Abstract:
A restraint safety device. A chest clip is slidingly attached to a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap. The chest clip includes a first chest clip half removably attached to a second chest clip half. A child resistant lock prevents a child from inadvertently detaching the first chest clip half from the second chest clip half In a preferred embodiment the child resistant lock includes a squeezable threaded cap that locks the first chest clip half to the second chest clip half and is removable by an adult when squeezed and turned. In another preferred embodiment the child resistant lock includes a cover lock that locks the first chest clip half to the second chest clip half via prongs and is removable when an adult squeezes the prongs and lifts the cover lock. In another preferred embodiment the child resistant lock includes a cap that covers a press release button. By an adult pressing down on the cap and turning the cap, the press release button is pressed and the first chest clip half can be separated from the second chest clip half. In another preferred embodiment, at least one chest clip stop is attached to each shoulder strap. The chest clip stops function to prevent or limit the sliding of the chest clip and to keep the chest clip properly positioned over the user&#39;s chest. In another preferred embodiment, dialable tumblers retain a male insertion piece inside a female receptor. In order to remove the male insertion piece from the female receptor a parent dials the dialable tumblers until they are properly aligned.

Description:
The present invention relates to restraint safety devices, and in particular, to child safety harness systems. This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 11/267,688 filed Nov. 4, 2005, now abandoned, the specification of which is herein incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   All states in the U.S. have laws of varying requirements regarding child safety seats for automobiles. For example, in California children must be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint (safety seat or booster seat) in the back seat of a vehicle until they are at least 6 years old or weigh at least 60 pounds. 
     FIG. 1A  shows prior art child car seat  1  and  FIG. 1B  shows a child strapped into prior art child car seat  1 . Car seat  1  utilizes popular 5-point harness system  2  to secure the child. The 5-point harness system includes five straps: two shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B, two hip straps  4 A and  4 B, and  1  crotch strap  5 . The length of shoulder straps  3 A,  3 B and hip straps  4 A,  4 B can be adjusted by pressing latch  91  to release compressive pressure on strap  92 . Prior art child seat  1  is available from the Evenflow Corporation with Offices in Piqua, Ohio, Model No. 3261420. 
   After placing the child into the car seat, crotch strap  5  is drawn upwards between the child&#39;s legs and buckle tongues  7  ( FIG. 2 ) are slid into buckle  6 . Clip half  9 A and Clip half  9 B ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ) are snapped together to form chest clip  8  ( FIG. 1B ). Both halves  9 A and  9 B of chest clip  8  are free to slide up or down shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B so that clip  8  is appropriately positioned over the child&#39;s chest. 
   Applicants have discovered dangerous problems with the car seat design described above. 
   What is needed is a more reliable child safety seat. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a restraint safety device. A chest clip is slidingly attached to a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap. The chest clip includes a first chest clip half removably attached to a second chest clip half. A child resistant lock prevents a child from inadvertently detaching the first chest clip half from the second chest clip half. In a preferred embodiment the child resistant lock includes a squeezable threaded cap that locks the first chest clip half to the second chest clip half and is removable by an adult when squeezed and turned. In another preferred embodiment the child resistant lock includes a cover lock that locks the first chest clip half to the second chest clip half via prongs and is removable when an adult squeezes the prongs and lifts the cover lock. In another preferred embodiment the child resistant lock includes a cap that covers a press release button. By an adult pressing down on the cap and turning the cap, the press release button is pressed and the first chest clip half can be separated from the second chest clip half. In another preferred embodiment, at least one chest clip stop is attached to each shoulder strap. The chest clip stops function to prevent or limit the sliding of the chest clip and to keep the chest clip properly positioned over the user&#39;s chest. In another preferred embodiment, dialable tumblers retain a male insertion piece inside a female receptor. In order to remove the male insertion piece from the female receptor a parent dials the dialable tumblers until they are properly aligned. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1-4  show a prior art child safety seat. 
