CN112203545A

CN112203545A - Shock-absorbing pad for a protective helmet and protective helmet comprising said pad

Info

Publication number: CN112203545A
Application number: CN201980030324.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 斯蒂芬·约恩
Original assignee: Si DifenYueen
Current assignee: Si DifenYueen
Priority date: 2018-03-12
Filing date: 2019-03-11
Publication date: 2021-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-11
Also published as: CN112203545B; EP3539402A1; EP3764829A1; EP3764829B1; WO2019175084A1

Abstract

A shock absorbing liner for a protective helmet comprising: -at least one first component (2) moulded in one piece, said first component (2) being shaped as a curved thin body and comprising a main group (72) of ribs (6), said ribs (6) extending in height along a same demoulding direction (X2) of said first component (2) and in length along one side (3) of said first component (2); and at least one integrally molded second part (42), said second part (42) being shaped as a curved thin body and comprising a secondary set (92) of channels (8), said channels (8) extending in depth along the same demolding direction (X1) of said second part (41) and in length along one side (5) of said second part (42). The parts are assembled by translating the two parts (2, 42) towards each other in a direction parallel to a demoulding direction (X2), wherein the rib (6) engages into the channel (8). The invention also comprises a protective helmet provided with said pad.

Description

Shock-absorbing pad for a protective helmet and protective helmet comprising said pad

Technical Field

The present invention is included in the field of personal protective helmets.

More specifically, the invention relates to a shock-absorbing pad for a protective helmet, intended to be integrated between the outer shell of the helmet and the inner surface of the helmet intended to face the head of a user, of the type comprising:

-at least one first component shaped as a curved thin body and comprising a protrusion extending from one side of said first component;

-at least one second component shaped as a curved thin body and comprising a groove on one side of said second component;

the first component and the second component are assembled together with the second component covering at least a portion of the first component and the projection of the first component engaging into the recess of the second component.

The invention also relates to a protective helmet comprising said shock-absorbing padding. The helmet referred to in the present invention is a personal protection helmet such as, by way of non-limiting example, a motorcycle helmet, a bicycle helmet, a ski helmet, a mountain climbing helmet, an american football helmet, a hockey helmet, a baseball helmet, a protective helmet for construction or civil engineering work, a police helmet, a military helmet, etc.

Background

US7802320 discloses a shock absorbing insert for a protective helmet of the above type in which the projections of the first part are conical, each projection being oriented with an axial direction perpendicular to the inner curved surface of the insert and being embedded in a groove of the second part, said groove also being conical and oriented in a corresponding direction. The particular orientation of the conical projections and the conical recesses with their axial direction perpendicular to the inner curved surface of the pad is such as to cause the shock-absorbing material of the component to work mainly in compression when the helmet is impacted on its outer shell. The above configuration is suitable because the shock absorbing material of the member is generally made of a foam material or the like having a high compressive strength but a low tensile and shear strength. The manufacturing process for this type of gasket generally comprises: the first (or second) component is moulded into several sub-components and these are then placed together in a second mould in which the sub-components form the first (or second) component integrally and in which the second (or first) component is also formed by overmoulding. Thus, the pad comprising the first and second components is integrally formed, one of these components being over-moulded onto the other.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a shock-absorbing pad of the above-mentioned type which can be manufactured in a much simpler manner and which allows greater freedom in designing the pad without the shock-absorbing properties of the pad as a whole being lost.

This is achieved by a shock-absorbing pad of the above-mentioned type, characterized in that:

-the first part is an integrally moulded part and the protrusions of the first part are ribs extending in height in the demoulding direction of the first part and in length along one side of the first part; said ribs being disposed on at least one major group, wherein the height of said ribs extends in the same demolding direction of said first component;

-the second part is an integrally moulded part separate from the first part and the groove of the second part is a channel with a depth extending in the demoulding direction of the second part and a length extending along one side of the second part; said channels being provided on at least one secondary group, wherein the depth of said channels extends in the same ejection direction of said second part;

-the size and shape of the ribs of the at least one primary group and the channels of the at least one secondary group are adapted such that by translating the first part and the second part towards each other in a direction parallel to the demolding direction, the second part matches the first part and the ribs engage into the channels, wherein the ribs of the primary group extend in the demolding direction and the channels of the secondary group extend in the demolding direction.

