CA2108427A1 - Multi impact resistant safety helmet for cyclist - Google Patents
Multi impact resistant safety helmet for cyclistInfo
- Publication number
- CA2108427A1 CA2108427A1 CA002108427A CA2108427A CA2108427A1 CA 2108427 A1 CA2108427 A1 CA 2108427A1 CA 002108427 A CA002108427 A CA 002108427A CA 2108427 A CA2108427 A CA 2108427A CA 2108427 A1 CA2108427 A1 CA 2108427A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- intermediate layer
- safety helmet
- helmet
- inner liner
- outer shell
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 210000003128 head Anatomy 0.000 claims description 26
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 210000001503 joint Anatomy 0.000 claims description 5
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 4
- 210000001061 forehead Anatomy 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 8
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 8
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 8
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920006327 polystyrene foam Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000004794 expanded polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 206010019196 Head injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000033228 biological regulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003414 extremity Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000001364 upper extremity Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/06—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets
- A42B3/066—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets specially adapted for cycling helmets, e.g. for soft shelled helmets
Abstract
MULTI IMPACT RESISTANT SAFETY HELMET FOR CYCLIST ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The helmet comprises a rigid, smooth-surfaced outer shell, a memory material intermediate layer and a shock-absorbing inner liner. The intermediate layer, once deformed under impact, is adapted to regain its initial form, therefore protecting the wearer's head even under a multi-impact fall. Lengthwise ventilation openings are made through the helmet. The outer shell extends inwardly through the openings. The intermediate layer protrudes peripherally downwardly beyond the outer shell, and the shock-absorbing liner covers the entire inner surface of the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer also defines an increased-thickness area at the rear of the helmet, to protect the back of the head just above the nape.
Description
-~' 2108~27 FIEI.D OF TIIE INVENTION
The present invention relates to safety or protective helmets for cyclists' heads.
BACX5~0UND OF THE INVENTION
It is known in the art to provide safety helmets composed of two different thicknesswise layers: an outer, rigid, impact-resistant shell - usually relatively thin - (e.g. polyvinyl chloride (PVC or ABS) and an inner, softer, shock-absorbent layer -usually thicker than the outer shell (e.g. expanded polystyrene foam). These helmets offer a fair protection for a first impact, but are often shattered under a multiple impact fall of the cyclist. Indeed, the relatively thin impact-resistant shell tends to fissure after the first impact, the following blows fracturing and spliting the helmet into many pieces, since the shock-absorbent layer usually does not withstand direct blows. This is obviously undesirable, since the purpose of the safety helmet is to protect the helmet wearer' 6 head, and it most preferably should not be fragmented on the first blow if it is to withstand many blows. A
thicker outer shell can be used to increase the impact resistance, but the helmet can then become quite heavy because of the excessive material weight.
To mitigate this resistance deficienay, a helmet prototype was designed in which a thick layer of polypropylene, replacing the usual polystyrene foam (the polypropylene being lighter and more resistant than the polystyrene) was covered with ~' 2ln~4~7 a thin shell of hard impact-resistant material such as PVC plastic.
The increased resistance proved that the choice of the polypropylene was wise, but the helmet lacked the shock absorption quality that it had before because of the absence of the shock-absorbing layer and the polypropylene proved to be much lessresistant under warm weather conditions than it was under normal weather conditions because of the softening of the polypropylene under such conditions. Therefore, though the multi-impact resistant polypropylene seemed a good material choice, it was still not good enough.
O~JECT~ OF TNE INVENTION
It is the general object of the present invention to provide a safety helmet of the character described that will protect its wearer against head injuries with a maximum efficiency, even during multiple-impact falls of the wearer.
It is an important object of this invention to provide a safety helmet of the character described of light weight.
It is another object of the present invention that the safety helmet be well ventilated.
~UMMARY OF TNE INVENTION
In accordance with the objects of the invention, the present invention consists of a safety helmet comprising three thicknesswise layers~
--` 21~427 a) a thin impact-resistant smooth outer shell;
b) a memory-material intermediate layer; and c) a shock-absorbing inner liner;
said intermediate layer being able to regain its form after an impact, said inner liner conforming with, and being adapted to fit the head of a wearer, said intermediate layer conforming with, and adhering to, the outer surface of said inner liner, said outer shell conforming with, and adhering to, the outer surface of said intermediate layer.
Preferably, said intermediate layer extends downwardly beyond said outer shell, thus forming a lower peripheral extension.
Advantageously, said outer shell, said intermediate layer and said inner liner form ventilation openings that correspond from one layer to the other.
Preferably, said outer shell extends inwardly into said ventilation openings thus covering at least a portion of the intermediate layer.
Profitably, said outer shell and said intermediate layer are joined by a butt joint; and further including a peripheral sealer strip overlying and straddling said butt joint.
