WO2011148353A1

WO2011148353A1 - Protective garment with an airbag

Info

Publication number: WO2011148353A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/052337
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto Lavezzi; Gerard Thevenot
Original assignee: Freni Brembo S.P.A.
Priority date: 2010-05-28
Filing date: 2011-05-27
Publication date: 2011-12-01
Also published as: ITMI20100963A1; EP2575517A1; IT1400486B1

Abstract

A protective garment with an airbag extraordinarily capable of keeping the correct position of the airbag during use, comprises an outer part (2) opposite the user of the garment, an inner part (3) or lining of the garment facing the user, said outer part (2) of the garment and said inner part (3) of the garment defining a gap (4) between them; said garment (1) further comprises an airbag device (5) arranged housed in said gap (5); said garment (1) comprises a bust portion (6), a neck portion (7) and sleeves (8) connected to said bust portion (6), wherein said gap (4) is closed where the sleeves (8) are connected to the bust portion (6), forming a closure of the gap in the shoulder armhole or closure of the shoulder armhole (9), capable of containing lateral movements of said airbag device (5) from a deflated or deactivated state to an inflated or activated state so as to keep it as close as possible to the user's neck; said gap (4) of the garment being in communication with a neck gap (10) where the neck portion (7) of the garment connects to the bust portion (6) of the · garment, leaving the airbag device (5) to inflate in the neck gap (10) of the neck portion (7) of the garment.

Description

DESCRIPTION

PROTECTIVE GARMENT WITH AN AIRBAG

The present invention refers to a protective garment with an airbag suitable for the personal protection of a user should the latter impact or fall from a vehicle or from a pack animal, such as for example a motor-vehicle, whether a road or water motor-vehicle, or a horse, but also suitable for the personal protection of a user which conducts sports or work activities, such as for example a labourer who works on a scaffolding.

Personal protective devices are known, comprising airbags which can be activated should the user move away from a predefined position for using means, such as for example a vehicle or motor- vehicle .

These known devices, comprise inflation means containing an activation mechanism, usually activated by a particular event which detects the danger of an impact or a fall of the user, such as the yanking action of a chord fixedly connected to the vehicle, which opens a tank for pressurised fluid which is fluidically connected with an inflation chamber of the airbag for a rapid filling thereof, typically within a shorter time with respect to the time required between the activation and the impact or the fall of the user.

Typically, a cable actuates an airbag system within a few hundredths of a second, indicatively ten hundredths of a second, completely inflating the air chambers within the airbag ending up protecting some parts of the body.

However, these devices are particularly efficient when the speed of the vehicle, and in particular of the motor-vehicle, is quite low.

In practice a protective garment with an airbag performs at maximum efficiency when used systematically and for all the movements, even minor movements, typically urban movements. This determines the need for using a protective device with an airbag for daily use in which the garment is worn for a long period without requiring activating the protection thereof and solely occasionally with the airbag charged and ready to be activated.

This implies that one of the main objects of the protective garment with an airbag is the particular comfort and practical use thereof.

However, use thereof in urban environments, mainly for short distances and using it as a vehicle, a moped or a scooter implies a higher risk of impact or fall of the user involving the chest, particularly the upper part of the chest, particularly straining the neck due to the high probability of impacting the head against obstacles, such impact implying a flexure or torsion of the neck with respect to the bust also determining considerable lesions particularly to the cervix.

Particularly it is suitable to limit the stresses that the user is subjected to on the chest and neck thereof, in that for example in the case of use of a motor-vehicle the interaction between the obstacle and the user implies sudden impacts and sudden movements of the neck leading to stresses known as whiplash.

Documents disclosing garments provided with devices with an airbag are known.

For example, document JP 2004/162224 shows a jacket provided with pockets which can be opened outwards with respect to the garment and containing an airbag device provided scarf-like around the neck and then descend with 'two substantially parallel portions on the chest at the front part on the user with lower end portions folded backwards upwards, as well as a further V-shaped portion arranged on the back beneath the portion around the neck of the user. When activated this airbag is released from the pockets of the garment in which it was housed and it is inflated freely outside the garment around the neck of the user particularly protecting the front and low portion of the bust.

Though satisfactory from various points of view, this known solution does not prevent - during the impact between the user and the obstacle - the airbag from moving from the theoretical position thereof leaving the bust and the head exposed to considerable impacts and deformations on the neck of the user.

Also document DE 20311097 shows a jacket containing an airbag.

