WO2009101340A2 - Assembly comprising a helmet and a protection visor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly that comprises: a helmet (1) including an outer shell (2) and having a facial opening (3) at the front of said shell; a protection visor (4) mounted on the outer shell (2) so as to be capable of movement between a downward folded-down position, wherein said visor is located at the level of the facial opening (3), and a stowed upward position wherein said visor exposes the facial opening, each side edge of the visor (4) being connected to an elastic link (5, 5') arranged so as to apply a pulling force directed towards the back of the helmet (1) and to press said visor (4) against the outer shell (2), characterised in that the width of the visor (4) is larger than the width of the facial opening (3) so that, in the stowed position, said visor bears against the outer shell (2), and in that the connection between the side edges of the visor (4) and the elastic links (5) is a pivotal connection (9) having a transverse axis (90), said pivotal connection being adapted so as to be capable of free movement on the outer shell (2) between the folded-down and stowed positions. The purpose of the invention is to improve the comfort of a user that uses a protection visor of the removable-mask type and not of the integrated-screen type.

Description

 ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A HELMET AND A GLASSES

PROTECTION

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an assembly formed in particular by a helmet and a protective window.

It concerns the technical field of protective helmets, in particular those used for the practice of the motorcycle or the ski, and equipped with glasses for the protection of the face.

State of the art

For the practice of the motorcycle or the ski, it is frequent (even obligatory as regards the motorcycle) to use helmets including an outer shell for the protection of the cranial box of the user. This outer shell has a facial opening in its front part, corresponding to the face of the user. These helmets usually comprise a protective window mounted movably on the outer shell between a folded position downward where it is positioned at the face opening and a retracted position upward where it releases said facial opening.

According to a first known embodiment, the telescope is in the form of a protective screen integrated into the helmet. Each side edge of the screen is connected to a pivot connection having a transverse pivot axis, said axis being fixed relative to the outer shell of the helmet. To allow the pivoting of the screen between the folded position and the retracted position, said screen must necessarily be slightly spaced a few millimeters from the outer shell. If this configuration is not a problem when the screen is in the folded position, it generates an air intake that can be harmful at high speed when said screen is in the retracted position. Another disadvantage is that it is difficult to change the protection screen when it is damaged, or depending on the weather conditions (for example use a transparent screen at night and / or in case of rain and a screen tinted in case of strong light). On some models, the screen change is possible, but requires specific tools that are not always available to the user.

According to a second known embodiment, the telescope is in the form of a mask removably mounted on the helmet. The mask is generally connected to an elastic band removably disposed around the helmet. Usually, the width of the mask is less than the width of the facial aperture of the outer shell so that in the folded position, said mask bears against the face of the user. The main advantage of using such a removable protective mask (instead of an integrated protection screen), is that the user can easily change the mask. It may for example use masks with specific properties depending on whether there is fog, rain, sun, etc. In addition, in the retracted position, since the elastic headband exerts a pulling force directed towards the rear of the helmet, the mask remains pressed against the outer shell without any harmful air intake.

The use of a removable mask is however not completely satisfactory and has a number of disadvantages.

First, in the folded position, the mask is pressed against the nose and around the eyes of the user. This enclosed space created around the face promotes the appearance of fogging inside the mask, which can significantly reduce the visibility of the user.

Also, in the case where the helmets are used by children, it frequently happens that the width of the mask is slightly greater than the width of the facial opening of the outer shell, so that in the folded position, the mask takes partially bearing against said outer shell and partially against the child's face. In this configuration, holding down the mask is random and may cause a considerable gene for the child.

Another disadvantage lies in the fact that depending on the position of the mask on the outer shell, and in particular when it is in the retracted position above the larger diameter zone, it may slip towards the top of the headphones and tilts backwards. - AT -

Faced with this state of affairs, the main objective of the invention is to improve the comfort of a user who uses a protective screen type removable mask and not integrated screen type.

In particular, the invention aims to limit the formation of fogging and improve the retention in the folded position of the bezel, regardless of the size of the user (child or adult).

Another object of the invention is to prevent the telescope tilts back when in the retracted position, it is disposed above the larger diameter zone.

Disclosure of the invention.

