EP3835140B1

EP3835140B1 - Protective device and method for manufaturing such protective device

Info

Publication number: EP3835140B1
Application number: EP20212699.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luigi Ronco
Original assignee: D Air Lab SRL
Current assignee: D Air Lab SRL
Priority date: 2019-12-13
Filing date: 2020-12-09
Publication date: 2023-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-09
Also published as: EP3835140A1; EP3835140C0

Description

The present disclosure generally refers to a protective device for protecting a user. It is preferably a wearable protective device. The protective device includes an inflatable element which, in an inflated condition, is configured to protect a passenger, motor vehicle rider or similar user from impacts and/or falls, during a sporting and/or working activity and/or any other activity. WO99/08905 A1 discloses a protective device according to the preamble o f claim 1 a method according to the preamble of claim 10.
A known protective device is for example the one described in the European patent EP3291697B1 . Such a device includes an inflatable element apt to reach an active inflated condition and a deflated rest condition. The inflatable element includes a mesh body, that is, made by knitting. Said mesh body is a closed, or at least tubular, structure defining an inner region, or area, or chamber. This inner chamber is occupied at least partially by a plurality of joining threads which connect opposite portions of the mesh body to each other. The fact of making a single mesh body has the advantage of limiting production scraps and minimizing production times; in fact, joining threads and meshes can be made with a single knitting machine. The joining threads are part of a single thread connected to opposite portions of the mesh body. In particular, the thread passes alternately and continuously between a first portion and a second portion of the mesh body.
The inflatable element also includes waterproofing walls arranged externally that allow to contain the inflation fluid for a certain period of time. The walls are, for example, a first sheet, or first wall, and a second sheet, or second wall, fixed to each other along their respective perimeter edges. Said first and second sheets cover and line the mesh body on an external side or surface.
An inflatable element made in this way, while being very advantageous from many points of view, nevertheless has the disadvantage of being constrained by the presence of the external wall.
This wall is in fact normally a waterproof wall which does not allow adequate transpiration in a garment wherein it is integrated or inserted. In particular, the inflatable element in a deflated condition creates a sort of bag around the user's body that does not allow adequate passage of ventilation air. To overcome this problem, it has been proposed to fold the inflatable element in a deflated condition and make it expand and occupy a more extended position in the inflated condition so that when the inflatable element is at rest and not in use there are minimal areas with little transpiration. Even this solution, while advantageous from many points of view, has some drawbacks, as it is not always possible to store the inflatable element in a deflated position and in any case a control of the expansion of the inflatable element is required at the time of inflation.
Even if a breathable wall is used, the external arrangement is in any case binding, for example sometimes the wall must be protected with additional layers of protection, to avoid scratches or peeling, or there may be aesthetic constraints, as the wall external can only be made in a certain way, and therefore be constraining from an aesthetic point of view. For this reason, the inflatable element is placed hidden from view, for example in a pocket of a garment.
A technical problem underlying the present disclosure resides in providing a protective device for the protection of a user capable of overcoming one or more drawbacks of the known art and which allows greater transpiration and/or to achieve further advantages, and in making available a garment or clothing accessory including said device for personal protection.
This problem is solved by a protective device for the protection of a user, by a protective garment or clothing accessory and by a production method for the production of a protective device according to the respective independent claims. Secondary characteristics of the object of this disclosure are defined in the respective dependent claims.
A protective device according to the present disclosure for protecting a user comprises an inflatable element apt to reach an inflated condition and a deflated condition. The inflatable element further includes a mesh structure including a first mesh portion and a second mesh portion, wherein the first mesh portion and the second mesh portion are counterposed and connected to each other with a plurality of tie elements. The first mesh portion and the second mesh portion define one or more housings in an inner zone of the protective device, where the tie elements are located. Furthermore, the inflatable element comprises an inner covering suitable for lining at least partially said one or more housings, on the inner side of, and adhering to, at least said first mesh portion and said second mesh portion. The covering therefore forms the inner surface of the inflatable element, intended to come into contact with the inflation fluid, and thus retain the inflation fluid.
The covering is a flexible covering.
The covering is made of a material capable of allowing the inflatable element to remain in an inflated condition at least for a certain period. This can be a film, pellicle, or other layer that is impervious to the inflation gas. In such cases, a vent valve is provided to deflate the inflatable element.
