WO2006050554A1

WO2006050554A1 - A shield for protecting a part of the human body

Info

Publication number: WO2006050554A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/001670
Authority: WO
Inventors: Trevor Sadler
Original assignee: Hornsby Comfy Hips Pty Limited
Priority date: 2004-11-11
Filing date: 2005-10-28
Publication date: 2006-05-18

Abstract

A shield (10) for protecting a part of the human body is disclosed, the shield (10) including: a generally planar body formed substantially entirely from flexible silicone rubber: the body includes a number of projections (12) extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the body that operate to cushion the impact of a blow to the shield.

Description

A SHIELD FOR PROTECTING A PART OF THE HUMAN BODY

Technical Field

This invention relates to a shield for protecting part of the human body.

Background to the Invention

It has been tried to provide protective shields for protecting part of the human body. One such example is the use of protective shields for protecting the hip bones of a person against the impact of a fall. Typically, two hard plastic shields are fitted to a person, one on each side and located over each hip bone. The shields are usually permanently affixed inside a pair of pants to be worn by the user.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the present invention provides a shield for protecting a part of the human body, the shield including: a generally planar body formed substantially entirely from flexible silicone rubber; the body includes a number of projections extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the body that operate to cushion the impact of a blow to the shield.

The proj ections may be cylindrical. The proj ections may be right cylindrical.

The projections may be frustoconical. The projections may include an internal cavity. The internal cavity may extend from one side of the shield to the other. The shield may further include holes provided between the projections. The proj ections may be provided in a regular grid pattern.

The projections towards the periphery of the shield may have chamfered outside edges.

The projections may be interconnected with webs. Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shield according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is apian view of the shield of figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a cross section view along the line A-A of figure 2.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the figures, a shield 10 is shown. Shield 10 is generally planar. At its edges, the shield is about 1.5mm thick. Shield 10 is generally oval about its perimeter with a maximum diameter of about 190mm and a minimum diameter of about 160mm.

Shield 10 includes a number of frustoconical projections 12 arranged in a regular grid pattern. Each projection 12 includes a cylindrical internal cavity 14 which passes through shield 10 from one side to the other (see figure 3). The projections are about 13mm in height, the internal cavities are about 4mm in diameter. The internal cavities allow the projections to deform in the manner of crumpling when subjected to an impact force.

The projections 12 are interconnected by webs 20. These serve to increase the stiffness of the projections and add to the overall strength of the shield.

Between the projections 12 are provided holes 16. These allow for ventilation to improve the comfort of a wearer.

The projections provided towards the edges of the shield are chamfered on their outside edges indicated by reference numeral 18. The chamfered edges are provided so that the thickness of the shield decreases gradually outwardly at the edges. This improves comfort of the wearer.

Shield 10 is made from 40 durometer liquid silicone in a heat assisted injection moulding process. The type of silicone used may be industrial grade, hospital grade or FDA grade. About 107 cubic centimetres of silicone is required to fabricate shield 10. The durometer of the silicone, and the exact dimensions of the projections on the shield can be varied to obtain a shield with the necessary impact resistance characteristics. The shield 10 of this embodiment is intended for use in a hip protector in the form of a pair of underpants. The underpants are provided with pockets positioned over the hip bone (greater trochanter) of the wearer. A shield 10 is provided in each pocket so that the pads 10 lie over the hip bone. Shield 10 will not burst or puncture in use, it is highly resistant to fracture.

The shield 10 could also be used to protect parts of the human body other than the hips. For instance, the pad can be inserted in a suitable garment to protect elbows, shins, knees, head and other areas of the body. Again, the specific dimensions of the projections on the shield, and the hardness of the silicone may be varied to suit the particular application. The overall shape of the shield may be varied to conform and overlie the particular body part that is to be protected.

Shield 10 protects against impact injuries to the body and also protects against abrasion injuries.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A shield for protecting a part of the human body, the shield including: a generally planar body formed substantially entirely from flexible silicone rubber; the body includes a number of projections extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the body that operate to cushion the impact of a blow to the shield.

2. A shield according to claim 1 wherein the projections are cylindrical.

3. A shield according to claim 2 wherein the projections are right cylindrical.

4. A shield according to claim 1 wherein the projections are frustoconical. ^"

5. A shield according to any preceding claim wherein the projections include an internal cavity.

6. A shield according to claim 4 wherein the internal cavity extends from one side of the shield to the other.

7. A shield according to any preceding claim further including holes provided between the projections.

8. A shield according to any preceding claim wherein the projections are provided in a regular grid pattern.

9. A shield according to any preceding claim wherein the proj ections towards the periphery of the shield have chamfered outside edges.

10. A shield according to any preceding claim wherein the proj ections are interconnected with webs.

11. A shield according to any preceding claim which is formed from about 40 durometer liquid silicone.

12. A garment including a shield according to any preceding claim.

13. A garment according to claim 12 which is arranged in use to maintain the shield in position to protect the hip of the wearer.