GB1564841A

GB1564841A - Anti-theft helmet for the use of a driver or passenger of a two-wheeled vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB1564841A
Application number: GB5453976A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: INNOVATION SECURITE
Current assignee: INNOVATION SECURITE
Priority date: 1976-01-09
Filing date: 1976-12-31
Publication date: 1980-04-16
Also published as: ES225457U; BE849760A; DE2700470C3; FR2337514B1; ES225457Y; FR2337514A1; DE2700470B2; IT1075602B; DE2700470A1

Description

(54) ANTI-THEFT HELMET FOR. THE USE OF A DRIVER OR PASSENGER OF A TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE (71) We, SOCIETE D'INNOVATION POUR LA SECURITY, a Societe Anonyme organised under the laws of France, of Centre Commercial Nantica, Port Barcares, 66420 Le Barcares, France, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to an antitheft helmet for the use of a driver or passenger of a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motor cycle or a moped.

An increase in road traffic, and more especially in urban road traffic, has increase the number of traffic jams to such an extent that the number of two-wheeled vehicles using the roads has recently shown a considerable increase. The development of such vehicle has unfortunately not been followed by a similar development of a safer vehicle understructure, so much so that safety measures have had to be taken, and will still have to be taken, both by the vehicle users themselves and by public authorities.

Safety has therefore become essential in the use of two-wheeled vehicles. If the users of powerful motor cycles have for a long time protected themselves by means of a helmet, its use by all motor vehicle users has only recently become compulsory. Therefore a helmet has become an indispensable accessory for the users of motorised two-wheeled vehicles.

As well as the increase in the number of vehicle using the roads, there has also been both an increase in the number of vehicles stolen and the theft of items from vehicles such as, for example, helmets. It is desirable when using a two-wheeled vehicle not to have to encumber oneself with one's helmet when one wants to leave the vehicle unattended such as, for example, when parking. Therefore, if the helmet is to be left with the parked vehicle said helmet must be provided with antitheft means whereby it can be attached to the vehicle to prevent it from being stolen.

Helmets are already known, such as the one which is, for example, described in Dutch Patent No. 7304625, which have means whereby the helmet can be fixed to a stationary vehicle to prevent said helmet being stolen and, accordingly, also protect the vehicle against theft. These helmets generally comprise two fixing members, a theft resistant strap, a first end of which is fixed, in a manner which is difficult to separate, to one of the said fixing members and the second end of which is provided with a locking element for co-operation with a second locking element fastened, in a manner which is difficult to separate, to the second fixing members.

Other helmets are also known, such as the one which is described in British Patent No. 853461, comprising locking elements, but in which the link between the fixing members and the locking elements is realised only through the intermediary of their chin-strap.

The production of such helmets, apart from the fact that it is expensive, is unwieldy and difficult because of the need to incorporate in their walls two distinct fixing members, generally situated on a level with the cars of the user.

Moreover, the fact that the chin-strap forms an integral part of the anti-theft device can cast some doubt as to the effectiveness of this device, if one does not wish to neglect the comfort of the users nor deprive them of a pleasant chin-piece.

An object of the present invention is to remedy the disadvantages of the existing anti-theft helmets.

With this object in view, the present invention provides an anti-theft helmet for use by a driver or passenger of a twowheeled vehicle such as a motor cycle or a moped, comprising a fixing and locking assembly having a fixing member and a locking member, at least one theft-resistant strap of which one end is fixed, in a manner which is difficult to separate, to said fixing member and of which the other end is provided with a locking element adapted to co-operate with and be locked to and unlocking from said locking member, characterised in that the fixing member and the locking member are so com-bined that the fixing and the locking assembly constitutes a unitary structure, which is secured to the helmet.

