EP4536026A1 - Protective helmet - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective helmet (1; 2; 3) comprising an outer shell (101; 301) and an inner shell (102; 302) mutually coupled by means of one or more coupling bands (104; 204) and in such a way as to be able to move reciprocally, absorption means of the energy from impact shocks interposed between the outer shell (101; 301) and the inner shell (102; 301), a separation chamber (105; 205) of the outer shell (101; 301) and of the inner shell (102; 302), wherein the separation chamber (105; 205) is defined by the outer shell (101; 301), by the inner shell (102; 302) and by the coupling band (104; 204), wherein the absorption means comprise a plurality of spheres (103) arranged in the separation chamber (105; 205) and able to allow the relative movement between the outer shell (101; 301) and the inner shell (102; 302), wherein the spheres (103) are able to deform plastically in such a way as to reduce the impact energy transmitted to the head with respect to the energy generated by said impact shock, and wherein the separation chamber is provided with dividing baffles (115).

Description

“PROTECTIVE HELMET”

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a helmet, suitable for protecting a user’s head against impact. In particular, the present invention relates to a protective helmet capable of eliminating or reducing any impact damage suffered by a user’s head.

In the description that follows, reference will be made, for the sake of brevity, to a motorcycle helmet, but what has been described can be applied to any type of helmet used to protect the head of a user, for example helmets for motorsport competitions (cars motorcycles, etc.), bicycle helmets, ski helmets or work helmets (helmets for excavator operators, helmets for construction sites, etc.).

Background art

In the state of the art there are different types of helmets typically for sports use or for work use. These helmets, or hard hats, are the most used and suitable tool for protecting the user’s head against impact injuries, therefore they are also defined as protective helmets, or hard hats. In particular, the main purpose is to carry out a protective action against the possibility of possible skull fractures.

In this regard, the essential elements of any type of protective helmet consist of an outer shell, i.e., the portion of the protective helmet in contact with the outer environment, and an inner lining, i.e., the portion of the protective helmet in contact with the user’s head. The aforementioned essential elements cooperate to absorb the energy caused by a shock following an impact to the user’s head.

The outer shell is typically made of an impact resistant material and allows the impact force to be distributed over a wider area than that of the impact, reducing the concentration of stress in a small area. The materials commonly used for the construction of the outer shell are thermoplastic materials such as polycarbonate (PC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or composite materials (FRP) with glass or carbon fibers in epoxy resin or exclusively carbon fibers or Kevlar.

The inner lining is typically made with a material capable of absorbing the energy caused by an impact, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP) or materials with similar mechanical behavior. The inner lining is able to progressively collapse following the impact thus reducing the accelerations transmitted to the head.

The shape of the outer shell and the inner lining is designed in such a way as to obtain a functional coupling of the two elements which allows for mutual cooperation in order to contain or avoid impact trauma.

It is also possible to provide helmets in which the outer shell is defined directly by the inner lining, the latter possibly provided with one or more layers of lining also used for stiffening the outer surface, for example by means of a thermoplastic film.

It is evident that the design parameters of both the outer shell and the inner lining are essential for obtaining a protective helmet capable of obtaining a gradual and controlled deceleration of the head in the event of an impact, at the same time defining a functional structure for use daily. In particular, the main elements of the design are the thickness and impact resistance of the outer shell, as well as the thickness and density of the inner lining.

At present, numbers of certifications for protective helmets intended for head protection are envisaged in the motorcycle sector. In particular, in Europe, protective helmets must be equipped with the CE certificate, which ensures the correct functioning of the protective helmet in terms of safety in accordance with the identified approval standard.

Taking into consideration the aforementioned European approvals, the most current legislation in force is defined by ECE 22-06 for helmets, which provides for five different points of impact inside a helmet which are the front, the back, the top, the lateral part and the chin rest. These five parts can be defined as real critical points because when they are involved, dramatic episodes usually occur. The helmets must not only be optimized to absorb and resist certain and imposed energy peaks due to strong impacts but they must also absorb lower intensity blows, in which the approval provides for impacts against a flat anvil from 5,5 and 8,5 meters. Furthermore, the legislation provides for the rotational acceleration test, an index that measures the damage suffered by the pilot if the helmet were to impact on a lateral protrusion.

