WO2008139240A1 - Sports crash helmet having hear protecting elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a crash helmet having a rigid or semi-rigid outer helmet cap, comprising two movable elements, one for each side, extending so as to complete a bottom edge of the helmet, for protecting the helmet regions substantially affecting a user ears, said movable elements being integral with said helmet cap and coupled to said cap by coupling means allowing said cap to be rotated and outward opened to free the user ear, while allowing the helmet to be put on and removed without folding or rubbing the user ear pavilions, or, without applying, for damaged users, an undesired stress to the spine of the users.

Description

DESCRIPTION

SPORTS CRASH HELMET HAVING EAR PROTECTING ELEMENTS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sports crash helmet having, in the region of the ear pavilions, protective movable constructional elements.

As is known, in a lot of industrial Countries, the users of motor vehicles are compelled to wear protective helmets.

A conventional trend of a helmet user, admitted that the helmet has a proper size, is that to attempt of broadening the helmet bottom, to prevent the user, wearing the helmet, from folding his/her ear pavilions downward, and stretch said ear pavilions, as the crash helmet is removed.

However, this is frequently a useless operation: in fact, the rubbing and pain continue to persist.

Consequently, the maltreated and folded ear pavilions are inevitably brought to a flame red condition. They must be properly arranged, by threading the fingers into the helmet, to straighten them.

Moreover, international safety standards, related to the main characteristics and rules on helmets, to be approved and marketed, provide to arrange, in the inside of the helmet, a label bearing user instructions thereon.

Among other such instructions, the wordings must also be present: "the helmet must have a size corresponding as far as possible to the user head circumference, and, in a worn condition, it must be well adherent and stable".

On the other hand, even with the provision of the above mentioned wordings and rules, a user, in buying his/her helmet, is brought to choose the most comfortable one.

Thus, in several cases, said users, to prevent the above mentioned problems to the ear pavilions, buy a helmet having a larger size, with the dangerous consequence of reducing the safety properties of the helmet, during its use, or in an accident.

In most cases, because of functional and aesthetic reasons, the bottom opening of a helmet is smaller than the diameter of the user head, to which diameter it is moreover to be added the projection and size of the user ear pavilions.

Moreover, to the above it is to be added that the comfort padding, enclosing the ear region, further reduce the diameter of the helmet bottom opening.

Furthermore, the above mentioned conditions are further worsened by the fact that the helmet cap is rather stiffen or rigid for PC or ABS helmets, and fully rigid for fiber material helmets.

On the other hand, the helmet cap stiffness is absolutely necessary since, in an accident or falling, the helmet cap must achieve the main function of distributing the impact energy through a surface as large as possible, to reduce the specific load on the underlying portion, made of a foamed material, which, as it is deformed and crashed, must absorb the most part of the impact energy.

In fact, just for the side region were the user ears are arranged, a very stringent impact absorption test must be performed.

Thus, the stringent requirement of using a rigid helmet cap, to meet the enforcing rules, does not allow to use flexible materials, which could solve the problem related to the enlargement of the helmet bottom.

Prior solutions for solving the above mentioned problems are as follows.

A first solution provides to make flexible the portions of the ear regions, thereby allowing the helmet bottom to be easily enlarged, and this solution has been adopted for some types of crash helmets used in sports activity, such as ski, for which the safety rules are less stringent, or in those cases for which no impact absorption test in the side regions of the helmet is provided.

As is known, a flexible material will yield under an impact pressure, and will be mainly locally deformed, since it is not suitable for distributing the impact energy through a comparatively broad surface, contrarily to a rigid material.

Thus, the impact energy will be concentrated on a small surface, which effect does not allow the underlying material provided for absorbing the impact energy to properly operate. In particular, the energy level or amount, expressed in "g" transmitted to the user head, increases and largely exceeds the allowable maximum values, which are defined by the enforcing rules related to motor vehicle user helmets.

A further prior solution is that of making the helmets starting from rigid materials, and with a larger base or bottom, to allow the user ears to easily pass therethrough. However, such a solution, apart from a bad aesthetic result since the helmet would assume a bell configuration, makes the helmet unsafe, since the helmet cannot be stably retained on the user head.

