Center-pull latch mechanism

A base for a safety seat configured to be anchored to a vehicle seat, the base comprising:

• a shell defining a cavity therein;
• a locking assembly disposed within the cavity;
• one or more straps defining a first end and a second end, wherein the one or more straps extend through the locking assembly,
• wherein the locking assembly is configured to releasably engage the one or more straps to secure the safety seat to the vehicle seat, wherein the first end and the second end of each of the one or more straps are configured to be disposed on opposing sides of the locking assembly;
• and
• a connector attached to the first end of each of the one or more straps, wherein each of the one or more straps defines a first portion extending from the connector to the locking assembly, and wherein the connectors are configured to engage a vehicle seat,
• wherein the one or more straps comprise a first strap and a second strap, wherein the locking assembly is configured to receive the first portion of the first strap and the first portion of the second strap from opposing sides of the base, and wherein the second portion of the first strap and the second portion of the second strap extending from the locking assembly to the second ends of the first strap and second strap are disposed parallel to a centerline of the base.

A method of manufacturing a base for a safety seat, the method comprising:

• providing a shell having a cavity defined therein;
• connecting a locking assembly to the shell within the cavity;
• extending one or more straps defining a first end and a second end through the locking assembly,
• releasably engaging the locking assembly with the one or more straps, wherein the first end and the second end of each of the one or more straps are configured to be disposed on opposing sides of the locking assembly;
• attaching a connector to the first end of each of the one or more straps, wherein each of the one or more straps defines a first portion extending from the connector to the locking assembly, wherein the connectors are configured to engage a vehicle seat;
• and
• attaching a tensioning assembly to second portions of each of the one or more straps, wherein the second portion extends from the locking assembly to the second end of the one or more straps, and wherein the tensioning assembly is configured to apply a tension to the second portions of each of the one or more straps,
• wherein the one or more straps comprise a first strap and a second strap, wherein the locking assembly is configured to receive a first portion of the first strap and a first portion of the second strap from opposing sides of the base, and wherein a second portion of the first strap and a second portion of the second strap extending from the locking assembly to the second ends of the first and second strap are disposed parallel to a centerline of the base.

A base for a safety seat configured to be anchored to a vehicle seat, the base comprising:

• a shell defining a cavity therein;
• a locking assembly disposed within the cavity;
• one or more straps defining a first end and a second end, wherein the one or more straps extend through the locking assembly,
• wherein the locking assembly is configured to releasably engage the one or more straps to secure the safety seat to the vehicle seat, wherein the first end and the second end of each of the one or more straps are configured to be disposed on opposing sides of the locking assembly, wherein the locking assembly defines one or more releasable, one-way locks configured to allow the one or more straps to be pulled through the locking assembly in a tensioning direction, wherein each of the one or more releasable, one-way locks comprise at least two locks configured to be actuated substantially simultaneously by a common actuator plate;
• a connector attached to the first end of each the one or more straps, wherein each of the one or more straps defines a first portion extending from the connector to the locking assembly, and wherein the connectors are configured to engage a vehicle seat;
• and
• a tensioning assembly supported by the shell, wherein the tensioning assembly is configured to apply a tension to a second portion of each of the one or more straps, wherein the second portion extends from the locking assembly to the second end of the one or more straps wherein the locking assembly defines one or more releasable, one-way locks configured to allow the one or more straps to be pulled through the locking assembly in a tensioning direction.