EP0917832B1 - Device for mounting hearing equipment on a helmet - Google Patents

Abstract

A cylindrical slide is placed over the head band (22) of the headset. This locates in the base (36) of the clip (16) so as to be held firmly in place while allowing some rotational adjustment. The clip pushes over the rear edge of the helmet and then screws tightly in place (34).

Description

The present invention relates to a fixing device on a helmet protective shell-shaped hearing aid with a headband supporting two ear cups, each intended to be placed next to an ear.

Wearing a protective helmet is necessary in many activities. In particular, a helmet is commonly worn by workers in construction sites, or fighters on a battlefield.

In this last application, the fighters wear a helmet generally referred to as "heavy helmet". This consists of a shell thick composite material covering most of the hairy part of the skull.

These helmets are intended to protect the combatant from projectiles or shards to which it can be exposed on the battlefield. In order to resist to heavy shocks, these helmets are thick and made in one room. They are covered or not by a textile overcoat, the latter corresponding to the desired camouflage color.

Currently it is desirable, in many situations, ensure communication between different fighters present on the battlefield. To this end, it is desirable to equip the combatants hearing aid possibly associated with a microphone.

The special structure of heavy helmets makes it difficult to attach hearing aid on the helmet shell, without compromising the resistance of the helmet.

EP-0.465.971 describes, with reference to FIG. 24, an intervention helmet fitted with hearing aid with two ear cups linked by a semi-circular arch connected to the helmet along half the periphery of the helmet trim.

US-A-5,465,421 and GB-A-1,100,749 describe helmets equipped two hearing devices, each placed opposite an ear, each hearing aid attached to the helmet in the immediate vicinity of the ear associated.

US-3,013,320 describes a helmet equipped with two fixing devices, each connected to the helmet in the immediate vicinity of one ear of the wearer of the helmet.

The invention aims to provide a solution to this problem by providing a device for attaching hearing equipment to a protective helmet, in particular a heavy helmet, which does not harm the resistance of the helmet, and which is convenient to use.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for fixing to a helmet protective shell-shaped hearing aid with a roll bar supporting two earphone shells, each intended to be placed next to an ear, as defined by claim 1.

• les moyens de liaison mécanique comportent une pince comprenant deux mors destinés à enserrer entre eux le bord du casque dans la partie arrière de celui-ci et les moyens de retenue de l'arceau sont solidaires de la pince ;
• la pince comporte une chape en forme de U adaptée pour recevoir le bord du casque entre les deux branches de la chape et l'un des mors est délimité par une première branche de la chape et l'autre mors comporte un organe de serrage porté par l'autre branche de la chape, lequel organe de serrage est déplaçable vers la première branche ;
• il comporte des moyens de réglage de la distance séparant les deux branches de la chape ;
• la chape comporte une première équerre définissant le premier mors et une seconde équerre portant le second mors, les deux équerres étant reliées l'une à l'autre suivant des branches contiguës délimitant le fond de la chape, les deux branches contiguës comportant des profils d'accouplement en saillie et en creux complémentaires ;
• les branches contiguës sont superposées et la branche de liaison supérieure comporte une patte d'extrémité reçue dans une fente ménagée dans l'autre équerre, et la branche inférieure comporte au moins un ergot de positionnement destiné à être reçu sélectivement contre au moins deux surfaces d'appui, délimitées par l'équerre portant la branche supérieure, définissant ainsi la distance séparant les deux branches de la chape ;
• les moyens de retenue comportent un levier articulé sur les moyens de liaison mécanique et déplaçable entre une position de retenue de l'arceau, dans laquelle il plaque l'arceau contre une surface d'appui portée par les moyens de liaison et une position de libération de l'arceau, dans laquelle il est écarté de la surface d'appui et délimite avec elle un angle de dégagement de l'arceau ;
• les moyens de retenue et l'arceau comportent des moyens complémentaires d'articulation, de sorte que l'équipement auditif est déplaçable angulairement entre une position d'utilisation et une position de repos ;
• l'arceau comporte, dans sa partie intermédiaire, un patin destiné à être reçu entre la surface d'appui et le levier ;
• le patin comporte deux méplats décalés angulairement définissant les positions d'utilisation et de repos de l'équipement auditif ;
• il comporte des moyens de verrouillage de l'équipement auditif dans sa position d'utilisation ; et
• les moyens de retenue comportent un profil convergent de centrage de l'équipement auditif et l'arceau comporte un pion de centrage adapté pour coopérer avec le profil convergent porté par les moyens de retenue.

