EP0334773A1 - Protective helmets without chin-strap and device for absorbing the movements of the retaining device of these helmets - Google Patents

Abstract

Protective helmet without chin strap equipped with at least one rigid half-skirt (1) connected to the shell (4) exclusively by a system of at least two links (2-3) capable of releasing the opening of the shell (4) by a swinging movement distancing from the said shell (4) all the points of the half-skirt (1) by making the latter describe a curve in space. A system for absorbing (8) the movements of the half-skirt (1) is also part of the invention and can be adapted to any other helmet retaining system comprising at least one rigid part which is mobile with respect to the shell. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a protective helmet equipped with a retention system replacing the traditional chin strap by at least one rigid half-skirt extending, in the closed position, the base of the shell down and towards the inside of the helmet and capable to release the opening thereof by a rocking movement moving away from the shell all the points of the half-skirt by making it describe a curve in space. A system for damping the movements of the half-skirt is also part of the present invention and can be adapted to any other retention system of a helmet comprising at least one rigid part movable relative to the shell.

In the current state of the art, protective helmets benefit from retention systems which can be classified into four main groups:
-protective helmets with chin strap,
-protective helmets equipped with a retention system by flexible collar or flexible skirt (European patent n ° 82 420118),
-protective helmets fitted with a retention system comprising at least one rigid half-skirt linked to the shell along a simple articulation axis (FR patents 77- 33639, GB.2119229 A, FR. 81-21509, FR. 83-04225, FR. 83-13579 ...),
protective helmets equipped with a retention system comprising at least one sliding rigid half-skirt releasing the opening of the helmet in a movement in translation relative to the shell, towards the outside thereof (European patent n ° 82 420118 claims 2,3 and 4, patent application FR. 86-03845).

The drawbacks of helmets of the "chin strap" type are well known: small surface in contact with the user, inconvenient use, possibility of pivoting the helmet around the head of the user, poorly controlled ventilation inside the helmet ... The retention systems with at least one rigid half-skirt linked to the shell along an axis of rotation have the drawback of a large amplitude opening movement at the free ends of each half-skirt, which free ends, poorly guided and ends of a large overhang give the helmet in the open position a "fragile" appearance, detrimental to the image of the product. Furthermore, such devices generally include a locking system between the half-skirt and the shell at each end of the half-skirt, therefore at two opposite points of the shell, which requires the use of both hands of the user to cause the helmet to open.

Furthermore, provision has already been made for retention systems comprising at least one rigid half-skirt to be equipped with an elastic device tending to render automatic opening of the helmet as soon as the unlocking has been activated (patent application FR.87-01221, European patent n ° 82 420118). Such rapid and unpleasant movements do not improve user comfort and rather tend to reinforce the "fragile gadget" aspect which is harmful to the image of the product.

The device according to the invention proposes to present a more modern embodiment of a retention system with at least one rigid half-skirt, distinguished from the systems previously described by the nature of its movements, and its type of connection to the shell. In fact, apart from in the closed position - by means of the latches, the half-skirt is linked to the shell exclusively by means of a system of at least two links. Therefore, during the opening movements, all the points of the half-skirt - including those through which pass the articulation axes of the rods - move away from the shell by describing a curve in space. With such a system, the amplitude of said movements is determined and limited by the length of the rods, and, depending on the variant of embodiment chosen, the half-skirt in the open position may no longer have the fragile appearance characterizing the other systems, each of its ends continuing to have an -indirect- connection with the hull via each of the rods. In addition, such a system makes it possible to envisage the height adjustment of the half-skirt in the closed position, thereby improving the adaptation of the helmet to the morphology of each user. Furthermore, according to the variant of embodiment chosen, the locking system is also simplified, since, although effective at several points of each half-skirt, its operation can be controlled by one hand, at a single point .

In the device according to the invention, each of the half-skirts is linked to the base of the shell by a system of links, themselves each linked by one of their ends - along an axis of rotation - to the shell, and by their other end - along an axis of rotation - to the half-skirt.

