WO2004108217A1

WO2004108217A1 - Children's safety apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2004108217A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/002372
Authority: WO
Inventors: Scott Downie
Original assignee: Indigo Imagination Ltd; Scott Downie
Priority date: 2003-06-06
Filing date: 2004-06-03
Publication date: 2004-12-16

Abstract

A child's toy (1) has a body (2) with an opening (3) allowing access to a hollow cavity (4) into which safety apparatus which can be used to lower the infant from an elevated location in the event of an emergency can be located. The safety apparatus typically takes the form of a receiving portion into which the infant can be placed, and extendable means for lowering the receiving portion to the ground.

Description

Children ' s Safety Apparatus

This invention relates generally to the field of safety apparatus for use with infants and children. In particular, the invention relates to apparatus which is portable, appeals to infants and is adapted to carry means for lowering a child or infant from an elevated area .

It is estimated that there are approximately 51,100 house fires across the United Kingdom every year. Many of these are accidental and occur as a result of domestic accidents such as chip pan fires or faulty heating appliances. However, in addition fire service data shows that there has been a continued long term increase in the number of deliberate fires across the UK. It is estimated that in 2001 Local Authority fire brigades attended 1,027,500 fires or false alarms in the United Kingdom, representing a 10% increase compared to 2000. In addition, in 2001 there were an estimated 613 deaths resulting from fires in the United Kingdom. Fire statistics published in 2003 suggest that overall, around 8% of all fire related casualties occur in private dwellings. In 2001, an estimated 486 people died in fires in the home and a further 15,900 were injured.

It will be appreciated that in the event of a fire, it is crucial that persons within the building are evacuated as quickly as possible. This may be difficult if the person is for example on an upper floor in the building and cannot safely get to an exit point on the ground floor. Delay in an evacuation of a building can have fatal consequences. A particular problem lies in the evacuation of infants and small children who may be unable to walk. The method of evacuation currently recommended by the Health & Safety Executive is to throw a mattress out of the window and drop the infant onto the mattress. However it will be appreciated that this method is dangerous in itself.

Although a number of manufacturers have developed specialised apparatus to be used in the event of an evacuation, for example chain ladders which can be thrown out of a window, there is currently no solution for infants and small children who may not be able to use such apparatus.

In addition the aesthetics of current apparatus is rarely taken into account. Apparatus such as chain ladders, tend to be bulky and unattractive, and are usually stored out of sight. As a consequence they may not be readily locatable in the event of a fire. Location of the evacuation apparatus can add a further delay to the evacuation of persons from the building in an emergency situation. It will also be appreciated that whilst chain ladders may be useful to keep within the home, in case of an emergency, they will generally not be carried when the owner travels or goes on holiday.

It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide apparatus which can be used to evacuate an infant from an elevated location, such as the upper floors of a building, in an emergency situation. It is a related object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide apparatus which can be used to lower an infant from a heightened location to the ground.

It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide apparatus for evacuating an infant or small child from a building in the event of a fire, which is portable and can be readily transported.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide apparatus, which can be used to evacuate an infant from an emergency situation which is more aesthetically pleasing than conventional apparatus. Finally it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus which can be used to evacuate an infant from an emergency situation which is portable.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a child's toy, wherein the child's toy has a body adapted to receive safety apparatus which can be used to lower an infant from an elevated position.

Typically the body of the toy includes a hollow cavity adapted to receive the safety apparatus. Preferably none of the safety apparatus is exposed when stored in the hollow cavity of the toy.

The hollow cavity has closure means . The closure means may be a zip, buttons, studs, velcro strips or the like.

Optionally the toy may include a smoke alarm.

Optionally the toy may include one or more light sources .

The child's toy may be a doll, soft toy, figurine or model. The toy may take the form of, for example, an animal, figure or cartoon character.

In the case of a soft toy, the toy has an elastically deformable body manufactured from a soft material . The material may be chosen from the group comprising of, but not limited to; felt, cotton, wool fabric, velvet, synthetic or natural fibres.

Preferably the safety apparatus comprises a receiving portion which is adapted to receive the infant, and one or more extendable means suitable for lowering the receiving portion from the elevated location.

The receiving portion may have restraints to secure the infant when in said receiving portion.

