EP2465369B1 - Collision protection, protective suit with collision protection and use of a layered material for collision protection - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an impact protection for a protective suit with the features according to the preamble of claim 1, a protective suit with an impact protection and the use of a layer material for such impact protection.

In the operation of hand-held implements such as brushcutters or the like particles such as wood chips, stones or the like can be whirled up and bounce against the user of the implement. For safety reasons, therefore, the user wears protective clothing with helmet, visor, gloves and protective suit, which provide the necessary security.

Under certain conditions of use, for example in stony ground, as is often observed in particular in southern Europe, increasingly hard particles such as small stones or the like are whirled up from the ground, which can then primarily bounce against the lower legs of the user. The case usually worn protective suit absorbs the impact from, but its catching effect is not always satisfactory especially in very stony environment.

For improved impact absorption, impact protection materials with cushioning layers that are compliant across their plane are known. In the prior art designs, one of the problems is that small and hard impinging particles introduce a substantially point load into the protective material. The impact energy must be absorbed and dampened in a very cramped area, why for a sufficient damping effect on the one hand a considerable layer thickness and on the other hand a massive, heavy design of the damping layer is required. This leads to impairment of the free mobility of the user and also hinders the circulation of air to perspiration, especially in warm ambient conditions. However, a correspondingly thinner designed impact protection does not have the required damping effect.

From the DE 10 2005 060 624 A1 and the DE 196 23 928 A1 In each case, an impact protection is known, wherein a spacer fabric or a spacer fabric is used on the inside facing the user. Such spacers can have a good damping effect at surface load. However, when impacting small, nearly pointy or pointed objects, the spacer threads tend to collapse, thereby losing the cushioning effect. The embodiments of the impact protection shown are therefore inadequate for the protection of the user when using hand-held implements under stony environments.

The invention has the object of developing a generic impact protection such that an improved damping effect is achieved in particular in the impact of small and pointed objects in conjunction with high comfort.

This object is achieved by an impact protection with the features of claim 1.

The invention is also based on the object of specifying a protective suit, in particular for work with hand-held implements, whose protective effect and wearing comfort is improved.

This object is achieved by a protective suit with the features of claim 13.

Finally, it is the object of the invention to specify the use of a multilayer coating material for effective impact protection.

This object is achieved by the use of a layered material having the features of claim 14.

The impact protection comprises a multilayered layer material and has an outer side facing away from the user and an inner side facing the user. According to the invention, it is provided that the layer material facing the outside comprises an outer layer made of a fabric, the inner side facing an inner layer of a spacer knitted fabric and between the fabric and the spacer knitted fabric has a middle layer in the form of an adhesive layer. The fabric and the spacer knitted fabric are adhesively bonded to each other by means of the adhesive layer. The spacer knit is made breathable.

The invention is based on the idea of distributing as nearly as possible a large area of kinetic energy introduced by punctiform, small impinging particles, ensuring that the energy absorbing capacity of the selected base material is at least approximately completely exhausted. As a result, with high damping effect, the total thickness of the impact protection can be reduced to a level which also produces a high wearing comfort, especially in warm ambient conditions, with a high damping effect.

As a damping layer, a spacer fabric is used, which is constructed by the usual mesh design sandwiched with two flat mesh structures as outer layers and transverse thereto in the thickness direction extending threads as a spacer and intermediate layer. According to the invention, it has been recognized that the substantially vertical spacer threads have a high damping potential, which, however, can not be exploited by the use of the spacer knit itself. Upon impact of small and pointed objects such as stones or the like, the soft and flexible mesh structures in their plane can be the vertical spacer threads do not hold in place. It comes on the one hand to a point load application and on the other hand to a lateral emigration or buckling of the vertical spacer threads.

The latter is prevented not only by the application of an outer cover layer in the form of a fabric, as without further measures, a relative movement between the outer fabric layer and the adjacent covering layer-like mesh structure of the spacer knitted fabric is possible. Rather, the desired effect is achieved only by the inventive design by the fabric and the spacer knitted fabric are glued together by means of the adhesive layer. Here are several, mutually complementary effects exploited:

The outer cover layer in the form of the fabric is much stiffer in its plane compared to the cover-layer-like mesh structure of the spacer fabric. This stiffness, which acts in the plane, comes into its own when impacting small and pointed objects by producing a surface bond with the spacer knit. A mutual slippage of fabric and spacer fabric is prevented in particular in that area in which deforms the underlying spacer knitted fabric as a result of the impact. As a result of the bonding, the deformation acting in the thickness direction is converted into a stress build-up, which acts in the plane of the comparatively stiff fabric and thereby leads to a planar distribution of the point-like impact energy into a comparatively large areal section of the impact protection. At the same time, the bonding between spacer fabric and fabric prevents the spacer threads arranged substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the impact protection from migrating laterally. Rather, they are forced to remain in place, thereby fully exploiting their potential for energy absorption. In summary, the structure according to the invention on the one hand produces a planar distribution of the point-type impact energy and, on the other hand, ensures that the energy can also be completely absorbed by the vertically arranged spacer threads in this area-distributed region.

According to the above statements, a fabric is used as the outer cover layer, which in its plane is substantially rigid and yielding transversely thereto. As a result, there is a clear functional separation, according to which the tissue for the load distribution in the plane of the impact protection and the spacer knitted fabric for the energy absorption are responsible perpendicularly thereto.

The spacer fabric as such is permeable to air due to its mesh construction and thus breathable. Even if a closed adhesive layer and / or a closed cover fabric is selected, the open mesh structure of the spacer fabric may suffice for air supply and drainage from the user's body because the open spacer fabric is on the user facing inside and due to its wear Thickness and structure provides for sufficient circulation at least in the plane of the layer material. In addition, a likewise permeable and breathable fabric is preferably used for the outer layer. The same applies to the selection of the adhesive layer, so that the layer material in an advantageous development through all its layers, ie also in the thickness direction is breathable. Overall, a comparatively thin material with high energy absorption capacity is achieved even with punctiform registered impact energy and with good comfort by the inventive design of the impact protection, by a designed with such impact protection suit or by the use of the layer material with the aforementioned structure for such impact protection.

It may be expedient to carry out the surface bonding between the fabric and the spacer fabric over the entire surface with a closed adhesive layer, wherein a vapor-permeable, breathable material is advantageously to be selected as the material for the adhesive layer. The full-surface bonding is achieved that the above-described, mutual support and distribution effect is given at any impact location. In an advantageous alternative, the woven fabric and the spacer knitted fabric are adhesively bonded to one another in a uniformly distributed grid by means of the adhesive layer. Such a grid can be designed point or net-shaped. At a sufficient narrow pitch is given the support and distribution effect with sufficient uniformity. At the same time the grid shape of the bond improves the vapor permeability and thus the breathability. In the latter case, the adhesive material does not necessarily have to be breathable per se, since the breathability alone is achieved by the grid-shaped adhesive bond. This results in a greater freedom in the selection of the adhesive material to be used.

For the tissue different materials can be considered. In particular, an embodiment has proven at least partially made of high-strength polyester, high-strength polyamide such as Cordura ^® or aramid such as Kevlar ^® as appropriate. The materials used do not have to be sorted. Rather, it may be appropriate in particular when using synthetic fibers that the fabric also contains shares of natural fibers, especially cotton. By such blended fabric, the wearing comfort can be further improved. Overall, it is achieved that the tissue of his task described above is as stiff as possible in its plane and also robust.

Thermoplastic synthetic fibers are preferably used to form the spacer fabric. In addition to high resistance, energy absorption capacity and good longevity, a thermal deformation is also possible, by which the impact protection can be brought into a desired shape. In particular, at least one, and preferably a plurality of, suitably thermally pressed into the spacer knitted Flexibilisierungskerben are provided, which allow the relatively stiff due to its thickness material to bend spatially and thereby adapt to the body of the user.

The thickness of the spacer fabric is advantageously in a range of 4 mm to 10 mm inclusive, preferably in a range of 5 mm to 8 mm inclusive, and more preferably at least approximately 6 mm. It has been observed that, on the one hand, a high energy absorption capacity, even under difficult operating conditions, is ensured in the thickness ranges mentioned is. On the other hand, freedom of movement of the user and breathability of the impact protection are not or not significantly impaired.

The fabric and the adhesive layer advantageously together have a thickness that is not more than 10% of the thickness of the spacer fabric. As a result, the energy absorption capacity and the areal distribution of the punctiform introduced energy based on the thickness and weight of the impact protection is optimized.

The impact protection according to the invention can be used for various purposes. Preferably, it includes a lower leg protection and in particular also a knee protector. This allows the use in protective suits in the region of the tibia and knee, where the impact probability is highest, especially of whirling stones.

Fig. 1

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung einen erfindungsgemäß ausgeführten Schutzanzug mit teilweise eingestecktem, nach der Erfindung ausgeführten Aufprallschutz;

Fig. 2

in einer schematischen Darstellung einen Ausschnitt aus dem Schichtmaterial zur Herstellung des Aufprallschutzes nach Fig. 1 mit Einzelheiten zu seinem Schichtaufbau;

Fig. 3

in einer schematischen Draufsicht eine Variante des Aufprallschutzes nach Fig. 1 mit Unterschenkel- und Knieschutz;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung des Aufprallschutzes nach Fig. 3 mit Einzelheiten zu darin angeordneten Flexibilisierungskerben;

Fig. 5

in einer perspektivischen Schemadarstellung einen Aufprallschutz unter Einwirkung eines aufprallenden Fremdkörpers bei Verzicht auf eine Verklebung zwischen äußerem Gewebe und darunter liegendem Abstandsgewirke;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung der Anordnung nach Fig. 5 mit Einzelheiten zum Verformungsverhalten;

Fig. 7

die erfindungsgemäße Weiterbildung der Anordnung nach Fig. 5 mit einer Klebeschicht zwischen dem äußeren Gewebe und dem inneren Abstandsgewirke beim Aufprall eines Fremdkörpers;

Fig. 8

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung der Anordnung nach Fig. 7 mit Einzelheiten zu deren Verformungsverhalten.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a perspective view of an inventively designed protective suit with partially inserted, executed according to the invention impact protection;

Fig. 2

in a schematic representation of a section of the layer material for producing the impact protection after Fig. 1 with details of its layer structure;

Fig. 3

in a schematic plan view of a variant of the impact protection after Fig. 1 with lower leg and knee protection;

Fig. 4

a schematic cross-sectional view of the impact protection after Fig. 3 with details of flexibilizing notches disposed therein;

Fig. 5

in a perspective schematic representation of an impact protection under the action of a bouncing foreign body in the absence of a bond between the outer fabric and underneath spacer knitted fabric;

Fig. 6

a schematic cross-sectional view of the arrangement according to Fig. 5 with details of the deformation behavior;

Fig. 7

the development of the arrangement according to the invention Fig. 5 with an adhesive layer between the outer fabric and the inner spacer fabric upon impact of a foreign object;

Fig. 8

a schematic cross-sectional view of the arrangement according to Fig. 7 with details of their deformation behavior.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a protective suit 2 according to the invention in the region of his trouser legs 12. The trouser legs 12 have knee regions 15 and lower leg regions 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the pant legs 12 are provided with receiving pockets 13 for inserting a respective inventively designed impact protection 1 in the direction of an arrow 23. The impact protection 1 is here designed in a simple rectangular shape as a lower leg protection 9 for the protection of the tibial region, but can also be a more complex shape, for example Fig. 3 exhibit.

According to the embodiment of the impact protection 1 shown here, the receiving pockets 13 extend only over the lower leg region 14, but can also extend into the knee regions 15 up to and including. It is likewise possible for separate receiving pockets 13 to be provided in the lower leg regions 14 and the knee regions 15. In addition, the impact protection 1 according to the invention can also be used elsewhere on the protective suit 2.

The impact protection 1 has an outer side 4 facing away from the user and an inner side 5 facing the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the outside 4 is dark and the inside 5 brightly marked in color, so that it is ensured that the impact protection 1 when inserted into the receiving pocket 13 actually facing away from the user with its outer side 4 and its inner side 5 facing the user Use comes. In fact, it follows from the explanations below that it is actually important for the effect according to the invention that the outer side 4 faces any impinging foreign bodies such as whirled-up stones or the like.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective schematic view of a section of an inventively designed multilayer sheet material 3 for the production of or for use for impact protection 1, as shown by way of example in the Fig. 1 . 3 and 4 is shown. The layer material according to the invention consists of at least three, here exactly three layers. In detail, the layer material 3 facing the outside 4 facing an outer layer of a fabric 6, the inside 5 facing an inner layer of a spacer knitted fabric 7 and between the fabric 6 and the spacer knitted fabric 7, a middle layer in the form of an adhesive layer 8. The fabric 6 and the knitted spacer fabric 7 are adhesively bonded to one another by means of the adhesive layer 8. The surface bonding is carried out in the embodiment shown in a narrow, evenly distributed grid, which is formed here by way of example by closely spaced adhesive dots. But it can also be a net or line-shaped grid of the adhesive layer 8 may be provided.

The outer surface 4 facing fabric 6 is substantially rigid in its plane and when loaded transversely thereto, so in the thickness direction of the layer material 3 due to its bending softness yielding. For the effect of the fabric 6 described in more detail below, it depends on its comparatively high rigidity in its plane, for which purpose this rigidity is significantly higher than the stiffness of the spacer fabric 7 or its cover-like mesh structures 16 described below in the same plane, preferably at least which is ten times that amount. The fabric 6 is at least partially made of high-strength, interwoven yarns, including preferably high-strength polyester, high-strength polyamide such as Cordura ^® or aramid such as Kevlar ^® is used. The chosen materials can be sorted. In addition, the fabric 6 may also contain portions of natural fibers, especially cotton. In the illustrated embodiment, a blended fabric is selected from 65% polyester and 35% cotton. However, other mixing ratios may be appropriate.

The spacer fabric 7 is a coherent, sandwiched and knitted mesh structure with two covering layer-like, lying flat in the plane of the spacer fabric 7 mesh structures 16 and intermediate spacer threads 17th The spacer threads 17 extend substantially in the thickness direction of the spacer fabric 7 between the two cover-layer-like mesh structures 16 and are forfeited with the mesh structures 16. In this way, a uniform textile fabric is formed with a significantly greater thickness compared to the fabric 6. As a result of its compared to the fabric 6 larger thickness and its sandwich-like structure, the spacer fabric 7 is relatively rigid. However, the outer mesh structure 16 is elastically resiliently embedded in the thickness direction with respect to the inner mesh structure 16 adjoining the inner side 5 by means of the spacer threads 17.

As a mesh structure with open mesh structures 16 and spacing yarns 17 at a distance from each other, the spacer fabric 7 is per se permeable to air and vapor and thus breathable. For the fabric 6, a woven structure and equipment is advantageously selected, which also allows a vapor and air permeability, which also the fabric 6 is breathable. As a result of its grid structure and the adhesive layer 8 is breathable, as a result, the layer material 3 is breathable throughout all its layers.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of an alternative embodiment of the impact protection 1, which is shown from its inner side 5 from. The impact protection 1 shown here comprises, in addition to a lower leg protection 9, in particular for the shins of the user, also a knee protection 10, for which purpose the receiving pockets 13 may then be provided Fig. 1 be adapted in a corresponding manner. The impact protection 1 is as shown Fig. 3 provided with at least one, here several intersecting flexibilizing notches 11. Due to the large thickness of the spacer knitted fabric 7 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) rigid sheet material 3 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) can be folded or folded over at least along the flexibilizing notches 11 and thereby adapted to the body of the user. To further facilitate the adaptation of shape, cutouts 18 are arranged on both sides between the lower leg protection 9 and the knee protection 10 so that the user can bend his knee without being impeded by the impact protection 1.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the impact protection 1 after Fig. 3 , Accordingly, here as an alternative to the embodiment according to Fig. 2 a full-surface, continuous adhesive layer 8 is provided. The adhesive layer 8 may be impermeable to air and moisture. In the advantageous embodiment shown, a material of the adhesive layer 8 is selected, which is permeable to air and vapor even without grid structure and thus breathable.

The spacer fabric 7 is formed of thermoplastic fibers. These allow a thermoplastic deformation such that the flexibilizing notches are thermally pressed in, starting from the inner side 5 in the direction of the outer side 4 as far as the adhesive layer 8. In fact, however, the flexibilizing notches 11 do not pass completely through the spacer knitted fabric 7 in the thickness direction, but instead leave the stitched structure 16 (FIG. 16) facing the adhesive layer 8 or the outer fabric 6 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) undisturbed.

To Fig. 4 For example, the spacer fabric 7 has a thickness D ranging from 4 mm to 10 mm inclusive, suitably ranging from 5 mm to 8 mm inclusive, and at least approximately 6 mm in the preferred embodiment shown. In comparison, the fabric 6 and the adhesive layer 8 are considerably thinner. The fabric 6 and the adhesive layer 8 together have a thickness d which is not more than 10% of the thickness of the spacer fabric 7. Unless otherwise stated, the embodiments according to the Fig. 1, 2 and 3, 4 in their further features and reference numerals. However, distinguishing features of one embodiment can also be realized in the other embodiment.

To clarify the mode of action of the impact protection 1 according to the invention or the use according to the invention of the layer material 3, the conditions in the impact of a small, pointed foreign body 19 in the Fig. 5 to 8 shown. In particular, gravel, gravel, stones in general form and other hard particles are meant as small foreign bodies 19 whose spatial extension is of the same order of magnitude as the total thickness of the layer material 3, ie an average diameter of few, for example two to three centimeters or may be smaller. But even with larger foreign bodies 19, the advantageous damping effect occurs analogously to the following explanation.

To illustrate the problem in the impact of a foreign body 19 is in the perspective schema representation after Fig. 5 an impact protection 1 or a layer material 3 is shown, in which no adhesive layer 8 is arranged between the fabric 6 and the spacer knitted fabric 7. In addition to the perspective view after Fig. 5 is in Fig. 6 still a schematic cross-sectional view of this arrangement when impact of the foreign body 19 is shown. From the synopsis of FIGS. 5 and 6 shows that the impinging in the direction of an arrow 20 on the outside of the 4 facing fabric 6 foreign body 19 is almost point-deep into the spacer fabric 7. Due to the lack of bonding between the fabric 6 and the knitted spacer fabric 7, both layers can slip against one another in the direction of arrows 21, whereby the inherently high rigidity of the fabric 6 in its plane does not come into play. There is no significant load distribution. In addition, the spacer threads 17 extending in the thickness direction between the mesh structures 16 are not supported in the lateral direction and may buckle laterally. In the immediate vicinity of the impact point of the foreign body 19, the spacer threads 17 buckle, so that the foreign body 19 penetrates through the entire thickness of the impact protection 1, without its impact energy being dampened to the desired extent.

The situation with a bond between the fabric 6 and the spacer knitted fabric 7 by means of the adhesive layer 8 looks different, as shown in FIGS FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown. The representation after Fig. 7 corresponds to the illustration Fig. 5 while the presentation is after Fig. 8 according to the illustration Fig. 6 corresponds, but the conditions are significantly different due to the effect of the adhesive layer 8.

