WO1988000848A1

WO1988000848A1 - Cushioning pad for a strap

Info

Publication number: WO1988000848A1
Application number: PCT/AU1987/000242
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Carbray
Original assignee: William Carbray
Priority date: 1986-07-30
Filing date: 1987-07-30
Publication date: 1988-02-11

Abstract

A cushioning device (10; 100) for cushioning frictional contact between the edge (32, 34) of a portion of a strap (26) and a portion of the body of a user comprising a first portion (28, 128) and a second portion (30; 130) arranged to be connected together at opposed longitudinal edges (20, 22, 120, 122) via connection means (16, 18; 116, 118, 140, 142) such that said cushioning device may be associated with a portion of a strap (26) wherein at least the portion of the cushioning device (10; 100) that covers one edge (32, 34) of said portion of said strap (26) is a substantially soft cushioning material.

Description

TITLE CUSHIONING PAD FOR A STRAP DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a cushioning device. ⁴ 5 The cushioning device is generally of a type that may be placed on a portion of a strap that would normally come into contact with the body of a user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION In many situations a person using a harness or belt assembly l^'O for a particular activity or reason is confronted with an edge of a portion of a strap of the harness or belt assembly coming into contact with the user's body. This commonly occurs where a strap passes over a shoulder of the user and ^•crosses the user's body to the other side thereof. The 15 passage of the strap over the shoulder often results in the . edge of a portion of the strap coming into contact with the neck region of the user's body, as the neck is generally exposed.

The skin of the neck area is not very hardy, and the front 2.0. and: side portions is generally quite sensitive.

The frictional movement of the edge of a strap and the pressure of the strap on the user's neck can cause severe discomfort resulting in chaffing and blistering of the skin. The problem may become acute where the strap must be s^~~- 25 worn for prolonged periods.

One example of such a situation is in regard to the safety harness that is now becoming widely accepted as being required to be worn by occupants of motor vehicles. Such safety harnesses comprises a lap strap that passes over one hip to the other hip of a user, below the user's waist, and another strap that passes from behind the shoulder of the user across the front of the user's body to the other side thereof to be coupled with a buckle assembly in the

5 region of a hip of the user.

The passage of the strap 'over the shoulder of the user may cause the edge of a portion of the strap to come into contact with the users neck. The normal movements of the user- in the vehicle cause frictional movement of the strap

10 against the user's neck.

The problem is more severe when such a safety harness is worn by children or the elderly. Due to their generally reduced stature, the edge of a portion of the strap may be continually rubbing, against their neck and face.' '-.15 -This can cause severe irritation particularly when travelling during hot weather and long journeys during which the occupant/user must wear the safety harness for prolonged periods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

20 ^' In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a cushioning device for cushioning frictional contact between the edge of a portion of a strap and a portion of the body of a user comprising a first portion and second portion arranged to be connected together at opposed

25 longitudinal edges via connection means such that said cushioning device may be associated with a portion of a strap wherein at least the portion of the cushioning device that covers one edge of said portion of said strap is of a ; substantially soft cushioning material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a cushioning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention in the first stage of being attached around a strap; Figure 2 shows an end view of the cushioning device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows the cushioning device of Figure 1 in place around a strap of a safety harness in a motor vehicle being worn by an occupant of the motor vehicle.; Figure 4 shows a cushioning device according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a first sta"ge of being attached around a strap; and

Figure 5 shows the cushioning device of the first or second embodiments be_ting used to form a cushion. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, there is shown a cushioning device 10 comprising an inner face 12 and an outer face 14. The inner face 12 is provided with connection means 16 and 18. The connection means 16 and 18 may be located at respective longitudinal edges 20 and 22 of the cushioning device 10, on the inner face 12.

The cushioning device 10 is provided with a longitudinal fold line 24 at its mid portion.

The cushioning device 10 is provided with a portion of cushioning material extending longitudinally in the region of the fold line 24. The cushioning material may be provided on the inner face 12 or outer face 14. A portion of cushioning material may be provided on each longitudinal edge 20 and 22 of the cushioning device 10 on the outer face 14 such that the cushioning material extends outwardly of the longitudinal edges 20 and 22. This can be best seen in Figures 1 and 2. Preferably, the outer face 14 is entirely made from or covered by cushioning material, as is the case shown in the drawings. The cushioning material is generally shown by reference numeral 25.

I us^~e-,. a. portion of a strap 26 is placed longitudinally between the fold line 24 and one of the connection means 16, 18 as shown in Figure 1.

The cushioning device 10 is the^'n folded along its fold line 24 such that the longitudinal edges 20 and 22 of the cushioning device 10 are brought together and may be connected by way of the connection means 16 and 18 as shown . in Figure 1.

In this way, the cushioning device 10 defines a first lower portion 28, extending from the fold line 24 to the longitudinal edge 22 and a second upper portion 30, extending from the fold line 24 to the longitudinal edge 20. The cushioning device 10 may thus be surroundingly associated with a portion of the strap 26, such that at least one of the edges 32 and 34 of the strap 26 is covered by the cushioning device 10 in the region of the fold line 24, or in the region of the connected longitudinal edges 20 and 22.

When the cushioning device 10 is placed around a strap 26 in the above described manner, at least one edge 32, 34 of the strap 26 will underlie a region of cushioning material on the of the cushioning device 10. The edge 32, 34 of the - -3 - strap 26 that is selected to underlie the region of cushioning material of the cushioning device 10 is the one that would be directed inwardly of a user's body. In the embodiments wherein the cushioning material is 5 provided both in the region of the fold line 24 and on each longitudinal edge 20 and 22 of the cushioning device 10, and the embodiment wherein the entire outer face is made from, or covered by, a cushioning material, the edge 20, 22 of the strap 26 that would be directed inwardly of a user's body 10 will always underlie a region of the cushioning device 10 having cushioning material thereon.

