WO2009089574A1

WO2009089574A1 - Buckle guard

Info

Publication number: WO2009089574A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Megan Lesley Ball
Original assignee: Megan Lesley Ball
Priority date: 2008-01-07
Filing date: 2009-01-02
Publication date: 2009-07-23
Also published as: WO2009089574A4; AU2008100017B4; AU2008100017A4

Abstract

The disclosed creation is a solid mould (1) with a gap (2) through the centre from end to end of the mould (1) which is where a length of flat fabric (3) is threaded through from end to end and it is then that a closing andfor locking system is attached (4) (5) at each end of the length of fabric (3) which should be fastened/secured around the back of the Quick-Release Device after the customised trunk (6) (7) on the underside of the mould (1) is placed over the Red actuation button the outer Hp (8) rests on the Quick-Release Device preventing accidental movement of this invention andfor pressing of the red actuation button.

Description

Buckle Guard

Description:

Babies and children alike are required by law to be secured in a car restraint whilst travelling on the road in an automobile. Australia has a strong standard (AU/NZS 1754) to which car restraint manufacturers must abide by when designing and developing a car restraint

This invention is said to be called Buckle Guard.

The Buckle Guard is designed to cover/obstruct the actuation button on the Quick-Release Device on/for a baby/child car restraint. The Buckle Guard has different shaped moulds to accommodate all models/shapes of actuation buttons on all Quick-Release Devices on all baby/child restraints.

The Buckle Guard is designed to prevent a baby/child from being able to easily press the actuation button releasing the 5 point harness. The design is such that in an emergency situation the Buckle Guard is removed without difficultly. Clear instructions are marked on the top of the Buckle Guard to provide emergency workers instant recognition enabling emergency workers to respond competently adding minimal time to remove/rescue a baby in an emergency situation.

The Buckle Guard compromises a custom moulded piece of plastic with a gap from side to side through the centre of the piece of plastic. A length of webbing is threaded through the gap from side to side through the centre of the Buckle Guard. It is now that the securing method/system/technique to be used is said to be Velcro. Opposing textured lengths of Velcro are attached to both ends of the webbing thus preventing the baby from removing the piece of plastic as the width of the webbing and Velcro put together is now deeper than the opening of the gap through the centre of the Buckle Guard.

The Buckle Guard works by resting the bottom of the custom moulded piece of plastic over the actuation button on the Quick-Release Device and wrapping the webbing around the Quick-Release Device and secured by the closure said Velcro at the back of the Quick-Release Device. Where this invention is said made from plastic this is only by means of preference said other materials which can fulfil the same purpose could also be used.

Where this invention is said to use industrial webbing as a form of strapping this is only by means of preference said other fabric and/or material which can perform the same way could also be used.

Where this invention is said to use Velcro as a method of securing this is only by means of preference and any other locking device, securing device, could also be used.

The invention may be better understood with reference to the pictures of said to be Buckle Guard.

FIGURE 1: is a top/side view of the invention said to be called Buckle Guard with parts separated and stitching indicated by dashes.

FIGURE 2: is a bottom view of the invention said to be called Buckle Guard showing one of the base shapes (6) with the (3) threaded through the piece of plastic (1) from one end to the other and stitching is indicated by dashes.

FIGURE 3: is a bottom view of the invention said to be called Buckle Guard showing one of the base shapes (7) with the strapping (3) threaded through the piece of plastic (1) from one end to the other and stitching is indicated by dashes.

Claims

The Claims defining this invention are as follows:

1. A buckle guard designed to cover/obstruct an actuation button on a quick- release device on a baby/child car restraint, compromising a custom moulded piece of plastic; a length of webbing being threaded through the gap from side to side through the centre of the buckle guard; opposing textured lengths of hook and loop fastening being attached to respective ends of the webbing; wherein the trunk of the custom moulded piece of plastic is adapted in use to rest over the actuation button; to prevent movement; on the quick-release device and the webbing is wrapped around the quick-release device and secured by the closure of said hook and loop fastening at the back of the quick-release device.

2. A buckle guard as claimed in claim 1, further adapted to cater for buckles on restraints used for disability travel systems.

3. A buckle guard as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 2, further including clear instructions stating how to release/remove being marked on the top of the buckle guard.

4. A buckle guard as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein each component of the buckle guard can be manufactured from any suitable material.

5. A buckle guard as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the buckle guard can be made in any colours or merchandising characters/pictures for promotional purposes.