GB2588782A

GB2588782A - A harness

Info

Publication number: GB2588782A
Application number: GB1916124.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alfassa Ilan
Original assignee: NMI Safety Systems Ltd
Current assignee: NMI Safety Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-06
Filing date: 2019-11-06
Publication date: 2021-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-06
Also published as: GB201916124D0; GB2588782B

Abstract

A harness system comprising: a seat 1 having a squab 2 and a backrest 3; a plurality of attachment points 11-14 fixed to the seat, including at least one attachment point on a rear side of the backrest or on an underside of the squab; a harness (20, figure 3) which may in use be attached to the seat, to provide restraint to an occupant in the seat and prevent the occupant from leaving the seat, the harness having at least one connector (29) which may be removably attached to the at least one attachment point, wherein the harness may be moved to a stowed configuration in which the connector is removed from the attachment point and in which the harness substantially does not prevent an occupant of the seat from leaving the seat, and in the stowed configuration the attachment point remains fixed to the seat. The attachment points may comprise buckles which are not readily accessible to a person, such as a child, occupying the seat so the harness may not be released by the occupant. The seat may also be provided with a conventional three-point seatbelt.

Description

Title: A Harness

Description of Invention

THIS INVENTION relates to a harness, and in particular concerns a harness for a vehicle seat which cannot be readily released by an occupant of the seat.

Most vehicle seat harnesses have release controls which are within relatively easy reach of an occupant of the seat. Babies and young children will generally lack the awareness or strength/dexterity to release themselves from a harness, and older children and adults will be entrusted with the responsibility of only releasing the harness at a safe and appropriate time.

However, it is sometimes necessary to provide a harness which cannot readily be released by an occupant of the seat, so that the occupant of the seat is effectively held in place until he/she is released by another person. Such harnesses may be necessary where an older child displays irresponsible behaviour, or where an adult or older child has a mental disability which results in impaired judgement.

Harnesses of this kind are produced, for example, by Crelling Harnesses Ltd., in the UK, and by Special Needs Solutions, an Australian company.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved harness of this type Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a harness system comprising: a seat having a squab and a backrest; a plurality of attachment points fixed to the seat, including at least one attachment point on a rear side of the backrest or on an underside of the squab; a harness which may, in a use configuration, be attached to the seat, to provide restraint to an occupant in the seat and prevent the occupant from leaving the seat, the harness having at least one connector which may be removably attached to the at least one attachment point, wherein the harness may be moved to a stowed configuration, in which the at least one connector is removed from the at least one attachment point and in which the harness substantially does not prevent an occupant of the seat from leaving the seat, and in the stowed configuration the at least one attachment point remains fixed to the seat.

Advantageously, the harness may be fully removed from the seat.

Alternatively, the harness is permanently attached to the seat.

Preferably, the harness system further comprises a container, positioned near the permanent attachment between the harness and the seat, which may contain parts of the harness when the harness is in the stowed configuration.

Conveniently, the harness is a second harness, and wherein the seat also has a first, separate harness which may be used to provide restraint to an occupant of the seat, and which has a release control which is, when the first harness is secured, readily accessible to an occupant of the seat.

Advantageously, the plurality of attachment points which are fixed to the seat include at least one attachment point fixed on a rear side of the backrest and at least one attachment point fixed on an underside of the squab.

Preferably, the harness comprises a central hub with a plurality of straps extending from the hub, and where some or all of the straps terminate in a connector which may be removably attached to one of the attachment points.

Conveniently, the central hub is flexible.

Advantageously, the hub is padded.

Preferably, at least some of the straps comprise lengths of a webbing material.

Conveniently, the connectors of at least some of the straps comprise metal tongues.

Advantageously, the plurality of attachment points comprise at least one attachment point which is fixed to the rear side of the backrest, and which is positioned to receive a connector attached to a strap which is passed over an upper side of the seat from the front of the seat.

Preferably, the seat comprises a head portion and first and second shoulder portions beside the head portion, and wherein the upper side of the seat comprises one of the shoulder portions.

