SUSPENSION LOCKING TAB

Abstract

A hardhat shell has a suspension that is secured to the shell by a hanger. The suspension has a horizontal band portion for extending around a user's head, and the suspension is positioned within a hardhat shell. At least one hanger is connected to the suspension for securing the suspension to the shell. Each hanger has a hook at a first end of the hanger, a latching surface located towards the middle of the hanger, and a lever arm at a second end of the hanger. At least one mount is formed on the inner surface of the shell. Each hanger is configured to securely engage a respective one of the mounts, with the latching surface of the respective hanger being in frictional engagement with the respective ledge surface of the mount. By manually pivoting the hanger, a user can cause the latching surface to disengage from the ledge surface.

Claims

1. A hardhat comprising: a shell, the shell having an outer surface and an inner surface; a suspension, the suspension further comprising a horizontal band that is configured to at least partially encircle a user's head; at least one hanger connected to the suspension for securing the suspension to the shell, each hanger further comprising: a hook at a first end of the hanger; a latching surface located towards the middle of the hanger; a lever arm at a second end of the hanger; at least one mount formed on the inner surface of the shell, each mount having a mount platform toward a first end of the mount and a ledge surface at a second end of the mount; wherein each hanger is configured to securely engage a respective one of the mounts, with the latching surface of the respective hanger being in frictional engagement with the respective ledge surface of the mount and the mount platform being in direct facing relation with a surface on the hook, thereby positionally securing the hanger to the shell.

2. The hardhat of claim 1, each hanger further comprising a support arm having a free portion for connecting the hanger to the suspension, the support arm being connected to the lever arm by a spring.

3. The hardhat of claim 1, wherein each respective latching surface is formed on a respective latching body that extends radially outwardly from the respective hanger when the suspension is secured within a hardhat, and a user can disengage the latching surface from the respective ledge surface by deflecting the second end of the hanger radially inwardly.

4. The hardhat of claim 1, wherein the respective first end of each hanger is a lower end of the respective hanger when the suspension is secured to the shell and the shell is in an upright position.

5. The hardhat of claim 4, wherein for each respective hanger and mount, the ledge surface faces upwardly, and the latching surface faces downwardly when the suspension is secured to the shell and the shell is in an upright position.

6. The hardhat of claim 1, wherein the at least one hanger is four hangers, and wherein the at least one mount is four mounts spaced about the inner surface of the shell.

7. A hardhat for supporting a suspension, the suspension having a horizontal band that is configured to at least partially encircle a user's head, the hardhat comprising: a shell, the shell having an outer surface and an inner surface; at least one hanger being configured to be connected to said suspension for securing said suspension to the shell, each hanger further comprising: a hook at a first end of the hanger; a latching surface located towards the middle of the hanger; a lever arm at a second end of the hanger; at least one mount formed on the inner surface of the shell, each mount having a mount platform toward a first end of the mount and a ledge surface at a second end of the mount; wherein each hanger is configured to securely engage a respective one of the mounts, with the latching surface of the respective hanger being in frictional engagement with the respective ledge surface of the mount and the mount platform being in direct facing relation with a surface on the hook, thereby positionally securing the hanger to the shell.

8. The hardhat of claim 7, each hanger further comprising a support arm having a free portion for connecting the hanger to the suspension, the support arm being connected to the lever arm by a spring.

9. The hardhat of claim 7, wherein each respective latching surface is formed on a respective latching body that extends radially outwardly from the respective hanger when a suspension is secured within a hardhat, and a user can disengage the latching surface from the respective ledge surface by deflecting the second end of the hanger radially inwardly.

10. The hardhat of claim 7, wherein the respective first end of each hanger is a lower end of the respective hanger when the suspension is secured to the shell and the shell is in an upright position.

11. The hardhat of claim 10, wherein for each respective hanger and mount, the ledge surface faces upwardly, and the latching surface faces downwardly when the suspension is secured to the shell and the shell is in an upright position.

12. The hardhat of claim 7, wherein the at least one hanger is four hangers, and wherein the at least one mount is four mounts spaced about the inner surface of the shell.

