WEARABLE PROTECTION DEVICE

Abstract

A wearable protection device for protection of at least a body part of a wearer, comprising an inflatable element arranged adjacent to a body part to be protected, wherein the inflatable element is inflatable from a first, substantially uninflated condition to a second, substantially inflated condition, by application of a releasable source of a gas to the inflatable element, for at least partially filling of the inflatable element with said gas, wherein the inflatable element, when being inflated to the second condition, deploys around the body part to be protected and assumes a predetermined three-dimensional shape adapted to the body part to be protected, wherein the inflatable element comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is the end where the inflatable element is arranged on the body part to be protected when in the first, substantially uninflated condition.

Claims

1. A wearable protection device for protection of at least a body part of a wearer, comprising: an inflatable element arranged adjacent to a body part to be protected, wherein the inflatable element is inflatable from a first, substantially uninflated condition to a second, substantially inflated condition, by application of a releasable source of a gas to the inflatable element, for at least partially filling of the inflatable element with said gas, wherein the inflatable element, when being inflated to the second condition, deploys around the body part to be protected and assumes a predetermined three-dimensional shape adapted to the body part to be protected, wherein the inflatable element comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is the end where the inflatable element is arranged on the body part to be protected when in the first, substantially uninflated condition, wherein the distal end is the end of the inflatable element when in the second, substantially inflated condition that is distal from the proximal end, and wherein the inflatable element comprises a retention element to prevent the inflatable element from flaring out during and/or after deployment into the second condition.

2. The wearable protection device according to claim 1, wherein the retention element is at least one retention element adapted to induce a first curvature to the inflatable element in a first region, and to induce a second curvature to the inflatable element in a second region, when the inflatable element is in the inflated, second condition.

3. The wearable protection device according to claim 1, wherein the retention element is at least one element out of the group consisting of an integral connection, an integrally woven connection, a connecting element, a seam, a weld, a rivet, a tether, a tether yarn within the inflatable element, a skirt-like element, and a substantially uninflatable skirt-like element.

4. The wearable protection device according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable element comprises at least two inflatable regions, and wherein the retention element is arranged towards the distal end of the inflatable element.

5. The wearable protection device according to claim 4, wherein the inflatable element comprises an opening between two of the at least two inflatable regions, the proximal end and the distal end, in particular extending substantially parallel to the lengthwise extension of the body part.

6. The wearable protection device according to claim 4, wherein the inflatable element comprises a V-shaped, U-shaped or slitted opening between two of the at least two inflatable regions, arranged distal from the retention element.

7. The wearable protection device according to claim 1, wherein the wearable protection device is arranged around the circumference of the body part to be protected and deploys along a lengthwise extension of the body part to be protected, wherein deploying comprises one of inflating the inflatable element and extending in length in the direction of the lengthwise extension of the body part to be protected.

8. The wearable protection device according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable element is arranged adjacent to a body part to be protected such that the body part to be protected comprises a circumference between the proximal end and the distal end that is larger than the circumference of the body part to be protected of at least one of the proximal end and the distal end.

9. The wearable protection device according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable element comprises a channeling element at least partly extending in a circumference direction of the inflatable element and accommodated within the inflatable element for distribution of the gas for inflating the inflatable element, wherein the channeling element in particular comprises a plurality of openings for releasing the gas from the channeling element into the interior of the inflatable element.

10. The wearable protection device according to claim 9, wherein the channeling element is adapted to receive the gas for inflating the inflatable element and is adapted for generally guiding the gas in the circumference direction to allow even distribution of the gas across the length of the channeling element and from the channeling element into the interior of the inflatable element for substantially evenly inflating the inflatable element, in particular in the lengthwise extension direction of the body part.

11. The wearable protection device according to claim 9, wherein the channeling element is shaped to accommodate an anatomical shape of the body part to be protected when arranged adjacent to the body part to be protected.

12. The wearable protection device according to claim 8, wherein the wearable protection device comprises a one-piece woven fabric and wherein the channeling element is integrally formed within the one-piece woven fabric.

13. The wearable protection device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one inflatable cushion element, wherein the inflatable cushion element is arranged between the body of the wearer and the wearable protection device, and wherein the inflatable cushion element is inflatable together with the inflatable element, in particular wherein the at least one inflatable cushion element is arranged adjacent to one end of the channeling element.

14. The wearable protection device according to claim 1, wherein the wearable protection device comprises a one-piece woven fabric with woven in tethers for providing the defined three-dimensional shape when in the substantially inflated condition, in particular wherein the defined three-dimensional shape is adapted to the body part to be protected.

15. The wearable protection device according to claim 1, wherein the wearable protection device comprises at least two inflatable elements arranged symmetrically to a body axis of the wearer, in particularly symmetrical with regard to the longitudinal axis of the wearer.

16. The wearable protection device according to claim 1, wherein the wearable protection device is a hip protection device, in particular to be worn around the waist of the wearer and protecting the body part in the event of a fall incident.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0052] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an application of a wearable protection device arranged at a wearer according to the present disclosure.

[0054] FIGS. 3a to 3c show a further exemplary embodiment of a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure and its application.

[0055] FIGS. 4a to 4c show a further exemplary embodiment of a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure and its application.

[0056] FIGS. 5a to 5b show a further exemplary embodiment of a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure and its application.

[0057] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of an uninflated airbag according to the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 6b is another perspective view of the airbag illustrated in FIG. 6a, but which shows the airbag in an inflated, and curved, configuration.

[0059] FIG. 6c is a schematic plan view of a one-piece woven web comprising opposing layers of woven fabric, within which are formed a pair of airbags according to the present disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 6d is a plan view from above showing a pair of airbags obtained from the web illustrated in FIG. 6c.

[0061] FIG. 6e is a schematic plan view from above showing a single one of the airbags of FIG. 6d.

