CA2121566A1 - A body protection device - Google Patents
A body protection deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2121566A1 CA2121566A1 CA002121566A CA2121566A CA2121566A1 CA 2121566 A1 CA2121566 A1 CA 2121566A1 CA 002121566 A CA002121566 A CA 002121566A CA 2121566 A CA2121566 A CA 2121566A CA 2121566 A1 CA2121566 A1 CA 2121566A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- protection device
- body protection
- impact
- padding
- garment
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/06—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets
- A42B3/062—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets with reinforcing means
- A42B3/063—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets with reinforcing means using layered structures
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/015—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D31/00—Materials specially adapted for outerwear
- A41D31/04—Materials specially adapted for outerwear characterised by special function or use
- A41D31/28—Shock absorbing
- A41D31/285—Shock absorbing using layered materials
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/10—Linings
- A42B3/12—Cushioning devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/08—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- D03D11/00—Double or multi-ply fabrics not otherwise provided for
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04B—KNITTING
- D04B1/00—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
- Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
- Window Of Vehicle (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A body protection device is arranged in garments, such as sportswear garments. Examples are hockey pants, soccer, football, handball, etc. or the body protection devices can be used independently from garments such as chin guards for football players, impact-protection jackets and the like. The protection device has padding material which can absorb pressure in the transverse direction, i.e., in the cross direction to the longitudinal extension on the side facing the wearer's body and with a material that is impact-resistant in the transverse direction on the side facing away from the wearer's body. Both parts are permeable at least to water vapour in the transverse direction. The padding material is formed by a woven or knit spacer fabric with interconnected woven or knit fabric layers or parts that consist of elastic weaving or knitting threads and which extend on different horizontal levels. The impact protection material is formed by a honeycomb hollow fabric with numerous honeycomb walls that are horizontally arranged.
A body protection device is arranged in garments, such as sportswear garments. Examples are hockey pants, soccer, football, handball, etc. or the body protection devices can be used independently from garments such as chin guards for football players, impact-protection jackets and the like. The protection device has padding material which can absorb pressure in the transverse direction, i.e., in the cross direction to the longitudinal extension on the side facing the wearer's body and with a material that is impact-resistant in the transverse direction on the side facing away from the wearer's body. Both parts are permeable at least to water vapour in the transverse direction. The padding material is formed by a woven or knit spacer fabric with interconnected woven or knit fabric layers or parts that consist of elastic weaving or knitting threads and which extend on different horizontal levels. The impact protection material is formed by a honeycomb hollow fabric with numerous honeycomb walls that are horizontally arranged.
Description
G 9305803. 9 .~.
' " 2121~66 A Body Protection Device The invention relates to a body detection device to be arranged, e.g., in a yarment, such as icehockey pants, with a padding material which can absorb pressure in the transverse direction, i.e. in the cross direction to the longitudinal extension on the side facing the wearer's body and with a material which is impact-resistant in the transverse direction on the side facing away from the wearer's body, both parts ~eing permeable at least to water vapor in the transverse direction.
Such body protection devices can protect certain parts of the body against impacts, blows and the like. They are, e.g. used in conventional icehockey pants where they serve as kindney, seat or thigh protectors. For this purpose, they are sewn to the corresponding part of the icehockey pants according to their intended use or they are inserted into or sewn into pockets of the icehockey pants which are especially provided for this purpose.
Some known body protection devices incorporate a hard core whose shape corresponds appro.ximately to the special body protector. The hard material core may consist of, e.g.
plastic, metal or a rigid hardened plastic foam. At least one padding part is provided additionally to the hard core. It may consist of a foam Wit}l closed pores or with open pores. A ilm with bubble-shaped inclusions similar to the known anti-pressure packing film is provided on the side of the hard material core facing the body of the icehockey pant wearer.
The inner side of such a body protection device is usually provided with a lining. The outside of the icehockey pants consists of a shell fabric, e.g. a polyamide fabric or a polyester-coated textile material. The hard core material is intended to take up the forces created by impacts and blows.
The padded part dampens the effects of a blow on the hard material core and increases the wear comfort of icehockey pants provided with such body protection devices.
Sports such as icehockey make the players' bodies heat up considerably and sweat heavily. To give the players the maximum possible protection against impacts and blows, a large part of the surface of the icehockey pants is provided with body protection devices. Since the hard material cores of the body protection devices are impermeable to water and to water vapor, lots of perspiration will accumulate under the body protection devices and heat will be trapped.
If an open-pored foam material is used as the padding material on the inside of the hard material core, it will be soaked in the sweat produced by the icehockey player like a sponge.
Since an icehockey player may give off several liters of water during a match, an enormous amount of sweat can be trapped in an open-pored foam material. This will not only detract from the wear comfort of such icehockey pants but will also make the pants very heavy.
