Helmet, comprising a helmet shell and a strap system

Abstract

A helmet, including: a helmet shell; and a strap system. Wherein the strap system comprises a chin strap with a chin rest element, a left end of the chin strap is connected to a front left tensioning strap and to a rear left tensioning strap and a right end is connected to a front right tensioning strap and to a rear right tensioning strap, the front left and front right tensioning straps are each coupled to a front half of the helmet shell, the rear left and rear right tensioning straps are each coupled to a rear head contact body, and the rear head contact body is coupled to the helmet shell above the rear head contact body on a left-hand side of the helmet by a strip-shaped, stiffened left rear head brace and on a right-hand side of the helmet by a strip-shaped, stiffened right rear head brace.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from DE 10 2025 106 882.8 filed on February 24, 2025, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUNDField

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a helmet comprising a helmet shell and a strap system.Prior Art

[0003] In helmets, e.g. protective helmets, it is vitally important that the helmet rests securely on a user’s head and does not slip. However, since helmets often have to be adapted to users with different head sizes, helmets often comprise strap systems and adjustment options, by means of which the fit size of the helmet can be adjusted.

[0004] It is often provided that a length of the straps or else belts of the strap system is variable in order to adapt the size in this manner. However, a size of the helmet shell cannot be adapted in this manner. Therefore, in order to secure the helmet shell, for example in bicycle helmets, it is common to provide a rear adjusting wheel by means of which a neck pad can be pressed against the back of the user’s head or their neck in order to stabilize the fit of the helmet. The neck pad is often secured to the helmet by means of one or more straps.

[0005] However, adjusting a helmet to the head size is generally somewhat time-consuming and does not always lead to a perfect fit of the helmet. This is because the helmets are generally constructed in such a way that they can be adapted to as many different head shapes as possible. However, this versatility often comes at the expense of an optimum and comfortable fit of the helmet for the individual head shape.SUMMARY

[0006] An object is to specify a helmet which can be easily adapted to a head shape of a user and which rests securely and comfortably on the user’s head.

[0007] Such object can be achieved by a helmet comprising a helmet shell and a strap system, wherein the strap system has a chin strap with a chin rest element, wherein a left end of the chin strap is connected to a front left tensioning strap and to a rear left tensioning strap and a right end of the chin strap is connected to a front right tensioning strap and to a rear right tensioning strap, wherein the front left tensioning strap and the front right tensioning strap are in each case coupled to a front half of the helmet shell, wherein the rear left tensioning strap and the rear right tensioning strap are in each case coupled to a rear head contact body, wherein the rear head contact body is coupled to the helmet shell above the rear head contact body on a left-hand side of the helmet by a strip-shaped, stiffened left rear head brace and on a right-hand side of the helmet by a strip-shaped, stiffened right rear head brace.

[0008] The rear head contact body is thus not itself secured to the helmet shell directly, but rather is merely indirectly coupled to the helmet shell via the rear head braces. The rear head braces are stiffened. Due to the rigidity of the rear head braces, the rear head contact body can be pre-positioned in the area of the user's rear head or neck, but its position can be adjusted upwards and backwards as well as forwards and downwards by pulling on the rear tensioning straps. In this way, the fit of the rear head contact body can be flexibly adjusted to the respective head shape of the user, resulting in a secure and comfortable fit of the helmet on the user's head. On the other hand, the rigidity of the rear head braces can ensure that the helmet is held securely in place, even against lateral movements. The rear head contact body may also be stiffened. The rear head braces and / or the rear head contact body may be made of hard plastic.

[0009] The left rear head brace and the right rear head brace can each have a torsional rigidity against twisting about their longitudinal axis of more than 100 kN*mm2. The left rear head brace and the right rear head brace can each have a torsional rigidity against twisting about their longitudinal axis of 200 kN*mm2 to 4000 kN*mm². This torsional rigidity can ensure that the rear head contact body is pre-positioned and lateral movements are prevented much more effectively than would be if straps were used to suspend the rear head contact body, as straps have significantly lower torsional rigidity.

[0010] The rear head braces can be strip-shaped. This can include where the rear head braces are wider in some places along their length than in others. Rear head braces whose longitudinal axis follows a bend are also considered strip-shaped within the meaning of the invention. The longitudinal axis of the rear head braces in each case can extend from the rear head contact body to the point at which the rear head braces are coupled to the helmet shell. The longitudinal axis can thus extend substantially along the center line of the strip-shaped rear head braces. The transverse axis of the rear head braces can run orthogonally to the longitudinal axis along the width of the rear head braces. The thickness of the rear head braces can be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and to the transverse axis.

