A Spectacle Mounting for a Visor on a Helmet

Abstract

The present invention relates to an articulated mounting for a visor. The articulated mounting supports spectacles. The articulated mounting has a first arm and a second arm connected together at a first pivot; a first end of the first arm is pivotally connected to a second pivot which is connected to a base that is attached to the visor; a second end of the second arm is pivotally connected to a third pivot which is connected to a spectacle connector. The mounting includes a resistance means to assist with maintaining the spectacles on a wearer whilst the visor is displaced. The mounting includes at least one limiting means to restrict range of movement about at least one pivot.

Claims

1. An articulated mounting for a helmet with a visor comprises: a first arm connected to a second arm by a first pivot; a first end of the first arm is pivotally connected to a second pivot that is adapted to receive a base that attaches to the visor; a second end of the second arm is pivotally connected to a third pivot which has a spectacle connector for supporting spectacles; resistance means associated with at least one of the first, second and third pivots to maintain the spectacles in a chosen orientation supported by the spectacle connector, so that the spectacles remain in a line of sight of a person wearing the helmet when the visor is displaced; and limiting means associated with at least one of the first, second and third pivots which in use limits a range of rotation of at least one of the first, second and third pivots.

2. The articulated mounting according to claim 1 wherein the resistance means comprises a tensioning means.

3. The articulated mounting according to claim 2 wherein the tensioning means includes at least one elastic cable.

4. The articulated mounting according to claim 2 wherein the tensioning means includes at least one cable and an elasticated means.

5. The articulated mounting according to claim 1 wherein the resistance means includes a torsion spring.

6. The articulated mounting according to claim 5 wherein the first pivot includes a torsion spring.

7. The articulated mounting according to claim 5 wherein the third pivot includes a torsion spring.

8. The articulated mounting according to claim 1 wherein the first arm and the second arm include a recess for receiving the resistance means.

9. The articulated mounting according to claim 1 wherein the second pivot has a socket adapted to receive a ball joint.

10. The articulated mounting according to claim 1 wherein the limiting means comprises at least one stopper provided on at least one of the first, second and third pivots to limit range of movement at the pivot.

11. The articulated mounting according to claim 1 further comprising a base.

12. The articulated mounting according to claim 11 wherein the base includes an adhesive pad for securing the base to the visor.

13. The articulated mounting according to claim 11 wherein the base is arcuate.

14. A visor including an articulating mounting according to claim 1.

15. A helmet including an articulating mounting according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0066] FIG. 1 shows an inside, side view of a first embodiment of the mounting;

[0067] FIG. 2 shows an end view of the first embodiment of the mounting;

[0068] FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the mounting;

[0069] FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the mounting;

[0070] FIG. 5 shows and outside, side view of the first embodiment of the mounting;

[0071] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the first embodiment of the mounting;

[0072] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the mounting having at least one spring associated with the cables;

[0073] FIG. 8A shows a partially exploded view of a third embodiment of pair of articulated mountings connected to a pair of spectacles;

[0074] FIG. 8B shows exploded views of the third embodiment of the articulating mountings;

[0075] FIG. 8C shows a front view of the third embodiment of a pair of articulated mountings connected to a pair of spectacles;

[0076] FIG. 9A shows a base with a ball joint;

[0077] FIG. 9B shows a side view of a base with a ball joint;

[0078] FIGS. 10A to 10F show various views of a first arm of the third embodiment of the;

[0079] FIGS. 11A to 11F show various views of a second arm of the third embodiment of the;

[0080] FIGS. 12A to 12C show various views of a cover;

[0081] FIGS. 13A to 13E show various views of a spectacle connector;

[0082] FIGS. 14A to 14D show various views of a pair of articulated mountings arranged on a visor of a motorcycle helmet;

[0083] FIGS. 15A to 15F show various views of armless spectacles;

[0084] FIG. 16 shows an exploded view of spectacles with displaceable arms;

[0085] FIGS. 17A to 17D disclose various views of the articulated mounting connected to spectacles; and

[0086] FIGS. 18A to 18D show various views of the spectacles with detachable arms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0087] FIGS. 1 to 6 show a preferred embodiment of the mounting 100 using a cable system to enable smooth, reliable movement of the mounting.

[0088] The mounting 100 has a first arm 20 and a second arm 30 joined at a first pivot 40A.

[0089] A first end 21 of the first arm 20 is a socket 25 for receiving a base that attached to a visor (not shown). The connection of the base to the socket defines a second pivot 40B.

