EP0544901B1 - Releasable sealed attachment of a boot or glove to the free end of the corresponding portion of a protective garment - Google Patents

Abstract

Releasable sealed attachment of a boot (or a glove) to the free end of the corresponding portion (leg, sleeve) of a protective garment (1), wherein the open and flexible free end (5, 6) of the boot (or glove) has a first ring (20) for co-operating with a second ring (30) which is fastened to the open and flexible free end of the appropriate portion (leg, sleeve) of the garment. The assembly further comprises a cylindrical and flexible roll-up skirt (50) which is fastened to the end (51) of the appropriate portion of the garment, and designed to cover tightly the assembly formed by the two rings (20, 30). Said rings (20, 30) are semi-rigid and the first ring (20) connected (23) to the boot (17) (or the glove)has on its inner surface a radial engageable recess (22), while the second ring (30) connected to the leg (13) (or the sleeve) has a slightly greater external diameter than the first ring, and is provided with a radial annular projection (31) for engaging the recess (22) so as to sealingly and releasably join the two semi-rigid rings (20, 30) and thereby join the boot (15, 16) (or the glove) to the leg (13) (or the sleeve) of the garment (1).

Description

The invention relates to a removable waterproof assembly for boot, or glove, placed at the free end of the corresponding member: leg or sleeve, of a protective garment; it relates more particularly to the assembly of the type in question produced by means of two semi-rigid rings, each arranged at the flexible open free end of the corresponding member.

• . sur l'encolure un casque ;
• . à l'extrémité de chaque manche un gant souple ;
• . à l'extrémité de chaque jambe une botte.

As is known, a protective garment also designated "coverall" or "protective suit", is essentially constituted by a flexible body to which one adapts removably:

• . a helmet on the neck;
• . at the end of each sleeve a flexible glove;
• . at the end of each leg a boot.

The patents US-A-2 813 272 (forming the preamble of claim 1) and DE-C-666 691 describe means making it possible to produce a removable assembly between the end of a boot or a glove and the free end of the corresponding limb (leg, sleeve) of protective clothing. Such means essentially comprise a flexible cylindrical skirt, which can be rolled up on itself, secured to the end of the member in question, making it possible to cover and maintain the assembly between the two elements to be combined. While these solutions are attractive, they do not, however, offer absolute security and, above all, lead to installation that is difficult to achieve.

In document EP-A-0 406 139, the Applicant has described a removable waterproof assembly of the type in question, in which the flexible open free end of a glove (or boot) has a first rigid ring, intended to cooperate with a second also rigid ring, integral with the flexible open free end of the member of the garment, and this by means of a ring with frustoconical outer wall cooperating with a corresponding inner wall, the fixing of the assembly being obtained by a gag assembly. This solution, which is perfectly suited to rigid ring devices, is nevertheless considered sometimes heavy and bulky, which hinders walking. Since machined parts are used, this solution is also quite expensive.

The invention overcomes these drawbacks. It aims at an assembly of the type in question, which is economical, compact, light, and in which the assembly, while ensuring an excellent seal, remains flexible so as not to impede walking, while guaranteeing absolute safety and in place easy.

This removable waterproof assembly of a boot (or glove) at the free end of the corresponding member (leg, sleeve) of a protective garment, in which the flexible open free end of the boot (or glove ) has a first ring intended to cooperate with a second ring secured to the flexible open free end of the member in question (leg, sleeve) of the garment, the assembly also having a flexible cylindrical skirt that can be rolled up on itself, secured to the open end of the member in question, intended to cover, then come to be pressed against the assembly produced by the two rings, is characterized in that the two rings are semi-rigid and in that the first ring connected to the boot (or glove), has on its internal face a radial female groove, and in that the second ring connected to the leg (or to the sleeve) of external diameter slightly greater than internal diameter of the first ring, has a male ring also radial intended to be housed in the groove to make the sealed and removable assembly of the two semi-rigid rings, therefore of the boot (or glove) on the leg (or sleeve) of the garment.

In other words, the invention consists in covering the assembly of the two rings fixed respectively to the end of the member and of the boot or glove, by a flexible rollable skirt, integral with the end of the member, which covers and is pressed tightly on the assembly produced by the two semi-rigid rings, so as to ensure good mechanical support and to participate in the sealing of the assembly. Thus, the flexible rollable skirt consolidates the mechanical connection of the two semi-rigid rings and completes the tightness of the assembly without compromising flexibility and comfort. In addition, the solution according to the invention facilitates installation on the user.

