CN211379805U - Visual device for equipping a helmet and helmet equipped with such a visual device - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a vision device (V) for equipping a helmet (C) composed of an outer shell (C1) and an inner lining (C2), characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, a visor (1) mounted to rotate on two lateral axes (31a,31b) with respect to a protection seat (2) arranged at least partially under said visor (1), and on the other hand, connection means for ensuring that said protection seat (2) is fixed in the helmet (C). The utility model discloses still relate to a helmet that is equipped with this vision device.

Description

Visual device for equipping a helmet and helmet equipped with such a visual device

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a vision device for a sports helmet and a helmet equipped with said device.

The present invention relates more particularly to a vision device that allows easy and safe integration into a helmet, in particular for gliding sports such as alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, surfing or mini-skiing, and, if necessary, cycling, bicycling or VTT (cross-country cycling).

Background

Protective helmets for different sports, in particular gliding or cycling sports, generally comprise an outer shell with rigid walls, which surrounds an inner lining (calotin) with at least partially deformable walls made of a cushioning and often heat-insulating material.

These helmets are typically supported with a visor or separate face mask that includes a screen for protecting the eyes from the harmful effects of speed, wind, rain, and/or solar radiation and ensuring good environmental and/or trajectory visibility for the user.

Some of these helmets are equipped with an integrated retractable visor that is easily pivoted between a low use position and a high non-use position in which the visor is contained within the helmet.

This is particularly the case for the helmet described in patent US2014/0317834a1, in which the visor slot is located in a cavity arranged in the thickness of the outer shell.

In patent EP2853168, the visor slots are located between the respective walls of the outer shell and the inner liner. In this case, the contour of the inner wall of the housing should match the shape of the visor, which usually has a specific curvature (spherical shape), which is a constraint on the design of the housing.

In addition, the known realisations of helmets with integrated visor present problems of mechanical resistance and therefore safety, since the walls of the outer shell become fragile due to the inner hollowed-out portions that have to be provided by the presence of the grooves of the visor or screen.

In addition, in the case of providing a visor slot between the shell and the liner or in the same thickness of the liner, the wall of the liner is locally thinned and therefore there is a risk of the visor being liable to get stuck high due to excessive deformation when it is pressed overhead.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The object of the present invention is to solve the technical problem existing in the prior art implementations by proposing an improved vision device that allows a retractable visor to be easily installed in a helmet without compromising its firmness and integrity.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a vision device for equipping a helmet consisting of an outer shell with rigid walls and an inner lining with deformable walls, characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, a visor mounted so as to be able to rotate on two lateral axes with respect to a protective seat arranged at least partially under said visor, and, on the other hand, connection means for ensuring that said seat is fixed in the helmet.

According to a particular variant, the two lateral shafts are supported by the seat.

According to an advantageous feature, the connection means comprise a transverse fitting member and a vertical positioning member.

Preferably, the vertical locating member comprises a shoulder supported by the upper face of the seat.

According to another variant, the ocular means comprise a cavity arranged on the upper part of the seat, the interior of which accommodates said visor.

In this variant, the cavity is delimited towards the rear by a shoulder, the upper face of which bears the connecting element and the front face of which forms a high stop for blocking the visor in the stowed position.

According to another feature, the seat supports a low stop for blocking the visor in the position of use.

According to a first mode of assembly of the device, the connection means comprise an adhesive arranged between the faces opposite the shoulder and the lining.

According to a second assembly mode of the device, the connecting means cooperate, through a ratchet mechanism, with a complementary element supported by the helmet.

In this case, the connecting element is preferably cast on the seat with a replica mold.

According to a particular embodiment of the device of the present invention, the connecting element comprises a positioning pin intended to be mounted on the side shaft to ensure the locking of the seat in the helmet.

Preferably, the positioning pin thus supports the lateral shaft.

According to one particular variant, the visor comprises a frame forming a frame and supporting the removable screen.

Preferably, the frame comprises side branches, the ends of which are provided with stop pins cooperating, by means of a ratchet mechanism, with complementary grooves for blocking the visor in the high and low positions, respectively.

According to a further variant, the cavity for housing the visor is open above.

According to an alternative variant, the cavity for housing the visor is arranged between the two walls with respect to the seat and matches the contour of the visor.

According to another characteristic of the device, the seat comprises a rear corner (dupouille) for housing a sealing gasket carried by the visor.

Another object of the present invention is a sports helmet provided with a vision device having the above characteristics.