       FIGS. 5-7D  show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 8-11A  show a preferred method for attaching preferred chest clip stops to the shoulder straps. 
       FIG. 11B  shows a preferred method for removing chest clip stops. 
       FIGS. 12-15  show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 18-20  show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 21-24  show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 25-35  show a prior art child resistant cap. 
       FIGS. 36-41  show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 42-44B  show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 45  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 46-49  show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 50-53  show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 54-58  show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 59-66  show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A Problem 
     FIG. 4  illustrates a dangerous problem associated with prior art child car seats, which was discovered by one of the Applicants. 
   In  FIG. 4 , the child has grabbed chest clip  8  and has slid it down shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B so that it is no longer appropriately positioned over the child&#39;s chest, but instead is near buckle  6 . The act of sliding chest clip  8  down shoulder straps  4  puts the child in a position of increased danger. For example, the child has wiggled her shoulders so that her upper body is no longer covered by shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B. At this point, if the automobile is involved in an accident, the child could potentially suffer head and/or neck injuries, which may include skull fractures, broken neck and jaw fractures, as well as injuries resulting from what is known as “Seat Belt Syndrome”. Seat Belt Syndrome has been characterized as a collection of injuries specifically resulting from passengers who were only wearing lap belts upon the impact of a vehicle crash. Injuries typically include: severe abdominal injuries, fractures of the lumbar spine and serious closed head and facial injuries-or even death because the upper body is no longer restrained. 
   Furthermore, from the position shown in  FIG. 4  it is possible for the child to climb out of the 5-point harness system, placing her in even greater danger. If the child climbs out of the car seat and the car is involved in an accident, even a relatively minor accident, the child could suffer severe life threatening injuries. 
   The Solution 
     FIG. 5  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Child safety seat  10  includes 5-point harness system  12 . In 5-point harness system  12 , chest clip  8  has been replaced with chest clip  18  and buttons  19  have been attached to shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B. In the first preferred embodiment, buttons  19  function as chest clip stops in that they stop the child from sliding chest clip  18  downward or upward, enabling chest clip  18  to remain appropriately positioned over the child&#39;s chest. Because chest clip  18  stays positioned over the child&#39;s chest, the child is prevented from escaping from the 5-point harness system and remains securely protected by the car seat harness system. 
   Chest Clip 
   A front view of preferred chest clip  18  is shown in  FIG. 7A  and a rear view is shown in  FIG. 7B . In a preferred embodiment, clip half  61 A can be removed from shoulder strap  3 A and clip half  61 B can be removed from shoulder strap  3 B. 
   Buttons Attached to Shoulder Straps 
     FIG. 6  shows of chest clip  18  and buttons  19 . As stated above, buttons  19  prevent the child from sliding clip  18  downwards or upwards. If the child attempts to move chest clip  18 , the chest clip will contact the buttons  19  and the movement of chest clip  18  will be blocked by the buttons. Preferably, buttons  19  should be of sufficient thickness and diameter to prevent chest clip  18  from sliding over the buttons. A preferred portion of chest clip  18  located just underneath the cover of chest clip  18  is shown in dotted line in  FIG. 6 . 
   Preferred Method of Attaching the Buttons to the Shoulder Straps 
     FIGS. 8-11A  show a preferred method for attaching buttons  19  to the shoulder straps. 
   In  FIG. 8 , hole  14  has been punched through shoulder strap  3 A. 
   In  FIG. 9 , upper part  19 A of button  19  has been positioned over hole  14 . Lower part  19 B has been positioned under hole  14 . Upper part  19 A preferably includes ductile plastic barb  33 . 
   In  FIG. 10 , barb  33  has been pushed through hole  14  and partially pushed through the hole in lower portion  19 B. 
   In  FIG. 11A , barb  33  has been pushed the rest of the way through the hole in lower portion  19 B. Barb  33  is preferably ductile enough so that it can be squeezed through the hole in lower part  19 B yet sufficiently firm so that it prevents lower portion  19 B from separating after barb  33  has been completely pushed through the hole. 
   Buttons Permanently Attached to Shoulder Straps 
   In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-7B , buttons  19  are permanently attached to shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B in a manner similar to that shown in  FIGS. 8-11B . As the child grows (or if a larger child uses the car seat), it will most likely be necessary to adjust the length of shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B and the length of hip straps  4 A and  4 B. Also, it may be necessary to adjust the position of chest clip  18  so that it remains appropriately positioned over the child&#39;s chest. 
   Because buttons  19  are intended to be permanently attached, an adult will need to remove chest clip  18  from shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B prior to repositioning chest clip  18 . As shown in  FIG. 7B , clip half  61 B of chest clip  18  includes openings  61 B 1  and  61 B 2 . Likewise, clip half  61 A includes openings  61 A 1  and  61 A 2 . To remove clip halves  61 A and  61 B from the shoulder straps, an adult slides straps  3 A and  3 B out through the openings. 
   For example,  FIG. 5  shows a 3 year old child strapped in child car seat  10 . Chest clip  18  is positioned as shown. Prior to placing a larger child (for example, a 6 year old child) into the car seat, the adult will need to increase the length of shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B and hip straps  4 A and  4 B. Accordingly, chest clip  18  has been raised so that it is positioned between a different set of buttons  19 , as shown in  FIGS. 7C and 7D . The position of chest clip  18  has been adjusted so that it will now be appropriately positioned over the larger child&#39;s chest. 
   Buttons Removably Attached to the Shoulder Straps 
     FIG. 12  shows infant car safety seat  50  having 3-point harness system  51 . 3-point harness system includes shoulder straps  52 A and  52 B and crotch strap  53 . 
   An infant grows very fast and will commonly double their birth weight in the first 4 to 5 months of life. To accommodate the infant&#39;s fast growth, the shoulder straps of car safety seat  50  may need to be adjusted every 2 to 3 weeks. Because the alignment between relative positions on strap  52 A and  52 B shifts as the straps are being lengthened it is preferable to remove buttons  19  prior to adjusting the lengths of straps  52 A and  52 B. Then, buttons  19  should be reattached after the lengths of straps  52 A and  52 B have been adjusted. 
   For example,  FIG. 13  shows a simplified top view of shoulder straps  52 A and  52 B of car seat  50 . 
   In  FIG. 14 , an adult has removed buttons  19 . A preferred method for removing buttons  19  is shown in  FIG. 11B . Hard flat tool  65  is inserted between strap  3 A and backing  19 B. Backing  19 B is then pried off. 
   Then, as shown in  FIG. 14 , an adult has reached behind car seat  50  and has pressed button  55  of latch  56 . This releases compressive pressure on strap  52 B and has allowed the adult to pull strap  52 B in the direction indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 14  to lengthen shoulder straps  52 B and  52 A. 
   In  FIG. 15 , the adult has appropriately adjusted the position of chest clip  8  and has reattached buttons  19  in a fashion similar to that described above in reference to  FIGS. 8-11A . 
   Alternate Applications 
   Although the above preferred embodiments specifically showed how the present invention can be utilized for child safety seat harnesses, it can likewise be utilized for a variety of other applications. For example, buttons  19  (or a similar stop) can be utilized for but not limited to preventing sliding of a chest clip for the following devices: an infant/toddler front carrier, a stroller, a grocery cart infant seat, a highchair, an infant/toddler backpack carrier, car booster seats, a jogging stroller. There are adult applications for the present invention as well. For example, automobile race car drivers usually utilize shoulder straps as part of their safety harnessing system. Buttons  19  attached to the shoulder straps of an automobile racer can prevent unwanted sliding of a chest clip. This idea could also apply to outdoor recreational safety gear as well as safety restraints used by medical personnel. 
