A personal protective device including a cap for a gas canister, an assembly including a gas canister provided with said cap, and an inflatable bag connected to said assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cap (1) configured to be secured to a gas canister (2). The cap (1) includes a body (10) provided with at least one aperture (14). According to the invention, a cap (1) includes an appendage (16) protruding from a body (10). The appendage (16) has a deflection surface (18) arranged facing the at least one aperture (14) so ​​as to deflect fluid discharged from the at least one aperture (14). The invention also relates to an assembly including a gas canister (2) equipped with said cap (1). Furthermore, the invention relates to a personal protection device (12) having an inflatable bag connected to said assembly.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap for a gas canister. The present invention further relates to an assembly including a gas canister with said cap. The present invention further relates to a personal protection device including an inflatable bag connected to said assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Gas canisters are used in numerous devices and situations, such as for example inflating bags inserted into personal protective equipment, also known as "air bags." For the sake of brevity, the following will refer to gas canisters used in personal protective equipment with inflatable bags, without limiting their functionality.

[0003] As is well known in the art, personal protective devices with inflatable bags have been developed to protect users from injuries due to impact during various types of activities, such as motorcycle driving, cycling, walking, or industrial work activities. Typically, the personal protective devices include a protective garment, such as a jacket, vest, gilet, suit, or belt, inside which at least one inflatable bag is disposed. The inflatable bag is designed to inflate and transition from a deflated state to an inflated state when a dangerous situation for the user is detected.

[0004] A personal protective device generally includes at least one gas canister designed to contain an inflation fluid for an inflatable bag, and an actuation mechanism designed to actuate the gas canister. It is well known in the art that actuation mechanisms for personal protective devices can be mechanical or electronic. Due to the need for a small footprint, the gas canister must be small, so that the inflation fluid is contained within the canister under high pressure.

[0005] At the same time, when the actuation mechanism detects a dangerous situation for the user, it is necessary to inflate the inflatable bag as quickly as possible, so that the bag can reach an inflated state quickly, thereby providing improved protection to the user. The need to store the inflation fluid under high pressure in the gas canister and to obtain a rapid inflation of the inflatable bag determines a large inflation fluid flow rate that is released from the gas canister when the gas canister is activated. In fact, most of the inflation fluid is released from the corresponding gas canister within a few tens of milliseconds or even less. When this happens, large stresses are generated in nearby objects, such as the inflatable bag or the connection between the gas canister and the inflatable bag, creating a non-negligible risk of breakage or rupture.

[0006] Additionally, to allow for rapid release of the inflation fluid from the gas canister, the gas canister typically contains a pyrotechnic material that subjects the inflation fluid to high temperatures that promote rupture and failure of the bag.

[0007] To overcome these drawbacks, it is known to mount an additional part called a "cap" adjacent to the discharge of the gas canister. Depending on the design of the gas canister, this cap can be removably fixed to the gas canister, for example by screwing or clamping, or it can be firmly and permanently fixed to the gas canister, for example by welding. The function of the cap is to act as a shield between the gas canister and a nearby object, to avoid the inflation fluid discharged from the gas canister directly impinging on the nearby object.

[0008] In particular, a cap is fixed to the gas canister so that the inflation fluid released from the gas canister passes through the cap and is released from one or separate holes provided in the cap itself. The cap also performs an additional function, namely, as a brake to slow down the flow of the inflation fluid. In effect, the cap reduces the velocity of the inflation fluid and allows the introduction of the inflation fluid into the inflatable bag to be distributed over a longer period of time, protecting the inflatable bag and allowing a more uniform pressure to be obtained inside it.

[0009] Furthermore, in the personal protective device, the cap has the function of allowing the quick replacement of the gas canister when the inflatable bag is activated and emptied. In fact, the cap is fixed to the inlet of the inflatable bag, allowing a non-direct connection between the gas canister and the inflatable bag. This allows the quick replacement of the gas canister without affecting the airtight connection between the gas canister and the inflatable bag.

[0010] Even if the use of the cap is appreciated, the gas canisters that are usually used in personal protective equipment have a further drawback. In fact, even if the cap is present, a reaction force occurs when the inflation fluid is released from the gas canister, according to Newton's third law of motion. The magnitude and direction of the reaction force depends on the value of the flow rate of the inflation fluid and its direction. The flow rate and direction of the inflation fluid are determined by the structural and geometric properties of the gas canister or the assembly formed by the gas canister and the cap. If the gas canister directs the flow of gas in one direction, it is subjected to a reaction force in the opposite direction. This reaction force is dangerous, because if the gas canister is not properly fixed to the inflatable bag, there is a risk that the gas canister will be ejected into space and hit something or someone nearby.

