  and are fixedly received in corresponding holes on the seat portion  102 . The mounting plate  30  can be secured to the seat portion  102  by more or less fasteners, can be secured with different types of fasteners, or can be secured with a combination of fastener types. 
     The mounting plate  30  comprises a first major face  34  and an opposite second major face  36 . The first and second major faces  34 , 36  generally lie in respective first and second parallel planes and are spaced by a distance equal to the thickness of the mounting plate  30 . 
     A first bridge  38  rises a second distance above the second major face  36 , i.e., away from the first major face  34 , so as to define a sliding channel  39  (FIG. 8) between the second major face  36  and the underside of the first bridge  38 . The first bridge  38  can include shoulder portions  38 A and  38 B supporting a central portion  38 C. The shoulder portions  38 A, 38 B define sides of the sliding channel  39  for guiding movement of the sliding plate  50  as will be further described below. 
     The mounting plate  30  is also penetrated by a first aperture  40 , which is defined in part by an edge  42 . The web  120  extends through the first aperture  40 . When the web adjuster  10  is in a locking configuration, which will be further described with respect to FIG. 17, the web  120  is pressed against the edge  42 . 
     The mounting plate  30  also includes holes  44 A and  44 B receiving the resilient biasing elements  70 . The holes  44 A, 44 B are defined in part by respective tongues  46 A and  46 B that support the biasing elements  70  with respect to the mounting plate  30 . The number, size, and shape of the holes  44 A, 44 B and tongues  46 A, 46 B can vary in accordance with the number, size, and type of corresponding biasing elements  70 . 
     The mounting plate  30  further includes a second bridge  48  that divides the aperture  40 , thereby defining a sub-aperture  40 A. The sub-aperture  40 A separates the first and second bridges  38 , 48 . 
     The mounting plate  30  additionally includes a ridge  30 A rising above the first major face  34 , i.e., away from the second major face  36 . The ridge  30 A provides a guide for the adjustment web  120 , as will be further described with respect to FIG.  17 . As shown in FIG. 7, the ridge  30 A can be formed as a rolled-over portion of the mounting plate  30 . The ridge  30 A can alternatively be formed by stamping an upset in the mounting plate  30 , or by fixing a separate body to the first major face  34 . 
     The sliding plate  50 , which is best seen in FIGS. 10-16, comprises an elongated neck  52  to which a handle  50 A (FIGS. 1 and 2) is secured. The handle  50 A is grasped by a caregiver for displacing the sliding plate  50 , via the neck  52 , with respect to the mounting plate  30 . The neck  52  is longitudinally displaceable in the sliding channel  39  of the mounting plate. The operation of the sliding plate  50  relative to the mounting plate  30  is described below in greater detail. 
     The sliding plate  50  also comprises a first major surface  54  and an opposite second major surface  56 . The first and second major surfaces  54 , 56  generally lie in respective third and fourth planes, which are mutually parallel to the first plane, and are spaced by a distance equal to the thickness of the sliding plate  50 . 
     The sliding plate  50  is penetrated by an aperture  58 . A bridge  59  divides the aperture  58 , thereby defining a sub-aperture  58 A. The web  120  extends through the aperture  58  and the sub-aperture  58 A, as will be further described with respect to FIG.  17 . 
     The sliding plate  50  also includes holes  60 A and  60 B receiving the resilient biasing elements  70 . The holes  60 A, 60 B are defined in part by respective tongues  62 A and  62 B that support the biasing elements  70  with respect to the sliding plate  50 . The number, size, and shape of the holes  60 A, 60 B and tongues  62 A, 62 B can vary in accordance with the number, size, and type of biasing elements  70 , and generally will correspond to the holes  44 A, 44 B and tongues  46 A, 46 B. 
     The sliding plate  50  further includes a pair of fingers  64 A and  64 B that are stamped out and pressed in a hook shaped arrangement as best shown in FIG.  16 . The portions of the first major surface  54  defined by the fingers  64 A, 64 B, i.e., the inside of the hook shape, confront and slidingly engage the first major face  34  on opposite lateral sides of the first aperture  40 . The sliding plate  50  can include more or less than two fingers. Having at least one finger engaging the first major face  34  on both lateral sides of the aperture  40  better defines the reciprocal movement of the sliding plate  50  with respect to the mounting plate  30 . This is especially the case in combination with shoulders  38 A, 38 B of the bridge  38  flanking the opposite lateral sides of the neck  52 . 
     The sliding plate also comprises a plateau  66  that extends in the area of the sliding plate  50  that generally lies between the fingers  64 A, 64 B. The plateau  66  rises above the second major surface  56  of the sliding plate  50 , i.e., away from the first major surface  54 . In operation, when the web adjuster  10  is in a locking configuration, which will be further described with respect to FIG. 17, the plateau  66  presses the web  120  against the edge  42  of the aperture  40 . The plateau  66  can be formed, for example, by stamping an upset in the sliding plate  50  or by fixing a separate body to the second major surface  56 . 
