MODULAR HELMET SYSTEM

Abstract

A modular helmet system comprises a helmet and a chin bar detachably mountable to the helmet. The helmet comprises two receiving-brackets. The chin bar may be inserted into the receiving-brackets of the helmet with its two ends in front in a substantially straight line, wherein the chin bar is lockable in the receiving-brackets in an end position. Each of the two receiving-brackets comprises two insertion flanks which extend towards each other along the direction of insertion at an acute centering angle, wherein the insertion flanks are configured to center the chin bar in the vertical direction when being inserted and to form a stop for the chin bar in the end position of the chin bar.

Claims

1. A modular helmet system comprising a helmet and a chin bar detachably mountable to the helmet, wherein the helmet comprises two receiving-brackets, wherein the chin bar is insertable into the receiving-brackets of the helmet with its two ends in front along an insertion direction in a substantially straight line, wherein the chin bar is lockable in the receiving-brackets in an end position, wherein each of the two receiving-brackets comprises two insertion flanks which extend towards each other along the insertion direction at an acute centering angle, wherein the insertion flanks center the chin bar in the vertical direction when being inserted and to form a stop for the chin bar in the end position of the chin bar.

2. The modular helmet system according to claim 1, wherein the insertion flanks of the respective receiving-bracket are formed as rectilinear, at least in sections.

3. The modular helmet system according to claim 1, wherein the centering angle has a value in a range from 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

4. The modular helmet system according to claim 1, wherein the helmet system comprises a locking device for locking the chin bar in the end position to the helmet, wherein the locking device comprises at least one locking opening at each of the two receiving-brackets of the helmet, wherein the locking device comprises at least one movable latch at each of the two ends of the chin bar which is configured to engage in the at least one locking opening of the respective receiving-bracket in a locking position, and wherein the locking device comprises at least one handle at the chin bar, through the actuation of which the at least one latch is moved out of the locking position into an unlocking position.

5. The modular helmet system according claim 1, wherein the chin bar comprises a respective insertion wedge at each of its two ends, wherein the respective insertion wedge comprises two abutment flanks which are configured, at least in sections, to be complementary to the insertion flanks of the respective receiving-bracket of the helmet, wherein the abutment flanks lie in a form-fit manner against the insertion flanks of the respective receiving-bracket in the end position of the chin bar.

6. The modular helmet system according to claim 5, wherein each of the two insertion wedges comprises an insertion section having a trapezoidal contour.

7. The modular helmet system according to claim 5, wherein each of the two receiving-brackets comprises a support groove at at least one of the two insertion flanks, wherein each of the two insertion wedges comprises a respective support rib at at least one of the two abutment flanks which projects in a vertical direction from the respective abutment flank, and wherein the respective support rib engages in the support groove of the respective receiving-bracket in the end position of the chin bar.

8. The modular helmet system according to claim 5, wherein the helmet system comprises a locking device for locking the chin bar in the end position to the helmet, wherein the locking device comprises at least one locking opening at each of the two receiving-brackets of the helmet, wherein the locking device comprises at least one movable latch at each of the two ends of the chin bar which is configured to engage in the at least one locking opening of the respective receiving-bracket in a locking position, and wherein the locking device comprises at least one handle at the chin bar, through the actuation of which the at least one latch is moved out of the locking position into an unlocking position.

9. The modular helmet system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one locking opening of the respective receiving-bracket is formed at one of the two insertion flanks of the respective receiving-bracket, and wherein the at least one latch projects out of one of the two abutment flanks of the respective insertion wedge in the locking position and engages in the at least one locking opening of the respective receiving-bracket.

10. The modular helmet system according to claim 9, wherein a locking opening is formed at each of the two insertion flanks of the respective receiving-bracket, wherein the locking device comprises two movable latches at each of the two ends of the chin bar, wherein each of the two latches of the respective end of the chin bar projects from a respective one of the two abutment flanks of the respective insertion wedge and engages in a respective one of the two locking openings of the respective receiving-bracket in the locking position.

