KR20230119714A - wearable protection - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wearable protective device (10) comprising at least one inflatable member (20) designed to move between a deflated state and an inflated state remaining inside a casing (30) of the wearable protective device (10). will be. According to the present invention, the at least one inflatable member 20 in a contracted state has an external dimension corresponding to the size of the available space inside the casing 30 . Moreover, in a deflated state, the at least one inflatable member 20 has at least one portion 22 folded into an accordion shape, whereby this accordion-shaped portion 22 forms an accordion-shaped portion 22 to form the at least one inflatable member 20 expands when moving from a collapsed state to an expanded state and this accordion-shaped portion 22 contracts when the at least one inflatable member 20 moves from an expanded state to a deflated state.

Description

wearable protection

The present invention relates to a wearable protective device. In particular, the present invention relates to a wearable protective device comprising an inflatable member.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a wearable protective device with an inflatable member suitable for use in all fields where effective protection against impact and/or fall is to be obtained. For example, wearable protective devices are suitable for being worn by motorcyclists, cyclists or skiers to provide them with additional protection.

For clarity, reference will be made in this description in a non-limiting manner to wearable protective devices suitable for being worn by motorcyclists.

Wearable protective devices provided with one or more inflatable members, also referred to as “airbags,” are well known in the art.

Generally, during normal use, the inflatable member is arranged in a retracted or rest configuration in a seat provided inside the wearable protective device.

The wearable protective device may consist of a protective garment made of an abrasion resistant material such as leather.

Alternatively, the wearable protective device may be configured as an undergarment suitable for use in combination with externally compatible protective clothing.

The inflatable member is designed to be activated in an emergency. Generally, an inflatable member is in fluid communication with an inflation device adapted to introduce a predefined amount of an inflation fluid, eg compressed gas, into the inflatable member to inflate the inflatable member and thereby expand it. do.

The release of the inflation fluid may be controlled by a mechanical or electronic system.

Generally, the inflatable member is made of fabrics or membranes with low elasticity to withstand the pressure exerted by the inflation fluid during inflation. Because of its low elasticity, the inflatable member, once inflated in its rest configuration, has a shape very similar to that of the part of the body it is supposed to cover or protect. Known wearable protective devices having an inflatable member suffer from several disadvantages primarily related to the inflatable member.

In fact, as mentioned above, the inflatable member is composed of fabrics or membranes having low elasticity and cannot help but have a shape that covers the part of the entire body to be protected. As a result, the addition of an inflatable member makes the garment stiffer and heavier.

This drawback is also emphasized by the fact that the inflatable member, once inflated, undergoes lateral contraction which reduces the area covered by the inflatable member. To avoid this scenario, the inflatable member is oversized to ensure full protection of the user even if lateral contraction occurs.

However, due to its size, the inflatable member may restrict the user's freedom of movement, particularly in the areas of the joints of the user's body. Thus, the inflatable member may impede some movements, such as bending the back or raising an arm, for example.

Furthermore, even if the wearable protective device is made of a breathable fabric, the inevitably inflatable member may act as a barrier and prevent air from passing through, resulting in reduced perspiration and overheating of the user's body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Protective garments are known which are provided with inflatable members which, when at rest, fold to save space inside the garment. A garment of that type is disclosed, for example, in EP3498117.

The garment disclosed in EP3498117 includes a zone configured to include an inflatable member that is likely to fold on itself in a deflated state and protect the user's chest area. When the inflatable member is in a deflated state, the above-mentioned region is not completely occupied by the inflatable member. In effect, the inflatable member completely occupies this area when it assumes an inflated state.

However, the inflatable member is fully folded or rolled up at rest. As a result, the inflatable airbag takes on a thick tubular or wrapped shape that can affect the comfort of the wearer in a collapsed state.

Moreover, during normal use of the garment, the surfaces defining the area where the inflatable member is inserted may stick together and not allow rapid and complete deployment of the inflatable member, thereby affecting the protection provided to the user. ,

Also, in some cases, it is necessary to ensure that the garment returns to its first configuration so that it can have a second, subsequent, deployment of the airbag, if necessary. Such a need arises, for example, during a race, when the garment is used by professional riders who, in the event of a fall, aim to restart the race if uninjured.

This possibility is prevented by the garment disclosed in EP3498117 by the fact that the inflatable member cannot return itself to its initial configuration.

