ES2358033B1 - INTELLIGENT INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AGAINST FALLS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Intelligent personal protection equipment against falls. # Consists of an inflatable vest, adaptable to the operator's body, whose inflation occurs automatically in the event of a fall of the operator in a vacuum, to cushion the blow, counting the vest to that effect with a small gas cylinder (11) integrated in it, whose instantaneous opening and emptying is produced by the corresponding signal generated by an electronic control unit also integrated in the vest, specifically when said control unit receives information from a series of sensors located in the templates (3 ) of the user's footwear (6), and a heart rate monitor (2) established on his chest, specifically when the sensors of his insoles detect that the two feet are separated from the ground, and when the heart rate monitor indicates a marked increase in heart rate , due to the danger situation that the operator detects when falling. This eliminates the need for the classic harness or similar conventional, for heights below 7 meters.

Description

specifically for motorcyclists and are connected to

Intelligent personal protection equipment against falls. Object of the invention

The present invention refers to an individual protection equipment against falls, specifically against falls in height from one level to another, which acts intelligently, that is to say automatically, and which allows the user full freedom of movement, so that your activity is not affected by the bodily incorporation of the team.

The equipment is totally suitable for use in work at height, with a risk of falling, and more specifically for heights below 7 meters, since it is based on the use of an inflatable vest that could be inoperative at higher heights.

The invention is therefore in the field of occupational risk prevention. Background of the invention

Obviously, when an operator must work at height, such as on a scaffold, the safest solution, in many cases mandatory, is to use a harness that relates the user's body to a fixed point and that in case of a possible fall leaves immediately suspended the user's body, avoiding any impact.

However, this solution, being perfectly valid from the point of view of safety, presents a notable limitation of movements for the operator as a fundamental problem, since the harness constitutes an obstacle to the effect.

The use of clothing is also known, which can affect the user's body to a greater or lesser extent, and that incorporate one or more inflatable bags at the time of the accident, thereby acting as shock absorbers against the possible impact.

In this regard, it is worth mentioning, among others, the following patents: UK-1588919 (20), US-4059852 (21), US-5781936 (22), GB-1479733 (23), WO9530345 (24), US-4089065 ( 25), US-3921944 (26), DE-2717234 (27), FR-2499373 (28), GB-1588919 (29), US-4825469 (30), ES-2141686 (31) and ES1026108 (32). All these patents present as a common denominator, in addition to the aforementioned incorporation of inflatable bags, an activation system using “umbilical cord”, that is, between the inflatable garment that the operator has fixed to his body, and a fixed point with respect to which an increase in distancing brings the said activation.

Obviously this "umbilical cord" is the same problem for the operator as the classic harness mentioned above.

It is also known that these inflatable garments incorporate a compressed gas cylinder, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, whose opening is carried out by explosion, extraordinarily quickly, so that the garment adopts the inflation position corresponding to its protection against impact, before it occurs.

Solutions are also known in which the explosion of the gas cylinder is carried out at the expense of signals generated by sensors, such as for example the solutions shown in patents WO-9852433 (33), ES-2258104 (34), ES2311800 (35), ES-2281010 (36), DE-4009433 (37) and motion detectors such as acceleration sensor, crash / bump and / or tilt sensors of the motorcycle with respect to the ground, so that it is not done requires a physical connection (umbilical cord) between the motorcycle and the rider.

These devices are not applicable to the field of safety in the case of operators working at heights, and no background has been found in this regard that allows their application to this specific work area. Description of the invention

The individual protection equipment against falls that the invention proposes comes to occupy this technical vacuum, allowing to take advantage of the benefits of an inflatable vest, in work at height with risk of falling into a vacuum, with full safety guarantees and without physical connection between the operator's body and no fixed point of the area in which he is working.

To do this and more specifically, from an inflatable vest with certain specific structural characteristics that will be discussed later, in the team that the invention proposes also participates a pair of insoles, intended to stay in the operator's shoes, so that the feet of the latter rest on them, anatomical insoles, each of which will house a pair of sensors, one in the heel area and another in the metatarsal area, both areas considered to be discharged since they are the ones that greater pressure is generated in static and dynamic positions, so that in the development of the activity of the operator any of these sensors will be activated, providing information to an electronic control unit responsible for automatically activating the firing of the gas cylinder implanted in the vest, when it receives information that the four sensors are deactivated, because of the floor separator l You two feet of the user.

The equipment thus structured would not be 100% reliable, given that on certain occasions the operator will separate both feet from the ground or from any other support element without a fall, such as when sitting on the ground, when he is on the ground. sitting on the scaffold with hanging legs, etc.

To solve these situations, it is planned that, as a complement to the sensors established in the templates, a heart rate monitor also participates in the equipment, that is, an apparatus designed to count the pulsations (heart rate) of the person who uses it, a heart rate monitor associated with an elastic band that with its adjustable length can be adapted and conveniently fixed to the operator's chest, in the most suitable position for said heart rate monitor to capture the heart rate and generate the corresponding signal when said rhythm is substantially accelerated, which obviously it happens before a situation like the one of fall to the empty.

