Patent Description:
In the sector relating to the protection of user it is in fact known to use a wearable protection device including an inflatable element which has a form such as to cover the torso of a user, both in a chest zone and in a back zone.

The inflatable element is inflated in the event of an impact by an inflation device which is placed in fluid communication with the said inflatable element. Generally, said inflation device includes a fluid source, such as a compressed gas cylinder, which is generally referred to as a gas generator. The gas generator is generally associated with a back portion of the wearable protection device or of a garment which incorporates said wearable protection device.

The arrangement of the gas generator on the back is facilitated by the fact that the back may be provided with a back protector which may support the gas generator. A plate-shaped support body which, when placed on the back, does not hinder the movements of the user may also be used instead of the back protector.

Basically, the wearable protection device includes a rigid protector or other support device for the back, which, in addition to the wearable protection function, performs a support function for the gas generator. In order to connect the gas generator to the inflatable element, a portion of the inflatable element connected to the gas generator is inserted inside the back protector or in the support device.

It has also been proposed inserting the gas generator in this portion of the inflatable element and including the combined assembly of the gas generator and the inflatable element in the back protector.

It should be pointed out that the position of the gas generator in the back area of a user makes the wearable protection device safer, preventing the gas generator from being able to interfere with the vital organs situated in the front part of the user, in the event of a fall.

The present disclosure is based on the recognition by the inventor of the present disclosure that a wearable protection device such as that made available by the prior art, while being advantageous from many points of view, has the drawback that it cannot be easily adapted in the case where the gas generator must be replaced after a first inflation of the inflatable element.

The document <CIT> discloses a wearable protection device according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

In fact, if the gas generator is located inside the back protector, the latter must be disassembled in order to allow access to the gas generator. Disassembly for access to the gas generator may result in the risk of displacing also the inflatable element from its seat or, in any case, may require expert action on the wearable garment in order to change the gas generator and reassemble the entire safety protection device.

It has therefore been proposed positioning the gas generator outside of the back protector on an external support which may be positioned on a surface of the back protector so that the gas generator is easily accessible without disassembly of the back protector. However, this solution results in an increase in the overall dimensions of the wearable protection device since a part of the wearable protection device is located outside the back protector.

Further solutions involve arranging the gas generator on one side of the back protector on the outside thereof, but this results in the wearable protection device being generally less comfortable.

The starting point of the present disclosure is the technical problem of providing a wearable protection device which is able to satisfy the aforementioned need with reference to the prior art for easy access to the gas generator, while maintaining compact dimensions of the entire wearable protection device and/or achieving further advantages and characteristic features.

This is obtained by means of a wearable protection device, a method for assembling an inflation device of the wearable protection device, and a garment according to the respective independent claims. Secondary characteristic features forming the subject of the present disclosure are defined in the corresponding dependent claims.

The wearable protection device, according to the present disclosure, comprises at least one inflatable element, a gas generator and a coupling device for coupling the gas generator to the inflatable element, the coupling device including a coupling element associated with the gas generator and a coupling counter-element associated with the inflatable element.

The expression "support device" is generally understood as meaning a body or assembly, which may be plate-shaped and/or closed in the manner of a box/casing able to support the components of the device and in particular the gas generator. The support device may be particularly suitable for arrangement on the back of a user and/or also have the configuration of a back protector.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the inflatable element includes a primary portion of the inflatable element and a secondary portion of the inflatable element. The secondary portion of the inflatable element is connected as one piece with the primary portion and is provided with said coupling counter-element, wherein the support device is at least partially superimposed on the primary portion of the inflatable element so as to form a multilayer structure therewith, and said secondary portion protrudes with respect to said support device and is in the folded or overturned condition, or a folding or overturning condition, said folding or overturning condition corresponding to a housing condition of said coupling counter-element in said receiving seat of the support device.

