FR2627958A1 - PROTECTIVE HELMET WITHOUT CHUCKLE AND DAMPING SYSTEM FOR MOVEMENTS OF THE HELMET HOLDING DEVICE WITHOUT CHUCKLE - Google Patents

Abstract

Protective helmet without chinstrap fitted with at least one rigid half-skirt 1 linked to the shell 4 exclusively by a system of at least two rods 2-3 capable of clearing the opening of the shell 4 by a swinging movement away of said shell 4 all the points of the half-skirt 1 by causing the latter to describe a curve in space. A system 8 for damping the movements of the half-skirt 1 is also part of the present invention and can be adapted to any other retention system of a helmet comprising at least one rigid part movable relative to the shell. .

Description

l PROTECTIVE HELMET WITHOUT] UGULAR AND DAMPING SYSTEM

  The present invention relates to a protective helmet fitted with a retention system replacing the traditional chin strap by at least one rigid extending half-skirt, in the closed position. the base of the shell down and towards the inside of the helmet and capable of releasing the opening of the latter by a rocking movement moving away from the shell all the points of the half-skirt by making it describe to the latter a curve in space A system for damping the movements of the half-skirt is also part of the present invention and can be adapted to any other helmet retention system comprising at

  less a rigid piece movable relative to the hull.

  v: In the current state of the art, protective helmets benefit from retention systems which can be classified into four main groups: -protective helmets with chin strap, -protective helmets equipped with a flexible collar retention system or flexible skirt (European patent n '82 420118), - protective helmets equipped with a retention system comprising at least one rigid half-skirt linked to the shell along a simple axis of articulation (FR patents

  "7- 33639.GB 2119229A, FR. $ 1-21509, FR 83-04225, FR. 83-13579 ...),

  -protective helmets equipped with a retention system comprising at least one sliding rigid half-skirt releasing the opening of the helmet in a movement in translation relative to the shell, towards the outside thereof (patent

  European No. 82 420118 claims 2,3 and 4. FR patent application. 8603845).

  The disadvantages of helmets of the "chin strap" type are well known: small surface in contact with the user. inconvenient use. possibility of pivoting the helmet

  around the user's head, poorly controlled ventilation inside the helmet ...

  The retention systems by at least one rigid half-skirt linked to the shell along an axis of rotation have. as for them, the disadvantage of a movement of opening of great amplitude su level of the free ends of each half-skirt. which free ends, poorly guided and ends of a large overhang give the helmet in the open position a "fragile" appearance, detrimental to the image of the product. Furthermore, such devices generally include a locking system between the half-skirt and the shell at each end of the half-skirt, therefore at two opposite points of the shell, which requires the use of both hands.

  the user to cause the helmet to open.

  Furthermore, it has already been provided that the retention systems comprising at least a rigid half-skirt can be equipped with an elastic device tending to make the helmet open automatically when the unlocking has been actuated ( patent application FR.87-01221, European patent no.82 420118). Such movements. fast and not very pleasant do not improve the comfort of use and tend rather to reinforce the aspect "fragile gadget" detrimental to the image of the product The device according to the invention proposes to present a more modern embodiment of a retention system with at least one rigid half-skirt, distinguished from the systems previously described by the nature of its

  movements, and its type of connection to the hull Indeed, bormis - in closed position-

  by means of latches, the half-skirt is linked to the shell exclusively by 1 c by means of a system of at least two rods. Thereby. during the opening movements, all the points of the half-skirt - including those through or pass the articulation axes of the rods - move away from the hull by describing a curve in space. With such a system, the amplitude of said movements is determined and limited by the length of the links, and, depending on the variant of the embodiment chosen, the half-skirt in the open position may no longer exhibit the fragile appearance characterizing the other systems, each of its ends continuing to have an -indirect- link with the hull via each of the rods. In addition, such a system makes it possible to envisage the height adjustment of the half-skirt in the closed position, thus improving the adaptation of the helmet to 2c the morphology of each user. depending on the variant chosen, the locking system is also simplified, since, although effective at several points on each half skirt, its operation can

  be controlled by one hand, at one point.

