GB2581184A

GB2581184A - Buckle

Info

Publication number: GB2581184A
Application number: GB1901682.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wright Robin
Original assignee: Wyedean Weaving Co Ltd
Current assignee: Wyedean Weaving Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-07
Filing date: 2019-02-07
Publication date: 2020-08-12
Also published as: GB201901682D0

Abstract

A helmet comprising a body having first and second sides to which proximal ends 16, 22 of first 12 and second 14 chin strap parts are respectively mounted. A distal end 18 of the first chin strap portion 12 has a female connector 20 and a far end 24 of the second chin strap part 14 comprises a male fastener 26 for connection with the connector 20. At least one chin strap part 12, 14 also has a wearer independent disconnection mechanism positioned intermediate the near end 16, 22 of the strap part 12, 14 and its connector 20, 26. This enables wearer independent disengagement of the straps 12, 14 when the fasteners 20, 26 are matingly connected. The disconnection mechanism comprises a first component with a shaft and a second component including a flexible ring member with open ends to removably snap over the shaft, forming an interference fit.

Description

-I-

QUICK RELEASE CHIN STRAP FOR A HELMET

Field of the invention

The present Invention relates generally to helmets that include a chin strap part having a wearer independent disconnection mechanism.

Background to the invention

Helmets, such as military helmets, motorcycle helmets, bicycle helmets and helmets worn whilst involved in sporting activities, are worn to reduce the risk of head injury.

Loose fitting helmets are less effective in preventing injury due to the fact that the wearer's head tends to get jarred around, creating impact inside the helmet. As a result it is common practice for helmets to be provided with a chin strap adjusted for a tight fit in order to maximise the helmet's impact absorbing capabilities.

The use of a chin strap is associated with the risk of accidental strangulation. The present invention solves this problem by providing a chin strap for a helmet that includes a wearer independent disconnection mechanism.

Summary of the invention

Aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims Combinations of features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a helmet comprising: a helmet body having first and second side portions, a first chin strap part having a proximal end mounted to the first side portion of the helmet body, and a distal end provided with female connection member, a second chin strap part having a proximal end mounted on the second side portion of the helmet body, and a distal end provided with a male connection member for connecting with the female connection member provided on the first strap, wherein at least one of the first chin strap part or the second chin strap part further comprises a wearer independent disconnection mechanism positioned intermediate of the proximal end of the strap part and its respective connection member to enable wearer independent disconnection of the straps when the female connection member is matingly connected with the male connection member provided, and wherein the wearer independent disconnection mechanism comprises: a first component comprising a shaft, and a second component that includes a flexible ring member with open ends configured to removably snap over the shaft to form an interference fit with the shaft.

In some constructions of the helmet, at least one of the female connection member 15 or the male connection member has a proximal end portion, and the first component of the wearer independent disconnection mechanism is provided on the proximal end portion.

In some other constructions of the helmet, at least one of the female connection member or the male connection member has a proximal end portion, and the second 20 component of the wearer independent disconnection mechanism is provided on the proximal end portion.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided chin strap assembly for use on a helmet, said assembly comprising: a first chin strap part having a proximal end mountable on the first side portion of a helmet body, arid a distal end provided with female connection member, a second chin strap part having a proximal end mountable on the second side portion of a helmet body, and a distal end provided with a male connection member for connecting with the female connection member provided on the first strap, wherein at least one of the first chin strap part or the second chin strap part further comprises a wearer independent disconnection mechanism positioned intermediate of the proximal end of the strap part and its respective connection member to enable wearer independent disconnection of the straps when the female connection member is matingly connected with the male connection member provided, and wherein the wearer independent disconnection mechanism comprises: a first component comprising a shaft, and a second component that includes a flexible ring member with open ends configured to removably snap over the shaft to form an interference fit with the shaft.

Brief description of the drawings

Constructions of the helmet and chin strap for use with the helmet will be 10 described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference signs relate to like elements and in which: FIG. 1 is a plan view (viewed from underneath) of the chin strap assembly; FIG 2 is an exploded isometric view of the female connection member on the first strap part, the complementary male connection member on the second strap part, and the wearer independent disconnection mechanism; FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the components of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a plan view of the components of FIG. 2;

Detailed description

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a chin strap assembly 10 that includes a first chin strap part 12 and a second chin strap part 14.

The first chin strap part 12 has a proximal end 16 that is mountable to first side of a helmet body, and a distal end 18 that includes a female connection member 20.

The second chin strap part 14 has a proximal end 22 that is mountable to an opposing second side of a helmet body, and a distal end 24 that includes a male connection member 26 for releasably connecting with the female connection member 20 provided on the first chin strap part 12. The male/female connection mechanism enabling connection/disconnection between the first chin strap part 12 and the second chin strap part 14 is wearer dependent In the construction shown, the proximal ends 16, 22 of the first and second chin strap parts are generally Y-shaped.

In the construction shown, the first chin strap part 12 also includes a wearer independent disconnection mechanism positioned intermediate of the proximal end 16 and the female connection member 20 The exploded isometric view in FIG 2 illustrates the wearer independent disconnection mechanism is greater detail The female connection member 20 includes a proximal end portion 28 that includes the first component of the wearer independent disconnection mechanism. In the construction shown, the first component consists of a shaft 30 that extends in a lateral/medial direction. The shaft has a circular cross-section.

The second component of the wearer independent disconnection mechanism 15 includes a flexible open ring member 32 that is secured to a buckle 34 In the construction shown the flexible open ring member 32 is generally C-shaped. A bore 36 extends in the lateral/medial direction. The bore 36 is dimensioned for removable receipt of the shaft 30. During assembly of the first chin strap part 12 the ring member 32 is snapped over the shaft 30, to form a reversible interference fit.

The buckle 34 is generally rectangular and includes a generally rectangular aperture 38. During assembly of the first chin strap part 12, the strap is securely threaded through aperture 38.

In the construction shown, the wearer independent disconnection mechanism may be retrofitted to the first chin strap part 12. This is achieved by threading the first chin 25 strap part 12 through the aperture 38 of buckle 34 instead of around the shaft 30 of the female connection member 20.

When sufficient force is applied to either the first and/or second component of the wearer independent disconnection mechanism (e.g., by the helmet being pulled backwards on the head of the wearer), one or both components of wearer independent disconnection mechanism will pulled out of connection from the other component of the mechanism. The wearer independent disconnection mechanism is constructed to meet the requirements of the retention system detailed in British Standard: BS EN 1080:2013 -Impact protection helmets for young children. The wearer independent disconnection mechanism must disconnect when a force exceeds 90 N but not exceeding 160N. Although the female connection member 20 remains connected to the male connection member 26, the first chin strap part 12 becomes disconnected from the female connection member 20, thereby preventing the risk of strangulation of the wearer by the helmet's chin strap.

Although particular constructions of the invention have been described, it will be appreciated that many modifications/additions and/or substitutions may be made within the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

CLAIMSA helmet comprising: a helmet body having first and second side portions, a first chin strap part having a proximal end mounted to the first side portion of the helmet body, and a distal end provided with female connection member, a second chin strap part having a proximal end mounted on the second side portion of the helmet body, and a distal end provided with a male connection member for connecting with the female connection member provided on the first strap, wherein at least one of the first chin strap part or the second chin strap part further comprises a wearer independent disconnection mechanism positioned intermediate of the proximal end of the strap part and its respective connection member to enable wearer independent disconnection of the straps when the female connection member is matingly connected with the male connection member provided, and wherein the wearer independent disconnection mechanism comprises: a first component comprising a shaft, and a second component that includes a flexible ring member with open ends configured to removably snap over the shaft to form an interference fit with the shaft.
2. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the female connection member or the male connection member has a proximal end portion and wherein the first 25 component of the wearer independent disconnection mechanism is provided on the proximal end portion.
3. The helmet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the female connection member or the male connection member has a proximal end portion and wherein the second 30 component of the wearer independent disconnection mechanism is provided on the proximal end portion.A chin strap assembly for use on a helmet, said assembly comprising: a first chin strap part having a proximal end mountable on a first side portion of a helmet body, and a distal end provided with a female connection member, a second chin strap part having a proximal end mountable on a second side portion of the helmet body, and a distal end provided with a male connection member for connecting with the female connection member provided on the first chin strap part, wherein at least one of the first chin strap part or the second chin strap part further comprises a wearer independent disconnection mechanism positioned intermediate of the proximal end of the strap part and its respective connection member to enable wearer independent disconnection of the straps when the female connection member is matingly connected with the male connection member provided, and wherein the wearer independent disconnection mechanism comprises: a first component comprising a shaft, and a second component that includes a flexible ring member with open ends 15 configured to removably snap over the shaft to form an interference fit with the shaft.