Equipment for protecting part of a limb of a wearer

Abstract

The invention relates to equipment for protecting part of a limb of a wearer, said equipment comprising: a protective shell (1) having a convex outer surface (1a) and a concave inner surface, and a damping element (2) associated with the inner surface and intended to be disposed between the part of the limb to be protected and an impact area defined on the protective shell, the shell (1) having hooks (4, 4a, 4b) formed protruding from the inner surface, each forming a housing on said inner surface, the damping element (2) having a peripheral edge (6) in which imprints (7) are formed, said imprints being arranged to be received individually in respective housings, ensuring the reversible attachment of the damping element (2) to the inner surface.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Protective equipment for part of a wearer's limb

[0003] The invention relates to equipment for protecting a part of a wearer's limb.

[0004] It applies in particular to protective equipment intended to be worn on the front of a leg to protect the shin against impacts, when playing a sport such as football.

[0005] This protective equipment may in particular be held against the wearer's leg by means of a sleeve or sock that the wearer puts around his leg and the said equipment.

[0006] Protective equipment is known to include:

[0007] - a protective shell made of rigid material, for example made by molding a polymer material such as polypropylene, which has a convex external surface and a concave internal surface; and

[0008] - a damping element made of flexible material, for example formed of at least one layer of elastomeric material, such as polyurethane foam, this element being associated on said internal surface to be interposed between the part of the member to be protected and an impact zone defined on said protective shell.

[0009] The cushioning element is generally associated with the protective shell in a permanent manner, for example by gluing or sewing the cushioning element onto the internal surface of the protective shell, in order to ensure the protective function satisfactorily, in particular according to standard EN13061 (2009).

[0010] However, this solution poses a problem with regard to the recycling of this protective equipment. Indeed, since the shock-absorbing element and the protective shell are made of different materials, they must be separated for recycling, which is made difficult by their permanent association.

[0011] The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular protective equipment in which the damping element is fixed to the protective shell and can be easily separated, in particular for recycling, while guaranteeing the reliability of their cohesion for the expected protective function, in particular with regard to standard EN13061 (2009).

[0012] To this end, the invention proposes equipment for protecting part of a wearer's limb, said equipment comprising:

[0013] - a protective shell having a convex external surface and a concave internal surface; and

[0014] - a damping element associated on said internal surface to be interposed between the part of the member to be protected and an impact zone defined on said protective shell; the shell having hooks formed projecting from the internal surface, each forming a housing on said internal surface, the damping element having a peripheral edge in which impressions are formed, said impressions being arranged to be received each in a respective housing, ensuring the reversible fixing of the damping element on the internal surface.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, made with reference to the appended figures, in which: [Fig.1a] and

[0016] [Fig.1 b] represent, respectively in perspective view of its internal face and in top view, protective equipment according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0017] [Fig.2a] and

[0018] [Fig.2b] represent the protective shell of the equipment of figures 1a and 1b, following views similar to respectively figure 1a and figure 1b; [Fig.3] represents the damping element of the protective equipment of figures 1a and 1b seen from its internal face,

[0019] [Fig.3a] and

[0020] [Fig.3b] being enlargements centered on the upper right corner showing the mounting of the damping element of Figure 3 on the internal surface of the protective shell, respectively during (Figure 3a) and after (Figure 3b) the fixing of said damping element;

[0021] [Fig.4] is a view similar to Figure 3a centered on a lower corner.

[0022] In connection with these figures, a protective equipment for a part of a wearer's limb is described below.

[0023] The equipment includes:

[0024] - a protective shell 1 having a convex external surface 1a and a concave internal surface 1b;

[0025] - a damping element 2 associated on said internal surface to be interposed between the part of the member to be protected and an impact zone 3 defined on the protective shell 1.

[0026] In the description, the terms of positioning in space are taken with reference to the equipment as shown in the figures and to the relative position of the wearer when he puts on said equipment. Thus:

[0027] - the terms “internal” and “external” relate to a position respectively close to and far from the part of the wearer’s limb;

[0028] - the terms “upper” and “lower” relate to an arrangement respectively at the top and at the bottom.

[0029] Protective equipment is particularly intended to be worn on the front of the wearer's leg to protect the shin from impacts when playing a sport such as football.

[0030] In this case, impact zone 3 may correspond to a test zone defined according to standard EN13061 (2009) relating to shin guards for football players, said standard specifying the dimensions of said test zone, and more generally of shin guards, proportionally to the size of the wearer.