[0011] At the same time, such reaction forces are present in any case, even if the gas canister is properly fixed to the inflatable bag. The bag can mitigate this force, but in this case there is a risk that the inflatable bag will break. The situation where the gas canister is not properly fixed to the inflatable bag occurs during the so-called Bonfire test, which the airbag system must pass in order to obtain the corresponding certification. This test aims to make sure that in the event of a fire, none of the components of the airbag system are thrown over a certain distance. In this test, the entire personal protective equipment is burned. During the burn, the connection of the inflatable bag and the gas canister inevitably breaks, which allows the inflation fluid contained in the gas canister to be released and possibly into the surrounding space with the associated hazards. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a cap for a gas canister that is designed to overcome, or at least mitigate, the aforementioned disadvantages associated with known caps.

[0013] More specifically, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a cap for a gas canister that can reduce reaction forces acting on a gas canister when the gas canister and an inflatable bag are improperly connected.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cap for a gas canister which is adapted to reduce stress on the connection between the gas canister and the inflatable bag.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an assembly formed by a cap and a gas canister that is capable of uniformly distributing inflation fluid within the inflatable bag without affecting the inflation rate.

[0016] Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a personal protective device with an inflatable bag that can pass the Bonfire test without modifying the shape of the gas canister. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] The above mentioned objects, as well as other objects which will become better apparent from the following description, are achieved by a cap for a gas canister according to claim 1, an assembly including a gas canister and a cap according to claim 13, and a personal protection device comprising an inflatable bag according to claim 14.

[0018] The advantages and characteristic features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a cap for a gas canister, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic form of a cap for a gas canister according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view very similar to FIG. 1, but showing a schematic form of a cap for a gas canister according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic form of an assembly formed by the cap of FIG. 1 and a gas canister according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic form of an assembly formed by the cap of FIG. 2 and a gas canister according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the detail of FIG. 3 identified with the reference character A. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the detail of FIG. 4 identified with the reference B. [Figure 7] 1 is a rear perspective view of a personal protection device with an inflatable bag according to the present invention; [Figure 8]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic form of a cap for a gas canister according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic form of a cap for a gas canister according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] In the following description of a cap for a gas canister according to the present invention, "inside" refers to those parts or components of the cap that are relatively closer to the gas canister during normal use, and "outside" refers to those parts or components that are relatively further away.

[0021] With reference to the accompanying drawings, one example of a cap for a gas canister according to the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. In particular, said cap 1 is preferably configured to be fixed to a gas canister 2 designed to be connected to an inflatable bag 4 of a personal protective equipment 6 as shown in Figure 7. The personal protective equipment 6 may be, for example, a garment such as a vest, jacket, suit, or a harness.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cap 1 includes a body 10 with at least one hole 14. According to the present invention, the cap 1 includes an appendage 16 protruding from the body 10. The appendage 16 also includes a deflection surface 18 arranged facing the at least one hole 14 to deflect the fluid emitted from the at least one hole 14. In particular, an end portion of the hole 14, i.e., a portion close to the deflection surface 18, can extend along an axis Z, and the deflection surface 18 can be inclined at a deflection angle α with respect to the axis Z. In this way, when the cap 1 is fixed to the gas canister 2, the deflection surface 18 intercepts and deflects at least a portion of the inflation fluid emitted from the gas canister 2 after the inflation fluid passes through the at least one hole 14.

[0023] As will become apparent from the following description, due to the provision of the deflection surface 18, the cap 10 is able to direct the inflation fluid released from the gas canister 2 along a preferred direction. In particular, the cap is able to direct the inflation fluid released from the gas canister along a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the gas canister. In this way, the reaction force acting on the gas canister after activation is no longer along the longitudinal axis X of the gas canister, which overcomes the aforementioned problem. Furthermore, when the gas canister is used to inflate an inflatable bag of a personal protective device, the ability to direct the inflation fluid along a preferred direction makes it possible to reduce the stress acting on the interface between the inflatable bag and the gas canister. In this way, the risk of tearing and bursting at the connection between the inflatable bag and the gas canister is reduced.

[0024] Preferably, the cap 1 is made of a hard material. More preferably, the cap 1 is made of a metallic material capable of withstanding high pressures in the range of 400 bar (40 Mpa) exerted by the inflation fluid released from the gas canister 2.