• la première et la seconde bagues semi-rigides sont en élastomère ; en pratique, ce matériau est de même nature que celui constituant l'extrémité ouverte souple du membre auquel la bague est destinée à être fixée ;
• le membre est une jambe destinée à être reliée à une botte et l'assemblage se caractérise en ce que la première bague semi-rigide présente sur sa face interne une gorge femelle radiale, et en ce que la seconde bague semi-rigide, de diamètre externe légèrement supérieur à celui de la première bague, présente un anneau mâle également radial, destiné à venir se loger dans la gorge, pour réaliser ainsi un assemblage étanche et amovible des deux bagues, donc de la botte sur la jambe du vêtement ;
• la face externe de la première bague présente à hauteur de la gorge une surépaisseur cylindrique formant un décrochement par rapport au reste de la bague ;
• l'extrémité libre de la seconde bague présente un chanfrein dirigé vers l'extérieur et incliné vers le bas, pour faciliter l'introduction de la seconde bague dans la première bague ;
• la jupe cylindrique enroulable caractéristique est vulcanisée sur l'extrémité du membre considéré juste en dessus de la seconde bague, et présente à son extrémité libre opposée un jonc torique plein, destiné à faciliter l'opération de mise en place (ou d'enlèvement) de la jupe sur l'assemblage des deux bagues semi-rigides, le jonc torique venant s'appuyer contre le décrochement externe de la première bague lorsque la jupe est en place, de manière à parfaire l'étanchéité et à maintenir mécaniquement l'assemblage réalisé.

Advantageously and in practice:

• the first and second semi-rigid rings are made of elastomer; in practice, this material is of the same nature as that constituting the flexible open end of the member to which the ring is intended to be fixed;
• the member is a leg intended to be connected to a boot and the assembly is characterized in that the first semi-rigid ring has on its internal face a radial female groove, and in that the second semi-rigid ring, of diameter external slightly higher than that of the first ring, has a male ring also radial, intended to come to be housed in the groove, to thus produce a sealed and removable assembly of the two rings, therefore of the boot on the leg of the garment;
• the outer face of the first ring has at the groove a cylindrical excess thickness forming a step relative to the rest of the ring;
• the free end of the second ring has a chamfer directed outwards and inclined downwards, to facilitate the introduction of the second ring into the first ring;
• the characteristic roll-up cylindrical skirt is vulcanized on the end of the limb considered just above the second ring, and has at its opposite free end a solid O-ring, intended to facilitate the setting-up (or removal) operation of the skirt on the assembly of the two semi-rigid rings, the O-ring coming to bear against the external detachment of the first ring when the skirt is in place, so as to perfect the seal and mechanically maintain the assembly realized.

As already said, it is important that the rings and the skirt are made of the same material as the member to which they are intended to be hung, so as to adhere firmly to this member and to give the whole a homogeneous behavior.

The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which ensue therefrom will emerge more clearly from the embodiment which follows, supported by the appended figures.

Figure 1 is a schematic summary representation of a protective suit suit according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation in section of the two semi-rigid rings in accordance with the invention, shown assembled in section in FIG. 4.

Figure 3 is a schematic summary perspective view of the characteristic cylindrical skirt of the invention.

• . sur l'encolure (3), un casque (4) ;
• . à l'extrémité (5,6) des deux bras (7,8) des gants (9,10) ;
• . et à l'extrémité (11,12) des jambes (13,14) des bottes (15,16).

Referring to FIG. 1, the flexible diving suit designated by the general reference (1) essentially comprises a body (2) to which is removably adapted:

• . on the neck (3), a helmet (4);
• . at the end (5,6) of the two arms (7,8) of the gloves (9,10);
• . and at the end (11,12) of the legs (13,14) of the boots (15,16).

Referring to Figure 2, the top (17) of the boot (15) has a semi-rigid ring designated by the general reference (20) for example of chlorosulfonated polyethylene, that is to say an elastomer of the same kind as that constituting the boots (15) or (16). This first monobloc ring (20) injection molded, has on its internal face (21) a radial female groove (22) of twenty millimeters in height and three millimeters in depth. This monobloc ring (20) is fixed on the top (17) of the boot (15) by a cylindrical connection (23) vulcanized on (17), forming an integral part of the ring itself (20).

At the flexible open end (11) of the leg (13) of the combination (1), there is a second monobloc ring designated by the general reference (30), the external diameter of which is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the first ring (20) to ensure good assembly. This second ring (30) is also semi-rigid, but is however slightly more rigid than the ring (20) of the boot. In a practical embodiment, this second monobloc leg ring (30) is made of injection-molded butyl rubber, in particular of isoprene butyl rubber, that is to say in the same material as that of the leg (13), to be able to be easily joined by vulcanization.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, this leg ring (30) comprises a radial male ring (31), intended to be received in the female groove (22) of the first ring (20). This radial ring has for example a height of the order of four millimeters for a thickness of three millimeters in radius. The free end (32) of the ring (30) has a chamfer directed outwards and inclined downwards, so as to facilitate the introduction of the second ring (30) into the first ring (20), which as already said, has an internal diameter slightly smaller than the external diameter of the leg ring (30), so as to ensure good mechanical assembly male (31) / female (32), by playing on the elasticity of the two materials of the two boot rings (20 / leg (30).

