EP0981285B1 - Protective device for motorcyclists - Google Patents
Protective device for motorcyclists Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0981285B1 EP0981285B1 EP97946047A EP97946047A EP0981285B1 EP 0981285 B1 EP0981285 B1 EP 0981285B1 EP 97946047 A EP97946047 A EP 97946047A EP 97946047 A EP97946047 A EP 97946047A EP 0981285 B1 EP0981285 B1 EP 0981285B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- protective device
- user
- spinal column
- inflatable
- tubular elements
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- 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
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to protective devices for use by motorcyclists and, more particularly, a device capable of minimizing the risk of injuries to the spinal column and, above all, to the lumbar region of the motorcyclist's body in the occurrence of a fall.
- protecti ve devices or garments have been designed with parts or compartments which are automatically inflatable in case of an accident and, instead of covering or wrapping up nearly all the motorcyclist's body, they only protect those body parts which in case of an accident may undergo lethal damages or injuries for the user, for example the spinal column and the organs contained in the abdominal region, particularly the loins.
- the European Patent 0 043 990 (upon which the preamble of claim 1 is based) gives an example of such protective devices.
- the patent describes a protective device for motorcyclists which comprises an element intended to protect the spinal column and provided with a protective element for motorcyclist's nape in its upper end, and with a belt in its lower end.
- the device is substantially formed of an airtight envelope and is provided with automatically triggered inflating means.
- the protective device is worn as a harness by means of straps or it can be embodied in a garment.
- the protection given by an inflatable element arranged along but directly over the spinal column determines a concentration of the shear force and of the bending moment.
- the former can cause displacements of the vertebrae, while the latter can cause discopathy or vertebral fractures. In both cases, the detrimental effects to the spinal marrow can be irrecoverable.
- the inflatable element can move to the left or to the right with respect to spinal column and does not assure protection any longer.
- the inflation of the element intended to protect the nape can dangerously stretch the cervical portion of the spinal column because the vertical component of the inflation pressure exerts a violent traction on the cervix and, in the case the crash-helmet is incorrectly fastened, such inflation pressure could even cause its coming off.
- FR-A-2677856 discloses a protection garment for motorcyclists similar to that of EP-A-0043990.
- this garment the substantially tubular inflatable element arranged along the spinal column is only one and is placed directly in correspondance of the spinal column area. Therefore, this garment shows the same drawbacks as those described in EP-A-0043990.
- US-A-4.870.706 discloses a sport protection garment to protect an athlete's upper body by cushioning it with three tubular inflatable elements along the spinal column.
- this garment is not specifically for motorcyclists (i.e. without automotically triggered inflating means), nor the tubular elements are arranged adjacent both sides of the spinal column. Also this document is affected by the same drawbacks as EP-A-0043990.
- the main object of the present invention is thus to provide a protective device capable of reducing the intensity of the shear force and of the bending moment acting in the spinal column of the motorcyclist during an impact against the ground, and to distribute as much as possible these actions over the muscular and skeletal portions which are adjacent to the spinal column therealong.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective device which is capable of decreasing the violent lateral and backward movements of the motorcyclist's head caused by impacts during an accident.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective device which is ergonomic and attachable to the motorcyclist's body in a steady way.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a protective device to be worn with a harness or embodied in a garment such as a waistcoat or a jacket and that is particularly light, comfortable to wear and also inexpensive.
- a protective device specifically suited for motorcyclists, of the type comprising at least one inflatable element arranged substantially along the spinal column of the user, fastening straps secured to said at least one inflatable element and intended to cooperate with the user's body and automatically triggered inflating means for inflating said at least one inflatable element, characterized in that said at least one inflatable element comprises at least two tubular elements, each of which is arranged adjacent to the spinal column of the user in opposite positions and extends for almost all the lenght thereof.
- the fastening straps are provided with inflatable elements intended to protect the head against violent lateral movements caused by impacts during an accident.
- the at least two inflatable tubular elements are arranged so as to be in a pneumatic communication.
- the walls of the two tubular elements are formed of two or more layers having different physical properties.
- the device according to the present invention results from meticulous studies and researches made for the purpose of determining the best position with respect to the spinal column for arranging the inflatable protective elements.
- the tubular element causes a concentration of the shear force and of the bending moment in the spinal column and does not permit such forces to be uniformly distributed over the muscular and skeletal portions adjacent to the spinal column if it is directly arranged over the spinal column and lengthwise thereof.
