FR2838611A1 - Protective helmet e.g. for cyclist, skier or kayaker, has device mounted on top of the shell of the helmet with a winding device for regulating the tension of the shin strap formed in a continuous loop - Google Patents

Abstract

The helmet (1) includes a regulating device (2) mounted on top of the shell of the helmet with a winding device for regulating the tension of the shin strap (6,8) that is formed in a continuous loop. The tensioning device includes an operating pushbutton (7) and a precalibrated spring that assures an optimal tension of the chin strap, with the strap being retracted when the tensioning device is operated. The tensioning device has internal stops that prevent the strap from being lengthened by manual pulling on it until a predetermined force is applied to the tensioning device. An Independent claim is included for a device for regulating the tension of the chin strap of the helmet.

Description

(1 3A) at the opening to be able to push the pack to the outside.

283861 1

TQD 18/04/02 1

  Retractor and method for adjusting chinstrap for sports helmet such as for cycles, skiing,

  riding, and helmets provided with this retractor.

  TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the technical sector of protective helmets, particularly for cyclists, skiers, users of motorcycles and motorcycles, for riding, water sports such as kayaking, and

  helmets, hereinafter in the description and the claims, by

  simplicity, <helmets> 'or' helmets'.

  More specifically, the invention relates to a device for adjusting the chinstrap

helmet, winder type.

  Technical problem poses: There are many types and models of protective helmets in the sectors mentioned above, whose common characteristic is to be more and more light and robust. The standards of protection are more and more strict. We also know that a helmet is composed of a shell (possibly multi-components, multi-hardness, air, etc ...).

  fixing means of this shell on the head of the user.

  These fixing means can generally be broken down into two main elements, the jugular which passes under the chin and rejoins the lower lateral edges of the shell or, in general, the "dimensions", and a strap usually attached to the chin strap ( by means of

283861 1

TQD 18/04/02 2

  co ul isse me nt or others) and which relates to its other extremity to the part

  behind or sensib the rear of the hull.

  It is extremely important that the helmet be properly fixed,

  to say neither too tight nor too much. In particular, the fastening should be sufficiently tight, otherwise, in the event of shocks from certain angles, the helmet may move relative to the head ("loosen" of the head) and be unable to prevent a serious injury. Many statistics have shown it. The standards incorporate a fixation efficiency test. o However, any user feels that the fixing of the helmet is a long and inconvenient operation, which means that many users do not fix

correctly their helmet.

  There is therefore an important and recognized need for a means of fixing and adjusting the helmet on the head which is practical and ensures a maintenance.

  effective in case of shock from any angle whatsoever.

  The dimcuite is aggravated by the fact that there is a large variety of helmets, in terms of size and type, and that any innovation needs to be

  adaptable to as many of these models as possible.

  Another fundamental difficulty is that any innovation must be cheap, otherwise it simply can not be commercialized.

  prices of these helmets are subject to severe competition.

  PRIOR ART: A patent (BELL) USP 5,887,288 is known which describes an articulated piece arranged against the occipital region, and which enables the helmet to adapt to the

  a greater number of different sizes and shapes of helmets.

  Also known is USP Patent 5,774,901 (BELL SPORTS) which has a flexible, Y-shaped occipital strap connecting the occipital zone of the shell to the chin strap.

283861 1

TQD 18/04/02 3

  to adjust, easy to manufacture, and low cost, which confirms the criteria and constraints of any innovation, stated above. The two horizontal branches of the Y are fixed by sliding on the jugular, while the vertical branch of the Y part of the rear junction point of the two horizontal branches and will be fixed by clipping by a means or elastic bead in a housing of the occipital part of the hull, provided for this purpose. As for the jugular, it usually binds the front top of the hull to the mentor, being device backwards by the two branches Y of the occipital strap. The adjustment of the chinstrap is conventionally performed by

o a loop.

  We still know the SizeTrack_ (REMline_) system which consists of a means of adjustment of the occipital strap. This means consists of a manual rotary knob provided at the back of the helmet and which allows to tighten more or

  minus the strap to the back. The helmet is better applied on the party.

  The patent EP 0 832 572 describes a comparable system, the jugular restart

  always settled in position by a simple loop.

  The patent EP 0 937 416 still describes a comparable system, the chinstrap still being adjustable by means of snap-in operation, comparable to

an adjustable loop.

  o As stated, no prior art has been concerned with adjusting the chinstrap. However, it is an important security parameter. It is indeed easy to concede that, if the chinstrap is not tensioned and tightened to an optimum value, the helmet can be strongly depicted in case of shock, even if it is

  well maintained in the occipital region by the systems of the prior art.

