巴西专利BR112013023135B1 SUPPORT ELEMENT FOR THE HUMAN BODY

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专利摘要:
support element for the human body and method for its realization. a support element (e.g. a seat, a saddle, or a handle) for the human body, comprising a layer (3; 103; 203) made of a soft and elastic material and at least one surface insert (4; 104 ; 204) with different characteristics in terms of appearance and/or comfort, wherein said surface insert comprises a visible surface (6; 106; 206) to be in contact with the user, wherein said visible surface has a smaller dimension that said layer and wherein said surface insert comprises at least a portion (5; 105; 205) integrated with said layer. a process for manufacturing the support element is also presented.
公开号:BR112013023135B1
申请号:R112013023135-1
申请日:2012-03-09
公开日:2021-07-20
发明作者:Felix Okon Sam；Barbara Bigolin；Claudio Checchin
申请人:Selle Royal S.P.A.；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a support element for the human body.
[0002] More in particular, the present invention relates to a support element such as, for example, a saddle for a means of transport such as bicycles or motorcycles, a seat, a restraint, a handle for the handlebars of bicycles or motorcycles, sports equipment and the like, an arm support, back support, head support, sports and leisure equipment, and the like. PRIOR TECHNIQUE
[0001] In some manufacturing sectors, such as in the means of manufacturing conveyors such as bicycles or motorcycles and the like, or also in other fields such as, for example, in the fields of manufacturing various types of devices, or furniture or equipment elements sports and leisure, human body support elements are used, of course, for a wide range of purposes.
[0002] For example, in the field of manufacturing bicycles or motorcycles, as support elements may consist of saddles or gauntlets to rest the hands, and the like.
[0003] In other fields such as, for example, in the fields of manufacturing devices of various types with human performance or sports equipment, for example, rowing machines, weight benches, etcetera, as support elements, they may consist of seats, back supports, head rests, arm rests, gauntlets or similar, which allow the man to interact with the machine in a comfortable way, for example, by sitting, resting his hands, arms or head, operating the controls of the machine, etc...
[0004] These support elements generally comprise - think, for example, a saddle or a handle - a rigid core, partially or completely covered by a layer of soft and flexible material, such as a polyurethane foam, an elastomeric material or the like . .
[0005] The layer of soft and flexible material may also, in turn, be partially covered by another covering, for example, made of leather or other synthetic or natural material with suitable characteristics in terms of appearance or function, obviously variable with regarding the specific type of application.
[0006] It is known that in some specific applications it is necessary to have support elements having, on the surface, one or more parts - in number, shape and function that, of course, vary in relation to their applications - with different appearance in relation to the rest of the surface of the support element.
[0007] These parts with different appearances can be, for example, inserted in the support element in order to improve the visibility of the element itself, for example, using different appearances or colors - in order to allow the user to instantly identify the support surfaces on the device with which it must interact, or which it must administer or manipulate.
[0008] In other applications, these parts with different appearances may have the purpose of improving the visibility of logos, designs or other types of information, messages or others.
[0009] For example, Italian patent No. 1207441 of the same Applicant describes a process for manufacturing a saddle, in which the felt, the padding and the saddle cover are assembled in a single machining step, which exploits the adhesion characteristics that the pillow's polyurethane exerts during its foam reaction, both on the felt and on the covering material, thus obtaining a perfect union of the three components.
[00010] European Patent No. EP 0903321, of the same Applicant, describes a support structure with ornamental elements, comprising a filling made of an elastically flexible material, comprising at least one layer of transparent polyurethane gel and a layer of elastomeric foam material , and covered by a layer made of flexible material in plates, where said filling comprises in its interior and between the two layers, at least one ornamental element. The cover layer has at least one area that is optically transparent, through which the ornament itself is visible.
[00011] The production steps of this support structure, however, are very labor intensive and require other treatments to make the gel transparent, a subsequent arrangement of the ornamental element in the partially polymerized gel layer and another subsequent layer of elastomeric material that must, by its instead, polymerize and expand.
