Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PERSONAL PROTECTION DEVICE
This invention relates to a personal protection device.
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.
to 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.
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.
The present invention seeks to overcome this problem.
According to the present invention, there is provided a personal protection
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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 sides) and dissipated to an external second
surface
with which the structure is in contact.
Preferably, the resilient structure is a rigid frame.
The resilient structure may be a one piece structure. Alternatively, the
resilient
structure may comprise two or more interconnectable pants.
to
Preferably, the structure is contoured to the bodypart.
Preferably, the bodypart is the upper torso.
The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein
Figure I is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a personal
protection device, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the personal protection device shown in
Figure I;
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Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the personal protection device shown in
Figure 1; and
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the personal
protection device, in accordance with the present invention.
Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, a first embodiment of a
personal protection device, generally referenced at 10, is shown therein.
1o 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.
In this embodiment, the resilient structure 12 is a unitary one-piece
structure,
and the bodypart is the upper torso.
The resilient structure 12 comprises two continuous hoop elements 14, and two
pairs of integral cross-member elements I6 which set the hoop elements 14 in
relative
2o 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
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cross-member element 16.
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.
The hoop elements 14 are contoured andlor shaped to fit a user. The cross-
member elements 16 may also be contoured andlor shaped. Some or all of the
elements 14 and 16 may include padding.
to
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
is back of the user, and the other pair extends across the chest.
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
2o impact side, which may be the front, back or side of the structure 12, to
the other
sides) 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.
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With reference now to Figure 4, a second embodiment of the personal
protection device 10 is shown therein. This structure I2 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
5 its length.
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
to elements 16 across the back and the chest.
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 I6 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.
The structure 12 may also comprise more than two parts. These parts would
2o typically all be interconnectable. This would facilitate the use of a
resilient structure
intended to protect more than one bodypart.
The structure 12 could also be used in conjunction with existing padded
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protectors. In this case, the structure 12 and the padded protector may be
securable
together, and the structure I2 and/or the padded protector would include
suitable
securing means (not shown).
In a modification to the embodiments, the hoop elements 14 and/or the cross-
member elements 16 rnay be adjustable. This would enable a user to optimise
the fit of
the device 10.
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.
The embodiments described above are by way of examples only and various
modif cations 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.
