Garmet provided with an inflatable protective device
A garment ( 10 ) including an inflatable protective device ( 11 ). The device ( 11 ) includes at least one inflatable bag ( 12 ), an inflator unit ( 14 ), sensors ( 17, 18 ), and a control unit ( 19 ). The bag ( 12 ) for moving between a rest condition, wherein it is deflated, and an operating condition, wherein it is inflated. The inflator unit ( 14 ) for inflating the bag ( 12 ). The sensors ( 17, 18 ) for monitoring the user's body for shocks or unexpected movements. The control unit ( 19 ) for processing the data provided by the sensors ( 17, 18 ) and for activating the inflator unit ( 14 ) if, on the basis of the data received by the sensors ( 17, 18 ), a danger situation is identified. The garment ( 10 ) provided with a display unit ( 22 ) which includes an alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ) for providing the user with messages and/or symbols about the internal status of the device ( 11 ).
1. A garment ( 10 ) comprising an inflatable protective device ( 11 ), the inflatable protective device ( 11 ) comprising:
at least one inflatable bag ( 12 ) suitable for moving between a rest condition, wherein it is deflated, and an operating condition, wherein it is inflated;
an inflator unit ( 14 ) designed for inflating the at least one inflatable bag ( 12 );
sensors ( 17 , 18 ) designed for monitoring the user's body for shocks or unexpected movements;
a control unit ( 19 ) designed for processing the data provided by the sensors ( 17 , 18 ) and for activating the inflator unit ( 14 ) if, on the basis of the data received by the sensors ( 17 , 18 ), a danger situation is identified;
characterized in that the garment ( 10 ) is provided with a display unit ( 22 ) which comprises an alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ) for providing the user with messages and/or symbols about the internal status of the inflatable protective device ( 11 ), the display unit ( 22 ) being removably housed inside a protective housing ( 39 ) which comprises a fastening margin ( 40 ) and a protection wall ( 42 ) and is integral with the garment ( 10 ).
2. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) is integrated in an outer surface of the garment ( 10 ).
3. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises at least one signaling device ( 32 ) designed for supplementing the messages and/or symbols displayed on the alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ).
4. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises a user interface ( 34 );
by acting on said user interface ( 34 ) the user being able to switch on/off the display unit ( 22 ) and/or to enable/disable the activation of the inflator unit ( 14 ).
5. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) is connected to the control unit ( 19 ) via serial data communication lines for exchanging data between the display unit ( 22 ) and the control unit ( 19 ).
6. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 5 , characterized in that a cable connects the control unit ( 19 ) and the display unit ( 22 ).
7. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 5 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) is connected to the control unit ( 19 ) based on a wireless protocol.
8. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises a microprocessor ( 36 ) designed for controlling which messages and/or symbols are to be displayed on the alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ) on the basis of data sent to the display unit ( 22 ) by the control unit ( 19 ).
9. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 8 , characterized in that the data sent to the display unit ( 22 ) comprise a status word representing the internal status of the inflatable protective device ( 11 ).
10. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 3 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises a microprocessor ( 36 ) designed for commanding the signaling device ( 32 ) on the basis of data received from the control unit ( 19 ).
11. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises a microprocessor ( 36 ) comprising at least a memory area, wherein the messages and/or symbols to be displayed on the alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ) are memorized, and a control system, for decoding data received from the control unit ( 19 ) about the internal status of the inflatable protective device ( 11 ).
12. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 11 , characterized in that the inflatable protective device ( 11 ) and the display unit ( 22 ) are connected to each other by means of three data lines (E, D, U):
a first data line (E) allowing to activate the display unit ( 22 );
a second data line (D) allowing the exchange of data between the control unit ( 19 ) and the microprocessor ( 36 );
a third data line (U) being dedicated to receive the inputs given by the user by means of a user interface ( 34 ) on the display unit ( 22 ).
13. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the inflatable protective device ( 11 ) and the display unit ( 22 ) are connected to each other by means of an electric power line (P) allowing the supply of electric power to the display unit ( 22 ) by means of a battery ( 21 ) of the inflatable protective device ( 11 ).
14. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises a microprocessor ( 36 ) comprising at least a decoding system, for decoding the inputs provided by the user by means of a user interface ( 34 ).
15. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ) uses organic LED technology or liquid crystal display (LCD) technology or light-emitting diode (LED) technology.
16. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the display unit ( 22 ) comprises a fastening margin ( 40 ) having an ergonomic curvature (C) for matching the curvature of the surface of the garment ( 10 ) to which the display unit ( 22 ) is fastened.
17. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 11 , characterized in that the microprocessor ( 36 ) comprises an additional memory wherein personal information of the user are memorized.
18. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 17 , characterized in that the microprocessor ( 36 ) is programmed for displaying on the alphanumeric and/or graphical visual display ( 24 ) the personal information of the user memorized in said additional memory once the at least one inflatable bag ( 12 ) of the inflatable protective device ( 11 ) has been deployed.
19. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the inflatable protective device ( 11 ) and the display unit ( 22 ) are connected by means of a single line (Q) for the transmission of data and power between the control unit ( 19 ) and a microprocessor ( 19 ) of the display unit ( 22 ).
20. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 3 , characterized in that said at least one signaling device ( 32 ) is integrated in the background lighting of the visual display ( 24 ); said at least one signaling device ( 32 ) comprising one or more lights designed to be positioned adjacent the visual display ( 24 ).
21. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 3 , characterized in that said at least one signaling device ( 32 ) is autonomous from yet configured to supplement the visual display ( 24 );
said at least one signaling device ( 32 ) being integrated in the display unit ( 22 ).
22. Garment ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the protective housing ( 39 ) is fixed to the garment ( 10 ) along the fastening margin ( 40 ).