Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    In the use of current child safety seats within a motor vehicle, a child is restrained in a five point safety harness. This harness is connected to anchor points on the upper and lower portions of a safety shell. 
         [0002]    The harness has two web members extending from the upper portion of the seat, placed over a child&#39;s shoulders. Each web is connected laterally at a point, one to another, proximate the child&#39;s chest area. 
         [0003]    At the lower portion, the webs are connected at a second position at a buckle, achieved through placing a pair of tangs, attached to each web, into the buckle. 
         [0004]    To remove a child from the harness, both the upper and lower connections are disconnected. 
         [0005]    As a result of disconnecting the stated harness web connections and removing a child, the webs and attached connectors fall within a depression or concavity formed by the contours of the seat. 
         [0006]    The seat contours are such that the lower buckle also falls into this depression. 
         [0007]    As a result of the position of these webs within the seat, a child, when replaced within the seat, is placed over the webs and attachments, covering them. 
         [0008]    This necessitates reaching into the seat depression to locate, and retrieve each web from underneath the child, requiring moving and possible discomfort of the child. 
         [0009]    The same is true when locating and retrieving the tangs and buckle from underneath the child. 
         [0010]    These actions require the adult to spend additional time, mostly with the vehicle door open, often in inclement or hot weather, to correctly install a child safely within the safety seat. 
         [0011]    It is an object of this invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the harness webs, tangs and buckle, falling into the depression or concavity formed by the contours of the seat. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of this invention to make placing, or removing a child from a safety seat easier and less intrusive. 
         [0013]    It is yet another object of this invention to interpose between a child and the aforementioned sleeves, a foam or gel like material to enhance the safety and comfort of a child. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention relates to a harness assembly set within a child&#39;s safety seat within a motor vehicle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    In a first embodiment the present invention accordingly provides a child safety seat installed within a motor vehicle, in particular including both upper portions of a harness web threaded through a pair of sleeves surrounding that portion of the web proximate a child&#39;s chest area, manufactured from a suitable flexible, soft plastic. 
         [0016]    The sleeves are sized to fit over the web so that frictional contact between the interior of the sleeve, and the mating surface of the web, is sufficient to hold a sleeve in a preset position on the web. 
         [0017]    Each sleeve has a backing member of a foam or gel like material interposed between a child and each sleeve. To simplify terms, the following may be helpful. 
         [0018]    This area of a sleeve, facing inward toward the seat, is referred to as the underside. 
         [0019]    The opposite area, facing outward from the seat, is referred to as the topside. 
         [0020]    A magnet is positioned upon the topside of each aforementioned sleeve. This magnet is embedded within a circular plinth. The upper portions of both webs are required to be connected laterally to offer protection against separation in the event of a sudden deceleration. Connecting members are therefore provided on both sleeve topside, having one portion attached to one sleeve, and a second portion attached to the other sleeve. 
         [0021]    The lower portions of the web harness are connected at a buckle, achieved through inserting a pair of tangs into the buckle. Each tang is free to move along its web, and falls into the depression within the seat as stated previously. To counteract this, the tang is attached by a narrow strap to a web clamp, securing the tang at a desired position along the web. 
         [0022]    A handle is attached to a buckle mechanism by two pivot points located each side of the face of the buckle. The handle is free to rotate around the buckle where, in a first position it is in a closed, secured, position. It is rotated through a second, open position. In this second, open position, the added length of the handle to the buckle mechanism extends over the seat edge providing a grasping opportunity. This extension further assists in retaining the position of the buckle, the handle forming a cantilever extension ( FIG. 7 ) and by the contour of the seat edge falling away at that point, and allowing further downward rotation of the handle. This captures the buckle outside the area of the seat depression, where it may be manipulated by the handle and returned into a desired original position when required to reinsert the tangs. 
         [0023]    Further assisting this insertion process, the tangs are attached to web clamps, by a narrow strip, allowing some flexibility of movement of the tang without having to alter the position of the web clamp. 
