GB2360439A

GB2360439A - Child restraint means

Info

Publication number: GB2360439A
Application number: GB0007188A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laurence Wortman; Janet Cheryl Wortman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-25
Filing date: 2000-03-25
Publication date: 2001-09-26
Also published as: GB0007188D0

Abstract

Child restraint means for use with an infant on a planar support, e.g. for use whilst changing the nappy or diaper of a baby on a changing mat. The child restraint means comprises a generally planar underpiece 21 for disposition beneath the mat 12 or generally planar support and a generally arcuate restraining member 22 which extends across the generally planar support and overlies the child thereon. Releasable fastening 25 means of an adult-only operability fasten the restraining member 22 to the underpiece 21. In use, the underpiece 21 is held in position beneath the generally planar support by the weight of the baby upon said support.

Description

2360439 CHILD RESTRAINT MEANS

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

This invention relates to child restraint means, primarily for use whilst changing the nappy or diaper of a baby.

It is well known to be a difficult task to keep an infant still on a changing mat or like support whilst changing a nappy or diaper. The infant will often wriggle, attempt to roll off the support or to rise, and on occasion put his/her hands into the faeces of the is soiled nappy or his/her private parts and may thereafter place the now- soiled hands to the face or mouth.

With a view to avoiding or at least minimising this difficulty the present invention provides child restraint means for use with an infant on a planar support (e.g. for use whilst changing the nappy or diaper of a baby on a changing mat) said child restraint means comprising:

a generally planar underpiece for disposition beneath the generally planar support; a generally arcuate restraining member to extend across the generally planar support and overlie a child thereon; and releasable fastening means to fasten the restraining member to the underpiece adjacent a side edge of the generally planar support.

In use, the underpiece is held in position beneath the generally planar support by the weight of the baby upon said support.

Preferably the generally arcuate restraining member is shaped andlor adjustable in dimension and/or position (with respect to the underpiece) such as to engage a child loosely across the upper chest and below the upper arms.

Advantageously the generally arcuate restraining member has two opposite foot portions that are provided with resilient projections directed generally downwardly (and, optionally, also inwardly) to engage the generally planar support when the restraining member is fastened to the underpiece by said fastening means.

Preferably said fastening means is two-hand operable or otherwise of an adult-only operability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

By way of example one embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of one form of child restraint means according to this invention and ready for use whilst changing the nappy or diaper of a baby, and Figure 2 is a schematic end elevation of the child restraint means of Fig 1.

Detailed Description of Example(s) of the Invention

As illustrated, an item of furniture 10, e.g. a chest of drawers or baby changing table, has a generally planar cushioning mat 12 placed thereon. Before placing the baby - whose nappy or diaper is to be changed - onto the cushioning mat 12, the child restraint means 20 is provided in association with the mat 12 and is opened (as apparent from the following).

The child restraint means 20 comprises a rigid underpiece 21 of sheet plastics material and a generally arcuate restraining member 22 that, at one end, is pivotably connected to a side edge of underpiece 21 and, at the other end, is provided with fastening means to fasten the restraining member 22, to the opposite side edge of underpiece 21.

Preferably said fastening means 25 is two-hand operable or otherwise of an adult-only operability e.g. a buckle-type fastening.

It will be appreciated that underpiece 21 is of a length (i.e. has a dimension in the width direction of mat 12) that is slightly greater than the width of mat 12 to facilitate such fastening. For stability, the underpiece 21 has a region 23 intermediate its ends that is of greater surface area. Region 23 may, for example, be circular or oval (as shown).

Inwardly facing portions 26 of the two feet 24 of restraining member 22 are provided with resilient angular projections 28 that are directed generally downwardly. When the releasable fastening means 25 is operated, these angular projections 28 engage firmly and resiliently against the upper surface of mat 12 and tend to clamp it to the underlying end regions of the underpiece 21 so that the child restraint means 20 as a whole is fast with the mat 12 and the latter is held firmly in position on the upper surface of furniture item 10 by the weight of the infant or baby lying on mat 12, the infant or baby being held in position on mat 12 by the restraining member 22. In this regard it will be appreciated that the restraining member 22 is shaped and dimensioned as to engage loosely a child on mat 12 across the child's upper chest only, the child's upper arms being free to move without restraint above member 22, but being still unable to pass beneath restraining member 22 and reach his/her private parts or the soiled nappy.

For example, there may be sufficient room allowed between the baby and the underside of restraining member 22 as to permit clothing of the baby (that has been undone for nappy changing) to be tucked up beneath the restraining member 22.

It will also be appreciated that restraining member 22 may be of a generally rigid construction but be padded or otherwise provided with a cushioning sleeve to avoid injury to the child. Other modifications and embodiments of the invention, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art, are to be deemed within the ambit and TORTIO1A: 312000 scope of the invention, and the particular embodiment(s) hereinbefore described may be varied in construction and detail, e.g. interchanging (where appropriate or desired) different features of each, without departing from the scope of the patent monopoly hereby sought.

For example, the restraining member 22 may be adjustable in dimension and/or position (with respect to underpiece 2 1) to suit children of differing sizes. Additionally or alternatively the underpiece 21 may be of a shape different from that illustrated.

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Claims

1. Child restraint means for use with an infant on a planar support, said child restraint means comprising:

a generally planar underpiece for disposition beneath the generally planar support; a generally arcuate restraining member to extend across the generally planar support and overlie a child. thereon; and releasable fastening means to fasten the restraining member to the underpiece adjacent a side edge of the generally planar support.

2. Child restraint means according to Claim 1, wherein the generally arcuate restraining member is shaped and/or adjustable in dimension and/or position with respect to the underpiece such as to engage a child loosely across the upper chest and below the upper arms.

3. Child restraint means according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the generally arcuate restraining member has two opposite foot portions that are provided with resilient projections directed generally downwardly (and, optionally, also inwardly) to engage the generally planar support when the restraining member is fastened to the underpiece by said fastening means.

4. Child restraint means according to Claim 3, wherein the resilient projections are directed generally downwardly and also inwardly to engage the generally planar support when the restraining member is fastened to the underpiece by said fastening means.

5. Child restraint means according to any preceding Claim, wherein said fastening means is two-hand operable or otherwise of an adult-only operability.

6. Child restraint means according to any preceding Claim and for use whilst changing the nappy or diaper of a baby on a changing mat that constitutes said generally planar support.

7. Child restraint means according to any preceding Claim and, for use therewith, a said generally planar support.

8. Child restraint means according to any preceding Claim and substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. A method of using child restraint means according to any preceding Claim, wherein said underpiece is held in position beneath the generally planar support by the weight of a child or baby upon said support.

10. A method of changing the nappy or diaper of a baby on a changing mat, said method including use of child restraint means according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 and/or a method according to Claim 9, the changing mat constituting said generally planar support.