Most preferably the safety apparatus is sized, or can be folded, such that it fits into the body of the toy.

The receiving portion may be a bag, container, holder or netting. The one or more extendable means may be a rope, tape, cable or the like.

A plurality of protuberances may be positioned along the length of the one or more extendable means . Advantageously these act as stops and assist the user in lowering the receiving portion from the elevated location in an incremental, gradual manner.

Each of the one or more extendable means may be wound on a spindle. The spindle provides means for receiving and accommodating the extendable means when not in use. The spindle also allows the extendable means to be extended as appropriate to lower the receiving portion from the elevated location.

When not in use the extendable means is prevented from extending by breaking means. The breaking means is typically a friction lock break.

The safety apparatus also has activation means which may comprise a handle, button or lever. Upon deployment of the activation means the breaking means is released allowing the extendable means to be extended from the spindle.

Preferably the spindle and breaking system are provided in a housing. The housing may have attachment means for a lanyard or the like. The lanyard provides means for attaching the apparatus to the user's wrist, arm or hand or an object.

Preferably the toy is fire resistant. Preferably the safety apparatus is fire resistant.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for lowering an infant from an elevated position, said apparatus comprising a receiving, portion which can receive an infant and one or more extendable means which allow the receiving portion to be lowered from the elevated position.

The receiving portion may be a bag, net, container, holder or other suitable receptacle .

Preferably, the receiving portion adopts an angle of approximately 45 degrees in use. Advantageously this protects the infant's spine and neck.

The receiving portion may be elastically tensioned, such that the weight of the infant closes the receiving portion around the infant's body.

Preferably the receiving portion is manufactured from a fireproof material.

The one or more extendable means may be rope, tape, cord or cable.

The extendable means is typically manufactured from a suitably strong material, such as cotton or metal. The one or more extendable means may be provided with a protective covering.

In a particular embodiment each of the one or more extendable means may be wound on a spindle. The spindle provides means for receiving and accommodating the extendable means when not in use. The spindle also allows the extendable means to be extended as appropriate which in turn allows the receiving portion to be lowered from the elevated location.

When not in use the extendable means is prevented from extending by breaking means . The breaking means is typically a friction lock break.

The activation means may comprise a handle, button or lever. Upon deployment of the activation means the breaking means is released allowing the extendable means to be extended from the spindle.

Alternatively each of the one or more extendable means may be arranged in a pulley system.

Optionally a series of protuberances are provided along the length of the one or more extendable means . Advantageously these act as stops and assist the user in lowering the receiving portion from the elevated location in an incremental, gradual manner. The protuberances may take the form of beads .

The receiving portion may also include internal padding.

The apparatus is preferably adapted to fit within the body of a child's toy. Typically the child's toy has a hollow cavity adapted to receive the apparatus .

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figure of which

Figure 1, is an illustration of the front of a soft toy in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an illustration of the back of a soft toy in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is an example embodiment of the safety apparatus which can be housed in the toy.

Figures 4 and 5 are illustrations of the housing which can be attached to a user's hand, wrist or arm and houses the spindle and breaking means.

The present invention relates to safety apparatus suitable for lowering an infant from an elevated position, for example the upper floor of a building, in an emergency situation. The apparatus is portable and designed in such a manner that it can be transported in an infant friendly manner. Specifically the apparatus consists of a child's toy which can be used to store and transport means for securing and lowering the child from an elevated location to the ground. The child's toy may be a soft toy, doll, figurine, or model. The actual form and appearance which the toy can take is not limited but will typically be designed to appeal to infants and children. For example the toy may take the form of an animal, figure, or cartoon character.

In the Figures a soft toy is illustrated. This embodiment is envisaged to be particularly useful as the safety apparatus is typically for use with small infants. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a soft toy 1 of the type commonly known in the art comprises an elastically deformable body 2, the elastically deformable body 2 having an opening 3 which allows access to a hollow cavity 4 in the interior of the soft toy. The hollow cavity 4 is adapted to receive safety apparatus which can be used to lower the infant from an elevated location to the ground in the event of an emergency. In the depicted embodiment the opening is located at the back of the soft toy (as seen in Figure 2) . However the opening can be positioned at any location on the soft toy.