According to a first alternative embodiment, at least one of these links is located in the central zone of the half-skirt, each of the zones close to the ends of this same half-skirt being linked to the base of the shell by a system at least one other link. The distance separating the two articulation axes of each link must be sufficient to give the said link a length such that the possible clearance of the half-skirt -determined by this length- is sufficient to clear the opening of the base of the shell and allow the introduction of the user's head inside the helmet or its removal.

According to an alternative embodiment, each of the ends of each half-skirt extends beyond the "end" links, according to a plane passing outside or inside that containing the said links - or between these rods if these are mounted along the same axes, in groups of two on either side of the walls of the shell and the half-skirt. These extensions, arranged so as to each also be a bolt part, become male parts being introduced into housings formed in the thickness of the hull - or between the hull and a plywood - and arranged so as to be also each a cooperating lock part. This so that the connection, at least in the vertical direction, is ensured between the ends of the half-skirt and the shell. For the opening movement to be possible, these locks must be actuated by the user in order to release the half-skirt. Another possible embodiment is that in which, conversely, the male part of the lock system is carried by a punctual extension of the shell which is introduced during closing in a cooperating female housing arranged at the level of the half-skirt. In a simple embodiment variant, each lock proper consists essentially of the combination of a projecting part linked elastically to one of the elements to be locked and of a cooperating cutout of the other element to be locked.

According to another alternative embodiment, a lock at a central link is also provided. This locking can take place between the shell and the half-skirt, or between the link and the shell or the half-skirt. This connection is designed to withstand both horizontal and vertical forces.

According to another alternative embodiment, at least one of the rods is slidably mounted relative to the shell. In the preferred case where this link is vertical and linked to the shell and the half skirt along horizontal axes, when the helmet is in the closed position, the upper edge of said link is a few centimeters above from the bottom edge of the hull. A locking device prevents it from sliding down. The unlocking having been actuated, the user on the contrary pulls the half-skirt down, causing in its movement the link which, sliding along the shell relative to which it is guided sees its upper edge -equipped with a part of an articulation device - arriving at the lower edge of the shell, which, equipped with articulation means cooperating with those characterizing the upper edge of the link, sees these means become articulation system between the link and the base of the hull. The user can then pull the half-skirt towards the outside of the helmet thus releasing each end of said half-skirt engaged in a cooperating female part of the shell. The reverse movement makes it possible to close the helmet. In such an alternative embodiment, it is possible to provide a locking at the level of the sliding rod in several possible positions. This in particular by adopting a lock of the same type as that described above, associating a projecting part linked elastically to one of the parts to be linked with several cooperating cutouts in the other part. In which case, the closed position of the helmet corresponds to a choice between several positions of the half-skirt, which are determined by the user when he brings the half-skirt in abutment against the base of his face and in particular of his chin -case of an anterior half-skirt-.

According to another alternative embodiment, the sliding link is relative to the half-skirt. The cooperating means for forming a hinge system are then carried respectively by the lower edge of the link and the upper edge of the half-skirt.

According to another alternative embodiment, the rod is slidably mounted on the one hand with respect to the shell with regard to its upper part and on the other hand with respect to the half-skirt with regard to its lower part.

According to another alternative embodiment, the link is sliding relative to itself, in which case, said link is formed of at least two telescopic elements.

An advantage of these variant embodiments, in which at least one of the connecting rods has the possibility of movement in translation, is that it allows this movement to be used to automatically unlock - or lock - the link existing between each end. of the half-skirt and the shell. In fact, this displacement in translation of the said link corresponds to a pivoting of the half-skirt around its axis of articulation with each of the other links connecting it to the shell. This rotation causes a displacement of the extensions of the ends of the half-skirt engaged in the cooperating female housings of the shell according to an angular sector which may be sufficient to allow the cooperating lock parts of the shell and of the ends of the half-skirt to disengage from each other or, on the contrary, come closer to cooperate.

Thus, according to an alternative embodiment, the latch part carried by each end of the half-skirt is a hook cooperating with a fixed axis secured to the shell.

