GB2478210A

GB2478210A - Child safety harness with front panel and crossed straps

Info

Publication number: GB2478210A
Application number: GB1106080A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Julia Rosemary Newton
Original assignee: REPLITOY HK Ltd
Current assignee: REPLITOY HK Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-11
Filing date: 2011-04-11
Publication date: 2011-08-31
Also published as: GB201106080D0

Abstract

A safety harness for restraining a child includes a front panel 2, which may be shaped to resemble an animal, and which includes two pairs of strap anchoring points 4, 4a, 5, 5a, and a plurality of partly elasticised straps 3 which, in use, are connected to the anchoring points to extend across the back of a wearer in a crossed, overlapping manner. The anchoring points are arranged as upper and lower pairs on the front panel of the harness. A quick release clip may be located on the panel such that a rein may be detachably secured to the harness. The front panel may include a squeaker mechanism. The straps 3 of the safety harness may be elastic and have length adjusters 8.

Description

A SAFETY HARNESS APPATQ

FIELD OF THE INYENTION

The present invention relates to a safety harness apparatus to he used by small childrcn in particular to a resti aint harness which permits a child limited movement to prevent them from wandering away from a supervising adult.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Small children are often very inquisitive and will take advantage of any opportunity to explore their surroundings often against the wishes of a parent or guardian lheie ate numerous harnesses, restraints or tethers available today which pennit an individual to prevent or limit the movement of a child in a variety of situations. They may be employed when a child is walking around, when they are required to sit at a table in order to be fed, or when they are sat in a seat of a moving vehicle such as for example a car or a plane. Such restraints also provide peace of mind for the parent knowing that their child is sccure or is unable to mo e too far from thur (ui-rent position or environnient.

Modern restraint devices or apparatus may be cumbersome or bulky and frequently are designed without anticipating the needs of parents or children, A parent is often faced with having to spend more time than they wish by placing the restraint apparatus O\ ci-or onto a child and adjusting the fittings of the apparatus so that the child i'-safely and securely held by the restraint apparatus This is often inconvenient for the parent as time is a precious commodity when dealing with small children.

From a child's perspective, a restraint apparatus is unlikely to provide much 1km or entertainment as it naturally inhibits their ability to roam around and explore, and invariably will be a dull piece of kit wiuich will provide limited interaction or enjoyment for them, It would thereibre he advantageous to have a restraint apparatus which allows a parent or guardian to attach it to their child in a quick and efficient manner. In addition, it would be desirable to have a restraint apparatus which allows a parent or guardian to prevent the child from wandering too far away. It would also be desirable to have a restraint apparatuc which may be pleasing for the child to look at or to engage with while it is attached to them

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a safety harness apparatus to be worn by a user, the safety ham.es s apparatus comprising a front panel having two pairs of anchor points and a plurahtv of at least partly elasticised straps such that, in use, the front panel is disposed against the user's chest, and the straps extend across the back of the user and are connected to the front panel between opposing upper and lower anchor points such that at least one strap is alTanged to cross over a second strap.

I he safety harm. as apparatus is prefei abi) configured so that the partly elasticiscu straps ha e lengthening adjustors in order to be fitted to users of various shapes and dimensions, in particular to small children. The lengthening adjustors allow the harness to be roughly fitted to the user, while the elasticised straps permit the harness to be securely attached to the user no matter how in any items of cldthing they may be wearing. This conibination of features naturally saves time for a supervising adult so that they do not have to dress or undress then child, or tighten or loosen the lengthening adjustors accordingly each time the harness is placed oi ci a child The font panel may further comprise quick i elease safety dips wheieb a looped rein may be attached to the clips to allow an adult to limit the movement of the user wearing the safety Ii arness apparatus The safett harness apparatus is additionall preferably configured such that the anchor points and/or the quick release safety clips are attached to the front panel with webbing for additional strength and secuntv The safety harness apparatus is also preferably configured to be attractive or to provide engagement means for the user The front panel may be constructed from a fabric material and may be shaped or formed into the outline of the face of a furry creature M Inch is coloured oi decot ated accoi dmgly Tue front panel also may include a squeaker mechanism that is built into the face of the flurry creature to provide amusement for the user.

The invention as described abo\e solves the problem of pitniding a safety harness apparatus which may be quickly and securely fitted to a child In particular the safety harness apparatus pennitc a parent or guardian to prevent a child from w andenng too far away from their present location. In addition, the safety harness apparatus is engaging and interactive for the child with whom it is intended.

DRAWING S

Figure 1 shows a rear view of the safety harness apparatus according to the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a front view of the safety harness apparatus of Figure 1, Retemng now to the drawmgs, Figuie 1 shows a safety harness apparatus 1, as described in more detail below.