[0011] The torsional rigidity indicates the resistance of a component to twisting about its longitudinal axis under the influence of torque. The torsional rigidity is calculated from the product of the shear modulus, also known as the modulus of rigidity, and the area moment of inertia. The shear modulus depends mainly on the material of the component, while the area moment of inertia depends on the geometry of the component. For a strip whose thickness b is negligible compared to its width a, the area moment of inertia is approximately a*b³ / 3.

[0012] The rear head braces can each have a shear modulus of at least 2000 N / mm². The shear modulus of the rear head braces can be 3000 N / mm² to 80000 N / mm².

[0013] The left rear head brace and the right rear head brace can each have a bending stiffness against bending around their longitudinal axis of more than 100 kN*mm². Bending around the longitudinal axis corresponds to bending in the direction of the width. The flexural rigidity indicates the resistance of a component with cross-section A, and subjected to bending stress, to bending about a bending axis. For the flexural rigidity against bending about the longitudinal axis, the cross-section A is spanned by a width and a thickness of the rear head braces that are in each case orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. In the case of homogeneous cross-sections, the flexural rigidity is calculated by multiplying the modulus of elasticity by the axial area moment of inertia. The modulus of elasticity is a property of the material of the rear head braces, while the axial area moment of inertia is defined by the shape of the rear head braces.

[0014] The left rear head brace and the right rear head brace can each have a modulus of elasticity of at least 1000 N / mm2, such as 3000 N / mm² to 100000 N / mm².

[0015] To adapt to the user’s head, only the length of the rear tensioning straps needs to be changed, which changes the distance between the chin rest element and the rear head contact body. In this way, the rear head contact body flexibly adapts to the back of the user’s head due to the attachment by the rear head braces and can be changed in its positioning in multiple spatial directions. By changing the length of the front tensioning straps, the fit of the helmet in the front half of the head can also be adapted to the user’s head shape. According to one embodiment, the helmet can comprise an adjusting wheel in order to change the length of the rear tensioning straps. This can make it easy to tighten or loosen the helmet.

[0016] The rear head braces can be coupled to a rear half of the helmet shell. This can be advantageous for attaching the rear head contact body to the helmet shell, since in this way the fit of the rear head contact body can be adjusted particularly well. Directions such as top, bottom, left, right, front, and rear are defined as follows in the present description: When a standing user is wearing the helmet and is holding their head straight, “front” is the side at the front of the head, “rear” is the side at the back of the head, “left” and “right” are the sides at the left-hand and right-hand side of the head, “top” is the side facing up, and “bottom” is the side facing down. A center of the helmet shell is defined as the point on the helmet shell at which the helmet shell has its highest point. The half of the helmet shell in front of the center is referred to as the front half and the half behind the center is referred to as the rear half. Thus, proceeding from this definition, the halves of the helmet shell do not necessarily have to have the same size. The helmet shell can be divided into four quarters, wherein the front half comprises the first and second quarter and the rear half comprises the third and fourth quarter. The first and second quarter can have the same extent in the longitudinal direction of the helmet. Similarly, the third and fourth quarter can have the same extent in the longitudinal direction of the helmet. The rear head braces can be coupled to the third quarter of the helmet shell. The third quarter of the helmet shell can extend between the center and a rear quarter of the helmet shell.

[0017] The chin strap with the chin rest element can be used to secure the helmet to the user’s chin. The chin rest element can be a cushioned pad or one or two belts that rest against the chin. The chin strap can comprises a buckle, for example a click buckle, by which the chin strap can be opened and closed. According to another embodiment, the chin strap can comprise a magnetic closure element. The chin strap can be connected to the front and rear tensioning straps. The chin strap can be sewn to the tensioning straps or configured as part of a contiguous strap assembly, comprising the tensioning straps and the chin strap.

[0018] The term “coupled” in the present description is understood to mean that a strap or component is directly or indirectly connected to another strap or component, for example directly or indirectly secured to the other strap or component. The positioning of a strap or component coupled to another strap or component can be varied or changed with respect to the other strap or component.

