Helmet

Abstract

A helmet is described, more specifically a helmet comprising a protective shell (10) formed of a flexible expanded polyurethane (EPU) material which defines a cavity for receiving the wearer's head, the shell being foldable, the helmet further comprising a strap (11) arrangement for fastening the shell to the wearer's head.

Claims

1. A helmet comprising a protective shell which defines a cavity for receiving a wearer's head, wherein said shell is foldable, and wherein said helmet further comprises a strap arrangement for fastening said shell to the wearer's head; (a) wherein said shell comprises a flexible expanded polyurethane (EPU) material; (b) wherein the helmet additionally comprises an outer layer that is denser than said EPU material; wherein said outer layer is un-foamed, or comprises a smooth skin, or both; (c) wherein said outer layer is harder and thinner than said EPU material; (d) wherein said shell comprises a plurality of fingers extending radially from a locus: a central finger, a pair of side fingers extending symmetrically on opposite sides of said central finger, and a pair of middle fingers extending symmetrically on opposite sides of said central finger, one of said middle fingers located between said central finger and each of said side fingers; wherein each of said fingers has a distal end; wherein the distal end of said central finger comprises a pair of wings which extend laterally in opposite directions; wherein each of said wings has a thickness and each of said wings has a distal end; wherein the thickness of each of said wings tapers inwardly toward the distal end to form a wedge; wherein the plurality of distal ends of said side fingers are correspondingly tapered; and wherein the distal ends of the fingers are arranged to be brought together to form said shell and to form the cavity for receiving the wearer's head; (e) wherein said helmet is resiliently flexible to allow said fingers to be folded, so that the helmet assumes a more compact shape when not in use, for transportation or storage; and (f) wherein said helmet can withstand multiple high-speed impacts without significant loss of impact absorbency over the temperature range 20 C. to 50 C.; impacts that would be sufficient to permanently crush a conventional expanded polystyrene helmet; wherein said helmet can be safely re-used following multiple such high-speed impacts, under conditions where a conventional expanded polystyrene helmet would not be safe to reuse following even one such high-speed impact.

2. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner surface of said shell comprises fold lines to assist said shell to be folded; wherein the inner surface of said shell is defined as the surface of said shell adapted to be located adjacent to the wearer's head.

3. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said EPU material is a composite material comprising a reinforcing material and expanded polyurethane.

4. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said side fingers are longer than said middle fingers, and wherein said side fingers are arranged to form a rim of said shell.

5. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said middle fingers are shorter than said central finger.

6. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein e plurality of said distal ends of said side fingers are detachably interconnected by a strap.

7. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said strap arrangement engages said middle fingers to hold said middle fingers in-situ, and to inhibit said shell from slumping forwardly or rearwardly on the wearer's head in the event of an accident.

8. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said strap arrangement comprises one or more elements selected from the group consisting of: (a) a side strap portion which passes over or through said middle fingers; (b) an element that engages said central finger to hold said central finger in-situ, and to inhibit said shell from slumping forwardly or rearwardly on the wearer's head in the event of an accident; (c) a top strap portion which passes over or through said central finger to bias said central finger downwardly; (d) a chin strap which, in use, passes under the wearer's chin, and a head strap which, in use, passes over and behind the wearer's head, wherein said head strap comprises first and second head strap members, wherein each of said head strap members has a first end secured to a side of said shell, and wherein each of said head strap members extends upwardly and converges towards a first point on said central finger where said first and second head strap members cross over each other, and wherein said head strap members then extend downwardly, rearwardly, and inwardly to a second point which, in use, is located behind the wearer's head, where said first and second head strap members cross, and wherein each of said first and second head strap members has a second end secured to said chin strap.

9. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said helmet additionally comprises: (a) a side strap portion which passes over or through said middle fingers; (b) an element that engages said central finger to hold said central finger in-situ, and to inhibit said shell from slumping forwardly or rearwardly on the wearer's head in the event of an accident; (c) a top strap portion which passes over or through said central finger to bias said central finger downwardly; (d) a chin strap which, in use, passes under the wearer's chin, and a head strap which, in use, passes over and behind the wearer's head, wherein said head strap comprises first and second head strap members, wherein each of said head strap members has a first end secured to a side of said shell, and wherein each of said head strap members extends upwardly and converges towards a first point on said central finger where said first and second head strap members cross over each other, and wherein said head strap members then extend downwardly, rearwardly, and inwardly to a second point which, in use, is located behind the wearer's head, where said first and second head strap members cross, and wherein each of said first and second head strap members has a second end secured to said chin strap.

10. A helmet as claimed in claim 9, wherein said strap members pass through an X-shaped retainer at the point where said strap members cross behind the wearer's head, and wherein second ends of said strap members are adjustably secured to sides of said chin strap.