The helmet has a shock deflecting and dispersing shell and a shock absorbing liner. The addition of ribs to the cushion can increase its stiffness, supporting the function of the shell, so the shell can be more flexible and therefore lighter. The structure of the ribs and channels and the overlap between the first and the second set are two parameters that allow to optimize the damping of the shock absorbing pad (the way it damps).

Furthermore, due to the arrangement according to the invention, the first part and the second part are moulded separately and can be matched to each other to form a shock absorbing pad, making the manufacturing process of the pad much simpler. Since all the protrusions in a set extend in a single demolding direction, the protrusions are not individually oriented in a normal direction with respect to the curvature of the gasket. However, this does not mean that the cushioning performance of the pad is significantly reduced, because a set of protrusions may be oriented entirely in the normal direction. Furthermore, it is possible to have different sets of protrusions in the first part, each set of protrusions extending in a different demolding direction, and different second parts each matching each of the sets of protrusions. This allows different sets of protrusions to be provided such that each set is oriented in its entirety in a different normal direction.

Another advantage of the invention is that different second parts, for example differing in thickness or material of manufacture, can alternatively be matched to the same first part. This allows the properties of the pad, the shape or size of the pad to be easily adapted to the specific design of the helmet by simply selecting matching first and second components to form a shock absorbing pad.

Preferred embodiments having the features set forth below have been provided based on the main invention.

In some possible embodiments, at least some of the ribs of at least one primary group extend in straight planes and the corresponding channels of at least one secondary group extend in corresponding straight planes. This arrangement allows the energy of an impact to be absorbed in a predefined straight direction (straight direction) so that the performance of the shock absorbing insert may be improved for certain helmet designs. The straight planes may be parallel or divergent. For example, a straight plane may extend radially from a central point. It is also envisaged that the ribs and corresponding channels have several portions each extending in a different straight plane.

In other possible embodiments, at least some of the ribs of at least one of the primary groups extend in curved planes and the corresponding channels of at least one of the secondary groups extend in corresponding curved planes. These curved planes may be concentric circles, arcuate or non-uniformly curved, and any possible combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the ribs and corresponding channels have several portions that combine straight planes and curved planes. Due to its multi-directional orientation, the curved plane provides superior damping performance for certain applications and certain sections of the helmet compared to the straight plane.

Preferably, the shock absorbing pad comprises a plurality of said second parts, each matching said at least one first part, each second part covering a different portion of said at least one first part. This increases the freedom of designing the first component, as two or more second components can be used to match different parts of the first component. Furthermore, the use of a plurality of second components for each first component allows optimization of the helmet with various impact areas.

Preferably, the shock absorbing pad comprises a plurality of said first parts. The first components may be sized and shaped to be positioned side-by-side such that they together form a curved thin body. Optionally, the second component covers at least a portion of the two or more first components. This increases the freedom of designing the second component, as two or more first components can be used to match different parts of the second component. Furthermore, the use of multiple first components for the second component allows for optimization of various impact regions in the helmet.

Preferably, the at least one first part comprises a plurality of main groups of ribs, each of the main groups having a different ejection direction along which the ribs extend, and each of the main groups being covered by a different second part. It is also contemplated that the at least one second component includes a plurality of secondary sets of channels, each of the secondary sets having a different demolding direction along which the channels extend, and each of the secondary sets covering a different first component.

A first part with several main sets of ribs extending in different ejection directions can be molded in one piece by using a complex mold with slides. Similarly, a second part with several secondary sets of channels extending in different ejection directions can be molded in one piece by using a complex mold with slides. However, if one of these first or second components is molded as a single piece, the other is molded in multiple pieces so that the cushion pad can be assembled.

