A visor latch mechanism for a helmet system

Abstract

The present invention provides a visor latch mechanism [200] for pivotally locking and / or releasing a visor [120] from a helmet system [100]. The visor latch mechanism [200] comprise a housing unit [210]; a primary lever [220] and a secondary lever [230] pivotally installed on the housing unit [210]. The primary lever [220] comprises a primary acting arm portion [222], a primary load arm portion [224], and a primary 5 pivot portion [226] therebetween, and defines a primary curved snap-fit portion [228]. The secondary lever [230] comprises a secondary acting arm portion [232], a secondary load arm portion [234], and a secondary pivot portion [236] therebetween, and defines a secondary curved snap-fit portion [238]. The visor latch mechanism [200] includes a latched state and a released state, to selectively lock and release the 10 visor [120] with the visor latch mechanism [200].

Description

[0001] A VISOR LATCH MECHANISM FOR A HELMET SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a visor latch mechanism for a helmet system. More particularly, the present invention relates to the visor latch mechanism for pivotally locking and / or releasing a visor from a helmet for the helmet system.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] This section is intended to provide information relating to the field of the invention and thus any approach or functionality described below should not be assumed to be qualified as prior art merely by its inclusion in this section.

[0006] Safety is one of the most important and necessary factors for humans while travelling from one place to another using a two-wheeler and a four-wheeler. In a four-wheeler, a rider(s) has the provision of roof, seat-belts and airbags to ensure overall driver and passenger safety in case of an accident. However, in a two-wheeler there is no such availability. Helmets are the major safety apparatus available to primarily protect the rider(s) from any fatal or minor head injury. Further, traffic safety regulations of most countries make it mandatory for two-wheeler vehicle riders to wear helmets, for proper compliance with law.

[0007] A helmet system typically comprises, a Shell, EPS, Harness, Chin Strap, Visor and Visor Mechanism. With usage, the visor is prone to scratches, cracks, damage, and / or dirt accumulation. This may lead to visual blurriness, visual impairment, or any other such issue to the rider(s), which in turn may lead to temporary / permanent eye damage or cause accident(s) on the road. Thereby, the rider(s) need to release / remove the visor from the helmet for replacing and / or cleaning the visor from time-to-time in order to prevent such issues. Conventionally, the visor is removably and pivotally attached to the helmet, by a visor latch mechanism. Notably, the helmet system is required to employ two visor latch mechanisms on each side of the helmet, for pivotally supporting each side of the visor on each side of the helmet. Presently, there are several mechanisms known in the art for the visor latch mechanism. In one embodiment, each visor latch mechanism is a rivet / screw-based mechanism. In such embodiment, the visor is attached to the visor latch mechanism by screws, to pivotally install the visor on the helmet. However, in such embodiment, it requires extra tools for a removal / replacement of the visor. In another embodiment, each visor latch mechanism is a snap-fit mechanism. In such embodiment, each visor latch mechanism includes a snap-fit portion defined on each side of the visor, and also includes a snap-fit attachment portion defined on each side of the helmet, such that the snap-fit portion on the visor rotatably snap fits with the snap-fit attachment portion of the helmet, to pivotally install the visor on the helmet. In yet another embodiment, each visor latch mechanism may include a housing unit fixed to the helmet; a lever installed within the housing unit and including an acting arm portion and a load arm portion, such that the load arm portion defines a snap-fit attachment portion, while the acting arm portion defines a finger access portion. In such embodiment, the snap-fit attachment portion of the lever engages with the snap-fit portion of the visor, for pivotally supporting each end of the visor on each side of the helmet. Accordingly, the lever may be accessed to release the snap-fit portion from the snap portion of the visor, and thus release the visor therefrom. However, such embodiment of the visor latch mechanism require higher forces for operations, and may also be prone to finger injury.

[0008] In light to the aforementioned drawbacks of the present solutions, there is a well felt need of a visor latch mechanism for pivotally locking and / or releasing a visor from a helmet for the helmet system, that is capable of locking and / or releasing the visor without any of the aforementioned drawbacks. SUMMARY

[0009] The present invention provides a visor latch mechanism for pivotally locking and / or releasing a visor from a helmet of a helmet system. The one or more visor latch mechanism(s) comprise a housing unit attached to the helmet; a primary lever pivotally installed on the housing unit; and a secondary lever pivotally installed on the housing unit.

