EP1765103B1 - Protective helmets - Google Patents
Protective helmets Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1765103B1 EP1765103B1 EP05757589A EP05757589A EP1765103B1 EP 1765103 B1 EP1765103 B1 EP 1765103B1 EP 05757589 A EP05757589 A EP 05757589A EP 05757589 A EP05757589 A EP 05757589A EP 1765103 B1 EP1765103 B1 EP 1765103B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- shell
- detachable
- helmet
- level
- protective
- 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.)
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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
- A42B3/18—Face protection devices
- A42B3/22—Visors
- A42B3/225—Visors with full face protection, e.g. for industrial safety applications
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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
-
- 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
- A42B3/10—Linings
- A42B3/12—Cushioning devices
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/32—Collapsible helmets; Helmets made of separable parts ; Helmets with movable parts, e.g. adjustable
Definitions
- This invention relates to protective helmets such as those used by firemen.
- EP-A-1670329 describes a firefighter's helmet comprising an inner protective shell configured to be worn on its own as a helmet and an outer protective shell configured to be fitted over the inner shell and releasably retained thereon.
- This invention relates to a safety helmet system (in a preferred instance but not limited to a fire fighting/rescue helmet design) which incorporates multiple layers of key components and structures into one helmet in such a manner that from a basic level of head protection, other higher levels of protection can be added without first removing the basic level.
- a modular head protection system of the present invention has been designed in such a way that layers of protection can be added in single, or multiple configurations to provide levels of protection appropriate to changing environments.
- This invention in preferred forms provides a level of head protection, which not only integrates what previously was a multitude of helmets designed for different types of threats, but also widens the range of risks for which protection is provided.
- One intention of this design is to provide for the incorporation of a range of safety equipment used by fire and rescue workers into one integrated design, which avoids duplications while ensuring a complete lightweight safety helmet.
- this invention adds new features, technologies and designs for some subcomponents, and, by using a series of laminated semi-rigid materials, a lower specification safety helmets can be metamorphosised into a higher-level helmet with obsolescing any the basic components.
- the present invention provides a protective helmet assembly having a protective shell with a head cradle system as wearable head support therefor, a detachable second shell as a helmet component, the detachable second shell carried directly or indirectly by the protective shell, where this second shell helmet component is more expansive in skirting down alongside and/or behind the head of a wearer than the protective shell, characterized in that the assembly comprises a detachable third shell as a further helmet component, where the detachable third shell is nested by the detachable second shell.
- the protective shell is referred to as the "Level 1" shell or helmet or shell helmet
- the second shell is referred to as the “Level 2" shell or component
- the third shell is referred to as the "Level 3" shell or component.
- the Level 2 shell as an additional shell, at least nests or detachably nests the Level 1 shell.
- the Level 2 shell at least in part nests or detachably nests a Level 3 shell.
- a visor carried by the Level 2 shell or between the Level 1 and Level 2 shells or between Level 2 and 3 shells.
- the shells have a fireman's comb or central ridge as a design feature.
- the helmet assembly of the present invention may provide a multi-purpose fire/rescue/or other protective helmet incorporating a single shell to which can be added at least one additional shell or additional shells for higher level or higher levels of protection.
- This first (“single”) shell is referred to hereafter as the basic Level 1 shell.
- the helmet assembly of the present invention can be provided in combination or as a kit.
- the kit may comprise (a) the helmet ("Level 1 helmet”) securable to the head of an intended user thereby to provide with its shell or equivalent at least some measure of impact protection to such user, and at least (b) the detachable second shell as a helmet component ("Level 2 component") to be associated with the Level 1 helmet thereby to provide (i) enhanced impact protection to said intended user beyond that of the Level 1 helmet alone, and/or (ii) a more downwardly depending skirt than any of the Level 1 helmet, and/or (iii) a visor for said intended user.
- kit components may be provided in combination.
- the detachable third shell as the further helmet component according to the present invention is nested by the detachable second shell to provide the protective helmet assembly for use.
