Support for interchangeable attachments to the helmet shell of a protective helmet for a person

Abstract

The invention relates to a carrier for interchangeable attachments to the helmet shell of a personal protective helmet. According to the invention, the carrier (T) has two sockets (B1, B2) for holding attachments, wherein the sockets (B1, B2) are positioned opposite each other and each has at least one insertion opening (B11, B12, B21, B22) for a coupling piece (K1, K2) on an attachment, and a spacer (A) which is arranged between the sockets (B1, B2) such that a slot (S) is formed with a width that allows the edge (H3) of a helmet shell (HS) to be inserted between the walls (B14, B24) of the opposing sockets (B1, B2). Such a carrier enables versatile and variable attachment of several attachments with different orientations to a variety of different helmet shells.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a carrier for interchangeable attachments to the helmet shell of a protective helmet for one person.

[0002] These types of mounts are used to temporarily and releasably attach suitable accessories to personal protective helmets, such as firefighter helmets, for specific operational purposes. For example, accessories such as a helmet light, a helmet communication system, signal and / or position lights for easier identification or location of the helmet wearer, or sensors for mobile air quality measuring devices can be attached to a firefighter's helmet.

[0003] An example of such a carrier is known from DE 20 2012 005 519 U1. This carrier features a helmet clamp that can be attached to an edge of the helmet shell and a mounting device for a light, connected via a ball joint. The ball joint can be detachably held on the helmet clamp by means of a coupling. This allows an attachment to be mounted on a helmet shell in a downward orientation. However, this presents the problem that a second attachment, needed at the same time, may not be able to be mounted on the helmet shell. Furthermore, due to the orientation of this carrier, attachments always point downwards below the helmet edge and are thus positioned in the peripheral vision of the helmet wearer, which can impair head movement and the wearer's ability to concentrate.

[0004] Another such carrier is known by way of example from DE 20 2015 102 517 U1. This carrier features a double socket with stepped, superimposed plug slots and two L-shaped plugs with a blade-like locking device and a base with a mounting area for an attachment. This allows two attachments to be mounted on a helmet shell, each facing downwards and outwards. The problem arises, however, that attachments which, for their function, must face inwards, i.e., towards the interior of the helmet shell and thus towards the head of a helmet wearer, such as helmet headsets, and attachments which, for their function, must face upwards, such as signal and / or position lights for easier detection or location of the helmet wearer or sensors for mobile air quality measuring devices, cannot be mounted on the helmet shell.Furthermore, this carrier has two lateral mounting tabs for attaching it to screw holes on a helmet shell. The problem here is that this carrier can only be attached to a helmet shell that has specific holes and therefore cannot be variably attached to just any helmet shell.

[0005] Furthermore, a multifunctional magnifying device that can be attached to a hat or helmet is known from JP 2006 169669 A. This device has a clamping body for attachment to the front edge of a hat or helmet, with a light base on one leg of the clamping body and a locking rail on the other leg. A lens is held on the locking rail by a locking slide and can be positioned in front of the eyes of a person wearing the hat or helmet.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of demonstrating a carrier that enables versatile and variable attachment of several attachments with different orientations to a variety of different helmet shells.

[0007] The problem is solved by the carrier specified in claim 1. Advantageous further embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] The sockets enable the mounting of attachments to the carrier. For this purpose, a coupling piece, to which the respective attachment is held, can be inserted into one of the sockets through an insertion opening. The sockets are positioned opposite each other and thus next to each other. This allows at least one coupling piece to be inserted into each socket simultaneously and in parallel. In this way, the simultaneous mounting of at least two attachments on a carrier according to the invention is advantageously enabled.

[0009] According to the invention, a spacer is arranged between the sockets. In this way, the sockets are spaced apart from each other, creating a slot between them. The spacer and the sockets are rigidly connected, so that the carrier is a rigid structure. The width of the slot is dimensioned such that the carrier can be slid onto the edge of a helmet shell of a personal protective helmet, so that the edge of the helmet shell is positioned in the slot. In the resulting mounting position, the sockets are arranged on opposite sides of the helmet shell, i.e., on the inside and outside. This achieves the advantageous effect that at least one functionally inward-facing attachment, e.g., a helmet headset, and at least one functionally outward-facing attachment, i.e., facing away from the helmet shell and the head of a helmet-wearing person, e.g.,a helmet light that can be held simultaneously via the sockets on the carrier and is thus available for use by a helmet-wearing person.

[0010] The sockets can be oriented in different directions, e.g., forwards in the direction of view of a helmet wearer, backwards in the opposite direction of view; the socket on the outside of the helmet shell can face outwards, i.e., perpendicular to the direction of view, and the socket on the inside of the helmet shell can face inwards, i.e., opposite to the direction of view. This achieves the advantageous effect that the sockets of a carrier according to the invention can be oriented in a variety of ways and for the respective application. In particular, it is advantageous for attachments that require a specific functional orientation to be held on the carrier in that orientation.A carrier according to the invention thus enables, for example, the functionally upward-directed attachment of a signal and / or position light for easier recognition or finding of the person carrying a load, or the functionally downward-directed attachment of a helmet headset.

