PROTECTIVE HELMET COMPRISING A MECHANICAL SIZER-ADJUSTING SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective helmet (1) comprising shock-absorbing means in the form of movement discs (6) each comprising an outer ring (7); a central bead or tenon (9); a plurality of deformable arms (8), both ends of which substantially tangentially connect the outer ring (7) and radially connect the central bead (9). The deformable arms (8) have a length of at least 1.5 times the radius of the outer ring (7) so as to be able to form, by deformation, a conical and elastic structure whereof the central bead (9) is located at the apex and is in contact with the rigid outer shell (2). The movement discs (6) are further secured to the inner face of the rigid outer shell (2), such that in the static position, the inner structure (3) is separated from the rigid outer shell (2) by an interval (14).

Claims

1. A protective helmet (1) comprising: a rigid outer shell (2); an inner structure (3) located inside the rigid outer shell (2) and adjustable to the head of a user, said inner structure (3) comprising a basket (4) and a band (5), the basket (4) and the band (5) being intended to be positioned respectively at the back and at the front of the head, and at least two separate shock-absorbing means (6) secured to the band (5); adjusting means of the inner structure (3); characterized in that the shock-absorbing means are movement discs (6) each comprising: an outer ring (7); a central bead or tenon (9); a plurality of deformable arms (8), both ends of which substantially tangentially connect the outer ring (7) and radially connect the central bead (9); the deformable arms (8) having a length of at least 1.5 times the radius of the outer ring (7) so as to be able to form, by deformation, a conical and elastic structure whereof the central bead (9) is located at the top and is in contact with the rigid outer shell (2), and in that the movement discs (6) are further secured to the inner face of the rigid outer shell (2), such that in the static position, the inner structure (3) is separated from the rigid outer shell (2) by an interval (14).

2. The protective helmet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for adjusting the inner structure (3) comprise: a pinion-rack system (10, 11) secured to the basket (4) and comprising a tightening wheel (10) and a toothed sliding tab (11); a tightening cable (12) extending said band (5) of the inner structure (3) at a first end and ending at a second end with the toothed sliding tab (11); the tightening wheel (10) being able to cooperate with the toothed sliding tab (11) so as to shorten/stretch or to extend/relax the tightening cable (12) to increase the available space between the band (5) and the basket (4) of the inner structure (3).

3. The protective helmet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the band (5) comprises at least one azimuthal part relative to the helmet laterally provided on each side of the frontal part of the helmet with at least one movement disc (6).

4. The protective helmet (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the band (5) further comprises a meridian part relative to the helmet provided with at least one movement disc (6).

5. The protective helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid outer shell (2) is made in the form of an outer layer made from a rigid material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC), topping an absorbent layer, made for example from expanded polystyrene (EPS) or expanded polypropylene (EPP).

6. The protective helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner structure (3) is made from polyamide (PA).

7. The protective helmet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement discs (6) are made from a rigid plastic material and are molded by injection or by 3D printing in a single piece.

8. The protective helmet (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the movement discs (6) are made from the same material as the band (5), their shape giving them their elasticity.

9. The protective helmet (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjusting means of the inner structure (3) comprise two tightening cables (12), each respectively connected to one end of the band (5) and together to the toothed sliding tab (11), the two tightening cables (12) being arranged symmetrically on each side of the basket (4), owing to cable passage bridges (13).

10. The protective helmet (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the pinion-rack system (10, 11) for the adjustment of the inner structure by the user is situated on the outer face of the rigid shell (2) of the helmet (1) and therefore accessible to the user once the helmet (1) is placed on his head, owing to apertures provided in the rigid outer shell (2) for the passage of the basket (4) and tightening cables (12) from the inside to the outside of the helmet (1) and owing to a sigmoid shape of the basket (4).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0035] FIG. 1 schematically shows a first view of an example protective helmet according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 schematically shows another view of an example protective helmet according to the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 3 schematically shows a sectional view of the protective helmet according to FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 4 schematically shows a sectional view of the protective helmet, done along a plane perpendicular to the section plane of FIG. 3.

[0039] FIG. 5 schematically shows a view of the inner structure of the protective helmet according to the invention.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows an example shock-absorbing means of the protective helmet according to the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 7 shows an example for the tightening wheel and for the toothed sliding tab of the inner structure of the protective helmet according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] One embodiment of the protective helmet 1 recommended by the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. The helmet 1 comprises a rigid outer shell 2, either solid, or having ventilation apertures, made for example in the form of an outer layer made from a rigid material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), etc. and an absorbent layer made from expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), etc. An inner structure 3 coming directly into contact with the user's head is positioned radially inside the outer shell 2. This inner structure 3, for example made from polyamide (PA), is adjustable to the size of the user's head, owing to adjusting means located partially outside the outer shell 2, at the top of the protective helmet 1 (see hereinafter). The outer shell 2 and the inner structure 3 can move relative to one another, such that an impact on the outer shell is only transmitted to the user's head in a limited manner. Indeed, if a shock is applied to the protective helmet, the force of this shock will be partially absorbed by the relative movement of the outer shell 2 with respect to the inner structure 3.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner structure 3 comprises a basket 4, a band 5 and a plurality (at least three) of separate shock-absorbing means 6. The band 5 and the basket 4 surround the user's head when the latter is wearing the helmet 1, respectively at the back and at the front of the head. Thus, the space left available for the head is made variable owing to the adjusting means of the inner structure. These adjusting means comprise one or several tightening cables 12, a toothed wheel 10 and a toothed sliding tab 11 cooperating with the toothed wheel 10, making up a pinion-rack system (the sliding tab slides in a structure secured to the basket). The tightening cable 12 is connected, at one of its ends, to the band 5 and at the other of its ends, to the toothed sliding tab 11. The toothed tab 11 cooperates with the toothed wheel 10 such that the user can stretch or relax the cable 12 by turning the toothed wheel 10 to the right or to the left, which will, in this way, move the toothed sliding tab 11. In this way, it is possible to increase or decrease the perimeter of the band 5. Furthermore, the tightening cables 12, of which there are two in the example, move symmetrically and in the same direction.

[0044] Moreover, the tightening cables 12 are slidingly connected to the basket 4 by passage bridges 13, which are open or closed. The basket 4 therefore allows the passage of the tightening cables 12 and groups together the mechanical components (pinion-rack system 10, 11).

[0045] Advantageously, the toothed wheel 10 and the associated tab 11 are located on the outer shell 2, at the top of the protective helmet 1. The positioning or the passage of these elements on the outer face of the helmet are possible owing to openings in the outer shell 2. In this way, the user can easily modify the size of the protective helmet when the latter is already on his head, which greatly facilitates the adjustment of the inner structure to the size of the head of the user.

[0046] The adjusting system can be moved, in its entirety, from front to back by an outside manipulation of the helmet. The movement of the adjusting system positioned externally allows a manipulation thereof, when the helmet is worn on the head, in order to position the basket in its most comfortable position.

[0047] Furthermore, the band 5 of the inner structure comprises, aside from the tightening cable 12, shock-absorbing means 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the latter are preferably made up of a disc comprising an outer ring 7 connecting a central bead or tenon or rod 9, providing a certain relief to the central part of the disc, using a plurality of connecting arms 8. More specifically, the connecting arms 8 have their first end connecting the outer ring 7 substantially tangentially, and their second end connecting the central bead 9 radially. In this way, the deformable arms 8 have a length greater than the length of the radius of the ring 7, and preferably have a length of at least 1.5 times, and preferably at least 2 times, that of the radius of the ring 7. Alternatively, there may only be one connecting arm 8 in the form of an Archimedes spiral. In this way, and owing to the shape of the connecting arm(s) 8, the shock-absorbing means 6 can deform orthogonally relative to the ring 7 in order to form a three-dimensional structure resembling a cone, with the central bead 9 being located at the top thereof.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, this structure allows, once the central ball 9 is moved away from the plane of the ring 7, an elastic return thereof into said plane. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the sizer 3 according to the present invention is provided to be at a distance of several millimeters from the inner face of the rigid outer shell 2. Since the central bead 9 is secured to this inner face, in the helmet in the static position, the shock-absorbing or movement disc 6 is in the more or less conical position, the return force of the element 6 offsetting the traction of the rigid outer shell 2 on the bead 6.

[0049] In the inner structure of the helmet, the shock-absorbing means 6 are situated such that each bead 9 can be connected to the inner face of the rigid outer shell 2. When an impact radially occurs on the helmet, the shock-absorbing means 6 will tend to be flattened by compression, the central bead 9 then being in the same plane as the outer ring 7, absorbing part of the energy of the applied force. The absorption of tangential shocks is of course also done by the shock-absorbing discs 6. Thus, during an impact, the shock-absorbing discs 6, and therefore the inner adjusting structure 3, can move in all directions (i.e., radial and tangential), by following the movement of the head, independently of the rigid outer part of the helmet 2.

[0050] When the helmet is adjusted on the user's head: [0051] in the static position, the movement discs 6 fastened at some points on the helmet make it possible to keep a space between the helmet and the band in order to allow a passage of air and to improve the ventilation of the helmet. Due to its geometry, each movement disc 6 can stretch greatly (during the movement normal to the inner surface of the helmet) in order to best adapt to the different head sizes and morphologies (European, Asian, etc. head type); [0052] during dynamic use, the movement discs 6 allow a slight multidirectional movement of the helmet independently of the movement of the head in order to allow the helmet to return automatically to its initial equilibrium position during small impacts (for example, forest branches during mountain bike use)

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0053] 1. Protective helmet

[0054] 2. Rigid outer shell

[0055] 3. Inner structure (sizer)

[0056] 4. Basket

[0057] 5. Band

[0058] 6. Shock-absorbing element (movement disc)

[0059] 7. Outer ring of the shock-absorbing element

[0060] 8. Deformable arm of the shock-absorbing element

[0061] 9. Central bead of the shock-absorbing element

[0062] 10. Toothed tightening wheel

[0063] 11. Toothed sliding tab

[0064] 12. Tightening cable

[0065] 13. Cable passage bridge

[0066] 14. Interval between sizer and rigid outer shell