Locking clip for maintaining seat belt tension on child car seat

Abstract

A seat belt locking clip, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, prevents relative movement of the lap and shoulder portions of a typical automotive seat belt system with respect to the buckle, thereby maintaining seat belt tension. Of one piece construction, the clip consists of a main body having a centrally located handle for positioning and applying rotary force during installation, and a plurality of finger extensions on opposing sides to reach under and retain the belt portions. The clip can also include raised projections on the finger extensions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A seat belt locking clip for maintaining seat belt tension on a child seat comprising: 
 a main body;    a handle for positioning and installing the clip on a seat belt;    and a plurality of fingers extending on opposing ends of the main body, the fingers formed to reach under and retain the seat belt.    
     
     
         2 . The seat belt locking clip of  claim 1  wherein the handle is integrally formed from a portion of said main body.  
     
     
         3 . The seat belt locking clip of  claim 1  wherein the fingers are integral extensions of the main body, positioned to create a pair of substantially parallel slots for inserting and retaining the seat belt therein.  
     
     
         4 . The seat belt locking clip of  claim 3  wherein each slot comprises an open end in which the seat belt is inserted to, and wherein the open ends are at opposing ends of the clip.  
     
     
         5 . The seat belt locking clip of  claim 3  wherein the fingers have tips that are formed to facilitate insertion of the seat belt into the slots.  
     
     
         6 . The seat belt locking clip of  claim 1  further comprising raised projections positioned proximate a base of each finger for preventing removal of the seat belt locking clip while the child seat is in use.  
     
     
         7 . The seat belt locking clip of  claim 6  wherein the fingers each include multiple raised projections having various widths and locations.  
     
     
         8 . A locking clip for maintaining seat belt tension, the locking clip comprising: 
 a main body portion; and    a pair of seat belt retaining portions formed on opposite sides of the main body, the seat belt retaining portions having openings in which the seat belt is inserted and retained.    
     
     
         9 . The locking clip of  claim 8  wherein the pair of seat belt retaining portions comprise a pair of slot members each having an open end and wherein the open ends are formed at opposing ends of the locking clip.  
     
     
         10 . The locking clip of  claim 8  wherein the openings of the seat belt retaining portions are configured to facilitate installation of the locking clip on the seat belt.  
     
     
         11 . The locking clip of  claim 10  wherein the openings of the seat belt retaining portion engage the seat belt and wherein tension of the seat belt is maintained by rotation of the locking clip onto the seat belt.  
     
     
         12 . A belt locking clip comprising: 
 a main body having a receiving member; and    a plurality of finger extensions for engaging and retaining flat belts, the finger extensions located on opposing sides of the main body and sized for locking together any two flat belts, one of which is under tension.    
     
     
         13 . The belt locking clip of  claim 12  wherein the receiving member comprises a receptacle in which a means for installing the locking clip on the belt is inserted.  
     
     
         14 . The belt locking clip of  claim 12  wherein the main body and plurality of fingers are integrally formed as a single unitary piece.