13. A hardhat suspension assembly configured for being secured within a hardhat shell, the hardhat shell having at least one mount formed on an inner surface of the shell, each mount having a mount platform toward a first end of the mount and a ledge surface at a second end of the mount, the hardhat suspension comprising: a suspension, the suspension further comprising a horizontal band that is configured to at least partially encircle a user's head; at least one hanger connected to the suspension for securing the suspension to the shell, each hanger further comprising: a hook at a first end of the hanger; a latching surface located towards the middle of the hanger; a lever arm at a second end of the hanger; wherein each hanger is configured to securely engage a respective one of the mounts, with the latching surface of the respective hanger being in frictional engagement with the respective ledge surface of the mount and the mount platform being in direct facing relation with a surface on the hook, thereby positionally securing the hanger to the shell.

14. The hardhat suspension assembly of claim 13, each hanger further comprising a support arm having a free portion for connecting the hanger to the suspension, the support arm being connected to the lever arm by a spring.

15. The hardhat suspension assembly of claim 13, wherein each respective latching surface is formed on a respective latching body that extends radially outwardly from the respective hanger when the suspension is secured within a hardhat, and a user can disengage the latching surface from the respective ledge surface by deflecting the second end of the hanger radially inwardly.

16. The hardhat suspension assembly of claim 13, wherein the respective first end of each hanger is a lower end of the respective hanger when the suspension is secured to the shell and the shell is in an upright position.

17. The hardhat suspension assembly of claim 16 wherein for each respective hanger and mount, the ledge surface faces upwardly, and the latching surface faces downwardly when the suspension is secured to the shell and the shell is in an upright position.

18. The hardhat suspension assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one hanger is four hangers, and wherein the at least one mount is four mounts spaced about the inner surface of the shell.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0018] An exemplary embodiment will now be described further by way of example with reference to the following examples and figures, which are intended to be illustrative only and in no way limiting upon the scope of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hardhat with a suspension secured to the hardhat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded view thereof;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a lower view of a hardhat with a suspension secured to the hardhat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a suspension configured to be secured to a hardhat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mount for supporting a hanger;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hanger according to the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 7 is another perspective view thereof;

[0026] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view thereof;

[0027] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hanger secured to a mount;

[0028] FIG. 10 is a sectional view thereof;

[0029] FIG. 11 is another view thereof, with the hanger pivoted with respect to the shell;

[0030] FIG. 12 is another view thereof showing removal of the hanger after the step of FIG. 11;

[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a user disengaging the hanger from the shell;

[0032] FIG. 14 is another view thereof; and

[0033] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a user engaging the hanger with the shell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0034] Generally, a hardhat employing a suspension locking tab as illustrated and described herein is useful for securing a suspension to a hardhat shell. One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a shell, a suspension for supporting the shell on a user's head, and at least one suspension locking tab (hanger) for securing the suspension to the shell.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1-15, the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is incorporated into a hardhat product indicated at 10. While the exemplary embodiment is illustrated in conjunction with a hardhat product, it should also be understood that the present locking tab (hanger) is contemplated for use in other head safety products.

[0036] FIGS. 1-3 show a hardhat 10 comprising a shell 12, which has an outer surface 16 and an inner surface 18. A suspension 14 is positioned within the cavity bounded by the inner surface 18 of the shell 12. The suspension 14 is supported on the shell 12 by at least one hanger 20. In the embodiment shown, there are four hangers 20 that secure the suspension 14 to the shell 12. FIG. 2 provides an exploded view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.

[0037] The suspension 14 has a horizontal band 22 that is configured to encircle a user's head. The suspension 14 further has at least one arcuate portion 24 that extends from the horizontal band 22 to form a vertical cross-band configured to extend over a user's head.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a section of the suspension 14 with hangers 20 secured to the suspension, without a hardhat shell 12. A manufacturer may provide the suspension 14 and hangers 20 of FIG. 4 where a user already has a hardhat shell or where the shell is provided by a third party. The horizontal band 22 is not configured to entirely encircle the user's head when worn. An occipital support section 50 extends from the horizontal band 22 so that the occipital support section 50 is configured to engage the occipital region of a user's head when the suspension 14 is placed on a user's head.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged perspective view of one of the mounts 26 for engaging a hanger 20. Each mount 26 has a geometry that inhibits the deposition of dust and dirt on the surfaces of the mount 26, and that is easy to clean. The mount 26 is configured so that when a hanger 20 engages the respective mount 26, the hanger 20 extends around the mount 26, rather than being received within a cavity defined by the mount.

