EP4256996A1 - Stossabsorbierende komponente für einen helm - Google Patents

Stossabsorbierende komponente für einen helm Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4256996A1
EP4256996A1 EP22166545.8A EP22166545A EP4256996A1 EP 4256996 A1 EP4256996 A1 EP 4256996A1 EP 22166545 A EP22166545 A EP 22166545A EP 4256996 A1 EP4256996 A1 EP 4256996A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
impact absorbing
component
parts
helmet
shaping layer
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP22166545.8A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
James Christopher Small
Alexander Jonathan Groffman
Thomas George Oldaker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ruroc Ip Holdings Ltd
Original Assignee
Ruroc Ip Holdings Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ruroc Ip Holdings Ltd filed Critical Ruroc Ip Holdings Ltd
Priority to EP22166545.8A priority Critical patent/EP4256996A1/de
Publication of EP4256996A1 publication Critical patent/EP4256996A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • A42B3/125—Cushioning devices with a padded structure, e.g. foam
    • A42B3/127—Cushioning devices with a padded structure, e.g. foam with removable or adjustable pads

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to helmets (such as motorcycle helmets, bicycle helmets, snowboarding helmets and the like), and more particularly to impact absorbing components for helmets.
  • Helmets are made from a tough outer shell, for example, carbon fibre, polycarbonate or fibreglass.
  • a thick layer of an impact absorbing material is typically provided (often expanded polystyrene (EPS)).
  • EPS expanded polystyrene
  • a fabric liner which may include padding for comfort, and often this interchangeable or comprises adjustable parts to help ensure a good fit of the helmet on a range of sizes and shapes of a wearer's head.
  • a full-face helmet includes a face shield, below the visor, to protect the lower part of the wearer's face and chin. Not only does this provide protection in an accident, but also in normal riding conditions protects the wearer's face from, for example, wind, cold, rain and stone chips (which may be projected from a vehicle in front, and may hit the rider at high speed).
  • the face shield may be integral with the rest of the helmet, or may be a separate component. Where it is provided as a separate component it may be removable, in effect to provide the option of using the helmet as an "open face” helmet, without the face shield, or may be movable to temporarily move it out of the way, for example when stopped and talking to somebody.
  • face shield refers to the part of the helmet which protects the lower part of the wearer's face as described, whether or not it is a separate and/or removable component.
  • the face shield like the rest of the helmet, includes a hard outer shell, an impact absorbing (typically EPS) layer and an inner liner.
  • EPS impact absorbing
  • the impact absorbing layer is typically made from multiple - usually at least three - separate impact absorbing (e.g. EPS) parts. These parts have to be accurately assembled into the shell and then held in place while the helmet is fully assembled. To ensure high quality and reproducibility in this manufacturing step is one of the more difficult problems in helmet manufacturing.
  • EPS impact absorbing
  • an impact absorbing component for a helmet, the impact absorbing component being shaped to provide protection for at least a portion of a human skull.
  • the impact absorbing component comprises: a shaping layer of polymer-based material; and a plurality of impact absorbing parts attached to respective portions of a surface of the shaping layer such that the plurality of impact absorbing parts are held by the shaping layer in a predetermined relative arrangement.
  • Proposed is a concept of providing an impact absorbing component that may be easily installed/assembled in a rigid helmet shell.
  • a plurality of impact absorbing parts may be held in a desired relative arrangement as a pre-fabricated sub-component of a helmet.
  • Such a sub-component may therefore be pre-assembled or pre-fabricated so that the plurality of impact absorbing parts meet predetermined/desired shape, sizing and/or positioning requirements for a helmet.
  • the sub-component may then be subsequently located, fixed, and assembled inside a rigid helmet shell whilst ensuring that a predetermined relative arrangement of impact absorbing parts is obtained.
  • a process of manufacturing a helmet may be substantially simplified (e.g. because only the impact absorbing component needs to be correctly located, fixed, and assembled inside the rigid helmet shell).
  • helmets may be manufactured more easily using one or more proposed impact absorbing components, whilst ensuring that the impact absorbing parts are correctly and accurately assembled.
  • the impact absorbing parts may, for example, be made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), or a similar material.
  • EPS expanded polystyrene
  • the polymer-based material may be flexible so as to permit bending of the shaping layer for moving the plurality of impact absorbing parts relative to each other.
  • the polymer-based material may comprise a flexible grade of polyurethane (PU).
  • the shaping layer may comprise a hinge portion adapted to permit folding of the shaping layer so as to move the impact absorbing parts to a second configuration different from the first configuration.