Advantageously, said intermediate layer further comprises spaced transversely-extending grooves made at its outer surface and adapted to be engaged by helmet retaining straps, said grooves extending downwardly to the inner surface of said lower peripherical extension of said intermediate layer.
Alternately, said intermediate layer further comprises ' - '~:.
;,'~- ~'~',' -- 2108~27 spaced transversely-extending grooves made at its outer surface and adapted to be engaged by helmet retaining straps, said straps extending transversely to at least two of said ventilation openings .
Preferably, said safety helmet defines a front and a rear section adapted to extend across the forehead and the back of the head of the wearer, respectively, said intermediate layer being thicker at said rear section.
Profitably, said inner liner further comprises cushioning patches adhering to and protruding from its inner surface, said cushioning patches adapted to space said inner liner from the head of a wearer when in contact with said head.
Advantageously, said outer shell and intermediate layer form inward elongated grooves and said inner liner forms outward elongated grooves.
Preferably, said inward elongated grooves register with said outward elongated grooves, at least some of said ventilation openings being elongated and located through said elongated grooves.
Profitably, said intermediate layer and said inner liner are relatively of the same thickness.
In one embodiment of the invention, said intermediate layer and said inner liner are interconnected by key means.
Preferably, said safety helmet defines front and rear portions; and said key means including a first key member, interconnecting the front portions of the intermediate layer and inner liner, and a 21~8~27 ....
pair of second key members, interconnecting the rear portion of the intermediate layer and inner liner. Advantageou~ly, each key member consists of a dovetail joint defined by: (a) a frusto-conical bore, made into the thicknes~ of said intermediate layer with the largest diameter end being on the exterior face of said intermediate layer; and (b) a projection integrally projecting from said inner liner and freely filling the volume defined by and sitting into and complementarily sized to fit inside said frusto-conical bore.
BRIEF DB~CRIPTION OF THE DRAWING~
Figure 1 is a partial side elevational view of a first embodiment of safety helmet of the invention;
figures 2-2a are top plan views of the two embodiments of helmet according to the invention, with fig 2a showing the helmet in partly broken view;
figure 3 and 4 are longitudinal sections taken along lines 3-3 and 4-4, respectively, of figure 2;
figure 5 is a cro~s-sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken along line 5-5 of figure 1; ~ -, . ~- .:.
figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken along line 6-6 of figure 4;
figure 7 is a partial section, at an enlarged scale, taken within circle 7 of figure 3; and ~;
figures 8-9 are enlarged cross-sectional views taken about lines 8-8 and 9-9 respectively of figure 2.
~: :
~:
'.: '. '~ ~
21 ~27 As it can be seen on figure 5, the safety helmet lo of the present invention is composed of three distinct thicknesswise layers of different composition: an outer shell 12, an intermediate layer 14 and an inner liner 16.
Outer shell 12 is made of a rigid material, such as polyvinyl chloride plastic (better known as PVC) or polystyrene plastic, and its outer free surface is advantageously smooth so that the helmet may be as aerodynamic as possible. Although the thickness of shell 12 is very small compared to the thickness of the whole helmet, its presence is nevertheless very important, for it resists to impacts of a relatively strong intensity. Moreover, its smoothness is highly desirable, especially when the wearer is cycling at high speed, for the aerodynamic drag induced by the helmet-wearing speeding cyclist becomes a factor in the performance of the cyclist.
Intermediate layer 14 is made of a fairly rigid memory material, i.e. a material which will recover its initial form after having been deformed due to an impact blow. This material is preferably expanded polypropylene plastic. Memory material 14 needs to be thicker than outer shell 12, because it is less rigid and if it h~ere as thin as outer shell 12, it would be torn apart when an impact would occur. The thickness of memory material layer 14 is therefcre approximately half of the thickness of helmet 10.
This layer 14 is very important, because although impact-resistant shell 12 may suffice to protect the cyclist's head against a first blow, if a multi-impact fall occurs, it is desirable that the --' 2108~27 helmet remain whole to protect the head during the entire fall.
Layer 14, instead of being shattered after one impact, is designed to recover its form after each impact on the helmet, due to the material memory. The wearer of the helmet would therefore be protected during the entire fall, instead of being protected against the first blow only.
Inner liner 16 is composed of a softer, alhtough quite resistant, plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene foam.
This third layer is desirable because of its capacity to distribute the energy of the impact over a broader area, thus "feeling"
smoother for the cyclist wearing the helmet. In other words, liner 16 distributes a blow on the helmet more evenly on the head, -instead of transferring it all to a single point, which is much less painful for the helmet wearer. The thickness of inner liner 16 is similar to that of intermediate layer 14, i.e. about half of the thickness of the whole helmet.
