GB2119229A

GB2119229A - A protective helmet

Info

Publication number: GB2119229A
Application number: GB08311434A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Newell
Original assignee: Thetford Moulded Products Ltd
Current assignee: Thetford Moulded Products Ltd
Priority date: 1982-04-28
Filing date: 1983-04-27
Publication date: 1983-11-16
Also published as: GB8311434D0; GB2119229B

Abstract

A protective helmet (1) has a rigid shell (2) defining a visor opening (4), a front face-protecting portion (5) and a recess (6) beneath the face-protecting portion (5) which opens into both front and bottom surfaces of the shell (2). A rigid filler portion (3) is pivotally, mounted to the face-protecting portion (5) at the front of the helmet for movement between an open position to facilitate positioning of the helmet (1) on, and removal of the helmet (1) from, a wearer's head and a closed position for retaining the helmet (1) on a wearer's head. The helmet (1) may be provided with a visor wiper assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A protective helmet BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a protective helmet in particular, but not exclusively, for drivers and passengers of two-wheel vehicles, e.g. motorcycles.

2. Description of the Prior Art Protection helmets of the so-called totally enclosed type are well known and generally comprise a unitary rigid shell provided with a visor opening and having an integral chin guard portion extending beneath, and defining the lower edge of, the visor opening.

Conventionally, such a known protective helmet has a relatively large head opening defined by the base of the helmet shell to permit the helmet to be placed in position on, and removed from, a wearer's head. A chin strap is provided to secure the protective helmet on the wearer's head, the chin strap extending from one to the other side of the helmet beneath the wearer's chin.

In order to be effective to prevent such a known protective helmet from becoming dislodged from a wearer's head in case of a violent impact, it is necessary for the chin strap to be positioned as close as possible to the wearer's larynx and to be tightened to a maximum extent. However such positioning and tightening of the chin strap causes discomfort to the wearer. Furthermore, because of the relatively large head opening there is a space between the wearer's chin and the front lower edge of the helmet. Unless a draught excluder is provided to close this space, ram air passes upwardly through the space during riding causing an uncomfortable cold draught.

In order to overcome the problems identified above it has previously been proposed to provide a rigid skirt around the base of a rigid helmet shell, the rigid skirt being formed as two half-skirts hinged to the helmet at opposite points of the base of the helmet shell. The skirt is internally padded and when fastened in position closely surrounds a wearer's neck to prevent the helmet from being torn off the wearer's neck when the helmet is subjected to a violent impact. However this solution to the above-identified problems is not ideal since the provision of two hinged parts makes the helmet relatively expensive to manufacture.

Furthermore, it may be relatively difficult for a wearer to manipulate the two hinged parts during positioning of the helmet on the wearer's head. Finally the skirt is not intended, primarily, to form part of the shock-resistant, protective shell surrounding the wearer's head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide a protective helmet having an improved means of fastening the helmet to a wearer's head.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a protective helmet comprising a rigid shell shaped to enclose a wearer's head and having a visor opening and a front, faceprotecting portion defining the lower edge of the visor opening, a rigid portion movably mounted on the face-protecting portion for movement relative to the shell between an open position permitting the helmet to be placed in position on, or removed from, a wearer's head and a closed position in which the rigid portion is designed at least partly to underlie a wearer's chin, and fastening means for releasably locking the rigid portion in its closed position, is characterised in that the rigid shell is provided with a recess, beneath the face-protecting portion, opening into both front and bottom surfaces of the shell, and in that the rigid portion is designed to at least partly fill the said recess when in said closed position to prevent removal of the helmet from the wearer's head.

Preferably the rigid portion is hinged to the face-protecting portion at the front of the helmet for pivotal movement relative to the shell between said open end closed positions.

The said recess preferably has the appearance of a cutout portion in the helmet shell in the region of the wearer's chin and is typically in the form of a rebate or stepped recess.

Preferably the rigid portion is designed both as a chin protector and as a means for fastening the helmet to the wearer's head.

