EP0212206A1 - Spine protection device against accidents - Google Patents

Abstract

A spinal armor (2), especially for motorcyclists, has overlapping joint-like connections (7) between the plates in the middle of the plate width (5) - i.e. above the spine - which provide a flat, shockproof cover that protects against hyperextension of the spine.

Description

The invention relates to spinal armor according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such armor is worn on the back, close to the body, and protects it against impacts that can damage the spine. Such armor is suitable for endangered professions and especially for motorcyclists who are at high risk of accidents and very often suffer spinal damage, which usually leads to tragic paraplegia.

The spine damage that occurs in an accident can have two main causes. For one thing, a punctiform impact on the spine can smash it. On the other hand, the spine can be broken by stretching backwards. Armor of the type mentioned at the outset must therefore essentially protect against punctiform impacts and against stretching the spine.

An armor of the type mentioned is known from German utility model 84 26 849. This construction provides adjoining impact-resistant plates, which transmit the forces to a large area in the event of a punctiform impact, so that the spine cannot be subjected to point loads. To secure the spine against overstretching, the plates are designed to abut one another in the longitudinal direction of the spine and are connected to an extensible tissue lying towards the body. The plate / fabric assembly can thus be bent forward to form gaps between the abutting surfaces of the plates. When stretched backwards, the panels lie against each other and the stretch-resistant fabric prevents bending.

However, this construction has disadvantages. On the one hand, the wearing comfort is low, since the known construction does not allow lateral bending of the spine. For example, the motorcyclist cannot bend sideways to the engine to open the fuel tap. On the other hand, the protective effect of this construction can only be achieved under ideal conditions, since it requires an extremely high-tensile fabric and a firm connection between the panels and the fabric. This construction is very expensive and can become unsafe after long use.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide armor of the type mentioned at the outset, which combines low manufacturing costs with high wearing comfort and high security.

This object is achieved with the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

The construction according to the invention provides an upper overlap and a central joint between the plates. As a result, each plate is firmly connected in the longitudinal direction of the spine to the neighboring plates in the direction of impact, so that impacts from one plate are transmitted in both longitudinal directions to the neighboring plates and are thus distributed over a large area. The protection against over-stretching is also provided in this way, since each plate is held at two points of overlap with the adjacent plates by the joint in flat contact with the neighboring plate and the plates thus counteract the overstretching as a whole plate. Since the plates are swiveled with a joint in the middle, the spine can be bent to the side very easily, which increases comfort.

The features of claim 2 are advantageously provided. Due to the difference in the opening angle of tongue and groove and the axle play in the joint, this design permits tilting of the plates against one another within a certain angular range, which is advantageously dimensioned such that it corresponds to the corresponding bending angle of the respective piece of the spine. This ensures that the back armor allows the required back bend forward or backward. If there is a risk of overstretching, however, the tongue and groove come into mutual abutment and prevent further stretching, which ensures the desired protection against over extension.

The features of claim 3 are also advantageously provided. Due to the asymmetrical design of the angle of movement, it can be positioned in such a way that the armor wearer can bend relatively far forward, but only very little backwards beyond the erected position of the back. The mobility can be adjusted in this way to the individual requirements of the spine to be protected.

The features of claim 4 are also advantageously provided. In this way, a relatively simple to manufacture and high-strength construction of the plates, which can otherwise be formed, for example, from plastic, is created, the steel plate being provided in particular as an upper extension stop in the direction of the harmful overstretching of the spine to be prevented.

The features of claim 5 are also advantageously provided. Due to the longitudinal displaceability of the plates in the joints, the armor can be lengthened or shortened in the direction of the overlap. This makes it possible to take into account the fact that the armor is always worn on the surface of the body at a radial distance from the spine to be protected, that is to say it is elongated or shortened when flexed. Since this lengthening or shortening is absorbed in the armor, its individual plates remain fixed relative to the body surface. This improves the secure fit and comfort. The whole tank does not have to slide on the surface of the skin.

The features of claim 6 are also advantageously provided. In the upright back position, the tank can maintain its shortened position, which is secured by the spring means. When the upper body is bent forward, the armor can lengthen, which is done against the restoring force of the spring means. When straightening up the shortened position is taken up again.

The features of claim 7 are also advantageously provided. In addition to its other tasks of improving wearing comfort, protecting clothing from getting caught between the individual parts of the tank and protecting it against penetrating dirt particles which disturb the free movement of movement, a covering can also be used as a spring means for returning to the shortened position of the armor, whereby separate spring means can be saved.

The features of claim 8 are also advantageously provided. With this design of the joint, the longitudinal displacement is made possible in a simple manner.

The features of claim 9 are also advantageously provided. In this way, the longitudinal displaceability of the joint is provided as an alternative to the construction of claim 8. This construction is characterized by particular simplicity and robustness and enables easy assembly.