[0019] The helmet can be a protective helmet. For example, it can be a protective helmet for police officers, firefighters, mountain rescuers, soldiers, or athletes. In principle, however, the present helmet is suitable for all types of uses in which a firm, secure, and comfortable fit of the helmet is advantageous.

[0020] The rear head contact body can be connected to a rear half of the helmet shell exclusively by the rear head braces. In other words, no strap system by which the rear head contact body is connected to the rear half of the helmet shell is provided, for example. If, however, the rear head contact body were merely secured to the helmet shell with straps or else belts, such a flexible and secure fit of the helmet shell would not be possible.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the rear head contact body can be connected to the front half of the helmet shell, such as exclusively, by the front and rear tensioning straps. According to another embodiment, the rear head contact body can be connected to the front half of the helmet shell exclusively by the front and rear tensioning straps and a planiform head contact element. This type of connection of the rear head contact body to the front half of the helmet shell can be advantageous, since this produces precise and flexible adjustability of the positioning of the rear head contact body.

[0022] The stiffened rear head braces can each extend from the rear head contact body along an inside of the helmet upwards towards a center of the helmet shell. The rear head braces can be secured to the helmet shell above the rear head contact body. This can allow for a secure fit of the helmet on the user’s head. The rear head braces can be curved. This curved shape can increase the flexibility during positioning of the rear head contact body.

[0023] The left rear head brace can be secured to the helmet shell exclusively at a rear left securing point and the right rear head brace can be secured to the helmet shell exclusively at a rear right securing point, wherein the rear left securing point and the rear right securing point can be in each case located on the inside of the helmet on the rear half of the helmet shell. The securing at an individual securing point can increase the mobility of the rear head braces and thus can allow for better positionability of the rear head contact body.

[0024] The rear left securing point and the rear right securing point can be arranged at points on the helmet shell of which the connecting line to the center of the helmet shell enclose an angle of at most 25°, such as at most 15°, relative to a horizontal plane that extends through the center. The securing points can be thus located relatively close to the center of the helmet shell due to the substantially hemispherical shape of the helmet, which can make it possible to adapt the helmet to smaller head shapes as well.

[0025] The left rear head brace and the right rear head brace can be configured as suspensions for the rear head contact body. The rear head braces can thus suspend the rear head contact body on the helmet shell and can thus ensure the flexibility of the positioning of the rear head contact body.

[0026] The rear head braces can thus rest against the helmet shell, such as, in such a way that a longitudinal direction of the rear head braces extends, such as, from the middle of the helmet to a lower edge of the helmet, or vice versa. A thickness direction of the rear head braces can extend radially through the helmet shell. A width direction of the rear head braces can extend in the circumferential direction of the helmet shell.

[0027] A length of the left rear head brace and right rear head brace can in each case be greater than their width and their width can be greater than their thickness. The rear head braces can thus be strip-shaped. Due to their torsional rigidity, the rear head braces thus cannot readily twist about their longitudinal axis, whereas, with appropriate dimensioning and material selection, they may be flexible against bending about their transverse axis.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the left rear head brace and the right rear head brace can be at least five times, such as at least ten times, more flexurally rigid against bending about their longitudinal axis than against bending about their transverse axis.

[0029] The rear head contact body and / or the left rear head brace and / or the right rear head brace can have a thickness of from 0.5 mm to 10 mm, such as from 1.0 mm to 4 mm. The thickness can be the material thickness of the rear head contact body and / or rear head braces. The thickness of the rear head contact body and of the rear head braces can be selected such that the desired torsional rigidity against twisting about their longitudinal axis and against bending about the transverse axis is achieved depending on the material properties of the selected material. The left rear head brace and / or the right rear head brace can have a width of from 10 mm to 30 mm, such as from 15 mm to 25 mm. The length of the rear head braces, from the rear head contact body to the point where the rear head braces are coupled to the helmet shell, may be between 100 mm and 300 mm.