Preferably, the rib has a tapered cross-sectional shape that decreases in width outwardly from the side of the first component and the channel has a corresponding tapered cross-sectional shape that decreases in width inwardly from the side of the second component. Preferably, the tapered cross-sectional shape is a truncated triangle. The tapered cross-sectional shape of the ribs provides better shock absorption than a rectangular profile

Preferably, the number of ribs in the at least one primary group is three or more and the number of corresponding channels in the at least one secondary group is three or more.

In some possible embodiments, the at least one insert is sandwiched between a side of the first component and a side of the second component. The sandwich construction allows further optimization of the material or material composition of each layer. The insert also allows for an extended level of protection, for example, from oblique impacts on the helmet.

Preferably, the insert is sandwiched between at least one of the ribs and the corresponding channel with which the rib engages. Inserts located between the ribs and the channels can be used to improve shock absorption in small sections of the helmet or to enhance overall performance by applying the inserts in larger sections.

Preferably, the first part of the shock absorbing pad is made of a material or composition different from the material or composition of which said second part is made. For example, the two components may be made of different polymers, or of the same polymer (e.g., Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) or other Expanded polymer) but have different structures, such that the densities are different. The use of different densities is a standard practice to optimize shock absorption and limit the size of the helmet shell. The invention has the advantages that: the first and second parts having different materials or compositions can be formed and assembled in a particularly easy manner, so that there is a greater possibility in designing the shock-absorbing pad. For example, different second components having the same shape but made of different materials or compositions may be provided to alternatively cover the same first component, so that the helmet manufacturer may select a second component that is more tailored to the intended performance of the liner.

Preferably, at least one of the first and second parts, more preferably both, are made of an expanded polymer, such as Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) or expanded polypropylene (EPP).

The invention also includes embodiments in which, in addition to the first and second components, further components are subsequently assembled with one another like the first and second components. To this end, the second part may have a rib extending in a demolding direction of said second part, and the gasket may comprise an integrally molded third part having on one side a channel extending in the demolding direction of said third part, such that by translating the third part towards the second part in a direction parallel to said rib and said channel, the third part matches the second part, and said rib engages into said channel.

The invention also relates to a protective helmet, characterized in that it comprises a shock-absorbing pad according to the invention, integrated between the outer shell of the helmet and the inner surface of the helmet intended to face the head of the user.

The invention also includes other detailed features illustrated in the following detailed description and drawings of embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

Advantages and features of the invention will be understood from the following description, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, without limiting the scope of the invention as defined in claim 1.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a cushion pad.

Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to fig. 1, in which the second part is turned.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a helmet comprising the shock absorbing liner of figures 1 and 2. The cross-sectional plane is vertical.

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view with the same sectional plane as fig. 3 showing the vertical translational direction for mating the top second member with the first member.

FIG. 5 is another schematic cross-sectional view of a helmet wherein the plane of the cross-section is horizontal

Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view having the same cross-sectional plane as fig. 5, showing the horizontal direction of translation for mating the front second member with the first member.

Fig. 7 is a partial sectional view with the same sectional plane as fig. 5 showing the horizontal direction of translation for mating one of the lateral second components with the first component.

Fig. 8 and 9 are partial perspective views of the first component showing two possible different shapes of the ribs (for simplicity, the channels of the second component are not shown; the channels have corresponding shapes for mating with the ribs of the first component).

Fig. 10A to 10H are top views schematically illustrating other possible different shapes of the ribs (for simplicity, the channels of the second component are not shown; the channels have corresponding shapes for matching the ribs of the first component).

Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the top of the helmet as shown in figure 3, showing a possible use of an insert sandwiched between the first and second components.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of a shock-absorbing pad 1 according to the present invention, and a protective helmet (schematically shown in fig. 3 and 5) in which said shock-absorbing pad is integrated.

The shock absorbing pad 1 comprises one first part 2 and four second parts. The four secondary members are a front secondary member 41, a top secondary member 42 and two side secondary members 43. In fig. 1 and 2, only one side second part 43 is shown, the other side second part 43 being symmetrical, as can be seen in fig. 3.

