EP3231307A1 - Sports helmet - Google Patents

Abstract

Sports helmet (10) comprising a rigid cap (1) comprising a first layer (111, 121) of thickness "e" (e111) substantially covering the skull of a user and a plurality of protuberances (112, 122) projecting from the first layer in the direction of the head, of a height "h" (h112), the protuberances being arranged so as to create empty spaces between them for the circulation of air, the first layer and the protuberances forming a single and same room.

The rigid cap (1) consists of at least three distinct portions, an upper portion (11) covering the top of the skull of the user and lower portions (12, 13, 14, 15), the upper portion and the lower portions being adapted to be joined together to form the rigid cap.

Description

The invention relates to a protective helmet for sports activity. Such activities may include downhill skiing, ski touring or snowboarding. The invention also extends to the practice of climbing, mountaineering, cycling or the practice of snowmobiling. Generally, a helmet forms a protection of the head, to protect the skull of the shocks that it could undergo when the user makes a fall, when an object is projected in its direction or during a collision with an object or a third person.

A classic helmet construction includes an outer shell and an inner cap. The outer shell is generally rigid and is designed to resist punctures. It can be, for example, made by molding / injection of a thermoplastic material such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) or PC (PolyCarbonate). Commonly, the inner cap is also rigid and is designed to cushion a shock. It can be made of an expanded material such as EPS (Expandable PolyStyrene) or EPP (Expandable PolyPropylene). In order to guarantee good comfort for the user, the helmet is generally equipped with an internal cap which may, for example, be made of foam covered with fabric. The inner cap is attached to the inside of the inner cap. In some helmet construction, there is no outer shell.

A helmet is intended to reduce the risk of injury to the skull of the user, while having the least weight possible to not affect the comfort of the user.

A good helmet must therefore meet two contradictory requirements, on the one hand, have as much cushioning material as possible and, on the other hand, be as light as possible to be portable easily and not to inconvenience the user.

To ensure user safety, there are several standards that generally define tests and thresholds of acceptance applied to helmets applying for homologation in the associated discipline. Depending on the sporting activity, the normative requirement may differ. Thus, a standard covers a specific activity. From these requirements, there are features that the helmet must provide to provide the required protection. For example, these characteristics correspond to properties of penetration resistance and shock absorption properties as a function of the activity performed, in different areas of the helmet.

The document EP-A-2 974 612 describes a helmet that meets these requirements. This helmet has good damping performance while remaining lightweight. Being designed to be demolded easily, the inner cap is dimensioned to allow good damping in its top part. However, this design leads to achieve frontal parts, occipital and lateral more massive and less damping. The performance of the helmet is not optimal. In addition, being of monobloc design, the inner cap is dimensioned specifically for a sport, for a size. Moreover, when a portion of the inner cap is damaged, the entire part must be changed.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved helmet.

One goal is to provide a lightweight helmet structure, having good damping property.

Another goal is to propose a helmet adaptable to a sporting practice.

Another goal is to provide a headset adaptable to the morphology of a user.

Another purpose is to provide a helmet for the replacement of deteriorated damping elements.

Another purpose is to provide an economical helmet whose process of realization is simple.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a sports helmet comprising a first layer of thickness "e" substantially covering the skull of a user and a plurality of protuberances projecting from the first layer towards the head, from a height "H", the protuberances being arranged so as to create empty spaces between them for air circulation, the first layer and the protuberances forming a single piece.

The helmet is characterized in that the rigid cap consists of at least three distinct portions, an upper portion covering the top of the skull of the user and lower portions, the upper portion and the lower portions being adapted to be secured between they form the rigid cap.

Thus, the rigid cap is constructed from several distinct portions located in specific skull covering areas. On the one hand, it allows to position protuberances in the frontal, occipital and lateral internal parts of the cap. Since the protuberances have an impact on the damping properties of the helmet, this construction makes it possible to improve the damping resulting from a lateral, frontal or rear impact. On the other hand, the dimensioning of the portions allows the use of small molds in comparison with a monolithic cap. The molds are simple and economical. In addition, this construction makes it possible to combine portions having different mechanical properties. This makes it possible to adapt the damping according to the areas of recovery. For example, a more cushioning material can be used on more shock-sensitive areas, for example, at the front portion and / or at the occipital portion. We can also choose the depreciation properties of the portions to be able to comply with the normative requirements of a specific sporting practice. Another advantage resulting from a multi-portion shell structure comes from the possibility of changing a deteriorated portion. It is also possible to adapt the size or "fit" of the helmet by changing certain portions of the cap. For example, you can change the head circumference by changing one or more portions vis-à-vis. It is thus easy to customize the helmet to fit a specific morphology, for example, for an elongated or broad cranial perimeter.

