WO2012143045A1 - Harness and assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly is provided, comprising a chair (7) having a seat (9) and a backrest (11), and a harness (1) for supporting a person (13) seated on the chair, wherein the harness comprises a first band (3)and. a second band (5). The first hand has a first portion (15) extending over at least a portion of the backrest to support the harness., and a second portion (17) forming at least part of a crotch portion (19) which is fastened to the second band in a front portion (21) in front of the seated person. The second band, in use, forms a loop (27) extending around the torso of the seated person and the backrest for supporting the seated person, The first and second bands are fastened to each other also in a rear portion (31) behind the backrest.

Description

Harness and assembly

The present disclosure relates to an assembly according to the introductory portion of claim 1, and to a harness for use in such an assembly, according to the introductory portion of claim 15.

Such an assembly and a harness are known for supporting a small child on a regular chair having a backrest.

E.g., US 4,235,474 discloses a harness for retaining a baby in a chair which has a body member constructed from a flexible material and includes a chair engaging section for attaching the body member to a chair, and a baby holding section connected to the chair engaging section for retainingly holding a baby on the associated chair. The chair engaging section comprises a pocket formed in the body member and arrangeable over a back of the chair, while the baby holding section has a crotch portion connected to the pocket and terminating in a strap arranged for extending around the midsection of the baby and being tied behind the back of the chair so as to firmly retain the baby on a seat of the chair.

The width of the pocket restricts the usability of the device with a chair having a wide chair back or a narrow chair back. Further, tying a strap is time consuming, is not always reliable and conversely, once tied, may be difficult to adjust and/or undo.

A similar harness is known from EP 1 570 770.

A similar harness is also known from CH 649 206, which further discloses the use of buckles to close the straps, a zip- fastener allowing the back of the seat to be extended for adaptation to chair backrests of different lengths (heights), and an elastic strap for adaptation to chair backrests of different widths.

However, also the latter harness has limited options for adjustment. Further, metal zippers tend to be sharp and may damage the chair whereas plastic zippers have limited strength and are found to become damaged easily, e.g. leading to detachment of adjacent teeth.

A further similar harness is presently sold under the brand name Sack 'n Seat, wherein on each side of the pocket a loop is fixed, through which the straps to retain the baby may be fitted, so as to support the baby in an upright position. A further strap is attached to opposite sides of the cloth band forming the crotch portion to run under the chair seat and fix the crotch portion to the seat.

Also here, the width of the pocket restricts the usability of the device with a chair having a wide chair back or a narrow chair back. Also, the height of the loops may be incompatible with the length of the chair back and/or the baby.

Another similar baby seat is sold under the brand name In the Pocket Baby and comprises a cloth band which, in use, has one end looped back to form a generally U-shaped crotch portion, the top of which is attached with adjustable straps and snap buckles to opposite side edges of the cloth band. The cloth band has an opposite end extending over the top of the backrest and being provided with a number of loops arranged in a column one above the other behind the backrest. A first strap is attached to opposite sides of the cloth band to run under the chair seat and fix the crotch portion to the seat. A second strap is attached to the opposite side edges of the cloth band to extend around the back rest and through the loop of the number of loops which is closest to the upper part of the chair back to fix the cloth band to the chair back.

This baby seat is bulky and complex to fit to the chair. Further, width (girth) and height of the seating portion cannot be varied independently.

Further, in the known harnesses, the forces occurring in the pockets of the harnesses are focussed in the seams sown along the side edges of the pockets. These may therefore be prone to damage.

As a consequence, an improved harness is desired.

To meet this desire, an assembly and harness as described in the initial paragraphs are provided which are characterised in that the first and second bands of the harness are fastened to each other also in a rear portion behind the backrest .

Thus, a generally closed and well defined object is provided wherein substantially all forces in the harness can be balanced by different and cooperating portions of the harness. Further, since no pocket is defined, the exact position along the first band of the backrest and the length of the first band extending over the backrest are substantially freely adjustable, corresponding to the length of the first band available for forming the crotch portion. Hence, the height of the front and rear portions, and thus of the upward force for supporting the torso of the seated person may be substantially freely defined. The present harness is therefore generally robust and versatile in use.

To increase versatility and facilitate adapting the harness, the length of the first band between the front and rear portions may be adjustable, e.g. by providing a clip and/or sliding buckle in a portion of the first band.

