Set including a protective helmet and an item of 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 at least partially receive the skull of a wearer, as well as a pair of lateral vents (11) positioned to allow the sliding insertion of an arm (3) for placing said item in a storage position on the helmet (1) wherein a portion (3a) of the arm (3) exerts a radial clamping force on an edge (12) of the corresponding vent (11), the arm portions (3a) each having a retaining notch (18) in the storage position, which separates upstream and downstream portions (3c) of the corresponding arm portion (3a) by being configured so that said upstream portions are radially separated by a distance less than the radially separating said downstream portions. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly comprising a protective helmet and an eyewear item

[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 an assembly for the practice of a sporting 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 in particular skateboarding, horse riding, mountaineering or scootering.

[0003] Helmets intended for such uses generally include an outer shell configured to receive at least partially the skull of a wearer, 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 over said 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 may also wear an eyewear item provided with two carrying arms intended to come each on one ear of the said wearer.

[0006] During the course of carrying out his activity, the wearer may have to remove the eyewear item, for example following changes in brightness and / or climatic conditions, and must then put them away.

[0007] To this end, protective helmets are known which are intended to be used in conjunction with specific eyewear, forming a set which can notably be marketed as such. In these sets, the helmet includes at least one pair of lateral vents which are positioned so as to allow the sliding insertion of one arm of the eyewear, respectively, in order to place the latter in a storage position on the helmet.

[0008] This arrangement allows the wearer to easily store their eyewear item 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 branches of said article 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, as well as a means for guiding said temple in alignment with said retention means.

[0011] This arrangement is not entirely satisfactory, as it requires the addition of extra parts to the helmet and is therefore complex to implement. Furthermore, the elastic retaining elements can wear out with use, which in the long term compromises the retention of the item on the helmet in the stored position.

[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 such that said upstream parts are radially separated by a distance that is less than the radially separating distance between said downstream parts.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0015] [Fig.1] schematically represents, in perspective seen 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;

[0016] [Fig.2] schematically represents, in view from below, the eyewear item of the whole of the [Fig.1],

[0017] [Fig.2a] [Fig.2a] being an enlargement of [Fig.2] centered on the retaining notch of the left branch on said [Fig.2],

[0018] [Fig.2b] being an enlargement of [Fig.1] centered on the engagement of a portion branch of the eyewear item in a vent of the helmet;

[0019] [Fig.3] and

[0020] [Fig.4] each represent, according to a view respectively from above and from the front, the whole as represented in [Fig.1].

[0021] In relation to these figures, a set comprising a protective helmet 1 for sports activity, and an eyewear item 2, is described below.

[0022] The helmet 1 shown is particularly suitable for practicing a sporting or leisure activity such as cycling. The helmet 1 can also be used for other types of sports or activities in which protection against head injuries is necessary, such activities including, in particular, skateboarding, horse riding, mountaineering or scootering.

[0023] 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.

[0024] In the description, the terms of positioning in space (front, back, external, internal, left, right, etc.) are taken with reference 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 sagittal and median anatomical cross-sectional plane P, P' of the helmet 1 or the item 2 (vertical in Figures 2 and 2a), and the term "radial" refers to a direction perpendicular to this sagittal plane (horizontal in the same Figures 2 and 2a).

[0025] The outer shell 4 is made of a rigid material suitable for providing good impact resistance while being sufficiently lightweight to ensure wearer comfort. For this purpose, the outer shell 4 can be made by molding a thermoplastic polymer material, in particular acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), possibly reinforced with fibers.

[0026] The helmet 1 further comprises a liner 5 which is arranged in 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 his eyebrows and ears, when he puts on the helmet 1.

[0027] In particular, the outer shell 4 forms an envelope which has an internal surface against which the liner 5 is associated, for example by bonding or overmolding, said liner being able to be made from EPS (Expanded Polystyrene).

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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, being equipped with reversible tightening means around the neck, for example in the form of a rotating wheel.

[0030] Alternatively or in combination with these rear tightening means, the helmet 1 can also be equipped with two lateral straps attached at their upper parts to the outer shell 4 and / or the liner 5, and provided at their respective lower parts with additional means to allow their reversible association under the wearer's chin.

[0031] The eyewear article 2 comprising two carrying arms 3 intended to come each respectively on one ear of the wearer when he wears said article.

[0032] 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.

[0033] In particular, article 2 shown is an optical protective screen, the dimensions of which are arranged to enable 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 intended to rest against the wearer's nose when the screen is put on, said notch being equipped with a flexible structure 9 to improve the wearer's comfort.