         [0024]    The distal end of the handle has a tee shape configuration, having a metallic disc attached near each end, positioned to locate and attach to aforementioned sleeve magnets in a first closed position. 
         [0025]    A protruding flange surrounds the metallic discs area, and is intended to surround and enclose portions of the aforementioned magnet plinths, offering a secondary protection against a lateral separation of the webs. 
         [0026]    A metallic strip is embedded within each side of the seat proper, proximate the chest/shoulder area of a child, and enclosed by a material isolating contact with a child, yet allowing magnetic attraction when coupled to aforementioned sleeve magnets. 
         [0027]    These longitudinally placed metallic strips are sized to accommodate a range of adjustments of the sleeves made over time. It is intended that the position of the sleeves and web clamps relative to the harness web be adjusted to suite the child using the safety seat. This setting will place the metallic discs in the handle to contact the sleeve magnets, and seat side metallic strips. Further adjustment will only be required as the child grows. 
         [0028]    In a second embodiment the present invention accordingly provides a child safety seat installed within a motor vehicle, including both upper portions of a harness web threaded through a pair of sleeves surrounding that portion of the web proximate a child&#39;s chest area, manufactured from a suitable flexible, soft plastic. 
         [0029]    The sleeves are sized to fit over the web so that frictional contact between the interior of the sleeve, and the mating surface of the web, is sufficient to hold a sleeve in a preset position. The sleeves proper terminate at an approximate midpoint along the length, and transition into an open web guide member, being enclosed on each side by a narrow curled flange, ( FIG. 12 ) terminating in an integral strip attached to a web tang. 
         [0030]    On the underside each sleeve is fitted with a backing member of a foam or gel like material interposed between a child, and the underside of the sleeve and sleeve guide member. 
         [0031]    The upper portions of both webs are required to be connected laterally to offer protection against separation in the event of a sudden deceleration. Connecting members are therefore provided on both sleeve topside, having one portion attached to one sleeve, and a second portion attached to the other sleeve. 
         [0032]    A magnet is positioned upon the topside of each aforementioned sleeve. This magnet is embedded within a circular plinth. 
         [0033]    A handle is attached to a buckle mechanism by two pivot points located on the face of the buckle. The handle is free to rotate around the buckle where, in a first position, it is in a closed, secured, placement. It is rotated through a second, open position. In this second, open position, the adding length of the handle connected to the buckle mechanism extends over the seat edge providing a grasping opportunity. This extension further assists in retaining the position of the buckle by the contour of the seat edge falling away at that point, and allowing further downward rotation of the handle. This captures the buckle outside the area of the seat depression, where it is manipulated by the handle into a desired original position to reinsert the tangs. Further assisting this insertion process, the tangs are attached to web guide member, having a narrow strip attached, allowing some flexibility of movement of the tang without having to alter the position of the sleeves and web guides. 
         [0034]    Two protuberances, ( FIG. 15 ) spaced apart on the buckle, placed away from the pivot points, locate the handle stem, each side cooperating with two protruding areas set within the handle stem sides, causing compression of the protruding areas, thereby securing the handle within the aforementioned protuberances. 
         [0035]    Each sleeve may be provided with a flange placed along the length of the sleeve ( FIG. 14 ) that it may separate an underside member from a topside member. In this open configuration the sleeve may be slid over a web length. Each flange would be connected together, by inserting spaced apart bulbous members through cooperating sized holes, providing a completely enclosing sleeve. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0036]    The embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated by reference to the following drawings. 
           [0037]      FIG. 1  is a frontal view of a harness web attachment in a fastened, closed and secured position according to the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  is a frontal view of a harness web attachment in an unfastened, open and stored position according to the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 3 . is a enlarged view of a sleeve portion attached to a harness web attachment, including a connection device, and magnet placements. 
           [0040]      FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 . show detailed views of various parts used within the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  indicates a stored position of a buckle with connected handle. 
           [0042]      FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 10 , are various detailed views of a connecting member. 
