Protective element

Abstract

A protective element is provided with a flat first material layer of a low-fold material and a flat second material layer of a folded cut-retardant material. A surface area of the second material layer in a stretched-out state is 1.2 to 2.5 times greater than a surface area of the first material layer in a stretched-out state. The second material layer is placed in a gathered state onto the first material layer. The first material layer forms a gliding layer for the second material layer.

Claims

1. A protective element comprising: a flat first material layer comprised of a low-fold material and forming a supporting layer; a flat second material layer comprised of a folded cut-retardant material; wherein a surface area of the second material layer in a stretched-out state is 1.2 to 2.5 times greater than a surface area of the first material layer in a stretched-out state; wherein the second material layer is placed in a gathered state onto the first material layer; wherein the first material layer forms a gliding layer for the second material layer such that the folded cut-retardant material of the second material layer is moveable on the low-fold material of the first material layer and, by moving relative to the first material layer when engaged by cutting blades that are moving relative to each other, prevents that the first material layer arranged underneath the second material layer is gripped or pinched by the cutting blades.

2. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the surface area of the second material layer in the stretched-out state is 1.4 to 1.7 times greater than the surface area of the first material layer in the stretched-out state.

3. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the first material layer is connected with the second material layer at least at two fastening locations and wherein the fastening locations are spaced apart.

4. The protective element according to claim 1, further comprising an outer layer wherein the outer layer is comprised of a cover material.

5. The protective element according to claim 4, wherein the cover material is fixedly connected with the first material layer.

6. The protective element according to claim 5, wherein the cover material is laminated, glued or sewn onto the first material layer.

7. The protective element according to claim 4, wherein an edge of the cover material is fixedly connected to an edge of the first material layer.

8. The protective element according to claim 7, wherein the cover material is laminated, glued or sewn onto the first material layer.

9. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second material layers is made of a breathable material.

10. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second material layers is comprised of a textile material.

11. An insert with a protective element of claim 1.

12. Protective clothing comprised at least partially of a protective element of claim 1.

13. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the folded cut-retardant material layer is comprised of a felt.

14. A protective element comprising: a flat first material layer comprised of a low-fold material; a flat second material layer comprised of a folded cut-retardant material; wherein a surface area of the second material layer in a stretched-out state is 1.2 to 2.5 times greater than a surface area of the first material layer in a stretched-out state; wherein the second material layer is placed in a gathered state onto the first material layer; wherein the first material layer forms a gliding layer for the second material layer; a device for holding the first material layer, wherein the device is shear-stiff.

15. The protective element according to claim 14, wherein the device is comprised of a frame.

16. The protective element according to claim 15, wherein the frame is comprised of a wire frame or a plastic frame.

17. The protective element according to claim 14, wherein the device is comprised of a spacer material.

18. The protective element according to claim 17, wherein the spacer material has a thickness of at least three millimeter.

19. The protective element according to claim 17, wherein the spacer material is flexible.

20. The protective element according to claim 14, wherein the first material layer is fixedly connected with the device.

21. The protective element according to claim 20, wherein the first material layer is connected to the device by sewing, by laminating or by gluing.

22. A protective element as a cutting protection for a power tool comprising reciprocating blades that are moving reciprocatingly relative to each other, the protective element comprising: a flat first material layer comprised of a low-fold material and forming a supporting layer; a flat second material layer comprised of a folded cut-retardant material; wherein a surface area of the second material layer in a stretched-out state is 1.2 to 2.5 times greater than a surface area of the first material layer in a stretched-out state; wherein the second material layer is placed in a gathered state onto the first material layer; an outer layer comprised of a cover material, wherein the second material layer is covered by the cover material of the outer layer and wherein the cover material is fixedly connected with the low-fold material of the first material layer; wherein the first material layer comprised of the low-fold material forms a gliding layer for the second material layer comprised of the folded cut-retardant material such that, when reciprocating blades engage the protective element, the outer layer and the second material layer comprised of the folded cut-retardant material are engaged by the reciprocating blades and cutting into the first material layer is prevented by the second material layer gliding on the first material layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a protective element.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of the protective element with a first material layer and a second material layer.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic transverse section illustration of the protective element with cutting teeth engaging the protective element.

