EP0954993A2

EP0954993A2 - Motorcyclist helmet

Info

Publication number: EP0954993A2
Application number: EP99108725A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Massimo Spriano
Original assignee: NEW MAX Srl
Current assignee: NEW MAX Srl
Priority date: 1998-05-05
Filing date: 1999-05-03
Publication date: 1999-11-10
Also published as: ITMI980313U1; EP0954993A3; IT243979Y1

Abstract

The invention relates to a motorcyclist helmet comprising an inner construction coupled to an outer cap. The main feature of the invention is that the helmet also comprises a contoured element for protecting the inner construction thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a motorcyclist helmet.
Several types of motorcyclist helmets of different configurations, specifically designed for the required applications, are already known.
In particular, prior helmets for use in driving motorcycles of small and average HP power, conventionally comprise a helmet cap for protecting the motorcyclist or user head and a visor projecting on the front of the helmet cap and specifically designed for protecting the user eyes from atmospheric agents.
The above mentioned prior helmets conventionally comprise an inner construction, made of a foamed polystyrene material, operating for supporting the helmet outer cap, and constituting the main operating element of the helmet.
However, in the above mentioned prior motorcyclist helmets, foamed polystyrene portions are exposed to the view in the inner portion of the helmet, which is unpleasant from an aesthetic standpoint.
Moreover, the above mentioned foamed polystyrene exposed portions are in turn subjected to a possible attach of the atmospheric agents or other outer agents, thereby spoiling the operating properties of the foamed polystyrene material.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a motorcyclist helmet specifically designed for overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide a motorcyclist helmet which comprises a protecting element for protecting the foamed polystyrene of the helmet inner construction.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a motorcyclist helmet having an inner construction so designed that comfort element can be easily applied thereto to improve the use comfort for the helmet user.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and object, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a motorcyclist helmet comprising an inner construction coupled to an outer cap, characterized in that said helmet further comprises a protective contoured element for protecting said inner construction thereof.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mentioned contoured or shaped element is provided with a thin section adhering to the inner surface of the helmet inner construction as well as an upturned portion arranged at the helmet front and perimetrical regions.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, to said contoured element a removable comfort element can be coupled, said removable comfort element being applied to the protecting contoured element by reversible coupling elements which are provided both on said contoured element and on said comfort element.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the contoured protecting element is provided, at the front portion thereof, with a plurality of slots adapted to provide corresponding inlet ports for helmet ventilating channels.
Finally, said contoured element is made of a thermoplastic material.
The above disclosed motorcyclist helmet according to the present invention has, accordingly, at first, the very important advantage of allowing a very good protection of the foamed polystyrene material pertaining to the inner construction of said helmet, thereby protecting said polystyrene material, in particular, against atmospheric agents.
Moreover, said thermoplastic material contoured element masks the foamed material from the view.
Furthermore, said contoured element may also operate as an additional element or fitting for said helmet, specifically adapted to improve the impact absorption properties of said helmet.
Finally, said contoured or shaped element can also operate as a support element for properly supporting said comfort elements to be applied to the helmet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure, given by way of a merely indicative but not limitative example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the main elements of the motorcyclist helmet according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the motorcyclist helmet according to the present invention; and
Figure 3 is a partially cross-sectioned view showing the connection between the helmet inner construction and a contoured protecting element, according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following disclosure reference will be made to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, being shown, by way of an exemplary but not limitative example of several possible variations of the invention.
As shown, the subject motorcyclist helmet, generally indicated by the reference number 1, is substantially constituted by an outer cap 8 and a contoured or shaped inner construction 2, which latter is made of a foamed polystyrene material.
In the inside of said inner construction 3 a contoured protecting element 2 according to the invention is applied, said contoured element being moreover provided with an upturned portion 7 arranged at the front and perimetrical region of said helmet 1.
More specifically, said contoured element 2 is preferably made of a thermoplastic material and is formed, as clearly shown in figure 3, as a thin cross-section film, mating the foamed polystyrene inner construction 3.
Inside said contoured element 2 a removable comfort element 4 is applied, which comfort element can be designed with any desired configuration.
In particular, said comfort element 4 can comprise padded fabric portions, coupled to one another according to a complex geometry and connected to net-like elements.
In order to removably connect said comfort element 4, it is possible to exploit the provision of the contoured element 2 according to the invention, as a supporting element for supporting connecting mechanical elements such as non woven fabric portions 6, of a reversible coupling type, or other connecting systems such as snap buttons and the like.
Accordingly, said comfort element 4 is applied to said contoured element 2 by reversible coupling elements 6, provided on said contoured element 2, with corresponding reversible connecting elements 5 provided on the comfort element 4.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, not shown in the drawings, the contoured element 2 is provided, at the top front portion thereof, with a plurality of slots specifically designed to form inlet ports for corresponding helmet ventilating channels, said ventilating channels, together with the function thereof, being broadly disclosed in a prior patent application in the name of the same Applicant.
More specifically, in the mentioned embodiment, the outer surface of the inner construction 3 is so designed as to provide a plurality of ventilating channels, therethrough the air flow generated as the motorcycle is driven is adapted to pass, said channels being thus defined by the connection of the inner construction 3 and outer cap 8 of the helmet 1.
Each said ventilating channel is provided with an air flow inlet port, arranged at the front thereof and at a lower position with respect to the helmet 1 visor 9.
The air flow inlet ports, in particular, are made by suitably straining or deforming the front portion of said foamed polystyrene inner construction, to which corresponding deformations of the thermoplastic material contoured element 2 would be associated.
In all the above disclosed embodiments, the contoured element 2 will properly protect the foamed polystyrene inner construction 3, while masking it from the view.
Moreover, said contoured element 2 can also operate as an additional element or fitting improving the impact absorption properties of the helmet 1.
Finally, as stated, said contoured element 2 can also operated as a support element for supporting the mentioned comfort elements to be applied to the helmet 1.
From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

Claims

A motorcyclist helmet, comprising an inner construction coupled to an outer cap, characterized in that said helmet further comprises a protective contoured element for protecting said inner construction thereof.
A motorcyclist helmet, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said contoured element has a thin cross-section adhering to an inner surface of said inner construction.
A motorcyclist helmet, according to Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said contoured element is provided with an upturned portion arranged at the front and perimetrical region of said helmet.
A motorcyclist helmet, according to Claims 2 or 3, characterized in that to said contoured element a removable comfort element is applied.
A motorcyclist helmet, according to Claim 4, characterized in that said comfort element comprises a plurality of padded fabric portions, coupled to one another according to a complex geometry, and also coupled to net-like elements.
A motorcyclist helmet, according to Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that said comfort element is applied to said contoured element by reversible coupling elements provided both on said contoured element and on said comfort element.
A motorcyclist helmet, according to Claim 6, characterized in that said reversible coupling elements comprise non woven fabric portions of a reversible coupling type.
A motorcyclist helmet, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said contoured element is provided, on a front portion thereof, with a plurality of slots defining corresponding inlet ports for corresponding ventilating channels of said helmet.
A motorcyclist helmet, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said contoured element is made of a thermoplastic material.