  Especially, if the chinstrap slips from the mentor, the helmet may be totally torn. In addition, the means of the prior art vent manual means, that is to say that the user can, especially for his comfort or by his habits taken with helmets not equipped with these means, adopt a setting which will suit him in terms of comfort and sensation general but that will not necessarily bring the necessary security. Indeed, maximum safety is rarely associated with optimal comfort. Security has a price,

283861 1

TQD 18/04/02 4

  which one of the components is possibly a slight discomfort of the user, it can therefore privilege comfort at the expense of safety. It is obvious that the prior art did not consider it possible to install an adjustment system incorporated to the top of the helmet, whatever that system may be. This is also logical, because it was natural for a man of practice to fear that any removal of material at the top of the helmet, to create a housing for receiving any adjustment device or any other device, would weaken strongly the structure and forbid

  o that the helmet passes the standards of resistance to shocks.

  The merit of the inventor is among others to have overcome this prejudice, to have found a solution that gives satisfaction to the plan of the safety of tension of jugular and positioning of the helmet, and to have checked that the helmet as well modified was able, against all logical expectation, to pass the norms

of security.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention consists in providing helmets of the precise type with a means

  precalibre adjustment chinstrap, including winder type.

  Detailed description of the invention

  The invention thus relates to a "protective helmet", particularly for the practice of various sports activities, including means for adjusting the chin strap of a protective helmet, characterized in that said adjustment means comprises a precalibrated means tensioning the jugular,

  said means being integral with the shell to said helmet.

  According to the best embodiment, the said means is put in locked position thanks to internal means of blocking (re-attachment impossible of the strap even by manual traction on it) that the setting

283861 1

TQD 4/18/02 5

  Precalibrated tension is achieved (this, unlike safety belts

for example).

  According to a particular embodiment, not preferred, said adjusting means acts by pulling up the helmet of at least one of the lateral branches

jugular.

  According to a particular embodiment, not limiting, said means acts by pulling up the helmet of each of the lateral branches of the chinstrap. According to another particular embodiment, not limiting, said means o consists of a winder acting on a chinstrap formed of a continuous strap. According to another particular embodiment, not limiting, said means comprises a pre-balanced return spring ensuring the optimum tension of the juguiaire. According to an interesting variant, the precalibration is adjustable according to the size or type of the helmet, the morphology of the user, the intended use etc ..., for example by means of a setting of the force of recall, within a certain range of tolerance, by means of a tool such as a screwdriver

  or by means of a wheel integrated with the helmet.

  According to another preferred embodiment, the retractor device is positioned substantially in the median plane of the helmet, which makes it possible to

  perform the winding of the strap in a natural way under the mentor.

  According to one option, the retractor device may be centered on the axis or slightly shifted to the right or the left. Naturally, the position of the winding device will be adjusted towards ['front or rear depending on the

  optimal placement search for the strap.

  According to a particular embodiment, the device will be rendered waterproof with water.

283861 1

TOD 18/04/02 6

  The device applies to the usual straps, for example of width 15 mm, with a stroke of the order of 200 mm maximum. This non-limiting.

  The invention also relates to said adjustment means itself.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood at the

  reading of the description which follows, and refer to the attached drawing on

  which: - Figure 1 which consists of Figures 1A and 1B, represents front and side ['action on the push button to release the jugular o to position it under the mentor; FIG. 2, which consists of FIGS. 2A and 2B, represents the second part of the action on the push button which releases the means of

  adjustment and stretches the chinstrap under the chin to the desired precalibrated value.

  - Figure 3 shows in section a non-limiting example of double action push button according to the invention, in the locking position; - Figure 4 shows in section the push button of Figure 3 in the locking position of the chinstrap; - Figure 5 shows a top view in ecorche of a possible but non-limiting mechanism of the reel according to the invention; Figure 6 shows a sectional diagram illustrating the

  possible, non-limiting, of the reel according to the invention.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, and

  non-limiting examples below. On all drawings, the same

  s references have the same meanings.

283861 1

TQD 18/04/02 7

EXAMPLES:

  FIGS. 1 and 2 show the schematic operation of the invention. The helmet 1 comprises a precalibrated adjustment means 2 housed in an obvious or appropriate housing 3. The helmet conventionally comprises a chinstrap 6 and an occipital retention strap 4, sliding

  around the jugular by an appropriately known means, 5.