In all cases, the areas of the surface of each half-skirt which may come into contact with the base of the face or the neck of the user, are provided with a protective and comfort padding.

According to another family of variant embodiments, the movements of the half-skirt, instead of developing below the level of the base of the shell, can do so in the plane containing that of the base of the shell or in a plane roughly parallel to this one. In such a case, a system of two links or group of links per half-skirt is generally sufficient. The articulation axes of the links are then approximately vertical axes, in a plane approximately tangent to the surface of the hull. By orienting the axes of said rods differently, it is possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to change the movements opening and closing of each half-skirt in any plane. Similarly, a helmet according to the invention can be equipped with several half-skirts linked to the shell by connecting rods, as well as with a single half-skirt according to the invention occupying any of the sectors of the base of the shell and cooperating with a flexible or rigid extension of the shell or of the neck cushion, or with any other type of retention system making, having made, or having to be the subject of other patents and occupying another angular sector of the base of the same helmet. The helmet according to the invention - as well as any other helmet equipped with a retention system comprising at least one rigid part movable relative to the shell - can be improved by a device aimed at improving its comfort of use. It is in this case a device for damping the movements of opening and / or closing of the retention system.

According to a first alternative embodiment, this device consists of at least one small telescopic damper, connected by one end to the hull - or to an intermediate piece integral with the hull - and by its other end to an element of the mobile retention system by compared to the hull.

According to a second alternative embodiment, the damping of the movements of the half-skirt is due to the action of a system of at least two opposing elastic means.

According to a third variant embodiment, the damping system is a friction device. According to a first embodiment, this device consists of a sufficiently substantial clamping between the hull - or an intermediate part secured to the hull - and a part of the retention system, movable relative to the hull. This support takes place at at least a portion of the contacting surfaces, so that the friction forces arising therefrom are capable of causing the movements of the moving part to be damped relative to the shell. Such friction can take place between two dry surfaces as well as lubricated or moistened with a high viscosity liquid.

According to a second embodiment, the shell - or an intermediate part integral with the shell - has a bore into which is introduced the cylindrical part of a part also comprising a small toothed wheel. Said toothed wheel cooperating with a toothed sector, or a rack, of a part of the retention system movable relative to the shell. The rotation of the toothed wheel being braked either mechanically - by at least one shoe maintaining an elastic support between the bore of the shell and the cylindrical part of the part comprising the toothed wheel, by a tight adjustment of the bore around the said cylindrical part ...- either by the action of a very high viscosity liquid introduced into the bore of the shell and forming a viscous film between said bore and the cylindrical part of the part comprising the toothed wheel.

According to another embodiment, it is the retention part, movable relative to the shell, which carries the toothed wheel, and the shell - or an intermediate part integral with the shell - which carries the toothed sector or the rack.

According to another alternative embodiment, in the case of a retention system comprising at least one movable part along an axis of rotation relative to the shell, it is this axis itself, of a deliberately relatively large diameter which turns in a bore coated with a very high viscosity fluid or comprising a mechanical braking system.

These systems for damping the movements of the retention system are advantageously used in combination with an elastic means of known type which tends to cause the automatic opening of the retention system as soon as the unlocking has been actuated.

• FIG 1 est une vue de côté d'un casque selon l'invention, représenté en position fermée.
• FIG 2 est une vue agrandie partielle selon AA du casque illustré figure 1.
• FIG 3 est une section selon BB du dispositif illustré figure 2.
• FIG 4 est une vue de côté du casque illustré figure 1 représenté en position ouvert.
• FIG 5 est une vue de côté agrandie de la demi-jupe équipant les casques illustrés figures 1 et 4.
• FIG 6 est une section partielle agrandie selon CC du casque illustré figure 4.
• FIG 7 est une vue en coupe agrandie de l'amortisseur (8) du casque illustré figure 4.
• FIG 8 est une section agrandie selon DD de la demi-jupe illustrée figure 5.
• FIG 9 est une vue de côté d'une autre variante de réalisation d'un casque selon l'invention, représenté en position fermée.
• FIG 10 est une vue de côté du casque illustré figure 9 représentant la première phase du mouvement d'ouverture.
• FIG 11 est une vue de côté du casque illustré figures 9 et 10, représenté en position ouvert.
• FIG 12 est une section partielle agrandie selon HH du casque illustrée figure 11.
• FIG 13 est une vue partielle agrandie selon EE du casque illustré figure 9, la coque (16) et la demi-jupe (14), représentées en traits fins, sont supposées "transparentes".
• FIG 14 est une vue de côté selon FF de la contreplaque (17) représentée figure 13.
• FIG 15 est une section selon GG du dispositif illustré figure 13.