  In the device according to the invention, each of the half-skirts is linked to the base of the shell by a system of links, themselves each linked by one of their ends - along an axis of rotation - to the shell, and by their other end - along an axis of rotation - to the half skirt According to a first alternative embodiment. at least one of these links is situated in the central zone of the half-skirt, each of the zones close to the 3Cs, the ends of this same half-skirt being linked to the base of the shell by a system of at least another bielleutte. The distance separating the two articulation axes of each link must be sufficient to give sla said link a length such that the possible movement of the half-skirt - determined by this length - is sufficient to clear the opening of the base of the shell and allow the introduction

  from the user's head inside the helmet or removing it.

  According to an alternative embodiment, each of the ends of each half-skirt extends beyond the "end" links, according to a plane passing outside or inside that containing the said links - or between these links if these are mounted along the same axes, pr group of two on either side of the walls of - - the shell and the half-skirt. These extensions, arrangements so as to each also be a bolt part. become male pieces is introduced into housings formed in the thickness of the shell or between the shell and a plywood- and arrangements so as to be also each a cooperating lock part This so that the connection, at least in the vertical direction, be assured between the ends of the half-skirt and the shell So that the opening movement is possible. these locks must be actuated by the user in order to release the half-skirt. Another possible embodiment is that in which. conversely, the male part of the lock system is carried by a 1C point extension of the shell which is introduced during closing in a female housing cooperating feed at the half-skirt. In a simple embodiment variant, each lock proper consists essentially of the combination of a projecting part linked elastically to one of the elements to

  lock and a cooperating cutout of the other item to be locked.

  i. According to another alternative embodiment, a lock at a central link

  is also provided This locking can take place between the shell and the half-skirt.

  or between the link and the shell or the half-skirt. This link is planned to resist

  both horizontal and vertical forces.

  According to another alternative embodiment. at least one of the connecting rods is mounted 2C sliding relative to the shell In the preferred case or the connecting rod is vertical and linked to the shell and the half-skirt along horizontal axes, when the helmet is in the closed position , the upper edge of said rod is a few centimeters above the lower edge of the hull. A device for

  locking I prevent slipping down The unlocking has been activated.

  2, the user, on the contrary, pulls the half-skirt down, causing in its movement the link which, sliding along the shell relative to which it is

  guide sees its upper edge -equipped with part of an articulation device-

  arrive at the lower edge of the hull. which. equipped with articulation means cooperating with those characterizing the upper edge of the link, sees these means becoming articulation system between the link and the base of the shell The user can then pull the half-skirt towards the outside of the helmet thus releasing each end of said half-skirt engaged in a cooperating female part of the shell. The reverse movement makes it possible to close the helmet. In such an alternative embodiment, a

  Locking at the sliding link in several possible positions.

  This in particular by adopting a lock of the same type as that described above, associating a projecting part elastically linked to one of the parts to be linked with several cooperating cutouts in the other part. In which case, the closed position of the helmet corresponds to a choice between several sla -4- half-skirt positions, which are determined by the user when he brings the half-skirt in abutment against the base of his face and in particular of his chin -case of a

anterior half skirt.

  According to another alternative embodiment, the sliding link is relative to the half-skirt. The cooperating means with a view to forming an articulation system are then carried respectively by the lower edge of the link and the upper edge

of the half skirt.

  According to another alternative embodiment. the hiellette is slidably mounted on the one hand with respect to the shell as regards its upper part and on the other hand by

  compared to the half-skirt with regard to its lower part.

