EP1820412A1

EP1820412A1 - A protective helmet for motorcyclists

Info

Publication number: EP1820412A1
Application number: EP07102332A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefano Pirovano
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-15
Filing date: 2007-02-14
Publication date: 2007-08-22
Also published as: ITMI20060277A1

Abstract

A protective helmet with luminous signals (2,3) corresponding to those that can be activated on the vehicle on which the person wearing the helmet is positioned, and relating the driving conditions of the vehicle itself.

Description

The present invention relates to a protective helmet for motorcyclists.
Protective helmets for motorcyclists with reflecting or reflective surfaces, so as to be visible at night or under poor lighting conditions when they are illuminated by a light beam, for example projected by a vehicle following said motorcyclist, are known in the state of the art. This makes the motorcycle and its rider more visible to other vehicles.
The applicant has observed that such types of helmets contribute towards the visibility of the motorcycle and the rider, but give no indications about the type of manoeuvre (for example a right or left turn) or changes in speed (for example braking or accelerating or driving normally) the motorcyclist is preparing or the motorcycle is performing.
In motoring, the need to be seen, not only by those following immediately behind, but also other following motorists, has driven manufacturers to design ever brighter and larger direction indicators, and to also position stop lights in even higher positions, with respect to before. However, the aforementioned innovations have not involved motorcyclists. With higher numbers of vehicles in circulation, the need for passive safety assumes ever greater importance: motor vehicle users must indicate clearly to those following whether they are braking or not, or in which direction they intend to turn; frequently motor vehicle lights are positioned close to the road surface and hence at the margins of the visual fields of those following and looking in front of them.
The applicant has discerned that positioning light sources relating to the movement of the vehicle, such as for example direction indicators and stop lights directly on the motorcyclist's helmet, would considerably increase the chances of the motorcyclist being seen by those following and also by those to the side.
For this purpose, the applicant has devised a protective helmet for motorcyclists, or more generally for the users of uncovered vehicles, i.e. where the users helmet is directly visible from outside (for example three or four wheeled vehicles also known by the names "quad" and "ATV"), with luminous signals relating the driving conditions of the motor vehicle or motorcycle, carrying the person wearing the helmet. Furthermore, the applicant has created a system for electronic communication between said helmet and the motor vehicle or motorcycle, whereby the commands for such luminous signals are communicated from the vehicle to the helmet.
One aspect of the present invention relates to a protective helmet characterised in comprising luminous signals corresponding to those that can be activated on the vehicle on which the person wearing the helmet is positioned, and relating the driving conditions of the vehicle itself.
The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be clearer from the following description, by way of non-limiting example, referring to the enclosed schematic diagrams, wherein:

figure 1 is a side view of the protective helmet according to the present invention
figure 2 is a rear view of the protective helmet according to the present invention,
figure 3 is a flow algorithm of the control transfer process performed by the system according to the present invention.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the safety helmet according to the present invention comprises luminous signals corresponding to those that can be activated on the vehicle on which the person wearing the helmet is positioned, and relating the driving conditions of the vehicle itself.
The helmet shown in figures 1 and 2 comprises a pair of luminous direction indicators 2 and 3 (one for each direction) preferably positioned on opposite sides of the helmet, and towards the rear of the same. Preferably, in an intermediate rear position, there is at least one tail light and/or stop light 4. In the embodiment shown, the stop and tail lights are located close to the ends of the direction indicators.
Preferably, the rear part of the helmet has a housing 5 for a battery, for example a rechargeable long life battery, and for an electronic device for receiving light signals from the vehicle and controlling the luminous signals on the helmet. Advantageously, said battery can supply both the luminous signals and the electronic circuitry of the control and receiving device. Said luminous signals can be inserted, fixed or applied onto the helmet.
Figure 3 shows a flow algorithm of the electronic communication system comprising said electronic control and receiving device housed inside the helmet, and an electronic interface that can be associated with the vehicle, and the existing electrical system in particular.
Similarly, the receiving device can be inserted inside helmets both during manufacturing and applied to helmets lacking them already in use.
The algorithm envisages the interface on the vehicle transmitting the luminous signal "on" message (for example right or left direction or stop indicators) to the receiving device on the helmet.
Consequently, the control and receiving device turns on the corresponding luminous signal.
Communication between the interface and the receiving device may be by cable or through the ether.
The application of the light sources does not prejudice in any way the function of the helmet in protecting the head of the motorcyclist, since they are positioned on the outer surface of the helmet. The light sources are supplied by a battery, preferably rechargeable, housed within the helmet itself. The resending of the commands given by the motorcyclist to the motorcycle instrumentation to the helmet may occur via cable or through the ether.
The aforementioned invention may be easily reproduced industrially, maintaining the safety characteristics of the motorcyclists helmets unaltered, by placing the light sources (inserted, fixed or applied) above the protective cap; it can likewise be installed on all production vehicles or can be mounted on vehicles lacking them providing there are means of interfacing with the existing electrical system; similarly, the receiving apparatus can be inserted inside helmets during manufacture and applied to helmets already in use and lacking them.

Claims

A protective helmet characterised in comprising luminous signals corresponding to those that can be activated on the vehicle on which the person wearing the helmet is positioned, and relating the driving conditions of the vehicle itself.
The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein said luminous signals duplicate the vehicle direction indicators or the tail or stop lights.
The safety helmet according to claim 1, comprising at least one pair of luminous direction indicators (2, 3) (one for each direction) preferably positioned on opposite sides of the helmet, and towards the rear of the same.
The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein in an intermediate position to the rear of the helmet itself, there is at least one tail and/or stop light (4).
The protective helmet according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the stop and tail lights are located close to the ends of the direction indicators.
The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the rear part of the helmet has a housing (5) for a battery, for example a rechargeable long life battery, and for an electronic device for receiving light signals from the vehicle and controlling the luminous signals on the helmet.
The protective helmet according to claim 6, wherein said battery can supply both the luminous signals and the electronic circuitry of the receiving and control device.
A system for communicating electronically between the helmet according to claim 1 and the vehicle, comprising a device for receiving the light signals from the vehicle associated with said helmet and an electronic interface that can be associated with the vehicle, capable of transmitting the light controls of the vehicle to said receiving device.