[0010] The primary lever comprises a primary acting arm portion, a primary load arm portion, and a primary pivot portion therebetween; and the primary load arm portion defines a primary curved snap-fit portion. The secondary lever comprises a secondary acting arm portion, a secondary load arm portion, and a secondary pivot portion therebetween; and the secondary load arm portion defining a secondary curved snap- fit portion. The one or more visor latch mechanism(s) is configured such that the secondary acting arm portion of the secondary lever is connected to the primary pivot portion of the primary lever thereof. The helmet system includes a latched state and a released state. In the latched state, each of the primary curved snap-fit portion and the secondary curved snap-fit portion are positioned relatively closer to each other, and are pivotally locked with visor snap-fit portions defined on the visor. In the released state, each of the primary curved snap-fit portion and the secondary curved snap-fit portion are positioned relatively distant from each other, and are released from the visor snap-fit portions defined on the visor.

[0011] With such an arrangement of the one or more visor latch mechanism(s), the one or more visor latch mechanism(s) are able to lock and / or release / remove the visor from the helmet by applying a comparatively lesser force, which is more convenient to user, have a lesser chance of any injury and a substantially lesser chance of damage to the visor and / or the visor latch mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. These and other details of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:

[0013] Fig. 1 is a first side view of a helmet system

[0100] equipped with a visor

[0120] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a first side view of a helmet system

[0100] equipped with a visor

[0120] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a first side view of the helmet system

[0100] , without a visor

[0120] thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0016] Fig. 4 is a second side view of the helmet system

[0100] , without the visor

[0120] thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0017] Fig. 5 is a front view of the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0018] Fig. 6 is a rear view of the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0019] Fig. 7 is a section of the visor

[0120] attached to the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.

[0022] Unless otherwise stated, the terms "include" and "comprise" (and variations thereof such as "including", "includes", "comprising", "comprises", "comprised" and the like) are used inclusively and do not exclude further features, components, integers, steps or elements.

[0023] Helmet System [1001

[0024] Fig. 1 is a first side view of a helmet system

[0100] equipped with a visor

[0120] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a first side view of a helmet system

[0100] equipped with a visor

[0120] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a first side view of the helmet system

[0100] , without a visor

[0120] thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a second side view of the helmet system

[0100] , without the visor

[0120] thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figures 1-4 should be referred to in conjunction with each other in order to clearly understand the concepts of the present disclosure. The helmet system

[0100] comprises a helmet

[0110] , a visor

[0120] , and one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] ,

[0025] The helmet

[0110] is designed to be placed over a human head and is capable of being manufactured in various sizes in order to allow the helmet

[0110] to be placed over human heads of various sizes. The helmet

[0110] has a conventionally known structure and arrangement. The helmet

[0110] may be any type of helmet known in the art, such as but not limited to, a modular helmet, a full-face helmet, a half-face helmet, a halfshell helmet, an off-road helmet, a dual-sport helmet. Although, a full-face helmet is shown in the present disclosure, it may be obvious to a person skilled in the art that any other helmet is also within a scope of the present disclosure. The helmet

[0110] includes various parts such as an outer shell, EPS, one or more inner lining(s), one of more comfort lining(s), a neck curtain, one or more comfort padding(s), a chin bar, one or more chin strap(s), one or more ventilation vent(s), one or more moisture excreting vents, etc. A structure and arrangement of the helmet

[0110] is commonly known to a person skilled in the art, and is not repeated herein for the sake of brevity. Notably, in the present disclosure, the helmet

[0110] defines a front cavity

[0115] that is required to be covered by the visor

[0120] , The helmet

[0110] also defines one or more helmet side portions [110a, 110b], namely a first helmet side portion [110a] and a second helmet side portion [110b], on each side of the front cavity

[0115] thereof. Each of the first helmet side portion [110a] and the second helmet side portion [110b] includes one or more visor latch mechanism mounting portion(s) (not shown), typically provided in form of depressed regions, where the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] are mounted thereon. The visor

[0120] is also any visor known to a person skilled in the art. The visor

[0120] is a transparent shield that is suitably shaped and structured to cover the front cavity of the helmet

