Patent Description:
More specifically, the present invention relates to a wearable protection device provided with an inflatable member, suitable for being used in all the fields where an effective protection against impacts and/or falls must be obtained. For example, the wearable protection device is suitable for being worn by motorcyclists, cyclists, skiers or during working activities.

For sake of clarity, in the present description reference will be made, in a not limiting way, to a wearable protection device suitable for being worn by a motorcyclist.

Typically, the wearable protection device consists in a protection garment, like for example a jacket, a suit, a vest, a belt, which contains an inflatable member, suitable for moving from a rest condition, wherein it is in a deflated status, to an operating condition, wherein it is in an inflated status. <CIT> discloses such a wearable device.

The inflatable member is in fluid communication with an inflation device, like for example a gas cartridge, which is adapted to introduce into the inflatable member a predefined quantity of an inflation fluid, like for example compressed gas, so as to inflate, and therefore expand, the inflatable member.

The releasing of the inflation fluid can be controlled by a mechanical or electronic system.

The gas cartridges usually consist in a cylindrical housing having a first end connected to an opening of the inflatable member and, in case of a system electronically activated, a second end connected to the control unit of the wearable device by means of a specific connector.

The connection of the gas cartridge to the inflatable member can be carried out by directly clamping an end of the cartridge inside the opening of the inflatable member. Alternatively, the end of the gas cartridge can be provided with an external thread suitable for being screwed inside a corresponding thread of a cap, arranged at the opening of the inflatable member.

Alternatively, the end of the gas cartridge can be connected to the inflatable member by means of a bayonet mount, wherein the male element is provided at the end of the gas cartridge and a female receptor is provided at a cap arranged at the opening of the inflatable member.

In the known devices, after having been inflated, the inflatable member can be reused, if it has not undergone damages, like tearings or punctures.

On the contrary, the gas cartridge needs to be replaced after every deployment with a new one.

However, the replacement of the gas cartridge is an operation which could be dangerous if not managed in the proper way.

As a matter of fact, in order to assure high performances in terms of pressure and deployment time, without increasing the dimensions of the gas cartridge, the latter usually contains a pyrotechnic charge.

In case of an airbag system electronically activated, the pyrotechnic charge is fired by means of an electronic impulse coming from the control unit; in case of airbag mechanically activated, the pyrotechnic charge boosts a mechanical firing pin.

Even if the manufacturers follow standard safety procedures to guarantee the safe manipulation of the gas cartridges, the possibility exists that the electronic or mechanical control of the cartridges may fail or that the user didn't handle the cartridge in an appropriate way during the manipulation and/or the change of the gas cartridge.

In order to avoid any safety problems to the final user, at now the replacement of the gas cartridges is handled by authorized centers having a specific training for handling pyrotechnical parts and for guaranteeing the correct connection between the gas cartridge and the inflatable member.

To replace the exhausted gas cartridge, in case of a system electronically activated, the electronic connector to the control unit firstly needs to be released from the gas cartridge and then the end of the gas cartridge connected to the inflatable member needs to be removed from the inflatable member.

However, both operations may cause an accidental triggering of the pyrotechnical charge of the gas cartridge with high risks for the operator.

At the same time, even if the gas cartridge is replaced in a safe manner, the protection of the user could be compromised.

As a matter of fact, a proper inflation of the inflatable member is prevented if the new gas cartridge is not correctly fixed to the inflatable member, with high risks for the final user.

In view of the above problems, if the inflatable member is activated during the use of the wearable protective device, the latter must be returned to an authorized center for carrying out the replacement of the gas cartridge.

However, the shipment of the wearable protective device is costly since the garment is bulky. Moreover, the user for at least a certain period of time, usually two or three weeks, is deprived of the additional protection offered by the inflatable wearable protection device, unless he/she has at his/her disposal a further inflatable protection garment, with the related not negligibly costs.

The main object of the present invention is therefore to provide a wearable protection device with an inflatable member and 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 with an inflatable member and configured to permit a safe and proper replacement of the gas cartridge without needing to return the wearable protection device to a customer service center after the deployment of the inflatable member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protection device with an inflatable member and configured to allow the safer and proper replacement of the gas cartridge by person not having a specific technical training.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protection device with an inflatable member and configured not to permit the triggering of the inflatable member, in case the gas cartridge is not connected or not properly connected to the inflatable member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protection device with an inflatable member and configured to provide a reliable feedback to the final user about the mutual positioning between the gas cartridge and the inflatable member.

Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protection device with an inflatable member suitable for being used more than once, offering the same safety level in any subsequent activation.

These 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 example of a wearable protection device, according to the present invention, is indicated in its whole by the reference <NUM>.

The wearable protection device <NUM> can be a garment, like for example a jacket 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 designed to be worn on top or under a further garment.

The wearable protection device <NUM> is preferably designed for being worn by motorcyclists. Nevertheless, as it will appear more clearly from the following description, the wearable protection device <NUM> can also be advantageously used by cyclists or in other fields where an effective protection of the user's body must be obtained.

The wearable protection device <NUM> comprises at least one inflatable member <NUM>. The inflatable member <NUM> is designed to move between a rest condition, wherein it is in a deflated status, and an operating condition, wherein it is in an inflated status. The inflatable member <NUM> is inflated with a fluid, like for example air or gas, so as to expand for protecting the wearer of the wearable protection device <NUM> against impacts, falls or slidings.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the wearable protection device <NUM> is provided with a single inflatable member <NUM> designed for protecting chest, back and shoulders of the user.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, wherein the inflatable member <NUM> is shown in transparency for convenience, the inflatable member is designed to also cover the sides of the user.

However, the wearable protection device <NUM> can be provided with a single inflatable member <NUM> or a plurality of inflatable members suitable for covering different portions of the user's body.

Preferably the inflatable member <NUM> has a bag-like shape.

The wearable protection device <NUM> also comprises at least one inflator device <NUM> designed to be coupled to the inflatable member <NUM> for inflating the latter when the inflator device <NUM> is triggered.

Preferably the inflator device <NUM> is chosen from the group comprising pyrotechnic inflators, compressed gas inflators and hybrid inflators. As it is well known in the art, in pyrotechnic inflators a pyrotechnic charge is used to ignite the combustion of a gas generating material to provide inflation gas. Compressed gas inflators in turn use a minimal amount of pyrotechnic material to open a sealed chamber to release the inflation gas from a compressed state.

Hybrid inflators use a combination of combustion and compressed gas storage to provide the inflation gas needed to fill the inflatable member <NUM>.

The inflator device <NUM> can comprise a plurality of inflation charges so as to be able to inflate the inflatable member <NUM> more than once so that the inflations of the inflatable member <NUM> take place in a chronological order.

In this case, the replacement of the inflator device <NUM> is carried out once all the inflation charges have been triggered.

As it is shown in <FIG>, the inflator device <NUM> is preferably in the form of a cylindrical gas cartridge having a connecting end <NUM> designed to be connected to the inflatable member <NUM>. In detail, the connecting end <NUM> is preferably inserted and blocked in a gas tightly manner into an opening <NUM> of the inflatable member <NUM>.

As it is known in the art, the connecting end <NUM> of the gas cartridge <NUM> can be clamped inside the opening <NUM> by means of a holding ring <NUM> (see for example <FIG>). Alternatively, the connecting end <NUM> of the gas cartridge <NUM> can be inserted inside a corresponding cap <NUM> fastened at the opening <NUM> of the inflatable member <NUM> (see for example <FIG>).

The connecting end <NUM> of the gas cartridge <NUM> can be inserted by pressure into the cap <NUM>. Alternatively, the connecting end <NUM> of the gas cartridge <NUM> can be provided with an external thread <NUM> suitable for being screwed into a corresponding internal thread <NUM> provided inside the cap <NUM>.

The inflator device <NUM> can be triggered by means of an electronic or mechanical mechanism.

In case of an electronically activation, the wearable protection device <NUM> comprises at least one sensor <NUM> designed to detect forces acting on the wearable protection device <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, two sensors <NUM> are, for example, applied at the shoulder portion of the wearable protection device <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, one or more sensors <NUM> are applied, for example, in a housing <NUM> positioned at the upper back portion of the wearable protection device <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is shown in detail in <FIG>.