The inner covering preferably has a tubular or pouch shape and covers and covers and lines the entire inner space between the first mesh portion and the second mesh portion, and the tie elements.
The covering is a film, membrane or pellicle in polyurethane, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, having a high capacity of extension. Alternatively, the possible material that can be used is polyethylene which can also be produced by blowing. Preferably, the covering is made to adhere by blowing, even more preferably so-called extrusion blowing, or film-forming by blowing. It is preferably hot blowing of a starting membrane.
In practice, the tube-shaped covering is arranged, or it is connected to a blowing device so as to create a bubble in the inner area of the mesh structure by blowing, and it is subjected to blowing.
When the covering is blown, it preferably occupies all or almost all of the housing where it is housed, preferably until tensioning the tie elements, in order to obtain maximum distension of the mesh structure and better adhesion to the mesh structure. The covering in the form of a film, membrane or pellicle can already be provided with an adhesive, so as to adhere to the mesh structure. An external mold can be provided that limits the maximum expansion of the mesh structure at the time of blowing.
Adhesive and breathable, and able to expand by blowing, films can be used which are known in the textile sector in order to waterproof jackets, and are therefore within the reach of a person skilled in the art in the clothing sector and textile structures in general. Possible blowings are carried out with hot gas (air), preferably in the range of 100-250°C, even more preferably 120-200°C and even more preferably 150°C-180°C. The gas preferably air preferably has a pressure in the range 0.3-3 bar, even more preferably 0.8-2.5 bar and still more preferably 1-2 bar, and is blown for a time preferably in the range 10-50 seconds, even more preferably 15-40 seconds and even more preferably 20-30 seconds.
Operating times, pressures and temperatures depend on the film or pellicle being blown.
The maximum tension of the tie elements determines the maximum possible distance between the first mesh portion and the second mesh portion. In this way, after making the inner covering adhere, the same channel used for blowing can be connected to an inflation device for inflating the inflatable element in case of need. A protective device is thus obtained wherein the mesh portions and the inner covering define the aforementioned inflatable element, that is to say an element which is configured to reach at least an active inflated configuration and a deflated rest configuration.
It follows that the mesh portions represent an external side of the inflatable element and the inflatable casing body represent an inner side of the inflatable element. Therefore, there are advantageously no external walls which can make the inflatable component too stiff. Possibly there may be layers of reinforcement, possibly of minimal dimensions.
With the expression mesh structure, or preferably knitted mesh structure, or mesh portion it is meant in a broad sense a real knit, that is to say made with one or more continuous thread to create the fabric by means of a rectilinear or circular machine from knitwear, or even a fabric, even a net, what is important is that it is a perforated structure or capable of creating a frame or cage that can be tensioned around the casing body, and that allows air or other gas to pass.
The mesh portion can also be understood as shuttle or needle-punched materials (non-woven fabric)
Therefore the mesh structure is to be considered as a cage structure which traps and blocks or limits expansion of the casing body. Therefore, by suitably shaping the structure or body including the two mesh portions with the tie elements and possibly providing different lengths for the tie elements according to their location in the chamber itself, it is possible to determine a priori the shape reached by the inflatable element in an inflated condition (both in terms of distance between the two meshes, and in terms of the perimeter shape of the two mesh portions).
It can be a structure that can be more easily customized for a user, with a wide variety in terms of resistance, flexibility, colours, types of threads and yarns etc... Also with the term tie element it is meant an element in the broad sense, that is to say an element which is tensioned between the two mesh portions when the inflatable casing body is inflated. The tie element could also be a stitch.
The tie elements can alternatively be threads, or pieces of fabric, or ribbons, in other words they can be dividing walls that connect mesh portions of the mesh structure. Also said dividing walls can be placed under tension. The tie elements can be arranged so that a first group of tie elements is arranged crossed or in an oblique condition with respect to a second group of tie elements.
The tie elements can also be made as stitches or topstitching.
It follows that mesh portions (including shuttle or needle-punched materials (non-woven fabric) with seam construction can be provided.
It follows that the first mesh portion and the second mesh portion, together with the tie elements, act as a cage or frame for sealing the inflation of the inner covering.
The inner covering actually lines from inside the textile mesh structure at the time of inflation. The inner covering defines the inner surface of the inflatable element against which the inflation fluid comes into contact. It follows that the covering or lining is an inner covering or lining permanently attached to an inner surface of the inner housing and intended to come into contact with an inflation fluid.
It is interesting to note that when the inner covering is made to adhere by blowing, the same blowing system of the covering, for example a system of cannulae or a single cannula, can then be used for a subsequent connection to a gas source under pressure, or another gas source for the final realization of a protective device. The production by blowing also has the advantage that when the inflatable element is under tension by inflation, the inner covering does not undergo further tension.
In this way, by appropriately calibrating the shape of the housings, the expansion capacity of the covering, the length of the tie elements, the configuration of the mesh portions, the final shape of the inflatable element can be calculated a priori.
The first mesh portion and the second mesh portion together with the tie elements determine the final shape of the inflatable element with the inner covering. For example, the inflatable element can reach a generally flat and planar final shape. In addition, thanks to the shape control, the inflatable element can be easily coupled to other devices or protective elements independent of the inflatable element, and having a shape conjugated to that of the inflatable element in the inflated condition. A further advantage lies in the fact that the tie elements guarantee a limited expansion of the inflatable element in an inflated condition so as to obtain a reduced bulk, and in particular a limited thickness, and at the same time ensuring adequate protection for a user.
As it is in fact an inflatable device, this solution is particularly advantageous.
This reduced size allows, in the event of accidental inflation of the inflatable element, less discomfort and risk for a user while driving a vehicle. In other words, a limited expansion of the inflatable element does not affect the control of a vehicle by the user, and therefore does not constitute a risk of accident.
Another advantage lies in the fact that by controlling the shape of the inflatable element it is possible to control (and in particular limit) also a quantity of gas necessary for inflating the inflatable element.
According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, in order to have a structure as flat as possible, the inner zone includes a plurality of housings placed side by side, so that a plurality of coverings result arranged side by side in the mesh structure. To this end, for example, the tie elements are arranged between said first mesh portion and said second mesh portion aligned in a plurality of rows of tie elements to define a plurality of side-by-side housings.
Or the tie elements are arranged so as to create elongated housings, as if they were a plurality of channels.
Preferably, each row of tie elements of the plurality of rows of tie elements comprises a plurality of tie elements.
Sections or divisions are obtained separated by the tie elements within two opposite mesh walls or portions.
According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, in the condition of at least partial tension, the tie elements extend along a direction of development substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the rows of tie elements. According to another preferred aspect of the present disclosure, in the condition of at least partial tension, the tie elements belonging to the same row of tie elements are arranged substantially parallel to each other.
The first mesh portion and the second mesh portion actually define a layer of the inflatable element. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the inflatable element comprises at least a third mesh portion overlapping the first mesh portion and the second mesh portion, to define a second layer of the inflatable element. It is possible to provide covering s within each layer alternately between the two layers in order to control the final shape of the inflatable element in a targeted manner, without occupying too much space between the meshes, and thus ensuring ventilation.
It can therefore be observed that the inflatable element according to the present disclosure lends itself to a high modularity and adaptation to the constructional needs of the protective device.
Further advantages, characteristics and methods of use of the object of the present disclosure will become evident from the following detailed description of some of its preferred embodiments presented by way of non-limiting examples. It is however evident that each embodiment can have one or more of the advantages listed above; in any case, it is not required that each embodiment have all the listed advantages simultaneously.
Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a partially sectioned schematic view of a protective device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a protective device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure during an embodiment step;
Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a protective device partially in section along the line III-III of Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows another schematic view of a protective device partially in section along the line III-III of Figure 2;
Figures 5-6 show other schematic sectional views of a protective device partially in section during processing steps;
Figure 7 shows a schematic sectional view along the line III-III of the protective device of Figure 2 in the inflated condition according to a further embodiment;
Figure 8 shows a schematic sectional view along the line III-III of the protective device of Figure 2 in the inflated condition according to a further embodiment;
Figure 9 shows a view of a garment including a personal protective device.

With reference to the attached figures 1-9, the reference number 10, 110, 210 indicates a personal protective device according to the present disclosure in accordance with respective embodiments of the present disclosure. It is preferably a wearable protective device. The embodiments differ mainly in the textile mesh structure 11, 111, 211 described as will be described below. For identical components having the same structure, the two protective devices keep identical reference numbers.
The personal protective device 10, 110, 210 comprises an inflatable element 12, 112, 212 which is able to substantially reach a first rest condition or deflated condition, and a second active condition or inflated condition. The inflation methods will be described later in the description.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the inflatable element 12, 112, 212 can be shaped like a jacket and is apt to surround an upper area or torso of the body of a user. Nothing prevents from making the inflatable element 12, 112, 212 according to any shape.
The inflatable element 12, 112, 212 includes a textile mesh structure 11, 111, 211 with a first mesh portion 18, 118, 218 and a second mesh portion 19, 119, 219.
The textile mesh structure 11, 111, 211 can be made according to the technology described in the patent application PCT/IB2009/055512 and in the patent application PCT/IT2009/000547 , or the textile mesh structure 11, 111, 211 can be made according to the technology described in the patent application WO2016178143A1 , or in the patent application WO2017163196A1 .
That is to say, it is preferably a textile mesh structure with thread, consisting of meshes and tie elements as described in these patent applications. The most significant difference with respect to these patent applications lies in the fact that the inflatable element described here does not have the same external gas containment walls described in the aforementioned patent applications.
More particularly, according to the technology for example of the patent application PCT/IB2009/055512, the mesh structure 11, 111, 211 comprises a first mesh portion 18, 118, 218 and a second mesh portion 19 joined along the perimeter. According to the technology of patent application WO2016178143A1 , the mesh structure 11, 111, 211 comprises a first mesh portion 18, 118, 218 and a second mesh portion 19, 119, 219 which are part of a mesh casing body knitted in a single body. What is relevant for the present patent application is the fact that the first mesh portion 18, 118, 218 and the second mesh portion 19, 119, 219 are counterposed and are connected to each other by a plurality of tie elements 5.
Preferably, the tie elements 5 form channels in the mesh structure 11, 111, 211.
For example, in the embodiment of Figures 1-6 the tie elements 5 are arranged between said first mesh portion 18 and said second mesh portion 19 aligned in a plurality of rows 24 of tie elements 5. The arrangement in rows 24 allows to better adjust the arrangement of the threads and further control the expansion of the inflatable element, as well as forming a plurality of side-by-side housings. In the mesh structure 11 therefore there are 111 housings in the form of channels.
To even better control the expansion of the inflatable element, in active condition, when the inflatable element 2 is in the inflated condition, the tie threads 5 are parallel to each other in the respective row 24 and substantially orthogonal to the direction of the row. The threads are preferably shorter in the edge region, i.e. they decrease in length as they approach the edge region.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the inflatable element 12, 112, 212 comprises an inner covering 40 disposed in one or more housings between the first mesh portion 18, 118, 218 and the second mesh portion 19, 119, 219 and intended to be connected to a gas source 15.
The inner lining 40 adheres to the first mesh portion 18, 118, 218 and to the second mesh portion 19, 119, 219 and preferably also the tie elements 5.
When the inflatable element is inflated, the whole assembly including the lining 40 and the mesh structure 11, 111, 211 goes into tension. The textile mesh structure 11, 111 actually acts as an external structure for the covering 40.
It is to be understood that the covering 40 and the tie elements 5 can be chosen and arranged in an appropriate manner to allow the achievement of a desired final shape. For example, as mentioned, the tie elements 5, the first mesh portion 18, 118, 218 and the second mesh portion 19, 119, 219, define a plurality of channels or channel housings. Each covering 40 covers a corresponding channel.
Therefor there is a plurality of covering s between rows of tie elements 5 and this allows to obtain a substantially flat final configuration of the inflatable element 12, 112, 212.
In an alternative embodiment such as that of figure 8, the presence of a third mesh portion 220 overlapping the first mesh portion 218 and the second mesh portion 219 is provided. This third mesh portion 220 allows to make a second layer of inflatable element and therefore having a plurality of channels available, and to allow an even greater variability of arrangement of the inflatable casing body or of its portions inside the textile mesh structure 211.
The present disclosure also relates to a protective garment 50 comprising a protective device 10, 110, 210 as defined above. The protective device 10, 110, 210 can be housed in a garment pocket.
The covering 40 may be a polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, or similar film. The film can be a breathable film, even multilayer, and provided with a layer of adhesive, preferably a heat-activatable adhesive.
The layer can be between 0.5 and 0.005 mm thick. The covering can be obtained by blowing, preferably blowing extrusion of a starting film or membrane 40a.
The present disclosure also relates to a method for making a protective device 10, 110, 212 for the protection of a user.
The method includes the steps of:

