A method and system for securing a child or passenger. The method or system has a harness. The method or system has a cam buckle. The method or system has a harness adjuster. The method or system has a handle. The handle is operatively connected to the harness adjuster. The harness adjuster includes a one-way ratchet. The harness passes through the belt adjuster and the cam buckle. The handle is configured to activate the tightening mechanism to tighten the harness to a set tension through a single actuation motion.

Disclosed herein are various aspects of a buckle assembly for use with a child safety seat. The buckle assembly comprises a buckle sensor, the buckle sensor configured for determining whether fasteners of the child safety seat are secured into the buckle assembly; a processor coupled with the buckle sensor; and a transceiver coupled with the processor, the transceiver for communicating with a control system of a vehicle. The transceiver is configured to receive a signal from the control system, the signal indicating at least what gear the vehicle is in and whether the vehicle's ignition is on or off; and signal the control system after a first period of time has passed after receiving a signal that the vehicle's ignition is off and the fasteners remain secured into the buckle.

A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a transceiver, and a sensor comprising a motion detector. The retainer apparatus includes the first retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a first harness strap and a second retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The motion detector is configured to detect movement of the retainer apparatus and transmit a warning signal, via the transceiver, to a controller within a vehicle comprising the retainer apparatus to alert a user in the vehicle if the movement is detected.

A child seat or child restraining system for securing a child to a vehicle seat, and method of installing the car seat are provided. The child seat, which is configured to be secured to a seat of a vehicle, includes: a seat base secured to the seat of the vehicle; a child receiving portion supported by the seat base; and a belt tensioning system incorporated into the seat base. The belt tensioning system is configured to receive a belt that couples the seat base to the seat of the vehicle. The child seat also includes a controller operatively connected to the belt tensioning system and configured to automatically actuate the belt tensioning system. The belt tensioning system may be configured to drive the at least one belt in a pay-in direction to apply tension to the at least one belt.

Embodiments include a vehicle comprising a user interface, a first sensor coupled to a child seat for detecting a child seat belt status; a gear selector for selecting a vehicle gear, and a processor communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the gear selector, and configured to cause the user interface to present a first notification if a first alarm condition is detected based on the child seat belt status and a selected gear. Embodiments also include a method of providing child seat monitoring in a vehicle, the method comprising receiving a gear position from a vehicle gear selector, receiving a child seat belt status from a first sensor coupled to a vehicle child seat, and presenting a first notification using a vehicle user interface if the gear position is a non-park position and the child seat belt status is unbuckled.

In embodiments, apparatuses, methods and storage media (transitory and non-transitory) are described that are associated with providing alerts to a caregiver in a vehicle. In various embodiments, an apparatus may include a first sensor coupled with a restraint to provide a restraint indicator, a second sensor coupled with a securing component to provide an attachment indicator, and an alert module operated by one or more processors to cause a wireless transmitter to transmit an alert signal based at least in part on the restraint indicator and the attachment indicator. In various embodiments, a warning apparatus may include an output device and a warning module operated by one or more processors to activate the output device based at least in part on a wireless alert signal from a car seat in a vehicle that indicates the car seat is in use.

The present disclosure comprises methods and devices for alerting those outside a vehicle that a passenger or package is present within the vehicle.

A vehicular safety system includes a vehicle that has a plurality of seat belts, an alarm and an ignition. Each of the seat belts is operationally coupled to the alarm and the ignition. A car seat is provided that has a belt and a clasp. The car seat is removably positioned within the vehicle. A conductor is coupled to the car seat and the conductor is selectively electrically coupled between the clasp and one of the seat belts when the car seat is occupied. Thus, the alarm detects when the conductor is operationally coupled to the buckle. The alarm generates an alarm sequence when the ignition is turned off and the conductor is electrically coupled between the clasp and the buckle. The alarm sequence includes an audible alarm such that the alarm may inhibit an occupant from being inadvertently left in the vehicle. A switch is positioned within the vehicle such that the may be manipulated. The switch is electrically coupled to the alarm and the switch de-actuates the alarm when the switch is manipulated.

A vehicular safety system includes a vehicle that has a plurality of seat belts, an alarm and an ignition. Each of the seat belts is operationally coupled to the alarm and the ignition. A car seat is provided that has a belt and a clasp. The car seat is removably positioned within the vehicle. A conductor is coupled to the car seat and the conductor is selectively electrically coupled between the clasp and one of the seat belts when the car seat is occupied. Thus, the alarm detects when the conductor is operationally coupled to the buckle. The alarm generates an alarm sequence when the ignition is turned off and the conductor is electrically coupled between the clasp and the buckle. The alarm sequence includes an audible alarm such that the alarm may inhibit an occupant from being inadvertently left in the vehicle. A switch is positioned within the vehicle such that the may be manipulated. The switch is electrically coupled to the alarm and the switch de-actuates the alarm when the switch is manipulated.

A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a transceiver, and a sensor comprising a motion detector. The retainer apparatus includes the first retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a first harness strap and a second retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The motion detector is configured to detect movement of the retainer apparatus and transmit a warning signal, via the transceiver, to a controller within a vehicle comprising the retainer apparatus to alert a user in the vehicle if the movement is detected.