By Dave Clement, PE. Director of Engineering, Sunshine kids
This question reminds me of questions regarding how to raise a good child. There is a wealth of information for "how to" raise a child, but the key ingredient needed as a parent and as a child restraint engineer, is PASSION. Without passion in both scenarios, the final product will most likely have problems.
Like parenting, consumer product design is a careful balance of requirements that times often conflict with one another. In general, for a consumer product, aesthetics or the industrial design have to mesh with the requirements of functional product performance and mechanical engineering requirements. Many consumer products have very few requirement. Several have very complex requirements stipulating that the marriage between aesthetics and performance be a healthy balance. All of these factors have to fit into a particular cost structure that is both appealing to the consumer and to the manufacturer.
One such product application is a child restraint intended to be used in an automobile.
In the world of designing child restraints, there is always a need to push the design constraints to their limits.
The mandatory requirements of consumer product design are usually dictated by our local and national government regulations. Child restraints have to meet strict federal guidelines outlined in FMVSS 213 standards. Most product designers will also go the additional steps of designing to "recommended" practices. Typically those practices are outlined by professional societies such as SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) and ASTM (American Society of Test and Materials). These standards are usually applied in the product raw material acquisition and product manufacturing process.
Integrated into a good child restraint design are the design requirements for the most important aspect – the occupant. Careful consideration has to be given to ensure the child is comfortable and safe and that the parent can easily utilize the restraint. Today's attachment requirements for lap, LATCH and top tether make designing a one size fits all restraint or other unique restraints.
The mandatory requirements for a child restraint are well known by the consumer as the "crash test". Applied to a child restraint, the crash test is a mock-up of a real world, very severe frontal collision. The child restraint is fitted with a crash test dummy, otherwise known as an ATD (anthropomorphic test device), and the crash test sled is than put into motion to simulate this very severe crash pulse. Stopping from 30 MPH may not seem like a severe deceleration event: however, the best analogy I can give is that this sled test replicates a car colliding head on with a fixed barrier. Fortunately many of us have not experienced such a severe accident. Most accidents allow longer deceleration distances and many occur at lower speeds effectively lowering the loads the occupants see in a majority of accident conditions.
Balancing the above mentioned requirements with the industrial design can be a significant challenge. Early in the design process, full scale models are produced to allow the industrial and mechanical engineers hands-on assessment of the product. This model is shown to a group of consumers to understand their impressions of the product. Their inputs are than incorporated into a second or third revision of the design. Having critical reviews by people not directly associated with the design generally is beneficial to the products success at the "point of sale".
By Ken Kaiser, President, Kidco
The design diversity of modern homes commonly includes open architecture, sweeping staircases, oversized openings, and wide patio doors. Gone are "standard" doorways, which today can mean anything from 30", 32", 34", or 36". That's why so many different child safety gates are on the market and why it's easy to understand why close to 4 million units are sold, making gates & enclosures one of the top ten baby product categories. For retailers, this is a very important category and one that should be thoroughly understood in order to maximize sales.
Recommending the right gate for the installation the first time will help eliminate unnecessary returns for both consumer and retailer. To help you determine which gate is the best for each individual situation, ask questions like: Where will the gate be installed? (e.g. at the top of the stairs, in a doorway, or to section off a room); How wide is the opening? (exact measurements since there is no standard); To what surface will the gate be mounted? (e.g. doorframe, hollow wall, wrought iron, brick, wood).
Gates fall into several categories: pressure mounted, hardware mounted, and enclosures/gate systems. The installation decision should be determined by where and how the gate is being used. Safety gates can be wood, metal, plastic or mesh ranging from 22" to 33" high and as wide as 13' or longer. Most experts agree that accordion style expansion gates with the crisscross diamond shapes should be avoided since they can ensnare clothing, pacifier strings, etc. Unless the safety specifications at time of manufacture can be determined to show they pass the minimum safety standards, consumers should avoid hand-me-downs and garage sale purchases. In some cases, a pet gate does not necessarily pass child safety standards.
