CN103153106A

CN103153106A - Hockey helmet with readily removable earpieces

Info

Publication number: CN103153106A
Application number: CN2011800484343A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 格劳梅·贝兰杰; 尚方索斯·贝蓝
Original assignee: Easton Sports Inc
Current assignee: Easton Sports Inc
Priority date: 2010-10-05
Filing date: 2011-09-28
Publication date: 2013-06-12
Also published as: WO2012047696A1; EP2624715A1; TW201238509A; EP2624715A4; US20120079646A1; CA2810555A1

Abstract

A hockey helmet includes earpieces that are readily removable from the helmet without the need for tools or other objects, and without the need to remove screws or other components. The earpieces may be slidably attached to rails on a retention mechanism embedded in the foam helmet liner or to rails on the helmet shell itself. The helmet optionally includes an internal region of EPP foam fused or bonded between two thin polycarbonate layers, with the retention mechanism embedded within the EPP foam.

Description

But rapid moving is except the hockey helmet of earmuff

Technical field

The invention relates to a kind of sports helmet.

Background technology

Present hockey helmet generally includes a solid and highdensity polyethylene sheath; its inside is provided with liner with the head of protection wearer; in addition; hockey helmet also comprises a fixed system usually; with help, one helmet suitably is fixed on wearer, for example, existing many helmets generally include the two piece enclosure that can move axially relatively; and an inner transverse fixed system, in order to adjust the head that the helmet is fixed in wearer.No. the 12/191st, 000, the U.S. patent application case of this kind helmet system as application on August 13rd, 2008 is described, and it is the scope of including in full this specification in.

Hockey helmet also comprises earmuff usually; in order to protect the ear of wearer; in the part helmet; these earmuffs are by a plurality of screws, threaded fasteners, and other part and being arranged on helmet shell; therefore it can be removed, yet, in the part helmet; earmuff is the some of shell, so it is to remove.The sportsman can remove earmuff usually, with the comfort level that improves helmet integral body, and improve communication with other sportsman, coach and judge; In order to remove earmuff, at first sportsman or trainer must remove screw and other part, yet, in this process, if screw, threaded fasteners or other part easily drop out the helmet or enter in the helmet, cause this to remove the process trouble that becomes very.

Summary of the invention

The present invention discloses a kind of hockey helmet with earmuff, and it can in the situation that unfavorable with instrument or other object, remove earmuff easily.Further feature of the present invention and advantage will be specified in the subsequent implementation mode.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the side view with hockey helmet of removable earmuff;

Fig. 2 is the lower view of the helmet as shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is that removable earmuff and the earmuff of the helmet as shown in Figures 1 and 2 keeps the side view of mechanism;

Fig. 4 is removable earmuff and the earmuff top view that keeps mechanism as shown in Figure 3;

Fig. 5 is removable earmuff and the earmuff rearview that keeps mechanism as shown in Figures 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is the rearview of an assembly of the reservation mechanism as shown in Fig. 3-5; And

Fig. 7 is the side view of the helmet as shown in Figure 1, and wherein earmuff is to be removed.

The specific embodiment

In icon of the present invention, same components will represent with same numeral.

Below will enumerate and describe in detail several embodiment, use understand technology contents of the present invention and implement according to this, yet, be familiar with this skill person and all should be appreciated that, the present invention can be in the situation that do not have the part assembly and still can implement.In addition, the structure that part is well known or function do not show or explanation in detail, to avoid fuzzy technology emphasis of the present invention.

Should be noted this, a certain specific embodiment of the present invention describes although the vocabulary of terms of using is in this article arranged in pairs or groups, but it still should be with reasonable dismissal the most widely as its scope, in addition, although the part noun can emphasize hereinafter, explains that any vocabulary of terms will be defined in following explanation complete and particularly if want limit.

In this manual, if when to state clearly the quantity of certain assembly be single or a plurality of, its scope still can contain respectively a plurality of or single.In addition, for "or" one word, only state clearly especially it and only limit to single assembly and get rid of in list other assembly in two or above assembly, the explanation of "or" one word should comprise arbitrary assembly in (a) list, all component in (b) list or (c) any combination of all component in list.

Please refer to shown in Figure 1, the present invention discloses a kind of hockey helmet 10, it comprises a shell 12, wherein, shell 12 has a forefoot area 14, territory, lateral areas 16, a rear region 18 and a hat zone 20, as shown in Figure 2, and in one embodiment, shell mechanism comprises a foamed cotton layer 22 (or any can impact-absorbing the internal layer of material), and it is to be folded between a thin plastic outer layer 24 and a thin inner plastic 26.

