A system includes a seatbelt retractor and a webbing payable from the seatbelt retractor. A marker is fixed to the webbing. A proximity sensor is fixed relative to the seatbelt retractor. The proximity sensor is designed to detect the marker when the marker is within sensing range of the proximity sensor. The marker is positioned along the webbing to be out of sensing range of the proximity sensor when the webbing is engaged with a 6-year-old anthropomorphic test device and to be in sensing range of the proximity sensor when the webbing is engaged with a child seat.

A pet safety restraint device is provided that restrains pets transported in a vehicle. The pet safety device has a retractable leash built into or attached to it. The retractable leash is attachable to a pet harness that can be worn by the pet. The pet safety device provides the pet with a limited range of movement within the vehicle. When an inertial force is exerted on the vehicle and the passengers and the pet in the vehicle, the pet safety restraint device includes a ball housed within the pet safety restraint device that lodges within a gap between teeth of a rotating gear piece in the pet safety restraint device. The retractable leash is locked in place, thus pulling back on the pet and preventing the pet from crashing in the vehicle or being thrown out of the vehicle.

A seat harness system having a harness plate lockable to a seat to form a five-point harness system for the seat. The harness plate is operatively associated with harness strapping, which is associated with a harness positioning system, which in turn is associated with an actuator to form a singular system that requires only a single action to release all five-points harness system by way of the actuator and the harness positioning system.

An insert for repositioning at least one of the harness straps of a child safety seat in order to accommodate an occupant smaller than the harness is configured to accommodate, wherein the insert is adapted to locate between the child safety seat and the occupant and includes a pair of waist strap guides, each waist strap guide configured to allow a waist strap of the harness to extend through and exit the waist strap guide at a position narrower than where the waist strap exits the child safety seat.

Energy absorbing devices for use with child seat restraint webs, seat belt webs, and other webs are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an energy absorbing device includes a body having first and second apertures that receive a portion of a web, such as a web of an occupant restraint system. When a load is applied to the web, such as in a vehicle crash, the body deflects under the load from a first shape to a second shape to absorb the energy transmitted by the web.

A car seat system for automatically displacing the movable components of the car seat. The car seat including sensors and a computing module to detect the measurements of a child placed in the car seat. The car seat system determines the current position of the movable components and displaces the movable components automatically based on the child's measurements or a desired amount. The car seat system automatically learns child's behaviors when the child is placed in the car seat. The car seat system learns schedules utilized by the child, routes taken by the driver of the car, and other data over a period of time. The behavioral, scheduling, routing, and other data obtained is stored by the car seat system and utilized to enhance the safety and comfortability of the child during a car ride. The car seat system also determines thickness of clothing worn by the child while placed in the car seat and adjusts the shoulder belts to accommodate for the clothing while providing a snug fit of the shoulder belts that fall within safety recommendations. The car seat also auto reclines to a desired angle and also rotates about itself to face the door. The car seat system includes an auto-incident detection mode. In this mode, the system detects an incident, such as an accident, hard braking, or another hazard, and automatically displaces the features in the car seat to make the car seat secure during the crash minimizing the effect of the incident on the child. The car seat also includes pretensioners and motors to release, pull back, and lock the car seat belts.

According to the present invention there is provided a supplemental restraint harness for cooperating with a seat belt of a vehicle, the supplemental restraint harness comprising, an upper portion which is configured to be worn on the torso of a wearer, wherein the upper portion comprises a first strap which, when the harness is worn, extends along a front of the wearer's torso, over a first shoulder of the wearer, and along a back of the wearer's torso, and a second strap which, when the harness is worn, extends along a front of the wearer's torso, over a second shoulder of the wearer, and along a back of the wearer's torso; and a lower portion, comprising a third strap which can be arranged to form a first loop which can receive a first leg of the wearer, and a fourth strap which can be arranged to form a second loop which can receive a second leg of the wearer; and wherein the upper position and lower portion are connected to one another; and wherein the harness further comprises at least one connector which is suitable for connecting to a seat belt of a vehicle. There is further provided a seat belt assembly which comprises said supplemental restraint harness.

A portable restraining passenger safety harness includes a harness body and a pair of shoulder straps. The harness body contains a left shoulder area and a right shoulder area, and the size of the safety harness can be adjusted by adjusting the height of the left and right shoulder areas. The harness is securable to a vehicle by a vehicle seat belt passing behind the child through a back panel located on a rear portion of the harness.

Buckle assemblies having electronic engagement indicating devices for use with child seats and other restraint systems are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a restraint system for use with a child seat can include first and second web connectors which each have a corresponding tongue, and a buckle assembly including a housing that encloses a latch configured to engage the tongues. The buckle assembly can further include a magnet operably coupled to the latch, and an electronic switch operably positioned in the housing. The latch is configured to move between a first latch position in which the latch is disengaged from the tongues, and a second latch position in which the latch is engaged with the tongues. Movement of the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position moves the magnet relative to the electronic switch. In some embodiments, the electronic switch can include a Hall effect sensor that outputs a signal in response to movement of the magnetic field that is indicative of the engagement status of the latch.

A smart belt system to be worn by a person is described here. The smart belt system includes an elongated belt, a microprocessor coupled to the belt, a bus disposed within the elongated belt configured to conduct data to the microprocessor, a rechargeable power supply coupled to the belt and configured for providing electrical power to the microprocessor, and a mobile communication device in wireless communication with the microprocessor and having an application executing and stored in the mobile communication device.