[0025] The cap 1 may be formed of a single element, as shown for example in Figures 1-2. Alternatively, the cap 1 may be formed of two or more elements designed to be connected to one another. For example, the appendage 16 may be connected to the body 10 by screwing. The body 10 preferably has a cylindrical shape. Advantageously, the body 10 may be provided with a peripheral recess 11 running along the outer surface of the body 10.

[0026] As clearly shown in Figures 3 to 6, the body 10 may comprise an internal cavity 13 opening on its bottom side, i.e. opposite to the deflection surface 18. The cavity 13 may be configured to receive an end part 23 of the gas canister 2. In particular, as will be disclosed in detail below, the cavity 13 is configured to receive the end part 23 of the gas canister 2, which is provided with an outlet valve 24 for releasing the inflation fluid stored inside the gas canister 2 (see Figures 5 to 6). The inner surface of the cavity 13 may be provided with a seat for receiving a sealing ring 26, the function of which is to ensure that there is no leakage between the cap 1 and the gas canister 2.

[0027] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the at least one hole 14 can be a through hole. In this case, axis Z represents the longitudinal axis of hole 14. Preferably, said at least one hole 14 is arranged in body 10 so as to put internal cavity 13 in fluid communication with the exterior of cap 1.

[0028] Preferably, the body 10 comprises a plurality of holes 14 (see Figures 1-2 and 8-9). Advantageously, as shown in Figures 1-2 and 8-9, said holes 14 may have respective axes Z, which are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis X1 of the body 10. Preferably, each hole 14 is arranged along the periphery of the body 10. In particular, the holes 14 may be arranged along a circular line so as to be equidistant from each other. Furthermore, each hole 14 may have different dimensions depending on the flow rate of the inflation fluid that it needs to accommodate. In particular, each hole 14 may have a constant cross section along the major part of its length. The holes 14 may have a circular cross section. More preferably, the holes 14 have the same dimensions, i.e. the same cross section and the same length.

[0029] However, different arrangements of the holes 14 are possible depending on the size of the gas canister 2 to which the cap 1 needs to be fixed. For example, the holes 14 provided in the body 10 of the cap 1 of Figures 1-2 have a larger cross section than the holes 14 of the cap 1 of Figures 8-9.

[0030] The appendages 16 may protrude from the top surface of the body 10 along a direction opposite to the internal cavity 13. As a result, the top surface of the body 10 is defined as the surface of the body 10 on which the at least one hole 14 is arranged. Preferably, the appendages 16 extend along the longitudinal axis X1 of the body 10. More preferably, the appendages 16 include at least one stem 20 protruding from the top surface of the body 10.

[0031] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the deflection surface 18 is located at a terminal portion of the appendage 16, i.e., at the terminal portion of the appendage 16 that is remote from the top surface of the body 10. In other words, the deflection surface 18 is external to the body of the cap. Specifically, as clearly shown in the accompanying drawings, the deflection surface 18 is located spaced apart from the top surface of the body 10.

[0032] In the case where the appendage 16 comprises at least one stem 20, the deflection surface 18 is arranged at the terminal portion of said stem 20, i.e. the terminal portion of said stem 20 remote from the upper surface of the body 10. Preferably, the deflection surface 18 consists of an elongate element lying on a plane T (see Figures 5 and 6) inclined by a deflection angle α with respect to the axis Z of the bore 14. Advantageously, the deflection surface 18 can consist of an element having a disk shape. Alternatively, the deflection surface 18 can be a flat surface having a polygonal, for example a square or pentagonal, shape. In a further embodiment, not shown, the deflection surface can consist of a V-shaped element, the sides of which together define the deflection angle α.

[0033] As shown in the attached drawings, the deflection surface 18 is spaced apart from the holes 14. The deflection surface 18 is designed to be superimposed on each of the holes 14 of the body 10. In other words, the deflection surface 18 has a shape and dimensions that allow it to block the inflation fluid coming from the holes 14 when the cap 1 is connected to the gas canister 2. The deflection surface 18 can be inclined at a deflection angle α between 30° and 90°, preferably between 50° and 90°, and more preferably between 70° and 90°. In the attached drawings, as an example, a cap 1 is shown having a deflection surface 18 inclined at a deflection angle α of about 90° with respect to the axis Z of the hole 14.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2, the cap 1 may comprise a longitudinal opening 22 in fluid communication with the internal cavity 13. Preferably, the longitudinal opening 22 may extend from the internal cavity 13 towards the deflection surface 18. The internal cavity 13 and / or the longitudinal opening 22 may be provided with fastening means 12 designed to cooperate with corresponding fastening means provided on the gas canister 2 (see Figs. 5-6). For example, the fastening means 12 may consist of an internal thread suitable for screwing into a corresponding external thread provided on the gas canister 2.