Typically the helmet shell is moulded from a plastics material which may be reinforced, e.g. with glass fibre material. The said visor opening, recess and face-protecting portion are suitably formed in a single moulding operation.

Conveniently, said fastening means are provided at each side of the helmet.

Preferably the helmet includes a visor permanently fixed in said visor opening, although other types of visor, e.g. conventional pivoting visors, may be provided. By permanently fixing the visor in the visor opening the strength of the helmet shell is not unduly weakened by the provision of the visor opening. Suitably the visor is made of a toughened transparent material, e.g. a polycarbonate/glass laminate with the glass on the outer side. A visor wiper assembly may be mounted on the helmet.

Typically such a wiper assembly comprises wiper blade means extending across the visor and mounted so as to be manually movable upwardly and downwardly between upper and lower positions. Biasing means for resiliently urging the wiper blade means into its upper position may be provided.

Suitably the said movable rigid portion has vent openings formed therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a protective helmet according to the invention, Figure 2 is a vertical section through the protective helmet shown in Fig. 1, Figure 3 is a side view of another embodiment of a protective helmet according to the invention, Figure 4 is a part sectional view of another embodiment of a protective helmet according to the invention, Figure 5 is a view from the front of part of the protective helmet shown in Fig. 4, and Figure 6 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI MENTS Figs. 1 and 2 show a protective helmet 1, e.g. a crash helmet for a motorcyclist, of the totally enclosed type. The helmet 1 includes a rigid unitary shell 2, typically moulded from a plastics material, e.g. a glass fibre reinforced plastics material, and a hinged filler or chin portion 3 made of similar material and hinged to the front of the shell 2.

In particular the shell 2 is provided with a visor opening 4, an integral face-protecting portion 5 defining the entire lower edge of the visor opening 4 and a stepped recess 6 which is located beneath the face-protecting portion 5, opens into both the front and bottom surfaces of the shell 2, and has the appearance of a cutout in the shell 2. The shell is provided with internal padding 7 shown schematically in dashed lines in Fig. 2. A toughened visor 8 is permanently fixed, e.g. adhesively bonded, in the visor opening 4, the edge of the visor opening 4 suitably being rebated so that the outer surface of the visor 8 is flush with the external surface of the shell 2. An example of a suitable visor material is a laminated polycarbonate/glass material with the glass layer, which has good scratch-resistance properties, facing outwardly.It will be appreciated that the provision of the toughened visor 8 permanently fixed in the visor opening 4, increases the overall strength of the shell 2 in comparison with a similar shell having a visor which is not permanently fixed in the visor opening. However the invention is not limited to helmets having fixed visors and, in alternative arrangements, pivoting visors may be provided.

The chin portion 3 is hinged to a lower part of the face-protecting portion 5 at the front of the helmet for pivoting movement between an open position (as shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1) and a closed position (as shown in full lines in Fig. 1). When the chin portion 3 is in its open position the helmet 1 can be placed in position on, and removed from, a wearer's head. When the chin portion 3 is in its closed position it at least partly fills the recess 6 of the shell 2. In particular when the helmet 1 is placed on a wearer's head and the chin portion 3 is pivoted into its closed position, the chin portion 3 at least partly underlies the wearer's chin with its lower edge spaced a relatively short distance from the front of the wearer's neck.When the helmet is so positioned on a wearer's head, with the chin portion 3 in its closed position, the helmet 1 is securely fixed in position since the helmet's head opening, defined by the lower edge of the shell 2 and the lower edge of the chin portion 3, has a smaller cross-section than the wearer's head and thus the helmet cannot be removed from the wearer's head without increasing the size of the head opening by pivoting the chin portion 3 into its open position.

Fastening means, generally designated 9, are provided for releasably locking the chin portion 3, in its closed position, to the shell 2.

Any form of suitable fastening means may be employed although it is preferred that a pair of fastening means 9 are provided, one at each side of the helmet. By way of example, the fastening means 9 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprisess a slidable catch 10 formed on each side of the chin portion 3 and a stud 11 carried on each side of the shell 2 on a shell part 2a which is overlapped by the chin portion 3 when the latter is in its closed position.

The chin portion 3 preferably has internal padding 1 2 (as shown in dashed lines in Fig.

2) and may be provided with ventilation openings 1 3. The chin portion 3 is suitably made of the same material as the remainder of the helmet shell 2 and is intended, when in its closed position, to provide an impact-resistant shell part for protecting the wearer's chin.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of protective helmet, generally designated 20, and provided with a wiper assembly, generally designated 21. Apart from the provision of the wiper assembly 21, the protective helmet 20 is substantially similar to the protective helmet 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and accordingly, where possible, similar parts of the two helmets 1 and 20 have been designated with the same reference numerals.

The wiper assembly 21 includes a mounting 22 positioned centrally above the visor opening 4 and provided with an internal bore 23 (shown in dashed lines in Fig. 3) and a wiper blade 24 extending across the visor 8.

A piston element 25 (shown in dashed lines in Fig. 3) is connected via a shaft 26 to the wiper blade 24 and is slidable along the bore 23 between upper and lower limit positions A helical spring 27 (shown in dashed lines in Fig. 3) resiliently urges the piston element 25 into its upper limit position thereby causing the wiper blade 24 to adopt its normal posi tion at the top of the visor 8 as shown in full lines in Fig. 3. In order to clear the visor 8 of any moisture on its outer glass surface, the wiper blade 24 can be manually lowered to the position shown in chain lines in Fig. 3, the downward movement of the wiper blade 24 causing the piston element 25 to be moved along the bore 23 into its lower limit position.If the wiper blade 24 is released when in any position other than its normal, at rest upper position, the helical spring 27, acting on the piston element 25, causes the wiper blade 24 to be returned to its normal position.

Fig. 4 to 6 show a yet further embodiment of protective helment, generally designated by the reference numeral 30, according to the invention and provided with a wiper assembly generally designated 31. The helmet 30 is provided with a hinged filler or chin portion (not shown) similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and, where possible, similar parts of the two helmets 1 and 30 have been designated with the same reference numerals.

In the helmet 30, the rigid unitary shell 2 is moulded to define an elongate, curved groove 32 extending upwardly away from the visor opening 4 for mounting the wiper assembly 31. The wiper assembly 31 comprises an elongate insert 33 made, for example of nylon, secured, e.g. adhered, in the groove 32, so as to be substantially flush with the external surface of the shell 2, a wiper blade carrier 34 made, for example of nylon, and a wiper blade 35 made, for example, of butyl rubber, carried by the carrier 34. As can be seen in Fig. 6, the insert 33 is of substantially rectangular cross-section and is provided with elongate rectangular-section grooves 36 and 37 formed in each of its side edges and extending throughout the length of the carrier 34.The grooves 36 and 37, together with the side walls defining the groove 32, define a pair of elongate, slightly curved, slots, each of rectangular cross-section, for the reception of a pair of spaced-apart sliders 38 and 39 fixed to a central gripping portion 40 of the carrier 34 and made, for example, of strips of spring metal such as spring stainless steel.

The sliders 38 and 39 may be fixed to the gripping portion 40 in any suitable manner.

In the embodiment shown, the lower ends of the sliders are bent and inserted into groove means formed in the gripping portion 40. The bent slider ends may be secured in the groove means with the aid of screws and/or adhesive.

In use of the helmet 30, the gripping portion 40 is manually gripped and moved downwardly and back upwardly to its original portion to cause the wiper blade 35 to move downwardly and upwardly over the visor 8.

The resilience of the spring metal, strip-like sliders 38 and 39 enables the wiper blade 35 to be parked in any desired position-i.e. the two end positions or any intermediate position. As can be seen in Fig. 4, the gripping portion 40 may also be provided with a stud 41 for resilient engagement in a recess 42 in the insert 33 to ensure retention of the wiper blade 35 in its uppermost end position when the wiper blade assembly is not being used.

It should be realised that the construction of the manually actuable wiper assemblies 21 and 31 described above are merely examples of two different forms of suitable wiper assembly which could be fitted to helmets according to the invention. Thus other forms of wiper assemblies having a wiper blade movable dp- wardly and downwardly over the visor 8 (preferably operable manually but also actuable by power means--e.g. a battery driven electric motor) could be employed with the helmets 20 or 30.

Although the helmets 1, 20 and 30 are each provided with hinged chin portions 3, it is possible that a protective helmet according to the invention could be designed having a chin portion 3 slidably mounted for sliding movement, parallel to a lower edge 5a of the face-protecting portion 5, between open and closed positions.

In other embodiments of protective helmet according to the invention and embodying a movable chin portion, the visor 8 need not be permanently fixed in the visor opening 4, but may be mounted for pivotal movement as is well known in the art. In such cases a visor wiper assembly may or may not be provided.

Finally, it will be appreciated that, in a preferred design of helmet according to the invention, the chin portion 3 when in its closed position protects the wearer's chin, extends upwardly in front of the wearer's mouth and also extends around the lower side parts of the wearer's face. The chin portion 3 is thus to be regarded as part of the protective shell of the helmet-i.e. the chin portion 3, in addition to enabling fastening of the helmet to the wearer's head, also functions as a protective part providing protection to the lower front and side parts of a wearer's face.

Claims

1. A protective helmet (1) comprising a rigid shell (2) shaped to enclose a wearer's head and having a visor opening (4) and a front, face-protecting portion (5) defining the lower edge of the visor opening (4), a rigid portion (3) pivotally hinged to a central front part of the face-protecting portion (5) for movement relative to the shell (2) between an open position permitting the helmet (1) to be place in position on, or removed from, a wearer's head and a closed position in which the rigid portion (3) is designed at least partly to underlie a wearer's chin, and fastening means (9) for releasably locking the rigid portion (3) in its closed position, characterised in that the rigid shell (2) is provided with a recess (6), beneath the face-protecting portion (5), opening into both front and bottom surfaces of the shell (2), and in that the rigid portion (3) is designed to at least partly fill the said recess (6) when in said closed posion to prevent removal of the helmet from the wearer's head.

2. A helmet according to claim 1, wherein the helmet shell and the rigid portion are provided with internal padding.

3. A helmet according to claim 1 or 2, in which said fastening means (9) are provided ,at each side of the helmet (1).

4. A helmet according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a visor (8) permanently fixed in said visor opening (4).

5. A helmet according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a visor pivotally mounted to the helmet shell (2).

6. A helmet according to claim 4 or 5, in which the visor is made of a polycarbonate/ glass laminate material.

7. A helmet according to any of claims 4 to 6, comprising a visor wiper assembly (21: 31) mounted on the helmet.

8. A helmet according to claim 7, wherein said visor wiper assembly (21; 31) comprises wiper blade means (24; 34, 35) extending across the visor (8) and mounted so as to be manually movable upwardly and downwardly between upper and lower positions.

9. A helmet according to claim 8, comprising biasing means (27) for resiliently urging the wiper blade means (24) into its upper position.

10. A helmet according to claim 8 or 9, comprising guide means mounted on the rigid shell above the visor opening for guiding movement of the wiper blade means between said upper and lower positions.

11. A helmet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said rigid shell is moulded from plastics material.

1 2. A helmet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said rigid portion is moulded from plastics material.

1 3. A helmet according to claim 11 or 1 2, wherein said plastics material of the rigid shell and/or the rigid portion is reinforced with reinforcing means.

14. A helmet according to claim 13, wherein said reinforcing means comprises glass fibre material.

1 5. A helmet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said rigid filler has vent openings formed therein.

1 6. A protective helmet constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figs. 1 and 2 or Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.