CLIAMS:1.- Protective equipment (10), of the protective vest type, comprising:
- a main part (12) designed to cover at least part of the torso of a user, the main part (12) defining an opening (32) for an arm of the user,
- at least one removable side part (14), designed to cover at least one shoulder of the user, and
- for the or each side part (14), a reversible system for attaching said side part (14) to main part (12),
characterized in that the fastening system comprises:
- at least one of appendage (50), comprising a proximal end (54) secured to the side part (14), and a distal end (56) bearing a first fastening member (64),
- at least one belt (52), secured at each of its ends to the main part (12) and defining, with the main part (12), a passage (66) for the appendage (50), and
- at least one second fastening member (70), suitable for cooperating with the first fastening member (64) to reversibly secure the first and second fastening members (64, 70) to each other, the second fastening member (70) being borne by the belt (52), the appendage (50), the main part (12) or the side part (14).

2.- The protective equipment (10) according to claim 1, wherein the belt (52) has a free surface (68) opposite the passage (66), said free surface (68) bearing the second fastening member (70).

3.- The protective equipment (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the appendage (50) is engaged in the passage (66), and the first fastening member (64) cooperates with the second fastening member (70).

4.- The protective equipment (10) according to claim 3, wherein the distal end (54) is folded toward the side part (14).

5.- The protective equipment (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the distal end (54) is folded toward the proximal end (56).

6.- The protective equipment (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the appendage (50) comprises an intermediate segment (58) between its proximal and distal ends (54, 56), said intermediate segment (58) being folded toward the side part (14).

7.- The protective equipment (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the belt (52) is covered by the side part (14), an inner surface (44) of the side part (14) being oriented toward said belt (52).

8.- The protective equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt (52) is fastened to an outer surface of the main part (12), and the first fastening member (64) is borne by a large surface (62) of the appendage (50), said large surface (62) extending an inner surface (44) of the side part (14).

9.- The protective equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main part (12) comprises a front wall (20), designed to cover at least part of a front part of the user's torso, a dorsal part (22), designed to cover at least part of the user's back, and at least one connecting strap (24) connecting the frontal part (20) to the dorsal part (22), the belt (52) being fastened to said strap (24).