US2004/0003449 discloses another solution relating to a vest provided with V-folded air chambers along the front and rear parts of the vest. Air chambers are housed within expandable sections that are secured to the garment by releasable fasteners. The pressure exerted by the inflation fluid flowing into the air chambers causes the release of expandable sections spread over the user's chest and back to protect the driver's body.

Although the solution of US2004/0003449 improves the breathability of the garment in a contracted state, it makes the garment bulkier due to the presence of expandable sections.

Moreover, the garment of US2004/003449 cannot be used as an undergarment under additional protective clothing, as this arrangement prevents release of the expandable sections.

Finally, like EP3498117, once activated, the expandable sections disclosed in US2004/003449 cannot by themselves revert to their initial configuration. In practice, to restore the initial configuration of the garment, the rider must manually fasten the fasteners. Moreover, after activation, the expandable sections float freely and they may impede the rider's movements.

Accordingly, the main object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protective device configured to overcome or at least reduce the above-mentioned drawbacks with respect to known wearable airbag devices.

More specifically, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protective device provided with an inflatable member and configured to allow air flow, thereby improving breathability and comfort without affecting the level of safety provided to the wearer. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protective device provided with an inflatable member with reduced weight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protective device provided with an inflatable member suitable for providing a higher freedom of movement to the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable protective device provided with an inflatable member suitable for more than one use that provides the same comfort and the same level of safety upon any subsequent activation.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wearable protective device provided with an inflatable member that requires minimal intervention by a user or customer service after inflation.

The above-mentioned objects and other objects which will be better presented in the text below are achieved by a wearable protective device according to claim 1 .

Advantages and characteristic features of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a wearable protective device with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a partial rear view in schematic form of a first embodiment of a wearable protective device according to the present invention with an inflatable member in a deflated state;
Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the inflatable member in an inflated state;
Fig. 3 shows in schematic form an enlarged view of a particular portion of Fig. 1 identified by the letter A;
Fig. 4 shows in schematic form an enlarged view of the particular portion of Fig. 2 identified by the letter B;
5 shows in schematic form a front view of a second embodiment of a wearable protective device according to the invention, wherein the inflatable member is in a retracted state;
Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with the inflatable member in an inflated state;
7 shows in schematic form a front view of another embodiment of a wearable protective device according to the present invention with an inflatable member in a deflated state;
Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 with the inflatable member in an inflated state;
Fig. 9 shows in schematic form a back view of the wearable protection device of Fig. 7 with the inflatable member in a deflated state;
Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 with the inflatable member in an inflated state;
Fig. 11 is a detailed view of the mutual arrangement between the casing and the inflatable member in the wearable protective device of Figs. 7 and 9;
Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 with the inflatable member in an inflated state;
Figures 13 and 14 are views similar to Figures 11 and 12, but relating to different embodiments.
Fig. 15 is a perspective schematic view of the casing shown in Figs. 13 and 14;
Figures 16 and 17 are views similar to Figures 11 and 12, but relating to a different embodiment.
Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 15 but relating to the embodiment of Figures 16 and 17;
Figures 19 and 20 are views similar to Figures 11 and 12, but relating to a different embodiment.
Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. 19 but of a different embodiment;

In the following description of the wearable protective device according to the present invention, as “internal” the portion of the different components of the wearable protective device that is relatively closer to the user's body during normal use will be denoted and as “external” will be relatively farther away. A portion of the different components present will be displayed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the wearable protection device according to the present invention is generally denoted by reference numeral 10.

The wearable protective device 10 may be a garment such as, for example, a vest, jacket or suit, or alternatively may be an undergarment suitable for use in combination with outer protective clothing.

In other embodiments, wearable protective device 10 may be a harness designed to be worn over or under other clothing.

The wearable protective device 10 is preferably designed to protect a user's body from impacts and/or falls during sports and/or work activities.

Moreover, the wearable protective device 10 may be designed to protect the elderly from injuries due to accidental falls.

Advantageously, the wearable protective device 10 may be used by a user involved in dynamic activities, such as riding a motorcycle, biking, skiing or horseback riding, for example.

Preferably, the wearable protective device 10 is apparel for motorcyclists.

The wearable protective device 10 includes an inflatable member 20 designed to move between an inflated state and a deflated state remaining inside the casing 30 of the wearable protective device 10 .

According to the present invention, in the contracted state, inflatable member 20 has outer dimensions that correspond to the size of the available space inside casing 30 .

Moreover, in the deflated state, the inflatable member 20 has at least one portion 22 folded into an accordion shape, whereby this accordion-shaped portion 22 causes the at least one inflatable member 20 to be deflated. It expands when moving from an inflated state to an inflated state and this accordion shaped portion 22 contracts when at least one expandable member 20 moves from an inflated state to a deflated state (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ).

In the context of this description, a first size corresponds to a second size when the first and second sizes have substantially the same expansion. In particular, the fact that, in the contracted state, the inflatable member 20 has an external dimension that corresponds to the size of the available space inside the casing 30 means that the inflatable member 20 has the casing 30 in the contracted state. means that it substantially occupies the entire cavity enclosed by That is, the inflatable member 20 occupies all available volume inside the casing 30 .

Furthermore, in the context of this specification, an "accordion-shaped portion" is a portion of an element, in particular an expansion formed by a series of alternating peaks and valleys defining a plurality of folds parallel to each other and suitable for expansion and contraction. Possible members and/or casings will be indicated.

Referring first to FIG. 6 , the inflatable member 20 preferably has a first side 27 coupled together along peripheral edges 31 of the inflatable member 20 to define an inflatable chamber 29 . and a second side surface (28).

As is well known in the art, first side 27 and second side 28 of inflatable member 20 may be sewn together along their peripheral edges 31 . Alternatively, the first and second sides 27, 28 may be sealed at their peripheral edges 31 by an adhesive film or layer.

In another embodiment, the inflatable member 20 may be made by a single weave operation, for example using a Jacquard loom, such that two layers of fabric joined around the circumference by a connecting portion. A so-called one-piece woven (OPW) airbag formed of (27, 28) can be obtained.

In other embodiments, inflatable member 20 may be made by a single knitting operation to obtain a knitted closed structure.

The inflatable member 20, once inflated, has one connecting the first side 27 and the second side 28 to define a distance between the sides 27, 28 of the inflatable member 20. It may include more than one internal tether (not shown in the accompanying drawings).

In another embodiment, the inflatable member 20 connects the first side 27 and the second side 28 of the inflatable member 20 to create inside the inflatable member 20 other than inflatable zones. Internal seams (not shown in accompanying drawings) may be provided.

1, 2, and 5-10, the preferably inflatable member 20 is a wearable protective device 10 designed to protect the user's shoulders and/or chest and/or back. is located in the part of

Alternatively or additionally, the inflatable member 20 may be positioned in a portion of the wearable protective device 10 designed to protect the user's hips and/or legs.

The wearable protective device 10 may be provided with a single inflatable member or a plurality of inflatable members each designed to protect different body parts of the user. In the case of a plurality of inflatable members 20, the inflatable members may be separate or in fluid communication with one another.

The wearable protective device 10 also includes at least one inflator device 40 designed to couple to the inflatable member 20 to inflate the inflatable member 20 when the inflator device 40 is triggered. If the wearable protective device 10 is provided with separate inflatable members 20 , a plurality of inflator devices 40 may be arranged in the wearable protective device 10 .

As is well known in the art, inflator device 40 is preferably from a group comprising pyrotechnic inflators, compressed gas inflators and hybrid inflators. is chosen The inflator device 40 may include a plurality of inflation charges for inflating the inflatable member 20 more than once such that the inflations of the inflatable members 20 occur at different moments in time, i.e., in chronological order. can

Activation of the inflator device 40 may be electrically controlled by the control unit 42 which continuously monitors the user's movements and/or other parameters to detect the occurrence of an accident causing a fall of the user wearing the protective device. there is.

Advantageously, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the inflator device 40 and the control unit 42 are directly or indirectly secured to the wearable protective device 10, such as to a back protector 44. can be housed.

Alternatively, the inflator device 40 may be mechanically controlled, for example by means of an activating cable.

Once inflated, the inflatable member 20 is designed to remain inside the casing 30, i.e. the inflatable member 20 moves from its deflated state (see Fig. 1) to its expanded state (see Fig. 2). When moving, it does not come out of the wearable protective device 10 remaining within the limits defined by the casing 30 .

Casing 30 may be delimited between an inner surface and an outer surface of wearable protective device 10, where the inner surface represents the surface closer to the user's body. For example, casing 30 may be defined between the outer surface of the jacket and its inner lining.

In other embodiments, casing 30 may consist of pockets provided on an outer surface or an inner surface of the wearable protective device.

Alternatively, the casing 30 may consist of a separate housing provided inside or outside the wearable protective device 10; This housing can preferably be secured in a removable manner to the wearable protective device.

Advantageously, the casing 30 may be provided on the support layer 50 (see FIGS. 7 to 9 ) of the wearable protective device 10 . Preferably, the casing 30 is removably secured to the support layer 50 by means of fixing means 52 (see Figs. 8 to 10).

The back protector 44 may also be secured to the support layer 50 .

As shown in the accompanying drawings, for example FIGS. 1-4 , casing 30 preferably includes at least one accordion shaped portion 32 , as does inflatable member 20 .

Advantageously, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30 is arranged in the shoulder region of the wearable protective device 10 .

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30 may be arranged in the shoulder region and chest region of the wearable protective device 10 .

Also, as can be clearly seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30 may be arranged in the rear area of the wearable protective device 10 .

However, other arrangements of the accordion-shaped portion 32 are possible to meet other specific needs.

Preferably, as shown schematically in FIGS. 5, 11, 13 and 16, the accordion-shaped portion 22 of the inflatable member 20 and the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30 expand. The accordion-shaped portion 22 of the possible member 20 is formed and sized to be housed in the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30 . In other words, the ridges 24 and troughs 26 of the accordion-shaped portion 22 of the inflatable member 20 correspond to the ridges 34 and troughs 36 of the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30. ) is positioned to correspond to

In another embodiment, for example, referring to FIG. 19 , only the outer layer 30a or inner layer 30b of the casing 30 is at least partially matched with the opposing accordion-shaped portion 22 of the inflatable member 20 . It consists of an accordion-shaped part 32 suitable for.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 21 for example, casing 30 is provided with an accordion-shaped portion 32 proximate to accordion-shaped portion 22 of inflatable member 20 .

Advantageously, casing 30 may be made of a breathable material. Furthermore, casing 30 may be at least partially made of an elastic material. Alternatively, casing 30 may be provided with resilient inserts or parts. In addition, the casing 30 may be at least partially made of a flexible material, for example, a fabric having a mesh structure.

As will be seen from the description below, casing 30 and inflatable member 20 are designed to maintain a partial accordion shape during normal use of wearable protective device 10 when inflatable member 20 is in a deflated state. is produced

Advantageously, inflation of the inflatable member 20 causes expansion of its accordion-shaped portion 22, and consequently expansion of the corresponding accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30, so that the user's body A larger area is covered.

When the inflatable member 20 and the accordion-shaped portions 22 and 32 of the casing 30 are positioned in the shoulder region and/or chest region of the wearable protective device 10, the accordion-shaped portions 22 and 32 The extension of can be directed towards the circumferential portion of the wearable protective device 10 in the central region. This extension of Figures 8 and 10 is schematically indicated by the letter F.

When the inflatable member 20 and the accordion-shaped portions 22 and 32 of the casing 30 are positioned in the rear region of the wearable protective device 10, the extension of the accordion-shaped portions 22 and 32 extends to the upper region. towards the bottom area of the wearable protective device 10 . In Fig. 10 this extension is schematically indicated by the letter T.

Advantageously, as shown schematically in FIGS. 11-14, 16, 17, and 19-21, at least one end of the accordion-shaped portion 22 of the inflatable member 20 is stationary. It can be secured to a corresponding end of the casing 30 by means 54 . Preferably, side ends of the accordion-shaped portion 22 of the inflatable member 20 are secured to corresponding ends of the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30 (eg, see FIG. 11 ). .

The securing means 54 can removably or permanently fix the ends of the accordion-shaped portion 22 of the inflatable member 20 to the corresponding ends of the casing 30 . Hook-and-loop fastening means 54 may be used to obtain a removable connection, while stitches or adhesive layers may be used to obtain a permanent connection.

Advantageously, the provision of a fixing means 54 between the inflatable member 20 and the casing 30 at the accordion-shaped portion 22 of the inflatable member 20 ensures that the inflatable member 20 is in its inflated state. allows for joint expansion of the casing 30 with the inflatable member 20 when moved into the Similarly, the provision of the fixing means 54 causes the inflatable member 20 and the casing 30 to contract when the accordion-shaped portion 22 of the inflatable member 20 contracts as the inflatable member 20 contracts. When done, they can jointly return to their initial configuration.

In this way, the wearable protective device 10 as a whole can be returned to its initial configuration and, if the inflator device 40 contains more than one inflation charge, can be used again without requiring any maintenance.

Inflatable member 20 and/or casing 30 may be folded at least partially into an accordion shape in different ways according to the present invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 11 and 12 , accordion-shaped portions 22 and 32 of the inflatable member 20 and/or casing 30 are at least a portion of the inflatable member 20 and/or casing 30 . It can be obtained by the thermoforming process of. In particular, the thermoforming process can be carried out on the inflatable member 20 and/or casing 30 using a mold of appropriate shape, wherein the base and cover of the mold have a cavity having portions having a V or sinusoidal shape. defines

The thermoforming process needs to be performed at a temperature that does not damage the casing and the inflatable member in terms of mechanical properties. Moreover, it is important to ensure that the thermoforming process does not affect the airtightness of the inflatable member.

When the inflatable member is made of polyester or polyamide fabrics, the thermoforming process is preferably carried out at a temperature between 60°C and 220°C.

A higher thermoforming temperature may be used if the sides 27 and 28 of the inflatable member 20 are coated with a protective layer suitable for resisting high temperatures, such as, for example, a layer of silicone. In this case the thermoforming process can be carried out at temperatures up to 300°C.

The thermoforming process can only be applied to the inflatable member 20 . In this case, by inserting the inflatable member 20 into the casing 30, the portion of the casing 30 corresponding to the accordion-shaped portion 22 of the inflatable member 20 should take the corresponding accordion shape. .

Alternatively, the thermoforming process may be applied only to casing 30 . Also in this case, by inserting the inflatable member 20 into the casing 30, the portion of the inflatable member 20 corresponding to the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30 assumes a corresponding accordion shape. It should be.

A further possibility envisages that both the inflatable member 20 and the casing 30 undergo at least one part thermoforming process.

In this case, insertion of the inflatable member 20 inside the casing 30 will be performed such that the accordion-shaped portion 22 of the inflatable member 20 matches the corresponding accordion-shaped portion of the casing 30 .

13-15, an accordion-shaped portion 32 of casing 30 has elastic inserts 56 on selected points of casing 30, preferably on an outer surface 30a of casing 30. can be obtained by connecting In other words, the casing 30 is resilient connecting selected points provided on the outer surface 30a of the casing 30 to create an accordion shaped portion 32 on the lower outer surface 30a of the casing 30. It includes an insert (56).

Preferably, the ends of the resilient insert 56 are secured to selected points on the casing 30 .

Elastic insert 56 may be connected to casing 30 by stitches, adhesive or via removable fasteners such as, for example, snap fasteners or buttons.

The elastic insert 56 is stretched tangentially before being fixed to the casing 30 and then applied to the casing 30 . Once the fixing operation is completed, the elastic insert 56 can regain its original shape, thus giving the lower portion of the casing 30 an accordion shape.

As described above, also in this case, by inserting the inflatable member 20 inside the casing 30, the corresponding expansion of the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30 created by the elastic insert 56 A possible part of the member 20 will assume a corresponding accordion shape.

At the same time, after inflation, when the inflatable member 20 begins to resume its deflated state, the elastic insert 56 consequently allows the recovery of the accordion-shaped portion 22 of the inflatable member 20, thereby reducing the casing to which it is applied. It will be possible to shrink the surface of (30).

As shown in FIG. 15 , more than one resilient insert 56 may be applied to the casing 30 to create an accordion shaped portion 32 .

16 to 18, accordion-shaped portions within the inflatable member 20 and casing 30 are also provided at selected points on the side surfaces of the inflatable member 20 and the lower surface of the casing 30. It can be created by elastic inserts 58 passing through the holes. In other words, the wearable protective device includes at least one elastic insert 58 passing through holes provided at selected points on the side surface of the inflatable member 20 and the top surface of the casing 30 .

Elastic insert 58 may be applied to inflatable member 20 and casing 30 similarly to previously disclosed elastic insert 56 .

After inserting the inflatable member 20 inside the casing 30, the elastic insert 58 is stretched in a tangential direction and then passes through the holes provided in the casing and the inflatable member so that the casing 30 and the inflatable member 20 ) is applied. Holes can also be created during the same fastening operation. When the fixing operation is complete, the elastic insert 58 is released so that the original shape can be resumed by creating an accordion shape in the portions of the casing 30 and the inflatable member 20 intersected by the elastic insert 58. do.

Elastic insert 58 thus couples casing 30 and inflatable member 20 together. As a result, casing 30 will be able to expand and contract with inflatable member 20 as inflatable member 20 moves between a collapsed and expanded state.

Also in this case, the plurality of elastic inserts 58 may pass through the surface of the casing 30 and the lower side of the inflatable member 20 .

The holes provided in the inflatable member 20 to allow fixation of the elastic insert 58 are sized to not compromise the inflation of the inflatable member 20 and consequently the impact protection provided by the wearable protection device 10. .

Another embodiment of the wearable protection device 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 .

In this embodiment, accordion-shaped portion 22 of inflatable member 20 is obtained by connecting elastic inserts 60 to selected points on the side of inflatable member 20 . In other words, the inflatable member 20 includes an elastic insert 60 connecting selected points provided on the first side 27 or the second side 28 of the inflatable member 20 . Preferably, the ends of the elastic insert 60 are secured to selected points provided on the first side 27 of the inflatable member 20 .

Elastic insert 60 may be connected to inflatable member 20 by stitches, adhesive or via removable fasteners such as snap fasteners or buttons, for example. Also in this case, the connection of the elastic insert 60 to the inflatable member 20 is made such that the air retention properties of the inflatable member 20 are not affected.

The elastic insert 60 is stretched tangentially before being secured to the inflatable member 20 and then applied to the inflatable member 20 . At the same time, the outer ends of the casing 30 and the outer ends of the inflatable member 20 are fixed to each other by the fixing means 54 .

When the fixing operations are complete, the elastic insert 60 can regain its original shape by creating an accordion shape in the lower portion of the inflatable member 20 . At the same time, since the casing is secured circumferentially to the inflatable member 20, it will also be able to at least partially assume an accordion shape.

Preferably, in this case, the casing 30 is at least partially made of an elastic material or provided with an elastic insert so that it can expand when the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the inflatable member 20 expands due to inflation. In this way there is no risk of tearing in the casing.

At the same time, when the inflatable member 20 resumes its deflated state after inflation, the elastic insert 60 may deflate the surface of the inflatable member 20 to which it is applied.

Similarly, due to the provision of the circumferential fixing means 54 and optionally its elastic properties, the casing 30 is allowed to return to its initial configuration.

Also in this case, the inflatable member 20 may include a plurality of elastic inserts 60 .

In this respect, it is clear how the predetermined objectives can be achieved with the wearable protection device 10 according to the present invention.

The provision of the casing 30 and the accordion-shaped portion corresponding to the inflatable member 20 reduces the area of the user's body covered by the inflatable member 20 during normal use of the wearable protective device 10, thereby can provide higher ventilation to the body of the

At the same time, the mutual arrangement between the casing 30 and the inflatable member 20 does not hinder the deployment of the inflatable member 20 when the inflatable member 20 is inflated, and after deployment of the inflatable member 20 , allowing a larger area of the user's body to be protected to provide the user with enhanced protection. In addition, the provision of accordion-shaped parts to the inflatable member 20 and/or casing 30 is provided by the wearable protective device 10 so as not to impede the user's freedom of movement when the wearable protective device 10 is not activated. Allows reducing the area of the user's body that is covered. For example, the shoulder region can be left exposed to facilitate movement of the arm as clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 . At the same time, as can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the user's back can be left partially exposed so as not to hinder bending of the back.

Moreover, the specific mutual arrangement of the casing and the inflatable member allows reducing the weight of the wearable protective device. In fact, the casing can be sized to correspond to the inflatable member without providing extra material to the casing.

Additionally, the casing may be sized and shaped to easily fit the user's body to improve the aerodynamics provided by the wearable protective device. Moreover, thanks to the provision of accordion-shaped parts in the casing, the aerodynamics of the wearable protective device are also improved. In fact, when the motorcyclist assumes his riding posture and leans over the motorcycle, air drag is reduced because the air flow can pass through the crests and troughs of the accordion-shaped parts of the casing.

Finally, if the inflator device 40 is provided with more than one inflation charge, the provision of accordion-shaped parts to the casing and inflatable member can be reused in case of danger, once the inflatable member is deflated, the wearable protection device 10 ) to resume its initial configuration. In this case, the wearable protection device 10 will be able to provide the same level of safety to the user.