  • the impact absorbing parts may be overmoulded with the polymer-based material.
  • the overmoulding may include flexible sections/parts of the polymer-based material, positioned between the impact absorbing parts and connecting the impact absorbing parts together via the overmoulding, which form live hinges. For instance, a thinned-down part of the overmoulding between the impact absorbing parts may provide a hinge about which the overmoulded impact absorbing component may be flexed.
  • the plurality of impact absorbing parts may comprise first, second and third impact absorbing parts.
  • the shaping layer may then comprise: a first hinge portion between the first and second impact absorbing parts and adapted to permit folding of the shaping layer so as to move the first and second impact absorbing parts relative to each other; and a second hinge portion between the second and third impact absorbing parts and adapted to permit folding of the shaping layer so as to move the second and third impact absorbing parts relative to each other.
  • the impact absorbing component may be made in a relatively shallow mould tool as one part, and after the polymer-based material is set or cured, bent into the correct/desired shape for the impact absorbing component. The impact absorbing component may then be assembled into a helmet.
  • the impact absorbing parts may be spaced apart by a distance in the range of 5mm to 100 mm, and preferably in the range of 5mm to 25mm.
  • the predetermined relative arrangement may be adapted so that the plurality of impact absorbing components are configured to substantially align with two separate portions of a human skull.
  • a helmet e.g. bicycle helmet, motor helmet, snowboarding helmet, or the like
  • a rigid outer shell comprising: a rigid outer shell; and an impact absorbing component according to a proposed embodiment provided within the rigid outer shell.
  • a method of manufacturing an impact absorbing component for a helmet comprising: obtaining a shaping layer of polymer-based material; and attaching a plurality of impact absorbing parts to respective portions of a surface of the shaping layer such that the plurality of impact absorbing parts are held by the shaping layer in a predetermined relative arrangement.
  • attaching the plurality of impact absorbing parts to respective portions of a surface of the shaping layer may comprise: overmoulding the plurality of impact absorbing parts with the shaping layer of polymer-based material to form a single impact absorbing component.
  • an impact absorbing component for a helmet such as a motorcycle or snowboarding helmet, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of impact absorbing parts; overmoulding the plurality of impact absorbing parts to create a single impact absorbing component.
  • the impact absorbing component may then be assembled into a rigid outer shell.
  • a method of manufacturing a helmet comprising: manufacturing an impact absorbing component for a helmet according to a proposed embodiment; and fixing (i.e. assembling) the impact absorbing component within a rigid outer shell.
  • the impact absorbing component may be adapted to form a face shield component. This may then be assembled into a helmet to form the impact absorbing layer in the face shield part of the helmet.
  • the face shield part of the helmet may be a distinct, possibly removable, face shield, or may be integral with the rest of the helmet.
  • the face shield component may be the whole of a lower front section of the helmet, curving around not only the front of the face but substantially around the sides of the face.
  • the face shield component may be substantially U-shaped.
  • Such a part, if moulded in one part, would require a very large and expensive mould tool. Indeed, this not even be possible/practical to mould in one part in the finished form.
  • Embodiments may therefore provide a component with flexibility and/or live hinges which provide a significant manufacturing advantage.
  • the impact absorbing parts may include a first distal impact absorbing part disposed at one extreme end of the impact absorbing component, and a second distal impact absorbing part.
  • a tongue may be provided extending away from the component, on each of the distal impact absorbing parts.
  • an impact absorbing component may include interlocking formations for positioning and interlocking the component relative to other parts of a helmet.
  • the interlocking formations may interlock with other parts of a helmet.
  • extreme ends of an impact absorbing face shield component which when positioned in a helmet are disposed towards the back of the sides of the lower part of the helmet, may be provided with interlocking formations which interface with part of the impact absorbing layer of the helmet which protects the back and the back sides of the wearer's head.
  • an impact absorbing component for a helmet, the impact absorbing component being shaped to provide protection for at least a portion of a human skull.
  • the impact absorbing component comprises a plurality of impact absorbing parts attached to respective portions of a surface of a polymer-based shaping layer, such that the plurality of impact absorbing parts are held by the shaping layer in a predetermined relative arrangement.