[00012] In the current technique, in certain applications, parts with different appearances are directly connected to the surface of the support element, in areas that are properly arranged.
[00013] In other applications, these parts with different appearances are obtained through pad printing, or printing on pads, directly on the surface of the support element, in the desired areas.
[00014] These known techniques do not guarantee the obtainment of products with ideal resistance over time, as they tend, for example, to deterioration, separation, being scratched, wear by the action of repeated contact with involved parts of the human body or by the action of atmospheric conditions , or for other reasons. PURPOSES OF THE INVENTION
[00015] The technical objective of the present invention is, therefore, the improvement of the current technique, obtaining a support element for the human body with its parts having different appearances without the aforementioned disadvantages.
[00016] In this technical objective, a purpose of the present invention is to obtain a support element for the human body that is provided with parts having different mechanical and functional properties with respect to the remaining part of the support element.
[00017] Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a process for the manufacture of a support element for the human body that is provided with parts that are more resistant to wear and resistant to atmospheric conditions, and against other actions that are potentially dangerous to the integrity of the resting surface.
[00018] Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a process for the manufacture of a support element for the human body, which is provided with parts with properties in terms of appearance and functions that are improved in relation to the rest of the support element, and that it can be acted upon with the optimization of production costs, with greater process efficiency and with the use of materials that can reduce the impact on the environment.
[00019] This technical objective, as well as these purposes are achieved with the support element for the human body in accordance with claim 1 attached, and with the process for the manufacture of this support element in accordance with claim 20.
[00020] The support element according to the invention has parts with different appearances, consisting of surface elements having high surface quality, which are able to offer a different approach in terms of appearance and a localized functionality that is differentiated thanks to a integrated process that joins materials with high compatibility that can reduce the impact on the environment, at the same time assuring a longer duration of use and greater resistance to atmospheric and similar conditions, without deterioration.
[00021] Furthermore, these surface elements constitute areas having different characteristics in terms of resting comfort for the user, for example, preferably areas with greater flexibility, softness or even greater grip.
[00022] The support element is, moreover, made in a single molding step, which can be actuated with equipment and technology that are known and available in the field. Other advantageous features are described in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00023] The characteristics of the invention will become more understandable to any person skilled in the art, from the following description and from the attached tables of the drawings, provided as a non-limiting example, in which:
[00024] Figure 1 is a plan view of a support element according to the invention, consisting of a saddle;
[00025] Figure 2 is a rear view of the support element of Figure 1;
[00026] Figure 3 is a partially sectioned rear view of the support element of figures 1, 2;
[00027] Figure 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of the support element according to the invention, which consists of a handle;
[00028] Figure 5 is a side view of the support element of Figure 4;
[00029] Figure 6 is a partially sectioned side view of the support element of Figures 4, 5;
[00030] Figure 7 is a partially sectioned rear view of another embodiment of the support element according to the invention;
[00031] Figure 8 is a partially sectioned side view of a step of a version of the process for making the support element according to the invention;
[00032] Figure 9 is a partially sectioned rear view of another version of the support element of figures 1, 2;
[00033] Figure 10 is a partially sectioned side view of another version of the support element of figures 4, 5;
[00034] Figure 11 is a partially sectioned side view of a step of another version of the process for making the support element according to the invention. ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[00035] With reference to the attached figure 1, a support element for the human body according to the present invention is fully indicated with reference numeral 1.
[00036] The support element 1 comprises a surface that is suitable for contacting the user.
[00037] In figure 1, the support element consists of a saddle for bicycles, motorcycles and the like.
