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 retention device and force absorber

[0001] The present invention relates to a helmet with a device for retaining the shell on the head of a user or a mannequin 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 retention device, most often adjustable, which allows the shell to be kept around and away from the head of a user.

[0003] It is known to equip the retention device with a cushion designed to rest on the user's head in order to limit friction on the top 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] Furthermore, US4833735A discloses a helmet equipped with a comfort cushion above which the straps of a retention device are joined by a cord. In the event of an impact on the outer shell of the helmet, which is connected to the retention device, this force is transmitted to the cord as 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 outer shell of a helmet.

[0006] In these known materials, in the event of a violent impact on the outer shell of the helmet, it is possible that the user's head may strike the inner surface of the shell, due to deformation or breakage of the retention device. The impact is then transmitted entirely to the user's skull, which can be dangerous for the user.

[0007] However, helmets are subject to normative 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 intends to remedy in particular by proposing a new helmet that meets the aforementioned standards, while having a simple and economical structure.

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

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

[0012] Thanks to the invention, the force absorber forms a loop in which the strap(s) that successively pass through the first, second, and third holes are braked by encircling the edge of the second hole. In the event of intense force exerted on this strap due to an impact on the outer shell, the strap tends to close around this edge and transmit part of this force to the absorber, which can deform locally to dissipate some of this force. Thus, in the event of an impact, the impact energy is not, or is only partially, transmitted to the user's head through contact between the inner surface of the shell and the user's head, which is safer for the user.

[0013] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, the helmet may incorporate one or more of the following features in any technically permissible combination:

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

[0015] - each orifice is elongated in shape with its largest upper dimension or equal to the width of each strap that passes through 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 the second opening preferably being the central opening.

[0019] - the main directions of two adjacent peripheral orifices in which passing through the same strap, they form an obtuse angle on the side of the central opening.

[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 the main of the first opening through which this strap passes form an angle greater than or equal to 40°, preferably greater than or equal to 60°.

[0021] - the number of orifices in the force absorber is equal to twice the number of straps that go through the strain absorber plus one unit.

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

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

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

[0025] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a perspective view of a retaining device belonging to the helmet of the [Fig.1];

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

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

[0028] A helmet 2, according to the invention and represented in [Fig.1], comprises a rigid outer shell 4 made of a thermoplastic polymer, for example of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS.

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

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

[0031] The helmet 2 can be mounted on the head of a user who is a human being or on the head of a mannequin, particularly for helmet testing purposes. In the following, the term "user" covers both the case of a human being and the case of a mannequin.

[0032] The support device 6 includes a perimeter 62, which forms a closed loop, which is intended to be positioned around the skull of a user and which includes a frame made of synthetic material, for example low-density polyethylene, optionally covered with a lining not shown intended to absorb perspiration and to make contact with the user's head more pleasant.

[0033] Advantageously, the perimeter is equipped with an adjustment system 622 which allows the circumference of the perimeter 62 to be adjusted to the size of the user's head.

[0034] The retaining device 6 also includes 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 includes at least one slot 642 for receiving a one-piece pin 626 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 appropriate, in one of the slots 642, which allows the retaining device 6 to be adjusted to the morphology of the user's head. Each attachment member 64D also includes a clip 644 for clipping into a recess 42 provided for this purpose on an inner surface 44 of the outer shell 4. The outer shell 4 is provided with four recesses 42, each of which receives a clip 644.

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

[0038] On the other hand, the third strap 64C is of a second type and is provided, at each of its ends, with a mounting member 64E for attaching to the outer shell 4. Each mounting member 64E comprises two clipping tabs 646 for use in recesses 46 provided for this purpose on the inner surface 44 of the outer shell 4. The outer shell 4 is provided with four recesses 46, each of which receives a tab 646. The third strap 64C contributes to the suspension function of the retaining device 6 within the shell 4.

[0039] On each lateral side of the outer 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 stretchable. For example, the material of the straps may be Polyamide.

[0041] The support device 6 also includes 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 straps 64A and 64B, which allows the cushion 66 to be held in the central part of the internal 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 to the user's head, i.e. directed towards the inner surface 44.

