Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A42—HEADWEAR
  • A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
  • A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
  • A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
  • A42B3/08—Chin straps or similar retention devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A42—HEADWEAR
  • A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
  • A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
  • A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
  • A42B3/10—Linings
  • A42B3/14—Suspension devices
  • A42B3/147—Anchoring means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
  • A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
  • A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
  • A44B11/02—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts frictionally engaging surface of straps
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
  • A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
  • A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
  • A44B11/02—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts frictionally engaging surface of straps
  • A44B11/06—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts frictionally engaging surface of straps with clamping devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
  • A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
  • A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
  • A44B11/02—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts frictionally engaging surface of straps
  • A44B11/16—Strap held by spring action
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
  • A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
  • A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
  • A44B11/20—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts engaging holes or the like in strap
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
  • A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
  • A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
  • A44B11/20—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts engaging holes or the like in strap
  • A44B11/24—Buckle with movable prong

Definitions

• Retention system for a helmet and a helmet comprising such a retention system
• the present invention relates to a fixing system for a helmet, comprising a pair of front straps which are secured each in a front side portion of the helmet, a pair of rear straps which are secured each in a rear side portion or a nape portion of the helmet, and a chinstrap that extends between the front and rear straps on each respective side of the helmet.
• the present invention also relates to a helmet.
• US 5,272,773 discloses a corresponding configuration where the front and rear straps meet at an adjustment plate where the angle of the straps is predetermined.
• the chinstrap is moreover an extension of the front strap.
• a feature common to these examples of prior art technology is that the adjustment of the fixing devices, i.e. the straps provided for this purpose, is rather inconvenient.
• an adjustment of one of the straps will automatically entail mat tne cninstrap must also be adjusted.
• the angle between the front and the rear straps is often predetermined, for example by an adjustment tightener, which entails that an optimum fit cannot always be achieved, for example because of the fact that the straps wrinkle or fold over. Adjustment of the straps in any respect thereof e requires additional adjustment at other positions in the fixing devices.
• Another problem inherent in prior art strap arrangements is that the straps are either tight and difficult to adjust, or that they conversely slip far too easily and do not give a sufficiently reliable retention.
• An additional problem is that the ends of the straps are not always readily storable in any position, but show a tendency to flap loosely when the helmet is adjusted for a smaller wearer.
• Either the adjustment devices are so complex that they cannot be operated simply suing only the wearer's feel, or the devices are so difficult to operate that the helmet must be doffed in order for sufficient force to be able to be applied using the hands. This either results in a large number of tests and readjustments or that the wearer becomes satisfied with a less than perfect fit.
• the fixing system intimated by way of introduction is characterised in that at least one of the straps is longitudinally adjustable through an adjustment device a distance from the end points of the strap.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view obliquely from the front of a helmet with an adjustable strap set according to the present invention
• Fig. 2 is a straight top plan view of the adjustment device
• Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig. 2;
• Figs. 4a-c are a perspective view obliquely from behind of one alternative embodiment of the strap set, and detailed views of the fixing of the strap set in the helmet;
• Fig. 5 is a straight side elevation of one alternative embodiment of the strap set.
• Fig. 1 shows a helmet 1 which has a fixing system in the form of a strap set 2 according to the invention for fixing the helmet on a wearer's head.
• the strap set 2 comprises a front strap 3 and a rear strap 4 on either side of the helmet 1.
• the term straps is employed for the substantially planar elongate, slightly flexible fixing devices that are used for retaining the helmet on the head of the wearer, They should not be confused with such textile straps as are used in the prior art technology and which they are intended to supersede.
• the front strap 3 and the rear strap 4 are, on either side of the helmet 1, interconnected to one another in an interconnection point 5 which functions as a pivot, i.e. the interconnection permits the front strap 3 to assume different angular posit and vice versa.
• the front strap 3 is, on each side ot the helmet 1, intended to abut in the region of the wearer's temple.
• the rear strap 4 extends behind the wearer's ear and rearwards towards the nape
• a chinstrap 6 extends between the two sides of the strap set 2, preferably from the areas around the interconnection points 5.
• each one of the straps 3, 4, 6 is adjustable with regard to its length. The adjustment takes place at a position between the end points of the straps 3, 4 and 6, where adjustment devise 7 are provided. This makes it possible that each one of the straps 3, 4 and 6 is adjustable individually, which would have been difficult to realise if the adjustment had taken place in a common fixing device, as is the case in the prior art technology.