The combination of the three layers, i.e. thin impact~
resistant smooth outer shell 12, memory material intermediate layer 14 and shock-absorbing inner liner 16, offers a protection against small impacts, against multi-impact falls and generally prevents the wearer's head from injuries. -. . , As shown on figure 1, intermediate layer 14 is defined at its lower periphery by a bottom rim portion 14a that projects downwardly beyond outer shell 12. Therefore, outer shell 12 does not cover the entire outer surface of helmet 10, for bottom rim 14a is the outer free surface of helmet 10 at the lower periphery of ~1 0~27 helmet lo. other than that, outer shell 12 conforms with, and adheres to the outer surface of intermediate layer 14.
Figure 3 shows that intermediate layer 14 has an increased thickness at the lower rear part 14b of helmet 10, to better protect the wearer's head, just above the nape, against shocks, since it is often on the back of the head that a person receives a blow when falling. Also, this increase in thickness in the back of helmet 10 confers a shape to helmet 10 which is more aerodynamic.
The joint between outer shell 12 and intermediate layer 14 is a butt joint, as shown on figure 5 at 34. Indeed, outer shell 12 abuts at its lower periphery against a slight outward peripheral protrusion 14c of intermediate layer 14, and a peripheral sealer strip 18 overlies outer shell 12 and intermediate . layer 14 and straddles joint 34.
As shown in figures 3 and 5, inner liner 16 conforms with, and adheres to the inner surface of intermediate layer 14.
It is important to note that inner liner 16 covers the entire inner surface of intermediate layer 14, consequently preventing that the wearer's head come into contact with intermediate layer 14. This is de~irable, because liner 16 iæ softer than layer 14 and not only will it be more comfortable for the wearer's head to come into contact with thiæ æofter liner 16 than with harder layer 14, but alæo the liner must cover the whole inner æurface of helmet 10 to provide a æhock-absorbing characteristic wherever the shock may occur on helmet 10. Inner liner 16 conformæ with, and iæ adapted to cover the wearer's head, including part of the forehead and the back of the head just above the nape.
In the first embodiment of helmet illustrated in figures 1, 2, and 3-7, the intermediate layer 14 and the inner liner 16 are fixedly secured to one another by a known glue compound, laid therebetween, this glue compound being selected for its compatibility with the constituting materials of the layer 14 and liner 16. Alternately, this glue compound can be replaced by a pair of front and rear anchoring members, 40 and 42, respectively, being illustrated in figures 2a, 8 and 9 (second embodiment helmet). Such anchoring members 40, 42, are generally considered more efficient in interconnecting the layer 14 to the liner 16, and thus, this second embodiment of helmet is accordingly the preferred mode of helmet 10'. Each anchoring member 40, 42, 42, consists of a key which interlocks the layer 14 with the liner 16. More particularly, the single front key member 40, and the pair of rear key members 42, 42, each consists of a dovetail joint made from a frusto-conical bore made into the thickness of the intermediate layer 14, and a complementarily-size projection integrally pro~ecting from the inner liner and filling the volume defined by and sitting into said frusto-conical bore. Since the diameteer of said frusto-conical bore decreases from the exterior face of the intermediate layer 14 to its interior face, and the complementary projection of the inner liner 16 engaging said frusto-conical bore sits freely into the latter, the joint is firm, since any bias to spread layer 14 away from liner 16 will only further strenghten the n~27 .~
joint, as can be readily understood by one skilled in the art.
As can be seen on figures 2-2a, a plurality of elongated ventilation openings 20, 22 are practiced thicknesswisely through helmet lo, i.e. through outer shell 12, intermediate layer 14 and inner liner 16. Ventilation openings 20, 22 are positioned symmetrically, relative to a central, vertical, lengthwise plane of helmet lo. The frontal portion of helmet 10 is ventilated by ventilation openings 20, which are adapted to be positioned just above the wearer's forehead when the helmet is worn, while ventilation openings 22 are positioned lengthwisely along elongated grooves 24 which are formed thicknesswisely on the outer free surface of helmet 10. Grooves 24 extend from the top of helmet 10 to the rear portion just above the rear lower part 14b of intermediate layer 14, conforming to the general shape of helmet 10. The symmetry and the shape of grooves 24 provide a more aerodynamic shape to helmet 10.
Figure 5 shows that the shape of outer shell 12 conforms with grooves 24 of helmet 10. Also, outer shell 12 possesses inward projections 12a (figure 6) that extend inwardly in ventilation openings 20, 22 adjacent to intermediate layer 14, and almost reach inner liner 16. These inward projections 12a confer a smoother outer surface to helmet 10, since otherwise intermediate layer 14 would be more exposed through the ventilation openings to the wind and weather conditions.
Figure 4 shows that ventilation openings 20, 22 offer long surfaces (relative to the entire length of helmet 10) through `` ~lQ8~27 which the air may enter, thus refreshing the wearer and permitting the wearer's head-generated humidity to escape through the helmet.
