CA2289622A1 - Safety clothing for protecting the human body - Google Patents
Safety clothing for protecting the human body Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2289622A1 CA2289622A1 CA002289622A CA2289622A CA2289622A1 CA 2289622 A1 CA2289622 A1 CA 2289622A1 CA 002289622 A CA002289622 A CA 002289622A CA 2289622 A CA2289622 A CA 2289622A CA 2289622 A1 CA2289622 A1 CA 2289622A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bladder
- safety garment
- garment according
- energy
- protective
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/0406—Accessories for helmets
- A42B3/0486—Airbags
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/015—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means
- A41D13/018—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means inflatable automatically
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/10—Linings
- A42B3/105—Linings with additional protection for the neck
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
Abstract
The invention concerns safety clothing for protecting the human body comprising at least an element for protection against shocks, comprising: at least a protective part (1) including a rigid external layer (2) resistant to perforation and ensuring the distribution of the energy derived from a shock, an energy-absorbing intermediate thickness (3), and a comfort and hygienic padding (4); an inflatable bladder (5) communicating with at least a compressed air injection system (7). This protective garment can be adapted in particular for protecting the head, the cervical vertebrae, the thorax, the vertebral column and the limbs depending on the field of application.
Description
SAFETY CLOTHING FOR PROTECTING THE HUMAN BODY
The invention relates to a safety garment intended for protecting the human body, which can, in particular, be tailored for protecting the area of the head, of the neck, of the chest, of the back, of the spinal column and of the limbs, depending on the fields of application.
In order to protect the human body in the head area, very many types of helmet are known which are tailored to each of their applications, such as, for example, military helmets, helmets for the pursuit of a sport or leisure activity, such as riding caps, helmets for skiing/snowboarding, helmets for parachuting, helmets for the riders of two-wheeled vehicles, helmets for the drivers of four-wheeled vehicles or of power boats, or helmets for preventing accidents at work. Although these various types of helmet do protect the skull from the impact of a projectile or from a shock, none of these provides effective protection against the direct effect in the neck area caused by this projectile impact or by this shock, which may be irreparable.
Thus, for example, military helmets made of composites are known. These helmets fulfil their function, of stopping projectiles, perfectly.
However, they do not have the ability of helmets made of metal sheet to deform under the effect of the impact and thus to contain some of the energy.
Consequently, the shock on these military helmets made of composites results in an abrupt movement of the head in the direction of motion of the projectile, leading to traumatism or even to the neck breaking.
Moreover, in the riding field, it is known that, in order to meet the new standards imposed, riding hats or jockey helmets are manufactured from a thermoformed plastic outer shell having a thickness of 2 to 3 mm inside which a polystyrene shell is incorporated. However, the thickness of the polystyrene shell must be approximately 15 mm in order to meet the requirements of these new standards, which has the direct consequence of considerably increasing the external dimensions of the cap or helmet and thus reducing its appeal to the rider.
Further, protection for vehicle users are known. Like this, for example, FR 2 719 747 and DE 31 42 962 describe a helmet associated with inflatable pad for protecting the neck. In FR 2 719 742, the helmet is also associated with a protection for the chest and presents a classical structure comprising a rigid outer shell made with plastic laden of fibreglass, carbon or equivalent, and a lower layer.
DE 89 11 519.8 describes a helmet comprising a rigid outer shell, under which is disposed an inflatable pad, the rigid shell being capable to revolve in case of shock, under effect of inflating of the pad.
US 5 535 445 reveals an inflatable protection for protecting exhibited parts of the body of a motorcyclist, associated with a conventional helmet.
However, a sufficient puncture and crushing resistance is not proposed by the solutions of these documents.
In order to protect the human body in the chest and back area, very many types of vest are known, such as bullet-proof vests, panel-reinforced vests, padded jackets and lifejackets.
Although these various types of vest provide protection for the chest from the impact of a projectile or from a shock, or provide buoyancy, none of them provides effective protection against the direct effect of the impact of this projectile or of this shock in the area of the spinal column, which may be irreparable, while at the same time providing buoyancy, when required.
The object of the present invention is to provide a safety garment intended for protecting the head, which has an improved puncture and crushing resistance and an improved shock-absorbing capacity, which is thinner than the helmets currently used and which also makes it possible to limit the cases of paralysis resulting from a shock caused by a fall or an accident or the impact of a bullet, by protecting the neck.
The object of the present invention is also to provide a safety garment intended for protecting the chest, the collar bones, the back and the spinal column, and possibly the limbs, having an improved puncture and crushing resistance and an improved shock-absorbing capacity, this garment also making it possible to limit the cases of paralysis resulting from a shock caused by a fall or an accident or the impact of a bullet, while still being able to provide buoyancy, when required.
According to the present invention, these objects are achieved by a safety garment intended for protecting the human body, which comprises at least one protective element for protection against shocks, which comprises at least one protective part comprising:
- a puncture-resistant rigid outer layer, which distributes the energy due to a shock, made of a composite consisting of a superposition of layers of fabric made of highly shock-resistant fibres impregnated with a thermoplastic resin, - an energy-absorbing intermediate thickness, arranged at least partially under the rigid outer layer, which consists of at least one layer of a material that absorbs energy with return to the initial position, - an lower layer at least arranged at least partially under the energy-absorbing intermediate thickness and comprising at least one comfort/hygiene pad, which consists of a cellular material composed of foam-type impermeable closed cells and which can follow the shape of the body;
and an inflatable bladder connected to at least one compressed-air injection system .
The inflatable bladder preferably comprises several interconnected compartments.
The compressed-air or gas injection system may comprise a bladder-inflation triggering system which is either of the rip-cord type or of the type including a pyrotechnic firing pin which reacts to a flyweight or accelerometer.
The rigid outer layer may have an integrated surface coating.
The energy-absorbing intermediate thickness may consist of two separate layers, each of these layers being made of a different material that absorbs energy with return to the initial position.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the safety garment is of the helmet type.
In this helmet-type embodiment, the safety garment preferably comprises a protective element consisting of a protective part, having an essentially hemispherical shape, which includes a rigid outer shell made of a thermoplastic-matrix multilayer composite, an intermediate shell made of a material that can absorb energy with return to the initial position, arranged inside the outer shell and covering the inside of the outer shell apart from a region lying over approximately three-quarters of the half perimeter in the rear lower part of the hemispherical protective part, comfort/hygiene foam pads placed inside the intermediate shell, and an inflatable bladder arranged between the outer shell and the skull in the rear lower part of the helmet which does not have the intermediate shell and the comfort/hygiene pads.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the safety garment is of the vest type.
In this vest-type embodiment, the bladder is preferably arranged between two thicknesses of comfort/hygiene pads.
This vest-type safety garment will preferably include a front protective element comprising at least one panel-shaped protective part and an inflatable bladder, and a rear protective element comprising at least one panel-shaped protective part and an inflatable bladder.
By virtue of the present invention, the head and neck will be protected by a helmet-type safety garment comprising a protective element in the form of a hemispherical cap consisting of an energy-distributing rigid outer shell which is puncture resistant and crushproof, of an intermediate shell consisting of at least one energy-absorbing material, and of an internal comfort fitting, into which an inflatable bladder has been incorporated, this inflatable bladder bearing on the shoulders after inflation.
It should be noted that in the present description the term "helmet"
signifies any safety garment intended for protecting the head, whatever its application.
In addition, by virtue of the invention, the chest and spinal column will be protected by a vest-type safety garment comprising a protective element on the front of the chest and a protective element on the back which have improved puncture resistance and improved damping capacity, into which protective elements an inflatable bladder has been incorporated, which bladder will further improve the damping of a shock, this garment allowing complete freedom of movement.
The vest-type safety garment according to the present invention may also be advantageous as a lifejacket in that it provides excellent buoyancy.
Other embodiments of the safety garment of the present invention may also be particularly advantageous for protecting other parts of the body, such as, for example, the shoulder blades, collar bones, elbows, knees and, in general, the limbs.
