PROTECTIVE HELMET

Abstract

A protective helmet has one or more air guiding members configured to place in fluid communication at least one area of the helmet with several ventilation ports for output/expulsion of air to define an area for the passage of air flow independent from, and/or isolated, and/or not in fluid communication with, other areas for the passage of air flows in the helmet.

Claims

1. A protective helmet comprising a first ventilation path or circuit and a second ventilation path or circuit, wherein the first ventilation path or circuit and the second ventilation path or circuit are paths or circuits physically separate or independent from each other, or paths or circuits not in mutual fluid communication, or paths or circuits configured to prevent a mutual interference between air flows.

2. A protective helmet comprising one or more air guiding members configured to place in fluid communication at least one area of the helmet with one or more ventilation ports for output/expulsion of air so as to define a first ventilation path or circuit intended for the passage of air flow in the helmet, wherein the first ventilation path is independent from, and/or isolated, and/or not in fluid communication with, or not interfering with, a second ventilation path or circuit configured for the passage of another air flow in the helmet.

3. The protective helmet according to claim 2, wherein the first ventilation path or circuit is physically separate from the second ventilation path or circuit.

4. The protective helmet according to claim 3, wherein said one or more guiding members is/are one or more tubular bodies or bodies configured to define a closed cross-section when mounted in the helmet.

5. The protective helmet according to claim 2 4, wherein the at least one area of the helmet is a visor chamber.

6. The protective helmet according to claim 2, wherein the one or more ventilation ports is a rear ventilation port of the helmet.

7. The protective helmet according to claim 6, wherein the at least one area of the helmet is a visor chamber, wherein the first path extends between the visor chamber and said rear ventilation port of the helmet, wherein the second path extends between a front ventilation port and said rear ventilation port of the helmet, and wherein said one or more guiding members are associated with one and/or the other one of said first path or circuit and said second path or circuit.

8. The protective helmet according to claim 6, wherein the at least one area of the helmet is a visor chamber, wherein said one or more tubular bodies are bodies configured to be manipulated individually with respect to a structure of the helmet and one of said first path or circuit and said second path or circuit is defined by said tubular bodies and the other of said first path or circuit and said second path or circuit is defined by holes formed in said structure of the helmet.

9. The protective helmet according to claim 8, wherein said tubular bodies are closed with respect to said holes.

10. The protective helmet according to claim 1, comprising a body of the helmet, wherein the protective helmet further comprises an helmet body, and wherein the first ventilation path or circuit and the second ventilation path or circuit are channels extending in the helmet body each between a respective inlet mouth or opening and a respective outlet mouth or opening.

11. The protective helmet according claim 1, wherein the first ventilation path or circuit and the second ventilation path or circuit are paths included in a same layer of the helmet.

12. The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the first ventilation path or circuit and the second ventilation path or circuit are paths covered by an outer shell of the helmet.

13. The protective helmet according to claim 12, further comprising a layer with energy absorption function and wherein both the first ventilation path or circuit and the second ventilation path or circuit extend in the layer with energy absorption function in an area comprised between an intrados side of the layer with energy absorption function and an outer shell of the helmet.

14. The protective helmet according to claim 13, wherein the first ventilation path or circuit and the second ventilation path or circuit both extend between a front area of the helmet and a rear area.

15. The protective helmet according to claim 14, wherein the first ventilation path or circuit has a ventilation function different from the second ventilation path or circuit, and wherein the first ventilation path or circuit is configured to allow demisting of a visor of the helmet, and the second ventilation path or circuit is configured to allow ventilation or airing of a user's head.

16. The protective helmet according to claim 8, further comprising one or more grooves or recesses and wherein said one or more tubular bodies are housed in a respective groove or recess.

17. The protective helmet according to claim 12, wherein said one or more tubular bodies are housed in a respective groove or recess, said groove or recess is formed in said layer with energy absorption function.

18. The protective helmet according to claim 1, further comprising at least one first longitudinally extending groove which extends along the entire top of the helmet between a front area and a rear area of the helmet, and a second groove that branches off on one side of the first groove and is located in a front region of the helmet, said first groove being configured to accommodate a respective tubular body, and said second groove comprising one or more first through-holes configured to provide fluid communication between the front ventilation port and an inner side of the helmet, and wherein the helmet further comprises one or more second through-holes configured to provide fluid communication between the rear ventilation port and an inner side of the helmet.

19. The protective helmet according to claim 18, wherein said one or more front ventilation ports, said one or more first through-holes and said one or more second through-holes and said one or more rear ventilation ports are part of said second ventilation path or circuit second circuit.