In a further embodiment, not shown in the figures, at least one sensor can be directly applied on the wearable protection device and at least one sensor can be positioned inside a protection applied on the wearable protection device.

Preferably the wearable protection device <NUM> comprises at least one accelerometer, designed to detect the accelerations acting on the wearable protection device, and/or at least one gyroscope, designed to detect movements and orientation of the wearable protection device.

The wearable protection device <NUM> can further comprise a control unit <NUM> designed to process the data detected by the sensor <NUM> and to send a triggering signal to the inflator device <NUM>, when a crash situation is identified.

As a "crash situation" should be intended a situation wherein the wearable protective device undergoes a sudden acceleration/deceleration and/or a sudden variation in its orientation and in its angular velocity.

In particular, when the wearer of the wearable protective device is on a vehicle, like for example a motorcycle, a sudden acceleration or deceleration undergone by the wearable protection device can identify that the motorcycle has hit an obstacle or that the wearer has lost the control of the motorcycle being thrown from the saddle.

The control unit <NUM> is preferably housed in a protected zone of the wearable protection device <NUM>, like for example a back protector <NUM> applied to the wearable protection device (see for example <FIG>) or the housing <NUM> also used for housing the sensor <NUM> and the gas cartridge <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> is designed to process at regular time intervals (for example <NUM>) the data received from the sensor <NUM> so as to obtain an information about the forces acting on the wearable protection device <NUM>.

If the control unit <NUM> detects, on the basis of an algorithm implemented therein, that a crash situation is occurring, a triggering signal is sent from the control unit <NUM> to the inflator device <NUM> so that the inflatable member <NUM> can be inflated.

In case of a mechanical activation of the inflator device <NUM>, the latter can be triggered by using an activation cable or tether connecting the wearable protection device to the motorcycle.

The activation cable has a first end connected to the motorcycle and a second end fixed to a triggering device, designed to trigger a firing pin, which in turn is configured to activate the inflator device.

If a separation of the wearer from the motorcycle occurs, as it is typically caused by a fall and/or an impact, the activation cable or the tether by means of the triggering device triggers the firing pin causing the inflator's deployment.

In case of an electronic activation of the inflatable member <NUM>, the inflator device <NUM> is electronically connected to the control unit <NUM>.

In detail, the inflator device <NUM> is connected to the control unit <NUM> by means of a cable <NUM> having at its end an electronic connector <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>). The electronic connector <NUM> is designed to be coupled to a corresponding slot <NUM> provided in the inflator device <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Preferably, the slot <NUM> is positioned at the opposite end with respect to the connecting end <NUM> of the gas cartridge <NUM>.

If the electronic connector <NUM> is released from the slot <NUM> of the gas cartridge <NUM>, the latter cannot be triggered and thus no inflation of the inflatable member <NUM> is possible. According to the invention, the wearable protection device <NUM> comprises a safety device <NUM> designed to signal an unsafe state of the wearable protection device <NUM> if the inflator device <NUM> is decoupled or not properly coupled to the inflatable member <NUM>. As "unsafe state" should be intended a state of the wearable protection device <NUM> which does not permit a proper inflation of the inflatable member <NUM> or represents a potential hazard for the wearer.

As it will appear clearly from the following description the safety device <NUM> is able to signal when the inflator device <NUM> is not properly connected to the inflatable member <NUM> so as to avoid malfunctioning of the wearable protection device <NUM>.

For example, the inflator device <NUM> is not properly connected to the inflatable member <NUM> if the connection is not gas tight. Such an occurrence can happen, for example, if the connecting end <NUM> of the inflator device <NUM> is spaced apart from the corresponding receiving opening/seat <NUM> provided in the inflatable member <NUM>.

Similarly, if the connecting end <NUM> of the gas cartridge <NUM> is provided with an external thread <NUM>, the gas cartridge <NUM> is not properly fixed to the cap <NUM> of the inflatable member <NUM>, if it is not screwed in the cap <NUM> until the gas cartridge <NUM> abuts against the cap <NUM> of the inflatable member <NUM>.

