WO2022175881A1

WO2022175881A1 - Passive safety device

Info

Publication number: WO2022175881A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/051457
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wiclef Domenico Lorenzo GAUDIO; Jacopo ALLAMPRESE
Original assignee: Gaudio Wiclef Domenico Lorenzo; Allamprese Jacopo
Priority date: 2021-02-18
Filing date: 2022-02-18
Publication date: 2022-08-25
Also published as: IT202100003773A1

Abstract

A passive safety device (10) for use by an individual wearing a helmet or similar protective headgear in sports and non-sports fields for protection against fractures and movements of extension, flexion, torsion and cervical distension, which comprises constituent elements comprising a wearable structure (12) on the user's body, a harness (14) for stabilizing the wearable structure (12) to the user's body and connecting means (16) between said wearable structure (12) and a helmet (18) fitted on the user's head.

Description

PASSIVE SAFETY DEVICE

The present invention relates to a passive safety device.

More in particular, the present invention relates to a passive safety device for an individual and, more in particular, relates to a safety device to be used by a motorcyclist or driver or cyclist or skier or other user who wears a protective helmet in the sports or non-sports field (for example, who wears skates (inline or quad skates or ice skates (speed skates), who uses scooters, parachutists and the like, in the case of water sports or in the case of motorboat or jet ski riders or the like) who wears a helmet or a similar protective headgear especially, but not exclusively, during sports competitions.

As is known, in the particular case of motor sports competitions (Formula 1, rallies, touring car racing, etc.) or motorcycle races, the drivers are subject to multiple stresses and forces which, in the event of an accident (for example, overturning of the car or collision with another car or the like) which can lead, for example, to front or rear impacts or the like which cause accelerations of the driver's head which can result in more or less serious damage to the driver (damage to the head or neck area, in particular).

In the case of a car driver, the seat belts wrap the driver's shoulders and hold the driver's torso and the helmet protects the driver's head, while the neck holds the head; therefore, in the event of a collision the torso is held by the seat belts and the head tends to move with the torso and is subjected to a force which tends to "tear away" the head from the neck.

To remedy such problems, multiple protective devices have been developed to prevent the head from moving with the torso following a collision, and therefore in such a way as to reduce the movements of the driver's head and stresses on the neck. The devices known and suitable for the purpose include a device called "HANS" (Head and Neck Support) particularly used in automotive competitions (for example in the Formula 1), which is anchored to the driver's body by means of the vehicle seat belts and which has the function of preventing the driver's head from being "pushed away" in a direction which tends to "tear away" it from the body; by means of such a device the impacts of the driver's head against the passenger compartment are reduced and the forces in action on the driver's neck and head are reduced by virtue of an action exerted by the belts/straps with which the device connects to the helmet of the driver himself and which allow the forces in play to be discharged on the other parts of the protective device itself.

However, such a well-known protective device, although effective, defines a protection only in the event of a frontal impact, while in the case of a rear impact or collision the protection of the neck is entrusted only to the headrest of the driver's seat and, furthermore, such a device does not protect against side impacts and is dependent on the vehicle seat belts which are necessary for stabilizing the device itself.

Another well-known protective device is stabilized to the driver's body by means of adjustable straps (it is not stabilized using the seat belts of the car and, therefore, is also used in the motorcycle field) and is connected to the driver's helmet by means of further straps; such a device, however, tends to excessively limit the driver's mobility and, as in the case of the above safety device ("HANS" device), does not ensure protection in the case of rear impacts (in this case, the limitation of the neck's extension is entirely entrusted to the headrest of the seat which, in the case of a motorcycle, is not present).

Another known solution, particularly used in the case of motorcycling and cycling competitions, consists of a "bodice" which is worn on the shoulders to protect the neck and, in particular, the forces exerted on the latter as well as on the bones of the clavicle.

However, this solution also has some drawbacks due to the fact that it does not allow adequate protection in the case of impacts involving distensions and torsions of the neck. Other known solutions comprise a wearable bodice and a collar with the function of transmitting the forces deriving from an impact to the driver's torso so as to reduce the forces transmitted to the neck.

However, even such solutions have some drawbacks related to poor protection in the case of strong impacts, a lack of omnidirectional protection, a limitation of the allowed movements, etc.

Other known solutions refer to collars, typically in soft foam, which find particular application in the cycling fields with the function of supporting the head and protecting the neck from flexions and extensions, but have the disadvantage of not being able to handle torsions and, moreover, do not allow to define a protection in the case of frontal type impacts with limitation of excessive distension of the cervical vertebrae.

A further drawback of the traditional safety devices is that they limit the movements of the driver's head and are therefore not easy and comfortable to use in the case of use for safety, for example, on a motorcycle.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks described above.

More in particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a passive safety device suitable for use as a protective device in combination with a helmet aimed at protecting the cervical vertebrae from excessive and unsustainable stresses by the wearer. A further object of the present invention is to provide a passive protective device against all movements (in all directions) to which the cervical vertebrae are subjected, i.e., flexion and distension movements, extension movements, torsion movements and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a protective device usable in the automotive, motorcycle and related fields.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device which is easy to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a safety device which is comfortable in use and ensures high mobility to the user in the event of use in the automotive field and also in the event of use in the motorcycle field and other sports and non-sports activities which involve the use of a protective helmet.

A further object of the present invention is to provide users with a passive safety device adapted to ensure high resistance and reliability over time and furthermore, such as to be easily and economically made.

These and other objects are achieved by the invention having the features according to claim 1.

According to the invention, a passive safety device is provided for use by an individual wearing a helmet or similar protective headgear in sports and non-sports fields for protection against movements of extension, flexion, torsion and cervical distension, which comprises constituent elements comprising a wearable structure on the user's body, a harness for stabilizing the wearable structure to the user's body and connecting means between said wearable structure and a helmet fitted on the user's head.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention appear from the dependent claims.

The constructive and functional features of the passive safety device of the present invention can be better clarified from the following detailed description, in which reference is made to the attached drawings which represent a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, in which: figure 1 schematically illustrates a front axonometric view of the passive safety device of the invention; figure 2 schematically illustrates a rear axonometric view of the safety device of the invention; figure 3 schematically shows a front axonometric view of the safety device of the invention worn by a user; figure 4 schematically illustrates an enlargement of a rear axonometric view of the safety device of the invention; figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 schematically illustrate three operating configurations of the safety device of the invention.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the passive safety device of the present invention, indicated overall with 10 in the aforementioned figures, substantially comprises three constituent elements defined by a wearable structure 12 and such as to adapt (as better defined below) to the user's body, for example, defined by a driver provided with a protective helmet 18, a harness 14 for stabilizing the wearable structure 12 to the user's body and connecting means 16 between said wearable structure of the safety device 10 and the helmet 18.

The wearable structure 12 comprises a bodice 20 fitted on the user's shoulders and shaped to be able to adapt to the physique of the same user and comprising a front portion 21, an opposite and substantially parallel rear portion 22 and a pair of shaped side portions 23 opposite each other and placed to connect the front portion and the rear portion, said front portion 21 abutting the user's chest 24, said opposite rear portion 22 abutting the back or spine 24' and with the opposite side portions 23 shaped to adapt to and rest on the user's shoulders 24.

The assembly consisting of the front portion 21, the opposite rear portion 22 and the opposite side portions 23 defines a central compartment 25 constituting a seat for inserting the user's head protected by a helmet 18.

Two opposite side appendages 26 extend from the peripheral edges of the central compartment 25, which are externally protruding with respect to the bodice 20 which, starting from the front portion 21, extend following the shape of the opposite side portions 23 and which, at the rear portion 22, join a rear appendage 27 externally protruding with respect to said rear portion; in the embodiment of the figures said externally protruding appendages extend according to substantially vertical curved surfaces.

The rear appendage 27 has a greater extension in height with respect to the extension in height of the opposite side appendages 26.

The assembly defined by the opposite side appendages 26 and the rear appendage 27 defines a collar which laterally and rearwardly abuts the user's head protected by the helmet 18. As better detailed below, the opposite side appendages 26 and the rear appendage 27 define, respectively, opposite side headrests and a rear headrest.

The wearable structure 12 is, preferably, made in a single body and in a lightweight material, with suitable mechanical properties such as composite materials of the CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) type, elastically deformable to be able to easily adapt to the physique of the wearer.

The harness 14 has the function of stabilizing the wearable structure 12 to the user's body and comprises a pair of opposite side bands or belts 30 arranged at the opposite side portions 23 connecting between the front portion 21 and the rear portion 22, front bands or belts 32 stabilized at the front portion 21 and rear bands or belts 33 stabilized at the rear portion 22.

When the wearable structure 12 is fitted by the user, the side bands or straps 30 settle below the armpit area, the front bands or straps 32 settle at the chest and the rear bands or straps 33 settle at the user's spine (as shown in figures 3 and 5 to 7) so as to fasten the wearable structure 12 firmly in place.

In accordance with alternative embodiments, the harness 14 can comprise different components, as can be the arrangement and mode of settling and locking such components with respect to the user's body, while ensuring a proper and comfortable stabilization of the wearable structure to the user's body. The bands or belts of the harness 14 are preferably adjustable in length so as to be able to adapt well to the user's physique and define the settling with respect to the user's body by means of Velcro strips or other known fastening/coupling methods.

The connecting means 16 between the safety device 10 and the helmet 18 worn by the user comprise a connecting strap 40 constrained to the wearable structure 12 at the rear appendage 27 of the bodice 20 and, more in particular, constrained to a sleeve 42 arranged on the outer front of said rear appendage facing away from the central compartment 25 of the bodice 20 and with said sleeve 42 allowing a sliding of the connecting strap 40 according to a horizontal direction as better detailed below.

The connecting strap 40 comprises, at the opposite free ends 41, quick-coupling type elements 43 (not described in detail as known) to the helmet 18 (the coupling occurs at the rear side faces of the helmet 18, as schematically shown in figures 3 and 4).

Furthermore, the connecting strap 40 comprises a pair of opposite abutment or stop elements 44 whose function will be better clarified below. The connecting strap 40 is sized so as to withstand the stresses caused by the relative motion of the helmet 18 with respect to the wearable structure 12, as better detailed below.

The connecting strap is preferably made of soft materials, but resistant to cutting and scratching and characterized by a high Young modulus, high resistance to breakage and corrosion (e.g., high-tenacity polyester type material - such as the material called SWG048 used for automotive seat belts).

The operation and use of the passive safety device of the invention, described above with reference to the construction details, is explained below.

The passive safety device of the invention is worn by a user (for example, a car or motorcycle driver or a skier or a parachutist, etc.) by inserting it from above with the head passing through the central opening 25 of the wearable structure 12 and with the latter settling on the user's shoulders and which is stabilized to the user's body by means of the front, side and rear bands or belts with which it is provided.

Once the user has put the helmet 18 on, the connecting strap 40 is stabilized thereto by means of the quick couplings 43 (as schematically shown in figures 3 and 4).

Under normal conditions, i.e., when the user is not subject to sudden and dangerous forces such as those caused by car or motorcycle accidents, the safety device of the invention allows free cervical movements without creating obstacles to comfortable driving and this is ensured by the connecting strap 40 which allows both the flexing/distending and the torsion and lateral flexion movements of the neck (in fact, as described, the connecting strap 40 is not rigidly constrained to the wearable structure 12, but can slide in the sleeve 42). In the event of an accident (car or motorcycle) which involves a frontal impact, the user's head, due to the inertia, flexes in the frontal direction (as indicated by the arrow "X" in figure 5) stretching the cervical vertebrae beyond a safety threshold.

The connecting strap 40 connected to the helmet 18 as described, in this case, enters into tension and stops the frontal flexion movement and the forces linked to the impact are transmitted from the connecting strap 40 to the wearable structure 12 and are discharged onto the rear appendage, distributing over a large surface defined by the wearable structure 12 and by the wearer's body.

In the event of an accident involving a side impact, the user's head (although protected by the helmet 18) tends to be abruptly "thrown" to the right or left (as indicated by the arrows "Y" in figure 6) due to movement inertia, with an excessive lateral extension of the vertebrae.

In this situation, the safety device obtains a protection defined by the side headrests represented by the two opposite side appendages 26 externally protruding with respect to the bodice 20 and, more in particular, the user's head protected by the helmet 18 moves to the right or left finding a stop element in the side appendages 26 with the forces which are transmitted from the helmet to said side appendages of the wearable structure and are distributed over a large surface of the user's body; the opposite externally protruding side appendages 26, as indicated above, define the head movement stop elements within a safety threshold (which is known).

In the event of a rear impact, by inertia, the user's head achieves a cervical extension movement (as indicated by the arrow "Z" in figure 7) which "throws" or pushes the head in the direction of the seat headrest (if present in the event of an impact in a car).

In the event of such a type of impact and with the safety device of the invention worn, the head of the user wearing the helmet 18 is pushed back and is stopped (within the safety limits of the cervical extension movement) by the rear appendage 27 externally protruding from the bodice 20 of the wearable structure; by the reaction between the helmet and said rear appendage, the impact forces are transmitted from the helmet to the rear appendage and distributed over a large surface of the user's body.