10.- The protective equipment (10) according to claim 9, wherein the belt (52) is oriented substantially parallel to the strap (24).
,TagSPECI:Protective equipment comprising at least one removable shoulder protector
The present invention relates to protective equipment, of the type comprising:
- a main part designed to cover at least part of the torso of a user, the main part defining an opening for an arm of the user,
- at least one removable side part, designed to cover at least one shoulder of the user, and
- for the or each side part, a reversible system for attaching said side part to main part.
Such protection equipment for example makes up a protective waistcoat intended for law enforcement or security agents.
Such equipment must be able to protect the user from violent impacts, potentially done using heavy objects that may or may not be contusive, for example during demonstrations or confrontations.
The equipment is meant to be worn around the upper part of the user's body, generally in combination with a helmet to protect the user's head.
In the known equipment, each side part is generally permanently fastened to the main part, either using rivets or by sewing.
However, these equipments are not fully satisfactory, inasmuch as, in the event one of the side parts is damaged, it is necessary to change the entire protective waistcoat, which is particularly expensive. Furthermore, the equipment is made heavier by the presence of the side part, and is unsuitable for certain situations.
One aim of the invention is to propose configurable protective equipment. Another aim is for the protective equipment to have reinforced user safety.
To that end, the invention relates to protective equipment of the aforementioned type, in which the fastening system comprises:
- at least one of appendage, comprising a proximal end secured to the side part, and a distal end bearing a first fastening member,
- at least one belt, secured at each of its ends to the main part and defining, with the main part, a passage for the appendage, and
- at least one second fastening member, suitable for cooperating with the first fastening member to reversibly secure the first and second fastening members to each other, the second fastening member being borne by the belt, the appendage, the main part or the side part.
According to specific embodiments of the invention, the protective equipment also has one or more of the following features, considered alone or according to any technically possible combination(s):
- the belt has a free surface opposite the passage, said free surface bearing the second fastening member,
- the appendage is engaged in the passage, and the first fastening member cooperates with the second fastening member,
- the distal end is folded toward the side part,
- the distal end is folded toward the proximal end,
- the appendage comprises an intermediate segment between its proximal and distal ends, said intermediate segment being folded toward the side part,
- the belt is covered by the side part, an inner surface of the side part being oriented toward said belt,
- the belt is fastened to an outer surface of the main part, and the first fastening member is borne by a large surface of the appendage, said large surface extending an inner surface of the side part,
- the main part comprises a front wall, designed to cover at least part of a front part of the user's torso, a dorsal part designed to cover at least part of the user's back, and at least one connecting strap connecting the frontal part to the dorsal part, the belt being fastened to said strap,
- the belt is oriented substantially parallel to the strap.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear upon reading the following description, provided solely as an example and done in reference to the appended drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front illustration of protective equipment according to the invention,
- Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side illustration of a main part of the protective equipment of Figure 1, with no removable side part of said protective equipment,
- Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side illustration of a removable side part of the protective equipment Figure 1,
- Figure 4 is a diagrammatic illustration in transverse cross-section of part of the protective equipment of Figure 1,
- Figure 5 is a perspective illustration of a detail of the removable side part of Figure 3,
- Figure 6 is a diagrammatic bottom view of a first part of the removable side part of Figure 3, and
- Figure 7 is an illustration similar to Figure 3, the first part having been omitted.
Hereinafter, the term "outer" refers to that which is turned toward the outside of the protective vest, i.e., opposite the part of the body wearing the equipment, and the term "inner" refers to that which is turned toward the inside of the equipment, i.e., toward the part of the body wearing the equipment.
The protective vest 10, shown in Figure 1, is of the protective waistcoat type for law enforcement or security or other agents. It comprises a main part 12, designed to cover the user's torso, and two side parts 14, each designed to cover a shoulder and at least part of the user's arm.
The main part 12 comprises a frontal part 20, designed to cover a front surface of the user's torso, and a dorsal part 22 (Figure 2), designed to cover the user's back, the frontal 20 and dorsal 22 parts being connected to each other by straps 24.
The frontal 20 and dorsal 22 parts and the straps 24 are for example connected to each other by sewing.
Each of the frontal 20 and dorsal 22 parts comprises one or more protective panels, each panel being provided with at least one pad (not shown) made from an elastically compressible material, for example a foam or an elastomer material, for example obtained by injection, molding or cutting. A plate 25 made from a rigid material is positioned in front of the pad, toward the outside of the vest 10. The plate 25 may be substantially planar or may be shaped to hug the shape of the part of the body that it covers, so as to be ergonomic and thereby improve the comfort of the panel while facilitating the freedom of movement of the user. Such a plate 25 allows the distribution of energy when it receives an impact, as well as absorption of part of that energy, the absorption subsequently occurring due to the pad. The pad and the plate 25 are for example covered with a fabric suitable for the protective equipment field. The production of such panels is known in itself and will not be described in more detail here.
Each protective panel, due to its structure, is capable of absorbing at least part of the energy due to the impact, in particular impacts from blows dealt by third parties with their hands or an object or projectiles launched by a third party, so as to protect the user wearing the equipment while allowing him to move freely.
The inside of each panel, or some of the panels, is optionally lined with one or more textile materials suitable for absorbing and/or disposing of the user's sweat, as well as for ventilation of the vest 10, so as to improve user comfort. Such a textile material is for example a so-called "breathable" textile material.
