EP0836811A2 - Protective element for the body - Google Patents

Abstract

The protective component (23) of the protection device (20) has an accommodation casing (24) which is filled with a filling material consisting of form bodies (25). The relative movement of the form bodies is defined by a peripheral pressure acting through the accommodation casing and the form bodies locate under tension on one another under, forming a shape-holding form body union (35). The accommodation casing is elastically formed and may be evacuated. The form bodies may be mostly plastic or elastic and the accommodation casing may be provided with a support structure, which is arranged in its interior. A division of the accommodation casing into several chambers may be provided, of which at least one has a form body filling. The chambers communicate with each other at least partly.

Description

The present invention relates to a body protection element for a Body protection device for arrangement on a body part with an in a receptacle-filled molded body filling from individual, Shaped bodies movable relative to one another, wherein the shaped bodies by a circumferential pressure acting on the shaped body via the receiving sleeve defined in their relative arrangement with prestressing against each other fit and form a form-fitting composite.

Body protection elements that serve to protect the wearer from injury protect, find in many different sports as well as in the field occupational safety use. In the field of sports with such Body protection elements mainly hits or kicks in their effects on the body part shielded by the body protection element be dampened. Such stresses occur, for example in sports such as football, hockey, ice hockey as well as in various Martial arts on. The body protection elements to protect the extremities as well as to protect others Body parts, such as the shoulder or upper body area, used.

In order to fulfill their protective task, body protection elements have to be have sufficient energy absorption capacity, so that only one relatively small part of the original impact or impact energy on the affected body part. Good results in terms of energy absorption show from damping foams, for example molded parts made of polypropylene or polystyrene. thats why it is common for molded parts made from these or comparable materials use as body protection elements.

verbrauchen" sich die bekannten Körperschutzelemente durch ihre bestimmungsgemäße Verwendung, so daß, je nach Beanspruchungshäufigkeit die Körperschutzelemente in mehr oder weniger großen zeitlichen Abständen ausgetauscht werden müssen.The high energy absorption capacity found in the known body protection elements is essentially due to the largely plastic deformation properties of the plastic molded bodies made of the aforementioned or similar materials which are connected to one another to form a composite body. Because of this largely plastic deformation behavior, the known body protection elements have only relatively low shape restoring forces, which leads to permanent deformations of the molded part, particularly in the case of frequently repeated impact loads, which drastically reduce its energy absorption capacity, at least in the area of these permanent deformations. Therefore

"Consume the known body protection elements through their intended use, so that, depending on the frequency of use, the body protection elements must be replaced at more or less large intervals.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of a body protection element propose that compared to the known Body protection elements have a significantly longer service life.

This task is carried out by a body protection element with the features of claim 1 solved.

The body protection element according to the invention for a body protection device for arrangement on a body part points in a receptacle recorded a molded body filling from individual, relative to each other movable moldings, the moldings by a via the Receiving sleeve on the molded body in its peripheral pressure Relative arrangement defined and bear against each other under prestress form a shape-retaining composite body.

With the known body protection elements, the energy absorption capacity due to the deformation behavior of the assembled, in their relative arrangement unchangeable molded plastic body certainly. When renewed, on the same area of the body protection element directed impact stresses are already before claimed molded body again, which is a reduced Energy absorption. In the inventive Body protection element is the energy absorption capacity through a more or less pronounced deformation of the molded body and by a more or less pronounced relative shift of the lower Preload determined molded body. An essential one The factor for the amount of energy absorption is therefore Amount of the preload with which the molded bodies lie against each other.

Because the local deformation that occurs during a shock load the molded body composite in the body protection element according to the invention to a large extent by changing the relative arrangement the molded body comes into being in the inventive Body protection element this deformation by another relative movement the molded body can be undone. Molded body, which may be one more or more due to the stress have experienced less severe plastic deformation, by means of this relative movement in their relative arrangement to less or even Shaped non-stressed bodies and mixed with them. If it is aimed again at the same area of the body protection element Impact stress is therefore again the unrestricted energy absorption capacity of the body protection element available. The invention Body protection element is thus in its initial configuration can be traced, i.e. regenerated, before impact or impact. Because of this regenerability is the inventive Body protection element compared to the known body protection elements much longer life possible.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the body protection element becomes the necessary for the production of the form-fitting composite Preload achieved via an elastic design of the receiving shell.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the body protection element is used to create the molded composite necessary pre-tensioning through an evacuable design of the receptacle reached.

