JPH0516175Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Field of industrial application) The present invention is applicable to accidents involving head impact, such as motorcycle riders, players of various sports such as baseball and American football, and construction workers. This invention relates to an improvement in a helmet worn by a person in an environment or position where he or she is susceptible to damage, in order to prevent or reduce head injury in the event of a shock.

(Prior art) Recent helmets have a helmet body made of a material that is made of glass fiber or resin, and the glass fiber or resin breaks down when the helmet is subjected to an impact, thereby absorbing the impact. In addition, rubber, sponge,
It is lined with a cushioning material such as cotton stuffing.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) In general, it is desirable for a helmet to be tightly fitted along the wearer's head in order to ensure a cushioning effect in the event of an impact. In the case of conventional helmets that use rubber, sponge, cotton filling, etc. as a cushioning material, even if the size and shape of each wearer's head are slightly different,
Adjustment is possible to a certain extent, but the range of possible adjustment is very narrow, so there is a problem in that helmet manufacturers and distributors must manufacture and prepare helmets in a variety of sizes. .

The present invention was developed with the aim of solving the above problem, and the thickness of the cushioning body installed inside the helmet can be adjusted to be large or small as appropriate. The main object is to provide a highly complete helmet that is convenient and can be tightly fitted onto the heads of people with different head circumferences and shapes by using helmets of various sizes.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a flexible and airtight structure that can be filled with air and discharged through a check valve equipped with an air supply and discharge port. In a helmet constructed by constructing a buffer body with an air storage bag, and attaching this buffer body to the inside of the helmet body, the check valve has a fluid flow pipe formed flatly from a plastic film, and a fluid flow pipe formed flatly from a plastic film, The valve body is comprised of a valve body installed in a pipe, and this valve body has a bent portion on the distal end side that is disposed toward the fluid inlet side in the fluid flow direction, and a bent portion on the proximal end side. It consists of a two-folded piece of plastic film with an opening, and both side edges of the valve body are adhered to both sides of the flow pipe, respectively, and the bent part of the valve body is used to prevent fluid from flowing out. A helmet characterized in that a closed portion is formed, and a fluid flow path is formed by a gap formed between both inner surfaces of the flow pipe and both outer surfaces of the valve body. was developed and adopted.

(Function) Since the helmet according to the present invention is constructed as described above, by supplying and sealing air from the air supply/discharge port of the check valve, the air storage bag is expanded and the contact feeling is soft. A good buffer is formed inside the helmet. In addition, the thickness of this buffer can be adjusted to a larger or smaller size by increasing or decreasing the amount of air supplied, so the inner diameter of the helmet can be adjusted to match the wearer's head. It has the ability to fit snugly into the wearer's head of various sizes. Furthermore, if the air storage bag is partitioned in multiple places and a plurality of air storage bags are arranged in series, a valley will be formed in the buffer body along the partitions when air is filled and sealed. This creates a ventilation effect inside and outside the helmet. Furthermore, if these air-accommodating bags are arranged in series as independent bags, even if one bag breaks and loses its cushioning effect during cushioning, the cushioning effect can be maintained by the other bags. be done.

In addition, since a check valve with a unique structure is adopted, the check valve can maintain good check function, and the above-mentioned functions can be exerted more reliably.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a helmet for a motorcycle rider, which is constructed by attaching a cushioning body 3 to the inner surface of a helmet body 2 molded from glass fiber or resin by suitable means such as adhesion.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, this buffer 3 is made by overlapping two rectangular thermoplastic films (sheets) 4, 4.
The peripheral edge is high-frequency bonded 5 to form a flexible air-tight air storage bag 6, and at the time of formation,
A check valve having the form (structure) described below is simultaneously installed inside the air storage bag 6 along the edge thereof with only its air supply and discharge port communicating with the outside air. has been done. Further, the air storage bag 6 is produced by high-frequency bonding 8 of the front and back plastic films 4, 4 at a plurality of locations in the width direction at required intervals, leaving non-bonded portions 7, 7 on the top and bottom. , a plurality of air-containing sachets 9...9
Each air storage pouch 9...9
are connected to each other via each of the non-adhesive portions 7 described above.

Further, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned check valve is configured as follows, for example. That is, as shown in the drawing, there is an air flow pipe 10 of a required width and length formed flat from a flexible and thin plastic film such as polyethylene film, and a base end side (a side opposite to the inlet) of the flow pipe. ), and the valve body 11 is configured to have a valve body 11 installed closer to the valve body 11 in the flow direction of the air flowing through the flow pipe 10.
It is made of a bi-folded piece of the same plastic film as the above-mentioned flow pipe 10, with a bent part 12 on the distal end side disposed toward the air inlet side, and an open part 13 on the proximal end side, And this valve body 11
Both side edges of the flow pipe 10 are adhered to both side edges of the flow pipe 10, and the bent portion 12 of the valve body 11 forms a closing portion for preventing air from flowing out. , 10a and the valve body 11
There is a gap 14, 14 between the both outer sides 11a, 11a of
In the figure, reference numerals 15 and 15 indicate a flow pipe 10 in order to more reliably perform the air discharge prevention action (check valve action). Both inner sides 10a, 10a
and a bonded part in which the outer sides 11a and 11a of the valve body 11 are partially bonded, respectively, and 16 is a supply/discharge device protruding from the mouth edge of the air supply/discharge port 7 of the flow pipe 10 to facilitate the supply/discharge operation. This figure shows guide tongue pieces of the same type.

