Patent Publication Number: US-2019191794-A1

Title: Back protector

Description:
The present disclosure relates in general to a protection device, in particular a wearable personal protection device for protecting a user&#39;s body against impacts when practising a dynamic sport or similar dynamic activity. More particularly, said device is used to protect the back of a motorcyclist or motorcycle passenger, or a cyclist, or a skier, or a person who is exposed to the risk of impacts when performing a working activity. 
     A known back protector for motorcycling use comprises a single substantially rigid plate worn in close contact with the user&#39;s body so as to protect it in the event of an impact. 
     Also known are back protectors including a plurality of rigid plate members arranged alongside each other so as to form a protection surface; the plate members are arranged on a substantially non-extendable support base made of soft fabric and having a padding function. 
     In particular, the present disclosure is based on a recognition by the inventor that the known back protectors, despite including a plurality of plate members connected together, do not allow a satisfactory “mobility” of the back protector in keeping with all the movements performed by a user. In the present state of the art, therefore, there is a need to improve the characteristics of the back protectors designed according to the prior art. 
     The starting point of the present disclosure is therefore that of solving the technical problem of providing a back protector for protecting a user&#39;s body against impacts, which device is able to satisfy all the aforementioned requirements with reference to the prior art and/or achieve further advantages and characteristic features. 
     This is obtained by providing a back protector as defined in the independent claim  1 . Secondary characteristic features of the aforementioned protection device are defined in the corresponding dependent claims. 
     The back protector or spine protector according to the present disclosure comprises a body with energy-absorbing function extending along a longitudinal direction and comprising at least one portion able to
         provide the body with energy-absorbing function with freedom of movement according to at least six degrees of freedom; and/or   allow a return of the body with energy-absorbing function into an original position following a cessation of any one, or all, of the following stresses or deformations: stretching along said longitudinal direction, a compression, in the opposite direction to said stretching, along said longitudinal direction, a torsion in both directions of rotation about an axis passing through said body with energy-absorbing function, said axis being parallel to said longitudinal direction, a bending towards right-hand and left-hand sides of said body with energy-absorbing function about an axis orthogonal to a plane supporting said body with energy-absorbing function and orthogonal to said longitudinal direction, and/or a combination of said stresses.       

     In the continuation of the present description and claims the term “portion” is understood as referring to the presence of a preferably flexible structure which has a high mobility with at least 6 degrees of freedom or which is able to move and then return into an original position, following the aforementioned stresses of elongation, compression, lateral bending on both sides and torsion in both senses of rotation (or combination of said stresses) about a longitudinal substantially central axis which passes along the back protector. In other words, said portion is preferably a portion flexible in terms of structure and/or material and able to undergo a structural and/or material deformation following all of the following stresses: stretching along said longitudinal direction, a compression, in the opposite direction to said stretching, along said longitudinal direction, a torsion in both directions of rotation about an axis passing through said body with energy-absorbing function, said axis being parallel to said longitudinal direction, a bending towards right-hand and left-hand sides of said body with energy-absorbing function about an axis orthogonal to a plane supporting said body with energy-absorbing function and orthogonal to said longitudinal direction, and/or a combination of said stresses. 
     The main advantage of a back protector thus designed is that the back protector may follow all the movements of the body in all its directions, without hindering its mobility. The presence of one or more of these portions moreover allows complete adhesion to all parts of the user&#39;s body precisely because the body movements may be fully followed. 
     Preferably, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the body with energy-absorbing function comprises a plurality of plate members adjacent or a side-by-side sequentially in the direction of its length. The aforementioned portion is a uniting or joining portion arranged between one plate member and an adjacent plate member. 
     The aforementioned portion has a dimension smaller than the dimensional of the plate member in the longitudinal direction and acts as a hinge between the two adjacent plate members. The aforementioned portion has a dimension substantially the same as the dimension of the plate member in a transverse direction, namely in a short side or widthwise direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The short side direction is understood as meaning the direction between the right-hand side and left-hand side of the back protector when the latter is placed on a user&#39;s back. 
     Preferably, the aforementioned portion is a portion made of deformable flexible material, even more preferably with elastic properties which may be derived both from the material and from the configuration. 
     In one embodiment, the structure of the portion is a lattice structure with narrow and long cavities oriented in a short side direction of the back protector, namely in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the lattice structure has openings or cavities shaped substantially as a double ogive, namely with two ogives having respective curves or arches directed on opposite sides so as to form a substantially oval or double-ogive cavity. 
     The structure may be obtained by joining together at least two, more or less curved, sinusoidal or wave-like elongated elements. These elongated elements are arranged or oriented in a short side direction. The elongated elements are made of flexible material. 
     A back or hump of one of the two elements is joined together with a throat or depression of the other one of the two elements. A lattice with a high mobility is therefore obtained. The hump and throat are obviously directed towards the other one of the two elements. Joining together may be performed as one piece or a spacer may be provided. 
     Further characteristic features and the modes of use forming the subject of the present disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, provided by way of a non-limiting example. 
     It is evident, however, that each embodiment forming the subject of the present disclosure may have one or more of the advantages listed above; in any case it is not required that each embodiment should have simultaneously all the advantages listed. 
    
