EP2803280B1 - Element with a protective shell for a region of the human body and garment provided with same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention generally relates to equipment for the protection of the human body.

Protective equipment intended for use by the forces of order conventionally comprises a certain number of fittings such as padding or the like, intended to protect its wearer against knocks, shocks, or even projectiles.

Thus, for example, protective equipment is known consisting of a legging intended to be attached to trousers, using straps in particular. This legging comprises a rigid shell made of a plastic material such as polyamide, of curved shape and adapted to cover the corresponding region of the body, namely the region of the tibia.

In order to protect the wearer of this legging even more effectively against the throwing of hard objects or blows with blunt objects (throwing of stones or metal objects, blows from baseball bats, etc.), suggested attaching this high-strength case to a thick canvas or leather structure.

The document EP 1 588 636 describes a protective element for sports clothing comprising an impact-resistant layer made of an elastically deformable material and in which orifices are formed, and a protective shield fixed to the impact-resistant layer.

The document OF 41 28 958 describes a protective element comprising an inner shell and an outer shell made of polypropylene copolymer, separated by an elastically deformable material forming a cushion and comprising a mixture of polyethylene and copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate. It describes the preamble of claim 1.

The document FROM 102 19 946 describes a protective element comprising a base body and a mobile shield, in order to protect its wearer against falls. The base body has at least one attachment for attachment to the wearer's body.

Finally, the document US 2,306,362 describes a helmet comprising a reinforcing corrugated crown to absorb shocks.

The difficulty today is to find a good compromise between protection against sharp impacts, which requires protection capable of absorbing and dissipating the energy received during the impact, and protection against sharp or piercing objects, which requires at least contrary a rigid protection. It is also sought to reduce the bulk of the protection element as well as its weight, so as to impede the wearer in his movements as little as possible. The present invention aims to solve this type of problem by proposing an element for protecting a region of the human body which offers both strong resistance to blows, in particular blunt blows, and to sharp and/or piercing objects, such as a knife, an ax or even a machete, while being light in weight and easy to carry.

For this purpose, the present invention proposes a protective element which comprises, in a manner known per se, a first so-called inner shell intended to be positioned against a corresponding region of the human body, this shell being rigid and curved and of a shape adapted to cover said region, and a second so-called outer shell, also rigid and curved, superimposed on the first, which extends in its immediate vicinity while being spaced from the latter and is elastically movable relative to the latter. According to the invention, the protection element is characterized in that the outer shell is less rigid than the inner shell.

By the expression "immediate vicinity", it is meant that the two shells are not in contact, while nevertheless being close to one another.

Thanks to this structure with two rigid shells, we offer better resistance to blows. In addition, a large part of the energy caused by the shocks and received by the outer shell is dissipated in its movement towards the inner shell. The inner shell is therefore little stressed, so that the wearer of such a protective element feels strongly attenuated shocks.

• * la coque intérieure est plus petite dans la direction transversale que la coque extérieure.
• * lesdites coques présentent des épaisseurs différentes, la coque intérieure présentant une épaisseur inférieure à celle de la coque extérieure.
• * les coques intérieure et extérieure sont reliées l'une à l'autre par un ensemble de rivets associés à des moyens élastiques disposés dans l'espace séparant les coques et qui tendent à maintenir lesdites coques espacées l'une de l'autre.
• * chaque rivet est associé à des moyens élastiques réalisés dans un matériau déformable, de préférence à forte résistance.
• * le matériau déformable est choisi dans un groupe comprenant les mousses, les caoutchoucs naturels ou synthétiques, les agglomérés déformables et les ressorts.
• * les moyens élastiques comprennent au moins une bague.
• * les moyens élastiques comprennent deux bagues séparées par une rondelle.
• * ledit élément en matériau déformable a la forme d'une bande renfermée entre la coque intérieure et la coque extérieure, et loge les tiges des rivets.
• * il existe un jeu entre les rivets et la coque extérieure et/ou la coque intérieure.
• * ladite coque intérieure est pourvue de moyens de fixation à un vêtement.
• * l'élément comprend un protège-tibia, un protège-malléole, un plastron, un protège-genou, un protège-bras ou un protège-épaule.

