104a is deactivated in the open configuration. When a user adjusts the tensioning mechanism 104a from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the tensioning mechanism 104a mechanically engages with, and subsequently tightens, the seat belt 126 within the belt path 128, removing slack of the seat belt 126 and securing the child seat to the vehicle seat. Similarly, when a user adjusts the tensioning mechanism 104a from the closed to the open configuration, the tensioning mechanism 104a releases the seat belt 126, creating slack and loosening the child seat from the vehicle seat.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side cross sectional view of a base of a child seat having a tensioning mechanism, according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 6, the tensioning mechanism 104a is in the open configuration. The tensioning mechanism 104a includes a pivot assembly 136 configured to engage the seat belt 126 within the belt path 128. The pivot assembly 136 includes a back wall pivot 140 connected to an upper link 142 and a lower link 144. Upper link 142 and lower link 144 are pivotably coupled to the back wall pivot 140; upper link 142 and lower link 144 are pivotably coupled to back wall 122 (e.g., via one or more pivot points). In an illustrative example, the tensioning mechanism 104a is in the open configuration. As a user adjusts the tensioning mechanism 104a from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the back wall pivot 140 pivots via the upper link 142 and lower link 144 to engage a recess of the back wall 122. As the back wall pivot 140 engages the recess of the back wall 122, a contact portion 143 of the back wall pivot 140 provides a force onto the seat belt 126 within the belt path 128. Thus, the tensioning mechanism 104a tightens the seat belt 126, removing slack of the seat belt 126 by applying the force, and consequently securing the base 102 to the vehicle seat. Tensioning mechanism 104a is of sufficient length (from contact point 143 up towards a top handle of tensioning mechanism 104a) such that the pivoting of tensioning mechanism 104a to the closed configuration provides substantial mechanical advantage; as the user manually adjusts tensioning mechanism 104a to the closed configuration (e.g., by pushing along a top side of tensioning mechanism 104a) substantial mechanical force is generated at contact portion 143.

In contrast, as a user adjusts the tensioning mechanism 104a from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the back wall pivot 140 pivots via the upper link 142 and the lower link 144, retracting the back wall pivot 140 from the recess of the back wall 122. As the back wall pivot 140 retracts from the recess of the back wall 122, the contact portion 143 of the back wall pivot 140 extends away from the seat belt 126 within the belt path 128, thereby releasing the force from the seat belt 126, creating slack and loosening the child seat from the vehicle seat.

The tensioning mechanism 104a may further include a locking assembly 138a having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. When in the locked configuration, a user is unable to adjust the tensioning mechanism 104a between the open and closed configurations. Alternatively, when the locking assembly 138a is in the unlocked configuration, a user is able to adjust the tensioning mechanism 104a between the open and closed configurations. In an embodiment, the locking assembly 138a includes a release 148a located within a recess 150 of the tensioning mechanism 104a. The release 148a engages a notch 151 in the back wall 122. In the locked configuration, the release 148a extends into the notch 151, thereby preventing a user from adjusting the tensioning mechanism 104a. When a user actuates the release 148a, to disengage the recess 150, the locking assembly 138a is unlocked and the user is able to adjust the tensioning mechanism 104a between the open and closed configurations.

FIGS. 7 to 8 illustrate a perspective view and a side cross sectional view of a base of a child seat having a tensioning mechanism 104b, according to various embodiments. The base 102 includes a back wall 122 and a base wall 120. The base 102 receives a seat belt 126 of a car seat via a belt path 128. In the embodiment illustrated, the belt path 128 is provided at an interface between the base wall 120 and back wall 122 and defines a guide region that is recessed relative to the base wall 120 and back wall 122. The base 102 may include a tensioning mechanism 104b.

The tensioning mechanism 104b includes a lever 152 operatively connected to a ram 154 via a connector link 156. The tensioning mechanism 104b is deactivated when the lever 152 is in an opened position, as shown in FIG. 7. As a user adjusts the lever 152 from the open position to a closed position, the connector link 156 extends the ram 154, which provides a force onto the seat belt 126 within the belt path 128. Thus, the tensioning mechanism 104b tightens the seat belt 126, removing slack and securing the base 102 to the vehicle seat. Tensioning mechanism 104b, similar to tensioning mechanism 104a, is of sufficient length (from connector link 156 up towards a top handle of tensioning mechanism 104b) such that the pivoting of tensioning mechanism 104b to the closed configuration provides substantial mechanical advantage; as the user manually adjusts tensioning mechanism 104b to the closed configuration (e.g., by pushing along a top side of tensioning mechanism 104b) substantial mechanical force is generated downward by the ram 154.

In contrast, as a user adjusts the lever 152 from the closed position to the opened position, the connector link 156 retracts the ram 154 from the seat belt 126. As the connector link 156 retracts the ram 154 from the seat belt 126, the force on the seat belt 126 is released, creating slack and loosening the child seat from the vehicle seat.

The tensioning mechanism 104b may further include a locking assembly 138b having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration, a user is unable to adjust the tensioning mechanism 104b between the open configuration and the closed configuration. Alternatively, a user is able to adjust the tensioning mechanism 104b between the open configuration and the closed configuration when the locking assembly 138b is in the unlocked configuration. In an embodiment, the locking assembly 138b includes a release 148b located on the back wall 122 of the base 102. In an example embodiment, the release 148b engages the lever 152, thereby maintaining the lever 152 in the closed position. However, when a user actuates the release 148a to disengage the lever 152, the locking assembly 138b is in the unlocked position and the user is capable of adjusting the lever 152 to the open position.