[00038] However, it should be noted that the support element according to the invention may consist of any other element in which at least a part of the human body rests or adheres, for example, in the field of means of transport, various types of devices , sports equipment and the like without any limitation.
[00039] As illustrated in the partially sectioned view of figure 3, the support element 1, which consists of a saddle, comprises, in a known way, a core 2, known in the field also by the name of felt made, for example, of metal, plastic or any other material with suitable characteristics. In this version of the invention, the core 2 is rigid, but it can also be semi-rigid or elastic.
[00040] The core 2 of the saddle 1 has shapes and dimensions that are conventional and known in the field.
[00041] The core 2 comprises means for coupling to means of transport, machinery, known devices (not shown), sports equipment, furniture elements and the like, or to any other means or devices in which the support element according to the invention is envisioned.
[00042] In the present embodiment, the core 2 comprises in particular coupling means, which are not represented in the figures and which are of the type known in the field, with the seat seat of the saddle of bicycles, motorcycles and the like.
[00043] At least a part of the core 2 is covered by a layer 3 of soft and flexible material.
[00044] In the present embodiment, the entire upper surface of core 2 is covered by layer 3 made of soft and flexible material.
[00045] In other embodiments, only one or more parts of the core 2 can be covered by a layer 3 of soft and flexible material.
[00046] The soft, flexible material with which layer 3 is made consists of a polyurethane foam, an elastomeric material, a similar material or combinations thereof.
[00047] For example, polyurethane foam can be of the integral type, that is, be able to form an external surface having ideal characteristics in terms of surface quality and wear resistance.
[00048] The layer 3 made of soft and flexible material can also be covered with another possible protective surface film that is applied by misting, painting, or by another technique that is suitable for the purpose.
[00049] Layer 3 made of soft and flexible material comprises at least one surface insert 4 having different characteristics in terms of appearance and/or comfort with respect to the rest of the surface of support element 1 or layer 3.
[00050] The at least one insert 4 comprises a visible surface 6 that is in contact with the user.
[00051] The layer 3 made of soft and flexible material comprises an outer surface that substantially corresponds to the surface of the support element 1 that is suitable for coming into contact with the user. The surface of the support element 1 suitable for contacting the user is constituted by the visible surface 6 of the at least one surface insert 4 and the outer surface of layer 3.
[00052] Layer 3 surrounds at least one insert of surface 4.
[00053] As will become clearer from the rest of the description, the support element 1 comprising at least one surface insert 4 is made in a single molding step. In more detail, in the present embodiment of the support element 1, constituted by a saddle, the layer 3 comprises at least one surface insert 4.
[00054] In particular, the outer surface of layer 3 is interrupted by the presence of the at least one surface insert 4.
[00055] The surface insert 4 is arranged on the surface of the support element 1 suitable for contacting the user.
[00056] Each surface insert 4 may have a color different from the color of layer 3, or may have a different surface finish, or may have other characteristics, relating to the external appearance, that differentiate it from the rest of the surface of support element 1 .
[00057] In a version of the invention, these other characteristics may consist of logos, indications, graphic elements, prints, screen printing, pad printing, transfers, their combinations and all other graphic and ornamental elements that may be useful to differentiate support element 1 or to give more appeal or visibility. These features cannot be directly made in a layer 3 of the support element 1. These features can be contained directly in the surface insert 4 or can be carried by it in various ways.
[00058] In some cases, the visible surface 6 of the surface insert 4 may have a high friction, for better handling.
[00059] Each surface insert 4 is also shaped to ensure optimal and comfortable support of the considered part of the body, for example, by means of a properly studied ergonomic shape or by a surface finish with characteristics that are different from the characteristics of the rest of the support element 1, as will become clearer from the present description.
[00060] Each surface insert 4 can be made from a polyurethane foam and/or an elastomeric material and the like or can also be made of a different material from which layer 3 is made, for example, leather, fabric, synthetic material, metal, rubber, three-dimensional material of different type, self-forming material, breathable material, material with low coefficient of friction, etcetera, their combinations or other suitable material to give different appearance and/or comfort characteristics to the insert. surface 4.