11. A helmet as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first ends of said first and second head strap members are each secured to one of said side fingers.

12. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shell comprises a plurality of different layers of expanded polyurethane material having different densities or different compositions.

Description

(1) An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the shell of a foldable cycle helmet in accordance with the present invention, when in its unfolded and as-moulded configuration;

(3) FIG. 2 is perspective view from below and the rear of the shell of the helmet of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is perspective view from below and the front of the shell of the helmet of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a top view of the shell of the helmet of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is perspective view from above and the rear of the shell of the helmet of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 is perspective view from above and the front of the shell of the helmet of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 is perspective view from below and the right side of the helmet of FIG. 1, when in its folded condition;

(9) FIG. 8 is a right side view of the helmet of FIG. 1, when in use;

(10) FIG. 9 is a rear view of the helmet of FIG. 1, when in use; and

(11) FIG. 10 is a front view of the helmet of FIG. 1, when in use.

(12) Referring to the drawings there is shown a foldable cycle helmet comprising a shell 10 and strap arrangement 11. The shell 10 is formed of expanded polyurethane (EPU) material, for example by moulding. The shell 10 is preferably formed in a flat (unfolded) condition and may comprise a plurality of different layers (not shown) of expanded polyurethane (EPU) material having respective different densities or compositions. The outer layer 200 of the shell 10 may comprise an expanded polyurethane (EPU) material which is denser than the inner layer(s) or may be un-foamed or may comprise a smooth skin on the outside to provide a flexible but rugged outer layer 200 for the shell 10. The inner layer(s) of the shell 10 may comprise an expanded polyurethane (EPU) material which is softer and thicker than the outer layer 200 to provide a more comfortable inner layer.

(13) The shell 10 comprises a plurality of fingers extending radially from a locus 18. The fingers 13L, 13R, 14L, 14R are symmetrical about a central finger 12 and comprise a pair of middle fingers 13L, 13R extending symmetrically on respective opposite sides of the central finger 12 between the latter and respective side fingers 14L, 14R. The side fingers 14L, 14R are longer than the middle fingers 13L, 13R. The middle fingers 13L, 13R are shorter than the central finger 12.

(14) The distal end of central finger 12 comprises a pair of wings 15L, 15R which extend laterally in respective opposite directions, the thickness of the wings 15L, 15R tapering inwardly towards their outer ends to form outwardly facing wedges, the distal ends of the side fingers 14L, 14R are correspondingly tapered to form inwardly facing wedges 114L, 114R. V-shaped channels 16 are formed in the inner surface of the shell 10 to provide fold lines to enable the shell 10 to be folded into a curved shape by folding the distal ends of the fingers 12, 13L, 13R, 14L, 14R together to form a curved shell 10 which defines a cavity 16 for receiving the wearer's head (depicted as 210 in FIG. 7). The distal ends of the side fingers 14L, 14R are detachably interconnected by a strap 17, for example comprising a hook-and-pile type fastening. The strap 17 enables the diameter of the shell 10 to be adjusted to fit a wide range of head sizes. When the side fingers 14L, 14R are pulled together by the strap 17, their tapered ends slide over the tapered wings 15L, 15R to force the distal end of the central finger 12 further forward, reducing the effective size of the helmet.

(15) The locus 18 of the fingers form the front of the helmet, which may be provided with a peak (not shown). The strap 17 is disposed at the rear of the helmet.

(16) The strap arrangement 11 comprises an adjustable chin strap 20 which, in use, passes under the wearer's chin and a head strap 21 which, in use, passes over and behind the wearer's head. The head strap 21 comprises first and second head strap members 22A, 22B each having a first end secured to respective side fingers 14L, 14R of the shell 10 at a point which, in use, is located over and behind the wearer's ears. The strap members 22A, 22B then extend upwardly and freely through respective channels formed in the distal ends of the middle fingers 13L, 13R to hold the middle fingers 13L, 13R in-situ. The strap members 22A, 22B then converge towards a point over the central finger 12 where they cross over each other, the strap members 22A, 22B then extending downwardly, rearwardly and inwardly to a point which, in use, is located behind the wearer's head where the strap members 22A, 22B cross. An X-shaped retainer 23 supports the strap members 22A, 22B where they cross and provides greater comfort. The second ends of the strap members 22A, 22B are then adjustably secured to respective sides of the chin strap 20.

(17) The strap arrangement 11 securely holds the shell 10 in-situ on the wearer's head and prevents it from slumping forwardly or rearwardly in the event of an accident.

(18) As shown in FIG. 7, when not in use, the rear strap 17 can be loosened to allow the fingers to fold apart into a substantially flat condition, so that the helmet can easily be transported and stored.

(19) A helmet in accordance with the present invention is simple and inexpensive in construction yet is foldable and is able to withstand repeated impacts.