Moreover, the safety device <NUM> is able to assist who carries out the replacement of the inflator device <NUM>, once exhausted, so as to permit a safe handling of the inflator device <NUM>, limiting the risk that the inflator device <NUM>, and in particular the pyrotechnic charge, is activated by mistake.

In a first embodiment, in case the inflatable member <NUM> is designed to be electronically activated by means of the control unit <NUM>, the safety device <NUM> comprises a safety or positioning sensor <NUM>, connected to the control unit <NUM>, and designed to automatically switch off the control unit <NUM> or not to permit the switching on of the control unit <NUM> if the wearable protection device <NUM> is in an unsafe state.

In this way there is no possibility that the inflation device <NUM> is triggered by the control unit <NUM>, so as to avoid the risk of an improper inflation.

The safety sensor <NUM> can be connected to a signaling device of the wearable protection device <NUM>. Such a signaling device can be applied at the outer surface of the wearable protection device.

If the wearable protection device is in an unsafe state the safety device can provide a visual signal to the wearer, for example by switching off the signaling device, or it can provide an audible alarm.

In a first embodiment, the safety device <NUM> can comprise a positioning sensor <NUM> designed to signal the unsafe state of the wearable protection device <NUM> if a distance between reference marks provided respectively on the inflator device <NUM> and on the inflatable member <NUM> exceeds a predetermined distance value, which is set up by assuming that the inflator device is properly connected to the inflatable member. When the detected distance is greater than the reference value it means that the inflator device is not properly connected to the inflatable member.

In particular, as shown in <FIG>, a positioning sensor <NUM>, connected to the control unit <NUM>, can be applied in proximity of the opening <NUM> of the inflatable member <NUM> to which the inflator device <NUM> is connected. In this way, the positioning sensor <NUM> is able to detect the presence of the inflator device <NUM> and/or the contact with a facing surface <NUM> of the inflator device <NUM>.

According to the embodiment of <FIG>, the positioning sensor <NUM> is preferably applied at the rim of the cap <NUM> fastened to the inflatable member <NUM>, so as to be able to detect the presence and/or the contact with the facing surface <NUM> of the gas cartridge <NUM>. Such a facing surface <NUM> is designed to be placed in close proximity or to abut against the rim of the cap <NUM> if the gas cartridge <NUM> is properly connected to the inflatable member <NUM>. If the gas cartridge <NUM> is not properly connected to the inflatable member <NUM>, the positioning sensor <NUM> does not detect the presence of the gas cartridge <NUM> or the contact between the facing surfaces of rim and gas cartridge and thus it automatically switches off the control unit <NUM> or keeps the control unit <NUM> in a switched off status.

Alternatively the positioning sensor <NUM> can be applied at the connecting end <NUM> of the inflator device <NUM>.

The positioning sensor can be an electronic switch, like for example a contact sensor, or a proximity sensor, like for example a Hall effect sensor.

In case of an inflatable member mechanically activated, the positioning sensor <NUM> can be connected to a signaling device able to signal to the wearer that the gas cartridge is not properly fixed to the inflatable member.

In an alternative embodiment the positioning sensor <NUM> can be a mechanical switch preferably applied at the rim of the cap <NUM> and suitable to signal an unsafe state of the wearable protection device when it is not pressed by a facing surface <NUM> of the gas cartridge <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment, the inflator device <NUM> can be designed to be inserted in a holding seat <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). The holding seat <NUM> can be fastened to an inner or an outer surface of the wearable protection device <NUM>.

Preferably, the holding seat <NUM> is provided in the housing <NUM> positioned at the upper portion of the back (see <FIG>).

Advantageously, in this embodiment, the safety device <NUM> comprises a mechanical device configured to allow the insertion of the inflator device <NUM> inside the holding seat <NUM> only if the inflator device <NUM> is properly connected to the inflatable member <NUM>.

In this case, if the wearable protection device <NUM> is in an unsafe status, namely the gas cartridge <NUM> is not properly connected to the inflatable member <NUM>, the safety device <NUM> is able to provide the wearer with a direct visual information, since the wearer will see that the gas cartridge <NUM> is at least partially spaced apart from the holding seat <NUM> or not inserted therein.

Such a safety device <NUM> can be used both in wearable protection device <NUM> electronically activated and in wearable protection device mechanically activated.

