EP0433182A1 - Full face helmet, in particular for motorcyclist - Google Patents

Abstract

The chin piece of the helmet consists of two mutually symmetrical movable shell parts (2, 3), linked, respectively, to the lateral right and left regions of the crown (shell) (1) of the helmet, for example by means of lateral slides. The two shell pieces (2, 3) can be moved between an advanced position, in which their front ends join up (at 4) in the longitudinal median plane of the helmet, and a retracted position, in which these two shell parts (2, 3) are moved back and are located in the lateral regions of the crown (shell) (1). In the advanced position, the two shell parts (2, 3) are joined by locking means (16). The wearer's face is entirely uncovered when the shell parts occupy their retracted position. <??>This helmet is intended more particularly for members of the police force and constabulary. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a helmet of the "integral" type, in particular for motorcyclists and, even more particularly, for police and motorized gendarmerie personnel.

An "integral" type helmet comprises a main shell of substantially spherical shape, to which is connected a protective part projecting forward, which takes place around the chin of the user when the helmet is worn. This part, which is designated by "chin rest", is generally secured to the shell of the helmet.

In general, a fixed chin strap must be designed to allow the helmet to be placed on the user's head, and it cannot by itself hold the helmet, so that a chin strap is still necessary . In addition, in the case of helmets used by police and gendarmerie personnel, the presence of a fixed chin guard prevents the user from having the face completely uncovered in certain circumstances, in particular to be able to speak, for example to verbalize.

• - d'avoir une mentonnière assurant une protection efficace du motocycliste à l'avant et réalisant elle-même la rétention du casque, et
• - de pouvoir facilement mettre en place et retirer ce casque, et de permettre aussi le dégagement complet de la face de l'utilisateur.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks, by providing a helmet of the "integral" type meeting the contradictory requirements:

• - to have a chin guard ensuring effective protection of the motorcyclist at the front and carrying out the retention of the helmet itself, and
• - to be able to easily put on and remove this helmet, and also to allow complete release of the face of the user.

To this end, the invention essentially relates to a helmet of the "integral" type, in particular for motorcyclists, the "chin" part of which is constituted by two movable shells, symmetrical to one another, linked respectively to the lateral regions right and left of the helmet shell and movable between an advanced position, in which the respective front ends of the two shells substantially meet in the longitudinal median plane of the helmet, and a retracted position, in which these two shells are retracted and take place in the lateral regions of the helmet shell, a large free space is then provided between the respective front ends of said shells.

Thus, in the advanced position, the two right and left shells combined together form a closed chin guard providing the desired protection, and which can also carry out the retention of the helmet itself, without the need for a chin strap. In the retracted position, the two shells are sufficiently retracted so that the face of the user is completely free, in particular so that the latter can speak to an interlocutor. This remote position of the shells also allows easy fitting and removal of the helmet. If necessary, this helmet can be used with its two shells in the retracted position, subject to providing a chin strap, the helmet thus used can still offer sufficient security.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the two shells are mounted mobile, between their advanced position and their retracted position, along respective slides formed on the sides of the helmet shell. Each lateral slide of the shell is advantageously shaped as a double slide, cooperating with two pairs of guide pins provided towards the rear end of the corresponding shell. According to a particular construction method, each double lateral slide is formed by an elongated recess of the shell and by a corresponding insert.

According to another characteristic, each slide comprises at the front an interruption such that, when the corresponding shell occupies its advanced position, the pair of pins located furthest forward can escape said slide and be located more inside, while the other pair of lugs, located behind the previous one, remains permanently engaged in the double slide. Thus, the two shells can describe in addition to their sliding movement along the slides, a limited pivoting movement which brings them into their final closed position.

This latter characteristic is more particularly advantageous when each shell further comprises, in its posterior region, a stop protruding inwards which, when the shell occupies its advanced position, cooperates with a complementary housing formed towards the front of the slide. corresponding. Thus, the shells are kept in the closed position of the chin guard, and in the event of an impact exerted on this chin guard, the shock is transmitted by the stops to the shell of the helmet. When the chinrest opens, the stops are first released from their respective housings by the slight pivoting of the shells.

Preferably, the stop of each shell is a removable stop from the outside, the removal of which allows separation of the shell, which constitutes a particularly useful arrangement for the rapid removal of the helmet in the event of an accident. The removable stop can be made as a kind of screw, that a small rotation allows to separate from the corresponding groove.

An additional provision provides that each shell is extended towards the rear by a relatively flexible lateral cover, which conceals the corresponding slide especially when the shell occupies its advanced position, which contributes to the sealing and the aesthetics. The side cover is advantageously shaped like a strip, and it passes through a slot in the shell of the helmet, so that it retracts under this shell when the shell is moved back.

According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the two shells are each linked to the respective lateral regions of the shell by means of two articulated links, determining a deformable quadrilateral which makes it possible to move each shell between its advanced position and its retracted position .

The helmet object of the invention also preferably comprises locking means provided to ensure a connection between the respective front ends of the two movable shells, when the latter occupy their advanced position, to ensure complete closure of the chin strap with a firm mechanical connection between the two shells close to each other.

According to a preferred embodiment, the locking means comprise, towards the front end of each shell, guide means for a locking pin movable in sliding and rotation, and provided at its free end with a lateral lug of lock provided for being inserted and retained in a corresponding housing provided at the front end of the other shell. This gives a double lock, since each shell has its own locking pin, and which therefore ensures a particularly effective retention of the two shells one on the other.

The part of each locking pin remote from the lug is linked to a closing button designed for manual control of the sliding and pivoting of said locking pin. Thus, the opening of the chin rest requires manual actions in opposite directions, on the two buttons associated respectively with the two locking pins, which further contributes to safety by practically excluding any risk of accidental opening of the chin rest. In a particular embodiment, each closing button comprises a mounted part sliding parallel to the locking axis and axially linked to the latter, and another movable part perpendicular to the previous one, the displacement of this other part being accompanied by a rotation of the locking axis, while a spring tends to retract the locking pin.

Advantageously, the front ends of the two movable shells also have corresponding raised and hollow parts, in particular with conical shapes, ensuring precise positioning of one shell relative to the other when the chinrest is closed. One thus obtains, on approaching the fully closed position, a "centering" of the shells which then makes it possible to proceed easily with locking.

• Figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble en perspective d'un casque conforme à la présente invention, avec sa mentonnière fermée;
• Figure 2 est une vue de côté du casque de figure 1, les coquilles mobiles étant en position avancée;
• Figure 3 est une vue de face du casque des figures 1 et 2, avec ses deux coquilles en position reculée;
• Figure 4 est une vue partielle en perspective éclatée du casque selon les figures précédentes, montrant une partie de la coque, l'une des coquilles et une réalisation particulière des moyens de liaison entre les coquilles et la coque;
• Figure 5 est une vue en coupe horizontale passant par ces moyens de liaison, avec indication des coquilles en position avancée;
• Figure 6 est une vue similaire à figure 5, avec indication d'une coquille en position reculée et suggestion d'une position intermédiaire;
• Figure 7 est une vue en perspective de la partie avant d'une coquille, montrant les moyens de verrouillage dans une position;
• Figure 8 est une vue similaire à figure 7, illustrant une autre position des moyens de verrouillage;
• Figure 9 est une vue en coupe passant par les moyens de verrouillage des deux coquilles, en position accouplée;
• Figure 10 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne X-X de figure 9;
• Figure 11 est une vue partielle en coupe horizontale d'un casque selon l'invention avec sa mentonnière fermée, les moyens de liaison entre les coquilles et la coque étant ici réalisés différemment;
• Figure 12 est une vue correspondant à figure 11, mais montrant l'une des coquilles en position reculée.

In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting examples, some embodiments of this helmet of the "integral" type:

• Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of a helmet according to the present invention, with its chin rest closed;
• Figure 2 is a side view of the helmet of Figure 1, the movable shells being in the advanced position;
• Figure 3 is a front view of the helmet of Figures 1 and 2, with its two shells in the retracted position;
• Figure 4 is a partial exploded perspective view of the helmet according to the preceding figures, showing a part of the shell, one of the shells and a particular embodiment of the connecting means between the shells and the shell;
• Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view passing through these connecting means, with indication of the shells in the advanced position;
• Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, with an indication of a shell in the retracted position and suggestion of an intermediate position;
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of the front part of a shell, showing the locking means in one position;
• Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, illustrating another position of the locking means;
• Figure 9 is a sectional view passing through the locking means of the two shells, in the coupled position;
• Figure 10 is a sectional view along line XX of Figure 9;
• Figure 11 is a partial view in horizontal section of a helmet according to the invention with its chin rest closed, the connecting means between the shells and the shell being here made differently;
• Figure 12 is a view corresponding to Figure 11, but showing one of the shells in the retracted position.

The "integral" type helmet, shown as a whole in FIGS. 1 to 3, comprises a rigid main shell 1 and two symmetrical shells 2 and 3, linked to the lateral regions of the shell 1 and movable, each between an advanced position and a remote position. In the advanced position, the two shells 2 and 3 meet at their front ends along a line 4 located in the longitudinal median plane of the helmet, and thus produce a closed chinrest, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A pivoting translucent screen 5, provided with an operating lug 6, can then close the existing opening between the shell 1 and the two joined shells 2 and 3.

In their retracted position, as shown in FIG. 3, the two shells 2 and 3 are retracted and take place respectively in the right and left lateral regions of the shell 1 of the helmet. A large free space is thus provided between the front ends of the two shells 2 and 3. The pivoting screen 5 can be raised by guiding along lateral grooves in an arc 7 (see FIG. 4), the face of the user can be fully cleared.

As illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6, taking for example the right shell 2, the connection between each shell and the shell 1 is achievable by means of a substantially horizontal double slide, provided on the corresponding side of the helmet. The double slide is here formed by an elongated recess 8 of the shell 1 and by a corresponding insert 9.

Towards its rear end, and on the inside, the shell 2 comprises two pairs of guide pins, respectively 10 and 11, designed to cooperate with the double slide produced between the recess 8 and the insert 9. This slide comprises at the 'before an interruption such that, when the shell 2 occupies its advanced position (see Figure 5), the pair of lugs 10 located furthest forward can escape from said slide and be located further inside. The other pair of lugs 11, located behind the previous one, remains permanently engaged in the double slide.

The posterior region of the shell 2 also carries a removable stop 12, projecting inwards, which when the shell occupies its advanced position occupies a complementary housing 13 formed towards the front of the slide, as shown in FIG. 5.

To bring the shell 2 in its retracted position, it is first of all necessary to slightly rotate this shell 2, as indicated by the position in phantom in Figure 6, so as to release the stop 12 from its housing 13 and allow thus the recoil of the shell. Then, the pair of lugs 10 engaging in the double slide, the shell 2 is moved backwards, being perfectly guided along this double slide to its most remote position indicated in solid lines on the figure 6.

The removable stop 12 can be made as a kind of screw that a slight rotation, for example of a quarter turn, allows the shell 2 to be entirely removed, thereby releasing the latter. Furthermore, this stop 12 can ensure the retention, on the shell 2, of a lateral cover 14 shaped as a relatively flexible strip, extending the shell towards the rear. The side cover 14 serves to conceal the double slide, in particular when the shell 2 occupies its advanced position. The rear part of the side cover 14 is introduced through a slot 15 made in the shell 1. When the shell 2 is moved to its retracted position, the side cover 14 slides in the slot 15 and thus retracts under the shell 1 - see figure 6.

Of course, the left shell 3 has a symmetrical structure of the right shell 2, and it is movable along a double slide provided on the left side of the helmet, which is the symmetrical, with respect to the longitudinal median plane P of the helmet , of the double slide provided for the right shell 2.

When the two shells 2 and 3 occupy their advanced position, manual control locking means generally designated by 16, and shown more particularly in Figures 7 to 10, provide a mechanical connection between the respective front ends of these two shells 2 and 3 , joined along line 4. The locking means 16 are produced in a similar manner on each shell, and they can be described with reference for example to Figures 7 and 8 which show the front part of the left shell 3, seen from the inside.

The locking means 16 comprise a guide block 17, fixed to the front end of the shell 3 considered. Block 17 has a passage which is used for sliding guidance, in a direction substantially horizontal, with a locking pin 18 provided at its free end with a lateral locking pin 19. The same guide block 17 also has a housing 20, with an entry in the form of a keyhole, designed to receive the locking pin 18 linked to the other shell 2, and more particularly the locking pin 19 of this axis 18 - see also FIG. 9.

The part of the locking pin 18 which is distant from the lug 19 is linked to a closing button, formed of three parts designated respectively 21, 22 and 23. The first part 21 is slidably mounted in horizontal direction, parallel to the locking pin 18, by means of two parallel guide axes 24, substantially horizontal. The locking pin 18 is axially linked to this first part 21, and a compression spring 25 mounted around said axis 18 tends to cause the assembly constituted by this axis 18 and by the closing button to move back, relative to the guide block. 17. Figure 7 shows this assembly in the fully retracted position, the locking pin 18 then being retracted.

The second part 22 of the closing button is integral with the first part 21, which it extends towards the rear, the two parts 21 and 22 can be assembled by snap-fastening. The third part 23 is guided in sliding between the two parts 21 and 22, in a substantially vertical direction indicated by an arrow F in FIG. 10. This third part 23 comprises a housing 26 which cooperates with a lateral finger 27 of the axis of locking 18, as also shown in FIG. 10, so that the sliding of said part 23 is accompanied by a rotation of the locking pin 18.

Thus, the closing button formed by the three parts 21, 22 and 23 makes it possible to control a sliding of the locking pin 18, and a limited rotation of this pin 18, this for each shell 2 or 3. In this way when the two shells 2 and 3 meet, it is possible to manually control by the part 23 the introduction of each locking pin 18 into the corresponding housing 20 of the other shell, and the attachment of the locking pin 19 in this housing, to obtain the coupled position shown in figure 9.

When closing the chin guard, and before locking, conical portions 28 and corresponding recesses 29, formed at the respective front ends of the shells 2 and 3, ensure precise positioning of one shell relative to the other.

To decouple the two shells 2 and 3 and allow their retraction, the user simultaneously actuates the parts 23 of the locking means 16, so as to release each lug 19 from the corresponding housing 20. It should be noted that this operation requires actions of opposite directions on the two parts 23, which practically excludes any risk of accidental opening of the chin rest, even in the event of an impact or sliding against an obstacle.

So that the locking is ensured with a certain tightening of the ends of the shells 2 and 3 against each other, the housings 20 may also each comprise a helical ramp (not shown) with which the corresponding lug 19 cooperates.

Referring again to Figures 1 to 4, each shell 2 or 3 has on its upper edge a projecting portion of triangular shape 30, which in the closed position of the chin rest takes place in the exact extension of the edge of the shell 1 , so as to ensure a good seal at the junction of the shell 1 and the shells 2 and 3.

According to a complementary arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, elastic return means are provided, for automatically moving the two shells 2 and 3 from their advanced position to their retracted position, when the chin rest is opened. The return means consist, for example, for each shell 2 or 3, of an elastic link 37 stretched between a point of this shell, for example at the stop 12, and a fixed point 38 located on the shell 1 of the helmet, the elastic link 37 which can pass through the slot 15 to pass under the shell 1. These return means can also be produced in any equivalent form, for example with a spiral spring of oblong or flat section, therefore of small size, of the "charger spring" type ".

To complete the seal vis-à-vis the screen 5, seals (not shown) may also be fixed along the upper edges of the two shells 1 and 2. It should be noted that, in the case of a pivoting screen 5 provided for removable, the retraction of the two shells 2 and 3 considerably facilitates the disassembly and reassembly of the screen 5.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a variant in which the two symmetrical shells 2 and 3 are each linked to the lateral regions of the shell 1 of the helmet by means of articulated links 31 and 32, as illustrated in the drawing for the right shell 2. The first link 31, located further forward, is articulated by an axis 33 to the shell 1, and is articulated by another axis 34 to the shell 2. The second link 32, located further back, is articulated by an axis 35 to the shell 1, and is articulated by a last axis 36 to the shell 2.

A deformable quadrilateral structure is thus obtained, making it possible to move the shell 2 between an advanced position (FIG. 11) and a retracted position (FIG. 12), passing through intermediate positions such as that indicated in dashed lines in FIG. 11. In the advanced position, the two shells 2 and 3 meet along a line 4 located in the longitudinal median plane P of the helmet, and these two shells can then be rigidly joined to one another by locking means, here not shown but achievable as described above. In the retracted position, the two shells 2 and 3 are brought back against the shell 1 of the helmet, and they thus completely release the face of the user.

Given this latter feature, the "full-face" type helmet according to the present invention is more particularly usable as a motorcycle helmet intended for police and gendarmerie personnel.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this "integral" type helmet which have been described above, by way of examples; on the contrary, it embraces all of them. alternative embodiments and applications respecting the same principle. This is, in particular, that one would not depart from the scope of the invention by the use of means equivalent to those described, as regards the connection between each shell and the helmet shell, or the locking of one shell on the other in the advanced position, additional arrangements are also possible, such as a vertical finger actuated by the operation of the locking means and acting on the lower edge of the pivoting screen to slightly raise the screen when the chinrest opens. Another possibility, still within the scope of the invention, is to provide a motorization of the movement of the two shells them between their advanced position and their retracted position; the motor means, which in this case ensure the opening and closing of the chin strap of the helmet, can be remotely controlled by a wireless link such as radio link, for example from a small transmitter box placed on the handlebars of the motorcycle .

Claims (19)

Helmet of the "integral" type, in particular for motorcyclists, characterized in that its "chin" part consists of two movable shells (2, 3), symmetrical one of the other, linked respectively to the right and left lateral regions of the shell (1) of the helmet and movable between an advanced position, in which the respective front ends of the two shells (2, 3) meet (at 4) substantially in the longitudinal median plane (P) of the helmet, and a retracted position , in which these two shells (2, 3) are retracted and take place in the lateral regions of the shell (1) of the helmet, a large free space then being provided between the respective front ends of said shells (2, 3). "Full-face" type helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the two shells (2, 3) are mounted movable, between their advanced position and their retracted position, along respective slides (8, 9) formed on the sides of the helmet shell (1). "Full-face" type helmet according to claim 2, characterized in that each lateral slide (8, 9) of the shell (1) is shaped as a double slide, cooperating with two pairs of guide pins (10, 11) provided towards the rear end of the corresponding shell (2, 3). "Full-face" type helmet according to claim 3, characterized in that each double lateral slide is formed by an elongated recess (8) of the shell (1) and by a corresponding insert (9). "Full-face" type helmet according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that each slide (8, 9) has at the front an interruption such that, when the corresponding shell (2, 3) occupies its advanced position, the pair lugs (10) located furthest forward can escape said slide and be located more inside, while the other pair of lugs (11), located behind the previous one, remains permanently engaged in the double slide (8, 9). "Full-face" type helmet according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that each shell (2, 3) has, in its rear region, a stop (12) projecting inwards which, when the shell occupies its advanced position, cooperates with a complementary housing (13) formed towards the front of the corresponding slide (8, 9). "Full-face" type helmet according to claim 6, characterized in that the stop (12) of each shell (2, 3) is a removable stop of the exterior, the removal of which allows separation of the shell and the shell (1) of the helmet. Helmet of the "integral" type according to claim 7, characterized in that the removable stop is produced like a kind of screw (12), which a slight rotation makes it possible to separate from the corresponding shell (2, 3). "Full-face" type helmet according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that each shell (2, 3) is extended towards the rear by a relatively flexible side cover (14), which conceals the corresponding slide ( 8, 9) especially when the shell (2, 3) occupies its advanced position. "Full-face" type helmet according to claim 9, characterized in that the side cover (14) is shaped like a strip and passes through a slot (15) formed in the shell (1) of the helmet. Helmet of the "integral" type according to claim 1, characterized in that the two shells (2, 3) are each linked to the respective lateral regions of the shell (1) of the helmet by means of two articulated links (31, 32), determining a deformable quadrilateral. "Full-face" type helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises locking means (16) provided to ensure a connection between the respective front ends of the two movable shells (2, 3) , when the latter occupy their advanced position. "Full-face" type helmet according to claim 12, characterized in that the locking means (16) comprise, towards the front end of each shell (2, 3), guide means (17) for a locking pin (18) movable in sliding and rotation, and provided at its free end with a lateral locking lug (19) intended to be inserted and retained in a corresponding housing (20) formed at the front end of the other shell . "Full-face" type helmet according to claim 13, characterized in that the part of each locking pin (18) remote from the lug (19) is linked to a closing button (21, 22, 23), designed to manual control of the sliding and pivoting of said locking pin (18). "Full-face" type helmet according to claim 14, characterized in that each closing button comprises a part (21, 22) slidably mounted parallel to the locking axis (18) and linked axially to the latter, and another part (23) movable perpendicular to the previous one, the displacement of this other part (23) being accompanied by a rotation of the locking pin (18), while a spring ( 25) tends to retract the locking pin (18). "Full-face" type helmet according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the front ends of the two movable shells (2, 3) also have corresponding raised (28) and hollow (29) parts, in particular with conical shapes, ensuring precise positioning of one shell relative to the other when the chin rest is closed. "Full-face" type helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that each movable shell (2, 3) has on its upper edge a projecting part of triangular shape (30), which in the closed position of the chin rest takes place in the exact extension of the edge of the shell (1) of the helmet. "Full-face" type helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that elastic return means (37, 38) are provided, for automatically moving the two shells (2, 3) from their advanced position towards their retracted position when opening the chin rest. "Full-face" type helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that a motorization of the movement of the two shells (2, 3) is provided between their advanced position and their retracted position, the motor means ensuring the opening and closing of the chin rest can be controlled remotely.

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