Pressure mounted gates require no holes or hardware for installation and are best suited for less hazardous locations such as a doorway between rooms or at the bottom of a stairway. Traditional pressure gates have panels that slide past each other and are really barriers, using a locking bar or other locking mechanisms combined with rubber feet to wedge the gate into place. These barriers can easily be dislodged if not properly adjusted each time they are repositioned, which often encourages adults to "climb over," causing another safety hazard. More advanced pressure designs stay mounted in uneven openings and utilize a step-through, walk-through, or swinging gate section that can be easily opened in either direction. These newer styles are a little more expensive, but their convenience encourages proper use. A new subcategory of pressure mounted models is soft mesh gates that are marketed for travel and fold for storage. With these types of gates, the ease of assembly and removal quickly converts a motel room or relative's home into a more child-friendly environment.
Hardware gates are considered safer than pressure gates because they are permanently mounted and are best for areas where safety is paramount, like at the top of stairs. Gates should never swing out over the stairs, and some models have a built-in directional
device to prevent this from happening. No one likes to drill holes, but parents need to understand that a little wood putty or spackling can save an agonizing trip to the hospital emergency room. The screws generally included with these gates are for mounting directly into wood. Installation into other surfaces like dry wall, brick, wrought iron, or glass blocks will require additional hardware available from any hardware store or home improvement center. Specially designed gate installation kits are offered by several companies to aid in the mounting of any gate.
Most gates have to be mounted from point A to point B in a straight line. Resulting from today's open architectural designs and irregular openings, "build your own gate systems" are now available that form angles to isolate dangerous areas like staircases, exercise areas, home offices, hot tubs, fireplaces, etc. A typical system is available in basic sizes and then can be extended with optional sections to
create the length and shape necessary to enclose these hard to fit areas. These gate systems create wonderful play areas for babies and are very useful for pet confinement.
A well-designed safety gate protects a child from danger while at the same time is convenient and easily adult-operated. It is especially dangerous to step over any gate while carrying a child or packages. The JPMA recommended age for gate use is 6 months to 24 months, although higher gates could be used for taller children. Use should be discontinued if the child can open the gate independently, climb over it, or if the height of the gate is ¾ as tall as the child. Pressure gates that utilize locking mechanism bars must be installed with the locking side away from the child since they can act as a stepladder.
In the USA, there are no mandatory Federal child safety gate standards beyond those for toxicity of materials, small parts, and sharp edges or points. Voluntary standards have been developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and sponsored by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) who appointed Interlake Testing Services to perform ASTM F1004 testing for Expansion Gates and Expandable Enclosures. The majority of these voluntary standards concentrate on size of openings, height, vertical strength, bottom spacing, configuration of the uppermost edge, and plenty of label warnings.
In comparison to voluntary standards in the U.S., Europe has more stringent requirements regarding slat spacing, gate height, toe or finger holds, top edge protrusions, etc., that restrict the sale of most U.S. manufactured gates. The current ASTM 1004-98 does not require any level of horizontal resistance to simulate the amount of force a small child could exert by pushing and pulling on the gate. Efforts are under way to address some of these shortcomings in the ASTM standard.
Due to the importance of matching the proper gate to its use and application, child safety gates can result in a higher than normal rate of return if improperly selected.
The solution to getting the sale right the first time is to ask the customer a few basic questions and mention a few basic points:
Where is the product to be used? Pressure mounted barrier gates are not recommended at the top of the stairs. Wall mounted gates should not open out over the stairs and should contain a stop to prevent this.
What are the exact dimensions of the opening? The widest pressure gates are about 48" while wall mounted gates are available up to 13'. Special use gates are available for openings where mounting points are not in a direct line.
If the customer has a digital camera, have them take a picture and bring the dimensions.
When hardware mounting, it is normally very easy and inexpensive to fix holes in wood or drywall with putty or spackling available at any hardware or paint store.
Retail prices are normally commensurate with fit, finish, features and function.
To increase volume of child safety gate sales, utilize your gift registry list when the new baby has reached 6-9 months of age. This is also the prime time for other home safety product like cabinet locks, refrigerator latches, toilet seat locks, electrical plate covers, etc. Consider a coupon that offers a discount for a gate or other safety related products. Offering a broad assortment of different price points will give the shopper more choices. A few quality gate suppliers offer demonstration display stands so the simplicity of use and better workmanship of the gate can be appreciated. Plastic lamination of literature can be inexpensively at a local office supply service. If it appears that the customer or their spouse is not handy or lacks basic home tools, it is a good service to offer in home installation. Developing a relationship with a professional "Baby Proofer" in your area might be an alternative to having the overhead within your own operation.