The material better polypropylene (polypropylene that comprises swollen of system of foamed cotton layer, EPP) material, but it can also comprise the polyethylene (polyethylene of swollen, EPE) material or its combination, in addition, it can also comprise energy absorbing material or its combination that other is suitable.Thin

plastic layer

24 and 26 material can comprise Merlon or other suitable material, and it can be formed by the unitary plastic sheet respectively, or are formed by a plurality of plastic sheet.Although can use other material, for convenience of description, below narration is to be located between two layer of

polycarbonate

24 and 26 as example take an EPP foamed cotton layer 22.

In one embodiment, interior layer of polycarbonate 26 can partially or completely omit, particularly when the helmet adopts relatively thick skin 24, in addition, interior layer of polycarbonate 26 can for example only cover the specific region of EPP foamed cotton layer 22, as the forward and backward and underside area of EPP foamed cotton layer 22, generally be preferably on several zones at least of EPP foamed cotton layer 22 interior layer of polycarbonate 26 is set, using provides than the more stable and better energy absorbing structure of interior layer of polycarbonate is not set; In addition, better comfortable foam or other the comfortable liner of arranging, use the wearer that is fixed to that provides comfortable on the inner surface of EPP foamed cotton layer 22 or layer of polycarbonate 26.

In one embodiment, layer of

polycarbonate

24 and 26 can utilize vacuum forming, and is trimmed to the shape of expection, then inserts in the mould that is provided with preformed EPP layer 22, so that with layer of

polycarbonate

24 and 26 gluings or be blended in EPP layer 22; In another embodiment, can first layer of

polycarbonate

24 and 26 be inserted in the EPP mould, then embed shaping with the EPP foam; In another embodiment, can utilize injection molding to form layer of polycarbonate, then gluing one EPP foam liner.

Due to above-mentioned vacuum forming or the formed plastic layer that embed to be shaped usually lighter and thinner than traditional injection molding former of institute, so vacuum forming or embedding are shaped and usually are better than injection molding, for example, research is found, layer of polycarbonate 24 of the present invention and 26 can utilize and be low to moderate approximately that the thin plate of 0.7mm forms (after through the vacuum forming processing procedure, be about 2mm thick), relatively under, the thickness of the plastic casing of traditional injection molding helmet is about 1.8 usually to 3mm.Yet any above-mentioned processing procedure or other suitable processing procedure all can be used for forming helmet shell 12.

In part embodiment, layer of polycarbonate can utilize two or more processing procedure coordinate and form, and for example, outer 24 can be to utilize the injection molding processing procedure and form, and internal layer 26 can be to utilize the vacuum forming processing procedure and form.In another embodiment, outer 24 upper zone can be to utilize embedding shaping processing procedure to form, and outer 24 lower area can be to utilize the injection molding processing procedure to form.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3-6, in one embodiment, the helmet 10 comprises a removable earmuff 30, and it is the both sides that are arranged at respectively the helmet 10, and earmuff 30 is goodly formed by a plastic material, and it still can be formed by any suitable material certainly; Wherein, earmuff 30 can be transparent, translucent or opaque, and the better opening 31 that comprises of earmuff 30, so extraneous sound can see through the ear that opening 31 imports wearer into.

Each earmuff 30 is to be arranged at removedly one to keep in mechanism 35, and its material is to be preferably nylon, plastic material or other suitable material; Keeping mechanism 35 can when forming the helmet 10, be embedded in EPP foamed cotton layer 22; In addition, keeping mechanism 35 can also be the some of the plastic material of the helmet itself, particularly works as the thicker injection molding assembly that is all or part of of shell; In one embodiment, helmet shell is for example a Mixed Design, it comprises the thinner plastic layer in the upper zone that is positioned at the EPP foam, and the thicker injection molding plastic layer that is positioned at the lower area of EPP foam, the keeping characteristics system that wherein, can be connected in earmuff 30 is one of the forming with lower injection molding zone; In the present embodiment, the injection molding lower area can be by rivet or other coupling assembling and is connected or mechanicalness is connected in EPP foamed cotton layer 22.

Keep mechanism 35 and can comprise single component or plural part, in the present embodiment, keep mechanism 35 and comprise that one first keeps part 36 and one second reservation part 38, it is setting disconnected from each other, the first reservation part 36 and second keeps part 38 and comprises respectively a track 34 or other suitable retention component, and it is to protrude from first to keep between part 36 and the second reservation part 38; Relatively, earmuff 30 comprises a pair of slotted hole or passage 32, and it is to be connected in slidably track 34; In another embodiment, track can be arranged on earmuff, and slotted hole or passage can be relatively arranged on

reservation part

36 and 38, therefore, when removing earmuff, can residual track on shell.

