Protective garment for articulations of the human body

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective garment ( 10 ) for articulations of the human body, suitable for being used in particular by motorcyclists or cyclists. The protective garment ( 10 ) comprises: —a flexible base layer ( 12 ) which in use is designed to stay close to the body ( 14 ) of the user; —at least one energy absorbing device ( 16 ) positioned at a portion of the flexible base layer ( 12 ) which in use is designed to be superimposed to an articulation of the body ( 14 ) of the user. The at least one energy absorbing device ( 16 ) is connected to the flexible base layer ( 12 ) so as to be movable with respect to the flexible base layer ( 12 ) if a tangential impact (F) acts on the energy absorbing device ( 16 ). According to the invention, the energy absorbing device ( 16 ) comprises a slidable layer ( 18 ) connected to the flexible base layer ( 12 ) by means of at least one fixation member ( 20 ).

1 . A protective garment for articulations of the human body, suitable for being used in a sporting activity, in particular motorcycling or cycling, comprising:
 a flexible base layer which in use is designed to stay close to the body of the user;   at least one energy absorbing device positioned at a portion of the flexible base layer which in use is designed to be superimposed to an articulation of the body of the user;   the at least one energy absorbing device being connected to the flexible base layer, so as to be movable with respect to the flexible base layer if a tangential impact acts on the energy absorbing device;   the protective garment being characterized in that said at least one energy absorbing device comprises a slidable layer connected to the flexible base layer by means of at least one fixation member.   
     
     
         2 . The protective garment according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the energy absorbing device is movable with respect to the flexible base layer along a direction which is substantially parallel to the direction along which the tangential impact is directed. 
     
     
         3 . The protective garment according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one energy absorbing device is positioned at the shoulder portion of the protective garment, the slidable layer having a concave shape so as to fit with the shoulder articulation of the user. 
     
     
         4 . The protective garment according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the slidable layer is made of a low friction material or is coated with a low friction material. 
     
     
         5 . The protective garment according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one fixation member is arranged along a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the slidable layer and the flexible base layer. 
     
     
         6 . The protective garment according to  claim 5 , characterized in that said at least one fixation member is a pin having a first end connected to the flexible base layer and a second end connected to the slidable layer. 
     
     
         7 . The protective garment ( 10 ) according to  claim 6 , characterized in that said at least one fixation member has at least one bending point about which said at least fixation member bends in case a tangential impact acts on the energy absorbing device. 
     
     
         8 . The protective garment according to  claim 7 , characterized in that said at least one bending point is arranged close to one of the ends of the at least one fixation member, said at least one bending point consisting in an indentation arranged in said at least one fixation member. 
     
     
         9 . The protective garment according to  claim 6 , characterized in that said at least one fixation member is provided with at least one hinge arranged at one of the ends of said at least one fixation member, said at least one fixation member being configured to rotate around said at least one hinge in case a tangential impact acts on the energy absorbing device. 
     
     
         10 . The protective garment according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one fixation member consists of a first magnetic element, applied to the flexible base layer, and a second magnetic element, applied to the slidable layer. 
     
     
         11 . The protective garment according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one fixation member consists in a pocket defined by two layers of fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The protective garment according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the slidable layer is movable inside the pocket by sliding along the layers of the pocket. 
     
     
         13 . The protective garment according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the slidable layer is freely housed inside said pocket. 
     
     
         14 . The protective garment according to  claim 11 , characterized in that said pocket is applied at the inner or at the outer side of the flexible base layer without interrupting the structure of the flexible base layer. 
     
     
         15 . The protective garment according to  claim 11 , characterized in that said pocket is inserted in the structure of the flexible base layer, the perimeter portions of said two layers being connected to free edges of the flexible base layer. 
     
     
         16 . The protective garment according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inner element arranged on an inner side of the flexible base layer, the energy absorbing device being positioned between the flexible base layer and the inner element. 
     
     
         17 . The protective garment according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one fixation member is made of rigid or semi-rigid polymeric material. 
     
     
         18 . The protective garment according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one fixation member is made of elastic or visco-elastic polymeric. 
     
     
         19 . The protective garment according to  claim 11 , characterized in that said at least one energy absorbing device comprises a support member, the support member being housed inside the pocket so as to act as a support for the slidable layer. 
     
     
         20 . The protective garment according to  claim 19 , characterized in that the slidable layer is positioned on top of the support member so as to be freely movable on the support member. 
     
     
         21 . The protective garment according to  claim 19 , characterized in that the support member is fixed inside the pocket. 
     
     
         22 . The protective garment according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the slidable layer can be fixed by means of a fastening device at an inner perimetral portion of the pocket. 
     
     
         23 . The protective garment according to  claim 22 , characterized in that the fastening device comprises two webbings arranged on top of the support member in a crisscross configuration. 
     
     
         24 . The protective garment according to  claim 11 , characterized in that a coat made of a high friction coefficient is arranged at an inner side of the pocket. 
     
     
         25 . The protective garment according to  claim 11 , characterized in that at least one of the two layers defining the pocket is part of the flexible base layer.