WO2005000626A1

WO2005000626A1 - Strap-securing device

Info

Publication number: WO2005000626A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/002722
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Brennan; Kate Brennan
Original assignee: Mark Brennan; Kate Brennan
Priority date: 2003-06-25
Filing date: 2004-06-24
Publication date: 2005-01-06

Abstract

A strap-securing device (10) which may be employed to maintain the optimal support or security provided by, for example, a child seat harness, the design being essentially a central and effectively rigid panel (11) with at least two diverging edges (14, 15) to limit travel of the device along the straps (1, 2), and side panels (12, 13) joined to the diverging edges and lying parallel to the central panel, thus forming slots (16, 17) which retain said straps.

Description

STRAP-SECURING DEVICE

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a strap-securing device for improving the effectiveness, supportiveness or comfort of harnesses and other safety belts, especially harnesses for children's car seats and wheelchairs.

Child safety harnesses for chairs and child car seats generally comprise a pair of shoulder straps passing over each of the child's shoulders, respective waist straps passing around each side of the child's waist and (optionally but normally) a bottom strap passing between the child's legs, the five straps all locating at a buckle in front of the child's belly. A particular problem can arise if the child is too small for the harness or is sufficiently boisterous or dextrous to be able to pass an arm under one or both of the shoulder straps, or push apart the straps and free the arms. In both cases, the child's body can lean forwards through the harness such that one or both of the shoulder straps may be ineffective in restraining the child from forwards motion, for example in the case of a collision in a car. The risk of injury is exacerbated because, in children, a higher proportion of the body weight is constituted by the head, thus moving the centre of gravity upwards and making a toppling motion more likely: seat belt syndrome and head trauma are common results.

Distraction of the driver or carer is also a common problem where a child is escaping the harness partially or completely, and this may further affect safety of the vehicle occupants and perhaps other road users. In a domestic situation, a partially or unrestrained child may fall from a high chair or cause the chair to fall. In the case of disabled children and adults who are habitual wheelchair users, lack of support to the upper body by a harness or slippage of a harness or its clip can lead to orthopaedic, trauma or respiratory problems.

Most harness and belt clips or securing devices tend to ride up or down the retained straps, causing discomfort or defeating their purpose; do not provide any support or protection to the user or harness; or are awkward to fit or remove.

Summary of the invention

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a strap-securing device suitable for restricting the sideways pushing apart of two straps of a harness, the device being substantially rigid and comprising a central panel having at least two diverging edges, each diverging edge having at least one side panel to create respective slots that face in opposite directions and are adapted to closely accommodate respective said straps. When there are two such diverging edges, the central panel can be regarded as having a midline, defined as the line that is always equidistant from the two diverging edges. Preferably, the side panels extend over the midline. J This combination of diverging outer edges of the device, each with side panels which both overlap the midline, and substantial rigidity has been found to serve to keep the child securely in the fastened harness.

Preferably, the device comprises (a) a central substantially planar panel having two opposed mutually diverging edges, at least one other edge and two faces, and (b) first and second substantially planar side panels, each side panel having a joined edge that is joined to a respective said diverging edge of the central panel, via a respective substantially rigid joining section, such that each side panel lies adjacent and generally parallel to a respective face of the central panel in order to create a respective said slot, each side panel having a free edge that is opposed to the said joined edge,

Any of the panels may have one or more edges and/or corners curved. Although preferably substantially planar and substantially parallel to one another, any of the panels may be flat, curved, or corrugated and/or bear additional surface features on one or both faces to increase impact absorption, grip or strength.

Preferably the central panel is rotationally symmetrical about its midline.

Preferably, the central panel is substantially trapezoidal, that is, derived from a trapezium: a quadrilateral polygon with one and only one pair of sides parallel (isosceles trapezoid). Less preferably, the central panel may be substantially triangular, or based on figures derived from angular or circular triangles, for example, a diamond or heraldic shield. Also less preferably, the central panel may be based on any other plane figure having at least two opposed mutually diverging edges (sides or arcs), for example a half-moon or egg shape.

The angle between the mutually diverging sides of the central panel should preferably lie between 10° and 20°, more preferably around 12-15°.

