WO2019162875A1

WO2019162875A1 - Protective headgear for cyclists

Info

Publication number: WO2019162875A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/051424
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mario GUATTERI
Original assignee: Guatteri Mario
Priority date: 2018-02-22
Filing date: 2019-02-21
Publication date: 2019-08-29
Also published as: IT201800002934A1

Abstract

The protective headgear (1) for cyclists, comprising: one helmet (2) that can be worn by a user (3) in a configuration of use and provided with two lateral portions (4) which can be positioned at the temples of the user (3) in the configuration of use; wherein it comprises means for diverting one flow of air (5) directed towards the auricle of the ears (6) of the user (3) along a direction of incidence (A) substantially orthogonal to the face of the user (3), the diverting means comprising two diverting elements (7) which protrude from the lateral portions (4) and which, in the configuration of use, are placed next to the face of the user (3) to at least partly cover the region of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone of the user (3) to divert the flow of air (5).

Description

PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR FOR CYCLISTS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a protective headgear for cyclists.

Background Art

There are several well-known protective headgear widely used both in the sport and in amateur sport field with the aim of protecting the cyclist’s skull from accidental impacts, e.g. due to falls or road accidents.

Generally, the known type of protective headgear comprises a protective helmet coated inside it with a layer made of anti-shock material and adapted to dissipate the energy produced by a possible impact of the headgear with an external body.

Increasingly, the headgears of this type are equipped with additional protection means particularly suitable for protecting specific areas of the face in order to meet the needs of the user, for example, depending on the environmental conditions.

In detail, one of the problems most frequently encountered by cyclists is that related to the continuous flow of air due to the speed that affects the cyclist’s face.

In more detail, it is well known that prolonged exposure of the ear surface to air alters the perception of the sound and can cause strong feelings of discomfort for the cyclist, such as cold and dizziness.

To overcome these drawbacks, known protective headgears use helmets provided with a pair of lateral portions at which earmuffs are generally associated.

In more detail, the earmuffs of this type are shaped pieces that in many cases have an internal padding and are adapted to cover the ear once the user wears the helmet.

In this way, the ears are totally covered and protected from both airflow and cold.

The known employed protective headgears are however subjected to improvements related to the generally employed earmuffs. In particular, known earmuffs, when in use, cover the whole ear, covering also the auricle.

As a result, the sound perceived by the user is greatly attenuated and in some cases is completely cancelled.

In fact, the user who makes use of these earmuffs might not be able to clearly hear the sounds around him/her and not realize, for example, a car that comes from a blind spot or the siren of an ambulance.

This poses serious risks to the safety of the user and those around him.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a protective headgear for cyclists which allows protecting the ears of the user who wears it without limiting his/her hearing capacity.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a protective headgear for cyclists that allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low-cost solution.

The above objects are achieved by the present protective headgear for cyclists with the characteristics of claim 1.

The above objects are also achieved by the present diverting elements having the characteristics of claim 10.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a protective headgear for cyclists, illustrated by way of an indicative, but non-limiting example, in the attached tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of an embodiment of the protective headgear according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an axonometric view of an alternative embodiment of the protective headgear according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a detailed view of a longitudinal section of the protective headgear according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a detailed view of a cross section of the protective headgear according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a view of the elements shown in Figure 4 in a coupling configuration;

Figure 6 is a view of the elements shown in Figure 4 in an alternative coupling configuration.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these illustrations, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a protective headgear for cyclists.

The protective headgear 1 for cyclists comprises:

at least one helmet 2 that can be worn by a user 3 in a configuration of use and provided with at least two lateral portions 4 which can be positioned at the temples of the user 3 in the configuration of use.

In addition, the protective headgear 1 comprises means for diverting a flow of air 5 directed towards the auricle of the ears 6 of the user 3 along a direction of incidence A substantially orthogonal to the face of the user 3, the diverting means comprising at least two diverting elements 7 which protrude from the lateral portions 4 and which, in the configuration of use, are placed next to the face of the user 3 to cover at least partly the region of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone of the user 3 to divert the flow of air 5.

In order to make the following discussion clear, the description of the embodiments shown in the figures is to be understood with reference to the normal use of the protective headgear 1, that is the one shown in figure 1, wherein the helmet 2 is worn by the user 3 in a substantially vertical position, for example when riding a bicycle, and wherein the flow of air 5 is directed along the direction of incidence A.

The lateral portions 4 are preferably two longitudinal stretches made substantially parallel and opposed to each other and with which the corresponding diverting elements 7 are associated.

In addition, the lateral portions 4 are made of anti-shock material, such as e.g. polystyrene or the like, and are adapted to absorb the energy of a possible impact of an external body with the helmet 2. Advantageously, the diverting elements 7 comprise at least one aerodynamic portion 8, lying on a plane of incidence D substantially transverse to the direction of incidence A.

In addition, the aerodynamic portions 8 are concave and define a concavity which, in the configuration of use, is substantially facing the concavity of the auricle of the ears 6.

In particular, the aerodynamic portions 8 define a protective cup of the ears 6 interposed between these and the flow of air 5.

In particular, the aerodynamic portions 8 shall comprise at least one straight edge which is adapted to rest on the face of the user 3 and at least one contoured edge substantially opposed the straight edge and longitudinally curved towards the auricle so as to give the aerodynamic portions 8 the concave shape shown in Figure 2.

Advantageously, the protective headgear 1 comprises means for the longitudinal adjustment of the position of the diverting elements 7 with respect to the helmet 2 formed out of at least one of the diverting elements 7 and the lateral portions 4, the longitudinal adjustment means adjusting the position of the diverting elements 7 longitudinally along the lateral portions 4.

Preferably, the means for the longitudinal adjustment, not shown in the figures, comprise at least one adjustment guide made longitudinally along the lateral portions 4 and at least one sliding body made on the diverting elements 7 and associated smoothly with a corresponding adjustment guide.

In this way, the diverting elements 7 can be moved closer to/away from the ears 6 longitudinally along the adjustment guide according to the needs of the user 3. Appropriately, the protective headgear 1 also comprises means for the transversal adjustment of the position of the diverting elements 7 with respect to helmet 2 formed out of at least one of the diverting elements 7 and the lateral portions 4, the transversal adjustment means adjusting the position of the diverting elements 7 transversely along the lateral portions 4.

The transversal adjustment means, not shown in the figures, preferably comprise at least one hinge-like element placed between the longitudinal adjustment means and the lateral portions 4 and adapted to move the diverting elements 7 away from/closer to the face of the user 3, so as to adjust the position of the diverting elements 7 according to the shape of the face of the user 3.

Alternative embodiments of the transversal adjustment means cannot however be ruled out, for example wherein the hinge-like element is placed between the diverting elements 7 and the longitudinal adjustment means.

A further embodiment of the protective headgear 1 is shown in the illustrations from 2 to 4, wherein the helmet 2 and the diverting elements 7 are three different bodies and wherein the protective headgear 1 comprises removable fixing means l4a, l4b of the diverting elements 7 onto the helmet 2 made on at least one of the diverting elements 7 and the helmet 2.

In fact, in this embodiment, unlike the embodiment shown in figure 1, the diverting elements 7 can be fastened to/detached from the helmet 2.

Specifically, it is important to notice that the diverting elements 7 formed as described in this embodiment are also the subject of the present invention.

In fact, the diverting elements 7 can be fixed, without any particular structural modifications, to any helmet 2 of known type, resolving just as effectively the technical problem solved by the protective headgear 1.

Advantageously, the lateral portions 4 comprise at least one fixing face 9 and the diverting elements 7 comprise at least one fastening portion 10 provided with at least one fixing surface 11 having a substantially complementary shape with respect to the fixing faces 9, the fixing faces 9 and the fixing surfaces 11 being mutually coupleable to each other by means of the fixing means l4a, l4b. Preferably, the fixing means l4a, l4b are of the type of textile fixing means, such as e.g. Velcro, and comprise at least one hook-shaped adhesive layer l4a glued to the fixing surfaces 11 and at least one slot-shaped adhesive layer l4b glued to the fixing faces 9.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the fixing means l4a, l4b are made differently, for example wherein the fixing means l4a, l4b are of the type of bolts which are adapted to mechanically fix the fixing faces 9 to the fixing surfaces 11. In addition, the fixing faces 9 define a protrusion with a substantially convex shape and the fixing surfaces 11 define a recess with a substantially concave shape and adapted to receive the fixing faces 9.

In this way, the lateral portions 4 are housed at least in part inside the fastening portions 10 to which they are attached by means of the fixing means l4a, l4b. Alternative embodiments of the fixing surfaces 11 and of the fixing faces 9 cannot however be ruled out, wherein the fixing faces 9 are e.g. substantially concave in shape and the fixing surfaces 11 are substantially convex in shape or wherein the recesses and the protrusions have a cross section with a substantially rectangular shape.

In this way, the fastening portions 10 can be attached to/released from the corresponding lateral portions 4 according to the needs of user 3 who, for example, can only mount the diverting elements 7 in case of strong wind and/or if he/she expects to be exposed to the flow of air 5 for a long time.

In addition, the same diverting elements 7 can be attached to the lateral portions of other helmets 2, e.g. helmets 2 with different technical characteristics.

Conveniently, the fixing surfaces 11 have a longitudinal section of at least partly circular shape having a radius of curvature substantially equal to that of the longitudinal section of the fixing faces 9, which define a direction of longitudinal coupling B of the fixing surfaces 11 with respect to the fixing faces 9, the fixing surfaces 11 being locatable along the directions of longitudinal coupling B to occupy different positions to each other with respect to the fixing faces 9.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4, the longitudinal section of the fixing faces 9 is substantially convex in shape and the longitudinal section of the fixing surfaces 11 is substantially concave in shape.

Consequently, the term “radius of curvature” used with reference to the longitudinal section of the fixing faces 9 means the inner radius of curvature of the lateral portions 4.

The term“radius of curvature” used with reference to the longitudinal section of the fixing surfaces 11, on the other hand, means the outer radius of curvature of the fastening portion 10.

In more detail, the fixing faces 9 have a substantially greater longitudinal extension than that of the fixing surfaces 11 and the fixing means l4a, l4b are made substantially over the entire longitudinal extension of the fixing faces 9 and of the fixing surfaces 11.

Consequently, the longitudinal extension of the fixing faces 9 substantially determines the range of variation in the possible fixing positions of the fastening portions 10 with respect to the lateral portions 4.

In fact, the fastening portions 10 can be fixed to the lateral portions 4 to occupy different regions of the fixing faces 9 along the directions of longitudinal coupling B.

In other words, the longitudinal position of the diverting elements 7 with respect to the lateral portions 4 varies according to the region of the fixing faces 9 occupied by the fastening portions 10.

In fact, the fixing faces 9 comprise two extreme regions opposed to each other and defining the fastening position of the diverting elements 7 which are respectively closest and furthest away with respect to the ears 6 of the user 3. Conveniently, the fixing surfaces 11 have a cross section of at least partly circular shape having a radius of curvature substantially equal to that of the cross section of the lateral portions 4, which define a direction of transversal coupling C of the fixing surfaces 11 with respect to the fixing faces 9, the fixing surfaces 11 being locatable along the directions of transversal coupling C to occupy positions different to each other with respect to the fixing faces 9.