Document US 7,328,464 also shows a jacket containing an airbag device of the tubular type and arranged around the neck of the user and then going down with two ends on the thorax and then folding to form in this way a belt along the hips of the user. A branch of the airbag departs from this belt to form a life buoy-like element arranged on the back of the user. Though satisfactory from various points of view, also this solution does not provide a particular protection in the movements of the neck in case of collision, given that the portion of the airbag wound around the neck of the user is free to flex and to move for example towards the back and above all laterally thus leaving the neck of the user exposed to flexure and twisting.

The solution described .in document US 2008178370 shows a garment in which there is contained an airbag formed by a single front portion which opens to cover the shoulders before closing in a single chamber on the user's back. Such shape of the airbag seems suitable for protecting the bust however leaving the neck of the user completely exposed. In a particular variant embodiment there is highlighted the need of protecting the stomach and the hips instead of the upper part of the bust and the neck.

An object of the present invention is that of proposing a protective garment with an airbag for personal use capable of overcoming the known art drawbacks and simultaneously being comfortable for use without reducing the safety of the user and suitably protecting the bust, particularly the upper part of the bust of the user and the neck thereof.

These and other objects are attained by means of a protective garment as described in claim 1 attached herein .

The construction and functional characteristics of the protective garment of the present invention can be understood better from the description outlined hereinafter in which reference is made to the attached drawings representing some preferred exemplifying but non-limiting embodiments, wherein: figure 1 represents a front axonometric view of a protective garment, for example for a motorcyclist in which the overall dimensions of an airbag device received in a gap of said garment are outlined with a dashed line;

figure 2 illustrates in front view the garment of figure 1 in which there are outlined the elements for fixing the airbag device inside the gap of the garment ;

figure 3 illustrates the garment of figure 1 worn by a user, still in a front view, in which the garment is represented with a dashed line and the contained airbag device with a continuous line;

figure 4 illustrates a user represented in a view from the left side thereof in which there are outlined the contours of the airbag device received in the gap of the garment represented by a discontinuous section, according to an embodiment; figure 5 illustrates a rear view of a user wearing the garment in which there are outlined the overall dimensions of the airbag contained in the gap of the garment, represented by a discontinuous section, according to a further embodiment;

figure 6 represents a front axonometric view of an airbag device according to a further embodiment suitable to be received in a gap of a garment;

figure 7 represents a rear axonometric view of the airbag device of figure 6 open so as to outline further parts thereof;

figure 8 illustrates according to a further embodiment - in front view - a further garment in which the overall dimensions of an airbag device received in the gap of the garment itself are outlined;

figure 9 represents a rear view of a further embodiment of a garment comprising in its gap an airbag device;

figure 10 represents a section according to the line 10-10 of figure 9 of a detail of the garment outlining the closed edges of the gap at the shoulder armhole of the garment;

figures 11, 12 illustrate a front rear view of a further embodiment of a garment containing an airbag in its gap in which the elements for fixing the airbag device within the gap of the garment are outlined; figure 13 illustrates a cross-section according to a median vertical plane to the user, which substantially divides the back and chest portion of the garment of the airbag device into two parts so as to outline its arrangement within the gap;

figure 14 illustrates the section of figure 13 in which the airbag device is in its active or inflated state;

figures 15, 16, 17 illustrate three different phases of an collision between a motor-vehicle and a car in side views, wherein three moments of the occurrence of the impact, particularly regarding the activation of the airbag device are highlighted;

figure 18 illustrates - in axonometric view - three portions of the overall dimensions, or pattern, of the sack suitable for containing the inflation chamber of the airbag device;

figure 19 represents a detail of an airbag device according to a further embodiment, in which an inflation device and an activation device are outlined;

figures 20 and 21 illustrate - in axonometric views - a particular embodiment of an activation device containing male and female quick fastening and unfastening buckles, suitable for keeping a firm connection in case of yanking of the activation device;

figures 22 and 23 illustrate - in axonometric views - the female buckle suitable for being connected through a mini-chord to the activation device;

figures 24 and 25 illustrate - in axonometric views - the male buckle integrated with a winding device of the inertial type suitable for correctly winding and stretching a tape for connection to the vehicle;

figure 26 illustrates - in axonometric view with parts separated - the male buckle of figures 24 and 25;

figure 27 illustrates - in axonometric view - a detail of the garment from which the female buckle projects and to which it is about to be associated using only one hand the male buckle.

As observable from the attached figures, according to an embodiment, a protective garment 1 comprises an outer part 2 of the garment and an inner part 3 of the garment or lining of the garment. For example, the outer part 2 of the garment is made using material adapted to resist against water and abrasions and, according to embodiments, it may have a multilayer structure, for example suitable for several functions such as imperviousness , resistance to abrasion, heat insulation or, on the contrary, a transpiring capacity. The inner part 3 of the garment is the part to be faced towards the user and, according to an embodiment, it may be made so as to be comfortable and easy to wear, for example guaranteeing an easy wearability thanks to its slidable and/or transpirability characteristics.