Ventilation openings 20, 22 thus create a much more comfortable helmet for the wearer.
As can be seen in figure 5, inner elongated grooves 36 are formed on the inner surface of inner liner 16, inner grooves 36 registering with grooves 24 of the outer surface of helmet 10.
Helmet 10 is further provided with retaining straps 26, 28 of known construction (figurse 1 and 5) extending downwardly under helmet 10. Retaining straps 26, 28 are equipped with length~
adjusters and chin straps (not illustrated), to permit the attachment of the helmet on heads of different sizes.
As can be seen on figures 4 and 7, front retaining strap 26 is fixed at the front extremity of helmet 10, between frontal ventilation openings 20 and top ventilation openings 22. Figure 7 shows how retaining strap 26 is inserted between outer shell 12 and intermediate layer 14, in an elongated transversal groove 30 practiced on the outer surface of intermediate layer 14, this groove being adapted and correctly dimensioned to receive and be e,ngaged by retaining strap 26; this prevents retaining strap 26 from disengaging itself from helmet 10 ~it would have to be torn away, but this would require a relatively forceful stress).
Transversal groove 30 extends in a downward arc, conforming to the shape of helmet 10, until it reaches orifices (not illustrated) allowing the retaining strap 26 to protruberate under helmet 10, the orifices being positioned on the inner surface of bottom rim ~1 08427 14a of intermediate layer 14. Figure 4 further shows that rear retaining strap 28 is fixed in a rear ventilation opening 22, and passes between intermediate layer 14 and inner liner 16 in a groove similar to the groove of retaining strap 26, extending its two ends downwardly and concurrently to a helmet 10 central, vertical, lengthwise plane.
The free extremities of retaining straps 26, 28 extend on one side and the other of helmet lo, thus allowing helmet 10 to be secured on the wearer's head with above-mentioned chin straps, strap 26 being adapted to extend adjacent to the temples and to pass in front of the ears, and strap 28 being adapted to pass behind the ears, straps 26 and 28 reaching each other under the chin, thus roughly forming a V on each side of the wearer's head.
As can be observed on figures 3, 4 and 6, elongated cushioned patches 32 are attached to the interior free surface of inner liner 16, so that the contact of the wearer's head with helmet 10 will be more comfortable for the wearer. Patches 32 are strategically positioned where helmet 10 rests against the wearer's head and they possess a thickness sufficient to space inner liner 16 from the wearer's head.
The resulting helmet is very light and complies with the regulations governing the resistance to impact of such helmets (e.g. A.N.S.I., S.N.E.L.L. in the United States, which is a regulated test of cyclists' helmet resistance) due to the combined layers of di~ferent materials. Indeed, under warm conditions which have proven to reduce the resistance of polypropylene helmets due ~
12 ~;
~ii"~
The present invention relates to safety or protective helmets for cyclists' heads.
BACX5~0UND OF THE INVENTION
It is known in the art to provide safety helmets composed of two different thicknesswise layers: an outer, rigid, impact-resistant shell - usually relatively thin - (e.g. polyvinyl chloride (PVC or ABS) and an inner, softer, shock-absorbent layer -usually thicker than the outer shell (e.g. expanded polystyrene foam). These helmets offer a fair protection for a first impact, but are often shattered under a multiple impact fall of the cyclist. Indeed, the relatively thin impact-resistant shell tends to fissure after the first impact, the following blows fracturing and spliting the helmet into many pieces, since the shock-absorbent layer usually does not withstand direct blows. This is obviously undesirable, since the purpose of the safety helmet is to protect the helmet wearer' 6 head, and it most preferably should not be fragmented on the first blow if it is to withstand many blows. A
thicker outer shell can be used to increase the impact resistance, but the helmet can then become quite heavy because of the excessive material weight.
To mitigate this resistance deficienay, a helmet prototype was designed in which a thick layer of polypropylene, replacing the usual polystyrene foam (the polypropylene being lighter and more resistant than the polystyrene) was covered with ~' 2ln~4~7 a thin shell of hard impact-resistant material such as PVC plastic.
The increased resistance proved that the choice of the polypropylene was wise, but the helmet lacked the shock absorption quality that it had before because of the absence of the shock-absorbing layer and the polypropylene proved to be much lessresistant under warm weather conditions than it was under normal weather conditions because of the softening of the polypropylene under such conditions. Therefore, though the multi-impact resistant polypropylene seemed a good material choice, it was still not good enough.
O~JECT~ OF TNE INVENTION
It is the general object of the present invention to provide a safety helmet of the character described that will protect its wearer against head injuries with a maximum efficiency, even during multiple-impact falls of the wearer.
It is an important object of this invention to provide a safety helmet of the character described of light weight.
It is another object of the present invention that the safety helmet be well ventilated.
