Visor assembly

Abstract

Visor assembly .[.(1, 21) consisting of.]. .Iadd.having .Iaddend.an inner shield .[.(6, 26).]. and an outer shield .[.(2, 22).].. In the use position these shields are some distance apart. With this arrangement the inner shield .[.(6, 26).]. is located within the peripheral confines of the outer shield .[.(2, 22).].. The inner shield .[.(6, 26).]. is provided with an elevation .[.(7, 27).]. which extends close to the periphery thereof and which acts as a spacer with respect to the outer shield. This elevation .[.(7, 27).]. is preferably made of silicone material which is snack to the inner shield .[.(6, 26).]. but is not stuck to the outer shield .[.(2, 22).].. Fixing to the outer shield .[.(2, 22).]. takes place .[.by means (10, 12) of.]. .Iadd.via .Iaddend.mechanical fixing .[.means.]..

Claims

.[.1. Visor assembly comprising (a) a replaceable inner shield; (b) an outer shield spaced from the inner shield and carrying mechanical fixing elements to fix the inner shield to the outer shield, the inner shield being supported by the outer shield, being located within the periphery of the outer shield, being spaced from and engageable with the outer shield and being detachable from the outer shield and visor assembly; (c) additional fixing elements for fixing the outer shield to a support component, the support component optionally being a helmet or a goggles frame; and (d) a sealing and spacing member extending around the periphery of the inner shield, on a surface facing the outer shield, to seal and space the inner shield from the outer shield; wherein the sealing and spacing member is fabricated of flexible silicone material, is adhered to the inner shield and can sealingly engage the outer shield without adhering to the outer shield..].

.[.2. Visor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealing and spacing member comprises a ring and an enclosed gas or air chamber is delimited between the inner shield and the outer shield by the sealing and spacing member and wherein the internal width of said chamber is at least 2 mm..].

.[.3. Visor according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical fixing elements comprise pins fitted on the outer shield and recesses in the inner shield the pins being cooperative with the recesses..].

.[.4. Visor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said outer shield is made of polycarbonate..].

.[.5. Visor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said inner shield is made of heat-treated cellulose acetate material..].

.[.6. Visor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical fixing elements comprise a seat in said outer shield the seat at least partially corresponding to the shape of said inner shield..].

.[.7. Visor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said inner shield is made of cellulose propionate material..].

.[.8. Visor assembly according to claim 1, wherein said inner shield is provided on one side with a coating that counteracts misting..].

.[.9. Visor assembly according to claim 7, wherein said inner shield is provided on one side with a scratch-resistant coating..].

.[.10. A visor assembly according to claim 1 wherein the visor assembly lacks electric heating means..].

.[.11. A visor assembly according to claim 1 wherein the outer shield has a recess corresponding to the external dimensions of the inner shield and wherein the inner shield is accommodated in the outer shield recess..].

.[.12. A visor assembly according to claim 1 wherein the inner shield has a mist-resistant coating on the one surface and comprises a second peripheral resilient sealing and spacing member adhered to the other surface and wherein the inner shield is reversible to dispose the mist-resistant coating either inwardly or outwardly of the space between the inner and the outer shield..].

.[.13. A visor assembly according to claim 2 wherein said mechanical fixing elements comprise pins fitted on the outer shield and recesses in the inner shield the pins being cooperative with the recesses and wherein said mechanical fixing elements comprise a seat in said outer shield the seat at least partially corresponding to the shape of said inner shield..].

.[.14. A visor assembly according to claim 13 wherein the outer shield has a recess corresponding to the external dimensions of the inner shield and wherein the inner shield is accommodated in the outer shield recess..].

.[.15. A visor assembly according to claim 2 wherein said outer shield is made of polycarbonate, said inner shield is made of heat-treated cellulose acetate material or cellulose propionate material and optionally said inner shield is provided on one side with a coating that counteracts misting..].

.[.16. A visor assembly according to claim 13 wherein said outer shield is made of polycarbonate, said inner shield is made of heat-treated cellulose acetate material or cellulose propionate material and optionally said inner shield is provided on one side with a coating that counteracts misting..].