[0011] Furthermore, more than one coupling element of an attachment can be held simultaneously in a socket of a carrier according to the invention. Several coupling elements of attachments can be inserted into a single insertion opening, or the carrier can have several insertion openings, each of which can hold a coupling element of an attachment. This achieves the advantageous effect that several attachments, which must be functionally arranged on the respective side of the helmet shell, can be held on the inside or outside of the helmet shell. This advantageously improves the versatile and variable attachment of multiple attachments and thus the versatility of a carrier according to the invention.

[0012] A carrier according to the invention thus enables, particularly advantageously, a versatile and variable attachment of several attachment parts with different orientations to a large number of different helmet shells.

[0013] According to the invention, at least one socket has two insertion openings for alternately fixing the coupling piece of an attachment in different positions. Thus, two attachments can be held in one socket, and therefore up to four attachments can be held on one carrier according to the invention. This advantageously improves the versatile and variable attachment of multiple attachments to a helmet shell.

[0014] According to the invention, the insertion openings of at least one socket are arranged on opposite sides. A single socket can simultaneously hold both attachments that must be oriented upwards and those that must be oriented downwards. This advantageously improves the versatile and variable attachment of multiple attachments to a helmet shell.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one socket has a continuous insertion shaft for connecting the opposing insertion openings. In this way, only one insertion shaft is necessary in a socket. This makes it advantageously possible to design a carrier according to the invention to be smaller and lighter. Furthermore, coupling pieces can be held in a carrier according to the invention, with an attachment component arranged at both ends. This advantageously improves the versatile and variable attachment of several attachment components to a helmet shell. In this embodiment, the insertion shafts are not limited in depth but are open to the inside, so that in the application where a coupling piece is inserted into a socket through only one insertion opening, the coupling piece is inserted particularly deep into the socket.This advantageously allows for a particularly secure mounting of an attachment component on a carrier according to the invention.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the insertion shaft of at least one socket has a length that allows for the alternating insertion of a coupling piece, inserted through one of the opposing insertion openings, into a lower or upper insertion position. Thus, a coupling piece can be inserted into the carrier from either side through the respective insertion opening. This advantageously allows the orientation of an attachment on the helmet shell to be easily reversed, for example, by removing the attachment from the lower insertion position and reinserting it into the insertion shaft in the upper insertion position. Furthermore, this achieves the particularly advantageous effect that the same coupling piece can be used for different attachments, especially regardless of their functional orientation.This advantageously further improves the versatile and variable attachment of multiple components to a helmet shell.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spacer between the sockets has a recess for the edge of a helmet shell in the slot. The spacer thus lies particularly flush against the helmet edge. This reduces the risk of foreign objects unwanted entering the space between the spacer and the edge, and thus advantageously reduces the risk of an inventive carrier detaching from the edge of a helmet shell.

[0018] The shape of the insertion groove, specifically its cross-section and axial orientation, is particularly advantageous, as it closely mirrors the shape of the helmet's edge. It is not necessary for the insertion groove and edge to be perfectly aligned and gap-free. Rather, it is sufficient if the shapes of the insertion groove and the helmet's edge are largely identical. This allows for a particularly precise and stable insertion of the helmet shell's edge into the insertion groove, ensuring a secure fit for the wearer against the edge of the helmet shell. This also further enhances the versatility of attaching multiple accessories to a single helmet shell.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spacer is arranged between the sockets such that the inserted edge of a helmet shell runs approximately parallel to an insertion opening of at least one socket. When the carrier is mounted on the edge of a helmet shell, an insertion opening is thus arranged either above or below the edge and parallel to it. This means that the insertion opening for inserting a coupling piece is easily accessible and palpable for a person when attaching a component to the helmet shell, even outside the person's field of vision during manual handling of the component. This advantageously facilitates the attachment of a component to the helmet shell using a carrier according to the invention.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sockets and the spacer form a single, integral component. In this way, a support according to the invention can be manufactured in one piece. This advantageously reduces the effort required to manufacture a support according to the invention. Furthermore, this method achieves a particularly homogeneous and stable connection between the sockets and the spacer. The stability of a support according to the invention is thus advantageously improved. In particular, such a stable support can be attached to a helmet shell with a particularly high clamping force and is therefore especially stable. Such a stable support is thus particularly suitable for mounting heavy attachments to a helmet shell. This also advantageously improves the versatile and variable attachment of multiple attachments to a helmet shell.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, an insertion opening of a socket has clamping means for engaging a coupling piece. This advantageously reduces the risk of a coupling piece unintentionally emerging from the insertion opening and thus of an unintentional detachment of an attachment from a carrier according to the invention. At the same time, it advantageously enables the use of a carrier according to the invention in situations where it is subjected to forces, e.g., during vibrations or rapid head movements of the helmet wearer. This further improves the versatile and variable attachment of multiple attachments to a helmet shell.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a clamping element has an opening in a wall of a socket for engagement of a locking element on the coupling piece. The locking element is at least partially inserted into the opening in a wall of the socket and is thus supported at least at one edge of the opening. This achieves a positive locking of the clamping element in the socket. This further reduces the risk of an attachment detaching from a carrier according to the invention. This also advantageously improves the versatile and variable attachment of several attachments to a helmet shell.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outer wall of a socket has an opening through which a locking device on the coupling piece is manually accessible. The outer wall of a socket is always the side of the socket facing away from the surface of the helmet shell. The outer wall is thus oriented either towards the head of a helmet-wearing person or towards the environment. By incorporating the opening into an outer wall, a person's access to the locking device of a coupling piece is facilitated. This makes it easier for the person to release a locking device in order to intentionally and controllably remove an attachment from the wearer.This advantageously enables the use of a carrier according to the invention even in situations where a secure and reliable attachment of a component to a helmet shell must be ensured, particularly when wearing additional protective gloves. This further improves the versatile and variable attachment of multiple components to a helmet shell.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the opening has a contact edge for a spring-loaded clamping tongue on the locking element of a coupling piece. When the locking element, which is advantageously designed as a spring-loaded clamping tongue, is engaged, the clamping tongue rests against the contact edge of the opening, so that the coupling piece is positively locked in the socket. To release the locking element, the clamping tongue can be elastically deformed by manual intervention by the helmet wearer, allowing the clamping tongue to be guided past the contact edge and thus enabling the coupling piece to be removed from the socket. This advantageously allows for the simple manual removal of an attachment from a carrier without requiring any particular dexterity.This advantageously enables the use of a carrier according to the invention even in situations where a helmet-wearing person cannot sensitively influence the carrier according to the invention, particularly when wearing protective gloves. Furthermore, the versatile and variable attachment of multiple components to a helmet shell is advantageously improved.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the carrier has retaining means for engaging a surface of a helmet shell within the slot. Thus, a carrier according to the invention can be held more firmly in its position on the edge of the helmet shell by exerting a clamping force on a surface of the helmet shell. This advantageously reduces the risk of the carrier detaching from the helmet shell. At the same time, it advantageously enables the use of a carrier according to the invention even in situations where it is subjected to forces, e.g., during vibrations or rapid head movements of the helmet wearer. This further improves the versatile and variable attachment of multiple components to a helmet shell.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining means are arranged on an inner wall of at least one socket that defines the slot. The retaining means are thus located near the slot and therefore near an edge of a helmet shell situated within the slot. The retaining means can thus act directly on the surfaces of the helmet shell. In this way, the risk of the wearer detaching from the helmet shell is advantageously further reduced, and the versatile attachment of multiple components is thereby further improved.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining means have a threaded bore through the outer wall of at least one socket for screwing in a clamping screw extending into the slot. In this way, a clamping force can be exerted on the surface of the helmet shell by rotating the clamping screw. Equipping the retaining means with a threaded bore and clamping screw is advantageously technically simple. Furthermore, this allows for the exertion of an almost arbitrarily high clamping force on the surface of the helmet shell, thus further reducing the risk of the wearer being unintentionally detached from the helmet shell. This also advantageously improves the versatile and variable attachment of multiple components to a helmet shell.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining means have at least one clamping jaw on a socket with a threaded bore for screwing in a clamping screw extending into the slot. The clamping jaw serves to receive the threaded bore and to support the clamping screw and is therefore expediently thick-walled and robust. Thus, a particularly high clamping force can be exerted on the surface of the helmet shell via a clamping screw that is especially stable within the clamping jaw. This further reduces the risk of the wearer being unintentionally detached from the helmet shell. This also advantageously improves the versatile and variable attachment of multiple components to a helmet shell.

[0029] The invention and further advantageous embodiments thereof are explained in more detail below with reference to the briefly mentioned figures. These figures show Fig. 1 shows an exemplary support T designed according to the invention in an isometric view from an oblique angle above, Fig. 2 shows the support T from Figure 1 In an isometric view from a low angle, Fig. 3, an exemplary first coupling piece K1 for a carrier T according to the invention; in an isometric view from a low angle, Fig. 4, the carrier T of Figure 1 with an inserted first coupling piece K1 and an identical second coupling piece K2 in an isometric view from a slant above, Fig. 5 the support T with the inserted coupling pieces K1, K2 of Figure 4 in a lateral section view through the section plane E of Figure 4 , Fig. 6 the support T of Figure 4 in a side view, with the coupling pieces K1, K2 inserted in the same orientation, and Fig. 7 the support T of Figure 6in a partial front view, wherein the carrier T is attached to the helmet shell HS of a protective helmet H and the coupling pieces K1, K2 are inserted in opposite orientation.

[0030] There Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 The same exemplary support T, designed according to the invention, are shown from different perspectives. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 The following is a summary.

[0031] The carrier T allows for the attachment of interchangeable components to the shell of a personal protective helmet. Such a helmet is, in particular, a firefighter's helmet. Examples of such components, which can be interchangeably attached to the shell of a firefighter's helmet as needed, include a helmet light, a helmet communication system, signal and / or position lights for easier identification or location of the helmet wearer, or sensors for mobile air quality measuring devices.

[0032] In other types of protective helmets, e.g., helmets for use in construction work, forestry work, sports or police or military use, a carrier according to the invention can be used, e.g., for attaching visors, sun protection, hearing protection, neck protection and / or electronic support devices, such as night vision devices or display devices for augmented reality.

[0033] For this purpose, the carrier T according to the invention has two sockets B1, B2 for holding attachments, which are arranged on opposite sides of the carrier. The sockets each have at least one insertion opening for a coupling piece on an attachment. Thus, on the upward-facing side of the carrier T, the first socket B1 has the insertion opening B11 and the second socket B2 has the insertion opening B21. This is shown in Fig. 1 particularly noticeable.