The utility model discloses a vision device makes and integrates easily and safely into the motion helmet, can not make the security degrade when improving user's comfort level.

The device of the present invention also ensures an effective protection of the screen and can be easily adapted to interchangeable screens.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings.

Figures 1A and 1B show top and bottom exploded perspective views of an embodiment of the vision device of the present invention and a helmet for housing the vision device;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the helmet and ocular device of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

figures 3A and 3B show cross-sectional views of embodiments of the vision device of the present invention having visor in a low position and a high position on the seat, respectively.

For greater clarity, the same or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the figures.

Detailed Description

Of course, the embodiments shown in the figures introduced above are given only as non-limiting examples. It should be clear that different embodiments and variants can be combined with each other to realize further embodiments.

Fig. 1A and 1B are exploded perspective views of an embodiment of a vision device V for a helmet C of the present invention, also shown in this figure. The vision device V is arranged partly in front of the helmet.

The helmet is symmetrical with respect to the central longitudinal axis and comprises an outer shell C1 having rigid walls made of a material with high hardness to form a shield against impacts. The material forming the housing is a thermoplastic material obtained by injection, such as PVC, ABS or polycarbonate. If necessary, the plastic material forming the housing may be filled with fibres, for example glass fibres, carbon fibres or kevlar fibres, or any other type of fibres which may be natural.

The helmet also comprises an inner lining C2, whose concave inner contour substantially matches that of the skull, and whose walls are made of a deformable material that cushions impacts for comfort and safety reasons (for example a cellular material of the expanded polystyrene PSE or expanded polypropylene PPE type). The liner C2 at least partially covers the inner surface of the outer shell C1.

In addition, the helmet C is conventionally provided with an adjustable connection gap (jeu), such as a strap (not shown), to ensure its positioning and retention on the user's head.

The combined use of a helmet and a visor, in this context in particular visor 1, tends to cause vapour (water vapour) to appear on the visor screen 12. Therefore, some helmets are equipped with ventilation means for optimizing the ventilation and defogging capabilities of the helmet and visor, for example as described in document FR 1757102.

Thus, the ventilation circuit can be arranged in the thickness of the helmet. Under these conditions, the hot air coming from the inside of the helmet and from the user's face can thus be expelled towards the outside.

The helmet may also include a comfort liner, typically made of soft foam or textile, positioned between the user's head and the inner liner C2.

The outer shell C1 and the inner liner C2 are coupled to each other (e.g., by gluing) to define a ventilation circuit therebetween, if necessary, which serves as the ventilation means described above.

In general, the vision device V of the present invention comprises, on the one hand, a visor 1 mounted in such a way as to rotate on two lateral shafts 31a,31b with respect to a protective seat 2 arranged at least partially under visor 1, and, on the other hand, connection means for ensuring that this seat is fixed in helmet C.

According to a first embodiment of the ocular device V, illustrated by fig. 1A, 1B, the visor 1 is housed in a rotatable manner in a cavity 21, which is provided in the upper part of the seat 2. The seat is intended to be fitted at the front of a helmet C.

In this embodiment, the cavity 21 is open above. However, according to a first variant, not shown, it is also possible to arrange the cavity to house the visor between the two walls with respect to a seat made in one piece. In this case, the internal cavity will have a contour and geometry that matches the contour of the visor.

According to another variant, the seat 2 can be realized in the form of two separate pieces intended to be mutually assembled to define an insertion cavity for housing the visor.

In this variant, in which the seat 2 defines an insertion cavity for housing a visor, the vision device V of the present invention can be brought directly onto the inner face of the casing C1. In this case, the liner C2 does not cover the entire inner surface of the outer shell C1.

According to a further variant, the cavity 21 housing the visor 1 is arranged in the wall of the lining C1 and on the lower face of this wall intended to be opposite the upper face of the seat 2. In this variant, the upper face of the seat 2 may be continuous.

Preferably, the wall of the helmet C, in particular the wall of the liner C2, is provided beforehand for housing the vision device V, however, according to the invention, such an arrangement is not mandatory.

Thus, in the embodiment illustrated by fig. 1B and 2, the wall of the helmet C, in particular the wall of the inner lining C2, has a hollowed-out portion C0, the size of which corresponds substantially to the size of the vision device V of the invention. In this case, the insertion space defined between the inner wall of the helmet C and the wall of the cavity 21 of the seat 2 constitutes a protection slot when the visor 1 is in the stowed position.

The seat 2 thus serves as a means for the comfort of the user and for protecting the visor from the inside of the helmet.