Although the design of protective helmets has evolved very quickly over time, to date one of the main problems concerns the absorption of the initial impact force as well as that of rotational impacts. During an impact when the inner lining collapses completely, the unabsorbed part of the energy is transferred to the head often causing even serious injuries, in particular injuries that do not manifest themselves with a skull fracture or, at least upon initial investigation, a visible lesion of the soft tissue. Only a residual amount of non-absorbed energy is reduced by the outer shell in an estimated amount not exceeding 30%.

To improve the ability of absorbing impact forces, helmets have been developed with an inner lining made up of deformable ABS cones, as well as helmets made using two layers with different densities, i.e. an outermost layer, at the outer shell, having higher density and an inner layer, at the user’s head, having lower density.

A problem relating to the above solutions consists in the fact that the attenuation of the impact energy and, consequently, the protection of the user’s head is entrusted to the inner lining, since the outermost lining only allows mechanical protection from the impact and not its absorption.

Furthermore, the impact energy is redistributed rather than dissipated, thereby maintaining a high risk of causing soft tissue damage even in the absence of obvious fractures of the skull, particularly during side-sliding impacts.

In order to improve the absorption capacity of the impact forces in impacts, increasingly thicker protective helmets have been developed which are, consequently, heavy and cumbersome such as to discourage their use by less circumspect users.

A further problem of the aforesaid protective helmets results in the difficulty of using them at high temperatures and for a significant period of time, since the aforesaid thickness, as well as the components used, do not allow for adequate breathability to be guaranteed in all conditions of use, thus discouraging even more the use to less circumspect users.

The International Patent Application n. W02020/035807A1 discloses a protective helmet comprising an outer shell and one or more impact shock energy absorbing elements operatively coupled to the outer shell, wherein the absorbing elements comprise a working portion interposed between the end portions, in which the section of the working portion along a surface transverse to an axis of development has a smaller area than the areas of the corresponding sections of the end portions, and in which the absorbing elements have a breaking load lower than the breaking load of the outer shell, such that in the event of an impact, the working portion is liable to break before the outer shell and before the end portions to allow for the absorption of impact shock energy.

Such a protective helmet therefore makes it possible to manage any rotational movements but, at the same time, the production cost of the protective helmet itself or the size and weight involved are in any case high to guarantee optimal protection for the user.

It would therefore be desirable to have a protective helmet capable of minimizing the drawbacks described above. In this regard, it would be desirable to have a protective helmet capable of guaranteeing better dissipation of impact energy, preserving the user's head in any type of impact. In particular, it would be desirable to have a protective helmet capable of guaranteeing the aforesaid characteristics while having a reduced weight and size and ease of use. Summary of the invention

Object of the present invention is to provide a protective helmet able to reduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a protective helmet, effective but economical, able to provide a greater safety to users who need an appropriate protection.

The protective helmet comprises an outer shell and an inner shell and absorption means of the energy from impact shocks capable to determine an absorption area of the energy greater than the impact area which receives the shock, wherein the absorption means are interposed between the outer shell and the inner shell, wherein the outer shell and the inner shell are mutually coupled by means of one or more coupling bands and in such a way as to be able to move reciprocally, wherein the protective helmet comprises a separation chamber of the outer shell and of the inner shell, wherein the separation chamber is defined by the outer shell, by the inner shell and by the coupling band, wherein the absorption means comprise a plurality of spheres arranged in the separation chamber and able to allow the relative movement between the outer shell and the inner shell, and wherein the spheres are able to deform plastically in such a way as to reduce the impact energy transmitted to the head with respect to the energy generated by the impact shock, the protective helmet is characterized in that the separation chamber is provided with dividing baffles.

The protective helmet according to the present invention therefore allows both to guarantee protection from rotational impacts and to manage the dissipation of energy from impact force by minimizing the energy to which the head of the user to be protected is subjected. In particular, the relative movement between the outer shell and the inner shell protects against rotational shocks while the rigidity of the same protects against possible impacts with blunt objects, the breakage dissipating at least in part the energy from the impact force, while the deformation of the spheres themselves allows to further dissipate at least in part the energy from the impact force. The dividing baffles allow to support the separation between the outer shell and the inner shell, as well as to improve the impact force energy absorption capacity of the protective helmet according to the present invention.

According to one embodiment, the outer shell and the inner shell are mutually coupled along the respective perimeter portions or close to the respective perimeter portions.

In this way, it is possible to define a very large separation chamber and, therefore, this is more useful for reciprocal movement between the outer shell and the inner shell.

According to an embodiment, the outer shell and the inner shell are mutually coupled by means of a single continuous coupling band.

This continuous coupling band allows to define a continuous side wall of the separation chamber, simplifying the production of the protective helmet according to the present invention.

According to an embodiment, the coupling band is provided with at least an elastic portion or is made with elastic material.

The elasticity of the coupling band allows a better relative movement between the outer shell and the inner shell, thus minimizing the problems from rotational impacts.

According to an embodiment, the dividing baffles integrally extend from the outer shell to the inner shell dividing the separation chamber in a plurality of dividing sections.

The integral extension between the outer shell and the inner shell allows for better distribution of the spheres in the separation chamber and contributes to the greater rigidity of the protective helmet according to the present invention.

According to an embodiment, the dividing baffles are integrally coupled to the outer shell and/or to the inner shell.

The coupling of the dividing baffles with the outer shell or with the inner shell makes it possible to reduce production and assembly costs, being for example possible the molding of the same dividing baffles jointly with the shell to which they are coupled.

According to an embodiment, the dividing baffles extend along directions parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis of the protective helmet and/or along directions perpendicular to the longitudinal symmetry axis of the protective helmet.

The extension directions of the dividing baffles therefore allow the rigidity of the protective helmet to be defined according to the technical requirements.

According to an embodiment, the separation chamber comprises overpressure air or a filling liquid or a filling gel, and wherein the spheres are arranged in the separation chamber in contact with the overpressure air or a filling liquid or a filling gel.

The presence of overpressurized air or of a filling liquid or gel also allows the impact force to be redistributed more gradually, reducing the weight and size of the protective helmet while increasing its absorption capacity.

According to an embodiment, the spheres at least in a part have different diameters from each other.

The different sizes allow to differentiate the absorption capacity and to contain the energy more effectively.

Description of the Figures

These and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the disclosure of the preferred embodiment, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the accompanying Figures, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of the protective helmet in accordance with the present invention, according to a first preferred embodiment;

- Figure 2 is a bottom schematic view of the protective helmet of Figure 1 ;

- Figure is a schematic sectional view of the protective helmet in accordance with the present invention, according to a second embodiment;

- Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of the protective helmet in accordance with the present invention, according to a third embodiment.

Detailed description of the invention

Figures 1-4 illustrate a plurality of preferred embodiments of the protective helmet according to the present invention, wherein, where possible, the numbering of the same elements among the different embodiments will be the same or will not be repeated.

In the description that follows, reference will be made, for the sake of brevity, to a motorcycle helmet, but what is described can be applied to any type of helmet used to protect the head of a user, for example helmets for motorsport competitions (cars motorcycles, etc...), bicycle helmets, ski helmets or work helmets (helmets for excavator operators, helmets for construction sites, etc...). In particular, it is possible to refer to protective helmets of the integral type, of the modular type or without a chin guard. Protective helmets, of any type, can be provided with a plurality of components, including the closure strap, the visor and the ventilation system which will not be described in detail below as they are not essential for achieving the purpose of the invention.

A first embodiment is illustrated in Figure 1, in which according to a more detailed description, the protective helmet 1 comprises, from the outside (i.e. surface in contact with the outer environment when in use) towards the inside (i.e. surface in contact with a user’s head when in use), an outer shell 101 and an inner shell 102. A comfort padding layer (not shown) may further be present.

