AU615437B2 - Safety helmet - Google Patents

Description

_L7nn 615 3 AU-AI-14814/88 WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION International Bureau INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 4 (11) International Publication Number: WO 88/ 06415 A42B 3/00 Al (43) International Publication Date: 7 September 1988 (07.09.88) (21) International Application Number: PCT/AU88/00062 (81) Designated States: AT (European patent), AU, BE (European patent), CH (European patent), DE (Euro- (22) International Filing Date: 8 March 1988 (08.03.88) pean patent), FR (European patent), GB (European patent), IT (European patent), JP, LU (European patent), NL (European patent), SE (European patent), (31) Priority Application Numbers: PI 0676 US.

PI 2364 PI 5946 Published (32) Priority Dates: 5 March 1987 (05.03.87) With international search report.

9 June 1987 (09.06.87) 16 December 1987 (16.12.87) (33) Priority Country: AU (71)(72) Applicant and Inventor: GATH, Ricky, James [AU/ AU]; Lot 66 Wilderness Road, Margaret River, W.A. JP. 7 'T 6285 (AU).

(74) Agents: HARWOOD, Errol, John et al.; Wray Asso- ciates, P.O. Box 6292, Hay Street East, Perth, W.A. AUSTRALIAN 6000 (AU).

2 6 SEP !988 PATENT OFFICE (54) Title: SAFETY HELMET (57) Abstract 44 I A safety helmet for water sports comprising a shell an inner frame a retractible visor and 4 3 a head retentioning hood. A wiper means comprising two blades 5) is disposed at the front of the shell 0 3 between the shell and inner frame The blades are oppositely disposed in spaced apart and par- Q allel relationship to respectively engage the inner and i l outer faces of the visor so that upon moving the -s visor from an open to a closed position, or vice versa, the blades 5) wipe across the face of the vi- sor to clean the same. The head retentioning hood is segmented and is made from both resilient and sub- 49 stantially non-extendible material to intimately en- gage the head of the wearer so as to impede wind and water penetration of the ears, whilst maintaining comfort and ventilation of the head without limiting 7 freedom of movement.

1 i r -c i 2 "SAFETY HELMET" TECHNICAL FIELD THIS INVENTION relates to a high performance sports safety helmet and particularly, although not exclusively, to a safety helmet which has particular utility in water sports.

BACKGROUND ART Most recreational activities and sports, in particular water sports, are performed outdoors where the participants are exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Participants in recreational activities and sports such as cycling, hang gliding, skate board riding and e..

especially water sports activities such as sailboarding, C C surfing, yachting, wave skiing, water skiing, canoeing, jet skiing, snow skiing and the like, are all exposed to direct sunlight as well as reflective sunlight from their S surrounding environment. It has previously been known to use head gear provided with small peak visors in these activities and sports in order to provide eye and facial protection from the sun. However, such devices only protect a relatively small portion of the face and stop only minimal glare to the eyes. In the case of water sports, a participant subjected to the reflective glare of rcE sunlight from the water would find little protection by y the provision of the peak visor since the direction of the reflective sunlight is from below the height of the peak tncr visor. Additionally, the provision of peak visors on v C head gear can also create difficulties for wearers of such head gear in water sports, whereby the peak visor may interfere with vision and provide a surface which may impede the flow of water or air past the face of the user in activities where such an impediment is undesirable.

For example, a surfer pushing through a wave or falling 1) NT if 3 into the water could have his or her head gear removed by the force of the water against the peak visor or at least be subjected to an uncomfortable pulling force against the neck of the wearer if such head gear included a chin strap.

As a result of the increasing competitiveness of sports such as sailboarding, surfing and the like, there is a greater need for facial protection from impact with not only the water but also with the apparatus used in the sport. For example, sailboarders now are performing radical forward loops and the like and in many cases are receiving facial injuries from collisions with the sailboard. Similarly, surfers have been encountering similar problems for many years with the recoil of the 0t.* oeo surfboard as a result of the retention of the surfboard by fee* a leg rope attached to the legs of the surfer.

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In addition, people involved in water sports in cold .t conditions, for example, sailboard riders, surfboard riders and the like, also need ear protection from the cold wind and water. Overexposure of the ear to cold wind and water causes exostosis, i.e. bone growth in the ear canal.