The features of claim 10 are also advantageously provided. In this way, in the event of lateral flexion, in which the plates rotate against one another about the joint, an overstretch protection is provided which, in this direction too, keeps forces which are too strong and which lead to breakage away from the spine to be protected in the event of an accident.

The features of claim 11 are also advantageously provided. A coating of the armor protects it against the penetration of foreign bodies or the jamming of neighboring textiles and thus ensures the free movement of the plates.

The features of claim 12 are also advantageously provided. In this way, comfort is improved, as is accident protection.

The features of claim 13 are also advantageously provided. In this way, the tank can be improved in ease of use. Belts or other means of attachment to the body are unnecessary. The tank is automatically put on when the jacket, which is required anyway, is put on. With an appropriate arrangement in the jacket, it is then exactly in the correct position above the spine.

• Figur 1: eine schematische Rückenansicht eines Körpers mit erfindungsgemäßer über der Wirbelsäule angeordneter Panzerung,
• Figur 2: einen Schnitt nach Linie 2 - 2 in Figur 1,
• Figur 3: einen Schnitt nach Linie 3 - 3 in Figur 2,
• Figur 4: eine Draufsicht auf zwei Platten,
• Figur 5: einen Schnitt entsprechend Figur 3 in detaillierter Darstellung einer praktischen Ausführungsform, in gerader Stellung,
• Figur 6: einen Schnitt entsprechend Figur 5 nur durch die Platten in gebeugter Stellung,
• Figur 7: einen Schnitt entsprechend Figur 6 durch eine geänderte Ausführungsform,
• Figur 8: eine Draufsicht auf die Konstruktion gemäß Figur 6 und
• Figur 9: eine Ansicht in Längsrichtung auf eine der Platten gemäß Figur 8.

The invention is shown schematically, for example, in the drawings. Show it:

• FIG. 1: a schematic rear view of a body with armor according to the invention arranged over the spine,
• FIG. 2: a section along line 2-2 in FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3: a section along line 3 - 3 in FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4: a top view of two plates,
• FIG. 5: a section corresponding to FIG. 3 in a detailed representation of a practical embodiment, in a straight position,
• FIG. 6: a section corresponding to FIG. 5 only through the plates in the bent position,
• FIG. 7: a section corresponding to FIG. 6 through a modified embodiment,
• Figure 8 is a plan view of the construction of Figure 6 and
• 9 shows a view in the longitudinal direction of one of the plates according to FIG. 8.

In Figure 1, a top view of a human's back 1 shows a shell 2 which, when stretched, covers the essential length of the spine. In the sectional view of Figure 2, the back 1 and the spine 3 can be seen as well as plates 5 of the armor. The width of the latter extends laterally far beyond the area of the spine 3 to be protected. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the plates 5 are enclosed in a covering 6. In the embodiment shown, a potting body 4 is provided on the outside around the sheathing 6, which is made of foam material, for example, and ensures greater comfort and further improved shock protection. The contour of the casting body 4, which lies against the back, is molded onto the back and ensures good centering of the plates 5 over the spine 3.

The tank 2 is advantageously sewn into a jacket, for example a motorcycle jacket, between the lining and the outer skin. This ensures that regardless of the straps or the like to be provided otherwise, the tank can be put on comfortably and easily and is also always worn automatically when the jacket is put on.

As the longitudinal section of FIG. 3 through the sheathing 6 shows, a plurality of plates 5 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the spine, in such a way that they overlap with their edges. The plates are relatively short in the longitudinal direction of the spine, but of a width that overlaps the spine 3 well on the sides, as shown in FIG. 2.

At the overlapping points of two adjoining plates, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, these are connected with a joint which, in the highly schematized and simplified embodiment shown, only consists of bores 8 in the plates 5 and axle pins 7 inserted through them. These joints 7, 8 are each provided in the middle of the plate width. The joints thus lie above the spine and allow simple lateral bending of the spine, with the armor, with its arrangement of plates 5 which are connected to one another in an articulated manner, taking part in this lateral bending.

The axle pins 7 are each provided with rivet heads on the outside, as shown in FIG. 3, and hold the interconnected plates firmly against one another in planar contact. When a point-like impact is brought about by a pointed body 16 shown in FIG. 3, the plates act like a full-length plate and transmit the impact to the body over a large area, so that the spine is not shattered.

As FIG. 3 also shows, the covering 6 of the plates 5 ensures that the plates can move freely around the joints 7, 8 and not through foreign objects such as e.g. jamming adjacent textiles (shirt etc.).

FIGS. 5 to 9 show a further embodiment of the spinal armor, which in its detailed version represents a preferred embodiment of the invention and has already proven itself in tests.