  According to another alternative embodiment, the link is sliding relative to

  herself. in which case. said rod is formed of at least two elements.

  telescopic. An advantage of these variant embodiments, in which at least one of the links has the possibility of movement in translation, is that it allows this movement to be used to automatically cause the unlocking -nU the locking- of the link existing between each end. of the half-skirt and '. shell. Indeed, at this displacement in translation of said rod. corresponds to a pivoting of the half-skirt around its axis of articulation with each of the other 0 links connecting it to the shell This rotation causes displacement of the extensions of the ends of the half-skirt engaged in the cooperating female housings of the shell according to an angular sector which may be sufficient to allow the cooperating lock parts of the shell and of the ends of the half-skirt to disengage from one another or on the contrary. to come closer for

cooperate.

  Thus, according to an alternative embodiment, the latch part carried by each end of the half-skirt is a hook cooperating with a fixed axis integral with the shell. In all cases, the areas of the surface of each half-skirt that can enter in contact with the base of the user's face or neck, are topped with a

  protective and comfort padding.

  According to another family of variant embodiments, the movements of the half-skirt.

  instead of growing below the level of the base of the hull, they can do so in the plane containing that of the base of the hull or in a plane roughly parallel to it. In such a case, a system of two links or group of links per half-skirt is generally sufficient. The articulation axes of the rods are then almost vertical axes, in a plane roughly tangent to the surface of the hull. By orienting the axes of the said links differently, it is possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to change the opening and closing movements of each half-skirt in any plane. Similarly, a helmet according to the invention can be equipped with several half-skirts linked to the shell by connecting rods, as well as with a single half-skirt according to the invention occupying any of the sectors of the base of the shell and cooperating with a flexible or rigid extension of the shell or of the neck cushion, or with any other type of retention system making, having done. or to be the subject

  other patents and occupying another angular sector of the base of the same helmet.

  The helmet according to the invention - as well as any other helmet equipped with a retention system comprising at least one rigid part movable relative to the shell - can be improved by a device aimed at improving its comfort of use. In this case it is a device for damping the movements of opening and / or closing of the retention system. According to a first variant embodiment, this device consists of at least a small telescopic damper, linked by a end to the hull -or to an intermediate piece 1 secured to the hull- and by its other end to an element of the retention system movable relative to the hull According to a second alternative embodiment, the damping of the movements of the half skirt is due to the action of a system of at least two opposing elastic means According to a third alternative embodiment. the damping system is a friction device. According to a first embodiment, this device consists of a sufficiently substantial tightening between the hull -or an intermediate part secured to the hull- and a part of the retention system, movable relative to the shell This support takes place at at least a portion of the contacting surfaces, 2 = so that the friction forces arising therefrom are capable of causing the movements of the moving part to be damped relative to the shell. Such friction can take place between two dry surfaces as well as lubricated or

  moistened with a high viscosity liquid.

  According to a second embodiment, the shell - or an intermediate piece integral with the shell - has a bore into which is introduced the cylindrical part of a part also comprising a small toothed wheel The said toothed wheel cooperating with a toothed sector, or a rack, a part of the retention system movable relative to the hull. The rotation of the toothed wheel being braked either mechanically - by at least one shoe maintaining an elastic support between the bore of the shell and the cylindrical part of the part comprising the toothed wheel, by a tight adjustment of the bore around the said cylindrical part .... either by the action of a liquid with very high viscosity introduced into the bore of the shell and forming a viscous film between said bore and the cylindrical part of the part

comprising the toothed wheel.

  According to another embodiment, it is the retention piece, movable relative to the shell, which carries the toothed wheel, and the shell - or an intermediate piece integral with

  the shell- which carries the toothed sector or the rack.

