Wearable protection device comprising an inflatable member and method for safely activating the inflatable member of said wearable protection device

Abstract

A wearable protection device including at least one inflatable member designed to move between a rest condition and an operating condition, at least one inflator device designed to be coupled to the at least one inflatable member for inflating the at least one inflatable member, and a housing designed for accommodating the at least one inflator device. Said housing includes detection means suitable for moving between a first configuration and a second configuration, the insertion of the at least one inflator device inside a holding seat of the housing causing the moving of the detection means from the first configuration to the second configuration. In addition, a method for safely activating the inflatable member of said wearable protection device.

1 . A wearable protection device comprising:
 at least one inflatable member designed to move between a rest condition; in a deflated status and an operating condition in an inflated status;   at least one inflator device designed to be coupled to the at least one inflatable member for inflating the at least one inflatable member once the at least one inflator device is triggered; and   a housing designed for accommodating the at least one inflator device;   wherein said housing comprises detection means suitable for moving between a first configuration and a second configuration, the insertion of the at least one inflator device inside a holding seat of the housing causing the moving of the detection means from the first configuration to the second configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the detection means comprise spacing means and the housing comprises a base and a cover portion designed to be fastened to each other, in the first configuration said spacing means being adapted to keep spaced apart the base and the cover portion and in the second configuration said spacing means being suitable for permitting the cover portion to lay against the base. 
     
     
         3 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said spacing means are arranged between the base and the cover portion of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the spacing means are fastened to the base so as to be arranged inside a storage cavity defined by the base. 
     
     
         5 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the spacing means are hinged to a support member of the base, the spacing means being adapted to rotate around a pivot point of the support member extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the spacing means are coupled to a support member of the base, the spacing means being adapted to translate along a transversal axis of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said spacing means comprise at least one lever. 
     
     
         9 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said spacing means comprise at least one lever, said at least one lever being a L-shaped lever having a first arm, engageable with the base of the housing, and a second arm engageable with said at least one inflator device. 
     
     
         10 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 9 , characterized in that, in the first configuration, the first arm abuts against a matching part provided at a bottom surface of the base, said matching part being arranged offset with respect to an articulation hole of the lever. 
     
     
         11 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 5 , characterized in that, in the first configuration, a distal end of the spacing means is designed to project from the base so as to prevent an abutment between the base and the cover portion. 
     
     
         12 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 5 , characterized in that, in the second configuration, a distal end of the spacing means after a rotation of the spacing means around their pivot point is designed to be retracted inside the base. 
     
     
         13 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the spacing means comprise at least one stem and at least one rod coupled to each other, said at least one rod being slidably inserted between shoulders of the support member. 
     
     
         14 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the holding seat is defined by one or more abutment surfaces defining a seat complementary to the shape of the at least one inflator device. 
     
     
         17 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the holding seat is further adapted to house connecting means by means of which said at least one inflator device is coupled to the at least one inflatable member. 
     
     
         18 . The wearable protection device according to the  claim 17 , characterized in that the insertion of the at least one inflator device with said connecting means inside the holding seat of the housing causes the moving of the detection means from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the detection means comprises one or more detectors adapted to electrically signal to a further element of the wearable protection device when said detectors move from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 19 , characterized by comprising a control unit designed to process data detected by one or more sensor and to send a triggering signal to said at least one inflator device if a danger situation is identified, said control unit being programmed for being switched in a “on status” if the detectors are in their second configuration, in the “on status” the control unit being able to send a triggering signal to said at least one inflator device. 
     
     
         21 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the housing comprises a plurality of detection means spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
         22 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 21 , characterized in that said plurality of detection means comprises detection means of different types. 
     
     
         23 . The wearable protection device according to  claim 2 , characterized by comprising sensing means arranged on opposite facing surfaces of the base and the cover portion, said sensing means being designed to signal when the cover portion is positioned in proximity to the base. 
     
     
         24 . A method for safely activating an inflatable member of a wearable protection device, said method comprising the following steps:
 providing a wearable protection device comprising:
 (i) at least one inflatable member suitable for moving between a rest condition, in a deflated status and an operating condition in an inflated status; 
 (ii) at least one inflator device designed to be coupled to the at least one inflatable member for inflating the at least one inflatable member once said at least one inflator device is triggered; and 
 (iii) a housing designed for accommodating said at least one inflator device; 
   checking if the at least one inflator device and the inflatable member are properly coupled; and   preventing the triggering of the at least one inflator device if a not proper coupling between the at least one inflator device and the inflatable member has been checked;   wherein the checking step is carried out by means of detection means provided in the housing and designed to detect if the at least one inflator device is present inside the housing.   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , characterized by providing the wearable protection device with a control unit designed to process data detected by sensors and to send a triggering signal to said at least one inflator device when a danger situation is identified, the detection means being adapted to directly or indirectly signal to the control unit the presence of the at least one inflator device inside the housing.