Headgear such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Specification No. 4612672 which includes a rubber peak hood and covers for the ears, have a tendency to trap water in the ears but do not provide adequate draining of water therefrom. In order to prevent or mitigate the effects of exostosis, it is necessary to quickly release water from the ear which has been trapped therein, continuously.

t4 '0 In the device disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4612672, the

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release of water from the ear is not performed efficiently since the drainage hole must be disposed lower than the level of trapped water within the ear canal before drainage of this trapped water would occur. Thus, it b would be necessary to tilt the head of the wearer from one side to the other regularly to alter the disposition of the drain relative to the ear canal to achieve adequate drainage.

Another deficiency with previously designed helmets such as those disclosed in Australian Patent Specification No.

418643, U.S. Patent Specification Nos. 3400407 and 3721994 and European Patent Specification No. EP 15-796 is that inadequate ventilation is provided to the head of the wearer and thus the prolonged wearing of such helmets causes much discomfort to the wearer where the wearer is engaged in an activity causing perspiration or heating of the head area.

A further problem with previous designs of helmet which do provide some degree of protection from the sun and full head protection, particularly around the parietal, temporal, and occiputal portions of the head, and also the ears, is that such helmets are extremely bulky, heavy and rigid to the extent that they are entirely inflexible.

This inflexibility prevents the helmet from confirming accurately to the shape of the head and hence does not provide for a snug fit which is so essential for use in high performance sports activities. Consequently, those helmets which have been designed for high performance sports activities have adopted a compromise at the expense of safety, whereby protection around the aides and ears of bulkiness and weight of the helmet. The drawbacks in safety in making this compromise are obvious.

Additionally, these types of modified helmets tend to be top heavy axid do not contour to the face. Consequently, Sthese helmets have a tendency to slide forward and, combined with their bulkiness, obstruct the peripheral vision of the wearer.

Finally, a deficiency with previous designs of helmets as disclosed in the previously cited patent specifications is the inability of those helmets provided with visors to r ;I- 4a easily clean the visor from a build up in water vapour or droplets on the visor caused by either the breathing of the wearer or from the environment. Helmet designs disclosed in Australian Patent Specification No. 516898 and U.S. Patent Specification No. 3239843 provide complex means for cleaning the visor by meanb of a heated airflow across the visor face, which is not practical for use in recreational or sporting activities. Additionally, such means proves ineffective in removing solid particles which have become inadvertently deposited on the surface of the visor DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple but effective design of helmet which provides protection from impact and also from the effects of ultraviolet radiation to persons engaged in recreational or sporting activities requiring such protection.

It is a preferred object of the invention to provide a helmet which has particular, although not exclusive utility for persons engaged in water sports or recreational activities where there is a need to maintain a clear field of vision.

It is another preferred object to provide protection from the long term effects of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, salt water and the like, so as to obviate or at least mitigate the occurrences of facial skin cancer, pterygums and exostosis with participants in water sports or the like.

It is also a preferred object to obviate or at least mitigate the disadvantages and inefficiencies of previous 8444 designs of helmets described above.

4 Sallo 04o In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, o o o0"4 there is provided a high performance sports safety helmet S comprising:- 4 0 a shell for fitting upon a wearer's head having an open front to expose the face of the wearer and formed with a high cut for over the frontal portion of the forehead of Ioo ow oa the wearer; and a* o a resilient front band for covering said frontal portion.

Preferably, the safety helmet includes a single, So.: o substantially lune-shaped visor pivotally mounted to the 0 shell and moveable between a closed position, an open d o position, and any intermediate position therebetween, wherein: in said closed position said visor substantially closes the open front maintaining the general curvature of the shell for aerodynamic streamlining to substantially cover the face of the wearer 6providing protection from impact and shading from the sun without impairing vision, and projects anteriorly of the shell so that the leading edge of the visor is disposed distally and anteriorly of the leading edge of the shell, (ii) in the open position the major portion of the visor is disposed within the shell and conforms to the contour of the shell to expose the face of the wearer without interfering with the fitting of the shell upon the wearer's head and the minor exposed portion of the visor comprising the leading edge is contiguous to the shell still maintaining the general curvature of the shell for aerodynamic streamlining, and (iii) the curvature of the visor adjacent the leading edge provides minimal disruption to the line of sight of the wearer so that the visor can be used in an intermediate position; and means 0 e0 to allow movement of the visor in response to the application of a prescribed motive force and to retain the visor at any intermediate position between the closed and O~O open positions in the absence of the prescribed motive force.

