Helmet

Abstract

A helmet comprising a crown (2) and a neck strap (3) having a main body (3a). Right and left attachment points (4, 5) attach the neck strap (3) to lateral portions of the crown (2). The main body (3a) is mounted so as to be movable between a use position in which the main body (3a) protrudes from the crown (2) and a stowed position in which the main body (3a) is mounted in a cavity. In the stowed position, an inner face of the main body (3a) faces a rear inner face of the crown (2). The main body (3a) has a curved shape and moves between the two positions by elastic rotation. The main body (3a) is connected to the right and left attachment points (4, 5) by a flexible attachment formed by a flexible fabric element or a band of elastomer material. The flexible attachment can be elastically deformed in three dimensions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a helmet. Background Technology

[0002] US2015 / 0327617 discloses a helmet for working at heights or mountaineering, which features a rotating neck strap. The neck strap has a curved body secured to the crown by two hinges slightly off-center from each other. The neck strap body is elastically deformable to switch between a stowed position and a use position. In the use position, the inner surface of the body is designed to contact the occipital portion of the user's head. In the stowed position, the inner surface faces directly onto the inner wall of the crown.

[0003] Document 2021 / 0321708 discloses a substantially similar helmet construction, which also includes a device for adjusting the headband to improve the helmet's adjustability, thereby adapting to the user's morphological characteristics for a fixed crown size.

[0004] These embodiments are noteworthy because they limit the space occupied by the helmet during storage. They also make it particularly easier to stack helmets on top of each other. This improves the integrity of the neck strap during different handling operations when it is in the stowed position. However, it is evident that, in use, the neck strap cannot provide the same level of comfort and adjustment precision as a helmet with a neck strap secured to the crown via three different attachments (two lateral attachments and one rear attachment).

[0005] A system with three attachments is used to prevent the neck strap from switching between the stowed and used positions. Utility Model Content

[0006] One object of this invention is to provide a helmet that improves the comfort of the rotating neck strap without compromising its ability to reduce its space occupation when folded up.

[0007] This problem tends to be overcome by designing helmets for working at heights or for mountaineering, including:

[0008] - Crown portion, which defines a cavity designed to receive the user's head;

[0009] - A neck strap having a body with a defined inner wall designed to contact the occipital region of the user's head;

[0010] - A right attachment point and a left attachment point, wherein the right attachment point attaches the neck strap to the right side portion of the crown, and the left attachment point attaches the neck strap to the left side portion of the crown;

[0011] - Rear attachment point, which attaches the neck strap to the rear portion of the crown;

[0012] The main body is mounted to be movable between a stable first position and a stable second position, wherein in the stable first position the main body protrudes from the crown to define a use position, and in the stable second position the main body is mounted in the cavity to define a retracted position, wherein in the retracted position the inner surface of the main body faces the rear inner surface of the crown;

[0013] Wherein, when the body moves between a first position and a second position, the body defines a "hard point," and the neck strap has a restoring force to move the body to the use position when the body is between the use position and the "hard point," and to move the body to the folded position when the body is between the folded position and the "hard point."

[0014] The main body has a curved shape and moves between the first position and the second position, thereby elastically deforming and reversing the radius of curvature of the curved shape.

[0015] The helmet's notable feature is that the main body is connected to the right and left attachment points by flexible attachments formed from flexible fabric elements or strips of elastomeric material. These flexible attachments are elastically deformable in three dimensions between the main body and each of the right and left attachment points.

[0016] Advantageously, the flexible attachment is formed from a flexible fabric element selected from webbing, rope, fabric or braid.

[0017] Preferably, the flexible fabric element or the elastomer material strip has a breaking elongation of less than 10% in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] Advantageously, the flexible fabric element or the elastomer material strip has a breaking elongation greater than 50% in the longitudinal direction.

[0019] In a particular configuration, the flexible attachment is formed from the flexible fabric element.

[0020] Preferably, the body is made of a plastic material, and the elongation at break of the flexible fabric element is at least twice the elongation at break of the plastic material forming the body.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the body is connected to the rear attachment point via a flexible fabric element or an elastomer material strip to form a flexible attachment that can elastically deform in a three-dimensional manner. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description of specific embodiments and examples of the present invention, given for non-limiting purposes only and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view of a helmet with a neck strap in the folded-up position is schematically shown;

[0024] Figure 2 A perspective view of a helmet with a neck strap in the use position is shown schematically.

