GB2087220A

GB2087220A - Device for adjusting the opening of the visors in crash helmets for motorcyclists and the like

Info

Publication number: GB2087220A
Application number: GB8132918A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Nolan SpA
Current assignee: Nolan SpA
Priority date: 1980-11-11
Filing date: 1981-11-02
Publication date: 1982-05-26
Also published as: FR2493684B3; IT8023335V0; FR2493684A1; DE3143131A1

Abstract

The device comprises, at the hinging ends of the visor (1) to the helmet, an engagement member (3) rotatably and slidingly associated, against the biassing of a leaf spring (11) to the coupling pin (4) of the visor to the helmet, and a visor locating arm member (7) effective to be movably engaged in housing seats (10) as integrally formed with the helmet. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for adjusting the opening of the visors in crash helmets for motorcyclists and the like The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the opening of the visors in helmets for motorcyclists and the like.

As it is known a presently greatly felt problem in the making of helmets for motocyclists, and in particular in the so-called crash helmets, is that related to the opening of the visor.

Presently there are commercially available several devices which, with more or less complex configurations, permit to automatically obtain the stopping and locating of the visor at predetermined positions which, generally, consist of the opening position, the closing position and an intermediate opening position.

All the approaches presently known, however, are not suitable to be used in those helmets therein there is provided, at the edge encompassing the helmet opening, a recessed portion therein there is practically housed the edge portion of the visor.

For this type of visor, the opening thereof may be realized in a rather difficult way and requires, generally, the use of both hands: in addition the visor can be hardly locked at an intermediate position.

Accordingly, the task of the present invention is to provide a device for adjusting the opening of the visor in crash helmets for motorcyclists which, while being able of causing the visor to be displaced by a composite movement, is constructionally simple and may be operated by one hand only.

Within this task, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for adjusting the opening of the visor which can be assembled in a very simple way and which, moreover, includes a reduced number of component parts.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for adjusting the opening of visors which, owing to its constructional simplicity, is able of safely operating without malfunctions and moreover is provided with a great functionality.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for adjusting the opening of the visors in crash helmets for motorcyclists and the like, comprising at the hinging ends of the visor to the helmet, engagement means rotatably and slidingly associated, against the biassing of resilient means, to the coupling pin of the visor to the helmet, visor locating means being further provided effective to be movably engaged in housing seats as integrally formed with said helmet.

The invention will now be described further, by way, of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa schematic view illustrating a crash helmet the visor thereof being in its closure position, and the device according to the present invention being represented by dashed lines; Figure 2 illustrates the crash helmet with the visor thereof in its completely open position; Figure 3 illustrates the coupling device on an enlarged scale; and Figure 4 is a cross-section view as taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 3.

With reference to the number references of the Figures of the accompanying drawings, the device for adjusting the opening of the visors in crash helmets for motor cyclists and the like comprises, at each side end of the visor, indicated generally by the reference number 1, engagement means which, in the considered embodiment, consist of an elongated slot 2 having a substantially oval configuration and defined by an edge 3, integrally formed with the helmet 1.

The elongated slot rotatably and slidingly engages with the coupling pin 4 of the visor 1 to the helmet 5.

The pin 4, at one end thereof, is provided with an enlarged portion 6 which, by engaging with the outer surface of the visor 1, holds the latter strictly adhering to the helmet.

From the edge 3 visor locating means extend which are formed by an arm member 7 which, at the free end thereof, acts on the inside shaped surface of an annular member or edge 8, this latter being rigid with the helmet 5.

Said annular member 8 is provided, on a portion of its inside surface, with a projection 9, provided with locating seats 10, therein the end of the arm member 7 can engage to locate the visor 1, as it will become more apparent hereinafter.

Against the edge 3, at the opposite portion to that therefrom said locating arm member 7 extends, there act resilient means, consisting of a leaf spring 11 which is effective to press the edge 3 in such a way as to hold said arm member 7 adhering to the seats 10.

Moreover, symmetrically with respect to the arm member 7, a detent arm 12 extends from said edge 3 which, by engaging with a corresponding abutment 13 as formed on said annular member 8, forms the stop member for the closure position of the visor 1.

The obtained coupling is such that, as it is desired to open the visor 1, the arm member 7 angages with said projection 9.

Due to this reason, said arm member 7 preliminarily causes the slot 2 to translate with respect to the coupling pin 4, thereby allowing for the visor 1 to exit the housing recess as provided on the helmet.

As the arm member 7 is located in the intermediate seat 10, the visor is firmly opened in its intermediate position.

As it is desired to completely open the visor, it is sufficient to continue to rotate the visor 1 in the same direction, as far as the arm member 7 engages with the seat 10 adjoining the abutment 13.

Also in this case, it is obtained a stable opening of the visor which may be realized even by using one hand only.

In order to close the visor, the arm member 7 is caused to return, by acting on the visor 1, to the first seat 10.

In this position, the leaf spring 11, by pressing the edge 3 against the coupling pin 4, practically permits the return of the visor in the provided recess.

From the above description it should be noted that the invention fully achieves the intended objects.

More specifically, it should be pointed out the great simp[icity of the driving operation of the visor and of the involved movements which permit to obtain, in a nearly automatic way, an initial translation of the visor, during the opening step thereof, therein, in the practice the visor exits its housing recess and is then located in the preselected position.

Obviously, it is possible to provide a greater number of seats 10 than that which has been illustrated, in order to obtain further intermediate positions.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the main feature of the invention consists of the coupling of the visor to the pin 4 by means of an elongated slot which providesforthe rotation and, mainly, the sliding of said visor and facilitates the disengagement of the recessed type of visors, differently from the known visors of the same type.

In practicing the invention, the used materials, provided thatthey are compatible to the intended use, and the contingent shape and size may be any, according to needs.

Claims

1. A device for adjusting the opening of the visors in crash helmets for motorcyclists and the like comprising at the hinged ends of the visor to the helmet, engagement means rotatably and slidingly associated, againstthe biassing of resilient means, to the coupling pin of the visor to the helmet, visor locating means being further provided effective to be movably engaged in housing seats as integrally formed with said helmet.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the engagement means, rotatably and slidingly associated to the visor coupling pin, consists of an elonated slot defined by an edge rigid with said visor and engaged by said coupling pin.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the visor locating means consists of an arm member integrally extending from said edge and engaging, at the free end thereof, in seats as formed in an annular member, rigid with said helmet.

4. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the annular member comprises, on its inner surface, a projection wherein seats are formed, the engagement of said locating arm member with said projection being effective to cause said slot to translate with respectto said coupling pin.

5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 additionally comprising a stop arm member, extending from said edge and effective to engage by contact with a stop detent, as formed on the inside surface of the annular member for locking rotation as said visor is in the closed position thereof.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims, in which the resilient means consists of a leaf spring supported at the end thereof by the inside surface of said annular member.

7. A device for adjusting the opening of the visors in crash helmets for motorcyclists and the like, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.