(4) FIG. 4 is a further schematic illustration of a protective element.

(5) FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the first and second material layers resting on each other in the stretched-out state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a protective element 1 according to the invention. In FIG. 1, the embodiment of the protective element 1 has a substantially rectangular contour. The shape of the protective element 1 depends on which body part of the user is to be protected and can deviate from the illustrated rectangular cross-sectional shape. The protective element 1 is comprised of several material layers that are resting flat on each other. The material layers are connected to each other by means of at least one fastening location 9. The fastening location 9 is a seam in the illustrated embodiment. The yarn which is used for the seam extends in the illustrated embodiment circumferentially at an edge spacing r that is in particular constant and amounts to approximately 1 cm relative to the outer boundary of the protective element 1. Expediently, on the outer edge of the protective element 1 a bordering tape 11 is arranged. The bordering tape 11 encloses all material layers laterally. The bordering tape 11 is fixedly connected by means of the fastening location 9 with the material layers.

(7) A securing tab 10 is attached on the protective element 1. The securing tab 10 is attached by sewing in the shown embodiment. By means of the securing tab 10 the protective element 1 can be connected with workwear, not illustrated. For example, on the securing tab 10 a hook-and-loop fastener strap, not illustrated, can be attached which is connectable to the workwear. Also, the securing tab 10 can be sewn onto the workwear so that a permanent connection between the protective element 1 and the workwear is provided.

(8) FIG. 2 shows schematically a cross-section of the protective element 1. The material layers of the protective element 1 are resting flat on each other. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, a first material layer 2 is directly adjacent to a second material layer 3. The first material layer 2 is supported by a device 4. In the embodiment, the device 4 is designed as a further flat material layer wherein the first material layer 2 is positioned between the device 4 and the second material layer 3. When wearing the protective element 1, the device 4 and the first material layer 2 are facing the body, the second material layer 3 is facing away from the body. An outer layer 5 is arranged on the side of the second material layer 3 which is facing away from the first material layer 2. The outer layer 5 also forms a further flat material layer. In the embodiment, the protective element 1 is comprised of four stacked flat material layers. The lateral boundaries of the material layers are engaged by the bordering tape 11 that extends circumferentially. The first material layer 2, the second material layer 3, the device 4, the outer layer 5 as well as the bordering tape 11 are fixedly connected to each other by the fastening locations 9; in the embodiment, the layers 2, 3, 4, 5, 11 are sewn together.

(9) The first material layer 2 is comprised of a low-fold material. The low-fold material is preferably designed as a gliding material and forms a gliding layer 20. The gliding material is provided so that the second material layer 3 can glide on the first material layer 2. The first material layer 2 is held in a stretched-out (taut) state by the device 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the first material layer 2 is resting flat on the device 4 and is connected at the fastening locations 9 to the device 4. Expediently, the first material layer 2 can also be connected across its surface area with the device 4, for example, glued on or laminated on. Advantageously, the surface of the device 4 and the gliding material of the first material layer 2 are embodied as a one-part configuration. It is important in this context that the second material layer 3 is movable relative to the first material layer 2, in particular is able to glide on the first material layer 2.

(10) The device 4 in the illustrated embodiment is embodied as a spacer material with a spacer material thickness a of 5 mm. The spacer material is bendable or flexible and shape-stable. The thickness b of the first material layer 2 with the gliding layer 20 is less than 0.2 mm. The spacer material thickness a is thus significantly greater than the thickness b of the first material layer 2.

