WO2019167097A1

WO2019167097A1 - Improved protective helmet

Info

Publication number: WO2019167097A1
Application number: PCT/IT2019/050045
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Locatelli
Original assignee: Locatelli S.P.A.
Priority date: 2018-02-28
Filing date: 2019-02-27
Publication date: 2019-09-06
Also published as: CN210630708U; IT201800001996U1

Abstract

The present invention concerns an improved protective helmet, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, which is characterized in that it comprises a shell able to surround at least one portion of a user's skull. The shell comprises lateral extensions able to at least partly surround the lateral portions of a user's face and which delimit laterally a front aperture of the shell. The helmet also comprises a shaped arm which has a first end pivoted on one of said lateral extensions and a second end which extends in the direction of said front aperture of the shell, said shaped arm being mobile in rotation between a first operating position in which said second end is positioned in front of said front aperture in correspondence with the lower part of the face of a user and a second operating position in which said second end is positioned raised in front of said front aperture in correspondence with the upper part of a user's face.

Description

“IMPROVED PROTECTIVE HELMET”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an improved protective helmet, in particular, for example, even if not restrictively, a helmet for motor sports with improved characteristics. More particularly, the present invention concerns an improved protective helmet which is characterized by the presence of a mobile arm, able to house, for example, a microphone or similar voice transmission devices.

In the following description, we will mainly refer by way of example to a helmet for motor sports. However, the helmet of the present invention can be applied more generally and can also be used in other fields and sectors, whether sporting, working or civil. For example, the protective helmet described here can be used for motorcycling, or for other sports, such as winter sports, for example skiing or snowboarding, or again for paragliding or other sporting, civil and professional activities that require the use of protective helmets of the type in question.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of a protective helmet by a user in sports motor racing is known, for example a driver and/or a navigator. The protective helmet comprises a protective cap or shell for the head, which has a lower aperture for the head and a front aperture for visibility.

So-called integral helmets exist, in which the front aperture is limited to a front band in the zone surrounding the eyes. Below, there is a chin guard, continuous on one side and the other side of the shell and integral with it, which closes the lower front part of the shell to protect the user more.

On the other hand, in the case of so-called open or“jet” helmets, the chin guard is not normally provided and the helmet is open at the front, and the front and lower aperture constitute a single continuous aperture. These open or jet helmets, while on the one hand can protect the wearer less, on the other hand, however, can give greater comfort and freedom.

In particular, in racing sports in the field of rallies it is known to make a helmet in which a semi-chinguard is provided, which does not extend from one side of the shell to the other, but is formed by an arm in a single piece with the shell, which extends cantilevered only partly from one side of the front aperture, terminating, during use, in substantial correspondence with the user’s mouth.

It is therefore known, for example in rallies, or automobile racing in general, to use protective helmets which are provided with a rigid arm, also known as the semi-chinguard as indicated above, positioned in the front part of the helmet in substantial correspondence with the user’s mouth. The rigid arm normally houses a microphone that allows the driver to communicate with other people, both outside the vehicle (for example with the team) and inside it (for example with the co-driver/navigator) . Communication is normally received by means of earphones or similar reception devices positioned inside the shell of the helmet and connected to the outside, for example by connection pins or similar connection devices.

This solution, although it does fulfill the task of allowing verbal communication between the driver and other people, is not optimal, since the rigid arm positioned in front of the driver’s face can be extremely annoying. For example, at the end of a special test there is no longer need for quick and effective communication between the navigator and the driver, so it would be preferable for them to be able to continue driving in freer conditions. Furthermore, as an example of possible inconveniences, the presence of a rigid and fixed arm can be an obstacle and extremely annoying when one wants to eat or drink.