According to particular embodiments, the fixing device comprises one or more of the following characteristics:

• the mechanical connection means comprise a clamp comprising two jaws intended to enclose between them the edge of the helmet in the rear part thereof and the means for retaining the headband are integral with the clamp;
• the clamp comprises a U-shaped yoke adapted to receive the edge of the helmet between the two branches of the yoke and one of the jaws is delimited by a first branch of the yoke and the other jaw has a clamping member carried by the other branch of the yoke, which clamping member is movable towards the first branch;
• it includes means for adjusting the distance separating the two branches of the yoke;
• the yoke comprises a first bracket defining the first jaw and a second bracket carrying the second jaw, the two brackets being connected to one another along contiguous branches delimiting the bottom of the yoke, the two contiguous branches comprising profiles d 'mating surface and complementary recesses;
• the contiguous branches are superimposed and the upper connecting branch comprises an end tab received in a slot made in the other bracket, and the lower branch comprises at least one positioning lug intended to be received selectively against at least two surfaces d 'support, delimited by the bracket carrying the upper branch, thus defining the distance separating the two branches of the yoke;
• the retaining means comprise a lever articulated on the mechanical connection means and movable between a hoop retaining position, in which it presses the hoop against a bearing surface carried by the connecting means and a release position of the arch, in which it is spaced from the bearing surface and defines with it an angle of clearance of the arch;
• the retaining means and the arch comprise complementary articulation means, so that the hearing equipment is angularly movable between a position of use and a position of rest;
• the arch comprises, in its intermediate part, a shoe intended to be received between the bearing surface and the lever;
• the pad has two angularly offset flats defining the positions of use and rest of the hearing equipment;
• it includes means for locking the hearing equipment in its position of use; and
• the retaining means comprise a converging profile for centering the hearing equipment and the roll bar comprises a centering pin adapted to cooperate with the converging profile carried by the retaining means.

The invention further relates to a combat helmet comprising a protective helmet, hearing equipment, characterized in that it includes a device for attaching hearing equipment to the protective helmet as previously described.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un casque lourd équipé d'un équipement auditif monté par l'intermédiaire d'un dispositif de fixation selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un équipement auditif détaché du casque ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective éclatée du dispositif de fixation selon l'invention ;
• les figures 4 et 5 sont des vues respectivement en perspective et en coupe transversale du dispositif de fixation configuré pour être monté sur un casque lourd sans surcoiffe ; et
• les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues analogues aux figures 4 et 5, le dispositif de fixation étant configuré pour son montage sur un casque lourd muni d'une surcoiffe.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a side view of a heavy helmet equipped with hearing equipment mounted via a fixing device according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of hearing equipment detached from the helmet;
• Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing device according to the invention;
• Figures 4 and 5 are respectively perspective and cross-sectional views of the fastening device configured to be mounted on a heavy helmet without overcoat; and
• Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to Figures 4 and 5, the fastening device being configured for mounting on a heavy helmet with an overcoat.

The helmet 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a heavy helmet intended for be worn by a fighter. It has a substantially hemispherical shell shape having at the front a notch 12 facilitating the vision. he laterally comprises on both sides two bends 14 covering the ears and allowing the positioning of earmuffs. The helmet has, in its rear part, a surface 16 which can be used as a mounting area for a device 18 for fixing a hearing aid 20.

This hearing equipment 20, shown in FIG. 2, includes a substantially semi-circular arch 22 having at its two ends earphone shells 24 intended to be placed each opposite one ear inside the bulges 14. One of the ear cups 24 is extended by a flexible arm 26 carrying, at its end, a microphone 28 adapted to be held facing the mouth of the wearer helmet.

The earphone shells 24 incorporate means of communication known per se, ensuring the transmission of information from and to hearing equipment.

The fixing device 18, shown in side view in Figure 1 and in exploded perspective in FIG. 3, essentially comprises a clamp 30 comprising two jaws 32, 34 intended to enclose between them the edge of the helmet in its rear part, as well as means 36 integral of the clamp, adapted for retaining the arch 22 in its intermediate part, so that the arch 22 extends substantially along the peripheral edge helmet.

Thus, the fixing device 18 is adapted to hold the arch immediately below the bottom edge of the helmet in a position substantially horizontal, the ear cups being received inside bulges, opposite the helmet wearer's ears.

