Fastener with sliding hook for restraint system, and method of using fastener

Abstract

A fastener for a restraint system. The restraint system is preferably intended to be used in a vehicle with a lower anchor. The fastener includes a clip having longitudinal axis, with a hook end and a strap attachment end, the hook end having a curved portion defining a hook and an opening to the hook for receiving the lower anchor. A cover is slidably secured to the clip, the cover slidable relative to the clip along the longitudinal axis, between a closed position and an open position, wherein with the cover in the open position, the hook opening is exposed, and with the cover in the closed position the hook opening is closed by the cover. With the cover in the open position the fastener may hooked or unhooked to the lower anchor, and with the cover in the closed position, a lower anchor located in the hook will be locked within the hook. The fastener may also include a lock for locking the cover in the closed position and the open position. The present invention also contemplates providing a lower anchor belt system to be used to secure a child restraint seat to a vehicle equipped with at least one pair of lower anchors which includes a rigid, round rod or bar typically located at the seat bight. The system includes a strap having a first end and a second end, a strap adjuster coupled to the strap and two of the lower anchor fasteners.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A fastener for a restraint system, the restraint system to be coupled to an attachment point, the fastener comprising: 
 a clip having longitudinal axis, with a hook end and an attachment end, the hook end having a curved portion defining a hook and an opening to the hook for receiving the attachment point; and    a cover slidably secured to the clip, the cover slidable relative to the clip along the longitudinal axis, between a closed position and an open position, wherein with the cover in the open position, the hook opening is exposed, and with the cover in the closed position the hook opening is closed by the cover, whereby with the cover in the open position the fastener may be hooked or unhooked to the attachment point, and with the cover in the closed position, an attachment point located in the hook will be locked within the hook.    
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the clip includes a stem portion and the cover includes two opposed facing side walls extending in a direction from the stem portion and generally towards the hook opening, with the hook end extending generally between the opposed facing side walls, each of the two walls including a notch, the notches in an opposed facing relationship, wherein with the cover in the open position, the notches guide the fastener over an attachment point, and with the cover in the closed position the walls assist in locking the fastener onto the attachment point.  
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the cover includes a main body portion which spans between and connects the two opposed facing walls.  
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 2 , further comprising a support rib which spans across the opposed facing side walls adjacent the opposed facing notches, wherein with the cover in the closed position, the support rib is adjacent to and seals off the hook opening, whereby the attachment point is locked within the hook.  
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 4 , wherein the cover includes a main body portion which spans between and connects the two opposed facing walls, and the main body portion of the cover includes an opening adjacent the support rib to facilitate assembly of the fastener.  
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the clip includes a stem portion and the cover includes two opposed-facing side walls extending in a direction from the stem portion and generally towards the hook opening, with the hook end extending generally between the opposed-facing side walls, wherein with the cover in the open position, the hook opening is exposed, and with the cover in the closed position, the walls close the hook opening.  
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for retaining the cover in the closed position.  
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 7 , wherein the retaining means includes a detent and a recess for receiving the detent when the cover is in the closed position.  
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 7 , wherein the retaining means includes a spring attachment point located on a stem portion of the clip, the stem portion extending between the hook end and the attachment end, and a spring having one end coupled to the spring attachment point and another end biased against the cover, whereby the spring urges the fastener towards the closed position.  
     
     
         10 . The fastener of  claim 9 , wherein the spring attachment point is a flange extending from the clip.  
     
     
         11 . The fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for retaining the cover in the open position.  
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising means for retaining the cover in the open position and means for retaining the cover in the closed position.  
     
     
         13 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the hook end includes a hook tip, the hook tip having an upper and lower chamfer to avoid a false latch condition.  
     
     
         14 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a window and the clip includes a marking, wherein the window and the marking are arranged to be aligned so that the marking appears in the window when the cover is in the closed position, whereby the marking is exposed when the fastener is latched.  
     
     
         15 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the clip includes a marking, the marking is arranged so that the marking extends beyond the cover when the cover is in the closed position, whereby the marking is exposed when the fastener is latched.  
     
     
         16 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the side walls include a curved transition portion between the hook end and the attachment end, wherein the length of the walls is reduced in the direction away from the hook end so as to prevent snagging and false latching.  
     