Also, the size of the loop of the second band may be adj ustable .

To facilitate donning the harness to the person, the second band may comprise a fastener for opening and closing the loop .

Such fastener may comprise mated fastener parts attached at or near opposite ends of the second band. The fastener, e.g. one or more fastener parts, may be configured for adjusting the size of the loop of the second band.

Security against unintentional detachment by the person may be improved when the fastener is arranged, or at least arrangeable, behind the backrest, e.g. in or near the rear section .

For further increasing versatility, and/or facilitating donning the harness, the first and second bands may be

releasably fastened to each other in the front and/or rear portions, e.g. when the first and second band comprise mated fastener parts for releasably fastening the first and second bands to each other in the front and/or rear portions. This may also facilitate transport and or washing one or more portions of the harness. One or more fasteners or fastener parts may also be releasably attached to the harness to facilitate washing.

To improve wearer comfort at least part of the first and/or second band may be padded and/or be widened at or near the front portion. A widened portion may also increase strength and/or ruggedness.

At least a part of the first band extending over the backrest may be widened with respect to at least part of the crotch portion, so that on the one hand wearer comfort may be maintained and/or increased, whereas on the other hand a larger interaction surface with the backrest can be provided. Also, one or more openings in a backrest may be closed off by the widened portion, increasing wearer safety and comfort, in particular for small persons such as babies.

The harness may comprise one or more further bands fastened to the first band and forming a loop encircling (or at least being configured to form such loop) at least a portion of the chair, in particular the backrest of the chair. Thus, one or more portions of the harness may be attached to the chair more reliably. The length of (a loop formed by) such further band(s) may be adjustable to adapt to different chair models. A further band fastened to the first band and forming a loop encircling (or at least being configured to form such loop) the chair at or near the seat may assist restraining the seated person, e.g. preventing a toddler from standing up.

The further band(s) may be detachably fastened to the first band, to increase versatility of the harness, e.g. so as not to hinder in a situation where such band(s) is (are) not required. Also, the further band(s) may be detachably fastenable to the first band in plural positions and/or may be movably fastened being movable along at least part of the first band, e.g. slidable along at least part of the first band. The above-described aspects will hereafter be more explained with further details and benefits with reference to the drawings showing embodiments by way of example. Figs. 1 and 2 are front and back views of an embodiment of a harness;

Figs. 3 and 4 are front and back views of an assembly of the harness of Figs. 1-2 attached to a chair having a

backrest and with a baby seated on the chair and supported by the harness;

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a harness in use;

Figs. 6A-6C illustrate adjustment of the harness;

Figs. 7-10 are schematic perspective drawings, like

Fig. 5, of different embodiments of harnesses.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted.

Further, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform an at least substantially identical function are denoted by the same numeral.

Figs. 1-2 show a harness 1, comprising a first band 3 and a second band 5. In Figs. 3-4 an assembly is shown

comprising a chair 7 having a seat 9 and a backrest 11, and a harness 1 supporting a seated person 13, here a baby. Fig. 5 illustrates in perspective the harness 1 as in use in Figs. 3-4, without showing the chair 7 and the seated baby 13.

The first band 3 has a first portion 15 extending over the backrest 11 to support the harness 1, and a second portion 17 forming a crotch portion 19 and being attached to the second band 5 in a front portion 21 arranged in use in front of the seated person 13 (Fig. 3) . The second band 5 comprises a

fastener 23 comprising mated first and second fastener parts 23A, 23B, here forming a snap buckle, attached at or near opposite first and second ends 25A, 25B of the second band to close the second band 5, in use, behind the backrest 11 and thus to form a loop 27 extending around the torso of the seated person 13 and the backrest 11 for supporting the seated person 13 (Figs. 3-5) . The first band 3 has a rear end 29 remote from the front portion 21. The first and second bands 3, 5 are fastened to each other also in a rear portion 31 arranged in use behind the backrest 11 (Figs. 4-5), here being fastened by a fastener 33. However, the first and second bands 3, 5 may be attached differently in the rear portion 31. E.g., the rear end 29 of the first band 3 may comprise a loop around the first band 3 for fastening the first and second bands 3, 5, e.g. a loop, optionally an adjustable loop provided by a fastener to

(possibly adjustably) fasten the rear end 29 back on itself.