The embodiments described above are for illustrative and not exhaustive. All new variants belonging to the same spirit as those arbitrarily described here, namely, concerning a helmet equipped with a retention system comprising at least one rigid half-skirt whose opening and closing movements are truly rocking movements, each of the points of said half-skirt moving away from the shell by describing a curve in space during the opening movements, would not depart from the scope of the present invention. Likewise, it would not go beyond the scope of the invention, any helmet fitted with a retention system comprising at least one rigid part movable relative to the shell which would be improved by a system for damping the movements of said retention system ., The embodiments of the helmet which are the subject of the invention are described below only by way of illustration and in no way limitative with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG 1 is a side view of a helmet according to the invention, shown in the closed position.
• FIG 2 is a partial enlarged view along AA of the helmet illustrated in FIG. 1.
• FIG 3 is a section along BB of the device illustrated in FIG. 2.
• FIG 4 is a side view of the helmet illustrated in Figure 1 shown in the open position.
• FIG 5 is an enlarged side view of the half-skirt fitted to the helmets illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4.
• FIG 6 is an enlarged partial section along CC of the helmet illustrated in FIG. 4.
• FIG 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the shock absorber (8) of the helmet illustrated in FIG. 4.
• FIG 8 is an enlarged section along DD of the half-skirt illustrated in FIG. 5.
• FIG 9 is a side view of another alternative embodiment of a helmet according to the invention, shown in the closed position.
• FIG 10 is a side view of the helmet illustrated in Figure 9 showing the first phase of the opening movement.
• FIG 11 is a side view of the helmet illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, shown in the open position.
• FIG 12 is an enlarged partial section along HH of the helmet illustrated in FIG. 11.
• FIG 13 is an enlarged partial view along EE of the helmet illustrated in FIG. 9, the shell (16) and the half-skirt (14), shown in thin lines, are assumed to be "transparent".
• FIG 14 is a side view along FF of the plywood (17) shown in FIG. 13.
• FIG 15 is a section along GG of the device illustrated in FIG. 13.

The helmet illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 is equipped with a single half-skirt (1) according to the invention occupying the front part of the base of the shell (4) and cooperating with a neck cushion (CN) occupying the rear part. from the base of this same shell (4). The rigid half-skirt (1) is linked to the shell by means of a central link (2) and two lateral links (3). The central link (2) is linked to the shell of the helmet (4) along an axis of rotation (x) by a hinge (5) fixed to the shell (4) by ultrasonic welding points. The lower edge of the link (2) is linked to the upper edge of a notched area of the half-skirt (1), along an axis of rotation (y), by means of a hinge (6). The lateral links (3) are each linked along an axis of rotation (x ′) to the lower edge of the shell (4) and along an axis of rotation (y ′) to the half-skirt (1). The axes (x ′) and (y ′) must be parallel. To do this, the zones of the half-skirt and of the shell on which the lateral links are articulated form bosses (7). In the alternative embodiment shown, each of the lateral links (3) is doubled by a small shock absorber (8) articulated on the one hand to the shell along an axis (x˝) and on the other hand to the link (3) according to an axis (y˝). These shock absorbers (8), optional, have the effect of damping the opening and closing movements and giving the helmet better comfort of use. They contain a spring (r) tending to cause the automatic opening of the helmet as soon as the unlocking has been actuated. This spring (r) is placed in the compartment (A) itself filled with a viscous liquid which can pass, during the opening movements, into the compartment (B) through the thin orifices (o) made through the washer attached to the movable piston (P). A seal is provided between the cover (C) and the piston (P).

