WO2012014166A1

WO2012014166A1 - Damping safety device

Info

Publication number: WO2012014166A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/053348
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuseppe Bigolin
Original assignee: Selle Italia S.R.L.
Priority date: 2010-07-29
Filing date: 2011-07-27
Publication date: 2012-02-02
Also published as: IT1404084B1; ITVI20100210A1; TW201212981A; TW201221185A; ITVI20100338A1; IT1401394B1; EP2598209A1; WO2012014176A1

Abstract

A damping safety device, applicable to surfaces of objects subjected to impact and/or vibrations such as tools, sports equipment pieces, work equipment, supports and clothing garments for the human body and protection articles for the human body, comprises an anti-vibration damping substrate (2) having an upper surface (4) and a lower surface (3) intended to be directed towards the surface of the object, a cover layer (5) superimposed on the damping substrate (2) and having an upper surface (7) intended to come into contact with the human body. The damping substrate (2) has, on at least one of the lower (3) and upper (4) surfaces, a series of irregularities (10, 11 ) adapted to absorb the impact and the vibrations produced by the object during use.

Description

DAMPING SAFETY DEVICE

Field of application The present invention is applicable to the technical field of devices for the safety and health of the human body, and particularly relates to a damping safety device for objects having a surface intended to come into contact with a part of the human body. The invention is advantageously applicable for obtaining grips and knobs of sports equipment pieces and/or work tools, chairs and seats in general, protection members for the human body, such as shoe soles and gloves, and clothing accessories in general. State of the Art

It is known to apply damping members on surfaces subjected to impact and vibrations, particularly work tools, sports equipment pieces, such as bicycle handles, racket grips or golf clubs, pneumatic hammers, chain saws, drills and gardening tools, in order to make the user's grip safer and more comfortable.

Also known is the application of damping devices on surfaces intended to come into contact with a part of the human body, particularly gloves and shoe soles, chairs, saddles or seats in general of vehicles, through which the frame of the vehicle transmits stress to the user.

In the case of grips, there is currently the need to make grasping more comfortable, as such parts are particularly rigid; the force between the user and the equipment piece is transmitted through such grips.

Consequently, grips are subjected to strong stress and vibrations during the use thereof, and become fairly uncomfortable to use due to the rigidity of the material that transfers the entire impulsive stress to the hand and causes the onset of various pathologies, in particular of inflammatory type such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

For these applications, damping and/or anti-vibration devices are typically employed, tape-shaped and helically wound around the grip, also improving the adherence due to a grip surface with increased friction coefficient with respect to that of the grip.

Known from WO2006/032996 is a tape for grips made with a base layer of damping polymer material, particularly a polyurethane gel, having an upper surface partially covered with a non-adhesive paint layer, in a manner such that the tape is only adhesive on its lower surface.

One drawback of this solution is represented by the fact that, during the prolonged use of such tape type, there is wear of the paint deposited on the upper surface, in a manner such to bring the user's hands in contact with the highly adhesive polymer material, thus making it impossible for the user to achieve a functional grip.

In addition, such known tape type, like others, bases its damping functionality only on the chemical-physical characteristics of the polymer material, which can however be degraded with use.

Not least, even at maximum performance level, this known damped tape has not proven satisfactory in terms of vibration absorption.

From US 3,457,919, a damping tape is also known that comprises a pressure-sensitive microporous adhesive deposited on a thermoplastic resin support with relief portions. This solution does not lack drawbacks, since the combined use of the adhesive with the relief portions is not sufficient for ensuring the absorption of strong vibrations, such as those that are developed during sport or work activities.

US 6,51 1 ,732 instead describes a damping tape for grips comprising a lower layer for the application of the grip and an outer cover layer, between which a damping layer is interposed made of polyurethane and with uniform thickness.

Nevertheless, also this solution did not prove satisfactory with regard to the absorption of the impact that occurs during use.

In the case of support surfaces for the extended human body, such as vehicle seats, bicycle saddles and the like, it is instead necessary to apply a multilayer cover that incorporates a damping layer therein made of material with suitable resilience, such as polyurethane foam or gel.