As shown in <FIG>, the safety device <NUM> can comprise at least one abutment surface <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> designed to define in the holding seat <NUM> a geometry complementary to the assembly formed by the inflator device <NUM> and the cap <NUM> of the inflatable member <NUM>, once the connecting end <NUM> of the inflator device <NUM> is properly inserted inside the cap <NUM>.

Preferably, in this embodiment the safety device <NUM> comprises a front abutment surface <NUM> and a rear abutment surface <NUM>. The front abutment surface <NUM>, which preferably has a recess on which the cap <NUM> can be laid, is designed to be positioned in proximity of the junction between cap and connecting end, while the rear abutment surface <NUM> is opposite to the front abutment surface <NUM>.

Advantageously, the distance between the front abutment surface <NUM> and the rear abutment surface <NUM> is set so as to coincide with the length of the assembly formed by the inflator device <NUM> and the cap <NUM> once the connecting end <NUM> is properly inserted inside the cap <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Alternatively, the distance between the front abutment surface <NUM> and the rear abutment surface <NUM> is set so that the front abutment surface <NUM> can engage corresponding notches <NUM> provided in the cap <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) or in the gas cartridge <NUM> only if the connecting end <NUM> is properly inserted inside the cap <NUM> and the rear end of the gas cartridge <NUM> is abutting against the rear abutment surface <NUM>.

In a further embodiment, also the rear abutment surface <NUM> can be shaped so as to be able to engage corresponding notches provided at the rear end of the gas cartridge only if the gas cartridge is properly connected to the inflatable member.

Alternatively the rear abutment surface <NUM> can be shaped so as to be complementary to the electronic connector <NUM> by means of which the gas cartridge <NUM> is connected to the control unit <NUM>.

If the connecting end <NUM> of the gas cartridge <NUM> is not properly inserted inside the cap <NUM>, the gas cartridge cannot be inserted inside the holding seat <NUM> since the rear portion of the gas cartridge <NUM> will hit the rear abutment surface <NUM> or the front and rear abutment surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> will not be able to match the reference notches <NUM>.

The wearer has thus an immediate feedback about the mutual positioning between the gas cartridge <NUM> and the inflatable member <NUM> and he is induced to act on the gas cartridge <NUM> so as to properly connect it to the inflatable member <NUM>.

At the same time, the mechanical safety device <NUM> is also useful to block the gas cartridge <NUM> in the proper position with respect to the inflatable member <NUM> once it is connected to it. As a matter of fact, the front and rear abutment surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, preferably in combination with side surfaces <NUM> extending from the front abutment surface <NUM> to the rear abutment surface <NUM>, allow to firmly detain the gas cartridge <NUM> inside its seat <NUM>, so as to avoid that following vibrations or shocks occurring during the use of the wearable protection device the gas cartridge <NUM> can move from its proper position.

Advantageously, a safety sensor, connected to the control unit <NUM>, can be applied on an inner surface of the holding seat <NUM>, namely on a surface which is designed to be in contact with the inflator device <NUM> when the inflator device is inserted in the holding seat <NUM>.

When the inflator device <NUM> is removed from its holding seat <NUM>, such a sensor is able to switch off the control unit or to keep the control unit switched off, until an inflator device is properly positioned inside the holding seat <NUM>.

For example, the safety sensor can be a mechanical switch or a pressure sensor.

In a further embodiment, the wearable protection device can comprise two holding seats <NUM> each designed for housing one inflator device <NUM>; said holding seats <NUM> being both provided with a safety sensor connected to the control unit <NUM> on their inner surface.

In this case, the control unit <NUM> will be switched off or will be kept switched off if one of the inflator devices is not properly inserted inside its holding seat.

Advantageously, the holding seat <NUM> can comprise a cover <NUM> suitable for protecting the gas cartridge <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>). The cover <NUM> can be provided with first fastening means <NUM> designed to be coupled with corresponding second fastening means <NUM> of the holding seat <NUM> so as to permit the fastening of the cover <NUM> to the holding seat <NUM>.

First and second fastening means <NUM>, <NUM> are designed to be matched to each other only if the safety device <NUM> permits the insertion of the inflator device <NUM> inside the holding seat <NUM>.