Other advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description.
The invention is described below with the aid of examples and of references to the appended drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a helmet-type safety garment according to the present invention, with the inflatable bladder folded up;
- Figure 2 shows an exterior side view of the helmet-type safety garment shown in Figure l, with the bladder inflated;
- Figure 3 shows a cross-section of another embodiment of a helmet-type safety garment according to the present invention in which the left side is shown with the bladder folded up and the right side is shown with the bladder inflated;
- Figure 4 shows a vest-type safety garment according to the present invention, Figure 4a showing a front view of the front protective element comprising a protective part and Figure 4b showing a front view of the rear protective element comprising five protective parts;
- Figure Sa shows a front view, as if the front protective part were transparent, of the front inflatable bladder, and Figure Sb shows a front view, as if the five rear protective parts were transparent, of the rear inflatable bladder; and - Figure 6 shows, in cross-section along the line A-A, the chest-protecting element shown in Figures 4a and Sa.
The helmet-type safety garment shown in Figure 1 comprises a protective element consisting of a protective part 1 having an essentially hemispherical shape which includes a rigid outer shell 2 made of a thermoplastic-matrix multilayer composite, an intermediate shell 3 made of a material that can absorb energy with return to the initial position, arranged inside the outer shell 2 and covering the inside of the outer shell 2 apart ti-om a region lying over approximately three-quarters of the half perimeter in the rear lower part of the helmet, comfort/hygiene foam pads 4 arranged inside the intermediate shell 3, and an inflatable bladder 5 in the folded-up position.
The inflatable bladder 5, folded up in a concertina fashion, consists of an inflatable ring, comprising three interconnected compartments Sa, Sb and Sc, which will go around approximately three-quarters of the half perimeter of the head, at the rear of the ears, and fits between the composite outer shell 2 and the skull (not shown) in that rear lower part of the helmet which does not have the intermediate shell 3 and the comfort/hygiene pads 4, and which will bear on the shoulders and prevent the head from tilting, or at least limit the amount by which it tilts, after inflation, as shown in Figure 2.
The construction of the bladder 5 in the form of three interconnected compartments Sa, Sb and Sc prevents significant extension of the bladder in the wrong direction, reduces the effective volume of gas and hence causes more rapid inflation, and, in particular, increases the effectiveness of the bladder and enhances its damping performance.
The bladder 5 is fixed to the shell 2 by a very strong Velcro strip (not shown) over the entire length of the bladder so as to prevent it from being torn off during pressurization.
The bladder 5 is held in the folded-up position by very narrow Velcro strips 6 of low catching power (only one strip is shown).
The inside of each of the three compartments Sa, Sb and Sc of the bladder 5 is respectively connected to a compressed-air injection system 7a, 7b and 7c (not shown) via three ducts, comprising a rear duct 8b and two side ducts 8a and 8c (not shown).
These ducts 8a, 8b and 8c are fitted into grooves inside the intermediate shell 3, one 8b being fitted into the upper part of the helmet and the other two, 8a and 8c, being fitted into the right and left lateral parts of the helmet on the side of the composite external shell 2, so as to prevent any accidental deterioration.
The three compressed-air injection systems 7a, 7b and 7c (not shown) are fitted partially into housings inside the intermediate shell 3 and are protected by comfort/hygiene pads 4 so as to avoid any accidental deterioration, one of them, 7b, being fitted into the upper part of the helmet and the other two, 7a and 7c, being fitted into the right and left lateral parts of the helmet, and they include a compressed-air capsule and a bladder-inflation triggering system.
It should be noted that a single gas-injection system is sufficient to inflate the bladder S since the compartments Sa, Sb and Sc (not shown) of the bladder are interconnected. However, the presence of three injection systems each connected to one compartment of the bladder has the advantage of decreasing the time to inflate the bladder.
The inflation of the bladder may be triggered either by means of a rip-cord or by means of a flyweight associated with a pyrotechnic firing pin.
The inflation-triggering system will depend on the field of use of the helmet.
The system for triggering the inflation of the bladder by means of a rip-cord comprises an unbreakable rip-cord, for example made of aramid, connected at one of its ends to a system for opening the compressed-air capsule and is connected at the other of its ends to a fixed or reference point, which will depend on the field in which the helmet is used, by means of a cotter pin.
It should be understood here that the rip-cord may comprise, on one side, three cord branches each connected to one of the three systems for opening the compressed-air capsule, these three branches coming together to form, on the other side, a single cord branch connected to a fixed or reference point as described previously, so that pulling the cord triggers the simultaneous opening of the three compressed-air capsules.
The cotter pin will have to have a tensile strength greater than the bottle-opening force.
The length of the cord system will have to be designed so as to give the wearer the freedom of movement necessary for his profession or his sporting activity.
In one type of helmet, especially one suitable for horse riders or cyclists, the second end of the cord will be connected by means of a suitable quick-fix device, such as a cotter pin, to a fixed point on the horse or the cycle, such as the saddle for example. Should the rider fall off the horse or cycle, the tension that will be produced in the cord will pull off the capsule-sealing system, and consequently the gas which will flow through the duct to the bladder will be released, causing the bladder to inflate before the rider hits the ground.
In another type of helmet, such as the helmet shown in Figure 3 for example, which comprises a rigid outer shell 2, an intermediate shell 3, comfort/hygiene pads 4 and three compressed-air injection systems 7a, 7b and 7c connected to three compartments of the bladder, via three ducts 8a, 8b and 8c, and in which the left side is shown with the bladder 5 folded up and the right side is shown with the bladder 5 inflated, the bladder-inflation triggering system comprises flyweights 9 or accelerometers associated with pyrotechnic firing pins.
This bladder-inflation triggering system operates in the following manner. Following the impact of a projectile or when subjected to a shock, the flyweight 9 acts on the pyrotechnic firing pin, causing the gas capsule to open and the gas which will flow through the duct 8 to be released into the bladder 5, thereby causing the bladder to inflate.
After inflation, the bladder 5 will bear on the shoulders, as shown in the right-hand side of Figure 3, thereby protecting the cervical vertebrae.
As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the comfort layer of the helmets consists of pad parts 4, of variable thickness, which are fixed to the intermediate shell 3 in a suitable arrangement depending on the type of helmet and its application. This has the advantage of limiting the number of helmet sizes, in terms of external dimension, and of allowing good adaptability.
As shown in Figure 2, the helmet includes a visor 10. Lateral openings 11 are also provided in the rigid outer shell 2 and in the intermediate shell 3 in order to make it easier for air to get in and out, and to allow ventilation of the scalp.
In addition, it includes a chin strap 12 with a chinpiece 13 so as to prevent the helmet from being torn off during inflation of the bladder.
The rigid outer shell 2 may comprise a special integrated external covering, as will be explained later.
A vest-type safety garment according to the present invention will now be described. The vest shown in Figures 4 and 5 comprises a front protective element 14 in the area of the chest and a rear protective element 15 in the area of the back.
As shown in Figures 4a and Sa, the front protective element 14 comprises a protective part 16 having the shape of a panel which is slightly curved towards the rear in order to match the shape of the ribcage and an inflatable bladder 17 divided into 3 interconnected compartments which are connected via two ducts 18a to two compressed-air injection systems 19a.
As shown in Figures 4b and Sb, the rear protective element 15 consists of five protective parts 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 in the area of the back, so as to allow complete freedom of movement, and of an inflatable bladder 25 divided into five interconnected compartments which are connected via two ducts 18b to two compressed-air injection systems 19b.
The five protective parts include an upper central part 20 covering the dorsal vertebrae, a middle central part 23 covering the lumbar vertebrae and a lower central part 24 protecting the coccyx and the sacrum, as well as two lateral upper parts 21 and 22 protecting the collar bones, the shoulder blades and the ribs down to the floating ribs.
The left and right lateral protective parts 21 and 22 each start from the shoulder and go down as far as the last rib, being curved forwards in order to match the shape of the ribs.
