GB2478345A

GB2478345A - Car seat harness for children

Info

Publication number: GB2478345A
Application number: GB1003645A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Leighton Griffiths
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-05
Filing date: 2010-03-05
Publication date: 2011-09-07
Also published as: GB201003645D0

Abstract

A harness for a child's car seat in which two straps g passing over the chest and shoulders clip into buckles or receivers b situated in the back rest of the child's car seat. The height at which the shoulder strap buckles b attach to the back rest track a may be adjustable. The harness may be tensioned via a central strap c (joined to the shoulder straps) passing between the child's legs into the base of the child's car seat, either manually or automatically by means of recoil device d. The shoulder straps g and buckle clips may be prevented from disappearing into the base of the child's car seat by a width restricting device f. A supplementary lap strap may also be provided. By inserting the buckle into the back of the car seat, the harness is thought to make it easier to secure a child in a child seat and release them from it.

Description

Car Seat Harness For Children

Background

All the current harness arrangements currently available depend upon a fastening device connecting both shoulder straps to a central (between the legs) seat strap. The principal problems with this design are: (1) it necessitates the parent having to wrestle with all components of the fastening mechanism, with both hands, in an unsuitable location -i.e. where the child is easily able to frustrate the parent's efforts by wriggling, arching its back and handling the buckle; (2) the buckle is located where the child may easily release it; (3) the child's arms must be fed awkwardly through loops in the shoulder straps; and (4) the central seat strap is often difficult to locate when loading the child as the child is likely to sit on it.

The Proposed Design The harness is buckled into the chair above the child's shoulders. The shoulder straps have male buckle tongues at their upper ends. These are received by reciprocal female buckle components located in the back of the child seat. The reciprocal female buckle components may either be sprung and height adjustable or a vertically stepped series of slots. The shoulder straps (which may be capable of length adjustment using currently available means) join with a single central strap at lower chest to groin level (dependent on the child's size and adjustment). The single central strap feeds into a slot in the base of the seat to a roller or runner and then, either: to a self adjusting recoil mechanism located inside the base of the chair; or a manual tension adjuster accessed at the front of the chair. The enlargement of the strap joint at the junction of the shoulder and central straps prevents the shoulder straps from being drawn into the seat slot.

The Advantages of the Proposed Design The shoulder straps flop across the front of the seat when not in use to provide easy access for the adult when seating the child. The shoulder strap buckles can be picked up and fastened individually with only one hand -leaving one free to restrain the child should this be necessary. With the release buttons for the buckles being located above the shoulders of the child it is more difficult for a child to exert the force necessary to release the harness itself The central emergency release button wouldn't be used routinely, therefore the child's attention would not obviously be drawn to it as a means of effecting an unwanted escape.

Accompanying Drawings 1. Figures 1 & 2: Seat & Harness Layout -general configuration 2. Figures 3, 4 & 5: Adjustable Buckle Track Configuration (indicative) 3. Figures 6 & 7: Adjustable Buckle Fixing Mechanisms (indicative) 4. Figures 8 & 9: Alternative Stepped Buckle Arrangement (indicative) 5. Figures 10 & 11: Strap Tensioning Options -(indicative) 6. Figure 12: Relationship Between Strap Joint and Seat Slot 7. Figures 13&14: Seat Strap Options -integral or independent

Detailed Description Of The Attached Drawings

1. Figures l&2: Seat & Harness Layout These show front and lateral sectional views of the chair. The precise design of the chair, other than its capability to accommodate the distinctive features of the harness (i.e. the back rest buckle tracks (a), the strap travel slot in the base (h) and the under seat tightening and securing mechanisms (d) & (e)), is not significant. It is intended that the basic shell designs of a range of existing child seats, or a new design incorporating similar elements, will be capable of being adapted prior to manufacture to incorporate the required elements.

It is the general configuration and functionality of the components and their relationship with the chair and its intended occupant that are the most significant in terms of this patent application: i.e. the location and simple press and lock nature of the shoulder strap buckles (b), the ability to adjust the height of these along tracks (a), the relationship between the shoulder (g) and central (c) straps, and that of the seat slot (h) to the Strap Joint Emergency Release (1).

The drawings show the location of the buckle tracks (a) in the back of the chair.