Preferably, the respective joining sections serve to space the adjacent side panel from the adjacent face of the central panel, for example by 0.5-35mm, more preferably 2- 10mm. This provides enough space for a typical harness strap to be accommodated closely but not too tightly. However, particularly as any of the side panels may be curved in cross section (profile), the separation between the central panel and the nearest part of the curved panel may vary along the length of the latter. Although the joining section between any side panel and the central panel is preferably rounded, it may also be angular.

In embodiments in which the profile of the device is predominantly sigmoid or based on spirals, the central panel, joining sections and side panels may form a smooth profile, with no distinct boundaries between them.

Any side panel can be, for example, substantially triangular, or substantially trapezoidal, or any planar figure which has more or less the same preferred surface area and extent across the midline as the latter. Suitably, the side panels are identical shapes, although they may be similar, or not alike at all. Suitably, the side panels are identical sizes, although they may be similar, or not alike at all. Alternatively, several smaller side panels may replace any larger side panel, such that their total surface area and extent are equal to or less than the preferred dimensions of that larger panel. Alternatively or additionally, the central panel and/or any side panel could, in a less preferred embodiment, be reduced in total area by, for example, having one or more perforations or cut-out areas through it.

In all cases, whether the side panels are polygonal or are otherwise shaped (for example, like a half moon, an oval, a spoon, a hand or a silhouette), or are divided into smaller panels (for example, like fingers, claws or ribs), they should be substantially parallel to the central panel.

It is advantageous if at least part of the free edge of each side panel lies more than half way across the central panel towards the joining section associated with the other side panel, since this helps to prevent the strap escaping from the device. Suitably, at least 50% of the free edge of each panel lies more than half way across as said. Preferably, the free edge of each side panel extends to between 55% and 95% of the way across the central panel, more preferably 60% to 80%. It is preferable for at least part of the free edge of each panel to be spaced away from the joining section associated with the other side panel, thus defining an exposed area of the adjacent face of the central panel that does not form part of a said slot. At least one said exposed area can then be provided with at least one projection that serves to inhibit sideways sliding of the strap out of the slot.

Each free edge of the side panels may be provided with a return section that extends towards the adjacent face of the central panel but stops short (preferably by 0.1 to 5mm, more preferably 1mm to 2mm) of the said face of the central panel, thus helping to trap the strap in the slot. The return section is suitably substantially continuous along the said free edge.

At least one of the inner faces of the said slots may be provided with a relatively high friction material such as tacky rubber in order, in use, to inhibit sideways or lengthways sliding of the strap relative to the slot. Alternatively, or as well, at least one of the inner faces of the said slots may be surface tooled to increase friction.

In the embodiments in which there is a projection on the exposed area of the central panel, or a return section along the free edge of the side panel, or there is high friction material in the slot, it is less important for the side panels to extend over the midline of the device.

A suitable material from which to make the device is one that is sufficiently strong and rigid to resist a force of at least 65 N, preferably 75, 85 or 100 N, applied between the free edge of each side panel and the nearest part of the adjacent face of the central panel, the force being applied in a direction to urge the side panel away from the central panel, without the device breaking or the angle between the side panel and the central panel being increased to more than 30°, preferably no more than 15° or 5°. Preferably, the material is polymeric. Certain polymeric materials in particular have the ability to resist permanent deformation and recover their initial shape after distortion. The polymer employed should demonstrate the above mechanical characteristics at 20°C, preferably between 0°C and 30°C and most preferably between -5°C and +35°C. Suitable polymers include PVC, polyurethane, butadiene styrenes (e.g. acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ABS), acetals, urea formaldehyde, rubber or synthetic rubber elastomers, and especially acrylic (e.g. polymethylmethacrylate), polycarbonate or PET(G) (polyethylene terephthalate (glycol) copolymer); these may be UV stabilised, strengthened with additional material, coloured or given a semi- mirror finish. Alternatively, a metal may be used, such as steel (preferably stainless steel) or an aluminium alloy. The metal may be coated with a plastics material. All components or materials should preferably be non- toxic and chemically inert in the finished state. A degree of impact absorption is inherent to the device given its relatively large footprint, particularly when the preferred impact-absorbing polymers are utilised. The alternative profiles (cross sectional variations) of the device, additional surface features such as ridges or strips of softer material, and variations in thickness of the panels, may also enhance impact absorption, strength and grip. The material should preferably be translucent or transparent so the retained harness straps are obvious, and be durable and washable.

