SECURING SYSTEM FOR SECURING A HELMET AND HELMET HAVING A SECURING SYSTEM OF THIS TYPE

Abstract

A securing system for a helmet has a forehead band having two guiding installations and two neck band portions having in each case one counter guiding installation that corresponds to one of the two guiding installations of the forehead band. Each of the counter-guiding installations for repositioning the respective neck band portion in relation to the forehead band is disposed so as to be displaceable on the corresponding guiding installation.

Claims

1. A securing system for securing a helmet on the head of a helmet wearer, the securing system comprising: a forehead band having two guiding installations; and two neck band portions having in each case one counter-guiding installation that corresponds to one of the two guiding installations of the forehead band, wherein each counter-guiding installation for repositioning the respective neck band portion in relation to the forehead band is disposed so as to be displaceable on the corresponding guiding installation, wherein the guiding installations are in each case disposed on a free end of a respective forehead band lever arm, wherein the forehead band lever arm, as a component part of the forehead band, extends in the direction of the respective neck band portion beyond a pivot axis about which the respective neck band portion is pivotable in relation to the forehead band, wherein the guiding installations are spaced apart from the pivot axis in a manner perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the forehead band.

2. The securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a displacement path by way of which at least one of the guiding installations is displaceable relative to the corresponding counter-guiding installation extends at least in regions so as to be perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the forehead band.

3. The securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a displacement path by way of which at least one of the guiding installations is displaceable relative to the corresponding counter-guiding installation runs at least in regions along an arc.

4. The securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the two neck band portions is connected to the forehead band by way of an articulated bearing.

5. The securing system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the articulated bearing is disposed on a free band end of the respective neck band portion that faces the forehead band.

6. The securing system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the respective neck band portion in the region of the articulated bearing has a delimitation protrusion, wherein the delimitation protrusion is disposed between two detent elements that are configured on the forehead band.

7. The securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the counter-guiding installations has counter-latching elements which engage in respective latching elements of the corresponding guiding.

8. (canceled)

9. The securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein an anchoring element for fastening the securing system to a helmet shell is disposed in the region of the free end of at least one of the forehead band lever arms.

10. (canceled)

11. The securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guiding installations are in each case embodied so as to be integral to the forehead band and/or the counter-guiding installations so as to be integral to the respective neck band portions.

12. The securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the guiding installations has a guiding tab, and the corresponding counter-guiding installation has a guiding leg that is guided in the guiding tab.

13. The securing system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the guiding leg is at least in regions curved along an arc.

14. A helmet for protecting the head of a helmet wearer, the helmet, comprising: a helmet shell; and a securing system for securing a helmet on the head of a helmet wearer, the securing system comprising: a forehead band having two guiding installations; and two neck band portions having in each case one counter-guiding installation that corresponds to one of the two guiding installations of the forehead band, wherein each counter-guiding installation for repositioning the respective neck band portion in relation to the forehead band is disposed so as to be displaceable on the corresponding guiding installation, wherein the guiding installations are in each case disposed on a free end of a respective forehead band lever arm, wherein the forehead band lever arm, as a component part of the forehead band, extends in the direction of the respective neck band portion beyond a pivot axis about which the respective neck band portion is pivotable in relation to the forehead band, wherein the guiding installations are spaced apart from the pivot axis in a manner perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fore-head band, which securing system is attached to the helmet shell.

15. The helmet as claimed in claim 14, wherein a forehead band of the securing system is fastened to the helmet shell by way of four anchoring elements.