Figure 5 shows a rear armor 102 in longitudinal section in the midline in the direction of the plate overlap. The tank shown is to be worn on the back so that the back is on the left as shown in FIG. 5. The top and bottom correspond to the carrying position. The scale is about 2 L: 1.

Plates 105 are provided in an overlapping arrangement and are articulated to one another with articulated balls 107 in the middle with respect to the lateral plate extension in a manner which basically corresponds to that of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4

The plate arrangement is closely enclosed by a tubular sheath 106 and is foamed outside of this sheath in a potting body 110 made of a volume-elastic foam, which increases the wearing comfort. A wear and decorative cover sheet 118 is arranged on the side facing away from the back (on the left in the figure).

The tubular envelope 106, which is essentially tight against the plates 105, first has the essential task of keeping the plates in their mutual engagement free from penetrating foam 110 in order to ensure the mobility of the plates relative to one another. If the plate arrangement, which is alternatively possible, is used without foaming, then the casing 106 must also be provided in order to prevent the penetration of dirt or the pinching of skin or shirt between the plates.

The mutual plate engagement can be explained more clearly on the basis of FIG.

Each plate 105 forms a groove 119 at its upper end and a tongue 120 at its lower end. As can be seen from the figures, the tongue and groove engage in one another in the assembly position.

As shown in FIG. 6 on the uppermost plate, the groove 119 has an opening angle 121 which is greater than the corresponding opening angle of the springs 120, which in the exemplary embodiment shown have parallel surfaces, between which the opening angle is 0 °. This results in a difference in the opening angle between the groove and the tongue, which allows the plates 105 to tilt relative to one another. The two extreme positions of the tilt are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 5, all the plates are tilted as far as possible clockwise with respect to the plate below them, and in FIG. 6 as far as possible counterclockwise. A further tilting is limited in each case by the spring 120 resting in the groove.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 thus enables the upper body to be bent forward to a certain bending position which is sufficient for normal body movement, but prevents the upper stretching beyond the upright upper body position. This provides the desired upper extension protection to prevent spinal fractures.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the groove 119 is formed in two pieces to simplify the manufacture of the plates 105. The groove wall 122 on the left is formed in one piece with the plate 105. The groove wall on the right is designed as a steel plate 124 attached with rivets 123.

The steel plate 124, with its high strength value, prevents the spinal column from being stretched too far and, in particular, protects it against shock loads that can lead to the spine breaking. Bending the spine forward is less critical. Therefore, the weaker left groove wall 122 is sufficient as a limitation in this direction, which may also be designed to be slightly resilient under certain circumstances.

The articulated connection of the plates to one another shown in FIGS. 3 and ₄ does not permit longitudinal displacement in the direction of overlap. The embodiment of Figures 5 to 6 has a corresponding joint, which, however, allows a longitudinal displacement of the plates with each other.

The plates are pivotally connected to one another via the joint ball 107 in the plane of the plate. The joint ball 107 is seated in a hemispherical recess 125 (shown in FIG. 5 below) of the spring 120. On the other hand, it engages in an elongated hole recess 126 in the left-hand groove wall 122, which due to its length permits the desired longitudinal displacement. At the same time, the pivoting of the joint in the plate plane is permitted by rotating around the ball, as is the case with the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4.

The joint ball 107 is fixed in the hemisphere recess 125 and can be moved longitudinally in the slot recess 126. So that the joint ball 107 can be displaced longitudinally in the elongated hole recess 126, the two abutting plates 105 can each be displaced in the longitudinal direction. In Figures 5 and 6, the plates are each shown in an extended position up to the stop. When pushing together, ie when shortening the armor 102, the plates come into abutment against one another. In the illustrated embodiment, this takes place essentially simultaneously at three locations, namely by abutting the springs 120 on the bottom 130 of the grooves 119, by abutting the shoulder between the spring 120 and the main body of the plate 105 at the end of the left groove wall 122 and by abutting one another of the steel plates 124. However, only one stop is sufficient, for example that of the tongue on the groove base, which is completely sufficient for the function. The stop when pushing together, that is to say when shortening, can also be given solely by the slot recess 126, which also forms the stop when pulled apart.

The articulated connection of the plates 105 to one another, which is intended to enable longitudinal displacement, can also be shown in FIG be trained in another way. The bottom plate in FIG. 6 has on the spring 120 'instead of the hemisphere recess 125 a hemisphere projection 127 which is received in the slot recess 126 as well as the joint ball 107. This design can be provided as an alternative to that with a ball.

FIG. 7 shows a further alternative articulation, in which the groove 119 is penetrated by a rivet pin 128 fastened in the two groove walls, which engages through an elongated hole 129 in the spring of the adjacent plate. With this construction too, the longitudinal displacement is permitted in the same way, as is the joint rotation. In a further modification to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, in the embodiment of FIG. 7 the entire plate 105 'is made in one piece, namely with both groove walls. The separate steel plate is saved here. The right-hand groove wall according to the figure, which now also consists of plastic material, is then preferably made somewhat thicker than the steel plate in order to achieve corresponding strength values.