   Decorative Buttons 
   In another preferred embodiment, buttons  19  include a design on the front that is decorative and visually appealing to enhance the attractiveness of the car seat. 
   Decorative Chest Clip Cover 
   In another preferred embodiment, chest clip  18  ( FIG. 6 ) includes cover  87  ( FIG. 17 ) that preferably includes the logo of the seat supplier. 
   Snaps as Chest Clip Stops 
   In another preferred embodiment, snaps are utilized as chest clip stops. For example,  FIG. 21  shows chest clip stop halves  156   a  and  156   b  snapped to shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B. Snaps  157  are attached to shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B. 
   In  FIG. 22 , the parent has unsnapped chest clip stop half  156   a  from shoulder strap  3 A. The parent then also unsnaps chest clip stop half  156   b  in a similar manner. 
   In  FIG. 23 , the parent has snapped chest clip stop halves  156   a  and  156   b  back onto shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B in different positions.  FIG. 24  shows a side view of chest clip stop half  156 a snapped onto strap  3 A. 
   A Second Problem 
   Applicants have also discovered another problem with prior art child car seats. As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , to remove a child from car seat  1 , an adult squeezes release tabs  41  to unlock chest clip  8 . This will cause halves  9 A and  9 B to separate to the position shown in  FIG. 3A . The child can then be easily removed from the car seat. Unfortunately, however, Applicants have discovered that even very young children are able to successfully squeeze tabs  41  and separate halves  9 A and  9 B. The child is then not properly restrained and is susceptible to serious injury. Often, because it is so easily accomplished by the child, the adult who is driving the car may not even be aware that the child has squeezed release tabs  41  and is in danger. 
   In response to this problem, Applicants have developed a chest clip that includes a child resistant lock. The child resistant lock is extremely difficult for a child to unlock during normal everyday usage. 
   Prior Art Child Resistant Caps 
   It is known in the prior art to place medicine in bottles that include child resistant caps. For example,  FIGS. 25-35  show the usage of child resistant cap  151  with medicine bottle  152 . Pills are placed inside bottle  152  and cap  151  is tightened down so that it covers the opening of bottle  152 . 
   To tighten cap  151  on bottle  152 , cap  151  is placed on the top of bottle  152  so that threads  153  mesh with threads  154 . Cap  151  is then turned clockwise. 
   In  FIG. 31 , cap  151  has been turned clockwise to the point that tabs  155  are immediately adjacent stops  156 . 
   In  FIG. 32 , cap  151  has been turned slightly clockwise from the position shown in  FIG. 31 . Cap  151  is in the general shape of an ellipse. Tabs  155  have contacted stops  156  and have been forced outward by stops  156 . 
   In  FIG. 33 , cap  151  has been turned slightly clockwise from the position shown in  FIG. 32 . Tabs  33  have almost cleared stops  156 . 
   In  FIG. 34 , cap  151  has been turned slightly clockwise from the position shown in  FIG. 33 . In  FIG. 34 , tabs  155  have cleared stops  156 . Cap  151  is in the general shape of a cylinder. Cap  151  is now locked in position with tabs  155  behind stops  156 . Most young children are now unable to turn cap  151  counterclockwise because of stops  156  adjacent tabs  155 . 
   By squeezing cap  151  at the area indicated by the arrows, an adult can put cap  151  in the general shape of an ellipse, as shown in  FIG. 35 . Tabs  155  can now clear stops  156 . Cap  151  can now be turned counterclockwise so that it can be removed from the top of bottle  152 . 
   A Solution 
   Chest Clips with Child Resistant Locks 
     FIG. 36  shows chest clip  160 . Chest clip  160  is very similar to the chest clip discussed above in detail in reference to  FIGS. 7A-7D  with an exception being that chest clip  160  also includes child resistant lock  161 . Child resistant lock  161  includes lock half  161 A mounted onto chest clip half  160 A and lock half  161 B mounted onto chest clip half  160 B (see also  FIG. 37 ). When chest clip half  160 A is snapped together with chest clip half  160 B, lock halves  161 A and  161 B form together in the general shape of a cylinder as shown in  FIG. 38 . 