[0034] Both sockets B1 and B2 advantageously each have two insertion openings for alternately fixing the coupling piece of an attachment in different positions. In addition to insertion openings B11 and B21, the carrier T has a further insertion opening B12 at the first socket B1 and a further insertion opening B22 at the second socket B2. These are located in Fig. 2 particularly noticeable. The carrier T thus has four insertion openings, into each of which a coupling piece on an attachment can be inserted.

[0035] In a further advantageous embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, which is not shown separately, a socket has more than two insertion openings.

[0036] According to the invention, the insertion openings of at least one socket B1, B2 are arranged on opposite sides. The insertion opening B11 of the first socket B1 and the insertion opening B21 of the second socket B2 are arranged on the upward-facing side of the carrier T, and the insertion opening B12 of the first socket B1 and the insertion opening B22 of the second socket B2 are arranged on the downward-facing side of the carrier T.

[0037] In a further advantageous embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, not shown separately, the insertion openings are arranged transversely to each other on a socket. This allows attachments that must be oriented transversely to each other for functional purposes, such as a helmet light facing forward and a helmet headset facing downward, to be attached simultaneously to a single socket.

[0038] The sockets B1 and B2 advantageously each have a continuous insertion shaft for connecting the opposing insertion openings. Thus, socket B1 has insertion shaft B10, which connects the opposing insertion openings B11 and B12 on the carrier T, and socket B2 has insertion shaft B20, which connects the opposing insertion openings B21 and B22 on the carrier T. The insertion shafts B10 and B20 are each formed by the outer walls B13 and B23 and the inner walls B14 and B24 of the sockets B1 and B2, respectively, which are connected to each other by a lateral strip. At least one coupling element of an attachment can be inserted into each of the enclosed insertion shafts B10 and B20. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner walls B14 and B24 are not continuous but are formed only as lateral strips with an open central area.

[0039] The support beam T also has an opening B131 and B231 in its outer walls B13 and B23, respectively, through which access to the insertion shafts B10 and B20 is possible. The openings B131 and B231 are defined by… Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 This will be explained in more detail.

[0040] According to the invention, the carrier T further comprises a spacer A, which is arranged between the sockets B1 and B2. In the present embodiment, the spacer A is approximately beam-shaped and is arranged in the area of ​​the lower insertion openings B12 and B22. The first socket B1 and the second socket B2 are connected by the spacer A and form a rigid unit with it.

[0041] The spacer A advantageously has a groove A1 between the sockets B1 and B2 for the edge of a helmet shell in the slot. The groove A1 has an arcuate cross-section and extends over the entire length of the spacer A.

[0042] The sockets B1, B2 and the spacer A advantageously form a single, integrated component. In the illustrated embodiment, the first socket B1 and the second socket B2 are connected to the spacer A via their inner walls B14 and B24. The inner walls B14 and B24 and the spacer A are seamlessly integrated. This is particularly advantageous in Fig. 2 recognizable. The carrier T can be made of plastic, metal or a composite material and can be manufactured, for example, by injection molding or an additive manufacturing process.

[0043] In a further advantageous embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, not shown separately, the sockets and spacers are made of multiple parts. This allows for versatile combinations of different insertion shafts and spacers, which can be individually assembled for different applications. The insertion shafts and spacers can be permanently or releasably connected to one another.

[0044] According to the invention, the arrangement of the spacer A between the sockets B1, B2 creates a slot S with a width that allows the edge of a helmet shell to be inserted between the inner walls B14, B24 of the opposing sockets B1, B2. By changing the thickness of the spacer A, the width of the slot S can be adjusted to accommodate helmet shells of different thicknesses.

[0045] Furthermore, by changing the position of the spacer between the sockets B1, B2, the depth of the slot for the flexible insertion of helmet shells with varying overlaps between the support T and the helmet shell can be adjusted. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer A is arranged at one end of the sockets B1, B2 in the area of ​​the lower insertion openings B12, B22. Thus, the slot S has only one insertion side S1 in the area of ​​the upper insertion openings B11, B21 of the sockets B1, B2. Furthermore, in this arrangement, the slot S has a maximum depth, so that the overlap between the support T and the helmet shell is maximized. This is demonstrated by… Fig. 5 This will be explained in more detail.

[0046] The carrier T advantageously features retaining elements B15, B16, B25, B26 for engaging a surface of a helmet shell in the slot. These are arranged laterally on both sockets B1, B2 and opposite each other. The retaining elements B15, B16, B25, B26 are located in the area of ​​the lower insertion openings B12, B22 on the sockets B1, B2, but extend beyond the spacer A for engaging a surface of the helmet shell.

[0047] In a further advantageous embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, which is not shown separately, the holding means are designed to engage the edge of the helmet shell.

[0048] The retaining elements B15, B16, B25, B26 are advantageously arranged on an inner wall B14, B24 that delimits the slot S of at least one socket B1, B2. The retaining elements B15, B16, B25, B26 are flush with the surface of the inner walls B14, B24 that delimits the slot S. Thus, the opposing retaining elements B15, B25 and retaining elements B16, B26 are spaced apart from each other at a distance corresponding to the width of the slot S. The retaining elements and the inner walls therefore advantageously form a homogeneous slot.

