Pivot fastening mechanism for a helmet visor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pivoting fastening mechanism for a helmet visor, the pivoting fastening mechanism being adapted to be coupled to both sides of a helmet (2) to secure a visor (3) to the helmet, and the pivoting fastening mechanism comprising two parts capable of being connected to each other: a first part or fixing part (4) coupled to the surface of the helmet (2); and a second part or pivoting part (5) coupled to the visor (3) such that the visor can be rotated relative to the helmet (2) to open and close the visor, wherein the fixing part (4) comprises a plurality of elements connected to each other, the plurality of elements including a gap (6) and a retractable locking element (7) to receive and lock the pivoting part (5); and wherein the pivoting part (5) further comprises a plurality of elements connected to each other, the plurality of elements including: a mushroom-shaped protrusion (8) press-fitted into the gap (6) of the fixing part (4) thereby interlocking in the locking element (7); and a button (9) that, when pressed, releases the locking element (7) to remove the visor (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a pivoting fastening mechanism for securing a helmet visor or sun visor to the helmet body, such that the visor is movable and can be rotated up and down on the mechanism to position the visor in various positions, from a high position with the visor at its maximum opening to a low closed position. The mechanism has a system for releasing and repositioning the visor, which can be operated very easily by simply pressing a button and without the use of tools. The invention also relates to helmets and helmet visors.

[0002] The application field of this invention belongs to the industrial sector specifically for manufacturing protective helmets, with a particular focus on the field of fixing mechanisms between face shields and helmets. Background Technology

[0003] Different types of mechanisms are available on the market to secure the face shield to the helmet, allowing the face shield to be released for replacement when necessary. The most well-known mechanism is the one described below.

[0004] Initially, the most basic mechanism consisted of a base fixed to the helmet and a rotating part fixed to the visor, the two parts being joined together by a screw that allowed the visor to rotate to open and close. The problem with this type of mechanism was that a tool (usually a screwdriver) was required to release and reposition the visor.

[0005] Other types of mechanisms exist that require no tools and have a cam fixed to the helmet base. This cam is accessible when the visor is in the open position. When working as a lever, the cam allows a fingertip to enter and move it, releasing the visor's latching or locking system, allowing the visor to be removed by pulling it out. The disadvantage of this system is that accessing the cam is often difficult, and in many cases, tools must be used to operate it, especially since the cam often needs to be manipulated again and the visor repositioned to a specific location for repositioning.

[0006] Similarly, mechanisms exist that have a pressure button to release the mask locking system; however, they require combining pressing the button with a lateral sliding movement of the mask to release it, as it would otherwise be impossible to remove the mask simply by pulling it out. A major drawback of this system is that, in order to reposition the mask, it must also be placed at a point different from where the mask button and base's axes coincide, so that the same lateral movement is performed in reverse, and the button is pressed simultaneously to re-interlock the mask locking system. This can be a slightly complex operation until it is correctly learned, and therefore it is not an easy solution.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for securing a face mask to a helmet, which is even easier to use because it is one of the following: a tool-free mechanism and a mechanism operated by pressing an external button, thereby avoiding the need for additional movement when pressing the button. With the present invention, the face mask can be secured with one hand without holding or operating any additional levers, and the face mask can also be released from the helmet by pressing a button. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is a pivoting fastening mechanism for helmet visors.

[0009] As described above, the present invention proposes a fastening mechanism of the following type for securing a helmet visor or sun visor to the helmet body on both sides of a helmet (e.g., a motorcycle helmet). The visor covers a front opening and has pivoting motion to allow the visor to move, rotating up and down on the mechanism to position the visor in various positions from a higher position with the maximum opening to a lower closed position. The mechanism exhibits the characteristics of a system for releasing and repositioning the visor, which can be operated very easily by simply pressing a button and without the use of tools.