For setting the desired energy absorption capacity and deformation behavior it proves to be advantageous if the molded body Molded body filling with regard to shape and / or material properties are trained differently.

Depending on the desired mode of action of the body protection element the moldings can be predominantly plastic or predominantly elastic be trained. A predominantly plastic formation of the moldings can be achieved on the one hand in that the individual moldings have predominantly plastic deformation behavior, on the other in that the majority of the moldings compared to a Minority of the molded body is plastic. The same applies for the predominantly elastic formation of the moldings.

Setting the desired shaped body properties is special easily possible if the molded body is designed as a plastic molded body are.

In order to make an adjustment, particularly in the case of large-area body protection elements to correspondingly large body parts or body areas simplify, the receptacle can be provided with a support structure be. In this context, it proves to be particularly advantageous if the support structure is arranged in the interior of the receptacle to so on the one hand the deformation behavior of the body protection element in the external contact area of the body protection element if possible little to influence and on the other hand contact of the support structure with the relevant body part or the relevant body area avoid.

In particular in the case of body protection elements which have a relatively large area are and / or have relatively large surface curvatures, it proves proves to be advantageous if the receptacle is divided into several chambers is, of which at least one is provided with a molding filling is. If only certain of several chambers with a molded body filling are provided, they can not be filled with a molding use the provided chambers differently. They can't do that a molded body filling chambers as purely elastic cushion chambers or can also be designed as particularly rigid chambers to develop a support structure effect.

If the formation of the receptacle with multiple chambers Chambers are at least partially designed to communicate the communicating chambers with a common evacuation facility evacuate.

In addition to the body protection element according to the invention as such, which in selected embodiments defined by claims 2 to 11 the present invention also relates to a body protection device, the at least one body protection element according to one or more of the Claims 1 to 11 combined with a fastening device for Attachment of the body protection element to a body part.

In a first embodiment of the body protection device, the Fastening device connected directly to the body protection element.

In a second embodiment of the body protection device Fastening device provided with a receiving device for interchangeable inclusion of a body protection element is used. This Embodiment offers the advantage of being based on one and the same Fastening device, different body protection devices for Protection of different parts of the body in a simple way Combination of the uniform fastening device with different ones Body protection elements can be formed.

Preferred embodiments of a body protection element or Body protection devices with a body protection element are below explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Körperschutzeinrichtung mit einem mittels einer Befestigungseinrichtung an einem Körperteil befestigten Körperschutzelement;

Fig. 2

ein in einer Ausschnittsvergrößerung des in Fig. 1 dargestellten Körperschutzelements dargestellter Kontaktbereich mit in einer Ausgangskonfiguration angeordneten Formkörpern;

Fig. 3

der in Fig. 2 dargestellte Kontaktbereich mit in Folge einer Stoßeinwirkung geänderter Konfiguration der Formkörper;

Fig. 4

ein in mehrere Kammern unterteiltes Körperschutzelement;

Fig. 5

das in Fig. 4 dargestellte Körperschutzelement als Teil einer Körperschutzeinrichtung;

Fig. 6

eine Körperschutzeinrichtung mit einem eine Stützstruktur aufweisenden Körperschutzelement;

Fig. 7

eine Ausschnittdarstellung der in Draufsicht dargestellten Stützstruktur;

Fig. 8

eine Körperschutzeinrichtung, deren Körperschutzelement mit einem Schild und einer Polsterung versehen ist;

Fig. 9

eine Körperschutzeinrichtung, deren Körperschutzelement mit einer Luftpolstereinrichtung versehen ist;

Fig. 10

einige ausgewählte, beispielhafte Konfigurationen und Einsatzbereiche von Körperschutzelementen am menschlichen Körper.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a body protection device with a body protection element fastened to a body part by means of a fastening device;

Fig. 2

a contact area shown in an enlarged section of the body protection element shown in FIG. 1 with shaped bodies arranged in an initial configuration;

Fig. 3

the contact area shown in Figure 2 with a modified configuration of the molded body as a result of impact.

Fig. 4

a body protection element divided into several chambers;

Fig. 5

the body protection element shown in Figure 4 as part of a body protection device.