• la calotte rigide comprend une portion inférieure antérieure, une portion inférieure postérieure et deux portions inférieures latérales,
• les protubérances sont réparties sur toutes les portions de la calotte rigide de manière à couvrir sensiblement le crâne de l'utilisateur,
• le casque comprend une coque externe et chaque portion de la calotte rigide comprend une première couche présentant une surface extérieure destinée à venir contre une face interne de la coque externe,
• chaque portion de la calotte rigide est constituée d'un matériau parmi l'EPS, l'EPP,
• au moins deux portions de la calotte rigide sont composées de matériaux présentant des propriétés mécaniques différentes,
• les portions de la calotte rigide sont assemblées de manière amovible,
• au moins deux portions adjacentes sont assemblées par emboitement de sorte que les deux portions s'accouplent par un mouvement relatif entre les portions, selon une seule direction d'assemblage,
• la liaison mécanique entre au moins deux portions adjacentes est de type queue d'aronde,
• au moins deux portions adjacentes sont assemblées par emboitement jusqu'à ce qu'au moins une surface de butée d'une portion vienne en contact contre au moins une surface de butée complémentaire de l'autre portion,
• la portion supérieure comprend des moyens d'accouplement supérieur avec les portions inférieures, les moyens d'accouplement supérieur étant positionnés de manière dissymétrique sur le pourtour de la portion supérieure,
• une fois les portions assemblées, l'ensemble des surfaces extérieures de chaque portion forme une enveloppe externe et en ce que des moyens d'accouplements entre les portions comprennent des éléments de verrouillage permettant de maintenir les portions de la calotte rigide assemblées lorsque la surface enveloppe externe de la calotte est plaquée contre une surface enveloppe complémentaire d'un contretype,
• plusieurs protubérances sont évidées,
• chaque face externe et interne de toutes les protubérances d'une portion forme une dépouille par rapport à une direction de démoulage de la portion,
• chaque portion est conçue de sorte à pouvoir être obtenue par injection avec un moule dit à « gaufre ».

Optionally, the invention may have any of the following optional features taken alone or in combination:

• the rigid cap comprises an anterior lower portion, a posterior lower portion and two lateral lower portions,
• the protuberances are distributed over all the portions of the rigid cap so as to substantially cover the skull of the user,
• the helmet comprises an outer shell and each portion of the rigid cap comprises a first layer having an outer surface intended to come against an inner face of the outer shell,
• each portion of the rigid cap is made of one of EPS, EPP,
• at least two portions of the rigid cap are composed of materials having different mechanical properties,
• the portions of the rigid cap are removably assembled,
• at least two adjacent portions are assembled by interlocking so that the two portions mate by a relative movement between the portions, in a single assembly direction,
• the mechanical connection between at least two adjacent portions is of the dovetail type,
• at least two adjacent portions are interlocked until at least one abutment surface of one portion comes into contact with at least one abutment surface complementary to the other portion,
• the upper portion comprises upper coupling means with the lower portions, the upper coupling means being positioned asymmetrically on the periphery of the upper portion,
• once the portions have been assembled, all of the outer surfaces of each portion form an outer casing and in that means for coupling between the portions comprise locking elements making it possible to maintain the portions of the rigid cap assembled when the external envelope surface of the cap is pressed against an envelope surface complementary to a counter-type,
• several protuberances are hollowed out,
• each outer and inner face of all the protuberances of a portion forms a draft relative to a demolding direction of the portion,
• each portion is designed so that it can be obtained by injection with a so-called "waffle" mold.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un mode de réalisation principal de la calotte d'un casque selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessous de la calotte assemblée;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon III-III de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective éclatée de la calotte ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de face de la calotte représentée sans la portion inférieure antérieure ;
• la figure 6 est une vue interne des différentes portions de la calotte ;
• la figure 7 est une vue externe des différentes portions de la calotte ;
• la figure 8 est une vue éclatée d'une deuxième construction de casque.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a main embodiment of the cap of a helmet according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is a view from below of the assembled cap;
• the figure 3 is a sectional view along III-III of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cap;
• the figure 5 is a front view of the cap shown without the lower anterior portion;
• the figure 6 is an internal view of the different portions of the cap;
• the figure 7 is an external view of the different portions of the cap;
• the figure 8 is an exploded view of a second helmet construction.

The figure 1 represents a first embodiment of a helmet according to the invention.

The helmet 10 comprises a cap 1, ear protection cushions 2 and a jugular strap 3.

In the rest of the description, terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "longitudinal", "transversal", "superior", "lower", "up", "down", "before" will be used. , "Back", "anterior", "posterior". These terms must be interpreted in a relative sense in relation to with the position that the helmet occupies on the head of a user in normal posture, and the normal direction of advancement of the wearer.

Reference will also be made to a "rigid" cap. This term specifies that the cap is not flexible, that each element that composes it has its own outfit. These elements are used and set up mainly as such, without particular shaping operations by a person such as deformation or bending. This "rigidity" does not characterize the damping properties of the piece. Indeed, as we will see later, the cap has damping properties.

In this example, the rigid cap 1 is composed of five portions, namely an upper portion 11, an anterior lower or front portion 12, a lower posterior or occipital portion 13, a lower left lateral portion 14 and a lower right lateral portion 15 .

The upper portion 11 is intended to cover at least the "top part" of the skull, that is to say the top of the skull. It is defined by an area covering an upper part of the frontal bone and an upper part of the parietal bone.

The lower anterior portion 12 is intended to cover the front of the user.

The lower posterior portion 13 is intended to cover the occipital portion of the skull of the user.

The lower lateral portions 14, 15 are intended to cover the temples and an area above the ears of the user.

The anterior lower 12, posterior 13 and lateral 14, 15 lower portions are interconnected, in pairs, to form a lower crown surrounding the cranial perimeter of the user passing through the forehead, the temples and the occiput. Each lower portion is connected to the upper portion 11. Once assembled together, all the portions form the rigid cap 1. Thus, the lower edges of the lower portions 12, 13, 14, 15 define the lower edge of the rigid cap.

Each portion of the rigid cap 1 has a similar construction. We will detail this construction through the upper portion 11. These features apply mutatis mutandis to the other lower portions 12, 13, 14, 15.

The portion 11 has a structure comprising two levels in the direction of the thickness.

The first level forms a first layer 111 of thickness "e111". This first layer 111 is delimited by a curved outer surface 1111 and an inner surface 1112 substantially parallel to the outer surface 1111. The thickness e111 of this layer is not necessarily constant. In addition, this layer 111 may locally include openings 1113 for aeration of the skull. These openings 1113 pass through the thickness e111 of the first layer 111, thus connecting the outer surface 1111 to the inner surface 1112.

The second level of the structure of the portion 11 comprises a set of protuberances 112 projecting from the inner surface 1112 of the first layer 111, towards the user's head, a height h112. Each protrusion 112 is delimited by a free surface 1124 facing the user's head and external faces 1121 connecting the free surface 1124 with the inner surface 1112 of the first layer 111. A protuberance 112 may take the form of a parallelepiped, a cone, a cylinder, a prism such as a pyramid or a truncated cone. The shape and / or dimensioning of these protuberances varies according to their positioning. They can be distributed regularly or irregularly on the inner surface 1112.

The portion 11 is thus defined locally by a thickness e11 corresponding to the sum of the thickness e111 of the first layer 111 and the height h112 of the protuberance 112 located at the level of the measurement.

Portion 11 is "monolithic", that is to say, made in one block. The first layer 111 and the protuberances 112 therefore form a single piece.

According to one embodiment, the height h112 of the protuberances 112 is greater than the thickness e111 of the first layer 111. This proportion makes it possible to obtain good damping properties. The protuberances can thus compress and / or flex to better absorb the impact of the shock.

To further lighten the portion 11, the protuberances 112 are recessed in their central portion, from a depth p1123, from their free surface 1124. This recess 1123 preferably extends to the inner surface 1112 of the first layer 111. These recessed protuberances then form a perforated polyhedron comprising outer faces 1121 delimiting the polyhedron and inner faces 1122 delimiting the hole / recess 1123 of the polyhedron.

