GB2467973A

GB2467973A - Shoulder straps connector

Info

Publication number: GB2467973A
Application number: GB0903083A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Stuart Finch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-24
Filing date: 2009-02-24
Publication date: 2010-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-24
Also published as: GB0903083D0; GB2467973B

Abstract

A shoulder straps connector 10 comprises a two part elongate flexible body member 12, a shoulder strap engagement element 20 at a first end of each body member part 14, 16 for releasably engaging a respective shoulder strap without releasing of the shoulder strap, and a part 22, 24 of a fastener device 18 at a second end of each body member part 14, 16. The fastener device parts 22, 24 are releasably engagable to connect the two body member parts 14, 16. The connector 10 can be fitted to an existing pair of shoulder straps 42 without release or separation thereof, can be slidably adjusted if requiremed, and removed or transferred if necessary. Shoulder straps having the connector 10 are also provided.

Description

Shoulder Straps Connector The present invention relates to a shoulder straps connector, particularly but not necessarily exclusively for a childts four point safety seat belt harness.

Twin shoulder straps frequently occur, for example, on a four point safety harness for a vehicle, such as on a child or baby seat. Twin shoulder straps also commonly occur on backpacks or rucksacks. However, one or other shoulder strap can often slip off the user's shoulder, causing irritation, discomfort, and particularly for seat belts, a safety hazard.

Furthermore, different users have different setting requirements for their shoulder straps, such as for length.

The present invention seeks to provide a retro-fittable adjustable solution to this problem.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoulder straps connector comprising a two part elongate flexible body member, a shoulder strap engagement element at a first end of each body member part for releasably engaging a respective shoulder strap without releasing of the shoulder strap, and a part of a fastener device at a second end of each body member part, the fastener device parts being releasably engagable to connect the two body member parts.

Preferable and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 19, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided shoulder straps comprising a shoulder straps connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the shoulder straps being releasably interengagable via the connector, the connector being detachably engaged with the shoulder straps, and being slidable therealong.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a shoulder straps connector, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 shows the shoulder straps connector in use; Figures 3a and 3b show the shoulder straps connector being retro-fitted to an existing shoulder strap; and Figures 4a and 4b show a position of the shoulder straps connector on a shoulder strap being adjusted.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown one embodiment of a shoulder straps connector 10 which comprises an elongate flexible body member 12 having two parts 14, 16 releasably interengagable via a clip device 18.

Each part 14, 16 of the shoulder straps connector 10 is integrally formed as one-piece, typically from moulded plastics. Each part 14, 16 may be formed of light transmissible material, so as to be translucent or transparent, or may be opaque. A variety of colours can be envisaged, particularly to interest children.

Each part 14, 16 of the shoulder straps connector 10 is provided with a shoulder strap engagement element 20 at or adjacent to a first end of the body member part 14, 16, and part 22, 24 of the clip device 18 at or adjacent to a second end of the body member part 14, 16 which is opposite the first end.

The engagement element 20 and the clip device part 22, 24 are interconnected via a flexible body member element 26. In this case, the body member element 26 has parallel portions 28, 30 of alternating thicknesses, thus allowing flexing at the reduced thickness portions 28.

However, additionally or alternatively, other means of flexing of the body member element 26 can be envisaged, such as by utilizing corrugations.

The engagement element 20 is a slidably adjustable connector 32 comprising a rigid or substantially rigid continuous rectangular frame 34 and two intermediate gate members 36 which extend towards each other from opposite sides of the frame 34. The frame 34 and gate members 36 are typically coplanar or substantially coplanar. The gate members 36 are also preferably coaxial with their respective body member element 26 and clip device part 22, 24.

Each gate member 36 is, preferably, a cantilevered arm which is integrally provided as one-piece with the frame 34. As such, a live or living hinge 38 is provided where the gate member 36 meets the side of the frame 34, thus allowing a limited degree of flexing.

Although two opposing coplanar gate members 36 are suggested, it is feasible that only one gate member may be required, especially if the free distal end abuts a side of the frame 34 when in use to stop a shoulder strap from being easily pulled out. Furthermore, although preferably coplanar, the gate members 36 may extend in planes which are offset or spaced apart.

Gripping portions 40 are integrally provided on the frame 34 and the gate members 36. In this case, the gripping portion or portions 40 on the frame 34 and the gate members 36 are counter-oriented so as to face in opposite directions. Two spaced gripping portions 40 are provided on the frame 34. These are preferably serrations or a plurality of teeth. The serrations or teeth are aligned along opposite edges of the frame 34 in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the body member part 14, 16, so as to face and lie across a width of the major surface of a shoulder strap when in use.

The gripping portion 40 of each gate member 36 may be teeth or, in this case rounded, projections which are provided on a major surface of the gate member 36. The gripping portion 40 faces the opposite major surface of a shoulder strap so as to lie thereon and engage therewith.

