Patent Description:
Typically, a wearable airbag device consists of a wearable item, like for example a jacket, a suit, a vest, a gilet, a belt. The wearable item generally contains: an inflatable bag, inflation means of the bag and a system to activate the inflation means. The activation system can be electronic, on the basis of data detected by sensors applied on the garment or on the vehicle used in combination with the wearable airbag device, or mechanical.

Current inflatable bags are made of a woven fabric or membranes with low elasticity, so as to be able to sustain the force exerted by the inflating fluid during inflation.

In the deflated status, due to its low elasticity, the inflatable bag has a shape similar to that of the body part to be covered/protected once the bag is inflated, making the wearable airbag device quite rigid.

Moreover, even if the inflatable bag is inserted inside a casing made of a breathable fabric, unavoidably the structure of the bag does not allow air to pass through, causing an overheating and a reduced perspiration of the user's body.

Furthermore, even if the inflatable bags are manufactured with materials having a low elasticity, once inflated, they tend to assume a spherical shape, like a balloon.

Such a balloon shape reduces the protection offered to the user. As a matter of fact, the inflation causes side shrinkage of the bag, thereby diminishing the covered area by the bag. Moreover, being the inflation of the inflatable bag not controlled, there is the risk that the inflation may compress the user's body, possibly causing an injury.

At the same time, in case of an unwanted activation, the balloon shape may hinder the movements of the user leading, in the worst scenario, even to a loss of control of the motorcycle or bicycle.

The use of internal tethers to control the expansion of the inflatable bags is known. In particular, the tethers are designed to connect the upper and lower layers of the inflatable bag so as to prevent the latter from "ballooning".

In case the inflatable bag is manufactured by sewing together a lower panel and an upper panel along their perimetric portions, so as to obtain the so-called "sewed" airbag, the internal tethers can be formed by threads fixed to such opposite panels of the inflatable bag.

In case the inflatable bag is manufactured by means of a single weaving operation, using for example a Jacquard loom, so as to obtain the so-called "one piece woven" (OPW) airbag, the tethers can be formed inside the inflatable bag during the weaving. In this case the internal tethers are made of the same warp and weft threads forming the upper and lower layers of the inflatable bag.

Even if the use of internal tethers allows to control the final shape of the inflatable bags, such a solution presents some drawbacks.

First of all, the incorporation of internal tethers into the inflatable bag tends to be not only labor intensive, but also requires a significant amount of time.

In the case of the OPW airbags, while the manufacturing of airbags without tethers is easily producible and cheap, the manufacturing of airbags with internal tethers is more expensive and complex, since the Jacquard loom needs to be provided with specific tooling.

Conversely, in the case of the "sewed airbag", the fixing of the ends of the tether to the walls may lead to a perforation of the walls resulting in a leak of fluid during the inflation. To avoid this, the upper and lower layers are generally coated with an additional layer, for example a PU or silicon layer, so as to provide the bag with the necessary impermeability. In case of the "OPW airbag" the provision of the internal tethers does not affect the permeability of the airbag, even if, for reducing the permeability of the upper and lower layers, a coating may be applied to the outer surfaces of the airbag.

Obviously, the addition of such a coating in both cases increases the weight and the rigidity of the inflatable bags.

However, even if a coating layer is applied over the walls of the airbag, the points where the tethers are connected to the walls are critical, since they are subject to a high tensile force. Due to such a tension a partial detachment between wall and coating layer, similar to a delamination, may occur with the consequence that the bag may have a failure.

Moreover, even if the use of the internal tethers allows to control the expansion of the airbag, the latter in the inflated status becomes quite rigid so as not to be able to adapt itself to the user's body.

It is known to arrange internal zones having "zero height", namely not inflatable zones, in the inflatable chamber of the bags so as to make the latter more flexible once inflated. However, such "zero height" zones are created by means of internal joints connecting opposite walls. The internal joints may affect the integrity of the whole structure of the airbag, similarly to what it has been previously disclosed with reference to the internal tethers.

Furthermore, the internal joints are not able by themselves to cause the airbag to bend once the latter it is inflated. The airbag needs in any case to be arranged inside a specific housing created into the garment.

Examples of known wearable protection devices are disclosed in <CIT> and in <CIT>.

The main object of the present invention is therefore to provide a wearable protection device comprising an inflatable member configured to overcome or at least reduce the drawbacks above mentioned with reference to the known wearable airbag devices.

More specifically, the main object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protection device comprising an inflatable member, wherein the inflation of the inflatable member can be limited without the need of internal tethers.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protection device comprising an inflatable member able to better adapt to the anatomy of the user's body.

Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protection device comprising an inflatable member suitable for allowing airflow there through, thereby improving breathability and comfort of the wearable protection device.

Again, a further object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protection device comprising an inflatable member, wherein not only the final shape, but also the final volume of the inflatable member can be controlled during the inflation.

Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protection device comprising an inflatable member which can be manufactured at competitive costs.

The above-mentioned objects, and other objects that will better appear in the following of the present description, are achieved by a wearable protection device according to claim <NUM>.

The advantages and the characteristic features of the invention will appear more clearly from the following description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the wearable protection device which refers to the accompanying figures in which:.

With reference to <FIG>, an embodiment of a wearable protection device, is indicated, in its whole, by the reference <NUM>.

The wearable protection device <NUM> can be a garment, like for example a jacket, a vest, pants or a suit, or alternatively can be an undergarment suitable for being used in combination with an outer protection garment.

In a further embodiment, the wearable protection device <NUM> can be a harness or a belt designed to be worn on top or under a further garment.

The wearable protection device <NUM> comprises at least one inflatable member <NUM> suitable for moving between a rest configuration, wherein it is in a deflated status (see for example <FIG> and <FIG>), and an active configuration, wherein it is in an inflated status (see for example <FIG> and <FIG>).

The inflatable member <NUM> is designed to be inflated with a fluid, like for example air or gas, so as to expand in case of danger for protecting the wearer of the wearable protection device <NUM> against impacts, falls or slidings.

To carry out the inflation of the inflatable member <NUM>, the wearable protective device <NUM> preferably comprises inflation means <NUM> which are in fluid communication with the inflatable member <NUM> (see <FIG>). In particular, the inflation means <NUM> are provided with one or more outlets designed to be connected to corresponding inlets of the inflatable member <NUM>. According to the embodiment of <FIG>, the inflatable member <NUM> is suitable for protecting the shoulders, the chest and the back of the wearer. However different arrangements of the inflatable member <NUM> are possible, in order to meet other specific needs.

For example, the inflatable member <NUM> can be designed to also protect the arms, the hips and/or the legs of the wearer.

As shown in the attached figures, the inflatable member <NUM> comprises at least two elongated portions <NUM>. As "elongated portion" there will be indicated a portion of the inflatable member <NUM> having a dimension, for example the length, significantly greater than the other dimension when the inflatable member is in a deflated status. As a matter of fact, in the rest configuration the inflatable member has a substantially two-dimensional structure.

Advantageously, the at least two elongated portions <NUM> have a substantially rectangular shape in the deflated status and are able to assume a substantially cylindrical shape in the inflated status.

Preferably, the inflatable member <NUM> comprises a plurality of elongated portions <NUM>. As "plurality of elongated portions" there will be indicated at least two elongated portions.

In particular, the elongated portions <NUM> of the inflatable member are designed to be positioned adjacent to one other. Advantageously, the elongated portions <NUM> once inflated form a cushioning body which consists in a plurality of substantially cylindrical cushioning elements in close proximity to one another.

As it will be clarified hereinafter, the number and the extension of the elongated portions <NUM> depend on the size and shape of the inflatable member <NUM>.

As schematically shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the elongated portions <NUM> depart from a connecting body <NUM> with which they are in fluid communication. The connecting body <NUM> has the function to bring together the elongated portions <NUM> so as to facilitate the handling and the positioning of the elongated portions <NUM> inside the wearable protection device <NUM>.

The connecting body <NUM> might be a connecting pipe. Preferably, the connecting pipe is made with a rigid material, for example it can be a metal pipe. The connecting pipe <NUM> can be connected to the inflation means <NUM> by means of a connecting duct <NUM> (see <FIG>).

In this embodiment, the connecting pipe <NUM> is preferably provided with one or more outlets <NUM> designed to be connected to corresponding inlets of the elongated portions <NUM>.

Alternatively, the connecting body <NUM> can coincide with the inflation means <NUM>. In this case, the inflation means <NUM> will be provided preferably with at least as many outlets as the number of the elongated portions <NUM>.

In a further embodiment not shown in the enclosed figures, but easily conceivable by a skilled man in the art, the inflation means can comprise two or more canisters, each canister being designed to inflate a different elongated portion of the inflatable member.

Alternatively, the connecting body <NUM> can be a portion of the inflatable member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

In a first embodiment the connecting body <NUM> can be an inflatable portion of the inflatable member <NUM>. Alternatively, the connecting body <NUM> might consist in a non-inflatable portion of the inflatable member <NUM>, like a connecting duct connecting two different portions of the inflatable member, for example a duct connecting the front portion and the rear portion of the inflatable member.

