GB2300346A

GB2300346A - Crash helmet with a removable visor

Info

Publication number: GB2300346A
Application number: GB9511469A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nichola Barry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-05-04
Filing date: 1995-06-07
Publication date: 1996-11-06
Also published as: GB9509041D0; GB9511469D0

Abstract

The crash helmet has a pivotable visor which can be removed and replaced easily and speedily manually without the use of tools. This is achieved by means of quick release connections (Fig. 2) at the fixing/pivot points 3. Guide spindles 4, cooperating with arcuate guide slots 5, may also be removably connected to the helmet via similar quick release connections.

Description

Improvements in and relating to Crash Helmets This invention relates to crash helmets and more especially to such helmets as are commonly used by drivers of motor racing vehicles, riders of motor cycles and persons taking part in these and other sports and activities.

Conventional crash helmets often incorporate pivotably mounted translucent visors which can be lowered to protect the face and eyes of the user when travelling at speed. In use these visors can quickly become at least partially obscured by dirt, flying insects and the like. Also, because driving conditions can vary greatly during the course of, for example, a grand prix a visor suitable for use in overcast or hazy conditions might not be suited for use in bright sunlight where some form of tinting may be required.

The present invention sets out to provide a crash helmet and visor assembly which can be adapted to suit any particular driving condition and in which the visor can be speedily changed should it become partially or completely obscured.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided a crash helmet to which a visor can be detachably secured through a quick release connection.

By a "quick release connection" is meant a fixing which can be operated manually without the use of tools to release a visor from a crash helmet to which it is connected.

In another aspect the invention provides a crash helmet including side fixings to receive complementary fixings of a detachable visor, interconnection of the respective fixing being achieved manually without the use of tools.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a crash helmet and visor assembly in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a section through a quick release connection which forms part of the assembly illustrated in Figure 1.

The assembly illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a helmet 1 and translucent visor 2. The visor is attached to the helmet on each of its sides by a quick release connection 3 about which the visor can pivot. The helmet includes spindles 4 which locate within curved slots 5 (only one of which is shown) formed in the visor to enable the latter to be raised and lowered by the user.

Conventionally, the connection between a crash helmet and visor is permanent (or relatively so). In these circumstances the visor can only be removed from the helmet by breaking the connection or by undoing various screws or other fasteners. In the present invention a quick release connection is provided between the helmet and the visor, this being illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings.

As will be seen from Figure 2, the connection comprises a spindle 6 protruding from each side of the visor 2. A ball bearing 7 is retained within a suitably shaped recess formed in each spindle and is urged outwardly by a coil spring 8. The bearing 7 is held captive within the recess by the lips 9 of the recess. Each side of the helmet is formed with a suitable shaped opening 10 having an enlarged portion 11 to receive and retain the ball bearing 7. In use, the spindles are pushed by hand into the openings 10 causing the spring loaded bearings 7 firstly to move against the action of the respective spring into the spindle and then to move outwardly under the action of the spring to fill the portion 11. To remove the spindles from the openings, the visor is simply pulled away from the helmet.Other quick release connections could of course be adopted which may provide a more secure connection between the visor and the helinat.

In use the visor of the crash helmet can swiftly be replaced during for example a pit stop of a grand prix to provide for the driver an entirely clear visor and/or one which is more suited to the driving conditions then extant.

The spindles 4 which locate within the slots 5 may sometimes be formed with heads which would prevent the visor being removed speedily as desired. Thus in this arrangement, the spindles 4 are also connected to the helmet by quick release connections identical or similar to that illustrated in Figure 2.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of crash helmet and visor assemblies in accordance with the invention and that various modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

TO - HuIT IT VISCE

1. A conventional crash helmet as is commonly used by racing drivers, motor cyclists and the like which incorporates a translucent visor attached to the crash helmet by means of side fixings and guides about which the visor will pivot, but which side fixings and guides incorporate shc quick release connection enabling the visor to be removed and/or removed and replaced with another visor quickly and manually and without the need for tools.

2. A crash helmet as in 1. above which incorporates differently shaped or differently tinted interchangeable visors.

3. A crash helmet as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.