           [0043]      FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 11   a,  illustrates a frontal view of a second embodiment of this present invention Illustrating harness web sleeves attached to a harness web. Also shown are placements of a connecting device, magnets and handle. 
           [0044]      FIG. 12 , and  FIG. 14  are sections through sleeves. 
           [0045]      FIG. 13  is a plan and section through a connecting member. 
           [0046]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an attached handle and a fastening method. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0047]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  shows a child&#39;s safety seat with a five point web harness as found in conventional safety seats fitted within a motor vehicle. The upper shoulder straps  1  and  1   a  are enclosed within a pair of sleeves  2  and  3 , fitted such as frictional contact between the interior of the sleeve and the web hold the sleeve in a pre selected position. 
         [0048]    Positioned on the lower portion of sleeves  2  and  3 , are two magnets  4  and  5 , (FIG.  3 / FIG. 6 ) facing topside, are set within plinths  6  and  7 . These magnets may be covered by a thin membrane (not shown) to prevent access by a child. 
         [0049]    Two metallic strips  8  and  9  are embedded within each side of the seat proper  10 , proximate the chest/shoulder area of a child, and enclosed by a material isolating contact with a child, yet allowing magnetic attraction when coupled to aforementioned sleeve magnets  4  and  5  (This connection explained fully later) 
         [0050]    These longitudinally placed metallic strips are sized to accommodate a range of adjustments of the sleeves made over time. It will be noted that magnetic strips may be substituted for metallic strips  8  and  9 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 4 . The lower portions of the web harness are connected at a buckle  11 , achieved through inserting a pair of tangs  12  and  13  into buckle  11 . Each tang is free to move along its web  1 , and  1   a  and falls into the depression within the seat as stated previously. To counteract this, tang  12  is attached to a web clamp  14  by narrow strip  15 , similarly tang  13  is attached to web clamp  16  by narrow strip  17 , securing the tangs to a desired position along the web. To position web clamp  14  along web  1 , an attached clip  14   a,  is lifted slightly, relieving compression on web  1 , allowing web clamp  14  to slide along web  1 . 
         [0052]    The same adjustment applies to web clamp  16 . Narrow strips  15  and  17  enable some freedom of movement to insert the tangs  12  and  13 , into buckle  11  without adjusting the positions of web clamps  14  and  16 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 . The upper portions of both webs  1  and web  1   a  are required to be connected laterally to offer protection against separation of the webs in the event of a sudden deceleration. 
         [0054]    Two portions of a connecting mechanism are therefore provided, both positioned on the topside of sleeves  2  and  3 . Attached to sleeve  2  a circular wall  18 , is provided with an open area  18   a,  positioned adjacent to a similarly positioned connector  20  located and connected on sleeve  3 . 
         [0055]    The distal end of connector  20  has a circular member  21  with a descending encasing flange  22 , sized to fit closely within circular wall  18 . Contained on circular member  21 , having an outer facing area, and an inner facing area, a slide  23  is fitted to the outer facing area, having on one end a finger grip  24 , the distal end having a protruding planer member  25  and a descending elongated connector  26   a,  engaged within slot  27 , terminating in an elongated flange  26 , (now within the inner facing area) with one end having a tapered opening  26   b.  At the end of its travel, elongated flange  26 , and tapered opening  26   b  springs apart and snaps back engaging descending protrusion  26   c,  requiring additional finger force to fully engage these members. (The resulting pressure required to secure or retract slide  23  would therefore be greater than a child could produce to eliminate accidental opening) 
         [0056]    Slide  23  is used to alternate positions between a first retracted position, and a second extended position, whereby planer member  25  is engaged within circular wall  18 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 10  illustrates circular member  21  fitted within circular wall  18 , having opening  18   a  providing a slot  29  one end and slot  30  the opposing end, cooperating to engage planer member  25  when positioned in the extended position, thereby securing circular member  21  within circular wall  18 . In this configuration, lateral force applied to sleeves  2  and  3  will be resisted by the interaction between circular member  21 , captured within circular wall  18 . 
