CLOTHING PROTECTION DEVICE

Abstract

This utility certificate relates to a protective clothing device. The protective device is designed to cover, at least partially, a part of the user's body when wearing said garment. The protective device (1) comprises a pre-formed support structure (2) (for example, by a thermoforming process) and comprising at least one polymer material. The protective device comprises at least one protective structure (3) made of elastically deformable thermoplastic material, joined to said support structure (2) corresponding to at least one surface (2A, 2B) of said support structure. FIGURE 3D

Description

Title of the invention: CLOTHING PROTECTION DEVICE

[0001] This utility certificate refers to a protective clothing arrangement.

[0002] As is known, the use of clothing equipped with protective devices is required or necessary for the execution of numerous activities in the civil, industrial, military and sporting fields.

[0003] Certain known types of clothing include protective elements made of plastic material arranged in special mounting pockets or sewn, glued or printed onto special mounting surfaces.

[0004] Clothing of this type can be improved.

[0005] Often, they are not very ergonomic and uncomfortable for the user, especially when the parts to be protected have an accentuated curvature (for example, the user's elbows, knees) and when protective elements of essentially flat shape are used, which forces adaptation to the three-dimensional profile of the body.

[0006] Furthermore, the aforementioned clothing is not always able to provide effective body protection. Often, the integrated protective elements are not capable of effectively dissipating the kinetic energy resulting from an impact and prove to be poorly resistant to the tensile or compressive forces that occur during the impact.

[0007] The main object of this utility certificate is to provide a device and method for protecting clothing which makes it possible to overcome or mitigate the drawbacks of the known art.

[0008] In this context, one of the objectives of this utility certificate is to provide a protective device ensuring a high level of ergonomics and comfort for the user.

[0009] Another objective of this utility certificate is to provide a protective device ensuring an effective level of protection for the user.

[0010] Another objective of this utility certificate is to provide a simple and economical protective device that can be manufactured industrially and is easily applicable or integrated into clothing.

[0011] This purpose and these objectives, as well as other objectives which will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, are achieved, according to this utility certificate, by a protective clothing device, according to claim 1, defined below.

[0012] The characteristics and advantages of the protective device, according to the utility certificate, can be better understood by referring to the description given below and the accompanying figures, provided for illustrative purposes only and not as a limitation, in which:

[0013] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates certain garments which include the device of protection, according to the utility certificate.

[0014] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates some clothing which includes the protective device, according to the utility certificate.

[0015] [Fig.3A] schematically illustrates the protection device, according to one embodiment of the present utility certificate.

[0016] [Fig.3B] schematically illustrates the protection device, according to one embodiment of the present utility certificate.

[0017] [Fig.3C] schematically illustrates the protection device, according to one embodiment of the present utility certificate.

[0018] [Fig.3D] schematically illustrates the protection device, according to an embodiment of the present utility certificate.

[0019] [Fig.4A] schematically illustrates a support structure included in the protection device, according to an embodiment of the present utility certificate.

[0020] [Fig.4B] schematically illustrates a support structure included in the protection device, according to an embodiment of this utility certificate.

[0021] [Fig.4C] schematically illustrates a support structure included in the protection device, according to an embodiment of this utility certificate.

[0022] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the protection device, according to another embodiment of this utility certificate.

[0023] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates the protection device, according to another embodiment of the present utility certificate.

[0024] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates the protection device, according to another embodiment of this utility certificate.

[0025] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates the protection device, according to another embodiment of this utility certificate.

[0026] With reference to the aforementioned figures, this utility certificate refers to a protective device 1 for a garment 100.

[0027] Figures 1-2 illustrate different types of clothing which include the protective device 1 at specific parts of the body to be covered and protected, for example the shoulders, elbows and knees of the user.

[0028] In principle, the garment 100 can be of any type and allow any use in the civil, industrial, military and sporting fields. It can be a garment, as illustrated in Figures 1-2, or an accessory to be worn by the user (by (e.g., a knee pad, an elbow pad, an impact protector, etc.) in order to protect a specific part of the body.