• the angle between them will vary, since their fixing points in the helmet 1 are fixed and thereby also the distance between them, at the same time as the interconnection point 5 permits a movement.
• the interconnection point 5 is movable not only upwards and downwards when the front strap 3 and the rear strap 4 are shortened, but also forwards and backwards in relation to a user, and this gives additional superior possibilities for an individual adaptation of the helmet.
• the straps 3, 4 and 6 are, in the preferred embodiment, manufactured from a relatively rigid material which, however, is flexible to such an extent that the straps can be adapted to the outer form of the wearer's head and comfortably abut against it.
• the relatively rigid straps are easy to handle and do not wrinkle or fold on adjustment.
• the straps 3 and 4 are secured in the helmet 1 in i the requirements on strength and reliability that are placed int. al. by legislation and other regulations.
• the front strap 3 extends upwards and around the inside of the helmet 1 or inside the helmet wall around the entire crown area of the wearer.
• Fig. 2 shows an adjustment device 7 in detail.
• the adjustment device 7 is shown in a section taken along the line A-A in Fig. 3.
• the adjustment device 7 is disposed somewhere between the end points of one of the straps 3, 4 and 6.
• Each strap is divided into two strap sections 8 and 9 which overlap one another in an overlap zone 10.
• the upper strap section 8 which partly overlaps the lower strap section 9 in the overlap zone 10 is inserted through a slot 11 into abutment above the lower strap section 9.
• the movable engagement device 12 cooperates with one of a series of projections 14 on the upper strap section 8.
• the abutment 13 has a ramp surface 16 against which the movable engagement device 12 abuts.
• the engagement device 12 and the abutment 13 each have gripping members 16, 17 for operation of the adjustment device 7.
• the gripping members 16 and 17 When the gripping members 16 and 17 are pressed against one another, the engagement device 12 will slide along the ramp surface 15 and lose contact with that one of the projections 14 which it had hitherto cooperated with.
• the strap sections 8 and 9 can thereby be displaced in relation to one another, and when the gripping members 16 and 17 are released, the movable engagement device 12 will cooperate with some other projection 14 on the upper strap section 8.
• Lengthening and shortening of the straps 3, 4 and 6 will be very simple to carry out with the aid of the feel of the wearer when the helmet is in place on the wearer's head.
• the guide 18 includes two flaps which extend in over the lower strap section 9 a distance therefrom so that a space is formed therebetween, through which the edges of the upper strap section 8 may be moved.
• Fig. 4a shows in perspective obliquely from behind an alternative embodiment of a helmet which includes the strap set according to the invention. That which distinguishes this variation from the preferred embodiment which is shown in Fig. 1 is, on the one hand, the buckle 19 in the chinstrap 6 and, on the other hand, the method of securing the strap set 2 in the helmet 1.
• the adjustment device 7 on the chinstrap 6 has been replaced by a conventional buckle 19.
• the buckle 19 may be designed as a safety buckle for children, which implies that it is opened at a predetermined, higher strain which could occur, for example, if the child fastens with the helmet 1 while playing. Those strains at which the buckle 19 opens are approved in different safety regulations that may vary somewhat from one country to another.
• Figs. 4b and c are on a larger scale showing magnifications of details in Fig. 4a but where the fixing has been raised a distance from the helmet 1.
• a part of the strap 3, 4 is passed around an anchorage device 20 whose form is reminiscent of a buckle.
• the anchorage device 20 is at some point provided with openings or slots that permit insertion of the strap 3, 4 in the lateral direction.
• an intermediate piece 22 between the openings 21 may be slotted, in which event this slot is concealed by the strap 3,
• Another way of solving the mounting problem is that a corresponding slot is provided somewhere along the edges of the anchorage device 20. Regardless of how the anchorage device 20 is designed, it should nevertheless be sufficiently strong in order, together with the straps 3 and 4, to ensure that the helmet 1 is kept in position by the strap set 2 in the event of an accident. In such instance, the point of departure is those safety standards and regulations which are in place for each country or region.
• the fixings that are shown in Fig. 4a-c may be visible, but are often concealed by an outer shell which is applied after mounting and fixing of the strap set 2.
• the construction and appearance of the straps 3, 4 and 6 and the adjustment devices 7 may vary within a broad area, on condition that their function and simple operation are maintained.
• One concrete example of such a variation is shown in Fig. 5 and entails that one or more of the straps 3, 4, 6 are provided with longitudinal slots 23 whose edges have a series of projections 24.
• the adjustment device 7 includes in such a case a thumbwheel or knob 25 with engagement members that cooperate with the projections 24, and the displacement of the strap sections 8 and 9 in relation to one another takes place on turning of the thumbwheel 25.
• the thumbwheel 25 is thus the movable engagement device which is designated by reference numeral 12 in the preferred embodiment.
• the thumbwheel 25 may also be given other designs, for example as a wheel with a knurled edge for operation.
• the engagement members 12, 25 and the overlapping strap sections 8 and 9 have a given orientation and positioning on the straps 3, 4 and 6.
• a different orientation and positioning may be conceivable, as long as the intended longitudinal adjustment of the straps is maintained, for example the adjustment devices may be positioned in close conjunction ⁇ * possibly inside it.

Landscapes

• Helmets And Other Head Coverings (AREA)
• Buckles (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=37087281

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (2)

Citations (8)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 2005
  • 2005-04-11 SE SE0500803A patent/SE530530C2/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2006
  • 2006-04-10 WO PCT/SE2006/000417 patent/WO2006110077A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2006-04-10 EP EP06733276A patent/EP1871186B1/de not_active Not-in-force

Patent Citations (8)

Non-Patent Citations (3)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events