GB2441734A

GB2441734A - Child safety Device

Info

Publication number: GB2441734A
Application number: GB0700137A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Dark; Kerry Dark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-12
Filing date: 2007-01-04
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Also published as: GB0700137D0

Abstract

A child safety device for a vehicle which collapses to be readily portable and which is secured to a vehicle in use. In combination with a vehicle's seat belt it provides protection for a child user against flight and impact injuries. It may be an adjustable harness which fits securely over an infant or child and includes means for securing the harness and child to a vehicle, for example a clip. Alternatively it may be a booster cushion with a curcved plastic clip inserted between the back and base of a seat.

Description

2441734

1

Safety Device

The present invention relates to a safety device for use in vehicles, in particular in cars, buses or coaches, for use by children from birth upwards.

Consumers, governments and road safety organisations (such as ROSPA) have for some time been concerned about the safety of infants and children travelling in vehicles. Their size, developing frame and internal organs makes them a different proposition to restraining a fully grown adult in the event of an accident, particularly as their relatively light bodyweight makes them more likely to take flight in a heavy collision, with resultant secondary impact injury (sadly often from them hitting other occupants or being thrown through the windscreen). This widespread concern and road casualty statistics (approx. 1,800 deaths and 270,000 injuries to vehicle occupants in the UK per year according to National Audit Office Stats 2004/2005) have led the UK Government to introduce amendments to UK Seatbelt legislation. From September 2006 it will be illegal to carry an infant or child in a vehicle without them being in the rear and in such a suitable 'approved' restraint.

It has been proved (both in crash tests and sadly in real-life fatalities) that adult passengers cannot simply 'hold on' to children when the considerable physical forces in an accident are applied and conventional seatbelts (used in isolation) have long been deemed unsuitable for the reasons set out above.

Consequently, a number of specialised products have been produced to restrain infants and children in the event of a vehicle accident. There are typically considered to be four stages for child safety seats taking into account differences in size and weight. Stage 0 covers the age range from birth to around 6-12 months and devices in this category typically comprise an infant

carrier, in which the baby reclines, removable from the vehicle and which is portable by means of an integral folding handle. These seats are usually installed in a "rear-facing" configuration, in which the child faces the rear of the vehicle, and are secured against a vehicle seat by use of the vehicle's own three-point seatbelt. Stage 1 covers the 9kg to 18kg weight range and these seats typically include a forward-facing seat secured to the vehicle using the 3 -point seatbelt. The seat itself preferably includes a 5-point harness to restrain the child securely in the seat which is itself securely fixed to the vehicle by the vehicle's own seatbelt.

Stage 2 seats cover the weight range from 15kg to 25kg which typically covers ages 1 to 6 years. These seats normally include a booster-seat element, elevating the child from the surface of the vehicle seat, and an integral backrest. The back-rest may either have a 5- point harness, or may include means for routing the vehicle's 3 -point seat belt across the child's chest. Finally, Stage 3 covers the weight range from 15kg to 36kg, and is typically used with older children of, for example, 4 to 11 years. Stage 3 seats are essentially cushions or booster seats which elevate the user so that the vehicle's existing 3 -point seatbelt fits appropriately across the child's shoulder and chest, avoiding the neck. Some booster seats may include a seatbelt guide to ensure that the seatbelt passes correctly over the shoulder and round the waist.

However, there are real 'practical' difficulties around the size, transportability and ease of use of current infant and child restraints. Most existing products have to an extent been 'over-engineered' beyond what is required under the safety legislation (ECE R44.03- UN safety approval regulation) competing on issues such as comfort, additional safety features, aesthetics, accessories and novel features such as removable covers, sleep positions and long-term adaptability as the child grows etc.

If a parent is travelling in their own car or on a 'planned' journey in a family member's or friend's car then the physical bulk of the current type of seats and restraints may not be an insurmountable issue, as fitting arrangements can be made in advance.

