SK26896A3 - Helmet, especially for cyclists and process for producing it - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a helmet, especially a cyclist's helmet, made of plastic and a process for producing it. In order to provide a plastic helmet which can be made at a greatly reduce manufacturing cost but is highly stress resistant, it is proposed that the helmet be double-walled (2, 3) and of blown plastic. In addition, means are to be provided for stiffening the walls (2, 3) of the helmet (1) in the event of compressive stress, which may preferably consists of apertures (e.g. 30).

Description

A helmet, in particular a bicycle, and a method for producing it

Oh 1 as Lu Luciin i ky

Invention. It relates to a helmet, in particular for cyclists or motorcyclists, with an improved cushioning effect and to a method for its manufacture.

Dotera J š í__s_tay. J * / ^ι: Imics

US-A-4,845,786 discloses a one-piece, low-weight protective helmet consisting of an outer wall, an inner wall and passages connecting the outer and inner walls. These passages are arranged perpendicular to the respective wall or are arranged at least partially obliquely, at an angle of 45 ° to ‘10 °, to the top and bottom walls.

From IIS-A-4 075 71? a helmet is also known which is made by molding from foam. In the manufacture of this helmet, the space between the two shells is simultaneously filled with foam during the shaping of the outer and inner shells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a new helmet with improved impact cushioning effect and a method for producing this helmet.

P s tata _vy.n á I_ ex L *

Prilb.i fulfills this task. in particular a cyclist helmet, with an outer wall and an inner wall in the form of a shell and individual passages connecting the two walls, with side walls connecting the outer wall and the inner wall to each other, the helmet consisting of blown plastic, outer wall, inner wall and passages they are formed as one piece and distance. the side walls of the passages - in cross-section - are reduced from the outer wall to the inner wall for at least a portion of the distance from the outer wall to the inner wall, and then again, enlarged.

The side walls of the passages thus formed will reinforce the walls of the helmet, while maintaining flexibility.

determined by the shape of the helmet, and as a result, the optimum ability.

to absorb suddenly.

At the same time, this has the advantage that it makes it possible to create passages for blowing the one-piece helmet or at least to pre-prepare them. Advantageously, both helmet walls may be integrally formed and subsequently cut in the region of the passages, thereby forming respective passages. In addition to the reinforcing effect, the passages have the additional advantage of improving air circulation on the inside of the helmet.

According to a preferred embodiment, several of these passages are provided and, for better air conduction, are made longitudinal and oriented in the longitudinal direction of the helmet.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the passages are arranged relative to each other in terms of their longitudinal dimension, which further increases the shock absorption capacity.

Further, to further increase the stiffness of the helmet, ribs may advantageously be provided on the outer and / or inner wall of the helmet.

These advantages are further synergistically supported by the existence of a double wall of blown plastic. This, on the one hand, will significantly reduce manufacturing costs, since the helmet can be made in a single molding process, and on the other hand, the blown plastic is fairly flexible, but has a certain hardness, making it particularly suitable for helmets, for example for cyclists. And finally he can. blown plastic, a relatively small wall thickness, which greatly contributes to the desired reduction in helmet weight. In contrast to foaming helmets, for example from St.Propor, it may be. in the case of permanent deformation, the helmet according to the invention is simply restored to its initial shape by heating the deformed place by means of hot water or hot air from the hair dryer. As a result, the recessed deformed spot is again aligned to its original shape. In addition, there is the possibility of coloring the helmet as desired by the customer, which was not possible with styropor. In the plastic can even be added flavoring substances, which have an advertising effect. or sales of such helmets, such as special helmets for children, will be encouraged.

The one-piece design of the helmet has the advantage that the complete helmet shell can be. produced in a single manufacturing operation, so assembly or adhesive operations are no longer required. Likewise, there is no longer a danger that the bonded areas will become crushed under mechanical or thermal stresses at Lby.

The multi-shell embodiment of the helmet of the invention provides the advantage that the cavity, if desired, may be filled with special buffer material or specially sized, which may be important for certain purposes of use or for a special buffer material that cannot be injected or foamed.

