FR3126853A1 - Device for positioning a helmet against the clock relative to the back - Google Patents

Abstract

This device (2) for positioning an aerodynamic helmet (1) on the head of a user comprises a support (3) intended to be mounted on the helmet (1) and a rod (4a) for adjusting the positioning of the helmet , the rod (4a) being intended to be inserted in an adjustable manner into the support (3) and comprising a support head (5) intended to bear against the body of the user. Figure for abstract: Fig 3

Description

Device for positioning a helmet against the clock relative to the back

The present invention relates to aerodynamic helmets.

It relates in particular, in one application of the invention, to a device for positioning an aerodynamic helmet on the head of a user.

More particularly, the invention relates to the positioning of a so-called time trial helmet on the head of a cyclist.

Prior techniques

Time trials, and more generally speed events, require optimal aerodynamics of the assembly consisting of the cyclist and his bike.

The cyclist's equipment has therefore been adapted to reduce air friction causing a slowdown and therefore a drop in performance. Time trial cyclists use helmets with a particular streamlined shape. These helmets feature an elongated "tail" extending along the back of the rider's neck.

However, the effectiveness of these helmets is only maximized if they are positioned optimally. This position can be determined by wind tunnel tests. It is therefore necessary, for each runner, to ensure the optimal positioning of the helmet during its use, and this, in a repetitive manner.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention aims to provide a device for optimizing the positioning of an aerodynamic helmet.

The invention therefore relates to a device for positioning an aerodynamic helmet on the head of a user, comprising a support intended to be mounted on the helmet and a rod for adjusting the positioning of the helmet, the rod being intended to 'insert in an adjustable manner in the support and comprising a support head intended to bear on the body of the user.

Thus, to obtain maximum aerodynamics, each cyclist can adjust the degree of insertion of the upper into the support according to the ideal position determined during the wind tunnel tests, and thus ensure the correct position of the helmet by the support of the rod resting head on his body.

Advantageously, the support is intended to be mounted on a rear zone of the helmet, said rear zone being intended to directly face the body of the user.

Preferably, the support comprises two parts bearing respectively on two mutually opposite faces of the rear zone, the two parts being assembled coaxially so as to define a slot capable of receiving the rod.

Advantageously, the first and second parts comprise complementary interlocking means.

Preferably, the first part of the support comprises locking lugs intended to hook onto the second part.

Advantageously, the first part and the second part of the support each comprise a shoulder resting respectively against the two mutually opposite faces of the rear zone.

In one embodiment, the rod is threaded and of round section.

In this embodiment, the light comprises a thread into which the stem can be inserted, the second part comprising a protrusion comprising a threaded hole into which a screw suitable for coming to rest on the stem is inserted.

In another embodiment, the rod is notched, the lumen defining a round-shaped hole in which the rod is mounted so as to, selectively, on the one hand slide in the support, and on the other hand attach to the support by the engagement of at least one internal stop of the support in a notch of the rod, the rod being of oblong section.

The invention also relates to an aerodynamic helmet comprising such a positioning device.

Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

illustrates a side view of an aerodynamic helmet comprising a positioning device according to the invention;

illustrates a rear view of the rear part of an aerodynamic helmet comprising a positioning device according to the invention;

illustrates a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of the positioning device according to the invention;

illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of the positioning device of the ;

illustrates a top view of the second embodiment of the positioning device according to the invention;

illustrates a longitudinal section of the second embodiment positioning device according to the invention; And

And

represent two cross-sectional views of the second embodiment of the positioning device according to the invention, FIG. 6A describing the sliding position of the rod and FIG. 6B describing the position for fixing the rod to the support.

Detailed description of at least one embodiment

There is shown in Figures 1 and 2 an aerodynamic helmet 1 for a time trial cyclist according to the invention.

Where appropriate, the invention also applies to other types of helmets, such as triathlon helmets, road helmets, etc.

