Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02282107 1999-09-13
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AGAINST IMPACT
Background
The invention relates to the clothing manufacturing technology and concerns
impact-absorbing garments and impact absorbers used in these. The invention
can
be implemented for instance in the special garments of motorists.
l0 The purpose of impact absorbers in a motorist's driving gear, such as the
garments
of motorcyclists or snowmobile drivers, is to protect the most exposed parts
of the
body from slight injuries, typically fractures. Impact absorbers are covered
by EN
1621-1 standard, which defines the parts of the body to be protected and the
requirements posed on impact absorption.
Impact absorbers are usually located in pockets in the lining fabric of the
garment.
They have usually been manufactured with a cup-like shape. It may be awkward
to
put on such protectors, because a limb may be caught in the impact absorber
pocket
or the lining fabric which is stretched by the impact absorber. The impact
absorber
may be uncomfortable during movement or in any other position than a special
operating position. Plate-like, flexible impact absorbers have also been used.
So far,
plate-like impact absorbers have the primary drawback of being stiff. Impact
absorbers are generally made of a suitable resilient plastic material.
The discomforts of impact absorbers constitute an inconvenience understandable
as
such. Because of these discomforts, the wearer may even remove the impact
absorbers from the garment, and then they naturally do not perform their task
at all.
Description of the invention
In accordance with the independent claims, a garment, an impact absorber used
in it,
and a method for manufacturing it have now been invented. The dependent claims
describe some preferred embodiments of the invention.
In accordance with the invention, the garment comprises an impact absorber
which
bends into a concave shape inwards more readily than outwards. The impact
absorber may have projections especially on its inner surface. The outer
surface
may also be provided with projections, the space between the projections on
the
inner surface being greater than the space between the projections on the
outer
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surface. In this conjunction, the projections on the inner surface may for
instance
have a base thinner in cross-section or a top thinner than those of the
projections on
the outer surface, or the distance between the projections on the inner
surface may
be larger than that between the projections on the outer surface. The
projections on
the inner surface may have for instance the shape of a spherical calotte
(hemisphere)
or a hexagonal shape. The projections on the outer surface may be for instance
rectangular or hexagonal in shape.
The purpose has been to develop an impact absorber which adapts readily to the
shape of the garment in each case, which does not stretch the lining fabric
and
which allows both free movements and comfort also in other positions than one
single position. The impact absorber also provides protection against impacts
coming from different directions.
Some embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail below. The
accompanying drawings pertain to the description. In the drawings
figure 1 is a bottom view of a knee, elbow and shoulder impact absorber,
figure 2 is a top view of the impact absorber of figure l,
figure 3a shows the impact absorber of figure 2 in straight cross-section,
figure 3b shows the impact absorber of figure 2 bent in cross-section,
figure 4 is a bottom view of the left-side hip impact absorber,
figure 5 is a top view of the right-side hip impact absorber,
figure 6a shows the impact absorber of figure 5 in~straight cross-section,
figure 6b shows the impact absorber of figure 5 bent in cross-section,
figure 7 shows a motorist's driving gear, in which impact absorbers of the
figures
above have been placed.
The impact absorbers 1, 2 and 3 in the figures are made of a flexible and
resilient
material, preferably a plastic material apt for this purpose, such as
polyurethane.
Approximately hemispherical projections 4 are provided on the inner surface of
the
impact absorbers. The projections on the inner surface are spaced from one
another.
In the central area of the outer surface of the impact absorbers, projections
5 with an
equal height but a larger width are provided at corresponding locations. The
projections in the central area of the outer surface have been disposed in a
rectangular array. They are rectangular in shape, and are disposed adjacent to
one
another. The outermost projections may be cut to a smaller size.
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3
When not in use, the impact absorber is plate-like. In use, the impact
absorber tends
to bend naturally in exactly the right direction, i.e. in an inwardly concave
direction,
because, during the bending of the impact absorber, the projections 4 on the
inner
surface are not pressed against one another and the incisions between the
projections 5 on the outer surface open up. Thus, minimum force will be
required
for bending the impact absorber and for maintaining its shape. The impact
absorber
has the additional advantage of a smaller area in contact with the wearer's
skin, thus
causing less perspiration. The impact absorbers are also very suitable for
particularly thick clothes, such as the driving gear of snowmobile drivers.
Owing to the protrusions 5 on the outer surface, the impact absorber also
provides
protection against impacts from different directions, although this is not
even
required under the EN1621-1 standard mentioned above.
The formability of the impact absorbers has been fiurther enhanced by means of
cuts
6, 7 and 7' provided at the edges. Owing to the larger edge portions, the
lateral areas
have less flexibility than the central area, and thus the impact absorber will
be well
secured in its position in the pocket.
Holes 8 are provided at the angular sites of projections 4 and 5. The holes
ensure
better breathability, and also increase the flexibility of the impact
absorbers.
The impact absorbers may be made of flexible, compressible cellular plastic,
such
as polyurethane. A piece having the required shape is cut from a plastic
sheet, the
spaces between projections 4 and 5 and any other protruding areas being formed
by
pressing or cutting. Finally the necessary cuts 6, 7, 7' and holes 8 are
formed. A
suitable sheet thickness may be for instance in the range from 10 to 15 mm.
The flexibility of the impact absorber can be optimised by means of the shape
of
projections 4 and 5, of other projections, such as edge portions, and of
grooves (and
incisions) between these. The spring constant and impact absorption of the
impact
absorber can be acted upon primarily by means of the correct choice of
material and
material thickness.
The impact absorber 1 has approximately the shape of the sectional area of a
split
pear. The projections 4 and S axe located in the central area. Projections 4'
are
provided also in other areas of the inner surface. The parts around the
central area of
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the outer surface form a plane relief surface. At the edge of the central
area, radial
cuts 6 have been provided to form strips 9. The cuts further increase the
formability
of the impact absorber. A central strip 10 and lateral strips 11 on its sides
have been
formed at the thinner end of the outer surface by means of longitudinal
incisions.
Holes 8' are provided between the strips. The strips enhance the mouldability
of the
impact absorber around the limb part below the joint.
Impact absorbers 2 and 3 have the shape of an L. Projections 4 and 5 are
provided
over the entire area. The impact absorber is positioned with the long member
on the
hip joint and the short member on the front part of the hip bone. The short
member
has a cut 7 starting at its end, and at the angle between the members, a cut
7'
parallell with the short member is provided, which extends slightly further
than the
cut 7. Thus the short member comprises two longitudinal strips 12. The long
member tapers slightly towards the end. The outer angle of the members has
been
cut. The long member has holes 8.
The impact absorbers 1 to 3 mentioned above are easy to manufacture by
pressing
or cutting a sheet of suitable plastic material. When not in use, the impact
absorbers
require little space.
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a motorist's garment, in which the left side
illustrates the front part and the right side the rear part. Zones 1 in the
figure denote
the parts of the body which are most exposed to impacts and in need of
protection.
Impact absorber 1 is placed at the knees, elbows and shoulders, and impact
absorbers 2 and 3 at the hips.