The outer shell 101 is provided with an outer surface, in use suitable for being arranged at the environment, and with an inner surface, in use suitable for being arranged at the inner shell 102 even if not in direct contact with it. Preferably, the outer shell 101 is made of an impact resistant material and allows the distribution of the energy generated by the impact force in a wider area than that of the impact, reducing the concentration of stresses in a small area. Preferably, the materials commonly used for making the outer shell 101 are thermoplastic materials such as polycarbonate (PC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or composite materials (FRP) with glass or carbon fibers in epoxy resin or exclusively carbon fibers or Kevlar. The thickness of the outer shell 101 can be sized according to the technical and resistance requirements, without affecting the technical characteristics of the invention. This outer shell can be perforated, or microperforated, according to further embodiments not shown.

The inner shell 102 is provided with an outer surface, in use suitable for being arranged in correspondence with the outer shell 101 even if not in direct contact therewith, and with an inner surface, in use suitable for being arranged in correspondence with the head of the user, even if not in direct contact with it. Preferably, the inner shell 102 is made of an impact-resistant material possibly capable of absorbing the energy caused by an impact and allowing the energy generated by the impact force to be distributed over a wider area than that of the impact, reducing the concentration of stress in a small area. Preferably, the materials commonly used for manufacturing the inner shell 102 are thermoplastic materials such as polycarbonate (PC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or composite materials (FRP) with glass or carbon fibers in epoxy resin or exclusively carbon fibers o Kevlar or expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP) or materials with similar mechanical behavior. Also in this case, the thickness of the inner shell 102 can be sized according to the technical and resistance requirements, without affecting the technical characteristics of the invention. This inner shell can be perforated, or micro-perforated, according to further embodiments not shown.

Any comfort padding, which represents the interface between the entire structure of the protective helmet and the user’s head, is preferably made using a combination of sponges covered with fabric, or other suitable material, which allow to increase comfort during use of the protective helmet itself but which do not in any way affect its ability to absorb the stresses to which it may be subjected.

The outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102 are arranged facing each other, so as to be substantially superimposed, and spaced apart by a predefined distance, by means of the separation chamber 105 as described in greater detail below. These shells 101, 102 can have the same curvature, but different curvatures are also possible.

Figure 2 illustrates the longitudinal symmetry axis A of the protective helmet 1, which extends along the direction between the front and rear portions of the head, this longitudinal symmetry axis A being capable of dividing the left and right sections of the protective helmet 1.

Furthermore, the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102 are coupled to each other by one or more coupling bands 104 and in such a way as to be adapted to move with each other.

In the embodiment illustrated therein, the aforementioned coupling band 104 is defined by a single element, i.e. a single continuous coupling band, as illustrated in the schematic bottom view of the protective helmet 1 of Figure 2. This continuous coupling band 104 allows to define a continuous side wall of the separation chamber 105, simplifying the production of the protective helmet 1 according to the present invention. In particular, the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102 are mutually coupled along the respective perimeter portions 101’, 102’. In this way, it is possible to define a very large separation chamber 105 and, therefore, more useful for reciprocal movement between the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102.

Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated therein, the coupling band 104 is made of elastic material, thus allowing a better relative movement between the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102, while maintaining the coupling between them and minimizing the problems from rotational shocks. A preferred material for making the aforementioned coupling band 104 is Elastane, a polyurethane- based synthetic fiber whose elastic elongation is very important and can reach up to 800%. Further materials, even with lower elongation percentages, can still be used.

Secondo forme di realizzazione ulteriori, non illustrate, e possibile impiegare una pluralita di fasce di accoppiamento, owero una singola fascia di accoppiamento del tipo discontinua.

According to further embodiments, not shown, it is possible to use a plurality of coupling bands, or a single coupling band of the discontinuous type.

Furthermore, according to further embodiments, not shown, the coupling band could not be totally elastic but provided with one or more elastic portions, or it could be made of substantially inelastic material.

According to further embodiments, not shown, the coupling band (or the coupling bands) could also be provided with a single elastic portion, with several elastic portions or could not be provided with elastic material for embodiments. Furthermore, the use of continuous coupling bands is assumed but according to further embodiments, not shown, it is possible to envisage the use of perforated coupling bands, i.e. micro-perforated, to allow the passage of air within the separation chamber 105 described in more detail below.