   In  FIG. 39 , threaded cap  167  has been tightened on top of lock  161 . Chest clip  160  is now locked. If a child squeezed tabs  169  together, Chest clip  160  would still remain locked by lock  161 . 
     FIGS. 40-41  show the internal mechanisms of cap  167  and illustrate the locking of chest clip  160 . Lock  161  operates in a manner similar to prior art bottle  152  shown in  FIGS. 25-35 . 
   In  FIG. 40 , cap  167  has been tightened on top of lock  161 . Cap  167  is in the general shape of a cylinder. Cap  161  is locked in position with tabs  175  behind lock stops  165 . Most young children are now unable to turn cap  167  counterclockwise because of lock stops  165  adjacent tabs  175 . 
   In  FIG. 41 , by squeezing cap  167  at the area indicated by the arrows, an adult can put cap  167  in the general shape of an ellipse. Tabs  175  can now clear lock stops  165 . Cap  167  can now be turned counterclockwise so that it can be removed from the top of chest clip  160 . Once cap  167  is removed from chest clip  160 , chest clip  160  can be pulled easily apart after squeezing tabs  169  so that it is in the position shown in  FIG. 36 . 
   Chest Clip with Cap Retainer 
     FIGS. 42-43  show a preferred embodiment of the present invention that also includes cap retainer  180 . By utilizing the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 42-44 , it is unlikely that cap  167  will become inadvertently lost. 
   Preferably cap retainer  180  is a pin that extends downward from cap  167  through hole  182 . Cap retainer  180  includes end piece  184  that has a diameter larger than the diameter of hole  182 . End piece  184  keeps cap  167  attached to clip  160  even after cap  167  has been unthreaded from top portion  185 , as shown in  FIG. 44 . 
     FIG. 44B  shows another cap retainer in which cap  167  is attached to top portion  185  via strap  197 . 
   Alternate Chest Clip 
   Even though  FIGS. 36-44  show lock  161  being utilized with a specific chest clip, it should be understood that lock  161  can be also utilized with a variety of chest clip types. For example,  FIG. 45  shows lock  161  attached to chest clip  190 . Chest clip  190  is very similar to the prior art chest clip shown in  FIG. 3A . 
   Chest Clip with Cover Lock 
     FIGS. 46-49  show a top view of chest clip  200 . Chest clip  200  includes cover lock  202 . Cover lock  202  is another example of a child resistant lock. Prongs  203  are attached to the top of chest clip  200 . Cover lock  202  includes holes  204 . As shown in  FIG. 48 , cover lock  202  is set down on top of chest clip  200  with prongs  203  extending through holes  204 . While on top of chest clip  200 , cover lock  202  prevents a child from unlocking and opening chest clip  200 . An adult can remove cover lock  202  from chest clip  200  by squeezing flexible prongs  203  together and lifting upward on cover lock  202 . When flexible prongs  203  are squeezed as shown, prongs  203  easily slide through holes  204 . 
   Chest Clip with Alternate Child Resistant Lock 
     FIGS. 50 and 51  show an example of prior art chest clip  210 . As shown in  FIG. 50 , press-release button  211  is connected to half  210 B by flexible arm  212 . When press-release button  211  is pressed downward, it releases half  210 B from half  210 A and chest clip  210  is easily pulled apart. Unfortunately, very young children are able to easily press press-release button  211  while buckled in their car seat, and thereby get up from the car seat. 
     FIG. 52  shows chest clip  215 . Chest clip  215  has been modified so that press-release button  217  is under cap  220 . A side view of cap  220  is shown in  FIG. 53 . Upper cap portion  220 A is connected to half  215 A via spring-loaded compression pin  222 . As shown in  FIG. 53 , spring loaded compression spring is at its full extension. An enlarged view of compression pin  222  internal compression spring  223  is shown in  FIG. 53B . Nut  226  forces upper cap portion  220 A up against the head of compression pin  225 . Compression spring  228  extends between lower cap portion  220 B and half  215 A. As shown in  FIG. 53 , compression spring  228  is at its full extension. Extension piece  230  extends downward from the bottom of lower cap portion  220 B. 
