EP2003999A2

EP2003999A2 - Chain mail article provided with an elastic tightening or tensioning body

Info

Publication number: EP2003999A2
Application number: EP07731879A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Philippe Jaunault; Sophie Jaunault; Franck Beneteau
Original assignee: Manulatex France S A
Current assignee: Manulatex France S A
Priority date: 2006-04-10
Filing date: 2007-04-05
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-05
Also published as: WO2007116188A3; WO2007116188A2; FR2899441A1; US7845020B2; AU2007234666A1; EP2003999B1; CA2649074C; AU2007234666B2; BRPI0706199A2; ES2542144T3; FR2899441B1; CA2649074A1; BRPI0706199B1; US20090271908A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an article at least a part of which is made from chain mail material, in other words, made from interlaced metal rings, in particular, an item of clothing or decorative item, the chain mail part of which is associated with at least one elastic body, designed to tighten the chain mail material over a part of the user's body and/or to pull and tighten a part of the chain mail material to take up a local surplus of the material. According to the invention, at least one of the elastic bodies is in the form of a flat hairpin type spring (4), made up of combination of long wire arms (5) connected in pairs by an elastic joint (6).

Description

KNITTED COTTON ARTICLE EQUIPPED WITH AN ELASTIC ORGAN OF

TIGHTENING OR TENSIONING

The present invention relates to articles of which at least a part is made of chainmail fabric, that is to say made of an interlacing of metal rings, in particular articles of clothing or decoration, and which are equipped with at least one elastic member for tightening or tensioning the mesh.

The chainmail fabric is widely used in the food industry, particularly in the meat industry, to make gloves or aprons in particular, designed to protect certain areas of the body of operators against the risk of cuts or cuts. perforations related to the use of sharp or sharp tools.

This kind of fabric is also sometimes used in the fashion industry, or decoration / architecture. Some areas of the chain mail fabrics are associated with clamping means, for example the wrist areas of the gloves, to ensure retention in place on the user's limb.

The clamping means in question may consist of a resilient member of the spring type, as for example described in documents FR-2 864 752, US Pat. No. 6,061,833 or WO-96/11595.

These springs have the advantage of facilitating the donning and removal of gloves, but they often have a large thickness which affects the comfort of the user and / or have complex structures, difficult to mount.

In addition, because of its structure, the chainmail is a flexible, non-elastic fabric, and it has the particularity of being deformable in the direction perpendicular to the taut state in which it is located.

Thus, it is necessary to oversize some of the areas of the garment, either to allow its threading and removal, or to have enough material to accept the folding of the joints. However, the corresponding oversizing generates a surplus of chain mail in certain areas of the garment, after placement on the body of the user. This surplus material is often embarrassing, can be a source of risk and is unattractive.

It would therefore be interesting to have a simple, effective and uncomfortable way to elastically tighten the chainmail in certain areas, this in particular to better fit the part equipped with the body of the user, while allowing a temporary extension, especially for its threading or removal, or for the movements of the joints.

To remedy the aforementioned problems and to achieve the objectives presented above, the clothing or decorative article according to the invention comprises a part of mesh fabric which is equipped with an elastic member for tightening and / or setting tension, formed of a flat spring, of the pin type, consisting of a juxtaposition of elongated wire arms connected in pairs by an elastic hinge. This type of spring member, of simple design, has a reduced thickness that allows its use in virtually any area of the garment, in particular, without causing significant discomfort.

According to a particularly interesting characteristic, the elastic articulation connecting two juxtaposed arms of the spring has a hinge axis which extends perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the plane in which said juxtaposed arms extend.

This spring can be structured to act in thrust or traction.

According to a first embodiment, the spring used consists of a juxtaposition of two arms connected by an elastic hinge, together forming a U-shaped or V-shaped structure. According to another possible embodiment, the spring consists of a juxtaposition of at least three arms connected in pairs by an elastic hinge, forming a juxtaposition of U-shaped or V-shaped structures arranged head to tail.

The joint connecting two juxtaposed arms of the spring is advantageously constituted by a loop of material formed of one or more turns. In case of several turns, these can be superimposed and / or juxtaposed.

According to another feature, the two free ends of the spring are provided with a loop.

According to another characteristic, the spring connects at least two metal rings at a distance from each other of the chain mail fabric, the connection between said spring and said chain mail is carried out by means of metal rings, in particular through the aforementioned loops shaped on said spring.