  • Embodiments may thus provide a plurality of impact absorbing parts held in a desired relative arrangement as a pre-fabricated sub-component of a helmet.
  • a sub-component may therefore be pre-assembled or pre-fabricated so that the plurality of impact absorbing parts meet predetermined/desired shape, sizing and/or positioning requirements for a helmet.
  • the sub-component may then be subsequently located, fixed, and assembled inside a rigid helmet shell whilst ensuring that a predetermined relative arrangement of impact absorbing parts is obtained.
  • Embodiments of the invention are therefore directed to facilitating easier and/or improved helmet manufacture (e.g. via the provision of one or more impact absorbing components that can be assembled within a rigid shell).
  • illustrative embodiments may be utilized in many different types or forms of helmets, such as a safety helmets, motorcycle helmets, bicycle helmets, snowboarding helmets, etc.
  • the impact absorbing component is a face shield component for a helmet.
  • the overmoulded face shield component is indicated generally at 10.
  • the face shield component 10 forms part of the impact absorbing layer, inside the rigid outer shell, of a helmet.
  • the face shield component is part of the impact absorbing layer which protects the lower part of the wearer's face (below the eyes) and chin. The protection is provided around the front and sides of the wearer's lower face and chin.
  • the helmet is a "full face" motorcycle helmet in which the face shield is entirely integral with the rest of the helmet - i.e. the face shield is not removable or movable by the user.
  • the full face helmet may be another type of helmet, such as a snowboarding helmet for example.
  • the face shield component includes three impact absorbing parts 12, 14, 16.
  • the impact absorbing parts are made from expanded polystyrene (EPS).
  • a front impact absorbing part 12 protects the front of the lower face and chin, and two side impact absorbing parts 14, 16 protect the sides of the wearer's jaw.
  • the impact absorbing parts 12, 14, 16 are positioned with small gaps between them.
  • the gap between the impact absorbing parts may be around 10mm wide, or in the range 5mm - 15mm, or 5mm - 20mm, or 5mm - 25mm.
  • the impact absorbing parts are placed in an overmoulding tool.
  • the arrangement of the parts 12, 14, 16 in the tool is substantially as shown in Figure 1 .
  • the overmoulding material for example polyurenthane, is then injected into the tool and allowed to cure.
  • the tool is designed to produce live hinges 18, 20.
  • live hinge in the part of the overmoulding material which forms the join between the impact absorbing parts.
  • Live hinge 18 is formed in the overmoulding material in the join between the front impact absorbing part 12 and the first side impact absorbing part 14, and live hinge 20 is formed in the overmoulding material in the join between the front impact absorbing part 12 and the second side impact absorbing part 16.
  • the face shield component When the overmoulding material has cured, the face shield component is flexed at the live hinges 18, 20, into its final in-use shape as shown in Figure 2 .
  • the flexing of the part into this shape may take place prior to, or as part of, the assembly of the component into the shell of a helmet.
  • the face shield component 10 forms part of a motorcycle helmet 100.
  • the face shield component forms an impact absorbing layer, inside a tough outer shell of the helmet. Because the impact absorbing parts are fixed together by the overmoulding material, to form a single part, positioning the face shield component correctly inside the outer shell is substantially simplified.
  • the helmet as a whole comprises a tough outer shell, made for example of polycarbonate, and an impact absorbing layer made of expanded polystyrene.
  • the impact absorbing layer follows the shape of the outer shell and may be for example around 20mm thick in parts.
  • the face shield as described above forms a part of that impact absorbing layer, to protect the lower part of the front and sides of the wearer's face. Other parts of the wearer's head are protected by an impact absorbing layer which may be made by conventional techniques.
  • the face shield component may be fixed to other parts of the helmet by glue, hook and loop fastener, and by other means.
  • a felt tape is provided on the inside of two distal surfaces, indicated at 22 in figure 2 .
  • the distal surfaces 22 form surfaces of tongues, which extend from the sides of the face shield component, in a direction facing substantially towards the back of the helmet when assembled.
  • the tongues are provided to fit in a groove or space between another part of the impact absorbing layer and the outer shell of the helmet, as explained in further detail below.
  • Apertures are provided to receive fixings which retain poppers, which in turn fix to parts of an inner padded liner.
  • Hook and loop fasteners may also be fixed to the component in various places, to removably attach to removable and replaceable pads (which may be available in various sizes to achieve the best fit) and to removably attach accessories such as microphones and speakers for use with a communications / audio system.
  • FIGs 4a, 4b and 5 show in more detail how the face shield component 10 interlocks with other parts to form a complete and substantially continuous impact absorbing layer.
