GB2501707A

GB2501707A - Helmet cover for helmet with pivoting visor

Info

Publication number: GB2501707A
Application number: GB1207584.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Beverley Ian Mattinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-01
Filing date: 2012-05-01
Publication date: 2013-11-06
Also published as: GB201207584D0

Abstract

A helmet cover 40 for a helmet 10 fitted with a visor 20 which is pivotable between raised and lowered positions comprises a flexible fabric cap configured to be a snug fit over at least a front part of the helmet 10; front attachment means 42, 43 for attaching along an upper edge margin of the visor and rear attachment means (44, fig 1) for securing the cover 40 to the helmet 10, so that when the cover is fitted it overlies and bridges the junction between the helmet 10 and its visor 20. Elastic tape 47 is preferably included at each side between the front attachment means 42, 43 and the rear attachment means (44); the attachment means is preferably hook and loop fastener and the cover 40 may be flame retardant.

Description

HELMET COVER

(0001] This invention relates to a cover for a helmet of the type fitted with a visor which is pivotably displaceable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position.

BACKGROUND

(0002] Helmets fitted with visors are well known in the prior art for use when operatives are working in environments which require protection of the operative's face, eyes or respiratory tract. In particular, they are used by workers performing industrial processes, such as manufacture of cement or of other fine particulate material, or where these materials are being used, where the atmosphere is charged with fine dust particles, from which the workers need protection. The visor of the helmet is typically capable of being raised and lowered, by virtue of pivotal connection to the sides of the helmet, between inoperative and operative positions. Typically, a sealing strip of elastomeric material is provided between a front part of the helmet and an upper region of the visor, which abuts the front of the helmet when in the lowered, operative position, as a means to prevent ingress of dust to the facial region enclosed by the visor. Unfortunately, in some circumstances this sealing arrangement has been found inadequate to prevent an unacceptable amount of dust particles entering the area behind the visor.

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide means to minimise, preferably prevent altogether, the ingress of dust particles between such a helmet and its visor.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] The present invention provides a cover for a helmet of the type fitted with a visor which is pivotably displaceable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, said cover comprising a flexible fabric configured to be a snug fit over at least a front part of the helmet and having front attachment means adapted for attaching along an upper edge margin of the visor and rear attachment means adapted for securing the cover to the helmet so that when the cover is fitted to the helmet said cover overlies and bridges the junction between the helmet and its visor.

[0005] When such a cover is fitted to the helmet it prevents or at least very significantly reduces the amount of dust which enters between the helmet and the visor. Typically, a seal will still be provided between the front of the helmet and an upper lip of the visor, and the cover of the invention, when fitted, prevents or at least very significantly reduces the amount of dust reaching that seal and penetrating through to the area behind the visor.

[0006] In preferred embodiments the helmet cover of the invention is made of woven textile fabric as a close weave is best suited to substantially preventing any penetration of fine dust particles. A knitted fabric structure will not be as effective, but could still be adequate for some applications. Also, other nonwoven fabric structures and other flexible sheet material may be suitable and sufficiently effective in preventing! minimising passage of dust particles to the interior of the visor. Also, a woven, knitted or non-woven textile material may have its dust barrier properties enhanced by being coated with a suitable substance, such as a plastics material, which may also have fire retardant properties where such are desirable. Accordingly, any textile may be modified in this way for use in the helmet cover in accordance with the invention.

[0007] Preferred embodiments of cover in accordance with the invention include elastic means at each side between the front attachment means and the rear attachment means thereof. Such elastic means facilitates the fitting of the cover to the helmet while still ensuring a snug fit, and also allows for the accommodation of excess fabric, i.e. take up of slack, in a folded or ruched configuration when the cover is fitted to the helmet and the visor is raised to its inoperative position. A simple form of elastic means is a separate piece of elastic material applied to an edge region of the cover at each side thereof, such as to gather or pleat the material in that region in well-known manner. However, there are other possibilities to achieve the same purpose, such as incorporating a discrete elasticated, ribbed or knitted section of fabric at each side location.

[0008] Particularly effective, and easy to source and apply, as front attachment means and rear attachment means are respective hook and loop fastener arrangements, namely attachable strips of hooked fabric and loop fabric, as supplied under the registered trademark Velcro. However, alternative attachment means are possible in other embodiments of the invention, such as releasable adhesive strips or any other suitable attachment means known or yet to be devised. The front attachment means ideally secures the front of the cover to the upper edge margin of the visor without any significant gaps there between, i.e. as a substantially continuous region of attachment. However, this may be achieved by virtue of the snug fitting of the cover to the helmet, so that discontinuous means of attachment may be possible. The connection achieved by the rear attachment means between the rear of the cover and the helmet needs, of course, to be secure, and releasable only with reasonable force, but it is less important that it should be substantially continuous than the front attachment means. Therefore clips, buttons or other discrete fasteners may be acceptable as alternative rear attachment means.