         [0058]    As previously stated buckle  11  will fall into a position underneath a child in a conventional safety seat. Therefore this invention provides an attached handle  31  providing a grasping opportunity to locate and manipulate buckle  11  to a desired storage position. 
         [0059]      FIG. 5  illustrates such a handle  31  having on one end a yoke  31   a,  terminating in pivotal connectors  31   a - 1 , and  31   a - 2 , with the distal end having two metallic discs,  31   b  and  31   c,  surrounded by an ascending flange  31   d.  Handle  31  is rotoratably connected to Buckle  11  through interaction with pivot points  11   a  and  11   b,  inserted into connectors  31   a - 1 , and  31   a - 2 . 
         [0060]    It may be beneficial to describe the actions required to position the elements of the present invention in a first, closed, fastened position, to secure a child within a safety seat. And to further describe a second, open, unfastened and stored position required to remove a child from a safety seat, and prepare the elements of this present invention positioned such as to more easily replace a child within the seat. 
         [0061]    After placing a child within a safety seat, web  1  and  1   a,  being overlaid with sleeves  2  and  3  are placed over a child&#39;s shoulders, with sleeves  2  and  3  positioned at a child&#39;s chest area. 
         [0062]    Connector  20 , attached to sleeve  3 , positions circular member  21  proximate circular wall  18 , on sleeve  2 , whereupon circular member  21  is inserted into circular wall  18 . 
         [0063]    At this point slide  23 , set upon circular member  21 , is in a retraced position, and offers no interference to the insertion process. ( FIG. 9 ) Placing a finger on finger member  24 , and applying a small force in the direction of sleeve  3 , move slide  23 , together with planer member  25 , toward the open area of circular wall  18   a.  Planer member  25  ( FIG. 10 ) is inserted into slot  29  on one side of open area  18   a,  and into slot  30  on the opposite side. This action also moves elongated flange  26  and tapered connector  26   b  toward descending protrusion  26   c.  Applying additional force, protrusion  26   c  is captured within tapered connector  26   b.  Circular member  21  is now secured within circular wall  18  thereby securing sleeves  2  and  3  together. At a lower point, buckle  11  is positioned and tangs  12  and  13  are inserted and secured within buckle  11 . Handle  31  ( FIG. 1 ) is located and rotated upwards toward the lower portion of sleeves  2  and  3 , whereupon metallic disc  31   b  is attracted to magnet  4 , and metallic disc  31   c  is attracted to magnet  5 , connecting and attaching in a releasable yet secured connection. 
         [0064]    Ascending flange  31   d  is covering portions of magnet plinths  6  and  7  in close proximity, restricting lateral movement, thereby providing secondary protection against lateral forces separating sleeves  2  and  3 . 
         [0065]    At this point a child is securely seated within the five point safety harness seat utilizing the components of this present invention, The procedure for removing a child from the safety seat is as follows. 
         [0066]    Handle  31  is lifted, breaking the magnetic connection between magnet  4  and metallic disc  31   b  and magnet  5 , and metallic disc  31   c.  The handle  31  is rotated through approximately 180 degrees, giving access to a push button  11   c,  whereby tangs  12  and  13  are removed from buckle  11 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 8 . Using slide  23  to retract planer member  25  breaking a connection from within circular wall slots  29  and  30 , frees circular member  21  from within circular wall  18 , wherein circular member  21  is lifted out and removed, thereby separating sleeve  2  from sleeve  3 . 
         [0068]    Sleeve  2  ( FIG. 2 ) is inverted as it is lifted free of a child and moved toward the outside edge of seat  10 . Sleeve  2 , together with magnet  4 , now being inverted or turned over is positioned over metallic strip  8 . Magnet  4  is attracted to, and makes contact thereby attaching sleeve  2  to the side of the seat  10 . 
         [0069]    Web  1  is now in a stored position along an upper outer aspect of seat side  10 , prevented from falling into the seat depression as described previously through the interaction of metallic strip  8 , and magnet  4 . Web clamp  14  connected to tang  12 , through narrow strip  15  is also secured to the side of the seat  10 , connected by web  1  through interaction with sleeve  2  and the magnetic connection so formed. 