Preferably, the folded or overturned condition is understood as being a condition in which the secondary portion is folded or overturned onto itself, namely protrudes from the primary portion and is folded back from the primary portion.

In this condition, the inflatable element may be connected with the gas generator and allows inflation of the inflatable element.

This solution offers numerous advantages. The first advantage consists in the fact that a primary portion consisting of the inflatable element with a protective function may be placed underneath the wearable protection device, on the user side, and is configured so that the coupling counter-element protrudes with respect to the support device, by means of the secondary portion. The secondary portion, being in the folded or overturned condition, may allow the coupling counter-element to be inserted inside the receiving seat with significant control of the overall dimensions. In this way, the support device may be superimposed on the inflatable element and allow the wearable protection device to offer double protection both on the side of the support device and on the side of the inflatable element and at the same time provide a minimal small-size connection between the gas generator and the inflatable element.

Preferably, the overturning or folding condition is a condition in which the secondary portion is folded <NUM>° about itself and/or with respect to the primary portion, namely it consists of a full fold which results in an overlapping arrangement of two secondary portion parts and/or at least one part of the secondary portion with respect to the primary portion.

In this condition the secondary portion may be arranged substantially squashed and flat without substantially additional volume in the deflated condition.

Preferably, the support device has a through-opening configured to allow access to said receiving seat and is designed to receive a secondary portion part of the inflatable element which carries the coupling counter-element or also only the coupling counter-element so as to allow stable coupling between the inflatable element and the gas generator arranged inside the receiving seat.

Preferably, the wearable protection device has a user-side area, namely an area or portion intended to face the body of a user. In other words, when the wearable protection device is worn, it defines an area for receiving the user's body. In this condition, when the wearable protection device is worn by said user, the primary portion of the inflatable element is arranged underneath the support device, namely on the side of said user-side area with respect to the support device. Consequently, as a result of the aforementioned layout of the aforementioned parts, the secondary portion protrudes from the support device and is folded outwards, preferably through <NUM>°, towards the support device so as to reach the receiving seat.

Preferably, said through-opening is arranged on the side of said user-side area and is therefore preferably hidden from view. In this condition, the secondary portion of the inflatable element is folded so as to be arranged between the support device and the primary portion of the support element and is therefore only marginally visible. In other words, the connection between the inflatable element and the gas generator may therefore be not only compact in size, but also hidden from view.

Preferably, the secondary portion of the inflatable element is a peripheral appendage which does not have a wearable protection function but only serves to provide the connection between the primary portion and the gas generator receiving seat.

Even more preferably, the wearable protection device is configured and organized so that the coupling counter-element is permanently received inside the receiving seat and the gas generator is connected if necessary by means of the respective coupling element to the coupling counter-element. The connection may be of the removable type, so that, once inflation of the inflatable element is performed, it is necessary merely to remove and replace the gas generator. The receiving seat may be configured to include elastic coupling elements, for example of the clip type, so as to allow a stable form-fit and at the same time rapid removal of the gas generator in/from the coupling seat.

Preferably, the support device comprises a bottom or base structure which includes said seat for receiving the gas generator, and a wearable protective cover for the gas generator, said wearable protective cover being removable from said bottom or base structure.

It is to be understood that the support device may be made of a soft material or a material which is not necessarily rigid.

Preferably, the bottom or base structure is arranged on the user side and the wearable protection cover faces the opposite side, namely an outer side. In this way, a user may access the gas generator from the outside. The support device is configured to support also further functional elements for the wearable protection device, such as a control unit and sensors for detecting a danger situation.

As mentioned above, the wearable protection device may also have a back protector or generally wearable protection function for the back. More generally, preferably, the primary portion of the inflatable element is a portion providing wearable protection for the back of a user, and the support device is superimposed on said primary portion on the back so as to have minimum dimensions and a minimum impact for a user. The inflatable element therefore extends over the back as far as a neck zone. The secondary portion is a peripheral portion with respect to the primary portion and preferably is a portion which projects in the manner of an appendage or an extension extending in a neck zone of the inflatable element, and is in a condition folded or bent back towards the back.

