AU2006100098A4

AU2006100098A4 - Adjustable turn-lock rachet system for goggles

Info

Publication number: AU2006100098A4
Application number: AU2006100098A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul Joseph OBrien
Original assignee: PAUL OBRIEN
Current assignee: PAUL OBRIEN
Priority date: 2006-02-07
Filing date: 2006-02-07
Publication date: 2006-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2014-02-07

Description

FROM FOMFAX NO. :0296666950 08 Mar. 2006 03:24PM P2

IND

00 00 BACKGROUND OF THE rNVENTION.

This invention basically relates to an adjustable turn-lock ratchet to mount goggles to a helmet/head protection. Goggles are used for a wide variety of IND purposes, Goggles are worn e.g. by construction workers, miners, firemen and rescue serv ices as a protection against falling objects. There are many types of goggles for sports use e.g. hockey players, football players, skiers, bobsicigh and sledges drivers, cyclists and horse riders etc. Thc usc of goggles by motorcyclists is increasing. This invention relates to goggles to be fitted on helmets/head protection in general for any goggle has to be secured when worn on the face so that ]it will remain in place even if the wearer makes abrupt head movements, and so enable the goggles to totally fu~lfil their protective function in the event of any serious incident. As a general rule, goggles are held in place by means of a one- piece elastic strap with a buckle that is attached to thc goggles and passed around the head to secure thc goggles to the wearers face. When this method is used the goggles have to be removed from the wearers head totally, usually with both hands and stretching the elastic strap to adjust the elastic length for fit. Either onto the wearers' helmet/head protection, or wearers face The turn-lock ratchet eliminates the above adjusting procedure, as by using the turn-lock ratchet with a one- hand movement, the user would not have to remove the goggles from the face or the helmnet/ head protection for adjustment. The turn-lock ratchet system also eliminates wear and tear on the elastic straps, as when removing the goggles from the face or head/helmet protection the elastic is released from tension through the ratchet system thereby prolonging the working life of the goggles.

08/03 '06 WED 15:19 [TX/RX NO 6467] FROM: FRX NO. :0296666950 08 Mar. 2006 03:24PM P3 2_ 00 00

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

Hence it is the task of this invention to make provision for a turn-lock ratchet to fit goggles to a helmet head protection with an adjustable ratchet IN strap that overcomes the problems described above. The wearer should be O able to put the goggles on the helmet, head or head protection quickly, and use a finely adjustable tightening force to tighten the strap or straps quickly and comfortably by himself, with just one hand. The turn-lock ratchet should also enable the wearer to tighten or loosed the straps easily and quickly, with just one hand at any time when the goggles are being worn on the face. Equally, the wearer should be able to loosen the straps quickly and easily so the goggles can be removed from the face and placed securely back onto the helmet, head or head protection. These tasks arc solved by this turn-lock ratchet system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIE DRAWING FIGURES.

Various embodiments of such goggle mounted ratchet with an adjustable strap will be presented, and their handling and special features explained, in the following description and with reference to the drawings in which.

FIG. 1; is a side view ol'a helmet with a strap that can be adjusted by means of a turn-lock ratchet; 1.Turn-lock Ratchet. 2.Connecting straps.3 mlastic straps. 4.Slot or bracket.

5.Goggles.6 Helmet Shell.

FIG.2: is a top view, an exploded drawing, of a helmet with a straps that can be adjusted by means of a turn-lock ratchet.

FIG.3 the assembled turn-lock fastener (Fig 1) with Geneva mechanism in a vertical section; FIG.4 the turn-lock fastener with Geneva mechanism in a partial section; a turn-lock fastener with curved grooves acting as cam discs on a construction workers helmet, seen from the rear; FIG.6 a side view ofa helmet (Fig I) with a strap that can a be adjusted by means of a turn-lock fastener; 08/03 '06 WED 15:19 [TX/RX NO 6467] FROM FAX NO. :0296666950 08 Mar. 2006 03:18PM P4 I3 N DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS

Ct 00

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00 0 \FIG I shows a side view of a helmet with straps that can be tightened and released by means of a turn-lock fastener, which is operated with one hand.

Each helmet wearer has to individually adjust the length of the goggle straps I for head size variance. For this purpose of fitting adequately to the face, the tension is Sadjusted by means of the said turn-lock ratchet fastener This turn-lock fastener is the core element in the design of a goggle strap of this type i.e. a(3) goggle strap that can be tightened, adjusted and released with just one hand, It basically comprises a curved housing and a rotating knob situated on the back of the housing which can be rotated in conjunction with the two plastic straps which pass out of the housing on opposite sides. A rotary actuator construction inside the housing of the(l) turn-lock fastcner allows the plastic straps to be tightened or released by turning a rotating knob. To achieve this, the rotary actuator construction is used to turn a wheel, for example on which the ends of the(3) elastic goggle straps are wound, in one direction or the other so that, by rotating the knob as required, the cffective length of plastic straps can be modified in opposite directions, thereby providing a loosening and tightening of said straps and therefore of the straps overall.

