Back protector

Abstract

A back protector is described, having a body with energy-absorbing function extending along a longitudinal direction (L) and having a portion able to provide the body with energy-absorbing function with a freedom of movement according to at least six degrees of freedom; and/or allow return into an original position following cessation of all the following stresses: stretching along the longitudinal direction, a compression, in the opposite direction to the stretching, along the longitudinal direction, a torsion in both directions of rotation about an axis passing through the body with energy-absorbing function, the axis being parallel to the longitudinal direction, a bending towards right-hand and left-hand sides of the body with energy-absorbing function about an axis orthogonal to a plane supporting the body with energy-absorbing function and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (L), and/or a combination of the stresses.

1 . Back protector ( 10 ) comprising a body with energy-absorbing function ( 12 ) extending along a longitudinal direction (L) and comprising at least one portion ( 14 ) wherein said portion ( 14 ) is
 a structure having mobility with at least six degrees of freedom and able to provide the body with energy-absorbing function ( 12 ) with freedom of movement according to at least six degrees of freedom; and/or   a structure able to move and return into an original position, following the following stresses: stretching along said longitudinal direction, a compression, in the opposite direction to said stretching, along said longitudinal direction, a torsion in both directions of rotation about an axis passing through said body with energy-absorbing function, said axis being parallel to said longitudinal direction, a bending towards right-hand and left-hand sides of said body with energy-absorbing function about an axis orthogonal to a plane supporting said body with energy-absorbing function ( 12 ) and orthogonal to said longitudinal direction (L), and/or a combination of said stresses, and allowing the body with energy-absorbing function ( 12 ) to return into an original position following cessation of any one, or all, of said stresses.   
     
     
         2 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said portion ( 14 ) is a portion flexible in terms of structure and/or material and able to undergo a structural and/or material deformation following said stresses. 
     
     
         3 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the body with energy-absorbing function includes a plurality of plate members ( 16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 ) separate from each other and a plurality of portions ( 14 ), wherein a respective portion ( 14 ) is arranged between two successive plate members ( 16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 ) or adjacent plate members ( 16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 ). 
     
     
         4 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein each of said plate members ( 16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 ) has a flexibility less than that of said portion ( 14 ). 
     
     
         5 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein each plate member is made of a rubber, preferably nitrile rubber. 
     
     
         6 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the portion ( 14 ) is made of carbon-based organic elastomer. 
     
     
         7 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the portion ( 14 ) is made of the same material as the respective plate member, such as carbon-based organic elastomer, so as to allow better joining together during manufacture. 
     
     
         8 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said portion ( 14 ) is a lattice-like portion ( 14 ) which is flexible and/or has elastic properties in terms of structure and/or material. 
     
     
         9 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein the portion ( 14 ) includes one or more elongated elements ( 15 ) each having a sinusoidal or wave-like configuration and being arranged or oriented in a transverse direction, or short side direction, with respect to said longitudinal direction, wherein said sinusoidal or wave-like configuration defines a hump zone or maximum zone and a throat zone or minimum zone which alternate along said transverse or short side direction. 
     
     
         10 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein each elongated element ( 15 ) is fixed to a respective plate member in the region of a hump zone or a throat zone. 
     
     
         11 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to  claim 9  or  10 , wherein the portion ( 14 ) includes at least one first elongated element ( 15 ) and one second elongated element ( 15 ) each having a sinusoidal or wave-like configuration and joined together in mutual joining or connection zones, wherein said joining or connection zones are a maximum or hump zone of the first elongated element and a minimum zone or throat zone of the second element so as to form the lattice-like portion. 
     
     
         12 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to any one of the preceding  claims 8  to  11 , wherein said lattice-like portion includes long and narrow cavities, or openings or cavities shaped substantially as a double ogive and being oriented in a short side direction of the back protector, namely in a direction orthogonal or transverse to the longitudinal direction (L). 
     
     
         13 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to  claim 11  in combination with any one of  claims 3  to  7 , wherein each portion ( 14 ) comprises a first elongated element ( 15   a ) completely joined and/or glued to a first of the two successive plate members ( 16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ), a second elongated element ( 15   b ) with sinusoidal progression joined to the first elongated element ( 15   a ), a third elongated element ( 15   c ) with sinusoidal progression joined to the second elongated element ( 15   b ), and a fourth elongated element ( 15   d ) fixed and collapsed on the other one of the two successive plate members. 
     
     
         14 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to any one of the preceding  claims 8  to  13 , wherein the portion ( 14 ) has a lattice opening smaller in a central zone than in a peripheral zone. 
     
     
         15 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to any one of the preceding  claims 8  to  14 , wherein the portion ( 14 ) is open on the right-hand and left-hand sides of the body with energy-absorbing function. 
     
     
         16 . Back protector according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with any one of  claims 3  to  7 , wherein each plate member is a lattice body comprising a plurality of cells ( 35 ) or units which are internally hollow or have a cavity which is repeated in said lattice body, wherein said lattice body has at least a first zone in which one or more cells ( 35 ) define(s) a first mesh opening of the lattice and a second zone in which one or more cells ( 35 ) is/are partially occupied by means of stiffening, connection and/or filling elements and/or has a second mesh or opening or aperture smaller than the first mesh opening. 
     
     
         17 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to  claim 16 , wherein said cell ( 35 ) is a tubular body, a sleeve body, a ring body or similar closed and hollow body of predefined cross-section, which is repeated in the lattice body in terms of its shape so as to define the lattice. 
     
     
         18 . Back protector ( 10 ) according to  claim 16  or  claim 17 , wherein said stiffening, connecting and/or filling elements include crosspieces, bridge elements, transverse walls or similar stiffening elements which connect in bridge fashion two parts or zones of a side wall which defines the cell ( 35 ). 
     
     
         19 . Back protector according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with  claim 3 , wherein said portion ( 14 ) occupies an entire space situated between two successive plate members ( 16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 ). 
     
     
         20 . Back protector according to any one of the preceding  claims 1  to  18  in combination with  claim 3 , wherein two adjacent plate members ( 16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 ) each occupy a predefined volume or space in a short side direction, or along a transverse extension, orthogonal to said longitudinal direction, and said portion ( 14 ) extends in the short side direction or transverse direction so as to occupy an intermediate zone defined between said spaces of the adjacent plate members ( 16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 ). 
     
     
         21 . Back protector ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding  claims 1  to  20  in combination with  claim 3 , wherein each portion ( 14 ) has an energy-absorbing function.