The position of the support device on the back allows or does not hinder flexing and twisting movements of the user's back.

Preferably, the inflatable element overall is a structure which protects the main portions of a user's torso and comprises inflatable element portions on the back and chest, leaving free a central cavity where the user's head is inserted. In these conditions, the inflatable element is cut to size to define said cavity and therefore there are normally inflatable element waste portions which are not used. The secondary portion is formed preferably precisely in said regions which would be waste regions, safeguarding therefore inflatable element portions which otherwise would be eliminated and without therefore using additional portions of the inflatable element.

Further advantages, characteristic features and modes of use forming the subject of the present disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description of a number of preferred examples of embodiment thereof, provided by way of a nonlimiting example.

It is nevertheless evident that each embodiment may have one or more of the advantages listed above; in any case it is nevertheless not necessary that each embodiment should have simultaneously all the advantages listed.

Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings in which:.

With reference to the attached figures, the reference number <NUM> indicates a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure.

"Wearable protection device" is understood as meaning a device which may be worn, namely placed on a user's body with a protective function, or which can be associated with or is designed to be associated with a garment or an undergarment, such as a motorcycling suit, a jacket, a vest or a pair of trousers. Since it is a device which can be preferably worn, in the context of the present disclosure reference will be made for greater clarity to parts of the body which said wearable protection device is intended to protect, and in general to spatial references such as above, below, inner and outer and similar references which are to be understood in a nonlimiting manner as though the device were being worn.

The wearable protection device <NUM> according to the present disclosure comprises at least one inflatable element <NUM>, a gas generator <NUM> and a coupling device <NUM> for coupling the gas generator <NUM> to the inflatable element <NUM> (<FIG>).

The coupling device <NUM> includes a coupling element <NUM> associated with the gas generator <NUM> and a coupling counter-element <NUM> associated with the inflatable element <NUM>. It should be noted that in <FIG> the coupling counter-element <NUM> is detached from the inflatable element since it consist of an assembly stage. However, once the entire wearable protection device <NUM> is assembled, the coupling counter-element <NUM> is associated preferably permanently with the inflatable element <NUM>. The coupling counter-element <NUM> may be preferably a bush-like body associated with the inflatable element <NUM>.

The gas generator <NUM> may be a structure which is for example canister-shaped, namely has a substantially cylindrical structure. The gas generator <NUM> is to be understood as being a source of inflation fluid and may be a gas generator of the pyrotechnic or hybrid type or other types known according to the state of the art.

The wearable protection device <NUM> further comprises a support device <NUM> defining a receiving seat <NUM> for receiving the gas generator <NUM> and the coupling device <NUM> and allowing coupling together of the inflatable element <NUM> and the gas generator <NUM> inside said receiving seat <NUM>.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the inflatable element <NUM> includes a primary portion <NUM> of the inflatable element <NUM> and a secondary portion <NUM> of the inflatable element <NUM> connected as one piece with the primary portion <NUM>.

The secondary portion <NUM> is provided with, or supports, said coupling counter-element <NUM>.

The support device <NUM> is at least partially superimposed on the primary portion <NUM> of the inflatable element <NUM> so as to form a multilayer structure. The secondary portion <NUM> protrudes with respect to said support portion <NUM>.

Furthermore, advantageously, the secondary portion <NUM> of the inflatable element <NUM> is in the folded or overturned condition, or folding or overturning condition, towards the support device <NUM>. The folding or overturning condition corresponds to a housing condition of the coupling counter-element <NUM> in said receiving seat <NUM>. In particular, in said folding or overturning condition, the coupling counter-element <NUM> is in said receiving seat <NUM> of the support device <NUM> and already connected to the secondary portion <NUM> of the inflatable element <NUM>.