  • the impact absorbing layer which is inside the outer shell but outside the lining, is shown in Figure 4a .
  • the impact absorbing layer is made from expanded polystyrene (EPS).
  • EPS expanded polystyrene
  • the impact absorbing layer is made from three parts - the face shield component 10, a surrounding part 26 and a cap 28.
  • the surrounding part 26 surrounds the back and sides of the wearer's head, and the front of the head as well above the eyes, i.e. around the forehead.
  • the cap 28 protects the top of the wearer's head.
  • the face shield component has a tongue 22, which extends from an end of face shield component 10 in a direction towards the back of the helmet.
  • the tongues 22 of the face shield component 10 are received in a groove or space between the outer shell of the helmet and the surrounding part 26.
  • the surface of the tongue 22 of the face shield component 10 may directly abut a corresponding surface of the surrounding part 26.
  • Both parts may be made from EPS and friction between the parts may be sufficient to prevent the parts from moving during assembly.
  • a material may be placed between the EPS parts at the interface. For example, felt pads may be stuck onto the surface of one or both of the interfacing parts.
  • the cap 28 may fit on top of the surrounding part 26, having location grooves 30 and corresponding protrusions 32 to correctly locate the parts together during assembly.
  • the impact absorbing parts may not be overmoulded but may instead be attached to a polymer-based shaping layer so that the impact absorbing parts are held (by the shaping layer) in a predetermined relative arrangement.
  • the impact absorbing parts may be glued (or otherwise adhered) to the polymer-based shaping layer, and one or more hinges may be formed in the shaping layer to help/facilitate bending of the shaping layer (with the impact absorbing parts thereon).
  • the impact absorbing parts may be (releasably) attached to the polymer-based shaping layer (e.g. via a snap-fit mechanism, interference fit, hook and loop fastening, magnetic fit, or other attachment arrangement).
  • polymer-based shaping layer preferably has impact absorbing properties of its own, and may thus help to further enhance the protection provided by the helmet in use.
  • three impact absorbing parts may be provided. They may then be overmoulded with an overmoulding material to join the impact absorbing parts together and to form a single overmoulded part (i.e. a impact absorbing component), wherein the overmoulding material bonds to the impact absorbing parts, and thus connects the impact absorbing parts together.
  • the impact absorbing component may include live hinges, of the overmoulding material, between the impact absorbing parts. Thus, there may be two live hinges.
  • the overmoudling tool is relatively flat / shallow (in depth), and after the overmoulding material has set or cured, the single overmoulded part may be bent at the live hinges into a substantially curved or bent component. The impact absorbing component may then be bent prior to, or during, assembly into the shell of a helmet.
  • the impact absorbing component may include interlocking formations for positioning and interlocking to other parts of a helmet.
  • the interlocking formations may interlock with other parts of the impact absorbing layer of a helmet.
  • extreme ends of the impact absorbing component may be provided with interlocking formations which interface with part of the impact absorbing layer of the helmet.
  • the interlocking formations are in the form of tongues which interlock with grooves provided in other impact absorbing parts.
  • a groove may be provided between the other impact absorbing parts and the outer shell of the helmet.
  • the other impact absorbing parts may have a thinned section, so that there is a space between the outer shell of the helmet and the impact absorbing part, at a periphery of the impact absorbing part. This space may receive the tongue of the impact absorbing component. Where the tongue of the impact absorbing component is received into that space, the two impact absorbing parts are essentially overlapping, together substantially filling the space between the outer shell of the helmet and the lining. In an overlapping section, one of the two impact absorbing parts (for example the impact absorbing component) is adjacent the outer shell, and the other impact absorbing part is adjacent the inner lining.
  • grooves may be provided in the impact absorbing component for interlocking with tongues extending from other impact absorbing parts.
  • interlocking formations for example, grooves and/or tongues, are preferably provided as part of the impact absorbing parts of the impact absorbing component. However, in some embodiments, some interlocking formations, or some parts of interlocking formations, may be made from the overmoulding material.
  • a covering may be provided on the tongues.
  • the tongues may be covered with felt. This provides for a tight fit between the EPS components, and ensures that they do not move with respect to each other in use.
  • the impact absorbing component may be adapted to form an impact absorbing face shield component than can be releasably attached to the rest of a helmet.
  • the impact absorbing component may be adapted to form a top/upper component of a helmet that can be releasably attached to the bottom/lower and/or side component of the helmet.