- the shear force and the bending moment can be reduced and better distributed if the inflatable elements are arranged adjacent to the spinal column each on a side thereof.
- a protective device according to the invention, generally indicated by 10 which comprises as a feature two inflatable tubular elements 11 and 12, intended not to be arranged over the spinal column, but adjacent and on opposite sides thereto, and substantially extending for almost all the lenght thereof.
- the spinal column is diagrammatically indicated by a dashed line V.
- the tubular elements 11 and 12 of the protective device 10 are obtained by joining two substantially similar laminated strips A and P so as to enclose two air chambers 13 and 14, respectively, which are in a pneumatic communication through passages 15.
- the joining points of the two laminated strips A and P are indicated by S.
- the junction is perfectly airtight and is made by using known techniques such as high frequency welding.
- each laminated strip A and P is preferably formed of at least two layers, namely an internal layer 16 made of impervious material and an external layer 17 also made of plastic material but reinforced so as to resist to abrasion, cutting and heat.
- an internal layer 16 made of impervious material
- an external layer 17 also made of plastic material but reinforced so as to resist to abrasion, cutting and heat.
- various materials can be used and also the number of layers of syntethic fabric can be more than two according to the requirements and the intended and desired results.
- FIGS 4A and 4B illustratively show a way to apply the device to a user's body, in this case a motorcyclist.
- the protective device 10 is secured to a cover garment 18 made of an impervious and resistant material by means of a seam or a welding along the dashed line C and is carried on the user's shoulders and held steadily in position by means of adjustable straps 19 and a belt 20.
- the protective device 10 of the invention is provided with external fastening means (not shown) which permit it to be fastened to a harness or to be applied to a garment worn by the user.
- the protective device 10 can be directly attached to a cover garment by means of a welding or a seam.
- At least one of the tubular elements is in pneumatic communication through a check valve in a known manner with a compressed gas supply, for example with a cylinder containing CO 2 or any other suitable gas, which is to be carried by the user and connected to automatic trigger means intended to be operated in case of an accident when the motorcyclist is thrown from the motorcycle.
- Said automatic trigger means are preferably formed of a lever with a perforating needle actuated by a short rope or the like connected to a selected portion of the motorcycle.
- the short rope has a predetermined breaking load so as to break after the perforating needle is operated and permit the motorcyclist to be separated from the motorcycle.
- the inflation is nearly instantaneous since it occurs within a few tenths of a second.
- a pyrotechnic trigger device with a small charge actuated by a signal in a fiber optics which is interrupted when the motorcyclist is thrown from the motorcycle can be used. In this case, the inflation time would be less than one tenth of a second.
- the protective device 10 can be flattened by operating the check valve so as to permit the device to be used again.
- a valve with a controlled leakage could be used. In order to speed up the deflation the user would only need to unscrew the gas cylinder.
- the inflatable elements of the device can extend up to the upper portion of the straps 19 wrapped around the user's shoulders and, when in the inflated condition, be located at the sides of the user's head, but separated from it in order to dampen the lateral movements.
- the at least two inflatable tubular elements of the device in the inflated condition could extend also up to the nape area while being separated therefrom in order to dampen the violent backward movements of the user's head caused by a fall.
- the protective device of the invention was subjected to tests at the Aerospace Engineering Department of the Polytechnical Institute of Milan. In order to conduct such tests which were inspired by favourable results of earlier numerical simulations made on computer by using a calculation code specifically designed for studying the biomechanics of impacts, an anthropometric manikin HYBRID III weighing 75 kg and provided with a crash-helmet was used.
- the protective device of the invention was applied to the back of the manikin by means of a harness. The tests were intended to reproduce a simple but significant impact condition, i.e. a fall on the back on a corner step from a predetermined height and without horizontal velocity component.
- the criterion adopted for measuring the effectiveness of the protective device was to value the reduction of the intensity of the shear force and of the bending moment in the lumbar portion of the spinal column with respect to the case of a fall without protection.
- a stress measuring device was placed in the lumbar region of the manikin.
- the inflation of the protective device was shooted with a high-speed electronic camera type NAC E-10 in order to determine the inflation time.
- the protective device has been described and illustrated with reference to its application to the motorcycle field, it is apparent that it can also be used in other fields, e.g. bicycle riding and horse riding and racing, where protective devices which can offer an effective protection in case of falls are specifically required.
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)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
- Motor Or Generator Frames (AREA)
- Control Of Electric Motors In General (AREA)
- Protection Of Generators And Motors (AREA)
- Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective device which is capable of decreasing the violent lateral and backward movements of the motorcyclist's head caused by impacts during an accident.