[0034] In an alternative not shown, article 2 may be in 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.

[0035] The optical lens comprises 7 a wall made of a transparent material, through which vision is achieved when the wearer puts on the eyewear article 2.

[0036] To achieve this, the 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 the helmet 1 and / or article 2.

[0037] Advantageously, the wall 7 may have optical properties arranged to adapt to the 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 said wearer when carrying out his activity.

[0038] 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.

[0039] With reference 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 said arm extends behind the frame 6 in a substantially longitudinal direction, and a folded configuration behind said frame in a substantially radial direction. This folded configuration makes it possible to reduce the bulk of article 2 when it is not in use, for example, to allow it to be stored in a pocket or a case designed for this purpose.

[0040] 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.

[0041] This arrangement allows the wearer to easily store item 2 when he no longer wishes to use it, but also to easily access said item when he wishes to put it on, following a particularly intuitive gesture.

[0042] 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 configuration. Thus, the wearer can save time when storing the item 2 on the helmet 1, or when removing it from said helmet for use, by eliminating the additional step of folding or unfolding the temples 3.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 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.

[0044] In particular, article 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.

[0045] Advantageously, the helmet 1 includes additional vents 14a-14d arranged on it to allow ventilation of the wearer's head. In Figures 1, 3, and 4, the helmet 1 shown thus comprises: - at the front: • two lower ventilation vents 14a formed near the lower edge 5a, being arranged radially and symmetrically on either side of a median sagittal 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 longitudinally aligned with a median upper front ventilation vent 14b; and - in the rear part: two 14d ventilation vents arranged radially and symmetrically on either side of the P cutting plane.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] In the figures, the outer shell 2 has local recesses 16 in which the openings 15 are formed. In particular, as shown in [Fig. 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.

[0049] In relation to [Fig.2], the branch portions 3a each have a retaining notch 18 of said branch in storage position, said notch separating an upstream part 3b and downstream part 3c from the corresponding branch portion 3a being configured so that the upstream parts 3a are separated radially by a distance DI which is less than the distance D2 radially separating the downstream parts 3c, when said branches are arranged in upright configuration.

[0050] In the description, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are taken with reference to the direction of the insertion movement of the branches 3 into their corresponding retention vent 11.

[0051] 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 DI 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.

[0052] 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 an elastomer coating suitable to guarantee the comfort of said wearer.

[0053] Advantageously, the 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 he wears article 2.

[0054] 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 frame, in particular by means of a folding hinge 10 of the corresponding branch 3, as described above.

[0055] In particular, since the distance D2 is greater than the distance Dl, 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.

[0056] Advantageously and as shown in Figures 2, 2a and 2b, the notches 18 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.

[0057] In particular, the branches 3 are each made of a material arranged to allow them to undergo a slight elastic deformation, in particular a radial outward movement as represented by the arrows F in figures 2 and 2a, when they are inserted by sliding into the corresponding vent 11, the shoulder 20 coming against the sharp edge 17 by elastic return of said branches at the end of said sliding.

[0058] 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, in particular under the effect of gravity, for example when the wearer lowers his head forward.

[0059] In order 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 removal of the branches 3 from their vent 11 by exerting a longitudinal pull forwards.

[0060] The helmet 1 and the 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...).

[0061] 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

Demands

1. An assembly comprising a protective helmet (1) for sports activities and an eyewear item (2) comprising two carrying arms (3), said helmet comprising an outer shell (4) which is configured to receive at least partially the skull of a wearer, said helmet having at least one pair of lateral vents (11) which are positioned so as to allow the sliding insertion of each arm (3) in order to place said item in a storage position on the helmet (1) in which a portion (3a) of each of the arms (3) exerts a radial clamping force on an edge (12) of the corresponding vent (11), said assembly being characterized in that the arm portions (3a) each have a notch (18) for retaining said arm in the storage position,said step separating an upstream part (3b) and a downstream part (3c) from the corresponding branch portion (3a) being configured so that said upstream parts are radially separated by a distance (D1) which is less than the distance (D2) radially separating 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 arm portions (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. Assembly according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the 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. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the notches (18) have a curved geometry which is connected to the downstream part (3c) by a radial shoulder (20).

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

7. Assembly 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 arms (3) in a storage position of the item (2) on the front of said helmet.

8. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the 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 article (2) in storage position on the helmet (1) having its arms (3) in upright configuration.

10. Assembly according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that each of the branches extends opposite the notch (18) from the downstream part (3c) to the mount (6).

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

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

13. Assembly 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 impact resistance.