Consequently, for the automatic explosion of the gas canister and the consequent instantaneous inflation of the vest, two conditions must occur simultaneously, on the one hand that the two feet of the operator are distanced from the ground, and that their tensiometer captures at that time a pulsation level substantially higher than normal.

The vest will be expandable at the expense of its outer wall, so that the interior does not press the operator's body after its inflation, and will have both the gas cartridge and the electronic control unit incorporated, counting in its rear area with extreme expansions of protection of the coccygeal areas and the lumbar spine, leaving the operator's limbs fully, both upper and lower, so that he can do his job comfortably. It will also have a rear opening, vertical and middle, specifically in correspondence with the crest of the spine, to facilitate the bowing of the latter in certain maneuvers, such as to take an object from the ground. The two halves of the vest determined by this opening are related to each other by transverse and elastic strips.

As for the aforementioned templates, they will preferably be soft silicone, to achieve a high degree of damping in their use and to improve the working conditions of the sensors, preventing them from suffering any type of wear by absorption of liquids such as sweat, and may be equipped with holes that facilitate foot perspiration.

It only remains to point out finally that the information generated by these sensors, reaches the electronic control unit through wireless sensors to give the operator maximum freedom of movement, but obviously when both some and other elements are on the own and only body of the Operative, the transmissions could also be via cable, although this solution is unsatisfactory. Description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. In an illustrative and non-limiting manner, the following has been represented:

Figure 1.- Shows, according to a schematic perspective representation, the body of a man on whom the tensiometer is installed, which constitutes one of the components of intelligent individual protection equipment against falls, object of the present invention.

Figure 2.- It shows an elevation view and a plan view of the footwear-insole set which in turn constitutes another component of the equipment that is recommended.

Figure 3.- Shows a front elevation view of the vest that completes the equipment of the invention, duly implanted on the body of the user.

Figure 4.- Shows a rear elevation view of the assembly represented in Figure 3.

Figure 5.- Shows a profile of the same set of Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 6.- It shows, finally, a side elevation view of the user with the vest in a sitting position on the floor, in which the sensors of their templates are all deactivated. Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In view of the aforementioned fi gures, it can be seen how the personal protective equipment proposed by the invention is constituted by the functional combination of three elements, the vest (1) that is represented in the figures3a6, the pulsometer (2) that is represented in detail in Figure 1, and templates with pressure sensors (3) which are also shown in detail in Figure 2.

Starting with the pulsometer (2), this can be of any conventional type, and the operator's chest (4) is fixed in the most suitable working position, with the collaboration of a band (5) of adjustable and elastic length, to adapt to different body sizes.

As for the insoles (3), these are made of silicone, with anatomical configuration suitable to adapt to the sole of the shoe (6) and the user's own foot, incorporating pressure sensors (7) conveniently located in the areas of the plant and the heel, on which the body weight is loaded both when standing and when walking, running, etc. In addition, the template (3) is expected to have a plurality of perforations (8) that facilitate perspiration and consequent sweat removal.

Finally, as for the vest (1), it will leave the upper and lower extremities of the operator totally free, the gas cylinder (9) will be integrated, which is in charge at the moment of inflating the vest (1) instantaneously, at the expense of a signal received from an electronic control unit, not shown, and also integrated in the vest, which activates on the cylinder (9) when it receives relevant information regarding the sensors (7) and the heart rate monitor (2).

The vest (1) also has a posterior and superior extension (10) for protection of the coccygeal area and the operator's column, including the neck, and with posterior and inferior extensions (11), so that all the Spine is conveniently protected including the coccyx.

As observed especially in Figure 4, the vest (1) has a slot or rear opening

(12)

which affects it mostly in height, with the exception of the upper end zone, the edges of this cut or groove (12) being interconnected by a plurality of transverse and elastic bands (13) that on the one hand facilitate the user's body fl exions and on the other they allow the vest to adapt to different body sizes.

In order for the four sensors (7) to generate signals of absence of pressure on the user's feet, one of these two circumstances must occur, either the operator has fallen into a vacuum, or adopts a position as shown in Figure 6, in which your body weight does not rest on your feet, while sitting

or lying down

Consequently, in this position of Figure 6, the vest must not be activated, so it is necessary to check the corresponding signal from the heart rate monitor (2), a signal that is the evidence of the fall because in the face of an abrupt danger situation , such as the aforementioned fall, the sympathetic nervous system causes the heart to pump faster than normal so that more blood reaches different parts of the body that may need it, being this heartbeat, with a very rapid rhythm, which generates the signal supplied to the electronic control unit, that there is such an emergency or danger situation, information that combined with that coming from the templates sensors, will lead to swelling of the vest, to cushion the impact on the ground

or on any other surface.

As previously stated, the equipment of the invention is applicable in cases where the fall cannot exceed 7 meters, since above this level the damping effect of the vest would be insufficient, and it is also not usable when on the zone of possible fall there are sharp or sharp elements that center the impact on specific areas of the operator's body.

Claims (6)

one.

