GB2336519A

GB2336519A - Motorcycle helmet wind deflector

Info

Publication number: GB2336519A
Application number: GB9909420A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sergio Marius Julius Meli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-04-23
Filing date: 1999-04-23
Publication date: 1999-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-04-23
Also published as: GB2336519B; GB9808542D0; GB9909420D0

Abstract

A wind deflector 10 for a motorcycle helmet comprises a shell 12, defining a peak formation 18 projecting forwardly of the helmet 14 and shaped to induce streamline flow of air over the helmet 14, the wind deflector 10 being pivotally attached to the helmet 14, as in figure 4. The shell itself is shaped substantially like the helmet, and located externally, in close relationship to the helmet. The space between the deflector and the helmet, may be filled with foam material. In a second embodiment (figures 5 and 6), a central portion of the shell is cut away, and air is entrained to flow between the shell and the helmet.

Description

MOTORCYCLE HELMETS 2336519 The present invention relates to motorcycle

helmets and in particular to wind deflectors for motorcycle helmets.

Attempts have been made hitherto to produce a streamlined motorcycle helmet, in which the turbulence of wind passing over the helmet is reduced, thereby reducing the wind noise. The difficulty with such designs is that the effectiveness of the streamlining will depend on the attitude of the helmet relative to the direction of travel and also the location of the helmet with respect to adjacent parts of the motorcycle, for example fairing or a windshield.

As the riding position of the motorcyclist may vary to a considerable extent, it is difficult to design a helmet which will provide a reduction in the wind noise level over the full range of riding positions, so as to be suitable for all motorcyclists or even suitable for a single motorcyclist under all riding conditions.

The present invention provides a wind deflector for use with a motorcycle helmet.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a wind deflector for a motorcycle helmet comprises; a shell shaped substantially to the same configuration as the helmet, the shell being pivotally attached to the helmet for rotation about an axis disposed transversely of the helmet, the shell being located externally in juxtaposed relationship to the helmet, the forward end of the shell defining a peak formation which will project forwardly of the helmet.

With the wind deflector described above, the peak formation will entrain air to flow in substantially non-turbulent manner over the shell, preventing the formation of turbulent airflow which normally results from the air being deflected by the visor. The wind deflector may be pivoted with respect to the helmet, so that it may be positioned in an appropriate orientation to suit the riding position of the motorcyclist.

According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the trailing edge of the wind deflector shell is flared away from the helmet in order to avoid the formation of turbulent flow towards the rear of the helmet.

Preferably the area of the shell between the peak formation and the trailing edge is cut away. This permits air flow on both sides of the peak formation and the trailing edge, these being shaped to further streamline flow of air over the helmet and reduce turbulence.

An additional windshield may also be provided which is pivotally attached to the helmet with the shell, but is pivotal with respect to the shell. The additional windshield closes the gaps between the visor of the helmet which would otherwise produce turbulence. The windshield furthermore directs the air flow under the peak formation of the shell.

The invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a wind deflector in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a section along the line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section along the line B-B of Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates a motorcyclist wearing a helmet with a wind deflector as illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the wind deflector illustrated in Figure 1; and Figure 6 shows the side elevation of a helmet fitted with the wind deflector illustrated in Figure 5.

As illustrated, a wind deflector 10 comprises a shell 12 which may be formed from reinforced plastic material of the type used for motorcycle helmets. The shell 12 is contoured to conform closely to a motorcycle helmet 14 and is pivotally attached thereto by means of pivots located one on either side of the helmet 14, so that the shell 12 is capable of movement forward and backward relative to the helmet 14. The shell 12 is preferably mounted in close juxtaposed relationship with the helmet 14 but sufficient clearance is provided to permit a significant degree of adjustment of the shell 12 relative to the helmet 14, even though the curvature of the helmet 14 may vary. The shell 12 may have a thin lining 16 of sound-proofing material, for example foam, which may partially or fully fill the gap between the helmet 14 and shell 12. The shell 12 may have formations, for example apertures, which co-operate with air scoops or vents in the helmet 14 for ventilation purposes.

A peak formation 18 is provided centrally of the leading edge of the shell 12. The peak formation 18 extends forwardly, so that it will overlap the visor 20 of the helmet 14, when the visor 20 is lowered. The degree to which the peak 18 will overlap the visor 20, will depend upon the position of the shell 12 relative to the helmet 14.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the lower parts 22 defining the leading edge of the shell 12, by which the shell 12 is pivotally attached to the helmet 14, have an inwardly curving leading edge 24 and are a close fit with the surface of the helmet 14. The shell 12 may be pivotally mounted to the helmet 14, using the pivot mechanism of the visor 20.

The trailing edge of the shell 12 has a flare 26, which will deflect air away from the rear part of the helmet 14.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the peak formation 18 of the wind deflector 10 will deflect air away from the visor 20, causing it to flow in streamlined manner over the shell 12. Towards the rear of the helmet 14 the wind is deflected away from the helmet 14 by flare 26. The reduction of turbulent air flow over the helmet 14 will produce a corresponding reduction in the wind noise.

The wind deflector 10 may be pivoted with respect to the helmet 14, so that it may be adjusted to suit the riding position of the motorcyclist and the relative position of the motorcycle wind deflector 28, in order to optimise the reduction in wind noise.

While in the above embodiment the helmet is provided with a full visor, the wind deflector of the present invention may be used with a helmet without a visor, when the motorcyclist will wear a pair of goggles or similar eye protectors.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the central part 32 of the shell 30 is cut away so that a separate peak formation 34 and trailing edge section 36 are provided. With this embodiment the shell 30 is secured to the helmet in similar manner to shell 12 of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. The gap between the shell 30 and helmet 14 is however left free so that air may flow on both sides of the peak formation 34 and trailing edge section 36. The peak formation 34 and trailing edge section 36 are shaped such that the flow of air over both the inner and outer surfaces thereof, further improves streamlining of the flow of air over the helmet, reducing turbulence and the noise associated therewith.

In the manner described above the position of the shell 30 may be adjusted with respect to the helmet 14, to suit the riding position of the motorcyclist.

As illustrated in Figure 6 a windshield 40 is also pivotally attached to the helmet 14 with the shell 30. This windshield is in addition to the normal visor 20 of the helmet 14. The windshield 40 is pivotal both relative to the helmet 14 and also to the shell 30, so that it is capable of being raised and lowered, without movement of the shell 30.

In its lowered position the windshield 40 closes the gaps between the visor 20 and helmet 14 preventing turbulence and wind noise that would be generated thereby. The windshield 40 is also shaped to deflect the air flow over the inner and outer surfaces of the peak formation 34 further improving streamline flow of air over the helmet 14.

A chin pad 50 is also provided on the lower forward edge of the helmet 14 illustrated in Figure 6, this chin pad 50 substantially reduces flow of air into the helmet 14 thereby preventing turbulence within the helmet 14.

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Claims

1. A wind deflector for a motorcycle helmet comprising; a shell shaped substantially to the same configuration as the helmet, the shell being pivotally attached to the helmet for rotation about an axis disposed transversely of the helmet, the shell being located externally in juxtaposed relationship to the helmet, the forward end of the shell defining a peak formation which will project forwardly of the helmet and being shaped to entrain air to flow in streamline manner over the helmet.

2. A wind deflector according to Claim 1 in which the trailing edge of the shell is flared away from the helmet.

3. A wind deflector according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the space between the helmet and the shell is filled or partially filled with a soundproofing material.

4. A wind deflector according to Claim 3 in which the space between the helmet and the shell is fitted or partially filled with foam material.

1

5. A wind deflector according to Claim 1 or 2 in which a central portion of the shell is cut away to form a separate peak formation and a trailing edge section.

6. A wind deflector according to Claim 5 in which air is entrained to flow between the helmet and the peak formation andlor between the helmet and the trailing edge section.

7. A wind deflector according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a windshield is pivotally attached to the helmet with the shell, the windshield being pivotal relative to the helmet and to the shell, between a raised position and a lowered position, the windshieldin the lowered position overlying a visor of the helmet and closing any gaps between the visor and the helmet.

8. A wind deflector according to Claim 7 in which the windshield deflects air flow between the helmet and the peak formation.

9. A wind deflector substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 4 and Figures 5 and 6.

10. A motor cycle helmet having a wind deflector, as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, pivotally mounted with respect thereto.

11. A ryfotor cycle helmet according to Claim 10 in which a chin pad is provided at the lower forward edge of the helmet, the chin pad being shaped to reduce turbulent air flow within the helmet.