Helmet with retention device and force absorber

Abstract

Helmet with retention device and force absorber. The present invention relates to a helmet (2) comprising an outer shell and a retention device (6) which includes a rim (62) forming a closed loop, at least two straps (64A, 64B, 64C) attached to the rim and / or the shell, and a support cushion (66). The retention device also includes a force absorber (68) provided with at least three openings (682A, 682B, 682C) for the passage of at least one strap (64A, 64B), each opening connecting a first and a second face (S68) of the force absorber. At least one strap (64A, 64B) passes successively through a first hole (682C), a second hole (682A), and a third hole (682B), extending over the first face, between the first and second holes, and over the second face (S68), between the second and third holes. The strap is folded at 180° around an edge (682F, 682G) of the second hole (682A).Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Helmet with support device and force absorber

[0001] The present invention relates to a helmet with a device for holding the shell on the head of a user or a dummy used in the context of a test.

[0002] In the field of safety helmets, used in particular on construction sites, it is known to produce a helmet in the form of a rigid shell equipped with a holding device, most often adjustable, which makes it possible to hold the shell around and at a distance from the head of a user.

[0003] It is known to equip the holding device with a cushion intended to rest on the user's head, in order to limit friction on the upper part of the skull when using the helmet. The function of such a cushion is to improve the comfort of the helmet. A helmet equipped with an elastomer comfort cushion is known from EP4039117A1.

[0004] On the other hand, US4833735A discloses a helmet equipped with a comfort cushion above which straps of a holding device are joined by a cord. In the event of an impact on the outer shell of the helmet which is connected to the holding device, this force is transmitted to the cord in the form of a tensile force. The cord must therefore absorb the forces in the event of an impact, with a risk of the cord breaking.

[0005] On the other hand, it is known from US4000520A to use a cushion to distribute forces applied to an external shell of a helmet.

[0006] In these known materials, in the event of a violent impact on the external shell of the helmet, it is not excluded that the user's head will hit the internal surface of the shell, following a deformation or a breakage of the holding device. The impact is then entirely transmitted to the user's skull, which can prove dangerous for the user.

[0007] However, helmets are subject to regulatory obligations, such as those resulting from the EN397 standard in Europe or the ANSI / ASSE Z359 standard in the United States.

[0008] There is therefore a need to improve existing helmets to meet these standards, in order to guarantee the safety of a user.

[0009] It is this technical problem that the present invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a new helmet making it possible to satisfy the aforementioned standards, while being of a simple and economical structure.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a helmet comprising an external shell and a device for holding the external shell on a user's head, this holding device comprising: - a perimeter forming a closed loop; - at least two straps attached to the perimeter and / or to the external shell; - a support cushion on the user's head,

[0011] characterized in that: - the holding device comprises a force absorber provided with at least three orifices for the passage of at least one strap, each orifice connecting a first face of the force absorber and a second face of the force absorber opposite the first face; - at least one strap successively passes through a first orifice, a second orifice and a third orifice, extending on the first face, between the first orifice and the second orifice, and on the second face, between the second orifice and the third orifice; and - the strap is folded 180° around one edge of the second hole.

[0012] Thanks to the invention, the force absorber forms a loop in which the or each strap which successively passes through the first orifice, the second orifice and the third orifice is braked by surrounding the edge of the second orifice. In the event of intense force exerted on this strap under the effect of an impact on the external shell, the strap tends to close around this edge and to transmit part of this force to the absorber which can deform locally to dissipate part of this force. Then, in the event of an impact, the energy of the impact is not, or is only partially, transmitted to the user's head by contact between the internal surface of the shell and the user's head, which is safer for the user.

[0013] According to advantageous but not obligatory aspects of the invention, the helmet may incorporate one or more of the following characteristics taken in any technically admissible combination:

[0014] - the force absorber is made of elastically deformable material, in particular thermoplastic elastomer.

[0015] - each orifice is elongated in shape with its largest dimension being upper or equal to the width of each strap that crosses it.

[0016] - the force absorber is in the form of a flat plate.

[0017] - the force absorber comprises five orifices.

[0018] - the force absorber comprises a central orifice and peripheral orifices, the second orifice preferably being the central orifice.

[0019] - principal directions of two adjacent peripheral orifices in which passes the same strap forming an obtuse angle on the side of the central hole.

[0020] - a longitudinal axis of a strap and a main direction of the second orifice crossed by this strap form an angle greater than or equal to 30°, preferably greater than or equal to 40°, and in that the longitudinal axis of the strap and a direction main part of the first hole crossed by this strap form an angle greater than or equal to 40°, preferably greater than or equal to 60°.

[0021] - the number of holes in the force absorber is equal to twice the number of straps that cross the force absorber plus one unit.

[0022] - two of the straps are attached to the perimeter and to the outer shell, in that one other strap is attached only to the outer shell and in that, preferably, the straps attached to the perimeter pass through the force absorber and the strap attached only to the outer shell circulates between the cushion and the force absorber.

[0023] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a helmet in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a view from below of a helmet according to the invention;

[0025] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a holding device belonging to the helmet of [Fig.l];

[0026] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents, on two inserts A and B, a possible configuration of the part of the holding device of [Fig.2] respectively seen from below and seen from above;

[0027] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a force absorber belonging to the holding device of figures 3 and 4.

[0028] A helmet 2, in accordance with the invention and shown in [Fig.l], comprises a rigid external shell 4 made of a thermoplastic polymer, for example Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS.

[0029] Alternatively, the outer shell 4 may be made of another material.

[0030] A device 6 for holding the helmet 2 on the head of a user, not shown, is mounted inside the external shell 4.

[0031] The helmet 2 may be mounted on the head of a user who is a human person or on the head of a mannequin, in particular in the context of a test of the helmet. In the following, the word user covers both the case of a human person and the case of a mannequin.

[0032] The holding device 6 comprises a rim 62, which forms a closed loop, which is intended to be arranged around the skull of a user and which comprises a frame made of synthetic material, for example low-density polyethylene, possibly coated with a lining (not shown) intended to absorb perspiration and make contact with the user's head more pleasant.

[0033] Advantageously, the rim is equipped with an adjustment system 622 which makes it possible to adjust the circumference of the rim 62 to the size of the user's head.

[0034] The holding device 6 also comprises three straps 64A, 64B and 64C. These straps are of two types.

[0035] The first two straps 64A and 64B are of a first type and secured by attachment members 64D to tabs 624 which belong to the perimeter 62.

[0036] Each attachment member 64D comprises at least one slot 642 for receiving a pin 626 in one piece with one of the tabs 624. Preferably, several slots 642 are provided, here two slots 642, for each attachment member 64, the pin 626 being able to be received, as desired, in one of the slots 642, which makes it possible to adjust the holding device 6 to the morphology of the user's head. Each attachment member 64D also comprises a heel 644 for clipping into a housing 42 provided for this purpose on an inner surface 44 of the outer shell 4. The outer shell 4 is provided with four housings 42 which each receive a heel 644.

[0037] The first and second straps 64A and 64B provide a suspension function for the holding device 6 in the shell 4.

[0038] On the other hand, the third strap 64C is of a second type and provided, at each of its ends, with a member 64E for mounting on the external shell 4. Each mounting member 64E comprises two heels 646 for clipping into housings 46 provided for this purpose on the inner surface 44 of the external shell 4. The external shell 4 is provided with four housings 46 which each receive a heel 646. The third strap 64C contributes to the function of suspending the holding device 6 in the shell 4.

[0039] On each lateral side of the external shell 4, two adjacent housings 46 are arranged between two housings 42.

[0040] Advantageously, the straps 64A, 64B and 64C are made by weaving or knitting and are extensible. For example, the material of the straps may be Polyamide.

[0041] The holding device 6 also comprises a cushion 66 intended to rest against the top of the user's skull.

[0042] The cushion is made of a material that is pleasant to the touch and generates little friction on the top of the user's head, for example polyurethane foam.

[0043] The cushion 66 is provided with openings 662 for the passage of the straps 64A and 64B, which makes it possible to maintain the cushion 66 in the central part of the interior volume V44 of the external shell 4.

[0044] The straps 64A, 64B cross the strap 64C on one side of the support cushion 66 opposite the user's head, i.e. directed towards the inner surface 44.

[0045] The cushion 66 is not shown in Figures 2 and 3 and only its trace is visible in [Fig.3], in dotted lines.

[0046] The holding device 6 also comprises a force absorber 68 produced in the form of a flat plate of hexagonal external shape and which is provided with five orifices 682 which pass right through it between an upper face S68 visible in [Fig.2] and on insert B of [Fig.3] and a lower face S'68 visible in insert A of [Fig.3] and on [Fig.4]. The lower face S'68 is opposite the upper face S68.

[0047] The force absorber 68 is symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry P68 which is perpendicular to the faces S68 and S'68.

[0048] The orifices 682 comprise a central orifice 682A and four peripheral orifices 682B, 682C, 682D and 682E which are each arranged close to an edge 684 of the force absorber 68. The edge 684 is divided into two longitudinal edges 684A and 684B and two transverse edges 684C and 684D.

[0049] Advantageously, the orifices 682 have the same geometry.

[0050] Each orifice 682 is of elongated shape and has a length L682 strictly greater than a maximum width 164 of each of the first two straps 64A and 64B.

[0051] Each orifice 682 has a width 1682 which is much less than its length L682, in particular at least five times smaller than this length, preferably at least ten times smaller than this length.

[0052] Advantageously, a main direction of an orifice 682 is parallel to its length L682 and perpendicular to its width 1682.

[0053] Advantageously, the main direction D682A of the central orifice 682A is contained in the plane of symmetry P68.

[0054] We note 682F and 682 G two longitudinal edges of the central orifice 682A. These edges are advantageously parallel to each other. They are preferably parallel to the main direction D682A and to the plane of symmetry P68.

[0055] D682B and D682C are respectively denoted as the main directions of the peripheral orifices 682B and 682C. Advantageously, the main directions D682B and D682C define between them, on the side of the central orifice 682A, an obtuse angle α. For example, the value of the angle α can be between 60° and 180°.

[0056] Taking into account the symmetry of the force absorber 68 with respect to the plane P68, the main directions of the peripheral orifices 682D and 682E also define between them an obtuse angle on the side of the central orifice 682A.

[0057] Advantageously, the force absorber 68 is made of a material that is elastically deformable in the temperature range of use of the helmet 2. For example, this material may be thermoplastic, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer, in other words a TPE, from the English “thermoplastic elastomer”.

[0058] The geometry and the material constituting the force absorber 68 allow it to be manufactured economically, with good reproducibility of its mechanical properties.

[0059] Within the helmet 2, the force absorber is arranged between the cushion 66 and the bottom of the inner surface 44 of the shell 4.

[0060] The first two straps 64A and 64B each pass through some of the orifices 682, while the third strap 64C extends between the cushion 66 and the force absorber 68 without passing through the openings 662 or through the orifices 682.

[0061] The first strap 64A arrives on the upper face S68 of the force absorber 68, close to its longitudinal edge 684A, passes through the peripheral orifice 682C from the upper face S68 to the lower face S'68. It then extends, along the lower face S'68, to the central orifice 682A which it passes through, from the lower face S'68 to the upper face S68. The strap 64A is folded around the first longitudinal edge 682F of the central orifice 682A, while resting on the faces S68 and S'68 which are parallel and separated by a distance equal to the thickness e68 of the force absorber 68. From the central orifice 682A, the strap 64A extends, along the upper face S68, to the peripheral orifice 682B which it passes through, from the upper face S68 to the lower face S'68. From the orifice 682B, the first strap 64A joins the longitudinal edge 684A while resting on the lower face S'68.Thus, the first strap 64A is folded 180° around the first longitudinal edge 682F of the central orifice 682A, passing between the orifices 682C and 682B, respectively.

[0062] - along the upper face S68 between the longitudinal edge 684A and the peri-orifice spherical 682C,

[0063] - along the lower face S'68 between the peripheral orifice 682C and the orifice central 682A,

[0064] - along the upper face S68 between the central orifice 682A and the peri orifice spherical 682B,

[0065] - along the lower face S'68 between the peripheral orifice 682B and the long edge gitudinal 684A.

[0066] Alternatively, it is provided that the first strap 64A arrives on the upper face S68 of the force absorber 68, close to its longitudinal edge 684A, passes through the peripheral orifice 682B from the upper face S68 to the lower face S'68. It then extends, along the lower face S'68, to the central orifice 682A which it passes through, from the lower face S'68 to the upper face S68. The strap 64A is folded around the first longitudinal edge 682F of the central orifice 682A, while resting on the faces S68 and S'68 which are parallel and separated by a distance equal to the thickness e68 of the force absorber 68. From the central orifice 682A, the strap 64A extends, along the upper face S68, to the peripheral orifice 682C which it passes through, from the upper face S68 to the lower face S'68. From the orifice 682C, the first strap 64A joins the longitudinal edge 684A while resting on the lower face S'68.Thus, the first strap 64A is folded 180° around . from the first longitudinal edge 682F of the central orifice 682A, circulating between the orifices 682B and 682C, respectively

[0067] - along the upper face S68 between the longitudinal edge 684A and the peri-orifice spherical 682B,

[0068] - along the lower face S'68 between the peripheral orifice 682B and the orifice central 682A,

[0069] - along the upper face S68 between the central orifice 682A and the peri orifice spherical 682C,

[0070] - along the lower face S'68 between the peripheral orifice 682C and the long edge gitudinal 684A.