As shown in Figure 6, more than one track 34 can selectively comprise an opening 40, and in the present embodiment, earmuff 30 comprises arm 42, is provided with lappet on its inner surface, and when earmuff 30 was arranged on track 34, lappet can be connected in opening 40; This kind design can clamping earmuff 30, and therefore when the helmet 10 was collided, earmuff 30 can remain on the position of track 34.Certainly, the present invention can also utilize other set-up mode to fix earmuff 30 on the origin-location, for example can corresponding projection or projection be set on track 34 and on the inner region at the channel definition position of earmuff 30.

By passage 32 is slided along track 34 towards specific direction, can be so that earmuff 30 connects or breaks away from the helmet 10, if track comprises that opening 40 or other pairing region are with other position of clamping arm 42 or earmuff 30, only need minimum strength just can make earmuff 30 enter or leave its complete link position, Fig. 7 shows the helmet 10, wherein, earmuff 30 is to remove from the helmet 10.

Keep mechanism 35 and can comprise earrings support member 50, it has opening to provide earrings 52 to pass through, and wherein, earrings support member 50 provides the structure ancora, with fixed lug 52.Generally speaking, when the helmet have an EPP layer 22 and more than one Merlon

thin layer

24,26 the time (without the Merlon thin layer also can), because EPP and Merlon

thin layer

24,26 are thicker injection molding shell, thereby fail to provide enough support structure to connect to earrings, so especially earrings support member 50 need to be set; Wherein, earrings support member 50 is the better EPP of being embedded in layer 22, uses to earrings so that firm ancora to be provided, and uses to help the helmet 10 to meet codes and standards.

keep the also optional threaded fasteners 55 that selectively comprises of mechanism 35, in order to receive screw, in order to face shield (or other assembly) selectively is set on the helmet 10, the better metal material that comprises of material system of this threaded fasteners 55, but it can also comprise the material that other is suitable, each better coating one plastic casing 56 of threaded fasteners system, it is outstanding outwardly from keeping mechanism 35, the upper side plane of each housing 56 can be used as a shoulder, in order to a screw head or face shield can be stopped thereon wherein, housing 56 is a better tooth section or the arm 57 of being connected in, so when screw is locked or break away from fixture 55, can assist to prevent from keeping mechanism 35 rotates, be embedded in EPP foam 22 owing to keeping mechanism 35, therefore when screw breaks away from from threaded fasteners 55, threaded fasteners 55 can not drop out or fall into the helmet 10.

In the present embodiment, helmet shell comprises three openings or hole 58, it is the side that is arranged at respectively the helmet, and wherein be provided with three fixture housings 56, although the hole 58 of any amount can be set, but generally speaking, most face shield need to arrange two or three tie points at the either side of the helmet 10, uses that face shield is connected on the helmet 10; In order to connect face shield, can first screw (if when screw is arranged) be broken away from fixture 55, then with the opening alignment holes 58 of face shield, then screwed lock is returned on fixture 55, use fixed visors on the helmet 10; In the part example, may need to utilize other screw longer than the screw on the original helmet, use the thickness that holds face shield.

Each keeps mechanism's 35 alternatives and comprises rear lappet 60 or other coupling assembling, and it comprises an opening 62, in order to connect a fixation kit of inner helmet; In the present embodiment, each lappet 60 is better outstanding opening or the slit that passes EPP foam 22, then enter the inside of the helmet, then lappet 60 can be passed again it is penetrated behind the larger zone of opening 62 opening 62 than the zonule, in order to utilize nose bar or similar characteristics on fixation kit to fix lappet 60.In addition, more than one adjustment band can be set between two fixation kits, adjust fixed system to provide one.

The feature of the above-mentioned helmet can provide a lighter helmet, and it is alternative be single-piece or traditional two piece enclosure, the helmet with single-piece shell can not have the space of the helmet of two piece enclosure, therefore, it can provide better head covering property and protectiveness, and it can provide the helmet extra horizontal solidness; In addition, the single-piece shell can also have less movable members, and part gets loose and noise so can reduce.Moreover, because removing of earmuff 30 of the present invention do not need tool using or other object, so it can remove more easily and assemble than known earmuff.

The feature of the helmet of above-mentioned more than one can also be applied to other helmet, as hit the helmet, pitcher's helmet, hunter's helmet, the lacrosse helmet, rugby helmet etc., for example, can an EPP foamed cotton layer be set between the di-polycarbonate layer to embed to be shaped in an attacking head helmet, moreover, can also bury one underground in the EPP foam that hits the helmet and keep mechanism, it has bolted fastener to connect a face shield.

