Back protective equipment

Abstract

Back protection equipment comprising: - a back section (12) including a flexible back flap and a rigid protective element, - at least one shoulder strap, - at least one first lateral strap (34) and a second lateral strap (34) arranged to allow restraint at the user's abdomen, - at least one tightening device (40) mounted on the first lateral strap. The tightening device comprises: - a winder (42) attached to the lateral strap, - a handling and adjustment disc (44), - a cable (46) disposed on the winder, - a flexible tubular guide (48) in which the cable extends slidably, - a fastener (50) mounted on the guide, and - a mounting bracket (52) suitable for receiving the fastener, mounted on the second lateral strap or on a ventral section (14).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to back protection equipment, particularly for use in sports activities, for example cycling. Prior art

[0002] When practicing a sport with a risk of falling, for example motorcycling, cycling or horse riding, wearing protective equipment, especially on the back, helps to protect the spine in case of impact and reduce the risk of injury.

[0003] For example, wearing back protection equipment helps to absorb impacts on the back of the body in the event of an accident, thus significantly reducing the severity of the accident. Common back protection equipment includes a flexible support consisting of a back section and either an abdominal strap or a ventral section, forming, together with the back section, a vest worn by the user, as well as a more rigid protective element extending over an external surface of the back section to protect the back against impacts, particularly from blunt objects.

[0004] Specifically, this protective element comprises a set of rigid material modules arranged in a grid to form a longitudinal row, notably along the spine. This grid is designed to significantly limit backward flexion, preventing any dangerous hyperextension of the wearer's spine, while maintaining a degree of forward flexibility for comfort. However, this back protection equipment does not provide complete satisfaction in terms of comfort during sports activities, particularly high-intensity ones. Indeed, maintaining the equipment in position is achieved by tightening it around the abdomen, either with the abdominal strap or with the two lateral straps connecting the dorsal and ventral sections, depending on the model.To open and close these straps, or to adjust the length of these straps, it is known to use adhesive hook and loop fasteners mounted on the straps.

[0005] This type of fastening does not offer good durability and does not allow for precise tightening adjustment. Indeed, it is common, for example when cycling, to want different tightness settings during ascents and descents to allow for more intense breathing, for instance.

[0006] This forces the user to regularly loosen and tighten the straps during use, which is tedious and causes additional wear on the hook and loop fasteners.

[0007] For this purpose, there is a need for more adjustable back protection equipment that allows for precise, quick and resistant adjustment of abdominal tightening, for improved comfort during sports activities, especially long-duration ones. Presentation of the invention

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a back protection device comprising: a back section comprising a flexible back flap and a rigid protective element mounted on the flexible back flap, at least one flexible shoulder strap extending from an upper edge of the back section and arranged to allow the protective equipment to be secured at the shoulder of a user, at least one first lateral strap and a second lateral strap, extending respectively from a first lateral edge of the back section and a second lateral edge of the back section opposite the first lateral edge, the first and second lateral straps being arranged to allow the protective equipment to be secured at the abdomen of the user, at least one tightening device mounted on the first lateral strap, characterized in that at least one clamping device comprises: a reel attached to the first side strap, a handling and adjustment disc mounted on the reel, a cable arranged on the reel in such a way as to be wound and unwound by the action of the disc, at least one flexible tubular guide in which the cable extends in a sliding manner, a fastener mounted slidingly on the guide, and a fixing support suitable for receiving the fastener in a removable manner, the fixing support being mounted on the second side strap or on a ventral part of the protective equipment.

[0009] Such back protection equipment allows for precise and easily adjustable tightening of the equipment around the user's abdomen, allowing this tightness to be varied according to situations during the practice of a sporting activity and offering improved comfort, particularly during prolonged use.

[0010] Back protection equipment may include the ventral part, connected to the dorsal part by at least one shoulder strap, as well as two tightening devices, the first and second lateral straps each carrying one of the winders, the fixing supports being mounted on the ventral part.

[0011] This feature allows for finer adjustment of the tightening by using an independent tightening device on each side, and homogeneous support through the more extensive support provided by the ventral part.

[0012] The ventral part may include a flexible ventral flap and a rigid protective element mounted on the flexible ventral flap.

[0013] This feature provides the user with protection against frontal impacts, particularly in the pectoral region.

[0014] The first side strap may include, for each tightening device, a flap extending over a portion of the guide and cable, between the winder and the attachment.

[0015] This feature helps to protect the clamping cable and prevent it from becoming entangled with other external objects.