FIGS. 9 to 10 illustrate a perspective view and a front view of a base of a child seat having a tensioning mechanism 104c, according to various embodiments. The base 102 includes a back wall 122 and a base wall 120. The base 102 receives a seat belt 126 of a car seat via a belt path 128. In the embodiment illustrated, the belt path 128 is provided at an interface between the base wall 120 and back wall 122 and defines a guide region that is recessed relative to the base wall 120 and back wall 122. The base 102 may include a tensioning mechanism 104c.

The tensioning mechanism 104c includes a lever system 158 pivotably connected to the base wall 120. The lever system 158 includes side arms 160 and a top bar 162. In an illustrative example, the tensioning mechanism 104c is deactivated when the lever system 158 is in an opened position as shown in FIG. 10. As a user pivotably rotates the lever system 158 to a closed position, the lever system 158 engages the seat belt 126 within the belt path 128 and provides a force onto the seat belt 126. Thus, the tensioning mechanism 104c tightens the seat belt 126, removing slack and securing the base 102 to the vehicle seat. In contrast, as a user adjusts the lever system 158 from the closed position to the opened position, the lever system 158 disengages the seat belt 126 within the belt path 128, releasing the force from the seat belt 126 and providing slack. Tensioning mechanism 104c, and particularly side arms 160, is of sufficient length (from its pivot point up towards top bar 162) such that the pivoting of tensioning mechanism 104c to the closed configuration provides substantial mechanical advantage; as the user manually adjusts tensioning mechanism 104c to the closed configuration (e.g., by pushing along top bar 162 of tensioning mechanism 104c) substantial mechanical force is generated at the pivot point.

As shown in FIG. 11, in certain embodiments, the shell 108 of the child seat 100 includes slots 163 that receive the side arms 160 of the lever system 158 when tensioning mechanism 104c is in the open configuration. Namely, by receiving the side arms 160, the lever system 158 may rotate further away from the back wall 122 of the base 102 in the open configuration. This allows for an overall increase in rotation from the open configuration to the closed configuration. Increase in total rotation of lever system 158 results in a greater amount of leverage onto the seat belt 126. In short, the increased leverage will provide a greater amount of force onto the seat belt, removing additional slack from the seat belt 126 and providing a more secure connection between the child seat 100 and the vehicle seat; slots 163 in shell 108 provide this capability for increased leverage.

Referring back to FIG. 10, the tensioning mechanism 104c may further include a locking assembly 138c having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration, a user is unable to adjust the tensioning mechanism 104c between the open and closed configurations. Alternatively, when the locking assembly 138c is in the unlocked configuration, a user is able to adjust the tensioning mechanism 104c between the open and closed configurations. In an embodiment, the locking assembly 138c includes a release 148c located on the back wall 122 of the base 102. The release 148c is configured to engage the lever system 158, thereby maintaining the lever system 158 in the close position. However, when a user actuates the release 148c to disengage the lever system 158, the tensioning mechanism 104c is in the unlocked position and a user is capable of adjusting the lever system 158 to the open position.

While the tensioning mechanism 104a-c are configured to secure the child seat 100 to a vehicle seat, in various embodiments, additional tensioning mechanisms may provide added security for child seat 100.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a perspective view and a cross sectional view of a child seat having a tensioning mechanism and a tether system, according to various embodiments. As previously introduced, the base 102 may include a base wall 120 and a back wall 122. In an embodiment, the back wall 122 defines tether system 164 having a top tether path 168. The top tether path 168 of the tether system 164 is configured to receive a top tether 166. Generally, the top tether 166 is configured to anchor a portion of the child seat 100 to a portion of the vehicle seat. In an example configuration, the top tether 166 anchors the back wall 122 of the child seat 100 to the back portion of the vehicle seat. In this example, the top tether 166 may reduce forward-pivoting in the event of a crash when the child seat is in the forward facing configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the tether system 164 is pivotally connected to back wall 122 of the base 102. However, in many embodiments, the tether system 164 may be provided at other locations depending on the type of child seat. The tether system 164 includes an open configuration and a closed configuration. In FIG. 12, the tether system 164 is in the open configuration. In the open configuration, the tether system 164 is deactivated and does not engage the top tether 166. In contrast, the tether system 164 is activated and engages the top tether 166 in the closed configuration. A user may adjust the tether system 164 between each configuration.

In an embodiment, the tether system 164 includes a retractor 170. The top tether 166 extends through the top tether path 168 and engages the retractor 170. In an illustrative embodiment, a user adjusts the tether system 164 from the open configuration to the closed configuration. Referring to FIG. 13, the tether system 164 pivots, thereby rotating into the back wall 122 of the base 102. As the tether system 164 rotates into the back wall 122 of the base 102, a portion 173 of the tether system 164 engages and displaces the top tether 166 into a complementary groove 172 of the back wall 122. Because the retractor 170 anchors the top tether 166 to the back wall 122, the tether system 164 tightens the top tether 166 as top tether 166 is displaced, thereby reducing slack and securing the back wall 122