In contrast, in a number of circumstances - for example, journeys where the transportation of children was unplanned (e.g. picking a child up from school because their parents are stuck in traffic), taxi journeys, and holiday travel - it is highly likely that this bulk will be prohibitive (people would not carry "spares" around in case of such eventualities and the child would not have one with them) and there may not be any suitable restraint in their possession to be fitted as a result.

The UK legislation acknowledges this practical difficulty by making these circumstances 'legal exceptions' to the new law. In effect, the acknowledged risk of injury and death to the infant or child is still present, but the preventative capability desired by the consumer is not.

It could even be reasonably argued that the 'risks' when travelling in some of the above circumstances (in some cases, putting your child's safety in the hands of a driver of unknown capability in a vehicle of unknown roadworthiness, in an unknown environment) may be even greater than those faced during "normal" travel at home and in your own vehicle. The need for a safety restraint could therefore be said to be even greater in these circumstances.

In short, the consumer currently has a choice of big restraining systems which are not readily portable or no protection whatsoever. There is therefore a need

for a simple, cost effective and portable safety restraint effective against 'flight and impact' injuries for use by parents and others in "exceptional" circumstances or when they are travelling on holiday.

According to the present invention there is a provided a child safety device for a vehicle which collapses to be readily portable and may be secured to a vehicle in use, and which provides protection for a child user against flight and impact injuries.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the safety device comprises an adjustable harness which fits securely over an infant or child and includes means for securing the harness to a vehicle. The means may comprise at least one clip for securing the harness and child to a vehicle's seatbelt. The means may comprise two or more clips to secure the harness to both the lap belt and the shoulder strap of the vehicle's seatbelt.

The securing means may alternatively, or in addition, comprise fittings which cooperate with mountings which are directly attached to vehicles. In particular, the fittings may comply with systems such as those known as International Standards Organisation FIX (ISOFIX) systems or similar. The ISOFIX standard complies with ISO 13216-1:1999. Similar or equivalent standards apply in different jurisdictions - for example Uniform Child Restraint Anchorage (UCRA) as set out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the USA. The fitting is designed to be a standard universal fitting for anchoring the seat or safety device directly to the body of the car without using the fixtures or fittings within a car (for example the adult seatbelts). Use of the term ISOFIX hereafter is intended to cover similar systems.

The harness may include two or more ISOFIX fittings to enable the harness and child or infant to be secured to two or more ISOFIX fixing points or mountings in the vehicle. The harness may include two lower ISOFIX fittings to secure to two anchor points on the floor of the car. The harness may additionally include a third ISOFIX fitting towards the top of the harness to secure the harness and infant or child to the top tether fixing point which may be positioned in the roof of the vehicle or in the top of the vehicle seat.

In one embodiment the harness comprises two shoulder straps and a groin strap which meet in the pelvic area. The harness is preferably fully adjustable in both shoulder straps and in the groin strap to enable it to be used to accommodate a wide range of sizes of child or infant. The harness may additionally include a waist strap also meeting in the same point with the same fixing. The straps are preferably padded along substantially the whole length of the straps for the comfort of the user. This embodiment may preferably be used for children or infants of stages 0, 1 and 2, namely for children up to the age of 4 or 5 years.

In another embodiment, the harness comprises a waistcoat. The waistcoat may help spread the load resulting from any impact across the chest of a user when compared with straps passing over the shoulders. The waistcoat may further include a pelvic strap and/or a waist strap for additional security.

The harness may further comprise a back support which supports the spine of the child in use. The back support is preferably collapsible to enable the harness to fold to a compact size when not in use. The back support may be hinged to enable the support to be folded when not in use. Alternatively, the back support may be made of a memory material, such as memory foam, which may fold into a compact shape when not in use and be held in said compact shape when stored, but revert to the extended state when released and in use.

The harness may include two or more clips to secure to the seatbelt of the vehicle. The clips may be at each end of the back strap or support (when present). The clips may additionally or alternatively be on the waist strap. A first clip may be at the upper end of the back support for attachment to the diagonal strap of a vehicle's seat belt. A second clip may be at the lower end of the back support for attachment to the waist strap of a vehicle's seat belt. Further clips on a waist strap of the harness may attach to the waist strap of a vehicle's seat belt.

