Patent Abstract:
Restraining apparatus for coupling together two or more users such as children while walking as a group. The apparatus comprises a spine member with lateral attachment arms for coupling the users to the spine member. The spine member is laterally flexible to allow the spine to bend from side to side when corners are being negotiated in use, but has sufficient stiffness in the vertical plane to resist sagging between the users.

Full Description:
This Application is the U.S. National Phase Application of PCT International Application No PCT/GB03/004159 filed Sep. 22, 2003. The present invention relates to restraining apparatus, and especially but not exclusively to apparatus for securing children. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
   It is often difficult to control a group of children and to keep them safe in the group, particularly when taking them for walks or excursions. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the present invention there is provided restraining apparatus for coupling two or more users comprising at least one spine member with at least two lateral attachment members for coupling the users to the spine member, the spine member having two planes, and having more flexibility in one plane than in the other. 
   The spine member can be an elongate rod or plate from which the lateral attachment members extend sideways. The rod or plate is typically inextensible along its long axis and is preferably rigid in its vertical plane but preferably has some lateral resilience, so that it can bend sideways in its horizontal plane with the movement of the users. Lateral resilience in the horizontal plane in use of the device is preferable to lateral resilience in the vertical planes because rigidity in the vertical plane with respect to the user has the benefit that parts of the spine member have a reduced tendency to sag and become trampled underfoot. Therefore, preferred embodiments of the device can bend laterally from side to side in the horizontal plane of the device, but not up and down in the vertical plane of the device. 
   In some embodiments the spine member is axially compressible and/or extensible. Plastics material is suitable for the spine members. Optionally, at least a part of the spine member is made of corrugated plastic. Alternatively, the spine member is made of composite plastics material or rubber. The spine may have a stiffening member, such as a plastics, metal or composite plate covered with the plastics or rubber material, to enhance rigidity in one plane. 
   The spine being flexible and/or compressible allows the users to approach each other and to turn corners. 
   Preferably, the attachment members are securely attached, but in a releasable manner and are typically coupled to the spine member at nodes on the spine member. Preferably, each node has two attachment members. 
   The attachment members are typically arms. The arms may be laterally flexible and/or axially extensible and/or compressible, to absorb sudden forces. In some embodiments they can be rigid or semi-rigid, or preferably non-flexible in some planes but flexible in others. 
   Typically, the attachment members are pivotable with respect to the spine member. Optionally, each attachment member at each node is pivotable with respect to the other attachment member. In preferred embodiments, each node has a pair of attachment members extending laterally from opposite sides of the spine member. It is not necessary to have an attachment member extending from each side of each node; a single node can instead bear a single attachment member. Attachment members can all extend from the same side of the spine member, or from different sides. In one optional embodiment, members are staggered along the spine member. 
   Pivotal attachment members allow users of different heights to share one node. 
   Optionally, two or more spine members are connected together. 
   This allows a long chain of spine members and nodes to be built up, which is useful to connect a large number of users. 
   Preferably, the apparatus also includes harnesses to be worn by each user. Typically, each harness is adapted to releasably engage an attachment member, to attach the user to the spine member. Typically, the harness includes a belt. Optionally, the harness includes a shoulder strap, but simple waist belts would suffice. Preferably, each harness has at least one socket to engage a protrusion on an attachment member, but other attachment formations can be used instead. Optionally, the socket includes a first plate, biased apart from and pivotable relative to a second plate, and pivoting moves the ends of the plates at the socket mouth apart to enlarge the mouth to engage/release an attachment member. Typically, the plates are biased apart by a coil spring. Typically, both plates are pivotable with respect to the socket. Another alternative attachment system could involve moulded plastic ball-joints and sockets, clips, buckles, or other similar connectors that are commercially available. 
   In another aspect the invention provides a method of securing or restraining a person, comprising harnessing the person to a spine member via an attachment member, the spine member having at least two planes, and having a different degree of flexibility in respective planes. 
   Typically more than one person is harnessed to the spine member. 