Note that FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a check valve to make it easier to understand an example of the means for manufacturing the above check valve, and in this example, the ease of manufacturing the check valve with the above structure is Therefore, two plastic films F ₁ and F ₁ are used for the flow pipe 10, and a double-folded piece of one plastic film F ₂ is used for the valve body 11. A bi-folded piece of the plastic film F ₂ for forming the valve body is placed between the plastic films F ₁ and F ₁ with the bent portion 12 facing the air supply/discharge port 17 side, The flat check valve having the above structure is constructed by integrally heat-sealing both side edges of the plastic film together.

The rectangular buffer body 3 configured as described above is attached to the inner circumferential side of the helmet body 2 by adhesive means or other means, for example, in the state schematically shown in FIG. 1, to prevent backlash. The air supply/discharge port 17 of the valve faces the edge of the front opening of the helmet main body 1, and, although not shown, a circular air storage bag 6 is formed into a plurality of air storage bags 9 as required.
The helmet 1 is constructed by attaching a shock absorber 3 consisting of the following to the inner top surface of the helmet body 2.

Next, to explain how the helmet 1 is used, an air supply nozzle (not shown) is inserted into the air supply/discharge port 17 of the check valve of the shock absorber 3, and its tip is inserted into one of the gaps 14. When air is supplied by inserting the air into the bag, the air flows into each air storage pouch 9 through each non-adhesive part 7 as shown by the arrow in FIG. The pouches 9 are made to protrude toward the center of the helmet 1, and a valley 18 is formed between each pouch 9 due to the presence of the adhesive portion 8. After supplying air appropriately, pull out the air supply device and put the helmet on.
If the degree of fit is weak, supply more air, and if the degree of fit is too strong or cannot be fitted, remove air appropriately to ensure that the buffer body 3 is The inner diameter of the helmet 1 is adjusted so that it fits snugly onto the head.

In addition, in the above air supply operation, when the air supply device is removed after air supply is completed, the filled air flows out to the outside due to the restoring pressure of the inflated buffer body 3 (air storage bag 6) or the air pressure. Even if an attempt is made to release the valve, the outer circumferential surface of the flow pipe 10 is pressurized, and the distal end of the valve body 11 is closed, creating a dead end. The pressure of the air that has entered the main body is increased, and the internal pressure sharply and strongly pressurizes both sides of the valve main body from inside, expanding the valve main body 11 and reliably sealing both the gaps 14, 14. , the outflow of air is prevented (see FIG. 7, b). Also, when discharging the filled air, the sealed gaps 14, 14
This can be done smoothly by inserting a thin rod or the like into either or both of the valve bodies from the closed side of the valve body and pushing them open.

Next, FIGS. 9 and 10 show another example of the buffer body 3 used in the present invention, which is constructed as follows. That is, there is a flat air introduction pipe 19 formed by overlapping two rectangular thermoplastic plastic films (sheets) 4, 4 and high-frequency bonding at required points, and an air introduction direction of the introduction pipe 19 ( A plurality of independent air storage pouches 9'...9' are arranged in parallel along one side edge along the longitudinal direction.
and a check valve of the above-described structure installed in each pouch 9' at the continuous edge of each pouch 9'.

The introduction pipe 19 is connected to one long side adhesive part a ₁ of the peripheral adhesive part a of the plastic film.
, a bonded part b bonded parallel to the bonded part a ₁ at a position slightly inward from the bonded part a ₁ , and a part a ₂ ' of one short side bonded part a ₂ of the peripheral bonded part a, On the other short side, the long side adhesive part a ₁ and the adhesive part b
Therefore, this introduction pipe 19 is provided with an air inlet 20 formed by the non-bonded part c at one end, and is formed by the bonded part a ₂ '. It is composed of a flat and elongated tubular body with a closed part 21 at the other end.

Next, each of the plurality of independent pouches 9' has the other long side adhesive part _a1 of the peripheral edge adhesive part a of the plastic film, the adhesive part b, and both short side adhesive parts _a2 , a. ₂ , and a plurality of adhesive portions d bonded at required intervals across the other long side adhesive portion a ₁ and adhesive portion b.

Note that the adhesive part b forming the upper edge of each pouch 9' is not glued at a position corresponding to the middle part of each pouch 9', and the non-adhesive part e forms the upper edge of each pouch of each check valve. 9' can be easily installed. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, each check valve is inserted into each pouch 9' through the non-adhesive part e in the continuous part (adhesive part b) of each pouch 9' which is independent of the introduction pipe 19. , is installed in each pouch 9' by gluing the outer edge of the air supply/discharge port 17 of the flow pipe 10 of the check valve to both inner surfaces of the non-adhesive part e. Each pouch 9' is then communicated with the inlet tube 19 only through the flow path formed by the gaps 14, 14 of the check valves and the air supply/discharge port 17, and in this way, one side edge of the inlet tube 19 The buffer body 3 is composed of a plurality of independent air storage pouches 9' arranged in parallel so as to be able to communicate with each other only through the flow path of the check valve.

Each pouch 9' of the buffer body 3 configured as described above
When blowing air into the interior, use the inlet port 20 of the inlet pipe 19.
The air can be supplied by inserting the air supply port of the air supply device into the air supply device. It is filled into the pouches 9' through the flow path, and is smoothly filled into each pouch 9' sequentially from the back to inflate each pouch 9'.

Although not shown, the shock absorber 3 configured as described above is attached to the helmet main body 2 to constitute the helmet 1 in the same manner as the shock absorber 3 described above, but it Even if some of the plurality of pouches 9' are damaged, the release of air is limited to the specified pouch 9', and the overall effect as a buffer can be maintained. In this respect, it has the advantage of being superior to the above-mentioned helmet in terms of continuous use and safety.

In both embodiment figures, common parts are given the same reference numerals.

Although the main embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various structures may be adopted for the shock absorber 3 and check valve. There is also a wide range of helmet types available.

(Effects of the invention) The present invention consists of a flexible air-tight air storage bag that can be filled with air and discharged through a check valve equipped with an air supply/exhaust port. In the helmet configured by attaching the check valve to the inside of the helmet body, the check valve is composed of a fluid flow pipe formed flatly from a plastic film and a valve body installed in the flow pipe, This valve body is made of a bi-folded piece of plastic film, which has a bent part on the distal end and an open part on the proximal end, which is disposed toward the fluid inlet in the fluid flow direction. Furthermore, both side edges of the valve body are adhered to both side edges of the flow pipe, and the bent portions of the valve body form a closing portion for preventing fluid from flowing out.
Since it relates to a helmet characterized in that a fluid flow path is formed by gaps formed between both inner surfaces of the flow pipe and both outer surfaces of the valve body, the buffer body is By increasing or decreasing the amount of air supplied to the interior, the degree of inflation (thickness, hardness, softness) of the cushioning body can be adjusted, and the inner diameter of the helmet can be adjusted to match the size of the wearer's head, making it extremely comfortable. By preparing helmets in a small variety of sizes, it will be possible to fit the helmet tightly on everyone's head, improving safety against impact, and being economical and ensuring that the helmet does not fit on the head. The contact feeling is soft and good, and it is also lightweight, which can provide various effects that cannot be achieved with conventional helmets.

Furthermore, the unique structure of the check valve adopted in the present invention can achieve the following effects. In other words, even if the air filled and sealed inside the air bag tries to flow out due to the pressure of the air, the pressure pressurizes the outer circumferential surface between the channels, and the tip side of the valve body is blocked, leading to a dead end. Due to the relationship between Since the helmet is strongly sealed, it is possible to reliably prevent the enclosed air from leaking out, and therefore the cushioning properties, safety and reliability of the helmet as protective gear can be significantly improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view, Fig. 2 is a partially omitted front view showing only the buffer body, and Fig. 3 is a view of A-A in Fig. 2 before air supply. FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line A in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a check valve, and FIG.
The figure is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 5, A and B in Fig. 7 are explanatory diagrams of the state of the check valve during use, and A is an enlarged sectional view when fluid is supplied.
Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the check valve, Figure 9 is a partially omitted front view showing another example of the shock absorber, and Figure 10 is the main part in Figure 9. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view with a cutaway. Explanation of symbols, 1... Helmet, 2... Helmet body, 3... Buffer, 6... Air storage bag,
. . . Check valve, 10 .
...Gap, 17...Air supply/exhaust port.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) The shock absorber is composed of a flexible and airtight air storage bag that can be filled with air and discharged through a check valve equipped with an air supply and discharge port. In a helmet configured by attaching a buffer to the inside of a helmet body, the check valve is composed of a fluid flow pipe formed flat from a plastic film and a valve body installed in the flow pipe. The valve body is made of a two-folded plastic film, which has a bent part on the distal end and an open part on the proximal end, which is disposed toward the fluid inlet in the fluid flow direction. Furthermore, both side edges of the valve body are adhered to both side edges of the flow pipe, and the bent portion of the valve body forms a closing portion for preventing fluid from flowing out, and the flow pipe is closed. A helmet characterized in that a fluid flow path is formed by gaps formed between both inner surfaces and both outer surfaces of a valve body. (2) The helmet according to claim (1), characterized in that the air containing bag is partitioned at a plurality of places, and a plurality of air containing bags are arranged in series, and each of the air containing bags is communicated with each other. (3) The air storage bag is partitioned at a plurality of locations to form a plurality of independent air storage bags, and each air storage bag is individually equipped with a check valve for supplying and discharging air. The helmet according to claim (1). (4) At the same time as providing an air supply port at one end, attach each air storage pouch to one side edge of a flexible air introduction pipe configured by closing the other end, and connect the air supply/discharge port of the check valve to each side of the flexible air introduction pipe. The helmet according to claim 3, characterized in that the helmets are opened and connected.