provide an inflatable element 12, 112, 212 configured to reach an active inflated configuration and a deflated rest configuration, wherein said inflatable element 12, 112, 212 comprises a first mesh portion 18 and a second mesh portion 19, 119, 219 opposite the first mesh portion 18, 118, 218 to define at least one inner housing;
connecting said first mesh portion 18, 118 to said second mesh portion 19, 119, 219 with a plurality of tie elements 5;
lining at least the first mesh portion 18, 118, 218 and the second mesh portion 19, 119, 219 internally adherently with an inner lining.

Preferably, the step of connecting the first mesh portion 18 to the second mesh portion 19 with the plurality of tie elements 5 is carried out by arranging the tie elements 5 aligned in a plurality of rows 24 of tie elements, wherein each row 24 of elements tie elements 5 comprises a plurality of tie element elements 5 and the casing body is arranged between the rows 24, or creating a series of channels.
In fact, the covering 40 covers the mesh structure 11, 111, 212 from the inside without requiring external waterproofing walls.
In order to make the covering 40 adhere, an extrusion blowing technique of a starting film or membrane 40a suitable for textile use can be carried out. The membrane may be a multilayer membrane having a heat activatable adhesive layer Adhesive and breathable, and able to expand by blowing, films can be used which are known in the textile sector in order to waterproof jackets, and are therefore within the reach of a person skilled in the art in the clothing sector and textile structures in general. Possible blowings are carried out with hot gas (air), preferably in the range of 100-250°C, even more preferably 120-200°C and even more preferably 150°C-180°C. The gas preferably air preferably has a pressure in the range 0.3-3 bar, even more preferably 0.8-2.5 bar and even more preferably 1-2 bar, and is blown for a time preferably in the range 10-50 seconds, still more preferably 15-40 seconds and even more preferably 20-30 seconds.
The mesh structure 11 is then arranged in a mold 60 and adhesive membranes are blown into the channels of the mesh structure, through suitable tubes 61, and the adhesive membranes are made to adhere. The membranes expand like bubbles. The tubes for blowing are then used for connection by means of suitable cannulas to a gas source, to allow inflation at a later time, when the protective device 10, 110 210 is used.
In relation to the inflation, to create the inflatable element 12, 112, 212, in the event of a fall and/or slip and/or unexpected impact by a user or a vehicle on which he/she is traveling, the protective device 10, 110, 210 is apt to cooperate with suitable activation means (not shown) operatively connected for example to the gas source 15, such as a can of compressed cold gas, such as for example helium. The can can be equipped with a respective shut-off valve (not shown).
Alternatively, the inflation fluid source can comprise gas generators of the pyrotechnic or hybrid type or of other types known in the state of the art.
The opening of the interception valve of each inflation bottle is preferably controlled by a control unit based on the detection of the status of the vehicle/driver system; for example, said control unit can implement a fall prediction system that allows a timely identification of the fall event and a reliable prediction of this by means of accelerometric sensors integral with the vehicle (or driver) and a processing unit of the signals produced by the sensors themselves.
Alternatively, the device according to the present disclosure can also find application using an activation cable connected to a vehicle driven by a user, which cable controls the inflation of the inflatable element upon the removal of the user from the vehicle, for example, following a fall or an unexpected impact. The use of the cable is particularly used in the horse-riding sector.
In any case, the aforementioned activation and inflation means can be integrated into the protective device according to the present invention or located outside the same.
It should also be noted that the activation methods, while being an aspect of particular importance for an effective operation of the device, will not be further described in greater detail, as methods are essentially already known to a person skilled in the art of protecting an individual from unexpected impacts.
The object of the present disclosure has been described up to now with reference to its embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may exist which pertain to the same inventive scope, all falling within the protection scope of the claims set forth below.

