AU2014224164B2 - A belt tension indicator and a child restraint incorporating a belt tension indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a safety strap assembly for anchoring a child restraint, which in use, is intended to be tensioned to a predetermined extent, the safety strap assembly comprising a tension indicating means adapted to provide an indication that the predetermined tension has been applied to the safety strap assembly. Also disclosed is an apparatus for indicating safety strap tension, and a safety strap comprising tension indication means. Figure 32

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for indicating safety strap tension, a safety strap comprising tension indication means, and a child restraint incorporating said safety strap and/or apparatus.

BACKGROUND [003] In an automotive child restraint system, such as one comprising a child safety seat for fitment in an automobile, there is a requirement to tension the straps holding the child into the child seat and the strap(s) tethering (hereinafter tether straps) the child seat in the vehicle. However, unless a tether strap appears particularly slack, it is not easy to visually discern if it is properly tensioned, and an improperly tensioned strap may potentially be very dangerous for a child occupant in the event of an accident.

[004] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

[005] Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY [006] According to a first aspect, there is provided a safety strap assembly which in use is to be tensioned to a predetermined extent, the strap assembly comprising a strap portion, a strap connector

2014224164 31 Jul 2018 comprising a through slot through which an end of the strap portion is secured, a tension indicating means, for indicating that the predetermined tension has been applied to the strap assembly, the tension indicating means disposed adjacent to the through slot such that the tension indicating means is visible through the slot, and a biasing means for biasing the strap toward obscuring the tension indicating means, and wherein the biasing means must be overcome by way of tensioning the strap assembly, such that a gap in the slot between the strap and the strap connector is formed in order to reveal the tension indicating means.

[007] For the purpose of this specification the term “safety strap” should be considered to comprise any strap associated with retention of the child restraint and/or an occupant of the child restraint with respect to a vehicle, including, but not limited to, any one of an upper or lower tether trap extending to an anchor point and/or an ISOFIX attachment point, a harness strap, a seat belt strap used to retain the child restraint and/or the occupant of the child restraint in the vehicle, or a strap extending between a pair of anchor and/or ISOFIX attachment points to restrain a portion of the child restraint, be this strap rigid or flexible.

[008] Moreover, for purpose of this specification, where connection is referred to as being “with respect to” something, this should be considered to include either of direct to indirect connection with that thing.

[009] According to a further aspect, there is provided a safety strap assembly which in use is to be tensioned to a predetermined extent, the strap assembly comprising a pair of strap portions, a strap connector comprising a pair of through slots through which ends of each of the pair of strap portions are secured respectively, a tension indicating means, for indicating that the predetermined tension has been applied to the strap assembly, the tension indicating means disposed adjacent to each of the through slots such that the tension indicating means is visible through each slot, and a biasing means for biasing each of the strap portions toward obscuring the tension indicating means, and wherein the biasing means must be overcome by way of tensioning the strap assembly, such that a gap in the slots between each of the straps and the strap connector is formed in order to reveal the tension indicating means.

[0010] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a safety strap for use with a child restraint, which in use, is intended to be tensioned to a predetermined extent, the strap comprising a tension indicating means adapted to provide an indication that the predetermined tension has been applied to the safety strap.

[0011] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a safety strap for anchoring a child restraint in a vehicle, which in use, is intended to be tensioned to a predetermined extent, the strap

2a

Jul 2018 comprising a tension indicating means adapted to provide an indication that the predetermined tension has been applied to the safety strap.

[0012] In one form, the safety strap further comprises a length adjustment means. In use, this length adjustment means also adjusts tension in the safety strap.

[0013] In one form, the length adjustment means comprises the tension indicating means.

fxj [0014] In one form, the safety strap further comprises a pair of connectors. --,

CM /

2014224164 15 Sep 2014 [0015] In one form, a first connector is adapted to connect the safety strap to an attachment point on a vehicle, and a second connector is adapted to connect the safety strap to a child restraint.

[0016] In one form, the connector adapted to connect the safety strap to the child restraint, provides a pivotal connection there between.

[0017] In one form, the connector adapted to connect the safety strap to the child restraint provides a releasable connection there between.

[0018] In an alternative, both connectors are adapted to connect the safety strap to an attachment point on a vehicle. In one form, both connectors connect to a common attachment point, and in an alternative, each connector connects to a different attachment point on the vehicle.

[0019] In one form, the indication is a visual indication. In an alternative, the indication is an audible indication.