[0062] FIG. 6f is an exemplary embodiment of a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure.

[0063] FIGS. 7a to 7c show an exemplary embodiment of an inflatable element with a first exemplary embodiment of a retention element according to the present disclosure.

[0064] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of inflatable element with a second exemplary embodiment of a retention element according to the present disclosure.

[0065] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of an inflatable element with a first exemplary embodiment of a channeling element according to the present invention

[0066] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of an inflatable element with a second exemplary embodiment of a channeling element according to the present invention

[0067] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure with an inflatable cushion element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] Now referring to FIG. 1, where an exemplary embodiment of a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0069] In FIG. 1, a wearable protection device 100 is shown, exemplarily embodied as a protection device to be worn with an attachment device, e.g., a belt 102. The belt 102 may be attached to the hip region of a wearer and by closing the belt 102, i.e., feeding the belt 102 through the buckle 104 and fastening the buckle 104, the size of the wearable protection device 100 around the waist of the wearer may be adjusted so to allow comfortable wearing of the wearable protection device 100. The wearable protection device 100 comprises two inflatable elements 110a, 110b, arranged around a central portion 106 of the wearable protection device 100. In other words, the inflatable elements 110a, 110b are arranged symmetrically with regard to the central portion 106. The belt 102 may be integrally formed with the wearable protection device 100 or, as depicted in FIG. 1, may be separate from belt 102. It is conceivable that belt 102 is comparable to a common household belt to which the wearable protection device is attached to, e.g., by loop elements 108. Preferably, the wearable protection device 100 is fixable relative to the belt 102 so to avoid unintended movement of the wearable protection device 100 relative to the belt 102. Such an unintended movement may reposition the wearable protection device 100 relative to the body of the wearer, resulting in a misalignment of the wearable protection device 100, in particular its inflatable elements 110a, 110b relative to the body of the wearer and thus the body parts to be protected by the wearable protection device. The attachment device 102 may in particular comprise adjustability, at one end, either near the buckle 104 or an open end opposite the buckle 104, or at both ends. In other words, the adjustability may be provided on both sides of the inflatable element or on one side of the inflatable element. Further, the attachment device 102 may have preferred friction or sliding properties, in particular in the region of the loop elements to allow for an easy sliding of the wearable protection device 100 on the attachment device 102.

[0070] In FIG. 1, the individual inflatable elements 110a, 110b are exemplarily depicted as folded so to provide a compact outer shape when in an undeployed, uninflated condition. Not specifically depicted in FIG. 1 is at least one gas generating element adapted for releasing the generated gas into the interior of the inflatable elements 110a, 110b, in order to inflate the inflatable elements 110a, 110b by the application of the generated gas. The one or multiple gas generating elements may be arranged in the interior of the wearable protection device 100 in the general area of the central portion 106. The provision of the gas generating element in central portion 106 allows the provision of the gas to both inflatable elements 110a, 110b substantially simultaneously, thereby assuring a substantially simultaneous inflation. Alternatively, two gas generating elements may be provided, each in turn connected to one individual inflatable element 110a, 110b. This may allow the independent deployment, i.e., inflation of the inflatable elements 110a, 110b. In other words, the provision of two independent gas generating elements may allow that only one of a plurality of inflatable elements is inflated at a given time. E.g., only that inflatable element may be inflated which in a current accident scenario would provide the protection for the body part to be protected. In other words, only that inflatable element which cushions the fall of the wearer could be inflated, thereby retaining further inflatable elements uninflated, so that for a particular accident scenario, unused inflatable elements need not be exchanged.

[0071] Now referring to FIG. 2, where an exemplary embodiment of an application of a wearable protection device arranged at a wearer according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0072] In FIG. 2, the two inflatable elements 110a, 110b are depicted in their in inflated state. The wearable protection device 100 is arranged around the hip of a wearer 202. The exemplary wearable protection device 100 depicted in the FIG. 1 and two is a hip protection device protecting the hip regions of the wearer from a fall impact. In other words, the body parts to be protected 104a,b are generally the buttock regions of the wearer 202 where the hip joints are situated. In a fall scenario, the wearer 202 could fall sideways and impact an object 206, e.g., the floor or a street, in the area of their hip joint region, thereby resulting in severe hip injury. Especially in case where the bone structure is already in a progressed state of dissolution or regression, such a fall impact may result in a broken hip joint, requiring extensive surgery like an artificial hip replacement.

[0073] The inflatable elements 110a, 110b of the wearable protection device 100 by arranging them adjacent to the body parts to be protected 204a,b, protect the body of the wearer from such fall impact and thus injury. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the inflatable elements 110a, 110b comprise a three dimensional shape in that they extends downwardly and bend inwardly in the deployed condition, so to wrap around the buttock region of the wearer 202. Such a three dimensional shape for accommodating the anatomical characteristics of the wearer keep the inflatable elements 110a, 110b close to the body part to be protected so to avoid that one of the inflatable elements 110a, 110b, in the moment of impact, is so far away from the body of the wearer 202 that an optimal protection may not be provided anymore. In a worst-case scenario, the inflatable elements 110a, 110b would flare out to an extent that the body parts to be protected is essentially exposed and thus not protected anymore from the fall impact. By providing an according three dimensional shape, the flaring out of the inflatable elements 110a, 110b may be avoided.

[0074] The wearer 202 in FIG. 2 is in the process of a fall event in the moments where the wearer impacts with their left hip onto object 206, e.g., the floor. Inflatable element 110a is arranged between the object 206 and the body part to be protected 204a, i.e., the left hip. The inflatable element 110a has successfully inflated, is arranged adjacent to the body parts to be protected 204a and thereby mitigates the fall impact. Inflatable element 110a essentially acts as an airbag for the wearer 202 to dampen the fall onto the ground.