[0049] In a further advantageous embodiment of a support according to the invention, which is not shown separately, the retaining means are arranged on an outer wall of a socket facing away from the slot.

[0050] The retaining elements B15, B16, B25, B26 advantageously have at least one clamping jaw on a socket B1, B2 with a threaded bore B151, B161, B251, B261 for screwing in a clamping screw extending into the slot S. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining elements B15, B16, B25, B26 are designed as cuboid clamping jaws, each arranged opposite each other on both sides of the sockets B1, B2. The retaining elements B15, B16, B25, B26, designed as clamping jaws, each have a through threaded bore B151, B161, B251, B261. A clamping screw for securing a support T according to the invention to a helmet shell can be screwed into this bore from the outside. This is illustrated by Fig. 7 This will be explained in more detail.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier designed according to the invention has four clamping screws, each arranged on both sides of the sockets and directed towards the outer and inner surfaces of the helmet shell. In a further advantageous embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, not shown separately, the retaining means have only two clamping screws, which are arranged on both sides of one of the sockets and, when rotated towards the helmet shell, press this socket against rigid support elements, e.g., rubber nubs, arranged on both sides of the other socket, to produce a clamping effect.

[0052] In a further advantageous embodiment of a support according to the invention, which is not shown separately, a holding means has an elastically restoring spring element, e.g. a beam or coil spring, whose restoring force acts as a tension force on a surface of the helmet shell.

[0053] In a further advantageous embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, which is not shown separately, a holding means generates a magnetic holding force which acts on the helmet shell to produce a holding effect.

[0054] In a further advantageous embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, which is not shown separately, a holding means generates an adhesive holding force that acts on the helmet shell to produce a holding effect.

[0055] In a further advantageous embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, which is not shown separately, a holding means has a locking element that engages in recesses provided for this purpose in a surface of the helmet shell, so that the carrier is held by positive locking on the edge of a helmet shell.

[0056] According to a further advantageous embodiment of a support according to the invention, which is not shown separately, the holding means have a threaded bore through the outer wall of at least one socket for screwing in a clamping screw extending into the slot.

[0057] The spacer A extends axially outwards, advantageously reaching between the clamping jaws B15, B16, B25, B26, and thus connects them. In this way, on both sides of the sockets B1, B2, the opposing clamping jaws B15, B25 and B16, B16, together with the spacer A, form a particularly stable, U-shaped structure around the edge of the helmet shell. This advantageously allows for the application of a particularly high clamping force to the helmet shell surfaces. This further reduces the risk of the wearer being unintentionally detached from the helmet shell. Moreover, it advantageously improves the versatile and variable attachment of multiple components to a single helmet shell.

[0058] In Fig. 3 is an exemplary first coupling piece K1 for the exemplary carrier T designed according to the invention. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 depicted.

[0059] The first coupling piece K1 has a plate-shaped, rectangular retaining blade K11. A retaining block K13 for an attachment is advantageously arranged at the lower edge of the retaining blade K11. This block has a mounting surface K131 with bores K132 for fixing means, in particular screws, for attaching an attachment to the coupling piece K1. Due to the arrangement of the mounting surface K131 on the retaining block K13, it is advantageously spaced parallel to the retaining blade K11. Thus, an attachment held on the mounting surface K131 is offset from the support T by the thickness of the retaining block K13.

[0060] The first coupling piece K1 has a guide groove K14 in the upper area of ​​the retaining block K13 between this and the retaining blade K11.

[0061] The first coupling element K1 further comprises a locking element K12. This is advantageously designed as a spring-loaded clamping tongue K121, which is formed by an approximately U-shaped relief K111 from the retaining blade K11. The clamping tongue K121 has a clamping block K122 at its freely spring-loaded end. This is advantageously wedge-shaped and has a support edge K123 extending transversely to the clamping tongue K121 and directed towards its freely spring-loaded end.

[0062] The interaction of the first coupling piece K1 and the carrier T according to the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0063] In Fig. 4 and Fig. 5The exemplary carrier T, designed according to the invention, is shown with a first coupling piece K1 inserted into the first socket B1 and a second coupling piece K2 inserted into the second socket B2. The second coupling piece K2 is identical to the first coupling piece K1. The description of the first coupling piece K1 according to Fig. 3 This also applies to the second coupling piece K2, which is why it is not described separately.

[0064] In Fig. 4 The support T with the first and second coupling pieces K1, K2 is shown in isolation in an isometric top view. Fig. 5 The carrier T with the first and second coupling pieces K1, K2 and a helmet shell HS, symbolically represented by dashed lines, is shown in a sectional view along the section plane E of Fig. 4 shown. Since Fig. 4 and Fig. 5The figures, which show the same carrier T with first, second coupling piece K1, K2, only from different perspectives and with or without symbolically indicated helmet shell, are described together below.

[0065] The carrier T is, according to the description, to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 executed. This has a first socket B1 with an insertion slot B10 and a second socket B2 with an insertion slot B20, which are connected to each other via the spacer A. The first coupling piece K1 is located in the insertion slot B10 of the first socket B1 and the second coupling piece K2 in the insertion slot B20 of the second socket B2. In the mounted state of a carrier T on a helmet shell HS, as in Fig. 5As shown, the first and second sockets B1 and B2 are arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of the helmet shell HS. The strip-shaped inner wall B14 of the first socket B1 is thus located on the inner surface H2 of the helmet shell HS, and the strip-shaped inner wall B24 of the second socket B2 is located on the outer surface H1 of the helmet shell HS. The inner walls B14 and B24 thus define the slot S for the helmet edge H3.