[0030] The helmet can have a stiffened holding plate, which comprises the left rear head brace, the right rear head brace, and the rear head contact body. The left rear head brace, the right rear head brace, and the rear head contact body can comprise the same material, and therefore they can have the same modulus of elasticity.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the rear head contact body, the left rear head brace, and the right rear head brace can be formed together in one piece as a stiffened holding plate. The holding plate can have a uniform thickness. Forming the rear head contact body and the rear head brace as a one-piece component in the form of the holding plate can facilitate positioning of the rear head contact body, since the rear head contact body is directly suspended on the rear head braces and its position can be changed by bending the rear head braces along their thickness. The holding plate can have the shape of a planiform element, which forms the rear head contact body, from which a strip-shaped element projects upwards at the left and right in each case. These strip-shaped elements can be the rear head braces. The holding plate additionally comprises a left and / or right supporting projection. The supporting projections can serve to attach the rear tensioning straps and / or fastening straps. The supporting projections can be arranged in the lower region of the holding plate. At a free end of the rear head braces, these can be secured to the helmet shell directly or indirectly.

[0032] According to an alternative embodiment, the left rear head brace and the right rear head brace can be formed separately from the rear head contact body. For example, the rear head braces can be clamped and / or glued to the rear head contact body.

[0033] The rear head contact body can be coupled via a left holding strap and a right holding strap to the front half of the helmet shell, wherein a length of the left holding strap and / or right holding strap can be varied by a tensioning element. The tensioning element can be an adjusting wheel. The rear head contact body can be securely held on the head by the holding straps. The rear head contact body can be tightened in the horizontal direction by the tensioning element in order to achieve a secure fit of the helmet.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the rear head contact body and / or the left rear head brace and / or the right rear head brace can comprise a fiber-reinforced plastic or comprise a fiber-reinforced plastic. A fiber-reinforced plastic can be a material that comprises a plastic matrix in which reinforcing fibers are inserted. A fiber-reinforced plastic of this kind has a much higher rigidity than a pure textile material. In this context, a pure textile material is a textile which comprises no matrix material. The rear head braces can exhibit direction-dependent elasticity behavior. Such direction-dependent elasticity behavior can be produced, for example, by the orientation of the fibers in a fiber-reinforced plastic. In this way, in addition to the shaping of the rear head braces as strips, the torsional rigidity of the rear head braces against twisting about their longitudinal axis can be increased further.

[0035] The rear head braces can comprise polyamide or a fiber composite material, such as self-reinforced polypropylene. One example of the latter material is the composite material sold under the brand name CURV.

[0036] The front left tensioning strap and / or the front right tensioning strap and / or the rear left tensioning strap and / or the rear right tensioning strap can have a free end configured as a pull strap. The length of the tensioning straps can be changed in a simple manner by a pull strap. For this purpose, the tensioning straps can be deflected, for example, by a buckle or a similar component, such that the free end of the pull straps points downwards. By pulling on the free ends configured as pull straps, the strap system can be tightened, such that the helmet rests firmly on the user’s head. The free ends can be equipped with grip elements. By the grip elements, the user can lightly grip the pull straps and pull on them without having to see the ends for that purpose.

[0037] The rear left tensioning strap and the rear right tensioning strap can be guided in each case through deflection elements, wherein the deflection elements can be secured to the rear head contact body by fastening straps. The deflection elements can be, for example, the buckles, through which the rear tensioning straps are guided in order to form the pull straps. These buckles can be secured to the rear head contact body by the fastening straps. For this purpose, the rear head contact body can have one or more slits through which the fastening straps are guided. As a result, the fastening straps can be securely fixed to the rear head contact body.

[0038] The rear head contact body can stretch a planiform head contact element, such as an inner cloth or inner net, wherein the head contact element can be secured, such as, by a rear side to the rear head contact body and by a front side to the front half of the helmet shell. The head contact element can be, for example, an internal cloth or net which rests directly on the user’s head when the user is wearing the helmet. By stretching the head contact element in front of the rear head contact body, the head contact element can adapt directly to the user’s head when the rear head contact body is tightened by the rear tensioning straps. The head contact element can comprise a textile material. The head contact element can be elastically deformable. The head contact element can produce a particularly secure fit of the helmet on the head. Due to the fact that the head contact element can be secured on one side to the rear head contact body and on the other side to the front half of the helmet shell, the head contact element can rest securely on and span a large part of the top of the head. The head contact element can be wider on its rear side than on its front side. The head contact element can be configured to be so long that it extends down to a neck of the user wearing the helmet.

