Apparel – Guard or protector – Leg
Patent
1996-07-08
1998-03-03
Mohanty, Bibhu
Apparel
Guard or protector
Leg
2455, 2 22, 2267, A41D 1300, A41D 2726
Patent
active
057220930
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to improvements in the dome-shaped rigid hip protector with an inwardly curved surface adapted to fit the hip of the human body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The known hip protector comprises a dome-shaped rigid plate member which is made of, for example, a plastic material and is generally oblong in plane view and a lining having cushioning properties as made of a foam rubber or the like material.
Research and trials using the known hip protector revealed that the protector prevents or drastically reduces the incidence of bone fracture or other injury associated with falling, especially fracture of the hip bones and neck of the femur in elderly or physically debilitated persons. This is because the external forces applied to the local bone are spread over a large area. Of course, the hip protector can also be worn by sportsmen, typically handball or ice hockey players, to protect themselves against abrasion wounds and bone fractures.
The said research and trials were performed with the hip protector attached to the user's clothes, especially the inner side of his pants or underwear. The results revealed that in order that the hip protector may function properly, it is of paramount importance to position the hip protector in exact anatomical position with fairly high precision.
The known hip protector includes a dome-shaped rigid plate member and a cushioning member or lining on the concave side of said plate member. The cushioning member comprises parts which are glued together. This structure involves a fairly high cost of manufacture, as it consists of parts being assembled during the course of manufacture. Moreover, as found by use trials, the said structure does not withstand laundering at a temperature over 30.degree. C. which is the usual treatment of cottons, for example cotton underwear, among other things because the cushioning member tends to come apart at the glueings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The hip protector of this invention comprises a dome-shaped element including an inwardly concave side which is adapted to fit the hip of a human body. The hip protector includes a domed tough and solid shell, and its entire surface is made of a foamed rigid thermoplastic material. The hip protector provides for a series of substantial economic and practical advantages. Thus the hip protector can be manufactured on a mass production scale by the modern production technology. Moreover, this hip protector is extremely lightweight which is a great advantage to the user. Furthermore, the protector can withstand ordinary cleaning and can for example be safely laundered at a temperature over 30.degree. C. as attached to the user's specially made underwear which is used to position the protector correctly on the body.
The hip protector of this invention, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a shell made of a closed-cell thermoplastic material such as polypropylene foam. The closed-cell surfaces can be easily cleaned and do not easily pick up dirt.
The hip protector of this invention preferably includes a substantially uniform thickness and has an annular, rounded rim. Further, the shell includes an internal reinforcing core. The core, preferably comprises a curved member made of a rigid thermoplastic material such as polypropylene and is completely concealed in the shell.
In another preferred embodiment, the shell comprises a substantially elliptical or oval element with a major diameter that terminates in a generally round end and a slightly obtuse end. In such an embodiment the major diameter measures between 13 cm and 18 cm, preferably 16 cm; a minor diameter measures between 9 cm and 14 cm, preferably 11.5 cm; and a thickness measures between 0.5 cm and 1.5 cm, preferably 0.9 cm. neck of the femur with its slightly obtuse end facing downward as attached and the hip protector is curved to provide a depth of 2.5 to 4.5 cm, preferably 3.0 cm.
With the above-described dimensions the hip protector is capable of fitting a large number of persons. For speci
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Mohanty Bibhu
Sahva A/S
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