The solution proposed by the invention is an assembly comprising: a helmet comprising an outer shell and having a face opening in front of said shell,

a protective window mounted movably on the outer shell between a downwardly folded position where it is positioned at the level of the face opening and an upwardly retracted position where it releases said face opening,

- Each side edge of the bezel being connected to an elastic link arranged to exert a pulling force directed towards the back of the helmet and press said bezel against the outer shell.

According to the invention, this assembly is remarkable in that: the width of the telescope is greater than the width of the facial opening so that in the folded position said telescope bears against the outer shell, The connection between the side edges of the bezel and the elastic links is a transverse axis pivot connection, said pivot connection being configured to move freely on the outer shell between the folded position and the retracted position. The fact that the width of the telescope is greater than the width of the facial opening prevents said telescope from bearing against the face of the user when in the folded position. There is no longer a closed space formed around the user's face, which limits the appearance of fogging. In addition, whatever the size of the user, the telescope will take full support against the outer shell, without any possible cantilever.

The fact that the lateral edges of the bezel are rotatably mounted relative to the elastic links implies that said bezel is constantly pressed against the outer shell when it is in the retracted position, without the risk of tilting back, even when it exceeds the area of larger diameter.

The telescope thus adapts to any helmet model, unlike devices known from the prior art.

Description of the figures.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which will follow, with reference to the accompanying drawings, carried out as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which:

- Figure 1a is a schematic side view showing the object of the invention according to a first embodiment, the bezel being in the folded position, FIG. 1b is a view identical to that of FIG. 1a, the telescope being in the retracted position,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view along the line AA of FIG. 1a; FIG. 3a is a schematic side view showing the object assembly of the invention according to a second variant embodiment, the bezel being in the folded position; ,

FIG. 3b is a view identical to that of FIG. 3a, the telescope being in the retracted position,

FIG. 4a is a schematic side view showing the object assembly of the invention according to a third variant embodiment, the bezel being in the folded position,

FIG. 4b is a view identical to that of FIG. 4a, the telescope being in the retracted position,

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic front view of the whole object of the invention,

FIG. 6a is a schematic view of the back of the assembly forming the subject of the invention,

FIG. 6b is a schematic view of the back of the object assembly of the invention according to another embodiment, FIG. 7a is an enlarged sectional view along the line B-B of FIG. 6a,

- Figure 7b is an enlarged sectional view along the line C-C of Figure 6b.

Embodiments of the invention

With reference to the appended figures, the object of the invention comprises:

a helmet 1, motorcycle, ski or other, comprising an outer shell 2 and having a face opening 3 at the front of said shell, a protective window 4 mounted movably on the outer shell 2 between a downwardly folded position where it is positioned at the level of the face opening 3 (FIGS. 1a, 3a, 4a) and an upwardly retracted position where it releases said facial opening (Figures 1b, 3b, 4b).

The outer shell 2 has the general shape of a spherical cap. It is made of rigid material of the plastic type, steel, aluminum, composite material comprising a stack of layers of fibers or any other material suitable for those skilled in the art and to ensure the protection of the cranial box in case of impact. Localized recesses may be provided to provide aeration.

The inner walls of the outer shell 2 are preferably covered with a padding of the synthetic foam or polyurethane foam type, so as to promote shock absorption. A chinstrap fastener is advantageously provided for holding the helmet 1 in position on the head of the user.

The protective window 4 has the shape of a sphere portion. It is sized to cover a large part of the user's face when in the folded position, or on the contrary to cover only the eyes. The protective window 4 is advantageously made of a flexible transparent material, of the acrylic, polycarbonate or other type. It can be tinted, treated anti-UV or be covered with a specific coating as needed. It may further include a peripheral frame although this is not necessary.

According to the invention, and as shown in FIG. 5, the width L1 of the telescope 4 is greater than the width Lc of the face opening 3, so that in the folded position said bezel bears against the outer shell 2 and not against the face of the user. In practice, the bezel 4 covers about 1 cm to 2 cm the edges of the facial opening 3. It is conceivable to have a sealing lip on the edges of the bezel 4 which are in contact with the outer shell 2 so as to limit the air intakes and / or the infiltration of water towards the user's face.

