EP0517091B1 - Protective headgear - Google Patents
Protective headgear Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0517091B1 EP0517091B1 EP19920108941 EP92108941A EP0517091B1 EP 0517091 B1 EP0517091 B1 EP 0517091B1 EP 19920108941 EP19920108941 EP 19920108941 EP 92108941 A EP92108941 A EP 92108941A EP 0517091 B1 EP0517091 B1 EP 0517091B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- insert
- shell
- rim portion
- helmet
- main portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/06—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets
- A42B3/066—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets specially adapted for cycling helmets, e.g. for soft shelled helmets
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/08—Chin straps or similar retention devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/28—Ventilating arrangements
Definitions
- the present invention relates to safety or protective helmets for cyclists heads.
- Conventional safety helmets comprise an impact resistant, hard external shell and an inner shock-absorbent liner which is contoured to fit and protect the head of the wearer.
- the shock-absorbent portion of the helmet is made of a low-density soft material, such as expanded polystyrene foam, which is easily damaged and soiled during handling.
- the liner of such a helmet must be relatively thick or the foam material of said liner must have a relatively high density, for instance ninety-six grams per liter (6 pounds per cubic foot).
- Patent document FR-A-2 473 855 discloses (cf. page 2, line 9 - page 3, line 24 and Figs 1, 3, 5) a safety helmet for cyclists, comprising a hard external shell, a hard internal shell, and an intermediate shock-absorbing insert, said internal shell conforming with and adapted to fit the head of a wearer, and defining a bottom rim portion formed by an outwardly-extending web and a flange projecting upwardly from said web, said bottom rim portion thus defining an upwardly-opening trough, said insert conforming with and adhering to the outer surface of said internal shell and filling said trough, said insert having an external surface which is substantially flush with said flange, said external shell intimately conforming with, and adhering to, the external surface of said insert and having a bottom edge forming a joint with the top edge of said flange.
- Patent documents US-A-4 845 786 discloses a safety helmet (see figs 1-4), wherein the external shell and internal shells form tube-like extensions surrounding their respective portions of said ventilation openings and protruding inwardly of said external shells and outwardly of said internal shell, respectively, the extensions of the external shell butting the extensions of the internal shell, said extensions forming a liner coating the surfaces of the insert which would otherwise be exposed in said ventilation openings .
- An important object of the invention is to provide a safety helmet of the character described, having means to capture and retain to the helmet fragments of impacted parts thereof.
- the preferred embodiment of the invention consists of a safety helmet for use with chin retention straps on a cyclist's head, comprising:
- said rim portion has a front and a rear section adapted to extend across the forehead and the back of the head of the wearer, respectively, said insert being thicker at said rear section than at said front section, said web of said rear section having an orifice defined by a tubular extension upwardly extending in said trough and said insert being exposed in said orifice at the upper end of said tubular extension.
- said internal shell is thinner relative to said external shell, and its flexibility, accordingly greater.
- a generally annular marginal portion is defined between said rim portion and main portion of said internal shell, said marginal portion being flush with the adjacent areas of said insert main portion so that the whole internal face defined by said helmet be smooth, for comfort of said cyclist.
- said joint is a lap joint.
- said external shell forms inwardly-oriented tube-like extensions which protrude partially inside ventilation openings, said extensions forming a liner coating at least partially the surfaces of the insert.
- said internal shell main portion further includes a number of transverse fingers spaced from one another, at least some of said fingers extending toward the inner face of said insert main portion and therethrough, so that the free end defined by each of said at least some of said fingers comes substantially flush with said insert main portion inner face.
- the protective headgear or more commonly named safety helmet 10 of the invention, comprises an external shell 12, an internal shell 14, and a shock-absorbing insert 16.
- Both shells 12 and 14 are made of hard yet resiliently flexible material, such as ABS, or similar thermoplastic material.
- each shell 12, 14 has a thickness of about 0.3 millimeters.
- the insert 16 is made of light weight, soft yet substantially rigid, shock-absorbing material, preferably expanded polystyrene foam.
- the insert 16 preferably has a non-uniform thickness averaging about 30 millimeters.
- the helmet of the invention has been provided with the insert having a density of only fifty-six (56) grams per liter (3.5 pounds per cubic foot).
- the internal shell 14 is provided at its lower periphery with a bottom rim portion, indicated at 18, formed by an outwardly-extending web 20 and a flange 22 projecting upwardly from the web 20.
- the rim portion 18 forms an upwardly-opening trough surrounding internal shell 14 and which is completely filled by the bottom portion of the insert 16.