The frontal part 20 further comprises two first side flaps 26 at the user's ribs, and the dorsal part 22 comprises two second side flaps 28 at the user's ribs. Said flaps 26, 28 are provided with means for adjusting the tightening of the main part 12 on the user's torso.
These adjusting means comprise primary catching means (not shown), provided on an outer surface of each first flap 26, and secondary catching means (not shown), provided on an inner surface of each second flap 28, and suitable for cooperating with the primary catching means for reversibly fastening each second flap 28 to a first flap 26. These primary and secondary fastening means are for example of the hook-and-loop tape type.
There are two straps 24, each provided to cover one of the user's shoulders. They delimit an upper passage 30 between them for the passage of the user's neck.
The frontal 20 and dorsal 22 parts, as well as the straps 24, define side passages 32 between them for the user's arms. In other words, the vest 10 comprises an opening formed on each side of the vest 10 and vertically delimited by a strap 24 on the one hand and a side flap 26, 28 on the other hand, and horizontally delimited by the frontal part 20 on the one hand and the dorsal part 22 on the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, to allow the passage of the user's arm.
Returning to Figure 1, each side part 14 extends above one of the side passages 32.
Each side part 14 comprises a first part 34, designed to cover one of the user's shoulders, and a second part 36, designed to cover part of the user's arm that is articulated to said shoulder.
Each of the first and second parts 34, 36 essentially comprises, from the outside toward the inside, a shell 38, defining an outer surface 40 of said part 34, 36, and a pad 42, defining an inner surface 44 (Figure 4) of said part 34, 36.
The shell 38 is made from a rigid material, for example polycarbonate. It is made in a single piece.
The shell 38 is generally in the shape of the part of the limb to be protected. The outer surface of each shell 38 is configured in a known manner to absorb impacts during confrontations. The configuration is adapted to the part of the body designed to be protected and for example comprises protuberances extending on either side of a hollow, designed to improve the behavior of the shells 38 in case of impact. The outer shape of the protective equipment not being the subject of the invention, it will not be described in more detail here.
The shell 38 defines a cavity (not shown) turned toward the inside and suitable for receiving a limb intended to wear the equipment. The pad 42 is positioned in said cavity.
The pad 42 substantially covers all of an inner surface (not shown) of the shell 38, and thus forms a "lining" for the shell 38.
The pad 42 is suitable for absorbing impacts. To that end, the pad 42 is for example made from elastically compressible material, of the elastomer type. Alternatively, the pad 42 is made from foam surrounded by fabric.
Each of the first and second parts 34, 36 has a proximal end 46, close to the other part 36, 34, respectively, and a distal end 48, far from the other part 36, 34, respectively.
The first part 34, in particular its distal end 48, partially covers a strap 24 of the primary part 12.
The first part 34 also covers part of the outer surface 40 of the second part 36. In particular, the proximal end 46 of the first part 34 covers the proximal end 46 of the second part 36.
The second part 36 is provided with a member 49 for tightening on the user's arm. This tightening member 49 is preferably, as shown, closer to the distal end 48 than the proximal end 46. The tightening member 49 is a band in the illustrated example.
Each side part 14 is removably fastened to a respective strap 24 of the main part 12. To that end, for each side part 14, the protective vest 10 comprises a reversible system for attaching said side part 14 to its respective strap 24.
In reference to Figures 2 and 3, this reversible system comprises an appendage 50, secured to the first part 34 of the side part 14, and a fastening belt 52, secured at each of its ends to the respective strap 24, in particular an outer surface of the strap 24.
The appendage 50 is typically made from fabric. It is fastened, for example sewn and/or riveted, to the distal end 48 of the first part 34. It has a proximal end 54 for connecting to the first part 34, and a free distal end 56. It comprises an intermediate segment 58 between its proximal 54 and distal 56 ends.
The appendage 50 has a first large surface 60 extending the outer surface 40 of the first part 34, and a second large surface 62 (Figure 6), opposite the first large surface 60 and extending the inner surface 44 of the first part 34.
The distal end 56 bears a first fastening member 62. More particularly, the first fastening member 64 is borne by the second large surface 62 of the appendage 50.
The fastening belt 52 is oriented substantially parallel to the strap 24. It defines a passage 66 with the strap 24 for the appendage 50.
The fastening belt 52 has a free surface 68 opposite the passage 64. This free surface 68 bears a second fastening members 70, suitable for cooperating with the first fastening member 64 to secure the first and second fastening members 64, 70 to each other reversibly.
The first and second fastening members 64, 70 are preferably suitable for being detached from one another by exerting a separating force on those two members 64, 70, said separating force being oriented substantially perpendicular to the contact interface of said members 64, 70. To that end, the first and second fastening members 64, 70 are for example of the hook-and-loop tape type, which allows rapid fastening and does not require great precision in the placement of the fastening members relative to one another. Alternatively, they are of the snap type.
As shown in Figure 4, to fasten the side part 14 to the main part 12, the intermediate segment 58 of the appendage 50 is engaged in the passage 66, and the distal end 56 is folded down on the fastening belt 52 so as to cover its free surface 68, the second large surface 62 of the appendage 50 being oriented toward said free surface 68. Thus, the distal end 56 is folded toward the proximal end 54, and the first and second fastening members 64, 70 cooperate with each other.
Furthermore, the first part 34 of the side part 14 is also folded down so as to cover the fastening belt 52, the inner surface of said first part 34 being oriented toward the fastening belt 52. The fastening belt 52 is thus inserted between the strap 24 and the first part 34. Furthermore, the intermediate segment 58 and the distal end 56 of the appendage 50 are each folded down toward the first part 34.