Furthermore, the rigid and fixed arm, or semi-chinguard, can include risks to the safety of the user, for example in the event of an accident, impact or suchlike. In fact, another disadvantage of helmets provided with a rigid and fixed arm, that is, a semi-chinguard, is that, in the event of impacts, collisions or accidents proper, the free end of the arm which constitutes the semi-chinguard remains fixed in the frontal position, slowing down, hindering or in fact preventing any maneuver that health professionals or doctors can take to gain prompt access to the head and neck of the person wearing the helmet, sometimes even in urgent conditions and which pose a risk to the life of the person wearing the helmet. Therefore, the presence of the rigid and fixed arm can be an obstacle for possible health workers or doctors who, in the event of an accident, need to intervene, even urgently, on the person wearing the helmet, for example to stabilize joints or apply an oxygen mask or suchlike, or analogous interventions that can even save lives.

It would therefore be desirable to have available a protective helmet, in particular but not restrictively, a helmet for motor sports with improved characteristics, which is able to overcome the problems associated with helmets of the known type.

In particular, there is a need to perfect a protective helmet which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a protective helmet, in particular but not restrictively, a helmet for motor sports, with improved characteristics in terms of comfort and practicality of use.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a protective helmet, in particular but not restrictively, a helmet for motor sports, which is able to guarantee the effectiveness of communication when necessary and which is not uncomfortable to wear when it is no longer necessary to communicate.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a protective helmet, in particular but not restrictively, a helmet for motor sports, which is easy to manufacture and at competitive costs.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a safety helmet that improves the safety features of known helmets, in particular it does not constitute obstacles or hindrances to operators who might need to intervene promptly on the head and/or neck of whoever is wearing the helmet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In particular, the above and other purposes and advantages of the invention, as will be apparent from the following description, are achieved by an improved protective helmet, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, which is characterized in that it comprises a shell able to surround at least a portion of a user’s skull.

In the helmet according to the present invention, the shell comprises lateral extensions which are able to at least partly surround the lateral portions of a user’s face and which delimit laterally a front aperture of the shell.

The helmet according to the present invention also comprises a shaped arm, or semi-chinguard, which is configured to be rotatable angularly around an axis of rotation laterally passing transversely through the helmet, in particular through the lateral extensions. In particular, the shaped arm has a first end, pivoted around the axis of rotation, on one of the lateral extensions, and a second end which extends in the direction of the front aperture of the shell, the shaped arm being mobile in rotation between a first operating position in which the second end is positioned in front of the front aperture in correspondence with the lower part of the user’s face and a second operating position in which the second end is positioned raised, with respect to the first operating position, in front of the front aperture in correspondence with the upper part of a user’s face.

In this way, a protective helmet is provided, in particular but not restrictively, a helmet for motor sports, which satisfies said purposes. Moreover, the protective helmet described here can also be used in other fields not necessarily related to motoring, such as motorcycling, or for the practice of other sports, for example winter sports, for example skiing or snowboarding, or even for paragliding or other sporting, civil, professional activities that require the use of protective helmets of the type in question.

In practice, in the helmet according to the present invention, the shaped arm, which normally houses a microphone, can move between a lowered position in which it is in substantial correspondence with the mouth of a user, for example thus allowing communication, and a raised position in substantial correspondence with the forehead of a user, thus guaranteeing greater freedom both to the user and also to operators who may have to intervene, without having the obstruction of the frontally shaped arm in front of the user’s face. In particular, this raised position can also be assumed following the intervention of a healthcare or medical worker, for example for emergency intervention without obstacles or impediments on the head or neck of the person wearing the helmet following an impact or accident, for example to stabilize the joints, to apply an oxygen mask or other similar or comparable interventions.

In particular, therefore, when driving or in general when the helmet is worn to practice the activity that requires its use, the shaped arm is kept in the lowered position, for example so as to allow the user to communicate through the microphone, whereas when, for example, the special test ends, the driver or navigator can raise the arm and drive“more freely”, or for example in the event of an impact or accident, a health worker or doctor can raise the shaped arm for the interventions described above.

In particular, in one embodiment an improved protective helmet, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, according to the present invention, in the second operating position (raised position) the second end is positioned raised in front of the front aperture in correspondence with the upper edge of the front aperture.

A particular embodiment of an improved protective helmet, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, according to the present invention, provides that the shaped arm comprises a clamping device to clamp it in the first operating position.