- the external shell 12 terminates downwardly short of the bottom portion of the insert 16, and its lower edge forms a joint 24 with the top edge of the flange 22.
- the joint 24 is preferably a lap joint, as shown in Figure 5, but can be a butt joint, as shown at 24a in Figure 5a. In both cases, the joint is preferably covered, for aesthetic purposes, by a strip 26 adhered to the flange 22 and to the adjacent portion of the external shell 12. Strip 26 completely surrounds the helmet 10.
- Internal shell 14 conforms with, and is adapted to cover, the wearer's head, including part of the forehead and the back of the head just above the neck.
- the rear section of the rim portion 18 (at the left side of the figure) and the corresponding part of the insert 16 is thicker than the front section of rim portion 18 and corresponding part of the insert 16.
- the rear section of the rim portion 18 is provided with a central orifice 28 defined by an upwardly-extending tubular extension 30, at the top of which is exposed the insert 16.
- the orifice 28, with its tubular extension 30, is formed in an upwardly-recessed central section 32 of the rim portion 18, as shown in Figure 4.
- Elongated cushioning patches 34 are adhered to the inside surface of the internal shell 14 and are adapted to contact the wearer's head while maintaining the internal shell 14 spaced from said head.
- Each patch 34 includes velours or terry-like fabric.
- the external shell 12 is provided with a pair of longitudinally-extending ribs 36, which protrude inwardly from the inner surface of the external shell 12, thereby forming grooves at the outer surface of the latter.
- the internal shell 14 is provided with a pair of longitudinal grooves 38, which protrude outwardly from the external surface of the internal shell toward external shell 12.
- the ribs 36 and 38 are longitudinally registering and are preferably diverging from back to front of the helmet.
- Ventilation openings 40, 42 are formed through the helmet, more specifically through the external shell 12, the insert 16, and the internal shell 14. Ventilation openings 40 are located through the ribs 36, 38, while ventilating openings 42 are disposed along the central plane of the helmet, and also forwardly of the ribs 36 and 38. Obviously, additional ventilation openings could be provided. These ventilation openings are characterized by the fact that their portions formed in the internal shell 14 and external shell 12 are surrounded by tubular extensions 44 and 46, respectively. The extensions 44 inwardly protrude from the external shell 12, while the extensions 46 outwardly protrude from the internal shell 14. The two extensions abut against each other approximately mid-way of the thickness of the insert 16 to form a butt joint 50, as shown in Figure 6. Thus, the tubular extensions 44 and 46 completely line the surfaces of the insert 16 which would otherwise be exposed in the ventilation openings 40 and 42.
- the helmet is provided with retention straps 52, 52a of known construction, and including length-adjusters 54 and chin straps 56, the latter only being partially shown.
- the retaining strap 52 extends through a portion of two transversely-aligned ventilation openings 40 and underneath the external shell 12 through a passage formed by a transverse groove 58, made at the outer surface of the insert 16, and communicating with the two ventilation openings 40.
- a pair of transversely-spaced strap-receiving orifices 60 are formed at the front of the helmet for the passage of the retaining strap 52a.
- the two orifices 60 communicate with a transverse passage formed by a groove 62 at the outer surface of the insert 16.
- the internal and external shells 14 and 12 are separately molded; the internal shell 14 is inserted in a mold in which is injected the material of the insert 16, the polystyrene then expanding within the mold to its final shape and adhering to the outer surface of the hot internal shell 14.
- the resulting assembly once cured, is covered with the external shell 12 which is adhered to the insert 16 after the positioning of the retaining straps 52, 52a.
- the patches 44 are finally positioned on the internal shell 14.
- the resulting helmet is very light; it has a minimum of thickness and fully complies with the regulations governing the resistance to impact of such helmets.
- the second preferred embodiment of helmet is illustrated at 110 in figures 10a and 11a, and referenced with the 100-series reference numerals corresponding to those of the first embodiment.
- the alternate internal shell 114 - figures 8-11 - is made of a hard yet resiliently flexible material, similar to that of shell 14 of the first embodiment; however, its relative hardness will be substantially smaller.
- shell 114 could then have a reduced thickness, e.g. 0,1 mm (about one third the thickness of shell 14). The reduced thickness of flexible shell 114 will consequently confer a greater flexibility thereto.
- a second difference between the two internal shells is that shell 114 has preferably a much larger number of ventilation openings 140 formed therethrough.