[0040] Each mount 26 extends inwardly from a concave portion of the inner surface 18 of the shell 12. Because the hanger 20 engages this inwardly extending mount 26, the outer surface 16 of the shell 12 does not need to transition from a convex geometry to a concave geometry in a respective region of the outer surface adjacent to the respective second end of each mount. For example, the outer surface 16 of the shell does not need to have a geometry that is partially formed as a rectangular solid to accommodate a substantially rectangular pocket on the inner surface 18 of the shell 12, because the mount 26 extends outwardly from the inner surface 18.

[0041] For each mount 26, there is at least one triangular tab 25 that is provided on the inner surface 18 of the shell 12. The at least one triangular tab 25 is adjacent to the respective mount 26. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, there are five triangular tabs 25 extending inwardly from the inner surface 18 of the shell 12. The function of the triangular tabs 25 during insertion and removal of the hanger 20 is discussed in more detail below.

[0042] FIGS. 6 and 7 show perspective views of a hanger 20 before it has been secured to a suspension 14, and before it has been secured to a shell 12. FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view thereof.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment, the respective first end of each hanger 20 is a lower end of the respective hanger when the suspension 14 is secured to the shell 12 and the shell 12 is in an upright position, such as when the shell 12 is being worn on a user's head and the user is standing upright.

[0044] Each of the hangers 20 is capable of being connected to the suspension 14 for securing the suspension 14 to the shell 12. Each hanger 20 further has a hook 30 at a first end of the hanger 20, a latching surface 32 located towards the middle of the hanger 20, and a lever arm 34 at a second end of the hanger 20.

[0045] Each hanger 20 has a support arm 36 having a free portion for connecting the hanger 20 to the suspension 14. This free portion is a suspension support structure 38 that extends from the support arm 36. This suspension support structure 38 can be received in an aperture defined on the suspension 14. The support arm 36 is connected to the lever arm 34 by a pair of torsional springs 40. The support arm 36 may be pivoted with respect to the lever arm 34 about the springs 40, when the spring force is overcome. When the hanger 20 secures the suspension 14 to the shell 12, the hook 30 of the hanger 20 is in firmly fixed spatial relation with respect to the shell 12, while the support arm 36 is a free portion that can be pivoted with respect to the lever arm 34, and thus, with respect to the shell 12, when the spring force is overcome. This allows the suspension 14 to be comfortably secured to a user's head when the suspension 14 is secured to the shell 12 by one or more hangers 20.

[0046] Each hanger 20 has a loop aperture defined by a loop aperture wall 21. The loop aperture 21 encircles the loop aperture, and is useful for securing a loop 19 located at an end of an arcuate portion 24 of the suspension 14. This is shown, for example, in FIGS. 6-8.

[0047] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged perspective view of one of the hangers 20 secured to a respective mount 26 of a hardhat shell 12. Such hardhat shell 12 may be provided to a user with a set of hangers 20 according to the present disclosure, such as the hangers 20 of FIG. 6. For example, a manufacturer may provide a shell 12 and a set of hangers 20 to a user separately from a suspension 14, which could be provided by a third party.

[0048] As with the external surface 16 of the hardhat shell 12 of FIG. 1, the hardhat shell 12 of FIG. 9 does not have a bump out or pocket feature on the external surface 16 at a location corresponding to the location of the mounts 26 on the internal surface 18. Such bump outs or pockets on the external surface 16 would impair industrial design and cleanability of the shell 12.

[0049] The engagement of the hanger 20 with the mount 26 is further shown in FIGS. 10-12.

[0050] FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of how each hanger 20 is secured to the hardhat shell 12. Each hanger 20 engages a respective mount 26 that is formed on the inner surface 18 of the shell 12. Each mount 26 has a mount platform 42 toward a first end of the mount and a ledge surface 44 at a second end of the mount 26.

[0051] Each hanger 20 is configured to securely engage a respective one of the mounts 26, with the latching surface 32 of the respective hanger 20 being in frictional engagement with the respective ledge surface 44 of the mount and the mount platform 42 being in direct facing relation with a surface 46 on the hook 30, thereby positionally securing the hanger 20 to the shell 12.

[0052] Each respective latching surface 32 is formed on a respective latching body 33 that extends radially outwardly from the respective hanger 20 when the suspension 14 is secured within a hardhat shell 12, and a user can disengage the latching surface 32 from the respective ledge surface 44 by deflecting the second end of the hanger radially inwardly, that is, by pivoting the lever arm 34 with respect to the mount 26.

