EP4029396A1 - Head protection device - Google Patents

Head protection device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4029396A1
EP4029396A1 EP22152209.7A EP22152209A EP4029396A1 EP 4029396 A1 EP4029396 A1 EP 4029396A1 EP 22152209 A EP22152209 A EP 22152209A EP 4029396 A1 EP4029396 A1 EP 4029396A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vertical body
protection device
head
ring structure
sub
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22152209.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Mr. Lino DAINESE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
D Air Lab SRL
Original Assignee
D Air Lab SRL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by D Air Lab SRL filed Critical D Air Lab SRL
Publication of EP4029396A1 publication Critical patent/EP4029396A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A42—HEADWEAR
    • A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
    • A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
    • A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
    • A42B3/0406—Accessories for helmets
    • A42B3/0486—Airbags

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a protection device for protecting the head of a user.
  • the present disclosure also relates to a wearable item including said head protection device.
  • the head protection device finds an application in the sector for the active protection of persons engaged in a dynamic activity, for example a bike ride, or persons who are more exposed than others to the risk of falls and injury to the head, such as young children and elderly people, or persons suffering from illnesses or prone to sudden crises.
  • the present disclosure relates to a head protection device including at least one inflatable protection element, namely a protection element able to assume an active protection condition, or inflated condition, and a rest condition, or deflated condition.
  • a head protection device including at least one inflatable protection element, namely a protection element able to assume an active protection condition, or inflated condition, and a rest condition, or deflated condition.
  • a single inflatable element namely an element including a single inflation chamber.
  • the present disclosure may also be extended to inflatable protection devices including a plurality of inflatable elements which are independent of each other, namely including single inflation chambers or inflation chambers separate from respective inflation devices.
  • the head protection device is configured to protect the head from an impact and reduce as far as possible the tension affecting a user's neck, in the event of a fall and impact, and counteract as far as possible the effects of an impact and/or limit any undesirable movements of the user's head.
  • a head protection device which in the inflated condition has a collar-like body surrounding the neck of user, as well as a hood-like or shell-like body completely surrounding the scull or head of a user and extending from the collar-like body, is known.
  • the known protection device is inflated for example in the event of a user falling, from the collar around the neck, as far as the hood body surrounding the entire scull or head.
  • the protection device therefore ensures protection of the entire head and also prevents undesirable movements of the neck.
  • a first drawback consists in the fact that, in order to protect the head, it is required to use a vary large volume of air. Namely the structure and form of the protection device require a large volume of air in order to inflate completely both the collar-like body and the hood-like body surrounding the head. Relatively long inflation times are therefore required and these may be incompatible with the need for rapid inflation of the device. Moreover, the author of the present disclosure has noticed that the device in the deflated condition must be suitably arranged in a zone around the neck in order to be able to ensure the correct positioning at the moment of inflation. A collar-piece must therefore be provided in order to allow extraction of the device and the rapid arrangement in position around the neck.
  • One technical problem forming the basis of the present disclosure is therefore that of providing a protection device for a user's head which may have fast inflation times and at the same time minimum dimensions in the deflated condition, while ensuring that the neck and head remain protected.
  • the present disclosure is therefore based on the realization by the author of the present disclosure that, by suitably configuring the form of the inflatable element in the inflated condition, it is possible to achieve an optimum protection in very little time and prevent undesirable movements of the neck, and also reduce the overall dimensions in the deflated condition.
  • a head protection device includes at least one inflatable element and an inflation device.
  • the inflatable element includes at least one vertical body, or vertical column, and a ring structure, or body, joined or connected to the vertical body. Preferably it consists of a structure or body in the form of an open ring or "C".
  • the vertical body acts as a pillar or support column for the ring structure or body.
  • the ring structure or body forms a kind of crown around the user's head. This crown is supported, as mentioned, by the vertical body.
  • the form thus obtained is able to ensure maximum protection for the head, with a minimum amount of inflation fluid being required.
  • the ring structure extends from a top part of the vertical body and is intended to surround, at least partially, the head.
  • the ring structure is configured, therefore, to encircle the user's head, at least partly.
  • the ring structure extends in the inflated condition along the parietal zone and frontal zone of the head. The ring structure is therefore able to cover substantially the entire circumference of the head (360°), leaving minimal exposed zones (for example in the ring opening zone) which do not reduce the protection in the event of a fall.