Body protection devices whose paddings consist of a foam material with closed pores will not become soaked in sweat.
, G 9305f~ffO3.9 ~!
~ 2~21~66 However, the sweat produced clue to the body heat produced during the play is not removecl from the body surface but fully remains there unless it runs down the player's body on the inside of tlle body protection device in the icehockey pants.
This makes icehockey pants equfipped with such body protection devices very unpleasant to wear.
DE 90 16 713 U describes a body protection device with a considerably improved wear comfortO ;
This body protection device is equipped with a hard material core and a padding material with a closed pore foam covering the hard material core on the side facing the human body, wherein both the hard material core and the padding part are perforated in the transverse direction to their longitudinal extension. The holes in the hard material core and the padding should be in true alignment in order to obtain a high overall water vapor permeability of the hard material core and the padding.
Due to the transverse holes the body protection device becomes permeable to water vapor so that perspiration produced during sweating can escape through the body protection device and sweat is prevented from accumulating on the weaxer's body or is at least minimized. Since a foam material with closecd pores is used for the padding, it cannot become soaked in sweat.
Although such body protection devices have proven useful in removing perspiration vapor, they are relatively heavy, like the conventional body protection devices. Their shape needs to be adapted as well as pos~ible to the body part to be protected to prevent unpleasant wear properties, e.g. in icehockey pants. The hard material core and the padding must be durably attached to each other so that the transverse perforations flush optimally in order to ensure a durably high water vapor permeability. If the hard material core and the padding are displaced relative to each other, the water vapor removing channels may be completely interrupted. Perspiration vapor will then no longer be removed. Especially hard metal cores are relatively heavy. Condensed perspiratory water vapor can remain in the transverse holes and run back to the body.
The present invention provides for a body protection device of the above-described kind in which the padding material is formed by a knit or woven spacer fabric in at least two layers or parts which consist of elastic weaving or knitting threads which extend in various levels in the horizontal direction and in which the impact protection material is formed by a honeycomb-like hollow body with numerous horizontal honeycomh walls.
The invention provides for a body protection device which is relatively light, has a high water vapor permeability independent of the relative position of impact protection ~-material and padding so that any displacement of the former ~ -materials does not detract from the water vapor permeability and which has a ventilation effect relative to the body's surface.
The wear comfort of such a bocly protection device becomes : " .: . , : , . " : . . : . . . , . .. , , -G 9305803 . 9 2 ~ 6 particularly high if both the paddin~ and the impact-protection material have an aniSotropic elastic flexibility such that their elastic Elexibility in the cro.ss clirec-tion is less than the:ir elastic flexibility to a bending of the padding or irnpact protection material around a longitlldinal bending axis. In this case the wear comfort of the body protection device is particularly high because it can relatively easily adapt to the body part to be protected, especially to round body parts, while a good impact protection and padding effect is maintained.
particularly suitable padding material is a so-called hollow fabric as available from the supplier Tissu Rothrist, Switzerland, a particularly suitable impact-protection material is a so-called tubular honeycomb elastomer material as available from the supplier Tubus Bauer, Bad Sackingen.
Both materials consist of a thermoplastic material the hollow fabric consists of polyester.
These materials are known per se, but for completely different applications. Spacer fabrics in knit or woven constructions are used as paddings in car seats; honeycomb materials are used, e.c3., in car bl~mpers where the material is built in such that the impact forces act perpendicularly to the axes of the honeycomb tubes, i.e, in a directi~n in wkich the honeycomb material is easily deformable.
When these two known materials are used in a body protec-tion device of the present invention, they are an optimal combination. The longitudinal axes of the honeycomb material are perpendicularly arranged to the surface of the human body.
In this position the honeycomb material hardly yields so -that it is an e~cellent impact protection. The result is a good pressure distribution of impact forces acting on the honeycomb material, e.g. when icehockey players crash into each other or hit the boards or when the puck hits the body protection device at high speed - the speed may be as high as 160 km/h.
The resulting high punctual pressure is distributed over a large surface through the honeycomb material. The spacer fabric located between the honeycomb material and the body has a good padding effect which almost completely takes up the distributed pressure and protects the body therefrom.
Despite this high impact protection and padding function a body protection device with the mentioned materials is very light and highly permeable to air and water vapor. Further advantageous characteristics are stated in the sub-claims which are herewith made a part of this description by reference.
Sweat condensed on the body or within the body protection device can easily run off over the body protection device of the invention.