[0010] Specifically, using the mechanism of the present invention, in order to remove the mask, it is only necessary to position it in its open position (that is, the higher position) and apply a slight outward pressure to the inner part of the mask, for example, by simply positioning a finger between the mask and the helmet, the button of the mechanism is pressed and it sinks down, so that the mask is released simply by pulling it out, without having to perform any other movement.

[0011] In the same way, the mechanism is very easy to use for repositioning the mask, as it is sufficient to put the mask back on the helmet so that the two parts of the mechanism face each other and press to lock the mask in place again, without even having to press the button again or make any previous or subsequent movements.

[0012] Therefore, the mechanism proposed in this invention comprises two parts that can be connected to each other: a first fixing part that is coupled into the helmet and a second pivoting part that is coupled into the face shield. Logically, there are two identical mechanisms on both sides of the helmet to secure the face shield at their ends.

[0013] The first part of the mechanism, which is incorporated into the helmet (hereinafter referred to as the fixed part), further includes multiple elements connected to each other to receive and lock the second part or pivoting part of the visor, making it possible to rotate relative to the first part. The second part or pivoting part is also composed of multiple elements connected to each other.

[0014] Specifically, the fixed part of the mechanism basically includes a lower support plate, preferably fixed to the surface of the helmet by means of screws, and a circular upper base. Conversely, symmetrical, corresponding locking sliding elements are located between the plate and the base. The corresponding locking sliding elements, pushed by corresponding springs, tend to approach and position themselves to partially occupy the central gap of the upper base.

[0015] The portion of the mechanism that integrates into the face mask (hereinafter referred to as the pivot portion) includes a protruding structure or protrusion protruding from the inner portion of the face mask (i.e., the helmet-facing side of the face mask). This protrusion is preferably mushroom-shaped, having an inclined inner surface and a peripheral groove in the portion that forms the trunk of the mushroom-shaped protrusion. The protrusion is sized to fit snugly into the central gap of the upper base of the mechanism's fixing portion. Furthermore, on the outer side of the face mask, the same protrusion has a circular housing incorporating a button associated with a spring that tends to hold the button in an elevated position. When pressed, the button actuates two rods that protrude from the opposite side of the face mask and partially cover the aforementioned peripheral groove of the protrusion.

[0016] Thus, to position the face mask on the helmet, it is sufficient to overlap the two parts of the mechanism and press gently. In this way, when the mushroom-shaped protrusion of the pivoting part of the face mask is inserted into the gap of the upper base of the fixed part of the helmet, the inclined surface of the mushroom-shaped protrusion advances on the locking sliding element, causing the locking sliding element to retract until it overcomes the locking sliding element. Thereafter, due to the spring associated with and tending to bring the locking sliding element together, the locking sliding element returns to its initial position and inserts into the peripheral groove of the mushroom-shaped protrusion, thereby locking the mechanism and interlocking the face mask.

[0017] To remove the visor, simply press the button on the pivot again. This causes the internal rod to push the sliding elements of the helmet's fixed parts, separating them and releasing them from the grooves they were inserted into. This allows the visor to be removed freely simply by pulling it out, without any other movement.

[0018] It is worth noting that these release levers are arranged on opposite sides of the button in such a manner that, when the sun visor is in the closed position, the release levers do not coincide with the locking sliding element, which is also located at the opposite point of the gap in the upper base. This ensures that the mask cannot be removed from this position, regardless of how long the button is pressed. Furthermore, the mask can only be removed when it is in the open position, because in this position, the button lever does indeed coincide with the locking sliding element. If the button is pressed, it moves the locking sliding element, thereby releasing the mushroom-shaped structure and allowing the mask to be removed.

[0019] Additionally, in the lateral region of the lower plate of the fixed part of the mechanism, a spring is provided with a stop such that when the mask is lowered, the stop pushes a lug provided on the inner surface of the mask for this purpose, so that the mask is not fully lowered and is fixed in the position where a minimum opening is specified between the mask and the surface of the helmet, which allows air to enter so that the mask does not fog up.