The device should be of a thickness which provides for a substantial degree of rigidity, ensuring it acts as a support or brace for the harness or wearer. In the case of polymeric material, the thickness of each panel should preferably be between 1mm - 5mm, more preferably 2mm - 3mm for optimal rigidity and impact absorption whilst retaining sufficient pliability and strength to facilitate and withstand fitting and removal. The thickness may vary within or between panels or joining sections. The device is preferably made by injection moulding molten polyethylene terephthalate glycol copolymer or a similar suitable polymer material to form the final shape directly, using a single or multiple cavity hardened metal tooling, or in a less favoured two stage process by injection moulding or laser cutting a flat polygon of the polymer and then thermo-forming or hot wire bending the material into the final shape. Injection moulding of the final shape is preferred particularly where one or more of the panels is curved or has a modified surface profile or cross section so as to increase impact absorption. An alternative is to form the side panels separately and weld these to the central panel, or to weld together two sections consisting of one side panel and part of the central panel. Less favoured means of manufacture include hot pressing or vacuum forming of the material in a suitable jig, or direct mechanical or laser tooling in either a single or two stage operation. For a typical embodiment for use with a harness for a child's car seat, the central panel is most suitably substantially a trapezium and suitably has an area of between 50 and 250 cm , preferably between 100 and 200cm , more preferably about 120cm². The diverging edges are typically each of 8- 20cm length (preferably 10-15, more preferably about 1 l-12cm), a top edge of 8-15cm (preferably 10-12cm), and a bottom edge of 6-12cm (preferably 8- 10cm) that is substantially parallel to the top edge.

Any side panel typically has an area of between 10 and 225cm , preferably between 50 and 150cm , more preferably 60-110cm . For any side panel the joined edge typically has a length of l-20cm (preferably 10-15, more preferably about 12cm).

If a side panel is substantially trapezoidal it will preferably have a substantially straight free edge of length of l-15cm (preferably 8-12, more preferably about 11cm), a top edge of l-12cm (preferably 2- 11 cm, more preferably 10cm) and a bottom edge of 1-10cm (preferably 2 9cm, more preferably 8cm).

If the side panel shape is generally an equilateral or isosceles triangle (based on the joined edge), then the triangle may be regarded as having two free edges. If the triangle is irregular, then the longer non-joined edge can be regarded as the free edge and the other as either the top or bottom edge. Any of these edges may be straight but, more preferably, are curved.

With the central panel having the preferred dimensions set out above, each triangular side panel has an essentially straight top edge of about 6- 12cm, preferably about 8cm, that is inclined downwardly by about 15° relative to the top of the central panel, and a curved free edge of about 6-15 cm, preferably about 11cm, the radius of the curve being about 5 -20cm, preferably about 16cm, and a joined edge of 12cm.

In use, two straps of a harness, for example a three to six point safety harness, are inserted into the two slots of the device. The device is employed flat on the chest, with the diverging edges more or less parallel to the secured harness straps, such that the trapezium, for example, is inverted.

Whereas in use the device fits between the closed harness shoulder straps by virtue of its shape and its retention of and by those straps, when not in use the device may hang from one or other strap or be removed completely or be transferred to another harness. In a less preferred application of the device, it may be permanently or removably fixed to a strap or other part of a harness, or tethered to the seat or other fixture. The combination of a strap-securing device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and a harness forms a second aspect of the invention.

Previously, harness and belt clips have been found to possess drawbacks. Fabric devices lack rigidity, have poor impact absorption, deform easily, are unhygienic and require additional closures such as buttons, studs, clasps or hook-and-eye strips. Such additional closures can hinder rapid fitting and removal, or interfere with the release of the child from the harness or release of the buckle, and therefore commonly contravene road traffic safety laws. Existing plastic and metal devices can ride up or along the straps, obscure the straps, or trap them in perforations through the body of the device, with or without additional fastenings and tensioning elements; these drawbacks impede safe or speedy usage fitting or removal of such devices, which also have very limited impact absorption. In many of the above, the side panels, clasps or other strap retaining features overlap each other or the full width or more of the body of the device and therefore compromise removal and the implicit requirements of a secondary safety device.