[0016] The cable and guide can form a loop that extends back and forth between the reel and the attachment.

[0017] This feature allows for more uniform support at the abdominal level and more precise tightening adjustment, while also improving the strength of the tightening device.

[0018] The fastener may include a receiving conduit into which the cable and guide are engaged, as well as a handle and a snap-lock mechanism allowing the fastener to be removably attached to the mounting bracket, said handle being intended to separate the fastener from the mounting bracket.

[0019] This feature allows for quick mounting and dismounting of the attachment on the mounting bracket.

[0020] The disc and reel can be configured to adjust cable tension in the guide and the length separating the reel and the attachment, by progressively rotating the disc.

[0021] This feature allows for fine adjustment of abdominal tightening by the user, even during sporting activity.

[0022] An internal surface of the dorsal part and, where applicable, of the ventral part, may include a thermal regulation layer, said thermal regulation layer comprising fibers comprising a state-change material, for example, a microencapsulated wax.

[0023] Such a feature allows the user to have effective thermal regulation at the level of the protective equipment, cooling the user during phases of intense effort, potentially under high temperatures, such as a bike ride uphill in the sun, and restoring heat during phases of less effort and lower temperatures, for example during a descent in the shade.

[0024] The thermal regulation layer can be positioned against an external mesh layer arranged to extend against the user when the back protection equipment is worn.

[0025] This characteristic helps to protect the thermal regulation layer while allowing it to perform its function. Brief description of the figures

[0026] THE Figures 1 And 2 are a rear and front view of a back protection device according to the invention, worn by a user, the figures 3 and 4 These are schematic views of a clamping device for the back protection equipment of the figure 1 , and the figure 5 is a front view of a back protection device according to another embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0027] A back protection device 10 according to the invention is shown on the Figures 1 And 2 , respectively from the back and front, worn by a user or mounted on a mannequin.

[0028] In this embodiment, the protective equipment 10 is of the vest type, that is to say, it includes a back part 12, visible on the figure 1 , and a ventral part 14, visible on the figure 2, respectively intended to extend against the back and front of the user's torso. The protective equipment 10 also includes two shoulder straps 16, or straps, which connect the upper edges 18 of the dorsal part 12 and the ventral part 14, intended to be placed on either side of the user's neck.

[0029] The shoulder straps 16 are advantageously adjustable in length, for example by means of a sliding end in an eyelet 20 of the dorsal part 16, and an adjustable fastening 22, for example of the adhesive hook and loop type, on the ventral part 14.

[0030] The dorsal section 12 comprises a flexible dorsal flap 24 and a more rigid protective element 26 mounted on the flexible dorsal flap 24, oriented outwards relative to the user. Similarly, the ventral section 14 comprises a flexible ventral flap 28, and advantageously, a more rigid ventral protective element 30, for example, to protect the front or pectoral part of the user's chest.

[0031] The flexible dorsal flap 24 and the flexible ventral flap 28 are formed of a plurality of layers of flexible fabric-type material, connected by seams, particularly along the edges of the flap, which includes a fold 32 for assembly by sewing and / or gluing and for protection of the lateral edges of said layers.

[0032] Advantageously, said layers of flexible material include at least one shock-absorbing layer, for example a layer of synthetic foam.

[0033] The nature and number of said layers of flexible material may vary from one piece of protective equipment to another, depending on the exact intended use of the equipment.

[0034] The back flap 24 may be continuous or have one or more central openings, designed to allow air circulation at the user's back, for example opposite a part of the back protection element 26.

[0035] One or more layers of the dorsal flap 24 and / or the ventral flap 28 may have longitudinal slits, allowing better deformability to adapt to the user's movements.

[0036] According to an advantageous embodiment, the back flap 24 includes a thermal regulation layer, which is arranged internally in the layers forming the back flap 24, so as to extend directly against the user's back, or against a mesh layer which extends against the user's back.

[0037] Optionally, the ventral flap 28 may also include a thermal regulation layer disposed internally within the ventral flap 28 so as to extend against the user's torso or against a mesh layer extending against the user's torso. The thermal regulation layer includes, in particular, fibers comprising a state-change material, that is, a material selected to reversibly change state under the effect of heat transfer at a temperature close to the user's body temperature.

[0038] Such a phase-change material is thus capable of absorbing excess heat emitted by the user, for example, when the user is exposed to high temperatures or sunlight, and / or exerts sustained effort, such as during an ascent, and of releasing heat when the user is subjected to low temperatures, is in the shade, or exposed to wind, for example, during a rapid descent. Furthermore, the phase-change material remains at a constant temperature throughout the phase change, which helps stabilize the temperature of the protective equipment.