[0020] In one form, the safety strap is employed as a tether strap.

[0021] In one form, the safety strap is adapted to extend between an ISOFIX attachment point and a portion of a child restraint.

[0022] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a child restraint comprising a safety strap, which in use, is intended to anchor the child restraint to an anchor point, and be tensioned to a predetermined extent, the strap comprising a tension indicating means adapted to provide an indication that the predetermined tension has been applied to the safety strap.

[0023] In one form, the child restraint is a child safety seat. In an alternative, the child restraint is an infant capsule.

[0024] In one form, the child safety seat comprises a harness. In one form, in an alternative, the child safety seat is of use with a vehicle provided seatbelt (ie in the fashion of a booster seat).

[0025] In one form, the safety strap is adapted to extend between a first ISOFIX attachment point and a second ISOFIX attachment point. In this way, the safety strap can be passed over or through a portion of a child restraint. In one form, the safety strap is secured to a portion of the child restraint.

[0026] In one form, the safety strap comprises a first strap portion and a second strap portion, and a connector for the first and second strap portions.

2014224164 15 Sep 2014 [0027] In one form, the connector comprises the tension indicating means. In an alternative, each strap portion comprises tension indicating means.

[0028] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a child safety seat comprising a safety strap, which in use, is intended to anchor the seat to an anchor point, and tensioned to a predetermined extent, the strap comprising a tension indicating means adapted to provide an indication that the predetermined tension has been applied to the safety strap.

[0029] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a tether strap intended to be tensioned in use to a predetermined extent, the strap comprising a tension indicating means adapted to provide an indication that the predetermined tension has been applied to the safety strap.

[0030] In one form, the strap and/or apparatus comprises means for biasing the tension indicating means into indicating insufficient tension.

[0031] In one form, the biasing means must be overcome by way of tensioning the strap, before the tension indicating means will indicate that the predetermined tension has been reached. In one form, the biasing means must be selected to prevent incorrect indication that the predetermined tension has been reached. In one form, the biasing means comprise a resilient element such as a spring, a band or a strap of, or at least comprising, elastic material.

[0032] In a further aspect, the invention provides a strap connector for connecting a pair of strap portions endwise to form a strap assembly which in use is to be tensioned to a predetermined extent, the strap connector comprising means for indicating that the predetermined tension has been applied to the strap assembly, the strap connector comprising means for biasing the tension indicating means toward indicating insufficient tension, and wherein the biasing means must be overcome by way of tensioning the strap, before the tension indicating means will indicate that the predetermined tension has been reached.

[0033] In a further aspect, the invention provides a strap connector for connecting a pair of strap portions endwise to form a strap assembly which in use is to be tensioned to a predetermined extent, the strap assembly comprising a biasing means bridging the strap portions, and a means for indicating that the predetermined tension has been applied to the strap assembly, wherein the biasing means biases the straps toward obscuring the tension indicating means, and wherein the biasing means must be overcome by way of tensioning the strap assembly, before the tension indicating means will be revealed to indicate that the predetermined tension has been reached.

2014224164 15 Sep 2014 [0034] In a further aspect, the invention provides a strap end connector for connecting a functional end of a strap portion to either of an anchor point or a child restraint, wherein in use, the strap portion is to be tensioned to a predetermined extent, the strap connector comprising means for indicating that the predetermined tension has been applied to the strap, and means for biasing the tension indicating means toward indicating insufficient tension, and wherein in use the biasing means must be overcome by way of tensioning the strap before the tension indicating means will indicate that the predetermined tension has been reached.

[0035] In a further aspect, the invention provides a strap end connector assembly for connecting a functional end of a strap to either of an anchor point or a child restraint, wherein in use, the strap is to be tensioned to a predetermined extent, the strap end connector assembly comprising a first connector depending from a load bearing strap, and a second connector depending from an indicating strap which in turn depends from the load bearing strap, the indicating strap comprising a means for indicating that the predetermined tension has been applied to the load bearing strap, and a biasing means which biases the load bearing strap towards obscuring the tension indicating means, and wherein the biasing means must be overcome by way of tensioning the load bearing strap, before the tension indicating means will be revealed to indicate that the predetermined tension has been reached.

[0036] In a further aspect, the invention provides a child restraint comprising a body, a spaced apart pair of tethering means, each for tethering the body with respect to an anchor point, and a load bearing member creating a load path between (ie bridging) the tethering means.

