EP2496102A1

EP2496102A1 - Protective helmet with chain strap winding means

Info

Publication number: EP2496102A1
Application number: EP10727975A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Lavezzi; Massimo Spriano; Federico Natelli
Original assignee: New Max Srl; Freni Brembo SpA
Current assignee: New Max Srl; Brembo SpA
Priority date: 2009-11-02
Filing date: 2010-04-29
Publication date: 2012-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-29
Also published as: ITMI20091905A1; EP2496102B1; TW201127306A; IT1396586B1; WO2011051989A1

Abstract

The present invention refers to a protective helmet (100), preferably for use in cycling, motorcycle riding or automobile driving. Such a helmet comprises a cap (1) and a chin strap (2) to secure said cap (1) to the head of a user. The helmet comprises winding means (3) fixed to a first side portion (11) of the cap (1). Such winding means are suitable for winding/unwinding the strap (2) to adjust its length. Moreover, the helmet comprises reversible fixing means (4) of a free end (22) of the strap to a second side portion (12) of the cap opposite to said first side portion (11). The helmet is characterised in that each of said winding means (3) and said reversible fixing means (4) comprises at least one manual actuation portion (30, 40; 30', 40') arranged outside of the cap (1).

Description

DESCRIPTION

PROTECTIVE HELMET WITH CHIN STRAP WINDING MEANS

The present invention refers to a protective helmet preferably, but not for limiting purposes, for use in cycling, motorcycling or automobile driving and for sports activities that require a protective helmet .

Protective helmets are mainly used to protect the drivers and passengers of vehicles, in particular two-wheeled vehicles like motorcycles or bicycles.

Protective helmets are also used in sports activities that carry the risk of a participant's head suffering violent collisions. For example, such helmets are used in the field of motor vehicle racing and in some team sports such as hockey or football.

More commonly, the use of the protective helmet is widespread amongst motorcyclists since, as well as being highly advisable through common sense, it is a requirement of law when travelling with such means of transport .

So that the helmet can perform the protective function for which it is designed it is necessary for it to be adequately secured to the head of the user through a chin strap.

In known helmets, such a chin strap has a first

l end securely fixed to a first portion of a cap. A second free end of the strap is provided with means for removably fixing such a second end to a second portion of the cap opposite the first portion. Moreover, on the strap there are means for manually adjusting the length.

It should be observed that the adjustment of the length of the strap can advantageously take place only when the user fits the helmet onto his head at least a first time, since the user himself cannot know in advance how long the strap needs to be to allow him to have the helmet securely fixed to his head and at the same time it prevents uncomfortable pressing of the strap on the throat. However, during such an adjustment operation, the user is unable to see the strap and the relative means for adjusting its length. Therefore, such adjustment is particularly awkward.

In order to avoid such drawbacks different solutions of protective helmets have been suggested in which the adjustment of the length of the strap takes place through a winder, comprising a reel connected to the strap, elastically tensioned by a spring, for example a coil spring, so that the strap is spontaneously rolled up by the winder. Such solutions are described for example in patents IT 1324843 and DE 3302004. Although such solutions of the prior art allow easier adjustment of the length of the strap, they suffer from further drawbacks .

Indeed, in both document IT 1324843 and DE 3302004 the winder is fixed to the cap of the helmet inside it, in a space formed in the padding of the helmet ..

Such a solution is awkward for the user to actuate the winder. Moreover, such a solution is also dangerous since it eliminates a part of the protective padding of the helmet and introduces rigid components near to the head of the user. In addition, the manufacture of a helmet with such a winder requires very complex fixing and assembly operations.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a protective helmet, preferably, but not limitingly for use in cycling, motorcycling or automobile driving or for sports activities that require a protective helmet that allows the aforementioned drawback of known solutions to be at least partially overcome, improving the accessibility of the winder by the user wearing the helmet.

This and other purposes are accomplished through a protective helmet according to claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments are the object of the dependent claims 2-16.