[0110] , The visor

[0120] may be made of any material known in the art such as, but not limited to, thermoplastic, glass, glass fiber, or composite polycarbonate and / or a combination thereof. A structural arrangement of the visor

[0120] is already known to the person skilled in the art. Thereby, the same is not reproduced herein for the sake of brevity. Notably, the visor

[0120] is pivotally and removably installed on the helmet

[0110] , such that the visor

[0120] can be pivotally adjusted between a deployed configuration and a stacked configuration. In the deployed configuration, the visor

[0120] completely covers the front cavity

[0115] of the helmet

[0110] , In the stacked configuration, the visor

[0120] uncovers the front cavity

[0115] of the helmet

[0110] , The visor

[0120] defines one or more visor side portions [122a, 122b], namely be a first visor side portion [122a] and a second visor side portion [122b], each of which defines visor snap-fit portions

[0130] on an inner surface (as shown in Fig. 8). Further, each of the first visor side portion [122a] and the second visor side portion [122b] of the visor

[0120] also defines a protrusion

[0140] , that enables the visor

[0120] to be temporarily locked in intermediate configurations between the deployed configuration and stacked configuration. The visor

[0120] is configured such that both the first visor side portion [122a] and the second visor side portion [122b] of the visor

[0120] can bend to a suitable extent, without any damage to the visor

[0120] , to allow the visor

[0120] to be locked within the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] ,

[0026] One or more Visor Latch Mechanism(s) [2001:

[0027] Fig. 5 is a front view of the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a section of the visor

[0120] attached to the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figures 5-8 should be referred to in conjunction with each other in order to clearly understand the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0028] The present disclosure discloses a robust and innovative one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] that locks and / or release the one or more visor side portion [122a, 122b] of the visor

[0120] relative to the one or more helmet side portion [110a, 110b] of the helmet

[0110] , In the present embodiment, the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] includes two visor latch mechanisms [200a, 200b], namely a first visor latch mechanism [200a] and a second visor latch mechanism [200b], The first visor latch mechanism [200a] locks and / or release the first visor side portion [122a] of the visor

[0120] relative to the first helmet side portion [110a] of the helmet

[0110] , while the second visor latch mechanism [200b] locks and / or release the second visor side portion [122b] of the visor

[0120] relative to the second helmet side portion [110b] of the helmet

[0110] , For ease in reference and understanding, a structure arrangement of the first visor latch mechanism [200a] for locking and / or releasing the first visor side portion [122a] of the visor

[0120] relative to the first helmet side portion [110a] of the helmet

[0110] , will be explained in detail hereinafter. Similar structure and arrangement of the second visor latch mechanism [200b] for locking and / or releasing the second visor side portion [122b] of the visor

[0120] relative to the second helmet side portion [110b] of the helmet

[0110] , may be contemplated.

[0029] As is earlier stated, the first visor latch mechanism [200a] locks and / or release the first visor side portion [122a] of the visor

[0120] relative to the first helmet side portion [110a] of the helmet

[0110] , The first visor latch mechanism [200a] comprises: a housing unit

[0210] attached to the helmet

[0110] ; a primary lever

[0220] pivotally installed on the housing unit

[0210] ; a secondary lever

[0230] pivotally installed on the housing unit

[0210] ; and a spring member

[0250] installed within the housing unit

[0210] ,

[0030] Housing unit [2101:

[0031] The housing unit

[0210] defines a basic framework of the first visor latch mechanism [200a] that accommodates various parts / components of the first visor latch mechanism [200a], The housing unit

[0210] may be made of any material known in the art such as, but not limited to, thermoplastic, glass, glass fibre, metal, alloy, or composite polycarbonate and / or a combination thereof. The housing unit

[0210] defines a primary lever guide cavity

[0212] at which the primary lever

[0220] is pivotally supported, a secondary lever guide cavity

[0214] at which the secondary lever

[0230] is pivotally supported, and a spring guide cavity

[0213] at which the spring member

[0250] is supported. Further, the housing unit

[0210] defines a protrusion locking cavity

[0216] defining a ratchet feature with multiple teeth thereof. The protrusion locking cavity

[0216] enables the protrusion

[0140] defined on the visor

[0120] to be temporarily locked in intermediate configurations between the deployed configuration and stacked configuration, upon application of a required force on the visor