  • the ring structure may consist of a single portion shaped in the manner of an open ring extending from the top of the vertical body and surrounding the entire head or may consist of two sub-portions having the shape of a half-ring and extending from the top of the vertical body so as to form two half-rings each intended to cover a side portion of the head.
  • two vertical inflatable bodies may be provided, wherein each top end of the vertical body is connected to a corresponding portion of the inflatable ring structure.
  • the ring structure may be formed by a plurality of tubular bodies arranged side-by-side and placed in respective fluid communication.
  • the tubular bodies may be arranged on top of each other in a vertical direction. The vertical direction must be understood with reference to the condition when the device is being worn.
  • the vertical body extends from the front zone of the chest towards the front zone of the face. In an alternative embodiment the vertical body extends from the rear zone of the back. In both cases supporting of the inflatable ring structure is possible. Should the vertical body be present in the front zone of the face, the user's face may also be protected, in the same way as for the rear zone. In fact, it should be pointed out that the vertical body in the front zone is able to ensure protection of the face, and the vertical body in the rear zone may ensure protection of the cervical zone.
  • the protection device includes a first vertical body, which extends from or towards the front zone of the chest, and a second vertical body, which extends from or towards the rear zone of the back.
  • the inflatable ring structure is provided between the first vertical body and the second vertical body.
  • the vertical body in turn rests on the respective front portion of the chest or on the rear zone of the back, or on both of them were applicable, so as not to create any stress or tension on the neck.
  • the vertical body may rest on or be fixed to the torso, it is possible to avoid excessive tensioning of the neck or severe bruising (e.g. whiplash effects) since the head remains "encaged" in the ring structure and the vertical body prevents the movement of the head in a direction perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the said vertical body.
  • the inflatable element per se is not constrained only to the neck/head since, as mentioned, the vertical body may rest on the torso.
  • the ring structure may be precisely positioned at the height of the parietal zone of the head, keeping it stably in position namely in a secure manner.
  • the head protection device does not include a collar. In this way the presence of a collar-piece is not required. This lighter and free structure of the protection device ensures freedom of movement of the neck (in the rest condition, namely in the deflated condition).
  • the head protection device may be incorporated in a wearable item.
  • the wearable item may be a backpack, a waistcoat or other article of clothing or clothing accessory which can be worn by a user preferably on the torso.
  • the inflatable element may be included in a pocket or fixed in another way to the wearable article.
  • the vertical body in the inflated condition is directly supported by the wearable item.
  • the reference number 10, 110, 210 indicates a head protection device according to respective embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the embodiments of the device include identical components having the same function; for this reason, in the various embodiments described below, the same reference numbers are maintained in order to identify elements and components which have the same function and the same characteristics, without necessarily repeating the description thereof.
  • the head protection device 10, 110, 210 is intended to be kept in the rest condition, or deflated condition, in an upper zone of the user's torso and is intended to expand into the inflated condition so as to reach the head of a user. Consequently, in the context of the present disclosure, any spatial reference of the head protection device or of the wearable item must be considered in relation to the condition where a user is wearing the head protection device and is in the standing position. Consequently, a rear zone of the device must be understood as being a zone which is situated behind on the back, and therefore behind the user's back, and is opposite to the front or frontal zone, which is the forehead or chest zone of a user.
  • the term “vertical” must be understood as referring to an orientation when the user is standing and wearing the protection device in the inflated condition.
  • the term “top” indicates a top end, namely an end which during use is directed upwards, of the component. The top is therefore opposite to the bottom end of the component, namely the end which during use is directed downwards or towards the feet of a user.
  • the head protection device 10 includes an inflatable element 11 including, in turn, a vertical protection body 12 and a ring structure or body 14. Preferably it consists of a structure or body in the form of an open ring or "C".
  • the head protection device 10 also includes an inflation device 13 shown schematically as a gas cylinder.
  • the inflation device 13 may be included in the inflatable element 11 or connected to the latter by means of a connection pipe.
  • the inflatable element 11 of this embodiment as well as the inflatable elements 111, 211 of the successive embodiments, are shown in schematic form in the figures.
  • the inflatable element may be realized using any known production method. In fact, what is of importance for the present disclosure is the form of the inflatable element 11, 111, 211 and its arrangement with respect the user's head.