Fig. 6

a body protection device with a body protection element having a support structure;

Fig. 7

a sectional view of the support structure shown in plan view;

Fig. 8

a body protection device, the body protection element of which is provided with a shield and padding;

Fig. 9

a body protection device, the body protection element of which is provided with an air cushion device;

Fig. 10

some selected, exemplary configurations and areas of application of body protection elements on the human body.

1 shows a partial sectional illustration of a body protection device 20 arranged on an extremity with a body protection element 23 fastened to the extremity by means of a fastening device 21, here for example a lower leg 22.

The body protection element 23 has a receiving sleeve 24 which is filled with molded bodies 25. To simplify the illustration, only a part of the shaped bodies 25 is shown in FIG. 1 . In the present case, the receiving sleeve 24 consists of two film layers 26, 27, which are connected to one another in a gas-tight manner along the periphery of the receiving sleeve 24 to form a connecting edge 28. In the case of film material which can be welded, the formation of the contracting edge can take place by welding the film layers 26, 27 together.

The fastening device 21 has retaining straps 29, 30 which Detachable or non-detachable with the connecting edge 28 of the body protection element 23 are connected. In the present case they are Holding straps 29, 30 with a non-releasable adhesive connection 31 connected to the connecting edge 28. To perform a detachable The straps 29, 30 can also be connected via one per se known Velcro connection with the connecting edge 28 or be connected to other areas of the receptacle 24.

The connection of the straps 28, 30 to each other takes place in in the present case via an in an overlap region 32 of the Fastening device 21 formed Velcro connection.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the receptacle 24 is designed to be evacuable and is provided in the region of its outer film layer 26 with a valve device 33 suitable for evacuating the enclosed volume of the receptacle 24. Due to the evacuation of the enclosed receptacle volume 34, the shaped bodies 25 arranged in a starting configuration in a loose bed are largely fixed in their relative arrangement to one another by means of surface pressure forces acting on the shaped bodies 25 through the film layers 26 and 27, so that relative movements of the shaped bodies 25 with one another only against great resistance and associated with appropriate friction are possible. The extent of the fixation of the molded bodies 25 to form a molded body composite 35 is essentially dependent on the elasticity or resilience of the film layers 26, 27 and the material properties and the shape of the molded bodies 25. A particularly effective use of a receptacle sleeve enclosed in the valve device 33 Volume 34 generated vacuum to form compressive forces acting on the shaped bodies 25 via the film layers 26, 27 can be achieved with the film layers 26, 27 being as inelastic as possible. For this purpose, polyethylene or polyamide films are suitable.

The basic mode of operation of the molded bodies 25, which are fixed in their relative arrangement to form a molded body composite 35, can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 . 2 shows the shaped bodies 25 arranged in the fixed shaped body assembly 35 immediately before the action of an essentially punctiform load 36 in a contact area of the outer film layer 26 of the body protection element 23. The shaped bodies 25 arranged adjacent to the film layer 26 are in an arrangement which here as convex line arrangement is to be referred to and is made clear by the convex line course 37.

3 shows the molded body composite 35 in the contact area of the outer film layer 26 after the action of the external load 36, which has led to a change in the relative arrangement of the molded bodies 25 in the molded body composite 35. Using the example of the shaped body 25 arranged adjacent to the outer film layer 26, the change in the relative arrangement of the shaped body 25 becomes particularly clear, since the initially convex line shape 37 has now changed to a concave line shape 38. The extent of the change in the relative arrangement of the shaped bodies 25 in the shaped body assembly 35 depends on the size and design of the external load 36 and is therefore directly related to the energy absorption of the body protection element 23. In addition, there is of course also a connection between the changes in the relative arrangement of the shaped bodies 25 in the molded body composite 35 and the shape and material properties of the individual molded bodies 25. This is the case when using relatively plastic or also relatively elastic molded bodies, as is the case, for example, with plastic molded bodies made of polyurethane or rubber-based or also with rubber molded bodies is a relatively small change in the relative arrangement of the molded body 25 in the molded body assembly 35. In contrast, there is a relatively large change in the relative arrangement when using rigid molded bodies, as is the case, for example, with plastic molded bodies Polystyrene, polyethylene or polypropylene is the case. Corresponding natural materials can of course be used, both with regard to the formation of elastic and plastic as well as rigid shaped bodies.

