GB2082896A

GB2082896A - Safety helmet visor

Info

Publication number: GB2082896A
Application number: GB8028001A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BENNEY WILLIAM EVERETT; LUXTON ALAN ROY
Current assignee: BENNEY WILLIAM EVERETT; LUXTON ALAN ROY
Priority date: 1980-08-29
Filing date: 1980-08-29
Publication date: 1982-03-17
Also published as: GB2082896B

Abstract

A safety helmet visor (2) comprises a pivotable frame (4) supporting eyeshield (3) and wiper assembly (6). The controls for the motor of the wiper assembly may be located in housing (7) or in control box (15). A washer arrangement may be associated with the wiper. In a modification, a safety helmet with a fixed window is provided with a wiper assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A wiper for a safety helmet visor The present invention relates to a visor which is pivotally attachable to a safety helmet and includes a wiper assembly.

The invention is concerned particularly, but not exclusively, with a visor of the aforesaid type for use with a motorcyclist's crash helmet.

Various wiper arrangements have been proposed for cleaning goggles, and visors used with crash helmets, and safety helmets in general.

For example, UK Patent Specification No. 703519 describes a wiper which is driven by a wind-wheel, and UK Patent Specification No. 1287746 relates to a manually operated visor wiper but also proposes the provision on the helmet of an electric motor to operate the wiper. Similarly, UK Patent Specification 1 286783 describes a wiper arrangement for the eyepieces of goggles in which the wipers are driven by an electric motor mounted on the goggle frame.

While it is well known to make goggle eyepieces from glass, the curved or "wraparound" visors favoured by motorcyclists have, until recently, included eyeshields made from a plastics material such as "Perspex" (Registered Trade Mark). Since this plastics material is easily scratched (resulting in the need to replace the eyeshield every three or four weeks) and holds a strong electrostatic attraction for grit and dust particles which contribute to the scratches, the use of wipers on these eyeshields has not been acceptable. The use of wipers on, for instance, a visor with a "Perspex" eyeshield would necessitate very frequent replacement of the eyeshield (perhaps after every occasion of use of the wiper) since the wiper would badly scratch the eyeshield by drawing dust and grit over its surface.

Recently it has become practicable to make "wrap-around" visors from toughened glass, rendering the use of wipers a viable proposition provided that the wiper assembly used is compact, efficient and does not adversely effect the safety performance of the crash helmet or the comfort of the user.

The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a visor having a wiper assembly which is particularly suited to use on a motorcyclist's crash helmet and which satisfies the above criteria.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a visor which is pivotally attachable to a safety helmet and includes: a transparent eyeshield; a wiper assembly which is mounted in a housing carried by the visor so as to be pivotable with the eyeshield out of a user's line-of-sight and includes an oscillatory wiper arm in wiping contact with the external surface of the eyeshield, and an electric motor having a drive connection to the wiper arn, and means for controlling the operation of the motor of the wiper assembly.

Preferably the eyeshield is supported peripherally by a frame which is pivotally attachable at each side of the helmet, and the housing comprises a streamlined fairing which may be mounted centrally on an upper crossmember of the frame, so that the wiper arm oscillates across the eyeshield about an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis of the frame on the helmet and has a symmetrical wiping stroke or sweep to clear a sector-shaped area in the users line-of-sight.

In another embodiment of the invention the eyeshield may be pivotally attached to each side of the helmet by its frame, or respective brackets, and the housing or fairing may be carried at one side of the frame, or by one of the brackets, so that the wiper arm can oscillate about the visor pivot axis in an arcuate path which conforms to the curvature of the eyeshield. In these other embodiments the other side of the frame, or other bracket, may carry a further wiper assembly, or an idler bearing for a respective end of a single wiper arm which extends across the full width of the eyeshield. In some cases a single wiper arm with an unsupported end may extend over only a part of the width of the eyeshield.

The housing and wiper assembly may be releasable from the visor when not required, but in preferred embodiments the housing is formed integrally with the frame. Preferably, the housing and frame will be molded in plastics and the eyeshield and wiper assembly will be removable for replacement.

In order to achieve firm wiping contact between the eyeshield and the wiper arm, it is preferable that the latter is resiliently biassed against the eyeshield. This resilient biassing may be achieved by making the wiper arm from a resilient flexible material or by spring-loading the arm. The wiper arm may be provided additionally (or instead) with a removable resilient wiper blade which is easily replaced to maintain effective wiping.

The drive connection between the wiper arm and the electric motor may be arranged to provide a continuous drive or an intermittent drive with equal facility. The continuous drive connection preferably comprises a worm-and-wheel acting through reduction gears on a linkage which drives the wiper arm. As will be appreciated, however, alternative continuous drive connections may include, for example, a slow-running motor which acts, without reduction gears, on a four bar linkage, or a rotary-mounted motor which avoids the need for worm gearing. In one example of an intermittent driven connection the motor acts through a speed reducer on a lost motion device which moves the wiper arm in one direction, the wiper arm being provided with a return spring to complete the stroke.

It is preferable that the wiper arm assumes a rest position out of the user's line-of-sight when not in use. This may be achieved manually, but in preferred embodiments the arm automatically adopts such a rest position when the motor is switched off. In some examples, a micro-switch may be interposed in the circuit between the motor and its power supply to ensure that, although a manual on/off switch is open, the power continues to be supplied until the wiper arm reaches a suitable position of its stroke, usually an extreme end position. In an embodiment with an intermittent driven connection, the return spring may serve to bias the wiper arm to a rest position out of the user's line of-sight. In other embodiments, the wiper arm may be cranked to give an asymmetrical sweep and ailow the arm to come to rest out-of-sight.

The controls for the motor of the wiper assembly, that is, the on/off switch and a speed control such as a potentiometer, may be located in the housing with the assembly, but in preferred embodiments the housing is kept compact by providing remote controls housed in a separate control box. The control box may be attached to the rear of the helmet, carried in a pocket of the user's garments or fixed to the motor cycle, for example, on the fuel tank or handlebars, where it is easily accessible.

The motor may be connected to the control box and its power supply (the electrical system of the motor cycle or a separate storage battery) by a flying lead which is easily disconnectible when the user leaves the motor cycle by accident or intent.

The easy disconnection is achieved in preferred embodiments by providing a jack-plug connection between portions of the flying lead attached to the control box and wiper assembly, respectively.

Preferably, the control box and wiper assembly are provided with compartments in which the portions of the lead can be stowed when not in use. The wiper assembly may include a self-winding reel which coils the respective lead portion when disconnected.

It is also envisaged that the visor may incorporate an eyeshield washer arrangement which cooperates with the wiper. In one embodiment the visor has a nozzle positioned to spray a washing liquid, such as water or a proprietary cleaning liquid, into the path of the wiper arm, while in another embodiment the wiper arm may be tubular with outlets to direct the liquid onto the eyeshield. In each case it is preferable that the control box houses an operating switch and pump for the washer. The reservoir for the liquid may be incorporated in, or separate from, the control box. A supply tube from the reservoir to the outlet or outlets would be arranged as convenient, being provided with an easily breakable connection corresponding to the jack plug of the flying lead. In preferred embodiments, the flying lead and supply pipe are clipped together.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the concept of the present invention may be applied equally to a safety helmet having a fixed window or eyeshield.

According to a second aspect, therefore, the present invention provides a safety helmet having a fixed window, a wiper assembly mounted on the helmet adjacent the window and including an oscillating wiper arm in wiping contact with the external surface of the window and an electric motor having a drive connection with the wiper arm, and means for controlling the operation of the motor of the wiper assembly.

Preferably, the wiper assembly would be housed in a streamlined fairing located above, below or to one side of the window as described above, but in some embodiments the helmet may be moulded with a recess for housing the wiper assembly so that the wiper arm projects into wiping contact with the window. The fairing or recess would be provided with a removable cover or portion, and the assembly itself may be releasable, so that the wiper assembly is accessible for maintenance and replacement.

In other respects the safety helmet according to this aspect of the invention would display the features described above in relation to the pivoted visor.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a frontal perspective view of a crash helmet fitted with a visor according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a partially-sectioned frontal view of a detail of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a motorcyclist's crash helmet 1 of a type which, in use, completely encloses the wearer's head and is provided with a pivoted "wrap-around" visor 2.

The visor 2 comprises a curved eyeshield 3 of toughened glass which is supported peripherally by a frame 4 attached at each side of the helmet 1 by releasable pivot fasteners 5, so that the visor 2 can be pivoted upwardly out of the user's line-ofsight. The eyeshield 3 is releasable from the frame 4 for replacement. The frame 4 also supports, in a central position on its lower cross-member, a wiper assembly, generally indicated 6, which is housed in a streamlined fairing 7 formed integrally with the frame 4 in a plastics material.

As shown in Figure 2, the fairing 7 houses an electric motor 8 which has a drive connection to a releasable oscillating wiper arm 9 projecting through a slot 7A at the upper edge of the fairing 7. The driven connection comprises a worm-andwheel gear 10 which is driven by the motor 8 and acts, through reduction gears 11, on a linkage comprising a crank 12 and a lever 13 which is pivoted to wiper arm 9 below the pivot 9A of the latter. The reduction gears 11 typically have a ratio of 6:1. The gears 10, 11 and linkage elements 12, 13 are preferably made from a polyamide, or a similar plastics material, for silent running, although the more traditional brass may be used.

The wiper arm 9 carries a removable rubber wiper blade 14 which is resiliently biassed into ' wiping contact with the external surface of the eyeshield 3 by the arm 9. In this embodiment, the wiper arm 9 is made from a resilient material, but the resilient biassing may also be achieved by spring-loading of the arm 9. In use, the wiper arm 9 oscillates across the eyeshield 3 about an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis of the frame 4 so that the wiper blade 14 clears a symmetrical sector-shaped area, shown in broken outline in Figure 1, in the user's line-of-sight.

The slot 7A for the wiper arm 9 is sealed by a rubber boot (not shown) which prevents the ingress of dirt and water to the fairing 7. The electric motor 8 may be encapsulated in a waterproof sealing material for added protection.

When the motor 8 is switched off, the wiper arm 9 automatically adopts a rest position at an extreme end position of its stroke out of the user's line-of-sight. The wiper arm 9 may additionally be movable, for example by hand, into a 'parked' position out of contact with the eyeshield, as shown in broken outline in the drawings. In this example, the circuit supplying the electric motor 8 is provided with a micro-switch (not shown) which cuts the power when the wiper arm 9 reaches the extreme position, subject to manual control. In other examples, the arm 9 may be resiliently biassed into this position.

In the example shown, the interior of the fairing 7 is accessible through a removable panel 7B at its rear. In embodiments for use with helmets having no chin-guard, for example, the back of the fairing 7 would be provided with impact padding and the panel would be at the front.

The operation of the motor 8 of the wiper assembly 6 is controlled remotely from a separate control box 1 5 which has a connection to a power supply, such as a battery (not shown), and is connected to the motor 8 by a flying lead 1 6. The flying lead 1 6 comprises two portions which are attached respectively to the control box 1 5 and the motor 8 and are interconnected by a jack-plug 1 7 enabling easy disconnection when the user leaves the motorcycle (whether by accident or intent).The control box 1 5 has a manual on/off switch operated, in this example, by a push button 18, a potentiometer operated by a knob 1 9 to vary the speed of the motor 8 and hence the wiper arm 9, and a covered compartment 20 for stowing the respective portion of flying lead 1 6 when it is disconnected. The push-button 1 8 and knob 1 9 are sufficiently spaced and of such a size that they can be operated easily when the user is wearing gloves.

The control box 1 5 is provided with interchangeable suction pads and jubilee clips (not shown) so that it may be attached to the petrol tank or handlebars of the motorcycle within easy reach.

Although a wiper assembly as herein described is not suitable for use with the plastics currently used in visors, such an assembly could be used with an eyeshield made from a plastics with a hardness comparable to that of glass.

It will be appreciated also that a visor according to the present invention could be applied equally to safety helmets worn, for example, by racing car drivers, hang-glider pilots, powerboat crew members, and skiers.

Claims

1. A safety helmet visor comprising a transparent eyeshield which is pivotally attachable at each side of a helmet, a wiper assembly mounted in a housing carried centrally at the upper or lower edge of the eyeshield so as to be pivotable with the latter out of a user's line-of sight, the wiper assembly including an electric motor and a wiper arm which is driven by the motor to oscillate across the external surface of the eyeshieid about an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis of the eyeshield on the helmet, and means for controlling the operation of the motor of the wiper assembly.

2. A visor as claimed in Claim 1, in which the wiper arm effects a symmetrical wiping stroke to sweep a sector-shaped area on the eyeshield in the user's line-of-sight.

3. A visor as claimed in Claim 1, in which the eyeshield is supported peripherally by a frame which is pivotally attachable to the helmet, and the housing is carried on an upper or lower cross member of the frame.

4. A visor as claimed in Claim 3, in which the housing comprises a streamlined fairing formed integrally with the frame, and the eyeshield is removable.

5. A visor as claimed inCIaim 4, in which the frame and fairing are moulded in plastics.

6. A visor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the wiper arm is resiliently biassed against the eyeshield.

7. A visor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the wiper arm has a removable resilient wiper blade.

8. A visor as claimed in Claim 1, in which the electric motor has a continuous drive connection to the wiper arm.

9. A visor as claimed in Claim 1, in which the electric motor has an intermittent drive connection to the wiper arm.

10. A visor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the wiper arm is movable into a rest position out of the user's line-of-sight when not in use.

1 A visor as claimed in Claim 10, in which the wiper arm assumes said rest position automatically under the control of a micro-switch interposed between the motor and its power supply to ensure that, when a manual control switch of the control means is opened, power is supplied to the motor until the wiper arm reaches its rest position.

12. A visor as claimed in Claim 9 and Claim 10, in which the wiper arm is resiliently biassed into said rest position,

13. A visor as claimed in Claim 1, in which the motor control means are remote from the motor.

14. A visor as claimed in Claim 13, in which the remote control means comprise a box housing a manual control switch, means for varying the motor speed and a connection to the power supply, the box being connected electrically to the motor by a flying lead with a jack-plug connection intermediate its ends to enable easy breaking of said electrical connection.

15. A visor as claimed in Claim 14, in which the control box and wiper assembly housing are provided with respective compartments for stowing the disconnected portions of the flying lead.

1 6. A safety helmet visor substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

17. A safety helmet including a fixed window, a wiper assembly which is mounted on the helmet above or below the centre of the window and includes an oscillating wiper arm in wiping contact with the external surface of the window and an electric motor having a drive connection to the wiper arm, and means for controlling the operation of the motor of the wiper assembly.

18. A safety helmet as claimed in Claim 17, in which the wiper assembly is housed in a streamlined fairing on the helmet, a portion of the fairing being removable for access to the wiper assembly.

19. A safety helmet as claimed in Claim 17, in which the wiper assembly is housed in a recess moulded in the helmet so that the wiper arm projects into wiping contact with the window, the recess being provided with a removable access cover.