Referring to the appended figures, each lateral edge of the bezel 4 is connected to an elastic link 5, 5 'arranged so as to exert a pulling force directed towards the rear of the helmet 1 and to press said bezel against the outer shell 2 , that said bezel is in the folded position or in the retracted position. The tensile force exerted by the elastic links 5, 5 'is shown schematically by the arrows in the appended figures. In practice, this traction force is advantageously directed towards the bottom of the helmet 1, below the zone of larger diameter.

To manipulate the bezel 4, it suffices that the user takes it slightly off the outer shell 2 and positions it as it wishes: either in the folded position, or in the retracted position, or in the intermediate position.

The fact that the telescope 4 is connected to the elastic links 5, 5 'and not fastened directly to the outer shell 2, gives said telescope a universality that do not have the known devices of the prior art (in particular the screens integrated facial). Indeed, the bezel 4 can adapt to any helmet model 1.

According to a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b,

4a, 4b, 6a and 6b, the lateral edges of the bezel 4 are connected to a single elastic band 5 disposed around the outer shell 2 of the helmet 1. This elastic band 5 is removably mounted on the outer shell 2, an attachment member 7 being provided in the rear portion of said shell. This fastening member 7 ensures that the elastic band 5 is held in position on the helmet 1.

Referring to Figures 6a and 7a, the fastener 7 may be a simple centering strap 70 fixed in the middle and bottom of the rear portion of the outer shell 2. This centering strap 70 is of the type forming a a loop inside which the elastic strip 5 passes. In order to facilitate the positioning of the latter, the centering strap 70 advantageously comprises an easily removable closure device of the snap-button type or by a hook and loop band. (VELCRO®). According to an evolution shown in Figures 6b and 7b, the centering strap 70 passes inside a loop 50 fixed in the middle of the rear portion of the elastic strip 5. The latter solution keeps the center strip 5 on the outer shell 3, said strip can no longer slide inside the centering strap 70.

According to a second embodiment shown in Figures 3a and 3b, the elastic links 5 'have a first end connected to the side edges of the bezel 4, the second end being fixed to the sides of the outer shell 2 of the helmet 1. In In this case, the elastic links 5 'are not removably mounted on the outer shell 2 but are fixed.

Preferably, the second ends of the elastic links 5 'are connected to fastening pads 8 fixed on the sides of the outer shell 2, said attachment studs being rotatably mounted on said shell along a transverse axis 80. This solution prevents the elastic links 5 'from deform between the folded position and the retracted position. The fastening studs 8 are advantageously formed by: a first part 8a fixed on the outer shell 2, below the zone of larger diameter, and carrying a projecting element forming the transverse axis of rotation 80, a second part 8b rotatably mounted on the transverse axis 80 and on which is fixed the second end of the elastic links 5 '.

With reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b, it can be seen that the tensile force exerted by the elastic links 5 'is constantly directed towards the attachment studs 8, which has the effect of preventing the tilting back of the bezel 4 when it exceeds the area of larger diameter.

It is also possible that the second ends of the elastic links 5 'are directly attached to the sides of the outer shell 2, without the possibility of pivoting.

According to the invention, the connection between the lateral edges of the telescope 4 and the elastic links 5, 5 'is a pivot connection 9 of transverse axis 90, said pivot link being configured to move freely on the outer shell 2 between the folded position and the retracted position. By comparing FIGS. 1a and 1b, between the folded position and the retracted position, the pivot link 90 moves vertically by a distance d1 towards the top of the helmet 1 and horizontally by a distance d2 towards the rear of the helmet. The invention thus makes it possible to combine a movable pivot link 9 with an elastic return. In this way, when the bezel 4 is in the retracted position, the elastic links 5, 5 'remain in its extension without deforming, which has the effect of optimizing the rearward traction of said bezel and its plating against the outer shell 2 to prevent any air intake. Moreover, we limit horizontal component of the tensile force that contributes to the tilting back of the bezel 4 when it exceeds the larger diameter area.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention for easily changing the bezel 4, the pivot connection 9 between the side edges of said bezel 4 and the elastic links 5, 5 'is removable. For example, when the user wishes to change its bezel 4 because it is damaged or to choose a more adapted to the ambient brightness, it is enough for him simply to disassemble the pivot connection 9 and to replace said telescope with a better quality and / or more adapted. However, it can be provided to use a pivot link 9 not removable.