[he harness I compiiss a front panel 2 and a pair of elasticised stiaps 3 The front panel 2 is constructed from a fabric or woven material, for example a fleece or cotton fabuie, and is shaped in the outline of a furry creature The embodiment of the front plate 2 of the harness I in Figures 1 and 2 is shown to be in the fonn of a teddy bear aithougn it will be appueciated b those skilled in the art that the design or outline of the front panel 2 may be extended to a variety of animal or toy shapes that may be enjoyed by children. The front panel 2 further has four anchor points 4, 4a, 5, 5a which are designed to he connected to the respective ends of the straps 3. The anchor points 4, 4a, 5, Sa of the front panel 2 may he selected from any known suitable attachment means such as fot example a conihination of anchor points 4a 5a that are stitched to the front panel 2 or anchor points 4 5 that incorporate d-rings 6 and webbing 7. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the arrangement and number of anchor points 4, 4a, 5, 5a may not be limited to those as illustrated in Figure 1, but that any suitable combination of anchor points 4, 4a, 5, Sa may he selected as desired.

The straps 3 may be formed from any suitable elastic material such as elastic, and have typical lengthening adjustor means 8 located along the length of the straps 3 in accordance with those known in the art. Each strap 3 is connected to the front panel 2 via a pair of anchor points 4, 4a, 5, 5a in the following manner. A first end of an elasticised strap 3 is connected to an upper anchor point 4, 5 on the front panel 2 with a second end of the strap 3 being connected to a lower anchor point 4a, 5a on an opposite side of the front panel 3. In this way, a erossover arrangement of the straps 3 is created.

The front panel 2 has attachment means for a pair of quick release safety clips 9. As can be seen from Figure 1, the female components of the clips 9 are attached to the front panel 2 via pieces of webbing 7. The male components of the clips 9 are connected by a looped rein 10 (ends partially shown in Figure 1) and are inserted into their respective female components. The front panel 2 thrther has a squeaker mechanism 11 attached to it and located under a surface of the front panel 2 as can be seen from Figure 2.

In use, the harness I is applied and worn by a user in a manner analogous to a user putting on and wearing a jumper. vest or other similar garment. The harness I is placed over the head of a user such that the front panel 2 is positioned against the chest of the user with the straps 3 located and configured in a cross-over arrangement extending across the back of the user. In this configuration, the head of the user is positioned in the aperture created by the cross-over straps 3 between the two upper anchor positions 4, 5 of the front panel 2, and the torso and legs of the user are positioned in the aperture created by the erossover straps 3 between the two lower anchor positions 4a, Sa of the front panel 2. Also in this configuration, the right am of the user is positioned in the aperture created by the cross-over straps 3 between the upper right anchor position S and the lower right anchor position Sa of the front:panel 2. Tn an analogous manner, the left arm of the user is positioned in the aperture created by the cross-over straps 3 between the upper left anchor position 4 and the lower left anchor position 4a of the front panel 3.

On initial fitting of the harness I to a user, the lengthening adjustor means:8 of the straps 3 may be adjusted so thst the harness I is appropnately shaped and dimensioned to safely and securely fit to a user once the harness 1 has been adjusted to fit a user, the harness I may be removed from the user with relative ease without w the need for constant re-adjustment ot the lengthening adjustor means 8 ihe looped icin 10 Is then also attached at either end to the quick release si'fety dips 9

Claims

CLAIMSi. A safety harness apparatus to be worn by a user, the safety harness apparatus comprising a front panel having two pairs of anchor points and a plurality of at least partly elasticised straps suLh that, in use hu front panel is disposed against the uset S chest and the sti aps extend across the back of the user and arc connected to the front panel het een opposing upper and lo ci anchor points such that at least one strap is arranged to cross over a second strap.

2 & safcty harness apparatus according to claim 1 wheicin thc straps ha e lengthening adjustor means.

A safety harncss apparatus according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the front panel further comprises quick release safety clips.

4. A safety harness apparatus according to clahn 3, wherein a looped rein is attached to the quick release safety clips.

A safety harness apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4 shercin the quick release safety clips are attached to the front panel with webbing.

6 A safety harnuss apparatus according to any preceding claim s herein the front panel is constructed front a fabnc material 7 A safety harness apparatus according to any pi eceding claim, whcrcin the front panel is shaped or formed into the outline of the face of a lOrry creature.8 A safety harness apparatus according to any puceding claim, wherein the anchor points are attached to the front panel with webbing.9, A safety harness apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the front panel further comprises a squeaker mechanism.I 0. A safety harness apparatus according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the straps aremade from an elastic:ated material.11. A safety harness apparatus substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings.