Assembly comprising a protective helmet and an eyewear

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly comprising a protective helmet (1) and an eyewear item (2) comprising two carrying arms (3), said helmet comprising an outer shell (4) configured to receive at least partially the skull of a wearer, as well as a pair of lateral vents (11) positioned so as to allow the sliding insertion of an arm (3) in order to place said item in a storage position on the helmet (1) in which a portion (3a) of the arm (3) exerts a radial clamping force on an edge (12) of the corresponding vent (11), the portions of the arm (3a) each having a retaining notch (18) in the storage position, which separates upstream and downstream parts (3c) of the corresponding portion of the arm (3a) by being configured so that said upstream parts are separated radially by a distance less than the distance radially separating said downstream parts.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly comprising a protective helmet for sports activity and an eyewear item comprising two carrying arms.

[0002] It applies in particular to gear for practicing a sport or leisure activity such as cycling. It can also apply to other types of sports or activities in which protection against head injuries is necessary, such activities including skateboarding, horse riding, mountaineering or scootering.

[0003] Helmets intended for such uses generally include an outer shell configured to receive at least part of a wearer's skull, said outer shell being made of a rigid material, in particular a thermoplastic polymer, possibly reinforced with fibers.

[0004] As is known, such helmets, particularly those intended for cycling, include vents which are distributed across the helmet to allow ventilation of the wearer's head.

[0005] To protect his eyes during the practice of his activity, in particular against the sun's rays, wind and / or dust, the wearer can also wear an eyewear item equipped with two carrying arms intended to come each on one ear of the wearer.

[0006] During the course of their activity, the wearer may need to remove the eyewear item, for example due to changes in brightness and / or weather conditions, and must then put it away.

[0007] To this end, protective helmets are known to be designed for use in conjunction with specific eyewear, forming a set that can be marketed as such. In these sets, the helmet includes at least one pair of side vents positioned to allow the sliding insertion of one temple of the eyewear, so that the latter can be stored on the helmet.

[0008] This arrangement allows the wearer to easily store their eyewear when they no longer wish to use it, but also to easily access it when they wish to put it on, without having to rummage through a bag or an additional storage compartment.

[0009] To ensure that the item remains on the helmet in the storage position, said item and / or said helmet is arranged so that, in the storage position, each of the arms of said item exerts a radial clamping force on an edge of the corresponding vent.

[0010] In particular, document EP-4 154 747 describes an assembly in which spectacle retention devices are reported in each vent, each comprising an elastic retention means which is positioned at least partially in said vent to retain a temple by friction, and a means for guiding said temple into alignment with said retention means.

[0011] This design is not entirely satisfactory, as it requires the addition of extra parts to the helmet, making it complex to implement. Furthermore, the elastic retainers can wear out with use, which will compromise the long-term stability of the item when stored on the helmet.

[0012] The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing an assembly in which an eyewear item can be held in a storage position on a protective helmet in a simple and reliable manner.

[0013] To this end, the invention proposes an assembly comprising a protective helmet for sports activity and an eyewear item comprising two carrying arms, said helmet comprising an outer shell which is configured to receive at least partially the skull of a wearer, said helmet having at least one pair of lateral vents which are positioned so as to allow the sliding insertion of each arm in order to place said item in a storage position on the helmet in which a portion of each arm exerts a radial clamping force on an edge of the corresponding vent, the arm portions each having a retaining notch for said arm in the storage position,said step separating an upstream part and a downstream part of the corresponding branch portion being configured so that said upstream parts are radially separated by a distance that is less than the radially separating said downstream parts.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: [ Fig.1 ] schematically represents, in perspective from the front, an assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the eyewear item is held on the protective helmet in the storage position; Fig.2 [ ] schematically represents, from a bottom view, the eyewear item of the entire set of figure 1 , [ Fig.2a ] there figure 2a being an enlargement of the figure 2 centered on the retaining notch of the left branch on said figure 2 , [ Fig.2b ] being an enlargement of the figure 1 centered on the engagement of a portion of the eyewear component's arm in a helmet vent; [ Fig.3 ] And [ Fig.4 ] each represent, according to a top and front view respectively, the assembly as shown on the figure 1 .

[0015] In relation to these figures, a set comprising a protective helmet 1 for sports activity, and an eyewear item 2, is described below.

[0016] Helmet 1, shown, is particularly suitable for sports or leisure activities such as cycling. Helmet 1 can also be used for other types of sports or activities where protection against head injuries is necessary, such activities including skateboarding, horseback riding, mountaineering, or scootering.

[0017] The helmet 1 includes an outer shell 4 which is configured to receive at least partially the skull of a wearer, in particular at least the top of said skull.

[0018] In the description, the terms of positioning in space (front, back, external, internal, left, right, etc.) refer to the relative position of the helmet 1 or the eyewear item 2 with respect to the wearer's head when wearing said helmet and / or item. In particular, the term "longitudinal" refers to a direction parallel to a plane P, P' of sagittal and median anatomical cross-section of the helmet 1 or the item 2 (vertical on the figures 2 et 2a ), and the term "radial" refers to a direction perpendicular to this sagittal plane (horizontal on these same planes). figures 2 et 2a ).

[0019] The outer shell 4 is made of a rigid material that provides good impact resistance while remaining light enough to ensure wearer comfort. For this purpose, the outer shell 4 can be molded from a thermoplastic polymer material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC), possibly reinforced with fibers.

[0020] The helmet 1 also includes a liner 5 which is positioned within the outer shell 4 to receive the wearer's skull. In the figures, the liner 5 has a lower edge 5a designed to come into contact with the wearer's forehead and temples, particularly above their eyebrows and ears, when they are wearing the helmet 1.

[0021] In particular, the outer shell 4 forms an envelope which has an inner surface against which the liner 5 is associated, for example by gluing or overmolding, said liner being able to be made from EPS (Expanded Polystyrene).

[0022] The liner 5 may be at least partially covered with an internal lining, in particular made of elastomer foam, and may be wrapped with a textile, so as to ensure the comfort of the wearer when wearing the helmet 1.

[0023] To improve its hold on the wearer's skull, the helmet 1 can also be equipped with an internal frame, in particular made of plastic, which is arranged to be positioned at the back of the wearer's neck, and is equipped with reversible tightening means around the neck, for example in the form of a rotating dial.

[0024] Alternatively or in combination with these rear tightening means, the helmet 1 can also be equipped with two side straps attached at their upper parts to the outer shell 4 and / or the inner liner 5, and provided at their respective lower parts with additional means to allow their reversible association under the wearer's chin.

[0025] The eyewear item 2 comprising two carrying arms 3 intended to come each over one ear of the wearer when wearing said item.

[0026] In the embodiment shown, the eyewear item 2 comprises a frame 6 equipped with at least one optical lens 7, the temples 3 being mounted on one side of said frame respectively.

[0027] In particular, Article 2 shown is an optical protective screen, the dimensions of which are arranged to allow it to cover the upper part of the wearer's face. To this end, Article 2 includes a lower edge which is provided with a notch 8 designed to rest against the wearer's nose when it is put on, said notch being equipped with a flexible structure 9 to improve the wearer's comfort.

[0028] In an alternative not shown, article 2 may take the form of glasses, the frame 6 of which comprises two parts, in particular in the form of rims, which are connected by a nose bridge and each carry a separate optical lens.

[0029] Optical glass comprises 7 a wall made of a transparent material, through which vision occurs when the wearer puts on the eyewear item 2.

[0030] To achieve this, wall 7 can be made from a transparent thermoplastic polymer material, in order to limit the risk of breakage in the event of an impact against helmet 1 and / or article 2.

[0031] Advantageously, the wall 7 may have optical properties arranged to adapt to ambient brightness, in order to guarantee the wearer protection of his eyes against the harmful effects of solar radiation, and in particular to limit the risks of glare for the wearer during the practice of his activity.

[0032] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the frame 6 and the optical lens 7 both have an arched geometry to come as close as possible to the wearer's eyes when wearing article 2, in order to limit the risks of air and / or dust passing between said frame and said eyes, but also to improve the wearer's vision through the optical lens 7.

[0033] In relation to figures 1 And 2 Each arm 3 is equipped with a hinge 10 for mounting on the frame 6 between an upright carrying configuration, in which the arm extends behind the frame 6 in a substantially longitudinal direction, and a folded configuration behind the frame in a substantially radial direction. This folded configuration reduces the bulk of the item 2 when not in use, for example, to allow it to be stored in a pocket or a case designed for this purpose.

[0034] The helmet 1 further has at least two lateral vents 11 which are positioned so as to allow the sliding insertion of a temple 3 respectively, in order to place the eyewear item 2 in a storage position on the helmet 1, in which a portion 3a of each of the temples 3 exerts a radial clamping force on an edge 12 of the corresponding vent 11.

[0035] This arrangement allows the wearer to easily store item 2 when they no longer wish to use it, but also to easily access said item when they wish to put it on, following a particularly intuitive gesture.

[0036] In the case of an eyewear item 2 equipped with foldable temples 3, its storage position on the helmet 1 is achieved with said temples in the upright position. Thus, the wearer can save time when storing the item 2 on the helmet 1, or when removing it from the helmet for use, by eliminating the additional step of folding or unfolding the temples 3.

[0037] As depicted on the figures 1 , 3 et 4 , the helmet 1 includes a pair of vents 11 which are arranged respectively on the left side and on the right side of said helmet, so as to receive the branches 3 in a storage position of the article on the front of said helmet, which constitutes for the wearer an easily accessible and intuitive location for storing said article.

[0038] In particular, item 2 in storage position is turned horizontally and vertically relative to its carrying position, with the support notch 8 facing upwards on the wearer's nose.

[0039] Advantageously, helmet 1 includes additional vents 14a-14d arranged on it to allow ventilation of the wearer's head. On the figures 1 , 3 et 4 Helmet 1, as shown, comprises the following: on the front: ∘ two lower ventilation vents 14a formed near the lower edge 5a, arranged radially and symmetrically on either side of a median sagittal cross-section plane P of said helmet; ∘ three upper ventilation vents 14b aligned radially and symmetrically with respect to this same plane P; in the upper part: a median ventilation vent 14c extending substantially opposite the top of the wearer's skull, being aligned longitudinally with a median upper front ventilation vent 14b; and in the rear part: two ventilation vents 14d arranged radially and symmetrically on either side of the cross-section plane P.

[0040] In relation to figures 1 And 2b , the outer shell 4 has openings 15 into which the vents 11 open, the branch portions 3a exerting a radial clamping force directly on the corresponding opening 15.

[0041] Thus, the item can be kept in the storage position on the helmet 1 without adding an additional component to the helmet, which simplifies its implementation while ensuring reliable retention of the item on it.

[0042] In the figures, the outer shell 2 has local recesses 16 in which the openings 15 are formed. In particular, as shown in the figure 2b , the edge 12 of the openings 15 has a sharp edge 17 on which a corresponding portion of branch 3a exerts a radial clamping force.

[0043] In relation to the figure 2 , the portions of branch 3a each have a retaining notch 18 of said branch in storage position, said notch separating an upstream part 3b and downstream part 3c the corresponding portion of branch 3a being configured so that the upstream parts 3a are separated radially by a distance D1 which is less than the distance D2 separating radially the downstream parts 3c, when said branches are arranged in upright configuration.

[0044] In the description, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are taken in reference to the direction of the insertion movement of branches 3 into their corresponding retention vent 11.

[0045] Thus, each of the branches 3 extends opposite the notch 18 from the upstream part 3b to a free end 19 of said branch which is intended to be inserted first into the vents 11 in the storage position of article 2 on the helmet 1, the distance D1 being arranged with respect to the spacing of the vents 11 to put the branches under radial stress on the helmet during this insertion phase.

[0046] In particular, the extensions of the upstream parts 3b are arranged to be placed each on one ear of a wearer wearing article 2, and may be provided for this purpose with a suitable elastomeric coating to ensure the comfort of said wearer.

[0047] Advantageously, branches 3 each have a curved profile from their free end 19 to their upstream part 3b, so as to be able to fit the part of the skull located behind one ear of the wearer when wearing article 2.

[0048] Each of the branches 3 then extends opposite the notch 18 from the downstream part 3c to the mount 6 to be connected at their downstream end to respectively one side of said mount, in particular by means of a folding hinge 10 of the corresponding branch 3, as described previously.

[0049] In particular, since the distance D2 is greater than the distance D1, a partial release of the radial constraint of the branches 3 allows the engagement of the notch 18 on the opening 15 at the end of the sliding of the branches 3 in the vents 11, so as to make the retention conferred more reliable.

[0050] In an advantageous way and as shown on the figures 2, 2a et 2b , the 18 offsets each have a curved geometry which is connected to the downstream part 3c by a radial shoulder 20, said shoulder coming against the sharp edge 17 at the end of the sliding of the upstream part 3b in the corresponding vent 11, against a movement of withdrawal of the branch 3 from its storage position.

[0051] In particular, the branches 3 are each made of a material arranged to allow them to undergo slight elastic deformation, notably an outward radial separation as represented by the arrows F on the figures 2 et 2a , during their insertion by sliding into the corresponding vent 11, the shoulder 20 comes to rest against the sharp edge 17 by elastic return of said branches at the end of said sliding.

[0052] Thus, any untimely slippage of the downstream parts 3c out of the vents 11 is prevented, and therefore any fall of article 2 into storage position, particularly under the effect of gravity, for example when the wearer lowers their head forward.

[0053] To be able to remove article 2 from the helmet 1 when he wishes to put it on, the wearer can grasp said article in order to exert a radial pull outwards, so as to disengage the radial shoulder 20 from the sharp edge 17, and thus allow the branches 3 to be removed from their vent 11 by exerting a longitudinal pull forwards.

[0054] Helmet 1 and eyewear item 2 can be marketed together, but also separately, which allows a consumer to choose a helmet 1 according to its technical and / or aesthetic characteristics (colors, patterns, materials...), and to choose in parallel one or more eyewear item(s) 2 according to their preferences in terms of type of equipment (screen, glasses...), optical properties (level of sun protection...) and / or aesthetics (color, pattern, shape...).

[0055] This arrangement also allows a consumer to replace a defective eyewear item 2 and / or helmet 1, in particular in the event of breakage of an optical lens 7, the frame 6 and / or the temples 3, or in the event of damage to the helmet 1 and / or its equipment (inner lining, means of tightening around the skull...), and this without having to replace the entire helmet 1 / item 2.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising a protective sports helmet (1) and an eyewear item (2) comprising two carrying arms (3), said helmet comprising an outer shell (4) configured to at least partially accommodate the wearer's skull, said helmet having at least one pair of lateral vents (11) positioned to allow the sliding insertion of each arm (3) for the purpose of placing said item in a storage position on the helmet (1) in which a portion (3a) of each arm (3) exerts a radial clamping force on an edge (12) of the corresponding vent (11), said assembly being characterized in thatthe branch portions (3a) each have a retaining notch (18) of said branch in storage position, said notch separating an upstream part (3b) and a downstream part (3c) of the corresponding branch portion (3a) being configured so that said upstream parts are separated radially by a distance (D1) which is less than the distance (D2) separating radially said downstream parts.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer shell (4) has openings (15) into which the lateral vents (11) open, the portions of branches (3a) exerting a radial clamping force directly on the corresponding opening (15).

3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer shell (4) has local recesses (16) in which the openings (15) are formed.

4. Together according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in thatthe edge (12) of the openings (15) has a sharp edge (17) on which the corresponding portion of branch (3a) exerts a radial clamping force.

5. Together according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the steps (18) have a curved geometry which is connected to the downstream part (3c) by a radial shoulder (20).

6. Together according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the shoulder (20) is against the sharp edge (17) against a movement of withdrawal of the branch (3) from its storage position.

7. Together according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the helmet (1) has a pair of vents (11) which are arranged respectively on the left side and on the right side of said helmet to receive the branches (3) in a storage position of the item (2) on the front of said helmet.

8. Together according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in thatthe eyewear article (2) comprises a frame (6) equipped with at least one optical lens (7), the temples (3) being mounted on one side of said frame respectively.

9. Assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that Each of the arms (3) is equipped with a hinge (10) for mounting on the frame (6) between an upright carrying configuration and a folded configuration, the item (2) in storage position on the helmet (1) having its arms (3) in the upright configuration.

10. Together according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that Each of the branches extends opposite the drop (18) from the lower part (3c) to the mount (6).

11. Together according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that Each of the branches extends opposite the break (18) from the upstream part (3b) to a free end (19) of said branch.

12. Together according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that It includes other vents (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) which are arranged on the helmet (1) to allow ventilation of the wearer's head.

13. Together according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the outer shell (4) is made of a rigid material which is suitable to give it good resistance to impacts.

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