(11) The second material layer 3 is comprised of a cut-retardant material, for example, felt, with a cut-retardant material thickness c of 2 mm. In the stretched-out state, i.e., the not yet sewn-together state of the material layers, the flat stretched-out surface area of the second material layer 3 is greater than the flat stretched-out surface area of the first material layer 2. In order to be able to place the second material layer 3 congruently onto the first material layer 2, the second material layer 3 is placed in a gathered state onto the first material layer 2. Subsequently, the two material layers 2 and 3 are connected to each other at the fastening locations 9. Due to the gathered state, the cut-retardant material is laid in a crumpled, wrinkled, gathered together, folded or similar arrangement in the protective element 1. The inserted cut-retardant material is lying flat on the gliding material or on the gliding layer 20.

(12) Outside of the fastening locations 9, the cut-retardant material is provided relative to the gliding material with movement possibilities in all spatial directions, in particular in the directions parallel to the surface of the first material layer 2. Since the first material layer 2 is configured as a taut, smooth material, the second material layer 3 can glide unhindered on the first material layer 2 so that the freedom of movement of the cut-retardant material is enhanced.

(13) The outer layer 5 of the protective element serves as a cover material. The outer layer 5 protects the protective element from environmental influences such as water, dirt or the like. The cover material may serve however only visual purposes.

(14) With the aid of FIG. 3, the function of the protective element 1 when acted on by a tool 6 will be explained. In the embodiment, the tool 6 is comprised of cutting teeth 12 of a hedge trimmer. The cutting teeth 12 of a hedge trimmer in operation are moved back and forth across each other so that two cutting blades perform a cutting movement with each other. Such a cutting movement is performed also between the blades of garden shears or anvil shears.

(15) When the cutting teeth 12 engage or seize the protective element 1, the cutting teeth 12 grip the cut-retardant material of the second material layer 3 together with the outer layer 5. The cut-retardant material blocks the further movement of the cutting teeth 12; the second material layer 3 is thus essentially not separated or cut through. The cut-retardant material prevents that the cutting teeth 12 cut through the second material layer 3. However, the cutting teeth 12 can cause a surficial cut in the cut-retardant material.

(16) Due to the closing movement of two cutting teeth 12, the cut-retardant material is pulled into the tool 6. The first material layer 2 continues to be stretched by the device 4 so that the first material layer 2 cannot be gripped by the cutting teeth 12. Due to the larger surface area of the second material layer 3 in comparison to that of the first material layer 2, it is ensured that the tool 6 grips only the cut-retardant material and, due to the relative movement of the material layers relative to each other, the first material layer 2 is not gripped by the tool.

(17) Upon reciprocating movement 7 of the cutting teeth 12, the second material layer 3 glides back and forth on the first material layer 2, for example, in a gliding movement 8. Due to the gliding action of the cut-retardant material on the gliding layer 20 of the gliding material, the cutting teeth 12 pinch and seize the cut-retardant material itself but cannot grip the first material layer 2. Accordingly, cutting as well as pinching of the first material layer 2 by the cutting teeth 12 is substantially prevented.

(18) In FIG. 4, a schematic dimensional illustration of a further geometry of the protective element 1 is shown that deviates from that of FIG. 1. The tailored part of the protective element 1 has a maximum length k and a maximum width m so that, upon wearing the protective element on the leg, the protective element at least partially will cover the thigh and the knee. The tailored part of the protective element 1 has a lower width I. Moreover, the protective element 1 has an upper width n that is identical to the lower width I. Across a lower length o the lower width I is constant. Subsequently, the width of the protective element 1 increases linearly to a maximum width m across a length p. Across the length q the maximum width m linearly decreases to the upper width n. Subsequently, the width of the protective element 1 across an upper length s is constant and corresponds to upper width n. The lengths o, p, q, s are orthogonal to the widths l, m, n. In the embodiment, the projection 13 formed as a result of the maximum width m is arranged only on one side of the protective element 1. When wearing the protective element 1 on the leg, the projection 13, for example, can cover a part of the inner side of the thigh. Also, with at least one cutout can be provided in the protective element 1. The cutout enables spatial curving or bending of the protective element 1. Such a curvature can be required, for example, when the protective element 1 is to be pulled across the knee, elbow or similar body part of the user.