Nevertheless, also in this case, the results in terms of vibration absorption did not prove to be satisfactory, in addition to being considerably variable over time.

Presentation of the invention The object of the present invention is to remedy the abovementioned drawbacks, by obtaining a damping safety device for the human body which has high efficiency and is relatively inexpensive.

A particular object is to obtain a damping safety device which has high properties of absorption for the impact and vibrations transmitted by the grip during use. A further particular object is to obtain a damping safety device that easily and firmly adheres to the surface to be covered, e.g. that of a seat or chair back, of a knob grip, of shoe soles, insoles, gloves and the like, at the same time ensuring a stable positioning of the user, i.e. a firm, durable grasp by the user's hand, and also always ensuring maximum comfort.

A further object is to obtain a damping safety device that allows a comfortable grasp by the user, without having external projections. Such objects, as well as others which will appear more clearly below, are achieved by a damping safety device for objects subjected to impact and/or vibrations such as tools, sports equipment pieces, work tools, supports and clothing garments for the human body, comprising a damping substrate which is extended along a main extension plane and having an upper surface and a lower surface, the latter being intended to be directed towards the surface of an object to be covered. The substrate has, on at least one of said lower and upper surfaces, a series of irregularities adapted to absorb the vibrations produced by the object during use. According to a particular features of the invention, the substrate is made of elastically-pliable polymer base material, said irregularities comprising a plurality of projections and/or recesses with respect to said main extension plane. Thanks to this particular configuration, the damping substrate will allow absorbing and dispersing the vibrations transmitted by the object during use, protecting the health of the user and allowing the stable positioning thereof on the support surface, i.e. ensuring an improved and more comfortable grasp of the equipment piece or tool.

Indeed, it has been experimentally observed that the irregularities made in the upper surface of the damping substrate prevent the production of resonance effects on the substrate itself, which are transmitted to the object and then to the body of the user.

Advantageous embodiments of the device according to the finding are obtained in accordance to the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the finding will be clearer in light of the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a device according to the finding, illustrated as a non-limiting example with the aid of drawing table set in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded top perspective view of a multilayer damping safety device according to the finding, shaped as a tape;

FIG. 2 is a partial bottom perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded front view of the device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a detail of Fig. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section view along the trace plane VI-VI of the device of

FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a bottom front view of the portion of the device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded side view of the portion of the device of

FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a view of possible embodiments of a substrate belonging to the device according to the finding;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a substrate belonging to the safety device according to the finding;

FIG. 10 is a plan, perspective view device of the substrate of Fig. 9; FIG. 11 is a cross section view of the substrate of Fig. 9;

FIGURES 12 to 18 depict plan views of further variants of the substrate of Fig. 9;

FIGURES 19 to 25 depict cross section views of the variants of Figures 12-18. Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

With particular reference to the illustrated figures, the safety device according to the finding, generically indicated with 1 , can be applied to any one object intended to come into contact with a part of the human body.

The object can be any sports equipment piece or work tool, or any one object having a support surface intended to at least partly sustain the weight of a user.

In a manner that is merely exemplifying and non-limiting of the present finding, the device 1 can be associated, in a stable and/or removable manner, with the grip of a bicycle handle, of a tennis racket or the like, of a golf club, or to a grip or grip member of any one tool or electric tool for work or recreational uses, for which a firm grip by the operator is necessary.

The device 1 can also be integrated into knobs to be associated with grips of sports equipment pieces or work tools, i.e. to define the entire knob.

According to further applications, the device 1 can at least partially cover a chair back or seat, e.g. a chair, a saddle or a vehicle seat such as that of motorcycles, bicycles or the like. The device 1 can also be applied or integrated into clothing garments or accessories, such as, in an exemplifying and non-limiting manner, gloves, shoe soles and insoles.

Furthermore, the device 1 can be applied to any other surface susceptible to receiving impact or vibrations for the purpose of absorbing the same, such as building walls, e.g. close to the housing spaces of window/door frames and fastenings, panels or work surfaces. In the enclosed figures, the device 1 is shaped as a tape, in order to be helically wound, according to known modes, around the grip or grip member of the object.

