ES2647878T3 - Protective equipment comprising at least one removable shoulder protection - Google Patents

Abstract

Protection equipment (10), of the shock-protection vest type, comprising: - a main part (12) intended to cover at least a part of a user's torso, the main part (12) defining an opening (32) ) for one arm of the user, - at least one removable side part (14), intended to cover at least one shoulder of the user, and - for the or each side part (14), a reversible fastening system of said side part ( 14) to the main part (12), the fastening system comprising: - at least one bellows (50), comprising a proximal end (54) coupled to the side part (14) and a distal end (56) leading a first fixing member (64), - at least one belt (52), coupled at each of its ends of the main part (12) and defining with the main part (12) a passage (66) for the bellows (50), and - at least a second fixing member (70), adapted to cooperate with the first fixing member (64) for the coupling re verible of the first and second fixing members (64, 70), one to the other, the second fixing member (70) being carried by the belt (52), the bellows (50) being fitted in the passage (66) and the first fixing member (64) cooperates with the second fixing member (70), characterized in that the belt (52) is covered by the side part (14), an internal face (44) being of the side part (14) oriented towards said belt (52).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Protective equipment comprising at least one removable shoulder protection 5 [0001] The present invention relates to protective equipment, of the type comprising:

- a main part intended to cover at least a part of a user's torso, the main part defining an opening for an arm of the user,

- at least one removable side part, intended to cover at least one shoulder of the user, and

10 - for the or each side part, a reversible system for securing said side part to the main part.

[0002] Such protective equipment forms, for example, a shockproof vest intended for the forces of

order maintenance or security agents.

15 [0003] Such equipment must be able to protect its user against violent shocks, possibly

directed by heavy or blunt heavy objects, for example, during demonstrations or clashes.

[0004] The equipment is worn around the upper part of the user's body, generally in combination with a helmet to protect the user's head.

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[0005] In known equipment, each side part is generally stably fixed to the main part, by means of rivets or by sewing.

[0006] Document DE102010024123 discloses such protective equipment.

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[0007] However, these equipments are not completely satisfactory, insofar as, in case of deterioration of one of the side parts, it is necessary to change the entire protective vest, which is particularly expensive. In addition, the equipment is overloaded by the presence of the lateral part and is not adapted for certain situations.

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[0008] An object of the invention is to propose a modular protection equipment. Another objective is that the protective equipment has a reinforced security for the user.

[0009] For this purpose, the object of the invention is a protective equipment according to claim 1. According to particular embodiments of the invention, the protective equipment also has one or more

the following characteristics, taken alone or according to all the technically possible combination (s):

- the belt has a free face opposite the passage, said free face carrying the second fixing member,

40 - the distal end folds towards the side,

- the distal end folds towards the proximal end,

- the bellows comprises an intermediate section between its proximal and distal ends, said intermediate section being folded towards the lateral part,

- the belt is fixed to an external face of the main part, and the first fixing member is carried by a large face of the bellows, said large face extending an internal face of the lateral part,

- the main part comprises a front part, intended to cover at least a part of a front part of the user's torso, a dorsal part, intended to cover at least a part of the user's back and, at least, a tie rod from the front to the dorsal part, the strap being fixed to said strap,

- the strap is oriented almost parallel to the strap.

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[0010] Other features and advantages of the invention will be shown by reading the description that follows, given by way of example only and made in reference to the attached drawings, in which:

55 - Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the face of a protective equipment according to the invention,

- Figure 2 is a schematic side representation of a main part of the protection equipment of Figure 1, without a removable side part of said protection equipment,

- Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the side of a removable side part of the protective equipment of Figure 1,

- Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a part of the protective equipment of Figure 1,

- Figure 5 is a perspective representation of a detail of the removable side part of Figure 3,

- figure 6 is a schematic representation from below a first part of the removable side part of figure 5, and

- Figure 7 is a representation similar to that of Figure 3, the first part having been omitted.

[0011] Hereinafter, the term "external" is defined as what is turned outward from the protective vest, that is to say opposite to the part of the body that carries the equipment and the term "internal" as what be

10 rotates into the equipment, that is to the part of the body that carries the equipment.

