GB2504323A

GB2504323A - Helmet with attachment for spectacles

Info

Publication number: GB2504323A
Application number: GB201213280A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Greene; Michelle Greene
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-25
Filing date: 2012-07-25
Publication date: 2014-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-25
Also published as: GB2504323B; GB201213280D0

Abstract

A helmet comprising a shell, padding, and a visor 1, said modified helmet characterised in that spectacles 2 are attached to the visor on an articulated mounting 3. The spectacles may be detachable via a quick release mechanism. The mounting preferably comprises two bases supporting at least two telescopic members, the bases interfacing withÂ the visor.

Description

A MODiFIED HELMET

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a modified helmet, more particularly a helmet modified for visibility and optical pvrposes

Background

Rising population numbers and congestion and overcrowding in many countries combines with ageing populations as improvements in medical science and understanding of health issues spreads.

In fact growing awareness of needs for optical assistance at any age has also led many users to wear spectacles, sunglasses or eye protection from harmful ultraviolet rays.

Many ageing users are typically at richest periods of their lives in advancing years, and at times when they are either busiest and most time-pressurised, or alternatively at times when they are facing presures of mortality.

A typical reaction for many users is to ride a motorcycle. Given that these riders are ageing, they are likely to have eyesight problems, and require spectacles. Often *..: people conscious-of their sight are also more likely to be concerned over ultraviolet light damage to their eyes, consequently they are often more likely to wear sunglasses.

A particular problem of wearing spectacles under motorcycle helmets are discomfort * * when the spectacle's arms are pressed against the rider's head by a tight fitting safety helmet. Furthermore wearing a tinted visor for sun protection, means the user * has to ride with visor up if travelling at night, wherein if the user were to wear a tinted visor from dusk onwards it would be illegal, and more importantly would obscure vision. -

Prior Art

A number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Granted United States patent US 7 798 635 (SHINDLER) discloses a method of improving vision when wearing a helmet, said method comprising: providing a helmet having a viewing aperture extending through a front side of the helmet; providing a shield coupled to said helmet and being positionable over said aperture, said shield being substantially transparent; providing a lens; shaping said lens to match an eyeglass prescription for a wearer of said helmet; and attaching said lens to an inner surface of said shield to position said lens in a field of view of the wearer when the shield is positioned over said viewing aperture, Granted United States patent us 6 959 989 (HOLM) discloses a connection system for connecting glasses to protective headwear, the connection system having a proximal portion adapted to be attached to protective headwear and a distal portion receiving a pair of glasses and holding said pair of glasses generally vertically for placement in front of a user's eyes, the distal portion being generally vertically sliceable relative to the proximal portion so that the distal portion is vertically extendible from the proximal portion pair to move the glasses up and down to better fit the individual user.

dranted French patent FR 2 449 901 (MINART) discloses a support for an eyeglas frame front having a lug receiving aperture therein, said support having push-button assembly means in one piece moulded construction with the support for mounting *:** 25 the eyeglass frame front on said support, said push-button assembly means comprising a support plate and a retaining tab, hinge means for hingedly mounting the retaining tab on said support plate for movement between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, said retaining tab being spaced away from * * said support plate in said raised position and substantially parallel to said support plate in said lowered position, a selected one of said support plate and said retaining * * tab having a projecting lug and the non-selected one of said support plate and retaining tab having aperture means co-operable with said projecting lug in said lowered position of said retaining tab, said projecting lug also being adapted to extend through the lug receiving aperture in the eyeglass frame whereby upon closure of said assembly means through the lug receiving aperture of the eyeglass frame front the latter is secured on said support.

In contrast the present invention provides a means of ensuring that spectacles or lenses may be worn comfortably on a plurality of helmets, minimising expense in buying new helmets when different optical properties are required.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a modified helmet, comprising a shell, padding and a visor, said modified helmet characterised in that spectacles are connected to the visor on an articulated mounting.

Ideally the mounting comprises two bases supporting at least two articulated members, wherein the bases interfacewith the visor.

Preferably the bases provide secure mooring for the spectacles on the visor, at least the visor interior in use, and ideally ensure a flat mooring in response to the visor arcuate interior.

In this way spectacles may be mounted on the visor of a plurality of different helmets in order that a user is able to utilise spectacles within their helmet.

