Bicycle helmet

Abstract

To provide a bicycle helmet capable of preventing a decrease in strength, improving breathability, and achieving both high breathability and high protective performance. [Solution] The device comprises a shell layer 2 and an internal layer 3. A plurality of through holes 4 are formed penetrating the internal layer 3 and the shell layer 2 in the thickness direction. A frame member 8 is embedded in the internal layer 3. The frame member 8 comprises a first frame portion 10 having a shape that surrounds the periphery of a human head, a second frame portion 11 that rises in an arch shape from the first frame portion 10 and has both ends connected to the first frame portion 10 at opposing positions, and a third frame portion 12 that extends in the front-to-rear direction and has a front end connected to the first frame portion 10 and a rear end connected to the second frame portion 11.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to bicycle helmets. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, it has become common to wear bicycle helmets as a safety measure not only when riding road bikes or mountain bikes, but also when riding normally, such as commuting to work or school.

[0003] Conventionally, this type of bicycle helmet has a relatively hard shell and an inner layer that covers the head inside the shell and absorbs impacts. Among bicycle helmets of this type, there are known ones that not only have high head protection performance but also have a function of cooling the head (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-59843 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional bicycle helmets have a number of through holes that penetrate the shell and inner layers in the thickness direction in order to cool the head, allowing hot air to escape easily between the head and the helmet body, providing ventilation and comfort.

[0006] However, the multiple through holes have the disadvantage of reducing the strength of the shell layer and the inner layer. In order to prevent the strength of the shell layer and the inner layer from being reduced, it is possible to reduce the number and size of the through holes, but this would result in poor ventilation and would not be able to provide a sufficient cooling effect for the human head. Thus, with the structure of conventional bicycle helmets, it was difficult to achieve both sufficient ventilation and high protection performance.

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle helmet that can prevent a decrease in strength, improve breathability, and achieve both high breathability and high protective performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a bicycle helmet comprising a shell layer covering an outer surface, and an inner layer formed thicker than the shell layer and in contact with a human head on the inside of the shell layer, the inner layer and the shell layer being formed with a plurality of through holes passing through the thickness direction, A frame member is embedded in the inner layer, A ventilation tunnel is formed in the inner layer and passes through the inner layer from the front to the rear. a communication hole communicating with a part of the ventilation tunnel and opening on an inner surface side of the inner layer facing the head; The present invention is characterized by comprising: According to the present invention, not only can the ventilation tunnel ensure air flow inside the inner layer, but the communication holes can also supply a portion of the air flowing through the ventilation tunnel between the head and the inner layer, thereby improving the cooling effect on the head.

[0009] In the present invention, the frame member is characterized by comprising a first frame portion shaped to surround a human head, a second frame portion shaped to rise arch-like from the first frame portion and having both ends connected to each other at opposing positions on the first frame portion, and a third frame portion extending in the front-to-rear direction and having a front end connected to the first frame portion and a rear end connected to the second frame portion. According to the present invention, since the frame member is embedded in the inner layer, the strength of the bicycle helmet can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to provide a bicycle helmet that has a plurality of through holes without reducing the strength, and that has both sufficient breathability and high protective performance.

[0010] The present invention is characterized in that protruding block bodies are provided at predetermined positions on each of the first frame portion, the second frame portion, and the third frame portion.

[0011] According to the present invention, since the block bodies are provided at predetermined positions of each frame portion, inadvertent movement of the frame members inside the inner layer can be prevented, and the inner layer and the frame members can be constructed integrally.

[0014] In addition, in the present invention, the through hole is formed in a slit shape extending in the front-to-rear direction, and another frame member separate from the frame member is provided, and the other frame member is formed in a shape extending in an arch shape in the left-right direction across the through hole.