  According to another alternative embodiment, in the case of a retention system comprising at least one movable part along an axis of rotation relative to the shell, it is this axis itself, of a deliberately relatively diameter strong which turns in a bore coated with a fluid with very high viscosity or comprising a mechanical braking system These systems of damping of the movements of the retention system are 1C advantageously used in association with an elastic means of known type tending to cause l 'automatic opening of the retention system when the unlocking has been activated The variant embodiments described above are for illustrative and not exhaustive. All new variants of the same spirit as those = arbitrarily described here, namely, concerning a helmet fitted with a retention system comprising at least one rigid half-skirt whose opening and closing movements are truly rocking movements , each of the 'points of said half-skirt moving away from the shell by describing a curve in space during the opening movements, would not depart from the scope of the present invention Likewise, would not depart from the scope of the invention. any helmet fitted with a retention system comprising at least one rigid piece movable relative to the shell which would be improved by a system for damping the movements of said retention system The embodiments of the helmet which are the subject of the invention are not described below for illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIG I is a side view of a helmet according to the invention, shown in the closed position FlG 2 is a partial enlarged view along AA of the helmet illustrated in figure I

  FIG 3 is a section along BB of the device illustrated in FIG. 2.

  FIG 4 is a side view of the helmet illustrated in Figure I shown in the open position.

  FIG 5 is an enlarged side view of the half-skirt fitted to the illustrated helmets in Figures 1 and 4

  FIG 6 is an enlarged partial section along CC of the helmet illustrated in FIG. 4.

  FIG 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the shock absorber (8) of the helmet illustrated in FIG. 4,

  FIG 8 is an enlarged section along DD of the half-skirt illustrated in FIG. 5.

  FIG 9 is a side view of another alternative embodiment of a helmet according to

  the invention, shown in the closed position.

  FIG 10 is a side view of the helmet illustrated in Figure 9 representing the first phase of the opening movement FIG 7 is a side view of the helmet illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, shown in the open position.

  FIG 12 is an enlarged partial section along HH of the helmet illustrated in FIG. 11.

  FIG 13 is an enlarged partial view along EE of the helmet illustrated in FIG. 9. the shell (16) and the half-skirt (14), shown in thin lines, are assumed to be "transparent".

  FIG 14 is a side view along FF of the plywood (17) shown in FIG. 13.

  FIG 15 is a section along GG of the device illustrated in FIG. 13.

  The helmet illustrated in Figures I and 4 is equipped with a single half-skirt (1) according to the invention occupying the front part of the base of the shell (4) and cooperating with a neck cushion (CN) occupying the rear part of the base of this same shell (4). The rigid half-skirt (1) is linked to the shell by means of a central link (2) and two lateral links (3). The central link (2) is linked to the helmet shell (4) along an axis of rotation (x) by a hinge (5) fixed to the shell (4) by ultrasonic welding points The lower edge of the link 1 (2) is linked to the upper edge of a notched area of the half-skirt (1), along an axis of rotation (y). thanks to a hinge (6). The lateral links (3) are each linked along an axis of rotation (x ') to the lower edge of the shell (4) and according to a

  axis of rotation (y ') at the half-skirt (1). The axes (x ') and (y') must be parallel.

  To do this, the zones of the half-skirt and of the shell on which the lateral connecting rods are articulated form bosses (7). In the alternative embodiment shown, each of the lateral links (3) is doubled by a small shock absorber (S) articulated on the one hand to the shell along an axis (x ") and on the other hand to the link (3) according to an axis (y "). These optional shock absorbers (S) have the effect of damping the opening and closing movements and giving the helmet a better comfort of use. They contain a spring (r) tending to cause the automatic opening of the helmet as soon as the unlocking has been actuated. This spring (r) is placed in the compartment (A) itself filled with a viscous liquid which can pass, during the opening movements, into the compartment (B) through the thin orifices (o) made through the washer attached to the movable piston (P).

  3c sealing is provided between the cover (C) and the piston (P).

