IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO HELMETS

Abstract

A helmet (10) comprises an outer shell (12), an inner lining (14), and at least one releasable connector arrangement adapted to enable the outer shell (12) to be removably attached to the inner lining (14). The releasable connector arrangement includes a connecting stem (28) on the outer shell (12), and a receiving channel (30) in the inner lining (14).

Claims

1. A helmet comprising: an inner lining; outer shell having an inner surface that faces the inner lining when the helmet is assembled; and at least one releasable connector arrangement adapted to enable the outer shell to be removably attached to the inner lining, wherein the releasable connector arrangement includes a connecting stem on the outer shell, and a receiving channel in the inner lining, further wherein the connecting stem extends from the inner surface of the outer shell.

2. A helmet according to claim 1, wherein the connecting stem is formed integrally with the outer shell.

3. A helmet according to claim 1, further comprising a locking device configured to engage a distal end of the connecting stem to lock the connecting stem in the receiving channel and thereby lock the outer shell onto the inner lining.

4. A helmet according to claim 1, wherein the inner lining includes an outer surface which, in use, faces the inner surface of the outer shell, and an inner surface which, in use, faces the head of a wearer of the helmet, wherein the receiving channel has aligned openings in the inner and outer surfaces of the inner lining.

5. A helmet according to claim 4, wherein the releasable connector arrangement further includes a removable cap, the removable cap being configured to fit over and engage a distal end of the connecting stem to maintain the connecting stem in the receiving channel.

6. A helmet according to claim 5, wherein a width of the receiving channel increases towards an opening in the inner surface of the inner lining such that a shoulder is defined in a wall of the inner lining which defines the receiving channel, and wherein the connecting stem projects beyond the shoulder when the connecting stem of the outer shell is inserted into the receiving channel of the inner lining in use, and wherein a width of the removable cap is greater than the width of the receiving channel on the proximal side of the shoulder and directly proximate the shoulder such that, in use, the removable cap maintains the connecting stem in the receiving channel by abutting against the shoulder.

7. A helmet according to claim 5, further comprising a cap connection having a locked and an unlocked configuration, the cap connection comprising a projection on the connecting stem and an aperture in the removable cap, the aperture in the removable cap comprising a circumferential portion, which extends in a circumferential direction with respect to the removable cap, and a radial portion, which extends in a radial direction with respect to the removable cap, wherein in the locked configuration the projection is retained in the circumferential portion of the aperture, and wherein the cap connection is moved from the unlocked to the locked configuration by the user rotating the removable cap with respect to the connecting stem to move the projection from the radial portion to the circumferential portion.

8. A helmet according to claim 7, wherein the removable cap also comprises a viewing slot, wherein a user is able to view the projection on the connecting stem through the viewing slot when the cap connection is in the locked configuration, and the user is not able to view the projection through the viewing slot when the cap connection is in the unlocked configuration.

9. A helmet according to claim 1, further comprising a strap arrangement for fastening the helmet to a user's head, the strap arrangement being removably attachable to at least one of the inner lining and the outer shell, wherein, in use, at least one portion of the strap arrangement is located between the outer surface of the inner lining and the inner surface of the outer shell.

10. A helmet according to claim 9, wherein the strap arrangement is removably attachable to the outer shell.

11. A helmet according to claim 10, wherein the outer surface of the inner lining is provided with at least one recess in which said at least one portion of the strap arrangement is located in use.

12. A helmet according to claim 10, wherein the strap arrangement comprises at least one strap connector, the at least one strap connector being configured to form an interference or snap-fit with a corresponding engagement structure of the outer shell in order to effect the removable attachment.

13. A helmet according to claim 12, wherein the at least one strap connector is configured as a hook and the engagement structure of the outer shell defines a seating location for the hook.

14. A helmet according to claim 13, wherein the hook includes a barb and the seating location of the outer shell includes an aperture adapted to receive the barb.