If the connecting body <NUM> is an inflatable portion of the inflatable member <NUM>, the connecting body <NUM> might be positioned around the neck of the wearer and can be superimposed over the top portion of the trunk, so that the various elongated portions <NUM> can extend, starting from the connecting body <NUM>, over the shoulders, the back and the chest of the user (see <FIG>). However different arrangements of connecting body <NUM> and elongated portions <NUM> are possible in order to meet other specific needs.

Preferably, in case the connecting body <NUM> is a portion of the inflatable member <NUM>, the inflation means <NUM> are connected to the connecting body <NUM>, so that the inflation fluid is able to flow inside the connecting body <NUM> before reaching the elongated portions <NUM>. In this way, a faster inflation of the inflatable member <NUM> can be obtained. At the same time, it is also possible to introduce the inflation fluid inside the inflatable member <NUM> with a high pressure. Also in this case the inflation means <NUM> can contain two or more canisters, each canister being designed for example to inflate a different portion of the inflatable member.

According to the invention, at least one part of the at least two elongated portions <NUM> of the inflatable member <NUM> is enwrapped by at least one constraint <NUM>.

As it will be clarified in the following, the function of the constraint <NUM> is to limit the expansion of the at least two elongated portions <NUM> when the inflatable member <NUM> moves from the rest condition to the active configuration. Therefore, thanks to the provision of the constraint <NUM>, it is possible to control the shape of the inflatable member <NUM> once it is inflated without being forced to provide it with internal tethers.

At the same time, thanks to the provision of the constraint <NUM>, it is also possible to control the volume, and thus the internal pressure, of the inflatable member <NUM> once it is inflated.

In the meaning of the present invention, with the expression "to limit the expansion" is to be intended that a difference in volume between a free portion and a portion enwrapped by the constraint of the inflatable member can be detected when the internal pressure is above <NUM> bar.

As shown in the enclosed figures, advantageously the constraint <NUM> is designed to enwrap only the elongated portions <NUM> of the inflatable member <NUM>, without interfering with the expansion of the connecting body <NUM>. In other words, advantageously, the constraint <NUM> does not fully enwrap the whole inflatable member <NUM>.

Parts of at least two adjacent elongated portions <NUM> of the inflatable member <NUM> are enwrapped by said at least one constraint <NUM>.

The adjacent elongated portions <NUM> advantageously are positioned in close proximity, not necessarily in contact, to each other.

According to the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, wherein for sake of clarity the inflatable member <NUM> is shown in a partially inflated configuration and the constraint <NUM> is not shown, the elongated portions <NUM> are preferably aligned and transversally spaced apart to each other, so that air flow passages <NUM> can be defined between the portions <NUM>.

Advantageously the airflow passages <NUM> allow to improve the breathability and the comfort of the wearable protection device <NUM>.

Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, wherein similarly to <FIG> and <FIG> the inflatable member <NUM> is shown in a partially inflated configuration and the constraint <NUM> is not shown, the elongated portions <NUM> are preferably aligned and transversally connected by means of a connecting layer <NUM> provided between facing surfaces of the portions <NUM>.

The connecting layer <NUM> defines a non-inflatable zone of the inflatable member <NUM>. Preferably, the connecting layer <NUM> can be made of the same material forming the inflatable member <NUM>. Alternatively, the connecting layer <NUM> can be made with a breathable fabric so as to provide breathable zones between two adjacent elongated portions <NUM>.

The function of the connecting layer <NUM> is to guarantee the alignment of the elongated portions <NUM> even in the inflated condition of the inflatable member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the constraint <NUM> can consist of a strip disposed transversally to the elongated portion <NUM>. The strip form, without partition walls, is not according to the present claims. Preferably the constraint <NUM> is a strip disposed transversally to at least two adjacent elongated portions <NUM> to be connected.

As shown in <FIG>, each elongated portion <NUM> can be connected to different elongated portions <NUM> by means of different constraint <NUM>.

Advantageously, for example, a same elongated portion <NUM> can be connected to a first adjacent elongated portion by means of a first constraint <NUM> and to a second adjacent elongated portion by means of a second constraint <NUM>.

At the same time, with reference for example to <FIG>, the elongated portions <NUM> arranged above the shoulders or the back of the user can be enwrapped by first constraints <NUM> and the elongated portions <NUM> arranged above the chest can be enwrapped by second constraints <NUM>, different than the first constraints.

If the constraint is a strip arranged transversely to the adjacent elongated portions to be connected, this strip can be made of fabric or polymeric material. Advantageously the strip <NUM> can be made of flexible material and, in some specific embodiment, it can also be provided with a limited elasticity.

