EP1525906A1 - Protector element for orthopaedic use and sportswear - Google Patents

Abstract

The orthopedic protector for sports clothing, and especially to form a protective shield over parts of the body, is a chain strip (5) of connected links (7) of an injection molded pressure-resistant material, linked together by swing pins (19). Each link has limit surfaces against each other to allow a limited relative swing movement. The chain links have a T-shape outline, with center foot beams (11) and head beams (9), to fit together in an alternating layout. At least alternate links have a bearing drilling to take the swing pins.

Description

The invention relates to a protector element for orthopedic applications and for sportswear, in particular stiffening element to form an overstretch protection for body parts, with to a Chain strung links of pressure-resistant protective material, respectively connected by a rotary joint with pivot pin are and turn to each other stop surfaces, which at a relative Blocking pivotal movement of the links in an overstretched position lie together.

Articulated protector elements that pivot a movement of the links allow in one direction, so that the protector element to the movements a relevant body part adapts, however, during pivoting movements in the opposite direction a stiffening element form, the movements of the body part over an overstretched position prevent, find application for many purposes. For example They can be used as orthopedic aids at various Body joints serve as overstretch protection. A very widespread field of application can be found in sportswear, here by name also sports gloves, where such protector elements as stiffening elements form an overstretch protection of phalanges. Especially in goalkeeper gloves is an effective finger-overstretch protection of great importance. For snowboard gloves Such protector elements can also be assigned to the wrist be, with the protector element over the wrist out to can extend to the forearm.

When using such protector elements is sufficient ease the relative pivotal movement of the limbs in the intended Pivoting direction very important. Especially for sportswear, namely sports gloves, is too high a rotational resistance disadvantageous because this resistance of the glove-bearing Hand is overcome. Binding when curving and Stretching leads to fatigue of the wearer's hand because of extra work is required for the pivoting movements.

On the other hand, the pivotal connections of the limbs are to be shaped that the limbs are held together even at high loads, that in particular the tensile stresses are controlled, which occur when the overstretch position is reached when forces are acting the pivoting movement beyond the overstretched position to cause to seek.

From EP 1 203 602 A2 is a protector element of the aforementioned Art in the form of a stiffening strip known as overstretch protection is provided for the phalanges in a goalkeeper glove. In the endeavor, the ease of use required for the purpose to achieve the rotational connections of the links, in the known Protector element, the rotary joints bearing journals on the Links are molded in one piece and under snap lock in Lagerhöhlungen the respectively adjacent member are inserted. It is true that in such a designed rotary joint sufficient ease, the snap locking of the bearing journals in the bearing cavities However, it is insufficient at high loads and does not provide enough Safety against tearing of the slewing rings at higher Charges.

By DE 199 10 799 C1 is a sports glove, especially goalkeeper glove known, with at least one of the back of the glove associated stiffening element, a plurality of pressure-resistant Locking body having in at least approximately along a finger longitudinal axis extending juxtaposition on a tensile strength Carrier tape are fixed so that they are at least in stretched State carrier tape with adjacent surface areas abut each other, wherein the stiffening element of an outer layer of the back of the glove is covered. As a blocking body are molded plastic bodies along the longitudinal centerline the carrier tape arranged elevations in the form of the carrier tape provided open hollow bodies, to the side Connecting foot parts, the flat joints for attachment to Form carrier tape. Since the individual components form in the known solution Locking body strung together in loose succession on the carrier tape are not completely ruled out that particular tear off parts of the locking bodies when the highest loads occur the carrier tape gives self-muting.

By the US 5,018,221 it is also known on the inside of the finger a glove a handle of a sports equipment, for example in the form of a golf club, with shock absorbing materials provided on the outer circumference side and adhesive tape closure parts in the manner of a Velcro closure or a Velcro closure system the handle on every single finger of the glove set. In such a way can be suddenly occurring Shocking forces on the sports equipment, for example due to a failure safe in the Gulf and with low transitional forces in Derive the glove structure, which the respective player from injury spares. Another measure for finger protection is provided here, that at least partially on the finger parts of the glove their top in prepared pockets at joints of a finger part a retaining bar is used, with individual locking members, the communicate with each other via an attached hinge joint. Depending hinge joints can only be achieved difficult to move and form barriers in the intended Use of the well-known sports glove.

Based on this prior art, the invention provides the Task to create a protector element that is not only by Smooth running of the joints of the limbs is distinguished, but also offers a high level of security against tearing of the rotary joints, even when the highest occurs, when used as intended expected loads.

According to the invention this object is at a protector element of the beginning mentioned type solved in that the chain from the outline T-shaped designed links with each central foot bar and it endbeam header is strung so that adjacent Links are in each case in mutually reverse position, and that the rotary joints at least each in both end regions of the header second member a bearing bore for a parallel to the foot bar, have adjacent links connecting pivot pin.