  During the closing movements, the extensions (9) of the half-skirt (1) are introduced between the shell (4) and the plywood (10). the inclined plane (11) of the projecting part (12) sliding against the edge of the shell allows it to be retracted until, arriving in coincidence with the cooperating cutout (13), formed through the shell (4 ), it can take its place there, causing the

  helmet locked in closed position. To strengthen the said lock.

  the rod (2) coming to bear against the external surface of a recess in the shell (4), it is possible to provide a third lock consisting for example of a part (a) linked to the shell but free to rotate relative to it, cooperating with a cutout (b) of the link. It is possible for the user, by turning this part (a) to bring or not bring the projecting parts (a ') of said part in correspondence with the cooperating cutouts (b) of the link, thus causing unlocking or helmet locking This type of lock being optional is shown for illustrative purposes - in thin lines - only in Figure 2. The variant embodiment of a helmet according to the invention illustrated in Figures 9 to 15 is distinguished by the fact that the movements of 'open and close through an intermediate phase shown in Figure 10. wherein the central part of the half-skirt (14) ett pulled down. To do this, the central label (15) is mounted 1 c sliding between the internal surface of the hull (16) and a metal counterplate (17), which is fixed against the hull thanks to seven ultrasonic welding points (18) The edge upper link (15) is equipped with a material axis (19) whose ends are guided in slots (20) formed through the side walls of the plywood (17). The projecting part (21) of the link cooperates with a cutout (22) practiced through the shell, thus allowing the locking in translation of the link with respect to the shell and thereby locking the helmet. The metal blades (23 ) and (24) fixed by rivets against the internal surface of the recessed part of the plywood (17) strengthen the elasticity of the lock and improve the translational guidance of the link (15). To perform the unlocking. the user must push the lock (21) towards the inside of the helmet and pull the half-skirt down until the axis (19) comes to merge with the axis (w) while pressing against the lower edge of the lights (20) This movement has the effect of rotating the half-skirt around the axis (u), thus allowing each hook (25). extending each of the ends of said half-skirt engaged between the shell (16) and the plywoods (26), moving away from the axis (27), which axis is a spacer between the shell (16) and the plywood (26). In this way, it becomes possible to pull the whole of the half-skirt forwards, the axis (19) of the link (15), at (w), cooperating with the ends of the lights (20) to form a hinge, and the axis (28) of the lower end of the link (15) cooperating with a hinge (29) fixed by ultrasonic welding against the internal face of the half-skirt (14). The ends of the same half-skirt (14) being in turn linked to the shell by means of the rods (30) articulated on the one hand according to a rotating area (u) to the half-skirt (14) and on the other hand along an axis of rotation (v) i to the hull

(16).

  Such an alternative embodiment thus makes it possible to benefit from a three-point locking which can be actuated at a single point and with one hand. The helmet illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 15 is also equipped with a device for damping the movements of the half-skirt (14). The connecting rod (30), on the left side - represented - comprises a toothed sector (30 ') cooperating with a toothed wheel (31) of a part (32) linked to the shell (16) by a cylindrical part introduced into a bore (33) of said shell. The relatively significant functional clearance existing between the bore (33) and the cylinder (32) is filled with a very high viscosity liquid forming a viscous film (34) between these two parts. The presence of this film creates resistance to the rotation of the part (32). therefore of the toothed wheel (31), and therefore, it acts as a brake damping the movements of the link (30) - so the half-skirt (14) - relative to the shell (16). The right side link - not

  represented- is on the contrary associated with an elastic means of known spring type ..-

  tending ià to drive and maintain the half-skirt (14) in the open position. This elastic force is just sufficient to overcome the resistance of the damping system (30'-31-34), as soon as the unlocking has been activated, the half-skirt (14) moves to the open position in a gentle movement and regular. relatively slow. In the variants illustrated, the links (3) (30) are articulated against the external face of the wall of the shell and of the half-skirt. They could just as easily be placed against the internal surface of these same walls. then becoming invisible when the helmet is in the closed position, or be mounted in groups of two. along the same axes, on either side of the shell walls and the 2 G half-skirt The helmet according to the invention can find its application in all uses of a protective helmet and more particularly of a protective helmet for motorcyclists