Alternatively, or in addition, the harness may include fittings to enable it to be secured to ISOFIX mountings in vehicles. The fittings may take the form of straps towards the lower end of the harness which have latches which lock into the ISOFIX mounting points in the vehicle.

As a further alternative or additional means of securing the harness to the vehicle, it may include fittings which mate with the female fittings of vehicle seatbelts. This way, the harness may be secured directly to the seatbelt anchorage points and not to the inertia reel belt which may allow some movement in impact. A two-way adapter plug may be used in combination with existing seatbelt anchors to provide sufficient female receiver parts to allow two or more children to be carried in the vehicle and still be secured at two or more points.

The harness may additionally further comprise a neck support or padding. The support or padding may be detachable when not in use and secured to the harness in use by any suitable means. For example, the support or padding may be attached by means of hook and eye fasteners, poppers, buttons, etc. The

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neck support or padding will minimise the sideways roll or movement in an impact, in particular a side impact.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the safety device 5 comprises an inflatable cushion including securing means at the rear for securing the cushion to the cushion in place in a vehicle. Preferably the cushion is shaped for the comfort of the user. The cushion may be divided into two or more sections which are independently inflatable. This allows the cushion to be used with a range of sizes of children, typically of stage 2 or 3 and therefore 10 ranging from age 4 or 5 to 11 or 12. The child places the inflated cushion on the seat and secures it to the vehicle seat. They then sit on the cushion and use the vehicle's seat belt which is now at the correct position relative to the neck and waist of the user to minimise or avoid the problems previously observed using the vehicle's "adult" seatbelts.

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The cushion is optionally divided into two portions of unequal size. For example, the cushion may be divided into portions of one third and two thirds such that there are a total of three different levels of inflation available to accommodate the growth of a child.

20

The means for securing the seat to the vehicle may comprise a plastic clip at the rear of the cushion to be inserted between the upright back and base of the vehicle seat. The plastic clip is preferably curved to provide an upward extending surface which may act against the upright back of the vehicle seat in 25 the event of an accident. Alternatively, or in addition, the securing means may comprise fittings which secure to ISOFIX mountings in a vehicle.

The cushion may optionally include guide hoops on the top surface of the cushion to guide the lap or waist strap of the vehicle's seat belt.

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The invention may be put into practice in a number of ways and examples follow with reference to the following figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows schematically a plan view from the front of a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows schematically a plan view from the rear of a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 3a to 3c show schematically the first embodiment in use with a child; Figure 4 shows schematically a plan view from the front of a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows schematically a plan view from the side of a second embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 6a and 6b show schematically the second embodiment in use placed in a vehicle.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the invention is shown which consists of an adjustable harness 10 which goes over the infant or small child's shoulders and between their legs, securing at the pelvic area. The harness comprises two shoulder straps 2, 4 which are preferably padded at least in the upper region. The harness also comprises a groin strap 6 which passes between the legs of the child or infant. The three straps all meet at a locking clasp 8 which may be of conventional means. The harness may additionally optionally include a waist strap (not shown) which may extend around the child's waist and be secured at the same locking clasp 8.

At the rear of the harness are shown two (upper and lower) attaching clips 12, 14 running vertically up the harness' padded spine 16. These clips, which will in use grip tightly to the main seatbelt of the vehicle, are attached in one of two ways depending on the age and size of the user.

According to a first configuration, for example for use with a small infant or child, the two clips 12, 14 are attached securely to the seatbelt of the adult on whose lap the infant is sitting, the upper clip 12 going on their diagonal seatbelt strap, the lower clip 14 securing on their waist strap. This will enable the adult to control and care for the infant/child during the journey. In the event of an accident the child or infant will be restrained by the 'locking' of the adult's belt and this does not rely on the adult keeping hold of the infant or child.

According to a second configuration, for example for use with a larger infant or child, the clips 12, 14 are attached to a 'spare' rear "adult" seat belt allowing the child greater movement while still being secured to the vehicle. The "adult" belt would be locked in the car in the usual way with the harness 1U clipped to its front. Again, in the event of an accident the seatbelt will 'lock' restraining the attached harness.