[0075] Now referring to FIGS. 3a to 3c, where a further exemplary embodiment of a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure and its application is shown.

[0076] The wearable protection device 100 in FIGS. 3a-c corresponds in principle to the wearable protection device 100 shown in FIG. 2. The wearable protection device 100 comprises inflatable elements 100a, 100b arranged adjacent to the body parts to be protected 204a,b of a wearer 202. FIG. 3b shows the deployed wearable protection device 100 while the wearer 202 is depicted in a seated position. It should be appreciated that the seated position is for visualization purposes only and shall not be construed as a deployment position for the wearable protection device 200. The wearable protection device 200 comprises two inflatable elements 100a, 100b arranged on a belt 102. In the front of region of the wearable protection device, two independent gas generating devices 302a,b are provided. Each gas generation device 302a,b is associated with a dedicated in lead 306 of one of the inflatable elements 110a, 110b. Upon deployment, one or both of the gas generating devices 302a,b may be activated so that a gas, e.g. a gas, is generated for filling the respective inflatable element associated with the respective gas generating device. As can be taken from FIG. 3a,b, the inflatable elements 110a, 110b assume a defined three dimensional shape by bending around the body parts to be protected 204a,b of the wearer 202. In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 3 a to c, the three dimensional shape substantially comprises of an inward curvature so that the inflatable elements 100a,b curve around the buttock region of the wearer 202 in a radial direction.

[0077] FIG. 3c depicts a single inflatable element 110, of which the wearable protection device 100 comprises two in a symmetrical and mirrored arrangement. The inflatable element 110 comprises an inlet 306 to which a gas generating device is connected to, so that the gas generating device, upon generation of the gas, discharges the gas into the interior of the inflatable element 110, thereby inflating the inflatable element 110. The inflatable element 110 of FIG. 3c comprises two inflatable regions 308, whereas one inflatable region 308 is proximal to the inlet one 306 while the second inflated region 308 is distal to inlet 306. The inflatable element 110 comprises a plurality of loop element 108 for attaching the inflatable element 110 to belt 102. In the central part of inflatable element 110, the inflatable element 110 comprises a narrow section 310 so that the inflatable regions 308 enjoy a certain freedom of movement relative to one another. E.g., one inflatable region 308 may bend more than the other inflatable region due to the anatomy of the wearer 202. Outside of the inflatable region 308, the inflatable element 110 comprises uninflatable material 312, which may be dead material 312 to be removed after manufacture, so that the dead material 312 is not present in the final wearable protection device 100. Likewise, the dead material 312 may be intended as an and inflatable region, e.g., a skirt-like material surrounding the inflatable element.

[0078] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3c, the inflatable element 110 comprises themes 304 incorporated in the interior of the inflatable regions 308. In FIG. 3c, seams 304 are embodied as horizontal seams. Said seams may be provided by stitching or welding or may even be incorporated into the interior of the inflatable element, e.g., in case the inflatable element is made of one-piece woven material. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3a-c, the horizontal seams 304 realize the described inward bending in the radial direction with regard to the central body access of the wearer 202. In other words, horizontal seams 304 provide a good bending behaviour in the direction under the hip with a reduced bending behaviour around the hip, pointing outwards in FIG. 3b.

[0079] Now referring to FIGS. 4a to 4c, where a further exemplary embodiment of a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure and its application is shown.

[0080] The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4 a to c substantially corresponds to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3a to c, with the difference that the seams 404 are vertical seams 404, in other words parallel to the longitudinal body axis of the wearer 202. Providing the seams 404 in a vertical manner realizes a different bending behaviour of the inflatable element 110 with regard to the body of the wearer. Specifically, by providing vertical seams 404, the inflatable regions 308 exhibit a circumferential bending behaviour rather than a radial or inwardly (with regard to the central longitudinal body axis) bending behaviour as described with regard to the embodiment of FIGS. 3a to c. The other words, vertical seams 404 impose a bending behaviour in a circumferential direction around the central longitudinal body access of the wearer 302. In other words, vertical seams 404 provide a good bending behaviour around the hip with a reduced bending behaviour under the hip, pointing downwards in FIG. 4b.

[0081] Now referring to FIGS. 5a to 5b, where a further exemplary embodiment of a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure and its application is shown.

[0082] Each of the inflatable elements 110a, 110b again comprises inflatable regions 308 which are joined together however at their distal end by a retention element 502. Between the exemplary two inflatable regions 308 of each inflatable element 110a, 110b a further retention element 504 may be provided. Element 504 may be a seam or the like, comparable to seam 24. The seams of the inflatable element 110a, 110b of FIGS. 5 a and b again are horizontal seams 304. As described previously, horizontal seams exhibit a bending behaviour where the inflatable elements 110a, 110b bend inwardly towards the central body axis in the longitudinal direction (assuming that the wearable protection device 100 is worn circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the wearer 202). By providing retention elements 502 and 504, a further three-dimensional shaping of the inflatable elements 110a, 110b can be achieved. In particular, by providing the horizontal seams 304, the inflatable elements are bending inwardly while the retention element 502 pulls the inflatable regions 308 close together at the distal end of the inflatable elements 308. At the same time, the seam 504, e.g., a flexible seam, allows the distancing of the inflatable elements 308 in the central part, between the proximal end and the distal end, so that the three-dimensional shape of the inflatable element not only is a bending in one direction but substantially realizes a bending in two directions, one in the radial direction as previously described with regard to FIGS. 3a to c and additionally a circumferential bending. In other words, by providing the retention elements 502 and 504, each inflatable element comprises a cup-like shape, thereby preferably accommodating the body parts to be protected 204a,b, like protruding body parts. In the exemplary example of a hip protection device according to FIGS. 5a,b each inflatable element bends inwardly around the buttock region of the wearer 202 and further circumferentially around the hips so to provide a preferred protection for the hip region, i.e., for the area around a protruding hip bone.