According to another variant, the boot ring (20) has a bulge (25) in the middle and outside.

As the male ring (31) of the leg ring (30) is significantly lower than the female groove (22) of the boot ring (20), it is possible, in a variant, to fill the gap with a spacer (40) also in a semi-rigid material (see Figure 4).

According to a fundamental characteristic of the invention, the assembly also has a cylindrical skirt, designated by the general reference (50) and shown in FIG. 3, also in a semi-rigid flexible material, joined in particular by vulcanization, on the bottom of the leg (13), for example at (51), just above the leg ring (30). This flexible cylindrical skirt (50) which can be rolled up on itself, is intended to cover and then come to be pressed against the assembly produced by the two leg (30) / boot (20) rings engaged one inside the other.

According to another characteristic, the free end (52) of the ring has a solid O-ring (53), intended to facilitate the operation of placing (or removing) the skirt (50) on the assembly of the two semi-rigid rings (20,30). In practice, this skirt, which may be made of vulcanized butyl rubber, has a height of eighty millimeters, a thickness of one millimeter and the rod a diameter of five millimeters.

The assembly is carried out as follows.

After having put on the suit, the operator introduces the leg ring (30) into the boot ring (20) by varying the elasticity of the materials, until the radial ring (31) is perfectly in place in the groove (22). It then unrolls the skirt (50) on the assembly until the solid rod (53) comes to bear on the bulge (25). Thanks to its elasticity, the cylindrical skirt (50) presses perfectly on the assembly of the two rings, giving it good hold and excellent sealing. As the rod (53) rests on the bulge (25), it is difficult to tear off the skirt unexpectedly, for example while walking.

As the characteristic rings (20,30) and skirt (50) are semi-rigid or flexible, the assembly is relatively flexible and therefore does not interfere with walking.

When the operator wishes to undress, it suffices for him, playing on the elasticity of the skirt (50), to move it aside, more precisely the O-ring (53), so as to release this ring (53) from the recess (25) for winding the flexible skirt (50) on itself, until it is folded substantially at the height of the link (51). By playing again on the elasticity of the two rings, the operator easily releases the male ring (31) from the groove (22), and thereby the leg ring (30) from the boot ring (20).

The connection thus produced is therefore mechanically simple and perfectly sealed. It is economical to make. The assembly obtained is light, flexible and therefore does not hinder walking.

It is easily understood that this type of assembly can also be used in the same way for the assembly (6) of a glove (10) with the corresponding sleeve (8).

In this way, this type of assembly can be used for any protective clothing, in particular suit and suit, more particularly for NBC protection (nuclear, biological, chemical) and for any protective clothing where excellent sealing is sought. .

Claims (5)

1. Releasable sealed assembly for a boot (or for a glove) at the free end of the corresponding limb (leg, sleeve) of a protective garment (1), in which the flexible open free end (5, 6) of the boot (or of the glove) has a first ring (20) intended to co-operate with a second ring (30) integral with the flexible open free end of the limb in question (leg, sleeve) of the garment, the assembly also having a flexible cylindrical skirt (50), which may be rolled up on itself, which is integral with the end (51) of the limb in question, intended to cover, then to fit closely over the assembly constituted by the two rings (20, 30), characterised in that the two rings (20, 30) are semi-rigid and in that the first ring (20), connected (23) to the boot (17) (or glove), has on its inner surface a radial female groove (22), and in that the second ring (30), connected to the leg (13) (or to the sleeve), and having an external diameter slightly greater than the internal diameter of the first ring (20), has a likewise radial male band (31) intended to fit into the groove (22) in order to produce sealed and releasable assembly of the two semi-rigid rings (20, 30), and thus of the boot (15, 16) (or of the glove) on the leg (13) (or sleeve) of the garment (1).
2. Sealed assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the two semi-rigid rings (20, 30) are made of an elastomer of the same type as that constituting the flexible open end of the limb to which these rings (20, 30) are intended to be fixed.
3. Sealed assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the external surface of the first ring (20) has at the level of the groove (22) a cylindrical widened portion forming a break (25) relative to the rest of the ring (20).
4. Sealed assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that the free end (52) of the second ring (30) has a chamfer, directed outwards and inclined downwards, in order to facilitate entry of the second ring (30) into the first ring (20).
5. Sealed assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that the rollable cylindrical skirt (50) is vulcanised at the level of the connection (51) on the end of the limb (13) in question, just above the second ring (30), and has at its free opposite end (52) a solid toric joint (53) intended to facilitate the operation of positioning (or removal) of the skirt (50) on the assembly of the two semi-rigid rings (20, 30), the toric joint (53) being supported against the external break (25) of the first ring (20), when the skirt (50) is in place, so as to provide a perfect seal and retain in place the assembly produced.

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