Patent ID: 12220008

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference toFIGS.1to3, an embodiment of a wearable protection device, according to the present invention is indicated, in its whole, by the reference10.

The wearable protection device10can 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 device10can be a harness or a belt designed to be worn on top or under a further garment.

The wearable protection device10comprises at least one inflatable member20suitable for moving between a rest configuration, wherein it is in a deflated status (see for exampleFIGS.6and10), and an active configuration, wherein it is in an inflated status (see for exampleFIGS.7and11).

The inflatable member20is 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 device10against impacts, falls or slidings.

To carry out the inflation of the inflatable member20, the wearable protective device10preferably comprises inflation means12which are in fluid communication with the inflatable member20(seeFIG.2). In particular, the inflation means12are provided with one or more outlets designed to be connected to corresponding inlets of the inflatable member12. According to the embodiment ofFIGS.1-3, the inflatable member20is suitable for protecting the shoulders, the chest and the back of the wearer. However different arrangements of the inflatable member20are possible, in order to meet other specific needs. For example, the inflatable member20can be designed to also protect the arms, the hips and/or the legs of the wearer.

As shown in the attached figures, the inflatable member20comprises at least one elongated portion22. As “elongated portion” there will be indicated a portion of the inflatable member20having 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 one elongated portion22has a substantially rectangular shape in the deflated status and it is able to assume a substantially cylindrical shape in the inflated status.

Preferably, the inflatable member20comprises a plurality of elongated portions22. As “plurality of elongated portions” there will be indicated at least two elongated portions.

In particular, the elongated portions22of the inflatable member are designed to be positioned adjacent to one other. Advantageously, the elongated portions22once 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 portions22depend on the size and shape of the inflatable member20.

As schematically shown inFIGS.4,5and5A, the elongated portions22depart from a connecting body26with which they are in fluid communication. The connecting body26has the function to bring together the elongated portions22so as to facilitate the handling and the positioning of the elongated portions22inside the wearable protection device10.

The connecting body26might be a connecting pipe. Preferably, the connecting pipe is made with a rigid material, for example it can be a metal pipe. The connecting pipe26can be connected to the inflation means12by means of a connecting duct13(seeFIG.5A).

In this embodiment, the connecting pipe26is preferably provided with one or more outlets27designed to be connected to corresponding inlets of the elongated portions22.

Alternatively, the connecting body26can coincide with the inflation means12. In this case, the inflation means12will be provided preferably with at least as many outlets as the number of the elongated portions22.

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 body26can be a portion of the inflatable member20as shown inFIGS.4and5.

In a first embodiment the connecting body26can be an inflatable portion of the inflatable member20. Alternatively, the connecting body26might consist in a non-inflatable portion of the inflatable member20, 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 body26is an inflatable portion of the inflatable member20, the connecting body26might be positioned around the neck of the wearer and can be superimposed over the top portion of the trunk, so that the various elongated portions22can extend, starting from the connecting body26, over the shoulders, the back and the chest of the user (seeFIGS.1-3). However different arrangements of connecting body26and elongated portions22are possible in order to meet other specific needs.

Preferably, in case the connecting body26is a portion of the inflatable member20, the inflation means12are connected to the connecting body26, so that the inflation fluid is able to flow inside the connecting body26before reaching the elongated portions22. In this way, a faster inflation of the inflatable member20can be obtained. At the same time, it is also possible to introduce the inflation fluid inside the inflatable member20with a high pressure. Also in this case the inflation means12can 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 one elongated portion22of the inflatable member20is enwrapped by at least one constraint24.

As it will be clarified in the following, the function of the constraint24is to limit the expansion of the at least one elongated portion22when the inflatable member20moves from the rest condition to the active configuration. Therefore, thanks to the provision of the constraint24, it is possible to control the shape of the inflatable member20once it is inflated without being forced to provide it with internal tethers.

At the same time, thanks to the provision of the constraint24, it is also possible to control the volume, and thus the internal pressure, of the inflatable member20once 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 0.2 bar.

As shown in the enclosed figures, advantageously the constraint24is designed to enwrap only the elongated portions22of the inflatable member20, without interfering with the expansion of the connecting body26. In other words, advantageously, the constraint24does not fully enwrap the whole inflatable member20.

Preferably, parts of at least two adjacent elongated portions22of the inflatable member20are enwrapped by said at least one constraint24.

The adjacent elongated portions22advantageously are positioned in close proximity, not necessarily in contact, to each other.

According to the embodiment ofFIGS.4and5A, wherein for sake of clarity the inflatable member20is shown in a partially inflated configuration and the constraint24is not shown, the elongated portions22are preferably aligned and transversally spaced apart to each other, so that air flow passages28can be defined between the portions22.

Advantageously the airflow passages28allow to improve the breathability and the comfort of the wearable protection device10.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG.5, wherein similarly toFIGS.4and5Athe inflatable member20is shown in a partially inflated configuration and the constraint24is not shown, the elongated portions22are preferably aligned and transversally connected by means of a connecting layer30provided between facing surfaces of the portions22.

The connecting layer30defines a non-inflatable zone of the inflatable member20. Preferably, the connecting layer30can be made of the same material forming the inflatable member20. Alternatively, the connecting layer30can be made with a breathable fabric so as to provide breathable zones between two adjacent elongated portions22.

The function of the connecting layer30is to guarantee the alignment of the elongated portions22even in the inflated condition of the inflatable member20.

As shown inFIGS.1-3and10-11, the constraint24can consist of a strip disposed transversally to the elongated portion22. Preferably the constraint24is a strip disposed transversally to at least two adjacent elongated portions22to be connected.

As shown inFIGS.1-3, each elongated portion22can be connected to different elongated portions22by means of different constraint24.

