Garment having protective inflatable devices

• US 7,460,886 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2004
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alpinestars Research Srl, Arpinestars Research Srl
• Original Assignee: Alpinestars Research Srl
• Inventors: Mazzarolo, Giovanni
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson; Matthew D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Hai V
• Application Number:
  US10/575,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20070147272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,754 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556.2, 2 6/9, 280/733
• US Class Current: 455/556.2
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/018 inflatable automatically
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2600/102 Motorcycling
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 27/20 Airbags specially adapted for motorcycles or the like

Abstract

A garment is provided with at least one inflatable protecting device, adapted to be worn by a person travelling on a motorcycle or the like, includes a radio receiver, a trigger circuit and non-volatile memories. A programmable logic unit interfacing with the radio receiver and communicating with remote radio transmitters mounted on a motorcycle or the like through an identification code, manages and stores in the memories the identification codes detected by the radio receiver. The wearer of the garment can in this way select, via an interface, a code among those available in the memory. In an accident, the air bags actuate.

Claims

1. A garment for protection against bumps and shocks for a user traveling on a moving means;

said moving means having therein mounted sensor means and a first functional module, said first functional module comprising a first power supply unit, a first programmable logic unit for reading an identification serial code signal, a first non-volatile memory for storing said identification serial code signal identifying said first functional module, and a radio transmitter;

said garment comprising

an inflatable protective device,

a second functional module comprising a second power supply unit, a second programmable logic unit, and

a radio receiver connected to said second programmable logic unit, said radio receiver being associated with said radio transmitter mounted on said moving means,

a trigger circuit for activating said inflatable protective device in response to a danger radio signal received from said radio transmitter,

a second non-volatile memory for managing and storing said identification serial code signal received from said first functional module,

a third functional module associated with said second functional module, said third functional module and comprising at least one push-button, a display, and a related driving circuit;

wherein said third functional module is used by the user to select said identification serial code signal identifying said first functional module in order to activate said inflatable protective device when danger occurs.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein said third functional module is integrated in said second functional module.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein said third functional module is external to said second functional module.

4. The garment of claim 1, wherein said radio receiver comprises a radio receiving unit and a decoder.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein said display shows said serial code stored in said second non-volatile memory.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein said second power supply comprises a battery disposed in said garment for energizing said second functional module.

7. The garment of claim 1, wherein said second programmable logic unit is able to operate in a state of low energy consumption.

8. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a second inflatable protective device, said third interface module sending a control signal to select which of said inflatable protective devices are to be inflated when danger occurs.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein said second programmable logic unit comprises a safety checks of said second voltage supply.

10. The garment of claim 1, wherein said second programmable logic unit interfaces with sound or mechanical alarm indicators.

11. The garment of claim 1, wherein said garment is configured as a motorcycling jacket.

12. A garment for protection against bumps and shocks for a user travelling on one of a plurality of moving means;

each of said moving means having therein mounted respective sensor means and a respective first functional module, said first functional module comprising a first power supply unit, a first programmable logic unit for reading one of a plurality of identification serial code signals, a first non-volatile memory for storing said one of a plurality of identification serial code signals, and a radio transmitter, each serial code uniquely identifying said respective first functional module;

said garment comprising

an inflatable protective device,

a second functional module comprising a second power supply unit, a second programmable logic unit, and

a radio receiver connected to said second programmable logic unit, said radio receiver being associated with said radio transmitter mounted on said moving means,

a trigger circuit for activating said inflatable protective device in response to a danger radio signal received from said radio transmitter,

a second non-volatile memory for managing and storing at least two of said plurality of identification serial code signals,

a third functional module associated with said second functional module, said third functional module and comprising at least one push-button, a display, and a related driving circuit;

wherein said third functional module is used by said user to select said one of said plurality of identification serial code signals identifying said first functional module associated with said moving means selected by said user for use while wearing said garment in order to activate said inflatable protective device when danger occurs while using said moving means.

13. A system for protection against bumps and shocks for a user travelling on one of a plurality of moving means;

the system comprising;

sensor means and a respective first functional module mounted on each of said moving means, said first functional module comprising a first power supply unit, a first programmable logic unit for reading one of a plurality of identification serial code signals, a first non-volatile memory for storing said one of a plurality of identification serial code signals, and a radio transmitter, each serial code uniquely identifying said respective first functional module;

a garment comprising

an inflatable protective device,

a second functional module comprising

a second power supply unit,

a second programmable logic unit, and

a radio receiver connected to said second programmable logic unit, said radio receiver being associated with said radio transmitter mounted on said moving means,

a trigger circuit for activating said inflatable protective device in response to a danger radio signal received from said radio transmitter,

a second non-volatile memory for managing and storing at least two of said plurality of identification serial code signals,

a third functional module associated with said second functional module, said third functional module and comprising at least one push-button, a display, and a related driving circuit;

wherein said third functional module is used by said user to select said one of said plurality of identification serial code signals identifying said first functional module associated with said moving means selected by said user for use while wearing said garment in order to activate said inflatable protective device when danger occurs while using said moving means.