In order to increase the resistance of the helmet according to the invention to deformations, in particular to the helmet, there are provided means which reinforce the walls of the helmet when subjected to pressure but also act against each other when twisting the helmet.

Because the helmet is designed as a double-walled helmet, it is attained that it only fully complies with the technical requirements in terms of strength and, moreover, substantially exceeds the properties of the prior art helmets, especially those for cyclists.

made, for example, of styropor.

The reinforcement is such that when the rider falls or the head protected by the helmet of the invention hits a hard object such as paving and the like, the helmet of the invention absorbs more impact energy than a helmet which has no reinforcement F'ri with such a helmet without reinforcement. it may happen that, even in the event of a small impact, the two helmet walls touch each other at the impact site, and the impact energy that still exists at that point acts unobstructed on the rider's head.

Advantageously, at least one passage is provided as a means of reinforcing the helmet, the side walls of which are closed, i.e. they form a connection between the outer and inner walls of the helmet in the region of the passage. The side walls of the passage reinforce the walls of the helmet against each other, thereby increasing the shock absorption capacity. This embodiment has the additional advantage that it provides the possibility of making the passages even when blowing the single helmet and at least even the pre-preparation.

According to another preferred embodiment, the net achieves, on the one hand, advantages in easier helmet production, on the other hand a certain damping in the area of the passages is achieved due to the fact that their side walls extend obliquely.

by other preferred stiffness enhancing embodiments at 1 would be legal regulations and standards, respectively domestic i foreign.

Within the cavity between the two helmet walls, the walls may be spaced apart to facilitate the blow molding of the helmet.

The object further fulfills a method of manufacturing a helmet, in particular a bicycle helmet, with an outer wall and an inner wall in the form of a shell and with individual passages connecting the two walls to the side walls which connect the outer wall and the inner wall to each other. the blown plastic, the outer wall, the inner wall and the passageways are formed as one piece according to the invention, the essence of which is that the helmet is blown out of the plastic bag inside the mold so that the plastic bag forms inside the mold cavity into a double wall forming helmet.

The method of manufacturing a helmet according to the invention is a particularly simple method of production, at the same time all the advantages of the plastic used are transferred to this method of producing the helmet.

It is particularly advantageous that the reinforcements can also be produced by blow molding in the form of wall portions of the helmet which are in contact with each other and which can subsequently be cut to form passages which serve both for reinforcement and for ventilation.

Based on the blow molding method of the helmet, there is the possibility of returning the plastic itself by the illuminating ones. fluorescent colored substances and colored pigments. The hitherto applied styropor helmets required these colored fabrics and a pig through an additional film placed on the styropor helmet. The same applies to the use of plastic which, in the case of the invention, can be provided with even aromatic substances, thereby achieving a special selling trick, in particular in children's helmets.

Furthermore, a protective helmet, in particular a motorcycle helmet, according to the invention, the essence of which is, fulfills this task. This protective helmet comprises a helmet as described above as the base body and the base body carries on its outer side a permanently attached additional shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a side view of a cycling helmet according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows a section along line I-I in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a mold with an inserted bag to be blown in the shape of a double-skinned bicycle helmet; FIG. 4 shows a side view of another embodiment of a helmet according to the invention for cyclists.

Fig. 5 is a section along line II - III of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the helmet of FIG. 4th

Fig. 7, 8, 9 and 10, respectively, in cross section of the possibility of reinforcing the walls of the helmet.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a helmet wall with an additional plastic layer; FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment of a helmet according to the invention for cyclists; FIG. 13 is a section along line IV - IV in FIG. 12 with another possibility of forming reinforcement, FIG. 14, 15 and 16 to a larger scale each section.

with different possibilities of reinforcement, nbr.

in sectional view, another embodiment of a helmet according to the invention.

which is equipped with fan propellers in the area of passages.

Figure 1 EJ schematically shows a helmet for motorcyclists using a helmet according to the invention as a base body.