Preferably, the means comprises a wiper fixedly mounted to the shell having a blade to frictionally engage the face of the visor, whereby during movement of the visor between ooreO the open position and the closed position the blade wipes across the face of the visor to clean the same whilst o preventing the retention of foreign particles which DoO otherwise would scratch the face of the visor.

Preferably, the visor is slightly sculptured inwardly of 0 0a O the general locus of curvature thereof proximate to the OD leading edge so that in the open position, the leading edge presents a closed face mitigating drag through air and especially through water impinging the front of the helmet.

Preferably, the helmet includes resilient head retention means comprising a top cover for covering the parietal and

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7 temporal portion of the wearer's cranium, a back support for covering the occiputal portion of the wearer's cranium and a pair of side covers for covering the ears and the temporal portion of the wearer's cranium, the side covers are each provided with a pouch to accommodate the ears of the wearer, the pouch having a drain disposed in the region of the pouch communicating with the base of the outer ear canal of the wearer so as to be capable of draining liquid from the ear canal and the region.

Preferably, the front band is fitted to the shell to provide for adjustment relative to the head of the wearer.

00.91 oa BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS o o The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description of one specific embodiment of the invention. The description is made with reference to the following drawings wherein:- Figure 1 is a side view of the helmet positioned upon the head of a wearer with the visor in the open position; bee- 0e Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 with the visor in 0000 o the closed position; Figure 3 is a front view of Figure 2; 00o .o 0 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the helmet showing in 0 oe exploded arrangement the provision of communication means U and a chin guard; Figures 5, 6 and 7 show respectively the perspective views of the shell, inner frame and head retention means in an exploded arrangement relative to each other; Figure 8 is a side elevation of the shell of the helmet iOW, -7 i- (I(J T 0 <r 8 with the visor in the closed position; Figure 9 is a front sectional view taken along section A-A of Figure 8 showing the position of the inner frame within the shell; Figure 10 is a front view of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a sectional side elevation taken along section B-B of Figure 10 showing the position of the inner frame within the shell; Figure 12 is a front view of the helmet comprising the shell, inner frame ind head retention means, with the P c visor in the open position; S6o 0000 Figure 13 is a sectional side elevation taken along section C-C of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation taken along section C-C of Figure 12 with the top cover, back support and bottom strap of the head retention means removed; and Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section D-D of Figure 13.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The embodiment is directed towards a high performance sports safety helmet which is particularly suited to use in water sports and as shown in the drawings, generally comprises an outer shell 1, a visor 2, an inner frame 3 and a head retention means 31.

The shell 1 is preferably moulded from poly-carbonate plastic to provide sufficient rigidity to protect the head -9of a wearer from an impact with an object. The shell is provided with an open front which is cut back over the forehedd area of the wearer to expose the face of the wearer enabling complete peripheral vision and a rear arch over the neck area of the wearer to allow for rearward movement of the head of the wearer relative to the shoulders. The shell is otherwise shaped to cover the cranium and ears of the wearer. The outer surface of the shell 1 is contoured to the shape of the head of the wearer to provide aerodynamic efficiency and has a lune shaped ridge formation 33 extending from one side of the helmet to the other. A series of apertures 26 are c disposed at regularly spaced intervals along the front ~face of the ridge to provide an entry for fluid flow along o the surface of the helmet into the confines of the shell .9 for ventilation purposes. A plurality of upper apertures 24 are provided along the upper surface of the shell away from the ridge 33 to direct fluid flow into the shell for ventilation. In addition, a plurality of lateral apertures 27 are provided at each side of the shell for the same effect and also to facilitate hearing of the 000..: wearer. The shell is also provided with a plurality of 0 9 00:0. latitudinally extending reinforcing ribs 25 along the upper surface adjacent to the upper apertures 24 for C strengthening purposes.

oo The visor 2 is preferably formed of tinted poly-carbonate 0o plastic for resisting ultraviolet radiation and is 00 0o G generally lune shaped. The visor is pivotally mounted to the shell by means of a pin 28 extending through an aperture 20 and is movable between an open position shown at Figure 1 of the drawings and a closed position as shown at Figure 2. The visor is shaped to be generally contiguous with the shape of the shell so as to substantially cover the face of the wearer. The surface of the visor is curved to conform with the curvature of the shell so that the visor may be retracted or moved into 9r 10 the closed position so that the major portion of the visor is disposed within the confines of the shell without interfering with the fitting of the shell upon the wearer's head and the minor portion of the visor comprising the leading edge 2b of the visor is exposed contiguous to the shell and still maintains the general curvature of the shell for aerodynamic and hydrodynamic streamlining whilst enabling complete peripheral vision.

