BACK PROTECTION DEVICE FOR THE PRACTICE OF SPORTING ACTIVITIES

Abstract

A back protection device for the practice of sporting activities includes a plate covering at least partially the surface of the back and in the thickness of which recesses are made intended to ensure the flexibility of the plate. The plate comprises a longitudinal ridge, the axis of which is intended to extend along the spine by delimiting, on either side, two right and left parts, each composed of an upper zone and a lower zone. The four zones are movable relative to each other, each being provided with recesses in the form of slots opening onto at least one face of the plate and being oriented with an inclination angle that is variable relative to the axis of the longitudinal ridge, so as to dissociate the flexibility of said zones.

Claims

1. A back protection device for the practice of sporting activities, comprising: a plate configured to cover at least partially a surface of a back, and in the thickness of which recesses are formed which are configured to ensure a flexibility of said plate, wherein said plate comprises a longitudinal ridge, an axis X of which is configured to extend along a spine by delimiting, on either side, two right and left parts each composed of an upper zone and a lower zone, thus forming four distinct zones, the four zones being movable relative to each other, each of said zones being provided with recesses in the form of slots opening onto at least one face of said plate, and the slots being oriented with an inclination angle that is variable with respect to the axis X of the longitudinal ridge so as to dissociate a flexibility of said zones.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, in the upper zones of the right and left parts, the slots are oriented divergently with respect to the axis X towards an upper edge of the plate and, in the lower zones of the right and left parts, the slots are oriented divergently with respect to the axis X towards the lower edge of said plate.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal ridge comprises a central block located at an intersection of the four zones.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said slots start close to the axis X and extend as far as contours of said plate, leaving a full peripheral edge.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the slots open onto an outer face of the plate.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein at least one slot of each right and left part also opens onto an inner face of the plate via at least one opening formed through the bottom of said slot.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inclination angle of the slots with respect to the axis X of the longitudinal ridge is between 0° and 180° in absolute value.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein, in said upper zones, the inclination angle of the slots is between 0° and 90°, while in said lower zones, the inclination angle of the slots is between 90° and 180°.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein distal parts of the said upper and lower zones comprise a series of parallel slots.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the two upper zones, right and left, respectively, are separated from the two lower zones, right and left, respectively, by at least one slot extending along an axis Y perpendicular to the axis X of the longitudinal ridge.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein a variation, between two adjacent slots of their inclination angle with respect to the axis X of the longitudinal ridge is between 0° and 6°.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the two upper zones, right and left, have dimensions allowing shoulder blades to be covered at least in part.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the two lower zones, right and left, have dimensions making it possible to cover at least lumbar vertebrae.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein said plate is made with an elastic or viscoelastic material.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the left and right parts of said plate are symmetrical with respect to the axis X.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein said plate is provided with elements configured for attaching at least one support and holding strap.

17. A method of using the device according to claim 1, wherein said plate is housed in a back pocket of a vest.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] Other features and advantages of the disclosure will emerge on reading the following disclosure, with reference to the appended figures and detailed hereinafter.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a view of the outer face of a preferred embodiment of the back protection device of the disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a view of the inner face of the back protection device of FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a partial rear view of the device of FIG. 1 in the dorsal position on an athlete.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective detail view of the outer face of the back protection device of FIG. 1.

[0037] For greater clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs in all of the figures.

[0038] Naturally, the embodiment of the disclosure illustrated in the figures shown above is only given by way of non-limiting example. It is explicitly provided that it may be implemented in different variants without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The disclosure relates to the back protection of persons in the context of sporting activities such as winter sports and, in particular, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, “freeriding” or snowboarding, sledding, and even cycling.

[0040] In certain sporting activities, the protection of the back and, in particular, the spine, is particularly important, even necessary. This is the case in particular for the practice of skiing or cycling in which falls on the back or impacts from behind are quite frequent.

[0041] The object of the disclosure is to provide an improvement to existing back protection devices. Traditionally, protective devices generally comprise a plate 1 covering at least partially the surface of the back and in the thickness of which recesses are formed intended to ensure the flexibility of this plate to adapt it to the physique of the user, allowing the user to perform different body movements.

[0042] The protection device of the disclosure of the disclosure is characterized in that the plate 1 comprises a longitudinal ridge 11, the axis X of which is intended to extend along the spine (see FIG. 3) delimiting, on either side, four zones, two right and left parts, preferably symmetrical, each composed of an upper zone, right Z1 and left Z2 (in rear views), respectively, and of a lower zone, right Z3 and left Z4, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0043] The plate 1 according to the disclosure is preferably made with an elastic or viscoelastic material, for example an elastomer, or even a polymer, optionally based on silicone. The material is chosen in such a way as to be very flexible at rest, while hardening on impact to ensure the protection of the user's back. In particular, a polymer containing a shear-thickening fluid is suitable.

[0044] The disclosure provides for these zones to be movable, or at least deformable under stress, in relation to each other by being provided with recesses grouped together in the form of bundles of slots 10, 10′. These bundles of slots are in particular divergent with respect to the longitudinal axis X. These slots open at least on the outer face 1a of the plate 1 and are oriented with an inclination angle a that is variable with respect to the axis X of the longitudinal ridge 11. This substantially “fishbone” configuration makes it possible to dissociate the intrinsic flexibility of the zones Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 and their relative mobility in several directions and thus to improve the freedom of movement of the user, in particular, in torsion, as described hereinafter.

[0045] Each slot 10 preferably has a continuous rectilinear profile, but it will not depart from the scope of the disclosure if the recesses are made up of a succession of small slots aligned, longitudinally and discontinuously, one after the other. Preferably, the width of a slot is constant but it will not depart from the scope of the disclosure if this width changes slightly over the length of the slot.

[0046] As illustrated by FIG. 4, the two upper zones, right Z1 and left Z2, have profiles and dimensions making it possible to cover, at least partially, the shoulder blades, while the two lower zones, right Z3 and left Z4, have profiles and dimensions making it possible to cover the shoulder blades with their upper part and at least partially, the lumbar vertebrae with their lower part.

[0047] In the free state, i.e., in the undeformed state and at rest, the profile of the plate 1 is flat, and its flexibility is chosen to allow it to fit the shape of the back when it is worn by a user. In other words, the plate 1 has a protrusion E extending transversely in the middle zone and which is extended, respectively, upwards and downwards by two narrowings R1, R2 (FIGS. 1 and 2). This protrusion E is intended to protect, in particular, the shoulder blades of the user.

[0048] The longitudinal ridge 11 is rigid in the sense that it has a greater rigidity than the rigidity of the parts of the device comprising slots. This ridge, however, allows in particular the forward flexion of the device. It is preferably not perforated; however, small openings may be envisaged if its overall rigidity remains sufficient.

[0049] This longitudinal ridge 11 comprises in particular a central block 12 located at the intersection of the four zones Z1 to Z4. This block, which is also rigid, forms the central fixed point of the articulation of the flexible zones Z1 to Z4. The outer face of the block 12 may, if necessary, carry functional elements (electronics such as a photoelectric cell, LEDs, etc.) or mechanical elements (hooks, loops, etc.) or even display information (trademark, etc.). This central block 12 may be polygonal or circular, or even oval.

[0050] The slots 10, which are bundled on the zones Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 of the outer face 1a, extend from the proximity of the longitudinal edge 11 to the contours of the plate 1, leaving a solid peripheral edge 1c. This border has a width which is preferably uniform over the entire perimeter of the outer face 1a of the plate 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0051] The distal parts of each zone, (i.e., those which are at the upper ends of the zones Z1 and Z2 and at the lower ends of the lower zones Z3 and Z4), comprise slots 10 which only open onto the outer face 1a of plate 1.

[0052] On the other hand, the proximal parts of each zone located in the middle part of the plate 1, (i.e., those which are in the lower parts of the zones Z1 and Z2 and which are adjacent to the upper parts of the zones Z3 and Z4), comprise at least one slot which also opens onto the inner face 1b of the plate 1 via at least one opening 10a provided through the bottom. The openings 10a allow ventilation of the space located between the back of the user and the inner face 1b of the plate 1, as well as the optimization of the flexibility of the zones of the device.

[0053] These openings 10a have a length much less than the total length of the slot in which they are made. Their width is substantially the same as that of a slot. These openings 10a are short in length and limited in number so as not to weaken the resistance of the plate and not to alter the protection of the user's back in order to meet the safety standards in force. These openings 10a may be, for example, of circular or oblong shape.

[0054] In the embodiment of the disclosure illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the through slots have two or three openings 10a. However, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is possible to provide variant embodiments in which the slots would comprise more than three openings, located in possibly different slots, depending, in particular, on the degrees of ventilation and flexibility desired.

[0055] In the embodiment of the disclosure illustrated here in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plate 1 comprises, in the distal part of the lower zones Z3, Z4, five slots which only open onto the outer face 1a while the other thirty open onto the two faces 1a, 1b.

[0056] The thickness of the plate 1 being approximately 10 mm, the slots 10 have a depth of approximately 5 mm and the openings 10a also have a height of 5 mm. The slots have a U-shaped cross-section and their width is about 5 mm. The plate is made in different formats depending on the users (adults or children). In the case of the plate 1 adapted for children, the lower narrowing R2 of the plate 1 is shorter and may not extend to the lumbar region of the user. For an adult, the maximum width of the protrusion E of the plate 1 is between 200 mm and 260 mm. The width of the narrowings R1, R2 is between 130 mm and 160 mm.

[0057] Broadly, in each of the four zones, the slots diverge from the axis X in specific directions. In the upper zones Z1, Z2, the slots are oriented in a divergent manner with respect to the axis X towards the upper edge 11a of the plate 1, and in the lower zones Z3, Z4, the slots are oriented in a divergent manner with respect to the axis X towards the lower edge 11b of the plate, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0058] The slots are inclined with respect to the axis X of the longitudinal ridge 11 with an angle a between 0° and 180° in absolute value and, more precisely, between 20° and 160° in absolute value, preferably between 40° and 120° in absolute value. For the upper parts of the plate 1, the angle a varies from 0° to 90°, preferably between 40° and 90°, while for the lower parts, the angle a varies between 90° and 180° and, preferably between 90° and 140°. In the right parts, the angle a is counted clockwise, while in the left parts, the angle a is counted counterclockwise, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1.

[0059] More particularly, the plate 1 has on at least one part of this plate 1, an axial symmetry with respect to the axis X, i.e., the slots of the left part are symmetrical with the slots of the right part.

[0060] Preferably, the distal parts of the zones Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 comprise a series of slots which are parallel to each other and inclined with respect to the axis X of the longitudinal ridge 11 with an angle a of approximately 45°.

[0061] The two upper zones, right Z1 and left Z2, respectively, are physically separated from the two lower zones, right Z3 and left Z4, respectively, by at least one slot 10′ extending along an axis Y perpendicular to the axis X of the longitudinal ridge 11 from the central block 12. Thus, this slot 10′ is inclined at an angle equal to 90° with respect to the axis X.

[0062] However, it is provided according to the disclosure for the inclination of the slots 10 to be variable according to their position on the plate 1. In fact, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the variation between two adjacent slots of the inclination angle a with respect to the axis X of the longitudinal ridge 11 is either constant or changing. For example, this variation is between 0° and 6° and, preferably, between 2° and 5°.

[0063] As illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, in each zone Z1 to Z4, the longest slots are at the level of the protrusion E in the enlarged middle parts located around the central block 12, while the shortest slots are located at their distal parts and, more particularly, in the narrowings R1, R2 of the distal parts of the upper zones Z1, Z2 which are narrower, to take account of the shape of the back.

[0064] More precisely, the specific orientation of the slots 10 in each zone makes it possible to optimize the local deformations of the plate 1 to facilitate different bodily movements of the user. Thus, the slots located in the upper zones Z1, Z2, jointly favor the mobility of the user's shoulders induced by the rotation of the chest about the vertical axis X, as well as forward flexion about the axis Y. the slots located in the lower zones Z3, Z4 jointly favor the mobility of the lower back induced by the rotation of the pelvis about the axis X as well as the forward flexion about the axis Y. This dissociation of the movements of the back, in particular of the shoulders with respect to the pelvis, allows great freedom of movement for the motions of athletes, which is particularly favorable in skiing, sledding, and cycling.

[0065] Thus, the dissociated deformations of the four zones of the plate created by the specific orientations of the slots in each of the zones makes it possible to favor all the decoupled movements of the athlete's body, in particular, the right-left decoupling and the upper/lower decoupling to favor movements about the axis X, about the axis Y, and the combined movements about any axis located in the plane XY.

[0066] Where appropriate, according to a variant embodiment of the protection device of the disclosure, the plate 1 is provided with attachment elements intended to ensure the connection with at least one support and holding strap (not shown), to position and hold the plate 1 on the user's back.

[0067] Another use of the protection device of the disclosure consists in housing the plate 1 in a suitable back pocket, attached to or integral with a vest, jacket, or suit worn by the user. In this case, the plate 1 is preferably removable.