The clamp 30 has a U-shaped yoke 38 visible on the Figures 4 and 6. These yokes include means for adjusting the distance separating the two lateral branches of the U.

To this end, the yoke 38 is delimited by two brackets 40, 42 assembled one to the other along two contiguous branches denoted 40B, 42B, delimiting the bottom noted 44 of the yoke.

The free branch 40A of the inner bracket 40 is intended to be received inside the helmet and delimits the jaw 32 adapted to enter contact with the inner surface of the helmet.

The free branch 42A of the outer bracket 42 is intended to be disposed outside the helmet and carries a jaw 48, movable relative to the yoke to allow the rear edge of the helmet to be clamped between the two jaws.

The inner bracket 40 is formed by a folded metal plate at 90 °. The free branch 40A of the bracket, intended to be received inside of the helmet, is extended by two legs 50 whose free ends move away from each other. These legs 50 are offset towards the inside of the yoke relative to the current part of the free branch 40A of the bracket. The surfaces of the tabs 50 facing the inner face of the helmet constitute the jaws 32. These lugs have holes intended for example to support elastic protection pads, not shown.

The branch 40B of the inner square, intended to form the bottom 44 of the yoke, is extended laterally on both sides by two wings 52 slightly curved towards the legs 50. These wings are intended to come resting on the lower edge of the helmet, in the rear area of the helmet. In in addition, this branch of the square is extended, in its middle part, by a coupling lug 54 intended to ensure the joining of the two brackets.

In addition, in the folding area connecting the two branches of the square, the connecting branch 40B comprises two lights 56 intended for receive additional projecting parts carried by the outer bracket 42.

The free branch 42A of the outer bracket is adapted to support the movable jaw 48, as well as its control means. The second branch 42B, arranged at 90 ° came integrally in the same plate metallic. It is suitable for ensuring the connection of the two brackets.

The connecting branch 42B has on either side, at its end free, lugs 58 formed by extensions folded in parallel to branch 42A. These pins 58 are adapted to be received inside lights 56, or behind the first arm 40A of the inner bracket. In this case, the pins are supported on the rear face 59 of the inner bracket 40.

In addition, the free branch 42A of the outer bracket comprises, immediately above the fold line connecting it to the branch of link 42B, a slot 60 for receiving the coupling lug 54. This slot 60 has dimensions slightly greater than the transverse dimensions paw 54.

In addition, a tapped hole 62 is formed substantially in the center of the free branch 42A. This tapped hole is intended for the reception of a clamping 64, comprising, at its end received inside the yoke, a shoe 66 forming the jaw 48. The clamping screw comprises, at its other end, a drive profile 68, formed for example by a hexagonal cavity intended to receive a complementary training tool.

The hearing aid retaining means 36 include a support leg 70, integral with the outer bracket. It is attached to it at the free end of the connecting branch 42B in the area bordered by the two lugs 58. The tab 70 extends parallel to the free arm 42A, but in the opposite direction, so that the outer square 42 and the tab 70 have in section substantially the shape of a crank.

The tab 70, which has an outward shape substantially rectangular, is hollowed out from its lower edge by a triangular notch 72 intended for the reception of a centering pin of the arch 22. A leaf spring 73 is fixed in its upper part behind the tab 70. This blade 73 is crossed by a hole 73A into which the hoop centering pin 22.

At the end of the tab 70, is articulated a locking lever 74 of the arch 22. This lever 74 is formed by a metal wire systematically deformed.

The locking lever 74 is articulated at the end of the tab 70 by means of a hinge 76. The latter is formed by the ends curved from the tab 70 forming on either side of the notch 72 bearings in which the curved coaxial ends are received 80 of lever 74.

The latter has a general square shape. It has two sections 82 for supporting the arch 22, extending parallel to one another and perpendicularly extending the curved ends 80 of the lever. These support sections 82 are extended by two parallel sections to each other, denoted 84, extending perpendicular to the sections 82. The sections 84 constitute a lever-holding arm. They are connected one to the other by a loop 86 forming a tongue for gripping the lever. The loop 86 is angularly offset by about 30 ° relative to the arm 84. In addition, the loop 86 is connected to the ends of the sections 84 by two parallel sections 88 of reduced spacing adapted for engagement elastic on a retaining tab 89.

