This invention relates in general to restraint systems for automotive vehicles and more particularly, to systems and methods for an assistive device including a C-shaped tool for use in depressing the actuator button of a car seat restraint harness to assist in unlocking the buckle.

The present invention is directed to apparatus for detecting a child left unattended in a car seat as well as the status of the connection between the car seat and the vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensor module and a processor. The sensor module including a sensor for measuring force data associated with the coupling between car seat and a vehicle. The processor receives and analyzes the sensor data to determine the status of the child/child seat, and then communicates status data to a caretaker. Counter-measure instructions can also be provided to the vehicle for altering the vehicle state/environment.

The invention relates to a child seat for attaching to a motor vehicle seat, comprising a seat region and a back section, at least one shoulder strap, at least one retaining device for holding and/or deflecting the shoulder strap, and at least one force limiting means, which is designed such that the retaining device is transitioned from a first arrested position to a second arrested position upon exceeding a predetermined limit force exerted by the shoulder strap or by the shoulder straps on the retaining device in case of an impact.

The present invention provides a way to alert the driver when a child is left unattended in the car seat. The invention uses short-range wireless technology (eg Bluetooth) to trigger an alarm when the paired device goes beyond a defined perimeter. The paired device is a key FOB or a smartphone application. The invention has two sides. Each side is attached to the two buckle inserts of the standard car seat belt harness. Closure of the buckle causes both sides of the invention to make contact, which turns on/arms the invention. When armed, and the paired device goes beyond a defined range i.e. the driver walks away from the car, an alert on the paired device will be activated.

An anchor belt retractor system can be provided with a booster seat. The booster seat can include a booster seat base and optionally a seat back. The booster seat base can include a cavity or housing within which the anchor belt retractor system is housed. The anchor belt retractor system can include at least one spool or drum about which webbing can be wound. The system can also include a first anchor webbing having a first end coupled to the spool and a second end coupled to an anchor latch. The system can also include a second anchor webbing having a first end coupled to the spool and a second end coupled to a second anchor latch. The spool or drum can be spring-biased to take up any slack in the first and second anchor webbings.

A child restraint includes a juvenile seat and a seat base. The juvenile seat is configured to support a child for transportation in a vehicle. The seat base is adapted to rest on a vehicle seat and to secure the juvenile seat to the vehicle seat. The seat base includes a seat-base foundation formed to include a belt path configured to receive an attachment belt to secure the seat base to the vehicle seat. The seat base further includes a belt-installation indicator fixed to the seat-base foundation.

A child safety device and system is disclosed that alerts one or more authorized users when a caregiver walks away from a child in a car seat or similar location, when leaving a child alone is dangerous or otherwise undesirable, such as in a hot car. Detailed logging enables a review of all times that the caregiver was detected as moving too far from the child in a monitored location. The device includes at least one pressure sensor to detect the presence of a child in a location, a Bluetooth Low Energy beacon to provide a signal when energized, and a battery electrically connected to both the Bluetooth Low Energy beacon and the at least one pressure sensor, the Bluetooth Low Energy beacon being energized when pressure is applied to the pressure sensor, and the Bluetooth Low Energy beacon being deactivated when no pressure is applied to the pressure sensor.

A support base for a child safety seat includes a shell, a belt clamp, a latching mechanism and a belt retaining structure. The shell is adapted to receive a child seat thereon, and has a panel at an end thereof. The belt clamp is pivotally connected with the shell and is disposed adjacent to the panel, the panel rising above the belt clamp, the belt clamp being operable to clamp a lap belt portion of a vehicle safety belt adjacent to a surface of the shell. The latching mechanism is operable to lock the belt clamp in a clamping state. The belt retaining structure is provided on the panel, and is configured to hold a shoulder belt portion of a vehicle safety belt adjacent to the panel.

A child safety device and system is disclosed that alerts one or more authorized users when a caregiver walks away from a child in a car seat or similar location, when leaving a child alone is dangerous or otherwise undesirable, such as in a hot car. Detailed logging enables a review of all times that the caregiver was detected as moving too far from the child in a monitored location. The device includes at least one pressure sensor to detect the presence of a child in a location, a Bluetooth Low Energy beacon to provide a signal when energized, and a battery electrically connected to both the Bluetooth Low Energy beacon and the at least one pressure sensor, the Bluetooth Low Energy beacon being energized when pressure is applied to the pressure sensor, and the Bluetooth Low Energy beacon being deactivated when no pressure is applied to the pressure sensor.

The present invention is directed to child safety seats, and more particularly to a harness or belt tensioning indicator for a child safety seat harness system. The tension indicator includes a body portion for receiving a belt, harness or webbing. The tension indicator also includes a sliding indicator that is capable of moving from a first, unactuated position to a second, actuated position when the belt, harness or webbing that is received in the body portion is tensioned from a first tension to a second, correct tension.