In preferred embodiments the spectacles may be semi-permanently attached to the visor and the visor to the shell, although further embodiments may be envisaged wherein the spectacles may be detachable and the visor may be independently *:* 25 provided.

The spectacles mounting in other embodiments may be temporary, for example being by means of at least one suction pad or clip onto the visor. * .*

Ideally in such embodiments the mounting allows the spectacles to be attached in * " retro-fit fashion to a plurality of visors: In this way the user may mount prescription lenses and/or tinted lenses/sunglasses onto the visor for use with the helmet and to ensure that the user is not required to use his or her own spectacles.

For the purposes of this invention and the present specification, all reference to the term in use' is intended to include user is wearing spectacles when the visor is deployed as well as when the visor is not deployed. Consequently it is preferable that at least part of the spectacles is detachable or replaceable to allow the user to change spectacle lenses, such as from clear prescription to shaded prescription.

Ideally there is provided a means whereby when the visor is closed, closing or otherwise in movement, the mounting is prevented from movement.

In this way the spectacles may be positioned on the user's face or nose and the visor may be subsequently be lowered or closed and the spectacles will not be displaced or disturbed or interfered with. In some embodiments a means is provided to automatically lower the visor engages a spectacle mounting movement release means.

The spectacles being mounted on the visor ensures that the spectacles do not have arms that pass along the user's head, in a fashion similar to independently provided spectacles, wherein said arms are pressed against the user's head or ears in use by the padding, causing discomfort.

The spectacle mounting in the present invention is in contrast disposed so that the mounting enables the spectacles to be positioned correctly and effectively in front of the user's eyes in a comfortable position. C * *

*j 25 Advantageously therefore the mounting is articulated, with more than one articulation or joint, which articulation(s) allow(s) the visor movement about at least one axis of rotation that cooperates, allows for and coordinates with spectacles' movement about the mounting axis/axes. * S.

In some preferred embodiments articulation of the spectacles mounting may be * provided by telescopic members and pivot bases, which bases are fastened in use to or through the visor.

In this way the height and rake of the mounting is adjustable, wherein the mounting may be split into at least two members, preferably with three joints or articulations allowing rotation and/or hinging.

Preferably the visor or spectacles are provided with a quick release mechanism in order that a visor may be used without the spectacles when required.

Ideally for example where the spectacles are capable of being dismounted from the visor, the spectacles are provided with a mounting, wherein said mounting remains at least in part mounted on the visor, in order that no lacuna or aperture is left through the visor when there are no spectacles mounted on the visor, through which airflow may be funnelled in use.

In preferred embodiments however the mounting passes through the visor, and includes at least one nub external to the visor, and preferably in some embodiments the mounting nub may furthermore provide a form of control over movement of the spectacles.

For example the nub may rotate with at least part of the mounting and consequently the user may turn the nub or nubs in order to rotate or otherwise manipulate the mounting and therefore the spectacles.

Preferably in such embodiments turning the nub or flubs allows the user to manipulate the mounting more effectively for example so that all members of the mounting are manipulated at once by the nub.

Ideally the mounting provides a means to manipulate the spectacles when the visor is down, such as nubs exterior to the visor. **

The mounting or mounting members are ideally formed Of durable robust plastic such as ABS (aclonitrile butadiene styrene). The joints preferably include stainless steel * *. ball and socket joints or corrosion resistant hinges. * .. ** . * * *

* " In some preferred embodiments and according to a eighth aspect of the present invention the spectacles may be capable of wearing when not mounted, for example wherein the members snap together to form arms for the spectacles. If the user requires to wear the glasses when not using the helmet, simply snap on the arms into a fixed elongate length, creating a complete set wherein the user can now wear the spectacles without the helmet.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view from reverse of a preferred embodiment of the visor with spectacles mounted; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a helmet with visor with spectacles fitted; * *.25 Figure 3 shows a second isometric view of the embodiment from reverse; Figures 4 show views of the mounting members; e : * 30 Figure 5 shows another isometric view of the visor embodiment.

S

Figure 6 shows an isometric reverse view of a second embodiment of the spectacles mounting; and Figure 7 shows a view from underneath of the embodiment shown in Figure 6 attached to the visor.

Detai(ed Description of Figures

The pictured and preferred embodiment can be easily attached to the visor 1 when required. Simply screwing a base part 3 of the mounting to the visor 1 will keep it in place and standard ratchet grooves 6 on the visor will lock the mounting in place.

The pictured and preferred embodiment the mounting includes two pivot points providing two members 7, allowing a user maximum adjustment of the spectacles' position. The members rotate back to bring the spectacles towards the users face and allows the user to wear their spectacles without the annoyance of having the spectacles arms digging into their head.

Simply snapping out the spectacles 2 and changing them for tinted spectacles, removes hassle of having to carry different visors.

Preferably as pictured the spectacles can be easily unclipped from the mounting, wherein the members 7 provide clasps B into which the spectacles fit, and clipped into separate arms (not shown) to be worn as normal spectacles.

Typically therefore the user would clip the spectacles into the mounting, using the articulation to manoeuvre the spectacles into position, rotating nubs, members and/or 25 the spectacles so they are comfortable. The user will then pull the visor down and the spectacles will stay positioned over the user's nose.

: ** A motorcyclist user can now ride without the discomfort of wearing spectacles.

* * 30 The invention has been described, by way of examples only, and it is understood that ::f:; variation may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the * scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A modified helmet, said helmet comprising a shell, padding, and a visor, said modified helmet characterised in that spectacles are attached to the visor on an articulated mounting.
2. A modified helmet according to claim 1 wherein the mounting is comprised of Iwo bases supporting at least two telescopic members, wherein the bases interface with the visor.
3. A modified. helmet according to claim 1 or 2 wherein at least part of the spectacles is detachable or replaceable.
4. A modified helmet according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein a means is provided whereby when the vispr is in movement, the mounting is prevented from movement.
5. A modified helmet according to claim 1 to 4 wherein the mounting is articulated with more than one articulation.
6. A modified helmet according to claim ito 5 wherein the visor is equipped with a quick release mechanism in order that a visor may be used without the spectacles when required.
7. A modified helmet according to claim 1 to 5 wherein the spectacles are provided with a quick release mechanism from the mounting to enable a visor to be used without the spectacles when required.

:.
8. A modified helmet according to a preceding claim wherein the mounting * .:. 30 provides a means to manipulate the spectacles when the visor is down.
9. A modified helmet according to a preceding claim wherein the spectacles are 4*** capable of wearing when not mounted, for example wherein the members : snap together to form arms for the spectacles.
10. A helmet modified according to any of the preceding claims.
11. A visor for a helmet, modified according to any of the preceding claims.
12. A mounting for a visor for a helmet, modified according to any of the preceding claims.
13. Spectacles for a visor foi a helmet, modified according to any of the preceding claims.
14. A method of attaching spectacle lens to a helmet according to any of the preceding claims or with reference to the figures.S * . . * .. * S * SSS *SSS * S. * S $55. 5* 5S SS S **Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows.Claims 1. A modified helmet, said helmet comprising a shell, padding, and a visor, said modified helmet characterised in that spectacles are attached to the visor on an articulated mounting.2. A modified helmet according to claim 1 wherein the mounting is comprised of two bases supporting at least two telescopic members, wherein the bases interface with the visor.3. A modified helmet according to claim I or 2 wherein at least part of the spectacles is detachable or replaceable.4. A modified helmet according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein a means is provided whereby when the visor is in movement, the mounting is prevented from movement. C, *** 5. A modified helmet according to claim 1 to 4 wherein the mounting is *r": articulated with more than one articulation.G.e.. 6. A modified helmet according to claim ito 5 wherein the visor is equipped with a quick release mechanism in order that a visor may be used without the spectacles when required. C... * C S. **. 25 7. A modified helmet according to claim 1 to 5 wherein the spectacles are provided with a quick release mechanism from the mounting to enable a visor to be used without the spectacles when required.8. A modified helmet according to a preceding claim wherein the mounting provides a means to manipulate the spectacles when the visor is down.9. A modified helmet according to a preceding claim wherein the spectacles are capable of wearing when not mounted, for example wherein a members snap together with an arm so as to be worn independently as spectacles.10. A helmet modified according to any of the preceding claims.11. A visor for a helmet, modified according to any of the preceding claims.12. A mounting for a visor for a helmet, modified according to any of the preceding claims.13. Spectacles for a visor foi a helmet, modified according to any of the preceding claims.14. A method of attaching spectacle lens to a helmet according to any of the preceding claims or with reference to the figures.S * . . * .. * S * SSS *SSS * S. * S $55. 5* 5S SS S **