According to an embodiment, said garment 1 has a bust 6 and neck 7 portion. According to an embodiment, said bust 6 of the garment has a side portion 15 of the garment and a rear or back portion 16 of the garment adapted to cover the back of the user, as well as a shoulder portion 17 of the garment and a front bust portion 19 of the garment adapted to cover the front part of the bust of a user, for example divided into a front half-portion, a left front half-portion 61 and a right front half-portion 62.

According to an embodiment, the outer part 2 of the garment and the inner part 3 of the garment are firmly connected to form an upper edge 24 of the neck of the garment and/or a lower edge of the back of the bust or abutment element 25, as well as a lower front edge of the bust or lower edge 26 of the front half- portions 61 and 62. According to an embodiment, said left and right front half-portions 61, 62, define an upper edge - faced therebetween - defining the collar 27 of the garment.

Said half-portions or left and right front half- portions 61, 62 of the garment are suitable to be mutually closed for example by means of a zipper, so as to open and close the garment and allow the user to wear it.

According to an embodiment, said bust portion 6 of the garment has openings for the introduction of the arms or shoulder armholes 45.

According to an embodiment, preferably the outer part 2 and the inner part 3 of the garment are firmly connected also at the shoulder armholes 45 to form a joining closure of the shoulder armhole 9.

According to an embodiment, to said shoulder armholes there are connected sleeves of the garment indicated in the figures with reference 8.

Said outer part 2 of the garment and inner part 3 of the garment mutually define a space or a chamber, hereinafter referred to as gap 4.

According to an embodiment, said gap is defined by the edges for connecting the outer part 2 with the inner part 3 of the garment defining a partially closed chamber, or preferably substantially closed.

According to an embodiment, the outer part 2 and the inner part 3 of the bust portion of the garment define a bust gap 71 divided into a back gap 30, defined by the outer part and by the inner part of the garment adapted to cover the back of the user, and thorax gap/s 31, defined by the outer part and inner part of the front half-portion 61, 62 of the garment.

Said bust gap 71 is, according to an embodiment, completely closed by the edge for connecting the outer part 2 and inner part 3 of the garment. For example, the lower edge of the bust portion 46 alongside the shoulder armhole 45 and the upper edge of the neck 24, define the bust gaps creating a closed chamber.

According to an embodiment, the base or lower edge of the back 46 of the garment is defined by a lower edge of . the back of the bust, or abutment element 25, and a front lower edge of the bust, or lower edge of the front half-portions 26, and said edges define the bust gaps creating a closed chamber.

According to an embodiment, a portion of said gap chamber 4 is defined by the neck 7 of the garment, which has an outer neck surface 28 and an inner neck surface or portion 29, firmly connected together to form an upper edge 24 of the neck of the garment and opened to be connected with the bust gap 71 forming a neck gap 10, preferably without interruptions with a bust gap 71.

According to an embodiment, said bust gap 71 communicates without interruption with the neck gap 10 forming a single chamber.

According to an embodiment, said protective garment 1 comprises an airbag device 5.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 or airbag 103 has an airbag portion for protecting the neck 13 and in particular for protecting the cervix.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 has an airbag portion for protecting the thorax 18 and preferably two airbag portions for protecting the thorax 18 arranged side-by-side and going down from the neck to the shoulders up to reaching the waist and the side areas of the garment for protecting the thorax of the user.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 has an airbag portion for protecting the back 20 or airbag portion parallel to the spine. Preferably, according to an embodiment, said portion for protecting the back 20 of the airbag are two side-by- side portions.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 comprises an portion of the airbag for protecting the shoulders or, preferably portions of the airbag for protecting the shoulders 22.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 comprises an portion of the airbag for protecting the side areas 23 or, preferably, portions of the airbag for protecting the side areas 23 of the user.

Advantageously, according to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 forms a single airbag chamber 21 distributed so as to have portions of airbag to protect the neck and the cervix 13, portions of airbag to protect the thorax 18, portions of airbag for protecting the back 20, portions of airbag to protect the shoulders 22 and portions of airbag for protecting the side areas 23.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 has portions arranged side-by-side to protect the thorax 18 extended from the portions of the garment covering the shoulders to the portions of the garment covering the waist.

Advantageously, according to an embodiment, said airbag portions to protect the thorax 18 have a transverse dimension to the longitudinal extension thereof from the shoulders to the waist which increases passing from the waist until it reaches the shoulders, so as to have an inflation volume of the airbag portion for protecting the thorax which is greater at the top part of the thorax proximal to the shoulders and lower at the bottom part of the thorax near the waist.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 comprises an inflation chamber, preferably elastic, indicated in the figures with the reference 35. According to an embodiment said inflation chamber 35 is made using elastic material, for example made of polyurethane . According to an embodiment, said chamber - when inflated with pressurised fluid - is dilated forming a cushion adapted to absorb the collisions the user is subjected to.

According to an embodiment, said inflation chamber 35 has an opening adapted to be sealingly connected with an inflation device 12.

According to an embodiment, said inflation chamber 35 has one or more further openings suitable for a gradually controlled deflation of the chamber 35 as a result of the absorption of the collision. Said openings 81 are closed by vent valves 82 specially calibrated for determining a controlled deflation time of chamber 35.

According to an embodiment, said inner chamber 35 of the airbag is received in a sack 36 for containing the airbag. Advantageously, according to an embodiment, said sack 36 has a predetermined shape or form, which defines the dimensions of the different airbag portions in its active or inflated state. According to an embodiment, said containment sack 36 is made using material having a considerably lower elastic characteristic with respect to the elastic characteristic of the inner chamber 35. For example, according to an embodiment said containment sack 36 is made of nylon. According to an embodiment, said containment sack 36 is made using material that can be easily firmly connected with portions of the garment, for example with the edges for connecting the outer part 2 and the inner part 3 of the garment so as to position the airbag 5 as desired inside the gap 4 for covering predetermined portions of the user's body.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 has different portions separated from each other by distribution means for distributing the fluid within - li

the device.

According to an embodiment, said inner chamber 35 of the airbag has closure means 37 which can be opened at a predetermined pressure threshold of the fluid supplied thereinto.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device comprises an inflation device operatively connected to an activation device. Said device 100 for inflating the airbag comprises a device body 101 fixedly connected to an airbag 103 to which there is fluidically connected pressurised vessel 104 containing a pressurised gas adapted to inflating the airbag 103.

In particular, such device body 101 comprises an inner chamber 102 in which there is slidably received a striker 106 adapted to open the pressurised vessel 104 so as to allow the inflow of the pressurised gas into the airbag 103.

The device 100 comprises an elastic element 108 received in the inner chamber 102 and which allows preloading the striker 106, so that it can transfer its elastic energy to the striker 106 when the activation of the airbag 103 is required and thus push the striker 106 towards the pressurised vessel 104 so as to determine its opening. In particular said striker 106 comprises a stem 109 which operates as means for locking the striker 106 to hold it in a loaded position by preloading said elastic element 108.

The stem 109 is fixedly connected to an undercut in a lever 110 which allows - in case of imminent collision - to exert traction on the stem 109. Actually, such lever is connected to a chord fixedly connected to a vehicle, for example to a motorbike, so that, in case of a relative strong acceleration between the user of the airbag and the vehicle, the chord is pulled and in turn pulls the lever 110.

According to an embodiment, to the inflation device 12 there is associated an activation device 11, for example, but not necessarily, a yanking device .

According to an embodiment to said yanking device there is associated a chord or mini-belt 32 to which there is fixedly connected, at the opposite end, a female fastening buckle 39.

According to an embodiment, said female fastening buckle 39 comprises a body 201 to which a release button 202 is associated suitable for elastically snap-holding a hooking portion 103 of a male fastening buckle 40 which can be inserted into a seat 204 provided in the female buckle body 201.

According to an embodiment to the female buckle 39 there can be associated, through releasable snap- fastening, a male fastening buckle 40.

According to an embodiment, said male fastening buckle 40 comprises a male buckle body 205 which defines at an end facing the female buckle body the fastening portion of the male buckle 203 and, on the opposite part, according to an embodiment, integrated in a single piece, a winding device of the inertial type 41.

According to an embodiment, said male buckle body 205 comprises, at the end opposite to the fastening portion of the male buckle 203, a slot for the entrance of a belt suitable for connection to the end opposite to a vehicle, for example to a motor- vehicle .

According to an embodiment, said male buckle body 205 defines a cylindrical housing 206 inside which there is inserted a drum 208 for winding the tape suitable for rotating on two bearings, made for example in the bottom and top end walls of the cylindrical housing, one of which, for example, can be separated cap-like 209 for disassembling the mechanism. According to an embodiment, said drum 208 for winding the tape is elastically affected with respect to the cylindrical housing 207 for winding the tape exerting a predefined tension thereon.