[0037] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

[0038] The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

2014224164 15 Sep 2014

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0039] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0040] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tension indicating apparatus according to a first embodiment;

[0041] Figures 2 is a perspective view of a non-tensioned safety strap comprising the apparatus of Figure 1;

[0042] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tensioned safety strap comprising the apparatus of Figure 1;

[0043] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the non-tensioned safety strap of Figure 2, wherein a housing for the tension indicating apparatus is ghosted to permit visibility of internals;

[0044] Figures 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views through the non-tensioned safety strap illustrated in Figure 4;

[0045] Figure 7 is a perspective view (housing ghosted) of the tensioned safety strap of Figure 3;

[0046] Figures 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views through the tensioned safety strap illustrated in Figure 7;

[0047] Figure 9a is an exploded view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1;

[0048] Figures 10 and 11 are perspective views of the safety strap of Figures 1 through 9, in use securing a base of an infant capsule in a vehicle;

[0049] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a non-tensioned safety strap according to a further embodiment;

[0050] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the tensioned safety strap of Figure 12;

[0051] Figure 14 is a perspective view (housing ghosted) of the non-tensioned safety strap of Figure 12;

[0052] Figure 15 is a perspective view (housing ghosted) of the tensioned safety strap of Figure 12;

2014224164 31 Jul 2018 [0053] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view through the non-tensioned safety strap of Figure 12;

[0054] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view through the tensioned safety strap of Figure 12;

[0055] Figure 18 is a schematic view of the safety strap of Figure 12, in use securing a child safety seat configured in a forward facing mode to a vehicle attachment point;

[0056] Figure 19 is a perspective view of the safety strap and child safety seat of Figure 18, where the child safety seat is configured in a rearward facing mode;

[0057] Figure 20 is an exploded view of a connector for the safety strap of Figures 18 and 19;

[0058] Figure 21 and 22 are a cross-sectional views through the connector of Figure 20, as well as a portion of the seat;

[0059] Figure 23 is a detail view of a connection point between the connector and the seat;

[0060] Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view through a non-tensioned safety strap according to yet a further embodiment;

[0061] Figure 25 is a plan view of the non-tensioned safety strap of Figure 24;

[0062] Figure 26 is a perspective view of the non-tensioned safety strap of Figure 24;

[0063] Figure 27 is an underside perspective view of the non-tensioned safety strap of Figure 24;

[0064] Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view through the tensioned safety strap of Figure 24;

[0065] Figure 29 is a plan view of the tensioned safety strap of Figure 24;

[0066] Figure 30 is a perspective view of the tensioned safety strap of Figure 24;

[0067] Figure 31 is an underside perspective view of the tensioned safety strap of Figure 24;

[0068] Figure 32 is a perspective view of a safety strap assembly comprising the safety strap of Figures 24 through 31, and in use securing a base of an infant capsule in a vehicle;

[0069] Figure 33 is an upper perspective view of the safety strap assembly of Figure 32;

2014224164 15 Sep 2014 [0070] Figure 34 is an underside perspective view of the safety strap assembly of Figure 32;

[0071] Figure 35 is an underside view of the safety strap assembly of Figure 32;

[0072] Figure 36 is a side view of the safety strap assembly of Figure 32;

[0073] Figure 37 is a cross-sectional view through a non-tensioned safety strap according to yet a further embodiment;

[0074] Figure 38 is a schematic side view of a safety strap according to a further embodiment, for use securing a child restraint such as a safety seat to a vehicle attachment point;

[0075] Figure 39 is a plan view of the safety strap of Figure 38;

[0076] Figure 40 is an underside view of the safety strap of Figure 38;

[0077] Figure 41 is a schematic side view of the safety strap of Figure 38 secured to a connection point on the child restraint;

[0078] Figure 42 is a schematic perspective view of a child safety seat comprising a safety strap according to a further embodiment, for tethering the seat to an anchor point;

[0079] Figure 43 is a front schematic view of a child safety seat comprising a pair of safety straps according to a further embodiment, for tethering the seat to anchor points;

[0080] Figure 44 is a front schematic view of a structural member from the child safety seat of Figure 43;and [0081] Figure 45 is a detail view of a portion of a child safety seat, illustrating the connection of a safety strap to the seat.