If the body protection device of -the invention is used in a garment, e.g. in icehockey pants, it is preferably combined - -with a waterproof, water-vapor permeable material, e.g. in the form of a lining laminate whose inside is equipped with a textile fabric and whose outside is equipped with a functional layer of a waterproof, water-vapor permeable material. If the ,~
: ' : : : -G 9305~03. 9 ~
2~21~6 garment is worn in rain, or - as it is the case with icehockey pants, is exposed to molten i-e, the water cannot reach the wearer's body wllereas sweat can escape in the form of water vapor through the functional layer and the body protection device.
Preferably a water-vapor permeable material is also used for the outer material of the garment, e.g. the icehockey pants.
This is not absolutely necessary if the padding, as it is the case in the preferred embodiment, has a high ventilation effect parallel to the surface of the human body.
The body protection devices of the invention are very versatile. On the one hand, they may be used as inserts c,r inlays in garments, in particular sportswear. Examples are pants and shirts for sports such as icehockey, soccer, American football, rugby, handball etc. On the other hand, they may be used independently from garments. Examples are shin guards for football players, which are inserted between the shinbone and the stocking. Another example are impact-protection jackets, e.g. for the police and the military, which also afford an excellent protec-b~ion against stabs if the preferred honeycomb material is used as the impact-protection material.
There are numerous other applications for body protection devices according to the invention: Protective helmets ~or motorcycling, cycling, skiing, for workmen, fire fighters an-l soldiers. These protective helmets are either provided with such body protection devices or are generally formed by an adequ~ately shaped body protection device. -Another example are safety shoes which are equipped with a rigid protective cap, at least in the toe area. The body protection device of the invention is also suitable for body splints, e.g. as a substitute for plaster shells for treating broken arm and leg bones.
. .
The use of a water vapor permeable material which is additionally waterproof and/or windproof may be advantayeous on the outside of the body protection device.This does not ~
only apply to garments, protective helmets and safety shoes ~ ~-but also to body splinting devices. For on the one hand the outer material should be water vapor perrneable to allow for the cross conductivity effect of the body protec-tion device ~ -for water vapor. On the other hand, the cross conductivity makes it easy for water to penetrate the body protection device, whi'ch can be prevented by a waterproof outer material.
For this purpose the outer material may be provided with a waterproof, water-vapor permeable functional layer of the type described above, preferably in the form of a laminate comprising a water-permeable outer material and a functional layer. Microporous polymer materials, produced with any state of the art process from any polymer material suitable for forming a functional layer film are suitable for forrning a waterproo, water-vapor permeable functional layer. The gr~-,uE-of polymers suitable for forming a microporous, polymer matrix comprises polyolefins, such as -polyethylene-polypropylene-copolymers, polyethylene-terephtalates, polycaprolac-tam, _ 5 _ . :
G 9305803.9 ~ ~21~
polyvinylidenfluoride, polybutyleneterephtalate, polyester copolymers ancl polytetrafllloroethylene.
If the body protection device consists of a material of high ~-entilation capaci~y in parallel to the body siurface and if the bulk of the garment incorporates body protection devices, a waterproof and water vapor impermeable material may also he used for the outer material of the garment. In this case it is advisahle to provide for a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer on the inside of the body protection device to prevent a backflow of condensed water vapor to the body while allowing water vapor produced by sweating to escape through the functional layer to the body protection device.
In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures:
Fig. 1 a schematic drawing of icehockey pants with several body protection devices Fig. 2 a cross-sectional part of icehockey pants with a body protection device of the inv~ntion Fig. 1 schematically shows icehockey pants 11 with a waist area 13, a hip area 15 and a t~high area 17. The waist area t3 incorporates waist and kidney protectors 19. The hip area incorporates hip protectors 21. The icehockey pants ll are equipped with thigh protectors 23 in the thigh area 17.
Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic section through a part of a garment equipped with a body p~otection device of the invention. ~ig. 2 shows in sequence from left to right: An outer material 30 of the garment, an impact protection material in the form of a honeycomb material 32, a padded material in the form of a hollow fabric 34 and a lining 36.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the outer material is shown as a laminate which may incorporate a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer. Alternatively this functional layer may also be arranged on the outer side of the lining 36 facing the hollow fabric 34. If the functional layer is arranged on the lining 36, i.e. closer -to the wearer of the -~
garment with the body protectors, the functional layer will be subjected to a higher temperature gradient, which increases the water vapor permeability function. Water vapor which condenses within the hollow fabric 34 cannot reach the wearer's bqdy through the lining 36. Since the hollow fabric 34 has a good ventilation effect due to the longitudinal -tubes 37, perspiratory water vapor may easily condense within the hollow fabric 34.
The honeycomb material 32 preferably consists of individual honeycomb tubes 38 which are attached to each other thus forming the honeycomb structure. In this direction they are relatively rigid so that the honeycomb material 32 forms a highly effective impact protection cross to the body surface.
In the transverse direction to the longitudinal axes of the honeycomb tubes 38 the honeycomb material 32 is easily deformable. Therefore it is easy to bend around an axis parallel to the surface of the human body.