According to an embodiment, said predefined action for tensioning the tape is obtained by using a spiral spring 210 fixedly connected to the cylindrical housing 207 and at the end opposite the drum 208 for winding the tape.

According to an embodiment, said drum 208 for winding the tape has - at an end thereof - a cam 211 suitable for affecting a follower rotating cylinder 212 coaxial with the drum 208 for winding the tape. Said cam follower has ratchet engagement teeth 213 at an axial face thereof facing towards ratchet engagement counter-teeth 214 fixed to the cylindrical housing 207. Between said rotary ratchet teeth and said fixed ratchet teeth 214 there is interposed an elastic means which keeps the cam follower 212 provided with rotary ratchet teeth 213 on the bottom of the cam 211 rotating with the teeth disengaged from the fixed ratchet 214 as long as the angular acceleration exerted by the drum 208 for winding the tape does not push, through an action greater than that of the spring 215, said cam follower 212 to fasten to its ratchet teeth 213 of the fixed ratchet teeth 214, blocking the sudden unwinding of the tape and exerting the desired traction action due to activation of the activation device 11 of the inflation device 12 of the airbag 5.

According to a general embodiment, a protective garment 1 of a user through an individual airbag device, comprises an outer part 2 opposite to the user of the garment. Advantageously, said garment further comprises an inner part 3, or lining of the garment, arranged facing the user.

Said outer part 2 of the garment and said inner part 3 of the garment define a gap 4 between them.

Advantageously, said garment 1 comprises an airbag device 5 arranged housed in said gap 5.

According to an embodiment, said garment 1 comprises a bust portion 6, a neck portion 7 and, advantageously, sleeves 8 connected to said bust portion 6.

Preferably, according to an embodiment, said gap

4 is closed where the sleeves 8 are connected to the bust portion 6, forming a closure of the gap in the shoulder armhole portion or joining closure of the shoulder armhole 9, capable of containing lateral movements of said airbag device 5 from a deflated or deactivated state to an inflated or activated state so as to keep it as close as possible to the user's neck.

According to an embodiment, said gap 4 of the garment is in communication with a neck gap 10 where the neck portion 7 of the garment connects to the bust portion 6 of the garment, allowing the airbag device 5 to inflate in the neck gap 10 of the neck portion 7 of the garment.

According to an embodiment, said gap 4 of the garment is substantially closed with respect to the outside or the inside of the garment. Advantageously, said airbag device 5 is contained entirely in said gap 4, so as to remain inside the gap 4 when it passes from an inactive or deflated configuration to an activated or inflated configuration, apart from its activation portion 11 that alone projects from the garment for activation through inflation means 12 of the airbag device 5.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 comprises a first portion for protecting the neck 13, and in particular for protecting the cervix, which continues by rotating around the neck portion 7 of the garment in the front part of the bust portion 6 of the garment to protect the user's shoulders to then go down to protect the user' s thorax remaining between the shoulder armhole and a device for closing or opening the garment 14, like for example a slide fastener or zipper.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 continues by folding over on one side 15 of the garment passing under joining closure of the shoulder armhole 9 to protect the side of the user, to then rise back up into the bust portion 6 of the garment defining the rear part of the garment 16, to protect the user's back, forming a portion of the airbag device 5 substantially parallel to the user's spine.

According to an embodiment, said airbag portion for protecting the neck 13 continues at both of its ends rotating around the neck of the garment and passing by the shoulders of the garment 17, ant to go down with two portions arranged substantially side- by-side to protect the user's thorax 18, leaving a garment closure device 14 between them.

According to an embodiment, each thorax portion bends back on the sides reaching substantially the base of the gap 4, in the lower part of the garment 1 opposite the neck, continuing rotating under the joining closures of the shoulder armhole 9 up to reaching the portion of the garment that is suitable for covering the user's back 16.

According to an embodiment, each portion continues by rising up along the portion for protecting the user's back 16 forming two airbag portions for protecting the back 20 arranged substantially parallel to the user's spine.

According to an embodiment, preferably, all of these portions of the airbag form a single airbag chamber 21 and are fluidically connected together.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 has an airbag portion for protecting the neck 13, an airbag portion for protecting the back 20, an airbag portion for protecting the shoulders 22, an airbag portion for protecting the thorax 18, an airbag portion for protecting the sides 23. According to an embodiment, said portion for protecting the neck 13 is connected so as to remain firmly fixed also in inactive or deflated condition and also in active or inflated condition on the upper edge 24 of the neck portion 7 of the garment.

According to an embodiment, said airbag portion for protecting the back 20 is connected so as to remain firmly fixed in inactive or deflated condition and also active or inflated condition to the lower edge of the bust portion 25 of the garment defining the protection for the back.

According to an embodiment, said portion for protecting the thorax 18 is firmly fixed so as to remain anchored also in inactive or deflated condition and also active or inflated condition to the edge of the gap defining the lower edge 26 of the bust portion of the front garment.

According to an embodiment, said portion for protecting the thorax 18 and said portion for protecting the shoulders 22 are firmly anchored, so as to remain connected also in inactive or deflated condition and also active or inflated condition to the edge portion of the gap defining the collar of the garment 27.

According to an embodiment, said garment comprises a neck portion 7 suitable for wrapping around the user's neck, which comprises an outer neck portion 28 and an inner neck portion 29, or a lining of the neck of the garment, said outer and inner portions of the neck of the garment defining between them a neck gap 10 that is connected without interruption to form a single gap chamber in communication with a gap arranged on the back 30 of the user as well as in communication with two chest gaps 31 arranged on the chest, of the user so as to leave a portion for closing and opening the garment 14 centrally to the user.

According to an embodiment, said airbag portion for protecting the neck 13 is housed in said neck gap 10 formed in the neck portion of the garment.

According to an embodiment, said portion for protecting the neck 13 of the airbag and housed in the neck gap 10 is folded like an accordion, forming folds, so as to leave an outer edge thereof 32, opposite to the back portion of the garment 16, free and accessible for its stable connection in inactive or deflated condition and also active or inflated condition of the airbag to an upper edge 24 of the neck portion of the garment.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 has a side portion 23 arranged below the joining closure of the shoulder armhole 9 between the outer 2 and inner 3 parts of the garment associated with which there is an inflation and activation device 12, 11 connected to said airbag device 5 and arranged outside of the gap 4, so as to be able to be accessible for its activation, for example of the yanking type, when the user is separated from the means with which he/she is associated.

According to an embodiment, preferably, said airbag device 5 comprises at least one portion for protecting the thorax 18 housed in the chest gap 31 of the bust of the garment 6 in its front portion. According to an embodiment, said portion extends substantially from the waist or hips 15 to the shoulder 17 of the garment.

Advantageously, according to an embodiment, the dimensions 33 transversal to the extension of said portion for protecting the thorax 18 increase passing from the waist or hips 15 to the shoulder 17 of the garment, so that the inflation volume of said portion 18 is mainly in the upper part of the bust of the garment for protecting the upper part of the front bust of the user.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 comprises different portions fluidically connected together. Advantageously, between at least two of these portions there is a substantial throttling 34 of an inflation chamber 35 of the airbag 5 that determines a complete inflation of the portions of the airbag at separate times.

For example, according to an embodiment, said substantial throttling 34 allows an initial inflation of an portion of the airbag arranged to protect the thorax 18 and a subsequent inflation of portion of the airbag arranged to protect the back 20.

According to an embodiment, said substantial throttlings 34 in the chamber 35 of the airbag are obtained by folding upon itself the inflation chamber 35 of the airbag so that the inflation pressure of the fluid determines its unfurling only once a pressure threshold has been exceeded.

Alternatively, said airbag device comprises an inner inflation chamber 35 and an outer containment sack 36. According to an embodiment, said inner inflation chamber 35 is folded upon itself and said containment sack 36 is fixedly connected determining a small section thereof through means suitable for breaking, or opening 37, once a predetermined pressure has been reached in the folded chamber, so as to determine a subsequent widening of the section of the inflation chamber for a free flow of the inflation fluid at separate times in different portions of the airbag.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 is housed in the gap 4 so as to rest on the edge 25, 26, 9, 32 of the gap to contain its movements during its inflation.

According to an embodiment, said airbag device 5 comprises ^' an inflation device of the airbag 12 and activator means 11 connected to a mini-belt 38 equipped with a female fastening buckle 39 suitable for connecting to a male fastening buckle 40 equipped with an inertial roller 41 on which a mini-belt 42 is wound which can be connected to the vehicle, so that the roller 41 draws back the mini-belt 42 and it is always taught, leaving the user free to move with low acceleration to then lock in the case of sudden accelerations, for example due to collisions of the vehicle or falling, that cause the airbag to activate .

According to an embodiment, the airbag device 5 has an inflation device 12 associated with it that is activated through an activation device 11 connected to a mini-belt 38 for yanking activation equipped with a female fastening buckle 39. Said female fastening buckle 39 has an ergonomic body and suitable for being gripped with a single hand, to then fasten and unfasten the buckle with a single hand.

