EP3626098B1

EP3626098B1 - Modular personal protection device for the protection of the face and adjacent parts

Info

Publication number: EP3626098B1
Application number: EP19425065.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gianluigi Sanetti
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-19
Filing date: 2019-09-13
Publication date: 2021-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-13
Also published as: EP3626098A1

Description

Field of application

The invention in question consists of a modular personal protection device (PPE) designed to protect the face, possibly including its side parts, ears, throat and eyes (in the following for brevity "face") from the impact with bodies having a certain energy and size such as tools, hammers, angle grinders, pipe sections, flanges, crushed stone, bolts, impacts against surfaces, walls, etc.
Another aim is the protection against impact with smaller energy/size bodies (such as particles, dust, splinters, wood shavings, debris) and optical, thermal and chemical risks.
The invention is designed to be used during normal working activities and for prolonged periods, without tiring, obstructing movements, reducing the visual/auditory field and interfering with any other PPE worn, nor does it constitute itself a source or increase in risk. The invention is designed to be installed on a protective helmet (PPE).

State of the technique

The device originates from what was ascertained by the undersigned in the course of his professional activity at various construction sites, quarries, mines and hydrocarbon extraction plants, including the one underway as an Engineer in the "Div. III - Section U.N.M.I.G. of Rome and the Methanization of the South; National Mining Office for Hydrocarbons and Geo-resources; DGS UNMIG; Ministry of Economic Development" As an example, the following episodes are mentioned:

accident occurred following an incorrect maneuver on a pressurized system that caused the projection on the operator's face of a blind flange (diameter about 30cm);
injury due to the sudden rebound of an angle grinder that hit the operator's cheek again (although it was equipped with an automatic brake);
accident caused by the sudden detachment of a tool following traction with a crane that hit the nose/mouth operator;
accident due to the impact of the operator with a container, with injury to the nose.

In all cases the traditional PPE (helmets/goggles/masks) worn proved to be insufficient.
Annex VIII of Legislative Decree 81/2008 in point 3.3 contains the following indicative and non-exhaustive list of activities for which it may be necessary to provide individual protective equipment for the eyes and face: welding, grinding and shearing; mortising and chiselling work; processing and finishing of stones; use of bolt pullers; use of machines to remove shavings during the processing of materials that produce short chips; forging and mold; removal and crushing of splinters; sandblasting operations; handling of acid and alkaline products, disinfectants and corrosive detergents; use of liquid jet pumps; manipulation of molten incandescent masses or work near them; work involving exposure to radiant heat and, finally, use of lasers.
Eyes and face must be protected from risks: optical, thermal, chemical and mechanical.
In particular, as regards the mechanical risks of the indicated types of work, it can be deduced that traditional PPE made up of thin and dense networks (indicatively composed on average of 50 meshes/cm²) or thin transparent continuous screens, are suitable in the case of impacts with small particles such as fine-grained or coarse powders, shavings, splinters, debris, particles perhaps animated by high speeds and with high temperature and chemically aggressive - hereinafter referred to generically as "particles" but are not strong enough to protect against mass bodies higher dimension.
Other artifacts with thick and heavy transparent screens, such as blaster or helmets for public order, or other devices such as helmets intended for sports activities, etc., although they are more resistant they cannot be used in the usual work activities for obvious ergonomic questions (as well as regulations).

Peculiarities of the invention

The invention in question , as recited in the independent claim 1, is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional artifacts and PPE. It is based on the use of a basic three-dimensional element which, to reach the high resistance required, consists of much larger meshes (maximum 4 meshes/cm² with dimensions/sides greater than or equal to 0.5cm) formed by elements of larger section than those used in traditional PPE. This three-dimensional element is equipped with padding to cushion and distribute part of the impact energy on the face without damage. The remaining part of the energy is absorbed by the helmet, typically a PPE helmet, which supports the invention.
Conceptually, a grid with large meshes, with the same development and materials used, is lighter than a narrow-meshed one; or at the same weight more resistant because it can be made with elements having larger sections.
On traditional protections it is not possible to increase the cross-section of the elements making up the meshes because, due to the much greater density of meshes/cm², increasing the thickness has various negative effects such as the weight increase, the reduction of the free light of the meshes and therefore of the visual field up to cancel it.
For this reason the meshes of the three-dimensional element have a maximum density of 4 meshes/cm² (traditional grids around 10-70 or more meshes/cm²) and dimensions/sides of length greater than or equal to 0.5cm; this allows the use of more robust elements since they have a larger section. The three-dimensional element fulfills the main purpose of the invention which is the protection from objects with larger dimensions, typically equal to or greater than 0.5cm.
To protect against smaller bodies and/or optical, thermal and chemical hazards and to protect parts such as ears and throat as well, the device, by virtue of its lightness and ergonomics, can be made with a wide and enveloping shape so as to cover even such zones and allow the simultaneous use of PPE such as headphones, filtering masks, face masks, glasses, etc.
Then, for the same purpose, it is possible to install a thick mesh protection net and/or a transparent visor similar to the traditional ones, by mounting them directly on the three-dimensional element which, supporting them, improves their resistance compared to their traditional installation.
Furthermore, acting as a structural support component thanks to its sturdiness, a dense and thin net can also be stretched and fixed of kevlar/carbon fibers and the like on the three-dimensional element, which due to their mechanical characteristics, as Well as fire resistance, can achieve further protection.
All this makes the invention easily adaptable according to the needs.
Fundamental aspect of the device is its practicality of use. Uncomfortable, impractical, non-ergonomic devices, with complex maintenance and easily perishable, very often after a short use they are put aside. Therefore in the definition of the invention particular attention has been paid to the ergonomic aspects in order to create a device that is easy and convenient to use, non-fatiguing, which does not reduce ventilation, does not reduce the field of vision or deteriorate it, etc.
For the reasons indicated above, the invention is therefore not a simple use or strengthening of the grids and screens present in traditional PPE, but is a new device based on the three-dimensional element with large meshes totally different from the thin grids with tight links and thin screens transparent used in the usual PPE.
To highlight the innovative nature of the invention, some patent documents are summarized by comparison.
Doc. DE29708134U1 (Hartfiel Traudel 08/14/1997) "Eye and face protection for protective helmets". Composed essentially of a usual thick knitted net made of synthetic thread or fabric, connected to the accessories holder; then there is an eye mask attached to the helmet.
Doc. US2801420A (Malcom Jr Robert 06/08/1957 "Protective apparatus for workmen" and Doc US4222123A (Hellberg Arne 09/16/1980) "Mounting a face shield at a protective helmet". They relate to the connection of various devices to the helmet; the figures show the usual tight mesh and a welder's mask.
Doc CA2193004 (Oullet Jean 16/06/1998) "Palette à visière pour casque de securite". It is a usual grid with a top sunshade intended for forest workers for protection from dust, solar reflections, wood splinters and other similar threats.
Doc WO2017/167689A1 (Uvex Arbeitsschutz GMBH 05/10/2017) "Visieranordnung". Continuous transparent protection visor, in turn protected by a thick mesh net, in particular between 15 and 70 openings/cm² as indicated in the text, and the relative system of attachment to the helmet.
Doc US 2011/138520 A1 (John Michael Deboer 16/06/2011) "Adjustable Facial Protector".
A protective sport equipment for the head of the wearer with a face guard mesh.
They are therefore apparatuses with characteristics different from the invention in the subject

Technical description

Some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the invention in question are indicated below, illustrated by way of example in the attached standard images, in which only a limited portion of the throat is protected for clarity.

Fig. 1: basic configuration: three-dimensional element with padding,
Fig. 2: complete configuration : element three-dimensional with padding, grid in dense screen and transparent,
Fig. 3: scheme with connection to the helmet through its accessory holder,
Fig: 4: scheme with connection of its type and detail in section,
Fig. 5: type details of connections/hinges type,
Fig. 6: firm type details.

The invention is composed of the following main assemblies.

a) Three-dimensional mesh structure with padding, for protection from larger bodies,
b) Network with meshed grid and/or transparent screen, for protection against small bodies and/or from optical hazards, thermal and chemical,
c) Accessories for fixing to the helmet,

a) Three-dimensional mesh structure with padding for protection from larger bodies.

The fundamental component of the invention is the three-dimensional element formed by a robust continuous perimeter frame (1) on which most elements are fixed (2) to constitute a structure with openings ("mesh") having dimensions/sides of length greater than or equal to 0.5cm, with an area of each mesh equal to or greater than 0.25 cm² and a maximum density of 4 mesh/cm². Such meshes may have shape and amplitude variables in function of the various areas of the face and to be protected and the type of foreseeable threat.
The purpose of this component is to resist, or minimize, the effects of impact with bodies with energies/size (typically with at least one dimension greater than or equal to 0.5 cm) greater the ones for which they have made the PPE traditionally .
To obtain the necessary strength, the invention uses the three-dimensional element indicated above and not only a continuous transparent visor or thin net/grid with dense meshes for the following reasons.
The transparent visor to withstand the impact of larger bodies should be very thick and therefore heavy, as a species of helmet for artifice that, as mentioned above, would be unusable for ergonomic reasons in the activities for which the invention is conceived. In fact, such a traditional visor would reduce ventilation, it would get dirty and easily stranded particularly in dusty environments, reducing visual perception and awareness of the situation. These and other disadvantages would be further increased if the dimensions were to be increased in order to protect a greater lateral surface of the face and/or the ears and/or the throat or to wear them together with other PPE such as ear protectors, glasses, filtering masks etc.
A traditional net with dense meshes to resist should have the constituent elements of the many thicker meshes with consequent increase in weight and drastic reduction of the field of view, ventilation etc. The invention overcomes this limitation of traditional devices by using the three-dimensional element equipped with components (1) and (2) of larger section, as previously described.
The three-dimensional element is installed on a protective helmet (8.1); furthermore, one or more paddings can be installed on the inner face of the three-dimensional element at the forehead (3) and/or at the side parts of the face (4) and/or at the chin (5) fixed by means of ligatures, plastic straps, straps with velcro, clamps with press studs, clips, joints, etc. (5.1).
To avoid inconvenience, the padding can be made in a way that in normal situations does not rest on the face, but rests on it following the impact; alternatively they can be realized that always rest.
One or more pads will be used depending on the specific situations; in the event that the tightness ensured by the attachment to the helmet is sufficient, they can be avoided.
The three-dimensional element can be made of metallic material, for example steel or aluminum, in plastic material, and ex. ABS, PET, PVC, Nylon, polycarbonate and the like, in carbon fiber, aramid fiber, fiberglass, kevlar and similar materials.
The section of the constituent elements may be circular, elliptical, rectangular, etc.

b) Network with dense grid and transparent screen for protection against small particles and optical, thermal and chemical hazards.

The invention in the basic configuration described above limitedly protects from the smallest particles which, unless they directly hit the three-dimensional structure, can pass through it.
To extend the field of use to protection from small particles and by optical risks , thermal and chemical, the invention, in addition to allowing the simultaneous use of the related existing PPE, can be equipped with screens and visors with characteristics similar to those in use in PEE traditional. Such screens can be either transparent (6) consist of a thin layer for example of polycarbonate, or consist of a dense network, for example of 10-50 mesh/cm² (7) plastic, metal , nylon, Kevlar etc. These components can be fixed on three-dimensional element by clips elastic, clip with snaps, straps with buckles, fixing jumpers, joints, gluing, tying , clips etc. (8); also according to needs, will have surface equal to or less than the three-dimensional element, may be used in pairs or alone, to be placed on the inner or outer face or both on the same face three-dimensional element, cover same or different areas.
The invention constitutes an important value-added, further innovative aspect, the use of transparent visor and the dense networks of protective features equivalent to those used in conventional systems. In fact, thanks to the three-dimensional element that the robustness and supports, their functionality is increased compared to a conventional configuration.

c) Accessories for fixing to the helmet.

The invention is designed to be installed on a helmet, in particular a protection helmet PPE (8 .1) which has the purpose of supporting the invention and absorbing the impact energy together with the padding (3, 4 and 5) .
Since part, or all, of the impact energy is absorbed by the padding, is not a necessary or specific and particularly robust mind of three-dimensional element fastening system to the helmet. The invention may be fixed on the helmet or removable and/or liftable.
In the following we will indicate by way of example some modes not esaustiv of connection of the invention to helmets PEE of protection existing.
The invention is connected to the helmet by means of hinges or equivalent constraints fixed for example by gluing, screws, rivets, welding etc. These components can be fixed directly to the front of the helmet (9) or fixed to an adapter block (10) which is in turn fixed to the helmet (8.1) .
The hinges (9) or equivalent constraints placed on the front of the helmet, allow the lifting and lowering for rotation around its own axis of tree-dimensional element.
In operating position the three-dimensional element is lowered and restrained by special locks located on the helmet (11) (20) and/or the screw (19) and/or with velcro strips etc.
The blocks (11) can be elastic in such a way that by slightly forcing may enter or exit the upper cross member (1) of three-dimensional element and possibly equipped with a retaining tooth (11.1), they can be made up of a clamp with closure in velcro, snap buttons etc. They too can be fixed directly to the helmet or indirectly via an adapter element (10) . Another possible example of retainer is shown in detail (20), in this case the retainer folds up and passes under the lower edge of the helmet, in detail is indicates also the upper part of the three-dimensional (1) and the connecting bracket to the helmet (12) or (16).
Even the hinge to (9) may be equipped with a device elastic similar to allow the positioning and three-dimensional element removal. Even such the chin can be equipped with tooth (9.1) or bolt, gluing, rivet etc. rivet (9.2) if the three-dimensional element is not to be replaced.
The three-dimensional element can then also be made fixed in the closed position, e.g. by locking the elements (9) and (11) for example, by rivet /screw or by using U-bolts directly.
Other connection to the helmet can be obtained with a connecting element (12) which engages the connections for accessories usually present on the helmets PPE. The opening is prevented from stops such as those indicated above (11). The figure shows the presence of glasses (13) and face mask (14) allowed by the width of the invention.
Another possibility is a connection through two adapter blocks post in the sides of the helmet (17). The upper part of the frame of the three-dimensional element (1) is fixed to a connecting element (16) connected with a pin or screw with knob (19) or lever to the adapter block (17) fixed to the helmet. The screw tightening and locking the interconnection element (16) it can integrate and/or replace the latches (11) that keep the device in closing. The screw can also be used to keep the protection open.
If you want that the invention may rise, for example if there is a large vertical development (full throat coverage) in order not to hinder the movements, it is possible the minimum useful lifting and then the reclosure completely automatically. This can be achieved by removing the stops (11), tightening the screw (19) not strongly, or using a pin in its place, so that at a certain stress it allows the rotation of the support (12) (16) or directly of the upper frame cross member (1) and adds an elastic band or a spring (18) having one end fixed superiorly to the shell of the helmet and the other on the back, after the center of rotation going towards the nape, the component (11) or (16) which supports the three-dimensional element. Once a certain stress is reached, the elastic element extends allowing the rotation with the minimum necessary lifting/opening; once the stress is over, the elastic band will completely close the protection.
An example of intervention of this limited and controlled opening / closing assembly is the following: bending the head the lower edge of the protection hits the chest and raises the minimum necessary remaining close to the chest. Once the head is raised, the spring automatically returns the protection to position
Obviously the application, and the elastic characteristics, must be carefully evaluated to avoid dangerous unwanted openings, avoiding the use of the automatic opening device when safety cannot be guaranteed
To keep the visor raised when not in use, a strap is attached to the helmet which is closed by Velcro, buckle, press - stud, etc. on a crossbar of three-dimensional element, or you can tighten the screw (19) :
The helmet with the invention is firmly fixed to the head by means of the band on the nape of the neck and any chinstrap harness which the helmets are equipped with.

Claims

Modular personal protection device (PPE) to be installed on a protective helmet (PPE) for the protection of the face and if necessary the lateral parts up to the nape, the eyes and the throat. The device is characterized by:
• a three-dimensional element consisting of a continuous perimeter frame (1) and internal crosspieces (2) connected to the frame (1), to form a grid consisting of meshes having sides/dimensions of length greater than or equal (≥) to 0.5 cm, minimum surface of 0.25 cm² and maximum density of 4 meshes/cm² equipped with padding (3, 4 and 5) for impact protection with bodies having a certain energy and size, typically greater than 0.5 cm, such as tools, manufactured articles etc;

• if required, transparent screens (6) and/or thick meshed grids (7), to extend protection also towards smaller bodies and chemical, thermal and optical risks;

• sufficiently large dimensions so as to allow the protection of the side parts of the face up to the nape, throat, ears and eyes, or smaller dimensions if there are fewer areas to protect;

• conformation of the wide device so as to allow the simultaneous use of devices such as glasses, filtered masks, ear protection headphones, etc;

• automatic opening/closing device.
Device according to the preceding claims, with a three-dimensional element consisting of a continuous perimeter frame (1) and internal crosspieces (2) connected to the frame (1), to form a grid consisting of meshes having sides/dimensions of length greater than or equal (≥) to 0.5cm, minimum surface of 0.25 cm² and maximum density of 4 meshes/cm², formed by a perimeter frame (1) and by internal elements (2) constituting the meshes, made of metallic material, for example steel or aluminum, in plastic material, and es. ABS, PET, PVC, Nylon, polycarbonate and similar, made of carbon fiber, aramid fiber, glass fiber, kevlar, etc., having a concave inner face and a convex outer face, suitable for covering, in the configuration with greater development, the part of the head below the helmet up to the shoulders, including the throat and with the exception of the nape.
Device according to the previous claims, provided with padding to absorb the impact fixed on the inner face of the three-dimensional element, in correspondence of the front (3) and/or of the underlying front/lateral part of the face (4) and/or of the chin (5) to be used all, in part or none, depending on the foreseeable intensity of the potential impacts.
Device according to the previous claims, provided with pads to absorb the impact (3) (4) and (5) normally spaced apart and not in contact with the face.
Device according to claims 1, 2 and 3, provided with padding to absorb the impact (3) (4) and (5) always in contact with the face.
Device according to the preceding claims, provided with a removable and or fixed transparent screen (6) installed on the inner or outer face of the three-dimensional element (1, 2) having a surface equal to or less than that of the three-dimensional element.
Device according to the previous claims, provided with a dense removable or fixed grid (7) installed on the internal or external face of the three-dimensional element (1, 2) having a surface equal to or less (≤) than that of the three-dimensional element and made e.g. made of metallic, plastic or kevlar material and similar.
Device according to the preceding claims, provided with a dense removable or fixed grid (7) or/and a removable or fixed transparent screen (6) that can be positioned on the same (internal or external) face or one on the internal one and on the external one of the three-dimensional element.
Device according to the previous claims, provided with automatic opening/closing device, if required obtained by rotation around the two horizontal symmetrical and trasversely pins placed on the two sides of the helmet, with an elastic element (18), such as a clamp, spring, etc., having an upper fixed end the helmet shell and the other on the back, after the center of rotation going towards the nape of the component (11) or (16) that supports the three-dimensional element.
Device according to the preceding claims provided with connector blocks (10) (17) to allow adaptation and connection of the device to the helmet.