With respect to the embodiments of the wearable protective device 10 described above, one of ordinary skill in the art may modify and/or substitute equivalent elements for the described elements to meet specific needs and without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims accordingly. can

10: wearable protective device 20: inflatable member
30: casing 40: inflator device
54 fastening means 56 elastic inserts

Claims (16)

In the wearable protective device (10) comprising at least one inflatable member (20) designed to move between a deflated state and an inflated state remaining inside the casing (30) of the wearable protective device (10),
In the deflated state, the at least one inflatable member 20:
i) an external size corresponding to the size of the available space inside the casing 30, and
ii) has at least one part (22) folded in an accordion shape;
This accordion shaped portion 22 expands when the at least one inflatable member 20 moves from the deflated state to the inflated state, and the at least one inflatable member 20 moves from the inflated state. Wearable protective device (10), wherein this accordion-shaped part (22) contracts when moving to the contracted state. According to claim 1,
The wearable protective device (10), characterized in that the casing (30) comprises at least one accordion-shaped part (32). According to claim 2,
The accordion-shaped portion 22 of the at least one inflatable member 20 and the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30 are such that the accordion-shaped portion 22 of the at least one inflatable member 20 is Wearable protective device (10), characterized in that it is formed and sized to be housed in the accordion-shaped part (32) of the casing (30). According to claim 2,
The outer layer 30a and/or the inner layer 30b of the casing 30 is at least an accordion shaped portion 32 suitable for matching with an opposing accordion shaped portion 22 of the at least one inflatable member 20. A wearable protective device (10), characterized in that it is partially constructed. According to claim 1,
Wearable protective device (10), characterized in that the casing (30) is provided with an accordion-shaped portion (32) near the accordion-shaped portion (22) of the inflatable member (20). According to claim 1,
The casing 30 is delimited between the inner surface and the outer surface of the wearable protective device 10 or the casing 30 is provided internally or externally with respect to the wearable protective device 10 Consists of a separate housing or the casing (30) is composed of a pocket provided on an inner surface or an outer surface of the wearable protection device (10). According to claim 1,
Characterized in that the casing 30 is provided on the support layer 50 of the wearable protective device 10, the wearable protective device (10). According to claim 2,
Characterized in that the accordion-shaped part (32) of the casing (30) is arranged in the shoulder region and / or chest region and / or back region of the wearable protective device (10). According to claim 1,
Characterized in that at least one end of the accordion-shaped portion (22) of the at least one inflatable member (20) is fixed to a corresponding end of the casing (30) by means of fixing means (54). (10). According to claims 2 and 9,
Characterized in that the side ends of the accordion-shaped portion 22 of the at least one inflatable member 20 are fixed to the corresponding ends of the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30, the wearable protective device ( 10). According to claim 2,
The accordion-shaped portion 22 of the at least one inflatable member 20 and/or the accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30 is at least part of the inflatable member 20 and/or the casing 30. Characterized in that it is obtained by a thermoforming process, wearable protection device (10). According to claim 1,
The casing 30 includes one or more resilient inserts 56 connecting selected points provided on the outer surface 30a of the casing 30 to accordion to the lower outer surface 30a of the casing 30. Wearable protective device (10), characterized in that it creates a shaped part (32). According to claim 1,
including one or more elastic inserts 58 passing through holes provided at selected points on the side surface of the inflatable member 20 and on the upper surface of the casing 30 by the one or more elastic inserts 58; creating an accordion-shaped portion 22 of the inflatable member 20 and an accordion-shaped portion 32 of the casing 30 at the portions of the inflatable member 20 and the casing 30 crossed. Characterized by a wearable protective device (10). According to claim 1,
The at least one inflatable member (20) is placed on a first side (27) or a second side (28) of the inflatable member (20) to create an accordion shaped portion (22) on the inflatable member (20). Wearable protective device (10), characterized in that it comprises at least one elastic insert (60) connecting selected points provided on the. According to claim 1,
Wearable protective device (10), characterized in that the casing (30) is at least partly made of an elastic material or the casing (30) is provided with an elastic part or the casing (30) is at least partly made of an elastic material ). According to claim 1,
and at least one inflator device (40) designed to be coupled to said at least one inflatable member (20) for inflating said at least one inflatable member (20), said inflator device (40) A wearable protective device (10) comprising more than one inflation charge.

Images