The hollow cavity has closure means 6, which allows it to be sealed when the safety apparatus is not in use. Typically when the closure means is sealed, the safety apparatus will be completely retained within the body of the toy, in this case the elastically deformable body of the soft toy and no part will be exposed outside of the body. In the depicted embodiment the closure means takes the form of buttons or studs, although any suitable closure means such as velcro or zips could be used. The soft toy will typically be manufactured from a soft pliable material such as felt, cotton, wool, fabric or velvet although any soft material may be used.

The toy may also include an integral smoke alarm which in the presence of smoke or extreme heat may give an audible, visual or other type of warning signal. This will assist third parties to locate the position of the safety apparatus, and also the infant. The toy may also contain one or more integral lights which may be switched on when desired, for example to aid visibility and evacuation in smoke filled environments. The one or more lights may also be adapted to switch on automatically in the presence of smoke, or excessive heat.

The safety apparatus which is housed within the body of the toy is generally depicted at 5 in Figure 3 typically comprises a receiving portion or carrying device 7 which may take the form of a bag, net, container or receptacle into which the infant can be placed. In a preferred embodiment the receiving portion comprises a net manufactured from a fireproof material. The design of the apparatus allows for the bag to be angled in use at approximately 45 degrees. As can be seen from Figure 3 the point of balance of the bag, i.e. the location at which the bag is connected to the extendable means is not central, but rather positioned closed to one end of the bag 20 than the other 19. As a consequence the balance of weight dips and tips the bag naturally to an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The actual "tip" or tilt of the bag will partially be dependent on the weight of the infant. The angle of the bag ensures that the child's spine and neck are not damaged during the evacuation process. The bag may be weighted to ensure that it is angled in this manner. The receiving portion may also have restraints such as straps or belts to secure the infant in place within the receiving portion. The receiving portion is attached to one or more extendable means such as a rope, tape or cord 8 which can be extended in length and can be used to lower the receiving portion, with the infant in place, from an elevated location, for example from an upstairs window to safety on the ground. In the depicted embodiment one extendable means 8 is utilised. The safety apparatus can be folded or inserted into the hollow cavity in the soft toy.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 the apparatus may also comprise a housing generally depicted at 9 which has an attachment point 10 to which a lanyard 29 such as a rope, belt, tape or the like can be attached. The lanyard allows the user to attach the apparatus to their wrist, arm, hand or other object. A further lanyard may also be included which may be attached around the user's waist for addition security. The housing itself is fireproof and suitable for fitting into the body of the toy. Within the housing is a spindle 11 upon which the extendable means 8 may be wound. When not is use the extendable means 8 will be wound around the spindle 11 for storage. The spindle 11 also allows the extendable means to be extended from the housing 9 as appropriate, when the apparatus is activated to allow the receiving portion to be lowered from the elevated location and allows the user to re-wind the extendable means after use.

When not in use the extendable means 8 is prevented from extending by breaking means 12 in the form of a friction lock break. The friction lock brake 12 is kept in place by a spring which is released via deployment of an activation means 13. The housing 9 also comprises a series of rollers 14 which change the angle of the extendable means 8 to allow passage through the friction lock brake 12.

The activation means may comprise a handle, button or lever 13. Upon deployment of the activation means 13 the breaking means is released allowing the extendable means to be extended from the spindle. In the depicted embodiment the activation means is a button, which when depressed releases the brake.

The housing also comprises a metal bar 30 enables greater weight handling by the user. In use, the extendable means passes down the body of the housing from the spindle 11 to the first side of the metal bar 30a and passes underneath. The extendable means is then passed up and across to the second side of metal bar 30b under which it is passed. The metal bar thus allows the extendable means to be passed in a configuration resembling one half of figure of eight to assist in weight handling of the receiving portion when it is being lowered.

A roller 15 is also present to ensure that the extendable means 8 stays aligned with the exit point 16 of the housing and does not affect the operation of the spindle. The location of the exit point is not restricted, but in the depicted embodiment is found on the underside of the bulbous end 31 of the housing. In use, the user will remove the apparatus from the child's toy and attach the lanyard to his or her wrist or arm, or another stationary object and optionally, if a second lanyard is provided, attached this around his or her waist . The infant will be placed in the receiving means, feet first. The user will typically hold the housing with the bulbous end 31 containing the spindle furthest away from his or her body and depress the button 13 to release the braking means and commence extension of the extendable means, thereby lowering the receiving portion with the infant to the ground.

