EP1358810A1

EP1358810A1 - Elasticized-fabric cap for covering helmets

Info

Publication number: EP1358810A1
Application number: EP02013269A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Federico Citelli
Original assignee: HELCAP Srl
Current assignee: HELCAP Srl
Priority date: 2002-04-29
Filing date: 2002-06-18
Publication date: 2003-11-05
Also published as: ITMI20020219V0; ITMI20020219U1

Abstract

The invention provides a helmet covering cap (2), specifically designed for covering motor-cycle helmets (1), for sports and working use in general, the covering cap (2) being made of an elasticized fabric allowing the cap (2) to coat the helmet body outer surface, independently from the configuration of the helmet (1).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an elasticized fabric cap for covering helmets in general, the covering cap having specifically designed aesthetic characteristics, and being specifically designed for application on the outside of motor-cyclist helmet bodies, for sports and working uses, as at present commercially available.
The inventive helmet covering cap, owing to its elastic properties, can fit to any types of helmets, even if of greatly different size and configurations.
As is known, motor-cyclist helmets, for sports and work uses, conventionally comprise an outer cup, having a high mechanical strength and an inner padding, provided for absorbing possible impacts, and for cushioning stresses susceptible to be transmitted to the head of the user.
Prior helmets comprise a helmet cup or cap differently colored, which frequently do not properly fit to the aesthetic characteristics of the helmet wearing person.
Moreover, the surfaces of prior helmet bodies tend, upon use and age, to be scratched and damaged, thereby assuming an anti-aesthetic aspect.
Even the coloring and marks of the helmet body outer surfaces can constitute an element frequently contrasting with the clothes of the prior helmet users.
In particular, since the helmets are worn on a person head and encompasses the person's face they, being well visible, greatly contribute to define the overall aesthetic aspect of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide such a cap for covering helmets in general, which can be easily applied to helmets of any configurations and size, and which can be easily made of an elastic fabric with any desired colors and decorations, to be selected within a very broad range.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a helmet covering cap which, in addition to having specifically designed decorative characteristics, can also be easily replaced to allow the helmet to fit to the clothes of the helmet wearing person.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a helmet covering cap which prevents the outer surface of the helmet body from being damaged and abraded and, moreover, which is adapted to properly conceal existing damages.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a helmet covering cap which is very hygienic and safe in operation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a helmet covering cap which can be easily assembled on and disassembled from the helmet body, and which can be easily washed as it would be necessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and yet other features and advantages of the helmet covering cap according to the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:
Figure 1 is a side front perspective view illustrating the helmet covering cap according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a further perspective view illustrating a helmet and a helmet covering cap, as partially applied to the helmet;
Figure 3 is a further side perspective view showing the inventive helmet covering cap applied to a helmet; and
Figure 4 is a partially cross-sectioned view illustrating a helmet and the features and procedure for applying the helmet covering cap, the flaps or edge portions thereof are arranged between the helmet body and the inner padding or wadding layer thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the number references of the figures of the accompanying drawings, a helmet 1 is herein illustrated, which can have any desired size and configuration and can be easily covered by the helmet covering cap 2 according to the present invention.
The latter, in fact, is made of a resilient or elastic fabric, allowing the covering cap to cover the outer surface 3 of the helmet 1, independently from configuration and size of said helmet.
The inventive helmet covering cap 2 comprises three portions, two of which, indicated by the reference numbers 5 and 6, cover the side surfaces of the body of the helmet 1.
The above mentioned two side portions 5 and 6 are coupled to a middle strip 7, covering the central portion of the helmet 1.
The connection of the helmet covering cap portions is performed by seaming or thermosealed connections.
In this connection it should be pointed out that the helmet covering cap 2 is provided with such an elasticity and size as to allow its side flaps 2' to be upturned and engaged between the bottom edge portions of the cup 3 and padding layer 4.
The above mentioned side flaps 2', in particular, can be easily arranged by using a preferably flexible flat body 8.
Thus, by using such an assembling tool, which can comprise a simple telephonic card, it is possible to perfectly apply the inventive helmet covering cap 2, which can be assembled in a stretched condition, while providing very good aesthetic characteristics.
Thus, the inventive covering cap, owing to its very simple construction, will have a very reduced cost, while providing very good aesthetic characteristics to the helmets to which it is applied.
While the elasticized fabric covering cap for helmets has been disclosed with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will come within the scope of the invention.
For example, the inventive helmet covering cap can be made by using a different number of constructional elements, suitably coupled to one another by seaming, thermosealing or other suitable means, to provide a resilient article of manufacture adapted to cover the outside of helmets, which can have any desired size and configurations.

Claims

A helmet covering cap, specifically designed for application to motor-cyclist helmets, for sports and work use in general, characterized in that said covering cap is made of an elastic fabric, adapted to cover the helmet cup body, independently from the configurations and size of said helmet.
A helmet covering cap, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said cap comprises a plurality of cap portions coupled to one another by seaming, thermosealing or other suitable connecting means.
A helmet covering cap, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said cap comprises three constructional portions, two of which cover the side surfaces of the helmet.
A helmet covering cap, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said side portions of said cap are coupled to a middle strip covering a central portion of said helmet.
A helmet covering cap, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cap has such an elasticity and size as to allow side flaps (2') of said cap to be turned and arranged between bottom edge portions of the helmet cup body (3) and helmet padding layer (4).
A helmet covering cap, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said side flaps (2') are assembled by using a flat flexible body (8) allowing said helmet covering cap (2) to be easily assembled in a stretched condition.
A helmet covering cap, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cap, by covering the helmet cup body, operates as a protective element for the outer surface of said helmet body, preventing said helmet body from being scratched or damaged, or concealing existing scratches or damages on said helmet cup body outer surface.
A helmet covering cap, made of an elastic fabric, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cap can be made by connecting to one another any desired number of constructional elements, and substantially as broadly disclosed and illustrated in the preceding disclosure and several drawing accompanying the present Utility Model Patent Application.