JP2012072540A - Protective helmet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a protective helmet having a supporting mask for impact-absorbing layers of a jaw protector which can connect a pad inside the helmet which is arranged by approaching the jaw protector effectively and easily temporarily.SOLUTION: The protective helmet comprises a shell 101 which has a jaw protector 102 and an opening 103 for a visor, one or more impact-absorbing layers 104, 107, 10 which are connected inside with the shell and the jaw protector, one or more pads 105, 106 which are arranged inside the one or more the impact-absorbing layers, and at least one supporting mask 1 for impact-absorbing layers of the jaw protector, where at least one supporting mask includes holding means of impact-absorbing layers of the jaw protector and an engaging means for the jaw protector and/or shell, further, at least one supporting mask includes a temporary connecting means of at least one pad.

Description

  The present invention includes a shell having a chin protector and a corresponding opening for a visor, one or more shock absorbing layers coupled to the inside of the shell and the corresponding chin protector, and the shock absorbing. One or more pads disposed inside the layer and at least one support mask for the shock absorbing layer of the chin protector, the inner support mask comprising the shock absorbing layer of the chin protector In particular, the present invention relates to a protective helmet for a person riding a motorcycle or the like.

  Usually as a shock-absorbing layer of a protective helmet formed from polystyrene foam (EPS), by forced restraint (reduction), adhesion, or using mechanical support clamping means or Velcro strips It is known to attach directly to the inner surface of the helmet shell.

  In the prior art, a first hemispherical layer suitable for protecting the user's skull area against impacts and the side area (cheek) of the user's face against side impacts. Often made protective helmets with various shock absorbing layers juxtaposed inside the shell, consisting of two opposing layers to protect the arm and a suitable shock absorbing layer to protect the user's chin Yes. These different shock absorbing layers are typically restrained so that they cannot be removed from the outer shell of the helmet by forced restraint (ie, forced geometric fit).

  Also, the inside of these shock absorbing layers is usually covered with, for example, a woven fabric to avoid being damaged by excessive mechanical action, and the comfort that is required during use Pads are arranged to ensure.

  In the case of a shell with a chin protecting part commonly referred to as a chin protector, a shock absorbing layer suitable for protecting the user's chin is usually only separated from one of the other shock absorbing layers. And does not have an outer pad that interferes with the user's breathing and interferes with the grip and grip of the helmet.

  With regard to the chin protector, the shock absorbing layer, in particular the part facing the user's chin, is made of, for example, synthetic leather (ie a fabric formed of polyurethane PU or polyamide PA in layers) or polyurethane (PU) foam It is known to cover with a surface cover that is comfortable to the user and that avoids or reduces the risk of accidental damage to the shock absorbing layer.

  In the general case where the shock absorbing layer is made of EPS, the surface cover for the shock absorbing layer of the chin protector is overprinted with a suitable coating material such as polyurethane foam (eg, Formed by low pressure injection molding). The front cover defines the final shape of the part allowing connection with the other parts of the helmet and is provided with a layer with a minimum thickness of 2 mm, for example, to ensure proper styling requirements.

  However, this technique has unavoidable drawbacks.

  Firstly, in addition to the manufacturing process of the shock absorbing layer made of EPS of the chin protector, the surface cover layer has an excessive weight of the final unit due to the inherent technical constraints of the overprinting process. End up.

  Secondly, this technique is considerably less productive because overprinting and subsequent flash removal steps take a long time.

  Finally, it can be mentioned that a considerable cost is usually required to obtain such a surface cover made of overprinting material, which is usually suitable for absorbing impact made of EPS.

  In order to overcome these drawbacks, mainly in a helmet having a chin protector to be pulled up, a support mask sandwiched between a user's face and the shock absorbing layer, and a surface cover of the shock absorbing layer of the chin protector, A technique is known that is mechanically constrained by a chin protector, and therefore, an impact absorbing layer is disposed and locked between the support mask and the inner wall of the chin protector.

  This support mask is appropriately formed and can be fitted to a duct serving as a guide passage for airflow from the outside to the inside of the helmet, and is usually a plastic material (polyethylene (PE) that is injection-molded. ), Polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), etc.). The support mask is, for example, an engagement means with a jaw protector constituted by a screw, a bolt or an elastic connection means, for example, a striker partly designed to mechanically restrain the shock absorbing layer, It includes both elastic tabs or means for retaining the shock absorbing layer of the chin protector formed from other components.

  By using this support mask for the shock-absorbing layer, it is no longer necessary to overprint the shock-absorbing layer in ESP, which usually has a thin layer of coating material such as PU foam.

  However, support mask obstacles such as those described above must be formed and restrained together in an acceptable manner of attachment, and the support mask housing must be modified, so that the helmet shell It is necessary to carefully design the interior parts.

  In particular, the arrangement and structure of the means for fixing the pad to the shock absorbing layer located near the chin protector, ie the arrangement and structure of the support mask, must be carefully considered.

  In addition, in a recently manufactured protective helmet, the pads sandwiched between the head and the user's face and the shock absorbing layer (EPS) are usually shock absorbing layers for cleaning or replacement of the pads. Note that this last layer is constrained by temporary connection means that the user can easily attach and detach at any time.

  More specifically, these temporary or reversible coupling means of the pad are usually bonded to a shock absorbing layer having a complementary button, or striker for hooks, formed on the corresponding part of the pad. It has a fixed plate.

  As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, a fixed plate that is typically bonded to a shock absorbing layer made of polystyrene foam and a corresponding snap button (clip) or other type of connection that is attached to the pad as a temporary connection means. Use still requires the assembly of various components to either the treatment, package, or shock absorbing layer or comfort pad. These are usually found to be very expensive, and require practical accuracy by a simple assembling operation that ensures an excess time.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective helmet of the type described above that solves at least some of the problems of the prior art described above.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a chin protection that can effectively and simply temporarily (reversibly) connect at least a portion of the inner pad of the helmet placed close to the chin protector. It is to provide a protective helmet having a support mask for the shock absorbing layer of the device.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective helmet including a chin protector that requires fewer parts, has a wide range of finish and shape selection inside the chin protector, and can be manufactured economically and in a short time. There is to do.

  These and other objects are achieved by a protective helmet according to claim 1 and its dependent claims.

  That is, the protective helmet according to the present invention includes a shell having an opening for a chin protector and a visor, one or more shock absorbing layers connected to the inside of the shell and the chin protector, and the shock absorbing. One or more pads inside the layer and at least one support mask for the shock absorbing layer of the chin protector. The support mask includes a holding means for the shock absorbing layer of the chin protector and an engaging means for the chin protector.

  It is also advantageous if the support mask comprises at least one pad temporary connection means.

  In the support mask of the impact-absorbing layer of the chin protector, the integration of the temporary connection means of the pad, in particular, these sets that abut the user's cheek are arranged close to the chin protector The design of the restraint for the helmet of the present invention is simplified, and the temporary connecting means is provided which is very effective and stable in use. This is because an operation for bonding these connecting means to the shell is not required. Also, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps at the time of manufacture are reduced.

  As a preferred aspect of the present invention, the pad temporary connection means may be of a type in which complementary parts are elastically connected or a part of the parts of the support mask are geometrically fitted together.

  For example, the temporary coupling means may consist of at least one hook and a corresponding striker, each integrated into one pad and the support mask.

  The temporary connection means of the at least one pad to the support mask of the shock absorbing layer of the chin protector is in the case of a loose connection connection between them (ie, a restraint that can be easily released by the user) or conventional fixing Even when coupled by methods (eg, Velcro® strip fastening methods to the pad and corresponding shock absorbing layer), stable mechanical fastening between these members (ie, easier for the user) Note that it is not necessary to perform (restraint that cannot be released), the target pad can be assembled more easily and inexpensively, and the number of parts required for such fixing can be effectively reduced. Should.

  Furthermore, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, the support mask may include ducts for airflow passages and / or additional helmet helmets, such as lower windscreens or diffusers for upper airflow, for example. There may be provided holding means for external accessories.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a protective helmet with a specific configuration of the present invention that includes a support mask for the shock absorbing layer of the chin protector. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view of the helmet of FIG. 1A with the comfort pad on the side of the skull region of the head removed. FIG. 2 is a front view of a support mask for the shock absorbing layer of the chin protector of the helmet of FIG. 1 having the specific structure of the present invention having the shock absorbing layer. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the support mask of FIG. 1 without the shock absorbing layer of the chin protector. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the support mask of FIGS. 1 and 2 assembled to a chin protector. It is a detailed enlarged rear view of a support mask. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the region of the support mask for the shock absorbing layer of the helmet chin protector of FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a region supporting a chin protector for the shock absorbing layer of the chin protector of the helmet of FIG. 1 in a plane parallel to the centerline, passing through an external intake and passing through an internal duct of the chin protector. Shows the airflow flowing through the helmet after passing wind through the inner surface of the visor. Each figure which shows the temporary connection means of the side pad made to become the lining of a user's cheek (cheek pad) with respect to the support mask of the shock absorption layer of the chin protector of the specific structure of this invention FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view of the protective helmet of FIG. 1, showing the side pads not connected to the associated support mask. FIG. 9 is a side view of the cheek pad of the user in FIG. 8, showing temporary connection means for the support mask described above.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a helmet 100 according to the present invention is formed to define an opening 103 for a visor, for example, a known outer shell 101 injection molded from polycarbonate (PC), and an opening. And a chin protection portion, commonly referred to as a chin protector 102, disposed below 103 and secured to other portions of the shell 101 in an integral, removable or non-removable manner. ing.

  Helmet 100 is secured inside shell 101 and chin protector 102 and includes one or more layers 10, 104, made of a material suitable for absorbing possible impacts, such as polystyrene foam (EPS). 107. The layers 10, 104, 107 are, for example, bonded to the part or groove to be bonded and the inside of the shell 101 and are sandwiched between the user's head and one or more shock absorbing layers 104, 107. Between one or more pads 105 and 106, they are forcibly restricted and fixed. Specifically, the helmet 100 has at least one first homogeneous shock absorbing layer 104 disposed under a portion of the shell 101 intended to protect the user's skull for manufacturing reasons. , At least two side shock absorbing layers 107 facing the cheek area of the user, spaced apart from the first shock absorbing layer 104 and the two side shock absorbing layers 107, corresponding to the chin protector 102 portion And at least one additional shock-absorbing layer 10.

  The shock absorbing layer 10 of the chin protector 102 that can be bonded to the inner surface of the chin protector 102 is formed to hold the shock absorbing layer 10 and be easily restrained by the same chin protector 102 or other parts of the shell 101. The appropriate support mask 1 is supported inside the chin protector 102 according to the present invention.

  More specifically, according to a particular aspect of the present invention, the support mask 1 of the shock absorbing layer 10 has a region for accommodating and supporting the associated shock absorbing layer 10, particularly with reference to FIGS. The shock absorbing layer 10 is mechanically formed by superimposing parts according to relative elastic deformation, the front surface 5 formed to provide, the upper frame 4 and the lower region 3 functioning as a guide for the shock absorbing layer 10. It has tabs 2a and 2b that can be held.

  In addition to the specific shape of the front surface 5, the tabs 2 a, 2 b, the upper frame 4 and the lower region 3 constitute a suitable holding means for the shock absorbing layer 10 of the chin protector 102.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the upper frame 4 of the support mask 1 is integrally provided with a duct for a passage for directly taking in an air flow from the outside of the helmet 100 to the inside of the helmet 100 through an appropriate air intake. You may have.

  At the same time, the lower region 3 of the support mask 1 is formed in one piece or connected to the lower edge 109 of the shell 101 and when used in a motorcycle or a moving means without a completely enclosed frame. Accept accessories that are optionally attached to the lower area of helmet 100, such as windscreen tabs, aerodynamic flow deflectors, and accessories to reduce vortex noise generated during normal use of helmet 100. You may have the seat which can. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the support mask 1 constitutes a means for engaging or restraining the support mask 1 with appropriate complementary regions 91 a and 91 b disposed inside the chin protector 102. Horizontal protrusions 9a and 9b are provided. The complementary regions 91a and 91b are configured to hold the protrusions 9a and 9b by geometric fitting connection. The protrusions 9a and 9b and the complementary regions 91a and 91b (engagement means) of the support mask 1 with respect to the inner surface of the chin protector 102 are known restraint type, juxtaposed / constraint type, elastic coupling type of complementary parts, and screw portions The type to be screwed can be selected.

  It should be noted that as other embodiments not shown here, these engaging means may be applied to one or more layers or impacts that directly bond the support mask 1 to the chin protector 102 or other part of the shell 101. It can also be configured by sandwiching the absorption layer 10.

  Also, as already explained, the support mask 1 is supported by suitable mechanical holding means, similar to the specification for engaging further external accessories, for example the protrusions 9a, 9b, with the chin protector 102. One or more diffusers that are held by the mask 1 and diffuse the airflow toward the inside of the helmet 100 may be attached.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the cavity between the filling material of the lower edge 109 and the lower region 3 of the support mask 1 in the chin protector 102 of the shell 101 is, for example, aerodynamic. An appendage, windscreen flap, or any other accessory enclosed by the lower region 3 of the helmet 100 may function as a seat for insertion of a molded tab that can be easily secured.

  Furthermore, as specifically shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, and 9, the support mask 1 corresponds to the inner wall 7, that is, the above-described pad corresponding to the wall facing the user's chin. Means 6a, 8a, 61a, 6b, 8b, 61b intended to fix at least one of 105, 106 temporarily or reversibly is provided.

  This means of temporarily connecting in the embodiment described here is formed in the insertion slots 61a, 61b with flanges 6a, 6b projecting towards the inside of the helmet 100 at the center and at least one corresponding pad 106. And a pin or striker 8a, 8b that engages a complementary hook or fork 108a (FIGS. 8 and 9).

  In FIGS. 8 and 9, the fork 108a is connected to the corresponding end of the support mask 1 and the fork 108a is shown in detail with the side pad 106 and the side pad 106 in detail. It consists of a plastic tab fixed to the front of 106 and is inserted into the insertion slot 61a for engagement to achieve a stable mechanical fastening or loose connection with the corresponding pin 8a.

  The engagement between each fork 108a and the corresponding pin 8a (8b) facilitates direct mechanical fixation between the pad 106 and the support mask 1, for example, can be of an elastic type, Further, for example, a loose type such as a hook that can pull out the fork 108a in a predetermined direction can be used.

  In the latter case, as already described, in order to fix the pad 106 to the shell 101 of the helmet 100, a known fastening means for the pad 106, such as a clip or a velcro strip, is applied to the corresponding shock absorber. It is necessary to arrange in the layer 107.

  It should be noted that the connection between the pad 106 and the support mask 1 is such that even if it is loose, the number of parts required to protect the pad 106 itself can be effectively reduced and the pad 106 can be easily assembled. It should be noted.

  Although not shown in the embodiments of the present invention, as another embodiment, the temporary or reversible coupling means for the at least one pad 106 may be an elastic coupling of complementary components such as snap buttons, clips, etc. A type or a mating engagement type such as a button and a button hole, or a type comprising male and female Velcro strips respectively disposed on corresponding portions of the support mask 1 and the pad 106; can do.

  These coupling means may also be constructed with guides and engaging slides within the guides, or other known types of loose couplings, i.e. those not discussed here but having at least some degree of freedom. it can.

  According to a particular aspect of the present invention, the helmet 100 has at least one pad 106 or a pair of pads 106 with a corresponding support mask 1 for the chin protector 102, more specifically the shock absorbing layer 10. When the helmet 100 is worn until the two come in contact with each other, a plurality of pads 105 and 106 that contact each other so as to substantially contact the cheek of the user and cover at least a part of the side portion of the opening 103 for the visor. May be provided.

  In this case, the temporary connection means 6a, 8a, 61a, 6b, 8b, 61b of the support mask 1 that supports the shock absorbing layer 10 of the chin protector 102 are provided on the side portions suitable for contacting the user's cheek. Designed to hold the pad 106.

  Finally, the support mask 1 can be formed from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyurethane (TPU) by injection molding by a known technique.

  According to the particular embodiment of the invention described here, after the shock absorbing layer 104 inside the user's skull region has been inserted into the outer shell 101, first the shock absorbing layer 10 has the holding means ( Supported on the support mask 1 by the lower region 3, the upper frame 4), in particular the corresponding parts of the shock absorbing layer 10 are held by the tabs 2 a, 2 b, for the shock absorbing layer 10 of the chin protector An assembly of the support mask 1 is obtained. As a result, the support mask 1 having the shock absorbing layer 10 is engaged with the chin protector 102 by the protruding portions 9a and 9b connected to the complementary regions 91a and 91b inside the chin protector 102 described above.

  Finally, as well as the inner shape of the shell 101, a force-fit connection (forced restraint) is achieved between the rear support surface for the inner side of the shell 101 and the front surface for the support mask 1, The shock absorbing layer 107 that protects the user's cheek is inserted between the support mask 1 and the shock absorbing layer 104, and as a result, the shock absorbing layer 107 is finally fixed inside the helmet 100, A solid is obtained.

  At this point, the pad 105 in the skull region of the shell 101 can be constrained to the corresponding shock absorbing layer 104,107. Subsequently, the side pads 106 can be positioned and engaged with the same support mask 1 by the temporary connecting means 6a, 8a, 61a, 6b, 8b, 61b, 108a. In this way, the internal part of the helmet 100 is fully assembled.

  As is apparent from the foregoing, in the case of loose temporary coupling means, i.e., where full mechanical fastening of the side pad 106 to the shell 101 is not specified, such a method is in any case The attachment of the pad 106 is facilitated and the number of fastening elements such as elastic clips or Velcro® strips between the shock absorbing layer 107 and the inner wall of the pad 106 is reduced.

  The pad 106 is mechanically fixed to the support mask 1 by directly engaging the pad 106 with the support mask 1. In this case, the elastic connection eliminates the need for means for directly engaging the pad 106 with the inner wall of the shell 101, whereby the helmet 100 can be manufactured at low cost and the configuration and assembly are simplified.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Support mask 2a, 2b Tab 3 Lower area | region 4 Upper frame 5 Front surface 6a, 8a, 61a, 6b, 8b, 61b Means 8a, 8b Pin (striker)
7 Inner wall 9a, 9b Protruding part 61a, 61b Insertion slot 10, 104, 107 Shock absorbing layer 91a, 91b Complementary region 100 Helmet 101 Shell 102 Jaw protector 103 Opening part 105, 106 Pad 108a Hook (fork)
109 Lower edge

Claims (12)

A shell (101) having an opening (103) for a chin protector (102) and a visor;
One or more shock absorbing layers (104, 107, 10) provided inside the shell (101) and the chin protector (102);
One or more pads (105, 106) disposed inside one or more of the shock absorbing layers (104, 107, 10);
At least one support mask (1) for the shock absorbing layer (10) of the chin protector (102),
At least one said support mask (1)
Holding means (3, 4, 5, 2a, 2b) of the shock absorbing layer (10) of the chin protector (102);
Engagement means (9a, 9b) for the chin protector (102) and / or the shell (101),
The at least one support mask (1) is further provided with temporary connection means (6a, 8a, 61a, 6b, 8b, 61b) for at least one pad (106) in the pads (105, 106). 108a), a protective helmet (100).   The protective helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the temporary coupling means (6a, 8a, 61a, 6b, 8b, 61b, 108a) are of a loose type.   The temporary connection means (6a, 8a, 61a, 6b, 8b, 61b, 108a) mechanically connect one or more of the pads (105, 106) to at least one of the support masks (1). The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the protective helmet is fastened.   The temporary connection means (6a, 8a, 61a, 6b, 8b, 61b, 108a) is an elastic connection type of complementary parts, a mating engagement type, or a male and female Velcro strip. The protective helmet according to claim 3, wherein the protective helmet is a type comprising   The temporary coupling means (6a, 8a, 61a, 6b, 8b, 61b) are engaged with one or more complementary engaging means (108a) integrated into one or more of the pads (105, 106). The protective helmet according to claim 1, comprising a striker (8a, 8b).   The one or more pads (106) that are temporarily fixed to at least one of the support masks (1) are pads arranged on the side of the opening (103) that contacts the cheek of the user. The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the protective helmet is a protective helmet.   The engagement means (9a, 9b) of the at least one support mask (1) with respect to the chin protector are integrally formed and / or of the shell (101) and / or the chin protector (102). The protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the protective helmet is a constraining type, a juxtaposed type, or a type having an elastic connection of complementary parts (91a, 91b). The holding means (3, 4, 5, 2a, 2b) for holding the shock absorbing layer (10) of the chin protector (102)
One or more formed support areas (3, 4, 5) for the shock absorbing layer (10) of the chin protector (102);
8. One or more holding elements (2 a, 2 b) by corresponding parts of the shock absorbing layer (10) of the chin protector (102), according to claim 1. Protective helmet.   9. A protective helmet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the support masks (1) comprises a duct (4) for an airflow passage.   10. A protective helmet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one support mask (1) comprises holding means for additional external accessories of the helmet (100).   11. The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one support mask (1) is formed from a plastic material (PE, PP or TPU) to be injection molded.   The protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the chin protector (102) is formed integrally with the shell (101).

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