26P7958

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Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1I Protective helmet fitted with a retention system and a damping system comprising at least one rigid half-skirt (1) (14) extending, in the closed position, the base of the shell (4) (16) . characterized in that said half-skirt is connected to the shell exclusively by a system of at least two links (2,3) (15.30) each linked on the one hand to the shell, on the other hand to the half skirt, along axes of articulation (xy, x'-y ') (uv, vz) and in that said half-skirt passes into the open position according to a rocking movement moving each of its points -including those through o pass the axes of articulations (y, y ') (uz) of the rods - of the hull. by making them describe a curve in space.   2. Protective helmet fitted with a retention system comprising at least one rigid part (1) (14) movable relative to the shell (4) (16), characterized in that it is equipped with a device ( 8) (30 ', 31.34) damping of movements   opening and closing of said system.   3. Protective helmet according to claim 2, characterized in that the damping device is a friction device acting between the surfaces in   contact of two parts (32-16) movable with respect to each other.   4. Protective helmet according to claim 2. characterized in that the damping device uses the characteristics of a very high viscosity liquid forming a viscous film (34) between two surfaces (32-33) movable one compared to each other.   5. Protective helmet according to claim 2, 3 or 4 characterized in that the damping device combines a toothed wheel (31) whose rotation is subjected to the action of a braking system and a toothed sector (30 ' ) -or a rack-cooperating, each of these two elements being carried by a movable part -during the opening or closing movements of the helmet- relative to   the part carrying the other element.   6. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 2 to 5   characterized in that the damping system has a small damper telescopic (8).   7. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 2 i 6   characterized in that the damping system is associated with an elastic means (r) tending to cause the automatic opening of the helmet as soon as the unlocking has been activated.   8. Protective helmet according to claims 2 and 7, characterized in that   the damping system is made up of a system of at least two means antagonistic elastic bands.   9. Protective helmet according to claim 1 characterized in that at least one of the rods (15) is -at least over part of its length-slidingly mounted relative to the shell (16) or to the half-skirt and in that the translational movement of said rod corresponds to a phase of the movement of opening or closing of the retention system during which the half-skirt (14) has a pivoting movement around its axis of articulation (u ) with at least one another link (30).   Protective helmet according to claim 9 characterized in that the end of the part of the link (15) guided in translation carries means 1e (19) capable - at the end of the translation of the link (15) in the direction tending to move the half-skirt (14) away from the shell (16) to cooperate with complementary means (17-20) carried by the shell (16) or the half-skirt in order to form   an articulation system (19-w) making possible the other phases of the movement.   he. Protective helmet according to claims 1, 8, 9 or 10, characterized   in that at least one of the links (2) (15) is formed of at least two telescopic elements which can be stretched according to a movement in translation locally moving the half-skirt (1) (14) away from the shell (4 ) (16) by inducing a pivoting of the said half-skirt around its axis of articulation (u) (y ') with at least one other link (3) (30)   2Lc 12 Protective helmet according to claims 1. 8. 9. 10 or II.   characterized in that the pivoting of the half-skirt (14) corresponding to the movement in translation of the sliding link (15) is sufficient to cause the locking or unlocking of the ends (25) of the half-skirt (14). only the lock (21-22) located at the level of the sliding link (15) having to be 2 activated.   13. Protective helmet according to claim 12, characterized in that the locking of each end of the half-skirt (14) with the shell (16) consists essentially of the combination of a hook (25) extending said half-skirt and   an axis (27) fixed relative to the hull.   3C 14. Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1.8 to   13. characterized in that at least one of the locking systems of the retention device essentially consists of the combination of a projecting part (12) (21) linked elastically to one of the elements to be locked and at least minus a cooperating cutout (13) (22) of the other element to be locked, one of the elements to be locked being a mile piece (9) (15) and the other, a cooperating female housing (4-10) ( 16-17)