In this example, some protuberances comprise a recess 1123 extending to the outer surface 1111 of the first layer 111. Thus, the recess 1123 combines with the air opening 1113 to form an air passage 113. connecting the outer surface 1111 of the first layer to the free surface 1124 of the protuberance 112. The air passage 113 thus traverses the entire thickness e11 of the portion 11. It allows to ventilate parts of the skull to improve the comfort of the user.

Alternatively, the cap may comprise air passages 113 formed solely of ventilation openings 1113. In this case, these air passages 113 open on the inner surface 1112 of the first layer 111 in a delimited interstitial zone. by several protuberances 112.

Advantageously, the portion 11 is obtained by injection with a so-called "waffle" mold. This type of mold is simple and economical. It comprises two indentations interlocking into one another in a demolding direction Sd illustrated on the figure 3 . The upper imprint defines the outer portion of the portion while the lower footprint delineates the inner portion of the portion. To be able to use such molds, the part must not have an undercut part. For this, each outer face 1121 and inner 1122 of all the protuberances 112 of the portion 11 forms a draft relative to the demolding direction Sd of the portion. The relief characterizes a slope, an inclination, with respect to the demolding direction Sd, provided to ensure demolding. The draft angle α is at least zero degrees but is preferably at least one degree.

Note that the current construction of injected caps requires the use of bulky and expensive mold, with relatively long injection times. The fragmented construction of the cap in several portions allows the use of mold of smaller dimensions and therefore more compact, economical and allowing a quick injection of the constituent parts.

To improve the circulation of air around the skull and to promote the bending of the protuberances which are heavily involved in the damping of the helmet, the protuberances are arranged so as to create empty spaces between them. These interstitial spaces form ventilation lanes that improve the comfort of carrying. According to one embodiment, the protuberances are arranged randomly on the inner surface 1112 of the first layer. This makes it possible not to have a laminar but turbulent air flow which ensures better ventilation. In addition, this random distribution of protuberances provides better damping of the helmet.

According to one embodiment, some protuberances are interconnected by thin ribs.

As mentioned above, this construction is transposed to the other lower portions 12, 13, 14, 15.

The air passages 113 portions are positioned to allow the arrival and / or evacuation of a flow of air ensuring the ventilation of the skull of the user. For example, the air passages 113 located in the upper portion 11 promote the entry of air inside the cap while the air passages in the lower rear portion 13 promote the evacuation of the air.

Thus, the rigid cap comprises several air passages connecting the outer shell of the cap with the inner shell of the cap.

The rigid cap 1 is thus constituted by the assembly of all the portions 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 between them. Once the portions are assembled, the set of outer surfaces 1111 of each portion form an outer envelope 16. Similarly, the set of free surfaces 1124 of each protuberance forms an inner envelope 17.

To assemble the rigid cap 1, the portions comprise coupling means. Thus, thanks to these coupling means two adjacent portions can be assembled to one another.

These coupling means may be indémontables. For example, two portions may be joined by adhesive such as glue or tape, staples, interface welding, or by any other means.

Alternatively, the coupling means are removable. Thus, the portions of the rigid cap are removably assembled. This facilitates the interchangeability of portions in case of deterioration or customization to better adapt to the morphology of the skull of the user.

An example of removable coupling means is illustrated through the Figures 1 to 8 .

To simplify understanding, we will only describe the assembly between the upper portion 11 and the lower anterior portion 12. The assembly, in pairs, between the other lower portions with the upper portion is similar.

The portion 11 comprises an interface face 114a formed in the thickness e11 of the upper portion 11 and facing the front of the cap 1. In this example, the interface face 114a includes the thickness e111 of the first layer 111 and a anterior portion of protuberances 112a, adjacent to the interface face 114a. The interface face 114a is intended to bear against an interface face 124a formed in the thickness e12 of the lower front portion 12 and facing towards the rear of the cap 1. Similarly, the interface face 124a includes the thickness e121 of the first layer 121 and a posterior portion of protuberances 122a, adjacent the interface face 124a. To maintain this contact, the adjacent portions 11, 12 comprise upper coupling means 5a.

The upper coupling means 5a comprise a male element 125a and a female element 115a. When the portions are coupled, the male member 125a cooperates with the female member 115a so as to maintain the two portions 11, 12 in contact, edge to edge, at their interfaces faces 114a, 124a.

In this example, the male element 125a is an extension projecting from the interface face 124a of the portion 12, at a protuberance 122a adjacent to the interface surface 124a. This extension 125a comprises an outer face 1251a, two lateral flanks 1252a and an inner face 1253a. The outer face 1251a is inscribed in the outer casing 16 of the cap 1. The inner face 1253a is inclined, connecting the outer surface 1211 of the first layer 121, at the free end of the extension 125a, to the free surface 1224 of the protuberance 122a, at the interface face 124a. The two lateral flanks 1252a are inclined with respect to each other so that the extension 125a is wider at its free end than at its junction with the interface face 124a. The two lateral flanks 1252a are also inclined in their thickness so that the extension is wider at the outer face 1251a than at the inner face 1253a, mainly at its junction with the interface face 124a.

In this example, the female element 115a is a recessed housing from the interface face 114a of the portion 11, at a protuberance 112a adjacent to the interface surface 114a. This housing 115a is delimited by a support face 1153a and two side faces 1152a. The bearing face 1153a is inclined, connecting the outer surface 1111 of the first layer 111, at the end of the housing 115a, to the free surface 1122 of the protuberance 112a, at the interface face 114a. The bearing face 1153a of the portion 11 is intended to come into contact with the inner face 1253a of the portion 12 when the two portions 11 and 12 are assembled. As a result, the bearing face 1153a has substantially the same inclination as the inner face 1253a. The two lateral faces 1152a are inclined with respect to one another so that the housing 115a is wider at the junction between the bearing face 1153a and the outer surface 1111 of the first layer 111 than at its junction with the interface face 114a. The two lateral faces 1152a are also inclined in their thickness so that the housing is wider at the envelope 16 than at the bearing face 1153a, mainly at its junction with the interface face 114a. The two lateral faces 1152a of the portion 11 are intended to come into contact with the two lateral flanks 1252a of the portion 12 when the two portions 11 and 12 are assembled. Consequently, the two lateral faces 1152a have substantially the same inclinations as the two lateral flanks 1252a.

Thanks to this construction, the two portions 11, 12 are held together, edge to edge, when the male element 125 cooperates with the female element 115a, that is to say, when the extension 125a is inserted into the housing 115a. This maintenance is however partial because these upper coupling means 5a allow disassembly of the portions in a single assembly direction Sa.

When the two portions are assembled, the cooperation between the lateral faces 1152a and the two lateral flanks 1252a prevents the relative spacing of the interface faces 114a, 124a and also the transverse displacement of a portion with respect to the other. Moreover, the interactions between the bearing face 1153a and the inner face 1253a, on the one hand, and between the lateral faces 1152a and the two lateral flanks 1252a, on the other hand, make it possible to limit the displacement of a portion relative to the other, according to an assembly direction Sa, in one direction. The assembly direction Sa corresponds to a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer envelope 16, at the interface surfaces 114a, 124a. If we move the portion relative to the other, according to the assembly direction Sa, in the other direction, then we disassemble the portions. In the illustrated embodiment, the portion 12 carrying the female element 125a blocks the downward movement of the portion 11 carrying the male element 115a.

The mechanical connection between the two portions is of the dovetail type.

The lateral faces 1152a and the bearing face 1153a of the portion 1 thus form abutment surfaces. Furthermore, the two lateral flanks 1252a and the inner face 1253a of the portion 2 then form complementary abutment surfaces.

In other words, the portions 11 and 12 are assembled by interlocking so that these two portions mate by a relative movement between the portions, in an assembly direction Sa, until at least one abutment surface 1152a 1153a of a portion 11 comes into contact with at least one complementary abutment surface 1252a, 1253a of the other portion 12.

Maintaining the lower portions 12, 13, 14, 15, in pairs, is achieved by lower coupling means 5b slightly different from the upper coupling means 5a connecting a lower portion 12, 13, 14, 15 with the portion 11. To illustrate this difference, we will describe the lower coupling means 5b between the lower anterior portion 12 and the lower left lateral portion 14. Here, the lower coupling means 5b have a construction comprising a male element 125b cooperating with a female element 145b, similarly, with the difference that the lateral faces 1452b of a housing 145b and the lateral flanks 1252b of the extension 125b are oriented differently in the direction of the thickness.

The upper lateral face 1452b of the housing 145b is inclined relative to the outer surface 1211 of the first layer 121 of the portion 12 so as to form an angle of material β greater than 120 ° while the material angle β of the face Lateral 1152a of a housing 115a of an upper coupling means 5a is between 90 ° and 120 °. The upper lateral face 1452b is the lateral face located closest to the upper portion 11 when the cap is assembled. The upper lateral flank 1252b of the extension 125b being intended to bear against the upper side face 1452b, the two surfaces must therefore be complementary. Consequently, the material angle θ of the upper lateral flank 1252b, not shown in the figures, is therefore less than 60 ° whereas the material angle θ of the flank lateral 1252a of an extension 125a of an upper coupling means 5a is between 60 ° and 90 °.

This particular orientation allows the connection of the lower coupling means 5b when connecting the upper coupling means 5a. Indeed, this design facilitates the assembly of two adjacent lower portions 12, 13, 14, 15 by a relative movement between the portions, in a substantially vertical direction. Here, the lower portion 12 carrying the extension 125b is assembled by a substantially vertical movement downwards, towards the lower portion 14 carrying the housing 145b. However, to assemble a lower portion 12, 13, 14, 15 with the upper portion 11, it also requires a relative movement between the lower portions and the upper portion, in a substantially vertical direction. Consequently, with the same substantially vertical displacement Sa ₁₂ of a lower portion 12, this lower portion 12 can be connected with the upper portion 11 and another lower portion 14.

In this example, the lower side face 1452b of the housing 145b and the lower side flank 1252b of the extension 125b are substantially horizontal. Alternatively, these two surfaces may be inclined relative to a horizontal plane.

The construction of the lower coupling means 5b illustrated with the connection between the lower portions 12 and 14 is transposable to the other connections between the different lower portions 12, 13, 14 and 15, two by two.

In the illustrated example, the upper portion 11 comprises four housings 115a, each constituting a female element of the upper coupling means 5a with, respectively, a lower portion 12, 13, 14 and 15. The lower anterior portion 12 comprises an extension 125a, constituting a male element of the upper coupling means 5a with the upper portion 11. The lower anterior portion 12 also comprises two extensions 125b, each constituting a male element of the lower coupling means 5b with, respectively, a lower lateral portion 14, 15. The posterior lower portion 13 comprises an extension 135a, constituting a male element of the upper coupling means 5a with the upper portion 11. The lower posterior portion 13 also comprises two extensions 135b, each constituting a male element of the lower coupling means 5b with , respectively, a lower lateral portion 14, 15. The lower left lateral portion 14 comprises an extension 145a, constituting a male element of the upper coupling means 5a with the upper portion 11. The lower left lateral portion 14 also comprises two housings 145b each constituting a female element of the lower coupling means 5b with, respectively, the lower anterior portion 12 and the lower posterior portion 13. The right lateral lower portion 15 comprises an extension 155a, constituting a male member of the upper coupling means 5a with the superior portion 11. The lower right lateral portion 15 also comprises two housings 155b, each constituting a female element of the lower coupling means 5b with, respectively, the lower anterior portion 12 and the lower posterior portion 13.

This construction involves an assembly of the cap 1 as follows. We first assemble the two lower lateral portions 14, 15 with the upper portion 11. In this operation, it connects only the upper coupling means 5a. Then, the lower anterior portion 12 and the lower posterior portion 13 are assembled with the upper portion 11 and the lower lateral portions 14, 15. During this operation, the upper coupling means 5a are connected, but also the coupling means lower 5b.

According to one embodiment, the upper coupling means 5a are positioned asymmetrically around the periphery of the upper portion 11. This asymmetry allows a keying to assemble the lower portions at the right place of the upper portion. To facilitate good correspondence between the elements of the upper coupling means 5a, they can be dimensioned differently between them.

The assembly of the cap is done in the manner of a puzzle. The coupling means described have prismatic shapes fitting into complementary housing. Other forms can be envisaged as frustoconical shapes, parallelepipeds, cylinders. Other coupling means can be envisaged. For example, it can be an elastic tab that comes clipping. It is also possible to use an additional means for holding the assembled portions, for example the use of an adhesive tape.

In this example, the cap comprises five portions assembled together. According to the invention, the cap comprises an upper portion and at least two lower portions. It can include at least three servings and can include more than five servings.

This shell construction in different removable parts connected together has several advantages.