~UMMARY OF TNE INVENTION
In accordance with the objects of the invention, the present invention consists of a safety helmet comprising three thicknesswise layers~
--` 21~427 a) a thin impact-resistant smooth outer shell;
b) a memory-material intermediate layer; and c) a shock-absorbing inner liner;
said intermediate layer being able to regain its form after an impact, said inner liner conforming with, and being adapted to fit the head of a wearer, said intermediate layer conforming with, and adhering to, the outer surface of said inner liner, said outer shell conforming with, and adhering to, the outer surface of said intermediate layer.
Preferably, said intermediate layer extends downwardly beyond said outer shell, thus forming a lower peripheral extension.
Advantageously, said outer shell, said intermediate layer and said inner liner form ventilation openings that correspond from one layer to the other.
Preferably, said outer shell extends inwardly into said ventilation openings thus covering at least a portion of the intermediate layer.
Profitably, said outer shell and said intermediate layer are joined by a butt joint; and further including a peripheral sealer strip overlying and straddling said butt joint.
Advantageously, said intermediate layer further comprises spaced transversely-extending grooves made at its outer surface and adapted to be engaged by helmet retaining straps, said grooves extending downwardly to the inner surface of said lower peripherical extension of said intermediate layer.
Alternately, said intermediate layer further comprises ' - '~:.
;,'~- ~'~',' -- 2108~27 spaced transversely-extending grooves made at its outer surface and adapted to be engaged by helmet retaining straps, said straps extending transversely to at least two of said ventilation openings .
Preferably, said safety helmet defines a front and a rear section adapted to extend across the forehead and the back of the head of the wearer, respectively, said intermediate layer being thicker at said rear section.
Profitably, said inner liner further comprises cushioning patches adhering to and protruding from its inner surface, said cushioning patches adapted to space said inner liner from the head of a wearer when in contact with said head.
Advantageously, said outer shell and intermediate layer form inward elongated grooves and said inner liner forms outward elongated grooves.
Preferably, said inward elongated grooves register with said outward elongated grooves, at least some of said ventilation openings being elongated and located through said elongated grooves.
Profitably, said intermediate layer and said inner liner are relatively of the same thickness.
In one embodiment of the invention, said intermediate layer and said inner liner are interconnected by key means.
Preferably, said safety helmet defines front and rear portions; and said key means including a first key member, interconnecting the front portions of the intermediate layer and inner liner, and a 21~8~27 ....
pair of second key members, interconnecting the rear portion of the intermediate layer and inner liner. Advantageou~ly, each key member consists of a dovetail joint defined by: (a) a frusto-conical bore, made into the thicknes~ of said intermediate layer with the largest diameter end being on the exterior face of said intermediate layer; and (b) a projection integrally projecting from said inner liner and freely filling the volume defined by and sitting into and complementarily sized to fit inside said frusto-conical bore.
BRIEF DB~CRIPTION OF THE DRAWING~
Figure 1 is a partial side elevational view of a first embodiment of safety helmet of the invention;
figures 2-2a are top plan views of the two embodiments of helmet according to the invention, with fig 2a showing the helmet in partly broken view;
figure 3 and 4 are longitudinal sections taken along lines 3-3 and 4-4, respectively, of figure 2;
figure 5 is a cro~s-sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken along line 5-5 of figure 1; ~ -, . ~- .:.
figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken along line 6-6 of figure 4;
figure 7 is a partial section, at an enlarged scale, taken within circle 7 of figure 3; and ~;
figures 8-9 are enlarged cross-sectional views taken about lines 8-8 and 9-9 respectively of figure 2.
~: :
~:
'.: '. '~ ~
21 ~27 As it can be seen on figure 5, the safety helmet lo of the present invention is composed of three distinct thicknesswise layers of different composition: an outer shell 12, an intermediate layer 14 and an inner liner 16.
Outer shell 12 is made of a rigid material, such as polyvinyl chloride plastic (better known as PVC) or polystyrene plastic, and its outer free surface is advantageously smooth so that the helmet may be as aerodynamic as possible. Although the thickness of shell 12 is very small compared to the thickness of the whole helmet, its presence is nevertheless very important, for it resists to impacts of a relatively strong intensity. Moreover, its smoothness is highly desirable, especially when the wearer is cycling at high speed, for the aerodynamic drag induced by the helmet-wearing speeding cyclist becomes a factor in the performance of the cyclist.
Intermediate layer 14 is made of a fairly rigid memory material, i.e. a material which will recover its initial form after having been deformed due to an impact blow. This material is preferably expanded polypropylene plastic. Memory material 14 needs to be thicker than outer shell 12, because it is less rigid and if it h~ere as thin as outer shell 12, it would be torn apart when an impact would occur. The thickness of memory material layer 14 is therefcre approximately half of the thickness of helmet 10.