[0039] According to one embodiment, a supporting element can be arranged between the helmet shell and the head contact element. The supporting element can comprise two intersecting straps. The supporting element can be arranged at a distance from the helmet shell. The supporting element can ensure that the head contact element does not rest directly against the helmet shell. This can increase the wearing comfort and provide a buffer zone between the user’s head and the hard helmet shell in the event of impacts.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the left rear head brace and / or the right rear head brace can be secured directly to the helmet shell. For example, the rear head braces can be secured to the helmet shell by fasteners, e.g. screws or rivets.

[0041] According to another embodiment, the left rear head brace and / or the right rear head brace can be secured to a fastening crown, which can be arranged centrally in the middle of the helmet on the inside of the helmet shell, wherein the fastening crown can be secured to the helmet shell. The middle of the helmet can be located in the region of the center of the helmet shell. The fastening crown can be secured at this point, for example in that it is glued or sewn to the helmet shell. The fastening crown can be configured to secure various components. The fastening crown can comprise multiple insertion openings in which components can be secured. For example, the ends of the rear head braces can be inserted into the insertion openings and secured there. The helmet can comprise securing strips which can be arranged or can be inserted in the insertion openings. Fastening straps with which the front tensioning straps are coupled to the helmet shell can be secured to the securing strip. In other words, both the front tensioning straps and the rear tensioning straps can be secured at least indirectly to the fastening crown. The supporting element can be secured to the fastening crown. The fastening crown can comprise separate securing strips in order to secure the supporting element to the fastening crown.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Further features will become evident from the description of embodiments, together with the claims and the appended drawings. Embodiments can fulfill individual features or a combination of multiple features.

[0043] The embodiments are described below, without restricting the general concept of the invention, based on exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings, wherein reference is expressly made to the drawings regarding all of the details which are not explained in greater detail in the text. In the drawings:

[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematically simplified side view from the left of a user wearing a helmet with a strap system,

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematically simplified side view of the helmet from FIG. 1 from the right,

[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematically simplified front view of the helmet from FIG. 1,

[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematically simplified rear view of the helmet from FIG. 1,

[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematically simplified view of the helmet from FIG. 4, with hidden rear head braces shown,

[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic simplified representation of an embodiment of a holding plate having a rear head contact body and rear head braces,

[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematically simplified internal view of an embodiment of the helmet,

[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematically simplified view of the helmet from FIG. 7, the padding and the head contact element having been removed,

[0052] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematically simplified internal view of a further embodiment of the helmet, and

[0053] FIG. 10 illustrates a schematically simplified representation of a further embodiment of a fastening crown.

[0054] In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are, in each case, provided with the same reference signs, and therefore they are not introduced again in each case.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a user 50 in a side view from the left. The user 50 is wearing a first embodiment of a helmet 1. The helmet 1 comprises a helmet shell 2 and a strap system 3 with which the helmet 1 is securely held on the user’s 50 head. The strap system 3 comprises a chin strap 4, which comprises a chin rest element 5 and a buckle 6. In the example shown, the chin rest element 5 comprises two straps or else belts that extend above and below the user’s 50 chin. The chin strap 4 is opened or closed by the buckle 6, for example a click buckle. The chin strap 4 is connected on the side shown on the left to a front left tensioning strap 11 and a rear left tensioning strap 13. In the representation shown, the front left tensioning strap 11 extends approximately upwards, where it is deflected by a buckle 11a and forms a free end configured as a pull strap 11b. The rear left tensioning strap 13 extends proceeding from the chin strap 4 substantially backwards and is deflected by a buckle 13a, thus forming a free end in the form of a pull strap 13b. A length of the tensioning straps 11, 13 can be varied by the pull straps 11b, 13b in order to tighten the helmet 1 securely against the user’s 50 head by pulling on the pull straps 11b, 13b.