In the child safety business, competition is keen and points of differentiation need to be identified for today's busy parents. By offering quality service, knowledge and a selection of merchandise, retailers can develop a profitable and successful safety gate business.
By Bill Hasse, Director of Marketing, Simplicity for Children
For years, many parents have had confidence in infant swings to calm, captivate and comfort their babies. During the first few months of baby's life, a swing can be an excellent tool for soothing even the fussiest of babies. Its gentle, rhythmic motion is a welcome solution for entertaining infants, and can often help baby fall to sleep for short, restful naps. It can also be very helpful when Mom or Dad requires a few minutes of free time to accomplish household tasks or tend to other children; they can get things done while keeping an eye on baby in the swing.
The features and size of the infant swing have notably improved over the years. While all swings provide a soothing rocking motion, parents can now choose between classic full-size swings and portable travel swings. In some cases, parents may want both.
What are the essential attributes and features that are important on a swing?
Key safety features of a well-designed swing are quality, construction, and durability. When evaluating swings, ensure that the frame is stable with a wide base to prevent tipping. A swing also should have secure restraining straps to prevent the baby from falling out of the seat. Swings today offer both a 3-point and 5-point harness belt system. Both systems are sufficient, provided that the straps are secured to the seat and fit snugly through baby's legs and around baby's waist. Recommend to the consumer that following the manufacturer's set-up instructions and heeding all warnings is essential. Additionally, swings - especially the portable variety - should never be placed on an elevated surface.
Another essential element is the swing's comfort. A swing is primarily used during the first few months of an infant's life. Babies are accustomed to motion while in the womb, so they naturally continue to enjoy movement after birth. It is important for a swing to provide a seating area that's cozy and comfortable for newborns and older babies (up to 25lbs). The seat should be angled back or have reclining capability, thus accommodating a sleeping baby or a baby who is not yet able to be seated upright. The seat pad should be removable for washing, and should be made of fabric with sufficient padding to ensure comfort. An added benefit for the newborn is an infant headrest. Headrests provide more comfort for newborns by helping to keep baby's head positioned properly. Regarding the rocking feature, not all babies enjoy the same rate of speed. Some babies prefer a gentler, slower pace, while others respond well to a faster mode of swinging. Be sure the swing offers variable speeds so that parents can decide what speed levels are right for their baby.
Most swings offer an array of additional features such as music, toy bars, mobiles, and activity trays which provide even more options to soothe or entertain babies. Music and mobiles are a wonderful way to calm and settle a newborn, while toy bars and activity trays help entertain and occupy the older, more active baby. These additional options, combined with the swing's motion, help make swing time a more enjoyable experience.
Now more than ever, lifestyles are being considered when deciding what kind of swing to purchase. Some parents may choose a traditional full-size swing; assembly is usually uncomplicated, and requires less bending when putting baby in the swing or taking baby out. The open-top design is often preferred, making it even easier for a parent to access their baby. A full-size swing is typically set up as a fixture in the home so it is always available when needed.
In our mobile society, swings are becoming more portable than ever, and the popularity of travel swings continues to grow. In many cases, parents opt for both a full-size swing as their "at home" product, and a travel swing for convenience on-the-go. Travel swings are compact, lightweight, and take up less space. They often have all of the features of a full-size swing and can be effortlessly moved from room to room throughout the home, or taken along to Grandma's or the park. Some include features such as blinking lights for additional entertainment, foam-padded legs to soften baby's surroundings, and carry bags for added convenience.
A swing is regarded as somewhat of a "miracle worker," and provides an exceptional calming result for an agitated baby. This popular, time-honored baby soother continues to be a "must have" purchase for any parent. An excellent way to help consumers with their purchase of a swing is to offer a variety of both full-size and travel swings. This will give the parent the opportunity to evaluate both products to decide which is best suited to their needs.
Swings are best presented to the consumer if they are able touch and feel key safety, comfort and convenience features. It's also ideal to have the swings displayed with batteries installed. This enables the consumer to evaluate the swing speeds, music, and other electronic features. Allowing parents to acquaint themselves with different swings and their features will allow them to make an informed decision as to which swing is right for both them and their baby.