16. The helmet according to claim 14, wherein the helmet is configured as an occupational safety helmet

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a helmet having a helmet shell and a securing system;

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a detailed illustration of an anchoring element for fastening the securing system to the helmet shell, according to a detail II in FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a detailed illustration of a further anchoring element for fastening the securing system to the helmet shell, according to a detail III in FIG. 1;

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the securing system for the helmet according to FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a lateral view of the securing system according to FIG. 4, wherein the securing system is shown lying flat and unfolded; and

[0051] FIG. 6 shows a detailed illustration of an adjustment mechanism for the securing system, according to a detail VI in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0052] Mutually corresponding parts in FIGS. 1 to 6 are provided with the same reference signs. Details of the exemplary embodiments explained in more detail hereunder can individually also represent an invention, or be part of a subject matter of an invention, wherein the invention is defined by the annexed claims.

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a helmet 1. The helmet 1 is an occupational safety helmet. Said helmet 1 has a helmet shell 2 and a securing system 3. The helmet shell 2 is embodied as a hard plastics-material shell. The head of a wearer of the helmet 1 is in particular in direct contact only with the securing system 3 but not with the helmet shell 2.

[0054] The securing system 3 is fastened to the helmet shell 2 by way of four anchoring elements 4 of which only two can be seen in the perspective view of FIG. 1. The remaining two anchoring elements 4, in relation to a central longitudinal axis of the helmet 1 that extends from the front side of the latter to the rear side thereof, to the anchoring elements 4 illustrated are disposed so as to be opposite the anchoring elements 4 illustrated. Two of the four anchoring elements 4 are disposed within the helmet shell 2, in the region of the front side of the helmet 1. The two further anchoring elements 4 are disposed within the helmet shell 2, in the region of a rear side of the helmet 1. The securing system 3 is fastened in a stable and reliable manner to the helmet shell 2 in a circumferential direction of a head of a helmet wearer.

[0055] One detailed illustration of an anchoring element 4 in the region of the front side, or the rear side, respectively, of the helmet 1 is shown in each of FIGS. 2 and 3. Each one of the anchoring elements 4 has a latching protrusion 5 which is mounted in a corresponding latching groove 6 that is configured in helmet shell 2. The latching protrusions 5 are secured in the respective latching grooves 6 by in each case one latching lever 7. The latching levers 7, as component parts of the helmet shell 2, are elastically molded to the latter. The latching connection to the latching protrusion 5 can be released by pushing the latching levers 7 out of the cross section of the respective latching groove 6, and the latching protrusion 5 can be slid out of the latching groove 6. The securing system 3 is releasably connected to the helmet shell 2 and can be removed from the latter in this way. The securing system 3 and/or the helmet shell 2 can be readily replaced or retrofitted, respectively, when required.

[0056] The anchoring elements 4 are in each case fastened to the securing system 3 by way of a latching connection. To this end, the securing system has two fastening pins 8 per anchoring element 4, said fastening pins 8 latching in corresponding pin receptacles of the anchoring elements 4 (not illustrated). In alternative exemplary embodiments (not illustrated), the anchoring elements 4 as component parts of the securing system 3 are molded so as to be integral to the latter.

[0057] Each anchoring element 4 furthermore has one tab 9. The tab 9 serves for fastening straps (not illustrated) as part of a helmet padding.

[0058] The securing system 3 removed from the helmet shell 2 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6. For reasons of clarity, the anchoring elements 4 and an optionally associated helmet padding are not illustrated.

[0059] The securing system 3 comprises a forehead band 10 and two neck band portions 11, 12. The forehead band extends along a longitudinal direction 13. The neck band portions 11, 12 are disposed in the region of band ends of the forehead band 10 that are mutually opposite in terms of the longitudinal direction 13, and in the longitudinal direction 13 extend beyond the forehead band 10.

[0060] The neck band portions 11, 12 in the illustration of the securing system 3 lying flat and unfolded (=not assembled) in FIG. 5 are not connected to one another. The neck band portion 11 in said illustration is disposed in the region of a left band end of the forehead band 10, and the neck band portion 12 is disposed in the region of a right band end of the forehead band 10. The neck band portion 11 in the region of an end that faces away from the forehead band 10 has a latching clearance 14. A multiplicity of latching teeth 15 protrude into the latching clearance 14. The latching teeth 15 are molded so as to be integral to the neck band portion 11 and sit on a strip that delimits the latching clearance 14 toward the bottom. The neck band portion 12 has a corresponding latching clearance 16 having latching teeth 15 protruding into the latter. In the case of the latching clearance 16, the latching teeth 15 are disposed along two strips which delimit the latching clearance 16 toward the top, or toward the bottom, respectively.