The visor 2 is particularly sized so that the leading edge 2b is generally aligned with the bottom of the nose of the wearer and spaced therefrom when disposed in the fully closed position, thereby mitigating any fogging of the visor which may be attributable to breathing of the wearer.

O Q 0 o~o The visor 2 furthermore is slightly sculptured inwardly of the general locus of curvature thereof proximate to the leading edge 2b. Consequently the leading edge 26 pz'esents a closed face to impinging air or water to minimise drag, as opposed to a peak which would tend to '*000:4 catch air or water reducing performance and in certain circumstances, causing the helmet to be forced of the head 55 of the wearer.

0040 The inner frame 3 is preferably formed of highly compressed polystyrene material, but may also be formed of 0*4~ *o a poly-carbonate plastic. The inner frame 3 is itself lune shaped to correspond with the inner contour of the shell. The frame is of an open lattice type structure having a front longitudinal portion 35, a rear longitudinal portion 37 and a plurality of latitudinally extending ribs 39 which interconnect the front and rear longitudinal portions. The ribs 39 extend sufficiently to provide support for the parietal portion of the wearer's cranium and prescribe an outer surface for the frame which is marginally spaced from the inner surface of i the shell 1 to define a lune shaped cavity 41 across the helmet. The cavity 41 accommodates the visor 2 when disposed in the open position and allows movement of the visor, latitudinally along the cavity to the closed position.

The frame 3 is pinned to the outer shell 1 by means of the pins 28 accommodated within apertures 20 of the frame and shell disposed at opposite ends of the frame, fixed pins 12 accommodated within apertures 13 and 14 of the frame and shell respectively, disposed generally rearwardly of the pins 28, and a rear pin 23 disposed centrally at the top of the frame and shell, rearwardly of the cavity 41.

too: rIoo* The frame is provided with a pair of guides at oppositely a.

spaced apart locations along the front longitudinal portion 35. The guides project inwardly from the inner surface of the frame to each define an eye for locating i the head retention means 31 within the helmet in a manner to be described later.

A wiper means is disposed at the interface between the shell 1 and the visor 2 and comprises two halves 4 and ,t One half 5 is fixedly mounted to the shell proximate the Speriphery of the open front and has inwardly projecting blades to engage the external face of the visor. The other half 4 is fixedly mounted to the outer surface of C I the inner frame directly opposite to the one half 5 so as 5 to define a space therebetween. The other half 4 is also provided with a plurality of squeegee blades which engage Sthe internal face of the visor.

The head retention means 31 essentially comprises a flexible hood which is adjustably mounted within the shell and inner frame of the helmet to retain the wearer's head therein. The hood comprises discrete segments which include a top cover 15, a back support 16, a pair of side ii *440 0 0, 400 06 4 Rod* 04 4 6 0 *0 0 4..

O 40~ 4 12 covers 8, a front band 17 and a bottom strap 18. The top cover 15, rear support 16 and front band 17 are preferably formed of resilient neoprene material to provide comfort, insulation and support for the head of the user. The side covers 8 are principally made of substantially nonextendible, flexible plastic which are integrally attached to the top cover 15 to provide both resilient and semi rigid covering at the sides of the wearer. The bottom strap 18 is formed of any suitable flexible but substantially non-extendible material which has adequate strength to retain the head of the wearer within the retention means.

The top cover 15 has a sufficient arcuate extent to cover the parietal portion of the wearer's cranium and extend down either side of the helmet to cover the temporal portion of the wearer's cranium in combination with the side covers 8. The top cover 15 is provided with a plurality of holes 43 arranged in a matrix across the top longitudinal extent of the cover for ventilation purposes.

The top cover 15 is also provided with detachable and adjustable fastening means for fastening the cover to the shell or inner frame. In the present embodiment, this fastening means takes the form of a velcro strip, one part of which is disposed upon the leading peripheral edge of the cover and the other part 11 of which is disposed opposite thereto along the leading peripheral edge of the inner frame. The top cover 15 is also provided with holes 49 on either side to encircle the ears of the wearer, and rearwardly and forwardly extending lateral flaps 44a and 44b respectively, disposed beneath the holes 49 and which are adhered or welded to the inner surface of the side covers 8. Thus the top cover is further fastened to the inner frame by the pins 12 at either side which are respectively affixed to the rearwardly extending lateral flaps 44b.