[0012] The protective vest 10, shown in Figure 1, is of the type shock-resistant vest for law enforcement or for some security agents or others. It comprises a main part 12, intended to cover the trunk of the user and two side parts 14, each intended to cover a shoulder and at least a part of the arm

15 of the user.

[0013] The main part 12 comprises a front part 20, intended to cover a front face of the trunk of the user and a dorsal part 22 (Figure 2), intended to cover the back of the user, the front parts 20 and dorsal 22 being joined together to each other by braces 24.

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[0014] The front parts 20, back 22 and the straps 24 are for example joined together by sewing.

[0015] Each of the front 20 and back 22 comprises one or more protection panels, each panel being provided with at least one mattress (not shown) of elastically compressible material, for example

25 a foam or an elastomeric material, for example obtained by injection, molding or cutting. A rigid material plate 25 is arranged in front of the mattress, towards the outside of the vest 10. The plate 25 can be almost flat or shaped to conform to the shape of the body part it covers, so as to be ergonomic and thus improve the comfort of the panel while facilitating the user's freedom of movement. Such a plate 25 allows a distribution of the energy when a blow is applied, as well as the absorption of a part of this energy, 30 the absorption being then carried out by the mattress. The mattress and the plate 25 are for example covered by a fabric adapted for the field of protective equipment. The realization of such panels is known in itself and will not be described in more detail here.

[0016] Each protection panel, due to its structure, is capable of absorbing at least part of the energy due to a crash, especially of shocks due to blows directed by a third party with the

bare hands or with an object or with projectiles launched by a third party, in order to protect the user who carries the equipment, while allowing him to move freely.

[0017] The interior of each panel or of certain of them, is optionally covered by one or more 40 textile materials adapted for the absorption and / or evacuation of the user's sweat, as well as for ventilation

of vest 10, in order to improve user comfort. Such textile material is for example a textile material called "breathable".

[0018] The front part 20 further comprises two first side parts 26 at the level of the sides of the user and the dorsal part 22 comprises two second side parts 28 at the level of the sides of the user. These

parts 26, 28 are provided with means for regulating the fixing of the main part 12 on the trunk of the user.

[0019] These regulating means comprise primary coupling means (not shown), 50 provided on an external face of each first part 26 and secondary coupling means (not

represented), provided on an internal face of each second part 28 and adapted to cooperate with the primary coupling means for reversible fixing of each second part 28 to a first part 26. These primary and secondary coupling means are for example of type self-adhesive closure

[0020] The braces 24 are two, each being provided to cover a shoulder of the user. They delimit between

yes an overpass 30 for a user's neck.

[0021] The front 20 and back 22, as well as the braces 24, define lateral steps 32

for the user's arms. In other words, the vest 10 comprises an opening formed on each side of the

vest 10 and vertically delimited by a brace 24 on one side and a side part 26, 28 on the other hand, and delimited horizontally by the front part 20 on one side and the dorsal part 22 on the other hand, as shown in Figure 2 , for the passage of a user's arm.

5 [0022] Back to Figure 1, each side portion 14 extends above one of the side passages 32.

[0023] Each side part 14 comprises a first part 34, intended to cover a user's shoulder and a

second part 36, intended to cover a part of the user's arm that is articulated in said shoulder.

[0024] Each of the first and second parts 34, 36 essentially comprises, from the outside towards the

interior, a cover 38, which defines an external face 40 of said part 34, 36 and a mattress 42, which defines an internal face 44 (figure 4) of said part 34, 36.

[0025] The cover 38 is made of a rigid material, such as polycarbonate for example. It is made 15 in one piece.

[0026] The cover 38 presents the general shape of the part of the member to be protected. The outer face of each sheath 38 is shaped in a known manner for shock absorption during clashes. The conformation is adapted to the part of the body intended to be protected and comprises, for example, some

20 protuberances that extend to both sides of the recess, intended to improve the behavior of the covers 38 in the event of a crash. Not being the external form of the protective equipment the subject of the invention, it will not be described later here.