In Figure 3 there is shown an occupant 36 of a motor vehicle wearing a safety harness.

The safety harness comprises a strap 26 having an edge -34 15 directed outwardly of the body of the occupant 36 and an edge 32 directed inwardly of the body of the occupant 36. The strap 26 passes from behind the shoulder of the occupant 36, across the front of the body of the occupant 36 to the other side thereof and connects with a buckle assembly 20 located in the region of the hip of the occupant 36.

The strap 26 has a cushioning device 10 positioned thereon. In Figure 3 it can be seen that the cushioning device 10 is positioned on the strap 26 so^' as to cover the edge 32 of the portion of the strap 26 that would otherwise come into r* 25 contact with the neck of the occupant 36.

Due to the cushioning material covering this edge, the occupant 36 has a soft surface adjacent the skin of his neck, to prevent discomfort and distress by the bare edge of the ^: strap 26 rubbing agains °the occupant's neck. Further, once the cushioning device 10 is positioned on the strap 26, it is possible to move the cushioning device 10 such that it is positioned at the required position. The frictional contact between the inner face 14 and the strap 26 of the cushioning device 10 is generally sufficient in most situations to retain the cushioning device in the required position on the strap 26 with little slippage. The cushioning material may be a resilient material such as a soft natural or synthetic substance, e.g. fur, wool, fleece, velvet, foam, which provides sufficient cushioning between the body of a user and the edge of a portion of a strap.

The connection means 16 and 18 may be of any suitable form which allows for a releasable connection-, and form a pair of complementary connection means.

In the drawings the connection means 16 and 18 are shown as hook and loop type fastening elements.

However, other forms of connection means may also be used, e.g. stud type fasteners. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 similar reference numerals are used as in Figures 1 to 3 except that in Figure 4 they are preceded by the digit "1".

In an embodiment shown in Figure 4 the cushioning device 100 is formed in two pieces 128 and 130. The pieces 128 and 130 are identical.

The cushioning device 100 is essentially equivalent to cutting the cushioning device 10 along the fold line 24, and providing additional connection means 140 and 142 as shown; The longitudinal edges 144 and 146 that would be thereby formed would be provided with cushioning material on their outer faces 114 and would extend outwardly thereof. The cushioning device 100 would be used in an analogous manner to the cushioning device 10 as hereinabove described. 5 In the case where the entire outer surface of the cushioning device 10, 100 is of a soft cushioning material, the cushioning device 10, 100 could be used to form a small cushion. This could be done as hereinafter described, with reference to Figure 5. 10 Using the cushioning device 10 shown in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 a piece of soft resilient material, may be enclosed between two such cushioning devices 10. The cushioning devices 10 could then be connected by the connection means 16 and 18. 15 The cushioning device 100 shown in the embodiment of Figure • 4 could be used as a cushion by enclosing a piece of soft resilient material between the two pieces 128 and 130. The piece of soft resilient material used for forming the cushion may conveniently be synthetic foam (polyurethane, 20. etc) .

To enhance the ability of the cushioning device of the present invention to be used as a cushion in the above described manner, it may be provided with additional connection means.

<- 25 In the cushioning device 10- of Figures 1 to 3 additional connection means may be provided at the transverse edges of the cushioning device 10 on the inner face 12. The additional connection means would need to be of such component types so that they would form_.a pair of complementary connection components, in similar manner to the connection means 16 and 18.

In the cushioning device 100 shown in Figure 4 each of the pieces 128 and 130 may be provided at its transverse edges with similar additional connection means.

Whilst the cushioning device of the present invention has been described with particular reference to a strap of a safety harness in a motor vehicle, its application is not limited thereto. The cushioning device of the present invention may be used in any situation where the edge of a strap .would come into contact with a portion of the body of a user. A further example of such a situation is the strap of a back-pack that passes over the nape of the neck of a user. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A cushioning device for cushioning frictional contact between the edge of a portion of a strap and a portion of the body of a user comprising a first portion and a second portion arranged to be connected together at opposed longitudinal edges via connection means such that said cushioning device may be associated with a portion of a strap wherein at least the portion of the cushioning device that covers one edge of said portion of said strap is of a substantially soft cushioning material.

2. A cushioning device according to Claim 1, characterised in that said first and second portions are formed integrally and are foldable along a central longitudinal fold line and said connection means are provided on opposed longitudinal^' edges of said first and second portions.

3. A cushioning device according to Claim 1 characterised in that said first and second portions are formed disjointly and connection means are provided on the opposed longitudinal edges of each of said first and second portions.

4. A cushioning device according to Claim 2, characterised in that said substantially soft cushioning material is provided on the outer or inner face of the cushioning device substantially in the region of the central longitudinal fold line.

5. A cushioning device according to any one of Claims 2 or 4, characterised in that said substantially soft cushioning material is provided on the outer face of the cushioning device substantially in the region of the opposed longitudinal edges of said first and second portions.

6^~. A cushioning device according to Claim 3, characterised in that said substantially soft cushioning material is provided on at least one longitudinal edge of each of said first and second portions.

7. A cushioning device according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said substantially soft cushioning material is provided over substantially the entire outer surface of the cushioning device.

8. A cushioning device according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said connection means are of the hook and loop type.

9. A cushioning device according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said soft cushioning material is selected from a group comprising natural or synthetic fur or wool, or foam.

10. A cushion formed by superimposing a cushioning device according to any one of Claims 7 to 9 with another said cushioning device, characterised in that a piece of resilient material is enclosed between said cushioning devices which are connected to one another via said connection means.