During the closing movements, the extensions (9) of the half-skirt (1) are introduced between the shell (4) and the plywood (10), the inclined plane (11) of the projecting part (12) sliding against the edge of the shell allows it to retract until, arriving in coincidence with the cooperating cutout (13), practiced through the shell (4), it can return to its place, thereby causing the helmet to lock in the closed position. To reinforce said locking, the link (2) coming to bear against the external surface of a recess in the shell (4), it is possible to provide a third lock consisting for example of a part (a) linked to the shell but free to rotate relative to it, cooperating with a cutout (b) of the link. It is possible for the user, by rotating this part (a) to bring or not bring the projecting parts (a ′) of said part in correspondence with the cooperating cutouts (b) of the link, thus causing unlocking or helmet lock. This type of lock being optional is shown by way of illustration - in thin lines - only in Figure 2.

The variant embodiment of a helmet according to the invention illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 15 is distinguished by the fact that the opening and closing movements pass through an intermediate phase represented in FIG. 10, in which the central part of the half-skirt (14) is pulled down. To do this, the central link (15) is slidably mounted between the internal surface of the shell (16) and a metal counterplate (17), which is fixed against the shell by means of seven ultrasonic welding points (18). The upper edge of the link (15) is equipped with a material axis (19), the ends of which are guided in slots (20) formed through the side walls of the plywood (17). The projecting part (21) of the link cooperates with a cutout (22) made through the shell, thus allowing the locking in translation of the link relative to the shell and thereby locking the helmet. The metal blades (23) and (24) fixed by rivets against the internal surface of the recessed part of the plywood (17) strengthen the elasticity of the lock and improve the guiding in translation of the link (15). To unlock, the user must push the lock (21) towards the inside of the helmet and pull the half-skirt down until the axis (19) merges with the axis (w ) by pressing against the lower edge of the lights (20). This movement has the effect of rotating the half-skirt around the axis (u), thus allowing each hook (25), extending each of the ends of said half-skirt engaged between the shell (16) and the plywoods. (26), to move away from the axis (27), which axis is a spacer between the shell (16) and the plywood (26). In this way, it becomes possible to pull the whole of the half-skirt forwards, the axis (19) of the link (15), at (w), cooperating with the ends of the lights (20) to form a hinge, and the axis (28) of the lower end of the link (15) cooperating with a hinge (29) fixed by ultrasonic welding against the internal face of the half-skirt (14). The ends of this same half-skirt (14) being linked to the shell by means of the rods (30) articulated on the one hand along an axis of rotation (u) to the half-skirt (14) and on the other hand along an axis of rotation (v) to the shell (16).

Such an alternative embodiment thus makes it possible to benefit from a three-point locking which can be actuated at a single point and with one hand. The helmet illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 15 is also equipped with a device for damping the movements of the half-skirt (14). The connecting rod (30), on the left -represented side-comprises a toothed sector (30 ′) cooperating with a toothed wheel (31) in one piece (32) linked to the shell (16) by a cylindrical part introduced into a bore (33) of said shell. The relatively significant functional clearance existing between the bore (33) and the cylinder (32) is filled with a liquid with very high viscosity forming a viscous film (34) between these two parts. The presence of this film creates resistance to the rotation of the part (32), therefore of the toothed wheel (31), and therefore, it acts as a brake damping the movements of the link (30) -so of the half-skirt (14) - relative to the shell (16). The lateral link on the right side - not shown - is on the contrary associated with an elastic means of known type - spring ... - tending to drive and maintain the half-skirt (14) in the open position. This elastic force being just sufficient to overcome the resistance of the damping system (30′-31-34), as soon as the unlocking has been actuated, the half-skirt (14) moves to the open position in a gentle movement and regular, relatively slow.

In the variants illustrated, the links (3) (30) are articulated against the external face of the wall of the shell and of the half-skirt. They could just as easily be placed against the internal surface of these same walls, then becoming invisible when the helmet is in the closed position, or be mounted in groups of two, along the same axes, on either side of the walls of the shell and half skirt.

The helmet according to the invention can find its application in all uses of a protective helmet and more particularly of a protective helmet for motorcyclists.

Claims (14)

1. Protective helmet fitted with a retention system and a damping system comprising at least one rigid half-skirt (1) (14) extending, in the closed position, the base of the shell (4) (16) , characterized in that said half-skirt is connected to the shell exclusively by a system of at least two rods (2,3) (15,30) each linked on the one hand to the shell, on the other hand to the half-skirt, along axes of articulation (xy, x′-y ′) (uv, wz) and in that said half-skirt passes into the open position according to a rocking movement moving each of its points away -including those through which pass the axes of articulations (y, y ′) (u, z) of the rods- of the hull, making them describe a curve in space. 2. Protective helmet equipped with a retention system comprising at least one rigid part (1) (14) movable relative to the shell (4) (16), characterized in that it is equipped with a device ( 8) (30 ′, 31,34) for damping the opening and closing movements of said system. 3. Protective helmet according to claim 2, characterized in that the damping device is a friction device acting between the contact surfaces of two parts (32-16) movable relative to each other. 4. Protective helmet according to claim 2, characterized in that the damping device uses the characteristics of a very high viscosity liquid forming a viscous film (34) between two surfaces (32-33) movable relative to one another. to the other. 5. Protective helmet according to claim 2, 3 or 4 characterized in that the damping device combines a toothed wheel (31) whose rotation is subjected to the action of a braking system and a toothed sector (30 ′ ) -or a rack- cooperating, each of these two elements being carried by a movable part - during movements of opening or closing of the helmet - relative to the part carrying the other element. 6. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 2 to 5 characterized in that the damping system comprises a small telescopic damper (8). 7. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 2 to 6 characterized in that the damping system is associated with an elastic means (r) tending to cause the automatic opening of the helmet as soon as the unlocking has been actuated. 8. Protective helmet according to claims 2 and 7, characterized in that the damping system is formed by a system of at least two opposing elastic means. 9. Protective helmet according to claim 1 characterized in that at least one of the rods (15) is -at least over part of its length-slidingly mounted relative to the shell (16) or to the half-skirt and in that the translational movement of said rod corresponds to a phase of the movement of opening or closing of the retention system during which the half-skirt (14) has a pivoting movement around its axis of articulation (u ) with at least one other link (30). 10. Protective helmet according to claim 9 characterized in that the end of the part of the rod (15) guided in translation carries means (19) capable - at the end of the translation of the rod (15) in the stretching direction to move the half-skirt (14) away from the shell (16) - to cooperate with complementary means (17-20) carried by the shell (16) or the half-skirt in order to form an articulation system (19 -w) making possible the other phases of the movement 11. Protective helmet according to claims 1, 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that at least one of the rods (2) (15) is formed of at least two telescopic elements which can be stretched according to a movement in translation locally moving the half-skirt (1) (14) away from the shell (4) (16) by inducing a pivoting of the said half-skirt around its axis of articulation (u) (y ′) with at least one other link (3) (30). 12. Protective helmet according to claims 1, 8, 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that the pivoting of the half-skirt (14) corresponding to the movement in translation of the sliding link (15) is sufficient to cause locking or unlocking the ends (25) of the half-skirt (14), only the latch (21-22) located at the level of the sliding link (15) having to be actuated. 13. Protective helmet according to claim 12, characterized in that the locking of each end of the half-skirt (14) with the shell (16) consists essentially of the combination of a hook (25) extending said half-skirt and an axis (27) fixed relative to the shell. 14. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1, 8 to 13, characterized in that at least one of the locking systems of the retention device consists essentially of the combination of a projecting part (12) (21 ) linked elastically to one of the elements to be locked and at least one cooperating cutout (13) (22) of the other element to be locked, one of the elements to be locked being a male part (9) (15) and the other, a cooperating female housing (4-10) (1617).

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