[0027] The cover 38 defines a cavity (not shown) turned inwards and adapted to the reception of a member intended to carry the equipment. The mattress 42 is arranged in said cavity.

[0028] The mattress 42 covers almost all of an inner face (not shown) of the cover 38, and thus forms a "lining" of the cover 38.

[0029] Mattress 42 is adapted to absorb shocks. For this purpose, the mattress 42 is made by

example in an elastically compressible material, of the elastomer type. As a variant, the mattress 42 is made of foam surrounded by fabric.

[0030] Each of the first and second parts 34, 36 has a proximal end 46, close to the other part 35, respectively 36, 34 and a distal end 48, away from the other part, respectively 36, 34.

[0031] The first part 34, in particular its distal end 48, partially covers a shoulder 24 of the main part 12.

[0032] The first part 34 also covers a part of the outer face 40 of the second part 36. In

In particular, the proximal end 46 of the first part 34 covers the proximal end 46 of the second part 36.

[0033] The second part 36 is provided with an organ 49 for attachment to the user's arm. This fixing member 49 is preferably, as shown, closer to the distal end 48 than to the proximal end 46.

45 The fixing member 49 is represented in the example by a webbing.

[0034] Each side part 14 is removably attached to a respective shoulder 24 of the main part 12. For this purpose, the protective vest 10 comprises, for each side part 14, a reversible fastening system of said side part 14 to his respective brace 24.

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[0035] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, this reversible system comprises a bellows 50, coupled to the first part 34 of the side part 14, and a fixing strap 52, coupled to each of its ends of the respective strap 24 , in particular of an external face of the strap 24.

[0036] Bellows 50 is typically made of fabric. It is fixed, for example sewn and / or riveted, at the end

distal 48 of the first part 34. It has a proximal end 54 joining the first part 34 and a free distal end 56. It comprises an intermediate section 58 between its proximal 54 and distal 56 ends.

[0037] The bellows 50 has a first large face 60 that extends the outer face 40 of the first part 34

and a second large face 62 (Figure 6), opposite the first large face 60 and extending the inner face 44 of the first part 34.

[0038] The distal end 56 carries a first fixing member 62. More particularly, the first fixing member 64 is carried by the second large face 62 of the bellows 50.

[0039] The fixing strap 52 is oriented almost parallel to the shoulder strap 24. Define with the shoulder 24 a passage 66 for the bellows 50.

10 [0040] The fixing strap 52 has a free face 68 opposite to step 64. This free face 68 has a

second fixing member 70, adapted to cooperate with the first fixing member 64 for the reversible coupling of the first and second fixing members 64, 70 to each other.

[0041] The first and second fixing members 64, 70 are preferably adapted to be released from each other by exerting a separation force on these two organs 64, 70, said force being

separation oriented almost perpendicularly to a contact interface of said organs 64, 70. For this purpose, the first and second fixing members 64, 70 are for example of the self-adhesive closure type, which allows a quick fixation and does not require great precision in the placement of the fixing organs with respect to each other. As a variant, they are of the pressure button type.

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[0042] As shown in Fig. 4, for fixing the side part 14 to the main part 12, the intermediate section 58 of the bellows is fitted in step 66 and the distal end 56 is bent over the fixing strap 52 so as to cover its free face 68, the second large face 62 of the bellows 50 facing said free face 68. Thus, the distal end 56 is folded towards the proximal end 54 and the first and second organs of

25 fixing 64, 70 cooperate with each other.

[0043] In addition, the first part 34 of the side part 14 is also folded so as to cover the fixing strap 52, the inner face of said first part 34 being oriented towards the fixing belt 52. The fixing belt 52 is It is thus interposed between the shoulder 24 and the first part 34. In addition, the section

30 intermediate 58 and the distal end 56 of the bellows 50 are each folded towards the first part 34.