Figure 8 illustrates the operation of the safety device of the invention in the event of an impact involving torsion movements (indicated by the arrow "K" in figure 8) of the user's head, i.e., movements in which the head is forced to rotate with respect to its own vertical axis beyond a safety threshold (such as to cause distortion or more serious damage).

In this case, the safety device of the invention operates by means of the connecting strap 40 which slides with respect to the sleeve 42 (as indicated by the arrow "J" in figure 8) with one of the opposite abutment or stop elements 44 which, as a result of the sliding of the connecting strap 40, abuts against the sleeve 42, causing the transmission of forces from the connecting strap 40 to the rear appendage 27 and, therefore, to the wearable structure 12 with a distribution on the user's body.

As can be seen from the above, the advantages obtained by the passive safety device of the invention are clear.

The passive safety device of the present invention advantageously allows to achieve complete protection of the cervical vertebrae from excessive and unsustainable stresses on the individual or driver, with stresses caused by cervical flexion and distension movements, extension movements, torsion movements and the like.

A further advantage of the device of the invention is that it is versatile in use as it is applied in both the automotive field and in the motorcycle and related fields and also in the cycling or skiing field or, also, in the case of other sports activities of the skating type or the like or, again, in the field of non-sports activities which contemplate the use of the helmet.

A further advantage of the device of the invention is that the wearable structure, in addition to defining a means for stabilizing the device to the user's body, provides protection against the penetration of objects into the user's body.

Further advantageous is the fact that the safety device of the invention is easy to use by the wearer.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the safety device of the invention ensures high comfort for the user, both with reference to the great freedom of movement ensured to the user and with reference to the adjustment of the same for an optimal application to the body of the user.

Although the invention has been described above with particular reference to an embodiment given merely by way of non-limiting example, numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to a person skilled in the art in the light of the above description. Therefore, the present invention intends to embrace all the modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A passive safety device (10) for use by an individual wearing a helmet or similar protective headgear in sports and non-sports fields for protection against fractures and movements of extension, flexion, torsion and cervical distension, characterized in that it comprises constituent elements comprising a wearable structure (12) on the user's body, a harness (14) for stabilizing the wearable structure (12) to the user's body and connecting means (16) between said wearable structure (12) and a helmet (18) fitted on the user's head comprising a connecting strap (40) constrained to the wearable structure (12), slidably constrained, according to a horizontal direction, to a sleeve (42) of said wearable structure (12) and further comprising a pair of opposite abutment or stop elements (44) for a limitation of the horizontal sliding of said connecting strap with respect to the sleeve (42) to which said strap is constrained.

2. The safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wearable structure (12) comprises a bodice (20) fitted on the user's shoulders and comprising a front portion (21), an opposite rear portion (22) and a pair of shaped side portions (23) opposite to each other and placed to connect the front portion (21) and the rear portion (22), the front portion (21) abutting the user's chest (24), the opposite rear portion (22) abutting the back or spine (24') and the opposite side portions (23) resting on the shoulders (24) of the same user.

3. The safety device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wearable structure (12) comprises a central front compartment (25) forming a seat for the insertion of the user's head from whose peripheral edges a collar extends which abuts the user's head laterally and rearwardly.

4. The safety device according to claim 3, characterized in that the collar comprises two opposite side appendages (26) externally protruding with respect to the bodice (20) of said wearable structure (12) which, starting from the front portion (21), extend following the shape of the opposite side portions (23) and which, at the rear portion (22), join a rear appendage (27) externally protruding with respect to said rear portion, the opposite side appendages (26) defining opposite side head rests and the rear appendage (27) defining a rear head rest.

5. The safety device according to claim 4, characterized in that the rear appendage (27) has a greater extension in height with respect to the extension in height of the opposite side appendages (26).

6. The safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the harness (14) comprises a pair of opposite side bands or straps (30) stabilized to the opposite side portions (23) to connect the front portion (21) and the rear portion (22), front bands or straps (32) stabilized to the front portion (21) and rear bands or straps (33) stabilized to the rear portion (22), said bands or straps being functional to stabilize the wearable structure (12) to the user's body.

7. The safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting strap (40) is constrained to the wearable structure (12) at the rear appendage (27) of the bodice (20) and is slidably constrained to the sleeve (42) arranged on an outer front of said rear appendage (27) facing away from the central compartment (25) of the bodice (20).

8. The safety device according to claim 7, characterized in that the connecting strap (40) comprises, at the opposite free ends (41) thereof, rapid-type coupling elements (43) to the helmet 18.

9. The safety device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wearable structure (12) is made in a single body and in light and elastically deformable material to be able to easily adapt to the physique of the user wearing it.