- the kit may comprise (a) the helmet ("Level 1 helmet”) securable to the head of an intended user thereby to provide with its shell or equivalent at least some measure of impact protection to such user, and at least: (b) the detachable second shell as a helmet component ("Level 2 component") to be associated with the Level 1 helmet thereby to provide (i) enhanced impact protection to said intended user beyond that of the Level 1 helmet alone, and/or (ii) a more downwardly depending skirt than any of the Level 1 helmet, and/or (iii) the said skirt will extend downwards at least on both sides of the helmet, or perhaps cover the entire Level 1 shell, and/or (iv) a skirt or skirts that extend down both sides of the Level 1 shell, connected from one side to the other by a section of the Level 2 shell (e.g.
- kit components may be provided in combination.
- the detachable third shell as the further helmet component according to the present invention is nested by the detachable second shell to provide the protective helmet assembly for use.
- skirt or skirts of the Level 2 helmet will normally extend downwards at least on both sides of the helmet, or perhaps cover the entire Level 1 shell.
- the said skirt or skirts may extend down both sides of the Level 1 shell, and be connected from one side to the other by a section of the Level 2 shell just extending around the lower extremities (and below if necessary). Refer Fig.9 .
- the Level 2 helmet has a face shield/visor/eye protector for said intended user that attach to the Level 2 shell rather than to a Level 1 helmet.
- These items of face and eye protection may be affixed to the Level 2 shell either internally (between the Level 1 and 2 shells) or externally on the outside of the Level 2 shell (Refer Fig. 10 ).
- a Level 3 component is to be associated with the Level 1 helmet and the Level 2 component. Instead of one Level 2 component, there could be several different Level 2 component versions each with features providing different mixes of capabilities.
- This new design need not be limited to one particular shape of helmet or its styling or the area of head protected.
- Incorporated in the basic Level 1 shell is that component or are those components that permit the basic helmet to be retained on the wearer's head (i.e. chin strap, cradle system, headband, size adjustment system, etc.). These features can be all considered as "wearable head support" for the Level 1 shell or helmet.
- fitted to this shell is or can be a special energy absorbing liner that provides impact, penetration, thermal and radiation protection greater and over a wider area than impact cradles or ribbon systems. This impact protection is especially valuable in vehicle accidents and falling from heights.
- the Level 1 helmet is preferably designed to provide protection for those types of rescue and fire fighting commonly known as bushfire, RTA (road transport accident), USAR (urban search and rescue/ civilian rescue operations) MEDIVAC (medical rescue and evacuations) etc, where the risk of serious impacts or high risk fire and/or thermal threats are relatively low.
- the helmet preferably specifically adds protection from head injuries in the event of accidents involving emergency services vehicles.
- Level 1 helmet is designed to fit with at least one other and preferably a multiplicity of additional protective levels, it is possible that some of the optional components that might normally be attached to this type of helmet, will become absorbed within the higher levels or impediments to the attachment of higher levels of protection.
- These optional components could include helmet mounted hands- free torches, face shields, reflective markings and other accessories.
- Level 1 helmet provides only a basic level protection, the addition of a second shell with further energy and penetration resistance is necessary for most types of structural fire fighting, military fire and rescue and other high risk rescue operations.
- Normally safety helmets designed for these operations are separate helmets.
- the specific feature of this design is the fact that the Level 1 helmet can be upgraded momentarily by the addition of the Level 2 shell.
- the Level 2 shell and impact system is specifically designed to be used and fitted to the Level 1 helmet, and cannot normally provide designed levels of protection to the wearer without combination with the Level 1 helmet.
- a structural fire helmet or similar helmets used by other emergency services have required that the design of the helmet be specifically intended for this purpose.
- This claim specifically relates to a design of helmet with a plurality of both shell and impact/thermal protection system, designed in a modular fashion where the addition of levels of protection are built upon each other with the need to discard or remove the first level of helmets before wearing the second or subsequent levels.