    
     
       Reference will now be made to the figures in the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a back protector according to the embodiment  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2  shows a front view of a back protector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of a back protector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, without support belts and straps; 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of a back protector according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , without support belts and straps; 
         FIG. 5  shows a detail, on a larger scale, of the back protector shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows another detail, on a larger scale, of the back protector shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a further detail, on a larger scale, of the back protector shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  show respective details, on a larger scale, of the back protector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the figures showing the stresses acting on the back protector; 
         FIG. 10  shows a further side view of a back protector according to the present disclosure, the figure showing a further stress acting on the back protector. 
     
    
    
     With reference to the attached figures, the reference number  10  indicates a back protector according to the present disclosure. 
     The back protector  10  according to the present disclosure is designed to be worn by a user. It should be noted that every spatial reference in the present disclosure, including the description and claims, such as right-hand, left-hand, above and below and similar references, for the sake of easier understanding, relate to the back protector in the condition when worn by a user. 
     Moreover, the back protector  10  follows the anatomy of the user&#39;s back and therefore has a greater length and smaller width. In the back protector, therefore, it is possible to define a long side direction or longitudinal direction L and a short side direction which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L and extends from the right-hand side to the left-hand side in the back protector, when viewing for example a back protector placed on a surface or resting on a user&#39;s back. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the back protector  10  comprises a body with energy-absorbing function  12  extending along the longitudinal direction L and comprising at least one portion  14  having preferably elastic properties, and more preferably a plurality of portions  14 . Each portion  14  is in the example a uniting or joining portion. The portion has a flexible and preferably elastic form derived from the material from which it is made. What is important is that it should be made, in terms of geometry and structure, such as to ensure an extraordinary mobility for the whole of the back protector. In particular, the portion  14  is able to:
         provide the body with energy-absorbing function  12  with a freedom of movement according to at least six degrees of freedom and allow return into an original position following any movement which occurs according to said at least six degrees of freedom; and/or   allow return into an original position following cessation of any one of the following stresses or deformations: stretching along said longitudinal direction, a compression, in the opposite direction to said stretching, along said longitudinal direction, a torsion in both directions of rotation about an axis passing through said body with energy-absorbing function, said axis being parallel to said longitudinal direction, a bending towards right-hand and left-hand sides of said body with energy-absorbing function about an axis perpendicular to a plane supporting said body with energy-absorbing function and orthogonal to said longitudinal direction L, and/or a combination of said stresses or deformations. The portion  14  is also such as not to adversely affect the impact energy absorbing function since this same joining area reacts perfectly to the impact tests owing, for example, to the combined action of its geometry and material.       

