Lock-off mechanism for a child seat

Abstract

A forward-facing child seat includes a base, a seat removably attachable to the base in a forward-facing orientation relative to a front of the vehicle, and at least one lock-off mechanism mounted to the base to secure a vehicle seat belt to the base. The lock-off mechanism may be one of a variety. For example, the lock-off mechanism may include a lower jaw mounted to the base, and an upper jaw movable relative to the lower jaw between an open position and a closed position.

1 . A forward-facing child seat, comprising: 
 a base;    a seat removably attachable to the base in a forward-facing orientation relative to a front of the vehicle; and    at least one lock-off mechanism mounted to the base to secure a vehicle seat belt to the base.    
   
   
       2 . The child seat according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock-off mechanism comprises a lower jaw mounted to the base, and an upper jaw movable relative to the lower jaw between an open position and a closed position.  
   
   
       3 . The child seat according to  claim 2 , wherein the upper jaw slides relative to the lower jaw.  
   
   
       4 . The child seat according to  claim 2 , wherein the upper jaw is pivotably attached to the lower jaw.  
   
   
       5 . The child seat according to  claim 2 , wherein the upper jaw and the lower jaw create a belt path therebetween when the upper jaw is in the closed position.  
   
   
       6 . The child seat according to  claim 5 , wherein the lower jaw includes a contact surface and at least two ridges formed on the contact surface and at least partially traversing the belt path to deflect the vehicle seat belt in the belt path.  
   
   
       7 . The child seat according to  claim 6 , wherein the ridges are formed perpendicular to the belt path.  
   
   
       8 . The child seat according to  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a back, and the lock-off mechanism is mounted to the back.  
   
   
       9 . The child seat according to  claim 8 , wherein the back includes a front surface, and the lock-off mechanism is mounted to the front surface of the back.  
   
   
       10 . The child seat according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one lock-off mechanism comprises a pair of lock-off mechanisms mounted to opposite sides of the front surface of the back.  
   
   
       11 . The child seat according to  claim 1 , wherein the seat includes a seat back and the base includes a back portion, and the seat back is pivotally and detachably coupled to the back portion.  
   
   
       12 . The child seat according to  claim 11 , wherein the back portion includes a cross bar, and the seat back includes a latch mechanism to detachably couple to the cross bar.  
   
   
       13 . The child seat according to  claim 12 , wherein the latch mechanism includes a first latch member fixed to the seat back and a second latch member movably coupled to the seat back to move upon contact with the cross bar of the back portion, and wherein the first and second latch members are configured to latch around the cross member.  
   
   
       14 . The child seat according to  claim 13 , wherein the first latch member comprises a hook, and the second latch member comprises a pivotal jaw to pivot between an open position and a closed position relative to the hook.  
   
   
       15 . The child seat according to  claim 12 , wherein the seat back includes a release mechanism to release the latch mechanism from the cross bar.  
   
   
       16 . The child seat according to  claim 15 , wherein the latch mechanism includes a first latch member fixed to the seat back and a second latch member movably coupled to the seat back to move upon contact with the cross bar of the back portion, and wherein the first and second latch members are configured to latch around the cross bar.  
   
   
       17 . The child seat according to  claim 16 , wherein the release mechanism includes a latch actuator movably coupled to the seat back, and wherein the second latch member is coupled to the latch actuator such that movement of the latch actuator causes movement of the second latch member from a closed position to an open position relative to the first latch member.  
   
   
       18 . A method of installing a child seat in a vehicle having a combination shoulder and lap belt, comprising: 
 providing the child seat with a base and a seat removably attachable to the base in a forward-facing orientation relative to a front of the vehicle;    positioning the base on a vehicle seat;    placing the combination shoulder lap and belt across the base and securing the combination shoulder and lap belt to a vehicle belt socket;    locking a shoulder belt portion of the combination shoulder and lap belt to the base in a lock-off mechanism mounted to the base; and    attaching the seat to the base in the forward-facing orientation.    
   
   
       19 . A lock-off mechanism for a child seat, comprising: 
 a lower jaw to couple to the child seat;    an upper jaw movably connected to the lower jaw and movable between an open position and a closed position;    an actuator connected to one of the lower jaw and the upper jaw; and    an actuator receptacle located on the other of the lower jaw and the upper jaw,    wherein, movement of the upper jaw from the open position to the closed position causes engagement of the actuator and the actuator receptacle to lock the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw.    
   
   
       20 . The lock-off mechanism according to  claim 19 , wherein the actuator is slidably connected to the upper jaw.  
   
   
       21 . The lock-off mechanism according to  claim 20 , wherein the actuator includes an actuator body and at least one actuator handle to move the actuator body relative to the upper jaw.  
   
   
       22 . The lock-off mechanism according to  claim 21 , wherein the actuator body includes an extended portion, and the actuator receptacle includes a lip, and wherein the extended portion is configured to slide under and engage the lip.  
   
   
       23 . A lock-off mechanism for a child seat, comprising: 
 a lower jaw to couple to the child seat; and    an upper jaw movably connected to the lower jaw and movable between an open position and a closed position;    wherein, movement of the upper jaw from the open position to the closed position automatically causes the upper jaw to lock relative to the lower jaw.    
   
   
       24 . A child seat to secure to a vehicle seat, comprising: 
 a lock-off mechanism coupled to the child seat, the lock-off mechanism including, 
 a lower jaw to couple to the child seat; and  
 an upper jaw movably connected to the lower jaw and movable between an open position and a closed position;  
 wherein, movement of the upper jaw from the open position to the closed position automatically causes the upper jaw to lock relative to the lower jaw.