[0082] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0083] Referring now to Figure 1, where there is illustrated a tension indicating apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment. In use, the apparatus connects a pair of strap portions 2 endwise to form a safety strap assembly 1 like that illustrated in Figure 2. Apparatus 100 comprises a housing

2014224164 15 Sep 2014 (comprised of a cover 102 and a base 103), and an end of each strap portion 2 will be fed through a slot 104 in the housing before being formed into a loop and sewn to link the strap portion 2 with the apparatus 100.

[0084] There is for each strap portion 2 a window 108 in the housing cover 102, which facilitates visual inspection of a tension indicator 110. When the safety strap 1 is non-tensioned, the tension indicator 110 will give a red coloured indication, as illustrated in Figure 2. When the safety strap is correctly tensioned, the tension indicator 110 will give a green coloured indication, as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0085] Referring now to Figures 4 through 9a, each tension indicator 110 forms part of a strap carrier 111, which is slidably retained in the housing and biased (via a biasing means in the form of a spring 105 anchored with respect to the housing) inwardly, or in a direction away from the strap portion 2 carried thereby.

[0086] The strap carrier 111 comprises a slot 112 through which a strap portion 2 is threaded, and a drawbar portion 114 about which the strap portion 2 is looped and sewn. When the safety strap 1 is tensioned, the length of strap pulls the strap carrier 111 against the bias of springs 105, and in doing so draws the portion of tension indicator 110 displayed in window 108 from a red coloured portion into a green coloured portion thereof. Once the safety strap 1 is correctly tensioned, only the green portion of the tension indicator will be visible in window 108.

[0087] Referring now to Figures 10 and 11, where the safety strap assembly 1 is employed to retain a base 130 for an infant carrier. Each functional end (or end formed in use) of safety strap assembly 1 carries an ISOFIX connector 132, whereby each functional end of safety strap assembly 1 is connected to an ISOFIX attachment point on a vehicle, so that safety strap assembly 1 may be looped over a portion of the base 130 and hooked beneath retaining hooks 134 on the base 130. Safety strap 1 further comprises length adjustment means in the form of a length adjustment buckle (or strap adjuster) 140, via which the safety strap assembly 1 can be tensioned (with correct tension being indicated by apparatus 100) to retain the base 130, and non-tensioned to release the base 130.

[0088] In an alternative, safety strap assembly 1 may be varied by way of the tension indicating apparatus 100 being replaced by a standard connector without any tension indication means. In this case, each strap portion will comprise its own tension indicating means. This tension indication means may be of the type described hereinafter (ie tension indicating apparatus 300), or it may be incorporated into a strap adjuster, or it may be a tension indicator of the type manufactured by Indiana Mills & Manufacturing.

2014224164 15 Sep 2014 [0089] Referring now to Figures 12 through 17, where there is illustrated a safety strap assembly 200 according to a further embodiment, and comprising a tension indicating apparatus 300 and a length of strap 202.

[0090] The tension indicating apparatus 300 comprises a housing (comprised of a cover 302 and a base 304) providing a window 308 (in cover 302), which facilitates visual inspection of a tension indicator 310. When the safety strap 200 is non-tensioned, the tension indicator 310 will give a red coloured indication, as illustrated in Figure 12. When the safety strap 200 is correctly tensioned, the tension indicator 310 will give a green coloured indication, as illustrated in Figure 13.

[0091] The tension indicator 310 forms part of a strap carrier 312, which is slidably retained in the housing 302 and biased (via biasing means in the form of springs 305) inwardly (ie into the housing), or in a direction away from the length of strap 202.

[0092] The strap carrier 312 comprises a slot 314 through which length of strap 202 is threaded, and a drawbar portion 316 about which the length of strap 202 is looped and sewn. When the safety strap 200 is tensioned, the length of strap 202 pulls the strap carrier 312 against the bias of springs 305, and in doing so draws the portion of tension indicator 310 displayed in window 308 from the red coloured portion into the green coloured portion thereof. Once the safety strap 200 is correctly tensioned, only the green portion of the tension indicator 310 will be visible in window 308.

[0093] Referring now to Figure 18, where the safety strap assembly 200 is employed to retain a child safety seat 250, which is configured to be forward facing. A first end of safety strap 200 carries an ISOFIX connector 232, whereby this end of safety strap 200 is connected to an ISOFIX attachment point on a vehicle. A distal functional end of the safety strap 200 is connected to a body or shell 252 of the child safety seat 250. Safety strap 200 further comprises length adjustment means in the form of a length adjustment buckle (or strap adjuster) 260, via which the safety strap 200 can be tensioned and non-tensioned (ie the tension released).

