Safety helmet

Abstract

A safety helmet, comprising a shell (10) to be worn on a user's head. The shell comprises a lower rim (12) delimiting an opening to receive the user's head and a domed crown portion (14) for covering the user's head. The crown portion has a continuous surface extending from the lower rim (12). A front region of the crown portion further comprises a recess (22) defined the continuous surface, outwardly open and delimited by a base (24) bounded by a lower sidewall (26) adjacent the lower rim, an upper sidewall (28) opposite to the lower sidewall, and lateral opposed sidewalls (30, 32). The base, lower, upper and lateral sidewalls all form part of the continuous surface. The helmet can include a removable cover (40) fitted over the recess. The removable cover can include a lamp (76) or a name badge holder (82).

Description

SAFETY HELMETTechnical Field

[0001] This invention relates to safety helmets. In particular, the invention relates to safety helmets including a recess for housing functional fittings for the safety helmet.Background

[0002] It has previously been proposed to attach various functional fittings to safety helmets, such as lamps or name badges. These are typically attached to the exterior of the helmet with clips or straps or a sometimes provided with more secure fitting fastened directly to the shell of the helmet. It has also been proposed to provide a cavity at the front of the helmet to house a visor so that it can be swung out of the way when not in use.

[0003] One example of this is shown in WO 2020 / 044020. In this helmet, the front portion is recessed, and a cover is located over the recess that is open to the bottom so that the visor can be slid into and out of the recess over the user’s face. A name badge holder can be secured to the outer surface of the cover.

[0004] The need to accommodate the visor means that the cover is bulky, and the lower edge is only secured directly to the rest of the helmet at its edges.Furthermore, the name badge holder projects form the front surface of the elements and can snag on other items in use. Other fittings must be attached to the exterior of the helmet with the same problem.

[0005] This invention aims to provide a safety helmet that can accommodate various fittings while maintaining a simple profile and without compromising the structure of the helmet.Summary

[0006] The invention provides a helmet, comprising: a shell to be worn on a user’s head, wherein the shell comprises: a lower rim delimiting an opening to receive the user’s head; and a domed crown portion for covering the user’s head, the crownportion comprising a continuous surface extending from the lower rim; wherein a front region of the crown portion further comprises a recess defined by the continuous surface, the recess being outwardly open and delimited by a base bounded by a lower sidewall adjacent the lower rim, an upper sidewall opposite to the lower sidewall, and lateral opposed sidewalls, wherein the base, lower, upper and lateral sidewalls all form part of the continuous surface.

[0007] By providing the recess as part of the continuous surface, the helmet can be produced by moulding and, if necessary, through holes communicating between the outer and inner surfaces of the sell can be avoided. Delimiting the recess adjacent the lower rim means that the structure of the lower rim does not have to be reduced at the front of the helmet.

[0008] The upper sidewall can have a central region that is spaced relatively further from the lower sidewall located between side portions that are spaced relatively closer to the lower sidewall. This defines a cut-out that can be used to locate fittings for the helmet.

[0009] The central region can extend substantially laterally. Each side portion can comprise a first portion which downwardly depends from the central region at an angle of at least 90°. Each side portion can further comprise a second portion which downwardly depends from the first portion and is laterally inclined outwardly with respect to the first portion.

[0010] The recess can comprise two laterally extending arm portions. Each lateral sidewall and a corresponding side portion of the upper sidewall can define an arm portion. These configurations provide very efficient usage of the limited space available in a safety helmet. For example, the arm portions can align with the position of suspension harness clip heads mounted in the interior of the helmet. It is common with prior art mountaineering style helmets to mount the suspension harness clip heads radially inward of the interior wall of the helmet. This is undesirably close to the user’s head, resulting in decreased comfort and rendering the helmet less safe to use. The improved management of space provided by the arm portions allows the suspension harness clip heads to be mounted more radially outward compared to prior art mountaineering style helmets. For example,the harness suspension clip heads can be mounted within the interior wall of the helmet. This reduces or eliminates the above described problems associated with prior art mountaineering style helmets. The recess can comprise a central longitudinally extending groove and the two laterally extending arm portions, wherein the arm portions are laterally opposed. The lower sidewall has an associated width. The central region of the upper sidewall has an associated width. The arm portions can have a maximum lateral separation. The maximum lateral separation of the arm portions can be greater than the width of the lower sidewall which can be greater than the width of the central region of the upper sidewall.

[0011] The central region and side portions can have slots for use in securing a cover over the recess.

[0012] The lateral sidewalls can comprise slots for receiving locating tabs on a cover and / or locating tabs for fittings to be mounted on an outer surface of the shell. This allows the fitting to be mounted on the shell without the need for mounting holes in the surface.

[0013] The helmet can further comprise a removable cover configured to fit over the recess.

[0014] In this case, one of the sidewalls comprises hook formations to engage a corresponding edge of the cover, and one or more of the other sidewalls comprise slots to receive locating tabs on the corresponding one or more edges of the cover. For example, the hook formations can be located in the lower sidewall, and the slots located in the upper sidewall. In this way, the cover can be engaged on the hooks and pivoted to snap into place and close the recess.

[0015] The cover itself can comprise an outwardly open cover recess that is delimited by a base bounded by a lower sidewall, an upper sidewall opposite to the lower sidewall, and lateral opposed sidewalls.

[0016] In one embodiment, a name badge holder can be removably located in the cover recess.

[0017] In another embodiment, the cover can comprise a lamp, and the cover recess defines a battery housing. In this way, the cover effectively provides a self- contained lamp fitting that can be installed on the helmet, when needed. The battery pack can be removable from the cover recess, for replacement or recharging for example. The lamp can be pivotally mounted on the cover to be moveable between a first position in which the lamp lies within the recess, and a second position in which the lamp projects from the recess above the surface of the crown portion. In the first position, the lamp can lie essentially flush with the outer surface of the helmet so that it will not snag when not in use and can be pivoted up to project in the direction that a user looks when in use.

[0018] For the avoidance of doubt, whenever reference is made herein to ‘comprising’ or ‘including’ and like terms, the invention is also understood to include more limiting terms such as ‘consisting’ and ‘consisting essentially’.

[0019] Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above, or in the following description, drawings or claims.

[0020] Further embodiments will be apparent from the following description.Drawings

[0021] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a helmet according to the invention.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a front view of the helmet of Figure 1 .

[0023] Figure 3 shows the helmet of Figure 1 and 2 with a cover.

[0024] Figures 4 and 5 show front and rear views of the cover of Figure 3.

[0025] Figure 6 shows a helmet with a cover including a lamp.

[0026] Figures 7 and 8 show front and rear views of the cover of Figure 6.

[0027] Figure 9 shows a helmet with a cover including a name badge holder.

[0028] Figures 10 and 11 show front and rear views of the cover of Figure 9.Description

[0029] Figures 1 and 2 show a safety helmet to a style known as a “mountaineering helmet”. Helmets of this style have a similar appearance to helmets used for head protection in mountaineering and other such sports and typically have no peak at the front or a very short peak. This invention is not limited to mountaineering-type helmets and can be used with more traditional types, such as those with a longer front peak, or a circumferential rim, for example. The helmet shown in Figure 1 does not have any liner or harness or chinstrap as will usually be found to allow comfortable use by a wearer. These can be fitted in the helmet according to user requirements.

[0030] The helmet of Figures 1 and 2 comprises a shell 10 moulded from an impact resistant polymer. In use, the shell 10 is secured on a user’s head by means of a harness and chinstrap (not shown). The shell 10 has a lower rim 12 which reinforces the lower edge of the shell 10 and delimits the opening to receive the user’s head. The rest of the shell 10 defines a domed, protective crown portion 14 for covering the user’s head. The shell is a single piece moulding such that the crown portion 14 provides a continuous surface extending from the lower rim 12. The embodiment of Figure 1 has ventilation holes 16 in an upper side region of the crown portion 14. Ventilation holes (not shown) are also provided in a rear part 18 of the crown potion 14. In other embodiments, no ventilation holes are present such that there is no direct open path through the continuous surface of the shell 10.

[0031] As shown best in Figure 2, the front region 20 of the crown portion has a recess 22 with a base 24, a lower sidewall 26 adjacent the lower rim 12, an upper sidewall 28 on the opposite side of the recess 22 to the lower sidewall 26, and lateral opposed sidewalls 30, 32 on either side of the recess 22. The base 24, lower sidewall 26, upper sidewall 28, and lateral sidewalls 30, 32 all form part of the continuous surface defined by the shell 10.

[0032] The upper sidewall 28 has a central region 28a that is spaced relatively further from the lower sidewall 26 and side regions 28b that are spaced relatively closer to the lower sidewall 26 on either side of the central region 28a. This defines a cut-out 34 in the recess 22 that can be used to locate fittings for the helmet as described below. The central region 28a and side regions 28b haveslots 29a, 29b for use in securing a cover over the recess 22. The central region 28a extends substantially laterally with respect to the front region 20 of the domed crown portion. Each side region 28b comprises a first portion which downwardly depends from the central region 28b at an angle of at least 90°. For example, as shown in Figure 2, this angle can be around 100°. Each side portion further comprises a second portion which downwardly depends from the first portion and is laterally inclined outwardly with respect to the first portion. It can be seen that the recess 22 comprises two laterally extending arm portions, wherein each lateral sidewall and a corresponding side portion of the upper sidewall defines a respective arm portion. The recess 22 can be regarded as comprising a central longitudinally extending groove together with the two laterally extending arm portions, wherein the arm portions are laterally opposed. The maximum lateral separation of the arm portions is greater than the width of the lower sidewall 26, which width is greater than the width of the central region 28a of the upper sidewall 28.

[0033] The lateral sidewalls 30, 32 have slots 36 near the lower sidewall 26. These slots can be used for receiving locating tabs on a cover and / or fittings to be mounted on an outer surface of the shell (such as clips 37, Figure 3) that allow other fittings to be mounted on the outside of the helmet.

[0034] The lower sidewall 26 has hook formations 38 near the lateral sidewalls 30, 32 projecting into the recess 22. The hook formations 38 engage with corresponding formation in a cover (see below). The upper sidewall 28 has slots facing into the recess 22 to receive locating tabs on a cover (see below).

[0035] Figure 3 shows the helmet of Figures 1 and 2 with a cover 40 located over the recess 22. The cover 40 is shaped to match the shape of the recess 22 defined by the sidewalls 26, 28, 30, 32 and is curved to follow the general shape of the crown portion 14 of the shell.

[0036] Figures 4 and 5 show further detail of the cover 40. The rear surface of the cover 40 has further hook formations 42 in locations corresponding to those of the hook formations 38 in the lower sidewall 26. The further hook formations 40 areshaped so as to be engageable on the hook formations 38 to allow the cover 40 to pivot relative to the lower sidewall 26.

[0037] The cover 40 has upper locating tabs 44, 46 in the upper edge and side locating tabs 48, 50 in the lateral side edges. The upper locating tab 44 extends below an aperture 52 in the upper region of the cover 40 and can be moved by pressing the portion below the aperture 52.

[0038] To install the cover 40, the further hook formations 42 are engaged on the hook formations 38 in the recess 22 and the cover 40 moved until the locating tabs 44, 46, 48, 50 can be deformed to engage the slots 29a, 29b, 36 and secure the cover 40 over the recess 22 as shown in Figure 3. In this way, the cover 40 can be engaged on the hook formations 38 and pivoted to snap into place and close the recess 22. The cover can be removed by depressing the locating tab 44 until it disengaged from the slot 29a and flexing the cover 40 to disengage the remaining tabs 46, 48, 50 from the slots 29b, 36 and allow the cover to be pivoted away from the recess 22 and detached from the hook formations 38.

[0039] The recess 22 can be used to mount functional attachments for the helmet. Examples of these are shown in Figures 6 to 11 .

[0040] In the embodiment of Figures 6 to 8, the plain cover 40 is replaced with a cover 60 that includes a lamp or torch.

[0041] The cover 60 can includes an outwardly open cover recess that is delimited by a base 62 bounded by a lower sidewall 64, an upper sidewall 66 opposite to the lower sidewall 64, and lateral opposed sidewalls 68, 70. A removable cover 72 is located over the cover recess. A removable battery pack can be located within the cover recess, held in place by the cover 72. The part of the cover 60 surrounding the cover recess includes buttons 74 for controlling the lamp 76.

