GB2087222A

GB2087222A - Device for adjusting the opening of the visors in crash helmets for motorcyclists and the like

Info

Publication number: GB2087222A
Application number: GB8132920A
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: IT8023337V0; FR2493686B1; FR2493686A1; GB2087222B; DE3143132C2; DE3143132A1

Abstract

The device comprises, at each end of the visor, (1), a disc shaped body (2), located concentrically with respect to the coupling pin of the visor and rigidly associated with the crash helmet, the disc shaped body slidingly housing, against the action of resilient means (10), a paw (8) effective to be movably engaged in seats (12) as formed integrally in the visor. <IMAGE>

Description

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

As it is known a present problem in the opening of motorcyclists crash helmet visors is that of obtaining, in addition to the usual complete closing and opening positions, an intermediate opening position of the visor, effective to permit aeration of the crash helmet, while affording a good protection against the impact of the air.

In order to obtain this intermediate opening position, there are used screw devices which practically act by pressure, at the crash helmet hinges, and permit the visor to be locked at the desired position.

These known devices, on the other hand, have not met a broad acceptance by motor cyclists since, in order to adjust the visor, it is necessary to use both hands and, accordingly, it is not possible to execute these operations during the running of the motorcycle.

In order to solve the thereinabove mentioned problem, visors have been introduced on the market which are provided with adjusting devices, for stopping by one hand only the visor at an intermediate position: however these devices, as presently used, are generally constructively very complex and of difficult operation.

Moreover, another drawback of the devices of the type thereinabove mentioned is that these devices, because of their construction complexity, are frequently subjected to malfunctions.

Thus, the task of the present invention is to eliminate the thereinabove mentioned drawbacks by providing a device for adjusting the opening of the visors, in crash helmets for motorcyclists and the like, which is effective to allow for the visor to be located at an intermediate opening position, in a very quick and simple way, by using one hand only.

Within said task, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for adjusting the opening of the visors in crash helmets for motorcyclists and the like which may be assembled starting from a reduced number of component parts, effective to be easily and quickly assembled.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an adjusting device which, while being constructionally very simple, is of efficient operation and effective to meet all of the requirements of the motorcyclists.

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 each end of said visor, a disc shaped body, located concentrically with respect to the coupling pin of said visor and rigidly associated with said crash helmet, said disc shaped body slidingly housing, against the action of resilient means, a pawl effective to be movably engaged in seats as formed integrally in said visor.

The invention will now be described further by way of example with reference to accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a crash helmets including the adjusting device according to the present invention, the visor being represented in the closing position thereof; Figure 2 illustrates a crash helmet with the visor in the open position thereof; Figure 3 illustrates on an enlarged scale, the adjusting device according to the present invention; and Figure 4 is a cross-section view taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 3.

With reference to the cited Figures, the device for adjusting the opening of the visors in crash helmets for motorcyclists and the like, according to the invention, comprises, at each end of the visor, indicated at 1, a disc shaped body 2, of substantially flat configuration and substantially concentrically located with respect to the pin 3 coupling the visor 1 to the crash helmet 4.

The body 2 is provided with a lug 5 effective to be inserted into a corresponding hole 6, formed on the crash helmet 4 in such a way as to render the body 2 rigid with the crash helmet 4.

The visor 1 is rotatably supported about the body 2 and, to this end, it is provided, at each end, thereof, with a substantially cylindrical cavity or recess 7 which is effective to be fitted or mated to the disk shaped body 2.

The main feature of the invention consists of the fact that the disc shaped body 2 is provided with a cylindrical cavity or recess 8 therein there is slidingly housed a pawl 9 which, at its inner end, acts by contact against resilient means, consisting of a foil spring 10, which latter is supported by said disk shaped body 2.

At the free end thereof, the pawl 9 is of substantially semispherical shape, indicated at 11 and movably engages in seats 12 as formed on the side surface of said cylindrical cavity or recess 7.

The seats 12 are so located as to allow for said pawl 9 to be inserted therein-to and, more specifically, with its semispherical portion 11, thereby affording a firm locating of the visor 1.

By pressing in the rotation direction on the visor 1, the pawl 9 exceeds the resilient biassing of the spring 10 and reenters the seat 8, thereby affording mutual rotation between the visor 1 and body 2, as far as the pawl 9 is resiliently pushed into another seat 12.

Advantageously, the disk shaped body, on its side periphery, is provided with a cut portion 13, the ends thereof are effective to act as abutments for projections 14 defining the portion herein the seats 12 are formed, and being also effective to act as an end of stroke stop for the visor 1, in its opening and closing positions respectively.

The use of the adjusting device according to the invention is very simple: infact, with the visor 1 in its closure position, the pawl 9 is resiliently pushed into one of the end seats 12.

As the motorcyclist desires to open the visor 1, he/she has simply to push in the visor rotation direction thereby exceeding, as thereinabove men tioned, the resilient biassing of the pawl 9 and bringing said pawl 9 into the intermediate seat 12, corresponding to a stable intermediate opening position of the visor 1.

To pass from one position to the other, it is sufficient to exercise a suitable force, in the rotation direction, on the visor 1, thereby causing the pawl 9 to resiliently return into its seat.

From the above description it should be noted that the invention fully achieves the intended objects, and, in particular, it is to be pointed out the great constructional simplicity of the adjusting device which, while being greatly functional, practically exploits a particular shape of a portion of the cylindrical cavity or recess of the visor 1, therewith cooperates a pawl member as resiliently biassed and supported by the body 2, rigid with the crash helmet.

Of great importance is moreover the type of used resilient means which consist of a leaf spring which, in addition to high performances, is practically free of wear and presents the great advantage that it may be assembled in a very quick and simple way.

In practicing the invention the used materials as well as the contingent shapes and sizes 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 each end of said visor, a disc shaped body, located concentrically with respect to the coupling pin of said visor and rigidly associated with said crash helmet, said disc shaped body slidingly housing, against the action of resilient means, a pawl effective to be movably engaged in seats as formed integrally in said visor.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said visor comprises a cylindrical cavity or recess effective to be rotatably engaged with said disc shaped body.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the seats are formed on a portion of the side surface of said cylindrical cavity.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which said disc shaped body comprises, on the side surface thereof, a cut portion the end thereof are effective to act as abutments for projections defining the portion therein said seats are formed and being effective to act as an end of stroke memberforthe closure and complete opening position of said visor.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which said resilient means consist of a foil spring, supported at the ends thereof by said disc shaped body.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which said pawl is slidingly housed in a radially extending cavity or recess, as formed on said disc shaped body.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the free end of the pawl, engaging with said seats is of substantially semispherical shape.

8. 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.