[0056] The highest point on the helmet shell 2 is referred to as the center 9 of the helmet shell 2. The region in front of the center 9 is referred to as the front half 44 and the region behind the center 9 is referred to as the rear half 46. The front left tensioning strap 11 is coupled to the front half 44 of the helmet shell 2 in that the buckle 11a is secured to the helmet shell 2 by a fastening strap that is hidden in FIG. 1. In contrast, the rear left tensioning strap 13 is coupled to a stiffened rear head contact body 20 by the buckle 13a and a rear left fastening strap 15. Said rear head contact body 20 rests against the back of the user’s 50 head or their neck after said user has tightened the helmet 1 using the pull strap 13b. A head contact element 8, for example an inner cloth or inner net, which rests directly on the user’s 50 head and fits around same, is arranged below the helmet shell 2 and the rear head contact body 20. Padding 7, which rests against the user’s 50 forehead and the front part of their head, is visible on the underside of the front half 44 of the helmet shell 2 as well.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows the helmet 1 in a view from the right-hand side. The strap system 3 is configured to be substantially a mirror image of the left-hand side and comprises a front right tensioning strap 12 having a buckle 12a and a pull strap 12b as well as a rear right tensioning strap 14 having a buckle 14a and a pull strap 14b as well as a rear right fastening strap 16. Only the buckle 6 of the chin strap 4 is exclusively formed on the left-hand side and not on the right-hand side. Thus, in total, four pull straps 11b, 12b, 13b, 14b are available to the user 50 and can be used by said user to securely tighten the helmet 1 against their head.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the helmet 1. This view clearly shows, for example, the course of the chin rest element 5 on the user’s 50 chin as well as the padding 7. In addition, a front left securing point 31 and a front right securing point 32 on the inside of the helmet shell, which would normally be hidden by the helmet shell 2, are indicated by dashed lines. The front tensioning straps 11, 12, for example, are coupled at these securing points 31, 32. The front securing points 31, 32 may also be arranged significantly higher inside the helmet shell 2 than is shown in FIG. 3.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a view of the helmet 1 from behind. In this view, the rear head contact body 20 and the head contact element 8 are more clearly visible. It clearly shows how the buckles 13a, 14a and thus the rear tensioning straps 13, 14 are coupled to the rear head contact body 20 by the rear fastening straps 15, 16. For this purpose, the rear fastening straps 15, 16 are deflected multiple times, for example by multiple slits 27 in the rear head contact body 20, of which two are hidden in the view in FIG. 4. It is also clear to see how the head contact element 8 rests directly against the user’s 50 head and neck below the rear head contact body 20.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows the view from FIG. 4, wherein the hidden parts of the rear head contact body 20 and the rear head braces 21, 22 connected thereto are additionally represented by dashed lines. The rear head contact body 20 comprises a stiffened material, for example a fiber-reinforced plastic. In the representation shown, it is formed in one piece together with a left rear head brace 21 and a right rear head brace 22. The rear head braces 21, 22 extend proceeding from the rear head contact body 20 along the inside of the helmet shell 2 upwards towards the center 9 of the helmet shell 2. In the upper region of the helmet shell 2, the rear head braces 21, 22 are secured to a rear left securing point 33 and to a rear right securing point 34, for example by screws, rivets, or other fasteners. The securing to the helmet shell 2 takes place in the region of an end 23, 24 of the rear head braces 21, 22. Aside from that, the rear head braces 21, 22 and the rear head contact body 20 connected thereto are not connected to the helmet shell 2. Since the rear head braces 21, 22 are stiffened just like the rear head contact body 20, i.e. they are not straps or belts or components consisting of similarly flexible materials, the rear head braces 21, 22 transmit forces exerted in their longitudinal directions to the rear head contact body 20 and thus position same in the region of the back of the user’s 50 head. Since the rigidity of the rear head braces 21, 22 due to their strip-shaped form greatly restricts twisting and / or bending around the longitudinal axis, but allows bending around the transverse axis, the rear head braces 21, 22 can be deformed towards the front of the helmet, as a result of which the rear head contact body 20 can be pivoted. In combination with the attachment of the rear tensioning straps 13, 14 to the rear head contact body 20, this allows for precise and secure positioning of the rear head contact body 20 and flexible adaptation to different head shapes.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a schematically simplified view of an exemplary embodiment of a holding plate 10, which is formed in one piece and comprises the rear head contact body 20 as well as the left rear head brace 21 and the right rear head brace 22. The longitudinal axis of the rear head braces 21, 22 extends in each case from the rear head contact body 20 to the ends 23, 24. The transverse axis of the rear head braces 21, 22 extends orthogonally thereto in the width direction. The holding plate 10 has a substantially uniform thickness or rather material thickness, which extends into the image plane in the view shown. The thickness of the rear head braces 21, 22 is significantly smaller than their width.