- Such additional items of protection may be described as additional Levels or clipped-on components that supplement the original base helmet.
- attachments and other components can be provided including the Level 2 shell to provide face protection (face shields etc.) lighting, (hands-free torch or flashlight), rank markings, reflective trims etc.
- the present invention therefore makes use of a Level 1 shell helmet suitable for use in a combination or a kit for preparing the protective shell assembly of the present invention.
- the present invention also makes use of a Level 2 component suitable for association with a Level 1 shell helmet, said Level 2 component and/or Level 1 shell helmet being, for example, substantially as herein described with or without reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
- the present invention also makes use of a Level 3 component for association with both a Level 1 shell helmet and Level 2 component of the present invention, for example substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
- the present invention enables a helmet system enabling tuning, by choice of component association (directly or indirectly) with a base helmet, the level of protection to be afforded.
- At least one component is a Level 1 shell helmet for use in the assembly of the present invention.
- a further component is a Level 2 component for use in accordance with the present invention.
- a further component is a Level 3 component for use in accordance with the present invention.
- the present invention consists in the use of a helmet assembly, a helmet system or helmet components or a combination or kit of the present invention so as to provide for different levels of protection.
- shield/visor/eye protector includes any form of protection preferably still allowing vision.
- the protective helmet assembly has a protective shell 1 with a head cradle system as wearable head support therefor, 2, 7, a detachable second shell 8 as a helmet component, the detachable second shell carried directly or indirectly by the protective shell 1, where this second shell helmet component is more expansive in skirting 11 down alongside and/or behind the head of a wearer than the protective shell, characterized in that the assembly comprises a detachable third shell 9 as a further helmet component, where the detachable third shell is nested by the detachable second shell 8.
- a first shell 1 e.g. of a composite reinforced with fibreglass or Aramid materials or alternatively plastic injected external materials
- a head cradle system as a wearable support for the shell 1 which includes a size adjustment and impact protection materials. This is held to the wearer's face by appropriate harness and chin strap arrangements 2, etc.
- the shell 1 carries a unitary or fabricated skirt extension 11.
- Figure 3 shows a Level 2 shell 8 with visor 10 preferably detachably nesting over part of the Level 1 shell 1.
- Figure 4 shows a Level 3 shell 9 with still more expansive skirts 12 nesting over the Level 2 shell 8.
- Figures 9 to 11 show a level 2 shell 3 with a visor 4 pivoted at 5 and guided by the friction slide arrangement 6. The arrangement is as previously described.
- Any appropriate engagement preferably not requiring tools
- any appropriate engagement can be used to hold components in any desired nested arrangement (e.g. spring loaded clipping) so as not to allow dislodging without real effort.
- any appropriate retention interengagement can be used to provide detachable nesting. This includes one or more of toggle, VELCRO, clip fit and other interengagements.
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to protective helmets such as those used by firemen.
- The nature of fire fighting and rescue operations is such that risks of injury and death to emergency service crews can vary from incident to incident. Currently helmets need to be interexchanged.
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EP-A-1670329 describes a firefighter's helmet comprising an inner protective shell configured to be worn on its own as a helmet and an outer protective shell configured to be fitted over the inner shell and releasably retained thereon. - This invention relates to a safety helmet system (in a preferred instance but not limited to a fire fighting/rescue helmet design) which incorporates multiple layers of key components and structures into one helmet in such a manner that from a basic level of head protection, other higher levels of protection can be added without first removing the basic level.
- A modular head protection system of the present invention has been designed in such a way that layers of protection can be added in single, or multiple configurations to provide levels of protection appropriate to changing environments.
- By proper wearing of this helmet system, injuries likely to result from impacts (either from falling objects or falling over), sharp objects (penetration), flame and heat exposure, liquid or chemical splash, molten metals and other hot fluids, electrical discharges, electrocution, or radiation and UV are eliminated or at least substantially reduced. In particular, a major cause of head injury to emergency services crews arises from road accidents when the vehicles they are travelling in are involved in accidents. These are comparatively common events as fire appliances and ambulances are large heavy vehicles and when travelling at speed to attend a call out, are vulnerable to over-turning and collisions. All the evidence is that personnel in these vehicles should be wearing a light protective safety helmet.
- Until now, many of the individual and separate items of safety equipment used by fire and rescue workers for different levels of risk have been developed as individual products, designed and manufactured to different Standards and performing to different physical tests. In some instances these individual and unrelated international safety Standards are increasingly becoming more closely related, but until now have required separate safety helmets to comply with the technical requirements of each Standard.
- This invention in preferred forms provides a level of head protection, which not only integrates what previously was a multitude of helmets designed for different types of threats, but also widens the range of risks for which protection is provided.
- The development of fire and rescue crew safety equipment has frequently been both uncoordinated and subject to the specialties and product whims of individual manufacturers. The result has been that as new technology tools arrive in the market place, these have simply been added to the list of equipment physically worn by the crews, adding weight and complexity to the fire or rescue environment. Furthermore, many of these devices were never designed to be fully compatible with each other, resulting in interface problems, duplication of function and unnecessary weight.
- One intention of this design is to provide for the incorporation of a range of safety equipment used by fire and rescue workers into one integrated design, which avoids duplications while ensuring a complete lightweight safety helmet.
- In addition, this invention adds new features, technologies and designs for some subcomponents, and, by using a series of laminated semi-rigid materials, a lower specification safety helmets can be metamorphosised into a higher-level helmet with obsolescing any the basic components.
- The present invention is as defined in and by the appended claims.
- The present invention provides a protective helmet assembly having a protective shell with a head cradle system as wearable head support therefor, a detachable second shell as a helmet component, the detachable second shell carried directly or indirectly by the protective shell, where this second shell helmet component is more expansive in skirting down alongside and/or behind the head of a wearer than the protective shell, characterized in that the assembly comprises a detachable third shell as a further helmet component, where the detachable third shell is nested by the detachable second shell.
- In the following description, the protective shell is referred to as the "
Level 1" shell or helmet or shell helmet, the second shell is referred to as the "Level 2" shell or component, and the third shell is referred to as the "Level 3" shell or component. - The
Level 2 shell, as an additional shell, at least nests or detachably nests theLevel 1 shell. - The
Level 2 shell at least in part nests or detachably nests aLevel 3 shell. - Preferably there is a visor carried by the
Level 2 shell or between theLevel 1 andLevel 2 shells or betweenLevel - Optionally the shells have a fireman's comb or central ridge as a design feature.
- The helmet assembly of the present invention may provide a multi-purpose fire/rescue/or other protective helmet incorporating a single shell to which can be added at least one additional shell or additional shells for higher level or higher levels of protection.
- This first ("single") shell is referred to hereafter as the
basic Level 1 shell. - The helmet assembly of the present invention can be provided in combination or as a kit.
- The kit may comprise (a) the helmet ("
Level 1 helmet") securable to the head of an intended user thereby to provide with its shell or equivalent at least some measure of impact protection to such user, and at least (b) the detachable second shell as a helmet component ("Level 2 component") to be associated with theLevel 1 helmet thereby to provide (i) enhanced impact protection to said intended user beyond that of theLevel 1 helmet alone, and/or (ii) a more downwardly depending skirt than any of theLevel 1 helmet, and/or (iii) a visor for said intended user. These (a) and (b) kit components may be provided in combination. The detachable third shell as the further helmet component according to the present invention is nested by the detachable second shell to provide the protective helmet assembly for use. - The kit may comprise (a) the helmet ("
Level 1 helmet") securable to the head of an intended user thereby to provide with its shell or equivalent at least some measure of impact protection to such user, and at least: (b) the detachable second shell as a helmet component ("Level 2 component") to be associated with theLevel 1 helmet thereby to provide (i) enhanced impact protection to said intended user beyond that of theLevel 1 helmet alone, and/or (ii) a more downwardly depending skirt than any of theLevel 1 helmet, and/or (iii) the said skirt will extend downwards at least on both sides of the helmet, or perhaps cover theentire Level 1 shell, and/or (iv) a skirt or skirts that extend down both sides of theLevel 1 shell, connected from one side to the other by a section of theLevel 2 shell (e.g. just extending around the lower extremities and below if necessary - ReferFig.9 ), and/or (v) a face shield/visor/eye protector for said intended user, and/or (vi) a face shield/visor/eye protector that attach to theLevel 2 shell rather than to theLevel 1 helmet, being affixed to theLevel 2 shell either internally (between theLevel Level 2 shell (e.g. see ReferFig. 10 ). These (a) and (b) kit components may be provided in combination. The detachable third shell as the further helmet component according to the present invention is nested by the detachable second shell to provide the protective helmet assembly for use. - In a preferred form of the invention skirt or skirts of the
Level 2 helmet will normally extend downwards at least on both sides of the helmet, or perhaps cover theentire Level 1 shell. Alternatively, the said skirt or skirts may extend down both sides of theLevel 1 shell, and be connected from one side to the other by a section of theLevel 2 shell just extending around the lower extremities (and below if necessary). ReferFig.9 . - In a preferred form the
Level 2 helmet has a face shield/visor/eye protector for said intended user that attach to theLevel 2 shell rather than to aLevel 1 helmet. These items of face and eye protection may be affixed to theLevel 2 shell either internally (between theLevel Level 2 shell (ReferFig. 10 ). - A
Level 3 component is to be associated with theLevel 1 helmet and theLevel 2 component. Instead of oneLevel 2 component, there could be severaldifferent Level 2 component versions each with features providing different mixes of capabilities. - The traditional design shapes and wearing position (on the head) of fire and other helmets for emergency services have, over the last century, exhibited great changes, but two primary distinctive characteristics have remained. These are the traditional comb line across and down the centre of the upper shell, and the fact that helmets have generally only covered the area of the wearers head above the reference plane line (i.e. approximately the ear opening) but also excluding the face.
- This new design need not be limited to one particular shape of helmet or its styling or the area of head protected. Incorporated in the
basic Level 1 shell is that component or are those components that permit the basic helmet to be retained on the wearer's head (i.e. chin strap, cradle system, headband, size adjustment system, etc.). These features can be all considered as "wearable head support" for theLevel 1 shell or helmet. In addition, fitted to this shell is or can be a special energy absorbing liner that provides impact, penetration, thermal and radiation protection greater and over a wider area than impact cradles or ribbon systems. This impact protection is especially valuable in vehicle accidents and falling from heights. - The
Level 1 helmet is preferably designed to provide protection for those types of rescue and fire fighting commonly known as bushfire, RTA (road transport accident), USAR (urban search and rescue/ civilian rescue operations) MEDIVAC (medical rescue and evacuations) etc, where the risk of serious impacts or high risk fire and/or thermal threats are relatively low. To these common low level fire and rescue threats, the helmet preferably specifically adds protection from head injuries in the event of accidents involving emergency services vehicles. - Because this
Level 1 helmet is designed to fit with at least one other and preferably a multiplicity of additional protective levels, it is possible that some of the optional components that might normally be attached to this type of helmet, will become absorbed within the higher levels or impediments to the attachment of higher levels of protection. These optional components could include helmet mounted hands- free torches, face shields, reflective markings and other accessories. - Where necessary, provision needs to be made to attach some of these optional components either internally in the
Level 1 helmets, or to replicate their function in theLevel 2 or higher Level components. - Because the
Level 1 helmet provides only a basic level protection, the addition of a second shell with further energy and penetration resistance is necessary for most types of structural fire fighting, military fire and rescue and other high risk rescue operations. - Normally safety helmets designed for these operations are separate helmets. The specific feature of this design is the fact that the
Level 1 helmet can be upgraded momentarily by the addition of theLevel 2 shell. TheLevel 2 shell and impact system is specifically designed to be used and fitted to theLevel 1 helmet, and cannot normally provide designed levels of protection to the wearer without combination with theLevel 1 helmet. - Previously, a structural fire helmet or similar helmets used by other emergency services have required that the design of the helmet be specifically intended for this purpose. This claim specifically relates to a design of helmet with a plurality of both shell and impact/thermal protection system, designed in a modular fashion where the addition of levels of protection are built upon each other with the need to discard or remove the first level of helmets before wearing the second or subsequent levels. Such additional items of protection may be described as additional Levels or clipped-on components that supplement the original base helmet.
- Dependent upon the requirements of the Standard, and the operational requirements of the Service itself, attachments and other components can be provided including the
Level 2 shell to provide face protection (face shields etc.) lighting, (hands-free torch or flashlight), rank markings, reflective trims etc. - The addition of further levels of protection is dependant on the circumstances of the emergency call-out. Once again, the principle is that additional protection can be added to the basic helmet without the requirement to discard earlier protective components. Not only is the wearer able to retain the lower levels of helmet on their head at all times, but the additional levels of protection can be selected or even discarded as the scene changes or evolves.
- These third and subsequent levels of protection principally come about by the need for extremely high temperature fire fighting, or chemical or biological threats. Not infrequently, these risks are associated with training for these types of events, and the third and subsequent materials are destroyed, but the
Level 1 andLevel 2 components are protected from unnecessary damage. - The present invention therefore makes use of a
Level 1 shell helmet suitable for use in a combination or a kit for preparing the protective shell assembly of the present invention. - The present invention also makes use of a
Level 2 component suitable for association with aLevel 1 shell helmet, saidLevel 2 component and/orLevel 1 shell helmet being, for example, substantially as herein described with or without reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. - The present invention also makes use of a
Level 3 component for association with both aLevel 1 shell helmet andLevel 2 component of the present invention, for example substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. - The present invention enables a helmet system enabling tuning, by choice of component association (directly or indirectly) with a base helmet, the level of protection to be afforded.
- At least one component is a
Level 1 shell helmet for use in the assembly of the present invention. - A further component is a
Level 2 component for use in accordance with the present invention. - A further component is a
Level 3 component for use in accordance with the present invention. - In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in the use of a helmet assembly, a helmet system or helmet components or a combination or kit of the present invention so as to provide for different levels of protection.
- As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.
- As used herein the term "(s)" following a noun includes, as might be appropriate, the singular or plural forms of that noun.
- As used herein the term "shield/visor/eye protector" includes any form of protection preferably still allowing vision.
- A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
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Figure 1 shows as an exploded view a user wearing aLevel 1 shell component helmet of an Australian/New Zealand/North American-USA type in accordance with the present invention and having (in exploded view) sequentially thereover aLevel 2 shell component and thereover aLevel 3 shell component, theLevel 2 component being shown with a visor whilst theLevel 3 component is shown with expansive shroud, -
Figure 2 shows theLevel 1 shell helmet in use, -
Figure 3 shows the combination of the assembly of theLevel 1 shell helmet ofFigure 2 in use with theLevel 2 component, -
Figure 4 shows the use of all of the components as an assembly as shown inFigure 1 ,Level 3 component nesting on theLevel 2 component in turn which nests on theLevel 1 shell helmet, -
Figures 5 through 8 correspond to those ofFigures 1 through 4 but in respect of European style helmet assembly as opposed to that depicted inFigures 1 through 4 more appropriate for use in New Zealand, Australia, and North American-USA, -
Figure 9 shows the design of aLevel 2 shell whereby the said skirts extend downwards at the sides of theLevel 1 helmets, may be joined and connected by the lower ring of theLevel 2 shell extending around the brim of theLevel 1 shell, in this instance rearwards, (but not exclusively) wherein the ring could extend either forward or backwards, or both, -
Figure 10 shows the affixing of a face shield/eye protector/visor accessories in such a way that the means of securing and hinging/rotating these components is by way of attachment to theLevel 2 shell, and -
Figure 11 showsLevel 2 shell ofFigures 9 and10 from below showing the visor engaged thereto so as to guidably be pivoted therefrom and able to assume a number of pull down positions. - In the preferred form of the present invention the design considerations taken into account have been those previously discussed. The protective helmet assembly has a
protective shell 1 with a head cradle system as wearable head support therefor, 2, 7, a detachablesecond shell 8 as a helmet component, the detachable second shell carried directly or indirectly by theprotective shell 1, where this second shell helmet component is more expansive in skirting 11 down alongside and/or behind the head of a wearer than the protective shell, characterized in that the assembly comprises a detachablethird shell 9 as a further helmet component, where the detachable third shell is nested by the detachablesecond shell 8. - Turning specifically to
Figure 2 it can be seen that a first shell 1 (e.g. of a composite reinforced with fibreglass or Aramid materials or alternatively plastic injected external materials) is supported on a head cradle system (as a wearable support for the shell 1) which includes a size adjustment and impact protection materials. This is held to the wearer's face by appropriate harness andchin strap arrangements 2, etc. Theshell 1 carries a unitary or fabricatedskirt extension 11. -
Figure 3 shows aLevel 2shell 8 withvisor 10 preferably detachably nesting over part of theLevel 1shell 1.Figure 4 shows aLevel 3shell 9 with still moreexpansive skirts 12 nesting over theLevel 2shell 8. -
Figures 9 to 11 show alevel 2shell 3 with avisor 4 pivoted at 5 and guided by thefriction slide arrangement 6. The arrangement is as previously described. - Any appropriate engagement (preferably not requiring tools) can be used to hold components in any desired nested arrangement (e.g. spring loaded clipping) so as not to allow dislodging without real effort. Whilst the different levels preferably serially nest, any appropriate retention interengagement can be used to provide detachable nesting. This includes one or more of toggle, VELCRO, clip fit and other interengagements.
Claims (10)
- A protective helmet assembly having a protective shell (1) with a head cradle system as wearable head support therefore (2, 7), a detachable second shell (8) as a helmet component, the detachable second shell carried directly or indirectly by the protective shell (1), where this second shell helmet component is more expansive in skirting (11) down alongside and/or behind the head of a wearer than the protective shell (1), characterized in that the assembly comprises a detachable third shell (9) as a further helmet component, where the detachable third shell is nested by the detachable second shell (8).
- An assembly of claim 1 wherein there is a visor (10) carried by the detachable second shell (8) or between the protective shell (1) and the detachable second shell (8), or between the detachable second shell (8) and the detachable third shell (9).
- An assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein the shells have a fireman's comb or central ridge as a design feature.
- An assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the components are provided in combination.
- An assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the components are provided as a kit.
- An assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein(a) the protective shell (1) is securable to the head of an intended user thereby to provide with its shell or equivalent at least some measure of impact protection to such user, and(b) the detachable second shell (8) is able to be associated with the protective shell (1) thereby to provide(i) enhanced impact protection to said intended user beyond that of the protective shell (1) alone, and/or(ii) a more downwardly depending skirt (11) than any of the protective shell (1), and/or(iii) a visor (10) for said intended user.
- An assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein(a) the protective shell (1) is securable to the head of an intended user thereby to provide with its shell or equivalent at least some measure of impact protection to such user,(b) the detachable second shell (8) is able to be associated with the protective shell (1) thereby to provide(i) enhanced impact protection to said intended user beyond that of the protective shell (1) alone, and/or(ii) a more downwardly depending skirt (11) than any of the protective shell (1), and/or(iii) a skirt (11) that will extend downwards at least on both sides of the protective shell (1) and/or cover, at least substantially, the entire protective shell (1), and/or(iv) a skirt or skirts (11) that extend down both sides of the protective shell (1), connected from one side to the other by part of the detachable second shell (8) component, and/or(v) a face shield/visor/eye protector (10) for said intended user, and(c) a face shield/visor/eye protector attaches to the detachable second shell component (8) or its shell rather than to the protective shell (1).
- An assembly of claim 6 or 7, wherein the detachable third shell (9) component is associated directly or indirectly with the protective shell (1) and the detachable second shell (8) component.
- An assembly of claim 6 or 7, wherein there are at least two detachable second shell (8) component versions.
- Use of helmet components defined in any one of the preceding claims to provide for different levels of protection dependant on the circumstances, according to the principle that additional protection can be added to the protective shell by the detachable shell components without the requirement to discard earlier protective components.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NZ533492A NZ533492A (en) | 2004-06-09 | 2004-06-09 | A protective helmet system having multiple protective shells able to be worn in combination |
NZ53958705 | 2005-04-20 | ||
PCT/NZ2005/000108 WO2005120265A1 (en) | 2004-06-09 | 2005-06-01 | Protective helmets |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1765103A1 EP1765103A1 (en) | 2007-03-28 |
EP1765103A4 EP1765103A4 (en) | 2009-01-07 |
EP1765103B1 true EP1765103B1 (en) | 2011-05-18 |
Family
ID=35502757
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05757589A Active EP1765103B1 (en) | 2004-06-09 | 2005-06-01 | Protective helmets |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1765103B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2005251658B2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0700355D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005120265A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2006309377B2 (en) * | 2005-11-07 | 2011-11-17 | Pacific Helmets (Nz) Limited | Protective helmets |
ITTO20110039A1 (en) * | 2011-01-20 | 2012-07-21 | Osbe S R L | RIGID HELMET WITH VISOR |
ITCO20130049A1 (en) * | 2013-10-15 | 2015-04-16 | Ld Project S R L | "MODULAR PROTECTION HELMET" |
US9578916B2 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2017-02-28 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Appliance mounting device and system for head gear |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2239215A1 (en) * | 1973-08-01 | 1975-02-28 | Brioult Roger | Safety helmet for motor cyclists - comprises snugly fitting inner and outer helmets and vehicle fixing collar |
US5517691A (en) * | 1993-04-02 | 1996-05-21 | Lion Apparel, Inc. | Protective helmet |
FR2750299B1 (en) * | 1996-06-26 | 1999-03-19 | Suif Fernand Albert | PROTECTIVE HELMET COMPRISING A FOLDABLE FACE SHIELD INSIDE THE HELMET |
US6032297A (en) * | 1997-07-01 | 2000-03-07 | Cairns & Brother Inc. | Head-protective helmet and assemblies thereof |
DE19961371C2 (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2002-05-23 | Schuberth Werk Kg | helmet |
GB2387102B (en) * | 2002-04-04 | 2005-12-07 | Tunnard Mitchell | Modular helmet |
GB0323437D0 (en) * | 2003-10-07 | 2003-11-05 | Helmet Integrated Syst Ltd | Two piece helmet |
-
2005
- 2005-06-01 EP EP05757589A patent/EP1765103B1/en active Active
- 2005-06-01 AU AU2005251658A patent/AU2005251658B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2005-06-01 WO PCT/NZ2005/000108 patent/WO2005120265A1/en active Application Filing
-
2007
- 2007-01-09 GB GBGB0700355.1A patent/GB0700355D0/en not_active Ceased
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1765103A4 (en) | 2009-01-07 |
EP1765103A1 (en) | 2007-03-28 |
WO2005120265A1 (en) | 2005-12-22 |
AU2005251658A1 (en) | 2005-12-22 |
AU2005251658B2 (en) | 2011-03-17 |
GB0700355D0 (en) | 2007-02-14 |
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