GB2041724A

GB2041724A - Protective helmet

Info

Publication number: GB2041724A
Application number: GB7905617A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Shires N F; Shires N N
Current assignee: Shires N F; Shires N N
Priority date: 1979-02-16
Filing date: 1979-02-16
Publication date: 1980-09-17

Abstract

A protective helmet comprises a casing 2 made up of two releasably interconnected panels 4, 6. This allows easy removal of at least part of the helmet after an accident, so minimising secondary injury. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A protective helmet This invention relates to a protective helmet.

Protective helmets, or crash helmets, are used by participants in activities where injury to the head can occur, for example in high-speed sports like motor cycle racing and skiing. Conventional crash helemets comprise a one-piece rigid shell which is resiliently mounted on the wearer's head.

Such helmets have serious deficiencies and can be dangerous. They are difficult to remove from an unconscious and possibly serious injured person.

Furthermore, the rigid shell may break during an accident and jagged splinters may enter the wearer's head. Attempts to remove the helmet under these circumstances can seriously compound any injury already suffered. In addition, it is becoming increasingly apparent that conventional crash helmets are not ideally suited to absorbing the glancing impacts which most often occur during high-speed accidents.

According to the present invention there is provided a protective helmet comprising an impact absorbing casing for fitting over the head of a wearer, the casing comprising a plurality of panels which are releasably connected together.

With such a construction, removal of the helmet after an accident is considerably easier than with a conventional helmet.

The panels may be connected together in a number of different ways and may be connected together by different means.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a protective helmet; Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a protective helmet; and Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a protective helmet.

Al of the helmets shown in the Figures comprise a casing 2 which is made up of releasably interconnected parnels. The panels are made from a rigid, but resilient material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

In the embodiment of Figure 1, there are two panels 4 and 6 which are joined together along a line 8. The helmet has an opening 10 exposing the wearer's face, and the line 8 extends, at the level of the wearer's forehead, from one side of the opening 10, round the back of the head to the other side of the opening 10. Thus the panels 4 and 6 comprise upper and lower portions of the casing 2. By disconnecting the two panels 4 and 6 along the line 8, the upper portion 4 can be removed from the wearer separately from the lower portion 6.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, the casing is made up of two panels 12 and 14 which are interconnected along a line 1 6 which extends from the middle of the forehead, over the crown of the head to the nape of the neck. The helmet has a chin guard 1 8 which is divided at the point of the chin at a line 1 6A which is a continuation of the line 16. Thus the chin guard has two portions, one of which is integral with the panel 12, and the other of which is integral with the panel 14. When the two panels 12 and 14 are released from each other, they can be readily removed from the wearer's head.

in the embodiment of Figures 3, the casing 2 comprises two panels 20 and 22 which are connected together along a line 24 which extends over the crown of the head from one side to the other, the panels 20 and 22 thus comprising front and rear portions of the casing 2. Again, a chin guard 26 is provided; this may be integral with the panel 20 or else it may be separately connected to the panel 22 along joint lines 26, one on each side of the helmet.

In all of the embodiments shown in the drawings, at least part of the helmet can be removed without needing to withdraw the whole helmet upwards of the wearer's head. This movement could draw damaged parts of the helmet across the wearer's head, so inflicting serious injury. With constructions as illustrated, portions of the casing can be removed in a direction substantially normal to the surface of the skull, so reducing or eliminating any secondary injury after an accident.

The panels may be interconnected by any suitable means which is strong enough to hold the panels firmly together, even when the helmet is subjected to impact, and yet is readily releasable.

Zip fasteners or press-studs may be used, or toggle fasteners comprising a projection on one panel which is passed through a slot in the other and then turned to secure to panels together. The same helmet may have different types of fastener at different places. It may be desirable to provide a weatherproof strip over the joint line between the two panels.

1. A protective helmet comprising a casing for fitting over the head of a wearer, the casing comprising a plurality of impact-absorbing panels which are releasably connected together, 2. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, in which the casing comprises two panels.

3. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, in which the panels are connected together along a line which extends, with respect to a wearer of the helmet, around the helmet generally at forehead level, whereby the two panels comprise upper and lower portions of the casing.

4. A helmet as claimed in claim 3, in which a chin-guard is integral with the lower portion of the casing.

5. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, in which the panels are connected together along a line which extends, with respect to a wearer of the helmet, from the nape of the neck, over the crown to the centre of the forehead, whereby the two panels comprise opposite side portions of the casing.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A protective helmet This invention relates to a protective helmet. Protective helmets, or crash helmets, are used by participants in activities where injury to the head can occur, for example in high-speed sports like motor cycle racing and skiing. Conventional crash helemets comprise a one-piece rigid shell which is resiliently mounted on the wearer's head. Such helmets have serious deficiencies and can be dangerous. They are difficult to remove from an unconscious and possibly serious injured person. Furthermore, the rigid shell may break during an accident and jagged splinters may enter the wearer's head. Attempts to remove the helmet under these circumstances can seriously compound any injury already suffered. In addition, it is becoming increasingly apparent that conventional crash helmets are not ideally suited to absorbing the glancing impacts which most often occur during high-speed accidents. According to the present invention there is provided a protective helmet comprising an impact absorbing casing for fitting over the head of a wearer, the casing comprising a plurality of panels which are releasably connected together. With such a construction, removal of the helmet after an accident is considerably easier than with a conventional helmet. The panels may be connected together in a number of different ways and may be connected together by different means. For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a protective helmet; Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a protective helmet; and Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a protective helmet. Al of the helmets shown in the Figures comprise a casing 2 which is made up of releasably interconnected parnels. The panels are made from a rigid, but resilient material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). In the embodiment of Figure 1, there are two panels 4 and 6 which are joined together along a line 8. The helmet has an opening 10 exposing the wearer's face, and the line 8 extends, at the level of the wearer's forehead, from one side of the opening 10, round the back of the head to the other side of the opening 10. Thus the panels 4 and 6 comprise upper and lower portions of the casing 2. By disconnecting the two panels 4 and 6 along the line 8, the upper portion 4 can be removed from the wearer separately from the lower portion 6. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the casing is made up of two panels 12 and 14 which are interconnected along a line 1 6 which extends from the middle of the forehead, over the crown of the head to the nape of the neck. The helmet has a chin guard 1 8 which is divided at the point of the chin at a line 1 6A which is a continuation of the line 16. Thus the chin guard has two portions, one of which is integral with the panel 12, and the other of which is integral with the panel 14. When the two panels 12 and 14 are released from each other, they can be readily removed from the wearer's head. in the embodiment of Figures 3, the casing 2 comprises two panels 20 and 22 which are connected together along a line 24 which extends over the crown of the head from one side to the other, the panels 20 and 22 thus comprising front and rear portions of the casing 2. Again, a chin guard 26 is provided; this may be integral with the panel 20 or else it may be separately connected to the panel 22 along joint lines 26, one on each side of the helmet. In all of the embodiments shown in the drawings, at least part of the helmet can be removed without needing to withdraw the whole helmet upwards of the wearer's head. This movement could draw damaged parts of the helmet across the wearer's head, so inflicting serious injury. With constructions as illustrated, portions of the casing can be removed in a direction substantially normal to the surface of the skull, so reducing or eliminating any secondary injury after an accident. The panels may be interconnected by any suitable means which is strong enough to hold the panels firmly together, even when the helmet is subjected to impact, and yet is readily releasable. Zip fasteners or press-studs may be used, or toggle fasteners comprising a projection on one panel which is passed through a slot in the other and then turned to secure to panels together. The same helmet may have different types of fastener at different places. It may be desirable to provide a weatherproof strip over the joint line between the two panels. CLAIMS

1. A protective helmet comprising a casing for fitting over the head of a wearer, the casing comprising a plurality of impact-absorbing panels which are releasably connected together,

2. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, in which the casing comprises two panels.

6. A helmet as claimed in claim 5, in which the casing includes a chin-guard which comprises one portion which is integral with one side portion of the casing and another portion which is integral with the other side portion of the casing; the two portions of the chin-guard being releasably connected together generally at the point of the chin, with respect to a wearer of the helmet.

7. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, in which the panels are connected together along a line which extends, with respect to a wearer of the helmet, from one side of the head, over the crown to the other side of the head, whereby the two panels comprise front and rear portions of the casing.

8. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, in which the front portion of the casing includes a chin-guard.

9. A helmet as claimed in claim 7, in which a chin-guard is releasably connected to the rear portion of the casing.

10. A helmet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the panels are releasably connected together by means of one of more zip fasteners.

11. A helmet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the panels are releasably connected together by means of one or more press-studs.

12. A helmet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the panels are releasably connected together by means of one or more toggle fasteners.

13. A helmet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the panels are made from resilient material.

14. A helmet as claimed in claim 13, in which the panels are made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

1 5. A protective helmet substantially as described herein with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.