[00061] More in particular, each surface insert 4 can be made of a different material, having characteristics that are different in terms of comfort when supporting the involved body part and in terms of appearance, with respect to layer 3 or the surface remainder of support element 1.
[00062] In particular, thanks to at least one surface insert 4, it is possible to vary the material in each area, for example, in order to differentiate the prostate area or other areas of the user's body that are particularly sensitive, to check different mechanical, functional, appearance, comfort, etc. properties to the support element 1.
[00063] For example, in one embodiment, each surface insert 4 can be made of a soft material.
[00064] In another version of the invention, the surface insert 4 can be made of a material with less thickness compared to the leather formed by the integral polyurethane foam of layer 3, thus providing a greater sense of comfort.
[00065] In another version of the invention, the surface insert 4 is made of a metallic material or other material that is resistant to scratches and impact, and disposed, for example, on the sides of the support element 1, which may be subject to impact or scratches or whereby the support element 1 may rest against a wall or against another support surface.
[00066] Thus, the surface insert 4 gives a longer life and integrity to the support element 1. In the case where a metallic material is used, the surface insert 4 is made of a thin metallic plate, which has characteristics which are suitable to meet the manufacturing needs for carrying out the present invention, as indicated in the present description. It should be clear that, in the case where metallic and/or rigid materials are used, their edges should be rounded so as not to injure or be an annoyance to the user.
[00067] The metallic or resistant material or any other material forming the surface insert 4 can be pre-injected with a polyurethane or elastomeric material.
[00068] In yet another version of the invention, the surface insert 4 is made of a particularly flat material or a material with low friction, being arranged, for example, on the sides of the support element 1, in the friction areas of the leg or from the user's body while, for example, the user pedals. Thus, the surface insert 4 determines an area with a lower coefficient of friction, capable of not disturbing or wasting the user's energy.
[00069] In a version of the invention, the surface insert 4 is made with a breathable material or a material that in any case limits the sweating of the user's body part with which it has contact, improving its sense of comfort.
[00070] The surface insert 4, therefore, can be placed in a prostatic area and/or in the ischial area, and/or on the sides of the support element 1, where it is necessary to have greater wear resistance, or in the areas that suffer from friction in the user's leg, where it is necessary to have less friction, and/or in other positions that are suitable to provide greater comfort and functionality or a different appearance in relation to the rest of the support element 1.
[00071] In other embodiments, each surface insert 4, for example, can be made up of a plurality of elements that are arranged on top of each other or coupled in another way, made of different materials with different characteristics in terms of resting comfort . For example, a coupling of flexible materials with other, more rigid materials, or even other combinations, arranged in different ways in relation to specific requirements, can be obtained.
[00072] In a version of the invention, the surface insert 4 may comprise an outer, sealed cover made of soft material, inside which at least one of the items is arranged: a self-shaping material, a natural element, cork, silica, a similar material, a synthetic element, micro-beads, grain materials of any origin, polystyrene or similar material, a viscoelastic material, a gel, a liquid gel or combinations thereof.
[00073] The outer cover can be made of polyethylene or any material suitable for the purpose.
[00074] Thus, the surface insert 4, thanks to the self-shaping material contained in the outer cover, can distribute the pressure exerted by the user's body, simultaneously providing a greater sense of comfort to it.
[00075] In one version of the invention, the surface insert 4 may comprise a polyurethane gel or an elastomeric material.
[00076] Each 4 surface insert can be made, for example, by thermoforming methods.
[00077] In a version of the invention, each surface insert 4 is provided with a part 5 which lies inside the layer 3 of the soft and flexible material. The part 5 which lies inside the layer 3 consists of at least one side flap.
[00078] In a version of the invention, part 5 is peripheral.
