Shoulder strap positioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional child safety seat harnesses are cumbersome to adjust and can be easily manipulated by children, leading to unsafe situations where the harness is slid off, and existing lock mechanisms do not meet stringent safety standards for ease of use and force requirements.
Innovation Solution
A shoulder strap positioner comprising a male and female member with a locking mechanism that uses a rotary or rectilinear movement to secure the straps, featuring a tongue and rib arrangement within a receptacle, ensuring the straps cannot be easily opened by children, with fastening means like Velcro for secure attachment to the harness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sliding plastic clip is used to hold the webs or straps over the child's shoulders, then the device can easily adjust to the size of the child, but the child can easily slide the clip down and slip the harness off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing a locking mechanism that prevents the sliding clip from moving in the unwanted direction (downward). The clip includes a locking element that engages with a corresponding feature on the seat, creating a mechanical lock that prevents the child from sliding the clip down to escape the harness.
2Ease of operation
If conventional quick disconnect connectors are used to connect straps, then the harness can be quickly adjusted, but the connection can be easily opened by children
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism incorporates preliminary anti-action by including a locking element that automatically engages when the strap is inserted, preventing accidental or unauthorized opening by children. The lock requires a specific unlocking action by the adult to release the connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by automatically locking the connection as soon as the strap is inserted into the connector. The locking element engages automatically during the insertion process, so the connection is secured before the adult needs to interact with it again.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the harness straps are made adjustable to fit different child sizes, then the seat can accommodate more children, but the adjustment mechanism becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single locking mechanism that serves multiple functions: it locks the sliding clip in position, secures the strap connection, and prevents unauthorized opening. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms for different size accommodations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a shoulder strap positioner for releasably connecting a first and a second strap of a child restraining seat harness, where the shoulder strap positioner comprises a male member configured to be connected to a first strap of the child restraining seat harness and a female member configured to be connected to a second strap of the child restraining seat harness, and where the male member can be removably connected to the female member (1b), where the female member comprises a receptacle provided with an opening for insertion of the male member, the opening being provided over a part of a circumference of the female member, where at least one rib is provided over a part of the opening, and where the male member comprises an tongue provided with a groove, the male and female members being locked to each other through a movement of the male member towards the at least one rib, the at least one rib being brought into contact and accommodated in the groove through this movement, and released from each other through a movement of the male member away from the at least one rib.