     
         17 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a stud and the clip includes a first abutment and a second abutment spaced from the first abutment, wherein the stud is located between the first and second abutments for engagement therewith to limit movement of the cover with respect to the clip along the longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         18 . The fastener of  claim 4 , wherein the cover includes a hook receiving end and an attachment receiving end, the main body portion increases in width at the attachment receiving end, whereby the user is able to grasp the fastener more easily.  
     
     
         19 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein each notch defines a forward wall portion adjacent the hook end and a rearward wall portion towards the attachment end, and at least one of the rearward wall portions extends lower than both of the forward wall portions, whereby the extended rearward wall portion acts as a stop upon engaging the lower anchor to enhance user installation.  
     
     
         20 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the notches include a width which is wider in the direction away from the stem portion, whereby the fastener may be easily coupled to the attachment point even if the fastener is offset from being perpendicular to the attachment point during the installation.  
     
     
         21 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a pair of notches for receiving the attachment point, the notches having an opening which is narrower than the diameter of the notch and attachment point, so that an interference is initially provided when securing the cover to the attachment point, so that the cover remains secured to the attachment point with the same interference.  
     
     
         22 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes tabs for securing the cover to the clip.  
     
     
         23 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the cover receives a pin which traps the clip between the cover and the pin for securing the cover to the clip.  
     
     
         24 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the clip includes a stem portion and the cover includes an upper portion and a lower portion.  
     
     
         25 . The fastener of  claim 24 , wherein the lower portion includes a recess for receiving the hook in the closed position.  
     
     
         26 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a main body portion having a domed recess located generally over the hook, the domed recess receives a spring, whereby when the fastener is coupled to an attachment point, the spring is compressed between the domed recess and the attachment, and when the fastener is moved to the open position, the spring urges the fastener away from the attachment point and assists in removing the fastener.  
     
     
         27 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the clip includes a stem portion and the cover includes a side wall extending in a direction from the stem and generally towards and adjacent the hook opening, the side wall includes a notch, wherein with the cover in the open position, the notch guides the fastener over an attachment point, and with the cover in the closed position the wall locks the fastener onto the attachment point.  
     
     
         28 . The fastener of  claim 27 , wherein the cover includes a main body portion which spans across the stem portion.  
     
     
         29 . The fastener of  claim 27 , wherein the side wall includes a hook recess for receiving the hook in the closed position.  
     
     
         30 . The fastener of  claim 27 , further comprising a means for retaining the cover in the closed position.  
     
     
         31 . The fastener of  claim 27 , wherein the clip includes a marking, the marking is arranged so that the marking extends beyond the cover when the cover is in the closed position, whereby the marking is exposed when the fastener is latched.  
     
     
         32 . The fastener of  claim 27 , wherein the notch defines a forward wall portion adjacent the hook end and a rearward wall portion towards the attachment end, and the rearward wall portion extends lower than the forward wall portion, whereby the extended rearward wall portion acts as a stop upon engaging the attachment point to enhance user installation.  
     
     
         33 . The fastener of  claim 28 , wherein the cover includes a roller, and the stem portion is installed between the roller and the main body portion, whereby the cover is slidably secured to the clip.  
     
     
         34 . The fastener of  claim 27 , wherein the fastener provides a generally planar profile, the planar profile defined, in part, by the wall, whereby upon attachment to an attachment point, the plane of the fastener extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lower anchor.  
     
     
         35 . The fastener of  claim 34 , wherein the attachment end extends generally within the planar profile of the fastener, whereby upon installation, the webbing alignment is maintained at the point of attachment to the fastener.  
     
     
         36 . The fastener of  claim 35 , further comprising a strap adjuster located at the attachment end, the strap adjuster extends generally within the plane of the fastener, whereby upon installation, the strap alignment is maintained at the point of attachment to the fastener.  
     
     
         37 . The fastener of  claim 36 , wherein the strap adjuster is coupled to the clip via a hinge which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the clip.  
     