With the arrangement in accordance with the invention, the production of the helmet is facilitated relative to that of the helmets already known, the bringing together of the fixing member and the locking member into a unitary fixing and locking assembly making it possible to lower the production cost and to increase the comfort and the anti-theft effectiveness of the helmet. In fact, since the antitheft protection is ensured by the cooperation between the helmet, the theftresistant strap and the fixing and locking assembly, and each of these elements has to offer the same resistance to rupture, traction, torsion or to any other mechanical stresses, it can easily be understood that with a unitary fixing and locking assembly there is greater anti-theft protection.Since the production of theftresistant straps no longer present any difficulty, and that the strength of the helmets is subject to strict standards, especially with regard to strengthening their resistance to the penetration of a pointed object, the fixing member and the locking member, essential to the anti-theft function, therefore now require the greatest attention on the part of the manufacturers.

In a preferred embodiment of the helmet of the invention, the locking member is directly fixed to the fixing member to form said fixing and locking assembly, so that a single strap, of uniform theftresistance, cooperates with a unitary fixing and locking assembly to ensure the antitheft function of the helmet. The manufacture of the helmet in this particular form is simple and more economical.

In a further embodiment of the helmet of the invention, the connection between the locking member and fixing member, to form the unitary fixing and locking assembly, is by way of a second theftresistant strap.

When the helmet is being worn, it may be desirable to lodge the theft-resistant straps of the fixing and locking assembly on the helmet to prevent these theftresistant straps from dangling and also, if necessary, to suitably position the fixing member and locking member on the helmet. For this purpose therefore, the helmet can have formed in its outer surface, a groove adapted to receive the fixing member and locking member and all or part of the theft-resistant straps. Alternatively, if the helmet has a visor fixed thereto, this groove can be formed on the outer surface of the visor.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the helmet of the invention equipped with a visor; Fig. 2 illustrates part of the helmet of Fig. 1, the visor of the helmet having been removed; Fig. 3 illustrates the helmet of Fig. 1, the theft-resistant strap not being locked; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the helmet of the invention, equipped with a chin-strap; Fig. 5 is a side view of the helmet of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 illustrates the application of the helmet of the invention, in the anti-theft position, on a motor-cycle.

Figs. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the helmet 1 of the invention which is provided with a visor 10, fixed in a known 'per se' manner to the helmet 1. A fixing and locking assembly is fixed solidly to a front portion 7 of the helmet 1, through the intermediary of tabs 14, so as to be sunk in a visor 10 once put in place over the fixing and locking assembly, this visor 10 being for example, moulded from the same material as the helmet 1. This fixing and locking assembly comprises a fixing member 11 and a locking member 15, the locking member 15 being the female part of a conventional anti-theft device, the opening 9 of which is accessible at the outer surface of the visor 10, so as to permit introduction of a key. Instead of an anti-theft device having a key, the locking member 15 of the helmet 1 of the invention could be constituted by a device having a combination, the serrated tumbler rollers of which would be arranged opposite the opening 9, or any other suitable device.

A theft-resistant strap 5 is attached to the fixing member 11 of the fixing and locking assembly by its end 12, its end 13 bearing a locking element 16 which is the male part of the conventional anti-theft device, the locking element 16 being formed so as to be able to co-operate with the locking member 15 which is the female part and which is secured to the helmet to ensure the anti-theft function of the helmet. It can easily be understood that the locking member 15, which is an integral part of the fixing and locking assembly can also be the male part of the anti-theft device and locking element 16, on the end 13 of the strap 5, can be the female part.

The helmet 1 is provided with a groove 8 formed, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, over the circumference and at the outer surface of the visor 10, so as to receive, when it is locked at its two ends to the fixing and locking assembly, the theft-resistant strap 5 and prevent it dangling when the helmet is being worn. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 4, the groove can be formed in the surface of the helmet itself.

The co-operation of the helmet 1 with the theft-resistant strap 5 and the fixing and locking assembly, the respective resistances of which to mechanical stresses are substantially identical, thus ensures an effective anti-theft protection not only for the helmet itself but also for the motor cycle, since the theft-resistant strap 5 makes it possible, after having placed the helmet either on a motor vehicle's luggagecarrier, as illustrated in Fig. 6, or on its front lamp or even on a telescopic clip integral with one of the mudguards, to attach solidly the helmet to one of the wheels of the vehicle by passing said theftresistant strap 5 through the wheel, thus protecting simultaneously the helmet and the motor vehicle against theft.

