GB2337918A - Mask for preventing the fogging of a helmet visor - Google Patents

Abstract

A mask 2 which is made from resilient and impermeable material such as expanded neoprene, is worn within a full-face crash helmet 11. The mask seals around the nose and mouth of the wearer aided by nose clip 4, and has an opening adjacent the chin to allow humid exhaled air 16 to escape to the exterior of the helmet, thus preventing it coming into contact with the visor 12 and condensing to obscure to view of the wearer. The mask is secured to the head by straps 3, and also releasably attaches to the chin guard of the helmet by hook and loop pile fabric 18.

Description

1 Device for preventing foggin 2337918

This invention relates to a device for preventing fogging of a person's field of view by that person's humid breath, in particular when wearing a full-face crashhelmet.

The present invention is the result of looking for a solution to the perennial problem of visor fogging whilst using a full-face crash-helmet. The problem, which no product on the market entirely attends to, especially when riding in rainy conditions, is that the warm breath from the rider of a motorcycle rapidly condenses on the nearest cold surface, that being the visor.

This problem is a global problem encompassing all motorcycle pursuits from commuting to touring and racing, the latter placing the rider in serious danger should fogging happen. It is readily evidenced in all fields by the fact that in rainy or cold conditions most motorcycle riders will ride with the crash-helmet visor half up or slightly open so as to avoid the fogging problem. The most likely time for the visor to start fogging up is when the bike and rider are stationary (at a set of traffic lights for instance). Nearly all riders with full-face crash- helmets will temporarily lift the visor to avoid fogging.

Most current solutions on the market focus attention on the visor and how to avoid the rapid condensation of breath on it. Whether it be a gel, a spray, or a strip of hygroscopic film, they all work on the principle of moisture absorption at a high rate, thus preventing fog from forming on the visor surface. Recent suggestions also include a "double glazinj device for the visor.

2 More pragmatic solutions can be found on the race track, including adhesive tape over the nose or special breathing techniques which avoid directing the breath towards the visor surface.

Helmet manufacturers have also endeavoured to design solutions into the helm^ such as breath deflectors and venting at the top of the visor shield to aid fast airflow away from the visor surface and out of the top.

None of the solutions previously proposed provides a complete solution for the market. They work in limited environments, work only for a short period of time, require continuous maintenance to maintain effectiveness, are awkward and time consuming to apply correctly, are expensive, or require modification to the visor.

The present invention provides a device for preventing fogging of a person's field of vision by that person's humid breath, the device comprising a mask which constitutes a barrier to humid breath between a downwardly open orinasal region extending downwards from the nasal and oral orifices and a visual region extending forwards from the eyes, the mask making sealing contact with the face along a sealing zone extending transversely below the eyes and above the nostrils and mouth.

The invention also provides a full-face crash-helmet having a visor, a chinguard, and an internal mask which constitutes a barrier to humid breath, the m k making scaling contact with the face along a sealing zone extending transversely below the eyes and above the nostrils and mouth, the mask extending downwards from the sealing zone and being out of contact with the mouth and chin so as to define a downwardly open orinasal region within the chin-guard.

The invention will be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a fogging prevention device, as worn; Figure 2 is a section through the device in the plane of Figure 1,- 3 Figure 3 is a side view of a crash-helmet, shown partly 'm phantom and partly in section, including the fogging prevention device, as worn- and Figure 4 is a front view of the helmet, shown partly in phantom.

The fogging prevention device 1 illustrated in the drawings comprises a mask 2 which constitutes a barrier to the warm humid breath of the wearer. The mask 2 is resiliently stretchable and is made of spongy material which is impermeable to air, in particular expanded neoprene, which is sandwiched between an internal fabric layer (in contact with the face) and an external fabric layer, for the sake of comfort, enhanced strength, and improved handling. Two integral side portions 3 extend rearwards from the mask 2 and encircle the head, when the device 1 is worn. The side portions 3 overlap and are connected together by suitable means (not shown) such as Velcro (Trade Mark) hooks and loops or a buckle.

The mask 2 carries a nose clip 4 which is fixed to the outside of the mask by rivets 6, for example. The clip 16 is of metal (e.g. aluminium) or of plastics material and is plastically bendable to fit the bridge of the nose. (Alternatively or additionally, the clip 4 may be elastically bendable or springy.) The mask 2 makes sealing contact with the face along a sealing zone approximating to the upper edge 7 of the mask, which extends transversely below the eyes and above the nostrils and mouth, i.e. extending approximately along the cheek bones and over the bridge of the nose. Below this sealing zone the mask 2 leaves contact with the face and is spaced from the chin, as can be clearly seen in Figure 2. In this way, the mask defines a downwardly open orinasal region 8 (breathing region) extending downwards from the nasal and oral orifices. This region 8 is separated by the mask 2 from a visual region 9 (corresponding to the field of view) extending forwards from the eyes. The wearer is thus free to breath in and out through the open lower end of the orinasal region 8, without fogging the visual region 9 by the humidity of his breath.

Figures 3 and 4 show how the mask functions within a full-face crashhelmet 11 including a visor 12 and a chin-guard 13. It can be seen that the mask creates two 4 chambers within the helmet 11, i.e. a visual chamber inside the visor 12 (corresponding to the visual region 9) and a breathing chamber within the chin-guard 13 (corresponding to the orinasal region 8 (Figure 2). The visual chamber is cut off from the breathing chamber by the scaling zone at the upper edge 7 of the mask 2. The arrangement of the side portions 3, the resilience of the mask 2, and the shaping of the nose clip 4 all contribute to the sealing effect, which is enhanced by the conventional thick padding 14 provided around the cheek-bone area inside the helmet 11.

Breathing ability is not impaired by the mask 2. The breath of the wearer is directed downwards and outwards through the base of the helm^ as indicated by the arrows 16. As a safety feature and to allow maximum airflow through the orinasal region 8, the lower front part of the mask 2 is releasably attached to the inside of the chin-guard 13 by means of Velck material 17 which is fixed (e.g. sewn) on the front of the mask and which engages loop material 18 fixed on the inside of the chinguard 13. The loop material 18 is in the form of a self-adhesive pad placed on the inside of the chin-guard 13 at a position where conventional full-face crash-helmets have no padding. In this way the lower portion of the mask is firmly affixed to the chin-guard, holding it away from the nose and mouth of the wearer. As air passes over the helmet 11 a negative pressure is created in the breathing chamber (orinasal region 8) and at the base of the helmet thereby assisting the movement of exhaled air downwards and out of the helmet. This negative pressure also prevents humid air from being blown into or leaking into the visual region 9, by reducing the possibility of back-pressure build-up.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. The mask may be made from any more or less flexible material which prevents moist breath from passing through it from the orinasal region 8 to the visual region 9. In situations in which the intake of air has to be maximised, the mask could be provided with at least one non-return inhalation valve, which could be a simple flap valve. The hook material 17 could be replaced by another attachment means, such as a press stud, for example.

Although the fogging prevention device 1 has been described above in its application to a crash-heirnet, it will be appreciated that the device can be used in any situation in which fogging of the wearer's field of vision by the wearer's humid breath has to be prevented, for example in very cold climates or when wearing other helmets with visors, such as helmets and virtual reality helmets. Furthermore, the shape of the mask, the shape of its upper edge, and the shape of its lower edge are not limited to the shapes illustrated in the drawings, and the mask can be incorporated in any convenient item of apparel which can be worn on the face or head, such as a balaclava.

6 CLA":

1. A device for preventing fogging of a person's field of -vision by that person's humid breath, the device comprising a mask which constitutes a barrier to humid breath between a dov,,nwardly open orinasal region extending downwards from the nasal and oral orifices and a visual region extending forwards from the eyes, the mask making sealing contact with the face along a sealing zone extending transversely below the eyes and above the nostrils and mouth.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, including means for releasably attaching the device to the inside of a chin-guard of a full-face crashhelmet- 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the mask includes side portions which are connectable together to attach the device to the head.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mask is resiliently stretchable.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mask is made of spongy material impermeable to air.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, in which the spongy material is expanded neoprene.

7. A de-vice as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mask includes a nose clip.

7 8. A full-face crash-helmet havine a visor, a chin-guard, and an internal mask which constitutes a barrier to humid breath, the mask making sealing contact with the face along a sealing zone extending transversely below the eyes and above the nostrils and mouth, the mask extending downwards from the sealing zone and being out of contact with the mouth and chin so as to define a downwardly open orinasal region within the chin-guard.

9. A full-face crash-helmet as claimed in claim 8, including mutually engageable attachment means on the mask and chin-guard.

10. A full-face crash-helmet as claimed in claim 9, in which the attachment means comprise hooks on the mask and loops on the chin-guard.

11. A full-face crash-helmet as claimed in claim 10, in which the loops are constituted by padding material within the chin-guard.

12. A full-face crash-helmet as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11, including internal padding which presses the mask q the cheek bones.

13. A fogging prevention device substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

14. A full-face crash-helmet substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.