[0035] Alternatively, the appendage 16 may be provided with a groove 28, as shown in Figure 8. Said groove 28 is suitable for dividing the appendage 16 into two appendages, each of which is provided with a stem and a deflection surface.

[0036] As mentioned above, the present invention also relates to an assembly consisting of a gas canister 2 and a cap 1 designed to be connected to an inflatable bag 4 of a personal device 6 in order to transfer the inflatable bag 4 from a deflated state to an inflated state. The gas canister 2 comprises an end portion 23 provided with an outlet valve 24, through which the inflation fluid of the inflatable bag 4 contained in the gas canister 2 is released. In particular, the cap 1 is fixed to the gas canister 2 so as to surround said end portion 23.

[0037] According to the present invention, the cap 1 is secured to the gas canister 2 by arranging each hole 14 parallel to the longitudinal axis X2 of the gas canister 2. Preferably, a terminal portion of each hole extends along an axis Z, which is arranged parallel to the axis X2. For example, as shown in Figures 3-4, the cap 1 can be secured to the gas canister 2 such that the longitudinal axis X1 of the body 10 coincides with the longitudinal axis X2 of the gas canister 2.

[0038] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the outlet valve 24 may be comprised of a plurality of openings 27 disposed along the peripheral surface of the distal end 23 .

[0039] Preferably, the cap 1 is hermetically secured to the gas canister 2 to avoid leakage of inflation fluid between these parts when the gas canister 2 is activated.

[0040] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the cap 1 can be fixed to the gas canister 2 by placing said end portion 23 in the internal cavity 13 (see Figures 3-4). The end portion 23 extends from the body 3 of the gas canister 2 and has dimensions such as to leave a predetermined space between its outer surface and the inner surface of the internal cavity 13 (see Figures 5 and 6). At the same time, the outer surface of the body 3 proximate to the end portion 23 is designed to abut against the inner surface of the internal cavity to seal its lower end.

[0041] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the end portion 23 is provided with a longitudinal stud 24 designed to be received in the longitudinal opening 22 of the cap 1 .

[0042] The cap 1 can be fastened to the gas canister by means of fastening means 12 provided in the internal cavity 13 and / or in the longitudinal opening 22 which are designed to cooperate with corresponding fastening means provided on the gas canister 2.

[0043] The present invention also relates to a personal protection device 6 including an inflatable bag 4 designed to transition between a resting state in a deflated state and an activated state in an inflated state. The personal protection device 6 includes the aforementioned assembly formed by a cap 1 and a gas canister 2, the cap 1 being secured to an opening 5 of the inflatable bag 4.

[0044] Once the gas canister 2 is activated, an inflation fluid contained within the gas canister 2 can flow into the inflatable bag 4 to transition the inflatable bag 4 from a deflated, resting state to an inflated, activated state. The gas canister 2 can be selected from the group consisting of a pyrotechnic inflator, a compressed gas inflator, and a hybrid inflator.

[0045] As shown diagrammatically in Figures 3 to 6, the cap 1 is preferably hermetically fastened to the opening 5 of the inflatable bag 4 by means of a retaining ring 7 designed to overlap a peripheral recess 11. As a result, when the cap 1 is hermetically fastened to the inflatable bag 4, the gas canister 2 is itself also hermetically connected to the inflatable bag 4.

[0046] Furthermore, such an arrangement of the cap 1 relative to the inflatable bag 4 allows a user of the personal protective equipment to easily replace a gas canister once depleted without worrying about affecting the airtight connection between the inflatable bag 4 and the assembly (formed by the gas canister 2 and the cap 1).

[0047] In the following it will be disclosed how the cap 1 functions when the assembly formed by the cap 1 and the gas canister 2 is fixed to the opening 5 of an inflatable bag 4 of a personal protective equipment 6 .

