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.

Embodiments of a car seat include an outer protective shell, an inner seat, a suspension system connecting and permitting relative movement between the inner seat and the outer protective shell. The suspension system may include a plurality of deformable metal straps. Also, embodiments of a car seat system include a frame constructed to couple to a vehicle seat. The frame has a vertical portion that extends upwardly substantially along a vehicle seatback. The vertical portion extends at least half of the height of vehicle seatback. Also, the system includes a car seat constructed to couple to the frame.

A child safety seat may include a base portion configured to be disposed on a vehicle seat base of a vehicle seat, a back portion configured to be disposed proximate to a vehicle seat back of the vehicle seat, and a top tether operably coupled to a portion of the child safety seat to enable the child safety seat to be tethered to an anchor disposed in the vehicle. The top tether may include a quick connect coupler and a first strap portion having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the first strap portion may be configured to engage the anchor. The quick connect coupler may be operably coupled to the first strap portion proximate to the proximal end of the first strap portion. The quick connect coupler may also be configured to enable the first strap portion to be coupled or decoupled from the back portion of the child safety seat.

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.

A child safety seat includes a base, a seat body and a spin lock mechanism. The seat body is movably disposed on the base and switchable relative to the base between two different positions. The spin lock mechanism includes a pivoting component and a locking component. The pivoting component is pivotally connected to one of the base and the seat body. A driving slot is formed on the pivoting component. The locking component is for engaging with and disengaging from the other of the base and the seat body and movably passes through the driving slot along a direction substantially parallel to an engaging direction and a disengaging direction of the locking component. The locking component can be driven by pivoting movement of the pivoting component to disengage from the other of the base and the seat body to allow switching movement of the seat body relative to the base.

Embodiments of a car seat include an outer protective shell, an inner seat, a suspension system connecting and permitting relative movement between the inner seat and the outer protective shell. The suspension system may include a plurality of deformable metal straps. Also, embodiments of a car seat system include a frame constructed to couple to a vehicle seat. The frame has a vertical portion that extends upwardly substantially along a vehicle seatback. The vertical portion extends at least half of the height of vehicle seatback. Also, the system includes a car seat constructed to couple to the frame.

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.

Embodiments of a car seat include an outer protective shell, an inner seat, a suspension system connecting and permitting relative movement between the inner seat and the outer protective shell. The suspension system may include a plurality of deformable metal straps. Also, embodiments of a car seat system include a frame constructed to couple to a vehicle seat. The frame has a vertical portion that extends upwardly substantially along a vehicle seatback. The vertical portion extends at least half of the height of vehicle seatback. Also, the system includes a car seat constructed to couple to the frame.

A restraint system includes a seatback having a top end portion; a retainer attached to the top end portion; a tether attachment bracket movable between a first position retained by the retainer and a second position below the first position along the seatback; and a spring coupled to the seatback and the tether attachment bracket and biasing the tether attachment bracket to the second position.

A support base for a child safety seat includes a shell, a belt clamp and a latching mechanism. The shell is adapted to receive a child seat thereon, and has a belt anchoring region including a first surface and a second surface. The belt clamp is pivotally connected with the shell, and is operable to clamp a first belt portion and a second belt portion respectively adjacent to the first surface and the second surface. The latching mechanism is operable to lock the belt clamp in a clamping state.