Due to the fact that according to the invention the rotary joints in each case by the positive engagement between the pin and receiving bearing bore is formed, results in combination with the toothed Structure of the link chain, as he is from the juxtaposition of T-shaped Links in each case in reverse position results, not only the desired ease of movement, but especially a special one high resistance of the rotary joints against tensile loads.

In this case, the arrangement may be made such that in each case one member with Followed by the head bar pivot pin followed by a member whose head bar contains the corresponding bearing bores.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, however, are the Members are equally trained and all in their head beams with continuous Provided bearing bores into which the pivot pin as a separate Intervenes components.

Preferably, the length of the foot bars corresponds to that in the same direction measured width of the head bar at least approximately. at such dimensioning has the chain formed from the links in the essentially rectilinear margins on. It goes without saying that the dimensions, i. the lengths of the walking beams and the widths the head bar can vary widely, i. of the Formation of relatively narrow stiffening strips for finger overstretch protection in gloves up to relatively wide-surface Shapes, for example, when the protector element as orthopedic Aid for larger joints or as a large-scale protector element against falls in clothing is used.

The stop surfaces, when reaching the overstretched position of the links lie against each other, about a pivoting movement in one direction To block the hyperextension position may be through plane surfaces on the sides of the foot bars facing the adjacent links and by these plane surfaces opposite, at the ends of the Head bars adjacent members provided provided planar partial surfaces be. To the pivoting movement in the other "free" pivoting direction to allow close to the flat faces on the head bar each recessed, curved faces.

The arrangement may be such that the links are on one Broadside, the one in use of the protector element Body part facing, a slight concave curvature with respect having the axis related to the longitudinal direction of the chain. With such a slightly curved shape results in an advantageous nestling the protector element to be protected body parts, when these have a slightly curved outer surface, as for example in the area of finger joints or leg joints is the case.

• Nachstehend ist die Erfindung anhand eines Ausführungsbeispieles im einzelnen erläutert, bei dem das Protektorelement die Form eines Versteifungsstreifens besitzt, der als Überstreckschutz für die Finger bei einem Sporthandschuh dient, wobei der Handschuh entlang der Rückseite der jeweiligen Handschuhfinger eine Aufnahmetasche besitzt, in die jeweils ein Versteifungsstreifen eingeschoben ist.

Preferably, the members have a correspondingly convex curvature on the broad side opposite the concave curvature.

• Below, the invention is explained in detail with reference to an embodiment in which the protector element has the form of a stiffening strip, which serves as overstretch protection for the fingers in a sports glove, the glove along the back of the respective glove finger has a receiving pocket, in each of which a stiffening strip is inserted.

• Fig. 1 eine stark schematisch vereinfacht gezeichnete Draufsicht auf den Rücken eines Torwarthandschuhes, bei dem die Finger mit Versteifungsstreifen gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Protektorelementes versehen sind;
• Fig. 2 eine gegenüber dem natürlichen Maßstab in etwa doppelter Größe gezeichnete perspektivische Ansicht eines Längenabschnittes des Versteifungsstreifens des Ausführungsbeispieles des Protektorelementes gemäß der Erfindung;
• Fig. 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Einzelgliedes des Streifens von Fig. 2, gesehen auf die dem zu schützenden Körperteil zugewandte Breitseite;
• Fig. 4 eine der Fig. 3 ähnliche perspektivische Ansicht, gesehen auf die vom Körperteil abgewandte Außenseite;
• Fig. 5 eine gegenüber Fig. 2 bis 4 in größerem Maßstab gezeichnete Seitenansicht des Einzelgliedes und
• Fig. 6 bis 8 Schnittdarstellungen, entsprechend der Schnittlinien VI-VI, bzw. VII-VII, bzw. VIII-VIII von Fig. 5.

Show it:

• Fig. 1 is a highly schematically simplified top view of the back of a goalkeeper glove, in which the fingers are provided with stiffening strips according to an embodiment of the protector element according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 is a respect to the natural scale drawn approximately twice the size of a perspective view of a longitudinal portion of the stiffening strip of the embodiment of the protector element according to the invention;
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a single member of the strip of Fig. 2, as seen on the body part to be protected facing broadside;
• FIG. 4 shows a perspective view similar to FIG. 3, seen on the outside facing away from the body part; FIG.
• Fig. 5 is a comparison with FIG. 2 to 4 drawn on a larger scale side view of the single member and
• 6 to 8 sectional views, corresponding to the section lines VI-VI, and VII-VII, and VIII-VIII of FIG. 5th

In Fig. 1, a goalkeeper glove is designated as a whole with 1. In bag-like 3 shots on the glove back extend in each case protector elements according to the invention in the form of stiffening strips. A length of such a stiffening strip is in Fig. 2 shown and designated as a whole with 5.