[0094] Referring now to Figure 19, where the safety strap 200 is employed to retain the child safety seat 250, which is now configured to be rearward facing and further inclined. Safety strap 200 facilitates reconfiguration of the child safety seat 250 by way of being connected to the child safety seat 250 with a pivotal connection.

[0095] With reference to Figures 20 through 23, it can be seen that in this embodiment, this pivotal attachment is achieved via a bolted connection with the seat shell 252. This bolted connection comprises a bolt 320, a washer 322 positioned between a head of the bolt 320 and the seat shell 252

2014224164 15 Sep 2014 (to distribute load), a shank of the bolt extending through a bush 324 which engages the base 304, and a nut 326 for the end of the bolt 320.

[0096] With reference now to Figures 24 through 31, where there is illustrated a safety strap 400 according to a further embodiment, and which comprises a pair of strap portions 402, and a connector 404 for the strap portions 402. The connector 404 comprises a solid body of the type commonly known as a ‘3 bar slide’, a pair of spaced apart through slots 406, and a pair of through holes 407 via which the connector 404 can be secured to a seat body, infant carrier, infant carrier base or the like. An end of each strap portion 402 is fed through one of the slots 406 before being formed into a loop and sewn to link the strap portion 402 with the connector 404.

[0097] The strap portions 402 are bridged by a bridging strap 410 of (or at least comprising) elastic material, which extends parallel to the connector 404 so that in use the bridging strap 410 is positioned and extends behind connector 404. In preference, the bridging strap 410 is brightly coloured (it is bright green in the illustrated embodiment), for reasons that will become clear from the description below.

[0098] As can be seen in Figures 25 and 26, the bridging strap 410 is secured at or toward each end thereof to one of the strap portions 402 in such a way that the non-tensioned bridging strap 410 draws each of the strap portions 402 into a position in which these obscure any visibility of the bridging strap 410 through the slots 406 in the connector 404.

[0099] As can be seen in Figures 29 and 30, when the safety strap 400 is correctly tensioned, the bridging strap 410 will lengthen, creating a gap ‘A’ in slots 406 between each of the safety straps 400 and the connector 404 via which the brightly coloured bridging strap 410 will become visible. In this way, safety strap 400 provides an effective means for indication proper tensioning thereof.

[00100] Options and alternatives for the above described safety strap 400 include a brightly coloured sleeve extending over the bridging strap 410, or a brightly coloured plate extending between the bridging strap 410 and connector 404, so that the bridging strap 410 itself need not be brightly coloured. Moreover, one or more mechanical springs or elastic bands might be used in place of the elasticated bridging strap 410.

[00101] Referring now to Figures 32 through 36, where there is illustrated a safety strap assembly 450 comprising the above described safety strap 400, and which is being employed to retain a base 130 for an infant carrier. Each functional end (or end formed in use) of safety strap assembly 450 carries an ISOFIX connector 452, whereby each functional end of safety strap 190 is connected to an ISOFIX attachment point 453 on a vehicle, so that safety strap assembly 450 may be looped over a portion of

2014224164 15 Sep 2014 the base 130 and hooked beneath retaining hooks 134 on the base 130. Safety strap assembly 450 further comprises length adjustment means in the form of a length adjustment buckle (or strap adjuster) 454, via which the safety strap 450 can be tensioned to retain the base 130, and nontensioned to release the base 130.

[00102] Referring now to Figure 37, where there is illustrated a safety strap 500 which is near identical to safety strap 400, but differs in that it comprises a separate, brightly coloured indicator plate 502 so that bridging strap 410 need not be brightly coloured. The indicator plate 502 extends parallel to and in between the connector 404 and bridging strap 410. The indicator plate 502 is spaced apart from the connector 404 by a spacer part or portion 504 so as to create a pair of slots 506 through which the strap portions 402 can be looped to link the strap portion 402 with the connector 404.

[00103] Safety strap 500 operates in the same way as safety strap 400, in that when the safety strap 500 is correctly tensioned, the bridging strap 410 will lengthen, creating a gap in slots 406 between each of the safety straps 402 and the connector 404, via which the brightly coloured indicator plate 502 will become visible. In this way, safety strap 500 provides a simple means for indication proper tensioning thereof.