I 000e 0sr c 0$ 0 1t It It t O 44 4 0# 13 The back support 16 is provided to cover the occiputal portion of the wearer's cranium and is also provided with detachable and adjustable fastening means for fastening the same to the shell. The back support is disposed adjacent to the rear of the top cover 15 and is shaped so as to combine with the top cover to form openings therebetween for ventilation purposes of the occiputal portion of the h-ad. The fastening means are also in the form of velcro strips one part 45 of which is disposed in a triangular arrangement on the back support and the other part 47 of which is mounted in opposite locations on the inner surface of the shell 1.

The side covers 8 are disposed to cover the ears and the temporal portion of the wearer's cranium to not only protect these parts of the head of the wearer rom physical impact but also to prevent access of the wind to the ears of the wearer. Furthermore, means are provided for preventing the retention of water in the proximity of the ears. The side covers are each formed essentially of two parts, one part comprising a flexible and substantially non-extendible frame 46, and the -ther part comprising a resilient skin 51 of neoprene material. The frame 46 is formed with a central hole 50 through which the ear of the wearer may project, and has a front upward projection 53 to cover the temple region of the wearer, a front downward projection 54a and a rear downward projection 54b. Each frame 46 is adhered or welded to the outer surface of the respective sides of the top cover so that the holes 50 of the frames align with the holes 49 of the top cover, and the remainder of the frames are co-extensive with the sides of the top cover. The skin 51 is adhered or welded a:round the periphery o- each hole of the fram6s to form a pouch 19 in each side cover which accommodates the ears of the wearer. A drain 7 is disposed in the region of each pouch 19 which communicates with the base of the outer ear canal of the wearer. The .7 1 -73 14drain 7 is formed by adhering or welding the skin 51 of material about the entire periphery of the hole 50 except for a small opening provided at the base thereof towards the anterior of the pouch. The opening is accentuated by the provision of a small recess 56 formed in the frame 46, which communicates with the hole 50 and by the formation of a pucker in the skin over this recess. The hole 49 is sufficiently large to accommodate the ear flap of the wearer and the drain 7 is disposed so as to communicate with the outer ear canal of the ear when the ear is disposed within the pouch 19.

The side covers are attached to the frame and shell by means of the pin 12 and also by the front band 17 cooperating with the front upward projection 53 of the side covers. The front upward projection 53 of the side irce covers is provided with a longitudinally extending slit through which a corresponding guide 6 of the inner frame may protrude. The manner by which the head band cooperates with the side cover to fix the same shall be descx;.bed hereinafter.

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The front downward projections 54a are each terminated with a slot 67 or fastener 69 to provide a fixing point S for the ends of the bottom strap 18. Similarly, the rear *55Sr4 downward projections 54b are each terminated with a slot 68 to provide a fixing point for the ends of a rear strap a 29.

The rear strap 29 may be provided with suitable means for adjustment and is included to allow support of the neck of the wearer and assist in retentioning of the head within the helmet.

The front band 17 is adapted to cover the frontal portion of the wearer's cranium across the forehead and is provided with a pair of opposing straps at opposite ends of the band. The band is provided with detachable and

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IONT 0 r V 15 adjustable fastening means at each end of the straps and centrally to fasten the same to the top cover 15. The straps 57 are each of sufficient size to be threaded through the eye formed by the guide 6 of the inner frame when the guide is protruding through the slot 55 of the corresponding side cover and thus function to pin the upwardly extending portions 53 of the side covers to the inner frame 3. Thus the guides 6 ultimately repose in juxtaposition between the side covers 8 and the top cover and are additionally padded from the head of the wearer by the provision of a hem 58 along the leading front edge of the top cover.

Consequently, the band 17 is adjustable to the head of the SV wearer to prevent the hair of the wearer from falling over the face and water entering the shell from draining over cl. the face of the wearer.