[0120] by a user. Furthermore, the housing unit

[0210] is fixedly / removably attached to the helmet

[0110] by an attachment means. The attachment means includes, such as but not limited to, a snap-fit attachment, a weld attachment means, an adhesive attachment means, a rivet attachment means, a screw attachment means, and / or a combination thereof. Moreover, the housing unit

[0210] defines a user access region cavity

[0217] allows a user access region

[0240] of the primary lever

[0220] to pass therethrough, to allow the user to manipulate the primary lever

[0220] , Primary Lever [2201:

[0032] The primary lever

[0220] defines a primary lever front face [220a] and a primary lever rear face [220b], The primary lever

[0220] is pivotally supported at a primary pivot portion

[0226] within the primary lever guide cavity

[0212] of the housing unit

[0210] such that the primary lever front face [220a] abuts with the housing unit

[0210] , The primary lever

[0220] comprises a primary acting arm portion

[0222] , a primary load arm portion

[0224] , and the primary pivot portion

[0226] therebetween, and the user access region

[0240] defined on the primary lever front face [220a] of the primary lever

[0220] , The user access region

[0240] allows the user to manipulate the primary acting arm portion

[0222] of the primary lever

[0220] by use of one or more finger(s) thereof. The primary lever

[0220] may be made of any material known in the art such as, but not limited to, thermoplastic, glass, glass fiber, metal, alloy, or composite polycarbonate and / or a combination thereof. Further, the primary load arm portion

[0224] defines a primary curved snap-fit portion

[0228] that abuts with the visor snap-fit portions

[0130] of the visor

[0120] in a latched state. Furthermore, the primary lever

[0220] defines a spring member mounting protrusion

[0221] at which one end of the spring member

[0250] is mounted.

[0033] Secondary Lever [2301:

[0034] The secondary lever

[0230] defines a secondary lever front face [230a] and a secondary lever rear face [230b], The secondary lever

[0230] is pivotally supported at a secondary pivot portion

[0236] within the secondary lever guide cavity

[0214] of the housing unit

[0210] such that the secondary lever front face [230a] abuts with the housing unit

[0210] , The secondary lever

[0230] comprises a secondary acting arm portion

[0232] and a secondary load arm portion

[0234] , and the secondary pivot portion

[0236] therebetween. The secondary lever

[0230] may be made of any material known in the art such as, but not limited to, thermoplastic, glass, glass fibre, metal, alloy, or composite polycarbonate and / or a combination thereof. Further, the secondary load arm portion

[0234] defines a secondary curved snap-fit portion

[0238] that abuts with the visor snap-fit portions

[0130] of the visor

[0120] in a latched state. Further, the secondary lever

[0230] is accommodated in the secondary lever guide cavity

[0214] of the housing unit

[0210] such that the secondary acting arm portion

[0232] is accommodated in the secondary lever accommodating cavity

[0229] of the secondary lever

[0230] , such that the secondary acting arm portion

[0232] is connected to the primary pivot portion

[0226] of the primary lever

[0220] thereof.

[0035] Spring Member [2501:

[0036] The spring member

[0250] may be any type of spring known in the art, such as but not limited to, a helical compressional spring, a helical extension spring, a conical spring, a leaf spring, or any of the like. Although, the present disclosure is described considering the spring member

[0250] as a helical compressional spring, it may be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the concepts may also be applied to any of the aforementioned types of spring member

[0250] , The spring member

[0250] is accommodated within the spring guide cavity

[0213] of the housing units

[0210] , such that one of the of the spring member

[0250] is mounted at the spring member mounting protrusion

[0221] of the primary lever

[0220] ,

[0037] In assembly of the first visor latch mechanism [200a], the primary curved snap-fit portion

[0228] and the secondary curved snap-fit portion

[0238] are suitably structured, to form arc portions of a common imaginary circle. Further, the primary curved snap- fit portion

[0228] of the primary lever

[0220] are positioned opposite to the secondary curved snap-fit portion

[0238] of the secondary lever 230], The one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] includes the latched state and a released state. In the latched state, both the primary curved snap-fit portion

[0228] and the secondary curved snap- fit portion

[0238] are positioned relatively closer to each other, and are pivotally locked with visor snap-fit portions