As shown in Figure 1, the protective helmet 1 according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a separation chamber 105 of the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102, wherein the separation chamber is defined by the outer shell 101, the outer shell 102 and by the coupling band 104. Therefore, the mutually facing surfaces of the outer shell 101 and of the inner shell 1 102 define two of the surfaces of the same separation chamber 105 up to the delimitation operated by the coupling band 104 (or by the coupling bands if present in greater than one number), the latter defining a surface of the separation chamber 105 substantially perpendicular to the previous ones.

The separation chamber 105 therefore has a predetermined volume, at least with reference to a minimum volume and/or a maximum volume, adapted to house suitable absorption means, as described in greater detail below.

The protective helmet 1 according to the first embodiment in fact comprises means for absorbing the energy from impact shocks suitable for determining an energy absorption area greater than the impact area which receives the impact. The absorption means comprise a plurality of spheres 103 arranged within the separation chamber 105, therefore interposed between the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102, and adapted to allow, or improve, the relative movement between the outer cap 101 and the inner cap 102. The spheres 103 are adapted to plastically deform so as to reduce the impact energy transmitted to the head relative to the energy generated by the impact force.

These spheres 103 preferably have a diameter between 0.5mm and 6mm, even more preferably between 1.5mm and 3mm. These dimensions are a good compromise between the occupied volume and the absorption capacity. Dimensions different from those described above can however be used.

The spheres 103 are made of polyethylene or polystyrene or celluloid. Polyethylene or polystyrene make it possible to define a first part of elastic deformation followed by plastic deformation, i.e. breakage. Celluloid can be used to define even rather complex structures by freely selecting the load that defines the plastic deformation, i.e. the breakage, of the same and normally has a much larger part of the plastic deformation than the materials described above, arriving at breakage sooner. Both, however, ensure an excellent energy absorption capacity. It is possible to define the spheres using different materials, however able to deform plastically in such a way as to reduce the impact energy transmitted to the head with respect to the energy generated by the impact force, precisely when solicited by an impact force, as described in greater detail below.

The protective helmet 1 according to the present invention therefore allows both to guarantee protection from rotational impacts and to manage the dissipation of energy from impact force by minimizing the energy to which the head of the user to be protected is subjected. In particular, the relative movement between the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102 protects against rotational shocks while the rigidity of the same protects against possible impacts with blunt objects, breakage by dissipating at least in part the impact force energy, while the deformation of the spheres 103 themselves allows the energy from the impact force to be further dissipated at least in part.

The separation chamber 105 therefore has a volume occupied by the aforementioned spheres 103 as well as by air at atmospheric pressure, but different filling possibilities for the volume of the separation chamber can be used, given that the coupling bands as well as the outer and inner shells are not perforated, or micro-perforated. For example, in one embodiment (not shown), the separation chamber could also comprise air under overpressure, where the spheres are arranged in said separation chamber in contact with the air under overpressure. Likewise, in an embodiment (not shown), the separation chamber could comprise a filling liquid or a filling gel, where the spheres are arranged in said containment chamber in contact with the filling liquid or filling gel.

The presence of over-pressurized air or of a filling liquid or filling gel therefore allows the impact force to be redistributed more gradually, reducing the weight and size of the protective helmet while increasing its absorption capacity. As illustrated in Figure 1, the spheres 103 have at least partially different diameters from each other, although there are no differences in numbering. In particular, the spacing chamber 105 of the protective helmet 1, as illustrated, comprises three different types of spheres which can be differentiated according to the relative dimensions.

The different sizes allow to differentiate the absorption capacity and to contain the energy more effectively.

According to further embodiments, not shown, the spheres could all be made with different dimensions from each other or all with the same dimension. Likewise, the number of a group of spheres of a particular size could be equal to or different from a group of spheres having a different size.

Therefore, in the event of an impact, the protective helmet 1 according to the present invention makes it possible to reduce or eliminate the energy deriving both from direct impacts and from rotational impacts.

In the event of a direct impact, the coupling of the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102 via the coupling band 104 allows the spacing chamber 105 to first define a volume compression thereof, this compression being transferred at least in part to the spheres 103 and providing for an initially elastic deformation, up to the plastic deformation or the breaking of the spheres 103 themselves which can change their conformation or even break. Finally, in the case of an impact with a direct impact capable of generating a high impact energy, the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102 are able to break in order to dissipate this energy at least in part. In this regard, preferably, the inner shell 102 has a lower compression breaking load than the outer shell 101, thus allowing greater protection of the user’s head in the event of an impact.