~ ~ G 9305803.9 :~ ~ 2121~66 The hollow fabric 34 consists of at least two woven or knit layers 4n which are connected with each other in perio-lic intervals to form the tubes 37. This tubular structure may be produced in that the two woven or knit layers take a sinuoidal ccnlrse wherein the two layers of the woven or knit fabric go through each other at the points where the "sine function"
disappea~s ("becomes zero") ancl are connected with each other there.
., - The outer material 30 and the lining 36 may consist of any ~;~ conventional material. If a waterproof, water-vapor permeable ~ functional layer is provided, it may consist of one of the `3 materials which are used for such functional layers, preferably of expanded and microporous polytetrafluoroethylene i (PTFE), irrespective of whether it is located at the outer material 30 or the lining 36.
~ . , The hollow fabric 34 is particularly well bendable around bending axes which extend in parallel to the longidudinal axes of the tubes 37. Therefore the body protection device is preferably arranged in the garment such that the longitudinal axes of the tubes 37 extend in the vertical direction of the body to be protected, because in most cases the body protection device needs to bend around a vertical axis. For certain body parts this may be different. For instance, a different alignment of the longitudinal axes of the tubes may be required for the shoulder protector of an icehockey or rugby player.
Preferred materials for the honeycomb material 32 and the hollow fabric 34 include polyethylene, polypropylene, ~--polyamide and polyester. When thermoplastics are used both for the honeycomb material 32 and the hollow fabric 34, they can be easily connected with each other in that parts of the honeycomb material 32 and/or of the hollow fabric 34 are heated in a matrix-like distribution until they begin to melt so that the materials 32 and 34 are bonded to each other.
With the other materials adhesive bonding may be effected on -bonding spots in a matrix-like distribution.
A body protection device of the invention is light, breakproof, has a high water vapor permeability and a relatively good bending flexibility. It affords a good impact protection, distribu~es the impact pressure well over the honeycomb material and absorbs the pressure well through the padding material. The body protection device remains water vapor permeable even if the impact protection material and the padding are not bonded to each other. If the body protection device is combined with a waterproof, water-vapor permeable functional layer, condensed water is prevented from runninc3 back to the body and the outer material for the garments equipped with the protectors can be freely selected. For example the outer material may be abrasion-resistant or have protective fluorescent colors.
.
.:
, - 7 -
' " 2121~66 A Body Protection Device The invention relates to a body detection device to be arranged, e.g., in a yarment, such as icehockey pants, with a padding material which can absorb pressure in the transverse direction, i.e. in the cross direction to the longitudinal extension on the side facing the wearer's body and with a material which is impact-resistant in the transverse direction on the side facing away from the wearer's body, both parts ~eing permeable at least to water vapor in the transverse direction.
Such body protection devices can protect certain parts of the body against impacts, blows and the like. They are, e.g. used in conventional icehockey pants where they serve as kindney, seat or thigh protectors. For this purpose, they are sewn to the corresponding part of the icehockey pants according to their intended use or they are inserted into or sewn into pockets of the icehockey pants which are especially provided for this purpose.
Some known body protection devices incorporate a hard core whose shape corresponds appro.ximately to the special body protector. The hard material core may consist of, e.g.
plastic, metal or a rigid hardened plastic foam. At least one padding part is provided additionally to the hard core. It may consist of a foam Wit}l closed pores or with open pores. A ilm with bubble-shaped inclusions similar to the known anti-pressure packing film is provided on the side of the hard material core facing the body of the icehockey pant wearer.
The inner side of such a body protection device is usually provided with a lining. The outside of the icehockey pants consists of a shell fabric, e.g. a polyamide fabric or a polyester-coated textile material. The hard core material is intended to take up the forces created by impacts and blows.
The padded part dampens the effects of a blow on the hard material core and increases the wear comfort of icehockey pants provided with such body protection devices.
Sports such as icehockey make the players' bodies heat up considerably and sweat heavily. To give the players the maximum possible protection against impacts and blows, a large part of the surface of the icehockey pants is provided with body protection devices. Since the hard material cores of the body protection devices are impermeable to water and to water vapor, lots of perspiration will accumulate under the body protection devices and heat will be trapped.
If an open-pored foam material is used as the padding material on the inside of the hard material core, it will be soaked in the sweat produced by the icehockey player like a sponge.
Since an icehockey player may give off several liters of water during a match, an enormous amount of sweat can be trapped in an open-pored foam material. This will not only detract from the wear comfort of such icehockey pants but will also make the pants very heavy.
Body protection devices whose paddings consist of a foam material with closed pores will not become soaked in sweat.
, G 9305f~ffO3.9 ~!
~ 2~21~66 However, the sweat produced clue to the body heat produced during the play is not removecl from the body surface but fully remains there unless it runs down the player's body on the inside of tlle body protection device in the icehockey pants.
This makes icehockey pants equfipped with such body protection devices very unpleasant to wear.
DE 90 16 713 U describes a body protection device with a considerably improved wear comfortO ;
This body protection device is equipped with a hard material core and a padding material with a closed pore foam covering the hard material core on the side facing the human body, wherein both the hard material core and the padding part are perforated in the transverse direction to their longitudinal extension. The holes in the hard material core and the padding should be in true alignment in order to obtain a high overall water vapor permeability of the hard material core and the padding.
Due to the transverse holes the body protection device becomes permeable to water vapor so that perspiration produced during sweating can escape through the body protection device and sweat is prevented from accumulating on the weaxer's body or is at least minimized. Since a foam material with closecd pores is used for the padding, it cannot become soaked in sweat.
Although such body protection devices have proven useful in removing perspiration vapor, they are relatively heavy, like the conventional body protection devices. Their shape needs to be adapted as well as pos~ible to the body part to be protected to prevent unpleasant wear properties, e.g. in icehockey pants. The hard material core and the padding must be durably attached to each other so that the transverse perforations flush optimally in order to ensure a durably high water vapor permeability. If the hard material core and the padding are displaced relative to each other, the water vapor removing channels may be completely interrupted. Perspiration vapor will then no longer be removed. Especially hard metal cores are relatively heavy. Condensed perspiratory water vapor can remain in the transverse holes and run back to the body.
The present invention provides for a body protection device of the above-described kind in which the padding material is formed by a knit or woven spacer fabric in at least two layers or parts which consist of elastic weaving or knitting threads which extend in various levels in the horizontal direction and in which the impact protection material is formed by a honeycomb-like hollow body with numerous horizontal honeycomh walls.
The invention provides for a body protection device which is relatively light, has a high water vapor permeability independent of the relative position of impact protection ~-material and padding so that any displacement of the former ~ -materials does not detract from the water vapor permeability and which has a ventilation effect relative to the body's surface.
The wear comfort of such a bocly protection device becomes : " .: . , : , . " : . . : . . . , . .. , , -G 9305803 . 9 2 ~ 6 particularly high if both the paddin~ and the impact-protection material have an aniSotropic elastic flexibility such that their elastic Elexibility in the cro.ss clirec-tion is less than the:ir elastic flexibility to a bending of the padding or irnpact protection material around a longitlldinal bending axis. In this case the wear comfort of the body protection device is particularly high because it can relatively easily adapt to the body part to be protected, especially to round body parts, while a good impact protection and padding effect is maintained.
particularly suitable padding material is a so-called hollow fabric as available from the supplier Tissu Rothrist, Switzerland, a particularly suitable impact-protection material is a so-called tubular honeycomb elastomer material as available from the supplier Tubus Bauer, Bad Sackingen.
Both materials consist of a thermoplastic material the hollow fabric consists of polyester.
These materials are known per se, but for completely different applications. Spacer fabrics in knit or woven constructions are used as paddings in car seats; honeycomb materials are used, e.c3., in car bl~mpers where the material is built in such that the impact forces act perpendicularly to the axes of the honeycomb tubes, i.e, in a directi~n in wkich the honeycomb material is easily deformable.
When these two known materials are used in a body protec-tion device of the present invention, they are an optimal combination. The longitudinal axes of the honeycomb material are perpendicularly arranged to the surface of the human body.
In this position the honeycomb material hardly yields so -that it is an e~cellent impact protection. The result is a good pressure distribution of impact forces acting on the honeycomb material, e.g. when icehockey players crash into each other or hit the boards or when the puck hits the body protection device at high speed - the speed may be as high as 160 km/h.
The resulting high punctual pressure is distributed over a large surface through the honeycomb material. The spacer fabric located between the honeycomb material and the body has a good padding effect which almost completely takes up the distributed pressure and protects the body therefrom.
Despite this high impact protection and padding function a body protection device with the mentioned materials is very light and highly permeable to air and water vapor. Further advantageous characteristics are stated in the sub-claims which are herewith made a part of this description by reference.
Sweat condensed on the body or within the body protection device can easily run off over the body protection device of the invention.
If the body protection device of -the invention is used in a garment, e.g. in icehockey pants, it is preferably combined - -with a waterproof, water-vapor permeable material, e.g. in the form of a lining laminate whose inside is equipped with a textile fabric and whose outside is equipped with a functional layer of a waterproof, water-vapor permeable material. If the ,~
: ' : : : -G 9305~03. 9 ~
2~21~6 garment is worn in rain, or - as it is the case with icehockey pants, is exposed to molten i-e, the water cannot reach the wearer's body wllereas sweat can escape in the form of water vapor through the functional layer and the body protection device.
