Frontal protection bands for helmets

Abstract

A protection band, insertable into a frontal area of a protective helmet, may include: an elongated body having curvature so as to substantially copy a shape of a user's forehead. The protection band may include an alveolar structure in which each alveolus of the alveolar structure has a closed bottom so that the protection band has a lower surface which attaches to the protective helmet, flat and closed, and an upper surface configured to contact the user's forehead with open alveoli.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a frontal protection band for a protective helmet for work or sports use.

[0002] The object of the present invention falls within the field of helmets, hard hats, and / or similar protective safety headgear usable during hazardous and risky activities, such as those carried out on construction sites, in mines, on oil platforms, by firefighters, emergency responders, mountaineers, or in any sector where it is necessary to protect the users' heads.

[0003] The object of the present invention is also suitable for use in the field of sports helmets, such as for example those intended for cycling, horse riding, motorcycling, skiing, and any other sport that requires the use of helmets.

[0004] As known, protective helmets generally include a structure that has at least one convex external surface and at least one concave internal surface adapted to engage with the user's head.

[0005] The internal surface is usually provided with a protective cap for impact absorption made of polystyrene and with possible padding intended to improve its comfort.

[0006] Such padding is also present at the frontal portion, i.e., that portion of the helmet which matches the user's forehead.

[0007] Said frontal area is one of the areas that requires greater breathability, as it is one of the areas of the user's head with the highest perspiration.

[0008] Said perspiration of the forehead inevitably tends to drip towards the user's face, sometimes even reaching the eyes, potentially impairing clear vision. Furthermore, such perspiration can contribute to the fogging of glasses, masks, or transparent visors associated with the helmet.

[0009] In general, the present invention addressed the technical problem of how to improve breathability and comfort in the frontal area of the helmet and, possibly, prevent perspiration from dripping towards the face of the user of the helmet itself.

[0010] The solution proposed by the present invention is to enhance breathability in the frontal area of the face and further possibly direct the formed perspiration liquid away from the face itself.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention relates to a frontal protection band for a helmet having the features of claim 1.

[0012] Further features of said band are contained in the dependent claims. The features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description of an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment of the invention, referred to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work helmet, seen from the lower inner part where the user's head is inserted, in accordance with the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a work helmet, seen from the upper part, in accordance with the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frontal protection band according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the frontal protection band according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the frontal protection band according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, the helmet includes an external cap (2) or shell and an internal cap or frame (3), which is joined, for example, by welding, to the external cap. The latter is the part that irreversibly deforms during a fall or an impact, as it absorbs the developed kinetic energy.

[0019] This frame is provided with means for fixing the helmet itself to the user's head are provided, usually made by a flexible half-ring (31) fastened to the frame, whose ends are joined in the area of the user's neck by means of adjustment of the diameter of this ring. Said means of adjustment allow the size of the ring to be varied so that the helmet can be worn by users having very different head sizes and, further, they allow the ring to be tightened around the user's forehead. Special side straps (not shown) complete the fixing of the helmet under the user's chin.

[0020] Said means usually include a knob that operates on two graduated segments formed on the terminal portions of the half-ring. By turning the knob, the two segments can be brought closer together or moved apart, fixing the helmet firmly to the neck.

[0021] The band according to the present invention is inserted into the frontal area of the helmet, inside said ring.

[0022] Said band includes an elongated body 4 having a slight concavity or curvature 41, so as to substantially copy the shape of the user's forehead. Preferably, the band includes a pair of openings 42, arranged one on each side of the band, giving the impression that the band itself is a mask, as the openings resemble eye holes.

[0023] Said band is formed by an alveolar structure, for example, a honeycomb, in which each alveolus 43 has a closed bottom, so that the band has a lower surface 44 which attaches to the helmet, flat and closed, while the upper surface, which is in contact with the user's forehead, has open alveoli.

[0024] The alveolar structure preferably has a hexagonal section, as that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, but other shapes are also contemplated (e.g., rhomboidal, as that illustrated in FIG. 5, octagonal, or quadrangular, etc.).