Furthermore, according to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of this protective element

• * the inner shell is smaller in the transverse direction than the outer shell.
• * Said shells have different thicknesses, the inner shell having a thickness less than that of the outer shell.
• * the inner and outer shells are connected to each other by a set of rivets associated with elastic means arranged in the space between the shells and which tend to keep said shells spaced from one another.
• * each rivet is associated with elastic means made of a deformable material, preferably of high resistance.
• * the deformable material is chosen from a group comprising foams, natural or synthetic rubbers, deformable agglomerates and springs.
• * the elastic means comprise at least one ring.
• * the elastic means comprise two rings separated by a washer.
• * Said deformable material element has the form of a band enclosed between the inner shell and the outer shell, and accommodates the rods of the rivets.
• * there is play between the rivets and the outer shell and/or the inner shell.
• * Said inner shell is provided with means for attachment to clothing.
• * item includes shin guard, ankle guard, chest protector, knee guard, arm guard or shoulder guard.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a combination of at least two elements according to one of the characteristics listed above, fixed one on the other, of different shapes and intended to cover neighboring regions of the body. human.

Finally, the present invention also relates to protective clothing to which is permanently fixed at least one element according to one of the preceding characteristics or at least one combination such as that mentioned above.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment.

• la figure 1a est une vue en perspective de deux coques formant partie d'un élément de protection conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 1b est une vue de la face interne de la coque extérieure de la figure 1a ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe simplifiée du mode de réalisation de la figure 1a ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de détail d'un mode d'assemblage possible desdites coques ; et
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un élément de protection conforme à l'invention, en place sur la jambe d'un utilisateur, et associé à deux autres éléments de formes différentes.

This description will be made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the picture 1a is a perspective view of two shells forming part of a protective element according to the invention;
• the figure 1b is a view of the inside face of the outer shell of the picture 1a ;
• the picture 2 is a simplified sectional view of the embodiment of the picture 1a ;
• the picture 3 is a detail view of a possible mode of assembly of said shells; and
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of a protective element according to the invention, in place on a user's leg, and associated with two other elements of different shapes.

An example of a protective element will now be described in relation to the appended figures.

In what follows, the invention will more particularly be described in relation to a shin guard. However, this is not limiting, insofar as the protection element can equally well be configured to protect all or part of a lower limb, for example the leg of the carrier (comprising the tibia, the knee and, if applicable, the malleolus, as illustrated in the figure 4 ), the knee alone, but also the thigh, the top of the foot, or all or part of an upper limb, for example the forearm and/or the elbow, or even the wearer's torso (plastron), without however, departing from the scope of the invention.

The two hulls shown in picture 1a are intended to form an integral part of a protection element which consists, in this embodiment, of a shin guard.

It is therefore intended to be put in place at the front of the lower part of the leg, below the knee.

Again with reference to the picture 1a , we are dealing with two similar shells, namely an inner shell 1, intended to be positioned against the leg of its wearer and a second shell, called outer, referenced 1'.

In the case of similar shells, the same numerical references will be used to designate characteristics which are common to them, those relating to the outer shell simply being accompanied by the index “prime”.

The shells 1 and 1' are both made by molding a plastic material such as polyamide, for example of a uniform thickness of the order of 2 mm. The inner shell 1 may optionally have a thickness less than that of the outer shell.

As a variant, the shells can be of variable thickness and have local extra thicknesses.

They both have a curved shape adapted to cover the corresponding region of the body of its wearer.

As it is a question here of covering the region of the tibia, the shells are similar to gutters, approximately in the shape of portions of a truncated cone, with a longitudinal axis X-X'.

In the figure, the upper and lower transverse edges of the shells are referenced 10 and 10' on the one hand and 11 and 11' on the other hand.

As for the longitudinal edges, they are referenced 12 and 12' on the one hand and 13 and 13' on the other hand.

These longitudinal edges converge towards each other, in the direction of the lower transverse edge 11, 11'.

Their large convex faces 15 and 15' are said to be internal, while their opposite large faces 16 and 16', of concave shape, are said to be external.

As seen on the figure 1b , the outer shell 1' has a central region 14' which is raised with respect to its peripheral region. This central region 14' is formed of a longitudinal element 140' with a contour of generally rectangular shape with rounded corners. The elevation of this longitudinal element is substantially constant over its entire extent.

The longitudinal element is further bordered laterally, on each side, by one or more raised appendages 141', which present a transition without a break in slope on the one hand with the central element 140' and on the other hand with the region peripheral of the outer shell 1'. This raised central region 14' has the function of deflecting blows and thus of limiting the risks of penetration by a piercing or cutting object, as well as of reducing the shock to be absorbed by the protective element. Indeed, when the outer face 15' of the outer shell 1' is smooth, shock absorption is less effective insofar as the protective element offers a stable surface to the blow.

The inner shell 1 on the other hand can be smooth, insofar as it is not directly impacted by the object striking a blow at the protective element. This also makes it possible to reduce its size, so that for the same thickness of the protective element, the distance between the inner shell 1 and the outer shell 1' is greater than in the case where the inner shell 1 also has a raised central region.

Along the longitudinal edges 12, 12', 13, 13' of the two shells are drilled a series of through holes 17, 17' respectively, these holes facing each other in pairs when the shells 1 and 1' are superimposed.

Other holes, not shown, may be provided, for example in the vicinity of the transverse edges.

In accordance with the invention, the protective element consists of the superposition of the two shells 1 and 1', these extending in the vicinity of one another.

The figure 2 schematically represents such a configuration.

For the sole purpose of clarity of the figure, it has been assumed that the shells are in the form of portions of cylinders and have no raised central region.

In this figure are visible means for connecting the shells 1 and 1'. These are rivets 2 associated with elastic means 23, 23', 23", visible only on the figure 3 at 5b.

For example, shells 1 and 1' can be fastened together along their longitudinal sides 12, 12', 13, 13' by two sets of five rivets 2.

When the inner shell 1 is smaller than the outer shell 1', the rivets 2 are fixed adjacent to the longitudinal edges 12, 13 of the inner shell 1, and in the part of the outer shell 1 which is opposite.

According to one embodiment, only the fixed parts of the shells, that is to say the parts adjacent to their longitudinal sides, comprise rivets 2, their central part having to remain mobile with respect to each other in order to able to absorb shocks.

These elastic means 23, 23', 23" are arranged in such a way that in the absence of stress, an interval e is maintained between the two shells, for example comprised between 2 and 7 mm, preferably between 3 and 5 mm.

This interval e is that which separates the outer face 15 of the inner shell 1 from the inner face 16' of the outer shell 1'.

Preferably, the outer shell 1' is semi-rigid and is intended to receive and absorb external shocks. For example, the outer shell 1' can be made of polyamide.

The inner shell 1 for its part can be made of a more rigid material, which can also be lined with a shockproof material, in order to block the protective element on the body. For example, the rigid material of the inner shell 1 can be polycarbonate. The inner shell 1 may be stiffer than the outer shell due to its thickness and/or its constituent material.

More specifically, the inner face 16 of the inner shell 1, which is intended to come as close as possible to the wearer's leg, is provided with longitudinal strips 3a, 3b, made of foam or rubber, intended to form protective elements, which extend parallel to the longitudinal edges of the inner shell 1.

Thus, during an external shock, the outer shell 1 'absorbs the shock and approaches the inner shell 1, which then distributes the rest of the energy over the entire surface to be protected via the strips longitudinal 3a, 3b.

According to one embodiment, the inner shell 1 comprises two outer longitudinal strips 3a, each arranged close to a longitudinal edge 12', 13'.

Alternatively, the inner shell 1 further comprises a central longitudinal band 3b, extending centrally between the outer longitudinal bands 3a.

To the picture 3 a first example of assembly of the shells 1 and 1′ is shown.

It is in this case an assembly by rivet 2, which is placed in each pair of holes 17 and 17 ', arranged opposite one another.

The diameter of these holes is provided so that the rod 20 of the rivet 2 can be engaged therein without difficulty, its head 21 extending against the outer face 15' of the outer shell 1', and its base extending against the inner face 16 of the inner shell 1, possibly via a safety washer 22'. The 22' safety washer has the function here to locally compensate for the curvature of the inner shell 1 and to allow good positioning of the generally planar base of the rivet 2. It also makes it possible to overcome any defects in the construction of the holes 17 and 17'.

There may be play between the rod 20 of the rivet 2 and the outer shell 1' and/or the inner shell 1, in order to reduce the transmission of forces between the two shells 1, 1', and therefore the energy received in the end by the leg.

The rod 20 of the rivet 2 is moreover surrounded by elastic means 23 suitable for absorbing the shocks received by the protection element and keeping the shells 1, 1' at a distance from one another. On the picture 3 , there is shown for example two rings 23a separated by a washer 23b. The rings can in particular be of the “silent block” type, and made of rubber foam or of deformable chipboard material, preferably of high resistance.

As a variant, the elastic means 23 can take the form of a strip 23′ of deformable foam, rubber or chipboard, preferably of high resistance, which is fixed to the periphery of the outer shell 1′ and/or inner shell 1 , at the level of the rivets 2 (see FIGS. 5a and 5b). The strip of foam 23' is then pierced at the level of the holes 17 and 17' so as to receive the stem of the rivets 2. In this way, not only the energy received by the outer shell 1' is damped by said strips 23' , but furthermore it is distributed along these strips of foam 23'.

According to one embodiment, the strip 23' extends along the longitudinal 12', 13' and transverse 10', 11' edges of the shells 1' and 1', passing at the level of each hole 17, 17'. As a variant, the shells 1 and 1' contain two parallel strips 23' extending along the longitudinal edges 12' and 13' of the shell 1'.

The representation of the picture 3 corresponds to a situation in which the protective element is not subjected to any stress, in particular to any impact.

Preferably, the inner shell 1 is smaller than the outer shell 1' in the transverse direction, that is to say between the two longitudinal edges. For example, the longitudinal edges 12, 13 of the inner shell 1 are at a distance at least equal to approximately one centimeter from the corresponding longitudinal edges 12', 13' of the outer shell 1', preferably approximately two centimeters. In this way, when a shock is applied to the outer shell 1 ', the latter remains at a distance from the inner shell 1 without coming into contact with it, which makes it possible on the one hand to improve the absorption of the shock. by the protection element and on the other hand to reduce, or even eliminate, the risks that a piercing object manages to pass through the inner shell 1. The overall weight of the protection element is also thus reduced.

When this shock occurs, symbolized by the arrow F, the shell 1' moves in the direction of the shell 1, the foam 23 and the shells 1, 1' then returning to their initial position.

These two successive movements are symbolized by the arrows f and g.

Thanks to this construction, it is understood that the shocks are essentially absorbed by the outer shell 1' and very little transmitted to the inner shell 1. The shocks are in fact absorbed by the semi-rigid outer shell 1' then by the elastic means before to be transmitted to the inner shell 1 which is in contact with the wearer via the longitudinal strips 3a, 3b. The presence of the raised central part 14' on the outer face of the outer shell 1' also contributes to the attenuation of shocks. Furthermore, in the event that a cutting and/or piercing object passes through the outer shell 1, the inner shell 1' blocks the passage of the object which comes to end its course against it, thus preventing the wearer from being touched. .

It is believed that such a structure makes it possible to effectively combine resistance to blunt blows and to cutting and/or piercing objects.

According to yet another variant, a helical spring 23″ is fitted onto the rod 20 of the rivet, the opposite ends of which rest against the facing faces 16′ and 15 of the two shells.

It is also possible to provide the inner shell 1 with small protruding rods 20 from molding and forming the body of rivets, which extend perpendicularly to the corresponding region of the shell.