[0029] In general, the protective device 1 comprises a plurality of layers of material joined and superimposed one on top of the other. This multilayer structure is designed to adapt to the part of the body to be covered and protected.

[0030] Normally, the protective device has a curved shape in three dimensions of space, as illustrated in [Fig. 3D]. In this way, it can be easily integrated into clothing or parts of clothing with a very pronounced curvature or having a tubular or semi-tubular structure.

[0031] However, it could also have a substantially flat shape, as illustrated in Figures 3A-3C, 4A-4C, and 5A-5B cited for the sake of simplicity. In these cases, the protective device 1 may be intended to be integrated into clothing or parts of clothing with a slight curvature.

[0032] Figures 3A-3D schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of the protection device, according to certain embodiments.

[0033] According to the utility certificate, the protection device 1 includes a support structure 2 preformed so as to have a predefined shape, for example curved ([Fig.3D]) or flat (figures 3A-3C).

[0034] The preforming of the support structure 2 does not only refer to its general shape, but also to the conformation of its specific regions, for example, in order to obtain hollows or a particular profile.

[0035] To shape the support structure 2, a known type process can be used, for example a thermoforming process by molding or operating under vacuum.

[0036] The support structure 2 is characterized in that it comprises at least one polymer material, for example thermoplastic. This material can be prepared in various ways, for example in the form of fibers or yarns ([Fig. 4A]) and / or as a continuous layer of material (Figures 4B-4C).

[0037] According to the utility certificate, the protection device 1 includes at least one protection structure 3 connected to the support structure 2 corresponding to at least one surface 2A, 2B of the latter.

[0038] According to certain embodiments (figures 3A, 3B), the protection device comprises a single protection structure 3 joined to the support structure 2 in correspondence with a respective surface 2A, 2B of the latter.

[0039] According to the embodiment of [Fig.3A], the protective structure 3 is positioned in correspondence with a first surface 2A of the support structure 2, for example intended to be turned outwards from the user's body.

[0040] According to another embodiment of [Fig.3B], the protective structure 3 is positioned in correspondence with a second surface 2B of the support structure 2, for example intended to be turned towards the user's body.

[0041] According to yet another embodiment (Figures 3C, 3D), the protection device 1 comprises a pair of protection structures 3 connected to the support structure 2 at the opposite surfaces 2A, 2B of the latter. In this case, the protection device advantageously has a "sandwich" structure in which the support structure 2 is interposed between the opposite protection structures 3.

[0042] Each protective structure 3 is made from a thermoplastic material, for example TPE, TPU, PVC, HDPE, LDPE, or any other suitable thermoplastic material.

[0043] In principle, each protective structure 3 can be obtained by depositing a thermoplastic material on a corresponding surface 2A, 2B of the support structure 2 by means of any known industrial process, for example injection molding, additive printing using a three-dimensional printer, bonding, thermoforming, casting, etc.

[0044] Preferably, however, each protective structure 3 is deposited on the support structure 2 (obviously after the latter has been formed) by means of an injection molding process.

[0045] Each protective structure 3 is elastically deformable, preferably along one or more directions of deformation.

[0046] In principle, each protection structure 3 can have a continuous, lattice or discrete configuration.

[0047] Preferably, however, each protective structure 3 comprises a plurality of elements shaped from a thermoplastic material separated from each other and arranged side by side according to a desired "pattern", for example according to the solutions described in patent application DE 102020120936 Al.

[0048] To create a lattice structure, the discrete thermoplastic elements can be linked together in such a way as to facilitate the deformation of the structure along the corresponding preferential deformation lines. Alternatively, one or more groups of thermoplastic elements could be joined together to form localized lattice structures.

[0049] In general, the support structure 2 may comprise one or more layers of material.

[0050] According to some embodiments (not illustrated), the support structure 2 comprises a layer of thermoplastic material, for example TPE, TPU, PVC, HDPE, LDPE, or other suitable thermoplastic material.