[0042] The lamp 76 is pivotally connected to the upper edge of the cover 60 and is shaped to fit in the cut-out 34 of the recess 22. When not in use, the lamp 76 is folded back into the cut-out 34 such that its outer surface us substantially flush with the outer surface of the shell 10. When in use, the lamp can be lifted out of the cut-out 34 and angled to point in the direction that a user is facing. The lamp76 can be turned on or off using the buttons 74. While the cover 60 can be removed from the recess 22 in a similar manner to the cover 40, the batteries can be replaced with the cover 60 in situ. In this case, the removable cover 72 is opened using a catch 78, detached, the batteries removed from the cover recess and replaced, and the removable cover 72 reattached.

[0043] In the embodiment of Figures 9 to 11 , the plain cover 40 is replaced with a cover 80 that includes a name badge holder.

[0044] In this case, the cover 80 has the same outline as the plain cover 40. A cover recess similar to that of the embodiment of Figures 6 to 8 opens to the front. A clear fronted name badge holder 82 is clipped into the cover recess so that a name card in the holder 82 is visible to the front. The front of the holder 82 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the cover 80.

[0045] By locating the name badge holder 82 in the cover recess, the name badge is protected from damage by water entry or the like. The name badge can be changed by unclipping the holder 82 from the cover recess, changing the name badge, and reinstalling the holder into the cover 80.

[0046] By providing the recess 22 as part of the continuous surface, the helmet can be produced as a single moulding, and it is not necessary to produce through holes communicating between the outer and inner surfaces of the shell to secure the fittings.

[0047] Various changes can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A helmet, comprising: a shell to be worn on a user’s head, wherein the shell comprises: a lower rim delimiting an opening to receive the user’s head; and a domed crown portion for covering the user’s head, the crown portion comprising a continuous surface extending from the lower rim; wherein a front region of the crown portion further comprises a recess defined by the continuous surface, the recess being outwardly open and delimited by a base bounded by a lower sidewall adjacent the lower rim, an upper sidewall opposite to the lower sidewall, and lateral opposed sidewalls, wherein the base, lower, upper and lateral sidewalls all form part of the continuous surface.

2. A helmet as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the upper sidewall has a central region that is spaced relatively further from the lower sidewall located between side portions that are spaced relatively closer to the lower sidewall.

3. A helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the central region extends substantially laterally, each side portion comprises a first portion which downwardly depends from the central region at an angle of at least 90° and a second portion which downwardly depends from the first portion and is laterally inclined outwardly with respect to the first portion.

4. A helmet as claimed in claim 3, wherein the recess comprises two laterally extending arm portions, wherein each lateral sidewall and a corresponding side portion of the upper sidewall defines an arm portion.

5. A helmet as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the arm portions have a maximum lateral separation which is greater than a width of the lower sidewall; and the width of the lower sidewall is greater than a width of the central region of the upper sidewall.

6. A helmet as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the central region and side portions have slots for use in securing a cover over the recess.

7. A helmet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lateral sidewalls comprise slots for receiving locating tabs for fittings to be mounted on an outer surface of the shell.

8. A helmet as claimed in any previous claim, further comprising a removable cover configured to fit over the recess.

9. A helmet as claimed in claim 8, wherein one of the sidewalls comprises hook formations to engage a corresponding edge of the cover, and one or more of the other sidewalls comprise slots to receive locating tabs on the corresponding one or more edges of the cover.

10. A helmet as claimed in claim 9, wherein the hook formations are located in the lower sidewall, and the slots are located in the upper sidewall.11 . A helmet as claimed in claim 8, 9, or 10, wherein the cover comprises an outwardly open cover recess and delimited by a base bounded by a lower sidewall, an upper sidewall opposite to the lower sidewall, and lateral opposed sidewalls.

12. A helmet as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising a name badge holder removably located in the cover recess.

13. A helmet as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the cover comprises a lamp and the cover recess defines a battery housing.

14. A helmet as claimed in claim 13, wherein the battery pack is removable from the cover recess.

15. A helmet as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the lamp is pivotally mounted on the cover and is moveable between a first position in which the lamp lies within the recess, and a second position in which the lamp projects from the recess above the surface of the crown portion.

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