[0090] The first arm 20 is elongate with rounded ends that form the pivots 40A, 40B.

[0091] The socket 25 is a cavity defined by a plurality of fingers 26 that project from the first arm 20. The fingers 26 are arranged to correspond to a ball joint (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 6) provided on the base 10 (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 6).

[0092] The second end 22 of the first arm 20 and a first end 31 of a second arm 30 are pivotally connected so that the arms 20, 30 can rotate about the pivot 40A.

[0093] The second end 32 of the second arm 30 is connected to a spectacle connector 90 at a third pivot 40C.

[0094] The resistance means of the first embodiment is provided by a cable system.

[0095] A first cable 60A is arranged between the first and second arms 20, 30 passing around the first pivot 40A.

[0096] The first cable 60A has end stops 65 for locating the cable ends 61, 62 on the arms 20, 30 of the mounting. The arms 20, 30 have a recess 29, 39 for receiving the end stops 65.

[0097] The arms 20 and 30 are shaped so as to define a pathway through which the cables 60A and 60B pass.

[0098] The first pivot 40A is also shaped to guide the first cable 60A about the pivot 40A and to the second arm 30. The first pivot 40A has a tensioner 46 in the form of a projection that serves to keep the cable under tension when in contact with the first cable 60A.

[0099] The second arm 30 is also shaped to guide the first cable 60A to the third pivot 40C.

[0100] The third pivot 40C has a pulley 47 about which a second cable 60B runs. The second cable 60B runs between the second arm 30 and the pulley 47.

[0101] The second cable 60B passes around and is secured to the pulley 47. The first end of the second cable 60B has an end stop 65 that is secured in recess 35 provided on the second arm 30.

[0102] The first and second arms 20, 30 interlock with one another to permit pivoting of the arms 20, 30. The second ends 22 of the first arm 20 and the first end 31 of the second arm 30 are shaped to engage with each other to permit pivoting and so as to limit range of motion about the first pivot 40A.

[0103] The second arm 30 is shaped to define a barrier that prevents the pivot 40A from opening beyond a predetermined range.

[0104] In addition to this the second arm 30 includes a first stopper 45 at the pivot 40A that limits rotation (See FIG. 6). Preferably rotation about the first pivot 40A is limited to 75 degrees by the stopper 45.

[0105] By controlling the range of rotation at the pivots the mounting is adapted to articulate within the space between the visor and a wearer's face.

[0106] The third pivot 40C has a second stopper 45 (see FIG. 6) which engages with the second arm 30 so as to restrict range of movement. Ideally the range of movement is restricted to 115 degrees.

[0107] The stoppers are limiting means that prevent over rotation at the pivots and ensure that the mounting articulates within the area between the visor, helmet and a wearer's face.

[0108] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the mounting 200 having a cable system in which the cable 60 includes a spring 66 so as to provide elasticity to the cable. This enables non elastic cable to be used.

[0109] FIGS. 8 to 18 show a third embodiment of the invention.

[0110] An overview of the articulated mounting 300 is shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C. A pair of articulated mountings 100 are arranged to connect to either side of a pair of spectacles 200.

[0111] The articulated mounting 300 has a base 10 (shown in FIG. 8C), the base 10 connects to a socket 25 to define a second pivot 40B. The socket 25 is provided at a first end 21 on the first arm 20.

[0112] The first arm 20 is elongate with rounded ends 21, 22.

[0113] The socket 25 is a cavity defined by a plurality of fingers 26 that project from the first arm 20. The fingers 26 are arranged to correspond to a ball joint 12 (See FIGS. 9A and 9B) provided on the base 10.

[0114] The second end 22 of the first arm 20 is pivotally connected to the second arm 30 at a first pivot 40A by a tapping screw 50. The second end 22 of the first arm 20 and a first end 31 of a second arm 30 are pivotally connected so that the arms 20, 30 can rotate about the pivot 40A.

[0115] The tapping screw 50 is covered by a cover 70. A washer 80 is arranged between the tapping screw 50 and the second arm 30.

[0116] The pivot 40A includes a torsion spring 60. The torsion spring maintains a preferred angle of the first arm 20 relative to the second arm 30, until a force is applied to overcome the spring 60.

[0117] The torsion spring 60 is arranged between an inner face of the first arm 20 and an outer face of the second arm 30.

[0118] The second end 32 of the second arm 30 is connected to a spectacle connector 90 at a third pivot 40C.