A vest-type safety garment which includes a single front protective element comprising a single protective part and a single rear protective element comprising five protective parts has been described here. However, it should be understood that the vest-type safety garment or other such garments according to the present invention may comprise any combination with regard to the number of protective elements and the number of protective parts making up this protective element.
Referring now to Figure 6, these protective parts comprise a rigid outer first layer 26 made of a thermoplastic-matrix multilayer composite, an intermediate thickness consisting of two superposed interlayers 27 and 28 each consisting of a different material that can absorb energy, these lying beneath the rigid outer layer, and two foam comfort/hygiene padding layers or pads 29 and which lie beneath the intermediate thickness and between which the bladder 25 is arranged.
As may be seen in Figures 4b and Sb, the S protective parts 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 of the rear protective element correspond to the 5 compartments of the inflatable bladder 25 with the connecting parts between the compartments of the bladder corresponding to the areas lying between the protective parts.
The padding layer 30, lying closest to the body, may include an internal covering, for example made of textile material.
The ducts 18 will also be placed between two foam layers so as to avoid any accidental deterioration.
The vest also includes a belt 31 so as to ensure that it stays in place when inflating the bladders 17 and 25.
The bladder 17 for the front protective element 14 and the bladder 25 for the rear protective element 1 S will be inflated either by a triggering system comprising a flyweight and a pyrotechnic firing pin or by a triggering system comprising a rip-cord connected on one side to the system for opening the compressed-air capsule and on the other side either to a fixed or reference point, as described previously for the helmet, or to the belt 31 of the vest.
This vest may have applications in the military field, in particular as a bulletproof or shockproof vest/lifejacket combination garment, the inflated bladders providing the person wearing the vest with buoyancy. In this case, the vest will include a triggering system with a manually triggered rip-cord, which will be actuated directly and manually by the wearer should it be necessary, in which system one end of the cord is connected to the compressed-air or gas bottle and the other end is connected to the vest's belt, and a flyweight-type triggering system so as to ensure that the bladders inflate at the moment of impact of a projectile.
The vest according to the present invention provides additional safety in terms of its shockproof quality due to the damping provided by the volume of compressed air or gas contained in the bladders. The garment will thus perfectly follow the shape of the body while at the same time acting as a cushion and ensuring that the body, in particular the spinal column, is perfectly supported.
It should be noted that those parts of the protective garment other than the protective elements may be made of foam, of various textile materials or of any material which can be used in making a garment.
The materials used for the various parts of the protective elements will now be described.
The rigid outer layer 2 of the protective part 1 of the helmet and the rigid outer layer 26 of the protective parts 16, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the vest, which are designed to allow masses or shocks to be distributed, are manufactured from a high-performance multilayer composite consisting of a superposition of layers of fabrics made of fibres, with or without discrete reinforcements, impregnated with a thermoplastic resin.
The fibre/resin ratio, the type of fibres and the type of resin, as well as the method of weaving or the texture, will be chosen depending on the mechanical performance characteristics to be obtained for the product, which depend on the applications.
Depending on the applications, a composite consisting of a superposition of layers of fabrics made of glass fibres, carbon fibres or high-strength fibres such as aramid fibres and polyethylene fibres, or other hybrid compositions, these being impregnated with a polypropylene-type thermoplastic resin, with a PEI (polyetherimide) or polyethylene resin, or other thermoplastic resins, may, for example, be used.
Composites currently well suited to the manufacture of these rigid outer layers are TWINTEX (brand name) manufactured by the Vetrotex Group and TEPEX manufactured by Dupont de Nemours.
However, any other composite having a high energy-distribution capability and a high impact strength, puncture resistance and crushing resistance may be used for the manufacture of the rigid outer layer.
Depending on the materials used, this rigid outer layer will provide the protective part 1 of the helmet or the protective panels 16, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the vest with a high tensile strength and a high compressive strength, a high impact strength and a high puncture resistance, a high ballistic resistance and a high heat resistance, depending on the resin used.
In particular in civil helmet applications, the composite will serve to increase the puncture resistance and especially the crushing resistance in the front, neck, left-side and right-side regions, while at the same time decreasing the thickness of the rigid outer layer.
The thickness of the rigid outer layer 2 or 26 will generally be within a 1 to 2 mm range, depending on the degree of performance to be obtained;
however, greater thicknesses may be used, depending on the resistances desired and the choice of fibres and resin.
Using a composite for the rigid outer layer 2 or 26 also has the advantage of making it possible to integrate an external covering into the composite.
For example, in the case of a riding cap, a black velvet covering can be integrated directly into the composite during its manufacture, thereby avoiding finishing steps in the manufacture of the cap.
The possibility of integrating a surface covering into the composite will be advantageous in the manufacture of any helmet which has to have a covering of a particular type of fabric, a particular colour or a particular pattern with various colours.
The intermediate thickness 3 of the protective part of the helmet and the intermediate thickness consisting of two interlayers 27 and 28 of the protective parts 16, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the vest, which are intended to allow energy absorption, are manufactured from materials that absorb the energy with return to the initial position.
As particularly suitable material, mention may be made of closed-cell linear or resilient foam materials of the low-density phenolic foam type of the CRAY VALLEY brand or other such materials, or a copolymer of the AIREX
(C.50) brand, specially tailored for bonding to PP thermoplastic-matrix fabrics, or polypropylene (PP) of the EUROCORP (FAWOCEL) brand according to the BAYER process, which are composed of impermeable closed cells, the density and resistance moduli of which are tailored to each of the applications of the invention, or polybutylene (PBT) thermoplastic elastomer materials sold under the name AEROLEN by the company TUBUS BAUER which make it possible to obtain a very high compressibility and reversibility, produced in the form of a cellular sheet, whose thickness and density may be varied depending on the applications, composed of 4 to 7 mm tubes.
Because of its very good damping properties, this polybutylene elastomer is advantageously used as the intermediate thickness in certain applications such as, for example, in riding caps in order to decrease the thickness of the intermediate shell.
However, any other material having good compressibility and returning to its initial structure after a shock, and thus allowing energy to be absorbed, may be used for manufacturing the energy-absorbing intermediate thickness which is provided for damping shocks.
As may be seen in Figure 6, in some applications the intermediate thickness may advantageously consist of two layers 27, 28 of different soft materials such as, for example, a layer of polypropylene foam and a layer of polybutylene elastomer.
The comfort/hygiene fittings will consist of pads 4, 29 and 30 made of a flexible cellular material of the type consisting of a polyethylene (PE) foam composed of impermeable closed cells, of low density, tailored to each embodiment of the invention, these foams, because of their flexibility, allowing them to follow the shape of the body.
In the case in which the intermediate thickness 3 of the protective part 1 of the helmet or the interlayer 29 of the intermediate thickness of the protective parts of the vest, as shown in Figure 6, is made of a polypropylene foam, the interlayer will be bonded to the polyethylene comfort foam by means of a heat-weldable film.
In the case of vest-type protection elements such as those shown in Figures 4 and 5, each protective element will include two comfort foam layers and 30 between which the inflatable bladder 25 will fit, as shown in Figure 6.
As suitable material for making the comfort fittings of the protective garments of the present invention, mention may currently be made of a material consisting of a flexible cellular foam, having a closed-cell structure and a low density, of the polyethylene type, this foam being chemically crosslinked according to various processes - EUROCORP, ALVEO, etc.
These EUROCORP, ALVEO or other foams have the following advantages: they allow thicknesses which can be varied from 1 to 15 mm; their densities may vary from 25 to 200 kg/m3; they adapt to the shape of the human body in a hygienic and comfortable manner; they are light; they have very good buoyancy, which makes it possible to improve the buoyancy of a vest-type garment designed to be used as a lifejacket; moreover, they are insensitive to water, moisture and condensation; they provide excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, the thermal insulation preventing them, especially in military applications, from being infrared detectable; and they can be combined with other chemicals or materials, such as EVA for example, in order to provide a shape memory, allowing the comfort material to be preformed to the morphology of a body.