Preferably a water-vapor permeable material is also used for the outer material of the garment, e.g. the icehockey pants.
This is not absolutely necessary if the padding, as it is the case in the preferred embodiment, has a high ventilation effect parallel to the surface of the human body.
The body protection devices of the invention are very versatile. On the one hand, they may be used as inserts c,r inlays in garments, in particular sportswear. Examples are pants and shirts for sports such as icehockey, soccer, American football, rugby, handball etc. On the other hand, they may be used independently from garments. Examples are shin guards for football players, which are inserted between the shinbone and the stocking. Another example are impact-protection jackets, e.g. for the police and the military, which also afford an excellent protec-b~ion against stabs if the preferred honeycomb material is used as the impact-protection material.
There are numerous other applications for body protection devices according to the invention: Protective helmets ~or motorcycling, cycling, skiing, for workmen, fire fighters an-l soldiers. These protective helmets are either provided with such body protection devices or are generally formed by an adequ~ately shaped body protection device. -Another example are safety shoes which are equipped with a rigid protective cap, at least in the toe area. The body protection device of the invention is also suitable for body splints, e.g. as a substitute for plaster shells for treating broken arm and leg bones.
. .
The use of a water vapor permeable material which is additionally waterproof and/or windproof may be advantayeous on the outside of the body protection device.This does not ~
only apply to garments, protective helmets and safety shoes ~ ~-but also to body splinting devices. For on the one hand the outer material should be water vapor perrneable to allow for the cross conductivity effect of the body protec-tion device ~ -for water vapor. On the other hand, the cross conductivity makes it easy for water to penetrate the body protection device, whi'ch can be prevented by a waterproof outer material.
For this purpose the outer material may be provided with a waterproof, water-vapor permeable functional layer of the type described above, preferably in the form of a laminate comprising a water-permeable outer material and a functional layer. Microporous polymer materials, produced with any state of the art process from any polymer material suitable for forming a functional layer film are suitable for forrning a waterproo, water-vapor permeable functional layer. The gr~-,uE-of polymers suitable for forming a microporous, polymer matrix comprises polyolefins, such as -polyethylene-polypropylene-copolymers, polyethylene-terephtalates, polycaprolac-tam, _ 5 _ . :
G 9305803.9 ~ ~21~
polyvinylidenfluoride, polybutyleneterephtalate, polyester copolymers ancl polytetrafllloroethylene.
If the body protection device consists of a material of high ~-entilation capaci~y in parallel to the body siurface and if the bulk of the garment incorporates body protection devices, a waterproof and water vapor impermeable material may also he used for the outer material of the garment. In this case it is advisahle to provide for a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer on the inside of the body protection device to prevent a backflow of condensed water vapor to the body while allowing water vapor produced by sweating to escape through the functional layer to the body protection device.
In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures:
Fig. 1 a schematic drawing of icehockey pants with several body protection devices Fig. 2 a cross-sectional part of icehockey pants with a body protection device of the inv~ntion Fig. 1 schematically shows icehockey pants 11 with a waist area 13, a hip area 15 and a t~high area 17. The waist area t3 incorporates waist and kidney protectors 19. The hip area incorporates hip protectors 21. The icehockey pants ll are equipped with thigh protectors 23 in the thigh area 17.
Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic section through a part of a garment equipped with a body p~otection device of the invention. ~ig. 2 shows in sequence from left to right: An outer material 30 of the garment, an impact protection material in the form of a honeycomb material 32, a padded material in the form of a hollow fabric 34 and a lining 36.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the outer material is shown as a laminate which may incorporate a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer. Alternatively this functional layer may also be arranged on the outer side of the lining 36 facing the hollow fabric 34. If the functional layer is arranged on the lining 36, i.e. closer -to the wearer of the -~
garment with the body protectors, the functional layer will be subjected to a higher temperature gradient, which increases the water vapor permeability function. Water vapor which condenses within the hollow fabric 34 cannot reach the wearer's bqdy through the lining 36. Since the hollow fabric 34 has a good ventilation effect due to the longitudinal -tubes 37, perspiratory water vapor may easily condense within the hollow fabric 34.
The honeycomb material 32 preferably consists of individual honeycomb tubes 38 which are attached to each other thus forming the honeycomb structure. In this direction they are relatively rigid so that the honeycomb material 32 forms a highly effective impact protection cross to the body surface.
In the transverse direction to the longitudinal axes of the honeycomb tubes 38 the honeycomb material 32 is easily deformable. Therefore it is easy to bend around an axis parallel to the surface of the human body.