[0083] FIG. 5b again shows gas generating devices 302a,b, arranged at the front side of the wearable protection device 100 adjacent to a not depicted buckle. The respective inflatable element 110a, 110b may thus be activated simultaneously or independently from one another, depending on the fall direction and assumed impact area of the wearer 202. Alternatively, it is conceivable, to provide gas generating devices in the central portion 106, depicted in FIG. 5a exemplarily as a pouch worn on the back. The gas generating device or devices arranged in the central portion 106, may again allow the simultaneous or independent activation of the inflatable element 110a, 110b.

[0084] As can be seen in FIGS. 5a,b, the provision of inflatable elements comprising a plurality, here exemplary two, inflatable regions 308 provide an increased area of protection in that the inflatable element 110a, 110b extend further in the radial direction thus under the buttock area of the wearer 202 and further in the circumferential direction around the hip area of the wearer 202.

[0085] FIG. 6a illustrates inflatable element 110, in particular a one-piece woven inflatable element 110, in a pre-inflated configuration in which it is laid flat. The inflatable element 110 has a somewhat elongate configuration. The inflatable element comprises two fabric layers 2,3, where a first fabric layer to is not specifically depicted as it is the underside of inflatable element 110 laying on the surface, whereas the second fabric layer 3 is the top layer visible in FIG. 6A. An integral peripheral seam 6 of the illustrated inflatable element 110, connecting the first and second fabric layers 2,3, follows a circuitous path having a re-entrant region such that the resulting inflatable region 308 of the inflatable element 110 has a shape resembling a pair of spectacles, presenting two major inflatable regions 308 which are fluidly interconnected by a narrow section 310. Adjacent the re-entrant region of the peripheral seam 6, outside the inflatable region 308, the yarns of the two fabric layers 2, 3 are interwoven to define an-uninflatable region of uninflatable material or dead material 312 of the inflatable element 110, in the manner of a thicker web of fabric.

[0086] The inflatable element 110 of FIG. 6a comprises seams 9b within which tether yarns are implicated in the weave of the second fabric layer 3. As will be observed, a first group of seams 9b is provided in a region of the fabric layer 3 defining a first inflatable region 308, and a second group of seams 9b is provided in a region of the fabric layer 3 defining the second inflatable region 308. Although not visible in FIG. 6a, first seams 9a within which the tether yarns are implicated in the weave of the underlying first fabric layer 2 are also provided. Like the second seams 9b, the seams 9a are similarly split into two groups-namely a first group provided in a region of the underlying first fabric layer 2 defining the first inflatable region 308, and a second group provided in a region of the underlying first fabric layer 2 defining the second inflatable region 308. The seams 9a, 9b in the first group (i.e. corresponding to the first inflatable region 308) are arranged to as to extend parallel to one another, whilst the seams 9a, 9b in the second group (i.e. corresponding to the second inflatable region 308) are also arranged to as to extend parallel to one another. However, it will be observed that the seams 9a, 9b of the first group are not parallel to the seams 9a, 9b of the second group.

[0087] Turning now to consider FIG. 6b, the inflatable element 110 of FIG. 6a is illustrated in an inflated condition. As will be noted, tether yarns serve to induce a first curvature to the inflatable regions 308 of the inflatable element 110 such that they bend upwardly, considering FIG. 6b. Similarly, the tether yarns 8 forming the first and second connection regions 9a, 9b of the second group (i.e. corresponding to the second chamber region 7b) serve to induce a second curvature to the second chamber region 7b of the airbag 1 such that it also bends upwardly. As will be appreciated, the inflatable regions 308 are thus caused to achieve an inflated shape in which they bend about the longitudinal extension directions of the first and second group of seams 9a,9b, respectively. As will be noted, in this arrangement each inflatable region 308 is thus configured to bend in a single, dedicated direction, with the two directions of the inflatable regions 308 being different to one another and defined by the direction of extension of the respective seams 9a,9b across the local regions of the fabric layers 2, 3.

[0088] In some circumstances, it can therefore be desirable to provide an inflatable element 110 which can be optimised to bend in two directions rather than merely one direction.

[0089] FIG. 6b illustrates a short length of one-piece woven production web 21 comprising opposing first and second layers of fabric 2, 3. The production web 21 is woven via a one-piece weaving technique such that the two layers of fabric 2, 3 are woven simultaneously on a single specially-configured loom, in a manner known per se. The warp yarns of the fabric extend in a warp direction 12, and the weft yarns of the fabric extend in the weft direction 11. The short length of web 21 illustrated in FIG. 16 can be seen to comprise a pair of integrally formed inflatable elements 110, the two inflatable elements 110 being formed within the web as mirror images of one another across the longitudinal (i.e. aligned with the warp direction 12) axis 22. The inflatable elements 110 are defined by respective peripheral seams 6 within which the yarns of the two layers of fabric 2, 3 are interwoven such that each peripheral seam 6 is formed as an integral structural feature of the fabric of the respective inflatable element 110.

[0090] The peripheral seam 6 of each inflatable element 110 defines the inflatable element's 110 main inflatable area, but also an elongate inlet region for an inlet 306 which will be understood to be configured to receive or be connected to a gas generating device. In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 6c it will also be observed that each inflatable element 110 has an additional integrally formed seam 24 which is substantially linear and which extends inwardly from the peripheral seam 6. As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, the additional seam 24 of each inflatable element 110 represents a flexure seam and is provided to help induce curvature to the inflatable element 110 when it is inflated. Since the seam 24 allows the adaptation of the three-dimensional shape of the inflatable elements 110, seam 24 may be understood as a retention element 502 in the context of the present disclosure.