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

[0046] The retaining device 6 also includes a force absorber 68 in the form of a flat plate with an external hexagonal shape and which is provided with five 682 openings that pass through it completely 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 disposed near 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 elongated in 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 principal 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] Two longitudinal edges of the central orifice 682A are denoted 682F and 682G. These edges are advantageously parallel to each other. They are preferably parallel to the principal direction D682A and to the plane of symmetry P68.

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

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

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

[0058] The geometry and the constituent material of 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 hull 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, near 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, 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 rejoins the longitudinal edge 684A, resting on the lower face S'68.Thus, the first strap 64A is folded at 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 682C sphere,

[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 682B pherical,

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

[0066] Alternatively, the first strap 64A is provided to arrive on the upper face S68 of the force absorber 68, near 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, 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 rejoins the longitudinal edge 684A, resting on the lower face S'68.Thus, the first 64A strap 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 682B pherical,

[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 682C sphere,

[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, near its longitudinal edge 684B, and passes through the peripheral opening 682E from the upper face S68 to the lower face S'68. It then extends along the lower face S'68 to the central opening 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 opening 682A, resting on the faces S68 and S'68. From the central opening 682A, the strap 64B extends along the upper face S68 to the peripheral opening 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 at 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 682E sphere,

[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 682D pherical,

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

[0077] Alternatively, the second strap 64B is provided to arrive on the upper face S68 of the force absorber 68, near its longitudinal edge 684B, and passes through the peripheral opening 682D from the upper face S68 to the lower face S'68. It then extends along the lower face S'68 to the central opening 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 opening 682A, while bearing on faces S68 and S'68. From the central opening 682A, the strap 64B extends along the upper face S68 to the peripheral opening 682E, which it passes through, from the upper face S68 to the lower face S'68. From opening 682E, the second strap 64B reaches the longitudinal edge 684B, resting against the lower face S'68. Thus, the second strap 64B is folded 180° around the second longitudinal edge 682G of the central opening 682A, passing between openings 682D and 682E, respectively.

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

[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 682E sphere,

[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 load absorber 68 by virtue of its successive passage through the three orifices it traverses. In particular, when one of these two straps 64A and 64B is tensioned, the strap tends to press against the edge 682F or 682G of the central orifice 682A, which has the effect of elastically deforming the load 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 hinders the potential slippage of this strap in the central orifice 682A.

[0083] In the event of an impact, directed downwards, on the outer shell 4, the corresponding force is transmitted to the heels 644 and 646, and therefore to the retaining device 6. This force is transmitted, by the fastening 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 tightening them, between their ends respectively attached to the fastening members 64D and mounting members 64E.

[0085] Tensioning the straps 64A and 64B, which are held in place by the force absorber 68, causes the force absorber 68 to elastically deform, thereby absorbing a portion of the force. This portion is not transmitted, through the cushion 66, to the top of the user's head. Thus, using the force absorber 68 and positioning the first and second straps 64A and 64B on this absorber allows for the dissipation of a portion of the force resulting from an impact on the outer shell 4, thereby improving the comfort and safety of a helmet user 2.

[0086] Tensioning the strap 64C has the effect of pressing the cushion 66 against the top of the user's skull.

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

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

[0091] In an alternative not shown, the number of straps passing through the load absorber 68 is not two, for example greater than or equal to three. The number of openings in the load absorber 68 is then adapted, preferably being equal to twice the number of straps passing through the load absorber 68 plus one.

[0092] The straps 64A and 64B can pass through the force absorber 68 by 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, insofar as this is technically possible.

Claims

Demands

1. Helmet (2) comprising an outer shell (4) and a device for retaining the outer shell on a user's head, this retaining 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 retaining device comprises a force absorber (68) provided with at least three openings (682) for the passage of at least one strap (64A, 64B), each opening 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) passes successively through a first orifice (682C, 682E), a second orifice (682A) and a third orifice (682B, 682D) extending over the first face (S'68), between the first orifice and the second orifice, and over 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 elongated in 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 the principal 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 principal direction (D682A,) of the second orifice (682A) through which this strap passes 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 principal direction (D682E,) of the first orifice (682E) through which this strap passes 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) that pass through the force absorber plus one.

10. Helmet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two of the straps (64A, 64B) are attached to the perimeter (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 perimeter pass through the force absorber (68) and the strap attached only to the outer shell passes between the cushion (66) and the force absorber.

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