[00079] In greater detail, the side flap 5 is provided along the entire perimeter of the surface insert 4, in particular its visible surface 6, as explained in greater detail in the rest of the description.
[00080] In addition, the side flap 5 protrudes from the visible surface 6 of the surface insert 4.
[00081] The side flap 5 can be made with a very small thickness, for example, of a few tens of millimeters.
[00082] As can be seen, for example, in Figure 3, the peripheral side flap 5 that projects from the visible surface 6 makes it possible to obtain a coupling between layer 3 and surface insert 4, which prevents any possible movement relative between the two parties.
[00083] This coupling, as mentioned earlier, is done in a single molding step.
[00084] By means of this coupling, the surface insert 4 is thus firmly fixed and locked inside the layer 3 of soft and flexible material and from it cannot be detached. In another version of the invention, shown in figures 9 and 10, each surface insert 4 does not have a part 5, such as a side flap, inside layer 3 of the soft and flexible material. In this version of the invention, the surface insert 4 adheres to the layer 3 of soft and flexible material by means of a compatibility interface between the materials forming the surface insert 4 and the layer 3, respectively.
[00085] This adhesion, therefore, is made thanks to the interaction that exists between the materials that form the surface insert 4 and layer 3, which are compatible with each other and therefore adhere to each other.
[00086] As a non-limiting example, in case there is a layer 3 made of polyurethane foam, the surface insert 4, to be compatible and therefore adhere to layer 3, can be made of a polyurethane material such as, for example, a film or layer of thermoplastic material, or any material that is preemptively treated with a compatibilizing material such as a suitable primer for the purpose. On the other hand, in case there is a layer 3 made of elastomeric material, the surface insert 4, to be compatible and therefore adhere to layer 3, can be made of a polyurethane-based material such as a film or a layer of thermoplastic polyurethane material or a material impregnated with polyurethane, or any material that has been preemptively treated with a compatibilizing material such as a suitable primer for the purpose.
[00087] In this way, the contact surface between the surface insert 4 and the layer 3 performs the compatibility and adhesion interface between them.
[00088] In this way, a coupling is created between these materials, thanks to which the surface insert 4 is rigidly fixed and locked inside the layer 3 of soft and flexible material with the impossibility of detaching from the latter.
[00089] In the area of union of the outer surface of layer 3 and the visible surface 6 of each surface insert 4 there may be a peripheral groove 7 with a small section, for reasons that will become more evident in the remainder of the description.
[00090] The invention thus conceived makes it possible to obtain important technical advantages.
[00091] First, according to the invention it is possible to make, in a single molding step the elements for the support of the human body comprising, on the surface in contact with the user, surface elements having different characteristics in terms of appearance, which they guarantee optimal strength and durability in use under atmospheric and similar conditions.
[00092] In addition, the invention makes it possible to obtain, in a single molding step, elements to support the human body comprising, on the surface in contact with the user, surface areas that are differentiated in terms of their functions and/or the rest comfort, in order to provide, for example, areas with characteristics of greater flexibility or softness in regions where there is greater specific pressure of the body on the support element itself.
[00093] Having a single molding step, results in obvious advantages in terms of costs and production time, as well as leads to greater compatibility between materials.
[00094] In addition, this step can be achieved with equipment that are essentially known and conventional, already available to technicians in the subject.
[00095] Another embodiment of the support element according to the invention is illustrated in figures 4, 5, 6.
[00096] In this embodiment we use, to indicate the same parts, the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment, increased by 100.
[00097] In this embodiment, the support element is composed of a handle 101 for the handlebars of the means of transport, such as bicycles, motorcycles and similar and/or sports equipment.
[00098] The handle 101 comprises a core 102. This core 102 may be rigid or semi-rigid or elastic.
[00099] The core 102 is made, for example, of plastic material, metallic material, or any other material with characteristics that are suitable for this type of application.
[000100] In a non-limiting embodiment, the core 102 is made in the shape of a tube. This core 102 can be made in the form of a glove.
[000101] In another embodiment without limitation, the core 102 is made, for example, by means of a cover layer, possibly soft, or made by means of spray paint of any material suitable for the purpose.