[0062] The holding plate 10 comprises a left supporting projection 25 and a right supporting projection 26, which are provided for attaching the rear tensioning straps 13, 14 and for guiding the rear fastening straps 15, 16. As is apparent when comparing with FIG. 5, in the tightened state of the strap system 3, the rear fastening straps 15, 16 extend along the supporting projections 25, 26 and extend towards two horizontal slits 27, through which the rear fastening straps 15, 16 are guided. The fastening straps 15, 16 then extend along the rear side of the rear head contact body 20 and exit again at two obliquely formed slits 27, where they form free ends, of which only the lower portions are represented in FIG. 5.

[0063] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a helmet1 in an internal view. The embodiment in FIG. 7 substantially corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 1 to 5. However, the front tensioning straps 11, 12 and the rear head braces 21, 22 are coupled to the helmet shell 2 in another way. FIG. 7 shows that the padding 7 extends substantially along the inside of the front half 44 of the helmet shell 2. The front fastening straps, by which the buckles 11a, 12a are secured to the helmet shell 2, are hidden by the padding 7 in FIG. 7. Similarly, a large part of the inside of the helmet shell 2 and of the rear head contact body 20 is hidden by the head contact element 8, which here is a cloth or a net, for example. The head contact element 8 is secured on the one hand by its front side to the helmet shell 2 and by its rear side to the rear head contact body 20. By pulling on the pull straps 13b, 14b, not only is the rear head contact body 20 pressed against the back of the user’s 50 head, but also the head contact element 8 is stretched over the user’s 50 head, such that the head contact element 8 rests against the user’s 50 head comfortably, firmly, and securely.

[0064] FIG. 8 shows the view from FIG. 7, but the padding 7 and the head contact element 8 have been removed. This view shows a fastening crown 40, which is secured to the helmet shell 2 on the inside of the helmet shell in the region of the center 9. The fastening crown 40 comprises a total of eight insertion openings, into which various components can be inserted in order to secure them to the helmet shell 2. For example, the ends 23, 24 of the rear head braces 21, 22 are inserted into a rear left insertion opening and into a rear right insertion opening of the fastening crown 40. There, they are secured by clamping or similar fastening methods, such that the rear head braces 21, 22 are coupled and secured to the helmet shell 2 at a rear left securing point 33 and a rear right securing point 34. FIG. 8 also shows the free ends of the rear fastening straps 15, 16, which are normally hidden by the head contact element 8. In addition, FIG. 8 shows the front left fastening strap 17 and the front right fastening strap 18. These are fastened to stiffened securing strips 41, 42, which are in turn clamped in insertion openings of the fastening crown 40 in order to attach and secure the front fastening straps 17, 18 and thus the front tensioning straps 11, 12 to the fastening crown 40. Further elements, for example the padding 7, can also be fastened to the fastening crown 40.

[0065] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a helmet 1. Unlike the embodiment from FIG. 7, the buckles 13a, 14a are formed as part of the rear head contact body 20, and therefore the rear fastening straps 15, 16 can be dispensed with. In addition, the rear head contact body 20 is coupled to the front half 44 of the helmet shell by a left holding strap 19a and a right holding strap 19b.

[0066] FIG. 10 is a schematically simplified view of a fastening crown 40 of the like used for the embodiment from FIG. 9. FIG. 10 depicts the underside of the fastening crown 40, i.e. the side that is secured to the inside of the helmet shell 2. Not only are the rear head braces 21, 22 inserted into the rear insertion openings of the fastening crown 40, so too are additional securing strips 41, 42. A supporting element 48 in the form of two intersecting straps 49 is stretched across together with the front securing strips 41, 42. The supporting element 48 is arranged between the fastening crown 40 and the head contact element 8 (not shown in FIG. 10) and, in this way, provides a buffer zone in the event of impacts to the head from above.

