GB2401772A

GB2401772A - Heated visor for helmet

Info

Publication number: GB2401772A
Application number: GB0311926A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Barry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-23
Filing date: 2003-05-23
Publication date: 2004-11-24
Also published as: GB0311926D0

Abstract

A crash helmet includes a pivotable visor 1, an electrically operated heating element 4 embedded within or in contact with the visor and means selectively for connecting the heating element to a source of electrical power. The heating element may comprise one or more filaments embedded within the material of the visor and connected via terminals to a suitable source of electrical power. The visor may be produced from a plastics material. The power source may be a battery in the helmet or the battery of a vehicle on which the wearer is riding. Heat may be supplied to the visor in another embodiment through its pivots from a heating element on the helmet. Instead of having heating filaments 4 the visor may have a heated metal frame.

Description

VISORS FOR CRASH HELMETS

This invention relates to crash helmets for motor-cyclists, competitive motorists and other road or track users and sportsmen where crash helmets are commonly used, and more especially to translucent visors for such crash helmets.

One problem which arises with crash helmets is a tendency for the interior of the visor to mist up in use when, for example, operating in damp conditions. This is particularly a problem for competitive drivers of racing cars where the ability to clear the visor by wiping is extremely limited.

The present invention sets out to overcome or at least alleviate this problem.

In one aspect, the invention provides a crash helmet including a pivotable visor, an electrically operated heating element embedded within or in contact with the visor and means selectively for connecting the heating element to a source of electrical power.

The heating element may comprise one or more filaments embedded within the translucent material of the visor and connected via terminals to a suitable source of electrical power. The visor may be produced from a plastics material.

Alternatively, the heating element may be detachably secured to the visor or may form part of or be secured to the helmet, heat being transferred to the visor preferably through the pivotable connections between the helmet and the visor.

The power source may comprise one or more relatively small disposable batteries positioned, for example, in a housing attached to or forming part of the crash helmet; alternatively it may comprise the battery or a supplementary battery of the vehicle being driven by the wearer of the crash helmet. In a further alternative, the power source may be derived from the electrical system of the vehicle.

In another aspect, the invention provides a visor for a crash helmet comprising a translucent screen within which is embedded one or more electrically conductive heating filaments terminating in terminals connectable to a source of electrical power.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a visor for a crash helmet comprising a translucent screen and means for applying heat to the visor from one or more electrically powered heating elements.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a crash helmet and visor in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a visor in accordance with the invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, a translucent visor is secured through pivots 2 to a crash helmet 3. The pivots enable the visor 1 to be moved between a lowered in-use position in which the visor protects the face of the user and a raised position away from the face of the user. The illustrated visor is typically produced from a clear plastics material. Embedded within the visor are electrically conductive filaments 4. The pattern of these filaments will vary from one application to another and the pattern shown in the drawings is merely indicative of one of several possible patterns.

As shown in Figure 2, the embedded electrically conductive filaments 4 terminate in exposed terminals 5 for connection to a source of electrical power 6. This source may comprise one or more batteries housed within a casing secured to the helmet and connectable to the terminals of the heating element through discrete wires. A switch 7 may be provided for enabling current to flow from the or each battery to the heating element. Alternatively, a rheostat may be provided in circuit to cause the current flow to switch off automatically after a given period of time or when a certain temperature has been achieved. In each case, movement of the visor from its raised position to its lowered position in front of the face of the user may complete the circuit to enable the heating current to flow.

Other heating elements other than that described may be employed. Thus, one or more edges of the visor may be trapped between metallic frame member heated selectively through contact with a source of electrical current. The outer extremities of the visor may be protected by a covering of a suitable material.

In an alternative unillustrated embodiment, electrically powered heating elements are removably attached to the visor screen. These may comprise detachable pads which can selectively be placed on and secured to the visor. In a further alternative unillustrated embodiment, one or more heating elements are mounted within or secured to the crash helmet, heat being transmitted to the visor via the pivots between the helmet and visor.

In all embodiments of this invention, the electrical power to activate the filaments or heating elements may be derived from the electrical system of the vehicle being driven.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of a crash helmet and visor in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A crash helmet including a pivotable visor, an electrically operated heating element embedded within or in contact with the visor and means selectively for connecting the heating element to a source of electrical power.

2. A helmet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating element comprises one or more filaments embedded within the translucent material of the visor and connected via terminals to a suitable source of electrical power.

3. A helmet as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the visor is produced from a plastics material.

4. A helmet as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the heating element is detachably secured to the visor.

5. A helmet as claimed in claim 4 wherein the heating elements form part of or are secured to the helmet.

6. A helmet as claimed in claim 5 wherein heat is transferred to the visor preferably through the pivotable connections between the helmet and the visor.

7. A helmet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the power source comprises one or more batteries.

S. A helmet as claimed in claim 7 wherein the or each battens located in a housing attached to or forming part of the crash helmet.

9. A helmet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 where the power source comprises the battery or a supplementary battery of the vehicle being driven by the wearer of the crash helmet.

10. A helmet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the power source may be derived from the electrical system of the vehicle.

11. A visor for a crash helmet comprising a translucent screen within which is embedded one or more electrically conductive heating filaments terminating in terminals connectable to a source of electrical power.

12. A visor for a crash helmet comprising a translucent screen and means for applying heat to the visor from one or more electrically powered heating elements.

13. A visor for a crash helmet substantially as herein described and as described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing.