FLUID FILLED BODY PADDING FOR FALL PROTECTION

MATELASSAGE CORPOREL REMPLI DE GAZ POUR AMORTIR LES CHUTES

English Abstract

A fluid filled body padding for fall protection includes a flexible inner pouch holding a shock absorbing fluid. A flexible outer pouch encapsulates the inner pouch. A fluid interface is provided between the inner pouch and the outer pouch. The fluid interface serves to pressurize and rigidify the inner pouch containing the shock absorbing fluid when a localized force is exerted upon the outer pouch. This body padding is suitable for a variety of fall protection applications, such as hip protectors for senior citizens.

French Abstract

Un matelassage par fluide servant à protéger les personnes contre les chutes se compose d'une poche interne flexible remplie d'un fluide amortisseur. Une poche externe également flexible englobe la poche interne. Placée entre les deux poches, une couche de fluide sert à presser et à rigidifier la poche interne qui contient le fluide amortisseur, quand une force est exercée localement sur la poche externe. Le matelassage peut être utilisé avec divers dispositifs de protection contre les chutes, comme les protecteurs de hanche pour personne âgée.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A fluid filled body padding for fall protection,
comprising:
a flexible inner pouch holding a shock absorbing fluid
adapted to diffuse applied force;
a flexible outer pouch encapsulating the inner pouch;
a liquid fluid interface between the inner pouch and
the outer pouch, the outer pouch being sufficiently filled
by liquid that the liquid serves to transmit pressure
exerted upon the outer pouch to the inner pouch without the
outer pouch physically contacting the inner pouch, the fluid
interface serving to pressurize and rigidify the inner pouch
containing the shock absorbing fluid when a localized force
is exerted upon the outer pouch.
2. The body padding as defined in claim 1, wherein the shock
absorbing fluid is a viscous gel-like liquid.
3. The body padding as defined in claim 2, wherein polymer
beads are mixed with the viscous gel-like liquid in the
inner pouch.
4. The body padding as defined in claim 1, wherein the
interface liquid is a viscous gel-like liquid.
5. The body padding as defined in claim 1, wherein foam
padding surrounds the outer pouch.
6. The body padding as defined in claim 1, wherein the inner
and outer pouch rupture when excessive force is applied.

6
7. A fluid filled body padding for fall protection,
comprising:
a flexible inner pouch holding a viscous gel-like shock
absorbing liquid adapting to diffuse applied force, the
shock absorbing liquid being mixed with polymer beads;
a flexible outer pouch encapsulating the inner pouch;
a viscous gel-like liquid interface mixed with polymer
beads interposed between the inner pouch and the outer
pouch, the outer pouch being sufficiently filled by liquid
that the liquid serves to transmit pressure exerted upon the
outer pouch to the inner pouch without the outer pouch
physically contacting the inner pouch, the liquid interface
serving to pressurize and rigidify the inner pouch
containing the shock absorbing liquid when a localized force
is exerted upon the outer pouch; and
the flexible inner pouch and flexible outer pouch
adapted to rupture when excessive force is applied.

7
8. A fluid filled body padding for fall protection,
comprising:
a flexible inner pouch holding a shock absorbing fluid
adapted to diffuse applied force;
a flexible outer pouch encapsulating the inner pouch;
and
a gaseous fluid interface between the inner pouch and
the outer pouch, the outer pouch being sufficiently inflated
by the gaseous fluid that the gaseous fluid serves to
transmit pressure exerted upon the outer pouch to the inner
pouch without the outer pouch physically contacting the
inner pouch, the gaseous fluid interface serving to
pressurize and rigidify the inner pouch containing the shock
absorbing fluid when a localized force is exerted upon the
outer pouch.