Conveniently, the harness system comprises two attachment points fixed to the rear side of the backrest, positioned to receive connectors attached to straps which pass over the respective shoulder portions from the front of the 20 seat.

Advantageously, the attachment points comprise at least one attachment point affixed to the rear side of the backrest, approximately level with the top of the squab, positioned to receive a connector attached to a strap which is passed around a side of the seat from the front of the seat.

Preferably, the harness system comprises a pair of attachment points which are fixed to the rear side of the backrest approximately level with the top of the squab, positioned to receive connectors which are attached to straps which pass around respective left and right sides of the seat.

Conveniently, the plurality of attachment points include an attachment point affixed to the underside of the squab, positioned to receive a connector attached to a strap which passes over the front edge of the squab, from the region above the top of the squab.

Advantageously, the harness includes a plurality of straps, each having at least one connector attached thereto, and wherein at least one of the straps has a tensioning means to allow the tension in the strap to be adjusted.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle including a harness system according to any preceding claim.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of restraining an occupant in a seat, comprising the steps of: providing a harness system in accordance with any of the above; placing the occupant in the seat; and attaching the at least one connector of the harness to the at least one attachment point fixed to the seat, to restrain the occupant in the seat.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, embodiments 20 thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 show a seat suitable for use as part of the present invention in a first configuration; Figure 3 shows a second harness suitable for use as part of the present invention; Figures 4 and 5 show the second harness of figure 3 fully attached to the seat of figures 1 and 2; Figure 6 is a close up view of the underside of the squab of the seat of figures 1 and 2 with the harness of figure 3 connected; and Figure 7 is a close up view of a strap of the harness of figure 3 passing over a shoulder region of the seat of figures 1 and 2.

Referring firstly to figures 1 and 2, a seat 1 embodying the present invention is shown. In these figures the seat 1 is shown in a first configuration, in which it is available for use by an adult occupant in the normal manner.

The seat 1 comprises a squab 2 and a backrest 3, as is conventional. The seat 1 is attached to the floor of a vehicle (such as a coach or minibus) by a fitting 4, which may take any suitable form.

The seat 1 comprises a first harness 5, which may be repeatedly transitioned between a use position and a non-use position. The first harness 5 is arranged so that, when it is in the use position to provide restraint to an occupant of the seat 1, the first harness 5 may be readily released by the occupant of the seat 1.

For instance, the first harness 5 may comprise a conventional three-point "lap and diagonal" seat-belt 6, in which the belt extends from a point 7 close to or adjacent the wearer's shoulder on a first side of the seat 1, is fixed in place near the occupant's waist on the same side of the seat 1, and has a metal tongue 9 which is received in a buckle 10 which is positioned near the user's waist on the opposite side of the seat 1.

The occupant of the seat 1 may push the tongue 9 into the buckle 10 to secure the first harness 5, and may press a button on the buckle 10 to release the 30 tongue 9 and so undo the first harness 5.

The components of the seat 1 and first harness 5 discussed above are conventional.

The seat 1 also comprises connection points for a second harness 20. In the example shown in figures 1 to 2, these connection points take the form of buckles, although any other suitable connection points may alternatively be used. It is not necessary for all of the connection points to take the same form.

As can be seen most clearly in figure 2, four buckles 11, 12, 13, 14 are fixed to the rear side 15 of the backrest 2 of the seat 1.

In preferred embodiments the buckles 11-14 are fixed permanently to the rear side 15 of the backrest 2, i.e. the buckles 11-14 may not, without dedicated tools, be removed from the rear 15 of the backrest 2 without permanent damage being caused to the buckle 11-14, to the backrest 2 or to the connection therebetween. The buckles 11-14 may be connected to the rear 15 of the backrest 2 by, for example, welding, bolts or screws, or a combination of these.

In the example shown, the buckles 11-14 on the rear side of the backrest 2 comprise two upper buckles 11, 12, which are provided towards the upper side of the rear 15 of the backrest 2, one being positioned towards each side of the backrest 2.

