Forward and rearward facing child seat with belt tensioning mechanism for improved installation

• Main Authors: Strong, Lynn Curtis, Gunter, Mark, Reed, Scott Alan
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 14.09.2021
• Subjects: PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a vehicle seat is provided herein. The child seat, which may be front- and/or rear-facing, includes a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest portion. The seat base can receive an untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a vehicle seat in an untensioned configuration. A tensioning mechanism attached to the backrest portion and is rotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism applies tension to the portion of the received belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided herein.