15. A helmet according to claim 13, wherein the strap arrangement includes a plurality of hooks and the outer shell includes a corresponding plurality of seating locations.

16. An outer shell for a helmet that includes an inner lining, wherein the outer shell has an inner surface that faces the inner lining when the helmet is assembled, and at least one releasable connector arrangement is adapted to enable the outer shell to be removably attached to the inner lining, wherein the releasable connector arrangement includes a connecting stem on the outer shell, and a receiving channel in the inner lining, further wherein the connecting stem extends from the inner surface of the outer shell.

17. An inner lining for a helmet that includes an outer shell having an inner surface that faces the inner lining when the helmet is assembled, and at least one releasable connector arrangement is adapted to enable the outer shell to be removably attached to the inner lining, wherein the releasable connector arrangement includes a connecting stem on the outer shell, and a receiving channel in the inner lining, further wherein the connecting stem extends from the inner surface of the outer shell.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0028] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a sports helmet 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a top view of the helmet 10 of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a front view of the helmet 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the helmet 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3;

[0033] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the helmet 10 of FIGS. 1 to 4;

[0034] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the helmet 10 of FIGS. 1 to 5;

[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective bottom view of the assembled helmet 10;

[0036] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector arrangement of FIG. 7;

[0037] FIGS. 9a and 9b are enlarged bottom views of the connector in the assembled helmet 10 when the connector arrangement is in the unlocked (FIG. 9a) and locked (FIG. 9b) configurations;

[0038] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the helmet 10 of FIGS. 1 to 10 showing the strap arrangement 16 in exploded view;

[0039] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 10 showing the strap arrangement assembled for use; and

[0040] FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the strap connector 26 and engagement structure 50 of FIG. 11 in which the outer shell 12 has been emitted for clarity.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0041] In the following description, relative and directional references (including: upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, side, above, below, front, middle, back, vertical, horizontal, and so forth) are given by way of example to aid the reader's understanding of the particular embodiments described herein. Anatomical terms of location have similarly been used and should be understood to correspond to anatomical locations of the human head. The terms “inner” and “outer” are also used. Unless otherwise stated, “inner” and “outer” should be understood herein to refer to relative locations towards and away from the human head in use. For instance, an “inner surface” would be a surface closest towards the human head in use, and an “outer surface” would be a surface furthest away from the human head in use. Directional or locational references should not be read to be requirements or limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the claims. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other, unless specifically set forth in the claims.

[0042] Referring first to each of FIGS. 1 to 6, the helmet 10 comprises an outer shell 12, an inner lining 14 and a chin strap arrangement 16.

[0043] The outer shell 12 comprises a hard plastic material such as any of ABS, PET, PVC, Polycarbonate, Kevlar®, or a composite, such as fibreglass or carbon fibre. The outer shell 12 comprises fourteen ventilation holes 18 which are shaped to direct air onto a wearer's head. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 in particular, the ventilation holes 18 in the outer shell 12 comprise two front central ventilation holes 18A, two front side ventilation holes 18B, five crown ventilation holes 18C, three rear ventilation holes 18D and two occipital ventilation holes 18E.

[0044] The inner lining 14 is made of moulded EPS or EPP and also comprises fourteen ventilation holes 20 which register with the outer shell ventilation holes 18. In use, the inner lining ventilation holes 20 receive air through the outer shell ventilation holes 18 and direct air over the hottest parts of the user's head and out through ventilation holes 18, 20 in the rear or occipital region of the helmet 10.

[0045] The number, shape and position of the ventilation holes 18,20 on the helmet 10 is shown is not intended to be limiting and is an example of a helmet ventilation hole arrangement. It will thus be appreciated that other ventilation hole arrangements may be provided.

[0046] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the outer surface of the inner lining 14 comprises four recesses 21 for accommodating a portion of the strap arrangement 16 as described in more detail below.

