Safety lock for child vehicle seats

Abstract

An apparatus for clamping together a first and second web of a vehicle seatbelt is provided. The apparatus includes a first body potion; at least a second body portion connected at least intermediately to the first body portion; a clamping means for clamping the first and second body portions such that a transverse portion of the first and second webs is captured between the first and second body portions; and at least one locking member movably connected to at least one of the first and second body portions to prevent axial movement of the first and second webs.

1 . An apparatus for clamping together a first and second web of a vehicle seatbelt, the apparatus comprising; 
 a first body portion;    at least a second body portion connected at least intermediately to the first body portion;    a clamping means for clamping the first and second body portions such that a transverse portion of the first and second webs is captured between the first and second body portions; and    at least one locking member movably connected to at least one of the first and second body portions to prevent axial movement of the first and second webs;    wherein the at least one locking member comprises a cam rotatably disposed in one of the first and second body portions, the cam rotating about an axis offset from its central axis, the other of the first and second body portions having a protruding surface, the first and second webs being sandwiched between the cam and protruding surface when the cam is rotated to engage the protruding surface.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a knob connected to the cam for facilitating its rotation.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus for clamping together a first and second web of a vehicle seatbelt, the apparatus comprising; 
 a first body portion;    at least a second body portion connected at least intermediately to the first body portion;    a clamping means for clamping the first and second body portions such that a transverse portion of the first and second webs is captured between the first and second body portions; and    at least one locking member movably connected to at least one of the first and second body portions to prevent axial movement of the first and second webs;    wherein the at least one locking member comprises first and second cams rotatably disposed in the first and second body portions, respectively, each of the first and second cams rotating about an axis offset from its central axis, the first and second webs being sandwiched between the first and second cams when the cams are rotated to engage each other.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising means for counter rotating one of the first and second cams upon rotation of the other of the first and second cams.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the means for counter-rotating comprises first and second gears connected to the first and second cams, respectively, and meshingly engaged to cause one of the first and second cams upon rotation of the other of the first and second cams.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a knob connected to one of the first and second cams for facilitating their rotation.  
   
   
       7 . A seatbelt buckle for clamping together a first and second web of a vehicle seatbelt, the seatbelt buckle comprising; 
 a body potion for containing the first and second webs in a transverse direction; and    at least one locking member movably connected to the body portion to prevent axial movement of the first and second webs through the body portion;    wherein the locking member is movably connected to the body portion such that an axial movement of at least one of the first and second webs moves the locking member into a locking engagement with the body portion thereby preventing further axial movement of the first and second webs.    
   
   
       8 . A seatbelt buckle for clamping together a first and second web of a vehicle seatbelt, the seatbelt buckle comprising; 
 a body potion for containing the first and second webs in a transverse direction; and    at least one locking member movably connected to the body portion to prevent axial movement of the first and second webs through the body portion;    wherein the at least one locking member comprises first and second cams rotatably disposed in the body portion, each of the first and second cams rotating about an axis offset from its central axis, the first and second webs being sandwiched between the first and second cams when the cams are rotated to engage each other.    
   
   
       9 . The seatbelt buckle according to  claim 8 , further comprising means for counter rotating one of the first and second cams upon rotation of the other of the first and second cams.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the means for counter-rotating comprises first and second gears connected to the first and second cams, respectively, and meshingly engaged to cause one of the first and second cams upon rotation of the other of the first and second cams.