Each bladder 5, 17 and 25 may be made of any suitable material usable, in particular, for so-called airbag devices.
Presently, particularly suitable materials are, for example, neoprene/polyamide mixed fabrics or, preferably, silicone/nylon-6,6 fabrics, novel high-tenacity SERENA materials developed by RHONE-POLTLENC
FILTEC which make it possible to achieve a high air permeability, a high tensile strength, a high tear strength, a high degree of flexibility and a fabric weight saving.
The connecting ducts 8, 18a, 18b between the compressed-air injection systems 7, 19a, 19b and the bladders 5, 17 and 25 will be made of a suitable material such as, for example, Rilsan.
The compressed-air or gas capsules and the flyweights used in the present invention are commercially available products widely used at the present time in airbag devices for transportation vehicles.
Although only a helmet-type garment and a vest-type garment have been described, it should be understood that the present invention comprises all safety garments as defined by the claims, it being possible, by way of example, for these garments also to include shorts for hockey players, various types of trousers, back-supporting vests, in particular those used for re-education following an accident, leggings, protective garments for protecting infants, protective garments for providing safety at work, protective garments for protecting lunatics, and protective garments suitable for all sporting and competitive disciplines.
The invention relates to a safety garment intended for protecting the human body, which can, in particular, be tailored for protecting the area of the head, of the neck, of the chest, of the back, of the spinal column and of the limbs, depending on the fields of application.
In order to protect the human body in the head area, very many types of helmet are known which are tailored to each of their applications, such as, for example, military helmets, helmets for the pursuit of a sport or leisure activity, such as riding caps, helmets for skiing/snowboarding, helmets for parachuting, helmets for the riders of two-wheeled vehicles, helmets for the drivers of four-wheeled vehicles or of power boats, or helmets for preventing accidents at work. Although these various types of helmet do protect the skull from the impact of a projectile or from a shock, none of these provides effective protection against the direct effect in the neck area caused by this projectile impact or by this shock, which may be irreparable.
Thus, for example, military helmets made of composites are known. These helmets fulfil their function, of stopping projectiles, perfectly.
However, they do not have the ability of helmets made of metal sheet to deform under the effect of the impact and thus to contain some of the energy.
Consequently, the shock on these military helmets made of composites results in an abrupt movement of the head in the direction of motion of the projectile, leading to traumatism or even to the neck breaking.
Moreover, in the riding field, it is known that, in order to meet the new standards imposed, riding hats or jockey helmets are manufactured from a thermoformed plastic outer shell having a thickness of 2 to 3 mm inside which a polystyrene shell is incorporated. However, the thickness of the polystyrene shell must be approximately 15 mm in order to meet the requirements of these new standards, which has the direct consequence of considerably increasing the external dimensions of the cap or helmet and thus reducing its appeal to the rider.
Further, protection for vehicle users are known. Like this, for example, FR 2 719 747 and DE 31 42 962 describe a helmet associated with inflatable pad for protecting the neck. In FR 2 719 742, the helmet is also associated with a protection for the chest and presents a classical structure comprising a rigid outer shell made with plastic laden of fibreglass, carbon or equivalent, and a lower layer.
DE 89 11 519.8 describes a helmet comprising a rigid outer shell, under which is disposed an inflatable pad, the rigid shell being capable to revolve in case of shock, under effect of inflating of the pad.
US 5 535 445 reveals an inflatable protection for protecting exhibited parts of the body of a motorcyclist, associated with a conventional helmet.
However, a sufficient puncture and crushing resistance is not proposed by the solutions of these documents.
In order to protect the human body in the chest and back area, very many types of vest are known, such as bullet-proof vests, panel-reinforced vests, padded jackets and lifejackets.
Although these various types of vest provide protection for the chest from the impact of a projectile or from a shock, or provide buoyancy, none of them provides effective protection against the direct effect of the impact of this projectile or of this shock in the area of the spinal column, which may be irreparable, while at the same time providing buoyancy, when required.
The object of the present invention is to provide a safety garment intended for protecting the head, which has an improved puncture and crushing resistance and an improved shock-absorbing capacity, which is thinner than the helmets currently used and which also makes it possible to limit the cases of paralysis resulting from a shock caused by a fall or an accident or the impact of a bullet, by protecting the neck.
The object of the present invention is also to provide a safety garment intended for protecting the chest, the collar bones, the back and the spinal column, and possibly the limbs, having an improved puncture and crushing resistance and an improved shock-absorbing capacity, this garment also making it possible to limit the cases of paralysis resulting from a shock caused by a fall or an accident or the impact of a bullet, while still being able to provide buoyancy, when required.
According to the present invention, these objects are achieved by a safety garment intended for protecting the human body, which comprises at least one protective element for protection against shocks, which comprises at least one protective part comprising:
- a puncture-resistant rigid outer layer, which distributes the energy due to a shock, made of a composite consisting of a superposition of layers of fabric made of highly shock-resistant fibres impregnated with a thermoplastic resin, - an energy-absorbing intermediate thickness, arranged at least partially under the rigid outer layer, which consists of at least one layer of a material that absorbs energy with return to the initial position, - an lower layer at least arranged at least partially under the energy-absorbing intermediate thickness and comprising at least one comfort/hygiene pad, which consists of a cellular material composed of foam-type impermeable closed cells and which can follow the shape of the body;
and an inflatable bladder connected to at least one compressed-air injection system .
The inflatable bladder preferably comprises several interconnected compartments.
The compressed-air or gas injection system may comprise a bladder-inflation triggering system which is either of the rip-cord type or of the type including a pyrotechnic firing pin which reacts to a flyweight or accelerometer.
The rigid outer layer may have an integrated surface coating.
The energy-absorbing intermediate thickness may consist of two separate layers, each of these layers being made of a different material that absorbs energy with return to the initial position.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the safety garment is of the helmet type.
In this helmet-type embodiment, the safety garment preferably comprises a protective element consisting of a protective part, having an essentially hemispherical shape, which includes a rigid outer shell made of a thermoplastic-matrix multilayer composite, an intermediate shell made of a material that can absorb energy with return to the initial position, arranged inside the outer shell and covering the inside of the outer shell apart from a region lying over approximately three-quarters of the half perimeter in the rear lower part of the hemispherical protective part, comfort/hygiene foam pads placed inside the intermediate shell, and an inflatable bladder arranged between the outer shell and the skull in the rear lower part of the helmet which does not have the intermediate shell and the comfort/hygiene pads.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the safety garment is of the vest type.
In this vest-type embodiment, the bladder is preferably arranged between two thicknesses of comfort/hygiene pads.
This vest-type safety garment will preferably include a front protective element comprising at least one panel-shaped protective part and an inflatable bladder, and a rear protective element comprising at least one panel-shaped protective part and an inflatable bladder.
By virtue of the present invention, the head and neck will be protected by a helmet-type safety garment comprising a protective element in the form of a hemispherical cap consisting of an energy-distributing rigid outer shell which is puncture resistant and crushproof, of an intermediate shell consisting of at least one energy-absorbing material, and of an internal comfort fitting, into which an inflatable bladder has been incorporated, this inflatable bladder bearing on the shoulders after inflation.
It should be noted that in the present description the term "helmet"
signifies any safety garment intended for protecting the head, whatever its application.
In addition, by virtue of the invention, the chest and spinal column will be protected by a vest-type safety garment comprising a protective element on the front of the chest and a protective element on the back which have improved puncture resistance and improved damping capacity, into which protective elements an inflatable bladder has been incorporated, which bladder will further improve the damping of a shock, this garment allowing complete freedom of movement.
The vest-type safety garment according to the present invention may also be advantageous as a lifejacket in that it provides excellent buoyancy.
Other embodiments of the safety garment of the present invention may also be particularly advantageous for protecting other parts of the body, such as, for example, the shoulder blades, collar bones, elbows, knees and, in general, the limbs.