         [0070]    The same method is used to reposition sleeve  3 , connecting magnet  5  with metallic strip  9 , therefore securing web  1   a,  with web clamp  16  and tang  13  also captured in a stored position. 
         [0071]      FIG. 6 . The underside of both sleeves  2  and  3  are visible, revealing a foam or gel like material  2   a  and  3   a  attached to sleeves  2  and  3 , offering additional protection in the event of a sudden deceleration of a vehicle, to enhance the safety and comfort of a child. 
         [0072]      FIG. 2 . Handle  31  being rotated to a lower point, attached to buckle  11 , is grasped and pulled further in a downward direction, such that buckle  11  is pulled away from the previously described seat depression, toward an outer lower edge of seat  10 . Buckle  11 , with handle  31  ( FIG. 7 ) acting as a cantilever, is positioned and stored at a seat edge, away from interference with extracting the child, yet available for grasping when next required. 
         [0073]    At this point, all the elements provided for by this present invention are captured and positioned on seat  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , giving a unobstructed space in which to place and more easily secure a child within seat  10 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 11  In a second embodiment of the present invention, providing a similar operating function to the preferred embodiment, accordingly provides a child safety seat installed within a motor vehicle, including both upper portions of a harness web designated by the numerals  1 , and  1   a  in the aforementioned preferred embodiment, threaded through a pair of sleeves  32  and  33  surrounding that portion of the web proximate a child&#39;s chest area, manufactured from a suitable pliable, soft plastic. 
         [0075]    Sleeves  32  and  33  are sized to fit over webs  1  and  1   a  so that frictional contact between the interior of the sleeve, and the mating surface of the web, is sufficient to hold a sleeve in a preset position. 
         [0076]    Sleeve  32  terminates at an approximate midpoint along the length and transitions into an open web guide member  38 , sleeve  33  similarly transitions to open guide member  39 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 12  Guide member  38  is enclosed on each side by a narrow curled flange, with projections  38   a  and  38   b  providing additional web securing. The distal end terminating in an integral strip  40  attached to a web tang  41 . Guide member  39 , with projections  39   a  and  39   b,  are likewise attached to integral strip  43 , together with web tang  44 . 
         [0078]    On the underside of sleeves  32  and  33  continuing through the underside of guide member  38  and  39  a backing member  38   c,  is attached, manufactured from a foam or gel like material, along the total length, providing some additional comfort and protection to a child secured within the seat. 
         [0079]    After placing a child within a safety seat, designated in the preferred embodiment by the numeral  10  web  1  and  1   a,  being overlaid with sleeves  32  and  33  are placed over a child&#39;s shoulders, proximate a child&#39;s chest area. 
         [0080]      FIG. 11   a  depicts the previous description of  FIG. 11  with the addition of a handle  46 , attached to a buckle  47 , overlaying a portion of the sleeves  32  and  33 , and web guides  38  and  39 . 
         [0081]    The operation of handle  46 , with buckle  47  may be better explained by reference to  FIG. 15 . 
         [0082]    Provided on buckle  47 , are two protuberances  47   a  and  47   b  set near an edge, spaced apart to accommodate a stem portion  46   f  of handle  46 . An upper end of handle  46  terminates in a tee type member, the distal end terminating in a round shaft like member  46   e,  extending beyond the width of handle stem  46   f,  interacting within pivot points  46   c  and  46   d,  attached to buckle  47  near an opposite edge. Positioned at a point along its length handle  46  has two elongated holes  46   a  and  46   b,  having narrow wall strips  46   a - 1 , and  46   b - 1  protruding from the nominal width of handle stem  46   f  placed adjacent to protuberances  47   a  and  47   b.  With handle  46  in a first closed position handle stem  46   f,  cooperating with the two protuberances  47   a  and  47   b  causes inward compression of the narrow wall strips sides  46   a - 1  and  46   b - 1 , in cooperation with elongated holes  46   a  and  46   b,  thereby securing the handle within the aforementioned protuberances. 
