Protective device for a person

Abstract

A protective device for a person with a harness-like structure is described. The harness-like structure comprises an upper fixation structure suitable for extending at least partially around a person's neck, a lower fixation structure suitable for extending at least partially around a person's waist or pelvis, and at least one inflatable tube section (32, 32') extending between the lower fixation structure and the upper fixation structure. This inflatable tube section has a deflated state in which the tube section is flexible, and an inflated state such that the diameter of the tube section is larger in the inflated state than in the deflated state.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a protective device for a person according to claim 1.

[0002] While significant improvements have been made in the area of ​​car occupant safety in recent decades, the level of protection for cyclists remains unsatisfactory. The only real protective device commonly used by cyclists is a helmet, leaving the body, and especially the upper body, more or less unprotected. Although inflatable vests or jackets exist for motorcyclists, cyclists generally do not use them because they are bulky, heavy, and, above all, uncomfortable, especially in warm weather. There is therefore a clear need for protective gear specifically designed for cyclists that would be widely adopted by them.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a protective device for a person, in particular for their torso, which offers a high level of protection in the event of an accident, is lightweight and comfortable to wear and whose design promises high acceptance.

[0004] This problem is solved by a protective device for a person having the features of claim 1.

[0005] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to provide a harness-like structure comprising at least one inflatable, tube-like part that defines or has at least one inflatable tube section. This inflatable tube section extends between an upper fixation structure, which is suitable for extending at least partially around the neck of the person wearing the protective device, and a lower fixation structure, which is suitable for extending at least partially around the waist or pelvis of that person. This inflatable tube section thus extends essentially in a vertical direction (when the person is standing) and therefore covers part of the upper body of that person. Typically, this at least one inflatable tube section covers part of the back (for example, the spine) or part of the front of the torso (abdomen and chest).

[0006] In summary, the protective device according to the invention comprises a dish-like structure, wherein the dish-like structure comprises: - an upper fixation structure suitable to extend at least partially around a person's neck, - a lower fixation structure suitable for extending at least partially around a person's waist or pelvis, and - at least one inflatable hose section extending between the lower fixing structure and the upper fixing structure, wherein the 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 in the inflated state is larger than in the deflated state.

[0007] It is possible that the lower fixing structure and / or the upper fixing structure is at least partially inflatable, but this is not necessary in all conceivable embodiments.

[0008] It is often preferred that the at least one inflatable hose section spans the entire distance between the upper and lower fixing structures to provide the largest possible protective area; however, this is not mandatory. It is also possible that part of the connection between the upper and lower fixing structures is not inflatable, so that the inflatable hose section only forms part of the connection between the upper and lower fixing structures.

[0009] Due to its harness-like structure, the protective device is lightweight, does not provide any warmth to the body, and can be worn over the wearer's regular clothing. This allows the device, and especially its harness-like structure, to be worn as a fashion accessory even when not in use, increasing user acceptance and the likelihood of its use.

[0010] To create an easy-to-use and reliably functioning upper fixation structure, this fixation structure preferably forms or comprises a closed collar when worn. Similarly, the lower fixation structure preferably forms or comprises a belt-like structure when worn. For this reason, both the upper and lower fixation structures preferably each have a buckle.

[0011] To provide a protective device that is even easier to use and suitable for a wide range of people of different sizes, it may be preferable for the at least one inflatable hose section to be expandable when deflated. 'Expandable' means that it can be stretched lengthwise along that section. To achieve this, the at least one hose section may be designed essentially like an expandable garden hose, as described, for example, in WO 2014 / 169057 A1, i.e., it has an outer skin with a multitude of substantially circumferential folds when the hose section is in its deflated and unstretched state, and an elastic inner tube (for example, made of a rubber-like material) that encloses the gas space. Alternatively, the outer skin may be coated airtight on its inner surface to enclose the gas space 'directly'.

[0012] Although in some specific applications only one inflatable hose section may suffice, in most embodiments it is preferred to provide at least one inflatable hose section at the front of the human torso and at least one at the back. To further increase the level of protection, preferably at least two inflatable hose sections can be provided at the front and / or at the back.

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

[0014] In the event that the harness-like structure comprises two front inflatable tube sections, it may be preferred that the harness-like structure further comprises a front connecting structure that joins these two front inflatable tube sections together, at least in the worn state, so that an X- or H-shaped substructure is formed and better coverage of the front of the fuselage is achieved. Similarly, a rear connecting structure may be provided if two rear inflatable tube sections are present.