[0051] Alternatively, the support structure 2 may include a layer of material comprising a matrix of interwoven fibers (e.g., carbon fibers, glass fibers, thermoplastic fibers, textile fibers, etc.) arranged with a uniform distribution or in groups. The fibers or groups of fibers may be arranged at different angles and / or in superimposed layers.

[0052] According to an embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 4A], the support structure 2 comprises a plurality of fabric layers 24 linked together by thermoplastic fibers interwoven with the warp and weft fibers of the aforementioned fabric layers. For example, the support structure 2 can be implemented according to the solutions described in French patent application FR 3065231 A1. Alternatively, the fabric layers 24 can be linked together by means of a thermoplastic base.

[0053] The solutions described above make it possible to obtain a support structure 2 which is elastically deformable and very resistant to any tensile forces (along the plane of the support structure) resulting from an impact.

[0054] According to other embodiments (Figures 4B, 4C), the support structure 2 comprises a reinforcement layer 20 and one or more lamination layers 22 of thermoplastic material joined to the reinforcement layer 20 in correspondence with one or more surfaces of the latter.

[0055] This solution is particularly advantageous because the reinforcement layer 20 is capable of conferring high toughness and tensile strength characteristics along the plane of the support structure.

[0056] Preferably, according to these embodiments, the support structure 2 is obtained by a rolling or pressing process.

[0057] According to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4B], the support structure comprises a single layer of lamination 22 made of thermoplastic material joined to the reinforcement layer 20 in correspondence with a surface of the latter.

[0058] According to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4C], the support structure comprises a pair of lamination layers 22 made of thermoplastic material connected to the reinforcement layer 20 in correspondence with the opposite surfaces of the latter.

[0059] The reinforcement layer 20 can be made from a thermoplastic material, for example TPE, TPU, PVC, UHMWPE, LDPE, PP, PA or any other suitable thermoplastic material.

[0060] The reinforcement layer 20 can be formed from a material with textile fibers in the warp and weft.

[0061] Alternatively, the reinforcing layer 20 can be formed of a material comprising a matrix of interwoven fibers (e.g., carbon fibers, glass fibers, polymer material fibers, etc.) arranged with a distribution uniform or in groups. The fibers or groups of fibers can be arranged at different angles and / or in superimposed layers.

[0062] The solutions illustrated above facilitate the realization of the support structure 2 by means of a rolling or pressing process involving layers of thermoplastic material.

[0063] The protective device 1 can be easily integrated into a garment 100.

[0064] According to certain embodiments (figures 3A-3D), the support structure 2 of the protective device can be directly connected to a part of the garment by means of known techniques, for example sewing, gluing, heat sealing, etc.

[0065] According to other embodiments ([Fig.5]), the support structure 2 of the protective device can be combined with an additional layer of material 4 (preferably elastically deformable) by means of known techniques, for example sewing, gluing, heat sealing, etc.

[0066] Advantageously, the material layer 4 can, in turn, be joined to a part of the garment according to the known techniques mentioned above.

[0067] The material layer 4 may be part of the protective device or an additional support material in relation to the latter.

[0068] The material layer 4 is preferably chosen from: a fabric, a non-woven fabric, an expanded material, a thermoplastic material, or a combination of these materials.

[0069] According to other embodiments (figures 6-8), the protective device 1 comprises one or more covering layers 5, 6 linked to the support structure 2 by means of known techniques, for example sewing, gluing, heat sealing, etc.

[0070] Each cover layer 5, 6 is designed to cover, at least partially, a corresponding protective structure 3.

[0071] Figure 6 shows an embodiment in which the device protection 1 includes a cover layer 5 intended to be turned outwards, in the direction opposite to the user's body, when using the protective device.

[0072] Figure 7 shows an embodiment in which the protection device 1 includes a cover layer 6 intended to be turned towards the user's body when using the protective device.

[0073] Figure 8 shows an embodiment in which the protection device 1 comprises both a cover layer 5 intended to be turned outwards and a cover layer 6 intended to be turned towards the user's body, when using the protective device.

