GB2512299A

GB2512299A - A body protection arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2512299A
Application number: GB201305365A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ferguson Michael; Marie Hemingway; Russell Edward Ferguson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-25
Filing date: 2013-03-25
Publication date: 2014-10-01
Also published as: WO2014155098A1; GB201305365D0

Abstract

A body protection arrangement comprises a spine protector 14 that resists bending of the spine of a wearer, shoulder protectors 16 that extend over the shoulders to resist damage to the shoulders and torso protectors 20A, 20B that surround the torso to resist crushing. The torso protectors 20A, 20B comprise a band capable of at least partially surrounding the body in use. Each band may comprise pivotally mounted portions 24, 26, 28, 30. One portion may be joined with a pivot 32, 34 to the spine protector 14. Furthermore, the portions forming the band may be connected at the free end 40. The body protector is particularly applicable for use by horse riders, preventing crushing of the body should the horse fall or roll onto the rider. The protection system may be incorporated into a jacket

Description

A BODY PROTECTION ARRANGEMENT

The present invention relates to body protection arrangements and to methods of protecting the body. The invention is particularly although not exclusively applicable to horse riders.

Horse riders participate in a pursuit that can be dangerous. It frequently occurs that a rider is unseated or a horse trips or falls there is a risk of injury to the rider. For instance, if the horse falls or rolls onto the body of the rider the ribs of the rider can be crushed possibly leading to broken ribs, broken back or crushed head.

It is an object of the present invention to attempt to overcome at least one of the above or other problems.

According to one aspect of the present invention a body protection arrangement is arranged, in use, to be worn by a person comprises at least one torso protector comprising a band arranged to at least partially surround the torso of a person which band, in use, is adapted to resist a crushing force exerted on the torso.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method of protecting a torso of a body comprises of locating a band of a torso protector to at least partially surround the torso of a person to thereby resist a crushing force exerted on the torso.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a body protection arrangement includes a spine protector resistant to a bending movement and the head protector, the spine connector being arranged, in use, to be located adjacent to the spine of a wearer and the head protector being arranged to extend at least partially over the head of a wearer.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method of protecting the body of a person comprises locating a spine protector resistant to bending movement adjacent to a spine and locating a head protector connected to the spine protector over the head of the person which head protector is resistant to bending movement.

When a head protector is provided, the head protector may extend at least partially around the sides of the head of the wearer. The head protector may be adjustable inwardly or outwardly or downwardly or upwardly or both. The head protector may be detachably mounted on the body protection arrangement.

The invention is described elsewhere in the specification and claims.

The present invention may be carried into practice in various ways but some embodiments will now be described by way of examples and with relevance to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective side view of a body protection arrangement 10.

Figure 2 is a front view of the body protector arrangement 10 of Figure 1 attached to cover 12; Figure 3 is a front view of a rider when wearing the body protector arrangement 10; Figures 4 and 6 are sectional views through parts of the protection arrangement; Figure 6 is a front view of a head protector 18, and Figure 7 is a side view of the head protector.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3 the body protection arrangement may comprise a spine protector 14, or shoulder protectors 16, or the head protector 18 or one or more torso protectors 20 and 22 or any combination thereof The or each torso protector 20A, 20B may comprise a band capable of at least partially surrounding the torso and may completely surround the torso. The or each band may comprise at least one or at least two pivotally mounted portions 24, 26, or 28, 30. In one embodiment (not shown) the or each pivotally mounted portion 24, 28 may be pivotally mounted directly to another portion 26,30. In another embodiment at least one portion may be pivotally mounted to the spine protector 14. the or each pivotal mounting may be effected by a pin being inserted in a socket or any other suitable hinge. The pivots are shown at 32 and 34.

The or each band, when at least one of the portions 24,26 or 28,30 are pivotally mounted, may be detachably connected to the free end region 36,38 or the other free end region 36,38 by a connector 40. The or each connector 40 may comprise an adjustable connector whereby the area enclosed by the or each band may be adjustable such as by a belt and buckle arrangement. Any other suitable connector, which may or may not be adjustable, may be used.

The or each band resists crushing of the torso.

The shoulder protectors 16 are attached to the spine protector via side extensions 42 from the spine protector 14. The shoulder protectors 16 may extend over each shoulder of the wearer and may extend at least partially downwards over the upper part of the torso, as shown in Figure 3.

The head protectors 18 may extend over the top of the head of a wearer and may extend at least partially downwardly over the forehead of the wearer, as shown in Figure 3. The head protection resists bending movement. Alternatively or additionally the head protection 18 may extend at least partly around the sides of the head, for instance to just above the ears of the wearer as shown in Figure 6. The head protection may be detachably mounted such as being detachably mounted to the spine protector as shown at 19 in the drawings. The head protector may have adjustable sides 18A and 18B that can alter the extent of the head protector around the sides of the head. Alternatively, or additionally the sides of the head protector may be adjustable to alter their orientation outwardly or inwardly.

The effective lengths of the spine protector 14 may be adjustable such as by two parts 14A and 14B being slidably connected together which slidable connection may be effected by telescopically mounting the parts 14A and 14B together. As shown in Figure 1, the adjustment may be effected by a fastener 44 cooperating with one of a plurality of opening 46 in one member of 14A, 14B when aligned with an opening (not shown) in the other member 14A, 14B. The spine protector resists bending movement.

At least part of the protector may be made out of titanium or carbon fibre or by a combination thereof or any other material.

At least part of the protector may be resilient, for instance, a small amount of compression of the band or bands maybe permitted or whereby a small amount of flexure of the spine protector is permitted or both.