Other advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description.
The invention is described below with the aid of examples and of references to the appended drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a helmet-type safety garment according to the present invention, with the inflatable bladder folded up;
- Figure 2 shows an exterior side view of the helmet-type safety garment shown in Figure l, with the bladder inflated;
- Figure 3 shows a cross-section of another embodiment of a helmet-type safety garment according to the present invention in which the left side is shown with the bladder folded up and the right side is shown with the bladder inflated;
- Figure 4 shows a vest-type safety garment according to the present invention, Figure 4a showing a front view of the front protective element comprising a protective part and Figure 4b showing a front view of the rear protective element comprising five protective parts;
- Figure Sa shows a front view, as if the front protective part were transparent, of the front inflatable bladder, and Figure Sb shows a front view, as if the five rear protective parts were transparent, of the rear inflatable bladder; and - Figure 6 shows, in cross-section along the line A-A, the chest-protecting element shown in Figures 4a and Sa.
The helmet-type safety garment shown in Figure 1 comprises a protective element consisting of a protective part 1 having an essentially hemispherical shape which includes a rigid outer shell 2 made of a thermoplastic-matrix multilayer composite, an intermediate shell 3 made of a material that can absorb energy with return to the initial position, arranged inside the outer shell 2 and covering the inside of the outer shell 2 apart ti-om a region lying over approximately three-quarters of the half perimeter in the rear lower part of the helmet, comfort/hygiene foam pads 4 arranged inside the intermediate shell 3, and an inflatable bladder 5 in the folded-up position.
The inflatable bladder 5, folded up in a concertina fashion, consists of an inflatable ring, comprising three interconnected compartments Sa, Sb and Sc, which will go around approximately three-quarters of the half perimeter of the head, at the rear of the ears, and fits between the composite outer shell 2 and the skull (not shown) in that rear lower part of the helmet which does not have the intermediate shell 3 and the comfort/hygiene pads 4, and which will bear on the shoulders and prevent the head from tilting, or at least limit the amount by which it tilts, after inflation, as shown in Figure 2.
The construction of the bladder 5 in the form of three interconnected compartments Sa, Sb and Sc prevents significant extension of the bladder in the wrong direction, reduces the effective volume of gas and hence causes more rapid inflation, and, in particular, increases the effectiveness of the bladder and enhances its damping performance.
The bladder 5 is fixed to the shell 2 by a very strong Velcro strip (not shown) over the entire length of the bladder so as to prevent it from being torn off during pressurization.
The bladder 5 is held in the folded-up position by very narrow Velcro strips 6 of low catching power (only one strip is shown).
The inside of each of the three compartments Sa, Sb and Sc of the bladder 5 is respectively connected to a compressed-air injection system 7a, 7b and 7c (not shown) via three ducts, comprising a rear duct 8b and two side ducts 8a and 8c (not shown).
These ducts 8a, 8b and 8c are fitted into grooves inside the intermediate shell 3, one 8b being fitted into the upper part of the helmet and the other two, 8a and 8c, being fitted into the right and left lateral parts of the helmet on the side of the composite external shell 2, so as to prevent any accidental deterioration.
The three compressed-air injection systems 7a, 7b and 7c (not shown) are fitted partially into housings inside the intermediate shell 3 and are protected by comfort/hygiene pads 4 so as to avoid any accidental deterioration, one of them, 7b, being fitted into the upper part of the helmet and the other two, 7a and 7c, being fitted into the right and left lateral parts of the helmet, and they include a compressed-air capsule and a bladder-inflation triggering system.
It should be noted that a single gas-injection system is sufficient to inflate the bladder S since the compartments Sa, Sb and Sc (not shown) of the bladder are interconnected. However, the presence of three injection systems each connected to one compartment of the bladder has the advantage of decreasing the time to inflate the bladder.
The inflation of the bladder may be triggered either by means of a rip-cord or by means of a flyweight associated with a pyrotechnic firing pin.
The inflation-triggering system will depend on the field of use of the helmet.
The system for triggering the inflation of the bladder by means of a rip-cord comprises an unbreakable rip-cord, for example made of aramid, connected at one of its ends to a system for opening the compressed-air capsule and is connected at the other of its ends to a fixed or reference point, which will depend on the field in which the helmet is used, by means of a cotter pin.
It should be understood here that the rip-cord may comprise, on one side, three cord branches each connected to one of the three systems for opening the compressed-air capsule, these three branches coming together to form, on the other side, a single cord branch connected to a fixed or reference point as described previously, so that pulling the cord triggers the simultaneous opening of the three compressed-air capsules.
The cotter pin will have to have a tensile strength greater than the bottle-opening force.
The length of the cord system will have to be designed so as to give the wearer the freedom of movement necessary for his profession or his sporting activity.
In one type of helmet, especially one suitable for horse riders or cyclists, the second end of the cord will be connected by means of a suitable quick-fix device, such as a cotter pin, to a fixed point on the horse or the cycle, such as the saddle for example. Should the rider fall off the horse or cycle, the tension that will be produced in the cord will pull off the capsule-sealing system, and consequently the gas which will flow through the duct to the bladder will be released, causing the bladder to inflate before the rider hits the ground.
In another type of helmet, such as the helmet shown in Figure 3 for example, which comprises a rigid outer shell 2, an intermediate shell 3, comfort/hygiene pads 4 and three compressed-air injection systems 7a, 7b and 7c connected to three compartments of the bladder, via three ducts 8a, 8b and 8c, and in which the left side is shown with the bladder 5 folded up and the right side is shown with the bladder 5 inflated, the bladder-inflation triggering system comprises flyweights 9 or accelerometers associated with pyrotechnic firing pins.
This bladder-inflation triggering system operates in the following manner. Following the impact of a projectile or when subjected to a shock, the flyweight 9 acts on the pyrotechnic firing pin, causing the gas capsule to open and the gas which will flow through the duct 8 to be released into the bladder 5, thereby causing the bladder to inflate.
After inflation, the bladder 5 will bear on the shoulders, as shown in the right-hand side of Figure 3, thereby protecting the cervical vertebrae.
As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the comfort layer of the helmets consists of pad parts 4, of variable thickness, which are fixed to the intermediate shell 3 in a suitable arrangement depending on the type of helmet and its application. This has the advantage of limiting the number of helmet sizes, in terms of external dimension, and of allowing good adaptability.
As shown in Figure 2, the helmet includes a visor 10. Lateral openings 11 are also provided in the rigid outer shell 2 and in the intermediate shell 3 in order to make it easier for air to get in and out, and to allow ventilation of the scalp.
In addition, it includes a chin strap 12 with a chinpiece 13 so as to prevent the helmet from being torn off during inflation of the bladder.
The rigid outer shell 2 may comprise a special integrated external covering, as will be explained later.
A vest-type safety garment according to the present invention will now be described. The vest shown in Figures 4 and 5 comprises a front protective element 14 in the area of the chest and a rear protective element 15 in the area of the back.
As shown in Figures 4a and Sa, the front protective element 14 comprises a protective part 16 having the shape of a panel which is slightly curved towards the rear in order to match the shape of the ribcage and an inflatable bladder 17 divided into 3 interconnected compartments which are connected via two ducts 18a to two compressed-air injection systems 19a.
As shown in Figures 4b and Sb, the rear protective element 15 consists of five protective parts 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 in the area of the back, so as to allow complete freedom of movement, and of an inflatable bladder 25 divided into five interconnected compartments which are connected via two ducts 18b to two compressed-air injection systems 19b.
The five protective parts include an upper central part 20 covering the dorsal vertebrae, a middle central part 23 covering the lumbar vertebrae and a lower central part 24 protecting the coccyx and the sacrum, as well as two lateral upper parts 21 and 22 protecting the collar bones, the shoulder blades and the ribs down to the floating ribs.
The left and right lateral protective parts 21 and 22 each start from the shoulder and go down as far as the last rib, being curved forwards in order to match the shape of the ribs.