[0091] Each of the inflatable elements 110 may be removed from the production web 21 by cutting through the fabric layers 2, 3 of the web, around the peripheral seam 6. The resulting inflatable elements 110 are illustrated after removal from the production web 21 in FIG. 6d, in which it will be noted that the inflatable elements 110 are shown in different orientations to FIG. 6c.

[0092] As in the previous embodiments, the inflatable elements 110 shown in FIGS. 6c and 6d are provided with internal tether arrangements, and thus comprise a plurality of tether yarns which are implicated in the weave of the first fabric layer 2 at first connection regions or seams 9a, and which are implicated in the weave of the second fabric layer 3 at second connection regions or seams 9b. The first and second connection regions or seams 9a, 9b are all elongate, and are arranged so as to extend at oblique angles to both the warp direction 12 and the weft direction 11. The connection regions or seams 9a, 9b thus extend at oblique angles to the warp yarns and the weft yarns of the fabric layers 2, 3. As will be understood from the foregoing description, the tether yarns are provided amongst the weft yarns and thus follow the weft direction 11. The tether yarns are interwoven with warp yarns of the first fabric layer 2 within the seam 9a, and are interwoven with warp yarns of the second fabric layer 3 within the seam 9b.

[0093] The particular arrangement of the seams 9a, 9b in this embodiment may be most clearly understood having regard to FIG. 6e, in which sub-regions of the first connection regions or seams 9a (within which tether yarns are implicated in the weave of the first fabric layer 2) are illustrated in solid lines, and the second connection regions or seams 9b (within which tether yarns are implicated in the weave of the second fabric layer 3) are indicated in dashed lines.

[0094] In particular, it will be observed in FIG. 6e that the seams 9a, 9b are provided in two discrete groups of connection regions, namely a first group positioned within the first notional rectangular region 25, and a second (larger) group positioned within the second notional rectangular region 26. The two groups 25, 26 are located adjacent one another, and as will be appreciated, each group 25, 26 of connection regions comprises both first connection regions 9a (within which tether yarns are implicated in the weave of the first fabric layer 2) and second connection regions 9b (within which tether yarns are implicated in the weave of the second layer 3.

[0095] As will be observed, the connection regions 9a, 9b within the first group 25 are all substantially parallel to one another, whilst the connection regions 9a, 9b within the second group 26 are also substantially parallel to one another. However, the connection regions 9a, 9b of the first group 25 are non-parallel to the connection regions 9a, 9b of the second group 26. The connection regions 9a, 9b of the first group 25 thus extend at an oblique angle to the extension of the connection regions 9a, 9b of the second group 26.

[0096] A significant difference between the configuration of the inflatable elements 110 illustrated in FIGS. 6d to 6e and the previous embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b (which also has two discrete groups of connection regions or seams 9a, 9b) concerns the relationship between the connection regions 9a, 9b of the first group 25 and the connection regions 9a, 9b of the second group 26.

[0097] In the configuration of FIGS. 6d to 6e it will be noted that at least some of the sub-regions of the first connection regions 9a, and the second connection regions 9b of the second group 26 extend across the axes of extension 27 along which the sub-regions of the first connection regions 9a, and the second connection regions 9b of the first group 25 extend.

[0098] As will be appreciated in light of the preceding description, the tether yarns forming the first group 25 of connection regions 9a, 9b will serve induce a first curvature to the inflatable element 110 upon inflation, to bend the inflatable element 110 about the longitudinal extension direction of the first group of connection regions 9a, 9b (i.e. about the extension axes 27). As will therefore be observed, the second group 26 of connection regions 9a, 9b thus traverse the axes 27 about which the first group of connection regions will induce curvature to the inflatable element 110. This places the second group 26 of connection regions 9a, 9b within a region of the inflatable element 110 in which curvature is induced by the first group of connection regions 9a, 9b. Furthermore, the tether yarns forming the second group 26 of connection regions 9a, 9b will serve induce a second curvature to the inflatable element 110 upon inflation, to bend the inflatable element 110 about the longitudinal extension direction 27b of the second group of connection regions 9a, 9b. Given that the second group 26 of connection regions 9a, 9b are non-parallel to the first group 25 of connection regions 9a, 9b, it will be appreciated that the second curvature will be in a different direction or sense to the first curvature. Because the second group 26 of connection regions 9a, 9b traverse the axes 27 about which the first group 25 of connection regions 9a, 9b induce the first curvature to the inflatable element 110, the effect is therefore to induce two differently directed curvatures to the same region of the inflatable element 110, thereby effectively bending the inflatable element 110 in two different directions.

[0099] Having particular regard to the second group 26 of connection regions 9a, 9b, it will be noted from FIG. 6e that the second group 26 is divided into two sets of connection regions 9a, 9b, namely a first set 28 located on one side of the flexure seam 24, and a second set 29 located on the opposite side of the flexure seam 24. The flexure seam 24 thus separates the two sets 28, 29 of connection regions 9a, 9b within the second group. Furthermore, it will be noted that the seam 24 extends generally orthogonal to the extension of the connection regions 9a, 9b within the second group 26. As will also be observed, each sub-region of the first connection regions 9a of the first set 28 is aligned with a respective sub-region of the second set 29 so that each pair of aligned connection sub-regions 9a extend collinearly. Similarly, each second connection 9b of the first set 28 is aligned with a respective second connection region 9b of the second set 29 so that each pair of aligned second connection regions 9b extend collinearly.