   In some embodiments the spine and/or the harness can be coloured brightly, and/or can incorporate luminous, reflective and/or light emitting devices such as LEDs and strobes to attract attention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:— 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of six children using a restraining apparatus; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view with the children with the apparatus in a compressed position; 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of the children in a curved configuration; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of a harness worn by each child; 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the apparatus worn by two children of different heights; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view with interior detail of part of the apparatus, showing an arm located in a socket; 
       FIG. 10  is a side view with interior detail of the arm and socket of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view of a node, spine members and attachment means; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 11  with the node secured to the spine members; 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded view of a node of the apparatus, spine members and an alternative attachment means; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 13  with the node secured to the spine members; and 
       FIGS. 15   a - 15   d  show schematic views of different embodiments of the apparatus. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows six children  12  secured together by restraining apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  has two elongate spine members  14 ,  16 . Each node  18 ,  20 ,  22  has two lateral arms  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32 ,  34 . 
   The spine members  14 ,  16  are optionally axially compressible and/or extensible and/or laterally flexible in the horizontal plane of the apparatus in use, to allow the apparatus to bend. This allows the children  12  to approach each other ( FIG. 2 ) and turn corners ( FIG. 3 ). However, the spine members  14 ,  16  are normally inextensible, or at least only very slightly axially resilient, so that the distance between the children cannot increase to any great extent. Also, the spine members are typically comparatively more rigid in the vertical plane than in the horizontal plane, so that the spine does not sag between nodes. 
   Different sizes of apparatus  10  are envisaged, depending on the number of children to be secured. To make a larger version of apparatus  10 , additional spine members and nodes can simply be attached to the apparatus  10 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a harness  36  that is used to attach the children  12  to the apparatus  10 . The harness  36  has a shoulder strap  38  and a belt  40 . The belt  40  is fastened by a simple buckle  42 . The belt  40  also has two sockets  44  for engagement with an arm of the apparatus  10 . Sockets  44  can optionally slide on rails  46  provided in the belt, so that the child can turn sideways with respect to the spine  14 ,  16 . The sockets  44  can typically be switched between a first configuration where they are fixed immovably to the rails  46 , and a second configuration in which they can slide relative to the rails  46 . 
     FIG. 5  shows two different-sized children  12  secured to node  22  by arms  32 ,  34 . Each user  12  is wearing a harness  36 , and a socket  44  in each harness  36  is engaged with an arm  32 ,  34  of the node  22 . The arms  32 ,  34  are pivotable with respect to the node  22 , to allow the different-sized children  12  to be connected to the apparatus  10  without twisting the apparatus  10 . 
   The arms  32 ,  34  can also be axially and laterally resilient so as to resist the transfer of forces between the children connected to the node  22 . 
     FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of apparatus  10 , having spine members  60  connected to each other by single pivot nodes  54 . The spine members typically comprise an elongate strip covered with a non-pvc rubber. The spine members  60  can typically comprise thin sheets of plastic, metal or composite material (such as GRP or carbon fibre), orientated so that in use the sheets lie in the vertical plane. This allows lateral but not vertical flexibility of the spine members. 
   In this embodiment, each node  54  comprises a ring  56  and a rod  58 , which passes through the centre of the ring  56  in a direction parallel to the axis of the spine members  60 . Each pair of arms  62 ,  64  is typically formed as a single piece, having a central bore arranged parallel to the axis of the spine members  60  and shaped to accommodate the rod  58 , which passes through the bore. Each pair of arms  62 ,  64  is pivotal around the rod  58  and is thus pivotable with respect to the spine members  60 , but the arms  62 ,  64  are not pivotable with respect to each other. The ends of arms  62 ,  64  have elongate tabs  65  to engage in the sockets of the harness. Spine members  60  optionally have reflectors  68 , which help the children  12  to be seen in the dark. 
     FIG. 7  shows an embodiment very similar to that of  FIG. 6 , except that the rings  56  of each node  54  are closed or covered, typically by a rubber or plastics gaiter. This could help prevent fingers from becoming trapped in the nodes  54 . In this embodiment the arms  62 ,  64  could be pivotable independently of one another. 
     FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment of apparatus  110 , having a number of spine members  160 , each of which includes a portion of corrugated plastic tubing. The corrugated tubing allows the spine members  160  to bend laterally and to be compressed and stretched axially. The other major difference from the previous embodiment is that the arms  162 ,  164  are pivotable relative to each other, as well as relative to nodes  154 . The arms  162 ,  164  are also typically resilient and can be formed from a rubber material. These arms could of course be used with the earlier embodiments. 