The clip device 18 has a female part 22 and a male part 24 which is releasably snap-fittably engagable within the female part 22. The female part 22 is provided at the second end of one body member part 14 so as to be spaced from the engagement element 20, and similarly the male part 24 is provided at the second end of the other body member part 16 again so as to be spaced from its engagement element 20.

Referring to Figures 2, 3a and 3b of the drawings, the shoulder straps connector 10 is retro-fittably attachable to any pair of shoulder straps 42 without requiring release or separation of either shoulder strap 42. The gate members 36 of one body member part 14, 16 are flexed to allow a width of a portion of one shoulder strap 42 to be fed therearound such the gripping portions 40 of the frame 34 and the gate members 36 engage with the opposite major surfaces of the shoulder strap 42. Similarly, the gate members 36 of the other body member part 14, 16 are flexed to also admit a width of a portion of the other shoulder strap 42 to be fed therearound. Again, the gripping portions 40 of the frame 34 and gate members 36 engage the opposite major surface of this shoulder strap 42 to prevent or limit unintentional sliding movement along the shoulder strap 42.

Once fitted, the two body member parts 14, 16 can be interconnected by engagement of the female and male parts 22, 24 of the clip device 18.

The shape of the user, for example, a chest area, is accommodated by the connector 10 due to the flexible body member parts 14, 16.

To enable adjustment, for example, to accommodate different users, reference is now made to Figures 4a and 4b. Each shoulder strap 42 is simply fed through the frame 34 at one edge to present a slack portion 44 around the gate members 36 and thereby reduce the engagement of the gripping portions 40. The shoulder strap 42 is then pulled tight from the other edge of the frame 34, thus reengaging the gate members 36 and the gripping portions 40. In this way, the two body member parts 14, 16 of the shoulder straps connector 10 can be slid along the longitudinal extents of the shoulder straps 42 to desired positions.

Although plastics is suggested, the shoulder straps connector or parts thereof may be formed from any other suitable materials.

The engagement element utilises at least one gate member. However, two or more gate members could be used. The engagement element could also be a buckle.

Although the frame is continuous, the frame could feasibly be non-continuous. For example, the frame could be U-shaped.

Furthermore, the gate member or members could be outside of the frame. In this case, the frame may be a support. The support could simply be a bar or T-shaped element with one or more gate members extending therefrom in substantially spaced parallel relationship.

The clip device described above is preferable, since it is reasonably secure and reasonably difficult for a child to release. However, other fastener devices can be envisaged, such as a press stud or buckle.

The engagement elements can be sized to fit different widths of strap. They may be adjustable to suit such a purpose.

It is thus possible to provide a removable shoulder straps connector which can be retrospectively fitted in situ to a pair of existing shoulder straps, such as on a four point seat belt harness, backpack, high-chair shoulder straps, and/or pushchair shoulder straps, without release or separation thereof, and which can also be slidably adjusted therealong dependent on necessity. The connector can thus be utilized to releasably interconnect two shoulder straps partway along their longitudinal extents. The connector is simple to produce and thus cost-effective, requiring only two separate parts, and can be easily removed or transferred.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A shoulder straps connector comprising a two part elongate flexible body member, a shoulder strap engagement element at a first end of each body member part for releasably engaging a respective shoulder strap without releasing of the shoulder strap, and a part of a fastener device at a second end of each body member part, the fastener device parts being releasably engagable to connect the two body member parts.
2. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein each shoulder strap engagement element includes a slidable connector for slidably receiving a respective shoulder strap.
3. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein each slidable connector includes a frame and an intermediate member which extends inwardly from one side of the frame for trapping the shoulder strap.
4. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the frame and/or the intermediate member includes a cantilevered arm.
5. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein a second intermediate member extends inwardly from one side of the frame and is spaced from the first said intermediate member.
6. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second intermediate member extends in an opposite direction to that of the first said intermediate member.
7. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and second intermediate members extend from opposite sides of the frame and towards each other.
8. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the frame includes at least one gripping portion at one side thereof for gripping a respective shoulder strap.
9. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the intermediate member includes at least one further gripping portion on one side thereof for gripping a respective shoulder strap.
10. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the or each gripping portion includes at least one serration.
11. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the or each gripping portion includes at least one tooth.
12. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein each frame includes two said gripping portions in spaced relationship.
13. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in claim 12, wherein the two gripping portions are on opposite edges of the frame.
14. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body member between the engagement element and the fastener device part includes a plurality of portions of reduced thickness to aid flexing.
15. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body member between the engagement element and the fastener device part includes corrugations to aid flexing.
16. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is formed from light transmissible material.
17. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first said part of the fastener device is a male part and a second said part of the fastener device is a female part, the male part being snap-fittably engagable in the female part.
18. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastener device is a clip device.
19. A shoulder straps connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each body member part is integrally formed as one-piece.
20. A shoulder straps connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
21. Shoulder straps comprising a shoulder straps connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the shoulder straps being releasably interengagable via the connector, the connector being detachably engaged with the shoulder straps, and being slidable therealong.