[0015] According to the present invention, by providing another frame member, it is possible to prevent the through holes in the left and right directions from becoming unstable, and the strength of the inner layer can be improved dramatically. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a bicycle helmet according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an illustrative bottom view of the bicycle helmet of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the bicycle helmet of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view of a bicycle helmet with a portion cut away to show a frame member. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory perspective view showing a modified example of a frame member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, a bicycle helmet 1 of this embodiment has a shell layer 2 that covers the outer surface. On the inside of the shell layer 2, an internal layer 3 is provided as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0018] The shell layer 2 is made of a relatively thin, hard synthetic resin (such as ABS resin, etc.). The inner layer 3 is made of a lightweight synthetic resin (such as polystyrene foam, etc.) having shock absorbing properties and is thicker than the shell layer 2.

[0019] 1 and 2, a plurality of through holes 4 are formed in the bicycle helmet 1, penetrating the shell layer 2 and the inner layer in the thickness direction. Each of the through holes 4 extends from the front to the rear.

[0020] The formation of through holes 4 ensures ventilation, reducing stuffiness when bicycle helmet 1 is worn, and in particular provides a high cooling effect due to the airflow generated when riding a bicycle. Furthermore, through holes 4 reduce the weight of bicycle helmet 1.

[0021] 1 and 3, the inner layer 3 is formed with a ventilation tunnel 5 penetrating from the front to the rear. The ventilation tunnel 5 allows air to pass from the front to the rear when the bicycle is traveling. This reduces air resistance when traveling.

[0022] A communication hole 6 that opens facing the head is formed on the inner surface of a part (top portion) of the ventilation tunnel 5. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, a groove-shaped ventilation guide path 7 that continues to the opening of the communication hole 6 is formed on the inner surface side (head side) of the inner layer 3.

[0023] By providing the communication holes 6, the airflow passing through the ventilation tunnel 5 can encourage the generation of airflow between the head and the inner layer 3. Furthermore, by forming the ventilation guide paths 7, even if the air flow direction is bent between the ventilation tunnel 5 and the communication holes 6, the ventilation between the head and the inner layer 3 can be dramatically improved by the airflow guidance by the ventilation guide paths 7. Furthermore, by providing the ventilation tunnel 5, the communication holes 6, and the ventilation guide paths 7, the bicycle helmet 1 is dramatically lighter in weight than when only the through holes 4 are provided.

[0024] By the way, by providing the through holes 4, the ventilation tunnels 5, the communication holes 6, and the ventilation guide paths 7, the breathability of the bicycle helmet 1 can be improved and the weight can be reduced, but on the other hand, the strength of the bicycle helmet 1 may be reduced.

[0025] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4 (and Fig. 5), a plurality of (two in this embodiment) frame members (main frame member 8, sub frame member 9) are provided. The main frame member 8 and the sub frame member 9 in this embodiment correspond to the frame member and the other frame member in the present invention, respectively.

[0026] First, the main frame member 8 will be described. The main frame member 8 is entirely embedded in the inner layer 3, and includes an annular frame portion 10, a horizontal frame portion 11, and a vertical frame portion 12. The annular frame portion 10, the horizontal frame portion 11, and the vertical frame portion 12 in this embodiment correspond to the first frame portion, the second frame portion, and the third frame portion in the present invention, respectively.

[0027] The annular frame portion 10 is formed into a shape that surrounds the periphery of the human head, and is embedded in a position near the lower end of the inner layer 3.

[0028] The horizontal frame portion 11 extends laterally in an arch-like shape above the annular frame portion 10. Both ends of the horizontal frame portion 11 are connected to the annular frame portion 10 at opposing positions. That is, one end of the horizontal frame portion 11 is connected to one of the left and right sides of the annular frame portion 10, and the other end of the horizontal frame portion 11 is connected to the other of the left and right sides of the annular frame portion 10.

[0029] The vertical frame portion 12 is located between the front side of the annular frame portion 10 and the horizontal frame portion 11 and extends in the vertical direction (front-rear direction). That is, the front end of the vertical frame portion 12 is connected to the front side of the annular frame portion 10 and the rear end is connected to the horizontal frame portion 11. As shown in Fig. 5, a plurality of vertical frame portions 12 may be provided, and although not shown, a plurality of annular frame portions 10 and horizontal frame portions 11 may also be provided as appropriate.