[0047] The chin strap arrangement 16 comprises two chin straps and a buckle 22 for fastening said chin straps together under the chin of the user. Each strap comprises two strap arms 24 comprising a front strap arm 24A and a rear strap arm 24B.

[0048] Each strap arm 24 is attached to the outer shell 12 via a respective strap connector 26, as described in more detail below, and thereafter passes into a respective recess 21 in the outer surface of the inner lining 14. The recesses 21 thereby allow the strap arms 24 to pass between the outer shell 12 and the inner lining 14 without affecting with the fit between them, for instance, by causing an unwanted separation between the shell and lining 12,14.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5, the helmet 10 includes a connector arrangement between the shell 12 and lining 14 comprising connecting stems 28 on the inner surface of the outer shell, receiving channels 30 in the inner lining 14 and removable caps 32.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 6, the inner surface of the outer shell 12 comprises three connecting stems 28 positioned symmetrically about the sagittal plane of the helmet 10 and roughly equidistant from each other. Two of said connecting stems 28 are positioned towards the rear of the helmet 10 and a third connecting stem 28 is positioned towards the front of the helmet 10. The connecting stems 28 extend from the inner surface of the outer shell 12.

[0051] The connecting stems 28 each have a substantially cylindrical shape and are integrally moulded with the rest of the outer shell 12. Each connecting stem 28 includes two projections 34 at a distal end thereof. The projections 34 project in diametrically opposite directions and extend laterally outwards from a respective connecting stem 28.

[0052] Each receiving channel 30 of the inner lining 14 is located to correspond to one of the connecting stems 28 on the outer shell 12. Towards the opening in the inner surface of the inner lining 14, there is a step change in the diameter of the receiving channel 30 such that a shoulder 35 is formed in the wall of the inner lining 14 which defines the receiving channel 30.

[0053] Each of the removable caps 32 comprises a flat, circular base portion 36 and a side wall 38 which extends perpendicularly to the base portion 36 to form a circular cavity in the removable cap 32. A top edge of the side wall 38 comprises two radial flanges 40 which extend in diametrically opposite directions inwards towards a centre of the removable cap 32. The base portion 36 of the cap 32 comprises three slots including a diametric slot 42 and two viewing slots 44. The diametric slot 42 extends along a diameter of the cap 32 and only partially through the thickness of the base portion 36. The viewing slots 44 extend through the full thickness of the base portion 36, such that a user may see through said viewing slots 44 into the cavity defined in the removable cap 32. Each viewing slot 44 extends in a circumferential direction to describe an arc which subtends an angle of approximately 50° relative to the centre of the base portion 36. The viewing slots 44 are angularly displaced from the flange 40 in the top edge of the side wall 38.

[0054] In other embodiments, the viewing slots 44 may extend around an angle other than 50°. Further, the viewing slots 44 need not even necessarily be circumferential. The cap 32 could also comprise fewer or more than two viewing slots 44. For instance, the cap 32 may comprise a single viewing slot 44 which extends 360° around the cap 32. In some embodiments, the cap 32 need not comprise a viewing slot 44, however, this is not preferred.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9a and 9b, the method of assembling the helmet 10, and locking the outer shell 12 onto the inner lining 14 will now be described. The user first locates the outer shell 12 on the inner lining 14 such that the connecting stems 28 are fully inserted into the receiving channels 30. As can be seen in FIG. 8, in this configuration, the projections 34 of the connecting stems 28 are located beyond the shoulder 35 defined in the wall of the respective receiving channel 30, in the wider portion of the receiving channel 30. The user is then able to access the distal end of the connecting stem 28 through the opening of the receiving channel 30 in the inner surface of the inner lining 30. The user then positions the removable cap 32 over the distal end of the connecting stem 32, such that the projections 34 of the connecting stems 28 are received within the cavity defined in the removable cap 32. In order to do this, the user must first ensure that the removable cap 32 is oriented with respect to the connecting stem 28 such that the flange 40 of the removable cap 32 are angularly displaced from the projections 34 of the connecting stem 28 such that the projections 34 do not abut against the flange 40 and thereby prevent translational motion. The user then rotates the removable cap 32 such that the projections 34 are radially aligned with the flange 40 to move the connector from an unlocked (FIG. 9a) to a locked (FIG. 9b) configuration.