[0048] Due to the mutual arrangement between the cap 1 and the gas canister 2, the cap 1 can guide the inflation fluid released from the outlet valve 24 along a direction inclined by a deflection angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis X2 of the gas canister 2. In fact, once the gas canister 2 is activated, the inflation fluid coming from the outlet valve 24 first occupies the internal cavity 13. The internal cavity is sealed at its lower end, and the inflation fluid is forced to flow through the hole 14 of the cap 1. In this way, the inflation fluid is divided into separate inflation streams and made to flow evenly along the circumference of the body 10, so that the pressure applied by the inflation fluid along the interface between the inflatable bag and the cap can be evenly distributed. Furthermore, due to the mutual arrangement between the hole 14 and the deflection surface 18, when the inflation fluid is released from the hole 14, the inflation fluid will inevitably collide with the deflection surface 18 and be deflected. Specifically, the provision of deflection surface 18 can reduce or eliminate the axial component of the inflation flow velocity emitted from aperture 14 and redirect the inflation fluid along a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X2 of gas canister 2. In Figures 5 and 6, the path taken by inflation fluid from gas canister 2 towards cap 1 is shown diagrammatically by arrow f.

[0049] In this way, objects placed in the vicinity of the cap, such as a bag, are protected from rupture. Moreover, in the event of a fire, the cap 1 allows an appropriate reduction of the reaction forces acting on the gas canister. It is clear how the invention is able to achieve the given object. Indeed, the provision of the cap 1 allows a reduction of the reaction forces acting on the gas canister in the event of an improper connection of the gas canister and the inflatable bag or in the event of a fire. Indeed, the risk of flying debris striking objects and persons in the vicinity of the personal protective device with the inflatable bag is reduced.

[0050] Furthermore, due to the combination of the holes and the deflection surface of the body, the cap can reduce the stress acting on the connection between the gas canister and the inflatable bag when the gas canister is activated. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the provision of the cap allows the inflation fluid to be uniformly distributed within the bag without affecting the inflation of the bag. Specifically, the provision of the cap can symmetrically distribute the gas flow released from the gas canister. Finally, since the reaction force acting on the gas canister due to the change in direction of the inflation fluid is significantly reduced, the personal protective device equipped with the cap can easily pass the Bonfire test that is faced in obtaining the required safety certification.

[0051] With respect to the above-described cap embodiments, those skilled in the art can make modifications to the described elements and / or substitute equivalent elements to meet their particular requirements without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cap (1) for a gas canister (2) comprising a body (10) with at least one hole (14), The cap (1) includes an appendage (16) protruding from the body (10); The appendage (16) comprises a deflection surface (18); The deflection surface (18) is disposed facing the at least one hole (14) to deflect fluid discharged from the at least one hole (14). A cap (1) characterized in that

2. 2. The cap (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the terminal portion of said at least one hole (14) extends along an axis (Z) and said deflection surface (18) is inclined at a deflection angle (α) relative to said axis (Z).

3. 2. Cap (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflection surface (18) is arranged at an end portion of the appendix (16).

4. A cap (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the appendage (16) includes at least one stem (20) protruding from an upper surface of the body (10), and the deflection surface (18) is arranged at an end portion of the at least one stem (20).

5. A cap (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the deflection surface (18) consists of an elongated element lying in a plane (T), said plane (T) being inclined by said deflection angle (α) with respect to the axis (Z).

6. A cap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflection surface (18) is spaced apart from the at least one hole (14).

7. A cap (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the deflection surface (18) is inclined at a deflection angle (α) between 30° and 90°, preferably between 50° and 90°, and more preferably between 70° and 90°.

8. A cap (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the body (10) comprises an internal cavity (13) open at its bottom side, the internal cavity (13) being adapted to receive an end portion (23) of a gas canister (2).

9. The cap (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one hole (14) is arranged on the body (10) so as to fluidly connect the internal cavity (13) with the exterior of the cap (1).

10. The cap (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the body (10) is provided with a plurality of holes (14), each of the plurality of holes (14) being arranged along the periphery of the body (10).

11. The cap (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the plurality of holes (14) each have a longitudinal axis (Z), the longitudinal axes (Z) being parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axis (X1) of the body (10).

12. 12. The cap (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the holes (14) are arranged along a circular line, the holes (14) being equally spaced from each other.

13. a gas canister (2) designed to be connected to an inflatable bag (4) of a personal protective device (6) to move the inflatable bag (4) from a deflated state to an inflated state, said gas canister (2) including an end portion (23) with an outlet valve (24) for releasing inflation fluid of the inflatable bag (4) contained within the gas canister (2); A cap (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, fixed to the gas canister (2) so as to surround the end portion (23); wherein the cap (1) is fixed to the gas canister (2) by arranging the axis (Z) of the at least one hole (14) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X2) of the gas canister (2). Assembly comprising:

14. 14. A personal protection device (6) comprising an inflatable bag (4) designed to transition between a resting state in a deflated state and an active state in an inflated state, and an assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that a cap (1) of said assembly is fixed to an opening (5) of the inflatable bag (4).

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