US3778844A - Apparatus for preventing whistling at hearing openings in helmets - Google Patents

Abstract

A helmet is provided including a tab portion in which there are two hearing openings or ear holes. These ear holes are surrounded at least in part by an inclined surface which is located on the exterior of the helmet. The inclined surfaces are each of conical form. According to one embodiment, the inclined surfaces completely encircle the associated ear holes. According to another embodiment of the invention, the inclined surfaces merely extend forwardly and rearwardly of the ear holes. Each side of the helmet may be provided with a plurality of ear holes and related surfaces. Each ear hole is covered internally with a thin porous film, which is covered by a fabric.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Hori et al.

[ Dec. 18, 1973 [75] Inventors: Makoro Hori, Wako; Takenori Yamamoto, Fukuoka, both of Japan [73] Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: May 25, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 256,916

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 31, 1971 Japan 46/44224 [52] US. Cl 2/3 R [51] Int. Cl A42b 3/00 [58] Field of Search 2/3, 5, 6, 172, 209

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,714,275 5/1929 Mullins... 2/3 R 2,898,596 8/1959 Keen 2/3 R 3,205,508 9/1965 Cox 2/172 X 2,140,630 12/1938 lllguth 2/209 X 3,500,475 3/1970 Otsuka 2/3 R Primary Examiner-James R. Boler Attorney-Eric H. Waters et al.

57 ABSTRACT A helmet is provided including a tab portion in which there are two hearing openings or ear holes. These ear holes are surrounded at least in part by an inclined surface which is located on the exterior of the helmet. The inclined surfaces are each of conical form. According to one embodiment, the inclined surfaces completely encircle the associated ear holes. According to another embodiment of the invention, the inclined surfaces merely extend forwardly and rearwardly of the ear holes. Each side of the helmet may be provided with a plurality of ear holes and related surfaces. Each ear hole is covered internally with a thin porous film, which is covered by a fabric.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING WHISTLING AT HEARING OPENINGS IN HELMETS BACKGROUND When a person wearing a helmet provided with hearing openings or ear holes operates a vehicle such as a motorcycle or the like, it is usual that a whistling sound is generated at the ear holes consistent with the speed of the vehicle being operated.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an improved helmet adapted for use in connection with the operation of vehicles and in which whistling sounds or the like are avoided.

To achieve the above and other objects of the invention, there is provided a helmet which comprises at least one portion provided with an ear hole surrounded at least in part by an inclined surface. The inclined surface is located on the exterior of the helmet. This surface is of conical form. It may completely encircle the ear hole with which it is associated, or it may extend forwardly and rearwardly of such ear hole.

The helmet may be provided with a plurality of ear holes, each having related surfaces as in accordance with the above.

According to a feature ofthe invention, each ear hole may be internally covered with a thin porous film which may, according to still a further feature of the invention, comprise a fabric covering.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational side view ofa helmet according to this invention,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional side view taken along line Illl in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of a porous thin film portion thereof, and

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating air flow on the outside of-a hearing opening thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION When a person wearing a helmet body 1 having portions 2 each provided with a hearing opening 3 moves through the air on a vehicle such as a motorcycle or the like, a whistling sound may be generated at the hearing opening 3. The invention is characterized in that sound opening 3 made through a tab portion 2 on each side of main helmet body 1 is provided with an outwardly spread inclined surface 4 of nearly conical form along the entire periphery or at least partially in the front and read directions of the outer edge portion thereof. Further, a porous thin film 5, for example, a thin film comprising a spongy rubber piece 6 and a nylon fabric 7 which is pasted thereon is itself pasted on the inner surface of the sound opening 3 to close the same.

In an illustrated embodiment, there is separately prepared a hearing piece 8 in the form ofa piece of rubber or the like in which is provided hearing openings and the whole periphery or outer edge of the opening is made to have inclined surfaces of nearly conical form. Piece 8 is adhered or attached to the corresponding tab 2 so as to be integral therewith. Thus the formation of the conical form or inclination becomes earier than in the case where such working is applied directly to the main helmet body 1.

Section 9 is a foamed styrol material affixed to the inner surface of the main helmet body 1 and the tab portion 2. Elements 10 are cushions of rubber or the like and element 11 is a vinyl sheet mounted on the interior of the shell formed by helmet body 1 and tab portions 2.

The illustrated helmet is of the type wherein the main helmet body 1 and the tab portion 2 are integrally formed but the invention is applicable also to a helmet of the type wherein the tab portion is divided from the main helmet body 1.

According to this invention, owing to the fact that the outside edge 4 of the hearing opening 3 is arranged to have a nearly conical inclination, when a person wearing the helmet moves along on a vehicle, there is prevented the generation of an eddy flow of air as occurs in the case of conventional helmets having a sharp edge at that portion. Instead, a gentle air flow is generated as is shown in FIG. 4. At the same time, owing to the fact that the hearing opening 3 is closed at its inner surface by the thin porous film 5, the inside air canot be drawn out by a negative pressure. Thus, a whistling sound can be prevented at that portion. Additionally, the thin porous film 5 is effective for excluding the entry of any external dust.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications and variations of the construction set forth hereinabove. These modifications and variations will not depart from the scope of the invention if defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A helmet comprising a main body, tab portions integral with and depending from said body and forming therewith a relatively hard and integral shell having an exterior and interior, each tab portion being provided with a plurality ofjuxtaposed openings, hearing pieces of resilient material each having a plurality of juxtaposed openings, the hearing pieces being mounted on the exterior of the tab portions with the openings in the hearing pieces aligned with the openings in the tab portions, the hearing pieces being further provided with conical openings flaring outwardly from respective of the first said openings in the hearing pieces, relatively thin porous films on the interior sides of the tab portions covering the openings in the latter, and an element on the interior ofthe shell, said films being sandwiched between the shell and said element.

2. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said element is a plastic sheet provided with openings corresponding to the openings in the tab portions, comprising resilient cushions between the element and said shell.

3. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the films are each ofa rubber-like material and a fabric material on the rubber-like material.

Claims (3)

1. A helmet comprising a main body, tab portions integral with and depending from said body and forming therewith a relatively hard and integral shell having an exterior and interior, each tab portion being provided with a plurality of juxtaposed openings, hearing pieces of resilient material each having a plurality of juxtaposed openings, the hearing pieces being mounted on the exterior of the tab portions with the openings in the hearing pieces aligned with the openings in the tab portions, the hearing pieces being further provided with conical openings flaring outwardly from respective of the first said openings in the hearing pieces, relatively thin porous films on the interior sides of the tab portions covering the openings in the latter, and an element on the interior of the shell, said films being sandwiched between the shell and said element.

2. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said element is a plastic sheet provided with openings corresponding to the openings in the tab portions, comprising resilient cushions between the element and said shell.

3. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the films are each of a rubber-like material and a fabric material on the rubber-like material.

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