An aperture of each of the upper buckles 11, 12, into which a tongue may be received, faces generally upwardly.

In the embodiment shown the backrest 2 comprises a body portion 16 and a head portion 17, which gives rise to left and right "shoulder" portions 18. In preferred embodiments, the upper buckles 11, 12 have apertures which point generally towards a respective shoulder region 18, for reasons which will become clear.

The buckles 11-14 provided on the rear 15 of the backrest 2 also include lower buckles 13, 14, which are provided nearer to the bottom side of the rear 15 of the backrest 2, and may be approximately level with the top of the squab 3. In preferred embodiments the apertures of the lower buckles 13, 14, into which a tongue may be introduced, face generally sideways, i.e. horizontally or substantially horizontally, when the seat 1 is in the usual, upright position.

The seat 1 has a further buckle 19 (not visible in figures 1 and 2) positioned on the underside of the squab 3, preferably towards the front of the squab 3. This further buckle 19 is preferably positioned centrally or substantially centrally in the lateral direction. The aperture, into which a tongue may be inserted, points generally forwardly.

Once again this further buckle 19 is preferably permanently attached to the underside of the squab 3.

Figure 3 is a view of the second harness 20, shown separately from the seat 1 and before attachment to the seat 1.

As can be seen in figure 4, the second harness 20 comprises a central hub region 21. The hub region 21 may take any suitable form, but is preferably flexible, and also preferably cushioned, for the comfort of the seat occupant during use. In the embodiment shown the hub region 21 is generally rectangular (although it may take any other suitable shape), and is preferably formed from a robust fabric material such as woven nylon. At least the rear side of the hub region 21 may contain or be completely or partly covered with a padding material.

Five straps 22-26 radiate outwardly from the hub region 21. Each of the straps 22-26 is connected to the hub region 21 at a first end 27, and terminates at a free end 28 which has a metal tongue 29. In this context, "free end" refers generally to the furthest point of the straps 22-26 from the hub region 21 -the strap itself may be looped or folded over and joined to another region of the strap.

In the orientation shown in figure 4, first and second straps 22, 23 extend upwardly from respective left and right sides of the hub region 21. Third and fourth straps 24, 25 extend generally diagonally downwardly and outwardly from the lower two corners of the hub region 21. Finally, a fifth strap 26 extends generally downwardly from the position which is substantially in the centre of the bottom edge of the hub region 21.

In preferred embodiments the five straps 22-26 are formed from respective lengths of a webbing material, although any other suitable material may also be used While the above description mentions five straps 22-26, it should be understood that any two of the straps 22-26 may be formed from the same length of webbing or other material. For instance, it is anticipated that one of the first and second straps 22, 23 may be formed from the same length of webbing as one of the third and fourth straps 24, 25, as shown in figure 3. The skilled reader will appreciate how this may be achieved.

The five straps 22-26 are firmly attached to the hub region 21, and in preferred embodiments are attached to the rear side of the hub region 21. The five straps 22-26 may be attached, for example, by sewing, stapling, welding or any other suitable method or combination of methods.

Use of the seat 1 will now be described.

When the seat 1 is to be used for normal purposes, i.e. for a responsible adult or older child, the second harness 20 is not used. The adult or older child may sit in the seat 1 in the normal way, and use the first harness 5, as will be well understood by the skilled reader.

Where the seat 1 is to be used by an individual who, for any reason, will not be entrusted to release his/her own seat-belt, the second harness 20 will be employed. The occupant firstly sits in the seat 1 in the normal manner. Each of the five straps 22-26 of the second harness 20 is then attached to one of the buckles 11-14, 19 that are provided on the seat 1. In the example given above, each of the five straps 22-26 terminates in a metal tongue 29, and in this case each strap 22-26 is attached to one of the buckles 11-14, 19 by inserting this tongue 29, as the skilled reader will understand.

Figures 4 and 5 show front and rear views, respectively, of the seat 1 with the second harness 20 in place. As can be seen in these figures, the hub portion 21 lies in a position which, in use, will generally rest in the lap of the seat occupant. The first and second straps 22, 23 extend over the shoulder regions 18 of the seat 1 and attach to the upper buckles 11, 12 which are provided on the rear side 15 of the backrest 2. In use these straps 22, 23 will extend generally over the shoulders of the seat occupant.

The third and fourth straps extend generally sideways around the sides of the backrest 2, and engage with the lower buckles 13, 14 provided on the rear side 15 of the backrest 2. In use these straps will pass around the waist of the seat occupant.

Finally, the fifth strap 26 extends downwardly between the legs of the seat 30 occupant and engages with the further buckle 19 which is provided on the underside of the squab 3 of the seat 1. This further buckle 19 is shown in figure 6, with the fifth strap 26 attached thereto.

Figure 7 shows the second strap 23 extending over one of the shoulder regions 18 of the seat 1, with the second strap 23 lifted up to show that it is separate from the seat belt 6 of the first harness 5.

Preferably, some or all of the five straps 22-26 include tensioning means (not shown), so that the tension in each strap 22-26 can be adjusted to suit the dimensions of the seat occupant. Any suitable tensioning means may be used, and for instance the end of each strap 22-26 may be folded over and attached to another part of the same strap 22-26 by a slideable tensioner.

It will be understood that, with the second harness 20 in place, the occupant of the seat 1 will not readily be able to reach any of the buckles 11-14, 19 with which the five straps 22-26 are engaged, and so the occupant will not readily be able to release him/herself from the seat 1.

The skilled reader will appreciate that it is important that the release controls for the second harness 20 cannot be easily reached by an occupant of the seat 1 when the second harness 20 is secured, but also that a carer/operator can readily reach the release controls to undo the second harness 20 and allow the occupant to leave the seat 1. For this reason, placing the attachment points for the second harness 20 on the rear 15 of the backrest 2, and on the underside of the squab 3. is preferred, but the invention is not limited to this and one or more of the attachment points may be placed on any other part of the seat 1 that cannot readily be reached by an occupant of the seat 1.

In the example shown, the seat 1 has a first harness 5, which is entirely 30 separate from the second harness 20 and does not share any straps or attachment points. In preferred embodiments of the invention, when the second harness 20 is fully secured to hold an occupant in the seat 1, the first harness 5 is not involved in any way.

When a carer or other operative needs to release the occupant from the seat 1, some or all of the buckles 11-14, 19 may be released. For example, all of the buckles 11-14 which are positioned on the rear side 15 of the seatback 2 may be released, allowing the second harness 20 to fall to the floor, with the fifth strap 26 remaining attached to the buckle 19 which is positioned under the squab 3 of the seat 1.

Alternatively, the buckles 11,13; 12,14 on only one side of the rear 15 of the seatback 2 may be released, along with the fifth strap 26 which engages with the buckle 19 positioned on the underside of the squab 3, allowing the second harness 20 to be moved to one side and allow the occupant to leave the seat 1.

As a further alternative the second harness 20 may be entirely removed from the seat 1, where it may be stored in a different location until it is required again.

It is preferred that the second harness 20 may be completely removed from the seat 1, so that the seat 1 looks and behaves as much as possible like a regular seat for occasions when it will be used in the conventional manner.

However, in other embodiments the second harness 20 may be permanently attached to the seat 1, so that it cannot be fully removed from the seat 1 without damage being caused to the second harness 20 or to the seat 1. This may prevent the second harness 20 from becoming lost, and ensures that it is permanently on hand for occasions when it is needed.

For instance, in an alternative embodiment the second harness 20 may be permanently attached to the squab 3, preferably the underside of the squab 3, for instance by the fifth strap 26. In such embodiments there may be no need for a buckle on the underside of the squab 3, and instead the fifth strap 26 may be attached directly to the underside of the squab 3 by any suitable means.

In such embodiments a bag or pouch may be provided on or near the underside of the squab 3, so that the second harness 20 may be stowed away neatly and unobtrusively when not in use.

In this embodiment the other details of the second harness 20 may remain substantially the same, and in particular the four buckles 11-14 shown in figure 2 may be attached to the rear side 15 of the seat-back 2.

In the discussion above the second harness 20 comprise five straps, with five corresponding attachment points provided on the seat 1. However, the invention is not limited to this, and any suitable number of straps and attachment points may be used. The straps may extend around and/or across the seat 1 in any suitable manner to restrain an occupant safely and comfortably.

It will be understood that embodiments of the invention may provide a harness which is simple for a carer or other operator to apply and remove.

Representative features are set out in the following clauses, which stand alone or may be combined, in any combination, with one or more features disclosed in the text and/or drawings of the specification.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A harness system comprising: a seat having a squab and a backrest; a plurality of attachment points fixed to the seat, including at least one attachment point on a rear side of the backrest or on an underside of the squab; a harness which may, in a use configuration, be attached to the seat, to provide restraint to an occupant in the seat and prevent the occupant from leaving the seat, the harness having at least one connector which may be removeably attached to the at least one attachment point, wherein the harness may be moved to a stowed configuration, in which the at least one connector is removed from the at least one attachment point and in which the harness substantially does not prevent an occupant of the seat from leaving the seat, and in the stowed configuration the at least one attachment point remains fixed to the seat.
2. A harness system according to claim 1, wherein the harness may be fully removed from the seat.
3. A harness system according to claim 1, wherein the harness is permanently attached to the seat.
4. A harness system according to claim 3, further comprising a container, positioned near the permanent attachment between the harness and the seat, which may contain parts of the harness when the harness is in the stowed configuration.
5. A harness system according to any preceding claim, wherein the harness is a second harness, and wherein the seat also has a first, separate harness which may be used to provide restraint to an occupant of the seat, and which has a release control which is, when the first harness is secured, readily accessible to an occupant of the seat.
6. A harness system according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of attachment points which are fixed to the seat include at least one attachment point fixed on a rear side of the backrest and at least one attachment point fixed on an underside of the squab.
7. A harness system according to any preceding claim, wherein the harness comprises a central hub with a plurality of straps extending from the hub, and where some or all of the straps terminate in a connector which may be removably attached to one of the attachment points.
8. A harness system according to claim 7, wherein the central hub is flexible.
A harness system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the hub is padded.
10. A harness system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein at least some of the straps comprise lengths of a webbing material.12. A harness system according to any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein the connectors of at least some of the straps comprise metal tongues.13. A harness system according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of attachment points comprise at least one attachment point which is fixed to the rear side of the backrest, and which is positioned to receive a connector attached to a strap which is passed over an upper side of the seat from the front of the seat.14. A harness system according to claim 13, wherein the seat comprises a head portion and first and second shoulder portions beside the head portion, and wherein the upper side of the seat comprises one of the shoulder portions.15. A harness system according to claim 14, comprising two attachment points fixed to the rear side of the backrest, positioned to receive connectors attached to straps which pass over the respective shoulder portions from the front of the seat.16. A harness system according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment points comprise at least one attachment point affixed to the rear side of the backrest, approximately level with the top of the squab, positioned to receive a connector attached to a strap which is passed around a side of the seat from the front of the seat.17. A harness system according to claim 16 comprising a pair of attachment points which are fixed to the rear side of the backrest approximately level with the top of the squab, positioned to receive connectors which are attached to straps which pass around respective left and right sides of the seat.18. A harness system according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of attachment points include an attachment point affixed to the underside of the squab, positioned to receive a connector attached to a strap which passes over the front edge of the squab, from the region above the top of the squab.19. A harness system according to any preceding claim, wherein the harness includes a plurality of straps, each having at least one connector attached thereto, and wherein at least one of the straps has a tensioning means to allow the tension in the strap to be adjusted.20. A vehicle including a harness system according to any preceding claim.21. A method of restraining an occupant in a seat, comprising the steps of: providing a harness system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 19; placing the occupant in the seat; and attaching the at least one connector of the harness to the at least one attachment point fixed to the seat, to restrain the occupant in the seat.