     In other words, said portion forms part of the body with energy-absorbing function and performs an energy absorbing function. 
     Basically, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a back protector  10  which is able to ensure not only an energy-absorbing function but also maximum mobility is provided. The deformations therefore consist of stretching or compression along the long side direction, bending to the right of left with respect to a sagittal plane and a torsion in both directions of rotation about an axis parallel to the long side direction, corresponding substantially to a torsion of the user&#39;s back in both directions of rotation. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the body with energy-absorbing function  12  includes a plurality of plate members indicated by the reference numbers  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 . Each member  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  may be made using a specific manufacturing technology for ensuring a suitable level of protection and energy absorption. 
     The plate members  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  are elements which are separate from each other and are joined together by means of a respective portion  14 . 
     Consequently the back protector  10  is provided with a plurality of separate plate members and a plurality of portions  14 . The plate members are joined together in pairs by means of the portion  14 . For example, considering a back protector for a motorcyclist, the back bends to one side when the motorcyclist rides around a bend. Because the plate members are structurally independent and separated from an adjacent plate member by means of the elastic portion associated with it, this allows lateral bending movements to be performed on one side and the other in a harmonious manner and without creating discomfort for the user. 
     The portion  14  is situated on the same level in between two successive or consecutive plate members. Even more particularly it can be seen that, preferably, the portion  14  occupies an entire space situated between two successive or consecutive plate members. In other words, two consecutive plate members  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  each occupy a given volume or space in a short side direction, or along a transverse extension, orthogonal to said longitudinal direction. The portion  14  extends in the short side direction or transverse direction so as to occupy an intermediate zone defined between the spaces of the consecutive plate members  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 . 
     The portion  14  acts as a kind of concertina portion between two successive plate members. In other words, the portion  14  has a mobility similar to that of a bellows or pleated element. Similarly, the back protector may perform a torsional movement in both directions of rotation about an axis coinciding with the longitudinal direction L, for example, when a user twists his/her back, turning the chest towards one side or the opposite side. 
     A further movement consists of a compression/stretching movement, for example when a motorcyclist reaches out forwards on the motorcycle so as to assume a racing (extended) position or when the motorcyclist sits back upright, compressing the plate members against each other. 
     In other words, a back protector according to the present disclosure is able to follow all of these deformations because the plate members are able to move away from or towards the adjacent plate members and return into an original position owing to the elastic deformation of the elastic portion  14 . 
     Preferably, the elastic portion  14  is made of a carbon-based organic elastomer containing particles of NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber). This consists of the same class of material as that used for the plate members, with a greater percentage composition of carbon. 
     Preferably each plate is made of a rubber, even more preferably a nitrile rubber, for example polynorborbnene, with a Shore hardness of between 30 and 40 Shore A and an elastic return of between 0 and 10%. It is possible to use other materials such as rubbers, expanded polymers, polymeric honeycomb structures or metals. 
     Even more preferably, the elastic portion  14  and each plate member are made of a material of a similar kind, i.e. a carbon-based organic elastomer, so as to allow the formation of better joints during manufacture. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, and as shown in the drawings, the portion  14  has a lattice-like configuration. Even more preferably the elastic portion includes a plurality of elongated elements  15  arranged substantially in a sinusoidal or wave-like manner in a short side direction from right to left. The sinusoidal arrangement may have a undulating or also an angular profile. Preferably, the portion  14  includes at least two elongated elements  15  which are connected together at the respective maximum and minimum points of the respective waves so as to form the lattice. The connection points therefore alternate with maximum spacing points in said short side direction. The connection points are therefore staggered with respect to each other. 
     In other words, the portion  14  includes at least one first elongated element  15  and a second elongated element  15  each having a sinusoidal or wave-like configuration and joined together in mutual joining or connection zones. The connection or joining zones are a maximum or hump zone of the first elongated element and a minimum zone or throat zone of the second element so as to form the lattice portion. 
     Even more preferably, each portion  14  comprises, between two successive plate members, a first elongated element  15   a  completely joined and/or glued together with the first of the two successive plate members, a second elongated element  15   b  with a sinusoidal progression joined together with the first elongated element, a third elongated element  15   c  with a sinusoidal progression joined together with the second elongated element, and a fourth elongated element  15   d  fixed and collapsed onto the second of the two successive plate members. 
     With regard to the connection—or generally the elastic joint—between an elongated element and the plate member, it is pointed out that joining together may be ensured by means of perfect chemical adhesion achieved by means of plasma bonding, where the polymer surface of the two elements (which have, as mentioned, preferably the same basic composition) is treated so as to provide a perfect chemical bond between the two compounds. 
     With this technology it is possible to join together surfaces which are perfectly planar with an excellent strength and duration over time, obtaining the result of a single energy-absorbing body without mechanical joints. 
     As a result the elongated elements define empty or hollow zones which are shaped in the manner of a double ogive and which, in said short side direction, alternate with a connection zone. The connection zone defines in turn two hollow zones arranged above and below the connection zone respectively. 
