FR2822942A1 - Lower limb protectors for walking on land that is possibly mined have foot shields on raised supports, leg coverings and sticks - Google Patents

Abstract

The lower limb protectors consist of foot shields (2) in the shape of large soles on raised supports (3) with three thrust points (4) on the base and upper surface recesses (5) for hinged toecaps (6) receiving the ends of the wearer's boots (7). The recesses can also contain heel springs, and the toecaps have additional pivots (8) on the outside for supporting sticks (9). The protectors also have leg coverings (11) held in place by straps (12) and equipped with optional ventilators (13, 14).

Description

<Desc / Clms Page number 1>

 The present invention relates to equipment for protecting the lower limbs intended for persons carrying out, in particular, agricultural work on land liable to be mined.

 The protective equipment according to the invention also aims to facilitate the movement of these people and better distribute their weight on the ground.

 According to the invention, the equipment is characterized in that it comprises a foot protection device, composed of a large sole forming a shield, on which is articulated, at its upper part, a toe in which the user will introduce the front end of his shoe, and at its lower part with a riser provided at its base with three support points to come into contact with the ground by distributing the load.

 The equipment is further characterized in that the toe joint articulated at the upper part of the sole allows the user's shoe to pivot about its articulation axis, thus facilitating its walking. This tip is provided on the outside with a second axis on which can pivot, forward, a support rod. This constitutes a walking aid and allows the user to move forward, backward or position his foot aside. Inside this support rod, a device can be inserted to limit the extent of its articulation and this to prevent the user from falling.

 The equipment is also characterized in that it is completed either by gaiters or by waders, for the protection of the legs, said gaiters or waders being ventilated by means of a blowgun provided in the riser under the heel.

 According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the various elements composing it are made of a synthetic material called ARAMIDE.

 According to another embodiment of the invention, the shoe of the user can comprise under the heel a damping spring.

 The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of one of its embodiments and on examining the appended drawing representing the silhouette of a user fitted with the protective equipment which is the subject of this patent application.

 In the drawing, one can see a user 1 provided with the protective equipment, according to the invention, moving on a ground.

 As can be seen, the user is provided at each foot with the device according to the invention. This consists of a shield sole 2 having a width of

<Desc / Clms Page number 2>

25 centimètres environ et une longueur de 65 centimètres, lesdites dimensions pouvant varier, car données à titre indicatif. Cette semelle 2 est réalisée en fibres ARAMIDE .

25 centimeters approximately and a length of 65 centimeters, said dimensions being able to vary, because given for information. This sole 2 is made of ARAMID fibers.

They are very resistant fibers braided in carbon embedded in thermoplastic resin. The elements made of this material are light and ultra resistant.

The lower part of this sole 2 is provided with an extension 3 of oblong shape with a height of about 20 centimeters. This enhancement 3 made of light composite material, at its base, comprises three support points 4 of rectangular section having the purpose of distributing the load of the user on the ground. The support points 4 are distributed as follows: two at the front and one at the rear under the heel.

 The upper part of the sole 2 forming a shield is slightly hollowed out. This obviously 5 which has been given the shape of a conventional boot (right or left) is provided with a tip 6 articulated at 6a on the sole 2. This tip 6 is intended to receive and wrap the front end of the boot 7 of the user. This tip 6 allows a vertical displacement of a few centimeters of the boot when the user moves.

 On the outer side of the endpiece 6 which envelops the boot 7 over at least a third of its length at the bend of the toes, is fixed an axis 8 receiving the end of a support rod 9, its other end being provided with a handle 10.

This rod 9 is mounted on said axis 8 so as to be able to pivot forwards, backwards and to the side. It may include a device for limiting its pivoting. It serves as a support for a break and can also guide the foot when walking.

 As shown in the drawing in order to have maximum protection for the user, each of his legs carries a waders 11 held in a known manner by belts 12, one of which 12A at the lower end passes under the boot 7 between the sole and the heel.

 The waders 11 can of course be replaced by gaiters then covering part of the boots. Over-the-knee boots and gaiters are also made of ARAMIDE synthetic material and are filled with glass fibers or polyurethane foam, or any other insulating material for the production of bullet-proof vests.

 Furthermore, the above-mentioned waders 11 being of course waterproof, it is very painful to wear them for several hours, especially given the tension generated by the work.

 According to the invention, it is possible to have in the recess 5 of the sole 2 under the heel a blower 13 with a small rubber tube 14 opening at the base of the

<Desc / Clms Page number 3>

 waders to ventilate the leg. Of course, various other improvements can be made to this equipment.

 For example, one can have under the heel of the user in the recess 5 of the sole 2 a damping device in the form for example of a spring without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

- CLAIMS -  1. Equipment for protecting the lower limbs intended for persons carrying out, in particular, agrarian work on land liable to be mined, characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, a foot protection device composed of a wide sole forming a shield ( 2) provided at its lower part with an oblong extension (3) with at its base three support points (4) and comprising at its upper part a recess (5) provided with an end piece (6) articulated ( in 6a) intended to receive the boot (7) of the user, and on the other hand, a device for protecting the legs by means of waders (11) 2. Equipment for protecting the lower limbs intended for persons carrying out, in particular, agrarian work on land liable to be mined according to claim 1, characterized in that the oblong extension (3) situated under the sole forming the shield (2) is filled with glass fibers or other similar material. 3. Equipment for protecting the lower limbs intended for persons carrying out, in particular, agrarian work on land liable to be mined according to claim 1, characterized in that the end piece (6) is provided on the outside with a second axis (8 ) at the bend of the toes on which pivots a support rod (9). 4. Equipment for protecting the lower limbs intended for persons carrying out, in particular, agrarian work on land liable to be mined according to claim 1 and characterized in that each of the legs is protected by a waders (11) held by belts (12 ) one of which (12A) passes under the boot (7) between the sole and the heel. 5. Equipment for protecting the lower limbs intended for persons carrying out, in particular, agrarian work on land liable to be mined according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that one has in <Desc / Clms Page number 5>  the recess (5) of the sole (2) a blowgun (1'3) with a tube (14) opening at the base of the waders (11) for the ventilation thereof. 6. Protective equipment. lower limbs intended for persons carrying out, in particular, agrarian work on land liable to be mined according to claims 1, characterized in that there is a damping device in the recess (5) of the sole (2) example a spring device.