Claims

Protective device (10, 110, 210) for the protection of a user, said protective device (10, 110, 210) comprising an inflatable element (12, 112, 212) configured to reach a deflated condition and an inflated condition, wherein the inflatable element (12, 112, 212) includes a mesh structure (11, 111, 211) comprising a first mesh portion (18, 118, 218) and a second mesh portion (19, 119, 219) and a plurality of tie elements (5), wherein said first mesh portion (18, 118, 218) and said second mesh portion (19, 119, 219) are counterposed and are connected to each other by the plurality of tie elements (5); wherein the first mesh portion (18, 118, 218), the second mesh portion (19, 119, 219) and the tie elements (5) define at least one inner housing of the mesh structure (11, 111, 211);
characterized in that the protective device (10, 110, 210) includes an inner covering (40) or lining apt to internally cover or line said at least one inner housing;

wherein the inner covering (40) is a flexible covering which adheres in contact with the mesh structure (11, 111, 211) even in the deflated condition and forms an inner surface of the inflatable element intended to come into contact with an inflation fluid.
Protective device (10, 110, 210) according to claim 1, wherein the first mesh portion, the second mesh portion and the tie elements define a plurality of housings of the mesh structure (11, 111, 211) and the inflatable member (12, 12, 212) includes a plurality of inner coverings (40) or linings, wherein each inner covering (40) or lining is for a corresponding housing.
Protective device (10, 110, 210) according to claim 2, wherein the housings are in the form of adjacent channels.
Protective device (10, 110, 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tie elements (5) are arranged between said first mesh portion (18, 118, 218) and said second mesh portion (19, 119, 219) aligned in a plurality of rows (24) of tie elements (5).
Protective device (10, 110, 210) according to claim 4, wherein each row (24) of tie elements (5) of the plurality of rows of tie elements (5) comprises a plurality of tie elements (5) wherein in a condition of at least partial tension, the tie elements (5) belonging to the same row (24) of tie elements (5) are arranged substantially parallel to each other.
Protective device (10, 110, 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner covering (40) or lining is a breathable membrane.
Protective device (10, 110, 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the covering or lining is an inner covering or lining permanently attached to an inner surface of the inner housing and intended to come into contact with an inflation fluid.
Protective device (10, 110, 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a gas source (15) connected to the inner housing to supply inflation gas in contact with said inner lining.
Protective garment (50) or clothing accessory comprising a protective device (10, 110, 210) according to any one of the preceding claims.
Method for making a protective device (10, 110, 210) for the protection of a user, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a mesh structure (11, 111, 211) comprising a first mesh portion (18, 118, 218) and a second mesh portion (19, 119, 219), opposite the first mesh portion (18, 118, 218), and a plurality of tie elements (5), wherein said first mesh portion (18, 118, 218) and said second mesh portion (19, 119, 219) and plurality of tie elements (5) define one or more inner housings in the mesh structure (11, 111, 211);
characterized by internally covering or lining at least partially said one or more inner housings with a respective inner covering (40).
Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the inner covering (40) is made to adhere to the first mesh portion and the second mesh portion by blowing, preferably by extrusion blowing of a starting film, or by blowing film.
Method according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the tie elements (5) are arranged to form a plurality of side by side housings, wherein a plurality of covers are adhered to the first mesh portion (18, 118, 218) and the second mesh portion (19, 119, 219) of a respective housing.
Method according to any one of the preceding claims 10 to 12, a starting membrane is hot blown into said one or more inner housings in the mesh structure (11, 111, 211) until it adheres to the first mesh portion (18, 118, 218) and the second mesh portion (19, 119, 219).
Protective device (10, 110, 210) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said protective device (10, 110, 210) is a wearable device.
Use of a protective device (10, 110, 210) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 on a user.