[0030] 4 (and 5), a plurality of block bodies 13 are integrally provided on the main frame member 8. The block bodies 13 are provided at predetermined positions on each of the annular frame portion 10, the horizontal frame portion 11, and the vertical frame portion 12. Specifically, these include the rear side portion of the annular frame portion 10, the connecting portion between the horizontal frame portion 11 and the vertical frame portion 12, and the connecting portion between the annular frame portion 10 and the vertical frame portion 12.

[0031] The block body 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axis facing outward, which makes it possible to absorb shock from the outside. Furthermore, the block body 13 can prevent the main frame member 8 from moving inadvertently inside the inner layer 3, and can also prevent the reinforcement of the inner layer 3 from decreasing.

[0032] Next, the sub-frame member 9 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4 (and Fig. 5), the sub-frame member 9 is a separate member from the main frame member 8, and has a band-like arch shape, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, it extends across the through-hole 4 (in a direction intersecting with the vertical frame portion 12).

[0033] Although a part of the sub-frame member 9 is exposed at the through hole 4, the sub-frame member 9 does not impede the breathability of the through hole 4. Since the sub-frame member 9 is provided across the through hole 4, for example, it is possible to prevent the through hole 4 from expanding laterally, and the strength of the inner layer 3 can be dramatically improved.

[0034] Further, the sub-frame member 9 is provided with a bending avoidance portion 14 that bends to avoid the ventilation tunnel 5. The bending avoidance portion 14 of the sub-frame member 9 is formed to be longer and thinner than other portions and is not exposed in the ventilation tunnel 5, so that it does not impede the flow of air in the ventilation tunnel 5 at all.

[0035] Furthermore, the sub-frame member 9 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 15 that protrude in the front-rear direction, which ensures that the sub-frame member 9 can be integrally embedded in the inner layer 3 .

[0036] The frame members and other frame members in the present invention are not limited to the shapes of the main frame member 8 and sub frame member 9 described above, and may be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the materials (compositions) of each part of the bicycle helmet in the present invention may be appropriately selected within a range that does not contradict the object of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] Reference Signs List 1...bicycle helmet, 2...shell layer, 3...inner layer, 4...through hole, 5...ventilation tunnel, 6...communicating hole, 8...main frame member (frame member), 9...sub-frame member (other frame member), 10...annular frame portion (first frame portion), 11...horizontal frame portion (second frame portion), 12...vertical frame portion (third frame portion), 13...block body.

Claims

1. A bicycle helmet comprising a shell layer covering an outer surface, and an inner layer formed thicker than the shell layer and in contact with a human head on the inside of the shell layer, the bicycle helmet having a plurality of through holes penetrating the inner layer and the shell layer in a thickness direction, A frame member is embedded in the inner layer, A ventilation tunnel is formed in the inner layer and passes through the inner layer from the front to the rear. a communication hole communicating with a part of the ventilation tunnel and opening on an inner surface side of the inner layer facing the head; A bicycle helmet comprising:

2. 2. The bicycle helmet according to claim 1, A bicycle helmet characterized in that the frame member comprises a first frame portion shaped to surround a human head, a second frame portion shaped to rise in an arch shape from the first frame portion and having both ends connected to the first frame portion at opposing positions, and a third frame portion extending in the front-to-rear direction and having a front end connected to the first frame portion and a rear end connected to the second frame portion.

3. 3. The bicycle helmet according to claim 2, A bicycle helmet comprising: a first frame portion, a second frame portion, and a third frame portion, each of which is provided with a protruding block member at a predetermined position.

4. 2. The bicycle helmet according to claim 1, The through hole is formed in a slit shape extending in the front-rear direction, a frame member separate from the frame member; A bicycle helmet according to claim 1, wherein the other frame member is formed in an arch shape extending in the left-right direction across the through hole.

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