Examples are found

In Only 1, in this case a bicycle helmet, as shown in FIG. 2. double-walled, which means that it consists of an outer wall 2 and an inner wall 3, which on both sides define a closed cavity 4. On their front edges 5, the walls 2, 3 pass into each other and thereby close the cavity 4. The walls 2, 3 therefore form, with their front edges 5, one part of a suitable plastic, in particular polyethylene, forming the helmet 1.

On the inner surface 3 of the inner wall 3, conventional damping belts 6 made of foamed plastic or rubber and the usual tensioning straps 7 can be placed under the chin. For this purpose, both walls 2, 3 can be provided with through recesses (not shown).

into which they can be inserted while molding their parts securely

40, which support the tensioning straps 7, the connection is provided by interference fit, a tongue-and-groove connection and the like.

Advantageously, the cavity 4 may be connected to the environment by means of small inlet openings 8- In addition, or instead of these outlet openings 8, larger openings 8 may also be provided which are closed by a pressure relief valve, preferably a valve in the form of a flexible flap 9 In the event of an impact, the impact force exerts pressure on both walls 2, 3 in the direction of the cavity 4. This is particularly true of the outer wall 2. The impact of the cavity 4 is compressed by impact. in the cavity 4 it can escape through the openings 8, 8 out. In addition, it has proved to be advantageous when the air exits with some deceleration. This braking is achieved in the case of small-diameter outlets and openings 8 by making them in the openings 8 by means of a plastic or rubber foil, which by its own elasticity presses against the openings 8, and the elastic force thus generated can be overcome by air flowing out.

A valve in the form of a flexible flap 9 is mounted on the outside of the helmet 1 at the location of the line 10. Other suitable arrangements are also contemplated.

Η

In FIG. 3, only the blowing of the helmet 1 by means of a mold 11 provided with a cavity 12, the shape of which corresponds to the external dimensions of the helmet 1 to be produced, is schematically illustrated. A bag 13 is inserted into this cavity 12, which is inflated through the air duct 14 and cured by heating in the desired manner.

At the same time, it is also essential that, in this method of manufacture, the fastening slots can also be formed simultaneously in the deflated sheath for fastening the tensioning straps 7. These fastening slots have a higher tear resistance than those of helmets made of foamed plastic, e.g. deep drawing.

In particular, recyclable plastic, such as polyethylene, can be used to produce helmet 1. polyprophylene, and copolymers such as a copolymer of polystyrene and acrylic butadiene styrene or flRS. and a polyamide or polycarbonate. The wall thickness, elasticity and hardness of the plastic can be adjusted as required.

The cavity 4 between the two walls 2, 3 can be filled with foamed plastic. This can be achieved either by foaming or filling the cavity 4 with small spheres of foamed plastic.

In FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the helmet 1 according to the invention, which is provided on the upper side with passages 30, 3.1 which increase the stiffness when the two walls 2, 3 are pressed together and thus greatly increase the energy absorption capability of the helmet 1.

The individual passages 30, 31 have side walls 34, 35 which connect the outer wall 2 to the inner wall 3, while the cavity 4 remains closed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the side walls 34 are, for example, such that their distance decreases for a part of the distance of the outer wall 2 from the inner wall 3 and increases again on the remaining part.

For further reinforcement of the helmet χ, a rib 33 extending from the front is provided on each side of the helmet X, which further increases the strength of the helmet 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the passages 30, 31 have a longitudinal shape and are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the helmet X. In addition to the effect of increasing the stiffness of the helmet X, a particularly good air flow around the rider head using this helmet X- is guaranteed. Furthermore, it is apparent that the individual passages 30, 3X are arranged offset from each other, whereby the reinforcement profile of the helmet X is further improved.

In FIG. 6 further shows a rib 33 arranged laterally on the helmet 1 to further increase its stiffness. A further rib 32 arranged on the inner wall 3 is also provided for reinforcement. See FIG. 5According to FIG. 6, it is also possible to clarify the manufacture of the passages 30, 31. - Helmet X consists of two walls 2, 3 which, as already mentioned, are made by blowing out of bag 13. Walls 2, 3 are blown after blowing but before being removed from the mold. XX, they press together in sub-regions 22, 23, 24 by suitable tools so. that they will stick together in these places. Then, the mutually bonded sub-regions 22, 23, 24 are cut along the wavy lines XQ, thereby forming passages 30, 31.