A first advantage is to assemble portions made of different materials. Thus, one can adapt the mechanical properties, including the damping properties of the cap, depending on the area of the covered head. For example, one can use a material having very good damping characteristics for the portions covering the most sensitive areas of the skull and / or most exposed during falls, such as the lower anterior and posterior portions. In addition, it allows to design caps adapted for a specific sporting practice such as downhill skiing, mountaineering, snowmobiling, cycling. It is thus possible, locally, to place materials that best meet the specific normative requirements required.

Another advantage is to be able to replace only deteriorated or worn portions. For example, if a portion has been damaged as a result of an impact, only that portion can be replaced and the remaining portions not damaged.

A third advantage consists in adapting the inner casing 17 of the cap to the morphology of the user's skull by changing only certain portions. For example, there are mainly two typologies of skull: those whose cranial perimeter is substantially oval and those whose cranial perimeter is substantially round. Thus, by changing only the lower lateral portions, one can switch from one type of skull to another. The other three portions are then common to both typologies or "fit".

The cap is designed to cushion the shock suffered by the user. According to one embodiment, the constituent portions of the cap are made of an expanded material. It can be an expanded polystyrene foam (EPS, which comes from the English "Expandable PolyStyrene") or an expanded polypropylene (EPP, which comes from the English "Expandable PolyPropylene").

The rigid cap 1 can be worn alone to ensure the protection of the user.

More generally, the rigid cap 1 is inserted inside an outer shell 4. The outer shell 16 of the cap 1 is then fixed on the inner surface of the outer shell 4. This assembly can be made by gluing, deformation / tightening, fusion or other technology. The outer shell 4 is monolithic, that is to say made in one block. Here it is made of polycarbonate (PC). Alternatively, it is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a material loaded with carbon fibers or natural fibers. The outer shell has a good resistance to perforation which allows to meet certain normative requirements. In a variant, the outer shell 4 comprises an inner intermediate layer having an internal surface reproducing a specific envelope surface. This specific envelope surface corresponds to the outer shell of the cap 1. Thus, thanks to this intermediate layer, it ensures the compatibility of a multitude of outer shell shapes with one and the same cap. In fact, the specific envelope surface is independent of the shape of the shell, it is the intermediate layer that makes it possible to compensate for the dimensional variations by ensuring the continuity of material between the specific envelope surface and the outer shell.

According to the embodiment illustrated in figure 8 , the coupling means 5a, 5b comprise locking elements making it possible to hold the portions 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the rigid cap 1 assembled when the outer envelope surface 16 of the cap 1 is pressed against an envelope surface complementary to a contretype. For example, when the cap is inserted inside an outer shell 4, the outer envelope surface 16 of the cap 1 comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer shell. The two surfaces are thus vis-à-vis one against the other. The outer shell 4 thus makes it possible to maintain the assembly of the portions of the rigid cap 1. In this example, the locking elements are made by the design of the male elements 125a, 125b, 135a, 135b, 145a, 155a and female elements 115a, 145b, 155b coupling means 5a, 5b. In fact, thanks to the inclinations of the lateral faces 1152a, 1452b and bearing face 1153a of the female elements and lateral flanks 1252a, 1252b and inner face 1253a of the male elements, the assembly of two portions is possible only in one direction. As a result, the disassembly of the portions involves a relative spacing between the outer surfaces of these two portions. This relative distance between the portions generates a discontinuity of the envelope surface of the cap 1. Consequently, if any discontinuity of the envelope surface is prevented thanks to an envelope surface complementary to a contretype, any disassembly of the portions between them is blocked. The cap portions are then held together.

Thanks to the invention, the cap can be made using an economic material, EPS and / or EPP, making the most of its damping properties. Thanks to the obvious of the inner part of the cap by the realization of the protuberances, it reduces the volume of material of the cap and therefore the weight of the helmet. This lightening brings wearing comfort to the user without denying the required safety. The reduction of damping material is then compensated by the potential of deformation of the pads. Moreover, this jigsaw construction makes it possible to protuberances on the frontal, lateral and occipital internal parts of the cap. This allows to lighten even more the cap and improve the depreciation in this area covering the cranial perimeter.