[000102] The core 102 defines an area of rigidity that is differentiated from the remaining part of the support element 101.
[000103] The core 102 is suitable to be coupled, for example, to a handlebar of a bicycle and/or sports equipment, with the help of locking means that are known in the field and that are not the object of the present invention.
[000104] The core 102 is covered, in at least a part of the external surface by a layer 103 of soft and flexible material, whose characteristics were illustrated in the description of the previous embodiment.
[000105] In this embodiment, the core 102 is completely covered by a layer 103 except for possibly an end section 108, which can be functional with locking on the handlebars by means of locking rings or other known means.
[000106] Consequently, the layer 103 also has a substantially tubular shape, for example slightly convex, closed at the base, as in the housing of the present embodiment.
[000107] The handle 101 also comprises a surface insert 104, with different characteristics in terms of appearance and/or comfort with respect to the remaining part of the covering layer 103.
[000108] The surface insert 104 can have an oval shape, as illustrated, or different shapes, without thereby abandoning the scope of protection of the present invention.
[000109] The surface insert 104 can be provided in the resting area of the palm of a hand or can be provided in different areas in contact with the user, without therefore abandoning the scope of protection of the present invention.
[000110] Furthermore, many surface inserts 104 can be provided in the same handle.
[000111] The specific characteristics of the surface insert 104 of the handle 101, both in terms of appearance and in terms of functionality and resting comfort, as well as in terms of production technology, are the same described in relation to the previous embodiment, with the already described effects and technical advantages.
[000112] Yet another realization of the support element according to the present invention is represented, in partial section in Figure 7.
[000113] In this embodiment, the same reference numerals as the previous embodiment have been indicated to indicate the same parts, increased by 100.
[000114] This realization is the same as that of figures 1-3, that is, the support element 201, as an example, is constituted by a saddle. The support element 201 comprises an outer cover 209.
[000115] The outer cover 209 is substantially positioned on at least one of the surface inserts 204 and/or possibly close to them.
[000116] In this embodiment, the support element 201 has surface features that can be customized further with respect to, for example, the realization of figures 1-3, since at least one surface insert 204 and possibly at least a part of layer 203 made of soft and flexible material disposed close to at least one surface insert 204, are covered with the most suitable material for the specific application.
[000117] For example, the outer covering 209 can be made of leather, natural or synthetic fabric, or the like. The outer cover 209 can be made of transparent material.
[000118] In the rest of the description, we will describe in its main steps, a process for the manufacture of a support element for the human body according to a version of the present invention.
[000119] The steps of the process are applied in an absolutely general way, that is, regardless of the specific type of support element made, which in the specific case consists, for example, of a handle.
[000120] The process initially comprises a step of providing at least one surface insert 104.
[000121] The surface insert 104 can be made, for example, as mentioned above, by thermoforming.
[000122] When the surface insert 104 has been inserted in adequate number with respect to a specific application, the process comprises a step of arranging as a surface insert 104 inside the first half-shell S of a mold.
[000123] The mold is of the type commonly known in the field. The visible surface 106 of the surface insert 104 is in direct contact with the inner surface of the first half-shell S of the mold.
[000124] The surface insert 104 is housed in a projecting rib N which is provided on the inner surface of the first half-shell S of the mold.
[000125] The perimeter of this rib N substantially corresponds to that of the visible surface 106 of the surface insert 104.
[000126] In this way, upon insertion of the surface insert 104, the side flap 105 is slightly folded into the mold with effects that will be described in greater detail in the rest of the description.
[000127] At this stage, the process provides for a step of placing the visible surface 106 of the surface insert 104 in communication with a vacuum source.
[000128] This is achieved thanks to the presence of holes F in the first half-layer S, which are placed in communication with a vacuum source of the type known in the field, no longer being described or represented in the figures.