Margins. surrounding these sub-regions 22, 23, 24 then form closely connected parts of the walls 2, 3. This creates passages 30, 31 through which air can pass from the environment to the rider's head surface.

Z r

At the same time, the wall parts are 2. 3 resulting from the porosity, see FIG. 7, these wall portions have achieved the reinforcement of the helmet 1, since, 3, they grip the other smooth outer surfaces 8 of the helmet 1, so that they can virtually engage.

impact energy caused by a fall.

acting on the helmet in the direction of the arrows 38, 39, see FIG.

7th

The aforementioned angle may be of varying magnitude, as shown in other exemplary embodiments.

This angle of inclination of the wall portions can also vary continuously, see waveforms in FIG. 8, 9, 10.

It can be seen from the cross-section shown that each of the wall portions 2, 3 converges in the direction of the other wall 2, 3 and then starts.

This creates a new structure, but it does. as it does not decompose the entire helmet area

1, but only in sub-areas where it must be. given clear impact resistance.

In FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view analogous to the section along line II-II in FIG. 6 shows the wavy shape of both walls 2, 3, wherein the waves always have the same meaning, which means that they run together synchronously. Here again, the contours 16, 17 of the smooth outer surfaces of the helmet 1 are shown again. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the two walls 3, 3 having the same wave form, but the walls of the walls 2, 3 have the opposite meaning to each other or are arranged in a non-synchronous manner. In this case, the outlines 16, 17 of the outer surfaces of the helmet 7 are indicated.

This embodiment according to the invention, which is an embodiment where the walls 2, 3, see FIG. 7 to 9, or at least the inner wall

3. See FIG. 10. the helmets i- extend to the second wall 2, 3 and back again, in order to achieve the reinforcement of the helmet 1, it need not be provided on the whole area of the helmet 1. It is sufficient to arrange this embodiment on its parts most at risk shock.

The embodiment of FIG. 10 shows that the outer wall 2 is not guided in the direction of the inner wall 3 and again, backwards, but is straight, and thus only the inner wall 3 is guided to and from the outer wall 2 for reinforcement, as shown by the wall portions 3 of the inner wall of FIG. 10th

Since the outer wall 2 in this case is smooth, it gives the helmet 1 a particularly aesthetic appearance.

wherein the inner wall 3 provides the required stiffness and serves to absorb the impact energy when the rider falls.

As can be seen from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. s! to 10, the two walls 2, 3 have a certain distance A from each other, which is

facilitated blow molding. At the same time, however, it is understood that the side the edges, respectively the leading edges 5, into each other walls 2, 3 in the embodiment of FIG. 10.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, outlet openings 8 may be provided, which serve to cause the internal air to escape upon impact. As shown in FIG. 12, the air outlet opening 8 may be provided with a valve in the mold

elastic j flaps 9, pr i čom air flowing into from the hole however can be used. and others

described options

this resilient flap 9 imparts some resistance. In principle it is

valve types. It will be understood that air leakage may be treated in other embodiments.

In FIG. 11 it is shown that as an impact protection it may be. inside the helmet 1, one or more pads 18 are provided which are made of high quality foam. This foam absorbs impacts particularly well. A particular advantage of this foam is that it is resilient and elastic, which means that it conforms to the internal camber of the helmet 1 and retains this customized shape even when the helmet 1 is removed from the head. This is preferable to the inner lining of elastic foam, since in that case it is necessary to offer the rider several helmets with different thick layers of such elastic foam to remove.

The embodiment of the helmet 1 according to FIG.

and 13 is the character of st. This is because the plastic parts of the helmet 1 forming the walls 2, 3 are manufactured individually and then joined together at their edges.

preferably welded or glued, and thus the cavity 4 between them is closed again.

As already mentioned, the shell plastic parts of the helmet t forming the outer wall 2 and the inner wall 3 can be made of deep-drawn or embossed plastic. The walls 2, 3 are made separately and then joined together, for example, as already mentioned.

Between the walls 2, 3 there are provided reinforcements 26a, which can be made in one piece with at least one of the walls 2, 3, see FIG. 15th

A1, alternatively, the reinforcements 26a of FIG. 14 produced separately and connected to the wall 2, 3, for example glued. It is recommended that these reinforcements 26a also be made of plastic. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, these reinforcements 26a with the walls 2, 3 of the helmet 1 make a honeycomb pattern.

Said reinforcements 26a. and the reinforcement possibilities that have been elucidated in the embodiment of FIG. 14 to 16, are preferably provided on the entire helmet 1, but at least on that portion of the helmet 11 that may be. in the event of a fall, the impact energy is at most, at least as indicated in FIG. 13 arrow C.

As can be seen from the figure, the reinforcements 26a are applied from one wall 2, 3 in the direction of the other wall 3, 2. In this case they can be arranged either at an acute angle to said walls 2, 3, see FIG. 13, or at right angles, see FIG. 14 to 16.

By joining, for example, welding or gluing the two walls 2, 3 of the helmet 1 at its edges 19, the cavity 4 is closed airtightly between these walls 2, 3. This cavity 4 has, in the event of a rider falling upon the helmet 1, additional damping effect and catches the corresponding shock! energy.

In addition, an overpressure of air could be produced either during manufacture or preferably by means of a valve within the helmet cavity 4. In this way, a suitable overpressure amount, in particular of plastic as a material used for walls 2, 3 having greater flexibility, would achieve the desired impact energy resistance and in particular for capturing this impact energy.

If the wall material 2, 3 is very hard, it may be. the possible overpressure in the cavity 4 less than that of the plastic which is compliant. It is assumed that no ventilation or other openings are provided in the walls 2, 3 of the helmet X.

However, the invention can also be implemented with vent holes. In this case too, in addition to absorbing or damping the impact energy by the reinforcements 26a, 26b, air damping can be achieved in that in one plastic part of the helmet 1, preferably in the outer wall 2, outlet openings 8 are provided which allow is located in the cavity 4 when the two walls 2, 3 are pressed together as a result of the impact, but also gives some resistance to the outgoing air. This resistance can be. This is further increased by the fact that the respective outlet openings 8 on the outside are provided with a flexible flap 9 which increases this resistance and which avoids the outgoing air by the outgoing air. Alternatively, a valve may be provided.

It should be pointed out that the creation of an overpressure and the arrangement of the outlet openings are not necessarily necessary, these measures being a special additional design.

In FIG. 13, a damping strip 6 is provided on the inside.

In FIG. 15 shows an embodiment with reinforcements 26a which are formed in one piece, for example with the outer wall 2 of the helmet 11. In this embodiment, a very large distance A is arranged between the ends of the reinforcements 26a and the inner surface 3 of the inner wall 3 of the helmet 1.

II of the embodiment of FIG. 16, the reinforcements 26a of the outer wall 2 of the ridges also engage with the reinforcements 26b of the inner wall 3. Even in this case, spacings A can be provided if necessary.

In FIG. 17 shows an embodiment with a fan propeller 25 disposed in the upper part of the passage 30, which is rotatably mounted in the side walls 34, 35 of the passage 30 by side airframe extensions 26, 27.

- 15 in this way the suction effect of the heated air from the inside of the passage 30.

Preferably, it may be. a fan propeller 25 driven by a drive unit (not shown), which may be a solar cell as well, not shown. This solar cell is preferably placed on the helmet 1 from the side.

In FIG. 18 shows a motorcycle protective helmet 50 having a base body 53 in the form of a helmet 1, as described above, instead of the usual styropore base body. The base body 53 is preferably provided with suitable reinforcements.

A shell 51 is fixedly attached to the outside of the base body 53, whereby in the embodiment of FIG. 18 will form an integral helmet. The shell 51 is made of impact-resistant plastic, such as a carbonate. On the front side of the shell 51, a swiveling v

when the cover is tunable. 52nd

An advantage of the embodiment according to the invention is that both walls 2, 3 of the helmet 1 can be. made of the same recyclable plastic, for example polystyrene, ABS, polyamide or polycarbonate. After the cushioning strips 6 formed by the foam elements and the tensioning straps 7 can be removed. Helmet 1 as a whole discarded.