On these rods are positioned helical springs 23, or any other elastic means 23, 23' described above.

The outer shell 1' is then positioned so that the free end of the rods passes through the holes 17'. Said free end is then deformed to form a head 21 of the rivet. As in the previous embodiment, the ring23 bears against the facing faces of the two shells, and there is a clearance between the rod 20 and the shell 1'.

To the figure 4 , is shown a leg pad comprising three protective elements 4, 5, 6, namely a knee protector 5, a shin guard 4 and a protective element 6 of the foot.

The shin guard is formed of two shells such as those shown in the preceding figures. Here, only the outer shell 1' is visible, the inner shell 1, the inner shell 1 being smaller in a transverse direction than the outer shell 1'.

Along its two longitudinal edges 12 and 13, the inner shell 1 (and this only applies to this shell 1) may have two projecting elements 130 in the form of ears, in which a pair of orifices 131 are drilled. 130 are intended for attaching straps S for positioning the protective element around the wearer's leg. The S straps can be fixed by rivets engaged in the holes 131 (see picture 1a ).

Alternatively, the ears 130 may be loops, as shown in the figure 4 .

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the outer shells of the knee guard are integrally formed with the shin guard. The knee protector therefore also has a structure according to the invention.

As a variant, the knee protector 5 could be fixed in the upper part of this element 4, for example using rotating rivets, and have a structure in accordance with the invention.

The protective element 5 therefore extends opposite the wearer's knee.

In the lower part, the element 4 comprises the additional protective element 6, of similar structure, which is intended to protect the top of the foot.

Finally, in an embodiment not shown, at least one protective element according to the invention is fixed permanently to protective clothing, for example using rivets.

It appears from the foregoing that the element according to the invention has a simple, light structure, pleasant to wear, and the manufacture of which requires little material.

Claims (14)

1. A protective device (4, 5, 6) for a region of the human body, that comprises a first shell (1) called the inner shell positioned against the said region of the human body that is rigid, curved and of a suitable shape to cover the said region and a second shell (1') called the outer shell, also rigid and curved, superimposed over the first shell that extends in its immediate area, spaced away from it and can move flexibly relative to it, the protective device being characterised in that the outer shell (1') is less rigid than the inner shell (1).
2. A device according to one of claim 1, in which the inner shell (1) is smaller than the outer shell (1') in the transverse direction.
3. A device according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the said shells (1, 1') are of different thickness, the inner shell (1) having a thickness less than that of the outer shell.
4. A device according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the inner and outer shells (1, 1') are linked together by a set of rivets (2) with rubber bushes (23, 23a, 23b, 23', 23") fitted in the space between the shells (1, 1') which tend to keep the said shells (1, 1') spaced apart from each other.
5. A device according to claim 4, in which each rivet (2) has flexible bushes made from a deformable material (23, 23', 23"), preferably of high strength.
6. A device according to claim 5, in which the deformable material is chosen from a group comprising foam, natural or synthetic rubber, deformable composites and springs.
7. A device according to one of claims 4 to 6, in which the flexible medium comprises at least one bush (23a, 23b).
8. A device according to claim 7, in which the flexible medium comprises two bushes (23a) separated by a washer (23b).
9. A device according to one of claims 4 to 6, in which the said part made from deformable material (23') is in the form of a strip enclosed between the inner shell (1) and the outer shell (1') and houses the stems (20) of the rivets (2).
10. A device according to one of claims 4 to 9, in which there is clearance between the rivets and the outer shell (1') and/or the inner shell (1).
11. A device according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the said inner shell (1) is provided with means (130) for attaching it to clothing.
12. A device according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a tibia protector, an ankle protector, a breastplate, a knee protector, an arm protector or a shoulder protector.
13. A combination of at least two parts (4, 5, 6) according to one of claims 1 to 12, of different shapes fixed to each other and designed to cover nearby regions of the human body.
14. Protective clothing to which at least one part (4, 5, 6) is permanently attached according to one of claims 1 to 12, or at least one combination of parts according to claim 13.

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