Further characteristics and advantages of the aforementioned protective helmet will become clearer from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given for indicating and not limiting purposes, with reference to the attached figures, in which :

figure 1 shows a perspective view from the right of a first embodiment of the protective helmet of the invention with a chin strap fastened;

figure 2 shows a perspective view from the left of the helmet of figure 1;

figure 3 shows a perspective view of the helmet of figure 2 with the strap unfastened;

figure 4 shows a perspective view from the right of a second embodiment of the protective helmet of the invention with a chin strap fastened;

figure 5 shows a perspective view from the left of the helmet of figure 4;

figure 6 shows an exploded view of a winder of the chin strap of the helmet of figures 1-5;

figure 7 shows an exploded view of a device for reversibly fixing the chin strap of the helmet of figures 1-5.

With reference to the aforementioned figures 1- 3, reference numeral 100 indicates a first example embodiment of a protective helmet in accordance with the invention as a whole. In the aforementioned figures 1-3, elements and components that are the same or analogous are indicated with the same reference numerals.

It should be observed that the protective helmet 100 can be used, for example, in the field of cycling, motorcycling or automobile driving. Such a helmet 100 can also be used in sports activities where there is a risk of the head of a participant suffering violent collisions, like, for example, hockey, football and skiing.

The protective helmet 100 comprises a cap 1 that constitutes an outer shell of the helmet and is wearable on the head of a user. Moreover, a chin strap 2 is used to secure the cap 1 to the head of the user wearing the helmet 100. It should be observed that figures 1 and 2 show the helmet 100 with the chin strap 2 in fastened configuration, whereas figure 3 shows the helmet 100 with the strap

2 in unfastened configuration. In particular, such an unfastened configuration of the strap 2 is linked to an emergency conditions as will be described later on .

The protective helmet 100 comprises winding means 3 of the strap securely fixed to a first side portion 11 of the cap 1 at a lower edge 14 of the cap itself. Such winding means 3 are suitable for receiving a first end 21 of the strap 2 and for winding/unwinding such a strap 2 to adjust its length.

In addition, the protective helmet 100 comprises means 4 for reversibly fixing a second free end 22 of the chin strap 2 to a second side portion 12 of the cap 1 opposite the first side portion 11. In particular, such reversible fixing means 4 are also fixed to the cap 1 at the lower edge 14 thereof.

It should be observed that, in order to be fixed to the cap 1, the winding means 3 and the reversible fixing means 4 of the strap^' 2 are associated with first 30, 31 and second 40, 41 supporting and connecting means, respectively. In particular, such first supporting and connecting means 30, 31 are configured to receive the winding means 3 and fix them to the first side portion 11 of the cap 1 so that the winding means 3 are, advantageously, outside of the cap l! Similarly, the second supporting and connecting means 40, 41 are configured to receive the reversible fixing means 4 and fix them to the second side portion 12 of the cap 1 so that the reversible fixing means 4 are also, advantageously, outside of the cap 1.

With reference to the configuration of use of the helmet, the winding means 3 and the reversible fixing means 4 are arranged beneath the aforementioned lower edge 14 of the helmet 100.

Moreover, advantageously, the winding means 3 and the reversible fixing means 4 of the helmet 100 each comprise at least one manual actuation portion arranged outside of the cap 1. In particular, such manual actuation portions allow faster access from the outside to the winding means 3 and to the reversible fixing means 4 both in conditions of normal use of the helmet 100 · and in emergency conditions .

With reference to figures 1-3, the aforementioned supporting and connecting means comprise a first 30 and a second 40 box-like housing both outside of the cap 1 and provided with respective connecting means 31, 41 for fixing to the cap 1. In particular, such connecting means are in the form of projecting plates 31, 41 provided with through holes to be securely fixed to an inner surface 13 of the cap 1, for example through screws, rivets, nails, etc.

A second embodiment of the helmet 100 of the invention is shown in figures 4 and 5. In such figures, components that are the same as those introduced in figures 1-3 are indicated with the same reference numerals.

In particular, the supporting and connecting means comprise a further first 30' and a further second 40' box-like housing, both outside of the cap 1, suitable for receiving the winding means 3 and the reversible fixing means 4. Such a further first 30' and further second 40' box-like housing are provided with respective further connecting means 31' , 41' for fixing to the cap 1. In particular, such connecting means comprise further projecting plates 31', 41' provided with through holes (for example two holes) to be securely fixed to an outer surface 15 of the cap 1, for example through screws, rivets, nails, etc .

Moreover, with reference to figures 2 and 3 it should be observed that the first box-like housing 30 is connected to the respective attachment plate 31 through a hinge 32. In this way, the first housing 30 can tilt around an axis substantially parallel to the outer surface 15 of the cap 1 to adapt to the configuration of the head of the user wearing the helmet. Moreover, the second box-like housing 40 is also connected to the respective attachment plate 41 through a further hinge (not visible in figure 1). Similar hinges are included in the further first 30' and in the further second 40' box-like housing of the helmet 100 of figures 4 and 5. All of the aforementioned hinges make it easier to fit the helmet 100 onto the head of the user.

The winding means 3 of the helmet 100 comprise a winder 300 of the strap 2 received inside the first 30 box-like housing and able to be actuated through a respective actuation device 303. For example, such an actuation device 303 can be a push-button or a lever. Hereafter, we shall explicitly refer to a push-button 303.

Moreover, hereafter, for the sake of simplicity of presentation, we shall explicitly refer to the first box-like housing 30 of the helmet 100, but totally analogous considerations are also valid for the further first housing 30' of figures 4-5.

A preferred example embodiment of the winder 300 of the strap is shown in figure 6.

The first box-like housing 30 comprises a first covering element 33, preferably having a convex shape, for example like a dome, which defines a through hole 34 to allow access to the push-button 303. Moreover, a first bottom wall 35 is configured to close the first housing 30 keeping the winder 300 inserted in the first housing itself partially visible as shown in figure 2.

The first box-like housing 30 also comprises a slot 36 for the chin strap 2 to pass from the inside to the outside of the housing.

Such a slot 36 can be formed from a seat 36 formed in the bottom wall 35 and from the first covering element 33.

The winder 300 comprises blocking/unblocking means configured so that:

- when the push-button 303 is released, they block the winder 300 in a blocked configuration in which the strap 2 is prevented from winding/unwinding;

- with the push-button 303 actuated (for example pressed) , they bring the winder 300 into an unblocked configuration that allows the strap 2 to wind/unwind.

In particular, such blocking/unblocking means comprise an abutment rod 304 suitable for engaging a reel 302 of the winder 300 in an engagement positions so as to prevent the strap 2 from rolling up. In a disengaged position, the reel 302 is disengaged from the rod 304 and the strap 2 is automatically rolled up .

In greater detail, the abutment rod 304 cooperates with the push-button 303 so as to take up the engagement position, when the push-button 303 is released, and to be moved into the disengaged position after pressure has been applied on the pushbutton 303. Such an abutment rod 304 comprises an end portion 304' suitable for cooperating with a tooth 303' of the push-button 303 and an abutment element suitable for engaging in abutment, in the engaged position, a circular toothing of the reel 302 of the winder 300 so as to prevent the strap 2 from rolling up .

It should be observed that the reel 302 is permanently biased into a completely wound position through a spring 308, for example a coil spring. The strap 2 can be unwound by pulling it, for example, with one hand against the elastic force of the spring 308.

Moreover, the rod 304 is hinged to a winder body 301 through a rotation pin 306. The push-button 303 is hinged to the winder body 301 through a pin 307 and is suitable for rotating around such a pin 307 when pressure is applied onto it.

The winder 300 comprises one or more, preferably two, further springs 305 configured so as to spontaneously bring the rod 304 into engaged position with the reel 302 when the push-button 303 is in released position. Such further springs 305 can be helical springs.

It should be observed that the winder body 301 is provided with a first space 310, substantially cylindrical, to receive the reel 302 and a second space 311 to receive the further springs 305, the abutment rod 304 and the push-button 303. Moreover, the first space 310 can be closed through a cap 309 and a hatch 310.

The reversible fixing means 4 of the protective helmet 100 preferably comprise an engagement buckle 400, for example, of the male-female type.

An example embodiment of such reversible fixing means 4 is shown in figure 7.

In particular, the engagement buckle 400 comprises a fastening element 401 provided with a fastening edge 403. Such a fastening element 401 is fixed to the second end 22 of the chin strap 2. In greater detail, an end portion of the strap 2 is inserted into a through hole 401' of the fastening element 401 and, thereafter, wound and fixed onto itself to form a hood.

Moreover, the buckle 400 comprises a counter- fastening element 402 provided with a respective counter-fastening tooth 404 suitable for engaging with the fastening edge 403 of the fastening element 401 in a fastened configuration of the aforementioned buckle 400.

The buckle 400 also comprises a release slider

405 elastically brought into rest position by a spring 406. Such a release slider 405 can take up a work position by sliding with respect to the counter- fastening element 402 against the force of the spring

406 to disengage the fastening edge 403 from the counter-fastening tooth 404.

It should be observed that the counter- fastening element 402, the spring 406 and the release slider 405 are housed in a containment shell 407 defined by a cover 408 and by a bottom wall 409. Such a containment shell. 407 comprises a respective opening 410 that leaves the release slider 405 uncovered and accessible from the outside. Moreover^", the containment shell 407 and the elements contained in it are wholly received inside the second box-like housing 40.

Such a second box-like housing 40 comprises a second covering element 43, preferably having a convex shape, provided with a side opening 44 to allow access from the outside to the containment shell 407 and, therefore, to the release slider 405.

Such a side opening 44 can be closed through a further cover 45 that can be lifted and hinged to the second covering element 43.

In addition, the second covering element 43 includes an insertion element 46 configured to receive and support the containment shell 407 irremovably fixing it inside the second box-like housing 40. In particular, it should be observed that such an insertion element 46 comprises a support portion 48 connected in a single piece with a fastening portion 49 substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned support portion 48. Such a fastening portion 49 comprises a respective seat 49' for fixing the projecting plate 41 to the second box^¬ like housing 40 through the aforementioned hinge.

Moreover, the second box-like housing 40 is defined by a second bottom wall 47 assembled to the second covering element 43.

It should be observed that the further second box-like housing 40' is analogous to the second housing 40.

Operatively, by sliding the release slider 405 with respect to the counter-fastening element 402 against the spring 406 the fastening element 401 is decoupled from the counter-fastening element 402. In this way, the second end 22 of the chin strap 2 can be quickly unfastened from the second (further second) box-like housing 40 (40') allowing the helmet 100 to be taken off the head of the user without difficulty in the case of an emergency, for example in the case of an accident or a fall involving the user wearing the helmet 100.

It should be observed that in a standard way of using the protective helmet 100, the buckle 400 is always kept fastened and the length of the chin strap 2 can be varied by acting upon the push-button 303.

In particular, in order to wear the helmet 100, the user unblocks the winder 300 by pressing with one hand on the push-button 303. By keeping the push^¬ button 303 pressed, the user can pull the strap 2 (with the other hand) , unwinding it from the winder

300 until it is the necessary length to allow him to wear the helmet. When the push-button 303 is released, the winder 300 is blocked and the strap 2 cannot be wound back up.

At this point, the user puts on the helmet 100 and passes the strap 2 under the chin. By pressing on the push-button 303 again, the strap 2 is automatically wound up by the winder 300 until it is the adjusted length suitable for ensuring that the helmet 100 is adequately secured to the head. At the aforementioned adjusted length, the push-button 303 is once again released to block the winder 300.

In order to take off the helmet 100, the user presses the push-button 303 and, keeping it pressed, pulls the strap 2 unwinding it from the winder 300. In this way, the strap 2 is lengthened sufficiently to pass over the chin allowing the helmet to be taken off the head of the user.

The protective helmet 100 of the invention has numerous advantages.

Indeed, with the helmet 100 of the invention the actuation of the winder 300 that winds up the strap and of the reversible attachment buckle 400 is less awkward compared to known solutions since both the winder 300 and the buckle 400 are immediately accessible from the outside of the cap 1. Moreover, arranging the winder 300 and the attachment buckle 400 inside the first 30 (30' ) and second 40 (40') box-like housing so that they _· are outside of the cap 1 avoids the introduction of dangerous rigid components inside the cap near to the head of the user.

It should also be observed that the assembly operations of the winder 300 and of the buckle 400 to the cap 1 are easy since they only require the attachment of the first 30 (30') and second 40 (40'). box-like housing to the cap.

The man skilled in the art can make modifications and adaptations and can replace elements with other functionally equivalent ones to the embodiments of the protective helmet described above, in order to satisfy contingent requirements, without departing from the scope of the following claims. Each of the characteristics described as belonging to a possible embodiment can be made independently from the other described embodiments.