According to an embodiment, the body of the female buckle 39 has a housing 43 for the thumb that, by working against the index and middle fingers acting on the male buckle component 40 makes it possible to bring together and fasten the buckle with a single hand.

To the afore-described embodiments a man skilled in the art, with the aim of meeting contingent requirements, will be able to make modifications, adaptations and replacements of elements with other functionally equivalent elements, without departing from the scope of the following claims.

According to an embodiment, a garment 1 has said portion of airbag substantially parallel to the spine 20 arranged at least partially overlapping the portion of the airbag for protecting the neck or cervix 13 and has an inflation chamber 35 locally, in the partially overlapped portion, fluidically separated from the inflation chamber defining the portion of the airbag for protecting the neck or cervix 13.

Any characteristic described as belonging to a possible embodiment, can be obtained independently from the other described embodiments.

Claims

1. Protective garment (1) for a user through a device with an individual airbag, comprising:

- an outer part (2) opposite the user of the garment;

- an inner part (3) or lining of the garment facing the user;

- said outer part (2) of the garment and said inner part (3) of the garment defining a gap (4) between them;

- said garment (1) comprising an airbag device

(5) arranged housed in said gap (4);

- said garment (1) comprising a bust portion

(6) , a neck portion (7) and sleeves (8) connected to said bust portion (6) , wherein

- said gap (4) is closed where the sleeves (8) connect to the bust portion (6), forming a closure of the gap in the shoulder armhole portion or joining closure of the shoulder armhole (9), capable of containing lateral movements of said airbag device (5) from a deflated or deactivated state to an inflated or activated state so as to keep it as close as possible to the user's neck;

said gap (4) of the garment being in communication with a neck gap (10) where the neck portion (7) of the garment connects to the bust portion (6) of the garment, allowing the airbag device (5) to inflate in the neck gap (10) of the neck portion (7) of the garment.

2. Garment (1) according to claim 1, wherein said gap (4) of the garment is substantially closed with respect to the outside or inside of the garment and said airbag device (5) is contained entirely inside the gap (4), so as to remain inside the gap (4) when it passes from an inactive or deflated configuration to an active or inflated configuration, apart from its activation portion (11) that alone projects from the garment for activation through inflation means (12) of the airbag device (5) .

3. Garment (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said airbag device (5) comprises a first portion for protecting the neck (13), and in particular the cervix, which continues by rotating around the neck portion (7) of the garment in the front part of the bust portion (6) of the garment to protect the user' s shoulders to then go down to protect the user's thorax remaining between the shoulder armhole and a device for closing or- opening the garment (14), like for example a slide fastener or zip, said airbag device (5) continues by folding over on one side (15) of the garment passing under the closure of the shoulder join (9) to protect the side of the user to then rise back up into the bust portion (6) of the garment defining the rear part of the garment (16) to protect the user's back forming a portion of the airbag device (5) substantially parallel to the user' s spine, preferably in which said airbag portion for protecting the neck (13) continues at both of its ends rotating around the neck of the garment and passing by the shoulders of the garment (17) and to go down with two portions arranged substantially side-by-side to protect the user's thorax (18) leaving a garment closure device. (14) between them, each thorax portion bending back on the sides reaching substantially the base of the gap (4) in the bottom part of the garment (1) rotating under the closures of the shoulder joins (9) until the portion of the garment that is suitable for covering the user's back (16) is reached, each portion continuing by rising up along the portion for protecting the user's back (16) forming two airbag portions for protecting the back (20) arranged substantially parallel to the user's spine, preferably in which all of these portions of the airbag form a single airbag chamber (21) and are fluidically connected together.

4. Garment (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said airbag device (5) has an airbag portion for protecting the neck (13) , an airbag portion for protecting the back (20) , an airbag portion for protecting the shoulders (22), an airbag portion for protecting the thorax (18), an airbag portion for protecting the sides (23) , wherein said airbag portion for protecting the neck (13) is connected so as to remain firmly fixed also in inactive or deflated condition and active or inflated condition to the upper edge (24) of the neck portion (7) of the garment,

wherein said airbag portion for protecting the back (20) is connected so as to remain firmly fixed in inactive or deflated condition and active or inflated condition to the lower edge of the bust portion (25) of the garment defining the protection for the back,

wherein said airbag portion for protecting the thorax (18) is firmly fixed so as to remain anchored also in inactive or deflated condition and active or inflated condition to the edge of the gap defining the lower edge (26) of the bust portion of the front garment and wherein said portion for protecting the thorax (18) and said portion for protecting the shoulders (22) are firmly anchored, so as to remain connected also in inactive or deflated condition and active or inflated condition to the edge portion of the gap defining the collar of the garment (27).