This layer 14 is very important, because although impact-resistant shell 12 may suffice to protect the cyclist's head against a first blow, if a multi-impact fall occurs, it is desirable that the --' 2108~27 helmet remain whole to protect the head during the entire fall.
Layer 14, instead of being shattered after one impact, is designed to recover its form after each impact on the helmet, due to the material memory. The wearer of the helmet would therefore be protected during the entire fall, instead of being protected against the first blow only.
Inner liner 16 is composed of a softer, alhtough quite resistant, plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene foam.
This third layer is desirable because of its capacity to distribute the energy of the impact over a broader area, thus "feeling"
smoother for the cyclist wearing the helmet. In other words, liner 16 distributes a blow on the helmet more evenly on the head, -instead of transferring it all to a single point, which is much less painful for the helmet wearer. The thickness of inner liner 16 is similar to that of intermediate layer 14, i.e. about half of the thickness of the whole helmet.
The combination of the three layers, i.e. thin impact~
resistant smooth outer shell 12, memory material intermediate layer 14 and shock-absorbing inner liner 16, offers a protection against small impacts, against multi-impact falls and generally prevents the wearer's head from injuries. -. . , As shown on figure 1, intermediate layer 14 is defined at its lower periphery by a bottom rim portion 14a that projects downwardly beyond outer shell 12. Therefore, outer shell 12 does not cover the entire outer surface of helmet 10, for bottom rim 14a is the outer free surface of helmet 10 at the lower periphery of ~1 0~27 helmet lo. other than that, outer shell 12 conforms with, and adheres to the outer surface of intermediate layer 14.
Figure 3 shows that intermediate layer 14 has an increased thickness at the lower rear part 14b of helmet 10, to better protect the wearer's head, just above the nape, against shocks, since it is often on the back of the head that a person receives a blow when falling. Also, this increase in thickness in the back of helmet 10 confers a shape to helmet 10 which is more aerodynamic.
The joint between outer shell 12 and intermediate layer 14 is a butt joint, as shown on figure 5 at 34. Indeed, outer shell 12 abuts at its lower periphery against a slight outward peripheral protrusion 14c of intermediate layer 14, and a peripheral sealer strip 18 overlies outer shell 12 and intermediate . layer 14 and straddles joint 34.
As shown in figures 3 and 5, inner liner 16 conforms with, and adheres to the inner surface of intermediate layer 14.
It is important to note that inner liner 16 covers the entire inner surface of intermediate layer 14, consequently preventing that the wearer's head come into contact with intermediate layer 14. This is de~irable, because liner 16 iæ softer than layer 14 and not only will it be more comfortable for the wearer's head to come into contact with thiæ æofter liner 16 than with harder layer 14, but alæo the liner must cover the whole inner æurface of helmet 10 to provide a æhock-absorbing characteristic wherever the shock may occur on helmet 10. Inner liner 16 conformæ with, and iæ adapted to cover the wearer's head, including part of the forehead and the back of the head just above the nape.
In the first embodiment of helmet illustrated in figures 1, 2, and 3-7, the intermediate layer 14 and the inner liner 16 are fixedly secured to one another by a known glue compound, laid therebetween, this glue compound being selected for its compatibility with the constituting materials of the layer 14 and liner 16. Alternately, this glue compound can be replaced by a pair of front and rear anchoring members, 40 and 42, respectively, being illustrated in figures 2a, 8 and 9 (second embodiment helmet). Such anchoring members 40, 42, are generally considered more efficient in interconnecting the layer 14 to the liner 16, and thus, this second embodiment of helmet is accordingly the preferred mode of helmet 10'. Each anchoring member 40, 42, 42, consists of a key which interlocks the layer 14 with the liner 16. More particularly, the single front key member 40, and the pair of rear key members 42, 42, each consists of a dovetail joint made from a frusto-conical bore made into the thickness of the intermediate layer 14, and a complementarily-size projection integrally pro~ecting from the inner liner and filling the volume defined by and sitting into said frusto-conical bore. Since the diameteer of said frusto-conical bore decreases from the exterior face of the intermediate layer 14 to its interior face, and the complementary projection of the inner liner 16 engaging said frusto-conical bore sits freely into the latter, the joint is firm, since any bias to spread layer 14 away from liner 16 will only further strenghten the n~27 .~
joint, as can be readily understood by one skilled in the art.
As can be seen on figures 2-2a, a plurality of elongated ventilation openings 20, 22 are practiced thicknesswisely through helmet lo, i.e. through outer shell 12, intermediate layer 14 and inner liner 16. Ventilation openings 20, 22 are positioned symmetrically, relative to a central, vertical, lengthwise plane of helmet lo. The frontal portion of helmet 10 is ventilated by ventilation openings 20, which are adapted to be positioned just above the wearer's forehead when the helmet is worn, while ventilation openings 22 are positioned lengthwisely along elongated grooves 24 which are formed thicknesswisely on the outer free surface of helmet 10. Grooves 24 extend from the top of helmet 10 to the rear portion just above the rear lower part 14b of intermediate layer 14, conforming to the general shape of helmet 10. The symmetry and the shape of grooves 24 provide a more aerodynamic shape to helmet 10.