While these may vary slightly in different applications, the intention is for these to be located symmetrically about the central vertical axis of the back rest, so as to suitably correspond with the locus of a point just outside the shoulder of a child as it grows throughout the age range for which the chair is designed. Therefore it is likely these will be at centres approximately 1 8cms apart and rise from approximately 2Ocms above the seat by approximately a further 3Ocms. dependent on the age range of any given seat to which the configuration is being adapted.

It is intended that the shoulder strap buckle tongues (Fig.5 (s)) will be attached to buckles located 1 to 5 centimetres above the child's shoulder; therefore the buckles are designed to be capable of corresponding height adjustment along the track (a) throughout the growth of a child within the prescribed age ranges for any given chair.

The width of the Strap Joint Emergency Release (f) is to be wider and/or broader than the slot in the seat (h) through which it passes (see Fig 12), so as to prevent the shoulder straps (g) being drawn below the seat's surface.

The harness is to be tensioned by means of the central strap (c) passing through the seat slot (h), over a rounded runner, roller or rollers adjacent to the slot (v), either with the use of: (Fig.lO) a recoil device fixed (d) to the seat's structural frame, mounted in the base of the seat; or (Fig. 11) manually by pulling the strap through a slot in the upper forward section of the seat via a spring release and grip mechanism (u).

2. Figures 3, 4 & 5: Seat Back Buckle Track Configuration The female buckle blocks (b) engage with fixed teeth (i) recessed into the sides of the buckle tracks (a) by means of corresponding teeth (n) in the buckle blocks (b). The buckle block teeth are spring mounted so they can be withdrawn by pressing a sprung button (m2) on the buckle block to allow the block to be moved up and down the track. To further facilitate this movement and lock the block in place in the desired position, it is envisaged a plate (o) to the rear of the buckle block will be sprung so as to better clasp the back of the track when resting; this being pushed away from the rear plate of the track when the sprung teeth button on the block is depressed. (for buckle detail see Fig.6) The male buckle tongues (s) at the upper end of the shoulder straps press into the slots (q) on the front of the buckle blocks, causing sprung latches (t) to be forced back into the interior of the buckle blocks, then springing back to engage with the hole in each of the tongues (s) and lock the two buckle components together. These are capable of being released by another spring loaded button (ml) on the buckle blocks.

The precise detailed design of the buckle tracks isn't intended to be a limiting or defining component of this patent application. The essence of the track design is to facilitate the height adjustment of the buckle blocks and to ensure it is held securely in the back of the seat so as to be fully capable of withstanding the force of a child being thrown from the seat. The solution shown in the drawings envisages this being achieved by the track and back plate being structurally integrated, so that the strength of the back plate and its overlap of the main seat's shell (r) is sufficient to withstand all necessary operational stresses and strains to the satisfaction of all applicable statutory regulations or otherwise nationally accepted guidance. The smooth external sides of the buckle tracks will fit into corresponding moulded slots in the chair shell, and will likely be secured by a combination of sprung male clips on the forward edge of the tracks and female recesses in the chair shell, possibly supplemented by adhesive.

3. Figures 6 & 7: Indicative Buckle Mechanism The precise detailed designs of the buckle blocks (b), tongues (s) and teeth (n) aren't intended to be limiting or defining components of this patent application. If it is possible to use existing components to achieve a similar solution these may be utilized. The design illustrated in Figure 6 is intended to illustrate the type of functionality required. In this the release buttons (m2) for the track fixing teeth (n) are situated on the under side of the block and the tongue release buttons (ml) on the top. The two may be pressed together or independently -the latter being the likely most convenient means of sliding the blocks up and down their tracks.

Similarly the precise relationship between the shoulder strap and the fixings is likely to be subject to further development. In order to achieve a comfortable fit in various positions it may be possible to adopt a conventional, fixed relationship between the belt material and the buckle, and reduce the potential for the strap to distort by angling the slot (q) in each buckle block such that its principal axis is approximately perpendicular to the likely location of the Strap Joint Emergency Release (f) (a location approximately 5-15 ems above the seat's surface on its central vertical axis).

Alternatively the strap and the buckle tongue could be conjoined by means of an articulated or angled fastener, which allows the buckle tongue to enter the buckle slot horizontally while allowing the strap to align itself with the Strap Joint.