(19) FIG. 5 shows the cutting patterns for the first material layer 2 and the second material layer 3. The dimensions of the first material layer 2 correspond in the illustration of FIG. 4 to the tailored part of the protective element 1.

(20) The second material layer 3 in the area of the lower width l (FIG. 4) is longer by an overlap length t. The second material layer 3 is also longer in the area of the upper width n (FIG. 4) by the overlap length t. Laterally, in the area of the lower width l (FIG. 4), the second material layer 3 is on both sides wider by a lower lateral overlap length v than the first material layer 2. Laterally, in the area of the upper width n (FIG. 4), the second material layer 3 is on both sides wider by an upper overlap length u than the first material layer 2. In this way, the surface area of the second material layer 3 in the stretched-out state illustrated in FIG. 5 is greater than the surface area of the first material layer 2.

(21) In an embodiment of the invention, the surface area of the second material layer 3 in the stretched-out state is approximately 1.2 to 2.5 times greater, in particular approximately 1.4 to 1.9 times greater, than the surface area of the first material layer 2 in the stretched-out state.

(22) In order to be able to place the first material layer 2 as well as the second material layer 3 congruently onto each other, the second material layer 3 is gathered together on the first material layer 2. For this purpose, several horizontal folds 17 as well as vertical folds 18 are provided in the second material layer 3 along the outer boundary of the first material layer 2. In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, twelve horizontal folds 17 are provided, six horizontal folds 17 each on either side. The horizontal folds 17 are approximately equidistantly arranged. In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, a vertical fold 18 is arranged centrally in the lower area of the lower width l and two vertical folds 18 are arranged equidistantly spaced in the area of the upper width n.

(23) The folds 17, 18 are secured by means of the fastening location 9 (FIG. 1), for example, by sewing. In the area outside of the fixedly sewn-in folds 17, 18, the orientation of the cut-retardant material is not defined. The cut-retardant material can arrange itself freely, for example, can wrinkle, form folds or the like.

(24) Further elements can be sewn onto the outer layer 5, which in FIG. 5 is congruent with the first material layer 2. Such elements can be, for example, an adhesive part 14, an information carrier 15, a warning sign 16 or the like. In the embodiment, an adhesive part 14 is centrally arranged below the outer edge in the area of the upper width n (FIG. 4). On the adhesive part 14 a hook-and-loop fastener, not illustrated, is attached. In the embodiment, on the information carrier 15 the manufacturer name can be provided as well as a manufacturer's acronym, an article number or the like. On the warning sign 16, the logo of a hedge trimmer can be shown in order to indicate the purpose of use of the protective element 1.

(25) The elements 14, 15, 16 can also be sewn onto the device 4.

(26) In the embodiment, the fastening location 9 is made of a yarn with polyester. The first material layer 2 comprises polyamide. The second material layer 3 is comprised, for example, of felt, of a textile flat material with DYNEEMA, of a textile flat material with KEVLAR, or other comparable cut-retardant material. In the embodiment, the device 4 is comprised of a spacer material with polyester. The outer layer 5 is produced as a top cloth with polyester. The bordering tape 11 is made of synthetic or natural fibers.

(27) All material layers are breathable. The protective element 1 is thus kind to the skin and comfortable when worn.

(28) An insert, not illustrated, comprises the protective element 1. The insert can be, for example, inserted into protective workwear. The insert can also be provided with fastening means, for example, ties, rubber straps (elastic straps), or the like in order to secure the insert on a body part of the user.

(29) Protective clothing, not illustrated, is comprised at least partially of a protective element 1. Such protective clothing can be, for example, in the form of work pants wherein the protective element 1 is arranged in the area of the thigh and the knee.

(30) The specification incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of European priority document 13 004 295.5 having a filing date of Aug. 30, 2013.

(31) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.