In this case, for example, the clamping device comprises first clamping means positioned on the shaped arm and second clamping means which are able to interact with the first clamping means and which are positioned on the shell.

A particular embodiment of an improved protective helmet, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, according to the present invention, provides a visor positioned above the upper edge of the front aperture.

In this case, in a possible embodiment of an improved protective helmet according to the present invention, in the second operating position the shaped arm is positioned outside the visor.

Alternatively, in the second operating position, the shaped arm can be positioned below the visor.

Another embodiment of an improved protective helmet, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, according to the present invention, provides means to support the shaped arm in the first operating position, said support means being positioned on the shell.

In another embodiment of an improved protective helmet, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, according to the present invention, guide means are provided for the shaped arm between the first operating position and the second operating position. In this case, advantageously, the guide means comprise, for example, a pin positioned on the shaped arm and able to slide in a corresponding guide made in the shell.

Another embodiment of an improved protective helmet, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, according to the present invention, provides that the shaped arm can be interchangeably mounted on one or the other of the lateral extensions.

Typically, in the various embodiments of an improved protective helmet, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, according to the present invention, the shaped arm is conveniently able to house a microphone or an equivalent voice transmission system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a perspective front view of a first embodiment of an improved protective helmet, according to the present invention, in a second operating position;

- fig. 2 is a perspective front view of a first embodiment of an improved protective helmet, according to the present invention, in a first operating position;

- fig. 3 is a lateral view of a second embodiment of an improved protective helmet, according to the present invention, in a first operating position;

- fig. 4 is a lateral view of a second embodiment of an improved protective helmet, according to the present invention, in a second operating position;

- fig. 5 is a perspective front view of a third embodiment of an improved protective helmet, according to the present invention, in a second operating position;

- fig. 6 is a perspective front view of a third embodiment of an improved protective helmet, according to the present invention, in a first operating position;

- fig. 7 is a lateral view of a third embodiment of an improved protective helmet, according to the present invention, in a first operating position;

- fig. 8 is a lateral view of a third embodiment of an improved protective helmet, according to the present invention, in a second operating position. To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

With reference to the attached drawings, an improved protective helmet according to the present invention, indicated by the reference numbers 1, 10, 100 in the various embodiments shown, is characterized in that it comprises a shell 2, 20, 200 which is able to surround at least a portion of a user’s skull.

The shell 2, 20, 200 typically comprises left lateral extensions 21, 210, 201 and right lateral extensions 22, 202, which are able to at least partly surround the lateral portions of a user’s face and which delimit laterally a front aperture of the shell 2, 20, 200.

One of the peculiar characteristics of a helmet 1, 10, 100 according to the present invention is that it comprises a shaped arm, or semi-chinguard, 3, 30, 300 which has a first end 32, 320, 302 that is pivoted only on one of the left lateral extensions 21, 210, 201 or on the right lateral extensions 22, 202 of the shell 2, 20, 200. The shaped arm 3, 30, 300 also has a second end 31, 310, 301 conformed as desired, which extends in the direction of the front aperture of the shell 2, 20, 200.

Thus, the shaped arm, or semi-chinguard, 3, 30, 300 is provided cantilevered only on one side, that is, only from one of the left lateral extensions 21, 210, 201 or right lateral extensions 22, 202 of the shell 2, 20 200, therefore the first end 32, 320, 302 is rotatably connected exclusively to one of the left lateral extensions 21, 210, 201 or right lateral extensions 22, 202, while the second end 31, 310, 301 is free, that is, it is not constrained or anchored to the left lateral extensions 21, 210, 201 or right lateral extensions 22, 202 of the shell 2, 20, 200 or to other parts of the shell 2, 20, 200.