[0061] For using the securing system 3 in the helmet 1, the neck band portions 11, 12 are connected to one another in a length-adjustable manner by way of a known blocking device 17, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The blocking device 17 has blocking teeth (not illustrated) which are guided in the latching clearances 14, 16 of the neck band portions 11, 12 and engage in the latching teeth 15. The effective length of the connected neck band portions 11, 12 can be varied by rotating an adjustment wheel 18.

[0062] The neck band portions 11, 12 in the assembly connected by the blocking device 17 form a neck band 19. The securing system 13 is therefore formed as an encircling headband composed of the forehead band 10 and the neck band 19. The longitudinal direction 13 of the forehead band 10 herein runs substantially along the circumferential direction of the head of a helmet wearer. When the securing system 3 is fastened in the helmet shell 2, the forehead band 10 is disposed in the region of the front side of the helmet 1, and the neck band 19 is disposed in the region of the rear side of the helmet 1. In the case of a correctly worn helmet, the forehead band 10 comes to lie on the forehead of the helmet wearer, while the neck band 19 by way of a contact element 20 disposed on the blocking device 17 bears so as to be approximately centric on the occiput of the helmet wearer.

[0063] The longitudinal direction 13 of the forehead band 10 in the assembled state of the securing system 3 runs in a forehead band plane. The securing system 3 is able to be adapted to the shape of the head of the helmet wearer in that the neck band portions 11, 12 are disposed on the forehead band 10 so as to be pivotable in relation to the forehead band plane. Moreover, the securing system 3 is able to be adapted to the circumference of the head of the helmet wearer by rotating the adjustment wheel 18 of the blocking device 17. The pivoting of the neck band portions 11, 12 will be explained in detail hereunder in the context of the description of the design embodiment of the forehead band 10 as well as the neck band portions 11, 12 and the relative disposal of said forehead band 10 and neck band portions 11, 12.

[0064] The neck band portions 11, 12 in the region of the free band end thereof that faces the forehead band 10 are in each case pivotably connected to the forehead band 10 by way of an articulated bearing 21. The articulated bearing 21 is embodied as an encapsulated-pin bearing. An articulation pin 22 which is molded so as to be integral to the forehead band 10 is mounted in a corresponding clearance in the region of the free end of the respective neck band portion 11, 12. The articulated bearing 21 defines in each case one pivot axis 23 about which the respective neck band portions 11, 12 can be pivoted in relation to the forehead band 10. The pivot axes 23 lie in particular in the forehead band plane.

[0065] Proceeding from the articulation pins 22, one forehead band lever arm 24 extends in each case along the longitudinal direction 13 in the direction of the respective neck band portion 11, 12. The forehead band lever arms 24 thus extend in the direction of the rear side of the helmet 1. The forehead band lever arms 24 are embodied so as to be integral to said forehead band 10.

[0066] A fastening protrusion 25 which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction 13 is in each case disposed on the free ends of the forehead band lever arms 24. The fastening protrusion 25 for fastening an anchoring element 4 has in each case two of the fastening pins 8. Fastening the forehead band 10 to the helmet shell 2 in the region of the rear side of the helmet 1 is thus possible by way of the rearwardly extending fastening protrusion 25.