[0130] defined on the visor

[0120] , In the released state, each of the primary curved snap-fit portion

[0228] and the secondary curved snap-fit portion

[0238] are positioned relatively distant from each other, and are released from the visor snap-fit portions

[0130] defined on the visor

[0120] ,

[0038] In assembly of the helmet system

[0100] , the helmet system

[0100] includes the first visor latch mechanism [200a] for pivotally locking and / or releasing the first visor side portion [122a] of the visor

[0120] to the first helmet side portion [110a] of the helmet

[0110] , Further, the helmet system

[0100] includes the second visor latch mechanism [200b] for pivotally locking and / or releasing the second visor side portion [122b] of the visor

[0120] to the second helmet side portion [110b] of the helmet

[0110] , The aforementioned paragraphs explain a structure and arrangement of the first visor latch mechanism [200a] for pivotally locking and / or releasing the first visor side portion of the visor

[0120] to the first helmet side portion [110a] of the helmet

[0110] , similar structure and arrangement of the second visor latch mechanism [200b] for pivotally locking and / or releasing the second visor side portion of the visor

[0120] to the second helmet side portion [110b] of the helmet

[0110] may also be contemplated. Accordingly, the second visor latch mechanism [200b] includes a housing unit; a primary lever; a secondary lever, and a spring member, suitably arranged for pivotally locking and / or releasing the second visor side portion of the visor

[0120] to the second helmet side portion [110b] of the helmet

[0110] ,

[0039] In operation, initially, each of the first visor latch mechanism [200a] and the second visor latch mechanism [200b] are in latched state, thereby the first visor latch mechanism [200a] and the second visor latch mechanism [200b] locks the first visor side portion [122a] and the second visor side portion [122b] of the visor

[0120] to the first helmet side portion [110a] and the second helmet side portion [110b], respectively, of the helmet

[0110] , Thereafter, in certain conditions, the visor

[0120] may required to be removed from the helmet

[0110] , In such conditions, each of the first visor latch mechanism [200a] and the second visor latch mechanism [200b] are adjusted into the released state, such that the visor

[0120] pops out therefrom. Particularly, as the visor

[0120] is installed in a partially bent state on the helmet

[0110] , the visor

[0120] is popped out as soon as the first visor latch mechanism [200a] and the second visor latch mechanism [200b] are adjusted into the released state. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the first visor latch mechanism [200a] and the second visor latch mechanism [200b] may be adjusted to the released state together in unison, or may be adjusted to the released state one after another. An operation of the first visor latch mechanism [200a] adjusted from the latched state to the released state will be explained hereinafter, similar operation of the second visor latch mechanism [200b] adjusted from the latched state to the released state may be contemplated.

[0040] In order to adjust the first visor latch mechanism [200a] from the latched state to the released state, the user has to has to apply a sufficient force on the user access region

[0240] of the first visor latch mechanism [200a], During use, when the user applies a sufficient force on the user access region

[0240] , a load is applied on the primary acting arm portion

[0222] that leads to the compression of the spring member

[0250] from the latched state, and the primary load arm portion

[0224] to move out in a circumferential direction. This, in turn, also leads to an application of the force on the secondary acting arm portion

[0232] of the secondary lever

[0230] , As a result of this, the secondary load arm portion

[0234] of the secondary lever

[0230] also moves out in a circumferential direction. Thereby, as a result of a substantial force being applied on the user access region

[0240] by the user, first visor latch mechanism [200a] changes its state from the latched state to the release state. At this stage, the snap-fit portions

[0130] of the visor

[0120] pops out from the helmet

[0110] , Thereby, the first visor side portion [122a] of the visor

[0120] is popped out and released from the first helmet side portion [110a] of the helmet

[0110] , Similar operation is performed on the second visor latch mechanism [200b] for enabling popping out and release of the second visor side portion [122b] of the visor

[0120] from the second helmet side portion [110b] of the helmet

[0110] ,

[0041] In operation, when the user has to attach first visor side portion [122a] of the visor

[0120] to the first visor latch mechanism [200a], the user has to apply a sufficient force on the user access region

[0240] , This leads to an application of a load on the primary acting arm portion

[0222] that, in turn, leads to the compression of the spring member

[0250] , and the primary load arm portion

[0224] to move out in a circumferential direction. This, in turn, also leads to an application of the force on the secondary acting arm portion