To provide a proper protective function, the helmet must be firmly held on the user head, and the skull must possibly contact the overall surface of the impact energy absorbing inner cap surface. Actually, a loose helmet can be disengaged from the user head, under dynamic forces generated by an accident, thereby leaving the user head in an unprotected condition, with a consequent very high risk. Moreover, a loose helmet, during the driving, and under the wind force, can be displaced in an uncontrollable manner on the user head, in any directions, thereby irritating the user who, by falling his/her concentration, will reduce his/her attention to the traffic, and accordingly his/her driving safety.

With respect to other prior solutions, for example in crash helmets devoid of underthroat strips, the problem affecting the user ear pavilions has not been properly overcome.

Actually, in a strip-less helmet, the solution mainly affected the front portion of the user jaw, the chin, and nape, which anatomic portions cooperating with a restraining system, different from a strip restraining system, are provided to properly held or restrain the helmet. In particular, prior solutions of the above mentioned type, did not involve the ear region, i.e. the right side region and left side region which, because of their anatomic configuration, do not have any effect on retaining the helmet on the user head, In this connection it should be pointed out that further characteristics contradistinguishing a good protective crash helmet from any other approved helmets, are very important the use comfort and the possibility of easily perceiving the outer sounds. Since the configuration of the user faces is practically infinite and each user has, in addition to a specific head circumference, a specific face configuration which may be: thin, fat, round, oval, short, long and any other possible combinations. The helmet makers have attempted to solve the above mentioned problem by using helmet paddings, soft or not, and having a lot of thicknesses.

To allow the helmet to be properly fit to the anatomic configuration of the user, interexchangeable paddings have also been designed, with different thicknesses, adjusting means for adjusting the head circumference or chin supporting members, operating on the front side portions of the user cheeks.

However, even with the above mentioned solutions, the problem of putting and removing the helmet without causing pain to the ears has not been still solved. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, by providing approaches specifically designed for overcoming said problems and, more specifically, adapted to provide a crash helmet which:

1) can be easily put on and removed, without subjecting the ear pavilions to foldings and stretching, respectively as the helmet is put on or removed;

2) which helmet can be easily removed from a damaged user, without subjecting the user to dangerous stresses on his/her spine; 3) a helmet providing an enlarged space for the ears, in its worn condition, a greater comfort and devoid of any permanent pressing on the ear pavilion. A continuing pressing, in fact, would lock the blood peripheral circulation, while causing a very high pain;

4) a helmet providing an improved hearing property, by using larger thicknesses related to specific comfort materials thereby facilitating the helmet user to properly perceive the traffic sounds; 5) a helmet adapted to increase or decrease the amount of the perceived sounds, with movable baffles arranged inside suitably contoured and arranged elements, thereby improving the helmet safety; 6) a helmet with adjusting means for adjusting the positions of its movable elements, to provide a desired adhesion on the region encompassing the ear pavilions and accordingly providing an improved comfort .

In other words, the invention sets out to provide a customized crash helmet of high comfort, mainly in the ear pavilion regions, and an improved operating safety.

The above mentioned aims are achieved by a movable element crash helmet according to claim 1 to which reference is specifically herein made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the crash helmet according to the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of some embodiments thereof, with reference to accompanying drawings, where:

Figures 1-lbis, 2-2bis and 3-3bis show side views of a jet crash helmet, or an open helmet, including the movable elements according to the invention;

Figure 4 show a cross sectional view of a movable element according to the invention and figure 4b shows a second embodiment of such an element; Figure 5 shows a locking system for locking a movable element;

Figures 6 and 6bis show an application of the invention to an integral or crash helmet; and

Figure 7 shows the application of the invention to a jet type of helmet. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The movable elements according to the present invention, which have been generally indicated by 2sx-2.1dx, are integral with the helmet 1, and are coupled to the latter through a substantially hinge coupling system 3, which can be of any desired configuration, for example the pivot-less hinge arrangements, operating on suitable flexible materials, which system can be designed and arranged at several arrangement positions (the drawings show six of a lot of possible positions) , and essentially at the region 4 of the helmet cap encompassing the user ear. More specifically, the above mentioned virtual hinge may comprise a flexible and tough material, co-molded or provided as a single body with the mentioned movable element and including one or more reduced thickness portions, at any desired point, for providing a comparatively high flexibility, as necessary for providing the hinging effect and to allow the movable element to properly turn.

Accordingly, this locking system allows the movable elements according to the present invention to outward rotate.