As shown for example in <FIG>, the constraint <NUM> consists of a casing acting as a partial cover for the adjacent elongated portions to be connected. Preferably, the casing <NUM> fully covers the elongated portions <NUM> to be connected.

Advantageously, the casing <NUM> can be made with a material having a controlled pliability in order to allow the elongated portions to better adapt to the body of the user, without impairing its retaining function.

Preferably, the casing <NUM> can be made with a breathable material, for example a mesh material or a breathable fabric.

Advantageously, in case it is provided with a limited flexibility, the casing <NUM> allows to also obtain, if needed, a planar configuration, namely a configuration having a thickness substantially uniform, of the elongated portions <NUM> when they are in the inflated condition. In particular, the provision of the casing <NUM> allows to set a specific thickness of the elongated portions <NUM> in the inflated condition, for example <NUM>-<NUM>. Such a configuration is particularly useful because, in order to provide a uniform protection to the user, it is not needed to place a further protection element, like a plate, a back protector or a chest protector, on top of the elongated portions <NUM>.

As a matter of fact, the casing <NUM> is helpful in distributing the impact forces acting on the inflatable member <NUM> on a larger surface, by avoiding that the impact forces act locally and directly on the elongated portions <NUM>.

By distributing the impact forces on a larger surface, for given impact force, the inflatable member provided with the casing <NUM>, is thus able to sustain increased external pressure without needing to be combined with an additional rigid or semirigid protector.

At the same time, the casing <NUM> can also be used advantageously when the elongated portions <NUM> are placed below a further protection element (not shown in the enclosed figures). As a matter of fact, the inflation of the elongated portions <NUM>, being planar and limited by the casing, does not interfere with the protection element.

At the same time, the provision of a flexible casing <NUM> advantageously permits the elongated portions <NUM> of the inflatable member to better adapt to the user's body when they are in the inflated status. As a matter of fact, the elongated portions <NUM> are allowed to also assume a bent configuration if needed.

Advantageously the strip configuration of the constraint <NUM> can be used to connect elongated portions <NUM> which are also connected by means of the connecting layer <NUM>.

In this case, the connecting layer <NUM> is preferably provided with a slit <NUM> suitable for being engaged by the constraint <NUM> (see <FIG>).

At the same time the strip configuration of the constraint <NUM> can also be used to connect together three elongated portions <NUM>: a middle elongated portion 22a and two side adjacent elongated portions 22b (see <FIG>).

Such a configuration can be advantageously used when the area to be protected by the inflatable member <NUM> is greater.

As shown in <FIG>, which are not according to claim <NUM>, the middle elongated portion 22a is connected to each of the side adjacent elongated portions 22b by means of a separate constraint <NUM>.

Preferably, in this embodiment, in the rest configuration the middle portion 22a is aligned and partially superimposed over the side adjacent portions 22b. In this way, in case the connecting layer <NUM> is made with a breathable material, air flow passages are still provided between the middle portion 22a and the side adjacent portions 22b of the inflatable member <NUM>, without affecting the protection offered to the user. As a matter of fact, thanks to the above-mentioned arrangement of the constraints <NUM>, once inflated, the elongated portions can assume a configuration wherein the middle portions 22a are interposed and in contact with the side portions 22b.

As shown in <FIG>, in the inflated condition of the elongated portions 22a, 22b the connecting layers <NUM> can be sandwiched between facing surfaces of the elongated portions 22a, 22b.

In this embodiment, the expansion of the elongated portions 22a, 22b is stopped when the volume defined by the constraint <NUM> is fully occupied.

As shown in <FIG>, in this embodiment the inflatable member <NUM> preferably comprises a plurality of constraints <NUM> positioned in a spaced-apart relation to each other. In this way, similarly to the casing configuration of the constraint <NUM>, the expansion of the elongated portions can be limited and controlled along their entire length.

The provision of the constraints <NUM> allows the elongated portions <NUM>, being the latter independent to each other, to better adapt to the user's body. For example, if the elongated portions <NUM> are disposed over a substantially planar surface, like for example the back of the user, the constraints <NUM> will be able to keep the portions <NUM>, when they are inflated, in a substantially planar configuration. At the same time, if the elongated portions are disposed over a curved surface, for example over the shoulders or the sides of the user, the constraints <NUM> will be able to allow a bending of the elongated portions <NUM> so that the latter can adapt to the underlying surface.

The casing configuration of the constraint <NUM> connects elongated portions <NUM> which are spaced apart to each other.

