Protection device and protection method

Abstract

A protection device including an inflating strap having flexibility and configured to be disposed in contact with a skin of a wearer along at least a part of a boundary region between the neck and a head of the wearer in a state before the protection device is operated, the inflating strap including an inflating portion configured to be inflated when an inflation source is supplied at a time of operation of the protection device, an inflation source supply unit configured to supply the inflation source to the inflating portion, and an activation unit configured to inflate the inflating portion by activating the inflation source supply unit, a movement of the neck of the wearer is restricted by inflating the inflating portion at a time of operation.

1 . A protection device comprising:
 an inflating strap having flexibility and configured to be disposed in contact with a skin of a wearer along at least a part of a boundary region between a neck and a head of the wearer in a state before the protection device is operated, the inflating strap including an inflating portion configured to be inflated when an inflation source is supplied at a time of operation of the protection device;   an inflation source supplier configured to supply the inflation source to the inflating portion; and   an activator configured to inflate the inflating portion by activating the inflation source supplier, wherein   a movement of the neck of the wearer is restricted by inflating the inflating portion at a time of operation.   
     
     
         2 . The protection device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the inflating strap includes a lower-chin-strap portion disposed along a boundary region between an anterior neck and a lower chin portion of the wearer in the state before the protection device is operated.   
     
     
         3 . The protection device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the inflating strap includes a rear strap portion disposed along a boundary region between a posterior neck and an occipital portion of the wearer.   
     
     
         4 . The protection device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the inflating strap includes a lower-chin-strap portion disposed along a boundary region between an anterior neck and a lower chin portion of the wearer and a rear strap portion disposed along a boundary region between a posterior neck and an occipital portion of the wearer, the lower-chin-strap portion and the rear strap portion being connected to each other.   
     
     
         5 . The protection device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the inflating strap is formed of at least a part of a fixing strap configured to fix to the wearer a half-type helmet configured to protect the head.   
     
     
         6 . The protection device according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the activator further includes an operation condition detection sensor configured to detect that a predetermined operation condition is satisfied, and   the inflation source supplier and the activator are mounted on the helmet.   
     
     
         7 . The protection device according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the inflation source supplier and the activator are attachable to and detachable from the helmet.   
     
     
         8 . The protection device according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the activator further includes a mounting state detection sensor configured to detect whether the helmet is worn on the head of the wearer.   
     
     
         9 . The protection device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the inflating strap further includes a core cord portion to which the inflation source is not supplied, and   the inflating portion is provided in contact with and integrally with the core cord portion.   
     
     
         10 . The protection device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the inflating strap is disposed in a state where the inflating portion is wrapped with an exterior member,   the exterior member includes a first exterior main surface portion disposed in a mode in contact with the skin of the wearer, a second exterior main surface portion disposed to face the first exterior main surface portion, and a pair of exterior side surface portions connecting the first exterior main surface portion and the second exterior main surface portion, and   the exterior member is configured such that by an inflation pressure of the inflating portion at a time of operation, the pair of exterior side surface portions are ruptured, or a connecting portion of each of the exterior side surface portions respectively connected to the first exterior main surface portion and the second exterior main surface portion is broken.   
     
     
         11 . The protection device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the inflation source supplier is a gas supply generator configured to supply inflation gas that inflates the inflating portion to the inflating portion at a time of operation, and   the gas generator includes a conduit configured to introduce the inflation gas to the inflating portion, the conduit being provided with a release valve.   
     
     
         12 . An operation method for a protection device,
 providing an inflating strap having flexibility in contact with a skin of a wearer along at least a part of a boundary region between a neck and a head of the wearer in a state before the protection device is operated;   inflating an inflating portion of the inflating strap when an inflation source is supplied at a time of operation of the protection device from an inflation source supplier by activating an activator, wherein   inflating the inflating portion by the activator to restrict a movement of the neck of the wearer.   
     
     
         13 . The protection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the inflating strap filles a gap around the neck when being inflated.