[0020] However, in order to prevent air from entering the interior of the helmet and thus leaving no space (e.g., when increasing speed), when the visor is pushed down, it is slightly forced to a lower position, the force of the spring is overcome and the visor is fully closed.

[0021] Alternatively, preferably, an inner folding plate is provided in the center of the face mask, which is fitted into a retractable protrusion that coincides with the center of the helmet opening. The folding plate and the retractable protrusion interlock to ensure the closure of the face mask.

[0022] In summary, the main advantage of the mechanism of the present invention is that, apart from the elimination of the need for tools to remove and reposition the visor onto the helmet, it requires no lateral or other type of movement of the visor. The visor is released simply by pressing a button, and to position the visor, it is sufficient to face the two parts of the mechanism together and press them to engage. No additional manipulation or searching for an angle or anything else is required. Therefore, it is an extremely simple and convenient mechanism to use. Furthermore, the fixing part of the mechanism is secured to the helmet by simple screws, and the components have a reduced size.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is a helmet with a face mask, which presents an assembly in which the face mask can be attached to the helmet by means of a pivoting fastening mechanism as described above.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is a helmet visor or sun visor of the type that can be attached to and detached from a helmet, and can be raised and lowered.

[0025] The ultimate goal of this invention is a helmet. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To complete the description of the invention and to facilitate understanding of its features, illustrative and non-limiting drawings are included as an integral part of this specification.

[0027] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pivoting fastening mechanism for a helmet visor, which is the subject of this invention, is shown, illustrating the different parts and elements included in the pivoting fastening mechanism and the construction of each of them.

[0028] Figure 2 A front view of the part of the mechanism that is fixed to the helmet is shown, illustrating the components that are connected to each other in that part.

[0029] Figure 3 A side view of the portion of the mechanism that is attached to the face mask is shown, illustrating the configuration of the components included in this portion when attached to the face mask.

[0030] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The front and rear perspective views of the mechanism's components are shown, with each part and the components of both parts already connected to each other, and are shown without the helmet or mask attached.

[0031] Figure 6 It shows Figure 4 and Figure 5 Side view of the components of the installed mechanism shown.

[0032] Figure 7 A side view of a helmet with a face shield secured by a mechanism of the present invention is shown, with the face shield shown from its front. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Taking into account the accompanying drawings and the reference numerals used, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention can be observed in the drawings, including the contents described in detail below.

[0034] Therefore, as can be seen in the accompanying drawings, the mechanism (1) of the present invention is adapted to be coupled to both sides of a helmet (2) to secure a face shield (3) to the helmet. The mechanism comprises, in a known manner, two parts that can be connected to each other: a first part or fixing part (4) coupled to the surface of the helmet (2); and a second part or pivoting part (5) coupled to the face shield (3), thereby enabling the face shield to rotate relative to the helmet to open and close. The essential difference lies in the fixing part (4) of the mechanism (1). The device comprises multiple interconnected elements, including a gap (6), and a retractable locking element (7) for receiving and locking the pivot portion (5) by means of pressing it, and the pivot portion (5) further comprises multiple interconnected elements, including: a protrusion (8), preferably mushroom-shaped, which presses into the gap (6) of the fixing portion (4) to interlock in the locking element (7); and a button (9) which, when pressed, releases the locking element (7) to remove the mask (3) by pulling it out.

[0035] For this purpose and more specifically, the fixing part (4) of the mechanism (1) includes a lower support plate (10) and a circular upper base (12), the lower support plate (10) being preferably fixed to the surface of the helmet (2) by a screw (11) inserted into a hole (21) provided on the plate for this purpose, and the circular upper base (12) defining a central gap (6) of the fixing part. Between the lower plate (10) and the upper base (12) are two opposite and symmetrical retractable locking sliding elements (7) with a semi-circular shape, which are pushed against each other by corresponding springs (13) and tend to position themselves to partially occupy the central gap (6) of the upper base (12), since the gap defined by the retractable locking sliding elements (7) is smaller than the gap (6) of the upper base (12).

[0036] Furthermore, the pivot portion (5) of the mechanism (1) integrated into the mask (3) includes a protruding structure (8) protruding from the inner portion of the mask (3), the protruding structure (8) preferably being mushroom-shaped and having an inclined surface (14) and a peripheral groove (15) at its lower end, the protruding structure or protrusion (8) being sized to fit tightly into the central gap (6) of the upper base (12) of the fixed portion (4) of the mechanism. On the outer portion of the mask (3), the same structure of the pivot portion (5) has a circular housing (16) in which a button (9) is inserted, the button (9) being associated with another spring (13) that tends to hold the button in a high position, the button also being associated with an inner portion having a corresponding release lever (17). When the button (9) is pressed, the release lever (17) protrudes from the opposite side of the mask (3) and partially covers the peripheral groove (15) of the protrusion (8), thereby causing the locking element (7) to separate when the two parts of the mechanism (1) are engaged (4) and (5), and thus causing the mask (3) to be released.

[0037] It is important to note that, preferably, the release lever (17) is arranged on the opposite sides of the button (9) in such a way that when the mask (3) is in the lowered position (i.e., closed), the release lever does not coincide with the position of the locking sliding element (7) at the point opposite to the gap (6) of the upper base (12), and when the mask (3) is in the high position (i.e., in the open position), the lever (17) does coincide with the position of the locking sliding element (7), such that the mask (3) cannot be removed when it is in the closed position, and can only be removed when it is in the open position.

[0038] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the mechanism (1) of the present invention, in the lateral region of the lower support plate (10) of the fixed portion (4), another spring (13) is configured to be associated with a stop (18) that protrudes slightly such that when the mask (3) is lowered, the stop interlocks with a lug (not shown) provided for this purpose on the inner surface of the mask, such that the mask is not fully lowered and is fixed in a position with a minimum opening between the mask (3) and the surface of the helmet (2). The opening allows air to enter so that the mask (3) does not fog up, and the action of the spring (13) associated with the stop (18) can be overcome by applying a certain force to the mask (3) to lower the mask (3) until the mask (3) is fully closed.

[0039] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper base (12) of the fixed portion (4) of the mechanism is connected to the lower support plate (10), which is press-fitted within a peripheral partition (19) defined in the plate and interlocked with a lateral folding plate (20). It exhibits a certain lateral movement due to the presence of two other springs (13) (upper spring and lower spring), which fix the base (12) in the housing of the partition (19) defining the lower plate (10) and absorb the movement generated by the rotation of the protrusion (8) of the mask when the mask (3) pivots to raise or lower.

Claims

1. A pivoting fastening mechanism for a face shield of a helmet, the pivoting fastening mechanism being adapted to be coupled to both sides of a helmet (2) to secure the face shield (3) to the helmet, the pivoting fastening mechanism comprising two parts capable of being connected to each other: a first part or fixed part (4) coupled to the surface of the helmet (2); and a second part or pivoting part (5) coupled to the face shield (3), thereby enabling the face shield to be rotated relative to the helmet (2) to open and close the face shield, characterized in that, - The fixed portion (4) includes a central gap (6) and a retractable locking element (7) to receive and lock the pivot portion (5); and - The pivoting portion (5) includes a protrusion (8) that presses into the central gap (6) of the fixed portion (4) to interlock between the locking elements (7); And a button (9) associated with a spring (13), which releases the locking element (7) when pressed to remove the mask (3) from the fixed part (4).

2. The pivot fastening mechanism of claim 1, wherein The fixing part (4) includes a lower support plate (10) and a circular upper base (12), the lower support plate (10) being fixed to the surface of the helmet (2), and the circular upper base (12) defining a central gap (6). There are opposite and symmetrical retractable locking elements (7) with semi-circular shapes between the lower support plate (10) and the upper base (12), and corresponding springs (13) that cause the locking elements (7) to push against each other, such that the locking elements tend to position themselves to partially occupy the central gap (6) of the upper base (12).

3. The pivoting fastening mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lower support plate (10) is fixed to the helmet (2) by screws (11) inserted into holes (21) in the lower support plate.

4. The pivoting fastening mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pivot portion (5) includes a mushroom-shaped protrusion (8) having an inclined surface (14) and a peripheral groove (15), the mushroom-shaped protrusion (8) protruding from the interior portion of the face mask (3) to face the fixed portion (4) of the helmet.

5. The pivoting fastening mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The mushroom-shaped protrusion (8) is sized to fit snugly into the central gap (6) of the upper base (12) of the fixed part (4) of the pivoting fastening mechanism.

6. The pivoting fastening mechanism according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, On the outer portion of the mask (3), the pivot portion (5) has a circular housing (16) in which the button (9) is attached, the button (9) being associated with a spring (13) that tends to hold the button (9) in a high position, and the button being associated with an inner portion having a corresponding release lever (17) which, when the button (9) is pressed, protrudes from the opposite or inner side of the mask (3) where the button is located, thereby partially covering the peripheral groove (15) of the mushroom-shaped protrusion (8).

7. The pivoting fastening mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The release lever (17) is arranged on opposite sides of the button (9) in such a manner that when the mask (3) is in the lowered position, i.e., closed, the release lever does not coincide with the position of the locking element (7) which is also arranged at the point opposite to the central gap (6) of the upper base (12), and when the mask (3) is in the high position, i.e., open, the release lever (17) coincides with the position of the locking element (7).

8. The pivoting fastening mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lateral region of the lower support plate (10) of the fixed part (4) includes a spring (13) associated with a stop (18) that protrudes slightly such that when the mask (3) is lowered, the stop (18) interlocks with a lug provided on the inner surface of the mask (3) such that the mask is not fully lowered and is fixed in a position with a minimum opening between the mask (3) and the surface of the helmet (2), thereby allowing air to enter and preventing the mask (3) from fogging.

9. A helmet with a face shield, characterized in that, The face mask is attached to the helmet by means of a pivoting fastening mechanism according to claim 1 and any one of claims 2 to 8.

10. A helmet visor, characterized in that, The helmet visor includes a pivot portion having a protrusion (8) and a button (9) associated with a spring (13), which, when pressed, allows the visor (3) to be removed. The pivot portion (5) includes a mushroom-shaped protrusion (8) with an inclined surface (14) and a peripheral groove (15), the mushroom-shaped protrusion (8) being exposed from the inner part of the mask.

11. The helmet visor according to claim 10, characterized in that, The pivot portion (5) includes a circular housing (16) protruding from the outside of the mask (3), wherein the circular housing (16) is coupled with a button (9), the button (9) being associated with a spring (13) that tends to hold the button (9) in a high position, and the button is also associated with an internal portion having a corresponding release lever (17) which, when the button (9) is pressed, protrudes from the opposite or inner side of the mask (3) where the button is located, thereby partially covering the peripheral groove (15) of the mushroom-shaped protrusion (8).

12. A helmet, characterized in that, The helmet includes a fixing part (4) having a lower support plate (10) and a circular upper base (12), the lower support plate (10) being fixed to the surface of the helmet (2), and the circular upper base (12) defining a central gap (6), with opposite and symmetrical retractable locking elements (7) of a semi-circular shape and corresponding springs (13) between the lower support plate (10) and the upper base (12), the corresponding springs (13) causing the locking elements (7) to push against each other, such that the locking elements tend to position themselves to partially occupy the central gap (6) of the upper base (12). The lower support plate (10) is fixed to the helmet (2) by screws (11), which are inserted into holes (21) in the lower support plate.

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