[0039] The state-change material is, for example, present in the form of microcapsules mixed with the fibers of the thermal regulation layer, for example, a microencapsulated wax.

[0040] More generally, the state-change material may comprise one or more components selected from: hydrocarbons, hydrated salts, waxes, oils, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, dibasic acids, halides, primary alcohols, aromatic compounds, clathrates, semi-clathrates, gaseous clathrates, stearic anhydrides, ethylene carbonate, polyhydric alcohols, etc.

[0041] The back protection element 26 features a hexagonal openwork grid shape made of rigid material, exhibiting sufficient overall rigidity to effectively protect the user while remaining locally flexible enough to provide adequate comfort.

[0042] The material forming the protective element 26 exhibits good mechanical resistance, particularly to abrasion, as well as good durability in relation to environmental conditions.

[0043] The back protection element 26 is designed to extend along the user's spine, and advantageously over an upper part of the back to offer improved protection at the shoulder blades, for example.

[0044] The said network is arranged so that the protective element 26 strongly limits backward bending, thus preventing any dangerous hyperextension of the wearer's spine, while maintaining a certain degree of forward flexibility for user comfort.

[0045] The ventral protective element 30 has a network structure and composition similar to the dorsal protective element 26.

[0046] According to this first embodiment of the invention, the back protection equipment 10 comprises two lateral straps 34, shown in the figures 3 and 4in detail, which extend from lateral edges 36 of the dorsal part 12 and are intended to be tightened around the user's sides, below the arms and at the level of the abdominal region.

[0047] The side straps 34 comprise one or more layers of flexible material fixed to each other, in particular at their edges which are covered with a protective fold 38.

[0048] Advantageously, each side strap 34 includes at least one absorption layer, for example made of synthetic foam.

[0049] For this purpose, the back protection equipment 10 includes two fastening devices 40, such as the one shown in detail in figures 3 and 4 , mounted on the side straps 34 and configured to hook the side straps 34 to the ventral part 14 and allow adjustable tightening of the protective equipment 10 at the abdominal level.

[0050] Indeed, the tightening device 40 allows precise and progressive adjustment of the distance separating the dorsal part 12 and the ventral part 14, which allows precise control of the tightening of the protective equipment 10 by the user and allows its adjustment during use according to the situations.

[0051] The clamping device 40 includes a winder 42 attached to the side strap 34, comprising a fixed base and a winding portion that rotates relative to the fixed base. A handling and adjustment disc 44 is mounted on the winding portion of the winder 42 for its operation.

[0052] The winder 42, for example, is of the type known as a micrometric winder. The winder 42 is, for example, fixed to the side strap 34 by the fixed base, which is sewn onto one or more of the layers of flexible material of the strap.

[0053] A cable 46, for example metallic, is arranged on the winding part of the winder, in such a way as to be wound and unwound by the actuation of the disc 44 which drives the winding part.

[0054] A flexible tubular guide 48 is fixed to the base of the reel 42 by its two ends and receives the cable 46 in a sliding manner.

[0055] The cable 46 slides in the guide 48 when handling the disc 44 and the reel 42, which allows the tension exerted by the entire guide 48 and cable 46 assembly to be adjusted.

[0056] The winding movement is controlled, for example, by an internal rack and pinion type locking device (not shown), allowing tightening in stages.

[0057] The cable 46 and the guide 48 extend in a loop back and forth to the ventral part 14, and carry a sliding attachment 50 mounted on the guide 48 and the cable 46, the attachment 50 being intended to cooperate with a fixing support 52 fixed on the ventral part 14 to attach the lateral strap 34 to the ventral part 14.

[0058] The attachment 50 includes, for example, a handling handle 54 and a conduit into which the guide 48 is inserted in a sliding manner.

[0059] The fastener 50 also includes means 56 for attaching the fastener 52 to the mounting support 52, for example snap-on means.

[0060] The fixing support 52 includes a base 58 fixed to the ventral part 14 and fixing means 60 complementary to those of the attachment 50.

[0061] The mounting bracket 52 is thus designed to receive the attachment 50 in a removable manner, thereby combining the dorsal part 12 and the ventral part 14. The user can separate the attachment 50 and the mounting bracket 52, and thus detach the ventral part 14 and dorsal part 12 simply and quickly, by manipulating the handle 54.