Intelligent individual protection equipment against falls, of the type that incorporate an inflatable protection element, such as a vest, at the expense of the gas contained in a cylinder integrated in it, and when it receives activation signals from a switchboard electronic, characterized in that the same participate, in addition to the aforementioned vest (1) with its gas cylinder (9), templates (3) provided with pressure sensors (7), which detect when the operator has his two feet separated from the floor or work surface, as well as a heart rate monitor (2) that in turn generates an activation signal due to the strong acceleration of the heartbeat due to a risk situation, the electronic control unit receiving the signals from the sensors and the heart rate monitor and activating the gas cylinder when the circumstances corresponding to a vacuum fall.

2.

Smart individual protection equipment against falls, according to claim 1, characterized in that the vest (1), which as such leaves the upper and lower limbs of the operator free, incorporates a rear and upper protector (10) for the

cervical area of the user's column, posterior and inferior extensions (11) for the lower extremity of said column, and a posterior, vertical and middle section (12), in correspondence with which transverse elastic strips (13) are established.

3.

Intelligent individual protection equipment against falls, according to previous claims, characterized in that the vest (1) is expandable at the expense of its external wall during the inflation maneuver, the internal wall being dimensionally stable.

Four.

Intelligent individual protection equipment against falls, according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensors (7) of the insoles (3) are located in correspondence with the loading areas of the body of the user, specifically on the areas of the plant and the heel .

5.

Smart individual protection equipment against falls, according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the insoles are made of silicone, are anatomically configured for optimum adaptation to both the sole of the shoe (6) and the foot of the user, and incorporate a plurality of perforations (8) to facilitate perspiration.

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 200930469 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 16.07.2009 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: A41D13 / 018 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

Documents cited Claims Affected

Y

ES 1026108 U (H3 DESIGN, S.L.) 16.03.1994, claims 1-5; Figures 1-4. 1-5

Y

NL 1035904 A (LAAN JOHANNES WILHELMUS WILKO VAN DER) 16.10.2008, Summary of the 1-5

EPODOC database. Recovered in EPOQUE; AN-2009-Q22482 (06).

Y

US 20022118109 A1 (US. NAVY) 29.08.2002, pages 1-2; Figures 1-4. 1-5

TO

ES 22581104 T3 (DAINESE S.P.A.) 16.08.2006, claims 1-3; Figure 1. one

TO

US 2008097263 A1 (GRIGORIEV et al.) 04.04.2008, page 2; figures 1-2. 1.5

TO

EP 1676528 A1 (POLAR ELECTRO OY) 05.07.2006, columns 1.10; Figures 1.10. one

TO

GB 2345031 A (SAFETY CORPORATION) 28.06.2000, page 11; figures 1-2. 1-2

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 12.04.2011

Examiner J. Hernández Cerdán Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 200930469 Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) A41D Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200930469 Date of the Written Opinion: 12.04.2011 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-5 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-5 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200930469 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

ES 1026108 U (H3 DESIGN, S.L.) 16.03.1994

D02

NL 1035904 A (LAAN JOHANNES WILHELMUS WILKO VAN DER) 16.10.2008

D03

US 20022118109 A1 (US. NAVY) 29.08.2002

D04

ES 22581104 T3 (DAINESE S.P.A.) 08/16/2006

D05

US 2008097263 A1 (GRIGORIEV et al.) 04/24/2008

D06

EP 1676528 A1 (POLAR ELECTRO OY) 05.07.2006

D07

GB 2345031 A (SAFETY CORPORATION) 28.06.2000

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The invention in its claims 1-3 describes intelligent individual protection equipment against falls, of the type that incorporate an inflatable protection element, such as a vest, at the expense of the gas contained in a gas cylinder integrated in the same (9). The vest receives activation signals from an electronic control unit from templates (3) provided with pressure sensors (7), which detect when the operator has his two feet separated from the ground or work surface, as well as a heart rate monitor ( 2) which in turn generates an activation signal due to the strong acceleration of the heartbeat due to a risk situation, the electronic control unit receiving the signals from the pressure sensors and the heart rate monitor and activating the gas cylinder when the corresponding circumstances occur to a vacuum fall. The vest (1), incorporates a top protection (10) and in its back some transverse elastic strips (13). Claims 4 and 5 describe the need for pressure sensors that can be located in the heel area, in particular silicone insoles with perforations for sweat removal. Document D01, considered the closest to the invention, describes an inflatable protective vest, wherein the inflation system is composed of a cylinder (9) containing gas under pressure and an activation system (10) that opens the passage of gas from said tank (9) outwards. The vest has transverse elastic strips (8) that connect the different plates of the same. Document D02 describes an airbag device to dampen the falls of skiers that respond for activation to pressure sensors. Document D03 shows a pulsometer (11) that generates signals, which when analyzed by a control unit (21) activate a protection system (29), proceeding to the inflation of the airbag (41) located on the front of the vest. In the light of documents D01, D02 and D03 it can be considered that the object of claims 1-5 does not imply inventive activity (Art 8.1, LP11 / 86). State of the Art Report Page 4/4