Landscapes

  • Helmets And Other Head Coverings (AREA)
EP22166545.8A 2022-04-04 2022-04-04 Stossabsorbierende komponente für einen helm Pending EP4256996A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22166545.8A EP4256996A1 (de) 2022-04-04 2022-04-04 Stossabsorbierende komponente für einen helm

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22166545.8A EP4256996A1 (de) 2022-04-04 2022-04-04 Stossabsorbierende komponente für einen helm

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4256996A1 true EP4256996A1 (de) 2023-10-11

Family

ID=81326260

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22166545.8A Pending EP4256996A1 (de) 2022-04-04 2022-04-04 Stossabsorbierende komponente für einen helm

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4256996A1 (de)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070192943A1 (en) * 2006-01-17 2007-08-23 Mcduff Rodrigue Hinged pad for protective gear
US20130000017A1 (en) * 2011-07-01 2013-01-03 Intellectual Property Holdings, Llc Helmet impact liner system
US20180192730A1 (en) * 2015-07-07 2018-07-12 Headkayse Ltd. A Helmet
US20200206598A1 (en) * 2014-11-20 2020-07-02 Kranos Ip Corporation Lacrosse helmet
GB2603486A (en) * 2021-02-04 2022-08-10 Ruroc Ip Holdings Ltd Impact absorbing component for a helmet

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070192943A1 (en) * 2006-01-17 2007-08-23 Mcduff Rodrigue Hinged pad for protective gear
US20130000017A1 (en) * 2011-07-01 2013-01-03 Intellectual Property Holdings, Llc Helmet impact liner system
US20200206598A1 (en) * 2014-11-20 2020-07-02 Kranos Ip Corporation Lacrosse helmet
US20180192730A1 (en) * 2015-07-07 2018-07-12 Headkayse Ltd. A Helmet
GB2603486A (en) * 2021-02-04 2022-08-10 Ruroc Ip Holdings Ltd Impact absorbing component for a helmet

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20220022588A1 (en) Locking liner for helmet
EP1951077B1 (de) Schutzhelm
US8683617B2 (en) Multi-component helmet with ventilation shutter
EP1627575B1 (de) Integralhelm und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung
US8256033B2 (en) Open face helmet
JP2017507256A (ja) 遮蔽物を装着させたマルチボディヘルメット構造
CN1812731A (zh) 安全头盔
AU2007201193A1 (en) Molded articles and molding methods particularly for a protective helmet
CA2787019A1 (en) Helmet comprising surface reinforcing component with embedded anchors
US20150313307A1 (en) Helmet adapted to its usage constraints
CN108135305A (zh) 头盔阻尼贴合系统
US20230000194A1 (en) Impact absorbing component for a helmet
EP4256996A1 (de) Stossabsorbierende komponente für einen helm
KR200486291Y1 (ko) 군용 방탄모의 이마보호대
CN113993409A (zh) 防护头盔
EP4079180A1 (de) Verfahren zur hohlraumbildung in einem helm
WO2008090349A1 (en) Safety helmet

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20231122