[0100] Noting that the flexure seam 24 interconnects the two layers of fabric 2, 3 of the inflatable element 110, it will be understood that the flexure seam 24 therefore serves to restrict the inflated depth of the inflatable region 308 between the two sets 28, 29 of connection regions 9a, 9b within the second group 26. In this way, the flexure seam 24 can help to permit the second group 26 of connection regions 9a, 9b to induce the second curvature to the inflatable element 110, the flexure seam 24 effectively defining a crease about which the second group 26 of connection regions 9a, 9b can then more easily bend the inflatable element 110. The words, seam 24 acts as a retention element 502, preventing the two sets 28, 29 of connection regions 9a, 9b from flaring out. Between the first set 28 and the second set 29, the seam 24 provides a further bending axis 30, that allows that the inflated first set 28 and the inflated second set 29 also bends to some degree relative to one another. In other words, the inflatable element 110 of FIG. 6e allows the bending or curving of defined regions of the inflatable element 110, where the first rectangular region 25 curves around the extension direction 27 of seams 9a,b, whereas the second rectangular region 26 curves around the extension direction 27b of seams 9a,b, while the bending axis 30, provided by seam 24, allows a further bending of the first set 28 and the second set 29 relative to one another.

[0101] Now referring to FIG. 6f, where an exemplary embodiment of a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0102] FIG. 6f shows the symmetrical arrangement of a wearable protection device 100 according to the present invention is depicted. The inflatable elements 110a, 110b in FIG. 6f are depicted in the deployed condition. In the undeployed condition, the inflatable elements 110a, 110b could be arranged still as depicted in FIG. 6f but simply uninflated, or alternatively may be rolled up or folded, to substantially corresponds to the size or height of the attachment device 102.

[0103] Wearable protection device 100 comprises exemplarily two inflatable elements 110a, 110b arranged symmetrically but mirrored around central portion 106. The inflatable elements substantially correspond to the inflatable elements described with regards to FIGS. 6c to 6e. Alternatively, the inflatable elements 110a, 110b may be embodied according to according to one of the FIGS. 2 to 6. A gas generating device 302 is depicted schematically arranged at central position 106. The gas generating device 302 may be a single gas generating device acting on both inflatable elements 110a, 110b substantially simultaneously or may be embodied as a plurality of gas generating devices acting on the inflatable elements 110a, 110b independently. The inflatable elements 110a, 110b are arranged on an attachment device 102, exemplarily depicted as a belt. The inflatable elements 110a, 110b may be integrally formed with attachment device 102, or may be attached to attachment device 102 using loop elements 118. The attachment device 102 comprises a buckle 104 and an open end 1808, which can be connected with the buckle 104, closing the attachment device 102 around the wearer to accommodate the wearable protection device on the wearer and to arrange the inflatable elements 110a, 110b adjacent to the body part to be protected.

[0104] The inflatable elements 110a, 110b at a first end 1802,1802 are substantially fixedly connected to the attachment device 102 while potentially loosely or slidingly connected to the attachment device 102 at a second end 1804,1804. The inflatable elements 110a, 110b may alternatively be also substantially fixedly connected to the attachment device 102 at the second end 1804,1804.

[0105] This combination of fixedly connection and sliding connection results in a lateral repositioning of the of the inflatable elements 110a, 110b in the direction of the central portion 106. In other words, when being deployed, the inflatable elements 110a, 110b inflate and increase in a first dimension and/or second dimension. Specifically, when inflating, the inflatable elements 110a, 110b may increase in thickness as a first dimension, which is in direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 6f. In case the inflatable elements 110a, 110b are rolled up or folded, the inflatable elements 110a, 110b additionally increase in a direction in the deployment direction 1812 as a second direction, as indicated by the black arrow pointing to the lower part of FIG. 6f. Due to the increase in size in the first dimension and/or the second dimension, the inflatable elements 110a, 110b decrease in size in a third dimension, parallel to the lengthwise extension 1810 of the attachment device 102. In other words, the inflatable elements 110a, 110b shrink in the direction 1810, and thus move closer to the central portion 106, as indicated by the two horizontal black arrows pointing inwards towards the central portion 106.

[0106] The attachment device 102 is adjustable in an adjustable region 1806 to accommodate a plurality of wearer sizes. In otherwise, the lengthwise extension 1810 of the attachment device 102 may be adjusted to e.g., the waist circumference of the wearer. A second adjustable region 1806 may be provided to allow symmetrical adjustment of the attachment device 102. Alternatively, the attachment device 102 may only be adjusted in a single adjustable region 1806, 1806.

[0107] Now referring to FIGS. 7a to 7c, where an exemplary embodiment of an inflatable element with a first exemplary embodiment of a retention element according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0108] FIG. 7a shows an enlarged view of one inflatable element 110 of the inflatable elements 110a, 110b. Both inflatable elements substantially correspond to one another but are arranged in a mirrored arrangement symmetrically around the longitudinal body axis of the wearer 202. The inflatable element 110 comprises an inlet 306 to which the discharge of the gas generating device is connected to for introducing generated gas into the interior of the inflatable element 110. Two separate inflatable regions 308 are depicted which are joined by a narrow section 310, through which none the less gas may flow. Surrounding the inflatable regions 308, the inlet 306 and the narrow section 310 is an uninflatable region 602. Still further surrounding the uninflatable regions 602, uninflatable material or dead material 312 is depicted, which may stem from a manufacturing process and which is to be removed when preparing the final inflatable element 110. Exemplarily, horizontal seams 304 are provided in the inflatable element 110 in FIG. 6, to allow a preferred radial or inwardly bending of the individual inflatable regions 308 around the body of the wearer. The two inflatable regions 308 are joined by retention element 502 in a central region of the inflatable element 110 between the proximal end 604 and the distal end 606. In FIG. 6, the retention element 502 is arranged inwardly from the distal end 606 in the central area, whereas in FIG. 5b, the retention element 502 is arranged substantially at the distal end. The retention element is substantially a connection, e.g., an integral, integrally woven connection or a dedicated element connecting the two inflatable regions 308, like a seam, a weld a rivet or the like.

[0109] By providing the retention element 502, the two inflatable regions 308 are prevented from flaring out when worn on the body of the wearer, in particular when they transition from the first, uninflated condition to the second, inflated condition. Potentially, the inflatable element in the uninflated first condition may be folded or rolled up and thus may be required to extend to arrive in the inflated second condition. In order to avoid an arbitrary flaring out of the inflatable regions 308 during the inflation process when transitioning from the first condition to the second condition, the retention element 502 provides a limitation of the freedom of movement of the two inflatable regions 308 relative to one another, thereby avoiding the flaring out.

[0110] The inflatable element 110 of FIG. 7a further comprises loop element 108 at the proximal end 604 for attaching the inflatable element 110 to a belt 102 or the like.

[0111] In FIGS. 7b,c, further features of the inflatable element 110 of FIG. 7a are shown. FIG. 7b shows an opening or slit 702, substantially comparable to the opening 504 of FIG. 5b. The opening 702 separates the inflatable regions 308 of the inflatable element 110 and thereby allows a movement of the inflatable regions 308 relative to one another. The opening 702 is substantially arranged in the area between the proximal end 604 and the retention element 502. More precisely, the opening 702 is arranged between the retention element 502 and approaching the narrow section 310 so that the gas may still be conveyed between the inflatable regions 308 through now in section 310. Opening 702 allows to accommodate a part of the body of the wearer that may be larger circumferentially in the area of opening 702 than for example in the area of retention element 502. In other words, such a body part may push the inflatable regions 308 apart from one another while the retention element 502 again pulls the inflatable regions 308 together, thereby producing the previously mentioned cup shape.

[0112] FIG. 7c shows the provision of a V-shaped opening 704 extending from the retention element 502 to the distal end 606 of the inflatable element 110. Such a V-shaped opening may alternatively be embodied as a U-shaped opening or a slit, comparable to the opening 504 and 702. The V-shaped opening 704 again introduces a certain degree of freedom of movement of the inflatable regions 308 relative to one another, in particular the distal sections of the inflatable regions 308. E.g., when in the inflated condition, a part of the body of the wearer may protrude through the V shaped opening thereby merely slightly bending outward the distal sections of the inflatable regions, while still allowing that the inflatable element 110 remains close and adjacent to the body part to be protected. E.g., in case of a protection device, during the fall when the inflatable elements are in the inflated condition, a leg movement of the wearer may result in part of the leg protruding through the V-shaped opening while still allowing the inflatable element to remain close to the hip region. In other words, the V-shaped opening allows such a leg movement without lifting the inflatable element away from the body of the wearer.

[0113] It is further conceivable that the slit 702 is alternatively embodied as a cut out slit or even not a slit at all but a connection between the inflatable regions 308, substantially comparable to seam 24, e.g., a flexible seam.

[0114] Now referring to FIG. 8, where an exemplary embodiment of inflatable element with a second exemplary embodiment of a retention element according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0115] In FIG. 8, the wearable protection device is shown exemplarily in its inflated state attached to the body of a wearer 202. A single inflatable element is shown, with a further inflatable element 110 arranged at the backside of the wearer 202 and thus only barely visible. The inflatable element 110 are attached to a retention element which is embodied as a skirt-like element, substantially circumferentially surrounding the body of the wearer. There is good like element provides a good position quality, thereby avoiding the shifting of the inflatable element with regard to the body of the wearer. In particular, by providing the skirt-like element 802, a flaring out of the inflatable element 110 may be avoided. In FIG. 8, the inflatable element are substantially completely attached to the skirt-like element 802 and thus are held in place by the skirt-like element 802. It may be conceivable that the wearable protection device of FIG. 8 is worn in the arrangement shown in FIG. 8, however in an uninflated condition. In other words, it is conceivable that the wearable protection device in its uninflated state is worn underneath or on top of clothing or the like while being uninflated. If worn in the depicted but uninflated condition, a quick inflation may be provided, since the inflatable elements 110 need not be extended in their dimension, e.g., may not need to be unfolded or unrolled, since they are already situated adjacent to the body parts to be protected but uninflated. Upon inflation, the inflatable elements provide an air cushion or an airbag to mitigate a fall impact.

[0116] Alternatively, it is conceivable that the wearable protection device, in particular the inflatable elements 110 including the skirt-like element 802 are in a rolled up or folded condition, thereby requiring the extension in the longitudinal direction of the body part when being inflated. In this embodiment, the wearable protection device may be worn as previously described, e.g. as a protective belt or attached to a belt 102 and one on the outside of the clothing of the wearer 202. In a fall event, when the inflatable elements are inflated, the skirt-like element 802 acting as a retention element, keeps the inflatable elements close to the body of the wearer, i.e., close to the body parts to be protected, thereby preventing a flaring out of the inflatable elements.

[0117] Alternatively to the embodiments depicted in FIG. 8, it is conceivable that the inflatable elements are only connected to the skirt-like element at select points e.g. at a central section between the distal and 606 and the proximal and 604 and/or at the distal and 606.

[0118] Now referring to FIG. 9, where an exemplary embodiment of an inflatable element with a first exemplary embodiment of a channeling element according to the present invention is shown.

[0119] Inflatable element 110 of FIG. 9 substantially corresponds to the inflatable element as shown with regard to FIG. 4c. Additionally, the inflatable element comprises a channeling element 902 extending from the inlet 306 into and through the first inflatable region 308, through the narrow section 310 and into the second inflatable region 308. A gas generating device 302 may be attached to either the inlets or directly to the channeling element 902 to introduce generated gas into the interior of the channeling element 902. The gas may substantially freely flow through the channeling element 902, thereby filling the channeling element with the generated gas. The gas may then enter into the inflatable regions 308 substantially along the longitudinal extension of the channeling element 902 through openings 904. In other words, the channeling element does not provide a single point of entry of the gas into the inflatable regions 308 but rather a line source so that the gas may enter the inflatable regions along the full length of the channeling element 902. Thereby, a uniform inflation in the direction of the longitudinal extension from the proximal end 604 to the distal end 606 of the inflatable element 110 may be achieved. Using a channeling element 902 avoids that the inflatable element is only successively inflated and not uniformly with the inlet 306 being the first point of entry of the gas into the inflatable element resulting in an inflation from the left side of the inflatable element 110 of FIG. 9 to the right side. By using a channeling element 902, the inflation of the inflatable element 110 may substantially be realized uniformly from the top to the bottom, thus longitudinal direction of the body of the wearer, without any uneven left to right inflation.