     Referring to FIG. 17, the operation of the web adjuster  10  will be described. The mounting plate  30  is fixed to the seat (omitted for clarity). The sliding plate  50  is displaceable in shear with respect to the mounting plate  30 . That is to say the second major face  36  of the mounting plate  30  slidingly confronts the second major surface  56  of the sliding plate  50 . 
     In the locking configuration of the web adjuster  10 , the biasing elements (omitted for clarity) displace the sliding plate  50  with respect to the mounting plate  30  in a direction indicated with arrow A. Thus, the web  120  is pressed between the edge  42  of the aperture  40  and the plateau  66  of the sliding plate  50 . Pulling on the neck  52  in the opposite direction, indicated with arrow B, separates the plateau  66  from the edge  42  and releases the web  120 . 
     The web  120  threads through the web adjuster  10  along a circuitous path. The web  120  extends from the ring  118 , over the ridge  30 A, through the first aperture  40  and the second sub-aperture  58 A, over the portion of the first major surface  54  defined by the bridge  59 , through the second aperture  58 , between the plateau  66  and the edge  42  and around a back edge  68  of the sliding plate  50 . The web  120  then extends to a handle  122  at an end of the web  120  that is distal with respect to the ring  118 . 
     To cinch down the shoulder straps  1   16 A,  1   16 B, the handle  122  is pulled in the direction indicated with arrow C. An advantage of the present invention is that pulling the handle  122  displaces the sliding plate  50  with respect to the mounting plate  30  in the direction indicated with arrow B, thereby separating the plateau  66  from the edge  42 . Thus, the web adjuster  10  automatically releases the web  120  when tightening the harness  110 . 
     Conversely, if there is an attempt to release the cinched-down shoulder straps  116 A, 116 B, i.e., by pulling the web  120  in the direction indicated with arrow D, the plateau  66  and the edge  42  increase the grip on the web  120  in proportion to the force attempting to release the should straps  116 A, 116 B. Thus, a child&#39;s attempts to remove the shoulder straps  116 A, 116 B are prevented. Similarly, the web  120  also remains locked in the event of a collision that throws the child&#39;s body against the shoulder straps  116 A, 116 B. 
     In order to release the shoulder straps  116 A,  116 B, e.g., when it is desirable to remove the child from the seat  100 , the sliding plate  50  is displaced in the direction indicated with arrow B by pulling on the neck  52 . This enables the web  120  to be pulled in the direction indicated with arrow D against minimal resistance from the web adjuster  10 . 
     Another advantage of the web adjuster  10  is that it acts like a one-way clutch, allowing only cinching, until the web adjuster is moved to its unlocked configuration. 
     A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 18-29. A web adjuster  10 ′ is substantially similar to the web adjuster  10 , as described with reference to FIGS. 1-17, consequently, a description of the identical features that have previously been described is omitted with regard to this second embodiment. However, five differences between the web adjuster  10  and the web adjuster  10 ′ are noted. 
     First, a bridge  38 ′ of the mounting plate  30  in web adjuster  10 ′ does not include the shoulder portions  38 A, 38 B of the web adjuster  10 . Second, there is a stamped ridge  30 A′ of the mounting plate  30  in web adjuster  10 ′, rather than the rolled ridge  30 A of the web adjuster  10 . Third, there is an additional sub-aperture  40 B defined by an additional bridge  48 ′ in web adjuster  10 ′. Fourth, the bridge  59  defining the sub-aperture  58 A of the web adjuster  10  has been eliminated, leaving only second aperture  58 ′ in the web adjuster  10 ′. Fifth, there is a different circuitous path of the web  120  threading through the web adjuster  10 ′, as compared to web adjuster  10 . As shown in FIG. 29, the web  120  extends from the ring  118 , over the stamped ridge  30 A′, through the first aperture  40  and the second aperture  58 ′, between the back edge  68  and the edge  42 , over the portion of the first major face  34  defined by the additional bridge  48 ′, and through the additional sub-aperture  40 B, before extending to the handle  122  at the end of the web  120  that is distal with respect to the ring  118 . 
     In operation, the web adjuster  10 ′ is substantially similar to that of web adjuster  10 , except that the web adjuster  10 ′ provides locking against pulling the web  120  in either of the directions indicated with arrows C and D. Thus, the edge  42  and the plateau  66  must be separated in order to cinch down or to release the shoulder straps  116 A,  116 B. The web adjuster  10 ′ does not act like a one-way clutch as described with respect to the web adjuster  10 . 
     Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in the art would appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modifications within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, all modifications attainable by one versed in the art from the present disclosure within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention accordingly is to be defined as set forth in the appended claims.