[0015] In most embodiments, it is preferred that the protective device be an active protective device, i.e., that the at least one inflatable tube section automatically inflates in the event of a critical event (generally an acceleration exceeding a predefined value). In this case, the protective device further comprises an inflation device and a trigger assembly for the inflation device. The inflation device and the trigger assembly may be part of an inflation assembly, usually together with a battery. If a clasp is present (e.g., in the lower or upper fixing structure), this clasp may include a switch that serves to activate the trigger assembly.Although active inflation of at least one hose section will often be preferred, it would also be possible to provide manual inflation devices (usually a valve) for at least one hose section.

[0016] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments and the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the front upper body of a person wearing a protective device according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the inflatable hose sections of the harness-like structure of this protective device are in their deflated state, Fig. 2 a rear view of what is in Fig. 1 is shown, Fig. 3 the right hose and its connecting assembly in a schematic side view, Fig. 4 the detail D1 from Fig. 3 in a sectional view, Fig. 5 the detail D2 from Fig. 3, also in a sectional view, Fig. 6 the in Fig. 1. Parts shown, when the hose sections are in their inflated state, Fig. 7 the in Fig. 4 parts shown in the inflated state of the hose section, Fig. 8 an alternative filling arrangement for a hose section, Fig. 9 an alternative structure of the dish-like structure of the protective device in an even more schematic representation, Fig. 10 another alternative structure of the dish-like structure of the protective device in a representation according to Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 Another alternative structure of the dish-like structure of the protective device in a representation according to the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10.

[0017] The invention is first described by reference to a method described in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. The embodiment is described in Figure 7. As is evident, these figures are strictly schematic in order to focus on the details necessary for understanding the structure of the invention.

[0018] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows the upper body of a person wearing a protective device according to the invention. This protective device has a harness-like structure and two inflatable assemblies 50 attached to this harness-like structure, namely the belt 20. In other embodiments, it is possible that the inflatable assemblies or parts thereof are not directly attached to the harness-like structure, but are, for example, located in a pocket-like structure that is flexibly connected to the harness-like structure.

[0019] The aforementioned harness-like structure comprises an upper fixing structure in the form of a collar 10 and a lower fixing structure in the form of a belt 20. Both the collar 10 and the belt 20 include a flexible element 12, 22 and a buckle 14, 24 or another type of fastening means. In the embodiment shown, neither the collar 10 nor the belt 20 is inflatable, although this would also be possible, as will be described later.

[0020] Two hose assemblies are provided, namely a right and a left hose assembly. Both hose assemblies are designed identically. The hose assemblies of this embodiment are loop-shaped, and the respective hoses 30, 30' of each hose assembly 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 a front connector 40, which consists of a flexible element and a clasp 44, and the rear sections 34, 34' are connected by means of a rear connector consisting exclusively of a flexible element 45.Positioning devices in the form of positioning loops 16, 16' are provided on the collar 10 to hold an upper part of each hose 30, 30' on the collar 10. In addition, each hose assembly includes a connecting assembly 60, 60' which is attached to the left and right sides of the belt 20. The ends of the hoses 30, 30' are attached to the respective connecting elements, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0021] As in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown schematically in Figure 4, each hose (here the right-hand hose 30) consists of an outer skin 35 and an elastic inner hose 36, which may, for example, be made of a rubber-like material. The material of the outer skin 35 is flexible but essentially inelastic, and in a state without external forces, the outer skin 35 is longer than the elastic inner hose 36, so that it has a multitude of folds extending essentially circumferentially. Such hoses are known as garden hoses, as described, for example, in WO 2014 / 169057 A1. The outer skin 35 may, for example, be made of a woven material.As already mentioned, both ends of each hose 30, 30' (and this applies to both the outer skin 35 and the elastic inner hose 36) are connected to a connecting assembly 60, 60' comprising a main body 62 having an inlet 63 connected to the inflation device 51 of an inflation assembly 50, 50', and outlets 64a, 64b that are in fluid communication with the inside of the elastic inner hose 36. Flanges 65, for example, can be provided for connecting the hose ends to the main body 62.

