CHILD'S GARMENT

Abstract

A garment suitable for use in conjunction with a seat belt to enhance the safe use of the seat belt, the garment comprising a front section and a rear section, the front and rear sections being joined together to produce a tube, the front and rear sections combining at one end of the tube to form a neck portion to be located around the neck and shoulders of a child while in use, the front section including one or more channels extending lengthwise down the front section, the channels comprising thinner material than the remainder of the garment and suitable to house or accommodate a strap or a seat belt.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application PCT/GB2016/052064, filed Jul. 8, 2016, designating the United States of America and published in English as International Patent Publication WO 2017/009611 A1 on Jan. 19, 2017, which claims the benefit under Article 8 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty to Great Britain Patent Application Serial No. 1512340.9, filed Jul. 15, 2015, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a garment to improve in-car or in-vehicle safety. The garment is particularly suitable for, and described herein in respect to, a baby or a toddler and ideally suitable for use for babies or toddlers up to the age of about four (4) years.

BACKGROUND

In the United Kingdom, the wearing of seat belts in the front seats of a car or other vehicle has been compulsory since 1983. The law was extended in 1989 to requiring children traveling in the rear of a car to wear a belt. Where the child concerned is a baby or toddler, then using the standard seat belt fitted into the car is impractical as these are far too big and do not provide safety to the child due to the looseness of the fit of the belt about the child. In addition, the large size of the belt allows a child to wriggle free of any meaningful protection provided by the belt.

The useful solution to this deficiency is to seat or lie the child in a specially designed child seat, equipped with its own safety strap or straps. The car's own safety belt is then used to secure the child seat in position.

Such a solution is effective, but in certain situations, there are difficulties caused by a child's clothing. Such problems arise during cold weather when the child is wearing thick, usually soft/padded clothing to ensure the child is warm outside of the vehicle. However, problems can also arise with conventional clothing.

In order to properly protect a child, the seat belt needs to be able to hold the child firmly against the seat. However, given the nature of thick clothing, this cannot be easily achieved as the padded material from which such clothing is normally made results in a degree of freedom of movement for the child. Moreover, in the event the child removes the clothing, often without the driver's knowledge, the seat belt fitted to take the clothing into account, is then far too loose and safety is compromised.

It is estimated that up to 80% of child car seats are incorrectly fitted, with one of the main reasons being that the straps are too loose, often for the above-described reasons. In a collision, the child could be seriously hurt or even thrown from the car seat altogether. It is important that the straps are correctly fitted over the child's shoulders and are tightly fitted. Especially when using thick baby suits or children's winter coats, it is impossible to ensure a snug fit. One means by which the problem is currently addressed is simply to ensure that the child only has a very thin layer of clothing on and to keep the child warm; travel blankets are available on the market.

It is an object of the disclosure to address the above problems and to provide clothing that aids in the proper fitting of a seat belt and also maintenance of that correct fitting for the duration of a journey.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a garment suitable for use in conjunction with a seat belt to enhance the safe use of the seat belt, the garment comprising a front section and a rear section, the front and rear sections being joined together to produce a tube, the front and rear sections combining at one end of the tube to form a neck portion to be located in use around the neck and shoulders of a child, the front section including one or more channels extending lengthwise down the front section, the channels comprising thinner material than the remainder of the garment and suitable to house or accommodate a strap or a seat belt.

The thinner material enables closer engagement of a strap with the child's body and ensures that the child is held more securely than would otherwise be the case to a car seat due to avoiding the compression issues that arise when the fibers in the fabric compress and leave the straps slack in the event of a collision.

Preferably, the thinner material is a mesh material.

Preferably, the garment includes two channels, one to each side of the neck portion. This allows the garment to be used with conventional seat belt systems for car seats having one strap either side of a child's body to equalize force on the body.

Preferably, the garment includes a cover associated with a channel to cover over the channel and ensure that the thinner material does not cause the child to be cold when not in the car. Further preferably, the cover is integral with the garment along one edge of the channel. Yet further preferably, the cover is integral with the garment along the long edge of the channel.

Optionally, a cover is sealed to the garment along a free edge by a VELCRO® attachment system. Alternatively, a push fit fitment is used to secure a cover to a garment. Further optionally, a cover is resealably sealed to a garment with a waterproof seal to prevent or reduce water ingress through the joint between the cover and the garment.

Conveniently, the rear section comprises two or more sub-sections joinable together to form the back of the garment. Further conveniently, the rear section comprises two sub-sections. These features enable the rear section to be moved out of the way from between a child and the car seat so that the child is in closer contact with the car seat than would otherwise be the case.

Preferably, rear sub-sections are joined together by means of a VELCRO® attachment system or, alternatively, a push fit fitment. Yet further preferably, the rear sub-sections are joined together by a waterproof seal.

Optionally, the sub-sections of the rear section are joinable together along a single edge. Alternatively, the rear sub-sections are joined together along more than one edge.

Preferably, at least one of the joints between the rear sub-sections is along the vertical median line approximately where the garment sits over a child's spine while in use.