The first member 2 and the

second members

41, 42, 43 are each integrally molded members, which are formed as curved thin bodies. In the embodiments described herein, all components are made of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). The EPS of which the

second parts

41, 42, 43 are made has a greater density than the EPS of which the first part 2 is made. However, in other possible embodiments, the first and second components may be made of any other expanded polymer other than EPS, or of any other shock absorbing material or combination thereof (including composite materials). Further, in other possible embodiments, the first and second components may differ not only in density, but also in another composition (e.g., content, distribution, or properties of the filler). Furthermore, the materials or compositions from which the different

second parts

41, 42, 43 are made may be the same or different.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first component 2 is intended to form itself an inner layer of the helmet. To this end, the first part 2 is a complete part generally shaped to cover the head of the user. The outer side 3 of the first part 2 is provided with four main groups of ribs 6: a front main group 71, a top main group 72 and two side main groups 73 (only one of which is shown in fig. 1 and 2). In each of the

main groups

71, 72 and 73, the height of the ribs 6 extends in the same demolding direction of the first part 2 (X1, X2, X3, respectively), and the length extends along the outer side 3 of the first part 2. For each of said

main groups

71, 72, 73 of ribs 6 of first component 2 there is a corresponding

second component

41, 42, 43, said

second components

41, 42, 43 being provided with channels 8 of a corresponding

secondary group

91, 92, 93, the depth of said channels 8 extending in the same direction of demoulding of said

second components

41, 42, 43 (X1, X2, X3 respectively) and the length extending along the inner side 5 of said

second components

41, 42, 43. The size and shape of the ribs 6 of each

primary group

71, 72, 73 and the channels 8 of each

secondary group

91, 92, 93 are adapted so that by translating each

second part

41, 42, 43 towards the first part 2 in a direction X1, X2, X3 parallel to the direction of ejection along which the ribs 6 extend and parallel to the direction of ejection along which the channels 8 extend, each

second part

41, 42, 43 matches the first part 2 and the ribs 6 of each

primary group

71, 72, 73 engage into the channels 8 of each corresponding

secondary group

91, 92, 93. Fig. 4, 6 and 7 show the components in a disassembled position. The demolding directions Xl, X2, X3 (which are also the translation directions of the assembled parts) are indicated in these figures. The shock-absorbing pad 1 is thus assembled by coupling the

second parts

41, 42, 43 and the first part 2 assembled together, so that each of the

second parts

41, 42, 43 covers a different portion of the first part 2.

Figures 3 and 5 show the shock-absorbing insert 1 integrated into a protective helmet 11. The helmet 11 is schematically depicted so that it may have any other composition and shape. The shock absorbing padding 1 is placed between the outer shell 12 of the helmet 11 and the inner surface 13 intended to face the head of the user. In the example shown in fig. 3, the helmet 11 has padding 14, so that the inner surface 13 is the inner surface of the padding 14. In other possible embodiments, the helmet has neither padding nor other kind of protective layer, and in this case the inner surface 13 is directly the inner surface of the shock absorbing insert 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1 to 7, the ribs 6 of each

primary group

71, 72, 73 extend in parallel straight planes, and the corresponding channels 8 of each

secondary group

91, 92, 93 extend in corresponding parallel straight planes. Preferably, the number of ribs in each

primary group

71, 72, 73 is three or more and the number of corresponding channels 8 in each

secondary group

91, 92, 93 is three or more. In the figure, the front major group 71 has four ribs 6 and the front minor group 91 has four corresponding channels 8. The top major group 72 has six ribs 6 and the top minor group 92 has six corresponding channels 8. The side major group 73 has five ribs 6 and the side minor group 93 has five corresponding channels 8. The rib 6 has a tapered cross-sectional shape with a flat truncated top and a width that decreases outwardly from the outer side 3 of the first part 2. The channel 8 has a corresponding conical cross-sectional shape with a flat truncated bottom and a width decreasing inwards from the inner side 5 of the