From the synopsis of FIGS. 7 and 8 shows that the impact energy of the foreign body 19 is distributed according to arrows 22 radially to the impact point in the plane of the impact protection 1 and the layer material 3. Because there is no relative movement between the spacer fabric 7 and the fabric 6 is possible in particular in the plane of the layer material 3, comes here in comparison to the spacer knitted fabric 7 high rigidity of the fabric 6 in its plane to the effect. The impact energy of the foreign body 19, which is applied almost point-like on the outside 4, is distributed according to the arrows 22 to a surface which is considerably larger relative to the spatial extent of the foreign body 19. In particular, according to the illustration Fig. 8 It can be seen that the tissue 6 with a compared to Fig. 6 very much greater radius of curvature is elastically yielding in the thickness direction in the spacer fabric 7 dips. In this case, the impact energy of the foreign body 19 is distributed over a large number of spacer threads 17. In addition, since the adhesive layer 8 prevents lateral buckling of the spacer threads 17, a controlled, energy absorbing yielding of the individual spacer threads 17 takes place in the thickness direction of the layered material 3, which is why each individual spacer thread 7 has a much higher partial energy than in the arrangement according to FIG Fig. 6 can dampen. In addition, compared to Fig. 6 a much more spacer threads 17 unfold their damping effect, results in a total significantly increased damping capacity, so that distributed over the inside 5 no significant burden on the user acts.

Claims (14)

1. Collision protection (1) for a protective suit (2), comprising a multi-layer laminated material (3), wherein the collision protection (1) comprises an outer side (4) remote from the user and an inner side (5) facing the user, and wherein the laminated material (3) comprises, facing the inner side (5), an inner layer of a breathable knitted spacer fabric (7),
   characterised in that the laminated material (3)comprises, facing the outer side (4), an outer layer of a woven fabric (6) and, between the woven fabric (6) and the knitted spacer fabric (7), a central layer in the form of an adhesive layer (8), the woven fabric (6) and the knitted spacer fabric (7) being surface-bonded to one another by means of the adhesive layer (8) and the woven fabric (6) being substantially rigid in its plane and yielding at right angles thereto.
2. Collision protection according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the woven fabric (6) is breathable.
3. Collision protection according to claim 2,
   characterised in that the laminated material (3) is breathable through all of its layers.
4. Collision protection according to any of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that the woven fabric (6) and the knitted spacer fabric (7) are bonded to one another by means of the adhesive layer (8) across their entire surfaces.
5. Collision protection according to any of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that the woven fabric (6) and the knitted spacer fabric (7) are surface-bonded to one another by means of the adhesive layer (8) in a regular grid pattern.
6. Collision protection according to any of claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that the woven fabric (6) is at least partially produced from high-strength polyester, polyamide or aramid.
7. Collision protection according to claim 6,
   characterised in that the woven fabric (6) contains a proportion of natural fibres, in particular cotton.
8. Collision protection according to any of claims 1 to 7,
   characterised in that the knitted spacer fabric (7) is formed from thermoplastic fibres.
9. Collision protection according to any of claims 1 to 8,
   characterised in that the knitted spacer fabric (7) has a thickness (D) in the range of 4 mm to 10 mm inclusive, preferably in the range of 5 mm to 8 mm inclusive, being in particular at least approximately 6 mm.
10. Collision protection according to any of claims 1 to 9,
    characterised in that the woven fabric (6) and the adhesive layer (8) together have a thickness (d) which is no more than 10% of the thickness (D) of the knitted spacer fabric (7).
11. Collision protection according to any of claims 1 to 10,
    characterised in that the collision protection (1) comprises a lower leg protection (9) and in particular a knee protection (10).
12. Collision protection according to any of claims 1 to 11,
    characterised in that the collision protection (1) comprises at least one and preferably several flexibilisation notches (11) which are in particular thermally pressed into the knitted spacer fabric (7).
13. Protective suit (2) comprising a collision protection (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12.
14. Use of a laminated material (3) for a collision protection (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12,
    wherein the collision protection (1) comprises an outer side (4) remote from the user and an inner side (5) facing the user, wherein the laminated material (3) comprises, facing the outer side (4), an outer layer of a woven fabric (6), facing the inner side (5), an inner layer of a knitted spacer fabric (7) and, between the woven fabric (6) and the knitted spacer fabric (7), a central layer in the form of an adhesive layer (8), the woven fabric (6) and the knitted spacer fabric (7) being bonded to one another by means of the adhesive layer (8) and the knitted spacer fabric (7) being breathable.

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