[0044] Each side part 14 is thus firmly attached to the main part 12. In fact, in case of attempt to start one of the side parts 14 by a third person, the main starting efforts are assumed by the fixing strap 52. Only a residual part of the starting efforts is assumed by the

35 fixing members 64, 70 and this residual part is oriented parallel to the contact interface of the first and second fixing members 64, 70, which is not convenient for releasing the fixing members 64, 70 from each other. Consequently, in order to separate the side part 14 from the main part 12 while the vest 10 is worn by its user, the third person should tear off the belt 52 from the main part 12, which requires more important effort than is normally necessary. for decoupling the fixing members 64, 70.

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[0045] Each side part 14 can, however, be easily released from the main part 12 when its wearer no longer wears the vest 10. It is sufficient in fact to lift the first part 34 to release access to the distal end 56 of the bellows 50, after seizing this distal end 56 exerting a force oriented opposite to the strap 24 to disengage the first and second fixing members 64, 70. Only then remains

45 remove the bellows 50 from step 66 by sliding the distal end 56 to finish separating the side part 14 from the main part 12.

[0046] It is equally easy and particularly fast to fasten each side part 14 to the main part 12, performing the above operations in reverse order. This allows you to choose whether or not to put the side parts on

50 the vest, depending on the type of situation the user faces. In addition, the user can easily and quickly add the side parts "on the ground", if the situation demands it.

[0047] This removable fixation also allows the lateral part 14 to be adapted to the situation found, by choosing more or less rigid covers depending on this situation, for example, or by providing a part

55 lateral 14 or so long.

[0048] Each side part 14 also comprises, in reference to Figure 5, an articular joint 80 for articulation of the first and second parts 34, 36 to each other. This articular joint 80 has three degrees of freedom in rotation; in other words, it is adapted to allow a rotation of the second part 36 with respect to the

First part 34 around each axis of space. In particular, the articular joint 80 thus has a degree of freedom in rotation about an axis (not shown) almost perpendicular to the outer face 40 of the second part 36.

[0049] The joint joint 80 also has a degree of freedom in translation according to a main direction P 5 (figure 3) that joins a center C1 (figure 3) of the first part 34 to a center C2 (figure 3) of the second part 36 and a

degree of freedom in supplementary translation according to a secondary direction S (figure 3) almost perpendicular to the main direction P and almost parallel to the external face 40 of the second part 36.

[0050] It will be noted that, the first and second parts 34, 36 can pivot with respect to each other

10 thanks to joint joint 80, the main direction P depends on the relative position of the first and second

Parts 34, 36.

[0051] Joint joint 80 comprises a first belt 84, coupled at each of its ends of the

first part 34 and a second belt 86, coupled at each of its ends of the second part 36. Said

15 straps 84, 86 are intertwined with each other. In other words, the first belt 84 defines with the first part 34 a first step 90 for the second belt 86, the second belt 86 defines with the second part 36 a second step 92 for the first belt 84 and the first belt 84 is fitted in the second step 92 while the second belt 86 is fitted in the first step 90.

[0052] Each belt 84, 86 is formed of a semi-rigid material, such as an injected polymer or

trimmed, or a woven material.

[0053] Referring to Figure 6, the first belt 84 is fixed to the inner face 44 of the first part 34. It is rectilinear and is oriented almost parallel to a first direction J1 connecting the proximal ends and

25 distal 46, 48 of the first part 34. In particular, the first belt 84 extends from the proximal end 46 to the distal end 48 of the first part 34.

[0054] Referring to Figure 7, the second belt 86 is fixed to the outer face 40 of the second part 36. It forms an arc.

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[0055] This arc is symmetrical with respect to a plane almost perpendicular to the outer face 40 of the second part and parallel to a second direction J2 connecting the proximal and distal ends 46, 48 of the second part 36. Thus, the second Belt 86 is oriented almost perpendicularly to said second joint direction J2, and is arched about an axis (not shown) almost perpendicular to the outer face 40 of the second part 36.

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[0056] The upper part 94 of said arc is closer to the proximal end 46 than the ends 96 of the belt 86. In particular, the distance from the proximal end 46 to said upper part 94 is less than one tenth the distance of the proximal end 46 to the distal end 48.