Regardless of the material properties and type of the film layers 26, 27 and the material properties and type of the molded bodies 25 used, the evacuable design of the body protection element 23 or its receiving sleeve 24, which is shown by way of example in FIG. 1 , offers the possibility of a slight adjustment of the initially through the receiving sleeve 24 in a very loose composite arranged shaped body 25 to make the contour of the body part in question. The fixed molded body assembly 35, which is shown in sections in FIGS. 2 and 3 , is then created by evacuating the receiving sleeve 24.

If the change in the relative arrangement of the shaped bodies 25 in the shaped body assembly 35 as a result of a blow or impact or the like has occurred as shown in FIG. 3 , the molded body assembly 35 can be returned to it by simply ventilating the receiving sleeve 24 and thereby redistributing the shaped bodies 25 Transfer initial configuration shown in Fig. 2 . The molded body assembly 35 can thus be regenerated, so that when the load 36 is renewed, the change in the relative arrangement of the molded bodies 25 in the molded body assembly 35 can be used again in substantially the same way as in the case of a previous load 36 to absorb the energy impinging on the body protection element 23 by the load 36 is. The body protection element 23 can thus be regenerated in its effect. Even in the event that there is a plastic deformation of the molded bodies 25 due to the appropriate material selection for the molded bodies 25, which are arranged in the area of the impinging load 36, a redistribution of the molded bodies 25 can create an area of the molded body assembly 35 largely unaffected by plastic deformations will.

As an alternative to the evacuable design of the receiving sleeve 24 explained above with reference to FIG. 1 , it is also possible to achieve the effects of the body protection element explained above by using an elastically designed receiving sleeve. The formation of a largely fixed composite body from individual molded bodies is achieved in that the molded bodies are forced into a largely fixed molded body composite by the prestressing forces of the elastically formed film layers. Even with such a design of the body protection element, its regenerability is provided by redistribution of the molded body 25 while overcoming the elastic prestressing forces of the film layers.

4 shows a body protection element 40 having a plurality of chambers 39 with molded bodies 25 assigned to each chamber 39. The individual chambers 39 communicate via channels 41 connecting the chambers 39, so that all the chambers 39 of a receiving sleeve 42 have a common one to be vented or vented via a valve device 43 have aerating volume 44. Similar to the case of the body protection element 23 shown in FIG. 1 , the receptacle of the body protection element 40 is also formed from two film layers 45, 46 which are connected to one another in a gas-tight manner along a connecting edge 47.

FIG. 5 shows a body protection device 48 in which the body protection element 40 is fastened to the lower leg 22 by means of the fastening device 21 already explained with reference to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 shows a body protection device 49 with a body protection element 50 which is provided with a support structure 51 in its interior. The support structure, which is shown in a top view in FIG. 7 , is designed like a lattice with longitudinal struts 52 and cross struts 53. The support structure 51 essentially has two tasks, namely, as is particularly clear from FIG. 6 , for a facilitated one Adaptation of the body protection element 50 to the body contour in question due to the correspondingly preformed support structure 51. On the other hand, in the case of a load 54 striking the body protection element 50 from the outside, the support structure 51 ensures a flat distribution of the load inside the body protection element 50.

In contrast to the embodiments of a body protection element explained with reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 , the body protection element 50 shown in FIG. 6 has an evacuation / ventilation device 55 from a combination of a valve device, not shown in detail, with a pump bellows 56. Depending on the position of the valve device, the pump bellows 56 allows the receiving sleeve 42 of the body protection element 50 to be vented or vented.

FIG. 8 shows a body protection device 57 with a body protection element 58, which is provided on the outside on a receiving sleeve 59 with a shield 60. The shield 60 is used for the area-wide introduction of high point loads into the molded body assembly 35, as is the case, for example, when a projectile strikes the shield 60. In addition to the shield 60 or also in the case of a body protection element used without a shield, soft padding 61 can be provided between the receiving sleeve 59 and the body part to be protected. With the soft padding 61, the fit of the body protection element on the relevant body part can be improved, on the one hand, and the wearing comfort is increased, on the other hand.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 , the individual components of the body protection element 58, namely the shield 60, the receiving shell 59 filled with shaped bodies 25 and the soft padding 61 are combined by means of a clamping bracket 62 to form the body protection element 58. Alternatively, the individual components can also be connected directly to one another in the region of a connecting edge 63 of the receiving sleeve 59.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8 , the clamping bracket 62, which extends at least on two opposite longitudinal edges of the body protection element 58, serves as a receiving device for the body protection element 58 and for connecting the body protection element 58 to a fastening device 80. For reasons of clarity, FIG 8 dispenses with the representation of a valve device or an evacuation / ventilation device.