When the vehicle user again wants to wear the helmet it is sufficient to introduce a key into the aperture 9, or to manipulate the tumbler rollers mentioned above, so as to unlock the locking element 16, formed on the end 13 of the theft-resistant strap 5, from the locking member 15, retract said theft-resistant strap 5 through the wheel of the vehicle and then, after having lodged the theft-resistant strap 5 in the groove 8, pass said locking element 16 through an opening in the visor 10 and insert and lock it once more in the locking member 15. In this respect, the manipulation of the strap 5 around the fixing locking assembly can be facilitated if the strap 5 is hinged with this assembly.Alternatively the end 12 of the theft-resistant strap 5, instead of being directly attached to the fixing and locking assembly, is connected thereto, in a manner which is also difficult to separate, through the intermediary of a second locking device, so that the theftresistant strap 5 can be removed, by its two ends from the helmet 1. Otherwise, and in accordance with the embodiment shown, the manipulation of the theft-resistant strap 5, and in particular its passage through the wheel of a motor cycle, is effected with a slight torsion of said theftresistant strap 5.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a further embodiment of the helmet of the invention, in which a helmet 101 is provided with a chin-strap 102 bearing a chin-piece 103, the chin-strap 102 being formed by extensions of two ear-covers 104. A theft-resistant strap 105 is fixed to a fixing and locking assembly 111, which is identical to the fixing and locking assembly previously described, and which is arranged, in this case, under a front portion 107 of the helmet 101. The theft-resistant strap 105 is lodged in a groove 108 formed directly in the outer surface of the helmet 101.

The opening and the closing of the fixing and locking assembly 111 is identical to the fixing and locking assembly of the helmet 1, the locking and the unlocking of end 113 of the theft-resistant strap 105 being effected through the opening 109 formed in the front portion 107 of the helmet 101, thanks to a key or to tumbler rollers making it possible to which is difficult to separate, to said fixing device incorporated in the fixing and locking assembly 111.

The various embodiments of the helmet of the invention shown in the drawings must not be considered as restrictive of the invention. One could also conceive of a helmet in which the locking member 15 is connected to the fixing member 11 by a second theft-resistant strap to form a unitary fixing and locking assembly.

Moreover, instead of a fixing and locking assembly situated on the front portion of the helmet, it could, without departing from the scope of the present invention, be situated at any location whatsoever on the helmet.

Finally, the fixing and locking assembly can be fixed to the helmet by means other than the tabs which have been mentioned.