Preferably, the garment includes an attachable hood.

Preferably, the garment includes an attachable pair of gloves.

Optionally, the garment includes an attachable pair of shoes.

Optionally, the front and rear sections each include an aperture, the apertures cooperating to enable a buckle and strap to pass through the garment so as to fix a buckle to the fitment means of the car seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1a and 1b are, respectively, a front and rear view of a jacket;

FIGS. 2a and 2b are, respectively, a front and rear view of a baby suit; and

FIGS. 3a and 3b are, respectively, a front and rear view of a sleeping bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As indicated above, conventional cold weather clothing makes it difficult to properly fit a safety strap about a baby or toddler when traveling in a vehicle, particularly a typical family car. The bulk of the material of a typical garment necessary to keep the child warm, prevents the tensioned seat strap from holding a child in a firm and safe manner. To confirm, the seat strap herein not only refers to the seat belt fitted as part of the car, but also to a strap or harness included within a child's car seat.

Additionally, if the child removes the item of clothing, as often happens and without the driver being aware of this, the seat strap, whether belonging to the car or incorporated as part of the car seat, is then loose and needs to be adjusted to again provide the required protection.

This disclosure addresses these difficulties in that a channel of thinner material is provided within the garment along which the safety straps pass in use. In a preferred embodiment, mesh is used for this thinner material although it should be appreciated that any suitable thinner material may be used. Because the material is thinner, the child is gripped in a better fashion than can be achieved with conventional garments and the compression issues that arise when the fibers in the fabric compress, which can leave the straps slack, are avoided. Additionally, a garment can be provided with a back section that can be replaceably moved away from the back of the child, bringing the child into closer contact with the seat itself. Again, therefore, the seat strap is better able to perform its designed function.

FIG. 1 illustrates a jacket 10 in accordance with the disclosure. The material structure of the jacket 10 is typical for this type of garment in that an insulating material such as a fibrous plastics material, down or fibrous mesh is held between at least two layers of thinner material, the outermost layer (while in use) usually being at least partially waterproof or splash proof.

The jacket 10 is of general or standard construction in that the jacket 10 has a main body portion comprising a front section 11 and a rear section 12, the front and rear sections being secured together, usually by a vertical side seam or seams, to form a tubular structure. Extending from the body portion are sleeves 13a, 13b. A hood 14 can be formed integral with the body portion, but can also be detachable, being secured in position using standard push-fit fitments such as a press-stud or a zip fastener. Additionally, the free ends of the sleeves 13a, 13b can be provided with means, again such as a press-stud 18 enabling gloves or mittens 19 to be detachably fixed to the jacket 10.

The front section 11 is in two parts 11a, 11b, which are fastened together when required by means of a conventional zip fastener 15.

In order to provide an effective fit of a seat belt or strap, guides or channels 16a, 16b are included in each of the front sections 11a, 11b. The guides 16a, 16b are regions of thinner material, which mean the straps are in closer contact with the child than is the case for conventional jackets. The child is thus held more securely to the seat. In one embodiment, the guides 16a, 16b are formed in that there is no padding provided within these regions. The strap in this case, therefore, effectively sits on the inner lining or inner/outer linings. The child is thereby correctly placed in the seat and moreover, access to the child and the straps is unimpeded so that in the event of an accident, the child can quickly be removed from the car.

As such, a region of thinner material will result in the garment being less warm for the wearer when not in the car. To increase heat retention, especially while out of the car, a flap or cover (not illustrated) can be removably secured over each of the guides 16a, 16b. The flap, therefore, provides additional insulation and, in order to increase this function, insulating material may be included within the flap's body.

In one embodiment, not illustrated, the flap can be completely separable from the jacket 10 and can be stowed conveniently in a bag when not in use. Alternatively, the flap can be partially permanently attached to the jacket 10. For example, in a further embodiment, the attachment is along a long edge of the flap. In an alternative further embodiment, the flap is joined along a top short edge, preferably toward the top of the garment. In this embodiment, the flap can be rolled up and stowed conveniently when the child is strapped into the seat.

When the flap needs to be fixed to the jacket 10, the fixing can be achieved by conventional means such as a push-fit fitment or by means of a zip fastener. A preferred means of fixing the flap in position is by means of a VELCRO® fastener. Additionally, the flap can be fixed in a way that is waterproof to reduce the risk of penetration of water into the thinner guides 16a, 16b.

The rear section 12 of the jacket 10 also has two parts 12a, 12b joined together when required by a fixing 17 along a line approximately along the median vertical line of the rear section 12. The means of releasably joining the two parts 12a, 12b together can be carried out using the methods indicated above as between the flap and the front section 11. The provision of the rear section 12 in two parts allows the parts 12a, 12b to be separated and moved away from the child's back. The child's back, when seated in the child seat, is then able to come into closer contact with the seat than would otherwise be the case. The strap, therefore, can better function and is able to hold the child more firmly into the seat.