[0025] Figure 3 A perspective view of the neck strap is shown schematically;

[0026] Figure 4 A perspective view of the neck strap, distorted to indicate its position of use, is shown schematically.

[0027] Figure 5 A perspective view of the neck strap, distorted to indicate the tucked-in position, is shown schematically.

[0028] Figure 6 The diagram schematically shows a side view of a helmet with the neck strap in the stowed position. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figures 1 to 6 The description illustrates different constructions of helmet 1, preferably a helmet for mountaineering and working at heights. Helmet 1 includes a crown 2 designed to receive the user's head and a neck strap 3.

[0030] The crown 2 is made of a material that cannot be folded onto itself. The crown 2 may preferably be made of a plastic material, such as polycarbonate or injection-molded ABS or polystyrene or foamed polypropylene, or any other plastic material, particularly injection-molded, thermoformed or foamed plastic material.

[0031] Crown 2 defines a crown surface, which represents the surface of the median plane of the crown in the thickness direction. The crown surface is an approximately hemispherical curved surface. The cavity defined by crown 2 is designed to receive part of the user's head.

[0032] The helmet 1 also includes a neck strap 3 attached to the crown 2 via three attachment points (right attachment point 4, left attachment point 5, and rear attachment point 6). Right attachment point 4 attaches the neck strap 3 to the right side of the crown 2. Left attachment point 5 attaches the neck strap 3 to the left side of the crown 2. Attachment point 6 attaches the neck strap 3 to the rear part of the crown 2. The right and left parts represent the right and left sides of the wearer of the helmet 1. The rear part of the crown 2 corresponds to the part closest to the occipital bone, while the front part corresponds to the part closest to the forehead.

[0033] The neck strap 3 can be directly attached to the crown 2, or it can be attached to the intermediate portion attached to the crown 2. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the neck strap 3 is attached to the right and left portions of the crown 2 via an adjustment system 7 configured to adjust the circumference of the headband. Advantageously, the adjustment system 7 allows the right attachment point 4 and the left attachment point 5 to move relative to the crown 2. The attachment point 6 is preferably directly fixed to the crown 2.

[0034] The neck strap 3 has a body 3a defining an inner wall that is designed to contact the occipital region of the user's head. The body 3a is mounted to be movable between a first position and a second position, in which the body 3a protrudes from the coronal portion 2 to define the use position. Figure 2 In the second position, the main body 3a is installed in the cavity of the crown 2 to define the retracted position. Figure 1 In the retracted position, the inner surface of the body 3a faces the rear inner surface of the crown 2. In a manner similar to some prior art constructions, it is particularly advantageous to have a body 3a that can be C-shaped (i.e., has a curved shape) and deformable to move from the use position to the retracted position.

[0035] During its deformation, the body 3a can define a "hard point," which allows for defining two distinct stable positions: a stowed position or a use position. The body 3a has a curved shape and moves between a first position and a second position, thereby elastically deforming and reversing the radius of curvature of the curved shape. Observing the reversal of the radius of curvature along the radius extending from the center of the curve and first entering the outer or inner surface, it allows for defining a radius of curvature with opposite signs. In other words, the body defines a concave or convex surface depending on whether the reference surface is the inner or outer surface used for the two positions. The body 3a is a rigid element with a certain elastic stiffness. The body 3a is preferably made of a polymer material. When the body 3a is between the use position and the "hard point," the neck strap 3 has a restoring force that moves the body 3a towards the use position. When the body 3a is between the stowed position and the "hard point," the neck strap 3 has a restoring force that moves the body 3a towards the stowed position. The stable position is defined as the position held by the neck strap 3 without external stress, regardless of the orientation of the helmet 1. To move away from a stable position, the user applies a force to the body 3a to deform it towards a "hard point." This force is directed against the restoring force. Once past the "hard point," the applied force and the restoring force of the body 3a are directed in the same direction to place the body 3a in another stable position. The "hard point" is not a stable position.

[0036] In order to facilitate the deformation of the main body 3a without applying excessive stress to other parts of the helmet 1, it is advantageous not to use hinges as in existing constructions.

[0037] The main body 3a is connected to the right attachment point 4 and the left attachment point 5 by a flexible fabric element or elastomer material strip, so as to form a flexible attachment that is elastically deformable in a three-dimensional manner between the main body 3a and each of the right attachment point 4 and the left attachment point 5. The use of the flexible fabric element or elastomer material strip allows for a highly deformable area between the main body 3a and the right attachment point 4 and the left attachment point 5, thereby facilitating the deformation of the main body 3a of the neck strap 3 relative to the attachment point 6.

[0038] This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the helmet 1 is equipped with an adjustment system 7 to adjust the circumference of the headband and to adjust the positions of the right and left attachment points. When the right and left attachment points shift, this has the effect of deforming the body 3a of the neckband 3 to account for the distance between the two attachment points, i.e., the distance in the left-right or lateral direction YY. As the neckband 3 deforms, the deformation kinematics of switching from the folded position to the wearing position also change. As a result, the stress applied to the hinge can be significantly changed according to the adjustment applied to the headband. To avoid having to form a more rigid hinge, i.e., a larger and heavier hinge, which is unacceptable for a device worn on the head for several hours, it is advantageous to use a right flexible attachment 8 and a left flexible attachment 9.

[0039] Although the hinge defines a single pivot axis, the elastomeric material strip and flexible fabric element allow for three-dimensional relative movement, thus enabling better adaptation to the deformation of the body 3a when switching between the stowed and used positions.

[0040] It is also evident that using elastomeric material strips and flexible fabrics allows for a compact structure, or even enables it to be compact. The thickness of the elastomeric material strips and flexible fabric elements can be equal to or less than the thickness of the main body 3a, while still being able to withstand applied stress. Furthermore, the elastomeric material strips and flexible fabric elements are components that can deform upon contact with the user's head, thereby reducing the risk of injury.

[0041] Of particular advantage is that the elastomer material strip and flexible fabric element facilitate deformation in the lateral direction YY (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the midsagittal plane). The lateral direction YY corresponds to the left-right axis, that is, the axis extending from the right attachment point 4 to the left attachment point 5. Deformation in the lateral direction YY results in a reduction of stress at the right attachment point 4 and the left attachment point 5, which is particularly advantageous when the attachment points can be moved by means of the adjustment system 7, as this allows the adjustment system 7 to be kept compact.

[0042] Of particular advantage, elastomer material strips and flexible fabric elements help to... Figure 6The deformation in the lateral direction ZZ is shown. The lateral direction ZZ refers to the vertical direction when the helmet 1 is worn, and is parallel to the median sagittal plane and median coronal plane of the person wearing the helmet 1. The median coronal plane separates the front and rear portions of the crown 2. In other words, the elastomeric material band and flexible fabric element can move toward or away from the plane representing the peak portion of the crown 2 and the plane representing the bottom portion of the crown 2. Similarly, the preferential deformation of the elastomeric material band and flexible fabric element reduces the stress at the attachment point, which is particularly advantageous when the attachment point is connected to the adjustment system 7, as it allows the adjustment system 7 to maintain its compactness. The front-to-back direction is illustrated by the XX axis.

[0043] The elastomeric material strips and flexible fabric elements at each end of the neckband 3 can deform independently of each other, thereby enabling better management of deformation and applied stress.

[0044] In a particularly advantageous manner, the elastomeric material band and flexible fabric element are capable of elastic stretching and deformation in the longitudinal direction passing through attachment point 6, i.e., in the direction connecting the right and left attachment points. This stretching and deformation can increase the circumference of the headband or deform the elastomeric material band and flexible fabric element to apply appropriate stress to the head during the adjustment phase. The stretching and deformation of the elastomeric material band and flexible fabric element enhances the ease of adjusting the back shape of the head.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric material strip and the flexible fabric element are capable of withstanding considerable deformation; for example, the flexible fabric element or the elastomeric material strip has an elongation at break greater than 50% in the longitudinal direction. The high deformability of the right flexible attachment 8 and the left flexible attachment 9 facilitates the deformation of the body 3a.

[0046] A fabric element is an element that can be woven, braided, or knitted. The fabric material is preferably selected from webbing, fabric, braided material, or entanglements of any kind of yarn or fiber. Braided material can be flat braided material and / or tubular braided material. Webbing can be flat webbing and / or tubular webbing. Fabric may comprise a single layer or multiple layers.