In some cases, it may prove beneficial to stiffen and/or encrypt the helmet in the implanted region of the ocular device. To this end, the invention proposes to make the protective seat 2 in a material having a density greater than that of the material of the lining C2, in particular to compensate for the fragility due to the possible presence of the cavity 21 in which the visor 1 is housed.

The density of the material constituting the liner C2 is generally between 50 and 80g/L, the density of the material of the seat 2 being thus chosen between 70 and 120 g/L. According to an alternative, the seat 2 may be made of the same material as the liner C2. The seat may also be made in a manner that is composite with a plurality of different materials without departing from the scope of the invention.

The thickness of the wall of the shell C1 of the helmet according to the invention is substantially constant over its entire circumference.

The thickness of the wall of the liner C2 was varied. This thickness is reduced in particular at the front of the helmet. The reduction in thickness of the liner C2 at the front allows the seat 2 to be integrated into the helmet and a continuous inner wall of the helmet is obtained that is in contact with the head of the user, without unhooking or allowance of thickness that reduces the comfort of the user.

For example, on a helmet C according to the invention, in which the total thickness of the walls of the helmet is about 30mm at the front thereof, the thickness of the wall of the lining C2 is 12mm, the thickness of the wall of the seat 2 is 12mm and the thickness of the visor 1 is 5 mm. The thickness of the wall of the liner C2 is therefore substantially equal to the thickness of the wall of the seat 2.

The thickness of the wall of outer shell C1 is constant and does not depend on the integration of the visor into the helmet, which is between liner C2 and seat 2. Any external unhooking means or shoulder on the shell is not necessary, which is advantageous in terms of aesthetics and allows for many possibilities of helmet design.

Another variant of the vision device V of the present invention consists in providing a buffer element on the upper face of the wall of the seat 2, to improve comfort and the ability to absorb impacts at the interface between the visor and the helmet.

Preferably, visor 1 comprises a frame or frame 11 supporting a screen 12, which may be removable and interchangeable. This arrangement allows selection of a screen whose color is more suitable for meteorological conditions.

More preferably, the frame 11 comprises two side branches 112 connected to the seat 2. The end of each branch bears a stop pin 112a for positioning itself, by means of a ratchet mechanism, in two grooves 33A with complementary profiles corresponding respectively to the low position (fig. 3A) and to the high position (fig. 3B) of visor 1. These grooves 33a are made either directly in the wall of the seat 2 or in a gasket 33, which is itself embedded in a hole 20 provided in the wall of the seat 2, as shown in particular in fig. 1B.

The visor can be locked in the high and low positions in a stable manner by engaging the stopper pin 112a of the frame 11 with the corresponding groove 33A of the washer 33, as shown in fig. 3A and 3B.

The rotational fixing of the visor 1 in rotation can be realized either directly on the seat 2, wherein the seat 2 simultaneously ensures its support and its protection and is itself coupled to the helmet, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, or directly on the helmet C.

The visor 1 or the frame 11 thereof is fixed to two side shafts 31a and 31b supported by the seat 2 or the helmet C.

The shafts 31a,31b therefore have the double function of ensuring the articulation of the visor 1 and the mechanical fitting of the seat 2, which thus forms a first embodiment of the means of connection and fitting of the seat 2 in the helmet C.

However, the means for attaching the seat 2 to the helmet need not be attached to the means for hinging the visor to the helmet.

In addition, the seat 2 comprises a set of rear corners for housing a sealing gasket (not shown) made of foam plastic, which is normally supported by the contour of the visor 1 or by its frame 11, in particular by its lower part. These sealing gaskets mainly ensure protection of the face while limiting the entry of wind or cold air.

The set of relief angles may include relief angles of different depths to accommodate washers of different thicknesses.

Generally, the connecting means 3 for ensuring the fitting and fixing of the seat 2 in the helmet C comprise a transverse fitting member and a vertical positioning member.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the transverse fitting member comprises a positioning pin 31 which passes through a hole 11A located on the side of the visor 1 and into a hole Ca of the helmet.

The vertical positioning means comprise here a shoulder 32 made directly on the upper face of the seat 2. Preferably, the positioning pin 31 supports the shafts 31a,31 b.

The dowel 31 is blocked by a ratchet mechanism in a washer 33 inserted in the hole 20, the hole 20 being provided in the wall of the seat 2 with respect to a hole Ca made in the wall of the helmet C, as shown in fig. 1A and 1B. However, the jamming of the positioning pin 31 in the washer 33 is only axial, so that the positioning pin retains its rotational freedom.