The mentioned movable elements are located or arranged on the helmet cap preferably starting from the cap top; however, if desired, they may also be arranged on the bottom according to the arrangement line A-A' and can be downward directed to a line delimiting the bottom edge of the helmet, so as to cover the overall region affecting the ear pavilions.

On their inward directed side, the movable elements comprise an impact absorption material, such as foamed polystyrene (shown in figure 4 by the reference number 7), as well as a comfort material 10; in addition to locking systems 9, 12, 17 and 23 and adjusting means for adjusting the closure angle, and indicated by the reference numbers 18-19, as well as opening means 6 and 24 (for a presettable angle α, the latter means, by way of an exemplary and not limitative example, further comprising a contact angle limiting element, a pulling rod, such as a flexible steel rod or cable, or other suitable system. Said opening angle α is preset and limited as above mentioned, with respect to its maximum opening, by contact systems 6 or a tie rod 24, whereas the angular closing or closure position, either minimum or maximum, is built-in in the system construction and can be properly adjusted.

Figure 5 shows, by way of an exemplary but not limitative example, one of the embodiments of an adjusting system for adjusting the distance, the locking of the movable elements in their closure position, and the unlocking of said movable element to allow their opening.

Two portions of the above system, that is the right and left portions, are assembled, one for a side, on the helmet cap and in such a position, as to engage by restraining tongues 20, a latching anchoring element 17, arranged on the movable elements, as the latter are closed on the helmet cap. More specifically, the portions assembled on the helmet cap essentially comprise a slider pushbutton 13, including a spreader pin 15, a return spring 14, tabs or tongues 20 and springs 21. The slider push-button 13 slides in a suitable elongated slot, and is held in a set position by the spring 14.

During its displacement the spreader pin 15, rigid with the slider, will operate to spread apart the tongues 20 to make the anchoring element 17 free.

As released, the spring 14 will cause the push slider to return to its rest position, by its spreader pin, while the springs 21 will clamp again the tongues 20, which will be ready for accepting and automatically locking the anchoring element 17 and therewith the movable element 2sx-2.1dx during the following closure step.

The system complementary portion, for latching-locking and adjusting the distance, is arranged on the movable elements 2sx-2.1dx, and essentially comprises a movable cylinder 18, of any suitable configuration, keyed to the body of the movable element and including an elastomeric material ring element 16, mounted on its outer diameter, in addition to the metal anchoring element 17.

The position of the above system is finely adjusted by the user operating the graduated adjusting screw 19, so as to achieve a desired adhesion to the user face. The adjusting system can be operated by the user even with the helmet in a worn condition.

During the closure operation, at the end of stroke position thereof, the element 2sx, or 2. ldx will be anchored and automatically locked at its preset position.

The movable cylinder 18 is engaged with a screw 19 which, as it is rotatively operated, will cause said cylinder 18 to slide in a keyed recess 18bis.

In particular, said movable cylinder 18 will be frontward driven, or rearward driven, up to the target or desired position of the movable element 2sx-2.1dx.

The conical tip anchoring element 17, as it is operatively driven, will cause the tongues 20 to be spread apart and, as the maximum diameter portion of the anchoring element is passed through, the pushing or urging springs 21 will enclose the tongues 20 which will be engaged in the smaller diameter recess of the anchoring element, thereby engaging the latter. The elastomeric ring element 16, in a single piece with the cylinder 18 and operating as an anti- vibration spacer element, will be slightly pressed during the closure operation, and it will be wind up as a spring. During the opening operating step, the elastomeric ring element, tending to return to its rest position, will urge the movable element outward, thereby safely disengaging the anchoring element 17 from the tongues or blade elements 20. The thus disengaged movable elements 2sx- 2. ldx, will be then opened outward.

Thus, the ear region will be fully and properly freed, to allow the user to put on and remove the helmet without crushing or folding his/her ear pavilions, and, without excessively urging his/her spine which represents a very safe and preventing characteristic, mainly in damaged users.

Thus, the absence in this region of the visor movements (as in conventional helmets) and the configurations of the movable elements 2sx-2.1dx, which have suitably contoured, will allow: - to provide a proper housing for the ear pavilions;

- remove excessive pressures;

- provide the involved region with a larger thickness for the impact absorption material 7. To further improve and modulate the sound level and the perceiving of the traffic sounds and noise, and depending on the helmet use (in a town or on a road) , the movable elements have been provided with a fractioned deflecting door 22, which can be either fully closed or opened at a lot of different positions. Thus, it is possible to perform a graduated opening of a channel therethrough the traffic sounds can be better perceived, such as claxons, sirens or the like. Moreover, it is possible to provide an under- throat strip 100, coupled to the above mentioned movable elements, thereby forming an integrating part of the latter, and operating to restrain the helmet on the user head, and also operating to hold the movable elements in their closed positions.