The armor 102 carried on the back lies at a distance from the bending line of the spine, that is to say at a radial distance from the axis of rotation of the individual joints of the spine. As a result, it is elongated when the spine is bent forward and shortened when bent back. This is taken up by the longitudinal displaceability in the joint connections.

In Figure 5, the armor 102 is shown in a straight position, as it corresponds to the upright position of the upper body. The plates 105 are shown here in an extended, ie elongated, position. However, this representation was chosen only for the sake of simplification. In fact, in the 11 the armor must be shortened in length, the plates 105 must therefore be pushed together as far as possible so that when the back is bent forward they can pull apart to the position according to FIG. It is therefore advantageous to provide spring means which normally keep the armor in a shortened position.

The sheath 106, which surrounds the plate arrangement in a tube-like manner, is advantageously used for this purpose. The sheath 106 is made of longitudinally elastic material and is closed at the ends. It is somewhat shorter in length than the length of the plate arrangement and consequently keeps it resilient in the shortened position. If the back is now bent forward with the armor, the plates can elongate against the spring force of the casing 106 and are then contracted again into the shortened position when the back is raised.

The longitudinally resilient effect of the casing 106 can also be supported by the longitudinally elastic effect of the foam potting body 110 or applied by the latter alone.

In Figure 8, the armor 102 is shown in plan view from behind. In the representation of FIG. 14, the back therefore lies behind the armor 102.

Sheath 106 and a total of six plates 105 are shown, which are provided with riveted steel plates 124 along their center line. The position of the left groove wall 122 and the tongue 120 are indicated on the bottom plate.

The groove bottom 130, which is designated in FIG. 12 on the uppermost plate, runs, as shown in FIG. 14, towards the lateral ends of the plate with a downward slope. The distance A between the groove bottom 130 and the adjacent end of the tongue 120 of the next plate 105 thus increases on the sides.

When two adjacent plates are rotated about the joint ball 107 in the plane of the drawing, only a certain angle of rotation is permitted until the spring 120 abuts the groove bottom 130. This limits the angle of rotation of the plates to one another (around the ball joint 107). This limits the lateral flexion of the back, which in turn prevents injuries to the spine due to excessive lateral bending. The slant angle at which the groove bottom 130 drops from the center of the plate to the sides can be varied. This allows the amount to be determined to allow lateral inclinations of the spine.

9 shows a plate 105 in a view in the direction of overlap. It can be seen that the plates are adapted to the lateral curvature of the back.

Claims (13)

1. Accident protection spine armor, especially for motorcyclists, with short plates arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the spine and laterally projecting beyond the spine with their greater width, characterized in that the plates (5, 105, 105 ') at least in the central region of their width are formed overlapping like scales and are connected at the overlap points by a joint (7, 107, 128) arranged in the middle of their width with a pivot axis which is essentially perpendicular to the plate surface. 2. Armor according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint (107, 128) is formed with axle spike and that at the overlap point of two plates (105, 105 ') they are each formed at least centrally with respect to their width in such a way that in section transverse to the plate surface, the one plate engages with a tongue (120) in a groove (119) of the other plate, the groove enclosing a larger opening angle (121) in cross section than the tongue. 3. Armor according to claim 2, characterized in that the difference in the opening angle (121) of the groove walls is asymmetrical to the central position of the two overlapping plates (105, 105 '). 4. Armor according to claim 2, characterized in that one of the groove walls is designed as a steel plate (124) attached to the plate (105). 5. Armor according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint (107, 128) within the overlap area is designed to allow a free longitudinal displacement of the plates (105, 105 ') to one another in the overlap direction. 6. Armor according to claim 5, characterized in that the armor (102) is held in a shortened position with respect to the longitudinal displacement by spring means (106). 7. Armor according to claim 6, characterized in that the spring means in the direction of the longitudinal displacement resiliently longitudinally elastic, at the ends closed sheath (106) is provided. 8. Armor according to claim 5, characterized in that the joint is formed with an axis (128) in an elongated hole (129). 9. Armor according to claim 5, characterized in that the joint is formed with a ball (107) in an elongated hole recess (126). 10. Armor according to claim 1, characterized in that stops (120, 130) are provided on two adjacent plates (105, 105 ') to limit the mutual rotation of the plates around the joint (107). 11. Armor according to claim 1, characterized in that the armor (2, 102) is freely movable in a casing (6, 106) enclosing on all sides. 12. Armor according to claim 1, characterized in that the armor (2, 102) is covered at least towards the body (1) by elastic material (4, 110). 13. Armor according to claim 1, characterized in that the armor (2, 102) is sewn into a jacket.

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