PROTECTION DEVICE FOR PROTECTING THE SIDES/THE RIBS, THE BACK AND THE CHEST OF A USER

Abstract

Protection device (1) for protecting the sides/the ribs, the back and the chest of a user comprising a main body (2) designed to protect the sides/the ribs and the back of the user, a front protection element (4) designed to protect the chest of the user and removably connected to the main body (2), the main body (2) and the front protection element (4) being movable there between and delimiting an inner space (S) for the body of the user. The protection device (1) further comprises connection means (6) for removably connecting the front protection element (4) to the main body (2) and adjustment means (42) designed to be handled by the user for adjusting the size of the inner space (S) according to the size of the body of the user. The connection means (6) and the adjustment means (42) are distinct there between and are at least partially and operatively associated there between.

Claims

1. A protection device for protecting the sides/the ribs, the back and the chest of a user, comprising: a main body designed to protect the sides/the ribs and the back of the user; a front protection element designed to protect the chest of the user and removably connected to the main body, the main body and the front protection element being movable there between and delimiting an inner space for the body of the user; connection means for removably connecting the front protection element to the main body; adjustment means designed to be handled by the user for adjusting the size of the inner space according to the sizes of the body of the user; wherein the connection means and the adjustment means are distinct there between and are at least partially and operatively associated there between.

2. The protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the front protection element comprises a rigid or semi-rigid outer shell.

3. The protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body has a front opening for making the inner space accessible from the outside, the opening being covered by the front protection element removably connected to the main body.

4. The protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body comprises two side protection elements for protecting the ribs of the user and a back protection element for protecting the back of the user, the connection means being designed for removably connecting the front protection element to at least one of the side protection elements.

5. The protection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the side protection elements and the back protection element comprise rigid or semi-rigid outer shells.

6. The protection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the side protection elements are connected to the opposite sides of the back protection element by at least one hinge.

7. The protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection means comprises a closed-loop wire slidably coupled to the front protection element and to the main body or to the side protection elements.

8. The protection device according to claim 7, characterized in that the opposite side ends or to the side protection elements.

9. The protection device according to claim 7, characterized in that the front protection element and the main body or the side protection elements comprise guide elements having channels for the sliding of the closed-loop wire.

10. The protection device according to claim 9, characterized in that the guide elements are formed, as channels or grooves, on the outer surface of the front protection element.

11. The protection device according to claim 7, characterized in that the adjustment means comprise a rotatable element partially engaging at least one section of the closed-loop wire, the rotation of the rotatable element allowing the sliding of the closed-loop wire.

12. The protection device according to claim 11, characterized in that the rotatable element is round and has two angularly offset slots for the entry and the exit of the at least one section of the closed-loop wire, the rotatable element further comprising an inner pivot for winding or un-winding the closed-loop wire.

13. The protection device according to claim 11, further comprising lock means for locking the rotatable element upon rotation thereof and/or once the at least one section of the closed-loop wire has been wound.

14. The protection device according to claim 11, characterized in that the rotatable element is positioned in a recess formed in the front protection element.

15. The protection device according to claim 8, characterized in that the sides of the front protection element or of the side protection elements, the degree of overlap between the sides of the front protection element and the front ends of the main body the side protection elements varying during the sliding of the closed-loop wire and the adjustment of the size of the inner space.

16. The protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection means comprises at least one belt having a first end secured to a side of the front protection element and a second end removably secured to the main body or to one of said side protection elements.

17. The protection device according to claim 16, characterized in that the second end of the at least one belt and one of the side ends of the closed-loop wire is associated to a plate removably fastened to the main body or to one of the side protection elements.

18. The protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustment means are arranged on the front protection element.

19. The protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the protection device is a karting body protection.

20. The protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the protection device meets the requirements of FIA standard 8870-2018.

Description

[0037] The advantages and the characteristic features of the invention will appear more clearly from the following description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the invention which refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the protection device of the present invention according to a first embodiment;

[0039] FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively a front view and a top view of the protection device shown in FIG. 1;

[0040] FIGS. 4 and 5 are respectively a side view and a rear view of the protection device shown in FIG. 1;

[0041] FIGS. 6a and 6b are respectively a perspective view and cross-section view of a detail of the protection device of the present invention according to a particular embodiment;

[0042] FIGS. 6c and 6d are respectively a perspective view and a cross-section view of the detail of the protection device of FIGS. 6a and 6b according to a further embodiment;

[0043] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the protection device of the present invention according to the first embodiment;

[0044] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the protection device of the present invention according to a second embodiment;

[0045] FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the protection device shown in FIG. 8.

[0046] The present invention relates to a protection device for protecting the sides/the ribs, the back and the chest of the body of a user.

[0047] The protection device is indicated as overall with the reference number 1 in the following and in the attached drawings while the body of the user is not illustrated in the attached figures.

[0048] The protection device 1 is preferably designed to be worn by kart drivers, usually under a suit; that is, the protection device 1 of the present invention is a karting body protection and meets and fulfils the quality requirements of FIA standard 8870-2018, as better explained hereinafter.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the protection device 1 comprises a main body 2 designed to protect the sides/the ribs and the back of the user and a front protection element 4 designed to protect the chest of the user.

[0050] There are also provided connection means 6 for removably connecting the front protection element 4 to the main body 2; such connection means 6 are described in detail hereinafter.

[0051] According to an embodiment not shown in the attached figures, the main body 2 may be a unitary piece with two side portions designed to be positioned at the sides/ribs of the user and a back portion designed to be positioned at the back of the user.

[0052] In order to stably couple the protection device 1 to the body of the user, the protection device 1 may also comprise at least one pair of harnesses, not shown in the figures, designed to be positioned on the shoulders of the user.

[0053] Preferably, each harness would have an end secured to a respective side portion of the main body 2 and the other end secured to the back portion of the main body 2.

[0054] The main body 2 and the front protection element 4 are movable there between when connected and delimit an inner space S for housing the body of the user when the protection device 1 is worn.

[0055] Advantageously and as better shown in FIG. 7, the main body 2 has an opening A, namely a front opening A, designed to be positioned at the chest of the user when the protection device 1 is worn.

[0056] The opening A is covered by the front protection element 4 which is removably connected to the main body 2.

[0057] The front opening A makes the inner space S accessible from the outside; in particular, the front opening A allows the insertion of the body of the user in the inner space S when the protection device 1 has to be worn.

[0058] In this regard, the front protection element 4 must be temporarily disengaged/disconnected from the main body 2 in order to leave the opening A free.

[0059] With reference to the embodiment previously disclosed, the opening A is formed between the two side portions, in particular between the two front ends of the side portions.

[0060] In the embodiments shown in the figures, the main body 2 comprises two side protection elements 8 for protecting the ribs of the user and a back protection element 10 for protecting the back of the user.

[0061] The side protection elements 8 correspond to the side portions of the embodiment described above and the back protection element 10 corresponds to the back portion of the embodiment described above.

[0062] In such embodiment, the connection means 6 are designed for removably connecting the front protection element 4 to at least one of the side protection elements 8 or preferably to both the side protection elements 8.

[0063] Further, in such embodiment the front opening A is formed between the two side protection elements 8, in particular between the two front ends of the side protection elements 8 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9.

[0064] Advantageously, the front protection element 4 may comprise a rigid or semi-rigid outer shell; the side protection elements 8 and the back protection element 10 may comprise rigid or semi-rigid outer shells as well.

[0065] By way of example, the structures of the front protection element 4, of the side protection elements 8 and of the back protection element 10 are the following: [0066] the front protection element 4 may have at least one outer layer or shell preferably made of laminated carbon fiber with glass fiber or of an injected polymer reinforced with carbon fiber or glass fiber, and at least one inner layer preferably made of Poron? and of a shock absorption foam which form an inner padding 12 covering the surface of the shell facing the inner space S; in particular, the front protection element 4 of the first embodiment of the protection device 1 shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 7 may be made of laminated carbon fiber with glass fiber and the front protection element 4 of the second embodiment of the protection device 1 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be made of an injected polymer reinforced with carbon fiber or glass fiber; [0067] the side protection elements 8 may have at least one outer layer or shell made of laminated carbon fiber with glass fiber and an inner part formed by at least one layer of rubber EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) laminated with Poron? and at least one layer of shock absorption foam; the inner part forms the inner padding 12 which is similar to that disclosed above for the front protection element 4; [0068] the back protection element 10 may have at least one outer layer made of polyester and PU leather with a laminated glass fiber embedded therein and at least one inner layer made of rubber EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) and a shock absorption foam; the inner layer forms the inner padding 12 which is similar to those disclosed above.

[0069] In all the protection elements the inner padding 12 serves both for giving a better comfort to the body of the user and for distributing the impact energy due to its absorption properties.

[0070] Obviously, the structures of the protection elements may also be made of further materials and/or layers which are different from those disclosed above, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0071] Further, as better shown from the top view of FIG. 3, the side protection elements 8 may have a curved and concave shape with concavity facing the inner space S; the back protection element 10 may have a substantially flat profile and the front protection element 4 may have a curved shape as well.

[0072] The front protection element 4 comprises also a projecting upper portion 14 which is at least partially concave and sides 16 having a curved shape. This configuration is better illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and 7-9.

[0073] The at least partially projecting portion 14 of the front protection element 4 is designed to be positioned at the upper part of the chest of the user and ensures an effective protection against impacts to the chest of the user according to the FIA standard 8870-2018.

[0074] In particular, according to the FIA standard, the force transmitted by the front protection element 4 of the above type impacted with a force of 60 J must be lower than 1 KN; further, the force transmitted by the side and the back protection elements 8 and 10 of the above type impacted with a force of 100 J must be lower than 1 KN.

[0075] The sides 16 of the front protection element 4 are superimposed over the front ends of the side protection elements 8 or of the side portions; to that end the curved shape of the sides 16 of the front protection element 4 substantially corresponds to and has a similar radius of curvature with respect to the curved shape of the side protection elements 8.

[0076] In this way the sides 16 of the front protection element 4 are at least partially slidable over the side protection elements 8 for rendering the front protection element 4 movable with respect to the main body 2.

[0077] According to the FIA standard 8870-2018, the degree of overlap between the sides 16 of the front protection element 4 and the front ends of the side protection elements 8 has to be at least equal to 10 mm, even if it may vary during sliding and the adjustment of size of the inner space S.

[0078] Opportunely the side protection elements 8, in particular the back ends thereof, are connected to the opposite sides of the back protection element 10 by at least one hinge 18.

[0079] By way of example, the embodiments shown in the figures comprises three hinges 18 between each side protection element 8 and the back protection element 10, as shown in FIG. 5; however, the number of hinges 18 may be also different without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0080] Such hinges 18 are better shown in FIGS. 5, 6a-6b and 6c-6d and are preferably made of semi-soft elastomeric material obtained by injection.

[0081] A particular embodiment of such hinges 18 (see FIGS. 6a and 6b) comprises a base portion 20 and a pair of projections 22, the base portion 20 being preferably positioned between the inner padding 12 and the composite material of the shells of the side protection elements 8 and of the back protection element 10.

[0082] The projections 22 are preferably positioned at the interspace I between a respective side protection element 8 and the back protection element 10, as illustrated in FIG. 5. A further embodiment of such hinges 18 (see FIGS. 6c and 6d) comprises, beyond the base portion 20, a single wavy projection 22 positioned at the interspace I between a respective side protection element 8 and the back protection element 10.

[0083] As better shown in FIG. 6d, in this latter embodiment the base portion 20 of the hinges 18 are secured to the back protection element 10 by means of a rivet 20A inserted in a corresponding hole 20B formed in the base portion 20.

[0084] Such configurations of the hinge means 18 allow for a relative movement between the back protection element 10 and the side protection elements 8 and at the same time prevents the outward rotation of each side protection element 8 and the back protection element 10 with respect to the inner space S.

[0085] Further, the elastomeric hinges 18 provide a higher degree of adaptability of the protection device 1 to the body of the user.

[0086] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, 7, 8 and 9 the connection means 6 for connecting the front protection element 4 to the main body 2, namely to the side protection elements 8, comprise a closed-loop wire 24 slidably coupled to the front protection element 4 and to the main body 2, namely to the side protection elements 8.

[0087] As a matter of fact the closed-loop wire 24 is slidably coupled to the outer surface of the outer shell of the front protection element 4 and of the side protection elements 8. In this regard, the front protection element 4 and the main body 2 or the side protection elements 8 comprise guide elements 26 with channels for the passage and the sliding of the closed-loop wire 24.

[0088] In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide elements 26 are formed on plastic plates 28A, 28B riveted on the outer surface of the front protection element 4.

[0089] In particular, the plastic plates 28A, 28B are injected thermoplastic components, for example made of PA (polyamide) or POM (polyoxymethylene).

[0090] Preferably, there may be provided two side plastic plates 28A and a central plastic plate 28B in the front protection element 4, as better shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0091] The side plastic plates 28A have the same shape and each comprises two guide elements 26, one upper guide element and one lower guide element; as shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2, the central plastic plate 28B may have a mushroom-shape and may comprise two pairs of guide elements 26, two upper guide elements and two lower guide elements.

[0092] Obviously, the central plastic plate 28B may have also a different shape without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0093] In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the guide elements 26 are formed, as channels or grooves 27A, 27B, directly on the outer surface of the front protection element 4.

[0094] In particular, in such a second embodiment the guide elements 26 comprise at least one upper channel or groove 27A and at least one lower channel or groove 27B.

[0095] Such channels or grooves 27A, 27B may be provided with bridge members 29 for avoiding that the closed-loop wire 24 gets out from the channels or grooves 27A, 27B during the sliding.

[0096] The side ends 30A, 30B of the closed-loop wire 24 are slidably coupled to the side protection elements 8 or to the side portions of the main body 2.

[0097] As better shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, one side end 30A of the closed-loop wire 24 is associated to a plate 32 removably fastened to the main body 2 or to one of the side protection elements 8. The removable plate 32 is better illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 9.

[0098] In particular, such plate 32 is removably fastened to one of the side protection elements 8 by hooking means 34 and may comprise at least three guide elements 26 with channels for the passage of the closed-loop wire 24. The hooking means 34 are secured on one of the side protection elements 8.

[0099] As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the removable plate 32 may also comprise handle means 36 designed to be handled by the user for removing the plate 32 from the side protection element 8 or from the side portion of the main body 2.

[0100] The other side end 30B of the closed-loop wire 24 slides through guide elements 26 formed on another plate 38 stably secured to the other side protection element 8 or to the other side portion of the main body 2, as better shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 8.

[0101] Preferably, the closed-loop wire 24 arranged in this way has a rectangular shape with two long sides (an upper section 24A and a lower section 24B) and two short sides or sections 24C, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0102] The short sections 24C of the wire 24 are those comprised between the guide elements 26 formed on the plates 32, 38 provided on the side protection elements 8 or on the side portions.

[0103] In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the at least one upper channel or groove 27A is designed for guiding the upper section 24A of the closed-loop wire 24 and the at least one lower channel or groove 27B is designed for guiding the lower section 24B of the closed-loop wire 24.

[0104] In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the connection means 6 may further comprise at least one belt 40, namely an elastic belt, having a first end 40A secured to a side 16 of the front protection element 4 and a second end 40B removably secured to the main body 2 or to one of the side protection elements 8.

[0105] Advantageously, the second end 40B of the at least one belt 40 is secured to the same removable plate 32 on which the side end 30A of the closed-loop wire 24 is slidably associated, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0106] In this way, the user has only to remove the plate 32 in order to disengage both the closed-loop wire 24 and the at least one belt 40 from the corresponding side protection element 8 or from the corresponding side portion when he/she has to remove the front protection element 4 from the main body 2.

[0107] Opportunely, the at least one belt 40 of the connection means 6 is made of elastic material.

[0108] The protection device 1 further comprises adjustment means 42 designed to be handled by the user for adjusting the size of the inner space S according to the sizes of the body of the user.

[0109] Opportunely, the adjustment means 42 and the connection means 6 are distinct there between and are operatively and at least partially associated there between.

[0110] Thus, the adjustment means 42 and the connection means 6 have no components in common and may be handled separately by the user, without affecting the connection of the front protection element 4 with the side protection elements 8 in case of adjustment of the size of the inner space S.

[0111] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, 7 and 8-9, the adjustment means 42 are preferably arranged on the front protection element 4; the adjustment means 42 so arranged are easily accessible by the user for adjusting the size of the inner space S even upon having connected the front protection element 4 to the main body 2, namely to the respective side protection element 8.

[0112] In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the adjustment means 42 comprise a rotatable element 44 partially engaging at least one section of the closed-loop wire 24, namely the upper section 24A described above.

[0113] The axis of rotation X of the rotatable element 44 is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the front protection element 4, as shown in FIG. 2. The rotation of the rotatable element 44 allows the sliding of the closed loop wire 24, as better explained below.

[0114] Further, in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the rotatable element 44 is preferably positioned in the central plate 28B provided on the front protection element 4 and it is arranged in particular among the two upper guide elements 26.

[0115] In the second embodiment of the protection device shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rotatable element 44 is positioned in a recess 49 formed in the front protection element 4, preferably between two sections of the upper channel or groove 27A of the guide elements 26. Such an arrangement allows to limit the exposition of the rotatable element 44 from the outer surface of the front protection element 4.

[0116] The rotatable element 44 is preferably designed to be rotated clockwise; the clockwise rotation of the rotatable element 44 performed by the user allows the sliding of the closed-loop wire 24 in one direction and thus the sliding of the sides 16 of the front protection element 4 over the side protection elements 8 for adjusting the size of the inner space S.

[0117] In an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the rotatable element 44 could also be designed to be rotated anti-clockwise by the user to make the wire 24 sliding.

[0118] Opportunely, the rotatable element 44 is round and may comprise two angularly offset slots 46 for the entry and the exit of the at least one section 24A of the closed-loop wire 24, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8.

[0119] In order for easing the entry and the exit of the wire 24 into/from the slots 46, the two upper guide elements 26 or the bridge portions 29 may have a predetermined inclination, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 8.

[0120] The rotatable adjustment element 44 may also comprise an inner pivot, not shown in the attached figures, for winding or un-winding the section 24A of the wire 24 during rotation.

[0121] The sliding of the closed-loop wire 24, caused by the rotation of the adjustment element 44, for the adjustment of the inner space S causes in turn the variation of the degree of overlap between the sides 16 of the front protection element 4 and the front ends of the main body 2 or of the side protection elements 8.

[0122] Such variation of the degree of overlap allows the adjustment of the size of the inner space S according to the sizes of the body of the user.

[0123] The rotatable element 44 described above may be also replaced by other kind of adjustment devices, provided that they perform the sliding of the closed-loop wire 24.

[0124] Also, there may be provided lock means for locking the rotatable element 44 upon rotation thereof in the clockwise direction and/or once the section 24A of the closed-loop wire 24 has been wound and tensioned.

[0125] The lock means, not shown in the attached figures, may be preferably of the snap-fit type.

[0126] When the user wants to loosen the protection device 1, for example for removing it, he/she only needs to unlock the lock means causing the sliding of the wire 24 in the opposite direction and the reduction of the tension of the same.

[0127] It is clear now how the present invention allows to achieve the predefined objects.

[0128] The front protection element of the protection device, in combination with the side protection elements and the back protection elements, ensures a uniform protection to the body of the user, in particular to the chest, to the ribs and to the back according to the FIA standard 8870-2018.

[0129] Further, the connection means allow an easy wearing of the protection device while the adjustment means allow the adjustment of the size of the protection device in an easy way and even after the front protection element has been removably connected to the main body or to the side protection elements of the main body.

[0130] With regard to the embodiments of the protection device described above, the person skilled in the art may, in order to satisfy specific requirements, make modifications to and/or replace elements described with equivalent elements, without thereby departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.