Thus, the helmet can be restrained on the user head in a very safe condition, while providing a very high wearing comfort.

Finally, the user has available a more comfortable helmet which can be easily fitted to his/her anatomic configurations, in particular to his/her head configuration, in the region of the ear pavilions, while allowing the helmet to be put on or removed without pain.

The invention must not be considered as limited to the motor vehicle sports helmets but it can also be used for any desired type of helmets.

Even if it is not required by enforcing rules a high level of impact absorption, such as for example in ski, skating and other sports helmets and the like. Accordingly, the present invention is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the inventive idea as claimed in the accompanying claims, whilst the technical details can be changed depending on requirements.

Claims

1. A protective crash helmet of a type in which the ear region is covered by an outer rigid or semirigid helmet cap, characterized in that said helmet comprises two movable elements, one for each side, extending so as to complete a bottom edge of the helmet, to protect the helmet regions substantially affecting the ears, said movable elements being integral with the helmet cap and coupled to said helmet cap by coupling means allowing said movable elements to be turned and outward opened to free the ears while allowing the helmet to be put on and removed without folding or rubbing against the ear pavilions or, in a case of damaged users, without applying an undesired stress to the spine of the damaged users.

2. A helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that said rotating and opening means comprise a virtual hinge made of a flexible and tough material, co-molded or making a single body with said movable element and including one or more reduced thickness portions at a desired point for providing a larger flexibility as necessary for providing the hinging effect and rotary movement of the movable element.

3. A helmet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotary axes thereabout said movable element can be individually rotated, are arranged at any desired position included in the helmet cap portion which substantially encompasses the user ear and defines the related side openings.

4. A helmet according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said helmet comprises adjusting means for changing the positional angle of said movable elements so as to allow a stable fitting to the configuration of the user head, while preventing undesired pressures from affecting the involved region.

5. A helmet according to claim 4, characterized in that said adjusting means are driven by the user without driving tools, even with the helmet worn by the user.

6. A helmet according to the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said movable elements comprise at least a limiting means for limiting a maximum opening angle .

7. A helmet according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said movable elements are provided, in their inside, with impact dissipating and absorption means, substantially integral therewith.

8. A helmet according to claim 7, characterized in that said impact absorption means cooperate, through bearing regions, with the impact absorption inner cap, for distributing and absorbing the impact energy.

9. A helmet according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said movable elements comprise positional locking means for locking said movable elements at set positions upon adjusting the closing or closure angle thereof.

10. A helmet according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said helmet comprises a underthroat strip coupled to said movable elements and forming an integrating part of said movable elements and operating to restrain the helmet on the user head, and also to hold at a closed position said movable elements.

11. A helmet according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said movable elements comprise a damped deflecting door which can assume either a fully closed or a fully opened condition, through several opening positions, to improve and modulate the sound perception level and the perceiving of the traffic sound and noises.

12. A helmet according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said helmet comprises at least a helmet cap projection which is designed for interfering against a recess of the movable element and cooperate with said rotary means for holding at a fixed position said movable element as said helmet cap is dynamically urged in a lot of directions substantially parallel to a virtual bearing plane of said movable part on said helmet cap.

13. A helmet according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said helmet cap and movable elements comprise respectively an edge portion encompassing the opening of the helmet cap and an edge portion formed on the movable part, and such as to engage in turn, with a closed system, thereby holding in a closed and safe position the movable part as the restraining system is dynamically or statically stressed.

14. A helmet according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said movable elements are locked at a closed position thereof by an automatic locking system and a push-button unlocking system.

15. A helmet according to claim 14, characterized in that said system for locking and unlocking said movable elements comprises a substantially movable tongue system or other suitably contoured movable element to receive said anchoring element and being adjustable and so as to automatically latch, owing to the provision of return springs, thereby restraining each said movable element at a closed position thereof.

16. A helmet according to claims 14 and 15, characterized in that said helmet comprises an anti- vibrating element made as a single body with said adjusting means and being adapted to be driven either frontward or backward therewith and so that its contact pressure is constant thereby providing a continuous anti-vibrating function.