Another of the peculiar characteristics of a helmet 1, 10, 100 according to the present invention is that the shaped arm 3, 30, 300 is mobile in rotation around a respective axis of rotation, between a first operating position in which the second end 31, 310, 301 of the shaped arm 3, 30, 300 is positioned in front of the front aperture in correspondence with the lower part of the face of a user (figs. 2, 3 6, and 7) and a second operating position in which the second end 31, 310, 301 of the shaped arm 3, 30, 300 is positioned raised in front of the front aperture in correspondence with the upper part of the face of a user (figs. 1, 4, 5, and 8). In particular, the axis of rotation is laterally transversely passing through the helmet, in particular through the left 21, 210, 201 and right lateral extensions 22, 202.

In typical embodiments of an improved protective helmet 1, 10, 100 according to the present invention, in the second operating position the second end 31, 310, 301 of the shaped arm 3, 30, 300 is positioned raised in front of the front aperture in correspondence with the upper edge of the front aperture. It is however possible that, in the second operating position, the second end 31, 310, 301 of the shaped arm 3, 30, 300 is more or less raised with respect to the upper edge of the front aperture according to technical and/or aesthetic requirements.

With reference to figs. 3 and 4, a particular embodiment of an improved protective helmet 10 according to the present invention provides that the shaped arm 30 is provided with a clamping device 50 which keeps it clamped in the first operating position.

In this embodiment, for example, the clamping device 50 can advantageously comprise first clamping means 52 which are positioned on the shaped arm 30 and second clamping means 51 which are able to interact with the first clamping means and which are positioned on the shell 20, for example on the left lateral extension 210.

The clamping means can consist of conventional clamping means, such as snap-in means, retention teeth or similar means, which can be driven by the user by means of a push-button, a lever or similar devices.

In general, any mean able to keep a shaped arm 3, 30, 300 in position and which can be clamped/unclamped by the user can be used in a helmet 1, 10, 100 according to the present invention.

A particular embodiment of an improved protective helmet 1, 10, 100, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, according to the present invention, provides a visor 4, 40 which is advantageously positioned above the upper edge of the front aperture.

With reference to figs. 1-4, in these embodiments of a protective helmet 1, 10, when the shaped arm 3, 30 is located in the second operating position, it is suitably positioned outside the visor 4, 40.

Alternatively, with reference to figs. 5-8, in this embodiment of the protective helmet 100, when the shaped arm 300 is in the second operating position, it is suitably positioned outside the visor 400.

Again with reference to figs. 5-8, a particular embodiment of an improved protective helmet 1, 10, 100, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, provides support means 250 to support the shaped arm 3, 30 300 when it is in the first operating position. Advantageously, the support means 250 can consist of a ridge or a suitably shaped abutment surface which is positioned on the shell 2, 20, 200, for example on the left and/or right lateral extension 21, 210, 201; 22, 202 of the shell 2, 20, 200.

A particularly advantageous embodiment, not shown in the attached drawings, of an improved protective helmet 1, 10, 100, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, according to the present invention, provides guide means to guide the shaped arm. 3, 30, 300 between the first operating position and the second operating position.

For example, the guide means can advantageously comprise a pin which is positioned on the shaped arm 3, 30, 300 and which is able to slide in a corresponding guide made in the shell 2, 20, 200. Alternative guide means can be used, however.

Moreover, the guide means can also contribute to improving the stability and strength of the assembly since they provide a further coupling and attachment point between the shaped arm 3, 30, 300 and the shell 2, 20, 200.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of an improved protective helmet 1 , 10, 100, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, according to the present invention, provides that the shaped arm 3, 30, 300 can be interchangeably mounted on one or the other of the lateral extensions 21, 210, 201 ; 22, 202 of the shell 2, 20, 200.

In other words, it is possible to provide attachment and pivoting points symmetrically disposed on the two sides of the shell and to conform the shaped arm so that it can be mounted either on the right or on the left of the shell according to the user’s needs.

In typical embodiments of an improved protective helmet 1, 10, 100, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, according to the present invention, the shaped arm 3, 30, 300 is able to accommodate a microphone or equivalent voice transmission system.

Earphones or equivalent reception systems can be conveniently housed inside the shell, to allow two-way communication between the user of the helmet and other people.

In practice it has been seen that a protective helmet, particularly but not restrictively for motor sports, according to the present invention allows to obtain the predetermined purposes.