- the third and main difference between the internal shells is however in the way the internal shell 114 is mounted to the insert 116. Indeed, as best seen in figures 10a and 11a, the main portion of shell 114 is thicknesswisely embedded into insert 116, while the rim portion 118 of shell 114 is not - rim portion 118 forms an upwardly opening trough completely filled by the bottom edgewise portion of the insert 116.
- the main, generally concave wall of internal shell 114 is concealed within the thickness of the insert 116, so that it is the inner wall of insert 116, and not the internal shell 114, that will come in contact with the top portion of the cyclist's head - except at the rim portion where internal shell portion 118 will project outwardly from the thickness of the insert 116 to engage around the side portions of the wearer's head in the known fashion.
- a marginal annular portion 115 is thus defined on the inside face of the helmet 110, adjacent the rim portion 118, where the internal shell 114 transversely engages through the soft body of the insert 116 to become thicknesswisely embedded therein.
- this marginal portion 115 will come flush with the internal wall of the insert 16, so as to define a smooth, non-irritating, inner surface joint for comfort of the wearer.
- the second embodiment of helmet 110 there are in the second embodiment of helmet 110 two hard shells 112, 114 and one shock absorbing insert, 116.
- all of the inner (concave) face of the helmet was lined with the internal shell 14
- in the second embodiment 110 only the marginal rim portion 118 of the helmet is lined by the internal shell 114 while the major portion of its inner face is lined by the insert proper 116.
- the advantage of having the internal shell 114 partially embedded into the soft bodied, yet substantially rigid insert 116, is in the impact absorbing capabilities of the helmet 110.
- helmet 110 With the second embodiment of helmet 110, what will be enhanced is the capability of maintaining together a number of structural fragments of external shell 112 and/or internal shell 114 and/or insert 116, following impact fracturing of the helmet 110.
- internal shell 114 which is embedded into the insert 116 (the latter covering the wearer's head), still provides a structural function for the helmet 110, in that it has a synergistic effect with the external shell 112 and insert 116, in providing very high impact resistance, as in the first embodiment of the invention.
- the purpose of the helmet is to prevent head injuries, which usually occur when the cyclist loses control of his vehicle and falls to the ground. If the helmet becomes shattered and disintegrates after the initial ground impact, it will not help prevent head injuries if the cyclist's head strikes the ground for a second or third time - which could occur of course when the cyclist speed is relatively high before fall.
- the outer face of the main concave wall portion of internal shell 114 is poked at a plurality of random locations, to define a plurality of inwardly projecting cavities 170.
- Such cavities 170 define on the internal face of the internal shell 114, full convex "fingers" 170' (the mirror image of the cavities 170).
- Cylindrical fingers 170' are destined to sink into the soft body of the insert 116 so as to more firmly anchor the shell 114 into the insert 116.
- the apex of the internal shell 114 preferably also includes an outturned cylindrical finger 170'' with a conical tip, extending in a direction opposite fingers 170', for the same purpose as the latter.
- the apices of outturned fingers 170' project through the inner face of the insert 116, so as to come flush with the inner face of insert 116.
- the inner face of soft-bodied insert 116 is dotted with a number of small discs 170' made of hard material and spaced from each other.
- the rear section of the rim portion 118 (at the left side of the figure) and the corresponding part of insert 116 is thicker than the front section of rim portion 118 and the corresponding part of insert 116.
- the rear section of rim portion 118 is provided with a central orifice 128 defined by an upwardly-extending tubular extension 130, at the top of which is exposed insert 116.
- Orifice 128, with its tubular extension 130, is formed in an upwardly-recessed central section 132 (figure 11a) of the rim portion 118.
- the front and rear sections of rim portion 118 are adapted to extend across the forehead and the back of the head of the wearer, respectively.
- Safety helmet 110 also has elongated ventilation openings 140 which are oriented in a substantially parallel fashion to the helmet longitudinal axis, as is known in the art.
- external shell 112 forms tube-like extensions which protrude inside ventilation openings 140 and adjacent thereto to form a liner coating the insert 116 exterior surface. Since insert 116 is covered by internal shell 114 at the rim portion 118 and by external shell 112 on its outer surface and partially through ventilation openings 140, insert 116 will only be exposed partly on its inner surface, where cushioning patches (not shown) are applied, similar to patches 34 of the first embodiment of the invention.
Description
- The present invention relates to safety or protective helmets for cyclists heads.
- Conventional safety helmets comprise an impact resistant, hard external shell and an inner shock-absorbent liner which is contoured to fit and protect the head of the wearer. Usually, the shock-absorbent portion of the helmet is made of a low-density soft material, such as expanded polystyrene foam, which is easily damaged and soiled during handling.
- U.S. Patent 4,996,724 dated March 5, 1991 and entitled: PROTECTIVE RIM CONFIGURATION FOR HARD SHELL SAFETY HELMET - inventor: Serge Dextrase, partially overcomes the above-noted disadvantage, by providing a rim configuration made of the same hard material as the external shell and covering the lower periphery of the external shell. However, in such a helmet, the polystyrene foam is still left exposed inside the helmet.
- In order to have sufficient impact resistance, the liner of such a helmet must be relatively thick or the foam material of said liner must have a relatively high density, for instance ninety-six grams per liter (6 pounds per cubic foot).
- Another problem with existing safety helmets is that, once they have sustained a first major blow, they tend to fracture, become fragmented and to fall apart - the fragmented parts thereof release one another -. This is to say, the helmet disintegrates. This is unfortunate, since in high-speed cycling accidents, multiple ground impacts of the head are not uncommon. If the helmet has already fragmented and disintegrated after the first ground impact, it becomes useless in preventing head injuries for the following ground impacts of the behelmeted cyclist.
- Patent document FR-A-2 473 855 discloses (cf.
page 2, line 9 - page 3,line 24 and Figs 1, 3, 5) a safety helmet for cyclists, comprising a hard external shell, a hard internal shell, and an intermediate shock-absorbing insert, said internal shell conforming with and adapted to fit the head of a wearer, and defining a bottom rim portion formed by an outwardly-extending web and a flange projecting upwardly from said web, said bottom rim portion thus defining an upwardly-opening trough, said insert conforming with and adhering to the outer surface of said internal shell and filling said trough, said insert having an external surface which is substantially flush with said flange, said external shell intimately conforming with, and adhering to, the external surface of said insert and having a bottom edge forming a joint with the top edge of said flange. - Patent documents US-A-4 845 786 discloses a safety helmet (see figs 1-4), wherein the external shell and internal shells form tube-like extensions surrounding their respective portions of said ventilation openings and protruding inwardly of said external shells and outwardly of said internal shell, respectively, the extensions of the external shell butting the extensions of the internal shell, said extensions forming a liner coating the surfaces of the insert which would otherwise be exposed in said ventilation openings .
- It is the general object of the present invention to provide a safety helmet of the character described, which is provided with an internal shell as well as an external shell, of minimum weight and yet of maximum resistance to impact.
- An important object of the invention is to provide a safety helmet of the character described, having means to capture and retain to the helmet fragments of impacted parts thereof.
- The preferred embodiment of the invention consists of a safety helmet for use with chin retention straps on a cyclist's head, comprising:
- (a) a hard, resiliently flexible, external shell;
- (b) a hard, resiliently flexible, internal shell, defining a main portion and a rim portion, the latter rim portion formed by an outwardly extending web and a flange projecting upwardly externally from said web, the latter rim portion thus constituting an upwardly-opening trough;
- (c) a soft, shock absorbing insert, also defining a main portion and a rim portion, said insert main portion defining an external surface generally conforming with and adapted to fit onto the top of said cyclist head, said insert rim portion conforming with and adhering to the outer surface of said internal shell rim portion, and filling said trough; said insert rim portion having an external surface, substantially flush with said flange; said external shell conforming with and adhering to the external surface of said insert and having a bottom edge forming a joint with the top edge of said flange; and
- d) ventilation openings, each extending through said internal shell, insert and external shell;
- Preferably, said rim portion has a front and a rear section adapted to extend across the forehead and the back of the head of the wearer, respectively, said insert being thicker at said rear section than at said front section, said web of said rear section having an orifice defined by a tubular extension upwardly extending in said trough and said insert being exposed in said orifice at the upper end of said tubular extension.
- Advantageously, said internal shell is thinner relative to said external shell, and its flexibility, accordingly greater.
- Preferably, a generally annular marginal portion is defined between said rim portion and main portion of said internal shell, said marginal portion being flush with the adjacent areas of said insert main portion so that the whole internal face defined by said helmet be smooth, for comfort of said cyclist.
- Advantageously, said joint is a lap joint.
- Preferably, said external shell forms inwardly-oriented tube-like extensions which protrude partially inside ventilation openings, said extensions forming a liner coating at least partially the surfaces of the insert.
- Advantageously, said internal shell main portion further includes a number of transverse fingers spaced from one another, at least some of said fingers extending toward the inner face of said insert main portion and therethrough, so that the free end defined by each of said at least some of said fingers comes substantially flush with said insert main portion inner face.
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- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the safety helmet according to a first embodiment of the invention;
- Figure 2 is a side elevation of the helmet of figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a longitudinal section, taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1;
- Fig 4 is a partial cross-section taken along line 4-4 of Fig 2;
- Figure 5, on the second sheet of drawings, is an enlarged view of the area circumscribed by
circle 5 in figures 3 or 4, and particularly showing the joint between the internal and external shells; - Figure 5a is a partial section similar to Figure 5 but showing another type of joint;
- Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the area circumscribed by
circle 6 of figures 3 or 4; - Figure 7 is an enlarged, partial cross-section, taken along line 7-7 of Figure 2;
- Figure 8 is a top plan view of a second preferred embodiment of the helmet internal shell part;
- Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the internal shell of figure 8;
- figures 10 and 11 are sectional views of the internal shell taken along lines 10-10 and 11-11 respectively of figure 9; and
- figures 10a and 11a are views similar to figures 10 and 11 respectively, but showing the helmet in full including the insert and the external shell thereof.
- The protective headgear, or more commonly named
safety helmet 10 of the invention, comprises anexternal shell 12, aninternal shell 14, and a shock-absorbinginsert 16. Bothshells shell insert 16 is made of light weight, soft yet substantially rigid, shock-absorbing material, preferably expanded polystyrene foam. Theinsert 16 preferably has a non-uniform thickness averaging about 30 millimeters. Instead of the usual density of ninety-six (96) grams per liter (6 pounds per cubic foot), found in the foam portions of prior art safety helmets, the helmet of the invention has been provided with the insert having a density of only fifty-six (56) grams per liter (3.5 pounds per cubic foot). - Such a lower density helmet insert has recently been certified (in August 1991) by the Snell Memorial Foundation, inc. (St. James, NY) as having demonstrated compliance with the performance requirements under the B-90 standard for protective headgear. It therefore meets safety standards for cyclists, even though its density is almost half that of conventional helmet inserts.
- From this, it is clear that, providing a full internal shell considerably increases the helmet resistance to impact. Therefore, providing an
internal shell 14, which covers the wearer's head, provides a structural function for the helmet in that it has a synergistic effect with the external shell and insert. - The
internal shell 14 is provided at its lower periphery with a bottom rim portion, indicated at 18, formed by an outwardly-extendingweb 20 and aflange 22 projecting upwardly from theweb 20. Thus, therim portion 18 forms an upwardly-opening trough surroundinginternal shell 14 and which is completely filled by the bottom portion of theinsert 16. Theexternal shell 12 terminates downwardly short of the bottom portion of theinsert 16, and its lower edge forms ajoint 24 with the top edge of theflange 22. - The
joint 24 is preferably a lap joint, as shown in Figure 5, but can be a butt joint, as shown at 24a in Figure 5a. In both cases, the joint is preferably covered, for aesthetic purposes, by astrip 26 adhered to theflange 22 and to the adjacent portion of theexternal shell 12.Strip 26 completely surrounds thehelmet 10. -
Internal shell 14 conforms with, and is adapted to cover, the wearer's head, including part of the forehead and the back of the head just above the neck. - Referring to Figure 3, the rear section of the rim portion 18 (at the left side of the figure) and the corresponding part of the
insert 16 is thicker than the front section ofrim portion 18 and corresponding part of theinsert 16. The rear section of therim portion 18 is provided with acentral orifice 28 defined by an upwardly-extendingtubular extension 30, at the top of which is exposed theinsert 16. Theorifice 28, with itstubular extension 30, is formed in an upwardly-recessedcentral section 32 of therim portion 18, as shown in Figure 4. -
Elongated cushioning patches 34 are adhered to the inside surface of theinternal shell 14 and are adapted to contact the wearer's head while maintaining theinternal shell 14 spaced from said head. Eachpatch 34 includes velours or terry-like fabric. - To further reinforce the helmet, the
external shell 12 is provided with a pair of longitudinally-extendingribs 36, which protrude inwardly from the inner surface of theexternal shell 12, thereby forming grooves at the outer surface of the latter. Similarly, theinternal shell 14 is provided with a pair oflongitudinal grooves 38, which protrude outwardly from the external surface of the internal shell towardexternal shell 12. Theribs -
Ventilation openings external shell 12, theinsert 16, and theinternal shell 14.Ventilation openings 40 are located through theribs openings 42 are disposed along the central plane of the helmet, and also forwardly of theribs internal shell 14 andexternal shell 12 are surrounded bytubular extensions extensions 44 inwardly protrude from theexternal shell 12, while theextensions 46 outwardly protrude from theinternal shell 14. The two extensions abut against each other approximately mid-way of the thickness of theinsert 16 to form a butt joint 50, as shown in Figure 6. Thus, thetubular extensions insert 16 which would otherwise be exposed in theventilation openings - The helmet is provided with
retention straps strap 52 extends through a portion of two transversely-alignedventilation openings 40 and underneath theexternal shell 12 through a passage formed by atransverse groove 58, made at the outer surface of theinsert 16, and communicating with the twoventilation openings 40. Similarly, a pair of transversely-spaced strap-receivingorifices 60 are formed at the front of the helmet for the passage of the retainingstrap 52a. The twoorifices 60 communicate with a transverse passage formed by agroove 62 at the outer surface of theinsert 16. - The internal and
external shells internal shell 14 is inserted in a mold in which is injected the material of theinsert 16, the polystyrene then expanding within the mold to its final shape and adhering to the outer surface of the hotinternal shell 14. The resulting assembly, once cured, is covered with theexternal shell 12 which is adhered to theinsert 16 after the positioning of the retaining straps 52, 52a. Thepatches 44 are finally positioned on theinternal shell 14. The resulting helmet is very light; it has a minimum of thickness and fully complies with the regulations governing the resistance to impact of such helmets. - The second preferred embodiment of helmet is illustrated at 110 in figures 10a and 11a, and referenced with the 100-series reference numerals corresponding to those of the first embodiment. Namely, the alternate internal shell 114 - figures 8-11 - is made of a hard yet resiliently flexible material, similar to that of
shell 14 of the first embodiment; however, its relative hardness will be substantially smaller. Preferably,shell 114 could then have a reduced thickness, e.g. 0,1 mm (about one third the thickness of shell 14). The reduced thickness offlexible shell 114 will consequently confer a greater flexibility thereto. - A second difference between the two internal shells is that
shell 114 has preferably a much larger number ofventilation openings 140 formed therethrough. - The third and main difference between the internal shells is however in the way the
internal shell 114 is mounted to theinsert 116. Indeed, as best seen in figures 10a and 11a, the main portion ofshell 114 is thicknesswisely embedded intoinsert 116, while therim portion 118 ofshell 114 is not -rim portion 118 forms an upwardly opening trough completely filled by the bottom edgewise portion of theinsert 116. Thus, the main, generally concave wall ofinternal shell 114 is concealed within the thickness of theinsert 116, so that it is the inner wall ofinsert 116, and not theinternal shell 114, that will come in contact with the top portion of the cyclist's head - except at the rim portion whereinternal shell portion 118 will project outwardly from the thickness of theinsert 116 to engage around the side portions of the wearer's head in the known fashion. - A marginal
annular portion 115 is thus defined on the inside face of thehelmet 110, adjacent therim portion 118, where theinternal shell 114 transversely engages through the soft body of theinsert 116 to become thicknesswisely embedded therein. Preferably, thismarginal portion 115 will come flush with the internal wall of theinsert 16, so as to define a smooth, non-irritating, inner surface joint for comfort of the wearer. - Thus, as in the first embodiment of
helmet 10, there are in the second embodiment ofhelmet 110 twohard shells first embodiment 10, all of the inner (concave) face of the helmet was lined with theinternal shell 14, in thesecond embodiment 110, only themarginal rim portion 118 of the helmet is lined by theinternal shell 114 while the major portion of its inner face is lined by the insert proper 116. The advantage of having theinternal shell 114 partially embedded into the soft bodied, yet substantiallyrigid insert 116, is in the impact absorbing capabilities of thehelmet 110. Indeed, with the second embodiment ofhelmet 110, what will be enhanced is the capability of maintaining together a number of structural fragments ofexternal shell 112 and/orinternal shell 114 and/or insert 116, following impact fracturing of thehelmet 110. Obviously,internal shell 114, which is embedded into the insert 116 (the latter covering the wearer's head), still provides a structural function for thehelmet 110, in that it has a synergistic effect with theexternal shell 112 and insert 116, in providing very high impact resistance, as in the first embodiment of the invention. - Maintaining together these various fragments of
helmet 110 after impact, even if in non-integral fashion, is critical in providing post-impact sustained protection to the head in view of eventual secondary ground impacts of the cyclist's head following the initial impact. Indeed, the purpose of the helmet is to prevent head injuries, which usually occur when the cyclist loses control of his vehicle and falls to the ground. If the helmet becomes shattered and disintegrates after the initial ground impact, it will not help prevent head injuries if the cyclist's head strikes the ground for a second or third time - which could occur of course when the cyclist speed is relatively high before fall. - Preferably, and as best illustrated in figure 9, the outer face of the main concave wall portion of
internal shell 114 is poked at a plurality of random locations, to define a plurality of inwardly projectingcavities 170.Such cavities 170 define on the internal face of theinternal shell 114, full convex "fingers" 170' (the mirror image of the cavities 170). Cylindrical fingers 170' are destined to sink into the soft body of theinsert 116 so as to more firmly anchor theshell 114 into theinsert 116. The apex of theinternal shell 114 preferably also includes an outturned cylindrical finger 170'' with a conical tip, extending in a direction opposite fingers 170', for the same purpose as the latter. - Preferably and as suggested in figures 10a and 11a, the apices of outturned fingers 170' project through the inner face of the
insert 116, so as to come flush with the inner face ofinsert 116. Hence, the inner face of soft-bodied insert 116 is dotted with a number of small discs 170' made of hard material and spaced from each other. - Referring to figure 10a, the rear section of the rim portion 118 (at the left side of the figure) and the corresponding part of
insert 116 is thicker than the front section ofrim portion 118 and the corresponding part ofinsert 116. The rear section ofrim portion 118 is provided with acentral orifice 128 defined by an upwardly-extendingtubular extension 130, at the top of which is exposedinsert 116.Orifice 128, with itstubular extension 130, is formed in an upwardly-recessed central section 132 (figure 11a) of therim portion 118. The front and rear sections ofrim portion 118 are adapted to extend across the forehead and the back of the head of the wearer, respectively. -
Safety helmet 110 also has elongatedventilation openings 140 which are oriented in a substantially parallel fashion to the helmet longitudinal axis, as is known in the art. As shown in figures 10a and 11a,external shell 112 forms tube-like extensions which protrude insideventilation openings 140 and adjacent thereto to form a liner coating theinsert 116 exterior surface. Sinceinsert 116 is covered byinternal shell 114 at therim portion 118 and byexternal shell 112 on its outer surface and partially throughventilation openings 140, insert 116 will only be exposed partly on its inner surface, where cushioning patches (not shown) are applied, similar topatches 34 of the first embodiment of the invention.
Claims (7)
- A safety helmet (110) for use with chin retention straps on a cyclist's head, comprising :(a) a hard, resiliently flexible, external shell (112) ;(b) a hard, resiliently flexible, internal shell (114), defining a main portion and a rim portion (118), the latter rim portion formed by an outwardly extending web and a flange (122) projecting upwardly externally from said web, the latter rim portion (118) thus constituting an upwardly-opening trough ;(c) a soft, shock absorbing insert (116), also defining a main portion and a rim portion, said insert main portion defining an external surface generally conforming with and adapted to fit onto the top of said cyclist head, said insert rim portion conforming with and adhering to the outer surface of said internal shell rim portion (118), and filling said trough ; said insert rim portion having an external surface, substantially flush with said flange ; said external shell (112) conforming with and adhering to the external surface of said insert and having a bottom edge forming a joint with the top edge of said flange (122) ; and(d) ventilation openings (140), each extending through said internal shell (114), insert (116) and external shell (112) ;characterized in that said internal shell main portion is thicknesswisely embedded into said insert main portion for increased structural integrity of the helmet, said internal shell rim portion (118) surroundingly conforming with and adapted to fit around the sides of said cyclist head.
- A Safety helmet (110) as in claim 1,
characterized in that said rim portion (118) has a front and a rear section adapted to extend across the forehead and the back of the head of the wearer, respectively, said insert (116) being thicker at said rear section than at said front section, said web of said rear section having an orifice (128) defined by a tubular extension (130) upwardly extending in said trough and said insert (116) being exposed in said orifice (128) at the upper end of said tubular extension (130). - A safety helmet (110) as in claim 1,
characterized that said internal shell (114) is thinner relative to said external shell (112), and its flexibility, accordingly greater. - A safety helmet (110) as in claim 1,
characterized in that a generally annular marginal portion is defined between said rim portion (118) and main portion of said internal shell (114), said marginal portion being flush with the adjacent areas of said insert main portion so that the whole internal face defined by said helmet be smooth, for comfort of said cyclist. - A safety helmet (110) as in claim 1,
characterized in that said joint is a lap joint. - A safety helmet (110) as in claim 1,
characterized in that said external shell (112) forms inwardly-oriented tube-like extensions (130) which protrude inside ventilation openings (140), said extensions (130) forming a liner coating at least partly the surfaces of the insert (116) which would otherwise be exposed in said ventilation openings (140). - A safety helmet (110) as in claim 1,
with said internal shell main portion further including a number of transverse fingers (170', 170'') spaced from one another, at least some of said fingers (170') extending toward the inner face of said insert main portion (116) and therethrough, so that the free end defined by each of said at least some of said fingers (170') comes substantially flush with said insert main portion inner face.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002043725A CA2043725C (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1991-05-31 | Safety helmet for cyclists |
CA2043725 | 1991-05-31 | ||
US07/829,287 US5231703A (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1992-02-03 | Protective headgear |
US829287 | 1992-02-03 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0517091A1 EP0517091A1 (en) | 1992-12-09 |
EP0517091B1 true EP0517091B1 (en) | 1997-04-02 |
Family
ID=25674637
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19920108941 Expired - Lifetime EP0517091B1 (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1992-05-27 | Protective headgear |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0517091B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69218661T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5687426A (en) * | 1993-02-25 | 1997-11-18 | Elasto Form | Bicycle helmet |
ES2116392T3 (en) * | 1993-02-25 | 1998-07-16 | Gerhard Sperber | HELMET, ESPECIALLY PROTECTIVE HELMET FOR CYCLISTS, AS WELL AS THE PROCEDURE FOR ITS MANUFACTURE. |
CN1090923C (en) * | 1993-08-31 | 2002-09-18 | 格哈德·斯佩伯 | Helmet, especially a cyclist's helmet, and process for producing it |
EP0975241A1 (en) * | 1997-04-14 | 2000-02-02 | 9001 6262 Quebec Inc | Cyclist helmet with multiple apertures rim |
GB2409398A (en) * | 2003-12-18 | 2005-06-29 | Johnstone Safety Products Ltd | Protective headgear |
US7222374B2 (en) | 2004-05-26 | 2007-05-29 | Bell Sports, Inc. | Head gear fitting system |
US7111329B2 (en) * | 2004-06-29 | 2006-09-26 | Bell Sports, Inc. | Helmet reinforcement system |
US7069601B1 (en) | 2004-07-23 | 2006-07-04 | Bell Sports, Inc. | Head protection system and method |
US8020219B2 (en) | 2005-07-01 | 2011-09-20 | Bell Sports, Inc. | Strap anchor system and method |
US9756893B2 (en) | 2005-08-31 | 2017-09-12 | Bell Sports, Inc. | Integrated fit and retention system |
US8117679B2 (en) | 2006-03-22 | 2012-02-21 | Fox Head, Inc. | Molded articles and molding methods particularly for a protective helmet |
EP3539402A1 (en) * | 2018-03-12 | 2019-09-18 | Jörn Steffens | Shock-absorbing liner for a protective helmet and protective helmet comprising said liner |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3935044A (en) * | 1971-12-23 | 1976-01-27 | Noel Daly | Method of manufacturing improved protective headgear |
DE2901088A1 (en) * | 1979-01-12 | 1980-07-17 | Paul A Weigel | INTEGRAL PROTECTIVE HELMET |
FR2473855A1 (en) * | 1980-01-18 | 1981-07-24 | Gallet Adrien | Safety helmet for motorcyclist - has outer rigid cap and inner cap moulded with gutter to hold intermediate padding |
DE8120605U1 (en) * | 1981-07-14 | 1981-10-01 | Uvex Winter Optik GmbH, 8510 Fürth | Hard hat |
US4845786A (en) * | 1987-06-24 | 1989-07-11 | Chiarella Michele A | Lightweight molded protective helmet |
US4901373A (en) * | 1988-03-07 | 1990-02-20 | Bell Helmets, Inc. | Helmet retention system with adjustable buckle |
DE3910889A1 (en) * | 1989-04-04 | 1990-10-11 | Hochschorner K W Gmbh | HELMET |
US4996724A (en) * | 1989-10-20 | 1991-03-05 | Innova-Dex Sports, Inc. | Protective rim configuration for hard-shelled safety helmet |
-
1992
- 1992-05-27 EP EP19920108941 patent/EP0517091B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-05-27 DE DE1992618661 patent/DE69218661T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0517091A1 (en) | 1992-12-09 |
DE69218661T2 (en) | 1997-10-02 |
DE69218661D1 (en) | 1997-05-07 |
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