[0067] The remaining fastening pins 8 are in each case disposed in pairs on fastening brackets 26 that extend in the direction of the helmet shell 2. The fastening brackets 28 in terms of the longitudinal direction 13 are disposed between the two articulated bearings 21. The fastening brackets 26 and the anchoring elements 4 that can be fastened thereto by way of the fastening pins 8 guarantee the fastening of the forehead band 10 to the helmet shell 2 in the region of the front side of the helmet 1. The fastening pins 8 for fastening the anchoring elements 4 to the securing system 3 are disposed exclusively on the forehead band 10. Therefore, only the forehead band 10 of the securing system 3, or the anchoring elements 4, is/are directly anchored to the helmet shell 2. By contrast, the neck band 19 having the neck band portions 11, 12 is not connected directly to the helmet shell 2. This guarantees simple pivoting of the neck band 19 out of the forehead band plane in relation to the helmet shell 2, the latter being connected to the forehead band 10. The securing system 3 is able to be adapted in a simple and flexible manner to the shape of the head of the helmet wearer.

[0068] One forehead band guiding leg 27 is in each case disposed beside the fastening protrusions 25, in the region of the free ends of the forehead band lever arms 24. The forehead band guiding legs 27 extend along an arc about the pivot axis 23, in a manner concentric with the latter, in the direction of the helmet shell 2. The forehead band guiding legs 27, when the helmet 1 is worn, extend upward along the arc. The forehead band guiding legs 27 at the upper ends thereof have in each case guiding tabs 28.

[0069] The guiding legs 27 having the guiding tabs 28, the fastening protrusions 25, the forehead band lever arms 24, the fastening brackets 26, and the further elements of the forehead band are integrally molded from plastics material. By contrast, the neck band portions 11, 12 are in each case discrete components which are likewise each integrally molded from plastics material.

[0070] The neck band portions 11, 12, proceeding from the free end thereof that faces the forehead band 10, initially run straight along a neck band lever arm 29. The neck band lever arms 29 from the articulated bearings 21 extend in each case substantially toward the rear. The neck band portions 11, 12, at an end of the neck band lever arms 29 that is opposite the articulated bearing 21, have a first elbowed bend 30. A first change in the direction of the profile of each of the neck band portions 11, 12 in the direction away from the helmet shell 2, that is to say substantially downward when the helmet is worn, takes place in the region of the first elbowed bend 30. An elbowed portion 31 which runs so as to be substantially perpendicular to the respective neck band lever arm 29 adjoins the first elbowed bend 30. A second elbowed bend 32 is molded on each neck band portion at an end of the elbowed portion 31 that is opposite the first elbowed bend 30. A second change in direction of the profile of the respective neck band portion 11, 12, opposite to the first change in direction, takes place at the second elbowed bend 32. From the second elbowed bend 32, each neck band portion 11, 12 runs straight to the respective band end which has the latching clearances 14, 16 and faces away from the forehead band 10. On account of the provision of the elbowed bends 30, 32, the neck band portions 11, 12 have in each case a substantially double-elbowed profile (that is to say a profile that is twice angled or deflected). This substantially double-elbowed profile has proven particularly suitable for adapting the securing system 3 to the shape of the head of the helmet wearer.

[0071] Each neck band portion 11, 12 in the region of the respective elbowed portion 31 has an integrally molded guiding leg 33. The guiding leg 33 is curved along an arc which runs so as to be concentric with the pivot axis 23, and extends in the direction of the helmet shell 2.

[0072] The length of the neck band lever arms 29, conjointly with the first elbowed bend 30, on the one hand, and the forehead band guiding legs 27, on the other hand, are mutually adapted in such a manner that the guiding legs 33 of the neck band portions 11, 12 are mounted so as to be displaceable in the guiding tabs 28 of the forehead band 10. The guiding tabs 28 represent a guiding installation, and the guiding legs 33 of the respective neck band portion 11, 12 represent a corresponding counter-guiding installation. Linear guides are formed by the guiding tabs 28 and the corresponding guiding legs 33. A displacement of the guiding legs 33 relative to the respective guiding tab 28 takes place along a displacement path 34 of the linear guide. The displacement path 34, like the respective guiding leg 33 and the respective forehead band guiding leg 27, runs along an arc which runs so as to be concentric with the respective pivot axis 23. The displacement path 34 can at least in regions also extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 13.

