Child safety device for balustrades

Abstract

A child safety device for balustrades designed to minimize or restrict child access to the open space between balusters, while preserving the spatial configuration and aesthetic appeal of the balustrade. The device comprises of an obstructing member secured by means of connection to one or more adjacent balusters, thereby blocking a portion of the gap substantially enough to minimize child access. The device leaves substantial space between the balusters open in order to not alter the visual perception of the balustrade and its surroundings. The obstructing members are preferably composed of the same material as the adjacent balusters and designed aesthetically so as to appear as part of the balustrade.

1 . A child safety device for balustrades having laterally spaced balusters, comprising:
 a plurality of elongated obstructive members for substantially obstructing access to every openings between one or more balusters in a balustrade; and   a coupling device for securing said elongated obstructive members to one or more balusters, wherein the coupling device comprises a connector adapted to securely wrap around each baluster.   
     
     
         2 . The child safety device of  claim 1 , wherein each elongated obstructing member is configured to have an exterior design similar to the exterior design of said balustrade. 
     
     
         3 . The child safety device of  claim 1 , wherein the width of each elongated obstructing member is substantially the same as a width of each baluster. 
     
     
         4 . The child safety device of  claim 1 , wherein the width of each elongated obstructing member is substantially small compared to the distance between adjacent balusters. 
     
     
         5 . The child safety device of  claim 1 , wherein each elongated obstructing member is independently securely coupled to adjacent balusters. 
     
     
         6 . The child safety device of  claim 5 , wherein each elongated obstructing member is securely coupled to adjacent balusters by one or more coupling devices. 
     
     
         7 . The child safety device of  claim 1 , wherein a height of each elongated obstructing member is 20% to 40% of the height of each baluster. 
     
     
         8 . The child safety device of  claim 1 , wherein each elongated obstructing member blocks 20% to 40% of the space between adjacent balusters. 
     
     
         9 . The child safety device of  claim 1 , wherein each elongated obstructing member includes one or more connector ports to securely couple said elongated obstructing member to the coupling device. 
     
     
         10 . A child safety device for balustrades having laterally spaced balusters, comprising:
 a plurality of elongated obstructive members for substantially obstructing access to every openings between one or more balusters in a balustrade, wherein each of said elongated obstructing members is:
 configured to block 20% to 40% of the space between adjacent balusters; and 
   a coupling device for securely coupling said elongated obstructive members to adjacent balusters, wherein the coupling device comprises a connector adapted to securely wrap around each baluster.   
     
     
         11 . A child safe balustrade, comprising:
 a handrail;   a plurality of balusters for supporting said handrail, wherein each of said balusters extend substantially vertical from a lower surface to said handrail;   a plurality of elongated obstructing members, wherein each elongated obstructing member extends substantially vertical between every adjacent baluster; and   a coupling device for securing each of said elongated obstructive members to one or more balusters, wherein the coupling device comprises a connector adapted to securely wrap around each baluster.   
     
     
         12 . The child safe balustrade of  claim 11 , wherein each elongated obstructing member is configured to have an exterior design similar to the exterior design of said balustrade 
     
     
         13 . The child safe balustrade of  claim 11 , wherein the width of each elongated obstructing member is substantially the same as a width of each baluster. 
     
     
         14 . The child safety device of  claim 11 , wherein the width of each elongated obstructing member is substantially small compared to the distance between adjacent balusters. 
     
     
         15 . The child safe balustrade of  claim 11 , wherein each elongated obstructing member is securely coupled to adjacent balusters. 
     
     
         16 . The child safe balustrade of  claim 15 , wherein each elongated obstructing member is securely coupled to adjacent balusters by one or more coupling devices. 
     
     
         17 . The child safe balustrade of  claim 11 , wherein a height of each elongated obstructing member is 20% to 40% compared to a height of each baluster. 
     
     
         18 . The child safe balustrade of  claim 11 , wherein each elongated obstructing member blocks 20% to 40% of the space between adjacent balusters. 
     
     
         19 . The child safe balustrade of  claim 11 , wherein each elongated obstructing member includes one or more connector ports to securely couple said elongated obstructing member to the coupling device to a portion of the connector. 
     
     
         20 . A child safety device for balustrades having laterally spaced balusters, and a horizontal rail extending substantially a space between said balusters, comprising:
 a plurality of elongated obstructive members for substantially obstructing access to every openings between said horizontal rail and a handrail of said balustrade or openings between said horizontal rail and a lower surface, wherein each of said elongated obstructing members is:
 configured to block 20% to 40% of the space remaining in balustrade; and 
   a coupling device for securely coupling said elongated obstructive members to adjacent balusters, wherein the coupling device comprises a connector adapted to securely wrap around each baluster.   
     
     
         21 . The child safety device of  claim 1 , wherein a connector may comprise a flexible strap. 
     
     
         22 . The connector of  claim 21 , wherein the flexible strap includes a plurality of locking members configured to couple with a receiving member at an end of the flexible strap. 
     
     
         23 . The connector of  claim 21 , wherein the flexible strap is adapted to thread through an opening in the elongated obstructing member, wherein said elongated obstructive member comprises a pair of connector ports. 
     
     
         24 . The child safety device of  claim 23 , wherein the coupling device comprises of a pair of connectors, wherein said connectors are rigid yet flexible plastic material bands with locking members that have a receiving end and locking end adapted to securely couple said obstructing member to the baluster by threading said bands through said pair of connector ports. 
     
     
         25 . A child-safe stairway, comprising:
 a plurality of laterally-spaced vertical balusters, each including an upper end coupled to a handrail and a lower end coupled to respective stairs;   a plurality of elongated obstructive members respectively situated between and securely coupled to every adjacent baluster, wherein distance between the handrail and an upper end of each elongated member is different than the distance between the handrail and the upper end of an adjacent elongated member.   
     
     
         26 . A child-safe stairway of  claim 25 , wherein the distance between the handrail and each elongated member is substantially the same as the distance between the handrail and the upper end of every other elongated member. 
     
     
         27 . A child-safe stairway of  claim 26 , wherein every elongated member have substantially the same size and shape. 
     
     
         28 . The child-safe stairway of  claim 25 , wherein a distance between the handrail and a region of coupling of each elongated member to one or more adjacent balusters does not substantially change from elongated member to adjacent elongated member.