[0067] While there has been shown and described what is considered to be embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.List of reference signs

[0068] 1 Helmet

[0069] 2 Helmet shell

[0070] 3 Strap system

[0071] 4 Chin strap

[0072] 5 Chin rest element

[0073] 6 Buckle

[0074] 6b Magnetic closure element

[0075] 7 Padding

[0076] 8 Head contact element

[0077] 9 Center

[0078] 10 Holding plate

[0079] 11 Front left tensioning strap

[0080] 11a Buckle

[0081] 11b Pull strap

[0082] 12 Front right tensioning strap

[0083] 12a Buckle

[0084] 12b Pull strap

[0085] 13 Rear left tensioning strap

[0086] 13a Buckle

[0087] 13b Pull strap

[0088] 14 Rear right tensioning strap

[0089] 14a Buckle

[0090] 14b Pull strap

[0091] 15 Rear left fastening strap

[0092] 16 Rear right fastening strap

[0093] 17 Front left fastening strap

[0094] 18 Front right fastening strap

[0095] 19a Left holding strap

[0096] 19b Right holding strap

[0097] 20 Rear head contact body

[0098] 21 Left rear head brace

[0099] 22 Right rear head brace

[0100] 23 End

[0101] 24 End

[0102] 25 Left supporting projection

[0103] 26 Right supporting projection

[0104] 27 Slit

[0105] 31 Front left securing point

[0106] 32 Front right securing point

[0107] 33 Rear left securing point

[0108] 34 Rear right securing point

[0109] 40 Fastening crown

[0110] 41 Securing strip

[0111] 42 Securing strip

[0112] 44 Front half

[0113] 46 Rear half

[0114] 48 Supporting element

[0115] 49 Strap

[0116] 50 User

Claims

1. A helmet, comprising:a helmet shell; anda strap system,wherein the strap system comprises a chin strap with a chin rest element,a left end of the chin strap is connected to a front left tensioning strap and to a rear left tensioning strap and a right end of the chin strap is connected to a front right tensioning strap and to a rear right tensioning strap,the front left tensioning strap and the front right tensioning strap are in each case coupled to a front half of the helmet shell,the rear left tensioning strap and the rear right tensioning strap are in each case coupled to a rear head contact body, andthe rear head contact body is coupled to the helmet shell above the rear head contact body on a left-hand side of the helmet by a strip-shaped, stiffened left rear head brace and on a right-hand side of the helmet by a strip-shaped, stiffened right rear head brace.

2. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the left rear head brace and the right rear head brace each have a torsional rigidity against twisting about their longitudinal axis of more than 100 kN / mm2.

3. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the rear head contact body is connected to a rear half of the helmet shell exclusively by the rear head braces.

4. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the stiffened rear head braces each extend from the rear head contact body along an inside of the helmet upwards towards a center of the helmet shell.

5. The helmet according to claim 1, whereinthe left rear head brace is secured to the helmet shell exclusively at a rear left securing point and the right rear head brace is secured to the helmet shell exclusively at a rear right securing point, andthe rear left securing point and the rear right securing point are in each case located on the inside of the helmet on the rear half of the helmet shell.

6. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the left rear head brace and the right rear head brace are configured as suspensions for the rear head contact body.

7. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein a length of the left rear head brace and right rear head brace is in each case greater than their width and their width is greater than their thickness.

8. The helmet according to claim 7, wherein the left rear head brace and the right rear head brace are at least five times more flexurally rigid against bending about their longitudinal axis than against bending about their transverse axis.

9. The helmet according to claim 8, wherein the left rear head brace and the right rear head brace are at least ten times more flexurally rigid against bending about their longitudinal axis than against bending about their transverse axis.

10. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the rear head contact body, the left rear head brace and the right rear head brace has a thickness of from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.

11. The helmet according to claim 10, wherein one or more of the rear head contact body, the left rear head brace and the right rear head brace has a thickness of from 1.0 mm to 4 mm.

12. The helmet according to claim 1, whereinthe rear head contact body is coupled via a left holding strap and a right holding strap to the front half of the helmet shell, anda length of one or more of the left holding strap and right holding strap can be varied by a tensioning element.

13. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the rear head contact body, the left rear head brace and the right rear head brace comprise a fiber-reinforced plastic.

14. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the front left tensioning strap, the front right tensioning strap, the rear left tensioning strap and the rear right tensioning strap has a free end configured as a pull strap.

15. The helmet according to claim 1, whereinthe rear left tensioning strap and the rear right tensioning strap are guided in each case through deflection elements, andthe deflection elements are secured to the rear head contact body by fastening straps.

16. The helmet according to claim 1, whereinthe rear head contact body stretches a planiform head contact element, andthe head contact element is secured, by a rear side to the rear head contact body and by a front side to the front half of the helmet shell.

17. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the planiform head contact element comprises one or more of an inner cloth or inner net.

18. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the left rear head brace and the right rear head brace is secured directly to the helmet shell.

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