GB2418720A

GB2418720A - A protective device

Info

Publication number: GB2418720A
Application number: GB0421848A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher John Warne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-01
Filing date: 2004-10-01
Publication date: 2006-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-01
Also published as: GB2418720B; GB0421848D0

Abstract

A protective device for reinforcing an article against impact, the device comprising a flexible tube (2) containing a plurality of throttle valve elements (4) linked to form a flexible chain. The valve elements (4) are undersized with respect to the diameter of the tube (2) so that there is a clearance between the periphery (7) of the valve element (4) and the inner wall (18) of the tube. Because of the clearance, the tube will act as a shock absorber as the tube (2) can bend when subjected to a relatively light impact or bending force but resists bending when subjected to a relatively violent impact or bending force.

Description

241 8720

A PROTECTIVE DEVICE

This invention relates to a protective device and more particularly a protective device for incorporating into protective clothing to prevent or reduce impact mJurles.

Background of the Invention

There are many occupations and sporting activities where people are at risk of severe injury from sudden impacts and violent blows. Activities such as motorcycling, skateboarding and parachuting are but a few examples of activities where a sudden impact, collision or crash can cause severe injuries. In particular, injuries may occur where a joint, for example a joint in the neck or the elbow or knee, is subjected to abnormal bending forces.

Numerous examples of protective clothing and other protective articles have been proposed for the purpose of preventing or reducing the seriousness of such injuries but a difficulty with many such products is that they impair or restrict the movement of the user.

Various types of protective clothing have been proposed that make use of pneumatic cushioning to reduce the effect of sudden impact. Examples include the cellular clothing described in UK patent GB 1332 828, the protective jackets described in US patents numbers 3,995,320 and 4,870, 706, the protective garments described in US patent number 4,453,271, and the shock absorbing articles described in UK patent GB 1 503 483.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a means of reinforcing or stiffening an article of clothing or other protective garment or article against impact. More particularly, the invention provides a device which can protect a joint such as a neck joint, or a knee or elbow joint for example, against sudden abnormal movement whilst allowing normal movement to take place.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a protective device for reinforcing an article against impact, the device comprising a flexible tube containing a plurality of non-mechanical valve elements linked to form a flexible chain, the valve elements being undersized with respect to the tube so that there is a clearance between the periphery of the valve element and the inner wall of the tube; the clearance being such that the device can bend when subjected to a relatively light impact or bending force but resists bending (e.g. locks) when the device is subjected to a relatively violent impact or bending force.

The invention also provides a protective device for reinforcing an article against impact, the device comprising a flexible tube containing a plurality of non- mechanical valve elements linked to form a flexible chain, the valve elements serving to divide the interior of the tube into a series of fluid-filled chambers and being undersized with respect to the tube so that there is a clearance between the periphery of the valve element and the inner wall of the tube; the clearance being such that fluid can pass through the clearance from one chamber to an adjacent chamber sufficiently quickly to allow the device to undergo relatively slow bending movement but wherein the device resists bending (e.g. locks) when subjected to a violent impact or shock.

The fluid is preferably a gas such as air and hence the fluid-filled chambers may be pneumatic chambers.

The term "non-mechanical valve" is used herein in its normal sense to denote a valve that does not rely upon any moving parts in order to function as a valve.

Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is considered that the valve elements in the protective device of the invention function by restricting the flow of a fluid (e.g. a gas such as air) between adjacent chambers separated by the valve. By appropriate selection of the material from which the tube is formed, and the clearance between the valve element and the inner wall of the tube, the rate at which fluid (e.g. a gas) can be forced out of a given chamber in response to a bending force or impact on the chamber can be controlled. Thus, when a relatively modest bending force or impact is applied to the tube, fluid (e.g. a gas) is forced out of the chamber through the clearance between the valve element and the wall of the tube thereby allowing the tube to bend. However, when a more violent impact or sudden bending force is applied to the tube, the fluid in the chamber at the point of impact cannot escape quickly enough to absorb the impact and hence the tube resists bending. Consequently, when the tube is subjected to a sudden or violent impact, it locks against movement and functions as a relatively rigid reinforcing member.

