FR2876005A1 - Safety helmet for e.g. soldier, has mobile secondary chin-piece that is movable by pivoting around transversal axis with respect to main chin-piece between active low protection and retracted high positions - Google Patents

Abstract

The helmet includes an outer shell (2) which is designed to protect the head of a user and a main chin-piece (11). A mobile secondary chin-piece (12) forms a safety guard. The secondary chin-piece is movable by pivoting around a transversal axis (13) with respect to the main chin-piece (11) between an active low protection position and a retracted high position. An independent claim is also included for an assembly forming a chin-piece for a safety helmet.

Description

IMPROVEMENT FOR PROTECTIVE HELMETS

  The present invention relates to an improvement for a protective helmet comprising a chin guard. The invention more particularly relates to the chin guard.

  Protective helmets have been used for a very long time in various fields, either professionally, as is the case for the military, pilots of aircraft or helicopters, gendarmes or firefighters, or civil or private, as is the case for users of motorcycles, rally cars or racing, or employees of building sites.

  The applications are not lacking and we already know a large number of helmets which comprise a rigid outer shell of substantially spherical shape, equipped with an internal lining, and intended to fit on the skull of the user by providing the front a facial opening for his face. These helmets generally include an inner shell of synthetic foam for shock absorption.

  Some helmets also include a chin guard to protect the user's jawbone. But traditional chinrests even if they improve the level of protection do not provide maximum protection.

  Thus, the present invention proposes to solve the disadvantages of traditional chinrests by proposing a new chin guard that provides maximum protection.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given by way of non-limiting examples.

  Figure 1 is a side view in one of the positions of the chin.

  Figure 2 is a side view in the other of the positions of the chin guard.

  Figure 3 is a side view showing the helmet with its chin guard before connecting to the shell.

  The helmet (1) equipped with the chinrest according to the invention can be of any type such as, for example, of the type used by firefighters, military or motorcyclists, or even cyclists or skiers. It comprises a main outer shell (2) protecting the skull and the nape of the user and has a front face opening (3) in the area occupied by the actual face of the latter, said helmet having a vertical longitudinal plane ( P) of general symmetry.

  The shell (2) is made of rigid material and may be of any suitable material such as plastic, steel, aluminum or composite material of the type comprising a stack of layers of reinforcing fibers, impregnated and bonded together by a resin matrix. According to the general structure of the helmet (1), the outer shell (2) is constituted by a substantially spherical wall comprising a plurality of wall portions, namely, an upper front wall portion (4) extended rearwardly by a rear portion upper wall (5), itself extended downwards by a lower rear wall portion (6), and furthermore comprises two lateral portions of wall: a right side wall portion (7a) and a lateral portion left wall (7b). The upper front portion (4) corresponds to the area occupied by the user's forehead and is limited by the upper edge (8) of the facial opening (2) which, in turn, is limited laterally by two lateral edges. (9a, 9b). The upper rear wall portion (5) corresponds to the area occupied by the cranial box of the user, while the lower rear wall portion (6) corresponds to the area occupied by the neck of the user. Add to this that the wall of the shell (2) is limited downwards by a bottom edge (10). The lateral wall portions (7a, 7b) correspond to the areas occupied by the user's ears and are limited forwardly by the corresponding lateral border (9) of the facial opening (2), and downward by the front ends of the lower border (10).

  2876005 3 The helmet (1) comprises a main chin guard (11) and according to the invention at least one movable secondary chin guard (12) forming a protective flap.

  The secondary chin (12) is pivotally movable about a transverse axis (13) to be pivotally movable relative to the main chin (11) between two positions, namely, between an active low position of protection such that this is shown in Figure 1, and a retracted high position as shown in Figure 2.

  The main chinrest (11) has, in known manner, the form of a rigid arch connecting the two side walls (7a, 7b) of the helmet.

  Furthermore, according to a complementary feature, the main chinrest is removable, to be put or removed by the user. For this purpose the chinrest is such that each of its rear ends, comprises connecting means (14a) for cooperating with complementary connecting means (14b) disposed on each of the side walls (7a, 7b) of the helmet.

  Note that the secondary chin guard (12) has the form of a hoop, and is articulated on the main chinrest (11).

  It has been understood that when the user when he has his head straight has not only his jaw protected by the main chin guard, but his neck is also protected by the secondary chin guard which is in the low position of protection.

  It has also been understood that by the possible pivoting up of the secondary chinrest, the user can tilt or turn the head without being bothered by said secondary chinrest retracting, as shown in Figure 2.

  It goes without saying that the helmet could receive a protective face shield without departing from the scope of the invention.

  In addition, an abutment system (15) is provided to limit the downward pivoting of the secondary chin guard.

  Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented by way of examples, but it also includes all the technical equivalents as well as their combinations.

Claims (5)

  1. Protective helmet (1) of the type constituted by an outer shell (2) intended to protect the head of a user, and comprising a chinrest (11), characterized in that it comprises at least one movable secondary chin guard ( 12) forming a protective flap.   2. Protective helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the secondary chin guard (12) is pivotally movable about a transverse axis (13) to be pivotally movable relative to the main chin guard (11) between two positions that is, between an active low protection position and a retracted high position.   3. Protective helmet according to claim 2, characterized in that the secondary chin guard (12) has the shape of a bow, and is articulated on the main chinrest (11).   4. Protective helmet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main chin guard is removable, to be put or removed by the user.   5. Protective helmet according to claim 4, characterized in that the main chinrest (11) is such that each of its rear ends comprises connecting means (14a) for cooperating with complementary connecting means (14b) arranged on each of the side walls (7a, 7b) of the helmet.