It has been found that this invention can avoid the difficulties which other harness and belt clip designs have presented and has additional benefits in that: (1) there do not need to be any fastenings, closures or locks that might otherwise impede legitimate removal;

(2) the device does not represent an additional locking mechanism that could interfere with the primary harness or belt buckle release or legitimate release of the harness straps;

(3) the straps do not need to pass through any type of hole through the device that might trap them; (4) the preferred trapezoid shape of this device with its diverging edges, in combination with its substantial rigidity, limits displacement in use by limiting travel along a strap and so maintains optimal positioning of the straps and device; this prevents the device impinging on the harness or belt buckle, maintains the proper tension and optimal alignment of the straps and prevents the device or straps impinging on the neck area;

(5) the device can be effectively self-locating in that the specific combination of the central panel shape and the design of the side panels enables speedy optimal placement and limits slippage, which is advantageous in the case of babies and disabled users;

(6) the device cannot without the application of adult strength be pulled off properly tightened straps, whereas a child can easily pull the device off straps that are inadequately tightened or where the harness has been left or become unbuckled; thus, this invention can act as a passive prompt to correct fitting of the harness;

(7) a minor degree of flexibility in the preferred material, together with the preferred gap between panels, permits successful application even with twisted straps or additional padding, circumstances which often defeat the fitting and therefore the safety utility of other strap securing devices;

(8) the particular design of the side panels, with a preferred proportion of their area crossing the midline by a preferred minimal extent, facilitates rapid fitting and easy legitimate removal, while simultaneously hampering unintended freeing of the straps by the occupant;

(9) the typically larger surface area of the device, compared to known devices, can reduce discomfort, bruising or trauma occasioned by impact or pressing of the occupant against the straps and/or device when compared to other clips; (10) the device can protect the underlying body area from direct trauma such as penetrating or crushing injury in the event of an accident;

(11) the preferred shape and large footprint of at least some embodiments of the invention combined with its effective rigidity and self retaining property make the device suitable as an upper body support or brace, particularly when used with a harness in cases of spinal weakness, degenerative illness or other physical or mental disabilities or developmental immaturity;

(12) in at least some embodiments of the invention, one or more of the panels may be curved or corrugated or modified on at least one face so as to further increase impact absorption or grip;

(13) while in place, the device can prevent twisting and other distortions of straps, belts or webbing;

(14) the preferred transparent or translucent material allows the straps to be seen at all times, facilitating untutored adult fitting and removal;

(15) the device may hinder the unwanted release of the harness buckle fastening or main seat belt lock by the child, when used with a child car seat or wheelchair harness, by impeding bending of the upper body;

(16) it has been found to add to the comfort of the user, particularly when used with a three point seat belt to pull the shoulder portion away from the face;

(17) it can protect straps, belts or webbing from staining or abrasion and may be large enough to act as a bib to protect clothing; (18) it can be made from materials that are hygienic, durable and washable; (19) it is portable and transferable among harnesses, webbing or belts; (20) it may add to the peace of mind of carers, drivers etc and therefore contribute to road or domestic safety.

Application of this device may be to any suitable arrangement of harness straps, webbing or belts, and may include, for example, use with three, four, five or six point harnesses in car seats, prams, buggies, push chairs, dining (high) chairs, baby walkers, wheelchairs and all vehicle seats, reins, tethers, sportswear and safety wear, in all of which it is intended as a secondary safety or additional supporting device. The most effective application is to straps which are non-parallel in use and converge on a central harness point where they are secured or locked. This device may be employed to displace a traditional three point adult seat belt shoulder section to a safer, better tolerated or more comfortable position away from the neck and face of a child or small adult, via placement between lap and shoulder sections close to the seat belt fastening.

This device can also be employed to tension or limit slippage of webbing, harnesses or rigging used in packaging, haulage or securing of loads and goods.

Although different sizes may be made for special circumstances, in practice the small amount of adjustment permitted by situating the device a little higher or lower on the straps will address most uses. Larger or smaller embodiments in more or less the same proportions may be necessary for some situations.