The non-mechanical valve elements are linked to form a flexible chain that extends through the tube. Each valve element may have a valve portion, which performs the valve function, and a linking portion which links the valve element with another valve element. The flexible chain of valve elements may be formed as a unitary element or it may be formed from a plurality of separately formed valve elements connected together.

Where the flexible chain of valve elements is formed as a unitary element, it may be constructed of a plastics material and formed by, for example, conventional plastics moulding processes. The flexibility of the chain may be imparted by a flexible linking portion linking adjacent valve elements.

Where the valve elements are formed separately and then connected together, the flexibility of the chain may be imparted by a flexible linking portion linking adjacent valve elements andlor by a flexible connection between adjacent valve elements.

The separately formed valve elements may be identical in length or they may be different in length. For example, longer valve elements or shorter valve elements may be positioned at locations where greater or lesser flexibility respectively is required.

The flexible connection between adjacent valve elements may take the form of a male/female joint, for example a ball and socket link. Thus, one end of the valve element may be provided with a ball or socket formation that engages a socket or ball formation on an adjacent valve element. In one embodiment, one end of the valve element is provided with a ball formation, and the other end is provided with a socket formation. For example, a linking portion of one valve element may terminate in a ball formation that engages a socket formation another valve element.

The connection between separately formed valve elements may be a snap fit connection, and the ball and socket arrangement described above is preferably a snap fit.

Where the valve elements are formed separately and then connected together, one or more spacer elements may be interposed between each valve element. The spacer elements may be selected so as to offer substantially no resistance to fluid flow or they may be constructed so as to some resistance to fluid flow but to a lesser extent than the valve elements. Such spacer elements may be used at locations on the tube where, for example, greater flexibility of the device is required.

The valve portion may be conical in shape, the outer periphery of the base of the cone defining the clearance between the valve element and the inner wall of the tube.

The valve elements may be formed from any suitable material and examples include metal and plastics materials.

The tube is formed from a flexible material so as to permit bending under normal non-impact conditions. The material is typically a plastics material.

In order to provide greater flexibility at one or more locations on the device, the tube may be provided with one or more holes through its wall, the number and size of the holes being selected according to the degree of flexibility required.

Because of their ability to bend under normal bending forces and small impacts, whilst resisting bending when subjected to more violent impacts, the protective devices of the invention are useful in contexts where it is important that movement is not hindered. Thus, for example, the protective devices can be incorporated into protective clothing such as protective suits, protective headgear, protective footwear, and articles such as knee guards, wrist guards, elbow guards, and shin and ankle protectors.

In another aspect, therefore, the invention provides an article of protective clothing incorporating a protective device as defined herein.

The protective devices of the invention may also be useful in other contexts where it is necessary or desirable to provide reinforcement against sudden violent impact.

For example, the protective device may be used to reinforce items of fabric such as cloth, sheeting, or film.

When used in an article of protective clothing, the protective device can be present as the sole means of protecting against impact, or can be combined with one or more additional protective or impact absorbing arrangements. For example, the reinforcing effect of the protective device of the invention may be combined with one or more layers of cushioning or padding.

The protective devices of the invention can be incorporated into or secured to a substrate such as a fabric by any suitable means. For example, they can be adhesively bonded or sewn onto the surface of a fabric, or can be sandwiched between two layers of fabric.