FIG. 9 shows a body protection element 64 which has a total of three film layers 65, 66 and 67, the film layers 65 and 66 serving as a receiving sleeve 68 for receiving the shaped bodies 25 forming the molded body assembly 35, and the film layers 66 and 67 serving as a cushion sleeve 69 for filling form with a gas and form a gas cushion between the receptacle 68 and the body part 22. The body protection element 64 is provided with an evacuation / ventilation device 70, which enables the evacuation of the receiving sleeve 68 and at the same time the filling of the cushion sleeve 69 with the gas extracted from the receiving sleeve 68.

10 shows various possible arrangements and configurations of body protection elements on the body. Individual body protection elements in the area of the foot, which are designed as ankle protection element 71, Achilles tendon protection element 72 and instep protection element 73, can also be integrated in a protection element. Depending on whether the individual protective elements are provided with separate valve devices or with a central valve device with communicating protective elements, it is possible to set the hardness of the body protective elements differently or in accordance.

Also can be used as a shin protection element 74 or as a knee protection element 75 trained body protection element individually or be integrally formed.

10 shows that the body protection elements formed here with individual chambers can also be designed differently with regard to the chamber arrangement. For example, the ankle protection element 71 has concentric chambers 76 arranged in a ring. In contrast, the shin guard element 74 has chambers 77 formed in a straight line and arranged parallel to one another. It is also possible to provide the body protection elements shown in FIG. 10 with respect to their arrangement and design arranged in or on items of clothing. This makes it possible to secure the relative arrangement of the body protection elements on relevant body parts even without separately designed fastening devices. An example of the use of clothing designed in this way is in the field of ski racing. Ski racers need shin guards 74, forearm guards 78 and back of the hand guards 79 only for seconds of slalom runs as protection against the blows of the slalom poles. By integrating the body protection elements into the clothing, it is possible to simply evacuate the body protection elements only for the time of a slalom run. Otherwise they can be ventilated, so they do not stiffen clothing and provide additional heat insulation.

Claims (14)

Body protection element (23, 40, 50, 58, 64) for a body protection device (20, 48, 49, 57) for arrangement on a body part (22) with one accommodated in a receptacle (24, 42, 59, 68) Molded body filling from individual, movable relative to each other Shaped bodies (25), wherein the shaped bodies through a through the receiving shell on the shaped body acting in their peripheral pressure Relative arrangement defined to bear against each other under prestress and form a shape-retaining composite body (35). Body protection element according to claim 1,
characterized by
that the receiving sleeve (24, 42, 59, 68) is elastic. Body protection element according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized by
that the receiving sleeve (24, 42, 59, 68) is designed to be evacuable. Body protection element according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized by
that the molded body (25) of the molded body filling are designed differently in terms of shape and / or material properties. Body protection element according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized by
that the shaped body (25) are predominantly plastic. Body protection element according to one or more of claims 1 to 4,
characterized by
the shaped bodies (25) are predominantly elastic. Body protection element according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized by
that the molded body (25) are designed as a plastic molded body. Body protection element according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized by
that the receiving sleeve (42) is provided with a support structure (51). Body protection element according to claim 8,
characterized by
that the support structure (51) is arranged in the interior of the receptacle (42). Body protection element according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized by
dividing the receptacle (42) into a plurality of chambers (39), at least one of which is provided with a molded body filling. Body protection element according to claim 10,
characterized by
that the chambers (39) are at least partially communicating. Body protection device (20, 48, 49, 57) with at least one Body protection element (23, 40, 50, 58, 64) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11 and a fastening device (21, 80) for fastening the body protection element to a body part (22). Body protection device according to claim 12,
characterized by
that the fastening device (21) is connected directly to the body protection element. Body protection device according to claim 12,
characterized by
that the fastening device (80) has a receiving device (62) for exchangeably receiving a body protection element (58).

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