As a matter of fact, if the gas cartridge <NUM> cannot be inserted inside the holding seat <NUM>, the cover <NUM> cannot be correctly fixed to the holding seat <NUM>, since the gas cartridge <NUM> projects from the holding seat <NUM>.

The wearer in this case clearly understands that the wearable protection device is in an unsafe state being the cover <NUM> spaced apart from the holding seat <NUM>. Advantageously, also in this embodiment the safety device <NUM> can be designed to switch off the control unit <NUM> or to keep the control unit <NUM> switched off if the wearable protection device is in an unsafe state.

The safety device <NUM> can comprise a safety or contact sensor <NUM>, connected to the control unit <NUM>, which can be positioned on a top edge of the holding seat <NUM> or on a bottom edge of the cover <NUM> (see <FIG>). Such a sensor <NUM> is designed to switch on the control unit <NUM> once the cover <NUM> is properly fixed to the holding seat <NUM> and to switch off or to keep the control unit switched off when the cover <NUM> is removed from the seat.

A not properly fastening of the cover <NUM> to the holding seat <NUM> signals an unsafe state of the wearable protection device since the inflator device <NUM> is not properly coupled to the inflatable member <NUM>.

Therefore, the safety device <NUM>, in case the gas cartridge <NUM> must be replaced, is able to re-activate the control unit <NUM> only if the gas cartridge <NUM> is correctly positioned inside its holding seat <NUM> and/or the cover <NUM> is properly fastened to the holding seat <NUM>.

Advantageously the wearable protection device <NUM> can be provided with two holding seats <NUM>, each seat being suitable for housing a corresponding gas cartridge <NUM>. These holding seats <NUM> can be arranged on a supporting plate <NUM>, suitable for being fixed to the outer surface of the wearable protection device <NUM>.

Both seats can be provided with the above mentioned safety device <NUM> and with a corresponding cover <NUM>.

Advantageously, in case both safety devices <NUM> comprise a contact sensor <NUM> positioned on the cover <NUM> or on the seat <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> will be switched off or it will be kept switched off, if one of the gas cartridges <NUM> is not properly inserted inside its holding seat <NUM>, so as not to permit the correct positioning of the cover over the holding seat.

Alternatively, the supporting plate <NUM> can have a single cover <NUM> suitable for covering both holding seats <NUM>. A contact sensor <NUM> can be applied at the bottom rim of the cover <NUM> or at a top surface of the supporting plate <NUM>.

Also in this embodiment, the cover <NUM> can be properly fixed to the supporting plate <NUM>, only if both gas cartridges are properly inserted inside their holding seats <NUM>.

A proper connection between cover and supporting plate causes the pressing of the contact sensor <NUM> which emits a corresponding signal to the control unit.

At this point it is clear how the predefined objects may be achieved with the wearable protection device according to the invention.

The safety device allows a safe and proper replacement of the gas cartridge without needing to return the wearable protection device to a customer service. As a matter of fact, the safety device offers a reliable feedback about the connection between the gas cartridge and the inflatable member, so that also a final user not having a specific training is able to understand whether the gas cartridge, used in replacement of an exhausted gas cartridge, has been properly connected to the inflatable member.

Moreover, the safety device offers a protection against possible hazards occurring during the replacement of the gas cartridge since it is able to switch off or to keep in a switched off status the control unit until the gas cartridge is not connected or not properly connected to the inflatable member, so as to avoid that the pyrotechnic charge of the gas cartridge can be inadvertently activated.

Claim 1:
A wearable protection device (<NUM>) comprising:
- at least one inflatable member (<NUM>) designed to move between a rest condition, wherein it is in a deflated status, and an operating condition, wherein it is in an inflated status;
- an inflator device (<NUM>) designed to be coupled to the at least one inflatable member (<NUM>) for inflating said at least one inflatable member (<NUM>) once the inflator device (<NUM>) is triggered;
characterized in that it further comprises
a safety device (<NUM>) designed to signal an unsafe state of the wearable protection device (<NUM>) if the inflator device (<NUM>) is decoupled or not properly coupled to said at least one inflatable member (<NUM>).