Patent ID: 7644986

Claim:
A restraint harness for use in a child safety seat, comprising: a restraint harness including: two shoulder harness straps extending through openings in a back of said child safety seat having an engagement point; a splitter plate having a first end configured for engaging and retaining said engagement point of said two shoulder harness straps and a second end opposite said first end; and a lower harness strap having a first end engaged with said second end of said splitter plate and a second end that is adjustable affixed to said child safety seat; and an energy absorbing including: a length of webbing material having a first end and a second end; a central core between said first and second ends having a relaxed length and an extended length, said central core being adapted to elongate from said relaxed length to said extended length under a force applied to said energy absorbing region and to absorb said force; a sheath having a first end and a second end received about said central core, said sheath having a length that is longer than said relaxed length of said central core, said sheath gathered about said central core and affixed to said first and second ends of said energy absorbing region, said sheath limiting the extended length of said central core; and a second splitter plate on a first end of said energy absorbing region and a loop on a second end thereof, said second splitter plate configured for engaging and retaining said engagement point of said two shoulder harness straps said loop being engaged by said first splitter plate in said restraint harness.