[0071] In practice the thickness e68 is between 1.0 mm and 6.0 mm, preferably equal to 2.6 mm.

[0072] The second strap 64B arrives on the upper face S68 of the force absorber 68, close to its longitudinal edge 684B, passes through the peripheral orifice 682E from the upper face S68 to the lower face S'68. It then extends, along the lower face S'68, to the central orifice 682A which it passes through from the lower face S'68 to the upper face S68. The strap 64B is folded around the second longitudinal edge 682G of the central orifice 682A, while resting on the faces S68 and S'68. From the central orifice 682A, the strap 64B extends, along the upper face S68, to the peripheral orifice 682D which it passes through, from the upper face S68 to the lower face S'68. From the orifice 682D, the second strap 64B joins the longitudinal edge 684B while resting on the lower face S'68.Thus, the second strap 64B is folded 180° around the second longitudinal edge 682G of the central orifice 682A, passing between the orifices 682E and 682D, respectively.

[0073] - along the upper face S68 between the longitudinal edge 684B and the peri-orifice spherical 682E,

[0074] - along the lower face S'68 between the peripheral orifice 682E and the orifice central 682A,

[0075] - along the upper face S68 between the central orifice 682A and the peri orifice spherical 682D,

[0076] - along the lower face S'68 between the peripheral orifice 682D and the long edge gitudinal 684B.

[0077] Alternatively, it is provided that the second strap 64B arrives on the upper face S68 of the force absorber 68, close to its longitudinal edge 684B, passes through the peripheral orifice 682D from the upper face S68 to the lower face S'68. It then extends, along the lower face S'68, to the central orifice 682A which it passes through from the lower face S'68 to the upper face S68. The strap 64B is folded around the second longitudinal edge 682G of the central orifice 682A, while being in support on the faces S68 and S'68. From the central orifice 682A, the strap 64B extends, along the upper face S68, to the peripheral orifice 682E which it crosses, from the upper face S68 to the lower face S'68. From the orifice 682E, the second strap 64B joins the longitudinal edge 684B while resting on the lower face S'68. Thus, the second strap 64B is folded 180° around the second longitudinal edge 682G of the central orifice 682A, circulating between the orifices 682D and 682E, respectively

[0078] - along the upper face S68 between the longitudinal edge 684B and the peri-orifice spherical 682D,

[0079] - along the lower face S'68 between the peripheral orifice 682D and the orifice central 682A,

[0080] - along the upper face S68 between the central orifice 682A and the peri orifice spherical 682E,

[0081] - along the lower face S'68 between the peripheral orifice 682E and the long edge gitudinal 684B.

[0082] Each of the first and second straps 64A and 64B is anchored to the force absorber 68 due to its successive passage through the three orifices that it passes through. In particular, in the event of tensioning of one of these two straps 64A and 64B, the strap tends to press on the edge 682F or 682G of the central orifice 682A, which has the effect of elastically deforming the force absorber 68. Furthermore, the fact that each of the straps 64A and 64B is folded 180° around one of the edges 682F or 682G generates friction, between the straps 64A and 64B and the faces S68 and S'68, which slows down the potential sliding of this strap in the central orifice 682A.

[0083] In the event of a downward-directed impact on the outer shell 4, the corresponding force is transmitted to the heels 644 and 646, and therefore to the holding device 6. This force is transmitted, by the attachment members 64D, to the perimeter 62 and to the first two straps 64A and 64B and, by the mounting members 64E, to the third strap 64C.

[0084] As the cushion 66 rests on the top of the user's skull, the force transmitted to the straps 64A, 64B and 64C has the effect of stretching them, between their ends respectively secured to the attachment members 64D and mounting members 64E.