Claims

1. Protective helmet (100), comprising:

- a cap (1) that is wearable on a head of a user,

- a chin strap (2) to secure said cap (1) to the head of the user,

- strap winding means (3) fixed to a first side portion (11) of the cap (1) and so configured as to wind/unwind said strap (2) in order to- adjust its length,

- reversible fixing means (4) of a free end (22) of the strap (2) to a second side portion (12) of the cap opposite to said first side portion (11),

characterised in that

each of said winding means (3) and said reversible fixing means (4) comprises at least one manual actuation portion (30, 40; 30', 40') arranged outside of the cap (1) .

2. Helmet (100) according to claim 1, comprising first (30,31; 30', 31') and second (40,41; 40', 41') supporting and connecting means that connect said winding means (3) and said reversible fixing means

(4) to the cap (1), respectively, wherein said supporting and connecting means comprise a first (30;

30') and a second (40; 40') box-like housing suitable for receiving said winding means (3) and said reversible fixing means (4), respectively, and connecting means (31,31'; 41,41') to the cap (1) that are secured to said first (30; 30') and second (40; 40') box-like housing.

3. Helmet (100) according to claim 2, wherein said first (30; 30') and second (40; 40') box-like housing are securely fixed to said first (11) and second (12) side portions of the cap (1), respectively, through said connecting means (31, 31'; 41, 41' ) .

4. Helmet (100) according to claim 3, wherein said connecting means comprise plates (31,31'; 41, 41'). that are fixed to the cap (1).

5. Helmet (100) according to claim 4, wherein said plates (31, 41) are fixed to an inner surface (13) of the cap (1) at said first (11) and second (12) side portions.

6. Helmet (100) according to claim 4, wherein said plates (31', 41') are fixed to an outer surface (15) of the cap (1) .

7. Helmet (100) according to claim 1, wherein with reference to a use configuration of the helmet, the winding means (3) and the reversible fixing means (4) are arranged beneath a lower edge (14) of the helmet .

8. Helmet (100) according to claim 2, wherein said winding means (3) comprise a winder (300) for the strap (2) received inside the first box-like housing (30; 30') and able to be actuated through an actuating device (303), for example a push-button.

9. Helmet (100) according to claim 8, wherein said winder (300) comprises blocking/unblocking means configured so that:

- with the push-button (303) released, they block the winder (300) in a blocked configuration in which the winding/unwinding of the strap (2) is prevented;

- with the push-button (303) pressed, they take said winder (300) into an unblocked configuration that allows the winding/unwinding of the strap (2) .

10. Helmet (100) according to claim 9, wherein said blocking/unblocking means comprise an abutment rod (304) suitable for engaging a reel (302) of said winder (300) in an engagement position to prevent the winding of the strap (2) , in a position disengaged from the reel, said rod enabling automatic winding of the strap.

11. Helmet (100) according to claim 10, wherein said abutment rod (304) can be moved between an engaged position, when the push-button (303) is released, and a disengaged position after the push- button (303) lias been pressed.

12. Helmet (100) according to claim 8, wherein said first box-like housing (30; 30' ) comprises a first covering element (33) that defines a through hole (34) to gain access to the push-button (303) of the winder (300) .

13. Helmet (100) according to claim 1, wherein said reversible fixing means (4) comprise an engagement buckle (400) of the male-female type.

14. Helmet (100) according to claim 13, wherein said engagement buckle (400) comprises:

- a fastening element (401) provided with an fastening edge (403) ,

- a counter-fastening element (402) provided with a counter-fastening tooth (404) suitable for engaging with the fastening edge (403) in a fastened configuration of the aforementioned buckle,

- a release slider (405) elastically taken into rest position by a spring (406) , said slider being able to take up a work position by sliding with respect to the counter-fastening element (402) against the force of the spring (406) to disengage the fastening edge (403) from the counter-fastening tooth (404) .

15. Helmet (100) according to claim 14, wherein the counter-fastening element (402) and the release slider (405) are housed in a containment shell (407) defined by a cover (408) and by a bottom wall (409), said shell comprising a respective opening (410) that leaves the release slider (405) uncovered and accessible from the outside.

16. Helmet (100) according to claim 14, wherein the counter-fastening element (402) and the release slider (405) are housed inside the second box-like housing (40; 40' ) , said second housing comprising a second covering element (43) closed by a second bottom wall (47) and provided with a side opening (44) to allow access to the release slider (405) from the outside.