A vest-type safety garment which includes a single front protective element comprising a single protective part and a single rear protective element comprising five protective parts has been described here. However, it should be understood that the vest-type safety garment or other such garments according to the present invention may comprise any combination with regard to the number of protective elements and the number of protective parts making up this protective element.
Referring now to Figure 6, these protective parts comprise a rigid outer first layer 26 made of a thermoplastic-matrix multilayer composite, an intermediate thickness consisting of two superposed interlayers 27 and 28 each consisting of a different material that can absorb energy, these lying beneath the rigid outer layer, and two foam comfort/hygiene padding layers or pads 29 and which lie beneath the intermediate thickness and between which the bladder 25 is arranged.
As may be seen in Figures 4b and Sb, the S protective parts 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 of the rear protective element correspond to the 5 compartments of the inflatable bladder 25 with the connecting parts between the compartments of the bladder corresponding to the areas lying between the protective parts.
The padding layer 30, lying closest to the body, may include an internal covering, for example made of textile material.
The ducts 18 will also be placed between two foam layers so as to avoid any accidental deterioration.
The vest also includes a belt 31 so as to ensure that it stays in place when inflating the bladders 17 and 25.
The bladder 17 for the front protective element 14 and the bladder 25 for the rear protective element 1 S will be inflated either by a triggering system comprising a flyweight and a pyrotechnic firing pin or by a triggering system comprising a rip-cord connected on one side to the system for opening the compressed-air capsule and on the other side either to a fixed or reference point, as described previously for the helmet, or to the belt 31 of the vest.
This vest may have applications in the military field, in particular as a bulletproof or shockproof vest/lifejacket combination garment, the inflated bladders providing the person wearing the vest with buoyancy. In this case, the vest will include a triggering system with a manually triggered rip-cord, which will be actuated directly and manually by the wearer should it be necessary, in which system one end of the cord is connected to the compressed-air or gas bottle and the other end is connected to the vest's belt, and a flyweight-type triggering system so as to ensure that the bladders inflate at the moment of impact of a projectile.
The vest according to the present invention provides additional safety in terms of its shockproof quality due to the damping provided by the volume of compressed air or gas contained in the bladders. The garment will thus perfectly follow the shape of the body while at the same time acting as a cushion and ensuring that the body, in particular the spinal column, is perfectly supported.
It should be noted that those parts of the protective garment other than the protective elements may be made of foam, of various textile materials or of any material which can be used in making a garment.
The materials used for the various parts of the protective elements will now be described.
The rigid outer layer 2 of the protective part 1 of the helmet and the rigid outer layer 26 of the protective parts 16, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the vest, which are designed to allow masses or shocks to be distributed, are manufactured from a high-performance multilayer composite consisting of a superposition of layers of fabrics made of fibres, with or without discrete reinforcements, impregnated with a thermoplastic resin.
The fibre/resin ratio, the type of fibres and the type of resin, as well as the method of weaving or the texture, will be chosen depending on the mechanical performance characteristics to be obtained for the product, which depend on the applications.
Depending on the applications, a composite consisting of a superposition of layers of fabrics made of glass fibres, carbon fibres or high-strength fibres such as aramid fibres and polyethylene fibres, or other hybrid compositions, these being impregnated with a polypropylene-type thermoplastic resin, with a PEI (polyetherimide) or polyethylene resin, or other thermoplastic resins, may, for example, be used.
Composites currently well suited to the manufacture of these rigid outer layers are TWINTEX (brand name) manufactured by the Vetrotex Group and TEPEX manufactured by Dupont de Nemours.
However, any other composite having a high energy-distribution capability and a high impact strength, puncture resistance and crushing resistance may be used for the manufacture of the rigid outer layer.
Depending on the materials used, this rigid outer layer will provide the protective part 1 of the helmet or the protective panels 16, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the vest with a high tensile strength and a high compressive strength, a high impact strength and a high puncture resistance, a high ballistic resistance and a high heat resistance, depending on the resin used.
In particular in civil helmet applications, the composite will serve to increase the puncture resistance and especially the crushing resistance in the front, neck, left-side and right-side regions, while at the same time decreasing the thickness of the rigid outer layer.
The thickness of the rigid outer layer 2 or 26 will generally be within a 1 to 2 mm range, depending on the degree of performance to be obtained;
however, greater thicknesses may be used, depending on the resistances desired and the choice of fibres and resin.
Using a composite for the rigid outer layer 2 or 26 also has the advantage of making it possible to integrate an external covering into the composite.
For example, in the case of a riding cap, a black velvet covering can be integrated directly into the composite during its manufacture, thereby avoiding finishing steps in the manufacture of the cap.
The possibility of integrating a surface covering into the composite will be advantageous in the manufacture of any helmet which has to have a covering of a particular type of fabric, a particular colour or a particular pattern with various colours.
The intermediate thickness 3 of the protective part of the helmet and the intermediate thickness consisting of two interlayers 27 and 28 of the protective parts 16, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the vest, which are intended to allow energy absorption, are manufactured from materials that absorb the energy with return to the initial position.
As particularly suitable material, mention may be made of closed-cell linear or resilient foam materials of the low-density phenolic foam type of the CRAY VALLEY brand or other such materials, or a copolymer of the AIREX
(C.50) brand, specially tailored for bonding to PP thermoplastic-matrix fabrics, or polypropylene (PP) of the EUROCORP (FAWOCEL) brand according to the BAYER process, which are composed of impermeable closed cells, the density and resistance moduli of which are tailored to each of the applications of the invention, or polybutylene (PBT) thermoplastic elastomer materials sold under the name AEROLEN by the company TUBUS BAUER which make it possible to obtain a very high compressibility and reversibility, produced in the form of a cellular sheet, whose thickness and density may be varied depending on the applications, composed of 4 to 7 mm tubes.
Because of its very good damping properties, this polybutylene elastomer is advantageously used as the intermediate thickness in certain applications such as, for example, in riding caps in order to decrease the thickness of the intermediate shell.
However, any other material having good compressibility and returning to its initial structure after a shock, and thus allowing energy to be absorbed, may be used for manufacturing the energy-absorbing intermediate thickness which is provided for damping shocks.
As may be seen in Figure 6, in some applications the intermediate thickness may advantageously consist of two layers 27, 28 of different soft materials such as, for example, a layer of polypropylene foam and a layer of polybutylene elastomer.
The comfort/hygiene fittings will consist of pads 4, 29 and 30 made of a flexible cellular material of the type consisting of a polyethylene (PE) foam composed of impermeable closed cells, of low density, tailored to each embodiment of the invention, these foams, because of their flexibility, allowing them to follow the shape of the body.
In the case in which the intermediate thickness 3 of the protective part 1 of the helmet or the interlayer 29 of the intermediate thickness of the protective parts of the vest, as shown in Figure 6, is made of a polypropylene foam, the interlayer will be bonded to the polyethylene comfort foam by means of a heat-weldable film.
In the case of vest-type protection elements such as those shown in Figures 4 and 5, each protective element will include two comfort foam layers and 30 between which the inflatable bladder 25 will fit, as shown in Figure 6.
As suitable material for making the comfort fittings of the protective garments of the present invention, mention may currently be made of a material consisting of a flexible cellular foam, having a closed-cell structure and a low density, of the polyethylene type, this foam being chemically crosslinked according to various processes - EUROCORP, ALVEO, etc.
These EUROCORP, ALVEO or other foams have the following advantages: they allow thicknesses which can be varied from 1 to 15 mm; their densities may vary from 25 to 200 kg/m3; they adapt to the shape of the human body in a hygienic and comfortable manner; they are light; they have very good buoyancy, which makes it possible to improve the buoyancy of a vest-type garment designed to be used as a lifejacket; moreover, they are insensitive to water, moisture and condensation; they provide excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, the thermal insulation preventing them, especially in military applications, from being infrared detectable; and they can be combined with other chemicals or materials, such as EVA for example, in order to provide a shape memory, allowing the comfort material to be preformed to the morphology of a body.
Each bladder 5, 17 and 25 may be made of any suitable material usable, in particular, for so-called airbag devices.
Presently, particularly suitable materials are, for example, neoprene/polyamide mixed fabrics or, preferably, silicone/nylon-6,6 fabrics, novel high-tenacity SERENA materials developed by RHONE-POLTLENC
FILTEC which make it possible to achieve a high air permeability, a high tensile strength, a high tear strength, a high degree of flexibility and a fabric weight saving.
The connecting ducts 8, 18a, 18b between the compressed-air injection systems 7, 19a, 19b and the bladders 5, 17 and 25 will be made of a suitable material such as, for example, Rilsan.
The compressed-air or gas capsules and the flyweights used in the present invention are commercially available products widely used at the present time in airbag devices for transportation vehicles.
Although only a helmet-type garment and a vest-type garment have been described, it should be understood that the present invention comprises all safety garments as defined by the claims, it being possible, by way of example, for these garments also to include shorts for hockey players, various types of trousers, back-supporting vests, in particular those used for re-education following an accident, leggings, protective garments for protecting infants, protective garments for providing safety at work, protective garments for protecting lunatics, and protective garments suitable for all sporting and competitive disciplines.
Claims (11)
1. Safety garment intended for protecting the human body, characterized in that it comprises at least one protective element (1; 14, 15) for protection against shocks which comprises at least one protective part (1; 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) comprising:
- a puncture-resistant rigid outer layer (2; 26), which distributes the energy due to a shock, made of a composite consisting of a superposition of layers of fabric made of highly shock-resistant fibres impregnated with a thermoplastic resin, - an energy-absorbing intermediate thickness (3; 27, 28), arranged at least partially under the rigid outer layer, which consists of at least one layer of a material that absorbs energy with return to the initial position, - an lower layer at least arranged at least partially under the energy-absorbing intermediate thickness and comprising at least one comfort/hygiene pad (4; 29, 30), which consists of a cellular material composed of foam-type impermeable closed cells and which can follow the shape of the body; and an inflatable bladder (5; 17, 25) connected to at least one compressed-air injection system (7; 19a, 19b).
- a puncture-resistant rigid outer layer (2; 26), which distributes the energy due to a shock, made of a composite consisting of a superposition of layers of fabric made of highly shock-resistant fibres impregnated with a thermoplastic resin, - an energy-absorbing intermediate thickness (3; 27, 28), arranged at least partially under the rigid outer layer, which consists of at least one layer of a material that absorbs energy with return to the initial position, - an lower layer at least arranged at least partially under the energy-absorbing intermediate thickness and comprising at least one comfort/hygiene pad (4; 29, 30), which consists of a cellular material composed of foam-type impermeable closed cells and which can follow the shape of the body; and an inflatable bladder (5; 17, 25) connected to at least one compressed-air injection system (7; 19a, 19b).
2. Safety garment according to Claim 1, characterized in that the inflatable bladder (5; 17, 25) comprises several interconnected compartments.
3. Safety garment according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the compressed-air or gas injection system (7; 19a, 19b) comprises a bladder-inflation triggering system of the rip-cord type.
4. Safety garment according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the compressed-air or gas injection system (7; 19a, 19b) comprises a bladder-inflation triggering system which includes a pyrotechnic firing pin which reacts to a flyweight or accelerometer.
5. Safety garment according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rigid outer layer (2; 26) has an integrated surface coating.
6. Safety garment according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the energy-absorbing intermediate thickness consists of two separate layers (27, 28), each of these layers being made of a different material that absorbs energy with return to the initial position.
7 Safety garment according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is of the helmet type.
8. Safety garment according to Claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a protective element consisting of a protective part (1), having an essentially hemispherical shape, which includes a rigid outer shell (2) made of a thermoplastic-matrix multilayer composite, an intermediate shell (3) made of a material that can absorb energy with return to the initial position, arranged inside the outer shell (2) and covering the inside of the outer shell (2) apart from a region lying over approximately three-quarters of the half-perimeter in the rear lower part of the hemispherical protective part (1), comfort/hygiene foam pads (4) placed inside the intermediate shell (3), and an inflatable bladder (5) arranged between the outer shell (2) and the skull in the rear lower part of the helmet which does not have the intermediate shell (3) and the comfort/hygiene pads (4).
9. Safety garment according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is of the vest type.
10. Safety garment according to Claim 9, characterized in that the bladder (25) is arranged between two thicknesses (29, 30) of comfort/hygiene pads.
11. Safety garment according to either of Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that it includes a front protective element (14) comprising at least one panel-shaped protective part (16) and an inflatable bladder (17), and a rear protective element (15) comprising at least one panel-shaped protective part (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) and an inflatable bladder (25).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR97/05901 | 1997-05-14 | ||
| FR9705901A FR2763218B1 (en) | 1997-05-14 | 1997-05-14 | SAFETY GARMENT FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HUMAN BODY |
| PCT/FR1998/000957 WO1998051175A1 (en) | 1997-05-14 | 1998-05-14 | Safety clothing for protecting the human body |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2289622A1 true CA2289622A1 (en) | 1998-11-19 |
Family
ID=9506871
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002289622A Abandoned CA2289622A1 (en) | 1997-05-14 | 1998-05-14 | Safety clothing for protecting the human body |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1033923A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU7772598A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2289622A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2763218B1 (en) |
| IL (1) | IL132921A0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998051175A1 (en) |
Cited By (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8683618B2 (en) | 2009-09-24 | 2014-04-01 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel incorporating a protective element |
| US8702895B2 (en) | 2010-04-07 | 2014-04-22 | Nike, Inc. | Cushioning elements for apparel and other products and methods of manufacturing the cushioning elements |
| US8713719B2 (en) | 2009-06-23 | 2014-05-06 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel incorporating a protective element and method of use |
| US8719965B2 (en) | 2009-09-24 | 2014-05-13 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel incorporating a protective element |
| US8764931B2 (en) | 2011-05-19 | 2014-07-01 | Nike, Inc. | Method of manufacturing cushioning elements for apparel and other products |
| US9149084B2 (en) | 2009-06-23 | 2015-10-06 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel incorporating a protective element and method for making |
| US20160122491A1 (en) * | 2013-06-12 | 2016-05-05 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Polymeric Material for Use in Thermal Insulation |
| US20160120247A1 (en) * | 2013-06-12 | 2016-05-05 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Garment Containing a Porous Polymer Material |
| US9386812B2 (en) | 2011-07-25 | 2016-07-12 | Nike, Inc. | Articles of apparel incorporating cushioning elements |
| US9398779B2 (en) | 2011-02-25 | 2016-07-26 | Nike, Inc. | Articles of apparel incorporating cushioning elements and methods of manufacturing the articles of apparel |
| US9505203B2 (en) | 2010-11-30 | 2016-11-29 | Nike, Inc. | Method of manufacturing dye-sublimation printed elements |
| US9675122B2 (en) | 2009-06-23 | 2017-06-13 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel incorporating a protective element |