.[.17. Visor assembly comprising (a) a replaceable inner shield; (b) an outer shield spaced from the inner shield and carrying mechanical fixing elements to fix the inner shield to the outer shield, the inner shield being supported by the outer shield, being located within the periphery of the outer shield and being spaced from and engageable with the outer shield and being detachable from the outer shield and visor assembly; (c) additional fixing elements for fixing the outer shield to a support component, the support component optionally being a helmet or a goggles frame; and (d) a sealing and spacing member extending around the periphery of the inner shield, on a surface facing the outer shield, to seal and space the inner shield from the outer shield; wherein the sealing and spacing member is flexible and is adhered to the inner shield and can sealingly engage the outer shield without adhering to the outer shield and wherein the visor assembly lacks electric heating means..].

.[.18. A visor assembly according to claim 17 wherein the sealing and spacing member of flexible material comprises a ring, optionally of rubbery elastic material, and an enclosed gas or air chamber is delimited between the inner shield and the outer shield by the sealing and spacing member and wherein the internal width of said chamber is at least 2 mm., said mechanical fixing elements comprise pins fitted on the outer shield and recesses in the inner shield the pins being cooperative with the recesses and wherein said mechanical fixing elements comprise a seat in said outer shield the seat at least partially corresponding to the shape of said inner shield..].

.[.19. A visor assembly according to claim 18 wherein said outer shield is made of polycarbonate, said inner shield is made of heat-treated cellulose acetate material or cellulose propionate material and optionally said inner shield is provided on one side with a coating that counteracts misting..].

.[.20. Visor assembly according to claim 1 wherein the inner shield is directly connected to the outer shield by the mechanical fixing elements and is supported entirely by the outer shield..].

.Iadd.21. Visor assembly comprising: an outer shield; a replaceable inner shield spaced from the outer shield and located within the periphery of the outer shield; a recess in the outer shield, the dimensions of which at least correspond to the peripheral dimensions of the inner shield such that the inner shield can be fitted therein; mechanical fixing elements for detachably fixing the inner shield to the outer shield; elements for fixing the outer shield to a further component, a spacer extending around the periphery of said inner shield, said spacer being adhered to the inner shield and fitted detachably against said outer shield, wherein the inner shield is detachable from the outer shield and visor assembly; and a sealed gas/air chamber between the inner shield and the outer shield..Iaddend.

.Iadd.22. Visor assembly according to claim 21, wherein the spacer acts as a sealing member to provide the sealed gas/air chamber between the inner shield and the outer shield..Iaddend.

.Iadd.23. Visor assembly according to claim 22, wherein said spacer is a rubbery elastic seal..Iaddend.

.Iadd.24. Visor assembly according to claim 21, wherein a gas/air chamber is delimited between the inner shield and outer shield and wherein the internal width of said chamber is at least 2 mm..Iaddend.

.Iadd.25. Visor according to claim 21, wherein said mechanical fixing elements comprise a snap-fit rim for fixing the inner shield in the recess..Iaddend.

.Iadd.26. Visor assembly according to claim 25 wherein said spacer is a flexible seal..Iaddend.

.Iadd.27. Visor assembly according to claim 21, wherein said spacer is made of silicone material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.28. Visor assembly according to claim 21, wherein said inner shield is made of heat-treated cellulose acetate material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.29. Visor assembly according to claim 21, wherein said inner shield is made of cellulose propionate material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.30. Visor assembly according to claim 29, wherein said inner shield is provided on one side with a coating that counteracts misting up..Iaddend.

.Iadd.31. Visor assembly according to claim 30, wherein said inner shield is provided on one side with a coating which improves scratch resistance..Iaddend.