[00104] Referring now to Figures 38 through 41, where there is illustrated an end of a safety strap assembly 600 comprising a load bearing connector 602 comprising a slot 604 through which a load bearing strap 606 is looped and sewn to link the strap 606 with the connector 602. The load bearing connector 602 comprises a mounting aperture 603 via which the connector 602 will, in use, be disposed on a mounting bolt 640 (see Figure 41), which depends from a wall 642 of a body of the child restraint. The opposing end of strap 606 (ie the functional end distal load bearing connector 602) will carry an ISOFIX connector or a conventional anchor point connector.

[00105] Secured to one side (a hidden side when in use) of the load bearing strap 606 so as to extend parallel thereto is an indicating strap 610 of (or at least comprising) elastic material, and carrying a connector 620 therefor. Connector 620 comprises a mounting aperture 623 via which the connector 620 will, in use, be disposed on the mounting bolt 640. In preference, indicating strap 610 is brightly coloured (such as bright green), for reasons that will become clear from the description below.

[00106] With reference to Figure 41 it can be seen that a large recessed washer 644 is disposed on the mounting bolt 640 to distribute any anchoring load over a larger area of an inside of wall 642, and prevent the mounting bolt 640 pulling out of the wall 642. On the outer side of the wall 642, the connectors 602 and 620 are separated from the wall 642 and each other by spacers 646, and this permits the connectors 602 and 620 to pivot on the mounting bolt 640 so that the mounting direction of the seat may be reversed as the child grows.

2014224164 15 Sep 2014 [00107] As can be seen in Figures 39 and 40, when the two connectors 602 and 620 are free of (ie not connected to) the mounting bolt 640, both the load bearing strap 606 and the indicating strap 610 are non-tensioned, and the mounting apertures 603 and 623 of connectors 602 and 620 respectively are misaligned by virtue of the non-tensioned length of the indicating strap 610 being less (ie shorter) than the non-tensioned length of the load bearing strap 606. This ensures that the indicating strap 610 is not visible through slot 604 in the connector 602 (and so not giving a false indication of proper tensioning) when safety strap assembly 600 is not is use.

[00108] When the mounting apertures 603 and 623 of connectors 602 and 620 are both disposed upon the mounting bolt, the non-tensioned load bearing strap 610 will be biased by the now tensioned indicating strap 610 to obscure any visibility of the indicating strap 610 through the slot 604 in the connector 602.

[00109] When the load bearing strap 606 is correctly tensioned (as illustrated in Figure 41) using a length adjuster, the brightly coloured indicating strap 610 will become visible through the slot 604 in the connector 602. In this way, safety strap assembly 600 now provides a visible indication of the proper tensioning of the load bearing strap 606.

[00110] Referring now to Figure 42, where there is illustrated a child safety seat 700 comprising a base 702, a backrest portion 704, and a safety strap assembly 710 for tethering the seat 700 to one or more vehicle anchor points. In this illustrated embodiment, safety strap assembly 710 is operatively associated with a transitional region of the seat 700, this being namely where the seat transitions from its base portion 702 into its backrest portion 704.

[00111] Each functional end (or end formed in use) of safety strap assembly 710 carries an ISOFIX connector 720, whereby, in use, each functional end of safety strap 710 is connected to an ISOFIX attachment point (not illustrated) on the vehicle.

[00112] Safety strap assembly 710 comprises a central strap or strap portion 710a which passes over a surface of the transitional region of the seat 700 and is secured to the seat 700 by, in this case, being riveted to the seat body at locations at or toward either side of the seat by rivets 706 passing through apertures in the central strap or strap portion 710a before engaging blind holes (not visible) in a shell wall of the seat 700.

[00113] Extending from each rivet 706 attachment point to the ISOFIX connector 720 on a same side of the seat as said rivet 706 attachment point is a tether strap portion 710b. Preferably, each tether strap portion 710b comprises its own length adjustment means (or strap adjuster) 712, along with a tension indicating means 714 adapted to provide an indication that a predetermined tension has been

2014224164 15 Sep 2014 applied to the tether strap portion 710b. This tension indicating means 714 may comprise any of the means described herein and illustrated in the Figures, which may be fit for this application. This method of safety strap attachment is particularly useful for blow moulded seat bodies, but is not so limited in application.