second part

41, 42, 43. The slopes of all ribs 6 and channels 8, respectively, within the same

main group

71, 72, 73,

secondary group

91, 92, 93 are adjusted so that the normals to their surfaces have a component in the demolding direction X1, X2, X3, always directed respectively outside the first part 2, outside the

second part

41, 42, 43, to ensure that each of these parts can be demolded in the demolding direction X1, X2, X3, and that the

second part

41, 42, 43 can be assembled to the first part 2 in the same demolding direction X1, X2, X3. To this end, as can be seen in fig. 4, 6 and 7, and in order to compensate for the curvature of the component, the slope of the most eccentric ribs 6 and channels 8 in each set is more pronounced than the slope of the central ribs 6 and channels 8.

Optionally, the first part 2 and possibly also the

second part

41, 42, 43 have openings (not shown in the figures) for ventilation.

The ribs 6 and corresponding channels 8 may have many other shapes in cross-section than that shown in figures 3 to 7. The ribs and channels may also have different shapes in the longitudinal direction. For example, fig. 8 shows an embodiment in which the ribs 6 of the top main group 72 extend in a curved plane, in particular in a concentric circular plane. The central rib 6 has a cylindrical shape. The corresponding channels 8 (not shown in the figures) of the top secondary group 92 extend in corresponding concentric circular planes and there is a central channel 8 having a cylindrical shape. Fig. 9 shows another possible embodiment, in which the ribs 6 of the top main group 72 extend in a radial straight plane from a central point. The corresponding channels 8 (not shown in the figures) of the top secondary group 92 extend from the central point in the corresponding radial straight plane. Fig. 10A to 10H show other possible geometries of many in a more schematic way. Each of fig. 10A to 10H is a schematic top view of the main set of ribs 6 in the demolding direction. The different geometries depicted in these figures are shown for illustrative purposes. The geometries can be implemented individually or in combination to form ribs 6 and channels 8 having different orientations and shapes to adjust the ratio between stiffness and absorbency required for each particular protective helmet.

Optionally, one or several inserts may be interposed between the outer side 3 of the first part 2 and the inner side 5 of the

second part

41, 42, 43. The insert may be of any type and material. This includes, for example, a layer extending over the entire surface or a portion of the mating surfaces of the first and

second parts

2, 42, 43, and a part inserted in a specific position between said first and second parts. The insert may be located in any portion of the mating surface between the first and

second components

2, 41, 42, 43, and not necessarily between the rib 6 and the channel 8. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is sandwiched between at least one rib 6 and the corresponding channel 8 with which said rib 6 engages. Fig. 11 shows an example in which the insert 10 is a shaped sheet covering two ribs 6. The insert 10 may be a sheet, for example molded from a composite material or from a polymer, and having a shape that matches the shape of the ribs 6.

In other possible embodiments (not shown in the figures), the shock absorbing insert 1 has a plurality of first parts 2. Optionally, the different first components 2 may be mated to one another to form a component part that is generally shaped to cover the head of the user. Optionally, the second part may comprise a plurality of secondary sets of channels 8, each having a different ejection direction along which the channels 8 extend, and each covering a different first part 2. These possible embodiments have a general configuration opposite to that shown in fig. 1 to 7. In this case, the second parts have different secondary groups and several first parts are provided, each covering a different portion of the second part corresponding to each secondary group.

More generally, the invention is not limited by the number of first features, the number of primary sets of ribs in each first feature, the number of second features, and the number of secondary sets of channels in each second feature. Said number can be freely combined to design various specific shock-absorbing inserts intended to be integrated into various protective helmets.