In this condition, the inflatable element <NUM> may be connected with the gas generator <NUM> and allows inflation of the inflatable element <NUM>. In other words the secondary portion <NUM> supports the coupling counter-element <NUM> and may be folded towards the support device <NUM> to allow housing of the coupling counter-element <NUM> inside the receiving seat <NUM> with consequent significant control of the overall dimensions. The secondary portion <NUM> may also be partly housed inside the receiving seat <NUM> or may be arranged outside such that the only the coupling counter-element <NUM> is inside the receiving seat <NUM>. In fact, said part of the secondary portion is arranged so as to project or only face into the receiving seat <NUM> so that the coupling counter-element <NUM> may be then fixed inside the receiving seat <NUM>.

In this way the support device <NUM> may be superimposed on the primary portion <NUM> of the inflatable element <NUM> and double protection provided both by the support device and by the inflatable element <NUM> while ensuring a minimum small-size connection with the inflatable element <NUM>.

The secondary portion <NUM> of the inflatable element may not have any protective function and act only as a connecting element between the primary portion and the gas generator <NUM>. It is pointed out that the inflatable element <NUM> may be cut to size so that the secondary portion <NUM> may be, or correspond to, a cut-out or waste portion of the inflatable element <NUM>, for example, as explained below, in the neck region.

Furthermore, preferably, the overturning or folding condition is a condition in which the secondary portion <NUM> is folded <NUM>° about itself and/or with respect to the primary portion, namely it consists of a full fold which results in the overlapping arrangement of a secondary portion <NUM> with respect to the primary portion <NUM>. In other words, the secondary portion <NUM> is a portion without a protective function which acts only as a connection and may be obtained from a perimetral zone of the inflatable element (which otherwise would be cut off) and folded backwards <NUM>° preferably above, or below, the primary portion, so as to reach the receiving seat.

In this condition the secondary portion <NUM> may be arranged substantially squashed and flat onto the primary portion <NUM> without substantially additional volume in the deflated condition.

In the embodiment shown, the inflatable element <NUM> is intended to protect at least partially a torso area of the user. More precisely, in the embodiment shown, the inflatable element <NUM> includes a first part <NUM> intended to be placed in the neck region, chest parts <NUM>, <NUM> each intended to be placed along a right-hand and a left-hand region of the chest, respectively, and a spinal or back portion <NUM> intended to be placed along a back region which is centred on the backbone of the user. The aforementioned primary portion <NUM> of the inflatable element <NUM> may be understood as being part of the spinal portion <NUM> of the embodiment shown, underlying the support device <NUM>.

The parts <NUM><NUM><NUM>, <NUM> of the inflatable element <NUM> are pneumatically connected together to form a single inflatable chamber. Preferably, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the support device covers an outer side, namely a side opposite to the user, part of the spinal portion <NUM> and, together with the spinal portion <NUM> of the inflatable element <NUM>, is intended to protect the backbone of the user. It may be understood how the support device <NUM> may also have other forms, and the form shown is not to be regarded as limiting for the purposes of the present disclosure.

As a result, preferably, as regards the layout of the parts described above, the wearable protection device <NUM> has a user-side area <NUM>, namely an area or portion intended to face the user's body when the wearable protection device <NUM> is worn by said user, and the inflatable element portion is arranged on said user-side area <NUM> with respect to the support device <NUM>. The secondary portion <NUM> protrudes from the support device <NUM> and is in a condition folded backwards or on the outside, preferably through <NUM>°, towards the support device <NUM> so as to create said connection with the receiving seat <NUM>.