According to the present invention, the hole Ca passes through the entire wall of the helmet, that is to say through the walls of both the outer shell and the inner lining.

In one variant, it is possible to realize holes that do not pass through the entire wall of the helmet. For example, the holes may be implemented only in the wall of the liner C2. In this case, the positioning pin 31 is mounted from the inside of the helmet to allow fitting of the vision device V.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the cavity 21 is bounded rearwardly by shoulder 32, with the upper face of shoulder 32 contacting the inner wall of liner C2. The front face 22 of shoulder 32 forms a high stop for securing visor 1 in the high stowed position, as shown in FIG. 3B.

The seat 2 thus supports a low stop 23 for blocking the visor 1 in the position of use, as shown in figure 3A.

However, the connecting means 3, in particular the vertical positioning members and the stops, may take different forms according to the variants envisaged by the present invention. Thus, according to a particular variant, not shown, the upper and lower stops of the visor 1 may be supported by the inner face of the lining C2.

According to another variant, the connection means 3 comprise an adhesive arranged between the respective faces opposite the seat 2 and the liner C2. The adhesive may be disposed on the upper side of the shoulder 32, for example.

According to a further variant, not shown, the connection means 3, in particular the vertical positioning member, are realized in the form of a ratchet element which is brought onto the seat 2 and cooperates with a complementary element supported by the wall of the liner C2 of the helmet.

According to a further variant, not shown, the positioning member is cast on the seat 2 and, if necessary, also on the liner C2 with a replica mould.

The helmet manufacturing method of the present invention can be implemented according to two variants.

A first variant consists in manufacturing the helmet according to the so-called "in-mould" method. The method consists in casting the helmet C by fusing the outer shell C1 and the inner liner C2 in the same mould. The shell is obtained by injection casting and the liner is cast inside the shell with a replica mold. The advantage of this variant is the lightening of the helmet structure, while enhancing its impact absorbing capacity. A thin outer shell is obtained after the first shot and then the inner liner is cast onto the outer shell. The seat 2 is made in a second mould and is brought inside the helmet.

A second variant consists in manufacturing the helmet of the invention according to a traditional casting process. The outer shell and the inner liner are obtained separately by casting and then joined together by gluing. The seat 2, made in a different mould, is then brought inside the helmet.

Claims (15)

1. A visual device (V) for equipping a helmet (C) constituted by an outer shell (C1) and an inner lining (C2), characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, a visor (1) mounted to rotate on two lateral axes (31a,31b) with respect to a protective seat (2) arranged at least partially under said visor (1), and, on the other hand, connection means for ensuring that said protective seat (2) is fixed in said helmet (C).

2. The visual device (V) according to claim 1, characterized in that said two lateral shafts (31a,31b) are supported by said protective housing (2).

3. The visual device (V) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a cavity (21) arranged in the upper part of said protective seat (2), said visor (1) being housed in said cavity.

4. The visualization device (V) according to claim 1, characterized in that said connection means comprise a transverse fitting member and a vertical positioning member.

5. The visual device (V) according to claim 4, characterized in that said vertical positioning means comprise a shoulder (22) supported by the upper face of said protective seat (2).

6. The ocular device (V) according to claim 5, characterized in that the front face (22a) of the shoulder (22) forms a high stop for catching the visor (1) in the stowed position.

7. A visual device (V) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that said transverse fitting member comprises a dowel (31) housed in a hole (a) of said helmet.

8. The vision device (V) according to claim 7, characterized in that said positioning pin (31) supports said lateral shafts (31a,31 b).

9. The visual device (V) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said protective seat (2) supports a low stop for blocking said visor (1) in the position of use.

10. A visual device (V) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said connection means cooperate with complementary elements supported by said helmet (C) through a ratchet mechanism.

11. A visual device (V) according to claim 10, characterised in that said connection means are cast on said protective seat (2) with a replica mould.

12. A visual device (V) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said visor (1) comprises a frame (11) supporting a removable screen (12).

13. The visual device (V) according to claim 12, characterized in that said frame comprises side branches (112) provided at their ends with stop pins (112a) cooperating with complementary grooves (33a) by means of a ratchet mechanism to block said visor (1) in the high and low positions.

14. The ocular device (V) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said protective seat (2) comprises a rear corner for housing a sealing gasket supported by said visor (1).

15. Helmet, characterized in that it is equipped with a visual device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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