In this case, see for example <FIG>, the casing <NUM> is provided with partition walls <NUM> designed to define inside the casing <NUM> internal chambers <NUM>, each chamber <NUM> housing one of the elongated portions <NUM> connected by the casing <NUM>.

Advantageously the provision of the partition walls <NUM> helps the elongated portions <NUM> to stay aligned both in rest configuration and active configuration. Moreover, the partition walls <NUM> advantageously limit the expansion of the casing <NUM>, so as to guarantee that the latter controls the expansion of the elongated portions <NUM>, once they are inflated (see <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, the elongated portions <NUM> in the rest configuration can be arranged at least partially folded inside the internal chambers <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, not shown in the figures, the elongated portions can be arranged at least partially rolled up inside the internal chambers <NUM>.

In this way, in case the casing <NUM> is made with a breathable material, airflow passages are provided between the elongated portions <NUM> so as to improve the comfort offered by the wearable protection device <NUM>.

At the same time, such an arrangement does not affect the protection, since the elongated portions <NUM> even if folded in the rest configuration, once they are inflated will fill the whole volume of the internal chambers <NUM>.

At this point it is clear how the predefined objects may be achieved with the wearable protection device <NUM> according to the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The expansion of the inflatable member <NUM> is controlled by means of the constraint <NUM>, without the need of internal tethers inside the inflatable member <NUM>.

Moreover, the inflatable member <NUM> thanks to the provision of the constraint <NUM> is able to better adapt to the user's body.

As a matter of fact, in case the elongated portions <NUM> of the inflatable member <NUM> are designed to protect a substantially planar portion of the user's body, like for example the back or the chest of the user's body, the constraint <NUM> permits that the portions <NUM> assume a substantially planar configuration also in the inflated status, so as to offer an improved protection to the user without affecting the comfort and reducing the risk that the user's body might be compressed during the inflation of the inflatable member <NUM>.

Similarly, in case the elongated portions of the inflatable member are designed to be superimposed to a curved portion of the user's body, like for example the shoulders or the sides, the constraint <NUM> permits the elongated portions <NUM> to bend so as to better adapt to the user's body to protect. At the same time, the provision of elongated portions spaced apart to each other allow to create airflow passages through the inflatable member, so as to improve the comfort and the breathability of the wearable protection device without affecting the protection offered thereof.

Furthermore, the constraint <NUM> permits not only to control the final shape of the inflatable member, but also to limit the internal volume, and therefore to increase the internal pressure thereof.

Again, the constraint <NUM> in the form of the casing provided with internal partition walls is helpful in distributing on a larger surface the impact forces acting on the inflatable member <NUM>, in particular on the elongated portions <NUM>, so as to permit to sustain increased external pressure without needing to be combined with rigid or semirigid protections.

Moreover, the constraint <NUM>, by acting only on the elongated portions without interfering with the connecting body of the inflatable member, does not affect the inflation time of the inflatable member.

Finally, both "sewed airbags" and "OPW airbags" can be used in combination with the constraint <NUM>, without needing specific adjustments. The inflatable member <NUM> is thus manufactured in both cases at competitive costs, since it does not require to be provided with internal tethers or to be coated with additional layers to control its fluid retention.

Claim 1:
A wearable protection device (<NUM>) comprising at least one inflatable member (<NUM>) suitable for moving between a rest configuration, wherein it is in a deflated status, and an active configuration, wherein it is in an inflated status, the at least one inflatable member (<NUM>) comprising at least two elongated portions (<NUM>; 22a, 22b) which depart from a connecting body (<NUM>); the at least two elongated portions (<NUM>; 22a, 22b) being designed to be positioned adjacent to one other and being in fluid communication with the connecting body (<NUM>);
wherein parts of said at least two elongated portions (<NUM>; 22a, 22b) are enwrapped by at least one constraint (<NUM>) which is designed to limit the expansion of said at least two elongated portions (<NUM>; 22a, 22b) when the inflatable member (<NUM>) moves in the active configuration, wherein said at least one constraint (<NUM>) consists of a casing acting as a partial cover for said at least two adjacent elongated portions (<NUM>; 22a, 22b) and connecting said at least two adjacent elongated portions (<NUM>; 22a, 22b) which are spaced apart to each other, characterized in that
said casing being provided with partition walls (<NUM>) for defining inside the casing (<NUM>) internal chambers (<NUM>); each internal chamber (<NUM>) housing one of said at least two adjacent elongated portions (<NUM>; 22a, 22b) connected by the casing (<NUM>); said at least two adjacent elongated portions (<NUM>; 22a, 22b) in the rest configuration being arranged at least partially folded or rolled up inside said internal chambers (<NUM>).