In a possible embodiment, the spring is housed in a pocket or sleeve formed in the fabric of chain mail. According to a particular embodiment, the mesh fabric article comprises at least one flat spring whose all arms are arranged in the same plane or substantially in the same plane.

According to another possible embodiment, the article is in the form of a garment (glove, apron, combination ...) provided with a circular part of chainmail intended to surround a part of the body of the user, and a flat spring, shaped circular band or circular arc, is fixed on at least a portion of the periphery of said circular portion of chain mail, to form a clamping member of the material on said body part of the user. According to this embodiment, the spring may consist of a juxtaposition of at least two sectors in an arc.

But the invention will be further illustrated, without being limited in any way, by the following description of several possible embodiments, given solely by way of example, and represented in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. chainmail according to the invention, equipped with a circular flat spring which surrounds the lap area of the wrist;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the isolated flat spring equipping the glove of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the chain mail glove of FIG. 1 in which the circular flat spring is fixed in the extension of the wrist covering zone, the corresponding glove being ready to be threaded on the hand of the user ;

- Figure 4 shows the glove of Figure 3 after threading on the hand of the user;

- Figure 5 shows a chainmail suit with the ends of the two sleeves for covering the thighs are equipped with a circular flat spring tightening;

FIG. 6 shows a state-of-the-art chainmail glove provided with extension parts intended to cover the forearm and the arm, illustrating the formation of a surplus of material at the elbow, in the absence of means for tensioning the mesh;

FIG. 7 shows the glove of FIG. 6 equipped with flat tensioning springs of the mesh, at the level of the part covering the arm, allowing the mail coat fabric to marry at best the user's member. ;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the isolated flat spring equipping the glove of FIG. 7; - Figure 9 shows a spring member similar to that used on the glove of Figure 7, shown here positioned on a chain mail panel and in a stable state (rest) providing a tightening of the mesh of the material;

- Figure 10 shows the spring member of Figure 9 shown here in the state bandaged, following a stretch of the chain mail panel;

- Figure 11 shows a chainmail glove according to the invention, equipped with two flat springs on its part intended to cover the top of the hand;

- Figure 12 illustrates a first possible embodiment of the spring member, in the rest state; FIG. 13 shows the spring of FIG. 12 in the banded state (after stretching of the carrier mesh fabric);

- Figure 14 illustrates a second embodiment of the spring member consisting only of two arms connected by an elastic hinge;

FIG. 15 shows the spring member of FIG. 14 in the bandaged state, after stretching of the mail carrier fabric.

The glove 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a glove made of chainmail fabric, that is to say composed of a mesh of intertwined metal rings, consisting of a part 2 intended to cover the hand, extended by part 3 intended to cover the wrist.

The wrist portion 3 is provided with a resilient clamping member 4 which is in the form of a flat spring having a generally circular and more particularly cylindrical configuration. This flat spring 4 completely surrounds the wrist portion 3 and is adapted to act by compression, radially in the direction of the wrist axis.

This flat spring 4, illustrated alone in FIG. 2, consists of a plurality of arms 5, of the elongated wire (or wire) type, connected in pairs by an elastic articulation 6 to form a juxtaposition of U or Vé arranged head to tail.

The different arms 5 are rectilinear and here all have the same length (for example between 1 and 3 cm), which may not always be the case. Their juxtaposition forms a band of material which takes of itself a cylindrical configuration, because of its unitary aspect.

The arms 5 extend on the same virtual cylinder; they are connected by a hinge 6 formed of a complete circular loop which may be one or more turns. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 4 is made of metal, for example from a stainless steel wire whose diameter is between 0.5 and 1. mm. In alternative embodiments, it can be obtained from plastic, organic or textile material.

Two juxtaposed arms 5 extend in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of articulation of the elastic loop 6 which connects them, the corresponding plane is parallel or coincides with that of the mesh fabric that the spring 4 team.

The arms 5 of this spring member 4 work in tension. The spring 4 is therefore adapted to compress the area of the wrist 3 and therefore to tighten on the wrist of the wearer of the glove.

In addition to their function "elastic articulation", the loops 6 allow the attachment of the spring 4 to the chainmail fabric by means of attached rings 7.

