The present invention relates to a wearable personal protection device and a system for managing wearable personal protection devices.

The term personal protection devices (or personal protection equipment, abbreviated to PPE) means products the function of which is to safeguard the person who wears them from risks, typically relating to safety at work.

Current regulations are extremely precise in specifying which types of protection devices should be used according to function or to the work carried out, likewise requiring employers to meet a series of obligations that range from the training of individual employees to verifying that they make correct use of the devices made available to them.

Practical examples of personal protection devices used are gloves, protective eye masks, ear defenders, filters, helmets, safety boots, harness, protective clothing etc..

One problem associated with the use of personal protection devices is undoubtedly linked to the difficulty, for the employer or for the safety officer, of being able to verify whether and in what terms the employees, according to their role or to the activity they are instructed to carry out, are making correct use of the personal protection devices assigned to them.

Furthermore, in some situations, especially for employees who work with machine tools, it may be advisable to effectively interface the protection device with the machine tools, in order to prevent them from operating if there should be risks for the employee.

In this regard it should be noted that gloves of this type are already known, for example from EP1445531, but they are extremely complex in terms of construction and they are also exceedingly costly.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a wearable personal protection device and a system for managing wearable personal protection devices that are capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a wearable personal protection device and a system for managing wearable personal protection devices that make it possible to manage, overall, all the problems of management within firms, facilities, or construction sites of different sizes and with different requirements.

Another object of the invention is to devise a system and a device that make it possible to monitor the conditions of the user, with particular reference to those who work under conditions of high risk.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wearable personal protection device and a system for managing wearable personal protection devices that are highly reliable, easy to implement and of low cost.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a wearable personal protection device and a system for managing wearable personal protection devices according to the independent claims, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the wearable personal protection device and of the system for managing wearable personal protection devices according to the invention, which are illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figures 1 to 3 are schematic views showing the use of the system according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows a possible further usage variation of the system according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a transparent perspective view of a device of the master type of a marker which is adapted to be paired with a personal protection device;

Figure 6 is a perspective view from below of the device of the master type of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the device of the master type of Figure 5;

Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of a work glove with the device of the master type, respectively, associated and disassociated.

With reference to the figures, the system 10 for managing wearable personal protection devices 11 comprises at least one personal protection device 11 , which can be worn by a user 2 and which is associated or can be associated with a respective marker 12.

The system 10 further comprises at least one reader 20 of the marker

12.

Specifically, means are provided for managing the data relating to the marker 12 which are read by the reader 20.

According to a particularly important aspect of the invention, the personal protection device 11 comprises at least one glove 11a, and in particular a safety glove.

Advantageously means for detachable connection 13 are provided, for detachable connection between the glove 11a and the marker 12.

The above mentioned means for detachable connection 13 comprise first connection means 13b which are defined on the glove 11a and second connection means 13a which are defined on the marker 12.

This evidently makes it possible to continue to effectively use the marker 12 even if the gloves need to be changed or to be replaced.

The lifetime of work gloves is in fact extremely limited, while the marker 12 has a considerably greater useful life (and cost).

Conveniently, in the system 10, the marker 12 associated with the gloves 11a is a device of the master type 12a which comprises a transmission device 21 which is functionally connected to at least one sensor 22, which is adapted to detect whether the respective personal protection device 11 is being worn by the user.

The transmission device 21 is activated, conveniently, only if the sensor 22 detects that the glove 1 la is correctly worn.

Conveniently, the sensor 22 comprises a first, pulse sensor for each glove 11a, which, once it has detected, by virtue of reading the pulse, that the gloves 11a are correctly worn, activates optional further sensors which are present in the device of the master type 12a.

If one of the two gloves 1 la is not worn, the respective sensor 22 will not detect, for example, the pulse (or the temperature) and consequently will not send the signal.

At this point, not receiving the signal, the other device of the master type 12a will report the anomalous situation.

If the glove or gloves 11a are not worn for a length of time greater than a preset length of time within a work environment in which their use is required, it is possible for the transmission device 21 to send an alert signal or an alarm signal to the management means.

Advantageously, the glove 11a, and more generally the personal protection device 11 , is configured so that the sensor 22 of the respective device of the master type 12a is facing or in contact with an area of the body of the user 2.

For the purposes of example, the glove 11a can be provided with an opening 1 lb at the area that is intended to face the sensor 22.

It is possible for both gloves 11a to be associated with a respective device of the master type 12a which is capable of interacting between them.