Referring to Figure 3 , an alternative embodiment of the present safety apparatus, which uses a pulley system as opposed to the housing described above, is generally depicted at 5 and comprises a carrying device 7, and extendable means 8. The carrying device 7 in the depicted embodiment takes the form of a netted bag, although it should be appreciated that the form of carrying device is not limited to this.

The infant can be placed inside the carrying means through opening 18, such that the infant's feet are located at position 19, whilst the infant's head is at position 20. Typically the bag is angled in use and in a preferred embodiment is angled at approximately 45 degrees. This ensures that the child's spine and neck are not damaged during the evacuation process. The bag may be weighted to ensure that it is angled in this manner. The bag is elastically tensioned, such that when the infant is inserted into the carrying device 7, the weight of the infant pulls down on the connection point 21, thereby closing the carrying device around the infant. It will be appreciated that this is an advantageous feature as it ensures the infant can be secured in the bag quickly and easily. This will be important in emergency situations where it would be desirable to evacuate the infant as soon as possible. The bag may also have additional means for securing the infant in place in the form of belts or straps. This secures the infant in position in the carrying device of the apparatus for lowering from the heightened location. The bag can be manufactured from any soft pliable material, although preferably the material will be fireproof or have a fireproof coating. The bag may also have additional padding to increase comfort for the infant or child.

The carrying device 7 is connected at connection point 21 to extendable means 8 which takes the form of a rope, net, cord or the like. The extendable means may be of any length, and may be manufactured to suit different heights of buildings. As can be seen from Figure 1, the majority of the extendable means 8 is retained within a protective cylinder 22.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 the extendable means 8 is arranged in a pulley configuration as can be seen in the form of a "Figure of 8" in the Figure. This ensures that the extendable means does not simply "run though" in an uncontrolled manner and allows control of the rate at which the carrying device is lowered. Alternatively the breaking system described above may be utilised. The cylinder has an activation means, which in the depicted embodiment takes the form of a handle 23 with spring mechanism 24. It will be appreciated that the activation means may alternatively take the form of, for example, a button or reel . When the handle is pushed in a downward direction, as depicted by the arrow in Figure 3, the pulley system balances the weight of the extendable means such that the length attached to the carrying device 7 is extended from the cylinder and the carrying device is lowered from the elevated position.

As the apparatus is intended to be used in emergency situations, such as fire, all of the components of the apparatus are manufactured from fireproof materials.

In the event of an emergency such as a fire, an infant can be lowered to safety at ground level from for example a window using the herein described apparatus. The infant will be placed into the net bag 7 feet first, through opening 18. The weight of the infant will close the elastically tensioned netting around the infants body holding him or her securely and at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The net bag 7 can then be lowered out of the window, using handle. When the handle 23 is pushed down on the spring 24 the extendable means is extended via the pulley system. The rope may also have incrementally stop points for example beads or protuberances 25 which allow the retaining device to be lowered gradually and in a controlled manner.

The apparatus is particularly suitable for infants and small children under the age of 2 years old although it will be appreciated that the apparatus may be adapted for use by persons of any age. For example the apparatus may have application in the evacuation of injured persons from elevated areas, such as upper floors of buildings or even hills, mountains etc. Where the apparatus is adapted for use with adults, the retaining device may take the form of a harness or series of straps or belts which can be fastened around the persons body.

The apparatus can be used to lower an infant to safety in a controlled and upright manner.

The advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the safety apparatus can be transported with the infant and therefore will be available for use in an emergency situation regardless of whether the child is in its own home or not. As the apparatus is stored in a specially adapted toy it is envisaged that the infant will actually wish to carry the apparatus with him or her, and therefore in the event of an emergency situation the apparatus can be located quickly. This is in contrast to current apparatus, which is cumbersome and not aesthetically pleasing. The integral alarm within the toy will provide an early warning in the event of a fire and also wake the infant, if asleep. In addition the one or more lights contained within the toy can be used to aid visibility and evacuation in dark, or smoky environments.

The apparatus is suitable for use with any age or weight of infant or small child although typically it is envisaged that the apparatus will have particular application for infants under the age of 2 years old.