     FIGS. 9 and 10  show views of arm  62  engaged in socket  44 . Inside socket  44  is a grip device  90 , which includes two plates  92 ,  94 , each having an aperture to receive opposite ends of elongate tab  65  on the end of the arm  62 . The plates  92 ,  94  are pivotable about respective pivot points  96 ,  98  and a coil spring  93  held in compression between the plates on one side of the pivot points  96 ,  98  at the end furthest from the socket mouth urges the other ends of the plates together to capture the tab  65  in the apertures. Dual buttons  95 ,  97  are connected to the plate ends above and below the spring  93 . 
   The dual buttons enable release from the apparatus. 
   Simpler connectors are possible, along the lines of buckles or clips conventionally used with backpacks and webbing straps, and any connector to secure the child to the arm can be used. 
     FIGS. 11 to 14  show details of possible connections between nodes  54  and spine members  60 .  FIG. 11  is an exploded view showing spine members  60 , the ends of which terminate in rods that can slide into vertical slots  72  in nodes  54  and are secured therein by bolts  74  or pins. Bolts  74  fit through a first aperture  76  in one side of ring  56 , a corresponding aperture  70  in the end of each spine member  60  and through a second aperture  76  in ring  56 .  FIG. 12  is a non-exploded view of  FIG. 11 . 
     FIG. 13  shows an alternative connection between nodes  54  and spine members  60 . Ring  54  has two end lobes  80 , which each have a cylindrical lateral protrusion  82  in one side. The protrusions  82  are shaped to engage sockets  84  in the ends of spine members  60 . Securing caps  86  attach to the protrusions  82  once they are engaged in sockets  84 . The caps  86  are typically screwed to the protrusions by engaging interior screw threads of the cap  86  with exterior screw threads on the protrusion  82 , but other engagement means could also be used.  FIG. 14  is a non-exploded view of  FIG. 13 . 
   To secure a child to the restraining apparatus  10 , the child  12  puts on a harness  36  and fastens the belt buckle  42 . One of the sockets  44  of the harness  36  is then connected to an arm  24  of the apparatus  10 . This is done by simultaneously pushing socket buttons  95 ,  97 . This compresses the spring  93  and pivots the plates  92 ,  94  so the ends of the plates  92 ,  94  at the socket opening move away from each other. This widens the socket entrance enough to allow the elongate tab  65  to be inserted. Once the tab  65  is aligned with the apertures in the plates  92 ,  94 , the buttons  95 ,  97  are released, which moves the plate ends over the tab  65 , leaving the ends of the tab  65  projecting through the apertures in the plates  92 ,  94 . Thus, the elongate tab  65  is trapped in the socket  44  and the child  12  is secured to apparatus  10 . The procedure is repeated to secure all the children required to respective arms of the apparatus  10 . 
   To disengage a child  12  from the apparatus  10 , the socket buttons  95 ,  97 , are simultaneously compressed and held down. This compresses spring  93 , and pivots the plates  92 ,  94  to widen the socket opening as before. This releases the tab  65  from the apertures in the plates  92 ,  94  and the arm  62  is then pulled out of the socket  44 . The buttons  95 ,  97  are now released and the child takes off the harness  36 . This procedure is repeated to release all children  12  from the apparatus  10 . 
   Modifications and improvements can be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the position of the tabs and sockets could be reversed, i.e. each arm could have a socket and the harness could have a tab to engage the socket. 
   The arm and socket do not have to engage by apertures in plates engaging the arms; any way of attaching the arm to the socket would be adequate, e.g. the arm could screw into the socket. 
   The socket could be replaced by a lock mechanism, requiring a special tool to release the arm, so that a child secured to the apparatus could not release itself. 
   Two sets of apparatus could be used parallel to each other, with a central column of children attached to both apparatus.  FIG. 15  shows a number of different schematic combinations of children  12 , spines  100  and arms  110 . Not all of the nodes need to be provided with arms at each side, nor do all the nodes or arms need to be occupied by children. 
   Embodiments of the invention could be created using a single spine instead of separate spine members (thereby removing the need for nodes) where the arms extend out through apertures in the spine. The harnesses could be permanently attached to the apparatus (instead of releasably attached by the arm and socket connection).

Technology Classification (CPC): 0