[0085] The tensioning of the straps 64A and 64B, which are braked on the force absorber 68, has the effect of elastically deforming this force absorber 68 which thus absorbs a part of this force, which part is not transmitted, through the cushion 66, to the top of the user's skull. Thus, the use of the force absorber 68 and the positioning of the first and second straps 64A and 64B on this absorber makes it possible to dissipate a part of a force resulting from an impact on the external shell 4, which improves the comfort and safety of a user of the helmet 2.

[0086] The tensioning of the strap 64C has the effect of pressing the cushion 66 onto the top of the user's head.

[0087] In the example shown in the figures, the number of orifices 682 is equal to five, i.e. twice the number of straps 64A and 64B plus one unit.

[0088] A64 is a longitudinal axis of the portion of the second strap 64B which extends between the first peripheral orifice 682E and the central orifice 682A, along the lower face S'68. [3] is the smallest of the angles defined between the axis A64 and the main direction D682A. Advantageously, the angle [3 is greater than or equal to 30°, preferably greater than or equal to 40°. y is the smallest of the angles defined between the axis A64 and the main direction D682E. Advantageously, the angle y is greater than or equal to 40°, preferably greater than or equal to 60°.

[0089] Similar angles can be defined between the straps 64A and 64B and the other orifices.

[0090] The values ​​of the angles a, [3 and y allow an optimized spatial distribution of the straps 64A and 64B in the internal volume V4 of the external shell 4, in particular without risk of crossing between these straps, nor of twisting.

[0091] In a variant not shown, the number of straps which pass through the force absorber 68 is other than two, for example greater than or equal to three. The number of orifices of the force absorber 68 is then adapted by being preferably equal to twice the number of straps which pass through the force absorber 68 plus one unit.

[0092] The straps 64A and 64B can pass through the force absorber 68 following a path different from that shown in the figures, this path depending on the geometry of this absorber.

[0093] Any feature described above for one embodiment or variant is applicable to the other embodiments and variants described above, as far as this is technically possible.

Claims

Claims

1. Helmet (2) comprising an outer shell (4) and a device (6) for holding the outer shell on a user's head, this holding device comprising: - a rim (62) forming a closed loop; - at least two straps (64A, 64B, 64C) attached to the rim and / or to the outer shell; - a support cushion (66) on the user's head, characterized in that: - the holding device comprises a force absorber (68) provided with at least three orifices (682) for the passage of at least one strap (64A, 64B), each orifice connecting a first face (S'68) of the force absorber and a second face (S68) of the force absorber opposite the first face;- at least one strap (64A, 64B) successively passes through a first orifice (682C, 682E), a second orifice (682A) and a third orifice (682B, 682D) while extending on the first face (S'68), between the first orifice and the second orifice, and on the second face (S68), between the second orifice and the third orifice; and - the strap is folded at 180° around an edge (682F, 682G) of the second orifice (682A).;

2. Helmet according to claim 1, characterized in that the force absorber (68) is made of elastically deformable material, in particular thermoplastic elastomer.

3. Helmet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each orifice (682) is of elongated shape with its largest dimension (L682) greater than or equal to the width (184) of each strap which passes through it.

4. Helmet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force absorber (68) is in the form of a flat plate.

5. Helmet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force absorber (68) comprises five orifices (682).

6. Helmet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force absorber (68) comprises a central orifice (682A) and peripheral orifices (682B, 682C, 682D, 682E), the second orifice preferably being the central orifice.

7. Helmet according to claim 6, characterized in that main directions (D682B, D682C) of two adjacent peripheral orifices (682B, 682C) through which the same strap (64B) passes form an obtuse angle (a) on the side of the central orifice.

8. Helmet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a longitudinal axis (A64) of a strap (64A, 64B) and a main direction (D682A,) of the second orifice (682A) crossed by this strap form an angle ([>) greater than or equal to 30°, preferably greater than or equal to 40°, and in that the longitudinal axis (A64) of the strap (64A, 64B) and a main direction (D682E,) of the first orifice (682E) crossed by this strap form an angle (y ) greater than or equal to 40°, preferably greater than or equal to 60°.

9. Helmet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of orifices (682) of the force absorber (68) is equal to twice the number of straps (64A, 64B) which pass through the force absorber plus one unit.

10. Helmet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two of the straps (64A, 64B) are attached to the periphery (62) and to the outer shell (4), in that another strap (64C) is attached only to the outer shell (4) and in that, preferably, the straps attached to the periphery pass through the force absorber (68) and the strap attached only to the outer shell circulates between the cushion (66) and the force absorber.

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