[0031] In particular, the shin guard can be designed in the following sizes depending on the wearer's size group:

[0032] - for group XS: from 110 to 140 cm;

[0033] - for group S: from 140 to 160 cm;

[0034] - for group M: from 160 to 175 cm;

[0035] - for group L: from 175 to 185 cm;

[0036] - for the XL group: from 185 to 195 cm.

[0037] According to the standard and in relation to figure 2a:

[0038] - height H corresponds to 9.5% of the maximum size for each group, i.e.: o for group XS: 13.3 cm; o for group S: 15.2 cm; o for group M: 16.6 cm; o for group L: 17.6 cm; o for group XL: 18.5 cm;

[0039] - the width at the top LS corresponds to 6.4% of the maximum size, i.e.: o for the XS group: 9 cm; o for the S group: 10.2 cm; o for the M group: 11.2 cm; o for the L group: 11.8 cm; o for the XL group: 12.5 cm;

[0040] - the lower width Ll, measured at a distance equal to the height H in relation to the width at the top LS, corresponds to 4.5% of the maximum size, i.e.: o for group XS: 6.3 cm; o for group S: 7.2 cm; o for group M: 7.9 cm; o for group L: 8.3 cm; o for group XL: 8.8 cm.

[0041] Advantageously, the protective shell 1 is formed by molding a polymer material to provide protection against impacts.

[0042] The damping element 2 is formed from at least one layer of an elastomeric material, for example a foam, for carrying comfort and shock absorption on the shell 1.

[0043] The shell 1 has hooks 4 formed projecting from the internal surface 1b, each having a housing 5 on said internal surface. The damping element 2 has a peripheral edge 6 in which indentations 7 are formed, said indentations being arranged to be received each in a respective housing 5, ensuring the reversible fixing of the damping element 2 on the internal surface 1b.

[0044] Thus, the fixing of the damping element 2 is achieved by shape cooperation with the hooks 4, said cooperation being particularly favored by the elastomeric nature of said element, so as to facilitate its dissociation particularly for the purpose of recycling.

[0045] The hooks 4 are formed in one piece with the protective shell 1, in particular by molding a polymer material as described previously, which makes it easier to manufacture said shell and makes the association of the hooks 4 with said shell more reliable.

[0046] In particular, the hooks 4 are distributed discreetly around the protective shell 1, having a peripheral length which is less than 10 times the peripheral length of said shell. This arrangement makes it easier to fix and disassemble the damping element 2 on the protective shell 1, in particular for recycling purposes and / or to replace a used damping element 2. The damping element 2 has an internal surface 2b which is intended to cover the part of the member to be protected, as well as an external surface 2a which is arranged to bear on the internal surface 1b of the protective shell 1 by means of the hooks 4.

[0047] Advantageously, the external surface 2a of the damping element 2 and the internal surface 1b of the protective shell 1 are devoid of reciprocal fixing means, the fixing of said damping element to said protective shell thus being carried out solely by means of the hooks 4. In particular, the fixing allows good plating of the external surface 2a of an elastomer damping element 2 on the internal surface 1b of a rigid protective shell 1, so as to obtain the expected protection function.

[0048] Furthermore, the impact zone 3 of the protective shell 1 is surrounded by at least one peripheral zone 8a, 8b of said shell, the hooks 4 being formed projecting from the internal surface of said peripheral zone.

[0049] Thus, the hooks 4 are arranged outside the impact zone 3, which makes it possible to avoid the presence in said impact zone of rigid asperity likely to injure the wearer during the practice of a sport such as football. This arrangement contributes to ensuring the conformity of the protective equipment with the standard EN13061 (2009) mentioned above.

[0050] In particular, the protective shell 1 has a central impact zone 3 and two peripheral zones, respectively upper 8a and lower 8b, in the upper and lower extension respectively of said impact zone, each of said peripheral zones carrying two hooks 4.

[0051] In the embodiment shown, the protective shell 1 has two large sides 9 and two small sides 10 which are connected by four corners 11, four hooks 4 being provided in the vicinity of respectively one of said corners. The shell 1 has in particular two high hooks 4a formed in the upper part of respectively a large side 9, and two low hooks 4b formed in the lower part of respectively a large side 9.

[0052] In relation to figures 1a, 2a, 3 and 4, the lower hooks 4b each extend on a small lower side 10 of the lower peripheral zone 8b, so as to retain the damping element 2 against a downward movement relative to the shell 1, in particular due to gravity, in particular when a wearer puts on the equipment.

[0053] As shown in more detail in Figures 3a, 3b and 4, the protective shell 1 has a peripheral edge on which extend plates 12 projecting from the internal surface, said plates each being surmounted by a roof 13 overhanging said internal surface to respectively form a hook 4.