[00114] Referring now to Figures 42 and 43, where there is illustrated a child restraint 800 comprising a body 801, a spaced apart pair of tethering means 804, each for tethering the body 801 with respect to an anchor point (not illustrated), and a load bearing member 810 creating a load path between (ie bridging) the tethering means 804 so as to substantially bypasses a remainder of the body 801. This prevents loads associated with anchoring the body from distorting, damaging or otherwise compromising the structural integrity of the body 801.

[00115] Child restraint 800 comprises a child safety seat (but may comprise an infant capsule) comprising a base portion 802, and a backrest portion 803. Each of the tethering means 804 comprises a tether strap secured with respect to the body 801 at a first functional strap end, and secured to a vehicle anchor point (not illustrated) at a second, distal functional strap end.

[00116] Each of the tether straps 804 is secured to an end of the load bearing member 810, which, in this embodiment, takes the form of a steel rod having threaded ends 812, to which the tether straps 804 are bolted. It will be apparent that the load bearing member 810 could take other forms, or be made from other materials. For instance, the load bearing member 810 may, alternatively, comprise a flat bar or a hollow section (e.g. RHS), or be made or formed from an engineering plastic, and/or comprise a combination of materials or a composite material.

[00117] The load bearing member 810 extends transversely through a transitional region of the seat body 801, this being namely where the seat transitions from its base portion 802 into its backrest portion 803, and between opposing sides of the body 801. Alternatively or additionally, load bearing members 810 could extend transversely through one or more of the base portion 802, backrest portion 803 and/or transitional region. This method of attachment is particularly useful for blow moulded seat bodies, but is not so limited in application.

[00118] Referring now to Figure 45, where there is illustrated a portion of a child safety seat 900, illustrating the connection of a safety strap 902 to the seat 900. The seat is formed (by blow moulding in this case) with a recess or pocket 904 in a major surface (generally one of the front or rear of the backrest portion) so as to create a double walled flange 906 at a side edge of the seat, through which a mounting bolt 908 for the safety strap 902 can be passed. This method of attachment is particularly useful for blow moulded seat bodies, but is not so limited.

2014224164 31 Jul 2018 [00119] It should be understood that any one of the safety straps, strap assemblies or apparatus embodiments disclosed herein could potentially be used in any combination thereof, or in one of the applications discussed herein.

[00120] The safety strap and tension indicating apparatus according to the present invention will help prevent improper fitment of child restraints in vehicles, thereby improving the safety of restraint occupants.

[00121] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[00122] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[00123] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

2014224164 31 Jul 2018

Claims (10)

1. A safety strap assembly which in use is to be tensioned to a predetermined extent, the strap assembly comprising:

a strap portion;

a strap connector comprising a through slot through which an end of the strap portion is secured;

a tension indicating means, for indicating that the predetermined tension has been applied to the strap assembly, the tension indicating means disposed adjacent to the through slot such that the tension indicating means is visible through the slot; and a biasing means for biasing the strap toward obscuring the tension indicating means, and wherein the biasing means must be overcome by way of tensioning the strap assembly, such that a gap in the slot between the strap and the strap connector is formed in order to reveal the tension indicating means.

2. A safety strap assembly which in use is to be tensioned to a predetermined extent, the strap assembly comprising:

a pair of strap portions;

a strap connector comprising a pair of through slots through which ends of each of the pair of strap portions are secured respectively;

a tension indicating means, for indicating that the predetermined tension has been applied to the strap assembly, the tension indicating means disposed adjacent to each of the through slots such that the tension indicating means is visible through each slot; and a biasing means for biasing each of the strap portions toward obscuring the tension indicating means, and wherein the biasing means must be overcome by way of tensioning the strap assembly, such that a gap in the slots between each of the straps and the strap connector is formed in order to reveal the tension indicating means.

3. The safety strap assembly of claim 2, wherein an end of each strap portion is fed through a respective slot before being formed into a loop and sewn to link the strap portion with the strap connector.

4. The safety strap assembly of either of claim 2 or 3, wherein the biasing means bridges the strap portions.

2014224164 31 Jul 2018

5. The safety strap assembly of claim 4, wherein the biasing means is in the form of a resilient strap, which extends parallel to and behind the strap connector.

6. The safety strap assembly of claim 5, wherein the resilient strap is brightly coloured such that it also forms the tension indicating means.

7. The safety strap assembly of claim 5, wherein the tension indicating means is in the form of a brightly coloured indicator plate extending parallel to and in between the strap connector and the resilient strap.

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