[0232] of the secondary lever

[0230] , As a result of this, the secondary load arm portion

[0234] of the secondary lever

[0230] also moves out in a circumferential direction and provides a space to insert the snap-fit portions

[0130] of the first visor side portion [122b] of the visor

[0120] , Thereby, as a result of a substantial force being applied on the user access region

[0240] by the user, each of the primary curved snap-fit portion

[0228] and the secondary curved snap-fit portion

[0238] of the first visor latch mechanism [200a] gets positioned relatively distant from each other. At this stage, the snap-fit portions

[0130] of the first visor side portion [122b] of the visor

[0120] are to be inserted within the first visor latch mechanism [200a], At this stage, the first visor latch mechanism [200a] comes to the released state. Thereinafter, the user has to remove the force applied to the user access region

[0240] , which leads to the decompression of the spring member

[0250] and thereby, results in each of the primary curved snap-fit portion

[0228] and the secondary curved snap-fit portion

[0238] coming relatively closer to each other, and are pivotally with visor snap-fit portions

[0130] defined on the visor

[0120] , This leads to the first visor latch mechanism [200a] to reach the latched state. Similar operation is performed on the second visor latch mechanism [200b] for enabling attaching the second visor side portion [122b] of the visor

[0120] from the second helmet side portion [110b] of the helmet

[0110] ,

[0042] Concurrent to the above operation, when the visor

[0120] is in the latched state with the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] , the protrusion

[0140] rests within the protrusion locking cavity

[0216] , The user, upon application of a required force on the visor

[0120] , can temporarily lock the visor

[0120] in intermediate configurations between the deployed configuration and stacked configuration. The protrusion

[0140] is configured to engage with one of the multiple teeth of the ratchet feature of the protrusion locking cavity

[0216] , for temporarily locking the visor

[0120] in one of a plurality of pivotal positions of the visor

[0120] with respect to the helmet

[0110] , Furthermore, the at least one visor side portion of the visor

[0120] overlays a major portion of the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] ,

[0043] Various advantage of the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] exists, including, such as but not limited to, ease in replacing / removing the visor

[0120] , a reduced chance of injury to the user, a reduced chance of damage to the visor snap-fit portions

[0130] or the primary curved snap-fit portion

[0228] or the secondary curved snap-fit portion

[0238] , increase in lifetime of the visor

[0120] and the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] , and ease of replacement of the one or more visor latch mechanism(s)

[0200] ,

[0044] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. It will be obvious to the person skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0045] List of Components:

[0046]

[0100] - Helmet System

[0212] - Primary Lever Guide Cavity

[0047]

[0110] - Helmet

[0213] - Spring Guide Cavity

[0048] [110a] - First Helmet Side Portion

[0214] - Secondary Lever Guide Cavity

[0049] [110b] - Second Helmet Side Portion

[0215] - Mounting Cavity Mounting Cavity

[0050]

[0115] - Front Cavity

[0051]

[0216] - Protrusion Locking Cavity

[0052]

[0120] - Visor

[0053]

[0217] - User Access Region Cavity

[0054] [122a] - First Visor Side Portion

[0055]

[0220] - Primary Lever

[0056] [122b] - Second Visor Side Portion

[0057] [220a] - Primary Lever Front Face

[0058]

[0130] - Visor Snap-Fit Portions

[0059] [220b] - Secondary Lever Front Face

[0060]

[0140] - Protrusion

[0061]

[0221] - Spring Member Mounting

[0062]

[0200] - One Or More Visor Latch Protrusion Mechanism(s)

[0063]

[0222] - Primary Acting Arm Portion

[0064] [200a] - First Visor Latch Mechanism

[0065]

[0224] - Primary Load Arm Portion

[0066] [200b] - Second Visor Latch

[0067] Mechanism

[0226] - Primary Pivot Portion

[0068]

[0210] - Housing Unit

[0228] - Primary Curved Snap-Fit Portion

[0229] - Secondary Lever

[0234] - Secondary Load Arm Portion

[0069] Accommodating Cavity

[0070]

[0236] - Secondary Pivot Portion

[0071]

[0230] - Secondary Lever

[0072]

[0238] - Secondary Curved Snap-Fit

[0073] [230a] - Secondary Lever Front Face Portion

[0074] [230b] - Secondary Lever Rear Face

[0240] - User Access Region

[0075]