   In contrast to the prior art chest clip shown in  FIGS. 50-51 , press-release button  217  is covered by cap  220 . Therefore, a child is unable to press button  217  and inadvertently open chest clip  215 . If a child turns cap  220  in any direction about the axis formed by compression pin  222 , upper cap portion  220 A will spin. However, lower cap portion  220 B will remain essentially stationary due to friction caused by pin  228 . Since, lower cap portion will remain essentially stationary and since the lowest surface of extension piece  230  is higher than the highest surface of press-release button  217 , there is essentially no danger of a child inadvertently pressing press-release button  217  and opening chest clip  215 . 
     FIGS. 54-58  illustrate the procedures by which an adult can open chest clip  215 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 55 , an adult presses down on upper cap portion  220 A. This causes the upper cap portion to bend down and compression pin  222  and spring  228  to compress. The adult then turns upper cap portion  220 A in either direction until male extension members  250  mate with female slots  231 .  FIG. 56  is a bottom view of the bottom of upper cap portion  220 A showing a preferred arrangement of male extension members  250 .  FIG. 57  is a top view of the top of lower cap portion  220 B showing a preferred arrangement of female slots  231 . Once male extension members  250  have mated with female slots  231 , lower cap portion will turn along with upper cap portion  220 A. The adult then continues to turn upper cap portion  220 A until extension piece  230  contacts press-release button  217 . When extension piece  230  is positioned directly over press-release button  217 , press-release button  217  is in the position shown in  FIG. 55 . Half  215 A can then easily be pulled apart from half  215 B. 
   Chest Clip with Other Alternate Child Resistant Lock 
   Combination bicycle locks are known in the prior art. One such lock is manufactured by Master Lock Company, Part No. ML72202. To open a prior art combination bicycle lock a specific sequence of numbers must be first correctly dialed. 
     FIGS. 59-63  show another alternate child resistant lock. Child resistant lock  460  includes male insertion piece  420 , female receptor  425  and dial  410 . Male insertion piece  420  includes tabs  421 ,  422  and  423  ( FIG. 59 ). Dial  410  includes numbered tumblers  411 ,  412 , and  413 . Alternatively, tumblers  411 ,  412  and  413  could be color-coded. For example, “red” would indicate locked and “green” would indicate open. 
     FIG. 60  shows an end view of male insertion piece  420  inserted into dial  410 . Numbered tumbler  411  has been dialed such that cutout  411   a  is aligned with tab  421 , allowing for proper insertion of male insertion piece  420 . Likewise, tumblers  412  and  413  have been similarly aligned to allow of proper insertion of male insertion piece  420 . 
   In  FIG. 61 , tumbler  411  has been turned so that it is now not aligned with tab  421 . Rather, tab  421  is blocked by tumbler  411  so that male insertion piece  420  cannot be pulled out of dial  410 . For example, in  FIG. 62  male insertion piece  420  has been fully inserted into dial  410 . Tumblers  411 ,  412  and  413  have been turned. A child now will be unable to pull apart his chest clip without an adult first-dialing in the appropriate combination. 
   In  FIG. 63 , an adult has dialed in the appropriate combination. The adult can now pull apart the chest clip so that it is in the position shown in  FIG. 59 . 
   Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the above preferred embodiments showed a plurality of chest clip stops on the shoulder straps, it would be possible to prevent or limit the sliding of the chest clip by utilizing just one chest clip stop. Also, although the above preferred embodiments showed buttons  19  attached to shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B, it would be possible to attach other objects to the shoulder straps to prevent the chest clip from sliding. For example,  FIG. 16  shows safety pin  80  attached to shoulder strap  3 A. Safety pin  80  would stop the sliding of chest clip  8  or  18  in a manner similar to buttons  19 . Preferably, a plurality of safety pins would be utilized and they would be attached above and below the chest clip in a fashion similar to buttons  19  shown in  FIG. 15 . Also, a simple stop in the general shape of a hair barrette can be designed to operate as a chest clip stop. For example,  FIG. 18  shows chest clip stop  97  clamped down onto shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B. Also,  FIG. 19  shows a front view of chest clip stop  97  opened and  FIG. 20  shows a front view of chest clip stop  97  clamped down onto shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B. With chest clip stop  97 , there is no need to modify clip halves  9 A and  9 B shown in  FIG. 3A . Also, it should be noted that a variety of objects that penetrate the shoulder straps other than a button or a safety pin could be utilized. Some of the many possibilities include a paper clip, a thumb tack, or a pin. If a thumb tack or a pin is utilized the sharp end should be covered with a backing. For example, a preferred backing would screw onto the sharp end of the pin or thumb tack. Also, in addition to the hair barrette shown in  FIGS. 18-20 , other devices that wrap around the shoulder straps can also be utilized as chest clip stops. For example, fabric can be tied tightly around the shoulder straps. Or duct tape wrapped around the shoulder straps can function as a chest clip stop. Also, it would be possible to run the shoulder straps through a plurality of buckles and utilize the buckles as chest clip stops. Also, it would be possible to attach to the chest clip an object designed to minimize or prevent the sliding or movement of the clip. This object would serve as a redundancy feature that would operate to prevent the sliding and movement of the chest clip in addition to the chest clip stops. For example, the chest clip could include teeth such as teeth on a hair barrette (see  FIGS. 18-20 ), or a non-skid type of rubber or plastic. Also, in another preferred embodiment, shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B each include a plurality of prefabricated holes (such as hole  14  shown in  FIG. 8 ). The parent then may then install, remove and replace chest clip stops of whatever form is appealing to the parent (for example, buttons, pins with backings, buckles, safety pins, hair barrettes, etc.). Also, it should be noted that it would be possible to attach buttons  19  in a variety of ways. For example, buttons  19  can be sewn onto shoulder straps  3 A and  3 B with a needle and thread at the exact position that the parent desires. Then, if it ever becomes necessary to adjust the location of the chest clip, the parent merely need to just cut the thread and move the buttons to the desired location and sew them onto the straps again. By sewing buttons onto the shoulder straps and then re-sewing them at different locations, there is no need to modify clip halves  9 A and  9 B shown in  FIG. 3A . Also, above in the specification in reference to  FIGS. 12-15  it is described how buttons  19  are removed when the length of shoulder straps  52 A and  52 B are adjusted and the position of chest clip  18  is adjusted. It should be recognized that it would also be possible to attach a plurality of buttons  19  to shoulder straps  52 A and  52 B. Then, to adjust the length of shoulder straps  52 A and  52 B the buttons can remain attached to the shoulder straps and the chest clip would be removed and reattached appropriately in a fashion similar to that described above in reference to  FIGS. 7A-7D . Also, although  FIGS. 59-63  show a numbered combination dial  410 , it would also be possible to color-code the dial or use symbols. For example, a color-coded dial would preferably be color-coded red and green. When the tumblers were properly aligned to allow male insertion piece  420  to be removed, the tumblers would all indicate “green” ( FIG. 65 ). Alternatively, when the tumblers were aligned to prevent removal of male insertion piece  420 , the tumblers would indicate “red” ( FIG. 64 ). In another preferred embodiment, the tumblers are marked with symbols. For example, in  FIG. 66 , the tumblers indicate the symbol “X” to represent that the tumblers are aligned to prevent removal of male insertion piece  420 . To remove male insertion piece  420 , the parent would dial the tumblers so that they indicate the symbol “O”. Therefore, the attached claims and their legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention.