JP2025059151A - Helmet covers and helmets with covers - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a helmet cover which improves an appearance of a helmet without impairing its design even when it is placed on an outside of the helmet, and a helmet with a cover in which the helmet cover is attached to the helmet.SOLUTION: There is provided a helmet cover 1 having a crown part 10 for use by covering a helmet 2, the crown part 10 including an outer fabric 11 arranged on the outside and lining 12 arranged on the inside. When the helmet cover is attached to the helmet 2, the lining 12 deforms and/or adheres along a shape of the helmet 2, while the outer fabric 11 maintains its shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a helmet cover having a crown portion that is placed over a helmet, and a helmet with a cover in which the helmet cover is attached to the helmet.

It has long been recommended that people wear helmets when riding bicycles and other vehicles to protect their heads. Now, due to a partial amendment to the Road Traffic Act, all bicycle users will be required to make an effort to wear helmets from April 1, 2023. In addition, users of electric scooters (specific small motorized bicycles), which have become popular recently, will also be required to make an effort to wear helmets from July 1, 2023. However, helmets are often poorly designed and unattractive, so the current situation is that helmet wearing rates are low, especially when riding bicycles or electric scooters in everyday life.

Hat-shaped helmet covers that are worn over helmets have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The hat-shaped cover described in Patent Document 1 comprises a hat body that is worn over the helmet from the outside, and a brim that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the hat body and is formed on the hat body. By wearing this hat-shaped cover over the outside of the helmet, it is said that it can improve the appearance of the helmet when worn by the user.

JP 2020-186488 A

However, although the hat body of the hat-like cover in Patent Document 1 enhances its design by combining multiple wedge-shaped pieces of cloth, when it is placed over the outside of a helmet, the hat body fits closely to the helmet and the shape of the helmet is visible from the outside, compromising the design and leaving room for improvement in terms of appearance.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a helmet cover that can be placed over the outside of a helmet without compromising its design and improving the appearance of the helmet, as well as a helmet with a cover attached to the helmet.

The characteristic configuration of the helmet cover according to the present invention to solve the above problem is as follows:
A helmet cover having a crown portion for use over a helmet,
The crown portion includes an outer fabric disposed on an outer side and a lining fabric disposed on an inner side,
When worn on the helmet, the lining is configured to deform and/or adhere to the shape of the helmet, while the outer material is configured to maintain its shape.

According to the helmet cover of this configuration, the crown portion includes an outer material arranged on the outside and a lining material arranged on the inside, and when it is attached to the helmet, the lining material deforms and/or adheres to the shape of the helmet, but the outer material is configured to maintain its shape, so that the outer material does not conform to the shape of the helmet and the shape of the helmet cannot be seen from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to realize a helmet cover that improves the appearance of the helmet without compromising the design even when it is placed on the outside of the helmet.

In the helmet cover according to the present invention,
It is preferable that a gap is provided between the inner fabric and the outer fabric.

With this helmet cover, a gap is provided between the lining and the outer fabric, which creates more space in the outer fabric, allowing for a wider range of helmet cover designs, such as designs that softly cover the helmet.

In the helmet cover according to the present invention,
The lining is preferably a mesh fabric.

The lining of the helmet cover with this configuration is made of mesh fabric, so when the helmet cover is placed over the helmet, the lining of the helmet cover stretches and shrinks, deforming and/or fitting closely to the shape of the helmet, allowing the helmet cover to be properly fixed to the helmet.

In the helmet cover according to the present invention,
The crown portion preferably has an elastic member at an opening edge of the crown portion.

With this helmet cover, the crown portion has an elastic member at the opening edge of the crown portion, so that the opening edge of the crown portion and the opening edge of the helmet are in close contact with each other, preventing the helmet cover from coming off and flying away due to strong winds while riding.

In the helmet cover according to the present invention,
Further comprising a flange portion protruding outward from the crown portion,
The flange is preferably provided at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the edge of the opening of the crown portion.

The helmet cover of this configuration further includes a brim that protrudes outward from the crown, making it possible to block sunlight. The brim is provided at a predetermined distance from the edge of the opening of the crown, so that the brim is maintained at an appropriate angle and the user's field of vision can be secured.

In the helmet cover according to the present invention,
The size of the gap is preferably 1 to 4 cm.

With this helmet cover, the gap is 1-4 cm, so when the helmet cover is attached to the helmet, the brim protrudes outward at an appropriate angle.

In the helmet cover according to the present invention,
It is preferable to provide a fixing means capable of maintaining the flange in the raised state.

The helmet cover of this configuration is equipped with a fixing means that can keep the brim in a raised state, so that even when the helmet is exposed to wind or vibrations while riding, the brim will not droop and obstruct the user's field of vision, ensuring a clear field of vision from the sides to the front.

In the helmet cover according to the present invention,
The fixing means is preferably a wire capable of maintaining the flange in a raised state.

With this helmet cover, the fixing means is a wire that can keep the brim in a raised state, so the user can bend it into any shape and maintain that shape. This ensures a field of vision that is tailored to each user.

In the helmet cover according to the present invention,
The helmet is preferably a bicycle or electric scooter helmet.

The helmet cover of this configuration can be used for bicycle helmets or electric scooter helmets, which have been made mandatory in recent years but are still worn at a low rate. By putting the helmet cover on, the design is designed to be used comfortably in everyday life, encouraging bicycle or electric scooter users to wear helmets.

Next, the characteristic configuration of the helmet with cover according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows:
The helmet cover is attached to a helmet.

With the helmet with cover of this configuration, the outer surface of the helmet cover that is placed over the helmet with cover does not conform to the shape of the helmet, and the shape of the helmet cannot be seen from the outside, so the design is not compromised even when the helmet cover is placed over the outside of the helmet. Therefore, it is possible to provide a helmet with cover that has an improved appearance.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a helmet with a cover in which a helmet cover according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached to a bicycle helmet. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the helmet with cover shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the helmet cover and the helmet are separated. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the helmet with cover shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the helmet cover as viewed from the lining side. FIG. 5 is a side view of the helmet cover with the brim flipped up.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described below or the configurations shown in the drawings. Note that in the drawings, the shape, size, thickness, etc. of each part have been appropriately exaggerated or simplified for ease of explanation, and the size and thickness of each part shown in the drawings do not strictly reflect the actual size relationship (scale).

[Helmet with cover]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a helmet with cover 100 in which a helmet cover 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached to a bicycle helmet 2. The helmet with cover 100 is worn by a user on his or her head to protect the head. The helmet with cover 100 in this embodiment is a helmet 2 in which a helmet cover 1 according to the present invention, which will be described in detail later, is attached. In this embodiment, the helmet 2 is a bicycle helmet, but may also be an electric kickboard helmet. The helmet with cover 100 of the present invention can be suitably used particularly as a helmet for a bicycle or an electric kickboard.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the helmet with cover 100 shown in Figure 1 separated into the helmet cover 1 and the helmet 2. As shown in Figure 2, the helmet cover 1 has a crown part 10, and the helmet 2 has a main body 20 and a belt part 21. The helmet with cover 100 is formed by attaching the crown part 10 to the main body 20 and is fixed under the user's chin by the belt part 21.

[Helmet cover]
As shown in FIG. 1, when the helmet cover 1 is attached to the outside of the helmet 2, it looks like a hat is being worn from the outside, improving the appearance of the helmet 2. The helmet cover 1 has a crown part 10 that is used by covering the helmet 2. Furthermore, the helmet cover 1 is provided with a brim part 14 and a fixing means 15 as optional components (see FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the crown part 10 is formed in a newsboy shape, and the brim part 14 is formed in a hat shape with a short rear side, but the shapes are not particularly limited, and the shape can be a cap shape, a crochet shape, or any other shape that suits the user's preference. Each component of the helmet cover 1 will be described in detail below.

<Crown section>
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of the helmet with cover 100 shown in Fig. 1. The crown portion 10 includes an outer material 11 arranged on the outside and a lining material 12 arranged on the inside. As shown in Fig. 3, when the helmet cover 1 is attached to the helmet 2, the lining material 12 is deformed and/or adheres closely to the shape of the helmet 2, but the outer material 11 is configured to maintain its shape. With this configuration, the outer material 11 does not conform to the shape of the helmet 2, and the shape of the helmet 2 cannot be seen from the outside. Therefore, even if the helmet cover 1 is placed on the outside of the helmet 2, the design is not impaired, and it is possible to realize a helmet cover 1 that improves the appearance of the helmet 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable to provide a gap between the lining 12 and the outer material 11. Providing a gap between the lining 12 and the outer material 11 creates space in the outer material 11, which allows for a wider range of designs for the helmet cover 1, such as a design that softly covers the helmet 2. In this embodiment, the outer material 11 is sewn to the lining 12 at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the edge of the opening of the crown portion 10, but the sewing position is not particularly limited, and the outer material 11 and the lining 12 may be sewn partially to each other depending on the design of the crown portion 10.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the helmet cover 1 as viewed from the lining 12 side. As shown in Figure 4, the lining 12 is preferably made of mesh fabric. Since the lining 12 is made of mesh fabric, when the helmet cover 1 is placed over the helmet 2, the lining 12 of the helmet cover 1 stretches and shrinks, and deforms and/or adheres closely to the shape of the helmet 2, allowing the helmet cover 1 to be properly fixed to the helmet 2.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the crown portion 10 preferably has an elastic member 13 at the opening edge of the crown portion 10. By having the elastic member 13, the opening edge of the crown portion 10 is folded inward, and the opening edge of the crown portion 10 and the opening edge of the helmet 2 are in close contact with each other, and it is possible to prevent the helmet cover 1 from coming off and flying away due to strong winds while riding. In addition, the opening edge of the crown portion 10 is stretched by the elastic member 13, so that the helmet cover 1 can be easily attached to helmets 2 of various sizes. In this embodiment, the opening edge of the crown portion 10 is formed by folding back the lining 12, and flat rubber is inserted as the elastic member 13 into the cavity formed by folding back the lining 12. The elastic member 13 is not particularly limited and may be a round rubber or the like.

<Flange>
The flange 14 protrudes outward from the crown portion 10. The flange 14 is preferably made of the same fabric as the outer material 11. The flange 14 can block sunlight. In this embodiment, the flange 14 is formed around the entire circumference of the crown portion 10, but it may be formed on a part of the crown portion 10, for example, in a crescent shape.

As shown in FIG. 3, the brim 14 is preferably provided at a position spaced a predetermined distance L from the edge of the opening of the crown portion 10 (i.e., at a position set back from the edge of the opening by the predetermined distance L). With such a brim 14, the brim 14 is maintained at an appropriate angle, ensuring the user's field of vision. Here, the size of the distance L is preferably 1 to 4 cm, and more preferably 1 to 2 cm. By setting the size of the distance L to 1 to 4 cm, the brim 14 can protrude outward at an appropriate angle when the helmet cover 1 is attached to the helmet 2.

<Fixing means>
5 is a side view of the helmet cover 1 with the brim 14 flipped up. It is preferable to provide a fixing means 15 capable of maintaining the brim 14 in the flipped up state. By providing the fixing means 15, the brim 14 does not sag and obstruct the user's field of vision even when exposed to wind or vibration while riding, and the user can ensure a field of vision from the side to the front. In particular, bicycle and motorcycle helmets are subject to the SG standard, which indicates compliance with the safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Association, and includes a field of vision item. Therefore, by providing the fixing means 15, the user's field of vision is ensured, and the field of vision item of the SG standard can be met.

The fixing means 15 is preferably a wire capable of maintaining the flange 14 in a flipped-up state. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a wire is provided around the circumference of the flange 14. The wire is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a material strong enough for the user to easily bend it by hand, but it is preferable that the wire is made of a metal wire such as aluminum, iron, or copper and has a thickness of about 1 to 5 mm. By using a wire made of such a material, the user can bend it into any shape and the shape can be maintained. Therefore, a field of vision can be secured according to each user. Instead of a wire, the fixing means 15 may be a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap button, or the like capable of fixing the flange 14 and the crown portion 10 together when the flange 14 is flipped up.

<Helmet>
As described above, the helmet 2 can be used as a bicycle or electric scooter helmet. The helmet cover 1 can be a product used for bicycle helmets or electric scooter helmets, which have been made mandatory to wear in recent years but are considered to have a low wearing rate. By putting the helmet cover 1 on, the design can be used without discomfort in daily life, so that users of bicycles or electric scooters can be encouraged to wear the helmet. The size of the helmet 2 is preferably a head circumference of 45 to 65 cm, an inner depth of 10 to 20 cm, and a thickness of the opening edge of 1 cm or more. With such a size, the helmet can safely protect the head as a bicycle or electric scooter helmet. The helmet 2 may be, for example, one worn when riding a vehicle such as a motorcycle or a motorized bicycle, or one worn during sports such as snowboarding, roller boarding, rafting, boating, canoeing, rock climbing, and bouldering.

The above describes the helmet cover according to the embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, and the configuration can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The helmet cover and helmet with cover of the present invention can be used for various types of helmets, but can be used particularly as a helmet cover and helmet to be used when riding a bicycle or electric kickboard.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 helmet cover 2 helmet 10 crown portion 11 outer material 12 lining 13 elastic member 14 brim portion 15 fixing means 100 helmet with cover L interval

Claims (10)

A helmet cover having a crown portion for use over a helmet,
The crown portion includes an outer fabric disposed on an outer side and a lining fabric disposed on an inner side,
A helmet cover configured such that, when attached to the helmet, the lining deforms and/or adheres closely to the shape of the helmet, while the outer material maintains its shape. The helmet cover according to claim 1, in which a gap is provided between the lining and the outer material. The helmet cover according to claim 1, wherein the lining is a mesh fabric. The helmet cover according to claim 1, wherein the crown portion has an elastic member at the opening edge of the crown portion. Further comprising a flange portion protruding outward from the crown portion,
The helmet cover according to claim 1, wherein the brim portion is provided at a position spaced a predetermined distance from an edge of the opening of the crown portion. The helmet cover according to claim 5, wherein the size of the gap is 1 to 4 cm. The helmet cover according to claim 5, which is provided with a fixing means capable of maintaining the brim in a raised state. The helmet cover according to claim 7, wherein the fixing means is a wire that can maintain the brim in a flipped-up state. The helmet cover according to claim 1, wherein the helmet is a bicycle or electric kick scooter helmet. A helmet with a cover, comprising the helmet cover according to any one of claims 1 to 9 attached to a helmet.

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