The fastening means at the end of the straps 57 are also in the form of velcro strips, one part of which is mounted to the outer face of each strap and the other part 59 is mounted to the inner surface of the top cover behind the t guide 6 of the inner frame in the manner shown at Figures 13 and 14 of the drawings. The centrally disposed fastening means is also in the form of a velcro strip, one part 61 of which is provided on a strip 9 which extends from the low periphery of the band to beyond the upper 0 "periphery of the band and the other part of which is provided by the co-operating parts 10 and 11 of the fastening means of the top cover. Thus, the strip 9 is :interposed between the fastening means of the top cover to enable attachment of the front band to both the inner frame and the top cover simultaneously, and allow for height adjustment of the band along the forehead of the wearer.

The band is also provided with a series of holes 63 oc .A iT r i .T siae to Lne VL11tL I. W V XA. L J -L- -16 disposed intermediate the expensive portion of the band between the opposing straps 57 for ventilation purposes across the forehead.

The band effectively functions to seal the top of the interior of the shell to the wearer's head to prevent the hair of the wearer from falling over the face and water entering the shell from draining over the face of the wearer.

The bottom strap 18 is provided with fastening means at either end to attach to the front downward projection 54a of each side cover 8 so as to engage the mandible of the wearer. In the pcesent embodiment, one side cover 8 is provided with a slot 67 on its front downward projection 54a to receive one end of the strap 18. The other side cover has its front downward projection 54a fitted with 8 one part 71 of a quick release latch, the other part 73 of which is provided at the terminal end of the bottom strap o 18. A buckle 69 is provided on the one end of the strap to fix the strap to the slot 67.

The other part 73 of the quick release latch has suitable adjustment means incorporated therein to adjust the length of the strap so as to retention the underside of the wearer's mandible when fastened. The bottom strap is provided with a broadened portion 75 intermediate its t t' opposing ends which has a central longitudinally extending slot 77 formed therein. The slot 77 is disposed so as to situate along the junction between the neck and the mandible of the wearer so as to facilitate support of the helmet upon the wearer without detracting from the comfort of the wearer.

In the present embodiment, the helmet can be provided with bidirectional or unidirectional communication means for communicating to a remote location or vice versa. The i f'nt: J-41CLJ').LJ-L Ly UJ- X -Lmlauo JJ V s jA r l 17 communication means 79 is shown at Figure 4 and incorporates a microphone mounted at one end of an arm 81, a transmitter (not shown) for transmitting voice messages from the wearer of the helmet to a remote location, an earphone (not shown) anu a receiver for receiving messages from a remote location. An aerial (not shown) may be incorporated into the design of the shell 1 to facilitate communications.

The helmet may also be provided with a chin guard 23 as shown at Figure 4 of the drawings to provide protection to the chin of a wearer, if required.

In operation, the helmet initially has the various segments of the head retention means adjusted relative to Ct a tt the shell 1 and the inner frame 3 so as to intimately ttf± engage the head of the wearer whilst maintaining comfort.

r Upon obtaining the required adjustment by virtue of the various fastening means incorporated into the segments, the helmet may be positioned over the head of the wearer for use and the bottom strap 18 fastened by means of the quick release latch. The visor may then be simply moved to the closed position as shown at Figures 2 and 3 ot the drawings in response to the application of a prescribed Ce', st: motive force as provided by the hand of the wearer pulling down on the visor to present clean inner and outer surfaces by the action of the wiper means. If desired, the visor can be adjusted to any intermediate position ,o between the open fully open and fully closed positions by virtue of the frictional engagement of the halves of the wiper means upon the visor 2. If any water vapour or drops situate upon the surface of the visor whilst engaged in a recreational or sporting activity, the surface of the visor may simply be cleaned by the wearer pushing up on the visor moving it to the open position as shown at Figure 1 of the drawings so as to allow the wiper means to wipe the water vapour or drops from both the

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Ct I inner or outer surfaces of the visor.

By adopting squeegee blades as opposed to brushes, the retention of foreign particles such as sand within the wiper means mechanism, which could cause scratching, is obviated.

In addition, ventilation of the head is maintained by allowing air to circulate through the various holes and apertures provided in the shell, inner frame and head retention means, without accessing the region of the ears.

In activities or sports where foreign matter such as sand is deposited within the helmet, the helmet can be easily cleaned by detaching the various fastening means of the head retention means so as to expose the inner confines of the shell and frame.