| DE102006005829C5 (en) * | 2005-02-09 | 2017-07-20 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Clothing for an occupant of a vehicle with an airbag system |
| US10034498B2 (en) | 2011-07-25 | 2018-07-31 | Nike, Inc. | Articles of apparel incorporating cushioning elements |
| US10390573B2 (en) | 2008-08-01 | 2019-08-27 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel with selectively attachable and detachable elements |
| US10499694B2 (en) | 2008-08-01 | 2019-12-10 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel with selectively attachable and detachable elements |
| US10959476B2 (en) | 2011-07-25 | 2021-03-30 | Nike, Inc. | Articles of apparel incorporating cushioning elements |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT1317903B1 (en) * | 2000-09-06 | 2003-07-15 | Dainese Spa | HEAD OF CLOTHING STRUCTURED FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MOTORCYCLIST. |
| CN111035094B (en) * | 2019-12-20 | 2022-07-08 | 中国南方电网有限责任公司超高压输电公司天生桥局 | System for identifying whether person wears safety helmet in multi-person scene |
| CN111035092B (en) * | 2019-12-31 | 2022-02-08 | 中国矿业大学徐海学院 | Networking type high-safety mine shaft safety helmet |
| WO2021195568A1 (en) * | 2020-03-27 | 2021-09-30 | William Baker | Force distribution helmet |
Family Cites Families (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3906546A (en) * | 1973-04-16 | 1975-09-23 | Elwyn R Gooding | Hand gun bullet proof protective headgear |
| DE3142962A1 (en) * | 1981-10-29 | 1983-05-11 | Albert 7790 Meßkirch Reiter | Protective helmet |
| DE3323701A1 (en) * | 1982-07-03 | 1984-01-05 | geb. Schulz Melissa 2000 Hamburg Hasse | Protective vest for motorcyclists and their passengers |
| DE8911519U1 (en) * | 1989-09-27 | 1990-01-04 | Preuss, Norbert, 8400 Regensburg, De | |
| US4989265A (en) * | 1989-11-17 | 1991-02-05 | Cassemco, Inc. | Protective athletic equipment |
| DE9015222U1 (en) * | 1990-11-06 | 1991-02-21 | Wiechert, Sascha, 7500 Karlsruhe, De | |
| US5390367A (en) * | 1992-01-10 | 1995-02-21 | Rush, Iii; Gus A. | Helmet and shoulder pads having inflatable protective means to protect cervical spine |
| US5259070A (en) * | 1992-03-30 | 1993-11-09 | Roza Kort J De | Protective helmet kit apparatus |
| US5402535A (en) * | 1992-11-05 | 1995-04-04 | Conap, Inc. | Restraining inflatable neck guard |
| FR2719747A1 (en) * | 1994-05-13 | 1995-11-17 | Streiff Motorsport Philippe | Shell covering upper body of sports vehicle user |
| US5535446A (en) * | 1994-05-31 | 1996-07-16 | Pusic; Pavo | Motorcyclist's air strips II |
| GB9500699D0 (en) * | 1995-01-13 | 1995-03-08 | Riches David | Safety apparatus for protecting a falling person |
| DE29521373U1 (en) * | 1995-11-24 | 1997-03-13 | Sportive Design Gmbh | Protection device for two-wheeler users |
-
1997
- 1997-05-14 FR FR9705901A patent/FR2763218B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1998
- 1998-05-14 AU AU77725/98A patent/AU7772598A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-05-14 WO PCT/FR1998/000957 patent/WO1998051175A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-05-14 IL IL13292198A patent/IL132921A0/en unknown
- 1998-05-14 EP EP98925706A patent/EP1033923A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1998-05-14 CA CA002289622A patent/CA2289622A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (24)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102006005829C5 (en) * | 2005-02-09 | 2017-07-20 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Clothing for an occupant of a vehicle with an airbag system |
| US11284652B2 (en) | 2008-08-01 | 2022-03-29 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel with selectively attachable and detachable elements |
| US11246358B2 (en) | 2008-08-01 | 2022-02-15 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel with selectively attachable and detachable elements |
| US10499694B2 (en) | 2008-08-01 | 2019-12-10 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel with selectively attachable and detachable elements |
| US10390573B2 (en) | 2008-08-01 | 2019-08-27 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel with selectively attachable and detachable elements |
| US11311061B2 (en) | 2008-08-01 | 2022-04-26 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel with selectively attachable and detachable elements |
| US11950644B2 (en) | 2008-08-01 | 2024-04-09 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel with selectively attachable and detachable elements |
| US9675122B2 (en) | 2009-06-23 | 2017-06-13 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel incorporating a protective element |
| US9149084B2 (en) | 2009-06-23 | 2015-10-06 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel incorporating a protective element and method for making |
| US8713719B2 (en) | 2009-06-23 | 2014-05-06 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel incorporating a protective element and method of use |
| US10194707B2 (en) | 2009-06-23 | 2019-02-05 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel incorporating a protective element |
| US8719965B2 (en) | 2009-09-24 | 2014-05-13 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel incorporating a protective element |
| US8683618B2 (en) | 2009-09-24 | 2014-04-01 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel incorporating a protective element |
| US8702895B2 (en) | 2010-04-07 | 2014-04-22 | Nike, Inc. | Cushioning elements for apparel and other products and methods of manufacturing the cushioning elements |
| US9505203B2 (en) | 2010-11-30 | 2016-11-29 | Nike, Inc. | Method of manufacturing dye-sublimation printed elements |
| US9756884B2 (en) | 2011-02-25 | 2017-09-12 | Nike, Inc. | Articles of apparel incorporating cushioning elements and methods of manufacturing the articles of apparel |
| US9398779B2 (en) | 2011-02-25 | 2016-07-26 | Nike, Inc. | Articles of apparel incorporating cushioning elements and methods of manufacturing the articles of apparel |
| US8764931B2 (en) | 2011-05-19 | 2014-07-01 | Nike, Inc. | Method of manufacturing cushioning elements for apparel and other products |
| US10959476B2 (en) | 2011-07-25 | 2021-03-30 | Nike, Inc. | Articles of apparel incorporating cushioning elements |
| US10034498B2 (en) | 2011-07-25 | 2018-07-31 | Nike, Inc. | Articles of apparel incorporating cushioning elements |
| US9386812B2 (en) | 2011-07-25 | 2016-07-12 | Nike, Inc. | Articles of apparel incorporating cushioning elements |
| US11286362B2 (en) * | 2013-06-12 | 2022-03-29 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Polymeric material for use in thermal insulation |
| US20160120247A1 (en) * | 2013-06-12 | 2016-05-05 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Garment Containing a Porous Polymer Material |
| US20160122491A1 (en) * | 2013-06-12 | 2016-05-05 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Polymeric Material for Use in Thermal Insulation |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU7772598A (en) | 1998-12-08 |
| WO1998051175A1 (en) | 1998-11-19 |
| IL132921A0 (en) | 2001-03-19 |
| FR2763218B1 (en) | 1999-08-06 |
| FR2763218A1 (en) | 1998-11-20 |
| EP1033923A1 (en) | 2000-09-13 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2289622A1 (en) | Safety clothing for protecting the human body | |
| US7062795B2 (en) | Lightweight impact resistant helmet system | |
| US20190216157A1 (en) | Protective helmet | |
| US6282724B1 (en) | Apparatus for enhancing absorption and dissipation of impact forces for all helmets and protective equipment | |
| US5887453A (en) | Protective material | |
| US7328462B1 (en) | Protective helmet | |
| RU2427295C2 (en) | Method and system for protection of body part | |
| US6425141B1 (en) | Protective helmet | |
| US3243822A (en) | Personal inflatable safety device | |
| US4602385A (en) | Shock absorbing, puncture resistant and thermal protective garment | |
| US4274161A (en) | Crash helmet collar | |
| KR101969195B1 (en) | Standalone wearable protector and protective clothing assembly | |
| US6035453A (en) | Race car driver vest | |
| GB2202729A (en) | Impact protection helmet | |
| CN107223027A (en) | The helmet and its purposes of the protection pad including the pad that can be coupled to helmet inner surface pass to the rotary acceleration of user to reduce | |
| JPH0314605A (en) | Protective suit | |
| US20200154799A1 (en) | Neck gaiter system | |
| GB2099687A (en) | Inflatable protective garment | |
| US6554668B2 (en) | Life jacket | |
| CA3022258A1 (en) | Helmet with inflatable airbag | |
| JPH07331507A (en) | Clothing material and clothes | |
| GB2302642A (en) | Body-protective over vest | |
| JP3009423U (en) | Life jacket | |
| CA2303485A1 (en) | Safety vest | |
| MXPA99008260A (en) | Protective device for motorcyclists |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |