Protection device for a human

Abstract

A protection device for a human comprising a harness-type structure is described. The harness-type structure comprises an upper fixation structure adapted for extending at least partially around of a human's neck, a lower fixation structure adapted for extending at least partially around a human's waist or pelvis, and at least one inflatable hose section (32, 32') extending between the lower fixation structure and the upper fixation structure. This inflatable hose section has a deflated state in which the hose section is flexible and an inflated state such that the diameter of the hose section is larger in the inflated state than in the deflated state (Fig. 1).

Description

[0001] Protection device for a human

[0002] The invention relates to a protection device for human according to claim 1 .

[0003] While large improvements have been made in the field of safety for passengers in a car in the recent decades, the level of protection of bicycle riders is still unsatisfactory. The only real protection device commonly used by bicycle riders is a helmet, whereas the body and especially the torso remain more or less unprotected. Although deployable vests or jackets are available for motorcyclists, such vests are commonly not used by bicycle riders since they are bulky, heavy and especially not comfortable for a bicycle rider riding during rather warm weather. So, there is an obvious demand for a protection device which is especially useful for bicycle riders and which finds large acceptance by them.

[0004] It is thus an object of the invention to provide a protection device for a human, especially its torso, which gives a high level of protection during an accident and which is lightweight, comfortable to wear and has a design which makes it likely to reach a high degree of acceptance.

[0005] This task is solved by a protection device for a human having the features of claim 1 .

[0006] The main concept of the invention is to provide a harness-type structure which comprises at least one inflatable hose-like part defining or comprising at least one inflatable hose section. This inflatable hose section extends between an upper fixation structure adapted for extending at least partially around the neck of the human wearing the protection device and a lower fixation structure adapted for extending at least partially around this human’s waist or pelvis. So, this inflatable hose section extends essentially in a vertical direction (when the human is standing) and thus covers a part of the torso of this human. Usually this at least one inflatable hose section covers a part of the back (for example the spine) or a part of the front side of the torso (abdomen and chest).

[0007] In summary, the protection device according to the invention comprises a harness typed structure, wherein said harness typed structure comprises: an upper fixation structure adapted for extending at least partially around a human’s neck, a lower fixation structure adapted for extending at least partially around a human’s waist or pelvis, and at least one inflatable hose section extending between the lower fixation structure and the upper fixation structure, said inflatable hose section having a deflated state in which the hose section is flexible and an inflated state such that the diameter of the hose section is larger in the inflated state than in the deflated state.

[0008] It is possible that the lower fixation structure and / or the upper fixation structure are also at least in parts inflatable, but this is not necessary in all conceivable embodiments.

[0009] Often it will preferred that the at least one inflatable hose sections spans the whole distance between the upper fixation structure and the lower fixation structure in order to get a maximized protection surface, but this is not strictly mandatory. It is also possible that a part of the connection between the upper fixation structure and the lower fixation structure is not deployable such that the inflatable hose section forms only a part of the connection between the upper and the lower fixation structure.

[0010] Due to the harness structure, the protection device as a whole is lightweight, does not provide a warming structure for the body and can be worn over the common clothing of the human using this protection device. Due to this fact, the protection device, especially its harness-type structure, can be worn even when not used as a fashionable accessory which enhances the acceptance by the user and the likeliness that the protection device is used. In order to provide an easy-to-use and reliably working upper fixation structure, this fixation structure preferably forms or comprises a closed collar when it is in its worn state. Similarly, the lower fixation structure preferably forms or comprises a belt-like structure in the worn state. For this reason, both, the upper fixation structure and the lower fixation structure preferably each comprise a clasp.

[0011] In order to provide a protection device which is even more easy to use and fits for a large variety of humans having different sizes, it can be preferred that the at least one inflatable hose section is stretchable when it is in its deflated state. “Stretchable” means that it can be lengthened in the longitudinal direction of this hose section. To achieve this, the at least one hose section can essentially be designed like a stretchable garden hose as is for example described in WO 2014 / 169057 A1 , meaning that it has an outer skin having a plurality of essentially circumferentially extending wrinkles when the hose section is in its deflated and non-stretched state and an elastic inner sleeve (for example being made of a rubber-type material) enclosing the gas space. As an alternative, the outer skin might be air tightly coated on its inside to “directly” enclose the gas space.

[0012] Although in some special applications it is conceivable that only one inflatable hose section is sufficient, it is in most embodiments preferred to provide at least one inflatable hose section at the front of the human’s torso and at least one at the back of the human’s torso. In order to even enhance the protection level, it can be preferred to provide at least two inflatable host sections at the front and / or the back.

[0013] In some embodiments two or more hose sections can be sections of a joint hose, in other embodiments, each hose section forms a separate hose.

[0014] In case that the harness-type structure comprise two front inflatable hosesections, it can be preferred that the harness-type structure further comprises a front connection structure connecting those two front inflatable hose sections at least in the worn state such that an X- or H-shaped sub-structure is formed and a better covering of the front of the torso is achieved. In the same way, a rear connection structure can be provided if two rear inflatable hose sections are present.

[0015] In most embodiments it will be preferred that the protection device is an active protection device meaning that the at least one inflatable hose sections automatically deploys in case of a critical event (usually an acceleration that exceeds a pre-defined value). In this case, the protection device further comprises an inflator and a triggering assembly for the inflator. The inflator and the triggering assembly can be parts of an inflating assembly, usually along with a battery. If a clasp is present (for example in the lower fixation structure or the upper fixation structure), this clasp can comprise a switch being used for activating the triggering assembly. But although an active inflation of the at least one hose section will often be preferred, it would also be possible to provide manual inflating means (usually a valve) for the at least one hose section.

[0016] The invention will now be described in more detail by means of preferred embodiments in view of the figures. The figures show:

[0017] Figure 1 a schematic representation of the front upper body of a human wearing a protection device according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the inflatable hose sections of the harness-type structure of this protection device are in their deflated state,

[0018] Figure 2 a rear view of what is shown in Figure 1 ,

[0019] Figure 3 the right hose and its connecting assembly in a schematic side view,

[0020] Figure 4 the detail D1 of Figure 3 in a sectional view,

[0021] Figure 5 the detail D2 of Figure 3, also in a sectional view, Figure 6 the items shown in Figure 1 when the hose sections are in their inflated state,

[0022] Figure 7 what is shown in Figure 4 in the deployed state of the hose section,

[0023] Figure 8 an alternative filling arrangement for a hose section,

[0024] Figure 9 an alternative structure of the harness-type structure of the protection device in an even more schematic representation,

[0025] Figure 10 a further alternative structure of the harness-type structure of the protection device in a representation according to Figure 9, and

[0026] Figure 11 another alternative structure of the harness-type structure of the protection device in a representation according to Figures 9 and 10.

[0027] The invention will first be described by means of an embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7. As is obvious, those figures are strictly schematic in order to focus on the details necessary to understand the structure of the invention.

[0028] Figures 1 and 2 show the upper body of a human wearing a protection device according to the invention. This protection device comprises a harness-type structure and two inflating assemblies 50 attached to this harness-type structure, namely its belt 20. In other embodiments, the inflating assembly, or parts of the same, might not be directly attached to the harness-type structure and may for example be located in a pocket-type structure flexibly connected to the harness-type structure.

[0029] The just mentioned harness-type structure comprises an upper fixation structure in form of a collar 10 and a lower fixation structure in form of a belt 20. Both, the collar 10 and the belt 20 comprise a flexible element 12, 22 and a clasp 14, 24, or an other type of a closing means. In the embodiment shown, neither the col- lar 10 nor the belt 20 are inflatable, but this would also be possible as will be described later.

[0030] Two hose arrangements are provided, namely a right hose arrangement and a left hose arrangement. Both hose arrangements are made in an identical manner. The hose arrangements of this embodiment are loop-shaped and the respective hose 30, 30’ of each hose arrangement extend from the belt 20 to the collar 10 and back such that the right hose 30 has a front section 32 and a rear section 34 and the left hose 30’ also has a front section 32’ and a rear section 34’. The front sections 32, 32’ are connected by means of front connector 40 comprising a flexible element and a clasp 44 and the rear sections 34, 34’ are connected by means of rear connector consisting exclusively of a flexible element 45. Positioning arrangements in form of positioning loops 16, 16’ are provided at the collar 10 to make an upper part of each hose 30, 30’ stay at the collar 10. Further, each hose arrangement comprises a connecting assembly 60, 60' being attached to the belt 20 on the left and right side thereof. The ends of each hose 30, 30’ are attached to its connecting assembly, as will be described in more detail later.

[0031] As is schematically shown in Figures 3 and 4, each hose (here the right hose 30) comprises an outer skin 35 and an elastic inner sleeve 36 which can for example be made of a rubber-type material. The material of the outer skin 35 is flexible but essentially not elastic, and in a state free of outer forces, the outer skin 35 is longer than the elastic inner sleeve 36 such that it comprises a plurality of essentially circumferentially extending wrinkles. Such kind of hoses are known form garden hoses as for example described in WO 2014 / 169057 A1. The outer skin 35 can for example be made of a woven material. As has been mentioned, both ends of each hose 30, 30’ (and this applies to both, the outer skin 35 and the elastic inner sleeve 36) are connected to a connecting assembly 60, 60’ which comprises a main body 62 having an inlet 63 being connected to the inflator 51 of an inflating assembly 50, 50’ and outlets 64a, 64b being in fluid communication with the inside of the elastic inner sleeve 36. For connecting the hose ends to the main body 62, flanges 65 can be provided, for example. So, when the inflator 51 is triggered by the triggering assembly 53 due to an acceleration exceeding a pre-defined value, gas flows into the elastic inner sleeve 36 and the hose as such inflates and enlarges its diameter, as is shown in Figures 6 and 7. Thus, protection is provided for the front and the back of the torso.