In particular, the protective helmet according to the embodiments described here is comfortable and practical to use, as it is possible to optionally raise or lower the shaped arm. Moreover, the helmet is able to guarantee effective communication when necessary, with the shaped arm in the first operating position, and it is not uncomfortable to wear when there is no need to communicate, rotating the shaped arm into the second operating position. Moreover, the protective helmet is easy to manufacture and at competitive costs. Furthermore, the protective helmet has improved safety features, in particular it does not constitute obstacles or hindrances to operators who might need to intervene promptly on the head and/or neck of the wearer of the helmet, thanks to the possibility of rotating from the first operating position to the second operating position.

Based on the description given, other characteristics, modifications or improvements are possible and obvious to the person of skill. Such characteristics, modifications and improvements are therefore to be considered part of the present utility model. In practice, any materials can be used, and the contingent shapes and sizes can vary, depending on requirements and the state of the art.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the protective helmet as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of protective helmet, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protective defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protective claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

1. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100), characterized in that it comprises a shell (2, 20, 200) able to surround at least a portion of a user’s skull, the shell (2, 20, 200) comprising lateral extensions (21, 210, 201 ; 22, 202) able to at least partly surround the lateral parts of a user’s face and which laterally delimit a front aperture of said shell (2, 20, 200), said helmet (1, 10, 100) also comprising a shaped arm (3, 30, 300) having a first end (32, 320, 302) pivoted on one of said lateral extensions (21, 210, 201; 22, 202) and a second end (31, 310, 301) which extends in the direction of said front aperture of said shell (2, 20, 200), said shaped arm (3, 30, 300) being mobile in rotation between a first operating position in which said second end (31, 310, 301) is positioned in front of said front aperture in correspondence with the lower part of the face of a user and a second operating position in which said second end (31, 310, 301) is positioned raised in front of said front aperture in correspondence with the upper part of the face of a user.

2. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100), as in claim 1, characterized in that in said second operating position said second end (31, 310, 301) is positioned raised in front of said front aperture at the upper edge of said front aperture.

3. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said shaped arm (3, 30, 300) comprises a clamping device (50) in said first operating position.

4. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100), as in claim 3, characterized in that said clamping device (50) comprises first clamping means (52) positioned on said shaped arm (3, 30, 300) and second clamping means (51) able to interact with said first clamping means and positioned on said shell (2, 20, 200).

5. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100), as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a visor (4, 40) positioned above the upper edge of said front aperture.

6. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100), as in claim 5, characterized in that in said second operating position said shaped arm (3, 30, 300) is positioned outside said visor (4, 40).

7. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100), as in claim 5, characterized in that in said second operating position said shaped arm (3, 30, 300) is positioned below said visor (4, 40).

8. Improved protective helmet (1 , 10, 100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises support means (250) to support said shaped arm (3, 30, 300) in said first operating position, said support means (250) being positioned on said shell (2, 20, 200).

9. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises means to guide said shaped arm (3, 30, 300) between said first operating position and said second operating position.

10. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100), as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said guide means comprise a pin positioned on said shaped arm (3, 30, 300) and able to slide in a corresponding guide made in said shell (2,

20, 200).

11. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said shaped arm (3, 30, 300) is configured to be interchangeably mounted on one or the other of said lateral extensions (21, 210, 201; 22, 202) of said shell (2, 20, 200).

12. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100), as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said shaped arm (3, 30, 300) is suitable to house a microphone or an equivalent voice transmission system.

13. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it is configured for motor racing.

14. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said shaped arm (3, 30, 300) is disposed laterally cantilevered only from one of said lateral extensions (21, 210, 201 ; 22, 202).

15. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first end (32, 320, 302) is pivoted only on one of said lateral extensions (21, 210, 201 ; 22, 202) while said second end (31, 310, 301) is free, not being constrained to said lateral extensions (21, 210, 201 ; 22, 202) or other parts of the shell (2, 20, 200).

16. Improved protective helmet (1, 10, 100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said shaped arm (3, 30, 300) is a semi-chinguard.