In particular, polyethylene is used as the material for the production of helmet 1. However, it is also possible to use polypropylene, further copolymers such as copolymer of polystyrene and acrylic butadiene styrene or ABS. and polyamide or ptilycarbonate as well as PET.

The blown plastic material may be provided with luminous or fluorescent colored substances or colored pigments. In such an embodiment, the illuminated helmet lights up, so that the rider is better recognizable in the dark. It is also possible to provide the helmet plastic material with special flavorings in order to increase the marketability of the helmet, especially for children.

It should be noted that the helmet according to the invention may be used not only as a helmet for cyclists, but also for quite different purposes.

The wall thickness, elasticity and hardness of the plastic are selected as required.

All features shown and described, as well as combinations thereof, are essential to the invention. The features contained in one embodiment can be used equally well in other embodiments.

Claims (15)

PATENT CLAIMS F'rilba, in particular a cycling helmet, with an outer wall (2) and an inner wall (3) in the form of a shell and with individual passages (30, 31) connecting the two walls (2, 3) to the side walls (34). 35) which connect the outer wall (2) and the inner wall (3) to each other, the helmet being made of blown plastic, the outer wall (2), the inner wall (3) and the passages (30, 31) being formed as one piece and the distance of the side walls (34, 35) of the passages (30, 31) - in cross-section - decreases from the outer wall (2) to the inner wall (3) for at least part of the distance from the outer wall (2) to the inner wall (3) increases again. A filament according to claim 1, characterized by t. characterized in that the passages (30, 31) are designed to be longitudinal and oriented in the forward direction of the helmet (1). Helmet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the passages (30, 31) are offset in relation to each other in their longitudinal direction. Helmet according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer wall (2) and / or the inner wall (3) is provided with ribs (32, 33). Helmet according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is made of recyclable material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene. copolymers such as a copolymer of polystyrene and acrylic butadiene styrene or ABS; and polyamide or polycarbonate. The filament according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 18 t. The wall thickness (2, 3) is 1.5 to 2 mm. 7th F'ilba according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plastic is provided with luminous fluorescent colored substances or colored pigments. 8th A helmet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises: the plastic is provided with aromatic substances i. 9th The helmet according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the wall C2), is a bore (8 10th In that case, in one wall, in particular in the outside, arranged for air. one or more outlet according to claim 9, wherein the outlet orifice 8) has a small outgoing air hindering and / or so the outlet orifices are in diameter and are equipped with a valve which also inhibits the outgoing air. Helmet according to claim 10, characterized in that the valve is designed as a flat flexible flap (9) and is located on the outer surface of the respective wall and covers competent hole (8 '). 12th Protective helmet, on the - confesses č u j clay c a sa t. according to at least one of the claims (53) and the base body (i.e., a side-mounted motorcycle motorcycle attachment, comprising a helmet (1) 1 to 11 as the base body 3) carries on its outer shell (51). A method of manufacturing a helmet, in particular a cyclist helmet, with an outer wall and an inner wall in the form of a shell and with individual passages connecting the two walls to the side walls which connect the outer wall and the inner wall to each other. wherein the helmet is made of blown plastic, the outer wall, inner wall and passages are formed as one piece, characterized in that the helmet is blown out of the plastic bag (13) inside the mold (11) so that the plastic bag (13) is inside the cavity C12) of the mold C11) forms into a double wall (2, 3, 5) forming a helmet. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the wall thickness adjustment (2, 3) is always carried out to a desired value, for example in the range from 0.5 to 1 mm. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the adjustment is made by selecting a bag with a corresponding thickness. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the walls (2, 3) are pressed against one another by the sub-regions (22, 23, 24) after being blown but before being removed from the mold, and thus joined together , in particular, glues, and thereafter these sub-regions (22, 23, 24) are cut to form passages (30, 31) with side walls (34, 35).