To simplify the design of the pivot connection 9 and its disassembly by the user, each elastic link 5, 5 'is advantageously connected to a lateral edge of the bezel 4 by means of a removable press-button forming said connection. However, any other removable pivot link suitable for those skilled in the art can be used.

According to a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 3a and 3b, and more particularly in FIG. 2, the first part 9a of the snap-button is disposed on an insert 10, fixed on the lateral edges of the bezel 4. The second portion 9b complementary to the first portion 9a is fixed to the end of the elastic links 5, 5 '. To form the pivot connection, the first portion 9a is configured to pivot within the second portion 9b.

The insert 10 is made of plastic, steel, aluminum, composite material, etc. It is fixed by gluing, welding, riveting, or other, at the side edges of the bezel 4. In practice, and as shown in Figures 1a, 1b, 3a and 3b, the insert 10 is configured to shift the pivot connection 9 towards the back of the helmet 1, said connection protruding from the lateral edges of the telescope 4.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the intermediate piece 10 is no longer used, the first part 9a of the snap-fastener being directly attached to the lateral edges of the bezel 4, the second part

9b complementary to said first portion being attached to the end of the elastic links 5, 5 '.

To prevent the pivot connection 9 from being disassembled accidentally, a detachable fastener element 11 (shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2) advantageously secures said pivot connection between the lateral edges of the telescope 4 and the elastic links. 5, 5 '. In practice, it is preferred to use a fastening element 11 of the loop and hook type (VELCRO®). Referring to Figure 2, it is possible to fix the loop portion 11a on the insert 10 (or on the side edges of the bezel 4) and fix the hook portion 11b on the elastic links 5, 5 . In this case, the fastening element 11 will have sufficient clearance not to hinder the pivoting of the bezel 4 relative to the elastic links 5, 5 '.

Claims

claims 1. Set comprising: - A helmet (1) comprising an outer shell (2) and having a face opening (3) in front of said shell, a protective window (4) mounted movably on the outer shell (2) between a folded position towards the bottom where it is positioned at the level of the facial opening (3) and a position retracted upwards where it releases said facial opening, - each lateral edge of the telescope (4) being connected to an elastic link (5, 5 ') arranged so as to exert a traction force directed towards the rear of the helmet (1) and to press said telescope against the outer shell ( 2), characterized in that the width (L1) of the bezel (4) is greater than the width (Lc) of the face opening (3) so that in the folded position said bezel bears against the shell external connection (2), and in that the connection between the lateral edges of the telescope (4) and the elastic links (5, 5 ') is a pivot connection (9) of transverse axis (90), said pivot connection being configured to move freely on the outer shell (2) between the folded position and the retracted position. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivot connection (9) between the side edges of the bezel (4) and the elastic links (5, 5 ') is removable. 3. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each elastic link (5, 5 ') is connected to a side edge of the bezel (4) via a snap (9a, 9b) removable forming the pivot connection (9). 4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the first portion (9a) of the snap-button is disposed on an insert (10) fixed on the side edges of the bezel (4), the second portion (9b) complementary to said first part being fixed at the end of the elastic links (5, 5 '). 5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the first portion (9a) of the snap fastener is directly attached to the side edges of the bezel (4), the second portion (9b) complementary to said first portion being fixed to the end of the elastic links (5, 5 '). 6. Assembly according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a removable fastening element (11) loops and hooks secures the pivot connection (9) between the lateral edges of the bezel (4) and the elastic links (5, 5 '). 7. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side edges of the bezel (4) are connected to a single elastic band (5) disposed around the outer shell (2) of the helmet (1). 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the elastic strip (5) is removably mounted on the outer shell (2) of the helmet (1), a centering strap (70) being fixed in the middle and bottom of the rear portion of said shell and passing inside a loop (50) fixed in the middle of the rear portion of said strip. 9. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the elastic links (5 ') have a first end connected to the side edges of the bezel (4), the second end being fixed on the sides of the outer shell ( 2) the helmet (1). 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the second ends of the elastic links (5 ') are connected to fastening studs (8) fixed on the sides of the outer shell (2) of the helmet (1), said studs fasteners being rotatably mounted on said shell along a transverse axis (80).