The Different Car Seat Attachments (Isofix, Support Leg, Top Tether, Tether Straps, Anti Rebound Bar & LATCH)

When it comes to transporting our children in the car, safety is the key word. The safety of car seats is an absolute priority for parents and manufacturers alike, because a car seat correctly installed can considerably reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of an accident. That's why it's vital to understand the different fastening systems and how to use them correctly. In this article, we're going to explore the different types of attachment available, such as ISOFIX, the strut, the Top TetherTether Straps and the anti-bounce bar, and discuss their importance in protecting our children and keeping them safe.

Fixing Methods For Isofix Car Seats

There are a number of different attachment systems for car seats, each with its own characteristics and installation methods. We're going to look at them one by one to help you make the best choice for your child's safety.

ISOFIX : Easy & Secure Installation

What is Isofix?

Isofix is a standardised fastening system for car seats, making installation quick, easy and safe. This anchoring technique minimises installation errors and improves the effectiveness of protection thanks to a rigid connection between the car seat and the vehicle chassis. Isofix anchorage points are integrated into most recent vehicles and are generally located at the intersection of the backrest and the seat of the rear bench. Isofix eliminates the need to use the vehicle's safety belt to secure the car seat, reducing installation errors.

Advantages of Isofix

• Quick and easy installation: The Isofix connectors clip directly to your car's anchor points.
• Increased safety : Significantly reduces seat movement in the event of a collision.
• Fewer installation errors : As the system is standardised, there is less risk of installing the car seat incorrectly.

Car Seat Installation With Isofix

Attaching a car seat fitted with the Isofix system is a relatively simple and safe procedure.

• Locate the isofix anchorage points : In your vehicle, locate the isofix anchorage points. They are usually located between the backrest and the seat of the rear bench.
• Prepare the car seat: make sure that the car seat is in the correct position for installation (forward-facing or rear-facing, depending on the child's age and size).
• Connect the isofix hooks : align the car seat's isofix hooks or arms with the anchorage points in your car. push the car seat firmly until the hooks click into place. you should hear a "click" indicating that the hooks are correctly attached.
• Check the installation indicators : Many isofix car seats are equipped with visual or audible indicators to confirm that the car seat is correctly fitted. Make sure that these indicators confirm that the car seat is correctly installed.
• Use the top tether or strut: If your car seat is fitted with a top tether (an additional strap), attach it to the dedicated anchorage point in your vehicle. If the seat has a support leg, deploy it so that it rests firmly on the vehicle floor.
• Check stability: once installed, the seat should not move sideways or forwards by more than a few centimetres. test its stability by shaking it gently.
• Get the child settled: place your child in the car seat and fasten it in accordance with the car seat manufacturer's instructions.

Safety Belt: Universal Fastening System

What Is A Seatbelt?

The seatbelt is a standard restraint device in vehicles, designed to keep passengers in place and reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident. In the case of car seats, the safety belt is used to secure the car seat to the vehicle bench. It generally passes through specific guides on the car seat to ensure correct attachment.

Advantages Of Seat Belts

• Universality Compatible with all vehicles.
• Flexibility Allows the car seat to be installed in different vehicles without the need for special equipment.

Car Seat Installation With Safety Belt (Without Isofix)

1. Position the car seat Place the car seat on the back seat of the vehicle or in the front seat, facing the recommended direction (forward or backwards).
2. Put on the belt Pass the vehicle seat belt through the belt guides on the car seat.
3. Buckle and tighten Buckle the belt and pull firmly to make sure the car seat is snug.

Isofix VS Safety Belt

Top Tether: Third anchoring point

What is Top Tether?

The Top Tether is an essential component of modern car seat safety systems. It is an additional strap that attaches to a specific anchorage point, usually located behind the rear seat or on the vehicle floor. This strap is designed to limit the forward movement of the car seat in the event of sudden braking or a collision, offering additional protection for the child. In addition to the isofix fixings, Top Tether contributes to a more stable and safer installation of the car seat, by reducing the risk of it rotating or tipping over in the event of an impact.