[000129] In this way, the ideal adhesion of the visible surface 106 of the surface insert 104 on the inner surface of the first half-layer S is obtained, without the risk of accidental movements or displacements.
[000130] The possibility of placing only the inner surface of the mold in communication with a vacuum source on the visible surface 106 of the at least one surface insert 104, with respect to the prior art, in which the entire inner surface of the mold is placed in communication with these sources gives the technical advantage of positioning elements in a localized manner. In this way, the element that must be kept under vacuum does not necessarily correspond to the entire internal surface of the mold, but can only be limited to certain parts of it, thus obtaining a specific location of this at least one element.
[000131] Subsequently, the mold is closed with a second half-cover, not shown in the figures.
[000132] Then there is a step of injection into the mold of a polyurethane foam type material and/or an elastomeric material or similar, thus obtaining the layer 103 of soft and flexible material.
[000133] Subsequently, the mold is closed with a male of the same mold, which is not represented in the figures.
[000134] The modalities of injection of this material into the mold are known in the field and will not be further described.
[000135] This step is schematically represented in figure 8, in which the support element obtained consists of a handle as in figures 4-6.
[000136] As shown in Figure 8, the material injection obtains an ideal coupling with the surface insert 104, so that the injected material is exclusively disposed around its internal surfaces and around the side flap 105, but not between the insert itself and the surface of the first half-layer S of the mold.
[000137] The penetration of the material in this area is actually prevented by the presence of a part or the side flap 105 bent in the rib N. The pressure of the material in the flap 105 represents a perfect sealing closure, which prevents any leakage. The injected material from layer 103 therefore presses and hermetically closes part or side flap 105 against rib N.
[000138] Rib N folds the part or side flap 105. The folding occurs in the direction of the area where the material of layer 103 will be injected.
[000139] The N rib creates a kind of dam for the injected 103 layer material, which is arranged exclusively around the inner surfaces of the surface insert 104 and around the part or the side flap 105, but not between the insert itself of surface 4 and the surface of the first half-layer S of the mold.
[000140] Furthermore, the arrangement of the material of the layer 103 around the side flap 105 determines an ideal locking of the surface insert 104 inside the foam.
[000141] There is a step in which the injected material polymerizes inside the mold, in the case of a polyurethane foam, or reacts in the case of an elastomeric material, reticulating or hardening and compacting; then, the male part and the half-parts are opened, and the final product is obtained.
[000142] As can be understood, the peripheral throat 107 between the surface of the layer 103 and the visible surface 106 of the surface insert 104 is actually determined by the presence of the rib N in the first half-shell of the mold.
[000143] In another version of the invention, schematically illustrated in Figure 11, in which there is no part 105 as, for example, a side flap, inserted in the layer 103 of soft and flexible material, the process for manufacturing an element of support for the human body provides for the above-mentioned steps. However, unlike what was described above, in this version of the invention, the surface insert 104 adheres to a layer 103 made of soft and flexible material, thanks to the compatibility of the materials that respectively form the surface insert 104 and the layer 103, and not because, as previously described, the side flap 105 is slightly bent inwards relative to the mold and into the injected material.
[000144] In this version of the invention, the coupling created by the adhesion between the materials and the layer 103 and the surface insert 104, obtained thanks to the presence of a compatibility and adhesion interface, as previously described, defines an ideal locking of the insert. surface 104 within the layer 103, with the impossibility of being detached from the latter.
[000145] The penetration of the injected material in the area corresponding to the surface insert 104 is prevented by the presence of the N rib, when it exists.
[000146] In another embodiment of the process, it can also be foreseen to have a step of arrangement of an outer cover 209 inside the first half-shell S of the mold, in direct contact with its inner surface, substantially in at least one insert of surface 204 and before the injection step of the material that will form the layer 3, in one or more ribs N provided in the mold.
[000147] It was thus seen how the invention achieves its proposed purposes.
[000148] The present invention has been described according to the preferred embodiments, but equivalent variants can be conceived without abandoning the protection offered by the following claims.