[0057] Thanks to the degree of freedom in translation of the joint joint 80 according to the main direction P, the

First and second parts 34, 36 can slide one above the other. Thus, when the user raises his arm, the second part 36 follows the movement of the user's arm and retracts under the first part 34. This avoids that, under the effect of reducing the distance from the center C1 of the first part 34 to the center C2 of the second part 36 consecutive to the lifting of the user's arm, the side part 14 does not detach from the arm, which releases a passage between the arm and the side part 14.

[0058] The user is thus better protected.

[0059] In addition, joint joint 80 is of very simple conception and can be manufactured simply and 50 with a reduced cost. It offers a great freedom of movement to the user, especially allowing

torsion movements, which is not the case of a team in which the parts are articulated between them around a single axis.

[0060] Back to Fig. 5, each side part 14 further comprises a flexible textile piece 100 joining 55 the first part 34 to the second part 36. This textile part 100 is fixed, in particular sewn, by a first

end, to the distal end 48 of the first part 34 and, by a second end, to the proximal end 46 of the second part 36.

[0061] The dimensions of the textile part 100 are adapted so that the textile part 100 does not obstruct the

operation of the joint 80. In particular, the dimensions of the textile piece 100 are adapted so that the textile piece 100 is only extended when the joint 80 is supported.

[0062] Textile piece 100 is formed by a textile network. It thus favors the ventilation of the user member 5 covered by the side part 14.

[0063] It will be noted that the invention is not limited to the only embodiment described above. For example, other joint joints of the first part 34 to the second part 36 are possible. Also, according to a variant not shown of the invention, the fixing strap 52 is fixed not to the external face of the strap 24, but to

10 its inner face, and the first fixing member 64 is carried by the first large face 60 of the bellows 50, not by its second large face 62.

[0064] In addition, the side part 14 may comprise more than two moving parts with respect to each other, so that they cover a more or less large part of the arm.

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Claims (7)

1. Protective equipment (10), of the shock-protection vest type, comprising: 5 - a main part (12) intended to cover at least a part of a user's torso, the main part (12) defining an opening (32) for a user's arm, - at least one removable side part (14), intended to cover at least one shoulder of the user, and - for the or each side part (14), a reversible system for securing said side part (14) to the main part (12), 10 comprising the clamping system: - at least one bellows (50), comprising a proximal end (54) coupled to the side part (14) and a distal end (56) carrying a first fixing member (64), 15 - at least one belt (52), coupled at each of its ends of the main part (12) and defining with the main part (12) a passage (66) for the bellows (50), and - at least a second fixing member (70), adapted to cooperate with the first fixing member (64) for the reversible coupling of the first and second fixing members (64, 70), to each other, the second being carried fixing member (70) by the belt (52), the bellows (50) being fitted in the passage (66) and the first body 20 fixing (64) cooperates with the second fixing member (70), characterized in that the belt (52) is covered by the side part (14), an internal face (44) of the side part (14) being oriented towards said belt (52). 2. Protective equipment (10) according to claim 1, wherein the belt (52) has a free face (68) opposite the passage (66), said free face (68) carrying the second fixing member (70) . 25 3. Protective equipment (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distal end (54) folds towards the side part (14). 4. Protective equipment (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distal end 30 (54) folds toward the proximal end (56). 5. Protective equipment (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bellows (50) comprises an intermediate section (58) between its proximal and distal ends (54, 56), said intermediate section ( 58) folded to the side (14). 35 6. Protective equipment (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the belt (52) is fixed to an external face of the main part (12) and the first fixing member (64) is carried by a large face (62) of the bellows (50), said large face (62) extending an inner face (44) of the lateral part (14). 7. Protective equipment (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the part main (12) comprises a front part (20), intended to cover at least a part of a front part of the user's torso, a dorsal part (22), intended to cover at least a part of the user's back and, at less, a tie rod (24) connecting the front part (20) to the dorsal part (22), the strap (52) being fixed to said strap (24). Four. Five 8. Protective equipment (10) according to claim 7, wherein the belt (52) is oriented almost parallel to the tie rod (24).