Any above-mentioned embodiment all can implement separately or with the enforcement of working in coordination, in addition, the helmet of the present invention can also comprise the further feature that above-mentioned enforcement profit does not disclose.This specification is enumerated several embodiment only for exemplary, but not is restricted person, any spirit and category that does not break away from this creation, and to its equivalent modifications of carrying out or change, all should be contained in accompanying claim scope.

Claims

1. sports helmet comprises:

One shell, it comprises an outer plastic layer and an interior foamed cotton layer;

One keeps mechanism, and it is to be embedded in described foamed cotton layer, and wherein said reservation mechanism comprises the track of plurality of separate, and it is to be convexly set in described foamed cotton layer; And

One earmuff, it is to be slidedly arranged on described track, and can to remove on described track.

2. the helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described outer plastic layer comprises Merlon, described interior foamed cotton layer comprises EPP, wherein said EPP foam series of strata be blended in or injection molding in described layer of polycarbonate.

3. the helmet as claimed in claim 1, more comprise an inner plastic layer, and it is to be arranged on an inner surface of described interior foamed cotton layer.

4. the helmet as claimed in claim 3, wherein, described outer plastic layer and described inner plastic layer comprise Merlon, described interior foamed cotton layer comprises EPP, wherein said EPP foam series of strata be blended in or injection molding in described interior layer of polycarbonate and described outer layer of polycarbonate.

5. the helmet as claimed in claim 3, wherein, the thickness of described outer plastic layer and described inner plastic layer is about respectively 0.5mm.

6. the helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein, each described track divides and comprises one first keeping characteristics, described earmuff comprises one second relative keeping characteristics, it is the two ends that are arranged at described earmuff, when described earmuff was positioned at a complete link position, described the first keeping characteristics was connected in described the second keeping characteristics, stoped described earmuff to slide with part.

7. the helmet as claimed in claim 6, wherein, described the first keeping characteristics comprises the opening in described track, and described the second keeping characteristics comprises a protuberance of described earmuff, when described earmuff was positioned at described complete link position, described protuberance was to be arranged in described opening.

8. the helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described reservation mechanism more comprises a plurality of fixtures that screw togather, it is side-prominent outwardly from a main body of described reservation mechanism, and describedly screws togather the opening that fixture system is arranged in described helmet shell.

9. the helmet as claimed in claim 8, wherein, the described fixture that screws togather comprises a metal material, and each described fixture system of screwing togather coats a plastic injection thing, it is integrally formed with the described main body of described reservation mechanism.

10. the helmet as claimed in claim 9, wherein, the described main body of described reservation mechanism comprises a plurality of arms, it is to extend from described plastic injection thing, when locking or get loose screw, can increase the rotary resistance of described reservation mechanism.

11. the helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described reservation mechanism more comprises a plurality of earrings support members, and it has opening to provide earrings to pass through.

12. the helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described reservation mechanism more comprises a coupling assembling, and it is to give prominence to and enter the inside of described shell from described foamed cotton layer, and described coupling assembling system is in order to be connected to a fixation kit.

13. a sports helmet comprises:

One keeps mechanism, its be arranged on described shell or on; And

One earmuff, it is to be connected in described reservation mechanism, but wherein said earmuff system hand-driven moving from the described reservation mechanism remove, and need not utilize other aid, and need not remove the part of the described helmet.

14. the helmet as claimed in claim 13, wherein, described shell comprises the lower area of an injection molding, and described reservation system of mechanism and described lower area are integrally formed.

15. the helmet as claimed in claim 13, wherein, described reservation mechanism is embedded in described foamed cotton layer, and comprises the reservation part that protrudes from described foamed cotton layer.

16. the helmet as claimed in claim 13, wherein, described earmuff and described reservation mechanism wherein one comprise plurality of tracks, and wherein another of described earmuff and described reservation mechanism comprises passage, described passage system and described track clamping, therefore described earmuff can slide and break away from described reservation mechanism.

17. the helmet as claimed in claim 16, wherein, each described track comprises one first keeping characteristics, each described passage comprises one second relative keeping characteristics, when described earmuff is positioned at a complete link position, described the first keeping characteristics is connected in described the second keeping characteristics, stops described earmuff to slide with part.

18. the helmet as claimed in claim 13 more comprises an inner plastic layer, it is to be arranged on an inner surface of described interior foamed cotton layer.

19. a sports helmet comprises:

One shell;

One reservation means, it is in order to an earmuff is remained on described shell; And

One earmuff, it comprises a sliding means, it is to be connected in described reservation means, so when described earmuff slided along described reservation means, described earmuff can remove on described reservation means.