Nevertheless, different arrangements of the tape device should not be excluded, i.e. the application of multiple tapes to a single grip.

In addition, the device 1 according to the present finding can have any shape as a function of the specific form of the object portion to be covered.

As can be clearly seen in Fig. 1 , the safety device 1 essentially comprises a damping substrate 2 which is extended with predetermined, possibly adjustable length in a predetermined main extension plane IT and which has a lower surface 3 intended to be directed towards the outer surface of the object portion to be covered, not illustrated in the present figures, and an upper surface 4.

The latter can be optionally associated with a cover layer 5 superimposed on the damping layer 2 in a manner so as to define a multilayer device 1.

Preferably, the cover layer 5 will have a substantially regular, inner lower surface 6 placed in contact, e.g. adhering in a stable manner, with the damping substrate 2, and an outer upper surface 7 intended to come into contact with the body of the user.

The upper surface 7 of the cover layer 5 can be suitably configured to increase the friction and thus improve the adherence of the user, e.g. the grasp of the grip if the device 1 is configured as a tape.

For example, the outer surface 7 can have a plurality of holes or microholes, uniformly distributed thereon, or it can have accentuated roughness. Preferably, but not necessarily, a lower anchorage layer 8 can also be provided, adapted to adhere on the surface of the object to be covered. In such case, the damping substrate 2 will be interposed between the lower anchorage layer 8 and the upper cover layer 5 with its upper surface 4 facing and in contact with the inner surface 6 of the cover layer 5 and its lower surface 3 facing and at least partially in contact with the inner surface 9 of the anchorage layer 8.

The damping substrate 2 will have, on one of its surfaces 3, 4, a plurality of irregularities 10, 11 adapted to absorb the vibrations produced during the use of the equipment piece, tool or object in general. Suitable, the aforesaid irregularities will be defined by a plurality of projections 10 alternated with respective recesses 11 with respect to the main extension plane IT.

Below, with the terms "projections" and "recesses", portions of the damping substrate 2 material are identified, which are respectively extended above the main extension plane IT assumed as reference and below the same plane IT.

According to the finding, the damping substrate 2 will be made of a first elastically-pliable polymer base material, such as polyethylene or the like, in a manner so as to dissipate at least part of the energy absorbed by the irregularities 10, 11.

Preferably, the irregularities 10, 11 will be defined as substantially laminar projections which are extended from at least one of the lower 3 or upper 4 surfaces of the substrate 2 in a manner so as to undergo a bending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the respective surface 3, 4. Advantageously, the irregularities 10, 11 will be arranged along one or more strips which are extended parallel to a same main extension direction X.

The strips can have respective lengths l, measured along the main extension direction X, that are different from each other.

In addition, the strips can have respective widths w, measured along a transverse direction Y orthogonal to the main extension direction X, preferably constant for their entire longitudinal extension but not necessarily equivalent for each strip.

In this manner, a substrate 2 is defined, having a first size di along the main extension direction X corresponding to the length I of the strips, and a second size d₂, measured along the transverse direction Y, given by the sum of the widths w of all the strips.

In the configurations illustrated in the figures, the device 1 , which will substantially have the aspect of a tape, is formed by a single strip having length I predominant with respect to the width w. The length I and the width w respectively define the first di and the second d₂ size of the substrate 2.

In these embodiment variants, the substrate 2 will have substantially parallel longitudinal edges 12, 13 and an irregular cross section for its entire longitudinal length.

In the embodiment variants shown in Figs. 1-8, the device will comprise the three layers 2, 5, 8 which are substantially coextensive along the main extension direction X, even if they do not necessarily have the same transverse width.

Naturally, the first size d-ι of the device 1 , and thus of the layers 2, 5, 8, can vary considerably from device to device according its specific applications and the device 1 can also be of cuttable type or it can be shaped as desired by the user.

For example, if the device 1 is intended to be associated with a surface of the object meant to at least party support the weight of the user's body, e.g. a seat or a saddle, the first d-ι and the second d₂ size of the substrate 2 can be of the same order of magnitude, or in any case they can be comparable to each other. Regardless of the particular conformation of the device 1 , the surface irregularities 10, 11 of the substrate 2 can comprise projections 10 defining corrugations, which are extended along directions that are tilted with respect to the main extension direction X with angles α, β equivalent and opposite with respect to the center line of the respective strip, in this configuration corresponding with the main extension direction X.

In particular, as visible in FIG. 4, the projections 10 and the recesses 11 will define, in plan view, respective substantially sinusoidal curves with substantially constant amplitude a and transverse period p, respectively measured along the main direction X and the transverse direction Y.

Preferably, the irregularities 10, 11 are extended in a substantially continuous manner from one of the longitudinal edges 12 to the other edge 13 of the respective strip. Nevertheless, further configurations will be possible for the projections 10 and the recesses 11 , without departing from the protective scope of the present finding.

In FIG. 8, a first group of twelve embodiment variants of the substrate 2 is illustrated. From these configurations, it is inferred that the projections 10 and the recesses 11 can have corrugated form, not necessarily sinusoidal and/or symmetrical with respect to the center line, with transversely-variable amplitudes and periods and possibly defining one or more cusps. In addition, the cross section of the damping substrate 2, and consequently the projections 10 and the recesses 11 , can be substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry IT' passing through the center line X and substantially orthogonal to the extension plane IT, as illustrated in FIG. 5, in a manner so as to have uniform behavior.

Nevertheless, asymmetric configurations can also be provided for the substrate 2.

The surface irregularities 10, 11 can be obtained by means of any one mechanical working operation, e.g. incision or molding of the first polymer material. The anchorage layer 8 will preferably be made of a second polymer material having different density with respect to the first polymer material.

In addition, regardless of the selection of the respective base materials, the coupling between the anchorage layer 8 and the damping substrate 2 can be obtained both by chemical gluing and by means of hot co-molding of the respective materials.

The shape of the damping substrate 2, necessary for obtaining the surface irregularities 10, 11 , can be obtained both before the coupling with the anchorage layer 8 and after such step, i.e. achieved directly on its base material.

The cover layer 5 can be made of any one material, both natural, e.g. fabric or leather, and synthetic, e.g. made of polymer material or imitation leather. Its coupling to the damping substrate 2 can occur via gluing, via hot coupling or according to any mode that is known to the man skilled in the art. The cover layer 5 and the anchorage layer 8 will have respective thicknesses s', s" that are substantially constant and preferably close to 1 mm.

The damping substrate 2 will have maximum thickness s preferably comprised between 0.7mm and 2mm and preferably close to 1 .2mm.

In addition, the damping substrate 2 can have lateral portions 2', 2" tapered towards respective longitudinal edges 12, 13 such that, when the device 1 is helically wound on the portion to be covered, e.g. a grip, the lateral portions 2', 2" will be superimposed without creating unsuitable thickenings of the tape-shaped device 1.

The lower anchorage layer 8 can be sized such that it does not cover the lateral portions 2', 2" of the damping layer 2.

In addition, on the outer surface 14 of the anchorage layer 8, an adhesive layer can be distributed (not visible in the figures) which can be suitably covered by a further protective layer 15 configured to be removed immediately before the application of the device 1.

In a further configuration of the device 1 according to the finding, the damping substrate 2 and the cover layer 5, in addition to all the other possible layers, such as the anchorage layer 8 and the adhesive layer 15, as well as other layers interposed between those mentioned (and neither illustrated nor described), can be suitably shaped to assume a substantially cylindrical tubular form.

In this case, the device 1 can be applied directly to a grip or grip member of the object or tool.

In Figures 9-25, a second group of embodiment variants of the device according to the finding is illustrated; such variants are distinguished from the preceding ones essentially for the shape of the irregularities of the damping substrate 2.

In particular, the single irregularities 10 will essentially be formed by pairs of laminar members 16, 17 with substantially semicircular form in plan view, projecting from either the lower surface 3 or the upper surface 4 of the substrate 2.

In each pair of semicircular laminar members 16, 17, the concave inner surfaces will be mutually opposed and will substantially have the same radius r and center of curvature C. The latter will be suitably offset in a manner so as to define, in plan view, a line of secondary extension 18 that is substantially tilted with respect to the main extension line X. Suitably, the laminar members 16, 17 will be distributed along a plurality of lines 19, 19', 19",... which are extended along respective directions transverse and parallel to the direction Y.

Preferably, the members 16, 17 of each line 19 are transversely offset with respect to the members of the longitudinally adjacent lines 19', 19", ... in a manner so as to avoid the preferential propagation of the vibrations along the longitudinal direction X, thus increasing the damping effect of the device 1.

Each member 16, 17 will extend from a lower edge 20 at one of the lower 3 or upper 4 surfaces of the substrate 2 and an upper free edge 21 and will have a predetermined height h.

The thickness s of the semicircular laminar members 16, 17 can be substantially constant for their entire vertical extension, as is visible in the embodiments of Figures 19-21 , 23 and 24 .

Alternatively, as is visible in Figs. 11 , 22 and 25, the thickness s can progressively increase from the upper free edge 21 up to the lower edge 20, in a manner so as to vary the elastic response according to the intensity of the stress applied to the substrate 2. In addition, the members 16, 17 can have height h substantially constant along their angular extension, as in the configurations of Figures 11 , 19-22 and 24, or the height can vary along at least part of the aforesaid angular extension, as illustrated in Fig. 23. In Fig. 25, an embodiment is illustrated in which the semicircular laminar members 16, 17 have maximum height h at their central part, such height gradually decreasing towards the ends.

The members 16, 17 can assume further configurations, even different from those illustrated, without departing from the protective scope of the present finding.

Suitably, the members 16, 17 of a same line 19, 19', 19", ... can have an angular orientation with respect to the center line M that is different from each other, as is more clearly visible in Figs. 17 and 18.

In substance, the diametrical discontinuity lines 18 of each pair of formations 16, 17 of a same line 19, 19', 19", ... will be tilted with respect to the center line M with respective mutually different angles.

Due to this particular arrangement, one will avoid that the discontinuity lines 18 of formation pairs 16, 17 of the same line 19, 19', 19", ... or of adjacent lines can be substantially aligned with each other, defining a preferential line of propagation of the vibrations which could also in this case reduce the effectiveness of the device 1.

The device 1 provided with the substrate 2 according to the configurations of Figs. 9-25 can possibly be provided with a cover layer and/or anchorage layer.

In some applications, the device 1 can be constituted only by the damping substrate 2 in a manner so as to define a single-layer device.

In addition, preferably, the semicircular formations 16, 17 can be made at the lower surface 3 of the substrate 2 while the upper surface 4 will be substantially regular and smooth in order to ensure suitable comfort for the user.

The formations 16, 17 can be obtained by means of extrusion of the first base material, with which the substrate 2 is composed, starting from a panel. If the substrate 2 is configured as a tape, it can have tapered longitudinal edges 22, 23 in order to define longitudinal edge surfaces 24, 25 that are tilted and substantially parallel to each other, in a manner such that at the time of application of the device 1 to a tubular or cylindrical body by means of helical winding, overlap zones with increased thickness are not created, which could reduce comfort.

From that described above, it is clear that the safety device according to the finding attains the pre-established objects, and particularly that of absorbing the vibrations transmitted by the grip of the equipment piece or tool.

The device according to the finding is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all part of the inventive concept expressed in the enclosed claims. All details can be substituted by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can be different according to needs, without departing from the scope of the finding.

Even if the device was described with reference to the enclosed figures, the reference numbers used in the description and in the claims are used improving the comprehension of the finding, and do not constitute limitation of the claimed protective scope.