In the illustrated embodiment, the closing spring 4 is integrally positioned on an area of the chainmail fabric which forms the wrist portion 3, it is secured to the corresponding chainmail fabric via two lines. circular fasteners, parallel to each other, by means of the aforementioned rings 7.

The flat closing spring 4 is preferably fixed on the outer face of the chain mail, but it could also be on the inside; it can still be intertwined in the chain mail fabric.

In lieu of the fastening rings 7, or in addition, the flat spring 4 can be housed in a pocket or hem chain mail arranged on the wrist portion 3.

This type of spring 4 has the advantage of having a very small thickness (limited to the diameter of the wire and the thickness of the loop or loops 6), which allows to minimize the inconvenience caused by its presence, improving by therefore the comfort of use of the glove.

FIG. 3 shows a variant embodiment of a glove using the same spring member 4 as that described in FIGS. 1 and 2, but here fixed in the extension of the wrist portion 3, by means of a single line of FIG. fixing rings 7. In this FIG. 3, the cylindrical spring member 4 is shown in a situation of considerable extension to allow insertion of the hand into the glove 1 ', through the opening that said spring 4 delimits.

In Figure 4, the glove is threaded on the hand; the spring member 4 is tightened on the wrist of the user by acting by compression, in a radial direction. In position on the hand of the user, the spring 4 ensures a suitable clamping, sufficient to properly maintain the glove, but not too important to avoid discomfort by compression.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the spring member 4 has a complete circular general shape.

In alternative embodiments, it may consist of a single cylinder portion, or be made of several independent sections to form a total or partial cylindrical ring. For example, the elastic member 4 for tightening the wrist area can be produced by means of a juxtaposition of two independent spring members, each intended to grip a half-perimeter of the wrist so as to "rest" ( removed from the user's hand), to obtain a flat glove, easy to store and transport.

The flat spring 4 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 can also be used to grip the forearm and / or arm portion on gloves provided with extensions that cover the corresponding limb portions of the user.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the flat spring 4 can equip the ends of the leg sleeves 8 of a combination 9 chainmail, so as to tighten the ends of said sleeves 8 on the thighs of the user.

FIG. 6 illustrates a state-of-the-art chainmail glove comprising a hand portion extended by a forearm portion and an arm portion, the wrist zones, front end portions, and arm and arm end being provided with a clamping member ensuring the holding in position on the limb of the wearer. For this glove 10, shown in position of slight bending of the arm, there is the presence of a surplus of material 11 at the elbow, related to the oversizing necessary to allow the flexion movements, in relation to the flexibility and the non-character elastic of the chainmail fabric.

The glove 12 according to the invention, illustrated in FIG. 7, makes it possible to remedy this problem. The corresponding glove 12 comprises a part 13 intended to cover the hand, made of woven mesh fabric, extended by a wrist covering part 14, by a part 15 for covering the forearm and by a part 16 of arm cover, all also made of chain mail fabric. The portion 14 of the wrist cover and the end portion of the forearm are provided with a closure system, here in the form of a strap, respectively 17 and 18. In addition, the end portion of the arm is provided with a connection element to a set of straps or a complementary garment.

According to the invention, the covering portion of the arm 16 is equipped with resilient members in the form of flat traction springs 4 ', connecting at least two rings away from the chainmail fabric, adapted to continuously pull on the chainmail fabric so as to remove the excess material at the elbow, (present in the embodiment of Figure 6).

The number of flat springs 4 ', their traction characteristics and their positioning are adapted to correctly fulfill their function, while limiting the discomfort of the wearer of the glove.

For this, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, at least two flat springs 4 'are arranged parallel to each other on the periphery of the covering part of the arm 16, with their axis of traction oriented in the axis of the arm .

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the flat spring 4 'in question, illustrated in isolation. In addition, Figures 9 and 10 detail the action of this spring on the chain mail equipped.

The flat spring 4 'is very similar in structure to that of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. Here, however, it is not shaped as a cylinder or a portion of a cylinder; it is in the form of a simple flat or substantially flat elastic band.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the flat spring 4 'consists of a plurality of elongate wire arms 5' connected in pairs by an elastic hinge 6 ', to form a juxtaposition of U or Vee arranged head to tail. Given the function and arrangement of this spring 4 ', the arms 5' all extend in the same plane or substantially in the same plane. The corresponding plane is parallel or confused with that of the chainmail fabric that the spring 4 'team; and each elastic articulation 6 'extends perpendicularly to this plane.