  • the ring structure or body 14 is connected to a top end 15 of the vertical body 12.
  • the ring structure or body 14 is in fluid communication with the top 15 of the vertical body 12 so as to allow distribution of an inflation fluid.
  • the vertical body 12 extends from the rear back portion 16 of a user and branches off (branch-off area 18) on the rear portion of the user's head 17 into two sub-portions 20, 21 each having a half-ring shape.
  • the branch-off area 18 is therefore a zone connecting the two sub-portions 20, 21 to the vertical body.
  • the two sub-portions 20, 21 extend in the right-hand and left-hand directions on the sides of the user's head along the parietal zones 22, 23 towards the frontal zone 24 where the temples are situated.
  • the half-ring shaped sub-portions 20, 21 extend as far as the forehead 24 of the user, passing via the parietal zones 22, 23.
  • the inflatable vertical body 12 is a substantially tubular body.
  • the half-ring shaped sub-portions 20, 21 are also substantially tubular bodies.
  • the half-ring shaped sub-portions 20, 21 are in fluid communication with the vertical body 12 so as to form substantially a single inflatable element 11 having a single inflation chamber.
  • each portion and body of the inflatable element 11 and of the inflatable element 111, 211 of the successive embodiments it is quite possible for each portion and body of the inflatable element 11 and of the inflatable element 111, 211 of the successive embodiments to be separate inflatable elements.
  • the inflatable element 11 is able to assume a deflated rest condition and an inflated active protection condition.
  • the inflatable element 11 in the deflated rest condition is included in a backpack, in a waistcoat or in any other device wearable by the user, as indicated below.
  • a head protection device 110 according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.
  • the inflatable protection element 110 comprises an inflatable element 111 with a vertical body 12 and a ring structure 114 which is connected to a top end 15 of the vertical body 12.
  • the ring structure 114 includes in particular four sub-portions having the shape of a half-ring. Of said four sub-portions 20, 120, 21, 121, two sub-portions 20, 120 extend from the top 15 of the vertical body 12 on the right, and two sub-portions 21, 121 extend from the top 15 of the vertical body 12 on the left of the user's head so as to surround the user's head substantially over 360°, namely along the parietal zones 22, 23, on each side of the user's head as far as the frontal zone 24.
  • the ring structure 114 is in the form of an open ring, i.e. a "C".
  • the frontal zone 24 there is therefore an empty zone, or vacant zone, i.e. without an inflatable element 111, where the ring is open.
  • the frontal zone 24 is not covered by an inflatable element portion 111.
  • the two half-rings are, namely, arranged parallel on top of each other so as to define a bottom half-ring and a top half-ring.
  • a branch-off area 18 is obtained in the rear zone 17 of the head, from where the four half-ring shaped sub-portions 20, 120, 21, 121 branch off so as to surround a user's head, occupying a minimum amount of space.
  • the four sub-portions are connected to the vertical body 12 in the branch-off area 18.
  • the four half-ring shaped sub-portions 20, 120, 21, 121 may consist of a greater number.
  • smaller half-ring shaped sub-portions may be realized in order to obtain the same covering zone.
  • adjacent sub-portions 20, 120 or 21, 121 of the ring structure 114 may each include a plurality of inflatable sub-elements 50, which are preferably identical to each other, being arranged adjacent in sequence so as to form a pair of adjacent sub-portions 20, 120 or 21, 121, wherein each inflatable sub-element 50 has the form of a long and narrow, preferably tubular, casing, i.e. closed tube, so as to each define an internal channel-shaped chamber 51. More preferably, each inflatable sub-element 50 has a half-ring shape.
  • the inflatable sub-elements 50 and the respective internal chambers 51 are preferably in fluid communication by means of through-holes so as to form a single inflation chamber for said inflatable sub-elements 50.
  • each inflatable sub-element 50 has a tubular shape and therefore the corresponding internal chamber 51, when the inflatable element is substantially inflated, has a channel-like shape corresponding to the empty volume of a tubular element.
  • the inflatable sub-elements 50 are in fact narrow and long.
  • the inflatable sub-elements 50 therefore have side walls 50a, 50b arranged in pairs adhering to each other (i.e. completely adhering or partially adhering along one edge) or two opposite walls 50c, 50d which, once the inflatable elements 50 have been joined together, form and act as opposite outer surfaces.
  • the adjacent inflatable sub-elements 50 include through-holes 60 or fluid communication holes in the adhering walls 50a, 50b of the two said adjacent inflatable elements, so as to form the fluid communication.
  • each inflatable sub-element 50 is made of a material which is resistant to high pressure and suitable for keeping the entire mattress body inflated for a certain time period.
  • FIGS 17 and 18 show adjacent sub-portions 20, 120 or 21, 121 of the ring structure 114, in which the inflatable sub-elements 50 comprise membrane inserts 70 arranged between adjacent side walls 50a, 50b.
  • the membrane inserts 70 are inserted so as to pass between the adjacent side walls 50a, 50b and act as a reinforcement.
  • the inflatable sub-elements 50 of the adjacent sub-portions 20, 120 or 21, 121 may comprise two opposite covering sheets 80 which form a waterproofing cloak or coat.
  • FIG. 19-21 A ring structure made with these inflatable sub-elements 50 is schematically shown in Figures 19-21 .
  • the inflatable sub-elements 50 are superimposed on each other in the vertical direction.