In another aspect, the invention provides a protective garment or article formed from a flexible material, the garment or article containing or having mounted thereon one or more flexible tubes, each flexible tube containing a plurality of non- mechanical valve elements linked to form a flexible chain, the valve elements serving to divide the interior of the tube into a series of fluid-filled chambers and being undersized with respect to the tube so that there is a clearance between the periphery of the valve element and the inner wall of the tube; the clearance being such that fluid can pass through the clearance from one chamber to an adjacent chamber sufficiently quickly to allow the tube to undergo relatively slow bending movement but wherein the tube resists bending when subjected to a violent impact or shock.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides a protective garment or article formed from a flexible material, the garment or article containing or having mounted thereon one or more flexible tubes, each flexible tube containing a plurality of non-mechanical valve elements linked to form a flexible chain, the valve elements serving to divide the interior of the tube into a series of fluid-filled chambers and being undersized with respect to the tube so that there is a clearance between the periphery of the valve element and the inner wall of the tube; the clearance being such that fluid can pass through the clearance from one chamber to an adjacent chamber sufficiently quickly to allow the tube to undergo relatively slow bending movement but wherein the tube resists bending when subjected to a violent impact or shock.

The invention will now be described in more detail, but not limited, by reference to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings.

Brief Descrintion of the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of part of a protective device according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a larger portion of the device of Figure 1 in a looped configuration.

Figure 3 illustrates a head and neck protector incorporating the protective device of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 illustrates an elbow protector incorporating the protective device of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of part of a protective device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of part of a protective device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of part of a protective device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

As depicted in Figure l, a protective device according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a flexible tube 2 containing a plurality of linked non- mechanical valve elements 4 linked to form a flexible chain. The tube is typically formed from a flexible plastics material that is sufficiently tough and durable to absorb impact without tearing easily. The non- mechanical valve elements which can be formed from, for example, a moulded plastics material, each have a generally conical portion 6 at one end, an intermediate shaft portion 8 and a ball- shaped portion 10 at the other end. The conical portion 6 contains a socket 12 into which a ball-shaped portion l O of an adjacent valve element can be inserted to form a snap-fit ball and socket joint.

The conical portion 6 of each valve element 4 is undersized with respect to the inner diameter of the tube so that there is a narrow clearance 14 between the outer rim 7 of the conical portion 6 and the inner wall 18 of the tube. The conical portions 6 of the valve elements serve to divide the interior of the tube into a series of pneumatic chambers 16, the clearance 14 allowing gas (e.g. air) to move from one pneumatic chamber to another. The clearance 14 between the rim 7 and inner wall 18 of the tube is of a size such that when the tube is bent slowly, displaced air in the pneumatic chamber at the (or each) point of bending can pass relatively quickly into neighbouring pneumatic chambers and hence the resistance to bending is relatively small. However, if the tube is subjected to a violent impact, the narrow clearance 14 will prevent air from being displaced from the pneumatic chamber at the point of impact sufficiently quickly to allow the tube to bend. Therefore, when subjected to violent impact, the tube will resist bending and will remain locked in place.

The protective device can be incorporated into protective clothing as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In Figure 3, a length of the tubing is incorporated into a protective garment for protecting the head, neck and upper torso of a motorcycle rider, and in Figure 4, a length of the tubing is incorporated into an elbow protector. In each case, the tube can be in the form of a closed loop, or a length of tubing sealed at each end, or a combination of closed loops and lengths of tubing sealed at each end.

The protective device is sufficiently flexible to allow normal movement of the person wearing the protective clothing but will lock against sudden impact or sudden excessively quick movements thereby protecting the wearer against impacts caused by, for example, falling from a motorcycle or crashing a car or motor cycle.

Thus, for example, by resisting violent or sudden unexpected movement, the device can prevent breakages and injuries to joints such as the neck joint or knee joint that can occur when a joint is subjected to abnormal movement, e.g. movement in a direction or at a speed that it would not normally take.

Figures 5 and 6 show variations in which the chain of valve elements is constructed differently. In Figure 5, interposed between the valve elements 20 is a spacer 22 which has a socket portion 24 and a ball portion 26 to enable it to be connected to the valve elements 20 by means of ball and socket joints. The spacer 22 may be used, for example, at a location where the device is curved to facilitate bending of the tube at the curve.