One could also use rivets, or even overmould the helmet on the fixing and locking assembly as one has overmoulded the visor 10 on the fixing and locking assembly of helmet 1.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: - 1. An anti-theft helmet for use by a driver or passenger of a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motor cycle or a moped, comprising a fixing and locking assembly having a fixing member and a locking member, at least one theft-resistant strap of which one end is fixed, in a manner which is difficult to separate, to saiad fixing member and of which the other end is provided with a locking element adapted to co-operate with and be locked to and unlocked from said locking member, characterised in that the fixing member and the locking member are so combined that the fixing and locking assembly constitutes a unitary structure, which is secured to the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. helmet. It can easily be understood that the locking member 15, which is an integral part of the fixing and locking assembly can also be the male part of the anti-theft device and locking element 16, on the end 13 of the strap 5, can be the female part. The helmet 1 is provided with a groove 8 formed, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, over the circumference and at the outer surface of the visor 10, so as to receive, when it is locked at its two ends to the fixing and locking assembly, the theft-resistant strap 5 and prevent it dangling when the helmet is being worn. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 4, the groove can be formed in the surface of the helmet itself. The co-operation of the helmet 1 with the theft-resistant strap 5 and the fixing and locking assembly, the respective resistances of which to mechanical stresses are substantially identical, thus ensures an effective anti-theft protection not only for the helmet itself but also for the motor cycle, since the theft-resistant strap 5 makes it possible, after having placed the helmet either on a motor vehicle's luggagecarrier, as illustrated in Fig. 6, or on its front lamp or even on a telescopic clip integral with one of the mudguards, to attach solidly the helmet to one of the wheels of the vehicle by passing said theftresistant strap 5 through the wheel, thus protecting simultaneously the helmet and the motor vehicle against theft. When the vehicle user again wants to wear the helmet it is sufficient to introduce a key into the aperture 9, or to manipulate the tumbler rollers mentioned above, so as to unlock the locking element 16, formed on the end 13 of the theft-resistant strap 5, from the locking member 15, retract said theft-resistant strap 5 through the wheel of the vehicle and then, after having lodged the theft-resistant strap 5 in the groove 8, pass said locking element 16 through an opening in the visor 10 and insert and lock it once more in the locking member 15. In this respect, the manipulation of the strap 5 around the fixing locking assembly can be facilitated if the strap 5 is hinged with this assembly.Alternatively the end 12 of the theft-resistant strap 5, instead of being directly attached to the fixing and locking assembly, is connected thereto, in a manner which is also difficult to separate, through the intermediary of a second locking device, so that the theftresistant strap 5 can be removed, by its two ends from the helmet 1. Otherwise, and in accordance with the embodiment shown, the manipulation of the theft-resistant strap 5, and in particular its passage through the wheel of a motor cycle, is effected with a slight torsion of said theftresistant strap 5. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a further embodiment of the helmet of the invention, in which a helmet 101 is provided with a chin-strap 102 bearing a chin-piece 103, the chin-strap 102 being formed by extensions of two ear-covers 104. A theft-resistant strap 105 is fixed to a fixing and locking assembly 111, which is identical to the fixing and locking assembly previously described, and which is arranged, in this case, under a front portion 107 of the helmet 101. The theft-resistant strap 105 is lodged in a groove 108 formed directly in the outer surface of the helmet 101. The opening and the closing of the fixing and locking assembly 111 is identical to the fixing and locking assembly of the helmet 1, the locking and the unlocking of end 113 of the theft-resistant strap 105 being effected through the opening 109 formed in the front portion 107 of the helmet 101, thanks to a key or to tumbler rollers making it possible to which is difficult to separate, to said fixing device incorporated in the fixing and locking assembly 111. The various embodiments of the helmet of the invention shown in the drawings must not be considered as restrictive of the invention. One could also conceive of a helmet in which the locking member 15 is connected to the fixing member 11 by a second theft-resistant strap to form a unitary fixing and locking assembly. Moreover, instead of a fixing and locking assembly situated on the front portion of the helmet, it could, without departing from the scope of the present invention, be situated at any location whatsoever on the helmet. Finally, the fixing and locking assembly can be fixed to the helmet by means other than the tabs which have been mentioned. One could also use rivets, or even overmould the helmet on the fixing and locking assembly as one has overmoulded the visor 10 on the fixing and locking assembly of helmet 1. WHAT WE CLAIM IS: -

1. An anti-theft helmet for use by a driver or passenger of a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motor cycle or a moped, comprising a fixing and locking assembly having a fixing member and a locking member, at least one theft-resistant strap of which one end is fixed, in a manner which is difficult to separate, to saiad fixing member and of which the other end is provided with a locking element adapted to co-operate with and be locked to and unlocked from said locking member, characterised in that the fixing member and the locking member are so combined that the fixing and locking assembly constitutes a unitary structure, which is secured to the

helmet.

2. A helmet as claimed in Claim 1, in which the locking member is connected directly to the fixing member to form said unitary fixing and locking assembly.

3. A helmet as claimed in Claim 1, in which the connection between the locking member and the fixing member, so form said unitary fixing and locking assembly, is by way of a second theft-resistant strap.

4. A helmet as claimed in Claim 2, in which the theft-resistant strap is fixed to said fixing assembly through the intermediary of a locking device.

5. A helmet as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the or each theft-resistant strap is hinged to the fixing assembly.

6. A helmet as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a groove is formed in its outer surface for lodging the or each theftresistant strap and prevent it from dangling.

7. A helmet as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said locking member is of the type having a key.

8. A helmet as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6, in which the said locking member is a combination lock.

9. An anti-theft helmet for use by a driver or passenger of a two-wheel vehicle such as a motor cycle and a moped substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 or Figs.

4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.