  • the vertical body 12 is not shown for the sake of simplicity, but it is understood that it is present, and may be made with smaller dimensions or dimensions suitable for the particular need. It may be both a front body for resting on the chest or a rear body for resting on the back.
  • the inflatable element 111 therefore has the appearance of a substantially modular element in which the covering of the head may be increased by increasing the number of half-ring shaped sub-portions.
  • the vertical body 12 acts as a kind of vertical pillar, namely a vertical column which supports the ring structure 14, 114 and in turn rests on the user's torso.
  • a head protection device 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure such as that described above is illustrated.
  • the head protection device 110 is associated with a backpack 30.
  • the head protection device 110 is contained, in the deflated condition, in a pocket or similar compartment in the backpack 30.
  • the protection device 110 When the protection device 110 is inflated it emerges from a top zone of the backpack. Basically, in the inflated condition the vertical body 12 therefore emerges from the backpack 30.
  • the vertical body 12 is housed inside the backpack 30.
  • the backpack 30 is therefore one possible wearable item according to the present disclosure.
  • the inflatable protection device 110 is shown associated with a jacket or waistcoat 32.
  • the vertical body 12 emerges in the inflated condition from the top zone of the jacket.
  • the jacket 32 is therefore one possible wearable item according to the present disclosure.
  • a head protection device 210 including an inflatable element 211 having two vertical bodies 212a, 212b and a ring structure 214 is shown.
  • the ring structure 214 includes four ring sub-portions 220a, 220b, 221a, 221b, superimposed in pairs.
  • four ring sub-portions 220a, 220b, 221a, 221b two ring sub-portions 220a, 220b are superimposed in the right-hand parietal zone 22 and two ring sub-portions 221a, 221b are superimposed in the left-hand parietal zone 22.
  • the ring structure 114 may be in the form of an open ring, namely a "C". Therefore, the ring structure 114 encircles or partially or completely surrounds the head.
  • the four ring sub-portions 220a, 220b, 221a, 221b may be portions which are in fluid communication only in a branch-off area 18 located in the rear zone 17 of the head.
  • fluid communication passages may be provided internally along the half-ring portion.
  • fluid communication openings may be provided between the two half-rings so as to leave open fluid passages for allowing the distribution of fluid.
  • the head protection device 210 may be modified according to needs and for association with a wearable item 30, 32, such as a waistcoat ( Figures 10 and 11 ) or a backpack ( Figure 12 ) or other wearable item such as that of Figure 13 .
  • a wearable item 30, 32 such as a waistcoat ( Figures 10 and 11 ) or a backpack ( Figure 12 ) or other wearable item such as that of Figure 13 .
  • the head protection device 210 may be contained in a pocket of the waistcoat ( Figures 10 and 11 ) or in a shoulder strap of the backpack ( Figure 12 ) or in a pocket of the device according to Figure 13 .
  • all the aforementioned head protection devices 10, 110, 210 include an inflation device, such as a pressurised-gas cylinder.
  • the inflation device 13 is associated with the vertical body 12, 112, 212a, 212b.
  • the inflation device 13 located in the wearable item associated with the vertical body 12, 112, 212a,212b.
  • the inflation device 13 may also be connected to the half-ring structure 14, 114, 214 so as to inflate the latter first in relation to the vertical body 12, 112, 212a, 212b, for example by suitably organizing the distribution of the inflation fluid inside the inflatable element 11, 111, 211.
  • the inflation device may be provided with pipes which introduce gas into the inflatable element 11, 111, 211.
  • the inflatable element 11, 111, 211 may be lined or covered with a fabric or other soft material suitable for use on a fabric.
  • the inflatable element 11, 111, 211 may be housed inside a casing having a shape corresponding to that of the inflatable element.
  • the head protection device In order to perform inflation of the inflatable element 11, 111, 211, the head protection device according to the present invention is able to cooperate with special activation and inflation means, the compressed gas cylinder 13 thereof according to Figure 3 being shown in the figures only by way of example.
  • these means may comprise gas generators of the pyrotechnical or hybrid type or of other types known in the present state of the art,
  • Said inflation means are controlled by a control unit depending on the detection of the user's condition; for example, said control unit may implement an impact prediction algorithm which allows early identification of an event and a reliable prediction thereof by means of sensors and a unit for processing the signals produced by the said sensors.
  • the aforementioned detection and activation means may also be incorporated in the protection device according to the present invention or located on the outside thereof.
  • the impact detection and activation means of the inflatable element 11, 111, 211 may be either means associated with the user on the outside of the head protection device 10, 110, 210 or incorporated in the latter.
  • the protection device may also comprise a deflation valve, communicating on one side with the internal chamber of the inflatable element and on the other side with the external environment, so as to allow deflation of the inflatable element 11, 111, 211 following activation and when a protective action is no longer required.
  • Activation of the deflation valve may be controlled by an electronic control unit, which opens the deflation valve once a predefined time interval has lapsed from activation of the inflation means.
  • the deflation valve may be manually operated.

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  • Magnetic Heads (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
EP22152209.7A 2021-01-19 2022-01-19 Head protection device Pending EP4029396A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102021000000884A IT202100000884A1 (it) 2021-01-19 2021-01-19 Dispositivo di protezione per la testa

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4029396A1 true EP4029396A1 (en) 2022-07-20

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ID=75252748

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22152209.7A Pending EP4029396A1 (en) 2021-01-19 2022-01-19 Head protection device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4029396A1 (it)
IT (1) IT202100000884A1 (it)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4338632A1 (en) * 2022-09-14 2024-03-20 Autoliv Development AB A wearable safety system

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0043990A1 (fr) * 1980-07-15 1982-01-20 Lacoray S.A. Dispositif de protection notamment pour motocyclistes
DE9314728U1 (de) * 1993-09-29 1994-01-13 Hestermann, Kai, 24114 Kiel Kopfschutz für Epileptiker
US20120102630A1 (en) * 2010-11-01 2012-05-03 Lawrence Anderson Wearable protection device and method thereof
EP3326476A1 (en) * 2015-07-22 2018-05-30 Victor Alberto Medina Bas Airbag that can be adapted to a helmet

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0043990A1 (fr) * 1980-07-15 1982-01-20 Lacoray S.A. Dispositif de protection notamment pour motocyclistes
DE9314728U1 (de) * 1993-09-29 1994-01-13 Hestermann, Kai, 24114 Kiel Kopfschutz für Epileptiker
US20120102630A1 (en) * 2010-11-01 2012-05-03 Lawrence Anderson Wearable protection device and method thereof
EP3326476A1 (en) * 2015-07-22 2018-05-30 Victor Alberto Medina Bas Airbag that can be adapted to a helmet

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4338632A1 (en) * 2022-09-14 2024-03-20 Autoliv Development AB A wearable safety system
WO2024056585A1 (en) * 2022-09-14 2024-03-21 Autoliv Development Ab A wearable safety system and a bag arrangement using such wearable safety system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT202100000884A1 (it) 2022-07-19

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