Preferably, from a constructional point of view, the support device has a through-opening <NUM>, which is preferably arranged in said user-side area <NUM>, and wherein said through-opening <NUM> is an opening configured to allow access to said receiving seat <NUM> and is designed to receive the coupling counter-element <NUM> associated with the inflatable element <NUM> so as to ensure a stable connection between the inflatable element <NUM> and the gas generator <NUM> arranged in said receiving seat <NUM>. In other words, when the wearable protection device <NUM> is worn, it defines an area for receiving the user's body. In this condition, the support device <NUM> has a side <NUM> facing the user's body, and this through-opening <NUM> is arranged on this side <NUM> facing the user's body so that the secondary portion <NUM> of the inflatable element <NUM> may be inserted between the support device <NUM> and the primary portion <NUM> on side which is hidden from view.

Preferably, as mentioned, the secondary portion <NUM> of the inflatable element is a peripheral appendage which does not have a protective function but only serves to provide the connection between the primary portion <NUM> and the receiving seat <NUM> for housing the gas generator <NUM>.

Even more preferably, in the embodiment shown, the secondary portion <NUM> is an appendage which extends into the cavity which is intended to receive the user's neck and is in a condition folded backwards, namely outwards, so as to be inserted underneath the support device <NUM> and reach the through-slot <NUM>. This zone is usually a waste zone and therefore the appendage is a part of the inflatable element which does not require additional production costs, since it merely involves a cut with a different design.

It may be stated that, once it faces the end part of the secondary portion <NUM> inside the through-slot <NUM>, the coupling counter-element <NUM> may be permanently fixed to the end of the secondary portion <NUM> and therefore the coupling counter-element <NUM> may remain permanently seated inside the receiving seat <NUM>, and the gas generator <NUM> connected by means of the respective coupling element <NUM> to the coupling counter-element <NUM>. The connection may be of a mechanical connection of the removable type, so that, once inflation of the inflatable element <NUM> is performed, it is required to remove and replace only the gas generator <NUM>. The receiving seat <NUM> preferably includes elastic coupling elements, for example of the clip type, so as to allow a stable form-fit and also rapid removal of the gas generator <NUM> in/from the coupling seat <NUM>. The coupling device <NUM> may be of any type according to the prior art.

Preferably, the support device <NUM> comprises a bottom or base structure <NUM> which includes said receiving seat <NUM> for the gas generator <NUM>, and a protective cover <NUM> for protecting the gas generator <NUM>. The protective cover <NUM> is removably associated with said bottom or base structure by means of a mechanical connection of the known type.

Preferably, from a constructional point of view, the bottom or base structure <NUM> is arranged on the user side <NUM> and the protective cover <NUM> faces the opposite side, namely an outer side. The support device <NUM> is configured to support also further functional elements for the wearable protection device, such as a control unit and sensors for detecting a danger situation. These further elements are generally indicated by the reference number <NUM> in the figures.

It may be pointed out that, owing to the present disclosure, the primary portion of the inflatable element may perform its function and be connected to the gas generator while occupying a minimum volume, owing to the secondary portion which protrudes from the volume of the support device and which, once folded back towards the support device <NUM>, defines a kind of double layer because of the fold. This double layer of the secondary portion advantageously and preferably has an overall thickness which is much less than the thickness of the support device <NUM>.

With regard to the inflatable element <NUM>, it is pointed out that it may be a single bag and made using the technology described in the patent application <CIT> and in the patent application <CIT>. This inflatable element <NUM> has a small thickness also in the inflated condition and therefore the aforementioned double layer does not occupy extra space even in the inflated condition.

The wearable protection device <NUM> according to the present disclosure may be worn on its own as a separate garment, optionally lined with a fabric aesthetically pleasing for the user, or made of a comfortable and practical fabric, or may be incorporated in suitable pockets inside a garment, such as a motorcyclist's suit or jacket.

With reference to <FIG>, the present disclosure in fact also relates to a protective garment <NUM> comprising a wearable protection device <NUM> such as that described above and including an inflatable element <NUM> and the support device <NUM>. In this embodiment, the parts which perform the same function have the same reference number.