Again, as in the previous embodiment, the spring 4 'is made of metal, for example from a stainless steel wire whose diameter is between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. In variants, it can be obtained in plastic, organic or even textile.

The arms 5 'are rectilinear and here all have the same length (which may not always be the case). They are connected by an elastic articulation formed of a circular loop 6 'which can be at one or more turns. Here again, in addition to their function "elastic articulation", the loops 6 'allow the fastening of the spring member on the fabric of chain mail, by means of metal rings reported 20.

In FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, it can be seen that the free ends 21 of the spring 4 'are also provided with a complementary loop 22 allowing attachment to the chainmail fabric, also by means of metal inserts 20.

The "spring" function of the elastic structures 4 'is obtained by the elastic hinges 6', and possibly also by a certain bending of the arms 5 '. The spring 4 'is in the form of a band which may be 1 to 3 cm wide, elastic in the direction of its longitudinal axis L II is preferably attached to the outer face of the mail coat fabric, but can quite consider to position the inner side of the glove, or intertwined in the mail coat fabric.

As indicated above, the spring 4 'acts in tension. In the idle state, its different arms 5 'are brought closer to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 9; in this case, the different arms 5 'then extend parallel to each other. On the other hand, an outward pull on the two free ends 21 ensures that it is tensioned or bandaged, as illustrated in FIG. 10. In order to fulfill its function correctly, the spring 4 'is fixed on the cotte of mesh so, at rest, to ensure a tightening of the material, that is to say a substantial partial superposition of the rings of the mail coat fabric (Figure 9). Thus, traction on the chainmail fabric will cause the extension of the material and at the same time the tensioning of the spring 4 '(Figure 10), which will allow a return to the closed position of the mesh when the aforementioned traction effect is removed. It will be understood that a suitable arrangement of the spring or springs 4 'on the chain mail fabric makes it possible, in the rest state, to tighten the material on the equipped zone, that is to say on the zone of placement of the springs, thereby causing a traction on the chain mail fabric located in the extension. The corresponding traction takes place in the plane or substantially in the plane of the chain mail.

Thus, when the user puts on the garment or clothing article equipped (in this case the glove 12), the portion equipped with traction springs 4 'properly covers its body part. The surplus of material, related to the above-mentioned necessary over-sizing, is accumulated at the level of the springs 4 '. The corresponding surplus of material (or the corresponding material reserve) is used when the donning or removal of the garment, or when bending the joints.

Once in place on the body of the user, the spring members 4 'can be arranged to be in the idle state, or in a state of slight tension. Again, this spring 4 'has a very small thickness (limited to the diameter of the wire and the thickness of the elastic loop or loops 6), which allows to minimize the inconvenience caused by its presence.

FIG. 11 shows a glove 24 in chain mail, extended by a part 25 of the wrist covering, equipped with a tightening strap 26. Here, the covering part of the top of the glove hand is equipped with two flat springs 4 ', arranged parallel to each other and fixed on the mesh fabric so that their direction of work is oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the thimbles. These springs 4 'are adapted to continuously pull on the mesh fabric from the glove fingers towards the wrist portion 25, as illustrated by the orientation arrows 27.

Accordingly, when the user puts on the glove 24, the expanding glove fingers properly cover the fingers of the hand. The surplus of material, related to the oversize required glove fingers, is accumulated at the springs 4 'on the upper part of the hand. The corresponding surplus of material (or the corresponding stock of matter) is used when flexing the fingers (Figure 11). The surplus of material present at the fingertips of the gloves of the state of the art (when the fingers are in an extended position) is thus removed.

A glove is obtained whose finger parts are permanently stretched and which, in a general way, best marries the hand of the user (without requiring the presence of fixed-glove or glove-type inserts). the state of the art, acting by compression and causing the presence of extra thicknesses of material between the fingers).

In the situation of extension of the fingers, the spring members 4 'can be arranged to be in the idle state, or in a state of slight tension. This glove, very comfortable, improves the handling quality of the user and also optimizes security.

Figures 12 and 13 show a possible alternative embodiment of the flat traction spring may be used on the garment or article of clothing according to the invention. This flat spring 4 ", shown in the idle state in FIG. 12 and in the state banded in FIG. 13, consists of a juxtaposition of arms 5" connected in pairs by an elastic hinge 6 "formed here by a simple bend of matter.