Figure 5 shows that the shape of outer shell 12 conforms with grooves 24 of helmet 10. Also, outer shell 12 possesses inward projections 12a (figure 6) that extend inwardly in ventilation openings 20, 22 adjacent to intermediate layer 14, and almost reach inner liner 16. These inward projections 12a confer a smoother outer surface to helmet 10, since otherwise intermediate layer 14 would be more exposed through the ventilation openings to the wind and weather conditions.
Figure 4 shows that ventilation openings 20, 22 offer long surfaces (relative to the entire length of helmet 10) through `` ~lQ8~27 which the air may enter, thus refreshing the wearer and permitting the wearer's head-generated humidity to escape through the helmet.
Ventilation openings 20, 22 thus create a much more comfortable helmet for the wearer.
As can be seen in figure 5, inner elongated grooves 36 are formed on the inner surface of inner liner 16, inner grooves 36 registering with grooves 24 of the outer surface of helmet 10.
Helmet 10 is further provided with retaining straps 26, 28 of known construction (figurse 1 and 5) extending downwardly under helmet 10. Retaining straps 26, 28 are equipped with length~
adjusters and chin straps (not illustrated), to permit the attachment of the helmet on heads of different sizes.
As can be seen on figures 4 and 7, front retaining strap 26 is fixed at the front extremity of helmet 10, between frontal ventilation openings 20 and top ventilation openings 22. Figure 7 shows how retaining strap 26 is inserted between outer shell 12 and intermediate layer 14, in an elongated transversal groove 30 practiced on the outer surface of intermediate layer 14, this groove being adapted and correctly dimensioned to receive and be e,ngaged by retaining strap 26; this prevents retaining strap 26 from disengaging itself from helmet 10 ~it would have to be torn away, but this would require a relatively forceful stress).
Transversal groove 30 extends in a downward arc, conforming to the shape of helmet 10, until it reaches orifices (not illustrated) allowing the retaining strap 26 to protruberate under helmet 10, the orifices being positioned on the inner surface of bottom rim ~1 08427 14a of intermediate layer 14. Figure 4 further shows that rear retaining strap 28 is fixed in a rear ventilation opening 22, and passes between intermediate layer 14 and inner liner 16 in a groove similar to the groove of retaining strap 26, extending its two ends downwardly and concurrently to a helmet 10 central, vertical, lengthwise plane.
The free extremities of retaining straps 26, 28 extend on one side and the other of helmet lo, thus allowing helmet 10 to be secured on the wearer's head with above-mentioned chin straps, strap 26 being adapted to extend adjacent to the temples and to pass in front of the ears, and strap 28 being adapted to pass behind the ears, straps 26 and 28 reaching each other under the chin, thus roughly forming a V on each side of the wearer's head.
As can be observed on figures 3, 4 and 6, elongated cushioned patches 32 are attached to the interior free surface of inner liner 16, so that the contact of the wearer's head with helmet 10 will be more comfortable for the wearer. Patches 32 are strategically positioned where helmet 10 rests against the wearer's head and they possess a thickness sufficient to space inner liner 16 from the wearer's head.
The resulting helmet is very light and complies with the regulations governing the resistance to impact of such helmets (e.g. A.N.S.I., S.N.E.L.L. in the United States, which is a regulated test of cyclists' helmet resistance) due to the combined layers of di~ferent materials. Indeed, under warm conditions which have proven to reduce the resistance of polypropylene helmets due ~
12 ~;
~ii"~
to its softening under such conditions, shock-absorbing liner 16 ~ ~
compensates to keep the helmet lo resistance above a certain -. -acceptable level (this acceptable level being regulated by S.N.E.L.L. tests). The resulting helmet therefore pos6esses a very ~ :
reliable resistance, even under multi-impact falls.
compensates to keep the helmet lo resistance above a certain -. -acceptable level (this acceptable level being regulated by S.N.E.L.L. tests). The resulting helmet therefore pos6esses a very ~ :
reliable resistance, even under multi-impact falls.
Claims (16)
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A safety helmet comprising three thicknesswise layers:
a) a thin impact-resistant smooth outer shell;
b) a memory-material intermediate layer; and c) a shock-absorbing inner liner;
said intermediate layer being able to regain its form after an impact, said inner liner conforming with, and being adapted to fit the head of a wearer, said intermediate layer conforming with, and adhering to, the outer surface of said inner liner, said outer shell conforming with, and adhering to, the outer surface of said intermediate layer.
a) a thin impact-resistant smooth outer shell;
b) a memory-material intermediate layer; and c) a shock-absorbing inner liner;
said intermediate layer being able to regain its form after an impact, said inner liner conforming with, and being adapted to fit the head of a wearer, said intermediate layer conforming with, and adhering to, the outer surface of said inner liner, said outer shell conforming with, and adhering to, the outer surface of said intermediate layer.