Claims

1 . A damping safety device, applicable to surfaces of objects subjected to impact and/or vibrations, such as tools, sports equipment pieces, work equipment, supports, gloves and clothing garments for the human body, comprising a damping substrate (2) which is extended along a main extension plane (IT) and has an upper surface (4) and a lower surface (3), wherein one of said surfaces (3, 4) is directed towards the surface of an object to be covered and the other of said surfaces (4, 3) has a series of irregularities (10, 11 ) adapted to absorb the vibrations produced by the object, wherein said irregularities comprise a plurality of projections and/or recesses (10, 11 ) with respect to said main extension plane (IT), characterized in that said substrate (2) is made of an elastically-pliable polymer base material.

2. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said projections (10) and/or recesses (11 ) are arranged along one or strips that are extended along a longitudinal direction (X) and have substantially constant width (w).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said irregularities (10, 11 ) comprise corrugations which are extended along directions (Y) that are tilted with respect to said longitudinal direction (X), with amplitude (a) and period (p) substantially constant along said main direction (X) and said tilted directions (Y), respectively.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that each of said strips defines a center line (M), said projections (10) and said recesses (11 ) being arranged in mutually alternating positions along said main direction (M) with tilt angles (α, β) opposite and alternating with respect to the respective center line (M).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said substrate (2) defines a plane of symmetry (ττ') passing through said center line (M) and orthogonal to said extension plane (ir), said projections (10) and said recesses (11 ) being substantially symmetrical with respect to said plane of symmetry (ττ').

6. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said irregularities (10) are substantially identical and are each formed by at least one pair of projecting laminar members (16, 17) with substantially semicircular plan form having mutually opposed concave inner surfaces, with predetermined radius (r) and center of curvature (C).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said pairs of laminar members (16, 17) are uniformly distributed with center distance between said centers of curvature (C) substantially constant along transverse lines (19, 19', 19", ...) that are substantially parallel to each other and offset in a substantially longitudinal direction (X).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the pairs of laminar members (16, 17) belonging to each line are transversely offset with respect to the pairs of laminar members (16, 17) belonging to the immediately adjacent lines (19', 19").

9. Device according to one of the claims from 6 to 8, characterized in that said laminar members (16, 17) have a lower edge (20) integral with said substrate (2) and a free upper edge (21 ), the thickness (s) of said laminar members (16, 17) being progressively decreasing from said lower edge (20) to said upper edge (21).

10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that each of said laminar members (16, 17) has a height (h) that can be varied along at least part of its angular extension.

1 1 . Device according to one of the claims from 6 to 10, characterized in that the members (16, 17) of a same line (19, 19', 19", ...) have different angular orientation around the respective centers of curvature (C).

12. Device according to one of the claims from 3 to 1 1 , characterized in that said substrate (2) has a first longitudinal size (d-ι) and a second transverse size (d₂), said sizes (d_{1 ;} d₂) being of the same order of magnitude in order to define a substantially flat substrate (2) applicable to a surface for at least partially supporting the user's body.

13. Device according to one of the claims from 3 to 1 1 , characterized in that said substrate (2) has a first longitudinal size (d-ι) and a second transverse size (d₂), one of said sizes (di) being considerably predominant with respect to the other (d₂) in order to define a substantially tape-shaped substrate (2) applicable to a substantially cylindrical portion of an object to be covered.

14. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said irregularities (10, 11 ) are obtained via incision or molding of said first polymer material.

15. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cover layer (5) superimposed on said damping substrate (2) and having an upper surface (7) intended to come into contact with the human body.

16. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an anchorage layer (8) placed in contact with the lower surface (3) of said substrate (8) and adapted to adhere to the outer surface of the object to be covered, said anchorage layer (8) being made of a second polymer material having different density with respect to said first polymer material and molded together with the latter.

17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that on the outer surface (14) of said anchorage layer (8), an adhesive layer is distributed, a further removable protective layer (15) also being provided that is adapted to cover said adhesive layer and is intended to be removed before application of the device.

18. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said damping substrate (2) is shaped in order to assume a configuration suitable for being applied to one part of the human body, such as a glove or a shoe sole, or a grip or grip member of an object.