[0062] The loop formed by the guide 48 and the cable 46 exerts variable tension by manipulating the winder 42, allowing variation in the resting distance between the attachment 50 and the winder 42, and thus in the tension exerted on the abdomen by the protective equipment 10. Advantageously, each side strap 34 includes, for each tightening device 40, a flap 62 extending over a portion of the guide 48 and the cable 46, between the winder 42 and the attachment 50. The flap 62 is, for example, made of a flexible material and is attached to the side strap 34 over said portion of the cable 46 and the guide 48, for example by stitching. Passage and sliding spaces for the cable 46 and the guide 48 are provided between the flap 62 and the strap 34.

[0063] According to a second embodiment shown in the figure 5 , the back protection equipment 10 does not include a ventral protection part 14.

[0064] The shoulder straps 16, or suspenders, extend over the user's shoulders, then back under the arms to the dorsal part 12, and are connected to each other by a fastener 64, for example by snap-on, located in front of the user's chest.

[0065] The two side straps 34 meet in front of the user, in the abdominal part, to form an abdominal strap for securing the protective equipment 10.

[0066] The said side straps 34 are connected to each other by a tightening device 40 so as to be able to adjust the tension in the abdominal strap.

[0067] One of the side straps 34 carries the winder 42, which is as described above, the cable 46 and the guide 48, and the other side strap 34 carries the fixing support 52 of the fastener 50 mounted sliding on the cable 46 and the guide 48.

[0068] This second embodiment offers a simplified and lighter structure of the protective equipment 10, but does not offer the advantages of chest protection and improved support offered by the ventral part 14.

Claims

1. Back protective equipment (10) comprising: - a back section (12) including a flexible back flap (24) and a rigid protective element (26) mounted on the flexible back flap (24), - at least one flexible shoulder strap (16) extending from an upper edge (18) of the back section (12) and arranged to allow the protective equipment (10) to be secured at the shoulder of a user, - at least one first lateral strap (34) and one second lateral strap (34), extending respectively from a first lateral edge (36) of the back section (12) and a second lateral edge (36) of the back section (12) opposite the first lateral edge (36), the first and second lateral straps (34) being arranged to allow the protective equipment (10) to be secured at the abdomen of the user, - at least one fastening device (40) mounted on the first side strap (34), characterized in thatat least one fastening device (40) comprises: - a winder (42) attached to the first side strap (34), - a handling and adjustment disc (44) mounted on the winder (42), - a cable (46) arranged on the winder (42) in a windable and unwindable manner by actuation of the disc (44), - at least one flexible tubular guide (48) in which the cable (46) extends slidably, - a fastener (50) slidably mounted on the guide (48), and - a fixing support (52) adapted to receive the fastener (50) in a removable manner, the fixing support (52) being mounted on the second side strap (34) or on a ventral part (14) of the protective equipment (10).

2. Back protective equipment (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the back protective equipment (10) comprises the ventral part (14), connected to the dorsal part (12) by at least one shoulder strap (16), as well as two tightening devices (40), the first and second lateral straps (34) each carrying one of the winders, the fixing supports (52) being mounted on the ventral part (14).

3. Back protective equipment (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the ventral part (14) comprises a flexible ventral flap (28) and a rigid protective element (30) mounted on the flexible ventral flap (28).

4. Back protective equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first side strap (34) comprises, for each tightening device (40), a flap (62) extending over a portion of the guide (48) and the cable (46), between the winder (42) and the attachment (50).

5. Back protective equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable (46) and the guide (48) form a loop which extends back and forth between the reel (42) and the attachment (50).

6. Back protection equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment (50) comprises a receiving conduit in which the cable (46) and the guide (48) are engaged, as well as a handle (54) and a snap-on mechanism (56) allowing the removable attachment of the attachment (50) to the mounting bracket (52), said handle (54) being provided to separate the attachment (50) from the mounting bracket (52).

7. Back protection equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the disc (44) and the winder (42) are configured to adjust a tension of the cable (46) in the guide (48) and a length separating the winder (42) and the attachment (50), by progressive rotation of the disc (44).

8. Back protective equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an internal surface of the back part (12) and, where applicable, of the ventral part (14), comprises a thermal regulation layer, said thermal regulation layer comprising fibers comprising a state-change material, for example, a microencapsulated wax.

9. Back protective equipment (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the thermal regulation layer is disposed against an external mesh layer arranged to extend against the user when the back protective equipment (10) is worn.

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