Certain parts of the protection arrangement may be shaped for optimal resistance to bending or compression. For instance at least a part of the spine member may be shaped in an I beam shape 48 for the spine for instance as shown in Figure 4 or in a triangular shape 50 as shown in figure 5 for the bands, for instance.

In Figure 4 the I beam may be shaped such that the "top" of the I shape faces the body and the "bottom" of the I shape faces away from the body.

In Figure 5 the apex 52 of the triangular shape may be arranged to be directed towards the body.

In Figures 4 and 5 titanium may form the I and triangular shape and these may be covered by carbon fibre or a composite 54.

The protector arrangement may be at least partially enclosed by a cover 12 which may be a padded cover. In an alternative arrangement (not shown) the protector arrangement may be incorporated into a jacket.

In use, a rider wears the spine protector by locating the head protector and shoulder protectors in place and then fastens the or each torso protector in place, as shown in Figure 3. It can be seen in Figure 3 that the head protector extends partially over a helmet 56 of the rider.

In use, the torso protector may or may not exert a pressure on the torso.

Alternatively or additionally the or each torso protector may not provide support for the torso such as being non supportive.

Should the rider fall then any crushing force of the horse landing on the body may be at least partially protected by the torso protectors, the shoulder protectors or the head protector or any combination thereof. The spine protector may resist any forces tending to bend the back of the rider in an unnatural way.

In addition, the head protector may assist in preventing whiplash.

Whilst the present invention has been described as protecting horse riders it will be appreciated that protection may be afforded to other persons such as motorbike riders or firemen who may enter areas where buildings may collapse on them or any other persons requiring protection.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), andlor all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A body protection arrangement arranged, in use, to be worn by a person comprising at least one torso protector comprising a band arranged to at least partially surround the torso of a person which band, in use, is adapted to resist a crushing force exerted on the torso.
2. An arrangement as claimed in claim I in which the band is arranged to completely surround the torso.
3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which, in use, the band does not exert a pressure on the torso, or alternatively or additionally does not support the torso
4. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the band includes at least two pads, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other from a position in which the parts are spaced from each other to a position in which the pads at least partially surround the torso.
5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 4 in which at least one of the pads is pivotally moveable between the two positions.
6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5 in which both pads are pivotally movable between the two positions.
7. An arrangement as claimed in claims 5 or 6 in which the parts pivotally connected together.
8. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 4 to 7 in which the parts are detachably connected together.
9. An arrangement as claimed in claim B in which the parts are adjustably detachably connected together whereby the area bounded by the band is able to be adjusted when the parts are connected.
10. An arrangement as claimed in claim any preceding claim in which the band includes a profile that is more resistant to inward pressure than is in a direction transverse to such inwards pressure.
11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10 in which the profile extends inwardly with a greater dimension at an outer region of the band and a lesser dimension at an inner region of the band over at least part of the extent of the band.
12. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim including at least two spaced torso protectors.
13. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent to claim 4 or 5 including a spine protector resistant to bending movement to which at least one of the parts is pivotally connected.
14. An arrangement as claimed in claim 13 in which the length of the spine protector isadjustable.
15. An arrangement as claimed in claims 13 or 14 including a head protector resistant to bending movement extending, in use, over at least pad of the head of a weaver.
16. An arrangement as claimed in claim 15 in which, in use, the head protector extends at least partially over the forehead of a wearer.
17. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16 in which the spine protector is flexible.
18. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 13 to 17 in which the spine protector is profiled to effect greater resistance to the bending of the spine in a direction along the length of the spine than it is in a direction transverse thereto.
19. An arrangement as claimed in claim 16 in which the profile comprises an I shaped profile.
20. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 13 to 19 including shoulder protectors resistant to bending movement attached to the spine protector, the shoulder protectors, in use, extending at least partially over the shoulders of a wearer.
21. An arrangement as claimed in claim 20 in which the shoulder protectors, in use, extend at least partially down over the torso of a wearer.
22. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim including padding arranged to extend at least partially between the bands and a user.
23. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the protection arrangement is incorporated into a garment.
24. A method of protecting the torso of a body comprising locating a band of a torso protector to at least partially surround the torso of a person to thereby resist a crushing force exerted on the torso.
25. A method as claimed in claim 24 in which the band comprises at least two parts comprising pivoting at least one part from a position in which the parts are spaced from each other to a position in which the band is formed.
26. A method as claimed in claim 24 or 25 comprising locating the band on a person without the band exerting a pressure or alternatively or additionally, without the band supporting the torso.
27. A method of protecting the body as claimed in any of claims 24 to 26 when using a body protection arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23.
28. A body protection arrangement including a spine protector resistant to a bending movement and a head protector connected to the spine protector, the spine connector being arranged, in use, to be located adjacent to the spine of a wearer and the head protector being arranged to extend at least partially over the head of a wearer.
29. An arrangement as claimed in claim 28 in which the head protector and the spine protector are integral.
30. An arrangement as claimed in claims 28 or 29 in which the head protector is arranged to extend forwardly and downwardly over at least part of the forehead of a wearer.
31. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 28 to 30 when including an arrangement as claimed in any of claims ito 23.
32. A method of protecting the body of a person comprising locating a spine protector resistant to bending movement adjacent to the spine and a head protector resistant to bending movement, connected in the spine connector, over the head of a person.
33. A method as claimed in claim 32 comprising the protection being afforded by the head protector extending forwardly and downwardly at least partially over the forehead of the person.
34. A method as claimed in claim 32 or 33 when using an arrangement as claimed in any of claims 28 to 31.