Retractor plate for integral child restraint seat

Abstract

A child restraint assembly is integrated into the backrest portion of a passenger seat in motor vehicle. The assembly includes a rear cushion and a pivoting bottom cushion for supporting a child in a seated posture. Left and right safety belts extend in a generally vertical direction over the torso of the child to secure the child on the rear and bottom cushions. The left and right safety belts are wound on individual retractor spools each having a respective vertical axis of rotation which allows the left and right safety belts to emanate in opposing horizontal directions. A diverter plate is positioned near the retractor spools for redirecting each of the left and right safety belts from the generally horizontal direction upon which each emanates from its respective retractor spool to the generally vertical use direction, thus providing more efficient and beneficial packaging options. Also, it is possible to better maintain tension in the safety belts thereby resisting improper rewinding upon the retractor spools. Additionally, the retraction forces present on the safety belts by way of the power or other return spring mechanism associated with the retractor spools reduces the chances for discomfort to the restrained child.