Such turn-lock fasteners may be used in a variety of constructions. One possible construction is described below with reference to the exploded vertical/horizontal section shown in FIG.4 Beginning at the bottom, one sees first the curved housing of the turn-lock fastener, with guide channels, through which the corresponding ends of plastic straps pass out of the housing on opposite sides. The rotating knob tightens the goggles straps as this occurs. By turning in the opposite direction the pulling straps are unwound, and the strap is loosened.

FIG 5. Shows how turn-lock fastener is incorporated, and its function in a plastic shell. On both sides of the turn-lock fastener the shell has recesses in the form of slits running radially from turn-lock fastener knob in the direction of the straps converging from the sides, said mounted slits being a few centimetres long through which the two straps converge from each side of the helmet.

When ratchet system of turn-lock fastener is fully extended on the left and right of rotating knob, slides can be pulled to their outermost position and the strap is then sufficiently loosened for the wearer to adjust goggles to be slipped on over the wearer's face. After putting on the goggles the(l) turn-lock fastener is turned with one hand, which can be done when wearing a glove and(5) goggles element is pulled flush against the face to suit the wearer. Hence the goggles can be put on and tightened as required by the wearer himself. The two straps are adjusted to their 08/03 '06 WED 15:12 [TX/RX NO 6465] FROM FAlX NO. :0296666950 08 Mar. 2006 03:19PM P6 FROMFRX O. 2966695 O4- Soptimum length and secured by means of the(1) turn-lock ratchet after which the (2) (C1 straps basically remain secure.

tWhen the goggles need to be removed by the wearer the rotating knob is rotated in the opposite direction using one hand only.

00 0The turn-lock ratchet fastener is the core element in realising a goggle strap of this type i.e. which can be tightened, adjusted and released with just one hand, one element other inventions in time to come may imitate by one means or another other 00 adjustable designs of a turn-lock ratchet fastener. The importance of this invention Sis adapting and replacing a portion of the elastic straps with the(I) turn-lock ratchet system or similar to make it easier to fit goggles to a users face either in conjunction with a helmet, head protection or directly to the head.

\O

SIt is obvious, of course, that many different types of helmet/goggles can be fitted with the basic system allowing the goggles to be directly or indirectly adjusted by means of such a turn-lock ratchet fastener and then fixed in each position. Equally embodiments where corresponding straps with turn-lock ratchet fastener are also possible. The turn-lock ratchet fastener can also be mounted in some other position on the helmet. E.g. on the sides. Its straps are then guided around the helmet shell in such a manner that they can tighten the strap as required to secure the goggles.

08/03 '06 WED 15:12 [TX/RX NO 6465]

Claims

2. The ratchet turn -lock is designed to allow any goggles to fit any helmet, head or head protection wherein said straps form part of its application for the loosening and tightening procedure with said straps of said turn-lock being guided along said straps either side of the helmet/head protection. 3 The adjustable ratchet turn-lock of claim 1 facilitates the goggles security. The ratchet turn-lock is mounted at the rear of the helmet wherefrom said straps run horizontally either side of the helmet and from each of its ends. The straps are guided along a guide channel provided inside the helmet, said straps being capable of being tensioned, and thereby securing said goggles to the wearers face.
3. The adjustable ratchet turn-lock securing the goggles with adjustable straps of claim 1, wherein said turn-lock ratchet has a base with a rotatable dial, as well as at least two additional straps leading to it, so that when said rotatable dial is turned in one direction it causes said additional straps to be pulled together, 4 Goggles with an adjustable ratchet strap, comprising said goggles having said strap, the length of said strap used for securing said goggles onto a user's head/helmet being continuously adjustable, fixed or released in any position via turn-lock ratchet operable with one hand, wherein said straps running along inside/outside of said helmet, head or head protection with a lensioning of said straps being able to be increased and decreased for tightening and loosning, respectively said goggles on the user's face by said turn-lock ratchet. 08/03 '06 WED 15:12 [TX/RX NO 6465] -0 FROM FOMFAX NO. :029666650 08 Mar. 2006, 03:25PM P4 Goggles with adjustable straps, comprising, said helmet having said straps, the ri length of said straps used for securing said goggles on a user's face being continuously adjustable, fixed or released in any position via a turn-look Ct operable with one hand, wherein said straps are straps running along irtside/outside of said helmet, head or head Protection with a tensioning of said 00 straps being able to be increased and decreased for tightening and loosening respectively, said goggles on the user's face hy said ratchet turn-lock 6 Goggles with adjustable straps, comprising, said helmet having said straps, the 00 length of said straps used for securing said goggles on a user's face being continuously adjustable, fixed or releawcd in any position via a turn-lock operable with one hand, wherein said straps ame straps running along inside/outside of said helmet, head or head protection with a tensioning of said straps beinog able to be increased and decreased for tightening and loosening IND respectively, said goggles on the user's t~ce by said ratchet turn-lock. 08/03 '06 WED 15:19 [TX/RX NO 6467]