EP0123413B1

EP0123413B1 - Toy space helmet

Info

Publication number: EP0123413B1
Application number: EP84301812A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ronald James Woodleigh
Original assignee: Sunlea Developments Pty Ltd; Arthur Edward Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Sunlea Developments Pty Ltd; Arthur Edward Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1983-03-18
Filing date: 1984-03-16
Publication date: 1988-08-10
Also published as: CA1209751A; EP0123413A1; ATE36247T1; JPS59181182A

Abstract

A toy spaceman's helmet (1) formed from two shells (2, 3) and releasably joined together (6) to form a cavity which receives the head of the wearer. Preferably the shells (2, 3) are mounted from transparent clear or tinted PVC and one of the shells includes a face aperture (4). provision is also made for the incorporation (7, 8) of a radio receiver. The shells (2, 3) are releasably joined to permit easy energy absorbing deformation of the helmet (1) in the event that the wearer falls.

Description

The present application relates to toy space helmets.
Hitherto toy space helmets have suffered from the disadvantage that, once the helmet is installed in place over the child's head, it sometimes becomes difficult to remove. This may also be the case if a child wearing such a helmet falls over. In such circumstances it is desirable to be able to remove the helmet quickly and/or enable the helmet to "give" with the fall thus preventing discomfort of the child who is "locked" within the helmet and preventing possible injury to the child.
A safety helmet for motorcyclists is disclosed in DE-U-8 127 026 which has hinged parts held together by a quick release mechanism. The mechanism should withstand the forces encountered in an accident but can be operated manually to facilitate rapid removal of the helmet.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy space helmet which overcomes, or substantially ameliorates the abovementioned disadvantages.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a toy space helmet comprising a first and a second shell portion, and joining means to releasably secure said first and second shell portions together, so that when said first and second shell portions are joined a cavity is defined therebetween to enable said helmet to envelope the head of a wearer; characterized in that said joining means comprises a pair of like protrusions located one on each shell and adjacent the other one of said pair when said shell portions are joined, and a filamentary member wound around said protrusions; whereby on application of a force said joining means will release said first and second shell portions. Preferably with one of said shell portions reversed, said shell portions are capable of nesting one within the other thereby lowering storage and transport costs.
Particular embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.
One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the space helmet of the preferred embodiment;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the helmet of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the helmet of Figure 1; and
Figure 4 is an inverted plan view of the helmet of Figure 1.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the space helmet 1 comprises a moulded front section 2 and a moulded rear section 3. The mouldings 2 and 3, can be moulded PVC and can have a thickness of between 30 to 40 thousands of an inch (0.8 to 1.0 mm). The PVC used to mould the front and rear sections 2 and 3, can be clear or of varying transparent tinted colours. Also, the size and diameters of the helmet are variable according to the age groups (and hence head sizes) of the intended users.
The front section 2 incorporates an open face aperture 4 to allow the user of the helmet an unobstructed view in the forward facing direction, and to also allow sufficient air for breathing. Further, it allows air circulation to prevent the helmet from fogging or misting due to condensation of breath.
However, a view in directions other than through the open faced aperture 4, is available because of the clear or transparent nature of the coloured or tinted PVC material.
The front portion 2 and a rear portion 3 are joined together along line 5 by means of projections 6, ear pieces 7 and antenna bases 8. Around these parts 6, 7 and 8, elastic bands (not illustrated) are placed in order to hold the two shell portions 2 and 3 together. These elastic bands enable the front and rear portions 2, 3, to absorb energy and move apart if the child using the space helmet 1 happens to fall over. Other means of joining the helmet can be, for example, press studs (not illustrated) along the line 5.
In a front comb portion 9 there is preferably located an AM/FM radio receiver which receives radio signals via the antennae 10 to enable the user of the helmet to listen to music of his or her choice. The music is transmitted into the helmet 1 by means of loud speakers (not illustrated) which are located in the ear pieces 7.
Attached to the base of the space helmet 1 is a chest flap 12 which is joined to the helmet 1 by means of press studs 13. A belt strap 14 is attached to the flap 12 and has VELCO (Reg. Trade Mark) fasteners 15 to releasably secure the flap 12 to the chest of the wearer.
The manufacturer of the helmet can place a motif or device 18 on the flap 12. Due to the releasable nature of the press studs 13, this front flap 12 can be exchanged for other front flaps which incorporate different motifs and devices thereby enabling the children using these helmets to play a variety of character games as well as to identify each other.
An alternative to the flap 12 is a "space suit" having the configuration of overalls and being made from low cost plastics sheeting. The space suit can be used to enhance the appeal of the toy.
The foregoing described only one embodiment of the present invention, and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A toy space helmet (1) comprising a first and a second shell portion (2, 3), and joining means to releasably secure said first and second shell portions (2, 3) together, so that when said first and second shell portions (2, 3) are joined a cavity is defined therebetween to enable said helmet (1) to envelope the head of a wearer; characterized in that said joining means comprises a pair of like protrusions (6) located one on each shell and adjacent the other one of said pair when said shell portions are joined, and a filamentary member wound around said protrusions; whereby on application of a force said joining means will release said first and second shell portions. -

2. A helmet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said filamentary member comprises an elastic band.

3. A helmet as claimed in claim 1 or 2 including a face aperture (4).

4. A helmet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 including a hollow frontal comb portion (9) and hollow ear portions (7), a radio receiver being located in said comb portion (9) and a loudspeaker in one or each of said ear portions (7).

5. A helmet as claimed in claim 4 including antenna means (8, 10) for said radio receiver.

6. A helmet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 moulded from transparent clear or tinted plastics material.

7. A helmet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein one of said shell portions (3) is reversible to nest within the other one of said shell portions (2).

8. A helmet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, including a chest flap (12) depending from the lower front edge of said helmet (1).