[0047] Depending on the material used, it can be a fabric material that exhibits great flexibility in both the lateral and transverse directions, and allows only very little or no stretching in the longitudinal direction. The fabric material can be a rope or a statically indeterminate band, i.e., a breaking elongation percentage of less than 4%. It can also be a dynamic band or rope, i.e., a breaking elongation percentage of less than 15% or even less than 10%. Using the same material as the climbing rope is advantageous, such as polyamide or polyester. Given the materials used, the force required to adjust the neck strap 3 to the user's head means zero or very slight deformation. In this embodiment, the adjustment of the head shape is performed almost entirely by the adjustment system 7, and the flexibility of the fabric or elastomer material allows for a highly deformable attachment, facilitating deformation of the body between the folded and used positions.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the body is made of a plastic material, preferably the same material used in the prior art to form a deformable body. The elongation at break of the flexible fabric element is at least twice as large as the elongation at break of the plastic material forming the body. By limiting the length of the fabric element or elastomer material, the elongation of the flexible fabric element or elastomer material makes adjustment of the user's head easier.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, the body 3a is made of a plastic material, and the elongation at break of the flexible fabric element is at least twice as low as that of the plastic material forming the body 3a. When the neckband 3 is subjected to stress to adjust the latter to the shape of the user's head, the textile material does not deform in the longitudinal direction, and the body 3a deforms to better conform to the shape of the head.

[0050] Depending on the construction, the body 3a can be connected to the rear attachment point 6 by a flexible fabric element or an elastomer material strip to form a flexible attachment that can deform in three dimensions, or the body 3a can be connected by a hinge 10 that defines the pivot axis of the body relative to the crown 2.

[0051] The use of flexible fabric elements or elastomeric material strips allows the body 3a to move relative to the crown 2 in three different directions. This facilitates the deformation of the body 3a between the use position and the retracted position.

[0052] These embodiments are particularly advantageous because they facilitate the deformation of the body 3a between the stowed position and the used position.

[0053] In the retracted position, the main body 3a is mounted inside the crown 2 and attached by three attachments, including at least two flexible attachments. The main body 3a is lightweight, which prevents deformation or large deformation of the fabric elements or elastomer bands that would have the effect of suspending the main body 3a outside the crown 2.

[0054] Because the body 3a can be more easily deformed between the stowed position and the used position, a more encompassing body 3a (i.e., the radius of curvature of the body 3a is closer to the radius of curvature of the crown 2) and / or a longer body 3a can be used. The length of the body 3a is measured in the circumferential direction. For example, the neck strap 3 extends over at least 30% of the circumference of the crown 2, preferably at least 40%, and even more preferably at least 50%. Because the body 3a can be larger, it can extend over at least 20% of the circumference of the crown 2, preferably at least 30%, and even more preferably at least 40%.

[0055] The use of flexible fabric elements or elastomer bands that allow elongation in the longitudinal direction, preferably exceeding 50%, enables a reduction in the length of the flexible fabric elements and elastomer bands. The body 3a can extend over a greater distance, thereby providing better support for the rear portion of the head.

[0056] The length of the main body 3a is much greater than the distance between the right attachment point 4 and the left attachment point 5. Advantageously, the length of the main body 3a is greater than the sum of the distance between the right attachment point 4 and the left attachment point 5, the length of the left flexible attachment 9, and the length of the right flexible attachment 8. The greater length of the main body 3a enables a stable retracted position and a stable usage position. Figure 3 The neck strap 3 is shown in a flat configuration. Figure 4 The same neck strap 3 is shown in a modified form to indicate the folded position, while Figure 5 The location of use is shown.

[0057] exist Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the neck strap 3 is a monolithic element having a body 3a that extends at each end via a flexible fabric element or elastomer band and then via attachment terminals. Preferably, the sum of the lengths of the body 3a and the flexible fabric element or elastomer band is equal to or slightly less than the circumferential distance separating the right attachment point 4 and the left attachment point 5. For example, the sum is less than 5% to 10% of the circumferential length.

[0058] Advantageously, the flexible fabric element or elastomer band has a first end fixed to the body 3a and a second end fixed to the attachment terminal 11. The two attachment terminals 11 are fixed to the crown 2 or the adjustment system 7.

[0059] The neck strap 3 is preferably provided with an additional attachment terminal that secures the neck strap 3 to the crown 2 to form a rear attachment point 6.

[0060] A method for manufacturing helmet 1 can be presented as follows: A crown 2 is provided, which defines a cavity designed to receive the user's head. A neck strap 3 is also provided, which has a body 3a defining an inner wall designed to contact the occipital region of the user's head.

[0061] The neck strap 3 is attached to the crown 2 via the right attachment point 4, the left attachment point 5 and the rear attachment point 6. The right attachment point 4 attaches the neck strap 3 to the right side of the crown 2, the left attachment point 5 attaches the neck strap 3 to the left side of the crown 2, and the rear attachment point 6 attaches the neck strap 3 to the rear part of the crown 2.

[0062] The main body 3a is mounted to be movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the main body 3a protrudes from the crown 2 to define a use position, and in the second position, the main body 3a is mounted in a cavity to define a retracted position. In the retracted position, the inner surface of the main body 3a faces the rear inner surface of the crown 2. The main body 3a has a curved shape and moves between the first and second positions, thereby elastically deforming and reversing the radius of curvature of the curved shape.

[0063] The main body 3a is connected to the right attachment point 4 and the left attachment point 5 by a flexible fabric element or an elastomer material strip, so as to form a right flexible attachment 8 or a left flexible attachment 9 that is elastically deformable in a three-dimensional manner between the main body 3a and each of the right attachment point 4 and the left attachment point 5.

[0064] In use, the body 3a deforms to apply a degree of curvature in one or another direction. When the body 3a deforms, it applies deformation to the flexible fabric element or elastomer band, which facilitates the deformation of the body 3a regardless of the three attachment points with the crown 2.

[0065] The flexible fabric elements and elastomer bands allow for three-dimensional deformation, which facilitates the deformation of the body 3a.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment system 7 is equipped with a knob 7a, which adjusts the circumference of the headband and, if necessary, can shift the lateral attachment point of the neck strap 3.

Claims

1. A helmet (1) designed for working at heights and mountaineering, comprising: Crown (2), said crown (2) defines a cavity designed to receive the user's head; Neck strap (3), the neck strap having a body (3a) defining an inner wall, the inner wall being designed to contact the occipital region of the user's head; The right attachment point (4) where the neck band (3) is partially attached to the right side of the crown (2) and the left attachment point (5) where the neck band (3) is partially attached to the left side of the crown (2). The rear attachment point (6) attaches the neck strap (3) to the rear portion of the crown (2); The main body (3a) is mounted to be movable between a stable first position and a stable second position. In the first position, the main body protrudes from the crown (2) to define a use position. In the second position, the main body (3a) is mounted in the cavity to define a retracted position. In the retracted position, the inner wall of the main body (3a) faces the rear inner surface of the crown (2). Wherein, when the body (3a) moves between the first position and the second position, the body (3a) defines a "hard point", and the neck strap (3) has a restoring force to move the body (3a) to the use position when the body (3a) is between the use position and the "hard point", and to move the body (3a) to the folded position when the body (3a) is between the folded position and the "hard point". The main body (3a) has a curved shape and moves between the first position and the second position, thereby elastically deforming and reversing the radius of curvature of the curved shape; The main body (3a) is characterized in that it is connected to the right attachment point (4) and the left attachment point (5) by a flexible attachment formed of a flexible fabric element or an elastomer material strip, the flexible attachment being capable of elastically deforming in three dimensions between the main body (3a) and each of the right attachment point (4) and the left attachment point (5).

2. The helmet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible fabric element or the elastomer material strip has a breaking elongation of less than 10% in the longitudinal direction.

3. The helmet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible fabric element or the elastomer material strip has a breaking elongation greater than 50% in the longitudinal direction.

4. The helmet (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The flexible attachment is formed from the flexible fabric element.

5. The helmet (1) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that, The body (3a) is made of plastic material, and the elongation at break of the flexible fabric element is at least twice the elongation at break of the plastic material forming the body (3a).

6. The helmet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible attachment is selected from rope or fabric.

7. The helmet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body (3a) is connected to the rear attachment point (6) by a flexible fabric element or an elastomer material strip to form a flexible attachment capable of elastic deformation in three dimensions.

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