[0232] - Secondary Acting Arm Portion

[0250] - Spring Member

Claims

I / We claim:

1. A visor latch mechanism [200] for pivotally locking and / or releasing a visor [120] from a helmet [110] of a helmet system [100], the visor latch mechanism [200] comprising: a housing unit [210] attached to the helmet; a primary lever [220] pivotally installed on the housing unit [210], the primary lever [220] comprising a primary acting arm portion [222], a primary load arm portion [224], and a primary pivot portion [226] therebetween, the primary load arm portion [224] defining a primary curved snap-fit portion [228]; and a secondary lever [230] pivotally installed on the housing unit [210], the secondary lever [230] comprising a secondary acting arm portion [232], a secondary load arm portion [234], and a secondary pivot portion [236] therebetween, the secondary load arm portion [234] defining a secondary curved snap-fit portion [238], wherein the secondary acting arm portion [232] is connected to the primary pivot portion [226] thereof, and wherein in a latched state, each of the primary curved snap-fit portion [228] and the secondary curved snap-fit portion [238] are positioned relatively closer to each other, and are pivotally locked with visor snap-fit portions [130] defined on the visor [120], and wherein in a released state, each of the primary curved snap-fit portion [228] and the secondary curved snap-fit portion [238] are positioned relatively distant from each other, and are released from the visor snap-fit portions [130] defined on the visor [120],2. The visor latch mechanism [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary curved snap-fit portion [228] and the secondary curved snap-fit portion [238] are suitably structured, to form arc portions of a common imaginary circle.

3. The visor latch mechanism [200] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the primary lever [220] and the secondary lever [230] are suitably structured, such that the primary curved snap-fit portion [228] of the primary lever [220] is positioned opposite to the secondary curved snap-fit portion [238] of the secondary lever [230],4. The visor latch mechanism [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary acting arm portion [222] of the primary lever [220] is manipulated, to adjust the visor latch mechanism [200] from the latched state to the released state.

5. The visor latch mechanism [200] as claimed in claims 1 and 4, wherein the primary acting arm portion [222] of the primary lever [220] defines a user access region [240], for allowing a user to manipulate the primary acting arm portion [222] by use of a finger thereof.

6. The visor latch mechanism [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing unit [210] defines a primary lever guide cavity [212] at which the primary lever [220] is pivotally supported, and a secondary lever guide cavity [214] at which the secondary lever [230] is pivotally supported.

7. The visor latch mechanism [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary lever [220] is resiliently installed on the housing unit [210] with use of a spring member [250], such that the spring member [250] maintains the visor latch mechanism [200] in the latched state.

8. The visor latch mechanism [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing unit [210] is attached to the helmet [110] by an attachment means including, a snap- fit attachment, a weld attachment means, an adhesive attachment means, a rivet attachment means, a screw attachment means, and / or a combination thereof.

9. The visor latch mechanism [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visor [120] includes at least one visor side portion [122a, 122b], each of which defines the visor snap-fit portions [130] thereof.

10. The visor latch mechanism [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing unit [210] further defines a protrusion locking cavity [216] defining a ratchet feature with multiple teeth thereof.

11. The visor latch mechanism [200] as claimed in claims 1 and 10, wherein the at least one visor side portion [122a, 122b] of the visor [120] defines a protrusion [140] that engages with one of the multiple teeth of the ratchet feature, for temporarily locking the visor [120] in one of a plurality of pivotal positions of the visor [120] with respect to the helmet [110],12. The visor latch mechanism [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one visor side portion [122a, 122b] of the visor [120] overlays a major portion of the visor latch mechanism [200],13. The helmet system [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the helmet system [100] comprises: the helmet [110] defining a first helmet side portion [110a] and a second helmet side portion [110b];the visor [120] defining a first visor side portion [122a] and a second visor side portion [122b], each of which defines the visor snap-fit portions [130]; a first visor latch mechanism [200a] for pivotally locking and / or releasing the first visor side portion [122a] of the visor [120] to the first helmet side portion [110a] of the helmet [110]; and a second visor latch mechanism [200b] for pivotally locking and / or releasing the second visor side portion [122b] of the visor [120] to the second helmet side portion [110b] of the helmet [110],

Images