[0054] The indentations 7 and the hooks 4 are arranged so that said indentations are received in compression in the housings 5, in order to avoid any play in the interference between said indentation and said housing, and thus guarantee the reliability of the fixing of the damping element 2 to the protective shell 1.

[0055] Advantageously, the damping element 2 has a thickness E which is greater than the height h of the projection of the hooks 4, in particular being between 150% and 200% of said height, so as to separate said hooks from the part of the wearer's limb to be protected, and thus limit the risk of discomfort and / or injury for said wearer, in particular in the event of an impact on the protective shell 1.

[0056] The peripheral edge of the damping element 2 has counterbores 14 each forming an imprint 7, said counterbores being formed by compression of the internal surface 2b of the damping element 2, for example by means of a thermoforming press, so as to each have a thickness substantially equal to the height of the housing 5 in which said counterbore is intended to be received when fixing the damping element 2 to the protective shell 1.

[0057] In relation to figures 3a and 4, each counterbore 14 is surmounted by a step 15 which connects said counterbore with the internal surface 2b of the damping element 2, said steps being supported on the hooks 4.

[0058] The indentations 7 are further bordered on either side by a wall 16 formed in the peripheral edge 6, the hooks 4 being retained laterally between said walls so as to limit any relative movement of said hooks in their respective indentations 7.

[0059] In particular, the walls 16 and the lateral edges 17 of the hooks 4 have an undercut angle, which makes it easier to fix and disassemble the damping element 2 and the protective shell, in order to facilitate their recycling and / or the replacement of a used damping element 2.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Protective equipment for a part of a wearer's limb, said equipment comprising: - a protective shell (1) having a convex external surface (1a) and a concave internal surface (1b); and - a damping element (2) associated on said internal surface to be interposed between the part of the limb to be protected and an impact zone (3) defined on said protective shell; said protective equipment being characterized in that the shell (1) has hooks (4, 4a, 4b) formed projecting from the internal surface (1b) each forming a housing (5) on said internal surface, the damping element (2) having a peripheral edge (6) in which indentations (7) are formed, said indentations being arranged to be received each in a respective housing (5) ensuring the reversible fixing of the damping element (2) on the internal surface (1b).

2. Protective equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective shell (1) has a peripheral edge on which extend plates (12) projecting from the internal surface (1 b), said plates each being surmounted by a roof (13) overhanging said internal surface to respectively form a hook (4, 4a, 4b).

3. Protective equipment according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the impact zone (3) of the protective shell (1) is surrounded by at least one peripheral zone (8a, 8b) of said shell, the hooks (4, 4a, 4b) being formed projecting from the internal surface of said peripheral zone.

4. Protective equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the impressions (7) are received in compression in the housings (5).

5. Protective equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protective shell (1) has two large sides (9) and two small sides (10) which are connected by four corners (11), four hooks (4, 4a, 4b) being provided in the vicinity of respectively one of said corners.

6. Protective equipment according to claim 5 when it depends on claim 3, characterized in that the protective shell (1) has a central impact zone (3) and two peripheral zones, respectively upper (8a) and lower (8b) in the upper and lower extension respectively of said impact zone.

7. Protective equipment according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that it has two high hooks (4a) formed in the upper part of a large side (9) respectively, and two low hooks (4b) formed in the lower part of a large side (9) respectively.

8. Protective equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that the lower hooks (4b) extend on a small lower side (10) of the shell (1) so as to retain the damping element (2) against a downward movement relative to the shell (1).

9. Protective equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the damping element (2) has a thickness (E) which is greater than the projection height (h) of the hooks (4, 4a, 4b).

10. Protective equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the edge (6) of the damping element (2) has counterbores (14) each forming an imprint (7), said counterbores being formed by compression of the internal surface (2b) of the damping element (2).

11. Protective equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that each of the counterbores (14) is surmounted by a step (15) connecting said counterbore with the internal surface (2b) of the damping element (2), said steps being supported on the hooks (4, 4a, 4b).

12. Protective equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the indentations (7) are bordered on either side by a wall (16) formed in the peripheral edge (6), the hooks (4, 4a, 4b) being retained laterally between said walls.

13. Protective equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the damping element (2) has an internal surface (2b) intended to cover the part of the limb and an external surface (2a) arranged to bear on the internal surface (1b) of the protective shell (1) by means of the hooks (4, 4a, 4b), the external surface (2a) of the damping element (2) and the internal surface (1b) of the protective shell (1) being devoid of means of reciprocal fixing.

14. Protective equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the hooks (4, 4a, 4b) are formed in one piece with the protective shell (1).

15. Protective equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the damping element (2) is formed from at least one layer of an elastomeric material.

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