This helmet 1 comprises a profiled shell C comprising a front part I, a tapered rear part II, an upper part III and an open lower part IV by which the helmet 1 is positioned on the head of a user.

It further comprises a positioning device 2 intended to guarantee the position of the helmet 1 on the head of the user, in an optimal aerodynamic position corresponding to the optimal position tested in the wind tunnel. The positioning device 2 is positioned on the rear part II of the helmet 1.

There describes a profile view in longitudinal section of the positioning device 2 according to the invention. This device comprises a support 3 and a rod 4a which is axially movable with respect to the shell of the helmet and which is intended to bear against the cyclist's body to guarantee a predetermined and reproducible positioning of the helmet on the user's head.

The rod 4a comprises at one of its ends a support head 5, the opposite end comprising a thread allowing its insertion into the support 3 more or less deeply, so as to be able to adjust the position of the head of support 5 relative to the support 3 and the positioning of the helmet according to the ideal position of the user. The rod 4a is mounted in an axially adjustable manner in the support 3, which is fixed to the rear part II of the helmet 1, on an area 6 of the helmet intended to directly face the back or the neck of the cyclist. In this way, the support head 5 of the rod 4a inserted into the support 3 can come to rest on the body of the user who has put on the helmet 1. More particularly, in one embodiment, the support head 5 rests on the posterior cervical region, at the base of the user's neck, thus ensuring correct and aerodynamic positioning of the helmet 1 on the user's head.

The zone 6 of the rear part II of the helmet 1 on which the support 3 is mounted is shown in section on the .

The support 3 comprises a first part 7 and a second part 8. The two parts 7 and 8 of the support 3 bear respectively on the two mutually opposite faces 6a and 6b of the rear zone 6 of the rear part II of the helmet 1.

The two parts 7 and 8 of the support comprise complementary interlocking means on their outer surfaces, not shown, comprising on the one hand two lateral grooves made in the second part 8 and on the other hand two locking tabs of the first part 7 s inserting respectively by snapping into the lateral grooves by hooking onto the edges of this second part 8. In this way, the two parts 7 and 8 are sufficiently joined together to form the support 3.

The two parts 7 and 8 of the support 3 each comprise a shoulder 10 and 11 respectively coming to bear against the two mutually opposite faces 6a and 6b of the rear zone 6.

The two parts 7 and 8 of the support 3, secured by means of complementary interlocking means, are assembled coaxially so as to define a slot. This light is round in shape and receives the rod 4a, also of round section, which engages therein by its end opposite to the support head 5. The rod 4a is threaded, and engages in a thread 12 positioned in the slot made in the support 3 to receive the rod 4a. The rod 4a can thus slide in the support 3 along the axis of the opening of the support 3 so as to lengthen or shorten the distance between the support head 5 and the wall of the rear zone 6 of the helmet 1. axis of the light of the support 3 the assembly axis of the two parts 7 and 8 of the support.

The second part 8 comprises on its shoulder 11 a protrusion 13 extending parallel to the axis of the light.

This protrusion 13 comprises a hole perpendicular to the axis of the slot made in the support 3. This hole comprises a thread 14 receiving a threaded screw 15 coming to rest on the rod 4a inserted in the support 3. Thus, the screw 15 blocks the movement of the rod 4a, once the rod 4a has its ideal position tested in the wind tunnel.

Consequently, the user of the helmet 1 can adjust the distance between the support head 5 and the wall of the rear zone 6 of the helmet so as to obtain the ideal configuration determined during the tests in the wind tunnel and adapted to his position, and block it to thus ensure by constant contact of the support head on his neck throughout the race, improved aerodynamics and a good positioning of the helmet on his head.

The rod 4a is made of flexible plastic, so as not to injure the user, for example in the event of a fall.

Figures 4 to 7A and 7B describe a second embodiment according to the invention, in which the rod is no longer threaded but notched.

In this second embodiment, a rod 4b comprises, like rod 4a, a head, but the threading of which is replaced by notches 16. As in the first embodiment, a support 17 formed by assembling two parts 18 and 19 via complementary interlocking means comprising on the one hand two lateral grooves made in the second part 18 and on the other hand two locking lugs 20. The two parts 18 and 19 each comprise a shoulder 21 and 22 respectively coming to take bearing against the two mutually opposite faces 6a and 6b of the rear zone 6. The parts 18 and 19 are assembled coaxially so as to define a slot within the support 17, visible on the .

There shows a top view of the helmet positioning device 2 according to the invention.

The support 17 comprises in its inner surface at least one inner abutment 23. On the , the support comprises for example two internal stops 23a and 23b. The light of the support 17 is of relatively round shape and the rod 4b of this second embodiment is of oblong section. The diameter of the slot in the support 17 is large enough to allow the oblong rod 4b to slide in the support 17. The diameter of the slot is also large enough to allow rotation of the oblong rod 4b around the axis of the lumen of support 17. By axis of the lumen is meant the assembly axis of the two parts 18 and 19 of support 17.

As shown in Figures 5, 6, 7A and 7B, when the oblong rod 4b undergoes a rotation around the axis of the light of the support 17, the internal stops 23a and 23b come to engage in the notches 16 of the rod 4b, thus fixing the rod in position along this same axis of the light. The rod 4b can therefore selectively on the one hand slide in the support 17 when it is positioned as described on the , and on the other hand to be fixed to the support 17 by the engagement of at least one internal stop 23 of the support 17 in at least one notch 16 of the oblong rod 4b, as described on the .

This second embodiment has a lower manufacturing cost, comprising fewer elements, in particular not comprising any threads or protrusions or locking screws. However, it is less precise in the positioning of the rod than the first embodiment, the thread of which makes it possible to adjust the rod 4a in the support as precisely as possible, whereas the notching is regular and does not allow the rod to be fixed. 4b between two successive notches 16a and 16b.

Claims (10)

Device (2) for positioning an aerodynamic helmet (1) on the head of a user, comprising a support (3; 17) intended to be mounted on the helmet (1) and an adjustment rod (4a; 4b) the positioning of the helmet, the stem (4a; 4b) being intended to be inserted in an adjustable manner into the support (3; 17) and comprising a support head (5) intended to rest on the body of the user . Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the support (3; 17) is intended to be mounted on a rear zone (6) of the helmet, the said rear zone (6) being intended to directly face the body of the user. . Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the support (3; 17) comprises two parts (7 and 8; 18 and 19) bearing respectively on two mutually opposite faces (6a and 6b) of the rear zone (6) , the two parts (7 and 8; 18 and 19) being assembled coaxially so as to define a slot capable of receiving the rod (4a; 4b). Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the first and second parts (7 and 8; 18 and 19) comprise complementary interlocking means. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the first part (7; 18) of the support (3; 17) comprises locking lugs (9) intended to be hooked to the second part (8; 19). Device according to Claim 3 to 5, characterized in that the first part (7; 18) and the second part (8; 19) of the support (3; 17) each comprise a shoulder (10 and 11; 21 and 22) taking bearing respectively against the two mutually opposite faces (6a and 6b) of the rear zone (6). Device according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the rod (4a) is threaded and of round section. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the light comprises a thread (12) into which the rod (4a) can be inserted, the second part (8) comprising a protrusion (13) comprising a threaded hole (14) in which is inserted a screw (15) capable of coming to rest on the rod (4a). Device according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the rod (4b) is notched, the aperture defining a round-shaped hole in which the rod (4b) is mounted so as to, selectively, on the one hand slide in the support (17), and on the other hand be fixed to the support (17) by the engagement of at least one internal stop (23) of the support (17) in a notch (16) of the rod (4b ), the rod (4b) being of oblong section. Aerodynamic helmet (1) characterized in that it comprises a positioning device (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 9.