[0053] For each respective hanger 20 and mount 26, the ledge surface 44 faces upwardly, and the latching surface 32 faces downwardly when the suspension 14 is secured to the shell 12 and the shell is in an upright position, such as when the shell 12 is positioned over a user's head and the user is standing upright.

[0054] FIG. 10 shows that the hanger 20 is fixed firmly on the mount 26 by the snap feature of the latching surface 32. Because of this firm engagement between the hanger 20 and the mount 26, the hanger 20 does not accidentally disengage the mount 26. The hanger 20 has an increased tendency to remain engaged to the shell 12 even when the shell 12 is subjected to an external impact load.

[0055] The firm fixation of the hanger 20 on the mount 26 is further enhanced by the engagement of a side face 52 of the hook 30 of the hanger 20 with a wall surface 54 of a wall portion 56 of the mount 26.

[0056] FIGS. 11 and 12 show cross sectional views of steps of disengaging a hanger 20 from a mount 26 on the shell 12. First, the user pivots the lever arm 34 of the hanger 20 along the arrow A (about the support surfaces 27 of the triangular tabs 25, as discussed below) so that the latching surface 32 disengages the ledge surface 44 of the mount 26 in FIG. 11. The hanger 20 slightly deforms to allow the latching surface 32 to laterally clear the ledge surface 44.

[0057] Then, the user slides the hanger 20 vertically downward along the arrow B in FIG. 12.

[0058] FIGS. 13 and 14 show perspective views of a user disengaging a hanger 20 from a mount 26 on the shell 12. Each hanger 20 is easily removed by hand by pivoting the lever arm 34 along the arrow A. The manual removal of the hanger 20 from the shell 12 requires little manual strength, and can be performed with one hand. There is a small deformation to the hanger 20, but the hanger 20 is not permanently deformed, and a user can subsequently engage the respective hanger 20 with a mount 26 on the shell.

[0059] To engage a hanger 20 with a mount 26 on the shell 12, FIG. 15 shows that a user simply slides the hanger 20 vertically downward onto the mount 26 along the arrow C when the shell 12 is inverted as shown in FIG. 15.

[0060] When the hanger 20 is secured on the mount 26, the triangular tabs 25 help to hold the hanger 20 in place. These triangular tabs 25 are useful both during latching the hanger to the shell and during unlatching the hanger 20 from the shell 12. When a user snaps the hanger 20 in place onto the mount 26, ramped surfaces 55 on the hanger 20 engage the support surfaces 27 of the triangular tabs 25, so the triangular tabs 25 push the hanger 20 body inward to guide it in place. When a user unlatches the hanger 20 from the mount 26, the support surfaces 27 on the triangular tabs 25 provide a fulcrum point for the hanger 20, to prevent outward movement of the hook 30 as the user pulls the spring 40 end of the hanger 20 inwardly. As the user pulls the spring 40 end of the hanger 20 inwardly, the outer surface 53 of the hook 30 end of the hanger 20 engages the triangular tabs 25, and the hanger 20 deforms so that the latching surface 32 disengages from the ledge surface 44.

[0061] Although the discussion relates to an embodiment in which there are four hangers 20 and four respective mounts 26 spaced about the inner surface 18 of the shell 12, other embodiments may have a different number of hangers 20, and thus a different number of mounts 26 so there is a hanger 20 corresponding to each mount 26.

[0062] Accordingly, among the objectives of the improved suspension are to provide a hanger for easily securing a suspension to a hardhat and for easily removing the suspension from the hardhat; to provide a suspension that is easy to remove from a hardhat and to assemble onto a hardhat; to provide a suspension that does not accidentally pop out from a hardhat; to provide a spring-biased pre-load on the tab to push the headband to fit the head of a user, thereby increasing comfort and fit for users; and to provide a suspension that allows the exterior of a hardhat shell to be formed without a bump, thereby increasing the aesthetic appearance of the exterior the hardhat shell, and thereby making the exterior of the hardhat shell easier to clean.

[0063] For these reasons, the present suspension and locking tab are believed to represent significant advancements in the art, which have substantial commercial merit.

[0064] While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the suspension and locking tab, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claim.