20. A method for managing ventilation in a protective helmet, the method comprising: arranging a first ventilation path or circuit and a second ventilation path or circuit, wherein the first ventilation path or circuit and the second ventilation path or circuit are paths or circuits physically separate or independent from each other, or paths or circuits not in mutual fluid communication, or paths or circuits configured to avoid a mutual interference between flows of air, or directing at least one air flow in a first air circuit of the helmet from an area of the helmet towards one or more ventilation ports for output/expulsion of air independently and/or separately and/or without fluid communication with respect to, or without interfering with, at least one second circuit configured to allow passage of an air flow into the helmet.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein an air flow which extends from the visor chamber towards the ventilation port for output of air is configured to be independent, or isolated, from another flow, wherein one of said flows is configured to be conveyed in one or more tubular bodies or bodies configured to form a closed cross-section once mounted in the helmet and the other of said flows is configured to be conveyed in holes formed in a layer with energy absorption function, said tubular bodies or bodies configured to form a closed cross-section once mounted in the helmet being bodies which are structurally independent or singly able to be maneuvered with respect to said layer with energy absorption function.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein an air flow, which extends from the visor chamber towards the ventilation port for output of air for demisting the visor is configured to be independent from, or is isolated with respect to, an air flow extending between a front ventilation port and said ventilation port for output of air and configured to air an internal area of the helmet intended to accommodate the head of a user.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the air is made to exit from a rear area of the helmet via the two independent paths.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the first ventilation path or circuit and the second ventilation path or circuit convey air flows with a different function inside the helmet.

Description

[0019] Further advantages and characteristic features of the motorcycling helmet according to the present invention will become clear to persons skilled in the art from the following detailed and non-limiting description of an embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 is an axonometric view, from the front, of a protective helmet partially cross-sectioned in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a view, from the rear, of a protective helmet partially cross-sectioned in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 3 is an axonometric view of the protective helmet according to FIG. 1 in which, differently from FIG. 1, an outer shell has been removed and a guiding member is partially raised;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a view, from the rear, of the helmet according to FIG. 2 in which an outer shell has been removed and a guiding member is partially raised;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a front view of the helmet according to FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

[0026] FIG. 6A is a detail VI of FIG. 6;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a cross-section along the line VII-VII of FIG. 5;

[0028] FIG. 7A is a detail VII of FIG. 7;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5, in which, differently from the cross-section of FIG. 6, the guiding members have been removed.

[0030] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, the motorcycling helmet 1 according to the invention comprises an outer cap or shell 2 with anti-penetration function and a layer with energy absorption function 3, for example made of polystyrene. The outer shell 2 and the layer with energy absorption function 3 form part of a general body of the helmet.

[0031] In particular, in a front top area of the outer shell 2, the protective helmet 1 includes a plurality of front ventilation openings or ports 4, 5, in the example two ports 4, 5.

[0032] The protective helmet 1 also includes a visor 21 and a visor chamber 22.

[0033] The protective helmet 1 shown in the figures is also a helmet of the full-face type and includes a chin-piece.

[0034] In a rear area of the outer shell 2, the helmet 1 includes a plurality of rear ventilation openings or ports, also called rear extractors 6, in the example two rear extractors 6, only one of which is visible in the figures.

[0035] As can be seen from the figures, the helmet shown in the present embodiment is symmetrical with respect to a midplane or sagittal plane. In particular the two front ventilation ports 4, 5 and the two rear extractors 6 are symmetrical with respect to the midplane or sagittal plane. As a result, the internal ventilation components of the helmet are arranged symmetrically on both sides, right-hand half and left-hand half, of a sagittal plane, so as to ensure symmetrical ventilation on both sides of the helmet. The description which follows is provided only in relation to a group of ventilation components located in the left-hand half of the helmet. It is understood that the same components are also present in the right-hand half of the helmet. Alternatively, it is also possible for there to be a single group of components centred on a sagittal plane of the helmet.

[0036] It is also pointed out that, in the figures, the helmet is shown in a condition when not worn. However, in the context of the present disclosure it is assumed that the helmet is worn. Consequently, in the context of the present disclosure, any spatial reference such as rear, anterior, front, right-hand, left-hand and similar spatial references are to be understood as referring, by way of indication and/or example, to a condition in which a helmet is worn, and these spatial references are to be understood as being relative to the head of the person. Moreover, when reference to air flows is made, it is to be understood that these are generated in the helmet when a user is riding a vehicle wearing the helmet 1.

[0037] Moreover, in the context of the present disclosure, the expression front ventilation port will be understood as meaning a ventilation port formed in the front area of a user and able to allow the entry and/or the circulation of an air flow in the internal space of the helmet so as to air the head of a user both via channels and via holes formed in the polystyrene or in another layer of the helmet.

[0038] The layer with energy absorption function 3 includes grooves 9, 10, 11 and front holes 13, 14, 15. In particular, a first longitudinally extending groove 9, which extends along the entire top of the helmet and reaches the rear area, and a second groove 10 of shorter length, which branches off one side of the first groove 9, are provided. The front holes 13, 14, 15 are formed in the second groove 10. The front holes 13, 14, 14 place the housing area, or inner side of the helmet, inside which the user's head is arranged, in communication with the respective front ventilation port 4, 5.