In the shown embodiment, the first and second bands 3, 5 are both widened at the front portion 21. Further padded filler portions may be provided to form a generally trapezium- or kite-shaped padded front portion 21.

The positions of the fastener parts 23A, 23B on the opposite ends 25A, 25B of the second band 3 remote from the front portion 21 are adjustable, such that the size of the loop 27 is adjustable.

Further, the rear end 29 of the first band 3 is movably attached to the fastener 33, such that the length of the first band 3 between the front and rear portions 21, 31 is adjustable. In the shown embodiment, the rear end 29 of the first band 3 is optionally attached to one end (here the second end 25B) of the second band 5. The fasteners 23 and 33 may be integrated, e.g. in a 4-way fastener 35 (Fig. 5) .

For assembling the shown assembly and donning the shown harness 1 to a person 13 (to be) seated and supported in the chair 7, the first portion 15 of the first band 3 is arranged over the backrest 11 to support the harness 1 with the rear end 29 of the first band 3 and the second end 25B of the second band 5 arranged behind the backrest 11, and a crotch portion 19 of about a desired height is formed. Then the person 13 is seated in the chair 7, straddling the first band 21 in the crotch portion 19. Next, the second band 5 is closed, forming the loop 23 attached to the first band 3 in generally opposite sides, wherein the first band penetrates the loop 23 in between the generally opposite sides, generally having a 90 degrees tilted S-shape (or: N-shape) with the end points of the tilted S (or: N) attached to the loop formed by the second band 5 and the up- down and down-up oriented bends forming the support portion and the crotch portion, respectively. Alternatively, e.g. if the first and second bands 3, 5 are not fastened initially, the crotch portion is arranged between the legs of the person 13 with the front portion 21 in front, the person is seated on the chair 7 and on the first band 3, with the first band 3 extending behind the persons back and over the backrest 11. Then the first and second bands 3, 5 are fastened behind the backrest 11 and first band 3 is closed to form the loop 23 extending around the torso of the seated person 13 and the backrest 11 for supporting the seated person 13.

Further methods will be apparent to the reader.

If need be, after fastening the first and second bands 3, 5, the positions and/or sizes of the first and second bands 3, 5, are adjusted to provide the support for the person 13 at the desired height and tightness.

The loop 23 maybe arranged any desired height along the backrest 11; e.g. when lowering the loop 23, the length of portion of the first band 3 behind the backrest 11 must

increase, whereas length of the front portion of the crotch section can decrease by an equal amount. Thus, if desired the height of the loop 23 may be adjusted with no more than sliding the first band 3 over the chair 7, as indicated in Figs. 6A-6C.

Further, since the first band 3 is fastened to the second band 5 both in the front portion 21 and in the back portion 31, a downward force on the front portion 21, e.g. by the person 13 leaning forward, will also cause a downward force on the rear portion 31, maintaining the height of the loop 23. This allows to prop up a person 13 incapable or barely capable of seating, e.g. an infant or a disabled adult, and reliably support him/her against slumping and/or falling, e.g. with the loop 23 formed by the second band 5 extending just underneath the armpits.

Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment, shown in similar view as Fig. 5, wherein the first portion 15 of the first band 3 arranged to extend over the backrest 11 of a chair 7 (not shown) is widened with respect to part of the crotch portion 19. Optionally, and indicated in Fig. 7, in the rear portion the first band 3 is fastened to the second band 5 behind the backrest in plural positions, here comprising two fasteners 35A, 35B, to maintain the wide shape of the widened portion 15. The second band 5 may be fastened in between or aside from

(shown) these fastening positions.

Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of a harness in which the first and second bands 3 and 5 are movably fastened to each other in the front portion 21, the first band 3 being provided with a loop 36 through which the second band 5 passes. This allows rotating the second band 5, e.g. for accessing a fastener 23 of the second band 5. Alternatively, not shown, the first and second bands 3 and 5 may be fastened in the front portion with one or more fasteners. Such harnesses are particularly useful for supporting elderly and/or physically handicapped adults who can be trusted to handle (a fastener of) the harness 1.