Advantages of Top Tether

• Enhanced security : Reduces the forward tilting movement of the car seat in the event of an impact.
• Compatibility : Works in conjunction with the isofix fixing for optimum safety.
• Ease of use : Easy to fasten and adjust.

Isofix Car Seat Installation With Top Tether

Attaching an isofix car seat fitted with Top Tether is a safe method of ensuring your child's safety in the car. Here are the steps to follow for correct installation of the car seat.

• Locate the isofix points : Find the isofix anchorage points in your car.
• Connect the car seat : Align and engage the car seat's isofix connectors with the vehicle's isofix anchorage points.
• Attach the Top Tether : Attach the Top Tether strap to the dedicated anchorage point in your vehicle and tighten it.
• Check stability: Make sure the car seat is correctly installed. It must be stable and must not move more than a few centimetres.
• Get the child settled: Place your child in the car seat and fasten it down according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Jambe De Force : Stability & Shock Absorption

What is a Strut?

The support leg is an additional safety component for isofix car seats. It stabilises the car seat by connecting it to the vehicle floor. This connection helps to prevent the car seat from tipping over or moving excessively in the event of an accident. The strut is particularly effective at absorbing impact forces away from the child. It is often used for rear-facing car seats.

Advantages of the Power Leg

• Improved stability : Prevents the car seat from tipping over or moving in the event of a collision.
• Distribution of forces : Helps distribute impact forces away from the child.
• Intuitive installation : Easily unfolds to attach to the vehicle floor.

Installation of Isofix Car Seats with Support Legs

Fitting a car seat or an isofix base fitted with a strut is a very simple procedure.

• Locate isofix fixing : Connect the car seat's isofix hooks to your car's anchor points.
• Deploy the strut: Unfold the strut under the car seat until it rests firmly on the vehicle floor. Make sure it is straight and in direct contact with the floor to stabilise the car seat.
• Check the installation : Check that the car seat is correctly installed by looking at the visual indicators on the isofix base and the support leg. The car seat must not move excessively.
• Moving the child in : Place and fasten your child in the car seat.

Tether Straps : Flexibility & Security

What are Tether Straps?

Tether straps are a crucial element in the safety of car seats, particularly those used in the rear-facing position. These adjustable straps attach directly to the metal frames of the front passenger seat rails. They are essential for prolonged use of the car seat in the rear-facing position beyond the age of 4. Tethers straps can be found on models such as the Britax Römer Max Way Plus, Axkid Minikid or BeSafe Strech.

Advantages of Tether Straps

• Additional safety : Limits the movement of the rear-facing car seat for greater stability.
• Flexible installation : Make it easier to adapt the car seat to different types of vehicle.
• Easy adjustment : Easily adjusted for correct tension and secure installation.

Isofix Car Seat Installation With Tether Straps

When installing a car seat fitted with tether straps, the procedure is slightly different from a standard Isofix installation. In this case, the vehicle's safety belt is generally used to secure the car seat, in addition to the support leg and the tether straps. This method ensures that the car seat is securely and safely attached, while allowing extended rear-facing use beyond the age of four.

• Position the car seat : Place the car seat in the back seat of your vehicle, facing the recommended direction (forward or rearward facing).
• Fasten the seat belt : Pass the vehicle's safety belt through the belt guides on the car seat, then tighten firmly to ensure that the car seat is held securely.
• Deploy the strut: Unfold the strut so that it rests firmly on the vehicle floor.
• Install the Tether Straps : Attach the tether straps to the appropriate anchorage points. These are usually located on the front passenger seat rails. Make sure the straps are taut and properly secured.
• Check stability: Make sure the car seat is stable and does not move excessively.
• Get the child settled: Place and fasten your child in the car seat.

Anti-Bounce Bar: Space & Additional Protection

What is an Anti-Rebound Bar?