[0066] The carrier T is pre-attached to the edge H3 of the helmet shell HS with the insertion side S1 in the area of ​​the upper insertion openings B11, B21.

[0067] The first and second coupling pieces K1 and K2 are aligned in the carrier T such that the mounting surfaces K131 and K231 on the retaining blocks K13 and K23 face in opposite directions. Thus, the mounting surface K131 of the retaining block K13 faces the inner surface H2 of the helmet shell HS and therefore the face of a helmet-wearing person, while the mounting surface K231 of the retaining block K23 faces the outer surface H1 of the helmet shell HS and therefore the environment surrounding a helmet-wearing person.

[0068] The insertion slots B10, B20 of the first and second sockets B1, B2 advantageously have a length that allows for the alternating insertion of a coupling piece K1, K2, inserted through one of the opposing insertion openings, in either a lower or upper insertion position. The insertion slots B10, B20 each have a length that is approximately identical to the length of the retaining blades K11, K21 of the coupling pieces K1, K2. While the retaining blades K11, K21 can be inserted into the insertion slots B10, B20 from either side through an upper or lower insertion opening B11, B12, or B21, B22, respectively, they then fill the slots almost completely. Thus, only one coupling piece can be inserted into a single insertion slot through one of the insertion openings at a time.This allows for a particularly compact design of a support according to the invention if the insertion shaft is short, or a particularly stable mounting of the coupling piece in an insertion shaft if the insertion shaft is long.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiment, the first coupling piece K1 is fully inserted into the insertion slot B10 of the first socket B1 through the lower insertion opening B12 in a lower insertion position L11, such that the upper end of the retaining blade K11 of the first coupling piece K1 is approximately flush with the upper insertion opening B11. Similarly, the second coupling piece K2 is fully inserted into the insertion slot B20 of the second socket B2 through the lower insertion opening B22 in a lower insertion position L21, such that the upper end of the retaining blade K21 of the second coupling piece K2 is approximately flush with the upper insertion opening B21.

[0070] In a further advantageous embodiment of a support according to the invention, which is not shown separately, an insertion shaft has a length such that a coupling piece can be inserted into an insertion shaft from both sides simultaneously and held there.

[0071] The insertion opening of a socket B1, B2 advantageously has clamping means for engaging a coupling piece K1, K2. The insertion openings B11, B12 of the first socket B1 have the clamping means B131, B132 for engaging the first coupling piece K1, and the insertion openings B21, B22 of the second socket B2 have the clamping means B231, B232 for engaging the second coupling piece K2.

[0072] A clamping element B131, B132 advantageously has an opening in a wall B13, B23 of a socket B1, B2 for engagement of a locking element K12, K22 on the coupling piece K1, K2. The clamping elements are designed as openings B131, B231, each of which is provided in the outer wall B13, B23 of the first, second socket B1, B2. The locking elements K12, K22 of the first, second coupling piece K1, K2 engage in the openings B131, B231 such that the clamping blocks K122, K222 bear against the spring-loaded clamping tongues K121, K221 of the first, second coupling piece K1, K2 at the edge B132, B232 of the openings B131, B231 that face the lower insertion openings B12, B22. In this way, the first and second coupling pieces K1 and K2 are positively locked in the first and second sockets B1 and B2.

[0073] In further advantageous embodiments of a carrier according to the invention, not shown separately, the clamping means are designed such that they create a force-fit connection between the coupling piece and the socket, so that the coupling piece is held in the socket by friction. The clamping means is designed as a screw element or as an elastic spring element and is pressed against the coupling piece.

[0074] The outer wall B13, B23 of a socket B1, B2 advantageously has openings B131, B231 through which a locking device K12, K22 on the coupling piece K1, K2 is manually accessible. This allows manual access to the locking devices K12, K22 by one person.

[0075] In a further advantageous embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, not shown separately, the opening is provided in an inner wall of a socket, i.e., a wall oriented towards the surface of the helmet shell. The opening is only manually accessible when a carrier according to the invention is not held against a helmet shell. This achieves the advantageous effect of reducing the risk of an attachment being unintentionally and accidentally removed from a helmet shell.

[0076] The openings B131, B231 advantageously have a contact edge B132, B232 for a spring-loaded clamping tongue K121, K121 on the locking means K12, K22 of a coupling piece K1, K2. To release the first, second coupling piece K1, K2 from the first, second socket B1, B2 of the carrier T, a person manually elastically deforms the spring-loaded clamping tongues K121, K221 such that the clamping blocks K122, K222 are deflected out of the openings B131, B231 and the first, second coupling piece K1, K2 can be removed from the insertion slots B10, B20 of the first, second socket.

[0077] In a further advantageous embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, not shown separately, the clamping tongue is not elastically spring-loaded, but mounted in the manner of a lever, so that a helmet wearer must perform an active locking action to securely attach a component to a helmet shell. In this way, the helmet wearer consciously checks that a component is securely and reliably held to the helmet shell. This further reduces the risk of an unintentional, accidental removal of a component from the helmet shell.