[0074] If it is intended to be rotated in the opposite direction to the user's body, the covering layer 5 is made so as to ensure high abrasion resistance of the protective device. In this case, it can be made from an elastically deformable material chosen from: a fabric, a non-woven material, a thermoplastic material, or a combination of these materials.

[0075] If it is intended to be oriented towards the user's body, the cover layer 6 is made so as to ensure a high level of comfort. In this case, it can be made of an elastically deformable material chosen from: a fabric, a non-woven material, an expanded material, or a combination of these materials.

[0076] Other embodiments of the protective device, according to the utility certificate, are possible, for example by appropriately combining the embodiments illustrated above. These embodiments are not illustrated here in detail for obvious reasons of brevity.

[0077] The protective device, according to the utility certificate, has considerable advantages over the known art.

[0078] The protective device comprises a pre-formed support structure 2 (for example, by a thermoforming process) so as to have a predefined shape (curved or flat). This solution significantly improves user comfort. At the same time, it ensures better resistance to tensile and compressive forces resulting from an impact.

[0079] The protective device, according to the utility certificate, comprises one or more protective structures 3 made of thermoplastic material, which are elastically deformable in preferred directions.

[0080] The thermoplastic protective structures 3 can therefore provide an effective shock-absorbing effect in the event of an impact on the user's body. At the same time, they work in synergy with the support structure 2 to allow the entire protective device to easily adapt to the shape of the body.

[0081] The protective device, according to this utility certificate, is capable of providing high performance in terms of protection against abrasion and impacts, as well as high levels of ergonomics and comfort for the user.

[0082] The protective device, according to this utility certificate, can be made in such a way as to be easily applicable or integrable on a garment, without significant complication of the production process of the latter.

[0083] The protection device, according to this utility certificate, is easily produced at an industrial level, with considerable advantages in terms of reducing production time and costs.

Claims

Demands

1. Protective device (1) for clothing characterized in that it comprises: - a preformed support structure (2) comprising at least one polymer material; - at least one protective structure (3) made of elastically deformable thermoplastic material, joined to said support structure (2) corresponding to at least one surface (2A, 2B) of said support structure.

2. Protective device, according to claim 1, characterized in that each protective structure (3) is deposited on said support structure (2) by means of an injection molding process.

3. Protective device, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each protective structure (3) comprises a plurality of distinct thermoplastic material elements arranged side by side.

4. Protective device, according to claim 3, characterized in that one or more groups of said thermoplastic elements are linked together in such a way as to facilitate the deformation of said thermoplastic structure along preferential deformation lines.

5. Protective device, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a single protective structure (3) connected to said support structure (2) in correspondence with a surface (2A, 2B) of said support structure.

6. Protective device, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a pair of protective structures (3) connected to said support structure (2) in correspondence with the opposite surfaces (2A, 2B) of said support structure.

7. A protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support structure (2) comprises: - a layer of thermoplastic material; or - a material comprising an interwoven fiber matrix; or - a plurality of layers of fabric (24) superimposed and connected together by fibers (25) of thermoplastic material or a base of thermoplastic material.

8. Protective device, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said support structure (2) comprises a reinforcement layer (20) and one or more lamination layers (22) of thermoplastic material, each lamination layer being joined to said reinforcement layer in correspondence with a surface of said reinforcement layer.

9. Protective device, according to claim 8, characterized in that said reinforcement layer (20) comprises: - a layer of thermoplastic material; or - a material with textile fibers arranged in warp and weft; or - a material comprising a matrix of interlaced fibers.

10. Protective device, according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that said support structure (2) is obtained by a rolling or pressing process.

11. Protective device, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support structure (2) is preformed by a thermoforming process.

12. Protective device, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support structure (2) is joined to another layer of material (4) intended to be joined to a part of the garment.

13. Protective device, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more covering layers (5, 6) joined to said support structure (2), each covering layer being pre-arranged so as to cover, at least partially, a corresponding protective structure (3) of said protective device.

14. Garment (100) characterized in that it comprises at least one protective device (1), according to any one of the preceding claims.

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