[0025] According to a first embodiment, specifically illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the alveolar structure is divided into three portions, two lateral ones 46 surrounding the openings 42 and a central one 47 arranged between the lateral ones. Between the left lateral portion and the central portion, and between the right lateral portion and the central portion, there are as many substantially vertical flat channels 48, which facilitate the curvature of the band, so as to copy the curvature of the forehead and that of the half-ring on which the band is located. The alveolar structure, in combination with the two openings, provides to generate a breathability mechanism for the forehead, which tends to dry perspiration.

[0026] According to a second embodiment, specifically illustrated in FIG. 4, the concave edge portion 41 of the band includes at least one closed gutter 45 that covers the lateral surface of the alveoli in that area. While in the remaining parts of the mask, the alveoli have a lateral surface that is at least partially open. The edge of said gutter, facing the upper surface of the band, is turned inwards so that the gutter is shaped as a channel.

[0027] In said embodiment, the gutter is divided into three portions 45′, 45″, and 45″′, each associated with one of the portions of the alveolar structure.

[0028] The lower gutter can, possibly, act as a barrier for possible excess perspiration that is not dried by the alveolar structure, preventing it from dripping towards the eyes. Said perspiration is also drained from the sides of the gutter towards the back of the head, without causing discomfort to the user.

[0029] Said perspiration-absorbing band is advantageously made of a polymeric material, for example, suitable for 3D printing, specifically polyurethane.

Claims

1. A protection band, insertable into a frontal area of a protective helmet, the protection band comprising:an elongated body having curvature so as to substantially copy a shape of a user's forehead;wherein the protection band comprises an alveolar structure in which each alveolus of the alveolar structure has a closed bottom so that the protection band has a lower surface which attaches to the protective helmet, flat and closed, and an upper surface configured to contact the user's forehead with open alveoli.

2. The protection band of claim 1, wherein the protection band includes first and second openings, one of the first and second openings on each side of the protection band.

3. The protection band of claim 2, wherein the alveolar structure is divided into three portions, a left lateral portion surrounding the first opening, a right lateral portion surrounding the second opening, and a central portion between the left lateral opening and the right lateral opening, andwherein there is at least one first substantially vertical flat channel between the left lateral portion and the central portion, andwherein there is at least one second substantially vertical flat channel between the central portion and the right lateral portion.

4. The protection band of claim 1, wherein each alveolus of the alveolar structure has a hexagonal section.

5. The protection band of claim 1, wherein each alveolus of the alveolar structure has an octagonal section.

6. The protection band of claim 1, wherein each alveolus of the alveolar structure has a rhomboidal section.

7. The protection band of claim 1, wherein an edge of a concave portion of the protection band comprises at least one closed gutter that covers a lateral surface of each alveolus present in that area.

8. The protection band of claim 7, wherein an edge of the at least one closed gutter facing the upper surface of the protection band is turned inwards, so that the at least one closed gutter is shaped like a channel.

9. The protection band of claim 7, wherein the alveolar structure substantially covers the protection band, andwherein the at least one closed gutter substantially extends throughout an entire lower portion of the protection band.

10. The protection band of claim 1, wherein the protection band comprises polymeric material suitable for three-dimensional (3D) printing.

11. A protective helmet, comprising:an external cap;an internal cap joined to the external cap; andthe protection band of claim 1.

12. The protection band of claim 1, wherein the alveolar structure is divided into three portions:a left lateral portion with a first opening;a central portion; anda right lateral portion with a second opening.

13. The protection band of claim 12, further comprising:at least one first flat channel between the left lateral portion and the central portion; andat least one second flat channel between the central portion and the right lateral portion.

14. The protection band of claim 1, wherein the alveolar structure substantially covers the protection band.

15. The protection band of claim 1, wherein the alveolar structure completely covers the protection band.

16. The protection band of claim 1, wherein the protection band comprises polymeric material.

17. The protection band of claim 1, wherein the protection band comprises polyurethane.

18. The protection band of claim 1, wherein the protection band comprises material suitable for three-dimensional (3D) printing.

19. The protection band of claim 1, wherein the protection band comprises polymeric material suitable for three-dimensional (3D) printing.

20. A protection band, insertable into a frontal area of a protective helmet, the protection band comprising:an elongated body having curvature so as to copy a shape of a user's forehead;wherein the protection band comprises an alveolar structure in which each alveolus of the alveolar structure has a closed bottom so that the protection band has a lower surface which attaches to the protective helmet, flat and closed, and an upper surface configured to contact the user's forehead with open alveoli.

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