As can be seen, the stiffening strip 5 is a chain of series, each T-shaped members 7, which in the embodiment shown each formed the same and made of a pressure-resistant plastic material injection molded. Further details of the design the links 7 are shown in FIGS. 5 to 8.

As best seen in Figs. 2 to 4, each member 7 a relatively wide head bar 9 with at its bottom subsequent, central foot bar 11, which is the head beam 9 extends at right angles. The links 7 are to a chain in the Stringed together so that the ends of the head bar 9 respectively at the sides of the foot bar 11 of the adjacent links. In the dimensioning chosen in the present example in which the width of the head bar 9 is substantially the length of the Fußbalken eleventh corresponds, the stiffening strip 5 is a chain of a toothed Sequence of links 7, in which the chain on both sides in each case Has edges that have a straight course in the outline.

As best seen in Figures 3 and 4 and Figures 7 and 8, have the members 7 at the associated, to be protected body part facing broadside 13 a slightly concave curvature and on the opposite broad side 15 a slightly convex curvature, respectively based on a curvature axis extending in the longitudinal direction. Each head bar 9 is through a continuous bearing bore 17 traversed, each for receiving a pivot pin 19 (see Fig. 2) is provided, which are made of a steel material. As is apparent from Fig. 4 and in particular from Fig. 6, the Bearing holes 17 at the outlet end at the top of the headbeam 9 each have an extension 21, in which a fuse element at the respective End of the pivot pin 19 is receivable. With such, Not shown fuse element may be, for example, a Expansion of the possibly slotted end portion of each pivot 19 for axial securing in the bearing bore 17 act.

As Fig. 2 clearly shows, the bearing bores 17 are two to each other adjacent links 7 each penetrated by a pivot pin 19, d. H. each pivot pin 19 extends through the head beams 9 adjacent Limbs 7. These lie in the chain together so that flat Planar surfaces 23, each through the side surfaces of the Fußbalken 11 are formed on flat surfaces 25, see Fig. 3 to 5, respectively abut facing head bar 9. This system prevents a relative Pivoting movement in a pivoting direction.

To a pivoting movement in the opposite direction of pivoting to allow close to the faces 25 rounded, reset partial surfaces 27, which in a pivoting movement in the "free" or "allowed" pivoting direction on the flat surfaces 23 of the roll off adjacent foot bar 11.

Each identically formed members 7 are made of a pressure-resistant Injection-molded plastic material. In the example shown, all Members 7 a central, starting from the head bar 9 through the foot bar 11 continuously extending recess 29, the in the region of the head bar 9 has an extension 31, so that for the members 7, a reduced total volume and correspondingly reduced Weight results.

Claims (9)

Protector element, in particular for orthopedic applications and for sports clothing, in particular stiffening element for forming an overstretch protection for body parts, with members (7) of pressure-resistant protective material lined up in a chain, each connected to each other via a pivot connection with pivot pins (19) and abutment surfaces (23 , 25) which, in a relative pivotal movement of the links (7) in an overstretching position blocking each other, characterized in that the chain of T-shaped outline in outline (7) each with a central foot bar (11) and endseits befindlichem Head bar (9) is lined up so that adjacent links (7) are respectively in mutually reversed position, and that the rotary joints in both end portions of the head bar (9) at least every other member (7) has a bearing bore (17) for one to the foot bar ( 11) parallel, adjacent links (7) verbin Have pivot end pin (19). Protector element according to claim 1, characterized in that the links (7) are of identical design and are all provided with continuous bearing bores (17) in their head beams (9) into which the pivot pins (19) engage as separate components. Protector element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the length of the foot bar (11) corresponds at least approximately to the width of the head bar (9) measured in the same direction. Protector element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the abutment surfaces by planar surfaces (23) on the adjacent members (7) facing sides of the Fußbalken (11) and by these flat surfaces opposite, at the ends of the head bar (9) adjacent Formed limbs (7) are provided, followed by the recessed curved partial surfaces (27) to allow a relative pivotal movement of the links (7) about the rotary joints in only one pivoting direction. Protector element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the members (7) on that broad side (13), which faces a relevant body part when using the protector element, have a concave curvature with respect to the axis of the chain of the axis. Protector element according to claim 5, characterized in that the members (7) on the concave curvature opposite broad side (15) have a correspondingly convex curvature. Protector element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the members (7) have a through head beam (9) and foot bar (11) extending, inner recess (29). Protector element according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bearing bores (17) at the outlet end at the top of the head bar (9) have an enlarged end portion (21) for receiving a the axial position of the respective pivot pin (19) securing fuse element. Protector element according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the members (7) are injection-molded from plastic material.

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