权利要求:
Claims (14)
[0001]
1. SUPPORT ELEMENT FOR THE HUMAN BODY, comprising a layer (3; 103; 203) of soft and flexible material and a core of rigid, semi-rigid or elastic material, at least partially coated with said layer and comprising means for coupling with means of transport, decorative elements and sports equipment, said support element further comprising at least one surface insert (4; 104; 204) having different characteristics in terms of appearance and/or comfort, wherein said at least one surface insert (4; 104; 204) comprises a visible surface (6; 106; 206) in contact with the user, wherein said visible surface (6; 106; 206) is smaller than said layer (3; 103; 203 ) and that said surface insert (4; 104; 204) comprises at least a part (5; 105; 205) integrated to said layer (3; 103; 203), characterized in that said at least one portion consisting of at least one side flap (5; 105; 205) thick reduced thickness extending from the visible surface (6; 106; 206) of said surface insert (4; 104; 204), wherein said layer (3; 103; 203) is molded around the inner surfaces of said surface insert (4) and completely around said side flap (5; 105; 205) of said surface insert (4; 104; 204), wherein said support element (1) is a saddle for a bicycle or a motorcycle or a means of transport, a seat, a hand strap for the handlebars of bicycles, motorcycles and sports equipment, and wherein said support element (1) is provided with a surface suitable for contacting a user and comprising said visible surface (6; 106;206).
[0002]
2. SUPPORT ELEMENT according to claim 1, wherein said surface insert (4; 104; 204) is characterized by comprising a polyurethane foam, an elastomeric material, a similar material, leather, fabric, synthetic materials, metals, rubber, different types of three-dimensional materials, a self-forming material, a breathable material, a material with a low coefficient of friction or their combinations.
[0003]
3. SUPPORT ELEMENT according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said surface insert (4; 104; 204) is characterized by comprising a plurality of inserts that are stacked or coupled, made of materials with different characteristics of comfort when resting on them.
[0004]
4. SUPPORT ELEMENT, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said surface insert (4; 104; 204) is characterized in that it comprises an outer wrapping, in which a self-forming type material is positioned, a natural element , cork, silica, a synthetic element, microspheres, a granular material of any origin, polystyrene, a similar material, a viscoelastic material, a gel, a liquid gel or combinations thereof.
[0005]
5. SUPPORT ELEMENT, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said surface insert (4; 104; 204) is made by thermoforming.
[0006]
SUPPORT ELEMENT according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said surface insert (4; 104; 204) is characterized in that it comprises a gel or an elastomeric material.
[0007]
7. SUPPORT ELEMENT according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said surface insert (4; 104; 204) has a color different from the color of said layer (3; 103; 203), characterized in that it comprises a different surface finish, comprising or carrying characteristics relating to its external appearance, which differentiates it from the remaining surface of said support element (1) logos, brands, graphic elements, prints, screen printing, pad printing, transfers, other graphic elements or ornamentals that can be used to differentiate said support element (1) or make it look more beautiful or stand out more, or combinations thereof.
[0008]
8. SUPPORT ELEMENT, according to claim 1, characterized in that said side flap (5; 105; 205) is provided along the entire perimeter of said surface insert (4; 104; 204).
[0009]
A SUPPORT ELEMENT according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said surface insert (4; 104; 204) is characterized in that it comprises a material compatible with the material of which said layer (3; 103; 203) ) is made, suitable to adhere to the latter.
[0010]
10. SUPPORT ELEMENT according to claim 1, wherein said compatible material of said surface insert (4) is characterized by comprising a polyurethane material, a film or layer of thermoplastic material, or any material preemptively treated with a compatibilizing material such as a primer suitable for the purpose, in order to adhere to said layer (3), made of polyurethane foam.
[0011]
SUPPORT ELEMENT according to claim 10, wherein said compatible material of said surface insert (4) is characterized by comprising a polyurethane-based material, a film or layer of polyurethane thermoplastic material or an impregnated material with polyurethane, or any material preemptively treated with a compatibilizing material such as a suitable primer for the purpose, in order to adhere to said layer (3) made of elastomeric material.
[0012]
12. SUPPORT ELEMENT according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said soft and flexible material of said layer (3; 103; 203) is of the type of polyurethane foam and/or an elastomeric or similar material, optionally coated with a surface protection film applied by spray or paint, or by any other technique suitable for the purpose.
[0013]
SUPPORT ELEMENT according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said polyurethane foam of said layer (3; 103; 203) is of the integral type.
[0014]
SUPPORT ELEMENT according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one outer covering (209) substantially on said at least one surface insert (204).

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同族专利:

公开号 | 公开日

US9132874B2|2015-09-15|

ITVR20110052A1|2012-09-12|

JP6351264B2|2018-07-04|

CN103476668B|2017-06-06|

EP2683600B1|2021-07-21|

CN103476668A|2013-12-25|

WO2012123876A1|2012-09-20|

TW201242827A|2012-11-01|

PT2683600T|2021-10-22|

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US20140054937A1|2014-02-27|

EP2683600A1|2014-01-15|

JP2014514982A|2014-06-26|

BR112013023135A2|2018-06-12|

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法律状态:
2018-12-18| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

2019-10-22| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

2021-01-26| B06A| Patent application procedure suspended [chapter 6.1 patent gazette]|

2021-05-11| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

2021-07-20| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 09/03/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

ITVR2011A000052|2011-03-11|

PCT/IB2012/051128|WO2012123876A1|2011-03-11|2012-03-09|Support element for human body and method for its realisation|

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