Protective device for protecting the cervical spine, and protective equipment therewith

Abstract

A protective device for protecting the cervical spine includes a first damping device having a sheath and a first chamber. The protective device further includes a bracing device. The bracing device is configured to brace, in a damped manner, a pulse-like force transmission, induced by contact of a protective helmet with a first contact surface of the first damping device, to the first damping device, directly or indirectly, against the upper body of a person. A gaseous or liquid or gel-like first damping medium is disposed in the first chamber of the first damping device.

1 . A protective device for protecting the cervical spine, comprising:
 a first damping device including a sheath and a first chamber; and   a bracing device,   wherein the bracing device is configured to brace, in a damped manner, a pulse-like force transmission, induced by contact of a protective helmet with a first contact surface of the first damping device, to the first damping device, directly or indirectly, against the upper body of a person, and   wherein a gaseous or liquid or gel-like first damping medium is disposed in the first chamber of the first damping device.   
     
     
         2 . The protective device according to  claim 1 , the first damping device including at least one additional chamber,
 wherein the at least one additional chamber is not connected to the first chamber or or is interconnected with the first chamber by a flow-through device,   wherein the flow-through device is configured to allow flow of the first damping medium from the first chamber to the at least one additional chamber.   
     
     
         3 . The protective device according to  claim 2 , wherein the flow-through device is a valve. 
     
     
         4 . The protective device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bracing device is an integral part of the first damping device itself or is connected to the first damping device, or is a force-absorbing device with a force-transmitting device, which is designed to absorb force from a second contact surface of the first damping device. 
     
     
         5 . The protective device according to  claim 4 , wherein the bracing device is the integral part of the first damping device and has a second chamber with a second, gaseous or liquid or gel-like damping medium. 
     
     
         6 . The protective device according to  claim 4 , wherein the bracing device is the force-absorbing device having a force-transfer device and a second damping device configured to damp a movement of the force-transmitting device relative to the force-transfer device. 
     
     
         7 . The protective device according to  claim 4 , wherein the first damping device is connected to the force-transmitting device. 
     
     
         8 . The protective device according to  claim 1 , wherein the gaseous first damping medium is present at an overpressure of between 50 kPa and 300 kPa, and wherein the overpressure is individually adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The protective device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first damping medium is a liquid or gel-like thixotropic medium. 
     
     
         10 . Protective equipment comprising:
 a protective device according to  claim 1 ,   wherein a holding device is associated with the first damping device, the holding device being configured to fix the first damping device to a human body.   
     
     
         11 . The protective equipment according to  claim 9 , wherein the holding device is of a rucksack-like design and has a strap system including straps configured to fit over the shoulder and/or around the waist of the human body. 
     
     
         12 . The protective equipment according to  claim 9 , wherein the holding device is designed like a vest or jacket and the first damping device is reversibly connected thereto. 
     
     
         13 . The protective device according to  claim 3 , wherein the valve is a two-way valve. 
     
     
         14 . The protective device according to  claim 7 , wherein the first damping device is reversibly connected to the force-transmitting device. 
     
     
         15 . The protective device according to  claim 8 , wherein the gaseous first damping medium is present at an overpressure of between 100 kPa and 250 kPa.