Height of the | 150 mm |
Height from ground | 1000 mm |
Inclination w.r.t. | 0 deg |
Max. shear force | |
- without the device | 690 kg |
- with the device in the inflated condition | 420 kg |
Max. bending moment | |
- without the device | 32.7 kgm |
- with the device in the | 28,8 kgm |
Gas pressure | 0.4-0.5 bar |
Inflation time | 0.75 s |
- the protective device can protect the spinal column by providing in the lumbar portion thereof a re duction in the shear force and in the bending moment approximately of 40% and 12%, respectively,
- the protective device can be worn with a harness or embodied in a waistcoat or a jacket,
- the protective device can be resetted so as to be used again if it is not damaged after a fall.
Claims (5)
- Protective device (10) , specifically suited for motorcyclists, of the type comprising:at least one inflatable element arranged substantially along the spinal column of the user,fastening straps (19) secured to said at least one inflatable element and intended to cooperate with the user's body, andautomatically triggered inflating means for inflating said at least one inflatable element,
- Protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that also said fastening straps (19) are provided with inflatable elements intended to protect the user's head against violent lateral movements caused by impacts during an accident.
- Protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least two inflatable tubular elements (11,12) extend up to the nape area while being separated therefrom in order to dampen the violent backward movements of the user's head caused by a fall.
- Protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least two inflatable tubular elements (11,12) are arranged so as to be in a pneumatic communication therebetween.
- Protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that the walls of said at least two tubular elements (11,12) are formed of two or more layers (16,17) having different physical properties.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT1997MI000349U IT237503Y1 (en) | 1997-05-16 | 1997-05-16 | PROTECTION DEVICE FOR MOTORCYCLISTS |
ITMI970349U | 1997-05-16 | ||
PCT/IT1997/000287 WO1998051170A1 (en) | 1997-05-16 | 1997-11-20 | Protective device for motorcyclists |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0981285A1 EP0981285A1 (en) | 2000-03-01 |
EP0981285B1 true EP0981285B1 (en) | 2002-02-06 |
Family
ID=11376074
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97946047A Expired - Lifetime EP0981285B1 (en) | 1997-05-16 | 1997-11-20 | Protective device for motorcyclists |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0981285B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE212797T1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR9714891A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69710374T2 (en) |
IT (1) | IT237503Y1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998051170A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH697172A5 (en) * | 2004-06-04 | 2008-06-25 | Christian Koeppel Dr Med | Airbag for a piece of clothing comprises a body integrated into the piece of clothing and folds flat when not in use on the side of the body to be protected |
GB2504740A (en) * | 2012-08-08 | 2014-02-12 | Airbag Technologies Ltd | Air release triggers and inflatable body protectors comprising air release triggers |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH637547A5 (en) * | 1980-07-15 | 1983-08-15 | Michel Steiner | PROTECTION DEVICE FOR A USER, PARTICULARLY A MOTORCYCLIST. |
GB2099687A (en) * | 1981-06-09 | 1982-12-15 | Sweeney Frank Joseph | Inflatable protective garment |
US4870706A (en) * | 1988-05-05 | 1989-10-03 | Kenneth E. Ketcham | Sports protection garment |
FR2677856A1 (en) * | 1991-06-20 | 1992-12-24 | Demarais Yves | Item of protective clothing |
US5362098A (en) * | 1993-08-11 | 1994-11-08 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Releasable unconstrained inflatable body protector |
-
1997
- 1997-05-16 IT IT1997MI000349U patent/IT237503Y1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1997-11-20 EP EP97946047A patent/EP0981285B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-11-20 WO PCT/IT1997/000287 patent/WO1998051170A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1997-11-20 BR BR9714891-1A patent/BR9714891A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-11-20 DE DE69710374T patent/DE69710374T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-11-20 AT AT97946047T patent/ATE212797T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IT237503Y1 (en) | 2000-09-13 |
ITMI970349U1 (en) | 1998-11-16 |
EP0981285A1 (en) | 2000-03-01 |
WO1998051170A1 (en) | 1998-11-19 |
ATE212797T1 (en) | 2002-02-15 |
DE69710374D1 (en) | 2002-03-21 |
BR9714891A (en) | 2000-08-15 |
ITMI970349V0 (en) | 1997-05-16 |
DE69710374T2 (en) | 2002-10-17 |
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