[0009] A further aspect of the invention is a combination of a helmet, of the type fitted with a visor which is pivotably displaceable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, with a cover of flexible fabric, as just specified, fitted thereto.

[0010] If so required, where the helmet with visor, to which the cover isto befitted or is fitted, is to be used in high-temperature or other environments involving a fire hazard, the cover may be manufactured of flame retardant material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a known type of helmet with visor attached modified for use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention by provision of fastening means for attachment of a cover, the visor being in its lowered, operative position; Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the same helmet as shown in figure 1 with the visor in its raised, inoperative position; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the same helmet as shown in figures 1 and 2 with the visor mid-way between its raised and lowered positions; Figure 4 is a side perspective view, corresponding to figure 1, showing a preferred practical embodiment of the cover of the first aspect of the invention fitted onto the helmet, the visor in its lowered position; Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the same helmet/cover combination as in figure 4, but in this case with the visor shown in its raised, inoperative position; and Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the same helmet/cover combination as in figures 4 and 5, but in this case with the visor mid-way between its raised and lowered positions and with a portion of the cover edge cut away at the front to show detail of the fastening arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Figures ito 3 illustrate one known form of helmet 10, also commonly referred to as a "hard hat", which is provided with a visor 20 pivotably attached at each side of the helmet so as to be capable of being moved between its lowered, operative, fully protective position, as shown in figure 1, and a raised, inoperative position as shown in figure 2. A partially raised, mid position is also illustrated in figure 3. In this particular version of helmet the visor 20 is attached to the body of the hat 10 by a connector arrangement which comprises two curved strips 12, 14, of plastics material. The first strip 12 is fitted onto a protruding peak along a front region of the hat 10 and retained in position by a tensioning spring 16 looped around the rear of the hat 10, the strip 12 and the spring 16 each being attached to common pivot pins 18 at each side of the hat by means of respective connection discs, only the outer disc 26 connecting the spring 16 being visible in the figures. The second strip 14 extends outwardly of the first strip 12, is attached to the same pivot pins 18 by respective connection discs, and is pivotably displaceable relative to the first strip 12. The visor 20 is attached to the second strict 14. Typically, an upper edge margin of the visor 20 is releasably attached to the second strip 14 of the connector arrangement as the visor may be removed and replaced from time to time, for example in the event of damage or wear or requirement for fitting a visor of different material or design. In the illustrated embodiment, releasable attachment of the visor is by the strip 14 having three studs 24 on its outer surface, one at the centre (not visible) and one in the vicinity of each terminal disc, and the visor 20 having corresponding apertures, which may be of key hole shape, which fit over and are secured to these studs 24. Additional spring clips 28 are provided at each end of the strip 14 to hold the visor 20 securely onto the strip and firmly in contact against the front surface of the strip.

(0013] The illustrated embodiment of helmet is adapted for use in hazardous environments where it is important to exclude particulate matter from the area around the face of the wearer by having a sealing member 30 between the top of the visor 20 and the body of the helmet 10 and by having a visor extension 21 at its lower end to fit adjacent the neck of the wearer. The sealing member 30 is a profiled strip of elastomeric material which is fitted onto the first strip 12, which is fixed in position on the helmet 10, and extends around the front region thereof. An edge of the sealing strip 30 projects in a forward direction from the first connector strip 12 and is intended to contact an inner surface of the visor 20, in the vicinity of the upper edge of the visor, when it is in its lowered condition, as shown in figure 1, so as to seal the visor relative to the body of the helmet. However, there is a gap at each side beyond the respective end 31 of the sealing member 30 (see figure 3). The sealing member 30 does not extend to the ends of the strip 12 on which it is seated to allow for movement of the second strip 14 into a position closely overlying the end sections of the first strip when the visor 20 is lowered. Additionally, the seal which is achieved around the frontal area may be inadequate.

(0014] So far, the helmet described is of a known type. The invention lies in the provision of a dust exclusion cover 40 for a helmet of this general type (namely any helmet fitted with a pivotal visor) and the combination of such a cover fitted to the helmet, as shown in the drawings. Therefore, the details of the helmet this far provided are only for completeness and illustration purposes and are not critical to the invention. The details of the design of the helmet and its visor and the way these are interconnected may vary in other embodiments and applications of the invention as will be readily apparent to any person

familiar with this technical field.

