THE RATCHET DIAL MECHANISM FOR HELMET

Abstract

A ratchet dial mechanism used on ballistic protective personal equipment and ballistic protective personal helmets, which enables the chin straps to be adjusted by tightening and loosening so that the helmet fits snugly on the user's head with precision and decreases the manufacturing cost and time due to fewer parts needed for assembly.

Claims

1. A ratchet dial mechanism used on protective personal equipment and ballistic protective personal helmets, which enables the adjustment of the chin straps, the ratchet dial mechanism comprising: a groove for a large gear, a first pinion wheel and a second pinion wheel on a body, that is fixed to the chin strap, wherein the large gear can be turned clockwise at a center of the groove, wherein the first pinion wheel and second pinion wheel can be rotated by the large gear in a middle of first pinion wheel and second pinion wheel inside the groove, lace that is knotted to the first pinion wheel at one end and to the second pinion wheel at the other end by passing through holes on both sides of the body and gathered by wrapping on the lower part of the first pinion wheel and the second pinion wheel by rotational movement of the large gear to ensure the tightening of the chin strap, a cover with an internal gear that fits on the body, a lock that moves clockwise and in and out in the internal gear, starts the rotational movement of the large gear by making a clockwise rotation in its down position, and ensures the release of the lace and the loosening of the chin strap by cutting the contact with the large gear in the out position.

2. The ratchet dial mechanism of claim 1, wherein it includes a male snap-fit component that extends on the horizontal axis on the said body and enables the cover to be fixed on the body by engaging a female snap-fit component on the cover.

3. The ratchet dial mechanism of claim 1, wherein it contains mounting holes located on each corner of said body and enabling the body to be fixed to the chin straps.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1: The exploded view of the ratchet dial mechanism, which is the subject of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 2a: The top view of the ratchet dial mechanism which is the subject of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 2b: The perspective view of the ratchet dial mechanism, which is the subject of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 2c: The front view of the ratchet dial mechanism, which is the subject of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 2d: The side view of the ratchet dial mechanism, which is the subject of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 3: The representative illustration of the ratchet dial mechanism, which is the subject of the invention, on the helmet.

[0029] FIG. 4a: The side view illustration of the ratchet dial mechanism, which is the subject of the invention, on a helmet worn by the user.

[0030] FIG. 4b: The back view of the ratchet dial mechanism, which is the subject of the invention, on a helmet worn by the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERRED PARTS

[0031] 10. Body [0032] 11. Groove [0033] 12. Male snap-fit component [0034] 13. Mounting hole [0035] 20. Large gear [0036] 30. First pinion wheel [0037] 40. Second pinion wheel [0038] 50. Lace [0039] 60. Cover [0040] 61. Internal gear [0041] 62. Female snap-fit component [0042] 70. Lock [0043] 100. Ratchet dial mechanism [0044] 200. Chin strap [0045] 300. Ballistic helmet

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] This detailed explanation, the preferred alternatives of the ratchet dial mechanism (100) subject to the invention explains only for a better comprehending of the subject and without any limiting effect.

[0047] FIG. 1 represents the exploded view of the ratchet dial mechanism (100) subject to the invention. The ratchet dial mechanism (100) in its most basic form consists of; a body (10), a large wheel (20) that rotates clockwise in the center of the body (10), the first pinion wheel (30), and the second pinion wheel (40) associated with both sides of the large gear (20) within the body (10) making rotational movement. The lace (50) tightens by wrapping around the lower part of the first pinion wheel (30) and the second pinion wheel (40), a cover (60) closed on the body (10), a lock (70) that provides the drive of the rotational movement and at the same time ensures that the lace (50) is released by breaking the contact with the large gear (20) when the lock (70) is pulled out.

[0048] There is a groove (11) for three gears (11) at the center of the body (10), which forms the main structure of the ratchet dial mechanism (100). The mentioned groove holds a large gear (20) in its center groove (11). The large gear (20) makes a clockwise rotation movement. A first pinion wheel (30) and a second pinion wheel (40) connect to both sides of the large gear (20) in the mentioned groove (11), in contact with the large gear (20). The first pinion wheel (30) and the second pinion wheel (40) rotate counterclockwise utilizing force transmitted from the large gear (20).

[0049] Two ends of lace (50) go through the holes located on opposite sides of the body (10). One end of the mentioned lace (50) connects to the first pinion wheel (30) with a knot and the other end to the second pinion wheel (40) with a knot. The rotational movement of the first pinion wheel (30) and the second pinion wheel (40) tightens the lace (50) by wrapping it around the lower part of the first pinion wheel (30) and the second pinion wheel (40). This movement also results in adjustment of the chin strap (200) on which the ratchet dial mechanism (100) is placed.

[0050] A cover (60) is closed on the body (10) that protects the ratchet dial mechanism (100) from external conditions. In the center of the cover (60), there is an internal gear (61) that guides the lock (70). The cover (60) and the body (10) come together with a snap-fit mechanism. There are female snap-fit components (62) on the mentioned cover (60) and there are male snap-fit components (12) on the body (10).

[0051] A lock (70) fits inside the internal gear (61) on the cover (60). The mentioned lock (70) rotates clockwise and moves in and out in the internal gear (61) for user engagement. The mentioned lock (70) interfaces with the large gear (20) in its in position within the internal gear (61). When the user rotates the lock (70) clockwise, the lock (70) transmits the rotational movement to the large gear (20). Thus, the rotational movement of the large gear (20) transmits equally to the first pinion wheel (30) and the second pinion wheel (40) and pulls the lace (50) around the first pinion wheel (30) and the second pinion wheel (40). As a result, the lace (50) tightens the chin strap (200) and users can adjust the ballistic helmet (300) according to their head shape and size. At the same time, when the user pulls the lock (70) outwards through the internal gear (61), contact of the lock (70) with the large gear (20) is cut off and the chin strap (200) is loosened by the release of the lace (50).

[0052] The ratchet dial mechanism (100), which is the subject of the invention, seen in FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, is made ready for use by being fixed to the chin straps (200) through the mounting holes (13) located on each corner of the body (10).

[0053] The ratchet dial mechanism (100) is preferably used on ballistic helmets (300), as seen in FIG. 3, and can also be applied on ballistic protective personal equipment that needs adjustment by tightening and loosening in alternative embodiments of the invention.

[0054] The use of the ratchet dial mechanism (100) subject to the invention is as follows;

[0055] To tighten the chin strap (200), the lock (70) rotates clockwise when it is in its down position and moves the large gear (20). With the rotational movement of the large gear (20), the first pinion wheel (30) and a second pinion wheel (40) rotate, and wrap the lace (50) around the lower part of the first pinion wheel (30) and the second pinion wheel (40). As a result, the user tightens the chin strap (200). Thus, as it is seen in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the ballistic helmet (300) is ensured to fit on the users head and can be adjusted according to the head shape and size.

[0056] To loosen the chin strap (200), the user pulls out the lock (70) and releases the lace (50) by breaking the contact between the lock (70) and the large gear (20). Thus, the chin strap (200) loosens by releasing the lace (50).