     Preferably, the connection between the elongated elements is broader in the central zone of the back protector such that the elongated elements  15  are substantially collapsed onto each other in the central zone of the back protector. This results in a reduction in the opening or aperture of the empty zones of the portion  14 . 
     In other words, the hollow zones have a smaller size or extension than the corresponding hollow zones in the lateral regions of the back protector. This arrangement is consistent with the lateral bending movements to the right and left since, during lateral bending, the perimetral or external zones require a greater expansion. Preferably the portion  14  terminates in a hollow zone along the perimeter, precisely to allow lateral opening of the back protector during lateral bending. 
     Elongated elements  5  moreover are formed with a sufficient thickness to ensure suitable protection from impacts and energy absorption. For this purpose, the elongated elements  5  have preferably a thickness or height of at least of between 10 and 20 mm, preferably between 12 and 18 mm. The protective capacity offered by each portion  14  is obtained from the structure which, owing to the presence of thin walls aligned perfectly with the thickness of the plate members, collapse under the force of the impact, absorbing the energy thereof. Secondly, the protection capacity is also defined by the material, i.e. the carbon-based organic elastomer. As regards the plate members, it may be commented that they are made using any technology known in the sector for manufacturing back protectors with a protective capacity. 
     In one embodiment, each plate member is a lattice body having a first side  33  and a second side  34  opposite to the first side  33 . The lattice body is for example a layer or sheet with a substantially plate-shaped form made of flexible material. For example, the protection device  10  is produced by means of moulding, so as to obtain easily each lattice body  12 . 
     The lattice body  12  has a plurality of cells  15  or tubular bodies arranged alongside each other so that the side walls of one tubular body are common to the side walls of adjacent tubular bodies or cells  15 . 
     In the example of embodiment shown in the figures, the cells have a polygonal form, such as a hexagonal form. 
     Even more particularly, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the cells  15  have through-cavities  16  which extend between the first side  33  and the second side  34  of the lattice body. The through-cavities  36  of the cells  35  define a mesh opening of the lattice. 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, in order to vary a configuration of back protector and the plate member, it is envisaged subdividing each cell  35  into increasingly smaller sub-portions or segments so as to obtain a lattice having a smaller mesh opening of the lattice, and preferably in the specific case, a greater rigidity of the protection device. 
     The reduction in size of the lattice mesh opening may be achieved by providing crosspieces  37  or bridge-like connectors which connect zones of the side walls of a same single cell  35 . In the embodiment shown, the crosspieces  37  connect vertices of the polygon, such as the aforementioned hexagon, which results in the internal geometric subdivision thereof into geometric forms such as a rhombus and triangle. 
     Even more particularly, starting with a cell  15  without any crosspieces, such as that visible on the right in these figures, it is possible to provide a first bent stiffening crosspiece  37  which connects two vertices of the hexagon separated by an intermediate vertex of the hexagon. in order to obtain a greater rigidity, it is possible to provide a further stiffening crosspiece  37  which connects the first stiffening crosspiece  37  to another vertex of the hexagon which is adjacent and consecutive to one of the two aforementioned vertices so as form a crosspiece  17  which is substantially Y-shaped. In order to obtain an even greater rigidity, it is possible to provide a further stiffening crosspiece which connects the Y-shaped stiffening crosspiece to another vertex of the hexagon which is adjacent and consecutive to the other of the two aforementioned vertices so as to form a crosspiece  37  substantially in the form of an X, leaving free only two opposite vertices of the hexagon. In order to obtain a maximum rigidity, it is possible to envisage a further stiffening crosspiece which passes through the X in the central zone and connects the two vertices of the hexagon left free so as to form a star-like stiffening member inside the cell  35 . In particular, the subdivision of the geometry of the basic cell results in a varied segmentation of the hexagon so as to produce rhombuses and triangles which are in all cases inscribed within the hexagonal basic cell. 
     It is pointed out that preferably the walls of the cells and the crosspieces which form the lattice are always arranged perpendicularly with respect to the normal of the surface, this constructional methodology ensuring a maximum performance in terms of impact energy absorption in any direction of origin of the external force, owing to the perpendicularity of the walls which produce the impact absorption effect. 
     It may be stated that each plate member has central zones of the lattice with a smaller lattice mesh opening and/or a greater rigidity in the central region. Therefore, the back protector is designed so as to have a subdivision of the cells  15  gradually increasing from a peripheral zone towards a central zone of the back protector. 
     It is to be understood that the plate body may not be formed solely by the hexagonal shaped cells  15  and that these cells represent only some of the cells which form the lattice body. It is pointed out in this respect that, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the general optical effect is always based on a hexagonal shaped cell, but in reality on some occasions one side of the hexagon wall is open so as to obtain a more linear and homogeneous increase in the actual rigidity, with a corresponding effect also in visual terms. 
     With this arrangement of parts a back protector with a high degree of flexibility in terms of performance is obtained, with satisfactory breathability and lightness owing to the through-cavities  16 , satisfactory protective capacity owing to the presence of the cells  35  and the respective stiffening crosspieces  17 , and satisfactory flexibility and mobility owing to cells which do not have crosspieces or have fewer of them towards the outermost areas. 
     The subject-matter of the present disclosure has been described hitherto with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments relating to the same inventive idea may exist, all of these falling within the scope of protection of the claims which are illustrated hereinbelow.