GB2354928A

GB2354928A - An adjuster for a helmet

Info

Publication number: GB2354928A
Application number: GB9923729A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Steven White; Steven Wagstaff
Original assignee: Raleigh Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Raleigh Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1999-10-07
Filing date: 1999-10-07
Publication date: 2001-04-11
Also published as: GB9923729D0

Abstract

An adjuster for a cycle helmet or the like comprises two elongate flexible members 2, 3 adapted for lengthwise movement with reference to a base member 1, 4, 5 and means for locking the three members together in an adjusted position. The base member may have complementary projections 10, 11 extending from a back plate 1 and a slidable button 4 sits on the members and has projections 32, 33, which seat in the projections 10, 11. The button 4 is movable between locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position, the complementary profiles are urged into engagement to lock the straps relative to each other and to 10 the backplate. In the unlocked position the complementary profiles are permitted to disengage so that the members may move relative to each other and to the backplate 1.

Description

2354928 AN ADJUSTER The present invention relates to an adjuster. The

adjuster is intended particularly, but not exclusively for a helmet especially a cycle helmet.

To enable such a helmet to be used on a number of different head sizes an adjuster is connected to the helmet. Such adjusters are already well-known but are complicated and/or difficult and therefore expensive to produce.

According to the present invention, there is provided an adjuster comprising a base member, two elongate flexible members adapted for lengthwise movement with respect to the base member, and means for locking the members together and with respect to the base member in a selected adjusted position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the base member comprises a back plate incorporating projections defining a slot therebetween through which the elongate flexible member may be drawn.

The projections may incorporate flexible, U-shaped extensions formed on the bases of the 'U's with a profile. The elongate flexible members comprising straps are formed on their lateral edges with a complementary profile. The means for locking may comprise a sliding button having projections. In one, locked position of the button, the complementary profiles are urged into engagement to lock the straps relative to each other -2-.

and to the backplate. In another, unlocked position the complementary profiles are permitted to disengage so that they may move relative to one another and to the back plate. For this purpose, the sliding button may comprise projections having teeth and the complementary profiles may have crests and troughs. In the locked position the teeth engage in the throughs and in the unlocked position they rest on the crests. The profiles may be sinusoidal or any other suitable profile. Each elongate flexible member may comprise a button at one end defining an aperture or slot through which the other elongate flexible member may be drawn. The buttons may be serrated to facilitate this action. The shortest adjusted position occurs when the two straps are aligned. Those ends of the straps remote from the buttons may be fixed to a helmet by rivetting or other suitable means.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an adjuster according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a partial view of the adjuster of figure 1 in assembled condition from the rear side in a locked position, and Figure 3 shows a partial view of the adjuster of figure 1 in assembled condition from the rear side in an unlocked position.

-3 Referring to Figure 1, the adjuster comprises a back plate 1, two straps 2 and 3, a slidable button 4, and a cap 5, all moulded from a synthetic plastics material. The adjuster is intended for use with a bicycle helmet but may have other uses. The back plate is inwardly concave at 6 to sit comfortably on the head of a wearer. From the outwardly convex surface 7 two projections 8 and 9 extend. Each projection comprises shallow U-shaped extensions 10, 11 the base of each 'U' having a sine curve profile 12 and 13. The dimensions of these profiles 12, 13 is such that they can flex in the direction of the uprights of the 'U's. Each projection also defines two apertures 14, 15 and 16, 17 disposed on opposite sides respectively of the corresponding U-shaped extension. The back plate 1 also defines four elongate slots 18, 19, 20, 21 through which straps of the helmet may pass.

Each of the straps 2, 3 has laterally extending edges 22, 23, 24, 25 which exhibit a sine curve profile. The straps 2, 3 are accommodated in a slot 26 which is defined between the projections 8 and 9. The sine curve profiles 12 and 13, which stand slightly proud of the remainder of the slot 26, mate with the sine curve profiles of the edges of the straps. One end of each strap is formed with a button 27, 28. Each button 27, 28 defines a slot 29, 30 through which the other end of the other strap may slide. In practice these other ends will be fixed to the body of the helmet of which the adjuster forms part, for example, by rivetting. Each button 27, 28 may be formed with serrations 31 to facilitate movement of the buttons.

The sliding button 4 sits on top of the straps 2 and 3. This button 4 has two dependent projections 32 and 33 on opposite sides thereof which seat in the U-shaped extension 10, 11. Each projection 32, 33 is formed with three teeth 34. The button 4 may be slid between a position shown in figure 2 in which the teeth 34 seat in the crests of the sine curve profiles 12 and 13 and a position shown in figure 3 in which the teeth sit between those crests of the profiles 12 and 13. In the former position the sine curve profiles 12 and 13 are resiliently urged into contact with the sine curve profiles on the straps 2 and 3 to lock the straps in position relative to each other and the back plate. In the latter position the straps are released enabling them to move relative to each other and the back plate. In this way the straps can be locked relative to each other in one of a large number of positions to provide a wide range of adjustment in the effective length of the straps.

The straps 2 and 3, and slidable button 4 are held in position in the slot 26 in the back plate 1 by means of the cap 5. This cap 5 is elliptical and defines an elliptical aperture through which the slidable button 4 partially extends. The cap is shaped on its underside to receive the sliding button 4 in such a way as to allow the button to slide with respect to the cap 5. The cap 5 is also formed on its underside with four pins 35 which extend into and locate in respective apertures 14 to 17 in the back plate 1 with a press fit to hold the assembly together.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

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Claims

1. An adjuster comprising a base member, two elongate flexible members adapted for lengthwise movement with respect to the base member, and means for locking the members together and with respect to the base member in a selected adjusted position.

2. An adjuster as claimed in claim 1, in which the base member comprises a back plate incorporating projections defining a slot therebetween through which the elongate flexible members may be drawn.

3. An adjuster as claimed in claim 2, in which the projections incorporate flexible U-shaped extensions formed on the bases of the U's with a profile. -

4. An adjuster as claimed in claim 3, in which the elongate flexible members are formed on their lateral edges with a complementary profile to the profile on the bases of the U's.

5. An adjuster as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for locking comprises a slidable button.

6. An adjuster as claimed in claim 5, when appendant to claim 4, in which the slidable button comprises projections.

7. An adjuster as claimed in claim 6, in which the slidable button has a locked position in which the complementary profiles on the lateral edges and bases are urged into engagement to lock the flexible members relative to each other and to the backplate and an unlocked position in which the complementary profiles are permitted to disengage so that they may move relative to each other and to the backplate.

8. An adjuster as claimed in claim 7, in which the complementary profiles have crests and troughs and, in the locked position, the projections on button engage in the troughs and, in the unlocked position, the projections rest on the crests.

9. An adjuster as claimed in claim 8, in which the profiles are sinusoidal in form.

10. An adjuster as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each elongate flexible member comprises a button at one end defining an aperture through which the other elongate flexible member may be drawn.

11. An -adjuster substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A helmet comprising an adjuster as claimed in any preceding claim.

13. A helmet as claimed in claim 12, in which the flexible members are connected by means for rivets to the remainder of the helmet.