[0015] Figures ito 3 show this particular conventional form of helmet with sole modification of attachment means 42, 44 for the fitting of the cover 40. In this preferred practical embodiment the parts of the attachment means provided on the helmet consist of a first fastener strip 42 secured along an upper edge margin of the outer surface of the visor 20 and a second fastener strip 44 secured around the rear of the body of the helmet.

These fastener strips 42, 44 each consist of either one of a hook or loop portion of a hook and loop fastener arrangement of well known form, such as sold under the registered trademarkVelcro. Theyare suitablyfixed in position byadhesive, butcould befixed in any other suitable manner.

(0016] The cover 40, as shown in figures 4 to 6, is in the form of a dome-shaped cap of flexible woven textile fabric. An upper section 46 of the cap may be formed in known manner from four or more pieces of wedge shape fabric stitched together. This upper section 46 is then attached, again suitably by stitching, to a band 48 of double thickness fabric which extends around the lower edge of the cover. At the inside of the band 48 fastener strips 43 corresponding in size to the strips 42, 44 on the helmet are attached around a front region and a rear region, these being the complimentary loop or hook portions of the hook and loop fastener pairs of tapes. The attachment of the respective front fastener strip portions 42,43 is shown in the broken away portion of figure 6. The fastener strip portions 43 may suitably be attached to the band of the cover by stitching, but any other suitable form of attachment may be employed.

(0017] Any suitable elasticated means is provided at each side of the cover 40 in the side regions between the front fastener and the rear fastener. For example, short sections of elastic tape 47 can be secured by stitching between the layers of the double width band 48, as indicated in figures 4 to 6.

(0018] To substantially eliminate penetration by dust, woven fabric is preferred as a tight woven structure can be selected. As a further measure, when stitching, all seams should include overlock stitching and be sewn down flat. To minimise possibility of detachment, the strips of fastener material 43 and the elastic tape 47 should also be secured by lock stitching. Flame retardant material may be employed when the cover 40 is to be used in environments with fire hazard. A specific example of a suitable woven fire retardant material which may be used for production of the cover 40 comprises 54% Mod acrylic, 44% cotton and 2% antistatic yarn.

(0019] The manner of the fitting of the cover 40 to the helmet and its visor 20 is evident by reference to figures 4 to 6 of the drawings. The cover 40 is applied as a snug fit over the helmet, with the fastener strip portions 43 inside the edge band 48 at the front and rear being aligned with and then fixed firmly onto the corresponding hook or loop fabric strip portions 42. 44 along the top of the visor 20 and, respectively, around the back of the body of the helmet. The elasticated regions in between these front and rear strips of fastener material facilitate the fitting. Moreover, they suitably allow for take up of slack material, by the consequent pleating or gathering of the excess material when the visor is raised, as shown in figure 5. Such a cover 40 has been found highly effective in substantially excluding all dust, including fine cement dust as encountered during cement production, from penetrating to the area behind the visor 20.

[0020] It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the details of the illustrated embodiment, as just described, and many variations are possible in other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. In addition to possibilities for different construction of the helmet and its visor, as already noted, the cover itself may vary as regards its shape, material and manner of production. In other embodiments it is possible that the cover may not be in the form of a cap which fits entirely over the top of the helmet and attaches to the back of the helmet. Instead, the cover may be smaller in extent with its rear attachment means attaching to an intermediate location anywhere between the top and back of the helmet, it being necessary for the cover to be of sufficient size that its rear fastener means will be attached at a location behind the position of the upper edge of the visor in its raised condition (figures 2 and 5). The fastener means which are employed as front attachment means and rear attachment means of the cover may also differ from the illustrated embodiment so long as they are adequate for purpose with corresponding fastener parts provided on the helmet, as necessary. It is also possible that certain embodiments of the cover in accordance with the invention can be used with a helmet fitted with a visor, but without any seal there between and still function to exclude dust particles or at least adequately reduce penetration of dust to acceptable level.

[0021] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" means "including but not limited to", and it is not intended to (and does not) exclude other components. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A helmet cover for a helmet of the type fitted with a visor which is pivotably displaceable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, said cover comprising a flexible fabric configured to be a snug fit over at least a front part of the helmet and having front attachment means adapted for attaching along an upper edge margin of the visor and rear attachment means adapted for securing the cover to the helmet so that when the cover is fitted to the helmet said cover overlies and bridges the junction between the helmet and its visor.
2. A helmet cover according to claim 1 and made from woven fabric.
3. A helmet cover according to claim 1 or 2 including elastic means at each side between the front attachment means and the rear attachment means.
4. A helmet cover according to claim 3 wherein the elastic means is a separate piece of elastic material applied to an edge region of the cover at each side thereof.
5. A helmet cover according to any preceding claim wherein the front attachment means is a strip of fabric being one of a hook or loop portion of a hook and loop fastener arrangement, the other portion, loop or hook respectively, being applied along the upper edge margin of the visor.
6. A helmet cover according to any preceding claim wherein the rear attachment means is a strip of fabric being one of a hook or loop portion of a hook and loop fastener arrangement, the other portion, loop or hook respectively, being applied to the helmet.
7. A helmet cover according to any preceding claim configured as a cap which is a snug fit over the top of the helmet so that the rear attachment means is adapted to be secured to the rear of the helmet.
8. A helmet cover according to any preceding claim and made of flame retardant material.
9. A helmet of the type fitted with a visor which is pivotably displaceable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, the helmet also being fitted with a cover comprising a flexible fabric which lies snugly over at least a front part of the helmet with front attachment means attaching a front of said cover along an upper edge margin of the visor and rear attachment means securing the cover to the helmet so that the cover overlies and bridges the junction between the helmet and its visor.
10. A helmet according to claim 9 wherein the front attachment means is a strip form of hook and loop fastener, one of the hook portion or loop portion of the fastener being secured around an inner edge margin of the front of the cover, the other portion, loop or hook respectively, being applied along the upper edge margin of the visor.
11. A helmet cover according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the rear attachment means is a strip form of hook and loop fastener, one of the hook portion or loop portion of the fastener being secured around an inner edge margin of the rear of the cover, the other portion, loop or hook respectively, being applied to the helmet.
12. A helmet of the type fitted with a visor which is pivotably displaceable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, the helmet also being fitted with a cover as defined in any of claims Ito 8.
13. A helmet cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by figures 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
14. A helmet of the type fitted with a visor which is pivotably displaceable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, and in combination with a cover fitted to said helmet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows.CLAIMS1. A helmet cover for a helmet of the type fitted with a visor which is pivotably displaceable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, said cover comprising a flexible fabric cap which is configured to be a snug fit over the helmet and has front attachment means adapted for attaching along an upper edge margin of the visor and rear attachment means adapted for securing to the rear of the helmet so that when the cover is fitted to the helmet said cover overlies and bridges the junction between the helmet and its visor.2. A helmet cover according to claim 1 and made from woven fabric.3. A helmet cover according to claim 1 or 2 including elastic means at each side between the front attachment means and the rear attachment means.4. A helmet cover according to claim 3 wherein the elastic means is a separate piece of o elastic material applied to an edge region of the cover at each side thereof.C'\1 5. A helmet cover according to any preceding claim wherein the front attachment means is a strip of fabric being one of a hook or loop portion of a hook and loop fastener arrangement, the other portion, loop or hook respectively, being applied along the upper edge margin of the visor.6. A helmet cover according to any preceding claim wherein the rear attachment means is a strip of fabric being one of a hook or loop portion of a hook and loop fastener arrangement, the other portion, loop or hook respectively, being applied to the rear of the helmet.7 A helmet cover according to any preceding claim and made of flame retardant material.8. A helmet of the type fitted with a visor which is pivotably displaceable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, the helmet also being fitted with a cover comprising a flexible fabric cap which lies snugly over the helmet with front attachment means attaching a front of said cover along an upper edge margin of the visor and rear attachment means securing the rear of the cover to the rear of the helmet so that the cover overlies and bridges the junction between the helmet and its visor.9. A helmet according to claim 8 wherein the front attachment means is a strip form of hook and loop fastener, one of the hook portion or loop portion of the fastener being secured around an inner edge margin of the front of the cover, the other portion, loop or hook respectively, being applied along the upper edge margin of the visor.10. A helmet according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the rear attachment means is a strip form of hook and loop fastener, one of the hook portion or loop portion of the fastener being secured around an inner edge margin of the rear of the cover, the other portion, loop or hook respectively, being applied to the rear of the helmet.11 A helmet of the type filled with a visor which is pivotably displaceable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, the helmet also being (\J fitted with a cover as defined in any of claims 1 to 7.12. A helmet cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as 0 illustrated by figures 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings. (020C\.J 13. A helmet of the type filled with a visor which is pivotably displaceable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, and in combination with a cover fitted to said helmet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.