As described with regard to the longitudinal extension of the fixing faces 9 and of the fixing surfaces 11, the fixing faces 9 have a substantially greater transversal extension than that of the fixing surfaces 11 and the fixing means l4a, l4b are made substantially over the entire transversal extension of the fixing faces 9 and of the fixing surfaces 11.

Consequently, the transversal extension of the fixing faces 9 substantially determines all possible fixing positions of the fastening portions 10 with respect to the lateral portions 4. In fact, the fastening portions 10 can be fixed to the lateral portions 4 to occupy different regions of the fixing faces 9 along the directions of transversal coupling C.

In other words, the transversal position of the diverting elements 7 with respect to the lateral portions 4 varies according to the region of the fixing faces 9 occupied by the fastening portions 10.

In particular, the fixing faces 9 have a shape which is substantially curved longitudinally and curved transversely to define the radii of curvature of the longitudinal sections and of the cross sections respectively of the lateral portions

4.

In particular, the terms“longitudinal” and“transversal” used with reference to the fixing faces 9 and to the fixing surfaces 11 are used to indicate two curvatures substantially orthogonal to each other.

Similarly, the fixing surfaces 11 have a shape substantially curved longitudinally and curved transversely to define the radii of curvature of the longitudinal sections and cross sections respectively of the fastening portions 10.

The operation of the invention is as follows.

First of all, the user 3 wears the helmet 2 in the configuration of use.

Once this configuration has been reached, the user 3 fixes a diverting element 7 to the helmet 2, i.e. he/she fixes the fastening portion 10 to a corresponding lateral portion 4.

Specifically, the user 3 places the fixing surface 11 in contact with the fixing face 9, in this way the fixing means l4a, l4b fix the position of the diverting element 7 to the helmet 2.

More in detail, during the operation described above, the user 3 places the aerodynamic portion 8 in the proximity of the ear 6 with the straight edge substantially in contact with the face to cover at least partly the region of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone.

The same operations described for a diverting element 7 must be performed by the user 3 to also fix the second diverting element 7 to the helmet 2. Once this mounting configuration has been reached, wherein the diverting means are fixed to the helmet 2, the user 3 can decide to adjust the position of the diverting elements 7 with respect to the corresponding lateral portions 4 to which they are fixed.

In particular, the diverting elements 7 may be released from the corresponding lateral portion 4 and fastened again to it in an alternative mounting configuration, wherein the diverting elements 7 are fixed to the lateral portions 4 in a different position, e.g. along the direction of longitudinal coupling B and/or along the direction of transversal coupling C.

The adjustment made this way is shown in Figures 5 and 6, in which two different positions of the diverting element 7 are respectively shown with respect to the lateral portion 4 along the direction of transversal coupling C.

In particular, the two positions shown in Figures 5 and 6 are deliberately made extreme in order to make the movement clear of the diverting elements 7 with respect to the lateral portions 4.

In addition, the diverting elements 7 can be fixed to the lateral portions 4 in a plurality of intermediate positions with respect to the two positions shown in Figures 5 and 6, in such a way as to allow widening/narrowing transversely the diverting elements 7 to become adapted to the dimensions of the face of the user 3 wearing the helmet 2.

It is also important to notice that what has just been described for the direction of transversal coupling C is to be considered valid also for the direction of longitudinal coupling B shown in Figure 3.

In particular, the diverting elements 7 can be fixed to the lateral portions 4 in a plurality of positions so as to move close/away the aerodynamic portions 8 to/from the ears 6.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In particular, it is underlined that the use of the diverting elements 7 allows the user to ride the bike for long periods of time without directly exposing his/her ears to the continuous flow of air due to the motion of the cyclist. In addition, the diverting elements do not directly cover the ears and allow the user to hear clearly the surrounding sounds, such as e.g. the engine of a car.

In addition, the longitudinal adjustment means and transversal adjustment means make it possible to adjust the position of the diverting elements according to the needs of the user, for example according to the shape of the user’s face or the weather conditions.