~ ~ G 9305803.9 :~ ~ 2121~66 The hollow fabric 34 consists of at least two woven or knit layers 4n which are connected with each other in perio-lic intervals to form the tubes 37. This tubular structure may be produced in that the two woven or knit layers take a sinuoidal ccnlrse wherein the two layers of the woven or knit fabric go through each other at the points where the "sine function"
disappea~s ("becomes zero") ancl are connected with each other there.
., - The outer material 30 and the lining 36 may consist of any ~;~ conventional material. If a waterproof, water-vapor permeable ~ functional layer is provided, it may consist of one of the `3 materials which are used for such functional layers, preferably of expanded and microporous polytetrafluoroethylene i (PTFE), irrespective of whether it is located at the outer material 30 or the lining 36.
~ . , The hollow fabric 34 is particularly well bendable around bending axes which extend in parallel to the longidudinal axes of the tubes 37. Therefore the body protection device is preferably arranged in the garment such that the longitudinal axes of the tubes 37 extend in the vertical direction of the body to be protected, because in most cases the body protection device needs to bend around a vertical axis. For certain body parts this may be different. For instance, a different alignment of the longitudinal axes of the tubes may be required for the shoulder protector of an icehockey or rugby player.
Preferred materials for the honeycomb material 32 and the hollow fabric 34 include polyethylene, polypropylene, ~--polyamide and polyester. When thermoplastics are used both for the honeycomb material 32 and the hollow fabric 34, they can be easily connected with each other in that parts of the honeycomb material 32 and/or of the hollow fabric 34 are heated in a matrix-like distribution until they begin to melt so that the materials 32 and 34 are bonded to each other.
With the other materials adhesive bonding may be effected on -bonding spots in a matrix-like distribution.
A body protection device of the invention is light, breakproof, has a high water vapor permeability and a relatively good bending flexibility. It affords a good impact protection, distribu~es the impact pressure well over the honeycomb material and absorbs the pressure well through the padding material. The body protection device remains water vapor permeable even if the impact protection material and the padding are not bonded to each other. If the body protection device is combined with a waterproof, water-vapor permeable functional layer, condensed water is prevented from runninc3 back to the body and the outer material for the garments equipped with the protectors can be freely selected. For example the outer material may be abrasion-resistant or have protective fluorescent colors.
.
.:
, - 7 -
Claims (17)
1.
A body protection device, to be, e.g., arranged at or within a garment, for example icehockey pants (11), with a padding material (34) which is pressure-absorptive in the transverse direction, i.e. horizontally to the longitudinal extension, on the side facing the human body and with an impact protection material (32) which affords protection against impacts in its transverse direction and is located on the side of the body protection device facing away from the human body, wherein both parts are permeable, at least to water vapor, in the transverse direction, characterized in that the padding material (34) is formed by a woven or knit spacer fabric with interconnected woven or knit fabric layers or parts which consist of elastic weaving or knitting threads and which extend on different horizontal levels and that the impact protection material (32) is formed by a honeycomb hollow fabric with numerous honeycomb walls which are horizontally arranged.
A body protection device, to be, e.g., arranged at or within a garment, for example icehockey pants (11), with a padding material (34) which is pressure-absorptive in the transverse direction, i.e. horizontally to the longitudinal extension, on the side facing the human body and with an impact protection material (32) which affords protection against impacts in its transverse direction and is located on the side of the body protection device facing away from the human body, wherein both parts are permeable, at least to water vapor, in the transverse direction, characterized in that the padding material (34) is formed by a woven or knit spacer fabric with interconnected woven or knit fabric layers or parts which consist of elastic weaving or knitting threads and which extend on different horizontal levels and that the impact protection material (32) is formed by a honeycomb hollow fabric with numerous honeycomb walls which are horizontally arranged.
2.
A body protection device of Claim 1, characterized in that the padding material (34) is formed by at least two interconnected knit or woven fabric layers which extend in cross direction at a certain distance from each other.
A body protection device of Claim 1, characterized in that the padding material (34) is formed by at least two interconnected knit or woven fabric layers which extend in cross direction at a certain distance from each other.
3.
A body protection device of Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the padding material (34) is anisotropically elastic such that its bending resistance differs in two longitudinal directions which extend vertically to each other.
A body protection device of Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the padding material (34) is anisotropically elastic such that its bending resistance differs in two longitudinal directions which extend vertically to each other.
4.
A body protection device of one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the knit or woven layers of the padding material (34) are connected with each other to form the parallel tubes (37).
A body protection device of one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the knit or woven layers of the padding material (34) are connected with each other to form the parallel tubes (37).
5.
A body protection device of Claim 4, characterized in that the tubes (37) are embedded in woven or knit fabric layers which are about even and are connected with these.
A body protection device of Claim 4, characterized in that the tubes (37) are embedded in woven or knit fabric layers which are about even and are connected with these.