[0073] The respective neck band portion 11, 12, when displacing one of the guiding legs 33 relative to the corresponding guiding tab 28 along the displacement path 34, in a pivoting direction 35 is pivoted about the respective pivot axis 23 in relation to the forehead band plane. The guiding of the guiding legs 33 in the corresponding guiding tabs 28 causes stable and precise pivoting.

[0074] In order for a respective pivoted position to be established, the guiding legs 33 have a plurality of latching cams 36 which can latch in a latching receptacle 37 of the respective guiding tab 28. The neck band portions 11, 12 and the entire neck band 19 are pivotable between the various pivoted positions defined by the latching cams 36 of the respective guiding legs 33.

[0075] The left neck band portion in FIG. 5 is shown in an inwardly pivoted terminal position. Moreover, an outwardly pivoted terminal position of the neck band portion 11 is illustrated in dashed lines. The neck band portion 11 in the inwardly pivoted terminal position is pivoted in the direction of the helmet shell 2, that is to say upward in the case of a worn helmet 1. The neck band portion 11 in the outwardly pivoted terminal position is pivoted out of the helmet shell 2, that is to say downward in the case of a worn helmet 1. In order for said terminal positions to be precisely defined, delimitation protrusions 38 are in each case present on the neck band portions 11, 12. The delimitation protrusions 38 are in each case molded in the region of the free end of the neck band portions 11, 12 that faces the forehead band 10. The delimitation protrusions 38 are in each case mounted between two detent elements 39 that are configured on the forehead band 10. Moreover, delimitation elements 40, 41 in the form of convexities are molded on the guiding legs 33. The delimitation elements 40 are in each case disposed on the free ends of the guiding legs 33, and the delimitation elements 41 are in each case disposed on the ends of the guiding legs 33 that face the respective elbowed portion 31. In the inwardly pivoted terminal position of a neck band portion 11, 12, the delimitation protrusion 38 impacts the lower detent element 39, and the delimitation element 41 impacts the guiding tab 28. In the outwardly pivoted terminal position, the delimitation protrusion 38 impacts the upper detent element 39, and the delimitation element 40 impacts the guiding tab 28.

[0076] The linear guides formed by the guiding legs 33 and the corresponding guiding tabs 28, by virtue of the forehead band lever arms 24, or the neck band lever arms 29, respectively, in terms of the respective pivot axes 23 are repositioned toward the rear in the longitudinal direction 13. The pivoting mechanism formed therefrom therefore does not impede a helmet wearer. The guiding tabs 28, by virtue of the forehead band guiding legs 27 that extend in the direction of the helmet shell 2, in a manner perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 13 of the forehead band 10 are spaced apart from the pivot axis 23. The guiding tabs 28 therefore do not impede inward pivoting of the respective neck band portion 11, 12 in a wide range. The neck band portions 11, 12 in the inwardly pivoted terminal position, and thus the entire neck band 19, are stored so as to be substantially completely within the helmet shell 2. This enables the helmets 1 to be stacked in a simple manner.

[0077] The securing system 3 permits optimal adapting to the shape of the head of the helmet wearer. The helmet 1 thus sits securely and at the same time comfortably on the head of the helmet wearer. An additional chin strap is therefore not mandatory. Nevertheless, there can be specific applications in which an additional chin strap is desired. The securing system 3 for fastening an additional chin strap has four hook elements 42. Two of the hook elements 42 are disposed on the forehead band 10, in each case so as to neighbor the articulated bearings 21 in the longitudinal direction 13. One further hook element 42 is in each case present on the elbowed portions 31 of the neck band portions 11, 12. The hook elements 42 are in each case T-shaped. Therefore, a chin strap can be easily hooked into the hook elements 42 by way of holding loops.