GB2362920A

GB2362920A - Child safety catch device

Info

Publication number: GB2362920A
Application number: GB0013198A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Collict
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-01
Filing date: 2000-06-01
Publication date: 2001-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-01
Also published as: GB0013198D0; GB2362920B

Abstract

A device for preventing small children gaining access to kitchen appliances, cupboards doors and the like. The device requires a two handed operation by small children to actuate the catch, which then makes the process of entry to the appliance or cupboard difficult. Older people with larger hands and grip spans are able to operate the device with only one hand, leaving the second hand free to open the door.

Description

n z_. ------ 1 2362920 Child Safety Catch and method.

This invention relates to a device to help prevent small children gaining access to kitchen appliances, cupboards and the like.

The invention has been particularly developed to address the problems found in existing "child locV devices At present, child locks designs are too easy to operate and their method of operation can be learned by the child by watching the adult operate the device, or even working out the method for itself. Present devices rely on the knowledge of their method of operation rather than a mechanical inability to operate on the part of the child.

According to the present invention there is provided a device which solves the problems with existing devices by providing a grip span larger than that generally possible by a child using only one hand and for its operation requires a two handed operation by small children to actuate the catch, which then makes the process of entry to the appliance or cupboard difficult. Older people with larger hands and grip spans are ablp to operate the device with only one hand, leaving the second hand free to open the door.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which, Fig L Shows an overall perspective view of the Child Safety Catch. Referring to fig 1, the device consists of a pair of lever arms (1), mounted pivotally on 0 1 a carrier plate (2), springs (3) to provide a bias to the closed position, pivot location (4) for mounting of lever arms (1) to the carrier plate (2), fixed by clips (5). The carrier plate (2) is fixed to the door of the appliance or cupboard carcase (6). The clip plate (7) is fixed to the appliance or cupboard door (8). The clip plate (7) has a latch feature (9) and end guards (10). The latch (9) may have a a retaining plate which is not shown on fig 1 for reasons of clarity of the mechanism. The retaining plate is located over the top of the latch feature (9) and extends back down to the main body of the clip plate (7) between the ends of the arms (12) and its outer edge at its side nearest the outside of the door (8), in order to prevent the ends (12) of the lever arm (1) being forced away from the clip plate (7) and over the top of the latch (9), or alternatively, the ends ( 12) being forced apart in a direction along the axis of the clip plate (7), thus allowing bypass of the device and the door to be opened.

One or more of the lever arms (1) may be fonned such that the gap between the arms (1) at an area between the pivot and the end of the arm ends (12) may be covered such as to restrict entry to the gap in order to force the arms (1), thus allowing bypass of the device and the door to be opened.

The lever arms (1) may alternatively be constructed such that the ends (12) are opened by an ant-clockwise operation to the pivot of the the arms (1) at their ends (11). The topside arms at (11) and (12) being one component pivoted at or near the before stated rI,d 1 k,' 77 1 pivot point and located above the latch (9). The bottom arms at (11) and (12) again pivoted at the same or nearby pivot, but located below the latch (9). It is important that the pivot arm assembly is fitted upon the carcase of the appliance or cupboard in the correct positional relation to the clip plate (7), so that the arm ends ( 12) are able to clip over the latch (9), To achieve this and aid the ease of the fitting operation, the carrier plate (2) is able to contact the latch plate (7) to act as a fitting I -arm ends ( 12) is gauge. In this position, the clearance between the latch (9) and the C controlled to the desired tolerance suitable for the correct operation of the device.

The springs (3) are shown by way of example to be part of the injection moulded carrier plate (2), but their function may altematively be achieved by any known method such as a torsion spring around the pivotal centre of the lever arm (1) assembly, or by tension or compression springs acting upon the lever arms ( 1) at any point along the arm up to their ends (12). The springs (3) may alternatively be located on the clip plate (7). The force required to operate the mechanism may be selected by spring design to suit 0 C> case of opening by the adult while making the operation by the child as difficult as possible.

1 The method 9f operation is as follows. The pair of lever arms (1), both need to be activated at the same time at their ends (11) in order to release their ends (12) from the latch feature (9) and allow the door (8) to open. The operation ends (11) of the lever arm (1) are spaced apart such that the grip span of children typically but not exclusively less than five years old is not large enough to span between the ends (11 of the lever arms ( 1). The child then needs to use both hands to operate the mechanism, leaving no hands free to open the door.

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Claims

Claims:

1. A method of providing a safety catch mechanism which requires a two handed operation by small children due to their small hands and grip size capabilities being designed out of the operating perameters of the safety catch mechanism. A method as claimed in claim 1, where the child is prevented from opening the door the the appliance, cupboard and the like, by virtue that both the childs hands are occupied in the operation of the device, leaving, no hands available for gaining access to the appliance, cupboard and the like. A method as claimed in claim 1 and 2, where two or more contact areas are provided for actuation which are spaced apart far enough as to prevent operation of the mechanism with one hand by small children. A method as claimed in claim 1,2 and 3, where the actuation of the contact areas must be made simultaneously to allow release of the catch mechanism. A method as claimed in claims 1,2,3 and 4, where the force required to operate the catch mechanism is beyond the normal range of grip force capability of a small child using one hand. A method as claimed in claims 1,2,3,4 and 5, where the operation of each of the actuating arms may be either clockwise or anti clockwise in relation to each other.

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7. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Accompanying drawings.