6.
A body protection device of at least one of Claims 1 to S, characterized in that the impact-protection material (32) is anisotropically elastic in such a way that it causes a relatively low resistance to deformation in the longitudinal directions and has a relatively high resistance to deformation in the transverse direction.
A body protection device of at least one of Claims 1 to S, characterized in that the impact-protection material (32) is anisotropically elastic in such a way that it causes a relatively low resistance to deformation in the longitudinal directions and has a relatively high resistance to deformation in the transverse direction.
7.
A body protection device of at least one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the impact protection material (32) consists of individual honeycomb tubes (38) which are attached to each other.
A body protection device of at least one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the impact protection material (32) consists of individual honeycomb tubes (38) which are attached to each other.
8.
A body protection device of at least one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the padding material (34) and the impact protection material (32) are attached to each other.
A body protection device of at least one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the padding material (34) and the impact protection material (32) are attached to each other.
9.
A body protection material of at least one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the padding material (34) and/or the impact protection material (32) consist of a plastic material.
A body protection material of at least one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the padding material (34) and/or the impact protection material (32) consist of a plastic material.
10.
A body protection device of Claim 9, characterized in that the padding material (34) and/or the impact protection material (32) are selected from the material group comprising polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide and polyester.
A body protection device of Claim 9, characterized in that the padding material (34) and/or the impact protection material (32) are selected from the material group comprising polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide and polyester.
11.
A body protection device of Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the padding material (34) and the impact protection material (32) consist of a thermoplastic material and are attached to each other by partial melt bonding at matrix-like spots.
A body protection device of Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the padding material (34) and the impact protection material (32) consist of a thermoplastic material and are attached to each other by partial melt bonding at matrix-like spots.
12.
A body protection device of at least one of Claim 8 to 11, characterized in that the padding material (34) and the impact protection material (32) are adhesively bonded to each other at matrix-like spots.
A body protection device of at least one of Claim 8 to 11, characterized in that the padding material (34) and the impact protection material (32) are adhesively bonded to each other at matrix-like spots.
13.
Garments, characterized by at least one body protection device of at least one of Claims 1 to 12 attached to the garment or inserted therein.
Garments, characterized by at least one body protection device of at least one of Claims 1 to 12 attached to the garment or inserted therein.
14.
A garment of Claim 13, characterized in that the body protection device is arranged between an outer material and an inner lining of the garment.
A garment of Claim 13, characterized in that the body protection device is arranged between an outer material and an inner lining of the garment.
15.
A garment of Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a windproof and/or waterproof, water-vapor permeable functional layer, preferably of expanded microporous polytetrafluoroethylene, is provided, preferably on the inner side of the padding material (34) facing the human body.
A garment of Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a windproof and/or waterproof, water-vapor permeable functional layer, preferably of expanded microporous polytetrafluoroethylene, is provided, preferably on the inner side of the padding material (34) facing the human body.
16.
A garment of one of Claims 13 to 15 in the form of a protective helmet.
A garment of one of Claims 13 to 15 in the form of a protective helmet.
17.
A garment of one of Claims 13 to 15 in the form of footwear.
A garment of one of Claims 13 to 15 in the form of footwear.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE9305803U DE9305803U1 (en) | 1993-04-19 | 1993-04-19 | Body protection device |
| DEG9305803.9 | 1993-04-19 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2121566A1 true CA2121566A1 (en) | 1994-10-20 |
Family
ID=6892145
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002121566A Abandoned CA2121566A1 (en) | 1993-04-19 | 1994-04-18 | A body protection device |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2121566A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE9305803U1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI941763A7 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TW328685U (en) * | 1997-06-12 | 1998-03-21 | xian-zhong Huang | Buffer for protective padding |
| ITTV20000052A1 (en) * | 2000-05-18 | 2001-11-19 | Benetton Spa | PROTECTIVE STRUCTURE PARTICULARLY FOR SPORTS USE |
| DE20216464U1 (en) | 2002-10-25 | 2003-01-23 | Lolis, Nikolaus, 91154 Roth | tarpaulin |
| DE202013100221U1 (en) * | 2013-01-16 | 2013-01-25 | KTJ Kunststofftechnik Junker GmbH | Multi-layer body protection element |
| DE102017101026B4 (en) | 2017-01-19 | 2019-05-23 | Jürgen Junker | Method for producing a body protection element and body protection element |
-
1993
- 1993-04-19 DE DE9305803U patent/DE9305803U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1994
- 1994-04-15 FI FI941763A patent/FI941763A7/en unknown
- 1994-04-18 CA CA002121566A patent/CA2121566A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FI941763A0 (en) | 1994-04-15 |
| DE9305803U1 (en) | 1994-08-25 |
| FI941763A7 (en) | 1994-10-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |