helmet

Abstract

This helmet comprises: a hat body including an opening for a field of view on the front side thereof; a shield attached to the hat body so as to able to open / close the opening for a field of view; an external air introduction mechanism configured to blow air onto the inner surface of the shield which is in a closing state in which the opening for a field of view is closed. The external air introduction mechanism comprises: an accommodation part constituted inside the hat body; and a mesh member attachably / detachably accommodated in the accommodation part. The accommodation part comprises: an outer wall member having an external air introduction port which connects the inside and the outside; an inner wall member located facing the outer wall member; an attachment / detachment port for attaching / detaching the mesh member; and a blow port for blowing air suctioned from the external air introduction port onto the inner surface of the shield which is in the closed state. The mesh member comprises a mesh section facing the external air introduction port in an accommodated state in which the mesh member is accommodated in the accommodation part.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a helmet.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] There are motorcycle helmets provided with an air intake mechanism, such as an air intake or a defroster, that uses wind pressure to draw outside air into the helmet. A helmet provided with an air intake mechanism enhances ventilation inside the helmet thereby improving wearing comfort. Patent Literature 1 describes an example of a helmet including a front air intake. The front air intake includes a first frame, a second frame, a grille, and a filter. The grille and the filter are arranged between the first frame and the second frame.CITATION LISTPatent Literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: European Patent No. 2319339SUMMARY OF INVENTIONTechnical Problem

[0004] An air intake mechanism is structured to draw outside air through an air inlet and into the helmet using the wind pressure acting on a moving motorcycle. This may cause foreign matter, such as dust and small insects, to enter the helmet through the air inlet. The entry of foreign matter into the helmet may adversely affect the wearing comfort.Solution to Problem

[0005] A helmet that solves the above problems is provided with a helmet body including an eye port at a front side, a shield attached to the helmet body to allow the eye port to be opened and closed, and an air intake mechanism configured to deliver air to an inner surface of the shield when the shield is in a closed state closing the eye port. The air intake mechanism includes an accommodation portion defined inside the helmet body, and a mesh member accommodated in and attached in a removable manner to the accommodation portion. The accommodation portion includes an outer wall member including an air inlet connecting an outer side and an inner side, an inner wall member positioned to face the outer wall member, an access port used for attachment and removal of the mesh member, and a vent that delivers the air drawn in through the air inlet to the inner surface of the shield when the shield is in the closed state. The mesh member includes a mesh facing the air inlet in an accommodated state in which the mesh member is accommodated in the accommodation portion.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet in accordance with one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1 where an air intake mechanism is arranged. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the air intake mechanism of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an outer wall member and an inner wall member that define an accommodation portion for accommodating a mesh member in the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the accommodation portion accommodating the mesh member in the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a front perspective view showing the mesh member of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view showing the mesh member of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state in which the mesh member is accommodated in the accommodation portion of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a pressed portion of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which an air inlet is closed by a shutter in the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shutter opens the air inlet of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0007] One embodiment of a helmet in accordance with the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0008] In the present embodiment, forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions, as viewed from a helmet wearer, are referred to as the forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions of the helmet.Overall Structure of Helmet

[0009] A helmet 1 includes a helmet body 10 and a liner acting as an impact absorber arranged on the inner side of the helmet body 10. The helmet body 10 forms the outer shell of the helmet 1. The helmet body 10 is a hemispherical plastic member. The helmet body 10 is formed from a material selected from, for example, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), a thermosetting resin impregnated with reinforcing fibers, and the like. The liner is formed by an impact absorber of a resin-based foam (e.g., styrene foam), an interior pad of urethane foam, or the like.

[0010] The helmet body 10 includes an eye port 11 and a neck opening 12. The eye port 11 is formed in a region at the front side of the helmet body 10. The eye port 11 is an opening having a larger dimension in the lateral direction than in the vertical direction to provide the wearer with a field of vision. A shield 13, which is a light-transmissive plate, is attached to the eye port 11.

[0011] The shield 13 is a light-transmissive plate. The shield 13 is curved in conformance with the curved outer surface of the helmet body 10 and is large enough to close the eye port 11. The left and right ends of the shield 13 are attached in a pivotal manner to the two opposite sides of the eye port 11. This allows the shield 13 to open and close the eye port 11. The shield 13 moved upward from the eye port 11 when in a closed state closing the eye port 11 to a position opening the eye port 11 thereby shifting to an opened state. In the closed state, the shield 13 prevents foreign matter flying from the front, rain, wind, and the like from entering the helmet 1 and improves the visibility of the wearer.

[0012] The neck opening 12 is formed in the lower region of the helmet body 10. The neck opening 12 is for insertion of the head of the wearer. Left and right chin straps are attached to the neck opening 12. The basal end of each of the left and right chin straps is fixed to the helmet body 10. A buckle is attached to the free end of one of the chin straps. A ratchet is attached to the free end of the other chin strap. The ratchet and the buckle are joined so that the left and right chin straps become a continuous chin strap.

[0013] The helmet body 10 includes an air intake mechanism that draws outside air into the helmet 1 to improve wearing comfort. The region between the eye port 11 and the neck opening 12 is referred to as a front lower region 14. The front lower region 14 corresponds to the chin of the wearer. A defroster 16 is arranged at the central part of the front lower region 14 in the lateral direction. The defroster 16 is arranged along the lower edge of the eye port 11. A rear upper region 19, located rearward from a front upper region 17, includes an air outlet 20. The rear upper region 19 corresponds to the back of the head of the wearer.

[0014] The helmet body 10 described above uses wind pressure when traveling to draw in air from the defroster 16 and the like. The outside air drawn into the helmet 1 forms an air flow therein that is guided to and discharged from the air outlet 20 (refer to arrow A in Fig. 1). The defroster 16 blows the drawn-in air from the lower end toward the upper end of the eye port 11 and against the inner surface of the shield 13 when the shield 13 is in the closed state. This limits the formation of frost, the formation of ice, condensation, and the like on the shield 13.Defroster

[0015] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the defroster 16, which serves as an air intake mechanism, includes an outer wall member 21 and an inner wall member 22. The defroster 16 further includes a base 23, a shutter 24, and a mesh member 25.

[0016] The outer wall member 21 is a face cover defining the front lower region 14 of the helmet body 10. The outer wall member 21 extends over the chin region of the wearer. The inner wall member 22 is arranged on the inner surface of the outer wall member 21. The inner wall member 22 is arranged on the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 thereby defining an accommodation portion 26 (refer to Fig. 5) that accommodates the mesh member 25. The accommodation portion 26 has an open upper end. The opening corresponds to an access port 27 used for attachment and removal of the mesh member 25. The access port 27 is open toward the upper side. The access port 27 is an opening extending toward the inner surface of the shield 13 when the shield 13 is in a closed state and acts as a vent that blows air against the inner surface of the shield 13. A base 23 is arranged on the outer surface of the outer wall member 21. A shutter 24 is attached, in a movable manner, to the outer surface of the base 23.Outer Wall Member

[0017] As shown in Fig. 3, in the central part with respect to the lateral direction, the outer surface of the outer wall member 21 includes a component receiving recess 31 that receives the base 23. In the upper central part with respect to the lateral direction, the component receiving recess 31 includes a central opening 33 and an air inlet 34, which is an element of the defroster. The air inlet 34 is provided in each of the two lateral sides of the central opening 33. The central opening 33 is a rectangular through hole. The central opening 33 is a component receiving opening that receives a lock member 30 (refer to Fig. 2), which locks the shield 13 in the closed state, and the like. The left and right air inlets 34 are rectangular through holes elongated in the lateral direction and extending from the central opening 33 in the lateral direction. The central opening 33 and the air inlets 34 are arranged next to one another in the lateral direction.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 is recessed toward the outer surface to define a first accommodation recess 36 that defines the accommodation portion 26. The first accommodation recess 36 includes a bottom surface 36a in which the central opening 33 and the left and right air inlets 34 are located. The first accommodation recess 36 extends in the lateral direction from the central part with respect to the lateral direction and extends downward from the central part. The first accommodation recess 36, when covered by the inner wall member 22, defines the accommodation portion 26, which accommodates the mesh member 25, between the outer wall member 21 and the inner wall member 22.

[0019] The inner surface of the outer wall member 21 includes ribs 37 at the lower side of the first accommodation recess 36 and the lower side of the central opening 33 and the left and right air inlets 34. The ribs 37 are parallel to each other and extend in the lateral direction. The ribs 37 are used for attachment of part of a liner such as a cushion. A through hole 38 for attachment of the base 23 is formed at the lower side of the ribs 37. The region at the upper side of the upper rib 37 defines the accommodation portion 26. The base 23 includes an attachment projection 63 (refer to Fig. 3) fitted into the through hole 38.Inner Wall Member

[0020] The inner wall member 22 is arranged on the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 and is basically shaped in conformance with the curved shape of the outer wall member 21. The inner wall member 22 has an inner surface that faces the wearer and an outer surface that faces the inner surface of the outer wall member 21. The outer surface of the inner wall member 22 includes a second accommodation recess 41 that is overlapped with the first accommodation recess 36.

[0021] The second accommodation recess 41 bulges inwardly to form a recess at the outer side. The second accommodation recess 41 has an upper end forming the open end of the access port 27. Air flows into the air inlets 34, passes through the mesh member 25, and then strikes a bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41. The bottom surface 41a is a wall that changes the direction of the striking air toward the open end of the access port 27. At the lower side of the bottom surface 41a located opposite to the open end, a lower wall 41b rises from the bottom surface 41a. The lower wall 41b forms the accommodation portion 26. The lower wall 41b contacts the lower surface of the inserted mesh member 25.

[0022] The bottom surface 41a includes a groove 42 extending in the lateral direction. The groove 42 is an attachment groove used for attachment of an interior component of the helmet 1. The bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41 includes a projection 43 at a generally central part with respect to the lateral direction. The projection 43 supports a component such as the lock member 30 from the inner side.

[0023] The inner wall member 22 includes a lower projecting piece 44 extending downward from a central part in the lateral direction. The lower projecting piece 44 is arranged to cover the ribs 37. The inner wall member 22 includes an attachment boss 45 at each of the left and right sides of the second accommodation recess 41. The outer wall member 21 includes an attachment hole 39 at each of the two sides of the first accommodation recess 36 in correspondence with the attachment bosses 45. The outer wall member 21 and the inner wall member 22 are joined at the attachment boss 45 and the attachment hole 39 by fasteners such as screws. This forms the accommodation portion 26 between the outer wall member 21 and the inner wall member 22. The accommodation portion 26 is an empty space closed at the left, right, and lower ends, and is open only at the upper end, which defines the access port 27. The accommodation portion 26 receives the mesh member 25.

[0024] The inner wall member 22 includes the stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d that restrict excessive entry of the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26 when accommodating the mesh member 25 in the accommodation portion 26 from the access port 27. More specifically, the stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d restrict excessive downward entry of the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26. The stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d are abutment pieces that project from the bottom surface 41a and come into contact with distal ends of restriction pieces 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d of the mesh member 25 (refer to Figs. 6 and 7). The stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d are located between the upper end, which defines the access port 27, and the lower wall 41b in the vertical direction.

[0025] Stoppers 46a and 46b located at the left and right ends of the second accommodation recess 41 act as abutment pieces at the two ends. The stoppers 46a and 46b are located substantially at the same height as the groove 42.

[0026] Stoppers 46c and 46d act as central abutment pieces located between the stoppers 46a and 46b. The stoppers 46c and 46d are located between the groove 42 and the projection 43.

[0027] Further, the upper end, which defines the access port 27, includes an engagement recess 47. In one example, the engagement recess 47 is arranged in a central part with respect to the lateral direction. The engagement recess 47 is engaged with an engagement piece 58 of the mesh member 25 (refer to Figs. 6 and 7).Mesh Member

[0028] Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the mesh member 25 is attached in a removable manner to the accommodation portion 26. The mesh member 25 is an elastic, resin molded body. The mesh member 25 includes meshes 51, reinforcement walls 52, and a connecting wall 53. Two meshes 51 are respectively arranged in correspondence with the left and right air inlets 34. Each mesh 51 is large enough to close the corresponding air inlet 34. Each mesh 51 is, for example, rectangular and elongated in the lateral direction. The mesh 51 include openings (holes) having a diameter of a few millimeters. The openings are sized so that small insects will not pass therethrough. Each opening is not fine enough to capture particles of foreign matter that are smaller than or equal to several hundreds of micrometers or smaller than or equal to several tens of micrometers. To capture particles of foreign matter, a meshed fine filter, such as a nonwoven cloth, may be further applied to the mesh 51. The two meshes 51 are located apart from the central opening 33.

[0029] The reinforcement walls 52 extend in the vertical direction (first direction) that intersects the lateral direction (second direction), which is the longitudinal direction, on the surface of each mesh 51 that faces the inner wall member 22. The reinforcement walls 52 limit deformation of the mesh 51. The other surface of the mesh 51 facing the outer wall member 21 is pressed against the bottom surface 36a of the first accommodation recess 36. The meshes 51 are fixed to the basal ends of the reinforcement walls 52. The distal end of each reinforcement wall 52 at the side opposite the basal end is a free end. The total dimension of the thickness of the mesh 51 and the height of the reinforcement walls 52 corresponds to the distance between the bottom surface 36a of the first accommodation recess 36 and the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41 in the accommodation portion 26. The distal ends of the reinforcement walls 52 are proximate to the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41.

[0030] The reinforcement walls 52 of each mesh 51 are, for example, straight walls extending in the vertical direction. The reinforcement walls 52 include an outer end reinforcement wall 52a, an inner end reinforcement wall 52b, and inner reinforcement walls 52c. The outer end reinforcement wall 52a is arranged at the outer end of each mesh 51 in the lateral direction. The inner end reinforcement wall 52b is arranged at the inner end of each mesh 51 in the lateral direction. The inner reinforcement walls 52c are arranged between the outer end reinforcement wall 52a and the inner end reinforcement wall 52b.

[0031] The lower end of each reinforcement wall 52 is flush with the lower end of the corresponding mesh 51. The upper end of the outer end reinforcement wall 52a is located upward from the upper end of the mesh 51 but lower than the upper ends of the inner end reinforcement wall 52b and the inner reinforcement walls 52c. The upper ends of the inner end reinforcement wall 52b and the inner reinforcement walls 52c are located upward from the upper end of the outer end reinforcement wall 52a and are all located at the same height. The upper ends of the inner end reinforcement wall 52b and the inner reinforcement walls 52c include engagement tabs 54 having a hooked shape. Each engagement tab 54 projects toward the mesh 51. In a state in which the mesh member 25 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 26, each engagement tab 54 is engaged with an upper edge 21a of the outer wall member 21. The upper edge 21a defines the lower edge of the eye port 11. The upper edge 21a is engaged with the edge of a liner when the edge of the liner is arranged thereon.

[0032] Each mesh 51 includes flow passages 55 defined between the outer end reinforcement wall 52a and the inner reinforcement wall 52c, between the adjacent inner reinforcement walls 52c, and between the inner reinforcement wall 52c and the inner end reinforcement wall 52b to deflect the air flowing from the air inlet 34 toward the access port 27. The edge of the inner reinforcement walls 52c corresponding to the bottom surface 36a of the first accommodation recess 36 includes a recessed communication portion 56. The communication portion 56 connects adjacent ones of the flow passages 55.

[0033] The connecting wall 53 extends across the reinforcement walls 52. More specifically, the connecting wall 53 is a strip connecting the upper ends of the reinforcement walls 52 and located at the rear side of the engagement tabs 54. The connecting wall 53 faces the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41. Further, the connecting wall 53 connects the two meshes 51.

[0034] The two ends of the connecting wall 53 each extend to the upper end of the corresponding outer end reinforcement wall 52a. More specifically, the connecting wall 53 includes a part at the inner end reinforcement wall 52b and the inner reinforcement walls 52c having a uniform width and a part from the inner reinforcement wall 52c closest to the outer end reinforcement wall 52a to the outer end reinforcement wall 52a that widens downwardly. The widened part defines a pressed portion 53a. The connecting wall 53 is curved in conformance with the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41 at the part of the inner reinforcement walls 52c, and slightly curved in the opposite direction at the pressed portion 53a, which is the part of each outer end reinforcement wall 52a. In a state in which the pressed portion 53a is accommodated in the accommodation portion 26, the pressed portion 53a is pressed against the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41. This elastically deforms the connecting wall 53 and presses the mesh 51 against the bottom surface 36a of the first accommodation recess 36.

[0035] The connecting wall 53 includes a central reinforcement wall 52d at a part connecting one mesh 51 to the other mesh 51. The central reinforcement wall 52d includes an engagement tab 54 in the same manner as the other reinforcement walls 52a to 52c but does not project downward from the connecting wall 53. The part connecting one mesh 51 to the other mesh 51 does not include the mesh 51 and thereby defines a recess allowing a component arranged in the central opening 33 to extend therethrough.

[0036] Further, the restriction pieces 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d are arranged on the lower edge of the connecting wall 53. The restriction pieces 57a and 57b define two end restriction pieces forming the pressed portions 53a and extend downward from the lower edge of the connecting wall 53. The restriction pieces 57c and 57d define central restriction pieces extending downward from the connecting wall 53 between each inner end reinforcement wall 52b and the central reinforcement wall 52d.

[0037] The upper edge of the connecting wall 53 includes the engagement piece 58. The engagement piece 58 projects from the laterally central part of the connecting wall 53 opposite the reinforcement walls 52. In a state in which the mesh member 25 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 26, the engagement piece 58 is exposed to the outside through the engagement recess 47 of the access port 27. The engagement piece 58 is a portion held with fingers when the mesh member 25 is pulled out from the access port 27.Base

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3, the base 23 is arranged in the component receiving recess 31, which is the outer surface of the outer wall member 21. The base 23 is shaped in conformance with the curved surface of the component receiving recess 31. The base 23 includes the central opening 33a, which corresponds to the central opening 33, and air inlets 34a, which correspond to the air inlets 34. The outer surface of the base 23 includes guide pieces 61 extending in the vertical direction. Further, the base 23 includes guide holes 62 extending in the vertical direction. The guide pieces 61 and the guide holes 62 guide movement of the shutter 24 in the vertical direction. The attachment projection 63 is arranged on the inner surface of the base 23. The attachment projection 63 is inserted through the through hole 38 and fixed to the helmet body 10.Shutter

[0039] The shutter 24 is arranged on the outer surface of the base 23. The shutter 24 is V-shaped. The shutter 24 includes covers 64, which cover the left and right air inlets 34 and 34a, and an operating portion 65, which connects the covers 64. The part of the shutter 24 between the two covers 64 defines a recess for receiving the lock member 30 or the like, which is arranged in the central openings 33 and 33a. The lock member 30 locks the shield 13 in the closed state. The inner surface of the shutter 24 includes engagement tabs 66 engaged with the guide holes 62 of the base 23. The shutter 24 is moved downward so that the covers 64 open the air inlets 34 and 34a and is moved upward so that the covers 64 close the air inlets 34.Method for Attaching and Removing Mesh Member

[0040] The arrangement of the connecting wall 53 facilitates bending of the mesh member 25 in the front and rear directions (thickness direction of connecting wall) at the left and right sides. The arrangement of the reinforcement walls 52 results in resistance to bending in the front and rear directions at the upper and lower sides. This provides the mesh member 25 with rigidity allowing for insertion and removal through the access port 27.

[0041] Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the attachment and removal of the mesh member 25 to and from the accommodation portion 26 is performed by moving the shield 13 upward to open the eye port 11 and expose the access port 27 to the outside. When inserting the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26, the lower end, or inserting end, of the mesh member 25 opposite the engagement tabs 54 is inserted into the accommodation portion 26 from the access port 27. The edges of the reinforcement walls 52, which reinforce the mesh 51 to facilitate insertion, come into contact with the bottom surface 36a of the first accommodation recess 36 and act as an insertion guide. The mesh member 25 is inserted until the lower end of each mesh 51 reaches a position proximate to the lower wall 41b, which rises from the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41. Further, the engagement tabs 54 are engaged with the open end of the access port 27, that is, the upper edge 21a of the outer wall member 21. Alternatively, the engagement tabs 54 are engaged with the edge of a liner arranged on the upper edge 21a. Fig. 8 does not show the edge of a liner arranged on the upper edge 21a.

[0042] The distal ends of the restriction pieces 57a and 57b come into contact with the stoppers 46a and 46b, and the restriction pieces 57c and 57d come into contact with the stoppers 46c and 46d. Further, the engagement piece 58 of the mesh member 25 engages the engagement recess 47 in the upper end of the access port 27. This prevents excessive entry of the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26. Thus, for example, the mesh member 25 is prevented from being caught between the outer wall member 21 and the inner wall member 22.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 9, the pressed portion 53a is pressed against the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41 in the proximity of the access port 27. Thus, the mesh member 25 is firmly and stably held in the accommodation portion 26. Further, the left and right meshes 51 are press-fitted so that there are no gaps near the corresponding air inlets 34 at the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41.

[0044] The mesh member 25 is held by fingers or the like at the reinforcement walls 52 or the connecting wall 53 facing the access port 27 to pull the mesh member 25 out of the accommodation portion 26. The engagement piece 58, which faces the access port 27, can be lifted with the tip of a finger to easily pull out the mesh member 25 from the accommodation portion 26.Operation

[0045] As shown in Fig. 10, when the defroster 16 is not in use, the shutter 24 is moved upward, and the covers 64 close the air inlets 34 and 34a. Thus, air does not enter the helmet 1 through the air inlets 34 and 34a.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 11, to start use of the defroster 16, the shutter 24 is moved downward. Thus, the covers 64 open the air inlets 34 and 34a. Wind pressure causes air to be drawn into the air inlets 34 and 34a. The air passes through the meshes 51. The meshes 51 remove foreign matter from the air. The air from the front side passing through the meshes 51 and striking the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41 is deflected upwardly. The air is rectified by the flow passages 55 and blown out of the access port 27, which acts as a vent, against the inner surface of the shield 13. This limits the formation of frost, the formation of ice, condensation, and the like on the inner surface of the shield 13. The outside air flowing into the helmet 1 is discharged from the air outlet 20 (refer to arrow A in Fig. 1).Advantages of Embodiment

[0047] The advantages of the embodiment will now be described. (1) The air drawn through the air inlets 34 and 34a pass through the meshes 51 and is delivered from the access port 27 to the inner surface of the shield 13. The meshes 51 remove foreign matter from the air drawn through the air inlets 34 and 34a. This keeps the environment inside the helmet 1 in a satisfactory state. The mesh member 25 can be removed from the accommodation portion 26 for cleaning. (2) The access port 27 acts as a vent. This facilitates the structure of the accommodation portion 26. (3) In the accommodated state, the meshes 51 are pressed against the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 to prevent the air drawn through the air inlet 34 from flowing through a gap between the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 and the meshes 51 toward the access port 27. More specifically, air that does not pass through the mesh 51 is prevented from being delivered from the access port 27 to the inside of the helmet 1. This avoids the entry of foreign matter into the helmet 1 and maintains wearing comfort. (4) The meshes 51 are reinforced by the reinforcement walls 52. Further, the air in the accommodation portion 26 drawn through the air inlet 34 is rectified by the flow passages 55 and delivered from the access port 27 to the shield 13 when in the closed state. (5) The connecting wall 53 reinforces the mesh member 25 while permitting bending in a direction facilitating attachment and removal of the mesh member 25. (6) The engagement tabs 54 are engaged with the edge of the outer wall member 21 to prevent excessive entry of the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26. This limits displacement of the meshes 51 with respect to the air inlets 34. (7) The pressed portions 53a are pressed against the bottom surface 36a of the first accommodation recess 36 to stably position the mesh member 25, which is accommodated in the accommodation portion 26. This limits displacement of the meshes 51 with respect to the air inlets 34. (8) The distal ends of the restriction pieces 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d come into contact with the stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d. This prevents excessive entry of the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26. (9) The engagement piece 58 is engaged with the engagement recess 47 in the upper end of the access port 27. This prevents excessive entry of the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26. Further, the engagement piece 58 can be lifted with a finger to easily pull out the mesh member 25 from the accommodation portion 26.

[0048] The above-described embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0049] The engagement piece 58 may be provided, while omitting the engagement recess 47. In this case, the engagement piece 58 projects from the open end of the access port 27 for an amount corresponding to the thickness of the engagement piece 58. This allows the engagement piece 58 to be easily lifted with a finger when the mesh member 25 is pulled out from the accommodation portion 26.

[0050] The engagement piece 58 may be omitted. In this case, the upper ends of the reinforcement walls 52 are held with fingers to pull the mesh member 25 out of the accommodation portion 26.

[0051] Some of the stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d may be omitted from the accommodation portion 26. In this case, the restriction pieces 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d located at the corresponding positions may be omitted. For example, the stoppers 46a and 46b or the stoppers 46c and 46d may be omitted, and the restriction pieces 57a and 57b or the restriction pieces 57c and 57d may be omitted accordingly. This simplifies the structure of the mesh member 25 and the accommodation portion 26.

[0052] The stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d and the restriction pieces 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d may be omitted. In this case, the lower end of the mesh member 25 contacts the lower wall 41b, which defines the accommodation portion 26. This limits displacement of the mesh member 25 from a predetermined position in the accommodated state.

[0053] The pressed portion 53a may be omitted. The mesh member 25, which is accommodated in the accommodation portion 26, may be stably positioned by, for example, a lid that opens and closes the access port 27.

[0054] The engagement tabs 54 may be omitted from the distal ends of the reinforcement walls 52. Alternatively, the engagement tabs 54 may be provided on only some of the reinforcement walls 52. This simplifies the structure of the mesh member 25.

[0055] The connecting wall 53 may be omitted to simplify the structure of the mesh member 25. The two meshes 51 may be separated, and each mesh 51 may include the connecting wall 53. In this case, two accommodation portions 26 are provided, one for each mesh 51. This allows the two meshes 51 to be, for example, separately removed from the accommodation portion 26 to clean, for example, only a dirty one of the meshes 51.

[0056] Some or all of the reinforcement walls 52 may be omitted from the mesh member 25. For example, as long as the mesh 51 is structured to resist bending, the ease of attachment and removal of the accommodation portion 26 will not be adversely affected even if some or all of the reinforcement walls 52 is omitted.

[0057] The reinforcement walls 52 do not have to be straight walls extending straight in the vertical direction and may be undulated walls undulated in the left and right directions or walls arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. When the reinforcement walls 52 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, the parts where the reinforcement walls 52 are not arranged act as communication portions connecting adjacent flow passages 55.

[0058] The communication portions 56 may be omitted from the reinforcement walls 52. An insertion hole extending through each reinforcement wall 52 in the wall thickness direction may be provided instead of the communication portion 56.

[0059] The meshes 51 do not have to be pressed against the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 near the air inlets 34. Instead, for example, an elastic body filling the gap between the mesh 51 and the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 may be arranged on the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 or the surface of the mesh 51 located toward the outer wall member 21. For example, the elastic member may be arranged at a position corresponding to the peripheral portion of the mesh 51 or be arranged to surround the air inlets 34.

[0060] The mesh member 25 may be rigid so that it entirely resists bending.

[0061] As long as the vent that blasts air toward the shield 13 is facing the inner surface of the shield 13, the access port 27 may be located at a position separated from the vent. For example, the vent may be arranged in the lower edge of the eye port 11, and the access port may be arranged in the lower edge of the front lower region 14 (e.g., edge of neck opening 12). Preferably, in this case, the access port is closed by a lid so that air flows toward the vent in a state in which the mesh member 25 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 26.

[0062] The defroster 16, which includes the mesh member 25, may be arranged on the upper edge or the upper left and right edges of the eye port 11. That is, as long as air is blasted toward the inner surface of the shield 13, the defroster 16 may blast air from any direction toward the inner surface of the shield 13.

[0063] A filter having finer mesh openings such as a nonwoven cloth may be arranged on each mesh 51. This allows finer foreign matter particles to be captured. For example, a hook or the like may be arranged on any surface of the mesh 51 so that the filter is held by the hook and arranged on the mesh 51.

[0064] An upper intake may be arranged on the helmet body 10 at the front upper region 17 of the eye port 11. This allows more outside air to be drawn into the helmet body 10.

[0065] The helmet 1 is not limited to a full-face helmet. For example, the helmet may be a flip-up helmet with a liftable chin portion, an open-face helmet, a helmet with a removable chin portion, or a convertible helmet with a chin portion that is pivoted and fixed to the back of the helmet.

Examples

embodiment

Advantages of Embodiment

[0047]The advantages of the embodiment will now be described.

(1) The air drawn through the air inlets 34 and 34a pass through the meshes 51 and is delivered from the access port 27 to the inner surface of the shield 13. The meshes 51 remove foreign matter from the air drawn through the air inlets 34 and 34a. This keeps the environment inside the helmet 1 in a satisfactory state. The mesh member 25 can be removed from the accommodation portion 26 for cleaning. (2) The access port 27 acts as a vent. This facilitates the structure of the accommodation portion 26. (3) In the accommodated state, the meshes 51 are pressed against the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 to prevent the air drawn through the air inlet 34 from flowing through a gap between the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 and the meshes 51 toward the access port 27. More specifically, air that does not pass through the mesh 51 is prevented from being delivered from the access port ...

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a helmet.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] There are motorcycle helmets provided with an air intake mechanism, such as an air intake or a defroster, that uses wind pressure to draw outside air into the helmet. A helmet provided with an air intake mechanism enhances ventilation inside the helmet thereby improving wearing comfort. Patent Literature 1 describes an example of a helmet including a front air intake. The front air intake includes a first frame, a second frame, a grille, and a filter. The grille and the filter are arranged between the first frame and the second frame.CITATION LISTPatent Literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: European Patent No. 2319339SUMMARY OF INVENTIONTechnical Problem

[0004] An air intake mechanism is structured to draw outside air through an air inlet and into the helmet using the wind pressure acting on a moving motorcycle. This may cause foreign matter, such as dust and small insects, to enter the helmet through the air inlet. The entry of foreign matter into the helmet may adversely affect the wearing comfort.Solution to Problem

[0005] A helmet that solves the above problems is provided with a helmet body including an eye port at a front side, a shield attached to the helmet body to allow the eye port to be opened and closed, and an air intake mechanism configured to deliver air to an inner surface of the shield when the shield is in a closed state closing the eye port. The air intake mechanism includes an accommodation portion defined inside the helmet body, and a mesh member accommodated in and attached in a removable manner to the accommodation portion. The accommodation portion includes an outer wall member including an air inlet connecting an outer side and an inner side, an inner wall member positioned to face the outer wall member, an access port used for attachment and removal of the mesh member, and a vent that delivers the air drawn in through the air inlet to the inner surface of the shield when the shield is in the closed state. The mesh member includes a mesh facing the air inlet in an accommodated state in which the mesh member is accommodated in the accommodation portion.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet in accordance with one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1 where an air intake mechanism is arranged. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the air intake mechanism of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an outer wall member and an inner wall member that define an accommodation portion for accommodating a mesh member in the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the accommodation portion accommodating the mesh member in the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a front perspective view showing the mesh member of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view showing the mesh member of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state in which the mesh member is accommodated in the accommodation portion of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a pressed portion of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which an air inlet is closed by a shutter in the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shutter opens the air inlet of the helmet illustrated in Fig. 1. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0007] One embodiment of a helmet in accordance with the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0008] In the present embodiment, forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions, as viewed from a helmet wearer, are referred to as the forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions of the helmet.Overall Structure of Helmet

[0009] A helmet 1 includes a helmet body 10 and a liner acting as an impact absorber arranged on the inner side of the helmet body 10. The helmet body 10 forms the outer shell of the helmet 1. The helmet body 10 is a hemispherical plastic member. The helmet body 10 is formed from a material selected from, for example, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), a thermosetting resin impregnated with reinforcing fibers, and the like. The liner is formed by an impact absorber of a resin-based foam (e.g., styrene foam), an interior pad of urethane foam, or the like.

[0010] The helmet body 10 includes an eye port 11 and a neck opening 12. The eye port 11 is formed in a region at the front side of the helmet body 10. The eye port 11 is an opening having a larger dimension in the lateral direction than in the vertical direction to provide the wearer with a field of vision. A shield 13, which is a light-transmissive plate, is attached to the eye port 11.

[0011] The shield 13 is a light-transmissive plate. The shield 13 is curved in conformance with the curved outer surface of the helmet body 10 and is large enough to close the eye port 11. The left and right ends of the shield 13 are attached in a pivotal manner to the two opposite sides of the eye port 11. This allows the shield 13 to open and close the eye port 11. The shield 13 moved upward from the eye port 11 when in a closed state closing the eye port 11 to a position opening the eye port 11 thereby shifting to an opened state. In the closed state, the shield 13 prevents foreign matter flying from the front, rain, wind, and the like from entering the helmet 1 and improves the visibility of the wearer.

[0012] The neck opening 12 is formed in the lower region of the helmet body 10. The neck opening 12 is for insertion of the head of the wearer. Left and right chin straps are attached to the neck opening 12. The basal end of each of the left and right chin straps is fixed to the helmet body 10. A buckle is attached to the free end of one of the chin straps. A ratchet is attached to the free end of the other chin strap. The ratchet and the buckle are joined so that the left and right chin straps become a continuous chin strap.

[0013] The helmet body 10 includes an air intake mechanism that draws outside air into the helmet 1 to improve wearing comfort. The region between the eye port 11 and the neck opening 12 is referred to as a front lower region 14. The front lower region 14 corresponds to the chin of the wearer. A defroster 16 is arranged at the central part of the front lower region 14 in the lateral direction. The defroster 16 is arranged along the lower edge of the eye port 11. A rear upper region 19, located rearward from a front upper region 17, includes an air outlet 20. The rear upper region 19 corresponds to the back of the head of the wearer.

[0014] The helmet body 10 described above uses wind pressure when traveling to draw in air from the defroster 16 and the like. The outside air drawn into the helmet 1 forms an air flow therein that is guided to and discharged from the air outlet 20 (refer to arrow A in Fig. 1). The defroster 16 blows the drawn-in air from the lower end toward the upper end of the eye port 11 and against the inner surface of the shield 13 when the shield 13 is in the closed state. This limits the formation of frost, the formation of ice, condensation, and the like on the shield 13.Defroster

[0015] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the defroster 16, which serves as an air intake mechanism, includes an outer wall member 21 and an inner wall member 22. The defroster 16 further includes a base 23, a shutter 24, and a mesh member 25.

[0016] The outer wall member 21 is a face cover defining the front lower region 14 of the helmet body 10. The outer wall member 21 extends over the chin region of the wearer. The inner wall member 22 is arranged on the inner surface of the outer wall member 21. The inner wall member 22 is arranged on the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 thereby defining an accommodation portion 26 (refer to Fig. 5) that accommodates the mesh member 25. The accommodation portion 26 has an open upper end. The opening corresponds to an access port 27 used for attachment and removal of the mesh member 25. The access port 27 is open toward the upper side. The access port 27 is an opening extending toward the inner surface of the shield 13 when the shield 13 is in a closed state and acts as a vent that blows air against the inner surface of the shield 13. A base 23 is arranged on the outer surface of the outer wall member 21. A shutter 24 is attached, in a movable manner, to the outer surface of the base 23.Outer Wall Member

[0017] As shown in Fig. 3, in the central part with respect to the lateral direction, the outer surface of the outer wall member 21 includes a component receiving recess 31 that receives the base 23. In the upper central part with respect to the lateral direction, the component receiving recess 31 includes a central opening 33 and an air inlet 34, which is an element of the defroster. The air inlet 34 is provided in each of the two lateral sides of the central opening 33. The central opening 33 is a rectangular through hole. The central opening 33 is a component receiving opening that receives a lock member 30 (refer to Fig. 2), which locks the shield 13 in the closed state, and the like. The left and right air inlets 34 are rectangular through holes elongated in the lateral direction and extending from the central opening 33 in the lateral direction. The central opening 33 and the air inlets 34 are arranged next to one another in the lateral direction.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 is recessed toward the outer surface to define a first accommodation recess 36 that defines the accommodation portion 26. The first accommodation recess 36 includes a bottom surface 36a in which the central opening 33 and the left and right air inlets 34 are located. The first accommodation recess 36 extends in the lateral direction from the central part with respect to the lateral direction and extends downward from the central part. The first accommodation recess 36, when covered by the inner wall member 22, defines the accommodation portion 26, which accommodates the mesh member 25, between the outer wall member 21 and the inner wall member 22.

[0019] The inner surface of the outer wall member 21 includes ribs 37 at the lower side of the first accommodation recess 36 and the lower side of the central opening 33 and the left and right air inlets 34. The ribs 37 are parallel to each other and extend in the lateral direction. The ribs 37 are used for attachment of part of a liner such as a cushion. A through hole 38 for attachment of the base 23 is formed at the lower side of the ribs 37. The region at the upper side of the upper rib 37 defines the accommodation portion 26. The base 23 includes an attachment projection 63 (refer to Fig. 3) fitted into the through hole 38.Inner Wall Member

[0020] The inner wall member 22 is arranged on the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 and is basically shaped in conformance with the curved shape of the outer wall member 21. The inner wall member 22 has an inner surface that faces the wearer and an outer surface that faces the inner surface of the outer wall member 21. The outer surface of the inner wall member 22 includes a second accommodation recess 41 that is overlapped with the first accommodation recess 36.

[0021] The second accommodation recess 41 bulges inwardly to form a recess at the outer side. The second accommodation recess 41 has an upper end forming the open end of the access port 27. Air flows into the air inlets 34, passes through the mesh member 25, and then strikes a bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41. The bottom surface 41a is a wall that changes the direction of the striking air toward the open end of the access port 27. At the lower side of the bottom surface 41a located opposite to the open end, a lower wall 41b rises from the bottom surface 41a. The lower wall 41b forms the accommodation portion 26. The lower wall 41b contacts the lower surface of the inserted mesh member 25.

[0022] The bottom surface 41a includes a groove 42 extending in the lateral direction. The groove 42 is an attachment groove used for attachment of an interior component of the helmet 1. The bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41 includes a projection 43 at a generally central part with respect to the lateral direction. The projection 43 supports a component such as the lock member 30 from the inner side.

[0023] The inner wall member 22 includes a lower projecting piece 44 extending downward from a central part in the lateral direction. The lower projecting piece 44 is arranged to cover the ribs 37. The inner wall member 22 includes an attachment boss 45 at each of the left and right sides of the second accommodation recess 41. The outer wall member 21 includes an attachment hole 39 at each of the two sides of the first accommodation recess 36 in correspondence with the attachment bosses 45. The outer wall member 21 and the inner wall member 22 are joined at the attachment boss 45 and the attachment hole 39 by fasteners such as screws. This forms the accommodation portion 26 between the outer wall member 21 and the inner wall member 22. The accommodation portion 26 is an empty space closed at the left, right, and lower ends, and is open only at the upper end, which defines the access port 27. The accommodation portion 26 receives the mesh member 25.

[0024] The inner wall member 22 includes the stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d that restrict excessive entry of the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26 when accommodating the mesh member 25 in the accommodation portion 26 from the access port 27. More specifically, the stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d restrict excessive downward entry of the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26. The stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d are abutment pieces that project from the bottom surface 41a and come into contact with distal ends of restriction pieces 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d of the mesh member 25 (refer to Figs. 6 and 7). The stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d are located between the upper end, which defines the access port 27, and the lower wall 41b in the vertical direction.

[0025] Stoppers 46a and 46b located at the left and right ends of the second accommodation recess 41 act as abutment pieces at the two ends. The stoppers 46a and 46b are located substantially at the same height as the groove 42.

[0026] Stoppers 46c and 46d act as central abutment pieces located between the stoppers 46a and 46b. The stoppers 46c and 46d are located between the groove 42 and the projection 43.

[0027] Further, the upper end, which defines the access port 27, includes an engagement recess 47. In one example, the engagement recess 47 is arranged in a central part with respect to the lateral direction. The engagement recess 47 is engaged with an engagement piece 58 of the mesh member 25 (refer to Figs. 6 and 7).Mesh Member

[0028] Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the mesh member 25 is attached in a removable manner to the accommodation portion 26. The mesh member 25 is an elastic, resin molded body. The mesh member 25 includes meshes 51, reinforcement walls 52, and a connecting wall 53. Two meshes 51 are respectively arranged in correspondence with the left and right air inlets 34. Each mesh 51 is large enough to close the corresponding air inlet 34. Each mesh 51 is, for example, rectangular and elongated in the lateral direction. The mesh 51 include openings (holes) having a diameter of a few millimeters. The openings are sized so that small insects will not pass therethrough. Each opening is not fine enough to capture particles of foreign matter that are smaller than or equal to several hundreds of micrometers or smaller than or equal to several tens of micrometers. To capture particles of foreign matter, a meshed fine filter, such as a nonwoven cloth, may be further applied to the mesh 51. The two meshes 51 are located apart from the central opening 33.

[0029] The reinforcement walls 52 extend in the vertical direction (first direction) that intersects the lateral direction (second direction), which is the longitudinal direction, on the surface of each mesh 51 that faces the inner wall member 22. The reinforcement walls 52 limit deformation of the mesh 51. The other surface of the mesh 51 facing the outer wall member 21 is pressed against the bottom surface 36a of the first accommodation recess 36. The meshes 51 are fixed to the basal ends of the reinforcement walls 52. The distal end of each reinforcement wall 52 at the side opposite the basal end is a free end. The total dimension of the thickness of the mesh 51 and the height of the reinforcement walls 52 corresponds to the distance between the bottom surface 36a of the first accommodation recess 36 and the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41 in the accommodation portion 26. The distal ends of the reinforcement walls 52 are proximate to the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41.

[0030] The reinforcement walls 52 of each mesh 51 are, for example, straight walls extending in the vertical direction. The reinforcement walls 52 include an outer end reinforcement wall 52a, an inner end reinforcement wall 52b, and inner reinforcement walls 52c. The outer end reinforcement wall 52a is arranged at the outer end of each mesh 51 in the lateral direction. The inner end reinforcement wall 52b is arranged at the inner end of each mesh 51 in the lateral direction. The inner reinforcement walls 52c are arranged between the outer end reinforcement wall 52a and the inner end reinforcement wall 52b.

[0031] The lower end of each reinforcement wall 52 is flush with the lower end of the corresponding mesh 51. The upper end of the outer end reinforcement wall 52a is located upward from the upper end of the mesh 51 but lower than the upper ends of the inner end reinforcement wall 52b and the inner reinforcement walls 52c. The upper ends of the inner end reinforcement wall 52b and the inner reinforcement walls 52c are located upward from the upper end of the outer end reinforcement wall 52a and are all located at the same height. The upper ends of the inner end reinforcement wall 52b and the inner reinforcement walls 52c include engagement tabs 54 having a hooked shape. Each engagement tab 54 projects toward the mesh 51. In a state in which the mesh member 25 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 26, each engagement tab 54 is engaged with an upper edge 21a of the outer wall member 21. The upper edge 21a defines the lower edge of the eye port 11. The upper edge 21a is engaged with the edge of a liner when the edge of the liner is arranged thereon.

[0032] Each mesh 51 includes flow passages 55 defined between the outer end reinforcement wall 52a and the inner reinforcement wall 52c, between the adjacent inner reinforcement walls 52c, and between the inner reinforcement wall 52c and the inner end reinforcement wall 52b to deflect the air flowing from the air inlet 34 toward the access port 27. The edge of the inner reinforcement walls 52c corresponding to the bottom surface 36a of the first accommodation recess 36 includes a recessed communication portion 56. The communication portion 56 connects adjacent ones of the flow passages 55.

[0033] The connecting wall 53 extends across the reinforcement walls 52. More specifically, the connecting wall 53 is a strip connecting the upper ends of the reinforcement walls 52 and located at the rear side of the engagement tabs 54. The connecting wall 53 faces the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41. Further, the connecting wall 53 connects the two meshes 51.

[0034] The two ends of the connecting wall 53 each extend to the upper end of the corresponding outer end reinforcement wall 52a. More specifically, the connecting wall 53 includes a part at the inner end reinforcement wall 52b and the inner reinforcement walls 52c having a uniform width and a part from the inner reinforcement wall 52c closest to the outer end reinforcement wall 52a to the outer end reinforcement wall 52a that widens downwardly. The widened part defines a pressed portion 53a. The connecting wall 53 is curved in conformance with the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41 at the part of the inner reinforcement walls 52c, and slightly curved in the opposite direction at the pressed portion 53a, which is the part of each outer end reinforcement wall 52a. In a state in which the pressed portion 53a is accommodated in the accommodation portion 26, the pressed portion 53a is pressed against the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41. This elastically deforms the connecting wall 53 and presses the mesh 51 against the bottom surface 36a of the first accommodation recess 36.

[0035] The connecting wall 53 includes a central reinforcement wall 52d at a part connecting one mesh 51 to the other mesh 51. The central reinforcement wall 52d includes an engagement tab 54 in the same manner as the other reinforcement walls 52a to 52c but does not project downward from the connecting wall 53. The part connecting one mesh 51 to the other mesh 51 does not include the mesh 51 and thereby defines a recess allowing a component arranged in the central opening 33 to extend therethrough.

[0036] Further, the restriction pieces 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d are arranged on the lower edge of the connecting wall 53. The restriction pieces 57a and 57b define two end restriction pieces forming the pressed portions 53a and extend downward from the lower edge of the connecting wall 53. The restriction pieces 57c and 57d define central restriction pieces extending downward from the connecting wall 53 between each inner end reinforcement wall 52b and the central reinforcement wall 52d.

[0037] The upper edge of the connecting wall 53 includes the engagement piece 58. The engagement piece 58 projects from the laterally central part of the connecting wall 53 opposite the reinforcement walls 52. In a state in which the mesh member 25 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 26, the engagement piece 58 is exposed to the outside through the engagement recess 47 of the access port 27. The engagement piece 58 is a portion held with fingers when the mesh member 25 is pulled out from the access port 27.Base

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3, the base 23 is arranged in the component receiving recess 31, which is the outer surface of the outer wall member 21. The base 23 is shaped in conformance with the curved surface of the component receiving recess 31. The base 23 includes the central opening 33a, which corresponds to the central opening 33, and air inlets 34a, which correspond to the air inlets 34. The outer surface of the base 23 includes guide pieces 61 extending in the vertical direction. Further, the base 23 includes guide holes 62 extending in the vertical direction. The guide pieces 61 and the guide holes 62 guide movement of the shutter 24 in the vertical direction. The attachment projection 63 is arranged on the inner surface of the base 23. The attachment projection 63 is inserted through the through hole 38 and fixed to the helmet body 10.Shutter

[0039] The shutter 24 is arranged on the outer surface of the base 23. The shutter 24 is V-shaped. The shutter 24 includes covers 64, which cover the left and right air inlets 34 and 34a, and an operating portion 65, which connects the covers 64. The part of the shutter 24 between the two covers 64 defines a recess for receiving the lock member 30 or the like, which is arranged in the central openings 33 and 33a. The lock member 30 locks the shield 13 in the closed state. The inner surface of the shutter 24 includes engagement tabs 66 engaged with the guide holes 62 of the base 23. The shutter 24 is moved downward so that the covers 64 open the air inlets 34 and 34a and is moved upward so that the covers 64 close the air inlets 34.Method for Attaching and Removing Mesh Member

[0040] The arrangement of the connecting wall 53 facilitates bending of the mesh member 25 in the front and rear directions (thickness direction of connecting wall) at the left and right sides. The arrangement of the reinforcement walls 52 results in resistance to bending in the front and rear directions at the upper and lower sides. This provides the mesh member 25 with rigidity allowing for insertion and removal through the access port 27.

[0041] Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the attachment and removal of the mesh member 25 to and from the accommodation portion 26 is performed by moving the shield 13 upward to open the eye port 11 and expose the access port 27 to the outside. When inserting the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26, the lower end, or inserting end, of the mesh member 25 opposite the engagement tabs 54 is inserted into the accommodation portion 26 from the access port 27. The edges of the reinforcement walls 52, which reinforce the mesh 51 to facilitate insertion, come into contact with the bottom surface 36a of the first accommodation recess 36 and act as an insertion guide. The mesh member 25 is inserted until the lower end of each mesh 51 reaches a position proximate to the lower wall 41b, which rises from the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41. Further, the engagement tabs 54 are engaged with the open end of the access port 27, that is, the upper edge 21a of the outer wall member 21. Alternatively, the engagement tabs 54 are engaged with the edge of a liner arranged on the upper edge 21a. Fig. 8 does not show the edge of a liner arranged on the upper edge 21a.

[0042] The distal ends of the restriction pieces 57a and 57b come into contact with the stoppers 46a and 46b, and the restriction pieces 57c and 57d come into contact with the stoppers 46c and 46d. Further, the engagement piece 58 of the mesh member 25 engages the engagement recess 47 in the upper end of the access port 27. This prevents excessive entry of the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26. Thus, for example, the mesh member 25 is prevented from being caught between the outer wall member 21 and the inner wall member 22.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 9, the pressed portion 53a is pressed against the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41 in the proximity of the access port 27. Thus, the mesh member 25 is firmly and stably held in the accommodation portion 26. Further, the left and right meshes 51 are press-fitted so that there are no gaps near the corresponding air inlets 34 at the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41.

[0044] The mesh member 25 is held by fingers or the like at the reinforcement walls 52 or the connecting wall 53 facing the access port 27 to pull the mesh member 25 out of the accommodation portion 26. The engagement piece 58, which faces the access port 27, can be lifted with the tip of a finger to easily pull out the mesh member 25 from the accommodation portion 26.Operation

[0045] As shown in Fig. 10, when the defroster 16 is not in use, the shutter 24 is moved upward, and the covers 64 close the air inlets 34 and 34a. Thus, air does not enter the helmet 1 through the air inlets 34 and 34a.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 11, to start use of the defroster 16, the shutter 24 is moved downward. Thus, the covers 64 open the air inlets 34 and 34a. Wind pressure causes air to be drawn into the air inlets 34 and 34a. The air passes through the meshes 51. The meshes 51 remove foreign matter from the air. The air from the front side passing through the meshes 51 and striking the bottom surface 41a of the second accommodation recess 41 is deflected upwardly. The air is rectified by the flow passages 55 and blown out of the access port 27, which acts as a vent, against the inner surface of the shield 13. This limits the formation of frost, the formation of ice, condensation, and the like on the inner surface of the shield 13. The outside air flowing into the helmet 1 is discharged from the air outlet 20 (refer to arrow A in Fig. 1).Advantages of Embodiment

[0047] The advantages of the embodiment will now be described. (1) The air drawn through the air inlets 34 and 34a pass through the meshes 51 and is delivered from the access port 27 to the inner surface of the shield 13. The meshes 51 remove foreign matter from the air drawn through the air inlets 34 and 34a. This keeps the environment inside the helmet 1 in a satisfactory state. The mesh member 25 can be removed from the accommodation portion 26 for cleaning. (2) The access port 27 acts as a vent. This facilitates the structure of the accommodation portion 26. (3) In the accommodated state, the meshes 51 are pressed against the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 to prevent the air drawn through the air inlet 34 from flowing through a gap between the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 and the meshes 51 toward the access port 27. More specifically, air that does not pass through the mesh 51 is prevented from being delivered from the access port 27 to the inside of the helmet 1. This avoids the entry of foreign matter into the helmet 1 and maintains wearing comfort. (4) The meshes 51 are reinforced by the reinforcement walls 52. Further, the air in the accommodation portion 26 drawn through the air inlet 34 is rectified by the flow passages 55 and delivered from the access port 27 to the shield 13 when in the closed state. (5) The connecting wall 53 reinforces the mesh member 25 while permitting bending in a direction facilitating attachment and removal of the mesh member 25. (6) The engagement tabs 54 are engaged with the edge of the outer wall member 21 to prevent excessive entry of the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26. This limits displacement of the meshes 51 with respect to the air inlets 34. (7) The pressed portions 53a are pressed against the bottom surface 36a of the first accommodation recess 36 to stably position the mesh member 25, which is accommodated in the accommodation portion 26. This limits displacement of the meshes 51 with respect to the air inlets 34. (8) The distal ends of the restriction pieces 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d come into contact with the stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d. This prevents excessive entry of the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26. (9) The engagement piece 58 is engaged with the engagement recess 47 in the upper end of the access port 27. This prevents excessive entry of the mesh member 25 into the accommodation portion 26. Further, the engagement piece 58 can be lifted with a finger to easily pull out the mesh member 25 from the accommodation portion 26.

[0048] The above-described embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0049] The engagement piece 58 may be provided, while omitting the engagement recess 47. In this case, the engagement piece 58 projects from the open end of the access port 27 for an amount corresponding to the thickness of the engagement piece 58. This allows the engagement piece 58 to be easily lifted with a finger when the mesh member 25 is pulled out from the accommodation portion 26.

[0050] The engagement piece 58 may be omitted. In this case, the upper ends of the reinforcement walls 52 are held with fingers to pull the mesh member 25 out of the accommodation portion 26.

[0051] Some of the stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d may be omitted from the accommodation portion 26. In this case, the restriction pieces 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d located at the corresponding positions may be omitted. For example, the stoppers 46a and 46b or the stoppers 46c and 46d may be omitted, and the restriction pieces 57a and 57b or the restriction pieces 57c and 57d may be omitted accordingly. This simplifies the structure of the mesh member 25 and the accommodation portion 26.

[0052] The stoppers 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d and the restriction pieces 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d may be omitted. In this case, the lower end of the mesh member 25 contacts the lower wall 41b, which defines the accommodation portion 26. This limits displacement of the mesh member 25 from a predetermined position in the accommodated state.

[0053] The pressed portion 53a may be omitted. The mesh member 25, which is accommodated in the accommodation portion 26, may be stably positioned by, for example, a lid that opens and closes the access port 27.

[0054] The engagement tabs 54 may be omitted from the distal ends of the reinforcement walls 52. Alternatively, the engagement tabs 54 may be provided on only some of the reinforcement walls 52. This simplifies the structure of the mesh member 25.

[0055] The connecting wall 53 may be omitted to simplify the structure of the mesh member 25. The two meshes 51 may be separated, and each mesh 51 may include the connecting wall 53. In this case, two accommodation portions 26 are provided, one for each mesh 51. This allows the two meshes 51 to be, for example, separately removed from the accommodation portion 26 to clean, for example, only a dirty one of the meshes 51.

[0056] Some or all of the reinforcement walls 52 may be omitted from the mesh member 25. For example, as long as the mesh 51 is structured to resist bending, the ease of attachment and removal of the accommodation portion 26 will not be adversely affected even if some or all of the reinforcement walls 52 is omitted.

[0057] The reinforcement walls 52 do not have to be straight walls extending straight in the vertical direction and may be undulated walls undulated in the left and right directions or walls arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. When the reinforcement walls 52 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, the parts where the reinforcement walls 52 are not arranged act as communication portions connecting adjacent flow passages 55.

[0058] The communication portions 56 may be omitted from the reinforcement walls 52. An insertion hole extending through each reinforcement wall 52 in the wall thickness direction may be provided instead of the communication portion 56.

[0059] The meshes 51 do not have to be pressed against the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 near the air inlets 34. Instead, for example, an elastic body filling the gap between the mesh 51 and the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 may be arranged on the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 or the surface of the mesh 51 located toward the outer wall member 21. For example, the elastic member may be arranged at a position corresponding to the peripheral portion of the mesh 51 or be arranged to surround the air inlets 34.

[0060] The mesh member 25 may be rigid so that it entirely resists bending.

[0061] As long as the vent that blasts air toward the shield 13 is facing the inner surface of the shield 13, the access port 27 may be located at a position separated from the vent. For example, the vent may be arranged in the lower edge of the eye port 11, and the access port may be arranged in the lower edge of the front lower region 14 (e.g., edge of neck opening 12). Preferably, in this case, the access port is closed by a lid so that air flows toward the vent in a state in which the mesh member 25 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 26.

[0062] The defroster 16, which includes the mesh member 25, may be arranged on the upper edge or the upper left and right edges of the eye port 11. That is, as long as air is blasted toward the inner surface of the shield 13, the defroster 16 may blast air from any direction toward the inner surface of the shield 13.

[0063] A filter having finer mesh openings such as a nonwoven cloth may be arranged on each mesh 51. This allows finer foreign matter particles to be captured. For example, a hook or the like may be arranged on any surface of the mesh 51 so that the filter is held by the hook and arranged on the mesh 51.

[0064] An upper intake may be arranged on the helmet body 10 at the front upper region 17 of the eye port 11. This allows more outside air to be drawn into the helmet body 10.

[0065] The helmet 1 is not limited to a full-face helmet. For example, the helmet may be a flip-up helmet with a liftable chin portion, an open-face helmet, a helmet with a removable chin portion, or a convertible helmet with a chin portion that is pivoted and fixed to the back of the helmet.

Examples

embodiment

Advantages of Embodiment

[0047]The advantages of the embodiment will now be described.

(1) The air drawn through the air inlets 34 and 34a pass through the meshes 51 and is delivered from the access port 27 to the inner surface of the shield 13. The meshes 51 remove foreign matter from the air drawn through the air inlets 34 and 34a. This keeps the environment inside the helmet 1 in a satisfactory state. The mesh member 25 can be removed from the accommodation portion 26 for cleaning. (2) The access port 27 acts as a vent. This facilitates the structure of the accommodation portion 26. (3) In the accommodated state, the meshes 51 are pressed against the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 to prevent the air drawn through the air inlet 34 from flowing through a gap between the inner surface of the outer wall member 21 and the meshes 51 toward the access port 27. More specifically, air that does not pass through the mesh 51 is prevented from being delivered from the access port ...

Claims

1. A helmet, comprising: a helmet body including an eye port at a front side; a shield attached to the helmet body to allow the eye port to be opened and closed; and an air intake mechanism configured to deliver air to an inner surface of the shield when the shield is in a closed state closing the eye port, wherein the air intake mechanism includes an accommodation portion defined inside the helmet body, and a mesh member accommodated in and attached in a removable manner to the accommodation portion, the accommodation portion includes an outer wall member including an air inlet connecting an outer side and an inner side, an inner wall member positioned to face the outer wall member, an access port used for attachment and removal of the mesh member, and a vent that delivers the air drawn in through the air inlet to the inner surface of the shield when the shield is in the closed state, and the mesh member includes a mesh facing the air inlet in an accommodated state in which the mesh member is accommodated in the accommodation portion.

2. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the access port and the vent are defined by the same opening.

3. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the mesh is pressed against an inner surface of the outer wall member in the accommodated state.

4. The helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mesh member includes reinforcement walls separated from each other, and each of the reinforcement walls is a wall extending in a first direction toward the vent on a surface of the mesh that faces the inner wall member.

5. The helmet according to claim 4, wherein the mesh member includes a connecting wall connecting the reinforcement walls in a second direction that intersects the first direction.

6. The helmet according to claim 4, wherein at least some of the reinforcement walls include an engagement tab engaged with an edge of the outer wall member that defines the access port.

7. The helmet according to claim 5, wherein the mesh member includes, at each of two ends of the connecting wall in the second direction, a pressed portion pressed against the inner wall member in the accommodated state.

8. The helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the accommodation portion includes a stopper that restricts excessive entry of the mesh member into the accommodation portion, and the mesh member includes a restriction piece having a distal end that comes into contact with the stopper when the mesh member is inserted into the accommodation portion.

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