Description

CA 02424239 2003-03-31
1
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Fluid Filled Body Padding For Fall Protection
FIEhD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fluid filled body
padding used for fall protection
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Injuries from falls are a common and serious problem for
the elderly. Many such injuries could be prevented if thick
body padding were worn. However, most elderly persons are too
proud to wear body padding, if the fact that they are wearing
such body padding is readily apparent to a casual observer.
Whether the fluid medium used is a liquid or a gas, in
order to function as fall protection a fluid filled body pad
must be fully inflated, like a balloon. If the fluid filled
body pad is not fully inflated, they are still suitable for
preventing bed sores, but are no longer suitable as fall
protection. The reason for this is that in order for a fluid
filled body pad to function when it is not fully inflated,
pressure must be exerted evenly upon the pad. When a person
falls, against a sharp object such as a stone, or the edge of
a curb, localized pressure is applied. In response to such
localized pressure, the fluid in the fluid filled body pad
will be displaced.
SUN~1ARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is fluid filled body padding which can
provide effective fall protection.
According to the present invention there is provided a
fluid filled body padding for fall protection which includes
a flexible inner pouch holding a shock absorbing fluid. A

CA 02424239 2003-03-31
2
flexible outer pouch encapsulates the inner pouch. A fluid
interface is provided between the inner pouch and the outer
pouch. The fluid interface serves to pressurize and rigidify
the inner pouch containing the shock absorbing fluid when a
localized force is exerted upon the outer pouch.
With the body padding, as described above, a localized
force exerted upon the outer pouch is converted by the liquid
interface into an even force which acts uniformly upon the
inner pouch. The inner pouch becomes rigid in response to
the pressure applied via the liquid interface and is better
able to withstanding the localized force resulting from the
fall.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the body padding, as described above, when air is used
as a fluid the volume of air required in order to be
effective tends to be bulky and when a liquid is used as a
fluid the liquid tends to flow to the bottom of the pouch
causing the pouch to sag. Even more beneficial results may,
therefore, be obtained when the shock absorbing fluid is a
viscous gel-like liquid. The viscous gel-like liquid tends
to hold its position and reduce sagging. For the same
reason, it is preferred that the fluid interface be a viscous
gel-like liquid.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the body padding, as described above, even more
beneficial results may be obtained when polymer beads are
mixed with the viscous gel-like liquid in the inner pouch.
The polymer beads serve to reduce the weight of the fall
protection without any significant adverse affect upon its
performance.

CA 02424239 2003-03-31
3
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become
more apparent from the following description in which
reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are
for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to
in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular
embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
THE FIGURE is a side elevation view, in section, of body
padding for fall protection constructed in accordance with
the teachings of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM80DIMENT
The preferred embodiment, fluid filled body padding
generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be
described with reference to T~ FIGURE~
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Fluid filled body padding 10 has a flexible inner pouch
12 that holds a viscous gel-like shock absorbing liquid 14.
In the illustrated embodiment, polymer beads 16 are mixed
with gel-like liquid 14. Body padding 10 is further adapted
with a flexible outer pouch 18 that encapsulates inner pouch
12. A viscous gel-like liquid interface 20, also shown mixed
with polymer beads 16, is interposed between inner pouch 12
and outer pouch 18 such that inner pouch 12 is pressurized
and rigidified when a localized force 22 is exerted upon
outer pouch 18.
Operation:
The use and operation of fluid filled body padding 10
will now be described with reference to T~ FIGURE. Where a
user desires protection from a possible fall, fluid filled
body padding 10 is positioned along the desired body form 24.

CA 02424239 2003-03-31
4
Due to the flexibility of both inner pouch 12 and outer pouch
18, body padding 10 substantially conforms to the shape.
Should the user fall and be struck by a sharp, localized
force 22, the force is received by outer pouch 18 arid
dissipated and converted by viscous gel~like liquid interface
20 and polymer beads 16 into an even force 26 that is applied
uniformly to inner pouch 12. Inner pouch 12 is, in turn,
rigidified over its area. The effect on the user is a
neutralization of damaging, localized force and the avoidance
of serious injury.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used
in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the
word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are
not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite
article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than
one of the element is present, unless the context clearly
requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as hereinafter defined in the Claims.

Representative Drawing