Each side part 14 is thus securely attached to the main part 12. In fact, in the event of any attempt by a third party to tear off one of the side parts 14, the main tearing forces will be absorbed by the fastening belt 52. Only a residual part of the tearing forces is absorbed by the fastening members 64, 70, and the residual part is oriented parallel to the contact interface of the first and second fastening members 64, 70, which is not suitable for detaching the fastening members 64, 70 from each other. Consequently, to separate the side part 14 from the main part 12 while the vest 10 is being worn by its user, the third party would have to tear the belt 52 off of the main part 12, which requires a much greater force than that normally necessary to separate the fastening members 64, 70.
Each side part 14 may nevertheless easily be detached from the main part 12 when its user is no longer wearing the vest 10. It in fact suffices to lift the first part 34 to free access to the distal end 56 of the appendage 50, then to grasp that distal end 56 while exerting a force oriented opposite the strap 24 to separate the first and second fastening members 64, 70. All that remains is then to free the appendage 50 from the passage 66 by sliding the distal end 56 therein so as to separate the side part 14 from the main part 12.
It is also easy and particularly quick to attach each side part 14 to the main part 12, by performing the preceding operations in the reverse order. This makes it possible to choose whether to put the side parts on the vest, depending on the type of situation with which the user is faced. Furthermore, the user can easily and quickly add the side parts "in the field", if the situation demands it.
This removable fastening further makes it possible to adapt the side part 14 to the situation encountered, by choosing more or less rigid shells depending on the situation, for example, or by providing a longer or shorter side part 14.
In reference to Figure 5, each side part 14 also comprises an articulated link 80 for articulating the first and second parts 34, 36 to one another. The articulated link 80 has 3 degrees of rotational freedom; in other words, it is suitable for allowing the second part 36 to rotate relative to the first part 34 around each axis of the space. In particular, the articulated link 80 thus has a degree of rotational freedom around an axis (not shown) substantially perpendicular to the outer surface 40 of the second part 36.
The articulated link 80 further has a degree of translational freedom in a mean direction P (Figure 3) attaching a center C1 (Figure 3) of the first part 34 to a center C2 (Figure 3) of the second part 36, and an additional degree of translational freedom in a secondary direction S (Figure 3) substantially perpendicular to the main direction P, and substantially parallel to the outer surface 40 of the second part 36.
It will be noted that, the first and second parts 34, 36 being able to pivot relative to one another owing to the articulated link 80, the main direction P depends on the relative position of the first and second parts 34, 36.
The articulated link 80 comprises a first belt 84, secured at each of its ends to the first part 34, and a second belt 86, secured at each of its ends to the second part 36. Said belts 84, 86 are interlaced with one another. In other words, the first belt 84, together with the first part 34, defines a first passage 90 for the second belt 86; the second belt 86, together with the second part 36, defines a second passage 92 for the first belt 84; and the first belt 84 is engaged in the second passage 92, while the second belt 86 is engaged in the first passage 90.
Each belt 84, 86 is made from a semi-rigid material, such as an injected or cut polymer, or a woven material.
In reference to Figure 6, the first belt 84 is fastened to the inner surface 44 of the first part 34. It is rectilinear, and is oriented substantially parallel to a first junction direction J1 of the proximal and distal ends 46, 48 of the first part 34. In particular, the first belt 84 extends from the proximal end 46 to the distal end 48 of the first part 34.
In reference to Figure 7, the second belt 86 is fastened to the outer surface 40 of the second part 36. It forms an arc.
This arc is symmetrical relative to a plane substantially perpendicular to the outer surface 40 of the second part and parallel to a second junction direction J2 of the proximal and distal ends 46, 48 of the second part 36. Thus, the second strap 86 is oriented substantially perpendicular to said second junction direction J2, and is bowed around an axis (not shown) substantially perpendicular to the outer surface 40 of the second part 36.
The apex 94 of said arc is closer to the proximal end 46 than the ends 96 of the belt 86. In particular, the distance from the proximal end 46 to said apex 94 is smaller than one tenth of the distance from the proximal end 46 to the distal end 48.
Owing to the degree of translational freedom of the articulated link 80 in the main direction P, the first and second parts 34, 36 can slide one above the other. Thus, when the user raises his arm, the second part 36 follows the movement of the user's arm and retracts beneath the first part 34. This prevents the side part 14 from coming away from the arm, freeing a passage between the arm and the side part 14, under the effect of the reduced distance from the center C1 of the first part 34 to the center C2 of the second part 36 following the raising of the user's arm.
The user is thus better protected.
Furthermore, the articulated link 80 has a very simple design, and can be manufactured simply and at a reduced cost. It offers greater movement freedom to the user while in particular allowing twisting movements, which is not the case for equipment in which the parts are articulated to each other around a single axis.
Returning to Figure 5, each side part 14 further comprises a flexible textile part 100 connecting the first part 34 to the second part 36. This textile part 100 is fastened, in particular sewn, by a first end, to the distal end 48 of the first part 34, and by a second end, to the proximal end 46 of the second part 36.
The dimensions of the textile part 100 are suitable so that the textile part 100 does not hinder the operation of the articulated link 80. In particular, the dimensions of the textile part 100 are adapted so that the textile part 100 is only stretched when the articulated link 80 is abutting.
The textile part 100 is made up of a textile web. It thereby favors aeration of the user's limb covered by the side part 14.
It will be noted that the invention is not limited solely to the embodiment described above. For example, other articulated links connecting the first part 34 to the second part 36 are possible. Additionally, according to one alternative of the invention that is not shown, the fastening belt 52 is fastened not to the outer face of the strap 24, but to its inner face, and the first fastening member 64 is borne by the first large surface 60 of the appendage 50, and not by its second large surface 62.
Furthermore, the side part 14 may comprise more than two parts that are movable relative to one another, so as to cover a larger or smaller part of the arm.