[0056] As can be seen from FIG. 8, in this locked configuration, the removable cap 32 is fixed against translational movement with respect to the connecting stem 28 by the radial flange 40 of the removable caps 32 abutting against the projections 34 of the connecting stems 28. This has the result of locking the connecting stem 28 within the receiving channel 30, as the removable cap 32, which is locked over the distal end of the connecting stem 28, is too large to fit into the narrower section of the receiving channel 30, and abuts against the shoulder 35 in the wall of the receiving channel 30.

[0057] The diametric slot 42 in the base portion 36 of the removable cap 32 is provided in order to aid the user in rotating the removable cap 32 with respect to the connecting stem 28, as the user can insert a tool, such as a coin or a key, into the diametric slot 42 to gain purchase on the removable cap 32.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 9a, because the viewing slots 44 are angularly displaced with respect to the flange 40 in the top edge of the side wall 36 of the removable cap 32, the projections 34 of the connecting stem 28 are angularly aligned with the viewing slots 44 in the unlocked configuration, and thus, are visible through the viewing slots 44. Referring to FIG. 9b, when the user has rotated the removable cap 32 into the locked configuration such that the radial flange 40 abut against the projections 34 of the connecting stem 28, the projections 34 are no longer angularly aligned with the viewing slots 44, and are therefore no longer visible through the viewing slots 44. The viewing slots 44 therefore provide a visual cue for the user, which allows them to know when the removable cap 32 is in the locked configuration.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, the connection of the chin strap arrangement 16 to the outer shell 12 will now be described. As described above, each strap arm 24 comprises its own strap connector 26. The strap connector 26 connects to the outer shell 12 by engagement with a corresponding engagement structure 50 in the outer shell 12.

[0060] Each strap connector 26 comprises a hook 46 and an eye 48. The strap arm 24 is threaded through the eye 48 of its respective strap connector 26 and stitched to form a loop through the eye 48 in order to fix the strap arm 24 to the connector 26. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the strap connector 26 further comprises a barb 52.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 10 in particular, the outer surface of the outer shell 12 comprises four engagement structures 50A,50B including two front engagement structures 50A and two rear engagement structures 50B. Each of the front engagement structures 50A are located on the lower edge of a respective one of the front side ventilation holes 18B, and each of the rear engagement structures 50B are each located on a respective one of the occipital ventilation holes 18E. Referring to FIG. 10, each of the front engagement structures 50A is configured as a groove in the lower edge of its respective ventilation hole 18. Each front engagement structure 50A further comprises an aperture 54. The rear engagement structures 50B of the outer shell 12 are defined by edge portions of the occipital ventilation holes 18E.

[0062] To connect the chin strap arrangement 16 to the rest of the helmet 10, the user locates the strap arms 24 in the recesses 21 in the outer surface of the inner lining 14. The user then locates the outer shell 12 on the inner lining 14, as described above. The user then threads each of the strap arms 24 through its respective ventilation hole 18 in the outer shell 12 by pulling on the strap connectors 26. The user then connects each strap connector 26 with its corresponding engagement structure 50. Both the strap connectors 26 and the engagement structures 50 comprise a resilient plastics material. The front engagement structures 50A are sized and shaped such that the hook 46 snap fits into the groove defined by the engagement structure 50A. The barb 52 on the strap connector 26 simultaneously snap fits into the aperture 54 in the front engagement structure 50A to help to ensure that the hook 46 is not inadvertently unseated from the groove defined by the front engagement structure 50A. The strap connectors 26 which fit to the rear engagement structures 50B are positioned such that the hooks 46 fit over respective edges of the occipital ventilation holes 18E and are held in place via an interference fit.