Child Safety Device

Abstract

A child safety device tethers a child to an adult using an attachment mechanism about a torso of the child and an anchor for being carried by the adult which are joined by a tether. A first decorative body disguises the attachment mechanism and a second decorative body disguising the anchor. The anchor is selectively storable within a hollow interior of the second decorative body. The attachment mechanism comprises a harness which carries a reel for winding the tether thereon and which includes shoulder straps for extending over the shoulders of the child for adequately supporting the reel and first decorative body on the back of the child without obstructing the child's normal movement.

1 . A child safety device for tethering a child to an adult, the device comprising: 
 a tether extending between first and second ends;    an attachment mechanism mounted on the first end of the tether;    the attachment mechanism being arranged for securement about a torso of the child;    a first decorative body arranged to surround and conceal the attachment mechanism;    an anchor mounted on the second end of the tether;    the anchor being arranged for securement by the adult;    a second decorative body arranged to surround and conceal the anchor;    the tether being operable between an extended position and a retracted position;    the anchor and the attachment mechanism being spaced apart from one another in the extended position of the tether;    the second decorative body being supported on the first decorative body such that the tether is concealed between the first decorative body and the second decorative body in the retracted position of the tether.    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the anchor comprises a loop having a prescribed diameter.  
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 2  wherein the loop is suitably sized for being supported about a wrist of the adult.  
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 2  wherein the loop is formed of flexible material.  
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the second decorative body comprises a hollow interior within which the anchor is secured and an opening arranged to receive the anchor in the extended position, the anchor being arranged to be enclosed within the hollow interior by a closure member arranged to close the opening in the second decorative body in the retracted position.  
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the first decorative body is plural times larger than the second decorative body.  
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a harness on the attachment mechanism which includes shoulder straps arranged for extending over shoulders of the child.  
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a reel arranged for winding the tether thereon, the reel being surrounded and concealed by the first decorative body.  
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 8  wherein the reel is biased in a winding direction so as to be arranged for winding the tether onto the reel and wherein there is provided a lock mechanism arranged to selectively restrict rotation of the reel in the winding direction.  
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 9  wherein there is provided a release button arranged for selectively releasing lock mechanism, the release button being located adjacent a rear side of the first decorative body opposite securement of the attachment mechanism to the child.  
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a fastening mechanism arranged to support the second decorative body on the first decorative body in the retracted position of the tether.  
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 11  wherein the fastening mechanism comprises mating loop and hook fasteners supported on the first and second decorative bodies respectively.  
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 11  wherein the fastening mechanism comprises fasteners on the second decorative body arranged to be secured to the first decorative body at a plurality of locations.  
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided: 
 a storage compartment in the first decorative body accessible through a first opening in the first decorative body;    a first closure member arranged to close the first opening;    a hollow interior in the second decorative body arranged to receive the anchor therein; and    a second closure member arranged to close the second opening independent of the first closure member.    
   
   
       15 . A child safety device for tethering a child to an adult, the device comprising: 
 a tether extending between first and second ends;    an attachment mechanism mounted on the first end of the tether;    the attachment mechanism being arranged for securement about a torso of the child;    a first decorative body arranged to surround and conceal the attachment mechanism;    an anchor mounted on the second end of the tether;    the anchor being arranged for securement by the adult;    a second decorative body arranged to surround and conceal the anchor;    the tether being operable between an extended position and a retracted position;    the anchor and the attachment mechanism being spaced apart from one another in the extended position of the tether; and    a fastening mechanism arranged to support the second decorative body on the first decorative body in the retracted position of the tether.    
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 15  wherein the fastening mechanism comprises mating loop and hook fasteners supported on the first and second decorative bodies respectively.  
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 15  wherein the fastening mechanism comprises fasteners on the second decorative body arranged to be secured to the first decorative body at a plurality of locations.  
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 15  wherein the second decorative body comprises a hollow interior within which the anchor is secured and an opening arranged to receive the anchor in the extended position, the anchor being arranged to be enclosed within the hollow interior by a closure member arranged to close the opening in the second decorative body in the retracted position.  
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 15  wherein there is provided: 
 a storage compartment in the first decorative body accessible through a first opening in the first decorative body;    a first closure member arranged to close the first opening;    a hollow interior in the second decorative body arranged to receive the anchor therein; and    a second closure member arranged to close the second opening independent of the first closure member.