4. Figures 8 & 9: Alternative Stepped Buckle Arrangement As an alternative arrangement the buckle track (a) becomes a series of fixed openings (q) into which sprung buckle tongues (s 1) attached to the shoulder straps (g) can be located. By squeezing the release buttons (ml) on the sides of the buckle tongue blocks (bi) the two arms of the tongue perform a scissor motion enabling the tongue to be inserted into (and then subsequently released from) the buckle track opening (q).

When the buttons are released the tongue arms spring open to secure the buckle.

Once again the detailed design of the buckle mechanism is not intended to be a limiting or defining component of this patent application. It is hoped that it will be possible to use existing components. or variants upon these. to facilitate this function.

5. Figures 10 & 11: Strap Tensioning Options The use of an automated recoil device similar to those used in conventional seat belt arrangements is intended as a deluxe, easier to operate option, while the manual hand adjustable device would be similar to those used in many existing child seats -the strap being tensioned by pulling the free end of the central strap through a slot at the front of the seat, and fixed by means of a sprung clasp that allows free travel of the strap outward from the seat only. The clasp being capable of release by a depressing a sprung lever (u) fitted above the strap on the front edge of the seat to permit the strap being pulled back into the seat to provide greater slack.

Once again the detailed design of the means of tensioning the harness is not intended to be a limiting or defining component of this patent application. It is hoped that it will be possible to use existing components. or variants upon these, to facilitate this function.

6. Figure 12: Relationship Between Strap Joint Emergency Release & Seat Slot The shoulder straps (g) will be joined securely to the central strap (c) by means of similar types of sprung buckle release mechanisms described in figure 5 -i.e. with the strap ends terminating in male tongues which lock into sprung latch mechanisms capable of being released by the emergency release button (ar). The Strap Joint Emergency Release (1) will be securely anchored to the central seat strap (c) by means of a fixed joint. The Strap Joint Emergency Release block is to be of sufficient size and strength to prevent the shoulder straps being drawn into the seat's base.

Consequently it is to be wider and/or broader than the seat slot (h).

7. Figure 13: Lap Strap Option Should it be deemed necessary to supplement the main harness with additional lateral restraint an additional lap strap may be used.

The option illustrated in Fig. 13 is to attach two lateral straps (xl) at the Strap Joint Emergency Release by means of sprung buckles similar to that illustrated in Fig. 5 to create a 5 point harness configuration. At the loose ends of these would be male sprung buckle tongues (yl) that would engage with female buckles (y2) attached to a continuation strap (x2) looping around the underside or back of the chair via slots (w) in the seat shell. The female buckles are to be larger than the slots and the continuation strap is to be only just long enough to connect the buckles at the slots (w) so as to ensure the buckles occupy the desired location on the sides of the seat (see (w) in Figs. 1 & 2).

The lap strap would be capable of length adjustment via conventional looped belt sliders (z).

Key to Figures a back rest buckle tracks b shoulder strap buckles c central strap d seat located strap tightening mechanism e seat located strap securing mechanism f Strap Joint Emergency Release g shoulder strap h strap travel slot in the seat base i buckle track block locating teeth j back plate of buckle track k buckle track slot forward opening of buckle track ml & m2 buckle block spring release buttons n buckle block teeth o sprung back clasp plate p back of buckle track q buckle block slot r main child seat shell s & sl buckle tongue t opening in buckle tongue u spring release and grip mechanism v strap runners/rollers w lateral strap seat slots xl & x2 forward (xl) and rear (x2) components of lateral seat strap yl & y2 male (yl) and female (y2) lap (lateral) strap buckle components z strap length ad] ustment aa strap locators ar Emergency release button

Claims

Claims A harness for a child's car seat in which the child is secured by means of straps passing over the child's chest and shoulders clipping into buckles or receivers accommodated in the back of the child's car seat.
2 A harness according to Claim 1 in which the height at which the shoulder strap attaches to the back rest is adjustable.
3 A harness according to Claim 1 in which the harness is tensioned by means of a central strap (coimected to the shoulder straps) passing into the base of the child's car seat.
4 A harness according to Claim 3 in which the shoulder straps and buckle clips are prevented from disappearing into the base of the child's car seat by a width restricting device, so as to ensure the shoulder straps are easily accessible when fitting the harness around a child.
A harness according to Claim 1 capable of being fitted around a child and subsequently released with one hand.
6 A harness according to Claim 1 that may have a supplementary lap strap to provide greater lateral support.