Advantageously, for example, a same elongated portion22can be connected to a first adjacent elongated portion by means of a first constraint24and to a second adjacent elongated portion by means of a second constraint24.

At the same time, with reference for example toFIG.1, the elongated portions22arranged above the shoulders or the back of the user can be enwrapped by first constraints24and the elongated portions22arranged above the chest can be enwrapped by second constraints24, 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 strip24can be made of flexible material and, in some specific embodiment, it can also be provided with a limited elasticity.

Alternatively, as shown for example inFIGS.6and7, the constraint24can consist of a casing acting as a partial cover for the adjacent elongated portions to be connected. Preferably, the casing24fully covers the elongated portions22to be connected.

Advantageously, the casing24can 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 casing24can 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 casing24allows to also obtain, if needed, a planar configuration, namely a configuration having a thickness substantially uniform, of the elongated portions22when they are in the inflated condition. In particular, the provision of the casing24allows to set a specific thickness of the elongated portions22in the inflated condition, for example 5-6 cm. 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 portions22.

As a matter of fact, the casing24is helpful in distributing the impact forces acting on the inflatable member20on a larger surface, by avoiding that the impact forces act locally and directly on the elongated portions22.

By distributing the impact forces on a larger surface, for given impact force, the inflatable member, if provided with the casing24, 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 casing24can also be used advantageously when the elongated portions22are placed below a further protection element (not shown in the enclosed figures). As a matter of fact, the inflation of the elongated portions22, being planar and limited by the casing, does not interfere with the protection element.

At the same time, the provision of a flexible casing24advantageously permits the elongated portions22of 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 portions22are allowed to also assume a bent configuration if needed.

Advantageously the strip configuration of the constraint24can be used to connect elongated portions22which are also connected by means of the connecting layer30.

In this case, the connecting layer30is preferably provided with a slit32suitable for being engaged by the constraint24(seeFIG.10-13).

At the same time the strip configuration of the constraint24can also be used to connect together three elongated portions22: a middle elongated portion22aand two side adjacent elongated portions22b(seeFIGS.10-13).

Such a configuration can be advantageously used when the area to be protected by the inflatable member20is greater.

As shown inFIGS.10-13, the middle elongated portion22ais connected to each of the side adjacent elongated portions22bby means of a separate constraint24.

Preferably, in this embodiment, in the rest configuration the middle portion22ais aligned and partially superimposed over the side adjacent portions22b. In this way, in case the connecting layer30is made with a breathable material, air flow passages are still provided between the middle portion22aand the side adjacent portions22bof the inflatable member20, without affecting the protection offered to the user. As a matter of fact, thanks to the above-mentioned arrangement of the constraints24, once inflated, the elongated portions can assume a configuration wherein the middle portions22aare interposed and in contact with the side portions22b.

As shown inFIGS.11and13, in the inflated condition of the elongated portions22a,22bthe connecting layers30can be sandwiched between facing surfaces of the elongated portions22a,22b.

In this embodiment, the expansion of the elongated portions22a,22bis stopped when the volume defined by the constraint24is fully occupied.

As shown inFIGS.10and11, in this embodiment the inflatable member20preferably comprises a plurality of constraints24positioned in a spaced-apart relation to each other. In this way, similarly to the casing configuration of the constraint24, the expansion of the elongated portions can be limited and controlled along their entire length.

The provision of the constraints24allows the elongated portions22, being the latter independent to each other, to better adapt to the user's body. For example, if the elongated portions22are disposed over a substantially planar surface, like for example the back of the user, the constraints24will be able to keep the portions22, 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 constraints24will be able to allow a bending of the elongated portions22so that the latter can adapt to the underlying surface.

Advantageously the casing configuration of the constraint24can also be used to connect elongated portions22which are spaced apart to each other.

In this case, see for exampleFIGS.6-9, the casing24is provided with partition walls34designed to define inside the casing24internal chambers36, each chamber36housing one of the elongated portions22connected by the casing24.

Advantageously the provision of the partition walls34helps the elongated portions22to stay aligned both in rest configuration and active configuration. Moreover, the partition walls34advantageously limit the expansion of the casing24, so as to guarantee that the latter controls the expansion of the elongated portions22, once they are inflated (seeFIGS.7and9).

As shown inFIGS.6and8, the elongated portions22in the rest configuration can be arranged at least partially folded inside the internal chambers36. In alternative embodiments, not shown in the figures, the elongated portions can be arranged at least partially rolled up inside the internal chambers36.

In this way, in case the casing24is made with a breathable material, airflow passages are provided between the elongated portions22so as to improve the comfort offered by the wearable protection device10.

At the same time, such an arrangement does not affect the protection, since the elongated portions22even if folded in the rest configuration, once they are inflated will fill the whole volume of the internal chambers36.

At this point it is clear how the predefined objects may be achieved with the wearable protection device10according to the invention.

The expansion of the inflatable member20is controlled by means of the constraint24, without the need of internal tethers inside the inflatable member20.

Moreover, the inflatable member20thanks to the provision of the constraint24is able to better adapt to the user's body.

As a matter of fact, in case the elongated portions22of the inflatable member20are 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 constraint24permits that the portions22assume 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 member20.

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 constraint24permits the elongated portions22to 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 constraint24permits 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 constraint24in 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 member20, in particular on the elongated portions22, so as to permit to sustain increased external pressure without needing to be combined with rigid or semirigid protections.

Moreover, the constraint24, 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 constraint24, without needing specific adjustments. The inflatable member20is 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.

With regard to the embodiments of the wearable protective device10described above, the person skilled in the art may, in order to satisfy specific requirements, make modifications to and/or replace elements described with equivalent elements, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the accompanying claims.