Collapsible helmet

Abstract

A collapsible helmet including a shell having two or more components which are hingedly connected together about fold lines extending across the shell. Each component includes a plurality of panels with each panel being hingedly connected to at least one adjacent panel. The shell may be adjustable between a first configuration in which the helmet may be placed over the head of the user and a second configuration in which the components are flattened and are arranged in a substantially overlying relationship.

Claims

1. A helmet comprising a shell having two or more components which are hingedly connected together about fold lines extending across the shell, each component comprising a plurality of panels, each panel being hingedly connected to at least one adjacent panel, whereby the shell is adjustable between a first configuration in which the shell is able to be placed over the head of the user and a second configuration in which said first and second components are each flattened and are arranged in a substantially overlying relationship, and a lock for releasably securing a plurality of panels together so that the shell is locked into its first configuration, the lock comprising a plurality of bosses formed on a central panel of the plurality of panels, cooperating catches located on adjacent panels, and a release button operable for releasing the catches and the plurality of bosses.

2. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the shell has two of said components, and the fold line preferably extends longitudinally of the helmet.

3. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein each panel has at least one edge which abuts a corresponding edge of an adjacent panel.

4. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the components of the shell are provided with integral, inwardly projecting ribs, the ribs of the components being positioned so that, when the helmet is in its relatively collapsed condition, at least some of the ribs of one component are interleaved with ribs of a second component.

5. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the components are connected together by a living hinge.

6. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein each panel is hingedly connected to an adjacent panel by a living hinge.

7. The helmet according to claim 6, wherein the living hinge between each of the adjacent panels is formed from a single sheet of material.

8. The helmet according to claim 7, wherein the single sheet of material is embedded within the panels.

9. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein each panel is internally shaped to conform approximately to that curved area of the user's head which, when the helmet is in use, lies adjacent to said panel.

10. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the helmet is provided with front and rear pieces, each piece comprising two hingedly connected together elements which are movable between an open and a closed position.

11. The helmet according to claim 10, wherein means are provided to urge said elements into the open position.

12. The helmet according to claim 1, further comprising means for urging the shell components towards each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings are as follows:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective front view showing the shell of a helmet in accordance to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the helmet shell of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the helmet shell of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the helmet shell of FIG. 1 in its collapsed condition;

(6) FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the helmet shell of FIG. 1 in its collapsed condition;

(7) FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the frame of the helmet shell of FIG. 1; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the helmet shell of FIG. 1 with side segments in their released positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(10) Referring to the accompanying drawings a helmet of the present invention includes a helmet shell 1 and connectors such as straps (not shown) for securing the helmet to the head of a user. Shell 1 comprises a plurality of rigid foam panels 3 mounted on a polypropylene sheet in the form of a frame 5 which is a single sheet extending over substantially the entirety of shell 1 and which is provided as a series of living hinges 7 allowing panels 3 to pivot relative to each other.

(11) Each panel 3 has at least one non-linear edge 4 which matches and abuts a corresponding edge of an adjacent panel. As a result, protection is provided even where the helmet encounters a sharp edge, such as that of a kerb stone, which would otherwise penetrate the shell through to the skull of the wearer.

(12) Accordingly, a helmet incorporating a shell 1 is capable of assuming two configurations. In its open condition, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, it may be worn by a user in order to protect his head. In its closed or collapsed condition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the helmet is relatively flat, occupying about one third of the volume occupied in its open condition, making for convenient storage in a briefcase or other bag or providing a relatively non-bulky article for carrying around by hand.

(13) Shell 1 is collapsible about axis or fold line 9 which extends centrally from front to rear. In another embodiment, the corresponding fold line may extend transversely from side to side or there may be two or more such fold lines extending across the shell. Shell 1 comprises two portions 11 and 13 which are largely identical, subject to the offset rib feature described below, and each provides in effect a half portion of the shell.

(14) Each half shell comprises top panels 15, side panels 17, front panels 19 and rear panels 21. Provided between front panels 19 and adjacent top panels 15 is a front vent passage 23. A corresponding rear vent passage 25 is provided between rear panels 21 and top panels 15. As indicated above, the entire assembly of panels is mounted on the polypropylene frame 5 with the latter imbedded within upper and lower panel sections. Frame 7 may be provided with holes 27 through which the foam material of the panels extends.

(15) The panels 3 are in general internally shaped to fit the area of the wearer's head which, in use, will lie adjacent to the panel. Each panel 3 is very broadly of trapezoidal shape in plan. In other embodiments, the panels may be of other shapes, such as oval.

(16) Magnets are provided on the meeting edges of front panels 19 and rear panels 21 so that adjacent panels are attracted to each other and support the shell in its open position. Magnets are also provided on opposed panels 11 and 13 and these attract each other to maintain the integrity of the shell in its collapsed condition.

(17) Referring in particular to FIG. 7, the central panel of each of side panels 17 is connected to adjacent side panels by means of a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism includes bosses 29 on the central panels and catches 31 located on the adjacent panels. A slide release button 33 is located on the central panel 17 which is operable to disengage the catches and bosses. This locking mechanism is such that when the shell is opened the central panel 17 can be moved from the position shown in FIG. 7 to that in FIG. 1 with the locking mechanism snapping into place. Release of the locking mechanism by release buttons 33 allows the panels 17 to be moved outwardly and the shell to be folded to the position shown in FIG. 5.

(18) The interior of the shell 1 is profiled to provide ribs such as ribs 35. The ribs of 1 component of shell 1 are offset from the ribs of the corresponding component on the other side of shell 1. They are arranged such that when the helmet is collapsed these ribs interleave. Accordingly a strong construction can be provided to the helmet while allowing the helmet to collapse to a very flat structure.