U.S. patent application number 10/521220 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for personal protection device.
Invention is credited to Mathew Aspray.
Application Number | 20060101553 10/521220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30011662 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060101553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aspray; Mathew |
May 18, 2006 |
Personal protection device
Abstract
A personal protection device (10) comprises a resilient
structure (12) which, in use, surrounds a bodypart of the user. The
energy from an impact by a first surface is thus transmitted
through the structure (12) from the impact side to the other
side(s) and dissipated to an external second surface with which the
structure (12) is in contact.
Inventors: |
Aspray; Mathew; (Kempsford,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOEL D. SKINNER, JR.;SKINNER AND ASSOCIATES
212 COMMERCIAL ST.
HUDSON
WI
54016
US
|
Family ID: |
30011662 |
Appl. No.: |
10/521220 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
July 12, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB02/03223 |
371 Date: |
August 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/015 20130101;
A41D 13/0531 20130101; A41D 13/0518 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/069 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00 |
Claims
1. A personal protection device comprising a resilient structure
which, in use, surrounds a bodypart of the user, the energy from an
impact by a first surface being transmitted through the structure
from the impact side to the other side (s) and dissipated to an
external second surface with which the structure is in contact.
2. A personal protection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
resilient structure is a rigid frame.
3. A personal protection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
resilient structure is a one piece structure.
4. A personal protection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
resilient structure comprises two or more interconnectable
parts.
5. A personal protection device according to claim 1, wherein the
structure is contoured and/or shaped to the bodypart.
6. A personal protection device according to claim 1, wherein the
bodypart is the upper torso.
7. A personal protection device according to claim 6, wherein the
device comprises first and second rigid hoops each of which, in
use, passes over one of a user's shoulder and beneath the user's
arms.
8. A personal protection device according to claim 7, wherein the
first and second hoops are rigidly interconnected.
9. A personal protection device according to claim 8, further
comprising front and rear cross-members interconnecting the first
and second hoops.
10. A personal protection device according to claim 9, wherein at
least one of the cross-members includes a releasable coupling
releasable to allow relative movement of the first and second
hoops.
11. (canceled)
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a personal protection device.
[0002] The use of impact resistant body protectors in sports,
working environments and even travelling, such as when riding a
horse, motorbike or bicycle, is common and widespread. These
typically take the form of helmets, padded jackets/vests, padded
trousers and the like.
[0003] The fundamental problem with this type of protector is that
it operates on the principle of absorbing the energy, generated
during an impact, into the padding of the garment in an attempt to
cushion the user and thereby minimise bruising and other minor
injuries.
[0004] However, this type of protector does little to prevent
injury when the user is caught between an immovable surface, such
as the ground, on one side and the application of a large impact or
crushing force from the other side. In one particular example,
padded body protectors are ineffective in preventing serious injury
and even fatality when a horse falls, trapping the rider beneath
it.
[0005] The present invention seeks to overcome this problem.
[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a
personal protection device comprising a resilient structure which
in use, surrounds a bodypart of the user, the energy from an impact
by a first surface being transmitted through the structure from the
impact side to the other side(s) and dissipated to an external
second surface with which the structure is in contact.
[0007] Preferably, the resilient structure is a rigid frame.
[0008] The resilient structure may be a one piece structure.
Alternatively, the resilient structure may comprise two or more
interconnectable parts.
[0009] Preferably, the structure is contoured to the bodypart.
[0010] Preferably, the bodypart is the upper torso.
[0011] The invention will now be more particularly described, by
way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of
a personal protection device, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the personal protection
device shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the personal protection
device shown in FIG. 1; and
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
personal protection device, in accordance with the present
invention.
[0016] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, a first
embodiment of a personal protection device, generally referenced at
10, is shown therein.
[0017] The personal protection device 10 comprises a resilient,
typically rigid frame, structure 12 which is adapted to house a
bodypart of a user. The resilient structure 12 may be formed from
metal material or any other suitable material which is light weight
and able to withstand relatively high compressive forces.
[0018] In this embodiment, the resilient structure 12 is a unitary
one-piece structure, and the bodypart is the upper torso.
[0019] The resilient structure 12 comprises two continuous hoop
elements 14, and two pairs of integral cross-member elements 16
which set the hoop elements 14 in relative spaced-apart
relationship. The cross-member elements 16 typically extend in
parallel or substantially in parallel with each other. The pairs of
cross-member elements 16 are positioned on the hoop elements 14 to
be diametrically or substantially diametrically opposed, and each
cross-member element 16 in the pair is spaced from the other
cross-member element 16.
[0020] One or more further cross-member elements (not shown) may
extend at an angle between the hoop elements 14, and typically
between the cross-member elements 16, to aid in the rigidity of the
resilient structure 12.
[0021] The hoop elements 14 are contoured and/or shaped to fit a
user. The cross-member elements 16 may also be contoured and/or
shaped. Some or all of the elements 14 and 16 may include
padding.
[0022] In use, the personal protection device 10 is slid over the
head and onto the body of the user so that the upper torso is,
essentially, surrounded by an external cage. Each hoop element 14
is supported on a respective shoulder of the user and extends
around and under the arm. One pair of cross-member elements 16
extends across the back of the user, and the other pair extends
across the chest.
[0023] Consequently, if the user is crushed or squeezed between two
resilient surfaces, such as between a falling horse and the ground
or fence, the energy from the impact by the first surface is
transmitted through the resilient structure 12 from the impact
side, which may be the front, back or side of the structure 12, to
the other side(s) and is dissipated to the second surface with
which the resilient structure 12 is in contact, with no or
substantially no deformation of the structure 12.
[0024] With reference now to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the
personal protection device 10 is shown therein. This structure 12
comprises two parts 12' which are interconnectable. In this case,
each cross-member element 16 is formed with fastening means,
typically in the form of a snap-lock fastener 18, part way along
its length.
[0025] In use, the fasteners 18 are initially separated, the user
inserts a respective arm through each opening in the hoop elements
14, and the hoop elements 14 are hung from the shoulders. The
fasteners 18 are then engaged, fastening the cross-member elements
16 across the back and the chest.
[0026] It should be noted, however, that fasteners 18 need not
necessarily be provided on all cross-member elements 16. For
example, one pair of the cross-member elements 16 could be formed
with hinges, thereby allowing hinged opening of the structure 12.
Equally, the cross-member elements 16 could remain as unitary
constructions and the hoop elements 14 could be provided with
hinges and fastening means.
[0027] The structure 12 may also comprise more than two parts.
These parts would typically all be interconnectable. This would
facilitate the use of a resilient structure intended to protect
more than one bodypart.
[0028] The structure 12 could also be used in conjunction with
existing padded protectors. In this case, the structure 12 and the
padded protector may be securable together, and the structure 12
and/or the padded protector would include suitable securing means
(not shown).
[0029] In a modification to the embodiments, the hoop elements 14
and/or the cross-member elements 16 may be adjustable. This would
enable a user to optimise the fit of the device 10.
[0030] With the personal protection device described above, it is
possible to protect at least the vital organs housed in the upper
torso of a user when the body is crushed or squeezed between two
resilient surfaces, without limiting or restricting the freedom of
movement of the user. This is of benefit in at least the field of
horse riding, and in particular event riding, where a thrown rider
caught between the ground and a falling horse can sustain serious
and even fatal injuries.
[0031] The embodiments described above are by way of examples only
and various modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in
the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For
example, the resilient structure may not be a frame or may only be
part-framework.
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