The latter came integrally at the free end of the arm 42A of the outer square in the middle part of it. This retaining tab 89 extends perpendicularly to the free arm 42A towards the outside of the clevis. It has a pointed end and has a thinning in the vicinity of its connection zone with the arm 42, adapted to receive the two sections 88.

Thus, it is understood that the tab 89 and the sections 88 allow a retention of the lever on the outer bracket by elastic engagement of this one on the retaining tab 89.

As shown in Figure 2, as well as in Figures 5 and 7, the arch 22 comprises, in its middle part, a connecting pad 90 constituted by a cylinder attached around the shaped metal strip constituting the arch 22.

The pad 90 has two flats angularly offset by approximately 30 °. The first flat 92 extends substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the roll bar 22 and the two headset shells. He is willing to inside the roll bar. The second flat 94 is arranged above the flat 92 considering the position in which the hearing equipment is used.

In addition, in the center of the flat 92 is provided a centering pin 96 adapted to cooperate with the triangular notch 72 and engage in the hole 73A.

The pad 90 is intended to be received inside the retaining means 36, and in particular to be retained by the locking lever 74, against a bearing surface formed from the underside of the link arm 42B and of the tab 70. The pad 90, received in the space 97 thus delimited by the surface support and lever, ensures articulation of the helmet from a position in which the hearing aid is placed on the ears of the helmet wearer, to a rest position in which the shells earphones are moved away from the ears and are at the level of the neck of the helmet wearer.

The yoke 30 can be adjusted to adapt to different thicknesses helmet.

In particular, when the heavy helmet is used without overcoat, that is to say that it is not covered with an external lining intended by example in camouflage, the yoke 30 then has a reduced thickness.

In order to ensure the assembly of the fixing device, the tab 54 is engaged in the slot 60 and the pins 58 are placed behind the arm free 40A of the internal bracket. Thus, the link arm 40B extends above of the link arm 42B.

In this configuration, shown in Figures 4 and 5, the tab 54 is received entirely through the slot 60.

The screw 64 being engaged in the tapped hole 62 and bearing at its end inside the shoe 66, the rear flat part 16 of the heavy helmet is then engaged in the screed.

The heavy helmet has, as shown in Figure 5, a peripheral protection bead 98 which is received at the bottom of the screed in contact with the bottom 44 thereof. The legs 50 being applied to the inner surface of the heavy helmet, the screw 64 is tightened so that the pad 66 is applied to the exterior surface of the helmet. So we can see that tightening the screw 64 ensures the stiffening of the yoke, the pins 58 being applied to the free branch 40A of the inner bracket and the tab 54 being confined in the slot 60. In addition, the tightening of the screw 64 ensures maintaining the device on the edge of the helmet, the rear flat 16 thereof being clamped between the two jaws 32, 34 facing formed respectively by the legs 50 and the shoe 66.

The locking lever 74 being mounted at the end of the tab 70, the latter can be moved between a position for retaining the hearing equipment, as shown in solid lines in Figures 4 and 5 and a position apart of the tab 70 in which the lever defines a clearance angle hearing aid, as shown in phantom in Figure 5.

As shown in Figure 5, the pad 90 is received and confined in the space 97 delimited between the bottom of the screed, the tab 70 and the zone bent lever 74.

When mounting the hearing equipment, the pad 90 is engaged in the space 97 between the lever 74 and the tab 70. The centering pin 96 is then received in notch 72, whose converging edges provide a central hearing equipment. When the pin 96 reaches the bottom of the notch 72, it is received in hole 73A of the elastic blade, and is thus maintained realizing thus locking the hearing equipment in its position of use.

In addition, the flat 92, applied against the flat surface of the tab 70, ensures stable positioning of the arch 22 in the position of use in which the earcups 24 are arranged on the ears of the helmet wearer. It can be seen that the shoe 90 being substantially cylindrical, it is likely to rotate inside space 97. For this do, the user releases the pin 96 by elastically deforming the blade 73 by manual action on its free end. Hearing equipment is movable between its position of use in which the flat 92 is in contact with tab 70, the earphone shells then being on the ears of the user and his rest or waiting position in which the ear cups are lowered and flat 94 is then applied to the surface of tab 70 (FIG. 7).

In FIGS. 6 and 7, the same fixing device as that shown in Figures 4 and 5 is shown in its configuration intended for a heavy helmet with an overcoat. In this case, the helmet has on its external part, a camouflage lining 101, called overcoat, maintained by a bead 102 having a thickness greater than bead 98.