[0032] Instead of providing a connecting assembly, it is for example also possible to connect the elastic inner sleeve 36 to a filling hose 67 being in fluid communication with an inflator, as is schematically shown in Figure 8.

[0033] Figures 9 to 1 1 show (very schematically) alternative configurations of the harness-type structure. The possible alternatives are of course not limited to the shown ones, and especially features of the embodiments shown in this patent application can be combined with one another.

[0034] In the configuration of Figure 9, a single central rear hose 135 is provided and the front sections are, for example but not necessarily, embodied as separate hoses (right front hose 130 and left front hose 130’).

[0035] In the embodiment of Figure 10, also the collar 10 and bet belt 20 define inflatable hose sections (indicated by the thicker line). The rear hose sections are embodied as separate hoses (left rear hose 136 and right rear hose 136’).

[0036] In the embodiment of Figure 1 1 , some inflatable hose sections (here the right front hose 130 and the left front hose 130’) extend beyond the belt 20 (extensions 130a and 130a’) in order to provide some protection for the upper legs. List of reference numbers

[0037] 10 collar

[0038] 12 flexible element of collar

[0039] 14 clasp of collar

[0040] 16, 16’ positioning loop

[0041] 20 belt

[0042] 22 flexible element of belt

[0043] 24 clasp of belt

[0044] 30 right hose

[0045] 32 front section

[0046] 34 rear section

[0047] 30‘ left hose

[0048] 32’ front section

[0049] 34’ rear section

[0050] 35 outer skin

[0051] 36 elastic inner sleeve

[0052] 40 front connector

[0053] 42 flexible element of front connector

[0054] 44 clasp of front connector

[0055] 45 rear connector (flexible element)

[0056] 50, 50’ inflating assembly

[0057] 51 inflator

[0058] 52 battery

[0059] 53 triggering assembly

[0060] 60, 60’ connecting assembly

[0061] 62 main body

[0062] 63 inlet

[0063] 64 outlet

[0064] 65 flange

[0065] 130 right front hose

[0066] 130’ left front hose

[0067] 135 central rear hose

[0068] 136 right rear hose

[0069] 136’ left rear hose

Claims

Claims1. A protection device for a human comprising a harness-type structure, wherein said harness-type structure comprises: an upper fixation structure adapted for extending at least partially around of a human’s neck, a lower fixation structure adapted for extending at least partially around a human’s waist or pelvis, and at least one inflatable hose section (32, 32’, 34, 34’, 130,130’, 135) extending between the lower fixation structure and the upper fixation structure, said inflatable hose section having a deflated state in which the hose section is flexible and an inflated state such that the diameter of the hose section is larger in the inflated state than in the deflated state.

2. The protection device of claim 1 , wherein at least in a worn state of the harness-type structure, the upper fixation structure forms or comprises a closed collar (10).

3. The protection device of claim 1 , wherein at least in a worn state of the harness-type structure, the lower fixation structure forms or comprises a closed belt-like structure (20).

4. The protection device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one inflatable hose section (32, 32’, 34, 34’, 130, 130’, 135) is stretchable when it is in its deflated state.

5. The protection device of claim 4, wherein the at least one inflatable hose section (32, 32’, 34, 34’, 130, 130’, 135) has an outer skin (35) which has a plurality of essentially circumferentially extending wrinkles when the hose section (32, 32’, 34, 34’, 130, 130’, 135) is in its un-stretched and deflated state.

6. The protection device of claim 5, wherein the at least one hose section (32, 32’, 34, 34’, 130, 130’, 135) further comprises an elastic inner sleeve (36) enclosing a gas space.

7. The protection device of claim 5, wherein the outer skin is coated on the inside such that it encloses a gas space.

8. The protection device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the harness-type structure comprises at least one front inflatable hose section (32, 32’, 130, 130’) adapted for extending along an area of the front torso of a human and at least one rear inflatable hose section (34, 34’, 135, 136, 136’) adapted for extending along an area of the rear torso of a human.

9. The protection device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the harness-type structure comprises two front inflatable hose sections (32, 32’, 130, 130’) adapted for extending along an area of the front torso of a human and / or two rear inflatable hose sections (34, 34’, 136, 136’) adapted for extending along an area of the rear torso of a human.

10. The protection device of claim 9, wherein the harness-type structure further comprises a front connection structure (40) connecting the two front inflatable hose sections (32, 32’, 130, 130’) at least in the worn state and / or a rear connection structure (45) connecting the two rear inflatable hose sections (34, 34’, 136, 136’) at least in the worn state, such that an X- or H-shaped sub-structure is formed at the front and / or on the rear.11 . The protection device of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one inflatable hose section extends beyond the lower fixation structure.

12. The protection device of any one of claims 1 to 11 further comprising an inflator (51 ) and a triggering assembly (53) for the inflator.

Images