[0039] The layer with energy absorption function 3 also includes rear holes 18, 19 which place the housing area of the helmet in communication with each respective rear extractor 6. A third groove or recess 11 of smaller length is formed in the layer 3 in the region of the rear holes 18, 19.

[0040] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the protective helmet 1 includes one or more guiding members 20, in the example one guiding member 20 for each half, i.e. right-hand half and left-hand half, of the helmet. The guiding member is, for example, a tube or tubular body, or tubular jacket, or sleeve, which is preferably made of soft material and able to be adapted to the cap-shaped form of the helmet and which is in fluid communication with given areas of the helmet and allows the creation of an air circuit which is independent from other circuits or air flows in the protective helmet 1.

[0041] Alternatively, the guiding member is a body which, when mounted in the helmet, is able to create an air circuit or area which is independent of other air circuits or flows inside the protective helmet 1.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the guiding member 20 is seated inside the first groove 9 and places the visor chamber 22 in fluid communication with the respective rear extractor 6.

[0043] In order to establish this fluid communication, the guiding member 20 enters, or leads into, or opens out directly inside the visor chamber 22 and opens out in turn inside the respective rear extractor 6. In order to achieve such an opening arrangement, the guiding member 20 may be arranged so as to open out inside the visor chamber 22 on one side and the extractor 6 on the other side, and the guiding member 20 may be retained/held inside the respective groove 9 between the shell 2 and the layer with energy absorption function 3.

[0044] The layer 20 is preferably not in fluid communication with the respective front ventilation port 4, 5 so that an air flow which flows from the visor chamber 22 towards the rear extractors 6 does not interfere with an air flow which enters via the front ventilation port 4, 5 in order to air the user's head.

[0045] The management and organization of the air flows is described below with reference to the attached figures.

[0046] With reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 6A it can be seen that the air which strikes the helmet enters via the front ventilation ports 4, 5 and, owing to a vacuum effect which is created, during riding of the motorcycle, in the rear area of the helmet in the region of the rear extractors 6, is sucked inside the helmet.

[0047] This air, which may be called ventilation/circulation air, passes through the holes 13, 14, 15, enters into the head region and passes out through the rear holes 18, 19 towards the rear extractors 6. The front ventilation ports 4, 5, the holes 13, 14, 15, the rear holes 18, 19 and the rear extractors 6 form an air circuit.

[0048] The ventilation/circulation air flows may vary depending on the speed of the motorcycle, the position/inclination of the helmet and/or the position of the motorcyclist.

[0049] In order to demist the visor, owing to the vacuum which is created in the region of the rear extractors 6, an air flow is sucked in via the visor chamber 22 and, passing inside the guiding members 20, is expelled through the rear extractors 6 (FIG. 7). The air may enter into the visor chamber 22 via the underlying zone of the helmet in the region of the chin and the neck of the user and/or via suitable air vents provided in the chin-piece (not visible in the drawings). The visor chamber 22, the guiding member 20 and the rear extractors 6 form another air circuit.

[0050] As can be understood from FIG. 6 and FIG. 6A any air which circulates via the front ventilation port 4, 5 and passes along the first groove 9 on the outer side of the guiding member 20, does not interfere with the air which passes inside the guiding member 20.

[0051] Consequently, if, depending on the speed of the motorcycle, position/inclination of the helmet and/or position of the motorcyclist, the ventilation/circulation air flow varies inside the helmet, this variation in flow does not affect or interfere with the demisting air flow. Consequently, the risk of turbulence or chaotic air flows being formed, in particular in the intersection zone of the grooves 9, 10, which could result in head losses for the demisting ventilation, is avoided.

[0052] In fact, if such a guiding member were not present, as can be seen in FIG. 8, considerable turbulence could form in the air circuits, in particular with an increase in the ventilation/circulation air flow, with the negative effect of head loss in the demisting air flow.

[0053] The embodiment of the motorcycling helmet described and illustrated here forms only one example which may be subject to numerous variations. For example, it is possible to envisage a version which is double compared to that described, with the use of a guiding member arranged in fluid communication with the front ventilation ports for conveying the ventilation/circulation flow.

[0054] Alternatively it is possible to envisage the use of guiding members both for the ventilation/circulation air flow and for the demisting air flow.

[0055] It should in fact be noted that, owing to the use of air guiding members and in general any other system which isolates the air circuits connecting ventilation openings with areas of the helmet or with other ventilation openings, such that the air flows are independent, it is possible to design or organize a priori a ventilation system according to needs and depending on the type of helmet to be made.

[0056] The number of grooves and ventilation holes, as well as their positioning in the helmet, may also be varied according to needs.

[0057] The grooves or recesses may be formed in any layer which forms the helmet, depending on the structure and configuration of the helmet. The layer with energy absorption function or the layer with anti-penetration function may be made using any material known to the person skilled in the art.

[0058] It should also be noted that the fluid flows in the helmet which are independent of each other may be different from the specific air flows described in the aforementioned embodiment.