[0120] Now referring to FIG. 10, where an exemplary embodiment of an inflatable element with a second exemplary embodiment of a channeling element according to the present invention is shown.

[0121] FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of an inflatable element 110 with a channeling element 102, this time the seams are arranged as horizontal seams comparable to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3c. The channeling element 902 is again arranged from inlet 306 crossing through the left inflatable region 308 in FIG. 10 and extending through the narrow section 310 into the right inflatable region 308. Openings 104 are provided along the longitudinal extension of the channeling element 902 four discharge of transported gas within the channeling element into the interior of the inflatable element. In FIG. 10, however the channeling element and hundreds to as well as the left inflatable region 308 comprises a shape that is adapted to the body shape 1002. Exemplarily, the channeling element 902 is lowered in a central section as opposed to its and sections either arranged at the inlet 306 or entering the right inflatable region 308. This adaptation may e.g., conform to a protruding body parts of the body of the wearer, e.g. a hip bone in case the wearable protection device is a hip protection device. By adapting the channeling element 902 to the body shape, it can be avoided that protruding body parts prevent the free flow of the gas within the channeling element 902 by removing the channeling element 902 from the area of the protruding body part where the wearable protection device is worn on the body of the wearer 202. By avoiding such regions, a preferred gas flow within the channeling element 102 may be provided thereby resulting in a substantially uniform inflation of the inflatable element 110 from top to bottom in FIG. 10, i.e., from the proximal end 604 to the distal end 606.

[0122] Further, FIG. 10 shows an inflatable cushion element 1004, which is exemplarily arranged at the far end of the channeling element 902, where the channeling element enters into the right inflatable region 308. The inflatable cushion element 1004 may be inflated and may in particular be situated underneath the belt 102, between the body of the wearer 202 and the belt 102. By inflating the inflatable cushion element 1004 substantially at the beginning of the inflation process of the inflatable element 110, i.e., at the beginning of the transitioning from the first condition to the second condition, the fit of the wearable protection device 100 around the body part to be protected may be increased, i.e. the pressure may be increased, so to avoid the accidental relocation or shifting imposition of the wearable protection device 100 during the inflation process. Providing such an inflatable cushion element 1004 allows wearing the wearable protection device more comfortably and loosely when in its underinflated standby position, while increasing the fit or grip of the wearable protection device around the body of the wearer at the beginning of the protection event by inflating the inflatable cushion element prior to or at the beginning of the inflation process of the inflatable element 110.

[0123] The inflatable cushion element is arranged exemplarily in FIG. 10 close to the narrow section 310 and thus aligned generally centrally at the inflatable element 110. It is of course conceivable to have a plurality of inflatable cushion elements, in particular spaced at a distance from one another along the length of the inflatable element 110. In FIG. 10 such a plurality of inflatable cushion elements could be arranged at varying or certain distances from one another at the proximal end 604 of the inflatable element 110.

[0124] Now referring to FIG. 11, where an exemplary embodiment of a wearable protection device according to the present disclosure with an inflatable cushion element is shown.

[0125] FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of the inflatable cushion element 1004. Here, the inflatable cushion element 1004 is arranged at the far end of the inflatable element, at the opposite side of the inlet 306. A channeling element 902, not specifically depicted in FIG. 11 may be provided in the interior of the inflatable element 110.

[0126] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and improvements may be made without deviating from the concepts described here. Any of the features described above and below may be used separately or in combination with any other features described herein, provided they are not mutually exclusive, and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

[0127] Finally, it should be noted that the term comprising not exclude other elements or steps, and that a or one does not exclude the plural. Elements that are described in relation to different types of embodiments can be combined. Reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of a claim.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0128] 2 first fabric layer [0129] 3 second fabric layer [0130] 6 peripheral seam, integral [0131] 7a chamber region [0132] 9a,b seam [0133] 11 weft direction [0134] 12 warp direction [0135] 21 production web, one piece woven [0136] 22 axis [0137] 24 seam, integrally formed [0138] 25 first rectangular region [0139] 26 second rectangular region [0140] 27,a extension axis [0141] 28 first set [0142] 29 second set [0143] 30 bending axis [0144] 100 Wearable protection device [0145] 102 belt [0146] 104 buckle [0147] 106 central portion [0148] 108 loop element [0149] 110,a,b inflatable elements [0150] 202 wearer [0151] 204,a,b body part to be protected [0152] 206 object [0153] 302,a,b gas generating device [0154] 304 horizontal seam [0155] 306 inlet [0156] 308 inflatable regions [0157] 310 narrow section [0158] 312 uninflatable material, dead material [0159] 404 vertical seam [0160] 502 retention element [0161] 504 opening [0162] 602 uninflatable region [0163] 604 proximal end [0164] 606 distal end [0165] 702 opening, slit [0166] 704 V-shaped opening, U-shaped opening, slit [0167] 802 skirt-like element [0168] 902 channeling element [0169] 904 openings [0170] 1002 adapted to body shape [0171] 1004 inflatable cushion element [0172] 1802, first end [0173] 1804, second end [0174] 1806, adjustable region [0175] 1808 open end [0176] 1810 lengthwise extension of attachment device [0177] 1812 deployment direction perpendicular to lengthwise extension of attachment device [0178] 1814 longitudinal axis of the wearer [0179] 1816 right end [0180] 1818 right side of inflatable element