Figs. 9 and 10 show further variants similar to Figs. 5 and 7, wherein the harness 1 comprises a further band 37

fastened to the first band 3 to form a loop 39 encircling at least a portion of the backrest 11 of the chair 7 (not shown) . The further band 37 may extend behind both the backrest 11 and the first band 3 (Fig. 9) or behind the backrest 11 and between backrest 11 and the first band 3 (Fig. 10). In both embodiments the further band 37 can be opened and closed with a fastener 41 and has an adjustable length (size of the loop 39) . The further band 37 is fixed to the first band 3 in at most one portion, either in front or behind the backrest 11, so as not to

interfere with adjusting the length of the first band 3.

Alternatively, the further band 37 is detachably fastenable to the first band 3 in plural positions along the first band 3 and/or is fastened slidable along the first band 3, e.g.

comprising one or more loops through which the first band 3 extends. In the latter case, the further band 37 may be slidably fastened to the first band 3 both in front and behind the back rest 11, since adjustment of the length of the first band 11 is not interfered by the further band 37.

The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims. For instance, the harness may comprise one or more portions formed as a pocket for storing and transporting the harness in it.

The harness may be used for supporting a seated person of any size, from babies to adults, and may be used with almost any chair having a backrest. Where a backrest comprises an opening, the first portion may extend and be fit through the opening to extend over the portion of the backrest below the opening, with otherwise substantially unaltered function and functionality.

The harness can be made of any generally flexible material, but a washable material, e.g. textile is preferred. The first and/or second band need not be a single object, but may comprise sections of different materials, e.g. padded soft cloth at or near the front section and woven strap material for attachment of a fastener.

Fasteners may comprise snap buckles, double D-rings, belt buckles, etc and including hooks, buttons and/or hook-and- loop-type fasteners (e.g. Velcro®) . Fasteners may be secured with securing means, e.g. a strap extending from one fastened end looped around an opposite fastened end and fastened onto itself .

Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise .

Claims

CI !MS

1. An assembly comprising a chair (7} having a seat (9) and a backrest (11) , and a harness (1) for supporting a person (13) seated on the chair,

wherein the harness comprises a first band (3) and a second band. (5) ,

wherein the first band has a first portion (15) extending over at least a portion of the backrest to support the harness, and a second portion (17) forming at least part of a crotch por ion (19) which is fastened to the second band in a front portion {21· in front of the seated person,

wherein the second band, in use, forms a loop (27) extending around the torso of the seated person and the backrest for supporting the seated person,

wherein the first and second bands are fastened to eac other also in a rear portion (31) behind the backrest,

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the length of the first band (3) between the front and rear portions (21, 31) is adjustable.

3. The assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second band (5) comprises a fastener (23) for opening and closing the loop.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the fastener (23) comprises mated fastener parts (23A, 23B) attached at or near opposite ends (25.A, 25B)of the second band (5) .

5. The assembly according to claim 3 or 4_t wherein the fastener (23) is arranged and/or arrangeabie behind the backrest (11) . o. The assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the size of the loop (27) of the second band. (5) is adjustable . 7, The assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first, and second bands (3, 5) are releasably fastened to each other in the front a d,/or rear portions {21, 31) .

8 > The assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second bands (3, 5) are releasably fastened to each othe in the front and./or rea portions (21, 31} .

9, The assembly according to claim 8, wherein at least part of the first and/ or second band (3, 5) is padded.

10, The assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and/or second band (3, 5) is widened at or near the front portion.

11, The assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least a part (15) of the first band (3) extending over the backrest i widened with respect to at least part of the crotch portion (19).

12, The assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the harness (1) comprises a further band (37! fastened to the first band (3) and forming a loop (39) encircling at least a portion of the chair (7).

13, The assembly according to claim .12, wherein the further band (37) is detachablv fastened to the first band.

14, The assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the further band (3^"?) is detachably fastenabie to the first band (3) in plural positions and/or is raovably fastened being movable along at least, part, of the first band. 15, Harness (1) for use in an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims , comprising a f st band (3) and a second band (5) ,

wherein the first band has a first portion (15) configured to extend over at least a portion of the backrest

(11) of the chair (7) to support the harness, and a second portion (17) configured to form at least part of a crotch portion (19) which is fastened to the second band in a front portion (21) to be arranged in front of the seated person (13) to be supported, when in use,

wherein the second band, is configured to form a loop (27) extending, when in use, around the torso of the seated person and the backrest for supporting the seated person,

wherein the first and second bands are fastened to each other also in a rear portion (31) to be arranged behind the backrest, when in use.