Examples of the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the device being in the fitted position and engaging the shoulder straps of a child car seat five point safety harness; Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the Fig. 1 device;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the device in Figure 1 from the front and slightly above and to one side;

Figure 4 shows a cross-section of an alternative (sigmoid) embodiment; Figure 5 shows a cross-section of a third embodiment; and

Figure 6 shows a cross-section of a fourth embodiment.

Referring to Figure 1, a child's safety harness (only part of which is shown) comprises two shoulder straps 1,2, two waist straps 3,4 and a bottom strap 5, all terminating in a releasable buckle 6. The strap-securing device 10 is shown in the fitted position, in which it secures together the shoulder straps 1,2.

The device 10 comprises a central panel 11, which is essentially an inverted trapezium (isosceles trapezoid), this shape limiting travel of the device up or down or along the straps whilst allowing optimal separation between them. Two side panels 12,13 are joined to the diverging edges 14,15 of the central panel 11 by respective joining sections 14a, 15a such that one side panel 12 lies in front of the central panel 11 and the other side panel 13 lies behind the central panel 11. (The rear side panel 13 is thus not visible in Figure 1.) Each side panel lies in a plane that is essentially parallel to the central panel and forms a respective slot 16,17 between it and the central panel to accommodate the straps 1,2. See Figure 2. The free edge 18,19 of each side panel is curved. The part of the free edge that is furthest from the associated joining section extends beyond the midline of the central panel towards the other joining section.

In use with a harness, for example, the device sits between the two shoulder straps 1,2 of typically a five point child car seat harness. The side panels 12, 13 enclose the harness straps 1,2 within the slots 16,17 to left and right, part of or all the width of the straps running behind the side panels when correctly positioned such that the straps are totally or partially overlain and are retained by the side panels and therefore are limited in lateral (divergent) or forward movement (away from the chest). When in position with the harness buckle 6 fastened and the harness tensed, the straps 1,2 cannot slip out of the slots 16,17, even if the strap is pulled inwards (convergence of the straps towards the midline), because the free edge 18, 19 of each side panel overlaps in part the midline of the device. At least one curved free edge and rounded corners to the side panels are functional design features to facilitate legitimate removal of the device.

The strap-securing device 10 is placed between the child and the shoulder straps of the harness in the orientation shown in Figure 1, such that the two shoulder straps 1,2 of the harness lie within the slots 16,17. The harness is then buckled by its particular closure mechanism and tensioned as in proprietary instructions for proper usage.

The strap securing device is then retained by and itself retains the straps in their intended alignment, and lies on the child's chest. The trapezium shape of the central panel limits the device sliding up or down the straps when the harness is fastened as the increasing convergence of the straps outside the optimal position will impede travel. When the child is to be removed from the harness, the buckle of the harness is released. This releases the tension and allows movement of the straps, and one of the unbuckled straps is pulled or slid free of the device using the manoeuvre identical to that of the normal release of the arm/shoulder from the strap.

The device is preferably made by injection moulding. It may be permanently or removably fixed to the harness or seat if desired.

Figure 4 shows a cross-section of an alternative (sigmoid) embodiment of a strap-securing device 20 in accordance with the invention. This shows that, although the central panel 21 is substantially planar, it can nevertheless be curved to an extent. Generally, it is sufficiently planar for no part of the central panel to extend away from the notional plane defined by the central panel by more than 10% (preferably, no more than 5%, 1% or 0.5%) of the longest dimension of the central panel. Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment 30 that comprises respective return sections 31,32 on the free edges of the side panels 33,34 that help to keep the strap in place in the slot.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment 40 in which there is a respective projection 41,42 on the exposed areas 43,44 of the central panel 45, again to help to keep the straps in place in the slots.

Claims

1. A strap-securing device suitable for restricting the sideways pushing apart of two straps (1,2) of a harness, the device being substantially rigid and comprising a central panel (11) having at least two diverging edges (14,15), each with at least one side panel (12,13) to create respective slots (16,17) that face in opposite directions and are adapted to closely accommodate respective said straps.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the device comprises a central substantially planar panel (11) having two opposed mutually diverging edges (14,15), at least one other edge and two faces, first and second substantially planar side panels (12,13), each side panel having a joined edge that is joined to a respective said diverging edge (14,15) of the central panel, via a substantially rigid respective joining section (14a, 15a), such that each side panel lies adjacent a respective face of the central panel in order to create a respective said slot (16,17), each side panel having a free edge (18,19) that is opposed to the said joined edge, and the planes of the central and side panels all being substantially parallel to one another.