Claims

1. A shock-absorbing pad (1) for a protective helmet, for integration between the outer shell of the helmet and the inner surface of the helmet intended to face the head of a user, the shock-absorbing pad (1) comprising:

-at least one first component (2) shaped as a curved thin body and comprising a protrusion extending from one side (3) of said first component (2);

-at least one second component (41, 42, 43) shaped as a curved thin body and comprising a groove on one side (5) of said second component (41, 42, 43);

-the first component (2) and the second component (41, 42, 43) are fitted together, wherein the second component (41, 42, 43) covers at least a part of the first component (2) and the projection of the first component (2) engages into the groove of the second component (41, 42, 43); the method is characterized in that:

-said first part (2) is an integrally moulded part and said protrusion of said first part (2) is a rib (6) extending in height in a demoulding direction of said first part (2) and in length along said one side (3) of said first part (2); -said ribs (6) being provided on at least one main group (71, 72, 73), wherein the height of said ribs (6) extends along the same demolding direction (X1, X2, X3) of said first component (2);

-said second part (41, 42, 43) is an integrally moulded part separate from said first part (2), and said groove of said second part (41, 42, 43) is a channel (8) extending in depth in the demoulding direction (X1, X2, X3) of said second part (4) and in length along said one side (5) of said second part (4); -said channels (8) are provided on at least one secondary group (91, 92, 93), wherein the depth of said channels (8) extends in the same ejection direction of said second part (4);

-the size and shape of said ribs (6) of said at least one main group (71, 72, 73) and of said channels (8) of said at least one secondary group (91, 92, 93) are adjusted so that by translating said first part (2) and said second part (41, 42, 43) towards each other in a direction parallel to said ejection direction (Xl, X2, X3), said second part (41, 42, 43) matches said first part (2), and said ribs (6) engage into said channels (8), wherein said ribs (6) of said main group (7) extend in said ejection direction (Xl, X2, X3) and said channels (8) of said secondary group (91, 92, 93) extend in said ejection direction (X1, X2, X3).

2. A shock absorbing pad (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least some of said ribs (6) of said at least one primary group (71, 72, 73) extend in straight planes and the corresponding channels (8) of said at least one secondary group (91, 92, 93) extend in corresponding straight planes.

3. A shock absorbing pad (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least some of said ribs (6) of said at least one primary group (71) extend in curved planes and the corresponding channels (8) of said at least one secondary group extend in corresponding curved planes.

4. A shock absorbing pad (1) as in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said second parts (41, 42, 43), each one of which matches said at least one first part (2), each one of a plurality of said second parts (41, 42, 43) covering a different portion of said at least one first part (2).

5. A shock absorbing pad (1) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said at least one first component (2) comprises a plurality of main groups (71, 72, 73) of ribs (6), each of said main groups (71, 72, 73) having a different demolding direction (X1, X2, X3) along which said ribs (6) extend, and each of said main groups (71, 72, 73) being covered by a different second component (41, 42, 43).

6. A shock absorbing pad (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said first components (2).

7. A shock absorbing pad (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at least one second part comprises a plurality of secondary sets of channels (8), each of said secondary sets having a different ejection direction along which said channels (8) extend, and each of said secondary sets covering a different first part (2).

8. A shock absorbing line (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rib (6) has a tapered cross-sectional shape decreasing in width outwards from the one side (3) of the first part (2) and the channel (8) has a corresponding tapered cross-sectional shape decreasing in width inwards from the one side (5) of the second part (41, 42, 43).

9. A shock absorbing pad (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the number of said ribs (6) in said at least one primary group (71, 72, 73) is three or more and the number of said corresponding channels (8) in said at least one secondary group (91, 92, 93) is three or more.

10. A shock absorbing pad (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that at least one insert (10) is interposed between said one side (3) of said first component (2) and said one side (5) of said second component (41, 42, 43).

11. A shock absorbing pad (1) as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said insert (10) is interposed between at least one of said ribs (6) and the corresponding said channel (8) to which said rib (6) is joined.

12. A shock absorbing pad (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said first part (2) is made of a material or composition different from the material or composition of which said second part (41, 42, 43) is made.

13. A shock absorbing pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one, preferably both, of said first component (2) and said second component (41, 42, 43) are made of expanded polymer.

14. A protective helmet (11), characterized in that it comprises a shock-absorbing pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, integrated between the outer shell (12) of the helmet (11) and the inner surface (13) of the helmet (11) intended to face the head of a user.