5. Garment (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said garment comprises a neck portion (7) suitable for wrapping around the user's neck, which comprises an outer neck portion (28) and an inner neck portion (29) or lining of the neck of the garment, said outer and inner portions of the neck of the garment constituting a neck gap (10) between them that is connected without interruption to form a single gap chamber in communication with a gap arranged on the back (30) of the user as well as in communication with two chest gaps (31) arranged on the chest of the user so as to leave a portion for closing and opening the garment (14) centrally to the user, wherein said airbag portion for protecting the neck (13) is housed in said neck gap (10) formed in the neck portion of the garment, and wherein said portion for protecting the neck (13) of the airbag housed in the neck gap (10) is folded like an accordion, forming folds so as to leave an outer edge thereof (32) opposite to the back portion of the garment (16) free and accessible for its stable connection in inactive or deflated condition and active or inflated condition of the airbag to an upper edge (24) of the neck portion of the garment.

6. Garment (1) according to any one of- the previous claims, wherein said airbag device (5) has a side portion (23) arranged below the joining closure of the shoulder armhole (9) between the outer (2) and inner (3) parts of the garment associated with which there is an inflation and activation device (12, 11) connected to said airbag device (5) and arranged outside of the gap (4) so as to be able to be accessible for its activation, for example of the yanking type when the user is separated from the means with which they are associated.

7. Garment (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said airbag device (5) comprises at least one portion for protecting the thorax (18) housed in the chest gap (31) of the bust of the garment (6) in its front portion and wherein said portion extends substantially from the waist or hips (15) to the shoulder (17) of the garment and wherein the dimensions (33) transversal to the extension of said portion for protecting the thorax (18) increase passing from the waist or hips (15) to the shoulder (17) of the garment so that the inflation volume of said portion (18) is mainly in the upper part of the bust of the garment for protecting the upper part of the front bust of the user .

8. Garment (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said airbag device (5) comprises different portions fluidically connected together and wherein between at least two of these portions there is a substantial throttling (34) of an inflation chamber (35) of the airbag (5) that determines a complete inflation of the portions of the airbag at separate times, for example to allow an initial inflation of a portion of the airbag arranged to protect the thorax (18) and a subsequent inflation of the portion of airbag arranged to protect the back (20) .

9. Garment (1) according to claim 8, wherein said substantial throttlings (34) in the chamber (35) of the airbag are obtained by folding upon itself the inflation chamber (35) of the airbag so that the inflation pressure of the fluid determines its unfurling only once a pressure threshold has been exceeded or, alternatively, said airbag device comprising an inner inflation chamber (35) and an outer containment sack (36), wherein said inner inflation chamber (35) is folded upon itself and said containment sack (36) is fixedly connected determining a smaller section thereof through means suitable for breaking or opening (37), once a predetermined pressure has been reached in the folded chamber so as to determine a subsequent widening of the section of the inflation chamber for a free flow of the inflation fluid at separate times in different portions of the airbag.

10. Garment (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said airbag device (5) is housed by the gap (4) so as to rest on the edge (25, 26, 9, 32) of the gap to contain its movements during its inflation.

11. Garment (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said airbag device (5) comprises an inflation device of the airbag (12) and activator means (11) connected to a mini-belt (38) equipped with a female fastening buckle (39) suitable for connecting to a male fastening buckle (40) equipped with an inertial roller (41) on which a mini-belt (42) is wound, which can be connected to the vehicle so that the roller (41) draws back the mini-belt (42) and it is always taught leaving the user free to move with low acceleration to then lock in the case of sudden accelerations due to collisions of the vehicle or falling that cause the airbag to activate.

12. Garment (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the airbag device (5) has an inflation device (12) associated with it that is activated through an activation device (11) connected to a mini-belt (38) for yanking activation equipped with a female fastening buckle (39) having an ergonomic body and suitable for being gripped with a single hand to then fasten and unfasten the buckle with a single hand, wherein the body of the buckle has a housing (43) ^* for the thumb that by working against the index and middle fingers acting on the male buckle component (40) makes it possible to bring together and fasten the buckle with a single hand.

13. Garment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said portion of airbag substantially parallel to the spine (20) and arranged at least partially overlapping the portion of airbag for protecting the neck or cervix (13) has an inflation chamber (35) locally, in the partially overlapped portion, fluidically separated from the inflation chamber defining the portion of airbag for protecting the neck or cervix (13) .