In use, therefore, the child is dressed in the jacket 10 and the zip fastener 15 closed to ensure the child is warm. In order to place the child in a car seat, the fixing 17 between the rear parts 12a, 12b is undone and the rear parts 12a, 12b opened out. The child can then be seated correctly directly against the seat. Any covering over a guide 16a, 16b is removed enabling the straps of the car seat holding the child in position to be aligned with the guides 16a, 16b. The seat belt can then be clipped into place using the conventional seat-belt buckle and clasps of the car (or car seat).

When the journey is finished and the child is to be removed from the car, the buckle is unclasped and the straps are removed from around the child. The flaps are replaced over the thinner guides 16a, 16b and secured in position by the means provided. The rear parts 12a, 12b are secured together using the fixing 17 provided. This can be achieved in a hugging-type motion as the child is lifted from the car. The child can, therefore, be lifted from the car, and, for example, placed in a stroller or carriage.

In the second embodiment of the garment shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, the garment comprises an all-in-one suit 20, commonly known as a snowsuit. Although the material from which such a suit 20 is made is typically different to that used for the jacket 10 of FIGS. 1a, 1b, the technical means by which the front sections 21 of the suit 20 is adapted are as described above with respect to FIGS. 1a, 1b.

With respect to the rear section 22 of the suit 20 as shown in FIG. 2b, the features shown in broad terms are for FIG. 1b and include guides 26a, 26b. However, in addition to the fixing 27 along a median vertical line of the suit 20, similar fixings 28a, 28b are provided between the two parts 22a, 22b of the rear section 22 and the legs 29a, 29b of the suit 20. For example, therefore, the edges of each of the parts 22a, 22b include one-half of a VELCRO® fitment, while the legs 29a, 29b are furnished with the other half of the fitment, enabling these elements to be releasably secured together.

With reference to FIGS. 3a, 3b, a sleeping bag 30 is illustrated, primarily suitable for a baby and ideally most suitable for a baby up to the age of thirty-six (36) months. The features relating to the thinner guides 36a, 36b to receive the straps of a car seat are in the front section 31 of this bag 30. Also, the rear section 32, shown in FIG. 3b, is in two parts 32a, 32b, and the edges of these parts 32a, 32b include means to releasably fix them to the main body of the bag 30.

The bag 30 includes the additional features of apertures 37a, 37b through the front and rear sections 31, 32, respectively. In order to allow the buckle of the strap to be secured to the corresponding fitment, the buckle is, in use, passed through both of the apertures 37a, 37b, thus passing from the front to the rear of the bag 30. The child within the bag 30 can thereby be secured in position safely and securely.

In each of the embodiments disclosed, the garment 10 can be fitted with one or more reflective panels to increase the chance of the child being seen.

It should also be appreciated that the garment 10 is necessary for use with a child car seat and not with conventional adult seat belts.

Claims

1. A garment suitable for use in conjunction with a seat belt to enhance the safe use of the seat belt, the garment comprising a front section and a rear section, the front and rear sections being joined together to produce a tube, the front and rear sections combining at one end of the tube to form a neck portion to be located in use around the neck and shoulders of a child, the front section including one or more channels extending lengthwise down the front section, the channels comprising thinner material than the remainder of the garment and suitable to house or accommodate a strap or a seat belt.

2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the thinner material is a mesh material.

3. The garment according to claim 1, wherein, the garment includes two channels, one to each side of the neck portion.

4. The garment according to claim 3, wherein the garment includes a cover associated with a channel.

5. The garment according to claim 4, wherein the cover is integral with the garment along one edge of the channel.

6. The garment according to claim 5, wherein the cover is integral with the garment along the long edge of the channel.

7. The garment according to claim 4, wherein a cover is sealed to the garment along a free edge by a VELCRO® fitment.

8. The garment according to claim 4, wherein a push-fit fitment is used to secure a cover to a garment.

9. The garment according to claim 4, wherein a cover is resealably sealed to a garment with a waterproof seal to prevent or reduce water ingress through the joint between the cover and the garment.

10. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the rear section comprises two or more sub-sections joinable together to form the back of the garment.

11. The garment according to claim 10, wherein, the rear section comprises two subsections.

12. The garment according to claim 10, wherein rear sub-sections are joined together by means of a VELCRO® fitment.

13. The garment according to claim 10, wherein rear sub-sections are joined together by means of a push-fit fitment.

14. The garment according to claim 10, wherein the rear sub-sections are joined together by a waterproof seal.

15. The garment according to claim 11, wherein the sub-sections of the rear section are joinable together along a single edge.

16. The garment according to claim 10, wherein the rear sub-sections are joined together along more than one edge.

17. The garment according to claim 10, wherein the rear sub-sections are joined along the vertical median line approximately where the garment sits over a child's spine while in use.

18. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment includes an attachable hood.

19. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment includes an attachable pair of gloves.

20. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment includes an attachable pair of shoes.

21. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the front and rear sections each include an aperture, the apertures cooperating to enable a buckle and strap to pass through the garment and so to fix a buckle to the fitment means of the car seat.

22. (canceled)