Likewise, in the event of a rotational impact, the coupling of the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102 via the coupling band 104 allows the spacing chamber 105 to reciprocally move the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102 by changing the its conformation while maintaining the relative volume unchanged. The contact between the spheres 103 and the outer 101 and inner 102 shells also allows for better reciprocal movement of the aforementioned shells 101, 102 by means of the rolling of the spheres in the spacing chamber 105 or with respect to the surfaces of the spheres 101, 102 which define the spacing chamber 105 itself Furthermore, the elastic elongation of the coupling band 104 allows greater reciprocal movement of the outer 101 and inner 102 shells, where this elasticity allows the spacing chamber 105 to temporarily modify its volume, recovering the original volume when the impact energy falls down. The deformation of the spacing chamber 105 can generate, both in the original volume and in the modified volume, the at least partial compression of the spheres 103, providing for an initially elastic deformation up to the plastic deformation or their breakage in the case of significant compression values. Finally, even in the case of an impact with a rotational impact capable of generating a high impact energy, the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102 are able to break in order to dissipate at least part of this energy. In this regard, preferably, the inner shell 102 has a lower compression breaking load than the outer shell 101, thus allowing greater protection of the user’s head in the event of an impact.

Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the protective helmet 2 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the protective helmet 2 substantially corresponds to the protective helmet 1 and will therefore be described in greater detail only for the differentiating characteristics.

In this embodiment, the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102 are mutually coupled in the proximity of the respective perimeter portions 101’, 102’. In particular, the coupling is achieved with the same coupling band 204 by positioning the latter within the gap 105 ’ defined by the coupling between the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102.

Therefore, the same dimensions of the shells 101, 102 and the same relative spacing being provided, the separation chamber 205 will have a smaller volume than the separation chamber 105 of the first embodiment of Figure 1.

According to further embodiments, not shown, it is possible to provide for the coupling between the outer shell and the inner shell by means of one or more coupling bands arranged externally with respect to the perimeter portions.

Figure 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the protective helmet 3 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the protective helmet 3 substantially corresponds to the protective helmet 1 and will therefore be described in greater detail only for the differentiating features.

This embodiment comprises suitable dividing baffles 115, able to support the separation between the outer shell 301 and the inner shell 302, as well as to improve the impact force energy absorption capacity of the protective helmet 3 itself. Preferably, these dividing baffles 115 are made in the separation chamber, but according to further embodiments it is possible to provide the baffles in different portions in the protected helmet, for example within the interspace formed by the spacing between the outer shell and the inner shell but externally with respect to said separation chamber.

The dividing baffles 115 are preferably made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP) or materials with similar mechanical behavior. Similarly, it is possible to use polyethylene or celluloid especially when these are not printed directly with the outer shell or with the inner shell.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the dividing baffles 115 extend integrally from the outer shell 301 to the inner shell 302, dividing the separation chamber into a plurality of closed and separate dividing sections 115’. In particular, the dividing baffles 115 extend along directions parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the protective helmet 3, thus allowing the rigidity of the protective helmet 3 to be defined according to the technical requirements. Although a number equal to seven truncated-conical dividing baffles 115 are shown, any number of dividing baffles can be provided with any shape and size, even variable from baffle to baffle in the same protective helmet.

The integral extension between the outer shell 301 and the inner shell 302 also allows for better distribution of the spheres in the separation chamber and contributes to the greater rigidity of the protective helmet 3 according to the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated therein, the dividing baffles 115 are solidly coupled to the inner shell 302, for example being jointly molded therewith. In the same way, it is possible to make the baffles integrally coupled to the outer shell, for example molded jointly with the same, or to provide a dividing baffle integrally coupled with the outer shell and a further portion of dividing baffles integrally coupled with the inner shell.

The coupling of the dividing baffles 115 with the outer shell or with the inner shell allows to reduce production and assembly costs, being for example possible the molding of the same dividing baffles jointly with the shell to which they are coupled.