         [0083]    At a lower point, buckle  47  is positioned and tangs  41  and  44  are inserted and secured within buckle  47 . Handle  46  is rotated upward to connect with buckle protuberances  47   a  and  47   b,  so that handle  46  is in a stored position overlaying a portion of web guides  38  and  39 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 13 . The upper portions of both webs are required to be connected laterally to offer protection against separation in the event of a sudden deceleration. Connecting members are therefore provided on both sleeves topside. Set on an upper portion of sleeve  32  connector  34  having an open end  34   c,  mounted such that open end  34   c  is opposite and facing an attached insert member  35 , attached to sleeve  33 . 
         [0085]    Insert member  35  is inserted into connector  34 , causing a spring like action to occur at two protruding members  35   a  and  35   b,  having a separated extension  35   e,  terminating in finger grips  35   c  and  35   d,  being forced inward through interaction with contoured edge members  34   a  and  34   b,  and spring back to their normal position once inserted, engaging within a recessed portion of  34   a  and  34   b  locking insert member  35  in place within connection  34 . Sleeves  32  and  33 , and by extension web guides  38  and  39  are now connected together. With both upper and lower connections made, web  1  and la are in a closed secured position around a child strapped within a safety seat. 
         [0086]    To remove a child from within the safety seat the upper connection  34  and  35  are disconnected by removing insert member  35  from connector  34 . Finger grips  35   c  and  35   d  are squeezed together to separate protrusions  35   a  and  35   b  from within the recessed areas  34   a  and  34   b.  Insert member  35  is now withdrawn from connector  34 , thereby separating sleeves  32  and  33 , together with web guides  38  and  39 . 
         [0087]    At a lower connection handle  46  is rotated away from an overlaying position over sleeves  32  and  33 , and web guides  38  and  39 , allowing tangs  41  and  44  to be extracted from buckle  47  by pressing in a push button as provided by a conventional seat harness. It will be noted that the push button set within the buckle cannot be accessed and operated with the handle in a closed position offering a further advantage by resisting opening by a child. 
         [0088]    Handle  46  being rotated to a lower point, attached to buckle  47 , is grasped and pulled further in a downward direction, such that buckle  47  is pulled away from the previously described seat depression, toward an outer lower edge of a seat. Buckle  47 , with handle  46  acting as a cantilever, is positioned and stored at a seat edge, away from interference with the child, yet available for grasping when next required. With connection  34  and  35  separated, and a lower connection separated at buckle  47  the actions remaining to remove a child from within a seat are exactly as described and set out within the aforementioned preferred embodiment narrative. Reference is hereby made to  FIG. 2  containing numerals  8  and  9 , to describe metallic strips, and numeral  10 , to describe a safety seat. A combined sleeve  32 , and web guide  38  is inverted as it is lifted free of a child and moved toward the outside edge of seat  10 . Sleeve  32 , with attached magnet  36 , now being inverted or turned over is positioned over metallic strip  8 , magnet  36  is attracted to, and makes contact thereby attaching sleeve  32  and web guide  38  to the side of seat  10 . Similarly sleeve  33  and combined web guide  39 , is inverted and is positioned over metallic strip  9  magnet  37  is attracted to, and makes contact thereby attaching sleeve  33  and web guide  39  to the side of seat  10 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 14 , included for reference, is provided to illustrate a sleeve, for example,  32 , may be separated longitudinally, and by means of a natural hinge to open into two connected parts, and to close around a web, secured by a flange extension  32   w  and  32   w - 1  by spaced apart bulbous members  32   x  passing through spaced apart holes  32   y  in a tight fitting relationship, so as to reestablish the continuity of the sleeve  32 . Thus a sleeve may be opened along its length to be fitted to a web and not require threading through. 
         [0090]    The particular embodiments of the invention described above for the purpose of disclosing and illustrating the principals involved, are not intended to put limitations on this invention. 
         [0091]    It may be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

Technology Category: 7