An important advantage of the present embodiment in addition to the provision of the wiper means for the visor, is the segmented design of the head retention means, which allows for adjustment to suit the particular size and shape of the head of the wearer. Furthermore the provision of a substantially non-extendible frame within the side covers and a non-extendible bottom strap, when fastened, provides a fixed helmet which cannot be removed from the head, whilst the flexibility and resiliency of the remainder of the head retention means enables intimate engagement with the head to mitigate water and wind entering the ears. Thus protection of the head is maintained without foregoing freedom of movement.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiment herein described. In particular, the material from which the various components of the helmet are formed can be altered to suit the particular application undertaken or changed in accordance with conventional design techniques.

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Claims (14)

1. A high performance sports safety helmet comprising: a shell for fitting upon a wearer's head having an open front to expose the face of the wearer and a resilient front band; wherein the periphery of said open front has a centrally arched portion to be disposed over the forehead of the wearer exposing the forehead when the helmet is fitted over the wearer's head, and said resilient front band is fastened to said helmet to extend across said centrally arched portion for covering said forehead.

2. A safety helmet as claimed in claim I, including a single, substantially lune-shaped visor pivotally mounted to said shell and moveable between a closed position an open position, and any intermediate position therebetween, wherein: in said closed position said visor substantially closes said open front maintaining the general curvature of said shell for aerodynamic streamlining to substantially cover the face of said wearer providing protection from impact and shading from the sun without impairing vision, and projects anteriorly of said shell so that the leading edge of said visor is disposed distally and anteriorly of the leading edge of said shell, (ii) in said open position the major portion of said visor is disposed within said shell and conforms to the contour of said shell to expose the face of said wearer without interfering with the fitting of said shell upon said wearer's head and the minor exposed portion of said visor comprising said leading edge is contiguous to said shell still maintaining the general curvature of said shell for aerodynamic streamlining, and (iii) the curvature of said visor adjacent said leading edge provides minimal disruption to the line of sight of said wearer so that said visor can be used in an intermediate I 1 19a position; and means to allow movement of said visor in response to the application of a prescribed motive force and to retain said visor at any intermediate position between said closed and open positions in the absence of said prescribed motive force. y: j

3. A safety helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means comprises a wiper fixedly mounted to said shell having a blade to frictionally engage the face of said visor, whereby during movement of said visor between said open position and said closed position said blade wipes across the face of said visor to clean the same whilst preventing the retention of foreign particles which otherwise would scratch the face of said visor.

4. A safety helmet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said visor is slightly sculptured iny.!ardiy of the general locus of curvature CfEI thereof proximate to said leading edge so that in said open position, said leading edge presents a closed face mitigating drag through air and especially through water impinging the front of said helmet.

5. A safety helmet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said shell includes an inner frame mounted therein to define a lune shaped cavity across said helmet to accommodate said visor when in the open position and permit movement of said visor along said i cavity to the closed position.

6. A safety helmet as claimed any one of the preceding claims as dependent upon claim 3, wherein said wiper comprises two halves each provided with a discrete blade, Sone half fixedly mounted to said shell proximate the b periphery of said open front for the blade thereof to engage the external face of said visor, and the other half fixedly mounted to said inner frame directly opposite and in parallel relationship to said one half to define a space between said halves and for the blade of the other half to engage the internal face of said visor.

7. A safety helmet as claimed in one of the preceding claims, including resilient head retention means AL/ ~NT 21 comprising a top cover for covering the parietal and temporal portion of the wearer's cranium, a back support for covering the occiputal portion of the wearer's cranium, and a pair of side covers for covering the ears and the temporal portion of the wearer's cranium, said side covers are each provided with a pouch to accommodate the ears of said wearer, said pouch having a drain disposed in the region of the pouch communicating with the base of the outer ear canal of the wearer so as to be capable of draining liquid from said ear canal and said region.

8. A safety helmet as claimed in claim 7, wherein said side covers cover the sides of the face to prevent wind entering the ear canal of the wearer.

9. A safety helmet as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein said side covers are fixedly attached to said shell and inner frame.

A safety helmet as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said top cover is substantially lune shaped and is provided with a series of holes for ventilation purposes.

11. A safety helmet as claimed in any one of claims 7 to wherein said back support is shaped to provide I openings for ventilation.

12. A safety helmet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said front band is fitted to said shell to provide for adjustment relative 'to the head of the wearer.

13. A safety helmet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said front band is provided with a series of holes for ventilation intermediate the i I 22 expansive portion of said band.

14. A safety helmet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said shell is provided with a series of apertures for ventilation of the wearer's head. A high performance sport safety helmet substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 'I ?AL NT 0 I