In addition, the fixing means, in conjunction with the shape of the lateral portions and of the fastening portions of the diverting elements, make it possible to easily release/fasten the diverting elements from/to one or more different helmets, while at the same time allowing these to be adjusted longitudinally and transversely.

Claims

1) Protective headgear (1) for cyclists, comprising:

at least one helmet (2) that can be worn by a user (3) in a configuration of use and provided with at least two lateral portions (4) which can be positioned at the temples of said user (3) in said configuration of use;

characterized by the fact that it comprises means for diverting one flow of air (5) directed towards the auricle of the ears (6) of said user (3) along a direction of incidence (A) substantially orthogonal to the face of said user (3), said diverting means comprising at least two diverting elements (7) which protrude from said lateral portions (4) and which, in said configuration of use, are placed next to the face of said user (3) to at least partly cover the region of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone of said user (3) to divert said flow of air (5).

2) Protective headgear (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said diverting elements (7) comprise at least one aerodynamic portion (8), lying on a plane of incidence (D) substantially transverse to said direction of incidence (A).

3) Protective headgear (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said aerodynamic portions (8) are concave and define a concavity which, in said configuration of use, is substantially facing the concavity of the auricle of said ears (6).

4) Protective headgear (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises means for the longitudinal adjustment of the position of said diverting elements (7) with respect to said helmet (2) formed out of at least one of said diverting elements (7) and said lateral portions (4), said longitudinal adjustment means adjusting the position of said diverting elements (7) longitudinally along said lateral portions (4).

5) Protective headgear (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises means for the transversal adjustment of the position of said diverting elements (7) with respect to said helmet (2) formed out of at least one of said diverting elements (7) and said lateral portions (4), said transversal adjustment means moving said diverting elements (7) transversely along said lateral portions (4).

6) Protective headgear (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said helmet (2) and said diverting elements (7) are three different bodies and by the fact that said protective headgear (1) comprises removable fixing means (l4a, l4b) of said diverting elements (7) onto said helmet (2) made on at least one of said helmet (2) and said diverting elements (7).

7) Protective headgear (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said lateral portions (4) comprise at least one fixing face (9) and said diverting elements (7) comprise at least one fastening portion (10) provided with at least one fixing surface (11) having a substantially complementary shape with respect to said fixing faces (9), said fixing faces (9) and said fixing surfaces (11) being mutually coupleable by means of said fixing means (l4a, l4b).

8) Protective headgear (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said fixing surfaces (11) have a longitudinal section of at least partly circular shape having a radius of curvature substantially equal to that of the longitudinal section of said fixing faces (9), which define a direction of longitudinal coupling (B) of said fixing surfaces (11) with respect to said fixing faces (9), said fixing surfaces (11) being located along said directions of longitudinal coupling (B) to occupy positions different to each other with respect to said fixing faces (9).

9) Protective headgear (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said fixing surfaces (11) have a cross section of at least partly circular shape having a radius of curvature substantially equal to that of the cross section of said lateral portions (4), which define a direction of transversal coupling (C) of said fixing surfaces (11) with respect to said fixing faces (9), said fixing surfaces (11) being located along said directions of transversal coupling (C) to occupy positions different to each other with respect to said fixing faces (9). 10) Diverting element (7) of at least one flow of air (5) characterized by the fact that it comprises:

at least one fastening portion (10) associable with at least one lateral portion (4) of at least one helmet (2) worn by a user (3) in a configuration of use, in which said lateral portion (4) is arranged at the temples of said user (3); at least one aerodynamic portion (8) associated with said fastening portion (10) and lying on a plane of incidence (D), in said configuration of use said aerodynamic portion (8) being placed next to the face of said user (3) to at least partly cover the region of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and diverting said flow of air (5) directed towards the auricle of the ears (6) of said user (3) along a direction of incidence (A) substantially orthogonal to the face of said user (3) and substantially transverse to said plane of incidence (D).