.Iadd.32. Visor assembly comprising: a replaceable inner shield; an outer shield spaced from the inner shield and comprising mechanical fixing elements to fix the inner shield to the outer shield, the inner shield being supported by the outer shield, being located within the periphery of the outer shield, being spaced from and engageable with the outer shield and being detachable from the outer shield and visor assembly; a seat in said outer shield which at least partially corresponds to the shape of said inner shield and is associated with the mechanical fixing elements such that the inner shield can be fixed in the seat; additional fixing elements for fixing the outer shield to a support component, a spacing member adhered to and extending around the periphery of said inner shield, on a surface facing the outer shield, to space the inner shield from the outer shield; and a sealed gas/air chamber between the inner shield and the outer shield..Iaddend.

.Iadd.33. Visor assembly according to claim 32, wherein the mechanical fixing elements associated with the seat comprise a snap-fit rim..Iaddend.

.Iadd.34. Visor assembly according to claim 32, wherein the spacer acts as a sealing member to provide the sealed gas/air chamber between the inner shield and the outer shield..Iaddend.

.Iadd.35. Visor assembly according to claim 32, wherein said spacer is made of silicone material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.36. Visor assembly according to claim 34, wherein said spacer is a rubbery elastic material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.37. Visor assembly according to claim 32, wherein said inner shield is made of heat-treated cellulose acetate material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.38. Visor assembly according to claim 32, wherein said inner shield is made of cellulose propionate material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.39. Visor assembly according to claim 38, wherein said inner shield is provided on one side with a coating that counteracts misting up..Iaddend.

.Iadd.40. Visor assembly according to claim 38, wherein said inner shield is provided on one side with a coating which improves scratch resistance..Iaddend.

.Iadd.41. Visor assembly comprising: an outer shield; a replaceable inner shield spaced from the outer shield and located within the periphery of the outer shield; mechanical fixing elements in the form of pins fitted on the outer shield and recesses in the inner shield, the pins being cooperative with the recesses to fix detachably the inner shield to the outer shield; elements for fixing the outer shield to a further component, a spacer extending around the periphery of said inner shield, said spacer being adhered to the inner shield and fitted detachably against said outer shield; wherein the inner shield is detachable from the outer shield and visor assembly; and a sealed gas/air chamber between the inner shield and the outer shield..Iaddend.

.Iadd.42. Visor assembly according to claim 41, wherein the spacer acts as a sealing member to provide the sealed gas/air chamber between the inner shield and the outer shield..Iaddend.

.Iadd.43. Visor assembly according to claim 41, wherein a gas/air chamber is delimited between the inner shield and outer shield and wherein the internal width of said chamber is at least 2 mm..Iaddend.

.Iadd.44. Visor assembly according to claim 41, wherein said spacer is made of silicone material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.45. Visor assembly according to claim 41, wherein said pins are eccentric pins..Iaddend.

.Iadd.46. Visor assembly according to claim 41, wherein the visor assembly lacks electric heating means..Iaddend.

.Iadd.47. Visor assembly according to claim 41, wherein said inner shield is made of heat-treated cellulose acetate material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.48. Visor assembly according to claim 41, wherein said inner shield is made of cellulose propionate material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.49. Visor assembly according to claim 48, wherein said inner shield is provided on one side with a coating that counteracts misting up..Iaddend.

.Iadd.50. Visor assembly according to claim 48, wherein said inner shield is provided on one side with a coating which improves scratch resistance..Iaddend.

.Iadd.51. Visor assembly comprising: a replaceable inner shield; an outer shield spaced from the inner shield and comprising mechanical fixing elements in the form of pins fitted on the outer shield that interact with recesses in the inner shield to fix the inner shield to the outer shield, the inner shield being supported by the outer shield, being located within the periphery of the outer shield, being spaced from and engageable with the outer shield and being detachable from the outer shield and visor assembly; additional fixing elements for fixing the outer shield to a support component; and a spacing member stuck to and extending around the periphery of said inner shield, on a surface facing the outer shield, to space the inner shield from the outer shield; and a sealed gas/air chamber between the inner shield and the outer shield..Iaddend.

.Iadd.52. Visor assembly according to claim 51, wherein the spacer acts as a sealing member to provide the sealed gas/air chamber between the inner shield and the outer shield..Iaddend.

.Iadd.53. Visor assembly according to claim 51, wherein a gas/air chamber is delimited between the inner shield and outer shield and wherein the internal width of said chamber is at least 2 mm..Iaddend.

.Iadd.54. Visor assembly according to claim 51, wherein said spacer is made of silicone material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.55. Visor assembly according to claim 51, wherein said pins are eccentric pins..Iaddend.

.Iadd.56. Visor assembly according to claim 51, wherein the visor assembly lacks electric heating means..Iaddend.

.Iadd.57. Visor assembly according to claim 51, wherein said inner shield is made of heat-treated cellulose acetate material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.58. Visor assembly according to claim 51, wherein said inner shield is made of cellulose propionate material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.59. Visor assembly according to claim 58, wherein said inner shield is provided on one side with a coating that counteracts misting up..Iaddend.

.Iadd.60. Visor assembly according to claim 58, wherein said inner shield is provided on one side with a coating which improves scratch resistance..Iaddend.

Description

(1) The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to illustrative embodiments shown in the drawing, In the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a helmet provided with a first embodiment of the visor assembly according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of the visor assembly according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the visor assembly according to the invention; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a section along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

(6) In FIG. 1 the visor assembly according to the invention is indicated in its entirety by 1. An outer visor can be seen, which is hingeably joined to a helmet 3 in a manner not shown in more detail. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the visor assembly 1 consists of an inner shield 6 in addition to the outer shield 2. Inner shield 6 can be secured within the outer shield 2 with the aid of recesses 12 and pins 10 which are fitted in the outer shield 2 and together form retaining means 8. Such a construction is described in more detail in European Application 95937212.9.

(7) According to the invention the inner shield 6 is now provided with a peripheral rim 7 of silicone material. This bead material is stuck to the inner shield but is applied to outer shield 2 only after it has set, that is to say after the silicone material 7 no longer has any adhesive properties. As a result of the presence of this bead 7 the inner shield 6 is held some distance away from the outer shield 2. Moreover, complete sealing between inner shield 6 and outer shield 2 takes place.

(8) Should it be necessary for any reason whatsoever to take inner shield 6 and outer shield 2 apart this is then possible in a simple manner because no permanent adhesive joint has been produced with the aid of the ring of silicone material 7.

(9) Any other mechanical fixing constructions known in the prior art can be used instead of the fixing means 8 shown. In FIGS. 3 and 4 a variant of the visor assembly according to the invention is shown and is indicated in its entirety by 21. In this case it is not indicated on what this visor is fitted.

(10) As can be seen, a recess or seat 23 has been made in the outer shield 22. The dimensions of this recess or seat correspond to the external dimensions of the inner shield 26. As in the case of the previous embodiment, inner shield 26 is provided close to the periphery thereof with a rim or ring 27 extending all round. This rim or ring is made of a flexible sealing material. Optionally, a second rim 27a of flexible material can be provided on the other side of inner shield 26 so that the inner shield can be reversed in position. Fixing of inner shield 26 to outer shield 22 takes place with the aid of a simple snap-fit construction. Snap-in lips 24 and 25 are arranged at, respectively, the top and bottom in the outer shield 22. By this means the inner shield 26 can be pushed against the outer shield 22 under some pretension. Spacer 27 provides a seal between inner shield and outer shield, as a result of which ingress of moisture, and consequently misting up of the outer shield 22, can be prevented.

(11) It must be understood that the construction with which the inner shield is somewhat sunken in the outer shield can also be implemented in another way. For instance, it is possible to construct the outer shield with an appreciable thickness, for example 3 mm, close to the periphery. By making a recess, for example 1 mm deep, in this thickness, the inner shield can be accommodated therein. That is to say the outer shield has a lesser thickness at the location of the inner shield. With this arrangement it is possible for a recess made in this way in the outer shield to be delimited on all sides by thicker material of the outer shield. However, it is also possible to allow the lesser thickness of the outer shield to extend over the entire length thereof in a certain direction. The inner shield can be moved relative to the outer shield in that direction and brought into position.

(12) On comparison of the above illustrative embodiments, further variant embodiments will immediately become apparent to those skilled in the art. These are obvious in the light of the above description and full within the scope of the appended claims.