It is likewise possible for the device of the master type 12a to be associated with a single glove 11a, while the other glove is provided with a sensor 22 that is adapted to detect that such additional glove 11a is also correctly worn.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the reader 20 comprises at least one first reader 25 which is arranged at a respective passage 26 for access to an environment in which it is necessary to wear the at least one personal protection device 11.

The first reader 25 is therefore capable of detecting whether the user who is uniquely identified by the device of the master type 12a is wearing all the personal protection devices 12 that are dictated by his or her role and which are required by the environment which he or she has to enter, and in conformance with the risk evaluation of the company.

Conveniently, the first reader 25 is functionally associated with signaling means 25a, which are adapted to alert the user 2 when in proximity to the access passage 26 of any non-conformance relating to the personal protection devices 11 worn.

For the purposes of example, the signaling means 25a can be the of visual type (for example a screen displaying images or words) or of the acoustic type.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first reader 25 does not allow the user 2 to gain access to the work environment if he or she is not wearing the personal protection device 11 associated with the device of the master type 12a, specifically the gloves 11a (as shown in Figure 1): in such case in fact, the user 2 cannot be identified and the system 10 cannot evaluate whether he or she is actually wearing all the items of PPE that are required by his or her role and by his or her duties.

In the condition where, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the user 2 is in fact wearing the device of the master type 12a, the first reader 25 will be able to correctly identify the user 2 and verify whether he or she is wearing all the items of PPE required.

If, as shown in Figure 2, the user 2 is in fact wearing all the required items of PPE, the first reader 25, by interfacing with the management means, will command the opening of the passage 26.

If instead it emerges that the user 2 is not wearing all the required items of PPE (in the case shown in Figure 3 the user 2 is not wearing the required boots), the first reader 25 will not allow the passage 26 to be opened and will indicate, in the case shown on the screen 25a, which item of PPE is missing.

According to a further aspect of the invention shown in Figure 4, the reader 20 comprises at least one second reader 27, which is functionally connected to a machine tool 40.

It should be noted that Figure 4 shows a machine tool 40 constituted by a folding press, but the present invention relates to any machine tool that has mutually moving parts such as, for example, lathes, milling cutters, machining centers etc..

In this case, means are provided, preferably functionally connected to the management means, which are adapted to prevent the operation of the machine tool 40 as a function of the position of the marker 12.

In particular, the second reader 27 is capable of detecting the position of the marker 12 relative to the machine tool, or optionally of each marker 12 worn by the user 2, so as to intervene to stop the operation of the machine tool 40 if one of such markers 12 is brought to a distance that is less than a preset distance from moving parts of the machine tool.

Preferably, the further sensors that are present in the device of the master type 12a comprise, for example, a temperature detection device, an accelerometer, or other sensors of vital signs or of the presence of harmful or hazardous substances in the environment.

The choice of further sensors is obviously correlated to the type of activity of the individual user and to the specific environment where that user operates.

The optional presence of an accelerometer makes it possible, in an extremely effective manner, to detect the presence of a person on the floor, for example if he or she has suffered a fainting fit.

The fact that additional sensors can be used in some applications can make it possible to know, if a possible fall condition is detected, whether there are criticalities in other vital signs, for example by detecting anomalies in the pulse rate.

Advantageously, the further protection devices 11 in addition to the gloves 11a have respective secondary markers 12b.

Conveniently, such secondary markers 12b are substantially passive and are not associated with batteries or with sensors, but serve exclusively to register their presence and, as a consequence, to enable the reader 20 to detect, at the respective access passages 26, that the user identified by the device of the master type 12a is also wearing the further personal protection devices required for his or her role and for the environment that he or she is instructed to enter.

As already explained previously, the first readers 25 which are arranged at the passages 26 of the respective environments are functionally connected to means for opening/closing the respective passages 26, so as to permit access to users only if they are wearing the required personal protection devices.

It is advisable to have safety means associated with each marker 12 which are adapted to prevent the accidental or deliberate removal of the respective protection device 11.

In this regard, it is possible that removing the markers 12 can cause, for example, the breakage of the marker, in the case of secondary markers 12b, while in the case of the device of the master type 12a, the transmission or the power supply can be cut.

According to a further aspect, it is advantageous that the device of the master type 12a communicates cyclically with the secondary markers 12b so that it can cyclically verify whether the user 2 who is located in a given environment is wearing all the required items of PPE.

If the device of the master type 12a, optionally provided with a proximity reader, does not detect the proximity of all the secondary markers 12b that are associated with the items of PPE to be worn in that environment by that user 2, it will proceed to send a signal to that user 2 (which can be a vibration, an acoustic signal or an illuminated signal), and simultaneously it will send an alert to the designated office indicating that the user 2 is not working in safety.

The aforementioned alert is sent, conveniently, by way of a wireless LAN signal or Bluetooth signal or by way of other transmission systems, to detectors that activate the alert in real time.

The same procedure can be envisaged if the user should remove the item of PPE associated with the device of the master type 12a (specifically the glove or gloves 1 la).

In particular, the fact that at least one glove 11 a is not being worn, for example because the pulse is not detected by the respective sensor 22, will trigger the detection.

Advantageously, sending an alert of a person on the floor will also follow the same protocol and the same means described above.

Conveniently, in areas which we can identify as rest areas, where the user 2 is not required to use the PPE (toilet facilities, canteen, break areas etc.), interface means are advantageously provided which are adapted to allow the wireless LAN or Bluetooth transmission to be cut temporarily.

Evidently, when the user 2 leaves such areas, the respective device of the master type 12a will resume its normal operation with corresponding activation of the sensors 22.

If the system 10 is implemented in environments where the use of personal cellphones is not allowed, it functions after the installation and coverage in work areas with wireless LAN or Bluetooth sensors or other transmission systems with a set frequency for monitoring the presence of users 2 and vital signs, while for rest areas, different wireless LAN or Bluetooth devices or other transmission systems etc. will deactivate the operation of the device of the master type 12a. Conveniently, an activation reader 20 which is adapted to activate the device of the master type 12a can be installed at the gate for entering the work environment or the area for clocking-in and clocking-out.

In applications in outdoor work environments, it is possible for the system 10 to be functionally associated with an application for monitoring the device of the master type 12a, associated with the respective glove 11a, and for monitoring the secondary markers 12b.

Such application, if anomalies are detected, will alert the user 2 by way of a vibration, an acoustic signal or an illuminated signal etc., as well as sending an alarm or an alert remotely.

The report of the anomaly can further be sent to a person in a position of responsibility and/or to a nearby coworker and/or, optionally, to the emergency services, by way of a mobile phone call and/or by way of sending a GPS location signal, if a sensor should report a situation that threatens the life or health of the user 2 and if the user 2 is not capable of sending such signal autonomously.

Optionally, it is possible to configure the system 10 so that, before sending a report to the emergency services, a signal is sent to a coworker who is conveniently located in the vicinity and is capable of verifying the effective state of danger for the user.

According to a practical embodiment, the device of the master type 12a is provided with a device for sending an alarm.

Specifically, the device for sending an alarm comprises two buttons 30 which, if pressed simultaneously for a length of time longer than a preset time, trigger a mobile phone call and/or the sending of a GPS location signal.

This enables the user 2, autonomously and voluntarily, to send, independently of his or her state of health, a danger signal and subsequent GPS location signal.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a wearable personal protection device 11.

The personal protection device 11 comprises a respective marker 12.

Means for detachable connection 13 are also provided, for detachable connection between an item of clothing that can be worn by the user 2 and the marker 12.

According to a particularly important aspect of the invention, the personal protection device 11 comprises at least one glove 11a, and in particular a safety glove.

The above mentioned means for detachable connection 13 comprise first connection means 13a which are defined on the glove 11a and second connection means 13b which are defined on the marker 12.

For the purposes of example, the means for detachable connection 13 can comprise automatic buttons which are arranged partially on the glove 11a and partially on the device of the master type 12a, but also strips of Velcro®, containment pockets or removable riveting.

Preferably, the marker 12 comprises a device of the master type 12a which comprises at least one transmission device 21 which is functionally connected to at least one sensor 22 which is adapted to detect whether the respective personal protection device 11 is being worn by the user.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

In particular, the solution that envisages the use of the device of the master type 12a and the secondary markers 12b makes it possible, with extremely reduced costs, to assess whether each user 2 is wearing, at the access to the various work areas, all the required individual safety devices, with a sufficiently limited cost and restricted to the components of the device of the master type 12a.

The sensor and analysis part (including sensing and analysis of the vital signs of the user or of the environment) is in fact exclusively on the device of the master type 12a, while the secondary markers 12b can be substantially constituted by passive elements, such as for example an RFID tag.

There is obviously no reason why the device of the master type 12a, in some applications, cannot be associated with a personal protection device 11 other than gloves 11a, such as for example a helmet and goggles.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102019000007194 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.