The anti-bounce bar is a safety device designed primarily for rear-facing car seats. Located in front of the isofix base, this bar is positioned against the back of the vehicle's rear seat. Its main role is to limit the rearward movement of the car seat in the event of an impact. By absorbing energy at the moment of impact, this bar reduces the risk of injury to the child, particularly in frontal impacts where rearward movement can be significant.

Advantages Of The Anti-Bounce Bar

• Enhanced protection : Reduces the rearward movement of the car seat in a frontal collision.
• Impact absorption : Helps dissipate the forces generated in an accident.
• Specific design : Designed for rear-facing car seats, offering greater safety for young children.

Isofix Car Seat Installation With Anti-Bounce Bar

• Locate the isofix points : Identify the isofix anchorage points in your vehicle, located between the backrest and the seat of the rear bench.
• Position the car seat : Place the car seat on the rear bench seat, making sure that the back of the isofix base and the anti-bounce bar lie flat along the back of the vehicle's rear bench seat.
• Connect the isofix hooks : Align the car seat's Isofix hooks with the anchorage points and push until they engage.
• Adjust the anti-rebound bar : If your car seat has an adjustable anti-rebound bar, as is the case with some isofix bases fitted with a bar whose angle or length can be modified, adjust it to provide extra space for your child's legs.
• Install the strut: If the car seat is fitted with a support leg, deploy it so that it rests firmly on the vehicle floor.
• Check stability: Check that the car seat is secure and does not move excessively.
• Get the child settled: Place your child in the car seat and fasten it down according to the manufacturer's instructions.

LATCH: American equivalent of ISOFIX

What is LATCH

LATCH, an acronym for "Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children", is an attachment system for car seats similar to isofix, but specifically adapted to North American standards. In Canada, it is also known as LUAS ("Lower Universal Anchorage System") or Canfix. The LATCH system is designed for the safe installation of car seats in both forward-facing and rear-facing positions.

How LATCH works

LATCH consists of two main components: lower anchors and upper straps. The lower anchors replace the use of the vehicle's safety belt to secure the base of the car seat, while the upper straps (similar to the Top Tether) provide additional securing to limit the movement of the car seat.

• Lower anchors : Metal attachment points, similar to isofix anchors, are located between the seat and backrest of the vehicle's rear seats. These anchors are used to secure the car seat's LATCH hooks or connectors.
• Top tether : A restraint strap located at the rear of the car seat, which attaches to a specific anchorage point to limit the forward tilting of the car seat in the event of a collision. In some vehicles, such as MPVs and SUVs, the LATCH anchorage points can be located on the floor, on the back of the rear seat or even on the ceiling.

Advantages of LATCH fasteners

• Safety : Reduces installation errors and ensures safer fixing.
• Compatibility : Check that the car seat is compatible with the vehicle's LATCH system.
• Weight limits : Specific weight limits for the child and the car seat must be respected.

Car Seat Installation With LATCH

Installing a car seat with the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) involves following a few key steps to ensure your child's safety and comfort.

Identifying LATCH Anchors In Your Vehicle

• Locate the lower anchors : They are generally located in the space between the back of the rear seat and the seat cushion.
• Find the top anchor: Often located on the rear shelf near the rear window, or in other places depending on the type of vehicle.

Preparing the car seat

• Position the car seat : Place it in the desired position (facing the road or with its back to the road) on the vehicle seat.
• Fasten the lower straps : Connect the hooks or buckles of the lower anchorage straps to the vehicle's anchorage bars.

Tightening the lower straps

• Tighten firmly: Push the car seat firmly into the vehicle seat while tightening the lower tether straps. The seat should not move more than 2.5 cm in any direction.

Using the Superior Anchor

• Fasten the top strap : Connect the hook or buckle of the top strap to the vehicle's top tether.
• Tighten the strap: Tighten the strap firmly so that the top of the car seat is secure against the back of the rear seat.

Check Installation

• Control the Motion: Make sure the car seat is secure and does not move more than 2.5 cm in any direction.
• Check the Tilt: Make sure the car seat is correctly reclined for baby's comfort.