Whereas the devices of Figures 1, 2 and 5 are composed of separately formed elements that are connected together to form a flexible chain, the device shown in Figure 6 has an integrally formed chain of valve elements 28, wherein the linking portions 30 between the valve elements 28 provide the flexibility.

In Figure 7, certain regions of the tube 34 are provided with holes 32. The holes allow gas to escape from the tube when the tube is bent and thereby provide the tube with greater flexibility which may be desirable where, for example, the tube is folded or curved. The number and size of the holes can be varied to provide the tube with the required degree of flexibility. Instead of the holes being present only at certain locations where additional flexibility is required, holes may be provided along the entire length of the tube, the spacing and size of the holes, and the number of valve elements within the tube being selected so that the tube exhibits a required degree of rigidity when subjected to a violent or sudden shock.

The protective device of the invention can be used in a wide variety of situations where protection against sudden movement or impact is required. Head, neck and torso protectors and elbow protectors are illustrated in the drawings but it will be appreciated that the protective device can be used in many other applications, for example in wrist guards and knee guards, or for reinforcement of safety clothing for use in a wide variety of sporting and non-sporting contexts.

Equivalents It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations may be made to the specific embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the principles underlying the invention. All such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.

Claims

1. A protective device for reinforcing an article against impact, the device comprising a flexible tube containing a plurality of nonmechanical valve elements linked to form a flexible chain, the valve elements being undersized with respect to the tube so that there is a clearance between the periphery of the valve element and the inner wall of the tube; the clearance being such that the device can bend when subjected to a relatively light impact or bending force but resists bending when the device is subjected to a relatively violent impact or bending force.

2. A protective device for reinforcing an article against impact, the device comprising a flexible tube containing a plurality of nonmechanical valve elements linked to form a flexible chain, the valve elements serving to divide the interior of the tube into a series of fluid-flled chambers and being undersized with respect to the tube so that there is a clearance between the periphery of the valve element and the inner wall of the tube; the clearance being such that fluid can pass through the clearance from one chamber to an adjacent chamber sufficiently quickly to allow the device to undergo relatively slow bending movement but wherein the device resists bending when subjected to a violent impact or shock.

3. A protective device according to claim 2 wherein the fluid is a gas such as air.

4. A protective device according to any one of claims l to 3 wherein each valve element has a valve portion and a linking portion which links the valve element with another valve element.

5. A protective device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein adjacent valve elements are linked together by means of a flexible link.

6. A protective device according to claim 5 wherein the flexible link takes the form of a ball and socket link, one end of the valve element being provided with a ball or socket formation that engages a socket or ball formation on an adjacent valve element.

7. A protective device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. An item of protective clothing incorporating a protective device as defined in any one of the preceding claims.

9. An article of fabric, such as cloth, sheeting or film, incorporating a protective device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A protective garment or article formed from a flexible material, the garment or article containing or having mounted thereon one or more flexible tubes, each flexible tube containing a plurality of nonmechanical valve elements linked to form a flexible chain, the valve elements serving to divide the interior of the tube into a series of fluid-filled chambers and being undersized with respect to the tube so that there is a clearance between the periphery of the valve element and the inner wall of the tube; the clearance being such that fluid can pass through the clearance from one chamber to an adjacent chamber sufficiently quickly to allow the tube to undergo relatively slow bending movement but wherein the tube resists bending when subjected to a violent impact or shock.

11. A protective garment or article formed from a flexible material, the garment or article containing or having mounted thereon one or more flexible tubes, each flexible tube containing a plurality of nonmechanical valve elements linked to form a flexible chain, the valve elements serving to divide the interior of the tube into a series of fluid-filled chambers and being undersized with respect to the tube so that there is a clearance between the periphery of the valve element and the inner wall of the tube; the clearance being such that fluid can pass through the clearance from one chamber to an adjacent chamber sufficiently quickly to allow the tube to undergo relatively slow bending movement but wherein the tube resists bending when subjected to a violent impact or shock.