Various modifications may be made to the invention here described without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A child ' s toy having a body adapted to receive safety apparatus which can be used to lower an infant from an elevated position to the ground.

2. A child's toy as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the body has a hollow cavity adapted to receive the safety apparatus .

3. A child's toy as claimed in Claim 2, wherein none of the safety apparatus is exposed when stored in the hollow cavity of the toy.

4. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 2 to 3 , wherein the hollow cavity has closure means.

5. A child's toy as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, including a smoke alarm.

6. A child's toy as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, including one or more light sources.

7. A child's toy as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, being a doll.

8. A child's toy as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, being a soft toy.

9. A child ' s toy as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, being a figurine.

10. A child's toy as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims , being a model .

11. A child's toy as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the safety apparatus comprises a receiving portion which is adapted to receive the infant, and one or more extendable means suitable for lowering the receiving portion from the elevated location.

12. A child's toy as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the receiving portion is elastically tensioned.

13. A child's toy as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 12 , wherein the receiving portion has restraints to secure the infant when in said receiving portion.

14. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 13, wherein the receiving portion is a bag.

15. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 13, wherein the receiving portion is a netting.

16. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 15, wherein the extendable means is a rope.

17. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 15, wherein the extendable means is a tape.

18. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 15, wherein the extendable means is a cable.

19. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 18, wherein protuberances are positioned along the length of the extendable means to assist the user in lowering the receiving portion from the elevated location in an incremental, gradual manner.

20. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 19, wherein the safety apparatus has means for receiving and storing the extendable means when not in use.

21. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 20, wherein the means for receiving and storing the extendable means when not in use is a spindle around which the extendable means can be wrapped.

22. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 21, wherein the extendable means is associated with breaking means .

23. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 22, wherein the breaking means is a friction lock break.

24. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 23 wherein the safety apparatus has means for activating the extension of the extendable means.

25. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 24 wherein the means for activating the extension of the extendable means is a button.

26. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 11 to 24 wherein the means for activating the extension of the extendable means is a handle.

27. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 20 to 26 wherein the means for receiving and storing the extendable means when not in use, breaking means and means for activating the extension of the extendable means are provided in a housing.

28. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 27 wherein the housing has attachment means for one or more lanyards .

29. A child's toy as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, which is fire resistant.

30. A child's toy as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the safety apparatus is sized, such that it fits into the body of the toy.

31. A child's toy as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein safety apparatus can be folded, such that it fits into the body of the toy.

32. Apparatus for lowering an infant from an elevated position, said apparatus comprising a receiving portion which can receive an infant and one or more extendable means which allow the receiving portion to be lowered from the elevated position.

33. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 32, wherein the receiving portion is a bag.

34. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 32, wherein the receiving portion is netting.

35. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 32 to 34 wherein the receiving portion adopts an angle of approximately 45 degrees in use.

36. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 32 to 35 wherein the receiving portion is elastically tensioned, such that the weight of the infant closes the receiving portion around the infant's body in use.

37. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 32 to 36 wherein the receiving portion has restraints to secure the infant when in said receiving portion.

38. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 32 to 37 manufactured from a fireproof material .

39. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 32 to 38 wherein the one or more extendable means are ropes.

40. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 32 to 38 wherein the one or more extendable means are tapes.

41. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 32 to 38 wherein the one or more extendable means are cables.

42. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 32 to 41 wherein the one or more extendable means are provided with a protective covering.

43. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 32 to 42, wherein the safety apparatus has means for receiving and storing the extendable means when not in use.

44. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 44, wherein the means for receiving and storing the extendable means when not in use is a spindle around which the extendable means can be wrapped.

45. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 32 to 44, wherein the extendable means is associated with breaking means.

46. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 45, wherein the breaking means is a friction lock break.

47. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 32 to 46 wherein the safety apparatus has means for activating the extension of the extendable means .

48. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 47 wherein the means for activating the extension of the extendable means is a button.

49. A child's toy as claimed in Claim 47 wherein the means for activating the extension of the extendable means is a handle.

50. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 43 to 49 wherein the means for receiving and storing the extendable means when not in use, breaking means and means for activating the extension of the extendable means are provided in a housing.

51. A child's toy as claimed in Claims 50 wherein the housing has attachment means for one or more lanyards.