By having two restraining clips 12, 14 this does allow for the harness's lower clip 14 to be used in isolation where only a 'lap' belt is fitted to the vehicle. A prime example of the benefit of this would be 'restraint' in either the middle seat of a car or more particularly during coach travel. This may provide some form of protection in the unfortunate event of a rolled coach. If the harness 10 is fitted with the optional waist strap, then there may be two or more clips at the level of the lap belt from the "adult" seatbelt which may increase the fixing to the vehicle.

The rear of the harness 10 includes a back support or padding 16. This may be collapsible either by virtue of hinge means (not shown) or by use of a memory material. The harness may also include neck support or padding means (not shown) which may be secured to the top of the harness above clip 12.

Figures 3a to 3c show how the harness may be used in practice. Figure 3a is a view from the front showing the three straps 2, 4, 6 meeting at locking clasp 8. Behind the clasp 8 there is a padding member 9 for the comfort of the user. Figure 3b shows the view from the rear showing the back support 16 and the two clips 12, 14 for securing the harness to the "adult" seatbelt of the vehicle. The clips are locking clips such that the child would not be able to release the clips easily or accidentally. Figure 3c shows the view from the side and the relative positions and orientations of the locking clips 12, 14. Each of the straps is preferably adjustable using conventional adjusting means (not shown). Alternatively, the shoulder straps 2, 4 may be of fixed length and the adjustment may be controlled through the groin strap 6.

As set out above, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the harness may comprise a waistcoat formation rather than discrete straps. This may more evenly spread the load across a child or an infant in the event of an impact. The waistcoat may include further straps, for example a waist strap or a pelvic strap to ensure close fitting of the harness to the child or infant. These straps may be padded as described above.

In another alternative (also not shown) the harness may additionally or alternatively include means for securing the harness to ISOFIX mountings in the vehicle. The harness may therefore be secured more rigidly to the structure of the vehicle rather than to the seatbelt alone.

Referring to figures 4 and 5, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, which comprises a booster cushion 30 for the use of an older and larger child. This consists of a shaped inflatable cushion 30 with a curved plastic clip 35 at the rear. The cushion is divided into an upper 31 and lower 32 section

each inflatable in isolation or together. These respectively comprise one third and two thirds of the whole inflated mass. This uneven split allows the seat to have three levels of inflation to adjust to the size of the particular child.

Once inflated the curved plastic clip 35 is inserted into the gap between the upright back and base of the vehicle seat to secure the cushion 35 in place. The child is then restrained at the right height using the 'adult' belt. The top surface 33 of the cushion may be contoured for added comfort of the child. It may further have guide hoops 34 to guide the lap belt of the "adult" seatbelt to the correct height on the child to minimise or avoid internal injuries in the event of an accident.

Figures 6a and 6b show how the cushion may be used in practice. Figure 6a is a view from the front showing the cushion 30 sitting on the seat portion 40 or a vehicle seat. Figure 6b is a side view showing how the plastic clip 35 passes between the seat portion 40 and the upright back 45 of the vehicle seat.

As for the first embodiment, an alternative means (not shown) for fixing the cushion to the vehicle may comprise means for securing the cushion to ISOFIX mountings in the vehicle. The cushion may therefore be secured more rigidly to the structure of the vehicle.

When not in use, both embodiments of the invention may be collapsed and packed down to a small size for easy portability and storage. For example, the devices may be stored in a fabric carry case or sleeve and subsequently stored in the glove box of a car. The devices may include elements of memory material, for example foam, which will return to the memorised position once they are removed from the storage case.

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For each embodiment, it may be a feature that they are attachable or inflatable outside of the vehicle in advance of assembly in the vehicle. This may assist in the quick and easy assembly of the product which may be of benefit, for example, if used on a coach or in a taxi.