In order to allow reception of the bead 102, the opening of the yoke is increased by positioning the pins 58 in the lights 56. Only the free end of the tab 54 is then received in the slot 60. However, as before, the tightening of the screw 68 ensures the stiffening of the clevis, the two brackets being held one on the other on the one hand by the tab 54 retained in the slot 60 and on the other hand by the pins 58 held in the lights 56.

In the embodiment described here, the means for connecting the helmet of the fixing device comprise a clamp 30. As a variant, the clamp 30 came integrally with the helmet and the arch retaining means are directly attached to the helmet.

Similarly, the arch may, as a variant, extend along the lower edge of the helmet, but along the wall of the helmet. The hoop is then placed inside or inside the helmet.

With a device as described here, it is understood that the structure of the helmet does not have to be modified to allow mounting of the equipment auditory. In addition, hearing aids can easily be removed when not in use. not used. It can also be locked in the use position and, by operation on the blade 73 forming a lock, coming into a standby position, the earmuffs being then positioned on the operator's neck freeing his ears.

Acoustic equipment can not only be removed but also positioned on its fixing device without the need to remove the heavy helmet.

Claims (13)

1. Device for fixing headphones (24, 26) to a shell-shaped safety helmet (10), consisting of a bow-shaped band (22) supporting two listening devices (24), each designed to be placed opposite an ear, characterised in that it has means (30) for connecting mechanically with the edge of the helmet only at the back of it, these connecting means (30) carrying means (36) of retaining the band only in the middle of it so that the band (22) extends more of less along the peripheral edge of the helmet.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the mechanically connecting means have a clip (30) comprising two jaws intended to grip tightly between them the edge of the back of the helmet, and in that the means (36) for retaining the band are integral with the clip (30).
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the clip (30) has a U-shaped plate to take the edge of the helmet between the twos arms (40A, 42A) of the plate, and in that one of the jaws (32) is delineated by a first arm (40A) of the plate and the other jaw has a tightening part (34) carded by the other arm (42A) of the plate, that tightening part (34) being movable towards the first arm (40A).
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterised in that it has means (54, 56, 58, 59, 60) of adjusting the distance between the two arms (40A, 42A) of the plate.
5. Device according to Claim 4, characterised in that the plate has a first square (40) defining the first jaw (32) and a second square (42) carrying the second jaw (48), the two squares being connected to each other along the adjacent arms delineating the bottom of the plate, the two adjacent arms (40B, 42B) having complementary projecting and hollow coupling profiles (56, 58).
6. Device according to Claim 5, characterised in that the adjacent arms (40B, 42B) are superimposed, and in that the upper connecting arm (40B) has an end lug (54) which goes into a slot (60) arranged in the other square (42), and the lower arm (42B) has at least one locating dog (58) designed to be taken selectively against at least two supporting surfaces (56, 59), delineated by the square (40) carrying the upper arm (40B, thus defining the distance separating the two arms (40A, 42A) of the plate.
7. Device according to any one of the above claims, characterised in that the retainer means consist of a lever (74) linked to the means (30) for mechanical and movable connection between a retainer position for the band (22), in which it lays the band (22) against a supporting surface (42B, 70) carried by the means (30) for connection and a band (22) release position in which it is separated from the supporting surface (42B, 70) and with it delineates a clearance angle for the band (22).
8. Device according to any one of the above claims, characterised in that the retaining means (36) and the baud (22) have further means of linkage so that the headphone equipment can move at an angle between a position for use and a rest position.
9. Device according to Claims 7 and 8 taken together, characterised in that the band (22) has, at its middle, a shoe (90) designed to go between the supporting surface (42B, 70) and the lever (74).
10. Device according to Claim 9, characterised in that the shoe (90) has two flats (62, 94) offset at an angle defining the position for use and the rest position of the headphone equipment.
11. Device according to any one of the Claims 8 to 10, characterised in that it has means (73, 96) for locking the headphone equipment in its position for use.
12. Device according to any one of the Claims 7 to 10, characterised in that the retaining means (36) have a convergent profile (72) for centezing the headphone equipment and in that the band (22) has a centering peg (96) suitable for working in conjunction with the convergent profile carried by the retaining means (36).
13. Combat helmet consisting of a safety helmet (10), headphone equipment (24, 26), characterised in that it has a device (18) for fixing the headphones to the safety helmet according to any one of the above claims.

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