[0022] Therefore, when the inflation device 51 is triggered by the release assembly 53 due to an acceleration exceeding a predefined value, gas flows into the elastic inner tube 36, and the tube itself inflates and increases its diameter, as shown in the Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows this. In this way, the front and rear parts of the hull are protected.

[0023] Instead of a connection arrangement, the elastic inner tube 36 can, for example, also be connected to a filling tube 67 which is in fluid communication with an inflation device, as in Fig. 8 is shown schematically.

[0024] The Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. Figure 11 shows (very schematically) alternative configurations of the dish-like structure. The possible alternatives are of course not limited to those shown, and in particular, features of the embodiments shown in this patent application can be combined with one another.

[0025] In the configuration of Fig. 9 a single central rear hose 135 is provided, and the front sections are designed, for example, but not necessarily, as separate hoses (right front hose 130 and left front hose 130').

[0026] In the embodiment of Fig. The collar (10) and belt (20) also define inflatable hose sections (indicated by the thicker line). The rear hose sections are designed as separate hoses (left rear hose 136 and right rear hose 136').

[0027] In the embodiment of Fig. 11 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') to provide some protection for the thighs. Reference symbol list 10 collars 12 flexible element of the collar 14. Collar closure 16, 16' positioning loop 20 belts 22 flexible element of the belt 24 Belt buckle 30 right hose 32 front section 34 rear section 30' left hose 32' front section 34' rear section 35 Outer skin 36 elastic inner tube 40 front connector 42 flexible element of the front connector 44. Close the front connector 45 rear connector (flexible element) 50, 50' inflatable assembly 51 Inflation device 52 Battery 53 Trigger assembly 60, 60' Connecting assembly 62 Main body 63 Admission 64 Outlet 65 flange 130 right front hose 130' left front hose 135 middle rear hose 136 right rear hose 136' left rear hose QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2014 / 169057 A1

[0011]

Claims

Protective device for a person with a harness-like structure, wherein the harness-like structure comprises: - an upper fixation structure suitable for extending at least partially around the neck of a person, - a lower fixation structure suitable for extending at least partially around the waist or pelvis of a person, and - at least one inflatable tube section (32, 32', 34, 34', 130, 130', 135) extending between the lower fixation structure and the upper fixation structure, wherein the inflatable tube section has a deflated state in which the tube section is flexible and an inflated state such that the diameter of the tube section in the inflated state is larger than in the deflated state. Protective device according to claim 1, wherein at least in a worn state of the harness-like structure the upper fixing structure forms or comprises a closed collar (10). Protective device according to claim 1, wherein at least in a worn state of the harness-like structure the lower fixing structure forms or comprises a closed belt-like structure (20). Protective device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one inflatable hose section (32, 32', 34, 34', 130, 130', 135) is stretchable in its uninflated state. Protective device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one inflatable hose section (32, 32', 34, 34', 130, 130', 135) has an outer skin (35) having a plurality of folds extending substantially in the circumferential direction when the hose section (32, 32', 34, 34', 130, 130', 135) is in its unstretched and deflated state. Protective device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one hose section (32, 32', 34, 34', 130, 130', 135) further comprises an elastic inner hose (36) enclosing a gas space. Protective device according to claim 5, wherein the outer skin is coated on the inside in such a way that it encloses a gas space. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the harness-like structure comprises at least one front inflatable tube section (32, 32', 130, 130') adapted to extend along a region of the front torso of a person, and at least one rear inflatable tube section (34, 34', 135, 136, 136') adapted to extend along a region of the rear torso of a person. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the harness-like structure comprises two front inflatable tube sections (32, 32', 130, 130') adapted to extend along a region of the front torso of a person, and / or two rear inflatable tube sections (34, 34', 136, 136') adapted to extend along a region of the rear torso of a person. Protective device according to claim 9, wherein the harness-like structure further comprises a front connecting structure (40) that connects the two front inflatable tube sections (32, 32', 130, 130') at least in the worn state, and / or a rear connecting structure (45) that connects the two rear inflatable tube sections (34, 34', 136, 136') at least in the worn state, such that an X- or H-shaped substructure is formed at the front and / or at the rear. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one inflatable hose section extends beyond the lower fixing structure. Protective device according to one of claims 1 to 11, which further comprises an inflation device (51) and a release assembly (53) for the inflation device.

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