11. The modular helmet system according to claim 10, wherein the two latches of the respective end of the chin bar are biased towards their locking position, wherein each end of the chin bar is associated with a common handle and a deflecting device, wherein the deflecting device converts an actuating movement of the common handle into a respective unlocking movement of the two latches, whereby the unlocking move-ments of the two latches take place in different directions.

12. The modular helmet system according to claim 11, wherein the two latches, the deflecting device and the common handle of the respective end of the chin bar form a locking assembly, wherein the locking assemblies of the two ends of the chin bar are configured identical.

13. The modular helmet system according to claim 1, wherein a magnetic element is arranged at the respective receiving-bracket and a magnetic counter-element is arranged at the respective end of the chin bar, wherein the magnetic element and the magnetic counter-element exert a magnetic force of attraction on the chin bar in the direction of its end position when the chin bar is being inserted into the receiving-brackets, in order to support the insertion movement and to secure the chin bar in its end position.

14. The modular helmet system according to claim 1, wherein the helmet system further comprises two ear protection modules which are configured to be selectively inserted into the two receiving-brack-ets of the helmet instead of the chin bar, wherein each of the two ear protection modules comprises an insertion wedge, wherein the respective insertion wedge comprises two abutment flanks which are configured, at least in sections, to be complementary to the insertion flanks of the respective re-ceiving-bracket, wherein the abutment flanks of the ear protection modules are lie in a form-fitting manner against the insertion flanks of the respective receiving-bracket in an end position of the respective ear protection module.

15. The modular helmet system according to claim 1, wherein a magnetic element is arranged at the respective receiving-bracket and a magnetic counter-element is arranged at the respective end of the chin bar, wherein the magnetic element and the magnetic counter-element exert a magnetic force of attraction on the chin bar in the direction of its end position when the chin bar is being inserted into the receiving-brackets, in order to support the insertion movement and to secure the chin bar in its end position; wherein the helmet system further comprises two ear protection modules which are configured to be selectively inserted into the two receiving-brack-ets of the helmet instead of the chin bar, wherein each of the two ear protection modules comprises an insertion wedge, wherein the respective insertion wedge comprises two abutment flanks which are configured, at least in sections, to be complementary to the insertion flanks of the respective receiving-bracket, wherein the abutment flanks of the ear protection modules lie in a form-fitting manner against the insertion flanks of the respective receiving-bracket in an end position of the respective ear protection module; and wherein the two ear protection modules do not have a mechanical locking device, wherein each of the two ear protection modules comprises a magnetic counter-element, wherein the magnetic element of the respective receiving-bracket and the magnetic counter-element of the respective ear protection module are configured to exert a magnetic force of attraction on the ear protection module in the direction of its end position when the respective ear protection module is being inserted, in order to support the insertion movement and to secure the respective ear protection module in its end position.

16. A modular helmet system comprising a helmet and a chin bar detachably mountable to the helmet, wherein the helmet comprises two receiving-brackets, wherein the chin bar is insertable into the receiving-brackets of the helmet with its two ends in front along an insertion direction in a substantially straight line into an end position, wherein each of the two receiving-brackets comprises two insertion flanks which extend towards each other along the insertion direction at an acute centering angle, wherein the insertion flanks center the chin bar in the vertical direction when being inserted and to form a stop for the chin bar in the end position of the chin bar, wherein the chin bar comprises a respective insertion wedge at each of its two ends, wherein the respective insertion wedge comprises two abutment flanks which are formed, at least in sections, complementary to the insertion flanks of the respective receiving-bracket of the helmet, wherein the abutment flanks lie in a form-fit manner against the insertion flanks of the respective receiving-bracket in the end position of the chin bar, wherein each of the two receiving-brackets comprises a support groove at at least one of the two insertion flanks, wherein each of the two insertion wedges comprises a respective support rib at least one of the two abutment flanks which projects in a vertical direction from the respective abutment flank, wherein the respective support rib engages in the support groove of the respective receiving-bracket in the end position of the chin bar, wherein the helmet system comprises a locking device for locking the chin bar in the end position to the helmet, wherein the locking device comprises at least one locking opening at each of the two receiving-brackets of the helmet, wherein the locking device comprises at least one movable latch at each of the two ends of the chin bar which is configured to engage in the at least one locking opening of the respective receiving-bracket in a locking position, and wherein the locking device comprises at least one handle at the chin bar, through the actuation of which the at least one latch is moved out of the locking position into an unlocking position.

17. The modular helmet system according to claim 16, wherein a stabilizing recess is formed at the respective receiving-bracket, wherein the chin bar comprises a respective stabilizing protrusion at its two ends which engages in a form-fitting manner with the respective stabilizing recess in the end position of the chin bar, so that the chin bar is blocked against movements in directions perpendicular to the insertion direction of the chin bar.

18. A modular helmet system comprising a helmet and a chin bar detachably mountable to the helmet, wherein the helmet comprises two receiving-brackets, wherein the chin bar is insertable into the receiving-brackets of the helmet with its two ends in front along an insertion direction in a substantially straight line into an end position, wherein each of the two receiving-brackets comprises two insertion flanks which center the chin bar in the vertical direction when being inserted into the receiving-brackets, wherein the insertion flanks form a stop for the chin bar in the end position of the chin bar, wherein the chin bar comprises two abutment flanks at each of its two ends, wherein the two abutment flanks which are formed, at least in sections, complementary to the insertion flanks of the respective receiving-bracket of the helmet, wherein the abutment flanks lie in a form-fit manner against the insertion flanks of the respective receiving-bracket in the end position of the chin bar, wherein the helmet system comprises a locking device for locking the chin bar in the end position to the helmet, wherein the locking device comprises a respective locking opening at each of the two insertion flanks of each of the two receiving-brackets of the helmet, wherein the locking device comprises two movable latches at each of the two ends of the chin bar, wherein each of the two latches of the respective end of the chin bar projects from a respective one of the two abutment flanks of the respective end of the chin bar, wherein each of the two latches engages into a respective one of the two locking openings of the respective receiving-bracket in a locking position, wherein the locking device comprises at each end of the chin bar a common handle, through the actuation of which the two latches of the respective end of the chin bar are moved out of the locking position into an unlocking position,

19. The modular helmet system according to claim 18, wherein each end of the chin bar comprises a deflecting device which converts an actuating movement of the common handle into a respective unlocking movement of the two latches of the respective end of the chin bar, whereby the unlocking movements of the two latches take place in different directions.

20. The modular helmet system according to claim 19, wherein the two latches of the respective end of the chin bar are biased towards their locking position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The invention is explained below merely by way of example with reference to the drawings. Identical or similar elements are identified therein with the same reference numbers.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a helmet with a chin bar detached therefrom.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a receiving-bracket in which an insertion wedge is inserted.

[0045] FIGS. 3A and 3B show respectively a side view and a perspec-tive view of the receiving-bracket according to FIG. 2.

[0046] FIGS. 4A and 4B show respectively a side view and a per-spective view of the insertion wedge according to FIG. 2.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows the helmet according to FIG. 1 having an ear protection module detached therefrom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a modular helmet system comprising a helmet 11 in the form of a mountain-bike helmet and a chin bar 41 detachably mountable to the helmet 11. The helmet 11 is a so-called open face helmet with recesses in the area of the user's ears. The helmet 11 comprises two receiving-brackets 13, of which only the left receiving-bracket 13 is visible in the side view according to FIG. 1.

[0049] The chin bar 41 shown in FIG. 1 is in a detached state from the helmet 11. However, the chin bar 41 may be selectively inserted into the helmet 11 along an insertion direction E and may be detachably mounted to the helmet in order to convert the helmet 11 into a so-called full face configuration.

[0050] The chin bar 41 comprises two free ends 43, of which only the left end 43 is visible in the side view of FIG. 1. The chin bar 41 may be inserted with its two ends 43 in front in a substantially straight line into the receiving-brackets 13 of the helmet 11 and locked there after reaching an end position in the receiving-brackets 13. The chin bar 41 comprises an insertion wedge 45 at each of its two ends 43, which cooperates in a form-fit manner with the respective receiving-bracket 13 of the helmet 11 in order to effect a stable and substantially zero-play fit at the helmet 11 in the end position of the chin bar 41.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows the left receiving-bracket 13, into which the left insertion wedge 45 of the chin bar 41 is inserted.

[0052] FIGS. 3A and 3B show isolated a left receiving-bracket 13. The re-ceiving-bracket 13 comprises two insertion flanks 15 that extend away from a re-ceiving plate 17 and extend toward each other along the insertion direction E at an acute centering angle ?. The centering angle ? may be approximately 45 degrees, for example. The insertion flanks 15 serve to center and align the chin bar 41 in the vertical direction during insertion and to form a stop for the chin bar 41 in the end position of the chin bar 41.

[0053] The insertion flanks 15 are configured straight and lead to a connecting section 19. A locking opening 21 is formed at each of the two insertion flanks 15 of the receiving-bracket 13. A support groove 23 is configured along the lower insertion flank 15 of the receiving-bracket 13. A magnetic element 25 is arranged at the connecting section 19 of the receiving-bracket 13. Furthermore, the receiving-bracket 13 comprises a stabilizing recess 27 which is offset vertically down-wards with respect to the insertion flanks 15.

[0054] The receiving plate 17 forms a common mounting unit in order to be able to integrate the insertion flanks 15 with the locking openings 21 and the support groove 23, the magnetic element 25 and the stabilizing recess 27 of the re-ceiving-bracket 13 in a helmet body of the helmet 11.

[0055] The right receiving-bracket 13 is configured mirrored with respect to the left receiving-bracket 13 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0056] FIGS. 4A and 4B show isolated the left insertion wedge 45 of the chin bar 41. The insertion wedge 45 comprises an insertion section 47 having a trapezoidal contour. The insertion wedge 45 comprises a plate-shaped support 49 at which two abutment flanks 51 are formed. The abutment flanks 51 are configured complementary to the insertion flanks 15 of the respective receiving-bracket 13 of the helmet 11 in such a way that, in the described end position of the chin bar 41, the abutment flanks 51 lie with a form-fit against the insertion flanks 15 of the respective receiving-bracket 13. Furthermore, the plate-shaped support 49 of the insertion wedge 45 comprises two support ribs 53, one of which is configured to engage in the support groove 23 of the respective receiving-bracket 13 of the helmet 11 in the described end position of the chin bar 41.

[0057] The helmet system shown comprises a locking device for locking the chin bar 41 in its end position to the helmet 11. On the side of the respective re-ceiving-bracket 13 of the helmet 11, the locking device comprises the locking openings 21 at the insertion flanks 15. On the side of the respective end 43 of the chin bar 41, the locking device comprises two movable latches 55 which, in a locking position, are configured to respectively engage in one of the two locking openings 21 of the associated receiving-bracket 13. Each of the two latches 55 is mounted to the support 49 via a spring arm 57. The two spring arms 57 are pressed apart by a spring 59 implemented as a compression spring. As a result, the two latches 55 are biased toward the locking position shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0058] On the side of the respective end 43 of the chin bar 41, the locking device further comprises a handle 61 in the form of a slide which is mounted at the support 49 such that it is movable in a straight line. The handle 61 is connected to two control bars 63, each of which lies with a respective deflecting incline 65 against one of the two spring arms 57. This forms a deflecting device, whereby by manually moving the handle 61 away from the latches 55 the deflecting inclines 65 deflect the spring arms 57 against the pretension force of the spring 59. As a result, the latches 55 are moved from the locked position shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B toward an unlocked position in which the latches 55 no longer project from the abutment flanks 51 of the insertion wedge 45.

[0059] The support 49 with the two abutment flanks 51 and the support ribs 53, the two latches 55 and the handle 61 of the respective insertion wedge 45 form a locking assembly which may be configured identical for the two ends 43 of the chin bar 41 (left and right end 43). The support 49 may be mounted to the chin bar, for example, via fastening openings 67.

[0060] A magnetic counter-element 69 is further arranged at the insertion wedge 45. The magnetic element 25 of the respective receiving-bracket 13 of the helmet 11 and the magnetic counter-element 69 of the associated end 43 of the chin bar 41 are configured to exert a magnetic force of attraction on the chin bar 41 in the direction of its end position when the chin bar 41 is inserted into the re-ceiving-brackets 13, in order to support the insertion movement and to secure the chin bar 41 in its end position. The magnetic elements 25 and magnetic counter-elements 69 may also be arranged at positions other than those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or additional magnetic elements and magnetic counter-elements may also be provided.

[0061] The chin bar 41 comprises a respective stabilizing protrusion at its two ends 43, which in the described end position of the chin bar 41 engages in a form-fit manner with the stabilizing recess 27 of the associated receiving-bracket 13, in order to block the chin bar 41 against movements in directions perpendicular to the insertion direction E of the chin bar 41. The stabilizing protrusion may be arranged in particular at an end face set back of the respective end 43 of the chin bar 41 (thus not visible in the side view of FIG. 1).

[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates an optional further embodiment of the modular helmet system, in which the helmet system further comprises two ear protection modules 81. The two ear protection modules 81 may selectively be inserted, instead of the chin bar 41, along the insertion direction E into the two receiving-brackets 13 of the helmet 11, in order to convert the helmet 11 into a so-called jet helmet configuration.

[0063] Each of the two ear protection modules 81 may in turn comprise an insertion wedge, wherein the respective insertion wedge comprises two abutment flanks which are configured complementary to the insertion flanks 15 of the respective receiving-bracket 13 of the helmet 11. As explained in relation to the chin bar 41, in an end position of the respective ear protection module 81, the abutment flanks of the ear protection modules 81 may lie with a form-fit against the insertion flanks 15 of the respective receiving-bracket 13. Furthermore, each of the two ear protection modules 81 may have a magnetic counter-element in order to exert a magnetic force of attraction on the ear protection module 81 in the direction of its end position when inserting the respective ear protection module 81, as explained in relation to the chin bar 41. As a result, the insertion movement may be supported and the respective ear protection module 81 may be secured in its end position. However, in contrast to the chin bar 41, the two ear protection modules 81 do not have a mechanical locking device, in particular do not have the latch 55 and the handle 61. As a result, the ear protection modules 81 may have a compact and lightweight design.

[0064] The explained helmet 11 has the advantage that the chin bar 41 may be mounted in a simple manner, even while the user is wearing the helmet 11. The chin bar 41 need only be inserted from the front in a substantially straight line into the receiving-brackets 13 of the helmet 11, wherein the insertion flanks 15 of the receiving-brackets 13 ensure the necessary centering without the need to actively perform additional pivoting movements. In the end position, the chin bar 41 is arranged in a stable orientation on the helmet 11 and may in particular also be supported in the lateral direction. The locking device (latch 55, handle 61) is stable and easy to operate. The locking of the inserted chin bar 41 may take place automatically. The locking device is arranged almost entirely at the chin bar 41, so that the helmet 41 is very easily formed in the open face configuration. Since the respective locking assembly at the two ends 43 of the chin bar 41 (support 49 with abutment flanks 51 and support ribs 53, latch 55, handle 61) may be configured identical, the helmet system may be manufactured cost-effective. Due to the com-bination of mechanical locking and magnetic securing, the helmet system may easily be extended to a 3-in-1 modular system, which additionally provides a jet helmet configuration having a compact and lightweight design of the ear protection modules 81, which are only magnetically secured.