In particular, the support device <NUM> may be arranged on top of an outer layer <NUM> and the inflatable element <NUM> may be arranged below the outer layer <NUM> of the garment, so that it is hidden from view. The respective secondary portion <NUM> may be inserted inside a seat passing through the outer layer <NUM> and arranged below the support device <NUM> so as to reach the seat <NUM>.

It is however possible for the inflatable element <NUM> to be shaped directly as a garment and for the inflatable element to be provided with laces, hooks, ribbons or other means known to the person skilled in the art, in order to ensure suitable wearability. In other words, it is to be understood that the wearable protection device <NUM> according to the present disclosure may be worn on its own as a separate garment, optionally lined with a fabric aesthetically pleasing for the user, or made of a comfortable and practical fabric, or may be incorporated in suitable pockets inside a garment, such as a motorcyclist's suit or jacket.

Even if the wearable protection device <NUM> were shaped as a garment, the secondary portion <NUM> may have a minimum visual impact for the user from the outside or may be covered by a cover.

Alternatively again, owing to the minimum dimensions, the wearable protection device <NUM> may be included inside a lining of a garment in a removable manner. In particular a user may fix and connect, as required, an inflatable element <NUM> to the respective garment <NUM> and then wear the garment <NUM> already equipped with said wearable protection device <NUM>. As a result, a user may use the same wearable protection device <NUM> with different garments <NUM> and change the wearable protection device <NUM> depending on the garment <NUM> chosen and the activity to be performed.

With regard to inflation, in order to perform inflation of the inflatable element <NUM>, in the event of a fall and/or sliding and/or sudden impact involving a user or a vehicle being ridden/driven, the wearable protection device <NUM> is adapted to cooperate with special activation means (not shown) which are operationally connected to the pressurised gas generator <NUM> and associated with the components <NUM> indicated above. Opening of the shut-off valve of the gas generator <NUM> is preferably controlled by the control and management unit depending on detection of the user state; for example said control unit (which forms part of said activation means <NUM>) may implement a system for predicting the fall which allows early identification of the fall event and a reliable prediction of this by accelerometer sensor means fixed to the vehicle/ski (or rider/skier) and a unit for processing the signals produced by the said sensors.

Alternatively, the device according to the present disclosure may also be applied using an activation cable connected to a vehicle ridden/driven by a user, which cable activates inflation of the inflatable element following the movement of the user away from the vehicle, for example following a fall or a sudden impact.

In any case the aforementioned activation and inflation means <NUM> may be integrated in the wearable protection device according to the present invention or located on the outside thereof.

Claim 1:
Wearable protection device (<NUM>) comprising at least one inflatable element (<NUM>), a gas generator (<NUM>) and a coupling device (<NUM>) for coupling the gas generator (<NUM>) to the inflatable element (<NUM>), wherein the coupling device (<NUM>) includes a coupling element (<NUM>) associated with the gas generator (<NUM>) and a coupling counter-element (<NUM>) associated with the inflatable member (<NUM>), wherein the wearable protection device (<NUM>) comprises a support device (<NUM>) defining a receiving seat (<NUM>) for receiving the gas generator (<NUM>) with respective coupling element (<NUM>), and the inflatable element (<NUM>) includes at least one primary portion (<NUM>) of the inflatable element (<NUM>) and a secondary portion (<NUM>) of the inflatable element (<NUM>) connected as one piece with the primary portion (<NUM>), the secondary portion (<NUM>) of the inflatable element (<NUM>) being provided with said coupling counter-element (<NUM>), the wearable protection device being characterized in that, the support device (<NUM>) is at least partially superimposed on the primary portion (<NUM>) of the inflatable element (<NUM>) to form a multilayer structure and the secondary portion (<NUM>) protrudes with respect to said support device (<NUM>), said secondary portion (<NUM>) of the inflatable element (<NUM>) being in a folded or overturned condition, or a folding or overturning condition, towards the support device (<NUM>), the folding or overturning condition corresponding to a housing condition of said coupling counter-element (<NUM>) in said receiving seat (<NUM>).