2. A safety helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer extends downwardly beyond said outer shell, thus forming a lower peripheral extension.
3. A safety helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said outer shell, said intermediate layer and said inner liner form ventilation openings that correspond from one layer to the other.
4. A safety helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said outer shell extends inwardly into said ventilation openings thus covering at least a portion of the intermediate layer.
5. A safety helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said outer shell and said intermediate layer are joined by a butt joint, further including a peripheral sealer strip overlying and straddling said butt joint.
6. A safety helmet as defined in claim 2, wherein said intermediate layer further comprises spaced transversely-extending grooves made at its outer surface and adapted to be engaged by helmet retaining straps, said grooves extending downwardly to the inner surface of said lower peripheral extension of said intermediate layer.
7. A safety helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer further comprises spaced transversely-extending grooves made at its outer surface and adapted to be engaged by helmet retaining straps, said straps extending transversely to at least two of said ventilation openings.
8. A safety helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said safety helmet defines a front and a rear section adapted to extend across the forehead and the back of the head of the wearer, respectively, said intermediate layer being thicker at said rear section.
9. A safety helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said inner liner further comprises cushioning patches adhering to and protruding from its inner surface, said cushioning patches adapted to space said inner liner from the head of a wearer when in contact with said head.
10. A safety helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said outer shell and intermediate layer form inward elongated grooves and said inner liner forms outward elongated grooves.
11. A safety helmet as defined in claim 10, wherein said inward elongated grooves register with said outward elongated grooves, at least some of said ventilation openings being elongated and located through said elongated grooves.
12. A safety helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer and said inner liner are relatively of the same thickness.
13. A safety helmet as in claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer and said inner liner are interconnected by a glue compound laid therebetween.
14. A safety helmet as in claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer and said inner liner are interconnected by key means.
15. A safety helmet as in claim 14, wherein said safety helmet defines front and rear portions; said key means including a first key member, interconnecting the front portions of the intermediate layer and inner liner, and a pair of second key members, interconnecting the rear portion of the intermediate layer and inner liner.
16. A safety helmet as in claim 15, wherein each key member consists of a dovetail joint defined by:
(a) a frusto-conical bore, made into the thickness of said intermediate layer with the largest diameter end being on the exterior face of said intermediate layer; and (b) a projection integrally projecting from said inner liner and freely filling the volume defined by and sitting into and complementarily sized to fit inside said frusto-conical bore.
(a) a frusto-conical bore, made into the thickness of said intermediate layer with the largest diameter end being on the exterior face of said intermediate layer; and (b) a projection integrally projecting from said inner liner and freely filling the volume defined by and sitting into and complementarily sized to fit inside said frusto-conical bore.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002108427A CA2108427A1 (en) | 1993-10-14 | 1993-10-14 | Multi impact resistant safety helmet for cyclist |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002108427A CA2108427A1 (en) | 1993-10-14 | 1993-10-14 | Multi impact resistant safety helmet for cyclist |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2108427A1 true CA2108427A1 (en) | 1995-04-15 |
Family
ID=4152449
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002108427A Abandoned CA2108427A1 (en) | 1993-10-14 | 1993-10-14 | Multi impact resistant safety helmet for cyclist |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2108427A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0954992A2 (en) * | 1998-05-08 | 1999-11-10 | Camau System di Casale & C. s.n.c. | Helmet provided with aerating holes and its manufacturing process |
| US6009562A (en) * | 1998-08-26 | 2000-01-04 | Bell Sports, Inc. | Helmet with accessory mounting apparatus and method of making the same |
| US6009561A (en) * | 1998-08-26 | 2000-01-04 | Bell Sports Inc. | Helmet with rotatable accessory mount and method of making the same |
-
1993
- 1993-10-14 CA CA002108427A patent/CA2108427A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0954992A2 (en) * | 1998-05-08 | 1999-11-10 | Camau System di Casale & C. s.n.c. | Helmet provided with aerating holes and its manufacturing process |
| EP0954992A3 (en) * | 1998-05-08 | 2000-09-27 | Camau System di Casale & C. s.n.c. | Helmet provided with aerating holes and its manufacturing process |
| US6009562A (en) * | 1998-08-26 | 2000-01-04 | Bell Sports, Inc. | Helmet with accessory mounting apparatus and method of making the same |
| US6009561A (en) * | 1998-08-26 | 2000-01-04 | Bell Sports Inc. | Helmet with rotatable accessory mount and method of making the same |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 19960414 |
|
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 19960414 |