, mainly suffered
by young children when closing sliding patio doors, prompted design
engineer Andrew Warren to design a child-friendly, non-handed device.
Slide-Safe is a British invention that is likely to have a big impact on
the safety of children in the home. Moulded from DuPont Zytel ST801 super
tough nylon resin, this non-handed device comprises a fixing housing,
which is attached to a short spring-loaded pivoted arm, carrying a
flexible rotatable cylindrical shock absorber and two finger pulls. When
the door is opened, the pivoted arm automatically swings the shock
absorber to rest between the leading edge of the door and closing jamb or
upright. In this position a safe gap is maintained and fingers cannot be
trapped or crushed.
Manufacturer, Slide Safe, worked closely with DuPont distributor
Distrupol, in selecting a suitable material for the device. Zytel was
chosen for its good impact performance over a wide range of environmental
conditions down to -40oC. It retains its tough properties in both dry and
moist ambient conditions. Slide-Safe is easy to fit to most existing
patio doors, whether the doors are made from aluminium, PVC-U or timber
and can be produced in a variety of colours. Slide Safe can be contacted
on