GB2542429A

GB2542429A - Detachable faceguard for a helmet

Info

Publication number: GB2542429A
Application number: GB1516698.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dolores Curtis Catherine
Original assignee: RATTLESKUTTLE Ltd
Current assignee: RATTLESKUTTLE Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-21
Filing date: 2015-09-21
Publication date: 2017-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-21
Also published as: GB201516698D0; GB2542429B

Abstract

A faceguard (100) for detachable attachment to a helmet (200), such as a riding helmet, comprises a rigid hoop (120) for securing the faceguard to the helmet and a guard section (110) for protecting a wearers face. The rigid hoop (120) may be a complete solid oval ring of steel or titanium which is not elastically deformable and is secured around the circumference of the helmet (200). The guard section (110) may be a rigid grill which is attached to the hoop at at least two points (115) and there may also be rigid support struts (140) between the guard section (110) attaching to the hoop (120) at attachment points (145). The hoop may also have at least one hook device (130) such as a flip release clip, a hinged clip, a toggle hook latch or a standad hook to secure it to the underside of the helmet rim. The hook device may be attached to an adjustable strap. The rigid hoop (120) may also be adjustable by a worm gear mechanism (150) or alternatively a cam buckle or conventional buckle mechanism.

Description

DETACHABLE FACEGUARD FOR A HELMET

The present invention relates to a detachable faceguard for a helmet, preferably for a sports helmet, such as a riding helmet.

In a number of high risk environments safety helmets are worn to reduce the risk of accidental head injury. Notably, in sports such as horse riding, helmets are worn as standard in order to protect the rider in the event of a fall or collision. Whilst standard safety helmets protect the back, sides and crown of the head, the wearer’s face is often left unprotected. To address this problem it is known in certain sports (for example cricket, ice hockey - especially the goalkeepers, and American football) to attach a grilled facemask to the helmet in order to protect the wearer’s face whilst still providing visibility over or through the front grill. The faceguard serves to protect the face and reduce the risk of injury for the wearer. The faceguard may also rest upon the wearer’s chin/jaw, and dissipate impact energy through the rest of the head/helmet. Faceguards are nearly always worn in sports and situations where the risk of impact to the face remains high. However, the faceguards known in the art are not designed to be easily or quickly removed from their helmets and are considered a permanent fixture. Whilst they may be unscrewed, it is an arduous process to detach and reattach such a faceguard to a helmet.

The present invention seeks to overcome at least this problem by providing a detachable faceguard for ease of either attaching to or detaching from a helmet. It is expected that such a detachable faceguard may be useable on a variety of different helmets so that a variety of different wearers may use such a detachable faceguard on respective custom helmets. Most wearers of helmets would prefer to wear their own helmets which have been adjusted to fit them for safety and comfort. A second benefit of the present invention is that it allows each wearer to continue using their own helmet whilst using a detachable faceguard. In this way a sports centre may, for example, keep a stockpile of several detachable faceguards having hoops of appropriate circumference to fit various helmets, which may be supplied by the individual wearers themselves.

The present invention provides a faceguard for detachable attachment to a helmet, the faceguard comprising; a rigid hoop for securing the faceguard to the helmet, and a guard section for protecting a wearer’s face, wherein the guard section is secured to the hoop.

In use, the hoop extends circumferentially around the entire circumference of the helmet, such that it can be simply pulled over the helmet into place and secured thereto.

Preferably the rigid hoop is a complete solid ring of rigid material. Whilst a complete solid ring is not adjustable (other than by placing spacers between the ring and the helmet), a complete solid ring is better at spreading the impact, and less likely to break (potentially injuring a user) than an adjustable ring.

Preferably the rigid hoop is formed of steel or titanium.

Preferably the rigid hoop is not elastically deformable inwardly, but rather holds its shape and if deformed deforms plastically.

Preferably the rigid hoop is not deformable by hand.

Preferably the hoop has a cross section with a flat inside surface arranged to sit snugly against the circumference of the helmet. For example the cross section through the hoop may be rectangular or semi-circular.

Preferably the detachable faceguard is attached only to the helmet, and does not contact the wearer’s face, so that any impact force is transferred to the helmet and not the wearer’s face.

Preferably still, the faceguard consists of a rigid arced grill or solid visor which extends from two attachment points on opposite sides of the hoop, and round the front of the helmet and away from the hoop so that, when worn, the arced grill or solid visor is positioned underneath the eye line of the user so as not to obstruct vision.

Preferably still, the detachable faceguard further comprises at least one rigid support strut between the arced grill or solid visor and hoop so as to secure the faceguard in place and prevent it moving towards or away from the hoop when mounted on a helmet, or, particularly, when mounted on a helmet being worn, subject to an impact force. This arrangement assists with transfer of impact energy to the helmet.

Preferably, the detachable faceguard further comprises at least one hook device mounted on the hoop to secure the hoop to the underside of a helmet rim preventing the hoop from slipping upwards and holding the detachable faceguard in place. The hook device may be a flip release clip, hinged clip, toggle hook latch or standard hook.

The hoop may be adjustable and tightened or loosened by means of a worm gear, cam buckle or conventional buckle mechanism.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side on view of a first embodiment of the present invention attached to a helmet without a wearer; and

Figure 2 is a side on view of a second embodiment of the present invention attached to a helmet without a wearer.

As shown in figure 1, the present invention comprises a detachable faceguard 100 for use with a variety of helmets. Figure 1 depicts a first embodiment of the present invention engaged with a riding helmet 200. The detachable faceguard 100 comprises a front guard section 110, in the form of a metal grill, a robust rigid adjustable hoop 120, retention hooks 130 and support struts 140.

The adjustable hoop 120 is adapted to be placed over the crown of the helmet 200 and secured in place around the circumference of the helmet 200, just above the rim, by tightening the hoop 120. This tightening is achieved by a worm screw clamp 150, or hose clamp (not shown), which is operative to or which may be used to slowly wind the hoop 120 tighter around the helmet 200, securing it in place. Due to the friction levels involved, the worm screw 150 is not reversible and therefore eliminates any possibility of the adjustable hoop 120 loosening itself. Alternative tightening mechanisms may include cam buckles, clip buckles or conventional buckles, or any other suitable means.

The guard section 110 is a rigid metal grill. The grill 110 is formed as a curve, attached at either end to two points 115 on the adjustable hoop 120. The grill ends are attached to the adjustable hoop at points which, when the hoop is in position on a helmet 200, are towards the rear of the helmet 200. When in position on a helmet the grill 110 extends around the front of the helmet 200, lower than the helmet rim and the eye line of any wearer so as not to obscure their vision. The grill 110 extends downwardly, and around the side of the wearer’s face so as to protect them from impact injuries. It is also acceptable to use a solid visor-like arrangement as a faceguard.

Additionally, on each side of the grill 110, away from its end attachment points 115, there is provided a rigid support strut 140 which further links the grill 110 to the adjustable hoop 120. The support strut 140 prevents relative motion of the guard section 110 and the adjustable hoop 120 section, i.e. ensures the grill 110 does not rotate about its end attachment points 115 on the helmet 200. The two support struts 140 are attached at attachment points 145 to the adjustable hoop 120 forward of the grill attachment points 115.

The adjustable hoop 120 also comprises hook elements 130 which are provided for hooking underneath the rim of the helmet 200 when the faceguard is mounted on the helmet, to ensure that the adjustable hoop 120 does not move away from the helmet rim and come loose from the helmet 200 during use. The adjustable hoop 120 is held in place by both the compression/friction element of the hoop 120, and the retaining hooks 130 caught on the underside of the lower rim of the helmet 200. The hook elements 130 may be flip release clips, hinged clips, toggle hook latches or standard hooks.

It is envisioned that the present invention 100 will be used for riding helmets, however it is of course recognised by the skilled person that the faceguard 100 may be utilised with a number of other safety helmet types and maintain operating functionality.

Advantageously, the ease with which the present invention may be attached to, and detached from, a range of helmets will allow a greater range of people to use them, for example those with their own helmets but with no faceguard. It is therefore envisioned that more people will be inclined to attach the faceguards 100 and use them, therefore reducing injuries.

It is envisioned that the grill 110 and supporting struts 140 of the present invention will be made of stainless steel, carbon steel, or titanium, wherein the adjustable hoop 120 will be a robust rigid material such as steel. The adjustable hoop 120 may also be made to accommodate standard sizes in certain helmet circumferences.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. For example it is contemplated that other materials may be provided for the grill, such as plastics materials or other suitable materials.

In use, the present invention 100 is mounted upon a helmet 200 by locating the adjustable hoop 120 around the rim of the helmet 200, in the correct orientation, and securing it in position by tightening the worm-screw 150 and ensuring the hooking elements 130 are engaged with the bottom of the helmet 200 rim. Once the detachable faceguard 100 is securely mounted on the helmet, it is ready to be worn. To remove the faceguard 100, the worm-screw 150 is loosened, and the adjustable strap 120 is lifted from the helmet 200.

Figure 2 depicts a second embodiment of the present invention engaged with a riding helmet 400. The detachable faceguard 300 comprises a front guard section 310, in the form of a metal grill, a robust rigid hoop 320, which is a solid ring and not adjustable nor deformable inwardly (even when removed from the helmet), retention hooks 330 and support struts 340.

The rigid hoop 320 is adapted to be placed over the crown of the helmet 400 and shaped to fit the helmet such that it sits just above the rim.

The guard section 310 is a rigid metal grill. The grill 310 is formed as a curve, attached at either end to two points 315 on the hoop 320. The grill ends are attached to the hoop at points which, when the hoop is in position on a helmet 400, are towards the rear of the helmet 400. When in position on a helmet the grill 310 extends around the front of the helmet 400, lower than the helmet rim and the eye line of any wearer so as not to obscure their vision. The grill 310 extends downwardly, and around the side of the wearer’s face so as to protect them from impact injuries. It is also acceptable to use a solid visor-like arrangement as a faceguard.

Additionally, on each side of the grill 310, away from its end attachment points 315, there is provided a rigid support strut 340 which further links the grill 310 to the hoop 320. The support strut 340 prevents relative motion of the guard section 310 and the hoop 320 section, i.e. ensures the grill 310 does not rotate about its end attachment points 315 on the helmet 400. The two support struts 340 are attached at attachment points 345 to the hoop 320 forward of the grill attachment points 315.

The hoop 320 also comprises hook elements 330 which are provided for hooking underneath the rim of the helmet 400 when the faceguard is mounted on the helmet, to ensure that the adjustable hoop 320 does not move away from the helmet rim and come loose from the helmet 400 during use. The hook elements 330, or clips are easily fastenable/unfastenable so that the hoop 320 is held in place by both the friction of the inside of the hoop 320 on the helmet, and the retaining hooks 330 caught on the underside of the lower rim of the helmet 400. The hook elements 330 may be flip release clips, hinged clips, toggle hook latches or standard hooks and may be provided on straps.

It is envisioned that the present invention will be used for riding helmets, however it is of course recognised by the skilled person that the faceguard 300 may be utilised with a number of other safety helmet types and maintain operating functionality.

Advantageously, the ease with which the present invention may be attached to, and detached from, a range of helmets will allow a greater range of people to use them, when required. It is therefore envisioned that more people will be inclined to attach the faceguards 100 and use them as and when necessary, therefore reducing injuries.

It is envisioned that the grill 310 and supporting struts 340 of the present invention will be made of stainless steel, carbon steel, or titanium, and the solid hoop 320 can equally be a robust rigid material such as stainless steel, carbon steel or titanium. Various diameters of solid hoop 320 will be made to accommodate standard sizes in certain helmet circumferences and the cross section of the material of the hoop can equally be chosen as desired, for example it may have a rectangular cross section, or a semi-circular cross section, with the inside edge (which abuts the helmet) being flat.

In use, the second embodiment of the present invention 300 is mounted upon a helmet 400 by locating the solid hoop 320 around the rim of the helmet 400, in the correct orientation, and securing it in position with the hooking elements 330 which are engaged with the bottom of the helmet 200 rim. Once the detachable faceguard 300 is securely mounted on the helmet, it is ready to be worn. To remove the faceguard 300, the hooking elements 330 are undone and the rigid hoop 320 is lifted from the helmet 200.

Claims

1. A faceguard for detachable attachment to a helmet, the faceguard comprising; a rigid hoop for securing the faceguard to the helmet, and a guard section for protecting a wearer’s face, wherein the guard section is secured to the hoop.

2. The faceguard according to claim 1 wherein the rigid hoop is a complete solid ring of rigid material.

3. The faceguard according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the rigid hoop is formed of steel or titanium.

4. The faceguard according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the rigid hoop is not elastically deformable inwardly.

5. The faceguard according to any of the preceding claims, wherein during use the faceguard section is wholly supported by the helmet and does not contact a wearer’s face.

6. The faceguard according to any preceding claim wherein the guard section is attached to the hoop at at least two separate locations on the hoop.

7. The faceguard according to claim 6 wherein the guard section is a rigid grill extending between the two attachment points on the hoop in an arc below the circumference of the hoop.

8. The faceguard according to any preceding claim wherein the guard section is a visor comprising a single screen of material.

9. The faceguard according to any preceding claim wherein the rigid hoop is adapted to be secured around the circumference of the helmet.

10. The faceguard according to any preceding claim wherein the guard section is substantially rigid.

11. The faceguard according to any preceding claim wherein the faceguard further comprises at least one substantially rigid support strut between the guard section and the hoop.

12. The faceguard according to any preceding claim wherein the hoop further comprises at least one hook device to secure the hoop to the underside of the helmet rim.

13. The faceguard according to claim 9, wherein the hook device is selected from a flip release clip, a hinged clip, a toggle hook latch and a standard hook.

14. The faceguard according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the hook device is attached to a strap.

15. The faceguard of claim 14 wherein the strap is adjustable.

16. The faceguard according to any preceding claim other than claim 2 wherein the rigid hoop is adjustable.

17. The faceguard according to claim 16 wherein the fit of the adjustable hoop to the helmet is adjusted by means of a worm gear mechanism.

18. The faceguard according to claim 16 wherein the fit of the adjustable hoop to the helmet is adjusted by means of a cam buckle mechanism.

19. The faceguard according to claim 16 wherein the fit of the adjustable hoop to the helmet is adjusted via a conventional buckle mechanism.

20. The faceguard of any preceding claim wherein the hoop is oval shaped.

21. The faceguard of any preceding claim adapted to fit a riding helmet.

22. A helmet comprising a faceguard according to any of the preceding claims.

23. A riding helmet comprising a faceguard of any of claims 1 -21.

24. A faceguard for a helmet as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.