[0119] The spectacle connector 90 and the second end 32 of the second arm 30 are connected by a tapping screw 50 with a washer 80 separating the tapping screw 50 from connecting with the second arm 30.

[0120] The third pivot 40C includes a torsion spring 60.

[0121] The spectacle connector 90 has a receiving portion for connecting to the spectacles as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13E.

[0122] FIGS. 8A and 8B show the base 10, having a disc shaped portion 11 that is adhered to the visor and a ball joint 12. This arrangement permits the base to pivot relative to the orientation of the arms 20, 30 so that the base can be connected to a visor and the arms are free to articulate.

[0123] The disc shaped portion 11 is 19.24 mm wide and 2 mm thick. The ball 12 is arranged at an angle of 53.12 degrees relative to the disc shaped portion 11.

[0124] FIGS. 9A to 9F show various views and preferred dimensions of the first arm 20.

[0125] The socket 25 located at the first end 21 has four fingers 26. The ball joint 12 of the base 10 can be push fitted into the socket 25 in order to form the pivot 40A.

[0126] An inner face of the first arm 20 has a recess 23 for receiving the spring. The recess 23 ensures the spring is fixed in position.

[0127] FIGS. 11A to 11F show various views of the second arm 30. The first end 31 of the second arm 30 is adapted to correspond to the second end 22 of the first arm 20 so that the ends 31 and 22 are pivotally connected to form the first pivot 40A.

[0128] The second end 32 of the second arm 30 is adapted to correspond to the spectacle connector 90 (not shown in FIGS. 11A to 11F) form the third pivot 40C.

[0129] The second arm 30 has recesses 33 provided on both sides to accommodate one spring 60 associated with the first pivot 40A and a second spring 60 associate with the third pivot 40C.

[0130] The second arm 30 includes a stopper 45 to limit range of rotation at the pivots.

[0131] The first and second arms 20, 30 each have substantially the same overall shape, being elongate with bulbous ends 21, 22, 31, 32.

[0132] FIGS. 12A to 12C show a cover 70 that is arranged over the tapping screw 50. The cover 70 has a rim 71 that is received by the arms 20, 30 in order to secure the cover to the articulated mounting and to provide a smooth outer finish.

[0133] FIGS. 13A to 13E show various views of the spectacle connector 90. The spectacle connector 90 is connected to the second end 32 of the second arm 30. The spectacle connector 90 has an attachment means 91 that is adapted to receive the spectacles 200 (not shown in FIGS. 13A to 13E).

[0134] The attachment means 91 includes a projection that is inserted through an opening 201 provided on the spectacles 200. This enables the armless spectacles 200 to be removably connected to the articulated mounting 100 by means of the attachment means 91 on the spectacle connector 90.

[0135] FIGS. 13B to 13E include details of preferred dimensions.

[0136] FIGS. 14A to 14D show the articulated mounting 100 arranged on a visor 600 or a helmet 700.

[0137] FIG. 13C outlines two orientations of the articulated mounting 100, 200, 300. A first arrangement wherein the first and second arms are substantially a right angles to one another and wherein the visor 600 is closed. A second orientation wherein the first arm 20 and second arm 30 form a substantially straight line, such that the visor 600 is in the open position whilst the spectacles remain on the wearer's face.

[0138] The first and third pivots 40A and 40C include stoppers 45 that limit rotation about the pivots 40A, 40C to a predefined value or limit that is defined by a stopper. These stoppers also assist to prevent the spectacles moving when the visor is lifted or lowered by defining a point at which the pivot is arrested or limited from further movement. In this sense therefore the stoppers perform two functions: firstly to limit the range of movement of the pivot; and secondly to arrest movement of the spectacles.

[0139] FIGS. 15A to 15F show various views of armless spectacles 500. The spectacles 500 have an opening 501 for receiving the spectacle connector 70.

[0140] FIG. 16 shows an option to connect spectacle arms 510 to the armless spectacles 500 so that the spectacles can be worn as normal glasses when the helmet is removed. In this embodiment the spectacle connector 90 has a hinge 95 for connecting to a spectacle arm 510.

[0141] FIGS. 17A to 17D disclose various views of the articulated mounting 100 attached to spectacles 200. FIG. 16C shows the arrangement of the arms: 20, 30 when the glasses are worn by the wearer.

[0142] FIGS. 18A to 18D show various views of the spectacles 500 with detachable arms 510, such that the arms 510 can be removed to provide an armless spectacle 500 suitable for connecting to the articulated mounting 100.

[0143] The invention has been described, by way of examples only, and it is understood that variation may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.