3. A device according to Claim 2 wherein the joining sections (14a, 15a) serve to space the adjacent side panel from the adjacent face of the central panel.

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3 wherein each side panel is spaced away from adjacent face of the central panel by 0.5-35mm, preferably 2- 10mm.

5. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein at least part of the free edge (18, 19) of each side panel lies more than half way across the central panel towards the joining section associated with the other side panel.

6. A device according to Claim 5 wherein at least 50% of the free edge of each panel lies more than halfway across as said.

7. A device according to Claim 5 or 6 wherein at least part of the free edge of each panel is spaced away from the joining section associated with the other side panel, thus defining an exposed area (43,44)of the adjacent face of the central panel that does not form part of a said slot.

8. A device according to Claim 7 wherein at least one said exposed area is provided with at least one projection (41,42) that serves to inhibit sideways sliding of the strap out of the slot.

9. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein the central panel is substantially trapezoidal and the side panels are substantially trapezoidal or substantially triangular.

10. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein the free edges of the side panels do not extend beyond the opposed diverging edges of the central panel.

11. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 10 wherein the device is made of material that is sufficiently strong and rigid at 20°C to resist a force of 65 N applied between the free edge of each side panel and the nearest part of the adjacent face of the central panel, the force being applied in a direction to urge the side panel away from the central panel, without the device breaking or the angle between the side panel and the central panel being increased to more than 25°, preferably no more than 10° .

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least part of each free edge of the side panels is provided with a return section (31,32) that extends towards the adjacent face of the central panel but stops short of the said face of the central panel.

13. A device according to Claim 12 wherein there is a gap of 0.1 to 5mm, preferably 1mm to 2mm, between the return section and the central panel.

14. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 13 wherein the central panel has an area of between 50 and 250 cm , preferably 9 between 100 and 200cm , more preferably about 120cm .

15. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 13 wherein the angle between the diverging sides of the central panel preferably lies between 10° and 20°, more preferably around 12-15°.

16. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 15 wherein the central panel has diverging sides each of 8-20cm length (preferably 10-15, more preferably about 11- 12cm), a top side of 8-15cm (preferably 10-12cm), and a bottom side of 6-12cm (preferably 8- 10cm) that is substantially parallel to the top side.

17. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 16 wherein each side panel has an area of between 1 and 225cm , preferably between 50 and 150cm², more preferably 60-110cm².

18. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 17 wherein each side panel is substantially trapezoidal and has a joined edge of length l-20cm (preferably 10-15, more preferably about 12cm), a substantially straight free edge of length of 1-15 cm (preferably 8- 12, more preferably about 11cm), a top edge of 0.1- 12cm (preferably 2-1 lcm, more preferably 10cm) and a bottom edge of 0.1-10cm (preferably 2 -9cm, more preferably 8cm).

19. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 17 wherein each side panel is substantially triangular and has a joined edge of length 1- 20cm (preferably 10-15, more preferably about 12cm), an essentially straight top edge of about 6- 12cm, preferably about 8cm, that is inclined downwardly by about 15° relative to the top of the central panel, and a curved free edge of about 6- 15 cm, preferably about 11cm, the radius of the curve being about 5- 20cm, preferably about 16cm.

20. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 19 wherein the corners of the free edges of the side panels are curved.

21. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the inner faces of the said slots is provided with a relatively high friction material such as tacky rubber in order, in use, to inhibit sideways or lengthways sliding of the strap relative to the slot.

22. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the faces of any panel is modified to increase grip.

23. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the device is formed from a suitable polymer such as PVC, polyurethane, a butadiene styrene, an acetal, a urea formaldehyde, a rubber or synthetic rubber elastomer, an acrylic (e.g. polymethylmethacrylate) polycarbonate or PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol copolymer).

24. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each panel is l-5mm thick.

25. A combination of a strap-securing device according to any one of the preceding claims and a harness comprising at least two straps, two straps of the harness being accommodated in respective said slots of the device.