  In FIG. 1, the user presses (arrow) on a unlocking means (not shown here but located in this example at the rear of the adjustment means 2), which enables him to pull the chinstrap towards the teas and to pass it under his mentor. In Figure 2, the user continues to operate (arrow) the unlocking means but loose the chinstrap; the adjusting means 2 being in the unlocking position, the end of a return means pulls the chinstrap up to contact with the chin and applies a precalibrated voltage. Licking the releasing means resets the adjustment means 2 in the locking position of the chinstrap. The chinstrap is thus clamped under the chin under precalibrated tension and is locked in position, without manipulation.

inconvenient by the user.

  Figures 3 and 4 show a non-limiting embodiment of a debinding means 2. Figure 5 shows a top view in ecorche. In this nonlimited example, which represents the preferred embodiment, this is a winding system 2 comprising a shell 2 of section appropriate for housing in the helmet 3, and a button

  double action pusher whose operation is described below.

  Figure 3 shows the locking position.

283861 1

TQD 18/04/02 8

  The push button 7 is held by a spring 11 in the upper position and in abutment against the upper part of the shell 2. The strap is wound in the volume 8 of the drum 9. The hub of the drum has at its upper part at least one means snap or pin 12 capable of =, cooperating in lock with at least one stop or housing 13 household a

  the internal circumference of the bottom of the push button 7.

  A return means 10, in particular a spiral spring, is in a suitable housing and is integral with the drum 9. In this locking position (which is that of normal use), the return means or spring 10 is the uncompressed state does not compress. "Little compresses" means that the means or return spring 10 is compressed to the value corresponding to the precalibrated tension desired for the chinstrap end of stroke, that is to say in correct support under the mentor. We will use in what

  follows the term "compresses to the service voltage> 'for more clarity.

  This spring can not be uncompressed in this state, because it would then be

  unable to apply said voltage at the end of the stroke.

  In FIG. 4, the user presses the button 11 (in two cases: either to loosen the chin strap - FIG. 1 (whether to put on his helmet or to remove it) - or to straighten it after setting up the FIG. 2. This action releases the locking lug (s) 12 from their housings or stops 13. The drum is therefore free to rotate, and can therefore be subjected either to the acton of the user pulling on the jug ( 1) (and in doing so, co mp the spring or biasing means 10) or the acffon said return means or spring 10

  (Figure 2) when the user drops the chinstrap.

  z 11 is of course advises the uffliser to accompany the movement of ia

  jugular, but without preventing the spring 10 to apply the desired tension.

  If the user pulls on the chinstrap, the drum rotates in one direction and

  releases a chinstrap length (Figure 1).

  If the user releases the chin strap, FIG. 2, the latter is subjected to the action of the return spring 10 via the drum and wraps around the

  drum 9, which is rotating, obviously in the opposite direction.

283861 1

TQD 18104/02 9

  With the chinstrap in place, the user releases the push button 7, which goes up against the action of the spring 11, and the lugs 12 again engage the

  butees or housing 13, which blocks the drum in position.

  Naturally, there will be provided a locking means of the button 7 in rotation, that is to say that the button 7 may be in the up or down position but can not rotate about the axis of the drum, otherwise the blocking of parts 12 and 13 would be inoperative, the spring 10 simply driving the knob 7 in rotation. For example, it suffices for button 7 to have a square shape or

analog in top view.

  o Also provided as "locking means" as lugs 12 and corresponding housing or abutment 13 so that, releasing the button 7, the drum is immediately blocked, in order to maintain the accuracy of the precalibrated voltage. For example, huH lugs 12 distributed regularly on the circumference of the drum hub 9, and eight s housings or stops 13. Thus, in the worst case, the drum can travel at most only about 1/8 of a circle before being blocked. We can

  naturally provide 16 pins etc ... for more precision.

  According to a particular embodiment, the shape and the respective dimensions of the lugs 12 and housing or abutments 13 will be studied zo so that, upon release of the button 7, the clog 12 easily penetrates into the housing or abutment 13. An example not limiting is a pin-shaped parallelepipede and a housing 13 of dimensions greater than those of ['lug in the direction of rotation; another nonlimiting improvement would be that the "upstream" face (in the direction of rotation of ['ergot z' figure 2)) is bevelled to facilitate further ['insertion of ergot into its

housing 1 3.

  There is shown in Figure 6 a non-limiting mode of implementation of the winder in the upper part of the hull. This figure presents

  also the preferred positioning, non-limiting, bloods.

283861 1

TQD 18/04/02 10

  The invention also covers all the embodiments and all the

  applications which will be directly accessible to the person skilled in the art by reading the present application 'of his own knowledge, and

  possibly simple routine tests.

l

283861 1

TQD 18/04/02 1 1

Claims (14)

  1 << Protective helmet,>, in particular for the practice of different sports activities, including means for adjusting the chinstrap, characterized in that said adjustment means comprises a precalibre means 2 for tensioning the chinstrap 8, said means being attached to the hull auditing helmet.   2 helmet according to claim 1 characterized in that said means is placed in the locked position by internal locking means 12,13 (release of the strap impossible even by manual traction on it)   as soon as precalibration is achieved.   A helmet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said adjusting means acts by pulling up the helmet 1 of at least one   lateral branches of the jugular.   4 helmet according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said adjustment means acts by pulling up the helmet 1 of each of   lateral branches of the chinstrap 8.   Helmet according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized   in that said adjusting means consists of a winder 2 acting on a   o jugular formed of a continuous strap.   Helmet according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized   in that said means comprises a pre-balanced return spring 10 ensuring   the optimum tension of the chinstrap.   Helmet according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized   z in that the precalibration is adjustable according to the size or the type of the helmet, the morphology of the user, the intended use, by means of 283861 1 TQD 18/04/02 12   adjustment of the restoring force, within a certain range of tolerance, to   by means of a screwdriver tool or by means of an integrated knob on the helmet.   8 helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized   in that the winding device 2 is positioned substantially in the plane median of the helmet.   9 helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized   in that the winding device 2 is slightly shifted to the right or left of the median axis.   Helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising   o a chinstrap 6 and an occipital retention strap 4, sliding around the chinstrap by an appropriate means 5. characterized in that it comprises a precalibration means 2 housing in a case or housing Appropriate 3 of the hull.   1 1 Means for adjusting the tension of the chinstrap of a helmet according to one   any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a   releasing means 7 of the chinstrap which, when actuated, releases the locking means 12, 13 and on the contrary engages the locking means   12, 13 of the jugular when one ceases to actuate it.   12 means according to claim 11 characterized in that it comprises a return means 10 which, the adjusting means 2 being in the unlocking position, pulls the chinstrap 8 upwards to contact with the chin and applies precalibrated voltage.   13 means according to claim 11 or 1 2 characterized in that I comprises s - a winding system 2 and, as a means of unlocking / blocking, a push button 7 has double action: 283861 1 TQD 18/04/02 13   - Which is held by a spring 11 in the upper position and stop against the upper part of the shell 2 of the helmet, in the locking position; - The jugular strap 8 being wound in the volume 8 of a drum 9 whose hub has at its upper part at least one latching means or lug 12 capable of cooperating in lock with at least one abutment or housing 13 household at the internal circumference of the bottom of the push button 7, - a return means 10, in particular a spiral spring, which is in a suitable housing and is self of the drum 9, the means or return spring 10 being in the uncompressed state or little compresses in the locking position, that is to say that the means or return spring 10 is compressed to the value corresponding to the desired precalibrated voltage   for the jugular at the end of the race, that is to say in correct support under the mentor.   - Locking lugs 12 integral with the drum 9 and cooperating with their housings or stops 13 integral with the push button 7, which wind the locking / unlocking means allowing * if they are not engaged to rotate the drum 9 free, this which allows the drum zo - either to release the chinstrap if one pulls on it, or to pull it up if one does not act on the chinstrap,   * to block the drum 9 and therefore the chinstrap if they snap.   14 means according to any one of claims 11 to 13 characterizes   in that it comprises means for locking the knob 7 in rotation.   z 1 medium according to any one of claims 11 to 14 characterized   in that it will provide as "locking / unlocking means" as many lugs 12 and corresponding housing or abutments 13 so that, by releasing the button 7, the drum is immediately blocked, for example m p le 283861 1 TQD 18/04/02 14   eight (or sixteen) lugs 12 distributed regularly over the circumference of the hub   drum 9, and eight (or sixteen) dwellings or stopes 13.   Medium according to any one of claims 1 to 15 characterized   in that the shape and the respective dimensions of the lugs 12 and the housing or stop 13 are adapted so that, upon release of the button 7, the clog 12 easily penetrates into the housing or abutment 13, like a pin shaped parallelepipede and a housing 13 of dimensions greater than those of ['lug in the direction of rotation; and possibly the face "upstream" (in the direction of rotation of ['ergot - Figure 2) being beveled   o to further facilitate insertion of the lug in its housing.   17 protective helmets characterized in that they include a means   according to any one of claims 11 to 16.   18 Use and application of protective helmets according to one   any of claims 1 to 10 and 17 for cyclists, skiers,   users of motorcycles and motorcycles, for [equestrian, water sports such as kayak, for usual straps, for example of