In the developing world, International Road Safety Groups have highlighted the disproportionate 'high fatality' rate for children in vehicle accidents in developing countries and suggested this is in part due to issues of the cost of current 'safety' systems and shared vehicle ownership/occupancy. The safety device of the present invention may provide cost effective interventions in these arenas.

Further, according to current EU State Laws, UK residents travelling with their families by taxi/hire car in all of our most popular holiday destinations without 'approved child restraints' are currently contravening local 'seatbelt' laws and safety advice. The products of the present invention will provide a solution to this problem.

As well as parents, those occasionally transporting children such as taxi drivers, coach drivers and extended family (such as grandparents) may wish to use these items. Due to the 'travel' focus of these products, targeted 'pinch-point' placement such as at railway stations, airports and on plane 'in flight shopping' becomes an option.

The present invention also extends to the use of the products in other areas. For example, the first embodiment may have an accessory such as a lead to turn it into a baby walker or an additional harness to attach it to a chair to form a 'high chair' where there is none available.

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With both webbing which may be used to form some or all of the straps and plastic being printable materials there is also the potential for 'tie ins' with popular children's brands.

Claims

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A child safety device for a vehicle which collapses to be readily portable and which is secured to a vehicle in use, and which in combination with a vehicle's seat belt provides protection for a child user against flight and impact injuries.

A child safety device as claimed in claim 1, in which the safety device comprises an adjustable harness which fits securely over an infant or child and includes means for securing the harness and child to a vehicle.

A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the means for securing the harness to a vehicle comprise at least one clip for securing the harness to a vehicle's seatbelt.

A device as claimed in claim 3, in which there are two or more clips to secure the harness to both the lap belt and shoulder strap of an adult seatbelt.

A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the means for securing the harness to a vehicle comprise fittings which lock into ISOFIX mounting points on a vehicle.

A device as claimed in claim 5, in which there are fittings to lock into two ISOFIX mounting points on a vehicle.

A device as claimed in claim 5, in which there are fittings to lock into two lower and one upper ISOFIX mounting points in a vehicle.

IS

A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the means for securing the harness to a vehicle comprise fittings which cooperate with the seatbelt anchors in a vehicle.

A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, in which the harness comprises two shoulder straps and a groin strap which meet in the pelvic area.

A device as claimed in claim 9, in which the harness is fully adjustable in both shoulder straps and in the groin strap.

A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 io 10, iii which the harness additionally includes a waist strap.

A devicc as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 11, in which the straps are padded along substantially the whole length.

A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, in which the harness comprises a waistcoat.

A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 13, in which the harness further comprises a back support.

A device as claimed in claim 14, in which the back support is collapsible.

A device as claimed in claim 15, in which the back support is hinged.

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A device as claimed in claim 15, in which the back support is made of a memory material.

A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 17, in which the harness includes two or more clips or securing means.

A device as claimed in claim 18, in which the clips or securing means are located substantially at each end of the back support.

A device as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, in which the clips or securing means are additionally or alternatively on the waist strap.

A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 20, in which the harness additionally further comprises a neck support or padding.

A child safety device as claimed in claim 1, in which the safety device comprises an inflatable cushion including securing means at the rear for securing the cushion to the cushion in place in a vehicle.

A device as claimed in claim 22, in which the cushion is shaped for the comfort of the user.

A device as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, in which the cushion is divided into two or more sections which are independently inflatable.

A device as claimed in claim 24, in which the cushion is divided into two portions of unequal size.

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A device as claimed in claim 25, in which the cushion is divided into portions of one third and two thirds.

A device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 26, in which the means for securing the seat to the vehicle comprise a plastic clip at the rear of the cushion.

A device as claimed in claim 27, in which the clip is curved to provide an upward extending surface.

A device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 28, in which the means for securing the seat to the vehicle comprise fittings which lock into ISOFIX mounting points on a vehicle.

A device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 29, in which the cushion further includes guide hoops on the top surface of the cushion.

A device constructed and arranged substantially as herein specifically described with respect to and as shown in figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying figures.

A device constructed and arranged substantially as herein specifically described with respect to and as shown in figures 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying figures.