US 12,221,014 B2
Child restraint system with belt tensioning mechanism
Mark Messner, Lancaster, PA (US); Mitchell Shellenberger, Mount Joy, PA (US); Quentin G. Walsh, Fort Mill, SC (US); and Brandon Hoover, Cornelius, NC (US)
Assigned to Britax Child Safety, Inc., Fort Mill, SC (US)
Filed by Britax Child Safety, Inc., Fort Mill, SC (US)
Filed on Oct. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/376,976.
Application 18/376,976 is a continuation of application No. 17/494,520, filed on Oct. 5, 2021, granted, now 11,807,139.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/088,051, filed on Oct. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0025309 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. B60N 2/28 (2006.01)
CPC B60N 2/2806 (2013.01) [B60N 2/2816 (2023.08); B60N 2/2821 (2013.01); B60N 2/2845 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A child seat configured to be secured to a car seat, the child seat comprising:
a base comprising a receiving region, wherein the base is configured to receive a belt of the car seat at least within the receiving region and to secure the child seat to the car seat; and
a tensioning mechanism attached to the base within the receiving region and pivotable about a first pivot axis, wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises a second pivot axis offset from and parallel to the first pivot axis, wherein the second pivot axis is movable relative to the base, wherein the tensioning mechanism is adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein, in the first configuration, the tensioning mechanism is configured to receive a portion of the belt, and wherein, in the second configuration, the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply tension to the portion of the belt;
wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises a bottom arm and a top arm, wherein the bottom arm is pivotably attached to the base and pivotable about the first pivot axis, and wherein the top arm is pivotably attached to the bottom arm and defines the second pivot axis;
wherein the bottom arm is a first bottom arm and the top arm is a first top arm, and wherein the tensioning mechanism further comprises:
a second bottom arm pivotably attached to the base within the receiving region; and
a second top arm pivotably attached to the second bottom arm and pivotably attached to the first top arm.