     
         38 . A lower anchor fastener for a restraint system, the child restraint system to be used in a vehicle with a lower anchor located at the seat bight, the fastener comprising: 
 a clip having a stem portion defining a longitudinal axis, with a hook end and a strap attachment end, the hook end having a curved portion defining a hook and an opening to the hook for receiving the lower anchor;    a cover slidably secured to the clip, the cover slidable relative to the clip along the longitudinal axis, between a closed position and an open position, the cover having two opposed facing side walls extending in a direction from the stem portion and generally towards the hook opening, with the hook end extending generally between the opposed facing side walls, each of the two walls including a notch, the notches extend in an opposed facing relationship, wherein each notch defines a forward wall portion adjacent the hook end and a rearward wall portion towards the webbing attachment end, and at least one of the rearward wall portions extends lower than both of the forward wall portions, whereby with the cover in the open position, the hook opening is exposed and the fastener may hooked or unhooked to the lower anchor, wherein the extended rearward wall portion acts as a stop upon engaging the lower anchor to enhance user installation, and wherein the notches guide the fastener over a lower anchor during installation, and with the cover in the closed position the hook opening is closed by the cover; and    a means for retaining the cover in the closed position.    
     
     
         39 . A lower anchor belt system to be used to secure a child restraint seat to a vehicle equipped with at least one pair of lower anchors which includes a rigid, round rod or bar typically located at the seat bight, the system comprising: 
 a strap having a first end and a second end;    a strap adjuster coupled to the strap;    a first fastener and a second fastener, each fastener having a clip with a stem portion defining a longitudinal axis, with a hook end and a strap attachment end, the hook end having a curved portion defining a hook and an opening to the hook for receiving the lower anchor, a cover slidably secured to the clip, the cover slidable relative to the clip along the longitudinal axis, between a closed position and an open position, the cover having two opposed facing side walls extending in a direction from the stem portion and generally towards the hook opening, with the hook end extending generally between the opposed facing side walls, each of the two walls including a notch, the notches extend in an opposed facing relationship, wherein each notch defines a forward wall portion adjacent the hook end and a rearward wall portion towards the strap attachment end, and at least one of the rearward wall portions extends lower than both of the forward wall portions, and a means for retaining the cover in the closed position, wherein the strap attachment end of the first fastener is coupled to the first end of the strap, and the strap attachment end of the second fastener is coupled to the second end of the strap, whereby with the cover in the open position, the hook opening is exposed and the fastener may hooked or unhooked to the lower anchor, wherein the extended rearward wall portion acts as a stop upon engaging the lower anchor to enhance user installation, and wherein the notches guide the fastener over a lower anchor during installation, and with the cover in the closed position the hook opening is closed by the cover.    
     
     
         40 . A method of installing a fastener of a restraint system onto a lower anchor located at the bight of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: 
 grasping the fastener by a fastener clip;    inserting the fastener into the bight of a vehicle seat, until a stop located on a fastener cover engages the lower anchor, limiting further movement of the cover into the bight;    inserting the clip further, if necessary, in order to slide the clip, relative to the cover, into the open position;    introducing tension into a restraint strap to assure that the fastener is in the closed position, whereby with the stop engaged with the lower anchor and the fastener is in the open position, a fastener hook opening is aligned with the lower anchor without any obstruction between the hook opening and the lower anchor, and wherein a seat cushion above the lower anchor tends to assist in pushing the aligned hook opening down and onto the lower anchor.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising the step of introducing slack in the strap prior to the first step of inserting, and further comprising the step of pushing the fastener down upon the lower anchor, after the hook opening is aligned with the lower anchor and the fastener is in the open position.  
     
     
         42 . A method of removing a fastener of a restraint system from a lower anchor located at the bight of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: 
 introducing slack into a restraint strap;    pushing a fastener clip into the seat bight so as to slide the clip, relative to a fastener cover, into an open position;    rotating the fastener along the fastener's longitudinal axis, until the fastener clears the lower anchor;    extracting the fastener from the bight, whereby during removal, the fastener may be moved to the open position without trapping the lower anchor so as to provide greater ease in removing the fastener, and the fastener may be removed without the need to lift the fastener up against the seat cushion.    
     
     
         43 . The fastener of  claim 15 , wherein the cover includes a marking, whereby the marking on the cover and the clip are exposed when the fastener is latched, as demonstrated by the matched markings visible to the user.