[0078] The spacer A is advantageously arranged between the sockets B1, B2 such that the inserted edge H3 of a helmet shell H runs approximately parallel to the insertion openings B11, B12, B21, B22 of the first, second socket B1, B2.

[0079] This is particularly noticeable in the sectional view of Fig. 5The spacer A is advantageously arranged in the lower area of ​​the carrier T at the lower insertion openings B12, B22. This advantageously results in a large overlap between a carrier T according to the invention and the helmet shell HS of a protective helmet H.

[0080] In a further advantageous embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, not shown separately, the spacer between the sockets is arranged transversely to the insertion openings. An edge of a helmet shell inserted into the slot thus also runs transversely to the insertion openings. Such a carrier is particularly suitable for receiving attachments that are functionally oriented forwards or backwards. The insertion openings are thus particularly easily accessible in the horizontal direction for a person wearing a helmet.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion groove A1 of the spacer A is also designed to be arc-shaped and concave, matching the rounded edge H3 of the helmet shell HS.

[0082] The spacer A is advantageously designed in a beam shape with parallel side faces to the inner walls B14 and B24. This results in an approximately parallel alignment of the first and second sockets B1 and B2 to each other, and thus an approximately straight course of the slot S.

[0083] In a further advantageous embodiment of a support according to the invention, not shown separately, the spacer has a wedge-shaped cross-section, wherein the sockets are tilted relative to each other such that the slot is widened in a V-shape towards the insertion side. This advantageously facilitates the attachment of a support to the edge of a helmet shell.

[0084] In a further advantageous embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, not shown separately, the spacer has a wedge-shaped cross-section, wherein the sockets are tilted relative to each other such that the slot is V-shaped and narrows towards the insertion side. In this way, a higher clamping force can advantageously be exerted on the helmet shell by fastening elements on the carrier, without the carrier according to the invention exhibiting undesirably high self-deformation.

[0085] To attach the carrier T to the edge of a helmet shell, it has retaining means, wherein retaining means B15, B16 are arranged on both sides of the first socket B1 and retaining means B25, B26 are arranged on both sides of the second socket B2. Retaining means B15, B16, B25, B26 each have a threaded bore. In the sectional view of Fig. 5 The threaded holes B151 and B251 are shown by dashed lines.

[0086] In Fig. 6The exemplary carrier T, designed according to the invention, is shown in a side view showing the holding means B16, B26 and the spacer A between them. The first and second coupling pieces K1 and K2 are shown as described above. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 through the lower insertion openings B12, B22 into the first, second socket B1, B2, so that these are held in lower, or downward-facing insertion positions L11, L21 on the carrier T.

[0087] The insertion slots of the first and second sockets B1 and B2 advantageously have a length that allows for the alternating insertion of a coupling piece K1 or K2, inserted via one of the opposing insertion openings, in either a lower or upper insertion position. Thus, the coupling pieces K1 and K2 can also be inserted into the first and second sockets B1 and B2 through the upper insertion openings B11 and B21, so that they can be held in upper, or upward-facing, insertion positions L12 and L22 on the support T. The orientation of the coupling pieces in an upper, or upward-facing, insertion position L12 and L22 is determined by the following: Fig. 6 Represented with dashed lines.

[0088] The representation of Fig. 7 The figure shows the advantageous carrier T, designed according to the invention, in a preferred mounting position on the helmet shell HS of a protective helmet H. This is in Fig. 7shown in a section-by-section front view of the left side area of ​​the HS helmet shell.

[0089] The support T is positioned with slot S facing forward against edge H3 of the helmet shell HS, such that edge H3 lies approximately in the recess A1 of the spacer A. The support T is held in the edge region H31 in the left side area of ​​the helmet shell HS, between edge region H32 at the front and edge region H33 at the rear of the helmet shell HS.

[0090] In further advantageous embodiments of a carrier according to the invention, which are not shown separately, it is arranged on the front or the back of the helmet shell.

[0091] The second socket B2 is located on the outer surface H1 of the helmet shell HS, and the first socket B1 is located on the inner surface H2 of the helmet shell HS. The first socket B1 is therefore located inside H4 of the helmet shell HS and is shown in the diagram. Fig. 7 The support T is held to the helmet shell HS by clamping screws B162, B262, which exert a clamping force on the outer and inner surfaces H1 and H2.

[0092] The first coupling piece K1 is held in the first socket B1. It is held in a lower, downward-facing insertion position L11 in the first socket B1, so that the mounting surface K131 of the first coupling piece K1 faces the interior H4 of the helmet shell HS. This orientation of a coupling piece is particularly suitable for attachments that, for functional purposes, must be oriented inwards and downwards, e.g., a helmet headset.