A second possible variant embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.

Here, the spring member 4 '"consists of a simple juxtaposition of two arms 5' 'connected by an elastic loop 6' '.The free ends of the arms 5'" comprise an additional loop 22 'allowing the attachment of the spring element 4 '' on the chain mail fabric via attached rings (or the like), the elastic loops 6 '"also serve as fasteners on the chain mail through reported rings (or the like).

As illustrated in dashed lines, a plurality of springs 4 '"may be associated together to form the elastic member, in which case the springs are preferably arranged head-to-tail in succession. the flat spring 4, 4 ', 4 ", 4'" can be positioned on all areas of the garment or article of clothing where it may be advantageous to obtain an "elastic" tightening of material (comparable to a system elastic garment) Any garment or article of clothing of which at least a portion is made of chain mail can be equipped in this way: glove, sleeve, cuff, apron, suit, vest ....

As for the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, the springs 4 ', 4 "and 4'" can be accommodated in pockets or sleeves arranged at the desired location of the garment or article of clothing, in particular a pocket or a sleeve made of chainmail fabric. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown above. Thus, for example, the springs or members implemented may be thrust springs, then arranged to act transversely to the direction in which it is desired to perform the traction. Also, the elastic member (s) may be removably mounted on the garment or article of clothing by any suitable fastening means.

On the other hand, as indicated above, the invention can also be applied to any article of fashion, decoration and architecture comprising a part of fabric chain mail, whether for aesthetic or functional purpose. One can for example consider its application for firewalls, lamps or curtains window covering.

Claims

- CLAIMS -

1.- Article of which at least a part is made of fabric chainmail, that is to say made of an interlacing of metal rings, in particular article of clothing or decorative, which part chainmail is associated at least one resilient member arranged to tighten said mail coat fabric on a portion of the wearer's body and / or to pull and tension a portion of said mail coat fabric to absorb a local surplus of material characterized in that at least one of said elastic members is in the form of a flat spring (4, 4 ',

4 ", 4 '"), of the pin type, consisting of a juxtaposition of elongate wire arms (5, 5', 5 ", 5 '") connected in pairs by an elastic hinge (6, 6', 6 ", 6 '").

2. Article according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic joint (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") connecting two juxtaposed arms (5, 5 ', 5 ", 5'") has an axis articulation which extends perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to the plane in which extend said arms (5, 5 ', 5 ", 5'").

3. Article according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastic member is in the form of a thrust spring.

4. Article according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastic member is in the form of a tension spring (4, 4 ', 4 ", 4'").

5.- Article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spring (4 '") consists of a juxtaposition of two arms (5'") connected by an elastic hinge (6 '") , together forming a U-shaped or V-shaped structure.

6. Article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spring (4, 4 ', 4 ") consists of a juxtaposition of at least three arms (5, 5', 5" ) connected in pairs by a resilient hinge (6, 6 ', 6 "), forming a juxtaposition of U-shaped or V-shaped structures arranged head to tail.

7. Article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the hinge (6, 6 ', 6' ") connecting two arms juxtaposed (5, 5 ', 5'") of the spring (4 , 4 ', 4' ") consists of a loop of material formed of one or more turns.

8. Article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the two free ends (21) of the spring (4 ', 4' ") are provided with a loop (22, 22 ').

9. Article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the spring (4, 4 ', 4'") connects at least two metal rings at a distance from each other of the cotte fabric mesh, the connection between said spring and said chain mail being made by means of metal rings (7, 20), via loops (6, 6 ', 6'", 22, 22 ') shaped on said spring (4, 4', 4 '").

10. Article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the spring (4, 4 ', 4 ", 4'") is housed in a pocket made in the fabric of chain mail.

11. Article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises at least one flat spring (4, ', 4 ", 4'") of which all the arms (5 '5 ", 5 "") are arranged in the same plane or substantially in the same plane.

12.- Article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, provided with a circular portion of chain mail intended to surround a portion of the body of the user, characterized in that it comprises a flat spring (4) in the form of a circular band or circular arc fixed on at least a portion of the periphery of said circular portion of chain mail, to form a member for tightening the material on said portion of the body of the user.

13.- Article according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a flat spring consisting of a juxtaposition of at least two sectors arcuate.