In this example, the inner casing 17 of the cap 1 is intended to be in contact with the head or a flexible inner cap 6 covering the head. Often, the helmets incorporate a flexible cap 6 forming the interface between the user's head and the cap. The flexible cap 6 forms an intermediate layer, generally made of fabric, of substantially constant thickness. It bears against the free surfaces 1124 of the protuberances 112 of the portions of the cap. It is not designed to fit into the interstitial spaces between the protuberances. The flexible inner cap 6 provides a better comfort because it can be made in a material more pleasant to the touch. In addition, it can easily be changed if it deteriorates, for example, by prolonged contact with sweat.

The invention also extends to the use of other materials than EPS or EPP for making the portions of the rigid cap. For example, Poron ^® or a "Multi-impact Adaptive Polymer" can be used to make at least one portion.

The invention is not limited to these embodiments. It is possible to combine these embodiments.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment previously described but extends to all the embodiments covered by the appended claims.

REFERENCES

10-

Helmet

1-

Rigid cap
11- Upper portion
111- First layer
1111- Outside surface
1112- Inner surface
1113- Opening
112- Protuberance
1121- External face
1122- Inner face
1123- Of course
1124- Free surface
113- Air passage
114a- Face interface
115a- Female element / housing
1152a- Side face
1153a- Supporting face
12- Anterior lower portion
121- First layer
1211- Outside surface
122- Protuberance
1224- Free surface
124a- Face interface
125a- Male element / extension
1251a- Outside
1252a- Lateral side
1253a- Innerface
125b- Male element / extension
1252b- Sidewall
13- Lower posterior portion
135a- Male element / extension
135b- Male element / extension
14- Lower left side portion
145a- Male element / extension
145b- Female element / housing
1452b- Side face
15- Lower right side portion
155a- Male element / extension
155b- Female element / housing
16- Outer shell
17- Internal envelope

2-

Cushion

3-

Chinstrap

4-

Outer shell

6

Internal cap

5a

Upper coupling means

5b-

Lower coupling means

Claims (15)

Sports helmet (10) comprising a rigid cap (1) comprising a first layer (111, 121) of thickness "e" (e111) substantially covering the skull of a user and a plurality of protuberances (112, 122) projecting from the first layer in the direction of the head, of a height "h" (h112), the protuberances being arranged so as to create empty spaces between them for the circulation of air, the first layer and the protuberances forming a single and same room
characterized in that
the rigid cap (1) consists of at least three distinct portions, an upper portion (11) covering the top of the skull of the user and lower portions (12, 13, 14, 15), the upper portion and the lower portions being adapted to be joined together to form the rigid cap. Sports helmet (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid cap comprises an anterior lower portion (12), a lower rear portion (13) and two lateral lower portions (14, 15). Sports helmet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protuberances (112, 122) are distributed over all the portions (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of the rigid cap so as to cover substantially the skull of the user. Sports helmet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an outer shell (4) and that each portion (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of the rigid cap (1) comprises a first layer (111, 121) having an outer surface (1112) for engaging an inner face of the outer shell (4). Sports helmet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each portion (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of the rigid cap (1) consists of one of EPS, EPP. Sports helmet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two portions (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of the rigid cap (1) are composed of materials having different mechanical properties. Sports helmet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portions (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of the rigid cap are assembled removably. Sports helmet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two adjacent portions (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) are interlocked so that the two portions are coupled together by a relative movement between the portions, in a single assembly direction (Sa). Sports helmet (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the mechanical connection between the at least two adjacent portions (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) is of the dovetail type. Sports helmet (10) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two adjacent portions (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) are interlocked together until at least one surface stop (1152a, 1153a) of a portion (11) comes into contact against at least one complementary abutment surface (1252a, 1253a) of the other portion (12). Sports helmet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper portion (11) comprises upper coupling means (5a) with the lower portions (12, 13, 14, 15), the means of upper coupling (5a) being asymmetrically positioned around the periphery of the upper portion (11). Sports helmet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that , once the portions (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) assembled, the set of outer surfaces (1111) of each portion form a outer casing (16) and in that coupling means (5a, 5b) between the portions comprise locking elements for holding the portions (11, 12, 13, 14 and 15) of the rigid cap (1). assembled when the outer envelope surface (16) of the cap (1) is pressed against an envelope surface complementary to a contretype. Sports helmet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several protuberances (112, 122) are recessed. Sports helmet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each outer and inner face (1121, 1122) of all the protuberances (112, 122) of a portion (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) forms a draft relative to a demolding direction (Sd) of the portion. Sports helmet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each portion (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) is designed so that it can be obtained by injection with a so-called "waffle" mold.

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