[0093] The second coupling piece K2 is held in the second socket B2. It is held in an upper, upward-facing insertion position L22 in the second socket B2, so that the mounting surface K231 of the second coupling piece K2 faces outwards away from the interior H4 of the helmet shell HS. This orientation of a coupling piece is particularly suitable for attachments that, for functional purposes, must be oriented outwards and upwards, e.g., a signal and / or position light for easier detection or location of the helmet wearer. Reference symbol list

[0094] Carrier for interchangeable attachments B1 First socket B10 Insertion slot B11, B12 Upper, lower insertion opening for the coupling piece of an attachment in an upper, lower insertion position B13 Outer wall, manually accessible B131 Opening B132 Mounting edge B14 Inner wall, in particular strip-shaped, limiting the slot B15, B16 Clamping jaw B151, B161 Threaded bores B162 Clamping screws B2 Second socket B20 Insertion slot B21, B22 Upper, lower insertion opening for the coupling piece of an attachment in an upper, lower insertion position B23 Outer wall, facing away from slot B231 Opening B232 Mounting edge B24 Inner wall, in particular strip-shaped, limiting the slot B25, B26 Clamping jaws, on both sides of the insertion slot B251, B261 Threaded holes B262 Clamping screws A Spacer,beam-shaped A1 Insertion groove for helmet edge S Slot for helmet edge S1 Insertion side K1 First coupling piece K11 Retaining blade K111 U-shaped relief K12 Locking device K121 Spring-loaded clamping tongue K122 Clamping block K123 Support edge K13 Retaining block for an attachment K131 Mounting surface K132 Bores for fixing device K14 Guide groove for engagement of the outer wall of a socket K2 Second coupling piece K21 Retaining blade K22 Locking device K221 Spring-loaded clamping tongue K222 Clamping block K223 Support edge K23 Retaining block for an attachment K231 Mounting surface H Protective helmet HS Helmet shell H1, H2 Outer, inner surface H3 Edge H31 Edge area in the left side area H32 Edge area at the front H33 Edge area at the rear H4 Interior L11 Insertion position inside and facing downwards L12 Insertion position inside and facing upwards L21 Insertion position outside and facing downwards L22 Insertion position outside and facing upwards E Section plane,

Claims

1. Support (T) for interchangeable attachments to the helmet shell (HS) of a protective helmet (H) for a person, with a) two sockets (B1, B2) for holding attachments, wherein the sockets (B1, B2) are positioned opposite each other and each comprises at least one insertion opening (B11, B12, B21, B22) for a coupling piece (K1, K2) on an attachment, wherein b) at least one socket (B1; B2) comprises two insertion openings (B11, B12; B21, B22) for alternately fixing the coupling piece (K1, K2) of an attachment respectively in a different position (L11, L12; L21, L22), and at the at least one socket (B1; B2) the insertion openings (B11, B12; B21, B22) are arranged on opposite sides, and with c) a spacer (A), which is arranged between the sockets (B1, B2) in such a way, that a slot (S) is created with a width, which allows the insertion of the edge (H3) of the helmet shell (HS) between the walls (B14, B24) of the opposing sockets (B1, B2).

2. Support (T) according to claim 1, wherein at least one socket (B1, B2) comprises a through-going insertion shaft (B10, B20) for connecting the opposing insertion openings (B11, B12, B21, B22).

3. Support (T) according to claim 2, wherein the insertion shaft (B10, B20) of at least one socket (B1, B2) has a length, which allows the alternating reception of a coupling piece (K1, K2) inserted via one of the opposing insertion openings (B11, B12, B21, B22) in a lower or upper insertion position (L11, L12, L21, L22).

4. Support (T) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer (A) between the sockets (B1, B2) comprises an insertion groove (A1) for the edge (H3) of a helmet shell (HS) in the slot (S).

5. Support (T) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer (A) is arranged between the sockets (B1, B2) in such a way, that the inserted edge (H3) of a helmet shell (HS) extends nearly parallel to an insertion opening (B11, B12, B21, B22) of at least one socket (B1, B2).

6. Support (T) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sockets (B1, B2) and the spacer (A) form a single-piece body with regard to the material.

7. Support (T) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an insertion opening (B11, B12, B21, B22) of a socket (B1, B2) comprises clamping means (B131, B132, B231, B232) for engagement with a coupling piece (K1, K2).

8. Support (T) according to claim 7, wherein a clamping means (B131, B132, B231, B232) comprises an opening (B131, B231) in a wall (B13, B23) of a socket (B1, B2) for engagement with a latching means (K12, K22) on the coupling piece (K1, K2).

9. Support (T) according to claim 8, wherein the outer wall (B13, B23) of a socket (B1, B2) comprises the opening (B131, B231), through which the latching means (K12, K22) is manually accessible.

10. Support (T) according to claim 9, wherein the opening (B131, B231) comprises a contacting edge (B132, B232) for a resilient clamping tongue (K121, K121) on the latching means (K12, K22) of a coupling piece (K1, K2).

11. Support (T) according to one of the preceding claims, with holding means (B15, B16, B25, B26) for engagement with a surface (H1, H2) of a helmet shell (HS) in the slot (S).

12. Support (T) according to claim 11, wherein the holding means (B15, B16, B25, B26) are arranged on an inner wall (B14, B24) restricting the slot (S) of the at least one socket (B1, B2).

13. Support (T) according to claim 11, wherein the holding means (B15, B16, B25, B26) comprise a threaded bore (B151, B161, B251, B261) through the outer wall (B13, B23) of at least one socket (B1, B2) for screwing in a clamping screw (B162, B262) extending into the slot (S).

14. Support (T) according to claim 11, wherein the holding means (B15, B16, B25, B26) comprise a clamping jaw (B15, B16, B25, B26) on a socket (B1, B2) with a threaded bore (B251, B261) for screwing in a clamping screw (B162, B262) extending into the slot (S).

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