According to further embodiments, not shown, all or part of the dividing baffles can extend not entirely from the outer shell to the inner shell, or vice versa, dividing the separation chamber into a plurality of partial dividing sections, which are communicating or partially communicating the each other.

Furthermore, according to further embodiments, not shown, the dividing baffles can extend along directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the protective helmet, or it is possible to provide a portion of dividing baffles arranged along parallel directions and a further portion of dividing baffles arranged along directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the protective helmet. Although less preferable, it is also possible to define the aforementioned dividing baffles along directions other than parallel directions or perpendicular directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the protective helmet.

The embodiments described therein can, moreover, be combined to determine further more complex embodiments although not described in greater detail, considering the easy combinations for a person skilled in the sector in the light of the description provided therein.

The protective helmet according to the present invention is, therefore, capable of maximizing the user’s protection in the event of impact shocks.

In particular, the protective helmet according to the present invention is functionally effective but economical, capable of providing greater safety to users who need appropriate protection.

In fact, the protective helmet according to the present invention allows both to guarantee protection from rotational impacts and to manage the dissipation of energy from impact forces, minimizing the energy to which the head of the user to be protected is subjected. In particular, the relative movement between the first shell and the second shell protects against rotational impacts while the breakage of the same shells or the deformation of the spheres or of the dividing baffles allows the energy from the impact to be dissipated at least in part.

Claims

1. A protective helmet ( 1 ; 2 ; 3 ) comprising an outer shell (101; 301) and an inner shell (102; 302) and absorption means of the energy from impact shocks capable to determine an absorption area of said energy greater than the impact area which receives said shock, wherein said absorption means are interposed between said outer shell (101; 301) and said inner shell (102; 301), wherein said outer shell (101; 301) and said inner shell (102; 302) are mutually coupled by means of one or more coupling bands (104; 204) and in such a way as to be able to move reciprocally, wherein said protective helmet (1; 2; 3) comprises a separation chamber (105; 205) of said outer shell (101; 301) and of said inner shell (102; 302), wherein said separation chamber (105; 205) is defined by said outer shell (101; 301), by said inner shell (102; 302) and by said coupling band (104; 204), wherein said absorption means comprise a plurality of spheres (103) arranged in said separation chamber (105; 205) and able to allow the relative movement between said outer shell (101; 301) and said inner shell (102; 302), and wherein said spheres (103) are able to deform plastically in such a way as to reduce the impact energy transmitted to the head with respect to the energy generated by said impact shock, said protective helmet (1; 2; 3) is characterized in that said separation chamber is provided with dividing baffles (115).

2. The protective helmet (1; 2; 3) according to claim 1, wherein said outer shell (101; 301) and said inner shell (102; 302) are mutually coupled along the respective perimeter portions (101’, 102’) or close to said respective perimeter portions (101’, 102’).

3. The protective helmet (1; 2; 3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said outer shell (101; 301) and said inner shell (102; 302) are mutually coupled by means of a single continuous coupling band (104; 204). The protective helmet (1; 2; 3) according to one of claims 1-3, wherein said coupling band (104; 204) is provided with at least an elastic portion or is made with elastic material. The protective helmet (3) according to one of claims 1-4, wherein said dividing baffles (115) integrally extend from said outer shell (301) to said inner shell (302) dividing said separation chamber in a plurality of dividing sections (115’). The protective helmet (3) according to one of claims 1-5, wherein said dividing baffles (115) are integrally coupled to said outer shell (301) and/or to said inner shell (302). The protective helmet (3) according to one of claims 1-6, wherein said dividing baffles (115) extend along directions parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis (A) of said protective helmet (3) and/or along directions perpendicular to said longitudinal symmetry axis of said protective helmet (3). The protective helmet (1; 2; 3) according to one of claims 1-7, wherein said separation chamber comprises overpressure air or a filling liquid or a filling gel, and wherein said spheres are arranged in said separation chamber in contact with said overpressure air or a filling liquid or a filling gel. The protective helmet (1: 2: 3) according to one of claims 1-8, wherein said spheres (103) at least in a part have different diameters from each other.